city-comm-1917-07-1918-01

CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE ORGANIZATION MEETING

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1917.

PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS of an Act of the Floriday Legislature, passed May 26th and approved May 30th, A.D. 1917, entitled "AN ACT Affecting the Government of the City of Jacksonville; Abolishing Certain Offices and Boards, Creating a City Commission, and Prescribing its Powers and Duties; Providing for and prescribing the Powers and Duties of the Trustees of the Jacksonville Free Public Library; Creating a Board of Charities and Prescribing its Powers and Duties, and its Relation to the Board of County Commissioners; Providing other Officers and Prescribing their Powers and Duties; and Conferring additional Jurisdiction, Powers and Duties on said City", the Commissioners of the City of Jacksonville, otherwise know and designated as the City Commission, met in the Board room in City Hall at 8:30 o'clock p.m. on Tuesday, July 3, 1917, there being present Commissioners John S. Bond, Chas. B. Rogers, John A. Futch, Horace Drew and W.H. Dowling. There were also present at this meeting Hon. John W. Marting Mayor of the City, City Recorder G.D. Ackerly, City Attorney P.H. Odom, the President and members of the City Council, Commissioner of Public Works L.D. Smoot, and the heads of various City Departments heretofore operating under the Board of Bond Trustees and the Board of Port Commissioners of the City, there two Boards being on this date and at this time abolished, in accordance with Section Eight of the aforesaid Legislative Act, reading as follows:

"SECTION 8. CERTAIN BOARDS ABOLISHED - DUTIES OF COMMISSIONERS. On the first Tuesday of July, A.D. 1917, or as soon thereafter as said Commissioners shall be elected and qualified, the Board of Trustees for the Waterworks and Improvements Bonds of the City of Jacksonville, otherwise knows as the Bond Trustiees, including the Election Commissioners, the Board of Health and the Committee on Public Works, and the Board of Port Commissioners of the City of Jacksonville, and each and every member and Committee of said Boards, shall be and the same are hereby at such time, abolished, and all of the powers and duties vested in each and every of said boards and committees and the members there of, shall be transferred to, vested in, and imposed upon siad City Commission: Provided, however, that all officers, heads of departments, and employees of said boards and committees so abolished shall continue to hold and retain their offices and positions at teh same rate of compensation as at that time prescribed until their successors are elected by or appointed by the City Commission", and there were submitted for record by Assistant to the Secretary Merrill of the former Board of Bond Trustees, certain communications previously recieved from the City Recorder, reading as follows:

FROM THE RECORDS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, session June 22, 1917, Convened in accordance with the Charter and Laws of the City of Jacksonville, at 12 o'clock noon.

City Hall, July 22nd, 1917. Messrs. John S. Bond Chase. B. Rogers, John A. Futch, Jacksonville, Fla. Gentlemen: This is to certify, that at the session of the City Council held this date, June 22nd, 1917 at 12 o'clock noon, as provided by the Charter and Laws of the City, you were nominated and on call of the roll durly elected a Commissioner of the City of Jacksonville, Florida, for the term ending on Friday, at noon, next after the third Tuesday in June A.D. 1921. (SEAL) ATTEST: G.D. Ackerly, Recorder.

(July 3, 1917) FROM THE RECORDS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, session June 22, 1917. Convened in Acccordance with the Charter and Laws of the City of Jacksonville, at 12 o'clock noon.

City Hall, June 22nd, 1917. Messrs. Nathan P. Bryan, Horace Drew, Jacksonville, Fla. Gentlemen: This is to certify, that at the session of the City Council held this date, June 22nd, 1917 at 12 o'clock noon, as provided by the Charter and Laws of the City, you were nominated and on call of the roll durly elected a Commissioner of the City of Jacksonville, Florida, for the term ending Friday, at noon, next after the third Tuesday in June A.D. 1919. (SEAL) ATTEST: G.D. Ackerly, Recorder.

OFFICE OF CITY RECORDER City Hall, July 3, 1917.

