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Austin Faces Tax Protests, Grants Taxi Permits

Thursday, December 18, 1919 regular

  • Hyde Park Tax Protest:

    Residents from Hyde Park formally protested significant increases in their property tax assessments, with the council taking the matter under advisement. Separately, a local grocery store successfully appealed to reduce its own assessment.

  • Early Transportation & Business:

    Two permits were issued for the operation of "service cars," marking an early step in commercial passenger transportation. The council also approved a permit for a new corrugated iron shed.

  • City Spending & Staffing:

    A $500 payment was authorized for improvements made at Barton Springs. Additionally, several positions were filled, including three new firemen and a member of the Examining and Supervising Board of Plumbers.
Transcript

Full Transcript

285 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, December 18, 1919. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following members present: Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5 ; absent, none. The minutes of the last meeting were read and upon motion of Councilman Haynes were adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5 ; nays, none. After hearing read the affidavit of A. W. Courtney that his assessment A. W. Courtney Assessment for the University Cash Grocery Store should have been $1,000.00 instead of $1,500.00, cash on hand January 1st, 1918, Councilman Graham moved that the assessment be reduced to $1,000.00 and that the Assessor and Collector be authorized to make the necessary correction upon his books. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5 ; nays, none. The communication of T. F. Baker was read and referred to the City Attorney by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nays, none. J H Platt Appointed Foreman Councilman Alford, upon the recommendation of C. L. Woodward, Chief of the Fire Department, nominated J. H. Platt to be hoseman for Hose Company No. 2. Nomination was confirmed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Graham, Haynes and Ward, 4; nays, none, Councilman Alford present but not voting. Grover Caldwell Appointed Foreman Councilman Alford, upon the recommendation of C. L. Woodward, Chief of the Fire Department, nominated Grover Caldwell to be hoseman for Hose Company No. 3. Nomination was confirmed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Graham, Haynes and Ward, 4 ; nays, none, Councilman Alford present but not voting. J D Tannehill Appointed Foreman Councilman Alford, upon the recommendation of C. L. Woodward, Chief of the Fire Department, nominated J. D. Tannehill to be hoseman for Hose Company No. 5. Nomination was confirmed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Graham, Haynes and Ward, 4; nays, none, Councilman Alford present but not voting. The petition of J. Krebs and others, residents of San Gabriel Street, asking that certain improvements be made, was read and referred to Councilman Graham by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nays, none. O. A. Newberg permit granted The application of O. A. Newberg to erect a corrugated iron shed on Trinity Street was granted, upon the recommendation of C. L. Woodward, Chief of the Fire Department, by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nays, none. J. H. Maxwell report filed The report of Jas. H. Maxwell, Sealer of Weights and Measures, was read and ordered filed. W. C. Dunham appointed Plumber Board Councilman Graham nominated W. C. Dunham to be a member of the Examining and Supervising Board of Plumbers. Nomination was confirmed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Haynes and Ward, 4; nays, none; Councilman Graham present but not voting. Ward authorized to pay Mrs J. S. Myrick Councilman Ward moved that he be authorized to pay Mrs. J. S. Myrick --- Page break --- 286 the sum of $500.00 for those certain improvements erected by her at Clapk of B. May. Barton Springs, as per contract. Motion carried by the following vote: Paik Car Permit Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nays, Permit Granted. none. Jay Middleton. The application of Cox Middleton to operate a service car was Service Car granted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Permit Granted. Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nays, none. The Council then recessed. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, December 19, 1919. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following members present: Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; absent, none. Paul Kiser The application of Paul Kiser to operate a service car was granted Granted Service Car by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes Permit. and Ward; nays, none. The Council then recessed. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, December 20, 1919. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following members present: Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes St.D.White and Ward, 5; absent, none. M. M. Shipe, et al Judge Ike D. White, M. M. Shipe and others addressed the Council, Protest protesting against the action of the Board of Equalization in raising the rendition of their property in Hyde Park. The matter was taken under advisement. The Council then adjourned.