760 Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the City Council. Austin, Texas. Feb. 21st 1898. Hon. Jno. D McCall, Mayor, presiding. Roll Called. Present, Aldermen Beaty, Crooker, Haynes, Horton, Maddox, Miller, Morris, Platt, Cowell, Criddle, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Shelley, Saylor and Townsend 15 Absent, Aldermen Belvin, Fischer, Kuhn, McClure, Senbore, Nitscheke, Stumpf 7 Minutes approved as recorded Upon motion of Alderman Morris, the minutes of the previous meeting were approved as recorded. Aldermen Nitscheke and Silsby entered the Council Chamber. Petitions, etc. Pet. of Austin Gas Light & Coal Co & L.S. Ice Co. for franchise to build a R. R. Switch By Alderman Morris, Petition of Austin Gas Light & Coal Company, Huldrich & Coal Company & Lone Star Ice Company for franchise to build a switch or spur of railroad track connecting with, and beginning on the line of the International & Great Northern Railroad, on West Third Street, between Colorado and Lavaca Streets; and extending east along West Third Street to Colorado Street, thence south on Colorado Street to and over West First Street to the river walk. Referred to the Ordinance Committee. Communication from Jos A. Mower Bost no 10 G. A. R. A communication from Joseph A Mower, Bost no 10. G. A. R. of Austin, asking the co-operation of the Mayor and City Council in making arrangements for the State encampment of the G.A.R. to be held in this City, April 21st to 24th 1898. The communication was laid over to come up under the head of new business. Communication from Geo A. Hill Sec'ty Commercial Club, asking Mayor & Council to invite Tex Gas & Elec. Light Ass'n & Tex Street R'y Ass'n to hold annual meeting in Austin in 1899. A communication from Geo. A. Hill, Secretary of the Commercial Club, asking the Mayor and City Council to unite with the Commercial Club in an invitation to the Texas Gas & Electric Light Association and the Texas Street Railway Association, to hold their annual meeting in this City in 1899. Upon motion the Mayor was authorized to extend the invitation as requested. Aldermen Belvin and Stumpf entered the Council Chamber. Communication from Good Government Club, asking Council to have stock pens South Side Colorado river removed By Alderman Criddle, a communication from the South Side Good Government Club, by E. C. Lyons, Secretary, asking the City Council to have the stock pens located between the two approaches leading to the Colorado river bridge, on south side of the river, removed. Upon motion the communication was referred to the Street Committee and the City Engineer, and the City Attorney were directed to furnish a report. Pet. of Mrs Mary D. Maddox asking that an Ord. be passed authorizing redemption of lands heretofore sold for taxes, also lands heretofore and hereafter sold under [illegible] Also proposes to donate ground for street [illegible] when [illegible] By Alderman Beaty, Petition of Mrs M and Mary D. Maddox, asking that an ordinance be passed authorizing the redemption of property heretofore sold for taxes, and stating that petitioners were ready to pay $703.15/100 upon the passage of such an ordinance. Also proposes to donate ground for a street from Dimeo to [illegible] Street. By direction of the Mayor, the communication was referred to the Finance Committee. [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] Council [illegible] --- Page break --- 761 Act. of Wm A Mc Sawrin, asking By Alderman Stumpf: Petition of Neal and Annie V for the removal of Dog pen on Mc Sawrin and others, asking East 8th St. for the removal of a dog pen at 1013 East Eighth Street. Referred to the Police Committee. Act. of Citizens of the Ward asking By Alderman Maddox: Petition of Citizens of the Sixth Ward, asking to be supto be supplied with Water & Light plied with Water and Light. Upon motion the petition was referred to the Water and Light Committee. Alderman Mc Lemore entered the Council Chamber. Act. of J. L. Drier asking for By Alderman Crooker: Petition of J. L. Driesen for remission of pound fees. remission of Pound fees. paid by him Referred to the Mayor. Police Committee's report on Alderman Bowell for the Police Committee, to whom was referred the report of the City Marshal's report for Janry City Marshal for the month of January 1898, reported hav1898. ing examined the same and found correct. Report adopted and ordered filed. Claims & Accts. Com'te report on Alderman Petty, for the Claims and Accounts Committee, to whom was Communication of City Atty. referred the communication of Hon. J. D. Cochran, City Attorney, advising advising compromise of Suit of compromise of suit of the City against J C Hamilton for taxes levied upon City vs J C Hamilton for taxes property brought within the City limits in May 1891, for said year; reported, recommending that the suit be dismissed upon the payment of all costs that have accrued, by said Hamilton. Upon motion the report was adopted. Claims & Accts Com'te report on