1953 01 08 CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS
January 8, 1953
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in regular session on
Thursday, January 8, 1953 at 7:30 p. m. in the Council Room of the Baytown City
Hall with the following members in attendances
J. A. Ward Mayor
R. B. Bergeron Councilman
Milton L. Campbell Councilman
R. H. Pruett Councilman
H. M. Campbell Councilman
C. D. Middleton City Manager
George Chandler City Attorney
Edna Oliver City Clerk
Absent: W. E. lawless Councilman
W. D. Reeves Councilman
The Mayor called the meeting to order and the minutes of the regular meeting
of December 30th were read. An error was found in the transcription tabulating
the price quoted on the advertisement for two (2) 1/2 ton pick -up trucks and the
minutes were amended to read: "Franta Motor Company - 1953 GMC pick -up - Two (2)
=2,882.68." With this correction the minutes were approved whereupon the following
business was transacted:
Sewer Line Extension - Layton Drive
W. J. Still, spokesman for a group of three (3) residents whose property faces
Layton Drive, petitioned the council to approve the installation costs of rerouting
their sewer line approximately eighty -six (861) feet, to tie -on to a six (6 ") inch
sewer main recently installed by the city. At present the sewer connection at each
home is connected to a dead -in four (4 ") inch main which is to be abandoned. At
the time each home was built the property owner had laid his own sewer line and made
connection _atcthe'plAce designated by city personnel, but, it was later found that
the original connection was made on private property and the sewer line was extended
and connection made elsewhere. Now the four (4 ") inch sewer main is to be cut off
and abandoned and the residents are faced with the cost of extending their sewer
lines further if the council does not approve the cost of installing same. Council-
man Pruett moved to authorise the rerouting of the three (3) sewer lines and a tie -
in be made to the six (6 ") inch sewer main provided the city, its agents and employees
be relieved of any and all damages which may be occasioned by the entering on and
the construction and laying of the sewer lines across the property. Councilman H. M.
Campbell seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: None
C Councilman Bergeron
" M. L. Campbell
" Pruett
w H. M. Campbell
Purchase Trucks - Pick -ups and two (2) ton chassis
The merits of the trucks as itemised, were discussed and the performance
records were reviewed on trucks operated in the street water water and sewer departuents.
Councilman M. L. Campbell moved to purchase the two (2) 1/2 -ton pick -up trucks from
Franta Motor Company at a total cost of $2,71545. Councilman Bergeron seconded
the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Calls Ayess Mayor Ward
Nays: None
Councilman Bergeron
" M. L. Campbell
" Pruett
" H. M. Campbell
Councilman Pruett moved to purchase the heavy two (2) ton truck chassis from
Buck Turner Chevrolet Company at a cost of $2,1:5.08. Councilman Bergeron seconded
the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
_�rw.
Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: Councilman M. L. Campbell
Councilman Bergeron H. M. Campbell
a Pruett
In checking the purchase price of the two one -half ton pick -up trucks it was
found that an error had been made in the tabulation of the figures and the purchase
price of the two (2) trucks should have read $2,882.68. The City Attorney was
consulted and he advised that the previous action of the council could be set aside
on what he termed a lack of thneeting of the minds." Councilman M. L. Campbell
moved that the action of the council concerning the purchase of the two (2) one-
half ton pick -up trucks from Franta Motor Company be set aside. Councilman Bergeron
seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: None
Councilman Bergeron
It M. L. Campbell
" Pruett
" H. M. Campbell
Councilman Pruett moved to purchase the two (2) one -half ton pick2up trucks
from Gulf Coast Motor Company at a price of $2,797.00. Councilman H. M. Campbell
seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays:, None
Councilman Bergeron
» M. L. Campbell
" Pruett
" H. M. Campbell
Contract - Brown and Root
Councilman Pruett moved to accept the contract of Brown & Root on the.con-
struction of the foundations for 1100,000 gallon elevated storage tank in the amount
of $6,887.00; authorized the Mayor to execute the contract for the city. Council-
man Bergeron seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward
Councilman
n
"
Payment - Estimate of Engineer
Nays: None
Bergeron
M. L. Campbell
Pruett
H. M. Campbell
Councilman Pruett moved to authorize the payment of engineering services on
plan preparation for the foundations in the amount of $228.43. Councilman Bergeron
seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: None
Councilman Bergeron
" M. L. Campbell
" Pruett
H. M. Campbell
Authorization - Advertise Bids - Sewage Treatment Plant
Councilman Pruett moved to authorise the engineer to immediately advertise for
bids on the construction of a sewage treatment plant; the bids to be presented and
opened at 7 :30 p. m. Thursday, February 26th. Councilman H. M. Campbell seconded
the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: None
Councilman Bergeron
" M. L. Campbell
" Pruett.
" H. M. Campbell
Report - Insurance Coverage
1
The Mayor gave a detailed report on the Committee's recommended insurance
coverage rates on all city buildings and contents thereof. Councilman M. L. Campbell
moved to accept the Committee's report and authorized the City Manager to notify
the Baytown Insurance Exchange of the changes as approved by the Council. Council-
man H. M. Campbell seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays: None
Councilman Bergeron
It M. L. Campbell
it Pruett
it H M. Campbell
Miscellaneous
The Council instructed the City Manager to check the budget to see if it will
allow the purchase of a circulator pump which will be installed at the Disposal
plant on East James.
The City Manager reported that the purchase price of a trAffic light, which
is to be installed at the intersection of Felton and West Texas Avenue, will be
$1,391.31.
Gas Campany
Jack Hinds, Attorney for the Houston Natural Gas Corporation, asked the
council to act upon the Company's application for a rate increase at the earliest
possible date. He stated that the Company was anxious to have a settlement with
the City of Baytown before the expiration dateof Larch 15th, if possible. He
insisted that the Council should be able to act upon the decision of the City
Attorney after some reputable Certified Public Accountant had examined the records
of the Houston Natural Gas Corporation and made certification as to the accuracy
of the exhibits-submitted. The Mayor informed the group that the city would give
its decision as soon as possible, but, it would require time and work to compile
the proper evidence. The City Manager was instructed to contact T. H. Dossey,
Certified Public Accountant, and see if he will have time to audit the financial
records of the Houston Natural Gas Corporation and if so, at what price.
Adjournment
Councilman Pruett moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilman Bergeron
seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting
adjourned.
ATTEST:
KdRa OT ver, City Clerk
J
- . Ward, Mayor