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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/26/49276 October 26, 1949 Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Bremerton, Washington was held Wednesday, October 26, 1949 at 10:00 o'clock A.M. in the ~ouncll Chambers, City Hall, Bremerton. Mayor Kean presiding and Commissioner Haddon, Commissioner Wheaton, City Clerk McGowan, City Treasurer Nutter and City At- torney Wallace being present. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. ~addon to approve minutes of recessed meetings of October 1V and 19, and regular meeting of October 19, 1949 as written, car- ried. City Clerk read reports of separation for C.N. Ardahl, C. Bunce, A.G. Hay- dock, H. Kehm and E.G. Sirovy, Water Department. Motion by Mr. Wheaton and Mr. Kean to approve separations as read carried. Notices of employment were read I'or George A. Renstrom, Sewage~Disposal Plant, Water Department, at $230.00 per month and Willie'D. Zetty, Fireman 1/c reemployed from layoff register, Fire Department,.at $262.00 per month. Motion by Mr. Kean snd Mr. Wheaton to approve temporary non-Civil Ser- vice appointments as read carried. Clerk read changes in pay status for James H. Melton, Jr. Assistant Chief, Sewage Disposal Plant Operator, from $1.50 per hour to $285.00 per month, Clif- ford Aardahl from $1.54 to 1.35 per hour and Frederick Williams from $1.54 to $1.35 per hour, Water Department; Donald S. Holtine, Firemen 1/c from $1.46 to to $262.00 per month transferred from the Sanitation Department in lieu of lay- off to the Fire Department. Mayor Kean announced this was DeMolay Day for taking over the operation of the City. Clerk read letter dated October 25, 1949 to the Council from 01ur Johnsen, Municipal Judge, setting forth the items he had delivered to his successor as City Attorney, Merrill Wallace, and asking permission to retain the balance of the items contained~in the inventory of the City Attorney as.of December 31, 1948, since these articles will be necessary in the operation of the Municipal Court. Consisting principally of a stenographer's typewriter desk, a small table, office chair and a typewriter. City Attorney Wallace stated he had received the items mentioned by Mr. Johnsen and sees no reason why the change requested can not be made. These can be better used in the City ttall than outside and has no objection to the transfer. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to approve the recommendation and re- fer to the City Auditor to make necessary changes in the inventories, carried. Letter was read by Clerk from Art Hendry, of Art's Battery & Electric, 6th and High Streets, dated September 20, 1949, dealing with his request made pre- viously to the Building Department for permission to place a neon sign on top of the pump canopy of his building. The Building Code does not permit this, but Mr. Hendry c~lled attention to violations of the code in his immediate vicinity. The letter presented other points which Mr. Hendry felt justified his request that the ruling be overlooked in his case. Mr. ~zeaton stated he felt the request should be granted or otherwise it would be necessary to have a number of other signs taken down. Motion by Mr. Wheaton and Mr. Kean to refer the matter to the City Eng- ineer and Commissioner of Public Works to go out and make a final check-up, carried. Clerk read letter dated October 25, 1949, from Willard W. Parker to the City Council, asking for immediate consideration for City to grant an easement to him-due to an overlap of his building at 6th and Rainier Streets; that a recent survey shows that his building encroaches on Rainier Avenue and that the alley paving encroaches on his property; and he would be glad tc gi ~ an ease- ment to the City on the alley encroachment. Mr. Parker stated he would like to have an easement to allow use of the land now occupied by the building I'or the life of the building, or at least for twelve years oI' such life. Notion by Mr. Wheaton mud Mr. Kean to refer to the City Engineer and City Attorney for checking the survey and for making a recommendation carried. Ralph Purvis, Attorney, introduced Mr. R.B. Holt, representative of a parking meter advertisement company, Mr. Purvis made some explanatory remarks relative to the use of meters for advertising, and then stated Mr. Holt would like to enter into a contract with the City for the use of its parking meters for advertising purposes. Mr. Purvis gave the Council a brochure with complete information and also left a sample oi' the equipment used for placing the adver- tising on meters. Mr. Holt stated he would bring in some samples for trial in- stallation in a few days so that public reaction to the plan could be obtained. Motion by ~r. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to refer this matter to the Committee of the Whole for further study carried. 277 October 26, 1~49 (Con't) A group was present in connection with the City's proposal to re-zone an area at the East end of the Manette Bridge in exchange for five feet of private property to be used for widening the highway and constructing a bulkhead.~ Merrill Wallace, City Attorney, read from last minutes of Planning Commis- sion which stated that they recommended no re-zoning and the City obtain the right-of-way needed by condemnation. Discussion followed as to what the next step should be and the City Attorney advised that the Planning Commission is advisory only and ii' the City Council desires to go ahead with ~e rezoning there is nothing to prohibit this, and that the matter is still open for decision by the Council. Mayor stated the matter should be referred back to the Committee of the Whole for further stud[ and consideration on the entire matter and then sometin~ during the consideration could probably ask these people in and see what their wishes are in granting a deed in that area, how'much area they ~estre to have rezoned and be able to show the City is receiving suI'ficient to be in the'inter- est to rezone the area requested. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to re-refer the matter to the Committee of the Whole for further study and consiGeration on the entire matter carried. Clerk read a copy of a letter dated ~arch 25, 1949, from E.F. Eldri dge, Acting Director, State Pollution Control Commission addressed to Mr. Nutty F. Taylor, Kitsap County SewerDistrict No. l, stating that the problem of sewage treatment for that district has been discussed on several occasions during 1946 with the Commissioners and it has become necessary that this district commit itself to a deI'inite policy regarding sewage treatment; that the Pollution Con- trol Co~m~ission policy requires primary treatment for all domestic sewage and in solving the problem of that district, consideration should be given to the fact that use of the City of Bremerton treatment facilities may prove much more economical than the construction of an additional treatment plant. Clerk read copy of a letter dated March 31, 1949 from John C. Nerkel to the Pollution Control Commisaion, acknowledging receipt of the foregoing mention- ed letter, and stating the only plan which the Sewer District has for sewage dis- posal is the working out of a cooperative plan with the City of Bremerton at such t~e as the City constructs a sewage disposal plant on the west side of town. Further, that this has been discussed with the City Engineer and it appears a mutually satisfactory method can be achieved and that a disposal plant for the sole use of the district would be uneconomical and more expensive than the dis- trict can afford to build at the present time. Clerk read letter dated October 25, 1~49, from City Engineer Severance to the City Council, stating that Hall-Atwater contract included two pump:stations, Nos. 8 and 9, including pipe lines, for a total cost of $26,507.00, and these two pump stations would serve Navy Yard City sewers only. At the present time the City has no right, through its contractors, or otherwise, to cut into Navy Yard City sewers or to occupy ground with the pt~p stations and Mr. Carey has beon notified of the situation again today. Mr. Severance suggested that a committee be appointed to ascertain whether or not the Navy yard City sewer district would be receptive to some plan of cost agreement, and a meeting is now being arranged with the district officials for this purpose. Mayor Kean stated that many months ago a committee was appointed composed of the City Engineer as Chairman, City Attorney and City Auditor to work on all of these matters in connection with engineering, financing and acquisitions. Mayor said that in order to keep the record clear that Merrill Wallace is to succeed the appointment o£ 01ur Johnsen and'this entire matter is to b e refer- red to the committee to make some sort of recommendation. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaton to concur in the recommendation insofar as any meeting necessary with Pollution Control Commission and Mr. Eldrldge to discuss the over-all matter, carried. Clerk reported that in a month or two he will be losing Mrs. Violette Den- ton as'one of his employees, an~ it has occurred to him that the job is mistitled and since there is going to be a change he has requested the Civil Service Com- mission to re-title the job and they have granted his request. Originally the title of Clerk-Stenographer was applicable but due to the changes made in the Job the correct title should be Account-Clerk. The Civil Service examiner is going to prepare an examination to establish an eligible list for the job. The City Attorney reported he had a condemnation case for the City in court tomorrow. City Attorney handed over to the City Clerk two claim vouchers, one from Leland I. Beakley and the other from Hazel Nosker. These are claims for the pur- chase of property for the sewage disposal plant in West Bremerton. Clerk stated the money was not yet available to pay these claims but he would hold them until the water revenue bond money is turned in to the City which will be sometime within the next two or three weeks. October 26, 1949 (Con't) City Attorney turned over to the City Clerk a claim voucher from the Clerk of the Supreme Court for $1.20 in connection with the case of Bulette vs the City.~ City Attorney read a letter dated October 19, 19~ from the United Pacific Insurauce in which they state they will not defend the City in the case of Pearl Chapman as this loss does not come within the province of the insurance policy Mrs. Chapman is the claimant against the Ivygreen Cemetery. The letter was re- tained by the City Attorney for his file. City Attorney read letter dated October 22, 1949, from Myrtle Kennedy and Annabelle Maynard, daughters of Judge James O. Cart, deceased, thanking the City Couucil for their letter of sympathy upon the Judge's death. Notion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Wheaton to note contents of letter and file, car- riedo City Attorney read a letter from Evergreen Theatres Corporation, Seattle, dated October 21, 1949, stating that the subject of signing a petition ~ annex the cottuty strip below Eastpark & Sheridan Park on which stands their Bay Thea- tre has been discussed in several conferences; that their investment in the Bay Theatre has been unproI'itable and maintenance costs now amount to more than $~0.00 a week cash outlay, plus depreciation and interest on investment; there- fore, in justice to their stockholders the petition cannot be approved as it would increase the cost of maintaining the property through additional taxes. Mayor suggested the City Attorney write them a letter pointing out to them the savings in insurance rates and the City Attorney agreed to do so. The Evergreen Theatres Corpo~,ation letter was retained by the City Attor- ney. City At2orney stated he had a pamphlet showing a comparison of salaries of city attorneys and that it shows the City Attorney oI' Bremerton is not suffer- ing in salary at all. Mr. Wallace said the decision as to how much time the city attorney is to put in should have a bearing on the amount of remuneration the attorney should receive. If needed full time, attorney then will have to be paid accordingly but ii' to be a part time basis, then coulm make an adjustment in next year's budget. Motion by Mr. Kean ~d Mr. ~eaton to acknowledge receipt and refer to City Auditor to keep in connecti6n with his budget file carried. Clerk read Resolution No. 712 as follows: WHEREAS, plans have been initiated by the Service Clubs of the City of Bremerton for a memorial swimming pool to be constructed with funds subscribed by the public; and ~EREAS, heretofore a request has been made by the Lions' Club that the City of Bremerton set aside as a public park a portion of lands now owned by the City, such park to be used as a site for the swimming pool; and W~EEREAS, a site has been selected upon lands now owned by the City of Bremerton described as follows: (See Resolution Book, Page 58, Volume 2) (16th and Broadway), which property has been acquired by the Park ,Department. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council that the property here- in de~crlbed acquired as a public park be used for the construction of a public swin~.ing pool for the City of Bremerton. Notion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to pass Resolution No. V12 carried. The City Attorney stated the Mayor had asked him about the appeal on And- erson Cove proposed rezoning and that Section 1200 of the new ordinance sets forth "Appeals will be made in ten days," and James 0. Arthur, Attorney, has made notice of hearing. Now it is up to the Council to grant them a hearing upon such notice as the Council deems proper. Mr. Wallace suggested that the hearing be held in She eveing and J~nes O. Arthur has also requested it. Notion by Mr. Kean and Mr. ~heaton to proceed with the hearing and set the date of November 10, 1949 at 7:30 P.M. as the date of the hearing andplace at least one publication in the newspaper with a copy of publication and a let- ter to Attorney James O. Arthur 9arried. The City Attorney reported that the Bremerton School Board met last night and agreed to give the City a bill oI' sale on sewer and water lines at View