1973 07 26 CC Minutes5468 `
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
July 26, 1973
The City Council of the City of Baytown met in regular session, Thursday,
July 26, 1973, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the Baytown City Hall. The
following members were in attendance:
Jody Lander
Charles Pool
Mary E. Wilbanks
Henry Dittman
Allen Cannon
Tom Gentry
Fritz Lanham
Neel Richardson
Edna Oliver
Absent: Fred Bednarski,Jr.
Howard Northcutt
Councilman
Councilman
Councilwoman
Councilman
Councilman
Mayor
City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
Councilman
Administrative Ass't.
Mayor Gentry called the meeting to order and the invocation was offered by
Reverend Robert J. Brooks, Pastor of the All Saints Episcopal Church.
Approve Minutes - July 12 and 17
Mayor Gentry called for consideration of the minutes of the meetings held
July 12 and 17, 1973. Councilman Dittman moved to approve theminutes as printed;
Councilman Pool seconded the motion:
Ayes: Council members: Lander Pool, Wilbanks, Dittman and Cannon
Mayor Gentry
Nays: None
City Manager's Report
- President Nixon has declared a ten - county area, including Harris County, as
a distster area resulting from the recent flooding. Citizens are eligible for
assistance from the federal government, and municipal governments are eligible also.
Two teams from the dederal and state governments were in Baytown this week making
surveys; the survey includes damage to the water & sewer system. Other teams will
survey the amount of debris clearance, and damage to streets and bridges. There is
a chance the City will be able to recover some expenditures..
Training sessions will begin in Augst for city employees and consulting engineers
in regard to the new rules for making application to the EPA for grants. The sessions
will be conducted by the EPA and Water Quality Board.
The Revenue Sharing allocation for the next twelve months, from July to July,
will be $511,000.00.
The plans and specifications for construction of the new public works building
will be presented to Councilmat the next meeting.
Trash collections are still behind; a survey indicates that collections are
up 15 -20% over the collections this time last year.
The new water well on Decker Drive has been out of service; but should be
back in service by tomorrow.
The drainage work being done by city forces is moving ahead at a good rate.
Work has been completed on Massey Tompkins near the railroad which will aid Holloway
Addition. Work is continuing on Massey Tompkins near Stephen F. Austin school.
A pipe is being installed on Ward Road near Kilgore Road to help relieve flooding
in that area.
The administration is working with the flood control district to find a
solution to problems occurring in the Woodlawn Street area, regarding flooding. The
flood control district is considering the construction of a bridge where Dwinnell crosses
the flood control ditch.
July 26, 1973
A report will be made at the next council meeting regarding the cost estimates and
plans for alleviating the inundation of grounds at the St. James House after rain.
This will be a rather extensive project.
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Phase I of the 1973 Street Improvement Program - Those streets essentially
complete are Cypress, Crosby -Cedar Bayou, Elvinta, East Pearce, Lobit, Massey Tompkins,
East Texas and Bayou Drive; a portion of Morrell has been completed.
Several streets were added to Contract I; those with the base work in progreas
are Dale, Ft. Worth, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and North Second.
The administration was requested to seek a projected completion date from the
contractor.
Capital Improvements - Bond funds
East West Thoroughfare - the contractor is completing storm sewer work this
week; street repairs will begin next week.
Altitude Valves - one valve remains to be installed.
Water lines to the newly annexed area (Dent) - the contractor has begun work
on the Sterling High School property.
Parks - Westwood, Duke Hill, and Tejas are essentially complete; cleanup remains.
Sports Complex - work is 60% complete.
N. C. Foote Park swimming pool - the contractor is still having some
problem with - ground water.
Sanitary Sewer Improvements -
Contract N1 - pumps and pipes are in place; clarifier structure is
complete;
Contract H2 - total contract is 37% complete.
Contract q3 - total contract is 70% complete.
Contract k4 - the tunnel under Park Street is complete, and contractor
is in process of tunnelling Garth Road.
Contract R5 - installation of this line through the golf course in
Country Club is complete.
- Councilman Cannon requested the Administration to contact the Alcoholic Beverage
Commission regarding incidents where alooholic beverages have been sold to intoxicated
persons at drive -ins in Baytown.
Drainage Problem - Milbu Dale
Mr. T. R. Whitten appeared regarding the drainage system on Danubina Street,
north to the flood control ditch, and down to East Fayle. This area floods after
a 4 -5 inch rain, and Mr. Whitten requested the city's engineering department to
study the situation and find a way to correct it. Mr. Whitten suggested one possibility
would be to lower Danubina Street.
Mr. Lanham explained that while the engineering department is surveying the
problem, the grates on the inlets to the drainage pipe will be changed, which will give
some immediate relief.
