Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 09-24-1963 Regular — reading text

47.3 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL A regular meeting of City Council was held on Tuesday, September 24, 1963, at 7: 30 P. M. with the following members present: I S. C. E. Lindsey, Mayor H. Long Fred Tolbert Ray Jones H. H. Carnathan S. L. Rogers Lee Courter Jimmy Ready and City Manager, City Clerk- Finance Director and City Attorney. Mayor Lindsey called the meeting to order and gave the invocation. Staff Sergeant James D. Robinson, Jr. spoke as a representative of the Okaloosa County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. We are here tonight to ask your leadership: your influence and cooperation helping to deal and correct causes of tension which in now plague our community. We feel this is urgent. Can only be accomplished through concentrated effort on our part. Asking your assistance in # 1, helping initiate equal employment program in City of Fort Walton Beach, # 2. equal opportunity to patronize private businesses who are licensed to serve public - as men, we want to be treated as human beings, # 3. and most important City of Fort Walton Beach should set up a bi- racial committee with City sanction to help brin~ about accomplishment in an intelligent and peaceable manner, and H4. we feel some consideration should be given to school situation - desegregated, # 5. would like to, with your cooperation set up some type of closed meeting to express ourselves more in detail what we would like to accomplish with your cooperation and consideration." AIC Richard Blackwell, Hq. APGC, Eglin AFB { l15 Plew Heights, Eglin AFB}. " Housing in Fort Walton Beach. I think it is - every- body knows sanitary conditions are not up to standard. Even eating establishments not up to standard. What are policies toward I the Negro. I get the impression there are two sets of rules, two sets of law enforcement, and I think it should be the same. We are used to being clean, we go to church, and go to different jobs, lots of us work in your kitchens. We are as clean as you are. This is my one complaint." L~'? h Thomas E. Green, CMR 3403, Eglin AFB, Florida. " Question concerning public businesses against private. Negro is considered as public once he wants to spend money over the counter and private when he wants to spend it at the Counter. I, as an individual do not 1 understand why. ' A3/ C Carolyn Sweeney 3201 Air Base Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla. " Condition of certain department - schools, Okaloosa County. Many grades are not up to par - particularly high school graduates. Difficult to obtain jobs and hold positions that are readily available. All this stems from lack of material or training taught in parti- cular schools. Your graduates from your Choctawhatchee High School, they are qualified to obtain jobs in banks, stores, or any other reputable business establishment. Negro opportunities are stunted - inadequate machines are used in business classes. I am speaking mostly of business majors, those students who will not be able to go on to college. I feel it is stemming from this direction. Need as much opportunity in facilities in school. Fort Walton Beach schools are not up to par for both schools and for both communities." Staff Sergeant James Robinson, Jr. 1920 Comm. Sq, Eglin AFB, Fla. We have heard our requests and grievances referred to the Adminis- trative Committee. Feel I would like, if possible, to get list of people who comprise this committee. Would like to know if those of us who expressed these grievances will be given a reply. Mention that last similiar request was hand carried to this council in month of June was also referred ~ o Administrative Committee and as yet, to my knowledge, we have received no reply." AlC Richard Blackwell, Jr. " I would like to know what are the policies, reference Fort Walton Beach laws on segregation and de- segregation. Do you have policy of segregation, or is everybody considered as equals? Reason I brought this up, I see where you are planning on building a swimming pool with taxpayers money. If we can' t sit and eat together , then I am sure we can' t swim! together." Terry Tyler, CMR 6179, Eglin AFB, Fla. " I would like to lcnow how often and at what times the Administrative Committee meets so we will be ready." " Will we be notified?" A1C Marvin Burrows, Plew Heights, Apt. 46, Eglin AFB Fla. " I would like to know who my county man is. I was told City is divided up into sections and each one has a county man." It was established that apparently, Airman Burrows, wanted to know what wards, the section of town in which the Negro people live, came under, and the answer was given, - Wards 1 and 4, Councilmen Rogers, and Carnathan, respectively. Mayor Lindsey, then proceeded with the rest of the agenda for this meeting, after stating that he would refer these remarks to the Administrative Committee of Council for their considera- tion and report.  