09-01-532SpMtg 1.65
S~T?~BEH 1st, 1953
A Special )ieeting of the Cit~. Council, with the Negro Civic
League, was held in the Council Vhambers at 7:30 P.M. to discuss
a Bathing Beach for colored citizens, with Vice-}iayor Ii. J. Holland
in the Chair, and City Manager Robert Lovelace and the following
Councilmen present: W. A. Jacobs, John N. Kabler, and Mrs. Alma
K. Woehle, a quorum being present.
City Manager Lovelace advised the Council that he planned to
combine his vacation with his trip to Los Angeles, California, to
attend the annual conference of the International City Managers
Association to be held September 20th - 24th. This was agreeable
to the Council.
City Manager Lovelace then explained that he had been instruct-
ed to arrange this meeting with the Negro Civic League to discuss
the problem of providing a Colored Bathing Beach. One parcel of
land south of the City is available, }ir. Lovelace stated, but the
price is exorbitant, and a ;ms~ible second tract is not available
at the present time because of a complication of ownership. The
Drice of ocean frontage as compsred to what the City can handle
is fantastic, Mr. Lovelace pointed out, and if ~roperty were to
be condemned there is a question as to whether the City of Delray
Beach could do it outside of the City limits, and for the benefit
of persons who are not residents of the City. However, he believed
that if Palm Beach County would undertake such a project the City
~ould participate with the funds accumulated for this purpose.
Councilman Jacobs stated that taxpayer's money must be used for
the benefit of citizens of the City only, and it would not be pos-
sible to confine a public beach outside of the City limits to citi-
zens of this City.
Spencer Pompey, LeRoy Baine, and several members of the Civic
League addressed the Council, urging the Council to take some im-
mediate action to provide a bathing Beach for their people, and
especially for their ~hildren. "hey suggested that a portion of
the present Mile of Public Beach be allocated for their use if
nothing else could be ~rovided. They would not be satisfied with
a swimming pool in connection with their Recreation Center until
ocean bathin, g is also provided.
After further discussion it was agreed that the only feasible
solution would be to petition the Board of County Commissioners to
provide a beach in the south end o~ Palm Beach County for colored
residents, and the Co,moil agreed to endorse such petition by
wolution, and to go before the County Commissioners, if necessary,
on behalf of the Negro Civic League in order to get the project
und er way.
City Manager Lovelace was also instructed to contact the City
of Boynton Beach as to the possibility of joining with that City
in providing a public Bathing Beach for negroes in this particular
area.
The meeting then adjourned.
City Clerk
Mayor