179 Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the City Council. Austin, Texas. Feby. 6, 1888. Hon. Joseph Nalle, Mayor, presiding. Roll Call. Present Aldermen Assmann, Boland, Brush, Caldwell, Campbell, Delgros, Fisher, Graham, Haigler, Jones, Metz, Odell, Phillips, Platt, Schneider, Townsend, Wilson, Wortham - 18. Absent: Aldermen Linn and Pillow - 2. Minutes. Minutes of the Meetings of the Council, which were held on January 16 and 23, were adopted as printed. Alliance. Alderman Fisher introduced a memorial from the Farmers’ Alliance) Exchange, of Travis County, requesting that arrangements be made whereby the exchange may get the use of the South half of Block No. 59, of this City, on which to erect and provide Suitable buildings, Sheds and appliances for receiving, Storing and disposing of such products as the farmers of Travis County produce, manufacture and consume. On motion, it was referred to a special Committee Composed of three Aldermen, the Mayor and City Attorney. The Mayor appointed Aldermen Fisher, Haigler and Caldwell to serve on the Committee. Reports of City Officers. Sexton. The City Sexton’s Report for the month of January 1888: Total number of deaths 23. White 17 Colored 6 Male 12 Female 11 a. & C. Report of Assessor and Collector for fractional quarter ending Jan. 31, 1888: Total Collections other than School tax $3,238.52 School tax Collected 956.27 City Clerk. Report of City Clerk of Warrants issued during the month of January, 1888: Total amount issued $3,430.15 Marshal. Report of City Marshal for the month of January 1888: --- Page break --- 181 Total amount of fines and Costs assessed in the Recorders Court $652.75 Collected in Cash $308.15 Worked out 195.95 Escaped 97.65 Appealed 107.50 Carried Over 113.50 $652.75 Book. fines and Costs Collected $49.35 Total number of arrests made 52. Phys. Report of City Physician for the month of January, 1888: Number of Patients in hospital Jany. 1, 1888 10 " " admitted to " in " " 10 " " discharged from " " " 7 " " deaths in hospital " " 2 " patients remaining " hospital Feby. 1, 1888 11 " cases of Scarlet fever reported 1 " " diptheria " " 4 " Visits made 183 " prescriptions. written 266 There has been more sickness in the city during the past month in the pauper practice than for six months, but the mortality has been very small. Sanitation. The Sanitary inspector. Submitted a report recommending that the keeping of hogs in pens in the city be not allowed. Also. that the burning of trash in yards outside. the fire limits be permitted. And also, that the emptying of water into the gutters on Congress Avenue and Pecan street be prohibited. Referred to Committee on Sanitation and Sewdrage. Treas. Report of City, treasurer from Jany. 16, to Feby. 6, 1888: (Balances On hand, Jan-16-$2.250.82 Receipts 2.876.70 $5,127.52. Disbursements $1,248.75 Balance. On hand 3,843.77 $5,127.52 --- Page break --- 183 26. 1. The City engineer submitted report in substance as follows: Recommending the repair of the gutters on the South end of Congress Avenue. Advising that the ground at the foot of Brazos Street be repaired at once. Stating that the bridge on East Eleventh Street is in need of repairs; also, recommending that the bridges on East Fifteenth and Sixteenth Streets be repaired; also, advising that the bridge over Shoal Creek on N. Pease Street is in need of repair. The City engineer's reports were referred to the Street Committee. Driskill The City Attorney, in accordance with a motion tax. adopted at the last meeting of the City Council, Submitted his opinion as to the power of the Council to relieve the owner of the Driskill Hotel from the payment of the taxes assessed against Said property for 1887. His opinion is that relief cannot be given. On motion, it was adopted. Syndicate R.R. Aldermen Platt introduced a favorable report from the Street Committee, Street Commissioner, approving of the manner of removal of the Syndicate railroad track, and the grading of the streets the same had occupied; the work being done at the expense of Geo. Wilkie, Sub-Contractor for the State Capital building. The report was adopted. Abner Taylor R.R. Alderman Platt also introduced a resolution releasing Abner Taylor and Geo. Wilkie, Contractor and Sub-Contractor of the State Capitol building, and the sureties on their bonds from all further obligation and liability to the City of Austin on account of the construction, maintenance, etc., of the Capital Syndicate railroad, the Said Taylor and Wilkie having fully complied with all of their agreements and contracts concerning the same. The resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes 11 Noes 1 Abs [illegible] 1. Absent, --- Page break --- Brush, Caldwell, Campbell, Degress, Fisher, Graham, Haigler, Jones, Metz, Odell, Phillips, Platt, Schneiders, Townsend, Wilson, Wortham – 18. G. Metz. The Street Committee presented an unfavorable report on the petition of George Metz for permission to Open Certain Streets, the Same