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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1914-01-05 Minutes{ 4 Janua►ry5th , '. 1914 . Iheb r•gul ar meeting') f the Counoil calleu t) oruer Dy the 0•airnan Members 'present: F. G. Srfert, J. A. KoDonelld,C. Hefty, C. F. Filer, E. C. Romfh, He G. Ralston, J. A. Conrad. COMMUNICATIONS. Misni, Fla., January 24, 1914. Mr. Ches. Filer, Committeemen on.Buildings: Deer Sir: Referring to your cell at our office last night end to ceestion raised before Council at its last meeting with reference to the excess water bill at the City Hall, for your information I beg to edvi se that we have today had one of our inspectors go over this situation erad he reports that he found both toilets in the building leaking, end in the jail one toilet would not flush et all end the other one was shut off but le eking badly. From whet information we could gather from the Sergeant of Police, with from 10 to 40 prisoners washing themselves and •their olOthea in the jail and the usual consumption of water et other outlets, we assume this will be auffioient explanation to account for the size of the water bill. We would su,.gest a more careful inspection of the plumbing in this building. Yours very truly, (Signed) Jno. N. Mec3onigle Superintendent. Moved by E. C. Romfh, seconded by J. A. McDonald, that above communication be received and the Committeemen on Public Buildings be instructed to repair same. Motion carried. '41 en1, lurid e Feb. 3, 1014. Hon. J. W. Watson, Mayor end Members of the City Council, City of Miami, Florid a. Gent l smen+e About eighteen months ego, the undersigned officers of this company, upon the invitation of Judge J. C. Granling, visited the peninsula now known all Ocean neeoh, and we realized then and there that the bey side of the neninsule, just north of the Government out, was the practice,' plane for the harbor for this city and immediately following our visit, a stook comp any was orrg tnized by sever el ,, a our local citizens aril the property was puroeesed et a price that appeared to be unreasonable, as it was absolutely worttilems for arty use until improved. The corporation immediately began to improve the property and since .that time a great mE'ny of our citizens end a few non-residents have purchased property from the Company, e-id the improvements made by "r. Curl G. Fisher, the 'i alai Heath Improvement Co., end the Ocean each '•ealty Co. combined, represent a oust ,f more than h t,l Y a million collars endtheimprovements will continue to be made by e l of the above p arti es. The etooe.holders, uirmotors and officers of this company ere oitizens of and we are interested in :.tied securing deep water et Eny early date, and we believe that we ow; the property that could be used by the city to great anventage for wharves and dook purposes. We herewith submit to you a map showing the exact jrcetion of the oomp eni es' property and its close proxihi.ty to the Government ch ennel. We also hand you detailed information showing the present depth and width of the channel in the bay along the west shore line of the property owned ey the company, and -he resent conct Lion of the bay between the South end of the channel to the government out,in the proposed channel from the charnel now ❑►hde by this oonpany to the government out, together with additional information which 'you will see shown on the plat. We have the Following proposition to make to the city tbraugh your honorable body. We will soli to the City of Miami, Lots one to Ten, inol usive, of Block I11. which you •.111 see on referring to the plat rrpresente 500 feet of riparian rights on the bey, et the south end of the property and the lots are three hundred feet deep with a wide street et the east end of the lots, making approximately five acres, wnich we consider is the ideal location for dooxs 'or this city. Our price to the city for all of the above property is t1.00, provided, however, the city will first comply with the following oonditiona, to-wit:- L Piret. The of ty shall provide • channel on the plat herewith submitted. Second. basin in front of the property es shown The city shall o rovi de a channel at least 150 feet in width from the south line of the channel and basin ebovs mentioned