HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/21/56 November 21, 1956
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Bremerton, Washington,
was called to order by Mayor Domstad at 10:00 otclock A.M., November 21, 1956 in
the Council Chambers, City Hall, Bremerton, Washington. Present at this meeting were
Co~nissioner Cullin, Commissioner Wheaton, City Clerk McGowan and City Attorney
Holland. Also in attendance were representati yes of press and radio.
Motion by Mr. Wheaton and Mr. Domstad to approve minutes of regular meeting of
November 14, 1956~ as written, carried.
Mr. McGowan stated this was time and date set for hearing on proposed sidewalk
improvement district. A number of residents were present and Mayor asked that each
give name, address, and notice number, if available, and briefly state their
objection to the improvement.
Joseph R. Nannie, 916 Naval Avenue, No. 4V6, asked question concerning side-
walk ownership and who is liable if someone hurt on sidewalk. This was answered by
the City Attorney who mentioned the state law governing responsibility.
Mr. B. E. Kvistad, 1947 Gregory Way, No. 213, claimed sidewalk damage caused
by city roller moving over sidewalk several years ago; also, wood gutter covered
over by blacktop which when rotted out caused chuckholes.
Mr. Chester J. Beasley, 1910 8th, stated that his sidewalk is low and property
on both sides is higha nd asked if he had to stand total cost to raise his part;
questioned just who should say whether his is too low or other property too high.
Mr. George T. Hardesty, 1319 High, claimed that from llth to 17th on High the
sidewalks are part of the street and in some places the sidewalks are lower than the
street causing them to become merely drainage ditches, especially on the west side
of High Street. Further stated that sidewalks were put in as an L.I.D. but never
got the curbs; also, pointed out that sidewalk used for unloading during the day
by cars and trucks bringing children to the high school and at night the sidewalk is
used for parking cars on the east side of High for night school students which
caused the street to be narrow and puts cars and trucks on his sidewalk and he has no
control over these situations.
Mr. J. P. Mentor, Route l, Box 1060, Bremerton, protested because he said he
believed the sidewalks were public thoroughfare and they should be fixed by whoever
breaks them.
~[rs. Ernest J. Boyer, 1211 High, No. 17, stated that the city claims ownership
to 20 or 24 feet between their'property line and the sidewalk; also, plans had
been laid for a curb when the L.I.D. for sidewalk was done but due to rising cost
of cement the curb job was eliminated from the L.I.D.; also claimed damage done by
trucks parking on the sidewalk. Mrs. Boyer also claim~d the city put in a free
sidewalk job in front of the Edwards' Grocery Store.
Mrs. Lulu Haddon asked who granted permission for the person leasing her
property at 6th and Naval to d~ive over the sidewalk thus damaging it. No answer
was given.
Mrs. J. E. Finden, 870 Burwell, stated cars back up on sidewalk and wi:~
contin~e to break it.
Mrs. E. W. Stror~ 1121 Sidney, stated trucks use sidewalk for parking strip
and have injured it and Coca Cola trucks had been pricipal violators. She also said
that Mr. Hatfield, Street Supt., thought the whole sidewalk should be taken out.
A lady spoke for a Mr. W. J. Wilson, 1221 High, stating the correction was so
minor ~:e would like to have his improvement eliminated.
Mr. Roy Larson, 1508 Vth, stated the sidewalk notice went to Stewart and
Duryea from whom he is buying the property and that the part to be repaired is five
feet from his property line to the west and the address there is probably 1510 - Vth.
Mr. Wm. G. Truemper, 1000 Veneta, Notice 485, protested because city is asking
that he fix his sidewalk wherein his garage d?iveway cuts back into the walk abo~t
six inches a~d that the sidewalk has been there for about 25 years and no accident
has ever occurred. Further, if he makes the change he will be unable to use his
driveway for his garage and claimed had no other space to put another garage. Also,
said he wondered how this pre-existing use of the sidewalk could be taken up under
the present improvement as he felt this would set a precedent on other ordinances
a~d codes.
~rs. Albert Fox, 1202 - 4th, Notices 323 and 102, protested estimated charge
of ~8.44 because inspector had to gake a knife to dig out the dirt in order to find
the crack. Claimed one damage was caused by city truck driving over sidewalk and
another was caused by city whencurb was cut back and said she believed city should
fix the section they have damaged.
Mr. Hugh Bartlett, Notice 365, asked why the repair bill was for an estimate
and not an exact figure and Mr. Severance answered that the final figure would not
run over the estimate.
Mr. R. W. Miller, 1225 Gregory Way, stated the bulge in his sidewalk was
caused by roots from a tree owned by neighbor Hudson and that he has taken every
ordinary measure to have tree removed or to have the nuisance remedied but to no
avail. Mr. Miller stated he felt the city should ascertain who caused the damage
and impose a liability against that person; also, stated the bulge is equal on both
property owners but only he (Miller) is being asked to make the correction.
Isabelle Hopkins, 215 Naval, stated just as many cracks on next property but
they weren't asked to fix them.
November 21, 1956 (cont'd)
Edna J. Cross, 1205 High, stated the sidewalk down High Street is a drainage
ditch and trucks r'an over the sidewalks and stated would like to have the walks
fixed so they do not act as drainage ditch.
Mr. Elleson, 6th and Veneta, stated the Catholic Church sidewalk is marked for
correction but the fault is in the alley in that it raises up as much as two inches
in hot weather and down now to about one-half of the level and commented that
this was a hazard.
Mable Kolgore, 615 Roosevelt, questioned how the estimate got as high as $17.00
for one square of sidewalk.