Mr. J. Evarts Merrill, Assistant to the Secretary, Board of Bond Trustees, and Members Elect Commissioners of the City of Jacksonville, BUILDING. Gentlemen: Hon. Nathan P. Bryan, of whose election as a Commissioner of the City of Jacksonville you were heretofore notified, having declined the position, and his resignation having been accepted, this is to certify that the City Council in special session on July 2, 1917, by formal ballot, elected Mr. W.H. Dowling a Commissioner of the City of Jacksonville, for the term eneding on Friday, at noon, next after the third Tuesday in June A.D. 1919. (SEAL) ATTEST G.D. Ackerly, Recorder. There was submitted also, a communication from Recorder Ackerly advising approval by the City Council, in session on this date, of the official bonds of the several City Commissioners named above, reading as follows:

OFFICE OF CITY RECORDER City Hall, July 3, 1917. To the Chairman and Members of the City Commission, BUILDING. Gentlemen: The City Council in session this date, July 3rd, 1917, as the first order of business at the session, on your request for immediate action, unanimously approved the bonds of the several Commissioners of the City Commission names under the recent Charter Amendment of the Legislature, namely, Bonds of Chas. B. Rogers, Jno. S. Bond, Jno. A. Futch Horace Drew, W.H. Dowling (SEAL) ATTEST: G. D. Ackerly, Recorder.

The customary oath of office, administered by Mayor Martin, was then taken by each member of the City Commission; and following this the Commissioners proceeded immediately to organize.

COMMISSIONER DOWLING nominated J. Evarts Merrill as temporary Secretary and Mr. Merrill was thereupon elected.

NOMINATIONS WERE REQUESTED by the Secretary for Chairman of the Board whereupon the name of John S. Bond was placed in nomination by Commissioner Rogers, and this nomination was seconded by Commissioner Futch. No other nominations being made the nominations for Chairman were then closed, and a vote theron by roll call resulted as follows: For John S. Bond: Commissioners Drew, Dowling, Rogers and Futch. Not voting: Commissioner Bond. Whereupon Commissioner John S. Bond was declared elected Chairman of the City Commission for the current term, and until a reorganization of the Commission pursuant to the law.

COMMISSIONER BOND THEN ASSUMED the Chair and thanked his colleagues for the honor conferred upon him by the Commission. He stated briefly, in

(July 5, 1917)

substance, that he expected to co-operate with the members to give the people an economical and efficient administration of City affairs; that the Board would co-operate with the Mayor in enforcement of the laws; and that it would be the endeavor of the City Commission to work in full harmony with the legislative branch of the city government.

IN PROCEEDING TO COMPLETE the organization of the Board Commissioner Drew moved that J. Evarts Merrill be made Secretary to the Board at a salary of $250.00 per month. The motion was duly seconded, and on call of the roll was adopted by unanimous vote.

COMMISSIONER FUTCH IN NOMINATING Daniel T. Gerow to be City Auditor, moved the adoption of the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED that Daniel T. Gerow be and he is hereby appointed City Auditor for the term of two years, beginning on the first day of August A. D. 1917 and ending on the first day of August A. D. 1919; that his compensation be fixed at $4,200.00 per annum payable monthly, and that the action of this Commission a to his appointment, at the salary named, be certified to the City Council for its approval; and to be it resolved further that, in addition to his duties as City Auditor, Mr. Gerow be and he is hereby selected and designated as Executive Officer to the City Commision. The motion being seconded by Commissioner Drew and vote thereon by roll call being had, the resolution was unanimously adopted; and at the request of Mr. Futch the appointment of Mr. Gerow was forthwith certified to the Council, then in regular session, for its consideration.

THERE WAS SUBMITTED by Commissioner Futch with reference to the getting of a Seal, and on motion was adopted without objection on call of the roll, the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED that the Secretary be and he is hereby directed to procure a Seal for the use of the Commission, and that the design of such Seal shall comprise the following, as submitted at this meeting, towit: City Commissioners of the City of Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, Seal.

