The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1956-08-15 180 Bozeman, Montana August 15, 1956 The Commission of the City of Bozeman met in regular session Wednesday, August 15, 1956 at 1:00 o'clock P. M. Due to the anticipated large attendance, the meeting was held in the Police Court Room of the City Hall. Present were Mayor Swanson, Commissioner Erwin, Commissioner Lowe, City Manager Henderson, Administrative Assistant Sales. City Attorney Lovelace, and the Clerk of the Commission. Also present were approximately 80 citizens including a majority of employees of the operating depart- ments, who had with them their Union representatives, and who are on strike against the City. Minutes of the last regular session, and minutes of the emergency special meeting of August loth, were read, and it was moved by Commissioner Lowe, seconded by Commissioner Erwinl that they be approved as read, and the motion was. carried by the following Aye and No vote; those voting Aye being Mayor Swanson, Commissioner Erwin, Commissioner Lowe; those voting No, none. Proposal for Settlement of Strike The Mayor, in opening the meeting, eXIlained that wage increases had not been made this year due to limits placed by law on tax levies for the Street Fund and the General Fund which are, for the first time, at their legal limit. It was also the expressed opinion of the Commission that there should be no lessening of services and, for this reason, the possibility of a cut-back in the crews in order to provide a wage increase was considered unwise. Mr. James H. Morrow, Attorney for the Unionsl and speaking for the striking employees, outlined the position of the employees. He stated that the men wanted to be reasonable but that they thought they were entitled to an increase in wages and they felt that this situation could be corrected by better work planning or work supervision which, in effect, was a repetition of the contention that the City could continue its present services with fewer employees and render as much service as it was now rendering and, by thus reducing the number of employees, grant wage increase to the remaining employees. Commissioner Lowe explained further that the issues involved must apply to Policemen, Firemen, and all other City employees and was, therefore, of much larger concern than as would apply only to employees in its operating departments working on an hourly wage. The situation appearing to have reached a stalemate, Mayor Swanson then read the following proposal: PROPOSAL The City Commiss ion will call a special election to vote on the question of whether or not a special tax levy shall be made for providing funds as may be required to pay an increase of lOt per hour in wages of all men who are or who will be regularly employed on an hourly basis and to pay proportionate wage or salary i.ncreases in other city departments. If such an election is called, that will be done with the least practicable delay but it is expected that it cannot be held within less than 45 days. The election must state specifically the purr-ose for which the proposed special tax proceeds are to be used and they cannot be used for any other purpose. If the special tax which would be voted on in the proposed election is authorized, it will remain effective until the next general city election but, to continue on from thenl it would require being again voted on and approved at that election. The proposel to call this special election is subject to the following conditions: 1. That all employees now involved in a strike against the City will return to their respective jobs at once. 2. That employees will abide by the decision of the voters to the extent that, if the proposition to authorize the special tax levies carries,ffley will be given wage or salary increases and, if the proposition is defeated, they will continue in their present positions at the existing wage and salary scale. It was moved by Commissioner Lowe, seconded by Commissioner Erwin. that this proposal be presented to representatives of the City employees involved in the labor or wage dispute with the request that thei r answer to it be given wi thin 24 hours and the motion was carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Mayor Swanson, Commissioner Erwin, Commissioner Lowe; those voting No, none. I I I I I I Appointment - Nelson to Gallatin Field Board 1S1 Mayor Swanson announced the re-eppointment of Howard 1. Nelson to the Gallatin Field Board for the three year term to expire July 31, 1959. It was moved by Commiss ioner Erwin, seconded by Commissioner Lowe, that the appointment be approved and the motion was carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye beint; Mayor Swanson, Commissioner Erwin, Commissioner Lowe; those voting No, none. Moving Bond of "Cotton's House Moving" The Moving Bond of Cotton's House Moving, by Donald D. Cotton, in the amount of $1,000.00, was presented. The bond was approved as to form by the City Attorney. It was moved by Commissioner Lowe, seconded by Commissioner Erwin, that the bond be approved and accepted and the motion was carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Mayor Swanson, Commissioner Erwin, Commissioner Lowe; those voting No, none. Feti tion for Special Improvement Lighting District on Mendenhall A petition, signed by owners of property on Mendenhall Street from Church to Third Avenue, was presented in which it was requested that a special improvement lighting district be established to provide special lighting on Mendenhall Street between Church Avenue and Third Avenue. It was moved by Commissioner Lowe, seconded by Commissioner Erwin, that the City Engineer prepare necessary data and, based on these data, the City Attorney prepare a resolution of intention to create the requested district and the motion was carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Mayor Swanson, Commissioner Erwin, Commissioner Lowe; those voting No, none. Bids for Misc. W & C 1956 This being the time and place set for opening bids for construction of and/or repair of sidewalks for the year 1956, the affidavit of publication of the Notice to Bidders was presented. It was moved by Commissioner Erwin, seconded by Commissioner Lowel that the bids be opened and read, and the motion was carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Mayor Swanson, Commissioner Erwin, Commissioner Lowe; those voting NOI none. The following bids were opened and read: w. D. Howells M. D. Nuffer Wallace Diteman $3,603.25 3,846.00 4,199.25 It was moved by Commissioner Erwin, seconded by Commissioner Lowe, that the bid of W. D. Howells be accepted and the motion was carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Mayor Swanson, Commissioner Erwin, Commissioner Lowe; those voting No, none. Ordinance No. 791, The A:r;profriation (Budget) Ordinance __ F'in81 Adoption Ordinance No. 791, the Appropriation Ordinance for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 1957, having been provisionally adopted on July 18, 1956 and having been given a public hearing on July 25, 1956 after due and proper notice, and it now being past the second Monday in August whi ch is the time set by Montana statute when such ordinance can be finally passed and adopted, it was presented for final consideration. There having been no protests, no recommendations or no suggestions filed regarding the ordinance, it was moved by Commissioner Erwin, seconded by Commissioner Lowe, that Ordinance No. 791, enti tled AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING MON IESFOR EXPENDITIJRES DEEMED NECESSARY AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH BUDGETORY REQUIREMENTS FOR MAINTENANCE ETC., OF THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1957. be finally passed and adopted and the motion was carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Mayor Swanson, Commissioner Erwin, Commissioner Lowe; those voting No, none. Ad j ou rnmen t There beine; no further business to come before the Commission at this time, it was moved by Commissioner Lowe, seconded by Commissioner Erwin, that the meeting adjourn and the motion was carried 1.82 by the following; Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being; Mayor Swanson, Commissioner Erwin, Commissioner Lowe; those voting No, none. , G-) /' A/-" ." ~,,::~ '" ' ~_ "i - _ _ ,t_,.__/J-- /J@I .- .. " (t". ___.- .:'1.1 r.:-.;-" pt........~~, 'i, "'-----'; . Mayor I Attest: ~~ Cl rk of the City Commission I I