HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1913-08-14 MinutesAugust 14 ,1913.
_meeting of council galled to order by the eh airmee,F.O.Erfert. members
present : F.G.Erfert, J.A.Conrad,J.A.Mc7foneld, C.Hefty, E.F.i'olmes, E.C.Romfh and
R.O.Watson.
To the City Council,
M1arl,Fla.
Gentlemen:
On July l8th last, the Chief of Police C.R.Ferguson, preferred charges
against policemen, W.`4.Meredith and 1..P.Merritt,after mating; some investigation and
consulting Chief of Police Ferguson, regarding the charges,I suspended both from the f
force. On 25th of July, I received a communication from Chief Ferguson,withrirawing
the charges against Policeman Meredith,and admitting he was wrong in preferring them
Therefore Mr. Meredith was reinstated on the force,eli of which is respectfully sub-
mitted,and I ask that my action be approved.
Very Respectfully,
(Signed) J.W.Watson,Mayor.
A copy of the charge sent to the Mayor against the Policemen Meredith and
Merritt and also a copy of the letter withdrawing the charge against Policeman Meredith
fromthe Chief of Police to the Mayor,was attached.
There was also a communication from Policeman Merritt in which he denied the
charges but said he did not care to push the case,ae he would not wort under the pre-
sent Chief of Police at any rate.
Moved by E.C.Romfl, and seconded by (;.Hefty that the communication be received
and that the action of the Mayor be sustained. Motion ca:.ri d.
The Mayor brought to the attention of council,the matter of paseing en or-
dinance establishing a colored territory,nnd produced a copy of an ord nance which had
(13 een recently parsed in Atlenta,ln which it was claimed the city could designate a
place for white and aplace for colored people to live.
Moved by E.F."olmes and emended by P.O.Wataon that the corm, nication be rec-
eived and the matter referred to the city attorney for further investigation.Motion
carried.
A communication wee read from Mrs. Henry Gould Ralston,shairman of the Civic
Committee of the Womans ;lub,calling attention to the non enforcement of the garbege or-
dinance,and recommending abolishing the ten cents fee for removal of barrels,end let
the city move all garbage free of charge.
Council discussed the proposition for a long time trying to arrive et some
conclusion thet would better the sanitary condition. 1.(r. Tom Caseidey joining in the
discussion. Tt was finally decided to keep the charge of ten cents per barrel on for
the present.
Moved by E.C.Romfh and seconded by (;.A.McDonald thet the cornet nication from
the Womans Club be referred to the committee on sanitation. Motion carried.
The following communication was received from the City Executive Committee
announcing; the mimes of the succesePul. n .mine :r for the vriious city office.
To the l'on. City Council,
Gentlemen:
The City Eexecutive Committee having canvassed the votes cast
at the Primary Election to determine the choice of the white voters of Miami on July 221
and August 12th. A.n.1.913, find the full owing to be tFe nominees of the said Primary
Election •nd asl that their names be placed on the official ballot for the officee men-
tioned.
For Mayor
Fur member City Council
For
For
For "
"
For
For Chief of Police
For City Clerk and Collector
For Municipal Judge
For City Tax Assessor -
(Sig,ned)o.T.Wigginton,5ecty.
Miami,Pla. Aug?. 14,1913
John W.Watson.
'has. '.Filer
F.G.Erfert.
J.A.McDonalrl
H.G.Falston
E.C.Romfh.
W.J.Whitmen.
W.P.,4(oore
Paul G.Phillips
T.A.Price.
(Signed) A.L.LaSelle,
Chairna•i.
Moved by C.Fefty and seconded by J.A.Conrad that the comm nication be receiv-
ed and the names Re reported by the city executive committee be placed on the official
ballotMotion carried.
Hon.City Council,
Gentlemn;
une011ested real and
ttal amount of taxes
We herewith beg to report to your honorable body that we have
personal taxes for the year 1912
collected mnnth of Dec.1912. $2126.72
Jan.1913. 2312.64
Peb.1913. 4989.03
Meh.1913. 18688.98
Apr.1913. 14429.12
May 1913. 10513.92
June 1913 4350.34
July 1913 1174.46
Total amount of cash collected.
/Uncollected real
Uncollected personal
Total tax roll the year
Total cash turned in
Uncollected real
Uncollected personal
Over
1912 63,967.79
$58,585.21
2,582.58
2,943.60 64,111.39
$ 143.80
Note. Si ce July 3let, T have collected about
$ 58585.21
2582.58
2943.60
$ 64111.39
1.800 real taxes.
Reept.
(Signed) W.P.Moore,
City clerk.
Moved by .Hefty and eec.lided 7.0.Watson that report he received,and refer
ed to the auditor to be verified.Motion carried.
