1965 07 08 CC Minutes3077
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYrOWN
July 8, 1965
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in regular session on Thursday,
July 8, 1965 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the Baytown City Hall with the follow -
ina members in attendance:
Robert Barnes
I Clem M. Massey
Don M. Hullum
Raymond T,. Donnelly
J. C. Huron
Seaborn Cravey
Fritz Lanham
Edna Oliver
Absent: A. M. Braswell
George Chandler
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Mayor
City Manager
City Clerk
Councilman
City Attorney
The Mayor called the meeting to order, the Invocation was offered, afterwhich, the
Mayor called for the minutes of the regular meeting of June 24th. Councilman Barnes
moved. to dispense with reading of the minutes and they be approved as submitted in
written form. Councilman Huron seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Barnes, Massey, Hullum, Donnelly and Huron
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
Resort - Bob Feinbera. Chairman. Citizens Traffic Council
The Council heard an oral report from Bob Feinberg, Chairman of the citizens Traffic
Council, relative to a proposed continuing program for Baytown which should assist in
the elimination of traffic accidents if the citiznes and property owners will cooperate
and support the program. The.proposed program included approval of a driving class for
Senior Citizens; and (2) Observation Clearview, which includes elimination of bushes,
shrubs, vines and various other items that presently blind corners; and (3) formation of
a Traffic -Man Committee for the purpose of observing driving habits of citizens residing
within Baytown and notifying the offenders - notification to be by mail and signed by
some designated person other than a member of the Baytown Police Department. Councilman
Donnelly moved to approve the program and authorized Mr. Fienberg to proceed with plans
for its institution. Councilman Barnes seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Barnes, Donnelly, Massey, Hullum and Huron
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
Review Plans - Improvement Burnet Drive - Phase No. 2 Street Improvement
The Council approved the plans of City Engineer Jack Morton for the improvement
of Burnet Drive from Bayway Drive to South Burnet. The plans included the excavation
of the center base materials, replacing with.73V2 inch cement stabilized shell base,
replacing broken places in the outside strips and covering the entire street with a
layer of 1ST inch hot mix topping. The estimated cost for the improvement which in-
cludes some storm sewer was $46,140.00.
Fence Bids
Councilman Donnelly moved to accept the low bid (f Lion Fence Company for 661 feet
of Western Cedar fencing and installation in the amount of $1,703.00. The fence will
be installed around city property abutting upon Lee Drive. Councilman Massey seconded
the motion. The vote follows:
3078 I +linutes Baytown City Council
July 8, 1965
Ayes: Councilmen Barnes, Hullum, Massey. Donnelly and Huron.
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
Unfinished Business
Since the City Attorney was unable to be at the meeting. the. Council deferred further
action on the city's present policy to file liens on private property when the city
provides the mowing of the weeds and grass and the property owner fails to pay the
charges. However. the City Manager was instructed to send letters to the delinquent
property owners notifying them of the unpaid charges. Also, he is to take adequate steps
to increase the weed mowing program throughout the city and. to follow up with a clean -up
program after the mowing has been completed. He and Mr, Ford, the mowing contractor,
will hold a joint meeting to formulate plans to enlarge the program and to negotiate
provisions for a long -term contract. He is to also contact a repressentative of the
State Highway Department and solicit the departments' assistance in maintenance of the
esplanade on Alexander Drive by enforcing the State's Litter Statute, if necessary.
Councilman Donnel)y made reference to the unsightly dumping of lumber, garbage,
tin cans and other burnable materials on private property abutting Decker Drive. He gave
the license numbers of trucks being used by persons dumping •in -the area and urged the
council to instruct the police Department to file on the owner of the property as those
dumping in the area had been given approval by the property owner. The City Manager has
talked to the property owner about the unsightly condition and was informed that he had
approved only fill - materials but to -date the owner has made no effort to stop the dumping
of raw materials which are not only a health hazard but very sunsightly to the eye. The
materials are set on fire from time -to time and the residents of Graywood Addition are re-
peatedly plagued by the stench of the burning garbage and it is a continuous cost to the
city to dispatch the Fire Department to the area to put out the fires. Councilman Barnes
moved to instruct the Police and Health Departments of the City to file charges on both
the property owner and any person found dumping in the area. Councilman Huron insisted
that the Administration do whatever it takes to get the job done. Councilman Donnelly
asked that the City's ordinances regarding dumping and burning be enforced.
