06-06-44 v MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING OF THE ATL _NTIC
BEACH TONN COUNCIL HELD JUNE 6th , 1944 AT 8 P.M.AT THE
TONN HILL.
Present:
E. L. Chiasson ,
J. A. Cranford,
Beale Travis ,
E. L. Jones and
G. L. Rosborough, Mayor.
The monthly meeting ,.'ns c' lled to order by the President and
the regular order of business was disposed with to hear Misses Klutz
and Askew, representing the Teen Town Club. These young ladies re-
,uested a donation of $250 .00 from the Atlantic Beach Town Council
toward the maintenance , etc. of the 'Teen Town Club . Th' s matter was
thoroughly discussed. By unanimous consent. the music box heretofore
loaned to the Teen Town Club was loaned indefinitely by the Council
with the understanding that this music box could only be disposed of
by consent and approval of the Town Council . It was also understood
that this music box would represent $100.00 of the amount requested
and the remainder of $150.00 was unanimously appropriated if and when
the Teen Town Club requires the said sum; provided further that the
Town Attorney ruled that the Town Council has authority to appropri-
ate money for such purposes .
Minutes of the regular monthly meeting of Mey 2nd recessed were
approved as read.
Mr. Fred C . Allen, the Treasurer, submitted the financial re-
port for the month of May , which was approved and ordered filed.
Upon motion of Mr. Cranford, seconded by Mr. Jones , the follow-
ing bills were approved and ordered paid:
Bill 's Garage - - 7.60
Consolidated Automotive Company 8.51
N. D. Dickinson 's Hardware Company 15 .01
Florida Ti. es-Union 1.10
Floyd' s Five and Ten Cent Store 1.50
Marie McGahan 's Flower Shop 10.00
Mason Lumber & Supply Company 23.26
Clifford Payne & Garrison Company 8.14
Sargent Seat Cover Comply 16 .00
The Texas C ompa ny 61 .08
R. E. 'Wilkerson & Comouny 1.75
Southern Bell Tel . & Tel . Company 6.17
Do. (Health Unit ) 3 .39
Atlantic National Bank (Final ) 52.20
City of Jacksonville Beach 30.00
T. P. Janes ' Service Station 25.67
Beach Ice & Storage Company 3.00
Total $274.38
Upon moi ion of Mr. Cranford, seconded by Mr. Travis , the
Treasurer was directed to sell the $1 ,000.00 7/8th certificates et
market price end place the proceeds to the credit of the general account.
The question of the charge made by the City of Jacksonville for
replacement of goose necks on street lights was again referred to the
Mayor for further adjustment.
The Clerk presented the interest cou"ons on the seawall bonds
which were paid during the month of April , which hod been cancelled
in ink and upon motion of Mr. Cranford, the coupons were ordered per-
forated end held in the files of the Town Clerk.
Mr. Jones expla :tned in reference to his efforts to secure a
detour road around the Army reservation so that the Plaza could be used
through to the Mayport Road. He advised that he had been promised ac-
tion by the County Commissioner end the County Engineer. Mr. Jones ad-
vised that he is now carrying on a conversation with Mr. E. Gerry Adams
in reference to the waterworks system and would probably have something
to report at an early date .
Upon motion of Mr. Trews , seconded by Mr. Cranford , the fol-
lowing Resolution woo unanimously adopted:
"WHEREAS, Mrs. Helen F . Higgins and Mrs. Mollie G. Lenoir ,
filed an applictcr on with the Building Inspector of the Town of
Atlantic Beach doted April 5th, 1944 , bearing the written permission
of more than 60% of the prooerty owners within a radius of 200 feet
of Lot 6 , Block le , requesting permission to change the usage of
said property from a single family residence to a guest or boarding
house and
WHEREAS, the Building Inspector under date of May 9th, 1944,
posted a notice on the premises of the said applicants and caused
such notice to be published in the Florida Times-Union under dote of
May 9th, 1944 , advising all property owners within a radius of 200
feet of the said property that they would be permitted to file any
and ell objections with the said Building Inspector on or before
May 22nd, 1944 and
WHEREAS, no objections were filed with the said Building
Inspector pursuant to the said notice , the said Building Inspector
notified the Town Council on May 22nd, 1944 that no objections had
been filed and
IYHEREAS , on the said May 22nd, 1944 a notice was posted on
the sold pr merty and at the Town Hell in the Town of Atlantic Beach
advising that no protest had been filed and giving notice that this
matter would be submitted to the Town Council Lt its regular monthly
meeting on June 6th, 1944 for final action thereon and
MHEFEAS, et the regular monthly meeting, this matter having
come up for hearing, there was not then at that time , any protest
filed opposing the change in the status of the said property,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor end the Town Council
of the Town of Atlantic Beach , Florida that pursuant to the provisions
of the Zoning Ordinance and more particularly Article 10 thereof, the
said Mrs. Helen F. Higgins and Mrs. Mollie G. Lenoir are hereby per-
mitted to make the change in the status of their property in ac-
cordance with their request ."
The Clerk read a letter from the Advisory Health Council of
the Beaches commending the Towwn on its action to stray dogs. This let-
ter was received as Information.
Mr. Fred Allen , representing the Chamber of Commerce , called
the Councilts attention to the fact th' t heretofore the To of Atlantic
Beach has purchased membership to the extent of t125 ,n0 per year; that
this has not been done this year and that while the Chamber of Commerce
is not in need of money et this time , they are hoping to build up a
surplus for post-war advertising and activity . By unanimous consent ,
the Council passed thin matter un for the tice being due to the fact
that this Item was not included in the present budget ; that the pre-
sent Council has only two more meetings and they would not feel like
obligating the future Council in a matter of thin sort , however , it
was recommended that the new Council give this matter favorable consid-
eration.
