1887 Vancouver City Council Minutes

Standing Committees for the year to be five members each with the Mayor as Ex Officio member of each. Newly-elected Alderman David Oppenheimer moves that the Finance Committee put together a plan “for a general loan to be floated for improvement purposes generally and for starting up new debentures issued under the local improvement Clauses of our Charter provided the general debentures of the City can be floated at 6% par value at most.” The motion is carried. This transcript was made in 2014 by Transcribimus volunteer Margaret Sutherland original handwritten minutes here City of Vancouver Archives Series 23-A Volume 1 pages 210-212 [Page 210] Vancouver Jan 3rd 1887 The First Meeting of the Council for the year 1887 was held in the Council Chambers on Monday Jan 3rd, 1887. His Worship Mayor MacLean, presiding Aldermen Alexander, Clark, Hamilton, Humphries, Lefevre, Lockerby, Mannion, David Oppenheimer, Isaac Oppenheimer and Sanders. After each Alderman had been duly sworn in by the Mayor to Council resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole with Alderman Hamilton in the Chair for the purpose of appointing Standing Committees for the ensuing year. Moved by Alderman Lefevre that Standing Committees for the year 1887 shall consist of five members each with the Mayor as Ex Officio member of each. Carried. Alderman Mannion moved that the Board of Works consist of Aldermen Hamilton, Humphries, I. Oppenheimer, Clark and Sanders. Carried. Alderman Lefevre moved that the Finance Committee consist of Aldermen D. Oppenheimer, Lefevre, Lockerby, Alexander and Mannion. Carried. Alderman Humphries moved that the Fire Water and Light Committee Consist of Aldermen Alexander, Mannion, [page 211] Hamilton, I Oppenheimer and Sanders. Carried. Alderman D. Oppenheimer moved that the Board of Health consist of Aldermen Lefevre, Clark, Humphries, Lockerby and D. Oppenheimer. Carried. The Committee then rose to report. Moved my Alderman Hamilton seconded by Alderman Lefevre that Standing Committees appointed in Committee of the Whole receive the Sanction of Council. Carried. Alderman Hamilton gave notice that he would at next council meeting introduce a By-Law for the appointment of Auditors for the City of Vancouver. Alderman D. Oppenheimer gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move that a By-Law regarding the poles for electric lighting purposes be altered by requiring that the wires and Cross Arms be at least 35 feet above the Level of the Street. Moved by Alderman D. Oppenheimer [page 212] seconded by Alderman Lefevre that the City Clerk be instructed to communicate with the agents of the two incorporated companies for supplying the City with water and ask them to lay their respective plans before this Council either by writing or personally on or before the meeting of this council to be held on Monday evening the 10th inst. Carried. Moved by Alderman Hamilton seconded by Alderman D. Oppenheimer that the names of those appearing first on the List of the Standing Committees appointed act as Chairmen of said Committees pro tem. Carried. Moved by Alderman D. Oppenheimer seconded by

Hospital will need $2,400 for the current year. Board of health recommends Council grant $2,000 toward new hospital building, and solicit provincial government to grant the same; also to solicit property owners to donate site for a building. City Council to ask the Attorney General of the Dominion of Canada to withdraw their notice to remove a wharf at the foot of Carrall Street. The City has the option to buy the wharf at any time for the cost of the materials, and feels it is “a public benefit and no hindrance to navigation.” This transcript was made in 2014 by Transcribimus volunteer Darrin Pezer, Proactive Building Maintenance original handwritten minutes here City of Vancouver Archives Series 23-A Volume 1 pages 222-228 Vancouver Jan 17th 1887 The Regular Meeting of the City Council was held on Monday January 17th 1887 at 7.30 P.M. All the Members being present. The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted. Communications From John P. Lawson, City Engineer giving an estimate of the work completed by William Harkins on Powell Street. Moved by Alderman Lockerby seconded by Alderman David Oppenheimer that Wm. Harkins be paid 90 % of the amount of the estimate submitted by the City Engineer less the amount already received. Carried. From T.B. Mangan praying the Council to allow him to erect a slaughter house on District Lot 183. Referred to the Board of Health for consideration. From R.R. Giltner agreeing to erect wires and cross arms for electric light purposes thirty five feet high. From Jas. Cooper Keith re loan right of $1000. Filed Accounts J.A. Gillis $10.00 Finance Edward McKindry 5.00 Finance Garden & Hermon 5.00 Finance Dr. McGuigan 15.00 Health Reports Health The Board of Health met on Monday January 17th 1887 at 2.30 P.M. The following Report is submitted. In making up our estimates for the current year we consider that two thousand four hundred dollars will be required to meet ordinary expenses in connection with the hospital and we would ask the Council to place that amount to our credit. We have taken into consideration the necessity of having more hospital accommodation and would strongly advise the Council to grant two thousand dollars towards the erection of a new building and to ask the Provincial Government to contribute two thousand dollars more for the same purpose. It would be advisable to solicit property owners to donate to the City a suitable and convenient site for a hospital building. In order to preserve the public health we would recommend to Council that immediate steps be taken to have Columbia Avenue and that portion of land bordering on Main Street in the immediate vicinity of Hayden & Co.'s store thoroughly drained. We would also recommend that tenders be asked for the cutting of fire cords of wood for the City Hospital. We have examined the account of W. Ashford amounting to $6.50 for milk supplied to City Hospital for the month of December and recommend its payment. sgd

