Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 04-15-1958 Regular — reading text

211 HINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL HELD ON APRIL 1.5, 19.58~ PRESENT: Mayor Hudson, Councilmen Roberts, Smith, Pelham, Cahalan, Walker and Long. Also City Attorney and City Manager. I ABSENT: Councilman Bass. VISITORS: Mr. Lindberg, Rev. Mr. Turton, Mr. Seavey, ( Okaloosa Association for Retarded Children), Mr. E. G. Work. udson called the meeting to order at 7: Mayor I} 4.5 P. M. Invocation was given by Councilman Pelham. Mr. President, Okaloosa Association for Retarded Lindberg, Children, reminded Council that the land leased them by the City has proven unsuitable as a building site due to the fact that it is a too recent landfill property. He explained that the Association did not care to erect their building on existing school peoperty because the land itself could never be deeded to them but must remain as County property. However, they have found a piece of land that suits their needs over by the new water tank~ and would like the City to adquire this land from Vesta Corp ration, the present owners, and exchange it for the lan ill property previously leased to them. Mr. Lindberg ad . sed that Vesta Corporation plan to build around this area and a e willing to have this school built. there. Vesta will dedicate this land to the City for a park area; . there is no controversy between Vesta and the School as to the school' s being a . determent to the area. It was established that the .entire subdivision comprises 86 and the acres., 4. 1 acres in the lot under discussion is more than the re~uired park, area. It was pointed out, however, that the Parks & Recreation Board are not in favor of this exchange and feel this land should be retained as a park. Discussion indicated Council' s interest iB giving immediate relief to the Okaloosa School for Retarded Children and to permit further study and consideration the meeting was recessed at 8: 20 to reconvene at 8: 28 P. M. In view of the fact theCity has already seen fit to lease the Retarded Children 8. 8 on West Hollywood Boulevard, acres Councilman Roberts moved that as soon as we get this deed that we eXlange it for this parcel of land under the same I conditions as are provided for in the original lease. Seconded by Councilman Pelham. Councilman Roberts favors giving Vesta credit for the park area and giving the Retarded Children' s Association immediate 212 relief. Councilman Cahalan stated he and the Attorney are preparing a motion whereby the Association can be given immediate use of this land at the same time give release to Vesta. for this park land. This motion will be prepared and presented later in the meeting. Hr. E. Work, speaking on behalf of the Fort Walton Beach G. Lion' s Club,advised that. the Little League Ball Park is in need of further lighting in order to schedule night and tournament games. Councilman Roberts moved that this request be turned over to the Public Works Committee for recommendation. Seconded by Councilman Pelham. Vote aye, unanimous. Ordinance No. 271, elections proVisions, was read by title only: AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS AND THE CONDUCT OF CITY ELECTIONS IN FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA; DESIGNATING THE POLLING PLACES AND OFFI CIALS FOR 1'lARDS, ELECTION; REPEALING CERTAIN ORDINANCES, 19.58 AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Councilman Cahalan moved that in accordance with State Statutes that this ordinance include a provision for absentee ballots in City elections. Seconded by Councilman Smith. Because of the time element involved and the fear that further delay in passing this ordinance will conflict 1vith the date set for election, Councilman Roberts asked the Attorney if so amending Ordinance No. 271, as moved by Councilman Cahalan, would delay its passage. Attorney advised it would be passed second reading tonight and amended prior to third reading. Vote on motion, aye; unanimous. Councilman Pelham moved that Ord. No. 271 be passed on second reading. Seconded by Councilman Cahalan. Vote aye, unanimous. Ordinance No. 270, Building Code Revision was presented for first reading: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 66, SA1>1E BEING AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE FIRE LIMITS, AND HEGULATIONS GOVERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, ALTERATION, ~ UIPrfENT, OR REMOVAL OF BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES IN THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA) AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. 