to the government cut, said channel to be of suffiol ant depth to permit vessels drawing eigoteen feet of rater to enter the docks through it, said pronoeed channel being shorn on the plat herewil% submitted. Third. The city shal_1 oleen out the ,;overnment channel or cause to have it done, from the west end of t' a present government channel to the sea, to o depth that will per*, mit vessels drawing eig•.teen feet of rater to enter .,iscayne .,ear ano to much width as may be d ate mined by the Government engine ere. Pourth. This proposition must be accepted on or before March let, 1914, Fifth. The contract for digging the channel end basin in the bay must be let end work eotuelly begun on or before 'lay let, 1914. Sixth. The channel end basin in the bey, also the cleaning out of tie government cnennsl, to the see, en above mentioned, shall all be oroviden end completed on or before Jen. let, 1915. gpon the acceptance by the city of this nronosition on or before March 1st, 1914, thls company will place in the Southern Bank & Trust Company of this city, a warranty deed to the property with abstr art of title to b e held by them es trustees, to be delivered to the city when all of the aforesaid oon- di tions have been fu ' ly complied with. If the city accepts the above proposition, we hereby agree to reserve from sale until Jan. let, 1916, Lote 11 to 40 of Block Ill inclusive, as shown on the plat end give to the city, the option to purchase all of Reid rote (11) to (40) both inolusive for the sum of $150,000.00 at any time prior to Jen. let, 1916, and we will accept in payment therefor, cash or bonds of the City of Miami, bearing interest et the rate of 5`A per ennum, provided if bonds are accepted they must first be approved of, satisfactory to this company. This option privilege we desire to have the city aoeept, so that if it is later deemed advisable and necessary for the city to secure more dockage facilities, it may do so and if the city exercises the option it will then have 2000 feet of dock front p operty at the nominal ooet of 1150,000 00. This option privilege, however, is offered with the distinct understanding that in the event the city exercises its option end purohasee the property, that before delivery of the deed the city shall enter an agreement or contract that is legally binding on the part of the city, to permit this company, its 1 egel representative, successors or assigns, to dig a channel in front of the property purohaeed by them under this option, to whatever width and depth it may desire to dig it, end this permit agreement shall be entered into by and between the city end this company for not exceeding the sum of You will see, en referring to the pl Fit, that the channel now in front of the property we ere offering to the ci ty, is over 1000 feet in width end about 12 feet average depth. You will also see that in the proposed channel from this channel to the government cut there is 54,000 cubic yards of sand to be removed, which will oast 10 cts. per cubic yard or 1540n.00, which will make a channel approxi- mately 12 feet deep. The rock in the channel is 39,000 cubic yards and in the proposed basin in front of the docks 20000 cubic yards, also 34,000 cubic yards of sand to be taken out of the basin, so you can readily see the •mire work can he done et enall cost to the city. The First -Clerk Construction Co. win bid on the work and if it is awarded to them they will begin work in 36 hours from date the contract is signed end. oomplete 'the Job c}iiokly. Trusting yeu gentlemen will give this your early and favorable consideration, we are, Yours very truly, (Signed) Ocean Beach Realty Co. By _ i. psLuVIus, vice-Preeident. By N. L,ar,mua, secretary. addressel'B1ere is also a copy of a letter from the Ocean Beach asetty Co., the Deep Water Committee. in which they stated that if the city accepted air oropoeltion, in which they were donating to the city ten lots, they thought that their donation to the Deep Water Society should be cancelled. t' Moved by M. C. Romfh, seconded by J. A. Conrad, that communication be received copied in the minutes end no action be taken. ?lotion carried. Councilman Ralston offered a counter proposition to the effeot teat the Ocean Beach Realty Compel), finance the