368 Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the City Council; Austin, Tex, May 04, 1896. In the absence of the Mayor, and the President of the Council, Alderman Shelly was elected President pro: tem: Roll called: Present Aldermen Beaty, Booth, Haynes, Lawless, Clart, Powell, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Tobin, Townsend & Zilker 15. Absent Aldermen Fischer, Glasscock, Glass, Horton, Lumm, Nitschke & Reddy 7. On motion of Alderman Lawless, a motion that a committee of three be appointed to draft resolutions of sympathy with the Honorable Mayor and his family, upon the death of his daughter Aldermen Lumm and Horton entered the Council Chamber and answered to their names The resolution of Alderman Lawless was adopted and the chair appointed the following Aldermen as the committee: Aldermen Lawless, Booth and Lumm. On motion, the Council took a recess of ten minutes awaiting the report of the committee, after which the Council was called to order by the President of the Council, protem. Aldermen Fischer and Glass entered the Council Chamber and answered to their names. The special committee presented the following resolution, which was read and unanimously adopted by a rising vote: Resolved, That the Council stand adjourned until Wednesday, May 6th at 8:30 o'clock p.m. out of respect to our Mayor and in harmony with the universal sorrow pervading the City over the deplorable affliction that has come to his home and that the Council, voicing the sentiment of the people, extend to his Honor, the Mayor, and his good Wife their sympathy and assurance that the hearts of the whole community are in unison with them in their sorrow and distress, and that a copy of this resolution be furnished the Mayor by the City Clerk. G. S. Lawless, H. Booth, H. L. Lumm, Committee. The Council stood adjourned until 8:30 o'clock p. m. Wednesday, May 6th 1896. City Clerk [Text in left margin:] Com. of 3 appointed to draft resolutions of sympathy with Hon. Mayor & family on death of his daughter Adopted. Report of Special Committee on resolutions of sympathy --- Page break --- 369 Minutes of adjourned Regular meeting of the City Council: Austin, Tex. May 6th 1896. The City Council was called to order by President Sinn. Roll Called. Present Aldermen Beaty, Glass, Haynes, Horton, Lawless, Sinn, Kitschnu, Platt, Powell, Robardeau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stump, Townsend, and Zilker 16. Absent Aldermen Fischer, Glascock, Goeth, Redd, Saylor and Tobin 6. On motion of Alderman Shelley the reading of the minutes was dispensed with, and they were adopted as printed. Pet. of Citizens living near Public Park on N 5th St. to prohibit all Ball playing in said Park. Granted. On motion of Alderman Beaty, Petition of Citizens living near the Public Park on Fifth street requesting the Council to prohibit ball playing in said Park. On motion of Alderman Powell the petition was granted and the Marshal was directed to enforce the same. City Officers Reports The chair laid before the Council the reports of the City Officers for the month of April, 1896, which were, on motion of Alderman Shelley, referred to their respective committees without reading A synopsis of the reports was as follows: Assessor & Collector By the City Assessor and Collector: Collections as follows: From General Revenue $2650.69 " Interest & Sinking Fund Water Works bonds 4207.99 " " " on old bonds 364.94 " School Tax. 1449.96 Total $8,673.58 Referred to Finance Committee City Clerk By the City Clerk. Total amount of Warrants drawn against the General Fund $6380.60 " " " " " " Earnings " 2995.65 " " " " " " W & S. " 978.17 Total $10,354.41 Referred to the Finance Committee City Treasurer By the City Treasurer Balance as General Fund $1,345.03 " Interest on old bonds 1999.35 " Earnings Fund 8970.05 " Water & Light " 44831.09 " Interest & Sinking Fund W & S. bonds 13,923.40 Referred to Finance Committee City Marshal. By the City Marshal. Total amount of Fines assessed in Recorder's Court $100.00 Paid in Cash 153.00 " in Rev'd 101.00 Carried forward 146.00 Collected on former issues $400.00 Ground on executions 17.50 Served on executions 53.00 On [illegible] of Journals for Div. motion /s --- Page break --- 370 Referred to the Police Committee. City Physician. By the City Physician. Number of Patients in Hospital, April 1, 19 " " Admitted during " 7 " " Discharged " " 10 " " Deaths " " 2 " " Remaining May 1 14 Visits made paupers during April 61 Prescriptions for paupers " " 118 No contagious diseases reported during the month. Referred to Hospital Committee. City Sexton By the City Sexton Total number of deaths during the month 9. White 10. Colored 0. Males 8. Females 2. Referred to the Cemetery Committee. Fin. Com's report on communication from the School Board asking that Assessors & Collectors give bonds for collecting School taxes Alderman Townsend, for the Finance Committee, to whom was referred the communication from the School Board requesting the Council to pass an ordinance requiring the Assessor and Collector to give bond for collecting School taxes, presented their report, which was read and laid over to come up under the head of new business. Report from Street Com. on Ord. appropriating $95.00 Alderman Zilker, for the Street Committee, to whom was referred an ordinance appropriating the sum of $95.00 to repair bridge across Shoal Creek on South Austin, presented their report recommending the passage of the ordinance; which was read and laid over to come up with the ordinance. Alderman Gorth entered the Council Chamber and answered to his name. Report of Com. on Parks on work done on Lake View Park. Alderman Haynes, for the Park Committee, presented a report, showing work