06-14-43 Regular
2122
COUNCIL.CHAMBER
June 14, 1943
The Council met in regular session at 7:30 P.M. with
the City Attorney and the following members present: Mr. Hill,
Mr. Jacobs, Mr. McFee and Mr. Wodischek. Mr. Milln was absent.
r:
By motion regularly nade, seconded and carried the
minutes of the last meeting, held May 24th, were. approved as
read.
The following request for special permit to erect a
field office in Block 141, East of the Canal, was read:
June 12, 1943.
Honorable City Council,
Delray Beach, Florida.
Gentlemen:
u.
,
We have arranged with Mr. Anderson,
contractor, to erect a small field sales office
(12' by 14') to assist in the promotion and
development of the Nursery property, the same
to be erected on Atlantic Avenoo. We had ap-
plied to 111". Turner and was infonned by him that
a request for the erection of this fiilld office
was to be put in writing and addressed to you.
As stated, the building will be erected by a
regular contractor and the design will be at-
tractive. You can rest assu1"ed that we will
not e1"ect any building that would not be a
credit to the promotion of the sale of the land
in which we are greatly interested.
RSY:n
Ve1"Y truly yours,
ZOOK PALM NURSERIES, Inc.
By
Raymond S. Yoemans,
President
It was moved by Mr. Hill that the request for permit
be denied, inasmuch as the building, which would not be of fire
proof construction was to be built within the first fire zone~
Mr. Wodischek seconded the motion, and on roll call the vote was
as follows: Mr. Hill yeS, Mr. Jacobs yes, Mr. McFee yes, Mr.
Wodischek yes. '!he motion carried.
2123
June 14, 1943.
r
The Clerk presented an anti-wood-shingle roof ordinance,
which had been recommended by the Florida Inspection and Rating
Burea~, and explained that the adoption of such an ordinance would
reduce insurance rates considerably throughout town; It was moved,
seconded and carried that the ordinance, as follows. be placed on
its first reading:
<
.ORDINANCE NO ___
AN ORDINANCE OF '!HE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA,
REGULATING THE CONSTRUCTION OF\WOOD
PROVIDING CERTAIN REGULATIONS FOR TIlE
REPAIR OF EXISTING flOOD SHINGLE ROOFS
AND PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY FOR VI()l$
LATIUN OF THIS ORDINANCE.
The ordinance, having been read, in full, it was moved by
Mr. Wodischek that it be passed on its first reading. Mr. Hill
seconded the motion, and on roll call the vote was as follows: Mr.
Hill yes, Mr. Jacobs,yes, Mr. McFee yes, Mr. Wodischek yes. The
motion carried.
r
The Clerk next submitted a revised lease on the Firemen 's
Hall property, which lease had been re-drawn at the request of the
Federal Works Agency's Regional Attorney, to effect minor changes
in the wording, said amended sections of the lease now reading as
follows: "The term of this lease is predicated, however, upon the
duration of the national emergency declared by the President of the
United Stated of America to exist on September 8, 1939, and this
lease shall terminate six (6) months after satd national emergency
shall have ceased to exist." and "It is understood and agreed, however,
that the United States of America shall have the right and privilege
to remove all removable equipment from the building on the above
described premises within a reasonable time after the termination of
this lease." The lease, as amended net with the approval of the
members and it was moved by Mr. Wodischek that the following resolution
be adopted:
RESOLUTION 483
RESOLUTION OF '!HE CITY COUNCIL OF '!HE
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORI-
ZING AND DIRECTING WE MAYOR AlID CITY
ClERK 'IO EXECUTE A NEW LEASE AGREEMENT
TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA COVERING
LOTS 7 AND WE NORTH 14 FEET OF LOT 8,
BDQCK 101 OF THE CITY OF DEmAY BEACH,
FLCRIDA.
2124
June 14, 1943.
Mr. Hill seconded the motion for adoption, and on roll call the
vote was as follows: Mr. Hill yes, Mr. Jacobs yes, Mr. McFee yes,
Mr. Wodischek yes. The motion carried.
