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1959 01 22 CC Minutes1271 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN,TEXAS January 22, 1959 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in regular session on Thursday, January 222 1959, 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 W. L. Ward Councilman J. C. Garrison Councilman Al Clayton Councilman Lacy Lusk Councilman R. H. Pruett Mayor James W. Harrison City Manager George Chandler City Attorney Edna Oliver City Clerk Absent: W. D. Hollaway Councilman The Mayor called the meeting to order, the Invocation was offered by Reverend Haygood, Pastor of St. John's Methodist Church, afterwhich, the Mayor instructed the City Clerk to read the minutes of the regular meeting of January 8th. Councilman Mears moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes; Councilman Ward asked that the following correction be made to the minutes, namely: "Discussion - Accumulated Sick Time Pay - The Council discussed the possible adoption of these fringe benefits for all City employees, but Mr. Harrison stated that the City could not afford it ". With this correction, Councilman Mears moved for the minutes to be approved. Councilman Ward seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:. Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nuys: None " Ward Garrison " Mears " Lusk Mayor Pruett Present Award Certificates - Civilian Defense Members - E. L. Parker Mayor Pruett presented Certificates (30) members of the Baytown Civil Defense continuous period of five (5) years or no loyal support and unselfish service rends of the Police Department, was congratula course in Finger Printing. A certificate of Award to approximately thirty Organization who had served for a re. He commended them for their red the community. E. L. Parker, ted for his recent completion of a was presented to him, also. Prior to the opening of all bids, City Manager Harrison proposed to acknowledge receipt of each bid by opening and posting the duplicate, but table any action of tabulation until the next regular meeting of the Council. This proposal was presented due to the fact that each bid proposal was com- posed of numerous items and the comparison of bids will be time consuming. He proposed to prepare a complete tabulation of each bid and furnish each interested person with a copy of same. After some discussion, Councilman Clayton moved to accept the recommendation of the City Manager; the bids be opened, duplicate copies of each bid be posted, but any further action on the bids be tabled until the next regular meeting of the Council. This will allow sufficient time for the completion of the tabulation and a study 1272 be made by t18 Council. Councilman Years seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: ayes:. Councilman Clayton Nays: None to Ward It Garrison Mears Lusk, Mayor'Pruett Bids - Water Materials Bids on the year's requirement of material for the'Water Department were acknowledged and opened from the following supply douses, to -wit: Rohan Company Incorporated Lone Star Steel Company Utility Supply Company Bids - Gasoline and Oil Viking Supply Company Municipal Pipe & Fabricating Co. Rockwell'Manufacturing Co. Due to a discrepancy in the specifications for Gasoline and Lubricants, Coun6iman Ward moved to return the bids submitted by King- Enderli Oil Company, Humble Oil & Refining Company and Wallace Gray Oil Company and the City Manager be instructed to prepare new specifications and readvertise for bids. Councilman Garrison seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None if Ward It Garrison Mears Lusk Mayor Pruett Bids - Tires Bids on the ar's requirement of tires were acknowledged and opened, ye re q the firms submitting a bid were as follows: Fuller Incorporated of Baytown B. F. Goodrich Company Discussion - Water Well North Main The Mayor opened discussion on the water well recently drilled off North Main by stating that it produced both salty and hard water. No one was to be criticized for the results as it couldcnlSr be termed as an act of God. The drilling contractor had performed his services according to the outlined plans and specifications, the City Engineer and Director of Public Works had carefully checked each phase of the development, but the results were very disappointing. The Council discussed the possibility of cutting the ca ity of the well to 750 gallons per minute, with an expected life of five (57 years at an additional cost of $9,000.000 but this may proveLto be a gamble as the wager my still not be usable. Secondly, the water could be blended with the present water system, but the cost to properly loop the system Uill be excessive. Thirdly, the Council can authorize the moving of the well to the City's property off Park Street at an additional cost of 0162000.00 for the drilling. City Engineer Busch also stated that if the Council so desired and authorized same, a portion of the materials may be salvaged from the Norht Main well. after some discussion, the Council agreed to cap the North Main well and leave it in its present condition and authorize the re- drilling of the well at the Park Street site, with the same contractor, Katy Drilling Company. It was also agreed that a drill stem test will be run at the new location to test the