022254-Regular Session204 MINUTES
February 22 at 8 P.M. 19511,
City Commission, Sonford, Florida, . .......................................................................
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. February 22, 1954.
Present: Commissioner Earl Higginbotham, Mayor
# J.D. Cordell
# John L. Kadet
# John S. Krider, Sr.,
" W.H. Stemper
City Attorney A. Edwin Bhinholser
City Clerk H. N. Sayer
Acting City Manager W. E. Knowles
Police Captain Roy Tillie
Meeting called to order by the Chairman.
The meeting was then opened with #Prayer# by Rev. Herbert J. Bass.
T. E. Tucker, President of Fernald-Laughton Memorial Hospital Association next ap-
~eared with reference to the proposed park~g area around the hospital site on East First Street.
Me advised that the plans and s~ecificatione of the new hospital provide for off-street parking
on First Btreet side, and requested permission to remove the curb in order to construct a park-
ing area of sufficient depth for angler parking of vehicles, which he stated would require a
cooperative agreement with the City to cover same because of Federal funds being used toward
financing construction of the hospital.
Thereupon after discussion Commissioner Krider moved that the City grant the hospital
association permission to remove the curb for the aforesaid purposes, subject to approval of
City Manager and the Police Department, and that the City Attorney be authorized to prepare
the necessary cooperative agreement. Seconded by Commissioner Cordell and carried.
Ralph Cowan, Chairman of Sanford Industrial Board, next appeared and gave a progress
report on the activities of tb~ Board, and of recent organization meeting at which by-laws
were adopted and several committees appointed. He then advised of special Joint meeting
with Sanford Industries, Inc., at which it was agreed to coops rate in establishing a dis-
tribution warehouse in Banford for Great Lakes Steel Corporation, manufacturer of 8trend
Steel Products, and that Sanford Industries, Inc., had signed an agreement, whereby, ~ulf
Port Steel Company, their state distributor, will furnish the steel for constructing the
warehouse building, and Sanford Industries will furnish the site, construct the floor and
erect the building, which will become the ~ro~erty of Sar. ford industries in lieu of three
yeam rent. Mr. Cowan then requested the City to convey to Sanford Industries, Inc., for con-
sideration of $1.00, tN property described as Lots 6 thru 10 of Block 1 Tr 9, V. Check's
Amended Plat, located on East side of Maple Avenue between Commercial and Fulton Streets, for
a site for the warehouse.
After considerable discussion, Commissioner Krider stated that he had no objections
to the proposal but felt that the City should establish a policy which will provide for all --
properties conveyed under grant to revert to the City, if and,when it ceased to be used for
the purpose conveyed. He then asked Mr. Cowan if Sanford Industries, Inc., would adopt a
resolution providing for such reversion, and Mr. Cowan agreed to submit such request to the
Board of Directors.
Commissioner Kadet then moved that the City convey the aforesaid property to Sanford
Industries, Inc., for consideration of $1.00, with request that if the building is not erected
thereon they will convey it back to the City, also, with request that they adopt the prerequisite
resolution. Seconded by Commissioner Stemper and carried.
Mr. Cowan next submitted report and recommendations of Sanford Industrial Board on the
request of W. A. Adams to purchase Lots 1 thru 5 of Block 1-N of Tier 9, V. Check's Amended
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City Commission, Sanford, Florida, I lJ~l~m~l . I~I m I~..I~I I l~J:l i l~J: ......... 19...~.~..
After discussion
dustrial Board from the
Cordell and carried.
~ . was their recommendation that the City convey the property to Mr. Adams under the same
condition and consideration as that conveyed to Sanford Industries, Inc. He further stated
that Mr. Adams plan to erect a building, size 60' x 112', and add to it as the demar~lwarrants
expansion.
After considerable discussion, and in order to give the Commission more time to consider
the request and t ha City Attorney time to investigate the legality of the proposal, Commissioner
Kadet moved that the time to which this meeting shall adjourn will be 8:30 o'clock P.M.,
March 1, and that further consideration be given to the matter at said meeting. Seconded by
Commissioner Stemper and carried.
