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1978 08 31 CC Minutes, Special80831 -1 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS August 31, 1978 The City Council of the City of Baytown met in Special Session on Thursday, August 31, 1978, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the Baytown City Hall with the following members in attendance: Jimmy Johnson Ted Kloesel *Mary E. Wilbanks Eileen Caffey Jody Lander Dan Savage Scott Bounds Karen Petru Absent: Emmett 0. Hutto Allen Cannon Fritz Lanham Eileen Hall Councilman Councilman Councilwoman Councilwoman Mayor Pro Tem Assistant City Manager City Attorney Deputy City Clerk Mayor Councilman City Manager City Clerk Mayor Pro Tem. Lander called the special meeting to order, and stated that the purpose of the special meeting, as stated on the agenda for said meeting, is to consider, Proposed Ordinance No. 80831 -1, amending the subdivision ordinance to permit the use of corrugated metal pipe for storm sewers. Dan Savage, Assistant City Manager, explained that at the last Council meeting, the Administration prepared an ordinance and recommended that the subdivision ordinance be amended to use corru- gated metal pipe for storm drainage in subdivisions. At the time the ordinance was prepared, there was no specific specifications set forth in the ordinance, but reference was made that the City Engineer be given the responsibility for determining what materials would be used and what method of installation be allowed. At the last meeting, Joe R. Spiller, representative of Texas Concrete Pipe Association, expressed his concern that there was no clearly stated specifications regarding the corrugated metal pipe and he offered to provide his technical assistance to help the City staff develop clearcut specifications. On Tuesday of this week, Mr. Spiller met with Randy Strong, Assistant City Attorney, and Norman Dykes, City Engineer. Mr. Spiller did present his comments and the City staff took those comments into consideration when preparing the ordinance that is to be considered tonight. Essentially, what the ordinance does is that it adopts the Department of Highways and Public Trans- portation's construction Item No. 460, which sets forth specifications regarding the materials and installation for corrugated metal pipe. The ordinance does take two exceptions to Item No. 460. 1. Rather than using the gauge specified by the state, the next heavier gauge must be used. This will pro- vide added protection against corrosion. 2. The corrugated metal pipe cannot be installed under streets. The Administration recommended approval of the ordinance. Councilman- Johnson moved for adoption of the ordinance; Council- woman Caffey seconded the motion. 80831 -2 Minutes of the Special Meeting - August 31, 1978 Councilman Kloesel stated that he would vote against the ordinance because he is not convinced that this is a good sub- stitution and he is concerned about corrosion of the pipe in the soil in this area. In response to a question from Councilman Kloesel, Joe Spiller, representative of the Texas Concrete Pipe Association, explained that the specifications provided by the Highway Depart- ment are good specifications which are statewide. However, some years ago, District 12 of the Highway Department which is the Gulf Coast Area District, due to problems with metal pipe wrote the Bureau of Public Roads to request that metal pipe not be mandatory in their specifications. After further study, the Bureau of Public Roads concurred. Even when the pipe is coated, it has a service life less than concrete. The coating eventually oxidizes, peels off and exposes the metal to deterioration. Mr. Spiller stated that this is briefly what was reviewed with Mr. Strong and Mr. Dykes. To write a complete set of specifications would take some time, but Mr. Spiller stated that he would be happy to work with the Administration further if Council so desired. Mayor Pro Tem Lander inquired if the Highway Department is using any corrugated metal pipe in this area. Mr. Spiller responded that on a very few occasions metal pipe is used in this area. Councilman Kloesel stated that he felt Council is moving too fast on this item. He pointed out that bituminous coating will work well for awhile but will get damaged. Councilman Kloesel mentioned that in the past he recommended concrete for storm sewers but had voted against concrete for sanitary sewers. He stated that concrete pipe for drainage is superior to metal pipe just as a concrete street is better than asphalt. Councilwoman Wilbanks inquired as to the exact meaning of Item No. 460. Mr. Savage explained that Item No. 460 is a technical number for a manual that the State Highway Department has prepared that lists the specifications to be used by the Highway Department on the installation of corruaged metal pipe. Councilwoman Wilbanks commented that the way the ordinance is written, the option of using concrete pipe or corrugated metal pipe in areas that are not under a street can be determined by the individual. The opinion of the City Engineer would enter a situation in which a street was involved and because of heavy traffic loads or circumstances of installation, the City Engineer would then ask for more rigorous standards to be followed. Mr. Savage explained that the City Engineer would have that option in an unique situation. Norman Dykes, City Engineer /Director of Public Works, relayed to Council information he had obtained from the Highway Department. District 12 had not used metal pipe for 15 to 20 years because it had rusted and deteriorated. A coating for the pipe has only existed in the last 10 years, and when Mr. Dykes inquired why the coating had not been tried, the gentleman from the Highway Department was unaware, but did state that concrete produced good results and most of the work that is done by the Highway Department is under roadways. Mr. Dykes also called the Harris County Flood Control District because they do alot of piping in the Gulf Coast Area and in areas that the City is talking about. The representative from the Flood Control District explained that it is mandatory