202 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, March 14, 1918. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call disclosed the following present: Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Bartholomew, Haynes, and Powell, 5; absent, none. The minutes of February 22, 25, 26, 27 and 28 were read and approved. E.J. Palm claim for damages E. J. Palm was present and presented a written communication relative to certain changes of the street and sidewalk abutting his property at West Avenue and Fourteenth Street, claiming that he had suffered damage in the sum of $437.07. It was agreed that the members of the Council would make a personal inspection of the conditions complained of within a few days. Water Rate to large consumers Mayor Wooldridge discussed the subject of the city water rate to large consumers, and produced a statement by the Water, Light and Power Department showing that the cost to the city of delivering the water is about 11 cents per thousand gallons. The rate of 7½ cents per thousand gallons to the State of Texas and one or two other large consumers, he declared, is too low. It was agreed unanimously that the Mayor should take up the matter with Governor Hobby, with a view to reaching an agreement upon an equitable rate. The question of charter revision and the manner in which it is proposed to choose 15 commissioners were discussed by the Mayor. The Mayor laid before the Council the following Resolution: Clearing of Land- ing field: appropriation RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and the same is hereby appropriated out of the General Contingent Fund of the City of Austin, Texas, to pay for the clearing up of an alighting station for aviators on a tract of land about 80 to 90 acres in area south of South Austin, Texas, and immediately adjacent to the St. Edward's College grounds. The Resolution was adopted by a vote of 5 yeas. APPROVED, March 14, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. A letter from V. M. Ehlers, State Sanitary Engineer, was read asking for a statement as to what Austin had done toward complying with the anti-stream pollution law. The Mayor laid before the Council the following Resolution: RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That the sum of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) be and the $300 River Survey same is hereby appropriated out of the miscellaneous expense fund for plant operation of the Water, Light and Power Department of this city as a contribution toward the installation, by the United States Geologic Survey, of an automatic water stage recorder station at the Congress Avenue bridge over the Colorado River in this city. This contribution is made with the understanding that the recorder station is to be installed, and also that existing in Barton Creek, shall be maintained without expense to the City of Austin, and that the records of both shall be available to the City of Austin at all times. The Resolution was adopted by a vote of 5 yeas. --- Page break --- 233 APPROVEE, March 14, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. Upon hearing an oral statement by W. E. McGuire, the Mayor laid before the Council the following Resolution: RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That for good and sufficient reasons unto the City Council shown, and particularly for the reasons that W. E. McGuire is a young man recently moved to this city from a neighboring town, and is supporting the family of his mother from his earnings as an employee of the University of Texas School of Military Aeronautics, and for the further reason that there were certain discrepancies in the testimony against him on the charge of speeding for which he was fined in Cause No. 12724, Corporation Court of the City of Austin, Texas, one-half or $9.80 of the fine and costs assessed against him in said cause, amounting to $19.80, be and the same is hereby remitted; and it appearing that the said W. E. McGuire has heretofore paid to the Clerk of the Corporation Court the sum of $11.00 on said fine and costs, there is hereby appropriated out of the General Contingent fund of this city the sum of $1.10 as a refund to the said W. E. McGuire. W. E. McGuire Fine The Resolution was adopted by a vote of 5 yeas. APPROVED, March 14, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Ordinance providing for the licensing of automobiles engaged in the business of carrying passengers for hire was again under consideration, but was recommitted to the City Attorney to make certain changes. Members of the Council discussed with the City Attorney the form of the contract to be drawn up covering Mrs. Annie S. Myrick's custodianship of Barton Springs. The Mayor offered the following Resolution: RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That the sum of Twenty-four Dollars and Thirteen Cents ($24.13) be and the same is hereby appropriated out of the General Contingent Fund of this city as a refund for the unearned part of Malt Liquor License No. 1868 Ramon Pratt Malt Liquor License Refund issued by the City of Austin to Ramon Pratt, for the year commencing July 11, 1917, it being shown to the City Council by the attached statements and endorsement, which are made the basis of this resolution, that the said Ramon Pratt died on Oct. 2, 1917, and that the said malt liquor license, unused from that date, is now the property of the Lone Star Brewing Association, Austin branch. The Resolution was adopted by a vote of 5 yeas. APPROVED, March 14, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Council then adjourned. V.E. Martin City Clerk