Regular meeting of the City Council : Austin,Texas, Feby 8th 1912. 127 .The Council was called to order by the Mayor : Roll called: Present Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew, Hart, Haynes & Powell 5 Absent none. On motion the reading of the minutes was postponed for the present. Reports of City Officers : The Mayor laid before the Council the reports of the Assessor & Collector, the Marshal, the Sexton,the Health Officer and his Assistant,and the Matron of the Hospital, which were read and ordered filed. Pierce Fordyce Councilman Powell presented bids for furnishing the City with oil for the term ending Oil Co. Contract June 30th 1912,and recommended that the contract be awarded to the Pierce Fordyce Oil for Oil Co, which motion prevailed 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 leave is hereby granted the Mayor to amend so much of his budget of the City of Austin of date Jany 20th 1912, as pertains to the fire department,and to substitute for the items of the budget in said budget of Jany 20th 1912, a budget for the fire depart-ment which here follows. The total amount of the budget for the fire department as here offered , being $ 29,450. is identical with the total of the budget submitted on Jany 20th 1912. Budget The resolution was adopted by the following vote : Amended Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart,Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none. Fire Department. Salaries of 8 drivers and one Tillerman at $ 70.00 per month ,each $ 7,560.00 Salary of Driver of Chemical apparatus at $ 80.00 per month 960.00 Salary of Asst Driver Chemical apparatus at $ 70.00 per month 840.00 Feed for teams, Horse shoeing, New harness and repairing old harness 4,920.00 To be distributed as follows : " For Hook and Ladder No 1 $ 720.00 " Washington Hose Co 1 . 500.00 " Protection Hose Co 2 500.00 " East Austin Hose Co 4 500.00 " South Austin Hose Co 5 600.00 " North Austin Hose Co 6 600.00 " West Austin Hose Co 7 600.00 " 10th Ward Hose Co 8 600.00 $ 4,920.00 Repairs to apparatus,Fuel,Oil, Chemicals, Painting,etc $ 1,250.00 Interest on notes due on 10th ward Fire Hall and West Austin Fire Hall 250.00 Rent of Hall for Washington Hose Col 500.00 Hire of extra horses in case of disability 100.00 Repairs to Fire Halls 500.00 Third payment on 10th ward Fire Hall 2,500.00 First payment on Fire Chief's Automobile 500.00 Second payment on West Austin Fire Hall 1,250.00 First and second payments on Chemical apparatus 3,100.00 --- Page break --- 128 . For Miscellaneous items,New Hose, or in part payment of Combination Pumping Engine $ 4,020.00 General Miscellaneous 500.00 Salayuy of Fire Marshal 500.00 Total $ 29.450.00 On motion of Councilman Bartholomew, the City Clerk was directed to draw a warrant against the General fund and in favor of the Earnings fund,to refund to the said Earnings fund the sum of $ 208.45, improperly drawn out of the said Earnings fund,on Dec 7th 1911, For Fuel for the City Hall. The motion was adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart, Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none. Councilman Bartholomew offered the following resolution : Resolved that Quebedeau & Ellisbe credited on their account in the Water, Light and Power department with $ 271.65 ,this being an excess over $ 250.00 , per month for power furnished by the City charged against said Quebedau & Ellis for the months of July, August, September & October 1911. 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 Austin,Saturday Feby 10th 1912. The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution : Upon the nomination of the City Marshal with the approval of the Supt of Police and Public Safety , Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : That T E Cloud be and he is hereby apponted mounted Patrolman ,such Patrol-man to be assigned by the City Marshal to such duties as the Police service may require. Be it further resolved : That one of the Motor Cycles now owned by the City be and the same is hereby assigned for use to the Patrolman who may be assigned to Motor cycle duty, said Patrolman to pay the expenses of the maintainance of said machine. The resolution was adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew,Haynes & Powell 4 Not voting Councilman Hart 1 The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution : Whereas, it appearing from the attached communication of Dr H C Morrow, that the horse of an old Negro man ,P Brown by name, was impounded, for the release of which the negro man paid the fee of $ 1.50, that the old man is very needy and is indebted to a young Lady for the horse, who is also very needy, and it app-pearing that the horse was not loose by design, and with the assurance that the occourrence will not take place