Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the City Council Austin, Texas, March 11, 1895 Hon John McDonald, mayor, presiding. Roll call. Present- Aldermen Anderson, Assmann, Fischer, Glass, Gaeth, Haynes, Jackson, Linn, Schneider, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Roberdean, Shelley, Taylor, Tobin, Townsend, Warmoth; total, 18. Absent- Aldermen Glascock, Hume, Lawlers, Redd 4. Alderman Anderson was excused from further attendance on the session of the council. Minutes of the meeting of the city council held February 18, 1895 were adopted as printed. Alderman Glascock entered the council and answered to his name. Petitions, Etc. Petition against A petition by 142 citizens of Austin, living or owning increase city property near the present city cemetery, protesting against cemetery. any increase in the size of said cemetery, was presented, read and referred to the cemetery committee. H. L. Williams Petition of H. L. Williams for remission of fine of $022, which was assessed against him in the Recorder's court, endorsed by the city recorder, was presented and read and on recommendation of the mayor, granted. Alderman Schneider moved that the council take a recess of five minutes in order to give the various committees an opportunity to approve bills against the city. Carried. After expiration of recess the roll was again called and resulted as follows: Present- Aldermen Assmann, Fischer, Glass, Glascock, Gaeth, Haynes, Jackson, Linn, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Redd, Roberdeau, Schneider, Shelley, Taylor, Tobin, Townsend, Warmoth- total 19. Petition to repeal Absent- Aldermen Anderson, Hume, Lawless- 3. Public Amusement By Alderman Jackson- A petition of citizens asking the Ordinance. city council to repeal an ordinance which was passed at the last meeting of said council in regard to fire escapes, and if deemed advisable to appoint a committee to consider the subject anew. It was read and on motion of Alderman Taylor referred to the committee on fire and ordinances. Reports of City Reports of City Officers. Officers for the month of February, 1895, were presented and referred to their respective committees without being read, except the treasurer's reports. His report shows the following balances on hand, March 11 1895 Account of general fund $11,209.55 Account of interest on bonds issued prior to May 1, 1890 1001 --- Page break --- 72 account of interest on water and light bonds $4869.35 account of sinking fund on water and light bonds 21000.00 Account referred to the finance committee 41757.49 Reports of Standing Committees. D. P. Kinney. By Alderman Tobin, for the Water and Light CommitteeResolution &c. Resolved that the city council be requested to make an offer of such sum as the council may deem proper to Mr D. P. Kinney in settlement of damages to his land in opening up Fifth street and in the event of his refusal to accept the same to at once commence condemnation proceedings." The foregoing resolution was adopted by the water and light commission at a meeting held on March 4. 1895. Wm H. Tobin. Chairman Water and Light Commission. The report was adopted. Alderman Fischer then moved that the city council now proceed to fix the amount to be offered to Mr D.P. Kinney in accordance with the foregoing resolution and the motion prevailed. Alderman Taylor moved that the sum of $100.00 be offered Mr. D.P. Kinney in settlement of damages to his land in opening up Fifth street. The motion was lost by the following vote: Yeas- Aldermen Fischer, Gaeth, Jackson, Powell, Schneider, Taylor, Tobin, Townsend 8. Nays- Aldermen Ammann, Glass, Glascock, Haynes, Linn, Platt, Redd, Roberdean, Shelley, Warmoth- 10 Alderman Schneider moved to fix the amount to be offered Mr. D. P. Kinney for the purpose last above named at $800. Alderman Linn moved to lay the motion on the table. Lost by a rising vote of 8 to 10 Alderman Shelley moved to amend the pending motion by striking out "$800" and inserting in lieu thereof "$400." which was carried by the following vote: Yeas- Aldermen Ammann, Fischer, Glass, Gaeth, Jackson, Linn, Nitschke, Powell, Redd, Roberdean, Schneider, Shelley, Taylor, Tobin, Townsend- 15 Nays- Alderman Glascock, Haynes, Platt, Warmoth- 4 The motion as amended was then adopted by the following vote: Yeas- Aldermen Ammann, Fischer, Glass, Gaeth, Jackson, Nitschke, Powell, Redd, Roberdean, Schneider, Shelley, Taylor, Tobin, Townsend- 14. Nays- Aldermen Glascock, Haynes, Linn, Platt, Warmoth- 5 Resolution as to By Alderman Tobin- "Resolved, That the city council be requested rates to be [illegible] to give the water and light commission authority to make the [illegible] rates for water where rates are not fixed in the ordinance" The foregoing was adopted by the water and light commissionsion at a meeting held on March 4. 