1956 01 26 CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS
January 26, 1956
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in regular session on
Thursday, January 26, 1956 at 7 o'clock p.m. in the Council Room of the Baytown
City Hall with the following members in attendance:
P. H. Mears
R. B. Bergeron
M. L. Campbell
Al Clayton
Lacy Lusk
C. D. Middleton
George Chandler
Edna Oliver
R. H.Pruett
Absent: H. H. Campbell
The Mayor called the meeting to order and
inf of January 12, 1956 and the special meeting
and approved, whereupon, the following business
Ditch Open - Ashley
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
Mayor
Councilman
the minutes of the regular meet -
of January 18, 1956 were read
was transacted:
d7s'
Mr. V. D. Ashley, a resident of the Cedar Bayou area, asked the Council to
give approval of cleaning the ditches along the Morgan Road. Mr. Grantham, Director
of Public Works, informed the coimoil that he would go in with the gradall and
work Fanestiel Street as soon as the weather clears, thus giving drainage to this
section. Mr. Ashley also told the council that he and his neighbors wanted to
dedicate additional land to meet the city's requirement for street purposed, after -
which, he plans on setting a culvert in the ditch. He asked for the city's co-
operation relative to setting grades, size of pipe required, etc., in order to
eliminate any future tearing out and rebuilding. The Mayor instructed the
City Engineer to give Mr. Ashley grades and the city will make installation of the
pipe for culvert after Mr. Ashley has purchased the material.
Easement - A. C. Lona Subdivision
The Councilor heard the complaint of a resident of A. C. Long Addition, relative
to utility easement violations. It was pointed out that in the original subdivision
restrictions a 10' utility easement was dedicated in the alley, however, now
the utility companies are using Fourth Street as well as the alley. The City
Attorney was instructed to make a study of the subdivision restrictions of
the A. C..Long Subduvision and present an opinion to the council at the next regu-
lar meeting.
Glen Swick - Curb and Gutter Sunset Drive
Glen Swick, 1100 Sunset Drive, petitioned the council to amend its previous
action on the 100% participation requirement for a drainage pro #ect along Sunset
Drive. Since one or W had refused to cooperate he asked that these roperty
owners be skipped since the property lies at the upper and and the naral drain
is south. The skips will not impede the flow of water. Councilman Clayton moved
to amend the motion made by the council at the October 11th meeting to exclude
the requirement of 100% participation in order for a drainage project to be pro-
moted along Sunset Drive. Councilman M. L. Campbell seconded the motion. The
roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman
to
to
n
Mayor Pruett
Renewal - Fire Insurance Coverage
Mears Nays: None
Bergeron
M. L. Campbell
Clayton
Lusk
The Baytown Insurance Exchange came before the Council for renewal of the
city's fire insurance policy on buildings, water towers, sever plants, etc which
was due in November and -bas 18en carried on a bin der until the present date.
rv.
The new key rate was used in the total premium charge of $7,353.63. The amount
of insurance carried on the thirty -nine (39) items was $514,600 with a time limit
of three (3) years. Councilman M. L. Campbell moved to accept and adopt the
schedule as presented and authorize the issuance of the policy, however, he further
moved that thh Mayor be instructed to appoint a committee to meet with the
Insurance Exchange and make a study of the policy and present recommendations at
a later meeting. Councilman Mears seconded the motion. The roll call vote was
as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Mears Nays: None
to Bergeron
It M. L. Campbell
It Lusk
" Clayton
Mayor Pruett
The Mayor appointed a Committee composed of Councilmen Lusk, Bergeron,Kears
and City Manager Middleton. Councilman Lusk was appointed Chairman of the
Committee.
Rheaume - Openina of 10th Street
E. H. Rheaume, presented a peition requesting the MayOr and City Council to
do whatever is necessary to cut, grade and pave with shell and asphalt.ppray,
10th Street between East James and East Hunnicutt. Each signer was a property o
owner whose property abutted 10th Street and each agreed to pay the City of
Baytown the sum of $0.50 cents a running foot on each side of said street, this
amount to be in proportion to the amount of his frontake. After some discussion
on the proposal Mayor Pruett appointed a Committee composed of Councilmen Clayton,
Lusk and M. L. Campbell to make a study of the proposal and its relation to the
future development in the area. A report will be made at the next regular meet-
ing of the Council.
0. L. Clark - Sewer Line Market Street
Mr. 0. L. Clark presented a petition signed by the property o®ers and
business men in the 2400, 2500 and 2600 blacks of Market Street requesting the
council to consider the installation of a sewer line to serve the area. Mr.
Grantham told the council that this installation was included in the improvement
prograTp projected-for the latter part of the 1955 -56 fiscal year and ran a
detailed diagram to show the proposed installation. Mr. Clark thanked the Council
for the favorable infbrmation.
Martin Ditch:.Extension
Councilman Lusk moved to declare,-the extension of Martin Ditch to Decker
Drive as an.emergency and Mr. Grantham be instructed to move machinery in to
begin filling of ditch. Councilman Bergeron seconded the kotion. The roll call
vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Mears Nays: None
" Bergeron
It H. M Campbell (by proxy)
It M. L: Campbell
" Clayton
IS Lusk
Mayor Pruett
Advertise Pipe - Ditch Extension
Councilman M. L. Campbell moved to authorize the City Manager to draw up
specifications and advertise for bids on the pipe for the Martin Ditch Extension.
