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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1959-02-20 Regular Meetingr ~ ~ . MINUTffi ~ REGULAR MEETIlVG LA PORTS CITY COMd~SSION - FE}~UARY 20,; 1959 7:00 P. M. ` ._ ~ Regular meeting of the City Commission was called to order• Pfeiffer, with the following present; Commissioners 3r€~u+m, Lawler, Special Counsel Jno.S. Kiibler, Supt. W.A. Arthur, Clerk Ruth Huddleston. Also presexrt were Ji~a Holley (Press), Mr. Milwee, Mr.LOve, and E. B. MansfielAl. ~ • Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. by Mayor •H. ~P. ~ , Boyle and and Asst. City btir. nlair .• Dr. J. F. Usenet appeared before the Commission anal •stated that ile cans sever. al blocks of land an Eas t Main Street, right near Blackwell Avenue, on which he waxrts to build s®me houses. • There is no water there, a.nd he would like to make some arrangements with theCity to ho©k oa to an existigg.• 2n water main .near.. that location. ; 'Dr. Usenet was told. to contact Water & Sewer Commissioner Tom Osburn~ and then the Commission will study his recommend~tions. .Dr. Us .ener eras ..told that ~ he; would be advised what will be done. • Mr. Milwee z ppeared before the Co~i.ssion to present his ability to., serve as La Porte ! s consul ting engineer, .,, He ~ gave a resume of his pr@gra~, f®r " La Porte, named other cities he had served,, gave his fee and what it would cover. The Mayor stated that he ro old like for him to submit in writing ~rha t he would rt charge t o work , up a ~ s urvey of the city' s -needs, giving a ~arogram of what wi]:I. take care of the molt people and get the most-benefit from our bond money. ... Mr. LovQ,_ •. with•Chas. R. Haile & Associates. Engineering firm, appeared with his partner, Bob Blair, to present his ability to serve as La I'orte~s consulting engineer. He s toted thet•he would like to make a survey of the city's needs fcr a program of possib],y 5 years, as that is what he thinks La Porte needs. He presented maps of water and severer systems whie~ his company had prepared for Nederland and. Silsbee, Texas.: He recca~ended such a plan for La Porte. He stated he' would work fgr •a basic •fee of ~3, 000, payable over a 3 Ye ar period. He wa s asked t o present his: proposal in writing for study by the Commission. Mr. E.B. ~aiansfie]d appeared to present his qualifications as consulting •engi.neer. He wa.s told to prepare a report' of the city's reds, what•~ he would propose to do for so much money, and hove he wJ old want to be paid. • Motion by Pfeiffer, second by Lawler, 'that tliis be the last engineer- +Jo be interviewed. .. ~. L arrie d, _. ~ .. G The R4ayor asked that the Commission get .toUether and settle on one engineering firm, so as to get this matter settled. The r4ayor • stated that• ~he felt like enough engineers have been heard to be.able~to make a wise choice. I r'tr. Kiibler was instructed to check on easement needed for the :,ixpox-~. h3r. Dillard Hovey has asked that straight-in parking be, allo~d by the sde of hash building on North Secor~. street. He would be willing to pave all tl;e vray up the buildirs~; so that ~this• kind of parking could be allowed. r,~r. 13rc~m. vrus instructed to check into the feasibility of this, aixl report back tc~ ~f;'ne Commission. kAayor Pfeiffer recommended that Jack _L~v1er be appointed to the o~_f_~_ce of Civ~_1 Defense Directcm of the City of La Pane. - - l~dr. Boyle asked, ~fi'Vhat i s the matter tiYith me?, I have spent many ye~ss in. its-. L'x. Bogle farther stated that this job was taken away from him illegally, as it was done at a special meeting at w•fiich he did not attend. ",~i . I~at^rler ansvrered that tlu.s eras all confirmed at tha next regular meeting. I~r. Doyle stated that he feels that he was chosen by the pPOple by his e1e cti~i. -to Position Ro. 4, and which he feel;: covered d~lties of the CiviJ_ Defense _ Director. Iie thinks by virtue of this that it shou~.