1961 06 16 CC Minutes, SpecialMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
June 16, 1961
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in special session on
Friday, June 16, 1961, at 7:00 o'clock p.m. in the Council Room of the Baytown City
Hall with the following members in attendance:
( Seaborn Cravey
Councilman
W. L. Ward
Councilman
°C. A. Hansen
Councilman
Velma J. Ansley
Councilman
R. H. Hughes
Councilman
J. M. Bryan
Councilman
Al Clayton
Mayor
J. B. LeFevre
City Manager
Edna Oliver
City Clerk
Absent: George Chandler
City Attorney
The Mayor called the meeting to order, the Invocation was offered, afterwhich,
the City Clerk was instructed to read the minutes of the June I meeting. Council-
man Ward requested that the minutes be amended as follows: Discussion - Traffic
Problems - Highway 196 "City Manager LeFevre reported on the traffic problems pres-
ently existing on all cross streets and Highway 196 when making a left hand turn
(East Texas, East James, East Fayle and Cedar Bayou Road)." With this correction,
Councilman Ansley moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes and they be
approved as amended. Councilman Hughes seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
Rules of Procedure - Unfinished Business
At the May 31st meeting, Councilman Hansen asked that the Council be furnished
a list on all items of unfinished business in order that none be overlooked and
suggested that the Council adopt some type procedure for the review of the items
each meeting date; either, include them in the City Manager's report or as the
first item of business following the Invocation and approval of the minutes of the
previous meeting. The Council favored the suggestion and adopted the procedure of
reviewing items of unfinished business as the first order of business each meeting
date following the Invocation and approval of minutes. A numerical itemized list-
ing will preface the copy of minutes mailed to each councilmember from the office
of the City Clerk in order for them to acquaint themselves with the problem to be
discussed prior to the meeting date.
Discussion - Items of Unfinished Business
According to the rules of procedure approved and adopted by the City Council
at the May 31st meeting, the first order of business was a report on items of un-
finished business by the City Manager, Department Heads and /or working Committee
Chairmen.
(A) Street Dedication Easements - Fisher's Hill, Busch Road, Jones Road,
Green Street:
City Manager LeFevre reported that all paper work necessary for the
street easement dedications on a portion of Fisher's Hill, Busch Road, Jones
Road and Green Street are now being processed in the office of the City Att-
orney; however, the City Attorney has informed him that there will be no
need for a formal street easement dedication•once the City moves in and be-
gins construction work on the streets. When this type construction begins,
the streets will automatically be accepted by the City and become its re-
sponsibility for maintenance as other streets within the City. It will
be necessary, however, that an ordinance be passed renaming these streets
to provide uniformity of street names within the City and eliminate any
confliction.
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It was suggested that these changes be included in one ordinance as
all utilities, Chamber of Commerce and Post Office personnel must be fur-
nished a copy of the ordinance in order to make the proper changes on their
records. Councilman Hughes presented the problem of furnishing other im-
provements, such as water lines and sanitary sewer facilities and asked
if the City would not be liable for such service extensions if these
streets were accepted and improved by the City. Heretofore, no street right -
of -way has been accepted without first being improved by the subdivider or
persons owning.property abutting upon a substandard street. Mayor Clayton
stated that it was his opinion:that the City will be obligated to furnish
such services. No time limit will be set for furnishing such services; it
will only be done as soon as practibable.. Councilman Hughes stated that he
had already been contacted for such services by a resideht living on Fisher's
Hill. Mr. LeFevre stated that Fisher's Hill street dedication will only ex-
tend to the first house; the others are not in favor' of giving a right -of-
way for street improvement purposes. The party living on Fisher's Hill, who
has already contacted a Councilman for sanitary service, is not willing to
make a right -of -way dedication for the development of the street. Council-
man Hughes stated that if such services are extended to the residents on
Fisher's Hill without cost, he will insist that residents along Busch Road
be redmbursed for their sewer and water line costs as the former adminis-
tration required them to pay for their own service line extension from Cedar
Bayou Road to each home under construction. Councilman Cravey stated that
redidents.on Busch Road had asked for two loads of shell only with a minimum
df street improvement. City Manager LeFevre stated that his instructions
had been to investigate the possibility of obtaining street right -of -way
easements and no formal dedications have been offered or accepted. After
some•further discussion, it ,was agreed to keep the roads worked enough '.- to
provide ingress and egress for residents living along the substandard streets;
this will be classified as more or less repair and not construction. Later,
if a bond issue is approved for street improvements, the residents will be
given an opporiuniiy to participate in the costs of major street improvements
for their substandard street.
