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HomeMy Public PortalAbout05/08/1965Commission Meeting Held May 8, 1965 Present: Mayor Curtis H. Dodson Vice Mayor Stewart B..Iglehart Commissioner John G. Hart Commissioner J. Phil Hoyle Commissioner William S. LaPorte Also attending: Messrs. Henry Lilienthal, Henry Lilienthal Jr., C. P. Young, Bailey Wolf orth, Henry Pope, William Koch2 Roy Cowart and William Gwynn. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Dodson. The minutes of the meeting held April 10, 1965 were read approved and adopted. The financial and water report for April, 1965 was read and approved. All expenditures in this report were approved. It was noted that water sales of 17,030,000 gallons in April set an all time record for one month. The floor was given to C. P. Young. He first presented photo- graphs he had taken of the stables and surrounding area. Mr. Young then read a lengthy memorandum covering the following subjects: rendering annual financial statements to all residents7 de -annexing the "Reed Subdivision" up grading the police department and certain protection recommendations, Mr. Pope's subdivision roads; taxation of Mr. Pope's holdings in the Town, and removal of stables, improve the quality of water and certain recommendations to the Commission to improve conditions of the Town. This memorandum is attached hereto and becomes a part of these minutes. Mr. Hart left the meet- ing during the presentation by Mr. Young and returned on the com- pletion of the reading of the memorandum. After a short discussion of the various topics Mr. Iglehart moved this memorandum be tabled until the next meeting after all the commissioners had a chance to study it. Motion seconded and passed unanimously. A letter from Mr. M. P. Dickinson requesting the Toon install a drain at Banyan Road and Oleander Way was read to the Commission. The Commission instructed the Town Clerk to advise Mr. Dickinson of the Town's policy to not pay for any drainage work2 but the Town would co-operate in obtaining prices for this work and also to fur- nish him with the drainage report on file at the Town Hall. A letter from Mrs. Oliver requesting the Town aid in getting the County to close off the northern entrance to County Road. The Commission agreed to help in this matter if she would obtain written consent from each property owner on both sides of County Road. The Police reports for April, 1965 were read and approved. Mayor Dodson pointed out that the 59 hours overtime by Chief Cowart were at his request after receiving several requests from residents who had been aroused by strange phone calls and fear of burglars passing through the area on their way north at the end of the season. Building permits for April - 3 totaling $93�500.00- Mr. Koch reported that he had several sites under consideration for future sources of water supply. Mr. Iglehart stated the Town -2 - should proceed at once on this acquisition and moved that the Tom obtain three proposals for an adequate amount of land that would be required for a future water supply and obtain an option to buy the C one best suited to the To;an's needs. Motion was seconded and passed unanimously. It was further painted out that after securing the necessary option, the Town could proceed to drill test wells to de- termine the lands' water capacity and quality of the crater. Dir. Hart reported that the Gulf Stream Golf Club was agreeable to renewing the water contract so as to extend the expiration date to t.arch, 1979 with two qualifications: 1. Should the Town raise its water rates, the Club would be entitled to the same proportionate increase, namely 60;3 of any increase in rates to the Town's consumers. 2. They will not be held to the contract should the water level of the yells be lowered to such extent that it en- dangers the watering of the golf course. Dor. Iglehart said he could not approve item ,#2. Mayor Dodson read paragraph #13 of the present contract and stated that he thought this paragraph protected the Club adequately by stating ° _(club) shall not be responsible to the Tovm in damages by reason of its in- ability to supply water of satisfactory quality." Mr. Hart then state(': he was sure the Board of Goveners would drop this request. It was moved, seconded and passed unanimously to accept the Clubs offer to extend the contract including the rate increase as proposed. 