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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/13/55 July 15, 1~§5 The regular meeting of th. City Council of the City of Bremerton, Washington was held in the MayOrts Office, City Hall at ~0:00 A.M., July 15, 1955. Mayor H.O. Domstad presiding with Com~issioner ~heaton, City Clerk McGowan and City Attorney Holland in attendance. Commissioner._Cullin on vacation. Also present were repre, sentatives of the press and radio and several interested citizens of the community. Motion by Mr. Wheaton and Mr. Domstad the minutes of the regular meeting of July 6, 1955 be approved' as written, carried. The City Clerk announced that this was the time set for opening bids on the $200,000 bond issue hub due to recent court action resulting from a citizens suit, the bids could not be opened at this time. He also noted that there had been one bid received. Upon inquiring if this bid should be returned, he was advised by Attorney Hol- land ta retain the bid unopened. The City Clerk read notice of separation for Howard Nott, Sergeant, Police De- partment. Motion by Mr. Domstad and Mr. Wheaton that the separation be approved, carried. 'Cae City Clerk read notice of employment for Bette Hoffman, extra labor at $1.50 per hour, Park and Recreation Department. Motion by Mr. Domstad and Mr. Wheaton to approve the temporary non-civil service appointment, carried. The City Clerk read change in pay for William Elliott, Reference Librarian, from $284.00 per month to $285.00 per montht Library Department. Motion by M~r. Domstad and Mr. Wheaton to approve the change in pay, carried. The City Clerk read two claim vouchers from John W. Cunningham, lll2 Portland TruSt Building, Portland, Oregon, covering engineer~ng fees on two Jobs performed on the Union River damslte: $1,~17.21, representing 6% on the contract price for diamond core drilling and $2466B.96, representing 6% of the contract price for clearing on the damsite. Motion by Mr. Wheaton and Mr. Domstad that the claims be paid, carried. The City Clerk read a letter from City Engineer Severance regarding L.I.D. No. 260, downtown street lighting. The letter submitted the adjusted balance for the project in the amount of $1,804.95, payable to the General Fund. Motion by Mr. Wheaton and Mr. Domstad that the balance be transferred, carried. The City Clerk reported that the Bremerton Charleston Transportation Company had sent their check in the amount of $S,999.64 to cover their Business and Occupation Fax for period ending J~ine 30~ 1955. The City Clerk reported that the Fire Department has the following equipment to be surplused: coal stove for heating hot water, nine bunker coats and four bunker pants. Motion by Mr. Domstad and Mr. Wheaton that the equipment be declared surplus, carried. The City Clerk read a porposed agreement between the Nicholson Drilling Company ~nd the City of Bremerton covering the rental of a well drilling machine and tools at a monthly rental fee of $400.00. Motion by Mr. Wheaton and Mr. Domstad that the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign the agreement, carried. Mr. Wheaton stated that he felt that the Water Department should have it's own well drilling machine and requested authorization from the Council to issue a call for bids. Motion by Mr. Domstad and Mr. Wheaton that the City Clerk be authorized to call for bids for a well drilling machine for the Water Department, carried. The City Clerk read a letter from C.C. Casad, requesting permission to install water mains in the following locations: Approximately 1,O00 feet of 8 inch cast iron pipe and appurtenances on Trenton Avenue from Holman Street to Stoneway and approx- imately 1,530 feet of 8 inch cast iron pipe and appurtenances on Stonewsy from Tren- ton Avenue to Perry Avenue listing the estimated cost in the amount of $10,559.50. Work to be done by City forces. Motion by Mr. Wheaton and mr. Domstad that the Water Department do the work of installing the water mains in the above locations and that the City Clerk publish notice as required by State Law, carried. The City Clerk read a letter from Rosellini, BrUmbach and Hennessey, Attorneys at Law, in regard to the contract between the City of Bremerton and Allstate Sand and Gravel Company, Inc., stating that since they are not now occupying the property referred to in the contract, they would like to have the real estate contract sent to the County Auditor