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1961 02 23 CC Minutes1561 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN February 23, 1%1 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in regular session on Thursday, February 23, 1961, 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 Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman R. H. Pruett Mayor J. B. LeFevre City Manager George Chandler City Attorney Edna Oliver City Clerk The Mayor called the meeting to order. The Invocation was offered, after - which the City Clerk was instructed to read the minutes of the regular meeting of February 9th. Councilman Hughes moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes and they be approved. 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 By Councilman Ward - Library Board Functions Councilman WArd gave a brief but concise report of the February 19th and 21st meetings with members of the Baytown Library Advisory Board. He stated that at the first meeting it was agreed that an ordinance should be prepared, for Council approval and adoption, which will delineate the scope of activity expected of the Library Board by the City Council. The City Attorney had first given an opinion that the Council could not delegate any authority to the Board, however, after further study and contacts with other attorneys, he reported that the Council could delegate any authority it wished except the budgetary function. This resulted in the second meeting of February 21st. The Council and Board discussed the many problems facing the Library Advisory Board and the Chairman of the Board asked that an ordinance be prepared setting forth in writing, the things expected and powers delegated to the Board by the City Council in order to avoid doing work which will be duplicated by Ahe City Council. As a result of the meeting, an agreement was reached and Councilman Ward submitted the following recommendations for Council consideration: 1. The ordinance, creating the Baytown Library Board, be amended to include the City Manager as a sixth (6th) and permanent voting member of the Board. By so doing, the Council will be kept in- formed of the activities of the Board and possibly eliminate or reduce the number of misunderstandings between the Council and the Board. 2. Instruct the Board to work with the Architect in the design of the Library and submit final plans to the City Council for adop- tion and approval. 3. The Board will have a part in the interviewing of the Library staff and presenting recommendations, however, the appointment of a Librarian will be the responsibility of the City Manager, subject to the approval of the City Council. 1562 4. The Board will make recommendations to the Council on how the remain- ing funds shall be allocated for building, equipment, etc. after the Library site purchase has been consummated. 5. The Board will draft policies and practices of the Library, subject to the approval of the Council. 6. The Board will work with the Librarian on an annual budget, but acceptance of such an annual budget will be decided upon by the City Manager and City Council. It was pointed out that the Board will, at no time, usurp the power vested by the public in the Council. City Manager LeFevre will be recognized as one mem- ber of a six -man Library Board and may disagree with apd Vote against the actions of the Board. Whenever he presents such recommendations to the Council, he may speak as the City Manager and voice any objections he.may have to the recommenda- tions. After some further discussion, Councilman Hughes moved to accept the recom- mendation of Councilman Ward; the City Attorney be instructed to draft such an ordi- nance, the Board will be given an opportunity to review the draft of the ordinance with the City Council prior to its adoption. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey of Ward is BAdgett to Ansley of Hughes Mayor Pruett County Participation $7,500 Plumwood Ditch Nays: Councilman LUsk. Mayor Pruett reported that he had contacted Mr. Ramsey, County Commissioner, relative to the $7.500 participation payment by the County in the storm sewer installation of Plumwood Ditch. In the original agreement, terms were set forth that the money would be paid to the City upon completion of the project. Since the City has ordered pipe for the ditch, contingent upon receipt of the money, the Mayor had asked that the funds be forwarded immediately to the City of Baytown as the County would no longer be responsible for the maintenance of any portion of the ditch as per contract agreement. Mr. Ramsey agreed to try and get the funds for the City immediately if the Council assumes the responsibility of future maintenance, relieving the County of any further maintenance obligati6ns. Council- man Ansley moved to in the City Manager to notify Mr. Ramsey that the City will assume the responsibility of future maintenance of the Harris County Flood Control Ditch touching upon Plumwood addition and the $7,500, allocated in the agreement of January 30th, be forwarded to the City of Baytown immediately. Council- man Hughes seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll CAll: Ayes: Councilman Cravey NAyes: None to Ward to Badgett It ANSley Hughes " Lusk Mayor Pruett Resolution - Transfer Funds - Police Reserve Councilman Ward moved to approve the request of the Baytown Auxiliary Police Reserve for funds to partially reimburse the organization for equipment, supplies, etc. used in its operation, in an amount of $550.00 for the remaining portion of the fiscal year; the City Manager be further instructed to make the necessary transfer from the Council Contingency Fund. Councilman Cravey seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None Ward BAdgett Ansley Hughes Lusk Mayor Pruett 1563 The copy of the resolution follows: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER 70 TRANSFER ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUN- DRED THIRTY DOLLARS AND EIGHTY ($1,530.80) CENTS FROM THE COUNCIL CONTINGENCY FUND TO BUDGET CLASSIFICATIONS 201 7 -1 AND 103 1 -2. 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 be authorized to transfer One Thousand Five Hundred Thirty Dollars and Eighty ($1,530.80) Cents from the Council Contingency fund to the following classifications, to -wit: Classification 201 7 -1 $ 550.00 Police Reserve Classification 103 1 -2 980.80 'Salary Corporation Court Clerical Total $1,530.80 INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the affirmative voted a majority of the City Council on this the 23rd day of February, A.D., 1961. /s/ R. H. Pruett R. H. Pruett, Mayor ATTEST: /s/ Edna Oliver Edna Oliver, City Clerk Water District No. 8 - Delegation A delegation from Harris County Fresh Water District No. 8 met with the Council to learn the facts concerning a rumor that the City planned to annex the district prior to its sale of $350,000 Water G Sewer Improvement Bonds. This sale is sDheduled for March 1st. The rumor started as a result of a meeting held with Ernest Brown, JR., Baytown's Fiscal Agent, in which Mr. Brown submitted figures and discussed a comparison of taxes and bond interest rates. Should the Water District be annexed to the City of Baytown, it would realize a great savings in its interest cost as the City of Baytown has a much higher rating than the Water District. When asked what assurance the Water District would have that the bond money would be used in the development of the Water District if annexed by Bay- town, City Attorney Chandler stated that a clause could be written into the bond sale that would guarantee it. During the discussion, Mayor Pruett appointed a committee of three (3). City Attorney Chandler, City Manager LeFevre and Fiscal Agent Brown, to meet with the Water District Board and other interested parties to fully discuss the pros and cons of such an annexation. Some members of the delegation expressed a desire to remain a Water District and the Mayor assured them that the Council had no intention of making such an annexation final unless it was petitioned to do so by the residents living within the district. Council- man Cravey suggested that the Council go on record as standing ready to meet with the Board if it is asked to do so. Councilman WArd and Hughes both agreed that the complete operational figure of servicing the Water District in the manner re- quired by CHarter was not set forth in the comparison presented by MR. Brown and concluded their statements opposing the move of annexation as set forth by Mr. Brown, however, the'Council agreed to meet with the Board, if asked, as the CIty of Baytown had no intention of jeopardizing the sale of the WATer District's $350,000 bonds on March 1st. *Councilman Lusk excused from meeting. Robo and Apgelt - Discussion Trifon Ditch Messrs. Robo and Appelt, realtors, met with the Council for a discussion on the improvement of the Trifon property abutting West Texas Aveneu. The realtors explained that their primary visit was for the purpose of information on the best possible solution for the closing of a natural drain ditch that meanders across the tractaf land as the principal, Mr. Harry Trifon, wants to sell the property. Mr. Busch, City Engineer, submitted a memorandum and sketch with two types of procedure for re- routing the drainage structure, The first, by digging a ditch along the East line and South line of the property, or second, by installing storm sewer along the East line and South line. He opposed the first suggestion as it would place an open ditch near a boundary line. By installing a storm sewer, it would require approximately 475 feet of 60 inch pipe and the current price of this material is $16.80 per foot. The City will need the dedication of a 15 -foot easement if the storm sewer is constructed. After a lengthy discussion, Councilman Ward suggested that the realtors be instructed to go back and tell theii Principal that the City has offered to install the pipe with its man -power and equipment if the Principal will dedicate the necessary easement and purchase _ the storm sewer material. The realtors accepted the proposal and thanked the