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