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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1950 01-03 CC MIN175 National City, California, Jenuary 3, 1950 Regular fleeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Gilbert ET Fritz. at 7:30 P. M. o'clock. Councilmen present: Adams, Curry, Matthews, Thatcher, Fritz. Council- men absent: None. Moved by Adams, seconded by Matthews, that the reading of the minutes of the regular meeting of December 20, 1949, be dis- pensed with. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIALS present: Campbell, McClure, Finnerty, Gautereaux. BILLS AUDITED by the Finance Committee presented; General Fund $ 721.58 Street Fund 24.24 Park M & I Fund 2.02 Cap. Out. Fund 13,628.72 Retirement Fund 897.82 Payroll Fund 11,224.26 ,TOTAL $26,498.64 Moved by Curry, seconded by Matthews, that the bills be allowed and warrants ordered drawn for same, Carried, by the following vote to -wit: Ayes: Adams, Curry, Matthews, Thatcher, Fritz. Nays: None. RESOLUTION NO, 5116 was read, authorizing the payment of $13,628.72 from the. Capital Outlay Fund ae follows: Floyd Emde Co., $1,003.48, Police; Vance Clymer, 134,00, Rouse Connections; San Diego Tractor & Equipment Co., $12,591.24, Street (Motor Grader). Moved by Thatcher, seconded by Matthews, that the Resolution be adopted. Carried, by the following vote to -grit: Ayes: Adams, Curry, Matthews, Thatcher, Fritz. Nays: None. 1/3 176 C. B. IRELAND was present in regard to the Record of Survey Map, dividing a portion of Quarter Section 130, whioh the City Council had rejected. Mr. Ireland said he did not think it was fair to wait until the map had been made up and then be in. formed it would be held up until the owner started making improvements. COUNCILMAN ADAMS said he thought Mr, Ireland was entirely correct. Mr. Ireland said that in order to have access to the streets, the owner deeded streets to the City before she started this Record of Survey; and then to have it thrown down he could not understand it; the map was approved by the Planning Commission. COUNCILMAN ADAMS said he believed that all subdividers are now aware that the Council is going to demand improvements from here on out, but it would hurt if you did not have any advance warning. Mr. Ireland said he knew that it had been talked about but that he did not know of any date set. MAYOR FRITZ'stated he did not believe Mr.• Ireland had been informed about this. COUNCILMAN ADAMS said he thought there should be an Ordinance drawn up to take care of situations such as this. Mr. Ireland said he should like to have the Council reconsider this; the owner has five or six lots under contract pending the reoording of this map. COUNCILMAN MATTHEVWS asked Mr. Ireland if he was selling lots, or starting a subdivision. Mr. Ireland said lots were being sold to someone that was going to build on 8th Street near T Avenue. MAYOR FRITZ asked how big an acreage this is and Mr. Ireland said it was less than five acres. COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS said the fact that we do not.have this Ordinance completed and it is causing undue hardship, that the Map should be approved by the Council. 1/3 177 RESOLUTION NO. 5117 was read, accepting the Record of Survey Map, dividing a portion of Quarter Section 130, as presented by C. B. Ireland. Moved by Matthews, seconded by Adams, that the Resolution be adopted. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. RESIGNATION OF DELAVAN J. DICKSON, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, was read. Mr. Dickson's resignation to be effective January 2, 1950. Moved by Curry, seconded by Matthews, that the resignaa tion be accepted. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE for on sale beer by the South Bay Amusement Center, 999-99i National Avenue, was read. Application was approved by Chief of Police Bates. Mayor Fritz ordered the application filed. REQUEST FOR TRANSFER OF CARD ROOM LICENSE by Lee Morgan, was read. Mr. Morgan stated that he recently purchased a'Card Room known as "JohnnieIs Card Room", located at 736 National Avenue. Mr. Morgan requested either a transfer of the license or a new license be issued. COUNCILMAN ADAMS said he thought one man on the Council should check with the Chief of Police on this. Moved by Adams, seconded by Matthews, that MAYOR FRITZ appoint a member of the Council to check with the Chief of Police on this action, Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. MAYOR FRITZ appointed COUNCILMAN CURRY to check this. REQUEST FOR INCREASE OF SALARY FOR CITY ATTORNEY, was read. Attorney Campbell's letter states that he has been City Attorney for 14 years and that his retainer fee has been in- creased from $75„00 to $200.00 per month; the City has -1/3 178 increased in population from approximately 7,500 to approximately 20,000 and his duties and demands have increased proportionately. He requested that the retainer fee be increased to the sum of, $350.00 per month. COUNCILMAN CURRY stated that sometime ago the Council asked that the average earnings of the Attorney per month for the last five years be worked up and he asked Mr. Dickson if this had been done. Mr, Dickson said "no, I do not recall the instructions". COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS stated he thought that as long as our Attorney is asking for a raise he would like to make a motion that we accept the resignation of our present Attorney and try the services of another Attorney; he said he did not think the City could afford to grant a raise and this would be a good time to make a change. COUNCILMAN CURRY stated that if the Attorney does not feel that he is being paid sufficient, he would like to second the motion of COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS. MAYOR