Mr. Cowan next requested that the balance of the appropriation for the Industrial Board
in amount of $2,000.00, or a portion thereof, be advanced to Sanford Industrial Board at this
time to take care of current expenses for stenographic so,vices, postage, communications,etc.
Commissioner Krlder moved that $500.00 be advanced to Banford In-
appropriation to defray the aforesaid expenses. Seconded by Commissioner
The Mayor next gave a report on status of the bus station property, advising that A. E.
Yowell had forfeited his option to purchase it, and as a result, J. A. Calhoun had closed and
roped off the bus station without giving any advanced notice to anyone, which automatically
forfeited his franchise as Agent; and t hat Greyhound Bus Lines had appointed R. S. Billhlmer as
ticket agent, who is now operating the bus station in the Kent building.
J. A. Calhoun then appeared and asked if the Commission was still interested in having
the Bus Station remain at the old location, which was conveyed by the City for such purpose.
Comm. Krider moved that the Commission
Thereupon after considerable disueelon/go on record as being in favor of t~ bus station
remaining in the present bus station property, and that a copy of this motion be forwarded to
the officials of Greyhound Bus Lines in Jacksonville. Seconded by Commissioner Stamper and
carried.
At the request of Wm. Cassube, Manager of Piggly-Wiggly Store on E Third Street, and
upon recommendation of the Chief of Police, Commissioner Kadet next moved that two parking
spaces in front of the store be designated for taxicabs only.
and carried.
Further consideration next given to request of Deluxe
Seconded by Commissioner Cordell
Cab, Arnold Bentley, Btreamling
Cabs and J. A. Gramling to lease parking spaces for their taxi-cabs, and on motion of Com-
missioner Kadet, seconded by Commissioner Stemper and carried, the Commission designated the
first space east of alley on Third Btreet in front of Moss Amusement Company for J. A. Gram-
ling; the space in front of Fulton's Cab Stand on Sanford Avenue for Btreamline Cabs; the space
in front of Newsom's Radio Shop and one of the three spaces in front of Robert Young's Cab
Stand for in-and-Out zones for all taxi-cabs.
On recommendation of Chief of Police, and on motion of Commissioner Krider, seconded by
Commissioner Cordell and carried, the petition for installation of street light at intersection
of Second Street and Tamarind Avenue was next ordered filed for future consideration, due to no
appropriation for same in current budget.
Request next received from the Kiwanis Club for waiver of
$?5.00 for Minstrel Show which they are sponsoring on February 26,
Stamper, seconded by Commissioner Cordell and carried, same was authorized.
Further consideration next given to request of Hunt's Tuxedo Feed Store for a 15 minute
City license in amount of
and on motion of Commissioner
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February 22 at 8 P, M.
City Commission, Sanford, Florida, . ............................................................... ~y ........
The request of Williams Fix-it Shop at 207 W First Street for installation of 2-hour
parking meters in said block was next referred to the City Manager for recommendation.
The City Attorney next brought up matter of employing special councel to prosecute
several lottery and liquor cases now pending in Municipal Court, advising that Karlyle Housholder,
County Prosecuting Attorney, had agreed to handle the cases at a fee of $10.00 each, with
maximum of $25.00 for any appeals, which he recommended as being very reasonable.
Thereupon Commissioner Stamper moved the acceptance of recommendation of the City At~
tor~ey to retain Attorney Karlyle Housholder to prosecute the aforesaid cases at the foregoing
fees. Seconded by Commissioner Cor~lell and carried.
The City Attorney next reported on status of suit pending in Circuit Court on validation
of the water and sewer revenue bonds, advising that he had filed motion of February 16, to strike
the objections of State Board of Health, and tl~t the hearing will be on February 26, which will
be limited to legality.
The City Attorney next submitted letter received by the Mayor from Volie A. Williams,
Jr., Attorney for Mrs. Thelma D. Williams of DeBarry, serving notice of injuries substsined
by her under date of January 28, 195~, from falling on sidewalk on Magnolia Avenue in front
of Touchton's Drug Building.
Ordinance No. 539, entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BANFORD, FLORIDA, VACATING, CLOBIN(~AND
ABANDONING A CERTAIN ALLEY AB SHOWN BY PLAT OF COTTAGE HILL BUBDI-
VIBION, IN THE CITY OF SANFORD, FLORIDA.
introduced and placed on first reading at regular meeting of February 8, was next placed on its
final reading.
