HomeMy WebLinkAbout86402 - MINUTES - City Commission MINUTES, OF REGULAR MEETING, CITY COMMISSION, CITY OF DANIA, FLORIDA
HELD APRIL 6, 1964.
The City Commission of the City of Dania, Florida met in Regular
Session in the Commission Room at the City Hall.
PRESENT WERE: MAYOR-OOMMISSIONER VERA L. HILL
COMMISSIONERS R. L. GRAMMER
0 VIRGIL L. TARPLEY
S. ELL IS YOUNG
CITY MANAGER LESTER E. CULVERSON
CITY ATTORNEY CLARKE WALDEN
CHIEF OF POLICE MONTIE F. SMITH
CITY CLERK MARY THORNHILL
Commissioner Thornton called from Hialeah and asked 6 be excused
from the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 o'clock P.M. by Mayor Hill,
after which Pledge of Allegiance to the flag and invocation was held.
Minutes of meetings held March 16 and 18 were read. A motion was
made by Commissioner Young minutes be approved as read. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Tarpley, and the roll being called, the
$ Commissioners voted as follows:
Grammer Yes
Tarpley Yes
Young Yes
Hill Yes
(1) Ordinance: Authorizing the Building Inspector to issue building
permits where all ordinances of the City of Dania are complied with,
and without having to be approved by the Zoning Board and the: City
Commission. Commissioner Grammer advised that Mr. Lindeman felt no
action should be taken until a decision is made regarding off-street
parking. A motion was made by Commissioner Grammer that the matter
be tabled until all details are worked out. - The motion was seconded
by Commissioner Tarpley, and the roll being called, the Commissioners
voted as follows:
Grammer ' Yes
s.: Tarpley Yes ,
Young Yes
Hill Yes
(2) Application for transfer 4 COP License from Clyde F. Grampa to
Elizabeth Sessa. Dania .Bar, 1435 South Federal Highway. Approved
by Chief Smith. A motion was made by Commissioner Tarpley that it
be passed on the second and final reading. The motion was seconded
by Commissioner Young, and the roll being called, The Commissioners
1.7 voted as follows:
Grammer Yes
f. , Tarpley Yes
Young Yes >
Hill Yes
Applications were presented for transfer 4 COP License from
Leo Gignac and Hazel Gignac to Rosemary Verrecchio, Jack's Bar,
103 East Beach Blvd. , and
u'• ` 3 PS License from L. T. Baxter and Ella R. Baxter to
Max Phillips , Inc. , Drive-In Liquors, 530 S. W. Second Street, and
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2 PS License, Richard M. Lebo, 1501 S. W. 12th Avenue. Grocery
• and Market.
A motion was made by Commissioner Tarpley that applications be approved
on first reading. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Young, and
the roll being called, the Commissioners voted as follows:
• Grammer Yes
Tarpley Yes
Young Yes
Hill Yes
(3) Nickolas P. Pallonari, application for taxicab license. Although
• the Ordinance regarding the Taxicab Franchise has not been rigidly en-
forced in recent years, a,:motiorirwas made by Commissioner Grammer that
the application for taxicab license be granted subject to compliance
with all City Ordinances. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Tarpley, and the roll being called, the Commissioners voted as follows:
Grammer Yes
Tarpley Yes
Young Yes
Hill Yes
(4) Anna K. Frier Ceurgay, application for auction to be held
• April 18 or 23, 20 N. E. F rst Avenue. It was determined that this
sale would take place only in the morning of either date, within the
confines of the store and under the supervision of Chief Smith.
A motion was made by Commissioner Tarpley to grant the auction license. .
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Young, and the roll being
called, the Commissioners voted as follows:
Grammer Yes
Tarpley Yes
Young Yes
Hill Yes
• (5) City Manager's Report. The City Manager presented bills for pay-
ment as follows:
Broome & Farina - Plans, specifications, and contract for the
' paving of streets. Project No.6120 in. the amount of $616.00
• Philpott, Ross & Saarinan - Balance due on plans and specifi-
cations for street µnd'alley paving, and storm drainage, in the,
amount of $526.00.✓
Water Conditioning Equipment Company An addition to the Water
Treatment Plant -
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Estimate No.l Partial payment $ 1,874.38
Estimate N0.2 " it 10,325.00
Total amount due at this time 12,199.38
The City Manager then read a letter written to HHFA in Atlanta -
"Your letter of January 157 1964 approved a Federal
Grant in the amount of $63,OOO for this project.
