02-06-1945 Regular Meeting
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CITY OF CLERHOJ\"T
MINUTES OF THE REGUr~R MEETING OF TIlE CITY COUNCIL HELD
AT THE CITY HALL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1945, at 7:30 p.m.
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The meeting was called to order by President F. B.
Roe at 7:45 p.mt other Councilmen present being R. M.
Stackhouse, R. M. Castner, C. W. Gaines and H. C. Brown.
Mayor F. H. Higby, City Clerk W.H. McQuistion, Attorney
Irving F. Morse, Marshal C. E. Sullins and Street and
Water Superintendent H. M. Cole were also present.
The minutes of the previous meeting held on January
15th, 1945, were read and appr oved.
A report was made by Mr. Brown that all dances held
at the Yacht Club, when soldiers are in attendance, will
be paroled by M. P. 's from the Army Base according to the
Provost Marshal.
Fire Chief Achord reported that he answered one fire
call during the month and used no help. Also, the truck
was checked on January 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 and f'rnnd in
good cC'nd i ti on.
Mayor Higby reported that there were 13 cases in
Police Court with fines and costs of' ~239.00, ~227.50 of
which was collect.ed and a def'erred payment of' $11.50 due
the City. ,The bonds of' seven were forfeited for non-
appearance.
Police Chie f' Sullins reported tha t 13 arrests were
made and all fines paid amounting to ~239.00 and collected
$>227.50 which was turned over to the City Clerk and $11.50
carried over to February.
Mr. Castner reported that with E'ire Chief Achord he
has made arrangements to get prices on repairs to the
fire truck and will make a report.
Mr. Brown stated that he bad written the American
La France Company- on fire truck and they replied that they
did not have any equipment at present but suggested that
he write the Southern Wheel Company. He wrote the South-
ern Wheel Company and they advised that they will have
their representative call and see if new wheels can be
placed on the truck so that tires can be purchased.
A motion was made by Mr. Stackhouse, seconded by
Mr. Brown, that a committee be appointed to work with Mr.
Burke Chester of the Lake County Health Department to clean
up unsanitary conditions in certain locations in the City,
also to make a')p1ication for authority to construct at
least 15 houses to take care of' some that are in a deplor-
able condition. The President then appointed the follow-
ing Committee: Mr. Brown, Chairman, Mr. Castner and Mr.
Stackhouse. The motion carried.
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A motion was made by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Gaines,
that condemnation proceedings be instituted against the
property of William Kern on Minneola Avenue as to be a f'ire
hazard. Also, the place is in a very unsanitary condition
and is a detriment to the health and welfare of the citizens
of' Clermont. Also, a house of' Mr. Kernls on Highland Avenue
occupied by a Mr. Johnson, a double house ~ccupicd by L. A.
Hodge and Ruth Law and a 9 x 9 building occupancy unknown.
This motion was called to a roll call vote and the f'ollowing
Councilmen voted in the af'firmative to proceed as stated:
Mr. Roe, Mr. Stackhouse, Mr. Gaines, Mr. Castner and Mr.
Brown. The motion carried.
MINUTES OF lffiETING FEBRUARY 6, 1945
Page 2
A motion was made by Mr. Stackhouse, seconded by
Mr. Brow~, that all former owners of property acquired
by the City from the Trustees of the Internal Improvement
Fund shall ha va unti 1 April 1, 1945, to redeem same, plus
$l5.00 t.o cover expenses of the City in acquiring said
property from former owners, plus cost of recording. The
motion carried.
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A motion vias made by Mr. Castner, seconded by Mr.
Gaines, to cancel taxes and paving assessments due the City
on the Chardevoyne grove. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Stackhouse, seconded by Mr.
Castner, t h9 t ~Us s Hilda Dull be employed at a salary of
$25.00 per week. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Stackhouse, seconded by Mr.
Gaines, that all bills presented be paid. The motion car-
ried. The bi Ils are as fo llows :
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3199.
