032254-Regular SessionMINUTES 217
The City Commission of the
City Hall in the City of Sanford, Florida
Present:
City of Sanford, Florida, met in regular session at t he
1955.
, at 8:00 o'clock P. M. March 22,
Commissioner Earl Hlgginbotham, Mayor
# J.D. Cordell
" John L. Kadet
# John S. Krider, Sr.,
#
W. H. Stemper
City Attorney A. Edwin Shlnholser
City Clerk H. N. Sayer
City Manager W. E. Knowles
Chief of Police R. G. Williams
Meeting called to order by the Chairman.
Roy Mann, Vice President of Sanford Atlantic National Bank, next apoeared with
reference to the three parking spaces reserved for their walk-up window service on Park Ave.,
side of the building and requested one additional space, advising that they would place a
cover over the parking meters for the four soaces during hours 8:00 A.M. to $:00 P.M., and
then remove the covers after closing hours in order to make the spaces available to the gen-
eral public. Also, offered to pay a rental on the spaces at such time the City adopts a policy
of charging for such spaces.
After discussion it was felt that it would not be satisfactory to make the parking
spaces available to the general oublic before and after banking hours, as proposed, and Com-
missl6ner~Stemper moved that Sanford Atlantic National Bank be granted the one additional space,:
and that the parking meters be removed from the four spaces and installed at more strategic
places in the business section. Seconded by Commissioner Kadet and carried.
Wellborn Phillips, Jr., next notated and advised that he had arranged with representa~
rives of the State Board of Health, to meet witch the Commission at 1:30 P.M., March 23, rela-
tive to the City's proposed water and sewer improvement program, and recommended that the Com-
mission make every effort to reach a satisfactory solution with them on the problem in question,
and to bring it to a successful conclusion.
J. M. Blythe, lessee of a portion of the municipal water plant property located a~
northeast corner of French Avenue and lSth Street, next aooe~red and submitted written notice
of intent to renew his lease on the property for an additional five years ~nder the same terms
and conditions, in accordance with the renewal provisions in Section 6 of the Lease Agreemen$
dated April 13, 1953, and on motion of Commissioner Krider, seconded by Com~lssioner Stemper
and carried, same was approved.
Ralph Cowsn; President of Sanford Industries, Inc., next appeared with reference to
the property described as Lots 6 thru 10 of Block 1 of Tier 9, Victor Check's Amended Plant,
which was conveyed by the City to Sanford Industries, Inc., under authorization of the Com-
mission at meeting of February 22, 1955, for the ournose of constructing a warehouse thereon
to be ]_eased to Gulf Coast Steel Buildings, Inc., who were to furnish the building materials
in payment of first three years' rent in advance. M~. Cowan advised t~t Sanford Industries,
Inc., had not been able to raise the necessary funds in amount of $4,000.00 to erect the build-
ing, and also had not been able to find anyone in Sanford who is able and willing to take over
the property and finance the building, and that in order not to loose the industry for Sanford,
he agreed to take it over personally and assume the financial responsibility himself, stating
that unless definite arrangements are made by 10:00 A.M. tomorrow to erect the building on the
property, the materials would be moved to Orlando and the warehouse erected there. He then
submitted deed from Sanford Industries, Inc., conveying the aforesaid property back to the City,
together with following copy of letter frc~ the officers of the corooration to its stockholders
recommendln2 that M~ ~n~mn ~.
MINUTES
March 22 at 8 P.M. 1954
City Commission, Sonford, Florida, · .......................................................................
SANFORD INDUSTRIES, INC.
EJu~FORD, FLORIDA.
March 22, 1954
Stockholders of Sanford Industries, Inc.
As has been recently announced, Sanford Industries, Inc., has an opportunity
to purchase and own a warehouse worth approximately $12,800.00 with a total
cxpendlture of aporo×lmately $4,000.00 by Ssnford Industrles.
Wc have had two meetings recently discussing ways and means of raising the
necessary $4,000.00. During the past week we have carried on a fairly in-
tensive fund-raieing campaign. A number of you have paid in additional
amounts on your subscriptions. However, the amounts paid in so far have
not even been sufficient to pay past due obligations ~f the company arising
out of the renomatlon of the Crown Paper Company building. The results thus
far indicate to us ~at it will be impossible to raise the needed funds within
the next few days. The warehouse was to be leased to Gulf Coast Steel Build-
lngs, Inc., who were to furnish the building materials in payment of three
years' rent in advance. This company needs a distribution warehouse now and
cennot wait any longer to see if we can raise the necessary $4,000.00. They
have an opportunity to go to Orlando.
