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1966 11 22 CC Minutes4241 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN November 22, 1%6 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in regular session on Tuesday, November 22, 1966 at 6:30 p.m., in the Council Room of the Baytown City Hall with the following members in attendance: ° Patrick Ball Councilman A. M. Braswell Councilman Mayor Pro Tem Don M. Hullum Councilman Raymond T. Donnelly Councilman Seaborn Cravey Mayor Fritz Lanham City Manager George Chandler City Attorney Edna Oliver City Clerk Absent: C. M. Massey Councilman Albert Fanestiel Councilman The Mayor called the meeting to order, the Invocation was offered, and the following business was transacted: Resolutions - Commendinra W. J. Strickler and James M. Cauley ,Mayor Cravey introduced and read two resolutims in which W. J. Strickler, Chairman of the Central Business District Study Committee and James M. Cauley, President of the Baytown Lions Club were commended and thanked for service rendered the citizenry and City Council of Baytown in an attempt to halt the deterioration of the downtown area and to beautify same and, second, to place litter receptacles throughout the business districts of the City to aid in the beautification and cleanliness of the City. Councilman Braswell moved to adopt the resolutions as read. Councilman Donnelly seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Braswell, Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Cravey Nays: None The caption of the resolutions follows: .RESOLUTION NO. 124 AN UNANIMOUS RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, COMMENDING AND THANKING WILLIAM J. STRICKLER FOR SERVING AS CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT C06IMITTEE; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE ADMINIS- TRATION TO PREPARE THIS RESOLUTION FOR PRESENTATION BY THE MAYOR TO THE SAID WILLIAM J. STRICKLER. RESOLUTION NO. 126 A UNANIMOUS RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, THANKING THE LIONS CLUB OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN FOR THE PURCHASE AND PLACEMENT OF LITTER RECEPTACLES THROUGHOUT THE BUSINESS DISTRICTS; AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION TO PREPARE THIS RESOLUTION FOR PRESENTATION BY THE MAYOR TO JAMES M. CAULEY, PRESIDENT OF THE BAYTOWN LIONS CLUB. Messers. Strickler and Cauley were present and immediately following the passage of the resolutions, each was presented his respective resolution of commendation by Mayor Cravey. 9292 Utility Committee Report - CATV. Phonoscope. Inc and General Telephone The Council received a report from Councilman Donnelly, Chairman of the Council's Utility Committee, relative to the proposed operation of a new television company in Baytown. To preface his remarks, Councilman Donnelly offered apologies to the City Council and other members of the Utility Committee because much of his information had to be developed over the telephone and the Committee, as a whole, did not have an opportunity to review the relating data prior to its presentation. Since the existing problem has many facets, Councilman Donnelly explained that his thoughts were confined to the one question, whether or not the City is to maintain its rights to control the use, access, possible damages to streets, alleys, sidewalks, easements or avenues covered in the franchise ordinance? As a matter of background information, Councilman Donnelly explained that he received a call, on November 6, from one of the proponents of Baytown Community Television, Inc., who has been granted a franchise by the City of Baytown, that General Telephone Company had entered into a contract with Phonoscope, Inc. of Baytown for the purpose of providing facilities to operate a closed circuit television service. At the earliest possible hour the following morning he contacted City Manager Lanham to find out if such a contract had been entered and on what abeis entered into and, upon investigation, such was found to be true. Mouncil- man Ball arrives at meeting.) At a subsequent meeting with Don S. Holdridge, attorney for General Telephone, representatives of Phonoscope, Inc., City Manager, City Attorney and members of the Utility Committee, Councilman Donnelly asked Mr. Holdridge under what conditions of the franchise was General Telephone basing its right to enter into such an agreement and was referred to Section 1 of the recently approved franchise which reads: "structures and fixtures necessary or convenient for rendering telephone and other communication service." Mr. Holdridge did agree, however, that prior to March, 1966, it was doubtful if General Telephone could have entered into such a contract under the old franchise