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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/02/49 ~arch 2, Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rremerton was held ~arch 2, 19h9, at 10~$OO o'clock A.N., in the ~ayor's Office, City Hall. Nayor Kean, presiding; Commissioner Haddon; Commissioner Wheaton; City Treasurer being present. NotiOn by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to approve minutes of regular meeting of February 23, 19h9, as written, carried. Clerk announced this was time for opening of bids for furnishing a cuplicating machine and that one bid had been received. ~otion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaton that bids on duplicating machine be opened, carried. Clerk opened the bid and read from Lowman & Hanford Co., Seattle, for furnishing one A.B.Dick Mimeograph Model h50 including Model 2~ Motor Cabinet for the sum of $100h.2S less trade-allowance of $175.OO for our ~odel 92, net $829.25, immediate delivery, with check enclosed for $50.00. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaton to refer the bid to the City Clerk & Purchasing Agent and anyone else that he wishes to discuss the matter with, carried. Clerk stated this was time for opening of bids for furnishing two 20 inch gate valves for the Water Department and that three bids had been received. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to open the bids on gate valves, carried. Clerk opened the bids and read from Chapman Valve Nfg. Co. (H. D. Fowler), $2,136.92,' delivery in 180 days with check enclosed for $110.OO; E. N. Hallgren Co., $1,812.80, delivery in about 36 weeks, check enclosed for $95.00; Crane Co., $1,808.17, delivery in 12 to l~ weeks after receipt of order at the factory, check for $95.00 attached. Notion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaton to refer the bids to the City Clerk & Purchasing Agent, Commissioner of Public Works & Utilities and Water Superintendent, carried. Clerk announced this was date and time for hearing on final assessment roll for LID-235 and read the written protests. The first written protest was from C. J. Ritchie, owner of Lot 10, Block 2, Urban's Addition, for the following reasons: 1. The Job is not completed, the corner of hth and Olympic still being without curb or sidewalk; 2. The amount of $365.~6 is totally out of line with the work done and the benefit derived, and asked for an adjustment to his assessment. The second written protest was from H. R. Ebert and Fredericka C. Ebert, owners of Lots ~-5, Block 23, and Lots 32-33, Block 23, Third Addition to Charleston, for the reason that they figured the assessments are too high. A number of residents of the local improvement district were present but only a few made any statement. Ralph J. Daugherty, 917 N. Montgomery, protested, saying he believed he was damaged more than done good, because a fill was made in front of his place, and in looking up the street cannot see beyond his place. MrS. Henry Walter, 1139 N. ~ontgomery, stated she was seeking information. There was a d~ain put in front of her place and filled in with soft dirt and gravel which is always a mudhole when- ever a truck or car drives over. Mrs. Gallucci who said she owned property at llth and ~ontgomery, reported that a water meter is too low being two or three feet below the level of the road. HenFy J. LeCair, 1319 N. Rainier: who owns property at 1322 N. Montgomery, protested the cost of the improvement, and compared the cost of LID-235 with a former improvement on Rainier and stated there was almost a 100% increase in cost. March 2, 1949 (cont) Mrs. Joan J. Reeder, 314 Olympic, stated there was a jog in her property on 4th Street and would like to know What belongs to the city and what belongs to her. City Attorney suggested that all protests should be reduced to writing and the Council give a definite length of time for them to file them, and City Engineer stated he also felt the protests should be in writing as this was the proper way according to the law to handle this matter. Mr. Severance stated relative to the cost of the improvement that on the Rainier Avenue job the contractor, Hunsaker Bros., lost quite a bit of money, and prices have gone up considerably since then. This entire job was Callow, Montgomery and Olympic and everybody was served a notice of the preliminary estimate, on which there were very few protests. The final assessment is a little over 8% under the original estimate, so don't see where anyone h~s a complaint as to cost. Mr. Severance discussed the problem of Mrs. Reeder and it was suggested that she talk with him further in his office relative to that matter. The City Engineer stated he had no drawings with him so couldn't tell much about Mr. Daugherty's protest; however, Mr. Severance said that the whole Job was set up to give drainage and is sure that is accomplished. Mayor Kean suggested that all the peopler who had a problem to discuss relative to the improvement to go upstairs with the C~tyEngineer to his office where drawings are available and talk things over and see whether they actually desired to make a written protest. Mayor Kean said he believed it would be desirable to postpone the hearing for a week in order to give the property owners an opportunity to discuss their protests with the City Engineer, and they desire to protest then get them into writing and turn them in as soon as possible. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaton to postpone the hearing until next Wednesday at 10:00 o,clock A.M., carried. Clerk stated it was time and date for postponed hearing on LID-238. City Attorney stated he would like to have the Council recess until this a~ternoon because he had been unable to talk with the City Engineer relative to the protest of Mr. Bechlem over a private sel~re Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaton to postpone this hearing until 3:00 o'clock P.M., this afternoon, carried. Harold Lebo, Charley White and Jenks Beard were present at the Council meeting as a committee of the Chamber of Commerce relative to the dumping of garbage, and wondered if it could be worked out so that some days folks could dump at the Sanitary fill without charge. This suggestion was made to assist in the program to keep people from dumping along the county roads, because of the tourist travel soon to commence. A discussion was held on various phases of the garbage problem and the com~ittee of the Chamber of Commerce suggested that what was needed was some form of advertising to inform the public of the services aVail- able from the City Sanitation Department. Mrs. Haddon said she would see that Mr. Ryan of the Bremerton Sun was given the necessary data. Mr. Jenks Beard stated they were working on Americanism in connection with a program of the Kiwanis and asked permission to have a little folder placed in with the water and garbage bills each month, as they were anxious to get these folders in the hands of the most people. A discussion was held on this request and Mayor Kean said he didn't feel favorable to a program of 12 months' duration as there were other organizations seeking to place enclosures with the bills and if not careful the City will become a common carrier for things of this kind. It was felt by the Council, as expressed by the Mayor, that they would like to discourage this request and hope that the Kiwanis could find some better way to distribute their $onthly folders. Clerk read Notice of Employment of Robert G. Besser, Helper, Sanitation Department for $1.42 per hour. Motion'by Mrs. Haddon and Mr. W~eaton to approve the temporary non-Civil Service appoint- ment of Besser, carried. Clerk read a petition signed by R. E. Branton and thirteen others on E. 18th and Perry Avenue, asking that Holly Street, which runs from Perry Avenue to Highway 21-B and known as E. 18th Street for the past few years, be called E. l§th Street, as the new street signs recently put up have caused a great deal of difficulty in deliveries and insurance, and mail. Motion by Mr. Wbeaton and Mrs. Haddon to refer to the City Engineer and Commissioner of Public Works, carried. Petition was read by Clerk from G. D. Hook, General Petroleum Corp., and representatives of five other firms, asking for the installation of a fire hydrant on the corner of Thompson Drive and Marguerite Street, as the one and only fire hydrant on Pennsylvania is located on the wind blown side of the majority of plants in the area. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to acknowledge the communication and refer to the Fire Chief and Water Superintendant for written recommendation to the Council, carried. Clerk stated he had a signed lease agreement from the Buchanan Lumber Company, Olympia, for month to month lease of a portion of tideland immediately east of the Rremerton smuitary fill in Sinclair Inlet, for $12.50 per month; also, had a bond for $1,000.OO from the lumber company. Clerk stated by way of explanation that Mr. Buchanan had come in to the City Hall last week after Council meeting day and had requested the City to consider a proposal to lease and that two or three members of the Council had discussed the proposal and in order to expedite the lease, the Clerk's office had corresponded with Buchanan. The lease is effective March l, 1949. Attached to the lease and bond was a check for first month's rent. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaton to approve the lease agreement, carried. March 2, 1949 (cont) Clerk reported that a Summons and Complaint from Superior Court of State of Washington, Kitsap County, had been served on him on March 1, 1949, Henry Morin, doing business as United Amusement Company, Plaintiff vs the City of Bremertnn, defendant. The complaint is for damages sustained by the plaintiff as a result of the broken water main and the prayer is for $940.00. Attorney suggested the Summons and Complaint should be referred to the City Attorney for whatever action is necessary. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to refer the Sum$ons and Complaint to the City Attorney for whatever action is necessary, carried. Clerk reed the survey and recommendations of John B. Plut, heating spec~alist, who investigated the heating plants at City Hall, Civic Center and two of the Fire Stations. Also read. his statement of expenses in connection with the survey in the sum of $89.91. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to approve the claim and refer to the City Clerk and City Auditor for distribution of the charges, carried. Discussion was held on the recommendations of Mr. Plut.~ The Mayor stated on the vacuum cleaner recommendation he would like to refer it back to the City Clerk and Purchasing Agent and possibly the Council. Clerk mentioned the recommendation as moving of the thermostat from the Court Room to the Police Department and stated he felt the thermostat was in the wrong place. Mayor suggested that Mr. Stingl of Standard Plumbing should be contacted as the thermostat was put in with the last year and the work was guaranteed from the standpoint that the installations would be satisfactory. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaton to concur in the recommendations of Mr. Plut and refer to the City Clerk and Purchasing Agent and to any others necessary to accomplish the purposes as outlined, carried. It was announced by the Mayor that there would be a department head meeting today at 2:15 P.M. City Treasurer read a letter dated February 28, 1949, from the Bremerton Housing Authority which stated that no payments in lieu of taxes was authorized by the Public Housing Administration for Project Wash 3-1, Westpark, hereafter and that no payment will be made in March, 1949, covering 1948 payments in lieu of taxes. That on or before March 15, 1949, payments in lieu of tsxes will be made by this Housing Authority on all other federally owned and locally operated projects. City Treasurer reported that this means a loss in revenue to the City of approximately $5,800.00, split evenly in amounts of $1,450.00 to the general, park, library and street funds. Mayor Kean stated this is an amount we will not receive and that InitiatiEe 171 will possibly affect the receipts also, and as soon as our losses can be estimated, the City should recognize this and see what can be done. City Treasurer commented that the City Auditor had recommended that the notification of the Housing Authority should be studied to see if there is some legal way to make charges for services rendered on this type of project, and City T~easurer .recommended that such a study be made. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wbeaton to concur in the recommendation of the City Treasurer and refer to City Treasurer, City Auditor and City Attorney to study and make a recommendation, carried. Mr. Shell who lives on Washington Beach was present and asked if anything had been decided on taking care of erosion when the interceptor sewer will be laid and Mr. Wheaton stated he had not heard from the Sewer engineer. Mr. Kean a~ked Mr. Shell to keep in touch with Mr. Wheaton from time to time as he will get the answer when available from the sewer engineer. The Fire Chief, Ernest Yett, Lieut. Hal Gardner, Building Inspec$or McLeod and Plumbing Inspector Fred Whitted were present in connection with an ordinance to be read relating to and regulating the location, storage, transportation, handling, and use of liquefied petroleum gases known as butane, propane and others. Hal Gardner explained that he had gained the information set forth in the ordinance from taking the best parts of similar ordinances in Spokane and Los Angeles. City Attorney read the proposed ordinance, following which and during which reading there was considerable discussion of various provisions. One particular point raised was how to treat the installations already in Bremerton which do not conform to the ordinance. Attorney suggested that the Clerk could be instructed to notify the school authorities, Puget Sound Naval Memorial Hospital, Harrison Memorial Hospital and any others using this type of appliance that the ordinance is being considered at the regular meeting next Wednesday and copies are available for inspection in the office of the City Clerk. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaton that the ordinance be approved on first reading and delay the final reading for two weeks and the City Clerk be directed to notify these people who are principally concerned with this ordinance and have them make a recommendation as to the time necessary to be allowed to come into compliance with this ordinance, carried, as follows: Mr. Kean, Yes; Mrs. Haddon, Yes. Mr. Wheaton, Yes. Fred Whitted, Plumbing Inspector commented that the foregoing ordinance would take care of this problem up to the foundation line but it apparently has been overlooked after the foundation line. This probably could be taken care of in amending an ordinance already in existance. Motion by Mr. Wheaton and Mrs. Haddon that Mr. Whitted confer with the Fire Chief and come in with a recommendation on this matter, carried. City Attorney read from U.S.Senate Bill 362 in connection with payment in lieu of taxes t26 March 2, 1949 (cont) on federal real property. Suggested by Attorney that the Bill should be referred to the Mayor. City Attorney reported that he has a deed from Conrad Johnson and wife for the garbage department property at Sheldon Blvd. and have received policy of title insurance and also a statement for the 1949 real estate taxes for $152.86. Recommended that the title policy be filed and the tax statements referred to the City Treasurer for preparation of necessary vouchers for referring to the County Treasurer. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to concur in the recommendation, carried. Motion by Mrs. Haddon and Mr. Kean to allow all bills presented if ~pproved by a majority of the Commissioners, carried. Mr. Wheaton reported that contractor Sam Linden had giwn a rough estimate on the work necessary to make changes in the City Hall offices in an amount of $960.00 plus painting, and that Mr. Vaa had informed him there was $2,000.00 available. Mayor stated some sort of specifications would be needed and Mr. ~heaton commented that job would really be cost-plus and don't believe it could run over $~,500.00 painting and all. Mr. W~eaton stated some parts were necessary for repair of 2 1SM Standard Comminutor for use at l?th and Warren sewer pumDs and that the cost of the parts would be more than $500.00. Recommended call for bids be authorized. Motion by Mr. Wheaton and Mr. Kean that the City Clerk and Purchasing Agent call for bids for repair parts for two 15M Standard Comminutors, carried. Mr. Wheaton read a letter dated February 25, 1949, from the Bremerton Central Labor Council, conveying to him and employees the Council's appreciation for the way the Street Department has worked to keep the streets open and traffic moving during the winter months just passed. Clerk read letter dated Eebruary 28, 1949, from P. M. Gordon, who would like to rent the Sheridan Coal Dock for the purpose of carrying on business as a fuel dealer, at $50.00 per month rental. Mayor commented that the property around the dock had been appraised as residential and such a business on the dock would cause a revaluation of the property and believe Mr. Gordon should seek another location. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. W~neaton that the City Clerk be instructed to write Mr. Gordon that the City Council does not intend to lease or rent for such an occupancy, carried. Mayor stated he had two calls about dogs in people's gardens and inquire~ if the Council wanted to make any changes in the dog ordinance. After discussion it was felt no change would be made in the ordinance. City Attorney reported that H.B.488 was up for discussion yesterday in the appropriation committee. This is the bill which the Mayor has been interested in because if passed the City would receive some $44,410. City Attorney and Mayor appeared before the committee. Motion by Mayor Kean and Mrs. Haddon to recess until 3:00 P.M., this afternoon, carried. Approved: City Clerk '* Mayor March 2, 1949 Recessed meeting of the City Council of the City of Bremerton was held in the Mayor's Office, City Hall, at 3:30 P.M., Wednesday, March 2, 1949. Present w~re Mayor Kean, presiding; Commissioner Haddon; Commissioner~Vheaton, City Treasurer, City Attorney and City Engineer. Mayor stated the purpose of the recessed Council meeting was to consider the protest on L~D-238 and to again take up the hearing on the postponed LID-238. City Attorney discussed the specific objection of the protest of Mr. Alfred W. Bechlem which was that his property is not assessed equally with other properties and believes that said error is due to an item called "private sewer" attached to said assessment and that he has no such private sewer. City Attorney stated that Mr. Bechlem has not been assessed in LID-238 for any private sewer and that the reference to a ~rivate sewer arises because there is some reference in LID-152 to some private work which was appe~ently done at the time of LID-152 and it is a practice that is no longer followed in the city. If this is the sole ground of the protest, City Attorney stated he felt his protest should be denied by the city; that he is not charged with any private sewer in this LID at all. City Treasurer and City Engineer also recommended that the protest be denied. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaton to concur in the recommendation and deny the protest, carried. Clerk read Ordinance No. 1822, "An Ordinance adopting and confirming the assessment roll for Local Improvement District No. 238, providing for the improvement of Nipsic Avenue between East 13th Street and East 16th Street, etc." Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to pass Ordinance No. 1822, carried as follows: Mr. Kean, Yes; Mrs. Haddon, Yes; Mr. Wheaton, Yes. Mr. Severance, City Engineer, reported that he has written a letter to the Housing Authority applying for them to give the city fifteen feet for street widening purposes on Chester Avenue. Mr. Severance discussed a matter concerning the swimming pool proposed to be built by the Civic Recreation Building. ,He stated it would not be good to allow the swimming pool to ~ump into the existing sewer because it would back up sewage into basements of adjacent houses. Thought perhaps it might be necessary to put in a storm sewer down to the bay in order to help the city and help the pool. Mr. Severance further said he informed Clark Davis, ~ local architect who is working on swimming pool plans, of this matter. Mayor said that he would back away from the project unless it is a good modern plant. Clerk suggested the matter of the storm sewer should be taken up with the Lion's Club. Clerk asked Council for approval to call for bids for materials needed at the Manette Community Building. This is the remainder of the list which the architect gave to the Clerk and on which part was purchased by telephonic bids. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaton to authorize the City Clerk & Purchasing Agent to call for bids for materials needed for the completion of the Manette Community Building, carried. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaton to adjourn, carried. Approved: Ci y Clerk Mayor