1965 11 11 CC Minutes4036
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR
MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BAYTOWN
November 11, 1965
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in regular session on Thursday,
November 11, 1965 at 6:30 p.m., in the Council Room of the.Baytown City Hall with the
following members in attendance:
C. M. Massey
Don M. Hullum
A. M. Braswell
J. C. Huron
Raymond T. Donnelly
Seaborn Cravey
Fritz Lanham
Edna Oliver
Absent: Robert Barnes
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, he
called for the reading of the minutes of the regular meeting of October 28th and the
special meeting of November 3rd. Councilman Donnelly moved to dispense with reading
of the minutes - they be approved as submitted in written form. Councilman Massey
seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen blassey, Hullum, Braswell, Huron and Donnelly.
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
Recognition - Visitina'Explorer Scouts - Rene Ffrench and Bobby Bayliss
Mayor Cravey gave special recognition to two visitors, Rene Ffrench and Bobby Bay-
liss, explorer scouts, and expressed his appreciation of their interest and 'attendance
at the council meeting.
Suggestion - Increase Library Standards - Sterling Municipal Library
J. IM. Black, Jr., a member of the Library Advisory Committee, submitted a 3 -point
proposal to the Council on ways and means of raising the Library Science standards of
Baytown to meet the established standards recognized by the American Library Association.
A city of our size should have 80,000 volumes in its library - we have between 20,000 and
30,000. The city's present budget for the library permits the purchase of $3,000 new
books each year. At this rate, it would take sixteen plus years to purchase the 80,000
volumes. He suggested that, first, to use whatever portion of the funds the council
decides should be allocated to the Library, from the $7,500 donated to the City by its
depository, Citizens National Bank & Trust Company, for the purchase of books; second,
to make application for federal funds undera federal aid program which will provide
$5,000 annually; and third, take out membership in the State Library Association which
will provide a complete process service to the library. If the Council should approve
this avenue of approach, good material can be put on the library shelves in larger
quantitites without increasing the budget or the present staff. ne City would spend 3/4%
of its budget through the State Association for the purchase of equipment; for this, the
books will be catalogued and completely processed - readylAo be put on the library shelves.
The City is presently receiving a 35% discount in the purchase of books.- through the
State Association it would receive a 39 -41% discount, plus complete cataloguing and pro-
cessing of books which is a high cost in any library. The Council thanked Mr. Black for 7
his presentation - it will study his proposal and take formal action at a later date.
4037
Ordinance - Restricting Discharge of Firearms - City Limits
The Council discussed the draft of an ordinance which restricted the discharging of
firearms within the city limits. Councilman Braswell suggested an amendment to section
No. 1 of the ordinance to permit the lawful protection of one's family and /or property.
With this amendment, Councilman Braswell moved to adopt the ordinance as amended.
Councilman Huron seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Massey, Braswell, Hallam, Huron and Donnelly.
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
The caption of the ordinance follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 762
AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING ANY PERSON, OTHER THAN A PEACE
OFFICER IN THE DISCHARGE OF HIS DUTIES, OR A CITIZEN
PROTECTING HIS HOME AND /OR PROPERTY, TO DISCHARGE ANY GUN,
PISTOL OR FIREARM, WITHIN THE CITY OF BAYTOWN; PROVIDING
FOR CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; REPEALLNG ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT
HEREWITH; CONTAINING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING A PENALTY
AND THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF.
Draft - Ordinance providing License Transporting Garbage on Streets and Thoroughfares
`c[`The Council reviewed the draft of an ordinance which would require private haulers
of g�rbage, trash and rubbish from the residential and commercial areas of the City to
obta n a permit, such permit to be renewed yearly. Several amendments were suggested,
such as, (1) listing of the address of people served - -a prerequisite to the license;
(2) the number of persons on list can go down but cannot exceed the number shown on
original listing; (3) list to be revised every six months; (4) persons listed as served
by private haulers will not be provided with trash pick -up by the City; (5) permit to be
obtained from the City Clerk; and (6) identifying the vehicle used in the removal of
garbage, etc. The ordinance will be redrated to include the suggested amendments, and
will be placed on the agenda for Council consideration at the next regular meeting.
Resolution - Making Application for Federal Grant Under Public Law 660
Councilman Donnelly moved to adopt a resolution authorizing the Mayor to make
application for a federal grant under public Law 660 to be applied to the cost of con -
strucing sewage facilities within the City of Baytown. Councilman Huron seconded the
motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Massey, Hullum, Braswell, Huron and Donnelly.
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
The caption of the resolution follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 96
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN,
TEXAS, MAKING APPLICATION FOR A FEDERAL GRANT UNDER PUBLIC
LAW 660, AS AMENDED, TO BE APPLIED TO THE CAST OF THE CON-
STRUCTION OF CERTAIN SEWAGE TRANSMISSION AND TREATMENT
FACITLITIES, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE ANY AND
ALL INSTRUMENTS NECESSARY TO OBTAIN SUCH GRANT.
