479 Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the City Council Austin Texas October 05, 1896. Hon. Lewis Hancock, Mayor, presiding. Present Aldermen Hines, Knech, Haynie, Horton, Lawless, Lunn, Matthews, Powell, Redd, Coverdeau, Driskill, Scrivener, Smith, Townsend and ZilkerAbsent, Aldermen Healy, Fischer, Holtzclaw, Saylor, Olderme and Tobin-6 On motion of Alderman Richardson the minutes were approved as printed without reading. (Petitions) Pet. of W. C. Belcher to put in drain pipe on 8th St. By Alderman Shelley, petition of W. C. Belcher for authority to put in a drain pipe on Eighth street. Read and granted, the work to be done under the supervision of the Street Committee and City Engineer. Aldermen Healy and Fischer entered the Council Chamber and answered to their names. Pet. of S. E. Daniels that certain work be done on Comal & Garden St.s By Alderman Glass, Petition of S. E. Daniels asking that certain work be done on Comal and Garden streets. Referred to Street Committee. City Officers Reports The reports of the City Officers for the month of September were laid before the Council, and on motion of Alderman Lunn were referred to their appropriate committees without reading. A synopsis of the reports are as follows: Assessor & Collector By the Assessor and Collector Collections as follows: From General Revenue $4385.79 " Interest & Sinking Fund Water & Light Bonds 1060.41 " " " " Old Bonds 659.96 " School Tax 2406.76 Referred to Finance Committee. City Clerk By the City Clerk. Warrants drawn against the General Fund $5753.70 " " " Earnings 5385.41 " " " Water & Light 137.50 Referred to Finance Committee. City Treasurer By the City Treasurer Balances on hand General Fund $1349.46 " " Interest on Old Bonds 1585.23 " " Earnings Fund 993.30 " " Water & Light Fund 33,603.28 " " Interest & Sinking Fund Water & Light Bonds 1,050.48 Ordered to finance Committee. City Marshal By the City Marshal Fines collected in Recorder's Court $275.00 Witness fees 165.00 Costs 143.00 [illegible] 6.00 [illegible] $375.00 --- Page break --- 490 Worked out $47.00 Occupied 20.00 $60.50 Pound fees for September $51.75 Total number of arrests. 54. Referred to Police Committee City Physician By the City Physician. " No. of Patients in Hospital Sept. 1 13. " " admitted September. 16. " " dismissed September. 14 " " remaining Oct. 1 15 " " Visits made Paupers September. 87 " " Prescriptions for Paupers September. 142 No contagious diseases reported. Referred to Hospital Committee City Sexton By the City Sexton. Total number of deaths 8 White 8 Colored 0 Male 7 Female 1 Referred to Cemetery Committee Acting Sup't of W + L Plant By the Acting Superintendent Water + Light Plant. No. of Water takers August 31. 2083 Added during the month 51 Cutt off during the month 24 27 Total number September 30. 2110 No. Electric Light Takers August 31, 854 Consumers added during September. 26 Discontinued during September. 1 25 Total number September 30. 879 Receipts during the month. For Water $2044.76 " Electric Light 1594.21 " Power 353.36 Total $3,992.33 Collected and deposited to the credit of the Earnings Fund for sundries $149.65. Bills and accounts approved during the month: Salaries $1069.50 Operating expenses 60.00 Repairs Electric department 195.00 Repairs Water " 129.05 Electric service connections 128.75 Water " " 47.65 Betterments Electric Department 45.60 Fuel & Cripping on Sundries 41.00 $1716.55 Overrun on Previous Mos. $1469.71 --- Page break --- 481 The report was read and ordered filed. Reports of Standing Committees. W & L. Com's report on pet. of T. M. Brown & Co. The Water and Light Committee, to whom was referred the petition of T. M. Brown & Co., in regard to rates for water and for power; presented their report; recommending that only the regular rates; as given in the ordinance be granted. The report of the committee was adopted. Claims & Accts Com's report on petition of J. R. Davis for damages. The Committee on Claims and Accounts, to whom was referred the petition of J. R. Davis for damages for personal injury; presented their report; recommending that the petition be not granted. The report of the Committee was adopted. Spl. Com's report on proposition of E. M. S. Hughes to compromise suit for damages. The Special Committee, to whom was referred the proposition of E. M. S. Hughes to compromise suit in District Court for damages resulting to him from the construction of the Dam; presented their report, stating that they are of the opinion that it is to the interest of the City to compromise, if it can be done for the sum of $1450, and submitting an ordinance for that amount and