HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1913-11-06 Minutes1
November 6th,1913.
Regular meeting of council called tolorder by the chairman: `4embers
present: F.G.Erfert, E.C.Romfh, J.A.McDonald,J.A.Conrad, H.G.Ralston, C.F.Filer and
Caspar Hefty.
City Attorney A.d.Rose was present and the oath Of office was adminis-
tered to him as follows: I do solemnly swear that T am entitled to hold the office
to which I have been elected and that T will support,prutect and defend the Con-
stitution and Government of the United Stated and of the State of Flerida against
all enemies,domestic or foreign,and that I will bear true faith,loyalty and alleg-
iance to the same and that I will faithfully perform the duties of the office of
City attorney of the City of Miami,on which I am about to enter, so help me God.
(Signed) A.J.Rose.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this
November 6th,1913.
(Signed) J.W.Watson,Mayor.
The Mayor adm instered the above oatti to City attorney Rose, ,after
which he addressed co'nncil,and outlined in a way the policy which he would pursue
for the next two years as City attorney.
November 6th,1913.
To the City Council,
Miami,Florida.
Gentlemen:
I beg herewith to inform you that on November 1st last,I suspended from
the Police Force. Messrs G.W.Robertson, R.Tr.Smith and !.'".Cann on account of charges
preferred against them by Chief of Pollce,W.J.Whhitman,and I ask that my actions
in this matter be approved.
Yours tray,
(Signed) J.W.Watson,
Mayor.
Moved by C.Hefty and seconded by E.C.Romfh ,,hat the actions of the Mayor
be approved. Motion carried.
Attorney :smith appeared before Counc 1 and spoke in ref,arence to the
Hippodrome ,advis ng t ,at the Chief of tre Fire Department had notified the mana-
gers to close on a certain day on account of the numbers of seats,being too many
in the space to comply with the ordinance.Attorney Smith claimed that these gentlemen
had been given a permit,and had complied with the demands of council,and that council
should have looked into the matter while the wort, was going; on. and not wait until
completed .
Moved by W.G.Ralston and seconded by E.C.Romfh that the matter be re-
ferred to committeeman on Public Buildings,and he to report to Council.Motion carried.
Councilman Filer asked that hie duties be defined as Committ eman on
Public Buildings,what power was vested in him,and what authority he had to act on
it.The chairman explained the ordinance in reference to moving pictures and said
that it was the duty of the fire chief to approve of them.
Moved byi C.Hefty and seconded by E.C.Romfh that the owners of the Hippo-
drome be given further time till the Committeeman on Public Buildings could render
his report.
November 6,1913.
To the City Council,
Miami, Florida.
Gentlemen:
I beg to inform you that T have appointed M.'!.Richards,R.H.Starling
and G.L.Chandler,policeaen for the city of Miawi,effective November lst,1913,and ask
that their appointment be confirmed by your Honorable Body.
Yours truly,
(Signed)J.W.Watson,Mayor.
Moved by C.Wefty and seconded by H.G.Ralston that the appointi.ents of
the Mayor be confirmed.Motion carried.
To the City Council,
Miami,Fia.
Gentlemen:
I beg
to inform
dr. J.C.Tucker
M. J .McDonald
J.B.Shisler
A.A.Bunnell
H . ii .Morris
Ted Frederick
W.R.Robbins
Col.J.W.Boyd
effective November Mth,1913,
ments.
you that T have appointed
:/
November 6,1913.
Supt.of Streets.
'ity Plumbing; Inspector.
Supt. & Sexton Cemetery.
Sanitary Inspector.
Sanitary Inspector.
City Engineer
Boiler Inspector.
City Auditor
and I ask that your Honorable Body confirm these appoint -
Yours truly,
(Signed)J.W.Watson,
Mayor.
After tide appointments of the Mayor were read,it was decided by council
to approve of each one separately.
Moved by J .A. Conrad and seconded by J.A.McDonald that the appointment of
J.J.Tucker as Supt.of Streets be approved. Motion carried.
The -next. name taken up as that of M.J.McDonald for Plumbing and Building
Inspector,and as there was soave possibility of the two positions being divided,the fo.
following motion was made:
Moved by E.C.Romfh and seconded by C.Hefty that the appointment of a
Building and Plumbing Inspector be held overuntil it is decided whether the offices
will be divided or not. Motion carried. '4r. McDonald to hold the position
until the change is made or a new appointment made.
Moved by C.Hefty and seconded by J.A.McDonald that the appointment of J.
Shisler as cemetery superintendent be approved.Moti in carried.
The next names taken up were A.A.' Bunnell and H.H.Morris for sanitary
inspector,and owing to the Board of health ordinance which would possibly make some
changes inthe sanitary department,it was decided to hold these appointments up until
the Road of Health could be established. and as salaries had not been fixed for any ofb
the employeee,it was decided by council to hold up all appointments until the .salary
Ordinance was passed.
