021657-Special Called Session194
MINUTES
City Commission, San£ord, Florida, February 16 at l0 A M
19.-57
The City Commission of the City of. Sanford., Florida, met in special called session at
the City Hall in the City of 8anford, Florida, at lO:O0 o'clock A. M. F~ruary 16, 1957.
Present:
Co~Glssioner David M. Gatchel, Mayor
" Earl Higginbotham
" F.D. Scott
" Merle W. Warner
" A.L. Wilson
City Clerk H. N. Bayer
City Manager W.' E. Knowles
Ass't Dir. of' Fin. H. N. Tamm, Jr.
Meeting called to order by the Chairman who announced that this Joint meeting with the
Chamber of COmmerce had been called concerning the proposal of the Navy to relocate the Naval
Air Station at 8anford.
All members of the Board being present, Commissioner Higglnbotham moved the waiver of
the requirement of "Written N~tice" of the called meeting, which was seconded by Commissioner
Warner and carried by the following vote of the Commission:
Commissioner Gatchel Yea
" Higginbotham Yea
"' Scott Yea
" Warner Yea
" Wilson Yea
John Krider, Manager of seminole County Chamber of Commerce, then advlsed~ of the Navy's
plans to construct a new air base to be designated as "Naval Air Station, Sixth Naval District"
which will eliminate the operations at the Sanfo~ Naval Air Station upon completion, stating
That the proposed new station will be located within a lO0-mile radius of Jacksonville and
that ten si'ecs are being considered,' including the old Navy.satelite field at Osceola in Semlno e
County'. Mr. Krider then cited the economic value of the Naval Air Station to the community and
the effect it would have, if closed, and stated that every effort should be made to retain it
Seminole County. He further advised that it would be necessary to send adelegation ~o Washing1 ~n
to confer with our representatives, the Secretary of the Navy and. other officials to ascertain
the facts and status of the proposed, air station, and the requirements for the site. Also,
that it might be necessary to employ an engineer and other personnel to make surveys and pre-
pare reports to substantiate the facts concerning the site in Seminole County. Mr. Krider then
stated that all this will cost money and the Chamber of Commerce does not have any funds for
this purpose, and that it would be up to the merchants, business men, City and County to provid~
the necessary funds to fight the battle to retain the Naval Air Base in Seminole County.
Brailey Odham, member of the Armed Forces Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, also
reiterated on the economic value of the Naval Air Btatlon to t'he entire coun~y~ and of the nece~
sity of sending a delegation to Washington, and probably keeping it there until a decision is
reached on the site. He also expressed the need of funds for this purpose and said that
should join together in this effort to retain the station in Seminole County, and appealed to
the merchants and business men to pledge funds for this cause.
Commissioner Wt. lson stated that the Commission should pledge i~s support toward this
effort to keep the Naval Air Station in Seminole County, and moved that the City contribute
$2,000.00 toward such expenses at this time, and more later if needed. Seconded by Commis~oner
Higginbotham and carried.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned.
MAYOR