05-10-43 Regular
2101
COUNCIL CHAMBER
llaY' 10, 1943
The Council met in regular session at 7:30 P .Il. wi th the CitY'
Attorney and the following JlIlImbers present: Mr. Hill, Ilr. Jacobs,
Mr. lliller, Mr. IlcFee snd Mr. Wodischek.
By motion regularly made, seconded and carried the minutes of
the regular meeting of April 26th were approved as read.
The following communication was submitted and read:
To the Members of the City Council,
De1ray Beach, Florida.
Gentlemen:
Several months ago I noticed in the paper that
the Council authorized one month's payment for all
City employees entering ths anned services, or had
been employed by the City and entered ths service
before tha t time. Therefore, I would like to make
application for above mentioned money as I have not
as yet received check for same.
Yours very truly,
1s/ J. L. HELVENSTON
After a discussion in which it was stated that the intention had been
. to treat all men alike who had left the City's employ to enter the armed
forces of the United States, Councilmsn McFee lIlOved that Mr. He1venston
be paid a month's salary just as had been done in the case of Roy Baler
and Harold Cook. Ilr. Wodischek seconded the motico and on roll call the
vote W!lJ[ as follows: Ilr. Hill yes, Mr. Jacobs yes, Mr. lli11eryes, Mr.
Mcfee yes, Mr. Wodischek ;yes. The motion carried.
A letter was read from L. E. Hagen in which inquiry was madd as to
the policy of the Council regarding payment of occupational 1hense by
painters in tOllll. Mr. Hagen stated tll!lt he had taken out a license fa!-
several years as a contractor and was being forced to compete with other
unlicensed painters mo he contended were actually contracting. He requested
tblt his license be refunded if the Council's policy was one of non-enforceDllnt.
Councilmsn Mcfee contended tha t Ilr. Hagen Should pay a license inasmuch as he
advertised as a contractor whereas no proof ll!ld been furnished tha t other
painters were such. After some little debate it was moved by Mr. Hill that
the license fee of L. E. Hagen be returned. Mr. Wodischek seconded the
motl.on and on roll call the vote was as follows: Mr. Hill yes, Mr. Jaccbs no, .,
Mr. 1li1ler no, Mr. lIcF-ee no, Mr. Wodischek yes. The motion was declared lost.
Mr. Ulller suggested tha t the definition of "contractor" as interpreted by
the license ordinsnce be amended so as to exclude the little fellow who works
on 8IlIS11 jobs using only his own labor. The Mayor therefore ordered tha t this
be made a special order of busine ss at the next meeting of the Council.
2108
May 10, 1943
The matter of liquor license transfer from Mrs. Neil to Jas. F. Whalen
and S. G. Cosby came up, ths Clerk reporting that said application had not
been signed by applicant in time for advertising in the previous weeks paper,
It was therefore recamnended that it be laid over for another two weeks pending
the required publication.
A communication from Ilrs. L. C. Hand was read in which it was requested tll!l t
the City assist the Library Association by loaning trucks to haul soil for the
yaEd' of the Woman I s Club Building, which the Association planned to beautify and
make into an attractive patio for ths benefit of soldiers and citizens of the town.
Mayor Jacobs reported tha t Mr. Foote had also spoken to him in regard to this
and had informed him that there was about 30 yards of DDlck to be hauled for this
purpose. . The members favored the lOaning of the trucks providing this could be
done without neglecting regular city work, and Mr. Wodischek moved that the trucks
be used for such purpose whenever available and not in use on city work. Mr.
Mcfee seconded the motion and on Roll 6a11 the vote ....as as follows: Mr. 1li11
yes, Mr. Jacobs yes, Mr. Ul11er no, stating that this was tco indefinite; Mr.
McFee yes, Mr. Wodischek yes. The motion carried.
The following letter of resignation from Supt. Cromer was read:
May 7th, 1943
To the lIembers of the City Council,
Delray BeaCh, Florida.
