329 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the City Council. Austin, Texas; February 17, 1896. Hon. Lewis Hancock, Mayor, presiding. Roll called Present, Aldermen, Breckenridge, Clymer, Hughes, Simms, Olatt, Powell, Greer, Gooch, Bremond, Shurley, Taylor, and Townsend. 12 Absent, Aldermen, Beatty, Gooch, Horton, Lawless, Nitschke, Rosengren, Schneider, Byrthe, Cobbs and Zilker – 10 Minutes previous meeting adopted as printed Alderman Hughes moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes and that they be adopted as printed; which motion prevailed. Alderman Nitschke entered the Council Chamber and answered to his name. Mayor's refusal to grant petition of J S Fredenburg for remission of fine The Mayor informed the Council that he had received a petition from J. S. Fredenburg, asking the Council to remit a fine assessed against him in the Recorders Court; which he as Mayor could not recommend. Alderman Townsend for the Fire Committee presented the following report: Fire Com's report on Award of bids for purchase of 1500 ft Fire Hose Austin Texas, February 17th 1896. To the Hon. Lewis Hancock, Mayor, and Board of Aldermen of the City of Austin: Gentlemen: Your Committee on Fire Department, beg leave to report that we have this day received and opened bids for Fire Hose from several different firms, and after carefully considering same have awarded the Contract to the "Gutta Percha and Rubber Manufacturing Company" of New York, as follows: 1500 feet of "Baker fabric" solid rubber lined cotton fire hose, guaranteed to last four years; and to stand a pressure of 400 pounds per square inch, for the sum of $1800.00. R. E. Roberdeau P. W. Powell Committee. Mayor authorized to enter into contract for same. On motion the report of the Committee was adopted, and the Mayor authorized to enter into contract with the parties in accordance therewith. Police Com's report on City Marshal's Jan. report Alderman Powell for the Police Committee, to whom was referred the report of the City Marshal for the month of January 1896, reported that they had examined same and found them correct. The report was ordered filed. Aldermen Rosengren and Zilker entered the Council Chamber and answered to their names. Ord. Com. report on pet. of J. T. Brackenridge for water + light rates. The ordinance Committee, to whom was referred the petition of Mr. J. T. Brackenridge, asking that he be furnished Water and Light at his residence outside the City limits on the same terms as furnished residents of the City; he to furnish and lay pipe and string wire at his own expense, presented their report, recommending that the petition be granted, provided the City be put to no expense whatever. The report of the Committee was adopted. Ord. Com. report on amend- ment to Arts 178 and 180 Rev Ord about businesses The Ord. Com., also reported, to whom was referred, an ordinance to amend Arts 178 and 180 of the Revised Ordinances of the City; the first of said ordinances, directing the manner of doing certain kinds of business. And the other of said ordinances requiring persons, firms and corporations, engaged in certain businesses, to deposit --- Page break --- 330 Claims & Accts Com. report which was read on Claim of Travis Co for 1/2 Cost of Bull Creek road. To the Hon. Mayor and City Council of the City of Austin: Gentlemen; Your Committee on Claims and Accounts, to whom was referred the claim of Travis County for the sum of $1125.00, being one-half of the cost of building part of the Bull Creek road, beg leave to report that in the opinion of your Committee, the claim mentioned is not a legal or valid claim against the City, and that the City Council have no authority to appropriate any part of the funds of the City to pay the same. Respectfully, R. Platt, A J Zilker Claims & Accts Com report on fav. of J. H. Phillipson Clothing Co The Committee on Claims and Accounts presented the following report, which was read and adopted: To the Hon. Board of Aldermen of the City of Austin, Texas: Gentlemen: Your committee on Claims and Accounts to whom was referred the petition of J. H. Phillipson Clothing Company, have examined same and are of the opinion that the City Council have no power to grant same; because said petition prays relief from the valuation fixed by the board of equalization upon certain property in the City of Austin, which it states is placed unjustly too high and their committee is advised by the City Attorney, that the only method by which the relief asked could be had, if the facts alleged in the petition are true, would be by pursuing the method prescribed by Section 41 of the City Charter, namely: By an appeal to the County Court, and petitioner having failed to avail himself of the right conferred by said section, there is no other remedy. Therefore your committee recommend that the prayer of the petitioner be not granted. R. Platt, A. J. Zilker. February 17, 1896. Purchasing Com report on proposition of C. B. Beard to furnish Coal to City The Purchasing Committee presented the following report, which was read and adopted: Austin Texas, February 17, 1896. Hon. Lewis Hancock, Mayor and the City Council of the City of Austin: Sir: Your Purchasing Committee, to whom was referred the proposition of Mr. C. B. Beard, Agent, to furnish the City with a good quality of Coal (Mexican Cannel) in such quantity as the necessities of the City may require, at $5.30 per ton; have considered the same and recommend that the proposition be accepted, and that the Mayor be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Mr. Beard, in accordance with the terms of his proposition. Respectfully submitted, Henry