but under the March, 1966, franchise it does have the right to enter into such a contract. Based on this, Councilman Donnelly conducted a thorough search of all minutes, memorandums, letters, etc and found no intent, expressed or implied, on the part of the Telephone Company to broaden the scope of their franchise, nor did he find any intent on the part of the City Council, either expressed or implied, to permit the boradening of the scope of their franchise. All correspondence verified that the new franchise provided for extended area service, the freezing of certain rates plus the discontinuance of the twenty -five cents extra charge for colored telephones. In his opinion, the inclusim of "and other communication" was a major change in the franchise and he suggested two solutions: first, General Telephone to agree that there was no intent to broaden the scope of its franchise and agree they have no right to enter into agreement to provide facilities that were not intended at the time their franchise was drawn up; or, second, if General Telephone Company will not agree to tdis, the City of Baytown and General Telephone Company to go to court and let the courts determine whether or not this is a valid change in the franchise. To answer the question of Councilman Braswell as to the basic difference in CATV and Phonoscope, Councilman Donnelly explained that CATV erects a single tower, receives existing wave lengths from commercial broadcast studios, runs these through a booster, and transmits to homes over a cable system. Phonoscope does not use a tower, does not capture existing wave lengths that transmits from a studio but studio originated programs such as movies, news broadcasts, etc are transmitted over a cable system into the home. Mr. Holdridge assured the Council that the Telephone Company was hot interested in getting into the business of operating a CAVT system. Other items were discussed at length then Councilman Donnelly stated that in view of the difficulty of clearing this, and in view of not being able to reach an agreement on what the intent of the parties was, and in view of the explanation that was given the committee members of what the scope of operations of Phonoscope, Inc of Baytown would be., and also taking into account that we have granted a vdid franchise for the operation of a CATV system in Baytown, I move that the Council have an ordinance drafted for adoption that would require any- one who operates a CATV system in the City of Baytown, as contrasted to Phonoscope system, have a franchise from the City of Baytown specifying that they do have the right to operate a CATV system in Baytown. Several reasons prompted this motion Council- man Donnelly stated, one of which is, the ordinance is to be a means of preventing an expansion of the present contractural agreement until the Council has had time to resolve the question of whether or not General Telephone has the right to do that it has done. Councilman Braswell: General Telephone's franchise was approved with the idea of furnishing telephone service to Baytown - Council should honor franhise already granted to operate CATV system at expense of Phonoscope. Councilman Hullum: Council trying to decide what people want - they must decide between CATV - Phonoscope. 4243 Mayor Cravey: Is the proposal to keep General Telephone from getting into CATV business? Councilman Donnelly: Keep status quo Attorney Holdridae: Don't want to operate a CA'1V system - providing facilities only. Mayor Cravey: Been a member of the City Council since 1959 - confident that it was not the intent of the Committee studying the franchise to bring financial gain to the Telephone Company but an honest attempt to work out what was best - seems those involved are in a position to have legal counsel - the City of Baytown taking tax money to hire legal counsel is unnecessary. ( °4 Excused from meeting shortly thereafter) Councilman Ball: First time heard about Phonoscope or any interest the City might have in regards to its jurisdiction regarding franchises was prior to last week's Wednesday Council meeting - understood at that time, that a representative of General Telephone was to be in the area and would appear unscheduled before the Council on Wednesday night and request a meeting of the entire Council at noon on Thursday following - less than 24- hours, to give Council any information about Phonoscope and-General Telephone as though it may or may not be of interest to Council.. Was irritated by this, since it was not a business -like manner to have less than 12 -hours notice for a meeting of the entire Council - Telephone Company seems to work headlong into problems with the City and against the people - there is an immense area for