HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/25/48 FEBRUARY 25, 1948
held in the
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Bremerton was
Mayor's Office at the City Hall on Wednesday, February 25, 1948, at 10:00 o'clock a.m.
Mayor Kean presiding, Co~missioner itaddon, Commissioner Gorst, City Treasurer Nutter
and City Attorney Johnsen being present.
Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to approve minutes of February 18, 1948, as
written~ carried.
Clerk read Reports of Separation for Vic Cleland, Ore Evans and Harold O.
Webster, Park and Recreation.
t~otion by }~r. Kean smd I~r. Gorst to approve Separations as read, carried.
Notices of Employment were read by Clerk for Vic Cleland and iIarold O. Webster,
Park and Recreation.
~otion by Er. Kean and ~r. Gorst 'to approve temporary non-civil service appoint-
ments as read, carried.
Clerk stated that the Mayor had handed him a letter from State Finance Committee
regarding sewage treatment.
Mayor remarked that this letter c~ne in the mail as a result of meeting to dis-
~cuss various phases on sewage trea~aent. A letter has already been written by committe
[composed of City Engineer, City Auditor and city Attorney, enquiring about use of state
money, and apparently the two letters had passed in transit.
Clerk read letter from Ernest Minor, Secretary of State Finance Committee, ~ic~
states that the Attorney General has ruled on the use of State Development Fund money
in financing revenue producing utilit~ project, that it would be proper to approve
grants for water or sewer systems, if municipality would be unable to construct the
project without state aid. Finance Committee interprets this to mean if a city is in
need of sewage disposal installations and is unable to finance the project after canvas
sing all available local resources, use of State Development Fund money could be ap-
proved. Following procedure is indicated: (1) Municipal officers make every effort to
find ways and means within resources of municipality to finance. (2) After such canvas
if officials find it impossible to finance the project and carry on necessary functions
of local government, said officials then certify to Finance Co~mmittee that such survey
has been made and it has been determined proposed project cannot be undertaken without
f~na~c~al assi~tance.~and~req~est u~e of State monies, to~eth~r with funds to be de-
rlvem oy City zrom same oz waoer anG or sewer revenue bonms, oe approveG.
FEBRUARY ~5, 1948 (Cont'd)
I~layor wondered what should be done about the proposed program which the City had
beer~ working on.
City At4orney replied he did not see how this letter would effect that in any
way, as the plan the committee proposed circumvents the law in a much more desirable
way than I~{r. ~iinor suggests it might be done. He states the municipal officials should
investigate possible ways of financing and should exhaust other methods of doing it.
~ttorney feels the City would have a hard time getting around that as the treatment
~lant could be totally financed from revenues of the City, and not just part of it.
(ecording to the law the money was not to be used for income revenue projects, and if
that is true the Development Board just "went off the beam" in alloting money for sewag~
treatment because it is a revenue producing project. Attorney feels a better method
would be to segregate a portion of the work to be done with development board funds and
finance the rest with revenue bonds.
1.,[ayor reviewed the entire matter and remarked that at the time the money was al-
lotted the plans and specifications were under way. ~ff~ten the bill was written asking
for ~20,000,000.00 it was prepared by the Executive Committee of the Association of
Washington Cities for waterfront improvements, bridges, City and ~ounty Buildings, etc.
At that time the state did not have a State Pollution Control Commission. The Legis-
lature reduced the grant to ~10,000,000.00 and placed assignment of projects under
~tate ~evelopment Board and the same session created the State Pollution Control Com-
mission, which became the "fair-haired child". Commissioner Gorst and City Engineer
Severance had been told they could get money for pollution control without question,
but it was indefinite what could be gotten for other things. The City of Bremerton was
a~xious to get its share of the money and went ahead to get a disposal plant for sewage
not paying attention to the fact that it could be a revenue producing project.
I~'lotion by i,ir. ~ean and ~i~r. Gorst that the City Clerk acknowledge receipt of the
letter from ~,~r. I'~Iinor and the letter be referred to the Co~nmittee composed of City
Engineer, City Auditor and City Attorney, carried.
Cler~ read letter from l~[r. ~ames T. Davidson, Chairman Kitsap District ~o~uittee,
boy Scouts of America, thanking the officials of the City and the City Hall staff for
cooperation given Boy Scouts on their 'City Government Day'.
l~otion by }~Ir. ~ean and I.Ir. Gorst to note contents and file, carried.
Copy of letter sent to I~ayor, Council and City Engineer, and various Washington
Cities was read by Clerk, enclosing infor~aation on procedure to be followed in selectint
Federal Aid System in urban areas. Now proposing conference to be held with city auth-
orities to dis'cuss proposals which may be desired in respect to streets to be included
lin the interim system. Conference will be attended by representative of Public Roads
~dministration, The Highway Department Headquarters and District Engineers. Suggest
conference in Bremerton be held I~.[onday, ~.Iarch 18, 1948, at 10:~0 a.m., providimg such
date is satisfactory to City authorities. ~ ~
I'~Iotion by ~,ir. Keen and ~,~r. Gorst to acknow]"edge r$ceipt of letter acce~'t ~h~ date
.and refer to Comr~issioner of Public Works and Utilities and City Engineer, carried.
Clerk read letter from Bremerton Chamber of Commerce, signed by Vern Freeman,
President, which states the Board of Directors have gone on record favoring immediate
action for building of cross-town arterial highway. Such action taken at regular
meeting on February 6th. At the meeting on February lSth, they went on record ap-
proving #1 project for I,ianette Sewage Disposal Plant. Request City take steps as
.necessary to carry out above action.
. I~otion by ~rs. Naddon and I.,~r. Gorst to note contents of letter and the letter
ibc placed on file, carried.
Card from Edith and Grant D. fOautson was read by Clerk, protesting possibility
of an oil company going into Anderson Cove. Their address is 1505 Naval Avenue.
i~Iayor remarked that address is outside 'the City, and the matter should probably
be referred to the County Co:mnissioners and County planning and zoning commission.
Clerk read letter from George and Adele Jacobsen, 1~15 Henry i~venue, objecting
to storage oil tanks in that vicinity as they feel it is a residential area. Also
objected to the lighting in that area. Suggest storage plants be put out of town where
there is a great deal of unused land.
Further letter regarding tanks was read by Clerk from North ~ide Improvement Club
which stated petition is being circulated to indicate the desire of the public to pre-
vent installation of oil storage facilities at Anderson's Cove.
!. ~ ~Iayor said that it seemed a bill had been introduced in the legislature provid-
~ng the over-lapping of city and county zoning commissions so that the fringe area of
cities would be under joint control of the city and the county. However, was not sure
wh~ther or not the bill had been passed.
Co~m~tent was made that it seemed too bad the business area could no'~ be kept away
front the residential areas. ~Iayor stated that it is difficult where the government
owns nearly all the waterfront to have waterfront space available to private industry.
Considerable discussion ensued on how long the oil companies had been in that
location, and acquisition of the property they now occupy.
~otion by I~.r. Keen and },{r. Gorst to acknowledge various commm~ications and refer
them to City Planning & Zoning Co~miission, and that copies be made and referred to
County Planning & Zoning Commission, carried. (Copies to County Co~,m~issioners).~
Clerk presented General Claim in the amotu~t of $~4,559.~5 for payroll for period
ending February 15, 1948, Salary ,~arrants No. 6111 to 6418, incl., and 6421 to 6426,
incl.
~otion by 51r. Keen and ~r. Gorst to approve the transfer of payroll accounts,
carried.
FEBRUARY 25, 1948 (Cont'd)
City Treasurer reported he has received a letter from the Western Gas Company
containing .a check #3050 in the amount of $3,170.21 for 1947 gas sales tax in full.
Total Sales~ $165,160.71, less $6,650.17 sold to Puget Sound Navy Yard, leaving a
balance of $158,510.24 to be paid at 2%, or payment of $3,170.21. Treasurer further
commented that this tax had been estimated at $2,500.00, which made $670.21 more
revenue than was estimated.
Further report was made by the Treasurer that no reply had been received from
the owner of the lots adjacent to Forest Ridge Park re purchase of such lots, and that
~ he would get off another letter to the owner.
City Attorney reported he was in receipt of a copy of a letter to the Housing
i Authority of the City of Bremerton from Public Housing Administrator in San Francisco
enclosing form of contract between the Public Housing Administration and the City of
Bremerton on the sale of Dormitory "B", and read the contract dated February 13, 1948,
on sale of such building to the City of Bremerton.
Some discussion ensued on such matter and that the contract stated such buildin
must be demolished within 180 days or a reasonable time thereafter in accordance wi~
the Lanham Act, but that no penalty is attached if such demolition does not take place.
Also, co~mnent was made that the School Board is desirous of renting such building, and
that the Kitsap County Fair Association could use it in connection with the fair.
Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to proceed with the acquisition of the build-
ing and the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign the contract, carried.
Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst that the Mayor be authorized to deal with Mr.
Wynstra of the Schools relative to rental of above property, carried.
City Attorney reported he has prepared ordinances relative to licensing mech-
anics who repair and install oil burners and licensing fuel oil distributors, and that
this matter has been delayed for some time as he was not present at the council meet-
ing two weeks ago, and Mr. Gorst was not present at last week's council meeting.