N. Linn, R. Platt. W. C. Dodd. Committee. Street Com report on Ords. [illegible] etc to put bldgs in fire limits. The Street Committee, to whom was referred two ordinances to place certain bldgs in the fire limits, one providing for building of rooms for Engineer etc. at the City's Water, Light & Power plant, recommending the passage of the ordinance. And one prohibiting bldgs on Congress Ave, recommending the passage of the ordinance. --- Page break --- 331 Street Com. report on pet. of A.H. Pressler to construct Rail- road on W 3rd St. On the subject The Street Committee, to whom was referred the petition of A.H. Pressler, asking permission to construct and operate a Railroad on West Third Street in front of the Travis Beer House, presented their report, recommending that the petition be granted. The report was read and laid over to come up with the ordinance on the subject. Ord. Com. report on Ord. ap- propriating $700. to improve City Parks The Ordinance Committee, to whom was referred an ordinance appropriating the sum of $700. for the purpose of improving the Parks of the City, presented their report, stating that owing to the present financial condition of the City, they recommended that the ordinance do not pass. The report of the Committee was adopted. Alderman Peaty entered the Council Chamber and answered to his name. Unfinished Business. Communication of Moffatt & Adams referred to Street Com. Communication of Moffatt & Adams in regard to Street numbers and signs, was referred to the Street Committee. Finance Com. report on Ord. Appropriating $100. to care for material at Dam. The Finance Committee, to whom was referred an ordinance appropriating the sum of $100. to take care of certain material at the Dam now in use, presented their report, stating that the subject matter was now being considered by the Water and Light Commission, and, recommending that no action be taken by the Council in the matter. The report was adopted. New Business. Resolution instructing Sup't. of Streets to have City Teams work 4 days on W. 8 & Blanco St. By Alderman Fischer. Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin, That the Superintendent of Streets, etc., is hereby instructed to put the City Teams to work for four days on West Eighth and West Blanco Streets. Alderman Sinn moved to refer the resolution to the Street Committee. Lost. The resolution was then adopted by the following vote: Yeas: Aldermen Peaty, Fischer, Forth, Haynes, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Roaming, Schneider, Shelley, and Taylor, 11. Nays: Aldermen Glasscock, Glass, Sinn, Read, Roberdeau, Stumpf, Townsend and Zilker. 8. Alderman Glasscock. Resolution instructing Supt. of Streets to put 4 City teams & team devoted to work on at Park at Dam. Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin, That the City Superintendent of Streets is hereby authorized and instructed to put four City Teams and driver, and four extra men to work at the Dam for two weeks under the supervision of the Park Committee and the Water and Light Commission. Alderman Tobin entered the Council Chamber and answered to his name. Alderman Roberdeau moved to table the resolution. Lost by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen: Glass, Platt, Roberdeau, Taylor, Tobin and Zilker. 6. Nays: Aldermen: Peaty, Fischer, Glasscock, Forth, Haynes, Nitschke, Powell, Roaming, Schneider, Shelley, Sinn, and Townsend 14. [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] The resolution was then adopted. --- Page break --- 332 Amendment to amendment by Ald. Dorth. which was adopted. Alderman Dorth offered an amendment to the amendment by inserting. "Whenever the Street Committee can spare the teams", which was adopted, and the resolution, as amended, was then adopted. Ord. appropriating $300 to improve Park at Dam. By Alderman Glascock, An ordinance appropriating the sum of $300 to improve the Park at the Dam, which was read. Alderman Linn moved to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its second reading, which motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glascock, Glass, Dorth, Haynes, Linn, Nitschke, Powell, Redd, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, and Townsend 15. Nays, Aldermen Platt, Roberdrau, Taylor, Tobin and Zibker 5. Amended by Ald Zibker Amendment to amendment by Ald. Schneider Alderman Zibker moved to amend by adding, "and that a first-class Florist to assist the Street Commissioner in beautifying Park be employed". Alderman Schneider moved to amend the amendment by adding, "and that he be paid $150". Alderman Lawless entered the Council Chamber and answered to his name. The amendment was lost by the following vote: Yeas, Aldermen Fischer, Glass, Platt, Redd, Roberdrau, Taylor, Tobin and Zibker 8. Nays, Aldermen Beaty, Glascock, Dorth, Haynes, Lawless, Linn, Nitschke, Powell, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, and Townsend 13. The ordinance was then passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glascock, Glass, Dorth, Haynes, Lawless, Linn, Nitschke, Powell, Redd, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf and Townsend 15. Nays, Aldermen Platt, Roberdrau, Taylor, Tobin and Zibker. 6. Ordr. appropriating $66. to build box culvert on Branco St. By Alderman Beaty, An ordinance appropriating the sum of $66. to build a box culvert on Branco Street. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glascock, Glass, Dorth, Haynes, Lawless, Linn, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Redd, Roberdrau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Tobin, Townsend and Zibker. 