The City Manager was instructed to contact the State Highway Engineering office and
ask for some type traffic control at the intersection of Baker Road and Decker Drive.
The area is poorly lighted and since the road is under construction, no markings have
been made to warn the oncoming traffic of the intersection. Accidents occur at the in-
tersection almost nightly and even though any control at this time would be temporary,
the accident rate has definitely reemphasized the need of better traffic control at
this point.
The City Manager was instructed to contact officials of the Missouri- Pacific Railroad
Company and ask them to have the ditch abutting the railroad track in Lee Heights
Subdivision cleaned of weeds-and other debris as it is a breeding place for mosquitoes
besides being unsightly to the public's eye.
He is to also contact County Commissioner Ramsey and ask him to have the Flood
Control Ditch behind Harding Street cleaned out.
Committee Reports
The Council heard a report from Reverend Charles H. Teykl, Chairman of the Education
Committee of the Baytown Human Relatims Council, which concerned the need for additional
patrolmen in the Police Department. The Council became actively concerned in March of
this year when residents of Oak Addition expressed their need for more patrolling at night
by the police department. Some meeting have been held with the Civic leaders in Oak
Addition and it has been brought out that various. types of disturbances and misbehaviour
prevail in sections of Oak Addition at night due to the lack of police patrol. Because
of this situation, the Human Relations Council requested the City Council to provide
adequate funds to hire additional patrolmen in the next fiscal year's budget. Councilman
Barnes moved to accept the report submitted by Rev. Teykl and expressed his appreciation
for the concern shown by the Human Relations Council. Councilman Huron seconded the
motion. The vote follows:
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Ayes: Councilmen Barnes. Massey, Hullum, Donnelly and Huron;.
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None.
Councilman Donnelly gave a brief report on the results of a joint meeting of
City - School personnel to discuss the suggested combining of city - school elections.
It was decided that more information was needed before a definite decision could be
made so a meeting will be held at a later date with this group and Mr. Buckner, a Harris
County Employee who has charge of the voting machines and several of the Precinct Judges.
*Councilman Massey excused from meeting.
Mayor Cravey reviewed the need for a connecting road between Craigmont- Ponderosa Sub--
divisions as the construction on Decker Drive progresses. Presently there is a thirty
(30') foot strip which is being used as a connector during dry weather but is impassable
during wet weather. This strip is a right -of -way which routes a supply line belonging
to Diamond - Alkali Company; the City Administration has talked with officials of the
Company and pointed out the need of this connection and the protection the company
required for their supply line at this point would cost the city between $5,000 and
$5,500. The expenditure covers lowering the line, putting casing around the entire
length to permit the 8 -inch cast iron supply line to be pulled out and repaired without
tearing up the street base. Councilman Barnes suggested the construction of a bridge
or culvert over the right -of -way for less money. Mayor Cravey asked the council members
to look over the site in question. In the meantime the City. Manager was instructed to
contact officials of Diamond Alkali Company and invite them to meet with the Council
at its next regular meeting to discuss the need of the street connection. The City
Engineer was asked to prepare an estimate of cost which will provide protection for the
supply line yet permit the ingress and egress of the residents of Craigmont Subdivision
to Baker Road intersection.