1r. Pope was given the floor to discuss the subdivision ordinance which was on the agenda for second and final reading and adoption. Kr. Pope stated that he felt the ordinance was designed for him only and felt hurt that the Commission had proceeded this far vrithout con- sulting him or even notifing him of the proposed ordinance. Mayor Dodson stated that the Coiimi.ssion was not singling him out but were looking at the vacant tracts of land in the Town and t.iat he may own land in the Town today, someone else may own it tomorrow. He further stated the Commission needs the ordinance to re;ulate future sub- divisions to see that all the necessary facilities and designs are as good as the subdivision Mr. Reed has recently developed. Dir. Pope asked who drafted the ordinance. Dr. Itoch replied that he had, with the help of Dr. Fleming, City Engineer of Delray Beach and lir. Lilienthal. Iir. Koch further stated that it was needed to protect the Tovm to see that storm Sellers, streets and other facilities were provided according to some specifi- cations. Air. Islehart asked Dir. Pope what he thought was wrong with the ordinance. lir. Pope replied that he thought the Commission was pointing him out for criticism and he felt hurt about it. Dr. Pone stated that he had been active in developing Gulf Stream into the finest community along the east coast and his develonements had proven to be good for the Tmm. -3 - Mr. Pope stated that matters of this importance should be taken before the people and ur ec_ the Commission to consider hold- ing a Town Keeting in the fall so that this ordinance and any other im_oortant matters could be discussed with the townspeople. IYayor Dodson said he had no objection to holding a Town Electing and further stated. the Com*nission Senerally felt that Mr. Pope had done a lot of good for the community and hoped. that he did not think there was anything personal about the subdivision ordinance which was designed. to protect the citizens and the Torn. It was moved seconded and passed unanimously that futher discussion of the subdivision ordinance be tabled until such time this winter when a Town Iieeting can be arranged. The Cor aission approvesO, paysient of .�1,310.00 to Adams Chevrolot Co. for a new 1965 Chevrolet Police car. This price being ?60.00 higher than their low bid of 01,750.00 approved at the March meeting. This increase was the amount to be added for the dama;;e to the old police car ri__^_ich was involved in a_ ninor accident prior to trading it in. The Commission agreed to let the `Poen Clerk have Wednesday after- noons, 2:00 to 4:00 P.I`.2 off during the months June thru October, subject to Mayor Dodson�s supervision. The Commission authorized roughs adding machine at a cost manual adding machine. the purchase of a used electric Bur - of ?;114.00 plus trade in of old The Com.^fission authorized payment of X50.00 to Mr. Fleming for his assistance in preparation of the subdivision ordiance. tr. Pope and Is. Young expressed their objections to this expenditure. Kr. Pone requested. the Torn contact the State Road Department and request that the double line on AIA be extended north from LaI_e- view Drive to a point north of Banyan Road. The Commission instructed the Torn Clerk to do so. There bein;; no furthcr business tc the meeting was adjourned. Attest: C, Financial and Water Renort April, 1965 Water Used: Raster meter Individual meters Water Fund Balance 3/31/65 1];2)848-78 Deposits 744.27 Balance 4/3 1,367.16 Balance 4/30/65 `�2 22 Certificates of deposit 10,000.00 Cost of bonds 16 000.00 Revenue for Arril: i Fs /7/ 600 344S General Fund De roc. Fund 20;960.23 X139 5,301.91 50)000.00 172000.00 Water ;';22234.56 Licenses 3S."" 3 �j6:60 Trash 431.50 Permits 230.00 Taxes 535.96 Ot_aer 2.48 C Fines 0 . 0 Chechs drawn on Water Fund: 0+97 Otto Schneisser - service clori-nator 3 Taos. 90.00 498 Harold Corbett - meter reader 15.50 499 Picard Chemical Co. - Clorine 42.76 500 Fla. Power L Light Co. - electric for clorinator 26.82 501 Gulf Strea:a Golf Club - Water - March 131 2.08 Total �1,3b7.16 Checks draim on General Fund: �i #3151+ 56 57 58 6o 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 30 81 82 R 886 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 3200 01 02 03 C_ Stafford Rafuse Salary Paul Bradwell It Robinson Cool: refund tax discount Northrup Da7.Tson If if n Frani: DeRice it +1 ,t Ethel DeRice it it If Curtis H. Dodson It It If A. 3. Hancock it ;, it Josephine Fnoerles it ❑ It Lr. C. Pd. Large it It If Albert Purkiss It If it lIrs. S. S. Stewart it it It R. Bradley Ward it