536 Regular meeting of the City Council: Austin,Texas,August 25, 1910. Hon A P Wooldridge,Mayor Presiding: Roll called: Present Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart & Powell 4 Absent excused Councilman Gracy 1 The minutes of the last regular and recessed meetings were read and approved. Accounts Supt's Office Reports of City Officers: The Mayor laid before the Council the report of the City Sexton,for the month of July 1910,which was ordered filed. Councilman Bartholomew presented the following reportswhich were read: Mr E C Bartholomew, Austin,Texas,August 23rd 1910. Water & Light Commissioner, Austin,Texas. Dear Sir : In accordance with your request that we examine and report upon the present water supply systemfor the City of Austin,beg to state that the examination of existing conditions has been made,and we would make the following recommendations concerning the same. 1 .A new well built of reinforced concrete should be placed inside of the present wellat the lowerpumping station near the building. The condition of the walls of the present wellis such as to make it unsafe to work in the well,and it is not unlikely that another rise in the river might cause the well to cave-in. The new well being placed inside this old one should be made exactly circular in cross-section ,and as near the size of the old well as possible,without having the walls touch those of the old well. Care should be exercised in the construction of this well wall;the cement used should be a standard gradeof Portland,the concrete to be mixed in the proportions of 1,3 & 5,so that the voids will be filled as nearly as possible in the aggregate,and the size of the gravel limited to pass a 1"mesh screen.The well should be constructed under approved specifications for such reinforced concrete work. The inflow of the well should be protected by a coffer dam,while the wall is being constructed,so as not to interfere with the water supply from the present well for the City. Adopt J W Taylor A C Cott Water Supply 2 .The pipe from the bottom of the present well should be extendedat its present level in the direction of the first concrete railroad bridge pier counting the north end of the bridge. The pipe for this extension may be of double strength glazed sewer tile 24" in diameter,if each length of same be carefully inspected and tested before being laid,and no broken or damaged pipebe allowed any-where in the line. This line should be laid to exact grade throughout its length,using therefore the grade of .2 of 1%,which has been determined by your Engineer in taking levelsfrom the upper to the lower filter galleries. The capacity of this pipe when running full will be over 6,000,000 gallons of water per 24 hours. --- Page break --- 537 .3. In view of the character of the ground through which the ditch must be dug in which to lay the pipe line above referred to ,we would recommend that a portable sta steam operated grab bucket,be usedfor removing the earth,andthat the ditch be made just wide enough so that it can be properly sheet piled and braced to admit of placing the pipe.It would be well to carry the pipe laying work along simultaneously with the digging of the ditch,and the expense somewhat reduced by placing the earth which is taken from the ditch upon the pipe already laid without rehandling. 4. We recommend that another filter well be built a short distance to the west of the present well and in the direction of the pipe line as above referred to. The well should be of the same diameter and hight (height) as the present filter well ,near the pump station,but having the reinforced concrete wall 16" thick; this well to be built as the other above referred to to under approved specification a for such work. 5. When the new well is completed and connected with the old,if the water -flow still appears to be insufficient the 24 " pipe should be extended towards the bridge pier referred to ,and with the view to ultimately connecting the upper filter system with the lower one,in case the lower does not furnishall the water that is required. 6.We recommend that the filter wells be covered in such a way as to prevent contamination of the water therein,and at the same to allow reasonableventilation of the wells. 7. In view of the fact that the river is lower than it has been for many years it appears the excavation work in connection with the ditch and the new well should be begun at the earliest possible moment,and the system completed,if possible, before a rise in the river occurs,to interfere with the workand materially increase the cost of doing it. Respectfully submitted, T U Taylor A C Scott. Austin,Texas Aug 22,1910. Hon E C Bartholomew,Supt of Parks and Public Property, City of Austin,Texas. Dear Sir: In accordance with your request we give below our recommendations in regard to the water supply: 1st .We believe the wall of the lower well,(which we will designate as well No 1,) to be in a somewhat dangerous condition,demanding prompt attention,and therefore,recommend that it be reinforced at once by placing in it a circular lining of reinforced concrete,the size and character of same to be a matter of careful consideration from an engineering standpoint. 2nd . As the supply of water during this droughtis very little more than suffi-cient to take care of the normal requirements of the City,and in case of a serious and prolonged fire there would probably be a shortage,we would recommend that the pipe now connecting the upper trenches with the river be immediately cleaned out and put in readiness to take water direct from the river so that the electric pump may be run continuously if it should become necessary to do so. As a means of cleaning this pipe we would recommend that a rod be thrust into the pipe from the river,and a strong jet of water thrown into the verticle end of the pipe at the trench,using a pump to draw out the waste water and silt. --- Page break --- 538 . If this is not successful,we would recommend,1st,that the pipe be closed at the riverend by placing a valve on it close to the river,( to be left there permanently,) to control the flow of the river;2nd,that an exca-vation be made over the pipe about twenty feet towards the river from the point where it enters the trench; 3rd .That an opening be made in the mainpipe at this point,and a hose with a strong force of water be used to loosen up the silt collected in the pipe. We would recommend that caution be used not to allow any of this sediment to get into the trench,as it is likely to be sludge of a foul nature which would contaminate the trench and give it a strong odor for some time.As we understand that this pipe can be cut off from the trench,and a passageway for water made from the vertical end of the pipewhere it protrudes above the ground,we believe that this contam-ination can readily be avoided. By passing water through from the ver- -tical end and to the opening above recommended,and allowing water to flow from the river to the same point,the pipe could be thoroughly cleaned out It will be necessary to have a pump at the excavation to carry away the waste water and sediment. 