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1962 06 14 CC Minutes1776 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN June 14, 1962 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in regular session on Thursday, June 14, 1962, at 7 :00 o'clock P.M. in the Council Room of the Baytown City Hall with the following members in attendance: Absent: Seaborn Cravey *C. A. Hansen Velma J. Ansley J. C. Huron James M. Bryan W. L. Ward Barney L. Ward George Chandler Edna Oliver Al Clayton J. B. LeFevre Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Mayor Pro Tem Acting City Manager City Attorney City Clerk Mayor City Manager Mayor Pro Tem Ward called the meeting to order, the Invocation was offered afterwhich, the following business was transacted: Street Alignment - Section 3. Plumwood Subdivision The developers of Section 3, Plumwood Subdivision, met again with the Council to receive the decision of the Subdivision Committee on the request for preliminary approval of the proposed street alignment. In conjunction with the street alignment, some thoutht was given to a park site for the area. The developers agreed to make a proposal on a park site, the offer to set forth the location, amount of acreage and price. It was the recommendation of the committee that preliminary approval be given the street alignment. Councilman Ansley moved to accept the recommendation of the committee; preliminary approval be granted on the proposed street alignment of Section 3, Plumwood Subdivision. Councilman Cravey seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Hansen, Ansley, Huron, Bryan Mayor Pro Tem Ward Nays: None Houston Lighting G Power Company's Representative Explain Reasons for Rate Increase Reauest At the Council's request, representatives from the Houston Lighting C Power Company were present to explain and answer any question regarding the reasons for the company's rate increase request which will effect residential and small commercial users throughout the entire system. The first speaker was W. R. Brown, Attorney for the company, who presented his remarks on the basis of the rate hearing held in the City of Houston.. A comparison was shown on the positions of the company and the Houston rate staff regarding plant in service, weighting, reasonable balance of the plant in service, fair value with acquisition of materials and supplies, less contributions in aid of construction. He explained the rate base and the rate of return on the investment as the company felt it was entitled to in the Houston' case, as compared with those hired to represent Houston. The proposed schedule will increase the minimum bill of the small commercial and residential user from 77 cents for 17 kilowatt hours to $1.20 for 20 Kilowatt hours. The Council expressed its app- reciation for the presentation, however, further action on the rate increase request was deferred until the next regular meeting, June 28th. `Councilman Hansen is excused from the meeting. Proceed - Street Maintenance Director of Public Works Grantham was instructed to proceed with surface im- provement of East Lobit from North Main to Fourth Avenue. The Council discussed the plans for the improvement of Fourth Street which will require- the installation of curb and gutter if the job is properly done. It 1777 has been the policy of the City in the past to charge property owners for the curb and gutter improvements and the City assumes the street base and topping costs. If this policy is carried out- on Fourth Street it will be necessary to pass an initia- tion ordinance, hold a hearing and ask for bids from interested contractors. It was suggested that some one be appointed to contact the property owners abutting Fourth Street and solicit their support on a voluntary basis, place the money in escrow until the project is completed; it this plan fails, then proceed with the assessment procedure. After some discussion, the City Engineer was instructed to proceed with plans to improve the street by the assessment procedure; Mrs. Ansley will contact the property owners abutting the street for voluntary support; if not, the assessment will be routed through the initiation ordinance. Craven - Tax Revaluation Councilman Cravey stressed the need for a tax revaluation in Baytown, a program which has been proposed and supported by the Equalization Board serving in 1960 and 1961. He asked that the Council continue its study of the two proposals submitted by professional firms engaged in and familiar with revaluation procedures. Any program adopted by the Council should be designed to equalize property values and put property on a fair value basis. He also suggested that the Council consider using some of the money held in the Council Contingency Fund to pay for services of a professional firm. Councilman Bryan also suggested that the program be insti- tuted by geographic areas if it is found that funds are not.available to complete the entire project. This will permit the designation of older areas which were valued prior to 1948. Committee Reports Acting City Manager Ward was instructed to contact the School Board and ask that another meeting date be set for the joint meeting of the School Board and City Council. This request was made due to the absence of the City Manager, Mayor and two Councilmen from the city. Acting City Manager Ward was instructed to notify the Texas Employment Security Commission that its weekly sessions can no longer be held in the City Hall as the large crowd of applicants disrupts the regular routine of the City Hall. He will attempt to relocate the weekly meeting place and give the Commission two weeks in which to, make the transfer. Minutes of the Previous Meetings Councilman Bryan made the motion that the minutes of the regular meeting of May 24th, the special meeting of May 31st, the special meeting of June 7th and the special meeting of June 11th be approved. Councilman Cravey seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Hansen, Ansley, Huron, Bryan Mayor Pro. •Tem Ward Nays: None Adjournment Councilman Cravey moved that the meeting be adjourned.. Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor Pro Tem declared the meeting adjourned. ATTEST: Edna Oliver, City Clerk Al Clayton, yor