Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/17/48 November 17, 1948 Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Bremerton, Washington ~ was held in the Mayor's office at the City Hall on Wednesday, November 17, 1948 at ten o'clock A.M. Mayor Kean presiding ~rlth Commissioner Haddon, Com- missioner Gorst, the City Attorney anm the City Treasurer being present. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to approve the minutes of the previous regular meeting as written carried. Clerk read letter from Charles Lewis, Chief of Police and T.K, Phillips, Csptain in charge of Police Traffic, dated November lO, 1948 reco~nending that the taxi driver's license of William Ralph Winger be revoked due to his lengthy record of law violations of this city; the most recent being a violation of the State Steele Act in that he was observed selling liquor to a sailor upon the street. Motion by ~r. Kean and Mr. G~r st to concur in the recommendation and set the date of the hearing December l, 1948 at ll o'clock A.M. carried unanimously. Clerk read letter from Andrew Pendergast, Superintendent of the Park and Re- creation Department, dated November 12, 1948 advising that at the present time they have in their department numsrous pieces of equipment that have been declared surplus by the Department anm have been advertised for sale by the Clerk. Fur- ther advising that numerous individuals have inspected the equipment and have re- jected it as having no apparent value. Recommendation made by Mr. Pendergast that the equipment be sold as junk in order that room can be made for the storage of other equipment. Notion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to refer the matter to the City Clerk and Purchasing Agent with power to act carried. Mr. Yeadon was cautioned by the Mayor to make a thorough survey of the equip- ment in question in order to ascertain that it was junk and there was no other possible market for it. Clerk readletter from S.F. Dewar and B.W. Sanderson, dated October 25, 1948 protesting the survey of the plat east of said Block Two of Rythers First Addition made by the Werner Engineering Company of Bremerton as it includes lan~ owned by the signers and requesting a hearing on this matter. Clerk ream letter i'rom E.S. Severance, City Engineer, dated November 5, 1948 regarding the above protest from S.F. Dewar and B.W. Sanderson. Advising that C.W. Johnson has laim out an area to be known as Panorama Gardens and left a strip of lane V.6V feet wide along the West side unplatted because such strip is occu- pied by fences and buildings. Further advising that according to the original plat of Ryther's First Addition ~r. Johnson has not platted any ground not owned by him anm that the plat is correct and because of that fact he, the City Engineer, has approved the proposed plat. I~.~r. Werner, ~r. Jo~mson, and Mr. Dewar were present anm following discussion concernint= the correctness of the survey Mr. Kean asked if there was any urgency in decicaing the matter today and was advised by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Severance that the plat has been held some three weeks for discussion with Mr. Wey, the original surveyor, but to date he has not appeared and l,,r. Johnson would like to p~o ceed with his plans for building homes. The City Attorney advised the Council that those present cb'uld not ask the Council to settle a property dispute and the only function oI' the Council is to say vhether the plat complies with the City Ordinances as to size of alleys and streets arum ii' the City Engineer recommends that the plat be approved they should concur in his recommendation. The City Attorney I~rther advised those present to carry their property line dispute to court; and advised Er. Dewar that the approval of the Council tomay did not take any of his property if he already owned it. Mr. Dewar advised he is only asking that the Council not approve the plat until the property lines are decided. ~,~r. Severance again recommended approval o~' theplat by the Council, saying that it has been proven that the original survey was in error anm the survey made by ],~r. Werner is correct. ~otlon by ~.,~r. Gorst and Mr. Kean that the plat of Panorama Gardens be approved carried as follows: I~[r. Kean, Yes. ~rs. Haddon, Yes. Mr. Gorst, Yes. A plat o~' Grandeur View was presented by ~Ir. Johnson and on motion by ~r. Gorst and Mr. Kean it also was approved unanimously. Clerk read petition dated November 16, 1948 and signed by nine property own- ers in the vicinity of Block ~, Rythers First Addition to Decatuer, requesting that an alley be made on the East side of Block 2, Rythers First Addition to Decatuer, to be taken off the