improvement of Telephone Company service, not just by installing new or additional equipment but in better public rela- tions between the Telephone Company and the people and their representatives. For a Company that is in the business of providing communication service, possibly there is room for improvement, not only in their own communication, but the weak, ineffective telephone service that the City has in many respects - could spend an evening citing examples of poor service - range anywhere from having to- wait 5 -10 -15 minutes or so to get a long distance call through or to get an operator on the line, to a very short notice in requesting a meeting of the whole council to explain something that supposedly, the stand of the Telephone Company is that's its really of no concern to the Council - not to mention the unsightly wires that are strung down Texas Avenue which, is reported as being mostly telephone wires - with the poor inadequate service, would hate to see the Telephone Company attempt to provide another poor or inadequate communication ser- vice or even a deviation from the present attempt to improve the telephone service that we now have which attempt has been a result of the strong, diligent and persistent efforts on the part of this and past Councils in behalf of the citizens who were and are, disgusted with the poor quality of telephone service offered to us - under the franchise providing adequate telephone service seems to be the basic responsibility of the Telephone Company - would like to see Company work to, at least, make the service adequate - a great protential was opened up by the re- negotiation of the Tele- phone Company's Franchise primarily for extended area service - best efforts should now be directed to complete this phase - believe it yet to be determined legally unfair to grant a franchise or hold franchise restrictions over anybody for certain service, in which another service, though with some difference, would compete directly with the franchise service - not at all convinced that the intent of the Telephone Company franchise was to grant them permission to operate or put into operation, any service which is not adequately covered, by conditions in that franchise against another group having specific franchise for that service - not to sound too blistery, the Telephone Company is working hard to improve telephone service - long way to go, however - Mr. Cambern has done a real good job in cooperating to try and improve the service - but still inadequate - this question should comprise a separate meeting. Councilman Hullum: Agreed 100% but to subject of Phonoscope there is a difference telephone is a necessity - Phonoscope a luxury to most people - people can reject it - people would have a choice - hate to restrict ourselves - like to see it stand - may want to grant another franchise. Mavor Pro Tem Braswell: Agree with Mayor Cravey - spend tax money but City Coucnil may be forced to take a stand. After some further discussion, Councilman Ball moved to table further discussion until a later meeting but the motion died for want of a second. Considering the motion of Councilman Donnelly a temporary measure, Councilman Ball then seconded his motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ball and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: Councilman Hullum 4243 -A Approve Minutes - October 27 and November 9th Mayor Pro Tem Braswell called for the minutes of the October 27th and November 9th meetings. One correction was made on the November 9th minutes to show Councilman Ball voting NAY on the transfer resolution providing rental expense for the Texas Employment Corenisssion. With this correction, Councilman Ball moved to approve the two sets of minutes, as amended. Councilman Hullum seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilman Ball, Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: None Bids - Ambulance Service Three bids were received on the invitation to submit proposals for emergency ambulance and invalid coach service to the City of Baytown. They are listed as follows: Belfort Ambulance Company J. F. Camp with an alternate Superior Ambulance Service Allen Cole for W. H. Leonard Thomas R. Drummond Thomas R. Drummond Each proposal was read by City Manager Lanham afterwhich, Councilman Donnelly moved to refer the bids to the Ambulance Committee for study and evaluation; to pre- sent its recommendations at the earliest possible date. Councilman Ball seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswsell Nays: None Bids - North Main Water Line The bids on the construction of a water main on North Main Street were received and tabulated as follows: J. G S. Construction Company Jesse Lovelace Construction