HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/04/48 FEBRUARY 4, 1948
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Bremerton was held in the
Council Chambers on February 4, 1948, at !0:00 o'clock a.m. Nayor Kean presiding,
Commissioner Haddon, Commissioner Gorst, City Engineer, City Attorney Johnsen, City
Treasurer Nutter and City Auditor Vaa being present.
Notion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to approve the minutes of the regular ~eeting
held January ~8, 1948, and recessed meeting held January ZO, 1948, as written, carried.
Clerk announced it was time for opening of bids for truck for the Cemetery.
Motion by Mr. Kean and Yms. Haddon to open the bids, carried.
Bids were opened by Clerk and read from: Kerr Notors, Bremerton, furnish one new
Ford V-8 three-quarters ton truck, modified into dump truck by the installation of a
cab-controlled hoist under the body for $~,040.00; alternate bid for same truck with
a back-of-cab, cab-controlled hydraulic hoist for $1,934.00; delivery sixty days; 19~
Ford pickup trade-in allowance for SEO0.O0; certified check for $~0.00 attached. Settl$
Chevrolet Co., Bremerton, one 1948 Chevrolet three-quarter pickup truck with National
Conversion Kit, on or before April 15, 1948, for $1,785~, less Ford Pickup for $100.0~;
check for $$0.00 attached. Bid from Richard J. Feek, Jz., 1108 Pitt Street, Bremerton.~
for purchase of 193~ Ford ~-ton pickup truck for cash sum of $178.00; check for $80.00
attached.
Notion by Nrs. Haddon and ~r. ~ean to refer the bids to ~r. Hatfield ~d City
Clerk and Purchasing Agent, carried.
Reports of Separation were read by Clerk as follows: Harvey E. Jolly, Fire De-
partment; Donald N. Powers, Sanitation Department; R. E. Anderson, V~ater Department.
Notion by ~r. Gorst and ~r. Kean to approve the separations, carried.
Clerk read Notices of Change in Pay Status for: Claud Brees, Sanitation; Robert
Flavin, Police Department.
Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to approve the Changes in Pay Status, carried.
A large group of people was present in connection with sewage disposal. Mayor
stated the Clerk has a letter to read which was completed last night regarding details
of sewage.
Clerk read letter dated February 3, 1948, to the City Council and signed by City
Attorney, Engineer and Auditor. The letter set forth four facts which are faced in
considering the problem of sewage treatment; (1) State Pollution Commission insists
that sewage treatment facilities be installed; (~) Plans completed at a cost of ap-
proximately SVO,O00.O0, with increased costs estimated cost of entire system will be
$1,ZO0,O00.O0; (3) City has available for such purpose $859,~71.83, major portion of
which was received from the State Development Board; the law appropriating these funds
provides they may not be used for revenue producing projects; (4) the City has no
surplus cash to supplement funds on hand for sewage treatment; power of Commission to
issue General Obligation bonds without a vote of people is limited to approximately
$180,000.00; and experience has shown it to be practically impossible to get the voters
to authorize a general obligation bond issue to be redeemed outside the 1~ mill levy.
Letter recommended; (1) If Commission considers it is necessary at this time to
go ahead with sewage treatment program, to provide by resolution that Manette project
(No. 1.) be constructed in immediate future and West Bremerton Project (No. ~) be
delayed; (~) Set up a certain portion of Project No. 1 as a separate unit so that the
total cost of construction, etc., would not exceed the $600,000 available under State
Development Funds; that portion of Project No. 1 not included would be handled by the
City as an entirely different project to cost approximately $200,000 which would be
financed by me~s of revenue bonds by making a service charge to each user who is ser-
viced by city sewers, or by combining the sewer and water systems anm adding a monthly
charge to each water bill.
Suggested method of following through if plan set out in letter is thought to be
feasible: (1) Secure approval of the method outlined above from the State Pollution
Commission and Department of Health; (2) secure the necessary approval and satisfy
conditions outlined by State Land Commissioner; (3) Secure permission from State
Finance Co~ittee to spend entire amount of State Development Funds on East Bremerton
Sewage Project; (4) prepare or have prepared by bond experts, a financial study deal-
ing with most economical and advantageous manner of setting up a bond issue for the
desired funds; (§) pass an ordinance covering the issuance of bonds and setting up of
service charges; (6) take bids on Project No. i of the plans and specifications.
Letter in final paragraph stated that as the raising of an additional $500,000
to complete Project No. 2 would require a total service charge of between $1.25 and
~1.50 per month for 25 years, and in view of the ?ressing need for other improvements
such as storm water separation, straightening of streets, etc., and the enormous cost
of such improvements, it is reconm~ended that nothing be done toward construction of
Project No. 2 unless such project, and the method of financing, are approved at an
election.
City Attorney made a few remarks relative to the matters contained in the fore-
going letter read by Clerk. Attorney stated that in connection with financing, the
state had granted the city approximately $456,000.00, to which the City has added
$230,000, and that this would not be enough money to build either one of the units.
It is absolutely necessary that additional financing be obtained. The law which ap-
propriated the state money provides that cannot be used for revenue producing projects
FEBRUARY 4, 1948 (Cont'd)
and the proposa~ made in the letter above is not at all assured of success. It would
still be necessary to get the approval of the State Finance Committee in order to spend
the money on just.a part of the project and then build the balance of the project with
money borrowed by the City after issuance of these revenue bonds. Don't believe you
:could get State approval for any revenue producing project. What this committee has
recommended is to set up two separate projects, as outlined in letter. If the State
Pollution Commission should order the complete job, the total cost would be in excess
of one million dollars. The Mayor asked about clearance for interceptor sewers and
Attorney answered that matter has been all straightened out. The City would still have
to acquire the easement and rights of way necessary for these interceptor sewers.
Mayor asked if the cost of that acquisition included in this over-all figure and City
Engineer answered that it is anticipated.
Mrs. Hallia, who was in the audience, stated she represented the people of Central
Kitsap on Dyes Inlet, and asked what was the number one problem of the City. Mayor
Kean answered that as reported by the City Engineer the No. 1 problem was storm sewers,
and that he was almost willing to trail along with the Engineer that it should be taken
care of. Problem No. 2, rights of way; and No. 3, the pollution control.
Mrs. Hallia asked what has caused the City to change its mind, since it had been
stated previously that pollution was the No. 1 problem. City Engineer stated that in
order to get this money for pollution we did state pollution as first problem and there
is nothing to stop the building of the third project before the first one. As a matter
of fact, after building treatment plant, we will still be treating only 10% of the
sewage due to storm waters going into the sanitary sewers. You wouldn't want to go
ahead and put in access highway before you have some drainage. I still claim No. 1
project is storm sewers, No. 2 is access highway as far as the City is concerned. That
does not stop the City Counci~ from doing pollution first.
~rs. Hallia discussed 'the possibility of the state money reverting back to the
state in eleven months from now if not used for pollution construction; also, mentioned
possibility of using the pollution money for some other project. Further remarked that
she lives outside the city and not concerned with the financing of the sewage plant
and that regardless of whether or not the treatment is begun, the City is breaking a
law, as well as anyone else dumping in the bay. Seattle is g~ing ahead with plans ~d
if they build disposal plants, then probable that Bremerton will be forced to go ~ead
with its plants.
Sarah Shutes, 1137 Bloomington Avenue, Bremerton, asked if it so hard to raise
the money for the sewage plant, how are funds going to be raised for the million and
half for sto~n sewers and Engineer stated it was hoped to receive financial assistance
~rom outside sources.
~i Mayor Kean stated there are clearances to get before the City can ahead. go
ty prohibited from spending this money by law for revenue producing project. Other
mestrictions in acquiring right of ways for the interceptor sewers, and last but not
~east is the finances. Some of the people in the group have never really studied the
2aw. There has been a lot of criticism that the I',~ayor has dragged his feet. Sure, I
have dragged my feet until I found out where we were going. The Navy has been slow
because of this. The recommendation of this committee is that we take the entire stum
~nd use it for a certain portion. We haven't received this permission from the state.
Mayor further stated that it looks like it will be taken back to the people of Bremer-
ton for a vote of the people, and Mrs. Hallia returned that whether it is put to a vote
of the people or not, it is still a violation of the law.
Otto H. Schultheis, 1228 Seventh Street, Bremerton, stated he was the Secretary,
: Senior Citizens Retirement Club, and that the senior citizens had come to the Counci'l
meeting in a friendly attitude. He said that pollution was the most important problem
and called attention to the disease that had spread in other communities from flies
'contacting sewage. Stated that water took care of the sewage when this was a small
co~mm~ity. Called attention to the news item in a local paper which placed pollution
as third problem. Believed the money could be found if we want to do it. Stated that
lin a newspaper under the picture of Commissioner Gorst was an item stating that pollu-
!tion is the biggest problem. Further remarked that the local housing authority would
help in financing this project since they use City's system; and that the state, feder-
:al gover~aent and the Navy is willing to go along. Reco~mmended sticking to pollution
as number one project and not changing to some other p~oblem; and better to correct the~
pollution problem than to try to cure polio disease. Stressed the importance of workin$
on this problem in a friendly manner by all participants.
