HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 1966-12-19 Regular MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, DECEMBER 19, 1966.
A regular meeting of the Friendswood City Council was held December 19,
1966; 7 : 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, City Legal Advisor Ody Kent Jerden.
Also present were R. A. Kennedy, William C. Walsh, Elda I\iatheny, Leah
North, Tom Long, Mark St. Cyr, Bernard Horn, Betsy Murrell. (�)
Gorrections and Approval of Minutes :
November 21, 1 d Exe.cu ive stood approved after correction.
Counci man avidsoni made a motion, seconded by Councilman :Somers that
the first paragraph of text of these minutes be deleted. IYZotion
carried by unanimous vote .
December 5, 1966: Regular stood approved after correction.
Communications from the Mayor :
Mayor Lowe, Councilman Somers and Engineer Bill Walsh visited in
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c sewer extension fans which ril_
proposed seti e e
Austin to . discuss the p p p
necessitate a $200, 000. 00 bond issue.
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Mr. Guy Odom, of Norwood Homes, has agreed to meet with Council
to discuss correction of inequities of fees for building, which are
within the city.
He also stated that he hoped to have financial program completed
in January for initiating building program in Quaker ' s Landing.
Construction could possibly start in March.
The Friendswood Drainage District will hold an election of
Supervisors and for approval of a maintenance tax on January 3, 1967.
The tali will be based on 25% valuation of property and the rate not -�
to exceed $.45 per $100. 00 assessed evaluation.
On December 6, 1966, the initial meeting of the proposed Area
Master Electrical Board met in the Friendswood City Hall.
The Community Christmas lighting ceremony was held December
13, 1966.
There will be a Christmas program Tuesday evening, December 20,
by the tree with Santa Claus, singing, etc.
The Financial Status of the Fire Truck: December 20, 1966.
Balance on hand November 30, 1966 3677.92
Amount collected to date 316. 00
i Total on hand to date 3993.92
1 Interest due on $17, 000. 00 at 4% for 245 days 462.78
Principal payment 3500.00
Total payment 12-20-666 3962.78
New balance 31. 1
New balance on Fire Truck - $13,500. 00
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12-19-66 : reg. 2
Mr. Garnett, of Pritchard and Abbott, has stated that they will
appraise the new homes that should be entered on the new tax roll for
next year for approximately $750. 00 if we so desire. Mr. Garnett
will be asked to attend the next regular meeting, January 3, 1967.
Petitions and Communications :
Bid opening for janitorial service :
A-1 Janitorial Service & Supply
once weekly cleaning of City Hall : 25.00 wk.
once daily cleaning of City Hall: 40. 00 wk.
J. A.. Clardy
daily sweeping and monthly floor wax 180. 00 month
There had been previous discussion of using some of our own
personnel for keeping City Hall clean. After further consideration
of these bids and use of 'our personne-, it was decided to accept
no bids at this time; that we should try to utilize some of our
personnel.
New Business :
Formal Acceptance of the City Hall from the Friendswood Chamber
of Commerce.
Councilman Davidson read a letter to the Friendswood Chamber
from Mayor Lowe, dated 12-19-66; Re : Friendswood City Hall.
(attachment 1 )
Councilman Davidson stated that formal dedication ceremonies for
the new City Hall were held . on August 10, 1965 and the keys to the
building were officially turned over to the City' of Friendswood at
that date. The City Hall, however, was not noted in the city' s
1965 annual audit as an asset, evidently because City Council had
failed to vote on acceptance of the building from the Friendswood
Chamber of Commerce . Accordingly;
Councilman. Davidson made a motion, seconded by. Councilman Murrell,
that the city government of Friendswood now formally accept from
the Friendswood Chamber of Commerce, at no cost to the government,
the new City Hall which the city has occupied with no difficulties
for the last fourteen months, and which has now been independently
appraised at a value of $76,500.00 by the firm of Pritchard and
Abbott during their Friendswood reappraisal program last summer and
further that the Chamber of Commerce be sent the letter read into
these minutes this date. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Special Committees :
_ Gas : Councilman Somers submitted his report; City Owned Natural
Gas Distribution System. He read the cover letter (attachment 2)
t and the introduction of the report: The purpose of this study was to
determine if it would be advisable for Friendswood to retain
1 professional help to evaluate the economic picture and to make
recommendation for Friendswood on that city acquiring natural gas
distribution system.
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12-19-66: reg. 3
I. Abstract City files have been reviewed and contacts made
with various information sources to formulate a report on the
advisability of Friendswood acquiring and operating its own natural
gas distribution system. The study has included inquiries as to
state regulation of municipal systems, means of financing, description
of the existing system, total gas sales in Friendswood, burner tip
selling price of gas in Friendswood, purchase price of gas from supplier,
experience of other cities operating their own gas system, and sources
of supply in Friendswood. An approximate economical evaluation has
been made.
I!. Conclusion It was concluded that the city should retain a
professional engineering firm to conduct an economic evaluation.
At present, an approximate economic evaluation indicates a return of
$49, 700 per year before bond interest payment. It was concluded that
the only practical means of financing the venture would be with revenue
bonds. It appears that should Friendswood purchase the existing system
from Gas Utility Service Company, the contract between 0. 0. Terrell
and United Gas will be binding between Friendswood and United Gas .
Councilman Somers read several excerpts from the complete report
which is available at city hall. After the Council has had time to
study this report, there will be a workshop meeting to further discuss
and study this subject early in January 1967.
Standing Committees and Departmental :
Finance : CouncilmaF Davidson says that there must be a budget
meetiEg—before the end of the current year. This meeting is
tentatively set for December 28, 1966; 7:30 P.M.
Fire : Councilman Hatcher was asked to obtain a letter of
accepE—ance from the Fire Department for the newly installed Fire
Hydrant in Lori Woods.
Councilman Hatcher and Councilman Somers will meet with members
of the Fire Department to discuss the possible release of the Ford
truck from the Fire Department to the Streets Department for use as
a tank truck for the Dust Abatement Program.
Streets et al : Councilman Somers reports that the general
program of patching, shelling, etc, is continuing. He further reported
that he had explained to a new resident of a subdivision that the
streets of a subdivision were the responsibility of the developer
and. that the city could not afford to take care of these streets .
Utilities : Councilman Murrell reports that the superintendent
has been ma,,�nk-nin��, the plant; he is having trouble with the
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electricalAi Aaer well �:,4,2, and he is in the process of purchasing
a bulk flow meter to meter water going to District #21. The Lori
Woods Fire Hydrant has been installed. -9-66 to Mayor Lowe
Councilman Murrell read a letter dated 12
from Guy Wilkinson, Glaveston County Health Department: Re : report
on inspection of Sewage Plant #1. (attachment 3)
12-19-66: reg. 4
Council has requested that another letter requesting the
installation of a force feed line from District #21 to the manhole
on FM-518 at Echo Avenue so that their effluent will be diverted to
Plant #2 from Plant #1. A copy of this letter. along with the letter
from Mr. Wilkinson (attachment 3) be sent to the Texas Water Pollution
Control Board.
Bid Opening: 6" road bore for sewer line for Sinclair Station
at FM-51d and FM-2351 - attachment 4a, 4b. )
Texas Pipe Line Construction Co. 1250.00
Mora Construction Utilities 1020.00
Councilman Davidson made a motion, seconded by Councilman Murrell,
that we authorize Mr. Kennedy to proceed with the installation of
the 6" road bore for sewer line for Sinclair Station, at a cost not
to exceed the lowest bid figure - Mora Construction Utilities; $1020.00 -
contingent on the approval of the City Engineer. Motion carried by
unanimous vote .
R-O-W for proposed sewer trunk line from Friendswood Forest to
Sewer Plant #2. Councilman Childers reports that he and Sam Tilotta,
engineer, talked with Shell Recreation and Mr. Hackney concerning
right-of-way through their properties for sewer main easement. These
people tentatively agreed to the proposed right-of-way requirements.
Councilman Childers said that consideration should be given to the
request of both parties that after the sewer line is installed that
they be allowed to tap in at no charge. If such special consideration
is given, it should be to people who give over a certain amount of
right-of-way, i.e . 4000 square feet. This and other possible ways of
handling this request will be studied further.
Health and Safety: Councilman Hatcher read a letter from Guy
Wilkinson, date 12-5-66, to Mayor Lowe, Re : Control of Rabies in Cats.
(attachment 5) Councilman Hatcher will investigate how serious this
problem is in our area, and if other cities have any legislation on
rabies control for cats .
Old Business :
Councilman Murrell reports that the next meeting of the Area
Master Electrical Board will be held at the Friendswood City Hall,
January 10, 1967; 7:30 P.M. Mayor Lowe appointed Councilman Murrell
as the official representative for Friendswood; and K. B. Jones and
Truitt New will also attend this meeting.
E Councilman Somers will contact the Clear Creek Basin Authority
to set up a meeting with members of their board and the Council
tentatively at workshop meeting of January 23, 1967 at Friendswood
City Hall.
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12-19-66: reg 5
Ordinances and Resolutions :
Conflict of Interest: Third Reading
AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING DISCLOSURE BY OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY
OF FRIENDSWOOD OF ANY SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL INTEREST IN ANY CORPORATION
OR BUSINESS OR OF ANY CONTRACT WITH THE CITY: PROHIBITING PARTICIPATION
BY SUCH OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE IN MAKING OF SUCH CONTRACTS: PROVIDING
PENALTIES FOR WILLFUL FAILURE TO DISCLOSE SUCH INTEREST.
Passed and Approved on third reading by motion of Councilman
I
Davidson, seconded by Councilman Tllurrell. Motion carded by
unanimous vote .
An Ordinance creating a Parks and Recreational De-partment:
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Councilman Somers made a motion, seconded by Councilman Davidson, that
a rough draft of a proposed ordinance creating a Parks and Recreational
Department and providing for the appointment of a director, be given
to the City Legal Advisor for preparation for enactment as an ordinance.
Motion carried by unanimous vote,
Misce?laneous :
CouH—cil decided to send a letter to District #21 informing them
that we are going to install a master flow meter for measuring the
water used by that District.
Warrant Approval :
warrants -T258 through "1272; and Warrants �2776 through 2796
stood approved 'by motion of Councilman Davidson, seconded by Councilman
Somers; Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Adjournment :
Councilman Somers made a motion for adjournment, seconded by
Councilman Childers; Motion carried by unanimous vote. 10:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Ar ha F g H t -0-1 t y-6 o 6-c—r e t a r y
Approved-.
Halpi-fL. Lowe -Myor