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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 r 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. 4476 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 4478 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 r