1961 09 28 CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
September 28, 1961
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in regular session on
Thursday, September 28, 1961, at 7:00 o'clock p.m. in the Council Room of the
Baytown City Hall with the following members in attendance:
J. B. Le Fevre City Manager
George Chandler City Attorney
Absent: Edna Oliver City Clerk
*Minutes recorded by Airs. Oliver's Secretary in her absence.
The Mayor called the meeting to order, the Invocation was offered by Mr.
Jimmie Gay, afterwhich, the City Clerk's Secretary was instructed to read the
minutes of the previous meeting, Councilman Ansley moved to dispense with fie
reading of the minutes and they be approved. Councilman Bryan seconded the
motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes; Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hansen, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
ra Nays: None
Resolution - Thanks to Voluntary Workers - During Hurricane Carla
The following resolution was introduced and read:
A UNANIMOUS RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
EXPRESSING ITS SINCERE SYMPATHY FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE BAYTOWN
AREA WHO SUFFERED DAMAGES AS A RESULT OF HURRICANE CARLA; THANK-
ING THE MANY ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO WORKED SO DILIGENT-
LY DURING AND AFTER THE STORM TO REDUCE STORM DAMAGE AND SUFFERING;
AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THAT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION BE
PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THIS CITY.
WHEREAS, Hurricane Carla was one of the most destructive storms to strike
the United States mainland; and .
WHEREAS, Carla's full fury struck the Texas Coast causing enormous property
damage and a regrettable loss of life; and
WHEREAS, there was a substantial loss to.real and personal property in the
Baytown area; and
WHEREAS, there undoubtedly would have been civilian casualties and an enor-
mous loss of personal and real property had it not been for the untiring efforts
of many organizations and individuals; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Baytown wants to formally and of-
ficially thank the many people who assisted their fellow citizens in their time
of need; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN:
That the City Council of the City of Baytown hereby sincerely and formally
expresses its sympathy to the Baytown area citizens who Auffered damages as a re-
sult of Hurricane Carla and hereby pledges itself to continue, in any manner it
may legally do so, to assist such citizens.
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Seaborn Cravey
Councilman
W. L. Ward
Councilman
Velma J. Ansley
Councilman
C. A. Hansen
Councilman
R. H. Hughes
Councilman
James M. Bryan
Councilman
Al Clayton
Mayor
J. B. Le Fevre City Manager
George Chandler City Attorney
Absent: Edna Oliver City Clerk
*Minutes recorded by Airs. Oliver's Secretary in her absence.
The Mayor called the meeting to order, the Invocation was offered by Mr.
Jimmie Gay, afterwhich, the City Clerk's Secretary was instructed to read the
minutes of the previous meeting, Councilman Ansley moved to dispense with fie
reading of the minutes and they be approved. Councilman Bryan seconded the
motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes; Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hansen, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
ra Nays: None
Resolution - Thanks to Voluntary Workers - During Hurricane Carla
The following resolution was introduced and read:
A UNANIMOUS RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
EXPRESSING ITS SINCERE SYMPATHY FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE BAYTOWN
AREA WHO SUFFERED DAMAGES AS A RESULT OF HURRICANE CARLA; THANK-
ING THE MANY ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO WORKED SO DILIGENT-
LY DURING AND AFTER THE STORM TO REDUCE STORM DAMAGE AND SUFFERING;
AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THAT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION BE
PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THIS CITY.
WHEREAS, Hurricane Carla was one of the most destructive storms to strike
the United States mainland; and .
WHEREAS, Carla's full fury struck the Texas Coast causing enormous property
damage and a regrettable loss of life; and
WHEREAS, there was a substantial loss to.real and personal property in the
Baytown area; and
WHEREAS, there undoubtedly would have been civilian casualties and an enor-
mous loss of personal and real property had it not been for the untiring efforts
of many organizations and individuals; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Baytown wants to formally and of-
ficially thank the many people who assisted their fellow citizens in their time
of need; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN:
That the City Council of the City of Baytown hereby sincerely and formally
expresses its sympathy to the Baytown area citizens who Auffered damages as a re-
sult of Hurricane Carla and hereby pledges itself to continue, in any manner it
may legally do so, to assist such citizens.
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That the City Council of the City of Baytown further hereby recognizes the
many thousands of hours worked by many individuals and organizations in assisting
the citizens of this area during and after the Hurricane Carla. It fs well rec-
ognized that such efforts were instrumental in preventing loss of life and greatly
reducing the destruction of personal and real property.
That the City Council of the City of Baytown authorizes and directs the
City Clerk to have this Resolution published in the official newspaper of the
City of Baytown.
INTRODUCED, READ and UNANIMOUSLY PASSED by the•City Council of the.City
of Baytown, on this the 22nd day of September, 1961.
(s/ Al Clayton
Al Clayton, Mayor
ATTEST:
/s/ Edna Oliver
Edna Oliver, City Clerk
Councilman Hughes moved that the resolution be adopted as presented, Council-
man Bryan seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hansen, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
Open - Tabulate Bids - Concrete Pipe - Missouri Street Storm Sewer
Before opening the bids for concrete pipe, City Manager LeFevre asked to
make a statement regarding the solicitation of these bids. Ile explained there
is an old storm sewer on Missouri (from the place where Maryland dead -ends into
Missouri to the Bay) that was put in by the County years ago and is constructed
of corrugated iron which is rusting out. The City made two attempts last year
to repair it but as it rusts out the ground is caving in. The final conclusion-,
to alleviate this problem, is to pull out all the iron pipe and replace it with
concrete pipe. The bids had not been advertised as the City Manager supposed
the bids would come to less than $2,000.00.
The bids were then opened and tabulated as follows:
General Concrete Products
White-Supply Company
$ 1.133.00 Net
1,170.20 - Discount - 2%
15 net 30 - $23.58
$ 1.155.62 Net
Schaffer Bros. Concrete Products 1,207.80
$24.16 10th of Mo. following purchase
1.183.64 Net
Councilman Bryan moved that the low bid of General Concrete Products, in
the amount of $1,133.00 be accepted. Councilman Ansley seconded the.motion.
The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
Receive Bids - Repairs - Fire Truck
Bids on repairs tothe Fire Truck which turned over on Tri -City Beach Road
were opened and tabulated as follows:
Bayshore Motors, Inc. $ 2,046.58
Thad Felton . 1,568.30
Jimmy's Garage 1,472.51
Baytown Motors 1,659.83
RTC
City Manager LeFevre stated since cost to repair the truck was so close to
the original price of the truck ($1,895.00), he would recommend the Council post-
pone action on the bids for further study in order to find some alternative rather
than pay that much for repairs. Councilman Ward moved to table the bids. Council-
man Cravey seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes': Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hansen, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
Receive Bids - Repairs - Water Well and Pump
Only two (2) bids were received for repair to Water Well and Pump, As these
bids were not totaled, Mayor Clayton asked that Mr. Grantham, Director of Public
Works and David Funderburk, Chief Accountant, be excused from the meeting long
enough to total the extended amounts on the bids before presentation to the Council.
The bids were then tabulated as follows:
Texas Water Wells, Inc. $ 1,522,50
Layne Texas Company 1,462,00
Councilman Bryan moved that the low bid of Layne Texas Company in the amount
of $1,962,80 be accepted, Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hansen, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None -
Mr, Feinberg - Expenses - Conference in Los Angeles
Mr. Robert Feinberg, Director of Civil Defense, asked that the Council consider
paying his expenses of $900,00 to attend a United States Civil Defense Conference in
Los Angeles, from October 10th through October 16th, 1961, Mr. Feinberg felt that
knowledge gained from this conference would be invaluable to the civil defense organ-
ization of Baytown. He was questioned as to local conferences sponsored by civil
defense whereby such information could be attained. It was Mr. Feinberg's opinion
that this Los Angeles Conference would be combined of all national civil defense
organizations where comparative experiences and information could be reviewed and
therefore would be a more expansive program of study. Councilman Ward expressed the
Council's appreciation of Mr. Feinberg's efforts during the recent hurricane, but also
stated that the Council was dedicated to a program of austerity and should-they grant
Mr. Feinberg these expenses, it would not be consistent with the attitude taken with
recent budget studies. Councilman Ansley moved that the Council agree to pay Mr.
