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12-16-1941 Special MeetingMINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL DECEMBER 16, 1941 The kiiami Shores Village Council held a special meeting on December 16th, 1941, for the purpose of discussing the audit report of the Golf Course. Present were all members and the Village Manager and Village Attorney. The Attorney read the comments made by the Committee in the filing of the 7th and 8th reports, after which Mr. Stockdell stated that he would like to protest a statement read showing a better profit this year than last. After further discussion Mr. Stockdell moved: "We object to the statement made by the Golf Course Committee that all departments showed a better profit for the year 1941 ending October 31st, than it did in the previous year. I also wish to make it a part of this motion that we request the court to have the golf course Committee discontinue the restaurant due to the fact that in my opinion it is an unnecessary part of the project, and has shown a continuous loss, and that the receivers be instructed to serve sandwiches and thereby cut down a material amount of labor". There was no second. Mr. Childress then made a motion that "We not accept this report because I think the whole thing is grossly mis- managed." This motion was seconded by Mr. Stockdell. Mr. Stockdell raised the question as to whether or not one member of the Council can make a minority report. The Attorney stated that the Council could object to this report as Miami Shores Village, but the Council can only -1- Page No. 2 12/16/41 act through a majority of its members. Mr. Frix stated that he did not want to be a part in doing anybody an injustice. "At the same time, I think I am inclined to think that we are all going to get to the same point of view. We may get there by different routes. It is rather difficult to comment on the audit report, and I do not say this with the idea of any injustice to the accountants, but I am rather inclined to think that the audit is not as clear as it might be. Dither do I think that the comparisons made are as clearly set up as they might be. I am willing to admit that it might be my lack of knowledge or ability to understand, but I think that before we vote on this motion that we ought to discuss this clearly and freely with the idea of reaching the end of it." Mr. Arnold stated: "I am not in favor of the motion as stated. I, however, if we could all get together and agree on certain recommendations to the court, am in favor. I am -disappointed in the audit report. I do not think it gives a clear picture of the situation at all. There are certain items I think we should recommend to the Court to be dispensed with. I see that employees' meals run into 100's of dollars. I think that is an expense that should be eliminated. I am more interested in the report than anything else. With all respect to the competent firm that made the audit, I am disappointed. I would be in favor of recommending to the court that the committee be instructed to curtail expenses on that Golf Course pointing out the fact that feeding employees is one thing; another -that conditions being as they are that the income of the Golf Course Pae No. 3 12/16/41 may drop way off next year. I would be in favor of this Council going on record with the court of insisting that the committee be instructed to cut expenses. That Golf Course is now operated on a basis equal to any expensive private golf course anywhere, It is not operated like a Municipal Golf Course. I am objecting in general to the course being operated on as high a plane as it is today." The Attorney stated his experience in the past with two golf courses - the Miami Biltmore and the Miami Country Club, and told the Council as far as he knew the dining rooms always operated at a loss. Mr. Childress stated that it would be a good idea to close up the restaurant for the summer time, since most of the revenue comes in during the winter months. Mr. Arnold was in favor of this suggestion and said he would go along with any resolution recommending the closing of the restaurant for 8 months of the year. Mr. Arnold stated that Mr. Childress' motion include the closing of the restaurant and request the court to suggest to the committee that they cut down all the expenses looking ahead to the fact that the income may not be what it has been. However, after further discussion Mr. Childress stated that he was perfectly willing to withdraw his motion, and Mr. Stockdell withdrew his second to same. Mr. Childress stated that from the audit he did not know how much was owed in interest on the mortgage from the date it has been in the hands of the golf course committee. n Page No. 4 12/16/41 "I think we ought to have it set out so we can see at a glance whether we are making progress or going behind on the Golf Course situation. We only have one side of the picture in this audit". Mr. Sappenfield then stated that he understood the Council's wish in the matter to be: "From the reports filed, the Council is unable to put its finger on any particular item in which they think there might be any valid objection. Their thoughs are directed more to the future than the past, having the past as their basis upon which to base the future. I think it would be perfectly proper, and in order that at the time the time the reports are presented I state to the court the consensus of what I have gathered here tonight. I think the court will listen. I would