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HomeMy WebLinkAbout86446 - MINUTES - City Commission MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING, CITY COMMISSION, CITY OF DANIA, FLORIDA, HELD AUGUST 4, 1958. The City Commission of the City of Dania, Florida, met in Regular Session in the Commission Room at the City Hall. PRESENT WERE: MAYOR COMMISSIONER FRANK E. EBY COMMISSIONERS E. B. ELKINS ROBERT E. HOUSTON JAMES J. MCMILLAN E. S. TUBBS, JR. CITY ATTORNEY CLARKE WALDEN CHIEF OF POLICE GEORGE WILLIAMS ' CITY CLERK MARY THORNHILL Meeting called to order at 8:00 P. M. by Mayor Eby. Minutes of meeting Yield July 79 read. A motion was made by Commissioner Elkins minutes be adopted as read; motion seo- onded by Commissioner Tubbs, and the' roll being called, the following commissioners voted: Elkins Yes Houston Yes McMillan Yes Tubbs Yes Eby Yes "AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE PLAT OF FLORIAN ISLES", was read. A motion was made by Commissioner Houston this ordinance be pass- ed on second reading; motion seconded by Commissioner Elkins, and the roll being called, the following commissioners voted: Elkins Yes Houston Yes McMillan Yes Tubbs Yes ' Eby Yes A bill from Buzza Concrete in the amount of $362.00 for 181 . feet of sidewalk on Dixie Highway, and a bill from Arthur J. Collins, in the amount of $C1,1�05.00 for labor and material used on the construction of an entrance to Dania Memorial Park Cem- tery, were presented.. . A motion was made by Commissioner McMillan these bills be paid; motion seconded by Commissioner. Tubba, and the roll being called, the following commissioners voted: Elkins Yes Houston Yes McMillan Yes Tubbs Yes Eby Yes Plot plan for an addition to existing building of Apex Products, Inc. , was presented. Commissioner Houston stated that the plan shows a 5 foot fence, 70 feet in length on the south side of the property, that he thought it could be out to 4 feet, as the real purpose of a ' fence or wall was to keep papers from blowing on to other pro- perty and to keep headlights from cars shining into windows of adjacent buildings. 2 - Commissioner Tubbs stated that the plans did not show a dry well in the parking lot. Each property is to take care of its own drainage . Bumper curbs on the alley should also be shown on the plan. A motion was made by Commissioner Tubbs to approve the plat plan showing all water from the present building and the new addition draining on the parking lot , a dry well installed on the parking lot, a 4 foot wall on the south side of the property, and bumper curbs on the alley, with all permits taken out at the same time; motion seconded by Commissioner Elkins, and the roll being called, the following commissioners voted: Elkins Yes Houston Yes McMillan Yes Tubbs Yes Eby Yes Mr. . Thomas Berryhill, representing the Peoples Water & Gas Company, outlined briefly a proposed franchise. He stated that it was the same franchise that hdd been entered into with the cities of Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park and Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. It is 2% of the gross until nat- ural gas is available, then 3% of gross. He introduced Mr. Bills from the Gas Company. Mr. Bills stated that the Peoples Water & Gas Company was or- ganized in 1926. In 1926 -27 -28 franchises were negotiated with various communities in Broward County, and they are all about to expire and we are now negotiating for new franchises. A copy of our proposed franchise has been furnished your City Attorney and members of the Commission. As Mr. Berryhill told you the franchise pays 2% at the present time, as soon as nat- ural gas is available it will be 3%. We have been told that the pipe line will be completed by July 1, 1959• As soon as ' it is available we will convert over to natural gas. On Jan- uary 1 when we start to borrow money it will make it look a lot better if we can get these franchises signed. We are very anxious to get one in Dania. Mayor Eby asked Mr. Bills what territory did they serve. Mr. Bills stated that their territory was from 79th Street in Miami north to the county line, all of Miami Beach, and all of Broward County. Commissioner Tubbs asked if their operation would put the bottle gas companies out of business? Mr. Bills. stated that it was not their intention to put any one out of business. The bottle gas companies will still oper- ate in the fringe areas where the gas lines are not available. You cannot grant an exclusive franchise. This franchise will not effect any other operation. It will give us the right to use your streets and the right to put lines in your city. If you have a franchise in existence, you