3200.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
3210.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
3220.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
3230.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
3240.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
General Fund
H. l\I. Cole
Bill Kie
John Ding le
Ro M. Morris
Rufus J one s
Geo. J. Dyke s." Clerk
T. F. Thompson
Achor ds Garage
Florida Power Company
Clenn ont Hardware Company
H. M. Cole
Bill Kia
John Ding le
R. M. Horris
C. E. Sullins
Collector cf Internal Revenue
H. M. Cole
Bill Kie
John Dingle
R. M. Morris
John D. Highsmith
John D. Hi@:lsmith
H. M. Cole
Bill Kie
John Dingle
R. M. M or r is
Geo. J. Dykes
W. H. Mc Qui s:fUon
Hilda Dull
Irvi ng F. Morse
J. P. Acho rd
Ros eM. Sharpe
C. E. Sullins
H. M. Cole
Bill Kie
John Ding le
R. M. Morris
Bobbie Dean
C. E. Sullins
Cash - ~etty items
Flor ida TeIephone Cor p .
Dixon Foundry & Machine
Standard Oil Co.
. Sun Chevro let Co.
A~hords Garage
Harry P. Leu
2500.00
37.70
28.30
28.90
27.40
2.40
268.90
12.51
9.75
4.04
21.76
37.70
28.35
23.70
23.70
87.50
76.67
37.70
31.25
28 . 90
27.40
31. 80
9.28
37.70
30.60
28.30
26.80
79.69
136.90
88.50
25.00
25.00
10.00
84.10
37 .70
35.40
31.80
30.80
13.80
25.00
21. 61
24.98
30 .00
11.70
1.75
22.90
11.00
Transfer
MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 6, 1945
Page 3
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3246.
7.
8.
3250.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Postal Colony Company
Florida Power Company
Cle rmont Hardware
BiBhOp Office Equip. Co.
L. J. Kindred
Florida Pipe & Equipment
Irving F. Mor se
Mrs. Pearl Cullen
075
306.19
10.34
19.05
13.30
Co. 3293.35
14.89
138.60
A moti on vIas ma de by Mr. Ga ioo s, secom ed by
Mr. Stackhouse, that the Reso lution attached he reta
be adopted.
There being no further business, the Council
adjourns d to me at at the call of the President.
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President of Ci~ Council
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Cit Y Clerk
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RES 0 L UTI 0 N
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VJHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Clermont have found
that the interest on delinquent taxes due the City of Clermont
for the year of 1930 and prior years and the interest due the City
of Clermont on the delinquent specinl assessment liens now ~mounts
to ~s much or more than the principal ~mount of said taxes and
assessment liens; and,
VffiEREAS, the City Council after careful investigation have
found that a large number of property owners would be able to
pay said delinquent taxes and special assessment liens under the
present plan of payment, as more specifically outlined in the
City's Refunding Agreement with the Fiscal Agent, Leedy-~~eeler
& Company, if the interest due the City on the delinquent taxes
for the year of 1930 and prior years and the interest due the
City on the delinquent special assessment liens was waived; and,
~ffiEREAS, it appears to the City Council to be to the best
interest of all owners of Refunding Bonds and Delinquent Tux
Notes of the City of Clermont as well as to all tax payers of the
City to decrease the amount of delinquent taxes for the year of
1930 ~nd prior years and delinquent assessment liens due the City;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City
of Clermont, Q municipal corporation organized and existing under
the l&ws of the state of Florida, that the owners of property
situate, lying and being within the present boundaries of the
City of Clermont against which there are outstanding and unpaid
taxes for the year of 1930 and prior years and/or delinquent
assessment liens may settle same under the present plan of settle-
ment, that is, by paying 5% in cash and the balance of 95% in De-
linquent Tax Notes, and all interest due the City of Clermont on
said taxes and special assessment liens shall be waived; and,
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That this Resolution shall be and
become effective immedia.tely upon its passage and adoption, sub-
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ject to the approva.l of Leedy-~~eeler & Company, Fiscal Agents,
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of Orlando, Florida, and further subject to the approval of
Caldwell & Raymond, Bond Attorneys, of the City of New York;
and that upon approval of said Leedy-Wheeler & Company and
Caldwell & Raymond, Attorneys, thereafter, ,a copy of this Reso-
lution be published in the Clermont Press, a newspaper of general
circulation in Lake County, Florida, for one (1) .issue.
. PASSED AND ADOPTED subject to the above conditions by the
City Council of the City of Clermont at its regular meeting held
in said City this 6th day of February, A. D., 1945.
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c;:-? /c/: /L?r&. .
President, City Council
( OFFI C IAL SEAL
of City of Clermont)
ATTEST:
1J;tbm!~~
City Clerk
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R E 8 0 L UTI 0 H
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WHEREAS, the Clty Councll of the Clty ot Clermont have found
that the lnterest on delinquent taxes due the City of Clermont
for the yeQ~ of 1930 ann prlor yeArs and the interest due the City
of Clermont on the delinquent special aSBeasment liens now amount.
to as much or more than the principal amount of said taxes and
assessment lIens; and,
~~EREAS, the City Council ~fter careful investlgution h~ve
founa that u largo nUQoor of propc~ty ovnors Dould be able to
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p~y s~id delinquent taxos Qnd opociul USSCQsrnent liens undor the
p~esent plan of payw~nt, QS more cpcclficQl1y outlined in the
City's Refunding Agreement with the Fiscal Agent, Leedy-Wheeler
& Company, if the interest due the City on the delinquent taxes
for the year of 1930 ~nd prior years and the interest due the
City on the delinquent opecial assessment liens was waived; and,
[~EREAS, it =ppears to the city Council to be to the best
interest of all owner~ of Refunding Bonds and Delinquent Tax
Notes of the City of Clermont as well as to all tax~payer8 of the
City to deerease the amount of delinquent taxes for the yemr of
1930 and prior years and deltnquont assesoment liens due the City;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVEl> by the City Council of the City
of Clermont, a mun1cipal corporation orgQnized and Gx1eting under
the laws of the state of Florida, that the owners of property
situate, 1~1ns and being w1thin the present boundaries of the
City of Clermont agninst which the~e Qra outntand1ng und unpaid
taxes for the year of 1930 and prior yeaI's Qnd/or delinquent
nsscosmont lions may sottlo same under the prooent plan of settle-
ment, that ls" by paying 51~ in cash am. the balance or 95% in De-
linquent Tax Notos, and all interest due the City of Clermont on
said taxes and special aSBessment liens shall be ~nived; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That this Resolution shQl1 be and
beoome effect1ve immediately upon its passage and adoption, Dub-
jeot to the approval of Leedy-\~eeler & Oompany, Fiscal Agents,
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of Orlando, Florida, and further ~ubject to the approval of
Caldwell & Raymond, Bond Attorneys, of the City of New York;
and that upon approval of said Leedy-Vlheeler & CompRny and
Caldwell. Raymond, Attorneys, thereafter, a copy of this Reso-
lution be published in the Clermont Press, a.newspaper of. general
circulation in Lake County, Florida, for one. (1) issue.
PASSED AND ADOPTED subject to the above conditions by the
City Council of the City of Clermont at its regular meeting held
in said City this 6th day of February, A. D., 1945.
(Signed)
~A.
President, City Council
(OFFICIAL SEAL
of City of ClGrmont)
(Signed)
ATTEST =
1Jk?n-~~~
W. H. MoQUISTIOJf
, 01 ty Clerk "
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Clermont, Florida
February 6, 1945
To The Mayor and City Council
Clermont, Florida
Gentlemens
~~I regret that my recent illness delayed getting under way with the work of this Committee
- ~o establish valuations on the lots recently acquired by the City from the Trustees of
the Internal Improvement Fund.
It has been difficult to get a meeting of the entire Committee. but I have been in con-
ference with all the members of the Committee, with two or more being present part of
the time, and had various conferences with Mayor Higby and Councilmen Roe and Brown on
several occasions.
We have secured reports from officials and others at Ft. Myers, Lakeland, and Safety
Harbor, as to their methods, procedure, and results, in handling similar situations,
and this info~ation has been very suggestive and informative.
The problem of establishing sale prices on all these lots involves far more than merely
jotting down figures. The effect on property values throughout the community must be
conSidered. The fair treatment of numerous other taxpayers who own lots on which they
have kept taxes paid and retired paving charges is involved, and the status of those
who have kept taxes paid but are delinquent in adjusting paving charges is also involved.
Lot values in Clermont are, at this time, just beginning to be stabilized in value.
Seve Tal lots are being offered as high as $1000 for large well located lots with paving
paidD a few even higher. and the value of numerous other privately owned lots are oegis,
~ fairly well established.
Lot values are like a set up of pins in a bowling alley--one ball may knock them all
down 0 Real estate values in Clermont are now so related, that an unfortunate move may
upset the values of all of them. This would, in my judgment, be a most unfortunate thing
for our community.
The primary idea is of course to get back on the tax rolls for City and County all lots
possible, but this should be done with due consideration for all other interests involved,
otherwise the City will feel the reaction for years. and scores of property owners will
be affected adversely.
Lots priced at very nominal figures will encourage speculators to buy them up and offer
them in competition with other owners, who must stand helplessly by perhaps for years
or sall at great sacrifices to meet competitive prices. On the other hand~ the prices
must be made sufficiently attractive to stimulate buying. I think I speak for a majority
of the Committee when I say that a conservative price schedule, intelligently worked out,
taking in consideration location and size of lots, should be worked out, after an actual
inspection of all lots.
The Committee is in agreement on two fundamental propositions.
First, an opportunity should first b~ given all former owners of these lots to again
acquire these lots, at cost of paving and taxea~ figured on the basis of readjusted paving
and tax items, plus a small charge to cover the City's expense of acquiring these lots
and overhead expenses incident to ~he transfer. Based on the experience of other towns,
a surprisingly large numher of such Iota will be repossessed. Since these owners have
a large previous investment in these properties, they are not likely to throw them Oft
the market at prices that will upset the general scale of values throughout town. A
period of 30 or 60 days should be given such owners to repossess these lots.
Second. all owners who yet own lots on which they are delinquent for taxes or paving. or
__~bothD should be given the opportunity to bring them up to date on paving and taxes. on
~~the same basis of adjustment which the City has already worked out on the forfeited lots.
.. An ordinance to this effect has been prepared by the City attorney. and the Council will
doubtless act favorably on it. However, a time limit should be placed on the period
during which this is allowed~ as an incentive to prompt action. If this is left open
indefinitely, there would be no stimulus to prompt action. A period of' three months
ought to be ample time, after which penalties should be added. During this period
all~.ed for redemption of lots by former owners. your Committee can by personal inquiry
and contactD gain some idea as to what maximum prices can be safely fixed on the lot~
just purchased by the City from the State. Within that period, your Committee will fL~
ampl~ time to inspect all lots, consider all phases of the situation, and arrive at a
schedule of prices to submit for your consideration.
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other questions to be considered carefully by the Council are procedure for marketing~
private sale for a period of time, public auction sale later, the number of lots to be
tmmediately placed on the market, and similar matters.
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.e suggest to the Council that they consider selecting a small committee fram the Council
'0 handle the program, with authority to act on any problems that may arise, make con-
cessions in unusual situatlonf direct the preparation and delivery of deeds, and other
incidental matters. Or, the Mayor, or City Attorney, could be authorized to act, with
a special committee from the Council to approve any special arrangements or pass on
any proposals that might require prompt attention.
In any eventD the City should have a supply of deeds printed and take any steps to help
facilitate transfers, and arrange for the services of the City Attorney in this connec-
ti on G
Our Special Committee was designe~ establish prices, and will be ready to report by
any date fixed by the Council. If you wish to designate any further responsibilities to
this Committee, we shall be glad to render the best service we may be able to give.
Respectfully submitted,
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S. H. Bowman
Chairman Price Schedule Committee
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