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010554-Regular Annual Session MINUTES 175 January 5, at 8 P. )4. 54 City Commission, Sanford, Florida, . ............................................................... 19 ........ The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Floridg met in regular annual session at the City Hall in the City of Banford, Florida, at 8:00 o'clock P. M., January 5, 1954. Present: Commissioner Randall Cbmse, Mayor " J.D. Cordell " John D. Ivey # John L. Kadet " W.H. Stamper City Attorney A. EdwinShlnholser City Olerk H. N. Bayer City Manager Thosl L. Lemon Chief of Police R. G. Williams Commissioner-elect Earl Higglnbotham Commissioner-elect John S. Krider, Sr. Meeting celled to order by the Chairman. Commissioner Ivey then offered Resolution No. 827 and after being read in full, moved its passage and adoption. Seconded by Commissioner Cordell and carried by the following of the Commission: Commissioner Chase Aye # Cordell Aye " Ivey Aye # Kadet Aye " Stemper Aye Said Resolution No. 827 being in words and figures as follows: RESOLUTION NO. 827 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANFORD, FLORIDA, UPON THE DEATH OF ROBERT L. GLENN. WHEREAS, Robert L. Glenn had recently returned to Banford to resume his residence here, and shortly after his return he was appointed by the Mayor, with the concurrence of the City Commission, as Chairman of the Sanford Industrial Board; AND, WHEREAS, in his capacity as Chairman of the Banford Industrial Board, Robert L. Glenn had without compensation devoted a considerable amount of time and energy to the development of industrial activity within this City, and in such capacity had performed and was performing an able and outstanding service to this community which has now been cut short by his untimely death, and his death constitutes a substantial loss to the oeople of this City and to this Commission; NOW THEREFORE, that the splendid service BE IT RESOLVED by the City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, of Robert L. Glenn be hereby recognized and commended, and that the Commission by this means express its deep regret in his passing and tender to his family its sincere sympathy in their bereavement. BE IT FURTHER HESOLVED that this Resolution be spread on the minutes of the City Commission and that copies thereof be sent to the family of Robert L. Glenn and to the local newspaper. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of January 1954. ATTEST: S/H. N. (SEAL) s/ City Clerk Randall Chase, Mayor W. H. Stemper Jno D. Ivey J. D. Cordell John L, Kadet Bayer, As the City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida. Minutes of regular meeting of December 28, 1953, next read, and on motion of 17G MINUTES City Commission, $anford, ~[orida, ..~.~.n..~.~.~....~..~...8.....P..:...~.~. ................ ]9~..~.... To the men,bets of the City Commission, City Manager, City Clerk, and thru you to all other City employees, I express my aooreelatiou for your consideration, and hr the team-work during the past year. The cast twelve months have been eventful and fruitful; many things have occurred that h~ve made it difficult; it is especially for this reason that I compliment the team-work that did exist. To the new Commission, I desire to make clear the following (position of a majority of the outgoing Commission): We were constantly guided by the necessity, on one han~, of pro- viding for the health and welfare of our citizens and, on the ot~r hand, by the necessi~f of keeping the exoendltures within a figure ~lch ~anford could finance and its citizens could OaY for. First among our essential problems was that of providing an adequate water supply. At the present time we are oumolng about ali the water from the existing well field that it will furnish. It is known t~t there are salt pockets around our well field. It is also a fact that one well had to be abandoned because the water was too salty. It is, therefore, my urgent recom- mendation that the proposed new well field be explored and tested at an early date. tf the tests Drove the field to be good, that will be the most economical place to look for a new water supply. The cost of bringing water in to Sanford from the new field is estimated to be $130,000 or more. The City should it become necessary. Good water is health smd welfare of the citizens. zealously ~uard that amount of credit to be so used should one of the most essential requirements to protect the Secondly is the question of an adeeuate sewer system. It is our sincere regret that we cannot pass on to you a sewer program, which is so critically needed, with the unanimous approval of the old Commlssim. To do so it is obvious that the msJorlty of the Commission would have to yield, against its better judgment, to the unreasonable influence of certain members of the State Board of Health who insist on promoting theories for w~ch they have not submitted one bit of factual evidence. The principal point preventi.ng the Commission from being unanimous was whether or not the peo~le ahoul~ be burdened with additional taxes for the construction and ooer~tion of a sewage treatment plant. The City employed the englneeriag firm of Robert M. Angas and Associates of Jackson- ville. No one in Florida rates hi~her in ability and integrity than he and bis firm. That firm, in addition to beln~ retained by the City of Starke and the City of Jacksonville, is also presently employed by the DuPont Company, Container Corporation of America, General Foods and others nationally known. In the past they have done much work in laying out sewage systems for the Navy and for private companies, including sewage disposal plants. Our consulting engineers advised against the construction of a sewage treatment plant at this time, altho it would have been to their distinct financial advantage to have advised otherwise. They have given us their honest opinion and conviction. When it became sowrent that there was a difference in opinion of the State Board of Health and our City Er~_ineer, Mr. Angas employed, at his own e×pense, Doctor Abel Wolman, Professor of Sanitation and Public Health at Johns Hopkins Medical School, and Professor of Sanitary Engineering, Johns Hopkins College, one of the foremost Sanitary Engineers not only in this country but in the world, to make an impartial and careful study of the sanitary and sewage conditions existing in Sanford and Lake Monroe. Doctor Wolman's report, which is on record at the City Hall, definitely states: "The discharge of Sanford's sewage thru outlets at the bulkhead creates a oubllc nuisance that should be promptly remedied. Since the assimilating and purifying capacity of Lake Monroe is very large, it is believed th,~t dispersion of the sewage well offshore provides ade- quate correction for this nroblem for a considerable period of time into the future." MINUTES Januar 5 at 8 P.M. ~54 City Commission, Sanford, Ftorida, Y .. ' ............... 177 expensive task. The magnl~tude of this Job is such that, if it is to be done, the work will probably have to be spread over a long period of time. As money is spent on rehabilitation of the present system, any practical measures for separating the sewage and storm water that fit into this program should be carried out". Metcalf & Eddy, of Boston, Mass., who are Sanitary Engineers for the cities of Jacksonville, Pittsburg, Miami and other cities, state: "That the matter of treatment of the City's sewage should be deferred until such time as the proposed ~r~provements to the sewage system have been made and facts relative to the effect of the discharge of sewage as proposed are kno~m and not conjectured. The opinions of both Doctor Wolman and Metcalf & Eddy were obtained without cost to the taxpayerS. Doctor Paul D. Haney, Sanitary Engineer Director Environmental Health Center, U. B. Public Health Service, Cincinnati, Ohio, recently published an article in the Proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineers, which states: "There is general recognition of the fact that one of the most important uses of watercourses is for the disposal of waterborne waste, subject to the limitation that use for this Ourpose should not interfere~unreasonably with other legitimate water uses. There is also general agreement that in the interest of economy the available assimilative capacity of re- ceiving water should be utilized to as greet an extent as possible". From the quotations there is an abundance of authority to support the program adopted by the majority of the Commission. We are convinced that there is no need from a health standpoint for a treatment plant now. The program adopted provides, first, for the repair of old sewers, which are a health menace in ~heir present condition and, second, for the building of sewers into all unsewered areas particularly low ereas where ceptic tanks are a health menace most of the time but particularly in periods of wet weather. A majority of the Commission do not approve of advices that a primary treatment plant should be constructed before any other work is done. A primary treet~ent plant removes only a part of the health menace. The construction program adopted removes many health menaces. Personally, and I think others Join me, I desire to make it clear that I have no objection to plans being drawn for an adequate treatment pla~, but I do object to building it first and I do object to building it before it is needed. In our opinion the thinking of the State Board of Health is unsound financially, unreasonable, and lacks factual supporting data. Therefore, we do not feel that the City can afford to further burden its citizens with un- necessary taxes to comply with a theoretical program for which there is no factual support. Recently the City Commies ion was informed that a letter had been received from the F.H.A. and the impressim was that F.H.A. financing was being withdrawn from Banford until they had a sewage treatment plant and a sewer program aporoved by the State Boar~ of Health. You should know, and the citizens of Sanford should know, that the State Board of Health had nothing to do with the writing of that letter. You should know that F. H. A. financimg has not been withdrawn from Sanford. It has been withdrawn from certain low areas, more particularly parts of the Bel-Air and San Lanta sections, until an adequate sewage system is installed. This action should in no way be construed as meaning that ~'.H.A. is requiring or advising that any king of a treatment plant should be built - they are not. The improvement program adopted was planned in such a way that more financing may be undertaken as it is needed and when Sanford can afford it. In a few years it is possible there will be sufficient revenue from the proposed service charge so that additional work and improve- ments can be made without charges. Until that time arrives, the Commission feels that expendi- ~ tures should be kept at a minimum which will protect the health of the citizens and preserve MINUTES City Commission, Sanford, Florida ...... ~..a.~:.g:(]?..~....~..~(~...~..~.:....l~:. ........... 19fi..~.... the program, and we recommend it to you. tegrlty and knowledge may you be guided With best wishes, May your vision and in obtaining the best RANDALL CHASE insight be clear, for Sa~ord. and with in- Thereupon Commissioner Stemper stated that personal conclusions had been drawn by Mayor ~hase in some of the foregoing statements, and as a matter of record, he would like to take exception to these statements. There being no further business to be transacted by the outgoing Board, Commissioner Kadet moved that the meeting adjourn sine die. Seconded by Commissioner Stemper and carried. The Commission then reconvened for the nurpose of organization, Commissioners Earl Hlgginbotham and John S. Krlder, Sr., signing the oath of off~ce and being seated as Commissioners of the City of Sanford, Florida, for three year terms. On motion of Commissioner Kadet, seconded by Commissioner Hlgginbotham end carried, Commissioner Stemoer was next appointed temporary Chairman, pending the election of a Mayor. The first order of business being the election of a Mayor for the ensuing year, Com- mlssioner Kadet nominated Commlss~oner Stemper. Commissioner Cordell nominated Commissioner Krider. Commissioner Higginbotham then moved that nominations be closed. Seconded by Commissioner Cordell. Thereupon Commissioner Stemper requested that his name be withdrawn as a candidate, which was so ordered. TDe roll was then called on the elect~cn of Commissioner Krider ss Mayor for year 195~, the the vote being tied as follows: Commissioner Corde]l Aye " Higginbotham Aye " Kadet Naye " Stemoer Naye " Krlder Not Voting Commissioner Stemper then stated Chair and did not have an opportunity to that he voted "Nays" because of being placed in make a nomination, and he felt that one of the older members of the Commission who was familiar with the conditions could serve the City better; that he was not casting any reflections on Commissioner Krider, but since he was a new member of the Board he could better acquaint himself with the problems of the City by first serving as a Commissioner and not as Mayor. CommJssloner Kader stated that he voted "Nays" because there are two large projects facing the City and he wanted a Mayor that is closer to the City's problems and familiar with these projects. The Chairman then called for re-nominations. Thereupon Commissioner Kadet nominated Commissioner Stemper. Commissioner Cordell.nominated Commissioner Krider. Commissioner HlgFinbotham moved that nominations be closed. Seconded by Comr~issioner Cordell. Commissioner Stemoer stated that he still felt the City cm~ld best be served by having one of the older members of the Board to ~ct ss Chairman, and oolnted out that Com- missioner kadet had served on the Board for two years, also, that Commissioner Cordell had served for one year, and that both were eligible. He then stated that he would have to take the same course of action previously taken, and asked that his name be withdrawn from the MINUTES 179 City Commission, Sanford, Florida, ....J...a..~.~.a.r.~....~...a..~....8.....P.:....~.:. ............. 19.f..~.... Commissioner Higginbotham aea candidste for Mayor, Mayor, the Thereupon the roll was the vote being as follows: and again accepted the Chair. called again on the election of Commissioner Krideras Commissioner Cordell Aye " Kadet Nays " Stemper Nays " Higginbotham Not Voting # Krider Not Voting The roll was vote being as follows: then called on the election of Commissioner Higginbotham as Mayor, Commissioner Cordell Nays " Kadet Aye " Btemper Aye " Higginbotham Not Voting " Krider Not Voting Thereupon Commissioner Hig~inbotham was declared to be the duly elected Mayor of the City of Sanford for year 1954, and signed the oath and acceptance of office and took the Chair. The City Manager next reported on matter of City securing aid from the State Board of Health for its sanitary land-fill operation, advising that the City could not apply for such aid direct but that it could be secured through ao~lication from the County which is eligible to receive 75% of cost of the ooeratlon. He further advised that the County Commissioners had agreed to meet with the City officials relative to the matter at their next meeting to be held on January 19. After discussion Mayor Hlgginbotham suggested that the City Manager, City Attorney, and any of the Commissioners that may be available, meet with the County Commissioners and work out the detAls for apolying for this aid from the State Board of Health. Randall Chase, ex-Mayor, next advised that the Richmond Baseball Club of the AAA International League had tentatively selected Sanford as a site for their four weeks spring training orogram, beginning in March, and that Mr. Harry Selbold, owner of the Club, would like to have the terms in writing as to what the City will fur~lsh. Thereupon after reviewing the prospectus authorized at meeting of October 26, of the Banford Memorial Stadium for spring training purposes, for use that the 01ty offer the ~lchmond Baseball Club the same contract as offered to the Baltimore Club. Beconded by Commissioner Krider and carried. A letter of formal application next submitted from Attorney John G. Leonardy for position of Municipal Judge, and on motion of Commissioner Btemper, seconded by Commlesloner Kadet and carried, same was ordered to be recorded and filed, and to be considered at such time a vacancy occur. On motion of Commissioner Stemper, seconded by Commissioner Cordel] and carried, the meeting adjourned. 1953, Commissioner Btemper moved ATTEST: gm MINUTES January 11 at 8 P.M. .A 54 City Commission, Sanford, Florida, . ............................................................... ly ........ The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in regular session at the City Hall in the City of Sanford, Florida, at 8:00 o'clock P. M. January 11, 1954. Present: Commissioner Earl Higginbotham, Mayor " J.D. Cordell " John L. Kadet " John S. Krider " W.H. Stemper City Attorney A. Edwin Sh!nholser City Clerk H. N. Bayer City Manager Thcs. L. Lemon Chief of Police R. G. Williams Meeting called to order by the Chairman. The meeting was then opened with Prayer by Rev. David S. Carnifix. Attorney Mack N. Cleveland Jr., next appeared on behalf of Ernest E Skully, owner and operator of Sanford Cab Company, and requested transfer of permit and license on his three taxicabs to Sanford Transit Company, which is owned and operated by C. W. Elrod who is put- chasing Mr. Skully's tax~cab business. Thereupon Commissioner Cordell moved the approval of transfer of the three taxicabs permit and license from Sanford Cab Comaany to Sanford Transit Company. Seconded by Commissioner Stamper and carried. A Committee with Joel S. Field as spokesman, next appeared on behalf of t~ American Legion Fair Association of Campbell-Lossing Post #53 with further reference to their request for City to convey them the property east of the old ball park on Celery Avenue, with appro~i- mately 362 feet frontage and 454 feet in depth, for their permanent fair grounds, and submitted the following written request and proposal: To the Honorable Mayor and the City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida: On September 21, 1953, at a regular meeting of Campbell Losslng Post #53, a motion was made, seconded and unanimously carried that the Commander appoint a special Committee to appear before the City Commission of Ssnford. The below named committee was appointed, and t~mt same night (September 21, 1953) did apoesr before the Commission and asked that consideration be given to their request; that title be given to The American Legion Post #53 to that certain parcel of land on the North side of Celery Avenue bound on ~ast by property~used by the Agriculture Experiment Station, ~est by old base- ball park a~d North by land dedicated for Athletic Activities and now par- tially occupied by Memorial Stadium. This property to be used by Post #53 to erect permanent e×hibition buildings for use by the LegSon Fair Association. Permanent fireproof, weather proof and theft proof buildings are needed to insure positive loc~tlon of the Fair and protection for e×hibitors who now will not risk valuable m,rchandlse and property in a tent. The property we now use belongs to the Seminole County School Board and private individuals and each year we are uncertain until the F~ir is actually held whether or not this property will be available. If given title to this property, the Legion will construct a building or buildings of such design and specifications comparable to those now used by Fair Associations in other larger cities, that will be a credit to the Legion sad the City of Sanford in appearance. Said building is to be planned for multi-purpose usage, not only to house the Fair exhibits, but easily con- vertible to a convention hall for any reputable organization, to house flower shows, commercial and agricultural exhibitions or demonstrations and most important of all, to house people in a domltory style attending High School Baseball tournaments, band contests, and professional baseball schools and farm team spring training by some Big League Baseball Club. N~nrally this will necessitate kitchen and sanitary facilities that will be mandatory in connection with the Fair. Another our~ose we hone will never be needed is an ideal disaster shelter in case of hurricanes, tornadoes or other disasters. Gentlemen, it was over three months ago that we appeared before ~he former Commission, and although two of you h~ve Just been seated, we hope that you are familiar with our request, as widespread publicity was given our appearance at that time. To our knowledge no opposition has been registered to our request. We are quite sure the people of Sanford realize that t~.s property has never produced any revenue and, if improved as above proposed, almost every person in Sanford will be benefited either directly or indirectly in some way. As this proposal has been discussed at members for years, we feel oositive th~,t if loan can be secured to finance the building, Legion meetings and among Legion deeded this property, so t~t a we will guarantee that actual