475 Bernard Telle, 100 Merle Circle, appeared before Council to express concern he and other property owners have for the con- struction of the small arms range for the police department on the recreational tract property. He stated that residents feel that this would constitute hazard from standpoint of noise and safety. He felt the range could be located on some other part of the tract. He asked permission to attend the committee meeting, stating that perhaps he would have met with County and would have some information on a location on County property that would be I more agreeable for all for ~ ch an installation. who was present stated that the Police Department Chief Hendrix, would likelihood use the range twice a month and only between 9 and 4. in all hours of He stated that peace officers association would probably use it once a month and between the hours of 1 to 3. Patrolman Cooper stated that ground has been cleared and that adequate abuttments would be built, and at no time would pistols and rifles be used simultaneously on the range. He further stated that any fUrther use would be strictly supervised. Mr. Telle stated that he realized all of this, but the people were still opposed to the range. Councilman Ready moved that this complaint be referred to the Public Works Committee for investigation of safety, etc. and report back to Council at the next regular meeting. Motion was seconded by Councilman Long, and vote was aye unanimously. R. J. Cockerill, Chiropractor, asked Council to reconsider the occupational license fee for chir9practors in that City now asks the same as for medical doctors, and nearby cities charge from 10. 00 to $ 50. 00. He mentioned that he had appeared before Council and matter had been referred to Finance Committee and no ruling had been made. He stated that other cities had a breakdown for different types of doctors. Councilman Jones moved that this be referred to Finance Committee and also suggested that City Manager and Finance Director get figures from surrounding towns and cities that might be used as a guide in a decision. Motion was seconded by Councilman Ready, and the vote was aye unanimously. Minutes for Regular Meeting of 9- 10- 63, Special Meeting of 9- 12- 63, and Special Meeting of 9- 14- 63, were approved as written on motion by Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Carnathan and aye unanimous vote. Bids for police motorcycle were opened and tabulated as follows: I Swedes Harley Davidson Sales 1709. 0$ Council voted unanimously on motion by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilman Ready, that this be referred to Public Works Com- mittee to determine if one bid would be accepted, and to make recommendation back to Council. 476 Bids for concrete were opened and tabulated as follows: Atlas Concrete Supply Co. 15. 50 cu yd. Brewton Engineering Co., Inc. 14. 09 cu yd. Council voted on motion by Councilman Long, unanimously seconded by Councilman Courter, that these bids be referred to Public Works Committee for study and recommendation back to Counci~. Mayor Lindsey declared public hearing open for water and sewer assessments for Oakland Addition, Bel Air 1st Addition, North Hill Gardens, 1st Addition, Hyland Subdivision, Pinehurst Sub- division, and Oakridge Subdivision, and for street assessments for Hoimes Ave. from Wright Ave. to Marilyn Street. Mr. J. C. Taylor who owned property in Pinehurst objected to the $ 115. 00 sewer tap fee and the 8% interest. He stated he felt the interest was out of line. Councilman Ready moved that these assessment rolls be referred to the Finance Committee for study and report back to Council, at next regular meeting. Motion~. seconded by Councilman Courter, and the vote was aye unanimously. George Block 33, Lot 11, Oakland Addition asked if he would Martin, have to pay the sewer tap assessment and the water tap assessment even though he has no intention of building on his now vacant lot. City Manager replied that he would pay three items over the life of the assessment which is 5 years. Mr. Martin stated that the assess- ments cost more than the lot was worth. Councilman Rogers moved that this be referred to Finance Committee for study and recommendation back to Council. Motion was seconded by Councilman Jones, and the vote was aye unanimously. Shirley Saunders asked about differential in sewer tapping fees, 115. 00 and $ 225. 00. She also asked if anything could be done for one of her lots. Her lot had been filled in to solve drainage but adjacent lot was low and was causing water backup onto her lot. City Manager stated that she should contact owner of the adjacent lot and perhaps if possible, work something out. If not the City might be able to help her. She further stated that the assessments to her lots were more