Document - Historical information/data - St. Peter City Government 1876-1976 - 1/1/1976 U_IIMME111
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ST. PETER CITY
GOVERNMENT
1876 - 1976
St. Peter, Minnesota
4� �h �
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ititDouglas C.Pyan'f/P` present Mayor-1976
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St.Julien Cox
first Mayor-1876
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A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
St.Peter is a good place.As Mayor, I am proud to be a part of this community. In
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the past, this city's government has shown excellent leadership and an amazing
foresight of which few communities can boast. Today, as in the past, St. Peter's
City Council is trying to do what is best for you.
The leadership of which I speak was begun by our first Mayor, St. Julien Cox. It
is my belief that he was a concerned leader. He, along with others, wished to see
St.Peter grow to be a leader among cities.That vision helped to bring a railroad,
state hospital and many respected people to St. Peter. Just ten years earlier
they tried to move the state capital to St. Peter. Ten years after Mr. Cox - - -
Gustavus Adolphus College came.
Much of late has been said of our history, yet this year we not only celebrate our
past, but our future. We must step back and look upon ourselves, examining and
reaffirming the goals of our founding fathers and our dedication to reach those
goals.
1976 is a year of recognition, recognizing you the citizens of St. Peter, for your
initiative and hard work. Such characteristics exemplify the unity and direction
that will follow into our third century.
As you look through this brochure, witness for yourself what the people of St.
Peter have accomplished, the look ahead to our future.
Best Wishes This Bicentennial Year,
Douglas C. Pyan
Mayor
St. Peter, Minnesota
■■17
How is the City run?
1976
St. Peter is operating under the Council-Administrator plan for city govern-
ments.
This means that the city council is responsible for legislative duties and making
decisions. The administrative duties are given to the City Administrator. The
City Administrator is responsible to the City Council for effective administration
of the city's business and must follow all council policies and directions.
The increasing number of cities in Minnesota which are incorporating this type
of plan indicates that it is a very effective type of governmental organization.
The job of running the city is becoming more complex and demanding. In order
to meet this demand, St. Peter now employs almost fifty individuals to assure
more efficient management for the City.
1876
Similar in many ways, yet different in many more, the City Government in 1876
for St. Peter consisted of an elected Council and Mayor. The City Clerk and
Treasurer were also elected ... both are appointed today. Running the City was
simpler than as it took less than ten people to do the work. Few were full-time
employees.
Where do you fit in?
As a citizen of St. Peter, you perform the most important aspect of City
Government - voting. You have the right and power to elect the Mayor and
Councilmen of your choice. This right is extended to any U. S. citizen eighteen
years of age and older. If you have an opinion, concern or criticism of your City ;
Government, you have the right to voice that feeling ... attend the City Council
Meetings. The Council meets every second and fourth Monday of every month
and is open to all citizens. Get to know your Councilmen. Volunteer to work on a
local committee. Become involved!
0
'Who is your Councilman and in what ward do you live?
The map below will show the precinct and ward in which you live. The Coun-
' cilmen that represent these wards are also shown. Should you have lived in St.
Peter about 100 years ago, you'd find different wards and a much smaller town,
3,200 compared with 8,400 people today. The map on the next page shows St.
Peter in 1874 with its Mayor A. L. Sackett and the City Council Members for
1876. 1I
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Mayor - Douglas Pyan;�I � ,LL
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City Council Members ,
WardI � ,,,;' , _ .'.: ' ,. , ��`
Bonnie Dowling y L- ;1:\ \
Earl Hanson ' -1+V , , . - .r..'= .,' I`
James Wendroth ' iTFE ,[ ,
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Ward II a ,.
Mel Lurch a_.3 �l ... . ,.J_tom
Ward I - Ward I \'
Robert Reid Precinct I%E. f "'
Robert Swedberg i ;.. b Lt .■ Precinct II ' " I
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Mayor - A. L. Sackett Councilman-1st Ward Councilman-2nd Ward
F. A. Donahower J. H. Snydor
W. S. Couflin I. Norwood
W. Klein C. Baberich
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CITY BUDGET — 1976 — REVENUE
Where do the dollars come from to finance
the City's operation and governance?
In 1976,St.Peter's budget is$972,856.00. The chart below indicates the sources of
this current revenue.
1976
STATE AID & TRANSFER I 132%
PROPERTY TAXES I 114`
OTHER REVENUE 114
& TRANSFERS
DEBT SERVICE FUNDS I I 11i
FED. REV. SHARING 1 1 10°
SERVICE CHARGES 1 7 8%
LIBRARY IJ 2%
LICENSE & PERMITS I= 2%
WORKING CAPITAL FUND p 2%
TRUST & AGENCY FUND I= 2%
FINES, FORFEITS C; 1%
& PENALTIES
INTERESTS AND RENTS ❑ 1%
CITY BUDGET 1876 - REVENUE
The budget in 1876 was $6,026.00. This money came from the following sources.
1876
PROPERTY & ROAD
TAXES I I 61%
LIQUOR LICENSE I I 31%
RAILROAD ❑ 2%
FINES ❑ 1%
PEDDLER LICENSE ❑ 1% i
SOU 3;EXHIBI- ❑ 1%
TIO+ LICENSE
CITY BUDGET - 1976 - EXPENDITURES
Where have the dollars gone to run the City?
In 1976 the biggest share of the City's expense was for public safety, followed by
highway costs, general government and Federal Revenue Sharing.
