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1957 03 14 CC Minutesr I" /..7 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN- TEXAS March 19, 1957 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas net in regular session on Thursday, March 19, 1957, at 7 :00 o'clock p.m. in the Council Room of the Baytown City Hall, with the following members in attendance: P. H. Mears Councilman H. M. Campbell Councilman W. C. Swain Councilman Al Clayton Councilman Lacy Lusk Councilman R. H. Pruett Mayor C. D. Middleton City Manager George Chandler City Attorney Edna Oliver City Clerk Absent: R. B. Bergeron - Councilman The Mayor called the meeting to order, Councilman Clayton moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 28th and the special meeting of February 29th. Councilman Mears seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None Councilman Campbell Councilman Swain Councilman Mears Councilman Lusk Mayor Pruett Traffic Light - hest Main - Bayliss and Intersection S. Pruett & West Main Councilman Campbell asked the Council to give approval of Two (2) additional traffic lights for West Main; one at the intersection of Vest Main and Bayliss and another at South Pruett and West Main. He asked that the present traffic light, which is located at West Main and King be allowed to remain at its present location since it was originally installed for pedestrian traffic and isstill serving its purpose as such. The Council discussed the feasibility of such a request contending that three (3) traffic lights in the immediate vicinity were too many. As an alternate it was suggested that the present traffic light be moved and installed at Vest Main and Bayliss, if necessary on a trial basis, in order to arrive at a definite solution of locating the traffic light in order for it to be utilized to its greatest advantage. After some further dis- cussion, Councilman Campbell moved to approve the moving of the traffic light at West Main and King to West Main and Bayliss for a period of not less than 30 days, in order to determine the most feasible location for the traffic light to serve both traffic and pedestrians. Councilman Clayton seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Councilman Swain Councilman Campbell Councilman Mears Councilman Lusk Mayor Pruett Pistol Range - Police Department Nays: None D. P. Thomas, representing the Baytown Police Department, petitioned the Council to convert the abandoned garbage disposal site off Park Street into a Pistol Range for the Baytown Police Department. In order to make such a conversion of the site iteould be necessary that some grading be done, shell be placed at the entrance of site and on other parts of the range, targets and backstops installed, etc. He also suggested that bar- becue pits and tables be installed for use by the department and other city employees as It was the plans of the Police Association to erect a building on the site for its meet- ings. The Council frowned upon the latter part of the request since it was felt that the grounds could not be designated for city employees only, however, Councilman Campbell moved to authorize the City Manager to proceed with the completion of the pistol range by grading, shelling and installing backstops and targets for the Baytown Police Depart- ment; the latter part of the request be referred to the Corporation Court Committee for study. Councilman Mears seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: to, m' Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Councilman Campbell Councilman Swain Councilman Mears Councilman Lusk Mayor Pruett Ernest Brown. Jr. - Refunding Bonds Nays: None Ernest Brown, Jr., Houston Investment Banker, who is handling the City of Baytown Water G Sewer Refunding Bond presented a final report on the negotiation with the holders of the presently outstanding bonds which are being called. In the final tabulation the City will enjoy a greater net reduction in' interest cost than was at first anticipated. He presented each council member with a brochure of the schedules with a summary on the total amount due on bonds to be refunded and the estimated date of exchange. The Mayor thanked Mr. Brown for the clear and concise report especially for the report of a greater savings for the City of Baytown on the refund- ing program. R. M. Johnston - Curb and Gutter - Wright Blvd. Mr. Johnston, Wright Blvd., gave a favorable report to the Council on the curb and gutter project for Wright Blvd. He reported that personal contacts were made and most all favored this improvement program, however, he wanted to know the exact depth that the street would have to be cut in order for the curb and gutter to be in- stalled properly. After some discussion, the Mayor instructed the City Engineer to make a study of the area and prepare an estimate on the cost of lowering the street grade for curb and gutter. A report will be made at a later meeting. Bishop - Water Line - Ward Road A Mr. Bishop,who resides on Ward Road, presented .a participation proposal to the Council for the installation of a 2 -inch water line along Ward Road. He informed the Council that the property owners were willing to buy the usual tapping fee charge will be paid also. The Council discussed the feasibility of laying a 2 -inch line since this would not provide sufficient water for fire protection nor permit the installa- tion of a fire hydrant. After some discussion Councilman Campbell moved to approve the extension of a 6 -inch water main 700' down Ward Road; property owners to pay their prorate share on the cost of a 2 -inch main and the City to bear the cost of the addition 9 -inch plus the cost of one fire hydrant 600' from the present plug loca- tion. Councilman Lusk seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Appropriation Ordinance Councilman Clayton Nays: None Councilman Campbell Councilman Swain Councilman Mears Councilman Lusk Mayor Pruett Councilman Campbell moved to adopt an Ordinance appropriating $150.00 to pay for the maintainance of the City Hall and Air - Conditioning Units. Councilman Lusk seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None Councilman Campbell Councilman Swain Councilman Lusk Councilman Mears Mayor Pruett The caption of the ordnance follows: ORDINANCE NO 399 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN TO APPROPRIATE ONE HUNDRED FIFTY ($150.00) DOLLARS FROM THE UNAPPROPRIATED SURPLUS GENERAL FUND TO CLASSIFICATIONS 107 D -1 AND 107 E -12, Police Car Bids - Opened The bids on the police car advertisement were opened and are tabulated as follows: 1 i /o" Thad Felton Fordor Ford - 1957 $1,760.00 Buck Turner Fordor Chevrolet - 1957 $1,864.62 Councilman Clayton moved to accept the bid of Thad Felton on the Fordor Ford at a cost of $1,780.00, plus authorizing the appropriation for the payment of same, He also moved to authorize the expenditure of additional extras, such as radio, seat covers, signs, spot lights and siren. Councilman Mears seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None Councilman Cappbell Councilman Mears Councilman Swain Councilman Lusk Mayor Pruett The caption of the Ordinance follows: ORDINANCE N0, 395 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN TO APPROPRIATE TWO THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED FORTY -SIX AND 70/100 ($2,446.70) DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL FUND UNAPPROPRIATED SURPLUS TO CLASSIFICATIONS 201 Z -3 AND 201 Z -4, Street Improvements - Proiects The City Manager presented the Council with copies of a resolution which, if adopted, will establish a policy whereby all major street, curb and gutter improvement Programs will be financed jointly by the City and the abutting property owners. No action was taken ow the resolution at the meeting. - Water Well Improvements The City Manager gave a report that certain of the city water wells needed to be re- worked before the summer weather began. This was especially true of wells 3 and 4 since it had been severalyears since such work had been done on them. After some dis- cussion, Councilman Clayton moved to authorize the City Manager and Public Works Director, Grantham, to proceed with negotiations with Layne Texas for a contract to work over the wells; this to be done under the direct supervision of Mr. Grantham. Councilman Mears seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Councilman Campbell Councilman Mears Coun4ilman Swain Councilman Lusk Mayor Pruett Lift Station - Disposal Plant - West Baytown Nays: None The Council discussed the complaint of discharging raw sewage into Black Duck Bay from the plant in West Baytown. Mr. Grantham informed the Council that the Plant was a primary treatment plant only and in order to eliminate such practice it would be necessary for it to be made into a secondary plant. Councilman Swain moved to instruct the City Engineer to prepare an estimate on the cost of such an improvement for this plant in order to make it operate more efficiently. Councilman Clayton seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Councilman Campbell Councilman Swain Councilman Mears Councilman Lusk Mayor Pruett Chance Order - Street Light Nays: None Councilman Clayton moved to authorize the change over of a 2,500 incandescent Street Light at the intersection of West Nazro and Lee Drive to a 15,000 mercury vapor light. Councilman Mears seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: It 12) Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None Councilman Campbell Councilman Swain Councilman Mears Councilman Lusk Mayor Pruett Improvement - West Main Councilman Campbell asked the Council to make a study of improving West Main Street, by removing the present topping, widening and re- topping with asphalt or con- crete. He asked that the Council instruct the City Engineer to make a survey and prepare a cost estimate on his findings; should the overall job prove too expensive a plan could be adopted whereby it would be sectionalized and a portion done at a time until the whole is completed. If such a major improvement could hot be financed at present, he asked that it be patched. The Mayor instructed the City Engineer to proceed with such a survey. Solicit Bids - New Humane Department Truck The City Manager was ipstructed to solicit bids for a new truck to be used by the Humane Department of the City. Bids will be opened at a special meeting on Friday, March 15th. Resolution Councilman Clayton moved to adopt a Resolution authorizing and directing the City Manager and City Attorney to take all measures whatsoever for the purpose of de- feating House Bill 9993 by Parish of Taft and Senate Bill 9309 by Fly of Victoria, which contain, among other things, Anti - Annexation Provisions. Councilman Mears se- conded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None Councilman Campbell Councilman Swain Councilman Mears Councilman Lusk Mayor Pruett The caption of the Resolution follows: A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY ATTORNEY TO TAKE ANY AND ALL MEASURES WHATSOEVER FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFEATING HOUSE BILL 9993 BY PARISH OF TAFT.AND SENATE BILL 9309 BY FLY OF VICTORIA, WHICH CONTAIN, AMONG OTHER THINGS, ANTI- ANNEXATION PROVISIONS. A committee composed of City Manager Middleton, City Attorney Chandler and Mayor Pruett was named to lobby against the bill in Austin Monday through Wednesday when it comes up for public hearing in the House and Senate. Bids - Concrete Pipe - Intersecptor Line Mr. Barber was instructed to solicit bids on 2,500 feet of concrete pipe, 18" sewer type for the extension df the sewer line from North Pruett to the disposal site on Park Street. He was also authorized to purchase 1,000 feet of 6-inch water main to replace present stock -pile committments. ORDINANCE NA. 3% AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF 1 BAYTOWN TO APPROPRIATE THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED SIX DOL- LARS AND TWENTY -FIVE CENTS ($3,206.25) FROM THE.UNAPPROPRI- ATED SURPLUS GENERAL FUND TO CLASSIFICATION 901 Y -4 Miscellaneous Mr. Grantham was given authority to advise all outside contractors using the city dump that they must conform to the regulations of the city or cease using the city dump grounds for disposition of their collections. The City Manager was instructed to see that parking regulations were enforced along Ehyless and the intersection of West Main. Adjournment: . . .Councilman Clayton moved for the meeting to *adjourn. Councilman Lusk 1 seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. , ' L -ft. H. Pruett, Mayor