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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1912-12-19 MinutesMiami,Fla. Dec.19th,1912. Regular meeting of council called to order by the Chairman. Members present: f.G.Erfert,,i.E.Lumuaus, E.F.Holmes, E.C.Romfh, J.A.Conrad,C.I[efty and R.O. Watson, To The Honorable City Council, City of Miami,Fla. Gentlemen: Miami,Fla. Dec.18,1912. We the undersigned owners, drivers and operators of automobiles, and carrig es, petition your Henorabld Body to se regular soliciting by owners,dri',ers and oper 'store of automobiles and carriages as to prohibit their leaving their automobiles or carriages to solicit while on the streets for a distance greater than ten (10) Peet The tagging of people on the streets 9s drivers are at present allow ed to do, is an annoyance and thereby becomes a public nuisance. (Signed) W.C,. Coats, and about 14 others. Moved by e.E.Lunmius and seconded b>r J.A.Conrad that petition be receiN ld and no action taken. Motion carried. Miami,Fla. Dec.16,1912. Hon. City Council, City of Miami,Fla. Gentlemen: As a result of the recent action of the two largest banks of the City in refusing to accept the City's paper and the leek of understanding on the part of a great many of our citizens as to the true conditions of the City's Finances,I here- with enumerate a few items representing fixed assets of the City. Streets and sewers as per letter of City Engineer Frederick: Miami,Fle. Dec. 17,1912. Mr. J.E.Lumnrue: Covnitteeman on Finance, City. Dear sir: In compliance with your request I herewith submit my report in regard to the amount of paved streets and sewers constructed to late within the Cit:, Li its. Streets and Avenues paved with Miami rock 11508 1 lin. feet or 21.78 miles, about 83 per cent of which is full width paving. Sewers- 24" concrete 3050 feet. 20" Concrete 700 ft. 15" Concrete 700 ft. 12" Concrete 2500 feet, 10" Concrete and Terra Cotta 6150 feet. 8" Terra Cotta 38676 Feet. 24 " Cast Iron 400 ft. 10" Cast Iron 45 ft. 8" Cast iron 120 ft. Total length of sewerage 53691 lin.feet or 10.17 miles. Trusting the above meets with your approval , I ai, E.S.Frederick, City Engr. " Also the following items: - City building, costing Fire Department building,costing City park, costing €20,000.00 15,000.00 18,000.00 3 lots on 12th street and 3 lots on 13th St. on whicn the city Building, The Fire Dept. Building, and City 'stables are located. 4 =r 20 scree of cemetery property. 40 acres of Dump Ground property. Several lots on 5th st. between Ave.D. and F.F.C.RY. tracks, formerly used ee rock pits, which when refilled by the Street Department may be used by the City or sold for more than their original cost. City property hospital on 4th St. and Biscayne Drive. 7 lots on 4th St. west of Ave. J for rock pit. 3 lots on 14th.St. South of West l2th St. for rock pit. 5 lots on south side for rock pit - The rocl, pits above mentioned I have put considerable time and eef ort in in order t•secure them fo' the reason that it is absolutely necessary and the properties acquired will in my opinion, provide thecity with enough rock to pave all its streets or at least the greater portion of them. Incinerator pant and 2 lots on which it is erected on 1st. St. near Ave...Ri 12th Street bridge. Street Department Tears and equipment. Fire Department equipment;- True s and Teams. Sanitary Department "'ears end equipment. Police Department Teams. The above items represent fixed assets that show you what the city has after 16 years of its history. Against all of this the City has outstanding bonded indebtedness of $100,000.00 bearing date 1906 and m Luring in 1936. During this period the Sinking And has been kept wor-ing right up to the limit end the city now has S15,000.00 Bonds purchased in its Sinking Fund so that in reality the City's outstanding bonded indebtedne s it only 82,000.00. In addition to this Bonded indebtedness the city has a floating debt of about 40,000.00which is represented by the $20,000.00 emergency bonds recently issued and current bills and pay rolls not yet paid. I fAgure that $0,000.00 indebtedness bonds if issued will place the city en a basis whereby it can take care of its current obligations, and if bonds for new oonatruction work are issued,so that improvements can be made without having 4o use ?undo that are supposed and intended to be used for maintenance account, the city can soon