1967 06 08 CC Minutesr
4362
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
June 8, 1967
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in regular session on.Thurs-
day, June 8, 1967 at 6:30 p,m., in the Council Room of the Baytown City Hall with
the following members in attendance:
Patrick Ball
Glen Walker
Don M. Hullum
A. M. Braswell
Albert Fanestiel
Lamar Kelley
° Seaborn Cravey
Fritz Lanham
Richard Park
Edna Oliver
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman G
Mayor Pro Tem
Councilman
Councilman
Mayor
City Manager
Assn't City Attorney
City Clerk
The Mayor called the meeting to order, the Invocation was offered, afterwhich
he called for the minutes of the special meetings of May 16, 19 and 23 and the
regular minutes of May 25. Two minor corrections were made to the minutes of the
May 25 meeting. Councilman Praswell moved to approve the minutes as corrected.
Councilman Hullum seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Walker, Hullum, Braswell, Fanestiel and Kelley
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
Bids - File Cabinets City Hall and Community Center
r
Four bids
were received on the
advertisement for file cabinets to be used at
days
the City Hall
and Community Center.
The tabulation follows:
Texas Office Supply
Company
(net 10th)
Delivery 45
days
$3,818.23
Wilson Stationery G
Printing
Co.
30
days
3,877.37
Wilson Stationery G
Printing
Co (Alternate)
30
days
4,223.00
(2% cash - 10 days)
Mathernes' (net)
45
days
4,363.42
Shaw - Walker Company
(net 30
days)
60 -90 days
6,036.33
It was the recommendation of the City Manager that the low base bid of
Wilson Stationery $ Printing Company be accepted - $3,877.37 less 2% discount.
Councilman Ball moved to accept the base bid of Wilson Stationery G Printing Company.
Councilman Walker seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Walker, Hullum, Braswell, Fanestiel aid Kelley
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
Approved Purchase 'Iwo -Way Sweeper
Councilman Walker moved to approve the purchase of a two -way sweeper for use
in the street department by city forces when working on major street projects.
Councilman Dail seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Walker, Hullum, Braswell, Fanestiel and Kelley
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
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Bids - Sale of House - 1600 North Fifth
The following bids were received on the house for sale at 1600 North Fifth Street:
The ,1laranatha Baptist Mission $901.50
C. G. Erwin 650.00
A. R. Russell, Jr. 750.00
John R. Fox 305.00
Councilman Braswell moved to accept the high bid of the Maranatha Baptist Mission.
Councilman Ball seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Walker, Hullum, Braswell, Fanestiel and Kelley.
Mgor Cravey
Nays: None
Report - Parks and Recreation Board - Plans for Civic Center Openina
Several months ago the Parks and Recreation Board was invited by the City Council
to plan some events for the opening of the Civic Center. At this meeting Mrs. Sutphin
and Mr. Foote, members of the Board, gave a brief report on the plans scheduled for
the entire week -end Pith planned activities for the week following to attract as many
interested groups as possible. They suggested the official opening begin on a Saturday
and continue on through Sunday afternoon concluding with open house from 1:30 to 5 p.m.
in both the City Hall and Civic Center buildings. In conjunction with open house
art shows and flower shows will be sponsored with exhibits, musical productions, mall
programs, and other activities which will be of infest to both young and older persons
attending the two -day function. The concluded the report with a request for a small
emergency fund to take care of minor expenses incurred in the opening of the Center.
Councilman Braswell moved to approve the allocation of $150.00 out of the Community
Center office supplies budget; should additional funds be needed, the Council will
consider increasing the allocation. Councilman Hullum seconded the motion. The vote
follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Walker, Hullum, Braswell, Fanestiel and Kelley
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
The Council approved the suggestion of the Board to consider inviting city ad-
ministrators and interested persons (including news media) to a special preview of
the City Hall and Community Center.