Alderman Platt, for the Claims and Accounts Committee, to whom pet. of Scottish American Mortg. was referred the petition of the Scottish American Mortgage Company Co. Limited, asking relief from Limited, asking relief from the action of the Board of Equalization, in Bd. of Equalization Valuations raising the values of certain property from $10,600 to $26,040 reported recommending that the relief therein sought be not granted. Upon motion, the petition, with the report of the Claims and Accounts Committee, was referred to the City Attorney, by the following vote: Yeas, Aldermen Beatty, Belvin, Maddox, Moore, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Shelvy, Stumpf, Saylor and Silver 12. Nays Aldermen Bowell, Crooker, Haynes, Horton, Kuhn, Mc Semore, Miller, Platt and Townsend. 8 Special Com'te report on Alderman Monroe, submitted the following report of the special Committee, to whom was referred the pet. of Ellis Monroe, asking petition of Ellis Monroe, asking pay for two horses killed by the Officers pay for 2 horses Killed. of the City, was read and upon motion the report was adopted, and the Committee discharged: Hon. John D. McCall, Mayor and the City Council of the City of Austin: Gentlemen:- Your special Committee to whom was referred the petition of Ellis Monroe, asking the City to indemnify him for the loss sustained by the killing of two horses by the officers of the City, beg leave to report: That after a partial investigation of the matter, we found that some of the facts alleged were true; but inasmuch as a compromise had been effected between the said Monroe and the City Officers and a receipt produced showing that full satisfaction had been made, we concluded to suspend further consideration and ask that your committee be discharged. Respectfully, Thos. J. Saylor C. Platt, J. W. Maddox. Von Rosenberg, Crusem. --- Page break --- 762 [Left Margin Text] Resolution of Austin Sewerage Co Ord. defining duties of Bridge Keeper Resolution instructing Mayor to appoint Com'tee to meet with a Com'tee from Commercial Club & the Grand Army of the Republic Post No 10 to arrange for G.A.R. State Encampment April 21, 1898 Ord authorizing redemption of Real Estate heretofore sold for taxes & bid in by the City of Austin. Finance Com'tee to act as a Special Com'tee with Mayor & City Atty. to try to effect a settlement with the Old Water & Light Co. Ordinance [illegible]... On motion [illegible]... [Main Text] The Mayor laid before the Council, as unfinished business, the resolution of the Austin Sewerage Company, action on which was postponed at the last meeting, until the present meeting. Upon motion, which was adopted, the resolution was referred to the City Attorney. The Mayor laid before the Council an ordinance defining the duties of Bridge Keeper, which was upon motion adopted, laid on the table subject to call. New Business. Alderman Powell submitted the following resolution: "Be it resolved, by the City Council of the City of Austin, That the Mayor be, and it is hereby instructed, to appoint a Committee of five, one being himself, and as one of the Committee, to meet with a like Committee from the Commercial Club and a Committee from the Grand Army of the Republic of Mower Post No 10, to meet at the Driskill at some future time, date to be announced by the Grand Army Committee to make arrangements for the receiving of the Grand Army of the Republic which will convene here April the 21st 1898 (San Jacinto day) and close Apl 24th 1898." In conformity with the above resolution, the Mayor appointed Aldermen Powell, Beaty, Zilker and Crooker as the Committee. By Alderman Beaty; an ordinance authorizing the redemption of Real Estate heretofore sold for taxes and bid in by the City of Austin. The ordinance was read first time, and on motion the rule was suspended and the ordinance placed on its second reading by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Belvin, Crooker, Haynes, Horton, Kuhn, Maddox, McLemon, Miller, Morris, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Read, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker. 21. Nays None. The ordinance was read second time and Alderman Crooker moved to strike out "one month" in section one, of the ordinance, and insert "six months", which motion was lost. Upon motion the rule was suspended and the ordinance placed upon its third reading by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Belvin, Haynes, Horton, Kuhn, Maddox, McLemon, Miller, Morris, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Read, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker. 20. Nays Alderman Crooker 1. The ordinance was read third time and upon motion, passed. Alderman Saylor moved that the Mayor appoint a committee of three, with the Mayor and City Attorney, to confer with the Attorneys of the Old Water Company, to see if a compromise could be affected in their suits now pending. Alderman Belvin offered as a substitute for the motion of Alderman Saylor that the Finance