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1958 12 18 CC Minutes1255 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN,TE%AS December 189 1958 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in regular session on Thursday, December 18, 1958 at 7 :00 o'clock $.M. in the Council Room of the Baytown City Hall with the following members in attendance: P. H. Mears Councilman W. L. Ward Councilman J. C. Garrison Councilman W. D. Hollaway Councilman A. Clayton Councilman Lacy Lusk Councilman R. H. Pruett Mayor J. W. Harrison City Manager George Chandler City Attorney Edna Oliver City Clerk The Mayor called the meeting to order, the Invocation was offered, afterwhich, the City Clerk was instructed to read the minutes of the previous meeting. Councllman Ward moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes, and the following corrections were made, to -wit: 1. Water Well Bids - (a) In the discussion to negotiate with the low bidder, Katy Drilling Company, Councilman Ward raised an objection to and questioned the legality of such bargaining after the bids have been opened and read. Since it was agreed that the bid was submitted according to the specifications, Councilman Ward proposed that henceforth all bid specifica- tions be carefully checked for any discrepancies before they reached the hands of interested bidders. (b) City Engineer Busch asked that the minutes be amended to include the agreement of the Council to bear the additional cost of the change -over in the size of the well motor from a 150 H.P. to the agreed 175 or 2CO H.P. 2. City Manager Harrison asked that the minutes relative to the inspection of the paving of Carolina Street be amended to include the inspection being made by the City Engineer and Director of Public Works also. 3. Sewer Project Bids - After reviewing the bid quotations on the three (3) sewer projects, Councilman.Ward mentioned that, since the accepted bids were in excess of $900000 over the estimate prepared by the J.J. Rady & Co.. Engineering Firm, prior to the Bond Issue Election, the amounts shown on the original estimates were not reasonable or the Council received bad advice from representatives of the firm. With these corrections, Councilman Ward moved for the minutes to be approved. Councilman Mears seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None u Ward " Garrison " Hollaway Mears " Lusk Mayor Pruett 1256 Kes Club - Covering Locomotive - Roseland Park A spokesman from the Key Club, Robert E. Lee High School, petition- ed the Council for some type covering to be erected over the locomotive at Roseland Park as a protective measure against the elements and to reserve the paint job. City Manager Harrison gave an estimated figure of ,000.00 as material cost for a covering, but, suggested that the work be held off until Spring. Councilmen Mears and Lusk mentioned that even though' the engine was completely enclosed, it would not prevent rust in the salt air of the Gulf Coast and suggested that a preservative coating, such as Rustban, or the equivalent, be used to cover the engine before the Key Club painth it again. Mayor Pruett appointed a committee composed of Councilmen Ward, Lusk and City Manager Harrison to work with the Key Club on plans to coat the locomotive with a preservative prior to its painting in the Spring in order to prevent future erosion. Kubica - Improvement of Alley - New Jersey and Carolina Mr. Joe Kubica met with the Council for its decision on his petition to permanently improve 300' of an alley lying between New Jersey and Carol - lina Street. The Engineer's estimate of $1,743.20 provided for materikls only. Since the proposed improvement will be classified as a construction rather than maintenance project, City Manager Harrison recommended that the work be done. Councilman Lusk moved to accept the recommendation of the City Manager and the alley be improved. Councilman Mears seconded the motion. Councilman Ward then asked if the same consideration will be given other alleys in East Baytown Additon, particularly a 100' section near Koenig's Store, 2510 Missour Street. Since this will establish a policy, the City Manager suggested that no alley be permanently improved unless first examined by the City Engineer, Director of Public Works and City Coun- cil and instruction be directed to the City Manager to have the work done. Councilman Clayton raised the question of expending funds for such improve- ment to alley -ways, which is not mandatory, when the streets and thorough- fares within the City are presently in.such bad shape. No such work can be done unless the money is-taken from the street maintenance budge allo- cation. The City Attorney ruled that the improvement may be made from the bond issue funds since the alley is used as a street and suggested some' thought be given to a partiLipation improvement program such as is now being done on Carolina, Maryland and East James Streets. He proposed that the program be designated as a lump sum bid project; place the money in escrow.. before starting the job and full payment be made thirty (30) days after completion of the project. The work can be contracted out or City forces may be used; this will be the beginning of a good project as well as estab- lish a policy for future use. Councilmen Lusk and Mears withdrew the motion and second and the City Engineer was instructed to prepare an estimate of cost on the entire alley, from one end to the other. The estimates will list the property owner's cost and City's cost, the same pattern that is now be- ing used in the street improvement program. Presentation Award - C. E. Alleya Mayor Pruett presented W. C. E. Alleys with a Certificate of Award for services rendered shcoll children corssing Highway 146 enroute to James Bowie Elementary School, and commended