Moved by F.C.Romfh and seconded by 0.A.Conrad that the delinquent real taxes
be turned over to the city attorney and his receipt be taen for same,and that the
i].rk be credited with that amount. Motion carried.
A petition asking for lights on 10th street from Avenue L to Avenue N in Fiver
sidewas read,being signed by J.S.Rogers,Geo...Walker,A.Sttton and J.A.Robbins.
Moved by C.Hefty and seconded by J.A.meDonald that petition be rceived and
referred to Committeemen on Streets,witt power to act. Motion carried.
A petition addressed to Chairman Erfert,asking that the residential district
be 50 changed that the saloon district in colored town would extend down to the north
side of Seventh Street,instead of the middle of Third and Fourth Streete.
Moved by C.Hefty and seconded by ,7.C.Romfh that petition be deniedMotion
carried.
The petition from the business men and residences adjacent t o the corner of
Second Street and Avenue D,in the interests of humanity,and the dumb beasts of the ciy
ask that a drinking fouhtain be placed in that vicinity. This petition was signed by k
H.Adams,and about thirty others.
Moved by F.F.Holmes and sec nded by .Hefty that petition he referred to CON-
mitteenan on streets,with poNer to act. Motion carried.
A petition signed by D.E.Blanton and 12 others,asking that the building ordin-
ance be so amended so that the poor people in the outlying district could get a reduce
tion in the building fee, as the ordinance was not justly proportioned between large
and small butldere.
Moved by J. McDonald and seconded by E.F.Holmee that petition he laid on the
table. Motion carried.
A communication addre seed to council,in which Walter S.McQueide applied for
the position of assistant building inspector,or inepector of concrete and cement work,
which position seems to be necessary to the city.
Moved by R.O.Wwtson and seconded by C.Hefty that communication he received
and filed for future reference. 'Motion carried.
The chair anno',neei that as there were gnaw bide advertised to he opened,
the clerk would now ream them:
The clerk first opened the bid for cast iron pipe.
The American Cast Iron Co. of Bireing;ha ,Ala. bid approximately on
7,000 feet of bight inch to fourteeen inch C.I. pipe !25.90 per net ton.
Standard Special Fittinge,S55 per net ton.
The Columbian Iron Works of Chattanooga,Tenn. bid on fire hydrant as follows
Standard hydrants-- ;,2£S.00 each.Colur1bian hydrant .36.65 eaeh.iraproved Columbian by-c
drants--"51.65 each.
The 'Jnited Cates Cast Iron Pipe and Foundry Co. bid on C.I. pipe six to
fourteen inches, per trm 126.00,fittinl;s for sane S55.00.
P..P.Wood. h c`o.of Philedelphia,Pa.
ter_. na^cing the mathess, at N25.00 each .
'oved by J .A.McDonelr! and sec ended by e.A.Conrad that the "matter of awarding
these bids be referred to the Committeeman on Fire and Finence,to determine the lowest
bi1der,and report to council as soon as the contract is signed wite the F.=;.C.'iotel Co.
!lotion carried.
mei
offered "ire hydrarte for high prersure aya
A petition frorithe colored people of colored town was read,requesting
council to take some action of getting rid of a certain white settler intheir midst.
as he was not a deeieable eettler.
Moved by C.Hefty and eecunded by F.F.Holmes that petition be laid on the table
Motion carried.
The Mayor addressed council and said that he thought that some action
ought to be to en on this petition,after which J.A.'.4cI)onald made the following motion:
seconded by E.C.Pomfh. that the previous motion in regard to petition of colordd cit-
izens be rescinded. Motion carried.
Moved by .T.A.'(c?)onald and seconded by J.A.Cunrad that petition be referred
back to petitioner,requesting theca to furnish name of party,place of businees,end all
other information in regard t', the natter. Motion carried.
AMg.14,1913.
The !'onorahle Cit;, council,
7ilar:.i,111F .
"entl men:
T beg to report the tax roll for the ,year 1917 complete anti ready for
for your inspection and approval and I submit it herewith.
The values as fixed by me are as follows:
•
Real estate j4,?_29,360.00
Personal 540,3 5.00
Total. e44,770,245.00
Yours very truly,
(Signed) 7. ^.Winton,
City Treas. h Tax. Assessor.
Moved by E.C.Romfh and seconded by IC.T=efty that communication of the city
tax assessor submitting; the tax roll for the year 113, be approvers and accepters.
and copied in the minutes. Motion carried.
Moved by F:.C.Romfh and seconded by C.Hefty that the city clerk be directed to
publish notice that council would sit as a Board of Equalization on Mnclay,Aug,25,
Tuesday,Aug.2Eth, and WednesdeylAug 27th. A.n.L42:13, during the regelar o!'fiee hours
of the city clerk and would hear any complaint that racy be entered by the tax payers
se to the amount of their aesessed taxes. Motion c rried.
t�
It 'as brought to the attention of council that some property hollers were
putting down an inferior grade of sidewalk,e.nd it was thought that the engineer did not
have time to look after theirs as they should be,so the following motion was nude:
`,loved by J.A.Mct)onald and seconded by F.C.Romfh that the Building and rlum'hig
Inspector be requested to assist the Committeeman on Streets by inspecting the building
of new sidewalks,in conjunction with the City Engineer. Motion carried.
