HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1925-07-07 MinutesCOMMISSION
MINUTES
OF MEETING HELD /W JULY 7, 1925
PREPARED BY vis OFFICE OF THE.CITY t CLERK
CITY HA1.. •
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONEROF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA.
/
On this 7th day of July, 1925, the Commission of the City of Miami, Florida, met in
regular session at the City Hall in Miami, Florida. The meeting was °ailed to order at
9:00 o'olook A. M. by Chairman P. A. Henderson and on roll oall the following members were
present:
P. A. Henderson,
J. E. Lummus,
O. D. Leffler,
J. H. Gilman.
ABSENT: 3.1. Wilson.
N.
READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES OP MEETING OF JULY 30TH, 1925
The Clerk read the minutes of the regular meeting of July 30th, 1925, and there be-
ing no oorreotions or additions to be made thereto, on motion duly made and seconded,
the same were approved and confirmed as written.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE GRANTED TO CITY MANAGER
The City Manager submitted the following oommunioation addressed to the Commission
requesting a leave of absence from July 15th to September 15th, which, after being
read was ordered filed an, copied upon the minutes of the meeting:
July 6, 1925.
City Commission,
Miami, Florida.
Gentlemen:
I hereby make requeet for leave of absenoe from July 15th
to September 15th. This may seem an unusual request, but a
lesser time would not give me the rest and relaxation that I
.feel I need after nearly four years without a rest period.
I have arranged with Mr. Cotton to handle my work during
my absence, if this meets with your approval. I will try to
have my work "lined Up" and in suoh shape that everything can
be carried on without any serious interruption.
I regret I cannot be here during the comming eleotion for
the extension of the City Limits. This I oonsider a very im-
portant matter, not only for the City but for the territory to
be ainexed, and will require some organization to arouse the
proper interest and see that the people register and vote. I
do not think there is any doubt about the issue earrying, if
the people generally will take the proper interest to qualify
and turn out on election day.
Yours respectfully,
(Signed) F. H. WHARTON
City Manager
Whereupon, upon motion of LIr. Leffler, seconded by Mr. Lummus, it was resolved that
leave of absenoe be, and is hereby, granted to the City Manager from July 15th to
September 15th. The vote thereon was as follows: AYES: Messrs. Henderson, Leffler,
Lummus, Gilman. NOES: None. And it being necessary to appoint an noting City Mana-
ger during the absenoe of City Manager Wharton the following resolution was introduo-
ed byMr. Leffler:
RESOLUTION NO. 2041.
A RESOLUTION APPOINTING ERNEsT COTTON CITY MANAGER TO
ACT IN THE ABSENCE OF CITY MANAGER F. H. WHARTON.
BE IT RESOLVED by the Commission of the City of Miami:That Ernest,
Cotton be, and he is hereby, appointed Acting City Manager to serve dur-
ing the absence of City Manager F. H. Wharton for the period from July
15th to September 15th, 1925.
On motion of Mr. Leffler,.seoonded by Ur. Gilman, the resolution was adopted by the
following vote: AYE: M ears. Henderson, Leffler, Lummus, Gilman. NOES: None.
EXTENSION OF CITY LIMITS SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE
The ordinance entitled:
AN ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI SO AS TO INCLUDE THE ADJACENT TERRI-
TORY, WHETHER INCORPORATED OR NOT, NOT NOW INCLUDED
WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, sO THAT THE
CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF MiAla saALL INCLUDE
ALL THE TERRITORY INCLUDED WITHIN THE DESCRIPTION IJN
SECTION ONE OF THIS ORDINANCE AND SHALL INCORPORATE
ALL THE INHABITANTS WITHIN THE sAME, AND TO CALL AN
ELECTION OF THE OJALIFIED VOTEROF THE &MIRE TERRI-
TORY PROPOSED TO BE INCLUDED wITUIN THE CORPORATE
LIMITS OF SAID CITY INCLUDING THOSE WITHIN SAID CITY
AND THOSE TO BE INCLUDED WITHIN TUE CoRPoRATE LIMITS
AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ALL PERSONS
RESIDING WITHIN THE ENTIRE TERRITORY TO BE INCLUDED
WITHIN THE PROPOSED CITY LIMITS ELIGIBLE TO QUALIFY
TO VOTE AT SUCH ELECTION, ,aZD PROVIDING FOR THE LOCA-
TION OF THE POLLING PLACES aT SUCH ELECTION
Pauseand adopted on its first reading by title only at the regular meeting of the
1
July 7th, 1925.
