1961 05 31 CC Minutes, SpecialIWO
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
May 31, 1961
The City Council of the City of Baytown met in special session on Wednesday,
May 31, 1961 at 7:00 o'clock P.M. in the Council Room of the Baytown City Hall with
the following members in attendance:
Absent:
• Seaborn Cravey
C. A. Hansen
Velma J. Ansley
R. H. Hughes
J. M. Bryan
W. L. Ward
J. B. LeFevre
George Chandler
Edna Oliver
Al Clayton
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Mayor Pro Tem
City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem Ward called the meeting to order, the Invocation was offered,
afterwhich, the following business was transacted:
Presentation Audit Report - T. E. Dossey, Jr.
Mr. T. E. Dossey, Jr., C.P.A., presented copies of the 1960 -61 semi - annual
report tothe City Council as per requirements of the City Charter and a statement
of $600.00 for services rendered as per annual audit contract. Councilman Ansley
moved to accept the presentation of the audit report by Mr. Dossey; the City Mana-
ger be instructed to pay the firm of T. E. Dossey, Jr., $600.00 as per annual con-
tract. Councilman Bryan seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Unanimous
Mayor Pro Tem ilard
Nays: None
Mr. Dossey was asked to meet with the Council at the June 15th meeting to
answer any questions which the Council may have to present after they have made
a study of the audit report.
Report - Advisory Board
Karl Opryshek, Chairman of the Baytown Advisory Board,_submitted a lengthy
progress report on the work of the Advisory Board. In conjunction with his report
he presented copies of maps which clearly revealed the existing business, residen-
tial and industrial areas and projecting relating areas covering a 2 -year antici-
pated growth. By using the map. he outlined the various thoughts of the committee
in rebtion to future growth of baytown by grouping them into four major topics.
First, lack of future industrial sites. Only two areas are forseen - these are
the Ashbel Smith tract of land and going east across Cedar Bayou Stream into
Chambers County, as west and south are blocked by present industry and the ship
channel. Redidential growth is forseen to extend north toward Highway 73. In
order to provide proper connections between the existing and the anticipated devel-
opment it is very essential that the Council make proper provisions for the im-
provement of connecting thoroughfares going east and west and north and south with
traffic arteries linking the business areas to prevent ultimate deterioration and
death as the City grows and shopping centers are built; secondly, the Board feels
that the Council should study the map in future annexations and protect the antici-
pated industrial expansion of Baytown by included areas which will permit such
growth; thirdly, form policies for new additions to eliminate dead -end streets,
make provisions for City parks as playgrounds for children and aid in the selec-
tion of property which the City may need in the future; fourth, the problem of City
zoning and the problem of waterways, filling of tidelands, such as Goose Creek
Stream which will cause flooding conditions. He recommended that the Council
use the map as a general guide to aid them in its long range improvement projects.
The Council was favorably impressed bythe presentation of Chairman Opryshek and
he was asked for recommendations, if any, on the development and improvement of
thoroughfares and neighborhood streets. He gave a negative reply and Mayor Pro Tem
Ward assigned the Board the problem of providing immediate recommendation for
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through streets. He suggested that the Board start bringing recommendations which
will provide a street program that will fit in with the overalll plan. Councilman
Hansen also suggested that the Board continue its study of the other suggested items
and bring recommendations which will implement some of the things mentioned. Council-
man Cravey also commended the Board for its work and asked that it prepare, in
conjunction, some recommendations for ways and means to pay for the improvements
such as tax increase, bond money and tax revaluation. The Advisory Board gave a
timing of from 4 to 6 weeks before it will be ready to submit a street improvement
recommendation to the Council. After some discussion it was agreed that members
of the Council will, meet with the Baytown Advisory Board on .Wednesday, June 7th,
7 :30 p.m., Chamber of Commerce, to continue its study of the street rpogram. .Mr.
LeFevre, City Engineer Busch and Public Works Director Grantham will also review
the map and submit any recommendations or opinions to the Advisory Board.
