Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 05-21-1957 Special — reading text

2~~7' MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL HELD ON MAY n, t 1957. I PRESENT: Mayor Hudson and Councilmen Long, Pelham, Smith, Bass, also Attorney Fleet, C~ ty Manager and City Clerk. Cahalan The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6. 50 p. m. Invocation was offered by Mr. Cahalan. Mr. Cahalan explained this special meeting had been called at the behest of Councilman Long, Pace; and Cahalan for the purpose of Eiiscussing proposed regulations under which ourPo1ice Department could operate more efficiently. Mr. Cahalan feels the good name of our Police Department is of great importance to our City and to the end that its operation might be facilitated, the Adminis~ trative Committee, joined by Council as a committee, had requested the City Attorney to prepare two ordinances. The first of these two ordinances, numbered 236, establishing the Department of Public Health, Safety and Welfare within the City was read by theAttorney. AN ORDINANCE FBTABLISHING WITHIN THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE, PROVIDING FOR A DIRECTOR THEREOF AND THE DUTIES THEREOF: AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE HEREX)F. Mr. Pelham made a motion that we waive the rules requiring the reading of this ordinance on three separate days and that it be passed on one reading. Seconded I by Mr. Long. Vote aye, unanimous. . Mr. Smith thennmade a motion that we pass this ordiance as read on the first and final reading. Seconded by Mr. Pelham. Vote aye, l, Ulanimous. Di" i $io N ol. The. fD/,;; e:- OrdiBance No. 237, controlling the operation of the Pelie~ '~~~~~~,.8Rt was read by the Attorney. ^ AN ORDIANCE ESTABLISHING THE DIVISION OF THE POLICE OF THE CITY FO FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR MEMBERS THEREOF, SETTING FORTH THEIR DUTIES, CONTROLLING THEIR CONDUCT AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. Mr. Pelham made a motion that we wiive the rules requiring the reading of this ordinance on three separate days and that it be passed on one reading. Seconded by Mr. Smith. . In the discussion that followed Mr. Long asked for clarification of Section 8, Item " a",dealing with felonies and Attorney Fleet explained this section required that the County Law Officers be notified within six hours of an arrest for felony, but that the City had the right to try such an offender before he is turned over to the CountJ-~. . Item " b", Section 8, was discussed, and Attorney stated the ordinance provides that a freeholder may sign a bond unless he is intoxicated. I City Manager Balcer, in commenting on Ordiaance No. 237, stated he would rather see the regulations as set forth, established as rules and regulations which are open to every one, rather than in an ordinance form which ties one' s hands as to wording and interpretation. In any event, neither City Manager or Chief of Police, has 238 had an opportunity to 60nsider and discuss this ordinance, and in all fairness to both, Mr. BalcerCfe1t this should be permitted before a vote. Mr. Cahalan established the fact this was a definite request from the City Manager and Mr. Pelham, in order to comply and with the sanction of his second withdrew his motion. Mr. Cahalan then made a motion that this ordinance be referred to the ' City Manager for him to study and refer it back to Council at the first regular meeting in June and that we will entertain his recommendations at that time. Seconded by Mr. Long. Vote aye, unanimous. Mr. Cahalan made a motion that the City Manager be requested to make an inventory of all weapons and articles of value which came into the possession of the Police Department and indicate in the report the disposition of all items listed. This report is to be submitted to the Council when completed. Sec6nded By Mr. Pelham Vote aye, unanimous. In the discussion tha.t followed the wisdom of placing a time limit on this investi- gation was consimered, and City Manager stated that by staternent of our Chief of Police no weapons have been disposed of by the Police Department, and advised he would make the inventory for as far back as our records indicate. Letter from Mr. Conway Ratcliff,' Ratc1iff Jewelers was read by Clerk. Over a year ago the front window of my store was broken and several htmdred dollars worth of diamond rings were stolen. One of the persons was at'prehended in Pelsaco1a and 