The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-15
THE BOARD OF WORKS
A Contest Threatened Over It's
Provisions.
THE CHARTER COMMISSION.
Judge Rochester VIII Today Make nm
Assault on All OF the Important
Articles.

Today the charter commission will meet
to pass upon the yet unfinished articles.
There is now threatened an attack by
Judge Rochester upon the board of public
works. 1t is one of the most important
articles in the entire charter, but its pro-
visions have been the subject OF adverse
criticism at the hands of a portion OF the
citizens who do not approve of its consfl-
tuition. As the subject matter is OF excep-
tional interest and the contest promises to
be exciting. ii is herewith given in full:
BOARD or PUBLIC WORKS
sEcTIoS l. There shall be, and Ii hereby ere
ated. a board Of public works, which shall con-
sist Of three members who shall De appointed oy
the mayor by and with the advise and consent
Of the board OF aldermen. for the term OF three
years and until their successors are appointed
and qualified. Such members shall be electors
and freeholders OF the city. and shall have re-
sided in the city three years next before such
appointment, and not more than two members
Of such board shall be members of the same po-
lftscal party. At the first meeting OF the city
council held after the adoption of this charter
the mayor shall. nominate three members OF
such board, one for the term OF one year, one
for the term OF two years and ono for the term
OF three years from and alter the first Monday
in January. is9l, and thereafter shall ON the first
member OF such board to fill the vacancy OF the
member whose term shall then expire In case
the board of aldermen shall refuse TO confirm
any nomination made by the mayor, he shall
send to them another name. and SO continue to
do until parry nominated 10 confirmed. The
members first appointed shall hold such office
from the dale OF their qualification.
Sec. 2. Within three days after the conirma-
ton OF the members of the first board, they
shall meet at the office of the city clerk and pro-
coed to qualify. The board shall then proceed
10 orgenize, the member having the shortest
term to serve shall be chairman, who shnll hold
such office until his term expires, and on the
expiration of his term the member having the
shortest term TO serve shall act as chairman,
and so on from time 10 time The board shall
elect secretary who shall net be
member, who shall Loid Office during
the pleasure of the board. He shall keep his
Office at the place where the meetings OF the
board arc held, which shall be kept open during
business hours. lie shall keep a complete rec
ord of all the proceedings of the board in a book
10 be kept for such purpose, and shall file ana
preserve all rapers committed TO bis ehargs, and
shall perform such other duties as the board
may direct.
Sec. 8. The board shall hold regular meetings
twice each month and special meetings at such
time as IL may appoint or the president may
call All meetings shall be public aud shall b.
b, Id ct place 10 be provided by the city coun-
Gil. Two members shall constitute quorum,
and an afirmati vote of two members shall
be necessary 10 adopt any motion, order or reso-
luton, CT to make any appointment
POWERS OF THE BOARD.
Sec f. The board is hereby authorized ard
empowered. and il is hereby made its duty, sub
ject to the provisions OF the city charter. and
saving 10 the city council such powers as are
given ii in this charter.
First--To make such rules and regulations as
shall be deemed necessary for its government
ard the government and control of all officers
by IT appointed and persons in its employ.
Second-To certify all bills and allowances
and claims due TO contractors OF public works
and officers and persons in the employ of the
board.
Third-To take charge Of, superintend, man
age and control the water system, water-works.
mains, pumps, pipes, reservoirs and all matters
and things connected Herewith, aud to man.
age direct and control the building, operating
ard repair thereof, ard TO caute the rates TO be
charged by the city TO consumers OF water to be
collected and paid into the treasury of the city.
Fourth-To have the management, control,
building and repairing oil the sewers Of the city
and all connections herewith.
Fifth-To have the eoatrol, MANAGEMENT,
building repairs and direction OF all wharyes.
docks, bridges, viaducts, landings. ships and
boats and other structures which shall be built
or owned by the city
sixtk-To have the management, control.
construction and repairs of all public buildings
or other structures owned or constructed by the
city.
seventh-To have the superintendent and
management of all public parks aud grounds of
the city aud the ornsmentation and improve
ment of the same.
Eighth-To have the management and control
of all the public streets and alleys in the CITY,
and the superintendent of grading, paving,
u
walks therein, and making other improvements
therein.
Ninth-To have the superintendent of ell
public places. structures and works within the
city not above enumerated.
Tenth-To commence, regulate control and
direct the erection and removal of poles in the
streets for telephone and electric wires, for
electric lights and motors: to fix the place of
location aud to control and direct the laying
down of street railway tracks and turn tables,
and require all companies building and opera
ting such roads 10 conform 10 the street grades
in all streets wherein the same are operated:
TO fix and regulate the places and manner of
laying down and taking up all motor, gas,
steam, sewer and other pipes in the streets ana
other public places in the city,
Eleyenth-Io appoint the following subordi-
nate officers who shall have such powers ~ the
board may provide, or are in this charter pre-
scribed. to-wit A superintendent OF water,
works, who shall under the direction of the
board have the management OF the water-works
and water system OF the city. and whose duty il
shall also be to keep an account with all water
consumers, and to collect monthly all water
rates and rents, and to pay the amounts so col.
iec.ed at least once each day into the civ treas
AIRY, taking receipts therefor in duplicate. one
of which shall be filed with the city comptroller
and one retained in his office: hs shall give
bono TO the city with sureties. to toe sattsfae.
ton of the board Of public works, in such sum
as the board may determine. which bond shall
be hied with the secretary of the board and an
proved by the board; superintendent of sew.
ers who shall have such powers as in this chsr
ter provided or the board may direct: a superIn.
tendent OF bridges and wharves of the city who
shall De skilled and practical builder who
shall have the management and control of
TIE wharves and public buildings of the
city under the direction of the boar5
whenever BY the board deemed necessary
1t shall appoint superintendent of the
city parks, who shall under the control and
direction oil the board have the management
aud Improvement OF all parks owned by the
city. A street commissioner shall also Ia an
pointed by the board, who shall have under thu.
direction OF the board. the superin,endence 81
the repairs, cleaning and reconstruction of the
streets and cutters and sidewalks in the city
Sid the employment of all laborers thereon
and in the employ of such laborers he shall
make no discrimination in favor OF or against
the members of any association or party Each
oi the above subordinate ofiee.s shall hold his
ONCE during the plessure of the board and
shall receive such compensation as the city
council may by ordinance provide
Iwelfth-Tke board of public works IN all havs
such other and further powers AMI perform
sach other duties not inconsistent with this
charter as may be prescribed oy ordinance.
Sec The board shah also appoint q city en-.
gineer, who shall be skilled in the profession of