be placed in good financial condition provided its affairs are handled by our con- servative business men. The only suit that I recall that is pending against the City is pne that was filed several years ago by the County, through the Attorney for the Board of County Commiasioners,on account of a moral claim t,le County had against the city at that time. This suit should be dismissed as the obligation on the part of the City originally was only a moral one and the County is in reality under moral obligations to the city to a greater extent than the original moral obligation of the city amounted to. The city is <<t the present time, in as good financial condition as it has been at ny time during its history, in fact, the hest condition financie» ly. During the past I have assisted in having the local credit maintain- ed by reason of my connection with its management and I have with the assistance of my colleagues met the conditions at all times and you gentlemen will now relieve me of the responsibility,and if your Committeeman on Finanace devotes the time and effort to it that I have, he certainly should be .;ble to handle it. Instead of the criticism that has recently been heaped upon the past city administration they deserve credit for their accomplishments. Personally I an not so deserving as same of my associates in the early days when we were in the scrub, with- out lights, streets, sewers, water, telephone, gas or any other of the modern improve- ments that we now have, as my associates at that time were men of mere mature years and greater experience, but I labored with them and I appreciate the privilege of having had the pleasure of doing so and I am at this time proud of the accomplished results. I intended to consult the records in making this report but as I eould not find the time' to do so it is submitted off hand and from memory but I am reason- ably sure that the statements made are all correct. Honorable City Council, City of Miemi,Fle. Gentlemen: Respectfully submitted, (Signed) J.E.Lummus, Finanace Committeeman. Miami,Fla. Dec.19,1912. I beg to call your attention to Section 32 of the City Charter. Section 32 of the City charter was then quoted, also section 41. You will see from the reading of the foregoing provisions of the City Charter that the city has the right to issue emergency bones to the extent of one half of the amount of the taxes in any one year in which the bonds are 1::sued and you will also see from the reading of Section 41, th%tthe ?ands may be diverted by a majority voteof the City Council by and with the censeht of the Mayor. It has not been the policy of the Council in the past t• issue this character of bonds right up to the limit and our issue this year was only $20,000.00 viz: - Against the General Fund Against the R. & I.I.Fund Against the Lighting Fund ts00o.0o 8000.00 4000.00 20000.00 The total revenue to be derived from taxes against which these bonds were issued are as follows: General Fund $19,978.18 repair, & I.I.Fund 19,978.18 Lighting 13,984.68 Total $53,941.04 One half of the above amount the City has authority to borrow $21,970.52 As the City has already borrowed $203000.00 It still has the right to borrow $ 6,970.82 It, however ,is required to borrow against each fund separately and may afterward direct the funds as above stated. ,-7t is absolutely necessary that some provision be made for the em- ployees to receive their pay at leastonce a month and for the purpose of meeting the situation I any making this report and I have prepared resolutions which T. shall introduce at this meeting, which if adopted by the Council and approved of by the Mayor will provide the funds for the payment of all salaries for the city officers and employees up to and including Nov. 30th,1912. At my request the City Auditor has furnished me with the following information es to the bills and pay rolls on his files for the month of November, viz: w "46 i4 is r Cemetery Department. Finance Department. Fire Department Hospital department. Police Department Sanitary Department Street Department Street Dept. Park Work Total. No. officers and Employees. 2 15 13 15 13 13 30 Payroll Bills. 