First proposed ordinance was read by Attorney, who stated such ordinances were
recommended by the Fire Chief and the Building Inspector's office in the interest of
public safety. Further commented that similar ordinances are in effect in Seattle,
Everett and other valley towns in King County. The Council should give everyone a
chance to be heard in connection with such ordinances, and copies should be prepared
and mailed to interested parties and give them a chance to be heard.
Mayor suggested that mimeographed copies of the three proposed ordinances be
prepared and sent to people concerned.
Mrs. Haddon enquired how difficult it would be to comply with the terms of
these ordinances, and City Attorney replied that they just adopt the requirements of
the National Board of Fire Underwriters, and could be complied with.
Attorney read first proposed ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1324, which was
passed May 29, 1~40, which contained the same rules and regulations as at present,
but also provides it shall be unlawful for a distributor to deliver oil to any tank
which has been posted hy~he Fire Chief as unsafe. Such notice shall be in writing
and posted near the supply where the fuel is kept and delivery of oil until the notice
is revoked will be unlawful to place fuel in tanks without the consent of the Fire
Chief. When the errors are remedied it shall be the duty of the Fire Chief to affix
a notice of approval.
Second Ordinance proposes a license fee of $25.00 per year for fuel oil dis-
tributors. Also provides a cash bond of $100.00, which is subject to forfeiture by
the City Council after wilful breach of any ordinance pertaining to distribution or
sale of oil.
Mrs. Haddon stated she did not approve of a cash bond being requested and sub-
ject to forI'eiture, as such matters had always been handled by a surety bond.
City Attorney stated that in case of a surety bond no money cam be collected
by the City until action is instituted. Further remarked that a cash bond of $100.00
would be equivalent to a surety bond of $1,000.00, and that a cash bond makes a man
more conscientuous in complying with ordinances. That anyone will get the cash bond
back if he goes out of business or sells out or if the license expires.
Mrs. Haddon remarked she thought it would be sufficient to revoke a license
if the ordinance is not complied with.
Attorney remarked the ordinance also carries a penalty for violation if the
Fire Chief finds certain oil distributor is consistently dumping oil after the Chief
has condemned certain installations, and they can always file a complaint.
Attorney stated the final suggested ordinance is that oil burner mechanics,
who are engaged in repair work and the service men be licensed. The Building Depart-
ment has had trouble with repair men and retail sellers of appliances to make altera-
tions to comply with the existing ordinance. The proposed ordinance provides for a
$25.00 yearly license fee, and a $100.00 bond subject to forfeiture by the City Coun-
cil upon notice. The bond differs from the one on fuel distributors in that if the
Fire Chief notifies a mechanic that installation has been made improperly ant ii' the
mechanic refuses to bring the installation within the requirements of the ordinance,
the Fire Chief may have the work done by another licensed mechanic, and the cost be-
comes a charge against the amount of the bond, which would supply funds for correct
installations.
Attorney further commented he feels these ordinances really have "teeth in
them".
Mayor commented they just contain regulatory licenses with a provision to show
the City is not bluffing.
FEBRUARY 25, 1948 (Cont'd)
City Treasurer remarked he feels the license fee on mechanics is too high, and
compared with plumbers license fee, which is $2.00 per year. Mr. Gorst ~d Mrs. Haddon
also felt the fee is too high.
City Attorney remarked that such fee was suggested by the Plumbing Inspector, and
he would contact him in order to find out why such fee was required. It ~s proposed
after these ordinances are finally passed that the Fire Chief will delegate a man from
each station to start inspections and he will advise people he is making a routine in-
spection for the Fire Department and thus can determine the safety of oil burning de-
vices.
Report was made by City Attorney that he had argued a demur in the case of Crist
against the City yesterday before Judge Frank W. Ryan. The case involves residential
'qualifications. Judge Ryan took the case under advisement, and the opinion will be
forthcoming.
City Attorney stated he had his own telephon~ upstairs on a private line, and
when he came to the City Hall he understood that Judge Ryan had been reimbursed to
about half the amount of his telephone bill. Attorney had felt at the time that it was
his own obligation an~ was willing to pay it. However, since then the cost of main-
raining a telephone has gone up, and the last bill was $12.43 for one month. Has to
pay for the same inter-connecting lines the City pays for and has to have extended
service whether or not it is wanted. Attorney stated he would like to make application
to the City Council for permission to render a bill monthly for half of the regular
rate on the theory that at least half of the calls are city business. It has become
a question of whether or not to discontinue the service and use the city service alto-
gether, except that the private number is listed in the telephone directory.