As advised by Mr. Bach, Field Engineer, whom I con-
tacted, we are hereby making application for 25% of
• this grant or $16,250 at this time."-..
Commissioner Young asked Mr. Culverson if the bills are all in order
and made a motion for payment of the three bills, subject to any
restrictions that may be placed, or necessitated, by the Federal
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Government. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tarpley, and the
roll being called, the Commissioners voted as follows:
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Grammer Yes
Tarpley Yes
Young Yes
Hill Yes
• (6) Attorney Walden called attention to the still pending case in
Municipal Court against Steinfeldt-Thompson Company (a tomato cannery)
entailing the Municipal Judge who disqualified himself. Because
Mr. Young, our Assistant Judge, does' not wish to serve, Judge'Black
made arrangements with Hudge Pallotto from Hollywood to 'sit on this
particular case, without compensation. Commissioner Young moved that
• a resolution be adopted and passed, appointing Judge Pallotto of
Hollywood to serve on this one case - without compensation - as Acting
City Judge for the City of Dania. The motion was seconded by,
Commissioner Tarpley, and the roll being called, the Commissioners
voted as follows:
Grammer Yes
Tarpley Yes
Young Yes
Hill Yes
(7) It now being 8:25 P.M. Mayor Hill called for any additional bids
• for the construction of sidewalks. There being none, a motion was
made by Commissioner Young that the time for accepting bids for the
construction of sidewalks be closed. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Tarpley, and the roll being called, Commissioners voted
as follows:
♦ Grammer Yes
Tarpley Yes
Young Yes
Hill Yes
(8) City Manager Culverson read bids as follows:
BROWARD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
Bid accompanied y a B3.dand .
Item 5 31840 sq.ft. . $ .50 sq.ft. $19920.00
Item 6 1,675 sq.ft. .70 sq.ft. ..J72.50
Item 7 Remove •tree .650.00
Estimated Grand Total $3,742.50
HARDRIVES COMPANY
Bid accompanie y a Bid Bond
Item 5 3,840 sq.ft. $1.03 sq.ft. $3,955.20
yr Item 6 1,675 sq.ft. , 1.14 sq.ft. 1,909.50
Item 7 Remove tree 500.00
Item 8 10.00
Estimated Grand Total $6,374.70
A motion was made by Commissioner Tarpley that bids be referred to
the Engineer for tabulation and recommendation. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Grammer, and the roll being called, the
x;. Commissioners voted as follows:
' Grammer Yes
Tarpley Yes
Young Yea
•t.,
Hill Yes
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(9) City Manager Culverson read a bid as follows:
ERWIN"S APPLIANCE & E UIPMENT COMPANY
Caen Bi on
1 - Trans Air Conditioner $988.00
One year free service.
Five year warranty on
compressor.
Wiring to be furnished by
others.
A motion was made by Commissioner Tarpley to .award the contract to
. Erwin's Appliance & Equipment Company at a total cost of $988.00.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Grammer, and the roll being
called, the Commissioners voted as follows:
Grammer Yes
Tarpley Yes
Young Yes
Hill Yes
(10) Dr. Johnson, representing the Dania Rotary Club, gave a very
interesting, instructive, and educational address on "FLUORIDATION
OF COMMUNITY WATER SUPPLY" . . . . what it is . . . . its background . . . .
what can be expected of it . . . . the cost . . and the need for it.
Dr. Johnson has been practicing Dentistry for more than 20 years and
is well versed on the subject. Dr. Brammer announced he endorsed
100%,, the program advocated by Dr. Johnson.
(11) Mr. William L. Davis , 704 S. W. Second Avenue, Dania, paid public
tribute to the Fire Department and its Rescue Squad for their outstand-
ing work on the evening of March 21 (during the cloudburst) when there
was a three car collision in the vicinity of the American Legion
as well as later the same evening when his wife fell at the same loca-
tion, breaking her hand, smashing her nose, and injuring her knee.
Mr. Davis was profuse in his thanks - even offering to assist in
• campaigning for funds etc. , at any time the Fire Department needed
help in this connection.
(12) Mr. Knoblock, a member of the audience, asked to call to the
attention of the Commission the fact that in the past, no , taxicab
companies have been required to take out a license and wondered whether
this still held true.
Attorney Walden: Yes, it does.
