HomeMy WebLinkAbout1959, April 15 Oppose Application of Railway Express(Minutes of April 15, Continued)
RE: Proposed sewer extension estimate.
The engineer's estimate of ~u136,944.65 for installation of the proposed sewer extension in
the south~,~rest section of Rexburg was read by City Attorney Mary Smith. She stated that at
least =~b,ooo.oo would have to be added for administrative costs. Waterworks Supt. D. L. Armstong
explained that this would be the top estimate but he expected the actual cost would be
considerably belovr this figure.
After some discussion City Attorney Mary Smith was instructed to conta.et a. bonding company
and have them study the proposal to see if they would be interested in purchasing the bonds.
She also reported that the necessary public notices would be prepared so that ororh on the sewer
could begin this spring.
RE: Applications for garbage work: Frank Fikstad hired.
Applications for garbage work were presented by R. W. Purrington and considered by the
Council. A motion was made by John Porter, seconded by Tom 6Jebster and passed unanimo~~ly that
Frank Fikstad be hired to replace Allen Winters in the Sanitation Department to start ti~rith a
salary of j~275.00 per month.
RB: A11en Winters' salary raised.
A motion was made by Tom Webster, seconded by G. Alton Anderson and passed, that e111en
Winters' salary be raised to ;G325.00 per month as of April 15, 1959•
RE: Provisions of law regarding transfer of property to library district.
City Attorney Mary Smith explained the provisions of the law regardir;,rdthe transfer of City
property to the Library District and the entering into of contracts with taie Library District.
RE: Gordon Smith separation pay.
Tom Webster moved that Gordon Smith, who resigned his position as Streets and Parks Super-
visor as of May first, be allowed tiro weeks vacation salary and two weeks severance pay, The
motion was seconded by R. W. Purrington and passed unanimously. ".
RE: City to protest Railway Express service modification; resolution.
A motion by John Porter, seconded b•y A. L. Klingler and unanimously carried was to the
effect that the City of Rexburg;join.with:other upper valley towns to protest the Railway Express
request to modify their service o th'e upper valley, reducing their schedule from five days a
week to three days a week, and that our protest be presented in writing to the Idaho Public
Utilities Commission at their hearing `on April 30, 1959.
jrJhereupon the following resolution was presented and passed:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Railway Express has enjoyed, for many years, an=exclusive franchise
in the City of Rexburg, and an absolute monopoly in the State of Idaho for the
operation of its express ahd otherrbusiness, and
l+IHEREAS, by reason of'sueh exclusive franchise and monopoly competitive businesses
have not be=n established,`and
' '~QHEREAS, said Railway Express is noiv desirous of reducing its service from
five days a week tb-three days a week from Idaho Falls north to Victor, and
YJIIEREAS, a reduction of such service is a serious violation of its contract
~,rith the people who relied upon the continued and improved service of the Railway
Express in return for such exclusive frai7chise and monopoly, and
4JHEREAS, such a reduction in service Drill be a detriment to the City of
Rexburg and the people in the entire Upper Snake River Valley; that in the event
such a reduction in service is granted it will be a step backward in the progress
of civilization, opportunity and fair dca].ing, and
`vJHEREAS, said RaiL~'ay Express should be encouraged to advertise and improve its
service and be instrumental in developing the commmlities it serves rather than
reduce its service and violate the trust and confidence of the people who gave the
Raihray Express such exclusive rights and privileges, and
1,dHEREAS, such a reduction in service would be a betray=al of public trust which
said company assumed to protect when it fought for and passed laws to create a
monopoly for its own business, and
'rIHEREAS, the Public Utilities Commission should make an appraisal of the entire
Idaho operation of said company to determine if such company's entire service is
profitable rather than taking,a few small communities as an example, and if such
an appraisal shows that the entire state operation is not profitable then the
company should be permitted to raise its rates so that it can continue to serve the
people of the state as it has done.
NOW ^1HEREFORE, DE IT RESOLVED HY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
REYHURG, IDAI[0, AS FOLLOWS:
That the City of Rexburg go on record as being unalterably opposed to the granting
of the application of the Ra.ileray Express for a reduction of its service from five
days a week to three days a week from Idaho Falls north to Victor,
That the reasons for.such action are that to grant said application would be a
detriment to the progress of the Upper Snake River Valley, and especially to the City
of Rexbura_. Idaho, and vrould beta step backward instead of forward, ,and would be a