38 Regular Meeting of the City Council Austin Tex. October 1885 Horn J. W. Robertson Mayor Presiding Roll call present Aldermen Schneider. Anton. Hancock. Campbell. Warren. Kroh. Odell. Carrington. Robertson. Taft. Ervin. Brush & Brunner. 13. absent aldermen Pillow, Wells, Schuber. Under hill. Naxle. Driskill. & Hill. 7. The petition of Mrs. C. H. Reviggs asking the Council to remit a fine of $800 assessed against her in the recorders court. on recommendation of the Mayor The petition was granted and the fine remitted The Petition signed by citizens doing business on Pecan St on Pecan St. complaining that stagnant is always nuisance in the gutter between Colorado & Lavaca Sts asking that the council have the nuisance abated. Referred to the street committee Petition of E. B. Oberwasser asking pay for lost time caused by sickness. was referred to the Police Committee A Petition was received from W. G. Burke, City Physician calling the attention of the Council to the fact that by a late ordinance he was placed in charge of the Hospital as Physician & Surgeon, this being a new duty added to his work. Petitioner asked that a reasonable pay be allowed for this work. and that, the matter be referred to the Hospital Trustee Referred to the Hospital committee Report of the City Physician for Sept 1885. Read and referred to the hospital committee The report of the City Sexton for Sept 1884 shows Total deaths 13 white 7. Colored 6. male 16. Female 7. Referred to the Cemetery Committee --- Page break --- 39 The report of the City Marshal for Sept 1884 shows total arrests. 132 Total fines assessed $1099.90 Cash from fines $211.50 Fines worked out $196.30 " appealed $70.40 " due by escapes $37.80 Discharged on Doctor Order 514.43 Due by Prisoners $586.50 Total $1099.90 Collected from back fines 157.30 Back fines worked out 61.00 Referred to the Police Committee | $431.90 Treasurer's The report of the City Treasurer for Sept 1884 report was read and referred to the Finance Committee. Report of the City Treasurer for Sept 1884 Balance on hand Aug 31, 1884 39,837.47 Received from Ass't Col. 7,078.37 Credits Total $40,315.84 Paid on interest warrants $9,014.15 " 6.90 $1,021.05 Cash balances Sept 30 1884 Hospital Fund 221.44 Cemetery " 890.19 Market " 1413.05 Back debt " 190.83 Interest fund " 370.00 General " 27,860.28 $30,394.79 Unappropriated Balances Hospital Fund $101.66 Cemetery " 733.41 Market " 1413.05 General " 2712.78 Engineers The following report of the City Engineer was report read and referred to the ordinance Committee to change To the Hon Mayor and Council of the City of Lawton river st. Gentlemen: The petition of Mr. W. Morrison to change river street 70 feet south, which was referred to me at the last regular meeting of your honorable body I would report that I have made a careful --- Page break --- 40 October 6th 1884 ----- survey of the premises and would recommend that the petition be granted for the following reasons. 1st That by the said change the street will be on better ground 2nd That said change will coincide with a street now established on the east side of east avenue and would further recommend that petitioner Wm Thraeson convey by deed to H. D. Thelson the strip of ground 70x180 feet which will if the Petition is granted naturally come in between H.D. Thelson properly and the said Wm about as changed and that said petitioner Wm Thraeson grade said river street from Rainey street to east avenue all of which Wm Thraeson agrees to do. Respectfully Submitted J. S. Mc Fall Aldermen Aldermen Heuser, Schuber. and Underhill come in came in and announce to their names. Report The following report was received from the Trustees of Trustees of the City & County Hospital the City & To the Hon Mayor and Board of Aldermen County of the City of Austin Hospital The Trustees for the City & County Hospital have organized by taking the oath of office and electing Mr. Rosenberg President of the Board The Board has visited the Hospital and taken charge of its management as directed in the resolution of September 1. The Board finds that the Hospital building has been taken in use and has been occupied during the time from the 1st of August, although the building has not been officially received from the contractors, i.e., the building is now occupied only with permission of the contractors. The building is not finished in many particulars we would mention in several rooms the walls are not plastered that many door opening are with out doors These are certainly requirements pertaining to the --- Page break --- finishing of a building and should be performed by the contractor The board most respectfully but earnestly requests that the City Council will take prompt action through their building committee to have the contract completed and the building received or else rejected it does not appear a correct policy to occupy the building by permission not to add conveniences unavoidably necessary while the building is in control of the contractor Outside of the contract we reported to the trustees very essential additions must be made to make the building tenable for its purpose and we recommend that the following work be done and that the necessary means be appropriated therefore 1st on the out side of the building is an embankment of earth which needs removal. This work should be executed with the least possible delay, because in the case of rain the basement floor of the entire building will be flooard per estimate cost at $100.00 per a plank fence mostly finished around the east part of hospital block is to be paid for estimate $100.00 3rd fence in front of the building $100.00 4th Two Privies $10.00 5th One dead house $40.00. 