council for its consideration with a promise to give a reply to the proposal after consulting with the Principal. Civic Group - Country Club Oaks - Request Street Name Changes After hearing a request from Alfred Moskowitz, representing the Civic Club of Country Club Oaks for street name changes in Section One of the subdivision, Councilman Ansley moved to give the Civic Club of Country Club Oaks permission to change the names of the seven (7) streets in Section One Country Club Oaks Sub- division, as per listing. 'Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Mayor Prue Councilman Ward Cravey Nays: Cone Badgett Ansley Hughes tt - Abstained Resolution - Traffic Circle to Thomas Circle - Honor of Honorable Albert Thomas Congressman The following'Resolution was presented By the City Manager A UNANIMOUS RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN OFFICIALLY COMMENDING AND THANKING THE HONORABLE - ALBERT THOMAS, CONGRESSMAN, DISTRICT EIGHT, FOR HIS FAITHFUL AND COMPETENT YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF GREATER BAYTOWN; MAKING THE SAID ALBERT THOMAS AN HONORARY CITIZEN OF BAYTOWN; NAMING THE TRAFFIC CIRCLE IN HIS HONOR AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK FORWARD A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO CONGRESSMAN THOMAS: WHEREAS, the Honorable Albert Thomas represented all of Harris County as United States Congressman from 1937 to 1959; and WHEREAS, the said Congressman Thomas has represented the North half of Harris County since 1959; and that Greater Baytown is situated within said Con- gressional District Number Eight; and WHEREAS, the said Albert THomas has capably represented the County and District Number Eight in general and East Harris County in particular; and WHEREAS, the Honorable Albert Thomas has assisted East Harris County and the City of Baytown on many occasions; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of'Baytown desires to officially recognize and honor Congressman Thomas for his long years of service to the Bay- town area aid its citizens: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN: Section 1: That the said Congressman Albert Thomas is hereby and herewith made an honorary citizen of the City of Baytown and is hereby thanked by the,City Council on behalf of the citizens of Baytowd for his long years of service:to East Harris County; and Section 2: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that henceforth the portions of streets that are situated at the intersection of Market Street, West Texas Avenue and Decker Drive, commonly referred to as the "Traffic Circle ", shall be'known as "Thomas Circle ". Section 3: That the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized and directed 1565 to forward a certified copy of this Resolution to the Honorable Albert Thomas, Congressman, District Eight, and that such Resolution shall be spread, in full upon the minutes of the City of Baytown. INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED unanimously by the affirmative vote of the City Council on this the 23rd day of February, 1961. (s/ R.H. Pruett R. H. Pruett, Mayor /s/ Edna Oliver Edna Oliver, City Clerk Councilman BAdgett moved to adopt the resolution as read. Councilman Cravey seconded the motion. THe roll call vote was as follows: Roll. Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None Ward Badgett Ansley Hughes Mayor Pruett Road Bed - Cedar Bayou Road The Council discussed the raising of the Ferry Road Bed, near the Cedar Bayou Methodist Church Site. This will be done by using materials from other areas. The Director of Public Works was given permission to close the road to through traffic, when the project begins, if he thinks it will be more advantageous and hasten the completion of the project. Street Maintenance - Get Dedicated Eastment { The Council discussed the maintenance of non - dedicated streets which are Ipresently located within the City limits. The streets in question were named as Jones Road, portion of Fisher's Hill and Busch Road. Any violation to the City's present subdivision ordinance by maintenance was considered also. After some time, Councilman Ansley moved to instruct the City Manager and Director of Public Works to work with the residents for a dedicated street easement, afterwhich, the Director of Public Works be authorized to maintain the streets in the same manner as other city streets are maintained. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows: Roll Call: Ayes: Councilman Cravey Nays: None " Ward " BAdgett ANsley Hughes Mayor Pruett Miscellaneous The City Manager was instructed to ask for Bank Depository bids; to be re- ceived at the first meeting in April. The City Manager was instructed to check a possible fire hazard presently existing on Schilling Street in the form of a vacant house after a complaint was presented by the abutting property owner. Adiournment Councilman Cravey moved for the meeting to adjourn. Councilman Ward seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned, ATTEST: EDna OLiver, C ity Clerk R. H. Pruett, Mayor