Regular Meeting of the City Council 285 Austin Texas, Dec: 21st. 1885. Hon J. W. Robertson, mayor. presiding. Roll Call- present; Aldermen metz, Pillow, Anderson, Campbell, maas, Warren, Northam, Crooker, Odell, Corwin, Cummings, Ervin and Walker- 13. Absent: Aldermen Schneider, Brush, Schuler, Underhill, Holman, DeGress and Brennen- 7. On motion the minutes of Dec. 19th were read. Alderman Pillow moved to amend the minutes naming the time that the Committee appointed to take testimony in the Contested election Cases of Charles McNally Vs J. C. DeGress, and B. C. Wells vs Geo A. Brush, should report to the Council to read "first" regular meeting, etc.,. Carried. The minutes as amended, were then adopted. Officers' Reports. Austin Texas, Dec, 21st, 1885. To the Honorable Mayor and City Council; Gentlemen: In Obedience City attys report to a resolution passed by your honorable body at on official bonds its last meeting I have examined the official bonds of the following named persons, to-wit; J. T. Howard, Treasurer; Jas E. Lucy, marshal; Milton Morris, City Clerk; Wm Maas, assessor and Collector, and C. L. Nitschke, Sexton, and find them Correct in form. Respectfully Geo T. Pendexter City Attorney. Petition to Alderman Schuler offered a petition from Construct a Gus Wilke; Sub-Contractor of the Capitol building. spur on Capitol asking for permission to Construct a spur from R R the Capitol railroad On East avenue, and to lay a side-track on East avenue to Connect with the Austin and Northwestern railroad, on East Cypress Street, and also for permission to add a --- Page break --- 286 Dec/21st 1885 third rail to the track of the Capitol railroad On East avenue. On motion the petition was referred to the Street Committee. The City marshals report from December 1st to City marshals report for Dec 1st to 21st. December 21st, 1885, was presented to the Council and referred to police Committee. His Honor J.W. Robertson mayor announced the Standing Committees of the City Council, as Standing Committees follows: Streets, Alleys Etc,: Schuber, Crooker, Holman Fire department: Crooker, Schneider, Brennan Finance and Revenue: Odell, Wortham, Walker Markets: Corwin, Pillow, Brush. Police: Schneider, Anderson, Metz. Printing: Walker, Maas, Pillow Cemetery: Ervin, Underhill, Corwin. Ordinances, Wortham, Campbell, DeGress. Sanitation and Sewers: Cummings, Maas, Odell Hospitals: Warren, Schuber, Ervin. Water and Gas: Anderson, Campbell, Cummings. Charity: Underhill, DeGress, Brush. To pay the pay roll Alderman Odell introduced an Ordinance appropriating $2.335.85 for the payroll of City of Austin for the month of December, 1885. On motion, the Ordinance was taken up and read, and then read a second and third time and passed by the following vote; Yea, Metz, Pillow, Anderson, Campbell, Schuber, Underhill, Maas, Warren, Wortham, Crooker, Odell, Corwin, Cummings, Ervin and Walker-15. J.E. Lucy's off bond The Official bond of City marshal, J.E. Lucy was presented, and on motion the Council ordered the bond approved. J.W. Howards official bond The official bond of City Treasurer J.W. Howard was presented, and on motion was ordered approved. Sworn in Mr Howard then Came forward and was sworn in. The official bond of C.L. Nitschke was presented C.L. Nitschke's off Bond and ordered approved by the Council. G W M Maas off Bond GW M Maas official bond, as assessor and Collector, was next presented and on motion was ordered --- Page break --- 287 Dec 21st 1885. Approved. Milton Morris Official Read. The official bond of Milton Morris, City Clerk, was also presented and ordered approved by the Council. Alderman DeGress Came in: Claims of arrival of Wm Darnwell The Claims of Wm. F. Luckie and Wm Darnwell for $250 each for the reward for the arrest of one Jack Combs, were presented by His Honor mayor Robertson, and referred to the police Committee. Claim C.R. Roth A Claim of $44 in favor of C.R. Roth, for half Cost of bridge on Live Oak and Brazos Streets, was presented and referred to Finance Committee. Claim T. Wamsley The Claim of T. Wamsley for $18.50 for damages Caused his hack by Washington hose Carriage striking and breaking it in several places, was introduced and referred by His Honor may, Robertson to the finance Committee, with the recommendation that it be investigated, and if found to be just and proper, that the Claim be paid. Police appointed The appointments by J. E. Lucy, City marshal, of Wm Darnwell, R.D. Bell, Henry Gielman, J. A. Wells, D.W. Millugen, Frank A. Martin, L.G. Lester, as policemen were on motion, Confirmed by the Council. Ordinance to Improve av. gutters Alderman Crooker offered an ordinance appropriating $800. or so much thereof as may be necessary to improve the gutters on Congress Avenue, South of Cypress Street, and moved that the ordinance be read, and that the rules be suspended and the ordinance be placed on its second and third readings, motion adopted, and the ordinance put on its final passage and passed by the following vote: yea Thetz, Pillow, Anderson, Campbell, Schuber, Underhill, maas, Warren, Wortham, Crooker, Odell, Corwin, DeGress, Cummings, Ervin, and Walker – 16. Report on Examination of Little Shoal Creek bridge Alderman Schuber presented the following report: To His Honor the mayor and City Council of the City of Austin; Gentlemen; On examination of the Condition of the bridge over Little Shoal Creek --- Page break --- 288 Dec 21st / 1885. at the Crossing of North Avenue and Nueces Streets, I find that the last heavy rains have Washed away in part the wings of Said bridge. leaving it in a Very bad Condition, and liable to Cave at any moment, and Very dangerous to life. I would therefore recommend the adoption of the report of the City engineer, and that an Ordinance Covering Said amount be passed for Said works as recommended. Schuber Chairman Street Committee. Ordinance of #400 to build bridge Alderman Schuber introduced an Ordinance appropriating $400, or so much thereof as may be necessary to build an arched bridge over Little Shoal Creek, at the Crossing of North Avenue and Nueces Streets. The Ordinance was read, and on motion the rules were Suspended, and the Ordinance read a Second and third times and placed on its final passage, and passed by the following Vote; Yea Metz, Pillow, Anderson, Campbell, Schuber, Underhill, Maas, Warren, Wortham, Crooker, Odell, Corwin, DeGress, Cummings, Erwin and Walker - 16. Resolution to get estimate of Cost of establishing permanent grades & levels Alderman Schuber offered the following resolution, which was adopted; Whereas, It is has become a matter of necessity that permanent grades and levels be established for the Streets Sidewalks, alleys and public ways of the City, So that all public improvements may Conform to a System; and Whereas, It is also necessary that a survey of the City be made for drainage and Sanitary purposes, and to provide for a System of Sewerage; and Whereas, It is necessary to employ an experienced. and Skilful engineer to advise and assist the City engineer in Such work; therefore, be it Resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin. That the mayor be directed and requested to Correspond with Competent Civil engineers in order to ascertain --- Page break --- 289 Dec / 21st 1885 the probable cost of such survey of the City, with the necessary maps, plats, drawings etc., to inaugurate and maintain a permanent system of grades, drainage, sewers and other like public works, and that he report to the City Council as early as practicable Alderman Pillow offered the following resolution, Be it resolved by the City Council Power of Comttee of the City of Austin, That the Committee appointed in Wells + to take testimony in the Contested election McAnally Contested Cases Cases of Wells vs Brush and McAnally vs DeGress, be and it is hereby invested with full power to send for persons and papers necessary to a full investigation of the matters involved in said Contests. On motion to adopt the resolution Alderman Call of Council DeGress requested a Call of the Council, which was ordered. Yea Pillow, Anderson, Campbell, Schuber, maas, Warren, Wortham, Crooker, Odell, Walker - 10. Nay metz, Underhill, Carwin, DeGress Cummings, Ervin - 6. The resolution was adopted. Underhills resignation Alderman Underhill tendered his resignation as alderman of the fourth ward. On motion it was accepted. Maas resignation Mr M. maas took official oath as City assessor and Collector " Alderman maas tendered his resignation " Verbally. On motion the Same was accepted. His Honor mayor Robertson Submitted to the Council the following. Resolution A resolution ordering Ordering Spl a Special election in the fourth and fifth election 4th + 5th Wards Wards of the City, on Tuesday, January 5, 1886, for the purpose of electing one alderman in the fourth ward in place of R.B. Underhill resigned, and one alderman in the fifth Ward, in place of m. maas resigned. Sec 2. The election will be held in the fourth --- Page break --- 290 Dec 21st 1885. Ward at Rumpel's store, and in the fifth Ward at hook and ladder truck house. Sec. 3. The following persons are appointed Judges of election: In fourth ward: A. Wahrmann J. H. Wood. B. T. Goldbeck. In fifth Ward: A. Kuss, W. Jacoby, Charles Huppertz. Sec. 4. That the mayor issue his proclamation Ordering said election, and this resolution take effect from and after its passage. On motion, the resolution was adopted. Recommit Ord. to widen Bridge Alderman Pillow moved to recommit the Ordinance widening the bridge on East Pecan street, with instructions to report as heretofore requested. Adopted. On motion the Council adjourned J. H. C. Peinsell City. Clerk