08-30-49SpMtg AUGUST 30TH, 1949
A Special Heeting of the City Council of the City of Delray Beach
was held in the Council Chambers at 7:30 p. m. with Hayor J. L, Saunders
in the Chair, and City Attorney John Hoore, City Hana~er Charles E.
Black, and the following Councilmen present: John N. Kabler, Nell E.
HacHlllan, and Walter A. ~oth, a quorum being present.
Hr. Clifford Baker, a Real Estate Broker connected with the office
of John B. Reid, appeared before the Council, on behal~ of Hr. Reid,
the developer of John B. Reid's Village. He claimed that the valuat-
ions placed on three unplatted tracts of land, lying between Venetian
Drive and the Intracoastal Canal in/~8~a~rwith property directly
across Atlantic Avenue; that these tracts had been assessed on the
1949 Tax Roll on a front footage basis, as fronting either on the Canal
or on Venetian Drive, when actually they have not been subdivided, and
there is no Street through the center of the tracts as the Assessor had
evidently assumed. Hr. Baker stated that Block 148, on the north side
of Atlantic ~venue is assessed on a front footage basis for a depth'of
135', and the balance of the Block is assessed as acreage, with the
exeption of the Lowry Street frontage on the north~ Hr Reid was satis-
fied with the valuation placed on the property which he had subdivided,
east of Venetian Drive, but felt that the tracts west of Venetian Drive
should be assessed as acreage.
Mr. Baker also explained that the value of property in The ¥il]age
and also surrounding property, had increased throught Mr. Reid's
efforts, as well as the value of Block 148, and he asked the Council to
reconsider the valuation placed on these tra~ts, consisting of 28.8
acres still undeveloped and not on the market.
The City Attorney advised that if an assessment is unequal with
property of a similar nature, it could be corrected on the Tax Roll.
After further consideration, it was decided to discuss these par-
ticular assessments with Mr. S. E. Burd, a member of the Tax Advisory
Board, at a Special Heeting %o be held Tuesday night, September 6th.
Hr. Baker was also invited to attend this meeting.
Hr. John Thieme, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Beach Improve-
ment Committee, addressed the Council, su~gesting that the shoulders
of the beach which were washed out during the recent storm, be filled
back as quickly as possible in order to avoid further damage in case
of another storm. He stated that he had the assurance of Hr. C. Y.
Byrd, County Commissioner, that the County was willing to assist where
possible, and he asked the cooperation of the Council in doing the
best thing to preserve the beach before another storm continues the
damage already d)ne.
City Hanager Black stated that he had discussed the beach problem
with ~r. Byrd, who had told him that they co~ld help with County
Hachinery about October 15th, but that other sections of the County
were in more serious trouble and must be helped first. He planned,
however, to fill in holes, whereever possible, and to straighten the
palm trees which can be saved, but to leave the sidewalk repair work
until after-the storn season is past.
Councilman ~oth suggested that an effort be made to secure aid
from the Federal Government to help build up the beach and preserve it.
AUGUST 30Ttl, 1949
Hr. A. George, from the audience, also asked the Council to
solicit aid from the State to protect the beach with concrete sea-
walls to prevent the road from washing out every year. He stated
that the burden of constantly rebuild±ng the beach was becoming too
much for the community to bear, and he believed the State or Federal
Government would help.
City Manager ~lack stated that Mr. Byrd had informed him that
it would be up to the City to ~ush the State Road Department to .get
improvements on U. S. Highway ~l throught the ~ity, and this might
apply to Ocean Boulevard as well.
Upon motion of Councilman Kabler, seconded by Councilman Roth,
unanimously carried, the City Hanager was instructed to contact
Mr. Ralph Blank, Chairman of the Research DeVelopment Board of West
Palm Beach, as well as the State Road Department, and our Senator
and Representatives, with regard to securing immediate aid for the
preservation of the Beach and the Ocean Boulevard.
With reference to a request for street light at the corner of
S. E. 2nd ~venue and 7th Street, in a motion by Councilman MacMillan,
seconded by Councilman Kabler, and unanimously carried, Mr. Black
was authorized to make a survey of this area, and have same installed
if approved by him.
Councilman Brannon then entered the meeting.
Proposed amendments to the Plumbing Code were presented by the
Code Con~ittee, to be considered with ,the recommendations for amend-
ments to the Building Code, as submitted at a previous meeting, and
same were read as follows:
"PROPOSED A} -,[ENDb~T TO TIlE DELRAY BEACH PLU~ING CODE"
Adopt State Board of Health requirements on septic tanks, grease
traps and drainage fields.
