• Water works proposal: A petition from C.R. Johns to construct a city water system was referred to a special committee to develop contract terms, marking an early effort to bring modern utilities to Austin.
• Fire safety expansion: The city extended fire limits along Congress Avenue from the Capitol to the Colorado River, requiring stricter building standards in this growing commercial corridor.
• Gas lighting consideration: A petition from the Eureka Gas Light Company of New Orleans was submitted for review, potentially bringing streetlights to the city.
• Tax authority request: Council moved to petition the state legislature for permission to levy a property tax (up to 0.5%) to fund city improvements and operations.
• Market house revenue: A petition regarding market house revenues was referred to the street committee, suggesting debate over how public market income should be managed.
Full Transcript
107 City Council Room Austin October 20, 1871 Called Meeting of the City Council of the City of Austin Roll Called Present His Honor the Mayor Alderman J.S. Buras Wm Brueggerhoff S. Mussina Henry Madison J.H. Robinson Absent E.M. Thurlock
City Treasurers Bakers Report to date of transfer to his successor received and refered to Chairman of finance Committee
Petition Eureka Gas Light Co of New Orleans read and refered to Street Committee
Petition C. R. Johns To To Erect City Water Works was read and refered to Special Committee for Consideration and to report what a suitable Contract would be Committee Alderman S. Mussina " J.H. Robinson Wm. T. Brueggerhoff
Petition John P. Kirk for permission to Enclose the Land with a Fence between the Lots No 3 & 4 in Block No 2 and the River Bluff. The Petition was read and the following resolution being introduced was moved and seconded, Resolved that permission be granted the said J.P. Kirk to Erect a fence as set forth in petition the subject to the will of the City. The motion was adopted
Petition J.H. Robinson Son and Loomis & Christian In reference to application of the revenues of the Market House Petition read and refered to the Chairman of Street Committee
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108
Resolution for a Memorial
On Motion of Alderman Robinson That a Memorial be drawn up and presented to the Legislature petitioning that body to grant an Act permitting the City of Austin to levy a Tax on the Real Estate and Personal Property within the City of one half of one percent or such a per Cent greater as May be deemed advisable by the Committee appointed to draft said Memorial Committee Alderman J.L. Robinson " Wm Brueggerhoff J.L. Buras On Motion Council adjourned G. Doolittle Recorder
City Council Rooms Austin Nov. 6th, 1871 Regular meeting of the board of al- derman —
Present his honor the mayor. Aldermen J. L. Buras " Wm Brueggerhoff J. Messina. Henry. Madison J. H Robinson — G. W. Wheelock On Motion of Alderman Robinson the following ordinance was Ordained Be it Ordained by the City Council of the City of Austin Sec 1st that the Fire limits of the City of Austin be extended so as to include all lots Contained in the blocks fronting on Congress Avenue from the Capitol Square to the Colorado River. That this Ordinance take Effect and be in force from and after its passage. On Motion of Alderman Robinson the rules were suspended and the ordinance was read for its second and third time and was adopted by Vote Yeas alderman Buras Brueggerhoff Messina " Madison Robinson Wheelock Nays none