279 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, December 04, 1919. Roll call ordered by the Mayor. The following members answered present: Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward; absent, none. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and, upon motion of Councilman Haynes, seconded by Councilman Ward, were adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward; nays none. Councilman Haynes moved that the regular order of business be suspended and that a committee be heard. R. Von Boeckmann and others, rep- resenting the Allied Council, appeared, asking that the Plumbing Ordinance be more rigidly enforced. Petition of J.H.F. Wenzel & Others The petition of J. H. F. Wenzel and others, asking that improvements be made on Rainey and Cummings Streets was read. Councilman Haynes moved that the petition be referred to Councilman Graham, Street Commissioner, for his consideration. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward; nays, none. Officer's Reports The reports of J. W. Graham, Street Commissioner, Fred Sterzing, Assessor and Collector, and Miss Dorsey Spiller, Municipal Nurse, were read and ordered filed. Communication of Millican & Hamby The communication of Millican & Hamby was read and referred to Councilman Alford, with instructions to take the matter up with C. L.Woodward, Chief of the Fire Department. The following statement from Councilman Haynes was laid before the Council: "Austin, Texas, December 4, 1919. To the Honorable Mayor and City Council, City of Austin, Texas. Gentlemen: I have the honor to submit herewith an ordinance fixing and levying municipal taxes on each One Hundred Dollars of property valuations within the limits of the City of Austin for the year 1919, as follows, to-wit: Copy of Tax Ordinance For the General Fund, as fixed by the charter, for all current expenses and improvement of the City (30% of which is apportioned for streets and bridges)...................................$1.00 For Interest and Sinking Fund on the bonded debt(including all School Bonds).............................................. .75 For the Public Schools........................................ .59 Making a total rate of ..................................... $2.34 which you will note is an increase of 14 cents on the One Hundred Dollars over 1918, the same being additional amount levied for the Schools by request of the Board. I am pleased to state that on account of the increase of $1,000,000.00 in valuations for 1919 over that of 1918, the rate for the General Fund and the Interest and Sinking Fund can safely be placed the same as last year, notwithstanding the higher cost of all materials and labor, besides, as stated above, the rate for the General Fund is fixed, and the rate of 75 cents for Interest and Sinking Fund is a positive amount required to meet the obligations of the City due in 1920. Therefore, I respectfully request that the ordinance be adopted. Respectfully, H. L. Haynes, Superintendent Receipts, Disburse- ments and Accounts". --- Page break --- 280 Councilman Haynes then introduced the following ordinance: "AN ORDINANCE FIXING AND LEVYING MUNICIPAL TAXES FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, FOR THE YEAR A. D. 1919. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS. That a total municipal tax for the City of Austin for the year1919 be and the same is hereby fixed and levied at Two Dollars and Thirty-four Cents ($2.34) on the One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) of all property within the limits of the City of Austin made taxable by law for state and county purposes; said total municipal tax is levied and fixed for the following several purposes: FIRST: An annual tax of one per centum (1%) is hereby fixed and levied for the year 1919 on all property within the limits of the City of Austin made taxable by law for state and county purposes for the current expenses of the city and for the general improvement of the city and its property, at least one-fourth of which said tax of one per centum (1%) is hereby set apart and devoted to the improvement of the streets and the building of bridges within said city. SECOND: A tax of Fifty-nine Cents (59¢) on the One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) of all property within the limits of the City of Austin, Texas, made taxable by law for state and county purposes is hereby fixed and levied for the maintenance of the public free schools of this city. THIRD: A tax rate of Seventy-five Cents (75¢) on the One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) of property within the limits of the City of Austin, Texas, made taxable by law for state and county purposes is hereby fixed and levied for Interest and Sinking Funds on all of the bonded debts of this city. The ordinance was read the first time, after which Councilman Haynes moved a suspension of the rule and the placing of the ordinance on its second reading. Motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford , Graham, Haynes and Ward,5; nays, none. After the ordinance had been read the second time, Councilman Haynes moved a further suspension of the rule and the placing of the ordinance on its third reading. This motion carried by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward 5; nays, none. When the ordinance had been read the third time, Councilman Haynes moved its final passage. Motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nays, none The resignation of Houghton Brownlee, Judge of the Corporation Court, upon motion of Councilman Graham, was accepted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward,5; nays,none. Mayor Yett nominated H. B. Barnhart as Judge of the Corporation Court, to serve for a term of thirty days from this date. Nomination was confirmed by the following vote: Ayes, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 4; nays, none. Mayor Yett present but not voting. The Council then recessed.