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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/14/48 July 14, 1948 Regular meeting of the City Oouncil of the City of Bremerton, Washington was h~Id in the Mayor's office at the City Hall on Wednesmay, July 14, 1948 at ten o'clock A.M. Mayor Kean presiding with the following being present: Commissioner Haddon, Commissioner Gorst and the City Attorney. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to approve the minutes of the previous reg- ular meeting as written, carried. Clerk read reports of separation for: Pauline Birkholz, William A. VanZee and Ted Avery. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to approve the foregoing separations, carried. Clerk read notices of employment for: Margaret McNau~ton, Library and Le Roy Mathews, part-time leader, Park and Recreation $1.10 per hr. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to approve the foregoing temporary non-civil service appointments, carried. Clerk read change in ~ay status for: Edna Madison from Municipal Court to Water Department at $200.00 per month; J. Elaine Haner, $200.00 ~per month; George Wilson to Recreation Specialist at $216.00 per month and Irene E. ~ick to $210.00 per month. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to approve the foregoing changes in pay, carried. July 14, 1948 (Con't) Clerk read change in payroll title for N. Nadeline ~heehan to Catalog Order Librarian at $242.50 per month. Notion by Nr. Kean and Nr. Gorst to approve the change, carried. Clerk read tabulation of bids on the retaining wall at the City Repair Gar- age with a recommendation that the bid of Ted R. Hyde in the amount of $6,448.80 be accepted as the lowest andbest bid for the city. Motion by Mr. Gorst and Mr. Kean to concur in the recommendation made by the City Engineer. and award the bid to Ted R. Hyde, carried as follows: Mr. Kean, Yes. Mrs. Haddon, Yes. Mr. Gorst, Yes. Clerk read letter from E.S. Severance, City Engineer, advising that the fol- lowing change be made in the construction of the retaining wall at the City Repair Garage: increase thickness of the sidewalk from 4" to 6" on either side of the garage building as such additional thickness is needed to withstand the excessive weight of heavy equipment c~ossing the walk, advising that the Contractor had sub- mitted a bid of $56.00 for increasing the quantity of the concrete and recommend- ing that the change be approved. Clerk read letter from Ted R. Hy~e Construction Company to the City Engineer proposing a bid of $ .80. per sq. yd. for the ?0 sq. yds. of walk to b e changed. Notion by Mr. Kean and Nr. Gorst to approve the change order as recommended by the City Engineer, carried. Clerk read letter from E.S. Severance, City Engineer, submitting the prelim- inary assessment roll, plan and a list of the real and improved valuations in L.I.D. 236 and advising that notices were mailed to the reputed owners on July 8, 1948 in conformity with the State Laws governing Local Improvement Districts and further advising that the hearing is to ~e held on July 28, 1948. Clerk read. letter from E.S. Severance, City Engineer, submitting the prelim- inary estimate for the improvement of Ohio Avenue - 13th Street to North End in the amount of $14,804.75. Clerk read letter from E.S. Severance, City Engineer, submitting the prelim- ina'fy estimate for the improvement of 17th Street - High Avenue to Ohio in Ehe~tot- al amount of $7,886.00. The City Attorney suggested that these preliminary estimates be read at the time of the hearing and was assured that they would be available at that time, and Mr. Gorst explained that these estimates were Just to inform the Council of the status of the proposed L.I.D. Contents were noted and ordered filed, on motion by Mr. Kean aud Mr. Gorst following a discussion with Nr. Searle on the status of the,property now owned by the H~using Authority but which is to ~ turned over to the school board. Clerk read application for card table license for L.A. Bellosillo, N~vy Yard Cafe, 838 Burwell, approved by the Chief of Police. ~ Notion by Nr. Kean and Nr. Gorst to approve the application, carri'ed. ~ Clerk read application for card table license for Harry L. Flint, Harry's Barber Shop at 2111 E. llth St~, approved by the Chief of Police. Nayor Kean advised that Nr. Flint had made changes in his establishment to comply with the City Ordinance. Notion by Nr. Gors~ and Nr. Kean to approve the application, carried. Clerk read petition signed by 12 property owners to create an improvement district for the improvement of Ironsides Avenue from Upper Shore Drive to E. llth Street by construction of concrete sidewalks, curbs and gutters. Notion by Nr. Gorst and Nr. Kean to refer the petition ~ the City Engineer, carried. Nayor Kean asked if the area could be improved and Nr. Gorst advised that the petition would no doubt be rejected because of the large amount of vacant property in the area. Clerk read petition signed by 39 property owners to create an improvement dis- trict for the improvement of Trenton Avenue between Eleventh and Sixteenth Streets by clearing, grubbing, grading and the construction of concrete sidewalks, curbs and gutters. Clerk read letter from E.S. Severance, City Engineer, advising that the above mentioned petition is signed by 55~ of the property owners by front footage and 5~.5% by total area of the d£s~rict. The assessea valuation of the district is $4,140.00, the actual valuation is $8,280.00 and the estimated cost of the improve- ments is $11,560.00; further advising that the improvement is considered essential however, as the cost exceeds the valuation no further progress can be made at this time and the petition must be rejected. Nr. Severance suggested that copy of the petition be referred back to the signers to secure sufficient signatures to be in excess of 75% of the total district. Notion by Nr. Gorst and Nr. Kean to refer the petition back to the signers as recommended by the City Engineer, carried. i.t4 July 14, 1948 (Con't) Clerk read letter from the North Side Improvement Club asking why Chester Avenue from 13th to 15th; Marguerite Avenue from 15th Nohth and Pennsylvania Avenue from llth to 13th were not included in L.I.D. No. 236 and. requesting an early reply. Motion by Mrs. Haddon and Mr. Gorst to refer the letter to the City Engineer and the City Clerk for further action~ carried. Clerk read letter from the North Side Improvement Club protesting any idea of a City Sales Tax and recommending City,Manager form of government. Mr. Gorst commented that the North Side Improvement Club should be informed of the opinions of the Council on different matters and on motion by Mr. Gorst and Mr. Kean contents were noted and ordered filed. Clerk read letter from George E. Melzer, 1554 No. Wycoff advising that the sum of $70.00 was quoted to him by a building contractor as the amount necessary to cover the repair of the garage located at 1554 No. Wycoff which was damaged by a City Electrical Inspector truck. Motion by Mr. Gorst and Mr. Kean to refer the letter to the City Clerk with instructions to inform Mr. Melter of the proper claim for damage form to be filled out. by him before presenting to. the City Council, carried. Clerk read General Claim voucher in the amount of $35,352.72 for payroll period ending May 15, 1948, salary warrants No. 8009, ~016 to 8341 inclusive. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to approve the voucher carried as fol- lows: Mr. Kean, Yes. Mrs. Haddon, Yes. Mr. Gorst, Yes. Clerk read notice from the University of Washington of the Thirteenth Annual institute of Government from July 26 to 30th, 211 Anderson Hall. Mayor Kean asked if anyone was interested in attending and Mr. Johnson ad- vised he would like to attend on the 30th. Mayor Kean advised that each Commissioner should discuss the meeting with his Department Heads to see if they will attend because he thought anyone attend- ing would derive some benefit and would like to see Mr. Vaa, Mrs. Haddon or Mr. Johnsen attend the taxation meetings. Clerk read letter from E.C. Searle, Executive Director of the Housing Auth- ority of the City of Bremerton regarding a meeting in his office on July 12th with Mr. Casad and Mr. Henry Eckland in which the City representatives requested that they be allowed to salvage galvanized pipe in Sinclair Park installed ~ere as house service connections during the development of the Project, and g rm~ting per- mission for the City to enter on the premises and remove said pipe with the under- standing that an accurate record will be kept of the quantity and sizes, also that the site be restored in order to eliminate any possible hazards due to eEcavations or any other work in connection with the salvaging of this material. Further ad- vising that it is also expressly understood that the City will use the pipe only in connection with the operation of the City Water Department, and further ad- vising that it is not comtemplated that replacement of the material or payment will be necessary in the future, but they feel the transaction should be document- ed in order to avoid possible criticism. Motion by Mr. Gorst and Mr. Kean that the recommendations be approved and the City Water Department be authorized to go ahead with the salvage work, carried. Clerk read letter from E.C. Searle, Executive Director of the Bremerton Hous- ing Authority with reference to a discussion with the City Engineer regarding the use of the Anderson Cove combined sewer system by the City for connecting on pri- vate owners who are now within the City; advi~ng that the combined sewer system for the Anderson Cove project was approved by the State Health Department for the period of the emergency with the thought in mind that at some future date it would not be permissable to empty untreated sewage in Port Washington Narrows and grant- ing permission to the City to take over the entire system in the Project providing that we will maintain it in the future as they cannot justify any maintenance costs on the project subsequent to June 30, 1948. Notion by Mr. Gorst and Mr. Kean to refer the matter to the City Engineer and the Street and Sewer Superintendents for maintenance of the system, carried. Mayor Kean commented that Mr. Jesse Epstein of. the Public Housing Adminis- tration of San Francisco wished a letter to the effect that the City Council was in accord on the matter of the disposition of housing facilities in the City of Bremerton and he had prepared such a letter for approval and signing by the Council members. The City Clerk read letter from the Council Members to Mr. Jesse Epstein, Director, Region l, Public Housing Administration, 760 Market Street, San Fran- cisco 2, California, voicing the approval of the City Council on the action of the Bremerton Committee of the Housing Facts and Goals for the disposition of public war housing in the City of Bremerton. Motion by Mr. Gorst and Mr. Kean to authorize the Mayor and members of the City Council to sign the letter carried as follows: Mr. Kean, Yes. Mrs. Haddon, Yes. Mr. Gorst, Yes. July 14, 1948 (Con't) Mayor Kean announced that for the past several years irregularities have been found in the assessed value of real and personal property in Kitsap County for tax purposes and a resolution has been prepared for presentation to the County Assessor setting the Assessor's office up so that a better Job can