Gentlemen:
On June lat, 1942, I was employed by the City as City
Engineer and Superintendent of Public Works at an increase
of $40.00 per month oveT my old salary, yet saving the City
$135.00 per monthLover the old set-up. This monthe'ends a year
of what in my opinion has proven this combining of the two
jobs to be very successful.
In spite of. war conditions and a terrific turnover in
persone1 I have engineered considerable in public 1I>rks such
as sewers, water work, and street construction. Due to my
efforts in making a few inexpensive tie-ins in ths water
distribution system, complaints of low water pressure have
practically ceased.
Regardless of the trials and tribulations of pri~rities
and labor shortage our inventories are at a satisfactory
level and improveDllnts have been made in the routine works
of the Ci 1;y. I particularly refer to the cleaning of streets
and alleys and trash collections.
N_, as the first year dralfS to a successful close snd by
all rights I Should expect and receive a raise in pay, I am
giVE!n ~3equivalent of a cut in salary. This,. gentlemen, I
cannot accept with very good graces and therefore herewith tender
my resignation effective June 1st, 1943.
2109
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May 10, 1943
According to established precedent, I am entitled
to two weeks vacation with pay, having completed a year
without time off, so I am requesting this facation between
May 15th and June lat.
Very Pl'U1y TOurs
HOWARD L. CRCJmi
Clty Engineer
Mr. Hill mcmtd that said resignation be accepted as of June 1st, and
necessary release be granted Mr. Cromer. In discussing the rellignation,
Councilman Miller said he thought the Council was making a great mistake
in letting Mr. Cromer go as h-e considsred him the most valuable man the
City had. Mr. McFee seconded Councilmsn Hill's motion, however, and on
roll call the vote was as fo110lfS: Mr. Hill yes, Mr. Jacobs ;yes, Mr. Miller
no, Mr. McFee yes, Mr. llodischek yes. The motion carried.
The Sanitary Inspector reported that JiDm\y Love wanted to build a trash
bin in between the Red Cross Drug And Moe Weinerman's store, mich would
necessitate the garbage men going back about 60 feet from the alley to
pick up the trash, but since Mr. Love had no other available space for such
trash disposal, the Chalrman of ths Sanitary CoDllli.ttee had recommended
this. It was thsrefore moved by Mr. Wodishcek that the recommendation of
the Sanitary Chainnan be accepted and Mr. Love be pennitted to build the
bin as suggested. Mr. Hill seconded the motion and Ill) roll call the vote
was as follows: Mr. Hl11 yes, Mr. Jacobs yes, Mr. Miller yes, Mr. McFee ~s,
Mr. Wodischek yes. The motion carried.
The City Clerk reported tha t Engineer Cromer had surveyed the W25' of
Lot 13 and all of Lot 14, Vista Del Mar, to ascertain the front footage
thereof and had found that the full 75 feet was thsre, the West 17 feet
of which the City desired to retain as AndrelfS Street right-of-way, and 33
feet adjacent thereto to which the City now has tlt1e through a recent
foreclosure, snd still snother fl5 tliet on which ths City holds tax sale
certificates, which may be foreclosed after June 2nd, thls year. It was
therefore moved by Mr. Hill that the City Clerk infonn Mrs. Marie Hill, that
the City does not at this t1me hold title to the 25 feet immedlately adjo1ning
her, home, and inquire whether she would be interested in ths purchase of the
entire 58 feet if the City doe s forec1.oee and acquire ti t1e to this additional
25 feet of Lot 13. Mr. Wodischek seconded 1he motlon and DIl roll call ths
vote was as follows: Mr. Hill yes, Mr. Jacobs yes, Mr. Miller ;yes, Mr. Mcfee
yes, Mr. Wodischek 11Js. The motion carried.
Mr. Wodischek moved the adoption of the following reso1utlon:
RESOLUTIOO 478
A RESOLUTION CF THE CITY COUNCIL CF THE CITY OF
DElRAY HEArn, FLORIDA, APPROVING REPCRT cF CCS'l'S
AND ASSESSMENT ROLL FCR STREET IIlPROVl!llENT WORK
00 N.W. 8th AVENUE, FROM N.W. 2nd STREET TO
NORTH CF N.W. 3rd STREET.
