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Home My WebLink About30853 - MINUTES - City Commission MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DANIA CITY COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 4, 1973 I . Invocation by Clarke Walden. 2. Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Roll Cell Present: Mayor: Ted Kay Vice Mayor: Robert Duncanson Commissioners: Frank Adler Williem Jackson John Kay City Manager: Woodward M. Hampton City Clerk: Wanda Mullikin City Attorney: Clarke Walden Building Inspector: Hubert Walker Acting Police Chief: Fred Willis 4. The motion made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Duncanson passed unanimously to approve the minutes of the meeting of August 20th. 8:05 p.m. Opening of the bids for the sewage treatment plant. The Commission voted unanimously to turn the bids over to the City Manager and Engineer for their tabulation and recommendation. 6. 8: 10 p.m. Opening of the bids for the tractor-mower. The bids were turned over to the City Manager for his tabulation and recommendation. 7. On a motion by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Kay, the Commission voted unanimously to declare surplus and sell the old Mercury Police car. 8. On a motion by Commissioner Kay, seconded by Commissioner Jackson, the Commission on a four to one vote (Vice Mayor Duncanson voted no), passed on third reading the ordinance to rezone from present zoning classification to R-3A ( 17 units per acre maximum) those lands bounded on the north by Iasi Dania Beach Boulevard, on the south by S.E. 3rd Street, on the west by S.E. 3rd Avenue and on the east by S.E. 5th Avenue with the exception of a 5+ acre tract of land lying south of and adjacent to East Dania Beach Boulevard about midway between S.E. 3rd Avenue and S.E. 5th Avenue which shall be rezoned to B-2 zoning and also excepting a 125' by 125' plot of land at the southwest corner of East Dania Beach Boulevard and S.E. 5th Avenue presently zoned C-I , and also adopted the resolution approving the site plan as presented on August 20th and including an agreement by Seadade to maintain the drainage ditches and pump adjacent to their property. r: 9. The City Manager made the suggestion that the Commission, City Attorney and himself pledge to Channel 2 that they would see that $500.00 was made available to the station, either from donations by clubs in the City, or that the individual officials would contribute a pro-rata share to guarantee the $500.00. Vice Mayor Duncanson made a motion to table this until the next meeting. Commissioner Kay seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 10. Program on Aging requesting a contribution of $792.00. After; much discussion, Commissioner Jackson stated that this would help to feed older citizens on very limited incomes. Commissioner Jackson then made a motion to approve the $792.00, seconded by Commissioner Adler. Commissioner Kay and Vice Mayor Duncanson voted No. Commissioner Kay fated he was not against feeding the needy, but he thought we should :ef priorities and make this determination before the budget is adopted. Commissioner Duncanson agreed. a= :#dk Y } 1 II . On a motion by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Kay, -the Commission voted unanimously to advertise for bids for equipment and fence for the Northwest IOth Street Park. 17. On a motion by Commissioner Duncanson, seconded by Commissioner Kay, the Commission voted unanimously to contribute 'to the Broward League of Cities $200.00 for Dania's share in the cost of a friendly suit ogainst the County to determine If the County should return County taxes ® collected within a City to that City, except those monies which are expended for -the general benefit of all residents of Broward County. 13. On a motion by Commissioner Duncanson, seconded by Commissioner Kay, -the Commission voted unanimously to authorize the City Manager to use his discretion in filling in the cut-out spots in the sidewalk along U.S. I , where palm trees had once been planted but have since died, or to replace the trees with plantings. 14. the question of the City Manager having the responsibility for appointing and removing department heads was discussed at length. Vice Mayor Duncanson stated he believed it would repose too much power in the City Manager. The City Manager pointed out to Vice Mayor Duncanson and the Commission that it is not a question of power and that this should be understood that It is a question of placing the respon- sibility on the Manager of selecting qualified Department Heads since the Commission holds the Manager responsible for proper operation of a City. Commissioner Adler stated he would sponsor a motion that the ® Commission would not hire or fire any Department Head except on the recommendation of the Manager, but that he would hesitate to change the Charter. It was pointed out that the Commission felt a trust in their present City Manager, to which the Manager responded, "If you, the Commission should change the Charter based on confidence in Woodward Hampton, as a man, then you should not change the Charter ® because the Charter is a document for good government and any profess- ional, ethical , Manager would do the job in a proper manner without any abuse or discrimination." A motion was made by Commissioner. Adler, seconded by Commissioner Jackson that no department head would be hired or fired except on theiecommendation of the City Manager. Vice Mayor Duncanson voted No. 15. The Commission accepted the resignation of James Longo as Chief of Police which had been previously accepted by the City Manager. the Commission then authorized the City Manager to adjust Acting Chief Willis' salary equitably. 0 Itl. Commissioner Jackson gave a long statement of his knowledge of the problems with the Police Department in the leadership positions and pointed out that the Commission only has a responsibility to set guide lines for the operation of the Police Department or any department and that the Commission is responsible for providing materials, equipment and adequate pay. However, that in the leadership and direction of the department Is strictly the responsibility of the Chief of Police. He referred to adverse criticisms in the news medium of the Commission and gave definite references to the types of men who had been the Chiefs of Police and the circumstances surrounding their leaving the City or being removed. Commissioner Jackson further stated he would support the Chief of Police and would do his best y� to see that no interference was made in the Police Department and that guidelines would be given the City Manager for the Chief to take his directions from. Vice Mayor Duncanson pointed out that the report by LEAA was not all negative and further stated there can be interference by subterfuge. Each of the Commissioners then commented x' that they did not visit the Chief's office, nor interfere and suggested that the next Chief work directly under the City Manager and that no Commissioner would, in any manner interfere with the Chief in his t responsibilities. City Commission Meeting -2- September 4, 1973 17. iho question of the garbage and trash fee was given a short analysis and was passed over for the present time until a need is shown for these °additional monies in the trash- garbage services. 18. The City Manager reported the results of the election in the Fire Deparlmeni' of representatives to the Pension Committee. They were Ed Moore and Kenny Land. The Commission authorized these names to be placed on the Pension Comm, together with the representative from the Police Department, Mayor Kay and Jeanette Eby. 19. On a motion by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Kay, the Commission authorized the City Manager to advertise for bids on improve- ments to the Water Plant as outlined in budget. The vote was unanimous.' 20. On a motion by Vice Mayor Duncanson, seconded by Commissioner Jackson, the Commission voted unanimously to authorize the City Manager to advertise for bids for garbage and trash pick-up in the City. 21 . Commissioner Kay discussed improvements in Frost Park, which would necessitate the removal of a large ficus tree. The Commission reaffirmed its former action to construct a new ball field and if necessary to remove the tree. The Optimist Club agreed to plant four additional trees in the park. 22. The City Manager presented the modified sewage system agreement for approval . On a motion by Commissioner Kay, seconded by Commissioner Jackson the Commission approved the agreement unanimously. 23. Comments were made by the audience which were to encourage the City to do its best to improve the Police protection in the City. Bill Davison requested the City purchase a positive resuscitator for the beach. These comments were referred to the City Manager. r; i Ted jayWay6r Wanda Mullikin-City Clerk City Commission Meeting -3- September 4, 1973