Permit double hub fittings to be used on dry vents only.
To pern~it sanitary tapped tees on vertical lines only.
Three inch vent stacks may be used instead of 4" main vent stack
up to forty fixture units.
Four inch Y or cleanout or 4" C.O. tees may be used where practical
in place of combination Y and 1/8 bends at base of stack.
Sec. 18 & 20 in Plumbing Code omit and insert copper or lead arms to
be used for minor fixtures.
No galvanized pipe to be used in the sewer, drainage or venting system.
Three inch house sewers and 3" main vent to be permitted only on
cottages with one bath and one sink.
Caulking ferrules to be used for making copper to iron connections.
AUGUST 30TH, 1949
Four inch 0rangeburg sewer pipe for main house sewer may be used
from C. 0. tee or five feet outside foundation to septic tank or
city sewer, except under paving.
Optional to use lead or cast iron closet stubs only on the first
floor where concrete or terrazza is used providing said stubs are
well wrapped. Water test to extend five feet above tapped tees.
All hot water heaters must have a temperature and preassure re-
lief valve and to discharge in a safe manner. '
Each plumbing fixture shall be seperately valved except where
impractical, valves may be placed otherwise at the discretion
of the Plumbing Inspector.
Hembers serving on Plumbing Board to be a resident of Delray Beach
for at least one year, and to be of good character.
Any applicant who desires to become a registered Haster Plumber
shall satisfactorily pass an examination designed to test appli-,~.
cant's practicability and technical knowledge of plumbing work,
water supply, drainage etc. provided such applicant is a citizen
of the U. o. and at least 21 years of age.
Raise Haster Plumbers examination fee to ~25.00."
Hr. John Thieme, Building Contractor, did not approve of the
use of a drainage field to replace a dry well in connection with
the installation of septic tanks. He claimed that the cost would
be much more, and that in sandy soil it is unnecessary. He stated
that although this is recommended by the State Board of Health, it
is up to the Council to adopt it or not, except in the case of
apartments and hotels which are regulated by the State Health De-
partment' In certain cases~a drainage felld might be necessary,
but in most cases, in his opinion, a dry well would be more pract-
ical.
City Hanager Black explained that the State Board of Health
had made the statement that there is a possibility of contamin-
ation of a dry well, and also that the FHA requires a drainage
field.
Hr. Kenneth Jacobson, a member of the Code Committee, stated
that this Committee had discussed the recommendation thoroughly,
and felt that the requirements of the State Board of Health should
be approved.
A motion was then made by Councilman Brannon that an ordinance
be drafted embodying the foregoing recommendations, all sanitary
disposal systems to meet State specifications and requirements.
If a drainage field is not required by them under certain condit-
ions, we will not require it, but if they do require it we will
also; and %hat applicants for examinations shall be examined in ~'
the same manner as applicants for electrical examinations, and
fees charged to be the same as charged for electrical examinations.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Kabler, and upon call of roll
.carried unanimously.
AUGUST 30Tit, 1949
Hr. E. E. ~venson, Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce
asked the Council for a decision as to the advertising program prev-
iously discussed, and offered to submit evidence to show that the
amount asked for is necessary.
Mr. Edward Ao Schellenberg, Chairman of the Advertising Committee
of the Chamber of Commerce, presented a petition which he claimed had
been circulated only a few hours, signed by property o~ners who were
willing to accept a millage increase to proved funds for an advertis-
ing program which they felt was feasible.
Mayor Saunders, however, advised Mr. Schellenberg that after
several conferences, the Council felt that the best they could set
up on next yearts budget would be ~ 7,500.00 For their advertising
program.
In reply, Mr. Schellenberg stated that they could not carry out
their program with only ~ 7,500.00. That would provide only for the
.brochures and mailing, but would keep their advertising out of news-
papers and magazines entirely. He explained that they planned to
advertise for spring, summer and Pall business; that winter business
is assured, altho~lgh it viii also benefit from this advertising. He
stressed the fact that the Chamber of Commerce Committee would take
the burden off of the Council by taking over this advertising prograv~,
that it was not a donation to the Chamber of Commerce, but an adver-
tising program for the City of Delr~ Beach, from which everyone woulC[
profit, but with less than ~ 15,000.00 the money could not be spent
constructively. He then introduced Bt. Jack Gardner, a member of
the local Chamber of Commerce, who is a publicity representative with
offices in New York City, whom he stated could furnish many thousands
of dollars worth of publicity for the City at a small cost, through
radio programs, television programs and other contacts which he has.
