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1960 07 14 CC Minutes1.488 HDMUS OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COMIL OF 7HE CITY OF BAYTOWN July 14, 1960 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas not in regular session on Thursday, July 14, 1960, at 7:00 o'clock P.M., in the Council. Room of the Baytown City Hall with the following members in attendance: Seaborn Cravey W. L. Ward R. E. Badgett Velma J. Ansley Roy H. Hughes *Lacy Lusk Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman R. H. Pruett Mayor J. B. Levre City Imager George Chandler City Attorney Edna Oliver City Clerk The Mayor called the meeting to order, the InvocAtion was offered by Reverend Wayne McCloskey, Pastor of St. Marks Methodist Church, afterwhich, Mayor Pruett asked for the minutes of the special meeting of June 22nd and regular meeting of June 23rd to be read. Councilman Ansley moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes and they be approved. Councilman Cravey seconded the motion. The roll call vote as as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None " Ward " Badgett " Ansley " Hughes " Lusk Mayor Pruett Open- Tabulate Bids - CitZ EaaoZees Insurance - Hospitalisation and Life Upon recommendation of the City Lager the bids received in response to advertisement for City Employees Hospitalisation and Life Insurance coverage were opened and the City Clerk was instrtiated.to record Sams in the minutes of this date, however, no further action will be taken until proper study has been made by the City Manager and other ' : personnel. After the study has been made, representatives of the various companies presenting bids will be invited to meet with the department heads and answer any questions which may be presented. A decision will be made after the study and meeting and a report given to the Council at the next regular meeting. The companies presenting bids follows: Great American Insurance Company Connecticutt General Life Ins. Co. Southwestern Life Insurance Company Home Life Insurance Company Southland National Life Insurance Company Travelefs Insurance Co. Northwestern National. Life Insurance Co. Aetna We Insurance Co. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Oil Industries Life Insurance Co. Delegation - Chambers County W. Charles Pbwell, a resident of Chambers County, acted as spokesman for a fact - finding committee appointed to meet with the Council and have certain rumors clArified relative to the area recently annexed on first reading in Chambers County. The group had heard that the City will release the area under first read- ing if the residents want to incorporate. The Mayor explained that the action taken by the Council by the first reading was brought about when it was learned that the City of Houston planned to pass an ordinance annexing all unincorpotsted areas within Harris County. The action was for protection only and it was his opinion that the second reading on the entire area was very remote. He further 119 explained that if any particular area wanted to incorporate the Council will re- lease the amount of acreage required to sake the incorporation legal, but the entire area will not be released as the area will have better protection as the Baytown annexation is known to be legal. Mr. A. B. Iawrence stated that he had a petition with 84 signatures asking the Council to withdraw its first reading on the area in Chambers County, let the residents petition for incorporation under the town and village act', and the City of Baytown annex a one -inch protec- tive band around the entire area after the petition is filed. City Attorney Chandler stated that the entire area could not be included in the incorporation under the act but the petition can be held indefinitely. This Vil.l give the people in the area first claim and prevent further annexation procedure by another city. After a lengthy discussion, the Mayor closed this order of business by extending the group an invitation to meet with the Council at any time, The group accepted the invitation and agreed to return if any more questions arise after a meeting has been held with residents of Chambers County. Marx MDeeaman - Library Committee - Election Max Mosesman, spokesman for the Advisory Board of Trustees of the library submitted a report on the recent study made by the Committee for a new library in Baytown. In concluding his report, he stated that it was the recommendation of the Board of Trustees that the Council consider ordering an election for the purpose of approving or disapproving a $350,000 bond issue for construction of a new library. This will include $50,000 for the site, $2039000 for the building, $202000 for architect fees, $95,000 for equipment and furnishings and "$32,000 contingency fund. The funds derived from the sale of the present library site will be used to`complete the required expenditures. He asked that, should the Council accept the recommendation, the library