3rd .We would recommend that a 24" cast iron pipe be laid from well No 1 toward the upper trenches,and at such point as a copious supply of water may be found,( presumably,from reports,at or near the second pier of the I & S N Ry bridge,) that a second well (NO2)be put down, the same to be of reinforced concrete of such design as may hereafter be planned,the cast iron pipe to go as far as this well,and such connec-tion be made as will enable it to be used as a suction pipe to draw water from well No 2.,in case it should be necessary to close down well No 1 for repairs or cleaning,such connection being made outside or in well No 2 as will enable this to be readily done. If sufficient water should be found in well No 2 to insure an ade-quate supply to satisfy all contingencies,it would not be necessary to go farther with the pipe.If,however,more water should be needed,the pipe may be continued on the same grade to the upper trenches,using vitrified clay or reinforced concrete pipe from well No 2 on,placing a valve in the cast iron portion of the pipe which would shut off the flow from the uppertrenches,in case that should be necessary .Ordinarily the water would flow by gravity from well No 2,and from the upper trenches into well No1 and there be pumped to the City supply pipes,but in case of necessity the water from one or two of the three sources could be shut off and water pumped from the third. In regard to the manner of making the excavation,we would recommend that teams and scrapers be used to remove the earth to a depth where the cost of the extra amount of material necessary to handle in this way would about balance the cost of the shoring of the trenches,which would be essential to the use of a steam shovel or excavating machine,and which would,in a measure,offset the economy of the machine excavation. There are portions of the run,also,where the excavation would be so deep that an excavating machine could not reach to the required depth,and it would be necessary to use teams and scrapers to reduce this depth. --- Page break --- 539 As the bottom of the trench will fill with water,and it will be necessary to keep a pump of sufficient capacity working at the open part of the trench to keep the water down,we would recommend that not more than fifty feetof trench be left open at any one time,and that the layers of the pipe proceed on a carefully laid grade immediately behind the excavation,and back-fill be made as close as practicable thereafter.We would also recommend that a careful watch be kept on the trench for indications of an adequate flow of water so that locations for wells to be sunk in the future may be advantageously made. In regard to the lowering of the pipe at well No 1 below where it now is,we believe that while some slight advantage may be gained by lowering this ,it would hardly be sufficient to warrant the expense incident thereto,involving the reinforcement of the well where the pipe would come through,a deeper excavation of the entire trench, and the deepening of the well,which would make necessary the placing of a coffer dam inside the well to enable the men to work while water was being pumped out of the the other portion of the well for the City supply.This coffer dam would cut down the supply,and perhaps cause inconvenience in this way.,Furthermore,the use of the iron pipe as a suction would enable us to draw water from well No 2,even if it were lower than the end of the pipe in well No 1.The plan of lowering the pipe,however,we believe to be feasible should you decide that it would be better to get this addi-tional advantage,but it would be necessary first to reinforce the walls of the well, and provide against the displacement of sand under the wall each side of where the pipe is brought in. As under the above recommendations the few joints of clay pipe,which have been put in connecting with the valve at well No 1,would be taken out,we would recommend that the valve also be removed from its present location and placed on the inside of the well where it would always be accessable for operation or for repairs. Respectfully submitted, G S Iredell, City Engineer M C Welborn, Civil Engineer. Councilman Bartholomew offered the following resolution: Whereas it is necessary that an additional supply of filtered water be furnished the City of Austin,and that one of the existing wells be strengthened : Therefore; Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : That the Superintendent of Parks and Public Property be authorized to have constru-oted within the walls of the well near the pumping station,a reinforced concrete wall to be of the same heighth as the walls of the existing well. Resolved that he be authorized to have a pipe about 24" in diameter,extended from the bottom of the present wellin the direction of the first concrete railroad bridge pier on the north to such distance as may be necessary to find an abundantsupply of filtered water ,and when such point is reached said Supt is authorized to have sunk a reinforced concrete well the walls to be as high,and the diameter as great as the present well: Resolved further,that the said Superintendent be authorized to purchase a suitable engine and Orange Peel bucket with fixtures to make the necessary excavationof trench and well . Resolved that said Supt be also authorized to employ a Civil Engineer to superintend the above directed work. --- Page break --- 540 . The resolution was adopted by the following vote: Yeas Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart & Powell 4 Absent excused Councilman Gracy 1 Councilman Powell offered the following resolution: Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : That the following permanent grades be established for eighteenth street from the west side of Nueces to the east side of Rio Grande streets. West side of Nuecesstreet 4.5 feet west of Nueces street 83.0 Direct Grades 92 feet " " " 85.0 18th St. Rio Grande 138 " " " "( r112/10) 91.0 154 " " " " 94.7 230 " " " " 98.5 East side of Rio Grande street 102.3 The resolution was adopted by the following vote: Yeas Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart & Powell 4 Absent Councilman Gracy 1 Councilman Powell offered the following resolution: Resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin,Texas,that the following grades be established for the curbing on the south side of 11th street from Congress Avenue ,to Brazos street. At the west edge of the Court House 98.7No change 50' east of west edge of Court House 100.8 Raise .55 100' " " " 102.8 " 1.13 150 " " " 104.8 "1.0 200 " " " 107.6 " 1.6 At west curb line of Brazos street 117.72 No change The resolution was adopted by the following vote: Yeas Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart & Powell 4 Absent Councilman Gracy 1 The Council recessed subject to call of the Mayor. Aug 26th1910. The Council was called to order by the MayorPresent Mayor Wooldridge, Present Councilmen Councilmen Bartholomew,& Hart 3 Absent Councilmen Gracy & Powell 2 Mayor Wooldridge Mayor Wooldridge offered the following resolution: Resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : That the sincere thanks of the City are here tendered to the "City Federation of Woman's Clubs"of this City,who,through their Officers Mrs Chas Stephenson as President,and Mrs Fred Scott as Secretary, has presented to the publicand had installed at Wooldridge Park,two handsome and large swings for the pleasure and happiness of the children of this City,and who have announced the further purpose of the "City Federation of Woman'sClubs" to instal at said Park two seesaws of large size and attractive design. The resolution was adopted by the following vote: Yeas Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew & Hart 3 Nays none. The Council then recessedsubject to call of the Mayor. --- Page break --- 541 August 29th 1910. The Council was called to order by the Mayor.Present Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew & Hart 3 Absent Councilmen Gracy & Powell 2 Councilman Hart offered the following resolution : Resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin: E. & D. Smith That the petition of J E Smith to install a wagon scale in East Avenue opposite Wagon Scale and along side his store house on the west side of the street,at the junction Wade & Cameron of the Manor and Cameron roads of the dimentions of 8X14 feet and htree feet from Roads. the curb line,be and the same is hereby granted.The street surrounding said scale to be kept in good conditionand the moval of said scale to be subject to the order of the City Council .The said Smith is to hold the City harmlessagainst accidents that may occur from the location of said scales in East Avenueas requested by the said J E Smith and here granted by the City Council. The resolution was adopted by the following vote: Yeas Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,& Hart 3 Nays none. The Council then recessed subject to call of the Mayor. August 30th 1910. The Council was called to order by the Mayor, Present Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart & Powell 4 Absent Councilman Gracy 1 The Mayor laid before the Council the following communication: Austin,Texas,August 30.1910. To the Honorable Mayor and City Council. Greeting: We the Committee on Labor Day celebrationsrespectfully petition your Labor Day Honorable body,to grant us the privilege to operate a shooting gallery,or target Committee rifle practiceon labor day,Sept 5th in Pease Park,at the point selected by the Shooting Gallery Council and Committee.The space required will be 16 feet leng,10 feet wide,and about 10 feet high.We obligate ourselves to build board wings on sides of target streatch wire rope in safe distance,and place guards on each side to avoid any possiblr accident. The object of this sport is to determine the winners for the various prizes to be awarded;the proceeds derived from this sport is to go to the benefit of the labor day fund. The petition was granted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart & Powell 4 Nays none. On motion the Council recessed subject to call of the Mayor. --- Page break --- 542 Supt. Parks-Light-Power Authorized to purchase Drawsman. etc August 31st 1910. The Council was called to order by the Mayor: Present Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew ,Hart & Powell 4 Absent Councilman Gracy 1 Councilman Bartholomew offered the followingresolution : Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : That the Superintendent of Parks and Public Property ,be and he is hereby authorized to purchase,out of the Earnings fund of the Water,Light and Power Plant,three seventyfive ( 75 ) K W Transformers,of the price of $ 375.38 each,and one automatic switch for the regulation of the same of the price of $ 159.50,and six regulators for the six electric light districts of this City,at a total cost for said regulators of $ 3,204.00 and to pay the freight on all of the above articles of merchandise, which freight is estimated at about $ 225.00,or a total for the purchases above named of $ 4,717.64. The resolution was adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart & Powell 4 Absent Councilman Gracy 1 Councilman Bartholomew offered the following resolution : Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : That the City Council hereby accepts,approves and designatesas Light Standards for Sixth street frommEast to West Avenues,the design for the same submitted by Walter Tips of this City,which design has an arm bracket extending for about five feet from the pole to the lamp over the street,at the price of fifty five ($55.00)dollars per standard;provided that suitable and sufficient anchors to said standards,in the judgement of the Superintendent of Parks and Public Property,be included in the price of saidstandards which is $55.00 per standard,delivered in the City of Austin,Texas. The resolution was adopted by the following vote: Yeas Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart & Powell 4 Absent Councilman Gracy 1 On motion the Council adjourned. Geo. D. Johnson City Clerk.