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1972 07 06 CC Minutes5259 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN July 6, 1972 The City Council of theCity of Baytown met in regular session on Thursday, July 6, 1972, 6:30 p.m., in the Baytown City Hall with the following members in attendance: Jody Lander Tom Gentry Charles Pool * Jim McWilliams C. 0. Walker C. Glen Walker Fritz Lanham Neel Richardson Edna Oliver Howard Northcutt Absent: Allen Cannon Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Mayor City Manager City Attorney City Clerk Administrative Ass't. Councilman Mayor Walker called the meeting to order and the invocation was offered by Reverend Edward Thiele of Memorial Baptist Church. Approve Minutes Mayor Walker called for consideration of the minutes of the regular meeting of June 20. Councilman Lander made a correction regarding the cost of pipe for constructing a drainage structure in conjunction with Massey Tompkins Road extension: the cost for onw row of pipe is $26,000 and $53,000 for two rows. Councilman Lander moved to approve the minutes as corrected; Councilman Pool seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in favor. Award Bid -Chain Link Fence Bids were received June 29 for 2,620 feet chain link fence for the Coady landfill site. The tabulation follows: Thad P. Fenelon $6,990.00 A -1 Fence Company $6,307.92 Diamond Fence No Bid Mr. Lanham recommended accepting low bid of A61 Fence Company. Councilman Pool moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1246 awarding the bid to A -1 Fence Company; Councilman Lander seconded the motion. The vote and caption follow: Ayes: Councilmen Lander, Gentry, Pool, McWilliams and Walker Mayor - Walker Nays: None ORDINANCE NO. 1246 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THECITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, ACCEPTING THE BID OF A -1 FENCE COMPANY FOR THE PURCHASE OF CHAIN LINK FENCE AND AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT BY THE CITY OF THE SUM OF SIX THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED SEVEN AND 92/100 ($6,307.92) DOLLARS WITH REGARD TO SUCH ACCEPTANCE. Transfer Funds - landfill In order to begin use of the Coady landfill site, the preparation of a road and erection of a fence must be completed. The major cost will be the road which must be blacktopped, and will be done with city forces. Councilman Gentry moved to adopt Resolution No. 396, transferring funds from council contingency to cover this cost. Councilman Pool seconded the motion: Ayes: Counclmen Lander, Gentry, Pool, McWilliams and Walker Mayor Walker Nays: None 607, Regular meeting, July 6, 1972 5260 RESOLUTION NO. 396 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TRANSFER THIRTY-ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED AND N01100 ($31,500.00) DOLLARS WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND FROM BUDGET ACCOUNT NO. 101 -12, CONTINGENCY, TO BUDGET ACCOUNT 303 -9 -10, REFUSE COLLECTION. Friendswood Development Company - Reimburse for water line Friendswood Development Company planned to install an 8 -inch water line in the Rollingbrook Subdivision, which would have been sufficient for their needs. Because the City felt a 12 -inch line would serve the needs of future development in this area, theCity Council passed an ordinance authorizing a contract to reimburse Friendswood Development Company for the amount of difference in the pipe. Ordinance No. 1247 would authorize the payment of $1,306.98. Councilman Walker moved to adopt the ordinance. Councilman McWilliams seconded the motion. The vote and caption of the ordinance follow: Ayes: Councilmen Lander, Gentry, Pool, mcWilliams and Walker Mayor Walker Nays: None ORDINANCE NO. 1247 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED SIX AND 98/100 ($1,306.98) DOLLARS TO FRIENDSWOOD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY FOR CERTAIN WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ROLLINGBROOK SUBDIVISION IN THE CITY OF BAYTOWN AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. Review Bids - Brownwood Perimeter Roads Bids were received July 5 for construction of Brownwood Perimeter Roads at a seven foot elevation. Alternate bids were also received for five -foot elevation. The tabulation follows: Skrla, Inc. Perimeter Road Water Main Total 7 -foot road $388,630.00 $73,847.00 $462,477.00 5 -foot road $189,146.50 $75,010.75 $264,147.25 Brown & Root 7 -foot road $405,776.50 $90,363.50 $496,140.00 