Minutes 07-02-51M!h~JTES OF T~ REGULAR ~EET!NG OF ~ CITY
C~0UNC!L OF T~E CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA,
AT ~ CITY ~ON JULY 2, 1951.
The City Council convened at the City Hall at 7.30,P,M.
on July 2, 1951.
Councilmen Dresent:
F. L, Purinton
Clifford Province
Alva Shook
Henry Merkel, Jr.
The Mayor called the meeting to order.
MFS. Dorothy V.Williams, City Clerk, read
of the previous regular meeting of the Council
18, 1951,·
the Minutes
held on June
Mr. Merkel made a motion, seconded by ~.Province, that
the Minutes be accepted as read. Motion passed unanimously.
BILLS 0'EAYED FOR PAYt.,KENT:
Gen'l,Fund
Sam Z. Knowles
.C.B.Settlemire 2.20
Royal Typewriter Co. 155.00
Amer. Legion Post No.16~ 50.00
A.C.Carver 276.00
N.0.Marshall 122o70
H.R.Dougharty 107.30
C.C,Weeks 100.00
Ruth L.Gramley 70.~0
D.V.Williams 112,70
John Bell 96~80
Katherine Thompson 65,40
John E.Raulerson Jr.
Betty Jane Grill
F.L.Purinton 50.00
A.E?Shook 50.00
C.C,Province 50.00
Henry Merkel Jr. 50.00
C~H~Hood 50.00
R.G~Greenwood 75.00
Robert E.Griffith 50.00
Ralph W, Chapman 50.00
~o~u L. McNames 75.00
Frank Nutting 25.00
Alice Kelly ~0.00
V~hitt McDowell 20°00
~ater Fund
~t7.30
75.40
Depositors
7.50
-2-
Joseph Campbell
Henry Cooper
Levi Frederick
Leonard Harris
Frank Johnson
Dave Lanier
Sam ~urray
Solomon Pitts
Lee Thomas
Parker Ward
Charlie ~Vaters
C.J~Summers
B0ynton Beach Fire Dept.
~ercarts Service Station
Southern Bell Tel.& Tel
Florida Pwr. & Lt.
Palm Beach Chemical Co.
Palm Beach Press Inc.
The Court Records Co.
Chase National Bank
Reheats Laboratories
Palm Beach Typewriter Co.
Delray Glass & Eirror Co.
Art Concrete Works
P.J.Johnson
Lee Thomas
L~onard Harris
Solomon Pitts
Charlie Waters
Perker Yard
Sam ~lurr ay
Dave I~nie r
Fra~ Johnson
Joseph Campbell
Henry Cooper
Levi Frederick
John J. Treehouse
Cameron & Barkley
Neptune Neter Co.
33.OO
31~6o
33.00
39.60
35,00
~5,50
31.60
33.00
39.60
33.00
38.80
209,00
30.80
~8228~
~45.87
5°52
92.25
10.00
5.00
96~92
9.78
15.43
78.75
3!~50
39.60
'39.80
27.00~
16.5o
33.00
26.70
45.50
35.00
33.00
26.70
33.00
Howard Lee. Cromer $1~,990.67
Geo. S.Brookway $ 899.~
7.50
7.50
105.53
225.75
Water Bond Construction.
A delegation from colored term was present and thei~
spokesman asked whether anything had been done in connection
with the three-point program whi~h they had presented to the
Commissioners at the meeting of May 21, 1951.
The Mayor replied that a great deal of consideration had
been given ~o the matters, although, up to the present, no
-3-
piece of land has been found large enough ~o~ m ~layground.
He suggested that the Methodist church might be willing to
share the land given to them by ~r.Pipes with other children
instead of keeping it only for children belonging to their
church. The City will not do anything with that property
unless the church is willing to throw it open for a general
playground for anyone who wanted to use it,
The delegation's spokesman said they would not accept
use of the land given to the Methodist church, because of
the conditions.
The ~ayor said that to obtain land West of the canal,
develop ~t and build a bridge, etc., would cost about
$50,000 according to the County, and the City definitely has
not that amount of money fOr such a purpose. He said the
Commissioners had been working on the matter and had made
progress but that these things cannot be done overnight.
Mr. Merkel suggested there was a great deal of land out
to the West which might be zoned for residences to be built
around a park and playground.
The Mayor suggested enquiring about land on the South
side adjoining the school, and possibly owned by the School
Board or County. He added that the other two projects put
forward were being kept in mind also.
Mr. Merkel suggested the possibility of having various
small playgrounds of perhaps two lots each for the younger
children, to keep them off the streets and to keep them from
having %o go ~o a playground much further off.
Mr. Shook objected to the colored people demanding things
considering that the City has treated them well and done much
for them, at the same time the Commissioners were always
ready to do what they could for them.
The delegation spokesman said they were not demanding
anything.
~. ~erkel drew attention to the fact that Wells Avenue
had been widened.
Mr. Shook said the colored people should no.t be givea every-
thing because they asked for it, that the Czty has spent large
amounts of money in colored town and that they should get the
location for the park and get out and do the work themselves.
Mr. Griffith thought that if they would lay down a couple of
hundred dollars they could buy their own land for a play-
~grgund.
There was a discussion on weedkiller for use on weeds
between the sidewalk snd the curb, It was decided that it was
cheaper than labor but that it would be a waste to uss it
before the rains came~
The Nayor~read a letter from Thomas M.Cook Company re-
questing that a City audit be made by a public certified
accountant, as this was being called for by the bondholders.
He added that he Supposed the City would have to engage a
public accountant.
There was aL!ong discussion on water meters and the
advisability of keeping a good sto~k on hand. At present
there is a standing order for ten meters a month.
The City Clerk said 125 new homes have been built in
the last ~welve months.
Mr. John Raulerson said there were about 100 meters on
hand which are part of the equipment purchased in connection
with the water extension program,
He said that old ones can sometimes be re-conditioned
for $~.00 or ~5.00, and that new ones cost $25.00.
Mr. Shook suggested a careful reading of the meters
especially in large places with much grass and no~we~ls,
see if they need new ones.
It was stated that a large number of houses in colored
town have no meters, but that as they are using less than the
minimum, it would be very expensive to supply meters.
Mr. Merkel thought the City should buy meters now as
they will cartainly be more expensive later on.
It was decided to leave to the discretion of ~r.John
Raulerson as to what meters needed renewing, special attention
or checking, and he was requested to report on the number
needing renewing or repairing.
The ~a¥or s~gested letting the present order of ten
meters a month ~Ide, and cancelling it later if we find we
are getting too many in hand~
There was a discussion on the necessity for roads on a
new addition to Laurel Hills, and approval of the plat was
tabled until such roads have been providsd for.
~ letter was read from Thomas M. Cook Company suggesting
that the City should pay a pro rata charge on water used from
fire hydrants.
Mr. Griffith said if the figure could be got down to $25.00
it would be all right to pay it.
The report of the Building Inspector for the month of
June was read, showing building permits to the amount of
The report of Mr. John Bell for the same period was read.
The City Clerk asked about the Board of Equalisation,
suggesting Tuesday, July 17, after the date had been adver-
tised twice.
There was a discussion on the police car.
Sr. ~hook said it was not so advantageous to buy a '51
when the '52 are so near coming out, and that it would mean a
higher depreciation value.
Mr. Merkel suggested that on account of the
reduction in the Dutput of automobiles, it would
get a car now~
threatened
be better to
M~. Shook suggested selling both the present police cars
on one new car and paying 50% of running the Police Chief's
own car, bu~,~after discussion, this was. decided to be im-
practicable.
It was pointed out that as the City was trading in a
light Ford for a heavy police oar it would not get so much
trade-in value.
The City Clerk read bids for a '51 Police Car.
Delray B each Motors was the lowes~ bidder with an offer
of $799.00 plus the old Ford.
It was suggested that the heavy duty generator from the
old car be put on the new one in place of the light duty one
specified,
~. Merkel made a motion thet the City purchase the Ford
at $799.00 plus the old Ford. Mr. Shook seconded the motion
Shieh was passed unanimously.
The City Clerk read a complaint received from Alden Street
residents regarding the torn-up condition of curbs and sidewalks
of streets where water pipes had been laid.
The Mayor said he would call up Mr°Brockway in the morn-
ing as Mr.Cromer had been too lon~ in taking care of this
condition.
b It was Fecommended that a pole in a d~ e · -
e!ow the 'Ri tide' . _ ~ .rous position
P on the Dixie, mnd save · £ar
b.ushes near the Woman's Clu ° o ~ . g.e hibiscus
should be attended to. h which were ~ traffic hazard,
There was e long discussion on the price which should be
charged for Water to consumers outside City limits such as
Briny Breezes. ,
Mr. Merkel suggested they be charged the same rates ~s
are paid in the City.
It was pointed out that the chief expense is the cost
of the pipe and laying, and a SUggestion was made that a charge
of $150.00 be made for every meter supplied to Briny Breezes.
Mr. Shook said ths t the City had to Day the cost of the
pipe plus interest, and that for a long time we are not going
to get our interest on it. It might be ten to fifteen years
before we get any of our investment back.
The Mayor said other Cities have different rates for
water USers outside City limits, and he thought such users
should be charged pro rata for th.e amount of .pipe used in
their behalf. He added that no well could be had for so
little as $150.00~
pipe for
Mr. Merkel did not think Boynton should pay for~putting
water over to Briny Breezes, but that if they pay for their
own pipe they should be charged only the same rate as Boynton
pays. We cannot charge Ocean Ridge, but we can charge other
new people. On the other hand, if Briny Breezes did no~ pay
for the pipe extension to ~hem, they would keep their present
pumps and only use Boynton water for drinking, which would
nos add much to our income.
It was agreed that Mr.Brogkway should be asked to come
tomorrow night and give his opinion and advi~e, and that it
musz be decided what to charge the new additions.
Mr. Province said that when the water business is settled
with'Briny Breezes it would be a good idea if they would incor-
porate so that there can be official representatives overthere
with whom other matters can be discussed, such as fire and
police protection, etc.
The Mayor remarked that since the recent fire over there,
Briny Breezes has become aware more than ever of ~he necessity
for organisation.
There being no further business, the Mayor adjourned the
meeting,
~ayor