1952 12 30 CC Minutes3S
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS
December 30, 1952
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in regular session on
Thursday, December 302 1952 at 7:30 p. m. in the Council Room of the Baytown City
Hall with the following members in attendance:
J. A. Zard Mayor
R. B. Bergeron Councilman
W, E. Lawless Councilman
Milton L. Campbell Councilman
H. M. Campbell Councilman
C. D. Middleton
City Manager
Edna Oliver
City Clerk
Absent: R. H. Pruett
Councilman
W. D. Reeves
Councilman
George Chandler
City Attorney
The Mayor called the meeting to order and the minutes of the regular meeting
of December 11, 1952 were read. Councilman Milton L. Campbell asked that the
minutes regarding the request for additional help in the Health Department be
amended to read: "A request for an appropriation for an additional employee had
been made during the budget review." With this correction the minutes were approved
as read, whereupon, the following business was transacted:
Resignation - Gordon Lewis - Retainer Basis
The City Manager presented the following inter- office memorandum from
Gordon Lewis:
"I have been offered and have accepted a position with a
substantial increase in salary. This is to be effective as of
January 10th, 1953. •
I have worked two and one -half years helping to build up the
City of Baytown's records and system to its present efficient
operation and I would like to present the following suggestion
and prqposal to help in its continued progressive maintenance:
that I'(be placed on leave of absence status for a period not
to exceed one year,)that I be paid a salary of $100-.00-per
month and for this consideration I would accomplish the monthly
work of posting the General Ledgers, prepare the monthly
adjusting entries, prepare the monthly financial statements and
all interim reports, reconcile the bank accounts, and maintain
the Bond Ledgers. This work I could do in the evenings and
Saturday afternoons and Sundays if necessary. I would relinquish
accounts of my private accounting practice to allow time for
this work. I would be available also by telephone during the
day to help whenever I could. Other details of my duties could
be evenly distributed to others of our very capable and competent
accounting personnel.
Advantages of this arrangement:
Municipal accounting is highly specialized and the availability
of accountants from this pool is very limited. This arrange-
ment would relieve the necessity hiring a replacement who
would require a minimum of six months training in this field
of accounting.
Save the City of Baytown $300.00 monthly in this classifications.
Continue without disruption the current maintenance of control records.
Continue without disruption the preparation of Monthly reports.
Continue without disruption the constant preparation for the
Semi - annual Audits.
I wish it to be understood that this offer is made with respect
too and in consideration of the best interests of the City of
Baytown. When I started work for the City of Baytown two and
one -half years ago records and systems were non - existent and I
am distinctly proud of the great strides and accomplishments
made within that period as evidenced by the complimentary
remarks by the examining Auditor consistenly in every Audit
report. If this does not meet with favorable approval then
I respectfully submit this as my resignation effective as of
January 10th, 1953 and believe me when I say that I-have
enjoyed my work, the association that I have had with the
entire personnel of the City of Baytown and I regret leaving."
1
Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: None
Councilman Bergeron
" lawless
" H. M. Campbell
" M. L. Campbell
Car and Truck Bids
The bids as submitted on the two (2) ton truck chassis were opened and they
are tabulated as follows:
Company
Gulf Coast Motor
J. B. Hollaway
Buck Turner
Thad Felton
Higginbotham Motor Co.
Franta Motor Co.
Stake Amount
1953
Upon the recommendation-of the City
Manager,
Councilman Lawless
moved that
2,117.79
the proposal be accepted as presented and
that Mr.
Lewis be placed on
leave of
r
absence status for a period not to exceed one year,
month. Councilman H. M. Campbell seconded the motion.
at a salary of $100.00 per
The roll call vote was as
or 1953 GMC
follows:
1953
GMC
2,412.91
1
Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: None
Councilman Bergeron
" lawless
" H. M. Campbell
" M. L. Campbell
Car and Truck Bids
The bids as submitted on the two (2) ton truck chassis were opened and they
are tabulated as follows:
Company
Gulf Coast Motor
J. B. Hollaway
Buck Turner
Thad Felton
Higginbotham Motor Co.
Franta Motor Co.
Stake Amount
1953
Dodge
$ 2,248.50
1953
Studebaker
2,117.79
1953
Chevrolet
2,085.08
1952
Ford
2,198.50
1952
or 1953 GMC
2,338.89
1953
GMC
2,412.91
Councilman Bergeron moved to purchase the Chevrole t two(2) ton chassis from
Buck Turner for $2,085.08, but the motion died for lack of a second.
