01-05-1965 Regular Meeting
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REGULAR MEETING
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held
in the Municipal Court Room on Tuesday, ,January 5, 1965.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor BonJorn at 7:30 P. M. with
~l~ C<;>uncil members present. OtI:er City officials present were,Chief Tyndal,
~ulldl~g Inspector Snyder, Buperlntendent Sheldon,City Attorney Caldwell,
Municipal ,Ju~ge T~yon, Deputy Clerk Carroll and Clerk Johnson.
Visi tors present, were Messrs. Harry Connell, ,Paul Tabor, Councilman
el~ct Charles Beals and representatives of the press.
TBe invocation was, given by Mr. Paul Tabor.
The minutes of the meetings held December l6th~7th, and 22nd of
December, 1964, were approved as written.
Police Chief Tyndal submitted his monthly and annual reports. Both
were accepted and ordered filed.
Building Inspector Snyder submitted his monthly and annual reports.
Both were accepted and ordered filed. Inspector Snyder also gave a compari-
son of buildi~g permits issued for the calander years 1963-64.
Superintendent Sheldon reported that the new well was now undergoing
pumping tests and that everything appeared to be satisfactory. Mr. Sheldon
also reported that the construction of streets in the Lincoln Park area
was undenlay.
Mayor BonJorn stated that he wished to express his sincere thanks
to the Councilmen and other City officials for their cooperation and effort
duri~g the past year.
Councilman York, Chairman of the Street Lighting and Sanitation
Committee recommended that street lights be installed as follows: two lights
on Third Street (between Lake Shore'Drive and Minnehaha Ave.); one on Broome
and Second Streets; one on Johnson Drive, ,and that the existing light at
Linden and Holly Streets be cha~ged to modern lighting. "
Mr. Pool, Chairman of the Cemetery, Parks and Recreation Committee,
recommended and moved that three or four water outlets be provided west of
the building at the Jaycee Beach. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hutchi~gson
and carried.
Mr. Pool further reported that the local Beautification Committee had
recently met and that it was their intention to undertake a program of
beautification of Highway 50 through Clermont. Mr. Pool further reported
l:hat tpe Commiftee had - suggested'-'tha't' th~ City- Coun~il desig~ate the Biack
Holly as. the official tree of Clermont.
Mr. Pool moved that the Black Holly be designated as the official
tree of the Ci.ty of Clermont and that the Mayor lssue a proclamation to that
effect. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hoskinson and carried.
Superintendent Sheldon was requested to get an estimate of the cost of
removing a large mulberry tree(includi~g the stump) from the rear of the
Woman's Club property.
City Clerk Johnson read communications as follows:
A letter from the Chamber of Commerce endorsing the construction of a
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Community building in Clermont and urging the City Council place this project
at the top of their list of City improvements. The City Clerk was requested
to thank the Chamber of Commerce for their interest and to advise them that
the matter was under consideration.
A letter from Mr. Frank Bakeman stated that due to reasons of health
it was necessary that he resign from membership on the local Planning Commission
Motion was made by Mr. York,. seconded by Mr. Turville, and carried,. that the
resignation be accepted and that the Clerk write Mr. Bakeman a letter of
thanks for his pqst services.
Motion was paid by Mr. Hutchingson, seconded by Mr. Turville and
carried that the Finance Officer be. authorized to pay Saine Company the
amount of $9,735.50 on their contract.
Clerk Johnson read a letter from Mr. E.L. Schuman, addressed to Mr.
ChaIres Beals, Councilman elect, stating that the Men's Garden Club had not
received any acknowledgement or thanks. for their landscaping work at the
new Police and Fire Station. .
Councilman Hoskinson immediately stated that their kind efforts had
been publicly acknowledged at the dedication of the building and that it
was naturally assumed that a number of their membership was present.
Motion ,vas made by 11r. Turville, seconded by Mr. Pool and carried that
the City Clerk write a letter of thanks to the Men's Garden Clbb for their
cooperation and assistance.
Motion was made by ~rr. Hutchingson, seconded by Mr. Turville and
carried that the bills be paid. .
Motion by Mr. York, seconded by Mr. Turville, and carried, that the
meeting adjourn.
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ACCOUNTS PAYABLE-JANUARY 1965
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GENERAL FUND
Florida Telephone Corporation
Fifth Street Grocery
Hilltop Book Nook
Floridian Uniform Rental
Meeker Feed Store
Stalnaker Chevrolet Company
Western Auto
Pounds Motor Company, Inc.
Konsler Steel Co.
Red's Tire and Battery Co., Inc.
