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07-02-56SpMtg JULY 2ND, 1956 A Special Meeting of the City Con~lssion met in the Commission Chambers at 9:00 P. M., in a joint session with Mayor Mike Yargates in the Chair, W. J. Snow, Emory J. Barrow, Catherine E. Strong and Howard Lee Cromer, all members of the Commission being present, and the following representa- tive of the Negro Civic League, Spencer Pompey, George McKay, Lens 6runner, Joe Baldwin Jr., and Ozzie Youngblood. Mr. ~alph Rennick, a representative of T-¥ Station WTVJ, acted as Moderator. Mr. Rennick - This Meeting has been called on the level of,,how a settlement can be reached in the racial controversy. YA~GATES- I would like to explain why four Commissioners have maintained a silence for the past 45 days. We were asked by the Governor's Office and local business interests to do so and that is why. We have sought to solve this problem and agreed that we would maintain silence regardless of the pub- licity we received. We hope that a solution of our differ- ences can be reached. You members representing the Civic League organization represent the majority of the Negro popu- lation of Delray Beach. Now if you have any proposals, we would be glad to listen to them. r~ENNICK - Could we get a statement f~om a spokesman? POHPEY - We think first of all that this meeting is one of the most important and crucial meetings of all times. We are grateful to the Commission for the opportunity to discuss this delicate problem. Re want to establish one or two basic Facts. We do not want to do anything that would impede or hmp&ir or hurt our community but we do feel that we are en- titled to consideration for certain opportunities in the use 'of our community. We would suggest that it would be, We think, in fairness to all concerned if the community would fairly entertain one of the three things. (1) The most recent act exclusion, we feel ought to be dropped. As a matter of fact we didn't quite under- sta~d the necessity of such. (2) Contracts for the swimmin_~: pool about which you pro- vided in the budget perhaps ten months ago should be built as quickly as possible and durin~ the interim, we feel that some method might be made to get some type of facilities for the group. We do not feel that we are trying to force but we want to appeal to your sense of fair play and we know it it rather a difficult problem. ~ENNICK - Are not all these other issues involved centered around the bathing beach on the ocean? BAP~t0W -Yes. I think the Co~nission's idea would be to appoint a con~ittee. YA~GATES - The City of Del ray Beach is in debt for ap- proximately $800,000.00 and it would cost the City oFer 500,000. for suitable beach property which the City of Del- ray BeaCh is not able to provide due to the current debt and lack of necessary funds. We are willing to go along with a Committee on a plan something like the Hospital. We are going to have to go to a Beach District level or higher. We want to solve it. We will let you pick the group of any two Com- mission Members, two from your organization and we suggest that you select Mr. ~. J. Holland, local business man, for a fifth member of the Committee. We have reason to believe he will accept the appointment. As far as we know now that is the best approach. JULY 2ND, 1956 P0~P~Y - May I ask a question? What is the Beach District level or higher? YA~GATES - You are familiar with the Hospital District now. There is such a Beach District set-up. I believe it would be a job to pass a referendum"in, but I don't think that would be as much of a job as the Hospital referendum. I believe from all the discussion had, that is the way to approach this and Net the beach and the facilities for the Negroes. We are not opposed if you can get it and if you maintain the status quo so far as integration is concerned but we are charged with getting you this beach and we have' exhausted almost every possible way. We do not want any double talk. But it has to be at the Beach D~ trict or higher. ~NNICK - Let me ask. You realize this is suggested strictly on the idea of the money? McKay - We go along with the Conmittee idea. I would like to make this addition. I would like to see two members of the Commission on the Committee. I also approve of Bob Hollmd and I feel the Con~nission should be represented by two members. Thank you. YA~GATE$- You want four. Do you think that is satisfactory? SNOW - I think two members of the Civic League as I ~m so anxious to get a result. YOUNGBLOOD - May I ask a question? I am sure you would like for me to be frank. I believe I am one of the first ones to ask for the beach in 1946. The reason for that is because we were pushed back from where we originally started. Now you see I mention O~at for this reason. Any big problem will take time to solve. I think we all want to solve this as auickly as possible. I believe it is ~oing to take some time to work this out. YAHGATB~ - It might happen in a week, a month or a year but all the work will not be wasted. As far as I know, we are not