would not grant another. Commissioner Tubbs asked if the 3% gross would be as high as the company would go? Mr. Bills stated that it would. That the power company was paying 6%, however, they deduct ad valorem taxes, personal property taxes and any other taxes they might pay, where the gas company does not. So it about balances out, you do not actually receive 6p from the power company. The cost of conversion will amount to approximately N25.00 per customer, and will be done by them. - 3 - Commissioner Houston asked Mr. Bills how far the pipe lines extended into the property? Mr. Bills stated that it had been the company policy since 1950 to extend 6 inches into the property line. Commissioner McMillan stated that he thought something should be done about the telephone franchise while they were thinking a- bout one with the gas company. Comunissioner Houston stated that he thought it should be brought on the floor in an open meeting the same as the gas franchise. Mayor Eby referred any action on the franchise to the Utilities Committee for a recommendation, and also ask a representative from the telephone company to appear before the commission, at the next meeting if possible. A motion was made by Commissioner Houston that all bids be closed; motion seconded by Commissioner Tubbs, and carried. Bids for the paving of N. W. Second Street and N. W. llth Avenue, were presented as follows: CURCIE BROTHERS 2,520 sq. yds. 1.13 A2847.60 1,450 sq. yds. 1.13 1:638.50 Engineering 170.00 Total 0,41656.1U Fill cu. yd. .80 R. H. WRIGHT a SON 2,520 sq. yds. ?�1.28 ti32225.60 1,450 sq. yds. 1.28 1,856.00 Total s0d= ' BROVIARD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY 2,520 sq. yds. 1.75 $4,410.00 Total sq. yds. 1.75 2,537.50 Total _ Tot •r , A motion was made by Commissioner Houston that due to the fact that fill was figured separately in one bid, that all bids be referred to the Engineer for tabulation and a recommendation at a special meeting to be held August 6 at 12:00 Noon; motion seconded by Commissioner McMillan, and the roll being called, the following commissioners voted: Elkins Yes Houston Yes McMillan Yes Tubbs Yes Eby Yes Attorney Walden read "NOTICE OF HEARING ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 1, 1958 AND ENDING AUGUST 31, 195911. Mayor Eby called for any objections, comments or questions on ' the 1958-1959 Budget. Sterling Collins thanked the commission for the recreation build- ing to be built in the near future in the West Side Park. He stated that they had a well organized recreation program at this time and thap they were in need of a full time recreation dir- ector to direct the activities, and they were asking that a full time director be put in the budget this year. There will have to be a caretaker for the building when it is completed, and that they needed some qualified help. - 4 - Myron Wall, President of the Dania Chamber of Commerce stated that members of the commission were presented a copy of the budget for CC , and in that budget they asked for an additional appropriation from the commission this year. That they had a new Secretary-Manager that was doing a fine job, also a new building on city owned property, and he felt they had a won- derful year ahead of them. Mr. Bennett, Secretary-Manager of the CC , stated that accord- ing to the advertised budget , there is an increase in all salaries for employees in the new budget. That he felt they were on the city payroll, they are the cities public relations agent. Mayor Eby advised that the commission was aware of the necess- ity for a man to take care of the building and equipment when it is completed in the West Side Park. We have not discussed with our present Recreation Director as to how we are going to take care of the recreation program at this now building. Commissioner McMillan stated that he felt sure we could come up with some feasible plan when the building is finished as we will need some one to take care of the building. Mayor Eby stated that the commission considered the request of the CC and studied their budget and they were aware of the fact of their indebtedness in the construction of their new build- ing. That the Chambers of Commerce in adjoining cities act- ually operate their overhead from memberships. The appropria- tions given them by the cities is strictly for advertising. That has been the bone of contention here for a number of years, and was one of the reasons we held up on it this year. Mr. Bennett stated that it was true the cities around so stip- ulate that the -appropriation is for advertising. That they did set up in their new budget an increase in dues, and that the Chamber, was not standing