Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1919-05-30
PUBLIC INVITED TO DISCUSS PRO
PosALs OF COMMISSION TUES
DAY EVENING.

lures and add others which will it IS
believed, innure to the public good, and
at the same time be acceptable to the
large majority Of our people. ~. RI
A public meeting is called for
Tuesday evening at the city hall, where
by the public may be heard, whether
favorable or unfavorable to the pro-
posed changes, as it is the desire Of the
commission to ascertain insofar as pos
sible the feeling, before it proceeds with
the work any further.
Below is short resume Of the main
proposals, which are offered for consid.
Grafton Of the public:
Election and Salaries.
At present aldermen are elected for
two year terms in alternate years, with
the exception of the alderman at large,
who with the mayor, clerk and assessor,
=are elected annually. The proposal is
Ito elect for two years, thus saving in
selection expense. Other elective offices
are for two years at present with the
exception of municipal judge, which
term is four years, and is controlled by
state law.
Under the present charter the mayor
and aldermen each receive 81 per year
as salary. 1t is proposed that the
mayors salary remain the same, but
that the compensation of the aldermen
be fixed as follows: Three dollars shall
be paid each alderman who attends
regular meeting of the council, ST. for
each special meeting and 81 for each
adjourned meeting, not to exceed in
total $50 per year.
A counter proposal is that the clerk
and assessor be appointed by the coun-
Gil. the clerk on account of the neces-
sarv close cooperation with the coun-
ell and the assessor because the office
requirements are Of special nature;
also that the fixing Of salaries of coun-
ell members and others be left to the
council as in most cases at this time
Salaries changed in relation to council,
men, however, would not apply until
the succeeding council took office: The
fixing of absolute salaries in the charter
are at times hindrance, as in eases OF
the present charter, wherein 1t pro-
vides than not more than So per day
shall be paid for special police. Under
present conditions men cannot be OBJ
tanned at that rate OF wage.
Building Inspector.
It is proposed that building 1nspec-
tor may be appointed at the discretion
of the council, the office to be conducted
in coniunc3; On with any other appoint
i've or elective office if same appears
feasible, which office would also. nave
supervision Of the moving OF bulldlngs
into or within the city limits. In this
connection the council would pass an
ordinance requiring permits by all VINO
wished to build within the city, thus
giving the city closer supervision ov'
or the building activities OF the city as
well as, tending toward the lessenlng Oh
fire risk, and would also assist IN tur'
nishing of reliable information Tor US
sessment purposes.
Revolving Fund,
At present the revolving fund IS lin
tied to $4,000, which has been found
to be entirely inadequate: 1t i
proposed that the revolving fund limit
shall not exceed $4,000 for each 1000
nonulation. For present use law pass
ed by the legislature is available and il
tho vehicle under which the city is pro
ceeding with the proposed new paving
It is no sure thing that this law vii
remain among the state laws, and re
volyinq fund Of proper proportion
should be available, WHICH aWoun
would seem sufficient, especially afte
the present proposed improvements ar
accomplished under the state law. Pay
nents would be returned into the funt
at different periods, the spread Of pay
ments not to exceed 20 years. None.
for the fund could be secured by tn
sale Of certificates of indebtedness a
we'll as by the selling Of bonds, tn
- same to be retired at different period
:. through which the time of payment
run. While the city as a corporation
would be responsible for the interest OF
moneys secured for the revolving fund
all these obligations are to be paid b,
the property benefited by the i'm
provements. ga,.
A public utility chapter is added $. S
that in event the city should own II
public utilities, proper machinery Woul
be available for the proper conduct an
regulation of said utilities.
Board of Public Works.
At present the board Of public work
is appointed outside the council menl
bership. It is proposed that the coun
ell have the option of retaining tn
membership Of the board within tn
council or as at present. It is ais
proposed that by a vote Of 4-5ths of tn
council proposal for Improvement
can be initiated, or that same can b
initiated by 25 per cent of the propert,
owners along the proposed improvement
who are also owners of rs per cent 0
the property However, should re
monstrance petition be filed ip Xix
number Of petitioners, the council woul
. not proceed unless additional signcr
to the number of rs per cent petitio,
. the council to proceed. No improve
ment ordinance, however, would tax
effect until 60 days after passage.
5 Franchises. X.
8, il On franchises it is proposed That tn
limit be placed at Is years, that tn
j., city reserve the right,of purchase o