1961 10 10 CC Minutes1662
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
October 10, 1961
The City Council of the City of Baytown met in regular session on Tuesday,
October 10, 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
James
M. Bryan
Councilman
R. H.
Hughes
Councilman
Al Clayton 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 by Council-
man Bryan, afterwhich the reading of the minutes of the September 28th meeting was
deferred in order to hear Commissioner V. V. Ramsey.
V. V. Ramsey - Solicit Support Flood Control Bonds - October 21, 1961
County Commissioner V. V. Ramsey presented a plea for Gouncil support of the
$20 million Harris County Flood Control Bond Issue which is to be-voted upon Octo-
ber 21st. He emphasized that the money would be unallocated; each project to be
decided upon after the bonds are approved thus giving the Baytown area an- opportunity
to benefit from the approved bonds upon proper application by the City Council and
assured Council that due consideration would be given each application while funds
are available. No tax rate increase is anticipated as the County Auditor has told the
Commissioners Court that the manner in which Harris County is presently retiring
bonds each year will permit the immediate sale of $7 million bonds and the remaining
$13 million in 1965. Some shifting will be required from County to the Flood Con-
trol District to stay within the present $1:52 tax rate but it will be done in order
to prevent an increase in the tax rate. This bond money will be used on new con-
struction projects and purchase of necessary rights -of -way; none will be used to-
ward maintenance of existing Flood Control Ditches. According-to Dr. Ramsey this
$20 million would only be a "stopgap measure" as a recent study revealed that it
would cost approximately $300 million dollars to meet the needs of the Flood Con-
trol District tolhe year 2000. He also commented upon the creation of a hospital
district, which will be voted-on at the same election, by saying that the City of,
Houston had pledged to divert $3.5 million in current hospital tax money if the
new district is created. Since a 75 cent tax levy has been suggested to operate
the district, funds would be required in addition to the 11 cents pledged by Houston
and Harris County. If the district is approved, it will be under the direct super-
vision of the Cominissianers Court and Mr. Ramsey pledged due consideration for all
making applications for care and treatment at the hospital district. After Mr.
Ramsey had been excused from the meeting, Mayor Clayton stated that he, for one,
felt that the City would benefit from the Flood Control, and favored the adoption
of a resolution supporting the Flood Control District Bonds, omitting any reference
to the creation of a hospital district. The Council discussed the many areas �.
within the City which can benefit from this bond money, such as, Cedar Bayou area,
Goose Creek Stream area, etc., afterwhich Councilman Cravey moved to adopt a resolu-
tion endorsing the $20 million Harris County Flood Control bond issue, provided
there is no increase in the county property tax rate. Councilman Ansley seconded
the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
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Correction of Minutes
The Council reviewed the September 28, 1961 minutes and the following corrections
-were made: Feinberg Expenses - "Because of a reduction in the 1961 -62 budget, this etc!
Report of Park Committee - "Councilman Ansley and Councilman Hansen, members of the Park
Committee. met via telephone" Priority List - West Main St. - "from Alexander Drive to
Lee Drive, with property owner assessment of $4.00 per front foot against property abut-
ting the one block of West Main which will be widened, new base laid and curb and gutter
installed." "City Manager was instructed to advertise for bids on the repair of West
Main, from Alexander Drive to Lee Drive." Change Council Meeting Nights,- "to the second
and fourth Tuesday in each month for duration of foot ball season." Negotiations - Open
Green Street: "Mr. Crawford unable to contact Mrs. Herman Ash or the Minister of the church."
With these corrections, Councilman Ansley made the motion to approve the minutes as second-
ed. Councilman Bryan seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
Item of Unfinished Business
Item 1. Right -Of -Way - Green Street: City Manager LeFevre reported that the
committee and the City Attorney had been unsuccessful in every attempt to negoti-
ate with a representative of the Pilgrims Rest Church of the Primitive Baptist
Faith for an easement dedication to permit the opening of Green Street. It was
his opinion, and that of the City Attorney, that the City must now take the posi-
tion of either condemning the church property or cease entertaining any hope of
opening Green Street. The Council discussed the condemnation proposal from every
possible angle, since it was not the wishes of the Council to do harm to the church..