Moved by C.Hefty and seconded by C.P.Filer that the motidns confirming J.C.
Tucjer as Street Superintendent and J.B.Shisler es cemetery superintendent be res-
cinded. and all appointments of the Mayor be held over till the salary ordinance
be prepared. Upon roll 'call,the vote ''as as follows: F.G.Erfert yes, 1 .F.Filer yes,
H.G.Ralston yes, C.Hefty yes, J.A.McDonald no,E.C.Romfh no,J.A.onrad no,Motion carried
J.A.McDonald moved seconded by J . A. Conrad that the appointment of J.C.
Thkker as street superintends t and d .B.Shisler as cemeter;, superintendent be let
stand as confirmed.Upo roll call the vote was as follows: C.F.Filer no,F.G.Erfert no,
H.G.Ralston no,C.Hefty no, J.A.McDonald yes, E.C.Romfr yes,J.A.Conrad yes. Motion lost.
/To the City Council,
Mitii i,Fla.
Gentlemen:
Complying with a resolution passed by your Honorable Body c)ctober 2nd,last
requesting the Mayor to ascertain the value of lots on Avenue B betw een 5tn and 6th
streets,which were closed some years ago by the City Council,would cost the City
should the city wish to purchase them in order to again open the streets,I beg to
say that I find the lot facing on 6tn street is owned by Mr. P.Ullendorff and 'Ir.
Price -Williams. They asp: S2000.00 for the :ame. The lot facing on 5th street is
owned by ',rs. A.Piteher of Tai spa and she wants ", 1800 for it,ncaking; a total of S3800
I bet further to report to your IIonorAble Body that I have also ex, mined 111
the records inregard to the closing of this avenue and 1 find that the council
on August 26th,1897, )assed an ordinance granting a right of way to the Florida East
Coast Rwy./'Co. across Avenues C.D. E also across Biscayne Bay Drive and 5th and 6th sb
streets and closing that portion of Ave.B extending from 5th to 6th streets.
The mayor here quoted the ordinance passed August 26th,1897 in reference to
the closing of this avenue.
Therefore I would recommend to your Honorable Body that these
purchased until your city attorney has fully and thoroughly investigated
reported to your body. Avenue B is one of our principal thoroughfares and
opened clear through,as it would not only give those people in that sects
into the city but would relieve Avenue C of Sore of the heavy traffic,the
on that Avenue. therefore I hope that this matter will be promptly attend
It might he poseibel to arrange to open this avenue with the
etandin , that Rhould the courts decide that the city owned the lo$e, then
owners must look elsewhere than to the city or their pay, and should the
aide the city had no rights in the preriises,then the city to pay for them
which is respectfully submitted.
Yours truly,
(S i fined) J . T1r. Wat s on,Mayor .
lots not be
the matter and
should be
on a street
t 1s now
ed to.
under -
the present
court de-
. $11 of
Moved by F. C.Romf and seconded by C:I[efty that somruni cation be received
and referred to the city atorney for investigetion,and see if it is p-ssible that the
city can give bond and open street at once. Motion carried.
The question was also brought up of extending Avenue athrough to Biscayne
Drive.F.H.Rand addressed council,and presented a plat showing that the avenue was al-
ready oened from Biscayne Drive to Waddell Street,and the other property could be pur
chased very, cheap,making the connect5.on. /Ur. Rand and [fir. Houser said that they would
have a proposition from '4r. Oxar and Mr. Brice anri the other owners of lots in the
line of the avenue. at the next meeting of council.
Oct 27,1913.
The Honorable City Council
M1ami,F1 orida.
Dear sirs:
I beg t) submit herewitl-: the completed Tex Rolls for the year 1913 in
duplicate,for your final aceeptanee,and showing; 'values as follows:
Real estate and Improvements
Personal asseesment
4,097,160.0O
5400f6.00
Total • $4,638,045.00
These are the figures es shown by my communication of August 27th,1
after having made the reducion ordered by the Board of Fqualization,Against this amount
you have levied 23 mills •hich makes the amount of taxes ,!ollectable ,106,675.03
With reference to the assessment this year,I wish to call to your atten-
tion the fact that the work has been increasing in volume yearly,owing to the hun-
dreds of new buildings being built and the thousands of transfer~ of title,not to
mention the difficulty of keep ing in touch with the constantly shigting of
values. The compensation is not great and in ray opinion is not commensurate with the
amount of work, T have received the yearly salary of ; 500.00 ae Treasurer ant Tax
Aseeseor of this t200.00 is supposed to be for the Treasurer and r'300 for the AsseEs-
or. /Y have paid out &or clerical work this year $101.on) and T would respectfllp
ask that you reimburse mime to that xtent if you see Pit.