130.04• . r 25.20 591.99 145.33 020.00 356.00 356.47 491.32 920.00 333.68 467.00 534.48 867.90 535.98 207.25 250.00 101 4460.61 2671.99 Total amount of bills and payrolls for the month. $7132.60 The resolut ons that I shal 1 offer are o Tered with the understanding that if adopted by the Council and approved of by the Mayor and the bonds are issued and sold that the funds derived from the sale of said bonds will, after being placed to the credit of their respective funds be diverted, or so much tnerefo as ma: be found necessary to pay all of the pay rolls for the month of November,A.D.1912. If this procedure is approved of by the City Council and Mayor anri the bonds are issued the Bank of Bay Biscayne will take half of the issue and I presume the First National Bank will take half of them but if for any reason they do not take them, the Bank of Bay Piscayne will take the entire issue. Respectfully submitted, (Signed) J.E•;.Lum nis, Finance Committeeman. A Resolution by J.T;.Lurmus, Committee man on Finanace. Resolution Whereas the City of Miami has heretofore issued and sold Revenue Bonds of the said City against the Assessment roll of said City f r the year A.D. L912, aggregat- ing the sum of $20,000.00 ,as authorized by resolution under date of 0ct.3rd,A.D.1914 as shown in the Minute Book No. 5 at page 107, said bonds bearing date Nov.let,1912 and maturing May lat,A.D.L913, and bearing interest at 67!. and issued in series and nu!.bers as follows: Series A. against the General Fund Nos 1 to 8 inclusive. Series B. against the R. h T.I. Fund Non. 1 to 8 inclusive. Series C. against the Lighting; Fund Nos. 1 to 4 incl and whereas, the City is authorized to borrow to the extent of one half of its revenues ea shown by tiie tax roll for the year A.D.1912, leaving a margin on its bervowing capacity of the sums? t6,970.52 and, Whereas, itFis found to be necessary and to the best interest of the city to borrow against the aforesaid revenues of the city the sun: of 5000.00 at this time: - Be it res aved, by the City Coucil of the City of Miami: Section 1. That the City of Miami, he and 15 hereby authorized and empowered to issue revenue bonds to the amount of $5000.00 the same being less than one half of the taxes for the year A.D.1912, including an issue now outstanding aggregating the sum of $20,000.00 as shown by the assessment roll of raid city for the said year. Section 2. That the sail City shall issue as evi ence of indebtedness of mons money borrowed revenue bonds against the General Fund of said City, in a series num- bered from 9 to 11 inclusive, of the denomination of 1500.00 each: the proceeds of said sale thereof to be carried and credited to the General Feind of the City. And against the Repairs and Internal Improvement Fund of said city, in series numbered from 9 to 11 inclusive of the denominations o° Z500.00 each the pro- ceeds of the sale thereon' to oe carried and credited to tne Reapairs and Internal Improvement Fund of read City. And against tne lighting of the City Fund of tne said ciy in a series number- ed fro m 5 to 8 inclusive of the denominat ens o' $500.00 each, the proceeds of the sale thereof to becarried and credited to the Lignting of the City Pond of the said City. Section 3. That each of said bonds, when issued shall be signed by the Mayor or acting Mayor of tt:e said City, attested by the City Clerk and countersigned b>, the ;i y Auditor and shall be negotiated by the City Clerk and sold at par; and the proceeds thereof deposited in the treasury of said City, to the credit of the General Fund in the' sum of $1500.00 to the credit of the Repairs and Internal Improvement Fund in the sum of $1500. 00 and to the credit of the Lighting of the City Fund in then sum of $2000.00 Section 4. That the holders of said bonds shall have and are hereby given a first lien on the uncollected taxes for the year A.D.1912 levied and assessed against the real and personal property within the ce perste limits of the said city as ehewn by the assessment roll for the said year to the extent of said bond. Adopted this 19th day of December,A.D.1912. Attest: (Signed) W.B.Moore, City clerk. F.G.Erfert. (Signed) President of the City Council, Approved this 19th day of Deeember,A.D.1912. (Signed) J.W.Wateon,Mayer. Moved by C.Hefty and seconded by J.A.Conrad that the above resolution n3 in- troduced by J.E.Lummue be adopted. ?lotion carried. Resolution of J.E.Lummus, Committeeman on Finance. Be it resolved, that from and after this date the Panda coming into the hands of the City Treasurer,knewn and deposited as, General Fund, Repairs and Internal. Improvement Pund,Lighting of the City Fund, and Fine and Forfeiture Funds,be divbStdd monthly or se much thereof, as may be found necessary to equal the total amount of the Pay Rolls of the various departments of the City Government and that the aforesaid funds be used solely for that purpose, reaerving,however, a sufficient amount in the General Fund ,the Repairs and Internal Improvement Fund, and the Light- ing of the City Fund,to pay the indebtedness bonds that have been issued against the aforesaid funds for the year A.D.1912. • Adopted thi: 19th day of December, A.D.1912. (Signed) F.G.Erfert, President of the City Council. Attest: (Signed) W.B.Moore, City clerk. Approved this ---- day of Decembt r,A. D.1912. (Signed) J.W.Wataon,Mayor. Moved by E. C.Romfh and seconded by J. A. Conrad that the above resolution introduced by J.E.Lummus, Committeeman on Finance, be adopted. Motion carried. Moved by J.F.Lummua and seconded by R.F.Holmes that whenthe bond', are made and sold and funds are available, that the funds be diverted so that the pay roll for the month of November, can be paid. Upon roll call , the vote was ae follows: F.G. Rrfert yea, R.O.Watecn yes, C.Hefty yes, E.F.Holmea yes, E.C.Romfh yes, J.A.Cenrad yea. J.E.Lummus yea, The Mayor being present, stated that he was willing the transfer be mede from one fund to another so that the pay roll for the omonth of November could be paid. Councilman Holmes brought to the attention of council,that as they had agrd agreed to take the automobile to the Fire Dr:partment al $1000 ,that Mr. Peterson wa,ted a nets for six mnnths,covering that amount. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Holmes/: Resolution. Resolved, that the proper officers of the city is hereby authorized and dire* ted, to execute for and on behalfof the city of Miami, a note for 7,1000, payable in six menthe to Peterson,in payment for automobile recently authorized purchase to be ct converted into a motor truck for the Fire Department. This wig the understanding that the note' shall not bear interest until after maturity . Moved by C.Hefty and seconded by J. F.Lumnue that the above res )lution be adopt, ed.'.4otion carried. '.!re. Lucy Schacht asked permission to erect a dweling house on Avenue H between loth and llth streets,to conform with the building ordinance,house to be built of concrete and cost to be !2500.00. Moved by ".F Holmes end seconded by C.heft;j that permit be granted. Motion carried. Councilman Romfh reported to council hie progress with reference to Bond ieeue,and advised that preparations of the ordinance and engraving of the Sonde and the legality of the irsue,ahould be approve by the attorney of the Columbian Knickerbocker Trust Co. and that this{ service would eost approximately about $350. Movtld by J.E.Lummus and seconded bybC.Hafty that report of Councilman. Romfh be received and entered in the minutes,and that he be authorized to proceed with the work, first submitting ordinance to the city council for its action and approval. Motion carried. S.A.Bern1 addressed council in reference to placing weighing machines in the city,atatng that this is no gambling device ,and ne was willing to pay a reason abke licenge. Moved by d.E.Lummus seconded by E. '.Romfh that no action be taken on Mr. Berni's request. !lotion carried. Miami,Fle. Dec. 19,1912. Hon. Board of City Connell, City df Miaml,Fla. Gentlemen: I beg to report that I have todey in company with Street Committeemen Conran thoroughly gone over and inspected the work done by Contractor Godman in the con- struction of grading and paving 13th, Street between avenues J and L; we find the same done in due confornity with the profile and specifications of sail wore , we therefor recommend the acceptance and payment in full for sage. (Signed) J.A. Conrad, Street Committeemen. Yours respectfully, (Signed) E.;i. Prerieri ck, City Fngr. Moved by J.E.Lui mus and seconded by C.hefty that report be received] end copied in the minutes and corn,,la_.nts be advertised to bereceived at the efirst meeting in January. "etion carried. Reaolution,December 19,1912. Moved by J.F.Lurnvus seconded by E.F.Holmes that when the onde are issued and sold as provided in the foregoing resolution and the fun'shnve been pleeed t the credit of their respective funds as provided in the foregoing reselution,that the fnds be diverted,or as much theref as may he found necessary to pay the Pay Rolls of the L1ty fot the month of November 1912 and that warrants