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1962 05 24 CC Minutes1760 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN May 24, 1962 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in regular session on Thursday, May 24, 1962 in the Council Room of the Baytown City Hall with the fol- lowing members in attendance: *Seaborn Cravey Councilman W. L. Ward Councilman C. A. Hansen Councilman Velma J. Ansley Councilman J. C. Huron Councilman James M. Bryan 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 Mr. Barber, afterwhich the City Clerk was instructed to read the minutes of the May 10th meeting. Councilman Ansley moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes and they be approved. Councilman Cravey seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Huron, Bryan Mayor Clayton Nays: None Gas Rate Adjustment - Report and Adoption of Ordinance Representatives from Houston Natural Gas Corporation met again with the Council relative to the decision of the Council on the Gas Rate Adjustment which was formally requested in September, 1961. Councilman Hansen, Spokesman for the City Council, gave a summation of the investigation ordered by the Council when the request was first presented; the City Manager's report on the manner in which the Company's books were.kept, the investigation of the rate expert and his report, the feelings of the Council in relation to Baytown being compared with the entire system, the evident rate•increase over and above the amount being asked by the Gas Company should the matter be settled'by the Railroad Commission at Austin and other pertinent facts brought out during the course of the investigation. It was his feelings that the Council had two (2) alternatives; first, to accept the offer proposed by the-Gas Company; or second, go into a rate hearing which would be more expensive to both the company and the City, the expense of which would be paid by the Baytown consumers over a pro rated period. Other members of the Council were given an opportunity to be heard also, afterwhich, the ordinance granting the rate increase was introduced. Councilman Hansen moved to adopt the ordinance regulating the rates of the Houston Natural Gas Corporation and granting an adjustment in residential and small commercial rates, effective July 1, 1962. Councilman Bryan seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Ward, Hansen, Huron, Bryan Mayor Clayton Nays: None The caption of the ordinance follows: ORDINANCE NO. 651 AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE RATES OF THE HOUSTON NATURAL GAS CORPORA- TION IN THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR THE PUBLICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF. *Councilman Cravey excused from the meeting to attend Junior High School graduation exercise. 1761 Cecil Bobbitt - Presentation - Semi Annual Audit Mr. Cecil Bobbitt, local CPA, submitted copies of the semi - annual audit and stated that he had found the records of the City to be in excellent condition. Councilman Ward moved to accept the semi - annual report as presented by Mr. Bobbitt and authorized the payment of professional fees as per statement of contract. Councilman Bryan seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ward, Mayor Clayton Nays: None Hansen, Ansley, Huron, Bryan The Audit Committee will receive the report in detail and submit a brief to the Council. Open Tire. Tube and Recappina Bids Bids on tire and tube requirements, road service and recapping for a period of one year were received from Fullers, Inc. of Baytown, L. A. Derden, Humble Oil G Refining Company and the B. F. Goodrich Stores. City Manager LeFevre recommended that the bids be opened and made a part of the minutes, but further action be deferred until a comparison has been made to see if the bids specifications are met in detail. Councilman Ward moved to accept the recommendation of the City Mana- ger; further action on bids be tabled until a comparison has been made by the City Manager and City Engineer. Councilman Huron seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Huron, Bryan Mayor Clayton Nays: None Open Bids - Memorial Drive, Rosewood. Felton and West De Free Streets.-Paving The bids on the paving of Memorial Drive, Rosewood Drive and Felton Street were opened and tabulated as follows: Black Top Paving Houston, Texas $8,490.00 Brown & Root, Inc. Houston, Texas $7,650.00 Gulf Bitulithic Co. Houston, Texas $7,770.00 The bids on the paving of West Defee were opened and tabulated as follows: Black Top Paving Houston, Texas $13,310.00 Brown & Root, Inc. Houston, Texas $12,480.00 Gulf Bitulithic Co. Houston, Texas $12,680.00 After some discussion, Councilman Ward moved to accept the low bid of Brown & Root, Inc., for both paving improvement projects, contingent upon verification ly the City Manager and City Engineer that this is the low bid. Councilman Bryan seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilman Ward, Mayor Clayton Nays: Councilman Huron Hansen, Ansley, Bryan Bob Feinbera - Retail Merchants Association - Parking Situation - Business Area The Council received a request from Bob Feinberg, representing the Retail