5- " " $179,756.30 $89,177.10 $268,933.40 Warren Brothers 7 -foot road $556,319.00 $92,465.90 $648,784.90 5- " is $257, 105.50 $83,678.40 $340,783.90 Mr. Jim Hutchinson, of Baytown Engineering Co., reviewed the bids and recommended accepting low bid of Skrla, Inc., for $462,477.00. Two Hundred Thousand Dollars was voted in the 1970 Bond issue for perimeter roads. Skrla's low bid includes &73,847.00 for water mains which will be paid from a water work fund also voted in the bond issue, leaving an actual cost for perimeter road construction of $388,630.00. Because this is in excess of the money voted, Mr. Lanham suggested the possibility of citizen participation. Eight Hundred Thirty Five Thousand Dollars was voted in 1970 for Citizen Participation Paving. By this method, citizens may request paving by petition, or City Council may begin assessment proceedings. If this method is used, Council will have to reject present bids, pass an initiation ordinance, and re -bid the project, which could be considered in three steps: (1) Water mains (2) Building up the roads, or fill dirt to provide' protection (3) the actual paving of the roadways. Council could utilize the $200,000: to bring in fill dirt, put it in place, and then institute the property -owner participation program for the cost of paving; the owners on both side of the roads would participate in the cost. Assessment would be on the basis presently usec by the City - assessment by actual enhancement to the property, or up to 90% of the cost, whichever is less. It was noted that Skrla does not bid on participation projects unless the advertiser carries the papers. i�6I 5261 Regular meeting, 3uly 6, 1972 Mayor Walker called for comments from interested citizens attending the meeting. Requests were made for Council to accept the bid for the 7 -foot road, to approach neighboring industries in regard to subsidence, and assessing all residents of Brownwood for the paving of the roads. At this point, Mr. Richardson explained that the City could not legally assess anyone but the property owners abutting the perimeter roads. However., there could be voluntary contributions from other residents. Mr. Johnny Busch, consulting engineer, elaborated on assessment proceedings. (1) The City Council would pass an ordinance to initiate the paving of particular streets, and instruct the engineers to prepare plans, specifications, and cost estimates for the improvement. (2) Council would authorize engineers to advertise.* and take bids for the project, which would take approximately 30 days. (3) Council would review the bids and hear recommendations of the engineer and award the contract. (4) Council would pass an ordinance calling a hearing of benefits, at which time Council would hear testimony from property owners regarding assessment—this could take several Council meetings. (5) Council would pass an ordinance closing the hearing of benefits. Councilman McWilliams moved for Council to accept the low bid of Skrla for the 7 -foot road, and take money out of contingency fund to cover the amount in excess of $200,000. This motion died for lack of a second. Discussion followed relative to accepting only a portion of Skrla's bid... that of the fill dirt. Council could then authorize re- advertising for the topping. Mr. Richardson advised against this procedure; Skrla was not low bidder on the fill dirt, and the City would become vulnerable to a law suit by unsuccessful bidders. Councilman Lander moved to apply the $200,000 bond money toward the perimeter road fill, and proceed on the basis of owner participation for the topping. Because in order to begin assessment proceedings, these bids would have to be rejected and an initiation ordinance passed before bids are taken again, this motion was out of order. Mr. Busch indicated the bids received on July 5 are the best Council may hope for. If the City carries the papers on assessment paving,, this might encourage more bidders. However, new bids on the fill dirt portion only, would escallate because the contractors consider the perimeter road project a "high risk" job. Councilman Walker moved to authorize Baytown Engineering to go out for _ new bids on water mains and the fill dirt. Mayor Walker declared the motion out of order until the present bids have been rejected. Councilman Pool moved to accept the low bid of Skrla for Alternate A, the 5 -foot road, and proceed. This is within moneys allowed. This motion died for lack of a second. Councilman McWilliams re- stated his