Feinberg's expenses, as it was her opinion, should such disaster, as Hurricane Carla,
again strike, the information Mr. Feinberg would gain at such a conference would prove
most beneficial to Baytown, City Manager Le Fevre stated that he was aware of the
conference, as he had discussed it with Mr. Feinberg before the budget hearings, but
at that time no date had been set for the conference. Because the budget had to be
cut so complete lv, this item had been deleted from the budget and was not included
in the studies. It was his opinion now that it should have remained in the budget
for council consideration at that time. After some further discussion as to the
reasons for Council's opposition to this expenditure, Councilman Ansley's motion
died for want of a second,
Discussion - Revision - Building Code to Allow Wood Shingles
Mr. Fahy Godfrey had been contacted, but as yet had not had time to develope
information to determine the affect on the insurance key rate in regard to allow-
ing wood shingles in the City of Baytown. Councilman Ward stated it was his
understanding that the State Insurance Commission was considering removing the
penalty for use of wood shingles. After a lengthy disuussion Councilman Ward
moved to amend the Building Code to include the use of wood shingles. Council-
man Ansley seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: Councilmen Cravey and Hughes
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It was City Attorney Chandler's suggestion that a letter be written'to the
Texas League of Municipalities in Austin as there is a meeting to be held in Oct-
ober. If it is not too late to get on the Agenda, a resolution could be drafted
to be presented whereby insurance information could be obtained.
Mr. Muller - Levee - Wooster, Brownwood, Lakewood Area
Mr. Gene Muller, Chairman of a Wooster Chamber of- Commerce committee, asked
that the Council endorse the proposed construction of a levee around Scott, Crystal
and Burnet Bay as protection for Bay Villa, Brownwood, Lakewood and Wooster against
flood water. Air. Muller explained that the levee would encircle the three bays,
creating three fresh water lakes supplied with water from Lake Houston by way of
the Highlands reservoir. Councilman Hansen moved that the Council endorse and
support the idea as an official body to offer counsel and advice in getting the
project completed. Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
Mr. Jimmie Gay - Mr. C. C. Steed - Building Permit
Messrs. Jimmie Gay and C.-C. Steed came before the Council after being re-
fused a building permit from the City's Inspection Department. They had been sharing
a dual type garage which was badly damaged by the hurricane. They had dismantled
what was left of the garage and presented their new plans for construction of
another garage to the inspection department to obtain a permit. The permit was
refused as the new construction was a single building with a partition down the center
and straddled the property line. The Building Code requires a building to be five
feet inside the property line unless it has fire resistant walls. The Council
suggested the building being built of concrete blocks, however, Mr. Gay said they
could not afford it as there would be a difference of $600.00 in the cost. The
Council felt that relaxing the Building Code to allow a permit to be issued for
this type construction would be setting a precedent and offered several alterna-
tives for construction; also, suggested Mr. Gay and Mr. Steed work out something
with the City Inspection•Department•.
Presentation of Library Elevation Plan
In Mr. Lowell Lammers' absence, Pair. LeFevre presented, for Council approval,
the elevation plan of the new library which had been approved by the Baytown Library
Board and agreed to by the Architect as to what he would like to build. Councilman
Cravey moved to accept the elevation plan as presented. Councilman Ansley seconded
the motion. The vote follows:
.Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays; None
Discussion of Zoning Ordinance
Councilman Ansley, Spokesman for the Zoning Committee, related the following
recommendations for the Council's approval.