Thereupon the roll was called on the final passage and adoption of said Ordinance No.
539, the vote being as follows:
Commissioner Higglnbotham Aye
" Cordell Aye
" Kadet Aye
" Krider Aye
# Stemper Aye
Thereupon the Chairman announced that the City Commissioner of the City of 8anford,
Florida, by unanimous vote had passed and adopted said Ordinance No. 539, entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BANFORD, FLORIDA, VACATING, CLOBING AND
ABANDONING A CERTAIN ALLEY AB BHOWN BY PLAT OF COTTAGE HILL BUBDI-
VISION, IN THE CITY OF SANFORD, FLORIDA.
On recommendation of Engineer Robert M. Angas, and on motion of Commissloner Stamper,
seconded by Commissioner Kadet and carried, the Commission next set aside and reserved all of the
City owned lake front property lyingwest of Holly Avenue between Seminole Boulevard and First
Stre~t as a site for future construction of a sewage treatment plant, subject to option of
Sanford Warehouse and Terminal Association.
On motion of Commissioner Cordell, seconded by Commissioner Stamper and carried, acting
City Manager W. E. Knowles was next appointed on permanent status as City Manager.
On motion of Commissioner Kadet, seconded by Commissioner Krider and carried, E. L.
~riffith was next appointed as Superintendent of Streets, Trash and Shop, at salary of
$3,600.00 annually, retroactive to February 1.
The City Manager next submitted the following financial report and recommendations:
FINANCIAL REPORT
Deep concern of the financial statue of the City has been expressed by all City Officials.
Such concern is Justified and immediate steps should be taken to avoid any crisis in future
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City Commission, Sanford, Florida, . ....... .~.~.b.~..~.~'.....2..~.....~..~...8....?..:..~..: ...... 19,~.~...
and (2) the payments for fees and equipment for the water and sewer projects from operating
funds that are due to be reimbursed from the s ale of bonds. The first cause must teach us to
-~ spread ma Jo? expenditures over a longer portion of our fiscal year because our Ad Valorem tax
now constitutes only a small portion (17.2 per cent) of our anticipated revenue.
The problem of our operating funds being reimbursed from the sale of bonds is our im-
mediate concer~. On February 17th, a meeting was held with the Mayor, the City Auditor, the
City Clerk, andthe City Attorney to formulate a solution. It was the opinion of the entire
group that we must make our fiscal plans for the remainder of the year on the assumption that
the $89,000 due the operating funds from the sale of bonds may not be forthcoming during this
fiscal year.
'-- Our plans, based on this assumption as a safeguard, now boils down to the action of ob-
taining more cash for operations. From figures prepared by the City Clerk, it becomes evident
that $65,500 will be needed during our present fiscal year in order to meet our operating li-
abilities and to have a $10,000 operating cash fund to carry us into the new fiscal year. This
~ necessary amount may be obtained either by increasing our revenue or by reducing expenditures.
As a means to increase our revenue, it is recommended that a portion of the real estate,
now held by the City, be sold. Said amount of additional revenue needed would be $19,000 over
and above that already entered in the budget as anticipated. The remaining portion of the neces-
sary funds may be obt~ned by 'holding back' on our budgetary expenditures.
This portion of the fiscal plan is probably the most difficult to explain. I should
like it clearly understood that there has been excellent budget control exercised by all de-
partment heads as shown by the fiscal reports. Any portion recommended to be held back has been
--. done so with the respective department head's knowledge. In this manner, there has been an
entire review of the budget accounts and $46,920 ~et out as possible expenditures that could be
delayed.
I should like to impress upon the members of the City Co, lesion that theadopted budget
ia an excellent budget that has been well executed. The steps we are now taking are to delay
projects and expenses that will do the ~s~st amount of damage to the programs and schedules set
up for each department. This includes elimination of some projects; using stocks and inventorles~
but not beyond the danger point; and functioning with present tools, and equipment thah might
have been scheduled for replacement. Ail these proposals are considered temporary subject to
the action of the City Commission.
At no point in the Drogram is there any reduction in the hum er of personnel or in any
wage or salary. Even with the elimination of some projects, there remains the need and the work
for all City employees. The services to the oubllc are the primary responsibility of any City
government. These services are scheduled to continue without inter~upt~an.
Aa a temporary measure, all department heads have been requested to reduce day-to-day
expenses and instructions have also been given to 'freeze' all personnel at its present status.
Vacancies now existing or any that occur in the future should continue as vacancies, subject to
--- the action of the CommisSion. Particular note should be given to the fact that the Police, Fire
and portion of the Water Departments oerform an emergency function. Because of this fact, these
departments must of necessity be at top operating efficiency at all times. Instructions regard-
ing expenditures and Oel-sonnel were therefore carefully examined and explained to them prior ~o
~ making the following suggestions:
1. Authorize the 'borrowing' by transfer of tb~ cash deposits contained in the Public Projects
Fund(S6,035.9?) and in the Insurance Fund ($2,866.64), if and w~en such cash transfers be-
come necessary.
208
MINUTES
c ty Comm ss o,, So,for4 FIor do, ' .............
3. To review and take action on the expenditure
sheets.
"hold-back# program as detailed
on the attached
ATTEST: ~~
gm --- city
4. Authorize the City Clerk t~ investigate the possibilities of negotiating a shots term loan
for $20,000 so that such action may be taken by the City Commission if l~ should become
necessary.
Respectfully Bubmitted.
SI ~arren E. Knowles,
Acting City Manager.
~hereupon after careful study and discussion of same, Commissioner Stemper moved the
authorization for recommendation No. 1 of the foregoing report - to borrow and transfer to the
General Fund, cash on hand in sum of $6,09~.97 in the Public PorJects Fund, and $2,866.65 on
hand in the Insurance Fund. Seconded by Commissioner Kadet and carried.
Commissioner Stemper next moved that the "hold back Program~ on expenditures as recommended
by the City Manager be initially placed in affect with the necessary adjustments to be made, and
that the City Commission be informed of the changes. Seconded by Commissioner Cordell and carrie~.
On motion of Commissioner Kadet, seconded by Commissioner Stemper and carried, the Com-
mission next directed that all reports from department heads be cleared thru the City Manager
before being presented to the Commisabn, also, that all ~ubllcity pertaining to Pallce matters
of the City be~earned thru the City Manager before publication.
On motion of Oommls$ioner Stemper, s econdeded by Commissioner Cordell and carried, cur-
rent invoices and payrolls were next approved, as evidenced by Expenses Vouchers Nos. 80% thru
895, and General Fund Check Vouchers Nos. 5001 thru
Commissioner Stemper next moved that the rubber stamps used by departme~ heads for
proving expense bills be dispensed with unless accompanied by signature or initials. Seconded
by Commissioner Kadet and carried.
Consideration next given to the provisl~s of paragraph 7 of Section "D" of the water
and sewer revenue bond ordinance, which limits the amount of revenue that may be transferred to
the General Fund to $~0,000.00 annually, and after discussion, Commissioner Kadet moved that the
validation proceedings be withdrawn from Circuit Court un,il the Commission get a clarification
of the ordinance. Seconded by Commissioner Stemper but failed to carry.
On recommendation of Chief of Police, and on motion of Commissioner Stemper, seco~4ed
'by Commissioner Cordell and carried, the Commission next approved thransfer of beer and wines
license of Bonney's Grill, ~25 E. First Street f~om Mr. & Mrs. Thcs. G. Bonney to Mrs. Lucile
Johnson, the new owner.
and on advice
Consideration next given to resuming the radio broadcast of Commission meetings/ Com-
that the Radio Station has agreed to broadcast the entire meetings,
missioner Stemper moved the approval and authorization for same. Seconded by Commissioner Kadet
and carried.
On motion of Commissioner Stemper, seconded by Commissioner Kadet and carried, the Com-
mission next authorized refund of license tax in amount of $25.00 paid by Joseph Kublk under
date of October l, 1953, to operate a Que-Ball ~amusement machine at 512 Banford A~enue, which
was removed immediately after installation.
There being no further business the meeting then adjourned until 8:30 P.M. March 1,