Mr. George Bull presented the following letter to the Town
Council :
"Gentlemen : Pe : Drainage
It is my hope to arouse sufficient interest in this project
(by this presentment and my personal nnpearonce before you) to create
activity and focus pressure so as to induce one of the government
agencies, either local or federal , to do the work end to finance its
cost.
Thin project of wwh' ch T speak is simply the digging, or con-
struction , of a drainage ditch or canal of the proper proportions from
the marsh land behind Maynort, known as Chiconit Bay on the north to
411
Bay Street , Neptune , on the South or further.
There Is already a small ditch or creek that extends the full
length of this low area , or bog, anon which we depend for the draining
of practically all land East of Penman Road and Maylort Road. T! is
creek , commonly called Aherman Crock, is too small , too meandering ,
and otherwise entirely inadequate for the proper carrying away of
heavy ruin floods.
Let us now consider the benefits the Beach would enjoy from
this project.
1 . Street Drainage . Streets could be drained by gutter or
ditch method eliminating necessity of Storm Sewers in most cases due
to the proximity of the drainage canal . It would not be necessary ,
therefore , to make openings in the Seawall to drain streets , creating
a dangerous weakness in the wall itself and further cutting up the beech.
2. Community Growth. The elimination of the "Bog" together
with the simple beautification of the Canal would promote the Westward
growth of the communities. This is desirous because the lengthening
of basic service facilities would be eliminated.
3. Snakes and vermin. While I contend the menace of snakes
is overestimated, especially by mothers of small children , it must be
realized that this area does habitat poisonous snakes and the gradual
elimination of the "Bog" would et least quiet the constant fears of
many. In my experience many People have decided against the beaches
for a home due to this fact.
4. Mosquitoes , other insects , and health. The rapid and proper
drainage of this Beach area would eliminate the breeding of the mos-
quitoes. Insects , roaches , ants , etc . , are often driven into our homes
by flood conditions. This situation would be improved. The menace to
health caused by flooded streets and wooded areas , stagnant water and
inoperative septic tanks would cease to exist.
This project is feasible and practical . The actual ditching
could be accomplished by mechanical excavation or dynamiting. The bot-
tom of the present ditch on the north side of Atlantic Boulevard, even
though one to two feet lower than the lowest ground level, is 1 .6 feet
above the Highest High Water recorded by the U. S. Engineer Department
at Mile Point . (Mile Point is the junction of East Coast Canal and
St. johns River) .
I't behooves all of us to consider the great benefit that will
be realized by the communities of Atlantic and Neptune Beaches arid the
Beaches as a whole , particularly that part north of Florida Boulevard,
before condemning this idea.
Respectfully submitted,
( Signed) George Bull
June 6th, 1944. "
This matter was thoroughly discussed and the following moti on
was made by Mr. Travis, seconded by Mr. Jones and unanimously adopted:
"Motion. WHEREAS, Mr. Geoige Bull , representing interests con-
trolling much of the low land through the Town of Atlantic Beach , has
submitted a recommends+tion to the Atlantic Beach Town Council that a
project be developed whereby a sea level canal be constructed from the
marsh land beyond Mos/Port to and through the Town of Atlantic Beach for
the purpose of filling in the low lands adjacent thereto arid,
WHEREAS, this low land area constitutes a drainage problem to
the Town of Atlantic Beech and constitutes a health menace to the com-
munity it its present condition,
NON THEREFCF E BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and the Town Council
of the Town of Atlantic Beach that it does hereby recognize ail of
the facts and circumstances contained in Mr. Bull 's letter to be true
and correct and
IBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it is the opin` on of the Mayor and
Town Council of the Town of Atlantic Beach that Mr. Bull has submitted
a remedy for this condition which would eliminate , for the most part ,
all of the objectionable features to the territory described and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it is the unanimous opinion of the
said Mayor and Town Council that some such program as that outlined
should be adopted and proper steps taken to bring about the comnle-
tion of a project designed to correct this condition,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this matter be referred to the
Chairmen of the Public Norks Committee and that a cony of this reso-
lution be furnished the Town of Neptune . "
A lengthy discussion was had in reference to the incor-
poration of the Beaches Communities into one governmental area in the
form of a new County to be created by legislative action, ;-Hereby
eliminating the multiolicity of public officials , etc . It was the
unanimous opinion of all members present that the City-County form
of government be adopted for this area so that it would serve the
best purpose of x_ 11 interested, however, it was decided the matter
should await the report of Mr. George Simons before this Council
takes any definite steps .
Mr. Jones offered a proposal that en advisory Council to the
municipal governments be created et this time for the nurnose of dis-
cuss' ng important matters of common interest to the Beaches area; that
this advisory Council would, of course , be without authority but purely
for the purpose of bringing together the various municipal governments
in a common effort where members effecting the entire Beaches area
are concerned.
Upon the suggestion of the Mayor and upon a motion of Mr .
Jones , seconded by Mr. Travis, the Town Clerk was directed to write
the Town Councils of the other Municipalities advising them that the
Town Council of Atlantic Beach was unanimously in favor of creating
an advisory :.ouncil composed of two members from each Council ,for
the purpose of meeting and discussing over oll matters of importance
effecting the entire Beaches and sucgesting that the Town Council
of Atlantic Beach sttinds ready and willing to join with the other
communities in such a move .
The City Supervisor was authorized to have suitable signs
erected from the area of 7th Street to the Pier prohibiting pic-
nicking or changing of clothes on the Beaches .
Upon motion of Mr . Cranford, seconded by Mr. Travis , the Clerk
was directed to write Mr. H. A . Prather, Commander of the Beaches De-
fense Council , a letter requesting him to ask the County to remove
the gates et the Atlantic Boulevard runway.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
MEM
. T lesson, ?resident
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