Mr. Knoblock: •If it does still hold true and you allow Pallonari to
take out a taxicab license, * I wonder if this wouldn't be an indica-
tion then that. you would require all other taxicabs to take licenses
out also. You see, in the past, I believe the City of Dania did not
require them to take out licenses due to the fact that it was the
belief they could not make a living off the City itself even if they
could make a living off the license fee. So, if you give Pallonari
the opportunity and let him take out a taxicab license, wouldn't it
seem an indication that all the other taxicabs should be taking out
licenses also?
Attorney Walden: As I see it, this man maintains a physical place of
business in Dania. The basic thing in our Ordinance is to make sure
they have Liability Insurance coverage. When out of town taxicabs
Q come into Dania, that is our primary concern whether it is in the
Ordinance or not. It has always been the insurance question, so if
they are physically in a place of business here, that's what we should
check and be concerned about. We have companies that do business and
have places of business here. Taxicab franchises were not given out
as such, and all taxicabs were allowed to come in and pickup and no
j restrictions were placed except that they have Public Liability Insur-
ance. We make them get their fingerprints taken. We haventt forced
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them to buy an Occupational License. Have we, Mrs. Thornhill?
® Mrs. Thornhill: That's right. We had a Franchise with the other
company and they have never renewed it.
Attorney Walden: Well, we do have a long, fancy Ordinance on the
books. Mr. Tom Barryhill came down to the city in about 1956 and
talked the Commission into passing it for the Great Yellow Cab
® Fleet. This Ordinance is on the books, and the only thing in the
Ordinance besides the revenue feature of it is to give the city some
control over the insurance part. In other words , you don't want to
allow cars running around without any coverage at all.
Commissioner Grammer: Can't we just give this man a permit like we
r always did, without the license, if we haventt charged anybody else?
Commissioner Young: Yes , if they have a business hare.
Attotney. Walden: I don't think we should get involved in a dis-
cussion but if you have a physical place of business in Dania, the
• city can require a person to have a license. Lawyers . . . if they
have an office in Dania, they get a Dania Occupational License. They
can practice in Hollywood and have one but, again, the point I am
making is the basic purpose behind any license with the City, is the
insurance question. If the City wishes to waive the Occupational Fee,
there is one thing I would recommend . that the Chief, or someone,
• make sure there is insurance on the cabs on our streets.
Commissioner Tarpley: It was stated in the motion they meet all re-
quirements.
City Clerk: Did you still intend to charge the fee for the cab?
Commissioner Grammer: Yes, the usual Occupational License.
City -Clerk: The fee is $25.00 per cab.
Commissioner Grammer: My impression was he only wanted one cab.
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(13) Mr. Tanner, representing the Sunshine Villa Apartments on the
East Side of Dania, indicated their interest in the Sanitary Sewer
Project for that area. Their president, Lisa Reece, wrote a letter
to Congressman Paul G. Rogers and Senators Spessard Holland and
George A. Smathers, requesting their cooperation in the prompt
• approval of a loan from the HHFA for the City of Dania for the con-
struction of the sewer. Letters were read from these gentlemen, and
they promised to give their personal attention in asking that the
application be,given every consideration.
(14)
Chief Smith: The Fire Chief and I have something we want to bring up
concerning the Fire and Police Departments. On August 14, 1960 there
was an Ordinance passed that the Fire and Police Departments could
take certain monies that are due us, or that we would be allowed to
collect for the purpose of a Retirement Plan for the Policemen and
• Firemen. We are asking now that it be brought up and discussed, be-
cause we are entitled to the money and I understand it just takes a
letter to Tallahassee or somewhere, and we have to get it in before
May 1 or we lose the last years money. . It's money that was collected
from insurance companies on accident cases in each Municipality and
turned over to the Municipality for retirement of their Police and
Firemen. Whether or not we ever do get a Pension Plan, at least this
is a start to get some money.
Chief Lassiter: This is a tax that is held by the State from certain
insurance companies writing insurance - fire insurance and casualty
! insurance. The money is already being collected by the State who _
collects 2% tax on the insurance premiums in this classification, re-
fundable to the cities at the rate of 1% of the tax for the purpose
{ of setting up Retirement Plans for the Police and Fire Departments.