COMMISSIONER DREW, with reference to fixing the regular meetings of the Commission, moved the adoption of a resolution reading as follows: BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the City of Jacksonville that the regular weekly meetings of this Commission, beginning with the week ending July 7, 1917, shall be held on Friday of each week, in the Board room in City Hall, at two-thirty o'clock in the afternoon. By the affirmative vote of each Commissioner on call of the roll this resolution was adopted.

WITH REFERENCE TO THE MATTER of recording the proceedings of this Commission, the Secretary on motion of Commissioner Futch adopted by unanimous vote on call of the roll, was authorized to purchase such record book or books as shall be necessary for the purpose.

FORMER CHAIRMAN MONTGOMERY CORSE, of the Board of Port Commissioners, came before the Board and in connection with certain exhibits therein referred to, submitted a letter adressed by him to the City Commission. These papers were received as information, reading as follows:

Jacksonville, Fla., June 29th, 1917. To the City Commission of the City of Jacksonville Gentlemen: The Board of Port Commissioners whose duties you assume on July 3rd next, by Act of the last State Legislature, was created by like authority in special session on Oct. 3rd 1912.

This Board was particularly charged with the duty of selling bonds of the City of Jacksonville in a sum not to exceed one and one half million dollars to provide funds to create and operate a municipal terminal where rail and water lines could always connect on equal and equitable terms to all. The purpose of this venture being mainly to increase the tonnage of this Port and improve the facilities for the transfer of such tonnage from rail to water and water to rail.

To carry out these ideas after the sale of the bonds we first decided that the thing of most moment was to acquire a site conveniently located, that was suitable in area to care for the growth of the business as the port increased in importance. When this was done then to expend only such sums in improvements as were needed to make a fair start for a few years, believing that when the venture proved successful funds could be had to extend, as the needs arose. In a few words, our purpose has been to lay a good foundation that could be enlarged and built upon later.

The purchase of the site has been completed with two exceptions, one being 200 ft of water front owned by the U. S. Government which we oc-

(July 3, 1917) copy pending an exchange of land which has been arranged and almost completed. The other being about 300 ft of water front owned by Mr. J. G. Christopher, the title to which is being disputed in the courts.

The first and most important step in the matter of improvements was to bring the deep water from the ship channel provided by the U. S. Government, to the shore, and then to bring the rail lines froma suitable point on the individual tracks of each of the three lines coming into Jacksonville from the North and West, down to the shore, and to provide convenient wharfs and the necessary sheds. All of this has been done and contracts makde with each of the rail lines by which they pay the City for handling the cars of each to and from the City's water terminal, the freight rate being the same as would be the case if eaach road reachd the terminal with its own rails.

An uptown wharf was also considered advisable to care for business aconsigned to the city proper for team delivery.

The improvements at first comtemplated have all been completed with a few minor exceptions. A list of the larger items of these improvements is attached for your information, marked exhibit A, and also a list of the movable personal property under our charge, makred exhibit B.

In making these improvements an attempt has been made to build structures of such a character as to make the upkeep cost very low.

The property is in partial operation and is ready not to handle a very considerable bolume of business as fast as it can be had. The operations for the first six months of this year indicate that at present the intake will about care for the expense; not including any interest, upkeep or sinking fund charges for the final amortization of the bonds outstanding.

The uptown wharf at the foot of Market street is on leased land which the City has the right to purchase for $100,000, within ten years from date of lease.

Against this indebtedness this board has been able to purchase and cancel our bonds to the extent of $112,000, by the investment of its sinking fund provided for by law. Or should you think it wise to stop making any further betterments now, there would be about enought money & saleable assets available to complete the purchase ot he Market St. site.

Some of the items that have seemd to us advisable to provide for besides the purchase of land are as attached as exhibit C.

it has been the intention of this Board to complete the purchase of the river front land from mr. J.G. Christopher adn we recommend that this land be acquared at the earlest date possible.