F. A. Richardson - Eva Flaude Subdivision - Section 4
Mr. F. A. Richardson presented a plat of Eva Maude Subdivision Section 4, and
explained its drawing in relation to the surrounding areas. He explained that he
and the City Engineer had reviewed the map prior to its preliminary presentation
and the streets were laid out in such manner as to correlate with streets in ad-
joining subidivisons. There is a drainage problem in the area but not within the
subdivision development. After some further discussion, Mr. Richardson asked for
final approval of the subdivision contingent upon delivery of the required perform-
ance bond. Councilman Hansen moved to grant final approval of Section 4, Eva Maude
Subdivision; the City Attorney to retain signed plat map until delivery of the re-
quired performance bond. Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Unanimous Nays: None
Mayor Pro Tem Ward
Improvement - Clayton Drive
At the May 25th Council meeting, City Manager LeFevre gave each Councilman
a.copy of an interoffice memorandum from the City Engineer.concerning the type of
materials to be used in the improvement of Clayton Drive, a project approved by the
Council on April 12, 1961. Two type estimates were outlined in the memorandum;
first, Asphalt Stabilized Shell Base, consisting of excavation, shell, M.C. Asphalt,
O.A. Asphalt and topping rock (no labor and equipment estimated) at a cost of
$5,536.25; secondly,, Cement Stabilized Base, consisting of cement stabilized shell,
O.A. 90 Asphalt and topping rock (no labor and equipment cost estimated) at.a cost
of $7,031.25. Mr. LeFevre had recommended that the Cement Stabilized Shull Base
be used because of the superior quality of the finished road. Councilman Ansley
favored accepting the recommendation of the City Manager for the Cement Stabilized
Base. When asked about money to pay for the improvement, Mr. LeFevre replied that
he had purposely:delayed this discussion so that he might get a better look at the
finances of the City; it was his opinion that he would be able to put more money
in the street maintenance budget and the funds will be taken from maintenance for
this type improvement. City Engineer Busch asked if a decision bad been made by
the Council on the curb and gutter along the Casey tract. It was suggested that
the work be done on a participation basis as the school and Mr. Richardson have
agreed to pay for the curb and gutter abutting their property but there will be a
delay of approximately 90 days or more. City Manager LeFevre volunteered to talk
with the Casey heirs and find out if they will be willing to pay for the 330 feet
of curb and gutter abutting their property. The City Engineer proposed to set
the inside forms, grade street to inside form and leave it in place; then the City
can-proceed with the legal procedure of improving the street and taking a lien
against the property or take legal action by suit. It was decided that the City
Engineer's suggestion to set the forms, proceed with the street paving and do no-
thing about the 330 feet of curb pending.discussion with the Casey heirs was the
best solution. Councilman Ansley then moved to accept the recommendation of the
City Manager and improve Clayton Drive with cement stabilized base at an estimated
material cost of $7.031.25. Councilman Bryan seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Unanimous Nays: None
Mayor Pro Tem Ward
Adopt Resolution - Support Requested Changes - State Highway Plans
Mayor Pro Tem Ward informed the Council that the Chamber of Commerce is seek-
ing support from the City on their request to the State Highway Department to revise
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its preliminary plans for Spur 201 and Highway 330 to include feeder streets into
Baytown from the main highway. These had been omitted from the first drawing of
preliminary 'plans. Too, in the plans Pruett Street is shown to presently dead -end
at Spur 201. It ,was the opinion of the Council that the State Highway Department
should be requested to provide an overpass at Pruett ii order to have another tho-
roughfare available, if and when, the need should arise. One of the recommendations
of the Baytown Advisory Board ties providing adequate thoroughfare planning north
and south and east and west. Presently only two main thoroughfares are shown, these
being Garth Road and North Main Street. After a lengthy discussion, Councilman
Cravey moved to adopt a resolution supporting the request of the Baytown Chamber .
of Commerce Highway Committee to change the exits from the highways to conform with
the Baytown traffic system, including plans for an overpass at Pruett Street and
Spur 201. .Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes:.Councilme n unanimous Nays: None
Mayor Pro Tem ward
City Attorney - Negotiate with Owner - Dedication Pruett and Extensions
City Attorney Chandler was instructed to enter negotiations with owner
for a right -of -way dedication, of 50 or 60 foot width on the 290 foot extension of
Pruett Street from Schilling over to connect with Glen Arbor Subdivision. This
extension has been shelled by Glen Arbor subdividers to provide ingress and egress
into the subdivision but no dedication has ever been accepted by the City. It was
felt that this dedication must be secured in order to assist the City in its request
to the Highway Department to provide an overpass in its preliminary plans at Pruett and
Spur 201.
Close Extension - State Street
Councilman Hughes asked that a 125 foot strip of State Street, where it ex-
tends to connect with Spur 201 right -of -way be closed by the City or permanently
improved by the subdivider. The extension is presently being used as a driveway
but if it is continually used by traffic traveling into and from Glen Arbor Subdi-
vision, the City will be faced with a problem similar to the existing condition on
the Pruett Street extension. The City Engineer said that he had never-:seen any
dedication instruments but it is his understanding that 50 foot public rights -of -way
were reserved by the owner as he sold the land. It is his understanding that some
type of deed has been placed on record but the City has never accepted it. He offer-
ed to look into the physical aspects of closing the strip permanently or allowing .
it to remain open. He will also ask the assistance of the Advisory Board in preparing
his report. The Council will defer further action on the problem until the report. .
and recommendation are submitted.
