1968 02 22 CC Minutes4475
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
February 22, 1968
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in regular session on Thurs-
day, February 22, 1968 at 6:30 p.m., in the Council Room of the BaytownCity Hall with
the following members in attendance:
* Patrick Ball
Councilman
Glen Walker
Councilman
Don M. Hullum
Councilman
A. M. Braswell
Councilman
Albert Fanestiel
Councilman
Lamar Kelley
Councilman
Seaborn Cravey Mayor
Fritz Lanham City Manager
William R. Laughlin City Attorney
Edna Oliver City Clerk
The Mayor called the meeting to order, the Invocation was offered, afterwhich,
he called for the minutes of the regular meeting of February 8th. Councilman Fanestiel
moved to approve the minutes as submitted in written form. Councilman Braswell seconded
the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Walker, Hullum, Braswell, Fanestiel and Kelley
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
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Fencing Baker Road Water Plant - Bids
Bids on the installation - fencing and gates around the Baker Road Water plant
were received and tabulated as follows:
Company
Std. Galvanized
Baytown Fence & Awning Company $ 995.00
A -1 Fence Company 1,163.16
Thad P. Fenelon Home Improvements 1,195.00
Heavy Duty Galvanized
$1,021.00
1,196.50
1,235.00
It was the recommendation of the Administration that the bid be awarded to
the low bidder, on the basis of the alternate bid of heavy duty galvanized fencing.
Councilman Walker moved to accept this recommendation and the bid awarded to
Baytown Fence & Awning Company. Councilman Hullum seconded the motion. The vote
follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Walker, Hullum, Braswell, Fanestiel and Kelley
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
* Councilman Ball arrives at meeting.
Mrs. W. J. Still - Railroad Signalization Continued Operations Complaint
Mrs. W. J. Still, spokesman for a group from the Harper and Wynnewood Additions,
met with the Council to discuss the problem created by alleged vandalism of railroad
crossing signals on Alexander Drive and East Cleveland Streets, and the long period
of time required to get the problem corrected. Mrs. Still recited a recent incident
and the difficulty encountered in trying to get a serviceman from Houston to stop
the continuous ringing of the bells - the last malfunction continuing from 5:00 o'clock
one day until 2:00 o'clock p.m. the day after. She asked that the Council assist in
obtaining someone for this area who knows how to take care of the equipment under such
circumstances. The Council discussed the hazards caused by such incidents as well as
the annoyances and concurred that corrections should be made within a reasonable length
of time. The City Manager read a letter which he had received from Dan Lambden, Public
Relations Representative of Mopac, setting forth the names of persons to be contacted
in case of any problems arising concerning MP operations in the Baytown area. The City
Manager will communicate with Mr. Lamden by letter and relay the Council's feelings in
this matter of repairs being made within a reasonable time. Should the problem continue
to recur, the Council will seek another source of relief.
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Request - Humble Company Oil Drilling Ordinance Requirement for Bond
The Council discussed the request of Humble Oil & Refining Company's production
department for the Council to amend the City's Oil & Gas Well Drilling Ordinance to
eliminate the requirements for a bond. Instead the company operating ordrilling the
well would, by letter, assume the responsibility and indemnify and hold the City harm-
less from any and all liability resulting from the drilling operation. In the discuss-
ion it was pointed out that Humble Company and other companies of comparable financial
rating could essay indemnify and hold the City harmless, but the financial status of
smaller companies, independent drillers, etc. would not be known by the Council and this
would require a deligent search by some designated person employed by the City, with the
Council being forced to decide upon the "financial stability" of each and every company,
person, or partnership making the same request. The Council agreed that there was no
hesitancy on their part regarding the Humble Company, but were not willing to amend the
ordinance to permit any person making application the same privilege. It was suggested
that the City Attorney contact the Humble Company Attorney and discuss the proposal
with him in detail, for clarification purposes. Councilman Walker moved to table fur-
ther discussion, pending receipt of the report from the City Attorney. Councilman
Hullum seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Walker, Hullum, Braswell, Fanestiel and Kelley
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
Appraisals - Ward Road from Highway 146 to Kilgore Road
The City Manager discussed the need to employ appraisers to appraise property
which must be acquired abutting Ward Road from Highway 146 to Richardson Lane, if a
60 -fot roadway is constructed, as planned, for Ward Road from Highway 146 to Kilgore
Road. The City presently has a 60 -foot right- of-way, from Highway 146 to Richardson
Lane, and 80 -feet from this point to its intersection with Kilgore Road. Councilman
Braswell asked if a survey for the alignment of the road has been made so the Council
will be cognizant of the smaller details of the project, and was told that this will be
done before the appraisers start their study. This alignment survey will be brought
back to the Council for its review before appeasers are employed to complete this por-
tion of the project.
