1962 03 08 CC Minutes1729
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
March 8, 1962
The City Council of the City of Baytown met in regular session on Thursday.
March 8, 1962 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
Velma J. Ansley Councilman
Roy H. Hughes Councilman
James M. Bryan Councilman
Al Clayton
J. B. LeFevre
Edna Oliver
Mayor
City Manager
City Clerk
Absent: C. A. Hansen Councilman
George Chandler City Attorney
The Mayor called the meeting to order, the Invocation was offered, afterwhich,
the City Clerk was instructed to read the minutes of the February 22nd, 27th and March
lst meetings. Councilman Hughes moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes and
they be approved. Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hughes and Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
Report Permanent Improvement Certain Designated Streets
City Manager LeFevre presented a written report on estimated costs and best
methods of making repairs of a permanent nature to North Pruett, from Sterling to
Park; First Street, from Texas to Fayle; Fourth Street, from Jail Ditch to Fayle;
Seventh Street, from Texas to Davis Road; West Defee, from Whiting to Commerce;
Huggins Street; Commerce Street from Gulf to Forrest. The Council will study the
estimates and take formal action at a later meeting. In connection with the street
improvement projects, Mr. LeFevre asked permission to extend the contract held by
Brown & Root, Inc. on permanent improvement of West Main Street, to include black
topping the shelled portion of a bridge- street extension abutting North Main Street
on the west; also, Midway Street in Fair Park Subdivision. If the contract is ex-
tended, the topping will be done at the same rate per square yard as quoted in the
accepted bid, and the original contract will be increased by an additional $1,100.00.
Councilman Hughes moved to grant the City Manager permission to extend the Brown
& Root contract to include the recommended improvements to the bridge approach on
North Main Street and Midway Street in Fair Park Subdivision. Councilman Ward
seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
The Council approved the selection of Huggins Street as the next major
street improvement project. Mork will begin on this project as soon as the City's
portion of construction is completed on pest Main Street.
Joe Aylor - Revision of Preliminary Plat - Ponderos-a Subdivision
Mr. Joe Aylor. subdivision developer, submitted a revised plat of Ponderosa
Subdivision and asked Council approval. He explained the revision was necessary as
he had learned that an agreement had been entered into by Mr. Laird, former owner
of the tract, and the Diamond Alkali Company for the removal of an existing eight
(8*) pipe line extending 3.000 feet and replacement with an eight (8 ") inch steel
pipe to reduce risk of breakage, for the company, if and when development begins to
the south and east of the original tract of land. The agreement required this re-
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placement to be done at the expense of the developer which will amount to about
$38,000 at today's prices. In the revised plat, a street parallels Craigmont
Blvd, and the easement is left in the middle to make a boulevard. The company
favors the revision and has agreed to give Mr. Aylor a release if the Council
gives its approval to the proposed changes. The Council checked with the Department
Heads for their approval, afterwhich, Councilman Ansley moved to grant preliminary
approval to the revised plat of Ponderosa Subdivision. Councilman Cravey seconded
the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
Library Board Members - Re- Appointment
Councilman Ward moved to accept the recommendation of City Manager LeFevre
and approved the re- appointment of Max Mosesman and Brank A. Goss to the Baytown
Library Advisory Board for the two ensuing years. Councilman Hughes seconded the
motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
Repair Alleys -East Baytown Subdivision
City Manager LeFevre reported that he had received numerous requests tore -
pair alleys in East Baytown Subdivision when they provide ingress and egress to
apartments built on the back of lots and abutting upon the alleys. Heretofore,
he has refused but the demand has increased and he now solicits the Council's
opinion. The Council discussed the ramifications involved in such improvements,
afterhwich, the City Engineer, Director of Public Works and City Manager were
appointed as a committee to make a study of the entire area in relation to esti-
mated costs for needed repairs. After the study has been completed, a written re-
port will be presented for Council perusal and disposition.
Amend - Traffic Ordinance - Speed Limit Decker Drive
City Manager LeFevre reported that a severe traffic problem presently exists
on Decker Drive due to its state of disrepair. Sixty -one accidents have occurred
on Decker Drive in the last 36 to 38 months and four fatalities. It was the ree-
ommendation of the City Manager and Chief of Police that the City's present traffic
ordinance be amended to lower the speed limit on Decker Drive to 40 MPH rather than
the 50 MPH. Councilman Ansley moved to accept the recommendation of the City Mana-
ger to amend the City's traffic ordinance and lower the speed limit on Decker Dr.
from 50 MPH to 40 MPH. Councilman Cravey seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
Resolution - Urging State to Speed -Up Construction
Councilman Cravey moved to instruct the City Manager to write a letter to
State Highway Department officials advising them of the state of disrepair, the
many traffic problems presently existing and urging them to proceed with haste
on the construction of the new 201 and 330 Loops. Councilman Hughes seconded the
motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
Amend Oil Drilling Ordinance - $500 Fee - Re- Workina Well
Councilman Cravey moved to amend the City's present Oil b Gas Drilling
Ordinance by reducing the permit fee from $1,000 to $500 for the privilege of
re- working any oil or gas well within the City of Baytown if the re- working be-
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gins six (6) months or more after the original drilling operations. Councilman
Bryan seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ansley, Bryan, Ward
Mayor Clayton
Abstained: Councilman Hughes
Miscellaneous
The City Manager and Chief of Police were instructed to erect an illuminated
warning sign at the intersection of Alexander Drive and Highway 146 in addition to
the Stop sign presently located at the intersection.
The City Manager was instructed to make a study of the traffic situation at
the intersection of Woodruff and Airhart Drive to see if a standard traffic light
is needed to replace the four -way stop signs presently regulating traffic at the
intersection.
Report - Baytown Advisory Board
Mr. Karl Opryshek, Chairman of the Baytown Advisory Board, submitted a re-
port on the results of a study made on the thoroughfare plan as requested by the
Council at its February 7th meeting. Revisions were made consistent with the view
of the voters and the following recommendations were made:
1. Delete
East Fayle from Alexander Drive to Narcille.
2. Renumber
priority of following streets:
No.
1.
James Street from Highway 146 to Decker Drive
$ 263,000
No.
2.
Commerce from Pearce to Forrest
328,000
No.
3.
Fayle from Highway 146 to Commerce
109,000
No.
4.
South Pruett from Sterling to West Main
234;000
No.
5.
North Pruett from West Homan to Lloyd
98,000
No.
6.
Gulf from Highway 146 to Lee Drive
168.000
Total
Improvements:
$1,200,00
It was the recommendation of the Advisory Board that the Council re- submit
$1,200,000 Bond Issue for the above designated streets on the basis of the City
paying entire cost from the proceeds of the bond sale and $300,000 for Drainage
of same area listed in the January 27th election. Councilman Ward moved to receive
the report of the Baytown Advisory Board as presented by Mr. Karl Opryshek and
table further study. Councilman Cravey seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Ansley, Hughes, Bryan
Mayor Clayton
Nays: None
Adjournment
Councilman Cravey moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilman Ansley
seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting
adjourned.
ATTEST:
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Edna Oliver, City Clerk
CIO
Al Clayton, yor
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