again,and upon the recommendation of the Supt of Police and Public Safety, Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : That said fee of $ 1.50 be and the same is hereby remitted and it appearing that said fee of $ 1.50 is still in the hands of the Clerk of the Corpora-tion Court,said clerk is hereby authorized and di re tected refund said sum to the said P Brown. The resolutionwas adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart, Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none. --- Page break --- 129 P. M. Kuechler pound fee remitted Councilman Hart offered the following resolution : Whereas, it appearing to the City Council from the attached petition that the horses of P. M Kuechler, were recently twice impounded in the City pound,which statement is verified by the records of the Corporation Court,that petitioner has made every effort to prevent their getting out of the premises since the first impounding,and that the same is not due from any design or carelessness on his part; upon recommendation of the Supt of Police and Public Safety Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : That the fees,viz: $ 3.00 ,for'the last impounding of said animals be and the same is hereby remitted,and said $ 3.00 being still in the hands of the Clerk of the Corporation Court,said Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to return the same to said Kuechler. 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 . . Austin, Tuesday May 13th 1911. The Council was called to order by the Mayor with all members present. Budget Water Light Dept. adopted The Mayor laid before the Council his budget for the Water, Light & Power department for the year 1912, which was readand adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew,Hart, Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none. On motion leave of absence was granted Councilman Powell for 30 days beginning Feby 18th 1912. + Budget for the Water,Light and Power department for the year 1912. Austin,Texas, February 5th 1912. To the Honorable City Council, City of Austin,Texas. Gentlemen : I submit below a budget for the Water, Light and Power departmentof the City of Austin for the year 1912,and respectfully ask its approval by the Council. The probable income of the Water,Light and Power department of this City for the year 1912 including cash on hand December 31st 1911,is $ 355,253.87,which income is derived from the sources of revenue here stated: Jan,1.Balance with City Treasurer $ 103,854.53 " in Office for change 300.00 " Total Cash on hand $ 104,154.53 Estimated receipts for 1912. To be paid by the City for Water and Light . $ 22,500.00 Receipts from Water Earnings 92,685.44 Receipts from Light Earnings 97,335.62 Receipts from Power Earnings 22,575.96 Receipts from Miscellaneous Earnings 1,731.38 Receipts from interest on deposits 4,809.93 Receipts from material and meters sold 8,574.50 Receipts from advanced credits 490.23 Receipts from sundry collections 295.18 Total estimated receipts, including cash on hand Jany 1st 1912 $ 355,253. 87 --- Page break --- 130 . I recommend the following appropriations for this department for the year 1912. Office. One-half Salary of Superintendent( balance to be paid out of the General fund. Salary of Assistant Superintendent at $ 150. 00 per month 1,800.00 Salary of Cashier at $ 150 00 per mon th 1,800.00 Salary of Assistant Cashier at $ 100.00 per month 1,200.00 Salary of Chief Book-Keeper at $ 125.00 per month 1,500.00 Salary of 4 assistant Book-keepers at $ 75.00 per month each 3,600.00 Salary of Store-keeper at $ 80.00 per month 960.00 Salary of Clerk at $ 60.00 per month 720.00 Part pay Salaries of City Clerk and Asst City Clerk at $ 50 per mo 600.00 Total Office 13,180.00 Rebuilding the Dam. Salary of Consulting Engineer at $ 150.00 per month $ 1,800.00 Consulting Engineer's traveling and other expenses .200.00 Salary of Inspecting Engineer at $ 125.00 per month 1,500.00 Total expenses on account of rebuilding the Dam $ 3,500.00 Plant. Salary of Chief Engineer at $ 125.00 per month $ 1,500.00 Salary of one Asst Engineer at $ 90.00 per month 1,080.00 Salary of Pump Foreman at $ 90.00 per month 1,080.00 Salary one Dynamo Tender at $ 85.00 per month 1,020.00 Salary of two Dynamo Tenders at $ 80.00 per month each 1,920.00 Salary two Engineer's at $ 80.00 per month each 1,920.00 Salary one Engineer at $ 75.00 per month 900.00 Salary three Pump Tenders at $ 80.00 per month each 2,880.00 Salary one Electrical repairer at $ 80.00 per month 960.00 Salary one General repairer at $ 75.00 per month 900.00 Salary one Blacksmith at $ 75.00 per month ,at the rate of $ 2.50 per each days work 900.00 Salaries of four Firemen at $ 2.00 per day each 2,920.00 Salary of five Coal passers at $ 1.75 per day each 3,193.00 Total for Plant $ 21,173.00 Water Line. Salary Foreman at $ 125.00 per month $ 1,500.00 Salary one Plumber at $ 80.00 per month 960.00 Salary two Plumbers at $ 75.00 per month each 1,800.00 Salary one Motor repairer at $ 75. 