The chair announced that the bids for the construction of n new fire station
in the north end of town would be read by the clerk.
Bid of St. John Construction Co.
Bid of Charles L.Craig.
Bid of W.F.Yarbrough,
Bid of W.A.Otto,
$6,200.00
6, 000.00
5,4S8.00
7,279.00
Moved by J.A.McDon ld and seconded by E. C.Romfh that the. plans he returned
to the architect for further reduction in the cost of the building. Motion carried.
Movers by E.F.Tiolmes and seconded by J.A.Mcflonald that the raid of W.F.Yarhn
rough be held subject to any reduction that might be made in the cost of the building .
by the change of plans by the architect. and that bids of others be rejected. Motion
carried.
The Committeeman on Streets recommended the installing of t e following;
lights on the streets : two lights on North River Street between ?? and I
0ne light on 4th treet and H
0ne light on north 4th street and I
Five lights A ve.G between 1st and North 1st St.
One light on € th street bet.Ave.H and River Drive
Two lights on 9th street between Ave. ?r and River drive.
One light on 13th street and South River drive.
Fthi light on 15th street west of Ave.0
Two lights nn 16th street we stof Ave.J
One light on 16th street and Ave.J
0ne light on 17th street and Ave.J
One light on 18th treet and Ave.J
One light on 19th street and Ave.J
0ne light on 16th street east of Ave.J
0ne light on 15th street east of Ave.J
Three lights on 10th Street west of Ave.I,
0ne light on 9th street and Ave.L
One light on llth and Ave.'
One light on llth street between. Ave. M and N
0ne light on llth street between t', and River. Drive.
32 l igh t s .
having thorogly investigated where lights are most needed,in addition
to the present syster1,I recommend the above lights be ordered installed.
(Signed) J.A.Conrad,
Committeemen on Sts.h Sewer.
Moved by E.F."olmes and seconded by J.A.McDonnld that the reommendation of tla
the committeeman on streets be approved,and lights ordered installed. Motion carried.
Mie�.i,Fla. Aug.14,1913.
Fon.Foard of City Council,
City of Miai.i,Fla.
Gentlemen:
I beg to report that I have in company with Street Committeeman Conrad thor-
oughly gone over and sinspeeted the work done by Contractor Weatherly in the construct-
tion of an eight inch terra cotta sewer on 6th street between Ave.F and T.
We found the same finished in due confor .it. with the profile and
lspecill isa-
tions of said work,we therefor recommend the acceptance and pament in
me
(Signed) E..Frederick,
City Engineer.
(Signed) J.A.Conrad,
Street Committeeman.
Movers by J.A.McDonald and seconded by ;.Hefty that report of City Engineer to
be received and accepted,and that the clerk advertise that council will hear any corrpla
ints in regard to the construction of sewer et a reg,lar meeting to be held Thursday,Au
September 4th.1913. Motion carried.
The notice was posted at city hall,Court house and post office.
258
J
After discussing the installing of a sewer on 3rd street between Ave.0 end
the Pulevard,the following motion was made.
Moved by J.A."icDonald and seconded by C.Hefty tha,. bids be advertised for
the construction of a sewer on 3rd street,from Avenue C to Boulevard. And the City
Engineer instructed to prepare profile and specifications for sere. ,bide to be
opened the first Thursday in September. Motion carried.
Council disc,rssed the matter of installing a sewer on loth street between
Avenue M and North 'liver Dr ve,,after which the following notion was made:
Moved by C.Hefty and :seconded by J.A.'ScPonald that the City Engineer be
instructed to prepare a profile fur sewer on loth street between Ave. M. and North
River Drive,arut subject the sane to council. '4otuon carried.
The J.B. McLendon Invest, en.t Co. presented a bill against the City for
one third cost of a sewer on 5th street,this bill was O.v..'ed by E.S.Frederick,Cit,y
Engineer, and .I.A.Cunrad,Committeeman o Streets,
Amount of bill c72.30 .
Moved by h.C.Romfh and recon'.ed .I.A.""-cPonald that bid be accepted and
paid out of the Sewer Pond Fund. Motion carried.
A bill was also presented against te city for the laying of a sewer in
Cushi ans :?ddition,from Biscayne Pr ive,west to the Railroad Right ue v'a;;.
The Citys third,ar.lounting to $147.75
Moved by F.C.Ronfr end seconded by c-Hefty that bill be held or future in-
vestigation.Motion carried.
