Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/12/50 April 12, 1~50 Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Bremerton, Washing- ton was held Wednesday, April 12, 1980 at 10:00 o'clock A.M., in the Mayor,s Office, City Hall, Bremerton. Mayor Kean presiding; Commissioner Haddon, Commissioner Wheaton, City Clerk McGowan, City Treasurer Nutter and City Attorney Wa±lace being present. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaton to approve minutes as written for April 5th and 7th, 1950, carried. Clerk sta~ed it was date and time for opening bids for a truck chassis for the Water Department and that three bids had been received. Motion by Er. Kean and Mr. Wheaton to open the bids carried. Bids were opened by Clerk and read from: Couse Motors, 5~5 Sixth Street, Bremerton, one 1980 GMC Truck Chassia, f.o.b. Factory, Pontiac, Michigan, $4,325.68, delivery date approximately 48 days aI'ter receipt of order; certified check enclosed for $50.00. Crawford Motors, 135 N. Callow, Bremerton~ one Model L 192 Internat- ional Motor Truck, f~,e;b~.factory $4740.38, cashier's check for $80.00 tached. Bechtel Motor Company, 2320 Sixth Street, Bremerton, one Dodge "Job Rated" 4-ton truck $5,030.00 f.o.b, factory, delivery date to be deter- mined in accordance with the termination of the present strike at Chrysler, certified check for $50.00 attached. ~r. Roney, representing Crawford Motors, stated verbally that delivery date for the International Truc~ would be within 30 days after receipt of order. Motion by Mr. ~'~eaton and ~rs. Haddon that bid be referred to the Com- missioner of Public Works, Water Superintendent, Garage Superintendent and City Clerk and Purchasing Agent with power to act, carried. C~erE stated it was date and time for opening bids for the sale of a surplus set of law books, U.S. Code Annotated, and .that two bids had been received. He said he ha~ sent a copy of the bid call to practically every attorney in Kitsap County. Motion by Mr. Kean and Er. Wheaton to open the bids, carried. Bids were opened by Clerk an~ read from: Bryan & Merkel, Bremerton, oI°fer of $51.95 cash. Helen Graham Greear, Bremerton, oI'fer of $150.00 cash. City Attorney commented that any offer between $150.00 and $200.00 is an excellent bid; also, said he ha~ talked with the two law book salesmen in the State of Washington who had inI'ormed him that $150.00 is as good aa can be obtained. City Clerk stated that as far as he was concerned the bid ~ uld be awarded now. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaton to accept the bid of Helen Graham Greear and award be made to her, carried. April 12, 1950 (Con't) Clerk read report of separation for Albert N. Ramey, retired, Sanitation Department; Donald Brott and George Wilsom, Park and Recreation Department. Notion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Hadden to approve the separations carried. Notices of employment were read by Clerk for:Archie F. Nichols. Cemetery, $210.00 per month; Julia Schammel, Park snd Recreation Department, $225.00 per month. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaten to approve the temporary non. civil service appointments, carried. Clerk read change in pay status for Fay Wethern, Water Department, from $1.05 per hour to $185.00 per month. Motion by Mr. Wheaten and Mr. Kean to approve the change in pay, carried. Claim for damages was read by Clerk, filed April ll, 1950, from Flossie D. ChristoI'fersen, 215 Sixth Street, Bremerton, for alleged damages occuring on March 12, 1950, at Sixth and Pacific~ when slipped in a storm sewer drain and sprained her left ankle ann broke a bone in it. Total damages claimed, $768.00. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaten to note contents and refer to the surance agent, carried. Clerk read Claim Voucher from McDonald & Taylor, Inc., 75% due that firm for sale of raft #2, logs from watershed, which was sold to l~obinson Plywood & Timber Company for $10,406.95. From this figure was taken advertising costs of $2.10 giving net proceeds of $10,404.85 of which the 75% goes to McDonald & Taylor, $7,80~.64. Voucher approved by W.R. Vaa, City Auditor. Motion by Mr. Wheaten and Mr. Kean to allow the claim, carried. Clerk presented claim voucher from E.W. Phillips, Inc., for fire in- surance premium in'the amount of $200.51 on the community building at Ander- son Cove, the money to come from the Cumulative Reserve f or General City Structures Fund. Clerk explained that he and the City Auditor had discussed the matter of w~ich fun~ the insurance premium should come and it was felt advisable to take it from the aforementioned fund because the Anderson Cove property Was not yet under the control of any particular department and this was the fund which had invested the money. Clerk stated the voucher would be placed on the regular board for approval. Mr. Wheaten stated several offers had been received for the purchase of the building and asked if this could be disposed of at this time, alongw ith some of the property. Question was raised v&ether the building should be Sold on-site at any time due to its location where city activities might be maintained, and the Mayor said he believed the building should be sold off- site. Mr. Wheaten said further the building was rapidly deteriorating and some- thing should be done with it; also, he said offers had been made for purchase of land on the west s~de of Anderson Cove for residences. Mayor Kean called attention to the fact 'that the use of Anderson Cove hinges on the present suit ant the City should mark time while the suit is pending. ,Clerk read claim voucher from Hall-Atwater Company, estimate No. 6, West Bremerton Treatment Plant and Pump Stations contract, $43,888.08, ap- proved by the City Engineer and a~proval recommended.by Howard I. Gorst, the Field engi,neer, and H.W. Kramer of James W. Carey and Associates, and audited by W~R. Vaa, the City Auditor. Motion by Mn Wheaten and M~ Kean to.approve the voucher, carried. Copy of a letter was read by Clerk, dated April 6, 1950, from the City Clerk to the Board of Administration, Pension and Retirement, City of Bremerton, giving the results of the election held on April 4, 1950 to elect one regular member to the Board: James Lougheed, 3 year term, 57 uotes, Irene Dick, 3 votes, and Jerry Yeadon,~l vote. Clerk read notice oI' Final Award received from the Industrial Insurance Department of Labor and Industries, ordering that the claim of N.J. Bowcutt, Street DeparDment, oe closed with payment of 40% of the maximum amount al- lowed for unspecified disabilities in the amount of $1440.00. Clerkexplain- ed that the City has an ordinance that anyone receiving payment from the De- partment of Labor and Industries shall receive From the City only the dif- ference between the amount the Department pays and the regular pay which would have been received, and that in this case Mr. Bowcutt was displeased because the City did not pay him full salary for the period oi' his disability. Clerk read letter from National Advertising Company, Vancouver Division, enclosing their stanGard lease agreement ~o cover the l~ ation on the Bremer- ton Watershed oI' one o~ their signs which was erected for Richard-Jensen Motor Company, vhich company has now been replaced by Steward Motors, Inc. 387 April 12, 1950 Letter asked that the rental agreement be read over, signed and turned to them and they would return a ground rental check for $15.00, Discussion was held as to whether the city should enter into a con- tract at this time. Mr. Wheaton stated he had prospective plans for fenc- ing in the entire watershed, if this was done, the sign would have to be removed along with everything else that is.not a part of the watershed. Mayor Kean thought perhaps the previous lease for the Richardson-Jen- sen Company had now expired and that this might be a good time to termin- ate the sign from the watershed. Motion by ~r. Wheaton and Mr. Kean to refer to the Commissioner of Public Works and Utilities for investigation, carried. Clerk read a letter dated April 5, 1950, from the Bremerton Realty 245 Fourth Street, Bremerton, stating they have available a group polio policy. The letter set forth the details of the policy and cost of the insurance,.and asked for the Council's cooperation and permission to con- tact the City employees and offer this plan to them for their approval. Clerk said he had talked to Mr. Macomber of the Bremerton Realty and advised him to write this letter to the Council; also, had informed him that this could not ~ handled by payroll deduction due to the payroll machine's limitations. Clerk said further that he would not canvass the City employees for Mr. Macomber but he would have to ahndle it himself if approved by the City Council. Clerk stated further that Mr. ~acomber wants approval to solicit em- ployees and if the Council wants to approve of this to be done outside of business hours, it would be all right. Motion by Mr. Kean and Er. Whea~n~to~advise him that the City does not intend to have payroll deduction and the entire matter can be handled by him to City Employees during off hours, if he wishes to solicit them, carried. Clerk read letter dated April 7, 1950, from U.S. Navy, Washington, D.C. enclosing a copy of Sewerage Disposal Service Contract N0y(U)-19886 ~ th the City oI' Bremerton. Clerk stated he had a blank copy of this contract in his oI'fice and Mayor asked that the blank copy be given to the City Engineer for his records. Clerk read Dhree petitions for local improvement districts to be es- tablished for sidewalks, curbs and gutters, as follows: First petition signed by Clarence P. Ager, l~16 Perry, and eleven others, for improvement between 13th and 16th on Perry Avenue; second petition signed by Luther Elmore and ten others; third petition signed by Herbert C. Anderson and ten others. Mayor explained the procedure for handling petitions and commencing a local improvement district. Discussion was held as to whether it was possible to form larger districts; however, it was found that there are some limitations in these particular areas. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaton to note contents of the petitions and refer to the City Engineer's Office, carried. City Treasurer called Mr. Wheaton's attention to the fact that there is a defective wall at the second house at 16th and Perry on the east side of Perry which would be affected by installing sidewalks and Mr. Wheaton aaid this would be checked before sidewalks would b e put in. Clerk read letter dated April 12, 1950 from the City Engineer stating that Mr. Wheaton and the City Engineer met with Mr. and M~s. Edward N. Champine, 2412 N. Wycoff Avenue, in reference to the proposed widening of 24th Street from Wycoff Avenue East to Snyder Avenue; that a strip oi' land 10.78 feet by 130 is required, and it is believed such r~ght-of-way can be procured for $~00.00; and recommended that the entire committee view the site, and if approved, allow negotiations to be completed. Mayor stated that as soon as the Council meeting is over arrangements have been made with the City Attorney and all would go out together to call on the Champines to close the transaction. City Attorney said he had a deed. ready for signature of B. Zanoni and his wife and that upon payment to them of $675.00, they were ready to sign. The Zanoni land is the other portion needed to complete the right-of-way on 2~th Street. Clerk stated that a voucher would be made out an~ a warrant drawn for the payment just as soon as the Council finished its session. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaton to concur in the City Engineer's recon~endation, carried. City Treasurer stated he had received a n~lmber of calls from persons inquiring if the City was going to dispose of the Water Department property at 17th and Ironsides. Mr. Wheaton said that when the Anderson Cove~-pro- ject property is cleared up he intended to declare a number of parcels sur- plus at the same time. 388 April 12, 1950 (Con't) The City Attorney commented he had been looking over the lease proffered by the National Advertising Company, referred to in the foregoing minutes, and that he would suggest the City enter the agreement for three-year term only, and not agree to the renewal from year to year~ Mayor stated that since it seems that now the lease could be stopped, this should be considered. City Attorney stated regarding the proposed purchase of right-of-way from B. Zanoni and Lucia Zanoni on 24th. Street, that there were general taxes due for 1950 in the sum of $25.07 which they should be responsible for paying. The City Attorney stated he had drawn up a Correction Quit Claim Deed on the property sold by the City to the American Legion Post #68. This is the same as the correction deed received from Un~ed States of America re- cently and is subject to a 30 foot roadway for Sheridan Road. The City Attorney assured the Council that this correction deed is for the purpose o£ correctin8, the description only and does not affect any of the terms o£ the original deed. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the deed, carried. The City Attorney stated the City has.two leases at the Head-of-the- Bay on the Bremerton Watershed with H.A. Brigham an~ Ross Brigham who are using the property for a lumber mill operation, and that he represented them prior to the time he became assistant city attorney and city attorney. The rent on the original lease is $225.00 per year and the City Attorney handed the City Treasurer a check from Mr. Brigham to cover that rent; however, the Brighams are no longer using the property represented by the second lease, rent on which is $75.00 per year, having removed their build- ing from that location, and the City Attorney stated they would like to term- inate this lease at this time. The termination date is December 31, 1953. City Attorney stated further that he had informed the Brtghams.that the City could, if it desired, hold them to the lease until it expired. Mr. Wheaton said he would like to check this with Mr. Casad before making recommendation. City Attorney atated that he had been asked for comments on the last examination of the City made by G.P. Lockwood for 1948. City Attorney stated that according to the report not enough informa- tion was given on travel expense claims but that this has now been taken care of by the Clerk's Office. In the matter of of I'ering free water to encourage new industry, the City Attorney commented that this is contrary to law; however, the new water ordinance, cove~s rates very well and this is taken care of by theordinance, as the City can't give free water. In the matter of some outstanding warrants dated 1945, the report sug- gested they be cancelled. City Treasurer stated that he, the Clerk and City Auditor would take care of this cancelling of the outstanding warrants. City Attorney commented from the report in connection with the Police Pension Fund wherein a claim for medical supplies is not valid unless the claimant is hospitalized or confined to his home. Clerk stated t~at it is his belief some claims are still being paid which are not legal and he gave a resume' of the discussions which took place on this matter in past Pension Board meetings, wherein it had been felt that it was less expensive to pay for prescriptions than have men stay home from work. City Attorney stated that it is not legal to pay as stated in the report. Comments were made on the inventory value of Small Stores being 2.3% more than required which was possibly ~ue to slight over-pricingof the sales to ~epartments. City Clerk stated this was possibly due to such items as sales tax but that this was not considered important and that the Small Stores method of handling certain supplies was working very well~ city Attorney stated that the Attorney General says school transporta- tion is only allowed to ana from school and Mr. Wallace said he would take this up at a school board meeting. Nayor Kean said that the City has already taken care of it from the City's standpoint~ City Attorney stated that a comment was made in the report relative to a trophy and lettering for the Park Department, and that, even though the trophy is perpetual in nature, it was the opinion of the examiner that it should have been donated by some civic organization or individual interested in the Sport. City Attorney said that some private business would probably ~e inter- ested in donating a trophy and Mayor Kean stated this practice has been stopped. 389 April 1~, 1~0 (Con,t) In regarm to the Examiner's comments relative to reI~unding money by the Court aI'ter money has been turned in to the City Treasurer and his re- quest that such rez'unds be made by claim voucher, the City Treasurer stated this has been taEen care of. City Attorney said that all court records are in exeellent shape and Judge Johnsen is doing an excellent job. City Attorney ream from the report the comments concerning ~he trans- fer of funds from the Water Department to the General Fund. City Attorney commented that it would be worth following into as to whether the G~aeral Fund coulm take lO~ in lieu oI' taxes. City Clerk said he hae heard that many cities assist their operation by money from utilities anm he saim he seriously doubted wi~ether this cannot be done. Discussion was held on the matter. ~r. Wheaton mame the comment that Wa~er Department State Examiner Varley ham told him this could not be done because it slowed down water improvements by using ~his money this way and Nr. Keen called attention to the fact that when the City Officials met with Julius Gius, on the proposed business tax, that this point had been brought to Julius Gius attention that the money shoulm be used for watershem dams, etc., and finally the business tax was turned down and the fund transfers went through. Relative to Commissioners' bonds, City Attorney stated that ~rs. Haddon was amequately covered but the.others were not and their bonds shouldb e in- creased according to state law. He said that the coverage couldb e increased and possibly pay the premium next year. City Clerk said he thought they could be paid for this year due to the savings mame in the insurance premiums; however, City Attorney said he felt there would be an emergency because this was not set up in the budget. ~ayor commented that this was not a bad report and the City has already taxen care o~' a number of these items, and 'the City Attorney said he believed it was an excellent audit anm the City is in fine shape. ~otion by ~n Keen and ~rs. Haddon that Ohe Cit~ Clerk and Purchasing Agent make arrangements with the approval oI' the Auditor and the City At- torney to get increased protection, carried. City Attorney stated he believed there should be an emergency ordinance as this was not contemplatem in this year's budget and ~ayo~ said he believed this could be justified and gave his reasons. ~ayor stated that from time to time he is approached by someone who feels that the auution sales license of $~00.00 per year is excessive. He said this ordinance was put in before the present Council took office but he believed that a previous Council was a~ked by certain groups to make a high fee for auctioneer license. Nayor asked for opinions of thos present on this ordinance. Clerk said he had had only one request for information on auction sales. City Attorney stated that he had no comments to make as it seems as though there is no issue in this ordinance as there are so few interested. City Attorney discussed the peddler's ordinance wherein merchants want pro- tection from those coming in from the outside. ~otion by Nr. Keen and mrs. Haddon to pay all Oills ii~ approved by a majority of the Commissioners, carried. Nayor Kean stated he had been asked by the Washington Association of Realtors to write a letter to the members of the 81st Congress telling them what had been the result of the removal of rent control in Bremerton. ~ayor read the letter which he had drafted and asked the other commis- sioners ii' they had any objection to the contents and they said ,they had none. ~otion by Nr. Keen and ~rs. Haddon that the mayor be authorized to send the letter, carried. Clerk stated that the representative of the Doyle Vacuum Cleaner is in the City today anm is available for demonstration of the cleaner. Nayor stated that the Clerk was to make arrangements for a group to go to the Re- creation Center for the demonstration at S:~O P.N. tod~y. Roy Ellis appeared before the City Council and stated that the members present at the last East Bremerton Improvement Club meeting had expressed a desire to remember Earl Harkins by creating some kind of a memorial for him and had asked that the Council be contacted and see if it would be possible to change the aame of the Nanette Playfield to "Earl Harkins Playfield". Nayor Kean stated a search would have to be make of the records to see how the playfield property had been obtained as there might be aome limita- tions in ~the deeds. 8.9O April 12, 1950 (Con't) M~or Kean stated that at the present moment he was not in favor of changing the name as it would no doubt lead to similar requests for other deceased persons an~ he would be a little reluctant to favor any name changes. This matter was left without any action being taken other than the Clerk or Engineer to check into the records and see how the property was originally obtained. Mr. Ellis stated there was no hurry about this request. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to adjourn, carried. APPROVED: ~ ;2.