Mayor commented there did not seem to be any objections to doing this as the City
formerly paid one telephone service for the City Attorney. Also, suggested the At-
torney check with the Auditor and see how the matter should be handled.
Mrs. Haddon reported the meeting at Olympia of the Finance Officers was very nice
and was attended by representatives of various bond selling companies and tax commis-
sion.
Commissioner Gorst reported a letter has been received from the Department of the
Interior which takes up the matter of the geological survey on the water department.
The matter had been referred to Water Superintendent Casad and Commissioner Gorst for
a survey. They have received back three copies of a contract which will obligate the
Water Department for approximately $9,000.00, and will pay for a portion of the pre-
sent year, next year and up into 1950. Had a contract once before this that ran out
as they ran out of money, and this is beginning again.
Motion by Mr. Gorst and Mr. Kean to refer the contract to the City Attorney for
approval, mud if approved, to refer to Commissioner of Public Works, who is authorized
to sign the copies, carried.
Clerk read letter from C. C. Casad, addressed to Commissioner Gorst, re purchase
of 12" Submarine Main Crossing Port Washington Narrows at North end of Warren Avenue.
Proposal that the City take over the line was discussed on February 13, 1948, with Mr.
Durkee and Mr. Thomlinson of the Federal Works Agency. Mr. Thomlinson had discussed
with Commissioner Gorst that the City take the line, paying $2,700.00 a year for 5
years, in addition to $10,800.00 which has already been paid. Polic~ of F.W.A. is to
dispose of revenue utilities at 50% of cost. Proposed the City pay $20,904.35, with
credit of $10,800.00 applied, leaving a balance of $10,104.38. Would result in a
saving of $3,400.00 as compared with proposal to pay $2,700.00 for 5 yearw. Recommends
an offer be made to F. W. A. to make payment of $10,104.38 as balance necessary for
transfer of ownership.
Motion by Mr. Gorst and Mr. Kean that the offfer be accepted and the Water Depart-
ment be obligated for $10,104.38, carried.
Mr. Gorst commented this offer would be acceptable to Mr. Durkee and Mr. Thomilson
as far as they are concerned, but they want to get it closed out.
Commis~ oner Gorst presented letter from Richardson-Jensen Motors to Clerk who
read it aloud. Letter enclosed Permission Contract to erect a sign at the side of
road approaching top of hill above Head of Bay on Water Shed property. Sign is not
unsightly. City has right to demand removal of sign.
Commissioner Gorst commented that the rental would be $15.00 per year for a three
year period.
Notion by Mr. Gorst and ~M. Kean that the request be granted, and the contract
referred to the City Attorney for approval, carried.
(City Attorney to contact the State Highway Patrol on such sign).
Mrs. Haddon suggested the employment of a maintenance man for the City, to be
used on various jobs of repair for City property. The matter was discussed but no
action taken.
Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to allow all bills ii' approved by a majority
of the Commissioners, carried.
Mayor remarked that Mr. Claypool, District Engineer of State Highway Department,
was in Bremerton to~ay, and Mr. Severance had arranged a meeting for a discussion on
the bridge, and to decide what tn~ City is going to do in the way of a cut up to
Highland Avenue.
FEBHU~Y 25, 19~8 (Cont'd)
Mayor f~ther enquired if the City Co~cil wishes to do ~ything about the pro-
iposed ferry stoppage, but no suggestions were made.
Some discussion ensued on acquisition of 01~pic View Building, ~ich the Housing
iAuthority is offering for sale.
Motion by Mr. Ke~ md Mr. ~rst that the City Clerk ~d Purchasing Agent be
authorized ~d instructed to acquire the 01~pic View.Building, carried.
City Attorney stated he had Just been handed a contract which had been long de-
layed, which he would like to present at ~is time on the sale of timber on proposed
water shed. Further read "Contract for Sale of Timber" in which the City of Bremerton
agrees to sell to J. N. Kerkes md J. M. Arr~t timber, specified, st~ding or do~ on
iSo~h l0 acres of the ~ ¼ of the NE¼ Section 4, Township 23 North, R~ge l, E.W.M.
~Timber cut shall be dead md down trees ~d standing ~d llve trees exceeding 20" in
di~eter.
City Attorney f~ther reported that with this contract will be a deed on the
sale of the property to the City for $550.00. Mayor had suggested that the l~d be
purchased after it is logged off. Attorney replied this is the st~dard form of con-
!tract, and was suggested by Mr. Tucker of the Division of Forestries.
Motion by Mr. ~rst and Mr. Kean to ~prove the contract for the sale of the
timber, carried.
Motion by Mr. ~rst and Mr. Kean to adjourn, carried.
APPRO~D:
- ' Mayor