Cathodic Protection Water Well No. 3A (Lee Drive at Rises)
Councilman Donnelly moved to approve the installation of zinc cathodic protection,
plus the special pump discharge insulation gasket, in Water Well No. 3A at a cost
of $919.50. Councilman Barnes seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Barnes, Hullu, Donnelly, and Huron
Mayor Cravey
Nayes: None,
Approve Police Code of Conduct
Councilman Donnelly suggested that the proposed Police Code of Conduct be amended
to include a provision in Section 11, Paragraph a) for the telephone numbers of all
policemen to be filed with the City Manager, Department Heads and possibly members of the
Council. He then moved to approve the proposed Baytown Code of Conduct for Policement
including the aforementioned amendment. Councilman Barnes seconded the motion. The
vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Barnes, Hullu, Donneely and Huron.
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
Request Jim Sheley - Construct Prefabricated Houses Market Street - Fire Zone
Mr. Jim Sheley, owner of Sheley Lumber Company, 2209 Market Street, asked permission
to construct a prefabricated house on property to the west of his place of business
which will be used as a show house only. It will not have wiring or plumbing and will
be constructed in a manner to permit moving upon short notice should the council grant
permission and later decide against the arrangement as it will be in the fire zone.
After some discussion, Councilman Barnes moved to grant the request with the understand-
ing that the owner will move the house, at his expense, within thirty (30) days after
the City has notified him to move the building - in the event, he fails to do so, the
house becomes the property of the city and can be sold by the City. Councilman Hullum
seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Barnes, Hullum, Huron and Donnelly.
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
1:1
Resolution - Transfer of Funds
Councilman Barnes moved to adopt a resolution transferring $1,600.00 from the
Contingency to pay for janitorial supplies and to purchase paint and new street
signs. Councilman
Ayes: Councilmen Barnes, Hullu, Donnelly and Huron.
Mayor.Cravey
Nays: None
The caption of the Resolution follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 85
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN. TEXAS,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TRANSFER ONE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED
($1,600.00) DOLLARS FROM BUDGET ACCOUNTS 202 -7 -1 AND 102 -0 -0
TO BUDGET ACCOUNTS 202 -2 -8 AND 200 -2 -13.
Councilman Donnelly moved to adopt a resolution transferring $4,653.50 from the
Water Fund Contingency to pay for maintenance of Water Wells and Reservoirs. Councilman
Barnes seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Barnes, Hullum, Huron and Donnelly.
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
The caption of the resolution follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 86
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TRANSFER FOUR THOUSAND SIX
HUNDRED FIFTY -THREE DOLLARS AND FIFTY ($4,653.50) CENTS FROM
THE WATER FUND CONTINGENCY TO BUDGET ACCOUNT 1004 -1 -7.
New Business
The City Manager was instructed to get form copies of depository bid proposals
from other cities in order for the council to make a study of these specifications
prior to September 1st.
Coundlman Donnelly suggested that an indoctrination course be conducted by the
City Attorney for all new patrolmen hired by the City. Also it may be advisable for
other patrolmen to sit in the classes from time to time in order for the City Attorney
to keep them informed on any changes made in the State Statutes which may affect the
law enforcement procedures.
City Manacer's Report
The Council heard a report from Mr. Wm. P. Smith relating to a proposed retraining
driver's course for Senior Citizens of Baytown. The classes will be conducted at
Sterling Municipal Library on Vednesday afternoons beginning September, 1965. It is
expected that a large number of senior citizens will respond to the invitation to enroll
in the classes.
Councilman Barnes moved to approve a new alignment of the Garth Road extension to
Decker Drive; this revision being made in response to the request of a representative
of J. C. Penney Company, a lessee of a portion of the proposed Graywood Shopping Center.
Councilman Donnelly seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Barnes, Hullum, Donnelly and Huron
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
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City Manager Lanham passed out copies of the topographic survey for the city
hall and civic center site.
The Council deferred discussion on the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure formally
adopted by the City Council in 1962, until all members of the council are present.
Adjournment
Councilman Barnes moved for the meeting to adjourn. Councilman liullum seconded the
motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned.
Fling Oliver, City Clerk