474 A Regular meeting of the City Council. Austin Tex., August 16, 1886. Hon J. W. Robertson, - mayor, presiding. Present, Aldermen Caldwell, Campbell, Roll Crocker, Cummings, Erwin, Giesen, Helmarn, Odell, Call. Schneider, Scholz, Warren. Wartham . Total, 12. Absent-Aldermen Anderson, Bruns, Degress, Jones. Metz, Pillow, Walker, Wellmer. Total, 8. minutes Minutes of the meeting of the Council which were held July 29 and 31, and August 2, were on motion, adopted as printed. Pet. K of L. A petition from The K. of L. assembly, No 2182 of this City, requesting that the Council ascertain the facts in regard to the management of the City hospital, was read and referred to the Committee on hospital. Board apprais- A report from the board of appraisement andment & E. Equalization was read, and referred to the Committee on finance. The reports suggests that a map of the City be made, to include all divisions and subdivisions of the City; and that it is the opinion of the board that the City loses a large revenue, because of the failure of Citizens to render personal property at a fair valuation; also, that the board visit each and every block, and lot in the City at least every six years, and ascertain The value of all real property. Mayor Robertson presented the following: Mayor's Office, Austin, Texas, Aug. 16, 1886. Mayor on Gentlemen of the City Council: back taxes I beg leave to invite your attention to the accompanying list of real property in the City of Austin that has been sold for taxes, bid in by the City, and that remains unredeemed by the Owner. These sales cover the period from the year 1877 to 1885 inclusive, and the amount of taxes due the City upon this property, exclusive of interest and costs, amount to the sum of $4216.16. When a piece of real property is sold for taxes and bid in by the City, no further sale can be made until it is redeemed. The taxes are assessed Annually upon the property, as if no sale had been made, --- Page break --- but no sale can be made by reason of default in these annual assessments. This is the rule adopted in relation to sales for State taxes, and the City of Austin has adhered to this rule since Sales first begun under the provisions of the present Constitution. The result has been that a large number of tax-payers, who have suffered their property to be sold and bid in by the City, have neglected to redeem the same, and have neglected and refused to pay the subsequent annual assessments upon such property. In several instances these taxes have accumulated until they aggregate several hundred dollars, as you will readily see by the list herewith submitted. And you will further observe that the delinquent property is among the most valuable and productive. in The City, and that the delinquent tax-payers are prominent and responsible people, and amply able to bear their proper portion of the burdens of government. It is unjust to the City, and it is unjust to the man who pays his taxes, to permit a portion of the property, and a portion of the people immunity from this Common burden. The City has power by its Charter to levy and collect this tax. City Charter, Art VI, Sec. 1. It also has power, by Ordinance, to direct how property sold for taxes shall be redeemed. Charter, Art XIII, Section 1. This power is enlarged and amplified by the additional powers conferred by Art XIX, forty second Subdivision. Revised Ordinances page 138. The Ordinances in force when these taxes were levied and sales made, as well as the Ordinances now in force, are amply sufficient, in my opinion, to give effect to these provisions of the Charter. By Art. 567, of the Old revision of Ordinances, The taxes, together with all interest, costs of suits, etc, if there Shall be any necessity for collecting the same, Shall be a lien on real property Until the Same Shall be paid. This Ordinance was passed April 11, 1878, but prior to that date --- Page break --- 476 Aug. 16, 1886. There were Ordinances of similar import in force. The lien is also fixed by State Law. Art. 4690, Revised Statute, from act August 21, 1876. I am of the opinion that the City has a lien upon this property to secure the payment of these delinquent taxes, and that such lien can be foreclosed. Two methods are provided in the Ordinance: First, By sale of the property by the assessor and Collector, as provided in Rev. Civil Ord. Art 158 to 169, inclusive. This follows the State law. Second, by suit for foreclosure of lien in District Court of Travis County, provided for in Rev. Civil Ord., Art. 402. I respectfully ask that such action in this matter may be taken as will insure an early Collection of these delinquent taxes. Very truly, your Obedient Servant, J. D. Robertson, Mayor. Motion to | Alderman Green moved that the names of owners print names. | on the list and the amounts due be read by the Clerk, and that the list be referred to the City attorney, with instructions to take such action as he may deem proper and necessary. Carried. Alderman Warren moved that the whole matter be printed in the minutes. Adopted. See printed minutes for an omission. Error. List | List of Property sold for Taxes, and bid in by the | City of Austin, and remaining unredeemed Aug. 12, | 1886! J. J. Brown, block 73, lot 5+ 1/3 of 6, sold 1876. Taxes unpaid 1877 to 1880, inclusive. Total tax $300.05 Mrs S. Cassidy, block 70, lot N. 1/2 of 4, sold 1876, Taxes unpaid, 1877 to 1880 inclusive. Total tax $91.62 Jeff Taylor, block 55, div. D, lot 1 part, sold 1876 Total tax $1.05 Joseph Lee, block 93, lot 1, sold 1876 Taxes unpaid, 1881 to 1884, inclusive. Total tax, $158.85 M. Maas, block 29, div. E, lot 16, Sold 1876, taxes unpaid, 1878 to 1880, inclusive and 1884. Total tax, $100.94 Wm Mc Donald, block 111, lot E 2/3 of 7, Sold 1877 Total tax $82.30 --- Page break --- 477 Aug. 16, 1886. List A. H. Nepps, block 55, div. B, N.W. ¼ of 3, sold 1877 taxes unpaid, 1878 to 1885 inclusive. Total tax, $12.03 John Robinson, block 169, lot 3, Sold 1877, taxes unpaid, 1878 to 1885 inclusive. Total tax, $12.48 Alex. Ranson, block 128, lot 1 & 2, sold 1877. taxes unpaid, 1878 to 1884, inclusive. Total tax, $93.25 Mrs C. A. Trimble, block 8, div. D, lot 6 & 7, Sold 1877, taxes unpaid, 1879 to 1883 inclusive & 1885 Total tax, $68.13 J. M. Bennett, block 55, lot, improvements on 7, Sold 1877, Total tax, $8.00 O. N. F. Clark, block 107, lot 7 and 8, Sold 1877, taxes unpaid, 1879 to 1882, inclusive, & 1885 total tax. $67.20 Owner Unknown, block 42, div. B. Sub. div. of block 2, lot 1. Sold 1877, taxes unpaid, 1878 to 1885 inclusive. Total tax, $15.40. Owner Unknown, block 42, div. B, Sub div. of block 2, Sold 1877, taxes unpaid 1878 to 1882 inclusive, Total tax, $18.10. Mattie Robards, block 44, div D, Sub. div. of block 2, lots 1,2,3,9,10,11,12,13,14 and 15, Sold 1877, taxes unpaid 1878 and 1880 to 1885 inclusive. Total tax, $51.18 Mattie Robards, block 43, div D, Sub div. of block 4, lot 12; Sub. div. of block 3, lot 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11, 1875 taxes taxes unpaid 1880 to 1885, inclusive, $40.34 and part, 1874, $3. Mattie Robards, block 55, div. D, Sub. div. of block 5, lot 8 to 21 and 24 to 26. Sold 1878, taxes unpaid, 1880 to 1883 inclusive. Total tax, $42.49. Mattie Robards, block 45, div. D, Sub div. of block 1 lot 15. Sold 1879, taxes unpaid 1881 to 1885 inclusive. Total tax, $12.16. Mrs E. Hansen, block 42, div. B. Sub div. of block 5 lot S.W. ½ of 6 and 7, Sold 1877. Total tax, $1.50. Robert Johnson, block 33 div. E, 1 lot in S.E. ¼ Sold 1877, taxes unpaid 1879 to 1885 inclusive. Total tax, $37.32. Andrew Jackson, block, div. B. lot part of 4 Sold 1877, taxes unpaid 1880 to 1882 inclusive and 1883-84. Total tax, $14.25 Ben Oraker, block 58, lot 25 X 120 ft. N. part of 1, 2, and 3 Sold 1877, taxes unpaid, 1878 to 1885 