1889 Vancouver City Council Minutes

This document was transcribed in July of 2018 by volunteer Gerald Soon. These election results were published in the “Vancouver Daily World” on December 10, 1888.  The winners took office in January of 1889 for a term of one year. 

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

Council requests city departments to submit budgets for upcoming year. Request to federal government for contribution to upkeep and improvement of Stanley Park, as “said Park is to be used by the [city of Vancouver] only until the Government of

Ex-Alderman Alexander and Mr. McKay made Park commissioners. Extra police payroll of $142 was paid to enforce the quarantine. Portuguese Joe (José Gonsalves) will get $150 for destruction of personal property in quarantine facility at Brockton Point. Fire, Water and

Council to ask province for $15,000 more for Court House, $5,00 grant in aid of Hospital, and $2,000 in aid of the Police. Aldermen Clark, Howe and Whetham to meet with Vancouver Water Works company to arrange for a Guarantee

All streets in Ward No. 4 south of False Creek must be named and registered.City Treasurer authorized to hire an Accountant to assist him. Thos. Stephenson appointed Street Superintendent at a salary of $120 per month. This transcript was made

$50 granted to Mayor David Oppenheimer “to organize a Provincial Commission for the purpose of preparing a full Exhibit of the Mineral, Forest and Agricultural Resources of our Province with exhibits of its Fisheries, Manufactories and other Industries.” This transcript

Council requests a legal opinion on whether the Mayor, an ex-officio member of every civic Committee, has the right to vote in each Committee This transcript was made in 2015 by Transcribimus volunteers Margaret Sutherland and Joy Marie Vasquez  

Repeated damage to fire engines may be the result of tampering by “person or persons unknown”; fire department to check condition of engines twice daily. This transcript was made in 2015 by Transcribimus volunteers Margaret Sutherland and Joy Marie Vasquez

Special meeting; Mayor Oppenheimer, Aldermen Salsbury and Lefevre and Dr. McGuigan appointed to go to Victoria with a view of having the Charter of Amendments passed. This transcript was made in 2015 by Transcribimus volunteers Margaret Sutherland and Joy Marie

Estimates of income and expenses for the year received from all City departments. City Accountant and Superintendent of Streets hired. This transcript was made in 2015 by Transcribimus volunteers Margaret Sutherland and Joy Marie Vasquez original handwritten minutes here City

8 electric lights to be installed in Fire Hall No. 1 at a monthly cost of $16.50 This transcript was made in 2015 by Transcribimus volunteers Margaret Sutherland and Joy Marie Vasquez original handwritten minutes here City of Vancouver Archives

Council approved purchase of uniforms for police chief, sergeant, 5 officers and caretaker at a cost of $282.50. Police department also authorized to buy “2 Batons, 3 Sets of Handcuffs, 1 Staff Badge, 2 Sets Chain Nippers & 2 Whistles”

Committee formed to either settle with Vancouver Wharfage and Storage re: purchase of wharf as previously agreed or that “the right to purchase same should be abandoned.” Cost of installing phone line from City Hall to cemetery quoted at $70.00

Health inspector to remove “nuisances” along the Park Road, “particularly the Chinese in the vicinity of the Lodge”. [Stanley] Park ranger instructed to impound dogs without license tags. Call for tenders to supply fire alarms to city. This transcript was

Municipality of Richmond’s position regarding its financial responsibility toward the construction of a bridge between Vancouver and Richmond “is noted with much surprise and regret by this Board” (see minutes from April 15, 1889). City purchased one horse at a

List of street improvements for each of five city wards itemized and approved, at a total cost of $41,990.00. Leading Chinese citizen J. Cumyow receives permission to exhume Chinese dead in cemetery. City receives a donation of fountain from Vancouver

Permission was given to the Stanley Bros. to erect a photo studio on the roof of the building known as the London House. The proposition of James M. Holland to move a building from Lot 2 Block 3 was refused.

Council authorizes $65 monthly support for Free Reading Room and Library. Time limit for contract between city and smelting company has expired, and will have to be re-negotiated. Time limit for contract with Street Railway company to be extended, “in

Architects Sansom and Danson win $100 prize for their plan for the City Market. After a presentation from Mr. Sansom, it was agreed to situate the market 16 ft. back from Westminster Ave (now Main Street). The Deed of Conveyance

A Special Audit of the Police Court accounts and of the Police Books to be made immediately and a full report brought before the Police Board. A By-Law was introduced borrow a sum of money to improve Brockton Point in

Geo. MacKay resigned as Parks Board chairman: W.J. Horne appointed to Chair. City to negotiate with Vancouver Water Works Company to acquire its system of Water Works. City signs agreement with Vancouver Electric Illuminating Company for street lights. This transcript

City Engineer must repair Westminster Ave. between the bridge and Prior Street. $13.50 in extra police wages approved. This transcript was made in 2014 by Transcribimus volunteers Margaret Sutherland and Joy Marie Vasquez. original handwritten minutes here City of Vancouver

Alderman McConnell to select a team of horses to be purchased for the Fire Department. An electric light to be installed in the Fire Inspector’s office. This transcript was made in 2014 by Transcribimus volunteers Margaret Sutherland and Joy Marie

Brockton Oval lease to Athletic Club and Eastern (Hastings Park) lease to Jockey Club both to be completed and signed. James MacDonald appointed pound keeper at a monthly salary of $35; he had to supply his own horse. Cost of

Board of Works recommends (and Finance Committee opposes) purchase of a fountain from New York at a cost of $763.00 Fire Brigade staff to be fined $2.50 for a first offense, $5.00 for a second offense, and dismissed for a

City slaughter houses given six months’ notice to re-locate outside city boundaries. J. T. Abray & W. D. Haywood resign as police officers. J.J. Blake resigns as city solicitor. All vacant lots to be fenced by owner; otherwise city will

Mayor and Aldermen called to County Court in New Westminster to answer charges filed by Mr. John Devine, former City Auditor. Finance Committee deplores Mr. Devine’s breach of confidentiality in bringing financial irregularities before the public. This transcript was made

Final reports received, Council for 1889 retires. This transcript was made in 2015 by Transcribimus volunteers Margaret Sutherland and Joy Marie Vasquez and sponsored by Arnold Silber original handwritten minutes here City of Vancouver Archives Series 23-A Volume 3 pages