348 Regular Meeting of the City Council Austin, Texas August 06, 1900 Hon Jno. A. McCall Mayor Presiding Roll Called. Present Aldermen Dunham, Pöcher, Glass, Mortimer & Hölcn 5 Absent Aldermen Morris & Stumpf 2. On Motion of Alderman Dunham the minutes were approved as recorded by the Clerk without reading. Petitions, Memorials, etc By Alderman Dunham Petition of Q.G. Gilbert asking to have certain Pounds fees remitted. On motion the petition was granted to the extent of $3.00. Pet J.A. [illegible] The Mayor laid before the Council a petition from J.A. [illegible] asking to refund taxes that certain taxes and interest paid by him be refunded. Read and on motion referred to the Claims and accounts Committee Pet W. [illegible] to refund taxes The Mayor laid before the Council a petition from W. [illegible] asking that certain taxes paid by him for 1899 be refunded. Read and on motion referred to the Claims and accounts Committee. Pet Austin Oil Mfg Co The Mayor laid before the Council a petition from the Austin Oil fire hydrant Manufacturing Co. asking that a certain fire hydrant be moved. On motion the petition was granted. Pet H.Haldeman By Alderman Pöcher Petition from H.P. Haldeman asking taxes that the assessment made by the Board of Equalization against his property for the year 1899 be set aside and the valuation placed on said property by him be allowed to stand. Read and referred to the Claims & accounts Committee. Pet L.Lijons By Alderman Dunham Petition of L. Lijons asking that bridge Waller a stone Arched bridge be placed across Waller Creek Creek 13th St. on East 13th Street. On motion the petition was referred to the Street Committee, City Engineer with instructions to report at the next regular meeting of the Council. Pet Austin Fire By Alderman Mortimer Petition from the Austin Fire Co fire tank Company, asking that, that Company be furnished with a Chemical apparatus to be placed on their fire Wagon On Motion the petition was laid over to come up with an ordinance on the subject. Pet J. Halle By Alderman Mortimer Petition of Joseph Halle asking compromise taxes the Council to take action looking to a compromise of his back taxes. Read and on Motion referred to the Claims & accounts Committee. Pet Driskill By Alderman Mortimer Petition of the Driskill Hotel Hotel asking permission to erect a pair of Wagon scales in Wagon Scales the Alley west of their building. On Motion the petition was granted, the work to be done under the supervision of the City Engineer. By Alderman Mortimer Petition from the Austin Ice and Battling works asking permission to put in a R.R. [illegible] from the [illegible] to their factory. Referred to Street Committee. --- Page break --- 319 Reports of City Officers 2. Aug. 7, 1900. The Mayor laid before the Council the reports of the City Officers for the month of July 1900, which were on motion referred to their appropriate Committees without reading. The following is a synopsis of the reports By the Assessor of Collection From Sund Revenue Tax of 1899 1858.95 “ “ “ “ 1898 110.52 “ “ “ “ 1897 59.04 “ License 200.15 “ Fines in Mayors Court 209.50 “ Pound Fees & Sales 49.00 “ Penalty Interest & Costs (A/c of Taxes) 116.61 “ Miscellaneous 80.00 “ Street work Tax 2190.00 “ Day and Funds 189.11 “ School Tax 756.75 “ Dog Tax 4.00 Total Collections $ 5,810.13 Referred to Finance Committee By the City Clerk Total amount of warrants drawn against the Gene Fund $5,015.26 “ “ “ “ “ Street “ 1,846.19 “ Referred to Finance Committee By the City Treasurer A/c of Genl Fund. On hand July 1st 1900 $ 2,785.38 Recd during the month 2,721.27 Disbursements Paid Warrants during the Mo. $ 5,821.62 Transferred to St Fund A/c Advalorum 404.75 Balance 243.28 — 3,057.96 Street Fund Bal due July 1st $ 919.26 A/c advalorum Collected during the Mo. 464.75 Disbursements Paid warrants during the month $ 1503.69 Balance 8,153.32 — $ 9,657.01 A/c Int on W.L. Bonds. Balance July 1st $ 11,847.20 Recd during the month 1,564.30 Balance 12,911.50 A/c Sinking Fund W.L. Bonds Balance July 1st Paid $ 19,905.07 10,000.00 Bonds. $ 29,905.07 Forward. --- Page break --- 350 Brot forward Read during the Month $29905.07 Balance In Cash $20.780.77 " bonds 10000.00 $ 30.780.77 a/c Interest & Sinking fund acct bonds Balance July 1st In Cash " bonds Read during the Month 2812.27 9000.00 139.11 Balance In Cash $ 2451.38 " bonds 9000.00 $ 11.951.38 a/c Earnings funds Balance July 1st. Read during the Month $4019.22 Miscellaneous 3918.63 Paid Warrants during the Month $ 6.956.37 Balance 1257.50 $ 8.237.87 Referred to Finance Committee By the City Marshal Total amount of fines assessed in Mayors Court $ 365.00 Paid in Cash $201.50 worked out 106.00 Carried forward 59.50 Collected on back fines $ 7.50 Pound fees Collected 97.50 Permits to bury dead Animals 121.00 Referred to Police Committee By the City Physician Number patients in Hospital July 1st 20 " " admitted in " 29 " " Dismissed " " 19 " " deaths " " 4 " patients remaining " 3, en 26 49 No Visits to pauper " 49 " Prescriptions " " 134 " Cases Scarlet fever reported " 290 " " Diphtheria " " 6 " Referred to Hospital Committee " 1 By the City Sexton Total Number of deaths White 15 Male 2 Colored 1 Female 