him for his volunteer services which have been rendered, not just to this area, but to the City as a whole. Dan Perkins - Request Drainage Tile Storm Sewer Dan Perkins, local Architect, presented a request for City participa- tion in filling a drainage ditch, approximately 258 feet with storm sewer tile. He explained that the Baytown Housing Authority was in the process of negotiating with Mr. Troxell for a three (3) acre tract on which will be erected new units for the colred. The tract lies between Barrymore Blvd. and Miriam and a drain ditch runs throught the lower section of the acreage. The Federal Government provides funds for the purchase of the land but no provision is made for the installation of drainage tile. He 1257 proposed to buy the land, deed same to the City of Baytown in exchange for the 258' of 42 inch drainage tile,an estimated cost to the City of $2,136.00. The Mayor explained that the City did not have an easement to the drainage ditch, insofar as is known, no easement has ever been granted to.any one other than a 10' aerial easement to the Houston Lighting and Power Company, On several occasions, the City has cleaned the ditch with its man - power, however, it had not right of ingress or egress from the owners of the drain ditch, Mr. Perkins explained that he must either get a promise of assist- ance within a week or must abandon the idea of such a purchase. Mayor Pruett proposed to enlist the assistance of Mr. Perkins in an effort to obtain a storm sewer or utility easement from the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Troxell. He proposed fro the easement to extend from the railroad tracks to West Main Street; the City will then install tile in that portion of the ditch lying within the three (3) acre tract and, as the funds are made available, the complete ditch will be properly filled with storm sewer tile to prevent further erosion. Councilman Ward told the Council that he had received a request from a colored man, whose property abuts the ditch, for some assistance in filling the ditch directly behind his property as he wanted to buld a home but because of the erosion of the land it was im- possible to do so. The City Attorndy suggested that the City could con- demn the property covered by the drainage ditch if the owners fail to negotiate with any Committee appointed by the Council. City Manager Harri- son, Dan Perkins and Mayor Pruett were appointed as members of a Committee to contact Mr. and Mrs. Troxell relative to such an easement. The Council will meet on Tuesday, December 30th for a report on the result of the nego- tiations. Final Approval - Craigmont Place Councilman Ward moved to give final approval of Section 2, Craigmont Place, after the City Engineer, Director of Public Works and Fire Chief Verified that all utilities were in place as outlined in the preliminary plans. Councilman Clayton seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None a Ward to Garrison to Hollaway to Lusk it Mears Mayor Pruett Presented - Copies Annual Audit The City Manager presented each Council member with a copy of the annual audit as prepared by T. B. Trotter, Certified Public Accountant. Advertise Bids - Storage Tanks Councilman Ward moved to instruct the City Clerk to advertise for bids on the construction of one 500,000 gallon ground storage water tank complete and two (2) 500,000 gallon elevated storage tanks complete. Councilman Clayton seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None is Ward Garrison u Hollaway Fars it Lusk Mayor Pruett Advertise Bids - Water Mains and Meters Councilman Lusk moved to approve the specifications for Water Mains 1258 and meters and authorised the City Manager to advertise for bids. Council- man Clayton seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None " Ward " Garrison " Hollaway " Mears " Lusk Mayor Pruett Advertise Bids - Lubricants, Gasoline and Tires and Tubes Councilman Lusk moved to approved an amendment to the specifications for lubricants and to instruct the City Manager to advertise, for bids on lubricants, gasoline, tires and tubes. Councilman Clayton seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None " Ward " Garrison " Hollaway " Mears " Lusk Mayor Pruett Advertise Bids - Pblice Cars Councilman Lusk moved to instruct the City Manager to advertise for bids on three (3) new passenger cars for the police department; bids to be received at the first regular meeting of the Council in January, 1959. Councilman Mears seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: 8611 Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: Noen " Ward Garrison " Hollaway " Mears " Lusk Mayor Pruett Preliminary Approval - Creekwood Subdivision Mr. W. D. Broyles, local engineer, presented a plat of the proposed Creekwood Subdivision and asked for preliminary approval of the entire 40 acre layout. The acreage was recently purchased from the Baytown Chamber of Commerce by Developer and Builder, Leroy B. Aker. Mr. Broyles stated that final approval will be sought in sections; this will be done as the subdivision developes. Two changes were proposed by the City Engineer and Director of Public Works. The first change was 18C' of 6 -inch water main to replace a 2 -inch water line on Dell Drive. Secondly, the consolidation of 750 feet of 6 -inch sewermkin with a proposed 18 -inch City interceptor sewer which was included in the recently approved bond issue. The proposed 18 -inch ititbreeptor line extends from Garth Road to Bob Smith Road. The City will let a contract for the construction of the 18 -inch interceptor line; the developer will pay to the City of Baytown his pro rata share, per unit cost, in place for a 6 -inch sewer line installation only.. The 18 inch interceptor line will be laid in the easement designated for the 750' of 