690 Minutes of Regular Meeting of the City Council. Austin Texas, October 04, 1897. Hon. Lewis Hancock, Mayor, presiding. Roll Call: Present, Aldermen Calvin, Haynes, Hart, Johnson, Landiss, Linn, Maddox, Miller, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Robinson, Cronington, Shirley, Townsend. 15. Absent, Aldermen Brady, Fischer, Field, O'Connor, Schneider, Shumm, Taylor, and White. 8. Minutes approved as printed. On motion the minutes of the last meeting were approved as published, without reading. Petitions, etc. Pet. of Mrs. Ben Walker asking damages to Cow The Mayor laid before the Council, a petition from Mrs. Ben Walker, asking damages to cow injured in the Pound. On motion the petition was referred to the Claims and Accounts Committee. The reports of the City Officers for the month of September were laid before the Council and were referred to their respective committees without reading, except the reports of Assessor and Collector and Treasurer, which were ordered read. Aldermen Beaty, Fischer, Redd, Schneider and Taylor entered the Council Chamber. On motion, Alderman Linn was excused from further attendance at this session of the Council. Reports of City Officers. Reports of City Officers The following is a synopsis of the reports of City Officers for the month of September: By the Assessor and Collector. Assessor & Collector To Collections; as follows: From, General Revenue $ 7,445.47 " Interest and Sinking Fund Water and Light Bonds 15,435.63 " " on Old Bonds 1,429.50 " School Tax 5,476.71 Referred to Finance Committee. By the City Treasurer. City Treasurer Balance on hand General Fund Oct. 4. $ 7567.67 " " " Interest on Old Bonds. 7137.91 " " " " " Water and Light Bonds. 11,701.84 " " " Sinking Fund Water and Light Bonds. 6,000.00 Referred to Finance Committee. By the City Clerk. City Clerk Total Warrants drawn against General Fund during the month $ 5,801.58 " " " " for Interest on Bonds issued prior to May 1, 1890 2175.00 " " " " " " " Water and Light Bonds 16,317.50 Referred to Finance Committee. By the City [Warden] City Warden Fines, fees, etc., collected from Pound & City [illegible] $ 742.00 Fines & Costs Warrants --- Page break --- 691 To Travis County jail $40.00 Carried forward 36.75 Bound over-collected Collected on back fines Total number of arrests during the month 35 Referred to the Police Committee. $770.00 50.00 111.50 City Physician By the City Physician. Number of patients in hospital September 1st 12 " " Admitted to hospital in September 20 " " Dismissed from " " 14 " " Deaths " " 3 " " Remaining October 1st 15 " " Visits to paupers in September 152 " " Prescriptions to paupers " 249 No cases of contagious or infectious diseases reported. The general health of the City good, with exception of dengue, which has been generally in a mild form. Referred to Hospital Committee. City Sexton By the City Sexton. Interments Total number of deaths- 13 White 8 Mexican 1 Colored 4 13 Male 6 Female 7 13 Still born 1 Premature [illegible] Referred to Cemetery Committee. Report of W & L Commission A report was read from the Water and Light Commission, giving rates fixing rates to the City for fixed for Water, Light and Power for the City for the next fiscal year. Water, Light & Power for next fiscal year. Referred to the Water and Light Committee. Reports of Standing Committees. W & L Committees report on Alderman Fischer for the Water and Light Committee, to whom was report of W & L Commission for referred the report of the Water and Light Commission for the two two months. preceding months, May 31st to July 31st 1897, presented a report recommending that certain additional information be embodied in their reports, and the Mayor and Clerk were directed to furnish said City were directed to furnish the report of the Committee. On motion of Ald. Fischer, the report of the Committee was adopted. copy of W & L Committees report to the Commission with a copy of the report of the Committee. the W & L Commission (On motion... Ord. Com'tte report on Ord. to Ald. Shelley for the Ordinance Committee, to whom was referred an provide for the appointment of a ordinance to provide for the appointment of an examining and supervising Board of Board of Plumbers. Plumbers, etc., presented a report recommending the passage of the ordinance. On motion, the report of the Committee was adopted. Ord. Com'tte report on Ord. Ald. Smith, for the Ordinance Committee, to whom was referred amending Sections 29 & 31 of the Rev. an ordinance amending Sections 29 and 31, Chapter 6, Title V of the Rev. Ordinances, Second Edition. Ordinances, Second Edition. amended by motion by adding Sec 31, Chap 6, Title V. presented a report recommending the passage of the new ordinance with certain amendments. --- Page break --- 692 On motion, the report of the Committee was laid over to come up with the ordinances, under the head of unfinished business. Ord. Comt's report on Ord. amending Chapter 8 Title V of Revised Civil Ordinances Alderman Shelley, for the Ordinances, to whom was referred an ordinance amending Chapter 