030457-Special Called Session MINUTES ' -
CiW Commission, Sanford, Florida, March 4 at 8 P. M~
m..57
The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in special called session at
the City Hall in the City of Sanford, Florida, at 8:00 o'clock P. M., March ~, 1957.
Present: Commissioner David M. Gatchel, Mayor
" Earl Higginbotham
" Merle W. Warner
" A.L. Wilson
City Attorney W. C. Hutchison, Jr.,
City Clerk H. N. Sayer
City Manager 9..E. Knowles
Ass't Dir. of Fin. H. N. Tamm, Jr.,
Chief of Police R. G. Williams.
Absent: Commissioner F. D. Scott
Meeting called to order by the Chairman who announced the purpose of t he meeting was
to hear the report from the delegation sent to Washington in its effort to retain the Naval
Air Station in Seminole County, also, to handle any other business that may come before the
Board at this time.
Thereupon the delegation composed of John Krider, Manager of Chafo er of Commerce,
Brailey Odham, member of the Armed Forces Committee, and Henry Balc~ representative of Orlando
Sentinel, each reported as follows:
Mr. Krider reported on Joint meeting with Congressman Herlong, Senators Holland and
Smathers, and the Secretary of Navy, in which the delegation learned that Osceola in Seminole
County had been given sixth place of the ten sites selected for the new Naval Air Station, and
that the expansion of t he Sanford Naval Air StatiOn for ~such purpose had been eliminated en-
tirely. He stated that after being informed of the s t'atus of the 0sceola site the delegation
felt that it should then exert every effort ~for the expansion of the Sanford Naval Air Station,
and received strong support from the Congressional representatives toward this proposal, in
view of the gres, t economy move that is taking place in the federal government at this time.
Mr. Krider advised that after citing to the Secretary of Navy th~ economic value to the
Government in utilizing the Sanford Naval Air Station for this purpose, in which it has an
investment of over $20,000,000.00 and to the Navy personnel w~o own 608 homes in Sanford, as
well as its economic value to Sanford and Seminole County, he assured the delegation and
Congressional representatives that the Navy would consider expanding the facilities to meet
the requirements for the new base, but would need resolutions of request from the local
citizens, recognizing that such expansion and Continued operation of the Sanford Naval Air
Station will mean continued and addZtional noise, confusing,hazard to property, and the
necessity of additional acquisiticn of real estate. Mr. Krider then requested the cities,
the county, civic clubs, fraternal organizations and al5 groups to pass such resolutions of
request immediately, to be delivered to the Chief of Naval Operations, advising that a de-
cision will be made on the location of the Naval Air Station by June 4, 1957.
Mr. Odham reported that the possiblllties of retaining the Naval Air Station at
Sanford looked very favorable, as a result of their trip ~o Washington, bu%~ pointed out that
the Armed Forces Committee still needed more funds %o complete all the details necessary to
submit Sanford's report to the Navy.
Henry Balch reported that he went along to help in every possible way as part of the
community because Orlando is vitally interested in retaining the Naval Air Station at Sanford.
He also cited two 'Tavorable advantages for Sanfo~d toward this effort, the Congressional rep-
resentatives consciousness of the economy, and the Navy's consciousness of the existing good
MINUTES
March
City Commission;Sanfo~d, Florida,_
at 8 P.M. 57
' 19
relations with the community.
After discussion Commissioner Higginbotham moved that the City Attorney be authorized
to prepare a resolution for adoption by the Commission, requesting the Sanford Naval Air Stati~
to be retained as a permanent installation and e~oanded to meet the Naval needs, also, embodyi!
the provisions outlined by Mr. Krider. Seconded by Commissioner Warner and carried.
Commissioner Higginbotham nezt moved that the City l~anager send letters of appre-
ciation to the Congressional representatives and the Secretary of Navy for courtesies extended
the delegation while in Washington, and also to Martin Anderson of the Orlando Sentinel for
loan of the services c~ Henry Balch. Seconded by Commissioner Wilson and carried.
On motion of Commissioner Higginbotham, seconded by Commissioner Wilson end carried,
the City Manager was next authorized to attend the annual Short Course for City Managers'
to be conducted in Delray Beach on Aoril 7-10, and the City Clerk appointed as acting City
Manager during his absence from the City.
On motion of Commissioner Higginbotham, seconded by Commissioner Warner and carried,
the Commission next authorized and expenditure:from the Contingent Fund in sum of $40~.15
for payment of one-half of expenses in connection with State Road Board's meeting held in
Sanford on February 14 and 15, as guest of the City and County.
On recommendation of the City Manager and Chief of Police, and on motion of Com-
missioner Warner, seconded by Commissioner Higginbotham and carried, the Commission next
authorized the purchase of a 3-wheel motor Scooter for the Police Department at cost of $355.0(
for use in checking parking meters, which included authorization for transfer of said amount
from the Contingent Fund.
There being no further bus~ness the meeting adjourned.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
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