374 Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nayes, none. The Council then adjourned. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, October 07, 1920. 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; nayes, none. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and upon motion of Councilman Ward, were adopted by the following vote: Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nayes, none. Councilman Alford moved that the regular order of business be suspended and that a committee be heard. The petition of H. Y. Benedict and others, asking that certain improvements be made, was read and upon motion of Councilman Ward was referred to the Superintendent of Streets and Public Improvements by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nayes, none. Councilman Haynes introduced the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That the sum of One Hundred Ninety Dollars and Forty-five Cents ($190.45) be and the same is hereby appropriated out of the General Contingent Fund of the City of Austin, Texas, in payment of the amount due and owing by the City Assessor and Collector for the School Fund's share of interest and penalties collected on taxes during the months of July, August and September, 1920, and said amount is hereby made payable to the Treasurer of the Austin Public Schools; itemized statements of amounts under this appropriation being attached hereto, same being certified as correct by Fred Sterzing, Assessor and Collector, and made the basis of this resolution. The above resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nayes, none. The report of C.E. Leonard, City Engineer, was received, read, approved, and upon motion of Councilman Haynes, was ordered spread upon the Minutes by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nayes, none. The monthly reports of Fred Sterzing, Assessor and Collector, Jas. A. Warren, Bookkeeper and Cashier of the Street and Sewer Department, J. E. Woody, City Fire Marshal, Jas. H. Maxwell, Sealer of Weights and Measures, and A. S. Anderson, Public Weigher, were read and ordered filed. "Austin, Texas, October 4, 1920. TO THE HONORABLE MAYOR W.D. YETT AND CITY COUNCIL. Austin, Texas. Gentlemen: I desire to make the following as a brief report of what has been done at the Sewage Disposal Plant in reference to the elimination of offensive odors, said report giving the approximate cost of the improvements and also an estimated cost of improvements that should be made, if the Sewage Disposal --- Page break --- Plant is permanently operated at its present location. The following improvements, including fees for expert advice, were made at a cost of approximately Three Thousand, Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00): (1) Erection of 40 foot stack at diversion chamber; (2) Erection of 100 foot stack at diversion chamber; (3) Erection of 75 foot stack at settling tanks; (4) Covering of settling tanks and sump pit; (5) Installation of burners at Diversion Chamber, including motor, air compressor, high pressure tanks and necessary auxiliaries; (6) Installation of burner at settling tanks, including extension of gas main. At the time these improvements were installed, said work was done under an emergency and there was no absolute assurance of the effectiveness of said devices. As to the final result, it is my opinion that we have successfully harnessed the gases and at this time the offensive odors are being destroyed. We have had considerable difficulty in getting the keepers at the plant to learn how to properly operate the burners, with the result that at times there has been some trouble in the vicinity. But with certain improvements that have been made on the furnace and now having a skilled crew to operate the plant, there should be no more offensive odors due to improper operation of burners. But, as previously stated, the covering of the tanks and pump house was done in an emergency and not in a permanent and most efficient manner. At the time we had to act quickly and did not deem it proper to spend any large sum of money on permanent improvements until after it was clearly and absolutely proven that said improvements would be effective. The methods used, namely, the covering of tanks and sump pit, together with the system of deodorization by burning, has demonstrated that the offensive odors can be destroyed by the burning process. On account of the plant being located in a thickly settled neighborhood, it is just to the people that the improvements above outlined be made of the most absolute effectiveness and permanency. Thus, in order to finally complete the plan and to insure the least possible chance of odors escaping from the Sewage Disposal Plant, I recommend that during the winter months the following be done: (1) Replace wooden and tar paper covers over settling tanks with air-tight concrete roof, leaving proper provision for rodding of tanks and etc. (2) Replace wooden and tar paper cover over sump pit with an air-tight concrete roof, leaving properly designed entrance to sump pit; (3) Install a motor and gas pump at sump pit and pump accumulating gases into settled sewage line. The above installation complete can be put in at a cost of not exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) and when said plan of air-tight construction is followed, then there can be but two outlets for offensive odors, one through the burner at the gas tanks and the other through the burner at the diversion chamber. This plan will absolutely bottle up the odors and leave only the two outlets as above outlined. The cost of Five Thousand Dollars will amount to little when compared with the total cost now invested in the plant. Unless this, or some better plan is followed, there will each year be a continuation of vigorous complaint and possibly many damage suits filed. In conclusion, I think that we have solved the proper plan for destroying the odors, but that their permanency and absolute efficiency must be had. This work should be done sometime during the winter months, and, in this connection, I beg to advise that there has been no loss in the using of the present wooden covers for the lumber will be needed for form work on concrete covers. Respectfully submitted, (Sgd) C. E. Leonard, City Engineer." Councilman Alford introduced the following ordinance: "AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE STANDING OF AUTOMOBILES, ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF CARRYING PASSENGERS FOR HIRE, ADJACENT TO THE DEPOT BUILDING ABUTTING ON CONGRESS AVENUE, AND DESIGNATING A STAND FOR SUCH AUTOMOBILES, AND PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR THE VIOLATION OF THIS ORDINANCE." The ordinance was read the first time and 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; nayes, none. The ordinance was read the second time , and Councilman Graham moved a suspension of the rule and the placing of the ordinance on its third reading and final passage. Motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen --- Page break --- 376 Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nayes, none. The Council then adjourned. [illegible signatures/notes] REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, October 14th, 1920. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following members present: Mayor Yett, Councilmen Graham, Haynes and Ward, 4; absent, Councilman Alford. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and upon motion of Councilman Ward, were adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Graham, Haynes and Ward, 4; nayes, none, Councilman Alford absent. The petition of H. L. Fife to paint signs on the sidewalk in front of his place of business was read and Councilman Graham moved that same be rejected, it being in violation of the ordinance governing signs. Upon the recommendation of C. L. Woodward, Chief of the Fire Department, the name of A. J. Hamilton was submitted for appointment as hoseman of Hose Company No. 7, to succeed J. H. Cox, resigned. The appointment was confirmed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Graham, Haynes and Ward, 4; nayes, none, Councilman Alford absent. The monthly reports of Miss Nellie M. Hall, Secretary United Charities, C. L. Woodward, Chief of the Fire Department, and J. D. Copeland, City Marshal, were read and ordered filed. The application of D. O. Patton to operate two service cars was granted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Graham, Haynes and Ward, 4; nayes, none, Councilman Alford absent. The resignation of Miss Dorsey Spiller, Municipal Nurse, to be effective November 1st, was read and accepted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Graham, Haynes and Ward, 4; nayes, none, Councilman Alford absent. The Council then recoosed. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, October 20, 1920. The Council met with all members present. The report of the Board of Equalization was read and ordered filed. The Council then adjourned. [illegible signatures/notes]