going to waste some time and we have wasted plenty. YOUNGBL00D - I, tOo, go along with the Committee but the other Honday night I had just qbout changed my mind about the people. I believe we have people who have this situation at heart from a community standpoint. I belive they might be able to find some broadminded people who have private beaches and who would either make a loan or take a lease on that sec- tion of the beach till this is settled. That just entered my mind. rLENNICK - Is it necessary to make a restriction on this committee? Is this a real point at issue C~0~E~ - I don~t believe that it is, Halph. I believe that is more or less a minor if you happen to locate such beach~ ~N~lCk ~ Then you agree on two City Commissioners, two Civic Leauge members and Bob Holland? YAHGATES - This is all contingent on the Status quo of Delray Beach as it stands on record today. ~e have to have the Status quo as maintained today. BA~t0~ - I would be willing to go on the recommendation of the Committee. C~0~EH - All members concur. I think Status ~uo should JULY 2KD~, 1956 be part 9f the agreement. The whole economic future for both of us revolves around the fact that ~ahe beach must be kept white, so if you are agreeable to that as well as the golf course and swimming pool, I include that we will build a pool immediately and if you agree to that I am 100% be- hind it. ~NN1CK- Isn't it implied? C~O~E~ - I don't want any more implications. ~ENNICK - That is five that would say "Yes" that we re- main on Status Quo basis so we have to .~o along ong~od faith. BA~t~OW - Let them pick the two they want. POMPEY - I would just as well have you select your mem- bers and we have faith in your honesty. I don't consider that much of a questio~ if you select them or we select them. YOUNGBLOOD - ! think this is the beginning to finding the solution to the problem. We are willing to set down and work this out and I think this is a starting point and the stepping stone in that direction. YA~GATES - We have settled the most important thing which is the way to get the beach. I think I can go out on a limb and ! suggest that if you will maintain this Status Quo and accept this proposition this Commission will drop the Exclusion Act and we will give the City Manager authoriza~ion to build the pool as quickly as he can get bids. BALDWIN - Will you please explain Status Quo? YA~GATES - I have only been in Delray for five years. For the last five years, in other words, Negroes did not go on the beach but you may use the public park, for fish- lng, like you do now. You don't want integration of schools, you like your schools and we would like to keep our schools white. We would like to keep our swimming pool, beach, golf course - in other words, keep things just as they have been for the last five years. ~ENNICk - Let me state this proposition and take a vote and' see how we stand. Both sides agree to a five man com- mittee consisting of two City C~mmissioners, two Civic League Members and Bob Holland, to investigate the pros- pects of acquiring beach property for the Negro population. CttOME~- I think that is OK. POMPEY - I agree with the proposition - or part of it. Do you think it would be asking too much for the Commission to empower this committee or an independent of this com- mittee to try an~ secure some type of swimming in ~he interim. It will take 90 days or more to get the pool built. It is now the season of the year that gets pretty rough onthe children. ~euldn't that be an act of good faith? Some person might grant that privilege. rLENNiCg - Wouldn't this question fall within the pro- vince of the committee rather than attach too many strings? POMPEY - All the other Negroes feel that same way. Mayor, you felt that the City Commission wuuld let the bids on the pool and then drop the Exclusion Act, didn't you? 120 JULY 2ND, 1956 C~OM~ - I want the Status Quo. This is not the point of debate. ST~WNG - You have to have confidence in one another o~ none of this will work out. You have to trust each other. POMPEY - The City now owns 100 feet of beach in Ocean Ridge. Would the City 'be willing to sell the beach prop- erty and realize that revenue as part of the money to acquire this beach? YARGATES - Yes. POMPEY - Now when would the action take place 'in re- gard to the Exclusion Act? YAJtGATES - We will have our la~yer draw up these facts tonight if you want them. We will put the plans through for the swin~ning pool and create this District Committee tonight. PO~Fl~EY - The Committee will not be limited to Beach District level or higher? ST~tONG - Are we not in Special Session tonight? This is a Special Heeting we are having. It~NICK - As far as I am concerned, you will have the City Attorney draw up the necessary documents. · ~AHGaTES - Do they want it done tonight7 ADAHS - Hay I suggest that we are seemingly in accord. Our trouble has been a misunderstanding. 