90 • Regular meeting of the City Council: Austin, Texas, January 11, 1912. The Council was called to order by the Mayor : Roll called : Present Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew, Hart, Haynes & Powell 5 Absent none. The minutes of the last regular and subsequent recessed meetings were read and approved. Reports of City Officers: Reports by The Mayor laid before the Council the reports of the City Health Officer and officers his Assistant, The Matron of the Hospital, The Marshal for the month of December 1911 ,and that of the Supt of the Water & Light Plant for the month of November 1911,which were read and ordered Filed. Unfinished business : Contract J. H. Jones The Mayor laid before the Council an ordinance authorizing the Mayor of the & Mrs. M. A. Robinson City of Austin to make a certain contract with F H Jones and Mrs Mary A Robinson concerning the drainage of water through certain property of said Jones and Robinson in the City of Austin . The ordinance was read the second time. Ordinance fixing The Mayor laid before the Council an ordinance amending section 2of an ordinance Salaries & duties entitled an ordinance to repeal Articles 493 and 499and to amend Article 494 of Engeneer the Revised ordinances of the City of Austin and to fix the salary and prescribe the duties of the City Engineer and to fix the fees of engineering work and the manner of their payment and to prescribe penalties for the violation of the provisions hereof. The ordinance was read the third time and passed by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew, Hart, Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none. Fire Dept The Mayor laid before the Council an ordinance concerning the submission to Ordinance the qualified voters of the City of Austin of the proposition as to whether or not the Fire Department shall be changed from a volunteer to a paid Department. At the special request of the Mayor,further consideration of this ordinance was postponed until the next regular meeting. Councilman Hart offered the following resolution : Whereas, it appear ng to the City Council that two colored girls were fined in the Corporation Court for vagrancy, to-wit : Fines remitted Lucile Bryant the sum of $ 29.80 Fellmer Reddin $ 34.80 That the defendant Lucile Bryant has worked and laid out in jail the sum of $ 27.00,leaving a balance unpaid of $ 12.80 ,and Fellmen Reddin has worked and laid out in jail the sum of $ 22.00, leaving a balance unpaid of $ 12.80 . The City has no place or work by which the labor of women can be utilized and this class of Criminals is a heavy expense to the City ,and believing tahat all good or moral effect that could accrue has been accomplished ,the Supt of Police and Public Safety rec ommends that the remainder of said fines against each of said defendants be remitted . Therefore, Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : That said fines be and the same are hereby remitted . The resolution was adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew, Hart, Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none. --- Page break --- Street Line E 12th Street Reducing width of sidewalk 20 ft or Guadalupe San Antonio Reducing width of 26½th Grade work Guadalupe to San Antonio --- Page break --- 92 As a base line,use center of 24th streets established by Dist Court decision cause No 7945,same being 30 feet from corner of fence at northeast corner of Street lines 24th and Lampasas streets and thirty feet from southwest corner of San Gabriel and 24th streets. For the center line of San Gabriel street from 19th to 24th streets,measure 29.72 feet from the outside edge of post on the southwest corner of San San Gabriel Gabriel and 24th streets and run center line at right angles to establish center line of 24th street. For the center line of 22nd street ,from Rio Grande street to Shoal creek, measure 990 feet( the correct distance from 24th street) along the center of San Gabriel street,and turn a right angle from same. For the center line of Leon street from 19th to 22nd streets,measure 382.95 feet ( an excess of 1.95 feet ) from the center line of San Gabriel street along the center line of 22nd street,and turn a right angle. David St For the center line of David street from 19th to 22nd streets,measure 376 feet ( the correct distance according to a plat of Carrington addition on file in County Clerks Office ) along center line of 22nd street from the center line of Leon street ,and turn a right angle. Cliff St For the center line of Cliff street from 19th to 22nd streets ,measure 410 feet ( the correct distance according to said plat ) along center line of 22nd street from the center line of Davoid street,and turn a right angle. The resolution was adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Woolridge, Councilmen Bartholomew, Hart,Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none. Councilman Powell offered the following resolution. Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin: Street lines That the following definite lines be and the same are hereby established in 24th to 27th the Raymond and Whitis Addition ,bounded by 24th,27th Guadalupe and Lampasas & Guadalupe & streets: Lampasas (1) For 25th street ,measure 320 feet from the southwest corner of store at northeast corner of Guadalupe and 27th streets( decided by the Dist Court in cause No 10820 ,Louis Marcuse vs The City of Austin ,to be in the correct location ) and forty feet from the iron pin at the southwest corner of 26th and Wichita streets.