inclusive. Total tax $26.20 --- Page break --- 478 Aug 16, 1886. List Mrs J. E. P. Gassaway block 37, lot 1 and 8, Sold 1877, taxes unpaid 1878 to 1885 inclusive. Total tax, $25.24. Fred Carleton, block 86, lot N. 1/2 of 7 and 8, Sold 1877, taxes unpaid 1878 to 1885 inclusive. Total tax, 132.55. Fred Carleton, block 127, lot 1, Sold 1877, taxes unpaid 1888 to 1885 inclusive, total tax, $78.63. W. P. Brown, block 1 div. B. lot 17, Sold 1878, taxes unpaid 1879 to 1885 inclusive. Total tax $20.62. Isaae Williams, block 55 div. B. lot part of 8 Sold 1878, taxes unpaid 1879 to 1885 inclusive. Total tax, $16.58. Owner unknown, block 42, div. B., Sub. div. of block 3, lot 12, Sold 1878, taxes unpaid 1879 to 1885 inclusive. Total tax, $9.98 C. G. Palms, block 32, lot 11 and 12 and 1/2 of 10 Sold 1878, taxes unpaid 1879 to 1885 inclusive. Total tax, $226.95 Estate of Lewis Hall, block 4, div. O., Sub. div. of block 4, lot 5, Sold 1878, Taxes unpaid 1879 and 1880 and 1883-84. Total tax, $16.15. Louise Robinson, block 3, div. A., div. of block 6, lot 7, Sold 1878. Total tax, $3.20. F. M. Chandler, block 20, div. E. lot all, Sold 1878, taxes unpaid 1879 to 1883 inclusive, and 1885. Total tax, $54.33. Mrs R. A. Lanes, block 90, lot 1,2, and part of 3, Sold 1878, taxes unpaid 1879 to 1885 inclusive. Total tax, $204.23. W. M. Walter, block 6, lot 7, 8 and 9, Sold 1878, taxes unpaid 1879 and 1880, and 1882 to 1884 inclusive. Total tax, $231.05. A. B. Shelley, block 18. div. O., Sub. div. of block 1, lot 1 to 20, Sold 1879, taxes unpaid 1880. Total tax, $92.30. Nora Brown, block 43, div. D., Sub. div. of block 3, lot 4, Sold 1879, taxes unpaid, 1880 and 1882 inclusive and 1885. Total Tax, $3.65. O. H. Caldwell and J. H. Cannon heirs, block 1, div. A., Sub. div. of block 2, lot 18, Sold 1879, taxes unpaid 1880 and 1882. Total Tax $4.80 Matthew Gaines, block 43, div. D., Sub. div. of block 4, lots 1, 2, and 3, Sold 1879, taxes unpaid 1880 to 1885 inclusive. Total Tax, $17.65. --- Page break --- 479 Aug. 16, 1886. List Eliza Brown, block 1, div. B. Lot, part, Sold 1874 and 75. Total tax, $6.00 H. F. Calhoun, block 18, div. C. lot, part, sold 1873. Total tax, .87cts. A. H. Cox, block 43, div. B. part lot, sold 1875. Total tax, $3.75 Dennis Corwin, block 56, div. B. Sub. div. of block 1, lot 2 and E 1/2 of 1. Sold 1875. Total tax, $7.50 Owner unknown, block 56, div. B, Sub. div of block 2 lot 2, lot 2 and E 1/2 of 1. Sold 1884 taxes unpaid 1880 to 1883 inclusive. and 1885. Total tax, $109.20 J. H. Conner, block 1, div. A, Sub div of block 2, lots 3, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18. Sold 1875. Total tax. $14.35. J. H. Conner, block 1, div. A, Sub div of block 2, lot 1, Sold 1873, taxes unpaid 1882-83 and 1885. Total tax, $7.50. J. H. Conner, block 1, div. A. Sub div of block 4, lot 11, Sold 1873. Total tax, $1.37 Lovania Farhand, block 4. div. C. Sub div. of block 3, lot 3. Sold 1875. Taxes unpaid 1880 to 1884 inclusive. Total tax, $16.68. J. L. Gray, block 44, div. D. lot, part, sold 1874 and 75. Total tax $1.20 J. H. Hutchins, block 14. lots 1 and 2. Sold 1872, 4 and 5. taxes unpaid 1880 and 82. Total tax, $71.75. D. A. Johnson, block, div. D. lot, part, sold 1875. Total tax, $11.25 Bettie Johns, block 46, div. D. lot part, sold 1873. Total tax, 75 cts. Horace Rowe, block 1. div. A. Sold 1875. Total tax $7.50. R. M. Russell, block 42, div. B. lot, part, sold 1875. Total tax, $1.50 L. Streamer, block 70, div. E. lot 16. Sold 1875. Total tax $6.38 W. D. Shepard, block 44, div. D. lot, part. Sold 1874 and 75. Total tax $4.50 W. D. Shepard, block 1, div. A. lot, part, sold 1874 & 75. Total tax, $7.50 Chas. F. Kindle, block 46, div. D. lot, part, sold 1875. Total 1875. Total tax. $1.88. --- Page break --- 480 Aug. 16, 1886. List D. M. Wilson, block 55, div. B., lot, part, Sold 1873 and 74. Total tax. $21.25 D. M. Wilson, block 4, div. A., Sub. div. of block 