nays, none; Councilmen Alford and Steck absent, 2. The Council then recessed. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Approved: WM Mayor. 601 Austin, Texas, December 19, 1932. The Council met at 7:30 P. M., pursuant to notice of public hearing on the proposed budget of the City of Austin for the year 1933, with the following members present: Counoilmen Alford, Gillis, and Mayor MoFadden, 3; absent, Councilmen Mueller and Steok, 2. Various citizens and committees appeared and were heard in the matter, following which the Council took same under advisement The proposal of the City Council to transfer money from the Water and Light Fund to the General Fund for operation of the city government for the year 1933 came up for diacussion and this matter was, also, taken under advisement. The Council then recessed. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Approved V.VN Fadden Mayor. i Austin, Texas, December 22, 1932. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following members present: Councilmen Alford, Gillis, Mayor Mofadden, Councilmen Mueller and Steok,5; absent, none. The Minutes of the last regular meeting were read and Councilman Gillis moved the adoption of same as read. Motion wae seconded by Councilman Mueller and same prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Councilmen Alford, Gillis, Mayor McFadden, Councilmen Mueller and Steck, 5; naye, none. The Minutes of the special meeting of the 25th ultimo were read and Councilman Mueller moved the adoption of same. Motion was seconded by Councilman Gillis and same prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Councilmen Alford, Gillis, Mayor McFadden, Councilmen Mueller and Steck, 5; naye, none. 602 The application of George Quinton, Colored, 1808 East 12th Street, for license to operate as a taxicab a 1929 Oldsmobile Sedan, Motor No. F-23259, State Highway License No. K33-888, was read. Councilman Mueller moved that the application be granted, as it is an expansion of business. Motion was seconded by Councilman Gillis and same prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Councilmen Alford, Gillis, Mayor MoFadden, Councilmen Mueller and Steok, 5; nays, none. The application of H. W. Pittman, 406 East 16th Street, for license to operate as a taxicab a 1929 Model A, 4-door, Ford Sedan, Motor No. A.732006, State Highway License No. N.84-268, was read. Councilman Mueller moved that the application be granted. Motion was seconded by Councilman Gillis and same prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Councilmen Alford, Gillis, Mayor Mofadden, Councilmen Mueller and Steck, 5; naye, none. The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution: WHEREAS, the Park Board of the City of Austin requested the City Council to appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) for the purpose of having a partial topographical survey of the Zilker tract made; and WHEREAS, the City Council has favorably considered same; therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: THAT the sum of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) is hereby appropriated out of the Parks and Playgrounds Bond Fund for a partial topographical survey of the Zilker tract. The above resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Councilmen Alford, Gillis, Mayor MoFadden, Councilmen Mueller and Steck, 5; nays, none. The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution: WHEREAS, the City Council has determined to give relief to the ad valorem taxpayетв of the City of Austin to the extent of ten per centum (10%) of their taxes for the year 1932; and WHEREAS, such action will create an anticipated deficiency in the income from ad valorem taxes necessary for the general expenses of the government to the amount of $128,000.00; and WHEREAS, at the close of the year 1932 there will exist a surplus in the Water, Light and Power Fund of approximately $65,000.00, and a surplus is reasonably anticipated for the year 1933; therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: THAT the City Manager be and he is hereby authorized and directed to transfer funde of the City from the surplus funds of the Water, Light and Power Fund to the General Fund during the year 1933, as and when needed to meet the general expenses of the City; pгоvided that such transfer, or transfers, for such purpose during said year shall not exceed the sum of $128,000.00. The above resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor McFadden, Councilmen Mueller and Steck, 3; nays, Councilmen Alford and Gillis, 2, Councilman Alford stated that he voted against the above resolution for the reason that he believed any surplus in the Water and Light Fund should be returned to the water and light consumer in the way of reduced rates, and this he understood the Council had virtually agreed to do at the beginning of the ensuing year. Councilman Gillis stated as his reasons for voting against the above resolution that; he did not believe in counting too much on anticipated profits; that when the City Council saw fit to tell the public before the bonds were voted in 1928 that taxes would not be increased any because of the Interest and Sinking Fund requirements, they were figuring : 603 1 on an anticipated growth of the City resulting from the various improvements to be made, but this growth did not come and this year the assessed values are $700,000.00 less than last year; that the anticipated surplus in the Water and Light Fund at the end of 1933 should not be applied to 1932 taxes, which are due and payable now, as some unforeseen circumstance may arise whereby there would be no surplus; and the further fact that this fund is already carrying several other projects, among which are the old and new sewer bonds. Mayor MoFadden stated that he voted for the foregoing resolution because he believed it necessary to make this transfer of funds to meet an extreme condition which may never come again, but that under ordinary circumstances he would not be in favor of transferring funds from one fund to the relief of another fund unless it were temporary and could be returned. Councilman Mueller stated that he voted for the resolution because he thought in this way the taxpayers would be given the greatest relief. Councilman Steck, in voting for the foregoing resolution, stated that he regretted that the Council could not reduce taxes and the water and light rates both, but inasmuch as this could not be done, he thought in a time of depression like this, relief should go to the taxpayer first, whose values have dropped and who has had to reduce rente, and, in many instances, has not been able to collect such rents at all. No further business coming before the Council, Councilman Mueller moved to reсеве, subject to call of the Mayor. Motion was seconded by Councilman Gillis and same prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Councilmen Alford, Gillis, Mayor MoFadden, Councilmen Mueller and Steck, 5; nays, none. The Council then recessed. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Approved: Mayor. Austin, Texas, December 29, 1932. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following members present: Councilmen Alford, Gillis, Mayor Mofadden, Councilman Mueller, 4; absent, Councilman Steck, 1. The Minutes of the last regular meeting were read and Councilman Gillis moved the adoption of same as read. Motion was seconded by Councilman Alford and same prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Councilmen Alford, Gillis, Mayor McFadden, Councilman Mueller, 4; naye, none; Councilman Steck absent, 1. George E. Shelley, Attorney for W. H. Richardson Company, presented a letter signed by W. H. Richardson, Jr., President of said Company, stating that due to failure of said Company to render its stock of merchandise for taxes for the years 1931 and 1932, same was overаssessed by the Tax Department, and asking that the error in assessment for 1932 be corrected and that said Company be given a refund on the excessive amount of taxes paid for the year 1931. Affidavits by the said W. H. Richardson, Jr., showing the value :