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St. Augustine Council Proceedings

1854-1855

City Council Room

St Augustine Nov 16, 1854

Present

B A Putnam, Mayor

K. B. Gibbs

Bartoto Oliveros

Francis Bridier

John Masters

The Mayor and Aldermen elected on Monday the 13th inst were on this day sworn into office in the manner prescribed by law, and thereafter on the same day, the Council assembled and organized.

There being no business before it, the council adjourned to meet on Saturday the 18th inst.

Attest

Chas Ridgely

B A Putnam

Mayor

* * *

Nov 18

Same attending

The minutes of the preceding meeting were made and approved applications were received from various persons for the office of Clerk of the Market and City Marshal and after consideration hereof Francis M. Sanchez was appointed and required to give bond with satisfactory security in the sum of one thousand dollars, before entering on the duties of his office.

B A Putnam Mayor

Chas S Ridgely Attest

* * *

Nov 20

Same attending

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and approved.

Applications were received from several persons for the office of City Clerk and Treasurer and after considerations thereof, Charles S. Ridgley was appointed and required to give Bond with sufficient security in the sum of one thousand dollars, before entering on his duties.

B A Putnam

Mayor

Charles L Ridgley

Clerk

* * *

Nov 22, 1854

same

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and approved.

Charles S. Ridgley presented his official bond as City Treasurer and Francis M. Sanchez presented his official bond as Clerk of the Market and City Marshal which said bond having been executed for the amounts and with the security required, were approved.

The Mayor submitted to the Council, a draft of an amendment of the City Charter, which was considered and approved and he was instructed to forward the same to the Hon E I Dummett, member in the General Assembly from St. Johns County, and request him to procure its enactment by said assembly.

The following Preamble and Resolutions for the observance of Thanksgiving Day were submitted, and adopted by the Council, viz:

"Whereas the Governor of the state of Florida has set apart Thursday the 23d day of November inst as a day of Public Thanksgiving and has made his proclamations to that effect requesting the Clergy of the various religious denominations to open their respective Houses of Worship and deliver addresses suited to so solemn and interesting an occasion, and, also requesting the good Citizens of the State to abstain from their usual avocations and engage in its exercises: And whereas, under the merciful dispensations of Divine Providence the Inhabitants of this City of St Augustine have been made exempted and preserved from the visitations, diseases and pestilence which have ravaged other Cities and places of the United States, filling them with desolation and mourning, for which peculiar blessing they should be deeply impressed with a sense of Thanksgiving and gratitude:

Therefore Resolved by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of St. Augustine that they cordially concern with His Excellency the Governor, and earnestly recommends that the day so set apart, be kept and observed as a day of Public Thanksgiving in said City, and that the Clergy of the various religious denominations do open their respective Houses of Worship and deliver addresses suited to so solemn and interesting occasion; and that their fellow Citizens do abstain from their usual avocations, and engage in its exercises.

Resolved that the Clerk of the City Council, furnish to each of the Clergy of the various religious denominations in this City a certified copy of the foregoing preamble any resolutions, and causes and the copy to be posted up at the most public places of said City:

Alderman K B Gibbs was authorized to purchase for the use of the City a Book to record the minutes of the proceedings of the City Council one ream of foolscap paper and one gross of steel pens.

Alderman Masters was appointed a Committee to inquire and report, if additional stone step is necessary to be added to those in the Basin opposite to the Market, and if necessary, the expense thereof.

E I Medicis, late City Clerk and Treasurer presented an account of .70 for five days service as City Clerk from the 17th to the 21st November, which was allowed.

Also an account of $7.61 commissions claimed on $304.66 balance of public moneys in his hands on a settlement of his last quarterly account as City Treasurer for transferring the said balance to his successor Chas L Ridgley present City Treasurer, which said account was disallowed

There being no other business

same

* * *

Nov 25

Same

Alderman Masters reported the cost of an additional stone step at the Basin opposite the market, materials and work at $5. The report was adopted, and alderman Masters was appointed a committee to superintend the execution of the work.