Mr. llI:Fee secoRl.ed the mot;lon far adoption and on roll call the vote llllS as
follolfS: Mr. Hl11 yes, Mr. Jacobs ;yes, Mr. Miller ;yes, Mr. McFee yes. Mr.
Wodlschek ;yes. The motion carried.
21.10
May 16, 1943
By motl.oo regularly made, seconded and Clrrled the following ordinsnce
was placed on its second reading:
CRDINANCE 477
AN ORDINANCE OF 'lEE CITY COUNCIL OF TIlE CITY OF
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, REGULATING THE CHARGES 'ro
BE MADE BY TAXI-CABS AND FCR-HIRE IlOT<R VEHICIES,
PROVIDING FCR INSURANCE CR BONDING CF SAID VEHICIES
FOR TIlE PROTECTION CF TIlE PUBLIC, AND PROVIDIOO A
PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF '!HIS CRDINANCE.
The ordinance, having been read in full the second time, lt was moved
by Mr. Hill that it be adopted on Us second reading, and final passa~e.
Mr. McFee seconded the motlon and on roll call the vote was as fo110lfS:
Mr. Hill yes, Mr. Jacobs yes, Mr. Mlller yes, Yr. IlcFee yes, Mr. Wodischek
yes. The motion carrled.
The Chainnan of the Sanitary Committee reported having investlgatedthe
dOlllp1aint that hogs were being kept inside the Clty limits snd said he had
found four cases where colored people were keeping them but that these people
were unaware that it was not permissible, and had agreed to move them out
West of town where they would not be objected to.
In regard to the complaint about outsidle toilets, Mr. Mcfee reported having
.made an investigation of these also, and sald he ~d found some such places that
Et'S unsanitary, but since present was restrictions prevented these colored people
from building the regularly approved toilets and septlc tanks, he recommended
an mnexpensive type being at present used throughout the defense areas of F10rlda
and Georgia. He explained its constructlon and said he thought it had been approved
by the State Board of Health, and could be bullt for less than ten do.1lars. He
suggested that the Council consider the matter and be prepared to make a recommendatio
at the next meeting of the Council. .
Fire Chief Gregory came before the Council, requesting that he be allowed
two weeks' vacation compensation upon hls resignation, Yay 15th, stating he
felt he was entitled to this just as other employees who have served the past
year. After conslderation, Councilman Hill moved that Mr. Gregory be alllwed
for said vacation. Ur. MdFee seconded the motion and on rUl call the vote
was as follows: Mr. H1ll yes, Mr. McFee yes, Mr. Jacobs yes, Hr. Ml11er yes,
Mr. Wodischek yes. The motion carrled.
I
Mr. IlcFee stated that he had had requeste that a street markBir be placed ~t
the the Corner of Dlxie Blvd. and South Swinton Avenue for ths benefit of resldents
l:hring in Southrldge. The Clerk reported alao ha'Wing rece1ved a request that the
name of Said steeet be changed since it was constantly being confused with
Dixie Blvd. in Del-Ida Park. The name of Swinton B1ve.. was suggested. Question
arose as to how a change of name should be made, whether by ordinance or
resolution, and the matter was therefore deferred, to ba taken up as a special
order of business at the next meeting of the Councl1. .
2J.:I.i.
May 10, 1943
Mayor Jacobs reported that the Eife-Guard had called his attentlon
to a recent Government regulation which prohibited small private boats being
beached and left along the ocesn front. He said the Life-Guard had been
using the private dinghy of Mr. Scherer, and rathsr than take it off the beach
to his own property, the oWIlllr was willing to sell the beat, which had cost
around $100.00, to the City for a life-boat, in 1ilich event lt would be
allowed to remain. It was thsrefore moved by Mr. Hill that the Ci1;y purch~se
the boat for $25.00 and have painted thereon "Life-Guard, City of De1ray
Beach", said boat to be lift on the beach for the use of the Life-Guard.