FRITZ asked if we could go out and hire another Attorney for that price. COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS said that we have other Attorneys who are residents of National City; and all City employees should live within the City if possible; he said he would like to offer the position to Mr. Warner who has given a lot of time to activities within the City, and a lot of time to the Boys' Club. COUNCILMAN ADAMS said he thought such action speaks for itself. COUNCIL- MAN MATTHEWS said that sometimes a change can be a healthy condition. COUNCILMAN THATCHER stated that there are few Attorneys that make municipal Attorneys because they do not make a study of municipal laws, and that he personally would hate to see Attorne7 Campbell go; that he had done a good job and many times had gotten the City out of trouble. MAYOR FRITZ said that he thought in all fairness to Attorney Campbell we 1/3 179 should retain him or at least give him the opportunity to resign. ATTORNEY CAMPBELL was eked if he wished to resign, and sIie stated that he .could just as soon be fired. The die - missal of Attorney Campbell was carried, by the following vote to -wit: Ayes: Adams, Curry, Matthews. Nays: Thatcher, Fritz. COMMMUNICATION FROM HARLEY E. KNOX, MAYOR OF SAN DIEOO, was read. The letter states that a rent decontrol hearing has- been set for January 25, 1950, at 7:30 P.M. in Russ Auditorium. Mayor Knox stated that inasmuch as action on the part of the City of San Diego approving decontrol might have a very serious effect upon our neighboring communities. the City Council is invited to attend the hearing and to introduce testimony as they so choose to make. COUNCILMAN ADAMS said he thought by' all means we should have an official representive at this hearing; that he thought rent control should exist only as long as it is necessary for it to exist. He said that rents increased in Coronado the day after the rent deoontrol was passed. MAYOR FRITZ said that rent control expires June 30, 1950, and that he has not heard any agitation for decontrol; and personally the Mayor said he would like to have an expression of some group in the City. COUNCILMAN CURRY said we should have a survey made. COUNCILMAN ADAMS said we had a survey made sometime ago. COUNCILMAN THATCHER said he would like to ask for an expression from the Realty Board. COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS said he was incl4ned to think that we have had this control for a long time; houses are much more available now than they were a year ago,, COUNCILMAN ADAMS said he could show rentals for $$75.00 a month that are actually worth $45.00 a month. MAYOR FRITZ said he thought that if the City of San Diego takes off rent control National City will follow. COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS 1/3 180 said that he would like to sit in at the meeting but not as an official. COUNCILMAN ADAMS stated he would withdraw the suggestion that we have an official representative at the meeting. Moved by Adams, seconded by Matthews, that we make a study of the matter and after we have more information we will take a stand. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. RESOLUTION NO, 5118 was read, authorizing an increase in salary to Harry Haws, Poundmaster, from $199.00 to $210.00 per month, effective December 16, 1949, as recommended by CHIEF OF POLICE BATES. Moved by Matthews, seconded by Curry, that the Reso- lution be adopted. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. RESOLUTION N0. 5119 was read, authorizing the appointment of Wesley Malcolm as Fireman First Class, effective Deoember 29, 1949, salary S268.00, as recommended.by FIRE CHIEF BIRD. Moved by Adams, seconded by Matthews, that the Resolution be adopted. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. RESOLUTION NO. 5120 was read, authorizing the permanent appointment of George E. Marshall as mechanic; Mr. Marshall having completed his probationary period, as recommended by SANITATION SUPERINTENDENT MIKIC'LSON. Moved by Curry, seconded by Adams, that the Resolution be adopted. Carried, all Coun- cilmen present voting aye. -REPORT REGARDING CONDITION OF POLES, was presented. Mr. Gautereaux reported that the nightlighted bell field poles were inspected and four were found to be in good solid con- dition, one 70 foot pole is dangerous because of ground rot completely around pole and two feet below ground surface, nscoseitating stubbing of same or installing a new pole. One 1/3 181 • 0 1 45 foot pole is starting ground rot, possibly good for two years, but Mr. Gautereaux advised to stub pole. The poles supporting the National City Sign across National Avenue be- tween7th and 8th Streets are apparently safe from observations made above sidewalk level, however, oftimes rot begins below surface completely destroying the pole. These poles have been in several years and should be inspected below surface. One pole on the East side of National Avenue is termite eaten approximately 16 feet uppole from sidewalk level; termite penetration Is 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch completely around pole. Mr. Gautereaux said that if this is the only thing wrong with the pole it could be pealed and Creosote treated. Moved by Curry, seoonded by Adams, that Superintendent of Parks & Public Buildings Gautereaux be authorized to install a new pole and make the necessary repairs. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. REPORT ON THE MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL was read. Mr. Gautereaux stated that due to the shortness of time between now and summer opening June 12th it is necessary that the condition of the Pool Plants be brought to the attention of the Council. The vacuum clearing linessfrom the pool to the pump are completely gone under bath walks, rendering cleaning impossible; scum gutter lines on North side rotted and sheared off from outside wall of the pool under the concrete walk. The suction lines from the pool to the pump are eaten beyond repair. The three vertical pressure filters are so badly eaten with corrosion from the inside that plugs and patching will no longer hold against the pressure needed for plant operation. The pump due zo corrosion and wear had over 20% efficiency loss when repaired two years ago, according to pump engineers. The pool 1/3 182 1 plant as is will no lo.ger operate. Mr. Gautereaux stated that if it is the wish of the Council to operate the pool the coning season, it is his suggestion that a new plant efficient and large enough to adecustoly handle the proposed enlargement be installed and tied into the present tank until such time that the new expansion program has been decided. COUNCILMAN ADAMS stated that it has been over a year ago since this Council first agreed they wanted plans and specifications, and if the plans had been forth coming we could have gotten underway. Council- man Adams said it seems unfair to keep after the Council after they have approved something, and hold the Council up on it. MAYOR FRITZ asked if there would be much extra cost in the enlargement of this plant if the expansion program goes through. Mr. Gautereaux said there would be the cost of operating a larger unit of power, the chemical cost would be a trifle less, , and as far as the operating costs are concerned there should be very little. MAYOR FRITZ asked what would be the approximate cost of a plant and MR. GAUTEREAUX said a new plant would run somewhere in the neighborhood of $16,500.00. COUNCILMAN ADAMS stated that some place in the City we should have the exact cost. COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS asked Mr. Gautereaux if he did have a lot of trouble with the pool this last summer and if there Is any reason why minor repairs could not be made. bR. GAUTEREAUX said that all the vacuum lines are completely gone; the life of the plant is fifteen or sixteen years and it has operated for nineteen years. COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS asked why we, waited this long, I4R. GAUTEREAUX stated that we have talked of this condition for a long tine and that he brought a sketch of the plane and the Councilmen saw them; and that in order to get the information necessary he went to Los Angeles during the 1/3 183 war period. Mr• Gautereaux said he sketched out the size of the proposed plent and tzrLt is now in the hands of the Engineer. It will not be long before we will know what the cost will be. The estimates we have gotten before were too high to even consider, but it is u,3erstood now that filters can be used. COUNCILMAN ADAM3 said the Council called for plans and speci- fications for the enlargment of the erimming pool but nothing was ever laid down before them. COUNCILMAN MATTBEWS said he would like to Hake a motion that the Council be authorized to hire a master plumber within the next week and give us the cost of minor repairs so that we can use the pool next summer; and he suggested that Lloyd Hudson look it over and give us an estimate. COUNCILMAN ADAMS said he thought it should not be tied down to any one man, but it should be a competent person to make the survey. COUNCILMAN CURRY stated that it seemed to him that surely Mr. Gautereaux is familiar with this as far as the piping is concerned and that he make the recommendation as to what must be done, with the understanding that it is only going,to be temporary repairs for the next year. Moved by Curry, seconded by Matthews, that Mr. Gautereaux give an esti- mate on this, and if necessary that he be authorized to bring in someone to give an estimate. Carried, all Councilmen pres- ent voting aye. RESOLUTION NO. 5121 was read, authorizing City Clerk Alston to cancel the delinquent taxes on the following parcels of land: Lot 12 in Block 209 of National City; the E 751 of Lot 22 in Bloc's 209 of National City; and that portion of Lot 11 in Block 211 o: National City, described as follows: Beginning at the SE corner of said Lot 11; thence along the 81y line of said Lot 11, S 71G45t41" W 101; thence leaving said Sly line 1/3 184 N 26°44'33" E 14,14' to the Ely line of said Lot 11; thence along said Ely line 3 18°16'36" E 10' to said point of begin- ning. These parcels were taken over by the State of California for highway purposes. Moved by Adams, seconded by Curry, that the Resolution be adopted. Carried, all Councilmen present' voting aye. MAYOR FRITZ stated that the City has lost a Purchasing Agent with the resignation of Mr. Dickson and that it is necessary that someone be appointed to fill that vacancy, and someone to fill the vacancy of the Administrative Officer. MAYOR FRITZ said he would like to recommend that Leroy Harkey be appointed temporarily as Purchasing Agent and Mr. McClure as temporary Administrative 0fficer. RESOLUTION NO. 5122 was read, authorizing the temporary appointment of Leroy Harkey as Purchasing Agent, and J. P. McClure as tenporary,Adninistrative Officer. Moved by Adams, seconded by Matthews, that the Resolution be adopted. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. COUNCILMAN ADAMS made a motion that Mayor Fritz be replaced by Councilman Matthews, seconded by Curry. Councilman Matthews was appointed Mayor by the following vote to -wit: Ayes: Adams, Curry, Matthews. Nays: Thatcher, Fritz. MAYOR MATTHEWS thanked.the Council for putting such confidence in him. Moved by Adams, seconded by Thatcher, that the meeting be adjourned until January 4, 1950, at 7:30 P.M. o'clock. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. 1/3 185 ATTEST: 1/3