be perfectly willing to take this up with the receivers direct, as your representative, and give them your reaction and discuss it with them. I anticipate no difficulty with respect to any argument before the court, none of the receivers will be present except Mr. Clark I think they will be confirmed as a matter of record. At that time I will have an opportunity to say what I want to say. Mr. Frix stated that he would like to ask the Attorney if he agreed with the consensu4 and Mr. Sappenfield said that "I think it is my duty and I am perfectly willing to appear before the Court and present your side of the case and your ideas in the matter. However, this thought occurs to me. In saying this I am not defending Page No. 5 12/16/41 the receivers. They do not need defending. Over a two year period the committee borrowed some 16,500.00 to get started. They started out that much in the hole. After a two year operation they were not in the hole - they are even. As of this report they were just virtually even on the first of November. They are going to have that as a defense of what they have done up to now. We can present our side, and only time will tell. The Judge might undertake to follow some of the suggestions that are made. He might say the past two years operations justifies the present policy. I have made a suggestion of discussing it with the receivers, or I will, if you want me to, go down and put it up to the court cold turkey." The Mayor then asked that Mr. Sappenfield discuss this matter with the receivers, which would be of benefit and at least a courtesy in going over these things before going to the court. Tell them that we have made a study of the report and it impresses us that there can be some economies ,made in the operation of the Golf Course. Mr. Stockdell said to bring in particularly the point of cutting the dining room out in the summer time. Mr. Childress stated that their attention ought to be called to. the fact that the report does not actually reflect a true statement of assets and liabilities. There has been no depreciation set up. The Attorney stated that a receiver's report is merely a report of receipts and disbursements. Mr. Arnold then moved that the City Attorney follow out the suggestions made by the members of the Council here that was accrued after the motion was withdrawn. Page No. 6 12/16/41 The Mayor asked that the minutes show that all members of the Council were unanimously in favor of and consent with the instructions given. The Defense situation was brought before the Council and the Mayor stated that he had talked with Mr. Leatherman and felt at the present time that the Council should not purchase anything, that according to his talk with Mr. Leatherman, that the County might take care of some of these needs. However, the Mayor thought it advisable to prepare a list of the things the Village will need, and file them. The Village Manager requested that the Council approve the purchasing of some small pumps to be used for fire fighting equipment. It was decided that this equipment can be used after the emergency is over as well as at the present time. After discussion as to length and size Mr. Arnold moved that "We set aside, out of the contingent fund, for this purpose, the sum of $750.00 to purchase these truck pumps, hose and fire extinguishers, and if it does not take all of the $750.00 then the remainder not be used. This motion was seconded by Mr. Childress and unanimously carried. Mr. Arnold presented his recommendations from the Police Committee with the following results: Mr. Arnold contended that"the Chief of Police has asked that we adopt an ordinance relative to the state drivers' license law. Mr. Kelly, of the City of Miami, was present and stated that their city had an ordinance with a provision in it whereby any violation of a state law is a violation of said ordinance. The Traffic Code of the City of Miami had set up Page No. 7 12/16/41 a provision that permitted the men to' make charges for failure to have a state driver's license. Mr. Arnold then moved that such an ordinance be passed. Said motion was seconded by Mr. Stockdell and unanimously carried. The next business to come before the Council was the changing of the traffic ordinance to give the avenues the right-of-way over the streets except where avenues or streets are so marked. Mr. Arnold put this in the form of a motion and it was seconded by Mr. Stockdell. The Manager stated that the present set up had always been considered much safer. Mr. Kelly stated that the State Highway Dept. will, atyour request, make a survey of the traffic situations at no expense. Mr. Arnold then moved that the Manager get in touch with the State Highway Patrol to see if they will make such a survey. This motion was unanimously passed, after being seconded by Mr. Stockdell, and the former motion was withdrawn. Upon motion of Mr. Arnold and seconded by Mr. Stockdell the speed limit of trucks was set at 25 miles per hr. Upon motion of Mr. Arnold and seconded by Mr. Childress the Council appropriated $50.00 for finger printing equipment. With reference to the licensing of horse and dog tip sheet salesmen, it was decided to confine the sale of same strictly to the property of the dog track, and if sold anywhere else to prosecute them. The Village Manager reported that 2 men had been borrowed from the Park Dept. to stay in the office at Page No. 8 12/16/41 night temporarily. After which the meeting was adjourned. APPROVED BY COUNCIL: