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1962 02 22 CC Minutesr r 1723 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN February 22, 1962 The City Council of the City of Baytown met in regular session on Thursday. February 22, 1962 at 7:00 p.m, in the Council Room of the Baytown City Hall with the following members in attendance: Seaborn Cravey W. L. Ward C. A. Hansen Velma J. Ansley Roy H. Hughes Jars H. Bryan Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Al Clayton Mayor J. B. Le Fevre City Manager George Chandler City Attorney Edna Oliver City Clerk The Mayor called the meeting to order, the Invocation was offered by Councilman Bryan, afterwhich, the City Clerk was instructed to read the minutes of the February 5, 7, 13 and 15 meetings. Councilman Ansley moved to dispense with reading of the minutes and they be approved. Councilman Cravey seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Bryan, Hughes Mayor Clayton Nays:. None _ Award Library Construction Contract - Epco Company Dr. Max Mosesman, Spokesman for the committee appointed to study the Library bids, reported that a meeting was held on Tuesday, Feb. 20th and after study and discussion, agreed upon the following recommendation, namely: That the contract be awarded to the low bidder Epco Construction, Inc., with one change among the sub - contractors; namely, that the roof- ing sub - contracting be awarded to Downing Roofing Company, This will increase the total cost by $275.00 making a grand cost total of $169,088.75. For clarification, Mr. Mosesman stated if local sub - contractors were used for all the various jobs, this would increasP the cost $7,000 and it was the opinion of the committee that such an increase was inordinate. Councilman Ward moved to accept the recommendation of the committee and the contract for construction be awarded to the low bidder, Epco Construction, Inc., including the alternate sub - contractor, Downing Roofing Company, Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes:. Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Bryan and Hughes Mayor Clayton Nays: None The Council discussed the need for full time inspection during the construction of the building. It was the general opinion that architect control and adequate inspection are essential. In order to provide addi- tional inspection over and above the responsibility of the architect, r Councilman Ward requested that Leo Frost be designated as alternate in- spector. City Manager Le Fevre will also be expected to make periodic inspections in addition to those made by Mr. Frost and Architect Lammers. The Council will also review the architect contract relative to curbing, engineering, underground electrical ingress and egress, parking areas, etc. Purchase Chipper from Utility Equipment Company The City Manager reported on the study made of the chipper bids received at the February 15th meeting, and concluded his report with the recommendation that the 16" Asplundh Chipper, with blower attachment, be purchased from the low bidder, Utility Equipment Company of Houston, for 1724 ' f l $3,944.20. Councilman-Ward moved to accept the recommendation of the commi- tee and the chipper be purchased at a cost of $3,944.20. Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Bryan and Hughes Mayor Clayton Nays: None Referred Request Tennis Courts Roseland Park to Park Committee Mr. J. A. Dinwiddie, spokesman for a group of non - professional interested persons, asked the Council to consider building lighted tennis courts at Roseland Park as part of its permanent recreational planning and offered his services, if needed. The Council expressed is thanks for the interest shown by Mr. Dinwiddie and agreed.to refer his request to the Park Committee for study. Development of Street Extension from Glen Arbor Subdivision to North Main Roy L. Long, local attorney and spokesman for a group of property owners whose property abuts upon a non - developed street extending from State Street, in Glen Arbor Subdivision, to North Main, asked the City to participate in the cost of constructing a standard width concrete street. The total cost of the street, as per contractor estimates is $4,712.00 and he presently has received fifteen donations totaling $4,025.00. He needs an additional $687.00 to close the construction contract with the' contractor. He explained that the money will be deposited in escrow, the street will be constructed according to City's specifications by a bona fide contractor and all negotiations for said development will be between the property owners and contractor, the City will not enter into the agreement on the development. In order to proceed with the construction Councilman Cravey moved to approve the expendiure of $687.00 to aid in the cost of building the street. Councilman Ward seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Bryan and Hughes Mayor Clayton Nays: None Dr. Louis B. Hughes - Appointed City Health Officer Councilman Ansley moved to reappoint Dr. Louis B. Hughes as.City Health officer of the City of Baytown for the two ensuing years beginning March 1, 1962. Councilman Hughes seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilman Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Bryan and Hughes Mayor Clayton Nays: None Hire Patrolman - Replacement Councilman Cravey moved to authorize Police Chief Montgomery to hire a patrolman to replace one sho is resigning from the force. Councilman Hughes seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Bryan and Hughes Mayor Clayton Nays: None Gas Rate Increase Request Study Continued Mr. Jackson Hinds, Vice President of the Houston Natural Gas Corp- oration and Harry F. Massey; General Manager of the Baytown Division again appeared for futher discussion on the gas rate increase request submitted November 28, 1962. Mr. Hinds reviewed the original presentation for resi- dential and small business rate increases. He explained that the company was asking for less than a fair rate of return and the 5.94% was below the possible 6:�% rate which the State Railroad Commission would grant if an agreement can not be reached and the company is forced to appeal to the Commission for settlement of the case. In the discussion, Councilman Hansen stated that the company was entitled to an increase based on the figures presented by the company representatives, howerver, just how much was the ques- tion. He offered a counter - proposal of a 5.5% return on the investment rather than the requested 6,,94 %. His proposal would yield the company additional revenue of $52,000 rather than the $95,000 yield under the 5.94% proposal - 1725 but did not provide for the weather factor adjustment and changes were made in the manner in which the company had allocated interest payments. Mr. Hinds re- jected the counter- proposal by stating that this type of an adjustment would not be adequate for the company. Since it was evident that no agreement was forthcoming, Attorney Chandler asked Mr. Hinds to delay further action upon the rate request and allow the City time to consult with, and possibly hire, a disinterested qualified person r to check both proposals and submit his findings for Council perusal. Mr, Hinds agreed to this proposal, afterwhich, Councilman Ward moved to instruct the City Manager and City Attorney to proceed to contact an impartial qualified person to check both proposals and report their findings to the Council at the earliest date possible. Councilman Hansen seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilman Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Hughes and Bryan, Mayor Clayton Nays: None Adjournment Councilman Ansley moved for the meeting to adjourn. Councilman Cravey seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. ATTEST: Al Claytoo, M r Was Oliver, City Clerk r r