HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - May 27, 1907Public Hall, Lodi, Cal, May 27, 1907
The Board of Trustees of the City of Lodi reconvened in adjourned regular session
pursuant to the adjournment of May 20, 1907, President Lawrence presiding and the
following Trustees being present: Blodgett, Hale, Rich and Villinger.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved as read.
The matter of the petition for the closing of the saloons was the opened up, and the
following parties addressed the Board in favor of calling an immediate election: J. M. C.
Murphy, Esq. Rev. F. M. Washburn; Henry Adams; W. A. Moorehead; W. A. Young; Dr.
F. Grashauser made a forceful talk in opposition to an election, and Honorable A. E.
Percival took the position that the Board should decide the question one way or the other
at once.
The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole, G. E. Lawrence, Esq., then arose and
after making a lucid statement of the conditions, financial and otherwise, confronting the
Board of Trustees, read and presented the following report: "The board of Trustees of the
City of Lodi, sitting as a committee of the Whole and having under consideration the
matter of a petition asking for the calling of a special election at the earliest possible date
for the purpose of submitting to the citizens of Lodi the matter of closing the saloon in
this City, respectfully report as follows:
That after careful consideration of the matter we believe, owing to the present financial
conditions of the city and the repeated and constant call for expenditures for the purpose
of improvement and service which this Board believes is necessary to the proper
administration of the City Government, and which would be to the detriment of the city
to overlook or neglect; we as Trustees and business men, exercising the same caution that
we would use in our personal business affairs, believe that it would be bad business form
and to the detriment of the City to entertain at this time any proposition that in effect
would reduce the revenue of the City and we believe that if the revenue denied from this
source would be cut off and the urgent needs of the City neglected at this time, that the
full tax levy of 75 cents on the one hundred dollars when it is available would be
insufficient for the urgent need of the City for the ensuing year.
We therefore, for financial reasons alone report against the entertainment of any .
proposition that in effect would reduce our revenues until such time as a property tax may
be levied and collected. We believe that this matter should come fairly before the voters,
but we believe that it is premature at this time and recommend that it be made an issue at
the next regular election."
The report of the Committee of the Whole, having been presented to the Board for its
consideration, it was regularly moved by J. M. Blodgett and seconded by C. A.Rich that
the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted as read. The motion was carried by
the following vote:
Ayes; Blodgett, Rich and Lawrence.
Noes; Hale and Villinger.
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Chairman Villinger of the Committee on Water for the park reported that his Committee
had taken measurements and found that the area to be watered contained 3370 Sq. yards
for which the Water Company would supply water at the rate of %z cents per sq. yd. per
Mo. The Committee was granted further time.
The Committee on Street Grading reported that it had consulted Mr. J. A. Graham who
appeared before the Board and submitted a proposition to establish the grade of streets
from Cherokee Lane & Hutchins Street, from Lockeford Street to Lodi Avenue, and also
on the streets on which the Fraction Company would lay tracks as far as the City Limit,
and furnish a profile of streets for one hundred & fifty dollars; that he would charge
fifteen dollars additional for making a grade map.
It was then moved by C. A. Rich, & seconded by J. M. Blodgett that the proposition of
Mr. Graham be accepted. Carried and so ordered.
Committee of Street Sprinkling was granted further time.
It was then moved by J. M. Blodgett, seconded by F. O. Hale that the Park Committee be
empowered to place a water trough at the North end of the park. Carried and so ordered.
The Committee on the claim of R. L. Graham Co. for formaldehyde reported that the
claim was in conformity with charges previously made against the county for like service.
It was then regularly moved, seconded and carried that the Report be accepted. The
Committee discharged and the claim for one and 25/00 dollars of R. L. Graham & Co. be
allowed and ordered paid.
The City Marshal reported on the matter of opening Oak St., that the street could be
opened but that the stakes on the street line were not in place.
No further business coming before the Board, the Board then on motion regularly made,
seconded and carried, adjourned.
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