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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 07.20.1937Minutes of the City Council of Laurel July 20, 1937 The City Council of the City of Laurel met in regular itession in the Council Chamber and was called to order by Mayor Broughton at 7:30 ofclock P. M. July 20, 1937. Upon roll call the following aldermen answered present; Geo. H. Smith Conrad Scoarse Thomson Wooters Dr. 1. N. Smith Gomer Law The minutes of July 6th were read and approved. An application for a permit by Henry E. Gomer to add two rooms size 16x24, frame, concrete foundation and basement, to be painted at 111 Yellowstone Avenue, was presented and read. It was moved by Conrad and seconded by Law the permit be granted. The motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 474 Resolution No. 474, being a resolution transferring certain funds of the City of Laurel from the Sprinkling Fund, Light No. 1 and 3 Construction Funds and Special Improvement Districts No, 18, 21, 39 and 68 to he General Fund, was presented and read. It was moved by Thomson and seconded by Scoarse Resolution No. 474 be passed and approved. Upon roll call all aldermen present voted aye and the motion was declared passed. A letter from the General Electric Company stating repairs for 100 H. P. motor would cost approximately $172,00, was presented and read, After discussion it was moved by Dr. Smith and seconded by Scoarse the -matter be referred to the Water' Committee with authority to act. The motion carried, Mr. Thomson, Chairman of the Water Committee asked for an extension of time to investigate the water services on the Thornton tract. It was moved by Conrad and seconded by Dr. Smith the Water Committee be granted more ti-rne. The motion carried. Mr. Wooters asked for a leave of b.bsence. It was moved by Conrad and seconded by Scoarse the request be granted. The motion carried. Mr. Conrad asked for a leave of absence. It was moved by Law and seconded by Gomer the request be granted. The motion carried. The City Clerk submitted the budget to the Council and the tab- ulation was read to the Council as a whole. Mr. Chas. Duncan appeared before the Council in regardA_>to the budget for the Fire Department. After discussion it was moved by Conrad and seconded by Thomson the item of $200.00 for school be reduced to $50.00 and the paint job item of $100.00 be stricken out. The motion carried. Messers James Speare, Cusick, Shearer, H. E. Smith, Harrison, Cranwill, Deryckere and others appeared before the council petitioning for an increase of salaries for city officers and employees. It was explaintd.that the salaries of elective officers could not be raised during the term of office, After discussion it was moved by Law and seconded by Dr. Smith Ordinance No, 345 be amended and the license revenue from retail liquor be placed in the Police fund. Upon roll call all aldermen present voted aye and the motion was declared passed, Mayor Broughton left and Mr. Conrad presided during his absence. Police problems were discussed. The P!ayor returned and presided. After discussion it was moved by Dr. Smith and seconded by Law the budget for the Police Dept. be approved as read and the salaries of the Minutes- of the City Council of Laurel July 20, 1937 - Continued - Police officers be increased to $125.00 per month. Upon roll call Geo. Smith, Seoarse, Dr. Smith and Law voted yes and Conrad, Thomson, Wooters and Gomer voted no. The vote being a tie the Mayor voted yes and the motion was declared passed. After discussion it was moved by Geo. Smith and seconded by Law the salary of the City Clerk be increased to $125.00 per month. Upon roll call all aldermen present voted aye and the motion was declared passed. After further discussion it was moved by Law and seconded by Geo. Smith the salary of the Water Commissioner be increased $25.00 per month. Upon roll call all aldermen present voted aye except Thomson who voted no. The motion was declared passed. It was moved by Conrad and seconded by Gomer the salary of the City Treasurer be increased to $75.00 from the Tauter Dept. Upon roll call x.11 aldermen present voted ay e and the motion was declared passed. After discussion it was moved by Conrad and seconded by Geo. Smith the budget of the Street Dept. be increased $1250.00 for oiling the streets. The motion carried. After discussion it was moved by Geo. Smith and seconded by Dr. Smith the Park budget be increased $1182.00 for payments on five acre tract and to haul logs. The motion carried. Mr. Price, Chairman of the Barbecue Committee, asked the Council for permission to hold another barbecue at Riverside Park in September. It was moved by Conrad and seconded by Scoarse permission be granted. The motion carried. Mr. Wooters was excused at this time. After discussion it was moved by Conrad and seconded by Thomson the item of salary for Water Commissioner in the Water