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1960 09 22 CC Minutes1512 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN September 229 1960 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in regular session on Thursday, September 22, 1960s in the Council room of the Baytown City Hall with the following members in attendance: Seaborn Cravey W. L. Ward K. E. Badgett Velma J. Ansley Roy H. Hughes Lacy Lusk R. H. Pruett J. B. LeFevre George Chandler Edna Oliver Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Mayor City Manager City Attorney City Clerk The Mayor called the meeting to order, the Invocation was offered by H. M. Campbell, afterwhich, the City Clerk was instructed to read the minutes of the regular meeting of September 8th and Special Meeting of September 13th. Council- man Lusk asked that the minutes of the Special Meeting be abanded to read: "Policemen and Firemen Salary Adjustments - Councilman Lusk moved to grant all Police officers and paid Firemen, etc." With this correction, Councilman Ansley moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes and they be approved. Council- man Ward seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None Ward " Badgett " Ansley " Hughes " Lusk Mayor Pruett Report - H. F. Massey, Ch$iiiman -1960 Equalization Board Harry F. Massey, Chairman of the 1960 Equalization Board of the City of Baytown, submitted a report of its actions while conducting its meetings and hearings for the year 1960. The report streesed the many problems encountered by an Equalization Board under the City's present Tax Vaulation Program and was concluded with a plea and recommendation for a re- valuation of all properties within the city limits. The matter of re- valuation requires a strong stand with concrete position to make the transitions from the now obsolete, indddquate, and partially unfair property valuation program now in effect in Baytown as some opposition will be raised, especially by those directly affected by such a re- valuation program. The City Council was urged to approve and authorize such a program for the year, 1961. The Council accepted the report and expressed its thanks to Mr. Massey and his co- workers for services rendered the City of Baytown while serving as members of the 1960 Board of Equalization. Finest L. Brown, Jr. - $350,000.00 Library Bond Sale Mr. Ernest L. Brown, Jr., Baytown's Fiscal Agent, met with the Council for a discussion of the terms and conditions for the sale of the approved $350,000.00 Municipal Library Bonds. He recommended that the sale of the bonds be delayed for 60 days or more in order for a concerted effort to be made to obtain an increase in the city's Moody rating to an "A ". The City's rating is now a "B -AA" and should he be successful in obtaining an increase, the bonds will be more desirable to investors and a better interest rate will be obtained. He explained once again the interest payment, the schedule of maturities and asked the Council to approve a bank as paying agent. At the conclusion of his report, the Council" gave its approval to use the Citizens National Bank as paying agent and approved the original schedule of maturities, as presented by Mr. Brown at the meeting prior to the bond election. 1513 Library Site - Proposal - Bids Sought October 13th Mrs. Ruth Griffith, local realtor, submitted two (2) locations, one abutting Decker Drive and the second abutting Market Street as possible Library sites. The Mayor informed We. Griffith that the Council must abide by the City Charter and advertise for bids. The bids will be received on October 13th and Mrs. Griffith was asked to re- submit her bid for the Council's consideration, at this meeting. Lammers - Hired Architect for Library - Contingent Upon Sale of Bonds The Council discussed the hiring of an architect for the new library. Rec- commendations were received from Mrs. Howard, Mra. Cray and Yr. Goes, members of the Library Advisory Board. Some favored hearing the proposals of several archi- tects, especially those that have had library architect experience. Mr. Goss expressly stated that the advisory Board favored engaging the services of a local architect when the Mayor introduced an architect brochure submitted by Lewis S. Maguire, A.I.A., of Pasadena and Houston, Texas. After a lengthy discussion, Councilman Lusk moved to hire Lowell Lammers, local architect, as designer and architect for the construction of the library building of the City of Baytown, subject to sale of the bonds. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None " Ward " Badgett " Ansley " Hughes " Lusk Mayor Pruett Naming Umbers of Baytown Advisory Board As a result of a suggestion submitted by Councilman Ansley, July 28th, 1960, the Council named an Advt3ory Board to work with the Council toward the future �I improvement and development of Baytown. The Advisory Board will have no powers of its own, but will serve only in an Advisory capacity and submit recommends- - tions for long -range improvement projects to members of the City Council for its approval and adoption. The members named are as follows: (1) Lowell Lamers, by Councilman Badgett; (2) Champ E. Crawford, Councilman Ansley; (3) Kenneth Dismang, Councilman Hughes; (4) Karl 0p�'yshek, Councilman Ward; (5) E. C. (Jack) Kdmmons, Councilman Lusk and (6) Harry F. Massey, Mayor Pruett. Council- man Cravey will submit his recommendation at the neat regular meeting. Ordinance Adopting Budget - 196o -61 Councilman Ansley moved to adopt an ordinance adopting a budget for the ensuing fiscal year, beginning October 1, 1960, in accordance with the Charter of the City of Baytown, Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None " Ward " Badgett " Ansley " Hughes " Lusk Mayor Pruett The caption of the ordinance follows: IORDINANCE NO. 612 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE ENSUING FISCAL YEAR, BEGIN- NING OCTOBER 1, 1960, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1961, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN; AND PROVID- 'ENG ?FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ORDINANCE. 1514 Abolish Eligibility List - Fireman Councilman Ward moved to accept the recommendation of Grover Edge, Director of Civil Service, to abolish the eligibility list of the paid Firemen. Councilman Cravey seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None " Ward " Badgett " Ansley " Hughes " Iusk Mayor Pruett Tax Rate Ordinance - 1941 Councilman Ward moved to adopt an ordinance fixing the rate of tax levy for the City of Baytown for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1961. Council- man Hughes seconded the motion. The roll call vmte was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None " Ward " Badgett " Ansley " Hughes " Lusk Mayor Pruett The caption of the ordinance follows: ;ORDINANCE NO. 613 AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE RATE AND TAX LEVY FOR THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1961s UPON ALL TMMBLE PROPERTY IN SAID CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE CHARTER PROVISIONS AND ORDINANCRaOF SUD CITY; AND REPEALING ALL 9BDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH. Prgliminary_Approval Sections 2 and 3 - Country Club Oaks Councilman Lusk moved to give preliminary construction approval to Sections 2 and 3, Country Club Oaks, provided the developer extends the 6" water Mains on the three (3) streets Sarah Bob, Mary Louise and Wilma Glaydene, to con- nect with the existing 8" main on ibnhy Sue Street. Councilman Ward seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None It Ward " Badgett " Ansley " Hughes tits': Lusk Mayor Pruett Rescind Action - Abolish Eligibility List - Firemen The Council agreed to have its former action, relating to the abolition of the eligibility list of p&Ad Fireman, stricken from the minutes after re- ceiving a request from Donald L. Brunson, a member of the Civil Service Com- mission, for such a grant, Dr. Branson stated that his reasons for making such a request was personal and he had conferred with and obtained the approval of Mr. Edge, Director, before submitting his request. G 0. Robins - City's Insurance Proaram Mr. G. 0. Robins, local insurance man, presented a research report made by himself when called upon to examine the City's present insurance program. He began with the City's automobile fleet policy, dividing it into two sections, liability and physical damage; the City's claim of im�,nity from suit because of damage or injury to others, the glaring error of charging $19958.86 for liability coverage on fire trucks when an endorsement is shown to exclude coverage on fire trucks, and to determine if this exclusion was an act of the Council or the Insur- ance Exchange. He recommended that all vehicles, especially emergency be covered. If the Council decided against complete protection, he offered four (4j alternates, namely: (1) leaving the bodily injury and property damage limits at 50/100 and 5,000 and covering all but emergency vehicles, or (2) reducing the limits to 5/10 -5 covering all vehicles, or (3) reducing the limits to 5/10/5 covering all but emergency vehicles, or (4) do not insure at all and plead Government Immunity in all cases (upon advice of City Attorney). He suggested, however, that channeling the difference in premium between the cost of total insurance and the cost of re- duced coverage into a special fund to be deposited at interest, the City may eventually become a self insurer. He also touched upon the general liability insurance covering City park and recreation areas and the Fire Insurance Coverage and concluded by recommending that the City appoint one agent each term to repre- sent the City. The agent would get 40 per cent of the commission and the other agents in Baytown, excluding the Baytown Insurance Exchange, who had been licensed more than five years, will receive an equal 'share of the remaining 60 per sent, This plan would take the insurance from the Exchange and give it to independent insurance representatives, Mr. Robins contending that the Insurance Exchange had held the City's insurance coverage long enough. Some members of the Council add - reseed questions to Mr. Robins at the conclusion of his report, thus resulting in a lengthy discourse. Eventually, it was agreed that the discussion will be resumed at the special meeting which will be held on Wednesday, September 28th, for the purpose of canvassing the Library Bond Election returns. A representative of the Baytown Insurance Exchange and any other interested insurance representative or agent will be asked to be present at the meeting. The Council will then give each group an opportunity to present its opinions and recommendations on City Insurance Coverage. Transfer Resolutions The City Manager introduced and read the following resolutions: &RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY CF BAYTOWN TO TRANSFER EIGHTEEN THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY ($18,220.00) DBL`MS•FROM THE EMERGENCY FUND TO BUDGET CLASSIFICATIONS 202 -9 -1, 301 -4 -6, 301 -6 -11, 401 -1 -3, 501 -1 -3, 601 -1 -4 701 -2 -7 AND 701 -5 -2. HE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEYAS: THAT the City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, hereby resolved that the City Manager of Baytown be authorized to transfer Eighteen Thousand Two Hundred and Twenty ($18,-220.00) Dollars from the Emergency Fund to the fol- lowing classifications, to -wit: Classification 202 -9 -1 $ 2,375.00 General Fund Classification 301 -4-6 10,000.00 General Fund Classification 301 -6 -11 2,420.00 General Fluid Classification 401 -1 -3 300.00 General Fluid Classification 501 -1 -3 _: 550:00 General Fund Classification 601 -1 -4 250.00 General Fund Classification 701 -2 -7 225.00 General Fund Classification 701 -5 -2 2.100.00 General Fund $ 18,220.00 INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the affirmative vote of a madority of the City Council on this the 22nd day of September, 1960. ATTEST: /s/ Edna Oliver Edna Oliver, City Clerk /a/ R. H. Pruett R. H. Pruett, Mayor 1515 1516 ARESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN TO TRANSFER FOUR THOUSM,- !EIGHT HUNDRED AND FORTY ($4,840.00) DOLLARS FROM THE CONTINGENCY FUND TO BUDGET CLASSIFICATIONS 103 -1 -2, 104 -1 -2, 104 -2 -1, 104 -6 -4. 105 -6 -59 107 -6 -11 AND 201 -1 -3. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS: THAT the City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, hereby resolves that the City Manager of Baytown be authorized to transfer Four Thousand Eight Hunred and Forty ($/+,840.00) Dollars from the Contingency Fund to the following classifications, to -wit: Classification 103 -1 -2 150.00 General Fund C]assfication 104 -1 -2 140.00 General Fund Classfication 104 -2 -1 20.00 General Fund Classfication 104 -6 -4 180.00 General. Fund Classification 104 -6 -5 20.00 General Fund Classification 107 -6 -11 12810.00 General Fund Classification 201 -1 -3 22500.00 General Fund Total $ 4,840.00 INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the affirmative vote of a majority of the City Cotmcil on this the 22nd day of September, 1960. (s/ R. H. Pruett R. H. Pruett, Mayor ATTEST: /s/ Edna Oliver Edna Oliver, City Clerk A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF BAYT OWN TO TRANSFER THREE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED ($3,700.00) DOLLARS FROM THE WATER CLASSIFICATION FUND 10021 -3 TO WATER FUND CLASSIFICATION 1001 -6 -11 AND CLASSIFICATION 1002 -1 -3 TO 1004 -5 -4-• BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS: THAT the City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas hereby resolves that the City Manager of Baytown be authorized to transfer Three Thousand Seven Hundred ($3,700.00) Dollars from the Water Fund Classifications to the following classifi- cations, to -wit: Classification 1002 -1 -3 to Classification 1001 -6 -11 $3,300.00 Water Fund Classification 1002 -1 -3 to Classification 1004 -5 -4 4400.00 Water Fund $3,700.00 INTRODICED, READ-.and PASSED by the affirmative vott of a majority of the City Council on this,'the 22nd day of September, 1960. Is/ R.H. Pruett R. H. Pruett, Mayor ATTEST: Is Edna Oliver Edna Oliver, City Clerk r Councilman Lusk moved to adopt the resolutions as read. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None " Ward " Badgett " Ansley " Hughes " Lusk Mayor Pruett Mcve - Traffic Light on West Main to Intersection of Pruett and West Main Councilman Ward moved to instruct the City Manager to have the traffic signal light, now operating at the intersection of West Main and Bayliss, moved from its present position and relocated at the intersection of West Main and South Pruett Street. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Miscellaneous Councilman Cravey Nays: None " Ward " Badgett " Ansley " Hughes " Lusk Mayor Pruett 1517 The City Manager was instructed to have the City Engineer prepare cost ✓. -' estimates on a hot mix asphalt topping for portions of West Gulf Street, Pruett Street, Memorial Drive and other streets in comparable condition. The Council wilfreview the estimates and decide upon the time for receiving bids. Since the Police Department is in need of new cars immediately, the Council approved the appointment of a committee composed of City Nanager LeFevre, Police Chief Montgomery, J. B. Plocheck of Ernie Dittman's, Ed Vaught of Buck Turner's, Busby of Thad Felton's and Jesse of Higginbotham's for the preparation of specifications on police cars, as the Council has approved the purchase in the 1960 -61 fiscal year Budget. The City Manager reported that the Plumwood Ditch storm sewer installa- tion project was expected to begin sometime during the week of September 25th. The City Manager was instructed to again contact representatives of the Southern Pacific Railroad for permission to extend Oak Street across their reight- of -way to intersect with Gentry Drive. The City Manager was instructed to contact representatives of the Missouri Pacific Railroad and ask their cooperation in the repair of reailroad crossings as requested at the January 28th, 1960 meeting. Should this contact be ignored, the Council will take steps for rigid enforcement of Ordinance No. 100. Adjournment Councilman Cravey moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilman Lusk seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. ATTEST: p iL tl r, k-L- i Edna Oliver, City Clerk R. If. Pruett, Mayor