411 Called meeting of the City Council Austin Texas December 08, 1883.) Honorable A R Walker Judge of The 16th Judicial district of Texas administered the oath of office to W. A. Deaylor. Hon W A Deaylor as Mayor, then administered the oath of office to the newly elected Board of Aldermen, and then notified them that they were called together for the purpose of electing officers of the City of Austin. Rose call present Aldermen Schneider Sexton Dillow Peacock Willis Campbell Schroeter Underhill Maas Robertson, F.W. Dreiskill Crooker Abel Carrington Robinson & Ross Lull Heath Erwin Brush and Brennen The following message was received, from His Honor the Mayor Alderman Heath moved that the message be printed and that each member of the Council be furnished with a copy motion adopted Mayors office Austin Dec 8th 1883 To the Honorable City Council of the City of Austin. Gentlemen. I congratulate you upon your election to the Legislative body representing the Capitol City of Texas and upon selecting a body representative men such as I believe you to be. In entering upon the discharge of your duties I feel that each of you with my self are impressed with the great importance of the task before us. The many questions that must arise affecting the Cities interest will demand a carefulwise and mature judgment that our people justly expect and hope from us. The healthy condition of our City finances place us in a more favorable condition. --- Page break --- than our predecessors I trust able to take advantage of this to use every available dollar for the improvements of our streets and bridges and other necessary improvement The sanitary condition of our City requires and I feel assured will receive at your hands full consideration In this con nection I desire to commend to your earnest attention the subject of sewerage I believe it actually necessary that we should keep pace with our sister cities upon this subject and I respectfully request that you authorize the appointment of an additional committee to be known as the sewerage committee with instructions to fully investigate the subject and report the result to the Council I also recommend a committee on water and gas to whom all matters pertaining to these subjects can be referred and fully investigated as their importance demand The question of additional cemetery accommodations is one of much importance and will require your early attention The encroachment of the present cemetery upon the eastern portion of the City has become a matter of much and just com plaint from citizens in that locality and like other Cities similarly situated, the City will soon be called upon to remove at least a portion of its dead or have them surrounded by dwellings and other improvements which are now gradually growing in that direction The new City and County Hospital is now under contract to be completed before the first of next Suitable regulations for its government and insuring its successful management should be adopted and a hospital committee should be selected whose duty would be to look after it and from time to time recommend to your Honorable body such matters pertaining to it as their judgment might deem necessary I sincerely trust a spirit of harmony may pervade among your body and that our official relations may always remain pleasant Very Respectfully W. H. Baylor Mayor --- Page break --- 413 The mayor notified the Council that the first business would be to decide the long and short term of aldermen. The following named aldermen drew the two year term Aldermen J. P. Schreiner, S. Hancock B. E. Wells, J. Schever, J. M. Robertson, Jas. Driskill A Carrington, R. J. [illegible] R Platt and W B Brush The following named aldermen drew the one year term W. J. Barton B. S. [illegible] T. J. Campbell M. Maas R. B Underhill S. M. Crooker J. M. Odell S. L. Robertson Wm Erwin and Wm Brinsan Alderman G. S. Robertson moved to adjourn until next monday night motion lost Alderman Platt moved that the chair appoint 13 aldermen as tellers for the evening and, that the Council proceed to elect a recorder motion adopted Aldermen Maas and Hill were appointed as teller. The following names were placed in nomination for the position of Recorder, C. W. Von Rosenberg Jr. E. D. Johns, Wm Bacon and R Krauss. On the first ballot E. D. Johns received 11 votes Von Rosenberg Jr. 8 votes Wm Bacon 7 R Krauss 5. E. D. Johns having received a majority of all votes cast was declared by the mayor to be duly elected recorder of the City of Austin for the ensuing two years. The motion to proceed to elect a City attorney was adopted and the following names were placed in nomination George F. S. Pendleton and W. R. Walton. On the first ballot S F Pendleton received thirteen votes W R Walton seven votes. S F Pendleton having received a majority vote of the Council was declared by the mayor to be duly elected City attorney for the ensuing two years. The motion to proceed to elect a City Clerk was adopted, and the following names were placed in nomination J S Purnell Mat Johnson J R Shipman --- Page break --- 414 On the first ballot I. L. Burnee received twelve votes, Jno. Johnson seven votes, Shipman one vote S. L. Burnee having received a majority vote of the Council was declared by the mayor to be duly elected City Clerk for the ensuing two years. The motion to adjourn until next monday night was lost. The motion to proceed to elect a City Marshal was adopted and the following names were placed in nomination J W Moore J W Fox R Pleath Ben Thompson E Ranssea Ed Creary E Wesells M. G. Barrow John P Kirk Grooms Ser and So, Cloud The motion to drop the names of candidates receiving the lowest vote was adopted. On the first ballot Second ballot Third ballot 4th