~I tie his job, I~r. Boyle eras advised that t'r~is eras not the c?.se, that the various appoa.rtments xere made after the election, by Ordinance. I~dx~. Bro~rn told r"fr.I3oyle tlzt t he uziderstood that he had z^ra:,itecl someone else outside the City to serve as. Civil Defense Directr~r, and rsr. Boyle stated that tr~is eras not. so. r,+lr. Boyle said he did not want to take this to Cour~~ to prove his point. r,!Ir. I~i.ibler stated that our Charter provides that we can, dischar;e ar.;~• appointed officer. - ' h4otion by Broti~m, second. by Lavrler, that upon recommendation of 1,2a;,ror II. P. . Pfe:~ffer, Jack Lavrler be appointed Civil Defense Director of the City of La Porte. - • Carried. ".:s. Boyle stated that' he~ thought it E•,*as very unfeir, the Z~ray it zr4~ handled. I~~x. Brarn. stated that he thought the Civil Dofense Director shou)_cI remain ti~*iti~.in the City, and not be given to an outsider. fir. Loyle stated that he v.ants tc remain as Civil Defense Director as he is also F3xe Con:ni s::iorer and he tkiinks that t~d.s ru_~s hand in hznci. ~'he Coamr- issioners did not feel this way, and stated that they f. eft that Mfr. Boyne should be entire],y s eparated frcm arty connection with the police department or the Civil Defense Department. I;Lr.Boyle stated that he had served as Civil Defense Director far eleven years, azd had secured t'ne best radio system possible •~$~i~'$o~iorte. IIe felt that this pgsition should remain in connection r~ith his as ~.re Commissioner, as in his opir_ion, that ways the way it eras set up. • • ~~ Mr. Lawler reminded him that he had served as Civil 7~efensc Director many years before he became a City Contnissioner. l~+r. Boyle conceded to tl!is point,. Mr. Boyle stated that he wants the City to assume the attarx~yts fees tc~ •L-a.lce •this matter to Court. He does not f eel t'aat he should have to use his aaPn money. motion by Boyles that-izC~be allowed the necessary attorneys fees-ta protect his appointment as Civil Defense Directcx, which he feels ca.~e abcut when he eras elected by the -people of La Porte 'co Co~.issioner No. 1-!.. 1r2r, Kiibler stated that he did not think the City could legally spend money this way. There vra.s no second to the motion, a::d it died far lack of same. Mr. Kiibler was instructed to dra-r up an ordinance changing the Civil T~fense set-ttp. Ccrmnissioner Boyle brought up the fact that the colored people of La Porte want some kind of park and recreation f?ci lities. He sai.cl there should be at le ast a block of land set aside and made into recreation facilities for these people. ~ He asked permission to look for a block of land taa.t v~o uld be suitable for this purpose, aim' to work out a program. I:Zotion by Lawler, second by Browny • that Commi.ssioner~ Boyle be allowed to work on the program outlined above. C ~xried. ~~ Mb, Boyle brought up the fact tb.at the City had recently purchased a tract of land, with improvements thereon, from the La Porte Independent School D}strict, and that the school needs their money. . otion by Boyle, second by dawn, that tie City pay the school the sum of X1,291.15, for purchase of property located in Block 267, La Porte, said amount to be paid immediately out of specizl fund. C arried. lotion by Boyle, second by Lawler, that I~r. Kiibler p roceed with plans far the purchase of 'the. balance of lots in Block 267, La Porte. Carried, ~~br. Boyle stated that he v~o uld like to see -she • land leveled ar~d a paxking space provided for cars around the Co;nrn~.ni.~iy House ox San Jacinto Street, so that the cars can get off the highway, and there will be less danger of accidents. 1~.4r, Boyle was instructed to get with Mr. Br~rn and worl~ out ~~ something on this, I ~~ C~ ", Mr. Hrc~n stated that he had received Borne complaints on the water notices for delinquent bills v~iich the city sends out. Several citizens did not life the idea of the notices stating That their water would be cut offfor non-payment of bill of one month. ,4fter discussions it was agreed that the notices should be worded a little different, so as to sound like a rescinder, rather than a threat. Afr. Brown will work on a more suitable notice. , Commissioner F3rowrn rec~esided tha t the City purchase, from the Special Fund, the f ollcmri.ng: 1 Qne half ton pick up truck Six cylinder approx. 135 HP. Standard Transmission 6.70-1a 1~ ply tires and tubes , Spare fire and wheel , Oil filter self canceling front and rear directional lights 1959 State inspection sticker Yupcm yeilaw color 1950 Ford six cylinder pick up truck in trade 1 prae ton 9ft. stake bed truck without side boards Six cylinder appr cap. ~ 135 HP. ~. speed tra-~srai.ssio~ C}il Filter Heavy duty battery Dual rear wheels 7.00-20 8P],y all weather tread tires and tubes Spare fire and wh.ee~. Self cancel:i.hg front and rear directional lights 1959 State inspection sticl~r Yupon yello~r color 1952 Dodge half ton pick up truck in trade 1 Ose and acne half ton cab and chassis 6 Cylinder approx. 