Mayor Kean said if the people are going to help the co~mmissioners, then they
should stop saying we are not doing anything, and that the fact they had started on
the project indicated they were interested in doing something. Called attention again
to certain problems to be taken up with State Finance Committee and the Land Commis-
!sioner, and then our own problem of financing. There are certain r~nifications that
ihave excluded the City with going on with the deal. I have said that I question whethe:
'we are legally right ~]d proper in taking the money the state gave us for doing an
ientire project, and doing a part of the project. Mrs. Shutes asked how long it will
take to find this out and if it could be ascertained from the Attorney General. Mayor
stated that a meeting had been held in which these problems had been discussed and a
:resentative of the State Finance Committee is trying to find out what can be done.
FEBRUARY 4, 1948 (Cont'd)
Mrs. Shutes stated that their group has gone to Olympia and been informed that
a charge could be added to water bills. It is approved by the Attorney General's
office, and City Attorney replied that the Attorney General has not rendered such an
opinion. The question is whether or not these funds can be used for a revenue pro-
ducing project. Mrs. ~utes then asked if it could be considered a revenue producing
project and Attorney answered that it certainly could.
In answer to a question from Mrs. Hallia as to what other cities were doing who
were up against the pollution problem, Attorney answered that no other city was using
these funds for this job. This question is unique.
Mrs. Hallia questioned where other cities are getting their funds and Attorney
answered they are using the method of adding to the water bills and not 25~ a mon~
but $1.00 or $1.25 per month.
Mrs. Haddon said that the group from the state who met in the ~ayor's Office
had said they would go back and let us know how we could use these funds. I would
like to see the project started while I am here. Plan the overall picture and build
the one but start the assessments for the second one now. I don't know how it is
going to be worked out but I want to assure you as long as I am in office I am going
to keep working on it.
Mr. Sehultheis called attention to the fact that the Chief of Naval Operations
had five or six years forbidden sailors to swim in the water here, and that pollution
is not a new problem at all; that many infections were noted here among the sailors
who had swam in the water. Believe we missed our guess when population was large and
money was easy. Money is not as easy to get now as formerly but the sooner you talk,
and talk long, the sooner you will get help. Think you have an awful good subject
when talking about pollution.
Mayor Kean pointed out that the city would have received $109,000.00 in 1940
population instead of approximately $525,000.00 we got on the 1945 census.
Mr. Gorst stating in clarification of the statement carried in the paper as well
as rumors that he was blocking pollution control, asked why he should block it. Ail
the plans and calls for bids have gone out of his 'office. That he has been for it
ever since Jack Taylor came into his office. Regardless of the engineer's report, it
doesn't say ho was going to favor the storm sewers and put it before pollution. Plans
have already been made on pollution but there have been problems that come out of
this on finances. The housing authority is just an agent of the Federal Public Hous-
ing Authority and they are closing out these projects. We are not going to get any
money from the FPIit; but the housing authority can only cooperate. I doubt if the
money the Navy gets will be enough and it is their own problem. I can definitely say
that I have always been back of tho project. It will go just as fast as these prob-
lems are ironed out. The east side project should go ahead and take care of the pol-
lution on the east side. We have i~600,000 and we have to have $200,000. There is a
question regarding calling for two contracts, one for the $600,000 and one for the
$200,000, and we have to have this question ironed out first.
Mrs. Hallia suggested that since the commissioners knew they were vitally in-
terested in this problem, that they might have asked them to sit in on these various
meetings and learn the details, since interested in helping the city. We are inter-
ested in seeing the bays cleared of pollution. ~at can the county people do to help
you? Certainly our weight and interest must help in getting the Navy and State of-
ficials to do their part.
Mr. J. C. Lindberg, Marine Drive, said that he could readily understand the ex-
pediency of the engineer setting three objectives in order to attract financial as-
sistance for your needs here. ~r. Lindberg mentioned the need of fire hydrants in
their community which would cut down their insurance premiums $20,000.00. Stated the
national trend is for the federal gover~ent not to assist but the local people to do
their own projects. The money ~ich would be saved in insurance rates could go into
pollution or some other project. Stated there is a note of insincerety on the part of
the board of commissioners when, after spending t~64,000 on plans, there comes out in
the paper that the No. 1 problem is No. 3. Stated he was glad Mr. Gorst made that
statement and that he is sincere.
Mayor stated that Mr. Severance is an engineer of recognized ability and wants
to maintain his standing. Speaking of planning, over a period of years he has been
sitting here looking over the planning and mistakes of previous planning. There are
certain other things that go with planning, and they start with the storm sewers and
the arterial highway across town, in order to establish drainage. I come up in the
defense of Mr. Severance and believe he has come up with the problems in their cor-
rect order. I say there have been delays and there still are.