00 per month 900.00 Total for Water Line $ 5,160.00 Electric Line. Salary two Meter readers at $ 90.00 per month each $ 2,160.00 Salary Lineman with wagon at $ 90.00 per month 1,080.00 Salary one Lineman at $ 75.00 per month 900.00 Salary one Lineman with wagon at $80.00 per month 960.00 Salary one Nightline man at $ 75.00 per month 900.00 Salary one Helper and Wagon at $ 60.00 per month 720.00 Salary one meter tester at $ 75.00 per month 900.00 Total for Electric Line $ 7,620.00 Other expenses. --- Page break --- 131 • Temporary labor for Plants and Lines $ 30,000.00 Machinery and equipment. $ 4,409.50 Balance due on Boilers 6,287.00 Condenser 14,832.39 Steam Turbine 2,800.00 Installing Boilers,condenser and Steam Turbine $ 28,328.89 Buxldingsxxxxxxx Fuel $ 28,000.00 Unloading fuel 1,300.00 $ 29,300.00 Insurance on buildings 250.00 Oil & Waste 1,000.00 Insurance- Liability 1,965.50 Printing ,Stationery & Postage 1,600.00 Material . Purchase of Poles $ 2,500.00 Purchase of Cross Arms .500.00 Purchase of Wire 1,500.00 Purchase of Meters 9,000.00 Purchase of Transformers 5,000.00 Purchase of Water Pipe 5,000.00 Purchase of other material 25,000.00 $ 48,500.00 Payment to City of Austin on Old Co's Plant 22,500.00 Damages ,Costs and Attorneys Fees 5,000.00 Dixon Judgement and costs 750.00 Additional Water Suply 5,000.00 $ 175,000.00 Total other expenses $ 174,194.39 Summary. Office Employees $13,180.00 Rebuilding the Dam .3,500.00 Plant Employees 21,173.00 Water Line Employees 5,160.00 Electric Line Employees 7,620.00 Temporary Labor Plant and Lines 30,000.00 Buildings 2,000.00 Machinery and Equipment 28,328.89 Fuel 29,300.00 Oil & Waste 1,000.00 Insurance, Buildings 250.00 Insurance- Liability 1,965.50 Printing ,Stationery and Postage 1,500.00 Purchase of Poles,Wire,Transformers,Water Pipe & other material 48,500.00 Payment to City of Austin on Old Co's Plant 22,500.00 Damages,Costs,Attorneys fees ,etc 5,000.00 Dixon Judgement and Costs 750.00 Additional Water Suply 5,000.00 Total appropriation for 1912 $ .226,827.39 After deducting the estimated expenses of this department for 1912, amounting to $ 226, 827.39,from the estimated income of this department ,amounting to --- Page break --- 132 $ 355,253.87,there is left an unappropriated surplus of $ 128,426. 48. I recommend that $ 100,000.00 of this surplus be kept in tact as the cash payment to be paid to the contractor upon the completion of the Dam. I further recommend that $ 25,000.00 of the remaining part of this surplus be used to redeem $ 25,000.00 of the City's Refunding bonds. I make this last recommendation for the following reasons: (1) It is bad financial policy for the City to accumulate and keep idle funds (2) A City, like an individual, should pay its debts when it reasonably can. (3) This City owes $ 1,499,000. of Refunding bonds,the interest upon which increases on July 1st 1916, from four per cent to five percent, and the amount of the bonds of this issue should be as small at that time as possible. (4) It helps the financial standing of a City to pay its debts in advance of their maturity. (5) All of our Refunding bonds ( $ 1,499,000.) mature at five per cent on July 1st 1931, and the less we shall be owing at that time the easier will be the operation of refunding these bonds a second time. (6) The Comptroller of this State is beginning to demand ,as he has a right to do, that this City create a sinking fund for the redemption of its bonds, and he tells me that Austin is the only City in its class in Texas, which does not annually levy a tax ,or otherwise create a sinking fund for all of its bonds. Redeeming bonds is in effect creating a sinking fund. (7) Any bondholder of this City who chooses so to do ,can compel the City to appropriate this excess surplus to the sinking fund, and we ought to do voluntarily what we can be compelled by law to do. (8) This excess surplus of $ 25,000.00 ,and perhaps even more ,under the terms of the Charter- Article 12, Section 8, can be used for no other purpose than to redeem our Refunding bonds. The $ 28,428.48 of excess surplus ,above the $ 100,000.00 reserved for cash payment on the dam ,is likely to be increased above $ 28,428.48 rather than reduced below that sum . The income of the Water, Light and Power department ,in the face of a substan-tial reduction in the water ,light and power rates in 1911,exceeded the income of that department in 1910 by $ 10, 263.21.If taking out the same rate of increase holds for the year 1912the excess surplus at the end of the year will be nearer $ 38,000.than $ 28,000.The earnings of the Water,Light and Power Department are always in excess for the time being of its cash collect-tions. ----The-estimated-income-for-1911--the-year-1911The estimated income for this Department for the year 1911was $ 316, 121.93. The estimated income for 1912 is $ 355, 253.87.The difference in favor of 1912 is $ 39,131.94. The estimated income for 1911 was $316,121.93. The cash collections were $ 326,348.34. It will thus be seen that the cash collections exceeded the estimates by $ 10,226.41.The appropriations made for this Department in 1911were $ 223,507.00. The actual expenditures amounted to $ 210,406.50.It will will thus be seen that the expenditures were $ 13,100.50 less than the amount appropriated. Respectfully, A P Wooldridge, Mayor. --- Page break --- 133 Wednesday Feby 14th 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: That ninety four Ą52/100 ( $ 94.52 ) dollars be and the same is hereby appropriated out of the contingent fund of the City of Austin for the present year, as a refund to E J Pressler for the unearned portion ( being six months ) of the retail Liquor dealer's license ANo 157,issued on June 19th ,1911,by the City of Austin to Eugene Martin for his saloon in the Littlefield building in this City. Satisfactory evidence has been furnished to the City Council that Eugene Martin is the present owner and holder of said retail liquor dealer's license No 157. The period of refund covered by this appropriation is from December 19th1911,to June 19th 1912. Liquor license Eugene Martin refused By P. 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 : Whereas, it has been made apparent to the City Council upon the evidence of Bishop Geo H Kinsolving and Mr Jno H Robinson Jr, they representing the Church Corporation of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Texas, with headquarters ,so far as the matter of this resolution is wooldened ,at Austin, Texas,that, during the years 1906 and 1907,they,as representatives of said Church corporation of the protestant Episcopal Church of Texas, had pending an application for the exemption of Lots Nos11,12,13,14,18,19,20, 21Ą 22,in Block 10,Outlot 15,16 & 17 Division "D"of the City of Austin from municipal taxes,on the ground that said property was being used for educational or religious purposes; and, Whereas, it seems that the City Council had declined to exempt said property from munic-ipal taxation ,but failed to notify said Church corporation of said conclusionson its part; and; Whereas, teh present trustees of said corporation are willing to pay the taxes for the year 1906, amounting to $ 262.28,which are the only municipal taxes due on said property, but ask by reason of the facts herein above set out ,to be relieved of the cost of a suit amounting to $ 3.75, said to have been brought by the City of Austin against said church corporation for the taxes of 1906,and the interest amounting to $ 76.03 on said delin-quent taxes ,and the penalty of $ 13.11 thereon, because they emphatically allege that they have had at no time knowledge of said suit and refusal of said Council to exempt said property; therefore, Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin : That upon payment to the Assessor and Colle ctor of taxes of the City of Austin,of all taxes due upon said property hereinabove named by said church corporation ,the costs in said suit ,amounting to $ 3.75,the interest upon said taxes,amounting to $ 76.03,and the penalty of $ 13.11,be and the same are hereby remitted, and the Assessor and Collector authorized to take credit upon his assessment rolls in the amount of said credits herein and hereby allowed. Episcopal Church Taxes remitted The resolution was adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew, Hart, Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none. --- Page break --- 134 H. H. Owens approved Police Man -Councilman Hart offered the following resolution : Upon the nomination of the City Marshal with the approval of the Supt of Police and Public Safety : Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin: That H W Owens be and he is hereby appointed Mounted Patrolman ;such Patrol-man to be assigned by the City Marshal to such duties as the service may require. Be it further resolved: That one of the Motor Cycle s now owned by the City may be used by the Patrolman who is assigned to Motor Cycle duty ,said Patrolman to pay the expenses of the maintenance of said machine,the expense ,if any,of placing said machine in proper condition for service to be borne by the City and paid out of the miscellaneous appropriation of the Police department. The resolution was adopted by the following vote : Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew, Haynes & Powell 4 Not voting Councilman Hart 1