that the County use metal pipe in laying pipe in a flood control ditch. The district uses both galvanized pipe and the coated pipe, depending on the condition. The Flood Control District has experienced no problems with the metal pipe. Mr. Dykes pointed out that the representative of the District said that some pipe had been removed recently that had been installed in the 1950's and it was still in good condition. The Flood Control District does require that contractors use the next heavier gauge of pipe. 80831 -3 Minutes of the Special Meeting - August 31, 1978 Mr. Dykes summarized that it is cheaper to use metal pipe, but there are some cases where concrete might last longer depending on circumstances. Mr. Savage pointed out that the ordinance does require the use of either asbestos bonded or bituminous coated pipe so that no one would be using strictly the galvanized pipe. Secondly, Highway Department Item No. 460 has rather stringent requirements in regard to proper backfilling around the pipe. The City would certainly want to see that the pipe would be properly backfilled which is something that would have to be controlled under the inspection process. Mr. Dykes stated that the Engineering Department does not plan to relax the backfilling and bedding process as specified in the ordinance. Mr. Savage explained that the reason the special meeting was being held is to provide an answer to Mr. Mack Holland, a developer, who at the last meeting asked that Council approve metal pipe for storm sewers, pointing out the City has used it. In response to a question from Mayor Pro Tem Lander, Mr. Spiller pointed out concrete, rather than metal, is used in Harris County projects other than flood control. Also, the City of Houston does not use metal pipe unless it is needed at the end of line in a slope. Councilwoman Wilbanks inquired if the proposed ordinance had been changed any from the one that Council had considered at the last meeting with respect to the requirements on concrete pipe. Mr. Savage explained that there was no change because any change to the subdivision ordinance has to be presented first to the Planning Commission for consideration. The Planning Commission had already reviewed the proposal to use corrugated metal pipe prior to presentation at the last Council meeting. In order to do what Mr. Spiller suggested, the Administration would have to prepare a set of revised specifications for consideration by the Planning Commission prior to consideration by the City Council which is the procedure set forth in the subdivision ordinance. Councilman Kloesel that he certainly is not interested in any one group being in a better position than another but felt that the installation of the pipe should be the best for Baytown because in the past, the City has had to rework so much of the pipe installation. Councilman Johnson commented that he cannot see how Council could in good conscience and in good faith deny Mr. Holland the use of metal pipe when he is planning to use a heavier gauge of metal pipe than that used by the City. Mayor Pro Tem Lander expressed concern about the City using metal pipe while requiring developers to use concrete, and expressed concern that the City would be in violation of the ordinance. Mr. Savage explained that the subdivision ordinance applies to developers only, but felt that Mr. Holland's point was well taken. Councilman Kloesel said that the City standards for City work should be as rigid as those in subdivisions, Mayor Pro Tem Lander concurred. The vote follows: Ayes: Council members Johnson, Wilbanks and Caffey Mayor Pro Tem Lander Nays: Councilman Kloesel ORDINANCE NO. 2529 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 27, "SUBDIVISIONS," SUBSECTION 27 -72 (b) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO PROVIDE FOR THE USE OF CORRUGATED METAL PIPE AS STORM SEWERS; REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; CONTAINING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. 80831 -4 Minutes of the Special Meeting - August 31, 1978 Councilman Kloesel inquired if this ordinance will cover everything. Mr. Savage explained that this is an amendment to the subdivision ordinance. Councilman Kloesel stated that he would like a similar ordinance to be drawn to include the same specifications for work performed by the City outside the sub- divisions. Mayor Pro Tem Lander commented that this would be a general policy that the City would have to comply with speci- fications and standards that apply to subdivisions. In response to a question from Council, Mr. Dykes explained that in major projects, plans and specifications are drawn and those type projects come before Council for review and approval. On the day -to -day operations, in many instances old pipe is removed but salvaged for use in small areas where it can be used quite effectively which saves taxpayer's money. If Council were to change requirements so that the City must use new pipe, the cost will be greater. There are many places where this old pipe holds up just as well as new pipe. Councilman Kloesel commented that this needs to be considered in the ordinance and felt that there is a way this can be considered. He felt that the City needs to have a policy on this, and in many maintenance projects, he felt it is applicable to use available stock or salvage stock. Mr. Savage stated that occasionally, the City experiments with new products and the City has had some first hand experience by experimenting with such products. Councilman Kloesel felt this to be a good practice and stated that anytime the Administration came up with a new product, he would like to see the product put to use. Mr. Spiller thanked Council for being so courteous, and stated that he would like to pursue having the specifications altered somewhat and that he would go before the Planning Com- mission as the subdivision requires. With no further business to be transacted, Councilman Kloesel moved for adjournment; Councilwoman Wilbanks seconded the motion. The vote for adjournment was unanimous. *n Karen Petru, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: Eileen P. Hall, City Clerk