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Home My WebLink AboutCC Minutes 1971-05-06 Regular -- --—-------- _------ -- . ------ .G+Q�-''�- ` MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETI�lG OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL , � May 6, 1971 A Regular Meeting of the Friendswood City Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m. on May 6, 1971 , at the regular meeting place in City Hall , with the following members present: � Mayor Edward F. Stuart , ? Councilmen: Ronald G, Hamil Ralph L. Lowe � �- Ralph G, Gonzalez � William B. Patton James E. Mager With a quorum present and none absent, the following business was transacted: MINUTES Minutes of a Regular Meeting of April 15, approved :as presented. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND 1 . Letter from Mary Queen Catholic Church requesting per- � COMMUNICATIONS mission to erect a banner across the highway to � FROM THE MAYOR advertise their Spring Festival on May 16. r-^I � 2. Letter from Mr. and Mrs, Kenneth Fossler endorsing a planted median for FM � 518, C� 3. Letter from Charles W. Yodzis endorsing the planted med.ian. 4. Letter from Mrs. Mark Heath offering services of Friendsw,00d Garden Study Club for landscaping the median�, endorsing a planted median, and clarifying the Garden Club's, position on non�obligation insofar as maintenance of those areas which they volunteer to landscape, A book entitled "Trees for Better Neighborhoods" was presented to each Councilman. 5. Letter from County Judge Ray Molbrook transmitting a copy of the 1970 REPORT OF TFIE GALVESTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT. 6. Letter from Mayor Larry G. Sullivan,. Seabrook, with Resolution recommending Ralph Lowe of Friendswood as HGAC Executive Committee representative from General Law Cities, and Mayor Vernon Williamson of Missouri City as alternate. 7. Letter from Arthur M. Alpert, Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority, trans- mitting a description of a Pollution Control Compact$ and a proposed contract with Union Carbide for waste disposal facilities, and asking the views of the Friendswood Council on these matters. 8. Letter from Gus Mutscher in answer to City's request that he support SJR 49, re1ated to city officials running for State offices. 9. Letter from Texas Municipal League urging endorsement of Amendment #4, Clean Water Amendment, on May 18. 10. Letter from Betty White, Friendswood City Riding Arena Board, recommending six names for consideration by Cauncil for appointment of. three members to the Board. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS FROM THE FLOOR Mrs. David P�cCraw read an open letter to the Council urging that they take a stand on clearing up pollution in the area, and that they actively participate in action against pollutors. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS Police Department- In the absence of Chief Wright, Councilman Gonzalez read the police. report for March and April -- � � ------------------ ,. _---------------- R � ' Street De artment - Superintendent Stephens reported that a rail increase the 15th of this mont will cost an additional $400 (approxi,mately� unless material for the present street program is purchased before that time, He submitted a written re- port of work in progress by his department at the present time, The question of Mary Ann Drive was discussed, and Steve was asked to get quotations on contracting the balance of this work. Mowing will begin soon. Water & Sewer De artment - Superintendent Toon gave a report on the polluted water in Clear Creec last week. Sewer Plant #2 is down and will be sandblasted and com� pletely cleaned and repainted, then stored for future use; The 2" line to the Little League Field is complete. � ,.4 Engineerin� De�artment - Work for water line on Sunset completed, Lift station to ' �'�.9 divert sewage from Plant #1 has been, completed on paper. He discussed the matter �j of future sewage treatment to meet S�ate requirements, and stated that a bond issue would be necessary to build proper facilities for tertiary treatment, Attorne - Gar..ba e contractor settlement has been made with exce tion of a in y g p p Y 9 for the first 19 days in March. Bill 's alley easement transfer (abandonment) papers are ready for passing of an ordinance, Flammable materials ordinance is to be checked with the Attorney General 's office to see if we can regulate transportation on a State highway, Secretar - Report of classification of work