Reappointment - Three Members of City's Electrical Board
The City's Electrical Code provides for a 5 -man Electrical Board which will be
appointed by the City Council. It is written in such a manner as to provide for the
appointment of members to Positions 3, 4 and 5 on January 1, 1966 and Positions 1 and
2 on January 1, 1967, Each member is to be appointed to serve for a period of two years,
rotating consecutively. The present ordinance was adopted in February, 1965, and no
9038
member has served his two year term; however, this action is necessary to comply with
the terms of the ordinance. It was the recommendation of City Manager, Lanham that the
present members, W. E. Trousdale, T. J. Sanders and Don M. Hullum, be reappointed to
the Board for a two year term effective as of January 1, 1966. Councilman Massey moved
to reappoint, Messrs. Trousdale, Sanders and Hullum for a 2 -year term effective Januaryl,
1966. -Councilman Braswell seconded the motion. The vote follows: ,
Ayes: Councilmen Massey, Hullum, Braswell, Huron and Donnelly.
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
Purchase of Communication Equipment for Civil Defense - Authorized
In the absence of Fletcher Hickerson, Civil Defense Director, the City Manager
submitted his request for permission to expend $700 from budgeted account No. 111 -10 -3,
for the purchase of communications equipment for use in communicating with "Ham" Radio
operators in times of emergency, such equipment to be comprised of base station and some
mobile units. Councilman Huron moved to approve the request of the Civil Defense
Director and authorized the purchase of the communications equipment. Councilman
Donnelly seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Massey, Hullum, Braswell, Huron and Donnelly.
Mayor Cravey
Nayes: None
The Council requested that the CD Director prepare a written statement on the pro-
jected goal relating to equipment. Also, a listing of the amount of equipment now owned
by the Civil Defense and where it is presently located.
Authorize Purchase of Water Truck - Public Mbrks Department
The Council considered a request to purchase a 1,000 gallon used water truck which
can be used by city forces when doing construction work on the city streets, and spray-
ing of weeds in areas whereit is not feasible to use mowers and /or tractors. The price
of the truck if $500. Councilman Huron moved to authorize the purchase of.the used
water truck. Councilman Donnelly seconded the motion. The vote follows: 7
Ayes: Councilmen Massey, Hullum, Braswell, Huronand Donnelly.
,Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
Review - Revised Plans City Hall .
Lowell Lammers, Architect, presented revised plans of the new City Hall which have
been reviewed by the Building Committee - the basic plan has been approved by the
committee. Mr. Lammers explained the rearrangement which will make the building more
economical in the use of the space and will cut down on some of the circulation areas,
such as lobby and hallways. The Council Chamber was changed also. The vault was moved
from the first tier level and will be located on the second level, along with the
Civil Defense Director, the coffee bar and miscellaneous storage areas. Under the
Civil Defense program, a community of our size would have to designate a minimum of
eighteen hundred, preferably two thousand square feet, to an operations area which
includes a communications room, an office, a lunch foom, rest rooms, equipment room,
air conditioning, etc., for the government to enter the program with the city on a
matching funds basis, He explained that the area would not be restricted to the use
of Civil Defense only, it would be used by the City for other activities but muts be
available to the Director of Civil Defense in times of emergency. Councilman Huron
moved to approve the basic.plans of the City Hall as set forth in the revised layout;
the architect be authorized to make application for matching federal funds to construct
the Civil Defense portion of the building. Councilman Donnelly seconded the motion.
The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Massey, Hullum, Braswell, Huron and. Donnelly.
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
r
4039
Award Contract - Relocation of Baker Road Water Tower
City Manager Lanham reviewed the tabulation of the low bids. which were received
February 22, 1965, for construction of foundation for water tank which is to be
relocated. These bids served as a basis for negotiating with Chicago Bridge C Iron
Company and the Wyatt C. Hedrick Estate, and resulted in an agreed settlement as set
forth in the minutes of the regular meeting of October 28th. The original bids
stipulated that a contract must be executed within 60 days, but due to the length of
time required to reach an agreement, the Administration has had to ask for extensions.