digging of the channel in any away that they see fit. Mr. Hefty was in favor of Mr. RFlston'e proposition. Mr. J. _. Lummus, for the Ocean Beach Realty Company, spoke and said that at this time hie Company was not in e position to accept a counter proposition, but if one was presented to their, they would consider it later. C .incilmen Romfh insisted that Mr. Ralston put his proposition in writing, which was complied with, the .sene estate and cha •1 as describ then the ty sho d exp ter legally- wail ab above menti one proper ed by • ed in • ale cil t ,et common in sal d s‘eeond ed by Casper Hefty, if the Oc at ion t ommunic of not e, in 'egfri ed. Resolved that it lc Beach iF aA.ty Co* y will deed the real the cityW this d p end dig 1,he basin ion and c can out tka Government Charnel,, o exceed , , , 000 out o any money her eat- erection • docks an grves oh -_.the A Lotter was read frof:. the Meyorjin ir.iich he stated that he was opposed to placing the city doolt s anywhere except within the city limits of the City of.Mfsnil, and that in his opinion the city oounoil has no authority to dig A channel or basin outside of the city limits. To The ?iembere of the City Council, nami, Florida. Gentlemen: - In Section 27, of the City Charter, I find the following: "The City Council sha . 1 have power to enact ordinances recuiring all able-bodied male persons, over the age of twenty-one years end under the age of fifty-five years, residing within the City Limits, who do not pay taxes to the City, wheth w by l ioen se or taxes on real or personal property, to pay a street tax to the amount of Three ; 3. '0) DoA 1ere each, end 11 such persons, who pay such taxes to the City, but not amounting in the aggregate to the sum of Three ($3.00) Dollars, may b• regiired to pay to the City for street tax,• the Mount of such d•fioi•noy; Said taxes to b• oollested and placed to the credit •f repairs and internal improvements fund. The Failure or refusal to pay such street tax, •r fractional part thereof es aforesaid, is hereby declared to be a misdemeanor, end upon conviction before the Municipal Court, such person or persons so in default, shall be fined the fertount of such street tax or deficiency with poets or by imprisonment in the City Jail for not more than Ten (10) days; Provided, any person eontioted under any ordinance passed by virtue hereof, shall have the privilege of paying such fine and •oats, by work on the City streets, under the supervision of. the Street Superintendent, st, the rat• of One ($1.00) per day." It is a well known fact t et there are over one thousand mole oitizen s of Miami, most of whoa, however, reside in colored tool, who use the streets et 611 time, but do not eontribute one cant towards paving or ;naintaining them. I would recommend to Your Honorable Body that an ordinance be prepared, so that these people will be made to contribute et least $3.00, or three days work in maintaining the streets •f the pity. "iami, an. 70, 1914. Respectfully submitted, (Signed) J. W. Watson, Mayor. Moved by C. Hefty, seconded by H. G. Ralston, that communication be received and City Attorney be instructed to draft an ordinenc•, covering the grounds recommended by the Meyer. Motion carried. A communication was read from the Mayor in reference to the bills oontracted by the city, in whioh he showed *Jere the city was paying more than necessary for foods for stook, showing that by paying cosh 40 ate. opr seek could be saved, end cited verioue other items where money could be saved by en organized system of purchasing. 4 Council discussed the 4ksyor's proposition for some time, end the ChPir no- tified Council that the Mayor Jod suggested the appointing of a Purohasing Arent for the city and that this communication wee held up pe nding mere definite in- formation from the Mayor. The Mayor explained to Council his ides as to the purchasing power, and said that he was not after the position, but if Ceuno it appointed him, he would do his beat, end believed that be could save the city money. Councilmen Rolston thought that Council should not be criticised for buying things on credit and the Mayor paying cash, as anybody could buy things cheaper by p'ying cash then if it Wall not known whir, the bills would be ,paid. C ouncilman Romfi