658 Regular Meeting of the City Council Austin, Texas. June 2d. 1879. Mayor DeGross presiding, Roll called, present Aldermen Crow, Raven, Sheehan, Strong, and Vaughn. Alderman Vaughn Moved a call of the Council. The call being sustained by three Members, the Marshal was dispatched for the absentees. Aldermen Crooke, Miller, Metz, Miller and Platt appeared and answered to their names, and on motion the call was suspended. The following business was transacted. The Minutes of May 5th and 19th were read and approved. Petition of Wm S. Ditle and S.J. Stiern for license tosell liquor, granted. Reports of City Marshal, City Sexton and City Physician for the month of May were received and ordered filed. Petition of J. Samuelson for pay for extra work done by him in excess of his contract for Work on the approaches to the bridge on West Sixth avenue Street, read and referred to the Street Committee. Reports of G. Crow and W.M. Strong, Members of the Street Committee, on the petition of citizens of the eighth ward for a bridge in said ward together with an ordinance appropriating $700.00. for the purpose of building said bridge, as follows. Your Committee having under consideration the petition referred to us for the building of a bridge across Waller Creek on Mesquite Street or College avenue, now respectfully submit the following, to wit: We find that on examination on College avenue west of Waller Creek commands good grading and one on two culverts would be necessary; and on Mesquite Street east of Waller Creek heavy grading and several culverts or bridges necessary. If a continued road is opened up to give egress from the City. The cost of which would be considerable. Until a subscription list appears for aid in bridging and opening up the Mesquite street way, which does not appear to be signed individually, but by responsible parties well guarantee this Money and labor as promised, and become responsible to contractors for their amounts, we recommend that the the bridge be located on Mesquite Street, if that is not done. Mesquite street being graded from Waller Creek to the top of the hill near the Land office, and College avenue being graded. from Waller Creek east giving a good outlet, a bridge and filling in could be done cheaper on the avenue than Mesquite Also find that Street is good and will give a good from one Street to another on each side of the Creek, as of which is hererespectfully submitted. G. Crow. --- Page break --- 659 Austin Texas. June 3rd 1874 To the Honorable Mayor and board of Aldermen of the City of Austin. Gentlemen- The undersigned Member of your Committee on Streets to which Committee was referred the papers pertaining to the bridging and grading of College Avenue and Meggons Street, would respectfully submit the following: upon an examination of the papers and estimates for about the same distance to be graded on each Street so estimated, I find that for College Avenue the amount is $2000.00, and for Meggins Street $1850.00, leaving a difference in favor of Meggins Street of $150. Recognizing the fact that there was a necessity for an estimate from East Avenue to Congress Avenue, I introduced a resolution requesting the City Engineer to furnish the Council an estimate for grading the distance referred to on College avenue, The City Engineer was also requested to make a survey of Meggin’s Streets, which he did with the above request, I was under the impression, from a general glance at the two Streets that College Avenue would be graded and bridged cheaper than Meggins Street, No one doubts the pressing necessity for a good Street leading west to Congress avenue, and as the estimates show that Meggins Street can be graded and bridged for less money than College Avenue it is but right to have the preference. It will be remembered that the Citizens residing east of East avenue petitioned the Regulation to set them outside the Corporation, claiming as one of the reasons therefor that they had received comparatively no benefit from the City taxes paid by them, They failed in their endeavors, Still remain in the City and continue to pay taxes, and it is but right that they should receive their proportion of taxes expended in improvements. Further grading will have to be done on East Avenue, but on petition presented to this council shows $125. in money and one hundred and seventy days work were subscribed. Which the undersigned believes will be paid, which will do the grading necessary to be done. Therefore the undersigned recommends that a sufficient amount be appropriated to grade and bridge Meggins Streets of the financial condition of the City will permit. Respectfully, W.M. Strong of Street Committee Reports received, and on Motion the order was passed by the following vote. Yeas. Aldermen Coon, Crocker, Miles, Nance, Newton, Strong and Vaughn. Nays – Aldermen Niven. Absent. Not voting. Aldermen Herz and Platt. (Alderman Niven asked permission to explain his vote and * # More people in * preference. would be benefited there by as regards numbers etc. which is another reason for the city of Austin. --- Page break --- 660 Here are his reasons spread upon the Minutes. Which were as follows: I Vote No for the following reasons: 1. It is not a suitable place for a bridge, there is no outlet on the east side of the Creek for a public road. 2. The ground on the west side of the Creek is too high and too low on the west side of the Creek, and therefore the property in the vicinity will be in danger of being overflowed, and will involve the City in lasting law suits for damages. 