be done in as- sessing in general. Clerk read Resolution that the County Board of Equalization does recommend that adequate funds be included in the County Assessor's budget for the year 1949 in order that new and proper~equipment may be made available in said offices which will eliminate obsolete office methods, and in order to properly staff the County Assessor's office with experienced field men to the end that a fair, equal and consistent valuation may be placed upon all real and personal p~ perry within Kitsap Cottnty and further resolving that the County Assessor be requested to pro- vide the Board of County Commissioners with a complete detailed report of its needs both of staff and equipment with the budget request for the year 1948 to the end that the board of equalization may take immediate steps to equalize all property valuations throughout Kitsap County and the cities thereof. Mayor Kean commented that while this won't be too popular with a lot of pro- perty owners it is a step in the right direction and should be taken. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to note contents and the resblution be made a matter of record carried. The City Attorney read letter to the Mayor and City Council regarding the matter of sewer connection charges which had been referred to his office. The City Attorney read letter signed by himself and the City Engineer recom- mending that in view of the number of connections, which are few, and t he addition- al work in collecting the charge, that the charge be discontinued and that upon application by the owner the present agreements be modified to eliminate the mon- thly charge of one ($1.00) and to remove any possible cloud on the title of the real property involved. Motion by Mr. Gorst and Mr. Kean to approve the recommendation of the com- mittee and the acco~uuting department be so instructed, carried. The City Attorney advised that the Mayor had inquired as to who should main- tain the insurance on Dormitory "B" and it was his opinion that the matter should be referred to the City Clerk for the placing of insurance. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to refer the matter to the City Clerk with instructions to notify Mr. Lewis of the Hayward Insurance Company after he has taken care of the insurance, carried. The City Attorney reported that he had been requested to submit an opinion to the Civil Service Commission on the matter of annual leave for City Employees but had not as yet written the opinion. The City Attorney read letter from his office to the City Council regarding the legal question involved in the zoning of the Phinney-Snyder area, newly an- nexed to the City~ advising that in view of the fact that the Associated OiI Com- pany intends to file an application for a change of classification with the plan- ning Commission he does not believe it advisable f or the City, at t his time, to secure an injunction against the Oil Company which would disrupt their present plans for construction and which might involve the City in legal liability; fur- ther advising that if there are any particular people residing in the area who wish to do so they may b ring an action securing au injunction but he does not think that the City should assume the burden of doing so in this case. Mr. Johnsen fur- ~ther advised that a copy of this letter should be sent to the North Side Improve- merit Club. Motion by Mr. Gorst and Mr. Kean that the Council concur in the recon~nendationi of the City Attorney, carried. The City Attorney read a letter from Wallace & Arthur, Attorneys, enclosing a deed for a portion of lots 16 and 17, Block 14, Plat of the Town of Bremerton, Kitsap County Washington, this portion is for two feet in the alley and is given to the City in order to eliminate objections to the width of the alley and the Attorney would recommend that the City C~rk be instructed to file the deed with the County Auditor, which was done on motion by ~. Kean and Mr. Gorst. The City Attorney read lease between the City of Bremerton and H.A. Brigham and Ross A. Brigham of the Bayview Mill Company for an additional 100 feet of property adjoining that property already tnder lease by the City to the Bayview Mill Company ror a fee of $75.00 per year. The question was raised by Mrs. Haddon as to whether the length of time in this lease corresponded with the time in the other leases held by Mr. Brigham as it was desired that allJhis leases expired at the same time. Clerk read excerpt from the minutes of the previous regular meeting which instructed the Attorney to prepare the lease. July 14, 1948 (Con't) Mayor Kean suggested that the Attorney check with the files to see that the leases rtuu the same length of time; which was done by the Attorney who subsequent- ly reported they would all expire in four and one-half months. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to approve the lease and authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to sign same, carried as follows: Mr. Kean, Yes. Mrs. Haddon, Yes. Mr. Gorst, Yes. The City Clerk announced this as the date for the opening of bids on property list and L.I.D. index and one bid had been received. Oh motion by Mrs. Haddon and Mr. Kean clerk opened and read bid as follows: Bremerton Title Company, Bremerton, Washington with a bid of 50~ for each platted lot number or fraction of a platted lot number in recorded plats, in one ownership~ $1.00 for each tract or fraction of a tract in unplatted lands in one ownership, and a charge of $50.00 per month for furnishing a monthly list showing all recorded deeds of conveyance or contracts for the conveyance of real property within the Bremerton City Limits, a continuation of the present