It is not a joint thing . . . it's two separate actions and we have two
separate Ordinances that were passed. It was set up by the State and
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passed by the City Commissioners of Dania in August, 1960. These
® Ordinances have to be sent to the Insurance Commissioner if we are to
receive this money and it is to be applied to a Retirement Plan for
the Police and Firemen. That's the only thing for which it can be
used, and in the event you don't have a Retirement Plan or don't set
one up, that money is refundable to the State and we don't get to
keep it. To keep it, it can only be used for that one purpose. The
important thing is to get these Ordinances on to the Secretary of
• State and the Insurance Commissioner. What we'd like to discuss now
is that the 'Commission authorize the attorney to go ahead and forward
these Ordinances to the proper place.
Attorney Walden: The City Manager is the one to do that . . . there's
A no legal problem involved.
Chief Lassiter: Well, make authorization to the proper party to
forward this to the proper place and get this rolling as quickly as
possible so we can start collecting it. It amounts to several
thousand dollars a year and we hope to get a Retirement Plan set up.
A motion was made by Commissioner Tarpley authorizing the City
Manager to forward copy of the Ordinances to the 'Secretary of State
and the Insurance Commissioner. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Grammer, and the roll being called, the Commissioners
voted as follows:
Grammer Yes. .
Tarpley Yes
Young Yes
Hill Yes
A (15)
Attorney Walden: Several people have asked me to mention this to
you. I would like to read this letter, addressed to the Commission,
from the Dania Lions Club, dated March 26.
"The Lions International is .holding its Florida
State Convention in Hollywood, during the month
of May, 1964 and .as a part of this convention
there will be a parade at 7:00 P.M. on Friday,
May 22. We would like the City Officials to .
honor us by taking part in the parade with the
usual convertible containing City Officials.
It you can participate, please advise me and I
will give you the necessary details."
This request was referred to the May 4th Meeting.
(16)
Commissioner Tarpley: In our Ordinance Book in-' the City of Dania, we
have an Ordinance that applies to doing business or opening a new
business in the City of Dania. Then, further on the book, we have
another Ordinance which pertains to the Jai Alai Fronton, Article II,
Section 23-7, which permits the Fronton to operate a year before it
is forced to take out its Occupational License. At this time, I
would like to recommend a change in this Ordinance in that they com
plyply with the original Ordinance and buy their Occupational License
before the open season instead of after the season.
Attorney Walden: Just let me make a general comment on the Ordinance.
If it is under the taxation part of Ordinances, we do have a special
section governing Jai Alai Frontons. Under that, the Municipality
will tax the local Fronton at the rate of $10.00 per day. The present
Ordinance reads that their tax is paid at the end of each season. I
think Mr. Tarpley has in mind that we amend Section 23-7 in effect
that the taxation be at the rate of$10.00 per day, to be paid in
advance of the 1964-65 Season, based on the number of days allowed by
the State Racing Commission. Commissioner Tarpley, do you want the
Special Privilege Tax or Occupational License paid daily?
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Commissioner Tarpley: No, I just want it paid before they open, like
• everyone else. It's due on October 1. You can't call it taxation -
any kind of a license, or permit, or anything like that, iantt taxa-
tion. Doesn't make .any difference what kind of business youtre in.
The point I'm getting at is that the City allowed them to operate one
year in arrears when every other business man in town has to buy an
Occupational License before he can open the doors. So, I think this
• Ordinance should be amended and they buy their license at the same
time as everyone else, which is October 1. The State Racing Commis-
sion set their amount of days and their taxation is $10.00 per day.
In the past, they have been operating 100 days , which is $1000.00.
This year, they got five additional days days which would be $1050.00.
I can see no reason why they should be allowed to go a year before
• they get their license. Any other business man could come up here
and ask for the same kind of consideration and, then, in the middle
of the year, go broke, and not -buy any' license at all.
Attorney Walden: Well, let me say this particular Ordinance we have
for the $10.00 a day rate comes from the Florida State Statutes under
• Jai Alai Frontons, and its the only type of license we can impose.
Commissioner Tarpley: The reason I brought it up is that I cantt see
having two Ordinances pertaining to businesses on the books, when one
Ordinance would cover the whole thing.
S Attorney Walden: Let me make this suggestion . . . if the majority of
the Commission wants the Ordinance to be amended, it can be done very
easily. If the majority so instruct me, I'll change the language in
Section 23-7 to make the amendment. Mr. Tarpley, your whole motion
is that they pay in advance - right? - because we now have our
Ordinance so they don't pay in advance, but after the season.
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Commissioner Tarpley: Right.
Commissioner Grammer: I'm going to second that because I figure this
way . I pay for my license in advance and everybody else does.
Sometimes I buy a license in a town that I never do a .job in, but
they still get the fee. I figure this way .. . maybe sometime Jai Alai
will decide not to open longer in the year when the season is done,
but we still get our license like we do from anybody else, so I'm
going to second Mr. Tarpley's motion.
City Clerk: How do you want the motion to read to amend 'the Ordinance?
Attorney Walden: To amend Section 23-7 of the Code of Ordinances to
read that the Jai Alai Fronton pay $10.00 per day for each day of
operation, payable in advance, the effective date being October 1,
1964 for the 1964-65 Season.
• Mayor Hill: Are they open the same amount of days every year?
Commissioner Young: As a rule they are, except this year They got
five additional days this year., The State Racing Commission tells
them how many days they can operate before:they open.
Mayor Hill called for a vote, which-was as follows:
Grammer Yes
Tarpley Yes
Young Yes
Hill Yes
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(17)
p Commissioner Tarpley: I have something here to show you how much
the City of Dania is in a rut. Quite a few years ago, we had Court
Costs set at $3.001
and the way they arrived at that Figure . . . $1.00
went to the Policemen, $1.00 went to the Judge, and $1.00 went to the
City. I think we ought to move ahead a little. Most of the surround-
ing communities and cities have Court Costs set at $5.00.
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A motion was made by Commissioner Tarpley that a resolution be drawn
and passed to increase the Court Costs from $3.00 to $5.00, effective
immediately. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Grammer, and
the roll being called, the Commissioners voted as follows:
• Grammer Yes
Tarpley Yes
Young Yes
Hill Yes
(18)
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Commissioner Tarpley: In checking around, I find that we don't have
flag poles on our West Side Park or Frost Park. There is quite a
bit of activity in these parks every day and I feel that we should
have a flag flying in the parks to remind the children who are grow-
ing up that we do have an American Flag - and, to me, itts the most
• beautiful flag there is. I would like to see flag poles installed
in the West Side Park and Frost Park.
A motion was made by Commissioner Tarpley that flag poles be erected
in all four City Parks. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Grammer, and the roll being called, the Commissioners voted as
1 follows:
Grammer Yes
Tarpley Yes
Young Yes
Hill Yes
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(19)
Commissioner Tarpley: Articles are still appearing in the paper re-
garding our "Private Meetings,!' and I believe these should be desig-
nated as "Conferences."
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A motion was made by Mr. Tarpley to have the Press sit in on all
Conferences. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Grammer, and
the roll being .called, the Commissioners voted as follows:
Grammer Yes
• Tarpley Yes
Young Yes
Hill Yes
(20)
• Commissioner Tarpley: It was called to my attention by some of the
merchants that the process of making .a left hand turn lane uptown
on Federal Highway and Beach Boulevard, would cut out all of the
parking for their business. This afternoon, I stood with some of
them for approximately a half hour to 45 minutes observing the
traffic. We noticed cars still parking on the aides and when the
light was against traffic on Federal Highway, there would be cars
sitting there four abreast. There is room enough there to have a
left-hand turn lane and still have two lanes of traffic going through,
and another space for downtown parking. I would like to recommend
that the City Manager and the Chief of Police get in touch with the
S.R.D. tomorrow morning and have them come down and take a survey.
I think they can see for themselves that there is ample room for
parking and -the left-hand turn lane.
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• (21)
Commissioner Tarpley: Actually the salary of the City Manager used
to be $6000. It was raised to J9000, with the understanding that
there would be an Assistant hired to the City Manager. Mr. Houston
made the statement that he didn't need an Assistant, so he'd take
the whole $9000. Then we come along and hire another one and start
him off at $8000 . . . then we hire another one and start him off at
$8300. Keep goint , I'd like the job.
Commissioner Grammert Go far enough, I might even give it another
a whirl.
Commissioner Young: Incidentally, Mr. Grammer, did you get your two
weeks severance pay?
Commissioner Grammer: I haven't even been fired yet.
Commissioner Tarpley: This starting salary of $8500 was never dis-
cussed. I didn't hear anything about it until I heard it up here.
It caught me completely by surprise. The whole works, as far as
that goes.
