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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 05.02.1922Minutes of,the City Council -Of Laurel, Laurel, Montana, May 2, 1922, The City Council of the City of Laurel met in regular' session in the Council Chamber at the City Hall and was called to order by Mayor Frank Wright at 8:00 P. Id. 9 Iday . 2, 1922, Upon roll call, the following Aldermen answered present: Vo rdahl Bundy Clare Hageman Knudsen Kenyon Richardson The minutes of the regular meeting of April 18th were read and approved, j! J The reports of the Chief of Police, Pol ice Judge, City Treasurer and Water Commissioner were read and approved. The bills for the month of April were referred. to the Auditing Committee, and after due deliberation, the Committee re- ported back recommending payment of the following bills: A. D. Wallizer 2.00 , S. Jones 12.50 Jacob Kaiser 51.88 Vera Sturm 55.00 Id. 5. T. & T. Co. 9,25 T. A. Rigney 158.35 Mont. Power Co, 233.50 Davis T, & S. Co. 17.00 C. E. Gilbreath 250.00 Petty Cash 27.53 Henry Kaiser 135.00 Chas. Blank 2.00 Henry Chrystal 2.00 0. Fonath 2.00 A. J. Johnson 2.00 H. 11. Starkey 2.00 Wm. Fly 178.85 Vera Sturm 55.00 Mort, power Co.. 66,16 Laurel Outlook 31.61 Verne Johnson 59.84 E. L. Fenton 100.76 Dr. R. Broughton 123.00 Y'stone Garage 28.25 City Water Dept. 194.40 T R. Holmes Lbr. Co 11.65 J. J. Burley 1.75 Tom `Gary 11.00 John Gary 14.00 C. F. Edwards 11.00 H. Lorne 8.00 Geo. Lorne 11.00 R. Price 11.00 Jack Rees 9.00 Pete Krone 9.00 G. W. - Talikels 9.00 G. W. Fenton. 6,00 B. Roach 6.00 ? E. M. Westbrook 3.00 Otto Bundy 3000 E. W. Snyder 14.00 E. W. Snyder 25.00 Frank Wright , . . 40.00 Ne is Vo rdahl 6.00 H. A. Bundy 6.00 H. H. Clerk 6.M B. B. Hageman 6.00 H. D, Kenyon .6100 H. C. Knudsen 6.00 R. A."Richardson 6.00 i ,Vii. X. Sausman 6100 J, B. Platt 25.00 A. L. Garvey 41.65 T. A. R.igney 91.65 Turner H. Early 50.00 Jake Fifer 150.00 0. C. Bundy 125.00 Mont. Power Co. 74.73 Mont, power Co. 95.56 Laurel `Outlook 16.65 Laurel Outlook 12.00 City Water Dept. 22.01 j ` City Water Dept. 90.00 lst Nat. Bann 210.00 It was moved and seconded that the report of the Committee be adopted and that the Clerk be instructed to draw warrants upon the proper funds' in payment of the bills allowed, The motion carried. The business proper for the consideration of the old Council being disposed of, the Mayor invited B. L. Price and 0. M. W old to take their seats . Thereupon, H. A. Bundy, being the only retireing member pres ent of the old Covneil retired The Mayor appointed the following standing Committees: Committee on Finance: Knudsen, Clark, Hageman. Committee on bight and Water: Vordahl Kenyon, Wold. i i f , Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Committee on Streets and Alleys: Hageman, Vordahl, Kenyon. Committee on Sewers: Clark, Richardson, Price. Commlittee on Fire and Police: Wold, Kenyon, Knudsen. Committee on Parks: Price, Richardson, Hageman, The Mayor announced that the election of the president of the Council was now in order. Thereupon, H. C. Knudsen, Nels V,ordahl and B. L. Price were nominated. Mr. Price and Mr. Knud- sen requested that their nominations be withdrawn. Thereupon, it was moved and seconded that a ballot be taken for the election of Mr. Vordahl, and upon roll call, he was declared elected, L_.J Mr. Frank Platz appeared to see if it would be possible to have his bid for the construction of the jail withdrawn. He proposed to pay for the advertising if the City would release him. It was moved and seconded that his certified check be released upon the payment for- advertising an.a,a cancellation of a claim for gravel_,which was outlawed on account of the one year limita- tion for claim against , - *- City,. The m.o?ion carried.. ' _MT1: -ecl appeared to discuss a general cleaning of the--aIff'fty and after some discussion of his proposition, it was moved an4--&e-conaed that the question submitted, being a purely san.itgry, be- referred to the City Health Board. The motion carried., Mr. Clark appeared at the request of Mr. Span to dis- cuss the paving project on Main Street. After some discussion, it Was moved and seconded that the matter be deferred until Thursday night in order that a complete understanding be had with the State Highway Commission. The motion carried. Geo. W. Mikels appeared to