The court order has been received. The releases which must be executed by both Chicago
Bridge 6 Iron Company and the Wyatt C. Hedrick Estate have not been executed and returned
as yet, nor has the $35,000 been received from the Wyatt C. Hedrick firm. ,Mr. Lanham
suggested that an award of contract for the relocation of the water tower should be made
subject to the receipt of the signed releases and the $35,000 check. Councilman Massey
raised the question of an existing need of the additional water tower since Water District
No. 58 has been intergrated into the City's present water system. Since the City has
many other needs, he questioned the wisdom of spending the agreed funds for the relocation
of the water tower if the City has no need for it. He favored spending the $35,000 in
other areas of need, such as roads, drainage or sewage facilities, if this is a surplus
water tower. However, a majority of the Council favored the letting of the contract,
since an agreement has been reached for the relocation and funds are being provided for
the major cost of the project. In conjunction with the relocation, Mayor Cravey recog-
nezed Frank Berry, local contractor, who proposed the use of timber piles instead of the
proposed steel thin -wall or steel pipe piles which would make some great difference in
the cost of the relocating, and offered to make the council a price if it should look
with favor upon his proposal. After some further discussion, Councilman Donnelly moved
to award the contract to the low bidder, subject to execution of the contract, receipt
of signed releases and the $35,000 check before the construction work begins. Council-
man Braswell seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Hullum,
Nays: Councilman Massey
Abstained: Mayor Cravey
Committee Reports
Braswell, Huron and Donnelly
Councilman Braswell submitted a proposal for extending the city limits north, along
the east boundary of North Main Street up to the North line of Baker Road, then west to
the east property line of the new Sterling High School, enclosing the entire school
tract back to the north line of Baker Road on the west side of the tract. The .Council
approved the annexation proposal and the City Engineer was instructed to prepare field
notes on the area in order for an ordinance to be prepared for the Council's perusal.
Councilman Huron presented the Youth Appreciation Week Award which he received, on
behalf of the City, for the Baytown Optimist Club for the City's contribution in youth
programs sponsored by the Optimist Club such as Little League, Teen -Age League and
the program of hiring youth during the summer months.
The City Manager was instructed to have an estimate prepared on the cost of install-
ing galvanized mesh wire over culverts on the bay side of the channel near Burnet
School, Crow Road and Mapleton Street in order to eliminate the collection of large
fish, killed by pollution, from moving upstream as the tide rises.
Mayor Cravey informed the Council that the Pollution- Muliple Use Study, Texas Waters
Committee, of which he is a member, will hold its organizational meeting on December 8th
in Houston. The Committee will study pollution control needs in Harris, Chambers,
Galveston and Brazoria Counties.
Delegation - Attend Pollution Meeting Austin - December 1st
Mr. Lanham reported on the plans for a delegation of Baytown citizens to attend the
pollution control public hearing in Austin on December lst. In his investigation, he ha
found that a bus could be chartered with 41 passengers for $260.00 or 46 passengers,
$306.07. He submitted a list of the organizations which will be invited to have representa-
tion; also, the number in order to fill the bus. The Council approved the tentative plans
4040
and Mayor Cravey was named as spokesman for the group at the hearing. Councilman
Huron moved to authorize the City Manager to make arrangements for the bus and to
appropriate the necessary funds to cover the cost of the reservation. Councilman
Massey seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Massey, Hullum, Braswell, Huron and Donnelly.
Mayor Cravey
Nays: Non e
Permission - Texas State Guard - Purchase Equipment Texas Surplus Warehouse
Mr. Lanham reported that he and Fletcher Hickerson, Civil Defense Director, have
met with Captain Tallent of the Texas State Guards relating to his request b purchase
certain equipment, .through the avenue of Civil Defense, from the Texas Surplus Warehouse.
It is their recommendation that permission be given to the Texas State Guard to make
such purchases as needed, subject to their submitting a written request to the Direc.tor
of Civil Defense - the City will be billed for the purchases made, the Texas State Guard
will then bring its check to the city.and this will be transferred to the Texas Surplus
Warehouse agency. Councilman Braswell moved to approve the recommendation of the City
Manager and the City Manager be authorized to cooperate with the Texas State Guard in
the purchase of the equipment. Councilman Donnelly seconded the motion. The vote
follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Massey, Hullum, Braswell, Huron and Donnelly.
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
In August, 1965, the Council authorized the City Manager to contact County officials
and solicit their assistance in the appraisal of necessary rights -of -way which are
included in the approved bond program. The contact was made, the officials agreed to
do the work, the engineer prepared the maps, the legal department prepared the deeds,
and these were delivered to the County Right -of -Way Department. Recently V. V. Ramsey,
County Commissioner, has contacted Mr. Lanham and asked that an official written re-
quest be submitted to the County Commissioners Court asking them to do this work for us
on the streets which are on the county log - such, as, North Main Street, South Main
extension, and the Garth Road extension. He indicated, however, that the County ROW
department would not be able to do the appraisal and negotiating on Davis Road as it is
not a county maintained street. Mr. Lanham reported that he had complied with the request
of Mr. Ramsey but has not heard if the Court approved it or not. However, at this meet-
ing, Mr. Lanham was asking for permission to hire appraisors for the Davis Road extension.
The Council approved the request; the City Manager will make the necessary contacts
and hire two appraisors within the next day or two.
Adiournment
Councilman Hullum moved for the meeting to adjourn. Councilman Huron seconded
the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned.
Edna Oliver, City Clerk