1  213 Councilman Long questioned the provision that- the outside of buildings and roofs must be of masonry construction. Councilman Roberts moved that this ordinance be referred to the Administrative Committee for recommendation. Seconded by Councilman Cahalan. Vote aye, unanimous. I Ordinance No. full: 272, closing a portion of Ferry Avenue, ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE CLOSING, ABANDONING AND VACATING A PORTION OF CERTAIN StREET LYING was read in WITHIN THE CORPORA TE LIl'ITTS OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR THE REVERSION OF THIS VACATED STREET TO ARFTTING PROPERTY OWNERS; RESEItVING THE RIGHT OF EGRESS AND INGRESS FOR SERVICING UTILITIES, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF Councilman Pelham moved that Ordinance No. 272 be passed on first reading. Seconded by Councilman Cahalan. Vote aye, unanimous. Ordinance No. 273, requiring the fencing of gravel pits was presented and read in full: ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO, REQUIRE THE ENCLOSURE OF CLAY PITS AND ALL DEPRESSIONS OF CERTAIN DEPTHS UPON ALL LANre IN THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORID/i; PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS: PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREl1ITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Councilman Roberts moved that this ordinance require a fence of a height of 6 feet, and provide for a fine of $ 100. 00 or thirty days for violation, and that it be passed on first reading but referred to the_Public Works Committee for further recommendation. Seconded by Councilman Pelham. Vote aye, unanimous. Resolution No. . 5e~ 29, establishing districts on Street Paving Program was presented and read in full: A RESOLUTION DETE~ IINING T}~ T THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH SHALL HTPROVE ITS STREET IN ACCORDANCE illITE PLANS AND I DESIGNS HE~ IMPROVED, OFORE APPROVED, NAMING CERTAIN PORTIONS OF STREETS TO BE LEVING ASSESSMENT FOR THE TOTAL COST OF SAID HJPROVEMENTS, SETTING TIME FOR PAYMENT, WITH PREPARATION OF RELnrrNARY ASSESSl~ I;' T ROLL, GIVING NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. 214 Councilman Cahalan asked if action on this could be delayed. He believes the people whole lot to say at a public will have a meeting. They are in an uproar over the bills that are being sent to them. hwill have a public announcement to make but do not want to make any statements until the first hearing. Councilman Pelham ~ oved that this resolution No. . 58- 29 be adopted and that the public hearing date be set for May 1st at 7: 30 P. H. at the City Hall. Seconded by Councilman Cahalan. Vote aye, unanimous. Councilman Smith presented Resolution No. . 58- 30 for Council consideration, stating it is a statement of our views in establishing the necessity for an engineering study before we proceed with a firm program on the proposed capital improvements: RESOLUTION ENTITLED, A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN A GREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH AND A qUALIFIED ENGINEERING COHPANY, CALL.... ING FOR ENGINEERING AND FINANCIAL STUDIES ON ALL CAPITAL IIv1PROVENENTS, ON EXPANSION, MAINTENANCE AND OPERA... TION PROGRAHS, CALLING FOR DETAIL DESIGN ON PROJECTS AUTHORIZED BY THE CITY OOUNCIL. Councilman Cahalan moved the adoption of Resolution No. . 58- 30. Seconded by Councilman Pelham. Vote aye, unanimous. CoUnci~ an Smith reQuested that the City Hanager ascertain that we do not have a continuing contract with either R. L. Kenan & Associates or Shelby Sanders & Associates for consulting service before further consideration is given the signing of a contract for future consulting service. Councilman Smith presented a report from the ~ blic Works Committee in this connection: nIt is the opinion of the Committee that the issuance arid. acceptance of engineering contractural services for roads, water and sanitary sewer programs which followed the February 2, 19.50 contract with R. L. Kenan & Associates, in themselves constitute proof that nei~her the City nor the J Engineering company of R. L. Kenan & Associates consider that a contract exists for continuing engineering consultant service between the two parties." J  215 Councilman Roberts moved that Council accept this report and instruct the City Manager to carry out the request of Councilman Smith and ascertain if there is any existing contract and noti~ the firms concerned. Seconded by Cou.ncilman Walker. Vote aye, unanimous. I Councilman Smith presented Resolution No. office of Public Relations: - WHEREAS The 58- 31,