election be held as a separate item from any other issues the Council may decide to include, such as, new City Hall, street bonds, etc., and at least 30 days be allowed between the time the election is set and held in order to allow time for a promotional program on the library issue. Council matn Hughes moved to accept the report and recommenda- tion of the library committee by submitting to the voters of Baytown, a Bond Issue which will include the library and any other issues the Council may wish to include, as separate items. Councilmen Ansley seconded the motion. The roll call- vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None " Ward " Badgett " Ansley " Hughes " Lusk Mayor Pruett 7he:Council commended the Advisory Board for the work and study done in the preparation of the recommendations. 7he Council will set up a special meeting to discuss other items and date to call the bond election. Oan Bids - City Owned Lot = !IL land Street Bids were received, opened and tabulated on the sale of the City owned lot on Maryland Street. The persons submitting bids are listed as follows: J. C. Godwin, 23M E. James $1025.00 H. Ladner, P. 0. Box 3153 660.00 E. A. Orsak, Maryland Street $1,600.o Councilman Ward moved to accept the-bid of E. A. Orsak; the Mayor and City Clerk be authorised to execute necessary instruments to complete the sale of the property. Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None Ward. " Badgett " Ansley " Hughes " Lusk Mayor Pruett L47 11400 Open Bids - Asphalt TbpZU& Parkway, Fourth and Seventh The bids for the asphalt topping of Parkways Fourth and Seventh Streets were opened and tabulated as follows: Gulf Bitulithic Company, Houston, Tbxas $99160.00 Brown & Root, Inc. $9,960.00 Councilman Lusk moved to accept the bid of Gulf Bitulithic Company in the amount of $9,160.00 for the topping of Parkway, Fourth and Seventh Streets. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None " Ward " Badgett " Ansley " Hughes " Lask Mayor Pruett Curb Backfill - Parkway, Fourth and Seventh The City Engineer submitted a report on the results of a negotiation for fill dirt, of a good quality, which'will be used to improve the backfill on Park- way, Fourth and Seventh Streets, but it was his recommendation that'the Council hold the driveway situation presently existing at the home of Robert Kellys 1103 South Seventh, in abeyance until he has tried using a fill. If this does not eliminate the dips the Coimail gave the City Manager and City Engineer per- mission to do all things necessary to eliminate the "drag" situation presently existing. Petitions R. M. Minters owner of Minter Cleaners, presented petitions protesting the recent notice of increase in gas rates received from the Houston Natural Gas Company and asked for Council assistance in bargaining for lower gas rates. Re- stated that since the cleaners do not have protection, the rates of the cleaners have jumped 28% of 299 this summer, while residential rates have been lowered to encourage the use of gas air conditioning. He agreed that the Gas Company was entitiled to a fair return on their investment but the cleaners of this area were the largest users of Natural Gas and it was his opinion that some consideration should be given them as such. The Mayor explained that the City of Baytown had made every effort by providing funds, and City Attorney to promote the estab- lishment of a Utility Rate Commission in Austin to handle such problems as now confront the cleaners. This effort was not successful, He recommended that a special meeting be held, at the City Hall, between the businessman, 1r. Nkaseys Houston Natural Gas Company representative and the City Attorney and discuss the rate problem to determine if a plan nay not be negotiated which will be accept- able to all parties. 'This recommendation was accepted and the date and time of the meeting was set for MondaypAi y 18th at 1:00 P.M. Copies - Proposed Traffic Ordinance - Study The City Attorney presented the Council copies of a proposed Traffic Ordi- nance for Baytown. He asked that each of the Council study the ordinance closely and it be determined if all recommendations may be decided upon before the adoption as any amendments to the ordinance requires repetitious details and typing. e Councilman Lusk excused from meeting. Reimburse - Councilmen Cravey - Expenses TSrip - Austin Councilman Ward moved to reimburse Councilman Seaborn Cravey $53.26 for expenses incurred while attending a Mayors' and Councilmen's Conference in Austin in Junes 1960. Councilman Hughes seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes% Councilman Cravey " Ward " Badgett " Ansley " Hughes M%yor Pruett Nays: None 1491 Councilman Ward commended Councilman Cravey for his interest as shown by his attending the Conference held in Austin. Councilman bard moved to pay an additional $50.00 to each of the three new Council members for expenses incurred during the month of May,, 1960. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. Die roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Counoilman Cravey Nays: None " Ward " Badgett " Ansley " Hughes Mayor Pruett Abandon Roadway - Humble Oil & Refining Company Councilman Ansley moved to approve the request of the Humble Oil & Refining Company and authorized the Nm►yor to execute an instrument officially acknowledging the abandonment of a road right -of -way lying.eest of Airhart Drive and east of the Humble Company fence. Councilman Hughes seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None Ward " Badgett " Ansley " Hughes kayor Pruett Lowell Lammmers - Nameplates - New Council Thanks were extended to Lowell. Iamaaera, local Architect, for the namep�.atea donated to the new Councilmen. Prepare Ordinance - Street Name Changes The City Attorney was instructed to prepare an ordinance, for presentation at the next regular meeting, changing the name of Yale Street to Garth Road, remove a duplication of Scott Street and change Ferry Road to Cedar Bayou Road. This change is authoized to awke the street names more uniform throughout the City. Corporation Court Committee - Report In order to clarify any Adsunderstanding that may have occurred because of the recent Police Department investigation, Councilman Hughes presented the following report from the recently appointed Corporation Court Committee, to -wit: "Due to misconception of the duties of the Corporation Court Committee, we would like to make the explanation which follows to clear up any wrong ideas concerning this committee and its functions. It is not the responsibility of this commaitte to direct the duties of our Police Department or any other department in our city govern- ment. This committee has direct control over the corporation court only. All other powers and limitations of the Council are explained in the Articlhssof our City Charter. We would like to clarify our position by bringing these to your attention. Die powers and limita- tions are found in Article II listed under Sections 30 and 20, and also in Article III - Section 33. Article II - Section 30. The council shall have power to inquire into the conduct of any office, department, agency, or officer of the city and to make investigations as to municipal affairs, an for that purpose may subpoena witneeees, administer oaths, and compel the production-of books, papers, and other evidence, Failure to obey such subpoena or to produce books, papers or other evidence as ordered.under the provisions of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by fine not to exceed one hundred dollars. Article II.- Section 20. Neither the council nor any of its members shall direct the appointment of any person to, or his removal from office, by the city manager or by any of his subordinates; provided, however, that the appointment of department heads shall be subject to the approval of the council. Except for 1 the purpose of inquiry the council and its members shall deal with the administrative service solely through the city manager and neither the council nor any member thereof -hall give orders to any subordinates of the city manager, either publicly or privately. Article III - Section 33. The city manager shall be the chief executive officer and the head of the administrative branch of city government. He shall be responsible tothe council for the proper administration of all affairs of the city and to that end, he andll have power and shall be required to: (1) Appoint and, when necessary for the good of the service, remove all officers and employees of the city except as otherwise provided by this charter and except as he may authorize the head of a depart- ment to appoint and remove subordinates in such department. We welcome your problems and complaints and shall always refer them to the proper administrative channels. Respectfully submitted," City tanager Questioned - Police Department Probe Councilman Ansley opened discussion on the recent investigation of the Police Department by asking City tanager Le Fevre if the statement, as published in the Baytown Sun, June 23rd, was true. Mr. LeFevre assured Councilman Ansley that he had found no irregularities and as far as he was concerned the investigation was closed. The statement was discussed at length, however, no further action was taken by the Council relative to the investigation of the Police Department. City Sponsor - City Employee Soft Bell Team Councilman Ward moved to extend the present recreation program of the City of Baytown to sponsor a City Employees soft -ball team and authorised an expendi- ture of 0150.00 to provide suits for the players. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Kaye: None ° Ward " Badgett " Ansley ° Hughes tayor Pruett Adjournyent Councilman Cravey moved that the meeting adjourn. Councilman Ward seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the tayor declared the meeting adjounned. ATTEST. n C_til.e_" Edna Oliver, City Clerk t R. H. Pruett tayor