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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. 1655 9iE 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. 1655 9iE 1656 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 1657 8 TH 1658 Y 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.. z T C 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: 1659 1660 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. 6vCb t 1661 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 ^1 wl €+ �nC