Westerman Ford
Spillane's Radiator Shop
Coble's Garage
Hoskinson Bros. Firestone Store
Rick's Paint and Body Shop
Fire Dep't Calls and Salaries
Credit Bureau of the Golden Triangle
Clermont Plbg. and Heating
Basic Asphalt Corporation
Clermont Bldrs. Supply, Inc.
Clermont Hardware and Supply Company
Advance Electric Company
Clermont TV and Appliances
Lake Apopka Natural Gas District
IBM Corporation
Florida Power Corporation
Keene Construction Company
Radio Communications Service
Lake County Leage of Municipalities
Valbro Corporation
Standard Auto Parts, Inc.
Standard Oil Company
F. L. Addison
W. S. Darley and Company
Clements' Pest Control
Florida League of Municipalities
South Lake Press
Olivenbaum Insurance Agency
Atlantic Chemicals, Inc.
Williams Auto Service
Total
WATER DEPARTMENT
Southern Pipe & Supply Co.
Standard Auto Parts, Inc.
Davis Meter and Supply Co.
Advance Electric Co.
Badger Meter Mfg. Company
Clermont Hdwe and Supply Company
Spillane's Radiator Shop
Coble's Garage
Florida Power Corp.
Radio Communications
Atlantic Chemicals, Inc.
Saine Co., Inc.
Total
SPECIAL BUILDING FUND
Konsler Steel Co.
Hilltop Book Nook
Clermont Bldrs. Supply
Total
CIGARETTE TAX FUND
Ewell Concrete Pipe Co.
$ 108.98
6.44
-._27:93
115.50
10.00
3.17
_ 2.35
107.50
14.14
56.80
67.55
7.27
110.40
2.84
3.20
51. 00
12.00
4.50
88.20
43.90
158.88
29.61
17.45
25.00
4.50
1,359.21
12.50
67.00
9.00
23.18
90.16
435.75
87.06
22.33
9.00
150.00
38.03
241.04
42.75
23.08
3,689.20
331.71
20.50
18.20
128.36
18.68
1.35
8.25
6.00
550.36
8.90
42.75
9,735.30
10,872.36
154.50
62.08
163.38
379.96
1,848.40
1, 84-8. 4..0
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GRAND TOTAL $ 1~,789.92
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ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
Mayor BonJorn administered the oath of office to Counci,lman elect
Charles Beals and incumbent Councilmen James Hoskinson and Harold Turville.
The newly elected Councilmen were officially seated and the meeting called
to order by Mayor BonJorn at approximately 8:15 P. M., with, all Councilmen
present.
Mayor BonJorn stated that the first order of business was the nomination
and election of a Council President and that hominations were in order. Mr.
Beals nominated Mr. Hoskinson as Council President and Mr. Turville seconded
the nomination. Mr. York moved that the nominations be closed and that the
Clerk cast a unanimous 'ballot for Mr. Hoskinson as Council President. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Beals and carried.
The Chairman stated that the next order of business was the nomination
and election of a Vice President, or President pro tem of the City Council
and that nominations were in order.
r.1r. Beals nominated Mr. York as Vice President, or President pro tern,
of the City Council. The nomination was seconded by Mr. Hoskinson. Mr. Beals
moved that the nominations be closed and that the Clerk cast a unanimous ballot
for Mr. York as Vice President, or President pro tem. The motion was secpnded
by Mr. Hoskinson and carried.
The Chairman stated that the next order of business pertained to the
electing, appointing and engaging of City personel and requested that the
City employees please leave the'room.
A. M. Johnson was elected as City Clerk, Treasurer and Tax Collector
at a salary of $525.00 per month.
Clerk Johnson returned to the meeting at this time.
J. K. Tryon was elected as Judge of the Municipal Court at a salary
of $99.00 per month.
A. M. Johnson was appointed as Tax Assessor, without further compensa-
tion, Prentice Tyndal was appointed as City Marshall, or police Chief, at a
salary of $425.00 per month and Roy Caldwell was appointed as City Attorney
on a temporary basis, with a retaini~g fee of $150.00 per month.
Ralph J. Snyder was engaged as Building Inspector and Health Officer
at a salary of $300.00 per month. A. L. Sheldon was e~gaged as Superintendent
of Public Works at a salary of $475.00 per month; Leo Creech was engaged as
an Assistant to the Superintendent at a salary of $370.00 per month;' John
Morrison was engaged as stock clerk and barn custodian at a ql,'.ary of $300.00
per month and W.'H. McQuisition was engaged as custodian of the Community
Building at a salary of $35.00 per month.
All Department Heads were authorized to re-engage the employees under
their supervision at the salaries or wage provided' for in the 1964-65 budget.
Motion was made by Mr. Turville, seconded by Mr. Pool, and carried,
that the Citizens Bank of Clermont and the First Federal Savings and Loan
Association of Clermont be designated as depositories for City of Clermont
funds and that the Clerk investigate other possible depositories which will
produce a h~gher rate of interest or dividend.