contract. Motion by Mr. Keen and Mr. Gorst to refer the bid to the City Treasurer, the City Engineer and the City Clerk with power to award the bid if found acceptable carried. Mr. E.C. Searle, Bremerton Housing Authority, presented a deed of dedication for Sheridan Park roads and recreation areas. He informed the Council that this did not include the water or s~wer facilities which will be dedicated at a later date. ~r. Searle requested that the City return four signed copies of the maps and deed, with certified copies of the filing date to the Housing Authority as soon as possible. Motion by Mr. Gorst and Mr. Kean that the City accept the deed of dedication, the Mayor be authorized to sign the deed and the City Clerk be instructed to file the maps and deed with the County Auditor, carried unanimously. Mr. Searle advised that the Nest Coast Supply and Mr, Weaver the other occu- pant of the coal dock have been given notice of vacancy on September i and they are now removing their stock and before the actual sale of the property the com- mercial area will be removed. The City Clerk reported the Police Captain Phillips had reported that child- ren are climbing over the gate and fishing from the dock and asked if some un- surmountable barrier could be erected to keep them out for their own safety. The City Attorney advised that the City could be held liable for any accident occuring on the dock snd further advised that some barrier could be put up. Mayor Kean commented that this property had been~cquired with the thought in mind that it would be torn down and disposed of and on motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst the matter was referred to the City Engineer for study and recommendation in connection with the highway department and recommendation as to the use or dispos- al of the dock, carried. Mr. Gorst advised that in connection with the purchase oI' thepipe line across the bay there will have to be an emergency appropriation to provide the necessary funds. Motion by Mr. Gorst and Mr. Keen to refer thereafter to the City Attorney for the preparation of the necessary emergency ordinance for transfer of funds from one department to another, carried. Motion by Mr Kean and Mrs. Haddon to allow all bills presented at this meet- ing and approved by the majority of the Council c~rried as follows: Mr. Kean, Yes. Mrs. ttaddon, Yes. Mr. Gorst, Yes. Mayor Kean inquired as to the disposition of the petition on Ordinance l?V2 and was advised by the Attorney that this was being held in his office awaiting the petition regarding the change of City Government and will be included in the special election, and added that until the petition regarding Charter amend- ments is filed there is nothing to be done. During a discussion by the Council and the Press regardi~possib~e plans and sites for bridges in the area Mayor Kean remarked that he is wondering if anyone could head up and endorse the proposition to have the County Commissioners aud the Highway D~partment contact the Navy Department to eliminate their restrictions re- garding a low level temporary bridge across Agate Pass because it was his opinion that if such a bridge were constructed it would eliminate costly ferry routes now in operation and added that finance companies were interested in financing the con- struction of a bridge on the recommendation of the Gilman Survey. Mayor Kean marked that if the City was in a posit~on to ask that the Commissioners of the sev- en Counties involved and the Highway Department make this request to the Army and Navy Departments it might be possible to get this thing opened up, as he believes that the Army and Navy ~ll give their permission to construct such a bridge. Motion by Mr. Kean that the City go on record as asking the Commissioners from the seven counties to meet with the Highway Department and request approval to con- struct a low-level temporary ~ridge across Agate Pass pending the decision to con- struct bridges as proposed in the Gilman Survey at other locations. July lQ, 1948 (Con't) Commissioners Haddon and Gorst advised they didnrt think the Council should go on record in this~matter, a~ld Mrs. Haddon advised it was her opinion that such a plan should originate with the County Commissioners. Mr. Gorst expressed the opinion that if the County Commissioners are interested enough they will go ahead on this of their own accord, but Mayor Kean advised he was afraid nothing would be done. Notion died For want of a second. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to adjourn, carried. July 14, 1948 Special meeting of the City Coun~l of the City of Bremerton was held in the Mayor's office at the City Hall at 2::30 P.M. on Wednesday July 14, 1948. Mayor Kean presiding with the Following being present: Commissioner Haddon, Commission- er Gorst, the City Attorney, Chief of Police Lewis and Captain of Traffic Phillips.i Mayor Kean explained that the meeting had been called for thepurpose of dis- cussing what should be done ~bout police car 74 which was in a collision the other evening;'explaining that an estimate ha~ been received on the repair job. Captain Phillips submitted estimates from different repair ~shops on repair- ing the car, which did not include repairing the transmission or the rear end and advised the Council that he believed that the City would profit by tuming this car in on a new one. Follo~ ng a general discussion of rates and turn-in values a motion by Mayor Kean and Commissioner Gors, t that the City Clerk and Purchasing Agent be instructed to call for bids for repairs and/or a new car, using the damaged car as a trade in, carried m~animously. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to adjourn, carried.