294 Called Meeting of the City Council Austin Tx. Dec. 26, 1885. Hon J.W. Robertson, mayor, presiding. Roll Call. Roll Call Present - Aldermen Schneiders, Metz, Pillow Anderson, Brush, Schuter, Warren, Corwin DeGross Cummings, Erwin Walker and Brennan 13. Absent - Aldermen Campbell, Wortham, Crooster, Odell and Holman - 5. Call of Council Alderman Pillow moved that a Call of the Council be made. The motion was adopted, and the marshal instructed to send for the absentees. Aldermen Holman and Wortham came in and and answered to their names. Call suspended On motion the Call of the Council was Suspended. Object of meeting Mayor Robertson stated: "The object of the meeting is to Consider further measures looking to the peace and Security of the City, and to the arrest of persons having Committed Crimes; also to Consider other matters that may be brought before you." Executive Alderman Pillow moved to Clear the room of session all persons not Connected with the Council; and go into executive Session. Adopted. Executive Session. Mayor Robertson presiding. Alderman Pillow offered the following Ordinance: Ordinance to An Ordinance providing for the employment employ detectives of Special detectives for temporary Service in the $5000 therefor City of Austin: Be it enacted by the City Council of the City of Austin: Sec. 1. That the mayor be authorized and requested to employ the most Skillful detective talent available, for a period of 90 days, or So long as in his Judgement the present emergency may demand. --- Page break --- 295 Sec. 2. That $5000 or so much thereof as may be necessary be and is hereby appropriated to pay for Said Service. Sec. 3. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. The Ordinance was read, and on motion the rules were Suspended and the ordinance placed on its Second reading by a vote of 15 yeas. Amendment Alderman Walker moved to amend Section 1 by inserting "Pinkerton" detective. The amendment was defeated. Alderman DePress moved to amend Section 2 Amendment by inserting: "And for expenses of telegraphing, fare and all other incidental expenses. The amendment was accepted. (Alderman Crooker came in) A motion was made further suspending the rules and placing the ordinance on its third reading. Adopted, yeas 16. Passed. The Ordinance was then placed on its final passage and passed by the following vote yeas, Schneider, metz, Pillow, Anderson, Brisk, Schuber, Warren, Wortham, Crooker, Cerwin, Holman, DePress, Cummings, Erwin, Walker and Brennen 16. Mayor appoint Mayor Robertson offered the following resolution any number which was adopted. Spl police 1. Resolved that the mayor be authorized to appoint any number of sober and reliable men to act temporarily as Special policemen of the City; Such special policemen to report to and be subject to the Command and Control of the City marshal. 2. Resolved that such special policemen shall serve without pay and shall be subject to removal at the pleasure of the mayor. 3. That this resolution take effect from and after its passage. Marshal give A motion was made and adopted instructing alarm by fire the City marshal to put into effect some bells of crimes System of Signals to be Sounded by the City fire bells when Crimes had been Committed --- Page break --- 296 in the City, and to notify the different fire Companies and the Citizens of Austin the kind of signals to be used. Petition Cityzns Mayor Robertson offered a petition of to suppress Citizens of Austin asking the City Council to gambling, bawons Suppress gambling hells, bawdy houses, drinking bawdy houses etc Saloons etc. On motion the petition was referred to the Ordinance Committee. Matter of Alderman DeGress moved: "That the matter Secrecy of secrecy of this meeting So far as it is binding between the mayor and citizens Committee that it be removed. Adopted. Regular Session A motion to open the doors and go into regular Session was made and adopted. Continuation of the regular Session. Ord. to establish Alderman Cummings offered an Ordinance pt. lamps providing for street lamps on Certain Streets in east Austin. Referred to Street Committee by a rising vote, 9 to 6. On motion the Council adjourned. Milton Morris City Clerk.