Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 01-24-1952 Special — reading text

fiO MINUTES OF SFECIjL MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL HELD JANUARY 24, 1952 P.. SD'J: O. M. Earley, C. w. Pratt, w. J. Roberts Jr. , s. E. Lindsey, Theo Bass. ABSENT: w. C. Walker, w. B. Harbeson. VISITORS: Lee Martin, Jerry Lounsberry. Meeting called to order at 10: 30 J. M. Mr. Lee Ma. tin Came Hefore the Council and advised that he now realizes that soliciting funds for construction of a fishing pier is a larger job than he first estimated. He advised that he has solicited approximately $ 5, 000. 00 and hereby ask the city for the sum of $ 2, 500. 00, stating that, if the Town appropriates this amount, then he would be able to obtain the necessary piling for the pier and get them driven and set ready for the decking. Mayor Earley advised that he would recommend construction of the pier i~nediately as there is definitely a need for same and work out legality of Town' s leasing same at some later date. Mr. Lindsey asked Mr. Martin if he has checked to see if the Pier Association holds a valid lease on the pier site and if he has any i4.. as to length of life of the proposed pier. Mr. Martin advised that he does not know yet wheteher the Fier Association is a valid Corporation or not but if it is, that they hold a lease on 30 Ft. Strip and that he cannot guarantee or estimate the life of the w. ather conditions of pier, this would all depand on construction and the Gulf of Mexico. After further discussion the Mayor advised th. t the Council can take this matter up with Town Attorney' s as to legal details or make an outright donation by Ordinance. He then asked Mr. Lounsberry for his views on this matter. that need Mr. Lounsberry advised that there is lots of loose ends clearing up. That he came down to listen in on this meeting in an that h~ had effort to get a clear pioture of the legal aspects, stating from Gulf Power Company, but he cannot re- been asked for a donation commend such a donation until all legal details are cleared up. have Lindsey advised that in his opinion the Town should an Mr. and attorney check the legality of Pier Association Incorporation legality of lease before makeing any donation. Mr. Bass then advised that the Town Chamber of Commerce, and Merchants to draw have spent considerable meney advertising the area in an effort Pier is an added attraotion, therefore he Tourist and that a Fishing that the Town make an outright donation of $ 2, 500. 00 would recomrnedd to help with construction funds. Let the Pier Association re- organize, construct the Pier and take out full coverage liability insurance. Later on if the Town takes over the Pier and grcunds for maintenance all acts of Lease can be handled by the attorneys.. in the event they decide to make such The Clerk advised the Council that loan for funds as the a donation it will be necessary to aegotiate a Town General Fund does not have any funds on hand from which this  Donation can be made. 61 After further disoussion motion was made by Thea Bass seoonded by W. J. Roberts Jr., that MayOr be authorized and direoted to an Ordinance drawn authorizing the donation of $ 2, 500. 00 to Pier Assooiation and an Ordinance authorizing- the borrowing of I 2, 5000. 00. Bass, S. E. Vote aye, Lindsey, O. C. M. W. Pratt, Earley, W. J. RobertsJr. Vote nay, none. Theo There being no further business~ meeting adjourned. ADOPTED: Feb. 13, 1952 APPROVED: Mayor A~ ESr:~/ Clerk V1l~~ I I