1895. W.H. Tobin, Chm W & L Com'mn. --- Page break --- 73 Alderman Taylor moved to amend the resolution by adding thereto the following: "subject to revision by the city council". The amendment prevailed and the resolution as amended was adopted. Office of City Auditor. Alderman Linn, for the committee on finance, to whom was referred an ordinance entitled "An ordinance creating the office of city auditor of the city of Austin, defining the duties and fixing the compensation of such officer", presented a report thereon recommending the passage of the same. The report was adopted. J. H. Wells Alderman Shelley, for the committee on claims and accounts, to whom was referred the petition of J. H. Wells for reparation by the city for injuries received by being thrown from his cart by obstructions made and left by persons engaged in laying the water mains on East Sixth street at the intersection of San Jacinto, presented a lengthy report which concludes as follows: "From all the facts obtained by your committee they are unable to recommend payment of the claim, and therefore submit the matter to the council for such disposition as they may deem proper." The report was adopted. Alta Vista Cemp. Assn. Alderman Platt, for the committee on cemetery, to whom was referred a communication from Mr Frank Brown agent for the Alta Vista Cemetery association, presented a report thereon which states: "That it is a matter to be considered by the city council. We therefore return it to your honorable body for your consideration". No action was taken on the report. Austin City Cemetery Assn. Alderman Platt, for the Cemetery committee, to whom was referred the proposal of the Austin City Cemetery Association in regard to adding a tract of land to the present city cemetery, and petitions favoring and opposing such extension, asked for further time in which to prepare a report on the same. Granted. On motion, Mr Frank Brown was permitted to withdraw the proposal of the Alta Vista Cemetery Association. Unfinished Business. Creating office of City Auditor An ordinance entitled An ordinance creating the office of City Auditor of the City of Austin, defining the duties and fixing the compensation of such officer" was taken up on its second reading and read. A motion was then made to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its third reading. Alderman Schneider moved as a substitute that the ordinance be laid over until the next meeting of the city council. Lost. Alderman Linn then offered the following --- Page break --- 74 amendment to section three: "Provided that the auditor herein provided for shall receive as his salary for the first quarter the sum of one hundred dollars thereafter fifty dollars per quarter as herein provided". The amendment was adopted. Alderman Hume entered the council and answered to his name. The ordinance was then passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas- Aldermen Assshaman, Fischer, Glass, Glascock, Gaeth, Jackson, Linn, Platt, Roberdeau, Shelley, Taylor, Tobin, Townsend- 13. Nays- Aldermen Haynes, Hume, Nitschke, Powell, Redd, Schneider, Warmoth- 7. J. H. Wells The petition of Mr J. H. Wells, above referred to, for damages received by being thrown out of a wagon, was laid before the council, whereis, upon Alderman Glass moved that the claim be allowed. Mr Wells was on motion, permitted to make a statement, and when he had finished his remarks the motion made by Alderman Glass was lost by the following vote: Yeas- Aldermen Armann, Fischer, Glass, Nitschke, Powell- 5 Nays- Aldermen Glascock, Gaeth, Haynes, Hume, Jackson, Linn, Platt, Redd, Roberdeau, Schneider, Shelley, Taylor, Tobin, Townsend, Warmoth- 15 Alderman Schneider then moved that the petition and all papers pertaining thereto, except the reports of the committee, be returned to Mr Wells and the motion prevailed. New Business. Alderman Linn presented the following: Austin, Texas, March 4, 1895. Max Reirman, To the city council of the city of Austin: Engineer ch. of Gentlemen- The Water and Light commission has employed Power House. through the superintendent, Mr Max Reirman as chief engineer in charge of the power house at a salary of $125.00 per month, and respectfully ask that the action of the commission in the matter be confirmed by the city council. Very Respectfully Wm H. Tobin. Chairman Water & Light Commission. The appointment was, on motion ratified and confirmed. Alderman Linn was excused from further attendance on the session of the council. Alderman Tobin presented the following: Austin, Texas, March 1, 1895. To the City Council of the City of Austin: Referring to section 15 of an ordinance providing for the management and operation of the Water Works, --- Page break --- Electric Light and Power plants of the city of Austin, and establishing rules and regulations for the government thereof, and fixing rates for service" which section provides that "all tapping shall be done by the city." The Water and Light Commission recommend to your Honorable body the adoption of the accompanying resolution. William H. Tobin J. P. Schneider Francis Fischer John Mc Donald. Water and Light Commission. Resolution as to tapping &c. "Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin, that the superintendent of the Waterworks be and he is hereby authorized to tap the water mains and carry the service pipes to and including the stop cock and stop box in the sidewalk of each consumer; provided, that the entire expense of the city shall not exceed $5. for any one consumer, and all additional expense shall be paid by the consumer." Alderman Paybox moved to amend the resolution by adding thereto "provided further that the provisions of this resolution shall apply only in cases