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1959 09 24 CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN September 24, 1959 The City Council of the City of Baytown.. Texas met in regular session on Thursday, September 24, 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 K. E. Badgett Councilman Lacy Lusk Councilman R. H. Pruett Mayor J. B. LeFevre Acting City Manager George Chandler City Attorney Absent: Al Clayton Councilman W. D. Reeves Councilman 'Edna Oliver City Clerk *Minutes recorded by Mrs. Oliver's Secretary in her absence. The Mayor called the meeting to order, the Invocation was offered by Reverend W. S. Graham, afterwhich, the Mayor asked for the reading of the minutes of the Special Meetings•df September 8th and 21st and the Regular Meeting of September 10th. Councilman Ward asked that the minutes of the regular meeting dit September 10th be corrected as follows: "Traffic Lighting - Highway 146 - Mr. Don L. Cope- land, a representative of Crouse - Hinds, made the study and recommendations, and had submitted a rough cost, in two alternatives of $34,000 and $32,C00." Acting City Manager LeFevre asked that the minutes of the Special Meeting of September 21st be corrected to read as follows: "Transfer Funds - Councilman Mears made a motion to transfer Six Thousand Dollars from Unappropriated Water Surplus Fund to Water Classification 1002 Z-10 in the proposed 1959 -60 Budget." With these corrections, Councilman Ward moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes and they be approved as presented. Councilman Mears seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Mears Nays: None to Ward It Badgett It Lusk Mayor Pruett .. e L _ Councilman Lusk moved to adopt an ordinance setting forth the budget City of Baytown, beginning October 10 1959 and ending September 30, 1960 in accordance with the City Charter. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Mears Nays: None n Ward " Badgett " Lusk Mayor Pruett The caption of the Ordinance follows: ORDINANCE NC. 558 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE ENSUING FISCAL YEAR, BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1959, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1960, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BAY - TOWN; AND PROVIDING FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ORDINANCE. of the The 1387 1388 Presentation - Tax Rate Ordinance Acting City Manager LeFevre introduced and read an ordinance fixing the tax rate and tax levy for the City of Baytown for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1960. Councilman Ward moved to adopt the ordinance as read. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Haars Nays; None Ward Badgett " Lusk Mayor Pruett The caption of the Ordinance follows: ORDINANCE NO. 559 AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE RATE AND TAX LEVY FOR THE CITY OF BAYTOWN.. TEXAS, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEM­ BER 30, 1960, UPON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY IN SAID CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE CHARTER PROVISIONS AND ORDINANCES OF SAID CITY; AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDI- NANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH. Request - Approval —Section 6 - Glen Arbor Subdivision Air. Timmons, the developer of Glen Arbor Subdivision, appeared before the Council for construction approval on Section 6, Glen Arbor Subdivision, City Engineer Busch cameforward to request that the Council not give their approval at this time because said subdivision is in the area of Loop 201 where such route has been designated but right -of -way has not been obtained. Air. Timmons stated that he had appeared before the Council formerly for approval and was promised a decision by September of 1959 at which time such routing would be discussed with the State Highway Commission. It was recommended that Mr. Timmons file with the State or County as a hardship case. Advertise for Bids - Water Tower Repairs The Council was presented with the proposed recommendations for the repair of four water tanks which are now out of service because of their condition. Mr. W. P. Simmons, of the American Tank Company appeared before the Council to present his specifications and recommendations, but as the proposed repairs would exceed $2,000.00, Councilman Lusk moved to have the City Engineer write specifications and advertise for bids for the repair of the water tanks. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call; Ayes: Councilman Mears Nays: None Ward " Badgett Lusk Mayor Pruett E. H. Rheaume - C. R. Myers - Highwa. _146 Association - Recommendations Air. E. H. Rheaume, Director of Highway 146 Association, appeared before the Council and introduced the Secretary - Treasurer, Mr. C. R. Myers who read a letter addressed to the Mayor and Councilman from T. W. Gunn, Chairman of Baytown Highway 146 Association. The letter presented the following recommenda- tions concerning Highway 146: 1. The association recommends that the speed limit on this thoroughfare be set at the lowest minimum that is practical and that the law apply- ing to such speed limit be enforced impartially. 2. The association recommends that all city services and utilities which now are supplied to those sections of Baytown classified as business areas be placed in operation in the highway area without undue delay, such as proper fire protection and adequate sewer facilities. 3. The association recommends that no shrubbery be planted on the esplanade. 