In the discussion they covered type street, amount of footage involved, possible
remuneration for easement dedication in order for the church to purchase abutting
property to the east of the church, etc.. afterwhich, Councilman Hansen moved to
instruct the City Attorney to start condemnation proceedings for the right:-of-way
to open Green Street to North Jones. Councilman Bryan seconded the motion. The
vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Ward, Ansley, Hansen and Bryan
Nays: Councilmen Hughes and Cravey
Mayor Clayton
The City Manager was instructed to hire a local Realtor; have him appraise
the property in question and submit-a price to the City Manager. The committee
will then meet with a representative of the church and negotiate further before
condemnation proceedings are started.
Item 2 Negotiations - Sanitary Sewer Easements - Barrymore Street: The
City Manager reported that Mr. Troxell had been contacted and agreed to give the
10 x 60 foot sanitary sewer easement if the City Attorney would prepare the instru-
ment. The terms of the easement were prepared as specified by Mr. Troxell but
he refused to sign when it was presented for his signature. The only recourse
now is for the City to condemn the easement right -of -way if the sewer project is
to be brought to completion. Councilman Ward moved to approve the condemnation of
I 10 -foot easement across the length of the Troxell property for the installation
of a sanitary sewer line. Councilman Bryan seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
The City Attorney agreed to talk with Mr. Troxell about the Council's action
before proceedings are instituted.
Amending - Building-Code - Ordinance
The City Manager introduced and read an amendment to the City's present 8uildkng
Code; the amendment provided for the use of approved wooden shingles on resi-
dences. separated by at least ten (10) feet from other buildings and must be located
outside the fire limits of the City of Baytown; this amendment being made to Sec-
tion 28 of the present ordinance. After some discussion, Councilman Ward moved
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to adopt the amendment as read, permitting the use of wooden shingles on dwellings
separated by at least ten feet and located outside the fire limits of the City.
Councilman Hansen seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: Councilman Hughes
The caption of the ordinance follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 637
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR FIRE LIMITS, AND REGULATIONS GOVERN-
ING THE CONSTRUCTION, ALTERATION, EQUIPMENT AND REMOVAL OF BUILD-
INGS AND STRUCTURES WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF RAYTOWN, TEXAS; RE-
PEALING ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT HEREWITH; CONTAINING A SAVINGS
CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY AND THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF,
Appointment - Seven (7) Man Zoning Committee
Following the recommendation of the Zoning Committee, submitted at the Septem-
ber 28th meeting, members of the proposed seven (7) man Zoning Committee were named
as follows:
Councilman Hughes Mr. Taylor Miller, 903 Chandler Street
Councilman Bryan Mr. James A. (Bitsy) Davis, 715 Harold Lane
Councilman Ansley Mr. Raymond B;%.Tickner, 1607 Colby Drive
Mayor Clayton Mr. Sam Alford, 1501 East Foyle
Councilmen Ward, Cravey and Hansen will submit their nominations at a later
date
Naming - Advisory Board
Councilman Bryan submitted the name of H. C. (Curt) Ball to succeed Mr. E. C.
(Jack) Kimions as a member of the Baytown Advisory Board. Messrs Harry F. Massey
and Kenneth Dismang were also re- appointed as members of the Advisory Board, each
appointed for the two (2) ensuing years.
