1888 Vancouver City Council Minutes

Oppenheimer (b. 1832, Bleiskastel, Germany, d. 1897) was one of early Vancouver’s biggest landowners and businessmen. He was elected by acclamation for two of his four one-year terms. During Oppenheimer’s tenure, the city’s first water main was laid from the

Reports from the Committees established the previous week. Appointment of Council Committee under Mayor Oppenheimer to purchase team of horses for fire engine. Letter from F Munro noting that Keefer has hired Chinese, letter from Keefer explaining. Discussion about precautions

Committee appointed to meet with Richmond Committee regarding constructing bridges from Lulu Island and Sea Island. Map submitted with streets with sewers and plans for additional. Alexander and Oppenheimer recommend street trees be planted. Request to Province for 64 acres

Two requests to federal government: (1) to build lighthouse at First Narrows (now Lions Gate) because of large increase in vessels, and  (2)  for permission to build Granville Bridge to ultimately connect to North Arm of the Fraser River. This

Special Meeting to review the agreement with Claude Gauthier to have a smelting works within the City of Vancouver.

Five dollar reward to report those dumping on city streets. Approved $20 to man whose team of horses had been destroyed after being infected by glanders. Approval to raise $125,000 by way of debentures for general improvements. Request to provincial

Henry Abbott in support of Granville Bridge over False Creek. Ferguson et al. in support of road to connect Lorne Street with proposed road to North Arm. City Scavenger to furnish bond, pay license fee. Refused to permit construction of

Licensing Committee notes that Provincial Legislature is considering liquor issues; these should be left to municipalities. Mr. Abbott of CPR to be notified city has let contract certain improvements. Mr. Abbott to be asked to place a draw in their

City recommends purchase of a second fire engine. City Auditor John Devine’s salary increased. Assistant City Engineer J. Romang’s raise denied. CPR to build Heatley Street crossing over railway. Contracts for street improvements for Hastings, Dunlevy, Westminster [Main Street].

Order in Council has been passed permitting bridges across False Creek and Coal Harbour. Bank of Montréal to purchase debentures of $150,000. Shows confidence in the future prospects of the city. H Buster to receive license for day and night

The Health Inspector authorized to tear down the old building on the Hospital Lots and that the chain gang be utilized for that purpose. Carried. Alderman Bell-Irving resigns. Communication to H.P. Caron, Minister of Defense in Ottawa asking him to

Great number of tenders for road work reviewed and recommended by Board of Works.  Special Engineer to be employed to review plans for bridge across False Creek at Granville Street, surface drains, and laying of water and gas pipes. This

Every recommendation for opening streets or laying sidewalk or other work shall state the estimated cost of the same and that before any contract is signed such estimate shall be passed upon and reported on by the Finance Committee. Applications

Mr. James Hartney requests reimbursement for goods destroyed in quarantine. Board of School Trustees to meet at City Hall any evening except Mondays. Board of Works received four plans for the Bridge across False Creek which we have referred to

Mr. H. Abbott offered to give a site for Immigrant sheds North of the Company’s Offices on Cordova Street. Many tenders received for sewerage. Contractors will be notified to cover up the Sewer pipe on the lane running between Hastings

Communication from John D. Ronald acknowledging receipt of money for Engine No 2. A telephone, a bell and pump to be purchased for the new Fire Hall and sufficient lumber for the erection of water closets, fences etc. Vancouver Cricket

Former Vancouver Mayor M.A. McLean appointed Police Magistrate at a salary of $1,000 per year. City Officials given an annual ten-day holiday. Fri Oct 12, 1888 set aside as Arbour Day, “for the purpose of planting trees and shrubs, and

Doctors Bell-Irving, Langis, Lefevre, McGuigan and Robertson appointed to medical staff for City Hospital. Board of Works has decided to have electric lighting in the new hospital. Request from John H. McMillan et al asking that the Corporation remove the

Ward 1’s budget exhausted: instituted separate accounts for each city ward. Work on False Creek Bridge, False Creek School House, and City Hospital continues. Brush, stumps, boulders and debris along the road to (Stanley) park not disposed of according to

City hospital informally opened Sept 22 with only one ward operative. Visiting hours Wednesdays and Sundays only between 3:00 and 4:00 pm. Citizens object to council’s “irregular” election of hospital medical staff. James Hartney to be compensated $280 for his

Presbyterian Ladies’ Aid donates all linens and equipment for eight hospital beds. City accepts E.J. Clark’s offer of donation of lot for an athletic field. “Responsible parties” may apply for trees purchased by city.

Three part-time constables added to police force for the remainder of the year. James Stanford paid $790 for work to date on City Hall.

Special meeting to commemorate death of Alderman Humphries; City Hall to be closed the day of his funeral; his desk to be draped for the remainder of the year.

Tenders called for food supplies to city hospital. Mayor may spend up to $125 per month to subsidize steamer service to Nanaimo 3 times per week. Alderman Brighouse to purchase a horse to flush out the sewers regularly. A.E. McCarney

At the end of December, 1888 the “Vancouver Daily World” newspaper published biographies of Mayor-Elect David Oppenheimer and the Aldermen who would form the Council for 1889.

Final reports from the Fire Brigade and the Board of Health were received. Aldermen Coldwell and Clark tendered thanks to Mayor David Oppenheimer for the “phenomenal progress” Vancouver has made under his leadership. This transcript was made in 2015 by