1941-04-11 MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MTGMINUTES OF THE' SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 119 TA. D.c,l 41 AT THE CITY H.-ALL A E8:00 P. OF THE CITY' OF SOUTH MIAMI HELD TUESDAY AT VENT P. M'.
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The meeting was called to order by Pres. Vanderboegh, with Mayor Glass and
Councilmen Brown, Bostwick, Faust] Bennett, Vanderboegh, and Core present.
Pres. Vanderboegh read the notice for the meeting which had been called for
the purpose of discussing with the South Miami Chamber of Commerce officials
the proposed City water project and affiliated subjects. The Chamber was
represented by Pres. Fuchs, Sec'y Sauls, and Messrs., L. R. Geiger, John
Myers, Carl. Gluck and H. H. 'Higgins. Others present were John,Opsahl? an
interested propeRy owner! and ?9m. Sydow, engineer_.
Mayor Glass stated that Mr. Sydow had prepared preliminary figures for a
unit water ;system extending from the west end of LAWRENCE HONESITES, 140 ft.
west of S. 6th Avenue,t to South 3rd Roadq the well to be at the intersection
of S. 6th Avenue and S. 2nd Street in the center of the street. Pump house
to be located west of there, in the corner of the unsubdivided property. A
3 Xn. main would come down to South 4th Avenue; turn and go north on S. 4th
Avenue, to.within 140 ft,;, of Sunset Drive?? continue across S. 4th Avenue to
center of POINCIANA PARK(Opsahl propertyland a 2 in. lateral down the center
of that subdivision. Laterals to go doom the center of each block from S.
22d St..x with .a connection for fire plug. On the pump there is to be a
connection to which the fire truck could be attached, so that in the event
of power failure, the pumper could be used to provide water. Pump, motor
and tank would be set to south of west boundary line of LAW1MCE HOMESITES.
The 2`in. laterals would run north and south on center lines and would have
connection providing for reduction from 2 "in. to standard tj in. on each lot
line. With this arrangement it would require only 610 ft. instead of 660 ft.
per lateral 2 in. line. The cost of 2 in. line would be 60¢ per foot and
of 3-in. 900 per ft.) with all connections in the ground and covered and
property connections made. The well Mould be 4 in.,, with a 3 in. line over
from that to the pumpt which would be a piston, type.
Mr. Sydow stated that 2 complete! pumps - 5 x 5 - could be installed for
about $100.00 to $150.00 more than 1 6,x 6 pump,, and recommended the 2
pumps rather than ones as a safeguard, against breakdown, and in case of fire.
Mr. Fuchs raised the question as to who would be in charge of operations
whether that would come under the police or fire departments. It was�ex-
plained that the pumps would be automatic and would not have to be watched
all the time but should be .inspected at least daily. It was also brought
out that various,units could eventually be hooked into one system at_which
time it might also be possible to change from the pressure tank to a water
tower.
Mayor Glass stated that Mr. Price, of the Coconut Grove Exchange Bank, had
O.K.0d tha plan from start to finish after looking into the matter. It was
estimated that at a flat rate of $1.50 or$2.00 per month it would give the
City, in about 3'yearss an income of $2400.00 a year from that one outfit.
He also stated that the developers of LAWRENCS HOMESITES had indicated their
willingness to pay for their laterals.
It was pointed out that a contractor could put m the unit and the City take
it over, thus eliminating the need for bids.
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Mr.. Opsahl stated that he would be willing to do what the others did in the
way of paying for the laterals. At 600 per foot this would cost about $30.
#for a 50 ft. lot. It was estimated that if the property owners would pay
for the laterals, the cost per unit would be cut about 5014.
7Jhile; estimates were based on flat rates,- and no meters it was brought out
he cost of meters is about $10.00 each and another $3-00 for 'the. box, but
it was also suggested that a charge might be based on the number of outlets.
Councilman Brown stated that in his opinion either all should be made to
pay or none should pay for the installation of their water.
Mr. Sauls suggested that if Mr. Renuart offered to pay for all laterals in
his subdivisions as indicated by Mayor Glass, why not take him up on that
and use that,as the experiment.
Mr. Myers stated that he would object to being';assessed while his pumping
system is in good shape and adequate for his needs.
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Mr. Gluck asked. whether such a system would bring any reduction in fire
_ insurance rates] but it was stated that there would be none with less than
an 8 ''in. main.
On a,$6 *000600 cost the yearly interest at 6% would be $360.00* and at a
rate.of *,for current, it was estimated that $10.00 per month would coyer
the amount of electricity necessary to supply water to 100 houses. -
:Mr. Sauls asked what the life of one of these units would be, and Mr. Sydow
stated that this depends on the usage given and maintenance, that in Miami
there is one now about 16 years old but getting good attention. Mr. Sauls
estimated that on that basis it would take at least $100.00 per month just
to maintainrand pay principal and.interest.
Councilman Core asked what guarantee the City had that the 14 Lots in
LAIR ,VCE HOLESITES would be immediately improved. Mayor Glass geed that
this was not-.definite but believed houses in POINCIANA PARK(0psahl sub-
division)would be built almost immediately, and stated the City would have
to obligate itself until houses are built and using water. He suggested
the City obligate itself for $59000.00 to $69000400 as a general obligation
against the City as a. whole.
Mr. Myers stated that South Miami must get water if it is not to remain
little village, and believes the entire town should obligate itself to
take care of this deficit. Someone suggested the City float a bond issue
to cover the entire town* which would require 5 units, but Mr. Myers be-
lieved that it would be better 'to put in one unit first and try it out.
Mr. Gluck raised the question as to whether the City would be obligated to
keep the pumping system going if it proves a failure. It was also suggested
that a meeting of all property owners in the area be called and the matter
put to them, that this be financed by special assessment and this assessment
charged to abutting property on a lot basis.
. Mr. Sydow stated that this size outfit would take care of 150 houses* except
for sprinkling systems, and could eventually be hooked up into a central
system• lie stated that the water should be good at about 60 ,ft.* that he
had run samples on a good many different wells in this area 3 years ago and
g6tten good water. A chlorinator could be attached, if necessary* for about
,$250.00 to $300.00* working automatically.