Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/25/47 JUNE 25, 1947 The regular meeting o£ the City Council of the City of Bremerton was held in the Nayor's Office at the City Hall on Wednesday, June 25, 1947, at 10:O0 o'clock a.m. Nayor Kean presiding, Commissioner Haddon, Commissioner Gorst, City Attorney and As- sistant City Treasurer being present. Notion by Nr. Gorst and Nr. Kean to approve minutes of previous meeting as read, carried. Clerk introduced Nr. Charles Siegel, foreman at Driscoll Electric, who had some estimates to present on lighting for the accounting office. Puget Sound Power & Light Company had suggested proper lights to be installed, and Nr. Siegel estimated that the lights could be installed in the main room and would include moving the present fix- tures to Judge Carr's Office, and putting in a heavy circuit, which would be neces- sary in the other rooms could then be done later and would amount to about $~7§.50, both figures not including sales tax. Nayor remarked that in case the wonk would be more than $500.00 it would be necessary to call for bids, and council decided to ~iscuss the matter further and de- cide whether to have all or only part of the work done. Nr. Oscar Natz was present at the meeting representing the West Side Improvement Group, ana wished to state for the Group, that they have made no recommendation on whether or not Navy Yard City should be Oaken into the City of Bremerton. The matter has been referred to a committee but no decision has been reached. Clerk read Report of Separation for Virginia M. Stitzel, Recreation. Notion by Nr. Kean and Nr. Gorst to approve separations, carried. Notice of Employment for the following were read by Clerk: Robert J. ~axson, Fireman; S. Charlotte Green and Leroy R. Natthews, Recreation. Richard D. Casad, Darwin L. Gilchrist and conrad Heinrich, Water. Notion by Nr. Gorst and Nr. Kean to approve temporary non-civil service appoint- ments as read, carried. Clerk read Change in Pay Status for Elsie Fitspatrick, City Hall. Notion by Nr. Kean and Nr. Gorst to approve Change in Pay, carried. Nr. Bob Nagill had prepared a letter which he requested the Nayor to sign approv- ing the change of location of the Disabled American Veterans Club across the street to the present location of the ~hip Tavern. 'Fae Ship Tavern is going out of business. ~ayor remarked that the ordinary procedure is to make application to the Liquor Control Commission, and then the application is usaally referred to the City Council for approval or disapproval, but that this is being handled in this manner to expedite the matter. Further stated it is not customary for him to sign such letters, but it would be nice to do all possible to aid Disabled~American Veterans. Notion by ~r. Gorst and Nfs. Haddon that the Nayor be authorized to sign the approval, carried. Commissioner Ted Pruitt was present at the meeting to report to the City Council that the majority of streets in Navy Yard City are being black-topped, and there shoul, be little or no problem on streets iz' the Navy Yard City is taken into Bremerton, also that the drainage is well taken care of. There was some discussion on the matter and Council agreed it would not be considered tmless a large majority of the residents of Navy Yard City are in favor o£ annexation. JUNE 25, 1947 (Cont'd) Clerk read letter signed by Army Seijas, Attorney, enclosing check in the amount lof $4,500.00, and asking that Amusement Device Operators Licenses for Fear of 1947 to i1948 be renewed for United Amusement Company of Bremerton, the American Amusement Comp- iany and Bremerton Amusement Company. I Motion by Mr. Kean and ~r. Gorst to approve the application, carried. ! Letters were read by Clerk, each enclosing check in the mmount of $1,500.00, re- iquesting operator's license (amusement device) Under Ordinance No. 1461, Section letters from Colleen McGill, Harry McGill for Mutual Amusement Company, Harry McGill an, Harry McGill for Kitsap Amusement C~mpany. Motion by Mr. Gorst and Mr. Kean to approve applications, carried. There was slight discussion regarding Auction Sale to be sponsored by the Rotary Club. City Attorney stated in his opinion such a sale wotuld not be in conflict with icity charter or ordinances. Clerk read letter from John H. Short, Chief Accountant, Water Department, re !account of Donald R. Rowley, 1946 Gregory Way, covering rental of space on municipal iwatershed for log storage, on which rental payments are delinquent in the amount of !