3. The appropriation of $737.50 is insufficient to construct a bridge and a continual appropriation will be necessary. Alderman Willis moved that the wood on said Bridge be Not consumed until a sufficient amount of Money is in the Treasury from taxes of 1879 to pay for the same. Motion carried unanimously. Report of Street Committee To the Honorable Mayor and City Council In reference to the matter referred to us in regard to the improvement of the stone bridge on west Pecan Street, and after examining the bridge, have come to the conclusion. This is cannot be well repaired and that it is better to have a new one built, and believe it should be some eight foot wider and two foot higher than the present one, and that the foundation should rest on solid rock, and the sides and arches should be made of solid Masonry. - G. Crow. Received. Resolution appropriating $600. to cover a bridge over a branch of Shoal Creek on west Pecan Street. read first time and on motion the rules were suspended and the resolution placed on its second reading by the following vote: Yeas. Alderman Crow, Willett, Neff, Hall, Plaat, Raven, Shehan, Strong and Vaughn. Nays - Alderman Crossen. Resolution read second time, and on motion the rules were further suspended and the resolution passed on its third reading by the following vote: Yeas. Alderman Crow, Neff, Hall, Plaat, Raven, Shehan and Vaughn. Nays - Alderman Crossen, Willett, Strong Resolution read third time and on Motion passed by the following vote, Yeas. - Alderman Crow, Neff, Hall Shehan and Vaughn. Nays - Alderman Crossen, Willett, Plaat, Raven and Strong. - There being a tie vote His Honor the Mayor cast his vote in the affirmative. The following Report was presented by the Committee of Citizens in regard to the bond on those was some sort of --- Page break --- X. Alderman Robinson moved to amend by striking out $15.00 and inserting $10.00, Alderman Vaughn the motion was laid on the table, there being 8 to 1 the Mayor voting in the affirmative. On Motion of Alderman Miller the motion was laid on the table, there 661 East Avenue. Austin, Texas, June 2nd 1879 To the Honorable Mayor of Austin Sir:- We the Underesigned parties were appointed to serve on a Committee With Mr Dowday, to devise the best method of using an Appropriation of $250.00 to be expended on improving East Avenue from East Avenue where the present fringe from the trees cease by Mr Dowday, believing that the Appropriation should be used where it would be the greatest benefit to the greatest number of tax payers, we would suggest that the whole amount be spent on repairing Bois d arc street from East Avenue as far as the appropriation will go. The from hill on Bois d arc street from East Avenue is now in an almost impassable condition. To expend the whole amount in repairing this hill, would we consider be the most judicious course to follow, and no room would be left for parties to infer that the Work was done in the interest of any mans property. Very respectfully. A. T. Robinson, W. J. Matthews On Motion action was postponed on the report until the next regular meeting. Communication from the boards of fire commissioners asking an appropriation of $10.00 each per month of the Hook and Ladder Companys of the City for feeding stabling and shoeing of their horses- read and adopted A Resolution appropriating $15.00 per month for feeding, taking care of and Shoeimg of the horses of the three Hook and Ladder Companys of the City was read the first time and on Motion the rules were suspended and the resolution read the second time. Alderman Miller Moved to amend by striking out $15.00 and inserting $10.00 for each fire Company in the City On Motion of Alderman Vaughn. the amendment was laid on the table, there being 8 to 1 the Mayor voted in the affirmative Alderman Platt Moved to amend by striking out $15.00 & inserting $10.00. On Motion of Alderman Vaughn the Motion was laid on the table, the Mayor voting in the affirmative. X On Motion the rules were suspended and the resolution read third time and passed. By Alderman Platt, An ordinance to abolish the office of Market Master and Health Inspector, was read first time and on Motion referred to the ordinance Committee An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor and Committee on fire department to Contract with the City Water Company --- Page break --- 662 for ten Hydrants, Alderman Crow moved to amend: "At least one Hydrant in each war," Lost. Alderman Haile Moved to amend by substituting Stock fountains instead of Hydrants, Where the City Council May deem best. Carried. Ordinance read third time under a suspension of the rules and passed as amended. An Ordinance to authorize the Mayor of the City of Austin to enter into an agreement and make a lease with Jones & Glass for the City Hall property, read second time. Alderman Nutt, Moved to amend by adding, "Provided that said Jones and Glass shall place not less than $10,000.00 worth of Machinery on said property within six months from the passage of this ordinance." On Motion of Alderman Wieg, the amendment was laid on the table. Alderman Crow Moved to amend by fixing the rent of said property at $100.00 per annum. Carried. A Motion was made to reconsider the vote by which Alderman Crow's amendment was adopted. Lost. Alderman Platt, Moved to lay the whole matter on the table. Lost. A Motion to suspend the rules to place the ordinance on its third reading was lost, two thirds not voting in the affirmative. Resolution appropriating $200.00, to repair and extend the wings to Cheamer Street bridge. Read first, second, and on motion to suspend the rules lost, two thirds not voting in the affirmative. Petitions of Citizens of the eighth ward for the erection of a street lamp at the corner of Mulberry and San Jacinto Streets. Granted. An Ordinance regulating Hacks, Cabs, Omnibuses &c. read first, second, and third times and passed under a Suspension of the rules. An Ordinance for the relief of persons whose property has been sold for taxes and bid in by the City. Read first, second, and third times and passed under a Suspension of the rules. An Ordinance authorizing the appointment of special policemen Read first, second, and motion to suspend the rules lost, two thirds not voting in the affirmative. Application of Spandener for leave of absence – granted. On Motion of Alderman Vaught, the Mayor was authorized to appoint a Committee of Citizens, to convene and act in concert with a Committee of Aldermen with a view to establish a system of Sewerage in this City. --- Page break --- 663 The Mayor appointed as Such Committee of Citizens, the following gentlemen: Messrs Walter Tips, Eugene Bermond W. Brodtgoff, Monroe Miller, J. Vanermen, J. St. Lehman B. Reidy, J. H. Raymond and A. W. Fernett, - Aldermen Vaughn, Platt, Metz, Sheehan and Mullett were appointed on the part of the board of Aldermen, and on Motion his honor the Mayor was added to the Committee, By Alderman Vaughn, a Resolution to appoint two additional Policemen read and referred to the Police Committee. There being no further business, on Motion the Council adjourned. Approved July 9, 1879 L. M. Bradley, City Clerk.