to be recorded and requested that the City prepare an affidavit July 13, 1955 (Con't) of real estate tax to be forwarded to them signed by the proper officials showing that there is no tax due because the sale involves city property. Attorney Holland stated he' wbuld prepare the affidavit. The City Clerk stated tha~ because of a recent article in the Bremert0n Bun re- lative to an increase in population as a result of ships coming into the yard for repair, he had called the Yard Housing Office and ascertained that approximately 944 families had been housed in Bremerton in the past few months. He had then call- ed Dr. Schmid of the State Census Board in a4 effort to effect an adjustment in our last census figure but was told by Dr. Bchmid that the law was inflexible and unless the people were here as of April 1st they could not be counted. The City Clerk read a letter from American Legion Post #88 in which they request- ed that a correction deed be given them on the property which they had purchased from the City. The correction requested would remove the provision which gives the City first opportunity to acquire the property in the event of sale and at the orig- inal purchase price plus value of improvements less depreciation. The letter was referred to the City Attorney for study. The City Clerk presented several contracts from Puget Bound Power and Light Co., with which were combined Resolutions covering the furnishing of power for pump sta- tions and lift stations. These had been checked and approved by Mr.. Casad. Motion by Mr. Domstad and Mr. Wheaton that the Mayor and City Clerk be a~thorized to sign the contracts and Resolutions Nos. 902, 90~, 904 and 90§ be approved, car- ried. The City Clerk read a letter from Cliff Casad, Water Superintendent, concerning the proposal for the renewal of the logging c6ntract agreement for the forestry' management program on the Bremerton watershed, with Taylor and Bru~kart, Inc. The proposal provides for increased revenue t o the City of approximately ~0% for short logs and logs delivered in the water, scaled and ready for sale, and pulpwood salvage remains at the prevailing price of $2.00 per cord. The letter also stated that the returns to the Oity to date are approximately $1§0~000.00 on property which the City has invested approximately $120,000.00. Mr. TaYlor and Mr. Bruckart reported that for long range program that in ~8 years the revenue would approach 1.8 million dollars with a sustained yield to the City of 80 or 80 thousand dollars annually. In closing the letter Mr. Casad recommended that th~ City Council approve the re- newal of the conOract for at least one year, giving Mr. Domstad an opportunity to view the work and mo~e fully understand the City's problems. Following the reading of the letter a discussion ensued with the following men taking part: Mr. Casad stated that he felt that this was a good contract and that the opera- tion had been successful.. He pointed out that within the next few months we would again be facing the annual budget problems and t~at there was good revenue to be derived from the logging operation. He also stated that the logging of the water shed had been spoken of quite highly by forestry experts and in forestry management publications. Forrest Jenson, who represented the West Fall Mills in Silverdale, said that he felt that the logging should be let out on bid and that he was sure that better prices to the City would result. He stated that his company would be interested in bidding and was surprised to read a comment in the paper that no one wanted the Job until it was given to Taylor and Bruckart. ~r. Wheaton replied that this Job was set up under the Commissioner in charge of the watershed and that it was not necessary to call for bids since this was a job requiring professional service. Mr. Jenson said that he didn't know about the legal requirements but that most companies would do the work for §0% instead of ?8%. He also stated that all'log- ging companies are doing some forestry now and Mr. Taylor's company was not the only one doing this. Mr. Taylor said that he agreed with Mr. Jenson that all logging companies were doing some forestry but not all were qualified foresters. He than asked Mr. Jen- son', if he was a forester and Mr. Jemsen replied that he had been it it for thirty years. Mr. Taylor then went on to say that this was never Just a logging Job and took a great deal of planning. Mayor