Regular meeting of the City Council Austin Texas Jany 2nd 1901 Hon Jas. D. Woolball Mayor Presiding Roll Called Present Aldermen Dunham Glass. Mortimer Nolen and Strumpf 5 Absent Aldermen Dischon and Schneider 2 On Motion the minutes were approved as recorded by the clerk without reading Petitions, Memorials, etc By the Mayor Petition of W.P. and J.A. Duncan asking damages Caused by wagon Caused by fire Stoke wagon running into it On Motion the petition was referred to the Committee on claims and accounts. By the Mayor Petition of A. H. Stittin to correct assessment Read and referred to the claims & accounts Committee By the Mayor Petition of the J.H.N.R.R. Co appealing from the action of the Board of Equalization. Read and referred to the Committee on claims and accounts. By Alderman Glass. Petition of S. Netter, A Geisman &c asking permission to construct a railroad spur or switch from the St. & R. R. side track across S. 5th street warehouse on Out Lot No. 1. Div "A". Read and laid over to come up with a resolution granting the request. By Alderman Mortimer Petition of H.H. Dairyman asking permission to tear down and rebuild a wooden building within the fire limits. Read and referred to the Fire Committee. By Alderman Mortimer Petition of Wm A.S. Narrell, asking to have pound fees remitted. On motion the petition was granted. Alderman Schneider entered the Council chamber Reports of City Officers The Mayor laid before the Council his annual report, which was on Motion ordered recorded in the minutes and the reading of same was dispensed with The following is the report Mayors Office Austin Texas Jany 2d 1901 To the Honorable, the City Council of the City of Austin. Gentlemen: I herewith transmit for your information the report of the City Officers for the past year ending December 31st 1900 The year 1900 will go down in history as an eventful one! It has brought both disaster and prosperity to this State, and especially has the City of Austin suffered the one, and enjoyed the other. Our business men say that they have not had such a run of trade in years, and in some instances they have not been able to supply the demands for their goods. --- Page break --- 426 The bank statements show unprecedented deposits, and the building permits amount to $ 183.330.75 expended for the improvement of real estate; and while some of the Cities of the State have not been able to meet their ordinary running expenses in Mays and June, the City of Austin has not only been able to have a balance on hand at the end of the year in the City treasury. The loss of the Dam, and the destruction of the City’s source of power, which was used in operating her Water and Light Plant, was a serious blow to the Community, but in comparison with the destruction of life and property in our Sister City of Galveston, and other towns along the Coast, our loss does not seem so great a calamity, except for the unfortunate at the power house. The question of property loss is one that can be overcome, the property can be replaced, but when it comes to the destruction of human life, that is the end of it—here. That cannot be replaced. The Dam was destroyed on the 7th of April, and on the 15th of May, within 38 days, the Commission had established a Steam Heating and was pumping Water through the Cities mains. This was made possible from the fact that the Commission had already established a pumping station and filtering trenches to furnish pure water independentof the lake, except for power, and when this power was destroyed the Commission at once, installed steam power, and put its pumps in motion. While there has been unfavorable criticism about the establishment of the pumping station and filtering trenches, it must be now admitted by all thinking people that they have been the salvation of the City, as it were, since the failure of the dam. The Commission should have the thanks of the Citizens for the rapid manner in which they hastened the furnishing of Water to the Consumers, and for their prompt provision, and to the City Council for their assistance in the matter. The report of the Assessor and Collector, shows that during the year there has been collected, $237,326.81, as follows: From advalorum taxes $97,380.06; License tax $9,570.48; fines in Mayors Court $290.80. Miscellaneous Collections $6,954.83; Interest and Sinking fund Water and Lightbonds $76,386.36; Bonds issued prior to May 1st 1890, $7,042.13; School taxes $37,614.65, which will make the total of $237,326.81 The City Treasurer’s report shows the condition of the various funds during the year, as follows: Balance on hand January 1st 1900, receipts during the year from all sources; disbursements during the year; and the balance of one fourth of the taxes of 1899 and 1900 to the Street and Bridge fund; Also the balances on hand from all. --- Page break --- 427 Fund. Balance Receipts Totals Jany 1. 