Mr. McFee seconded the motien, and on roll call the vote was as follows:
Mr. Hill yes, Mr. Jaccbs yes, Mr. M1ller yes, Mr. McFee ;yes, Mr. Wodischek
yes. The motl.on carried.
The Mayer then brought up the !DBtter c€ filling the vacancy caused by
the reslgna,lt;lon of Fire Chief Gregory, stating that Assistant Chief, W. v.
Croft 1'Ould accept the position at a salary of $200.00. )fr. Mc~ee IIOved
that W. V. Croft be appointed as F:lre Chief, at sald salary of $200.00 per
month. Mr .Wodi schek seconded the moti en, whic h ca rried unanimously on
roll call.
Since this appointmEnt left a vacancy for a pool attendant at the
Municipal Pool, the questlon of filling thls position ~s next considered.
The Mayor reported that m had had two applications for this, one from
Betty Ball and one from Margaret Harris, and since women were filling positions
nowadays, wherever posslble, he considered either one of theBe applicants
acceptable, since they bld passed the required life-saving tests. Councilman
Miller suggested that other applicants might want to apply, bIt the Mayor
stated that inquiry had been pretty thoroughly made through Vlctor Croft,
who had recolllllended said two applleaJllllls. It was therefore maved by Mr.
Wodischek that Betty Ball be given the positlon at a salary of $loo.()()
per month, It being undernood that her family would move int<>'libe bundi~
also, and take over the concessions and help manage the pool. Mr. Mcfee
seconded the motiOD, and on r 011 call the vote was as follolfSl Mr. Hi.ll;,18~,
Mr. Jacobs yes, Mr. Miller yes, Mr. IlcFee yes, Mr. Tfo:iischek yes. Themotion
carried.
Next the appointment of a new Superintendent of Public Werks and Utillt1ss
was taken up, and for this posltion ths Mayor recommended Mr. C. C. Turner,
at a salary of $200.00 per month. Mr. Wodischek moved that the Mayor's
recolllllendatlon be acdepted and Mr. Turner be appointed at the salary stated.
Mr. Hill seconded the motion and on roll call the vote was as follows: Mr.
. Hill yes, Mr. Jacobs yes, Mr. M11ler yes, Mr. )fcFee yes, Mr. Wodischek yell,
The motl.on carrled.
In accJlPting the position, Mr. furIllr brOught up the matter of colored
labor which he said was one of the ~b1ims in keeping the City's services
functloning. He stated that the City of West Palm Beach 18 paying its colored
labor 55 cents an hour, whereas Delray is paylng cnly 40 cents. He recommended
that the J18n be ralsed to 50 cents, stating that he believed they could be
lnduced to stay fer this wage. Mr. McFee suggested that Mr. TUrner talk to
the men to see if they will continue to work for 40 cents; 1f not, that the
Ci ty agree to pay them 50 cents. After further discussion it was moved by
Mr. Hill tha t the Supt. of Public Works be authorized to pay up to fifty
cents an hour to those laborers he cchnsiders worthy of it. Mr. Mcfee seconded
2U2
May 10, 1943
the motion and on roll call the vote was as follows: Mr. Hill
Jacobs yes, Mr. Miller yelll, Mr. McFee yes, Mr. Wodischek yes.
carried.
yes, Mr.
The motion
Upon the Ilsyor's recOlllD.endation, it was m:>ved by Mr. Hill that the
Chlef of Police be paid $200.00 ~r month, the same as the heads of the
oths r departlmnts. Mr. McFee seconded the motl.on and on roll call the
vote was as follows: Mr. Hill yes, Mr. Jacobs yes, Mr. Miller ;yes, Mr.
lleFee yes, Mr. Wodischek ;yes. The motion was declared carried.