Gommisaion held on the 30th of June, 1925, was taken up for final passage at this
meeting and on motion of Commissioner Leffler, seconded by Commissioner Gilman, the
said ordinance was given its seoond and final reading and was read in full. Moved
by Commissioner Leffler and seconded by Commissioner Lummus that the said ordinance
be passed and adopted on its second and final reading in full. The vote thereon
wsa as follows: AYES: Messro. Henderson, Leffler, Lummus, Gilman. NOES: None.
Motion unanimously carried and said ordinance passed and adopted on its second and
final reading in full. The acid ordinance is designated Ordinance No. 420 and is
shown in Ordinance Book 1 in full.
FRANCHISE TO CORAL GABLES RAPID TRANSIT CORPORATION FIRST READING OP ORDINANCE
The following oommunioation addressed to the City Commissioners from George B. Mer-
rick was reoeived at this meeting and after being read was, on motion duly made and
seconded, ordered filed and the olerk instruoted to copy same upon the minutes of
the meeting:
July 7, 1925.
Honorable City Commissioners,
Miami , 'la.
Gen ti em en :
Attached is oopy of franchise which we desire to be
granted by the City of Miami to the Coral Gables Rapid Transit.
Corporation and for which purpose we are now requesting that
you arrange for and call the proper City Election.
We have arranged for the financing, building, opera-
tion and maintenance of the proposed Rapid Transit Car Line in-
volved in this franchise through the Coral Gables Rapid Transit
Corporation. It is proposed to give the thickly settled South
and South West portions of the City of Miami served by this line,
as well as that portion of Silver Bluff soon to become a part of
Miami, also directly served, as well as all of Coral Gables it-
self, a direct, modern, luxurious transportation service seoond
to none in the country, and most especially modelled upon the
very suocesful rapid transit service now in operation between
Shaker Heights and down -town Cleveland, Ohio.
The immediate necessity of this line is shown by the
fact that the present Flagler Street Coral Gables line is al-
ready inadequate to properly serve Coral Gables. With the tre-
mendously rapid expansion Coral Gables is now making, and whiob
is to become even more rapid through the next several years, and
as this expansion is taking it miles Southward to and along Bis-
oayne Bay, it has become apparent that only the most modern ra-
pid transit service will suffice for this great expansion pro-
gram whereby is planned the bringing of one hundred thousand
people within five years into the Coral Gables sixteen square
mile area. The most direct route for this rapid transit ser-
vice to the heart of the City of Miami is via Coral Way, South
West Third Avenue, South West Thirteenth Street, South Miami
Avenue to Flagler Street. This is the route designated in the
franchise and this route will directly serve a large proportion
of the City of Miami's present population, and which is now
without any transportation method except busses. This inter-
vening area between Coral Gables city line and the heart of
down -town Lliami will be solidly built up within two years. This
line will therefore serve directly and conveniently a larger
portion of Miami's population than any'other single oar line en-
tering it. At the Coral Gables Administration Building on Cor-
al Way this line will connect with the four miles of rails which
are now being laid, thence South on Ponce de Leon Boulevard to
Sunset Road. Shortly after completion to Sunset Road, this
line will be extended to one terminus on Biscayne Bay, where a
model a n3 complete amusement island will be oreated. It is con-
templated that this Rapid Transit Line will grow into a real
Interurban Rapid Transit System and by extending on South even-
tually serve the rapidly growing middle and lower portions of
our county.
We wish to point out that our interests are vitally
tied, for the next ten tofifteen years at least, into the up
building of these portions of the City of Miami (either now a
part or later to become a part) and that examples throughout
the YJnited States, such as the great Shaker Heights -Cleveland,
development have conclusively shown that the most efficient and
modern transportation service has been developed by those in-
terests most directly and necessarily interested in the physi-
cal expansion and upbuilding of population of the area to be
served.
