Back to Archives

Austin Approves Major Sewerage System

Wednesday, June 22, 1892 special called

Sewerage System Approved: The city council voted unanimously (16-0) to accept plans from the Lewis Mercer Construction Company to build Austin's first comprehensive sewerage system.

City Control Over Installation: Council added an amendment requiring that pipe placement in streets be directed by the City Council, ensuring municipal oversight of the project.

Second Amendment Debated: A proposal to also include the Board of Public Works in installation oversight failed in a tie vote (8-8), leaving authority with the council alone.

Further Changes Pending: Another ordinance to amend sewerage system terms was referred to the Ordinance Committee for further review before final action.

Full Transcript

345 Called Meeting Minutes of a Called Meeting of the City Council Austin Texas June 22, 1892 Hon Henry A. Linn President of the Board of Aldermen presiding. Roll Call. Aldermen Present Present. Aldermen Anderson. Assmann. Jackson. Linn. Miller. Morris. Newton. Nitzchk. North. Schuber. Shelley Sutor. Townsend. Warmoth Meyerman. Ziller. -16 Absent Absent Aldermen Glass. Graham. Hums. Ketchum. Platt Schneider.- 6 The following was read Mayors Office Austin Texas June 22 1892 Mayors call To the Members of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Austin Texas Gentlemen, I hereby call a special meeting of the City Council to assemble in the City Hall this day at 5 o'clock P.M. for the purpose of finally passing upon the plans specifications &c of the proposed sewerage of the CityVery Respectfully John McDonald Mayor 3PM Austin Texas June 22d 1892 Officers return of I hereby certify that Aldermen Anderson. Assmann. service Glass. Graham. Jackson. Linn. Miller. Morris. Newton. Nitzchks. North. Platt. Schneider. Schuber. Shelley. Sutor Townsend. Warmoth. Meyerman. Ziller. have been served with the above call by having it read to each of them and that Aldermen Hume and Ketchum have been served by leaving a true copy of the same at each of their places of business they being out of town N. Montgomery Sergeant of Police Ord accepting plans Alderman Ziller introduced an ordinance entitled of Lewis Mercer Sew Co "An ordinance accepting and approving the plans of the Lewis Mercer Construction Company for the Construction of a system of sewerage in Austin City" It was read the first time after which a motion was made to suspend the rules and place the same on adopted its second reading which was adopted by the following vote Yeas Aldermen. Anderson. Assmann. Jackson. Linn Miller. Morris. Newton. Nitzchks. North. Schuber. Shelley Sutor. Townsend Warmoth. Meyerman. Ziller. -16 The ordinance was accordingly read after which Alderman North offered the following amendment to sec 1 thereof Provided that when the pipes are actually laid they shall be laid (as to exact location in the streets) under the direction of --- Page break --- 346 the City Council and Board of Public Works motion to amend Aldermen Mtechts moved to amend the amendment by striking out of the same the words "and Board of Public Works") Lost by a rising vote of 8 to 8 adopted The Original amendment was the adopted 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. Anderson. Assmann. Jackson. Linn Miller. Morris. Nuton. Mtechts. North Schuber. Shelley Sutor Townsend Warmoth. Meyerman. Ziller-16 The Ordinance was accordingly read and on motion passed to amend sec 4 Alderman North by request presented an ordinance entitled "An ordinance to amend section 4 of an ordinance entitled "an ordinance to provide for a system of sanitary sewerage for the City of Austin State of Texas and for its inhabitants by the Lewis Mercer Construction Company their associates Successors and assigns for Sanitary Sewers for public and private use and giving the said City of Austin an option to purchase said sewers" referred to ord com Alderman Anderson moved to refer the ordinance to the Ordinance Committee and the motion prevailed The Council then adjourned. Milton Maring City Clerk