54 Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the City Council. Austin, Texas, Sept. 19th 1898. Hon. Geo. D. Mc Call, Mayor, presiding. Roll called Present. Aldermen Beaty, Belvin, Booker, Fischer, Horton, Kuhn, Maddox, McLemore, Miller, Morris, Nitschke, Platt, Bowell, Preddy, Taylor and Zilker 20. Rosengren, Shelley, Stumpf. Absent. Aldermen Roberdeau and Townsend 2. Minutes adopted as recorded. On motion of Alderman Preddy the minutes were approved as recorded without reading. Petitions, Memorials etc. Pet. of H. W. Oatman to erect wooden add. to Building on lots 8 & 9 Blk. 68 By Alderman McLemore Petition of H. W. Oatman to erect a wooden addition to building on lot 8 & 9 Block 68, within the Fire limits. Alderman McLemore moved to grant the petition. Alderman Booker moved as a Substitute, that the petition be referred to the Fire Commissioners, which motion prevailed. Pet. of Mr. S. Synes to occupy part of Colorado Street. The Mayor laid before the Council, a petition from Mr. S. Synes, Architect, asking permission to use a part of Colorado Street, for the purpose of moving frame church building now in rear of old building, to be used as a tool house, during the erection of the new Church building. On motion of Alderman Taylor, the permission was granted. Pet. of Lone Star Sec. Co. to erect corrugated iron roof building By Alderman Bowell. Petition of the Lone Star Sec. for permission to erect a frame corrugated iron roof building on West 1st and Colorado Streets in Block 3. within the fire limits! On motion of Alderman Bowell, the petition was granted. Alderman Townsend entered the Council Chamber. Pet. of Mrs. L. H. Randell looking to compromise of a suit for damages for certain land caused by the Dam. By Alderman Maddox. A communication from D. G. West, Esq. Attorney for Mrs. L. H. Randell, asking the Council to take action looking to a compromise of a suit for damages to restrain land, occasioned by the erection of the Dam. On motion, the communication was referred to the Claims and Accounts Committee with instructions to investigate the matter and report to the Council, said Committee to be allowed their necessary expenses in making the investigation. Res. directing Sanitary Insp. to drain pond of Water in Hyde Park By Alderman Belvin. Resolution directing the Sanitary Inspector to drain and fill up a pond of water near the residence of Miss Hattie Ivy in Hyde Park. The resolution was adopted. Reports of City Officers. Report of W. & L. Com. for quarter ending Aug. 31st 1898. The following reports from the Water & Light Commission, were presented, read and on motion, were referred to the Water & Light Committee, and were ordered printed in full in the minutes. Austin, Texas. August 31st 1898. To the Hon. City Council, Austin, Texas. Gentlemen: Reps. of W. & L. Com. for Aug. 1898, and 19. new vouchers as Revs. & Sts. Vouch. as per Act Sec. 110 of the Charter of Amendments to the Charter of the Receipts and Disbursements of this Commission for quarter ending August 31st 1898; and herewith transmit --- Page break --- 55. With Commission The report made to us by Mr. H. E. Patterson, Superintendent, which also contains Report a statement of the amount due by the City to this Department. Light Consumers. Incandescent Light Consumers to May 31st 1898. 1111 New Applications 86, Renewals 43. 89 Cut off for Non-payment 20, By request 40 Vacancy 12. 72 Showing an increase of 17 Consumers for the quarter, and total of 1128 Number of Incandescent Lights. Number of 10 C.P. Incandescent Lamps Installed 4 " " 16 " " " " " " " " " " " " 13772 " " 25 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 154 " " 32 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 179 " " 50 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 61 Arc Lamps. Arc Lamps in use by private consumers May 31st 1898. 40 New Applications 1 No cut offs, making a gain of 1 Arc Lamps in use by the City (one added in July). Total, 41 Total 197 233 Water Consumers. Number of Water Consumers to May 31st 1898. 2431 New Applications 92. Renewals 133. 225 Cut off for Vacancy 87. Non-payment 30, by request 31 2656 Showing an increase of 77 for the quarter, and total of, 148 2508 Pump Record. (For Twenty six days of June, no record kept in July & Aug.) Total Gallons Pumped 26 days of June, 1898. 