Mr. Severance stated that he thought this would be the only town in the world
that doesn't have storm sewers to separat~ the storm water from the sewage, when they
have sewage disposal plants.
Mr. Lindberg asked if a timetable had been establishes and Mr. Severance said
there was an explained about the projects. Mr. Severance further stated that he still
believed the storm sewers should have been built here years ago and there should be a
separation of the system which would have to be done after the completion of the sew-
FEBRUARY 4, 1948 (Cont'd)
Mrs. 0. Morgan, Oyster Bay, Bremerton, made a few remarks about the past efforts
of their group relative to sewage disposal, and stated that tile Navy has finally put
in their budget ~150,000 for pollution in this navy yard.
Mr. Schultheis again made further remarks regarding the seriousness of allowing
our sewage to land on the shores of the neighboring coimnunities. Read a paragraph of
~ a letter from the Secretary of the Navy regarding pollution which stated in part that
the Navy would help if Bremerton would commence. He then mentioned the ten-year plan
for sewage disposal, and Mr. Gorst answered that bhere was a mistunderstanding in talk-
ing about a ten year plan. Mr. Severance asked Mr. Schulthei$ to read further from
the Kitsap Newspaper which would clarify the misunderstanding relative to the ten-year
plan, and Nr. Schultheis declined to do so.
Mrs. Hallia stated she would like to see more iniormation get to the newspaper
by the ~ayor so they wouldn't have to bother the cotuacil. Paul Ryan of the Bremerton
SUN said he believes news coverage was complete but could not boast 100~ reader cov-
erage.
Mrs. Kelsey presented a nmnber of petitions and read some of the names from them.
James Rondeau, Secretary of the Junior Chamber of Commerce~ Bremerton, stated he
had been assured this morning by ~r. Gorst that he, is for the project and has expended
money. The Council has definitely given this group the implication that they are in-
terested and are going to do their utmost. He asked if the Council would see fit to
obligate themselves and make this statement that they will do all in their power in
the future to see that the pollution control will go over. If that is done, then we
can sit back and say you are going to do something.
~r. William Greaves, Silverdale, Washington, stated the co~mmittee of outlying
folks came to offer any aid possible to the Council. Believed finances was the City's
problem but did not believe the people would object to paying a small charge for dis-
posal of sewage. Said he was on the Pollution Committee of the Kitsap County Good
Roads Association, and realize the City has a serious problem on the roads here but
believe you have a more serious problem on pollution.
Mrs. Van Elten, Bremerton, reconm~ended that the City Council not rush into the
pollution job and then have to do it over again due to mistakes. Said she believed
hospital sewage should be treated separately due to contagious diseases.
~r. R. G. Cook, 914 Highland, Bremerton, said that on a long-range financing
plan for 20 or 25 years to pay for sewage disposal the interest would be so large that
only small payments would be paid against the principal. Didn't believe that the
people could pay for more than one project at a time, such as putting in a four-lane
highway along with sewage disposal.
Mrs. Kelsey stated that many of the people who signed the petitions were from
iBremerton and that we are going to have to pay for the project sometime and should
!start now while we have the help of the state.
Nayor Kean mentioned the various problems that have confronted the City since the
plans for sewage disposal were made. Pointed to the delays by Jack Taylor, head of
pollution control for the state, in his dealings with Admiral Fort in arranging for a
meeting between the Adm~iral and the State Pollution Commission. Further stated he did
not know if he was willing to go ahead and commit the City of Bremerton without put-
ting it to a vote of the people.
~rs. Kelsey said that the I~ayor has said that it would be turned down if it went
to a vote of the people.
Nrs. Hallia again asked the Council to go on record with something definite as
to the Council's efforts to see '~at pollution control went through.
Nayor Kean answered that the letter from the committee composed of Attorney,
Engineer and Auditor had only come in this morning and he was not going to make any
statements until he has had made a study of the contents of the letter. Nay0r Kean
further shared that the Council is going to study the letter and see what we can do.
The most that the Council could do would be to concur in the recommendations of the
Committee and clear with the Finance Office of the State.
~rs. Shutes asked why the franchise of the Puget Sound Power & Light Company did
not go to the vote of the people and ~ayor Kean said he had been advised by the City
Attorney that a vote would only be an indication of the will of the people and the
commissioners would still have to pass on it.
Nrs. Shutes then remarked that is the s~ue as this issue of the bond revenue.
