188 Regular Meeting Austin Texas March 07, 1881- Mayor L. M. Crooker presiding; Roll called_ Present Aldermen Boardman, Duff, Falke, Platt, Robertson, Sheehan, Tobin and Hehrenberger. Absent_ Aldermen Metz and Huppertz; quorum present. Minutes of regular meeting February 7th 1881, were read and approved. Petition of Mrs. W. J. Morris to have quarrying of rock stopped on West Avenue, was read and on motion of Alderman Platt, petition was referred to a special committee. The mayor appointed on said committee Aldermen Platt, Robertson and Boardman. Petition of James O'Riley to enter into contract with city for property adjoining the city cemetery. Referred to cemetery committee. Petition of W. J. Thompson and Duff & Co, to open their corner on wards 3 and 2. Granted. Petition of citizens asking that an ordinance be passed to prevent the x-ing of hides over certain portions of Colorado, Avenue and Pecan Street. Laid on the table on motion of Aldermen Platt. Petition of the ladies of St Davids Church requesting that the street west of their church be graded. On motion of Aldermen Tobin petition was referred to the street committee. Petition of citizens asking that a bridge be built across the slough on Hickory street between second and third wards. Referred to street committee on motion of Aldermen Falke. Petition of R. White to have pound fees refunded. Referred to charity committee. Petition of C. A. Dickerson to have money refunded him from pound sales. --- Page break --- 189 Refered to charity committee. Petition of Mrs E A Honischmen to have taxes refunded. On motion of Alderman Duff the petition was granted. Petition of E W Lawrence to be allowed to pay taxes for 1877 on property sold Granted. Bill of A McCaslin for rent of store for hearing election granted. Petition of ladies of the city of Austin asking that earth from the Austin city tanks be placed on the city cemetery. Refered to the cemetery committee on motion of Alderman Robertson. Petition of citizens to have public square in first ward fenced in. Read and recived. An ordinance providing for the improvement of the public square bounded by Cedar, Pecan, San Antonio and Guadalupe streets in the city of Austin Ordinance read first time. On motion of alderman Kelly the rules were suspended and the ordinance placed on its second and third readings and passed by the following vote, two thirds of a full council voting for the affirmative. Ayes, Aldermen Brandman, Duff, O'Malley, Platt, Cheeham, Tobin and Hashenberger - 7 Nays - Alderman Robertson - 1 Reports of the city physician, city sexton, pound master, market master, and city marshal for the month of February were read and ordered filed. The following report from the ordinance committee to whom was refered an ordinance in --- Page break --- 190 reference to The cleaning of alleys was read and on motion of Alderman Tobin adopted. He, the committee, recommend That no alteration on the present ordinances on the subject be made. G. L. Boardman. R. Platt. Committee. The following report from the police committee on petition of Chas. Felker was read, and on motion of Alderman Boardman Adopted. Your committee to whom was referred the within communication, beg leave to report to lay it on the table. R. Platt H. H. Duff. Committee. The following report from the ordinance committee was read, on an ordinance introduced by Alderman Halle to secure city tenants for all taxes due the city. He, The committee to whom was referred an ordinance making city warrants receivable for taxes beg leave to report, that they after due consideration believe that a change in the management of Austin City Warrants is best to be recommended from the fact that they are now held at nearly par value and such change might not prove beneficial - G. L. Boardman R. Platt Alderman Halle raised the point of order that the ordinance committee had no right to make such a report. Point of order sustained. Alderman Platt moved to lay the ordinance on the table. --- Page break --- 191 Carried by the following vote devourment Roll calling for the yeas and nays. Yeas — Aldermen Boardman Duff, Plath, Robertson and Washenberger 5 Nays — Aldermen Halle, Sheehan, and Joblin — 3. Alderman Robertson made a verbal report for committee favorably on an ordinance to discontinue the salary of the engineer of Colorado Engine No. 2. Alderman Boardman presented the following resolutions which on motion of Alderman Halle was adopted. Be it Resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin. That for the purpose of better regulating the expenses of the fire companies, That the chief of the fire department and the fire committee, with the fire committee of the city council do meet and confer for the purpose of devising the best means for a reduction of the expenses of the fire department. To report at the next monthly meeting. Alderman Boardman presented the following resolution which on motion, was adopted. Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin. That the City Clerk be and is hereby instructed to correspond with the proper officials of the cities of San Antonio, Dallas and Waco and three other cities in the South of like population to Austin, for the purpose of ascertaining the number owned by each of them of engine hand engines, hook and ladder companies hose companies and number of hydrants, if possessing water works and the annual expenses of each --- Page break --- 192 fire department. the police committee made the following report on an ordinance to provide for the appointment of a sergeant of police. To the Hon. Mayor and Board of Aldermen Your committee to whom was referred an ordinance providing for the appointment of a sergeant of police and fixing the salary thereof would respectfully ask that the ordinance do pass. R Platt. H. S. Taft. Alderman Boardman moved to adopt report of committee. Carried. Ordinance read second time. Alderman Hall moved to refer ordinance to ordinance committee, as said ordinance as drawn up was in conflict with the city charter. Carried - The mayor stated there being a vacancy on the police force he would place in nomination the name of Mr John Deef to fill said vacancy. Alderman Hall moved that the council go into executive session and request the presence of the city marshal. Carried - The council retired on having returned Alderman Hall moved that Mr Deef be elected by acclamation Carried - The mayor presented a communication from Mr J. Gordan vice president of the H. & T. C. R. R. in reference to an ordinance passed by the City council at its last regular meeting in regard to the said railroad. [strikethrough]On motion[/strikethrough] The communication was read, received and ordered filed - --- Page break --- 193 By permission Hon T L Fulmore, county judge of Travis county, addressed the council in reference to hiring the convict labor of the city of Austin. Alderman Platt moved that a committee of three be appointed to confer with Judge Fulmore and have power to act. Carried. The mayor appointed on said committee Alderman Nalle, Platt and Boardman. Alderman Nalle called on the city attorney to draw up an ordinance authorizing said committee to act. An ordinance authorizing a committee of three to confer with the county judge of Travis county for the purpose of employing the convict labor of the city of Austin. Ordinance read first time. On motion of Alderman Platt The ordinance was placed on its second and third readings and passed by the following vote. (Furthered by the council voting in the affirmative.) Yeas - Aldermen Boardman, Duff, Nalle, Platt, Robertson, Sheehan, Tobin, and Thrasherburger. Nays - none. The following report from a special committee on the petition of Doehler & Leilking was read and on motion of Alderman Nalle adopted: We recommend that Messrs Doehler & Leilking be paid the value of the hogs afled. Ed. Trashenberger L. D. Tobin Committee. A resolution appropriating $25 to pay Doehler & Leilking for hogs afled. was read and on motion adopted. --- Page break --- 194 Alderman Wahrenberger presented the petition of a Cane to the council which had been refered to a special committee and stated that he had not been able to see Mr Cane and placed the petition in the hands of the council to act. On motion the petition was granted. Alderman Platt moved That a special committee of three be appointed to whom should be refered the pound ordenance for revision Carried. The mayor appointed on said committee, Alderman Boardman Platt and Sheehan. On motion Aldm Cartson The council adjourned.