Alderman Gibbs, Oliveros and Masters were appointed a committee on repairs and improvements, and instructed to examine and report as early as practicable what may be necessary, and an estimate of cost.

A Resolution was adopted instructing the City Treasurer to apply to E I Medicis late Treasurer for his quarterly accounts and books and moneys belonging to the City, and to execute and deliver to him for the same an official receipt.

A Resolution was also adopted, accepting the proposals of the Editor of the "Ancient City" to do the printing of the City Corporation in his paper for $30 a year.

same

* * *

2 Dec 1854

Present

B. A. Putnam Mayor

Bartelo Oliveros

Francis Bridier

The Mayor reported to the Council that he had in accordance with a resolution adopted at a previous meeting, forwarded to the Hon E I. Dummett, member of the General Assembly of the State of Florida, from St. Johns County the amendment of the City Charter which had been submitted to the Council and approved, with a copy of their resolutions and a letter from himself requesting him to procure its enactment at an early period.

The Treasurer reported that in accordance with a resolution adopted at a previous meeting so instructing him, he had applied for and received from the late Treasurer F. I. Medicis, his four quarterly accounts for the four quarters of the year 1854, and filed them in the City Archives, and also certain books, and $304.76 in money, belonging to the City, and had executed and delivered him a receipt for the same.

The Mayor informed the Council that business of importance required his absence from the City a short time; whereupon Alderman Oliveros was appointed Mayor pro temp.

same

* * *

Dec 12th

Putam Mayor

K. B. Gibbs

Bartolo Oliveros

Francis Bridier

The account of Michael Milligen, late City Marshall for $5.25 for official services from the sixteenth to the 22d Nov was allowed and ordered to be paid.

The Clerk was directed to give public notice by publications in the "Ancient City" and by posting the same in two public places in the City, accompanied with a specifications of requirements and duties, that sealed proposals for the office of City Scavenger for the ensuing year will be received by the City Council until 12 o'clock. M on Saturday the 23d December.

The Treasurer was directed to apply to Jas McGould and Thomas Andrew and demand payment of the amounts due by them on their respective obligations.

B F. Oliveros, Ignatio Lopez and Geronimo Llambias were appointed Port Wardens, and the clerk was directed to notify them of their appointment.

same

* * *

Dec 16

all present

An account was presented by Mrs. E. C. Dick for medicines to which was considered and disallowed, there being no specific fund for that purpose.

A Report from the committee on repairs and improvements in relation to the public square was submitted and ordered to be filed.

A Question as to the expediency of requiring Keepers of Bar rooms, Billiard Tables and Ten-pin alleys to close their establishments after 11 pm was discussed, and continued for further consideration.

same

* * *

Dec 20

all present

Applications was made for leave for a political celebration by fire works within the limits of the City, which was considered and granted upon conditions that the said fire works are not discharged or set off in the streets or public square and the Mayor was authorized to grant permission to other persons during Christmas holidays and New Years who may desire the same to discharge crackers, fire works on Bay street, the common about the Fort and south of the Barracks.

It was resolved that the public lots known as the school lot and Hospital Lot, be offered by the Clerk for lease for one year from the 1st day of January 1855, to the highest bidder such offer to be made at public outcry on the 1st day of January aforesaid in front of the Court House between the hours of 11 & 12 m .. The rent to be paid in advance and before possession is delivered. The purchaser to pay $1 for lease papers to the Clerk.

The Mayor was appointed and authorized to arrange with Mrs. Mason for a lease of the public grounds enclosed by her fence on the North of her House.

Alderman Gibbs was appointed and authorized to arrange with Mrs. Strong for a lease of the public ground covered by the piazza on the East side of her House.

Alderman Masters was appointed and authorized to arrange with Mrs. Antonia Genovar for the lease heretofore granted her for four feet of public grounds occupied by her.

* * *

Dec 22

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and approved.

Alderman Gibbs made a report in relation to the public grounds occupied by Mrs. Strong, which was adopted.

Alderman Masters made a report in relation to the public grounds occupied by Mrs. Antonia Genova which was adopted.