Councilman H. M. Campbell moved to purchase the Dodge two (2) ton truck chassis
from Gulf Coast Motor Company at a cost of $2,248.50. Councilman lawless seconded
the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: -
Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Lawless Nays: Mayor hard
". H. M. Campbell Coun. Bergeron
Councilman M. L. Campbell declined to vote. He explained his action by asking
for performance records of all type trucks before a purchase is made. The Council
discussed this ouestion at length. Upon consent of all car dealers preseht, the bids
on the two -ton truck chassis and the two one -half ton trucks were recorded but final
action was deferred on the purchase of same until the compiled figures are made
available to the Council.
The bids on the Fire Chief's car were opened and they are tabulated as follows;
Comoaz; 1948 Ford
y Make Trade- in Amount
Gulf Coast Motor Co
Franta Motor Co.
Thad Felton
Paul Prince BulckCo.
Higginbotham Motors
Buck Turner Chevrolet
1953 Dodge Meadowbrook
1953 Cambridge Plymouth $
1953 Fordor Sedan
1953 41D Buick
1953 Cambridge Plymouth
1953 Chevrolet
The bids on the Police cars were opened and they are tabulated as follows:
$ 1,681.41
5oo.00
1,708.75
( 6 cyl.)
1,245.00
( 8 cyl :)
, 1,298.00
580.00
1,856.49
407.00
1,472.37
1,747.78
The bids on the Police cars were opened and they are tabulated as follows:
1951 Ford
1952 Plymouth
Company
Make
Trade -in
Trade -in
Amount
Buck Turner Chevrolet
1953
Chevrolet
7
7
$ 892.90
Gulf Coast Motor Co.
1953
Meadowbrook
790.45
Dodge
7
7
2,152.82
Pranta Motor Co.
1953
Cambridge
8 800.00
-.
1,159.65
Plymouth -
1,050.00 -:
909.65
Thad Felton Ford Agency
1953
F'ordor Ford
?
7 (6 cyl.)
1,532.00
(8 cyl.)
1,732.00
Chief McKee presented his performance records on a Plymouth and a Ford operating
in the Police Department, after which Councilman H. M. Campbell moved to purchase the
8 cylinder Fordor Ford from Thad Felton for the Fire Chief for 41,298.00 and the
two Plymouths from Higginbotham Motor Company for the Police-Department at a total cost
of $1,475.81. Councilman Bergeron seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as
follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor surd Nays: None
Councilman Bergeron
" Lawless
" M. L. Campbell
rr H. It. Campbell
The bids on the tvo (2) one -half ton pick-up trucks were opened and they are
tabulated as follows:
Company
1951 Ford
1952 Plymouth
Amount
Company Make
Trade -in
Trade -in
Amount
Higginbotham Motor Co. 1953 Cambridge
$ 841.00
1953
$ 935.81
Plymouth
2,885.10
13236.81
540.09
Paul Prince Buick Co. 1953 41D Buick
1
11280.00
975.72
Fordor Sedan
13113.00
2
1.142.72
Chief McKee presented his performance records on a Plymouth and a Ford operating
in the Police Department, after which Councilman H. M. Campbell moved to purchase the
8 cylinder Fordor Ford from Thad Felton for the Fire Chief for 41,298.00 and the
two Plymouths from Higginbotham Motor Company for the Police-Department at a total cost
of $1,475.81. Councilman Bergeron seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as
follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor surd Nays: None
Councilman Bergeron
" Lawless
" M. L. Campbell
rr H. It. Campbell
The bids on the tvo (2) one -half ton pick-up trucks were opened and they are
tabulated as follows:
Company
Make
Quantity
Amount
Gulf Coast Motor Co.
1953
B4 Dodge
2
$ 23797.00
Higginbotham Motor Co.
1953
GMC
2
2,885.10
Buck Turner Chevrolet Co.
1952
Chevrolet
1
13327.10
Franta Motor Co.
1953
GMC
2
2,715.45
Thad Felton Ford Agency
1952
Ford
1 6 cylinder
13371.03
1 8 cylinder
1,421.00
Foundation Bids
The foundation bids for the 100,000 gallon elevated tank were opened and they are
tabulated as follows:
Maxwell Construction Company $ 7.210.00
South Texas Engineering Company 7,181.25
_
Brown & Root Construction Co. 61887.00
Councilman M. L. Campbell moved that the bids be recorded but�no.further action
be taken pending further study of same �y the Council. Councilman Lawless seconded the
motion. The bids were discussed and the Mayor suggested that the bids be considered
and some definite action be taken at this meeting. Councilman M. L. Campbell agreed to
withdraw his motion with the consent of his second,.after which Councilman M. L. Campbell
moved to accept the bid proposal of Brown & Root Construction Company on the elevated
tank foundations in the amount of $6,887.00 and instructed the engineer to prepare the
necessary instruments for final execution of the contract by the City Council. Council-
man Lawless seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Maybr:Ward Nays: None
Councilman Bergeron
't Lawless
!' M. L. Campbell
H. M. Campbell
Bids = Billing Machine - Water Department
Only one bid was submitted on the advertisement for a billing machine for the
Water'Department. It is tabulated as follows:
Burroiughs Style F401, Electric Utility Billing Machine
Net Price - 30 days
$ 2,502.50
Councilman M. L. Campbell moved to purchase the machine. Councilman Lawless
seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: A-.ves : Mayor Ward Nays: :tone
Councilman Bergeron
it Lawless
11 M. L. Campbell
!' H. M. Campbell
i
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r
T
eSS�/
Transfer Ordinance
The City Manager presented an ordinance authorizing the transfer of
$539.29 to Classification 1002 -2 -9. Councilman H. M. Campbell moved to adopt the
ordinance as read and Councilman Bergeron seconded the motion. The roll call vote
was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: None
Councilman Bergeron
" lawless
" M. L. Campbell
" H. M. Campbell
The Caption of the ordinance follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 170
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF
BAYTOWN TO TRANSFER FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY -NINE DOLLARS AND
TWENTY -NINE CENTS FROM THE UNAPPROPRIATED SURPLUS WATER:
FUND TO CLASSIFICATION 1002 -Z -9.
Drainage Ditch - Intersection Missouri Street and Spur 201
The City Manager made a report to the Council of a letter received from
the State Highway Department on the request of the Council for the installation
of a storm sewer in the ditch at the intersection of Missouri Street and Spur 201.
Jim Douglas, District Engineer, acknowledged receipt of the letter requesting
such installation, however, he insisted that the Highway Department did not agree
with the Council in the contention that storm sewer drainage is necessary at the
location. He stated that the engineering department did not feel that the problem
was of such magnitude as to warrant expenditure of the money required, but, if the
City of Baytown insisted in the matter of storm sewer installation, the Highway
Department would attempt to incorporate the work in the existing contract provided
the City would provide the necessary funds. Councilman H. M. Campbell moved to
instruct the City Manager and Mayor to go to Austin and discuss this need with
the State Highway Commissioner. Councilman Bergeron seconded the motion. The
roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: None
Councilman Bergeron
It Lawless
" M. L. Campbell
H. M. Campbell
Dossey Report - Approved
Councilman M. L. Campbell moved to accept the semi -annual audit report
of T. E. Dossey, Jr., Certified Public Accountant, and 4:prove the statement of
revenues and expenditures of the City of Baytown as of September 30, 1952, Councilman
H. M. Campbell seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Mavor Ward Nays: None
Councilman Bergeron
" Lawless
" M. L. Campbell
" H. M. Campbell
Insurance -
The City Council met with representatives of the Baytown Insurance
Exchange and C. M. Bond, independent agent, concerning the city's insurance coverage
for the fiscal year 1952 -53. The Baytom Insurance Exchange had carried all
coverage for the city for several years and it was the contention of Mr. Bond
that he be given a fair share of the city's insurance business. After much
discussion, Councilman M. L. Campbell moved to give Mr. Bond the Blanket Employees
position bond, Swimming Pool Public Liability and a new policy covering valuable
papers and accounts. Councilman H. M. Campbell seconded the motion. The roll
call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Naysr None
Councilman Bergeron
it Lawless
It M. L. Campbell
It H. M. Campbell
SW
Mayor Ward, Councilman Bergeron and City Manager Middleton will meet
with representatives of the Insurance Exchange to discuss changes in the amount
of coverage under the newpolicies.
Miscellaneous
The Council discussed the request of probationary officer, C. 0. Davis,
to be returned to active duty in the police department. Mr. Davis had been
employed on July 1, 1952, and suffered a heart attack several weeks later. He
now desires to return to active duty. The Civil Service Rules and Regulations
requires a physical examination of all probationary officers and each candidate
must pass-a physical examination to the.satisfaction of the City Health Officer.
Dr. Crossman, City Health Officer, had advised the City Manager not to reinstate
Mr. Davis. It was agreed to let the City Attorney draw up an opinion as to
whether or not Mr. Davis is covered by Civil Service Regulations.
Adjournment
Councilman Pergeron moved for the meeting to adjourn. Councilman Lawless
seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting
adjourned.
((Ar }}rTTEST:
b(�
Edna Oliver, City Ulerk
A. Vlard,'Mayor
I
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