new addition being ptattSd (Panorama Gardens). Notion by ~.Ir. Gorst and Mr. Kean to reI~er the petition tolbhe City Engineer for study and recon~uendation carried. Clerk ream letter from Norman J. Box, Secretary Retail Trades Bureau dated november 12, 1948 advising that the Retail Trades again wish to have street Christ- mas decorations installed, which will be cone by Driscoll Electric and be completed by Thanksgiving Day and suggesting that the Fire Department test the overhead cab- les before this work is started, since the cables were installed several years ago anm t2~ere mi~,ht be a possibility of some of them being unsafe. November 1V, 1948 (Con't) Mayor Kean commented that he did not know ii' this was a job for the Fire De- partment and if Driscoll had the contract for installation the question of the safety of the cables should be a part of his contract and he questioned the right of the Council to order the Fire Department to do the testing. If the cables were originally installed by the Chamber of Commerce it is their duty ~ see to the safety of them. Eotion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Oorst to disapprove the request and ~u~ori~e the City Clerk to so notify the Retail Trades Bureau so that they could proceed with the testing in any way they see fit carried unanimously. Clerk read report of separation from City employment of Edit~ Dunlap, extra office help, from the Water Accounting Office, effective November ll, 1948. Notion by Mr. Gorst and ~r. Kean to approve the separation carried. Clerk read letter from John J. ~icPherson, Secretary-Examiner of the Civil Ser- vice Commission advising tb~at the Civil Service Commission, at their regular meet- ing, agreed ~at the rule effecting retention on the Reemployment Register of per- sons separated by reduction in force layoff should be amended. Under standard procedure, persons whose names are reached on an original register are permitted to decline appointment three times when their reasons for doing so are considered valid by the Commission and this privilege is not extended to former employees. Under Rule VI, Section 3, and Rule XI, Section 2, employees separated through layoff are given no such consideration. These rules provide that "Refusal to ac- cept reemployment in a permanent position shall constitute separation from the service." In the process of adjustment after being dropped from a City position it is rea~ily conceivable that circumstances could develop that would not permit a former employee to accept reemployment within the the period during which a pos- ition chould be held open. Therefore the Commission recommends that the rules be amended to read: "Re- fusal to accept reemployment in a pem~anent position shall constitute separation from the service except that the Civil Service Co~mmission, for good cause shown, may place such employee's name on the eligible list after one such declination of employment." The letter requested approval of the City Council for this change. ~otion by Mr. Kean and ~rs. Haddon to concur in the reco~mnendation and in- structing the City Clerk to so notify the Civil Service Commission carried. Clerk read copy of a letter from E.F. Eldridge, Chief Eugineer of the State of Washington Pollution Control Commission to A.M. Bledsoe, Rear Admiral, Com- mander el' the U.S. Naval Base at Bremerton confirming the change and location of the proposed conference on the disposal of Naval Shipyard sewage as suggested by A~uiral Bledsoe to 1:30 P.~., November 17, in the PuOlic Works Office of the Ship- yard. Notion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to note contents and file carried. The City Clerk advised the Council that Mr. Lester P. An~erson, member of the School Board, who is rmaning for re-election had called requesting permission to use the Accounting Department ad~ressograph machine for mailing his letters. He had referred him to the Water Department Superintendent who had refused his re- quest and after making the s~ue request and being refused by the Mayor had again called the Clerk, who hae promised to request permission from the ~ouncil. Mayor Kean advised that he had told Mr. Anderson the machine could not be loaned for political purposes but he thought it should be discussed by the Council and if the machines were going to be loaned the Council should agree on the mat- ter, ane it was a question of whether the ~ouncil has a right to allow individuals or organizations the use of city owned machines and he would like ~ set up the policy of not allowing city machines to be used by outsiders, although the Council might reserve the right to grant permission for worthwhile purposes. Notion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst that the Council refuse the oral request as being of no benefit to the Community carried unanimously. Notion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst that all future requests must be made in writing and be approved by the Council, for the use of city machinery carried. The City Clerk announced that in regard to the Bender house; Nfs. Bender has promised to be out by this week-end and the advertisement for the sale of the hmuse will start running ~ecember l, 1948. Mr. Nutter advised that he ham inspected the house i~ the company of the City Clerk and everything appears to be in order and Mrs. Bender is cooperating very well. The City Attorney reported progress on acquiring the deed to the Bender pro- perty but was not prepared to give all the details. The City Attorney reported that with reference to the Claims for Damages filed against the City for the Water main breakage by Irwin D. Poll, The ~ltiphone Com- pany, the United Amusement Company and Willis Shepherd in September has been ~n- ~estigated by the City Attorney who has determined that the City is not liable and would reco~mlend denial by the Council with authority to notify the claimants. Notion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to concur in the recommendation and so auth- orize the City Attorney carried. November 17, 1948 (CCh't) Mr. Gorst reported that there seems bo be discrepancies between the lists of the Engineer's Office and the Treasurer,s Office on property o~ership, which is supposed to be kept current by the Title Company and too often L.I.D. notices are either returned or delivered bo the wrong person, all of which tends to c snse confusion and errors in deeds. Mr. Gorst advised that the City records are more up-to-date than those of the County, and the Engineer,s records records are more up-to-date than the Treasurer's. Following disucssion it waa decided that the Treasurer's Office would be furnished with a copy of the roll which is sent to the Engineer's Office. The City Attorney advised that L.I.D. notices are to be sent to the property owner listed on the rolls oi' the County Auditor. Mayor Kean announced this as the date and time set for the hearing of protest in the revoking of taxicab driver's licenses, anm three of the four d~vers in question were present. Clerk reread letter from Charles Lewis which recommended that the license of Charles Edward Poland be cnacelled for the good of the City due to his actions on October 27, 1948 in supplying juveniles with liquor and delivering them to a hotel with instructions to tell the hotel operator "Chuck" had sent them in order for then to procure a room or rooms. Mayor Kean asked Mr. Poland if he wished to enter a plea.. Mr. Poland said that on the subject of selling these people liquor he could- n't swear they were the same ones he had hauled and which he had told them they might obtain a room at the hmtel. He said the manager of the Winsor Hotel had a deal whereby he gave each driver fifty cents who sent a customer to his hotel. As he told the Chief (of Police) he didntt supply them with liquor and only one of the sailors had stated that he had~ and one who said he didn't. Mr. Poland advised that he now had the signed statement of both enlisted men saying he didn't pro- vide any liquor to either of them. Chief Lewis said one of the sailors hwo had been picked up said he did sell him a bottle and signed a statement, which is the reason the letter of recommend- ation ha~ been sent to the Council. The City Attorney asked Mr. Poland if any other complaint had been found against him and Mr. Poland answered No, Sir. Mrs. Haddon asked him to present the signed statement for the Council's in- spection, which he did. Clerk read statement signed by William Edward Smoak and Robert L. Buffington that Mr. Poland ham not provided them with liquor. The City Attorney advised that it is not only a question of liquor but also of transporting juveniles to a hotel. Mayor Kean asked why no complaint had been filed against Mr. Poland on that count and the Attorney advised he did not know unlessit was felt that revoking of his license was enough punishment. Mr. Poland advised he has a good record and always tries to obey the law. Chief Lewis advised he was not charged on the juvenile ~unt, as only one sailor had sinned the statement against him and it was thought that revoking the license would be enough. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to lift the license of Charles Edward Poland to drive a taxi cab in the City of Bremerton carried as follows: Mr. Kean, Yes. Mrs. Haddon, Yes. Mr. Gorst, Yes. Clerk announced that Idr. Charles R. Brown was present at this hearing in the interest of not having his taxi cab driver's license revoked and reread the letter from the Chief of Police recommending that his license be revoked due to his len- ghty record of law violations in this City. Mayor Kean asked Mr. Brown for comment and ~,r. Brown advised he wouldn't make any co~mment with his past record in evidence. ~ayor Kean asked if he thought he should be allowed to drive and mr. Brown answered No. Motion by Mr. Kean and ~r. Gorst to concur in the recommendation of the Chief of Police and revoke the license of Mr. Brown to drive cab in the City of Bremerton carried. Clerk announced that the third driver to have a hearing this morning was Mr. James Oliver Pomeroy, who was in attenm~lce, and reread letter from the Chief of Police recommending that Mr. Pomero~'s license be cancelled for being drunk while on duty as taxi cab driver. Captain of Police Traffic Phillips advised that ~[r. Pomeroy co~ld have been charged with drunken driving but revoked his llmense instead. ~r. Pomeroy advised that he had been injured several years ago in an accl- dent which left the nerves in his back and spine shattered, medical treatment only provides temporary reiief from the constant pain and he drinks to relieve it. He advised he had worked for the bus company and that is when he had been arrested on a drunken charge while d~iving his own car. The bus company tried to fire him but the Uz~ion enabled him to keep his position. Drinking did quiet his nerves~ but this time he got to drinking and guesses he forgot to eat and before he knew it was brought to the Police Station. His nerves are l'rayed from the operations and al- though he does not expect to 6et his license back he wants everyone to know he had a reason to drink. November 17, 1948 (Con't) Mayor Kean commented that he feels sorry for him but when driving a pub- lic vehicle could involve the lives of other persons. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to sustain in the recommendation of the Police Department and revoke the license of Mr. Pomeroy carried unanimously. The City Clerk announced that a hearing was to be held on revoking the license of Jsmes Darwin Ganus but Er. Ganus had not appeared in his own de- fense. Notion by Er. Kean and mrs. Haddon to concur in the recommendation and re- voke the taxi driver's license of Mr. Oanus carried unanimously. Mayor Keau reported that he had attended a rent control meeting at Sher- idan Park where the Housing ~uthority was attempting to explain to the tenants the raise in utility charges since the system has been taken over by the Power Company. He thinks the matter was explained to them very well but the tenants want the ~aount of the utilit bills deducted from their rent, and he personally does not know what can be done but the Rent Control Board will continue working with them in order to try to come to some agreement. Mayor Kean reported that Mr. Searle of the -Housing Authority had called to see what the action of the City would be taking in the matter of a holiday com- ing on a Saturday. He wished to knSw if the City was Loing to allow the fol- lowing Monday also. He advised that he had told Mr. Searle that only Sa2urday would be allowed when a holiday fell on a Saturday. Eayor Kean reported that Mrs. Haddon, Mr. Severance, the City Attorney and. he were attending the pollution meeting this afternoon in the Naval Shipyard. Mrs. Haddon reported that Davis and Wright, East Side residents were anx- ious to acquire a street end in order to erect a swimming pool for the child- ren of the vicinity. Following discussion it was moved by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst that the City has no intention of vacating any street-ends and Er. Davis and Mr. Wright be so notified. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to allow all bills presented at this meeting if approved by a majority of the Council carried as follows: Mr. Kean, Yes. Ers. Haddon, Yes. Mr. Gorst, Yes. Mr. Paul Ryan, Associate Editor of the Bremerton Sun Newspaper entered a request that the City Clerk's office remain open on election day in order that the results oi' the election can be made public as the County Auditor has an- nounced his office will be unable to count the bs~lots before Monday. A discussion ensued regarding the method of handling the election and it was decided that Er. Yeadon, City Clerk, would contact Mr. Smith, County Aud- itor, in an attempt to work out a deal whereMy the ballots would be counted in this office by deputies oi' the County Auditor on Saturday night. Mayor Kean requested Dr. Benham, who was present, to again send monthly health reports to the City. Motion by ~r. Kean and Mr. Gorst to adjourn carried. APPROVED: Cit~erk Mayor