07181956 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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~ ~EGULAR MEETING JULV 18, 1956 On this, the 18th day of JUly, 1956, at 2:00 P. M. the City Council of the City of San Marcos, Texas, met in a regular meeting at the City Hall in San Marcos with the following members present and participating: I Frank E. Dietterich, Mayor Calvin M. Allen, Alderman B. D. Hillburn, Alderman S. R. Beecroft, Alderman Herman Korff, Alderman W. M. Davis, Alderman Others present were: Max Smith, Jack Harper, Kenneth Weatherford, C. V. Carson, Edmund Serur,Coy DeViney, Charles H. Bass, Cullen Crews, B. R. GUlledge, Frank Hill, Ernest Morgan, Tom Oliver, Alex Kercheville, J. B. Kornegay, Claudio Flores, Ross Arnold, Eugene Posey, Mrs. Roland Manske, Don cnnis, Paul Rogers, Walter Buckner, Joe Dollahite, Rodger Storey, W. G. Barbee, and Fredericka Hopkins. A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order by Mayor Frank E. Dietterich and the following transpired.: Mr. Ed Bluestein, District Engineer of the Texas Highway Commission and Travis Long, Expressway Engineer, came from Austin to aid the Council in deciding whether to purchase the Highway 81 Right-of-Way. Mayor Dietterich introduced Mr. Ed Bluestein, but first brought two questions up that he wished to be considered. 1. Do we have a moral obligation to pay some Right-of-Way landowners? 2. What can be done to get construction started with the least delay? I Mr. Bluestein spoke to the Council and stated that the first question would have to be answered by San Marcans themselves. He stated that the Highway construction had been somewhat slowed for several reasons. He further stated that the backlog of projects will absorb all construction capacity for the remainder of the year. He said that the highway from the South Comal line and on to Hays County will be started within the next few months. That it will be perhaps four or five years before the Highway will be built from the Circle North, as it is now virtually a four-lane highway and he feels it can take care of the traffic. The State will take up highway work in the order of need, and must wait for the Legislature to act, so it will have authority to acquire right-of-way, with Federal funds. At this point Mr. Dietterich mentioned that the long delay in construction would result in keeping about fifty people from buiiding, and he thought a line ought to be established in order that the people could build. Mr. Bluestein then stated that since Uncle Sam will furnish 90% of funds, and Texas 10% of the funds, the Federal Government will have some say as to the building. There will be no grade crossings on new expressways, and some Highway Plans will have to be revised to conform with this. For instance, there would now be an over- pass at the old Ceramics Plant crossing. In his discussion he stated several times that it was the hope of State Highway Commission that the City would purchase the land from the Circle south to the City Limit line. Work here would get underway, if City purchases were made, by early next year. However, he stated also that it should be understood that in any event there will be no change in the route of U. S. Highway 81. I The question was raised if the right-of-way was acquired by the City now, would construction start earlier on the north. Mr. Bluestein stated whether it was acquired or not, the highway North of the Circle on to the City limit line would be delayed three to five years anyway. Another question raised was would the City be reimbursed if they buy from the Circle south. He answered no. Mr. Morgan then brought the question before Mr. Bluestein, if the City failed to furnish any right-of-way would there be any ill effects upon the good relations existing between the City and the Highway Department? Mr. Bluestein answered that the City would have the same standing if they buy the right-of-way or not. That it w~s just the Highway Commissions desire that the City buy the right-of-way from the Clrcle south. Mr. Bluestein then suggested that the City consider improving Ranch Road 12, ~