I wish to .Bay that I am rea* to make my final report es Treasurer
as soon as ell October collections have been turned into me,and I have also 18 bonds
Of the par value of $1000.00 each brxight out of and for the benefit of the sinking
fund,that I am ready to turn over to the proper authorities when I have been properly
receipted.
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) T.C. }[inton,
Taz Assessor and Treasurer.
Moved by J.A.Conrad and seconded by H.G.falston that report of the tax
assessor and treasurer be received, approved and copied in the minutes.`►,otion carried.
Moved by J.A.Conrad and seconded by H.G.Palston that Mr. Hinton be reimbur-
sed for the aumof tlO1.O0 and a voucher be drawn in favor of Mr.Hinton for that amount
Mot on carried.
The Street Committeeman Conrad said that in the new work some of the
exsavatone were not being properly filled,and aeked that J.N.Hazelhurst be given the
authority and inetruc ted to have all of this work properly done.
Moved by d.A.Conrad and seconded hy.E.C.Romfh that J.N.}Tazelhurst he
authorized and be empowered to su erviee the of all excavaions in conform-
ity with the specifications as to filling the storm wars. Motion carried.
Councilman Conrad asked the approval of council to eloow the Telephone
'o. to run their underground system along Avenue C and they be allowed to run it in
the game trench with the sewers.
Moved by J.A.Conrad end seconded by li.C*.Ralston that the telephone Co. be
allowed to run their line in trench for the sewera,provirlin,; it is satisfactory to
the contractors laying sewers. Motion carried.
The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Romfh:
Whereas, under the charter of the City of Miami approved by the Governor
May 27,1917 and ordinance of said city passed in pursuance thereof, the city treasurer
was custodian of the funds of said city, and
Whereas under section 38 of the charter of the Cit- of Miani,approved by
the Governor May 31,1913 and resolution of the city council passed October 16,1913
in pursuance of the authority cnnferred by said section 38 the office of city treas-
urer was eb solished and in lieu thereof certain banks named in said resolution were
designated thereby as the depositories of the city funds; and
Whereas it is necessary that any city funds remaining in the hands or un-
der the control of the former city treasurer,or to his credit as sudz city treasurer,
be transferred to the proper depositories named in said resolution.
Now therefore,it is hereby resolved by the city council of the City of
Miami that all said f nds of the city of Miami in the possession or under control
of the former city treasurer or to his credit as such city treasurer be and the same
are hereby transferred tr- the depositories named in Nair' resolution of October 16,1913,
no atingle fund to be deposited with differerLt depositories ,anti the said city treas-
urer or any institution havin,i funds of the city to his credit as such city treasur-
er,be and they are hereby authorized end directed to deliver anal surrender to the
proper depository all such finds as aforesaid and this resolution shall be their
authority therefor.
Attest: (.Signed) W.B.Moore,
City clerk.
( Signed)P.G.Erfert,
Pres.City council.
Moved by J.A.Conrad and seconded by .s.A.McIonald that the above resolu-
ution be passed as read. Upon roll call the vor,e was qs follows F.G.Erfert yes, C.Ilefty
yes, J.A.Con_ad yes,J.A.'4cDonald yes, E.C.Romfh yes,9.0.Ralston yes, C.F..Filer,carried
unamimously.
The following resolution' was introduced by P.C.Pomfh.
Resolution No. \
Whereas ,heretofore,acting r,nder Section 11 of the charter of the city
of Miarsi,approverl by the governor May 27, 1907, the city treasurer acted as bond
trustee for the city of Miami. and
Whereas, under section 3E5 of the new charter of the City of Miansi,approved
by the governor 'day 31,1913, the office of city treasurer was abolished.
Now therefore,it is hereby resolved by the city of Mfiar,i that from and
after the passage of this resolution the city clerk shall be,and is hereby,designated
as bond trustee for the city of Miami,and the former city treasurer is hereby au-
thorized and directed to deliver and surrender to the said city clerk all bonds and
securities of the city of "(if.rii now in his possession or under his control,takint;
r ceipt therefor.
Attest: (Signed) W.B.Moore,
(Signed) }.'. G. Erfert,
Prea.City Council.
City clerk.
"Moved by J. A.Mc/bonald and seconded by C.Hefty that the above reotlution be
assed. Upon roll call t e vote was as follows: F.G.Erfert yes,o.A.McDoneld yes,.F.Fik
C.F.Filer yes, T?.G.Rrlston yes,J.A.Conrad yes,C.E.Romfh and C.ilefty yes, Motion carried
unanimously.
Moved by 1;.C.Romfh and seconded by J.A.McD
ories of the Chang;e.Motlon carried.