Therefore, in the granting of this franchise to the
Coral Gables Rapid Transit Corporation, all of the South and
South West area of Lliami will be assured Continuously by the
force of the Coral Gables program and great continuing inter-
ests involved that the most modern possible rapid transit sys-
tem will be developed and maintained.
Yours very respectfully,
CORAL GABLES CORPORATION,
By (Signed) GEORGE E. LERRICK
President
Eno: Cop
y of franohise.
Whereupon an ordinance entitled:
AN ORDINANCE GRANTING TO THE CORAL GABLES RAPID TRANSIT
COMPANY, A CORPORATION ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS,
HEREINAFTER CALLED THE GRANTEE, THE RIGHT, PRIVILEGE AND
FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN A STREET
RAILWAY ON AND OVER TTE STREETS, AV;;NUES AND HIGHWAYS OP
THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AND REGULATING THE CONSTRUC-
TION, OPERATION AND I,MAINTENANCE 'THEREOF
was introduced by Mr. Lummus and on his motion, seconded by Mr. Leffler, the said or-
dinanoe was given its first reading and was read by title only. Moved by Mr. Lummus
and seoonded by Mr. Leffler that the said ordinanoe be passed on its first reading by
title only. 0n roll call the vote thereon was as follows: AYES: Messrs. Henderson,
Leffler, Lummus, Gilman. NOES: None. Motion unanimously carried and the said ordi-
nance passed en its first reading by title only.
TEMPORARY APPROPRIATIONS 1'OR CURRENT EXPENSES
A resolution making pertain appropriations for current expenses of the City until the
annual appropriation ordinanoe is passed and becomes effective was introduoed by Mr.
Gilman and is as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2042.
A RESOLUTION DING CERTAIN APPROPRIATIONS AS BELOW SET ASIDE
TO VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS AND BOARDS, AND LIAKING SAID AP-
PROPRIATIONS CHARGEABLE TO THE APPROPRIATIONS OF THE YEAR WHEN
PASSED.
WHEREAS, the City Manager has recommended that certain appropriations
for current expenses of the City, chargeable to the appropriations of the
year when passed, to en amount sufficient to cover the neoessary expenses
of the various departments, divisions and offices until the annual appro-
priation ordinanoe is in force and effeot, be made; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager's recommendation set forth the amount and
to whom and to what department same should be appropriated;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Commission of the City of Miami:
That the following amounts be, and the same are hereby, appropriated for
the current expenses of the City, said amounts to be Chargeable to the ap-
propriations for the fisoal year 1925-1926 when passed:
DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS AND BOARDS: AidOUNTS:
Board of Commissioners $ 1322.50
Civil Service Board 630.00
City Manager's Office 1372.50
Department of Law 1297.50
Department of Public Servioe 60180.50
Department of Public Welfare 12267.20
Department of Public Safety . . . 62972.60
Department of Finance . . , . . 7256.00
City Yacht Basin ••• 500.00
Water Supply. . . . . . . . . , .,• • • . . 17000.00
Municipal Court . . . . . . . . • ..••• •312.50
City HospitaCharity. . . . . . .. .. . ., .y . - ,:. . • 600.00
l .10000.00
Pension Fund . . . . . . .. '. . . 400.00
City Library . •`:....- .:_.,.' _ ii'-. . . .Publioity
Discount on 'Taxes. . . . .,... ,; :;:,. ; • . • . 1500.00
Tax Refunds " : . . 300.00
Board of Elections :v .. : ;. •200.00
Auto Liability Fund .,. . 250.00
Street Signs 300.00
Switching Charges 2000.00
TOTAL TEMPORARY APPROPRIATION $180661.30
0n motion of ..:r. Gilman, seconded by Mr. Leffler, the said resolution was duly adopted
by the following vote: AYES: Messrs. Henderson,Leffler,Lummus,Gilman. NOES: None.
STREET WIDENING AND RADIUS AT CORNER
N. W. 7TH AVE. AND 11TH STREET
The following oonimunioation reolommending the purohase of certain property at the inter-
section of N. W. 7th Avenue and llth Street for the purpose of providing the proper ra-
dius at the corner was submitted:•
July 7, 1925.
City Commission,
Miami, Florida.