It was moved by Mr. Hill that the patrolmen be raised to $165.00
per month. Mr. McFee seconded the motion and on roll call the vote was
as follows: Mr. Hlll yes, Mr. Jacobs yes, Mr. Ililler yes, Mr. Mcfee
yes, Mr. Wodischek yes. The motion carried.
It was lWVed by Mr. Wodiwchek tha t the Shop Mechanic, Addison Clark,
be raised to $145.00 ~r month, plus $20.00 per month for n:lght duty on
the Fire Department. Ilr. McFee seconded the motion, which carried
unanimously on roll call.
The Mayor reported that Mr. CrOlIBr had been able to get a promise of
from fifty to seventy-five yards of cold patch from T. D. Giles of Boca
Raton, and he recommended ths purchase of same, while aval1ab1e. It was
accordingly moved by Mr. Hill that the Clty purchase fifty yards of cold
patch and as much Imre up to 75 yards as U obtainable, at a price of $6.00
per yard. Mr. Wodischek secorxled the mdltion and on roll call the vote
was as follows: Mr. Hi11;ye s, Mr. Jacobs ;ye s, Mr. Miller ;ye s, Mr. Mcfee::
yes, Mr. Wodisdhek yes. The motion carried.
The Mayor reported that the City alsc had the opportunity to buy
a 12-foot Latour Lathe, worth $3,000. for $1,500, which would be of use
in the Shop. The Council did not favor the purchase, however, being of the
opinion tha t the work taken care of by the Clty's shop, did not warrant the
purchase of this expenslve equlpment. Mr. Wodischek therefore moved that
the matter be laid over. Mr. McFee seconded the motion, whlch carried
unsnimously on roll call.
.
o. E. Harvel, Jr. came befcre the meeting with an inqu.lry as to hls
employment status. He said he had been' employed under City Engineer Cromer
to make water-pipe 10catlons throughout town, and asked :it it was the desire
of the Council that he continue with this work. Mr. Turner recommended that
he be retained and the Council agreed till t he should continue his work
as long as hecou1d be of service to the City. 'lhereupon he requested a raise
from 60 cents to 80 cents an hour, stating tillt he believed he l'Ias worth this
to the Ci ty on his plpe location work. It was m:>ved that his salary be raised
to 70 cents an hour. Mr. Wodischek seconded the motion and on. roll call the
vote was as follows: Mr. Hill yes, Mr. Jacobs yes, Mr. 1li11e~ ;yes, Mr. McFee
yes, Mr. Wodischek yes. The motion carried.
Upon recommendation of the City Clerk, Councllmsn McFee moved that the
salary of Ulss Alta Pittman be ralsed to $85.00 per month and that of lllss
llarjorie Wino to $75.00 per month, whlch ralses, together with all preceding
salary increases shall become effective on !lay 16th. Mr. Wodischek seconded
the motion and on roll call the vote was as follows: Mr. Hill yes, Mr. Jacobs
Yo"~.
May 10, 1943
yti., Mr. 1li11er yes, Yr. McFee yes, Mr. Wodischek yes.
The motion carried.
The question of salary to be pald Mr. Hollis, heretofore employed in
the Clty Engineer's offlce, was then taken up, and it was mared by Mr.
Wodischek that if Mr. Hollls lIOuld take on additional worl<:, by asslsting with
meter reading and other du t1es of tilt water office, tren that he be pald a
salary of $125.00 per D1Ob.llh. Mr. McFee s&condedthe motion and on roll
call the \Vote lfBl[ as follows: Ilr. Hill yes, Mr. Jacobs yes, Mr. Ililler
yes, Mr. IlcFee yes, Mr. Wodlschek yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Wodischek moved illhat bills numbered 9695 to 9747, having been
approved by the Finsnce Conmittee, be returned to ths Council and ordered
paid.
It was regularly moved, seconded and carried that Council adjourn.
~/1~AJ;, (1~
City Clerk
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APPROVED:
Mayor. ~
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2113."