petition the City Council to have the dog tax of $10.00 on female dogs reduced to 05.00. After considerable discussion, it was moved and seconded that a committee be appointed to investigate the matter. The motion carried. Thereupon, the Mayor appointed Mold, Knudsen and Price. Frank Platz, at this time, requested that the impound- ing charge of $1.50 on one of his horses be remitted. It was moved and seconded that the committee appointed to investigate the gog tax be empowered to dispose of this matter. The motion carried, Mr. Knudsen, chairman of a committee appointed at a previous meeting to interview Mr. Coy in regard to the license for the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company, re- ported back that Mr. Coy had consented to pay the license charge f but would likely render a bill for some special services that they may render to the City. It was moved and seconded that the report of the Committee be adopted and that the Committee be discharged. The motion carried, After some discussion as to the rate of speed of trains going through the City, it was moved and seconded that Section 498 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Laurel be changed to permit a rate of speed of fifteen (15) miles per hour instead of eight (8) and that the City Attorney be instructed to draw the proper ordinance for it. The motion carried. A petition for the construction of a frame building on Lot One (1), Block Two (2), Laurel Realty Subdivision by W. Lauman was presented. It was moved and seconded that no permit be granted. The motion carried. The City :agineer presented an amended plat of the Billings Gas Company for approval of lines to be cons;?ructed between Wyoming Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue on First Street and the north and south alley of Block Four (4), Laurel Realty Subdivision and Block Thirteen (13), Laurel Realty Second Sub- division. It was moved and seconded that their plat be approved.. The motion carried, A petition for the adjustment of water bills for Mrs. Rosie Kautz was presented: It was moved and seconded that the -petition be tabled for the present time. The motion carried. A petition for the construction of a walk and curb '.a on the east and west sides of Washington Avenue between Fifth i a J:'• K I L Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Street and Sixth Street was read. It was moved and seconded . that a resolution be drawn creating a Special Improvement Dis- trict for that purpose; that resolution be ready for passage Thursday night at 8:00 o=clock. The motion carried. The City Clerk was instructed to'give notice in the Outlook that property o-vmers desiring sidewalks constructed should make application to the City Council immediately if the walks were desired this year. The report of the examination of the City books and records of April 14th by John Oliver, second assistant State Examiner, was read and which was as follows: "MONTANA STATE EXA,=ERI S OFFICE Helena April 279 1922. To the City Council: Gentlemen: The object of the Examiner's Office at Helena, Mont- ana, is to examine the books and records of the sev- eral cities of the State and to present with our report of such examinations, notes of constructive criticism necessary for the fulfillment of the law and betterment of your city affairs, These reports and letters are addressed to your city officials and as such should be read in full in open council, discussed and disposed of, and spread upon the minutes of your meeting. Your answer to the re- port,, which must be made to this Department within thirty days from receipt thereof, mint be signed by the full city council and be spread at large on the very next page of the minutes of the council. Kindly. set apart a file in which you will file all reports and cohuaunicat ions of every nature received from this Department. Yours respectfully, (Signed) L. Q. Skelton, JO: nak State Examiner. IVIONTALA OFFICE OF STATE EXAMINER Helena. April 27, 1922, To the Honorable Mayor and : Mr. Frank Wright, Mayor. City Council, Mr. F. A. Rigney, Clerk. Lau:cel, Montana. Mr. Turner H. Early, Treas. Gentlemen: I herewith submit report of an examination of the books and records of your city as made by John Oliver, Second. Assistant State Examiner on April 14, 1922. CITY TREASURER IM. TURNER H. EARLY Statement 1. Our audit of Cash Book, To balance on hand October 20, 1920 11507.64 To receipts from Oct. 20, 1920 to Apr. 14, . 1921, less transfers of 41,787.24 131, 686.50 Total 1479194.14 By disbursements for same period less transfers of '1,787.24 114 258,40 Balance April 141 1922 329996.74 Cash long, April 14, 1922 140.30 332076.54 t.H Minutes of the. City Council of Laurel By balance in Laurel Btate Bank 7,612,78 By IT IT City Nationa'? Bank 99600.54 By IT IT American Bank 131734.85 Warrants as cash items 29103,64 Warrants paid not entered on cash.book,C.6451-20.00,5538-4.23 24.23 339076.04 Statement 2. Condition of Cash Book. 11 To balance on hand Oct, 202 1920 159507.64 To receipts from Oct, 20, 1920 to Apr, 149 1922 t 133,911.78 4 Total-Cash and Receip s 1499419, By disbursements for same perio d 116 106.86 To balance April 142 1922 133,312,56 (See Examiner's notes) By balance in Laurel State Sank 7,612,'78 TT IT IT City National Bank 9,600,54 IT IT TT American Bank 139734,85 IT warrants held as cash 20103.64 Total Cash 33,051.81; Unaccounted for 260,75 (See Examiner's notes.) J339312.96 i TREASURERI S FUUD . ACCOUNT General Fund 179,42 Street IT 19745.89 Executive Fund 421,62 Water Fund 3,257.76 Police Fund 163,26 Water Meters 212,25 Funding Bond Int, (1916) 19140.71 Garbage 19.14 Library 773084 Water Intake Bonds 11170,01 Water IT Int. 410,64 Nutting Sinking Fund 246,55 Sidewalk Fund 133.48 Water Tap Fund 156,74 Seger Fund 14.75 Mater Bond Int. 21032.09 Sewer TT TT 19321.66 Water TT Sinking 2,233,17 Sewer IT TT 19984.91 Sprinkling 374,70 Band Sinking Fund (1916) 14.75 Water Bond Extension 4th ?Nard 27.79 Funding Bond Int. (1921) 831,51 Water Sinking Fund 739,71 Total 199436.34 0. D, 1.170.01 §18,266,33 Total Fund Account $189266.33 ILE'ROVEVIENT DISTRICT FUND ACCOUNT District No. 1 316.35 IT, IT 2 136 , 42 IT TT 3 439.43 IT IT 6 118,11 IT TT7 114.00 IT TT 8 4.y ! 3 IT IT 9 182.24 TT IT 10 751.91 IT IT 11 106,18 IT TT 12 . 7 36 , 54 IT TT 13 434,02 TT TT 14 19697.02 TT IT 16 19.92 IT TT 17 77.01 IT IT 18 104,37 IT TT 19 239.10 TT IT 20 131,79 IT TT 21 243,72 IT TT 22 201,55 IT TT 24 1640,46 i i r I Minutes of the City Council of Laurel District No. 25 347.26 IT IT 26 294.68 IT IT 27 177.20 TT IT 28 132 , 44 IT IT 29 134.33 IT IT 30 479.26 IT IT 31 251.58 " IT 32 194.15 IT IT 33 228.26 IT TT 34 535.18 IT IT 35 786.40 IT IT 36 464.00 TT IT 37 616,40 IT TT 38 689.58 IT 39 399.82 TT IT 41 179,74 IT IT 42 179.98 IT IT 44 251,33 IT IT 48 469.62 Special Sidewalk and Curb 5'7.16 TT IT Asset. .57 Lighting No. 1. Const. 725.14 TT IT 1. h1laint . 609.51 IT IT 2. Corot. 82.78 IT IT 2, Imp. !faint. 194.53 TT TT 2. 12a int . 258.78 Total 149764.02 Less 0. D. 194:53 14,569,49 Total .Imp. Districts-Fund Accounts 14,569.49 To balance with cash 215,99 (See Examiner's nates) Cash amt. 33,051.81 TREASURER'S RECORD OF CITY LIABILITIES Warrants outstanding April 14, 1921, General 69682.50 Street 196.25 Executive 19348.90 Sprinkling (0.6451) 20.00 Paid by not taken to a/c Park 1'7.50 Police 572.50 19 Lighting No, 1. Maint. 149.46 IT TT 2. IT 668.9.2 Sewer 180.00 Mater 12,420.93 23,256.96 Improvement Districts Warrants outstanding: District No, 3 19400.00 IT IT 6 700.00 IT IT 7 500,00 IT IT 8 139.58 IT IT 9 819.57 H IT 10 2,490,15 . IT IT 11 293.24 IT IT 12 19.984.86. 71 " 13 1,682.50 IT IT 14 42559,12 IT IT 16 19,92 TT IT 17 182,97 IT IT 18 177.78 IT IT 19 19165.76 IT TT 20 735.50 IT n 21 350.00 IT IT 22 658.89 IT IT 24 570,99 rr IT 25 12175.22 fT IT 26 - 22478,78 IT IT 27 22555.55 IT IT 28 11482,33 IT li 29 31538,03 IT IT 30 42105.85 IT IT 31 31097,92 IT IT 32 1,021.19 IT IT 33 11344.62 IT IT 34 6,888.92 IT IT 35 51017.70 IT IT 36 22800,00 IT IT 37 49.113.15 IT IT 38 2, 861, 68 I I I 7'-------- ,....,,...,.. .w Minutes of the City Council of Laurel District No. 39 19550,00 IT IT 41 93'7100 IT IT 42 539.55 IT IT 44 2,175.00 Water Intake 49000.00 Lighting No. 1 4,'702.52 Sidewalk and Curb 977.31 Water District No. 48 4,600100 Light No, 2 121314.41 Water Extension (4th Ward) 4,146100 96, 853, 56 Funding Bonds (1916) 13,500,00 Funding Bonds (1921) 421744.20 Water Bonds 28,000.00 Sewer Bonds 15.000.00 Total 219, 354.72 All Dog licenses issued to date, April 149 1 922 accounted for. d All City occupation licenses accounted for t o April 141 1922. CITY C MK 147R. F. A. RIGNEY All claims found in your Clerk's files covering a period. -? from October 11, 1920 to April-14, 1922 were carefully examined and checked against warrant entries in Clerks Record of Warrants issued. All refunds were checked and No. to 200 were accounted for. Refunds issued from Book 200 to 250 were not accounted for by your former clerk, E, J. Niedekorn. These presented for payment to date of this report amounted to '189.00 Water Taps Certificates issued by fir. Niedekorn 459.00 IT IT IT accounted for by. - Mir. Niedekorn. 