At the request of City Clerk Johnson, motion was made by Mr. Turville,
seconded by Mr. Beals and unanimously carried that it be RES0LVED that the
City Clerk and/or Treasurer of the City of Clermont be authorized to
1.
Open savings accounts for idle City funds in the citizens Bank ~f
Clermont and/or invest such idle funds in the First Federal Savlngs and
Loan Association of Clermont, and that said institutions are hereby
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authorized to act without further authorization in accordance
with the writing of the City Clerk and/or Treasurer unless, and
until, further notified;
2.
Transfer funds from one account to another as the needs may arise;
Withdraw funds from the interest and sinking fUnd account and'
deposit in the Bond and Coupon account the' amounts necessary to
retire or redeem City of Clermont bonds and coupons as they become
due;
3.
4.
Purchase City of Clermont, bonds at par, or less, when such bonds
are offered for sale and when surplus funds are available in the
Interest and Sinki~g fund account;
Pay all salaries and wages due City employees, including the
Mayor and members of the City Council, at the rates established by
the City Council, and as provided in the 1964-65 budget; pay such
accounts as Social Security taxes, withheld income taxes, employee
insurance premiums, as well as any other account where the discount
period expires prior to the regular meeting of the Council, and to
make payments on notes, bonds', mortgages and contracts, including
interest, as they become due. " ,
5.
The matter of the Lake County Leagueof Municipality meeting being held
in Mt Dora on January 13th and the South Lake Growth Committee meeting in
Minneola on January 8th, was discussed and the Mayor urged that the City Council
be well represented at eachmeeti~g. '
Mayor BonJorn stated that under the power vested in his office he was
making the followi~g listed Council Committee appointments:
FIRE & BUILDING
STREET LIGHTING & SANITATION
James Hoskinson, Chr.
John York
Charlei Pool, Jr.
John York, Chr.
Harold "Turville
Charles Beals
PARKS-CEMETERY-RECREATION
WATER DEPARTMENT
Charles Beals, Chr.
Charles Pool, Jr.
John York
Harold Turville
James Hoskinson
Charles Pool, Jr.
STREETS & SIDEWALKS
LAWS & AUDITING
Charles Pool, ~hr.
James Hoskinson
John Yor](
James Hoskinson, Chr.
Harold Turville
Charles Beals
FINANCE COMMITTEE
All Council Members
Mayor BonJorn recommended that the City ;ouncil make the following listed
appointments:
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Zoning Board of Adjustment: (One Year Term) V. A. Oswalt, Frank Innis,
John Loesch, Clarence Bishop and Max Judy.
Zoning comrnision:
Arthur Geo:rge.
Planning Commission': Fred Lyon to fill the unexpired term of Richard Harris
who has res~gned; Leonard Baird to fill the unexpired term of Frank Bakeman, '
who has resigned; Carrol Bailey to fill the unexpired term of Bill Westerman
who has resigned; and Richard McHenry and Martin Winther reappointed to thre~
year terms.
('rhree ~ear Term) Martin Winther, Forrest Colegrove and :.'
Board of Appeals (Building Code) Donald St. John appointed to fill the
unexpired term of E. T. Brantly, who has resigned and Jean Winston reappointed
for a three year term.
Electrical Board of Examiners (One year term): Seldon Hanks, Mr. Lenhart,
Forrest Colegrove, Tom Pickler and R. J. Snyder.
Plumbing Board of Examiners: (One year term) M. J. Barnes, James Fisher
and R. J. Snyder.
Motion was made by Mr. Hoskinson, seconded by Mr. York and carried,
that the Mayor's recommendations be approved and that the appointments are
made as recommended.
Motion was made by Mr. Turvi11e, seconded by Mr. Beals, and carried,
that the City Tax Assessor be aUthorized to engage the services of Hunnicutt
and Associates to make real and personal property appraisals for the City of
Clermont.
Motion was made by Mr. York seconded by Mr. Turvi11e, and carried,
that Michaels Engineering company of Orlando be engaged as Consulting
Engineers and that they be paid only for services' rendered and that no re-
tainer or monthly salary be included.
Motion was made by Mr. Turville, seconded by Mr. Pool, and carried,
that H. W. Sheppard and Company be engaged to audit the books of the City
of Clermont for the fiscal year 1964~65.
Mayor BonJorn asked the City Clerk if he had any business to bring
before the meeti~g.
Clerk Johnson stated that he would like to read a prepared statement and
that he respectfully requested that such statement be incorporated into the
minutes of the meeting. Following the reading of the statement by Clerk
Johnson, motion was made by Mr. Turvil1e, seconded by Mr. Hoskinson, and
carried, that the statement read by Clerk Johnson become a part of the
minutes of the mee.tin.g. A copy of the statement appears immediately fol1ow-
i~g these minutes. .