Gentlemen:
I am attaching hereto a traoing of the proposed radius at in-
tersection at NW 7th Avenue and llth Street. In the widening of NW
7th Avenue the City will need 11.3 feet off the East side of Lot 17
Block 10, Highland Park, are in order to make the proper radius at
this corner, and also for the widening of NW llth Street, we will
require the South 10 feet of Lots 17, 18, 19 and 20 of the same
block. Mir. Frank S. Davis, the owner of these four lots, has made
the City a price of $10,000.00 for that portion of the lots as shown
by the traoing ottaohed. I believe this price to be equitable and
reoomrnend that the City purchase the property.
Respootfully,
(Signed) F. H. WHARTON
City Manager
a
7
eupon the following authorizing the purohase of the .propdrty was .introattaed, by
Lummus:
RESOLUTION NO. 2043,
A RESOLUTION AU'i'IHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY
SET FORTH AND 'DESCRIBED HEREIN FOR STREET PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the City Manager has recommended the purohase of the E.
11.3 feet of Lot 17, Block 10, Highland Park, and of the South 10 ft.
of Lots 17, 18, 19 and 20 of Block 10, Highland Park, for the ,pur po ee
of providing the proper radius at said corner and for the purpose of
widening said streets; and
WHEREAS, the price of 410,000.00 for the portions of said lots
needed for the purposes aforesaid is deemed an equitable and just va-
lue for same;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Commission of the City of
Miami: That the City Manager be, ard he is hereby, authorized and
directed to purchase, for and on behalf of the City of Miami, for
street purposes the property hereinabove described and set forth at
and for the sum of 010,000.00.
On motion of LIE. Lummus, seconded by LU:. Gilman, the resolution was duly adopted by
the following vote: AYES: Messrs. Henderson, Leffler, Lummus, Gilman. NOtd: None.
PLAT OF PROPOSED SUBDIVISION REJECTED "GRAPELAND'HEIGHTS"
The Director of Public Service submitted plats of proposed subdivisions to be known
as "Grapoland Heights - Section 2" and"Grapeland Heights - Section 3" and stated
that same showed the dedication of certain streets and avenues to the use of the pu-
blic, but that the said plats did not show the dedioation of any portion of part of
the said subdivisions for public park purposes. After due Consideration it was the
sense of the Commission that some part of the subdivisions should be dedicated for
park purposes and on motion duly made and seconded it Was resolved that the plats be
not accepted or approved by the City of Miami and that the dedioation of the streets,
avenues and highways shown on said plats be not aooepted by the City of Miami as pu-
blic highways. 0n roll call the vote was as follows: AYES: Messrs. Henderson, Lum-
mus, Leffler, Gilman. NOES: None.
FILL IN BAY AT VENETIAN CAUSEWAY
RE4UEST FOR APPROVAL BY CITY
Ldr. J. F. Chuille appeared before the Commission and submitted a drawing of a plan
for making certain fills along the sides of the Venetian Causeway and asked that the
Commission oxumine same and approve them. After some discussion that plan was re-
ferred to the Director of Public Service for examination and report at a future meet-
ing of the Commission.
BOARD OF EgUALIZATION
FIXING TWA OF Mui';TINGS
The City Manager reported that the City Tax Assessor had completed the General As-
sessment Roll for the year 1925 and that same was on file in the Assessor's offioe
for public inspection and examination. And it appearing necessary to make provi-
sion for meetings of the Commission as a Board of Equalization the following reso-
lution was introduced by Lir. Leffler:
RESOLUTION NO. 2044.
a RESOLUTION FIXING THE TIME OF THE MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF E4a,UALIZATION AND PROVIDING FOR NOTICE OF
HEARING COMPLAINTS AND RECEIVING TESTIMONY AS TO THE
VALUE OF ANY PROPERTY AS 1? IA U BY 'THE CITY ASSESS-
MENT ROLL.
