08-29-49SpMtg[
AUGUST 29, 1949
A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Delray
Beach was held in the City Manager's office at 4:30 p. m. with
Mayor J. L. Saunders in the Chair, and City Manager Charles E. Black
and the following Councilmen present: John N. Kabler, Nell E. Mac-
Millian, and Walter A. Hoth, a quorum belng present.
' City Manager Black reported to the Council that funds in the
Operating Account were exhausted, although there were balances in
other accounts which could be borrowed for a few weeks to meet
operating expenses until the end of the fiscal year.
Councilman Kabler, as Chairman of the Finance Committee,
commended that a definite policy be set at this time, to take care
of these situations as they come dp from year to year. The City
Charter provides, he stated, that the Council may borrow money up to
one-half the amount of the taxes assessed for the year in which such
moneF is borrowed, and issue notes in the name of the City. He urged
the Council to adopt such a policy, to be followed at this time and
in the future whenever necessary. This would not interfere with
balances in other accounts which had been set up for definite pur-
poses, and would force each Council to plan accordingly, and also
to plan the next year's budget to take care of such situations.
It was the consensus of opinion of the Council that such a
policy would force them to realize that these emergencies must be
provided for, as extra requests during the year, and storm damages,
are liable to upset the budget as estimated at the beginning of the
fiscal year.
City Manager Black also explained that the storm damage last
year was taken care of without asking for any extra funds, whereas
two years ago an extra assessment had been put on water bills to cover
this expense. This year he planned to clean up the City, after the
recent storm, with City crews and equipment, if aggreable to the
CounCil, and with as little expense as possible.
A motion was then made by Councilman Kabler, seconded by Council-
man MacMillan, that the City Manager be authorized to borrow ~15,000.00
from the local Bank, for sixty day~, to apply to the General Fund, to
meet operating expenses for the balance of this fiscal year. Upon
call of roll the motion carried unanimously.
Councilman Brannon then entered the meeting.
City Manager Black advised the Council that Dr. J. R. Nieder
had filed his application for Homestead Exemption on his office
property instead of on his home, and he had asked that the exemption
be transferred to his home, claiming it was a mistake in property
description, as he had intended to file the application on his home
property. Mr. Black stated that he understood that the County had
allowed this correction.
Upon motion of Councilman ~oth, seconded by Councilman MacMillan,
unanimously carried, thls request was granted, provided it has been
allowed by the County Tax Assessor.
AUGUST gOTH~ 1940
The Council Was. then advised that the 1949 Tax Roll had been
completed by the Tax Assessor, and equalized by the City Council
according to provisions of the City Charter, whereupon a motion
was made'by Councilman Brannon the the Tax Roll for 1949 be certified
as gone over by the City Council and approved. The motion was
seconded by by Councilman ~toth, and upon call of roll carried unanim-
ously.
A letter from Hr. John B. Reid, developer of The Village, was
read by the Hayor as follows:
"August 26th, 1949.
The Mayor-and The Members of The City Council
City Hall,
Delray Beach,
Florida.
tN-RE: "JOHN B. HEIDtS VILLAGE"
Gentlemen:
The reason that ~no protest" was made about the Tax Roll of Delray
Beach was due to the fact that we thought that it vould be entirely
un-necessary to do so for the very good reason that we have given
to your City - ~one mile of paved streets" including "one artery of
travel off the ocean front~ - extending from Atlantic Avenue to
Casuarina Street South- which would serve as on "off street road in
the event of storms".
I thought that the dredging and filling of this area would be suffic~
lent to 'warrant your consideration~ until such time as this property
is improved, and as you know the major portion of this ~roperty is
held intact for future development.
Viewing the matter from the writer's stand-point - it looks like we
are "penalized" for having eliminated this low - swampy - marsh area -
by having dredged and filled the same - thereby - elimination a "menace
to the Community".
It is my understanding that yo~ have increased the taxes on this par-
ticular property about 600~ - over last year s assessment" - which
we do not believe is justified in the light of conditions - as you
know them, and I am sure that it is not the purpose of your Govern-
mental body to work a hardship. Up to the present time there has
not been one cent of profit taken out of this entire investment, and
I would appreciate your giving due consideration t~ these facts be-
fore ~finally making the assessment roll complete~.
Suppose this area had not been filled - woald "your present position"
be the same? If not - what would it be? Are we, therefore, to be
penalized for having filled it?
25O
AUGUST ..I~gT~t, 1949
In all fairness - I appeal to your sense of reasoning, and trust
that I will not be misunderstood in asking for your consideration,
and await your advise, and remain,
Very truly yours,
JOIIN B. I~EID'S VILLAGE OORPOI~ATION
BROADWALK HOTE]3, INC.
By (Signed) John B. Reid (President)
John ~. 'Reid
JB~/rmp
cc City Manager
cc Tax Assessor"
City Manager ~lack explained that the City was planning to
extend water mains throu~ his property as soon as possible, since
there is no possibility that he will install his own water mains.
This will be done at City expense, and therefore bring his lots up
to the same value as other property owners in that vicinity.
After further discussion, a motion was made by Councilman
~acMillan,,seconded by Councilman Brannon, that Mr. Reid be advised
that the 1949 Tax Roll has been accepted by the City Council, and
no Changes can be made at this time. Upon call o£ roll the motion
carried unanimously.
City Manager Black then outlined his program for cleaning-up
the streets, stating he planned to use City crews and equipment to
pick up trash, starting at once, and making one more round next
week. He believed the clean-up could be completed in about two
~eeks. ne suggested that the sidewalk along the ocean front be
repaired temporarily by filling the holes with sand and leveling
it off, so that it will be reasonably safe, and that permanent re-
pairs be delayed until after the storm season, or until October 15th,
and that trees be straightened that can be saved.
}ir. Black estimated loss to City property, including the Beach,
the Golf Course, the Water Plant, Tennis ~ourts, Shuffleboard Courts,.
etc., also including trash pick-up, would be from $ 20,000.00 to
~ 25,000.00. lie stated that the proposed budget does not provide
for replacement of these losses, nor for the repayment of the loan
just authorized by the Council.
Councilman Brannon recommended that the millage be set high
enough to cover these items, feeling that the PO0ple could be sold
on an increased millage rather than on a fedicit next year, and he
moved that the millage for the next fiscal year be set at 20 mills,
a one mill increase ove~~ the current year. There was nc.second to
the motion. .-
, With reference to an increase in the millage, City Hanager
Black stated that more than one mill was being lost in the proposed
budget by not taking any funds from the Water Department, explaining
that Water Department funds will be used to set up a Sinking Fund,
and for future extensions and improvements .
AUGUST 29TII, 1949
Councilman MacMillan felt that the millage should not be raised,
as assessments and millages have both been raised for the past several
years, and new construction should provide the extra revenue needed.
No action was taken on the adoption of the 1949 budget and the
setting of the millage at this time.
Councilman Kabler asked the Council to work with Mike Blank
towards the completion of the Golf Course extension as quickly as
possible.
The meeting then adjourned until Tuesday, August 30th, at 7:30
p. 'm. at whlch time a special meeting is scheduled to be held, to
consider an 0rdlnance proposed by the Contractor's Association to
control and
iaticn tc c_~n*_r_~! --nd regulate the licensing of Building Contractors,
and for other necessary business.
~ City Uler~
AT TES T:
' ~.Mayor