Notion by Nr. Corst and ~r. Kean to recess until l:l~ p.m., carried.
~ayor called the recessed meeting to come to order at l:15 p.m.
FEBRI~HY 4, 1948 (Cont'd)
Clerk read letter dated February 2, 1948, from Mrs. Leslie Wolff of the D & L
Beauty College, Bremerton, asking Cotmcil's approval to obtain a mailing list from the
City Clerk's Office.
Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst that the request be denied and the City Clerk
answer the letter stating the request was denied because of the precedent which would
be set up in allowing a business to use City's mailing data, carried.
Clerk read letter dated February 2, 1948, from the Fire Chief, which set out a
number of items of surplus and junk for disposition.
Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst that we concur in recommendation and refer to
the City Clerk for the transfer of anything that might be of interest to any other
department and the rest be declared surplus and jtuak and disposed of to the best in-
terests of the city, carried.
Letter was read by Clerk dated February 3, 1948, from Junior Chamber of Commerce
Bremerton, commending Fire Chief Yett and his men for their diligent and unselfish
efforts toward the furtherance of the campaign of the March of Dimes.
I Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to note contents and file, carried.
I Clerk read letter dated February 3, 1948, from Eleanor Van Elten, Corresponding
ISecretary of Kitsap Historical Association thanking City Council for use of City Hall
Ifor their meetings and for the moral support of the Council.
Mayor instructed Clerk to note contents and file.
Clerk read claim for damages in the amount of ~24.00 caused by a truck of the
Sanitation Department to the fender of the car of Glen D. Farris, in the parking lot om
Russell Road in ~estpark.
Discussion was held on the accidents of the Sanitation Department and Mr. Gorst
stated he would like to follow through on this problem and try to work out some way of
cutting the accidents down.
~otion by Mr. Kean and ~rs. Haddon to refer the claim to the City Attorney,
carried.
Petition was read by Clerk, asking the City to establish a two-hour parking zoneI
l~n ¥¥~rr~n Avenue between 6th and 7th streets, first signer B. F. NcInroy, and contain-
.lng ~we±ve signatures.
Motion by Nr. Kean and ~r. Gorst to refer to the Police Department to make a
two-hour zone if that is their recommendation, carried.
Clerk reported that he had studied the matter of insurance which had been re-
ferred to him. After investigating the way the insurance was handled previously, it is
Clerk's opinion that City now has good insurance coverage and the method used in buy-
ing the insurance is perfectly justified. Clerk read letter from E. Jennings Beard,
dated January 30, 1948, relative to the past method of handling City's insurance and
recommending that b~re be no change from the present method.
~otion by Nr' ~Kean and Mrs. Haddon to note contents of various letters and file,
carried.
Clerk reported that ~rs. Shutes had filed petitions at the close of the morning
session of the City Council relative to sewage disposal and that they were on file in
his office.
City Attorney read lease drawn up between City of Bremerton an~ Aero-Marine for
leasing space on 2nd Street ~Wnarf. After discussion of the lease, some changes were
made in the wording of the lease, and the corrections were naad by the Attorney.
Notion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to approve the lease, carried, all members
voting Yes.
City Attorney read a copy of a letter ~ated February 3, 1948, written by Mayor
IKean to the Housing Authority of the C~ty of Bremerton, re: permission of the City of
Bremerton to occupy the Sheridan Park ~ire Station for storage purposes.
~otion by Mr. Kean and Nr. Gorst to approve the form of the letter and author-
izing the Mayor to forward it to the Housing Authority, carried.
City Attorney asked if the Council wished to direct the pollution conm~ittee to
carry on its activity.
Motion by Mr. ~ean and ~r. Go rst to co~muend the committee for their work and
referred the matter to the individual co~mmissioners for study on the recon~endation,
carried.
City Attorney stated that the committee has recommended one plan that should be
explored, that of splitting up the sewage project. Also said the co~nittee would like
to have the Council's approval before they went down to the State Finance Committee
~d sked on behalf of the City for any changes.
~otion by Mr. Gorst and ~r. Kean that necessary s~eps be taken to acquire a ten-I
acre piece of propert~ lying in the Anderson Creek Watershed that has been offered for
sale to the city for ~700.00 by Mr. Thompson of Port Orchard, and to acquire additional
acreage from owner of the adjacent property, carried.
FEBRUARY 4, 1948 (Cont'd)
City Treasurer reported in connection with the acquisition of property for City
by the Forest Ridge Park that he has no answer from Mr. Bawtin, the owner of the pro-
perty.
Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to allow all bills if approved by a majority
of the commission, carried.
Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to adjourn, carried.
APPROVED:
Mayor