HomeMy WebLinkAboutFreeholders Minute Book CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
FREEHOLDERS MINUTE BOOK
As one of the oldest settlements in California, San Luis Obispo has
had several official municipal changes. First declared a town by
the State Legislature on February 19, 186, two additional
incorporations (1858 and 1867) finally resulted in the Legislature
declaring a City of San Luis Obispo on March 4, 1876 While the
new City was of the "sixth class" (less than 3,000 in population)
with limited ability to generate revenue, there was a growth in both
population and prosperity. When ready to move into a city of the
fifth class, some residents began a movement to incorporate again
as a charter city as permitted in the State Constitution (Article Xl).
As such, the "new" city would have more autonomy over
municipal affairs than being a "general rule" community.
Led by the Chamber of Commerce, on February 20, 1906, a
resolution was passed by the City Council calling for the election
of "freeholders' — a charter commission - to frame a new charter.
On March 5, an election proclamation was issued for the ninth of
the following month. Upon election, the Fifteen freeholders — the
only requirement was five years as a voter - had 90 days to develop
a charter for the Council's consideration.
Never reticent about their opinions, both the Morning Tribune and
citizens were sure to declare their beliefs A reader who signed as
"Brakeman" highlighted the benefits of a new charter and
admonished: improvements needed to be made "west of Monterey
Street' rather than solely on "favored locations." Those elected
needed to stop being "masters rather than servants" who now
performed their duties in a "spirit of favoritism." "Fear and favor,"
he concluded, "seem to be the guiding principals of the present
system." In an article full of municipal fervor, the Morning
Tribune emphasized the freeholders were to develop a charter to
send the City "further along on the highway of progress and
prosperity." Clearly, the expectation was the City to change in both
form and substance with the promise of a "splendid future." There
never was unanimity as some complained as to those elected to
develop a charter.
The deliberations of the 15 elected are recorded in a slim Minute
Book beginning on May 2 and concluding on July 6. This
invaluable City document is preserved in the Freeholders Minute
volume along with an assortment of related notes, invoices, etc. On
July 9, the proposed charter was presented to the City Council and
an election was called for Saturday, December 22. The day before
the election, the Chamber published a letter to the voters
promoting the benefits of the charter and arguing against one
objection taxes. They hoped to prove that the charter would not
raise taxes but there was no promise of lowering them either
The electorate rejected the proposed charter. "Very little interest
(was) taken in the measure," commented the press. Of the 1381
registered voters about 40% cast ballots. Of 567 votes cast, 367
were not in favor.
To date, no copy of this first charter has been discovered. While
ordered printed, it probably was in a booklet form rather than in
the pages of the newspaper. A preserved Table of Contents can
only surmise its contents
While unable to convince the electorate of the need for the charter
in 1907, its defeat did not dissuade its proponents. Four years later,
another Freeholders election was held and another Charter
submitted to the voters. This time, it passed. The 1911 Charter
(along with many amendments) governs the municipal government
to this day.
Joseph A. Carotenuti
City Historian
October 20, 2009