idly by, they were trying to increase revenue. He also cited appropriations made by cities in other sections of Ylorida for advertising by the CC. Commissioner Houston stated that the statement made by Mr. Eby was the thought of this board for the last four years , that the money appropriated for the CC was for advertising and pro- motion. In fact four years ago when the appropriation was raised to $4,000 it was so stipulated. But judging from the statement furnished us each month by the Chamber, we have been carrying the expense for at least one clerk. I agree with every one else that the Chamber is making strides, the new manager is showing proper interest, you have a new building, and yet you. are asking for an increase of sl3,400. In my opinion it is not fair to use figures of other cities when you have an establishment such as the Fronton that advertises Dania all over the world. The Dania Bank also spends a lot of money ad- vertising Dania. We have something here these other cities do not have. I for one would like to see this activity go on for a while before this board makes a change. We will have some money left over from this budget other than the $100,000, and I would like to see it put in a contingency fund, and if you can show me this work is going to progress as it has the last few months I will be willing to go along with an addition- al appropriation. i My thoughts are the same on a recreational director at the 41est Side Park when the new building is completed. I do not think it is necessary to change this budget. I know a director is needed, When the building frill be finished we do not know, we have not received the bids yet. Sterling Collins said he understood from the conversation that no definite date had been set when the building would be finish- ed, it could be one year or ten years from now. - 5 Commissioner Houston stated that he did not see where he got that impression as he had just said the t-25,000 had been put in next years budget for this building, and that funds left over from the present budget could be appropriated for a recreation if the need arises. I do not see where we could say when the building could be completed, bids are due two weeks from to- night. There has been times when we had to readvertise for bids due to the cost, so we have no way of telling what will happen when these bids ccme in. Commissioner McMillan stated that he would like to see some ap- propriation made to the Chamber, either $1,000 --t1,500 or what- ever could be made, toward paying for the building. They cer- tainly need something. None of us would like to live in a com- munity where there was not a Chamber of Commerce any more than a church. There are a lot of empty stores up and down the main street and I think Dania needs to kick up something here to get more business. Commissioner Houston stated that he told members of the Chamber and that he thought he made himself clear, - that the money would be available from the surplus of this year's budget, if they made the proper showing, they would be given some help. Mr. Wall thanked the commission and said they would give the proper showing, and knew the commission would keep their word. Felix Williams -- The $100,000 you have appropriated for storm sewers in this budget, are you able fit this time to tell us in what area this money will be spent? Mayor Eby advised Mr. Williams that the commission felt that as long as the streets and alleys are going to be torn up install- ing sanitary sewers, the city should do something about the drainage on the east side. Especially along S. E. Second Avenue, as all the water from Federal Highway drains down there. The engineers.. will recommend what area and the way the drainage is , to be taken care of when their survey is completed, which should be in about 60 days. Felix Williams -- I would like to know if the survey wade by Smith and Gillespie four or five years ago has been made avail- able to the engineers? It was a very comprehensive program and was in three phases, the first was the business district, second was the older section of Dania and third was the east side. Commissioner Houston advised Mr. Williams that building came to a halt two years ago on the east side. We worked out a plan at that time with the Health Department for a short time. We are at the point now where we have to do something or development on the east side is stopped completely. I think our number one project today is in the east marsh district. That is also where our water problem is. What the engineers will come up with we do not know. Felix Williams -- I would like to ask the Vice-Mayor how the health department can force anything today, they