(B) Beautification Committee:
Councilman Ansley reported that the members have a typewritten report,
which was submitted by Mr. Hall, on recommended signs to be erected at the
city limits but it is still in the planning stage. A meeting of the commit-
tee has been scheduled for June 22nd. A detailed report will be given fol-
lowing this meeting.
(C) Committee - Draft Plumbing Ordinance:
The Committee appointed to draft a workable Plumbing Ordinance for the
City has no report to submit at this meeting, according to Chairman Ward.
(D) Sanitary Sewer - Barrymore Drive:
City Manager LeFevre reported that a sanitary sewer easement has been
dedicated by Mr. dose Sumner; he is presently negotiating with a second
party and the third party has not been contacted relative to a dedication
for sanitary sewer right -of -way. He will proceed with negotiations. to com-
plete the project the following week.
(E) Re- Districting - City of Baytown:
The Re- Districting Committee had nothing to report at this meeting.
(F) Contact Flood Control District - Several Projects:
City Manager LeFevre reported that he had written Commissioner V. V.
Ramsey and requested that he contact Mr. LeFevre at his earliest convenience.
Mr. LeFevre plans to talk with him about the cleaning of all Flood Control
Ditches within the City, some assistance on drainage of the Eva Maud Sub-
division and adjacent areas and the closing of the flood control ditch run-
ning through property paralleling the Carver School site. He will report
on the results of the meeting after he has met with Mr. Ramsey.
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(G) Mr. White - Dedication Pruett Street Extension:
Mr. LeFevre stated that he had contacted Mr. Perrin White relative to
the Pruett Street extension dedication. Mr. White Informed him that he has
signed over all Spur 201 right -of -way easements in his tract to the State
Highway Department, including that portion of Pruett Street extension which
is being requested by the City of Baytown. It will be necessary for the City
to now negotiate with the State Highway Department for such a dedication and
it is the opinion of the City Manager that the City will be denied such an
easement by the Highway Department as the representatives have never favored
an opening at Pruett Street and Spur 201 intersection.
(H) Draft Resolution - Tax Department Procedures:
The City Manager gave each counpilmember a copy of a resolution contain-
ing procedures to follow in the Tax Office but no action was taken on the
resolution at this meeting.
(I) Negotiations - Drouitt Casey - Curb and Gutter - Clayton Drive:
The Council agreed to defer negotiations with Casey heirs for payment
of curb and gutter abutting their property on Clayton Drive as Mr. Drouitt
Casey, Administrator of the Estate. has expired and the administration duties
will have to be delegated to another member of the family. This can only
be done by process of law and will be time consuming.
(J) Study - Traffic Making Left Turns - Highway 146:
Mr. LeFevre reported that he has arranged for a meeting with Mr. Marvel,
Electrical Engineer of the State Highway Department, to be held on Monday,
June 19th. They will study the problem presently existing on the Highway
when left hand turns are made by the cross traffic and it is possible that
a solution may be presented for Council consideration.
(K) Traffic Problem - Barrymore Drive and West Main Intersection:
Mr. LeFevre reported that Mr. Grantham has contacted Mr. Troxell for
permission to clear away underbrush and level an embankment presently ob-
structing view on Barrymore Drive at West Main. Mr. Troxell was to give
him a definite reply by 3:00 p.m. but has not called. The Police Depart -
went has put up two signs, however, and a stripe has been drawn allowing
the Barrymore traffic to come nearer to West Main before stopping. This
will provide a better view to the right and left before proceeding onto
West Main.