4, lots 1 to 12, sold 1873, and 74. Total tax, $37.50. D. M. Wilson, block 64, lots 2, less 42 ft. 3, 4, 7 and 8, Sold 1874 and 75. Total tax, $74.00 Eli Green, block 55, div. B., 1/2 of Sub. div. lots 10 and 11, Sold 1880, taxes unpaid 1881 to '83 and '80. Total tax, $22.33 N. S. Shelley, block 18, div. O., Sub. div. of block 4, lots 1, 2 and 7 to 12, Sold 1880. Total tax, $58.30. Otto H. Woeshner, block 92, lots 1 and 2, Sold 1880, taxes unpaid 1881 to 1884 inclusive. Total tax, $114.95. Owner Unknown, block 27, lot 11. Sold 1884. Total tax $6.65. D. N. Sayer, block 46, lots 90 ft. off 8 part of lots 3 and 4, and part of lots 1 and 2. Total tax, $26.65. Suspend rules Alderman Booker moved that the rules be suspended + permit and that the Special Committee on Sewers, Water Works, Special Water etc., be permitted to report. Adopted. Aldermen Committee The Committee then presented the following report: report Hon J. M. Robertson, Mayor, and the board of Aldermen of the City of Austin: Their Gentlemen: Your Special report Committee to whom was referred an Ordinance entitled "An Ordinance Ordering an election by the tax-paying Citizens of Austin, for the purpose of procuring their Consent to an extension of the bonded debt of the City of Austin, beyond one hundred and twenty five thousand dollars;" and an ordinance providing for an election to procure Consent to issue bonds in the Sum of five thousand dollars for the purpose of making a Survey of the City, and also a Resolution directing the preparation of an Ordinance to Submit to the votes of the tax-payers of Austin, a proposition to issue bonds in the Sum of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, for the purpose of purchasing or Constructing Water works and Sewers. have Carefully Considered all those questions, and beg leave to report the accompanying --- Page break --- Aug 16, 1886. Ordinance a Substitute for all the propositions Submitted for the Consideration of the Committee. We are fully Satisfied of the necessity of Sewers in Austin, but we are still more fully Convinced of the necessity of the City Owning Water works before Constructing any Sewers. The Sewers will be an absolute failure, without an abundant and Cheap supply of water. It is the Opinion of your Committee, that the City and Citizens of Austin are now paying at least One hundred Thousand dollars per year for water. A System of Sewers will double the quantity of water to be used, which, at the prices Charged by the present Contract with the Water Company, will become a most grievous tax upon the people, and the Only way To remove the burden, Or reduce it, is not proposed by the Ordinance, we report as a Substitute for the matter referred to us. The Ordinance provides for the election by the people of a board of Supervisors, Composed of the best and truest men in the City. The money raised by the Sale of the bonds will be not Only honestly expended, but will be judiciously expended: If this there Can be no doubt when it is placed in the hands of such men as will form the board of Supervisors. The people will vote for this Ordinance, when the board of Supervisors are Clothed with the proper authority, and the money to back their proposition. It will then be in a position to negotiate with the Water Company for the purchase of their water works. Should the Company decline to sell their works at a reasonable price, then let the City Construct her own works, and furnish to her Citizens water at just what it Costs. By this plan the Water rates Can be reduced One-half, and the City derive revenue Sufficient to pay interest on her bonds and all expenses of Operating the works, and set aside a sinking-fund that will extinguish the debt, and not increase the taxes One dollar. We quote from the yearly water --- Page break --- 482 Aug 16, 1886. ======================================== rates of the City of St. Louis: For a residence