It It Byron Webster It S. Rafuse Salary P. Bradwell „ Cash replenish petty cash box Palm Beach. Post Times legal ad So. Bell Te le7hone office phone Fla. Pourer (�_ Light Co. street lights & office IVeway Uniform. Supply sanit. dept. uniforms I.ildred Martin typin- ordinance County Sanitation Co. collection - A_nril Walter Hatcher bulldoze dump Vaitt I-.acDowell police radio repair Itlearwater Ltd. office Ocean Ridge Gulf Service sass oil, etc. Delray Ignition police car repair bIobile Communication Co. answer phone serv. Colony Cleaners police uniforms Jerry Earl Pontiac Police car repair Ocean City Lumber Co. general supplies City of Delray Beach radio service Golf Coast Office Supply office O.A.S.I. Contrib. Fund Internal Revenue Serv. S. Rafuse P. Bradwell S. Rafuse P. 3radwell S. Rafuse P. Bradwell Roy Cowart I-Ielton Partin James Broim Harold Corbett William Gwynn Barbara Gitynn C. W. Ramsey Motor Vehicle Comm Total social security taxes withholding taxes Salary It cut grass transfer title 67.18 51.30 9.21 8.77 6.84 1.92 1.00 14.93 5.22 3.14 2.82 4.5o 2.18 5.98 67.18 51.30 4o.o6 15: 98 141.62 18.00 22.50 550.00 65.00 17.30 3.50 312.65 7.35 20.00 29.55 13.50 25.45 25.00 3.00 595.43 756.90 67.18 51.30 67.18 51.30 67.18 51.30 458.05 379.54 344.86 295.67 428.87 48.19 15.00 7.301.91 TO THE CONIIUSSIONERS OF GULF STRE:41, FLORIDA: Generally, the individual resident, non-resident and even the taxpayer, take little or no interest in their local government and, in some cases, there is no doubt many residents are not familiar with the names of their Commissioners nor are they aware of the rights of individual taxpayers as to conditions existing in the Town as it affects their health, welfare and the value of their property. I intend to keep them informed. I have lived in Gulf Stream for twelve years and believe that I have an intimate knowledge of the Town; therefore, I speak authorita- tively on matters pertaining to the Town. There are many essentials necessary to good government, expecially in a small tovrn like Gulf Stream, which has neither schools nor fire department; and which is, for the most part, populated by people for short terms during the winter. The four important essentials, in my opinion, are good government, good water, good sanitation, and a good police department. Investiga- tion in these areas is long overdue. It seems to me that the Commissioners of this Town are either un- willing or unable to assume the responsibilities and to contribute their efforts to the end that we have efficient management, good water, good sanitation and a good police force. The Commissioners, as a regular practice, do not issue yearly financial statements to the taxpayers; however, for the past several years I have obtained financial statements of the Town, and the increased costs, dollar -wise, of running the Town are simply appalling and astound- ing. For instance, the taxes collected in 1962 were X43,000.00; in 1963,' a little over 443,000.00; and in 1964, a little over X49,000.00. During this period, the cost of running the Town Hall affairs, Clerk, etc., has risen from about ."'11,000.00 to almost 413,000.00; the cost of main- taining four policemen has risen from about -"'1$,600.00 to something over "'26,000.00. In the meantime, the residents of the Town have not been rendered increased services proportionate to the outgoing monies. The property now owned by Nir. Reed, situated across the canal from the Gulf Stream Golf Club, which is really in Palm Beach County, cannot be properly serviced by the Town. In fact, the Town refused to service this property with water and the police certainly should not be spread out to service the development for it is perhaps five miles there and five miles back from Gulf Stream and if an occasion should arise when the Eighth Street bridge is up or out of order, police could not answer a serious call or otherwise maintain proper vigilance. A resolution by the Board of Commissioners should be passed with the purpose of de - annexing this property from Gulf Stream, inasmuch as it was annexed in the first place by a resolution of the Board. In spite of the fact that the Town is not servicing the area with water, it is servicing it by police and garbage disposal and although this subdivision pays an annual tax of .1,400.00 to the To -ma of Gulf Stream, it is not sufficient to cover the expenses for services now rendered. It was never intended that this land be a part of Gulf Stream as a subdivision