578 Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the City Council. Austin Tex. Feby: 21, 1887. Hon. J. W. Robertson, Mayor, presiding. Roll Called: Present: Aldermen Anderson, Brush, Caldwell, Campbell, Fisher, Graham, Jones, Odell, Platt, Phillips, Schuber, Townsend, Walker, Warren, Wellmer and Wortham - 16. Absent: Aldermen Cummings, DeGress, Metz, & Schneider - 4. Minutes. The minutes of the last meeting of the City Council were adopted as printed. Pet. B. Melasky The Chair submitted a memorial from Mr B. Melasky, in regard to the Streets about his dwelling house. Referred to the Committee on Streets Alleys, etc. The Same Committee reported favorably on the following petitions, Ordinances and resolutions: On an Ordinance prohibiting the playing of foot-ball on the public streets of the City of Austin. Continue E. On a petition of Citizens requesting that East Live Live Oak St. Oak Street be Continued through Block, No. 12 Sanmarcos, division D; that San marcos Street be continued South to Water Street, and that Cypress Street be Continued East to Sanmarcos Street. The Committee's report recommends the passage of an Ordinance appropriating $1200 for the purpose of purchasing the ground necessary to make these changes. Extend On a resolution instructing the City Culvert. Engineer to have the Culvert on the north side of the east approach to East Pecan Street rock bridge, extended east to East Avenue, or as far as may be necessary to render the same safe as a thoroughfare. The Committee's report recommends that the Culvert be extended twenty feet. On an Ordinance appropriating $25 for the Alley. purpose of repairing the alley between Congress Avenue, and Brazos Street at its intersection with north side of Pecan Street --- Page break --- 579 Feby. 21, 1887. Sabine st. On a resolution directing the City Marshal to cause the houses, fences and all other obstructions on Sabine street, between Fifth and Seventh street, to be removed within ten days from the passage of this resolution, unless the persons owning or controlling the obstructions in said street shall lease from the City of Austin that portion of said street obstructed by them. The reports were not acted upon. Bridge W. 11th The Same Committee reported unfavorably on an Ordinance, appropriating $344 to build an arch bridge over Little Shoal Creek at the Crossing of West Eleventh Street. The report was read and laid over. J. H. Raymond The Same Committee, to whom was referred, at the last meeting of the Council, a verbal complaint from Mr James H. Raymond, regarding the width of sidewalks on Pecan street, west of Shoal Creek, reported, Stating that they found Mr. Raymond entitled to a Sidewalk adjoining his property fifteen feet in width, and recommending the observance of such width of sidewalk by the City engineer. The report is signed by Aldermen Graham and Phillips, and, on motion, was adopted. Detective funds. The Committee on finance and revenue, having been regularly reached under the call for reports from Standing Committees, Mr. J.M. Odell, Chairman of the Committee, took the floor and called attention of the Council to an article which appeared in the Evening Call, on this day, indirectly charging the mayor with misappropriating the funds placed W. B. Wortham at his disposal (Alderman Shortham, president of the board of Aldermen, was called to the Chair), by the City Council in December 1886, for employing detectives, etc., and pronounced the charges false and untrue. He stated that he and the other gentlemen of his Committee, mr. W. B. Wortham and W. C. Bracker, Carefully examined the mayor's report of the expenditure of this fund, together with the vouchers, and found the mayor's statement full, explicit and absolutely correct in every particular. ( No vouchers for this fund --- Page break --- 580 Feby 21. 1887. were/ even. filed with the City Clerk). Alderman Fisher moved that the finance Committee furnish the Council, at its next meeting, with a detailed Statement of the Expenditure of the detective fund. Mayor Robertson took the floor and Stated that the article in the Evening Call was a Vile Slander and a malicious falsehood, and originated in the mind of a base- and Cowardly Scoundrel. He produced a written receipt from Matt W. Pinkerton covering all money paid to Pinkerton detectives, and read the finance Committee's report which was made at the time he Submitted his report and Vouchers to them for investigation. The report is, in effect, the same as the Statement made above by Mr Odell. Alderman Fisher withdrew his motion. On motion of Alderman Phillips the City Clerk prepared a resolution as follows: Be it Resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin, That the Statement made by the Mayor and finance Committee regarding the expenditure of the detective fund is full, explicit and entirely Satisfactory. Aldermen Cummings and Metz Came in. The question of adopting the resolution was put and carried by the following Vote; Yeas - Aldermen Anderson, Brush, Caldwell, Campbell, Cummings, Fisher, Graham, Jones, Metz, Odell, Platt, Phillips, Schuber, Townsend, Warren Wellmer and Wortham - 17. Nay - None. Mayor The Mayor then took the Chair. Willow St & Bridge Alderman Jones introduced a petition from Citizens of the Tenth ward, requesting that an appropriation be made to Construct a wagon bridge across Waller Creek at its intersection with Willow Street. Referred to Committee on --- Page break --- Feby 21. 