be ordered drawn in payment of allthe pay ro llr including the city enitineers <•: sintants and the rill of Chief of Police Fer;-uson for the feed of prisoners. motion carriers. Moved by Q.A.Conrari and wonders by C.Heflty that. the foreg.sig resolution be ad adopted. Moton carried. Note to F.W.Hahn,due July 15,1913, July 15,1913, July 15,1913, . July 15,1913, Note J . C. Tuc)'-er, due July 15,1913, Assets Liabilities Net assets. Auditors report. $ 259,293.37 127, 795.50 $131,497.87 Itemized list of bills payable. Note to Austin,Weat & Co. due Jan,1,1914, Note Webb Motor Fire Apparatus Co. due April 27,1913, April 27,1914, Note to 0.V.Palmquit, due Feb. lst,1913► May 21,1913. " " $1000.00 1500.00 2000.00 1000.00 150.00 500.00 630.50 1000.00 $7780.50 300.00 1500.00 (Signed) C.L.Huddleston,A;tditor. Moved by E.C.Romfh and seconded by .I.A.Conrad that the report he received and copied in the minutes. "Motion carried. Moved by J.A.Con. ad and seconded by E., .Romfh that council adjourn. Motion ce; rled. The chair announced that the ordinance combining the plumbing and building inspector into one position, was up for its third and final reading. Moved by H.A.Conrad and seconded by R.O.Watson that the ordinance receive its third and final reading. Motion carried. The erdinan+:e was real in full as follows: Ail ordinance emending Section 2 of an ordinance of the City of Miami entitled : " An ordinance relating to conetructien,removal and repair of buildings in the City of Miami, creating the office of building inspector of such city, prescr1 the powers and duties of such building inspector and providing a penalty for viola- tion of this ordinance." Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Miami: Sec. 1. That section 2 of an ordinance of the City of Miami; entitled " An ordinance relating to construction, removal and repair of buildings in the City Of Miami, creating the office of building inspecor of such city, prescribing the powers and duties of such building inspector and providing a penalty for violation of this ordinance" be and the same is hereby amended so as to read as follows: Sec. 2. The office of building inspector of the City of Miami is hereby created, which office shall be filled by the Plumbing Inspector of raid City, who shall in addition to his duties as Plumbing Inspector of the City of Miamk, also per- form ell duties imposed or which may be imposed upon the building inspector of the City of Miami. The Plumbing Inspector shall receive en extra salary of twenty-five dollars per month in cempeneation for services rendered the city in the capacity of Building Inspector. It shell be the duty of such Building Inspector to examine plans d and specifications, and issue permits to build, repair er move houses,dn.thb'clty, such permits and all acts and doings of the nulling Inspector being subject to the approval of the Council. A fee of $2.50 shall be charged for Hny permit to move or bus build any house costing less than $500.00,and for a permit to move or build any house coating over 3500.00,a foe of one half of one per cent of the cost of such building shall be charged. All fees and charges collected by the BuildinF? Inspector shall be paid by him over to the City Treasurer,and a report of Name made to the council month- ly, a copy of such report to be furnished to the City Treasurer. It shall he the duty of etch building inspector to inspect all buildings moved or repaired in the C City of Miami,end he shall have full power and autherity to stop the work on any building When same is being improperly carried on,until the latter can be reported by him to the council. ... ,.... .__--u_..... _....,.—^4, ,,. �--._..,::..-,,_ _.:_.-.._— ,— .a. -.. ter,_.-s._ _ .es-s...• The city shall furnish the biiilciine inspeetir with all neceerary books, stationery etc. Sec. 2. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. Attest: (Signed) W. R.Moore, City clerk. Approved this '2rui .day of Dec. A.D. 1913. (Signed) F.',.Frfert, ?resident City Council. (Signed) d.W.Wetson,Mayor. Moved by J.E.Lunwtus and seconder' b;, J.A.Conrad that ordinance be passed as read. Upon roll call the vote .,., as follows: F.(•.7.rfert no, ?.C.Watson yes, • .F.Lummus yes, E.T'.Tiolmes yes, :1.A.Conrad yes, C.!!efty yea. Ordinance was passed as read. !Moved by ,'.A.Conraj and secr;r.ried by.n.Watson that council adjourn. Motion cerried. Prestent Cit4,/ Attest: Cit, clor .