473 Adjourned Regular meeting City Council. Austin Tx. Sept 16th 1896. Hon. Lewis Hancock, Mayor, presiding Roll Called. Present, Aldermen Crozier, Fischer, Flaugher, Fiset, Haynes, Hartwig, Lindley, Lowell, Powell, Raddatz, Ross, Schneider, Shelley, Smith, Smith, Townsend and Walker. 18. Absent, Aldermen Gibson, K., Nalle and Salge 5. On motion of Alderman Sims the minutes were approved as printed, without reading. Pet. of South Austin Fire Co By Aldermen John Read. Petition of South Austin Fire Company asking that certain returns be made to them for Fire Hall, etc. On motion the Petition was referred to the Fire Committee. The Mayor laid before the Council the following Petitions: Pet. of Mrs Amelia Hall for From Mrs Amelia Hall; claim for damages damages caused by overflow of by reason of the high water in Sewer. sewer overflowing road. Read and referred to Committee on Claims and Accounts. Pet of W.H. Firebaugh to From W. H. Firebaugh et. al.; to abate abate a nuisance a nuisance. Read and referred to the Committee on Sanitation. Mayor's Veto of Ord. The Mayor then read the following veto message: Appropriating $230 to repair Mayor's Office bridge over Newning's Branch Austin, Texas, Septr. 16, 1896. To the Honorable City Council: Gentlemen: I herewith return to you, with my disapproval, an ordinance passed on the 9th of September, 1896, entitled An ordinance appropriating the Sum of $230. for the purpose of repairing the bridge on Riverside drive, over Newning's Branch in South Austin. My reasons for disapproving same are as follows:- I made a personal inspection of the bridge and the streets and population affected, and found that none of the residents of South Austin are inconvenienced in getting to and from the City by the closing of said bridge, those living east of said Newning's branch having a good road running by the Water homestead. The only inconvenience caused by the closing of said bridge is, that the residents on either side of the said branch and north of said bridge have to go about an eighth of a mile to the south and out of the way in communication with each other. This is, in view of the condition of our city finances, generally, small, too small, I must say, not to justify this expenditure. Would it be just to consider the inconvenience of a dozen families. This bridge is in a very bad condition and to repair it the City would have to rebuild the same in view of the small amount of money to be expended, the small amount of inconvenience and the small number of people to be benefitted, I consider it I do not think it my duty to do so, in view of the small amount of inconvenience to the City. Very respectfully, Lewis Hancock, Mayor. On motion of Aldermen Crozier, the veto was sustained by the following vote, Ayes, Aldermen Crozier, Fischer, Flaugher, Fiset, Haynes, Hartwig, Lindley, Lowell, Powell, Raddatz, Ross, Schneider, Shelley, Smith, Smith, Townsend and Walker. 18. Nays, none. [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] --- Page break --- 174 Yeas; Aldermen Beaty, Glass, Gorth, Hayner, Horton, Layless, Lim, Noll, Powell, Redd, Robendreau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker 18. Nays, Alderman Fischer 1. Alderman Redd moved that the ordinance do now pass, notwithstanding the Mayor's objections. Lost by the following vote: Yeas, Aldermen Glass and Redd 2. Nays, Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Gorth, Hayner, Horton, Layless, Lim, Noll, Powell, Robendreau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Townsend and Zilker 17. Pet. of F.M. Brown & Co regarding power notes Finance Com's report on bids for 5% Bonds for acct of Sinking Fund By Alderman Gorth, Petition of F. M. Brown & Co. in regard to power for machinery. Read and referred to the Water and Light Committee, with instructions to report at the next regular meeting of the Council. The report of the Mayor and Finance Committee was presented and read: Austin, Texas, Sep't. 21st 1896. At a meeting of the Finance Committee and Mayor held today at 5 p.m., acting under resolution of the City Council, the following bids for City of Austin 5 per cent Bonds, to be purchased for account of the Sinking Fund, were received and opened: A. P. Wooldridge, Austin, offers two Bonds at 99 1/2 flat. Groos, Frank, San Antonio, offers two Bonds at 98 flat. Geo. W. Brackenridge San Antonio offers ten Bonds at less at par flat Jas. H. Frank, St. Louis, offers one Bond at 99 and interest and exchange. L. W. Hann, St. Louis, offers one Bond at 98 1/2 and interest and exchange. P. A. Cognard, St. Louis, offers ten Bonds at 99 1/2 and interest. The following being the lowest and best bidders, we recommend the acceptance of said bids: A. P. Wooldridge, Austin two Bonds at 99 1/2 flat. Groos, Frank San Antonio two Bonds at 98 flat. Geo. W. Brackenridge San Antonio six Bonds at par flat. As it is necessary to accept and pay for said Bonds immediately, we recommend the prompt passage of the accompanying ordinance appropriating $10,000. or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay for the ten Bonds at once, Lewis Hancock, Mayor A. P. Wooldridge W. J. Shelley A. Gorth, Finance Committee. On motion the report of the Finance Committee was adopted, and the accompanying ordinance was now taken up on its final passage, and passed by a [illegible] vote, viz: [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] Report of the Finance Committee Adopted on Sinking Fund Bonds [illegible] [illegible] --- Page break --- 475 We find that on account of the urgent necessity of protecting the valuable Electric Machinery in the Power House from lightning, and in pursuance of a resolution passed by the City Council, July 20th 1896, an order was given on the 11th instant for twelve station Switch board and twelve pole line arresters at a cost of $229.75, to be shipped by express, and to be placed at once on the switch board and near the Power house. These arresters have already been received and are now being placed in position. In order to further protect the Electrical distribution system, on the 14th instant an order was given for twelve pole line arresters, the same to be shipped by freight, and at the same time an order was given for 65,000 pairs of Carbons for the arc lamps supplying the City with light at $15.25 per 1000 delivered in Austin, with the understanding that the City should have a reduction on the price stated if a carload for this section could be obtained. These carbons were ordered at this time on account of the necessity of having a full supply before those on hand were exhausted, the supply on hand being quite small. Very respectfully submitted, Francis Fischer, F. G. Lawless Water and Light Committee. On motion Alderman Linn was excused from further attendance at this session of the Council. Report of Street Com. on pet. of L.W. Goldbeck Alderman Zilker, for the Street Committee to whom was referred the petition of L.W. Goldbeck for permission to establish a 15 foot sidewalk in front of lots in Block 13 division D, presented their report recommending that the petition be granted. The report was adopted. Report of Street Com. on pet. of T. Skehan to open Alley in Block 139 Alderman Zilker, for the Street Committee, to whom was referred the petition of Theodore Skehan asking to have the Alley in Block 139 opened, presented their report recommending that the Alley be opened to its proper width. The report was adopted and the City Engineer instructed to open said Alley. Report of Police Com. on City Marshals reports for Aug. Alderman Isbell, for the Police Committee, to whom was referred the reports of the City Marshal for the month of August, 1896, presented their report, stating that the reports had been examined and found correct. The report of the committee was adopted. Report of Police Com. on pet. of Citizens of Brown's Addition Alderman Powell, for the Police Committee, to whom was referred the petition of Citizens of Brown's Addition requesting the Council to extend the provisions of the stock ordinance to include Brown's addition, presented their report recommending that the petition be not granted. Report adopted. Unfinished Business. The following ordinances were read the second time, viz: An ordinance assessing the one per cent advalorem tax on all property, real, personal and mixed, for the year 1896, was read the second time, and on motion of Ald. Carrington the rules were suspended and the ordinance passed. --- Page break --- 476 Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glass, Goeth, Platt, Powell, Redd, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker. 18 Nays none. Ordinance Appropriating $50. to pay Mrs. Huddle & $8.50 to pay Mrs. Mary Matter for damages to land submerged by Sewer An ordinance appropriating the sum of $50. to pay claim of Mrs Z. Huddle and $8.50/100 to pay claim of Mrs Mary Matter for damages to land submerged by the badder The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glass, Goeth, Haynes, Horton, Lawless, Platt, Powell, Redd, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker. 16. Nays Aldermen Goeth and Schneider. 2. Pet. of N. Austin Fire Co. for admittance to Fire Department. His Honor Mayor Drew laid before the Council the petition of North Austin Fire Company asking to be admitted into the Fire Department, with the favorable report of the Fire Commission. Alderman Powell moved that the Company be admitted. Alderman Stumpf moved that the Company be admitted. Schneider moved as a substitute that the matter be referred back to the Fire Commissioners and that they submit a written report, in accordance with the City ordinances. Adopted. Ord. Appropriating $10,000 to purchase 10 - 5%, Bonds for Acct of Sinking Fund. His Honor Mayor then laid before the Council an ordinance submitted by the Finance Committee, appropriating the sum of $10000 to purchase Ken 5 per cent Water and Light Bonds of the City of Austin for account of the Sinking Fund. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glass, Goeth, Haynes, Horton, Lawless, Platt, Powell, Redd, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker. 18. Nays None. Resolution inviting the National Prison Ass. of the U.S. to meet in Austin in 1897. By Alderman Goeth, Resolved, by the City Council of the City of Austin, That a cordial invitation is hereby extended to the National Prison Association of the United States to hold their annual congress in the City of Austin some time in the fall of 1897. Resolved, further, That Mr. E. A. Whatley, Superintendent of the Penitentiaries of Texas, member of the Associa- tion, who will attend the congress of the Association to be held at Milwaukee, Wis, September 26 to 30, 1896, is hereby authorized to present this invitation, to use his best endeavors to secure its acceptance and to do all in his power to secure the meeting of said Association at Austin, Tex. as requested The resolution was unanimously adopted. Ord. Approp'g $3000 to pay Company F, Tex. Vol. Bank An ordinance appropriating Three Thousand Dollars to pay Company "F" Fourth Regiment Texas Volunteer Infantry, was passed under suspension of the rules. By the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glass, Goeth, Haynes, Horton, Lawless, Platt, Powell, Redd, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend, Zilker. 18 Nays none. --- Page break --- Resolution authorizing Mayor to receipt to Jno. W. Maddox late Supt. of W & L Plant for all Books papers Etc. Ord. Appropg. $1600 to pay the Gould Co for Pumps. Ord. Appropg. $16,687.50 to pay interest on W & L Bonds. Ord. Appropg. $2175 to pay interest on Funding Bonds. Ord. Appropg. $1271.16 to refloor Bridge across Colorado River. Mayor appointed W & L Com. and Special Com. on acct. of Gould Co's claim Transfer of $1800. from Contingent to General Fund withdrawn. & motion to transfer from W. & L. Fund lost. 477 Stumpt, Saylor, Townsend and Zilker 18. Nays None The following resolution offered by Alderman Goeth was read and on his motion adopted: Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin, That the Mayor of the City of Austin is hereby authorized and empowered to receipt to Jno. W. Maddox, late Superintendent of the Water, Light and Power Plant of said City, all books, papers and property heretofore held by him as such Superintendent, and execute receipt therefor. An ordinance appropriating the sum of $1600. to pay the Gould Company for balance due for Pumpsfurnished, together with a report from the Water and Light Committee, recommending the payment of the claim. The ordinance was read first time and on motion of Alderman Goeth was referred to a special committee of three, together with the Mayor and City Attorney. By Alderman Townsend, An ordinance appropriating the sum of $16,687.50 to pay interest due Oct. 1st 1896, on the Water and Light Bonds of the City. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen, Beaty, Fischer, Glass, Goeth, Haynes, Horton, Lawless, Pratt, Powell, Redd, Robideau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpt, Saylor, Townsend and Zilker 18. Nays None. By Alderman Townsend, An ordinance appropriating the sum of $2175. to pay interest due Oct. 1st 1896, on Funding Bonds of the City of Austin. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glass, Goeth, Haynes, Horton, Lawless, Pratt, Powell, Redd, Robideau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpt, Saylor, Townsend and Zilker 18. Nays None. By Alderman Redd, An ordinance appropriating the sum of $1271.16 to refloor the bridge across the Colorado River. The ordinance was read first time and on motion was referred to the Street Committee. The Mayor appointed Aldermen Tobin, Lawless and Fischer on the Water and Light Committee, also Aldermen Beaty, Goeth and Redd on the special committee to act with the Mayor and City Attorney in the matter of the account of the Gould Company. On motion of Alderman Fischer that the sum of $1800. be transferred from Contingent Fund to General Fund, was on his motion withdrawn. a motion that the transfer be made from Water & Light Fund to General Fund was lost. by the following vote. Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glass, Goeth, Haynes, Horton, Powell, Robideau, Schneider, Shelley, and Stumpt. 11. Nays Aldermen Lawless, Pratt, Redd, Rosengren, Saylor, Townsend and Zilker 7. --- Page break --- 178 Council Meeting hour and until further order, at 8 oclock p.m. Carried. changed from 8:30 to 8.00 p.m. On motion the Council adjourned. until further order. Jno. B. Johnson Clerk.