278 Called meeting of the City Council Austin Tex. Dec. 14th 1885. Hon J. W. Robertson, mayor, presiding. Roll Call - Present: Aldermen Pillow, Andersen, Brush, Schuber, Underhill, Warren Wortham, Holman, DeGress, Cummings, Ervin and Walker - 12. Absent - Aldermen Schneider, Metz, Campbell, Maas, Crooker, Odell, Corwin and Brennen. Aldermen Odell, Corwin, maas and Campbell came in and answered to their names. Call of Council On motion of Alderman DeGress the Council was Called and the marshal sent after the absentees. Call suspended On motion of Alderman DeGress the Call of the Council was suspended. The following Call of the Council was read: Mayor's Office, Austin, December 14, 1885. The mayors Call To the Aldermen of the City of Austin: Gentlemen - I hereby Call a special meeting of the City Council to assemble this day, Monday, Dec 14, 1885, at 12 m, for the purpose of obtaining the poll lists of the third ward, for use in the Contested election for alderman of said ward, which poll lists were by mistake sealed up in the ballot box; also to provide for fixing salaries of officers, as required by the Charter, and to transact such other business as may then be brought before you. Very Respectfully J. W. Robertson mayor. Open ballot box of 3rd Ward Alderman Pillow moved that the ballot box of the third ward be brought into the Council Chamber and opened, and the poll list taken out of the same. motion adopted. --- Page break --- 279 Dec 14th 1885 Comtee to open the ballot box His Honor appointed as the Committee to Open the box, Pillow, Campbell and Wertham. Ballot box Opened, poll list taken out, and box resealed by Committee. Fix Salaries Alderman Pillow moved that a Committee of three be appointed to fix the Salaries of City officers. Alderman DeGress moved to amend by making the Committee Seven. Amendment accepted and motion adopted. Committee on Salaries: Aldermen Pillow, Campbell, Warren, Crooker, Odell, Holman and Ervin. Reorganize police force Alderman DeGress moved that a Committee, to Consist of the mayor City attorney, marshal elect and five aldermen be appointed to Consult and recommend a manner of reorganizing the police force. Marshal to Qualify first The motion that the marshal qualify before serving on the Committee was lost. Original motion then adopted. His Honor appointed as the Committee on Police, Aldermen Anderson, Wortham, Corwin, Schneider and Walker. Alderman Metz Came in an answered to his name. Ordinance to pay approved accts An Ordinance appropriating the sum of $420.21 to pay Sundry accounts was taken up and read then read Second and third times under suspension of the rules, and passed by a unanimous vote. On motion of Alderman Pillow the Council adjourned until 7 O'clock p.m., Saturday, December 19th, 1885. S. G. Pirnell City Clerk --- Page break --- 280 Dec 19th Adjourned meeting of the City Council. Austin Tex, Dec. 19th 1885 Hon J W Robertson, Mayor, presiding. Present: Aldermen Metz, Pillow, Anderson, Campbell, Schuber, Warren, Wortham, Odell, Corwin, Holman, Cummings, Ervin, Walker and Brennan- 14. Absent; Aldermen Schneider, Brush, Underhill Maas, Crocker and DeGress- 6. To the Hon Mayor and City Council of the City of Austin: Gentlemen The undersigned Committee Report of Comt'ee appointed to fix the Salaries and fees of the fixing Salaries Officers of the City of Austin for the term of two years, beginning at this date, beg respectfully to report that after due consideration, they have agreed to report the ordinance passed on December 10th, 1883, and ask that the Same be reenacted, Said Ordinance being hereto attached and made part of this report. Respectfully B. S. Pillow Chairman for Committee. Caption of the Ordinance:" Ordinance fixing "An Ordinance fixing Salaries the Compensation of the officers and employees of the City of Austin for the present term" On motion of Alderman Pillow, the rules were Suspended and the ordinance placed on its Second and third readings and passed. Yea, Metz, Pillow, Anderson, Brush, Campbell, Schuber, Warren, Wortham, Coston, Odell, Corwin, Holman, Cummings, Ervin, Walker and Brennan- 16. Alderman Maas Came in and answered to his name. Report of Special Committee. Austin Tx, Dec. 19th 1885. Report of Comt'ee To the Hon City Council: to ascertain Your Committee appointed to Condition of ascertain the Condition of the Offices of the City assessor Offices - --- Page break --- 281 Dec 19th 1885. and Collector, City Marshal, City Clerk and City Treasurer beg to submit the following: to wit: City Marshal. Marshal's office. Amounts received from March 1884 to date $14.870.55 Amount turned over to City Assessor and Collector 13.500.60 Balance $1.369.95 To which add net payment in fines and jury fees 33.75 making balance as per the Marshal's books, in the hands of the assessor and Collector, as per that officers receipts, $1.403.90 City Assessor and Collector. Balance on hand and due as per the books, on Nov 30th, 1885 $3.275.82 At Collector's Office Note- Credits are due this officer for insolvent lists, sales to the City, etc. which, when allowed and made, will very nearly, if not quite, balance the account. City Treasurer. Balance $21.511.92 Received from assessor and Collector during Oct & Nov 2.118.32 Bal. Nov. 30th 1885 $23.630.24 City Clerk. Clerk's office This office we find in good shape, records neatly and conveniently arranged. Your Committee has not deemed it necessary to go into a minute examination and checking of the books of the several offices, but so far as our examination has extended, find the records of the City in neat and businesslike shape, and to the officers we beg to acknowledge our appreciation of their Courtesies and offers of assistance. J.M. Odell W.B. Wortham C.E. Anderson On motion of Alderman Crooker, the report was adopted. Report of Special Committee. Austin Tex. Dec. 19th. 1885. To the Hon. City Council: Your Committee --- Page break --- 282 Dec 19th 1885. Report of Comttee appointed to prepare an Ordinance for the regulation [illegible] of the police force, by to Submit the accompanying Ordinance, and recommend its passage. C. E. Anderson Chairman W. B. Northam W. B. Walker J. P. Schneider Dennis Corwin The following is the Ordinance Submitted; An Ordinance providing for the reorganization of the police department of the City of Austin. Section 1. Be it Ordained by the City Council of the City of Austin. That the police department of the City of Austin shall hereafter consist of the following officers, to-wit: One City Marshal. One Sergeant of police, Twenty policemen. Sec. 2. That the City marshal Shall at all times have and exercise Command and Supervision of all police officers of the City, and Shall be responsible for all the acts of his Subordinates. Sec. 3. That the marshal Shall Select and appoint the Sergeant and policemen of the City as provided in this Ordinance, and Shall report such appointments to the mayor and City Council for Confirmation. Sec 4. That the Sergeant and all Subordinate police officers, except Special policemen, appointed for a Special purpose, Shall be appointed for a term of One year, or until discharged by the mayor and marshal, and the mayor and marshal are hereby Vested with the power of absolute removal for any Cause to them Seeming just and Sufficient. Sec. 5. That a Sufficient number of the policemen Shall be mounted from time to time, as Shall be deemed necessary by the mayor and marshal, to effect a Complete patrol of the City. Sec. 6. That twelve policemen Shall be kept on duty at night. Sec. 7. That if any policeman Shall neglect his duty or Shall leave his post, or disobey his --- Page break --- 283 Dec 19th 1885. Superior Officer, or take intoxicating drinks while on duty, or in any manner violate the police regulations, or be guilty of any insubordination or misconduct, he shall be removed at once. Sec. 8. That the Marshal shall prescribe rules and regulations for the government of the police force of the City, and such rules and regulations shall be printed and a copy thereof furnished to each police officer for his guidance and instruction. Sec. 9. That the members of the police force shall be neatly uniformed and they shall at all times be orderly, prompt and polite when on duty. Sec. 10. That this Ordinance take effect and be in force from and after its passage. Rules suspended. On motion the rules were suspended and the Ordinance read by Sections. Amend to read 18 Alderman Cummings moved to amend Section 1 to read 18 policemen. On motion the amendment was tabled. Amendment Passed " etc Alderman Maas offered the following amendment: That the police shall be sound in body and health and not over 45 years of age. Carried Motion to table the amendment carried. Passed On motion the Ordinance was read the second and third times, under a suspension of the rules and passed by the following vote: Yeas - Metz, Pillow, Anderson, Brush, Campbell, Schuler - Maas, Warren, Wortham, Crooker, Odell, Corwin, Holman, DeGress, Cummings, Erwin, Walker and Brennen - 18. Ordinance to revise ordinances making provision Alderman Campbell introduced an Ordinance making provision for the revision and Codification of the Ordinances of the City. On motion of Alderman Crooker the Ordinance was referred to the Ordinance Committee. Contested election Cases of B. C. Willis vs Geo. A. Brush; and Charles McAnally vs J. C. Duvall, were presented. The papers in the Contested election Cases of B. C. Willis vs Geo. A. Brush; and Charles McAnally vs J. C. Duvall, were presented. On motion a special "committee of five" were appointed to take testimony and report to the Council. --- Page break --- 284 Dec 19th 1885 at the first regular meeting in January. On motion of Alderman Campbell the Committee was instructed to employ a stenographer to take down the testimony. The following aldermen compose the Committee Anderson, Brennan, Schubert, Walker, Wortham. Alderman Walker offered a petition requesting permission for Fred Olley and Wm Wright to erect a small frame house on the river walk On motion the petition was granted. Alderman Schneider and Underhill came in. Official Bonds. Alderman Maas presented his official bond as assessor and Collector. Maas & Nitschke. C. L. Nitschke's bond as Sexton, was also presented. On motion these bonds were referred to the City attorney to be submitted to the Council Monday. On motion Council adjourned G. W. Crowell City Clerk.