recommending its passage. The ordinance was laid over, to come up with the ordinance under the head of new business. Purchasing Com's report of award of contract to furnish Feed for City Teams & City Hosp. Alderman Linn for the purchasing committee, presented a report, stating that they had awarded the contract for furnishing the City with feed of teams and stock at City and County Hospital for the quarter ending December 31st 1896, to Messrs. Robinson Bros, and recommending that the Mayor be authorized to enter into contract with Messrs. Robinson Bros., in accordance with the award. The report was adopted. Bd. of Fire Commissioners report on application of North Austin Fire Co. The Mayor laid before the Council the report of the Board of Fire Commissioners upon the application of North Austin Fire Company to be admitted into the Fire Department, recommending that they be admitted. Alderman Linn moved that the petition be granted, and that the company be admitted. Alderman Roberdeau moved to lay the motion on the table. Lost by the following vote: Yeas, Aldermen Beaty, Goeth, Haynes, Roberdeau and Zilker 5. Nays, Aldermen Fischer, Glass, Hotton, Lawless, Linn, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Redd, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumph, and Townsend 14. Alderman Goeth moved to refer the matter to the Ordinance Committee, which motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas, Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Goeth, Haynes, Lawless, Nitschke, Platt, Roberdeau, Shelley, and Zilker 10. Nays, Aldermen Glass, Hotton, Linn, Powell, Redd, Rosengren, Schneider, Stumph, and Townsend 9. Statement of A. & C. of Taxes Showing difference in values for tax assm. A statement from the Assessor and Collector of Taxes was read and on motion was referred to the Finance Committee. Bills No 917, Bill No 918, Bill No 919, Bill No 920, Bill No 921, Bill No 922, Bill No 923, Bill No 924, Bill No 925, Bill No 926, Bill No 927 Bill No 928, Bill No 929, and Bill No 930 were read and on motion referred to the Finance Committee. Adjourned until July 13th 1896. --- Page break --- 182 Increased by Board of Equalization $ 1,667,056. Total, $ 3,925,532. Deduct Assessments, 1895 $ 2,863,075. Increase of 1896 over 1895 $ 1,062,457. Real Estate: Assessed for 1895 $ 8,521,659. Valuation according to 1896, $ 7,641,005 Increase by Board of Equalization 682,186 Decrease, $ 193,468 Increase of Personal Property in 1896 over 1895 $ 1,062,457 Deduct decrease in Real Estate $ 193,468 Total increase for 1896 $ 868,989 Personal Property 1896, $ 3,925,532. Real Estate, 1896. $ 8,328,101 Personal Property 1895 $ 2,863,075 Real Estate 1895 $ 8,521,659 Increase $ 868,989 Respectfully submitted, Fred. Sterzing, Assessor and Collector. Spl Com's report on claim of The Gould Co for Pumps. Austin, Texas, October 5, 1896. The special committee to whom was referred the claim of The Gould Company for Pumps, presented the following report: To the Honorable City Council: Gentlemen: Your special committee, to whom was referred the claim of The Gould Company, for balance due for Pumps furnished to the City of Austin, beg leave to report that after a careful investigation of said claim it was deemed best by your committee to delay a settlement thereof, until an understanding could be reached between the City and said Company, touching certain questions which have arisen regarding the terms and requirements of the contract under which said Pumps were furnished, and to that end your committee directed the City Attorney to address a communication to said Company, setting forth the views of the committee regarding a proper construction of said contract. This communication was forwarded, but has not as yet been answered. F. M. Beaty, Lewis Hancock, Geo. F. Pendexter, A. P. Wooldridge, C. A. Horton. On motion, the report of the Committee was received and additional time granted. New Business. Duvall's report on Col. John N's report on the Com. [illegible] on auditing land additions, & the [illegible] of Edwin S. [illegible] was read & on motion of Mr. Hancock, adopted. The bill for $150.00 to [illegible] was read the first time, and on motion made [illegible] to a second reading was lost. --- Page break --- 453 Yeas Aldermen Glass, Horton, Lawless, Stitscher, Rosengran, Schneider, Shelley, Stumbp, Townsend and Zillner 13. Nays Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Goetz, Hayes, Robordeau and Linn 6. Ord. Appropting $300 to pay Extra By Aldermen Zillner, An ordinance appropriating the sum of $300 to Street Labor. pay Extra Street Laborers. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the Ord. passed following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glass, Goetz, Hayes, Horton, Lawless, Linn, Stitscher, Platt, Powell, Redd, Robordeau, Rosengran, Schneider, Shelley, Stumbp, Townsend and Zillner. 19. Nays None. Ord. Appropting $242.00 to pay By Aldermen Townsend, An ordinance appropriating the sum Approved Accts out of Earnings of $242.00 out of the Earnings Fund to pay Approved Accounts. Fund. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glass, Goetz, Hayes, Horton, Lawless, Linn, Stitscher, Platt, Powell, Redd, Robordeau, Rosengran, Schneider, Shelley, Stumbp, Townsend and Zillner. 19. Nays None. Alderman Taylor entered the Council Chamber and answered to his name. Ord. Appropting $70. to pay By Aldermen Townsend, An ordinance appropriating the sum of per diem of B'd of Equalization $70. to pay the per diem of the Board of Equalization. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glass, Goetz, Hayes, Horton, Lawless, Linn, Platt, Powell, Redd, Robordeau, Rosengran, Shelley, Stumbp, Taylor, Townsend and Zillner 18. Nays Aldermen Stitscher and Schneider 2. Ord. Appropting $1797.76 to By Aldermen Townsend, An ordinance appropriating the sum of pay Approved Accts $1797.76 to pay Approved Accounts. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glass, Goetz, Hayes, Horton, Lawless, Linn, Stitscher, Platt, Powell, Redd, Robordeau, Rosengran, Schneider, Shelley, Stumbp, Taylor, Townsend and Zillner 20. Nays None. Ord. Appropting $38.00 to pay By Aldermen Glass, An ordinance appropriating the sum of $38 Extra Sanitary Labor to pay Extra Sanitary laborers for the month of October. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glass, Goetz, Hayes, Horton, Lawless, Linn, Stitscher, Platt, Powell, Redd, Robordeau, Rosengran, Schneider, Shelley, Stumbp, Taylor, Townsend and Zillner 20. Nays None. Communication was [illegible] [illegible] from the [illegible] on the [illegible] recieved & ref'd to Committee [illegible] petition of [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] was [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] on the [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] --- Page break --- 184 Ald. Taylor's resolution regard to Sprinkling Streets. consider the matter of sprinkling the main streets and avenues of the City, to ascertain the cost of sprinkling, carts, to find out the number of carts required to sprinkle the main thoroughfares, and make such recommendations as they may deem advisable, at the next regular meeting of this Council. The Mayor appointed the following special committee provided for by the resolution: Aldermen Taylor, Hughes, Lawless, Shelley and Townsend. On motion of Alderman Finn the Council adjourned. Geo Johnson City Clerk. --- Page break --- THE CITY COUNCIL. Regular Meeting of the City Council of Austin, Texas, October 5, 1896. Hon. Lewis Hancock, mayor, presiding. Roll called. Present — Aldermen Haynes, Horton, Lawless, Linn, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Redd, Robertson, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker—17. Absent—Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glass, Goeth and Toby—5. On motion of Alderman Platt, the minutes were approved as printed, without reading. PETITIONS. By Alderman Goeth—Petition of W. G. Belcher for authority to put in a 6-inch water main on Rio Grande street, between Guadalupe and San Antonio streets. Referred to the water and light committee. By Alderman Fischer—Petition of E. V. Rosengren to have the street graded in front of his property on East Avenue. Referred to the street committee. By Alderman Shelley, petition of W. L. Vining and others asking that the city place an electric light at the corner of East Nineteenth and Lavaca streets. Referred to street committee and city engineer. By Alderman Glass—Petition of Daniel & Sons asking that certain work on Comal and Garden streets be done. Referred to street committee. The report of the city officers for the month of September were laid before the council, and on motion were referred to the finance committee without reading. A synopsis of the report is as follows: By the assessor and collector— From general revenue ... [illegible] Interest and sinking fund water and light bonds ... [illegible] Interest and sinking fund old bonds ... [illegible] School tax ... [illegible] Referred to finance committee. By the city clerk— Warrants drawn against the general fund $15,753 79 Warrants drawn against the water and light fund $5,355 48 Referred to finance committee. By the city treasurer— Balance on hand general fund $1,349 46 Balance on hand water and light fund $1,587 28 Balance on hand interest and sinking fund water and light bonds $23,803 28 Referred to finance committee. $1,950 28 By the city marshal— Total amount of fines assessed in recorder's court $575 00 Paid in cash $100 00 Worked out $148 00 Carried forward. Collected on back fines, cash $67 00 $375 00 Worked out $123 50 Escaped $17 00 $20 00 Pound fees for September, $3.50 Total number of arrests, 54. $53.75. Referred to police committee. By the city physician— No. of patients in hospital Sept. 1.. 