120,349,630 Minimum " " during this month per day 2,960,450 Maximum " " " " " " " " " 6,426,430 Average " " " " " " " " " 4,628,831 Motors on Three-Phase Circuit. There are 45 motors on the Three-Phase Circuit, ranging from 1/4 H.P. to 30 H.P. each, used by private consumers aggregating 210 1/4 H.P. Statement of the Receipts and Disbursements of the Water Works, Electric Light and Power Plant of the City of Austin for the quarter ending August 31st 1898. to-wit:- Receipts. Water. June $3510.09 July $1835.09 August $1805.63 Total $7150.81 Light " 2719.58 " 2653.60 " 2604.69 " 8040.81 Power " 1315.15 " 1413.96 " 1352.69 " 4081.80 Meters " 56.55 " 111.65 " 10.35 " 178.55 Motors " 11.90 " 15.30 " 47.65 " 74.85 Water Extensions (Five Hydrants sold D & D Institute) 21.50 Miscellaneous Receipts for the Quarter 3.10 Total Cash Receipts. $10,551.42 Amount due by the City for Water and Light from April 1st 1897 to August 31st 1898. [illegible] $21,704.00 --- Page break --- 56 Mss Commissions Operating Expenses: Including Salaries, Maintenance, Repairs, etc. Repairs. Electrical Expenses: H. & J. L. Ry. Co., Freight Bills. $ 9.28 S. & D. N. Ry. Co. " 67.35 Dr. F. J. McLaughlin, Attention to Lineman 19.00 S.W. Sal & Sal Co., 3.75 Austin Electrical Supply Co., 173.98 Contingent Fund, Miscellaneous Items. 80.90 Labor, 46.50 Austin White Lime Co. .50 Jno. H. Chiles 8.70 Commercial Electrical Supply Co. 72.00 D. & W. Fuse Co. 25.70 Fischer & Bro. .40 General Electric Co. 80.63 Leonard & Ellis 5.90 Malone Oil Co. 13.14 Jno. A. Webb & Bro. 2.53 Walter Sipes 6.75 W. A. Glass 1.00 Day Rolls, May, June & July 3309.15 Austin Furniture Co., 2.00 Total Electrical Expenses: $ 3972.66 Water Expenses: S.W. Sal & Sal Co., $ 3.75 Contingent Fund, Miscellaneous Items. 64.80 " " " " " " 94.81 Austin White Lime Co., .50 Ludlow Valve Co., 6.30 Leonard & Ellis 5.90 Malone Oil Co., 13.14 Jno. A. Webb & Bro., 1.28 H. & J. L. Ry. Co., 19.05 Frank Hrickman & Bro., 51.99 Jno. H. Chiles 12.70 Day Rolls, May, June & July 2045.45 S. S. & D. N. Ry. Co., 138.40 Total Water Expenses: $ 2459.64 Office Expenses: Contingent Fund, Miscellaneous Items, $ 53.59 Day Rolls, May, June & July, 1511.00 Austin Book & Staty Co., 53.5 Snogaarden & Sons 2.75 Total Office Expenses: $ 1570.64 Total Operating Expenses for the Quarter $ 7953.94 --- Page break --- 57 WK Commissions Report Extensions of the Plant. Electrical Extensions Freight Bills, S. & S. N. Ry. Co., H. L. Brendman W. A. Blass Moorland Paint Co. S. Thomson, Austin Electrical Supply Co. W. A. Burke, J. O. Quaas L. P. & R. Ry McDonald Contingent Fund, Labor " " Miscellaneous Austin White Lime Co., Calcasieu Lumber Co. Fischer & Bro. Wagner Electric Mfg. Co., Walter Sipes General Electric Co. Whiting Foundry & Equipment Co., Frank Heverman & Bro., Jno. H. Chiles Pay Rolls, May, June & July. Western Electrical Co. Total Electrical Extensions Water Extensions S. & S. N. Ry. Co., Freight Bills. H. L. Brendman S. Thomson, J. O. Quaas L. P. & R. Ry McDonald Contingent Fund, Labor " " Miscellaneous items, Austin White Lime Co., Jno. A. Webb & Bro., Walter Sipes Whiting Foundry & Equipment Co., Jno. H. Chiles W. A. Blass Pay Rolls, May, June & July. Total Water Extensions New Pumping Station. S. & S. N. Ry. Co. Freight Bills Contingent Fund, Labor, " " Miscellaneous items., Austin White Lime Co., Pay Rolls, May, June & July. Chattanooga Foundry & Pipe Works. $ 58.00 16.00 20.00 2.45 146.30 171.29 61.75 54.90 9.85 95.50 13.07 8.00 90.49 3.70 28.00 106.41 833.69 422.50 228.61 8.70 288.71 ------- 17488 # 2830.30 $ 29.16 16.00 2.45 81.00 18.95 129.75 5.12 8.00 584.89 138.07 42.50 9.00 10.50 374.49 ------- # 1845.13 $ 54.66 3.00 14.50 8.00 195.10 225.00 --- Page break --- 58 W. & L. Commissions C’mts. P.R.R. Forward 1160.76 4675.13 Report P. D. Wood & Co., 95.17 C. C. Lamar, 79.50 Falls River & Machinery Co., 400.00 General Electric Co., 150.00 Walker Co., 413.00 Frank Hrierman & Bro., 56.16 Jno. St. [illegible], 3.85 W. A. Glass, 77.65 Roys Valve Co., 360.00 P. Thomson. 59.10 Total New Bumping Station. $2749.69 New Bumping Station. Filtering Trench. $49.38 Calcasieu Lumber Co., 7.50 C. J. Martin. 76.14 Frank Hrierman + Bro., 7.50 P. Thomson. Total $80.52 New Filtering Trench Pay Roll July. 10.00 Meters: Refunds to Consumers for Meters returned. 177.70 Henry R. Worthington. Amount paid on pumps this Quarter. 7038.32 Interest: Paid H. B. Worthington "" "" Contract 30.59 Total Extensions for the Quarter $10957.25 Total Operating Expenses for the Quarter $1052.07 Total Disbursements, this Quarter. $17710.32 Recapitulation. Receipts Balance on hand per report May 31st 1898 $2735.69 Receipts for this Quarter 19551.42 Disbursements For Operating Expenses $7952.97 " Extensions of the Plant 9757.25 Balance on hand, August, 31st 1898. 