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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/10/55 August 10, 1955 The regular meeting of the City Council of the'City of Bremerton, Washington was held in the Mayor's Office, City Hail, at 10:00 A.M., August 10, 1955. Mayor Domstad presiding with Commissioner Cullin, Commissioner~Wheaton, City Clerk Mc- Gowan and City Attorney Holland in attendance. Also present were representatives of the press and radio, Water Superintendent Casad, J. Harvey Leach of the Pdget Sound Power & Light Company and Jim Davidson of ~Het~ower Company and one other citizen. Motion by Mr. Wheaton and ~iss Cullin that the minutes of the previous ~eeting be approved aa written, carried. J. Harvey Leach, Manager, Western Division, Puget Sound Power & Light Company Bremerton, was present and presented the Council with a report of 3% tax due June 30, 1955 in compliance with Franchise Ordinance No. 1756, in the amount of also, he~' presented an application for occupation license as provided by Ordinance No. 1524 for year ending June ~0, 1956. ~r. Leach also tendered a check for the amount of the tax and stated that he would like to express his appreciation to the City for the cooperation they have given the light company in the past. The City Clerk read an a~plication for a card room license for the Caaino Tav- ern, 820 BUrwell, signed by Willie D. Henson. The application had been approved by the Chief of Police. Notion by Mr. Domstad and Mr. Wheaton to approve the application, carried. The City Clerk read applications for pinball location licenses for the follow- ing establishments:' ~libi Tavern, 802 Fourth Street, signed by Dave Olsen; Casino Tavern, 820 Burwell from William D. Ward; Service Tavern, 217 Second Btreet signed by Oscar Green; Eastside Tavern, 2115 East llth Street signed by C.L. Foote. NotiOn by Mr. Domstad and ~r. Wheaton to approve the application, carried. The City Clerk read reports of separation for: Howard E. Walters and W.G. Tronson, Water Department. Notion by Mr. Wheaton and Miss Cullin to approve the separations, carried. The City.Clerk read notices of employment for: Rober Leslie Bailey, lifeguard at $8.00 per 'aay and Irene Billett Semancik, extra labor, swimming pool at $1.25 per hour, Park and Recreation Department. Notion by Mr. Domstad and ~r. Wheaton to approve the temporary non-civil ser- vice appointments, carried. The City Clerk read changes in pay for Robert W. Henry from $339.00 per month to Sergeant at $357.00 per month, effective 8/4/55, Police Department. Notion by Mr. Domstad and ~r. Wheaton to approve the change in pay, carried. The City Clerk presented a general claim voucher from Taylor & Bruckart to which was attached a 9uit claim deed~covering the purchase of 200 acres, more or less, for a price of $6,000.00. The Clerk stated that he had one question relative to this purchase. He want- ed to know why it was necessary for the City to acquire this property through a third party, since he felt that the City could have acquired it directly from the State by trading other property. He said he understood, however, that Mr. Casad was in attendance to explain the transaction. Mr. Casad explained that the State of Washington is prohibited by law from dis~ posing of certain properties by outright sale but is permitted to trade for other property. The State was interested in obtaining forty acres near a state ~ree farm in Thurston County so Taylor and Bruchart bought the land and traded it to the State for the 200 acres which they are now offering to sell to the City. August 10, 1955 CCon't) Mr. Wheaton suggested that the claim and deed be referred to the City Attorney with instructions to check the transaction carefully and report back to the Council at the next meeting. ~e City Clerk read a claim voucher from the County Treasurer covering the bal- ance of the Library appropriation for the current year. This is to be paid in com- pliance with a recently approved agreement with the County which effected integra- tion of the County and City libraries. The City Clerk read a letter from the Civil Service Commission, signed by the Civil Service Secretary-Examiner John McPherson, in which reference was made to a letter received from Chief of Police Lewis on the subject of longevity pay for pol- ice officers. Mr. McPherson commented that the Commission had been aware for some time of the plan and felt that there were advantages to be gained from such a pro- gram. He also stated that the Public A~ainistration Service Survey, which is now under way, should form a basis upon which to build a longevity plan. The City Clerk read a letter from the International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 775 in which they advised that their coun~l at a regular meeting of the Local held on August l, 1955 had recommended that Mr. Jay Davis be reappointed as license examiner for the purpose of qualifying operating stationary engineers. The Council referred the letter to Mr. McLeod, Building Inspector, for study and recommendation. The City Clerk asked that the Council authorize him to call for bids for the construction of the dam on the Union River, Bremerton water shed. The Council had set the bid opening for Monday, September 12, 195§ at ll:OO A.M. at a recessed meet- ing. Mr. Wheaton stated that the plans for the dam have been drawn up and approved. Motion by Mr. Wheaton and Miss Cullin to authorize the City Clerk to call for bids to be returned September 12, 1955 at ll:00 A.M.P.S.T., carried. The City Clerk stated that an ordinance which had been presented to the Coun- cil for approval at the last regular meeting did not accomplish what was intended and the City Attorney had prepared another ordinance to replace it. Ordinance No. 2121 was then read which related to and provided for the exact- ion and collection of a license upon the act or privilege of engaging in certain business activities, occupations, pursuits and privileges, amending Section 15 of Ordinance No. 1917 as amended by Ordinance No. 2112, and declaring an emergency. Motion by Miss Cullin and Mr. Wheaton to pass Ordinance No. 2121, carried. The City Clerk presented a Resolution Card from the ~irst Federal Savings and Loan AssoCiation of Bremerton for signature and approval of investments from the Employees Retirement Fund. Motion by Miss Cullin and Mr. Wheaton to approve and authorize signing, car- ried. Miss Cullin stated that the contractor is beginning the work of tearing down the First Street Wharf and that the Grocery Company, who ha~ been renting space on the wharf, has promised to be out by August 10th. The City Clerk read a letter from the Association of Washington Cities, which had been addressed to the City Attorney, pertaining to the King County Superior Court Case of Bakenhus vs. City of Seattle, which held that the limit of $125.00 per month for Police Pensions, as required by statute, cannot apply for officers recuited prior to 1935, and that the City must pay a full half salary pension, re- gardless of the salary involved; therefore, these officers would retire and draw one half their salary which would be more than some cities could afford to pay. The letter further stated that the firemen are preparing to present a similar case. Plans are being made to file a brief amicus curia with the State Supreme Court and the Association asked Mr. Holland if he would be willing to sign on be- half of Bremerton but Mr. Holland felt that he sould get the permission of the Coun- cil before doing so. Motion by Mr. Domstad and Mr. Wheaton that Attorney Holland s~gn the brief, car- ried. Mr. Percy Stocks, 63? Highland Avenue, was present at the meeting and s~ated that he wished to complain about the condition of the sidewalk, close to his home, which is in need of repair. Mr. Domstad stated that the Engineers will be requested to look over the sit- uation as soon as possible. Motion by Mr. Domstad and Miss Cullin that the bills be allowed if approved by a majority of the Commission, carried. Motion by Mr. Domstad and ~r. Wheaton to adjourn, carried. APPROVED: C~ty-Clerk Mayor