Dept. Budget be increased $300.00 to take care of the increase in salary. The motion carried. It was moved by Conrad and seconded by Dr. Smith the item of $300.00 for Special Election be deducted from the Election Budget. The motion carried. It was moved by Conrad and seconded by Dr. Smith the budget be approved as corrected and the City Clerk be instructed to publish notice in the Laurel Outlook as required by law. Upon roll call all aldermen present voted aye and the motion was declared passed. The report of the State Examiner, dated June 26, 1937, was presented and read. The report was as follows: I 0 N T A N A OFFICE OF STATE EXAMINER Helena, June 26, 1937. To the Honorable Mayor and Council of the City of Laurel, Montana. Gentlemen: We herewith submit a report of the regular annual examination of the records and accounts of the City of Laurel, as made by J. D. Dwyer, Deputy State Examiner, said examination commencing on the 11th day of June, 1937 and concluding on the 20th day of June, 1937. Respectfully, W. A. Brown State Examiner. CITY OF LAUREL OFFICERS Mayor, Clerk, Treasurer, Police Judge, Chief of Police, Attorney, Water Commissioner, Dr. R. Broughton Miss Rosella Fritz Mr. A. J. Ranger Mr. F. C. Scheidecker Mr. Wayne Willis Mr. B. L. Price Mr. T. A. Rigney Minutes of the City Council of Laurel July 20, 1937 - Continued - VALUATION Assessed Value for year 1936, $1,7970823.00 Taxable Value for year 1936, 5340428.00 TAX LEVY FOR 1936 Fund Levy General, 9.90 Mills Street, 2.50 " Police Department, 1100 it Light No. 1 Maintenance, .50 t' Light No. 2 Maintenance, .75 tt Revolving Fund No. 1, .35 tt Sinking Fund and Interest, 21.00 tt Public Library, 2.00 Parks and Playgrounds, 2,00 tt Total Levy, 40.00 Mi is OPERATION OF GENERAL CASH ACCOUNT To Balance in all Funds at time of the last examination on December 1, 19340 To Receipts from above date to June 11, 19370 By Disbursements during same period, Balance in all Funds June 11, 1937, 30,364.11 206291.05 236,655.16 201 174.15 35,481.0 CASH RECONCILEIV1ENT Cash and Cash Items in Office, The Yellowstone Bank, Laurel Bank Balance, Less Checks O:.tstanding, 0 16.80 27,818.92 240.00 27,578.9-9 Kountze Brothers, New York Balance in Closed Bank, 7,885.29 35,464.21 Total as above, DEPOSITORY BONDS AND SECURITIES The Yellowstone Bank, Laurel Federal Deposit Insurance, Trusteed Bonds: U. S. Treasury Bonds, ¢100000.00 Yellowstone County, Montana, 100000.00 City of Laurel, 92000000 Total, TREASURER'S FUND BALANCES MAY 312 1937 5,000.00 29,000,00 yp 34,000,00 General, 30652.36 Street, 716.95 Police, 731.94 Water, 11,945.60 Park, 63.85 Library, 61.78 Garbage, 327.37 Bond Interest and Sinking, 140415.12 Revolving Fund No. 1, 10159.41 Sidewalk, 196.78 Firemen's Relief, 6.51 Special Improvement Districts, 4p657.76 37,935.43 SPECIAL POLL TAX COLLECTIONS Cash Nominal Value Year Receipts Rate Received Unused Receipts Total 1935 2502.00 v 270.00 230.00 500.00 1936 250 2.00 344.00 156.00 500.00 1937 300 2.00 456.00 144.00 600.00 800 2.00 1,070.00 y 530.00 §§1600.00 35,481.01 .. . r r r Minutes of the City Council of Laurel July 20, 1937 - Continued - LICENSES DECEMBER 1, 1934 to JUNE 112 1937 Miscellaneous Licenses, 8'651.11 Dog Licenses, 287.55 Totals 8,938.66 City Treasurerts Receipts, 80938.66 Police Judge Mr. F. C. Scheidecker JUISTE 11, 1935 to MAY 31, 1937 Fine s, City Treasurer's Receipts, City Librarian To Fees, Fines and Rentals collected from December 1, 1934 to May 310 1937 as per City Clerkts Receipts, City Treasurer's Receipts, Water Commissioner To Collections from December 1, 1934 to close of business June 17, 1937: Meter Deposits, 1iscellaneous Sales, Water Rentals inclusing Hydrants, Total, By City Treasurer's Receipts, Cash on hand as follows: Mr. T. A. Rigney, 357.25 Miss Fritz, 12822.50 Balance due from Water Commissioner, 1,115.00 1,115.00 Mrs. C. E. Erb 320.55 320.55 Mr. T. A. Rigney 86,006.15 2,179.75 P 1,112.00 1,041.04 87,282.67 89,435.71 88,185.90 11249.81 Subsequent Remittances to the City Treasurer: June 19, 19370 2,114.74 - From Cash on hand June 17, 1937. June 23, 19370 1,249.81 - From Mr. T. A. Rigney. Included in the City Treasurer's Receipts of $86,006.15 are remittances for June, 1937, in the amount of $856.33. PETTY CASH J UNE 182 1937 To Authorized Allowance, 100.00 By Cash in Office, 90.50 Claims not Reimbursed, 9.50 100.00 OUTSTANDING WARRANTS AND BONDS MAY 31, 1937 Warrants: General, 8.00 Police, 2.55 Street, 6.00 'dater, 270.82 Total Warrants, $ 287.37 Bonds -Funding, Series 1921 W t W k S i t' 2 21,244.20 er a or s, er es A 19 3, 240000.00 Water Works, Series "V'" 1923, 7,000.00 Refunding, Series 1936, 102000.00 Total Bonds, Total, 62 244 20 671 531 5 . , COMPARATIVE STATEMENT June 30, 1934 May 31, 1937 Warrants., 56.45 287.37 Bonds, 84,244.20 62,244.20 Totals., 840300.6 - ? 62.,531.577 Less available Funds 15 854.06 5,293.0.1 NeDebt Decrease, 68 46. 