type water before preceeding with the drilling expendi- ture. Councilman Clayton moved to extend the present contract with Katy Drill- ing Company to include the capping of the water well on North Main Street and authorising the re- drilling of a new water well at the Park Street site, should the drill stem test prove the water strata to be good. Councilman Mears second- ed the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: 1273 Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None Ward Garrison Mears " Lusk Mayor Pruett The City Manager, City Engineer, Director of Public Works were directed to consult with the Humble water experts in the study of the results of the drill test. Award Contract - Elevated and Ground Storage Tanks The City Manager reported that a study had been made of the ground stor- age and elevated storage tank bids, as received at the last regular meeting, and Pittsburg- DesMoines Steel Company was found to be the low bidder,.'Councilman Ward moved to accept the bid and award a contract for the construction of one (1) 500,000 gallon ground and two (2) 500,000 gallon elevated storage tanks at a total cost of 011.47,880.00. Councilman Lusk seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None " Ward Garrison Mears " Lusk Mayor Pruett Request - Telephone Comp - Install One -Cent Meters The Council aknowledged the request of the General -Telephone Company for a change in the time schedule of parking meters located in front of the present location, from the present schedule of hours with nickels, to minutes with pennies. No action was taken however; the Council agreed to make a study of the request before taking any action. Resolution - State Highway 146 - White Way Lighting In order to assist the City in its effort to provide proper street lights for Baytown and to enhance that portion of Highway 146 now under construction within the City limits, the following resolution was introduced and read: A UNANIMOUS RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, REQUESTING THE TEXAS STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION TO FURNISH MERCURY VAPOR WHITE -WAY LIGHTS ALONG STATE HIGHWAY 146, LEADING FROM THE BAYTOWN TUNNEL TO CEDAR BAYOU STREAM; AND REQUESTING THAT THE TEXAS STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION FURN- ISH ALL ASSISTANCE POSSIBLE TOWARD THE PREPARATION OF ENGIN- EERING AND INSTALLATION OF A PROPER LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM ALONG SAID PORTION OF HIGHWAY 146; AND STATING THE CITY'S WILLINGNESS TO ABIDE BY THE RULES AND REGULATIONS AND POLI- CIES OF THE STATE CzHIGHWAY COMMISSION WHICH ARE IN EFFECT AT THE TIME SUCH UNDERTAKINGS ARE COMMENCED AND AMENDMENTS HERE - AFTER ADOPTED THEREBY. WHEREAS, the Texas Highway Department and the City of Baytown have initiated a program of certain improvemants to State Highway No. 146 within and adjacent to said City; and WHEREAS, such improvements consist of the construction of a six - land Highway throught the City of Baytown in order to satisfactorily and adequately serve the rapidly increasing traffic volume desiring access to existing highway facilities; and WHEREAS, there is an immediate necessity for the installation of proper lighting fixtures and traffic control devices within and adjacent to' the said City of Baytown; and 1271+ WHEREAS, an analysis of the requested work indicates such installation will materially add to traffic safety; and WHEREAS, the City of Baytown is financially unable, at this time, to install such system: NOW , THEREFORE, BE IT UNANIMOUSLY RESCLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN: Section 1: That the Texas gtate Highway Commission is hereby kespect- fully requested by the City Council of the City of Baytown to furnish all assistance possible toweard the installation of a Mercury Vapor White -Way Lighting System along Highway No. 146, leading from the Baytown Tunnel to Cedar Bayou Stream, and officially designate such project as a State High- way Project. ''Section 2: That the State Highway Commiession is hereby respect- fully requested by the City Council of the City of Baytown to furnish all assistance possible toward the preparation of engineering and installation of a proper lighting control system on said highway. Section 3: That the City of Baytown shall abide in this undertaking according to the rules and regulations and policies of the State Highway Commission which are in effect at the time such project is commended: and amendments hereafter adopted thereby. Section 4: That the Mayor and City Clerk of the City of Baytown are hereby authorized and directed to furnish certified copies of this resolu- tion to the proper authorities and interested parties, and particularly two copies to Mr. W. E. Carmichael, District Engineer, District No. 12, State Highway Department. INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED unanimously by the affirmative vote of the City Council on this the 22nd day of January, 1959. ATTEST: /s/ Edna Oliver City, - Clerk Z R. H. Pruett Mayor, City of Baytown Councilman Ward moved to adopt the resolution as read. Councilman Clayton seconded the motion. The roll ball vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None " Ward Garrison Mears Lusk Mayor Pruett Permanent Repair - Alley East Baytown Subdivision