within the office is progressing and wor ing out very well , UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1 . Little Lea ue Ba11 Park MOTION: (Mager) That the water line be laid to the Little League Ball Park, wit funds coming out of water department revenue, Second: Lowe; Vote: FOR (4) Mager, Lowe, Hamil , Patton; AGAINST (1 ) Gonzalez MOTION: (Hamil ) That the City hold bills for water at the LL park in abeyance for purpose of ascertaining how much water is used� , Second: Gonzalez; Vote: Unanimous , Councilman Hamil requests that records be kept on the LL park to show monies spent for projects including labor, water, and materials. � �a 2. Summer Recreation Pro ram MOTION: (Patton) That $2,000 be put into the summer recreation program sponsored by the school as provided in the current budget, Second: Hamil ; Vote: Unanimous 3. FM 518 Median - Flush or Raised Mr. Jim Humphrey made a presentation regarding cost of a planted median and maintenance costs for same, and urged approval of such a median, Mrs. Leah North showed slides showing difference between flush and raised medians, and requested that Council seriously consider a raised, landscaped median. MOTION: (Gon;��alez) .That we send a �letter to Judge Ray Holbrook of the Commissioner's Court, copy to �1r. Carmichael , informing them that we request a change in the plan for FM 518 to include a curbed, landscaped median. Second: Namil ; FOR (4) Gonzalez, Hamil , Lowe, Mager; AGAINST (1 ) Patton SUMMER STUDENT SURVEY OF CLEAR LAKE MOTION: (Lowe) That Friendswood contribute $300 toward this study to be made _ by students of Clear Creek High School . Second: Mager; Vote: Unanimous ' --.-_'-_-.-.'__.__ ___...__ _.._._.._TT______<-'.__._______________�_________..__.__ , __-_--__"----___ ____� ��,�._ � May 6� 1971 5, POLLUTION OF CLEAR CREEK Councilman Patton stated that he wishes to have a policy set on where the -. City stands on the question and how far the City will go to back this policy. MOTION: (Gonzalez) That the City of Friendswood send a letter to the office of the Attorney General of the State of Texas requesting that the State of Texas initiate court action against the Phoenix Chemical Company for re- � � ,. curring pollution violations. That this letter express to the Attorney General 's office that the tolerance of this community has ceased toward __, Continued pollution by this chemical facility. And that a state investi- gation of the operation of the Phoenix Chemical Company is in order. Second: Hamil Vote: FOR (1 ) Gonzalez; AGAINST (3) Mager, Patton, Hamil I Councilman Lowe abstained from voting on the motion. City Attorney's opinion was "that I could not recommend this action which draws conclusions that we can not substantiate, " Councilman Mager stated that he would vote against the motion because he feels it would be leveling charges which we can not prove. The attorney stated that he saw no harm in � asking the Attorney General to take through the State Agencies to make the � right kind o�F investigation to determine who is polluting the Creek. � �� MOTION: (Mager) That the City of Friends.wood send a letter to the Attorney General , Texas Water Quality Board, U,S. Army Corps of Engineers , Dr. Quebideaux, and other agencies related to pollution control , stating that the tolerance of this community has ceased towards the continuing pollution of C1ear Creek; requesting that positive action be taken to determine the sources of repeated Clear Creek pollution and after these sources are identified, that strong action be taken in the prosecution of all violaters. The agencies responsible for prosecution of pollution violators have failed to prosecute admitted violaters, It is this City'.s position that.the � failure in the past to prosecute admitted pollution violators has and is , continuing to contribute to the overall Clear Creek pollution problem. � ' Second: Lowe � Tl�e �ttorney stated that he could�endorse such a letter. Councilman� Gonzalez stated, for the record, "I feel that this Council is evading its responsi- bility in this community. " , Vote: Unanimous 6. COMMUNITY PUBLIC SERVICE RATE INCREASE � Councilman .Lowe stated that he had heard nothing more from CPS regarding the increase, and that if no further word is received, he will consider it a dead issue. 