04-17-1948 Special Meeting MINUTES OF SPECIAL UEETING
MIAJI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL
.APRIL 17, 1948
A special meeting of the Miami Shores Village Council was held on
April 17, 1948 at 8:00 P.M. with all members of the Council present. Mr.
Thomas H. Anderson, Village attorney, was also present for part of the meeting.
Mr. McCall reported on the newly proposed plan of combining the City
Hall and the Library in one building. He stated that Mr. Brockway seemed
to be very much in favor of the plan.
It was Mr. Anderson's opinion,- Mr. McCall continued, that the Bond
Election should be held as planned in view of the expense incurred for publi-
cizing the election and the time element involved. Then at a later date it
can be determined how much of the bond issue will be necessary to supplement
the Brockway gift for the library wing.
Lir. McCall further reported that the original library site on the
East side of Second Avenue could not be used for the proposed building and
probably would revert back to Bessemer Properties, unless the deed can be
changed and the land used for a park.
The proposed library wing would contain approximately 2,000 square
feet, - this in comparison to the downtown City of Miami library would house
at least 10,000 volumes. It was pointed out that the American Library
Association recommends that any library have at least 6,000 volumes and pref-
erably three volumes per capita of the area served.
It was reported that the American Legion home would not be considered
in the same building as the City Hall as Mr. Brockway, for one, would not
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approve such an idea.
Mr. C. F. Wheeler then explained to the group what Mr. Brockway's
ideas were on the combined building, that he is in favor of having the
buildings Joined but operated as two separate buildings, each having its
own entrance.
He further stated that Mr. Brockway was anxiously awaiting word
on the City's plans for the Library as well as the Legion home and if the
Village didn't want the money they should return it. Mr. Wheeler asked the
Council for definite word to give Mr. Brockway before he leaves town, May 1.
Mayor Mackenzie then asked for a general consensus of opinion and
the Council unanimously agreed on combining the Library and City Hall and
it was suggested that the architect be called for the purpose of going over
the revised floor plan.
Mr. Parish made a notion that we go to Pancoast with the revised
plan of combining Library and City Hall and ask that they submit to us their
idea of the best way to rearrange the floor space and, if possible, to
have this preliminary information by next Tuesday night. Mr. McCaffrey later
seconded this motion and it was unanimously carried.
Discussion followed concerning the amount of space that would be
sacrificed in this new plan. Ur, 'Wheeler suggested that the Library could be
used as a Council Chamber and other suggestions were made concerning the
building of additions to the building on the rear if this proved necessary
at some future date.
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Mr. Frix asked that Mr. Wheeler be called upon for further
counsel on this project which Mr. Sheeler generously agreed to do without
obligation.
Lir. Anderson stated he would look into the legal angle regarding
ownership of a combined building but suggested we go ahead with the present
bond election and iron out the legal questions later.
Lir. Wheeler then brought up the subject of an American Legion home,
stating that he would like to give Mr. Brockway some definite word on what
the Council is doing in this regard.
Discussion followed regarding the pros and con's of re-zoning the
present site for the Legion home, and submitting a referendum to the public
in•their behalf. Mr. Parish argued that it was not good government to
re-zone a particular area for any minority group and once an exception was
made, other requests would follow. Also, the Council as a whole was not
in agreement on the idea of a referendum. Nothing was definitely decided
on this subject.
Mr. McCall then explained to Mr. Burnham of Pancoast & Associates
the proposed revision of the City Hall floor plan and Mr. Burnham agreed
to submit preliminary information by Tuesday.
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M.
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APPROVED: Village Manager and C
Mayor
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