The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-04-26


Louis Wiser is it's local agent.
The E. G. Burdick Co. presented
two builders bonds for $4,000 each,
with VIM. Thomas, Mic Welter and
A. L. Wheeler as sureties, for use OF
parts of Front and Jackson streets
for piling material for the building
on the Ray corner and the L. ?. Hunt
building.
There was objection to the use of
a half of Front street by the company,
by Aids. Zimmerman and Bradley.
Aid. Adams thought that it was
an outrage that the city required
builders bonds on each job. He would
favor a bond of $4,000 to $4,000 to
last year. Too much time is taken
up in hunting up bondsmen and pay
ing lawyers, fees, which are more
than the money made in the con-
tracts.
The lighting committee reported
against more lights on Agency Hill
under the present contract, or until a
new arrangement is made for lighting
the streets.
The building bonds were taken up
again, and Aid. Adams thought that
poor mechanics who are not able to
give bonds are kept from bidding on
Jobs for that reason, and it was there
fore unfair.
Aid. Himmelman thought that
bonds were necessary to protect the
city's interest.
Aid. Bradley moved that the bonds
be accepted when approved by the
mayor, and that the contractors be
given fifteen feet from the curbing
on Front street and one-half Of jack
son street, if necessary, under the
supervision of the city engineer.
This was carried, Aid. Adams voting
''no."
The petition for the improving of
Hickory street was left with the
street committee until the next
meeting.
President Beatty reported having
inquired regarding the Bunker Hill
we'll. 1t was much filled up with
sand eight or ten years ago, and the
plug had been removed and the well
filled with stone, bones and sticks by
boys. The board of public works re-
ported that it would be impracticable
and unwise to spend any further
money on the well.
Aid. Zimmerman suggested that
the people owning property on Front
street bring in a petition for the tear
ing up and relaying of Front street,
to pay for it themselves, instead of
the city paying for it, as has been
done for the past twenty years. Until
this is done, he did not feel like buy
ing a steam roller to cost $4,000 to
$4,000, simply for one block on Hick-
DRY street.
Aids Bradley and Andrews en-
dorsed this sentiment.
The Poplar street matter was then
taken up, and Aid. Andrews stated
that he had talked with the property
owners and had found none but who
wanted the improvement done as petit
toned for. The street beyond the
railroad track is but sixty feet wide,
and that being the case, seventy feet
is wide enough for Poplar street east
of the track. He moved that the Pc
tition be granted.
Aid. Peterson wanted to see the
street opened on to the park, but the
part beyond "E" street needs grading,
and the city would probably have to
pay for it.
Engineer Haynes stated that there
will be no cost to the city for open
ing the street, and when the grading
matter comes up it will not cost as
much as may be imagined, and it can
be assessed against the property.
Mound avenue has been opened up to
the park.
City Attorney Pau held that the
deed of vacation of the triangle ought
to accompany the petition, as the
council must either vacate or not va
cate, and cannot decide to do it on a
contingency.
Aid. Bradley thought that the coun-
Gil would not be safe in acting on the
proposition west of the railroad track
under present conditions.
Aid. Zimmerman objected, as thirty
seven feet past GEE street, belonging
to the Mather estate, must be con-
demned and the value assessed on the
benefited. Nothing has been
heard from the Mather estate.
W. j. Dunn favored opening the
street to "E'' street, as the people
who have made improvements there
are denied the rights of citizens
M. G. Willard stated that the deed
of vacation would be made out and
presented to the council.
Aid. Andrews Withdrew his motion
and motion by Aid. Bradley to ad-
jOurn the matter until the next meet
mr. woo carrio6