Los Angeles herald., 1891-02-17
THE CITY COUNCIL.
CONSIDERABLE BUSINESS ATTEND
ED TO YESTERDAY.
The Opening Of Broadway Postponed for
Two Weeks-Demands Audited-Other
Matters Acted on.


Matters Acted on.
The city council was called to order
yesterday morning at 10 O'Clock, all OF
the members being present and Presi-
dent Bonsall in the chair.
As acting mayor, Mr.. Bonsall pre-
sented message advocating the con-
struction of a tunnel on the line of
Third street, between Flower and Hill,
and the use of the chain-gang in its con-
strr lion.
The supply committee returned with
out approval City Engineer Dockweiler's
requsition for a horse and buggy, and
the report was adopted by the council.
Messrs. Nickel and McGarry made
motions that committee be appointed
to inquire into the subject OF tranporta-
ton furnished by the city to its officers,
and also as to street-car fares.
The motions were carried and Messrs.
Nickel, McGarry and Afford were APP
pointed such committee.
Mr.. Summerland moved that Mr..
'Gaffey, OF the school board, be granted
leave of absence of thirty days. Car
ried.
The report OF the committee on the
title to reservoir No. 4, was taken up
and read at length. The report stated
that the city had acquired the right to
overflow sixty-six acres OF the land from
an old canal and dam company, paying
$4,000 for it. The contract allowed the
construction of 40-foot dam, but only
a 25-foot structure had been erected.
When the water reaches the top of this
dam % 93-100 acres of land are covered.
The proposition is for the city to relin-
quish the right to overflow the north half
of the tract in consideration OF the prop
erty-Owners giving title in fee simple
to the city for the southern half, for
park and reservoir purposes.
Mr.. McGarry did not think the
proposition fair one. The land to be
decided to the city was OF no use to the
property owners, while the city held the
right to flood it. The city was now
practically ownerlof the property.
Mr.. TUFTS was opposed to making a
number OF small parks about the city.
He favored few large recreation spots,
where the people could go and enjoy
themselves, but he did not believe in
improving this hole and making park
of il, which. he believed, would be q
useless expenditure of money. This
place would be fit for nothing but a res
ervoir for years to come.
The committees report, which OPP
poses the plan to release the city's right
to overflow the land, was adopted.
Mr.. Rhodes, chairman of the commit
tee of the whole, while it had the water
rates under discussion, reported the or
dinance agreed upon.
Tl.o n1f of ho1 oh
to make with regard to the provisions
for meters. Although the companies,
he said, cannot force a meter on pri-
vate residence, they can on any other
kind of a consumer, and this should be
remedied. The matter was referred to
the water committee and the city attor-
ney for report at the afternoon session.
Recess till l 80 o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At the opening of the afternoon ses-
sion the report of the city attorney was
read. He recommended the relinquish-
ment of the city's claim to the plaza en-
CINE house and that the city pay rent
for the use OF the building. He also
asked permission to prepare petition
to the supreme court for a rehearing in
the case OF Jesse Yarnell against the city
of Los Angeles, and recommended that
the claim of w. T: Williams of $1,000 at
torney's fees be allowed. The various
matters in the report were referred to
the proper committees.
The ordinance calling for a special
election, to be held on March 9th, to de-
termine the question of the funding OF
city bonds, was passed. The bonds to be
funded are $17 900 main sewer bonds Of
1877, due July /, 1891; $21 900 of irriga-
ton Improvement bonds of 1878, due
April /, 1896; $4,000 of general irriga-
ton bonds issued from 1878 to 1880, and
due in thirty years after issue; $5S 900
of funding bonds of 1881, due July /,
1901; $15O,000 general improvement
bonds OF 1856, due July /, 1906; $40, 900
Of same of 1887, due July /, 1907; $55, 900
of the same of 1888, due January /, 1908 );
amounting in all to 1891 900, all of which
bear 6 or per cent. interest. This in
debtedness will be funded and bonds is
sued in sums of $500, drawing per cent.
per 500. The city is divided into twelve
precincts for the purpose of this cleo
ton. The ordinance appoints the Off
GERS of the election.
The special order for 2 O'Clock, the
protest against the opening and widen
ing Of Broadway, then came up. Mr..
Bayer appeared and asked that his name
be taken off the protest; as did the
agent for Mrs. Behrendt. Mr.. Minor,
one OF the protestants, addressed the
council, and stated that the amount OF
benefit to be derived was out OF proper
tion to the cost of the Improvement. He
entered a long complaint against the
manner in which the assessment had
been levied and was listened to at
length.
Mr.. McGarry interrupted the protest.
ant and read statement from a
searcher of records to the effect that in