1887. 581 Streets, Alleys etc. This appropriation is for the bridge mentioned in the above petition. Sillerman. The Committee on fire department reported favorably on a petition from the foreman of Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 for permission for that Company to appoint a tillerman to be placed on the regular pay roll of the fire department employes, with the same pay. No action was taken on the report. Spl comtee. Alderman Fisher, for the Special Committee appointed to investigate the charges against the City engineer, asked for further time in which to submit their report. Granted. Lease "Greenwood" An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to lease one hundred acres of Greenwood Cemetary for one year was taken up on its third reading and read. Alderman Brush moved to lay the Ordinance on the table. Lost. The Ordinance then passed by a vote of 11 to 6. Sanitary An Ordinance Creating the Office of Inspector Sanitary Inspector of the City of Austin, and prescribing the salary and duties of that officer, was taken up on its third reading and read. There being no objections the following amendments were offered: By Alderman Fisher; to amend section 3, by striking out "$1000" and inserting "$800", as an annual salary for Inspector. Carried. By Alderman Cummings, to amend by striking out "$800" for Salary, and the words "Sanitary inspector" wherever they occur in the ordinance, and inserting in lieu thereof "two policemen, who shall be under the supervision and control of the City Marshal." The amendment was tabled by a vote of 9 to 7. The question having recurred to the final passage of the Ordinance, it was put, and the vote stood 9 to 8. The chair announced he would decide by the next meeting whether --- Page break --- 582 Feby 21, 1887. or not the Ordinance had passed, according to the intent and meaning of the Charter Union Depot Alderman Platt moved to reconsider the vote by which a resolution was adopted at the last meeting of the Council, giving the use and occupation of Cypress street, between Congress Avenue and Colorado Street, to the Missouri Pacific and Houston and Texas Central Railroad Companies for union depot purposes. Lost. Opening & Alderman Walker presented an Ordinance widening appropriating the sum of $1200, for the purpose Sts. of extending the following streets, to-wit: Live Oak Street and Blanco street, and widening the following named streets, to-wit: San Marcos Street and Cypress Street. Ald Metz Alderman Metz was excused. Opening Sts. The Ordinance was read first time, after which a motion was made to suspend the rules and place the Ordinance on its second reading, which was adopted by the following vote. Yeas- Aldermen Anderson, Brush, Caldwell, Campbell, Cummings, Graham, Jones, Odell, Platt, Phillips, Schuler, Townsend, Walker, Warren, Wellmer - 15. Nays- Aldermen Fisher and Wortham - 2. A motion was then made to suspend the rules, and place the Ordinance on its third reading, which was rejected by the following Vote; Yeas- Aldermen Anderson, Caldwell, Cummings, Graham, Jones, Odell, Platt, Phillips, Schuler, Townsend, Walker, Wellmer - 12. Nays- Aldermen Brush, Campbell, Fisher, Warren & Wortham - 5. Feby pay roll Alderman Odell introduced an Ordinance etc. appropriating the sum of $8.766.39 for the purpose of paying officers and regular employes of the City, and City and County hospital, each for the month of February, 1887; Also, for payment of A. Ewing for feeding City prisoners during the month of December, 1886, and January, 1887; and also --- Page break --- 583 Feby 21. 1887. for payment of City Water Company for rent of hydrants, for protection from fire for the six months ending December 31, 1886. The Ordinance was read first time, after which motions were made to suspend the rules and place the Ordinance on its second and third readings, which were adopted by the following vote: Yeas – Aldermen Anderson, Brush, Caldwell, Campbell, Cummings, Fisher, Graham, Jones, Odell, Platt, Phillips, Schuber, Townsend, Walker, Warren, Wellmer, Wortham – 17. On motion the Ordinance then passed by the following vote: Yeas – Aldermen Anderson, Brush, Caldwell, Cummings, Fisher, Graham, Jones, Odell Platt, Phillips, Schuber, Townsend, Walker, Warren, Wellmer, Wortham – 16. Willow st Alderman Jones Called up an Ordinance Bridge appropriating $600 for the purpose of building a wooden bridge across Waller Creek on Willow street. The Ordinance was read first time, after which Alderman Cummings moved that a special Committee of six aldermen be appointed to Consider this Ordinance and all other questions of public improvements to be paid for out of the revenue of the City. Alderman Caldwell moved to amend the motion by making the Committee ten instead of six. Accepted. Alderman Campbell moved to table the motion. Carried. A motion was made to suspend the rules and place the Ordinance on its second reading, which was adopted by the following vote: Yeas – Aldermen Anderson, Brush, Caldwell, Campbell, Cummings, Fisher, Graham, Jones, Odell, Platt, Phillips, Schuber, Townsend, Walker, Warren, Wellmer, Wortham – 17. Alderman Schuber moved to refer the Ordinance to a special Committee of six Aldermen, who --- Page break --- 584 Feby 21. 