Merchants Association, to digress from the usual procedure of a $1.00 charge for overparking and permit those, who park in the business area, to pay only $0.25 if they present payment t6 the Corporation Court within two (2) hours of the violation. The reason, the merchants are receiving numerous complaints about the $1.00 over - parking charge and the above procedure has been endorsed and instituted in other towns with apparent success. Since this proposed change would require the amend- ment of the Parking Meter Ordinance, Mayor Clayton Appointed a committee composed of Councilmen Cravey, Huron, Corporation Court Judge Barney Ward and Police Chief Montgomery and City Attorney Chandler to study this and other suggested speed limit procedures to ease the traffic situation presently existing in the downtown business district. Also, Councilman Ward moved to instruct the City 1762 Manager to have the parking meter heads removed from the City's parking lot on the Southern Pacific Railroad property to permit free parking for a 30 -day period; the Chief of Police to closely observe the type parking it absorbs and the merchants to see if this deviation gives some relief to the existing problem. Councilman Huron seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Huron, Bryan Mayor Clayton Nays: None Preliminary Approval - Glen Meadows Subdivision Messrs. Cox and Timmons, developers of Glen Meadows, a 51 -acre tract of land abutting upon Bob Smith Road, submitted a.plat of the proposed development and asked Council for preliminary approval of the construction plans for streets, water and sewer lines, fire hydrants, etc. The construction plans were in order, but Councilman Hansen asked the developers to consider the dedication of a park site as a playground area for children whose parents will buy homes in the subdivision. City Attorney Chandler stated that the request was in order, however, the develop- ers are entitled to receive payment for the park site as it is contrary to law to require such a dedication without compensation. Councilman Hansen suggested that Mr. John Martin, Chairman of the Park Site Committee, meet with the developers and select a suitable location if the developers are agreeable. They agreed to make a park site available but such a site must meet the approval of both the developer and the Council. After some further discussion, Councilman Hansen moved to give preliminary approval to the construction plans of Glen Meadows Subdivision subject to the following conditions, to -wit: 1. That the developer provided for a park site, not to exceed 5% of the total acreage within or adjacent to the subdivision; and 2. That the developer work with the Park Site Committee in an effort to locate the park site which would be reasonable from the standpoint of development cost and submit a proposal to sell such park site to the City at the raw land cost; and 3. That the City has the option to accept or reject the park site pro- posal. Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Huron, Bryan Mayor Clayton Nays: None Install Large Flood Gate - East Missouri Street - Spur 201 After reviewing the need for the installation of the larger flood gate on East Missouri Street and Spur 201, Councilman Ward moved to approve the expendi- ture and authorized the installation of the large flood gate preceding the hurri- cane season as it was a part of the original recommendation and meets a greater need than the two smaller gates approved at the last regular meeting. Councilman Huron seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ward, Mayor Clayton Nays: None Transfer - Resolutions Hansen, Ansley, Huron, Bryan The City Manager introduced and read the following resolution: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TRANSFER FIVE HUNDRED ($500.00) DOLLARS FROM COUNCIL CONTINGENCY FUND TO BUDGET CLASSIFICATIONS 109 -6 -6, 501 -5-9 AND 501 -10 -1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS: 1763 THAT the City Council of the City of Baytown hereby resolves that the City Manager be authorized to transfer Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars form the Council Contingency Fund to the following Budget Classifications, to -wit: Classification 109 -6 -6 $250.00 Travel Expense - Hank Blasick, City Librarian. Classification 501 -5-4 $ 50.00 Maintenance - Motor Vehicles: Classification 501 -10 -1 $200.00 Purchase Trailer - Health Dept. Total $500.00 INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the affirmative vote of a majority of the City Council this 24th day of dray, A.D., 1962. /s/ Al Clayton Al Clayton, Mayor ATTEST: /s/ Edna Oliver Edna Oliver, City Clerk Councilman Hansen moved to adopt the resolution as raad. Councilman Huron seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen hard, Hansen, Ansley, Huron, Bryan Mayor Clayton Nays: None The City Manager introduced and read the following resolution: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TRANSFER, WITHIN THE WATER FUND BUDGET, CERTAIN FUNDS FROM ONE CLASSIFICATION TO ANOTHER CLASSIFI- CATION. 