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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-06-07 - Regular City Council55 Stephenville, Texas June 7, 1966. The City Council met in regular meeting on the above date with Mayor Arthur presiding and the following councilmen present: Robert Herrin, Mrs. Doyle White, Roy Swain, Chas. Riggins, W. M. Irwin, Raymond Anderson, Telefus B. Cawyer and Mrs. Fred McCleskey. Others present were Dir. of Public Works Gann, Chief Cornell and Fire Marshal Ferguson. Mr. Oscar Hammett appeared before the Council offering to buy a tract of land described as Lot 1, Block 10, South Side Addition, also offered to buy the portion of South Third Avenue which lies west of said Lot 1. The Mayor explained to Mr. Hammett that all City land must be advertised for sale and bids received on such land. This being the only way the City can sell land. It was moved by Councilwoman White, seconded by Councilwoman McCleskey, to adopt an ordinance declaring that portion of South Third Avenue, lying between the south line of West Long Street and the north line of the Gulf Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad Company right -of -way in the City of Stephenville, Erath County, Texas, to have been abandoned as a street, ordering same vacated and closed and authorizing the adver- tisement of said land for sale in accordance with the proper proceedure for sale of City lands. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Councilman Cawyer, seconded by Councilman Anderson, to advertise for bids on Lot 1, Block 10,South Side Addition. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Edd Brooks appeared before the Council stating that when the City sold the Golf Course there was a restriction placed on the property as follows: "Should the Golf Course at any time cease to be operated as a Municipal Golf it Course it would revert back to the City.11 The owners of the Golf Course would like to get the above restriction removed since they have been unable to get a loan for improvements with such restriction. The Mayor appointed Councilmen Riggins, Swain and Anderson as a committee to meet with City Attorney Chandler and report back to the Counci. Mr. Don Metsg insurance business to write all types Metsgar asked that buying insurance. City insurance. ar appeared before the Council stating that he has been in the in the City since 1959, holds a State License and is qualified of insurance the City would need. Based on the above facts, Mr. he be considered when the City changes from the present method of Mr. Metsgar was promised to be considered when a change is made in A group from the First Baptist Church came before the Council,with Rev. Becker as spokesman,reporting a crusade has been planned in August and asked that the church be granted exclusive use of the large pavillion at the City Park, also that no ball games be played on the Babe Ruth Field during the week of August 14th through August 21st. After discussion, it was moved by Councilman Cawyer, seconded by Councilman Herrin, to grant the First Baptist Church special permission to use the large pavillion at the City Park and to prohibit the playing of ball games on the Babe Ruth Field for an 8 day period beginning August 14th and running through August 21st. by a vote of 5 for, 2 abstain, and 1 against. Motion carried Mr. Jack Farrar appeared before the Council stating that when Rowland Street was paved a section of the curb on the west side was left out for water to drain off the street. This water flows across lots owned by the Episcopal Church. Recently the City crews made a ditch across the church property. Mr. Farrar asked that the City fill in and re -sod the ditch to stop washing, thereby restoring the ditch to its previous con- dition. Mr. Farrar stated the above is being asked because he does not remember giving the City permission tc do any work on the property now owned by the Episcopal Churc Mr. R. Y. Gann stated that he had permission to go on the property in question and do h. the necessary work so that proper drainage would be made in the area. The Mayor ap- pointed Councilmen Irwin, Herrin and Riggins as a committee to look into the matter. It was moved by Councilman Swain, seconded by Councilman Cawyer, to authorize the above committee to take necessary action on Mr. Jack Farrar's problem. Motion carried. Councilman Herrin reported several persons have asked that a,signal be placed at the railroad crossing on West Frey Street. The Council agreed that a signal is badly needed at this crossing due to the increased traffic on West Frey Street. The Council goes on record as insisting that the railroad place a signal at the above mentioned crossing. Councilman Herrin reported cars which park on McNeill Street by Clay Lumber Co. are damaging the buildings owned by Clay Lumber Co. The committee recommends that parking meters be placed in that block of McNeill Street. He also reported a need to do something about parking on McNeill Street in the block south of Higginbotham Lumber Yard. It was recommended that parking be allowed on only one side of the street in that block. It was also recommended that the hedge in the street on South Floral, in the 300 Block, be removed. The Council was in favor of the above recommendations and 5 asked the Law & Order Committee to carry out the proposals. Councilman Irwin was unable to give a report on curb and gutter since he could not get in contact with a contractor to find the price of curb and gutter. Councilman, Anderson reported the new water well is now complete, ready to set the pump and tie in. Tests show this to be a very good well and should produce 250 gallons per minute. Councilman Cawyer reported a recent failure of the pumps at sewer lift station causing flooding. This problem has been corrected by City Crews. Councilwoman White reported a need for additional hose for the Fire Department. This was not included in the budget, however, money has been saved on other items and could be used to buy the needed hose. The Council asked the Fire Committee to go ahead and purchase the hose. Councilwoman McCleskey reported that Jim Burgan is due another monthis salary as he entered the hospital in the latter part of January instead of December as previously reported. Councilwoman McCleskey gave a report of activities of the City Recreation program and presented each council member a co of the g copy yearly recreation department report. Councilman Riggins reported the Department of Public Works is ready to start on the runway at the City Airport; that the County will help with the project. He also reported the Department of Public Works has plans to do the project on Pecan Street, and more worTt on Methodist Branch in the near future. The Council discussed placing of water and sewer taps to lots in the West Oaks Addition. The taps need to be in place before paving. The question being should the City bear this expense and wait until the lots are built upon to collect for such taps, or should the developer pay for the necessary taps. The Council agreed to install ap- proximately 16 taps to lots that the street would be paved in the near future. It was moved by Councilman Riggins, seconded by Councilman Swain, that the owners " of West Oaks Addition be notified that before any future water and sewer taps be run they will be paid for in advance ,Ito installation. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Councilman Anderson, seconded by Councilamn Irwin, to pay final estimate to Texas Water Wells Inc. Motion carried unanimously. The Mayor reported Mr. Homer Hunter called stating that as soon as the details can be worked out with Texas Highway Department the engineering firm will have a re -. port of recommendations.on downtown parking. It was reported that the owners of the gin equipment on City land on East Wash-' ington Street will remove the equipment soon after the end of June. It was moved by Councilman Anderson, seconded by Councilwoman McCleskey, to ad- vertise for bids to furnish the City with gasoline, diesel and kerosene for one year. Motion carried unanimously. It was reported that Republic National Life Insurance Co. has asked for a 15% increase in rates. It was agreed to ask Republic and Blue Cross to submit a proposal for group coverage for city employees. The Council was presented a report from the Zoning Commission & Adjustment Board. This commission had the following recommendations: That the portion of the old City Dump Ground land lying east of North Cleveland Street be zoned as Business 1; that the portion of land lying west of Cleveland Street, between Cleveland Street and the Jaycee Park, be zoned as Residence 1. It was moved by Councilman Herrin; seconded by Councilman Irwin, to accept the above report and the land be zoned as recommended. Motion carried unanimously. There being no other business at this time, the Council s oo adjourned subject to the Mayors call. AT i ( Mayor. s 42'2 ORDINANCE DECLARING THAT PORTION OF SOUTH THIRD AVENUE LYING BETWEEN THE SOUTH LINE OF WEST LONG STREET AND THE NORTH LINE OF THE GULF, COLORADO & SANTA FE RAILWAY COMPANY RIGHT OF WAY IN THE CITY OF STEPHENVILLE IN ERATH COUNTY, TEXAS, TO HAVE BEEN ABANDONED AS A STREET, ORDERING SAME VACATED AND CLOSED AND AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISEMENT OF SAID LAND FOR SALE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROPER PROCEDURE FOR SALE OF CITY LANDS. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF STEPHENVILLE: Section One That portion of South Third Avenue lying between the South line of West Long Street on the North and the North line of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway Company right of way on the South in the City of Stephenville in Erath County, Texas, as shown on King's 1956 Map of Stephenville at page 712 thereof, is hereby declared to have been abandoned for street purposes and said portion of South Third Avenue is hereby ordered vacated and closed as a street. Section Two The City Secretary shall take the necessary action to advertise said land closed and vacated as a street, above, for sale with bids to be made as provided by City Charter of Stephenville, Texas.