405,00 Short 54,00 Total shortage of E. J. Niedekorn w143.00 WATER COLLECTIONS Period from Sept. 1, 1920 to July 1, 1921 10,553.49 Treasurers receipts held for 10,x,550,31 Short E. J, Neidekom 3.18 Collections July 1, 1921 to Mar.31, 19229 F. A. Rio ey 12,25'7.88 Treasurers receipts for same period 120259.45 Over 1.5'7 122259.45 CITY CLERK, CASH Petty Cash 100.00 Collections from March 31, to April 14. 154,46 2 4.46 Cash in office Apr. 149 1922, X254.46 POLICE COURT 10H. J. B. PLATT, JUDGE, Period covered from April 29, 1919 to April 149 19229 during which time, 1 r. E. L. Fenton, Geo. Hudson and J. B. Platt were incumbents of the office. Docker is in good order and presents a fine appearance. We note that it has been your practice to charge the de- fendant costs of court expenses. This is not permitted under the law,except for costs in civil cases. Section 12329, Codes of 1921 provides only for a fine, no costs can be attached. Kindly conform to that section. L--- BOND OFFICIAL Bond T. H. Early, City Treasurer, amount W.000, Surety, Minutes of the City Council of Laurel continuous, Approved by council May 17, 19210 E. D. Wesstbrook, Assistant Treasurer, Amount $5000600, surety, continuous, dated Aug. 25, 1921, not approved by council, F. A. Rigney, City Clerk, Bond all 0. T, and approved by city council, City Marshal - nob.ond. BANK BONDS Citizens National Bank Runs to Geo. E. Settergren; renew- ed to Dec. 26, 1922. This bond is void. All indemnity bonds should run to your duly elected or-ap- pointed and acting City Treasurer. A bond running to your retiring City Treasurer can not be reneged to cover deposits made by newly elected treasurer. All indemnity bonds should be signed by President or Nice President of the Bank and authority for such signature be attached to the bond. Bond should run to F. H. Early, as Treasurer of the City of Laurel, his successor in office, and unto the State of Montana. Bond of American Bank- subject to above criticism, except Liberty' Bond $102000,00 Bond of Laurel State Bank- Liberty Bonds 7,600.00 Neither official, indemnity bonds nor other securities are .of value as securities for city funds until pproved. by your city council and such approval spread up n your minutes Kindly see that your indemnity bonds are correct d. to meet the statutoty requirements EXAMINER' S NOTES.. We call your attention to the difference between your treasurer's "Cash on hand " and `fund" accountand also between "cash" and "cash book balancer`, You will notice that the entries in your cash book show debits of $149,419,42 and credits of $116,106,86,II leaving a balance of 330 312:569 while the cash on hand is $339051.819 leaving unaccounted for, $260,75. Your fund accounts show a total of $32,835.85 or 'a differ- ence of 9215,99 between these mounds and. treasure s cash. We made a -very careful check of all receipts and disburse- ments and found them out of balance with the tr-e?surer's cash, $140.30. We do not feel that there is any actual shortage in this. office, but your former city treasurer has not had his cash book in balance for several years. Mr. Westbrook is doing good work and he should c refully check his cash book and' establish a true balance,and here- after balance his cash book at the end of each month and also ascertain if ledger balances agree with treasurers W.. cash, and that cash book balance reconciles with cash. We call your attention to the condition of the S ecial Improvement Districts. The outstanding warrants of the Improvement Districts are denominations of $100 each. The law provides `that ,the treasurer must call these bonds as soon as funds are a- vailable,. Kindly note that in No. 10, Balance 751.9,1 T, 142 _ T7 11697.02 11 129 " 736,54 T; 30, Tr 479.26 " 34 t7 535 18 L I ail Minutes of the City Council of Laurel Kindly note that in No . 