690 Regular meeting of the City Council: Austin, Texas, April 20, 1911. The Council was called to order by the Mayor: Roll called: Present Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew, Grady, Hart & Powell 5 Absent none. Reading of the minutes was postponed for the present: The Mayor laid before the Council the following certificate, which was read and ordered recorded in the minutes, viz: State of Texas County of Travis, Knew all men by these presents: Bonds Retired Before the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared R E White and Jno O Johnson, both Citizens of Travis County Texas, who upon their several oaths depose as follows: I, R E White, and I, Jno O Johnson, state that on the first day of July 1901, I, R E White, was the Mayor and I, Jno O Johnson, was the City Clerk of the City of Austin, Texas. Each of us here deposes and says that the Refund-ing bonds of the City of Austin in the denomination of One Thousand dollars ($1000.00) each dated July 1st 1901, and maturing July 1st 1931, and numbered as follows, to-wit: 490, 579, 580, 581, 644, 674, 775, 1334, 1340, 1341, 1342, 1343, 1344, 1345, 1346, 1347, 1651, 1657, 1658, 1659, 1668, 1669, 1670, 1671, 1676, 1772, 1774, 1779 and 1784 are each true and genuine bonds of the City of Austin, and that our indi-vidual signatures thereon as Mayor and City Clerk, respectively are true and genuine signatures of ourselves as such Officers, to the best of our knowledge and belief. (sgd) R E White. Jno O Johnson Sworn to and subscribed by R E White and Jno O Johnson, before me this 5th day of August, A D 1910. (sgd) William Haven Moore Notary Public, Travis County, Texas. The Mayor then laid before the Council the following report. The undersigned, constituting a majority of the City Council of the City of of Austin, Texas, here make and file this declaration and order that it be recorded in full in the minutes of the City Council of this City, as of date April 20th 1911. We and each of us declare that we have this day seen that the following enumerated Re-funding bonds of the City of Austin, Texas, each of the denomination of $ 1000 and each dated 1st of July 1901, and due July 1st 1931, together with their attached coupons beginning with No 18 and ending with No 31, and each being for $ 20.00, have been, before burn-ing, completely mutilated by having the Word "PAID" stamped over the faces of each of said bonds and coupons and over the bonds stamped in many places. The bonds thus mutilated are Nos 490, 579, 580, 581, 644, 674, 775, 1334 1340, 1341, 1342, 1343, 1344, 1345, 1346, 1347, 1651, 1657, 1658, 1659, 1667, 1668, 1670, 1671, 1672, 1772, 1774, 1779 and 1784. We also state that within our presence each of said bonds above enumer-ated, with their attached coupons, as above stated, was destroyed by fire by burning in one of the furnaces at the Water, Light and Power Plant of this City. --- Page break --- 691 on the 18th day of April1911. (sgd) A P Wooldridge,Mayor E C Bartholomew,Councilman P W Powell,Councilman. The report was adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Woolbridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Gracy,Hart & Powell 5 Nays none. The Mayor laid before the Council the following report: Austin,Texas,April 20th 1911. To the Hon Mayor and City Council, City of Austin,Texas. Gentlemen : As my term of office as Councilman expires today,I desire to make a final report of the Department of Receipts,Disbursements and Accounts up tothis date. Under the City Charter it devolves upon me as Superintendent of said Department to audit or cause to be audited, the accounts of all Officers of the City. With the assistance of Mr Milton Morris,I have audited the accounts of the Final report - Water and Light Department (superficially) from the 1st of January 1909 to January Councilman D.B. Gracy 1st 1911,and find their accouts balance as shown by my report. The account ofCity Engineer balances,with no money now on hand. The account of Corporation Clerkbalan-ces,with no money now on hand.,exceptthat collected since April 1st. The account of the City Clerkshows balancy of forty seven dollars ($ 47.00) in hand. The account of the Assessor and Collector,shows all monies collected by him ,have been turned over to the City Treasurer.I enclose herewith a statement of collection of taxes for years 1908 and 1909 by the Assessor and Collector,and ask thatsame be taken as a part hereof.Mr Morris and I have partially checked over the interest coupons on the City bonds to this date,and on account of my now not having the necessary time to complete same ,my successor ,who will take the Oath of Office today,will have to complete said checking.In conclusion will say,that I find the accounts of all Officers in good condition and carefully kept. During my term of office for the past two years,while my work has been at times hard and tedious,it has been a pleasure to not as one of your body,and it is with much regret I now sever my relations with the Council,andwish the Council to be as harmonious in the future as it has been in the past two years. Respectfully.su bmitted D B Gracy, Superintendent Receipts,Disbursements and Accounts. Ordered recorded by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Woolridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart & Powell 4 Not voting Councilman Gracy 1 . The Mayor laid before the City Council the following communication: Austin,Texas,April 18th 1911. Hon A P Wooldridge,Mayor,City of Austin,Texas. My Dear Sir: I have your inquiry referring to the matter of taxation of certain securities of the Security Life Insurance Co of Richmond Virginia,on deposite with the State Treasury.I note that you state that this company objects to --- Page break --- 692 paying the municipal tax assessed against it at 100 cents on the dollar on the ground that other property of like character is assessed by the City at 70 cents on the dollar. You are respectfully advised that if it be the fact that the proper -ty of like character in this City is assessed at 70 cents on the dollar, then to exact a tax from the Security Life Insurance Company on the basis of value above indicated would be a discrimination against said Company and an inequality of taxation of such a nature as to violate the provis-ions of the Constitutionrequiring taxation to be equal and uniformand all property to be taxed in proportion to its value.I have found ample author-ity to support this conclusion,and I would respectfully suggest that the Tax Collector be instructed to accept the tender of this Company of taxes due on its deposit at the rate of 70 cents on the dollar. Very Respectfully, J Bauldin Rector ,City Attorney. The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution : Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : Assessment Security Life Insurance Co. reduced. That the Assesser and Collector of this City is hereby instructed to levy and collect taxes against the securities of the Security Life Insurance Co ,of Richmond ,Virginia,now on deposite with the State Treasury ,upon the basis of valuation of seventy cents (.70Cents )onthe dollarof the face of said securities. The resolution was adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Gracy Hart & Powell 5 Nays none. Councilman Hart offered the followingresolution : Fine on Stallworth held in abeyance It appearing tothe City Council that one Lou Stallworth was fined in the Corporation Court of the City of Austin for the offense of simple assault ,the fine and costs amounting to the sum of $ 36.35,that said defendant has laid out in the City Jail said fine to the extent of $ 23.00,leaving a balance due of $ 13.35. The defendant has an opportunity of leaving the City . Therefore be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : That the collection of the balance due on said fine towit:$13.35heard is hereby held in abeyance until the furtherorders of the Council. The resolution was adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Gracy ,Hart & Powell 5 Nays none. The new Council ,consisting of E C Bartholomew,Hart ,Lockridge & Powell , were then sworn in by the Mayor,and the newly elected Mayor,A P Wooldridge was sworn in by Councilman Bartholomew. On motion Councilman Lockridge was nominated and Confirmed as SuperintendDuty of McLain repts. issued -ent of Receipts,Disbursements and Accounts,by the following vote: Yeas Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart & Powell 4 Not voting Councilman Lockridge 1 Councilman Bartholomew was nominated and confirmed as Superintendent of Parks and Public Property by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Hart Lockridge & Powell 4 Not voting Councilman Bartholomew 1 --- Page break --- 693 Councilman Powell,was nominated and confirmed as Superintendent of Streets and Public [handwritten: improvements] [handwritten: with] the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart & Lockridge 4 Not voting Councilman Powell 1 Councilman Hart was nominated and confirmed as Superintendent of Police and Public Safety by the following vote: Yeas Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Lockridge & Powell 4 Not voting Councilman Hart 1 Councilman Bartholomew was nominated and elected President Pro Tem of the Council by [handwritten: Councilman Bartholomew] Ballot. Bartholomew 3, Hart 1. [handwritten: elected President of the] [handwritten: Council & Mayor Protem] [typed: Yeas Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart Lockridge & Powell xxxxx] [typed: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] The Council then recessed subject to call. Saturday April 22nd 1911. [handwritten: Bud. Water & Light] The Council was called to order by the Mayor with all members present : [handwritten: Rpt 1911.] The Mayor laid before the Council the Mayors Budget for the Water & Light Dept for [handwritten: adapted] the year 1911,which was read the third time and adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart Lockridge,& Powell 5 Nays none. The Council then recessed subject to call of the Mayor. Tuesday April 25th 1911 The Council was called to order by the Mayor with all members present. There was also present the East Austin Park Committee ,consisting in part of Messrs K C Miller,Frank Doughty,J B Nitschke and W E Brady,and the following understand-ing was reached between the City Council and said Park Committee. [handwritten: East Avenue Park.] At the suggestion and with the approval of Councilman P W Powell,Supt of Street [handwritten: Contrain work to be done] and Public Improvements,it was agreed that the Street Dept shall furnish and lay [handwritten: by the City] all necessary pipe of proper dimensions,and construct such storm sewers complete as may be necessary,from 15th to 19th streets,on East Avenue to properly drain said East Avenue.Also to grade and roll the street on each side of the Park area. Councilman Powell ,however,stipulates that the contribution made by him to this work shall be restricted to work done and material supplied,to the value and amount of Two thousand ( $ 2,000) dollars only.If any additional work is done or material supplied in the work upon East Avenue,from 15th to 19th streets,the same is to be paid for out of the Citizen's fund,or the Park fund collected or appro-priated for the purpose of Parking East Avenue. The Council then recessed until 3 Oclock,P M this day. Tuesday April 25th ,3 P M The Council was called to order by the Mayor with all members present,. The Council then went into executive session,Councilman Hart acting as Secretary. Those present at this session in addition to the members of the Council,were Messrs A C Geeth,A J Eilers and Jno Harrell,members of the Citizen's Street Paving Committee,and G S Iredell ,City Engineer. The various prepositions to do street paving were carefully considered by the Council,and after much deliberation,the following resolution offered by Councilman Powell was adopted. --- Page break --- 694 Paving, specials designated and contracts awarded. Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin: That all streets at this time directed by the City Council to be paved, shall be paved with Bitulithic paving,except fourth street,from Colorado to Trinity streets,and the alleys next East and West of Congress Avenue, from fifth to seventh streets,which are directed to be paved with wood blocks. The resolution was adopted by the following vote: Yeas Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart,Lockridge & Powell 4 Nays Mayor Wooldridge 1 Mayor Wooldridge voted NO because he has a relative in the employ-ment of the Bitulithic Company. Upon further resolution of Councilman Powell it was resolved that the Bitulithic paving be awarded to the Texas Bitulithic Co,at the price complete of $ 2.275 per square yard ,and the wood block paving be awarded to Mr Knox T Johnson ,at the price complete of $ 2.325 per square yard,which resolution is as follows: Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin: That the paving with Bitulithic pavement of fifth street from east curb line of Colorado street to west curb line of Trinity street,6th street from west line of San Antonio street to east curb line of west Avenue ,seventh street from east curb line of Colorado street to west curb line of Brazos street,8th street from east line of Congress Avenue to west curb line of Brazos street,9th streetfrom east curb line of Colorado street to east curb line of Brazos street,and 10th street from east curb line of Colorado street to west curb line of Brazos street,be and the same is hereby awarded to the Texas Bitulithic Co ,at the price complete of $ 2.275 per square yard. The resolution was adopted by the following vote: Yeas Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart ,Lockridge & Powell 4 Not voting Mayor Wooldridge, 1 Resolution No 2. Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : That the paving with wood blocks of fourth street from Colorado to Trinity streets ,and the alleys next east and west of Congress Avenue from Fifth to Seventh streets ,be and the same is hereby awarded to Knox T Johnson of Austin,Texas,at the price complete of $ 2.325 per square yard . The resolution was adopted by the following vote: Yeas Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart,Lockridge & Powell 5 Nays none. Mr Jas H Pittman ,representative of the Texas Bitulithic Co, was presented,and for his company stipulated that its terms would be cash,or one-third cash ,and the balance in two equal installments at one and two years time,at 8% interest on deferred payments. Mr Knox T Johnson ,for himself,stipulated that the price of the wood block paving would be cash ,or one-third cash and the balance in two equal installments at one and two years time,at 8 % interest on deferred payments. --- Page break --- 695 .The Mayor laid before the Council an ordinance to grant ot H M Moore the right to construct, maintain and operate a Railroad track upon and across certain streets in the City of Austin,subject to certain conditions and penalties,which was read the third time and passed by the following vote: Yeas Mayor Wooldridge,Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart,Leckridge & Powell 5 Nays none. The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution : Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : That the City Clerk be instructed to return to the unsuccessful bidders the certified checks which accompanied their bids . The resolution was adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge ,Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart,Leckridge & Powell 5 Nays none. .The Council then adjourned . H.M. Moore RR Switch Jno.A.Lunan City Clerk. Clerk to return Certified Checks to Certain bidders on Pavement.