Resolutions
The City Manager introduced and read the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TRANSFER THREE THOUSAND ($3,000.00)
DOLLARS FROM THE EMERGENCY FUND TO BUDGET CLASSIFICATION 601 9 -10.
t, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS:
THAT the City Manager of the City of Baytown be hereby authorized, by the
City Council, to transfer Three Thousand ($$,000.00) Dollars from the Emergency
Fund to Budget Classification 601 9 -10 to pay for flood lights which will be in-
stalled at the Roseland Park Softball Field as per Council Approval April 27, 1961.
INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
City Council on this the 31st day of May, A.O., 1961.
/s/ Al .Clayton
Al Clayton, Mayor
/s/ Edna Oliver
Edna Oliver, City Clerk
Councilman Ansley moved to adopt the resolution as read. Councilman Hansen
seconded the motion. The vote follows:
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Ayes: Councilman Hansen Nays: Councilman Cravey
Councilman Ansley
Councilman Hughes
Councilman Bryan
Mayor Pro Tem
The City Manager introduced and read the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TRANSFER SEVENTEEN,'HUNDRED
($1,700.00) DOLLARS FROM THE COUNCIL CONTINGENCY FUND TO BUDGET
CLASSIFICATION 201 10 -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 be authorized to transfer Seventeen Hundred ($1,700.00)
Dollars from the Council Contingency Fund to Budget Classification 201 10 -4 to
pay for new Police Car recently purchased from Thad Felton's Ford Agency.
INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the City Council on.this the 31st day of May, A.D., 1961.
ATTEST: /s/ Al Clayton
Al Clayton, Mayor
/s/ Edna Oliver
Edna Oliver, City Clerk
Councilman Hughes moved to adopt the resolution as read. Councilman Bryan
seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen unanimous Nays: None
Mayor Pro Tem Ward
Members of Council - Receive Conies of Committee Minutes
In answer to an inquiry of Councilman Hansen, Mayor Pro Tem Ward stated
that the Council has been assured, by Chairmen of the various working committees,
that minutes will be mailed to each Councilman in order for them to be acquainted
with the work being done within the various groups.
Sewer Proiect On Barrvmore
City Manager LeFevre reported that the City Engineer is in process of com-
pleting the field notes on the proposed sewer project off Barrymore Drive. When
these field notes are completed, the property owner will be asked to grant ease-
ments, extending east and west, to permit the City to lay the sanitary sewer from
the three homeowner's property line to connect with the main sanitary sewer inter-
ceptor line paralleling Goose Creek Stream.
Weed Cutting Project
City Manager LeFevre reported that the City's portion of weed cutting has
been delayed because of the variance in the bidders' price. It was his opinion'
that those bidding possibly did not understand the specifications in detail and
he has asked the two low bidders to meet with him for a review of their bid. The
City did not require a performance bond and lie wanted to be sure that the success-
ful bidder understood the requirements before acceptance of his bid; these con-
tacts will be made in the next few days.
Committee - Study Possibility of Re- Districting City
7 Mayor Pro Tem Ward appointed a Committee composed of Councilmen Hansen,
Hughes and City Manager LeFevre to study the need, if any, of making a change in
1 the presnet boundaries of the City six districts. The City Attorney's services
will be available also; as well as polling lists, City street maps, etc. to aid
in the study.
Flood Control - Clean Ditches Baytown
Councilman Hughes asked City Manager LeFevre to contact members of Harris
County Flood Control or the Commissioners Court and request, orally or by letter,
that all flood control ditches within the city limits of Baytown be cleaned out,
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as no effort has been made this year by the district to rid the ditches of rubbish,
weeds and other debris.
Proposals - Library Site to be Received June 15th
The City Manager reported that proposals for a new Municipal Library site
will be received at the June 15th meeting. Should the Councilmembers have any
contacts, it was requested that they be referred to the City Manager. He will see
that theproper forms are forwarded to each interested person in order that the
proposal will meet the specifications of the advertisement.
Sale - Fire Tank Truck
City Manager LeFevre reported that a 1996 Ford Tank Truck had been retired
from use by the Fire Department. All usable equipment has been salvaged from the
truck by the department and informal bids were sought on sale of the chassis. The
highest bid received was $75.00 and he asked the Council for approval of the sale.
Councilman Cravey moved to accept the bid of $75.00 for the 1996 truck chassis.
Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Unanimous Nays: None
Mayor Pro Tem Ward
Adiournment
Councilman Ansley moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilman Hughes
seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor Pro Tem declared the
meeting adjourned.
. id--
, Mayor Pro Tem
ATTEST:
Edan Oliver, City Clerk
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