Domstad then asked former Mayor L."Hum"Kean if he wished to make any com- ments. Mr. Kean stated that he was Just an interested spectator but did feel that this was a contract and should not be entered into too hastily. However, at the time he was Mayor and the City had a contract with Taylor and Bruckart he thought it was an excellent contract and he would like to hear some of the't~lngs that were actually wrong with it. He said that he didn't think that anyone could speak on the subject without knowledge of the situation and without looking over the water- shed and studying the operation. J.F. McGowan, who is employed by the Baker Gardner Mill at Gorst, was asked by the Mayor if he had any comment to make. He stated that while othe~ comRanies might be interested in bidding he did not feel that the City could~be condemne~for the Way they handled the situation. He did not feel that.it was possible to call for bids July 13, 1955 (Con't) in a situation of this kind. He further stated that he could not put a finger on anything that was done wrong and said that he would not run down the contract. Mr. Kean then said he wondered what had prompted the offer of an increase in the percentage to the City but assumed that it was because of the f act that much of the costly ~ngineering and pla~ming was out of the way now permitting the corpor- ation to give the City a better deal. In response, Mr. Taylor stated that was partly the reason and that in addition companies are now receiving the highest prices in history end are finding it neces- sary to work on smaller margins than in the past. He also said that he felt that the contract was a good deal for both the Gity and his company. Mayor Domstad ~emarked that he had made five trips out on the watershed to study the problem. He stated, however, that no decision would be made until Miss Cullin had returned from her vacation. The City Clerk read proposed ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 2043 and Ordin- ance No. 2114, authorizing the issuance and sale of limited tax levy general obli- gation bonds of the City in the principal sum of $200,000.00 for the purpose of ad- vancing funds required at this time to pay for the prelinary plans and work for the future Manette Bridge. Motion by Mr. Wheaton and Mr. Domstad to approve the proposed ordinance on first reading, carried. The City Clerk read applications for pinball location licenses, which had been approved by the Chief of Police for the following establishments~ McGill's Tavern, 105 Washington, signed by Colleen McGill; Seven Seas, Cambrian and Farra~ut, signed by M.E. Hammong; F.O.E. Arie No. 192, 205 Sixth St., signed by Joe Starosky, Manager; Charlie's Lunch, 108 First Street, signed by Charles L. Decker; Crow,s Nest, ll3 Pacific, signed by Robert L. Thomason; Pattie's Dinette, 1138 Winfield, signed by Laura L. Johnson; Pop's Inn, 281~ Farragut, signed by William V. Bennett; Lippert Drug Company, 401 Park Avenue, si~ned by Louise. Lippert; Maple Leaf Tavern, Marlowe, signed.by John H. Coleman; Outside Inn, 8~B!F0~rth St., signed by Carroll E. Holzemer; Dug-Out, ~l]~'S~th Street, signed by Carroll E. Holzemer; White Pig, 331 S. Callow, signed by M.J. Noggle; ~moke Shop, 2~ First St., signed by Mrs. C.J. Guindon; Red Rooster, 31~ Naval Avenue, signed by William P. Eitchell; Cheerio Tav- ern, 251Burwell, signed by Alvin H. Johnson; Mission Cafe, 259 Burwell, signed by Edward E. Smith; Graham's Malt Shop, 201 Pacific, signed by Wayne W. Simkins; The Crossroads, 410 Naval Ave., signed by N.J. Robinson; Ted's Lunch, 417 Park Avenue, signed by Vernon W. Jones; Hillside Inn, 603 N. Wycoff, signed by O.J.Allard; In and Out Cafe, 507 Park Avenue, signed by Lloyd Whitehall; Wilson's Jolly Inn, 301 No. Callow, signed by Russell Wilson; Travelers Cafe, 212 First Street, signed by James L. Murphy; Palace Sport Center, 21~ Pacific, signed by H. McGill; Sammy,s Tri- angle Cafe, 203 First Street, signed by Sam Almo; Olympic Recreation, 101 Pacific Avenue, signed by Edward Bremer; Deluxe Tavern, 8A8 Fourth Street, signed by Edward Bremer; Skippers, A722 Marlowe, signed by Harley L.Dolan; Bluejacket Tavern, 8A5 Fourth St., signed by Jim Whitacker; the Sportsman, ~38 S. Wycoff, signed by H.H. Hanley. Motion by Mr. Domstad and Mr. Wheaton to approve the applications, carried. Mr. Domstad announced that he had appointed James Russell to serve on the Housing Authority Board. Motion by Mr. Domstad