4. The association recommends that this thoroughfare receive the same type of cleanup services as is given to the Texas Avenue area. 5. The association recomurends that no further tax increses be made on property along this thoroughfare until such time as it is proven that the volume of business has increased sufficiently to justify such tax increase, or until. such time as all services of E the city in this area be on a level with the city services extended to the Texas Avenue area. 6. The association also reco=ends that as soon as is• feasible, proper thoroughfare lighting be installed to supplement the signal lights to increase the margin of safety with reference to traffic. 7. It-is recommended that the city take under consideration the adoption of a zoning ordinance to regulate future building along Alexander Drive, or that part of it deemed in need of such building control. After presentation of the above recommendations, Mr. Myers further added that there was a fourteen (14) foot area which was state property and suggested that the City ask the Highway Department to keep this open and in good shape for pedestrian traffic. R. L. Hardy - Extension of Donovan Street - 'later Service to Proposed Homesite Mr. R. L. Hardy came before the Council and stated that he intends to build a home on Donovan Street and would like to have the City either shell or asphalt the street and extend water facilities to service the proposed homesite. Sewer extension will not be necessary as Mr. Hardy intends to install a septic tank. Mr. Grantham, Public 'Works Director suggested covering the street with a load of shell, and as to the extension of water facilities, Mayor Pruett explained that it had been the poli6y of the Council to use City equipment and man -power to install water lines in areas requesting such extension, however, the property owner is required to pay for all materials. Mr. Hardy said he would confer with the other property owners in the area and, if this procedure was satisfactory with them, they will arbitrate with Mr. Grantham and Mr. Barber on the cost of such installation. Mr. Bill Kubik - Discussion - Proposed Municipal Airport Mr. Bill Kubik presented to the Council his proposal of a Municipal Air- port for Baytown on 110 acres owned by Mr. J. B. Boudloche between Sjolander Road and Cedar Bsyou Crosby Road. Mr. Kubik said they were willing to do the work of developing the airport and, if accepted by the Council as a municipal airport, the City would not be liable in any way for accidents, etc., the only responsi- bility of the City would be to assist in the maintenance. The Council appointed a committee composed of Councilmen Badgett and Lusk and City Attorney Chandler to get necessary details and submit them to the Council for further study. Fence Bids - Opened and Tabulat2 The bids for the erection of a seven (7) foot overall Chain Link Fence around the new Water Plant on Park Street and the Water Tower on West Main Street were opened and tabulated as follows: Cyclone Fence West Main $815.00 Park St. Thad P. Fenelon Allied Fence Co. Line Fence Co. (Claude W. Smith) Redwood Air -Flo Fence Co. West Main $860.17 Park St. West Main $764-CC Park St. (No Breakdown) (No Breakdown) 1389 $12700.00 Total $2,515.00 $12737.32 Total $2,597.49 $1,622.00 Total $2,386.00 Total $2,685.48 Total $3,503.00 1390 The City Engineer and Director of Public Works retired to another room to verify the tabulation of the bids and returned with the statement that the bids were in order and Allied Fence Company was the low bidder. Councilman Badgett moved to accept the low bid of Allied Fence Company in the total amount of $2,386.00. Councilman Ward seconded the motion. The roll call vote -was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Mears Nays: None Ward " Badgett " Lusk Mayor Pruett Resolution - Transferring Sewer Department to General Fund Acting City Manager LeFevre introduced and read the following resolution:: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, AUTHOR - IZING THE TRLNSFER "OF $68,918.00 FROM WATER FUND ACCOUNT NO. 1006 TO GENERAL FUND, ACCOUNT NO. 401, WITH ALL EXPENDITURES AND ENCUMBRANCES. WHEREAS, in previous fiscal year budgets the Sewers and Sewage Disposal budget item was shown as Account No. 401, General Fund; and WHEREAS, the budgeted expenditures for such account were formerly in- cluded in the General Fund Appropriation for payment of operating expenses and capital outlay of the City Government; and WHEREAS, such appropriation is adopted by the City Council prior to the beginning of each new fiscal year; and WHEREAS, in compiling the fiscal year, 1958 -59 budget, which was adopted by the City Council on the_?8th day of August, 1958, $68,918.CO was included. in the Water Fund budget appropriation under Account No. 1006, such appro- priation being for the purposes mentioned above; and WHEREAS, the City Government operated under the classification during the first several months of the 1958 -59 fiscal year; and WHEREAS, Mr. T. E. Dossey, Jr., a C.P.A. of Houston.. Texas, who,has.been retained by the City Council as Auditor to supervise the auditing procedure of our City records, has recommended that the transfer be made from the Water Fund Budget, Account No. 1006, to the General Fund budget, Account No. 401, in order to simplify the accounting procedure, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Baytown hereby authorizes the City Manager to trasfer $68,918.00 from the Water Fund'Budget, Account No. 1006, to the General Fund budget, Account No. 401, with all expenditures and encumbrances previously recorded. Section 2: That this transfer is made for the purpose of removing the appropriation for the operation of the Sewer System of the City of Baytown from the Water Fund to the General Fund to simplify the Accounting procedure of the City of Baytown. INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, this the 24th day of September, A. D., 1959. ATTEST: /sj Edna Oliver Edna Oliver, City Clerk lsl R. H. Pruett R. H. Pruett, Mayor, 1391 Councilman Ward moved that the resolution be adopted as read. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes. Councilman Mears Nays: None " Ward " Badgett " Lusk Mayor Pruett Advertise for Bids - Motor Grader Councilman Ward moved to authorize the Acting City Manager to advertise for bids for a Motor Grader for the Public Works Department in the 1959 -60 Budget. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Mears Nays: None n Ward " Badgett " Lusk Mayor Pruett Bids - Two (2) Cars - Police Department Bids on two (2) cars for the Pblice Department have been advertised and as Chief Montgomery is badly in need of the cars and contends they may be hard to obtain later as the bid specification calls for 1959 models,..Acting City Manager Le Fevre asked that a special meeting be held on Tuesday, September 29th to open and tabulate the bids so that purchase of the cars can be made immediate- ly. Advertise Bids - Bookkeeping Machine Councilman Ward moved to authorize the Acting City Manager to advertise for bids for the purchase of a Bookkeeping machine. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Mears Nays: None " Ward " Badgett " Lusk Mayor Pruett "NO PARKING" Signs - Highway 146 Chief Montgomery has recommended that "NO PARKING" signs be placed on either side of Highway -146 and asked that the Council sanction.his request before adver- tising. A check will be made with business places on either side of Highway 146 for opinions on such action and a report made at a later meeting. Temporary Traffic Light - Alexander Drive Acting City Manager LeFevre stated in regard to the signalizing of Alex- ander Drive that funds were not available at this time for permanent traffic lighting and suggested that a temporary light be approved at this time. Mr. Frost was instructed to put up a temporary light at the cost of approximately $125.00, at Fayle and Alexander Drive. Letter - Civil Service Commission - Ordinances on Reclassification Acting City Manager LeFevre read a letter he had received from the Civil Service Commission stating that approval had been given by the commission on the reclassification of personnel in the Fire and Police Departments. The letter was a from of request that the new classifications be embodied in ordi- nances and approved by the proper governing body of the City of Baytown. Attor- ney Chandler was directed to prepare the ordinances. IJ74 Adous Street - Pruett to Jones - One Way The Council unanimously accepted the recommendation of Chief Montgomery that Adoue Street from Pruett to Jones be made a one -vay Street. At present there is a traffic problem as there are "NO PARKING" signs.- on the side of the street where Lamar Elementary School is located and in bad weather, when parents have to pick up their children, the cars cause a bottleneck and traffic becomes congested. Chief Montgomery stated that the children must cross the street to get to their cars and this also is causing a hazard. Request - Mr. Woods - Lower Texas Avenue Acting City Manager LeFevre read a letter received from Mr. Woods, of the Home Lumber Company, 800 E. Texas Avenue, requesting that Seventh St. to Alexander Drive on Texas Avenue be lowered. Mayor Pruett stated that the City has money "ear - marked" for this project but it is not feasible at this time to start this type of construction. The Council unanimously agreed that because of weather conditions, it would be best to wait until Spring before starting work on this project. Mr. B. Oliver - Little League Baseball Club In Mr. Oliver's absence, Councilman Lusk presented his request for use of four acres of City property on North Main Street as a Little League ball park. Mr. Oliver's request stated that the City retain 100 feet on North Main Street but permit them to use it as a parking lot until the City builds the proposed Fire Station to be erected on this site. Councilman Ward .made a motion that the four acres be designated as a park for the Little League. Base Ball Club and be turned over to them and the City Retain 100 feet on North Mein Street. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Mears Nays: None " Ward " Badgett " Lusk Mayor Pruett Miscellaneous City Engineer Busch reported the progress being made in obtaining easements and right -of -ways for the sewer facilities to be installed along Market Street. He had contacted business men on Market Street who seemed willing to cooperate and the City should have no problem in getting said easements and right -of -ways. The City Council gave its approval of the request of Engineer Busch in the extension of drain sewer facilites one block on Murrill Street. City Engineer Busch advised that if drainage was to be equivalent to drain sewer facilities in other streets improved then such extension should be made. Mr. Bailey, of the Baytown Housing Authority presented a check to the Council in the amount of $1,494.78 which was submitted in lieu of taxes. Adiournment Councilman Mears moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmen Badgett seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting. adjourned. Edna Oliver, City Clerk R. H. Pruett, Mayor