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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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