ORDINANCE NO. 2018-05 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA, NAMING A WING AT THE HERITAGE MUSEUM BUILDING LOCATED AT 100 BEEKMAN LANE IN HONOR OF GEORGE MICHAEL BILLIRIS; PROVIDING FOR MODIFICATION THAT MAY ARISE AT PUBLIC HEARING; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, GEORGE MICHAEL BILLIRIS, has been called from us to enjoy life everlasting and it is the desire of the Board of Commissioners to honor and pay tribute to his memory; and, WHEREAS, GEORGE MICHAEL BILLIRIS, tirelessly devoted his life promoting the sponge industry, tourism and preserving the history of Tarpon Springs, which was evident by the numerous documentaries he narrated as well as the countless worldwide magazines and newspaper articles he was featured in which spoke of the history of Tarpon Springs sponge industry and the cultural uniqueness of our community For most of his life his actions promoted tourism in our community. He help preserve the sponge industry by recruiting sponge divers from Greece to teach the local divers the trade; and, WHEREAS, GEORGE MICHAEL BILLIRIS, was an active community leader and benevolent citizen of Tarpon Springs, who was held in high esteem by all whom he made acquaintance with and whose love for his family, community, and sponge industry was unprecedented by all who knew him; and, WHEREAS, The Clearwater-St. Pete Visitors Bureau will honor his memory for his unselfish commitment to tourism and the City he loved with an annual tourism award in his name; and, WHEREAS, GEORGE MICHAEL BILLIRIS, proudly served our country as a Navy veteran, WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the City of Tarpon Springs have proposed renaming a wing at the Heritage Museum Building at 100 Beekman Lane in honor of GEORGE MICHAEL BILLIRIS; and, WHEREAS, the City has verified that the naming is appropriate under Section 2-199 of the City of Tarpon Springs Code of Ordinances; and, WHEREAS, the proposed name does not duplicate nor conflict phonetically with existing named facilities or streets; and, WHEREAS, all required notice in accordance with Section 2-200 of the City of Tarpon Springs Code of Ordinances has been duly completed. 1
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF TARPON SPRINGS: Section 1: That a wing at the Heritage Museum Building located at 100 Beekman Lane is hereby named in honor of George Michael Billiris. Section 2: This ordinance shall be effective upon adoption. 2
City of Tarpon Springs, Florida 324 East Pine Street Post Office Box 5004 Tarpon Springs, Florida 34689-5004 (727) 938-3711 Fax: (727) 937-8199 www.ctsfl.us February 6, 2018 To: The Honorable Mayor and Board of Commissioners From: Mark G. LeCouris, City Manager Re: Ordinance 2018-05 Naming Heritage Museum Building Wing in Honor of George Michael Billiris Based on the request of Commissioner Banther and input from the BOC meeting discussion on this item, I am presenting this ordinance for the naming of a wing in the Heritage Museum building for George Michael Billiris. I have attached some examples of the signage and verbiage for the entrance sign to the wing. In addition, I have asked Diane Wood to assign Tina Bucuvalas to work on something to honor the names of the founders, workers and divers of the Tarpon Springs Sponge industry. This could be a plaque with name recognition of all involved or some other addition to the internal room exhibit. The second reading of this ordinance will be scheduled for March 20 in order to have a full vote of the entire Board of Commissioners.