where applications for water service is made to the city within the next three months". The amendment was lost. Alderman Nitschke moved the adoption of the resolution and the motion prevailed. The following was read: Austin, Tex March 11, 1895. Honorable Mayor and City Council:- Gentlemen- At a meeting held by the Board of Public Works the sale of three derricks and appliances for $500 cash, the amount to be deposited to the credit of the Water and Light fund, and by resolution adopted by the Board of Public Works held on this date, the adoption of the following resolution by the city council was recommended. Very Respectfully W. J. Oliphant Secretary Board of Public Works Resolution. Sell derricks. B.P W. Resolved, That the Board of Public Works is hereby authorized to sell the derricks and other tools and appliances used in connection with the construction of the Water and Light System of the city, for which there is no further use by the city, the proceeds of such sale to be deposited in the city treasury to the credit of the Water and Light fund as they are received The resolution was adopted. Appropriated accts. Paymt. By Alderman Liron. An ordinance appropriating the sum of $13144 for the purpose of paying approved accounts --- Page break --- 76 It was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas- Aldermen Asmmann, Fischer, Glass, Glascock, Gaeth, Haynes, Hume, Jackson, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Redd, Roberdeau, Schneider, Shelley, Taylor, Tobin, Townsend, Warmoth-19 $2847⁴² Drain Expenses. By Alderman Tobin- An ordinance appropriating the sum of $2847⁴² for the purpose of paying certain expenses connected with the construction of the Water and Light System for the City of Austin. The items are: Wingfield Bros, estimate No 7, account laying pipe, $216⁷²; H.L. Breneman, estimate No 1N, account work on power house, $2630.75. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas- Aldermen Asmann, Fischer, Glass, Glascock, Gaeth, Haynes, Hume, Jackson, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Redd, Roberdeau, Schneider, Shelley, Taylor, Tobin, Townsend, Warmoth-19 Alderman Platt was excused from further attendance on the council. $400 st Labor. By Alderman Jackson- An ordinance appropriating the sum of $500 for the purpose of paying extra street and sanitary laborers of the city of Austin. It was read first time and then a second time under suspension of the rules, after which Alderman Schneider moved to amend the caption and section 1 thereof by striking out "$500" and inserting "$400". Carried. The ordinance was then passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas- Aldermann Asmann, Fischer, Glass, Glascock, Gaeth, Haynes Hume, Jackson, Nitschke, Powell, Redd, Roberdeau, Schneider, Shelley, Taylor, Tobin, Townsend, Warmoth-18. A & C to have telephone. Alderman Shelley moved that the city assessor and collector be authorized to have a telephone placed in his office, provided the rent of the same shall not exceed $2.50 per month. Carried. By Alderman Glascock- Austin, Texas, March 4, 1895. Resolution as to amending charter so as to make city officers elective by the people. Resolved, That the City Council of the City of Austin request the legislature now in session to permit the city of Austin to so amend its charter that in future the qualified voters of said city may have the right to elect all charter officers, instead of allowing the city council of said city to elect many of the charter officers of said city, as now authorized by said charter." Alderman Roberdeau moved to refer it to the committee on charter amendments and the motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas- Aldermen Asmann, Glass, Gaeth, Haynes, Jackson, Redd, Roberdeau, Shelley, Taylor, Tobin, Townsend, Warmoth-12 Nays- Aldermen Fischer, Glascock, Hume, Nitschke, Powell, --- Page break --- Schneider - 6. C. J. Martin. As to By Alderman Glascock - A petition from Mr. C. J. Martin Renewing lease sc. requesting the council to renew the lease on part of river walk heretofore leased by him. It was referred to the street committee Resolution as to By Alderman Redd. Whereas, The cable to the city clock is City Clock. worn out and the clock will not run, a new new cable is needed; be it Resolved, by the City Council of the City of Austin, that the market committee be authorized to purchase a new one. Alderman Glascock moved to refer the resolution to the Committee on finance with power to act. The following was then read: Austin, Texas, Feb 26, 1895. G A Bahn To the Hon John McDonald, Mayor and the Board of Alderproposition men of the City of Austin Gentlemen - As your present "city clock keeper" seems unable to persuade the mechanism to keep in motion, I will agree to replace the damaged parts and put the clock in good condition for the sum of $50 and to keep it in such good condition for the further consideration of $50 per year. Yours truly G. A. Bahn. Alderman Paylon moved that the whole matter be referred to the market committee with the request that they confer with the various jewelers of the city and ascertain upon what terms they will repair the city clock and keep it in repair during the present year. Carried. The council then adjourned. Milton Morris, City Clerk.