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Home My WebLink About1963 04 04 Village Council Special Minutes / - ~ '\ i f r PROCEEDINGS AT SPECIAL CQJNCIL MEv'TJI'ING VILLAGE OF IDRTH ORLANDO, FLORIDA APRIL 4, 1963 at S:15 P.M. Meeting called to order by Mayor Anderson. Roll was called by the Clerk. In Iat~: Mayor Anderson, members of Council VanEepoel, Ferrin, 6'tephenson and Mr. John Jawell, attorne'.f of the law firm of Gurney, Gurney and Handly, also citizens of the Village of North Orlando. This meeting was called for the purpose of presenting our problems to Mr. Sewell and obtaining his advice. at a lat er meeting. Mr. Sewell requested copies of the Charter and any resolutions and He will report his findings and suggestions ordinances passed so that he might review tmm. He advised that the primary r consideration must be the establishment of steady sources of revenue for the Village. There followed discussion of many possibilites open to the Village under its present charter, ilil. franchises with utility com?anies, garbage collection agency, etc. Attorney Sewell advised that taxation power of the Village is fairly broad and the following possibilities Vlould exist unless there were restrictions in the Village Charter; real and personal property taxes, licetlew for professionals, licenses on businesses and occupations carried on in the Village, taxes on public services including electricity, metered or bottled gas, water 2ervice, telephone and telegraph serfice. Mr. Sewell was advised that it was the general wish to avoid any direct taxation of individuals, r except as a last resort, and the preference would be for business and nrofessional taxes, within reasonable limits, so as not to hamper the growth of the Village. Mayor Anderson advised that he had checked. with Florida Power Corp. about a franchise and their proposal will soon be fOI"<<arded to the Council. It was explained to Mr. Sewell that the Garbage Collection compaqy with which the Village had franchise arrangements had gone bankrupt and a new company has L .-./ _r"" - \.., ~ ~ - .., ~""""""-'- Page 2 5/4/63 taken over its business. The ;mestion was raised whether it would be to our advantage to operate our own garbage collection service. He suggested that we immediately negotiate a nEW franchise with the Company now' operating here - on a one year basis. Within that time the question of a village operated agency could be studied. Also relative to franch:i.j:ls, it was revealed that the North Orlando Company signed a 30 year exclusive franchise on swerage and water with the North Orlando Utilities Company. Mr. Sewell will check into this. As another possibility for a source of income, it was stated that the Charter allows for annexation of additional property within a distance of two miles of erlsiting Village Limits. Advantages of any such annexation will be studied and reported. r Attorney Sewell was advised that the citizens of the Village felt there was need -for certain revisions of the Charter and that a Citizens Committee was working on a rough draft of such revisions, and furthermore, that it was hoped that such revisions could be submitted to the Legislators at this present session. The meeting was advised that the t:ime was very limited and it was agreed that as soon as such revisions were in draft form they were to be submi. tted immediately to )(r. Sewell to be worded prq:> erly for submission to the Legislature. He will also check whether such charter rerlsions h~ve to be approved by referendum.. He said he would give the matter of charter revision top priority. The Council explained that it wa.s exploring the possibility of the Village obtaining a building of its own for a Village Hall and building to house Fire equipnent. The Village owns no property but it was suggested that poiudli17 the North Orlando Company would not be adverse to dedicating a piece of property for this purpose if they were approached on the subject. Mr. Sewell will advise the best means for financing such a building fund. Estimated cost was projected at about $5000. r .. ..- -- .. Page 3 4/4/63 ~ It was stated that the U81a1 practice in such situations was for the Village to ru.ed.ge a percentage of establisled mont~ revenue for a bank loan. The subject of appointment, of a Village Judge came up for discussion. It was EIlCplained. that there is anticipation of reactivating a police Department for general protect ion and from traffic violations and vandalian, and that possibJ,y fines from traffic violations might. be another source of revenue. llr. Sewell said that the best solution to this problem. for the time being might be to contact some young l&W1er in the area who would be willing to hold court. one night a week, or possibly one night wary two weeks. This would provide necessary services at minimum cost. llr. Sewell was then advised. about the outstanding indebtedness of approxi.mately f7,000 charged against the Village, which it is felt is not a completely bona fide indebtedness. Di scussion was held on the bill from Florida Power in the aroount of $2700 r I for street lights - on a contract negotiated by Mr. Fasula without approval of Council and for lights pa.rtially d.thin City of Casselberry limits. llr. Sewell will contact lfr. R. R. Johnson, District Manager of Florida 1-' ower Corporation in Winter Park to investigate this item.. Next discussion was on the item of $3600 billed the Village by the North Orlando Cozq>a.qy as the Village's part of the cost of preparation of the Charter and legal fees of incorporation. InaslDllch as the Charter was adopted. in 1959 and provided for raising the cost of the Charter and Incorporation within the first year of tt}iistence, there is acme question as to whether this is a just debt of the Village now. Yr. Sewell will check into this. le:x:t the matter of the patiing suit on the $495.00 pickerel Sporting Goods Store purchases was discussed. This purchase was never approved by Council. r ...r After reviefing the Court order, :Mr. Sewell said that inasmuch as the time for answering bad expired, there probably was a judgment, rendered and the Village was liable for '" ,... ",- .......... ; --~_.-- .. t ... page 4 4/4/63 -/" pa;yment of the bill and possibly ccurt costs. Mr. Sewell will contact the lawyer handling the suit and attempt to arrange some plan of settlement, if judgment has bellln rendered.. He advised that if payment is made, the articles purchased are the property of the Village. Mr. Sewell then cautioned all present that if at ~ time in the future they are served with papers relevant to Village matters, they are to immediately contact him. The final outstanding debt for insurance protection, owing to Mr. Lou Arnold as agent, Vias discussed. There is approximately $292.00 owing for insurance coverage in the past am $118.00 for protection for the next six months. Mr. Sewell took this invoice and will check our responsibilites in this matter. The que stion of the operation of a Fire Department will also be 6"tudied r- and Mr. Sewell advised that the resolution accepting the fire truck as a gift from the Silver Creek Precision Co. does vest ownership and title in the Village. The legality of starting records from the inception of the new administration will be checked. Attorney Sewell suggested that it would be an excellent idea to have a copy of the Florida Sliatutes on file so that the Council can dtermine for themselves insofar as possible the correct procedures. He will try to obtain a copy for us. Mr. Helmly showed Mr. Sewell a photstatic copy of the first restrictive covenant placed by the developer and the latter advised. that the wordage was the umal used tu developers and unless there an;y especially restrictive clauses, there was no problem there. The question was asked wbether it would be necessary to have legal eounsel I"""""8t evers Council meeting. Mr. Sewell said it might be necessary to have legal advice "'. --- ..- --. " I ". f _ . ~ Page 5. 4/4/63 ..J....... at the first one or two Council meetings a.fter he reports his findings, but once everyone became familiar with their duties it would on~ be necessary to contact him in the event of any real problems. It was agreed tlat Council Meetings will be held every two weeks for the present. Mr. Sewell will advise when he has his findings ready and will then make arrangements to te at a Council meeting tJ:> Sive his report. In answer to a question Council was advised that dedicated areas are forevEr municipal property. Motion made by :Mr. l'errin seconded by Mrs. VanEepoel that a Council meeting be set for Wednesday, April 10th at 8:00 P.M. was approved. lIr. stephens::>n moved for adjournment of the meeting, seconded by r" Mr. Ferrin and carried. Respectfully submitted ~~ Temporary Village Clerk r--. , ....,