HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/20/58 January 20, 1958
Recessed meeting of the City Council of the City of Bremerton, Washington, was
held Monday, January 20, 1958 at 2:00 P.M. in the Mayor's Office, City Hall,
Bremerton, Washington, with Mayor Domstad presiding. Present were Commissioner Cullln,
Co~nissioner Wheaton, City Clerk McGowan, and City Attorney Holland. Also present
were representatiEes of press and radio.
Motion by Mr. Wheaten and Miss Cullin to approve minutes of last meeting held
January 15, 195B, as written, carried.
Clerk read ResolutiOn 991, resolving that the State of Washington Toll Bridge
authorize the sale.of additional toll revenue bonds as requested by Tudor Engineering
Company; that the commut4tion rates be kept in effect; that Allyn and Company Inc.
be retained as financial consultant for the sale of additional bonds; and that bond
counsel acceptable to th@ Toll Bridge Authority be retained to render an opinion as to
the validity of these bonds.
Motion by Mr, Wheaton and Mr. Domstad to pass Resolution No. 991~ carried.
Clerk read letter and report f~om Lybrand, Ross Bros. and Montgomery, dated
December 16, 1957, which ~et out recommendations they beli~:,ve would save the city
certain sums annually, if~put into effect.
Clerk read Ordinance '~o. 2263, "An Ordinance providing for the transfer of
funds between classes in the 195~ budgets of several departments of the city and
declaring an emergency."
Motion by Miss Cullinand Mr. Wheaton to pass Ordinance No. 2263, carried,
as follows: Mr. Domstad, Yes; Miss Cullin, Yes; Mr. Wheaton, Yes.
Clerk read Resolution No. 922, resolving to transfer $1~0.00 from Office Expense in
the budget of the City Treasurer to Supplies and Expense in the City Hall budget
for 1957; also, the sum~of $1,200.00 be transferred from Materials and Supplies for
System in the Water Disoribution budget to the item Electricity-Main Stations in the
Water Supply budget for 195~;
Motion by Miss Cullin and Mr. ~eaton to pass Resolution No. 922, carried.
Clerk read Ordinance No. 2264, "An Ordinance providing for the' abandonment
of all unexpended funds appropriated in the 1957 Budget, excepting certat~ designated
funds, and providing that certain designated funds shall be carried forward and remain
in full force and effect, and be held available for the p~.pose of such budgetary
appropriation, and declaring an emergency."
Motion by Mr. ~heaton and Miss Cullin to pass Ordinance No. 226~, carried~ as
follows: Mr. Domst~d, Yes; Miss Cullin, Yes; Mr. Wheaton~ Yes.
Clerk read three proposed resolutions which, if passed, would pu~ into effeco
certain of the recommendations of Lybrand, Ross Bros and Montgomery. The first
resolution had to do with abolishing the position of City Clerk and putting the duties
of the office under the Commissioner of Finance; the second resolution would transfer
cemetery and wharf departments to the Commissioner of Public Works; the third
~esolution combined the necessary details of both the other two resolutions.
Frank Ryan, Superior Court Judge, stat~ he was a member of the Freeholders
who had prepared the city charter for the people to pass on and that the Freeholders
had placed the City Clerk and Purchasing Agent as an elective office for the purpose
of acting as a check and balance and control in city finances and purchasing. Judge
Ryan suggested that the proposition to change the city's government be now dropped.
Merrill Wallace, Mrs. Lulu Haddon and Sam Morrison, also Freeholders on the.origSDa$
charter spoke. They spoke of the reasons for setting up the city governmen~ as mD ms
January 20, 1958 (Con't)
and suggested that nothing he done unless a great deal of study and time was
expended. It was not felt by the Freeholders that a savings would be made by
abolishing the elective positio~ of City Clerk. Judge Ryan stated that two other
Freeholders, now living here, had given him authority to speak in their behalf,
Mr. Martin and Mr. Callahan, and that they were in accord with the other Freeholders,
that such a change would strike at the heart and philosophy of the present city
government. Commissioner Oullin stated she could not understand a firm of
accountants suggesting that a control which was set up for checks and Balances be
removed and she felt it would be bad for the City to make the change. Commissioner
Wheaton called for more time on the proposal, suggesting either a citizens committee
make a study or revita~ize a Freeholders group so that complete study could be made.
Julius Gius, Editor, Bremerton Sun, had no comment; Mr. Arthur Bright, stated he
would go along with Mr. Wheaton; Dee Floyd, candidate for Commissioner of Public
Works, read a prepared s~atement which stated substantially that he was not in favor
of abolishing the office of City Clerk; Norman Box, Chamber of Commerce, had nS
comment; Austin Clark, candidate for office of Commissioner of Finance, stated he was
in favor of economy but felt the proposal should be studied carefully and consideration
be given to re-election of Freeholders to give comprehensive study of all proposals;
Mr. Verhaeghe, candidate for Mayor, stated the consolidation of offices should not be
due to protecbion offered now; Alex Ottevaere, Bremerton Sun, had no comment; Billy
Fortune, member of the Citizens Committee, stated these were recommendations only
and didn't have to be adopted but they could be studied further. City Attorney
discussed the procedure to change the terms of office to four years from the standpoint
of state legislation.
Motion by Mr. Domstad that this be given a little more study and take some action
to bring up at City Council on Wednesday if satisfactory with other commissioners.
No second was offered to this motion. Mayor Domstad stated the matter would be held
over until Wednesday.
Motion by Mr. Domstad and Mr. Wheaton to pay all bills that are approved by
a majority of the commissioners, carried.
Mr. McGowan, City Clerk, expressed his appreciation for the expressions of the
visitors in behalf of his job which is at stake.
Recessed meeting adjourned.
APPROVED:
MAYOR