01-18-55SpMtg222
JANUAHY 18TH, 1955.
A Special Meeting of the ~ity Commission of the ~ity of
Oelray Beach, was held in the ~ity Hall at 2:30 P.M., with
Mayor W. J. Snow in the Chair, City Manager W. E. Lawson Jr.,
the City Attorney and following Commissioners being present:
E. J. Barrow, Glenn B. Sundy, Catherine E. Strong and
W. Cottingham Allen.
The City Manager discussed various items of needed equip-
ment to properly grade and re-surface streets, namely a fair
sized ~oller, a Sand Spreader, a }lot-Mix Spreader and a Power
Broom, requiring an approximate outlay of ~10,000.00. The City
Manager, however, stressed the importance, prior to any street
re-surfacing, of determining the proper elevation for such
surfacing for £uture benefit with relation to ultimate under-
ground utility installations.
Mr. George Warren discussed the opinions of Chamber of
Commerce Members relative to the contemplated One-Way Traffic
plans, which, it was learned had been oostponed as of today.
Nr. Warren advised of many favoring the plan for a trial period
and many opposed the plan. Elimination of various left turns
was favored by many and also met with dis-favor from some members
and merchants, there being considerm.ble concern from some
Merchants on the side streets, which might be affected by such
elimination, as to the possible curtailment of their affected
businesses. ·
SE 3rd Avenue and Atlantic intersection with the present
left turns seems to present the greatest factor in snarling of
traffic and a solution of that problem wo,~ld greatly benefit
the Atlantic Avenue traffic situation, particularly the p~rking
problem, if a suitable sign mi~ht be placed at that intersection
di~'ecting parking to the City's Free Parking Lot, when made
ready for parking, at SE 3rd Avert'ac and 1st Street.
Mr. Warren further stated that the m~jority of members
felt that the trailertrucks, being permitted on Atlantic Ave.,
created the greatest hazard to all concerned and should be
re-routed. The Chamber requested that, if possible, effort be
extended to lessen the accumulation of debris, dirt, etc.~
recently rioter on Atlantic avenue.
Mayor Snow, in commenting on the re-routing of trucks,
mentioned the hazard from trailer-trucks being operated on ill-
lighted streets and that truck drivers obviously always chose
the best lighted thoroughfares, and the re-routing of trucks
in the City would require installation of additional lighting
facilities.
Mr. C. W. Garner and Mr. Ray Smock favoPed the elimina-
tion of Atlantic Avenue usage by trucks.
Commissioner Strong brought out the fact that other to,ms
and cities permit a limited usage of its main thoroughfares by
panel trucks and believed that Delray Beach should do likewise
prohibiting trailer-trucks from Atlantic Avenue, between Federal
Highway and Swinton Avenue.
Mr. Garner believed that the pre~ent left turns being
allowed constitute the greatest single factor~ and mentioned the
possibility of considering the North and South Avenues for one-
way traffic.
The City Manager was instructed to contact the University
of Miami, the University of Florida and the International Asso-
ciation of Chiefs of Police in an attempt to obtain a survey
group for a study of the traffic problem and a recommendation
from such body for a possible solution to the traffic situation
in Delray Beach, which expert consultant help in this regard
the City Manager felt was necessary to reach a proper solution.
223
JANUARY 18TH, 1955.
Commissioner Strong again expressed her desire for an early
trial period of one-way traffic in an effort to solve the present
serious situation, however, agreed to await a study and survey
by an experienced group and the establishment of an East-Bound
traffic plan to be effected at the earliest possible date and not
unduly delay a trial period of one-way traffic, in which Con~nis-
sioner Allen was in complete accord. ~
Mr. Jack Keating thought that such plan should be delayed
until after the "Season", definitely making no change, at this
time, however, until a recommendation has been submitted by an
experienced survey group. Mr. ~eating further inquired as to
intended parking plans when one-way traffic is installed, slso,
what steps are being taken by the City towards obtaining parking
area off Atlantic Avenue.
Mr. Warren felt that a parking lo% of 200 car capacity
would greatly alleviate the parking problem supplementing the
Railroad property on SE 3rd Avenue being made available for park-
ing and sufficiently indicated by proper signs at Atlantic and
SE 3rd Avenues, by the Bank.
Commissioner Strong favored, the development of various
parking lot accommodations rather than one central area.
Commissioner Strong moved that the Commission endorse the
effort of the Pahokee Chamber of Commerce to obtain an official
naming of "Herbert }ioover Dike" in place of the present identified
Lake Okeechobee levee. Commissioner Barrow seconded the motion
and upon call of roll - Mayor Snow, Commissioners Barrow, Strong,
and Allen favored the endorsement. Commissioner Sundy opposed.
Some discussion was had pertaining to an attempt in obtain-
ing aid from the Parent Teachers Association in connection with
the direction and control of traffic by school children.
Commissioner Allen moved for Comm/mion endorsement of the
following itesolution relative to the need of Sidewalks in the
Plumosa Park School area;
iiESOLUTION NO. 944.
WHEREAS, there exists a dangerous traffic condition in
the Plumosa Park School area in that there are no sidewalks for
the children to walk upon, and
WHL~AS, part of the area involved lies outside the City
limits of the City of Delray Beach;
NOW, TI~FORE, BE IT ~SOLVED by the City Commission
of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, that the City of Delray
Beach does hereby request the Palm Beach County Commission and
the Palm Beach County School Board to take affirmative action to
provide sidewalks in the County area, or to take such other
action as they may see fit to prevent endangering the lives of
school children attending Plumosa Elementary School.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission of the Oity
of Delray Beach, Florida, on this the 18th day of January, A.D.,
1955.
/s/ W. J. Snow
Mayo r
ATTEST:
/s/ i~. D. Worthing
City Clerk
Motion seconded by Commissi-ner Strong and unanimously carried.
224
J~U. AiiY 18Tii., 1955
Commissioner Strong commented on the recent Committee
appointments to clarify the understanding of all concerned as
to the lengths of various terms in office of certain Committees.
~eference was n~de to an undesirable accumulation o£ debris
on city land a,t SE 7th ~venue and 3rd Street which the City Hanager
agreed would be eliminated immediately.
1'he meeting then adjourned.
APPROVED:
~iayor
ATTEST:
City clerk