Recommendations of Parks G Recreation Board
Reservation procedures were compiled by Kenneth N. Persenaire, Director of Parks
and Recreation, and were approved and recommended by the Parks G Recreation Board
before presentation to the City Council for its perusal and approval. The procedures
were listed in eleven separate items and covered local, out of town, Sunday and annual
reservations. Councilman Kelley moved to accept the reservation procedures as re-
commended. Councilman Fanestiel seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilman Ball, Walker, Hullum, Braswell, Fanestiel and Kelley
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
Mr. Persenaire continued with his presentation to cover the recommendation of
the Board to provide one special fund for the community center which would receive
all profits from the venfing machines, donations, special class fees, etc., out of
which special fees for instructors, umpires, special equipment will be paid. A second
account was recommended for the Teen - Center which would handle the funds raised by
the teenagers from car washes, dances, etc. The funds would be used to pay for functions
for teenagers only. The Director and Board would have to approve any money expended
from the funds and the City's auditor would examine the books at stipulated intervals.
Councilman Ball expressed his approval of the idea of a special fund for the Parks
and Recreation Board and Director of Parks & Recreation but questioned the need for
two accounts since any funds raised by theteenagers will be a predetermined need and
cost. Anything in the absence of this would be a business and the Teen Center is not
a business. He coirluded with a motion to authorize one special account with internal
Minutes Baytown City Council 9364
June 8. 1967
accounting in the Parks & Recreation department to show the funds coming from the
Teen Center and funds coming from other sources. Councilman Kelley seconded the motion.
In the discussion following the motion and second, Councilman Braswell stated that
he saw no objectional features to the two accounts. Mayor Cravey called for the vote
and the tabulation follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Walker, Hullum, Fanestiel and Kelley -
Mayor Cravey
Nays: Councilman Braswell
Mr. Persenaire concluded his presentation with a recommendation from the Parks &
Recreation Board for approval to offer a salary of $500 per month for the position
of Center Supervisor rather than the $450 formerly proposed and included in the current
budget. According to the present plans, the Center will be open approximately 80 hours
per week and the Director and Board feel that there should be man on duty at the
Center at all times when it is open. When the budget' was being prepared it was thought
that the position of Center Supervisor could be filled by employing a woman; now the
Board prefers a man. The increase in salary was recommended in order to attract a
qualified person. Councilman Fanestiel moved to accept the recommendation of the Director;
and Board to increase the starting salary of the Center Supervisor from the budgeted
figure of $950 to the proposed $500 per month salary. Councilman Kelley seconded the
motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Walker, Hullum, Fanestiel and Braswell and Kelley
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
C. M. Tibbits - Request Park Trailors Residential Lot - Harding Street
The Council received a request from C. M. Tibbits who owns a residential lot on
Harding Street for permission to park two house trailers on the lot. The City's ordinance
regulating the parking of trailer houses will permit one trailer on a lot so long as
it is connected to the city sewer system and has a supply of water, but for two or more
the area becomes an automobile tourist court and there must be sufficient spacing,
a 20 -foot driveway and an office building where records are kept. Mr. Tibbit stated
that he would have the required spacing but no driveway or office building. The Mayor
pointed out that the Council did not have the authority to grant a request in direct
violation of a city ordinance - an amendment would have to be adopted by the Council
before this request could be favorably considered. He appointed a Committee composed
of Councilmen Kelley and Walker, Gerald Landry and the City Attorney to study the
provisions of the ordinance with a possibility of recommending amendments,
Deferred Acceptance Oak Addition Proiect - Drainage Problem
The Council deferred action upon the acceptance of the Oak Addition Street Improve-
ment project to permit the Engineer to check one location where the drainage is not
satisfactory.
Mayor Cravey excused from meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Braswell presides,
Discussion - Training Program - Police and Fire Personnel
Councilman Walker submitted a proposal for the establishment of a regular training
program for Police and Fire personnel rather than the hit and miss procedure presently
followed by the departments. He proposed that the program be of such a range as to
further educate the personnel of the departments who have many years of service as well
as the new employees of each department - this training to be done systematically with
a regular training location designated for this purpose. He suggested the former
Water District No. 8 Water Office for the Police Department personnel; the Fire
Department personnel presently have a location which can be used for the purpose. He
concluded his remarks with a strong appeal for the Council to urge both departments to
set up a systematic training program and instituted as an annual affair. Furthermore,
for the Council to authorize the use of the building on Bayway Drive as a location for
police training. The Council agreed that such a program was needed and the planning
will be pursued.