ballot 5th ballot 6th ballot J. W Moore. received 1 one two seven nine eight J.W. Fox " 2 one six four two two Grooms Ser " 6 eight two two three three Ed Ranssea " 2 three one two three three Ed Creary " 1 one one two two two E Wesells " none two two four four Ben Thompson " (3) two two three three R Pleath " 3 three four two two two Alderman M. G. Barrow " none three four two two not voting J. P. Kirk " 2 two two four two one Alderman S. C. Cloud " none none none one one not voting two Alderman not voting On the seventh ballot Grooms Ser 8 Ed Ransseau 4 R Pleath 4 J P Kirk 3 one Alderman not voting. Eighth ballot Grooms Ser 8 Ed Ransseau 8 R Pleath 6. one Alderman not voting Ninth Ballot Grooms Ser 10 votes R Pleath 9 votes one Alderman not voting. The motion to proceed to elect a City Treasurer was adopted and the following names were placed in nomination H Gunther J.W. Howard J. D. Shryock and J. C. Ellingworth. On the first ballot H Gunther received 8 votes J. W. Howard 14 J. D. Shryock 2 J. C. Ellingworth 7 vote J W Howard having received a majority vote of the Council The mayor declared him duly elected City Treasurer for the ensuing two years. --- Page break --- The motion to proceed to elect a City Physician was adopted and the following names were placed in nomination J Cummings and J W Burt. On the first ballott J Cummings received 8 votes and J W Burt 17 votes. J W Burt having received a majority vote of the Council was declared by the Mayor to be duly elected City Physician for the ensuing two years. The Council then proceeded to elect a City Engineer and the following names were placed in nomination J K Mc.Fall a C M Weeks Walter C. Campbell and Rubin Ford. On the first ballott J K Mc.Fall received 16 votes N. C. Weeks one. C. C. Campbell one Rubin Ford 3 J K Mc.Fall having received a majority vote was declared by the mayor to be duly elected City Engineer for the ensuing two years. The motion to proceed to elect an assessor and Collector was adopted and the name of Fred Sterzing was placed in nomination. On motion the City Clerk was authorized to cast the vote of the Council for Fred Sterzing Fred Sterzing having received the unanimous vote of the Council was declared duly elected City assessor and Collector for the ensuing two years. The mayor placed in nomination the name of C. S. Kirschke as City Sexton The Clerk was authorized to cast the vote of the Council for C. S. Kirschke C S Kirschke having received the unanimous vote of the Council was declared by the Mayor to be duly elected City Sexton for two years ensuing. Alderman J W Robertson moved that the mayor appoint a committee of three to fix the salaries and bonds of City officers motion adopted. His honor appointed as the Committee J W Robertson Adell and Bruch Alderman Hill moved that the mayor appoint a committee of three on rules motion adopted the mayor appointed as the Committee Alderman Hill Thomas and Crooker no motion the Council adjourned until Monday Dec 10 1883 J L Purnell City Clerk --- Page break --- 416 Adjourned Meeting of the City Council Austin Texas December 10th 1883 Hon W A Daylor Mayor Presiding. Roll call for Aldermen Scheiden Sutor Heile Hancock Bellow Wells Campbell Schwab and Underhill Maas Robertson f.w. Driskill Crooker odell Robertson G.L. Heil Clark Erwin Brush Brunnen Absent Alderman Carrington Alderman Blath moved that the Mayor declare the Election of Broome Sr City Marshall, motion adopted Broome Sr having received a majority vote of the Council was declared by the mayor to be duly elected City Marshall for two years ensuing. The Mayor presented the official Bond of H.B. Gur City Marshal signed by H.B. Gur as principal and George F. Robertson Joseph Jr. Will C Kreisle Mr. W. Hornsby J.A. Bornfield and A.P. Wooldridge as sureties the Council accepted the Bond and authorized the Mayor to approve the same. The special committee to whom was referred the matter of fixing the Bonds and salaries of City officers submitted the following report which was adopted. Austin Dec 10 1883 Hon W.A. Daylor Mayor of the City of Austin Sir Your committee appointed at the meeting of the City Council December 8th 1883 to consider the matter of fixing the compensation of the officers and employees of the City for the present term and to enquire what officers should give bonds and the amount of such bonds beg leave to report that they have carefully considered said matters and return herewith an ordinance fixing the compensation of the officers and employees of the City for the present term which embodies the views of your committee. We believe that just fair and just compensation should be paid to every officer and employee of the City and that faithful service should be exacted in return. We have had this end in view in fixing the amounts in the accompanying Ordinance and recommend that the same do pass. --- Page break --- 417 Your committee find that ample provision is made City ordinance for the bonds of the Treasurer, Assessor and Collection Marshall Clerk Engineer and Sexton and see no occasion for any change in either the amounts or conditions of said bonds as now provided by ordinance. Respectfully Submitted J. W. Robertson J. W. Codef W. B. Bunch Committee The Special committee submitted an ordinance entitled an ordinance fixing the compensation of Officers and employees of the City of Austin for the present term. The ordinance provides that the officers of the City shall receive the maximum Salaries provided by the City Charter. The Sexton Two hundred and fifty dollars per annum. The per annum of Police $1080. Mounted Police % 8. Regular Police $780. Engineers of the fire department $720. Drivers and Hostlers of the fire department $420. City Porter $460. Cart drivers