4 18 --- Page break --- 351 Referred to Emotray Committee Reports of Standing Committees Alderman Discher for the Street Committee presented a report stating that they had advertised for and received bids for building the Bridge across Waller Creek on 5th street and recommending that the bid of Chas Duham be accepted and that the Mayor be authorized to enter into Contract with him upon the terms stated in his bid, provided he furnish a good bond in an amount equal to one third of the amount of his bid. The report was adopted The Mayor laid before the Council the report of the Water and Light Commission for the quarter ending June 30th 1900, which was on motion referred to the Water + Light Committee The Mayor laid before the Council the following Communication Mayors Office Austin Texas August 6th 1900 To the Honorable City Council Gentlemen The School Board have paid and presented High School. for Cancellation 180 Coupons Amounting to $2062.80 Coupons pd. These Coupons are numbers. one and two on bonds numbers one to twenty (1 to 20) and thirty one to one hundred (31 to 100) inc being, interest due Jany + July, 1900 on City High School Bonds 140 of these Coupons were paid in New York and the Coupons were paid in Austin Respectfully Jno. A. McCall Mayor. Alderman Discher moved that a Committee of two be appointed to Count and Verify the Coupons presented and if found correct to destroy same, which motion prevailed, and the Mayor appointed Alderman Discher and Martin as such Committee The Mayor laid before the Council the following Communication from the City Engineer Austin Texas Aug 6th 1900 To the Honorable Board of Aldermen of the City of Austin Gentlemen You having purchased a Steam Roller + Street Grader City Engr. Report. I herewith submit for your consideration an estimate of the cost of grading graveling + Rolling Congress Avenue from the North line of 11th Street or also Pecan Street from the west line of West Avenue to the East line of East Avenue The distance from the Bridge to the north line of 11th street is 3916 feet and the 78" wide and 6" inches deep = 5656 Cubic Yards and 5656 Cubic Yards @ 40¢ per yard = 2262.00 --- Page break --- and replaced by Concrete gravel @ 75¢ per yard $4242.00 and spreading & Rolling 5656 yards @ 10¢ 565.60 Total for Cypress avenue $7069.60 The distance from the west line of west Avenue to the East line of East Avenue is 4952. by 42 feet wide and 6’ inches deep to be graded The Amount of Material to be moved and placed on other Streets is 3850 Cubic yards @ 40¢ per yard = $ 1440.00 and 3850 Cubic yards of Concrete gravel @ 75¢ per yard $2887.50 and 3850 Cubic yards of gravel to be spread & rolled @10¢ per yard $385.00 Total on Peach Street $ 4712.50 Respectfully submitted J K Prewitt City Engineer Reprt City Eng. On motion the Communication was referred to the Street Comm. Committee with instructions to report at the next regular meeting of the Council. Rept. City Atty The Mayor laid before the Council a communication on Mark-et Square from the City Attorney, regarding the getting possession of Certain lots known as the Market Square. On motion the report was ordered filed. Unfinished Business. $1000. Each The Mayor laid before the Council An Ordinance appropriating Works the sum of $1000. for the purpose of paying for extra Street labor, and teams. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rule by the following Vote: Yeas Aldermen Dunham Richen Glass Mortimer & Nolan 5 Nays None. New Business. The Mayor laid before the Council the following Special Message Mayors office Austin Texas August 6th 1900 To the Honorable City Council Gentlemen: Special Message. In reference to your resolution Mayor. re. of June 4th 1900, inviting the bond holders or their duly Bonds. accredited representatives to come to Austin to confer with the City Government, and instructing the Mayor to Appoint a Committee consisting of the Mayor, two Aldermen and the City Attorney, to Confer with such bond holders as may come or send representatives to Austin. I have honor to report the following; I forwarded certified copies of the resolution to the address of those bondholders that were known to me, Also to Messrs Fairchilas of New York, and Jones & Sturgis, who, as I understood, represented the bond holders Committee, and to Messrs Hornblower, Byrne, Miller & Patton, Attorneys representing Said Committee. The only answers that received are the two enclosed from --- Page break --- 353 the attorneys, in one of which they say, "the Committee have entire Confidence in the firm of Baker, Botts, Baker & Lovett, and if there is any Cause for or benefit to be obtained from a personal interview rather than by Correspondence between the representatives of our Committee and the City officials we would suggest that you Communicate with that firm and request them to have a member of the firm Come to Austin The Committee fails to see how they Can make any proposition to the City Concerning the said bonded indebtedness." In response to this letter I wrote Messrs Baker, Botts, Baker & Lovett, asking if they would send one of their firm to Austin. So far I have had no answer from them. It was understood by Citizens of Austin who