1887 shall consider it; and the propriety of constructing bridges elsewhere in the city, and report their conclusions to the council. Alderman Anderson moved to lay the motion on the table - Adopted. Alderman Platt moved to strike out "$600" and insert "$1000". On motion of Alderman Anderson the amendment was tabled. Motions were then made to suspend the rules and place the Ordinance on its third passed. reading, and that the ordinance do now pass, both of which were adopted by the following vote: Yeas - Aldermen Anderson, Brush, Campbell, Cummings, Fisher, Graham, Jones, Odell, Platt, Phillips, Schuber, Townsend, Walker, Warren, Wellmer, Wortham - 17. Mayor Wortham The Mayor retired and Alderman Wortham, President of the Council, took the Chair. An ordinance to regulate and license Auctioneers in the City of Austin, was presented and read first time, after which, motions were made to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its second and third readings, both of which were adopted by the following vote: Yeas - Aldermen Anderson, Brush, Caldwell, Campbell, Cummings, Fisher, Graham, Jones, Odell, Phillips, Schuber, Walker, Warren, Wellmer, Wortham - 15. alley. On motion, the Ordinance then passed. An ordinance appropriating $25, for the purpose of repairing the alley between Congress Avenue and Brazos Street, at its intersection with the north side of Pecan Street, was taken up on its second reading, and read, after which a motion was made to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its third reading, which was adopted by the following vote. Yeas - Aldermen Anderson, Brush, Caldwell, Campbell, Cummings, Fisher, --- Page break --- 585 Feby. 21. 1887. Graham, Jones, Odell, Platt, Phillips, Schuber, Townsend, Walker, Warren, Wellmer, Wortham - 17. On motion, the Ordinances then passed. Platt & Caldwell Aldermen Platt & Caldwell were excused. A motion was then made to adjourn. Lost. Alderman Warren asked to be excused, but Ald Warren Objection being made, a motion to excuse him was made and adopted. Bridge Little Alderman Campbell introduced an Ordinance making Shoal on Hickory an appropriation of $1500, for building a bridge over Little Shoal Creek, on Eighth or Hickory Street. Referred to Committee on streets, Alleys etc gutters. Alderman Schuber presented an Ordinance appropriating $300 for the purpose of reconstructing the gutters on Pecan Street. The Ordinance was read first time, after which, motions were made to suspend the rules, and place the Ordinance on its second and third reading, both of which were adopted by the following vote. Yeas - Aldermen Anderson, Campbell, Cummings, Fisher, Graham, Jones, Odell, Phillips, Schuber, Townsend, Walker, Wellmer, Wortham - 14. On motion, the Ordinance then passed. Tillerman. Alderman Graham offered an Ordinance authorizing Austin Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 to appoint a tillerman, and making provision for the pay of said tillerman. The Ordinance was read first time, after which motions were made to suspend the rules and place the Ordinance on its second and third readings, both of which were adopted by the following Vote. Yeas Aldermen Anderson Brush, Campbell, Cummings, Fisher, Graham, Jones, Odell, Phillips, Schuber, Townsend, Walker, Wellmer, Wortham - 14. On motion, the Ordinance then passed. State sewer. Alderman Fisher presented a resolution, which was then adopted, respectfully Calling attention of --- Page break --- 586 Feby 21. 1887. the legislature to the broken and unhealthy condition of the State Sewer at its mouth. The resolution provides that the Mayor be authorized, to at once, communicate, at once, with the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, upon this subject. art. 75 Alderman Brush introduced an ordinance to amend Article 75, Chapter 11, title 2, of the revised penal ordinances of the City of Austin. The amendment relates to the obstruction of the sidewalks, and exempts grocers and merchants from liability for obstructing onehalf of the Same with goods which are actually being received or shipped. Alderman Schuber moved to refer the ordinance to the Committee on Ordinances. Lost. A motion was then made to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its second reading, which was rejected by the following vote: Yeas- Aldermen Anderson, Brush, Campbell, Cummings, Fisher, Graham, Jones, Odell, Phillips, Townsend, Walker, Wellmer, Wortham- 13. Nays- Alderman Schuber. Widen E. Cherry St Bridge Alderman Wellmer introduced an ordinance appropriating the sum of one thousand and seventy-seven dollars for the purpose of widening the bridge over Waller Creek, on Cherry Street. The ordinance was read first time, after which a motion was made to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its second reading, which was lost by the following vote, Yeas- Aldermen Anderson, Brush, Campbell, Cummings, Fisher, Graham, Jones, Odell, Phillips, Townsend, Wellmer, Wortham - 13. Nay- Alderman Schuber. obstructions Alderman Jones offered a resolution instructing the Marshal to remove obstructions in alley --- Page break --- 587 Feby 21, 1887. adjoining the firemen's hall, at once. On motion of Alderman Cummings, the resolution was tabled. Alderman Phillips moved to reconsider the vote by which the Resolution was tabled and lay that motion on the table. Adopted. On motion, the Council adjourned. Milton Morris, City Clerk