motion to accept low bid of Skrla for the 7 -foot road, and take the amount in excess of $200,00 from contingency. For clarification, Mr. LeFevre, Finance Director, explained there is presently $50,000 in contingency, but because of sales tax, there is an excess of $200,000 that may be re- appropriated. Discussion continued relative to voluntary participation from Brownwood residents. Mr. Richardson explained this would be a legal alternative, certain procedural steps would have to be initiated. Several residents of Brownwood indicated they would be willing to participate in this manner. Councilman Gentry moved to delay acceptance of the bids in order to give the Administration time to work out a procedure, by which the City and the Brownwood residents could come to an agreement, whereby the residents would subsidize the paving portion of the contract. Councilman Walker secondeddthe motion: Ayes: Councilmen Lander, Gentry, Walker Mayor Walker Nays: Councilman McWilliams A report of the Administration's study will be given at the next Council meeting, or if deemed advisable, a special meeting will be called for this purpsoe. Resolution No. 397 - Village Apartments Because Village Apartments has had difficulty in finding persons who qualify for housing under the interest subsidy program, Mr. James D. Braham, Regional Director of Baytown Urban Development, Ltd, requested Council pass Resolution No. 397, approving participation by the owners of the apartments in the rent supplement program. This would provide housing for the elderly who qualify, especially in regard to the one (1) bedroom apartments. The Baytown Housing Authority is award of this program, but will not administer it. Councilman Gentry moved to adopt the resolution; Councilman Lander seconded the motion. Ayes: Councilmen Lander, Gentry, Pool, and Walker Mayor Walker Nays: None ( *Councilman McWilliams not present for vote) Regular meeting, July 6, 1972 RESOLUTION NO. 397 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCILOOF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, APPROVING PARTICIPATION BY LOCAL HOUSING OWNERS IN THE FEDERAL RENT SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM. Resolution - Contract Overruns 5262 Mr. Lanham presented a summary of Baytown's experience with overruns as requested by Council at the last meeting. Beginning in 1967, there have been three overruns, and in some cases, underruns. Based on the summary, Council offered no objection to dispensing with the matter of requiring Council approval for overruns in excess of a designated percentage of the contract. Resolution 398 - Precedure for purchase of right -of -way Mr. Richardson explained it is advisable to have a definite procedure for Council to follow when purchasing right -of -ways this will greatly facilitate the matter. The procedure follows: a. City Manager or his designee authorizes appraisal or appraisals of property needed. b. City Manager makes recommendation to Council to purchase property, asks for Council approval of appraisal and authorization to proceed with negotiation and for passage of an ordinance authorizing purchase at a price not to exceed the amount of the approved appraisal. c. If offer of appraised land value is not accepted, City Manager asks eouncil for passage of an ordinance either authorizing purchase of the land for the amount of counter proposal or authorizing final offer of a specified amount and directing condemnation if the offer is refused. Councilman Gentry moved to approve the resolution, setting forth this procedure. Councilman Walker seconded the motion. The vote and caption follows: Ayes: Councilmen Lander, Gentry, Pool, McWilliams and Walker Mayor Walker Nays: None RESOLUTION NO. 398 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, SETTING FORTH THE PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED IN THE PURCHASE OF RIGHT -OF -WAY FOR THE CITY OF BAYTOWN. East - West Thoroughfare - Defee and Sterling In the work session of June 29, Council considered improving Defee and Sterling streets from Highway 146 to Decker Drive as an East -West Thoroughfare, in lieu of improving James Street. Mr. Lanham referred to a map of the master thoroughfare plan prepared in 1966 and adopted by the Council as a guide to Council and the Planning Commissions Sterling and Defee are designated as major thoroughfares. The estimated cost of the City's portion in the Capital Improvements Program for improving James Street is $427,000. Improvements to Sterling and Defee would be considerably less because right- of-way would have to be purchased for James St. improvement. Councilman Gentry moved to instruct the consulting engineer to obtain cost estimates for the improvements on Defee and Sterling Streets. Councilman Walker seconded the motion. Ayes: Councilmen Lander, Gentry, Pool, McWilliams and Walker Mayor Walker Nays: None Councilman McWilliams moved to have cost estimates prepared for James Street and Texas Avenue also. This motion died for lack of second. 909 5263 Regular meeting, July 6, 1972 Advertise for Bids - Police Car Mr. Lanham requested permission to advertise for bids for the purchase of anew police unit to replace one demolished by fire. The vehicle was a 1966 Ford sedan, and $500 is anticipated from insurance. Presently, there is $3,000 in the police budget for purchase of motor vehicles; this amount plus the insurance money should provide enough funds to pay for the purchase. Councilman Gentry moved to authorize the Administra- tion to advertise for bids. Councilman Lander seconded the motion. Ayes: Councilmen Lander, Gentry, Pool, McWilliams Mayor Walker Nays: Councilman Walker Transfer Permit - Safeway Cab Company Mr. Sam Clayton plans to pu -chase Safeway Cab Company from Mr. G. C. Hart, and has requested the existing permit be transferred to him. Mr. Richardson explained that our code of Ordinances requires Council approval for such a transfer. Councilman Walker moved to approve the transfer of Safeway's permit to Mr. Clayton. Councilman Lander seconded the motion. Ayes: Councilmen Lander, Gentry, Pool, McWilliams and Walker Mayor Walker Nays: None West Main Sewage Treatment Plant Mr. Ivan Langford, Baytown Engineering Company, informed Council the Environmental Protection Agency has verbally authorized him to advertise for bids for the West Main Sewage Treatment Plant expansion; this will be confirmed by a forthcoming letter. Mr.'Langford reviewed the plans and specifications for the expansion with Council. Two millions per day will be added when the expansion is— complete, and will meet all current regulations relative to BOD and suspended solids. Councilman Lander moved to instruct the consulting engineer to advertise for bids on the West Main Plant expansion; Councilman Pool seconded the motion. Ayes: Councilmen Lander, Gentry, Pool, McWilliams and Walker Mayor Walker Nays: None Councilman Walker moved to designate July 31, at 4:00 p.m., as the date and time to receive the bids, and present them to Council, August 1. Councilman Pool seconded the motion. Ayes: Councilmen Lander, Gentry, Pool, McWilliams and Walker Mayor Walker Nays: None Recommendations - Names for Parks Mr. Wayne Gray, Chairman of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board presented the following recommendations for naming Baytown's new parks: • Holloway Park • Jenkins Park Baytown Sports Complex Westwood Park League/Women Voters Park Pelly Park Bayland Park Goose Creek Park Tejas Park Duke Hill Park Busch Terrace Park - Holloway & Raccoon Drive Sites - Jenkins tract - Harper, East Road, site - Brown tract - Howell & C.B.C. sites - Harper, South Main St, site - large Britton tract - small Britton tract - Bell tract ` - Bailey tract - site donated by H.O.R.C. Councilman McWilliams moved to approve the park names as recommended, with a resolution for each park. Councilman Walker seconded the mo1ion. Mr. Gray explained that the Board felt the Parks portion in the 1970 Bond issue would not have passed without the support of League of Women Voters, and this is the reason for naming a park in their honor. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Lander, Gentry, Pool, McWilliams and Walker Mayor Walker Nays: None *(Res. 314 , Holloway Park,3- 11 -71) *(Res. 344, Jenkins Park, 7- 20 -71) q 07, RESOLUTION NO. 400 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, OFFICIALLY DESIGNATING THE TRACT OF LAND ACQUIRED BY THE CITY FROM R.M. HARPER AND WIFE, CLARA BELL HARPER AS A PUBLIC PARK, AND OFFICIALLY DESIGNATING AND NAMING SUCH TRACT AS THE BAYTOWN SPORTS COMPLEX. RESOLUTION NO. 401 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, OFFICIALLY DESIGNATING THE TRACT OF LAND ACQUIRED BY THE CITY FROM EDWIN RICE BROWN, MYRA CABANISS BROWN, ESTATE, ADELE BROWN HARVEY ESTATE, MARTHA TSCHUDIN, MYRA TSCHUDIN PARSEN, GERALD BROWN HARVEY, JEOFFREY TALIAFERRO BROWN, MICHAEL DONOGHUE BROWN, KATHERINE SILVERBERG, MYRA SILVERBERG, AND ANN CABANISS BROWN AS A PUBLIC PARK, AND OFFICIALLY DESIGNATING