Austin Debates $3,400 Steam Road Roller Purchase
• Steam Road Roller Proposal: The council convened to consider purchasing a steam-powered road roller for $3,400—a significant infrastructure investment for maintaining city streets.
• Procedural Setback: Aldermen attempted to fast-track the ordinance by suspending normal rules to move it to a second reading, but the motion failed (4 yes, 1 no), meaning the purchase couldn't be immediately approved.
• Low Attendance: Two aldermen were absent, and one was reportedly sick in bed, affecting the council's ability to conduct full business on this special evening meeting.
Full Transcript
804 Called Meeting of the City Council Austin Texas May 3rd 904 Hon Jno B. Wheless Mayor presiding, Roll Called Present Aldermen Holden Glass Mortimer Nolen Strumpf [illegible] Absent " Dunham & Worris The following call of the Council was read. Austin Texas May 3rd 904 A Special Meeting of the City Council is hereby called to Meet in the Council Chamber at 6:30 o'clock P.M. this May Road 3rd 904, for the purpose of Considering and passing if deemed Rollen advisable, An Ordinance appropriating the sum of Thirty four hundred dollars for the purpose of purchasing a Steam Road Roller for the City of Austin. Jno B. Wheless Mayor Wilson Worris Alderman 2nd Ward O.D. Mortimer " 6 " J.H. Nolen " 1 " I hereby Certify that I have served this Notice on the following named Aldermen H. Holden Wilson Worris H. Fisher Joseph Strumpff J.F. Burnham O D Mortimer & W.A. Glass (J.F. Burnham sick in bed Wilson Worris Cant be here) A. Sharp City Marshal Or H Waddell Policeman By Alderman Fisher An Ordinance appropriating the Sum of Thirty four hundred dollars for the purpose of Purchasing a Steam Road Roller for the City The ordinance was read the first time and a Motion Made to suspend the rule and place the ordinance in its second reading which Motion was lost by the following vote Yeas Aldermen Fisher Glass Mortimer & Nolen 4 Nays " Strumpff 1 On Motion the Council adjourned Jno B Johnson City Clerk