of Six or seven rooms (which is an average residence for Austin), $6.00, bath $3.00, horse $3.00, sprinkling $2.50 - $14.00 a year. The present water rates for Austin for the Same Kind of house, will not be less than $36.00 per year. The smallest rates for Austin is $18.00 per year; the smallest for St. Louis is $3.00 per year. Assuming that Austin Cannot furnish water Quite as Cheaply as St. Louis, it is Safe to Say, that the water rates Can be lowered One-half, and by so doing at least fifty thousand dollars per year Saved to the people of Austin if Sewers are not Constructed, and One hundred thousand dollars if they are. Give us Sewers, but by all means give us the water works first. One recommend the adoption and passage of the Substitute Ordinance. Respectfully Submitted, August 16, 1886. J. J. Campbell, W. G. Waecker, J. Sechuber, W. B. Wortham. Read & adopted. On motion the report was received and adopted and the Committee discharged. The Water Sewer Sub. The following named Ordinance is the Substitute referred to in the above report: and An Ordinance Ordering an election by the Taxpaying Citizens of the City of Austin for the purpose of procuring their Consent to an extension of the bonded debt of the City of Austin in the Sum of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, beyond and in addition to the present bonded debt of One hundred and twenty five thousand dollars. Sub. adopted. Lie over + print On motion, the Substitute was adopted. Alderman Booker moved that the Ordinance and report be printed in the Statesman, and lie over till the next regular meeting of the City Council. Carried. --- Page break --- Aug. 16, 1886. Spl Comtee Alderman Cummings introduced the following resolution: Confer Resolved, That a Committee of five be and are hereby appointed to Confer with the City Water Company, and ascertain whether or not they will sell their works, and, if so, the sum required to purchase same. On motion the resolution Prevailed, and the Chair announced the following The spl. Comtee Named Aldermen as Such Committee: Cummings, appointed Crooker, Anderson, Cracker and Warren. Alderman Odell, for the Committee on finance and revenue, reported on the petition of Hudson H. Maud Maud, who requested to be relieved from paying petition. taxes of 1885, assessed against Certain improvements The report states that the improvements named were not assessed and recommends that nothing be done in the matter. The report was adopted. Excused No Objection being made, Alderman Cummings was Excused. Alley in 52 An Ordinance authorizing the Owners of block Div. "S" Graham No. 52, in division "S" Graham addition to addition Closed the City of Austin, to Close the alley running from North to South through Said block, was taken up on its Third Reading, and on motion passed. Open Lampasas Alderman Odell moved that the City engineer St. open Lampasas Street north from Laurel Street to Corporation line. Carried. Alderman Odell introduced the following named Ordinances, which was Read first time: $350 to pay An Ordinance appropriating Three thousand employees and fifty dollars to pay officers and regular Employees of the City; Also one hundred and sixty seven dollars to pay employees of the City and County hospital, each for the month of August, 1886: Cemetery fence Alderman Ervin presented an Ordinance appropriating $150 to Whitewash the fence of the City Cemetery and to put two strips on the fence to Secure the pickets. Read first time and laid over. Alderman Odell offered the following --- Page break --- 484 Aug. 16, 1886. named Ordinance, which was laid over: An Ordinance appropriating $550. for the The Sum of $530 to pay expenses of board of appraisers. appraisers and equalization. Alderman Schuber moved that the City Marshal be required to remove Chili Stands from the Streets in day time. Carried. On motion the Council adjourned. Milton Morris, City Clerk.