122661-Special SessionMINUTES
231
City Commission, Sanford, Florida,
The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Plorlda,.met in special session at the
City Hall in the City of Sanford, Florida, at 8:00 P.M. on December 26, 1961.
Present: Commissioner Joe B. Baker, Mayor " J.H. Crapps
" Eart~Higginbotham
" Thomas S. McDonald
" A.L. Wilson
City Attorney Wm. C. Hutchlson, Jr.
City Manager W. E. Knowles
City Clerk H. N. Tamm, Jr.
Police Chief R. G. Williams
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman.
John Krider, manager of the Seminole County Chamber of Commerce, appeared and spoke
of the progress of the Seminole Development Corp.~in encouraging industry to locate in Sanford
and Seminole County, and requested an additional appropriation to the Chamber of Commerce of
$1,500.00 a year effective in the fiscal year 1963/64 to further promote industry in this
area. Mr. Krider stated that the immediate consideration was the Delmar Corporation, which
had looked over l0 locations, three of them in seminole County and one of which was in the
City of Sanford, and had decided that Sanford offered the best location for distribution of
its product and for a labor supply, however, that a problem existed in that the City was not
able to supply as sufficient water as demanded by the Southeastern Fire Underwriters Associa-
tion for a sprinkler system in order for Delmar Corporation to receive the best fire insurance
rating. Mr. Krider pointed out that Delmar Corporation would have an immediate outlay of
from $50,000.00 to $?5,000.00 of capital to set up in Sanford, and estimated the City Realty
and Personalty Taxes at $2,000.00 per year, and further that the Chamber of Commerce now
operates on a limited budget and probably would be unable to make any concession to said
company.
Mayor Baker asked Mr. Krider, that since the fire insurance rates for Delmar will
be higher because we can not furnish the water they need for a sprinkler system; you are re-
questing that the City make up the difference to them through a contribution to the Chamber
of Commerce which will in turn go to them. Mr. Krider answered that the Delmar Industry was
the immediate problem.
Mayor Baker next requested the City Att0ffney~.to submit a written opinion as to the
legality of the City making an appropriation in accordancewith the aforesaid question and
reply.
Clifford McKibbin next appeared and stated that Delmar Corporation would probably
carry around $275,000.00 insurance and that fire .insurance'Would be its greatest cost, and
favored the initiation of a positive program to encourage industry in this area. He further
pointed out that as a result of a prior meeting of representatives of Delmar Corporation and
local utility representatives and bankers, that Delmar Corporation had the impression that the
6 inch water line would supply water enough to meet their insurance needs, but after further
investigation this was not possible.
S. J. Davis, Jr,, next referred to the Comprehensive Plan as prepared by George
Simons, Planning Consultant for the City of Sanford, and setting forth the need for industry
such as Delmar Corporation and the effect such a company would have in bringing other in-
vestments and new businesses with it.
Sonny Powell appeared to support a plan to encourage industry to locate in Sanford
and pointed out that all persons in attendance were interested in the progress of this com-
munity.
George Touhy sPoke of the need for further industrial development and some con-
MINUTES
City Commission, Sanford, Florida, December 26 at 8. :00 P ;M ..... 19_61_
would follow in locating here. He further stated that he did not know if it was the City's
obligation to share in fulfilling an obligation to Delmar Corporation.
Francis Roumillat next pointed oUt that a "quasi promise" had been made to Delmar
Corporation and now the utilities can not produce the necessary requirements.
Commissioner McDonald pointed out that a main problem of the tax structure of the
entire county was~.~he very high percentage of residential valuation compared ~o industrial
valuation~ and for a goodtax base there was a need for more industrial valuation.
Commissioner Wilson pointed out that there were no improvements on the property
under discussion and that with the proposed improvements there would be additional revenue
in the form of taxes and felt that a $1~500.00 appropriation would be a good investment.
Mayor Baker pointed out that he felt that the business organizations such as the
Seminole Development Corporation should sponsor and seek industriesand he would object to
any contribution by the City in which mainly one individual would benefit as opposed to
benefit by all the people.
After consideration Commissioner Higginbotham moved that the Commission agree to
cooperate with the Chamber of Commerce to the fullest extent with their request of a $1~500.00
increase in their budget appropriation for 1963/64 budget, subject to review at the pleasure
of the Commission. Seconded by Commissioner McDonald and carried over the dissenting votes
of Commissioner Baker and Commissioner Crapps.
Commissioner Crapps stated that since the City Attorney had been asked to give a
ruling as to the legality of such an appropriation, that the Commission should withhold action
until receipt of his opinion.
There being no further business and on motion of Commissioner Crapps, seconded by
Commissioner McDonald and carried~ themeeting adjourned.