'It is best we consider both groups. I will be pleased to take the secre- tary and prepare the document immediately~ POHPEY - We have confidence. ADA~IS - To prevent misunderstanding - it is best to pl~ce thesefacta in the written word. This is the combination of a lot of concern and conversation. We will get it done. YARGATES - We are experts at being misquoted and saying things we didn't say and we have been called all sorts of things and when Hr. ~ennick suggested this meeting we thought you would have a tape recording so far as this goes. So far, this has worked beautifully. I am all set if it takes all night and record this thing through all the way. When you said you were going to do that, I was glad. I don't think there is anything more important to settle than this tonight. ADAMS - I will take the secretary and get this instru- ment drawn up now. CROME~ - I would like to insert just one thing. This is about this trusting business. I trust implicity just about anybody until they go back on their word. It is so easy to misunderstand and if it is in black and white now you don't sign It before reading it. RENNICK - I will call a recess. YARGATES - Before we recess, I would like to say a few words. I wish I had words to express my thanks to Mr. Ralph Renick and to WTVJ. Here is a profit making organi- zation that sent a man and their equipment up here to solve a problem, a pretty serious problem, for a community and it looks like they have done s~mething nobody else could do for the last 45 days. JULY 2ND~ 1956 POMPEY - We wish to thank Hr. Aenick and all the other people who came, as well as the City Commission. We are approachin~ this issue with the idea of Finding a solution that will be happy and satisfying to all of us. We will abide by our agreements and we hope sincerely and honestly that efforts will be made by all of us. There should be no need of Feeling we will not succeed. I want to thank the Hayor, Hr. Renick and everyone else. ~tENICK - I would like to suggest to the committee that in thirty (30) days if they would come back with a report ~t would be Fine. AOA~ - Could I use the word "voluntary segregation" instead of Status quo? Following a general discussion regarding voluntary segregation and "status Quo" it was decided that Hr. Adams should omit the term "voluntary segregation"° The agreement was created in Hr. Adams office and the meeting resumed, Hr. Henick readlng the "Agreement as it was typed. YAHGATES - i-t seems to me it is pretty plain Englisho Does anyone have any changes or comments to make? AFter a general discussion between Clvi League Hembers and City Commissioners there were some Hlnor changes and the Agreement AGH ~EE~NT WE, the hereinafter signed persons in our individual capacities and as Agents and Hepresentatives of the Negro Civic League orga[~izations and Negro citizenry of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, after conference with t~,e City Commission of the~City of Delray Beach, Florida hereby respectfully submit to said Commission and 1F agreed to by said Commission agree to be bound by the following: (1) The City Commission of said City shall immedi- ately construct a Negro swimming pool in the place desig- nated in the Negro section of this city in accordance with the plahs and specifications pt~'esented and on File in the OFFice of the City Hanager of said City. (2) The City Commission of said City shall immedi- ately drop the present action taken to attempt to exclude the Negro section from the corporate limits of the *ity of Delray Beach, Florida. (3) The City ~ommission of said City shall immedi- ately appoint a five (5) member committee to investi~ate the Ways and "Aeans to obtain a Negro ocean beach and make its recommendations to the City Commission as soon as possible. ~uch a Committee to be comprised of two (2) members o£ the City Commission, Two (2) members of the Delray Beach Oivic League and ~obert J. Holland. (4) The City Commission of said Oit.v shall take immediate steps to attempt to sell ~ne Hundred (100) feet of ocean property heretofore designated for Negro use in the vicinity of Ocean liidge, Florida and shall make the proceeds resulting From such a sale:aVailable for use by said Committee as l~ may hereinafter recommend. We, in turn, speaking as Agents and Hepresentatives of the Negro citizens oi~ this community, as well as For the Churches, Schools and Civic Groups hereby agree that we will preserve the STATUS ~U0 between the Negroes and the Whites in the Delray Beach area. 122 JULY 2ND, 1956 We wish to state that it is not our desire to swim with the ~hites; to use the municipal golf course, pool or other municipal facilities commonly used solely by the Whites and we wish to assure the City Commission that we will not do anything that will harm or destroy the economy of the City of Del ray Beach, Florida. ~espectfully submitted in good faith. /S/ George S. McKa~ , /S/ Lens Brunner /S/, ,J. A. Baldwin~, Jr., /,S/ O. F. Youngblood /S/ C. Spencer Pompey Individually and in the above indicated capacities, EN bORSE~ENT AND APPi~OVAL: ~E, the hereinafter named Com~issioners of the City of Delray Beach, Florida in the name of the City of Delray Beach, Florida and in