4365 Minutes Baytown City Council
June 8, 1967
Proposal - Discontinue Use of Sirens - Call Firemen
Councilman Walker submitted a proposal for the discontinuance of sounding sirens
to call paid and volunteer firement to fires since each person is now furnished a radio
monitor for this purpose and can be contacted more readily by radio in case of a fire
or an emergency. In his opinion the use of sirens alerted fire truck chasers and was
a hazard rather than helpful. This had been discussed previously, but it was mentioned
that sometimes the volunteer firement are not in hearing distance of the monitor radios
and it was thought best to continue sounding the whistles. Councilman Walker stated
that he had heard some comments from those who live near the location of the whistles
objecting to the sounding and concluded with amotion to dispense with use of the sirens
for one month, on a trial basis, and see if this depreciably affects our fire - fighting
effectiveness. Councilman Ball seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Waller, Hullum, Fanestiel and Kelley
Nays: Mayor Pro Tem Braswell
Approval - Improvement of Four Streets - 1966 -67 Budget
Several weeks ago City Manager Lanham submitted a list of four streets together
with the cost estimates, for improvement from budgeted funds. The streets listed were
Stimson, Morrell, Ashby and Schreck. All streets will be reworked by a contractor,
additional materials added if necessary and the streets resurfaced. However, no
action was taken on the streets at the time of presentation pending the receipt of
bids for the parking area for the Civic Center. Bids have now been received and approved
for the Civic Center and it is estimated that $31,000 will be needed from the budgeted
fund leaving a balance of $134,000 for capital improvements. The total estimate on
the four streets is $138,600 and it was his recommendation that he be authorized to
g6 out for bids. Mr. Kay, General Manager.of,United Carbon Company, has indicated
that he will recommend participating in the costs of repairing Ashby Street at the
same ratio as was done on the repairs of North Street. Air. Lanham was instructed to
approach General Telephone Company with a proposal for participating in the costs of
repairing Stimson from South Main westerly beyond their warehouse gates. Councilman
Walker moved to authorize the City Manager to advertise for bids on the improvement
of the four streets. Councilman Ball seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Walker, Hullum, Fanestiel and Kelley
Mayr Pro Tem Braswell
Nays: None
Councilman Kelley expressed his regrets at the delay imposed on the improvements
of both Commerce and North Main Streets. He urged the Administration to do everything
possible to keep North Main Street passable during the interim and to see that there
are no further delays imposed on the proposed construction.
Acceptance Street - Housing Authority Units
City Manager Lanham reviewed the request of, the Housing Authority for acceptance
of streets in the public housing areas, namely: De Zavala, Archia and Olive. The
Housing Authority has agreed to the 50 -foot street dedication which is required to
meet the specifications of the city's subdividionoddinance. The streets are improved
in accordance with the City's requirements and presently are in good condition. Accord-
ing to a caperation agreement between the City and the Housing Authority executed
in 1956, the City will accept the dedication of all interior streets. . . and adjacent
sidewalks within the area of such projects . • . after the Housing Authority, at
its own expense, has completed the grading and improvement in accordance with the
specifications acceptable to the municipality. The local Board is interested in the
acceptance of the streets because of the policing and removal of abandoned cars. -
He concluded his presentation with the recommendation that the streets be accepted.
Councilman Fanestiel moved to accept the streets. Councilman Ball seconded the motion.
The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Walker, Hullum, Fanestiel and Kelley
Mayor Pro Tem Braswell
Nays: None
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Committee Reports
At the last meeting Councilman Walker was appointed as a Committee of one by
Mayor Cravey to confer with representatives of the Mental Health and Retardation Advisory
Committee relative to the request to establish a Center in Baytown using the upper
floor of the present City Hall, the availability of federal funds and a suggested base
for rental fees. Some time was spent in the study and the joint suggestion of the two
Committees was that the Mental Health & Retardation Center lease the upper floor for
$1.00 a year and assume the maintenance and upkeep of it and a proportionate share of
the utilities -- in view of the fact that federal funds are available on a declining
basis. After four years no federal funds will be available for the Center - it will
have to depend upon local and state funds for operation of the Center. This Center will
not only serve as a focal point for the eastern section of Harris County but adjoining
couties as well. Funds for the continuance of this service are not included in the
Community Chest drive but must depend upon local donations with professional services
being donated by interested trained donors. Rev. Bomhoff gave a brief resume of the
work of the Cents and the place of service it could render to the Community. However,
the Council was reluctant to make any monetary commitments at this time since the Council
will be faced with essential budgetary increases in its 1967 -68 budget review which
is scheduled for the near future. Councilman Walker pointed out that the Mental Health
and Retardation subcommittee needs a definite answer from the Council on the rental
fee in order to establish proof of housing for application of federal funds before
July 1st. In his opinion the very least the Council could do at this time without ex-
pending funds would be to set the rent and moved that the City set the rental fee on the
upper floor of City Hall at $1.00 per year for the Mental Health & Retardation Center
with the understanding that the Center will assume their proportionate share of mainte-
nance and utilities costs. Councilman Ball seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Hullum, Walker and Fanestiel
Mayor Pro Tem Braswell
Nays: Councilman Kelley
Councilman Fanestiel, reporting for the Ambulance Committee, stated that seventeen
contacts have been made with industry and contractors out of a listing of twenty -five
concerning participation by contract with the City of Baytown for municipal ambulance
service and the response has been most favorable. The Committee has plans to complete
its contacts within the month and a complete report will be forthcoming.
Councilman Hullum, reporting on the work of the Benefits Committee, stated that
he and Councilman Ball have completed their study of the pay raise proposed by Police
and Fire Department personnel and fringe benefits of all city employees. The Committee
was prepared to submit its recommendations, towit:
1. A progressive pay scale for Police and Fire Personnel beginning 1st year, at
6 months, 2nd year, 3rd year and 9th year and including in the Fire Department such
personnel as Captain and First and Second class pump operators: Polka Department -
Lieutenants, Sergeants, First and Second Class patrolment with the assistant chief at
a stationary scale and the assistant chief and fire marshal at a stationary scale.
2. The Committee has studied the fringe benefits and in all were among the top
percentage with the exception of the retirement program. The lowest maximum earning
rate used by any city was $3,600 which is the base currently used by Baytown. The
Committee recommended that the maximum earning rate be increased from $3,600 to $6,000
for all city employees.
A problem mentioned by the Committee but outside its scope of purpose was the lack of
leadership and management development within the Police Department evident during the
study. The Committee felt that the department had capable people within its confines but
no significant attempt is being made to develop the available potentials. They recom-
mended a Committee be appointed to work with the City Manager and investiage the whole
City manpower situation to see where and how manpower efficiency and development can
be improved. Some questions were forthcoming from the Council and the Committee made
an attempt to answer each question noting that the proposed increases were budget items
which have been prepared in advance of the annual budget review. Members of the Police
and Fire Fighters Associations were present and had no cnmments since they had not
seen the figures proposed by the Committee prior to the presentation. Councilman Kelley
moved to authorize the City Manager to present these recommendations to the two organiza-
tions through the Chiefs of each department for their consideration. Councilman Fanestiel
4367
seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Walker, Hullum, Fanestiel and Kelley
Mayor Pro Tem Braswell
Nays: None
The Chiefs will report their findings to the Administration at the conclusion
of the meetings.
Approval Closing Fire Station No. 1
Councilman Walker moved to close Fire Station No. 1 located at Nazro and Morris
Streets. Councilman Ball seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Walker, Fanestiel and Kelley
Mayor Pro Tem Braswell
Nays: . Councilman Hullum
City Manager's Report
Mr. Lanham reported that benefit hearings on Commerce and North Main Streets
are scheduled for June 22nd and July 13th respectively.
Plans for the remainder of the sanitary sewer projects included in the bond
program but contracts still pending, will be ready for presentation to the Council
at the June 22nd meeting. The City Manager was also instructed to confer with the
consulting engineers relative to a change order in the contract on the East District
Interceptor and Trunk lines, approved at the May 25th meeting. The change order will
provide for the use of vitrified clay pipe to install lines E and E -1 in plan drawings,
rather thanthe approved concrete pipe. This will also have to be checked with the
State Health Department for approval.
Bids on the Decker Drive signalization will be received .about July 15th.
The City Administration will schehle a tour of all Capital Improvement Projects t '"
for the City Council and members of the Capital Improvement Advisory Committee.
i
Adiournment
There being no further order of business, the motion was made and seconded that
the meeting adjourn. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor Pro Tem declared the
meeting adjourned.
Edna Oliver, City Clerk