explained how he had brought up the billstca from eleven months past due to about sixty days, atd advised Council that he was getting things on a basis so that all bills in the future would not run over sixty days. And it would be a hard matter to keep them up any nearer than that, as it was the middle of the month generally before the bills wore approved, end the Auditor had to audit all the bills end it would take about that time to get them * in proper shape for payment. And that in the future that no bills would be paid unless they were properly 0.K.'D by the Committeeman and shown on the Bill Book. Counuihnan Ralston asked permission of the Chairman to report on the hospital. The Chairmen waived the rules and allayed Mr. Rolston the f loor . Committeeman Ralston said that the management of the hospita►1 had been criti- cised as to the extent of running the institution, espeoielly, the laundry bill of ' 1O'.22, which had been re'erred to him for investigation. He explainaid why the bill was so 1 arge, noting that the ,asp it al atunadxtre at ed thirty-four o ai tients, to ingcare of trim.' for a total of three hundred and eighty-nine de•yp. and during the month five of these cases wore typhoid fever, whit. respired the laundry to be changed very often, but that h e ,• ad been the laundry people and they had agreed in the future to deduct tivent -five of the list price if the city will pay cash :nor the work. Councilmen Ralston read n euL►r Ary which 1 he had prepared, showing Vie expenses of running the hoapit,1 for the year test, and i roved conclusively that the hospital had been run on an eeonc.mi.cal bailie. , and made the following motion, seconded by C. Hefty: That a vote of oonfidence in the management er the hospital so effieientty end eoono,1icall.y be extended. Motion carried. Movir1 by C. F. Pilsr, seconded by Z. C. Ror►fh, that the Mayor he appointed as Purchasing Agent for the city. Motion carried. A oonununication was read from the Mayor, with a letter attached, from Attorneys Benson he Bobet, Attorneys for F. F. Gross, in which Mr. Gross claimed a royalty on all the wood bloska laid in the city from the Right of 8 Patent, which he claims he owns, covering the way in which the blocks are being laid, elaiming an infringement on his petent right. The City Attorney and the Consulting ]rhgineer both advised Council that the city was in no way liable for damages. Moved by C. Hefty, seconded by C. F. Filer, that communication be rseeived and filed. Motion carried. A eonanunication was read from Salem Graham, Proprietor of the Gralynn Hotel, in reference to the crowing of the roosters and the giaci•ing of the ducks owned by Mrs. Tuttle And Cheatham, claiming treat the annoyance had caused several of his guests to leave, and neked Council in some way to do away with the nuisance. Moved by C. hefty, seconded by C. F. Filer, that oomuunicatien be re- ceived , and the City Attorney end Committeeman on Sanitation be re [posted to draw en erdinence covering seine, and submit it to Council. Motion carried. Miami, Fla.) Fob. 5, 1914. To The City Council, Mi ems, Florida. ,Gentlemen: - A few days ego I had Dr. North prepare a st atement showing the �.- amount the County is due the City for taking cease of sounty patients at the City Hospital, end I found due the City $1513.00, end the aee unt 'had been running sines Ootobsr 1312. I appeared before the Board last Tuesday, end they agreed to pey the Amount after deducting the amount the city is due the eounty for city prisoners sent to the County Farm; this amount I under- stand is around $100.00, and same will be paid in two sr three drys, as Clerk was se instrunt eel. T would ressnunend that these accounts be settled monthly, as it is easier paid and more readily *hooked up. Respectfully submitted, /Signed) i. W. Watson, Mayor. Moved by C. Hefty, seeonded by C. F. Filer, that cemmuricetion be reeeived and filed. r!etien parried. PETITIONS. To The Honorable City Council, Gentleman: - We, the undersigned owners of property en 'Thirteenth Street, respeetfully petition Your Honorable Body to pave Thirteenth Street from Avenue "L" to Avrtue "M", a distance of one block: (Signed) ,R. L. Hill end ten others. In pert. Mi Beni, Flori&., :day Ti, 1113. Honor able City Council, Gentlemen: - We, the undervigned Tex Payers and abutting property owners respsstfully petition Your Honorable Body to pave Nint! Street from Avenue D to North River Drive. (Signed) P. J. Popper and twenty ethers. Moved by C. Hefty, seconded by R. C. Romfh, that Committeemen on Streets be instrusted to have City Engineer prepare plans and aneoifieetions for the p eying of Ninth Street and Thirteenth Street, es petitioned for, •nd the City Attorney prepare advertije. ents end the Clerk advertise for bids. Motion carried. Flor1,cs, Jan. 28, lr'14. Ts The Honorable Mayor and City Council, We, the undersigned property holders, hereby r eep setfully petition end prey Your Honorable Bedy to ley sower and rook paving from Avenue G to the Rail- road on Eleventh Street. (Signed) Baker be Holmes Company George Marshall F. o$ Hardy Ja ee H. Gilman Moved by C. Hefty, seconded by E. C. Romfh, that petition be reeei.sd and the Engineer be instrusted to prepare profiles for sewer, end the City Attorney advertise for bids for the paving of Eleventh Street from Avenue G to Railroad. Motion carried. Moved by E. C. Romfh, eseended by H. G. Ralston, that the City f:n,;ineer be instructed to prepare profiles and epesificatiens for the paving of Eleventh Street from Avenue G to Railroad and the City Attorney advertise for bids for same. Motion carried. A petition was read from the Citizens of Edgewater, F.1sit ng for lights to be installed in that section, saying that they hod ereeted poles for the lights. Moved by C. Hefty, seconded by H. G. Ralston, that petition be received and referred to Committeeman on Streets and Fire Chief, and they to report their recommendation. Motion parried. PPr2 ITI ON . Idietni, Florida, February 4th, 1-14. To The Council of the City of Miami, State of Florida: The nderaigned, MIAMI ICE be COLD STORAGE COMPANY, a Florida Corporation, hereby resbsetfully petitions Your Honorable ody under the power vested in the said City under the second n ar agr 'ph of Section Fight of Chapter 6724, Laws of Florida, Act of 1913, to grant to the undersigned, its successors and assigns, the rigr.t to censtrust e pipe lino upon Sixth Street in said City of Miami. from the Ice Plant now belonging to end opereted by your petitioner, located upon lots Twenty-one (21), Twenty-two (22), Twenty --three (23) and Twenty-four (24) of Block Fifty-seven (57), to the rharf on Iacaynne may, for the purpose of transmitting fuel oil. The werk of b laying said pipe line to e under the sup sevi lion of your Honorable Body and *the cost of eonetrustion to be entire) y borne by your petitioner. And your petitioner will ever pray, etc. R sapestfully submitted, MIAMI ICE be COLT) STORAGE COMPANY By Jno C. Brown Manager. `loved by C. Hefty, seeonded by H.('•.Ralston, that petition be resolved and referred to Copunittsemen en Streets and Fire Chief and they to report their recommen- dation. Motion (parried. t C unsilmen Nekton informed the Chairmen that he hod put his resolution into writing, in reference to the sonununieatien of the Ocean Beash Realty Company, making them e counter proposition. Councilmen Ralston introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION NO If 11S:7LVED That it is the sense of' the Counsil that if the Ocean Beech Realty Company will deed the real estate dersr`.b,d in its •ommunicati•n to the City of this date and dig the basin end •hannsl as described in said somminicetien and glean out the Government Channel, then the City should expend the sum of net to •x•eed $15,OOE).00 out of any money hsr•after legally available for such purpoe•, in the erection •f docks and wharves en the above mentioned property. ''owed by T. G. Walston, seconded by C. Hefty, that above Resolution No. , s be adopted. upon roll call, the vote was es follows: H. G. Releton yes, C. Hefty yea, R. C. Ronfh yes, J. A. Conrfsd yes, C. F. Filer yes, N. G. Zrfert yes, J. A. McDonald not voting. Resolution adopted. 