35, Balance 786.40 You should at once ascertain what amount is necessary to meet the J*aly interest and call all warrants in all districts in-so far as balance in the several funds will permit. You will note also that you have in the Water Bond-'? h,k.1 A" . 3, 223.1'7 Serer Bond Sinking 1,984.91, Your bond register does not disclose the time of redemp- tion for these two 'pond issues but you should ascertain at one if these bonds can be redeemed and if so, call as many as funds will permit. Let me state the case regarding these bonds and warrants plainly Set aside interest to meet payments due before next taxes come in and then call every warrant or bond for which you have funds. Reduce your interest and thereby reduce your taxes. This is the law. 'See Section 5249, Codes of 1921, We call your attention to the claim of A. C. Todd for $60.00 which is for work done in preparing duplicate assessment book for 1920. Kindly refuse payment of all claims of this nature. Sections 5207 and 5248 provide for the making of these books. Vie will write you -further later as this matter is now before the Attorney General's office for his opinion. We note you are paying Mr. C. E. Gilbrash, discount on his warrant tendered him in payment of services as pumpman. Your contract calls for "Cash's this contract is void, can- eel it, and pay Mr. Gilbrash just 'as you pay others and as provided in, Section 5078. Codes of, 1921. Cities cannot pay discount either directly or indirectly on warrants. Kindly remember this and do not-pay any claims for salary or,services to meet a. discount. Ki idly have your city attorney collect 11r, H.'B. Goc?freq the sum of +44.00 as shown on his claim No. D 6506. You will at once notify Mir. E. J. Neidekom through your city attorney of his shortage of 143.00 and demand of him payment at once. Also have him account for Book of Water Refunds, No. 200 to 250, Your clerk should have a record of treasurer's receipts ' and disbursements and general ledgers At the close of each month your treasurer, will submit his report to the city clerk for the council and include all paid vouchers and duplicate of all receipts issued during the month, and take the clerk's receipt for the same. The totals in the clerk's record of treasurer's receipts and disbursements should agree with treasurer's cash book totals You can by this method keep a check on the treasurer's distribution of warrants paid and. your fund accounts vdll not suffer by'charging warrants to wrong funds. Have sent your clerk sample of these forms. The claims paid during the period covered by Mr. Neidekomt s term are in very poor condition and show almost no atten- tion to the legal requirements. Your clerk will hereafter have all claims meet the requirements of Section 5078. Kindly read Section 2465, Codes of 1921 and note that your city health officer must have a salary fixed by :city coun- cil, this salary is his entire compensation, It is the aim of this report to assist your city council in some of the perplexing questions up for . your solution. We have attached hereto a letter asking you to discuss and L Eli Minutes of the City Council of Laurel dispose of this report before your entire council. Kindly read the letter and report carefully and comply with our wishes in the letter. Respectfully submitted, (Signed) L. Q. Skelton, JO: b State ,' aminer. ff A letter from the City Treasurer was read, explaining the differences in the cash balance and with his books, in which he stated t#at an effort was being made to reconcile the records and as soon as he had found the other discrepancies that he would report to the Council, also stating that application had been made for new bonds for the depository banks. .The City attorney and City Clerk were instructed to comply with all of the requests mentioned in the report and the City Clerk was instructed to write the letter requested as soon as the irregularities checked had been complied with. It was moved and seconded that we do now adjourn until Thursday, May 4th at 8:00 o'clock P. M., at which time a reszunp- - tion of business proper for this meeting would be cone irlued, particularly the Resolution of Intention for sidewalk on Wash- ington avenue and the consideration of the paving pro jec ton Main Street. The motion carried. ?I City /Clerk, Approved this zda of &ZXO/,1 1922 I Ate. / r IViayo .ATTEST: ty rk.