A communication from James rl.Irazelhurst to ,I.A.Conraci,CoPr itteeman on Streets
was read, in which he notified conncil that he was running three advertis :noents ■s
per inclosure in the Times Union,one in the Baltimore Manufacturers Record,and one
in Engineering News. He further stated that he would call councils attention to the
fact that in the advertiseEent,he has called for Alternate proposals on Pithulithic
as a Surface ru terial.
Moved by J.A.McDonald and seconded by E. '.RomfL that the action of "r. 'azelhv
hurst for advertising for bids of Pithulithic pavement, be approved. Motion carried.
August 11,1913.
J.A.Con_art,Chairman,
Street Committee,
Miami,Florida.
Dear sir:
Our resident engineer, Mr. Geo.c.Pie ce, advises that there will be a
special adjourned meeting of the council to he held Thursday,the 14th next for the
purpose of considering matters in connection with the paving project.
At thet meeting think it would be advisable to intro Luce a resolution to
arrange fur someone to underta'e officially to get subscriptions signed covering the
paving work contempleted. In a letter of n few days ago iron '!essrs.Shutts,Smitl. &
Bowen,they referred to the desirability of such action in advance of the issue of
the paving bends and it occurs to me highly desirable to know *hat proportion of
cash can be relied m ?or this enterprise.
Another thine;: I think it very necessary that the council anticipate any
work to be done on sewer connections within the district to be paved and to this end
it would be advisable to have the council instribct city engineer,Frederic3,to look
up this data hnd report back a. the next meeting in order that the material may he
ordered and no delay occasioned as far as the city is concerned.
I beg to advice that the specifications are in the hands of the printer and
will be able to send you copy within a few day s.
Yours very truly,
(Signed) James Nesbit 'lazelhu.•st.
After dissu. ing the communication,the chair appointed F.C.Romfi_, J. ;.'1cDonalcl
and J.A.Conrad,as a c-nmittee to go around and find all who w uld subscribe for
putting down pavements. 'lotion ca;ried.
Councilman' F.G.Erfert,introduced the following ordinance;
An ordinance of the City of Miami erect ng a Health Department of !;aid city
rich shall be a pprt of the ganitation Department ofsaid city, providing. for the
nppointi eat or a Board Reelth,e health offioer,aesistants and employees; providing
for their salaries and prescribing their powers and duties; prescribing the powers
acid duties of the Roard of Health as sure Board; and making regulations for the con-
duct of such Halth Department.
259
1([ 'ved by E. C.Romfh and seconded by .I .A.McDoneld th it the above ordinance
be given its first reading end read in fu.1. Motion carried. The ordinance was read
in frill.
'loved by J.A.Conrad and ,,econded by R.O.!"atson thgt the above ordinnoce
he given its second readJig and reed by title only. !lotion carried. The ordinance war;
read by title only.
Councilmen E.C.Romfh introduced the following ordinance:
An ordinance to pro•ride for the paying of all sewers,,veter or ,;as mains,
t,)lep one ur electrical conduits,or ,h r underground structures,with their services
end connections in advance of any permanent ttreet improveme: ts.
'loved by C.Iiefty and seconded by E.F'.Tiolmes that ord naricebe given its
first reading end read in full. Motion carried. The or;llnnnre ales read in
Moved by C.tefty and econled by ??.F."olmee that o:dinanr,e be given its
secon.i reading and read by title only. Motion carried. The ordinance was read by
title only.
Councilman Pomfh introduced the following resulut ion:
A resolution of the City Council of the City of 'tinr,i authorizing the mayor
of said city to sign e bond in behalf of the said city which is given in the matter
of an appeal from a decision of the Court overruling the demurrer end notion to dis-
solve of the city to a bill of conplaing asking en injunction to enjoin the sale of
bun'.is reoently authorized by the said city.
Re it revolved by the City Council of the City of Miami.
That the mayor of the city of Miami,Floride,be and he is hereby authoriz-
ed to sick a bond inthe sum of One hundred and fi"ty dollars in the rinse of F.I1.Ror.ifh,11
al,vereos the City of M1ar.,'i,et al, which bond is conditioned to pay all costs,chnrgee
and expenses in and about an appeal from the decision of tie Circuit court denying
the nitk on to dissolve and overruling the demurrer to e hill of complaint filed
the plaintiffs above mentioned and referred to asking an injunction edjoining the
sale of certain bonds recently authorized to be issued and sold by the city of Miami,
T'la .
Attest: W.h'.`{oore,
City clerk.
F.C.Erfert,
President, of Council.
The Comnitteerian on Finance was given full authority to do whatever in
his opinion,he thought was necessary in the suit to validate the bond issue.
Attest:
`loved by E.c.Romfh and eecunded by C.Pe?ty that council adjourn.
City clerk.
c
Pree.CitlCouncil.