Mr. Gardner addressed the COuncil, outlining briefly how the
name of Delm y Beach can be publicized so that people will think of
this Town and want to come here. He offered to cooperate with the
Chamber of Co~erce for only the actual cost involved, with no profit
~o himself.
Councilman Brannon than stated that thousands of dollars have
been spent on the golf course extension, that the Council has tried
to improve conditions in the City by baclcing Youth programs, and that
thousands of dollars mo~e will be spent to complete the new Library
building. By cutting out all donations the millage could be kept
the same for the next Fiscal year, but he felt the Council should
continue with the donations it has undertaken. He moved that the
item of $ 7,500.00 set up for the Chamber of Commerce advertising
rogram in the proposed b~.~dget for 1949 - 1950 be removed, and
15,000.00 be inserted; and that the millage be set at 21 mills,
to cover all of these activities as they ~muld be covered, as well
as the deficit incurred during the current yearts operation. He
believed that our tax rate would still be the lowest of any City in
the State of comparable
~r Schellenberg further explained that only professional adver~
tising men would be employed, whose fees would be paid largely by
the newspapers and magazines. He felt that the petition he sub-
mitted showed how the Town feels, that the people are interested in
year round economy;' and realize that the whole City would be bene-
fited.
AUGUST 30TH, 1949
Councilman MacMillan, while not opposing an advertising
program, stated that for the past several years both assessments
and millage have been increased. During this year water rates
have also increased. He was in favor of keeping the millage at
19 mills, and if the City Manager was able to set the budget so
that $ 15,000.00 could be allowed the Chamber of Colmnerce for an
advertising program, he would approve it. He did not approve~ of
considerating this one i'tem separately, but thought that the budget
~buld be considered as a whole.
Several members of the audience spoke in favor of an approp-
riation of $ 15,000.00 for advertising, even though the millage
would have to be raised to cover it, as they felt their businesses
and the entire City would benefit from such a campaign.
Councilman Brannon then withdrew that part of his motion to
set the millage at 21 mills for the next fiscal year, but leaving
the item of $ 15,000.00 for advertising.
Mr. Schellenberg was then asked by Councilman Kabler if they
could possibly carry out their program for $ 12,500.00 as a deficit
of $ 15,000.00 from the current year must be provided for, or cuts
made in the proposed budget to offset it. He agreed to try to
raise the balance of $ 2,500.00 needed if it was found that the
Council was not able to provide it. Ne explained that this sum
of ~ 15,000.00 would be spent for brochures for direct mailing
lists, which lists would be obtained from College alumnae lists
and from selected sources, and in answer to inquiries received.
They planned to advertise in Holiday magazine, and the New Yorker,
and in newspapers in certain Cities east of the Mississippi lt~ver.
Councilman Roth expressed his willingness to approve an in-
crease in millage up to 21 mills if it would also take care of
our current deficit.
The foregoing motion was then amended by Councilman Brannon to
limit the millage to 21 mills, and if possible on that millage, to
use $ 15,000.00 for advertising purposes. The motion was seconded
by Councilman Roth, and upon call of roll carried, Councilman
Brannon, Kabler and Hoth voting in favor of the motion, and Mayor
Saunders and Councilman MacMillan opposing.
The Council was advised tl'~at a list of the various sources of
advertising, including newspapers and magazines, were available in
the Chamber of Commerce office.
With reference to licenses for rental of beach equipment for
the coming year, City Manager Black reported that a check for
~ 2,000.00 had been recelved from John's Beach Service, and Mr.
Neafie's check in this amount was in the mail, both for renewal
of licenses they now held.
Mr. John Smith, of John's Beach Service, expressed his will-
ingness to compete with a third party if the Council saw fit to
grant him a license, assuming that the two original licenses would
be allowed to keep their same positions.
Councilman MacMillan feared there would be confusion if a third
person were granted a license, as complaints have been received on
account of not sufficient space being provided for local citizens to
bathe. He moved that checks be accepted from the two applicants for
~enewal of their licenses, and the question of grantin~ further
AUGUST 30TH, 1949
licenses for Beach concessions be referred to the Chamber of Commerce
Beach Committee. The motion was seconded by Councilman Brannon, and
upon call of roll carried unanimously.
A motion vas then made by Councilman Brannon that the meeting
adjourned, and that consideration of the proposed Contractorts
Ordinance be the first order of business at a Special Neetlng to be
held at 7:30 p. m. on Tuesday, Septemeber 6th. The motion was secon-
ded by Councilman ~(oth, and upon call of roll carried, Councilman
Brannon, HacHillan and i~oth voting in favor of the motion, and
Councilman Kabler and Saunders opposing. ~..~..~
~ City,~lerk