Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 06-23-1954 Special — reading text

20 MINUTES OF SPECIAL SOUNCIL MEETING HELD JUNE 23, 1954. PRESENT: Mr. Stacy - Mayor Pro-Tem, Mr. Harbeson, Mr. Miller, Mr. Bass, Mr. Williams, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Amos, Mr. Wm. Fisher, Sr. VISITORS: Mr. Blair Cc. Stone, Division Manager, Mr. Fields, Mr. Amendez, Mr. William Harris, Attorney. The meeting held for the purpose of discussing the proposed tele- phone franchise with the Southeastern Telephone Company was called to order by Mayor Pro-Tem Stacy at 2:45 p.m. Mr. Stacy then called upon the representatives of the Telephone Company, who were introduced by Mr. Stone. Mr. Stone advised the Council of the previous service of the company in this area and their plans for further expansion, this being the reason they were making applica- tion for a franchise at this time. There followed a discussion of the possibility of obtaining, and the reguletions governing, the payment of a percentage of the in- come to the City by the telephone company, during which Mr. Stone advised the Council thst any additional cost of the franchise would come from the people. During a discussion of the rates and services, Mr. Amos advised Mr. Stone thet the Council was aware of the problems they are faced with, put that the public was very much concerned with the franchise and had indicated their interest, making it impossible for the Council to accept the franchise without any guarantee of improved service and certain stipulations, one of which would be a provision that the franchise could not be sold or disposed of without the consent of the Council. Mr- Stone stated that he knew of no case in which the franchise had been given value or considered an item of sale when ancexchange was sold. Mr. Ames also advised Mr. Stone that the City would require a cOvenant that Southeastern would maintain adequate service within the City and connecting points and if the company fails to do so, the franchise can be vioded without going to the Railroad Commis- sion. Following a discussion of this requirement, there was a discussion of the service in the town and the question of pay phones. A mo- tion was then made by Mr. Bass and seconded by Mr. Roberts that the Council place a draft of the franchise in the hands of the Maintenance & Operations Committee and City Attorneys to work with the attorneys of Southeastern Telephone Company. Vote aye, unanimous. Mr. Amos stated that the most suitable way would be for him to send a draft of certain provisions the Council will.insist on to South- eastern and he asked to talk with the attorneys after the meeting. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 4:00. o ADOPTED :_vgo- T= Lp. L2F ATTSST? ZA Li Bugg APPROVED: