HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/13/47 AUGUST 13, 1947
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Bremerton was held in the
Mayor's Office at the City Hall on August 13, 1947, Wednesday, at lO:O0 o'clock a.m.
Mayor Kean presiding, Commissioner Haddon, Commissioner Gorst, City Treasurer and City
Attorney being present.
Clerk brought up the matter of Thompson Electric Company, stating that a motion
should have been made last week and shown in the minutes to approve Estimate #1 on
Contract #101.
Motion by Mr. Gorst and Mr. Kean that the estimate be approved and minutes of
August 8, 1947, be corrected~ carried.
Motion by Mr. Corst and Mrs. Haddon that minutes ol' August 6th and 8th, 1947, be
approved as corrected, carried.
Letter from City Engineer was read by Clerk re L.I.D. #234, Alley in Blocks 5
and 8, phillips Addition, Change Order No. l, submitting petition signed by majority
of property owners abutting alley, requesting concrete paving in alley be changed from
14' to 12' in width because of existing fences, walls and buildings. The contractor,
Keith 0. Branch, is agreeable to change and agrees change will not effect unit prices
of contract, as he states in attached letter, and Engineer recommends change be made,
provided it will not require adjustment of time for completion. Change shall become
part of contract, subject to all conditions except as modified by proposal. Change
constitutes reduction of approximately VO square years of paving and makes adjusted
contract price of $3,635.00.
Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to approve the recommendation, carried.
Clerk read copy of his letter to Federal Public Housing Authority submitting bid
on Sheridan Dock as instructed by Council at last meeting. Letter explained City's
intention to use Dock for ferry service, in case Highway Department commences repairs
on Manette Bridge, as it will be necessary for residents on Manette Peninsula to get to
the Puget Sound Navy Yard, as many are employed there, and it would be too far to drive
around. Also agreed the dock would be dismantled and removed when it is no longer
needed.
Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to note contents and file, carried.
City Attorney reported that Judge Sutton has announced his decision in the case
of Washington, ex tel Gardner and others versus the Bremerton Civil Service Commission,
in which he has decided that the Civil Service Commission had no authority to enact
rule providing for giving of examination to war veterans in the Fire Department, and
the court's order is to reinstate the Four lieutenants who were demoted at the instance
of the Civil Service Commission. Further Attorney reported that the Civil Service
Co~ission has not decided whether to appeal, nor has any decision been made one way
or the other by the war veterans.
Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to allow all bills if approved by a majority
of the commissioners, carried.
Clerk reported the Building Inspector had reported he is making some progress
regarding the fire escapes for the City Hall.
Mayor commented he would not be present at next Wednesday's meeting as he would
be at the American Legion Convention in Spokane.
Commissioner Gorst reported little progress on dedication deed on Bremerton
Gardens.
Attorney reported little progress on Street Ends in ~anette.
Clerk reported no action on acquisition of federally owned property, that
Mayor commented City Clerk and he had discussed a central location for keys to
all city departments. Feel that a master key should be available for all locks so
keys could be replaced if lost or misplaced.
Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst that the City Clerk and Purchasing Agent make
arrangements with the Police Department to build or acquire a panel for keepi~ of all
keys and duplicate keys, and with a receipt system, so that those who wish to replace
keys anm borrow master keys will sign receipts so whereabouts of master keys will be
known, carried.
Suggestion was made that such panel be kept in the Police ~par~ment as that
office is open ~4 hours a day.
~ayor commented that as yet no report had been received from the City Engineer
as to whether or not the wharf floor is safe, but that ~r. Moller had stated the Engi-
neer had told him the floor is strong enough.
Clerk read letter from City Aumitor re Census Board Estimate, which states it
seems population of Bremerton has not dropped as greatly as anitcipated. Explained
increases by means of annexation and new housing, and decreases by elimination of Dura-
tion Dormitories and reduction in occupied housing units, also elimination of Westwood
Trailer Camp and renting of rooms in private homes. Estimated present population at
around 80,000. Supported figure by stating 2% occupation tax on power company pro-
duced more revenue for year just ended than for year ending June ~0, 1945. Water re-
cords show revenue exceeds for first four months of 1947 than first four months in
1945, except to Housing Authority and Puget Sound Navy Yard. Auditor has talked to
AUGUST 13, 194V (Cont'd)
Executive Secretary of Census Board, and seems unlikely a figure of more than 45 to 50
thousand will be approved. Census would cost not over $5,000.00 according to estimate
of census board, and allocation oI' state ~nds is over $8.00 per capita, so that dif-
ference of 500 or 600 in population will pay cost of census. Census Board is anxious
for Bremerton to take census and if City will furnish money, census taking will be
supervised by State Census Board. Auditor believes City will benefit financially by
taking census at this time, and recommends census be taken. If such action is taken
it will be necessary to make emergency appropriation to cover cost. S~gned Wendell
H. Vaa.
Mayor commented that Chamber of Commerce estimated population at 45,000 and
Bremerton Sun estimated it at 50,221. Further commented that if accurate census is
taken now, it would serve for April 1947 figure as well as April 1948.
Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to concur in Auditor's recommendation, recog-
inize an emergency, and arrange that State Census Board take the census of the City of
Bremerton, carried.
Comment was made that when an estimate had been received from State Census
Board that cost of census would not exceed a certain figure, that an emergency ordinan¢
could be passed to cover such cost.
Mrs. Haddon commented she had been out to the Sanitation Dump at the Head of
the Bay several times recently, and that she had also been to the Sanitation Dumps of
Tacoma and Seattle, and that Bremerton's Dump seemed to be well cared for. Further
stated she had a call from the newspaper in regard to County dumping garbage free out
there, but didn't think such a thing could be arranged.
Motion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to adjourn, carried.
Mayo