Co Tony Tantillo Construction Co De Angelo Construction Co. Bayshore Constructors Co. Texalle Construction Co., Inc Mercer Construction Co. 45 Wk. days $57,526.25 - were tabulated as follows: $41.830.67 65 Wk. days $45,079.91 - (no bid on items $37,889.25 60 Wk. days $50,210.40 60 Wk. days $50,811.50 45 Wk. days $40,595.00 City Engineer Morton concluded his review of the bid tabulation with the recommendation that the contract be awarded to the low bidder, De Angelo Construction Company of Angleton. Texas at a bidd price of $37,889.25. Councilman Donnelly moved to accept the recommendation and award the contract to the low bidder, De Angelo Construction Company. Councilman Hullum seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Hullum and Donnelly. Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: None Bids - Sian Material Bids on the invitation to furnish posts, brackets and signs for the City of Baytown were tabulated as follows: U. S. Standard Sign Company, Inc. $1,197.00 (no bid on items 4,5,6) Traffic Supplies, Inc. $2,622.25 (Total of all 6 items ) Vulcan Materials Company $2,623.00 (Total of all 6 items ) Hall Sign G Post Inc. $2,773.50 (Total of all 6 items ) After reviewing the tabulation, Mr. LeFevre, Director of Finance, recommended the acceptance of the low bid of Traffic Supplies, Inc. Councilman Donnelly moved to accept the recommendation and approved the low bid of Traffic Supplies, Inc., in the amount of $2,622.25. Councilman Hullum seconded the motion. The vote follows: 4244 Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: None David R. Over - Water and Sewer Services Proposed Subdivision David R. Dyer, professional engineer, presented a plat of a proposed subdivision development located outside the city limits but within the 2 -mile jurisdictional scope. The plat has been studied by the Baytown Planning Commission but before it can be .� submitted to the County for its approval, it is necessary that water and sewer mains be outlined on the plat, and before he could go further he asked to placed on the agenda to discuss, with the Council, the possibility of the City providing water and sewer service to his proposed subdivision. He proposed to lay a six -inch water main to a point approved by the Council, should the Council decide upon a larger size, the City could bear the difference in cost. Presently there is an eight -inch water main on Massey- Tompkins Road; no sanitary sewer service lines are in the vicinity but these have been provided in the bond issue and will be installed in 1967. After some discussion, Councilman Donnelly moved to approve the request for water and sewer service to-the proposed subdivision; the city to pay for the first 100 -foot of water and sewer extension which would permit the subdivider to tie in the sewer G water line to our main trunk lines; the city to pay any difference in cost - increased size of water main over and above the proposed six -inch of subdivider - upon reommendation of the City Engineer, based upon future needs. Councilman Hullum seconded the motion. The vote follows: - Ayes: Councilmen Ball. Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: None Bids - On Playground Equipment Mr. LeFevre, reviewed the playground equipment bids, item by item. Five bids were received; those submitted bids were General Playground Equipment Company, The J. E, Burke Company, Masterson Distributing Company, Miracle Equipment Company and Gametime, Inc. Seven items were included in the bids and it was the recommendation of the Committee that item 1 be purchased from Miracle Equipment Company; Item 2 - Game - time, Inc.; Item 3- 4 -5 -6 -7 - Masterson Distributing Company and Item 8 - Gametime, Inc. Councilman Donnelly moved to accept the recommendation of the Committee and approved the purchase of the equipment as per schedule, Councilman Ball seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: None Bids - Seven Police Cars Bids on the seven police cars are tabulated as follows: Shields Motor Company, Inc. less trade -ins Net Bid $13.029,18 Buck Turner Chevrolet less trade -ins Net Bid $11,191.00 Thad Felton of Baytown Less trade -ins Net Bid $13,132.55 It was the recommendation of the Finance Director that the bid of Buck Turner be accepted. Councilman Hullum moved to accept the low bidder of Buck Turner Chevrolet Company in the amount of $11,191.00. Councilman Donnelly seconded the motion. Councilman Ball suggested that the police cars be equipped with factory air- conditioning; this was not included in the specifications. He recommended that the Administration askfor a supplement on all three bids for factory air- conditioning, but after some discussion it was agreed to proceed on the basis of the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: None Mr. Lanham was instructed to get a proposal on the additional cost of factory air- conditioning installation in the seven police cars, from the bidder, Buck Turner. 