The City Engineer submitted an estimate of $2,183.68 for the permanent repair of 3CO' of an alley lying between carolina and New Jersey Streets. The Council had discussed the repair of the alley on several occasions but no definite decision had been made relative to its improvement. After some further discussion, Councilman Ward moved to instruct the City Manager and Director of Public Works to proceed with the permanent repair of the 300' of alley at a cost of $2,183.68. Councilman Mears seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Ward Nays: Councilman Clayton Fars " Garrison Lusk Mayor Pruett 1275 Install Storm Sewer - Decker Drive In order to facilitate the drainage and prevent future repair to Decker Drive in front of San Jacinto Yamorial Hospital, Councilman Clayton moved to authorize the expenditiurre of approximately 410000.00 for the in- stallation of storm sewer along Decker Drive while the street is being widened,by the Counety and property owners. The line will extend from West Sterling to a drain ditch below West Lobit. Councilman Mears seconded the motion. The roll call v6tie was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None " Ward Garrison Mears Lusk Mayor Pruett Councilman Ward proposed that the City use a perdiem crew for the in- stallation to prevent any slowing down on projects now under construction' by the City's forces. The City Manager requested that formal permission be granted and record same in the minutes. Councilman Ward moved to grant permission b the City Manager to use a per diem crew if it is needed; the City Manager be granted permission to make a business deal and carry the crew on the City's payroll, under the supervision of the City Engineer and Director of Public Works. Councilman Mears seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: Nona n Ward u Garrison Mears Lusk Mayor Pruett Ordinance - Calling Regular Municipal Election Councilman Ward moved to adopt an ordinance ordering a Municipal Elec- tion to be held on the 7th day of April, 1959, for the purpose of electing three (3) Councilmen and a Mayor. Councilman Garrison seconded the motion. The roll call v6tie was, as follows:" Roll Call: -Ayes: Councilman Clayton Nays: None Ward " Garrison Mears Lusk Mayor Pruett The caption of the ordinance follows: ORDINANCE NO. 520 AN ORDINANCE ORDERING THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE 7TH DAY OF APRIL, 1959, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING THREE (3) COUNCILMEN FROM THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS NOS. 2, 3, AND 6, AND THE ELECTION OF A MAYOR FROM THE CITY AT LARGE; PROVIDING FOR ELECTION OFFICERS, DESIGNATING THE PLACES AND MANNER OF HOLDING SAID ELECTION, PRESCRIBING THE HOURS AND PROVIDING FOR THE POST- ING AND BUBLICATION OF NOTICE. Report - City Attorney - Utility Commission Creation The City Attorney gave the City Council a report on the work which had been done toward acquainting the Legislators, Mayors, City Council members, City Attorneys, Newspaper Officials, and any other political body with the need of a State Utility Commission. He reported that he and Councilman Mears were to be in Austin the week of January 25th in the interest 1276 of such a bill. Such a move will of necessity incur expenses and the Council assured Yx. Chandler that the City will bear the expense of such a project. Letter - T. B. Trotter Company Mayor Pruett asked Mr. LeFevre, City Controller, to read a letter which he had received from Mr. Houlihan of the T. B. Trotter Company, C.P.A. of Houston, relative to the re- pFinting of the City's audit report. The Council had ordered a reprint of the audit since the copy received dj.d not meet the requirements of the New York bonding companies who rated our bonds. After the presentation of the letter, Councilman Clayton moved to approve and authorize the payment of the T. B. Trotter Company statement of 81,125.00. Councilman Lusk seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilmen Clayton Nays: None " Ward " Garrison " Meara " Lusk Mayor Pruett Miscellaneoua The City Manager reported that he had received four (4) more Property owner signatures whose property abuts North or South Main favoring the permanent improvement. This leaves only eight (8) more signatures to soli- cit in order to have the required 7(:%. The Mayor asked that provision be made for those who do not wish to sign lien assessments, to present the CSY Clerk with a cashier's check in full payment of the lien and no indebtedness will be recorded against the property. City Manager Harrison reported that the Civic Association of every new subdivision, with the exception of Britton - Cravens, is working toward the installation of the better street lighting. He expects to have several ex- ecuted petitions within a short time, therefore, an extension has been made to the 60 day requirement as set forth in the Resolution adopted November 25, 1958. The Council gave approval to the publication of an annual report of the City's activities for the filcal year of 1957 -58. The City Manager was instructed to proceed with.the draft of the publication for final re- view and approval by the Council prior to its publication. 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. R. H. Pruett, Mayor ATTEST. �J Edna Cliver, City Clerk 1