The Building Inspector brought in a complaint made to
him regarding the condition of the roof on the Simon Building in
Block 93, adjacent to the telephone office, stating that this was
a type of roof requiring to be covered with about four inches of water
at all times, but when this water was allowed to drain off, the roof
became enerusted wi th a coat of mold or growth that gave off a ve1"Y
objectionable odor. He said the roof was in this condition now, and
the girls in the telephone office were complaining and. wanted some-
thing done about it. After discussion it was moved by Mr. Hill that
the Sanitary Inspector investigate as to the condition of the roof,
and make recommendation back to the Council regarding means of elimi-
nating the nuisance complained of. Mr. Wodischek seconded the motion
and on roll call the vote was as follows: Mr. Hill yes, Mr. Jacobs
yes, Mr. McFe~es, Mr. Wodischek yes. The motion carried.
The hour of 8:00 o'clock having arrived, call was made for
objections to the assessment roll, levied for the paving of N.W.
~ighth Avenue, and there being no objections thereto, it was moved,
seconded and carried that the following ordinance be placed on its
first reading:
ORDINANCE 484
AN ORDINANCE CONFIRMING AND EQUALIZ-
ING ASSESSMENTS FOR WE GRADING AND
PAVING OF WAT PORTION OF N.W.EIGHTij
AVENUE, FROM N.W. SECOND STREET TO A
POINT NORTH OF N.W. THIRD STREET, AND
LEVYING SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT ASSESS-
MENTS AS SHCWN BY THE ASSESSMENT ROLL
FOR SAID SPECIAL IMPROVEMENTS I PRO-
VIDING '!HE METHOD SAID SPECIAL ASSESS-
MENTS SHALL BE MADE; THE TIME WHEN '!HE
SAME SHALL BEooME PAYABIE; THAT SAID
ASSESSMEN'IS TO BE LEVIED SHALL BE A
LIEN FROM TIlE DATE OF 'IHE ASSESSMENT
UPON THE RESPECTIVE LarS DESCRIBED IN
SAID ASSESSMENT ROLL AND SET FORTH
~; THE MANNER IN WHICH SAID ASSESS...'"
MENTS ARE TO BE COLLECTED AND PROVIDING
FOR TIlE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL CERTIFICATES
OF INDEBTEDNESS Fm WE AMOONT SO
ASSESSED AGAINST '!HE ASSESSABLE PROPERTY.
2125
June 14, 1943.
The ordinance having been read in full, the first time,
it was moved by Mr. Wodischelj:, seconded by Mr. McFee and unanimously
carried that the ordinance be passed on its first reading.
Call was also made for objections to the proposed sewer
construction work in Block 104. The CleIi<: submitted a communication
from Mrs. Florence Royston Post, owner of Lot 13 in said Block object-
ing to the improvement on the grounds that it was unnecessary and
expensive during the present wartime emergency. This one and only
objedtion to the improvement was deemed instU'ficient, however, and it
was therefore moved by Mr. Wodischek that the Supt. of Public Works
be instructed to proceed with the construction of the said sewer line
as a.dvertised by resolution 473. Mr. Mm. yes, Mr. Jacobs yes, Mr.
McFee yes, Mr. Wodischek yes. The motion carried.
A communication from the Palm Beach County Defense Council
advising of the test Blackout seheduled fDr June 17th was submitted.
Same was ordered filed.
The chairman of the Water Committee reported having received
complaints about the cloudiness of the water. Therefore, he had ordered
regular flushing of the mains about every six weeks, he said, which ,he
thought would help considerably and eliminate much of the complaint.
Mr. Mcfee again brought up the problem of outside toilets,
and enquired what the othe 1" members proposed to do about this matter.
Following the advice of tre Municipal Health Officer, he recommended
that the City require outside toilets to be constructed according to
State specifications, and moved that the Ordinance Committee prepare
an ordinance for presentation at next council meeting, adopting the
State plans and specifications for construction of outside toilets in
town. Mr. Wodischek seconded the motion, and on roll call the vote was
as follows: Mr. Hill yes, Mr. Jacobs yes, Mr. McFee"yes, Mr. Wodischek
yes. The motion carried.