4-f 8 The City Attorney advised Ceunsil that } if the permit was granted that the oi* ought to be pretested by rewiring a bend fur repair of streets, er any damages tht may •Dour. The following resolution was introduced by Couneil an Ralston: Ceunsilnan Raleten said before the resolution was read he would like to ask the City Atternaywhat rights did the City have to the riparian rights as compered with the Railroad Company. The attorney replied that the grounds of ownership were about 'gaol. Mr. Ralston also asked the City Attorney that if the city did own the rights, could they ass it for Desk purposes. The attorney replied, "very d ubtful" . RESOLUTION NO. / BE IT RESOLVED by the City Couneil ef. Miami, Florida, That the city attorney bi, and he is hereby authorized, empowered and instrueted to institute Bush suits or other proseedings in the neme of the City, or otherwise, and at its expo nee as he, in his judgment, may deem necessary or proper for the purpose of determining whether riparian rights appurtenant to the "Perk" lying between BisceyrneDrive end the bay, extending from Third to Seventh Streets, son be so reserved es to authorize the dedicator and his grantee to fill in the submerged land between the Par], end the channel, or otherwise use it as private property for the benefit of oommeres, or for the purpose of judici "lly determining any right, of ei.m or intefeet of the city to such submerged lend or riparian rights, or uses which n,en be made •f them by the oit' or by others. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED Vet the city attorney is hereby authorized, ir, his discretion, to employ sueh asaoeiate souneel in any proceeding hereby authorized as he may deem necessary or proper. PASSED AND ADr'PTD the 5th day of February, 1914. (Signed) F. t•. lrf. ert Preeident City Council. ATTEST: W. B. Moore, Ci ,y Clerk. tovedd by adopted. pon C. F. Filer yes, yes. Resolute II. G. Ralston, roll call, the E. 0. Romfh yes, on adopted. seeonded by C. Hefty, that above resolution be vote VAS n.3 follows: C. Hefty yes, H.R.Raleton yes, J. A. Conrad yea, P. G. Zrfert yes, J.A.McDoneld Councilmen Romfh asked if any provision had been made Rs to the amount of cash thrlt would be neeessary.Zhe ettnrnay could not say what it would cost but slid that he would alweys consult the Finance Committeemen before any expense we i incu r.'ed. BI 131,16 were read by the 0, ilc for the paving of Court Street end Eleventh Street from Court Street to Avenue E., end Avenue 1 freni Eleventh to Twelfth Street end Nineteenth Street from Avenue D to Bri&:ell Avenue, end the install- ing If sewer on Avenue E and Eleventh Street. Moved by 1.C.Romfh, seconded by I'.. G. Ralston, that bicL3 be referred to Consulting Engineer for tabulation, rnd he to report at next meeting of Council. Motion • err' ed. REPORT OF CITY ENGINEER & COMITTFUlAN ON STREETS. To The City Council, Miami, Florida. The undersigned beg leave to report that they have and inspected the impruv•mante Consisting of the laying, strustien of en eight ineh terra-ootta sewer main along of Avenue E to center of Seeend Street, and the laying, of six (6) inch lateral mains sennesting with said main personally examined inet ailing and son - First Street from winter inet ailing and esnstruetion sewer at proper places, --- under contract with Biscayne Construction Company, and find and report that the work has been properly and oompletely done, and is in sonformtty to the plans, profiles, details, drawings and speoifisatisns of the City En ineer, as adopted by the City Couneil, and resoe end that said work be accepted. Dated at Miami, Florida, this 5th day of February, 1914. (Signed) E.S.Frederiek, City Engineer. (Signed) .?. A. Conrad Committeemen en Streets. MOTION TO RECEIVE AI$D FILR REPORT OF CITY ENGINEER & OOMMITTFEMAN ON STREETS. On motion of E. C. Romfh, seconded by J. A. M.Donald, .th• report of the City Engineer and Committeemen. en Streets that the work of: Biscayne Construction Company, for the improvements consisting of the laying, installing end sonetrusting of an sight insh terra-cotta sewer main along First Street from *enter of A•"enue E to sinter of Boulevard, and on aoulsvard from center of First street to center of Sesend Street, end the laying, installing and eonstrustion of six (6) insh lateral mains eonneeting with the said main at proper p1 aces, has been properly dons and completed by, the sontrestor was received and ordered placed on filo. Motion carried. The Chairm*t ordered en adjourned meeting of Counei]. for Monday night, Fsbrusrith, et 7:30 P.M. ATTEST: • City Clerk. President Couno it .