Copies - New Plumbing Ordinance - Distributed for Study
Councilman Ward, Chairman of the Committee appointed to draft a new Plumbing
Ordinance, distributed three (3) copies of a proposed Plumbing Ordinance for
Council consideration before the next regular meeting. If the Council has had
time to complete its study by then, it will be asked to approve or reject the
proposed ordinance at the meeting,
Report - Study Alleviate Flooding Durain - ,may vwwc- t- �✓a+L¢. ��by
City Engineer Busch gave a report on his study of flood areas on Mississippi
and Duran Road and submitted a cost estimate of $500.00 to install flood gates
on the culvert pipe which runs under Spur 201. This will not eliminate the flood-
ing during heavy rains but will prevent flooding during high tides, without rain.
After some discussion, the City Engineer was instructed to proceed with this
installation; also, he is to make a study of the area south of Missouri and east
of Spur 201 and submit the most feasible proposal to eliminate or control the
flooding conditions which presently exist during heavy rains.
Negotiate - Repair of Wrecked International Fire Department Water Wagon
City Manager LeFevre reported on his study of the bids to repair the wrecked
Fire Department's water wagon. He proposed for the City to do a portion of
the work on the water tank; this will lower the overall repair estimate con-
siderably. He had contacted the low bidder and presented this proposal but it
was learned that the firm owed the City back taxes and this prevented further
contacts until the taxes were paid. The owner was told of the ordinance and
asked to pay his taxes prior to this meeting but failed to comply. Councilman
Ward moved to instruct the City Manager to contact the second low bidder on
repairing of Fire Truck and negotiate with him to lower the cost of the original
bid by proposing that the City do a portion of the work; if his proposal is accep-
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ted, the City Manager is instructed to authorize the repair of the Fire Truck,
Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes.: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
Pay Pro Rata - Answering Fire Calls - Accident Agreement
The City Manager and City Attorney were instructed to meet with members of the
r Chambers County Commissioners Court and ask for some remuneration on calls made by
the City's Fire Department in Chambers County after it was learned that the Harris
County Commissioners Court makes a $400,00 annual donation to the Volunteer Firemen
for calls answered outside the city limits in Harris County,
The City Attorney was also instructed to negotiate with the Commissioners Court
of both Harris and Chambers counties to obtain a signed agreement that the officials
of the city will not be liable for damages in cases where wrecks involving fire
trucks occur when answering a fire call,
Drainage - Cedar Street and Vicinity
The City Manager submitted an estimate of cost for the drainage of Cedar Street
and the immediate vicinity. The construction will be done along Cherry Street, from
Market to Cedar, on Cedar from Cherry to Pine to Magnolia with drainage inlets. The
material cost of the project, including drainage inlets, was estimated at $6,457,50,
plus $4,600.00 for labor and equipment, making a total cost of $11,257,50, Council-
man Cravey moved to approve the project and to instruct the City Manager to proceed
with construction plans as submitted. Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The
vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmeh Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
. Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
It was agreed that Oak Addition drainage will be considered as the next major
project.
Bid Accountina Machine - Water Department
The Council agreed to meet on Tuesday, October 17, at 5:00 p.m, to open and
review bids on the accounting machine for Water and Tax Departments.
Committee Study - Auto Parts Bids
The Mayor appointed a committee composed of Councilmen Cravey, Hansen and mem-
bers of the Economics Committee to make a study of the most feasible manner in which
to advertise for bids on auto parts and industrial equipment parts.
Miscellaneous
The City Manager and Director of Public Works were asked to complete the col-
lection and burning of all brush and other debris, caused by the hurricane, within'
the next two weeks if at all possible. The public will be notified, by press, that
one more special collection will be made to rid the premises of brush and debris
and the garbage collection will then revert to its normal schedule.
The City Manager was instructed to notify the Chief of Police to have patrol-
men apprehend and give tickets to all commercial garbage haulers who move garbage
on the streets and highways by open trucks.
The City Manager was instructed to advertise for bids for a chipper which will
be used in removing brush, tree trunks and limbs within the City.
Adiournment
Councilman Cravey moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilman Ward second-
ed the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned.
Al Clayton, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Edna Oliver, City Clerk
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