68 sums is not one half the cost of moving the said fence. Your Committee respectfully recommends a settlement as above indicated M. A. Taylor (Chairman) F. O. Goodale. On motion the report was received, approved and unanimously adopted. A petition was presented from S. S. Bowles a deaf and dumb man, asking that a licence be granted him gratis to sell maps, books, pictures and spectacles. On motion the petition was granted. On motion the Council adjourned. Jed Sterzing Recorder Regular Meeting of City Council Council Chamber Austin Tex Feby 7th 1876 Mayor J. B. Wheeler presiding. Aldermen present: H. N. Chandler Ab. H. Cook Jr. A. Deffenbaugh. F. O. Goodale. D. A. James. J. Lamour. J. H. Robinson and M. A. Taylor. Aldermen absent: E. Bremond G. D. Shucks The minutes of January 24th and January 31st were read and approved. Reports of Officers received and disposed of. — Mayors Office Austin Texas Feby 7th 1876 To the Board of Aldermen of the City of Austin Gentlemen: Under the ordinances of the city, it again becomes my duty to make a report to your body. I herewith transmit the reports of the Recorder and Treasurer, which will show you the receipts and disbursements of the past quarter. The expenditures have again been greater than the receipts; a result that we must guard against in the future. and I ask your body to scrutinize these reports and see if any of the expenditures have been unnecessary --- Page break --- 69 or extravagant, and if so, let us at once discontinue them. I beg to submit to your earnest consideration the following suggestions. First- That we appoint three of our most reliable citizens, men of good judgment and well acquainted with the prices of city property, as a board of equalization of appraisements and assessments, and as soon as the assessor completes his work, let this board carefully revise his books before the court of Appeals convenes. By that means the appraisements of the city property can be made uniform, and each citizen will then pay just in proportion to the property he possesses. Heretofore the appraisements have been very unjust and oppressive to some, while many others have rendered their property for much less than its real market values. The plan proposed will make the assessment here evenly on all, and certainly no good citizen will complain of that mode. Second. - In regard to markets. I repeat the suggestions in my last report, make the price of the license and privilege as cheap as possible, and let parties establish markets in every part of the city, except on the fronts of the Blocks, on our principal thoroughfares. That course would give plenty of competition and competition will give to the consumers cheap provisions, a result for which we should earnestly and faithfully labor; also let the farmers sell meats of their own raising, in quantities less than a whole animal, on condition that they have said meat inspected by the Market master, and pay a reasonable fee for said inspection. This will induce the farmers living near the city to raise and furnish to our people the best qualities of meat. Third. As the water works are about com- pleted, I would respectfully recommend that we organize and equip without delay a first class Hose Company. A company of the kind named will be nearly indespensible in case of an extended fire, and will do much towards making the Department complete. In this connection I take great pleasure in calling your attention to the great energy displayed by --- Page break --- 70 the company in the completion of the works in so short as time, only a few months ago we closed the contract with the Company since which time their very worthy and energetic President has been North for Material, Had the same prepared in first class style and to day they are ready to meet and if necessary extinguish the firey fund, and save from destruction the principal portion of our city, Such pluck, vim and energy are worthy of emulation in every department of business. Fourth. I most earnestly recommend that your body without delay pass an ordinance to take up, impound, and dispose of all animals running at large in the city. The citizens from every section are complaining loudly about this nuisance, and would no doubt with few if any exceptions approve such an ordinance. It has been said by some that it would be necessary to increase the rate of taxation for this year. I have thought much on this subject and the more I think of the matter the less reason I can see for an increase. Money is now very scarce in our city, our people with scarcely an exception are pressed pecuniarily, and to increase the taxes now would certainly be very oppressive to most of our citizens, by the adoption of the new Constitution we can force every person to pay the taxes due the city, and can then depend upon the whole assessment. which will be much better than heretofore. besides we can and should cut the expences down until they will be less than the income of the present rate of taxation, besides the increase value of the city property over last year will be, several hundred thousand dollars, which will make considerable difference in the receipts for this year. after mature deliberation I can but say, that I am opposed to the increase, and most respectfully recommend, that you fix the rate of taxation the same that it was last year. --- Page break --- 71 Hoping that you will receive these suggestions in the spirit in which they are offered and that you will give them such consideration as they may deserve. Sincerely yours truly T B Wheeler Mayor. On motion the mayors report was received and referred to the respective committees. Austin Texas February 1st 1876. To the Honorable Mayor and Boards of Aldermen of the City of Austin. I herewith submit to your honorable body a statement of all income and expenditures during the first quarter of the fiscal year 1876. Commencing on the 1st day of November 1875 and ending on the 31st day of January 1876, and the amount of warrants on the Market. Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant Fred. Steorzig Recorder Expenditures. The following warrants were issued from November 1st 1875 to January 31st 1876. For Police .. $ 3.831.88 " Streets 4.546.30 " Administration 3.202.85- " Charity 618.80 " Fire Department 1.415.97 " Market House 351.25- " Cemetery 169.95- " Prisoners 964.60 " Sanitary 74.15- " Interest on Bonds and Miscellaneous 7.003.35- Total $16.178.65- Incomes from November 1st 1875 to Jany 31st 1876. For Advalorem Tax 4.684.48 " Licences 7480.13 over. --- Page break --- 72 For Market House $ 7214.80 " Cemotery 60.00 " Miscellaneous 75.00 " Fines of Mayors Court 285.25 Total $13.409.66. Showing Expenditures in excess of Incomes of $2.768.89 Total amount of outstanding Warrants to date. $23.876.04 Amount of Warrants not due 6,600.00 " Warrants due at sight: 16,916.04 Total $23.876.04 Respectfully submitted Fred Sterzing Recorder. On motion the report was referred to the Committee on Finance. Austin July 4th 1876 To the Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Austin. Gentlemen. I have the honor to report that the work on Bois d'Arc street, between blocks 74 and 79. and on East Avenue between the Blind Asylum and Bois d'Arc street, for which a number of citizens have petitioned your honorable body, and in the prosecution of which works the said citizens have expressed a willingness to render very liberal assistance, will cost about Twelve hundred dollars. I would also state that the work performed at present by the city carts is scarcely equivalent in value to the cost of their keeping, for the reason that there are no hands to load them. In consequence of the reduction of the police force, there is no officer to take charge of the prisoners, and therefore they have been idle for some time. I would therefore respectfully suggest to your honorable body the necessity of appointing some reliable man, who is peculiarly fitted for such duty, to take charge of the prisoners and make them --- Page break --- 73 useful and efficient as laborers. C. D. Anderson City Eng & Street Comm On motion the report was accepted. The City Treasurer's report for the quarter ending January 31. 1876 was referred to the Committee on Finance The City Marshalls report for the month of January 1876 was referred to the Police Committee The city Physicians report for the month of January 1876. was accepted. The city Assessor & Collector's report for the quarter ending January 31st 1876 was referred to the Committee on Finance The city Sextons reports for the month of January 1876 was referred to the Committee on Cemetery. The Bills of John Cowdon for repairing and painting Lamps and posts and for lighting and extinguishing and furnishing oil for eight days amounting to $140.45 were presented and referred to the Committee on Finance. Petitions read, received and disposed of. Petition from Le L. Lowdey stating that he had paid not less than $34.00 to prevent the encroachment of an immense gulley in front of his res- idence; that the petition be referred to the appropriate committee for a report. and if favorably considered, that the amount named, or such an amount as they deem just be placed to his credit on the tax rolls. Referred to Committee on Streets. Petition from T. H. Miller claiming the amount of Eleven dollars for a lamp removed by the city authorities without his consent. Referred to committee on Streets Petition of C. L. Nitschke, city sexton urging the necessity of fencing and dividing into lots the new extension of the Cemetery, on account of the great demand for cemetery lots. Referred to Committee on Cemetery. Petition from B. R. Wells, asking to be refunded the amount of Forty dollars for an over assess --- Page break --- 74 ment rendered by him on Merchandise from May 1874 to May 1875. Laid on the table indefinitely Petition from la. Baker, asking permission to erect a wooden shop on the river walk at the foot of Congress Avenue, for the purpose of storing the tools of the bridge Company, to be removed on completion of the bridge. Referred to Street Committee. Petition from S.G. Sneed asking for the passage of an ordinance allowing to the public school trustee, viz Joseph Harrell, la R. Johns and S. G. Sneed to erect a school building from certain school funds under their Con troll, belonging to the citizens of Austin on the block designated on the map of the city as the university block. Referred to Committee on Ordinances. Alderman Chandler introduced the follow- ing