8 of my diamond rings.ere recovered by the Pensacola police. Chief Griswald and myself went to Pensacola that date and after I identified my rings they were turned over to Chief Griswalf. To my knowledge, these rings' are still in his pos~ ession and ' nothing has been dOne toward returning them to the legal owner, myself. However, he did tell me about a week ago to get a lawyer and see about f'etting the merchandise returned to me. ' It is a little difficult fo me to understand the necessity for my hiring a lawyer to claim my rings from Chief Griswald when .., according to my estimation, is supposed to be representing my side of the case. Therefore, I would appreciate any and all consideration given me in the immediate return of my merchanSise. Signed Conway Ratcliff. II Mr. Cahalan stated other cases of this same nature have been mentioned, which had prompted him to bring this matter before Counci1' at this time. By way of explanation, City Manager stated we must understand the Chief has a job to do. In this instance, the criminal has not been tried, evidence is necessary the for the case and a court order releasing this evidence would be necessary before the Chief can release it. The jewelery involved is under lock and key where it should stay until the Chief has the proper orders to release it. Mr. Fleet' s oninion is that if the City does not intend to prosecute, the jewelery should be turned over to the State or County and a receipt given to the Chief. 240 MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL HELD ON MAY 21, 1957. PRESENT: Ma;vor and Councilmen Long, Pelham, Smith, Bass and Caaalan also City Manager, City Attorneyand City Clerk. Mayor Hudson called the meeting to order at 7. 25 p. m. Councilman Smith explained this special meeting had been called by the U & S Committee, composed of Councilmen Bass, Roberts and Smith, for the purpose of reading and discussing certain reports and recommendations from the W & S Committee: Mr. Smith read report no. 570520 with reference to the Cii:iY Sewage Disposal systen. 1. It is recommended that the City Manager contact R. L. Keenan and Associates and make the necessary arrangements for an engineering layout and set of specif'ications for the completion of the City sewage Disposal System. 2. It is further recommended that Federal aid be used for the engineering and con- struction phases of the work for future expansion. 3. Inasmuch as the granting of Federal Aid requires considerable time and that the completion of the sewage system is critical to the health and well being of the people of Fort Walton Beach, it is advisable for the City to enter into a legal agreement with Keenan and Associates to guarantee thern payment for their services so that the engineering work can be started immediately." Mr. Pelham made a motion we accept this recommendation, and that its contents be carried out. Second.ed by Mr. Cahalan. Vote aye, unanimous. Mr. Smith explained this Federal aid is available and he feels we qualify. Mr. Smith then read report no. 570521, concerning the Warrington Homes Water System. 1. It is requested that the City Manager contact Mr. Saunders of R. L. Keenan & Associates and request that a joint inspection be made with our City Engineer of the Warrington Homes Subdivision Water System. 2. It is the Committee' s understanding that the Warrington Homes Subdivision CoDp. is desirous of selling the installed water system to the City of Ft. Walton Beach. 3. The finding s of the inspection teaJll should be presented to the U & S Committee in report form along with the City Manager' s comments." Mr. Cahalan made a motion we accept this recommendation E5 presented. Seconded by Mr. Smith. Vote aye, una.nimous. Report No. 57022, recommending that the City Manager set up meetings for the purpose of discussing the future expansion of the City' s service facilities was read by Mr. Smitij.. 1. It is requested that the City Hanager set up a special meetin' for the purpose of discussing engineering plans, specifications and procedures for the future expansion of the city' s service facilities. 2. The following individuals are requested to attend the meeting: a. City Manager b. City Engineer c. Mr. Saunders of R. L. Keenan & Ass. d. Municipal Advisory Board e. UtiD: .. & Service Committee. ty Hr. Pelham made a motion this recommendation be adopted. Seconded by Mr. Cahalan. Mr. Balcer established that this recommendation covered all services and utilities.