01-02-1945 Regular MeetingCITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD
AT THE CITY HALL TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1945, at 7:30 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by President F. B.
Roe, other councilmen present being R. M. Castner, F. H.
Higby, R. M. Stackhouse and C. 'Al. Gaines. Mayor Brown,
Marshal C. E. Sullins, Street and Water Superintendent
H. M. Cole, Tax Assessor G. A. Nash, City Clerk V1. H.
N McQuistion and R. F. House were also present.
Minutes of the regular and special meetings held on
December 5 and December 15 were read and approved.
Discussion was made by Mr. Stackhouse that Street
and Water Superintendent Cole was collecting water bills
overdue and Mr. Stackhouse did not think it should be done.
After considerable discussion, it was stated that all bills,
after becoming delinquent, notices should be sent and if
not paid, the water was to be shut off without further notice.
Mr. Gaines stated that there was no report at present
on the ai rpo rt .
The following motion was made by Mr. C. W. Gaines,
seconded by Mr. R. M. Castner and unanimously passed by
the City Council: That all lots acquired by the City from
the Trustees of the Internal Improvement Fund be sold for
A10.00 each for each lot having a 50 foot frontage or mult-
iple thereof with each fraction under 50 feet being con-
sidered a full 50 feet,plus all delinquent city taxes for
the years of 1930 and prior and all delinquent city improve-
ment liens (not including delinquent interest on same) which
can be settled on the basis of five per cent in cash and
ninety-five per cent in Delinquent Tax Notes and/or bonds,
plus the fall amount of all delinquent 1931 and subsequent
city taxes except that no lots shall be sold on this basis
on which the paving assessments have been paid. vati.Piam/��+�
The Water Committee; reported by Mr. Higby that hydrants
had been shipped on December 19, 1944, and the laying of
pipe would commence as soon as possible after arrival.
The building code report was held over until the next
meeting as Mr. Morse stated he will have a report at that
t ime .
Mayor H. C. Brown gave the following report
"During the month of December there were ll_ cases in the
Police Court with fines and costs of $185.70, all of which
has been collected and turned in to the Treasurer. During
the year 1944 there were $1631.60 fines and costs assessed
and collected.
This meeting concludes 7 years of my services to the City
as Mayor. During that peri od there have been some occas-
ions fcr disappointnnnt , and a few, I hope, have been help-
ful as a community welfare. I want to take this occasion
to express my appreciation and thanks to the Members of the
Council who have served with me at different times during
this period; also, to the different members of the Police
'Row Department Who have conscientiously carried out my sugges-
tions and recommendations.
I also wish to express my sincere appreciation and obliga-
gation to Russell House who has served during all of these
years as City Clerk. Certainly no administration has had
a more loyal or conscientious employee.
MW
Am
1W
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD JANUARY 2, 1945 - Page 2
My acknowledgement on behalf of the City and myself to the
memory of Mr. George Westbrook who so capably and unself-
ishly served the City as City Attorney during the days of
uncertainty in connection with our refinancing program, and
to Irving Morse who has also rendered valuable service to
the City and loyal support to me.
I bespeak the same loyal support to my successor, Mr. Fred
Higby to whom I also extend my best services."
A motion was made by Mr. Stackhouse, seconded by Mr.
Castner, that deep appreciation was felt as to losing Mr.
Brown as Mayor but as he was ele cted to the City Council,
his advice and counsel would still be maintained. The
motion carried unanimously.
Remarks were made by President F. B. Roe as to losing
the services of Mr. Russell House as City Clerk and as he
had always maintained a good record, the Council could go
home and sleep at nigit without any trouble as they were
satisfied that the City of Clermont affairs were well taken
care of.
A motion was made by Mr. Stackhouse, seconded by Mr.
Brown, that taxes be cancelled on Lots [V 24 1/3 of S 52f
2" of 20, Block 80, Valuation 4000, amount of tax, $100.00
owned by Short and Brantly, as same was used by the Clermont
Service Men's Club. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Castner and seconded by Mr.
Gaines and carried that the following bills be paid when
money is available:
3141.
H. M. Cole
37.80
2.
John Dingle
23.70
3.
R. J. Johnson
23.70
4o
Trustees, Int.Imp.Fundl6.00
5.
Geo. J. Dykes
270.82
6.
H. 14. Cole
37.80
7.
John Dingle
24.20
8.
Melvin Jamison
24.55
9.
C. E. Sullins
87.50
3150.
J. D. Highsmith
62.50
1.
Geo . ' J . Dykes
1.60
2.
Melvin Jamison
11.87
3.
Citi tens Bank
5860.58
4.
Pearl L. Cullen
7.50
5.
Geo. J. Dykes
2.80
6.
Trustees,Int.Imp.Fund589.00
7.
H. P.I. Cole
37.80
8.
John Dingl e
25.90
9.
Bill Kie
4.80
3160.
Melvin Jamison
4.80
1.
?11m. W. Boyd
100.00
2.
Motor Vehicle Comm.
4.50
3.
H. M. Cole
37.80
4.
John Dingle
24.30
5.
Bill Kie
19.60
6.
R. M. Morris
19.00
7.
R. F. House
165.00
8.
C. E. Sullins
107.70
9.
J. D. Highsmith
60.20
3170.
Irving F. Morse
25.00
1.
J. P. Achord
25.00
2.
Rose M. Sha rpe
10.00
3.
Ed Nolen
24.67
4.
Int.Aect.Ref.Bonds
5015.35
5.