Commissioner Grammer: Well, I will say this .. . what's done, has
been done. It was never discussed with me whether they were going
to pay him $8000, $8500, $3000, or $2000. I mean it never was
talked about. We might have it set for $8000 or J9000. We hired a
man at $8500, and I hate to see cutting a man's salary the first
week he sits up hereon the Commission. So, what is done, is done
. I would like to see it made that way . . . it was a vote and the
man got the job at $8500, and I 'd like to see him have. the $8500.
Commissioner Young: I'm not for cutting a man's salary the first
week. What I'm trying to do is to adopt some policy for a starting
salary. I mean, we might hire somebody else and start him over
$10,000. The way things are going now -
Commissioner Tarpley: Well, I'll go along with you on that.
Commissioner Grammer: I would like to adopt a policy tonight for
starting new City Managers off. at $8000 a year. I'm for that.
Commissioner Tarpley: I think you ought to set a quota of how many
you could have at one time '. . . we had three at one time.
Commissioner Young: Well, gentlemen, as far as that goes, we did
not have three at one time. If you will look at your Resolution
you will find it supersedes all previous action . . . I mean, it's ok
to joke about it, but -
Commissioner Grammer: I'd like to give the City Manager a rest . . .
we got a man hired here, let the man work. Letts forget about the
City Manager for a while and try to think of something else.
Commissioner Young: ,All kidding aside, we should agree on a base
pay. The way it is now, it's just been jumping from one thing to
another.
Commissioner Grammer: Altight, , I 'll make a motion for any new City
Manager we hire for a period of six months, receives $8000 for the
first six months. If he's the man we want and is qualified, he goes
to $9000.
Commissioner Tarpley: I'll second the motion.
j Commissioner Young: In business, you're supposed to hire a man.for.
his capabilities and you're supposed to pay him for his capabilities.
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We have no way of knowing what will happen by September . . . he might
® demand $9000, $9500, or $10,000. In three or four years time, the
area might have doubled in population - or tripled. We don't know
what's going to happen and I don't believe it's in the best interests
of business to restrict the salary someone is paid.
Commissioner Tarpley: Well, Mr. Young, Just -because the beginning
O is $8000, doesn't mean we can't increase if the City expands and it
is required -that we pay more to the City Manager. At the present
time, we have no policy whatsoever . . . you just reach up in the air
and pull out figures . . . wetll pay this man this . . . and I don't
need an assistant, I'll take it all . . . and, to me, I don't think
• it's right. We should have a starting point somewhere.
Commissioner Grammer: I'm going to have to agree with Mr. Tarpley
because, getting back to the budget, I think .it was $9000 set in
there for the City Manager. Right? Well, our City Manager before
this collected $9000.
Commissioner Young: Now let's just give an example. At one time,
thebudgetary figure for the City Manager of Dania was $6000 a year.
Now supposing that the starting salary of a man had been• restricted
to say $5000. If we had a good, qualified matt, we'd say "We'd like
to make it $9000, but we can't start you off at that." I .just
don't see where any worthwhile purpose is being served. It seems
to me that qualifications and advances and many other things enter
into it.
Commissioner Tarpley: You refer to the budget, Mr. Young, but in
the action which was taken on hiring Mr. Culverson the other night,
it wasntt even taken into consideration. The budget wasn't even
mentioned. .You made the statement yourself. The City Manager used
to get $6000 . it's up to $9000 now . . . so I can't see where it's
restricted. You can always raise a salary, or you can lower it:
We haven't had any public policy on that.
Commissioner Young: I know, but thatts what I'm trying to do now
. . . trying to adopt one.
Commissioner Tarpley: Do you have a plan formulated for starting
salaries for the City Clerk, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Building
Inspector .. or is it to be a discriminatory act against one
position in the City?
Commissioner Young: Well, the salary is set every year. Itts set
in the budget.
Commissioner Grammer: So next year, at the time of the budget or
at the time we want to vote on the City Manager's salary - it was
raised $3000 once before - it can be raised some more. Maybe I
won't even be here . maybe you won't even want to be here. This
is just something that weere doing. Maybe the next Commissioners
who come in here can raise it to $15,000. There's nothing we can
do about it. I mean, we can pass a Resolution, and the next
�. Commission can come right back and pass one, and by-pass another
one.