6 one cistern $100.00 7 Window blinds say 50 windows $10.00. 8th There is a necessity for stairways from the kitchen to the upper rooms. To use the only and front stairway for kitchen purpose is to inconvenient and therefore impossible $60.00. 9 Rooms for private patients and for the matron must be furnished the furniture all estimate about $400.00 The trustees recommend that the sum of $1680. be appropriated and the same or as much thereof as may necessary used for the purpose specified For the expenses for the month of August already incurred the board asks for the sum of $310.00 and for the month of September the board estimates the expenses $400.00 it is respectfully submitted that these sums be appropriated and set aside for the use of hospital purposes --- Page break --- 42 October 6th 1884 The Board of Trustees would further respectfully recommend that the ordinance creating this body be ammended, by adding, 'that all sums of money' appropriated by the City Council, for Trustees' purchases be set aside by the City Treasurer as a special fund subject to draft signed by the President of the Board of Trustees. Signed W. Von Rosenberg, Edward Christian, A. J. Jernigan. Trustees. To the Hon. Mayor and Board of Aldermen Trustees. The undersigned Trustees of the City and County estimates Hospital, when reporting on the 6th of September for. Heat such action would be had thereon before supplies this Time and it was intended to make a quarterly estimate to the October meeting for such necessities as the approach of winter demands, therefor the following estimates are now submitted. 1st. For closing the north end of the galleries in the two stores with wooden partitions and crop painted $100.00. 2nd. 10 small and 3 large stoves for wood oil [illegible] $150.00. 3d. 50 cords of fire wood $150.00. 4th. One price correction and about business $100.00. 5th. shed for cows of sufficient strength to store food $100. 6. 8 good milk cows $150.00. 7th. 4 cow cows $75. 8th. 84 pair blankets $84.00 or 12 comfort forts $180. 10th. in addition to what asked for in a former estimate for a cistern, blasting becoming necessary $500. 11 Cistern top and pump, such ask $100. 12th. For the front fence we find the former estimate of $100. insufficient and ask for an additional on lumber work and to include or costs of plumbing $150.00. Total $100. For expenses of fuel per month for quarter $150.00. Total $300 of which amount we ask the City Council to make appro priation for one half thereof pay $150.00. in addition to the estimates already submitted in the former report. Austin October 6 1884 W Von Rosenberg. A J Jernigan. --- Page break --- 43 The following message was received from his honor the mayors Mayor’s Office Austin Texas Oct 5th 1882 Gentlemen of the City Council I beg to call your attention to the following matters of public interest which in my opinion demands your immediate attention 1st. There has been no appropriation for the support of the City hospital since August 1st 1882. The board of Trustees have made their report and ask for certain appropriations. I recommend that these appropriations be made. 2nd. The hospital building has not yet been received and accepted, but I understand that the joint building committee of the City and County have recommended that the same be accepted on the certain terms and conditions set forth in their report which report will be laid before you, if the terms and conditions as set forth in this report are complied with, then I would recommend that the building be accepted under the contract. The bondmen of the Contractors have expressed their willingness to comply with all that is required of them under their report. There is a suit pending in the district Court of Travis County, N.W. French & Co vs James Hayes City of Austin & Garnishee which involves the balance due on this contract. There is also a number of labor and material claims filed which will be adjusted in the same proceeding. 3. I recommend that some prompt and appropriate action be taken with reference to the condition of the City Market, and for the regulation of all markets in the City. The Market as now conducted are entirely independent of the control of the City and are established in violation of existing ordinances. The City market has heretofore yielded all revenues from this source is lost. I would recommend such measures as may be found. --- Page break --- 44 October 6th 1884 necessary and proper in the premises to the end that this matter may be adjusted to the satisfaction of all concerned and to the interest of the City, and the convenience of the public. 4. The City will be required to deliver possession of the building occupied by the Fire department on January 1st 1885 and I ask that immediate action be taken to provide other quarters for the fire companies. The limited time remaining will admit of no further delay. 5. The Sinking fund of two per cent on the bonded debt to the extent of $80,000.00 should be set apart and appropriated for the year 1885. This will require the sum of $1600. I also recommend that an appropriation be made to meet the January interest on the entire city debt, which will require the sum of $6400.00 This appropriation is made necessary under the terms of the ordinance under which the City bonds have been issued. 6. The tax rolls of the City for the year 1884 which the receipts are required by article 611 revised ordinances are now ready. The real estate tax amounts to $84696.90 Personal property tax $11483.70, and school tax $1518. Total $97600.80. This shows an increase of nearly $19000. over the general revenue of last year while the school tax is double. - I have the honor to lay before you the resolution adopted at a citizens' meeting in the City of Austin called to consider the question growing out of the: water contract between the City of Austin and the City Water Company. These resolutions speak the opinion and sentiments of a large meeting of your citizens composed of heavy taxpayers and men earnest in their beliefs and the result of their deliberations is entitled to great respect and consideration at our hands. I deem it unnecessary at this time to refer at any length to the existing differences between this City and her people and the City Water Company. There seems no longer any doubt that the Water company has failed to comply with its --- Page break --- contract and that such breach of contract should be declared by your body. I think the City Council should deal with the water company in a spirit of fairness and liberality. But I do not believe the public interest should be longer jeopardized by inaction on this question. I recommend that the contract be declared forfeited and void, and that suitable measures be taken to adjust any equitable claims existing in favor of the water company against the City, it seems to be the universal desire of the people of the City shall run her own water works, and in this I most heartily concur and trust that appropriate measures will be taken looking to this end. Very truly &c. Your Exy. serv’t J. W. Robertson Mayor Report of Citizens meeting on water supply. Report of the Citizens meeting on the water supply. To the Hon. R.S. Shelley, Chairman of Citizens meeting Sir. We, the committee of Citizens appointed on the 11th day of Sep. 1884 by the Citizens of Austin in mass meeting assembled to confer with a committee of the City Council to enquire and determine whether the City water company has complied with its contract with the City and with its citizens have had the matter under consideration and now report to this Citizens meeting, that in our opinions, said contract has been violated and as a solicitor of the trouble we suggest that we recommend to the city council that it cannel and refuse to recognize said contract as valid and binding upon the city and its citizens and further that unless said water company shall enter into a new contract with the city fair and equitable in its features to the city and its Citizens then such steps be taken by the council as may be necessary to authorize the City to erect, or buy and to maintain water works of its own and --- Page break --- 46 October 6th 1884 and further in the event the Council concluded to buy or build water works; further we recommend that the City Council in the exercise of its power take steps to order an election authorizing the issuance of city bonds to a sum sufficient to erect or buy water works, and to maintain the same. We further report in our opinion, the rules and regulations of said water company, enacted efforts are unjust and inequitable and illegal and insulting to water takers. J W Tolls Chairman of Committee E. E. Anderson Secretary. Adopted unanimously by citizens meeting. Ordinance Alderman Brush called up an ordinance appro $300, for [illegible] of Deer and Cypress Street. The ordinance was read Second Time. Then read Third Time under suspen sion of the rules and passed by the following yeas Aldermen Schneiden Aiton Hancock Campbell Maas Martin Prookin Call Carrington Robertson Plath Erwin Brush & Brennen Sauls Aldermen Rebuter and Undershill Resol to remodel Alderman Maas introduced the following market Resolution which was adopted house Whereas the accommodations of the City Market house are insufficient for public purposes and the location of the City jail objectionable Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin that the mayor be authorized to employ an architect for the purpose of making an estimate of the cost of re-arranging said market house in such a manner, that the entire second story may be used for a city hall and offices, The first floor for a city jail and rooms for employing city business and for additional market accommodations on the vacant ground belonging to the City --- Page break --- 47 Resolution Alderman Hancock introduced the following for permanent resolution which was adopted improvements Whereas there is now in the Treasury a large sum of money, the proceeds of the sale of Bonds and therefor not properly a part of the general revenue or applicable to current expenses, therefore Be it resolved that the Mayor shall appoint a committee of three with whom he shall act, to take into consideration the matter permanent improvements, and to report a detailed plan thereof The mayor appointed as the Committee Hancock Warren & Schuben Resolution Alderman Hancock offered the following mayor to ordinance which was read appoint Be it ordained by the City Council 6 spes Police of the City of Austin. 