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Home My WebLink AboutCC Minutes 1966-08-01 Regular MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, AUGUST 1, 1966 i A regular meeting of the Friendswood City Council was held August 11 1966; 8:30 P.M. at City Hall. Present were Mayor Ralph L. Lowe; Councilmen Marvin L. Childers, William E. Davidson, Harry M. Hatcher, Wiley W. Murrell, Ralph W. Somers; City Secretary Artha Wright; Legal Advisor Ody Kent Jerden. Also present were D. W. Herridge, K. B. Jones, Uel S. Clanton, Tom Long, , 0. 0. Terrell, Elda Matheny, Betty Merchant, Sarah C. Thorn, Frances Hicks, Mr. & Mrs. P. R. Maloney, Marie Moore, R. G. Hamil, G. V. Great- house, John H. Cochran, Nena Cryar-Tri-County Sun, Helen Mangel, M. F. Krch, J. A. Lawrence, Steve Thompson, J. P. Jones, L. J. Mickler, Harry D. Wagner, Wm. Molley, Joe H. Foy, J. M. Young, Norine Matthews, Mitch Wright, Glenn Martisek. (29) Correction and Approval of Minutes : July 18, 1966: Regular - stood approved after correction.. July 19, 1966: Special - stood approved as read. Communications from the Mayor: The Galveston County Mayors and Councilmen' s Association held a meeting July 27, 1966 here in Friendswood. They were served ice cream and cake by the wives of the Mayor and Councilmen. It seemed to be a very successful meeting. Mr. Joe Wilson is contemplating putting in a subdivision in the Friendswood Area. He wishes to appear at a Council Workshop to discuss City water or his own water district. Mr. McNulty, developer of a trailer park on FM 528 near Sunset Drive, proposes to expend $25,000.00 - $30,000.00 which would go to the City for sewage lines from FM 528 and Sunset Drive. Golfcreast Country Club has completed preliminary work in establishing Golf Club. Due to tightness of money at this time, progress has slowed. Our proposed comprehensive plan has been assigned #TEX-P-113 by HUD. The money should be approved and granted in September or October. Colonel Unverferth, Corps of Engineers, reports that the Clear Creek project originally planned for work in six or seven years, will probably be in the Omnibus Ball in fall of 1967. This would speed up this project four or five years. Humble Pipe Line has requested permits for installation of 16" crude oil pipeline where it crosses public facilities, i.e. , streets, ditches etc. Mr. Frank Fenister had agreed to submit plans of this line to City Council. A letter was read from Mrs. Selma Engel dated 7-28-1966, RE: Use of City Hall for a Coffee. (Attachment #1) . Councilman Davidson made -1- a motion, seconded by Councilman Somers, to authorize use of City Hall Council Chamber Monday morning August 15, 1966 for a coffee for Mrs. Barbara Wagner. Motion carried by unanimous vote. i A letter from Galveston Mosquito Control District to Mayor and City Council dated 7-22-66, RE: Low level flights. (Attachment #2) This matter is referred to Councilman Murrell. Thomas P. Long, President of Friendswood Chamber of Commerce, read a letter to Mayor and City Council, dated 7-28-66, RE: Houston Natural Gas Franchise. (Attachment #3) . Special Committees : Beautification Committee: Councilman Murrell reports that during the month of July, the Chamber of Commerce cut the grass in the par'_ ; the City purchased a tractor and mowing equipment and cut weeds in the right-of-ways; the Friendswood Garden Study group started a Yard of the Month program; the Heritage Gardeners designed and erected the new City Hall sign. Mr. 0. 0. Terrell donated a check for $150.00 toward costs on this new sign. Mayor Lowe reports that Mrs. Jean Welch did considerable work in getting the materials and work accomplished on the sign. Mr. Harold Smith contributed the carpentry work, Mr. Buck Hausman gave the bricks, J. W. Leavesly and Sons gave the masonry work, Mr. Joe Galton gave the lumber, Mr. Gene Greathouse gave the paint. The total materials cost _ $137.43. 137.03 Total cost of materials 20.00 - Contribution from Harry Wagner 150.40 Cor�trib�ation from 0. 0. Terrell 7. + Councilman Somers made a motion, seconded by Councilman Davidson, to give 0. 0. Terrell a check for the $12.97 overage. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Regional Planning : Councilman Murrell reported on the Regional Planning meeting, 7-28-66. The tentative membership plan at present for the eight county area is: Houston-2, Galveston-1, towns over 5,000 population-1, all towns under 5,000 population in each county-1 per county, each county-1. They are using the plan of the Dallas-Fort Worth region as a guide line. To qualify for Federal Fu,nds _ =n some grants you must be a member of a regional planning group. A regional group must be four counties or more and a maximum of nine counties. Standing Committees and Departmental: t Streets, Bridges, etc. Councilman Somers reported that all materials are on the job site for Castlewood Bridge repair work started last week and proceeded through the weekend. Some of the present pilings were found to be too short. We are, hoping to get some from an Electric Company at no cost. Councilman Childers made a motion, seconded by Councilman Davidson, -2- corrected - page 3; 8/1/66 Reg. that Councilman Somers be authorized to expend up to $200.00 for hand- rails on Castlewood Bridge. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Mayor Lowe reports that he has contacted Edward Mayo concerning right-of-way on Castlewood. They agreed on a price of $380.00. Council- man Childers made a motion, seconded by Councilman Hatcher, authorizing a check for $380.00 to Edward Mayo for ten feet of right-of-way along his property frontage on Castlewood. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Council agreed that right-of-way procurement on Castlewood from FM 518 to Clear Creek should be pursued. Mayor Lowe reported that he had authorized a $60.00 expenditure on Cowart Creek in the bridge area for use of the drag line to move dirt to widen the channel and create a buffering pool on Mrs. W. B. Whites property. Mrs. White agreed, if the dirt was put on her property. Dust Abatement Program: Councilman Somers reported that the dust abatement program will begin Thursday, August 4, 1966. Streets - Speed: There was discussion of making subdivision streets 20 M.P.H. How is the perimeter of a subdivision defined? A. study should be made of the heavely populated areas; the possibility of overall ordinance of 20 M.P.H. f unless otherwise posted. Chief Wright will do this study and also give an estimate of speed signs needed and cost of their purchase and install- ation. Cif Limit Signs: After discussion, Councilman Davidson made a motion, seconded by Councilman Childers, that we authorize a letter from Mayor Lowe to the Texas Highway Department requesting that our City limit signs indicate a population of 2,500. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Gasoline Allowance - .K. B. Jones : Ody Kent Jerden, Legal Advisor, read a letter to Mayor and Council dated August 1 1966. RE: Expenses of transportation for Kenneth Jones. (Attachment #4� . Councilman Murrell made a motion, seconded by Council- man Hatcher, that K. B. Jones, General Superintendent, be allowed a maximum of $25.00 (City cost) for gasoline per month. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Old Business : Legal Advisor, Ody Kent Jerden, agreed to contact Coleman Carter, former City Attorney, to discuss his statement to the City for $360.00. Mr. Jerden feels that the charges are probably legitimate. Councilman Davidson asked Mr. Jerden to have Mr. Carter clarify his charges in relation to Councilman Davidson as submitted in hig' statement. * jinal of April 26, 1966. Since Council.rnan Davidson had not requested any con- sultation or briefings on "Duties of the City Secretary" or "Councilman summary for Mayor" as stated in b. & c . of Mr. Car ter e s statement. -3- corrected page 4, 8/1/66 , Reg. Ordinances and Resolutions: -_ Civil Defense: Amendment: Second Reading: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 8 , SECTION 2, FIRST SENTENCE AND SECTION 6, CONTAINING THE OATH. Passed and approved on second reading by motion of Councilman Harry Hatcher, seconded by Councilman Somers. Motion carried by unanimous vote, Sewer Hookup: Second Reading: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS; PROVIDING FOR INSTALLATIONS OF SEWER LINES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SEWAGE SYSTEM ; REQUIRING THE CONNECTION OF WATER CLOSET&'AND ANY OTHER RECEPTACLES USED OR TO BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF RELIEVING AND DIS- CHARGING SEWAGE MATTER INTO PUBLIC SEWER SYSTEM; PROVIDING UNLAWFUf ACTS PERTAINING TO THE PUBLIC SEWER; PROVIDING A PENALTY AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. Passed and approved on second reading by motion of Councilman Davidson, seconded by Councilman Murrell. Lotion carried unanimously. Houston Natural Gas Franchise: First Reading: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD CONTRACTING WITH AND GRANTING TO HOUSTON NATURAL GAS CORPORATION ITS SUCCESSORS AND .ASSIGNS, A FIFTY f ( 50 ) YEAR FRANCHISE TO LAY, CONSTRUCT, EQUIP, USE, OPERATE AND MAIN- TAIN GAS MAINS, PIPES AND CONNECTIONS ALONG, .ACROSS AND THROUGH THE STREETS AVENUES, .ALLEYS, ROADS, HIGHWAYS AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES AND GROUNDS OF TEE CITY FOR THE PURPOSES OF CONVEYING AND TRANSPORTING NATURAL GAS INTO, THROUGH AND OUT OF THE CITY FOR SALE AND DISTRIBUTION ; PROVIDING FOR A RENTAL OF TWO PER CENT ( 26 ) OF GROSS RECEIPTS AND IU-4 ANNUAL REPORT THEREOF ; PROVIDING FOR AUGMENTATION OF GAS SUPPLY UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTING DUPLICATION OF EXISTING MAINS; AND PROVID- ING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Passed and approved. by motion of Councilman Childers, seconded by Councilman Murrell. Motion carried by the following vote: For: 3 Councilmen Childers, Murrell, Somers. Against: 2 : Councilmen Davidson and Hatcher. During the .discussion period, Councilman Davidson read and entered into these minutes, a letter dated August 1, 1966, (attachment #5) which stated six (6) reasons on why not to grant a franchise to Houston Natural Gas Corporation. Board of Equalization: Emergency reading; 1I�AN ORDINANCE APPOINTING THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION FOR THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, FOR THE YEAR 1966 ; PROVIDING FOR THEIR DUTIES AND TIME OF MEETING ; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Passed and approved by motion of Councilman Davidson, seco��ded. by Councilman Ralph Somers. Motion carried unanimously. 4- �� corrected page 5: 8/1/66: reg. Levying, Taxes: Proposed: AN ORDINANCE LEVYING TAXES FOR THE USE AND SUPPORT OF THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS. - Councilman Davidson made a motion- seconded by Councilman Murrell, that a proposed Ordinance; Levying Taxes: be submitted to Ody Jerden for preparation for enacting as an ordinance. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Manual: First Reading: AN ORDINANCE 'MAKING CERTAIN F INDING3;FREO C RI BING A MANUAL OF REG- ULATIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR TBE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES LOCATED OUTSIDE OF SUBDIVISIONS; PROVIDING A PROCEDURE FOR AMENDMENT BY THE "PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION WITH COUNCIL APPROVAL; REPEALING ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT: PROVIDING A SEVERANCE CLAUSE. Passed and approved on first reading by motion of Councilman Davidson, seconded by Councilman Hatcher. Motion carried unanimously. Ordinance 69: There was some discussion of possibly amending Ordinance 69; an ordinance on enacting ordinances, to allow ordinances prepared by other governmental agencies and certain routine annual ordinances to be passed on one reading. New Business: Street Light - Methodist Church: Councilman Childers reported that Mr. Elmo Brundrett has requested a street light on Edgewood Drive at the entrance to the Methodist Church. Housekeeping: City Hall: C,pUncilman Childers agreed to investigate cost of a weekly cleaning of City Hall and periodic thorough floor maintenance. C.P. ..Radlo_ Police Car: Chief Wright requested permission to purchase a. new C .B. for the Police Car. The present anti is inadequate and quite old. After dis- cussion, Councilman Hatcher made a motion deconded by Councilman Childers, authorizing the purchase of a C.B. radio; Johnson Messenger 1100" solid, state, 5 channel for #104.25. Motion carried by unanimous vote. The possibility of convert equipment gthe old police car radio to a base station was discussed. Police Phone Number FU-2 Since the telephone book gives the wrong number for police department, Chief Wright will obtain stickers for each home and request the Tele- phone Co. to mail them out with the bills. The police department may -1 - - hil be reached at any time, day or night, at J-2-7700. -5- corrected p4ge 6: 8/1/66: reg. J.A. May Co. - Sewae: Mayor Lowe read a letter to J.A. May dated 7-20 -66. Re: Charges to I F reactivate bacteria culture in Sewer Plant #1. (attachment #6) Proposed PlumbinE Code: A letter was read to Mayor Lowe from Texas State Board of Plumb- ing Examiners, dated 7-28-66. Re: Proposed plumbing code, (attachment #9) and enclosing a copy of plumbing code prepared by Texas Municipal League. A letter from Mr. D.A. Herridge to Mayor Lowe and Council dated August 1, 1966 Fie: Inspection Proposal of Utilities Installations in Incotp;orated Limits of Friendswood, Texas. (attachment #-8) A letter from Texas State Board. of Plumbing Examiners to Mayor Lowe dated July 19, 1966; Re: procedure for State Plumbing Inspector' s license. (attachment #9) There was considerable discussion about plumbing codes. Mr. Herridge agreed to call Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners to obtain copies of the Texas Municipal League Plumbing code for Mayor, Council and Attorney. Financial: Mayor Lowe stated that the City Attorney confirmed the City Secretary's salary can be legally apportioned between the general fund and the Utility Department, but election expenses can only be charged to general fund. Fire Department Gasoline: Councilman Hatcher made a motion seconded by Councilman Ohi.lders, that the City furnish gasoline to the Fire Department for their equip- ment at no cost. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Warrant App oval: Councilman Davidson made a motion, seconded by Councilman Somers, that warrants #2553 through #2561; and #2572: and warrants ;# 1033 through #1051 excepting #1033 to Walsh and McLaren, pending receipt of letter previously agreed to, stating what Mr. Walsh' s retainer fee encompasses, Councilman Hatcher made a motion, seconded by Councilman Childers for adjournment. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Resp lly submitt d. i � Artha Wright - City S cretary Ap Dyed: Ra ph L.Lowe =Mayoor -6-