7. ANNEXATION OF NIGH SCHOOL - Corrected description of land and new request are in the hands of the City Attorney, A letter will be sent for the County Judge's signature and Court action, requesting the City to annex the roads leadi.ng to the school . The roads will then be.annexed before action is taken on the school . The matter of fire protection for the High School has been discussed; and Councilman Gonzalez reported that the school has agreed to pay half the , cost (or $1885) to cover two fire plugs and approximately 720 feet of 8" � pipe at a total cost of $3,770, along Greenbriar, , . � MOTION: (L�owe) That the City�accept the offer of the school to pay half the cost to provide fire protection to the High School . � i Second: Mager; Vote: FOR (4) Lowe, Mager, Patton, Hamil ; AGAINST (1 ) Gonzalez 8, FIRE bEPARTMENT FIRST AID SERVICE , � . ; MOTION: (Gonza1ez� That the City authorize emergency first aid service to be provided by the Friendswood Volunteer Fire Department upon request by the ' Friendswood Police Department as such emergency service is requested. ' � Second: Hamil � i i I � N j � «), . .. .. a ------------- --- d�i�� -------------------------------- -- ,� Van Williams of the Fire Department made a detailed presentation on the Y� proposed service, A PROPOSAL FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE ASSISTANCE FOR THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, MOTION: (Hamil ) To table the above motion for further discussion at the next workshop session, with the Police Chief present, Second: Mager: Vote: Unanimous COUNCILMEN'S REPORT 1 . Councilman Hamil presented a memo to council advising that the study on recreation by A&M be abandoned due to the Council 's decision not to hire a recreation director at this time.. No charge would. be made for the work al- ready done on the survey, MOTTON: (Hamil � That I be authorized to write a letter to Miss Delaune asking that the study be stopped at this time. Second: Lowe; Vote: Unanimous 2. Purchase of Street Material MOTION: (Hamil ) That material for the street program be ordered for immediate delivery in view of increased freight rates which will be in effect within the next month. • Second: Mager; Vote: Unanimous 3. Rest Rooms for Park Areas - Councilman Hamil presented plans for rest rooms for the ball park area and for the park on Briarmeadaw, which would be made possib1e by return of money to the budget which had been earmarked for the recreation study. This subject will be further discussed at the next work- shop. � 4. Garba e - Stud of Cit 0 erated Garba e Service - Councilman Lowe stated � that is figure`s are essentially complete, ut e needs figures on mileage � traveled by the garbage co�llector, L, B. Cline was requested to get this information from the. present collector: � 5. Amendments to State Constitution - Councilman Gonzalez reported that at the last meeting of the GCMCA, cities were requested to endorse the four amend- ments which will be voted on May 18. MOTTON: (Gonzalez) That the City of Friendswood endorse Amendments #1 thr'ou.gh #4, Second: Lowe; Vote: FOR (2) Gonzalez, Lowe AGAINST (3) Hamil , Mager, Patton 6. Councilman-Patton stated that he would like periodic reports from the Charter Commission, �and would like to see the vacancies on the various City Committees filled, 7, Councilman Ma er clarified some points dealing with budget figures. NEW BUSINESS �� alternateNoneExecutive CommitteeeofSHouptoneGalvestonnArUernon Williamson as ea Council . MOTION: (Mager) Fo.r adoption of the resolution � Second: Hamil ; Vote: Unanimous 2. MAYOR PRO-TEM � � MOTION: (Hamil � That James Mager be elected Mayor Pro-Tem by acclamation. Second; Lowe; Vote::. FOR (3� Hamil , Lowe, Patton; AGAINST: (1 ) Gonzalez -------__- ---�------------- --- - ------ ,--------- ----------- -------------2 e�� May 6, 1971 3. 6ANNER ACROSS STREET - CATHOLIC CHURCH MOTION: (Lowe) To approve request of the Church regarding banner Second: Mager; Vote: Unanimous 4. APPQINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO RIDING ARENA BOARD MOTION: (Hamil ) That Richard Stapp, Betty Merchant, and Dr, William Jones be appointed to serve on this Board. Second: Mager; Vote: Unanimous � ' �._ WARRANTS MOTION: (Mager) That G&A Warrants 961 through 1003 and M&0 Warrants 576 and 589 through 597 be approved for payment. Second: Lowe; Vote: Unanimous PERSONNEL ' .�'"' MOTION: (Mager) That Jean Carney's salary be increased $25 per month to � become effective as of April 1 , 1971 � � Second: Lowe; Vote: Unanimous � � ADJOURNMENT Motion made and seconded that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 1 :35 a.m. . � ; .�, � , Bobbie C, Henry, Secretar �� APPROVED: r //� � C_J �--� � Mayor Edward . Stuart i I