1900 General Revenue $ 39.935.37 $ 116.283.67 $ 156.219.04 Street and Bridge 21.066.83 21.066.83 Bonds issued from May 1st 1890 9.567.48 10.267.13 19.834.61 Int. Water Light-bonds 2.750.30 54.561.87 57.312.17 Sinking fund Water Light-bonds 13.984.64 22.270.44 36.255.08 Earnings fund Water Light-Plant 2617.32 104.365.44 106.982.76 Grand Total of balances on hand and receipts during the year $ 397.670.44 Disbursements during the year. General Revenue Warrants paid $ 122.753.08 $ 143.819.91 Transfer to Street and Bridge 21.066.83 16.810.43 Street and Bridge 7.399.11 Bonds issued from May 1st 1890 38.837.50 Interest Water Light Bonds 3.049.11 Sinking fund " " 94.786.36 Earnings fund Water Light Plant $ 304.202.42 Total Disbursements and Transfers during the Year. Balances to the Several funds Jany 1st 1901 General fund $12.399.18 Street fund 4.256.40 Bonds issued from May 1st 1890 12.435.50 Interest fund Water Light bonds 18974.62 Sinking fund " " 33.205.97 Earnings fund " Plant 121.196.40 Total balances on hand of all funds. $ 93.468.02 Total Disbursements, Transfers & balance on hand. $ 397.670.44 Note: On January 1st 1901. there was purchased for the Sinking fund the following 5% Water and Light bonds of the City of Austin, Numbers 215, 261, 262, 263, 264 to 280 both inclusive, Nos. 674 and 675 amounting to $20.000.00 for $14.500, which was paid out of the $33.205.97, balance to the Sinking fund on January 1st 1901. The City Marshal's report shows the arrests during the Year to be 890, of this number 891 were convicted, 103 acquitted, 79 discharged and 12 judgement withheld. Amount of fines imposed in these cases in the Mayors Court $4863. These fines were disposed of as follows: Collected in Cash $3079.30, worked out on the streets $1699.40 due to appeals and escapes $88.22, Carried over $56.00 Total $4863.00 There were 589 Animals impounded, on which was Collected $1150. disposed of as follows; $665.40 was paid to the City and $485.10 was paid to the Keeper of the pound There was also Collected from the Sale of old plunder $6.00 Cash received from Burial permits of Animals $105.50, and back fines Collected $22.75 In this Connection I desire to say that the Police force of the City of Austin has done good work during the Year, when we take into --- Page break --- 428 Consideration the population of the City and its area, and then understand that the City has only eight Policemen for active, Continuous duty, supplemented by a few Specials on extraordinary occasions for the time being, it deems remarkable that they have received such good results in maintaining order and suppressing crime. Audits Report This report shows the total amount of warrants drawn during the year against the various funds to be $ 176.600.61, as follows: Amount drawn against the General fund $ 110.645.76 divided as follows: Salaries of City officers, Policemen & Sexton $ 24.820.40 Fire department 12.743.05 Sanitary dept 6.597.01 Meals for Prisoners 646.19 City & County Hospital 5.423.73 Charity 1.384.48 Printing Stationery & Postage 1.364.71 Streets and Bridges 4.913.37 Water and Light 46.662.25 Miscellaneous -- 6.090.57 Street & Bridge fund, 17.169.13 Interest fund, Water & Light bonds 38.337.50 Sinking fund 3.049.11 Bonds issued prior to May 1st 1890 7.399.11 Total amount of all warrants drawn $ 176.600.61 Total Number of warrants drawn 2471. Also 355 building permits issued, amounting to $183.330.75 Fire department The total number of fire alarms during the year were 56, of which 17 were false, 20 were extinguished without the aid of the department, and 18 were controlled by the department. The Value of the property involved was $94.300- on which the actual loss was $18.500, Nearly all of which was covered by insurance. The members of the fire companies are Volunteers and are all Volunteer firemen they are active, and will fight any fire that occurs. The work of the Austin fire department proves it to be the equal, if not the superior, of any in the State. They should be fostered and encouraged in every way that tends to advance their efficiency in work The chief in his report calls the attention of the Council to the needs of the department City Physician and Health This report shows that the City has been free from epidemics and that the health of the City has been good, and as a health record there is no better location. Patients admitted to the Hospital during the year were 578, of which 30 died --- Page break --- 429 The number of cases of diphtheria reported 14. Number of cases of Scarlet fever 76. Number of Cases of Smallpox 107 City Seniors Report This report shows the Number of interments to be 210, of this Number 12 were still born, 106 were adults, 27 Colored, 17 moved, there were 120 males and 90 females City Attorneys Report This report is full and Comprehensive, Containing Valuable information, and your early attention is particularly directed to this report Respectfully submitted Geo.W. McCall – Mayor Reports of Standing Committees Alderman Nolen for the street Committee presented the following report Austin Texas Jany 21st 1901. Hon Geo. W. McCall Mayor and Board of Aldermen City of Austin Gentlemen: Your Committee on Streets beg leave to make the following report We have carefully investigated all the material offered Report of St Comm on for filling Congress Avenue and 6th street, work to be done Avenue for by the County Teams and beg leave to report, that we recomWork --- mend that the City use for filling said Streets 6 inches 1901. of gravel to be taken from the land of Mrs. Pease the trail fixed at the rate of 10¢ per yard and that the balance of 3 inches to be put on Said streets be taken from the pit of H. B. Walsh, or a similar gravel to be taken from some other place at a price not to exceed 10¢ per Yard. We further recommend that the Mayor enter into Contract at once with Mrs Pease or her agent for that part of the gravel to be taken from her land Francis Fischer H. B. Nolen The report of the Committee was adopted by the following Vote Yeas Alderman Dunham Mortimer Nolen & Schneider! 4 Nays Alderman Glass & Stumpf 2 Alderman Stumpf moved to Suspend the regular order of business to allow him to present a petition which motion prevailed By Alderman Stumpf. Petition of R. R. Casteman and Pet of Com from Sch. Wm. Abraham, a Committee from the School Board asking Board to the Council to submit to a Vote of the people a proposition levy an add tax to levy an additional tax of 8 ¢ for the Support of the Public Free Schools. On motion Messrs. Casterman Graham & Cochran were invited to address the Council on the proposition. After remarks by these gentlemen the petition was laid over to come up with an Ordinance ordering the election --- Page break --- 430 By Alderman Strumpf for the Finance Committee to whom was referred the report of the Auditing Committee hereinbefore a report recommending that the report be received of file and that the Assessor & Collector be credited with the amount as shown in exhibit "A" of the report and that he be charged with the amounts as shown in exhibit "B" in the report. On motion the report was adopted. Noes none. By Alderman Glass. Resolution Authorizing S Kellen & Beisman to Construct a Spur or Switch Track from the Sidling. of the S.F. & B.B. Co. across East 5th Street to Warehouse On motion the resolution was adopted. By Alderman Strumpf. An Ordinance appropriating the Sum of $500. to pay for extra Street Labor and Teams. 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 VoteYeas Alderman Dunham Glass Mortimer Nolen Schneider and Strumpf. Nays None. The Ordinance was read the Second time. Alderman Mortimer moved to amend the ordinance by striking out in the Caption and in Section 1. of same the words "Five hundred" and inserting in lieu thereof the words "One hundred." The amendment was adopted and the ordinance as amended was passed by the following VoteYeas Alderman Dunham Glass Mortimer Nolen Schneider and Strumpf Nays None. By Alderman Strumpf An Ordinance appropriating the Sum of $1500.