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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