being in conflict with the Charter. Report Adopted. The Same 10.00$ Committee also Submitted an unfavorable report on an Ordinance to appropriate $10,000 for improvements of Streets. The reason assigned for the unfavorable report is that there is no money to appropriate. Report Adopted. Ald. Pillow Alderman Pillow entered and answered to his name. Printing. The printing Committee Submitted a report on the bids received for the newspaper and job printings and recommended that the newspaper printing be awarded to The Austin Daily Statesman it being the Only bidder, and that the job printing be awarded to The Hutchings printing house, whose bid the Committee Considered the best offered. On motion, the report of the Committee was adopted. Cemetery. Alderman Caldwell for the Cemetery Committee introduced a report on a report of the city Sexton The report recommends that the Sexton be instructed to purchase locks Sufficient to make the gates in the city Cemetery Secure; and also that there be laid off ten lots twelve and One-half feet by twenty five feet, On the east Side of The Sewell in the new addition and that they be sold at the rate of $25 a lot and $12.50 for a half lot and $5.00 for a Single grave. The report also states that the Jewish Cemetery has been placed in the hands of the present Sexton. On motion, the report was adopted. Printing Alderman Fisher moved that the Vote by Which the report of the printing Committee was adopted be reconsidered. Adopted. Van B.- Alderman Brush then presented an endorsement by M. Maas, of E. Van Boehmann as a reliable printer. --- Page break --- 187 Alderman Northam then moved That the Contract for doing the job printing be awarded to E. Van Boeckman. Alderman Phillips moved As a substitute, for the motion made by Alderman Northam that the report of the Committee be adopted. Agreed to. Yeas-Aldermen Boland, Brush, Campbell, Degress, Fisher, Graham, Haigler, Metz, Odell, Phillips, Platt, Northam - 12. Nays-Aldermen Assmann, Caldwell, Jones, Pillow, Schneider, Townsend and Wilson - 7. Alderman Phillips then moved to reconsider the vote by which the report was adopted, and to lay that motion on the table. Lost! Yeas - Aldermen Boland, Brush, De Gress, Fisher, Graham, Phillips, (6). Nays-Aldermen Assmann, Caldwell, Campbell, Haigler, Jones, Metz, Odell, Pillow, Platt, Schneider, Townsend, Wilson, Northam - 13. Alderman Northam then gave notice that he would, at the next regular meeting of the Council, move a reconsideration of the vote by which the report was adopted. City Sec. An Ordinance Creating the office of City Secretary of the City of Austin was then taken up and read a second time, after which a motion was made to suspend the rules and place it on its third reading. Motion lost. Yeas-Aldermen Assmann, Boland, Caldwell, De Gress, Fisher, Haigler, Jones, Metz, Odell, Platt, Wilson - 11. Nays-Aldermen Brush, Campbell, Graham, Phillips, Pillow, Schneider, Townsend, Northam - 8. Lamp posts The Committee on water and Gas presented a report on the question of indebtedness of the Austin Gaslight and Coal Company to the City of Austin for lamps and lamp posts which, it is believed, were sold to the Company about the year 1878, and stated they found that twenty lamps and posts were so sold and that the invoice price at that time of such ware was $7 per post and $2.50 per lamp; That the Secretary of the Company proposes to pay the City the above amount. --- Page break --- 189 The report also recommends the acceptance of the proposition. Lights. On motion, the report was adopted. "An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor and Committee On Water and gas to Contract with the Austin Water, Light and Power Company for twenty five arc and One hundred incandescent lights for the period of five years" was taken up. On its Second reading and read after which Alderman Degress offered as a Substitute for the Ordinance; "An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor and Committee On Water and gas to Contract with the Austin Water, Light and Power Company for fifty arc lights for the period of five years." On motion, the Substitute was Adopted Alderman Fisher then moved to amend the Ordinance by adding that if more lights are needed, They Shall be furnished at the Same or less rate. The amendment was accepted, and the Ordinance passed to its third reading by the following Vote: Aldermen Assman, Boldard, Brush, De Gress, Fisher, Graham, Haigler, Jones, Metz, Odell, Phillips, Pillow, Platt, Schneider, Townsend, Wilson, Northam - 17. Nays - Aldermen Caldwell, and Campbell - 2. On motion, the Ordinance there passed. Alderman Pillow introduced the following Resolution: "Resolved, That the Mayor appoint a Committee of Ten Aldermen, One from each Ward, for the purpose of locating fifty arc lights". Alderman Northam moved that the Mayor be added. The amendment was accepted, and on motion the resolution was adopted. Alderman Graham introduced a resolution authorizing the Mayor to draw his warrant