4076.80 $21,787.11 $21,787.11 Respectfully, Jno. D. M[illegible]Call. Vice President, City Water & Light Commission. Austin, Sept. 19th 1898. H. A. Brunts Minority Report To the Honorable City Council, of the City of Austin: Gentlemen:August 31st, from the Water and Light Commission, of which I am a member, I do herewith, respectfully, present you, this minority report for the quarter ending in lieu of accepting the sworn [illegible] by me, which was laid over for [illegible] was voted, to [illegible] the Superintendent [illegible] for [illegible] Commissioners to accept and upon his request a true and accurate statement of expenditures was made out and submitted [illegible] that was considered by them. The explanation of the Commissioners, as they have been, to, in boring new water bearing sand, new water pipes, new [illegible] and --- Page break --- I as a Councilman (Minority) I voted no, when report of the Water & Light if expense of such Commission. first report was was charged to you all know cost of the new expense be found claim from Sup. August $268.00 and Rhodes $10.00 while the report was acted upon, and I asked them to inform me such soundings, blue prints and plans, that they presented in this correct. Upon further probing I learned that this amount "New Pumping Station." how false this entry would be to any one in finding out the pumping station. It was then suggested that all the and charged to work done on the sand beach, which I and labor vouchers read, to be in July $292.00 and in in all $560.00, and their report furnished you to-night a difference of $550.00. I claim it should be correct to the cent. If the clerical force the Superintendent keeps in the office, at the expense of the Tax payers, is not sufficient to do the business, I think we had better quit altogether, as I think we have double the number needed. You will notice by this report that no account of pump register has been made for July and August, but this has been left off. I ask why? Is our Superintendent busy or is it a fact, that after all this time he has not learned to keep a correct register of daily amount pumped, which he admitted to the Commission, after the new pump had been started and he had been presenting reports for about a year, that he must be wrong. He did not think the pumps were pumping as much water as he had been reporting. In other words gentlemen, I am as positive as I can be that he knows nothing about hydraulics and the boring for water and running pumps and running an office like the Water and Light Commission control through him. So satisfy yourselves upon this charge. I ask of you, to exact of him testimonials of his past hydraulics and I guarantee you will never get them. In my judgment of over twenty-one years experience in matters appertaining to water and the handling of men, that the expenses enumerated in this quarterly report, can easily be reduced at least $800.00 per month, and that when the Commission, had made up to get a large consumer like the Driskill Hotel, the Commission had acted arbitrarily that they are lost the business entirely, except for power, and the small receipts in this report proves it.) And how when an opportunity presents itself wherein we can get according to our published rates, $1800.00 for Water and light annually, from the State for the Capitol Building, our Board follows the suggestion of this Superintendent, and advises him to ask $400.00 this, as I informed them was wrong, and a shame that should not be perpetrated upon the Tax payers of Austin, for in all likelihood it will be re- fused, and we will lose this $1800.00 (by asking the exorbitant rate of $400.00 per year) that we could make without any extra expense to us, and thereby we will go on, day by day, leach-like draining the blood from our Tax payers to continue payleaving so much more for the interest and in direct violation of the amendment of the Sec. 99.2 for rates). What in a Republican (Minority) presented it, did I, no I no longer disappointed I proved, why did Gov. Culbertson refuse to sign his name to the appropriation? I knew, and the brother of Gov. Culbertson did. And where? Because, the superintendent told Bro. Culbertson that if he demanded it he would give him water until he paid for it. So how this condition upon those who were in default. now standing to our citizens. --- Page break --- 60 Minority report increase its popularity? No, gentlemen, the Old Company is getting it. And it is not the my own personal water and light tax is about to go down monthly, and can not show that this amount is easy to get, and do not each one of you that you are already taxed to the limit of your purse. So, gentlemen, what I do say in presenting this minority report is this, that if sand is not mistaken, that this report is incorrect in the amount that has been mis-spent at the New Pumping Station, and the amount for borings, plans and blue prints is incorrect, and if so, the bookkeeping in the office is done by incompetent clerks, or they are following the instructions of the Superintendent in making false entries and I insist that