4245 Bids - Van Type Truck - Less Trade -In Bids on the new 1967 Van Type Truck less trade -in are tabulated as follows: Buck Turner Chevrolet $2,020.00 Less $ 40.00 Net $1,980.00 Lumus Dodge Center $2,595.45 Less $598.37 Net $1.997.08. Thad Felton Ford $2.165.19 Less $ 37.00 Net $2,128.19 Councilman Donnelly moved to accept the low bid of Buck Turre r in the amount of $1,980.00. Councilman Ball seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Hullum and Donnelly. Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: None Bids - Van Type Truck Without Trade -In - Fire Department Bids on the new 1967 Van Type Truck without trade -in are tabulated as follows: Buck Turner Chevrolet $2,190.00 Au. Trms. $125.00 Lumus Dodge Center $2,433.00 Au. Trms. $145.00 Thad Felton $ no bid Councilman Ball moved to accept the low bid of Buck Turner Chevrolet with automatic transmission for $2,315.00. Councilman Hullum seconded the motim. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: None Bids - Two Ton Chassis Cab Less Trade -in Lumus Dodge Center $3,845.60 less $1,217.70 Net $2,627.90 Buck Turner Chevrolet $2,880.00 less 155.00 Net $2,725.00 Thad Felton Ford $2,889.01 less 56.01 Net $2,833.00 Kemp & Tony's Equip. $2,925.00 less 150.00 Net $2.,775.00 Councilman Donnelly moved to accept the low bid of Lumus Dodge in the amount of $2,627.90. Councilman Ball seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: None Bids - Gasoline Tractor & Bush Hog Attachment Bids on the gasoline tractor with heavy duty cutter are tabulated as follows: Lansdowne - Moody Co., Inc. Ford 31923C $3.004.50 with cutter Less Trade -in 225.00 Net Bid $2,779.50 Cook Equipment Co. Massey- Ferguson $4,028.00 135 with cutter Less Trade -in 954.57 Net Bid $3.073.43 It was the recommendation of the Director of Public Works that the low bid of Lansdowne -Moody Co., Inc. be accepted. Councilman Donnelly moved to accept the recommendation and approved purchase of the gas powered tractor and cutter from Lansdowne -Moody Co., Inc. in the amount of $2,770.50. Councilman Ball seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilman Ball, Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: None 4246 Bids - Tow Away Service for One Year Bids on wrecker tow -away service for the ensuing year are tabulated as follows: Manuel R. Pease Amount per unit $6.88 Lumus Dodge Amount per unit $5.00 Councilman Donnelly moved to accept the low bid of Lumus Dodge for wrecker tow -away service for the ensuing year., Councilman Ball seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ball. Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: None Return Packer Type Garbaae Collector Bids Unopened - Readvertise � Due to a conflict in the time of receiving a second bid on the advertisement for a packer type garbage collector truck with rear loader, it was the recommendation of the Administration that the bids be returned unopened and new bids be sought. Council- man Ball moved to accept the recommendation of the Administration, the bids be returned unopened and readvertise for bids on the packer type garbage collector truck. Council- man Hullum seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: none Return Bids Diesel Power Tractor and Four -Door Sedan - Readvertise Since only one bid was received on the advertisement for a diesel powered tractor with .slope mower and a four -door sedan, it was the recommendation of the Administration that each bid be returned unopened and permission be given to readver- tise. Councilman Donnelly moved to authorize the Administration to return the bids unopened and readvertise. Councilman Hullum seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: None Reiect Bid - Gasoline Generator - Readvertise Diesel Powered Generator City Manager Lanham reported upon a recent meeting with Lowell Lammers, Fletcher Hickerson and Roy Walker after receiving bids on the gasoline generator for the Fmergency Operating Center. They discussed the matter of having the gasoline generator as opposed to a diesel generator, and after a great deal of study the Committee felt that it should recommend the reflection of the bid of the gasoline generator and receive authorization to advertise for a diesel generator. They have received appro- val from the State Civil Defense Office to make this change. Councilman Donnelly moved to reject the gasoline generator bids and authorize the Administration to re- advertise for the diesel generator. Councilman Ball seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: None Accept Contest Rules for Landscaping the Civic Center Mall Contest rules for the proposed landscaping the Civic Center Mall, as prepared by the Parks and Recreation Board, were presented to the Council for approval prior to publication in the local newspaper. Councilman Donnelly moved to accept the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Board relative to the landscaping and a copy of the rules be given the Baytown Sun for informative publication. Councilman Hullum seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: None 4247 Consider Water Lines for Civic Center Jack Morton, City Engineer. presented a lay -out of the Community Building and City Hall and explained the proposed installation route for water service mains to the site and proposed installation of fire hydrants at two separd.e locations in order to provide adequate fire.protection for the buildings. He explained that it was not necessary to make the entire installation at this time, but the Contractor is in need of water service at this time, using city forces to construct the line at a material cost of $4,005.00 for the complete loop.. It was the recommendation of the City Manager that this expenditure be paid out of the budgeted Capital Outlay funds. Councilman Donnelly moved to accept the recommendation of the City Engineer and City Manager to approve the installation of the 6 -inch water main and fire hydrants, at the Civic Center site; approved expenditure to be paid out of budgeted Capital Outlay funds. Councilman Ball seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: None Adopt Ordinance De- annexing Certain Tracts Along Crosby - Lynchburg Road and Interstate 10 Several years ago the City of Baytown annexed the entire road rights of way along Highway 90, Interstate 10 and the Crosby-Lynchburg Road. Recently the State Highway Patrol notified the Administration that, due to the shortage of personnel in this area, it is possible that there m sy be times when they will be unable to investigate accidents that occur on these roadways and if the County officers are not available the City's Police Department will be requested to investigate the accidents. Since this would not be practical, the Administration recommended the adoption of an ordinance which would alter and amend the corporate limits of the City of Baytown to exclude all of the roadways with exception of a ten foot strip along one side. The City would still have protection for the area from incorporation with the strip annexation but not responsible for investigating accidents thay may occur on the highways. The City Manager introduced and read the ordinance amending the boundary limits to exclude 317 acres in Tract A, 55 acres in Tract Two, 107 acres in Tract Three and 14 acres in Tract Four. Councilman Ball moved to adopt the ordinance as read. Councilman Hullum seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: None The caption of the ordinance follows: ORDINANCE NO. 845 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE BOUNDARY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN BY EXCLUDING CERTAIN TERRITORY NEW INCLUDED WITHIN THE LIMITS OF SAID CITY; SAID AREA SO EXCLUDED THEREFROM BEING IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS, ALL AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE ORDINANCE; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF. Consider Final Payment to Brown G Root, Inc. for Garth Road Extension The Council received copies of a letter from A. J. Busch, consulting engineer, addressed to City Manager Lanham recommending the acceptance of Garth Road Extension as complete and final payment of the contract to Brown & Root, Inc., the Contractor. He noted that the bitumimous wearing surface is not the most excellent condition but the contractor must maintain the surface for a period of one year after acceptance and remedial work can be done if it becomes necessary. Those present were reluctant to authorize full payment as it was evident that some remedial work would be necessary before a year has lapsed. After some discussion, Councilman Ball moved to approve payment withholding 10% of the contract price until final approval is given. Council- man Hullum seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: None 4248 Discuss Davis Road Extension Jack Morton, City Engineer, reviewed a detailed overlay of the traffic movements which would of necessity have to be controlled by detailed signalization should the Council choose to pursue the proposed realignment of the Davis Road Extension to intersect North Main at Forrest Street, rather than Martin Street. This would also incur an additional cost in increased right of way and of preparing the inter- sections. This study was requested at the October 27th meeting. )It. Morton stated that it now appears that the City would benefit financially if it continued with the original proposal to carry Davis Road straight across, using the existing right of way on Martin Street and requiring additional right -of -way on the south side of Martin Street. Since the Forrest Street connection would create a bottleneck, Mr. Morton proposed to continue with plans to make Commerce Street one way from Cedar Bayou Road; this was the original proposal. North Main would then be one way to Cedar Bayou and there tie -into the present North Alain construction project approved in the bond issue. After some further discussion, Councilman Ball moved to continue with the original plans to connect Davis Road with Martin Street and proceed on Martin Street to intersect North Main. Councilman Donnelly seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tom Braswell Nays: None Resolution - Transfer Funds Water Fund Councilman Ball moved to adopt a resolution authorizing the transfer of $4,000.00 from Water Fund Contingency to replace chain and sprockets West Main Treatment Plant. Councilman Hullum seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Hullum and Donnelly Mayor Pro Tem Braswell Nays: None The caption of the resolutim follows: RESOLUTION NO. 126 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TRANSFER FOUR THOUSAND ($9,000.00) DOLLARS FROM BUDGET ACCOUNT 1006 -11 -3, WATER FUND CONTINGENCY, TO BUDGET ACCOUNT 1005 -5 -2. Councilman Ball - Proposal Expedite Council Meetings Councilman Ball submitted a proposal for the Council to adopt a policy of re- ceiving agenda information on Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning prior to the regular Thursday meetings; further, the Council either go to four monthly meetings or have two informative sessions, which will be open, but will be for information purposes only and not for voting, close to but not immediately preceding the regular council meetings so as to cut down on the length of the meetings and improve the efficiency of the council meetings also. He suggested a breakfast meeting for the informative sessions. City Manager Lanham suggested setting Friday afeternoon, 5:00 p.m. as the deadline for receiving items for the agenda, holding staff meeting Monday morning following and sending out accumulated data to Council members on Monday afternoon. Should other items be brought to his attention later, a fly shell could be prepared and such items discussed at the informative session. Councilman Hullum remarked that his investigation of itmes on the agenda had to be done at night and the additional day would not help him too much, neither could be always zbsent him- self from his job to attend the informative breakfast sessions. Councilman Braswell !,found the comments made by the City Manager on the agenda items adequate to aid him in any investigation he should make. Councilman Ball moved to have a breakfast meeting for information purposes only, on Wednesday prior to the regular Thursday evening council meeting. Councilman Donnelly seconded the motion. The vote follows: ayes: Councilmen Donnelly and Ball Nays: Councilman Hullum Mayor Pro Tem Braswell 9249 Since the vote was declared a tie, the proposal will be presented when a larger representation of the Council is in attendance. City Manager's Report The Council approved the City Manager's suggestion to receive alternate bids on custom built equipment on the Fire apparatus approved and included in the 1966 -67 fiscal budget. A summary of delinquent grass and weed cutting bills through September 30, 1966 was presented to the Council. A public hearing will be called for at a later regular meeting and liens will then be filed against the property as per provisions of the City ordinance. City Manager Lanham reported that the State is presently conducting a survey of the Baker Road - Becker Road traffic and the City Administration will be informed of the results as soon as they are available. Should a signal be warranted, the State will make the installation. An application has been made to the Texas State Library for a grant under Title I of the Library Services and Construction Act. Last year the City received a maximum grant of $5,000. This year the minimum grant is $5,000; maximum, $35,000. The City Manager was instructed to have a barricade, with reflectors, installed at the intersection of Baker Road and North Main. A breakfast meeting of the Council will be held on Tuesday, November 29, at 6:30 a.m., Holly Inn. Adiournment Councilman Hullum moved for the meeting to adjourn. Councilman Ball seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor Pro Tem declared the meeting adjourned. Edna Oliver, City Clerk