614 Minutes of a regular Meeting of the City Council. Austin, April 18, 1887. Hon. J. W. Robertson, Mayor, presiding. Roll Call Present - Ald Anderson, Brush, Fisher, Graham, Jones, Platt, Phillips, Schuler, Townsend, Waskel, Warren, Wortham -- 12. Absent - Ald Caldwell, Campbell, Cummings, Metz, Schneider, Odell, Wellmer - 7. The minutes of the last meeting of the City Council were adopted as printed. Alderman Wortham moved that a Committee be appointed to Canvass the returns of the special election held in the Eighth Ward. The motion was adopted, and the Chair appointed Aldermen Wortham, Fisher and Brush as such Committee. The returns were canvassed and the following result announced: For Alderman of Eighth Ward - W. A. Alexander, 107; S. Buttell, 75; H. B. Hancock, 55; G. Petri, 12; McAnally, 6; A. R. Rutherford, 1. Alexander's plurality, 32. The Chair then declared W. A. Alexander duly elected Alderman of the Eighth Ward. Mr Alexander then came forward and took the oath of Office. Alderman Wellmer came in. An invitation to the Mayor, board of Aldermen and City officers to attend the annual picnic and celebration of the Austin Fire Department, was received from Monroe Miller, Chief of Austin Fire Department, and C. F. Dribbe, Chairman Committee on invitation. The invitation was accepted. The mayor stated he had remitted the remainder of fines and costs assessed in the Recorder's Court against J. A. Owens and Thomas White, subject to the approval of the Council, because sufficient punishment had been inflicted. On motion, the Council concurred in the remissions. Alderman Anderson from the Committee on *** **Text from the margin:** Roll Call. Minutes. Election returns W. A. Alexander Ald Wellmer. Invitation J. A. Owens. Tho's. White. Lamp & --- Page break --- 615 April 18, 1887. Hydrant. Water and Gas, reported favorably on a resolution providing for the erection of a gas lamp and a water Hydrant at the Corner of Rio Grande and twenty-fifth Streets. No action was taken on the report. Ald. Cummings. Alderman Cummings Came in. Signs. An Ordinance prohibiting the use of hanging signs, and providing for the removal of the same, was taken up on its third reading and read. There being no objection, the following amendments were offered: By Alderman Warren - To fix the time within which signs shall be removed, after notice is given, to ninety days instead of thirty days. By Alderman Wortham. - To fix the time at twelve months instead of thirty days. This motion was lost, by the following Vote: Yeas - Ald Alexander, Anderson, Cummings, Graham, Schuber, Warren, Wortham - 7. Nays- Ald. Brush, Fisher, Jones, Platt, Phillips, Townsend, Walker, Wellmer - 8. The motion made by Alderman Warren then prevailed. Alderman Anderson moved a Call of the Council. The motion was duly seconded and the roll was called which showed the following: Present - Ald. Alexander, Anderson, Brush, Cummings, Fisher, Graham, Jones, Platt, Phillips, Schuber, Townsend, Walker, Warren, Wellmer, Wortham - 15. Absent - Ald. Caldwell, Campbell, Metz, Odell, Schneider - 5. Alderman Fisher moved that the absentees be excused. The vote on the motion was as follows: Yeas- Ald. Brush, Fisher, Jones, Platt, Phillips, Townsend, Walker, Warren and Wellmer - 9. Nays - Ald Alexander, Anderson, Cummings, Graham, Schuber and Wortham - 6. Alderman Anderson made the point of order that a two thirds vote of the Council was --- Page break --- 616 April 18, 1887. necessary to excuse absentees when the house is under Call. The Chair ruled that a majority Vote was sufficient to excuse the absentees, and that the motion had been adopted. Alderman Schneider Came in. Alderman Cummings moved to indefinitely postpone further consideration of the Ordinance. Lost. Yeas- Ald. Alexander, Anderson, Cummings, Graham, Schuber, and Wortham-6. Nays- Ald. Brush, Fisher, Jones, Platt, Phillips, Schneider, Townsend, Waesler, Warren, and Wellmer-10. Alderman Brush moved that the Ordinance do now pass. Alderman Anderson moved to postpone further consideration of the Ordinance until the next meeting of the City Council. Rejected. Yeas- Ald. Alexander, Anderson, Cummings, Graham, Schneider, Schuber, and Wortham-7. Nays- Ald. Brush, Fisher, Jones, Platt, Phillips, Townsend, Waesler, Warren, and Wellmer-9. Alderman Wortham moved to adjourn - Lost; Yeas- Ald. Alexander, Anderson, Cummings, and Wortham-4. Nays- Ald. Brush, Fisher, Graham, Jones, Platt, Phillips, Schneider, Schuber, Townsend, Waesler, Warren and Wellmer-12. The motion made by Alderman Brush prevailed Yeas- Ald. Brush, Fisher, Jones, Platt, Phillips, Schneider, Townsend, Waesler, Warren, Wellmer, & Wortham-11. Nays- Ald. Alexander, Anderson, Cummings, Graham, and Schuber-5. Alderman Wortham then gave notice that he would, at the next meeting of the City Council, move a reconsideration of the Vote by which the Ordinance passed. A resolution authorizing the water and gas Committe to locate a gas lamp and hydrant at the Corner of 25th and Rio Grande streets, was taken up on its second reading, and on motion recommitted with request that the Committee ascertain if a hydrant can be spared from some part of the City, and the Cost of removal to the point named. Alderman Waesler introduced an Ordinance appropria- [Left Margin:] Lamp & Hydrant. Greenwood --- Page break --- 617 April 18 - 1887. Cemetery fence costing $242.83 to pay for fence around Greenwood Cemetery. 