Efforts have been made to find epee person in Sanford who would be able and
wll31ng to teke over and to finance this building. We Nave been unable to
find anyone. R. T. Cowan, President, Sanford Industries, Inc., had agreed
to accept this responsibility and to finance the bulld~ng himself. He does
not want to ~o so and will only ~o it to save this deal for Sa~ford.
After considerable deliberation, we believe it to the best interest of the
people of Sanford that Mr. Cowan be permltte~ to take over the erection and
financing of this warehouse and to enjoy any profits thereof. We sincerely
belleve that all efforts have been exhausted by Sanford Industries, Inc.,
to handle thie deal a~ quickly as ~t must be done in any other manner.
Very truly yours,
SANFORD INDUSTRIES, INC.
S/W. H. ~temoer,V-Pres. S~'Geor~e H. Williams, Jr.,Sec-Tree.
P. E. Breckenrldge, Dir. W.C. Hutchl$on, Dlr.
Herman Jacobaon, Dir. John Kadet, Dir.
T. A. Vaughn, Dir. A.L. Wilson, Dir.
Thereupon Commissioner Kader moved that the City accept title to the land back from
Sanford Industries, Inc. Seconded by Commiseloner Krider and carried.
Mr. Cowan then submitted an offer to ~rchase the property at price of $750.00 and
Commissioner ~ader moved the acceptance with consideration that the warehouse will be erected
thereon, but same failed to carry.
Forrest Breckenrldge, Manager of Seminole County Chamber of Commerce, and:also
Dt~ec~or of Sanford Industries, Inc., then spoke in favor of the proposal in order to keep the
industry in Ssnford.
Commissioner Krider stated that in view of the offer
of the actual value of the property, the City would be setting
represents only a small percent
a dangerous precedent under whDh
any citizen could appear and demand the same consideration, also, thet he felt it would have an
adversive affect on Sanford Industries, Inc., since Mr. Cowan in president of the corporation.
He stated that he was in favor of makln~ every effor~ to secure the warehouse and industry for
Banford and suggested t_b~t the C~ty take over the agreement with Gulf Coast Steel Buildings, Inc.,
and erect the building.
Commissioner Stemper pointed out that for years the Commissioners hsve been approached on
the matter of City giving property and waiving taxes in order to secure industry, and now that the
City has this opportunity to make special concession, he felt that it should be given favorable
consideration.
After further discussion, and on motion of Commissioner Cordell, seconded by Com-
missioner Kadet and carried, the Commission authorized the sale of the property described as
Lots 6 thru l0 of Block 1 Tier 9, Victor Checks Amended Plat, to R. T. Cowan at price of
$1,000.00 payable $750.00 cash and balance in form of promissory note, payable within six
Court,
MINUTES 219
ch 22 at 8 P. M.
City Commission, Sanford, Florida, . .............. ;.
and was informed that arrangements were being made to have the pony removed within one
week.
E. W. Thomas, Commercial Agent for Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company, next appeared
and advised of their plans to remove tracks from at least fifteen of the street crossings as a
result of moving the freight and passenger depot outside of the City, and requested a letter
of agreement to the affect that they will be permitted to restore any of said tracks across the
streets, if and when it becomes necessary.
After discussion Commissioner Krider moved that the City Manager and City Attorney be
authorized to get together with Mr. Thomas and draft a satisfactory letter of agreement. Seconde~
by Commissioner Cordell and carried.
Geo. W. Elliott next appeared and requested permit to park a house tra~ler on his
property on B. Park Avenue, which is prohibited by City ordinance, advising that he was informed
by the realtor who sold him the property that he would be able to place his trai~er on it for
permanent living quarters because it is located in a commercial zone.
After considerable discussion, the matter was referred to the Zoning Board of Ad-
Justment.
Aoplication next received from James Clay Williams for transfer to him from E. H.
Bennett the license issued to sell beer and wines at 117 Magnolia Ave., and on recommedation
of Chief of Police, Commissioner Kadet moved the approval of same. Seconded by Commissioner
Stemoer end carried.
On recommendation of the City Manager and Chief of Police that parking meters be in-
stalled on the South side of W. First Street in the 200 block, and also on east side of Rail-
road Avenue, Commissioner Stamper next moved that 30 of the old MarkeTime Parking Meter heads
be traded in to M. H. Rhodes, Inc., on new meter heads at exchange price of $18.00 each, payable
monthly under the plan submitted in their letter of March 12, for installation at said locations.
Seconded by Commissioner aader and carried.