8, Title 5, of the Revised Civil Ordinances of the City, presented a report recommending the passage of the ordinance with certain amendments. The report was laid over, to come up with the ordinances, under the head of unfinished business. Claims & Account Committees report on pet. of Paul McCombs Alderman Platt, for the Claims and Account's Committee, to whom was referred the petition of Paul McCombs, asking the Council to remit certain costs on delinquent taxes, presented a report recommending that the petition be not granted. Alderman Maddox, moved that the report be laid over, to come up under the head of unfinished business. The motion was lost, and the report of the Committee was adopted. Alderman Stumbel, entered the Council Chamber. Cemetery Committees report on award of bids for hauling Pauper's remains to Cemeteries recommend- ing acceptance of V.O. Weed's bid Alderman Horton, for the Cemetery Committee, presented a report stating that the Committee had advertised for bids for hauling Pauper's remains to the different Cemeteries, and that they had received two bids, and recommending the acceptance of the bid of V.O. Weed. The report of the Committee was adopted, and the Mayor authorized to enter into contract with Mr. Weed in accordance with the bid. Unfinished Business. Ord. amending Articles 29 & 31 of Chapter 6 Title 2 of Revised Penal Ordinances The Mayor laid before the Council an ordinance amending Articles 29 and 31, Chapter 6, Title 2, of the Revised Penal Ordinances of the City, together with the report of the Ordinance Committee. The ordinance was read second time. Alderman Staynes moved to table the report of the Committee and the ordinance, which motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas, Aldermen Belvin, Fischer, Haynes, Horton, Kuhn, Lawless, Miller, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Preetd, Rosendran, Stumbel, Taylor and Townsend 15. Nays, Aldermen Geaty, Maddox, Roberdeau, Schneider and Shelley 5. Ord. amending Chapter 8 Title V of Revised Civil Ordinances The Mayor then laid before the Council an ordinance to amend Chapter 8, Title 5, of the Revised Civil Ordinances, together with the report of the Ordinance Committee. The ordinance was read second time. The amendments recommended by the Ordinance Committee, were then read and adopted. Alderman Taylor offered the following amendment, which was adopted, "Provided, that no fee shall be charged for services furnished the Mayor, members of the City Council or the City Attorney." The ordinance was then passed, under suspension of the rules, by the following vote: Yeas, Aldermen Geaty, Belvin, Fischer, Haynes, Horton, Kuhn, Lawless, Maddox, Miller, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Preetd, Roberdeau, Rosendran, Schneider, Shelley, Stumbel, Taylor and Townsend 20. Nays, None. The several ordinances providing for grading & paving of --- Page break --- 693 Ord. providing for a Board of All members Board of Plumbers, etc. The ordinance was read second time and a motion made to suspend the rule and place the ordinance on its third reading, which motion was lost by the following vote: Ayes, Aldermen Cody, Corwin, Fischer, Kuhlin, Miller, Platt, Redd, Brosendeaux, Schneider, Shelley, and Townsend. 12. Nays Aldermen Haynes, Horton, Landiss, Mitchell, Burrell, Pussingame, Stumpff and Taylor. 8. Alderman Powell moved that the ordinance be published in the minutes of the Council. Alderman Maddox moved to table the motion, which motion prevailed. A. Thomas Moore asks to have pound fees remitted was granted. The Mayor then laid before the Council, the petition of Henry Moore to have certain pound fees refunded. The petition was recommended by the Mayor, and was granted. New Business. Mayor's Message recommend his may tax levy for 1899. The Mayor laid before the Council the following message: Mayor's Office, Austin, Texas, Sept. 30. 1898. To the Hon. City Council: Gentlemen:- The time is at hand to make provision for the various obligations of the City for the next fiscal year. The situation of the City is substantially the same as it was last year, and the last budget adopted by the Council, may be taken as a basis for estimating the needs of the General Revenue for the ensuing year. This was as follows: Salaries of Officers $13,875.00 Salaries of Police 13,750.00 Cemetery Department 283.02 Sanitary Department 3,564.53 Fire Department 8,105.50 Meals for City Prisoners 470.50 City and County Hospital 4,272.54 Printing, Stationery and Postage. 1,462.11 Charity, 1,053.81 Salary of Pound Master. 