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Austin: Manager, Utilities, Finances, & Fund Debate

Thursday, July 29, 1926 regular
  • New Leadership Appointed:

    A City Manager was officially elected with a $700 monthly salary, and a Mayor Pro Tem was chosen.
  • Expanding City Services:

    Plans were initiated to extend water, electricity, and sewer services to areas outside city limits, including setting equitable rates and addressing legal considerations for these extensions.
  • Modernizing Financial Systems:

    Authorization was given to implement a centralized bookkeeping system across all city departments, with potential research into systems used in other cities.
  • Controversial Payment Challenged:

    A previous $500 payment to an advisor involved in a power contract negotiation was challenged, with the Council deferring action and requesting the advisor to publicly explain his contract.
  • Boost to Public Health:

    A new "Assistant Sanitary Inspector" position was created, funded by reallocating money from a "Painter" salary.

Full Transcript

McFadden, Councilmen Burker, Mueller, Punnell, and Reed, 5; noyes, none. Mayor MoFadden then declared Adam F. Johnson as duly elected City Manager Councilman Barker moved that the salary of the City Manager be continued at Seven Hundred Dollars ($700.00) per month. Motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor McFadden, Councilmen Barker, Mueller, Reed, and Pannell, 5; nayes, none. Nomina- Councilman Reed nominated Councilman Mueller as Mayor Pro Tem. tion was confirmed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor McFadden, Councilmen Barker, Pannell, and Reed, 4; nayes, none, Councilman Mueller present but not voting. The Council then adjourned. P.W.McFadden Mayor. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: 1 Austin, Texas, July 29, 1926. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following members present: Mayor McFadden, Councilmen Barker, Muelier, and Pannell, 4; absent, Councilman Reed. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and Councilman Pannell moved that same be adopted as read. Motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor McFadden, Councilmen Barker, Mueller, and Pannell, 4; nayes, none, Councilmen Reed absent. Councilman Barker moved that the City Manager be instructed to confer with property owners on West 5th Street between Lavnoa and Guadalupe Streets with a view of determining the character of pavement to be used on said streets and report back to the Council. Motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor MoFudden, Councilmen Barker, Mueller, and Pannell, 4; nayes, none, Councilman Reed absent. Councilman Berker moved that the City Manager and City Attorney be requested to look into the legal phases of contruote to be executed with property owners outside of the city limits for water, electric light and sewer service, and that the City be held harmless from any damages that might occur by reason of said line extensions. Motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor McFadden, Councilmen Barker, Mueller, and Pannell, 4; nayes, none, Cuncilman Reed absent. Councilmen Barker moved that the City Manager be remmented to crrive ot a rate that would be adequate and equitable for water, light and sewer service for customers residing outside of the city limits. Motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor McFadden, Councilmen Barker, Mueller, and Pannell, 4; nayes, none, Councilman Reed absent. Councilman Pannell moved that the City Manager be authorized, with the assistance of T. B. Trotter Company, to inetall a centralized system 597 598 of bookkeeping for all city departments, and to inour such expense na he finds переввалу in the installation of same, and if he deem it necessary, to make personal investigations of the systems in other cities. Motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor McFadden, Councilmen Barker, Mueller, and Pannell, 4; nayes, none, Councilman Reed absent. Councilman Barker introduced the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That the certain resolution providing for the payment to Dr. F. C. Bolton, of the sum of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars, as an additional fee for services to the City while acting as advisor in the negotiations with the Texas Power & Light Company for a power contract, which resolution was passed by the City Council on July 1, 1926, and is recorded in Minute Book 9, at page 588, of the Minutes of the Oity Council, be and the same is hereby in all things repealed. The above resolution was read and Councilman Pannell moved that same be laid on the table and that F. 0. Bolton be requested to meet with the City Council at some future date and explain his contract Motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor McFadden, Councilmen Barker, Mueller, and Pannell; Councilman Reed absent The Mayor introduced the following resolution: . BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That there is hereby created the position of Assistant Sanitary Inspector; and the unexpended balance of the appropriation for "Salary of Painter", as same appears under Department of Streets, Public Property and Improvements, Sub-hend No. 3, General Budget of 1926, be and the same is hereby transferred to the item to be entitled, "Salary of Assistant Sanitary Inspector." The above resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Muyor McFadden, Councilmen Barker, Mueller, and Pannell, 4; nayes, none, Councilman Reed absent. The Council then recessed. C O.W.M-Fuaden Mayor. / SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, August 3, 1926. The Council was called to order by the Meyor. Roll call showed the following members present: Mayor McFadden, Councilmen Mueller, Pannell, and Reed, 4; absent, Councilman Burker. Dr. J. A. Harper appeared before the Council and presented a communiontion and statement asking that he be allowed a claim of $2650.00. After discussion of the нате the matter The referred to the City Honger to take up with the City Attorney, by the following, vote: Ayes, Mayor McFadden, Councilmen Mueller, Ponnell, and Reed, 4; nayes, none, Councilman Berker absent. The expense account of C. 8. Osborn, City Manager of Kenosha, Heconsin, In he: Trip to Austin and expenses in selection of City Hammer, was présented and Councilman Reed moved that the City Manager be authorized to approve same. Kotion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Meyer McFadden, Councilmen Mueller, Pommell, and Reed, 4; nayes, nore, Council Parker absert. The claim of ". J. Daugherty for a refund on account of over-payment of taxes was read and referred to the City Attorney, by t..e following vote: Ayes, Mayor McFadden, Councilmen Mueller, Pennell, and Reed, 4; nayes, none, Councilman Barker absent. The Council then adjourned.