could not force us to do anything four years ago? Commissioner Houston -- Whether they can enforce. it or not, if something is not done , building will cease, it has practically ' done so now. Felix Williams -- Here you are appropriating 'Nto'100,000 for storm sewers and quibble over a few thousand dollars for the Chamber of Commerce. The other towns in this area cooperate with the Chamber of Commerce, they do not have to go to meetings and beg for something. Now is the time to do something, it is about time this commission woke up to the fact that the merchants con- tribute a lot to the economic condition of this city. They are - 6 - handicapped in that a lot of them live out of th6L:city and cannot have a voice. We have one of the greatest trade poten- tials here of any where in the county, due to the fact we do not have parking meters. Commissioner Houston -- I would like to answer Mr. Williams-- I have talked to the directors of the Chamber of Commerce, and I think when they hear a statement made here, they know we will stand behind what we say. n'A RESOLUTION OFFICIALLY ADOPTING AND 'PPROVING THE ANNUAL BUDGET, AND FIXING THE AMOUNT AND RATE OF TAXATION, AND MAKE ING THE TAX LEVY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1958 - 1959", was read by Attorney Walden. A motion was made by Commissioner McMillan this resolution be adopted; 'motion seconded by Commissioner Tubbs , and the roll being called, the following commissioners voted: Elkins Yes Houston Yes McMillan Yes Tubbs Yes Eby Yes Mr. Bixler, representing the North Central Hollywood Beach Civic Association requested permission to erect a directional sign on the Southeast Corner of South Federal Highway and Dania Beach Boulevard reading "Dania Beach -- Hollywood Beach". We have the approval of the Atlantic Refining Company if we can get the commission to approve it. This sign, we feel, will direct traffic to the beach so we can get more customers. All the people living on the beach do their shopping in Dania. Mayor Eby advised Mr. Bixler that this was in direct violation of our sign ordinance. That an exception had been made re- cently to erect a sign on the Katherine Hotel advertising Dania and the Fronton. Commissioner Houston stated that all the business on the beach was in Hollywood. That there were motels along Federal High- way in Dania. What do you want to d ol; take business away from them? That was the purpose of the directional sign ordinance in the first place. Your motive is selfish, and I do not blame you. There is a limit to what you can build up. , if any- thing at the beach. If anything has been done to build up Hollywood beach it has been what we have done at our beach. Sde have merchants here, they do not want the traffic diverted to Hollywood . The answer to your problem, and I have said this for years-- that is -- everything north of Sheridan Street should be in the City of Dania. We go to the beach and spend $100,000-- it is spent for every body but Dania. It benefits Hollywood, they raise ad valorem taxes every time we make an improvement out there. Mayor Eby advised Mr. Bixler that this request could not be granted unless he made a request for a variance and the com- mission held a public hearing so that every one could be heard, and then the commission could take some action on it. tie have a lot of motel owners here that are crying for business, and they would object to this being granted. Mr. Robert Morris, Manager of the Lobster House on East Dania reach boulevard requested permission to erect a aign advertis= ing the Lobster House on the north side of Dania Beach Boulevard. He stated that they had made quite an investment here and they did not seem to be getting the proper return and he thought a sign across the street would help. 3' ' - 7 - A motion was made by Commissioner Houston that a letter be written to the commission requesting a variance for the erect- ion of the sign for the Lobster House; motion seconded by Com- missioner Elkins and carried. A motion was made by Commissioner Tubbs that due to Labor Day being the first Monday in September, the regular meeting be held Tuesday, September 2; motion seconded by Commissioner Elkins and carried. A motion was made by Commissioner Houston to advertise for bids for the construction of a sea wall and boat ramps in 30 Acre park for September 2, 1958, at 8:30 P.M. otclock; motion second- ' ed by Commissioner Tubbs , and the roll being called, the follow- ing Commissioners voted: Elkins Yes Houston Yes McMillan Yes Tubbs Yes Eby Yes There being no further business, on motion and vote, the meet- ing adjourned. MAR} THORNHILL City Clerk L �1 FRANK E. EBY Mayor-Commissione '