Councilman McFee then brought up the matter of trash collection
and the hauling of cuttings and shrubbery from private properties,
stating that in some instances as much as five and six loads were being
taken from a single property and he felt this was too expensive a
proposition for the City. Mr Wodischek felt that the City should charge
for this service when it amounted to more than one load. It was pointed (J,XL ",):1
out that weekly collections of small quantities of cuttings would amount
to just as much in a year's time and entail more labor than these big
yearly collections. It WaS therefore agreed to continue such service
for a while longer without charge, to see how it works out.
Mr. McFee suggested that the golf coijrse mower be used to mow
the shoulders.;of the city streets, as he said this would be so much
quicker thadfsing the small mowing machine. It was accordingly moved
by Mr. Wodischek that the Supt. of Public Works maRe arrangement1l with
,','
I
,
2:126
June 14, 1943
the Golf Committee for use of the mower and operator for this purpose.
Mr. "cFee seconded the motion and on roll call the vote was as follows:
Mr. Hill yes, Mr. Jabobs yes, Mr. McFee yes, M1". Wodischek yes. The
motion carried.
lhe matter of hauling soil for the Woman's Club again came
up for discussion and Mr. Wodischek recommended that the City simply
donate t50.00 towards the hiring of a man and truck to do this work,
stating that it would cost the city over $100.00 to do it. Question
arose as to whether the Club still planned to put in this proposed
beautification, it being thought that they had probably abandoned the,
idea. Therefore, the Council declined to take action at this time, and
the matter was laid over until next meeting to allow Mr. Turner to
investigate as to the Libra1"Y & Gardens Club's intentions in this regard.
Mr. McFee asked that the Council do something about the
re-naming of the street known as Dixie Blvd, in Southridge, and made a
motion tha t the name bf same be changed to South Swinton Boulevard, in
order that it may not be confused with Dixie Boulevard in Delida Park.
Mr. Wodischek seconded the motion and on roll call the vote was as
follows: Mrl Hill yes, Mr. Jacobs yes, Mr. McFee yes, Mr. Wodischek
yes. The motion carried.
Mayor Jacobs reported having received a request from Mr.
Newbury of the Southeastern Ice Company that they be allowed to tear up
the present rock-and-oil paved street immediately adjoining their
building and construct in its place a cement loading area, the cost"~'--'~'
of same to be borne by the Ice Company and the City, on a fifty-fifty
basis, the City to get the salvaged rock. It was pointed out that the
City had never in the past assumed any of such - paving costs and the
councilmen were Ul}willing to take any action. The members stated they
would like to look it over first before making recommendation thereon.
The matter was therefore laid over until next meeting, to be made a
special order of business at that time.
The Mayor reported that there was a strip of sidewalk on the
beach, adjacent to the New Las Olas Hotel, which was in bad condition a
and which the owners v.ould like the City t~re-lay on a fifty-fifty basis
as had been the practice on such sidewalk repair jobs in the past. This
matter was also laid over for further investigation and recommendation
back to the Council. at next meeting.
The matter of s]i>rsying the royal palms on the City Streets
East of the Canal was brought up by the Mayor, who reported that the
Fire lllhief had used the fire hose and the small red truck to advantage
in sp1"aying and ridding trees on City Streets of caterpillars and he
believed the Dodge pumper and one of the Fire Department's extension
ladders could be used to spray the tall royals. He I'ecommended that the
Fire Chief be allowed to exper~nt, and see if he could not do the job.
The Council approvedoe>f-theMayor' s recommendation and agreed that this
should be tried out.
2127
June 14, 1943~
Mayo1" Jacobs also reported that Mrs. Ammon Gibbs had
complained about a vacant lot adjoining her property which was
badly overgrown with weeds, and he inquired whether the Fire Chief
boula. burn it off. Chief Croft agreed to check on the matter to
see if this would be feasible.
Upon the Mayor's recomnendation, it was moved by Mr.
McFee that the City Clerk be authorized to purchase a flag, on a
standard, similar to those purchased by the American Legion, to be
used in front of the City Hall. Mr. Wodischek seconded the motion
and on roll call the vote was as follows: Mr. Hill yes, Mr. Jacobs
yes, Mr. McFee yes, Mr. Wodischek yes. The motion cari'ied.
The Mayor asked what the Council's attitude was in rega1"d
to completing the Fire Dejlirtm!>nt personell, whereupon Fire Chief
Croft asked that he be allowed to withdraw his previous recommendation
for the appointment of Mark Johnson, and further reported that Dan
Meadows had been appointed Assistant-Chief; as of June 1st. Councilman.
Hill moved that this appointment be approved. Mr. Wodischek seconded
the moti6n and on roll call the vote, was as follows: Mr. Hill yes,
Mr. Jacobs yes, Mr. McFee yes, Mr. wodischek yes. The motion carried.
The Mayor stressed the need of hir ing another man on the Fire
Department, stating that our present insurance rateR were predicated
on the City having a Chief and two jliid firemen in its employ at all
times. He recommended the appointment of another man so the!> they
might work the night shifts alternately.
Chief Croft said one of his principal reasons for requesting
another assistant was because the department was at present made up
almost entirely of young school boys, and that only t~ee men were
cajlible of operating the fire fighting equipnent, and in case one of
these should be out of town or otherwise unable to answer a fire call,
the Department might firld itself in serious difficulty.
Mr. McFee said he believed another man could be used on the
Fire Department alright, but that the tire and Police Dejlirtnents
should co-ordinate their operations in such a way as to eliminate the
extra help in the police office. He said it was a rratter to be worked
out by the Mayor.
The matter of recreation for the teen-age group was next
taken up in response to the following letter received from one of the
sponsors of the movenent:
June 12,1943.
Members of the City Council
Delray Beaclb, Florida.
Gentlenen:
Due to.thechanged oonditions in
2128
June 14, 1943.
town because of the war, there is a need
for a place for the teen-age children to
go. It was understood that Federal funds
would be available to J:%' ovide for the es-
tablishing of a teen-age room, but this
has not been worked out as yet. We hope
that wi th the support of local groups it
will be possible to provide a properly
supervised gathering place immediately.
We propose to set this up on a three months'
basis to try it out. Mrl1. Armentrout
would act as supervi sor a t a hundred dol-
lars a month. The rent on the wilding we i.... ~
have looked at would be fifty dollars a
month with approximately twenty dollars
monthly for light and water. The P. T.A.
will provide money to pay the supervisor.
We think that the Thrift Shop should be
able to take care of the utilities. We
believe we can depend on donations to give
us funds for equipment. We have. been as-
sured of support by several small organi-
zations, but feel that VIe could not even
attempt such an undertaking without the
financial and moral support of the City
Council. I personally visited the Youth
Center Inc. in Ft. Lauderdale which has been
running for over three months and is taking
care of the serious teen-age problem in that
ci ty so admirably. It would take too much
space to attempt to tell you all about. their.
club, but it was certainly an inspirati6n::to
me. We veX'Y much hope that you will help us
in this undertaking and we should appreciate
meeting a menber of the Council to discuss
plans as soon as possible.
VeX'Y sincerely,
RUW MARTIN RIDDELL
TIll re was some discussion as to the City's obligation
in til is regard and as to wha t fund money for this purpose could
be taken from. Finally Mr. McFee moved that $50.00 per month be
donated to the Teen-Age Club Committee, for the next three months.
Mr. Wodischek seoonded the motion and on roll call tile vote was
as follows: Mr. Hill no, Mr. Jacobs yes, providing this does not
obligate the City to any future Illyments, Mr. McFeejyell, Mr.
Wodischek yes. The motion carried.
2U9
June 14, 1943.
Mr. Hill moved that the following 1942 Personal Property
Taxes be canceled as uncollectable, there being no personal pro-
perty remaining on Which to levy.
Ault's Sport Shop
Britt's Wood Studio
Joan Crichton
Holloway's Health Studio
Lang's GroceX'Y
Walter Van Durand
Walker's Studio
Ward's Grocery
Dr. Roy Webb (Office)
7.60
3.20
.60
3.00
24.00
2.40
.40
. 12~4'O
3.00
Mr. Wodischek seconded the motion, and on roll call it carried unani-
mously.