We also recommend that an extension fo the cotton warehouse be made at once to cae for next seasons crop, provided the result of investigations now under way determine to your satisfaction that this investmtnet of publice funds would be advisable.

We leave in the hands of the City Treasurer funds to carry out both these recommendations, should you approve of them, and a surplus. All of which is shown by a trail balance drawn from our books as of July 1st and attached marked exhibit D.

In making the investment of the funds committed to the care of this Board we fell that we were fortunate to be able to purchase both land and building material on a low market. And we feel that the property as it stands is amply worth its cost and more. We turn over to you a going concern and wish you every success in your coming efforts to make it of great benefit to this community.

Each member of this Board, now finishing its official duties, assure you gentlemen of his hearty support in the future, to the end that your burdens may be lightened when possible, and that you may manage the whole affairs of this city wisely and well, as we believe you will.

Very respectfully submitted, BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS, By Montgomery Corse, Chairman.

MO/P

EXHIBITS A. & B.

A condensed list of the main items of the real and personal property purchased for the City by the Board of Port Commissioners and now owned by the City.

117,8 acres of land lying as follows: E. of Talleyrand Ave. & West of our steel Bulkhead line not including 200 ft on North end deeded to U. S. Government, but including 200 fl of Government land not yet deeded to the City. Bounded on South by J. G. Christopher's north line 55.3 acres

(July 3, 1917) Land purchased from W. R. Thompson lying South of Christopher and North of Armour, measured from Talleyrand Ave to Our Bulk line extended, approx. 3.9 Acres

Area of piers #1 & 2 East of bulkhead line 9.0 "

West of Talleyrand and East of Kooker St. 39.1

West of Kooker and East of Evergreen Ave. 3.9

West of Evergreen Ave. 6.6 49.6 " 117.8 Acres

NOTE - This does not include about 1 1/2 acres west of Talleyrand and South of our present South line. Deeds to which from Jacksonville Realty & Mortgage Co. to the city are now held in the scrow by pending completion of fill which by contrast pays purchase price for same.

5276 ft steel Bulkhead reinforced by 23,669 tons approximately, of granite rook.

3460 ft lin. of wooden whard, 30 ft wide, mainly on creosote piles.

1 Open Pier 200 x 970 ft brick paved.

1 covered Pier 200 x 970 ft with 2 steel sheds 76 x 800 ft brick paved.

1 Reinforced concrete fire proof cotton warehouse 100 x 420 ft equipped with 150 H.P. Boiler and 60 in Morse cotton compress and also an accumulator and pumps, etc. for an operating an hydraulic compress, now under lease, which is not the properety of the city.

1 Concrete fuel oil tank, 10,500 gals capacity.

1 steel 50,000 " " tank, elevated.

1 Concrete pumphouse 35 x 35 ft. equipped with 2 fire pumps with a capacity of 1,000 gallons a minute each.

1 Galvanised iron Shed 20 x 65 ft for Locomotive.

1 Pier on leased land at foot of Market St. with shed 76 x 390 ft and offices on second floor, equipped with office furniture etc.

1 8 inch Atresian well with necessary fresh water mains and hydrants.

One 2 story dwelling on 18th St. West of Kooker St.

7.09 miles of R. R. track, 70 lb rails and cypress ties, including 32 switches and 1 R. R. crossing quipped with, 1 193,500 lb Baldwin Swiwtch Engine. 6 Box cars and 3 flat cars. Oil burning equipment complete for locomotive and all power Plants.

1 150 ton Fairbanks track Scale.

900 ft new 70 lb rail unused.

9087 ft second hand 69 lb rails unused.

15 switch points, 8 Frogs, about 4 tons of spikes track bolts etc.

The necessary water mains with fire hydrants & Hose.

The necessary electric wiring and lamps for light and power.

2 electric power driven bag stackers.

1 Dodge Automobile.

In making these improvement there have been pumped from the St. Johns River, approximately 1,600,000 cubic yards of material.

A deteail list of all property, real and personal will be furnished and a map showing boundary lines of real estate holdings.