Councilman Bergeron seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Mears Nays: None
" Bergeron
" M. L Campbell
" Clayton
" Lusk
Mayor Pruett
JF 77
Committee - Study Redistricting
Councilman M. L. Campbell moved to authorize the Mayor to appoint a Committee
to study the advisability of redistricting the City of Baytown; said committee to
report at a later meeting. Councilman Bergeron seconded the motion. The roll
call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Mears Nays: None
" Bergeron
" M. L. Campbell
" Clayton
" Lusk
Mayor Pruett
The Committee as appointed by the Mayor was Councilman Mears, Clayton and M. L.
Campbell.
Ordinance - Ordering City Election - Councilmen
The City Attorney introduced and read an ordinance ordering
election for the City of Baytown on April 3, 1956 for the purpose
councilman from Districts 1, 4 and 5. Councilman M. L. Campbell
the ordinance as read. Councilman Mears seconded the motion. Th e
was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: councilman Mears Nays: None
" Bergeron
" M. L. Campbell
" Clayton
" Lusk
Mayor Pruett
The caption of the ordinance follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 309
a general municipal
of electing a
moved to adopt
roll call vote
AN ORDINANCE ORDERING THE MINICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE 3RD
DAY OF APRIL, 1956, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING THREE (3) COUNCILMEN
FROM THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS NO. 1, 4 AND 5; PROVIDING FOR ELECTION
OFFICERS; DESIGNATING THB PLACES AND MANNER OF HOLDING SAID ELECTION;
PRESCRIBING THE HOURS AND PROVIDING FOB THE POSTING AND PUBLICATION
OF NOTICE.
Full Time Jailer
The Mayor the Council that he had been informed by Mr. Ramsey that
the Counc� will hire a full -time night jailer and asked the city's cooperation
in assigning a mon'or men in order to provide a jailer at the building at all
hours of the day and night. The tentative hours assigned to the County employee
will be drom the hours of 6: o'clock p.m. to 2: o'clock a.m., six days a week
and eight (8) hours a day. At present the city is using a partolman at the jail
about 4 -hours a day during the daylight hours. After a lengthy discussion the
Mayor assigned the request to the Corporation Court committee to study, afterwhich,
a report will bemade to the Council. Judge Queen also asked that the jurisdiction
of the jail, relating to the disposition of prisoners after bond is posted, be
delegated to the city, however, the Mayor and Chief of Police refused to agree
to any such suggestion unless the City would receive written althority from the
other governmental agencies, delegating such power to the city.
Aids - Welfare Buildings - City Property
Two (2) bids were received on the moving and resetting of three (3) frame
buildings for the Baytown Welfare League on city property near the city barn. The
bids as presented are as follows:
Enderli & Heintschel $525.00 Baytown Hou+a--Moving Cc X425.00
The bids were presented after Mr. Grantham expressed a need oC more space
for storage purposes. The feasibility of moving the buildings was discussed at
length and Mr. Caldwell, Director of the League, asked the council to delay
any action at present ifs possible, since it was rumored that the County may
erect a building in'this area soon. Councilman Lusk moved to accept the bids
as opened; further action on the request be tabled until it was known what the
County will do toward the eraction of a building in Baytown. Councilman Mears
seconded the motion. The roll call Vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Mears Nays: None
If Bergeron
" M. L. Campbell
If Clayton
" Lusk
Mayor Pruett
Appropriation Ordinance
The City Manager intboduced and read an appropriation ordinance of $2,165.47
for payment of a Remington Calculator for the tax office, replace fire truck at
Cedar Bayou and provide funds for thetbalance due on Automotive Insurance for
1955 -56. Councilman Clayton moved to adopt the ordinance as read. Councilman
Mears seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Mears Nayss None
" Bergem n
" M. L. Campbell
" Clayton
If Lusk
Mayor Pruett
The caption of the ordinance follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 310
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
TO APPROPRIATE TWO THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED SIXTY -FIVE DOLLARS AND FORTY -
SEVEN CENTS ($2,165.47) FROM THE COUNCIL CONTINGENT FUND TO CLASSIFI-
CATIONS 105 Z -19 202 E -4 AND 702 F -3A.
Refund - Sewer Tap Fee - H. L. Herbert
Councilman M. L. Campbell moved to refund Mr. H. L. Herbert his sewer tapping
fee charge since the city is unable to give him any relief on his sewer line due
to the elevation. He will be allowed to use his septic tank. Councilmen
Clayton seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call : Ayes: Councilman Mears Nays: None
" Bergeron
" M. L. Campbell
" Clayton
" Lusk
Mayor Pruett
Galena Park Resolution - Fireworks
The Council took no action on the request of the Mayor of Galena Park to
endorse a resolution abating the sale and shooting of fireworks within and outside
the municipalities of Harris County.
City Manager - Reprimand - Purchase Water Meters
Due to the misunderstanding on the purphase of 100 water meters, without
council authorization, the mishandling of the purchasing without advertising,
and the general unpleasant publicity it has caused, Councilman Clayton moved for
the Council to go on record as censuring-the City Manager for his method of handla
ing city purchases. This motion is to be considered as a reprimand for flouting the
provisions of the Baytown City Charter, for the conduct of his office, and that
any further instanced of such conduct may be considered as justifiable reasons
for asking his resignation. Councilman M. L. Campbell seconded the motion.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Roil Call: Ayes: Councilman Mears Nays: None
" Bergeron
" M. L. Campbell
" Clayton
" Lusk
Mayor Pruett
AdJournment
Councilmen M. L. eampbell moved for the meeting to adjgurn. Councilman
Clayton seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared
the meeting adjourned.
A ST
Clerk
Mayor R. H. Pruett
7