BOOK 16_1929-01-07 to 1932-12-19

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242 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING REDNOOD CITY COUNCIL JULY 7, 1930 8 P.M. Upon roll call there were present: Councilmen Mayor D. R. Stafford, H. A. Beeger, W. J. Dusel, C. J. Hildebrant, E. B. Hinman, Paul A. McCarthy, G. W. McNulty, City Clerk B. E. Myers. Minutes of the meeting held June 16, 1930, were approved on motion of Councilman a Beeger, seconded by Councilman Hinman. Councilman McCarthy sketched from notes a resume of the activities of the City during the past fiscal year and upon motion of Councilman Hinman, seconded by Councilman Hildebrant, the clerk was instructed to incorporate them in i the minutes. Resume of City Activities, 1929-1930 By Paul A. McCarthy. MR. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF REDNOOD CITY: Now that we have completed the first fiscal year under our new charter and the city manager form of government provided for therein, it has seemed to me appropriate to make a review of the year for our fellow citizens and tax payers. Mr. E. A. Rolison was appointed as city manager a year , ago and therefore completed his first year as chief administrative officer of the city on June 30th. The transition in the form of our government has been accomplished without disturbing the personell, excepting in the case of a single officer. The duties of the city clerk have been consolidated with those of the city treasurer. The wisdom of this change is exemplified in the improvement of the service in they conduct of both of these offices by Mr. B. E. Myers. The efficiency of each of the departments of the city government has noticeably improved through the co-ordination of i the various chief officers and subordinates under the strong and ? yet kindly hand of our city manager. Every department is now rendering more effective public service than was possible under the former form of government, which in reality lacked a central '- executive officer. i During the year just closed a reduction was made in both taxes and business licenses, the latter reduction being very substantial. Notwithstanding this reduction, substantial additions were made to several departments of the government; notably the fire department, yacht harbor and public library. Also, the condition of our city's equipment has been improved, all trucks and automobiles having been completely overhauled mechanically and repainted where appropriate. Streets, sewers and parks have been -cell maintained. The public library has extended its equipment, improved its facilities and increased in public esteem and use. During.the past year permanent improvements and ;- betterments were made and fully paid for out of the current revenue of the city to the extent of $20,000. Some important items thus added during the year are the new city service truck for the fire department, at a cost of over $10,000, piles driven for moorings of boats and the construction of a club house, and development of a water supply in the yacht harbor at a cost of approximately $5,000, the purchase of a new corporation yard at the intersection of Chestnut Street and the new Bayshore Highway. I This property, with a large galvanized iron building, cost $8,500. This new corporation yard and warehouse will adequately provide storage for supplies for street, water, sewer and lighting de- partments of the city for many years. A new animal shelter, which is one of the finest for its size in the country, has been con- structed from funds obtained from Mrs. Marguerite Courtney through v Mr. Rolison's knowledge of her interest in humane work. After accomplishing these results with the money provided by a reduced tax rate and reduced business licenses, a surplus of between $6000 and x;7000 remained at the end of the fiscal year, which has been or will be placed in the general fund for the further reduction of taxes for the year which has just commenced and to provide for the payment of expenses which will be incurred between now and November, when the taxes begin to come in. While the budget