Ridge and to give an easement on places where now laid to do necessary work on the pipe and have held over the matter of streets. Mr. Wallace stated he had discussed this with the prosecuting attorney and he agrees that the bill of sale would be necessary because not giving any real property. Mr. Munro, the Prosecuting Attorney, was involved so that C~y At- torney could get a concurring legal opinion. Mayor Kean explained that what the School Board is proposing to do is in agreement with our discussion held yesterday with the following being present: Mr. Kearney and Mr. Bloc of the Public Housing Administration, Mr. Searle, ~r. Sanders, Mr. Humble anm Mr. Oraker of the Bremerton Housing Authority, Mrs. October 26, 1~49 (Con't) Davies and Mr. Ike Parker of the Bremerton School District, and Mayor Kean, 0o~is~ioner Wheaton and Mr. Casad of the City. Mayor stated one of the decisions at the meeting was to have City offi- cials, including the Engineer and Water Superintendent, meet with the school board and designate the things the City is willing and anxious to receive, es- pecially regarding water and sewer lines and easements and which streets to be vacated and abandoned. Mayor Kean asked about the amendment to the lease between the School Dis- trict and the City relative to 0.J.C. using Civic Center and cafeteria. City Attorney replied that the lease has been signed and is now at the School Board Office but should be transmitted to the City. Mayor asked the City Clerk to call the School Board office and ask them to return the lease. City Attorney commented that the lease on Dormitory "B" was taken up but they felt the entire school board should be present before taking any action, 'and it is possible they may request a ~eduction of $10.00 per month in the rent. ~. ~heaton stated that it had been'found necessary to have a heavy duty pick-up truck for use in the Water Department and the used truck that was to have been turned over to the sewage disposal system should be traded in or sold. Notion by Mr. Wheaton and Mr. Kean to instruct the City Clerkrand Purchas- ing Agent to call I'or bids for a heavy duty pickup truck and trade or dispose of the used truck to the best interest of the City carried. Co~r~issioner Wheaton stated open house'was to be held on November 10th and llth at the New Disposal Plant, hours from 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Mayor asked the City Attorney if Mr. 01ur Johnsen had turned over his whole file on acquisition of various properties for the Sewage Disposal Plant. Mr. Wallace said that there is to be a jury trial'tomorrow on condemation of properties for the West Bremerton Sewage Plant and there are just about four tracts to bring ~fore the court. City Attorney 2hen reviewe5 the entire file on conSemnation to bring the Council up to date. Mayor Kean asked about progress of changing fire ~nes for the area re- quested by Keebles and Parker and the City Attorney stated all that is necessary is for the Fire Chief and City Officials to go over the matter and recommend to the City Attorney what changes are to be made in the fire district ordinance. Mr. Wheaton commented that this change has Been cleared but now i t has been included in a large area over in Eanette and now it is held up because the ~rger area has not been approved by necessary officials. ~Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to pay all bills presented if approved by a majority of the Commissioners carried. Mr. Wheaton Stated he was leaving tomorrow on a ten-day trip and has asked Mrs. Haddon to approve requisitions and payrolls for his departments. cle~ r~ad l~tter dated October:~26,~:19~gjfrom C.Co Casad, Superintendent of the Water Department, to'the City Council, which stated it was necessary to have someone qualified by experience to check the Field coating of the Joints of the 28" steel main to Twin Lakes and to furnish a man andnecessary equipment to do a proper job; that the City crew was inexperienced in the ~se of coal tar en~el which required experienced men and special equipment and controls to ap- ply the coating at temperatures of 480 degrees; therefore, have a bill of the American Pipe and Construction Company in the amount of $B,071.20 for the ser- vice rendered. The work was done satisfactorily and resulted in a substantial saving to the City and Mr. Casad recommended that'the bill be approved and pay- ment be made as a change order to their Contract No. 163 for the furnishing of pipe to the City. ~r. ~eaton stated this was figured in original estimates. Motion by Mr. ~eaton and Mr. Kean that the bill be allowed a~d change or- der be drawn carried. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. ~Waeaton to adjourn carried. APPROVED: City Clerk ~ Mayor