16 No. of patients admitted September.. 16 No. of patients discharged September 15 No. of patients remaining Oct. 1... 17 No. of visits made paupers September 16 No. of prescriptions for paupers Sept. 82 No contagious diseases reported. 142 Referred to hospital committee. By the city sexton— Total number of deaths... 2 White... [illegible] Colored... [illegible] Referred to cemetery committee. By the superintendent of water and light— Total number of water takers Aug. 31..2,063 Added during the month... 51 Cut off during the month... 21 Total number September 30... 2,093 No. of electric light takers August 31... 2,110 No. of new consumers added dur- [illegible] ing the month... [illegible] Disconnected during Sept... 25 Total number September 30... 2,079 *** [Column 2] Yeas—Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glass, Goeth, Haynes, Lawless, Linn, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Redd, Robertson, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, and Townsend—9. The following statement from the assessor and collector of taxes was read, and on motion was referred to the finance committee: Statement showing the difference in values of real and personal property for taxation for the year 1896, as compared with 1895: Personal property: Voluntary renditions for 1896 $2,258,470 Increased by board of equalization of equals. Deduct assessments, 1895...$1,007,050 Increase of 1896 over 1895...$1,032,457 Assessed for 1895...$2,288,079 Voluntary assessments, 1896...$3,521,659 Increased by board of equalization $7,041,065 Decrease $687,130 $8,328,191 Increase of personal property in 1896 over 1895...$103,468 Deduct decrease in real estate...$1,002,457 Total increase for 1896...$898,989 Personal property, 1896...$3,323,732 Real estate, 1896...$8,328,191 $12,253,723 Personal property, 1895...$2,963,075 Real estate, 1895...$8,321,859 11,284,734 Increase...$968,989 Respectfully submitted, FRED STERZING, Assessor and Collector. Austin, Tex., October 5, 1896. The special committee to whom was referred the claims of the Gould company for two pumps, presented the following report: To the Honorable City Council: Gentlemen—Your special committee, to whom was referred the claim of the Gould company for two pumps furnished to the city, beg leave to report that, after a careful investigation of said claim it was, deemed best by your committee to delay a settlement thereof until an understanding could be reached between the city and said company, touching certain questions which have arisen regarding the terms and requirements of the contract under which said pumps were furnished, and to that end your committee directed the city attorney to address a communication to said company, setting forth the views of the committee regarding a proper construction of said contract. This communication was forwarded, but has not yet been answered. LEWIS HANCOCK, GEO. T. PENDEXTER. C. O. HORTON. On motion, the report of the committee was received and additional time granted. NEW BUSINESS. The report of the committee on the proposition of Chas. S. Hughes to compromise the claim of $1450.00 to pay the claim of damages was read first time and on motion to suspend the rules and pass the ordinance, etc., came up. Alderman Glass moved that the matter be referred to the city attorney. Alderman Linn made a point of order that the matter should be referred to the special committee on claims. The mayor sustained the point of order, and on motion the matter was referred to the special committee to whom was referred the original proposition. *** [Column 3] AUSTIN DAILY STATESMAN collected and deposited to the credit of the school fund for sundries, $146.65. Amounts approved during the month: Salaries ... $1,200 50 Fire department ... 89 00 Betterments ... 195 00 Water service connections ... 128 65 Operating expenses ... 123 75 Electric department ... 47 65 Ordinary repairs on pumps ... 41 00 Total ... $1,911 55 Total number of gallons of water pumped during the month, 124,000,000. The report was read and ordered filed. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES. The water and light committee, to whom was referred the proposition of Brown & Co., in regard to rates for water and for power, presented their report, recommending that the regular rates, as given in the ordinance, be granted. The report was adopted. The committee on claims, to whom was referred the petition of J. M. Davis for damages for personal injury, presented their report, stating that the petitioner had presented no evidence for the consideration of the committee, and recommended that the petition be not granted. Adopted. The same committee, to whom was referred the petition of D. W. Jones for damages, presented a report that they had investigated the claim, and that it is their opinion that the city should not be held responsible for the injury complained of, and recommended that the petition be not granted. The report was adopted. The special committee, to whom was referred the claim of W. W. Mills, for a horse killed, reported recommending that the claimant be allowed the sum of $25. This report was adopted. The special committee on claims to whom was referred the petition of Mrs. S. B. Hughes on the proposition to settle the suit of Elm, vs. The City of Austin, now pending in district court for damages resulting from the overflow of Shoal creek, and their construction of the claim, presented their report, stating that it is their opinion that it is to the interest of the city to compromise, if it can be done for a sum not exceeding the sum of $1450, and submitting an ordinance for that amount, which was laid over its passage. The matter then came up under the head of new business. Alderman Linn, for the finance committee, reported that they had examined the city clerk's books, and that they had presented a report to the city council, awarding the contract for furnishing the city with feed, stationery, and stock of all sorts for the three months, or quarter ending December 31, 1896, to Messrs. Robinson Bros., and recommending that the mayor be authorized to enter into a contract with the said Robinson Bros., in accordance with the award. The report was adopted. The mayor reported that he had laid the report of the board of fire commissioners upon the application of North Austin fire company to be admitted into the fire department, recommending that it be admitted. Alderman Linn moved that the company be granted the petition. Alderman Robertson moved to lay the motion on the table. Lost by the following vote: Yeas—Aldermen Beaty, Goeth, Haynes, Horton, Lawless, Linn, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Redd, Robertson, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Townsend and Zilker—17. Nays—None. Alderman Taylor entered the chamber and answered to his name. By Alderman Townsend—An ordinance appropriating the sum of $720 to pay the per diems of the board of equalization. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas—Aldermen Beaty, Goeth, Haynes, Horton, Lawless, Linn, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Redd, Robertson, Rosengren, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker—18. Nays—Alderman Nitschke and Schneider—2. By Alderman Nitschke and Schneider—An ordinance appropriating the sum of $1707.70 to pay approved accounts. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas—Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Glass, Goeth, Haynes, Horton, Lawless, Linn, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Redd, Robertson, Rosengren, Schneider, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker—19. Nays—None. By Alderman Glass—An ordinance appropriating the sum of $68 to pay extra sanitary inspectors for the month of October. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas—Aldermen Goeth, Haynes, Beaty, Fischer, Glass, Nitschke, Platt, Horton, Lawless, Linn, Redd, Rosengren, Powell, Robertson, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker—20. Nays—None. Alderman Taylor offered the following resolution, which was read and adopted: Resolved, That there be appointed a special committee of three Aldermen to consider the matter of sprinkling the main streets, and all open areas of the city, to ascertain the cost of sprinkling carts, to find out the number of carts required to sprinkle the main thoroughfares, and make such recommendations as they may deem advisable at the next regular meeting of this council. And the resolution was read and adopted, with the mayor appointed the following special committee, provided for by the resolution: Aldermen Taylor, Haynes, Lawless, Shelley and Townsend. On motion of Aldermen Linn, the council adjourned. JOHN O. JOHNSON, City Clerk.