From John M. Stewart; calling the attention of the Council to his inability to hold a Police Court for the trial of H.L. Edson “on account of the Police Magistrate refusing to act.” As Mr. Gallagher has declined to carry out his tender for the clearing of the Cemetery, the tender to go to the next lowest bidder. Dr. McGuigan’s account lists $5.00 to examine “Buchanan a Lunatic” and $10.00 for holding an inquest on A. Cordova.Continue Reading

Special meeting to consider amendments to the City CharterContinue Reading

A Special Meeting to authorize John Boultbee to go to Victoria to carry through the amendments to the City Charter.Continue Reading

Petition asking for protection from the mob was filed. Motion carried to “exempt from taxation for a period of twenty years, the yards, workshops, round houses of the Canadian Pacific Railway…on the North Side of False Creek”. Salary of City Engineer doubled from $50 per month to $100. Both roads to New Westminster are “almost impassable.”Continue Reading

Special Meeting to finalize Health By-LawContinue Reading

City requests Province to “appoint a Commissioner with full power to call on, subpoena, and examine on oath any person or persons in relation to the facts of the alleged Chinese Riots or outrages said to have recently taken place in the City of Vancouver.” Bank of B.C. empowered to sell $164,000 worth of debentures on behalf of the Corporation (of Vancouver).Continue Reading

The proposal of the Coquitlam Water Works adopted at a vote of 6-4, following a failed amendment to refer both proposals to a qualified engineerAldermen Alexander, Couth, Lefevre and Mannion empowered to discharge some or all of the special constables hired following the “Chinese Riots.”Continue Reading

Salaries for all City Officials expected to total $12,600 for 1887. Thos. Quann asked Council for “relief” (welfare benefits) for Neil Nicholson, and D. McLeod. Abrams & Co. submitted bills to the Board of Health; $35 for bedding and $14 for coffins. Dr. McGuigan's report on the death of Simon Heisburg to go to the City Solicitor to see if the City has any liability in the matter.Continue Reading

Special Meeting to review the draft agreement between the City and the Coquitlam Water Works Company and to consider two pamphlets; the “West Shore”,and “Hand Book”. The draft Water Works agreement went to the City Solicitor. Council also to contact Civil Engineer H. Schussler of San Francisco inviting him to furnish a report on “the nature and durability of the material proposed to be used, and whether the pipes are adequate to give the service specified.”Continue Reading

Special Meeting to review proposed agreement with the CPR exempting certain of their lands from taxation. Date for taking the votes of the electors on this issue, and appointment of returning officers established. 100 copies of the agreement with the Coquitlam Water Works to be printed.Continue Reading

E.J. Clark offered to donate seven acres to the City for a Park in consideration of Council improving certain streets; Council replied it “cannot accept Mr. Clark’s offer at present”. Petitions for improvement of Dunsmiur, Barnard, and Harris Streets referred to the City Engineer to examine and report on each. Alderman David Oppenheimer appointed as Board of Health representative to act with the Board of Works on the question of sewerage.Continue Reading