876.00 Salary of City Auditor, 750.00 Salaries of Aldermen 2,640.00 Salary of Porter 480.00 Pay Old Water Company 10460.00 Miscellaneous 3000.00 Total $64,343.01 To this should be added $6000. for street work, $24,500. for Water and Light now from April 1st 1899, to November 30 1898, and $1000 additional on account of "Miscellaneous expenses," making a total of $95,843.01 Assessor and Collector estimates receipts on account of General Revenue from sources other than tax-levy fund as follows: Street R.R. $12,000.00 Fines etc. 1,700.00 Scavenger Fees 600.00 --- Page break --- 694 Mayor's [illegible] levying tax for [illegible] Judgment and Costs (account of taxes) 900.00 Pay Palmetto City Hospital 175.00 Travis County Hospital account 2000.00 Reg Dav 500.00 Taxes prior to 1897 1000.00 John [illegible] and leaving a balance to be raised by direct Tax of $23,968.51. The assessed valuation of property in the City is $11,513,845 and a tax of 65 cents on the hundred dollars would yield $74,839.99. I therefore recommend a tax of 65 cents on the one hundred dollars for General revenue purposes. Interest and Sinking Fund requirements on $1,505,000 of 5 per cent Dam Bonds, and $200,000 of 6 per cent Dam Bonds will be $104,350. Of this sum the Water, Light and Power Commission report that, with the amount above estimated to be paid by the City for Water and Light rentals from April 1st 1897 to November 30th 1898, they will be able to contribute the sum of $36,500, leaving $70,850 to be raised by taxation. A tax of 62 cents on the hundred dollars will yield $71,385.83 and I therefore recommend a levy of that amount. The total valuation of property within the old City limits is $10,075,968 and I recommend a tax of 10 cents on the hundred dollars to raise 6 per cent Interest and 2 per cent Sinking Fund on $125,000 Bonds issued prior to 1890. It will further be necessary to levy a tax of 33 1/3 cents on the hundred dollars for School purposes. This will make a tax rate as follows: General Revenue 65 cents on the $100 Dam Tax 62 " " " Bonds issued prior to 1890 10 " " " School Tax 33 1/3 " " " Total $170 1/3 " " " I therefore recommend the passage of the accompanying ordinances levying taxes as above. Respectfully, Lewis Hancock, Mayor. The message and ordinances accompanying it, were, on motion referred to the Finance Committee. Resolution directing City Engineer to notify the Austin Rapid T.R. Co. to comply with the provisions of Section 6 of its Charter. Alderman Haymes offered the following resolution, which was adopted. Whereas, The Austin Rapid Transit Company, is failing to comply with the provisions of Section 6 of its Charter, which requires the tracks of said Company to be kept "not more than one inch above the grade of the Street"; the tracks or rails being from two to four inches above grade in numerous places, and especially on our business streets, to the great danger and detriment of vehicles; Therefore, be it Resolved, by the City Council of the City of Austin; That the City Engineer be and is hereby instructed to at once notify said Company --- Page break --- 695 to place the tracks within the requirements of its Charter within thirty days from the passage of this resolution and that the City Engineer report to this Council at the Close of thirty days whether or not this resolution has been fully complied with." Com. etc regarding ordin- ance to prevent City Officials etc from holding Govt offices Ald. Downs introduced the following ordinance, which was read and referred to the ordinance Committee "Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Austin: that from and after the date of the passage of this ordinance, any person acting as the Attorney, in part or otherwise, representing any person, firm, or corporation holding County or other franchise from this City or State, or from any other government, shall not be eligible to the office of City Attorney, or assistant City Attorney, of this City." Ord. appropriating $81.00 to pay Drivers of Street Teams for Oct. 1897. By Aldermen Zilker, an ordinance appropriating the sum of $81.00 to pay Drivers of Street Teams for the month of October 1897. The ordinance was passed, under suspension of the rules, by the following vote: Yeas, Aldermen Beatty, Belvin, Fischer, Haynes, Horton, Kuhn, Lawless, Miller, Nitsching Platt, Powell, Ordd, Roberdeau, Rosengran, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker 20. Nays, Alderman Maddox 1. Ord. appropriating $375 to pay Drivers of Sanitary Carts for Oct. & Nov. 1897. By Alderman Stumpf, an ordinance appropriating $375 to pay Drivers of Sanitary Carts for the months of October and November 1897. The ordinance was passed, under suspension of the rules, by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beatty, Belvin, Fischer, Haynes, Horton, Kuhn, Lawless, Miller, Nitsching, Platt, Powell, Ordd, Roberdeau, Rosengran, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker 20. Nays, Alderman Maddox 1. Ord. appropriating the sum of $2955.50/100 to pay Salaries of Officers & Employes for Oct. 1897. " By Aldermen Townsend, An ordinance appropriating the sum of $2955.50/100 to pay Salaries of Officers and employes for the month of October 1897. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules, by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beatty, Belvin, Fischer, Haynes, Horton, Kuhn, Lawless, Miller Nitsching, Platt, Powell, Ordd, Roberdeau, Rosengran, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker 20. Nays, Alderman Maddox 1. On motion the Council adjourned Geo. Johnson City Clerk