Set up a seven (7) man Zoning Commission,•each Councilmember submitting
a name from each district of the City of Baytown.
Two (2) year staggered terms, vacancy to be filled for remaining tenure.
Members to be removed by Council action after a public hearing.
City employees may be ex- officio members, City Manager and any employee
so designated.
Board members to be resident taxpayers and no taxes in arrears.
Must be qualified voter.
The commission will set its own rules of order, subject to Council approval.
Council to pass an interim ordinance which will require all building per-
mits to be approved by the commission before being issued.
The names of the members of the commission will be presented at the next
regular council meeting..
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Discussion of City Planning Program
The Council reviewed copies of a letter received from Mr. F. J. Von2uben,
of the Texas State Health Department, listing forty -four (99) cities participating
in the Planning Program. Eighteen have completed the Planning Program; fourteen
with the Planning Program in progress and twelve with the Planning Program contract
in preparation. City Manager LeFevre was instructed to write a letter to the
eighteen cities,which have completed the Planning Program,for their opinion of the
program. Councilman Ward offered to assist Mr. LeFevre in the composition of the
letter. The letters are to be directed to either the City Manager or Mayor, accord-
. ing to the type city government.
Report from Park Committee Co- +vi<.r„� -�.e. /66 3
Councilman Ansley and Councilman Hansen, members of the Park Committee,
(appointed to solicit funds and assist in securing park sites and administer the
disbursement apark funds) met via telephone and the following report was made
bj�touncilman Ansley:
The minutes of the regular meeting of the Baytown Advisory Bm rd of August
23, 1961 were referred to, whereas the Board made a suggestion to study the
feasibility of amending the City's Subdivision Ordinance to require future subdi-
viders to provide park sites. Councilman Ansley checked this out with City
Attorney Chandler and found that the City cannot legally require a subdivider to
give park sites to the City, however,. he can donate them or the City may purchase
them. The following suggested park site locations were discussed for Council
approval: One in Busch Terrace, an abandoned cemetery north of Fayle Street,
Twenty -Five additional acres to the present Roseland Park site and Thirteen or
Fourteen acres on Highway 196. This acreage on Highway 196 is now involved
with three hundred to six hundred heirs. City Attorney Chandler stated it would
be almost impossible to buy it but asked that the Council consider condemnation
proceedings and present their instructions at the next council meeting.
Advertise for Packer Type Trucks
The Council gave City Manager LeFevre permission to advertise for bids
T on Packer Type Trucks. Bids to be opened at the next regular meeting.
Proclamation - Fire Prevention Week
Mayor Clayton signed a Proclamation designating the week beginning October
0th and ending October 19th as Fire.Prevention Week.
Priority List - Street Repair - West Main Street 0 ,, T>,,, 4__ 1663
The City Manager presented a memorandum from A. J. Busch, Jr., City Engineer,
on the cost of major repairs to West Main Street, from Alexander Drive to Lee
Drive and Pruett Street, from Texas Avenue to Park Street, These streets were
selected to be first priortiy on the list for repair based on a traffic survey
which has been put into progress to aid in determining the streets to be placed
on the priority list for repair. Councilman Ward made the motion that, West Main
from North Alexander Drive to Pruett be widened with curb and gutter and resurfac-
ing from Alexander Drive to Lee Drive, with an assessment to the property owners
of $9.00 per front foot. Councilman Bryan seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
City Manager LeFevre was instructed to advertise for bids for the repair
of Alexander Drive to Pruett. The Council delayed action, for repair on Pruett.
Appoint Member - Civil Service Commission - Unexpired Term
Councilman Cravey moved to approve the appointment of W. P. Denman as a
member of the Baytown Civil Service Commission to serve the unexpired term of the
late Sam Paine. Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The vote follows:
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Ayes: Councilmen Cravey,
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None .