Discussion - Change Traffic Control Lights
At the June 8th meeting, the Council had discussed the possibility, of chang-
ing the standard traffic light on West Main at Bayliss to an actuated light, Leo
Frost, Supervisor of Electrical Department, had submitted a cost estimate of
$735.00 for a detector and amplifier but reported at this meeting that the change
could be made for an estimated $225.00 as he h ®d found some parts which could be
used in processing the change -over. Councilman Ward submitted a proposal to make
no changes in the standard light but set it as a permanent flashing red light on
Bayliss and flashing amber on West Main. He presented a traffic count made by
Councilman Hughes during the past school term and the count was 5,769 cars on West
Main and 220 on Bayliss with a small pedestrian count to substantiate his proposal.
Councilman Bryan suggested that a change in intervals be made in the light; east
and west be lenghtened and north and south be shortened to allow one car at a time.
Mr. Frost stated that the present timing is 41 seconds on Vest Main and 19 seconds
on Bayliss. Councilman Cravey reported that it was decided when the study was
conducted in September, 1960 that the light was not needed for safety purposes
but it was left as a humanitarian service. If the interval timing is changed, Mr.
Frost recommended that it be shortened no less than 12 seconds on Bayliss and 45
seconds on West Main. When asked which of the two proposals favored, Chief Mont-
gomery preferred the flashing amber on West Main and flashing red on Bayliss.
Councilman Bryan stated that a flashing light would only tend to make the approach-
ing traffic move faster and possibly freeze outside street traffic altogether. He'
moved to change the interval on Bayliss to the least practical time of 12 seconds
and leave the east -west interval at the maximum timing of 45 seconds for a
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period of thirty days to see what response the Council gets -to the interval'change.
His motion wag declared dead for want of a second: Councilman Ward then moved to
change the traffic light to•a flashing red on Bayliss Street and a flashing amber
on West Main from now on. Couneilman.Hughes seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hughes
Mayor Clayton
Nays: Councilman Bryan
The second traffic light to be discussed was located on West Main (Bayway Dr.)
at Harbor Street. Councilman Ward stated that existing condition was similar to
the situation on West Main at Bayliss except during change of shifts at the Humble
Refinery. It was his recommendation that the traffic light be changed to a flash-
ing amber on West Main (Bayway Dr.) and flashing red on Harbor except between the
hours of 3:30 and 5:00 o'clock p.m. Mr. Frost said that this could not be done
as the light is interconnected with other lights within the area and would have to
be disconnected and another controller added. He-estimated the controller would
cost approximately $965.00, but, offered to contact a representative of Signal
Engineers and see if he- -can offer a solution at less cost: Councilman Ward agreed
to defer further action pending the outcome of the study.
Traffic Control - Turning Right on Red Light '
Councilman Cravey opened the next order of business by stating that the City's
Traffic Ordinance, adopted in August, 1960, prohibits }-right turns on red lights,
but there are signs on many of the traffic lights in town saying such a turn can
be made. It was his opinion that the conflict should be'resolved at this meeting
by either amending the present traffic ordinance to make the right turn on red
legal or remove the conflicting signs and enforce the ordinance. His preference
was removing the signs. He stated that uniformity with traffic regulations, traffic
safety and the legal aspects of making such a turn were among his many reasons for
presenting the problem for Council consideration. Councilman Cravey told the
Council that he had talked with ten Baytown Police Officers, Sergeant Hale, Depart-
ment of Public Safety, an expert in signalization and Dr. Rhodes, University of
Houston, an expert in Traffic Safety and all recommended that the ordinance not
be amended to permit right turns on red. Mayor Clayton favored amending the ordi-
nance to permit.a right turn on red. Councilman Bryan stated that many times ped-
estrian traffic causes congestion when right turns on red are prohibited. After
some further discussion,.Councilman Cravey moved to instruct the City Manager to
have the conflicting signs taken down and the-Police Department be instructed to
enforce the traffic ordinance of the City of Baytown as it presently reads. Council-
man Ward seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Crevey, Ward, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Nays: Mayor Clayton
Chief Montgomery was instructed to wait one week after the removal of the signs
before violation tickets are issued, however, he can proceed to issue warnings dur-
ing the interim. Councilman Cravey also stated that at some future time, he would
like for the Council to discuss the matter of Jay- 1falking. This is prohibited in
business districts by our present traffic ordinance+
Negotiate - Lease Railroad Property - Park Site - Oak Addition Residents
Councilman Hughes presented his proposal to lease the old Southern Pacific
Railroad "Y" which is adjacent.,to Oak Additfaif°'aed• develop it as a Park site for
residents of Oak Addition. This property is not to be acquired as a ball park
site but as a playground, with picnic facilities such as barbeque pits, benches
and other necessary equipment. He concluded his report with a motion that the
City Manager and City Attorney be instructed to enter negotiations with the Southern
Pacific Railroad Company to lease this proposed park site for residents of Oak -
Addition., Councilman Ward seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan,
Mayor Clayton
.Nays: None
It may be that the site does not extend to Lee Drive, but Councilman Hughes
asked that the area be cleaned up to Lee Drive should the City Manager be successful
in his lease negotiations.
