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05-17-72SpMtg MAY 17, 1972. A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, was held in the Council ChamLers at 12:05 P.M., Wednesday, May 17, 1972, with Mayor James ~. Scheifley presidings City Manager J. Eldon ~ariott, City Attorney G. Robert Fellows, and Council Members Grace S. Martin, J. L. Saunders, Leon M. Weekes, and O. F. Youngblood present. 1. The Lord's Prayer was repeated in unison. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was given. 6.a. Mayor Scheifley called the meeting to order and announced t-~ it had been called to consider passage of a Resolution protesting the discontinuance of the Western. Union Office in Delray Beach, and for any other business that might be presented. Mayor Scheifley presented RESOLUTION NO. 25-72. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEI,RAY BEACH OPPOSING THE CLOSING OF THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY OFFICE IN DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA. (Copy of Resolution No. 25-72 is attached to the official copy of these minutes.) See: Pages 88 A-B Resolution No. 25-72 was unanimously passed and adopted on motion by Mrs. Martin and seconded by Mr. Weekes. 6.b. Mayor Scheifley asked Mr. James J. Ritterbusch, President of the Delray Beach Board of Realtors, to come to the Council table and presented him with a Proclamation, dated May 17, 1972, proclaiming May 21 through May 27, 1972 as REALTOR WEEK. 6.c. City Manager Mariott said he believed it would be advisable, if Council desired to do so, to pass a motion recommending persons for appointment to the 50 member Study Commission as explained in a letter from Mr. Ray Moudry, Chairman of the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation, dated May 3rd and presented to Council at the last regular meeting. The City Manager said that the City would be entitled to three members on a proportional representation basis. It was pointed out that each name should be submitted prior to May 22nd and should include the individual's personal resume. Mayor Scheif!ey said that he had suggested several names and had obtained answers from Attorney John Ross Adams and Mrs. John Wilmer signifying their willingness to serve on such a committee, but that he had not been successful in contacting Mrs. Clarence Plume. The Mayor reported that at a meeting last Friday the Palm Beach County Municipal League discussed this item and unanimously passed a motion that the Cities recommend elected city officials to serve on the Study Commission. Mayor Scheifley asked that Council members give this some serious consideration which could be finalized at the Council work- shop meeting on Thursday, May 18th. 6.d. City Manager Mariott informed Council of a request from Rev. Morris Thomas, a minister in the Church of God of Miami, for permission to bring his "Church on Wheels" to Delray Beach to conduct services on the nights of May 19th and 20th at 23 S. W. 9th Avenue in front of the Elk's Lodge. The City Manager said this is subject to certain city ordi- nances the same as tent revivals and recommended that Council approve granting permission subject to compliance with all ordinance regula- tions. It was so moved by Mr. Saunders, seconded by Mr. Youngblood, and unanimously carried. 10.a. City Attorney Fellows informed Council of a suit against the City by Mebra Development Company as a result of Council's denial of the Company's site plan for development of property in Section 28-46-43, loCated at 2175 South Ocean Boulevard. -1- Sp. 5-17-72. He said that due to other pressin{r matters he did not have time to become invc]..ved in %his suit and had~o-~-~.~=<~ Aqtorney Robert Chapin if he would c~s~ defending the '"~- ,- ........... C3.~y in this matte_. Attorney Chapin said that he would do so at a charge of $40.00 per hour. Following genera], discussion, Mr. Saunders moved to retain Attorney Robert Chapin for this suit by Mebra Development Company, the motion being seconded by Mr. Youngbiood, and unanimously carried. 10.b. Mr. Youngblood asked approximately how long it would be be- fore sanitary sewers would be available in the unsewered sections of the western part of the Ci'ty. The City Manager said he believed it would be approximately 16 months before they would be installed. - 10.c. Mr. Saunders said that he continues to receive inquiries as to the new water plant and asked if there is any change in the sched- uled completion date in June. The City Manager reported that he had not been informed of any change of ccmpletion date. 10.d. Mayor Scheifley referred to a letter to Finance Director Weber, dated May 16, 1972, regarding the $2,000,000 City of Delray Beach General Obligation Beach Improvement Bonds, and reminded Council of the sale of the bonds at 12:00 o'clock noon on May 24th, 1972. The meeting adjourned at 12:25 P.M. HALLIE E. YATES City Clerk MAYOR -2- Sp. 5-17-72. RESOLUTIO~ NO. 25-72 ~$~-_A A RESOLUTION OF T~ CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DELRA¥ BEACH OPPOSING THE CLOSING OF TIlE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPAL~ OFFICE IN DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA. WHEREAS, notice has been published concerning a change of service to Delray Beach, Florida, by Western Union Telegraph Company; and, WI~REAS, the city Council of Delray Beach, Florida, desiring to express its opinion to the Federal Communications Commission held a special meeting on May 17, 1972; and, WHEREAS,. the agency designated in the ad is not a permanent setup for satisfactory service in that there have been at least six changes of managers in the last eleven years, .the station has not been in use during certain periods, and the turnover of service station employees is many; and, WHEREAS, no arrangements are made for replacing the new agency in the event of a change of managers or closing the station takes place; and, WHEREAS, the personal attention received by customers will not be received through the now proposed arrangements; and, WHEREAS, foreign messages and money orders will not be handled as efficiently under the new proposed setup; and, WHEREAS, Western Union customers would have to wait while gas station customers are waited on; and, WHEREAS, Western Union office was established in Delray Beach during the 1920s; and, WHEREAS, Delray Beach has'.the only office between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, being a span of 45 miles; and, WHEREAS, the proposed method of operation of calling Miami has been in effect for a period of a year; and, WHEREAS, after-hour operation using the Miami office has proved most unsatisfactory to the users, namely, phone not answered, line busy, once answered there is a long wait before message can be given; and, WHEREAS, the actual message, written, is not received for two days after phone call and written confirmation is needed immedi- ately in many instances; and, WHEREAS, the Delray Beach area, Florida (South Palm Beach County) is the fastest growing area in the State of Florida; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, as follows: That the City Council of the City of Delray Beach objects to the closing of the Western Union Telegraph Company office in Delray Beach and requests the Federal Communications Commission to deny Western Union Telegraph Company's petition for closing said office. -1- 88-B PASSED A~PD ADOPTED by the city Council while in special session on this the 17th day of May, 1972. ATTE ST: city Clerk -2- Resolution No. 25-72.