119208.43 6 ,-tea; Minutes of the City Council of Laurel July 20, 1937 - Continued - OFFICIAL BONDS City Treasurer, Mr. A. J. Ranger y? 10,000.00 Yaryl nd Casualty Company., Unapproved on instrument. City Clerk, 21,iss Rosella Fritz 2,000.00 United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, Police Judge, Mr. F. C. Scheidecker The Viletropolitan Casualty Insurance Company, 10000.00 Note: Official bonds should be approved on the instrument as well as in the minutes of the Council. EXAMINER I S NOTES The City Treasurer's cash balance is accounted for as per reconcilement found elsewhere in this report, and the funds are amply secured by Federal Deposit Insurance and trusteed collateral. The balance carried in the Kountze Brothers, Bank, New York City, has a mere, nominal valued Taking into consideration this apparent loss, the problem is equivalent to paying warrants from the General Fund with a deficit balance. The Sinking Fund must.remain as listed-at the time the loss was incurred; therefore, some provision should be made to charge off the loss against the General Fund as soon as possible. All official bonds should be furnished by the. officers for each term of office. Continuation certificates are not accepted by the courts as binding upon the parties. We are of the opinion that you are not receiving the prompt and proper service from your present organization. Your Water'Commissioner has many problems to solve without being held responsible for the collection.of funds and absorbing losses, if any, when his duties are such as to prevent immediate contact with financial affairs. Checks, cash and cash items with a trio of responsibilities for such, placed in one and the same vault with the combination available to all concerned is far from being reasonable. This situation practically nullifies the protection given the City by official bonds. the City Council has full power by ordinance to organize departments and place definite responsibilities. As a suggestion we have the following to offer: Your City Treasurer should be made collector and custodian of all funds, including all collections of the Water Department# The City Clerk should keep the water accounts, enter the monthly charge to customers and the credits upon surrender of the paid receipts from the City Treasurer. The office of Water Commissioners should be relieved of all financial responsibility for water fund collections. Water fund and other collections must be accounted for every day and all checks deposited in the bank not later than the following day. The City Treasurer should have full charge of the vault and the combination changed at the time of reorganization. Accounting problems such as caring for accounts receivable and special improvement bonds outstanding were discussed with the City Clerk as tending to improve financial control. Respectfully submitted, J. D. DV;IYER, Deputy State Examiner. JDD/ab N 0 N T A N A OFFICE OF STATE EXAMINER Helena, June 28, 1937. To the President and Secretary of the Fire Department Relief Association, and City, Clerk, Laurel, Montana. Gentlemen: We herewith submit a report of the regular annual examination of the bookd, records: and accounts of the Laurel Fire Department Relief Association, as made by J. D. Dwyer, Deputy State Examiner, on the Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Jtily 20, 1937 - Continued - 19th day of June, 1937, and covering the period from January 1, 1935 to May 31, 1937. Respectfully, W. A. Brown State Examiner. CITY OF LAUREL FIRE DEPARTMENT RELIEF ASSOCIATION OFFICERS Pretident, Treasurer, Secretary, Mr. Campbell Calvert Mr. J. E. Boyer Mr. J. L. Tubman TRUSTEES Mr. Campbel Calvert Mr. Charles A. Duncan, Fire Chief IVIr. R. B. Packard Mr. Elmer Sherrow Mr. Paul Wilson Mr. Earl Fuller Mr. Chester Herbert OPERATION OF FU14-D - To Balance in Fund January 1, 1935, 3,967.04 To Receipts from January 1, 1935 to May 31, 1937! 1 0179.96 By Disbursements during same period, 50147.00 718.25 Balance. in Fund on May 31, 19370 4$498.75 RECONCILEMENT The Yellowstone Bank, Laurel 80.04 Net Bank Balance, 1,348,71 Savings Account No. 411, United States Savings Bonds, 3000.00 4,428.75 Bond - Extension certificate. DETAIL OF RECEIPTS Interest on Investments, $ 305.17 From State Auditor - 1935 269.93 From State Auditor - 1936 420.39 From Taxation 184.47 Total Receipts, $ 11 /9.96 DETAIL OF DISBURSEIVENTS I State Examinations 30,00 Blanket Insurance Policy Premium, 585.00 Treasurer's Bond Premium, 60,00 Rent on Deposit Box, 8.25 Compensation, 35.00 Total Disbursements, 8.25 EXAMINER'S NOTES A bond should be furnished by the Treasurer for each term of office. Continuation certificates are not acceptable, Respectfully submitted, J. D. DWYER, Deputy State Examiner. JDD/ab Minutes of the City Council of Laurel July 20, 1937 - Continued It was moved and seconded we do now adjourn. The motion carried. City erk. Approved this 3rd day cf August, 1937. ?? Yoy =" or ATTEST: City Clerk.