Regular meeting of the City Council. Austin, Texas, October 15, 1906 Hon W Shelley, mayor, presiding Roll Called Present Aldermen Armstrong, Crooker, Cunes, Haynes Miller, Moore, Petri, Powell, Reed, Scott, Smith Von Rosenberg & Wilhelm 10 Absent Alderman Wacken 1 On motion the minutes were approved as recorded by the Clerk without reading. Petitions Petitions etc By Alderman Cunes Petition of J Forica for J Forica to permission to complete awning to building on complete Congress Avenue–Read and on motion the petition awning was granted. Reports of City Officers Reports City The Mayor laid before the Council the reports of the Officers Treasurer and Marshal for the month of Sept 1906, which were referred to their appropriate Committees without reading. Reports of Standing Committees Reports Stdg Alderman Haynes for the Finance Committee to Committees whom was referred the reports of the City Treasurer Finance for the month of July August & Sept 1906, and the City Officers reports Assessor & Clerk for the months of July August & Sept 1906, presented a report stating that same had been examined and checked and found Correct On motion the report was adopted. C & a • Alderman Petri for the Claims & accounts Pet R. Stinneman Committee to whom was referred the petition of Alt. J. Stinneman, asking a correction of assessment for taxes, presented a report recommending that the petition be granted, On motion the report was adopted. Cemetery Alderman Wilhelm for the Cemetery Committee Report Sexton to whom was referred the report of the Sexton for the month of Sept 1906, presented a report stating that same had been examined and found Correct On motion the report was adopted. Unfinished business The Mayor laid before the Council the following Mayors Veto Veto Message, which was read. Message on Austin, Texas Oct 13 1906 Recording Law To the Honorable City Council: deeds Gentlemen! I return you herewith, without my approval, a resolution passed at the adjourned Session of City Council, held Oct 4th 1906, which reads as follows: --- Page break --- 592 " Whereas there are now in the possession of the City authorities, numerous unrecorded deeds to property owned by the City; the same having been purchased by the City at tax sales of such property for taxes, and Whereas it is necessary to have said deeds recorded. Now, therefore be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Auburn, that the City Clerk be and he is hereby authorized to enter into negotiations for the recording of said deeds and have the same recorded when necessary; for the following reasons; First, it is admitted by the City Council that against property sold for taxes is sufficient notice that the City holds a lien upon that property, and the prospective purchaser of said property for taxes does not obtain a title free from encumbrance. The recording of a tax deed is an additional cost to the taxpayer when he redeems property sold under judgment of Court for taxes. Third, it will be necessary for the Assessor and Collector of taxes to keep a separate account of fees paid for the recording of deeds; thus increasing his duties. Fourth, the purpose of the City in the institution of suits for taxes, is to collect the amount due at the least cost to the taxpayer and there is no reason for the increase of the burden on the property holder who may now be or hereafter become delinquent in the payment of his taxes. It must be admitted, by the City Council that the burden of taxation has been, in many instances, all the taxpayer can bear and I am convinced that the resolution above quoted was passed by the Council without due consideration. Respectfully, W. J. Shelley, Mayor. Alderman Crooker moved to re-consider the vote by which the resolution was passed by the Council which motion prevailed. Veto Sustained Alderman Crooker then moved that the resolution now pass notwithstanding the Mayors objection, which motion was lost by the following vote: Yeas Alderman Ames, Haynes, [illegible], Palmer, Nays Alderman Armsbury, Crooker, Mullen, [illegible], Powers, Todd, Young, Herr, Rosenbely 8 Resolution to revoke Alderman Smith offered the grant to Geo Griffith following resolution to rescind the permit granted to Geo. Griffith at last meeting of the Council for a subdivision known as Lincoln Park Subdivision. --- Page break --- 593 be and is hereby revoked [illegible] all abutting property, owners on said Streets and Alleys unanimously agree to closing of same. On motion of Alderman Moore the resolution was laid on the table. H & C.R.R. Co to grade street Alderman Moore offered the following resolution Whereas, the crossing of the H & C.R.R. on Congress street between fourth and fifth Sts is a St that should be graded by the H&C R.R. Co, as per a former resolution. For the reason that it is now utterly impracticable and further that by reason of said R.R. St being unpracticable East Congress Avenue, said R.R. Company do make a direct run to a large territory, in 7th Ward, thereby endangering a large amount of property. Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin that the City Attorney is hereby instructed to take such legal proceedings as may be required to require the said R.R. Co to properly grade said Street at at points above mentioned. Alderman Eanes offered the following Amendment I move to amend that the City Street Committee and City Engineer be instructed to give the H & C.R.R. (if necessary) new grades and be empowered to give notice to said R.R. Co (if necessary) to proceed at once with the proper improvements. On Motion the resolution with the amendment proposed were referred to the Street Committee with instructions to report at the next meeting of the Council. Alderman Moore offered the following resolution which was read and adopted. Resolution Telephone at reduced rates Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin that the Telephone Company of the City of Austin are hereby requested to furnish to all officials Phones at the reduced rates as agreed. By Alderman Armstrong, resolution remitting the fine and Costs assessed against Geo. Washington in the Recorder’s Court. Fine Geo Washington remitted. Alderman Waesche entered the Council Chamber A motion was made to adopt the resolution remitting the fine against Geo. Washington, which motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Armstrong, Crooker, Eanes, [illegible], Moore, [illegible], Powell, Rich, [illegible], Smith, Von, [illegible], Wilhelm 10. Nays Aldermen Hagner + Waesche 2 ". Sale Cemetery lots. By Alderman Wilhelm an Ordinance providing for the sale of lots by the City of Cemetery property in what is known as the old Cemetery of the City of Austin The ordinance was read the first time and passed . --- Page break --- 594 zunden suspension of the rules by the following Vote Yeas Aldermen Armstrong, Crook & Cuenes Haynes Quacken Million Moore Petri Powell Redd Scott Smith Von Rosenberg & Wilhelm Nays None 14 Driving through Cemetery prohibited By Aldenman Wilhelm An ordinance prohibiting the use of the streets within the Cemetery of the City of Austin for any other purpose than business connected with the City Cemetery The Ordinance was read the first time and passed under suspension of the rules by the following Vote. Yeas Aldermen Armstrong, Crook & Cuenes Haynes Million Scott Powell Redd Scott Von Rosenberg Wilhelm 11 Nays Aldermen Quacken Moore Petri Smith 3 appro apers. By Aldennan Haynes An ordinance appropriating the sum of $1458.00 for the purpose of paying approved accounts. The Ordinance was read the first time and passed under suspension of the rules by the following Vote Yeas Aldermen Armstrong, Crooken Cuenes Haynes Quacken Millan Moore Petri Powell Redd Scott Smith Von Rosenberg & Wilhelm 14 Nays None Alderman Moore offered the following resolution Mayor instructed to purchase wood which was read and adopted for afe Charity Resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin that the Mayor is hereby instructed to purchase 2 Cords of Wood for afe of Charity On Motion the Council adjourned Jno Johnson City Clerk