Motion was made by Mr. Turvil1e, seconded by Mr. Y~rk, and carried,
that the Tax Assessor have all real and personal property within the limits
of the City of Clermont reappraised for use on the 1965 Tax Roll.
Clerk Johnson was requested to invite representatives of Michaels
Engineering Company to make a report, on their feasibility study of. a sewer
system, at the next meeting of the Council.
Motion was made by Mr. Turvi11e, seconded by Mr. Pool, and carried,
that a work order be issued for the removal of the islands on Lake Avenue,
between Montrose and DeSoto Streets and for the necessary repairs to the
street fo11owi~g their removal.
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Mr. Hoskinson asked Clerk Johnson to please contact Mr. William Boyd
and endeavor to have him urge the Seaboard Air Line Railroad quote the City
a price on their abandoned" r~ght-of-way without undue delay.
The question of a City Manager was discussed and it was d~cided that
an unofficial meeting would be held on Tuesday, January 26, 196~ at which
time the matter of an ordinance pertaining to the duties and responsibilities
of a City Manager would be discussed. .
Motion by Mr. Pool, seconded by Mr. Turville, and carried, .that the
meeting adjourn until January 19, 1965 at 7:30 P. M.
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I have turned over to Mayor BonJorn a petition to the City Council,
from some of our negro residents, requesting that I be engaged as City
Manager. It is my understanding that another petition has been, or is
being, circulated among the white residents making' the same request. I
have been approached by a number of residents asking, and requesting me,
to consider the position and I might add that the$persons pay taxes in
substantial amounts. To those persons who signed the petitions and those
who discussed the matter with me I wish to express my sincere thanks for
their confidence in my ability. In all frankness I believe that I am
capable of filling the position. However, I must say that my prospects
of being successful would be limited as I would have opposition from the
day I started and unfortunately, or fortunately if your prefer, some of
the opposition would exert considerable time and effort to keep me from
succeeding.
I have publicly stated on several occasions that I was not seeking
the position of City Manager for Clermont and at this time I repeat that
I have not applied, and will not apply, for the position. I have been of
the opinion, and I have not changed, that engaging of a City Manager is
not the answer to the problems which Clermont may have. However, I have
every reason to believe that those who voted for the plan were sincere in
their choice. What I fail to understand is why some of those people who
voted for the plan refuse to afford me the same position of sincerity.
Why must my every word and action be construed as having some ulterior
motive in the minds of some of these good people? Regardless of my opinion
concerning a City Manager the voters of Clermont ha~expressed a definite
desire that the City Council have the authority to engage a City Manager.
When our Council makes its selection and engages a person for the position
I assure you that I will extend him every assistance and cooperation and
do my very best to make the venture a success. In fact I will probably be
accused of being too loyal to him and of covering up any small mistakes
which he may make.
During the campaigns, prior to the elections, the individual candi-
dates, in my opinion, conducted themselves as gentlemen. However, insofar
as I am concerned the same cannot be said for some of their supporters.
Numerous falsehoods were circulated and my name was connected with some
of them. I am taking this oportunity of publicly denying the following
listed rumors:
I did not persuade Mr. Rambo to become a candidate in the hope that
I might have a relative on the City Council. I never even discussed the
matter with Mr. Rambo at any time.
I have not been attending night school, or for that matter day school,
or any other kind of school, including correspondence courses, in an
effort to prepare myself for the job of City Manager.
I did not make, or attempt to make, a so called "deal" with Mr.
Hoskinson or Mr. Hutchingson, or any other Councilman or cand~date w~ereby
they were to support me for the position of City Manager. I can definitely
state that people were called on and 'phoned and told not to vote for the
two candidates mentioned as they were obligated to engage me as City
Manager.
I did not, as the Mayor and Councilmen well knows, prepare the wording
of the ballot pertaining to the question of a City Manager. In fact the
Mayor and Councilmen also know that the wording as prepared by me was
discarded and by unanimous decision they agreed on the wording as it appeared
on the ballot. Therefore, the fact that the election only delegated authority
to the City Council to engage a City Manager, and was not a mandate, can in
no way be attributed to me.
I have not attempted to run the affairs of this City as this Council,
and previous Councils, well know. I have at all times recommended that
which I believed to be in the best interest of our City as a whole. To
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those who insist that I have been running Clermont I can only say that I
deeply appreciate the compliment as, at least in my opinion, the job has
been extremely well done.
I respectfully request that these statements be made a part of the
minutes of this meeting as otherwise I am certain that I will, as usual,
be misquoted.