Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1884-12-27
THE COUNCILIN SESSION
AMENDMENTS CONSIDERED.
a Lengthy Meeting Last Evening
Amendments Referred Back-The
Work Still incomplete.

hard on the Aldermanlc stomach as 10 pre-
vent ten out of the sixteen from putting in
an appearance last night at the Council and
going into committee of the whole
for a further consideration of char
ter amendments. Aids. Creque,
Grady, Pierce, Brenner, Patter-
son and Albright were absent. Mayor Bel
KNAPP retired from the chair, and Aid. Parm
lee, as heretofore, presided as Chairman of
the Committee, and section 10, title 6, was
taken up. A general discussion ensued upon
the clause fixing the time for the payment Of
delinquent taxes, the rate of percentages to
be added ON same, the fixing of the date for
the sale of such property for such claims
and directing the City Treasurers duties in
the premises and also defining the powers of
the Council to extend the time for such final
collection. Aid. Gilbert's substitute 10 a
portion of the section, that sale should oc-
cur if the tax interests and costs were not
paid in four months. based upon the trea-
surer's report to Council, with rate per cent
fixed at the usual periods after personal
notice of delinquency, was adopted, with
recommendation that the section be recon-
United to the special committees for re-
vision. Section %. of the same title, en-
bracing matter bearing on the same subject,
was directed TO take the same course.
Section 80, which Aid. Gilbert explained
was an amendment directing that the Clerk
should receive taxes, collection fees and
costs, was approved. Sections Sc and 81 was
amended so as to insert the words "Treas-
urer" for Marshal in each.
Ald Gilbert called the attention of the
Committee to Section 22, title 8, in regard to
the creation of Sinking Fund AZ the law
provides now, each year tax of four mills
is directed to be levied on real and personal
property to pay the principal and interest on
the bonded debt, provided it shall not be
construed to mean more than $4,000 in any
one year. Mr.. G. said il was impracticable
and compulsory in directing the manner of
investing the said sum raised by the four
mills tax. 1t had been complied with in
sort of a way by raising $4,000 year to
meet the G.. r. d /. bonds and $4,000
for the water funds, but the act can
not be left In its present condition.
the wishes of the Council should be consult
ed, and he offered substitute to the effect
That the Council shall in each year meet
the interest on the bonded debt by a taxa
ton on real and personal propertv-if other
means fail, or there are no other resources.
And to provide for the prompt payment of
principal due, may issue new bonds not TO
run more than twenty years, and at their
discretion may levy a tax of two mills to be
used; 1st, on dues of one years standing:
3D. may be ordered to purchase the unma-
tured liabilities, or establish sinking fund,
or the Council may direct il be deposited,
with proper safeguards, in National banks or
other public repositories. The Alderman
stated as the law stands, such funds must be
invested in United States registered bonds,
which are now beyond reach in price. In
about nine years the original water debt will
be maturing and this opens a door for re-
newidg, with now no way of meeting il with
sinking fund. On motion of Aid. Yates
| it was referred to the Council.
The same Alderman as Chairman of the
| Special Committee reported on Sec. 3. title
2, recommending that each year on the first
|
Mayor, there shall be elected to the Board of
Review and Equalization three members for
the terms of one, two and three years re-
spectively, and annually thereafter men,
Der for term of three years. and providing
that in the event of the Mayor not making
such nomination il shall be done by the ac-
ton of the Council; referred to the Council.
1 e. IL
submitted by the Board of Public Works. to
provide for an election of President fixing
salaries. for the regular employment of an
engineer and assistants. for their accounts
TO be audited as other city officers
are, to give the Board con
troi over their own men, to
make their own rules and regulations on
water rents with power TO cut of supplies,
and to enforce payments by suits in tire
name of the city, TO license plumbers and
others, requiring them to make reports TO
the board and constituting the police court,
a court of competent jurisdiction for the
collection of their fines. The subject was
referred to the Council and before final ad-
iournment il was ordered to he published
as was the previous amendment relating to
the sinking fund. An amendment 70 sec
ton three of the Board Of Public Works
acts, making their Office dependent. not
only upon an appointment By the mayor.
bat also upon confirmation by the Council,
was recommended and referred to the Coun-
cil. The committee then arose, reported
progress IN the Council and adjourned.