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
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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