Ordinance - Appropriation
Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
The City Manager introduced and read an ordinance appropriating $1,715.00
from the Unappropriated Surplus Water Fund to Budget Account 1001 -6 -11, Lights
C Power. Councilman Ansley moved to.adopt the ordinance as read. Councilman
Cravey seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
The caption of the ordinance follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 636
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY 51ANAGER OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
TO APPROPRIATE ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTEEN ($1,715.00) DOLLARS
FROM UNAPPROPRIATED SURPLUS WATER FUND TO BUDGET ACCOUNT 1001 -6 -11.
Transfer Resolution
City Manager LeFevre introduced and read the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TRANSFER SIX THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED
SIXTY -EIGHT DOLLARS AND FORTY -ONE ($6,668.41) CENTS FROM THE
EMERGENCY FUND TO BUDGET CLASSIFICATIONS 401 -6 -11, 107 -6 -11,
402 -1.3, 107 -6 -1 AND 702 -2 -6.
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 Six Thousad Six Hundred
Sixty -Eight Dollars and Forty One ($6,668.41) Cents from the Emergency Fund
to the following budget classifications, to -wit:
Classification 401 -6 -11
Classification 107 -6 -11 .
Classification 402 -1 -3
Classification 107 -6 -1
Classification 701 -2 -6
Total
$ 2,830.91
1,185.00
1,575.00
612.50
465.00
$ 6,668.41
Lights G Power
Lights & Power
Salaries, Operation
Communications
Gas & Oil
INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the City Council on this the 28th day of September, A.D., 1961.
/s/ Al Clayton
Al Clayton, Mayor
ATTEST:
/s/ Edna Oliver
Edna Oliver, City Clerk
Councilman Ward moved that the resoluti6n-.be adopted as read. Councilman.
Bryan seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None.
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Councilman Ward moved that the Council meeting date be changed from the
second and fourth.Thursday in each month to the second and fourth Tuesday in
each month, during the football season.
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
Letter - David A. Witts - Request Information - Carla Disaster - Losses and Claims
City Manager LePevre read a letter received from Mr. David A. Witts,
Attorney, Dallas, Texas, The letter requested information concerning the Carla
-Disaster in this area as to lesses and insurance claims of the citizens of the
City of Baytown. As soon as this is assembled a special _ investigator will be
dispatched to review it and make a preliminary survey. It will then be taken to
Austin for processing, City Manager Le Fevre was instructed to make an effort to
contact residents in the City of Baytown who had suffered loss and compile the
information requested.
Sour 201 - Durain Road - Alleviate Flooding
Councilman Ward asked City Engineer Busch's opinion of putting a tide gate
on the culvert pipe that crosses Spur 201 near Durain Road to prevent flooding
on Mississippi Street. Several ways to alleviate the flooding at this point were
discussed and City Engineer Busch was instructed to make a study and see what could
be done. 1
Negotiations - Opening Green Street - �:nivf.e�ct*�� ^� �-' �6 6'9/
Mr. Champ Crawford made a report concerning the negotiations for right-of-
way to open Green Street. The property involved is owned by the Primitive Baptist
Church, however, Mr. Crawford had been unable to contact Mrs. Herman Ash, Minister
of the Church, for proper negotiations. City Attorney Chandler was instructed to
contact Mrs. Ash and make a report at the next meeting,
rProposed Water Alain Extensions
f ■. Councilman Hansen questioned City Engineer Busch as to the status of the
proposed water main extension down Park Street to Decker Drive and continuing
to Airhart Drive and down Airhart Drive to Market Street. The City Manager reported
the City would have approximately $60,000.,00 for water line extensions. The City
Engineer stated this should be asufficient amount to construct these proposed
projects. The City Engineer was instructed to prepare plans and specifications
and advertise for bids.
Adjournment
Councilman Cravey moved that the meeting adjourn., Councilman Ansley second-
' ed the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned.
Al ClaytoiW Mayor
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