AND NAMING SUCH TRACT AS THE WESTWOOD PARK. RESOLUTION NO. 402 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN OFFICIALLY DEDICATING A 9.21 ACRE TRACT OF LAND ACQUIRED BY THE CITY FROM A.M. HOWELL AND O.J. HOWELL AND A 6.30 ACRE TRACT OF LAND ACQUIRED FROM C.G.C., INC., AS A PUBLIC PARK, AND OFFICIALLY DESIGNATING AND NAMING SUCH TRACTS AS THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS PARK. RESOLUTION NO. 403 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, OFFICIALLY DESIGNATING THE TRACT OF LAND ACQUIRED BY THE CITY FROM W. A. HARPER AND WIFE, KATHLEEN GIBSON HARPER AS A PUBLIC PARK, AND OFFICIALLY DESIGNATING AND NAMING SUCH TRACT AS THE PELLY PARK. RESOLUTION NO. 404 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, OFFICIALLY DESIGNATING THE TRACT OF LAND ACQUIRED BY THE CITY FROM W.C. BRITTON, PERRY W. BRITTON, MONA B. PLUNK, NECY V. BRITTON, ESTATE, CECIL COBBLE, LEE BEARD WORLEY, NEHEMIAH ANDREW CRAVENS, ESTATE, AND MARY B. CRAVENS, ESTATE AS A PUBLIC PARK AND OFFICIALLY DESIGNATING AND NAMING SUCH TRACT AS THE BAYLAND PARK. RESOLUTION NO. 405 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, OFFICIALLY DESIGNATING THE TRACT OF LAND ACQUIRED BY THE CITY FROM W.C. BRITTON, PERRY W. BRITTON, MONA B. PLUNK, NECY V. BRITTON, ESTATE, CECIL COBBLE, LEE BEARD WORLEY, NEHEMIAH ANDREW CRAVENS ESTATE, AND MARY B. CRAVENS, ESTATE AS A PUBLIC PARK, AND OFFICIALLY DESIGNATING AND NAMING SUCH TRACT AS THE GOOSE CREEK PAR( . RESOLUTION NO. 406 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, OFFICIALLY DESIGNATING THE TRACT OF LAND ACQUIRED BY THE CITY FROM CLIFFORD, BELL, ENID COLLINS AND MIRIAM HOLDEN AS A PUBLIC PARK, AND OFFICIALLY DESIGNATING AND NAMING SUCH TRACT AS THE TEJAS PARK. RESOLUTION NO. 407 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, OFFICIALLY DESIGNATING THE TRACT OF LAND ACQUIRED BY THE CITY FROM C.J. BAILEY, JR., AND DANIEL MUNDINGER AS A PUBLIC PARK, AND OFFICIALLY DESIGNATING AND NAMING SUCH TRACT AS THE DUKE HILL PARK. RESOLUTION NO. 408 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, OFFICIALLY DESIGNATING THE TRACT OF LAND ACQUIRED BY THE CITY FROM HUMBLE OIL & REFINING COMPANY AS A PUBLIC PARK, AND OFFICIALLY DESIGNATING AND NAMING SUCH TRACT AS THE BUSCH TERRACE PARK. 5264 5265 Regular meeting, July 6, 1972 Texas Highway Beautification Act The Sixty- Second Legislature recently passed the Texas Highway Beautification Act, which authorizes the Texas Highway Commission to provide for control and regulation of outdoor advertising and certain jimkyaide and automobile graveyards. At the present, the Department is concerned only with regulation of outdoor signs. Outdoor advertising companies, whose signs are presently located within 660 feet of any Interstate or Primary Highway, will be licensed: of these signs, the following will be allowed to remain: 1. Directional or other official signs as defined in National Standards. 2. On- premis signs 3. Signs located in zoned commercial or industrial areas. 4. Signs located in unzoned commercial or industrial areas. 5. Signs located on property within the prescribed limits which have as their purpose the protection of life and property. The state Department has been given authority to discharge its obligation under this Agreement to a political subdivision, if the subdivision will certify it has established and will enforce these standards. The City has been requested to advise the Highway Department whether or not the City desires to administer this Act within the city limits. Mr. Lanham recommended advising the Highway Department that Baytown prefers the State to administer the Act. Councilman Lander moved to instruct the City attorney prepare a resolution requesting the State enforce this law. Councilman Pool seconded the motion: Ayes: Councilman Lander, Gentry, Pool, McWilliams, and Walker Mayor Walker Nays: Norte RESOLUTION NO. 399 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, THAT THE CITY DESIRES FOR THE STATE TO ADMINISTER THE TEXAS HIGHWAY BEAUTIFICATION ACT WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN. Legality of Closing Winkler Drive Mr. C. E. Moore, property owners on Winkler Drive, appeared relative to the legality of closing the traffic circle at the end of Winkler Drive, a dead -end street _ behind Wooster Baptist Church, in 1963 without first having a public hearing. Mr. Richardson explained that Article 1175 of Vernon's Civil Statutes provides that the City may acquire or abandon right -of -way. Following a lengthy discussion, Council offered no objection to Mr. Richardson's interpretation of the law. Mayor Walker concluded that the clooing of that portion of Winkler Drive in 1963 was legal, and ended discussion. Water Line extension - Railroad Right of Ways In order to extend a water line across Missouri Pacific Railroad's propetty, a fee of $100 is required. Southern Pacific has waived its fee of $10. Councilman Walker moved to Adopt Ordinance 1248, authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into an agreement for the extension of these water lines. Councilman McWilliams seconded the motion: Ayes: Councilmen Lander, Gentry, Pool, McWilliams, and Walker Mayor Walker Nays: None ORDINANCE NO.1248 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO ENTER INTO A LICENSED AGREEMENT FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE CITY'S WATER MAIN THROUGH THE EXISTING RIGHT OF WAY OF THE MISSOURI PACIFIC RAILROAD AND SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD: AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Master Plan Councilman Lander requested the status of updating the Master Plan. Mr. Lanham indicated the City will seek federal funds through the state to pay a portion of the cost. City Manager's Report North Jones Street..... paving began today as per the contract awarded to Brown 6 Root. 11 F Regular meeting, July 6, 1972 City Manager's Report... con't 5266 Water Well ..... Bicbwill be received July 12 for the well to be drilled off Decker Drive. Upon Mr. Lanham's request, Councilman Lander moved to haveva special council meeting July 13, at 5:0o p.m., to review the bids; Councilman Pool seconded the motion. Ayes: Councilmen Lander, Gentry, Pool, McWilliams and Walker Mayor Walker Nays: None TOPICS Mr. Lanham referred to a letter received from the Texas Highway Department regarding the TOPICS program. Two requests of particular interst to Baytown have been submitted to the Federal Highway Administration for initial program approval. They are (1) the signalization and channelization of Highway 196 from Texas to Cedar Bayou Road; Texas Avenue, Airhart and Market, Bayway and Park, Garth and Baker, and (2) improvement of Bayway Drive. Mr. Lanham has talked with the Highway Traffic Engineer about Decker Drive by the Ramada Tower Restaurant, who agreed it is a state responsibility and was to have an engineer look at the intersection July 5. Mr. Lanham plans to pursue TOPICS funds for improvement of Thomas Circle. Monthly Reporting System..... Council reviewed and discussed the report compiled by the administration which details the type of complaints the various city departments are receiving. University of Houston.... Mr. Alan Saulstine, who has a grant from the University of Houston, is conducting a general study of the needs, desires and problems of smaller communities within the Houston metropolitan area by interviewing councilmen and city managers. Mr. Saulstine hopes the study will help relations between neighboring communities; and material compiled may also be used for masters or doctoral dissertations. The information will be publicly available, and Mr. Saulstine requests an hour with each councilman for the interview. Status of Railroad crossing projects...... Southern Pacific has informed Mr. Lanham that their plans for signalizing three crossings (Massey Tompkins, Bob Smith 6 Cedar Bayou) are in the final state of preparation in S. P.'s San Francisco office for presentation to the executive department. Water well on East James..... Mr. Jack Morton, reported on the water well breakdown on East James Street. As of the present, the cause has not been determined. A twtsted shaft is suspected, but has not been found. There are some .holes in the pump column because the water is so highly mineralized. The cost for getting this well back into service may be from five to eight thousand dollars. When questioned about the possibility of the well going dry, Mr. Morton indicated this is not the case because of the sudden stoppage of water. Briefing Sessions..... A briefing session will be held with new council members and department heads July 20, at 1:00 p.m. in the Conference Boom. Adjourn Councilman Lander moved the meeting adjourn; Councilman Pool seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous in favor and the meeting adjourned to an executive Session for the discussion of Tight -of -way. /J Approved; Attest:QJ( Q)— L�z e. Belinda Bingham, Dep fis y City Clerk C. Glen Walker, Mayor R07