Future Council Members May Not Hold City Contracts – December 11, 1894

A number of amendments to the City Charter were passed: future Mayors and Aldermen may not have business dealings or contracts with the City; Aldermen to be elected for one year only; the Ward system to remain unchanged. A proposal, however, that Ward representatives must live within the same Ward was lost.

This transcript was made in 2020 by Transcribimus volunteer Jane Edmonds

City of Vancouver Archives
COV S 31 Volume 6 pages 334 – 335
to see original handwritten minutes – click here

[Volume 6 page] 334

Vancouver December 11th, 1894

The Council held a special meeting on Tuesday, December 11th, 1894 at 8 p.m. for the purpose of considering the proposed amendments to the City Charter.
Present: His Worship, the Mayor and Aldermen Salsbury, Queen, McPhaiden, William Brown, C.L. Brown, and Bethune.

Moved by Alderman Wm Brown.
Seconded by Alderman C.L. Brown.
That the workmen employed by Messrs Purdy and Williams on the reservoir contract be paid 50 percent of the amount of the payroll presented. Carried

The Council went into committee of the whole for the consideration of the proposed amendments to the City Charter, Alderman Wm Brown in the Chair.

Moved by Alderman McPhaiden
Seconded by Alderman C.L. Brown
That no person who is not a resident of a ward shall be qualified to be a representative of that ward. Lost

Moved by Alderman C.L. Brown
Seconded by Alderman Bethune
That that part of Subsection of Section 4 which permits a shareholder of an Incorporation Company having dealings or contracts with the City to occupy the position of Mayor or Alderman be repealed. Carried

[Volume 6 page 335]

Moved by Alderman Bethune
Seconded by Alderman Salsbury
That the Ward System remain as it is. Carried

Moved by Alderman Bethune
Seconded by Alderman Salsbury
That hereafter the Aldermen be elected for one year. Carried

The other clauses of the amendments were read over clause by clause and reported to Council as complete.
Moved and seconded that the proposed amendments be published five times in the local papers.

Moved by Alderman C.L. Brown
Seconded by Alderman Wm. Brown
That the Mayor, Alderman Salsbury and Wm Brown and the City Solicitor be appointed a deputation to go to Victoria to look after the Charter amendments. Carried

The Council then adjourned.
Signed
R.A. Anderson
Mayor

Thomas P. McGuigan
City Clerk