resolution. Resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin. That the Licence upon the Opera House be and the same is huby granted to D. J. Murchison at $300.00 per annum from the date the last licence expired and that he be required to give four notes payable quarterly in advance, with security to be approved by the Mayor before the 10th day of February 1876 On Motion the resolution was adopted by the following vote. Yeas Aldermen Chandler Cook, Deffenbaugh, Goodale, James Lamour Robinson and Taylor. Alderman Chandler offered the following resolution which was adopted. Resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin. That the Mayor and Street Committee be authorized to advertise for proposals for building the stone wall at the foot of Congress Avenue six feet higher and that they be empowered to let out the contract to the lowest and best bidder, payments to be made in United States currency ninety days after the completion of the work. --- Page break --- 75 Alderman Cook introduced the following resolution- Resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin, That the Mayor and printing committee advertise for three days, for the printing of the proceedings of the City Council. Alderman Goodale introduced the following resolution which was adopted. Resolved by the City Council of the city of Austin That the mayor appoint a special committee of three to compromise with persons owning lots on a portion of Cypress Street, recently ordered opened, and report at our next meeting. The mayor appointed Aldermen Goodale Robinson and Deffenbaugh as said Committee The committee on streets recommended that the petition of S B Shurtis asking $16.75 for feeding city horses for the months of February March April and May be allowed. On motion of Alderman Taylor the above sum was allowed. On Motion Alderman Goodale was requested and authorized to store the old hand Engine and Hose cart at some place where it will be protected from the weather. Alderman introduced the following, which was adopted Resolved by the City Council of the city of Austin that the Mayor be authorized to appoint a man to guard and superintend the city prisoners while at work on the streets, said guard to receive a salary from the city not to exceed $0.00 per month. The Mayor shall discharge him at any time if he fails to perform his duty. The Committee on receiving the Water works was granted further time. On motion the Council adjourned to Thursday 10th inst at 7. PM. Sgd Sterzing Recorder. --- Page break --- 76 Adjourned Meeting of the City Council Council Chamber Austin Texas Feby 11 1866 The council met pursuant to adjournment; Mayor T. B. Wheeler in the Chair. Present: Aldermen Bremond, Chandler, Cook, Diffenbaugh Goodale, James, Hannover Robinson and Taylor Absent Alderman Sheeks. Petitions read, received and disposed of: Petition of Tom Gordon, stating that his contract with the city for lighting, keeping in repair and furnishing oil for the Street lamps is for United States Currency; that his bid was based on a currency basis and asks that provisions be made to secure him in the fair and just remuneration which the terms of his contract demands. On motion the Bills in accordance with contract, was ordered to be paid in cash. Petition of T He Duval, calling the attention to the serious nuisence to himself and others caused near his residence by the deposit of Carcasses and other filth, asks that steps be taken to abate it: that he asks protection in this matter which he claims to be entitled to, and states if this is not done, and the protection not given him in this matter to which he is entitled as a citizen and Tax-payer of the Corporation, that then he will resist the payment of his Corporation tax. On motion the petition was referred to the city Marshall, with instruction to report at the earliest moment some suitable place for the deposit or burial of the offal and Carcasses. The Committee on Streets reported favorable upon the petition of Le Baker, asking permission to erect a wooden shop on the River Walk at the foot of Congress Avenue, for the purpose of storing the tools of the Bridge Company, to be removed on the completion of the bridge. On motion the report was received and the --- Page break --- 77 petition granted by the following vote. Yeas Alderman Bremond, Chandler, Cook, Deffenbaugh, Goodale, James Lamour, Robinson and Taylor, Committee on Streets were granted further time to make report upon petitions of C. L. Lowday, and L. A. Miller. Committee on Cemetery were granted further time to report upon the petition of C. L. Nitschke City Sexton. Special committee appointed to make com- promise with persons, owning lots on the continuation of Cypress Street, recently ordered opened, were granted further time to make their report. The Committee on Ordinances introduced an ordinance No 70 Entitled An ordinance granting the privilege to the Board of School Trustees of the city of Austin to erect a public school building on the University Block. The ordinance was read the first time. On motion the rules were suspended and the ordinance read the second time. On motion the rules were further suspended and the ordinance read the third time, and passed by the following vote. Yeas Alderman