01-20-1959 Regular Meeting
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An adjourned meeting of the City Council of the City of
Clermont was held at the office of the City Clerk on Tuesday,
January 20, 1959. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M.
by Council Chairman, Charles Roe. Members present: Middleton,
Christensen and Oswalt. Absent: Mr. Boyd. Other officials present:
Chief Dempsey, Sup't. Sheldon, City Attorney Morse, Mayor Hullinger,
Building Inspector Snyder I and Deputy Clerk Dolores Williams.'
Others present were: Mr. Ray Cochran, Mr. Clint Hooten, Mr. Carl
Sauer, Mr. William Gehlback and representatives of the Orlando
Sentinel and the local press.
The minutes of the regular meeting held January 6, 1959 and the
organization meeting of newly elected officers held January 6,
1959, were read and approved.
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Mr. Ray Cochran, general manager/of Florida Towers, Inc., spoke
to the 60uncil relative to advertise publicity which both the
City of Clermo~t and Florida Citrus Tower were receiving due to
unsightly conditions along Highway # 27. Mr. Cochran suggested
that in so far as is possible, unsightly industry be zoned away
from the Highway in question. A discussion followed relative to
the best route from the Citrus Tower to the Clermont Business
District and the proper marking thereof. A scenic route through
Clermont was also discussed 'and Mr. Cochran was invited to suggest
such a route~
Mr. Carl Sauer, representative of the Texas Oil Company from
Leesburg, requested permission to locate a house trailer in the
rear of the Texaco service station located on Highway # 27. It
was explained to Mr. Sauer that the granting of his request would
be in violation of existing ordinances, and therefore, it was
denied. Mr. Sauer was assured, however, that the local police
would endeavor to give his location all possible protection.
Clerk Johnson read a letter from G. Spinney Crary of South Lake
Realty Company wherein he stated that Mr. H. S. Overstreet of
Kissimmee, Florida, a dealer for Sinclair Oil Company, was pre-
pared to pay $200.00 for a 60 day p~rchase option on that property
located at the intersection of 10th street and Highway # 50, being
offered for sale by the City. Clerk Johnson also read a letter
from Mr. W. Ernest Collins wherein Mr. Collins made an offer of
$5200.00 for that property at the intersection of lOth street and
Highway # 50, offered for sale by the City. Motion was made by
Mr. Middleton, seconded by Mr. Oswalt, and unanimously carried,
that the first offer be rejected on the grounds that the City did
not care to tie up the property in question for that length of
time, and, the second offer be rejected due to the fact it was below
the price set by the City for the property.
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Mr. Clint Hooten, speaking in behalf of the Dad's Club, requested
that the Council give consideration to increasing the size,of the
water main: on Pitt Street from East Avenue eastward to the new
athletic field, in order that there would be sufficient water
available for sprinkling systems to be installed there, and, that
the City donate the water used for purpose of irrigating said
athletic field. He further requested that the City fill in that
part of the field from which clay had been removed. Mr. Hooten
was informed that due to the absence of the Chairman of the Water
Committee, the Council did not feel inclined to take action on his
request, bht that he could be assured it would be given every con-
sideration.
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Mr. Blanton McBride, representing the Episcopal Church of this
City, requested permission to purchase and locate, directional
signs, for his church. After considerable discussion regarding
this matter, motion was made by Mr. Oswalt, seconded by Mr. Christ-
ensen, and unanimously carried, that Clerk Johnson write to all
local churches and advise them that due to numerous requests the
\Council had decided to allow diredtional signs for churches along
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Highway # 50,provided,that, the size of the signs meets with the
approval of the Council; the churches to be further advised that
they would be allowed one sign each and that this sign would be
located at the intersection of Highway # 50 and that street leading
to their church; that such sign be paid for by the church but be
installed by the City. Included in the letter to be an invitation
to the individual churches to submit to the City Council a drawing
or sample of the sign which they desired.
Chairman Roe appointed the following Standing Committees in addition
to the two previously appointed, with the first name of each
Committee being the Chairman.
FINANCE COMMITTEE: All members of the Council
STREETS COMMITTEE: Oswalt, Roe, Middleton
FIRE & BUILDING: Boyd, Middleton, Oswalt
STREET LIGHTING & SANITATION: Middleton, Boyd, Roe
LAWS & AUDITING:
WATER COMMITTEE:
PARKS:
Roe, Christensen, Boyd
Boyd, Oswalt, Christensen
Christensen, Oswalt, Middleton
Mr. Oswalt, Chairman of the Streets Committee, reported that work
was progressing on the paving of new streets, and that about 80%
of the claying had been completed. He further reported that he had
been requested for the City to build a street on railroad property
from 8th street to the American National Growers Packing House.
It was decided that it was impossible to construct a street on
privately owned property, but, that repair crews would make every
effort to keep the existing street in usable condition.
Mr. Middleton, reporting _ for' ~the Building Committee, stated that
this Committee had met with Building Inspector, Snyder, and that
they had agreed upon minimum requirements for building permit
applications, such requirements being:
That Plot Plans and Floor Plans be drawn to scale
That Floor Plans be two line drawings for exterior
walls showing wall thickness
That the minimum of one elevation be given
Mr. Middleton reported further that the Building Committee decided
that the issuance of Building Permits be broken down into three
catagories; Building, Electrical and Plumbing.