Report on Study regarding Telephone service between Baytown and Huffman
Mr. Al Chappel, General Manager of General telephone Company in Baytown appeared
to present his findings on the amount of telephone traffic between Baytown and Huffman,
and what the cost would be to provide toll -free service between the two towns.
Mr. Chappel began be explaining the study included Highlands, and did not include
Shiloh. In Baytown, 150 telephone customers (1.12 %) call Huffman per month; of
these customers, 17- or ll %- make five or more calls per month. In Huffman, 220, or
(15.4 %)of Huffman's telephone customers call Baytown per month; of these customers,
31 or(14 %)make five or more calls per month. Since the percentage of calls would
increase if toll -free service is provided, a stimulation factor of five times the
volume of calls was used to determine the cirucut requirements. Based on the
requirements, an annual revenue of $24,513.00 will be needed to support the additional
investment; this equates to an additional 350 per month on business rates, 150 per
month on residential one -party rates, and 100 per month on residential two-party rates.
The service can be established in approximately eighteen months. These rates will not
apply until the service is established, and will be additional to the existing rates at
that time; the increase will apply only to the Baytown telephone customers. Mr. Chappel
stated his company is ready to take whatever course of action the council chooses.
Mrs. W. E. Bailess and Mrs. Bobby Michalsky, residents of the Huffman zone, urged
Council to give much consideration to their request for toll -free calling to Baytown.
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July 26, 1973
Baytown Municipal Police Association
Police Officer C. E. Shaeffer, representing the Baytown Municipal Police
Association appeared in regard to policemen's compensation. Officer Shaeffer presented
a written report, of which the following points were made.
a. It is almost impossible for a police officer to support his family
on a policeman's salary alone due to the rapid increase in the cost of living. A
5% raise wi111 not compensate this increase.
b. The Police Department is losing experienced officers to industry where
the starting salary is-200 - $200 higher. Officer Shaeffer presented a list
of 21 men who have resigned from the Baytown Police Department since March of 1969,
of these 21 men, 17 resigned for industry jobs. Mr. SHaeffer felt this presents
a serious threat to Baytown.
c. The Baytown Police Department has more than doubled the number of
cases cleared by arrest since 1971.
d. Surrounding cities are presently being requested to grant salary
increases for policemen; Texas City voters recently approved a $100 across the
board increase for patrolmen.
Since the education requirements are more than equal to those of local
industry, since the FBI has indicated that the Baytown Police Depaltrrent is
functioning in an above average capacity, since the average policeman has
forty -five hours of college education, since the cost of living is so rapidly
increasing, and since the police departments in this area are revising their
pay scales, Officer Shaeffer requested the City Council grant a $100 per month
raise to all civil service employees of the Baytown Police Department, effective
at the beginning of the new fiscal year.
Mr. Shaeffer requested an answer to the police association's request by the
next council meeting.
Baytown Beautification Association
Mr. Bill Massey, appeared to explain to Council a new project that will begin
August 1, sponsored by the Baytown Beautification Association. Mr. Massey stated
that if all the ordinances of the city of Baytown were complied, with and enforced,
that Baytown would be a cleaner and more beautiful place in which to live.
In order to achieve this goal, the Association has devised a reporting system,
in which all citizens are invited to report eyesores and littering which
violate city ordinances. A form will be provided for citiznes wishing to report
a violation, and the form is pre- addressed to the association, postage -paid.
The association will then notify the violator of the city ordinance, and if
voluntary compliance is not made, the violation will be reported to the proper
city official.
Mayor Gentry commended the Baytown Beautification Association for their efforts
to beautify Baytown.
Proposed Ordinance No. 30726 -1, Call Public Hearing - Annex Chaparral Village,
Section 3.
Proposed Ordinance No. 30726 -1 will call a public hearing for the annexation
of Chaparral Village, Section 3. The developers of this subdivision have requested
the city annex Section 3, although construction has not yet begun.
Councilman Dittman moved to adopt the ordinance; Councilman Cannon seconded
the motion.
Discussion followed regarding the present water and sewer lines in this area,
and if the lines will handle Section 3 of this subdivision. Mr. Lanham explained
that preliminary approval has been given for construction of this section, and that
the engineering department will determine if the lines are sufficient, This ordinance
will only call the public hearing, afterwhich council could vote against annexation
if it chooses. The public hearing will be held August 9 at 7:00 p.m. if council
approves.