Police Committee recommends the hiring of a Police Court Clerk to attend at police court, take down evidence, receive fines paid into Court, and keep account of prisoners committed. That the Coquitlam Water Works Company deposit with the City Treasurer the sum of four hundred dollars the same to be forfeited by the Company to the Corporation to meet the costs of obtaining Mr. Schussler's opinion and the expenses of submitting this By-Law to the people in the event of failure on their part to deposit the amount of Bond money as agreed upon”.Continue Reading

By-Law No 33 excepting from taxation for 30 years “certain lands belonging to the Canadian Pacific Railway Co.” was finalized and sent to the newspapers. Moved by Alderman D. Oppenheimer seconded by Alderman Humphries, “I have much pleasure in moving that we adjourn this evening in honor of this day the 23rd of May 1887 as the proudest that has ever been chronicled in the annals of the Province and our fair City by the completion of the C.P.R. to its western terminus…and by the arrival of the first train” Continue Reading

room at City Hall to be fitted up for the use of Justice McCreight, and a City constable to be detailed to attend on Court days. City Solicitor to prepare a by-law that the weight of a loaf of bread be fixed at one and a half pounds. Board of Health recommends acceptance of the land donated by Mr. Miller to establish a city “dumping ground”. City Clerk to write to Minister of Marine & Fisheries asking permission to extend city sewage pipe to a point below low water mark.Continue Reading

Board of Works accepted L. Law’s tender to furnish cast iron junctions for the sewers at 4 cents per pound. Cemetery to be enclosed by a rail fence with cedar posts to be sunk 2 ½ feet below ground, and a double gate. Requests for opening up of Ninth Street (now Broadway) and Quebec Street put off until later.Continue Reading

City Clerk to write to the Provincial Government asking that a road be constructed “from the North Arm of the Fraser River in a direct line from Sea and Lulu Islands to False Creek”. City Solicitor T.T. Black advises Council to “resist” the claim of A.M. Grant for sherry seized by the police. Fire Water and Light Committee recommends that Council discontinue the offices of License, Health and Fire Inspectors.Continue Reading

Permission granted for the Base Ball Club to erect a small building for a Caretaker on the Park grounds. City treasurer to pay the freight on the hook and ladder truck and the half year’s interest on the $114,100 debenture. Finance Committee have considered the draft form of lease submitted by the Canadian Pacific Railway Co. re Block 48 but caution some provisions are too stringent to be adopted by the Council. Board of works has instructed the City Clerk to call for tenders for the improvement of Granville Street and the widening of the Westminster Road.Continue Reading

Appointment laid off for one week. James Hartney allowed to sink a well on Dupont Street (now Pender Street) on the understanding that it must be filled in when Council requests it. Council unable to make a grant of money to the BC Rifle Association. Doctors Robertson, Beckinsale, and Langis all applied for the position of Medical Health Officer. The police men allowed each in turn ten days leave of absence.Continue Reading

Letter received from A.R. Diplock asking that the City purchase his hand grenades (?!) Fred S. Clark, agent for the Imperial Oil Co asking permission to erect a ware house near Carl Avenue on Railway Street, granted permission on the same terms as the Standard Oil Company. Fire Water and Light Committee asked City Clerk to communicate with the Secretary of the Fire Brigade to cooperate on the best placement for city street lights. The question of the legality of passing a By-Law to grant a bonus to smelting works was referred to the City Solicitor.Continue Reading