and Mr. Wheaton to approve the appointment, carried. Mr. Domstad stated that the contract between the City Library and the County Library will go into effect August l, 1955 and he announced that he had appointed the following people to serve on the Library Board: Mrs. Louise Haddon and Mr. Fred Graham, both to serve three years and Mr. Stan. Wardin to serve one year. Motion by Mr. Domstad and Mr. Wheaton to approve the appointments, carried. Mr. Domstad announced that the AAA Safety Award had been awarded the City of Bremerton by Leonard Johnson from the Seattle Office of the AAA. The City Clerk stated that this was the time set for a hearing by the Council on'a rezoning appeal from the Planning and Zoning Commission decision and noted that Mt. Don Reynolds was present,representing the Planning Commission, and Merrill Wallace, who represented Mr. Anderson, the appellant, was also present. Mayor Domstad asked Mr. Wallace if he would care to present his case first. Mr. Wallace said that Mr. Anderson had first asked for rezoning of his proper- ty in lOA8 and it was denied and again in January 19§5, his petition had been denied. In acting on the last petition the Planning Commission had stated that they wished to hold the matter in abeyance until the location of the Warren Avenue Bridge hnd been finally determined. Mr. Wallace said that the action of the Planning Commis- sion had in effect, condemned the property for the past seven years. He felt that the property in question io no longer residential but commercial and that the final decision on rezoning rested ~h the City Council because the Commission is purely an advisory board and has no legislative power. He stated that the Council should tell Mr. Anderson that they are going to condemn his property for street purposes or grant his petition. July 13, 1955 (Con't) Mr. Reynolds then stated that he took exception to the remark that the Plan- ning Commission had condemned property for the past seven years because Mr. Ander- son had the right to petition each year. He pointed out that many of the residences in that area were old and in need of repair and that if the area was zoned commer- cial it would become a second fire zone and repairs would become very expensive. As a result the housing in the area might suffer from neglect and present an.unsightly appearance. He also stated that there was no room for off street parking and that this would add to an already dangerous traffic condition. Mr. Reynolds said that Bremerton is already over-zoned for business and that the Planning Commission has at no time ever taken an arbitrary attitude. Mr. Domstad then asked Mr. McLeod, Building Inspector, if had anything to say on this matter. Mr. McLeod stated that when areas such as this ection in question petition to be zoned commercial the people who sign the petition seldom realize how ~hey will be restricted or they would never sign a petition. He pointed out that the City had hired Mr. Horowitz, a planning expert, who had compiled a book of re- commen~iations relative to planning in Bremerton and that the property~in question had been left Residential. He also noted that much of the property in the area asking for re-zoning would become a non-conforming use. He~d not feel that the use of Mt. Anderson's property as a location for a hobby shop Justified rezoning. Mr. Severance, City Engineer, stated that he felt responsible for the matter being held in abeyance because it is his belief that 9th Street will have to be widened eventually to get traffic from Pacific Avenue to the proposed Warren Ave- nue Bridge. Mr. Wallace then stated that he thought the Council should give a definite answer to petitioners. Mr. Wheaton said that as soon as Miss Cullin returns the Council.will consider the matter and a definite answer will be given in two or three weeks. Mr. Domstad and Mr. Holland reported that Family Night, which was held. in the City Park,' Tuesday evening, July 12, 195§, was a success and approximately 2,000 persons turned out for the event and all seemed to enjoy themselves. Mr. Wheaton announced he would like to place picnic tables and benches in the park for the convenience of the people living in Bremerton, so they wouldn't have to travel so far to picnic grounds. Motion by Mr. Domstad and Mr. Wheaton to allow all bills if approved by the majority of the Council, carried. Motion by Mr. Domstad and Mr. Wheaton the meeting be adjourned, carried.