The City Attorney next reported on examination and study of the manuscript on code
of City's ordinances, prepared by Michie City Publlca~ one Company, advising that he and the
City Clerk had reviewed the complete manuscript with their reoresentative, and had called in
the several deoartment heads to review the ordinances pertaining to their departments. He
also reported on the several deletions and changes made, including traffic regulations and
violations, other offenses, and the adoption of the National Fire Protection Code, as recommended
by the Fire Chief.
After discussion the Com~ission approved the changes in the traffic regulations and
violations, and the adoption of the National Fire Prevention Code, and directed the City AttorneM
to furnish the Commission a copy of the other proposed changes, for further consideration. ~
On motion of Commissioner Stamper, seconded by Commissioner Kadet and carried, the
matter of designating Elm Avenue as a thru street for traffic from First Street south to 13th
Street was next referred to the City Manager, Chief of Police, and Traffic Committee for racom-
mendations at next regular meeting.
Plat plan showing the location of their new business building and oarking area at
25th Street and Park Avenue next submitted from Atkinson & Williams in connection with request
for the City to make certain changes in the island in the street in front of their property.
After a study of the plat, Commissioner Kadet moved that the City cut the north end
of the island back to a distance not to exceed the extended line of the north wall of their
220
MINUTES
So, ford, FIor do ....... ............
motor vehicles used in the transportation of illicit alcoholic beverages was next referred
the City Attorney for recommendation.
Letter next submitted from the Zoning and Planning Commission recommending that the
oroperty located on West side of tanford Avenue between Tenth and Twelfth Streets, described
as the East one-half of Block 12 and 13 of Tier 1, E. R. Trafford's Map, rezoned from District
R-1 (Single-Family) to C-1 (Commercial-Retai]) District.
Thereupon Commissioner Stemper moved that a oublic hearing be held at 8:00 o'clock
P. M. Aoril 12, 1954, to consider rezoning ~he aforesaid property in ac~ordance with the recom-
mendations of the Zoning and Planning Commission. Seconded by Commissioner Kader and carried.
On recommendation of the City Manager, and on motion of Commissioner Cordell,
seconded by Commissioner Kadet and carried, the salary of Mrs. Wills Mae Hood, assistant
caretaker of Zoo, was next authorized increased from $B4.50 to $40.00 pot week.
On motion of Commissioner Kadet, seconded by Commissioner Cordell and carried, the
Commission next approved the acceptance of offer of the schools to pay $~5.00 pe~game for
use of the stadium for their baseball games instead of the regular fee of $70.00.
On recommendation of the City Manager and Chief of Police, and on motion of Commissioner
Krider, seconded by Commissioner Cordell and carried, the Commission ne~t authorized the elimi-
nation of parking of vehicles on the West side of Sanford Avenue between 5th and 6th Streets,
with provisions for unloading ramps for the bus,ness places.
Consideration next given to objections received from some of the home owners in Bel-
Air Subdivision against the smal~ orefabrlcated dwellings being erected in the neighborhood
by 0zier-We21er Homes, Inc., which they claim will lower the value of their property, and after
discussion the City Manager was directed to ~fi~eck the plans and specifications to de~ermlne
whether or not they comply with the requirements of the zoning ordinance and building code.
On motion of Commissioner Kadet, seconded by Commissioner Krlder and carried,
minutes of special called meeting of ~ebruary l, regular meetings of February 8 and 22, ad-
Journed meeting of March l, and regular meeting of March 8, 1954, next approved.
Commissiouer Stemoer nezt introduced Ordinance No. 5~O, entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITE OF SANFORD, FLORIDA, VACATING, CLOSING, AND
ABANDONING A CERTAIN ALLEY BETWEEN LOTS 83 AND 85, OF ROSE COURT
ADDITION, IN THE CITY OF SA~ORD, FLORIDA.
and same was p~aced on its first reading and read in full.
On motion of Commissioner Stemper, seconded by Commissioner kadet and carried, cur-
rent invoices and payrolls, as evidenced by General Fund Check Vouchers Nos. 5072 th~u
next approved, subject ~o approval of the Finance Chairman, and payment authorized upon avail-
ability of funds.
On motion of Commissioner Stemper, seconded by Commissioner Kadet and carried, the
Commission nezt authorized one-hour parking regulation for vehicles on North side of Third St.,
from Sanford Avenue east to the alley.
There being no further business, and on motion of Commissioner Stemper, seconded by
Commissioner Kader and carried, the me,:ting then adjourned until 1:30 o'clock P. M. March 23,
1954,