Bremond, Chandler, Cook, Deffenbaugh, Goodale, James Lamour, Robinson and Taylor. Nays— None The Committee on ordinances reported the following, which on motion was received and adopted. Austin Texas February 10th 1876. To the Honorable Mayor and Board of Alderman. Your Committee, to whom was referred the resolution declaring the amendments to the City Charter void, that they had come properly before a court of competent jurisdiction, have respectfully report the same back with the following suggestions to-wit- Said amendments, in the opinion of your Committee, have never come properly before a court of competent jurisdiction upon their merits, nor have they been declared void by any court. --- Page break --- 78 That any action of the City Council touching them would avail nothings, because the City Council has no authority to decide upon the legality of the same. Your committee therefore recommend that the said resolution be not passed. F. W. Chandler J. Larrour. The Committee on Market House introduced an ordinance regulating the markets for the year ending March 1st 1876 On motion the ordinance was referred to a committee of the whole Council, to meet and take under consideration the same at 4 oclock Monday next. The ordinance entitled, "An Ordinance to reduce the expenditures of the City Government and provide for the proper appropriation of the revenues of the city" which was under the consideration of the Committee of the whole, was taken up. Section four was read, and on motion, action upon said section postponed until the next regular meeting. Section five was read whereupon Alderman Taylor moved that the city Marshall be directed to take charge of the city prisoners and carts and superintend them on the streets. Carried. Section Six. of the ordinance was read whereupon Alderman Bremond moved that a Committee of five be appointed to take under consideration section six, and that they make an estimate of the probable expenditures to maintain the city Government for the year 1876. Carried. Alderman Bremond Taylor, Diffenbaugh James and Goodale were appointed said Committee Ordinance Committee made the following report, which was adopted and the ordinance passed. Austin Texas February 10th 1876 To the Honorable mayor and Board of Aldermen. Your committee to whom was referred an ordinance to prohibit animals from running at large in the city, beg leave to report the --- Page break --- following substitute An Ordinance No[?]. amendatory of an ordinance, with refference to animals running at large within certain limits of the City of Austi[n] passed March 30th 1874. Section 1. Be it ordained by the city council of the city of Austin, That article 23 of the ordinances of the city be so amended as to read as follows. It shall not be lawful for the owner or keeper of any Horses, Mules, Jacks, Jennets, Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Hogs or other animals, except dogs, which have been licenced as provided for hereafter, to allow the same to run at large anywhere within the following described limits to-wit. All that section of this city lying within and being bounded by Magnolia Avenue on the north, Red River Street on the East, Nueces street on the west, and the Colorado River on the South. Section 2. That article twenty five shall be amended by striking out the words Hogs, Sheep, or goats, in line one, and insert the word Animals. Section 3. That a city pound shall be established under the direction of the city marshal and a pound keeper appointed, whose compensation shall be fixed by the city Council. On motion the ordinance was read the first time On motion the rules were suspended and the ordinance read the second time. On motion the rules were further suspended and the ordinance read the third time and passed by the following vote. Yeas Aldermen Bremond, Chandler, Cook, Deffenbaugh Goodale, James, Lamour, Robinson and Taylor. Nays.- None - On motion of Alderman Chandler the licence on the Opera House was granted to D. J. Murchison for one year at $300.00 to date from September 1st 1876 by the following vote. Yeas Alderman, Bremond, Chandler, Cook Deffenbaugh, Goodale, James, Lamour, Robinson and Taylor. The matter of repairing the Engine --- Page break --- 80 rooms of the Colorado Fire Engine Company No. 2. was referred to the Committee on Fire Department. On Motion the Council Adjourned. J. of Sterzing Recorder. Called Meeting of the City Council Council Chamber. Austin Tex. Feb. 18, /76 Mayor J. B. Wheeler in the chair. Present: Aldermen J. W. Chandler, J. H. Cook Jr. J.A. Diffenbaugh, J. B. Goodale, J. A. James, J. H. Robinson David Sheets, [illegible]. Absent: Aldermen C. Bremond and Lasmour Ald. Sheets offered the following resolution: Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin, That the Market limits be reduced one block on the east, west, north and southeast. Ald. Chandler offered an ordinance relative to Markets. Ald. Sheets moved to amend article one by striking out "quantities not less than a quarter" and insert "or any part thereof." Lost, the by Mayor voting in the negative. On motion the ordinance was referred to the Committee on Ordinances. On Motion the Council adjourned to Monday evening, Feb. 21st /76 7 o'clock P. M. Fred Sterzing Recorder.