6 -inch sewer. All of the construction will be done subject to the approval of the City Engineer, Director of Public Works and City Manager. Mr. Broyles agreed to the recommended changes, afterwhich, Councilman Ward moved to give preliminary approval to the entire 40 acreC layout, provided, the recommend- ed changes are incorporated in the final development, Councilman Lusk seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: 1259 Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None u Ward " Garrison " Hollaway " Mears " Lusk Mayor Pruett Annexation Request - Creekwood Subdivision l City Manager Harrison informed the Council that he had received a l request from Mr. Walker, developer of the Creekwood Subdivision, for annex- ation by the City of Baytown. He stated that an agreement had been reached between officials of the Chamber of Commerce, owners of the 40 -acre tract, and himself for the purchase of the property. The City Engineer was in- structed to prepare field notes on this tract and, if possible, include that section on North Main at Bob Smith Road recently purchased by the City of Baytown as a Water Well Site. The City Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, December 30th fain the reading of the annexaiton ordinance, Councilman Lusk expressly stated that only the acreage covered by the proposed development Will be included in,the annexation. The City Council will not include the auction barn or the Wright Packing Plant. Sunset Drive - Repair as Promised The City Manager was instructed to proceed with the completion of the re- pair of Sunset Drive as promised by the City Council.. When the work is completed, each property owner will receivet'a statement of his pro rata share of the costs of the curb and gutter. If the property owners fail to pay the assessment, after being notified, the Council instructed the City Attorney to file suit against them. Repair - Library Building The Council approved the Citizens National Bank and Trust Library Building without cost to ing and puttying of all windows ing, replacing two screen doors building. Appropriation Ordinance proposal of Mr. Ed Watson, Officer of the Company, to do some repair to the County the City. The proposal included the paint - and doors, spray painting exterior of build - and replacing all canvas awnings on the Councilman Lusk moved to adopt an ordinance appropriating $5,OOC.00 to make purchase of Water Mains, Councilman Mears seconded the motion. The roll call vote was ai follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None " Ward " Garrison " Hollaway " Mears " Lusk Mayor Pruett The caption of the ordinance follows: ORDINANCE N0. 516 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN TO APPROPRIATE FIVE THOUSAND ($5,00.00) DOLLARS FROM THE UNAPPROPRIATED SURPLUS WATER FUND TO CLASSIFICA- TION 1002 Z-9 1260 Approve - New Tower - Emergency Power Unit Covering - Police Station Councilman Lusk moved to approve an appropriation of $500.00 from the Council Contingent Fund to pay for a radio tower whibh will be erected at the new police station and to provide a small sheet metal building, which will be constructed outside the new police station to house the emergency power unit. Councilman Clayton seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None ° Ward ° Garrison ° Hollaway Mears Lusk Mayor Pruett Reoairs - Gradall and Tax Office The City Manager was instructed to have needed repairs done in the Tax Office, the estimated cost being an approximate $300.00. He was also instructed to have a Gaadall in the Public Works Department overhauled and purchase new tires for the machine. The total cost will be $1,800.00. City Attorney - Draft Bill Creating Utility Commission The City Council gave unanimous approval to the City Attorney to work with members of the Harris County delegation in the Texas Legislature and other interested parties in an effort to create a state utility commission. If created, such a commission will fix and regulate public utility rates, thus removing the responsibility from municipalities. Mr. Chandler explained that he had been asked to work with the delegation by drafting a bill creating such a commission; present same to members of the delegation, and they will see that it gets on the floor for review, discussion and passage, if possible. The bill will provide for the number of members, term of off- ice, whether by election or appointment, etc. Miscellaneous The City Manager reported that he had received a petition for 18 street lights, on standard wooden poles, for the School Courts Addition. The City Manager gave a report on the injuries received by Sergeant Dickens and Patrolman C. T. Freemen recently when the car in which they were riding was struck by another car. The City Manager was given permission to paint and clean up the present police station, when abandoned. After the clean -up job is completed, the Engineering Department will move its office from its present location and occupy the vacated area in order to provide ample space for its workers. The City Council gave the City Manager permission to work out some type policy with the City and the veterinarians on the problem of making trips to Houston with the heads of anitials suspected of being rabid. It was suggested that a $10.00 charge be levied agkinst any person making such a request, howerber, the City Manager was asked to use discretion in this require- ment as some will not be able to pay such a fee. The City Manager reported that new signs have been ordered, and when received will be erected at the School Crossing area on Airhart Drive. Adjournment Councilman Clayton moved for the meeting to adjourn. Councilman Lusk seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. I ' ✓ ATTT�TESSJT% n n R. H. Pruett, Mayor _ Edna Oliver, City Clerk