WHEREAS, The City Assessor has submitted to the Commission of the City
of Miami the Assessment Roll for the year 1925; and
WHEREAS, the City Charter requires the Commission as an Equalization
Board to meet at the City Hall in the City of Miami on the second Mon-
day in July of each year, at which time the Assessor le required to sub-
mit unto said Board the General Assessment :loll; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary that provision be made for the said meetings
of the Board of Equalization;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RvSOLV1aD by the Commission of the City of
Miami:
Seotion 1. That the Board of Equalization will meet at the City
Hall on Monday, July 13th, 1925, from 4:00 o' oiook P. M. to 5:00 o'clook
P. Li., an continue in session daily, but not longer than two weeks from
the day of first meeting, to oonsider any objections filed with it in
respect to any assessment that shall have beefs made by said Assessor,
and to revise, on its own motion said assessment roll and to inareaae or
diminish valuations therein; add the names of persona and descriptions
of.property improperly omitted from said roll and fix the valuations of
said property, oorrect all errors and supply all deficiencies found there-
in.
Seotion 2. That said Assessor be, and he is hereby, directed and
required to file said Assessment roll in bis offioe for a period of five
days prior to the first meeting of said Board of Equ .ization, during
which said five days it shall remain open to public inspection.
aeotion 3. That during the first three days ofite meeting, said
Board of Equalization will oonsider any written objections filed with
it in respeot to any assessment that shall have been made; and said
Board Shall oontinue its session. after said first three days, as long
as may be necessary.
Section 4. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized arid directed
to give public notioe in a newspaper published in said City that said
Assessment Roll is on file in the office of the City Assessor, and to
include in said notice the time and place of the meeting of. said Board
of Equalization for the purpose of hearing complaints of property owners
and fixing the valuations of property.
0n motion of Mr. Leffler,
ed by the following vote:
None.
AN NDMENT TO BUILDING CODE
seconded by Mr. Gilman, the said resolution was duly adopt -
AYES: Messrs. Henderson, Leffler, Lummus, Gilman. NOES:
TO PROVIDE FOR SPECIAL PERMITS
As instructed at the meeting of June 30th, the City Attorney submitted the ordinanoe
prepared by him to allow the erection of buildings to a greater height than 10 stories
and to allow a greater proportion of lot area to be covered by amending Sections 10
and 34 of the Building Code and the said ordinance meeting with the approval of the
Commission the same was introduced by Mr. Leffler. On motion of Mr. Leffler, second-
ed by Mr. Lummus, it was resolved that the a arter requirement that all ordinances be
read on two separate days, unless said requirement is dispensed with by a four -fifths
vote of the Commission, be dispensed with and that the said ordinance amending the
Building Code be given both readings at this meeting. 0n roll oall the vote thereon
was as follows: AYES: Messrs..Henddrson, Leffler, Lummus, Gilman. NOES: Nod.
Thereupon, upon motion of Mr. Leffler, seconded by Mr. Lummus, the said ordinance was
given its first reading by title only as follows:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 10
AND 34 OF THE BUILDING CODE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, APPROVED
JULY 7, 1919.
and was passed and adopted on its first reading by title only by the following vote:,
AYES: Messrs. Henderson, Leffler, Lummus, Gilman. NOES: None. On motion of Mr. .,
Leffler, seconded by Mr. Gilman, the said ordinanoe was given its seoond and final
reading and was read in full and passed and adopted on its second and final reading
in full by the following vote: AYES: Messrs. Henderson, Leffler, Lummus, Gilman.
NOES: None. The said ordinance is deeignoted Ordinance No. 421 and is shown in Ort-
dinanoe Book 1 in full.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to oome before the Commission at this meeting. on
motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned.
ATTEST:
' CITY CLERK
CITY OF WANE!
DOCUMENT
INDEX
MEETING DATE:
July 7, 1925
ITEM NO.
DOCUMENT IDENTIFICATION
COMMISSION
ACTION
RETRIEVA
CODE NO.
1
2
3
4
APPOINTING ERNEST COTTON, CITY MANAGER, TO ACT IN THE
ABSENCE OF CITY MANAGER F.H. WHARTON
MAKING APPROPRIATIONS TO VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS BUREAUS
AND BOARDS
AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY SET FORTH AND
DESCRIBED STREET PURPOSES
FIXING TIME OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
AND PROVIDING OR NOTICE OF HEARING
R-2041
R-2042
R-2043
R-2044
02041
02042
02043
02044