Forced Assessments - Curb and Gutter on Thoroughfare Streets
A proposed program of forced assessments for curb and gutter on thoroughfare
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streets was presented by Councilman Ansley for consideration and study. She stated
that there was a definite need for such a program, especially on through streets
as topping has been laid on the streets but for lack of adequate drainage the streets
will not hold up and must be repeatedly maintained. She,did not favor penalizing
residents of the newer subdivisions,as they have paid for their curb and gutter
when buying their property. Ip the older subdivisions, curb and gutter installa-
tions were not required and now it becomes necessary to adopt some type policy to
preserve existing streets. by providing drainage facilities. In conjunction with
her proposal, City Manager LeFevre reported that he had been contacted by a number
of residents living within such areas who are willing to share in the cost of get-
ting proper drainage but a minority hinders the project because they are not will-
ing to participate. He further stated that he and some of the Department Heads
would like to see the Council effectuate such a program. Councilman Ward asked if
this meant the passage of an ordinance that would give the City authority to levy
assessments in cases where it is definitely decided that such a need exists in
order to properly repair or complete a street, and the reply was "yes ". City Mana-
ger LeFevre stated that each case would have to be handled individually by ordinance
but past administrations have avoided such procedure. The Council agreed that there
is a definite need for such a program and approved the proposed plan. The Council
will pass a separate enabling ordinance on each street, as was done in the bond
issue program, for the improvement of a street after a study has been made and a
need definitely established.
Chance Name of Subdivision - Bailey and Baker
City Manager LeFevre presented a letter received from C. J. Bailey, Jr. and
Jack V. Baker, requesting a name change in a tract recently given preliminary app-
roval by the Council. The tract was approved as Eva Maud Subdivision, Section 5
and was to have been known as such but the developers of previous subdivisions in
the area have used the name Eva Maud and do not want the acreage owned by Bailey
and Baker to be identified under the same name. They requested that the name be
changed to Bowie Subdivision, Section 1. Councilman Ward moved to approve the
request and Eva Maud Subdivision, Section 5, be changed to Bowie Subdivision, Section
1. Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Aygs: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
'Councilman Hansen Arrives at Meeting
Proposals for Exchange of Property for Library Site
One trade proposal and one option to purchase in connection with trade propo-
sal were received in reply to a trade proposal on City Library site published in
the Baytown Sun on June 1st and June 8th. 1961, These were submitted by the devel-
opers of Graywood Subdivision, E. J. Gray, Truman D. Cox and Eddie V. Gray. The
trade proposal contained 1.8775 acres of land out of the Harvey Whiting Survey
situated in Graywood Subdivision and bounded by Decker, Fleetwood and Memorial
Drives and abutting six (6) acres lying adjacent and submitted as an option to
purchase in connection with trade proposal. The option was for a period_of one
year at a price of $120.000.