21. Nays, (None). Financial Statement for the Year 1896 laid before Council The Mayor laid before the Council, the financial statement for the year 1896 as prepared and presented by the Finance Committee. Alderman Linn moved that the statement be published in the minutes and lie over until the next meeting, which motion prevailed. Ald. Linn excused Alderman Linn was excused from further attendance at this meeting. Ordr. Appropriating $5000. to pay Approved Accts Nos [illegible] to [illegible] By Alderman Tobin. An ordinance appropriating the sum of $5000. of the Water and Light Fund, to pay Approved accounts. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glascock, Glass, Dorth, Haynes, Platt, Powell, Redd, Roberdrau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Tobin, Townsend, and Zibker. 20. Nays, None. --- Page break --- 333 Motion to reconsider vote by which Alderman Taylor moved to reconsider the vote by which the financial Finan. Statement was laid over Statement was laid over, which motion prevailed. The financial statement presented by the Committee on finance was then Financial Statement read read, as follows: An estimate of the probable income from all sources which will be collected for the General Fund during the present fiscal year, and of the expenditures to pay salaries of Officers and Employees; and of the amount required to meet the other ordinary expenses of the City government, not including work on Streets and Bridges or other public im- provements. Income Income From Advalorem Tax of 1895, $ 38,000.00 From Advalorem Tax of previous years. 6,000.00 From License Tax. 10,000.00 From Recorder's Court. 2,100.00 From Pound fees and sales 600.00 From Travis County support of Hospital. 2,000.00 From Dog Tax 400.00 From Miscellaneous 1,000.00 $ 60,400.00 Balance on hand Dec. 1, 1895 $ 14,168.10 $ 74,568.10 Estimate of income from Earnings Fund. of the Water and Light system: Estimated receipts during the year. 58,148.00 Balance in Treasurers hands Dec. 1, 1895. 7,547.33 65,695.33 $140,263.43 Expenses. Expenses. Salaries of Officers $ 18,507.00 Salaries of Policemen 14,796.00 Salaries of Drivers and Tillerman Fire Department 4,200.00 Salaries of Drivers City Teams; including 5 Sanitary Men 7,200.00 Salaries Employees City Hospital 840.00 Salaries of Aldermen 2,640.00 Total Salaries. 48,183.00 Feed and Shoeing Sanitary Department 325.00 Feed and Repairs Fire Department 3,300.00 Rent of Engine House 600.00 Rent and Shoeing City Teams 1,350.00 Insurance for City Buildings 400.00 Subsidies for City Hydrants 4,500.00 Printing, Stationery and Cost Books 2,000.00 Repairs 1,550.00 Interest on City Debt 14,600.00 City Hospital 108.00 City Paupers 50.00 City Pound 1.00 Per diem Committee Sessions, and witnesses 48.00 --- Page break --- 334 Amts Brought forward. $110,263.13. Attorneys fees $7,154.00 Pay of Judges of Election 500.00 Pay of Board of Equalization 150.00 Miscellaneous 750.00 6,000.00 $81,554.00 Estimate of Income of Water & Light Plant: Operating expenses 18,000.00 Live Water Light fund 7,437.04 25,437.04 Total estimated income, $110,263.13. Total est. expenses $109,991.04 Adoption of estimates. On motion, the estimate presented by the Finance Committee was adopted, and ordered spread on minutes. ordered spread upon the minutes, and a copy posted by the Clerk as required by the Charter. Ord. appropriating $5000. to On motion of Alderman Tobin, An ordinance appropriating the sum of $5000. out of pay approved accounts Earnings the Earnings Fund, for the purpose of paying approved accounts, fund. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glascock, Glass, Haymes, Lawless, Nitsche, Hall, Powell, Redd, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Tobin, Townsend and Zilker 20. Nays None. Aldermen Booth and Townsend were excused from further attendance upon this session of the Council. Ord. appropriating $5r. to build The Mayor laid before the Council an ordinance appropriating the rock box culvert on Cong. Av. sum of $5r to build a rock box culvert on Congress Avenue in South Austin. The ordinance was read a second time. amended by Ald. Glascock to in- Alderman Glascock moved to strike out $5r. and insert $7r, which motion sert $7r in lieu of $5r. adopted. prevailed. The ordinance was then passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen, Beaty, Fischer, Glascock, Glass, Haymes, Lawless, Nitsche, Hall, Powell, Redd, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Tobin and Zilker, 18 Nays None Ord. granting A.H. Pressler The Mayor laid before the Council an ordinance granting A.H. Pressler, right to construct Railroad on W. 3d St. the right to construct and operate a railroad on West Third Street, with the report of the Street Committee on the subject. Alderman Redd, moved to suspend the rule and place the ordinance on its second reading, which motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glascock, Glass, Haymes, Lawless, Nitsche, Hall, Powell, Redd, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Tobin, Taylor and Zilker 18. Nays None. The ordinance was then read a second time. Motion by Ald. Schneider to strike On motion by Ald. Schneider to strike out Section 3 of this ordinance, out Sec. 3 lost. which motion was lost. Motion by Ald. Schneider to amend On motion by Ald. Schneider to amend Sec. 4 by inserting "from Sec. 4 by inserting "from the tracks" the tracks" which motion was lost. which motion was lost. Motion by Ald. Schneider to amend Sec. 6 by inserting "$100" in lieu of Motion by Ald. Schneider to amend "$25" which motion was lost. Sec. 6 by inserting $100 in lieu of The ordinance was then passed under suspension of the rules by the [illegible] vote: "$25" which motion was lost. The ordinance was then passed.