HomeMy WebLinkAbout1956-07-11 to 1956-08-21 Regular Meetings97
Stephenville Texas
July 11, 1956,
The City Council met in a called session on this date with
Mayor Evans presiding and the following aldermen present:
David Hugon, Chas. Rigging J. P. Hedrick, Herman Ferguson
and Scott D. Reed.
Mayor Evans advised the Council that an affidavit had been
presented him to the fact that an election had been held, in
compliance with Let, 971E of the Revised Civil Statutes of
Texas, that the L. H. Groesbeck Addition and Block 144 of the
City Addition, in which a majority of the inhabitants quali-
fied to vote for members of the State Legislature, voted in
favor of becoming apart of the City of Stephenville. An
affidavit has been made by three of said inhabitants to the
fact of holding this election and its having carried by a
majority, which affidavit has been filed with the Mayor of
the City of Stephenville, and creates an emergency and an
imperative public necessity requiring that this ordinance be-
come effective Immediately. It was moved by Alderman Reed,
seconded by Alderman Ferguson, that an ordinance be adopted
annexing the L. H. Gsosabook ad Block U4 of the City Addi-
tion to the City Limits. Motion carried. (Said ordinance
being attached to and becoming a part of these minutes).
There being no other business at this date, the Gouncil stood
adjourned subject to the Mayor's call*
ATMTT v
City Secretary.
Stephenville, Texas
August 7. 1956.
The City Council met in regular session on the above date
with Mayor Evans presiding and the following aldermen present:
Doyle White, David Hugon, Chas. Riggins, Philip Price, J. P.
Hedrick, Herman Ferguson, Dean Murray and Scott D. Reed.
Present at the meeting were Chief of Police Moore, City
Attorney Chandler and Street Supt, McMahan.
Minutes of last meeting were read and approved.
Alderman Read discussed the need of a signal device on the
large overhead water tank which would notify the employees at the
Water Plant whe n the tank was overflowing. After some discussion,
it was suggested, and agreed, that the Water Committee be authorized
to have a signal device installed at the Water Plant to notify em-
ployees when tank is about to overflow.
The Council discussed, at this time, a test being made by the
Southwest Natural Gas Company whereby they were urging the City to
use natural gas as fuel on water well pumping. No action was taken
since it was understood that a representative of the Gas Company would
meet with the Council at a later date and discuss this matter further.
It was moved by Alderman Reed, seconded by Alderman Riggins,
that the City advertise for sealed bids for a tractbr and baekhoe.
All bids to be in the office of the City Secretary not later than
5:00 o'clock P. M. August 21, 1956. Motion carried.
It was moved by Alderman Riggins, seconded by Alderman Hugon,
that the City accept $5000,00 from the Garner Park Committee and
apply same on the new building and concrete slab at the City Park.
Motion carried.
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It was moved by Alderman Ferguson, seconded by Alderman
White, that the City pay Mr. W. N. Brown for mileage and ex-
pense in the amount of $9.95 for trip with Park Committee to
Fort Worth. Motion carried.
Alderman Riggins reported that the Stephenville Fair Asso-
ciation was still willing to contribute $500.00 toward an extra
shed for livestock, to be located east of the City Auction Barn,
the total cost of building to be approximately $1140,00, It was
moved by Alderman Riggins, seconded by Alderman Reed, that the
City accept the $500.00 from the Stephenville Fair Association
and to cooperate with them in building a livestock shed onto the
east side of City Auction Barn at a cost of $640,00 to the City.
Motion carried.
It was moved by Alderman Hugon, seconded by Alderman White,
that starting with the September 15th water meter reading, all
City Volunteer Firemen be allowed 240s000 gallons of water per
year and to be billed for all over that amount once a year there-
after. Motion carried.
It was moved by Alderman Reed, seconded by Alderman Murray,
k that City Attorney Chandler be authorized to compile all ordinances
passed by the City Council from 1933 to the present date and to pay
his fee -upon completion of the work. Motion carried.
City Attorney Chandler read and discussed an ordinance setting
out specifications for curb and gutter constructed hereafter on the
streets of the City of Stephenville. After discussion, it was moved
by Alderman Plurfty, seconded by Alderman Reed, that this ordinance
be adopted (said ordinance being attached to and becoming a part of
these minutes). Motion carried.
Mr. Storey, representative of Browning -Ferris Machinery Co.,
discussed with the Council a now or used Wayne Street Sweeper. This
was discussed further but nb action taken.
Alderman White discussed the City doing custom work for the
public. It was moved by Alderman Hugon that the City not contract
for any individual work, except street paving, nor haul dirt and sand
or any other matter pertaining to any private business unless in case
of an extreme emergency. The motion died from lack of second.
A letter was read at this time from the Junior Chamber of Com-
merce requesting a signal light be installed at the railroad crossing
on West Frey St. It was suggested and agreed that the Police Depart-
ment be authorized to make a traffic survey on West Frey St., and on
West Washington St., for comparison, then report their findings back
to the Council at a later date. The Council will discuss this matter
further after receiving the police report.
Mayor Evans reported what had been done in regard to the City
hiring a utility rate consultant and read a letter received from Mr.
Owsley requesting that he be mailed a copy of the balance sheet of the
Gulf States Telephone Co. It was suggested that the City Secretary
request this balance -sheet from Mr. Art Anderson, Manager of the Gulf
States Telephone Co., and upon receipt of same mail it to Mr. Owsley.