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, within the Water Fund Budget, the following classifications, to -wit: SEWER & SEWAGE DISPOSAL From: 1005 Contingency Fund $1,250.00 To: 1006 -10 -3 Capital Outlay - Chlori- nating Equipment $1,250.00 INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the:,:affirmative vote of a majority of the City Council this 24th day of May, 1962. ls/ Al Clayton Al Clayton, Mayor ATTEST: /s/ Edna Oliver Edna Oliver, City Clerk Councilman Ward moved to adopt the ordinance as read. Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ward, Hansen, Ansley, Huron, Bryan Mayor Clayton Nays: None 1764 Increase Salary - Corporation Court Clerks The Council heard a recommendation from Councilman Ward, liaison officer between the Corporation Court and the Council. for approval of a $25.00 monthly salary in- crease for each of the Corporation Court clerks; this will align the salary schedule *ith City employees doing comparable work. Councilman Hansen moved to accept the recommendation and grant the $25.00 monthly increase for each of the Corporation Court clerks, Councilman Ward seconded the motion. The vote follows: . Ayes: Councilmen Ward, Mayor Clayton Nays: None Clean -Up Committee Hansen, Ansley, Huron, Bryan Mayor Clayton appointed Councilman Ansley and City Sanitarian Muennink as a Baytown Clean -up Committee and suggested that they start immediately on plans for a city -wide clean -up promotional program in which city trucks will be used to pick- up accumulated debris and stress grass cutting on vacant lots. Committee - Study Overtime Practices' Councilmen Huron, Bryan, Ward and City Comptroller, David Funderburk were app- ointed as a committee to study the overtime schedule and practices of the City and see if it is possible to eliminate some of the overtime schedules presently in op- eration. Freight Rate Investigation Committee City Attorney Chandler and City Manager LeFevre were appointed as a committee to investigate the freight rates to Baytown and attempt to obtain the lowest rates possible; if necessary, petition the Railroad Commission for reduced rates. Investigate Lease Contract - Mrs.Lavina Latlippe City Manager LeFevre was instructed to offer Mrs. Lavina Latlippe $100.00 per year per lot for Lots Three (3) and Four (4) of Block Two (2), Jones Addition, which the City has been using for a parking lot. This is the same basis as the leases held by the City on other parking areas for City use. If the offer is re- fused. the City will abandon use of the parking area. Report - Relaxing Subdivision Restrictions - Five -Mile Radius Councilman Bryan, spokesman for the Subdivision Committee. reported that its investigation was not complete on the request of Mr. Staples for relaxing the re- quiremets set forth in the City's present Subdivision Ordinance for proposed devel- opment within a five -mile radius of the City limits; however, he was of the opinion' that the committee will recommend not granting the request as this could become a perpetual practice if it is not curtailed or abandoned altogether. Review Plans = Remodeling of City Hall The Council took no definite action on the plans for remodeling the City Hall as submitted by James A. Davis. local architect. The estimated costs are listed as follows: 1. For work required to form new offices on first add second floors, newiwall and ceiling finishes and electrical and mechanical duct work. $5,889.00 2. To remodel rest rooms $2,520.00 3.. To lower entire ceiling in the auditorium - office area and do electrical and duct work $1,650.00 4. To provide new flooring $1,250.00 5. To face -lift the building exterior $14,464.00 1765 The Council will continue its review and study before making a decision on the remodeling plans. Green Street Opening The City Engineer presented a revised plat on the proposed right -of -way for' opening Green Street. The plans provided-a 50 -foot proposed roadway with a 30 -foot street. Thi§ plan left a parking area of only 26 feet for the Primitive Baptist membership. Since this is to be -a one -way street, the Council agreed to amend the plans and authorized the City Attorney to proceed with his condemnation proceedings on the basis of a 35 -foot easement. This will provide a 20 -foot street and leave 45 -feet as a parking area for the church membership. Miscellaneous The City Manager was instructed to have the premises cleaned around Woodlawn disposal plant in order to eliminate the rats and mosquitoes. The committee appointed to study the relaxation of the Subdivision restictions as proposed by Mr. James Beall, will take the items under advisement upon receipt of the letter from Mr. Beall, as requested by Councilman Ward. Should a decision be reached upon completion of the study. the Council members will be polled and results will be relayed to City Manager LeFevre in order for him to tell Mr. Beall. . Councilman Hansen reported that a definite need has been established for re- districting Baytown. If the necessary material can be compiled, a proposal will be presented at the next regular meeting. Adiournment Councilman Ansley moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilman Hansen seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. ATTEST: Edna Oliver. City Clerk Al Clayton, ayor 7