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1963 05 23 CC Minutes1902 MINUTES OF THE RECD LAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN May 23, 1963 The City Council of the City of Baytown. Texas met in regular session on Thursday, May 23. 1963 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the Baytown City Hall with the following members in attendance: Seaborn Cravey Councilman T. E. Cook Councilman Kenneth E. Badgett Councilman 17 _ Velma J. Ansley Councilman M. E. Lively Councilman J. C. Huron Councilman C. L. Liggett, M. 0. 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, afterwhich the City Clerk was instructed to read the minutes of the May 10th meeting. Councilman Badgett moved to dispense with reading of the minutes; they be approved as submitted in written form.. Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Cook, Ansley, Badgett, Lively and Huron Mayor Liggett Nays: None Unfinished Business Plans to remodel the City Hall was removed from items of unfinished business by mutual consent of the Council. Plans are being presently {- formulated which include an economic survey which will be conducted by a professional firm of the council's choosing; a long range master plan for the progress and development of Baytown will be adopted and made available to future counci•1 members at the conclusion of the study. It is hoped that a new City Hall building can be erected within the next two years and any. excessive expenditures on remodeling the old building would be unwisely spent. The City Manager reported that work was still in progress on the wood shingle survey. It is hoped that this will be completed within the next 2 -3 weeks and a detailed report will be submitted. Councilman Cravey asked that this be conducted as a continuing study and requested that he be informed if it is found that the percentage reaches 24% before the survey is completed. The City Manager reported that he had not received a reply from Humble Company officials on the request to -use private streets on Humble property as designated heavy transfer truck routes. This contact and report was delegated to former Councilman Bryan as a one -man committee project. Councilman Cravey stated that the proposed routing through Humble Company property would not affect the truck route proposed and adopted by the City Council on March 14, 1963 and contained in Ordinance No. 673; he urged that Truck Route signs be erected without further delay.: Mayor Liggett named Councilman Huron as a committee of one to pursue the truck route proposal with Humble Company officials; this matter to be finalized at the next regular meeting of the council. City Manager LeFevre presented recommendations for providing playground equipment for the park site located between Craigmont and Ponderosa Sub- divisions. These recommendations were the result of a joint meeting of the Park Committee and Civic Associations of the two subdivisions. It included wading pool for small children, four (4) concrete tables and benches. 1903 four (9) individual barbeque facilities, two (2) drinking fountains and water faucets, adequate lighting, playground equipment including swing sets, merry -go- round, Junior horizontal ladder, slide, four seesaws at a totpl cost of $1.015.00. The Park Board did not include in its recommendation the request for a combined tennis- volley ball court as the cost would exceed the amount provided in the 1962 -63 budget. The City Manager did pro- pose to include this in the long range park improvement program. The Council also discussed equipment for the "Y" park, the playground area at the end of West Humble Street. restrooms, showers and fencing the Ponderosa Craigmont pool. After some further discussion. Councilman Cook moved to authorize the City Manager to proceed with the grading of the immediate area around the Craigmont- Ponderosa swimming pool. construction of change rooms, and construction of fence around the pool area. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Cook, Badgett, Ansley. Lively and'Huron Mayor Liggett Nays: None Councilman Ansley moved to approve an expenditure of $622.00 for the purchase of playground equipment for the "Y" park. Councilman Huron seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Cook, Badgett, Ansley, Lively and Huron Mayor Liggett Nays: None In the meantime. the City Manager will prepare a financial report on the park improvement budget for council perusal before any definite action is taken on the playground equipment for the Craigmont- Ponderosa playground park site. The Mayor will call for a joint meeting of the Council and park committee to discussion the entire park program at some later date. Ordinance -- 1963 Equalization Board Councilman Huron moved to adopt an ordinance appointing R. H. Pruett, Carter H. Miller and David Clark to the Board of Equalization for the year 1963; fixing the time of the meeting and authorizing the Board to exercise the power and fulfill duties conferred upon it by the Charter. Councilman Cravey seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Cook. Badgett, Ansley. Lively and Huron Mayor Liggett Nays: None The caption of the ordinance follows: ORDINANCE NO. 683 AN ORDINANCE APPOINTING A BOARD OF EQUALIZATION TO SERVE FOR THE YEAR 1963, FIXING THE TIME OF THE FIRST MEETING OF SAID BOARD AND AUTHORIZING SAID BOARD TO EXERCISE THE POWER AND FULFILL THE DUTIES CONFERRED UPON IT BY THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN. Cecil Bobbitt - Presentation Semi- Annual Audit Report Cecil Bobbitt. local CPA, submitted copies of the semi - annual audit report for the period from October 1. 1962 and ending March 31, 1963. In his presentation he stated that the scope of the audit was limited to the operating funds of the City of Baytown; non - operating funds will be included in detail in the annual report. The accounting records of the 1903-/ City were found to be in good condition. After the Council has had time to study the report, Mr. Bobbitt offered to meet with each one•i•ndividually or on a collective basis for any questions or comments the council may have to offer. Fletcher Hickerson - Civil Defense Mr. Bob Feinberg, former Director of Civil Defense in Baytown, was commended by Mayor Liggett for all of the time and effort expended in behalf of the City of Baytown's Civil Defense Program. He was presented with i an official plaque of the City for his meritorious service. At the conclu- sion of the presentation. Mayor Liggett introduced Mr. Fletcher Hickerson the recently appointed Civil Defense Director for the City of Baytown, who gave a report of the progress being made in the organization with the aid of City Department heads, David Sherron, Public Information Officer, Dr. W. A. Goodrich. the Radiologist, and George Scott. Transportation officer, and he would request approval from the council on his selection of the three officers.. In the event of natural disaster, the Red Cross will furnish food, clothing, shelter and medical supplies. In the matter of Nuclear disaster, he proposed to give the citizenry information in order to prepare them for matters in which they may help °themselves. This included programs in civic organizations, develop a warning system. improve communications between the various civil defense organizations of the city and plan to file the plan of operations with the State of Texas. This will give aid in surplus material, administration expense and matching funds in hardware and supplies. At the conclusion of the report. Councilman Badgett moved to aae pt the recommendation of Mr. Hickerson and approved the appointment of Messrs. Sherron, Goodrich and Scott as officers in the Civil Defense organization of Baytown; also to accept the proposed plan as outlined in the report. Councilman Cravey seconded the motion. The vote follow s: Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Cook, Badgett, Ansley, Lively and Huron. Mayor Liggett Nays: None Mayor Pro Tem - Councilmen Cravey Councilmen Cravey was selected to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the ensuing year by vote of the City Council. Employees Retirement Program The Council discussed and decided to enforce the provisions of the Texas Municipal Retirement program which requires the retirement of any em- ployee at the close of the calendar year in which he reaches 65 years or attains 15 years of creditable service, whichever last occurs. However, it is also provided that upon recommendation of the City Manager an extension of employment for any employee may be approved on a yearly basis if the City Council so desires. Heretofore past councils have not enforced the letter of the law in this respect. Councilman Cravey presented his notes which included (1) Retirement to be effective December 31. 1963 for those who will have reached their 65 birthday since December 31, 1962 unless deferred as specified in Rule 7 of the Civil Service regulations. (2) retirement to become effective as soon as practical for those who have reached their 65 birthday before December 31. 1962, (3) notify the employee effected concern- ing the policy. (4) take positive steps to select the best qualified replace- ments. (5) make arrangements to-employe replacements as soon as possible with- out working an undue hardship on the present employee concerned, (6) giving employees notice of their termination as soon as the date of their replace- ment can be ascertained; the purposes. to comply with the State law, to effect the greatest economy and efficiency in operation of the city's business and give the employees a definite policy around which they might plan their future. He also recommended that some city employee be designated to make a thorough and continuing study of the Texas Municipal Retirement System and be avail- able to counsel and advise city employees in making plans for thar•retire- ment which will be of the greatest benefit to the employee. City Manager LeFevre requested that any recommended procedures be submitted in the form of a resolution and formally adopted by the City Council. This would then be set out in the resolution or ordinances books and would be accessible 1904 to future Councils. After some further discussion, Councilman Cravey moved to accept the City Manager report as related to mandatory retirement of eligible City employees as set forth in the Texas Municipal Retirement Law. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Cook, Badgett. Ansley, Lively and Huron Mayor Liggett Nays: None Councilman Cook suggested a modification to this extent; it shall be the policy of this council that mandatory retirement on December 31 of the year the employee reaches 65; that City employees shall not be considered for further City employment unless it is agreed by the City Manager and a majority of the City Council that the employee is unusually productive or has vital and unique talents that are considered highly desirable for an exten- sion of time, this to apply to all employees on a principle basis., The City Attorney will draft a resolution for adoption at the next regular meeting. The City Manager will furnish a list of all eligible imployees in this catagory to the Council prior to the next regular meeting of the Council. City Manager Report The City Manager reported that a proposal had been recently submitted by V. V. Ramsey, County Commission, to Mayor Liggett on the repair of Decker Drive from Thomas Circle to the Traffic light at Park, Woodruff and Decker Drive. Mr. Ramsey had offered to furnish labor and equipment if the City would furnish the material for the topping of this section of the heavily traveled thoroughfare. estimated cost of such improvement using coldmix rock asphalt on the surface that is now paved, $7,86000. However, some additional expenditure will be incurred as some of the broken concrete must be replaced prior to the topping project. After some further discussion, Councilman Ansley moved to accept the offer of Commissioner Ramsey for the improvement of Decker Drive from the vicinity of Thomas Circle to the intersection of Airhart Drive improvement to be done as soon as possible. Councilman Cravey seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Cravey, Cook, Badgett, Ansley, Lively and Huron Mayor Liggett Nays: None o Councilman Cravey excused from meeting to attend graduation exercises. Request for Revision to Produce Ordinance City Manager LeFevre, City Attorney Chandler and Mr. James A. King, local produce wholesale merchant, will form a committee to draft revisions to the City's present fruit and produce ordinance; this draft will be presented to the Council for perusal and adoption if deemed advisable. MiscelladDus The City Manager will send copies of a proposed Exterminating Ordinances to members of the Council for study and correction before final adoption. The Mayor and City Council will meet with Mr. Von Zuben, of Fort Worth. Texas, to discuss City planning. This meeting will be held, Wednesday, May 29th, 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the City Hall. Mayor Liggett acknowledged receipt of a letter from J. C. Baldwin. Oak Addition Civic Association, requesting the hiring of certain persons as Police Patrol Officers for Oak Addition. He expressed his appreciation for the interest shown but stated that Patrolmen were selected by Civil Service grades. The City Manager will furnish each Councilmember with a list of the IL3 °h � streets proposed to be improved during this year with funds presently budgeted for the 1962 -63 fiscal year. The Mayor and Council will review the list of operating committees and make changes if deemed advisable for the progress of the City. Some reference was made to the man -power shortage presently existing in the Humane Department since the extension of the City limits. Presently the force has only two men who are busy with answering calls. The City Manager expressed a desire to operate the remainder of this fiscal year with the present man - power; at the time of the annual budget review,.the Council may decide to increase the budget to provide any additional expansion in the 1963 -64 fiscal year operations. Adjournment Councilman Dadgett moved for the meeting to adjourn. Councilman Ansley seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. Edna Oliver, City Clerk /na r I