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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/10/47 DECEMBER 10, 1947 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Bremerton w~s held in lithe Mayor's Office at the City Hall on ~ednesday, December 10, 1947, at 10:00 otclock a.m. ~ayor Kean presiding, Commissioner Haddon, Commissioner Gorst, City Engineer, City Treasurer and City Attorney being present. ~iotion by Mr. Kean and I~.'~r. Cmrst to approve minutes of December 3rd and 5th as written, carried. Clerk a~nounced this is the time set for the opening of bids on Fencing at Warren Avenue Playfietd. ~otion by Mr. Kean and I~r. Gorst to open the bids, carried. Bid from Cyglone Fence Division, 1936 First Avenue, S., Seattle, 4, Washington ~was opened and read by Clerk as follows: Certified Check No. 1388, ~50.O0; Amount of ~id, ~[~24.38 plus sales tax. ~.f, otion by ~r. Kean az~d ~..~r. Gorst to refer the bid to the City Engineer, Park & iRecreation Superintendent and the City Clerk and Purchasing Agent for study, and if in !compliance with specifications that they be privileged to accept the bid, carried. I Clerk read Reports of Separation which he stated are all termination of tem- iporary employment in the ~'~ater Department, as follows: William Btmlcrot, Paul iChallender, Lester J. Corcoran, Howard Dickenson, Earl Hartshorn, Lavon E. Hartshorn, IElmer K. Holt, Henry Jarstad, Eddie Jensen, Robert J. [~axon, Ralph M. [dcKelvey, Jack !R. l,~ealy, Harold Salmer, Earl W. Short, Chris Smestad, Glen E. Smestad and Charles L. ~otion by I'd'ir. Gorst and ~'lr. Kean to approve separations, carried. Notice of Employment for Leroy R. ~athews, Park & Recreation, was read by Clerk. t~..[otion by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst to approve temporary non-civil service appoint- aent as read, carried. Clerk read Change in Pay Status for Arnold Halpern, Park & Hecreation. ~.~otion by ~,~r. Kean amd Mr. Gorst to approve change in pay status, carried. Letter addressed to the I¥Iayor from Andrew Pen~ergast, Superintendent of Parks & Recreation, was read by clerk. Letter states ~Irs. Stripe contacted him regarding ad- !justment on rent of building owned by the City at 1402 Park Avenue. She stated she had been authorized by Mr. Roberts, former Superintendent of Parks & Recreation, to improve the interior of the building. Work done at a cost of ~15.45 for material and ii~V.50 for labor. Other material was furnished by Park Department but does not con- isider in this cost. i',[rs. Stripe feels she is entitled to one month's rent of ~2~.25 itc be credited as December's rent. Suggests this request be approved under the cir- ..cbu~ s ta~lc es. Council agreed ~'~r. Roberts had no authority to allow such work, but under the !circ~mnstances it should be allowed. ~iotion by ~,~Ir. Kean and Mr. Gorst to concur in the recon~endation and direct the 'Cmty Treasurer to grant one month's rent, carried. ~.]ayor co~naented there might be other occasions li~e this one, but thought pend- ing cases have been stopped. ~' Clerk read letter from T. K. Phillips, Captain of Traffic, and Charles Lewis, Chiof of Police, re pe~nanent revocation of taxi driver's license of Howard Robert IVosgien. Recon~nend such revocation considering statement he made regarding theft of ~sllet at Top Hat Cafe on November 29th. ~otion by ~.~r. Kean and Mr. Gorst to concur in the recommendation and set the dat~ of the hearing to be held in compliance with the ordinance as December ~4, 1947, car- tied. Letter l'rom John J. If..cPherson, Secretary-Examiner Civil Service Co~mmission, ad- dressed to the City Council was read by Clerk. Samples of notices on file in that of- Fice from Department of Labor & Industries, are attached. Reports indicate quite a sum ~is paid out each month which is charged against the City in next years rate. Cites the cases of Allan S. Eads in 1944 and 1945 and more recent case of Robert A. ~orse as ~estionable. Further cited case in which ~[r. ~.[orse was on paid sick leave and re- ceived payment from State for part of same period. Secretary Examiner wrote to ~sistant Claim Agent asking for information about the payment and received reply "Please ~e advised that this Department pays time loss compensation to a workman even though he is on sick leave or paid vacation." Feels this is contrary to Sec. V(b), Sub Sec. DECE~BER 10, 1947 (Cont'd) Chapter 246, Laws of 1947. As City pays sick leave and also pays these other payments indirectly, question as to procedure appears to be questionable. Suggests that proper authorities cheek on the matter. Mayor stated he had suggested to Mr. McPherson that he talk the matter over with the City Auditor and City Attorney. Motion by ~r. Kean and Mr. Gorst to refer the matter to the