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 - Ald. Alexander, Anderson, Brush, Cummings, Fishers, Graham, Jones, Platt, Phillips, Schneider, Schuber, Townsend, Walker, Warren, Wellmer, and Wortham - 16. On motion, the Ordinance then passed. April roll. Alderman Wortham offered an Ordinance appropriating $3350.00 for the purpose of paying Officers, and regular employees of the City and City and County Hospital, each for the month of April, 1887. 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 and that the Ordinance do pass, all of which were adopted by the following Vote: Yeas - Ald. Alexander, Anderson, Brush, Cummings, Fishers, Graham, Jones, Platt, Phillips, Schneider, Schuber, Townsend, Walker, Warren, Wellmer and Wortham - 16. Spl. Comtee The Chair announced the special Committee on river Current on the Current of the Colorado river as follows: Aldermen Platt, Alexander, Anderson, Schneider and Walker. Crematory. Alderman Platt presented a resolution providing for the erection of a Crematory for the purpose of disposing of the bodies of all animals that may die within the Corporate limits of the city of Austin. Referred to the Special Committee above named. Sewers. A report from the Sanitary inspector was read. The report recommends that steps be taken to gutters. remedy the unhealthy Condition of the sewers at the river; also, that the gutters on Congress Avenue be Cobblestoned, so as to prevent sediment settling with the sand. Referred to the special Committee. $10 reward. Alderman Fisher introduced a resolution offering a Standing reward of ten dollars for the arrest and --- Page break --- 618 April 18, 1887. Conviction of any person depositing the Carcass of any animal, or any load of Offensive matter above the surface of the ground or in the river bed within the City limits. Referred to the special Committee. additional Alderman Fisher also offered an Ordinance Scavenger Carts appropriating the Sum of $100 for the purchase of two additional Scavenger Carts. The Ordinance was read first time, after which motions were made to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its second & 3d readings, both of which were adopted by the following Vote: Yeas- Ald. Alexander, Anderson, Brush, Cummings, Fisher, Graham, Jones, Platt, Phillips, Schneider, Schuber, Townsend, Waesker, Warren, Wellmer, Wortham – 16. On motion, the Ordinance then passed. Greenwood Alderman Anderson introduced an Ordinance Cemetery. amending Sections of "an Ordinance providing for the establishment of a new Cemetery for the City of Austin, to be known as Greenwood Cemetery, and providing for the purchase of land therefor, and making appropriation to carry the same into effect," approved July 2, 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, both of which were adopted by the following Vote: Yeas- Ald. Alexander, Anderson, Brush, Cummings, Fisher, Graham, Jones Platt, Phillips, Schneider, Schuber, Townsend, Waesker, Warren, Wellmer and Wortham – 16. On motion, the Ordinance then passed. The amendment will obviate the necessity of taking unnecessary preliminary steps before offering lots etc, for sale. City Clock Alderman Jones introduced a resolution authorized the Market house Committee to advertise for bids for keeping the City Clock in repair One year from date of letting Contract. Adopted. --- Page break --- April 18-1887. 619 Hose Cart. Alderman Jones also presented a resolution providing for the purchase of a hose cart for the use of Colorado Steam-Fire Engine Co. No. 2. Referred to Fire Committee. The resolution provides that the Mayor shall purchase the hose Cart from the Company named, six months after the Company have paid for the Cart, and that the price paid by the Mayor shall not exceed the amount paid by the Company. A. & N. W. Alderman Cummings introduced an Ordinance R.R. repealing and modifying Section 3 of an Ordinance entitled "an Ordinance granting the right of way to the Austin & Northwestern Railway Company," approved November 26, 1881. 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- Ald. Alexander, Brush, Cummings, Platt, Phillips, Schneider, Townsend, Wacker, Warren & Wellmer-11. Nays- Ald. Anderson, Graham, Jones, & Smitham-4. Alderman Fisher was excused from Voting. The ordinance was then referred to the street Committee. It repeals so much of Section 3 of the Ordinance referred to as grants to said railroad Company the right to use San Marcos Street, and declares said Street to be vacated and divested of its Character and Condition as a public street and thoroughfare. San marcos Alderman Cummings also offered a resolution st. requiring the city engineer to open San Marcos Street, from the north line of Cedar Street. Alderman Cummings moved the adoption of the resolution, and Alderman Phillips moved to refer it to the street Committee. The motion of Alderman Phillips prevailed. Amend-ts Alderman Phillips introduced an Ordinance public Improvemt amending Sub-division 5 of Section 1 of "an Ord. Ordinance making appropriations out of the general revenue of the Current year for public Improvements in the City of Austin," Passed March 21, 1887. The amendment provides for the striking out of that portion of the Ordinance --- Page break --- 620 April 18, 1889. referred to which provides for the opening of San Marcos Street, and inserting in lieu thereof that the $1000 be used for improving the streets, blasting rock out of Ninth and Tenth Streets, and repairing the bridges in the Eighth Ward. The ordinance was referred to the Street Committee. Stable Alderman Walser introduced a resolution providing manure. for the prevention of accumulations of stable manure on small farms in or adjacent to the Tenth Ward. Referred to Sanitary Committee. On motion, the Council then adjourned Milton Morris, City Clerk.