A discussion of a new Plumbing Ordinance took place and it was
decided that after Inspector Snyder had met with local Plumbers,
hw would make his recommendation to the Council for their consid-
eration.
Chairman Roe requested that City Attorney Morse write to the
firm codifying our City Ordinances and obtain from them, samples
of standard building and electrical codes.
City Attorney Morse submitted the proposed notice to be published
in the local paper calling for the re-registration of all qualified
voters, and, suggested that such notice run in the local press for
a period of 30 days, such notice stating that the books be opened
on Monday, January 26, 1959 and remain open during regular office
hours for a period of 30 days. The Council directed that the notice
in question be published for a period of 30 days as recommended by
City Attorney Morse,and, that in addition to the legal notice, a
block ad notice be also run and the local press asked to give this
matter all possible publicity.
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Motion was made by Mr. Oswalt, seconded by Mr. Middleton, and
uhanimously carried, that Clerk Johnson be authorized to engage
a temporary employee to handle the re-registrations.
Mr. Christensen, Chairman of the Parks Committee, reported on the
progress toward completion of the addition to our cemetery. A,
general discussion took place relative to rules and regulations
of same, but no action taken.
Mayor Hullinger reported he had made an inspection of the City
jail and found conditions not<too.go6d,that minor alterations and
the addition of four bunks were needed at an approximate cost of
$152.00. Mayor Hullinger recommended that the necessary money for
these alterations be appropriated. Mr. Middleton made the motion,
seconded by Mr. Christensen, and carried, that the recommendation
made by Mayor Hullinger for the improvement of the local jail be
accepted and that Police Chief Dempsey be authorized to make the
necessary expenditures not to exceed $200.00, for that purpose.
Mayor Hullinger further recommended that each member of the Council
make a study of the Mayor-Commissioner form of government of
Eustis, Florida, now on file in the office of the City Clerk.
Bldg. Inspector Snyder made a brief report on his work todate.
Clerk Johnson read a letter from Mrs. Carolyn Stanley relative to
the re-zoning of her property located ~t:520 E. Minnehaha from an
RIA zone to an R 1 zone in order that the existing building
might be allowed to continue as a rooming house. After some dis-
cussion regarding this matter, it was decided that it would not be
practicable to change the zoning in a small part of this area,
furthermore, it was the opinion of City Attorney Morse that inasmuch
as the building in question had been operated as a rooming house
prior to the passage of the Zoning Ordinance, that the continued use
of the building for room rental purposes should be allowed regard-
less of who might own the building. Chairman Roe agreed to so ad-
vise Mrs. Stanley.
Clerk Johnson read a letter from Mr. John L. Hartley wherein a
request was made for a franchise. of taxi cab service in the City
of Clermont. Clerk Johnson was advised to direct Mr. Hartley that
a franchise would not be given, but, that if he desired to operate
a taxi cab service in Clermont he would be permitted to do so pro-
vided that he obtained the necessary City Occupational License.
Clerk Johnson opened and read bids for the painting of the exterior
of the City Hall Building and the front of the William Boyd Office
Building with the following bids being offered:
Bishop and Hutchingson - $1,000.00
Leonard Baird - $ 945.00
Motion was made by Mr. Middleton, seconded by Mr. Oswalt, and
carried, that the low bid be accepted and that Mr. Baird be awarded
the job providing he would start work in two weeks.
Mr. Middleton stated that Mrs. Riddell was of the opinion that in-
asmuch as she operated the Lake Highlands Hotel for only six months
out of each year, that she should be requested to pay only one half
years City Occupational License. After determining that this would
be in violation of existing Occupational License Ordinance, her
request was denied.
Mr. Middleton further informed the Council that Mr. O. T. Cook,Sr.
desired to work out some agreement with the City whereby he would
lease to the City certain properties in Block 80 to be used as a
walk-way to the City parking lot in exchange for a lease from the
City for the parking lot or at least some matter of assurance that
the parking lot would be available to his tenants, and, that the
City would provide access to the rear of the buildings on his pro-
perty. Mr. Middleton was requested to confer with Mr. Cook and
City Attorney Morse and work out a rough draft of the property ex-
change of leases for presentation to the Council.
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Chairman Roe read a letter from Mayor Fairchild of Groveland
extending to the City of Clermont their sincere thanks for services
rendered by the Clermont Fire Department during the recent fire in
Groveland.
Chairman Roe read a letter from Phi Lamda Pi fraternity offering
the services of several of their pledges to the City of Clermont
for a week-end during the month of February. Mayor Hullinger was
requested to reply to this letter and extend thanks for the City
of Clermont for this kind offer and accept same.
Mr. Oswalt stated that the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad was allowing
their right-of-ways to become badly over grown and in his opinion
they should be informed to correct this situation. Clerk Johnson
was requested to write the District Superintendent and call this
matter to his attention with the request that he take the necessary
steps to remedy this situation at an early date, and, that it also
be suggested to him that NO FISHING signs be placed at both ends
of their railroad trestle.
Mr. Middleton stated that Mr. Fred Wolfe had requested that the
City Police Department erect PRIVATE PROPERTY signs between his
buildings at the ACL crossing at the end of West Lake Drive or
11th street. No definite action was taken regarding this matter.
Motion by Mr. Middleton, seconded by Mr. Oswalt, and carried, that
meeting be adjourned.
L{J~
Chairman
Clermont City Council