and Street overseer $480. The ordinance was read second time and Alderman Hancock offered the following amendment which was read. That the engineer shall receive an annual salary of $720. That the City Treasurer shall receive an annual salary of $400. That the City Sexton shall receive an annual salary of $250 and such fees as the Council shall hereafter fix. That the City Clerk shall receive an annual salary of $700. That the assessor and collector shall receive an annual salary of $1000. Hon. L. H. Crooker in the Chair. An motion the council went into a committee of the whole. The committee of the whole reported [illegible] amendments to section 10 providing that The City Sexton shall receive such fees as the City Council may hereafter fix. [illegible] and changing the salaries of Drivers and hostlers of the fire department from $420 to $480 per annum. [illegible] change in the salary of the City porter from $380 to $480 per annum. The report of the --- Page break --- committee was adopted. The ordinance as amended was read and then read Third time under suspension of the rules and passed by the following vote, yeas Aldermen Schneider Sutor [illegible]cook wells Campbell schaber Nordquist Haas G. W. Robertson Driekill Crocker Oulup E. B. Robertson Hill Platt Erwin Bruch & Brennen The special committee on rules submitted the following report which was adopted To the Hon W. A. Daylor Mayor your special committee to whom was referred the subject of rules of order of the City Council and the recommendations in the message of the mayor concerning new subjects requiring the services of additional standing committees have considered the same and beg leave to report the following recommendations That the rules of order as published with the charter and revised ordinances of the City of Austin and entitled “Rules of order of the City Council of the City of Austin, except rule XX. twenty, be adopted for the government of the order of business and proceedings of the Council That the following additional rule be adopted Rule twenty. The following standing committees each composed of three members shall be appointed by the mayor at the first meeting after each biennial election and the first named on each shall be the Chairman 1. Streets alleys etc 2. Fire Department 3. Finance and Revenue 4. Markets 5. Police 6. Printing 7. Cemetery 8. Charity 9. Ordinances 10. Hospital 11. Water and Gas 12. Sewerage --- Page break --- 419 when a Vacancy occurs on any Standing committee the same shall be filled by appointment of the Mayor at the earliest practicable meeting of the City Council thereafter. Reports of committee unless otherwise ordered shall consist of three members. Reports of committees shall be in writing and signed by all members concurring therein R. J. Heil Chairman L. M. Crooker H. A. Maass Hon W. R. Taylor, Mayor Presiding. Alderman Heil moved that the Council adopt rule XX twenty as amended motion carried. The Special Committee on rules submitted the following report which was adopted To the Hon W. A. Taylor, Mayor of the City of Austin Your select committee on rules of procedure and Order of Business, to whom was referred the question as to the power of the Council to elect a President of the Board of Aldermen as required by article 98 of the revised ordinances of the City of Austin in view of the provisions of the amendments of the Charter, have considered the same and beg leave to report That they find that article 7 of the Charter of 1873, appears to be the only express Charter authority for the office in question but the committee is of the opinion that the repeal of said article by the recent amendments of the Charter does not repeal said article 98 of said ordinance Because the same is not in the opinion of your committee repugnant to the provisions of the Charter as now amended. R. J. Heil Chairman L. M. Crooker H. A. Maass Alderman Dutor offered the following resolution which was adopted Be it resolved by the City Council --- Page break --- 420 of the City of Austin That a leave of absence of thirty days is hereby granted to Hon W.A. Dayton which shall commence at a time to be designated by him The motion that the Council proceed to elect a president of the Board of aldermen was adopted and the names of Aldermen Platt and J.W. Robertson were placed in nomination Alderman J.W. Robertson having received a majority vote of the Council was elected President of the Board of Aldermen. The mayor placed in nomination the name of John Chenuvelle as sergeant of Police on motion the nomination was confirmed by acclamation An ordinance fixing the number of Police men to be employed in the City was read first time and then referred to the Police committee Alderman Bruch introduced a resolution authorizing the mayor to contract for lamps electric gas lights to be used on the streets during the extra session of the legislature was then referred to the committee on Gas and Water Alderman Maass introduced an ordinance authorizing the mayor to contract with the Austin Electric and Coal company for lighting of the streets for a term of twelve months. The ordinance was read first time and then referred to the committee on Gas and Water Honor the mayor appointed the following standing committees *Streets R. Platt J.W. Driskill and W.B. Bruch *Fire Department W.B. Bruch L.W. Crooker W.J. Tutor *Finance J.W. Odell Max Maass Louis Hancock --- Page break --- 421 4 Market House J.W. Driskill F.J. Campbell and B.S. Pillow 5 Police J.P. Schneider Wm Brunnenberg R.J. Hill 6 Printing Thos Haynes J.W. Robertson & B.B. Wells 7 Cemetery Wm Erwin R.B. Underhill and J.N. Odell 8 Ordinances J.W. Robertson R.J. Hill & R.B. Underhill On Motion the Council adjourna T.L. Pirnell City Clerk