170 Regular Meeting Austin Fexas Dec 3rd 1881- L M Crooker, presiding. Board Called - Present - Aldermen Boardman Mayo Nalle Platts Robertson Tobin. Absent- Aldermen Duff and Wharberger. Quorum present. Minutes of called meeting Dec 18th & 28th 1880 read and approved. Petition of Protection Hose and Ladder Co No 3 asking that a Lamp be erected in front of their truck house referred to Street committee on motion of Aldermen Robertson. Petition of Gamuel & Bro asking that they be allowed to let book-case remain on outside of sidewalk corner of Congress Avenue and Hickory street given to Street Committee on motion of Aldermen Duff. Aldermen Duff appeared and answered to his name. Petition of Smith & Green asking that rent be reduced from $100.00 to $25.00 per year on city property rented by them on Bank of Colorado River. Aldermen Platt moved That petition be granted. Lost. Petition of Joseph Brown asking permission to erect a box house on Dean street next to brick house of Geo Brush. Aldermen Nalle moved to refer to fire Committee. Carried. Communication from City Attorney C.G. Drake asking the council to purchase for use of Mayors court 2Vols of Court of Appeals and the Texas Criminal Digest for decision. Aldermen Nalle moved that the city Attorney be instructed to purchase the same and that the finance committee be authorized --- Page break --- 171 To refuse The Carried. Petition of S. G. Folds and others of The first ward asking that a water- plug be placed at corner of Lavaca and Burnet streets on Said ward. Aldermen Tobin moved that the alley committee be instructed to move one of the city plugs now in use to front of Said property. Petition. Carried. Petition of S. Creasey asking that some stock fine assessed against him which he had paid to the city assessor and collected be refunded. On motion of Aldermen Lobin petition was granted. Petition of Mrs Weir asking that fees be refunded to him which she had been compelled to pay pound master. On motion of Aldermen Sheehan petition was granted. Petition of H. B. Finney asking that fees be refunded to him which he had paid for stock That had been impounded. Aldermen Robertson moved to refer to charity committee. There being a tie vote The mayor voted in the affirmative. Motion carried. The following communication was read and received and The Mayor stated that there was no objection he would issue commission. To the Honorable Mayor L.M. Crocket and Board of Aldermen of The City of Austin Gentlemen- Pursuant to a called meeting on the chief of the fire department of the City of Austin of the foreman and assistant foreman of the respective companies of the fire department. Mr John D Hink of Colorado Steam Fire Engine No 2 was --- Page break --- Pages 172 & 173 Are Missing --- Page break --- circulate as Recorder of The Department To fill the unexpired term of special office made vacant by the death of City Richman Recorder, upon approval and confirmation of the same Grant the Tho. Bromond. Chm R. H. Cross. Sec'y. Report of City Marshals E. Crane & Hineslie for John Thompson for the 7th December, showing fines to be in the mayor court $66.00 Cash, $839.50 worked out on the street $288. Read and ordered filed. Report of pound master for month of December 1880, receipts $19.40, disbursements $19.40, turned over to City Collector $19.40. Read and ordered filed. Report of City Sexton for month of December 1880. Number of deaths 11. White 7 Colored 4. Males 7. Females 4. Still 5 (colored) 5 To 20 & 40 To 60, 40 To 60 1. from City 9 from distance 2. Read and ordered filed. The foregoing report from Ordinance Committee with City attorney on an ordinance to provide for the sale of all real estate bid in by the assessor and collector of Taxes at tax sales the owners of which have not redeemed the same within the time prescribed by law. Ordinance was read under and on motion of Alderman Waller adopted. Examined and reported on favorably and referred to City attorney E. G. Bromain R. Platt Committee Examined and recommend its passage C. D. Johns City Attorney. --- Page break --- 175 On motion the rules were suspended And the ordinance placed on its second and Third reading, and passed by the following vote, two thirds of a council voting in the affirmative. Yeas - Aldermen Boardman, Duff, Niel, Ralle, Platt, Robison, Shickan and Tobin 8 Nays - None. The following report from a special committee was read and on motion of Alderman Ralle adopted. To whom were referred petitions from citizens asking relief from paying certain City Taxes for the years 1873, -1874, and 1875 be leave to report favorably and recommend that they be granted. G.F. Boardman R Platt, Committee. An ordinance reenacting