monthly in favor of the Austin Water, Light and Power Company for the amount now paid for Street --- Page break --- 191 gas lamps now operated by the Capital Gaslight Company, not under contract with the city, where Said Austin Water Light and Power Company have are or incandescent lights now in position or to be placed in position to cover the territory now occupied by Said gaslights, and also requesting the Mayor to give notice to the Capital Gaslight Company to discontinue the lighting of Said forty are lamps as soon as the Secretary of the Austin Water Light and Power Company shall inform him that Said territory is covered, as provided above. Adopted. Arsenal Alderman Phillips introduced a resolution Block. Setting forth that it is the desire of the citizens of Austin that the United States government retain possession of the block of land Situated in this city heretofore ceded by the State of Texas to the United States for military purposes, and which is now about to be ceded to the city school purposes, inasmuch as negotiations are now pending looking toward establishment of a military post at this point. The resolution respectfully calls upon Senators Coke and Reagan of Texas, to use their influence to defeat the passage of the bill, and it also endorses the action of the Mayor concerning the Same. Ald. Fisher. Alderman Fisher was excused. Mayor Nalle called Alderman DeGress, President of the Board of Alderman, to the Chair, and retired. Arsenal Blk. The resolution was then adopted. Mayor Nalle in the Chair. Jax Alderman Jones introduced an ordinance, laying a license tax on Commission merchants. It was read first time, after which motions were made to Suspend the rules and place the Ordinance on its second and third reading which was adopted by the following vote: Yeas- Aldermen Assmann, Boland, Brush, J. Caldwell, Campbell, DeGress, Graham, Haigler, --- Page break --- 193 Jones, Metz, Odell, Phillips, Pillow, Platt, Schneider, Townsend, Wilson, Wortham - 18. Alderman DeGress, President of the board of Aldermen in the Chair. Arsenal Alderman Phillips moved a reconsideration Block. of the vote by which the resolution relating to the land about to be ceded to the City by the United States government passed. Adopted. He then moved the adoption of the resolution, and asked that the Vote be recorded. It was then adopted. Yeas. Aldermen Assmann, Boland, Brush, Caldwell, DeGress, Haigler, Jones, Metz, Odell, Phillips, Platt, Schneider, Townsend, Wilson - 14. Nays. Aldermen Campbell, Graham, Pillow, and Wortham - 4. Nalle. Mayor Nalle in the Chair. 960.30 for Alderman Phillips introduced an Ordinance Hose Carriage. appropriating $960.30 for the purpose of paying the amount paid by Colorado Fire Company No. 2 for hose carriage. It 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 it do pass; all of which were adopted by the following vote: Yeas. Aldermen Assmann, Boland, Brush, Campbell, DeGress, Graham, Haigler, Jones, Odell, Phillips, Pillow, Schneider, Townsend, Wilson, Wortham - 15. Nays. Aldermen Caldwell, Metz, & Platt - 3. pay roll Alderman DeGress introduced an Ordinance + accts. appropriating $3,858. for the purpose of paying officers and regular employees of the City and City and County Hospital, back for the month of January, 1888, and also approved accounts. It 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: --- Page break --- 195 Yeas! Aldermen Assmann, Boland, Brush, Caldwell, Campbell, Degress, Graham, Haigler, Jones, Metz, Odell, Phillips, Pillow, Schneider, Townsend, Wilson, Wortham – 17. Nay – Alderman Platt, 1. The Ordinance was then read a second time. Ald. Fisher entered and answered to his name. A motion was then made to suspend the rules and place the Ordinance on its third reading, which was adopted by the following Vote: Yeas – Aldermen Assmann, Boland, Brush, Caldwell, Campbell, Degress, Fisher, Graham, Haigler, Jones, Metz, Odell, Phillips, Pillow, Schneider, Townsend, Wilson, Wortham – 18. Nay – Alderman Platt 1. The Ordinance was then read a third time, and on motion passed by the following Vote: Yeas – Aldermen Assmann, Boland, Brush, Caldwell, Campbell, Degress, Fisher, Graham, Haigler, Jones, Metz, Odell, Phillips, Pillow, Platt, Schneider, Townsend, Wilson, Wortham – 19. Lights. The Mayor then announced the Committee to locate lights as above provided for, as follows: First Ward – Alderman Schneider, Second " " Pillow. Third " " Brush. Fourth " " Wilson. Fifth " " Townsend. Sixth " " Wortham. Seventh " " Assmann. Eighth " " Phillips. Ninth " " Boland. Tenth " " Jones. a.j.jernigan Alderman Pillow introduced a petition from A. J. Jernigan, requesting the City to replace the Stone in the gutter in front of his residence, the same having been torn up by the City’s street force. Referred to street Committee. " Alderman Pillow also introduced a resolution covering the petition, which was also referred to the Street Committee. On motion, the Council then adjourned. Milton Morris, City Clerk.