1. That there shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the Council special policemen not to exceed six in number who shall upon designation by the Marshal serve in the place and draw the pay of absent police men and shall do duty at base Theatre &c. 2. when any vacancy shall occur in the regular police force such vacancy shall be filled from the said special policemen according to merit and priority of service 3. That this ordinance shall take effect from and after its passage 4. all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed The ordinance was read second and third times under suspension of the rules and passed by the following vote Yeas Aldermen Schneider, Suton, Hancock, Campbells, Schuber, Underhill, Maas Crooker, Odell, Carrington, Robertson, Ervin, Brush & Brennan, 14 Nays Alderman Buck Committee Alderman Brush offered the following to locate Resolution which was adopted sites for fire Resolved that a committee consisting of the Dept. Buildings --- Page break --- 48 October 6th 1884 Mayor and chairman of the fire committee with whom the Chief of the Fire Department, is asked to act. is hereby directed to select and make arrangements for purchasing a location for the fire department and to report their action at the next meeting to the council for approval The Mayor submitted an ordinance entitled an ordinance supplementary to an ordinance entitled an ordinance providing for an regulating the management of the City and County hospital passed Sept 19th 1884. The ordinance was read and then read a second and third time under suspension of the rules and passed by the following Vote. yeas Aldermen Schneider, Auton, Hancock, Campbell, Schuber, Underhill, Maas, Warren, Brooker, Odell, Carrington, Robertson, Claxh, Ervin, Brush & Brennen 16 appropriating. An ordinance was introduced and read for certain improvement at the City and County Hospital and for the support of said hospital, the ordinance was read second time under suspension of the rules and on motion of Alderman Robertson was amended by adding the items 10 small and 6 large stoves complete $175.00 30 cords of wood 150.00 75 pair of blankets 75.00 17 comforts 50.00 The ordinance as amended was read third time under suspension of the rules and passed by the following vote. yeas Aldermen Schneider, Auton, Hancock, Campbell, Schuber, Underhill, Maas, Warren, Brooker, Odell, Carrington Robertson, Ervin, Brush & Brinnen & 16 yeas Alderenman Claib. appropriating. Alderman Schuber introduced an ordinance appropriating the sum of One hundred and seventy $175.00. five dollars to purchase a cart horse and harness --- Page break --- 49 To be used for scavenger purposes for the City at large. The ordinance was read second and Third time under suspension of the rules and passed by the following vote yeas Aldermen Schneider Suton Hancock Campbell Shuber Underhill Crooker, Odell, Carrington Maas, Warren Robertson Ervin Bruch & Brunnen - 15 Nays alderman Platt. Bridge Alderman Bruch introduced an ordinance appropriating the sum of $100. for the purpose of building a bridge on Pine street over waller creek, Read first time and then referred to the street Committee $300.00 Alderman Ervin introduced an ordinance appropriating the sum of $300. for improvements on Beacon st each of each avenue, read first time and then referred to the street committee $1900.03. The Finance Committee introduced an ordinance appropriating the sum of $1900.03. for approoved accounts, the ordinance was read second and third times under suspension of the rules and passed by the following vote yeas aldermen Schneider Suton,Hancock, Campbell, Schuber, Maas, Warren, Crooker, Odell Carrington, Robertson, Ervin, Bruch, Platt, Brunnen Nays Alderman Underhill $181.75. pay roll. The Finance Committee introduced an ordinance appropriating the sum of $181.75. for the pay roll for Sept 1887 The ordinance was read second and third time under suspension of the rules and passed by the following vote yeas Aldermen Schneider, Suton, Hancock Campbell, Schuber, Maas, Warren, Crooker, Odell, Carrington, Robertson, Platt, Ervin, Bruch, & Brunnen Nays alderman Underhill School Blocks. for Parks. On motion the question whether or not the City could use the Block north of the graded School. and that part of the University block not occupied by the graded School for a public park was referred to the City attorney. On motion the Council adjourned I L Burnell City Clerk