It shall be the duty of the street commissioner to perform or cause to be performed, all such labor, repairs and improvements upon the highways, streets, sidewalks, alleys, bridges, reservoirs, drains, culverts, sewers, public grounds and parks within the city as the council shall direct to be done by or under his supervision; and to oversee and do whatever may be required of him in relation thereto by the council.

     He shall make a report to the council, in writing and on oath, once in each month, giving an exact statement of all labor performed by him, or under his supervision, and the charges therefor, the amount of material used, and the expense thereof, and the street or place where such material was used, or labor performed; and further showing the items and purpose of all expenses incurred since his last preceding report, and no payment for labor or services performed, or for expenses incurred by him shall be made until reported on oath, as aforesaid: Provided, That nothing in this act shall prevent the council from bestowing the powers and duties of street commissioner upon the marshal when it shall be deemed advisable.