- for street work and Material, work to be done by the County Teams The Ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following VoteYeas Alderman Dunham Glass Mortimer Nolen Schneider and Strumpf. Nays None. By Alderman Strumpf An Ordinance appropriating the sum of $120. for the purpose of paying the Salaries of drivers of Street teams for the month of January. The ordinance was passed under Suspension of the rules by the following VoteYeas Alderman Dunham Glass Mortimer Nolen Schneider and Strumpf Nays None. By Alderman Byrnham an Ordinance ordering an election to be held to obtain the consent of 2/3... --- Page break --- 431. of the property for paying Taxes on the same, to the levy of an additional school Tax of 8½¢ on each One hundred dollars worth of property for the support of the public free schools of the City. The Ordinance was read the first time and on motion was referred to the Finance Committee and the City. By Alderman Stumpff An Ordinance appropriating the sum of $75.ºº for the purpose of paying the salary of the Engineer on the Steam Roller for the month of February 1904. The Ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following Vote. Yeas Aldermen Dunham Glass Mortimer Nolan Schneider and Stumpff. Nays None! By Alderman Stumpff An Ordinance appropriating the Sum of $486. 21 for the purpose of paying the Salaries of officers and employes for the month of January 1904. The Ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following Vote Yeas Aldermen Dunham Glass Mortimer Nolan Schneider and Stumpff. Nays None! By Alderman Stumpff An Ordinance appropriating the sum of $432.ºº for the purpose of paying the Salaries of employes of the Sanitary Dept for the month of January 1904. The Ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following Vote Yeas Aldermen Dunham Glass Mortimer Nolan Schneider and Stumpff. Nays None! Alderman Mortimer offered the following resolution which was read and referred to the Street Committee Whereas: It is necessary to have two Superintendents on bosses, with the County Teams, now being worked by the City. One to be on the streets where the grading is being done and one at the gravel pit to superintend the loading of wagons and to check out Teams. Therefore, Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin! That the Street Committee and the City Engineer be and they are hereby authorized and empowered to appoint a man for that position to act as such until the Hon. County Commissioners Court shall elect a successor to Wm. A Moore, deceased. The man so appointed shall receive the same salary as is now paid by the County for like services. Alderman Mortimer offered a resolution instructing that the Street Teams be put to work on East Sixth Street and continue the same until that Street between Congress Avenue and Robinson Street be placed in satisfactory condition. On Motion the resolution was referred to the Street Committee --- Page break --- 432 by the following Vote Yeas Aldermen Burnham Nolen, Schneiden and Strumpf 4 Nays Aldermen Glass and Mortimon 2 Aldermen Mortimon offered the following resolution which was read and adopted Whereas: A smallpox exists to a considerable extent in the City & County and Whereas, there is more or less danger of Contact from unknown sources & whereas, a known the menace exists by the City's pest wagon driven of same being allowed to come in and remain in our main main business streets, Viz Waller between 6th & 7th Street, each night Therefore! Be it resolved that the City Marshal be and is hereby instructed, to have said wagon driven removed at once from said locality and compelled to remain away from said locality. The Wagon bill before the Council the following communication, which was read, and on motion was referred to the Water & Light Commission, and the City Clerk was directed to acknowledge a receipt of same and to return the thanks of the Council for the Courtesy of the Dept Department of the Interior United States Geological Survey Washington D.C. Jan 14th 1904. Mr. John O Johnson City Clerk Austin Texas. Dear Sir: Your letter of December 20th enclosing resolution of the City Council, asking that measurements of Colorado River at Austin be made by this Hydrographic Division of this survey in making plans for the future the attempt will be made to carry out this work, as requested Yours with respect Chas. D. Walcott Director On motion the Council adjourned Jno. O. Johnson City Clerk