Las Vegas City Commission Minutes, September 21, 1955 to November 20, 1957, lvc000010-567

This being the time heretofore set for the discussion of the construction of the additions to the City Jail and its acceptance by the City of Las Vegas, City Manager Kennedy opened the discussion. Mr. Kennedy called the attention of the Board to the fact that the second story on the Jail had been removed from the plans due to the fact that funds were not suf­ficient to include the second story at the time the construction was started. Approximately three weeks ago an inspection had been made. A small portion of the roof had been put on using gyp in the roofing in­stallation material. While this was not according to specifications a check was made and it is equal to the specifications and as this was only a small portion of the new booking room it presented no problem in accept­ance. There were two situations which had to be corrected. Number one, the light fixtures within the Jail. This correction was in the placing of the fixtures. Number two, during the rain there had been several leaks in the roof. The contractor had filed his Notice of Lien and Completion and the con­tractor and architect were both present at this time. Mr. Whitely was asked if he was ready to accept the building and he said, "Not with these conditions as they are, no". At this time, 4:14 P.M., City Attorney Howard W. Cannon arrived at the meeting. After considerable discussion Mayor Baker pointed out that the City had entered into an Architectural Contract under which plans and specifica­tions were drawn and a contract for construction awarded; that the con­tract was awarded to a reputable contractor whose past work in the com­munity was good; that both the architect and contractor are citizens and taxpayers interested in seeing that the City gets a satisfactory job. Under the architectural contract it is the responsibility of the archi­tect that the construction is completed according to plans and specifi­cations approved by the City to the satisfaction of the City. The build­ing has not been completed satisfactorily and the time when the City should have occupied the Jail and the Court Room is long past due. Mayor Baker expressed the opinion that the Architect and Contractor are the ones paid to do the job and that any inspection by the City Commission, Police Department or Engineering Department is merely to observe and protect the City's interest and that the basic responsibility for getting the job done is that of the architect, as the agent of the City. His Honor further stated that he expected Mr. Whitely, the architect, and Mr. Davey, the contractor, to get together and work out the deficiencies immediately and make whatever corrections are necessary and that the Board would expect a report from Mr. Whitely at their next regular meet­ing of Wednesday, September 4, 1957. At this time discussion was held as to the color desired for painting the City Hall, City Manager Kennedy stated that the new building in back called for a paint job and they would need to know what color the Com­mission wants the new building painted, so that the rest of the building could be painted to match. After a short discussion it was agreed upon by the Commission to continue to use the State colors of blue and white. Assistant City Attorney Ralston Hawkins reported that he had just returned from a Water District meeting, the purpose of which was to consider the request of Henderson for a special water rate. He pointed out that he had presented a letter from the City, signed by Mayor Baker, essentially sup­porting the position taken by the Water District as evidenced by the study made and furnished by the Water District Engineers as outlined in the Water District meeting of May 14, 1957. Mr. Hawkins pointed out that there had been three or four different interpretations placed on the letter at the Water District meeting and that the letter was protested by Mayor Byrnes, who indicated that no consideration should be given the letter because no members of the City of Las Vegas were there. He further pointed out that no action was taken at the meeting and that the decision on the Henderson case would undoubtedly be made at a later date. City Manager Kennedy advised the Board that publication of the Zone change to C-2 on the Huntridge Fire Station would go out tomorrow and asked if the Commission had any objection to also running a box ad to the effect that the Board of City Commissioners would accept proposals for outright purchase or lease of the property for not less than ten (10) years. The Board was in accord with the suggestion and His Honor requested that the records show approval of placing an ad in the newspapers regarding sale or lease of the Huntridge Fire Station. City Manager Kennedy presented a letter to be sent to Palm Mortuary re­garding their request to purchase land at the Cemetery on which they in­tend to erect a mausoleum, the letter in essence stating that the City was not in a position to grant their request and that the only alterna­tive would be to sell the Cemetery completely. No objection was expressed in regard to the letter. Commissioner Whipple asked if Palm Mortuary had <ever paid the fees owed CITY JAIL ADDITION COLOR FOR CITY HALL WATER DISTRICT MEETING Rates for Henderson HUNTRIDGE FIRE STATION Publications PALM MORTUARY Purchase of Property