1962 02 22 CC Minutesr
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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
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$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 -
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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
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