Committee act as a Special Committee, with the Mayor and City Attorney, to the end and effect it is compromised, and upon motion the substitute was adopted. Alderman McLemon was, upon motion, excused from further attendance at this session of the Council. On motion of Ald. Saylor the old ordinances applying to the Water & Light Co. were read. On motion the Council adjourned until Wed. April 20th 1898. --- Page break --- 763 to pay approved accounts, for December and January. Read first time. Alderman Saylor moved that when the Council adjourns it be to Wednes day night, February 23rd at 8 pm, which motion was adopted. Alderman Nitscher moved to reconsider the vote had on adjournment to Wednesday night February 23rd. Alderman Colvin moved to lay the motion of Alderman Nitscher on the table which motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes: Aldermen Cleaty, Colvin, Crooker, Haynes, Kuhn, Maddox, Miller, Morris, Pratt, Redd, Robardeau, Rosengren, Shelley, Stumpf, Saylor, Townsend and Zilker - 17 Nays Aldermen Horton, Nitscher, and Powell - 3. Alderman Saylor moved that a Committee composed of the Mayor, City Attorney and Finance Committee, be requested to consider the matter of employing additional Counsel, in Case now pending against the City Council, in the Federal Court, which motion prevailed. Upon motion of Alderman Colvin, the Council adjourned to Wednesday night at 8 pm. Geo W Johnson City Clerk [Text in left margin, from top to bottom]: On motion to adjourn to Wednesday night Feby 23rd at 8 P.M. Composed of Mayor, City Atty & Finance Comt'e requested to consider matter of employing additional Council, in Case now pending in Federal Court --- Page break --- 764 "Minutes of an Adjourned meeting of the City Council. Austin, Texas July 23rd 1898. Hon. D.W. McCall, Mayor, presiding. Present, Aldermen, Belvin, Crooker, Hopton, Hulin, Maddox, McLemore, Miller, Pitschke, Blau, Powell, Todd, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Shelley, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker. 17. Absent Aldermen Deaty, Fischer, Haynes, Morris and Stumpf. 5. Alderman Belvin moved that the Council take a recess of fifteen minutes. Carried. Roll of Council. At the end of the recess the Council was called to order. Aldermen Deaty, Haynes and Stumpf entered the Council Chamber. Alderman Crooker moved a call of the Council, which was seconded. Absent, Aldermen Fischer and Morris. Pet. of North Austin Fire Co. asking to be placed on City's pay roll, for pay of Driver & for feed & repairs. The Marshal was directed to bring in the absentees. Alderman Morris entered. By Alderman Stumpf, Petition of North Austin Fire Company asking that said Company be placed on the pay roll, for pay of driver and for feed and repairs, the same as other fire Companies of the City. On motion the petition was referred to the fire Committee. Alderman Belvin moved to reconsider the vote just had, whereby the petition was referred to the fire Committee, which motion prevailed. A motion was then made to refer the petition to the fire Committee, and it was so referred by the following vote: Yeas, Aldermen Haynes, Hopton, Hulin, Morris, Blau, Powell, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Shelley, Taylor and Zilker. 11. Nays. Aldermen Deaty, Belvin, Crooker, Maddox, McLemore, Miller, Pitschke, Stumpf and Townsend. 9. Roll of Council suspended. On motion the call of the Council was suspended. Alderman Taylor moved that the report of the budget Committee be taken up and acted upon, which motion prevailed. Budget Committee Report on probable receipts and disbursements for year 1898 The report was read and is as follows: Hon. D. McCall, Mayor and City Council of the City of Austin: Gentlemen: In accordance with the provisions of the City Charter your Finance Committee respectfully submit for your consideration the following estimate of the probable income from all sources which will be collected for the General Fund during the fiscal year, and of the expenditures to pay salaries and wages of Officers and regular employes, 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 improvements. Estimate of income of the General Fund From General Revenue Based, 189.. $66,000.00 " " " " " prior yrs.. 4,000.00 " " License Tax. 11,000.00 " " Fines & Forfeitures 1,250.00 " " Costs, fees etc from Co of Travis. 500.00 " " Back Taxes prior to '95 Col. of H. Fruner. 