Alderman Hugon reported that the Airport needed mowing and that
some of the runways had several large holes that should be filled.
After some discussion, it was suggested that the Street Department help
take care of this matter.
Alderman Hugon suggested that the Mayor appoint a special com-
mittee to investigate the operation of the local cemeteries and re-
port back their recommendiltions at the next regular meeting in Septem-
ber. Mayor Evans appointed the following aldermen as a committee:
Hugon, Price and Reed.
At this time the Council went into an executive session.
It was moved by Alderman Ferguson, seconded by Alderman Price,
that $1500.00 be transferred from the General Fund to the R & B Fund,
and $1000.00 from the General Fund to the Park Fund. Motion carried.
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Presented was a petition with several hundred names of local
citizens appealing to the Council for the need of a City Bus. It
was suggested that the City Secretary run an ad in the local paper,
the Star -Telegram and the Dallas News, that the City would consider
applications for franchise to pperate bus line and all applications
be in the office of the City Secretary not later than September 4,
1956.
It was moved by Alderman White, seconded by Alderman Riggins,
that bills and accounts be allowed and ordered paid. Motion carried.
There being no other business at this date, the Council stood
adjourned subject to the Mayor's call.
ayor.
ATTEST:
ecret y.
Stephenville, Texas;
August 21, 1956.
The City Council met in called session on this date with
Mayor Evans presiding and the following aldermen present:
Doyle White, David Hugon, Chas. Riggins, Philip Price, J. P.
Hedrick and Herman Ferguson.
Present at the meeting were City Attorney Chandler, Water
Supt. Anderson and Chief Moore.
Mayor Evans stated that the purpose of the meeting was to
open and discuss the following bids for a tractor and back -hoe
for the Water i• Sewer Departments:
1. Higginbotham Motor Co ------------------ $49992.21
2. Shaw Equipment Co.--------------------- 5,951.50
3, Stephenville Implement Co.------------- 4050.96
After some discussion, it was moved by Alderman White, seconded
by Alderman Hugon, that the City accept the bid of Higginbotham
Motor Co. for $5,3L+2.21 for one International 300 Utility Tractor
and a Henry Back -hoe (which made the difference in the bid stated
above), and Higginbotham Motor Co. to instQll 700 x 16 tires and
wheels at cost to City. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Cliff Shroyer, and other representatives of the South-
west Natural Gas Co., appeared before the Council to discuss the
Installation of gas engine water well pumping unit over one of the 4
City's water wells. Mr$. Shroyer pointed out several advantages
of their unit in that it would be quite a saving in fuel cost along
with the fact it would also serve as an auxiliary unit. This matter
was further discussed but no action taken at this time, however, it
was agreed to go into this more fully with the representatives at
a future meeting.
The Council discussed the possibility of the City owning and
operating a City Bus. Mayor Evans reported that he had requested
City Attorney Chandler to write the League of Texas Municipalities
for an opinion as to whether or not a General Law City could legally
own and operate a bus transportation system within the City. Further
discussion was postponed until the regular meeting in September.
The matter of the State Department of Public Welfare, formerly
occupying offices in the old City Hall building, moving to offices
in the Neblett-King building, came up for discussion. Alderman
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Price explained that he had told Mr. Rayford Young, District Super-
visor of the Department of Public Welfare, that the City Council had
voted to pay $10.00 per month on the rental of the new offices, pro-
vidcd this net with the legal approval of the City Attorney; that
he did not know the offices had been moved from the old City Hall
until he had talked with City Attorney Chandler, this date, and that
the Department of Public Welfare people had not waitod until he gave
them final approval before moving. It was then explained, by the
City Attorney, that the City could not legally contribute funds for
such purpose but this was being violated by Counties and Cities
throughout the state at the invitation of the State Department of
Public Welfare. There was no further action taken on this matter at
this meeting.
Mayor Evans reported that a Mr. Autry wanted to purchase the
old Dump Ground land on the Lingleville Road. This was discussed,
but it was agreed not to sell at this time.
The Council discussed the damage being done by hogs at the
City Golf Course and the trouble between the golf course keeper and
the owner of the hogs. It was suggested, and agreed, that the Mayor
appoint a committee to look into this trouble and report back at a
later date. Mayor Evans asked the Park Committee to handle the
situation.
Alderman Riggins reported that due to public opinion it was
his recommendation that the City not build the extra shed on the
east side of the Auction Barn at the City Park. It was moved by
Alderman Riggins, seconded by Alderman White, that the City not
build the addition to the east side of the Auction Barn, as agreed
In minutes of August 5, 1956. Motion carried.
It was moved by Alderman Hedrick, seconded by Alderman Riggins,
that the City allow Paul Davis to install extra bracing in the new
shed now under construction south of the Swimming Pool at the City
Park. Motion carried.
Mayor Evans reported that Texas Ranger George M. Roach had
turned over to the City the radio sending and receiving set that had
been furnished him by the County and City, as he had changed cars and
the set would not operate off the new 12 volt electric system. It
was suggested, and agreed, that this radio set be sold at a reasonable
price --if same was agreeable with the County.
There being no other business a this time, the Council stood
adjourned subject to the Mayor's call. f�
ayor.
A,"Ciy _
y Secretary.
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