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1964 07 09 CC Minutes2090 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN July 9, 1969 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in regular session on Thurs- day, July 9, 1969, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the City Hall with the following member$ in atten dance: J. C. Huron David C. Clark M. E. Lively J. Robert Barnes Seaborn Cravey Kenneth E. Badgett Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman C. L. Liggett Mayor Fritz Lanham City Manager George Chandler City Attorney Absent: Edna Oliver City Clerk Mayor Liggett opened the meeting with the invocation. The minutes were approved in written form. Items of unfinished business were called for. The Mayor inquired about a re- quest made of the Traffic Committee concerning the traffic signal at the intersection of Market, Bayway and Wisconsin. Councilman Huron reported that this matter would be brought before the committee again, and Chief Turner would be consulted about it. Mr. Clark called to the attendtion of the Council the section on water pipe re- quirements in the new proposed subdivision ordinance. He objected to the term "or equal" and proposed that the city planners and the city engineer come to an agreement on the types of pipe that would be acceptable to the city, and specify this in the or- dinance. (Sec. 13.05, 2A, Page 29.) Mr. Lanham stated that a meeting between Mr. Ash, George Chandler, Jack Morton and himself was scheduled for Friday, and among other things to be discussed, this would also be studied. A sample ordinance pertaining to police provisions was given to City Manager Lanham by Councilman Badgett. This will be copied and distributed to the Council members for their perusal. A brief progress report on the Citizens Traffic Advisory Committee was given by Councilman Huron. Mr. Albert Franta appeared to request that the Council grant him a deed to the Texas Avenue Property. This property lies at the intersection of Texas, Defee and Decker, in a small triangular plot of land some 3,585 square feet in size, He stated that Mobile and Goodyear were interested in building on this and the adjoining lots. These two in- stallations would represent an expenditure of about $200.00. He pointed out that this would add two new taxable units to the City. His plea was based upon the fact that the City Council in 1961 gave this land to him, but due to inactivity he failed to obtain a deed, and thus the land was never actually transferred to him. Mr. Ray Harvey, who had been hired by the City to appraise this land, gave his ap- praisal figure as $3,200. Councilman Cravey stated that he felt the city should retain from seven to twelve feet on the extreme point of this property in order to ease the traf- fic problem involved in turning into or off of Defee here. The appraisal figure was dis- cussed at length. Gtr. Cravey favored lowering the price as set by the appraisal because of the history of this case. Mr. Barnes and several other members of the Council expressed the opinion that the land was probably worth more than the $3,200 being asked by the city, and it was ultimately fair to both Mr. Franta and the city to stand by this sum of money, since the former Council had given the land to him. After further discussion, Mr. Barnes made a motion that the city sell the property to Mr-. Franta for $3,200, with the city reserving a certain portion for the development of a traffic lane, contingent upon the City Manager's recommendation as to the needed space. The City Manager stated that he would consult with J. Ash, the city Planner, about this. Councilman Huron seconded the motion. The vote follows: 2041 Ayes: Councilmen Cravey. Barnes, Huron and Clark Mayor Liggett Nays: Councilmen Lively and Badgett City Manager Fritz Lanham read a letter from the Citiznes National Bank and Trust Co. asking approval to erect a memorial in the form of a bench constructed of Indiana limestone at the Sterling Library. in honor of the late Hugh Echols, Jr. Mr. Lanham reported that the Library Board had voiced their approval of this. Councilman Lively made a motion that the bank be allowed to erect this memorial. Councilman Badgett seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Huron, Clark, Cravey, Barnes. Lively and Badgett Mayor Liggett Nays: None Mayor Liggett expressed the City's appreciation for this and the many other civic projects which the Citizens Bank has inaugurated. Mr. Robert Kelley, engineer for Water District 27, and Mr. Sutton, Chairman of the Board for the water district, appeared before the council to ask that the city lease the property adjacent to the city sewage treatment plant in the Craigmont area to the water district. 69r. Jack Dorton, city engineer, told the Council that there are four or five more spaces available for additional units to be constructed on the east side of the pre- sent plant. A discussion about the bonds involved followed. Mr. Kelley stated that the bonds could be called without penalty. Councilman Lively moved that the city lease the water district the necessary tract of land. Councilman Cravey seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilman Badgett, Lively, Barnes, Cravey, Caark and Huron Mayor Liggett Nays: None Councilman Lively made the motion that final payment be made to Walter Mischer Company in the amount of $3.323.72 for paving James, West Sterling. and New Jersey. The motion was seconded by- Councilman Cravey. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Lively, Badgett, Cravey, Barnes, Huron and Clark Mayor Liggett Nays: None Councilman Lively made a motion that Resolution No. 52. as read by City Manager Lanham, be passed. Councilman Clark seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Huron, Clark. Lively, Barnes, Cravey and Badgett Mayor Liggett Nays: None There was a brief discussion on the telephone expenses of the city. City Manager Lanham told the Council that closer accounting of all calls was planned, to be put into effect immediately. The caption of the resolution follows: RESOLUTION NO. 52 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TRANSFER FOUR THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED AND SEVENTY AND NO /100 ($4.470.00) DOLLARS FROM THE COUNCIL CONTINGENCY FUND TO BUDGET CLASSI- FICATIONS 107 -6 -1 AND 107 -6 -11. Councilman Badgett made a motion that the City Manager appoint a committee to look into the advisability of an annual city employees' picnic. This has been done in the past, and several councilmen stated that they were in favor of again observing this cus- tom. Councilman Barnes said he would be in favor of the picnic or banquet, provided, it was considered a "service award" picnic. Councilman Lively seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Badgett, Cravey, Huron, Clark, Lively and Barnes Mayor Liggett Nays: None 2042 City Manager's Report: 1. Bids have been advertised for on the storm sewer on Robin Road and the Water lines to Lee High School and Baytown Jr. High. The bids should be received on July 22 and will be presented to the Council on July 23 at the regular meeting. 2. Progress report on Phase 1 of the street improvement program: James and Fourth are complete. Curb and gutter and base work are complete on South Pruett. Sur- facing should be complete next week. Work on Alexander Drive is going on now and should be complete in one more day. The entire Phase 1 should be finished in two weeks. 3. The owners of property on West Sterling and West Defee are no longer objecting to these streets being one -way. 4. The work on the traffic signals previously approved by the Council is now under- way. (At Pruett and Williams and on Lee Drive near the school. The school has not de- cided on how they want the parking lot on Market Street, so work on that portion of the job is held up. Money will be encumbered for it, however.) 5. Due to height of some of the trucks making deliveries in the Baytown area, the traffic signals in many sections of town have been raised. They are now fourteen feet high. Mayor Liggett announced that he had a letter from Mr. Ernest Brown thanking the council for having met with him, and suggesting another meeting to discuss for having met with him, and suggesting another meeting to discuss our water problems. Mr. Brown also included a five -year contract for the Council's study. Mayor Liggett stated his opinion that the city should contact other firms in order to compare policies. Mr. Lanham said he would do so and ask for written proposals. Councilman Badgett inquired about the "curb and gutter situation" on Humble Street. He affirmed his belief that the citizens who petitioned for curb and gutter on Humble ware entitled to every consideration. Mr. Lanham explained that he had talked with these prople, and had an appointment to again discuss the difficulties involved in in- stalling curb and gutter at this particular place. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. La Jean Morris, Acting City Clerk Edna Oliver, City Clerk