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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1948 05-04 CC MIN246 National City, California, May 4, 1948 Regular meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Fritz at 7:30 P. M. Councilmen present: Adams, Curry, Matthews, Thatcher, Fritz. Councilmen absent: None. Moved by Adams, seconded by Thatcher, that the reading of the minutes of the regular meeting of April 20, 1948, and the adjourned meeting of April 27, 1948, be dispensed with. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIALS present: Vansant, Dickson, Rogers, Gautereaux, Smith, Campbell. BILLS AUDITED by the Finance Committee presented: General Find Street Fund Park M & I Fiend Capital Outlay Fund Unapp. Tax Fund 1946 Sewer Fund Payroll Fund TOTAL $1,826.96 837.43 173.67 2,885.41 gg 7.10 8377.999gg9 $14,18991.4b Moved by Adams, seconded by Thatcher, 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. 4671 was read, authorizing the following payments from the Capital Outlay Fund: Fuller Motors, $2,859.46 for Street and Engineering Depts.; Western Metal Supply Co., $5.96 for Street Dept.; M. H. Reisman Battery Co., $19.99 for Street Dept. Moved by Adams, seconded by Thatcher, that the Resolution be adopted. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. 247 COMMUNICATION FROM C. W. VANSANT, City Treasurer, in regard to the delivery of the recent issue of the 1946 Sewer Bonds, was read and ordered filed. AFFIDAVIT FROM DOROTHY GREEN relative to the request for the replacement of a City warrant in the amount of $5.00 which she lost, was read and ordered filed. COMMUNICATION FROM THE STATE CONTROLLER announcing a State Civil Service position entitled, °Consultant in Highway Accounts and Reports", was read and ordered filed. COMMUNICATION FROM HIGHLAND NURSERY was read, requesting the City to remove two trees in the parkway at 1416 Highland Avenue. Administrative Officer Dickson questioned how far the City should follow through on requests for the City to remove trees, as there are about twenty trees on First Street, for example, that need removing. Mayor Fritz stated that probably a third of the trees would be removed in National City, under a City program, and he did not like to have the trees removed from the Streets, and suggested that a survey be made by the Street Dept. to ascertain the number of trees to be removed which are destroying public improvements. Moved by Matthews, seconded by Adams, that the Highland Nursery be authorized to remove the trees at their own expense. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. Moved by Adams, seconded by Matthews, that the Street Dept. be authorized to make a survey to ascertain the number of trees to be removed which are destroying public improvements. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. 248 APPLICATION FROM ARKIN, HAIR & MOSS CO. was read, to move a building to Lots 4-10, Block 280, City Plat. Bldg. Insptr, Bird approved the building. Moved by Adams, seconded by Curry, that authorisation be granted to move the building provided it is brought up to the standards of the building code and completed within six months from date. Carried, by the follow- ing vote to -wits Ayes: Adams, Curry, Matthews, Thatcher, Fritz. Nays: None. REPORT FROM THE RECREATION COMMITTEE was read, making six recommendations. Moved by Adams, seconded by Thatcher, that the report be abcepted. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. MAYOR FRITZ suggested that the recommendations from the Recreation Committee's report be considered separately. That the Central Playground area be discontinued as the attendance did not warrant its continuation. That the City consider an agreement with the Sweetwater Union High School District, National School District, and National City Relief Federation for financial assistance to provide a summer recreational program. Councilman Adams suggested enlarging the Municipal Plunge. Mayor Fritz stated that unfortunately it could not be done for this season as the plunge opens next month. Mayor Fritz also suggested that the City accept financial assistance from the County in operating the Lincoln Acres area. Moved by Thatcher, seconded by Matthews, that Administrative Officer Dickson contact the Sweetwater Union High School District, National School District, National City Relief Federation in regard to financial assistance on the summer recreational program. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. 249 Moved by Adams, seconded by Curry, that Administrative Officer Dickson attempt to secure financial assistance from the County in operating the Lincoln Acres area. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS suggested that the Recreation Committee meet with the Planning Commission, relative to the development of suitable play areas in outlying districts. Moved by Matthews, seconded by Thatcher, that the Recreation Committee meet with the Planning Commission in regard to suitable playground areas in outlying districts. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. COUNCILMAN ADAMS inquired why the light meters in the Park have not been removed. Administrative Officer Dickson stated there is a problem whether the City wants someone for supervised play or to have the lights turned on unsupervised. Park Supt. Gautereaux stated that he could turn the lights on without going through the meter, but it would require a full time man on the area all the time or a paid supervisor. Mayor Fritz inquired if teams use the Park that are not sponsored by National City. Mr. Gautereaux stated that many are from Chula Vista and the South Bay area. Mayor Fritz questioned the idea of the City furnishing lights for outside teams. Mr. Gautereaux stated there are a few problems regarding the allocation of areas etc. Moved by Matthews, seconded by Curry, that the matter be laid over until the next meeting in order for the Recreation Committee and Planning Commission to make recommendations. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. 250 COMMUNICATION FROM DISTRICT ATTORNEY DON KELLER was read, relative to a request he received from Richard E. Adams, Council- man, as to the legality of purchases made for the City by Purchasing Agent Dickson from rational Stationers. AFFIDAVIT FROM RICHARD E. ADAMS, Councilman, was read, requesting the Officer charged with the disbursement of public monies of National City to cause the District Attorney to prosecute Delavan J. Dickson, Administrative Officer and Purchasing Agent, for alleged illegal purchases. CITY ATTORNEY CAMPBELL introduced District Attorney Keller, Chief Trial Deputy O'Keefe and Deputy Woodrow Wilson. MAYOR FRITZ stated that the question of Purchasing Agent Dickson making purchases from the National Stationers, as soon as he took office in September, 1946, had been brought to the attention of Attorney Campbell, who ruled that it was quite within the law. Also, all members of the Council have approved the payment of all the bills. CITY TREASURER VANSANT stated that he would like in- formation as to who is responsible for any action that might be taken in regard to the affidavit; is it the duty of the Treasurer to refuse payment; also, there are no items pending payment; is there any further responsibility; that he had no knowledge that Mr. Dickson is an Officer, and that in his opinion he is not an Officer of the City of National City and would like to be advised if wrong. DISTRICT ATTORNEY KELLER stated that City Attorney Campbell had given an opinion as to the official capacity of Mr. Dickson, and that the original request which he received in regard to Mr. Dickson was quite an unusual way to request an opinion, as it came from an in- dividual rather than the Council. MR. KELLER suggested that the 25'1 request come from the Council, if they wish him to give an opinion, and that he would be glad to verify, work with or cooperate in any way possible. That he will give an opinion in writing in time for the next Council meeting. COUNCILMAN ADAMS stated that he had no knowledge of the relationship between Dickson and the National Stationers, until he read it in the paper recently, and took issue with the City Attorney and the District Attorney's opinion on the status of Dickson. Mr. Keller stated that Mr. Adams could not take issue with the District Attorney's office since an opinion had not been given. MAYOR FRITZ suggested that the Council request an opinion from Mr. Keller. Moved by Thatcher, seconded by Adams, that the City Clerk be authorized to request an opinion from District Attorney Keller as to the legality of certain purchases from the National Stationers, and the status of Purchasing Agent Dickson. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. ADMINISTRAtivt OFFICER DICKSON reported that the City has a problem of some purchases made from Matthews Bros. Radio Center in November, 1947, for which the City has recently received a statement. Attorney Campbell stated that he did not want to give an opinion until the opinion from District Attorney Keller has been received. COMMUNICATION FROM THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA & SANTA FE RY CO. was read, relative to a new lease with the City on tidelands for a period of five years, Mayor Fritz stated that he does not favor a five year lease. Councilman Thatcher stated that he feels it would be advantageous to industry to have a spur track in that location. Councilman Curry stated that the track would be used for turning engines. Moved by Thatcher, seconded by Adams, 252 that the matter be laid over until the next meeting and that Attorney Campbell, Administrative Officer Dickson, and Engineer Ireland investigate and report. RESOLUTION NO. 4672 was read, authorizing Attorney Campbell to compromise the quiet title action as follows: Lots 5-8, Block 2, 10 Acre Lot 5, { Section 153, Nat'l Ro. in the amount of $195.00; Lot 18, Block 244, City Plat, in the amount of $67.38. Moved by Thatcher, seconded by Adams, that the Resolution be adopted. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. COUNCILMAN ADAMS stated that he would like to go on record that he had no knowledge as to the ownership of the National Stationers prior to reading it in a paper. Mr. Adams, also, inquired whether a decision had been reached in regard to the repair of the Library Building. Mayor Fritz stated that nothing was yet definite, as more space is needed for.the offices in the City Hall, and that Councilman Thatcher, and Administrative Officer Dickson were working on tentative plans for the repair of the Library Building and additional space for City offices. Councilman Adams requested that the matter be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. Mayor Fritz suggested that the plans be placed before Councilman Matthews and Curry in order to acquaint themselves with the project. COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS suggested that Engineer Ireland make recommendations on the sewage disposal plant before budget time. Mayor Fritz stated that Engineer O'Neil could meet with the Council by request, and suggested that a special meeting be held. Moved by Matthews, seconded by Adams, that Engineer O'Neil be contacted relative to a special meeting with the Council. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. Roved by Thatcher, seconded by Curry, that the meeting be closed. Carried, all Councilmen present voting aye. UsA riaren ciOrr� o. ATTEST: 253 CALIFORNIA