done on Lake-View-Park at the dam, and recommending an additional appropriation to complete the same. On motion the report was received and ordered filed. Report of Joint Com. on petition of Citizens for a Policeman at City Cemetery. Alderman Dowell, for the joint Committee, to whom was referred the petition of Citizens requesting the appointment of a special policeman for the City Cemetery, presented their report, recommending that the City Marshal be instructed to use such means as will be necessary to stop pilfering that is being done in the Cemetery, and that he have one of the regular police patrol Eleventh Street between the White & Colored Schools and to include the City Cemetery in his beat. On motion the report of the Committee was adopted. Alderman Saylor entered in the Council Chamber and answered to his name. Com. on Charity to whom was referred an ordinance to pay claim of D. C. White for damages. Alderman Gorth, for the Charity Committee, to whom was referred an ordinance appropriating the sum of $100.00 to pay claim of D. C. White for damages, presented their report, recommending that the ordinance do not pass. The report was read and laid over to come up with the ordinance. Report of Com on Claims & Accts on petition of Martin & Robinson to correct Assessment made on their stock of goods, watches, etc., upon investigation. Alderman Plutt, for the Committee on Claims & Accounts, to whom was referred the petition of Martin & Robinson to correct assessment, made a verbal report, recommending that after a careful investigation Martin & Robinson be allowed to correct their assessment, made an investigation Martin & Robinson --- Page break --- 371 had asked permission of the committee to withdraw the petition, and that the committee had returned them said petition. The action of the committee was, on motion confirmed. Alderman Platt, for the Committee on Claims & Accounts, to whom was referred the claim of Em. S. Hughes, for damages caused by the building of the dam, asked for further time in which to file their report. Granted. Alderman Lawless for the Water & Light Commission, presented the report of the Superintendent for the month of April, showing that up to and including April 30th 1896, there had been 1843 applications for Water and 853 connections had been made. There were 766 electric light consumers on April 30. There were connected up during April eighteen portable fans, also eleven three-phase electric motors, with an aggregate of eight horse power. The current consumed on the incandescent circuits during the month of April was equal to 11,271 lamps of 16 candle power. The receipts for the month were as follows: For Water $1004.78 “ Electric light 1668.71 “ “ power 276.70 Total. $2950.19 The amount of bills approved by the Commission during the month of April and paid out of the Earnings fund were as follows: Salary acct. for March. $1399.65 Electric service connections 340.88 Water “ 476.84 Betterments 207.57 Repairs 763.79 Electric Meters 14.35 Telephone service 8.50 Office expenses .55 Printing, etc. 75.25 Oil, Grease & Waste 15.05 Total. $2746.03 On motion it was ordered that the report be received and filed. Alderman Lawless for the Water & Light Commission, presented a communication from the Superintendent giving an approximate estimate of the cost of connecting the two large pumps with the springs. The communication was read, and on motion of Alderman Gorth was referred to the Water & Light Commission with power to act in the matter. Alderman Lawless for the Water & Light Commission, presented the following communication, which was read and ordered filed: Columbus. Wis., May 6th, 1896. To the W. & L. Commission: Gentlemen: On Saturday night I instructed the arc lamp inspector to determine why two arc lamps, one on Broadway, the other on Water street were found to be out. We found in the case of the Broadway lamp the wire which runs from the [illegible] to the lamp had been cut, and also a piece of iron wire, which had been used to hold up the [illegible], had [illegible] --- Page break --- 372 was found to be broken, and the butterfly valve was also obstructed so that the head gate had to be closed to shut the turbines down. On examination, Sunday, developed the fact that these obstructions had entered through the 26 inch opening in the headgate masonry, and through which a 26 inch pipe was intended to be carried along the up stream face of the dam to the reservoir across the river. This opening was closed, under direction of Mr. Sublett, Engineer in charge, but the timbering gave way, and through this 26 inch opening, some four feet under the surface of the dam, the obstructions passed behind the screens into penstock No. 1 and into the turbine. One of the turbine wheels was damaged, so that it became necessary to have a new one, which was promptly wired for by long freight, and the Stillwell Bierce & Smith Vale Company answer that it will be shipped as soon as possible. The price list of wheel is $375, so it should be delivered here after discounts are taken off for about $150.00. The injured turbine wheel is one of a pair on the same shaft which work together and discharge towards the draft tube, discharge water, so they maintain a perfect balance, but now that our wheel is off, the pressure is all in one direction, which makes it difficult to operate the wheel. Mr. Johnson is endeavoring to put this turbine in condition to run one 5000 light machine until the new wheel is received, so as to supply all of our light takers, but he is not yet certain of being able to do so. Respectfully submitted, John W. Maddox, Superintendent. Report of Special Com. on lack of Citizens of 11th Ward, asking for an election of Alderman for that Ward. Alderman