thereof. It was bought originally for the purpose of protecting the Town's water wells -2 - and to provide further expansion of the wells when necessary. It was never intended that this be a part of the Town. A referendum should be submitted to the voting taxpayers at the nest annual election, which is in March, 1966, or by negotiation. Police Force: It is my opinion that the police force, as it exists today, iJU ineffective and must be upgraded substantially. I do believe, however, that there may be capable men on the force. It is essential that all of the police serving this Town be given strenuous physical examinations and also be examined with regard to their knowledge of and their ability to operate as policemen, not only in patrolling the Town but in protecting the Town and its people against thieves, etc. These met etingtions should be with the standardseofbPalmtBeachgffTheeRoy aPoliceChief, Rthose Cowart, should be let go and a new Police Chief appointed. The Police Chief appointed should have detective ability and should serve at times as a plainclothesman and, again, as relief officer for the other three police- men, I believe that an investigation of the operations of the police force and Town management in general is long overdue and the residents should appoint a committee to make recommendations. The next election is in March, 1966, and this committee should sound out persons of ability and support those willing to serve. The Town of Gulf Stream, which extends north and south along the Ocean for some two miles in length and is about one-quarter of a mile in width, has no public beaches and is, therefore, unique in this respect in these trying times that various municipalities are experienceing. The Town could be further protected through both summer and winter months if the roads shown on the accompanying map were chained up at night from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., leaving one road for ingress and egress. Sea Road would be the main entrance during the night hours. This would con- tribute considerably to more efficient policing of the Town for there would be only one road leading into A -1-A. The residents of the Town could be so notified and I am sure it would meet with their approval. Pope, RoadStables: Each year we have repaired and maintained roads for Pope, and ope, who owns the polo fields, and have expended monies to make these roads suitable for travel. His various developments have contributed to the destruction of the roads and this, of course, has necessitated further expenditures. With regard to.Popets holdings in Gulf Stream, according to hia own statement to me, Pope is not a developer but is an investor (capital gains position) by agreement with the Internal Revenue Department. On the other hand, he poses as a dsreloper with the Assessor of Taxes in West Palm Beach. Therefore, he is receiving a developer's discount of 40% which he is not entitled to, and the Town should tax him at the full tax rate. With regard to the water bought from Gulf Stream Golf Club, to say that it is poor in quality is to put it mildly. A survey should be made to obtain our own water from another source, perhaps Boynton. A committee of three to five members should be appointed to investigate this matter with the view of making recommendations to the Board of Commissioners at a later date. -3 - The sanitation is very bad by reason of the stables and barns maintained by Pope, which are in deplorable condition and are an unsightly mess for a Town such as Gulf Stream, not to mention being a fire hazard. Needless to say, the Torn is full of rats, mosquitos and flies, and these stables must come down and the area cleaned up. This is long overdue - polo is through in this Town. Garbage disposal seems adequate. However, we should not consider a need for severs. In summary, I would suggest: 1. Arrange for better water and appoint a committee of three - two from the voters and one Commissioner to investigate Boca Raton's water system. 2. Order Pope to tear down stables and clean up property. Investi- gate taxes of Pope and tax him the same rate as the other tax- payers. He can't be both - an investor and developer. 3. Appoint one Commissioner to be in charge of police with power to investigate, reorganize, hire, fire and upgrade the Police De- partment. 4. Put a referendum before the taxpayers at the next election with the view to de -annexing Reed's property. Respectfully submitted, Cecil P. Young CPY:amr enclosure