$V5.00. Statements and letters were sent to Mr. Rowley on March 25, and May 17, re- lquesting that he settle these arrears. Nothing received to date. Suggests the mat- !ter be referred to the city attorney to write to Mr. Rowley calling attention to pro- ivisions of his lease that make it subject to immediate cancellation in event on non- ipayment of rental. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to concur in the recommendation and refer the imatter to the city attorney, carried. i Copy of letter which was written by the Mayor to Senators Cain and Magnusson land Representative Jones, was read by Clerk presenting reasons why the City Commis- ision opposes the passage of HR #3492, the Wolcott Bill. Feel that Bremerton has ex- !cellent Housing Authority and their record bears out contention. Committee on Housing iFacts and Goals is composed of 8 members of City Planning & Zoning Commission, 5 imembers of Housing Authority of the City of Bremerton, i contractor and ex-officio imembers include Mayor, Commander of Puget Sound Naval Base and Executive Director of iBremerton Housing Authority. Group represents entire community and has been selected iwitn care and consideration of needs of community at present and in the future. Made isurvey and study of matter and their recommendations in general are satisfactory to ithe City Council. Objections are as follows (1) National Housing was instituted on [premise that where local Housing authorities were formed, their recommendations re- igarding housing would be given consideration. (2) Legislation is unworkable because iof confusion which would result from transferring complicated problem to entirely new iAgency with tight time limit, and for having three Federal Agencies handling different iphases of the problem. (3) No guarantee that the interim management and ultimate dis- iposition of war-housing will be handled through local housing authorities where they late now in existence. (4) No provision for consultation with local disposition com- imittees or plannini~ commissions in disposing of units. (5) No provision to respect !previous committments in Lanham Act regarding panelization of temporary units hot to !respect committments by Government acting through Federal Public Housing Authority to !remove demountable war-housing units in certain areas when w~r emergency is over. (6) .Proposed legislation provides for sale of sub-standard demountable and temporary !housing units without regard to local building codes and makes no provision for bring- ing units up to standard for sale, and thus forces potential slum area upon local com- munities. (7) Does not take into account that disposition of war-housing must go slower in some areas and that the proper time for disposition cannot be arbitrarily fixed, but must be fixed by a proper study of local economy. Objections are general and pertain to any companion bill or proposal where local recommendations are not considered or where interests of Army or Navy relative to housing are not protected. Other areas may have different problems but Bremerton has confidence in local Committee and urg§s that no hasty action be taken that might foul up orderly disposal of Federal Housing Projects. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to note con~ents of letter and file, car~ied. Clerk also presented letters from Eastpark Tenant Council, 51-G Jones Drive, 'Bremerton and Progressive Citizens of America, 84 Union Street, Seattle l, Washington !urging that the City Commission go on record as opposing passage of HR 3492, the Wol- icott Bill. Motion by Er. Kean and Mr. Gorst that the letters be acknowledged, and the !City Clerk be instructed to notify the writers that the Mayor wrote such a letter pro- itesting on June 20, 1947, carried. Letter from City Auditor was read by Clerk recommending the transfer of $800.00 !from Park & Playfield Buildings & Improvements to Lights Tennis Court-Warren & Manette iprior to the award of contract for the work, as only $1,800.00 is allowed in the bud- !get for this work and the estimate for the job is now $2,505.27. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to concur in the recommendation and direct the City Attorney to prepare the resolution, carried. City Attorney read Resolution No. 291, as follows: WHEREAS, the budget for the year 1947 dontains an item described as follows: "Light Tennis Courts - Warren & Manette" in the sum of $1800.00; and WHEREAS it now appears that the total cost of said improvements will exceed said amount by approximately $800.00; JUNE 25, 1947 (Cont'd) NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Bremerton that the sum of $800.00 be transferred in the budget from "Park and Playfleld Buildings and Improvements" to "Light Tennis Courts - Warren & Manette". PASSED by the City Council, signed by the Mayor and attested by the City Clerk in authentication of such passage this 25th day of June, Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to pass Resolution No. $91, carried as fol- lows: Mr. Kean, yes; Mrs. Haddon, yes; Mr. Gorst, yes. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to award contract on floodlighting on ~anette Warren Avenue Tennis Courts and Evergreen Patak Horseshoe Courts to Thompson Electric Company, car~.,ied. Clerk read letter from City Engineer re above contract recommending Change Ordel be approved on above to make fields satisfactory for professional play for additional sums as itemized on Manette Playfield, $533.00; Warren Avenue ?layfield $5?3.00, and Evergreen Park credit of $111.O0; total amount of contract $2,993.30. Motion by Mr. kean and Mr. Gorst to concur in the recommendation of the City Engineer and approve change order, carried. Clerk reported that the matter of rental to be paid by Horluck Transportation Company had been referred to Mrs. Haddon, and that now a check had been received for rent of $65.00 which is a reduction from $V5.00 as had been specified in the lease. Motion by Mrs. Haddon and Mr. Kean to approve rental of $65.00 and that such notation be made on the lease, carried. Clerk presented notification from ~epartment of Public Utilities of Washington~ re hearing on application of the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph C~mpany for addition~ rate increases to be held on June 30, 1947, in New Armory Building, Room 212, Third North & Harrison Streets, Seattle, Washington, ab lO:00 a.m. Motioh by ~ir. Kean and Mr. Gorst to note contents of notice and file, carried. Clerk reported t~t five copies of Western Magazine are now being received at the City Hall. One each for the Mayo~, Mrs. Haddon, Mr. Gorst, Mr. Wyckoff and Mr. Johnsen. Report was in response to questionnaire on Western City Ma6azine from Chester Biesen, and ii' any other city officers would like to receive magazine. Clerk further remarked ii' any other city officials wished to receive copy of the magazine his office should be notified. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst that the City Clerk be instructed to fill in the questionnaire and return to Mr. Biesen, carried. City Clerk read letter from City Engineer re Concrete Retaining Wall, sidewalks Curb and Gutter and Fencing, Manette Playfield, stating that an estimate has been re- quested by contractor Keith 0. Branch, and listed work completed totalling ~10~219.02, less 15% retained, and recommended payment of Estimate No. 1 in the amount of $8,6~6.1~'. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to approve the recommendation, carried. City Engineer's letter re Capitol Hill ~ewer District State Development L.I.D. No. 229, File No. 26-1-52~ was read by Clerk. Letter stated contractor M. Moschetto has completed work worth $11,959.62, and recommends payment of estimate less 15% to be retained, amount of recommended payment $10,165.68. Motion by Mr. Gorst and Mr. Kean that the recommendation for payment be appro- ved, carried. Clerk read letter from City Engineer re concrete retaining wall, Warren Avenue Playfield, which stated contractor Keith 0. Branch has requested final estimate. Work has been completed and accepted, subject to final inspection and certain clearance papers as to completed payments, ta~es and final cleanup, to be cleared before retaine, 15% is due. Itemized work in the amount of $2,887.75 less 15% retained, recommends payment of $2,484.60. Breakdown was listed of difference between total amount as set forth in contract and final total amount showing total overrun of $286.~5. Motion by Mr. Gorst and Mr. Kean to concur in the recommendation, carried. Letter from Chief Mechanic at the Garage was read by Clerk requesting call for bids for Shop Lathe, new or used, and itemized specifications and accessories required Signed Claude Grauerholz. Commissioner Gorst remarked that the lathes available by "Donation" from the ~ar Assets Administration had been checked and were unsuitable as they were too large to fit in the garage. Motion by Mr. Gorst and Mir. Kean that the request be approved, and City Clerk and Purchasing Agent be instructed to call for bids, carried. Clerk presented report on field activities of the Division of Sanitation for th, month of ~lay, l~47,and letter of transmittal signed by Sam I.Reed, Chief,Div.of Sanitati. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to note contents and file, carried. Commissioner Gorst reported that the Street Department. had run over budget ap- propriation on maintenance of street equipment, and asked thin,an emergency appropri- ation be prepared for the remainder of the yaEr. Motion by ~. Gorst and Mrs. Haddon that the City Attorney be instructed to prepare an ordinance for an emergency appropriation of $6,000.00 for the balance of the year for maintenance on street equipment, carried. JUNE ZS, 1947 (Cont'd) It was further reported by ~r. Gorst that he had received a letter from the iDepartment of Game, in which they stated they wished to increase the game reserve on la portion of the watershed. Seemed this request would be in order as hunting is not ,!all°wed on the watershed anyhow. Present§d map for information of council showing the iarea now in game reserve and additional area they wished to take in. ! Notion by ~r. Gorst and Nr. Kean that the increase in the game reserve be iapproved covering the portion of watershed as requested, carried. (Nr. Gorst to take care of the necessary correspondence). ~ City Attorney stated he had been asked for advice as ~o the rights of the city itc lend records for the use of the Association of Insurance Agents, and read opinion !of Attorney General in this regard, which was that it would be unlawful for the city itc give, but if the city or town is to suffer no loss by gift or use of property !there woul~ be no legal objection to it. Wished to advise Council there is no obJec- ition to lending its equipment provided necessary safeguards are taken so that it will inet be damaged. It was further stated there had been some objections from other iinsurance men to the procedure. It was decided to wait until request came in for the fuse of the records, and then handle each case on its own merits. ~ City Attorney further reported that the Chief of Police had talked to him in irel'erence to the tax on Shyvers Amusement devices, which is only $12.80 for each ilocation, and the same ordinance proviCes that the license on other machines as $35.00~ ~and there have been objections to this. Short discussion ensued on the matter. Notion to Nr. Kean and Nr. Gorst to refer to the City Attorney, Chief of iPolice, City Clerk and City Treasurer for recommendation for the revision of the iordinance, carried. Report was presented by City Attorney on the matter of the voucher for Rockwell iElectric, which had been heard in court last Thursday, when t~e Judge had found the City liable for $800.00. City had claimed the amount due as $450.00, and Rockwell iElectric had claimed $1,100.O0. Attorney stated a claim voucher had been prepared, land the judgement attached to it. Notion by 5~r. Kean and ~rs. Had<!ion that the bills be allowed if approved by a ?~ajority of ~he commission, carried. Clerk presented "A~torney General,s Opinion" on questions which have arisen in iconnection with the new law on Firemen's Relief & Pension. Opinion was that the per- ~iod the I~ireman worked prior to April l, 1947, should be considered in computing the itwenty year period. Also opinion is that only contributions to be returned under sub- isection (1) of Section 8 of the act are those made after April l, 19~?. ~ Suggested that the letter ~e referred to Firemen's Pension and Retirement meeting. Second opinion of A~torney General was read showing that it is Attorney Gener- !al's opinion that a city has no authority to insist that buildings constructed by the istate be governed by city building ordinances. Nayor co~nented that the sanitation costs and rates had been referred to the icommittee of the whole, and a meeting had been held this morning. Superintendent of iSanitation and City Attorney are to make a study of 5he ordinances and resolution on ithe sanitaty fill and the probability of raising the rates is to be considered. ~Iayor also suggested that a meeting of the Committee of the ~hole, City Enginee] ~and City Attorney be held at 2:00 this afternoon to discuss street ends in ~anette. ~ ~Iayor remarked that at the last meeting there had been some discussion regard- ling city cars being parked in the SW corner of the lot in back of the city hall rather !than in l~ront of the building. Notion by ~r. Kean and Nr. Go,st to reserve four spaces on the SW corner of the iparking lot, and direct all department~heads to use that rather than parking in front icl the City Hall, carried. Luther B. Norwood spoke to the council on the possibility of having the east side of Trenton to the water being taken into the City. Council suggested that he ?irculate petition to see just what percentage might be interested in annexation, as ithey would not consider taking any more territory in unless it was favored by a sub- Stantial majority. Notion by ~.ir. Gorst and ~Ir. Kean to adjourn, carried. ~-PROVED: City/4~lerk /~/ ~ ,£ ~ayor