The clerk reported that he had made an application to James M. Gould, for the payment of the principal and interest money due on a certain Bond made and executed by him to the City of St. Augustine, and with his report submitted a communication from Mr. Gould stating in substance that he had paid the interest on his bonds dated 24 April 1843 up to the 24 April 1854 assessing a receipt from E. I. Medicius late city treasurer dated November 13 1854 for $32 amount of interest due for four years from 24th April to 24th April 1854, on bonds dated 24 April 1843 and for $32 amount of interest due on another bond dated 4th October 1845 for four years from the 4th October 1849 to the 4th October 1853, leaving unpaid on the last Bond one years interest payable 4th October 1854: and also stating that the last City Council had given him an extension of two years to pay said bonds from the 16th of November 1854. The Report was received and the subject postponed for further consideration.

The City Council then proceeded to open the sealed proposals for the office of City Scavenger submitted by George Tehnbaur and Michael Usina, the only two applicants and it appearing that the proposal of Mr. Tehnbaur being for $98, and that of Mr. Usina for $93.99 the latter was accepted and the clerk directed to notify Mr. Usina that before entering upon the discharge of his duties he is required to give bonds to the City of St Augustine within one week from the 23d of Dec inst: with two sureties to be approved by he City Council for the faithful performance of his official duties

The City Marshal presented an account for $2.55 for burying dead animals, which was allowed and ordered to be paid; the Council reserving he right to charge his amount to the late City Scavenger and to deduct the same from his salary, it appearing to be, under the ordinances, one of his official duties to removed such dead animals.

It appearing that Mrs. Mary Hernandez, Mrs. Florencia Haagar, Mrs. Newcomer, and a free colored person, named John Marian, have been placed upon the Pauper list by he proceeding Councils, and appropriations made by them for their support; the present Council have decided to adhere, for the present, to the arrangement made by their predecessors, reserving the right, hereafter to continue, modify or abolish it, and the following accounts were presented allowed and ordered to be paid, that is to say:

By the Clerk of the Market for monies paid to Mrs. Mary Hernandez for one month to the 23d of December inst $3.87 1/2.

By Mrs. Florencia Haagar for one month to 13th December inst $4.

By M Keogh for feeding and accommodating John Marrian, a free negro, for two months to the 14th December inst $8.

By I U. Swiny for rent of house occupied by Mrs. Newcomer, for two months $2.

Permission was granted upon conditions to certain colored persons to have religious meetings on Christmas eve.

same.

* * *

Dec 26

all

A Resolution was adopted, authorizing the Mayor to act upon all applications heretofore requiring the action of the City Council by colored persons for leave to have meetings for dances and other purposes; also by white persons to have fire works etc. within the limits of the City, and in his discretion, to reject or grant them on such terms and conditions as he may deem the public interest requires.

........It is ordered that the said sum of $111.13 be carried to the credit of said school fund and that the Treasurer procure a suitable book for the school fund account; and that all school money that shall hereafter come into his hands belonging to said fund be credited to that account and not to the general account of the city.

Dec 20

Putnam Mayor

Oliveros

Masters

Bridier

Michael Usina submitted his bonds as City Scavenger, and sureties, which was approved.

James B. Ponce presented an account of $8 for coffin, and expenses of burial of Mrs. Francis Newcomer, a pauper, which was allowed and ordered to be paid.

R. B. Canova presented an account of $1.25 for wood furnished to Mrs. Newcomer, which was allowed and ordered to be paid.

Ordered, that the allowance to John Marian, a free colored person, be discontinued for the present.

Ordered that in all cases of leases of City property the Mayor execute the same in behalf of the City, and that his official signature and seal shall be deemed a sufficient execution.

....

George I. Tehnbaur late city scavenger presented an account of $25.6 3/4 for salary from 12th of December to 1st Jan 1855, and $23.64 1/4 was allowed and ordered to be paid, the balance retained to pay expenses of removal of dead animals.

An ordinance to amend certain ordinances providing for prosecutions before a Justice of the Peace was considered and passed.