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,41
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, FEDERAL WORKS AGENCY
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, REGIONAL DIRECTOR
Region No.3
20 Fifth street, N. W.
Atlanta, Georgia
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IN REPLY PLEASE REFER TO
:u:q 18. 1943
LEGAL: JLHlmgm
Project No. Fla. 8-251 ,(F
Recreation Center
Delray Beach, Florida
AIR JW:L
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Bon. E. H. Soott
:Mayor
Delrq Bea.oh. Florida
.'
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Dear Mayor Soott.
this offioe is in receipt 01' a request from Public Build-
ings Adl.aillistrationthat :l:mmediate action be t&kento cons1DlllDate
neoessary transactions in makiDg available a oerts.1nbuilding in
Delrq Beaoh known as the Firemen's Hall for renoVll.tion and altera-
tion as a Service Men's Recreation Center.
Iii;
We are advised ,that the City 01' Delrq Beach owns this,
property and that approprilLtii of:f'iold.. have prev.l.ously assured
the Govermll'Jnt that the building ....ould be made avallllble for this
projeot without coilt to the Gover1llllSnt either bY' deed oonvey1Dg
fee simple title to 1;he tJnited states 01' .AJlIer1ea or by lease tor
a term of years contemplated to be the est1Dated, lii'e of the
projeotconstruoted. It is also our understaJldi:og that a suitable
bid has been reoeived for the work required to make the faoiliv
avall&iille tor use and that CO_lICeDlent of work is soheduled for
Mq 25. 1943, d,ePl'ndent upon the Ci V's prompt action ill. making the
building available to the Govel'lllDltnt.
:
We. therefore, request that you furnish 1lh1s office as prlllllpt4:".
ly as possible the followillg. , .,_
,
(1)
!hree execu1;ed copies of a generalwarranv deed
OOJl.'ge7iDg the existing buildiDg and land to the
Uni tad states of .America.
(2)
Six prints oi' a property line survey _p ooveriDg
the property. .
(3)
Three oertified cop1es of appropriate resolution
of the governing body of the City author1zi%lg lIZld
directing the execution of the af'oresald deed.
Abstract of !i tle certified to date oovllring the'
subject property.
;"
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. '(4)
Hon. E. H. Scctt
-2-
~ 18. 1943
A search of our files indioates that the City.s wil1iJlgness
to donate the property in fee 8imp1e title to the Govel'Dlllllnt_s
contingent upon the City stipulating a reversioJ!. of title to the
property in the City upon the termination of the use of the build-
ing as a recreation center. Such 8tipulation in the deed. or e:rr:r
restrictive language therein. would DOt be aooeptab1e to t he Govern-
ment because of the unwillingD8B1 of the UDi ted States Attorney
General to approve title of property acquired. by the Government
UDder suoh cOllVllyanoe.
In the event that the City is unwilling to UDreserved1y and
UDrestrictively convey fee simple title to the Govermnent as out-
lined above, you are requested to !'urnlsh this office as promptly
.
as possible w.l.th the followingt
(1) 'Three executed counterparts of a lease agree-
~nt conveying a leasehold interest in the
subject property to 1:he Uldted states of
America for a term of five years and renewable
thereafter at the option of the Gover!llllent for
an aggl'e&ate term llDt to exceed 't1venty years.
or the duration of the war and six months there-
at:1;er, whichever first occurs.
(2) Three oertified copies of appropriate resolution
authorizl. ng and directing the execution of said
lease agreement.
(3)
Abstract of Title covering the subject propert)<'
(whioh Abstraot will be returned to you. if de-
sired, after 8DID1IlBtioll). ..
"
(4) Six print8 of property line survey map oovering
the subject pro~erty.
For your i1Iformation lI'ep.re also advised that the origl.na1
allotment of $12.000 for tbis project has been iDOreased to $20,400.
Also a8 stated above, we cannot urge upon you too 8trongly the neces-
sity for ilIlmediate aoticm. it being our keen desire that you t:ur:aish
necessary doouments of oonveyanoe to thls offi,ce by Alr lfail DOt
later than the end of tbis week.
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Very truly yours,
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Aoting RegioJl&lAttonuty