The City Clerk submitted proof that the Church of God, had
contracted for the p~1"chase, and built and used the building thereon
exclusively for church purposes ever since 1930 on the following
described property: The N38' of the S206' of the N!of Block 31,
and in view of such proof of ownership and occupancy, it was moved by
Mr. Wodischek that the City Clerk be a~thorized to cancel the delii.quent
taxes on said property. Mr. Hill seconde(l tha motion and on roll call
the vote was as follows: Mr. Hill yes, Mr. Jacobs yes, Mr. McFee yes,
Mr. Wodischek yes. The motion carried.
It was reported that an R. D. Wood Fire hydrant had been
loaned to the Technical School AAFTTC Office of the Post Engineer at
Boca Raton Field, with the underst/lnding that it would be replaced by
one of equal value as soon as available. The City Clerk was instructed
to request that an order be placed immediately Pl" the camp fo1" another
hYdrant so .that it may be returned to the City with as little delay as
possible.
The Bathing Suit Ordinance was submitted for$second reading
but after considerable discussion, pro and con, in rega1"d to the pro-
posed regulation, it was moved by "1". Wodischek that it be laid ove1"
until another meeting when full membership of the Council is presen.t.
Mr. Hill seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
At this point Mr. C. A. B. Zook appeared at the meeting and
asked audience with the Council, .l'8questingtliat .tlie ljlelllbe1"s re"-consider
hDls application for permit to construct a field office, which.application
had been previously rejected in the early part of the meeting. He said
he had about 40 or 50 acres of property for sale in that area and needed
an office for such sale and. development of his property. He .cla:imed it
\'Ould be attractively 1:luilt, aild beautifiied, and.vmuld be considered in
no way objectionable.
Mr. Hill said he would be willing to re-consider the appli-
cation providing that only a temporaX'Y pe1"mit is issued and the1"efo1"e
moved that the previous motion of the council, to deny permit, be
"'~ ~
2:130
June 14, 1943.
rescinded. Mr. Wodischek seconded the motion, which carried unani-
mously on roll call.
It was then moved by Councilman Hill that Mr. Zook be
granted a temporary permit for the erection of a field office for
sales purposes only, and when it ceases to be used for such purpose
that it then be removed. Mr. Wodischek seconded the motion and. on
roll call the 'lote was as follows: Mr. Hill yes, Mr. Jacobs yes,
Mr. McFee yes, Mr. Wodischek yes. The motion carried.
It was moved by Mr. Wodischek that bills numbered 9784 to
9838, having been approved by the Finance Committee, be ~tarned to
the Council, and ordered paid.
Councilman Hill reported having conferred withM. M. DeWitt
in regard to the installation of dams at the North and "outh ends of
Lake Ida, to bring the water level up about four feet, thus helping
the Golf Course property, as well as some of the residence properties
locatei>n the sandy ridge North of town. It was thought that this
would also eliminate the fresh-water mosquitoes complained of lately.
Mr. DeWitt said that if the City would make some kind of proposition,
as to what help it could give on a project of this nature he would take
the matter up with the Drainage District and see what could be done.
The members considered it a worthwhile undertaking, and in line with
Mr.. Hill's suggestion, it was moved by Councilman Wodischek that the
Mayor appoint a committee of the Council to meet with Lake Worth Drainage
District representatives to consider the cost and type of dams suitable
for this purpose. Mr. McFee seconded the motion, which carried unani-
mously on roll call.
In this connection, therefore, the Mayor appointed a committee
composed,of C. W. Hill, F. W. Wodischek, and J. R. McFee, and suggested
that the City Clerk notify the Drainage District that this cOlllJl1ittee
had been appointed to confer with them, and enquire when the next meeting
of the Drainage District would be held.
There being no further business to come before the Council,
it was regularly moved, seconded and carried that Council adjourn.
~.{L-fA)'~
CITY CIERK
APPROVED:
~.
MAYOR