The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-01-23
PUBLIC WORKS.
The Committee Preparing its Report
on This Subject.
An Important Section Proposed by
Freebooter White is Adopted-How
Bids VIII Be Received.

The Committee on Public Works,
Levees, Streets, Sewers, ETC., was at work
last night preparing its report for the
next meeting of the Freeholders. There
were present Messrs. LaRue, Hall, Smith,
Roberts. Green and White.
Mr.. White suggested that the following
section be made portion of the report Of
the committee:
The Board of Trustees is hereby au-
thorized to adopt, establish and maintain
system of levees, canals and drainage,
and to construct and maintain the works
necessary thereto; and to repair, maintain,
construct and control all levees, canals and
other works necessary to the protection
OF the city. The Board of Trustees is
hereby declared to be the
LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE
And successors of the Board of Super
visors Of the county of Sacramento and of
the Board of Levee Commissioners of the
city of Sacramento in all matters pertain
ing to the Sacramento Drainage Canal
ana IN all matters pertaining TO any ca
nails or drains for the drainage of the
city, and in all matters pertaining to the
Ievees in the city, and in all matters per-
tanning TO all the leveeS, canals and other
WOIhS WHICH Salu CITY mas adopted or
constructed, or shall hereafter adopt or
construct as part of its system of levees
or drainage; and the Board of Trustees
shall, in addition to the other powers
granted to them, also have power to
dredge, or in any other manner deemed
eXpedient, to
KEEP CLEAR THE CHANNELS
Of the Sacramento and American rivers
adjacent TO the city. and to build any
dam, boom, weir, wharf, jetty or other
works, either III the county of Yolo or in
The county of Sacramento, or in part in
either of said counties, as in the opinion
OF said board may be necessary to keep
the channel of the Sacramento River in
front Of the city free and open for the
navigation of first-class steamboats,; and
SAD board may cut or dig any canal.
ditch, slough or outlet in either of said
counties, and may use all other means
ana appliances whatever that may be
necessary to keep the Sacramento River
navlgable in front of the city, to provide
proper drainage for the city, and to guard
any and all lands within said city from
DANGER OF INUNDATIoN.
The purposes for which any and all the
works in this section mentioned are or
are to be constructed, are hereby de-
clared public uses, and the city of Sacra-
Inento is hereby authorized to proceed at
any time under the provisions of the stat
dtes Tor that purpose to condemn for such
use any and all property necessary to the
construction and maintenance Of such
works; provided, however, that no system
or plan for any of the work in this sec
lion authorized to be performed shall be
adopted by said board which will cost
over S20 COO, unless such plan shall be
11rst submitted to and ratified by vote
OF the electors of said city; and provided
further that if any plan is adopted in
Of =,
$4,000 the money required to carry out
such plan shall be raised either by the
issuance of bonds or by direct taxation.
rs the electors at such election may de-
Jermine."
After discussion the section was
adopted, although Mr.. Smith was in
cllned to believe that it ought to be made
a part of the Legislative Committees re-
port.
BIDS FOR CONTRACTS.
A section was adopted defining the
manner in which bids should be submit
led to the board. 1t was argued at first
that all bids should be handed in during
the hour the board was in session, but
Mr.. White claimed that this would in
convenience many contractors They
would have to wait around the CITY Hall
until the board began its session, and
they might have other important work
on hand.
might be left at any time with the Clerk
before the meeting was called to order.
1t was thought at first that the Mayor
would be the proper person to receive the
bids, but it was argued that the Mayor
was just as apt TO be a man who would
secretly open a bid as the Clerk. One
could steam" the envelope as well as the
other, when it came right down to a ques-
ton of ability.
The Board of Trustees will not be al
lowed to grant an extension of time for
more than ninety days for completing
any contract work
a section was proposed forbidding the
members Of the board from being inter
ested, directly or indirectly, in or with
the performance of any contract, work or
business, or in the sale OF any article, the
expense, price or consideration of which
IS payable from the City Treasury, or in
the purchase or lease of any real estate or
property belonging to the city, or which
shall be sold Tor taxes or assessment.
The consideration of this provision was
deferred, however, until the next meet
ing,