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