Austin Water Company Dispute & Street Improvements 1878
• Water Company Negotiations: Council appointed a three-person committee to meet with representatives from the City Water Company to work out a compromise on an ongoing dispute, with follow-up meetings scheduled.
• Legal Defense: The council authorized hiring four lawyers (Hancock, West, North, and E.J. Davis) to represent the city in a lawsuit brought by the Water Company.
• Street Improvement Request: Residents petitioned the city to grade (improve) Brazos Street between Pecan and Pine Streets, which was referred to the Streets Committee for consideration.
• Refund Approved: A resident named Harriet Robinson successfully petitioned for a $1 refund after overpaying a fee for a dog that had been impounded by the city.
Full Transcript
Called Meeting City Council, Austin Texas, April 17, 1878. Mayor S. [illegible] Goss presiding, Hall called. Present Aldermen Brooks, Millett, Hall Burns Sheehan & Vaughan. Absent Aldermen Crider, Metz Mallett, Strong Quorum present. Alderman Vaughan stated that Messrs Mather and H. Rile of the City Water Company were present and desired to consult with a committee to be designated by the Council with a view to a compromise and moved that a committee of three be appointed with instructions to confer with the representatives of the Water Company and report the result at this meeting. Motion carried. The Mayor appointed as such committee Aldermen Vaughan Millett, and Brooker. The committee having retired & consulted, reported verbally the substance of a compromise proposed to be submitted by the Water Company. Alderman Millett moved that the Commit- tee be continued, His Honor the Mayor added thereto and that the committee meet at 10 AM tomorrow for further Consultation. Motion Carried. Alderman Brooker moved that the Com- mittee appointed on the 17th inst. to employ counsel to defend the City in the suit of the Water Company, be authorized to employ Messrs Hancock, West and North and Gob. E. J. Davis as such counsel upon the terms agreed upon between the said Com- mittee and said counsel. Motion Carried. Petitions of Dorothy Burns and others for the grading of Brazos street from Pecan street south to Pine Street. Referred to Committee on Streets. Petitions of Harriet Robinson to have refinded to her one dollar erroneously paid by her for an impounded dog.
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On motion of Alderman Platt the petition was granted and the Mayor authorized to draw his warrants for the amount. By motion of Alderman Sheehan the Council adjourned. Approved L. M. Bradley, May 14/78 City Clerk