they are wrong. If this be true, should not your Honorable body step in and notify this most august body, of which I am a member that they cannot further disregard the fact that they were elected to carry out, but that they must make all possible efforts to increase our income with getting new consumers and thereby relieve the tax payers of this enormous debt. At the meeting Sept. 8th the Board held, that I should not go into the filtering trench unless I went in person to the Superintendent and got him to go with me, and that I could not, according to Capt. Listmaker's speech to the Board, have a citizen or expert with me for the purpose of examining things connected with the workings of the plant. I ask in stupendous awe, what right does Captain Listmaker think the Citizens have, and what right has a Commissioner, and why these star chamber proceedings? What is wrong that I cannot inspect the works only in company with the Superintendent. If I have no confidence in the Superintendent's ability, as I have none whatever in Mr. Patterson, in hydraulics, and desired to have an expert with you into the filtering ditches, to find out the exact flow of water, and how much harm the shallow wells were doing our new and expensive pumps by pumping sand through them, so I could inform myself and maybe open the eyes of the Citizens as a good, by locating existing errors! What Mr. Patterson told the Commission that the new pump had furnished the water for four days except in the night, when he was running the pump at the Dam. Did I not know that he was pumping water from the Sand into the filtering ditches at night, and pumping it out in the day time? Did I not warn the Commissioners to close down the pumps at the Dam and let the pumps at the new station work a day, and then go into the filtering ditches, and I would guarantee there would be no water there and none supplied to the City either. Now, gentlemen, this Commission has spent over $20,000.00 on the two ditches, and they are advertising for bids to put in a third one 1200 inch, and that anything paid in the sand to the present sand. Is it not time to I have every reason to know that all the money, in the sand could have been put in to supply 100,000 people this lavish expenditure, waste money, in the sand is $10,000.00 not enough to Commissioners sinking the tax payers money in the sand I ask, why know about sinking test wells. I have all the time --- Page break --- Minority report of asked for a practical hydraulic Engineer to be employed, and until such as Brush of, time comes, I would not care to have my rail roads run by a shoe maker or my law business attended to by a doctor? Respect. Yours, Geo. A Brush, Water and Light Commissioner. The report of the Mayor acting as Auditor for the quarter ending Aug. 31st 1898, was presented and ordered filed. Pet of A.W. Yarrington asking correction of Assessment for correction of Assessment for the year 1897. On motion of Alderman Taylor, the petition was referred to the Claims and Accounts Committee. Reports of Standing Committees. Claims & Accts Com. Alderman Pratt for the Claims and Accounts Committee, to whom was referred report on pet of the petition of Mrs. Shaw, asking a correction in Assessment for taxes for 1897, Mrs. Shaw presented a report recommending that the petition be granted. The report of the Committee was adopted. Str. Comts report on Alderman Nitschke for the Street Committee to whom was referred the rescost of grading 2 olution of Alderman Maddox directing the Street Committee to ascertain the blocks of 8th St. cost of grading 8th Street for Two blocks on each side of Congress Avenue with material the same or similar to that used by the Street Car Company, presented a report estimating the cost to be $1244.30/100. On motion, the report was laid over to come up with a resolution on the subject. Unfinished Business. Ord. granting right The Mayor laid before the Council, An ordinance granting the right of way of way to E.A. Ellis to E.A. Ellis et. al, to construct, maintain and operate, Street Railways et. al. along certain along certain Streets in the City. The ordinance was read the second streets time, and on motion of Alderman McSemore, further action was postponed until the next regular meeting of the Council. New Business. The Mayor laid before the Council the following veto message, which was read Mayor's Office Austin, Texas, Sept. 8th 1898. Mayor's Veto To the Honorable City Council Message & Resolution of the City of Austin. Continuing Hal. Gentlemen: Mason as Dog I herewith return without my approval, the following resolution Catcher passed by your Honorable body, on Sept. 5th 1898: “Resolved, That Hal. Mason be continued in the service of the City, as Dog