1976
PUBLIC SAFETY i I 24%
HIGHWAYS 1 I18%
DEBT SERVICE FUND 1 1 11%
GENERAL GOVERNMENT 1 I 11%
FED. REV. SHARING I 1 10%
RECREATION I I 7%
LIBRARY CI 2%
WORKING CAPITAL FUND I= 2%
TRUST & AGENCY FUND O 2%
HEALTH = 1%
CITY BUDGET - 1876 - EXPENDITURES
If you lived in 1876, 38 percent of the City's budget was for railroad and fire
engine bonds. Also of interest are the expenses for cannon repair, feeding
paupers and trying to catch the Jesse James gang after they robbed the Nor-
thfield Bank.
1876
RAILROAD& FIRE
ENGINE BONDS I I 3S;,
CITY OFFICIALS
SALARIES t I 21%
BRIDGE REPAIRS [ t 14%
SEVER t I 9%
FIRE CCNTROL t t 6%
SIDEUALKS t.
STREETS I 1 5%
LAD ENFORCEMENT O 2%
- Pursuit of the Northfield robbers
- Cannon Repair
- Boarding Prisoners
- Feeding Paupers
GENERAL EXPENSES!:=7 2%
PARKS D 1%
- Furnishing & setting ou shade trees for public parks
all■Ismomi
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Where are your property taxes going?
As you can see, the City of St. Peter gets the smallest proportion of your property
taxes. Out of every tax dollar St. Peter gets 15c. With that money the City
provides for you police protection, fire protection, street cleaning (winter and
summer) and provides free public parks, along with many other services.
1976 TAXES
ST. PETER
15
SCHOOL COUNTY
65% 20%
III
In 1876 the budget was smaller, so taxes meant more to the City in terms of
Revenue. Although only twenty percent of the property tax dollar went to the
City,combined with a road tax of that time, the City claimed sixty-one percent of
its revenues from taxes.
If you long for the "good ole days" ... think again. At this time, every male was
required to pay$3.00 for road taxes. If he was unable to pay that sum, he had to
spend two days in labor working for the City.
1876 TAXES
SCHOOL
49%
STATE
COUNTY 9%
22%
ST. PETER
20%
St. Peter has had a long and unique history. In this year of the Bicentennial it is
perhaps fitting to reflect back on some of these unique happenings.
July 23, 1851— The Traverse des Sioux Treaty was negotiated.
1854— William B. Dodd founded St. Peter, he called the town "Rock
Bend".
1855— First St. Peter newspaper, "The Courier", was published.
1855— First school opens.
Feb.27, 1857— STATE CAPITAL BILL STOLEN!
The rather ambitious founding fathers of St. Peter were trying
to move the state capital from St. Paul to St. Peter. However,
on this date the bill was "spirited away" by Joe Roelette, a
State Legislator. The bill, which was assured the votes
necessary passage,would have seen St. Peter giving$100,000.00
and land for the capital building.
Everyone was convinced the capital was coming to St. Peter. So
sure were they, that lots which normally sold for $15.00 were
now being sold for prices as high as$1,500.00
1858— County Seat moved from Traverse dex Sioux to St.Peter.
1862— Sioux Uprising. St. Peter was thought to be the safest place in
the territory. As many as 9,000 people were living here during
this time.
March 2, 1865— St. Peter is incorporated as a Borough.
1865— Julien Cox becomes the first Mayor of St. Peter.
1866— State hospital locates in St.Peter. The City donated 110 acres to
build on.
May 8, 1867— "The town has been quiet for the past two weeks. Only seven
fights occurred, two shooting scrapes and three family
quarrels."
-St. Peter Tribune
Aug. 17, 1868— Railroad first comes to St. Peter.
Feb. 28, 1873— St. Peter becomes a City.
May 13, 1874— Telegraph line comes to St. Peter.
May 14, 1374— Council votes to purchase first fire engine.
May 20, 1874—"Swede College" picks St. Peter to locate. The Swedish
Lutheran Commission decided upon the "patch place" on the
bluff... they took ten acres for $450.00 with the privilege for an
additional ten acres at the same price."
The College ... "is to be the great educational institution of the
northwest. The citizens of this county did a fine thing when they
raised the moderate bonus which secured the location of the
institution in this place."
—St. Peter Tribune
May 20, 1874
1874— Beginning of the Grasshopper Plague-lasted three years.
1877— State Legislature appropriates $100,000.00 to combat the
Grasshopper Plague. People were given a dollar for each
bushel of grasshoppers collected and fifty cents for every gallon
of eggs.
April 26, 1877— Day of Prayer. People prayed to God for an end to the three
years of Grasshoppers.
1886— First water main
1894— St. Peter installs electricity. A special engine generated
electricity until 1916.
1895— Library opens through efforts of the women's literary club.
1903— Andrew Carnegie donates $10,000.00 for a new library.
1908— First fire station and city hall built.
1911— Post office opens.
1916— City enters into contract with NSP for electricity.
1921— Mrs. A. K. Gault (Lillian Cox Gault) was the first and only
woman mayor for St. Peter. She was the first woman mayor to
be elected in the State of Minnesota.
1930— First city paving. The State Highway Department paved a
twenty foot strip through town on Minnesota Avenue.
939— Community Hospital opens
1961— First sewage plant is constructed.
1972— Parking meters taken out.
1975— Community Hospital Nursing Care Center opens.
'What about St. Peter's future?
St. Peter's future points to a continued growth. A growth in all facets of our
community, including commercial growth, industrial growth and a population
by the year 1990 of around 11,000 to 15,000 people.
Your City Government would like to see St. Peter remain the fine place it is.
What will assure this? A concern for and an understanding of what is best for St.
Peter by you and your City Government.
Prepared by: Thomas L. Hedges, City Clerk Administrator
Dennis Murphy, Administrative Intern