Orange State Oil Co.
4.03
Int.& Sinking Fund
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 23- 1945 - Page 3
3176.
Citi zens Bank
2100.00 4 old bonds
7.
Cash (petty fund)
31.23
8.
Gertrude B. Crozier
3.00 Election
9.
Helen M. Bishop
3000 "
3180.
Rose M. Sharpe
3.00 "
1.
Bessie Mae Sullins
3.00 "
2.
W. H. McQuistion
68.45
3.
Hilda Dull
94.80
_ 4.
Postal Colony Co.
2.00
5.
Orlando Farm Equipment
30.12
6.
Orange Belt Truck & Tractor 6.26
7.
Orlando Armature Works
12.50
8.
Harry P. Leu, Inc.
1.51
9.
Simon Kessler
8.94
319.0.
Florida Telephone Corp.
35.26
1.
Florida Power Corp .
319.73
2.
Carroll Electric Co.
3.00
3.
Standard Oil Co.
31.20
4.
J, D. Highsmith
4.03
5.
Ed Nolen
5.00
6.
C. E. Sullins
33.53
7.
Stokes &. Fields
440.11
Marshal Sullins made the following report
"Made 11 arrests and collected in fines and bonds
in the amount $185.70, one case suspended. The
amount of $185.70 was turned over to the Clerk.
Had the jail fixed and bought two new cot pads
and three new b lan lm t s and same paid for by
Hoke C. Graham."
Comments and discussions were made in reference to
the American Legion Dance held January 1, 1945, at the
Yacht Club and it was stated that the roughness and dis-
orderly manner in which this dance was held was a disgrace
to the City of Cle rmont . Mr. Brown stated that he had
written a letter to the Provost Marshal at Orlando, Florida,
and as soon as he had a reply, be would advise the Mayor
and Council. Mr. Sam Peacock, a member of the Ame ri can
Legion, invited the Mayor and any member of the Council to
attend the American Legion meeting and discuss any angle to
see that good behavior is conducted in the future.
There being no further business, a motion was made by
Mr. Gaines, seconded by Mr. Castner, that the Council adjourn
for the purpose of reorganization. The motion carried.
Time Q:45 p.m.
The second section of. the Council was opened by
President F. B. Roe and he instructed the Mayor to swear
in the new incoming Mayor, Mr. F. H. Higby, which was done
in a fine and appreciated way. Next, the new Mayor swore
in the following to be Councilmen for the next two years:
Mr. F. B. Roe., Mr. H. C. Brown and Mr. C. r. ► . Gaines. Each
accepted in a very gracious manner. Next the Mayor swore
in the new Tax Assessor, Mr. G. A. Nash.
A motion was made by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr.
Stackhouse, that Mr. Roe be made Pres anent of the Council
Aft persuaded
another year. After some discussion, Mr. Roe was
persuaded to accept. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Stackhouse, seconded by Mr.
Gaines, that Mr. Brown be made Vice -President. The motion
carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Stackhouse, seconded by Mr.
Castner, that Mr. W. H. McQuistion be made City Clerk and
Tax Collector. The motion carried.
MINUTES OF ITEETI�rG ISETD JANUARY 2, 1945 - Page 4
A motion was made by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Gaines,
that Mr. Irving Morse be made City Attorney. The motion
carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Stackhouse, seconded by Mr.
Brown, that Mr. C. E. Sullins be made Marshal, Sanitary and
Building Inspector. The motion. carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Gaines, seconded by Mr. Stack-
house, that Mr. J. P. Achord be made Fire Chief. The
motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Gaines, seconded by Mr. Stack-
house, that Mr. H. M. Cole be made Superintendent 6f Streets,
Parks, Lights and Water. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Castner, seconded by Mr. Gaines,
that Mrs. Sharpe be made caretaker of the Community Building.
The motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Castner, seconded by Mr. Gaines,
that the Citizens Bank of Clermont, Florida, be made
depository for city funds. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Gaines, seconded by Mr. Castner,
that the bonds for city employees be the same as last year:
City Clerk $5000.00; Treasurer 112000.00; and Marshal $2000.00
and policies be renewed. `E.e motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Stack-
house, that Mr. Will Elliott be permitted to move a house
on a truck over the city streets, same to be done on Sunday.
The motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Gaines,
that the letter sent by Mr. Brown to the Provost Marshal
at Orlando, Florida be discussed and a committee appointed
to meet and discuss all angles as to proper conduct by Army
men at American Legion Dances in the future and proper pro-
tection be given the city and all civilians. The motion_
carried and the following committee was appointed by Presi-
dent F. B. Roe: Pair. H. C. Brown and Mr. C. W. Gaines.
A motion was made by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Stack-
house, that 75% of the bill presented by Marshal Sullins
for tires be paid. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Castner, seconded ,by Mr. Gaines,
that the hours of City Hall employees be as follows:
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
1:30 p.m. to _5:t60 p.m.
Wednesdays 8:30 to 12:00 noon
The motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Gai ne s, seconded by Mr. Stack-
house, that the Fire Committee meet with Fire Chief John
Achord to di scuss new tires and wheel for fire truck and
report to Council at next meeting. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Stackhouse, seconded by Mr.
Gaines, that Mr. W. F. Williams be notified to make audit
_ of the books to clear Mr. House of all responsibility as to
_ aity property and funds.
There being no further business at this time, a motion
was made to adjourn to meet at the call of the President.
_P_r_e;sident of City Council
i r