( Prof Rice's corner ). (2) For 25th and 27th streets lines, measure the correct distance ,accor-ding to the plat , from the 26th street line,above.XXXXXXXXXXXXXestablish making the center lines of these streets,therefore, parallel with that of 26th street. (3) For a base line for the north and south streets in the Raymond and Whitis Addition ,measure forty feet west from an iron pin at the southeast corner of 27th and Wichita streets for the center line of Wichita street. (4) The center lines of Unversity Avenue and Whitits Avenue are hereby estab-lished at the correct distance from and parallel to the center line of Wichita street. (5) For the alley between Wichita street and Lampasas street survey from Wichita street base line. (6) For Lampasas street survey from the points already established on that street,viz: the northeast corner of 24th street and Lampasas street ,estab-lished by the Dist Court,and a stake along theeast fence line of property belonging to Louis Horst on west side of Lampasas street between 20th and 21st streets. The resolution was adopted by the following vote : --- Page break --- Contract with J W Maxwell to Collect back taxes Yoas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart, Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none. Councilman Powell presented to the Council a communication from Martyn Elliott,in regard to Sidewalk and Curbing on West 10th street, which was read and passed for the present. The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution : Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : That A P Wooldridge, Mayor,be and he is hereby authorized and instructed to execute the following contract for the City of Austin with J W Maxwell,looking to the collection of the delinquent City taxes of the City of Austin ,for theyear 1908 and the years prior thereto. The resolution was adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew, Hart ,Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none. The State of Texas County of Travis. Know all men by these presents: Whereas,The City Council of the City of Austin,Texas,deems it expedient to contract with some competent person to enforce the collection of the certain delinquent taxes due the City of Austin hereinafter specified and to assist in making up a delinquent list of all properties in the City of Austin; and, Whereas, the said City Council deems it expedient to enforce the collection of said taxes for 10 per cent of the taxes,penalties and interest actually collected and paid to the Assessor & Collector of taxes of the City of Austin;and, Whereas, the City Council deems J W Maxwell to be a proper person with whom to make such contract, and that he is competent to take such steps as may be necessary to en-force the collection of such delinquent taxes;and, Whereas, it has been shown that the said J W Maxwell has no official connection with any Councilman of said City,and that he is not related within the third degreeby affin-ity or consanguinity to any member of the City Council,the tax Assessor anfd Collector or the City Attorney,now holding office within said City of Austin , Therefore, the following contract is entered into by and between the City of Austin and J W Maxwell for the full period of one year from and after the date of this instru-ment ,subject to renewal upon the mutual consent to be expressed at the time of the City of Austin,and said J W Maxwell. It is agreed that said J W Maxwell is in this day employed to collect by suit or otherwise all delinquent taxes of every kind and character on real property that may be due the City of Austin for the year 1908,and for all years prior thereto,and all delinquent taxes on personal property that may have been assessed by owners or agents assessing real estate in said City of Austin for said years. It is further agreed that said Maxwell shall assist in compiling and bringing down to date a record of all the delinquent taxes due the said City of Austin from 1885 to 1905 inclusive ,including all City property ,lots and blocks,and parts of lots and blocks upon which taxes have not been paid for said years. In consideration of the premises ,the City of Austin hereby agrees to pay said J W Maxwellten per cent of all such taxes,penalties,interest and costs collected and paid in in cash to the Assessor and Collector of taxes of said City of Austin .In case it should be necessary to institute suit to enforce the collection of any taxes,as herein pro-vided,then the said J W Maxwell shall bring such suit and shall be entitled to,and shall shall receive 10% in addition to the 10% herein above named ,on full amount of taxes, penalties and costs collected ,as his compensation . And it is further agreed that the said J W Maxwell shall be entitled to and shall receive --- Page break --- 94 .20% on all monies collected on suits now pending for taxes only for the year 1908 and all years prior thereto,as well as on all monies collected on old judgements now rendered in favor of the City of Austin for taxes due said City for the years 1908 and all years prior thereto ,and all monies collected for property heretofore sold and bought in by said City at tax sale for theyears mentioned. It is expressly understood however that the said J W Maxwell shall use his best efforts in collecting all taxes now due the said City of Austin without suit,and in case suit be necessary ,to prepare all petitions,file such suits in the name of the City of Austin,and to prosecute such suits vigorously to a final termination;provided that no suits shall be filed unless first authorized by the City Council ito assume the management and control of all suits for taxes now pending in any Court for the years herein provided,and to dilligently prosecute such su its; to make or cause to be made a list of all properties bought in by the said Cityof Austin at tax sale,to use all possible efforts in collecting such taxesas are due the City of Austin for said years and to do and perform any and all other duties in connection with the collect-tion of said taxes due the said City of Austin as may be assigned to him by the City Council. It is further agreed that said J W Maxwell shall pay all expenses of obtain-ing from the abstract company the names of partiesowning or holding liens on lands on which suits have heretofore been filed,as well for suits to be here -after filed under this contract,and shall furnish all stamps and stationery to carry out the provisions of this contract. Witness the hands of the parties hereto in duplicate this the 7th day of December ,A D 1911. The City of Austin, By A P Wooldridge, Mayor Attest, Jno O Johnson, City Clerk. J W Maxwell. Filed release of E J Hofheinz The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution : Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : That A P Wooldridge, Mayor, be and he is hereby authorized and instructed ,upon payment to the Assessor and Collector of one hundred and thirty five and 45/100 ( $ 135.45 ) dollars ,the same being all municipal taxes ,interest,penalties and costsdue and owing thereon,to execute a quit-claim or release deed to E J Hofheinz ,the present owner and holder of title to lots 7& 8,Block 7,Outlot 45 ,Division "B" ,City of Austin,Texas. The resolution was adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge ,Councilmen Bartholomew,Hast,Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none. J Gordon Brown Case The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution : Whereas, J Gordon Brown has made affidavit, which affidavit is attached hereto that he was not ,on January 1st 1911, or any other day within 1911, owner, in his right, of a certain Vendor's lien note for $ 1,200.00,dated June 28th,1910,a and executed by V A Fenner and Wife payable to the order of T E Thrasher and Wife,but holds said note only as Trustee for theScottish-American Mortgage Co, Ltd ,which Scottish -American Mortgage Co, Ltd, is a non-resident corporation; therefore, Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : (1) That the assessment of property against the said J Gordon Brown to the City of Austin for the year 1911, be corrected by allowing against the same credit of $ 1,200.00 for the aforesaid described vendor's lien note . --- Page break --- 95 (2) That the Assessor and Collector be and he is hereby authorized to take credit upon the assessment rolls for the year 1911 in the amount of $ 1,200.00 ,erroneously assessed against J Gordon Brown . The resolution was adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew, Hart, Haynes & Powell 5 Protest & Nays none. Closing Call Bk The Mayor laid before the Council a protest signed by Robt J Hammond, Joseph Stumpff& M D L McFarland, protesting against the granting of the petition of J E Smith, asking permission to close up Cole Street in the Christian & Fellman Addition, which was read but no action taken. The Council then recessed subject to call. Saturday Jany 13th 1912. The Council was called to order by the Mayor with all members present. The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution : Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : appro to purchase That nine hundred ,one and 66/100 ( $ 901.66/100) dollars ,be and the same is hereby & Bond. appropriated out of the Interest and Sinking Fund of the City of Austin,Texas, for the X purpose of purchasing ,redeeming and paying off refunding bond No 1498,issued by the City of Austin,on the 1st day of July 1901,and being payable on the 1st day of July 1931. The resolution was adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart, Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none. W.L. Ayres Councilman Bartholomew,Supt of Parks and Public Property,nominated Walter L apptd as Supt Ayres to be Assistant Supt ,under him, of the Water,Light and Power Department of the of Plant City of Austin,at a monthly salary of $ 150.00 per month. The nomination was confirmed by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Hart,Haynes & Powell 4 Not voting Councilman Bartholomew 1 The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution : Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : That upon the payment to the Assessor and Collector of the City of Austin,by Emily Deed release Williams , of the sum of $ 43.25, which sum represents all taxes in arrears to date upon to Emily Williams lot No 8, Block 8, Outlot 58 Division "B" of the City of Austin,the Mayor of the City of Austin is hereby authorized to execute a quit claim deed to said Emily Williams of all of the right ,title and interest and claim of the City of Austin,Texas, in and to said lot 8, Block8, Outlot 58 Division "B",acquired under sale under judgement of the District Court of Travis County Texas,on the 4th day of July 1899. The resolution was adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart, Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none. The Council then recessed subject to call . --- Page break --- Austin, Tuesday Jany 16th 1912. The Council was called to order by the Mayor with all members present. Councilman Haynes offered the following resolution: Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin: That the City Treasurer be and he is hereby instructed to re-transfer $ 750.00, from the Park fund to the General fund,to correct an error in transfer made in December 1911. The resolution was adopted by the following vote: Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew, Hart, Haynes & 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 upon the payment to the Assessor and Collector of the City of Austin, by Robert J Hammond of seventy one & 50/100 ( 71.50) dollars, Mayor, A P Wooldridge,be and he is hereby authorized to execute a quit-claim deed for the City of Austin to Robert J Hammond,to Lot No 11, Block 3, Outlot 4, Division "A"of the City of Austin, Texas. The property herein authorized to be released by the City of Austin to Robert J Hammond was purchased by the City of Aust in under Judgement obtained in the District Court of Travis County, Texas,in case City of Austin vs Nancy Sauls ,on the 24th day of August 1903,and was sold to the City of Austin for taxes of 1899,1900 & 1901. Robert J Hammond represents himself to be the present owner of the property herein authorized to be conveyed and the consideration stated ($ 71.50)covers the amount of judgement recovered by the City of Austin in the above named suit against Nancy Sauls.,and all taxes,interest,penalties and costs down to and including the taxes due for the year 1909. The taxes subsequent to 1909 have already been paid to the Assessor and Collector of this City. The resolution was adopted by the following vote: Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew, Hart, Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none. Councilman Hyanes presented the following communication: Austin, Texas ,January15th 12 Hon H L Haynes, Supt Receipts , Disbursements and Accounts. Austin, Texas. Dear Sir: I beg to tender you this my resignation as a member of the Board of Equalization of the City of Austin. Respectfully. A W Townsend. The resignation was accepted by the following vote: Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew, Hart, Haynes & 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 ninety four and 52 /100 ( $ 94.52)dollars out of the General Contingent fund of the City of Austin ,for the year 1912,be and the same is hereby appropriated as a refund to E J Pressler , the present owner and holder of retail liquor dealer's license No 167, issued by the City of Austin on the 19th day of June 1911 to Eugene Martin. The period of time covered by this refund is one hundred and eighty four days,and the value of each day of refund is $ 3.5127. --- Page break --- 97 • There is attached to this resolution and made a part of the same a transfer to E J Pressler from W A Wroe, Trustee in bankruptcy of Eugene Martin of the license herein-above described. The resolution was adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew, Hart, Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none. Councilman Haynes nominated A W Townsend and Thomas L Purnell to be Assistant Thos L Purnell Ass't Dept Assessor April 15th Assessors to Assessor and Collector Fred Sterzing ,to principally take outside assess-ments. The nominations were confirmed by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew, Hart & Powell 4 Not voting Councilman Haynes 1. The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution : Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : That a permit be and is hereby granted to the Corn Growers Association of Texas to suspend two cloth streamers across East Sixth street for the width of the sidewalk. Corn Growers Association Sign One of these streamers is to be suspended in front of the Driskill Hotel and the other at the present headquarters of the Corn Growers Association at the Old Zier building, 206 East Sixth street. The signs hereby permitted to be suspended on East Sixth street are to be of cloth, not less than nine ( 9) feet above the ground, about twelve (12) feet in length and two three feet ( 3) in height, and to have written or printed upon the same the words " TEXAS CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION.The privilege of suspending said signs is limited to five (5) days from and after this date, the 16th day of January 1912. The resolution was adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew ,Hart, Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none. The Council then adjourned. Jno. C. Johnson City Clerk