article 487, 488 and 489 of the revised ordinance of the City of Austin in reference to the right of way of the Houston, and Texas Central Railroad Company. Ordinance read first time. Alderman Platt moved to refer to a special committee of three Aldermen. Carried. The Mayor appointed as said Committee Aldermen Platt, Robertson and Ralle. Major Fred Ryan asked by permission of the Council that Capt. Call representing said H. & T. C. R.R. be allowed to address it for remarks to the Council. There being no objections Capt. Call stated that the case of great importance had been taken to allow him time as possible for such remarks and suggestions as would aid the Council to reach a wise decision giving his reasons for asking such a request. --- Page break --- 176 Alderman [illegible] on roll. That the Mayor call a meeting of the council to convene or the committee had reported council. An ordinance prescribing the obstruction of the streets, highways and side walks in the city of Austin and prescribing the manner for the removal of any such obstruction. Ordinance read first time. On motion of Alderman Nalle the ordinance was referred to the ordinance committee. The following resolutions were read second and on motion adopted: Austin, Texas, January 3rd 1881 Gone is one we met daily, Gone come amongst us and stricken down one of our esteemed and respected, vigorous, and valued friend Alderman, alderman of the seventh ward? Who so lately went in and out among us in the strength of vigorous manhood. The admiration of his friends and the idol of his constituents and the idol of his family is no more - And though his vacant seat within this bar is a visible reminder that true is one absent who will never again meet us and assist in our councils. Still such was the suddenness of his demise that shocked by the blow we scarcely realize that it is the work of death. As an officer of the city Alderman Beekman who unfalteringly stood to duty and did entirely. As a citizen he was public spirited and enterprising, and as a friend he was kind and steadfast. As associate in municipal government or citizen and as friend let us therefore unite and propose that we should pause to bear testimony to his worth, and pay tribute to his memory. To this end, therefore be it. --- Page break --- Resolved That in the death of L. C. Fitch Alderman from the Seventh Ward the City of Austin has lost a valuable representative at our Council and a patriotic citizen. Resolved That it is our pleasure to bear testimony to the fact that his career as an Alderman was ever characterized by probity & utility. That his deportment with his bearing towards us was always gentle and the courtesy of the gentleman. Resolved That to his stricken household we tender our sincere sympathy. Resolved That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the Council and our under the seal of the City signed by his Honor The Mayor & attested and forwarded by the City Clerk to the family of the deceased. Resolved That as a further token of our respect that the members of the City Council wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days. Bill of Capt. S. Creary for work upon streets ordered by the City Clerk and City Marshal. On motion of Alderman Reelli The Mayor was authorized to purchase the same. The Mayor called the attention of the Council to the bill of H. Flannagan for the 8th on streets and stated that he had not approved the same as he was of the opinion that according to the contract Mr. S. Creary was the only one authorized to furnish same etc for work on streets. Mr. Platt called for contract between Jno S. Creary and City of Austin which being read Alderman Tobin moved that the bill of Mr. Flannagan be accepted and that the Alderman be notified. --- Page break --- 178 The contract was to do road work the city of Austin and Mrs. John Creary. Carried The mayor stated there was a vacancy of Alderman of the seventh ward occasioned by the death of Mr. T. B. Reechman that he would order an election to take place on Saturday January 15th A.D. 1881 to fill said vacancy, naming presiding judge and clerk provided that said clerk of same provided the same was satisfactory to the council there being no objection the election was so ordered. The mayor presented a bill for $1394.59 of Mr. John Shehan for building a rock wall and sewer on East Pecan Street. Alderman Rallce moved that The street and finance committee be authorized to approve the same. Carried The mayor nominated Mr. R.L. Stuart for policeman to fill vacancy occasioned by resignation of Mr. E. P. Rodney. Alderman Rallce moved he be elected by acclimation. Carried There being no further business the council adjourned.