Moved by E.C.Romfh and seconded by ,C.Hefty that the depositories be
notified to change their depository bond. Motion carried.
7Ie following; resolution was introduced by J . A. Conrad.
eResolution No.
Whereas,ePreto"ore contracts ha"e been entered into by the City of
Miami,wite the Southern Asphalt and Construction Company and the Creosoted Wood N1oc:k:-
Pavingr Company,providing for the paving of certain streets in the city of Miami,wnicn
contracts contain the following general clause;
the clerls notify the deposit -
"All material upon the line of the work shall remain the property of the
city,t,nd epon demand of the Engineer,shall be removed and conveyed without cost to the
City to a storage yard or point to be designated by the Fmgineer,not, further then one
half mile from the point of removal. Surplus earth or material excavated from the
roadway shall he carted or conveyed,at the expense of the Contractor,a distance of not
more than one half (1-2) a mile from the place of excavation,and deposited or spread
as required by the Engineer. Materials not required by the City shall be disposed of by
the Coetractor".
Now he it rese lved,that the amate rial which may be exca -ated upon the
line of said work,shall he used for the purpose of filling to grade North Rtver Drive
from a poi-t where the paving; thereon now t rminates at its intersection with Eighth
Street to the point with its intersects on with Avenue L and for the purpose of filling
to grade Avenue I,,from the point of its intersection with North River I)rive,tu its in-
tersection with Fourth Street.
Re it further resolved,that the Consulting Engineer of t e City of Miami
eh 11 demand of said Contractors that they remove said material to the point nearest
the location required to he filled aforesaid,within one half mile from its point of
excavation,at which point said material shell be :ub,ject to removal by interested
property owners at their own expense to the point where said pill is regeired. Said
material being hereby expressly set aside for the purpose of rLaking said fill.
(Signed) F.(.Erfert,
Attest: (Signed) W.B.Moore, Prea.City Council.
City clerk.
Moved by C."efty and see ,nderi by J.A.?;cDoneld that above reolution be
adopted. Upon roll call the vote was as follows: F.G.Erfert yes, e.A.eonrad yes,J.A.
Mdondld yes, 0.I[efty yes, :.F.Filer yea,e.G.Ralst on yes,l:.e.Roefh yes. Carried unanim-
ously.
THe chair noted that several contracts for sewer and paving had been let
and were held up pending the property owners eomi g up with their share,and that a big
per cent of the property holders had paid their i hares.
Moved by E. C.Romfe end seconded by e.Hefty that the meteor he held over
till next meetingf.Motion carried.
City F.r4:Lneer Frederick presented a map of the new city showing all the
annexed districts and said it was ready for
proving.
Moved by ,I.A.Conrad and seconded by e.F.Filer that the chairmen appoint
a committee to examine the new cit;, snap for approval and adoption by council. Motion
carried.
Chairean appointed councilmen Conrad,Mcl)onald and Ralston as such coi:,mitte
To the eayor and Cite Council,
City
We the uncle_ signee property ow ers on 9bh street of said city,
respectfully request your Honorable body to roc this street frah Avenue to the rocs
road,along the river similar to tents street,ten feet wide,which will be sufficient for
the present. We are ready to pay our share of the expense.
(eiened)W. C.IeCa11 and 12 others.
Moved by ;?.C.Romf! and : econded by ,.A.McDonald that petition ,e referred
to committeeman on etreets,with power to ac ,.
As there was some bids advert ie3ed to he open.ed,the clerk was instructed to
read there: For paving Buena Vtr r.a-Allepettah road From Ave.n west bA the city limit;
Ti.B.Flckle hid t3507.50
.d.'Turison bid 2703.65
17.D.ijayes bid 3250.00
Biscayne Cons ruction Co.bid 2343.75
A cheek for two per cent of bid wan enclosed with each hid.
Moved by J.A.Conrad and seconded by C.Hefty that checks of all unsccess-
ful bidders be returned,and the lowest bid be held over till the next meeting. Motion
carried.
Bide for constructing a side walk around V'e city hall building and the
Womans /Club Building:
R.B.Fickle bid
fl.W.Clark bid
G.E.Burnell & Summers
W.D.TTayes bid
t1.10 per lineal foot.
.11 per square foot
.114 per square foot
.lad cents per square ft.and 3 ets.sq ft.on additional
filling.
Moved by E.C.Romfh and secnded by J.A.?dcT)onnlc1 that these bids he referred
to the Engineer for tahulation.Motion carried.
Moved by J.A.Conrad and seconded by R.C.Romfh that the pay rolls for the
month of October be approved add paid. Motion carried.
Attes
The ct)air ordered an adjourned meeting until Monday night, NOv. 10,1-13.
City clerk
Pres.Ciliy Council.