Board of Works identified sixty street corners to have electric lights installed. By-law formed to raise $10,000 to build a road around Stanley Park. This transcript was made in 2014 by Transcribimus volunteer Darrin Pezer/Proactive Building Maintenance original handwritten minutes here City of Vancouver Archives Series 23-A Volume 2 pages 56-65 Vancouver Sept 5, 1887 The Council met on Monday September 5th 1887 at 7.30, p.m. Present His Worship, Mayor MacLean, Aldermen Alexander, Clark, Hamilton, Humphries, Lefevre, Lockerby, D. Oppenheimer, I. Oppenheimer and Sanders. The Minutes of last Meeting were read and adopted. Communications From D.B. Charleson, calling the attention of Council to the unfinished condition of Hamilton Street. Referred to the Board of Works. From Desautels and Fairon asking for Grade of Powell Street in front of their premises. Referred to Board of Works. From H. Abbott complaining of contractors burning in vicinity of C.P.R. Hotel. Alder. I. Oppenheimer - Humphries, that the City Engineer be instructed to see the contractors on Granville Street and order that they do no burning in the vicinity of the C.P.R. Hotel on said street until allowed under the provisions of the Fire By-Law. Carried. From John Beatty and others praying for the improvement of Abbott Street between Hastings and Pender Streets. Referred to the B. of Works. From Beckett & Co. praying Council to grant them the use of certain streets and sidewalks for the placing of building material thereon. Permission granted them under the terms of the Street By-Law. From W. Norman Bole acquainting Council that John McDougall had instructed him to commence an action against the City for $10,000 damages for obstructing him in the completion of his contract and asking the name of the City Solicitor. Humphries - Clark, that the City Clerk be instructed to give the name of our City Solicitor. Carried. From John H. Low, asking that a sidewalk be built on Dunsmuir Street. Referred to the Board of Works. From Alex McKelare, asking Council to grant him a Bonus for the erection of a foundry in the City. Referred to Finance Committee. From John Devine giving Auditors Report for July and asking for extra pay therefor. Referred to Finance Committee. From K. L. Powell, Lt. K. R. submitting a tracing of the First Narrows of Burrard Inlet with a proposed plan of buoyage. Moved by Alderman Alexander seconded by Alderman Sanders, that the City Solicitor be instructed to prepare a Memorial to be submitted to the Dominion Government asking that Buoys be placed on the North Shore of Burrard Inlet at the entrance to the First Narrows and also a proper Buoy on Spanish Bank. Carried. Accounts. F.W. Hart, Chimneys &c. $1.38 F.W.L. F.W. Hart, Chimneys &c 6.50 Finance F.W. Hart, Labor (sic) &c 35.45 Finance F.W. Hart, Blankets &c 26.95 Health R. Mathison, Voters Lists 38.00 Finance Queen Bros., Buggies 5.00 B. of Works Queen Bros., Buggies 13.00 B. of Works Hayes & McIntosh, Meat 17.14 Health Thos. Dunn & Co., Nails etc. 12.13

The Fire Department to build or purchase a stable. Dr. Beckingsale paid $10.00 for conducting a post-mortem. Vancouver Gas company allowed to lay pipes under city streets, providing they do not interfere with sewers, and that the streets be left in as good repair as before. W.W. Ayers resigned as City Scavenger.Continue Reading

$500 to be given to the fire brigade for its work. Proposed agreement between the Vancouver City Iron Works Co. and the City was approved. City Solicitor gives his opinion that accounts in which "members of the corporation" [mayor or city councillors] are personally interested should not be paid.Continue Reading

A house to be built for the use of the caretaker and sexton of the public cemetery, and a salary of $40 per month be offered.City Council supports the establishment of a Government of Canada experimental farm in Coquitlam. The City to purchase Lots one to ten, Block 38 District Lot 541 from the CPR at $250.00 each in order to build a hospital. Hospital to be built on the plans drafted by A. E. McCartney. Continue Reading

Board of Works recommends street signs with 4 inch letters painted on wood or tin with white letters on black background. W. L. MacDonald appointed as cemetery keeper; a three room house to be built for him and his family at the cemetery gates. Lamplighter J. Mahoney presents a bill for $9.00.Continue Reading

The Police Committee recommended the City immediately end the present system of boarding chain gang prisoners in private homes. Eleven pairs of blankets were purchased for the cells, and a stove for the jail corridor. Tenders were received for painting street signs; M. J. Milross was awarded the contract, at a price of 53 cents per sign on wood, but only 45 cents on tin.Continue Reading

City Clerk to find out from P. Fewster’s about the proposed capacity of the mill he intends to build. The Board of Works instructed the Chief of Police to have the Chain Gang improve a lane. E. Cook awarded contract for plastering and masonry of City Hospital, and the carpentry to James Stanford. Gas fitting and plumbing contracts not awarded as all tenders exceed available budget.Continue Reading

James Hartney awarded contract to build Park Road. Alderman Alexander granted $50 “for the purpose of settling the claims of Indians on the line of the Park Road for bushes and fences destroyed.” City Engineer to estimate costs for building both a fixed bridge and a draw bridge across False Creek.Continue Reading