0,000.00 --- Page break --- 765 Budget Committees report From Dog Tax # 500.00 " Pay Patients (City Hospital 750.00 " Travis County (Hospital) 7000.00 ----------- $87,850.00 Estimate of amount of Expenses for City government for year ending Nov. 30th 1898. For Salary, Officers & Employes' $ 17,858.77 " " Policemen 12,840.00 " " Aldermen 2,640.00 " " Drivers etc, Fire Dept 4,200.00 " " Interest on Bonded Debt 24,500.00 " " Lighting Streets from April 1st 1897 600.00 " " Rent of Engine House 375.00 " " Expense of Dog business 84.00 " " Rent of Telephones 50.00 " " Winding Clock 1,000.00 " " Printing, Stationery & Postage 1,200.00 " " Charity 4,650.00 " " City & County Hospital 7,800.00 " " Sanitary Dept 475.00 " " Meals for City Prisoners 60.00 " " Fuel - City Hall 500.00 " " Board of Equalization 175.00 " " Expenses of Election 5,100.00 " " Feed, Repairs of Hose, Fire Department 10,760.00 " " Amt. Judgment & Interest due Old Water Co. for 1897 2,100.00 " " Miscellaneous$ 91,967.77 Respectfully submitted Milton Morris Thomas F. Saylor W. D. Shiller. Expense Items acted upon separ- ately Alderman Saylor moved that the items of expenses be acted upon separately, which motion prevailed. The first, second and third items were read and adopted. The fourth item was read. Alderman Beaty moved to amend by adding $600. to pay drivers of North Austin Fire Company. On motion Alderman Hartah was excused from further attendance at this session of the Council. The vote was then taken on the amendment of Alderman Beaty and the amendment was lost by the following vote: Yeas:- Bonner, Beaty, Brown, Colman, Hudson, McLennon, Orass, Skinner and Townsend. 9. Nays:- Averill, Browning, Dickinson, Miller, Morris, Pierce, Saylor, Scarbrough, Shiller, Smith, Snowden & Mr President. 12. [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] --- Page break --- 766 for water and light, and inserting $16,500., which motion was lost by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Crooker, Haynes, Kuhn, McLemore, Miller, Nitschke, Platt, Redd, Roberdeau, and Townsend. 10. Nays Aldermen Beaty, Aelvin, Maddox, Morris, Powell, Rosengran, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, and Zilker. 10. On motion of Alderman Taylor, the item as reported by the Committee was adopted. The sixth item was read and adopted. Alderman Aelvin moved to reconsider the vote adopting this item, which motion prevailed. The item was then adopted by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Aelvin, Haynes, Kuhn, McLemore, Morris, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Redd, Roberdeau, Rosengran, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker. 17. Nays Aldermen Crooker and Maddox 2. The seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth items were then read and adopted. The twentieth item was read. Alderman Beaty moved to amend, by adding $300 for feed and repairs for North Austin Fire Company, which motion was lost by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Aelvin, Crooker, Kuhn, Maddox, McLemore, Stumpf, and Townsend. 8. Nays Aldermen Haynes, Miller, Morris, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Redd, Roberdeau, Rosengran, Shelley, Taylor and Zilker. 12. Item twenty was then adopted as reported. Item twenty-one was then read and adopted. Item twenty-two was read. Alderman Aelvin moved to amend by inserting $15. for numbering Streets north of Thirty-second Street, which motion was lost. Alderman Taylor moved that the budget be adopted as a whole, which motion prevailed. Alderman Taylor moved to take up the ordinance to pay approved accounts for December, 1897 and January, 1898, which motion was lost. Alderman Nitschke for the Street Committee, to whom was referred the proposition of John H. and Mary O. Maddox to donate to the City a Street, upon certain conditions, presented a verbal report, recommending that the proposition be accepted, also submitting an ordinance covering the case. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules, by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Aelvin, Crooker, Haynes, Kuhn, Maddox, McLemore, Miller, Morris, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Redd, Roberdeau, Rosengran, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker. 20. Nays, None. O- A. [illegible] appropriating $1391.80 to pay ordinance approved by O [illegible] accounts for December, 1897, and January, 1898 [illegible] which was read, and was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: [illegible] [Text from left margin] Budget adopted as a whole. Street Com's. verbal report on proposition of Jno. H. Maddox & wife to donate ground for Street Recommended passage of an Ordinance covering same. An Ordinance appropriating $1391.80 to pay Dec & January accounts, was passed under suspension of rules. --- Page break --- 767 Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Belvin, Crooker, Haynes, Kuhn, Maddox, Mc Lemore, Miller, Platt, Redd, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker. 17. Nays Aldermen Morris, Nitschke and Cowill. 3. Ord. providing for payment of a judgment rendered in Federal Court in favor of E. C. Bartholomew Receiver By Alderman Morris: An ordinance providing for the payment of a judgment rendered in Federal Court in favor of E. C. Bartholomew, Receiver The said ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Belvin, Crooker, Haynes, Kuhn, Mc Lemore, Miller, Platt, Powers, Redd, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker. 19. Nays Alderman Maddox. 1. On motion the Council adjourned. Geo. W. Johnson City Clerk.