The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-18
Ordinance to Conduct Water
works Is introduced.
Provides for the Creation of
New Department.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
Will Be Composed Of Three Men
Named by the Mayor.
Must Be Business Men and Serve
Without Pay.

Mayor Bergundthal made the pre-
liminary move for municipal control of
the property of the Topeka Water COM
pany at the council meeting Thursday
night, and was backed up by Council
man S. T. Howe of the Fifth ward, who
presented a carefully drawn ordinance
| embodying a tentative plan for the
management of the plant by the city.
All matters relating to the plan of
management were referred to the ways
and means committee of the council,
which will meet within a few days to
consider the question. which is one of
the biggest with which the city ever
had to grapple.
/ 1T is unfortunate" said Councilman
Howe, that the state laws do not set
forth any plan for the municipal con-
troll of waterworks. We are under the
necessity of drawing up a plan for
ourselves, which will fit our needs, and
ize that the ordinance which I have
prepared may be defective in many
points, but it will serve as basis for
action"
Mayor Bergundthals message on the
! subject covered the points. which were
mentioned in Thursdays State Journal
in connection with the statement about
the forthcoming, communication. It set
| forth some of the mayors ideas about
! the control of the finances which are of
| interest. The mayor said:
Il would advise no lowering of rates
for the first year so that full knowledge
may be had of the income and operating
expenses. After this knowledge is OBJ
| tained and it is found a reduction of
| rates can be made, such reduction
should be made and to an extent as will
place the income of the plant sufficient
to pay operating expenses and interest
on the bonded Indebtedness, a proper
amount for repairs, extension of mains
and such other additions to the plant
as the growth of the city demands and
makes necessary. A certain per cent of
| the gross earnings should also be set
aside as a sinking fund for the future
redemption of the bonds. 1 would also
recommend that the tax levy made for
the purpose OF paying hydrant rentals
be continued. 1t appears to me that the
city should be considered in the light
| of a customer of the water plant, with
| the exception of water for washing and
flushing the streets and sewers which
should be free"
Councilman Howe's ordinance is the
result of an extensive study of similar
| ordinances in force in other municipal
| ownership towns 1t is a careful and
studious document, and gives the first
definite outline which has been submit
ted for the management of the Topeka
| waterworlxs under the new regime The
ordinance. in full is as follows:
An ordinance creating an executive
department of the city of Topeka to
be known as the waterworks depart
ment, and providing for the appoint
ment of a board of three trustees. to
| be known as the board of waterworks
| trustees, and prescribing their duties
| and providing for the operation and
management of the waterworks of the
! city of Topeka.
| Be it ordained by the Mayor and Coun-
! ell of the City of Topeka:
| Section l. There is hereby created
| an executive department of the city
| of Topeka, to be known as the water
| works department.
Sec. 2. The control and management
of the waterworks of the city of To-
peka, with all the lands, right of way,
! pumping works, wells, machinery, res
ervoirs, water mains, distributing pipes,
| MIGRANTS. meters. water rents. liens
and effects of every kind appertaining
to said WaterWOrkS shall be vested in
| a board of three trustees, to be known
| as the board of waterworks trustees.
The said trustees shall be appointed
| by the mayor by and with the consent
| of the council, and shall hold their re-
Spect1ve offices for the term of three
| years, commencing with April l. 1904
except that at the first appointment
| of trustees one shall be appointed for
one year, one for. two years and one
for three years, and thereafter one
| trustee shall be appointed annually
! The said trustees shall be selected
| from among the best known and most
| responsible business men of Topeka.
Sec. 3. The trustees shall meet and
| organize as a board on the second Mon
day in April of each year, and when
assembled for such purpose the one
whose term of office first expires shall
lthereupon instantaneously become pres
ident of the board and shall thereafter
| continue to hold said position until the
expiration of his term of office as trus-
| tee He shall preside at such meeting
and at all subsequent meetings of the
board held prior to the expiration of his
said term of office, and shall perform
such other duties as are or hereafter
may be assigned to such president by
city ordinances. In case of his absence
from any of said meetings the trustee
whose term of office next expires shall
act as president pro tenn at such meet
| ing, and in case of his resignation or
removal from office as trustee prior to
the date of the expiration of the term
/ for which he was appointed the trus-
tee whose term of office expires fol-
lowing shall thereupon become and shall
act as such president during said un-
expired term
Sec. 4. The board shall meet as often
as once in each month, at such time as
they may determine upon, and as much
oftener as proper management of the
interests committed to them shall re-
lquire.
Sec. s. In accordance with the pro-
visions of state laws and city ordi-
inances the board shall maintain, man
iage, conduct and control anu may i'm
prove and extend the waterworks, and
shall furnish supplies of water, collect
water rents, appoint all necessary Off
| GERS and agents for the purpose and fix
| the term of office and the amount of
salary of each officer and agent so
appointed; provided, that no improve
merits or extensions shall be made
which shall create a city Indebtedness,
unless such action be specially author
/ Iized by a city ordinance.
hoo o-6 To1 mn int q
secretary, who shall also act as book
keeper and cashier. and the city treas