Mrs. Doren, Gregory and Hewit$, Notice 122 and 238, stated she had the parking
strip blacktopped and had to square the sidewalk with blacktop which is in perfectly
good condition and said she felt the city was too particular about finding small
d~amage.
City Clerk read letter from Henry I. Sandberg, 2024 - llth Street, dated Nov.
19, 1956, in which he objected to the improvement because the damage is the result
of negligence on the part of City Water Department, in that when the meter and
w~t~r line was put in they failed to fill in and tamp the dirt property and the
dirt settled and also the sidewalk along with it.
Clerk read letter from Wyatt and Grace Thornton, ?07 Pennsylvania Ave., dated
Nov. 1V, 1955, objected because the red, air is being made necessary because of a
leaky water meter and the Water Department has been notified about it several years
ago, and that no repairs can successfully be made until the water meter leak is
stopped and more dirt filled in around.
Elsie Hoffman, 649-650 Washington, complained on the first improvement district
in that damage had been caused to street and sidewalk when a "dead-man" had been
installed in connection with a pole.
mr. Wallace, 1019 Hewitt, stated he had fixed his walk before he got the last
notice bu.t.the city wouldn,t pass it because the engineer won't allow a scab job.
City Engineer Severance stated only about 4% protesting on the total Job and
a large majority admit need the repairs and he said he didn't think it was up to
the Emgineer's Office to ascertain what caused the breakage. Mr. Severance
reco~nended the resolution go forth.
Mr. Severance and Mr. Wheaten commented that anyone wanting to do their own
work can motify the City Engineer. Mr. Wheaten discussed the objection of Mr.
Truemper who said he wouldn't be able to use his garage.
Chester Moore, 1222 - 10th, protested and said he had fixed his walk by putting
on a scab which didn't get approval of city but that city has done similar work
themselves.
Roberta 0sborn, Notice No. 195, 205 Naval Avenue, registered protest for · ,'~'
l~erself and ~. L. Lane.
Motion by Mr. Wheaten and Miss Cullin to proceed with the improvement, carried.
City Clerk asked for authorization to call for bids for supplies for 1957 on
the following: Gasoline; motor oils; tires and tubes; recapping and repairs of
tires; chlorine and ammonia; official publications; machine servicing of office
equipment.
Motion by Mr. Wheaten and Miss Cultin to authorize the call for bids as
requested, carried.
Clerk presented voucher for payroll for period ended November 15, 1956, for
the s~um of ~$40,355.75, audited by W. R. Vaa.
~otion by ~iss Cullin and Mr. ~eaton to approve the payroll voucher, carried.
Clerk presented claim voucher from General Construction Co. on Union River
Dev. Constn. Fund, for Estimate #12 less retained percentages, making a net of
~16,355.73, approved by C. C. Casad and audited by W. R. Vaa~ and approved by
John W. Cunningham.
D~otion by ~r. Wheaten and Mr. Domstad to approve the estimate and pay the
claim, carried.
Clerk presented claim from Tudor Engineering Company for professional services
an~J expenses incurred by Coverdale & Colpttts on the Warren Avenue Bridge Const.
Fund for ~1,690.47.
~otion by Mr. Wheaten and Miss Cullin to approve the claim, carried.
Clerk stated he had a letter from Tudor Eng. Co. and another claimer $17,500.
and the letter stated they had not yet received payment for their Sept. and Oct.
claims in the same ~nounts. ~r. McGowan stated the City wouldn't have to consider
paying these at this time as apparently the financial arrangements between the city
and state are being solved.
Clerk read Ordinance No. 2200, "An Ordinance declaring the need for the
condemnation of certain real property ih the City of Bremerton for street purposes,
~irecting.condemnation of said property and payment of Just compensation therefor,
and declaring an emergency."
~otion by Mr. Wheaten and Mill Cullin to pass Ordinance No. 2200, carried, as
follows: Mr. Domstad, Yes; Miss Cullin, Yes; Mr. Wheaten, Yes.
November 21, 1956 (cont'd)
Cle~rk read UAn Ordinance regulating, solicitations for Charitable, Patrfotie~
Philanthropic, Religious and other Purposes; providing for permits; prohibiting
solicitations by false or fraudulent statements; and providing penalties for the
violation t~:ereof.
~,iotion by l~'liss Cullln and Mr. Domstad to approve the ordinance on first reading,
carried, as follows: ~r. Domstad, Yes; ~Iiss Cullln, Yes; ~r. Wheaton, Yes.
~lr. Domstad reported he had been contacted by a ~r. Wilson of Richfield 0il
Company who would like a lease on the Fire Station property at Hal's Corner and said
he suggested ~,~r. Wilson put their proposition in writing to the City Countil. Their
offer was for ~150.00 per month, a percentage on the gasoline sales and the city to
have the material from the fire station which would have to be torn down. Lease
would be requested for 20 years.
3~ayor Domstad reported that study has been given to the offer of ~r. Burks to
sell the city the buildings and property adjacent to the City Hall to the east and
that it appears to be impossible to spend any more money on expanding the city hall
so asked that the City Clerk write Mr. Burks a letter a~vistng him of this if the
Council agrees. Miss Culltn and Mr. Wheaton both agreed with the mayor who stated
Jt has been estimated it would take ~150,000.00 to repair the structures.
Pat Nicholson, recently elected representative to state legislature discussed
his future w~th the legislature especially desiring to know what eo~mnittees he
should try bo get appointed on. This matter was discussed and it was suggested
that he could help the city most by membership on ~unicipal Committee or County-Citu
Committee.
l~otion by ~iss Cullin and Er. Wheaton to pay all bills if approved by a majority
of the Co~issioners, carried.
I?,e e ting adjorned.
APPROVED: City C16rk