The Frontiersman

COUNCIL NOTES

Considerable business was transacted at the special October 9 meeting of the Palmer City Council. The meeting was opened by Mayor Charles W. Wilson.

Also in attendance were the six Councilors, William Zahradnicek, Robert Peterson, Jan Koslosky, Alfred V. Hagen, Charles Logsdon, and Ray Lancaster, as well as Kenneth W. Lynn, newly elected mayor, and Bertram Duff and Sam Cotten, newly elected councilors. The reading of the minutes of the last meeting, report on correspondence, final committee reports for the year and old business was taken care of by the council prior to the seating of the new mayor and councilmen.

A letter from the Palmer Board of Education requested that a three-way blinker light be installed at the corner of Co-Op Avenue to reduce the traffic hazard in that area, and that the City assist in the construction of sidewalks along Springer Avenue and Co-Op Avenue in the school zones.

Committee chairmen of budget and finance, street and water, personnel, public safety and parks were read. The budget and finance report indicated that sales tax returns during the past year were above the anticipated amount by some five thousand dollars. The increase was credited to improved collection methods, with a total of $71,000 collected during the past year.

Work done by the City on the new park this year included survey work, street work and clearing. Street and water reports showed the installation of 900 feet of water line along Co-Op Avenue and recommendations for the replacement of 640 feet of wood stave line which is leaking. The report also included the authorization for the installation of a new well.

The personnel report included a recommendation that a study and a revision be made of the wage scale for city employees.

By motion, following a recommendation of the committee, the

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COUNCIL NOTES
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Council voted $300 to the Palmer Library, to be used in the same method as money formerly obtained through memberships was used. To conform with new regulations making federal money available for libraries, the local library was obliged to go into the free library phase and as a result have lost the operating funds formerly obtained through annual memberships. The $300 would be applied to the library's fiscal year from July, 1957 to June, 1958.

The report from the election board was read and the vote of October 1 canvassed by the Council and found to be in proper order: declaring Kenneth Lynn as mayor, and Bertram Duff and Sam Cotten as members of the City Council. The canvass showed the proposition of the city manager form of government failed to pass.

Following a report from Mayor Wilson, City Attorney John Shaw administered the oath of office to Councilors Duff and Cotten and then to Mayor Kenneth Lynn, following which a five minute recess was declared during which time the new city officials took their seats.

Business conducted by the new Council and Mayor included the discussion of the present taxi ordinance. A question was brought before the Council regarding a lower rate for a half-year license.

The city business license ordinance makes no provision for split license fees. It was pointed out that the taxi ordinance was set up to offer protection to those persons already in the taxi business. The license fee is $100 for the first year, plus $10 for the operator's fee. The second, and subsequent years, the rate is reduced to $25 for each cab, plus a $5 operator fee. It was pointed out that this license method protects the regular operators from fly-by-night operators who might come into the city and set up for special events, such as during the Fair and Colony Day celebrations.

No change in the ordinance was recommended.

Authorization was given the city clerk to set up a special fund in the Matanuska Valley Bank as the "Palmer 1957 general obligation street improvement bond redemption fund."

Authorization was given for the annual audit which will be done by the Anchorage firm of Kincaid and Hedla.

It was voted to withhold final payment to the engineer firm of Johnson, Rutlidge and Tryck until copies of notes from the sewer survey are made available to the City.

Because the City has experienced a loss in revenue from rental units where the tenant has moved without paying the water bill, it was voted that a deposit be required from all new accounts at the rate of $10 per residence and $25 per business establishment. Persons running delinquent accounts will be without water if bills are not kept current. It was pointed out that the water system payments can not be met if accounts are not paid by the water users.

Mayor Lynn announced that he will make committee appointments at the next regular meeting of the Council (October 15).

City employees holding appointed positions were designated to be on a temporary appointment basis which include Bernard Bowens, police; Ted Buzby, water department; Russ Felzien street department: Walter Granath, who was appointed in an acting capacity following the resignation of Joseph H. Gallant from the fire chief position; L. C. Stock, city clerk; John Shaw, city attorney; Dr. A. J. Colberg, city health officer; and Lucille Mick, Jack Flint, Ralph Moore, Seth Cook, and Robert Pippel, city planning commission.

A request was made on behalf of the Palmer P-TA that areas around the school be zoned for a lower speed limit than now exists so that school patrols may be started.

The city clerk was instructed to continue investigation of land available to be used for sanitary fill and later as recreation area.

Bills approved for payment included $737.57 from the general fund and $477.42 from the water fund.