I
Contract Agreement Approved - Deacon Engineers Inc. for Port Study
Mr. Arthur, an engineer representing Deacon, Inc., introduced and read a
letter setting forth the terms and provisions of a proposed agreement between Deacon
Engineers, Inc. and the City of Baytown for an initial phase of an economic feasibility
study covering public port facilities at Baytown. The City will pay a lump sum of
$4,000 in monthly installments based on percentage completion of the work in the
corresponding calendar month. He also gave a brief statement of facts relating to the
officers and experience of the Company in relation to feasibility studies of port
facilities throughout the world. At the conclusion of the report, Councilman Braswell
moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the letter of agreement. Councilman Fanestiel
seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Walker, Braswell, Hullum, Fanestiel and Kelley
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
Proposed - 1968 Street Improvement PY q am - Approved
City Manager Lanham gave a report on the proposed improvement of eight (8) -
streets in various sections of the City in 1968. The proposed improvements included
Crow Road, $13,596.00; Walker, Cline and Singleton, $27,430.00; Robin Road, $11;390.00;
Schilling from Pruett to Garth, $32,700.00; Hill and Bryan, $5,237.00; Florida Street;
curb and gutter only), $28,690.00; Gulf Street, South Main to Whiting, $86,371.00;
Fayle Street, Strickland to Narcille, $33,798.00 making a total of $239,212.00. He
recommended that the Administration be authorized to go out for bids after the plans
and specifications are completed by the City Engineer. Councilman Kelley moved to
accept the streets as recommended and authorize the preparation of plans and specifi-
cations in order for bids to be taken. Councilman Walker seconded the motion.
The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Walker, Hull=, Braswell, Fanestiel and Kelley
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
q %11
Committee Reports
Councilman Fanestiel, spokesman for the Municipal Sales Tax Committee, gave
a report on the findings of the Committee which was charged with the responsibility of
studying the feasibility of a 1% City sales tax and to recommend to the Council *hether
or not a local option election should be held and if so at what time. The Committee
unanimously agreed, after an in -depth study, that a local 1% sales tax was justified
and should be submitted to a vote of the people and should be timed to cdncide with
the election for City officials. He concluded his report with the recommendations:
1. An ordinance calling for a local option election be submitted at
the February 22nd scheduled Council meeting; and
2. If approved by the Council, the election be scheduled on April 2, 1968; and
3. The revenue received from a 1% sales tax be allocated, to the extent
possible, for specific uses, such as street repairs, water line
replacements and drainage improvements.
He asked the City Attorney to read an ordinance, which has been prepared, pertaining to
ordering a special election on the question of a 1% local sales and Use Tax. The
City Attorney complied with the request and the ordinance was introduced and read. Coun-
cilman Walker moved to adopt the ordinance as read. Councilman Hullum seconded the
motion. After some discussion, the vote was called.
Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Walker, Hullum, Braswell, Fanestiel and Kelley
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
The caption of the ordinance follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 911
AN ORDINANCE ORDERING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY
OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, ON THE QUESTION OF THE ADOPTION OF A ONE PER-
CENT (1 %) LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX WITHIN SAID CITY; DESIGNATING
THE HOURS AND THE DAY OF THE ELECTION AND THE POLLING PLACES
THEREFOR; PROVIDING THAT ALL DULY QUALIFIED RESIDENT ELECTORS
SHALL BE QUALIFIED TO VOTE: PRESCRIBING FORM OF BALLOT; PRO-
VIDING FOR NOTICE OF ELECTION; CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS
RELATING TO SAID ELECTION AND PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
Councilman Braswell, City Engineer Jack Morton and City Attorney Laughlin were
appointed as a Committee to study the City's Subdivision Ordinance, and prepare an
amendment if necessary, which will require ring type sewer pipe or its equivalent which
will stand infiltration pressure tests, for laterals. This action was taken in order
to alleviate a major problem of sewage disposal caused by infiltration of surface water
into sewer lines during heavy rains.
City Manager's Report
The Council will review the plans of the Texas Highway Department for the extension
of Loop 201 one evening during the week of February 25th.
Action upon the appointment of a City Health Officer was deferred until the
next regular meeting of the Council.
The Council approved seeding_ the area inside the streets of the Civic Center
between the City Hall and Community Building, and abutting retaining walls and sidewalks.
Councilman Ball moved to authorize the City Administration to proceed with
plans for 15 -hour course in Principals of Supervision during the month of March or
april. The course will be taught by an instructor from A & M and will be composed of
twenty Division and Department Supervisors of the City of Baytown. Councilman Kelley
seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Ball, Walker, Hullum, Fanestiel and Kelley
Mayor Cravey
Nays: None
Abstained: Councilman Braswell
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Mr. Lanham reported that the City had received approval of an application for
federal funds in the amount of $9,000.00 for the library.
Mr. Lanham reported that on the basis of signed contracts and money received,
the City has received $300,325.09 from INdustrial District Contracts. This includes
Districts One and Two only; contracts for District Three are yet to be completed.
The Council commended the Committee for its work with special commendation being
given Councilman Kelley for his diligent and untiring efforts in completing negotiations
without offense to management.
Bids will be received on March 12th for cleaning and painting the water tower
r on West Main.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Council, the motion was made
and seconded that the meeting adjourn. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared
the meeting adjourned.
ATTEST:
1 _dl
Edna Oliver, City Clerk
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