Mr. Richardson reqd the caption of the ordinance and the vote was taken:
Ayes: Council members Lander, Pool, Wilbanks, Dittman and Cannon
Mayor Gentry
Nays: None
ORDINANCE NO. 1442
AN ORDINANCE SETTING A DATE, TIM E AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE
PROPOSED ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN PROPERTY BY THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS,
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH NOTICE OF SUCH PUBLIC
HEARING AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF.
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July 26, 1973
Award Bid - Renovate Old Police Building and Fire Station #5
One bid was received for renovation of the old police building and fire
station N5. The tabulation follows: The estimate for this project was $18,355.00.
Chatham & Holzaepfel
1. Base Bid (both sites) $20,118.00
2. Repaint interior surfaces 710.00
3. Stucco exterior, station #5 3,000.00
$23,828.00
Mr. Bitsy Davis recommended Council reduce the bid by the following deductions:
1. Delete finishes to apparatus room, station p5 2,000.00
2. Use 3116" prefinished plywood at station q5
instead of 114 ". 200.00
3. Reduce carpet allowance to $8.00 per
square yard. 342.00
$ 2,542.00
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This will reduce the total bid price to $21,286.00. The 1970 bond program
Provided $50,000 for enlargement of and necesssary improvement to fire department buildings
and facilities. Proposed Ordinance No. 30726 -2 will award the bid as recommended.
Mr. Richardson read the caption of the ordinance awarding the bid. Councilman
Lander moved to adopt the ordinance; Councilman Pool seconded the motion.
There was some discussion of the reocmmended deductions, aftezwhich Councilman
Cannon made a substitute motion to leave the carpet allowance as originally stated in
the bid specifications - $10.00 per square yard; however, motion died for lack of a
second. Mayor Gentry then called for the vote.
Ayes: Council members Lander, Pool, Wilbanks, Dittman and Cannon
Mayor Gentry
Nays: None
ORDINANCE NO. 1443
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, ACCEPTING
THE BID OF CHATHAM AND HOLZAEPFEL FOR THE REMODELING OF THE FIRE ADMINISTRATION
BUILDING AND FIRE STATION NO. 5, AND AUTHORIZING THE CONTRACTING OF INDEBTEDNESS
BY THE CITY FOR THE SUM OF TWENTY -ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY -SIX AND N01100
($21,286.00) DOLLARS WITH REGARD TO SUCH AGREEMENT.
Proposed Ordinance No. 30712 -6 Certifi atea ;of obligation
This item was not ready for presentation.
Discuss Improvements - Traffic flow, Airhart Drive and Garth Road on Sour 330.
Several years ago when representatives of the City of Baytown and the Chamber of
Commerce highway committee were meeting with representatives of the highway department
regarding Spur 201 improvements, there was also discussion about the highway department
improvement the portions of Spur 330 to the Goose Creek Bridge, or possibly to Garth Road.
The federal government has impounded highway funds, and the highway department
representatives have not been able to give any indication as to when funds might be
available to continue the project. Mr. Lanham has talked with the officials of the
highway department to see if there is any possibility of moving ahead with Spur 330
improvement in order to relieve the congestion from Garth Road to Airhart Drive. The
highway department has indicated that an official request is needed from the City of
Baytown. Mr. Lanham presented a proposed letter to the district engineer of the
Texas Highway Department; Council offered no objection to the letter.
Proposed Improvement to Garth Road Bridge
Additional- information is being received on this item.
Committee Reports-
Mayor Gentry requested Council study the list of committees of the City of Baytown
established by ordinance. The administration is presently preparing anotherlist of
committees in the Goals for Baytown group. Council will then determine what committees
overlap in their duties.
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July 26, 1973
Unfinished Business
Councilman Dittman reported a call form a citizen regarding sewer back -up.
The sewer line in the Country Club area backed up into two apartments and ruined
$800 worth of carpeting. Mr. Dittman received a call last night from the same person,
who informed him the same thing has happened again. Councilman Dittman requested
this situation be investigated.
The Committee of Mayors to select two board members for the proposed
mass transit authority for the Harris County area met this morning in the chambers
of the City of Pasadena and determined at that time that a nominating committee be
appointed to determine some of the qualifications and receive various names of
proposed members. Mayor Harrison, chairman of the committee of mayors, made those
appointments, and Mayor Gentry was appointed as chairman of the nominating committee.
The 29 mayors outside the City of Houston are proceeding to nominate their two board
members for the proposed authority.
Council discussed briefly when to begin budget hearings, and tentatively
decided to begin them during the middle of August; however, this may be decided
at a later date.
Adjourn
Upon the motion made by Councilman Cannon and seconded by Councilman Dittman,
Council voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
APPROVED:
` � Tom Gentry, Mayor
ATTEST: ��i /`i/`/
Edna Oliver, City Clerk