Mayor Hill: We can pass this motion tonight and when we have a
meeting in two weeks from now, pass another one. I don't see any
purpose in a motion. I feel the salary should be studied at the
:4 time we hire the person. I dontt 'see any purpose in this . . . we
could come back in two weeks from now and undo what we are arguing
about doing tonight.
Commissioner Grammer: We can do anything that way, matam.
Mayor Hill: That's right.
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Commissioner Grammars So what's the need of passing anything?
Mayor Hill: I don't see the need of this.
A motion was made by Commissioner Grammer that the starting salary
® of the City Manager be $8000 for the first six months and if he is
retained, it go to $9000. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Tarpley, and the roll being called, the Commissioners voted as
follows:
Grammer Yes
• Tarpley Yes
Young ' Pass
Hill Pass
(22)
• Commissioner Grammer: I've been with the new Commission for six or
seven months. I ran a campaign over on the West Side Park - I be-
lieve nine of we Commissioners were there - and every candidate, at
that time, promised the people over there that they'd work out a
salary for them - a weekly salary, like we have for other employees.
I would like to see some action taken for these people. I think
• the boys who work in our Sanitation and Road Departments (I know
every now and then we have to hire extra men - I'm not talking about
them, I 'm talking about boys who have been with us for three, four,
five , and some of them eight and ten years) are still on an hourly
basis. You know the price of things has gone up and when it rains,
the boys lose money. Sometimes they make $40 or 42 a week, and a
• man - I don't care who he is - in this day and time cannot live on
$42 a week if he has to pay rent, has a family and has to buy decent
clothes for them. I'd like to see us help those people . .. I know
I promised them, and every other candidate on that platform .
promised. I'd like to see some action taken to help them.
• Mayor Hill: I agree with you Commissioner Grammer, and I think per-
haps our City Manager could sit down with us and work out something.
Commissioner Tarpley:I feel the same way but there's nothing we can
do at the time being .. . it's between now and budget time
Commissioner Grammer: Let's forget about the budget because I. didn't
have anything to do with it. That budget was made before .I came on
this Commission. I told the people I'd help them, and I'm going to
help them. I'll go down fighting for them just like I' do everything
else.
• Commissioner Tarpley:Well, Itm not going against them Mr. Grammer.
Commissioner Grammer" We rob the budget here,' and here, and here . . .
and I think these hardworking guys (I know they're hardworking be-
cause I worked with them a month) deserve some consideration from the
City now and it shouldn't be put off another seven months.
Commissioner Tarpley: You know what I'll do right now? Make a
motion that we table this until the next meeting and then we'll take
action on it.
• Commissioner Grammer: Mr. Tarpley, this can be tabled from now on -
Commissioner Tarpley: I said the next meeting -
Commissioner Grammer: I'm going to say this . you can table it
now, vote against it, or whatever you want to do. I'm going to say
let the City Manager meet with these -people, and I'll be glad to
t;
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talk to him and meet with the people. I'm on the Street Department
. we could get together with the Chairman of Sanitation .. . talk
with these boys and work out a program. Let's get going . . . let's
don't talkfor another seven months.
Commissioner Tarpley: I said the next meeting.
Commissioner Grammer: Never mind the next meeting . . . let's do it
tonight, because it will be the next meeting before we can get it
passed. We.have to meet the boys and talk to them then the City
Manager can tell us what the boys want. If we want it, we'll go for
It . . . if we don't, we'll just flatly ,turn them down.
Commissioner Tarpley: How can you pass on something you don't know
you're going to get?
Commissioner Grammer: I'm not trying to pass on anything. All I
said was that the City Manager should be given authority to call the
boys in and talk to them .. . talk about what they want and what we
can give. He will report at the next meeting .let's take action
on it then - or we don't take action. That's all.
Commissioner Tarpley: That's ,what I said.
Commissioner Grammer I said let this man talk to them, and you said
table it until the next meeting.
Commissioner Tarpley: We're going to have to in order to talk to
them . . . you can't talk to them now..
Commissioner Young: To be perfectly frank about it, I thiuk':that
Mr. Culverson should meet with them in the very near future and
figure out things. He should then bring back to us his recommenda-
tions for a formulated weekly salary. I think we should instruct him ,
at this time to bring a report to us at the next regular meeting, so
that we can consider action on it at that time. That would be my
suggestion.
There being no further business , the meeting adjourned.
Sir
tearyVkhornhill
City Clerk
G✓
Vera L. HILL
Mayor Commissioner
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