City Attorney for in- vestigation, carried. Clerk presented application for license for retailing new and used furniture, from Glenn Reinbold, Sheridan Park, Clare & Lobe, under Ordinance No. 1551. Approved 'by Assistant Chief of Police. Question was raised as to whether this is located in the City or the County, as county location would not be licensed by the City. Motion by ~r. Kean and ~r. Gorst to approve application if within the City limits, e~rried. ~ayor co~mmented that used furniture dealers are under the same type of license as pawnbrokers, in that they must turn in a list of all property purchased to the Police Department. Difference was pointed out by Treasurer that a pawnbroker must furnish a bond, which is not necessary in used furniture buyer. Letter from City Engineer was read by Clerk recommending payment of Estimate No. 6 in the amount of $13,!~9.50 to M. Mo~chetto, on Capitol Hill Sewer District, State Development - L.I.D. No. 2~9, File No. 26-1-52. Motion by Mr. Gorst and Mr. Keen to approve the recommendation, carried. Clerk read letter from City Auditor recommending that the City Treasurer be di- rected to cancel warrants which have never been presented for payment, in order to eli- minate much extra work in carrying forward outstanding balances. Listed warrants in question for.General Fund, totalling SVS.3V, Street Fund, ~3.04; Current Water, $39.38;I oanitation, ~29.77; Various L.I.D. $~.48; Total outstanding ~170.04. Clerk remarked there is some question as to whether or not this should be done by resolution or if a motion from the Council is sufficient. Attorney stated he thought that a motion would be enough. Motion by Mrs. Haddon and Mr. Keen to concur in the recommendation of the City Auditor, carried. Letber from City Engineer was read by Clerk re L.I.D. No. ~, submitting adjusted balance of fixed costs for the L.I.D., showing balance transferred of $8~9.47. Motion by Mr. Gorst and Mr. Keen to approve adjusted balance, carried. Clerk read letter from City Auditor re salaries of certain city employees who are furnished housing. Salaries were increased by estimated rental for purpose of making income tax deductions, at the direction of Ralph Davisson, State Examiner. Question has again arisen as to whether rentals should be included as part of compensation and internal revenue regulations are as follows: "If, however, living quarters or meals are furnished to an employee for the convenience of the employer then the value of the room and board is not wages." Positions are Po~mdmast~r; General Foreman, Assistant Foreman, Pump Operator-Patrolman and Chief Patrolman of Water Supply; General Foreman, Water Distribution; Wharfinger and Sexton. If persons occupying these positions have housing furnished for convenience of City estimated rental value should not be con- sidered as part of wages, and seems such is case, Auditor suggests Council go on re- cord as to whether or not this is the case and proper deductions may be made in the office. Clerk stated Auditor recon~ends housing is not part of wages if it is for conven- ience of City. Diction by Mr. Kean and Mr. Gorst that the City Council go on record that where houses are provided it is for the convenience of the employer, and instruct the City ~uditor to that effect, carried all members voting Yes. I~voice from Association of Washington Cities in the amount of ~75.OO was pre- sented by Clerk, for Service Fee for 1948, of which $5.O0 is for five one-year sub- scriptions to Western City for officers of the City. l~[otion by Mr. Keen and Mrs. Haddon to approve the bill and direct the City Clerk and Purchasing Agent to issue the warrant, carried. Clerk read letter from Association of Washington Cities which states Councilman Alfred Rochester who is in Washington D.C., feels possibility for early construction of needed federal buildings is encouraging. ,Quoted Mr. Rochester's letter in regard to the matter and suggests in line with his reco~nendation, factual data in support of any federal building need be prepared and in readiness for presentation to the federal authority at the proper time. Motion by Mr. Keen and Mr. Gorst that the City Clerk note contents of the letter an~ refer to the Commissioner of Public Works who will refer it to the Mayor, carried. Treasurer reported that on the option on and sale of lots 16 and 17, Block Bremerton, the yound man who was asking for the option is unable to get financial backing so would not be interested in the lots. Attorney reported that as far as the rights of the Council is co cerned 3hey can sell am_y way they choose, by public auction, sealed bids, private sale, etc., any why whichever benefits the City the most. Public auction had already~aen held on the Old Fire Station with a minimum price of $10,000 set, but no bids were received. Now it has been proposed to reduce the mlnim~m ,a public auction or accept sealed bids, Mayor commented it would be wise to dispose of this property (Fire Station) to t the best interest of the City and get it back on the tax rolls, and possibly if a lower minimum price is set on it, more bidders will be attracted, and the property be sold. ~ayor commented that everything in the building belongs to the City with the exception of a few things that Priest still had there, and that he should be asked to remove all his property. Further stated if the City keeps the building it will be necessary to spend quite a lot of money on repairs. , ~. Motion by Mr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to reduce the minimum price on the property itc $5,000.00, to be sold by sealed bids, and the City Treasurer be authorized to dis- ipose of to the best interests of the City, but reserve the right to reject all bids, carried. ~L~ City Treasurer commented that there is sufficient money in his budget and the Clerk's budget under official publ~ications to advertise the property. ~,~otion by Mr. Kean and Mr. ~orst to instruct the City Clerk to notify I'~Ir. Priest of Priest Motors to remove his property from Fire Station, and turn the keys o~er to the City Clerk, carried. City Attorney reported the County Assessor has agreed to furnish a list of property owners in the Bay Theatre Area, together with the assessed valuation and names of owners as they appear on county assessor,s rolls. Attorney further stated is necessary to have the assessed valuation in order to determine whether or not they have the necessary 7~% for a~mexation. Still has contacted no one to carry the petition around. Mayor stated when the petition is prepared he will give a couple to Tiny Bu~nett who owns property in the area, to circulate. ~ayor reported as yet the City Engineer has not prepared the maps on the Olympic ~/anor district. Mayor commented that the granting of franchise to the Power & Light Compauy !has eliminated free use of lights in various city buildings, ~d that all department !heads should have attention called to this fact, and all those in charge of buildings i should be notified to start watching lights. Mayor stated he would notify the Fire !Chief and Captains of all stations, and that someone should notify the janitor about ilights in the City Hall. Also, the Park & Recreation Department should be notified. i Motion by ~Ir. Kee~. and Mr. Gorst that the City Clerk be directed to notify all department headw to be more careful of lights, carried. Remarks were made by the ~4ayor on furnishing of Yauas trees to various organiza- tions. In past years certain organizations have been furnished Christmas trees. Xotion by b~r. Kean and b~r. Gorst that any request for Christmas trees is to be routed through the Co~mmissioner of Public Works, carried. Treasurer remarked that in past years some dealer has secured trees from the i%~ater Shed, and asked if that is to be done this year. ~'lr. Gorst commented that no !dealer would be allowed to get trees there this year. Mayor remarked that he is going to Portland for a meeting of the Pacific Coast Board of Inter~over~mental Relations to be held December llth, and had asked the City Attorney to prepare a Resolution which the I¥~ayor would present at the meeting. Attorney read Resolution re reduction by Government of Payment in Lieu of Taxes which will work a hardship on certain areas and resolving that the Pacific Coast !3card concur in Resolution adopted by ~erican ]~unicipal Association and also express favor and desire for enactment of Federal Legislation authorizing assessment and collecticn of local property taxes on or require payment of annual sums in lieu of taxes to L~unicipalities by P~ederal Government all Federal i~roperties not used strictly for governmental purposes, Resolve to taXe such steps as necessary to acquaint citi- zens of nation and members of Congress with facts in support of proposals. ~.~otion by ~2r. Kean and Mr. Gorst to endorse the resolution and refe-p to the ~dayor to introduce at the Intergovernmental Relations Board of the Pacific Coast at Portland, Oregon, carried. ~'dotion by ?dr. Kean and Mrs. Haddon to allow all bills if approved by a majority of the Co~mmissioners, carried. Some discussion ensued on the matter of sewage treatment and what necessary action should be taken, and it was stated that the City Attorney has necessary author- ity to take action. Clerk reporte~ he had notified Captain Hoffman that the City's insurance policy will cover the organ at Civic Center, which is being loaned by tbe"NaEy for the siah, against fire, but had received no reply. ~otion by Mr. Corst and Mrs. Haddon to adjourn, carried. Mayo r