Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-02-13
ate. The motion was carried.

bretson that the City Attorney invest
igate as to the City's liability in con-
nection with accidents that might oc-
cur from the operating of wood saw
ing machines on the streets of the
city and also investigate the new law
as to the State taking over places of
interest and scenic spots to be paid
for out of the Game Fund. The motion
was carried.
Motion by Mckay, seconded by
Bergeson that the Mayor be authoriz-
ed to use the City's credits or funds to
purchase fuel for distribution as
necessity demand. Roll call vote. All
seven members voting aye. The mo-
ton was carried.
The Finance Committee through it's
chairman offered the following written
report as to the requests of Mr..
Burtis in connection with increase in
rates for lighting and pumping water.
DEBORAH, Iowa, February 6, 1918.
To the City Council,
DEBORAH, Iowa.
In regard to the request by the
Power Company for an increase of
rates for street lighting and pump
ing of city water, we beg to report as
follows:
We wish it understood that this
Committee has not made technical
ingevtigate of rate for electric
lighting and pumping. This would re
quire an appraisal of the physical
plant of the Upper Iowa Power Co.,
also an audit of their books, to show
the present cost of operation as COM
pared with previous years. AS there
is contract between the City of De-
corah and the Power Co. for lighting
and pumping, this Committee would
not recommend any change of such
rates at this time.
However, a condition has arisen
which makes it necessary for the
Power Company to burn coal for gen.
Grating current. At the same time,
it is practically impossible to get a
full supply of coal and there is
shortage throughout the country
and for this reason the Company has
been unable to supply light on the
City streets for the past three weeks.
The City does not have any funds
wherewith an enhanced cost of light
ing could be paid. Therefore, we re-
commend, in order to save coal and
indirectly enable the Power Company
to save money on the cost. of city
lighting, that the City Council make
no objections to the Power Company
not lighting the City streets on moon
light nights, or in other words that
light be furnished approximately one
half of the month; that electric light
ing bills be accepted pro rata contract
price, and to such bills, beginning with
January, Is per cent be added on the
basis that smaller uantity requires
higher price than a larger quantity.
The cost of lighting up to January
first, was about $388.00 month. The
new order in regard to the White
Way lighting reduced this $54.00 per
month. If our recommendation be
adopted, the balance, or $335.00 would
be divided in two and Is per cent
would be added to the balance, and
while the price received by the Power
Co. would be proportionately higher,
the price the City would pay out each
month would be approximately
$4,000 less.
In regard to the cost of pumping
water, this Committee feels that the
price paid has been a very equitable
one, and while the price may not show
large margin of profit at this time,
we do not believe that any premium
should be paid for the short period
during which the cost of pumping may
be more or less excessive.
We make no Recommendation as to
the period of time to be covered by
the above arrangement. When the
Power Company is in position to use
it's water power again, we feel that
it should return to full lighting
schedule at contract prices.
1t is understood that the acceptance
of this recommendation has nothing
to do with the City's regular contract
with the Power Company.
For the benefit of the Public, we
feel that they should know that the
City Council has nothing to do with
the rate charged for light or power
for private use.
Respectfully submitted
r. B. Bergeson
III. Engbretson
B. j. Mckay
Finance Committee.
Mr.. Burtis appeared before the
Council and stated that he would not
accept the proposition as outlined in
the committees report in connection
with the increase asked for for light
ing and pumping water.
Motion by Hislop, seconded by
Willis that the report of the COM
mittee be accepted. Roll call vote.
All seven members voting aye. The
motion was carried.
The report of the City Treasurer
for the month of January was read,
accepted and ordered placed on file.
Moved and seconded to adjourn.
The motion was carried.
l.. S. Dale,
City Clerk.