Catcher during the present and succeeding month, for the following reasons: The amount collected from the Dog tax last year was as follows: May $21.00. June $35.00 July $95.00 Aug. $44.00 Sept. $33.00 Oct. $1.00 Nov. $1.00 making a total for the year, of $550.00. For this year, we have collected as follows: June $23.00 July $127.00 Aug. $64.00 making a total, to Sept. 1st of $517.00. Having last year as a base, we cannot expect to collect over $40.00 for the month of Sept., and should be through by October 1st. We already have in Dog Catcher, for the months of Sept., and Oct. at $40.00 --- Page break --- per month, and the record does not bear us out, as being able to realize enough to pay his salary from the tax. For these reasons, I cannot approve the resolution. Respectfully, Jno. D. W. Hall, Mayor. Mayor's objections sustained The motion was then put, shall the resolution pass notwithstanding the objections of the Mayor, and the motion lost by the following vote: Yeas. None. Nays. Alderman Beatty, Belvin, Booker, Fischer, Haynes, Horton, Kuhn, Maddox, McLemore, Miller, Morris, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Redd, Rosengren, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker. 21. Reconsideration of vote, refusing to pur- chase W & L Bonds. Alderman Platt moved to reconsider the vote had at the last meeting of the Council, whereby the Council refused to pass an ordinance appropriating the sum of $19150.00 to purchase Water & Light Bonds for the Sinking Fund, which motion prevailed. Ord. Approp. $10,150.00 to purchase 10 W & L Bonds for Sinking Fund. Alderman Taylor moved that the ordinance do now pass which motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas. Alderman Beatty, Belvin, Booker, Fischer, Haynes, Horton, Kuhn, Maddox, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Rosengren, Taylor, Townsend 14. Nays. Alderman McLemore, Miller, Morris, Redd, Shelley, Stumpf, Zilker 7. Ord. Approp. $20.00 to pay per diem of the Board of Equalization for the year 1898. By Alderman Morris. An ordinance appropriating the sum of $20.00 to pay the per diem of the Board of Equalization for the year 1898. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas. Alderman Beatty, Belvin, Booker, Fischer, Haynes, Horton, Kuhn, Maddox, McLemore, Miller, Morris, Nitschke, Platt, Powell, Redd, Rosengren, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker. 21. Nays. None. Ord. Approp. $16312.50 to pay Int. due Oct. 1st 1898, on W & L Bonds. By Alderman Morris. An ordinance appropriating the sum of $16312.50 to pay interest due Oct. 1st 1898, on $130500.00 Water & Light Bonds of the City The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas. Alderman Beatty, Belvin, Booker, Fischer, Haynes, Horton, Kuhn, Maddox, McLemore, Miller, Morris, Nitschke, Powell, Redd, Rosengren, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker. 20. Nays. Alderman Platt. 1. Ord. Approp. $2145.00 to pay Int. due Oct. 1st 1898, on Funding Bonds. By Alderman Morris. An ordinance appropriating the sum of $2145.00 pay interest due Oct. 1st 1898, on $72500.00 Funding Bonds The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote: Yeas. Alderman Beatty, Belvin, Booker, Fischer, Haynes, Horton, Kuhn, Maddox, McLemore, Miller, Morris, Nitschke, Powell, Redd, Rosengren, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker 20. Nays. Alderman Platt. 1. City Council to meet hereafter at 8 o'clock instead of 8:30. By Alderman McLemore. Resolved, that hereafter the City Council meet at 8 o'clock instead of 8:30. The resolution was adopted. Alderman Maddox called up the report of the Street Committee upon the resolution to grade 6th Street etc, and moved that the whole matter be rereferred to the Street Committee, with instructions to confer with the Finance Committee, and if found that the finances of the City will justify the expenditure, then in that event, they be directed to report plans and- --- Page break --- 63 Specifications for the work, and an ordinance appropriating money to pay for same, which motion prevailed. Resolution requesting Alderman Mc Lemon offered the following resolution, which was read and W & L Commission to adopted. furnish Council with Whereas, the operating expenses of the Water & Light Plant, according to an itemized report the report of the Water & Light Commission, seems to be rather large, apof operating expenses. proximating a sum of thirty thousand dollars annually, therefore be it, Resolved, By the City Council, that the Water & Light Commission be requested to furnish this body, with a separate itemized statement of said operating expenses, at the next regular Council meeting. On motion, the Council adjourned. Jno. A. Johnson City Clerk.