talked with some of the bondholders in New York, that they would send representatives here. After repeated invitations they have failed to do so. It is my opinion that neither the bondholders nor their representatives will Come to Austin or make any propositions to the City Council. I would, therefore, suggest that your honorable body make such a proposition to the bond holders on their representatives looking to the settlement of this question, as in your wisdom you deem would be just to the bondholders and the City." Respectfully Jno. A. Wallace Mayor On motion the Message was referred to the Special Committee heretofore appointed to be Considered by them at a meeting to be held on Friday August 10th 1900. $500 to purchase a By Alderman Mortimer An ordinance appropriating the Sum fire apparatus of $500. to purchase a Chemical Tank etc for the fire Dept The ordinance was read the first time and on motion was referred to the Fire Committee By Alderman Glass An ordinance appropriating the Sum of $185⁰⁰ $185⁰⁰ to repair to repair Certain fire Cisterns The ordinance was passed fire cisterns under suspension of the rules by the following vote Yeas Alderman Dunham, Fischer, Glass Mortimer & Nolen 5 Nays None. The Mayor laid before the Council the following Communication Austin, Texas, August 6th, 1900 Resignation To the Hon. City Council of the City of Austin Ald Miller... Gentlemen! I hereby tender my resignation as Alderman from the Second Ward, effective at once Wilton Morris On motion of Alderman Fischer the Communication was laid on the table subject to Call By Alderman Glass An Ordinance appropriating the Sum of $100 for payment of extra Sanitary Labor. --- Page break --- 354 The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following Vote Yeas Aldermen Dunham Richen Glass Wortimen & Nolan- 5 Nays None. Alderman Wortimen for the Special Committee appointed to Count, Verify and destroy Coupons paid on High School Bonds reported that they had counted the Coupons, found them Correct and had burned Same. On Motion the Report was received and ordered filed By Alderman Richen An Ordinance appropriating the Sum of $ 374.05 to pay approved accounts Street Dept. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following Vote Yeas Aldermen Dunham Richen Glass Wortimen & Nolan 5 Nays None. By Alderman Richen An Ordinance appropriating the Sum of $132.99 for the purpose of paying Salaries of Special Policemen for the Month of July 1900. The ordinance was passed under Suspension of the rules by the following Vote Yeas Aldermen Dunham Richen Glass Wortimen & Nolan 5 Nays None. By Alderman Richen An Ordinance appropriating the Sum of $ 1383.21 to pay approved accounts- The ordinance was read the first time and on motion the rule was suspended and the ordinance placed on its second reading by the following Vote Yeas Aldermen Dunham Richen Glass Wortimen & Nolan 5 Nays none. W.J. Williams The ordinance was then read the second time. Pard fees Alderman Wortimen moved to amend the ordinance refunded. by adding "to refund to W.J. Williams for Stock Bond from bond $ 5.50" The amendment was adopted and the ordinance as amended was then passed under suspension of the rule by the following Vote Yeas Aldermen Dunham Richen Glass Wortimen & Nolan 5 Nays None Bond Tax Levy Alderman Glass moved to take from the table an 1899. ordinance amending an Ordinance levying taxes amending for the year 1899 which Motion prevailed and the ordinance passed under suspension of the rule by the following Vote Yeas Aldermen Dunham Richen Glass Wortimen & Nolan 5 Nays None Resolved that Alderman Nolan offered the following Resolution which was read and adopted "Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin: Section 1 That it is the Sense of the Council, that the tax heretofore levied to pay interest and Sinking fund on the Water and Light Bonds of the City for the. --- Page break --- year 1899 should be repealed for the reason that the City is unable, under present conditions, to pay those obligations according to their present legal tenor and effect. Section 2nd That it is further the sense of the Council that the Water and Light Tax of 1899 which has already been Collected should ultimately be adjusted and same accounted for in some way to the Tax Payers who paid the same, but that at present, the same necessity which compels the repeal of the tax, in so far as same is uncollected, prevents the refunding of such portion of the money as has already been Collected. On motion the Council adjourned until 8 o'clock PM Friday, August 10th 1900. Jno. O. Johnson City Clerk Adjourned Regular meeting of the City Council Austin Texas August 10th 1900 Hon Jno. W. MeCall Mayor presiding Roll Called Present Alderman Dunham, Slaus, Mortimer, Strempf 4 Absent Alderman Rucker, Morris & Nolan 3 StRucker to su Alderman Strempf moved that the Steam Roller Tilly as Prider be put to work on Lampasas Street & Hyde Park for 60 days, which motion prevailed. Auditing Com Alderman Slaus moved that the Auditing Committee 30 days addl be continued for 30 days longer or as much thereof as time may be necessary, which motion prevailed. On motion the Council adjourned. Jno. O. Johnson City Clerk