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Congress Avenue Storm Sewer Project Approved

Wednesday, October 28, 1903 special called

Major Infrastructure Investment: The City Council approved a $17,000 appropriation (equivalent to roughly $650,000 today) to construct a storm sewer system on Congress Avenue, addressing drainage issues in Austin's main thoroughfare.

Close Vote with Opposition: The ordinance passed, but faced significant resistance with aldermen split 9-4 on whether to fast-track the project, indicating disagreement over the funding and urgency.

Bid Review Process: A follow-up meeting was scheduled for October 29th to review contractor bids and award the construction contract, suggesting the council wanted competitive proposals before finalizing the deal.

Quorum Present: Despite one alderman absent, the council maintained sufficient attendance (13 of 14 present) to conduct official business and make binding decisions on the major expenditure.

Full Transcript

107 Called meeting of the City Council Austin, Texas October 28, 1903 Hon R. E. White Mayor presiding Roll called Present Aldermen Crooken, Haynes, Nunne, Macken, Maddax Millen, Moore, Nitsecke, Schnaiden, Shelley, Shumate, Smith Weit 13 Absent Alderman Redd 1 The following Call of the Council was read Austin Texas, Oct 28th 1903 To the members of the City Council of the City of Austin Call of Council A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Austin is hereby Called to Convene in the Council Chamber at the City Hall, in said City at 8 o'clock P.M. this 28th day of October A.D. 1903, for the purpose of Considering, and taking such action, as to the Council may deem proper, on a certain Ordinance entitled "An ordinance appropriating the Sum of $17,000.00 for the purpose of creating a Storm Sewer on Congress Avenue." R. E. White - Mayor Geo. L. Nunne Alderman 1st Ward P. M. Maddax Alderman 2nd Ward L. M. Crooken Alderman 3rd Ward Austin Texas, Oct 28th 1903 I hereby Certify that the following named Aldermen have been served with a True Copy of this Call by having same read to them in person. Geo. L. Nunne J. Schnaiden P. M. Maddax H. A. Millen H. H. Redd L. M. Crooken H. Shelley Joe Macken J. B. Nitsecke Wm. Weit W. A. Moore S. W. Smith J. M. Shumate Harry Haynes. Harry Montgomery City Marshal Report of ordinance Alderman Nunne for the Ordinance Committee to whom Com. on ordinance was referred an ordinance appropriating the sum $17,000. for Storm of $17,000 for the purpose of constructing a Storm Sewer Sewer on Congress Avenue presented a report recommending the passage of the ordinance. On motion the report was laid over to come up with the ordinance The Mayor laid before the Council an ordinance appropriating the sum of $17,00000 for the purpose of constructing a Storm Sewer on Congress Avenue. The ordinance was read the second time, and a motion made to suspend the rule and place it on its third reading was lost by the following vote Yeas Aldermen Crooken Nunne Macken Maddax Moore Nitsecke Shelley Shumate Smith 9 Nays Aldermen Haynes Millen Schnaiden & Weit 4 --- Page break --- 108 In Motion the Council adjourned Jas. O. Johnson City Clerk called meeting of the City Council Austin Texas, Oct 20th 1903 Hon R.E. White, Mayor, presiding Roll Called Present Aldermen Brooker Haynes Humme Maddox Miller Moore Nitschke Redd Schneider Shelley Shumate & Uhlit Absent Alderman Macker The foregoing Call of the Council was read Austin Texas, October 29, 1903. To the Members of the City Council of the City of Austin: A Special meeting of the City Council of the City of Austin is hereby Called to Convene in the Council Chamber at the City Hall in said City at 8 o'clock P.M. this 29th day of October, A.D. 1903, for the purpose of Considering an Ordinance entitled "An Ordinance appropriating the sum of $17,000.⁰⁰ for the purpose of Constructing a Storm Sewer on Congress Avenue" for the further purpose of Considering a report of the Storm Sewer Committee with reference to bids and awarding Contracts for the Construction of said Storm Sewer, and for the further purpose of taking such action as to the Council may deem proper with reference to said Ordinance and report, and with reference to awarding the Contract for the Construction of said Sewer. R.E. White Mayor J.M. Brooker Alderman Second R.M. Maddox Alderman 3rd Ward Geo. L. Humme Alderman 4th Ward Austin Texas Oct 29th 1903 I hereby Certify that the following named Aldermen have been served with a true Copy of this Call by having same read to them in person: R.E. Brooker, H.Haynes Geo Humme Joe Macker, Frank Maddox & W. Miller, Rev Moore, J.D. Nitschke H.E. Redd J.O. Schneider, W.O. Shelley J.M. Shumate, T.D. Smith & P.P. Uhlit. I. Montgomery Act. Marshal Alderman Nitschke moved a Call of the Council which was ordered by the following Vote Yeas Aldermen Brooker Humme Maddox Miller Moore Nitschke Redd & Shumate 8 Nays Aldermen Haynes Schneider Shelley Smith & Uhlit 5