Schneider for the special committee presented the following report which was read and by motion of Alderman Powell was received and ordered filed: Austin, Texas, May 4, 1896. To the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Austin: Gentlemen: Your committee to whom was refered the enclosed petition beg leave to report that we have investigated the matter and find to the best of our knowledge and belief that L. H. Glascock, has removed his family and effects, and is no longer a resident of the Eleventh Ward. Very respectfully, W. S. Redd, J. C. Schneider, J. M. Deats, Committee. Report of Com. on Claims & Accounts on Claim for damages of E. E. Hughes Alderman Blatt asked that unanimous consent be granted the Committee on Claims and Accounts to make a report. Granted. Alderman Blatt, for the Committee on Claims and Accounts presented the following report: Austin, Texas May 6th, 1896. To the Honble City Council of the City of Austin: Your Committee on Claims & Accounts to whom was referred the petition of E. E. Hughes for damages for injuries to his person & to his buggy & harness, by his horse becoming unmanageable & running away from his rack in front of his place of business, by reason of a pile of gravel being left on the street in front of his place of business by city laborers and the horse becoming frightened at a steam roller which came along at this --- Page break --- 373 beg leave to report, that they have carefully investigated the claim of Mr. Hughes and recommend that he be paid the sum of Sixteen hundred and fifty dollars in full satisfaction of all claims he may have against the City up to this date. R. Platt. A. C. Zilker. Alderman Saylor moved that the report be laid over until the next meeting of this Council, which motion was lost by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Glass, Horton, Limm, Nitschke, Roberdeau, Schneider, Shelley, Stumph and Saylor. 9. Nays Aldermen Beaty, Gorth, Haynes, Lawless, Platt, Cowell, Rosengran, Townsend and Zilker 9. Alderman Cowell moved to adopt the report of the committee and Alderman Schneider moved as a substitute to recommit to the committee on Claims & Accounts. The motion to recommit was lost by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Glass, Haynes, Horton, Limm, Nitschke, Roberdeau, Schneider, Shelley and Saylor 9. Nays Aldermen Beaty, Gorth, Lawless, Platt, Cowell, Rosengran, Townsend and Zilker 9. The motion of Alderman Cowell to adopt the report of the Committee was then lost by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Haynes, Lawless, Platt, Cowell, Rosengran, Stumph, Townsend and Zilker 9. Nays Aldermen Glass, Gorth, Horton, Limm, Nitschke, Roberdeau, Schneider, Shelley and Saylor 9. Unfinished Business The Chair laid before the Council an ordinance appropriating the sum of $100. to pay extra Street laborers. The ordinance was read a second time. Alderman Schneider moved to amend by striking out $100. and inserting $300. Adopted. Alderman Platt moved to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its third reading and final passage; which motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Glass, Gorth, Haynes, Horton, Lawless, Nitschke, Platt, Cowell, Roberdeau, Rosengran, Schneider, Shelley, Stumph, Townsend and Zilker 16. Nays Aldermen Limm and Saylor 2. The ordinance was read a third time and passed by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Glass, Gorth, Haynes, Horton, Lawless, Nitschke, Platt, Cowell, Roberdeau, Rosengran, Schneider, Shelley, Stumph, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker 17. Nays Alderman Limm. 1. On motion of Chairman Haynes Submitting revised Ordinances of the various Committees of the Council. City Ordinances On Ordinances fixing minimum payor [marginalia] Ord. Appropriating $100 for Extra Street Laborers Amended by inserting $300 in stead of $100. Amendment adopted. --- Page break --- 374 for Wt & L meter service for Water & Light meter service An ordinance was read first time, and Alderman Townsend moved that the rules be suspended and the ordinance placed upon its second reading, which motion was lost by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Booth, Haynes, Horton, Lawless, Platt, Cowell, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Townsend and Zilker. 14. Nays Aldermen Glass, Linn, Nitschke and Taylor. 4. Ord transferring $3500 from Earnings fund to General fund. By Alderman Townsend, An ordinance transferring the sum of $3500.00 from the Earnings fund to the General fund. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Glass, Booth, Haynes, Horton, Lawless, Linn, Nitschke, Platt, Cowell, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker 18. Nays none. Ord. appropriating $1151.98 to pay approved Accts. By Alderman Townsend, An ordinance appropriating the sum of $1151.98 to pay approved accounts. The ordinance was read first time, and on motion of Alderman Nitschke the rules were suspended and the ordinance placed upon its second reading by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Glass, Booth, Haynes, Horton, Lawless, Linn, Nitschke, Platt, Cowell, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker 18. Nays None. Ord. amended by adding the sum of $5. to pay Wm Wellmer for rent of room Alderman Nitschke moved to amend the ordinance by inserting $5. to pay Wm Wellmer for rent of room for election purposes in December 1895. adopted. Ord. passed as amended. The ordinance as amended was then passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Glass, Booth, Haynes, Horton, Lawless, Linn, Nitschke, Platt, Cowell, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker 18. Nays None. On motion of Alderman Cowell the Council adjourned. City Clerk.