1s0 HP. Heavy duty battery • ?~ speed transsni.s si on Lc~v speed a~,l.e Oil Filter ?.00^20 8 ply all weather tires and tubes spare fire arl wheel _ Self canceling front and rear directional lights 1959 State inspection sticker Yupon yel~.ow celar , 1952 one aid one half ton Ford 6 cab and chassis in trade. ~~ .. ~ • 2 Tyro ton cab and chassis 8!~ In. cab to axle 6 cylinders appro. 150 IiP. Heavy Duty laattery }~ speed transmission ' 2 speed axle Booster Brakes , Heavy duty springs fl ont and rear t7i1. Filter Self' canceling fr. ont and rear lights Tires and tubes: 7.50-20 10 ply front 8.25-20 10 ply rear 8.25-20 10 ply spare tire" aizd ~Theel State inspection s~~icl~ r. Yupon yeller color 1950 2 ton Chev. dump truck and 1950 2 ton Chev. T'lat bed in trade. 1 Two ton cab and chassis 102 inches cab to a1:le `~ b cylimlers approx. 1,~0 Hg. Heavy duty battery Heavy duty .front G.n.d rear sprir_gs ~. speed transrrd.s~.on 2 speed rear ax le Booster brakes Left and right side I~.].T'rars Oil Filter . Tires and tubes 8.25-20 10 ;~1y front 9.00-20 10 ply rear ;~ 9.00-20 10 p7tiy spare fire ~ncl wheel Self ca,lcelipg front and re^r d:;xectioY;al 17_g?zts 19K; Mtate inspection sticker Yupon yellow color 2 10? x 6:6~+ _ 5 cu. yd. water l~ca7. dump bo+:a.oc ?.?~~i; 6 cu. yci. c~f.acity side board pockets Standard heavy bauge constructicx; Coraple L•e with hoist mounted on os~r.~ rs 3I~" cab to axle ci~assis • Yupon ~ yeLcrrr color 1 g~bage collection body (Compaction type) lb cu. yd. caps city Complete and ~cta:;tad en o~rr~ers 102~~ cab tc a:tile chassis Yupon ~ellwv' color • 1 lised,2~3' ton Qr.3-5 ton pflr_t~ab7~ roller ` 'tecorn~i~i'_cr;ed or reasonably ;ooh. eonc~itiu~. 1 Self propolled one fan operated hydraulic no-rercd e,Tc^vati!sg ana cl.itch;cle~~.vrg f~.chine ~+yuipped. '•rith ~criple ~~anden p~~np not 1o s. than 72 GP?LL hycx~aulic system Plot less than 2~.'~ dig~i.ng bucke~L r_or 1 e n ~ tt.2n 30~~ cleanir.~ bucke~~ • I~"ounted on Pneumatic tires dual rear and single front ~~ 7.50 x 20 B ply tires anal tubes Pa•~ered by not J_e e~ ~" .1^n 5~ HP basoleiie engine Not less than 5'~ I~ cyl:ind e-rs opera.tinj boom, stick and bucket nag less than ~.-,~~" ID cylinders operati.iA stabilS.zers nor less •~ha-n !~" ID cylinders operating swir.~ Minimum of l30° swing - Or equivalent 1 Ide;r standard triple co~nbins.tion 750 GP~S pumper Fire truck Commissioner Brown stated that tt.e equipment, witiou;i, the i~.re truck, ~~ grould cost in the neighborhood of X32,000. ~~ayor Pfeiffex stated tl:^t this ea~uipment svott7.d h~,re to be purchased on a bid basis. Motion by Broom, second by ?,atirler, that Com~zissioner Broom be allos;ed 'co ask fur bids on the above stated equipment, bids tb be ope:~ed on ~l:~arc1 20th, 19,'9, Carried. ~:ir. Brorrz at first did nol: want to include the fire truck in ris .action, but after discussion, it vas decided chatt~l~i.ng bids did not :,ecass~sily mean they would have to purchase a.ll of the equip~e rit . 2~ayor Pf e~ ff er recommended that we be able to buy Z~riiat equipment gre granted, rather than having to btrr all of the listed equip:~ent as . a whole. ~1~. Kiibler brought up the matter of 2 bills being introduced i.z thi: I,eg7.sla.ture, which grill cause further damage to our city streets ~,nd play havoc with our already slim. municipal treasuries. These bills wo;~I.d increase the present legal maximum i^rei.~ht of trucks to 72,000 pounds. kotion by Zaz~ler, second by Brown, that check from Houston Lightii~ oc P~^rer Com~a.r~y in the amount of X6,725.96, ti^rlli.ch represents 2,1~ gr©ss receipts tax, be accepted. Carried. .~ • Supt..lLrthur asked permission to concrete a little strip ir. tiie City Baf~~t, which serves as his workshop. This ~~rk will cost around X100.00. He also wzr~e~l perr_zission to re-roof parts cf the City barn, which. leaks b.~.dly. This vrork vri11 cost appro:~xaately ;x200.00. lotion by Brarrn~ second by Lacrler~ that this be allowed. Carried. lotion by Lawler, second by ~3ravn~ that the meeting adjourn. (10:25 P. I~.) . P. e' er, car t. e City o ?~a Porte, Texa hT T~; Ruth Hudd]~eston, l~ss~t. City Clerk of the City of T,a, Porte, Texas .~ 7