In the review the Council discussed the option presented in connection with
the trade proposal. Councilman Ansley stated that the Library Advisory Board did
not want a civic center located with the Library as they had hoped to create a
cultural center only. Councilman Cravey also said that the Board thought a civic
center would detract rather than enhance the library site. Dr. Mosesman, a member
of the Library Board, defended the action of the Board by saying that an auditorium
would not detract but certainly it would not be appropriate to locate a new jail
adjacent to a library building. He further stated that the Council did not ask
the Library Board to make a recommendation for a civic center but to make recom-
mendation for an appropriate library site and it had been the recommendation of
the Library Board from the beginning that the Graywood site would meet all the
requirements of a good library site. At the last meeting of the Board they again
unanimously agreed that this was the best site available. He gave several reasons,
such as, it should be on a traffic artery and readily accessible from all directions,
it should be on a site which does not require that you go around a corner, it should
be readily visible to attract those passing by and it should provide adequate park-
ing space. It was his opinion that this site meets all these requirements and will
not be hidden by other buildings or surroundings but can be clearly seen at all times.
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Councilman Hansen stated that he had heard that a library should be located in a
secluded area so that it will be quieter and not too dangerous for children using
the libaray, to which Dr. Mosesman replied that the traffic artery was the recom-
mendation of the American Library Association. Councilman Ansley stated that she
had recently talked with a librarian who had informed her that this was the old
trend of thinking by locating near a traffic artery but now they are returning to
the quiet and secluded -areas as preferred library sites. Dr. Mosesman and Council-
man Bryan both criticized •the present location as an isolated area and located in
-the area of the Pruett apartments but Councilman Ward stated that the Graywood site
was located in an area reserved as commercial and the City would have no way of
knowing what type building would be located adjacent to the trade proposal site.at
some later date. Lowell Lammers, architect, was asked if the same library plans,
presently approved by the Council, could be used on the Graywood site and stated
that it could not, as the concept of the building had to begin with the size and
shape of the lot and the traffic approaches. This additional cost would be approx-
mately $2,500.00. They also discussed the street paving, curb and gutter installa-
tion requirements at the present site in comparison with the paved streets abutting
the trade proposal site in Graywood Subdivision. After a lengthy and thorough dis-
cussion on other phases, Councilman Ward moved that the Council allow the library
site to stay status quo (where it is). Councilman Ansley seconded the motion.
The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hughes
Nays: Councilmen Hansen, Bryan - Mayor Clayton
Councilman Hansen then asked the Mayor to call for another vote and it is
recorded as follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Bryan, Hughes
Mayor Clayton'
Nays: None
Councilman Hughes expressed his thanks to the Library Board, to Mr. Gray and
Mr. Cox for the proposal and giving the new Council the opportunity to discuss
and decide upon the site thought to be most appropriate as a library site.
Hire Librarian
Councilman Ansley moved to accept the recommendation of the City Manager and
members of the Baytown Library Advisory Board to hire Henry J. Blasick as librarian
at a starting salary of $600.00 per month. Councilman Ward seconded the motion.
The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hansen, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
Mr. Blasick will start to work for the City in two months as he requested
permission to give his present employer 60 -days notice before leaving his em-
ployment.
,Resolution - Transfer $7.000.00
Councilman Ward moved to approve the request of the City Manager to transfer
$7,000 from the Council Emergency Fund to street maintenance budget in order that
needed street repair may be done during the summer months. Councilman Ansley
seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TRANSFER-SEVEN THOUSAND ($7,000)
DOLLARS FROM THE COUNCIL EMERGENCY FUND TO BUDGET ITEM 301 9-8.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS:
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THAT the City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, hereby resolves that
the City Manager be authorized to transfer Seven Thousand ($T,000) Dollars from
the Council Emergency Fund to Budget Classification 301 9-8 to pay Street Main-
tenance.
INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
City Council on this the 16th day of June, A.D., 1961.
/s /.A1 Clayton
Al Clayton, Mayor
ATTEST:
/s/ Edna Oliver
Edna Oliver, City Clerk
Adiournment
Councilman Ward moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilman Ansley
seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting
adjourned.
ATTEST:
na Oliver, City Clerk
d
Al Clayton, Mayor
s 1' l