our individual capacities hereby agree to the provisions stated herein under the terms set forth and agree to take immediate action to effect the obligations we have hereunder incurred. Signed, accepted, ratified and approved this 2nd day of July, A. D. 1956. CiTY OF DEIAtAY BEACH, FLORIDA By: ~S/ Mike Yargates MAYOH /S/ W. J. Snow Commissioner /S/ E. J. Barrow Commissioner /S/ Catherine E. Stron~ . Commissioner /S/ Howard Lee Cromer Commissioner was signed. After it was signed by some members of the Negro representatives there ensued a discussion. The Following are excerpts therefrom. POMPEY- Inasmuch as you are going to put Status Quo in, could you revert back to the status quo again in regard to this orther Ordinance about searching? I will be honest, I think it should be lifted. YA~GATES - Just for the preservation of the beach, I think we should lea~e the firearms ordinance as is. There is going to be a lot of publicity about this agreement. Some poor innocent Negro is going to come up from some- where else. Now, can't you see the position we are in so we can't very well repeal that. I don't think we ought to repeal it until things quiet down and I will do every- thing to appeal that segregation ordinance. YOUNGBLOOD- I didn' t go to the beach that d~y and I July 2nd, 1956 have been told that in many instances the negro cars were searched and the whites were asked if they had anything and Were not actually searched. ! would like to feel I could go over there without being searched. I might do a little ~ork on the beach sometime and I don't want to be searched. SNOW - Didn't that just happen one day? You will also recall for what purpose it was done. This is for the pro- tection for everyone. That ordinance should be made a permanent ordinance and should be for the protection of the policmen so they have the power to search for con- cealed weapons. I am frankly wondering why Delray Beach has to go on record for that. CttOMEH - Maybe ! missed something. Up until this time, as the attorney was sent out to draw this agreement, isn't this something new that is being brought up? ~hy wasntt it brought up before the attorney was sent out to draw up this document. YOUNGBLOOD - You want to be able to sign a paper you can live with. POMPEY - If it is applied with equality I dontt see why it shouldn't be carried on. YOUNGBLOOD - I am trying to think in terms of freedom. Delray Beach was one of the best to~ns with one of the best race relationships in the Sta~ of Florida. I am fifty years old and I can not recall anything like this. We are going to preserve the economy of the town. Heligously, I am sure that the law isn't necessary. SNOW - Don't you think that was more or less designed to protect us from the outside elements coming into our community? YA~GATES - I wouldn't be a policeman for any kind of money, knowing that in patrolling this town anyone may be carrying a concealed weapon. There are too many hotheads that hate policeman. I do not think it is an injurious act. ST~tON~ - We could be up here all night. Can*t we take this agreement? POMPEY - We affirm that. AD,iS - Is it not the honest intention of this group as heads of the local groups to observe the contents of this paragraph7 POMPEY - May I suggest that Hr. Snow and ~rs. Strong be appointed. We submit Hr. McKay and Joseph Baldwin Jr,~ In the event the Committee can't succeed, then what? YAJiGATES - Let me give you a little assurance. I think they can approach it at a Beach District level. Your biggest job is goin to be to find the land. I believe the land will be found. I feel reasonably sure you will get it. Everything that we are trying to do is work to- gether to try and solve this problem. We, the City, have not got the money. By working with this group you will know exactly how to run the thing. You can then undoubtedly get the money to buy the property necessary, the City Com- mission will work along on it with the Committee and we will give you every assistance we can. SNOW - It has represented a lot of work and a lot of time. Some of you here I believe recognize that. It has been a lot of trouble and we have asserted every effort to JULY 2ND~ 1956 to try to bring this to a close. Through the assistance of Hr. ~enick it has apparently been accomplished, YAJiGATES - Since we have been through an upheaval I think it would be wise for us to forget the past and let's work together and make Delray Beach a bigger and better plaze in ~hich to live. SNOW - I move that the plans flor the swin~ning pool and Recreational Facilities be put out for bids. Hotion was sedonded by Commissioner Barrow and unanimously carried. Commissioner Snow then moved that the Commission drop all proceedings on the Exclusion Act. }lotion was seconded by Commissioner Barrow and unanimously carried. Hayor Yargates then appointed Commissioners Strong and Snow to serve on the Committee along with Hr. ~cKay and Mr. Baldwin, Jr., of the Civic League, and H. J. (Bob) Holland as Chairman. Heeting then adjourned. /S/ ~. D. Worthing .......... City Clerk APP rio VED: