1960 10 13 CC Minutes1520
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
October '13, 1960
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas mst in regular session on
Thursday, October 13, 1960s 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
K. E. Badgett
Velma J. Ansley
Roy H. Hughes
Lacy Lusk
R. H. Pruett
J. B. LeFevre
George Chandler
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Mayor
City Manager
City Attorney"
Absent: *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 H. M.
Campbell, afterwhich, the City Clerk was instructed to read the minutes of the
regular meeting of September 22nd and the speci'Al meeting of September 28th.
Councilman Ward asked that the minutes of the regular meeting of September 22nd
be amended to read: "Miscellaneous - The City Manager was instructed to have the
City Engineer prepare specifications and advertise for bids on hot mix asphalt
topping fdr portions of West Gulf, Pruett Street, Memorial Drive and other streets
in comparable condition." With this correction, Councilman Ansley moved to dis-
pense with the reading of the minutes and they be approved. Councilman Ward
seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None
" Ward
" Badgett
" Ansley
" Lusk
Mayor Pruett
Baytown Board of Redtors --Proposed Resolution
Mr. J. E. Rutter, a member of the Baytown Board of Realtors, Inc., presented
a proposed resolution whereas a request be made to the City Council that purchase
of a site for the projected Baytown Public Library be delayed until serious con-
sideration is given by the Council to purchase a tract of land of sufficient area
upon which a Civic Center or municipal building site could be located in the
future; upon which the library could be the first of several public buildings.
The intention of the proposed resolution was not to apprehend or delay purchase
of a site, as they were aware of the dire need for a new, expanded library, but
were planning for future needs of a central, compact municipal center. Councilman
Lusk moved that the resolution be accepted, but no immediate action "taken. 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
1521
Chamber of Commerce - Propose a Metered Parkin lot
Mr. Harry Massey, member of the executive committee of the Chamber of Commerce,
reported to the Council that a conducted survey, as to the needs and improvements
of the City of Baytown, revealed the City's need of a parking lot in-the downtown
business section. The Ohamber's executive committee had contacted Southern Pacific
Railway Company to examine the possiblity of utilizing Southern Pacific property
to alleviate the parking problem,. The City Engineer's sketch was presented, of a
portion of the offered property (bound by Wast Pearce, Commerce and West Texas Ave.)
which could be ]eased for a five year period, at $300.00 per year. The estimated
material cost for construction of the proposed parking lot is $5,560.00, which
includes gradeand surface, installing pips guard rails, parking meter standards,
parking asters and painting stripes on the parking lot. The proposed parking lot
is scheduled for completion by Christmas. Councilman Hughes moved to accept the
recommendations in the report and the City Manager and City Engineer be instructed
to proceed with the construction of the parking lot. Councilman Ward seconded the
motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Poll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None
Ward
Badgett
Ansley
Hughes
" Lusk
Mayor Pruett
Library Site Bids - Opened and Tabulated - Discussion
Before opening and tabulating the library site bide, Mayor Pruett asked if
any in the audience wished to asitc any comment.
Mrs. Gray, a member of the Library Advisory Committee, stated that-.the
committee had made a study and looked into several sites. It was the opinion that
at the time of the election, the library was the only issue and the committee could
not conscientiously recommend placing the librai7 on the same site with other
municipal buildings, and that a smaller site for the library, only, should be con -
aidered at this time.
Mrs. Mattie Howard, also a member of the Advisiory Committee, reported that
extensive .. study, reading and letter writing had convinced the advisory committee
that the success of the library depended on its location in a busy, active part
of town, not in an area where people were merely passing by. She further stated
that a mmnicipal center was not a proper location for a library; that the need
for a library was now and could be built on a small mite; that expansion of such
a library could be done by mobile service instead of a branch that required more
land and more personnel.
Mr. Sparky Bond, local realtor, asked to be heard and stated that in due
respect to the work of the advisory committee had done, it was his opinion that
the City should get the value of the opportunity by securing enough land to build
a City Hall, and Auditorium, where small conventions could be held, and a park
with recreation facilities and sufficient parking area.
At the conclusion of this discussion, the Library Site bids were opened and
tabulated as follows:
E. 0. Jones Two (2) acres (88,000.aq. Ft.) $ 40,000.00
Sparky Bond Offer #1 Nine (9) acres @ 4,000.00 per acre
Offer #2 Seventeen (17) acres ® 2,000.00 per acre
Offer #3 Twenty -Eight (28) acres
ShoulA the City elect to purchase all of Tracts 1, 2 and 3, containing a total of
54 acres, the owners will sell for a price of $2,000.00 per acre for all three
tracts.
1522
John M. Kilgore
Stewart and Rutter
Albert Franta
Bray, Matherne, Harris
and Walmsley
J. J. Redmond
Gene B. Hazelwood
W. E. Harlan
A. M. and 0, J. Howell
Gray, Cox and Gray
Thirty -Two (32) acres
Entire Tract
Fire and Five Tenths (5.5) acres
One Block (50' x 8* 9
Tow (2) acres
Two -or Three and One Half
(2 or 3-D acres
200' x 330'
Five (5) acres
10.2 acres
1.4862 acres
$ 5,000.00 per acre
159,099.00
70,000.00
200,000.00
25,000.00
30,000.00
150.00 per front Ft.
25,000.00 or
6,000.00 per acre
38,000.00
50,000.00
Charles W. Gordon Approx. 10 acres 5,500.00 per acre
Jeff Fleming #1 Twenty Four (24) acres 100,000.00
#2 3.17 acres 25,000.00
Councilman Lusk moved that the bids be studied and a report on them be made
at a later date. Councilman Ward seconded the motion. The roll call vote was
as fol.l.ows:
Roll Cal].: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Mays: None
Ward
Badgett
" Ansley
" Hughes
" Lusk
Mayor Pruett
- Mayor Pruett recommended that the Council meet on Wednesday, October 19, 1960
to review the Library Site Bids.
Baytown Advisory Board
Lowell Lammers, a member of the Advisory Board was instructed, as a committee
of one, to contact all members of the Advisory Board to meet at the Baytown Sun
office to have their picture taken and also advise them to attend the-next regular
meeting of the Council to discuss proposals and duties of the Advisory Board.
Committee Report - Traffic Light - West Main and Bayliss
A traffic survey was made at West Main and Bayliss as a result of protests
relative to the removal of the traffic light at this intersection. Councilman
Hughes, as spokesman for the survey committee, reported that a survey had been
conducted from 6130 A. M. to 6:30 P.M. on Monday.. October 10, 1960. Figures on
traffic and pedestrians were as follows: 5769 vehicles, both east and west
220 vehicles (17 of which were trucks) going north and south, only three (31
teenagers, on bicycles, used the crossing and no elementary school children used
this intersection as a crosswalk. Councilman Ward was of the opinion that the
light should be moved, in view of the committee's report. Councilman Cravey
stated that the citizens had paid for the light and wanted it in its present
location and felt that the light should not be removed. Councilman Badgett
made a motion that the Council rescind action to remove the traffic light and
leave it in its present location. Councilman Cravey seconded the motion. The
roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes:
Councilman Cravey
" Badgett
" Ansley
" Lusk
Mayor Pruett
Nays: Councilman Ward
1523
Because of his participation as a member of the survey committee, Councilman
Hughes stated he wished to abstain.
Bide - Electrical Line Connecting Water Tower to Pumping Plant Controls
Bide on the electrical line connecting water tower to pumping controls were
opened and tabulated as follows:
Gulf Coast Electric Company
Massey Electric Company
Pfeiffer Electric Company
$ 1,935.00
2,890.56
1,725.00
Councilman Lusk moved to accept the low bid of Pfeiffer Electric Company,
in the amount of $1,725.00. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The roll
call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes:Councilman Cravey Nays: None
" Ward
Badgett
" Ansley
" Hughes
" Lusk
Mayor Pruett
Report - Committee on Annexation - Texas Municipal Leaeue
Mayor Pruett stated that he was not at liberty to divulge complete information
concerning the meeting of the Committee on Annexation which met with the Texas
league of M=icipalities. He could report, however, that one of their basic find-
ings will be to recommend to the State Legislature that each City in Texas be
given the power to annex, in a calendar year, 10$ of its home basic acreage. If
any community, desiring annexation, petitioned by 51$ of the people living in an
adjacent area, it will.not be held against the 10% annexation.
tter - Houston Lighting and Power Company - Rate Increase
Mayor Pruett presented a letter from Houston Lighting & Power Company advising
that the Company had filed an application with the City of Houston for a rate in-
crease and as the City of Baytown has the same rate as the City of Houston, a
similar application would probably be submiited to the City Council of Baytown in
the near future. After reviewing the contents of the letter with the Council,
Mayor Pruett stated that he would contact Mayor Cutrer of Houston, Mayor Cartwright
of Galveston and various Mayors throughout Harris County, whose cities are serviced
by Houston lighting & Power Company, asking if they will participate in a Rate
Hearing (date not set). By joining with the City of Houston, a great deal of
expense would be saved, since it was estimated that each City would spend several
thousand dollars in separate hearings.
Plumaood (Adams Street) Ditch
Mayor Pruett announced to the Council that as a result of his recent meeting
with V. V. Ramsey, County Commissioner, the Commissioners' Court had agreed to pay
the City of - Baytown $7r 500.00 toward the cost of putting storm sewer pipe in the
Plum+ood (Adams Street) Ditch. It was further explained that this is the amount
estimated it would cost the Harris County Flood Control to maintain this ditch
for a period of ten (10) years. This $9,500.00 is to be added to the approx-
imat, $15,000.00 of Drainage Bond money consigned to this project.
1524
Hayes Filter Company Inspection - Woodlawn Sewage Treatment Plant
A letter was presented to the Council from Hayes Filter Company which was
a result of Public ldorks Director Grantham's request for an inspection of the
Woodlawn Sewage Treatment Plant. On Septemb er 30th, Mayor Pruett and Councilman
Ansley, along with Mr. Hayes made an inspection whereas Hayes Filter Company
recommended that chloring be injected in o the closed flume, thereby oxidizing
the hydrogen sulfide gas before it leaves the sludge clumes to minimize any
odor and also reported that operation of the plant was in excellent order.
Addressooragh Bids - Opened and Tabulated
There was only one (1) bid received on the addressograph. It was from
the Addressograph- Multigraph Corporation in the amount of $4,106.39, less
$100.00 for trade -in. Councilman ''Ward moved to accept this bid. Councilman
Cravey seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes:
Councilman Cravey
" Ward
U Badgett
" Ansley
Hughes
" Lusk
Mayor Pruett
Nays : None
Ordinance - Receiving, and Accepting, Work of Construction - East Wright Blvd.
Councilman Ansley moved to adopt an ordinance receiving and accepting
the work of construction of permanent paving and other improvements on East
Wright Blvd. and authorizing the execution of Special Assessment Certificates
to Baown and Root, Inc., Councilman Ward seconded the motion. The roll call
vote was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None
" Ward
Badgett
" Ansley
If Hughes
Lusk
Mayor Pruett
The caption of the Ordinance follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 615
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS
RECEIVING AND ACCEPTING THE WORK OF CONSTRUCTION OF PERMANENT
PAVING AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE FOLLOWING DEFINED POR-
TION OF EAST WRIGHT BLVD. IN THE CITY OF BAYTOWN; AUTHORIZING
AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION AND ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT
CERTIFICATES TO BROWN AND ROOT, INC., THE CONTRACTOR PERFORM-
ING SAID WORK; APPROVING THE FORM OF SUCH SPECIAL ASSESSMENT
CERTIFICATES; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF.
Fill Vacancy - Juvenile Officer
Police Chief Montgpuary was instructed to transfer a Police Sergeant to fill
the position of Juvenile Officer which was recently vacated by J. C. Bickerstaff.
Resolutions - Transfer Funds
Councilman Hughes moved to adopt the following resolutions:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN TO TRANSFER ONE THOUSAND
($1,000.00) DOLLARS FROM THE COUNCIL CONTINGENCY FUND TO BUDGET
CLASSIFICATION 103 -7 -8
1525
BE IT,RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS:
THAT the City Council of the City of Baytown hereby resolves that the
City Manager be authorized to transfer One Thousand ($1,000.00) Dollars from
the Council Contingency Fund to Budget Classification 103 -7 -8 to pay a warrant
officer to serve warrants outside the City limits of Baytown.
INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
City Council on this the 13th day of October, 1960.
/s/ R. H. Pruett
R. H. Pruett, Mayor
ATTEST:
/a/ Edna Oliver
Edna Oliver, City Clerk
The City Manager explained that the Warrant Officer would be paid $40.00 a
month and the balance of income would be from warrant fees.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN TO TRANSFER TWO HUNDRED
($200.00) DOLLARS FROM THE COUNCIL CONTINGENCY FUND TO BUDGET
CLASSIFICATION 201 -6 -4.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS:
THAT the City Council of the City of Baytown hereby resolves that the
City Manager be authorized to transfer Two Hundred ($200.00) Dollars from the
Council Contingency Fund to Budget Classification 201 -6 -4 for expenses to send
two (2) patrolmen to the Texas Municipal tpliceman's Association Convention.
INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
City Council on this the 13th day of October, 1960.
/s/ R. H. Pruett
ATTEST:
/s/ Edna Oliver
Edna Oliver, City Clerk
Councilman Ward seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Cell: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None
" Ward
" Badgett
" Ansley
" Hughes
" Lusk
Mayor Pruett
Oak Street Crossing
City Manager LeFevre read a portion of a letter from Southern Pacific Railroad
Company, advising that the City would be requested to pay $729.00 for re- locating
a team track before they could give consent to the City crossing their tract at
Oak Street extension. Councilman Ward moved that the City pay the $729.00 as
requested and proveed with the extension of Cak Street to Gentry Drive. 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
1526
Insurance Committee Meeting - Date Set
Mayor Pruett set the date of Monday, October 17, 1960, at 6:00 o'clock P.M.
for the Insurance Committee to meet and report the results of their study of
the City's overall insurance program.
Advertise Bids - Site for landfill - Garbage Disposal
Councilman Hughes moved that Public Works Director Grantham be instructed
to draw up specifications and advertise for bids for a suitable site for land-
fill garbage disposal. Councilman Ward seconded the motion. The roll call vote
was as follows:
Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None
" Ward
" Badgett
" Ansley
" Hughes
Mayor Pruett
Councilmembers' Expense Accounts
Councilman Cravey submitted an expense account in the amount of $28.50 and
Councilman Ansley submitted an expense account in the amount of $32.80 for the
mon*of September, 1960.
Error - Billing - Goose Creek Independent School District - Garbage Collection
An error was discovered during the Preparation of the 1960 -61 fiscal year
budget whereby: the Goose Creek Independent School District had never been Billed
for garbage collection for a three (3) year period. Mr. Scott, of the School
Board, stated that bide had been advertised in 1957 for garbage collection and Nk.
C. D. Middleton, then City Manager, had accepted the bid for the City in the
amount of $300.00 per month, although the minutes of August 8, 1957. recorded the
amount as $375.00 per month. Public Works Director Grantham had made an estimate
that the cost of garbage collection from the schools was $550.00 per month. The
Council granted permission to the City Manager to discount the bill to $300.00 a mo.
and the Public Works Director be instructed to refigure the cost of this garbage
collection for further discussion at the next regular meeting of the Council.
Adjournment
Councilman Lusk moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilman Ward seconded
the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned.
ATTEST:
Edna Oliver, City Clerk
R,
H. nett, May6r
I