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1960 05 26 CC Minutes1475 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN May 26, 1960 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Tbxas met in regular session on Thursday, May 26, 1960, at 7:00 o'clock P.M. in the Council Room of the Baytown City Hall with the following members in attendance: W. L. Ward Councilman K. E. Badgett Councilman Velma Ansley Councilman R. H. Hughes Councilman Lacy Lusk Councilman R. H. Pruett Mayor J. B. LeFevre City Manager George Chandler City Attorney Edna Cliver City Clerk Absent: Seaborn Cravey Councilman The Mayor called the meeting to order, the Invocation was offered, afterwhich, the Mayor instructed the City Clerk to read the minutes of the regular meeting of May 11, 1960. Councilman Badgett moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes and they be approved. Councilman Hughes seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Ward Nays: None " Badgett " Ansley " Hughes " Lusk Mayor Pruett Sewer Facilities - Thompson Street The Council agreed to renew its efforts to obtain right -of -way easements for the installation of a sanitary sewer service line to residents facing Thomp- son Street after a complaint was registered by Grover Edge, of the Veterans' Service, relative to the deplorable condition presently existing within the area. Mr. Edge also asked some assistance, if possible, in forcing a resident, suffer- ing from active tuberculosis, to be committed to the Veterans' Hospital in Houston for treatment. The man was said to be endangering the lives of all living on the street as he was very careless with his personal habits and appar- ently practiced little or no sanitation. The Council appointed a Committee composed of Public Works Director Grantham, City Manager LeFevre and City Attor- ney Chandler to make a study of the area; negotiate with property owners for right - of -way dedications and check statutes for the possible committment to hospital for treatment of the tuberculosis victim, Appropriation Ordinance The City Manager introduced and read an ordinance appropriating Ten Thou- sand ($109000.00) Dollars from the Unappropriated Surplus Water Fund to pay for Maintenance of Water Mains, Meters and Settings, Demolishing Water Tower on Maryland Street and Purchase of Additional Water Meters and Settings. Council- man Lusk moved to adopt the ordinance as read. Councilman Ward seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Ward Nays: None to Badgett is Ansley if Hughes of Lusk Mayor Pruett 1476 The caption of the ordinance follows: ORDINANCE NO. 594 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN TO APPROPRIATE TEN THOUSAND ($10,000.00) DOLLARS FROM THE UNAPPRO- PRIATED SURPLUS WATER FUND TO BUDGET CLASSIFICATIONS 1002-4-79 1002 -5-9, 1002-5-10-AND 1002-10-10. Ordinance Granting A11 Employees Certain Civil Service Rights The City Manager introduced and read an ordinance adopting, for all City employees, certain Civil Service rights now enjoyed by the Fireman and Police- men under the Firemen's and Policeman's Civil Service Act adopted by the Texas Legislature in 1947 and Penal Code of Texas, Article 1583 -2 also adopted in 1947. The benefits include vacation rights, sick and injury leaves of absence, sick leave credit and longevity pay. The Council discussed the varied ramifi- cations of the ordinance at length; the additional expenditure immediately in- curred with its adoption and the projected cost to be included in the 19601 fiscal year budget. It was also recommended that the ordinance be amended to exclude temporary employees. Councilmen Hughes moved to adopt the amended ordinance granting certain Civil 'Service rights to all City employees with the exception of those classified as temporary employees. Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Ward Nays: None Badgett Ansley Hughes Lusk Mayor Pruett The caption of the ordinance follows: ORDINANCE NO. 595 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, GRANTING ALL EMPLOYEES THE SAME SICK AND INJURY LEAVES OF ABSENCE, AS PRO- VIDED FOR FIREMEN AND POLICEMEN IN ARTICLE 1269m, SECTION 26, VERNON'S ANNOTATED CIVIL STATUTES; GRANTING ALL EMPLOYEES THE SAME VACATION RIGHTS PROVIDED FOR FIREMEN AND POLICEMEN IN SECTION 26 (a) OF ARTICLE 1269m, VERNON'S ANNOTATED CIVIL STATUTES; GRANTING ALL EMPLOYEES, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 12 1960, $2.00 PER MONTH FOR EACH YEAR OF SERVICE TO THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, NOT TO EXCEED TWENTY -FINE (25) YEARS, AS PROVIDED FOR FIREMEN AND POLICEMEN IN ARTICLE 1583 -2, PENAL CODE OF TEXAS; EXCLUDING TEMPORARY AND SEASONAL EMPLOYEES; REPEALING ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT HEREWITH; CONTAINING A SAVING CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. Discussion- Recommendations - Traffic Survey Committee The Mayor called for a discussion of the recommendations presented by the Traffic Survey Committee at the last regular meeting. Councilman Lusk voiced his objection to naming Defoe Street, east from Pruett Street to Commerce Street, one -way upon the request of one business man as the Council had tried this arrangement in 1955, on a temporary basis, and were forced to re- turn to two -way traffic because of the objections filed by business firms along West Defee. He recommended, however, as an alternate, that North Gaillard, south from Wast Sterling to West Defee be named one -way. Since others of the Council also opposed the change, that section of the recommended changes will be presently omitted to permit additional study. Some traffic light recommen- dations were discussed, such as, West Texas and Commerce, intersection of Lee Drive and Market Street, and Alexander Drive (Highway 146). Councilman Hughes recommended that a study be made of extending Oak Street one block across the Southern Railway to intersect with Gentry Drive. The City had made an attempt 1477 to get this extension approval by the School Board several years ago, but the request was denied. It was agreed, however, that another attempt will be made to promote the proposed project. The Chief of Police was instructed to investi- gate the complaint of tank trucks violating the City's Load Limit Ordinance by using Minnesota Street, a non - designated truck route street. A study will also be made of the recommendation to synchronize the traffic lights on West Texas Avenue. After some further discussion, the City Attorney was instructed to draft an ordinance, with the approved traffic control recommendations, for presentation at the next regular meeting of the Council. In conjunction with the traffic ordinance, Mr. Chandler will also prepare an ordinance establishing a Negligent Collision Clause, as recommended by the Traffic Survey Committee. Mayor Pruett appointed Councilmen Roy Hughes to replace former Councilman Al Clayton as a member of the Traffic Survey Committee. Ask Bids - City Ewlovees' Life and Hospitalization Insurance The City Manager was given permission to ask for bids on Life and Hospi- talization Insurance coverage for employees of the City of Baytown, as the pre- sent Hospitalization Insurance contract expires June 30, 1960. Miscellaneous City Manager LeFevre set the date of August 6th for the City Employees Annual Barbeque and Service Award Ceremony. This will be held at Roseland Park. City Manager LeFevre and Councilmen Ward and Hughes were appointed as a Committee to make purchase of gifts which will be presented to the retiring Councilmen in appreciation of service rendered the City of Baytown. The City Manager was instructed to seek assistance from the Police Depart- ment in the elimination of junked refrigerators now on display on premises of some appliance and second -hand dealers. He was also instructed to use his own discretion in the fencing requirement of Junk Yards when portions of the grounds are not visable to the public in general. City Manager LeFevre informed the Council that work is progressing nicely on the New Jersey storm sewer pr6ject. It was his opinion that some funds may remain for a portion of the Plumwood Ditch project with sow assistance from the County. Should the City's crew hit quicksand in its work on New Jersey, it was his opinion that the remaining funds will be completely depleted. It was recommended that plans be drawn for the improvement and drainage of Lee Drive from West Main Street to its intersection with State Highway 146. After the Council has made a study of the plans, County Commissioner Ramsey will be contacted as he has agreed to assist the City by furnishing equipment and manpower for this improvement project. The Council hopes to have this project completed by the end of the summer. The Director of Public Works was instructed to check the complaint of sanitary sewer line break in the middle of Carolina Street in lager Addition. He is to see what can be done to eliminate the odorous condition until the repair can be properly made. Mr. Grantham was instructed to check all employees, using City owned trucks, and see that each carries a Commercial Operator's license, This action was taken as a result of a car -truck accident on West Main Street and Spur 201 when the driver of the truck was charged with failure to have a com- mercial operator's license. Adjournment Councilman Ward moved for the meeting to adjourn. Councilman Lusk seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mawr declared the meeting adjourned. R. H. Pruett, Mayor AATTEESnT: / Edna Oliver, City Clerk