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Home My WebLink AboutCC Minutes 1968-11-18 Regular STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF GALVESTON CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 1968 A regular meeting of the Friendswood City Council was held November 18, 1968, at 7:30 P. M. in the City Hall , with Mayor Ralph Somers presiding. The following members were present: Ralph W. Somers Mayor Edward F. Stuart - Councilman James E. Mager Councilman George F. Prude Councilman Ronald G. Hamil Councilman, Thomas F. Woods Councilman Lawrence Cline City Secretary Bobbie C. Henry Assistant City Secretary Ody Jerden City Attorney Mayor Somers announced that the first part of the meeting would be devoted to hearing from Mr. John Latchford of the Water Quality Board, followed by a question and answer session. Nor. Latchford was introduced and the meeting was turned over to him. At 91-10 P. M. the regular order of business was resumed. CORRECTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES November 4, 1.968 - Regular. Approved as corrected. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR Texas .Parks and Wildlife Department: Communique stating that the Congres- sional Appropriations Committee has expressed concern about increasing cost of land, and urging that the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation place emphasis on assisting acquisition projects rather than development. Sunmeadow Municipal Utility District has applied to the Texas Water Quality Board for a permit to discharge effluent into Dickinson Bayou. Texas State Library Board letter advising that the Friendswood Public Library Construction Project Application = Part II has been accepted. Galveston County Historical Survey Committee: Invitation to the unveiling of two historical markers honoring "Wedell 's Corner" and "First Aero Squadron" . Heritage Garden Club has requested that we issue a proclamation designating November 18 to November 30 "1968 Christmas Sparkle" and calling upon "all ' -2- citizens of Friendswood to engage in activities designed to enhance the beauty of our City throughout the holidays. This Proclamation has now been issued and is in the hands of the garden club. Three Bovay Engineers met November 15 with Mayor Somers, Councilmen Mager and Prude, and Engineer Walsh to study Interim Plan No. 3 of the Comprehensive Plan. Agreement was reached on rewriting the plan and it will be resubmitted for approval after revisions. The Mayor stated that he wished to clarify the role of the Councilmen in that it is their duty to coordinate parts of the City activities. The Councilmen are available to the citizens for hearing problems and complaints which are to be passed along promptly to the City Hall and the department responsible, i .e. they are charged with the problem of coordinating efforts of satisfying complaints, not with the correcting of these problems personally. Any complaints, wherever received, .should also be brought to the attention of the Mayor in order that he may be constantly aware of the nature of such complaints. UNFINISHED BUSINESS j Resolution on Service Stations : At the November 4 meeting the City-Attorney had been requested to .make a study of this resolution. His report indicated — that such a resolution, if passed, would be subject to legal action inasmuch as the City is setting .a "peacemeal zoning" pattern. Councilman Woods asked what the Council 's rights are regarding building codes--can a building permit be denied by Council action? The Attorney stated that such a denial must be based on some "measurable standard. " Councilman Prude made a motion to untable .the resolution. Councilman Woods seconded the motion,. and it was carried unanimously. Councilman Woods then requested permission to withdraw the resolution; seconded by Councilman Hamil . No vote necessary for this action. Local Option Laws: No discussion STANDING COMMITTEES AND DEPARTMENTAL Finance: Councilman Ed Stuart Councilman Stuart reported that the City is in good financial condition if taxes continue to come in. A discussion followed regarding the $9500 which is now tied up in the library lot. Councilman Stuart stated that the Auditor is presently in the process of making the annual audit for the City. l -3- Fire: Councilman Mager A request was read from the Friendswood Volunteer Fire Department, signed by Leah North and LaMarr D. Beatty, requesting that the hydrant on Skyview Avenue be changed to conform to the size of the pumper nozzle. Mrs. North was commended by the Mayor for uncovering this discrepancy, and the matter was referred to Councilman Woods for handling. Health and Safety: Councilman Prude Councilman Prude announced that a safety meeting is being planned for the near future. Streets: . Councilman Hamil Councilman Hamil stated that the Catholic Church requested easement on the northern edge of their property, and would like the City to share that easement with the adjacent property owner. He stated that he would discuss the matter with Mr. Leon Brown and get back to it at a later date. The Virginia Lane problem involving culverts in a driveway has been partially resolved. Work on the Dog Pound is at a stand-still , but shell has been put on the road and some work has been done on the water well . Letters were presented asking for acceptance of work done in Enchanted Woods. A discussion ensued regarding method of inspection of such work, i .e. do the streets comply with specifications as to Width, elevation, location. Mr. Cline stated that Mr. Jones had looked at the work, though not as `an inspector. Councilman Hamil made a motion that the Enchanted Woods streets be accepted. The motion died for lack of a second. Police: Councilman Mager - No Report Utilities: Councilman Woods Motion was made by Councilman Woods that the City accept the water and sewer lines in Enchanted Woods . The motion was seconded by Councilman Mager C and carried unanimously. The motion was again made by Councilman Hamil that the City accept the. Enchanted Woods Streets; seconded by Councilman Prude, and carried unanimously. -4- i ORDINANCES f Third and Final Reading - Ordinance No. 117 AN ORDINANCE OF THE -C-ITY Of FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, DECLARING THAT GALVESTON COUNTY WATER CONTROL AND IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 21 HAS BEEN COMPLETELY ANNEXED: PROVIDING THAT THE CITY SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ALL DEBTS AND OBLIGA- TIONS OF THE DISTRICT AND CONTAINING OTHER MATTERS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT. Motion was made by Councilman Hamil , seconded by Councilman Mager, and �� carried unanimously to approve the Ordinance as read. First and Final Reading - Emergency Ordinance No. 118-E AN ORDINANCE LEVYING TAXES FOR THE USE AND SUPPORT OF THE MUNICIPAL GOVERN- MENT OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS. NOTATION: Councilman Stuart stated that division of tax receipts have been ,et at 65.5% for the General Fund and 34.5% for Interest and Sinking Fund. Motionnwas made to approve Ordinance Np. 118-E, seconded by Councilman rt S ' Hamil , and carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 4 Contract with Fiscal Agent, was set up for discussion at the next workshop. Mayor Somers stated that Layne-Texas would also have representatives at this workshop to discuss the technical aspects of water wells. WARRANTS _ Warrants 2536-2538; 2540-2565; 2567-2581 ; and 4005-4025 were approved for payment. 2537 and 2566 were refused pending clarification of expenses. The City Attorney presented to the Council a proposition made to him by Mr. Rex Clawson regarding the Weed Ordinance enforcement on land owned by Mr. Clawson. Mr. Clawson proposed to cpmply by mowing a 100 foot meter around his land. After discussion perimeter , Mr. Cline was instructed to issue citation on November 19 for violation of the Ordinance and directing Mr. Clawson to appear in Corporation Court. The Mayor suggested that the Ordinance be discussed at a later date with regard to large land holders within the City limits. i -5- ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Bobbie C. Henry Assistant City Secretary APPROVED: Ralph Somers, Mayor f i