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Early 20s City: Tax Fixes, Gas Tanks, Milk Debate

Thursday, April 20, 1922 regular
  • Property Tax Adjustments:

    City leaders approved corrections to 1921 property tax valuations, reducing assessments for several properties after the Board of Equalization admitted errors.
  • Emerging Infrastructure Reviews:

    Applications for installing new gasoline tanks and an electric sign were referred to the City Engineer and Fire Marshal for safety and site reviews, indicating the era's growing automotive and commercial needs.
  • Public Health & Dairy Discussion:

    A special meeting engaged the Housewives League and local dairymen in a debate over hiring a full-time milk and dairy inspector to ensure public health, though no immediate action was taken.

Full Transcript

REGULAR LEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, April 20, 1922. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following members present: Mayor Yett, Councilmen Sepetand, Eyres and Searight, 4; absent, Councilman Haynes; Councilman Copeland. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and upon motion of Councilman Tyres were adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Coun ci 1men Tyres and Searight, 3; nayes, none, Councilman Copeland and Haynes absent. The Mayor introduced the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That in compliance with request of the Board of Equalization herewith attached, the Assessor and Collector be and he is hereby instructed to change on his tax rolls of 1921 the valuation of $3,335.00 placed by said Board on the improvements on the Southeast 23x280 feet of Lot 5, Block 71, to $3,000.00 as corrective in line with other adjoining improvements, the Board admitting error in making the valuation of $3,335.00, and the Assessor and Collector is authorized to take credit for $335.00, the amount of reduction. The above resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Eyres and Searight, 3; nayes, none, Absent, Councilmen Copeland and Haynes. The Mayor introduced the following resolution: whereas, the Board of Equalization having made an error in placing the valuation of $1,000.00 on the improvements on Lot 1, Block 4, Outlot 76, Division "D", Buddington Addition, which improvements were not completed until after January 1, 1921, and now request, per statement attached, that the improvements be reduced to $275.00, Therefore, EE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That the Assessor and Collector be and he is hereby instructed to make said reduction and correction on his rolls for 1921 and to take credit for $725.00, amount of reduction. The above resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Fyres and Searight 3; nayes, none, Councilmen Copeland and Searight absent. The application of J. J. Hildinger for permission to install a gasoline tank and pump at 13000 Guadalupe Street was referred to the City Engineer and City Fire Marshal for their report back to the Council the following vote: Ayes, l'ayor Yett, Councilmen Hyres and Searight, 3; nayes, none, Councilmen Copeland and Haynes absent. by : The application of Jim Gann to install a gasoline tank at #1112 Red River Street was referred to the City Engineer and City Fire Marshal for their report back to the Council, by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Eyres and Searight, 3; nayes, none, Councilmen Copeland and Haynes absent. The application of Dan J. Fallon to place an electric sign at 806 Congress Avenue was referred to the City Engineer and City Fire Marshal for their report back to the Council, by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor 7 8 Yett, Councilmen Eyres and Searight, 3; nayes, none, Councilmen Copeland and Haynes absent. The report of Walter L. Eyres, Superintendent of Parks and Fublic Property, for the Water, Light and Power Department for the month of February, 1922, was read and ordered filed, The reports of W. A. Alff, City Sexton, Jas, H. Maxwell, Sealer of Weights and Measures, and the Public Health Nursing Association, for the month of March were read and ordered filed. The Council then recessed. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, April 24, 1922. Roll call showed the following The Council was called to order by the Mayor. members present: Mayor Yett, Councilmen Copeland, Eyres, Haynes and Bearight, 5: absent, none. This meeting was called for the purpose of discussing with the Housewives League, dairymen and others of the city the advisability of employing a wholetime milk and dairy inspector. No action was taken in the matter. The Council then adjourned. bit.