The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-29

Increased powers given to the council
In the matter Of safeguarding the pub
lie and dealing with Objectionable and
dangerous things or conditions.
Safeguards provided against hasty pas
sage Of ordinances.
Ordinances cannot be amended at the
council meeting at which they are passed.
Chapter v.
"CIVIL SERVICE"
No provisions in present charter.
Proposed charter places police and fire
mission, with carefully guarded provis-
ions for classified service
Chapter vi.
"POLICE DEPARTMENT"
Mayor to appoint and remove superin-
tendent Of police.
Superintendent Of police to appoint,
with the approval Of the mayor, and SUBJ
ject to the provisions Of the charter and
the rules Of the civil service commission,
all subordinate officers, patrolmen, etc.
Chapter VII.
TIRE DEPARTMENT."
Mayor to appoint chief engineer from
a list Of not less than two nor more than
five competent persons, furnished by the
civil service commission: term of office,
four years.
to the provisions of the charter and the
rules Of the commission.
Chapter VIII.
''WATERWORKS.''
Practically no changes.
Chapter TX.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH"
Powers more clearly defined and some
increased power given to enforce sanitary
measures.
Chapter x.
BOARD OF CHARITIES AND COR
II RECTIONS."
+. Five members appointed by mayor for
five years, one retiring each year, hence
the mayor can appoint only two members
during one term of office.
Chapters XI-XII-xIII.
LIBRARY BOARD" BOARD OF EDU-
Only minor changes made.
Chapter XIV.
TAXATION AND FINANCE"
No limit of bonded Indebtedness fixed
in present charter; the legislature and city
council can issue bonds to any amount.
The proposed charter authorizes the
council to issue bonds to an amount not
exceeding 100000 for any one purpose
and within a total of per cent of the
assessed valuation, by not less than q
two thirds vote of all members with the
approval of the mayor, or four fifths
vote of all members over his veto. .
Bonds within a total of per Cent of
the assessed valuation may be issued by
! like action Of the council if approved by
| a majority vote of the legal voters Of the
! city voting on such proposition at any
| general or special election.
In estimating bonded Indebtedness, the
| sinking fund may be deducted
The net bonded Indebtedness at present
is about per cent OF the assessed valua-
ton or per cent above the extreme limit
which may be incurred by the council
under the proposed charter, and within !
per cent Of the limit, which cannot be
exceeded under any conditions
Chapter XIV.
LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS AND AS
| SESSMENTS."
| Provisions governing assessments that
| will do away with rebates and rebate col
| 1ectors. Only actual cost within fixed
minimum limits can be collected for water
mains and sewers, and assessments fo1
pavements, curbs, CUTTERS, ETC., must be
at actual cost also.
Chapter XVI. 81
PUBLIC HIGHWAYS"
Power Of council to vacate streets and
alleys curtailed.
Damages resulting from changes in
grade of streets may be collected.
| Whenever steam railroad is given the
! right to lay track on or over any street
Or public ground, any other steam rail-
road may use such track upon paying a
fair rental.
Chapter XVII.
PUBLIC FRANCHISES.
| The present charter in no way guards
the interests Of the public. The proposed
| charter provides that no franchise shall be
granted for over twenty-five years, that
no exclusive franchise shall ever be grant
| ed, that franchises can only be awarded
to the highest bidder and under conditions
most carefully safeguarding the present
| and future interests Of the public; that ar
increasing percentage Of the gross receipts
| shall be paid to the city, and gives the
| people the right to nullify any ordinance
of the city council granting a franchise
within sixty days of it's passage.
Chapter XVIII. ... 49,"
MISCELLANEOUS.
I 1t is made unlawful to solicit money
for political purposes from city employees
| including fremen and policemen.
| All books and records of all boards ant
officers shall be open to the inspection o.
| the public.
If adopted, the charter may be amended
by popular initiative.
CHARTER COMMISSION.
B. F. NELSON, Chairman,
~ ~ c1N1