HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-1931-06-05 COMMON COUNCIL
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
&ecial Jointeetin� ' June 5_1.231.
Present--Mayor Bergholtz
Aldermen--Gill,Lowe,Causer,11yers,Atkinson,
Rogalsky,Hoffman,Hines
Colimissioners--Hanford, Sawdon,Whiting-
Evans,Hi11er,Rumsey
Attorney--Treman
Superintendent--Feller
Engineer--Eust ance
Forester--Baker
E.St ate
t�et Mayor Bergholtz opened the meeting with some remarks
in relation to a slight misunderstanding between the
Boards and criticised the newspapers for reporting that
there had been any feeling of "Fight or Strife" between
the two Boards. He reviewed the various steps taken by
the Board in deciding to pave East State Street and
asked for a general informal discussion.
During the discussion Commissioner Evans suggested
that a water bound subbase instead of concrete be used
and top dressed the same as the Mecklenburgh Road,
which type of construction he claimed Mould be cheaper,
just as good and permit of the entire use of City labor.
Alderman Rogalsky pointed out that interest
rates were extremely low, that the cost of cement was
below that of production and that the City would lose
money each year the improvement was put off due to the
fact that the cost of maintenance would exceed the
interest charge on the cost of the pavement.
Alderman Gill consistently opposed this construction
on any basis during the period of this depression,
claiming that no increased burden should be placed upon
the tax payers.
After further discussion Alderman Ayers pointed out
that the arguments both pro and con had been instructive
and enlightening , but since there were not eight
affirmative votes present, they could apparently get
no where by their discussion and he suggested that it
was now up to the Mayor to obtain the presence of all
members of the Council at a special meeting and glen
perhaps obtain the necessary majority.
Resu-_rfacinZ Alderman Hoffman requested a discussion of the
resurfacing program.
Commissioner Evans stated that he felt with all
the unemployment and the low cost of construction it
--as a bad time to shot down and do no work, but that
lie could not consistently vote for a resurfacing program
unless East State Street was to be constructed also.
Commissioner Rurisey objected to a resurfacing
program unless it could be done at general City expense
without property assessment.
Alderman Rogalsky suggested that the Council fix
the interest rate on deferred assessment payments
at 5o and give every one, regardless of the size of
their assessment, at least five years within which
to pay. After a general discussion of the problem
the Mayor called for a record vote on the proposition
of having the resurfacing program done by City labor
and with the Asphalt plant and with the understalding
that the assessments would be on a resurfacing basis
of 15% to each abutting property owner with the
privilege of paying any assessment in not less than
five years and an interest rate of 5;% on deferred
payments. The vote of the Common Council was
unanimously in favor of such a program. Since the Board
had not presented a resurfacing program to the Council,
150
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the Myor asked for a record vote of the Board
on the proposition to submit such a program
and on the basis outlined. The vote of the
Board was as follows:
In favor: Hanford, Sawdon,Whiting
Opposed: Evans,Miller,Rumsey
This being a tie vote the Mayor declared that in
the face of the unemployment situation and the
urgent need to give work to City labor as well
as improve streets he would vote YES and
declare the -propo.si M-zn= carried.
Having thus satisfied the Council with a
resurfacing program, the Mayor asked for a vote
on the pavement of East State Street providing
it could be done entirely with local labor and
at less cost as recommended by Conriissioner Evans
and on bet per terms as recommended by .Alderman
Rogalsky but the vote was lost with Alderman
Gill and Alderraa�� dyers voting NO, since it
requires at least eight votes to carry such a
proposition.
The meeting then adjourned with the
understanding that the Council would reconvene
Monday, June 15th at 7:30 at which time the
Mayor agreed to make every effort to have all
Aldermen present.
ity Clerk.
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