REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: 29 ! : i Austin, Texas, February 23, 1933. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following members present: Councilman Gillis, Mayor NoFadden, Councilman Mueller, 3; absent, Councilmen Alford and Steck, 2. The Minutes of the last regular meeting were read and Councilman Gillis moved the adoption of same as read. Motion was seconded by Councilman Mueller and same prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Councilman Gillis, Mayor MoFadden, Councilman Mueller, 3; nays, none; Councilmen Alford and Steck absent, 2. A committee from the Negro Citizens' Council again appeared before the City Council in regard to a public library for the Negroes. Mary E. Branch, President of Tillotson College, read a report of a mass meeting of colored citizens held for the purpose of considering the plans suggested by the City Council for securing said library at its meeting of the 16th instant. Owing to a misunderstanding on the part of the committee of the proposals made by the City Council at said meeting, the committee agreed to take the matter before their citizens again for consideration of the proposal of the City Council that they accept the temporary structure now being used as a library for the white citizens, the City to purchase a site to be selected by the Negroes, have said building moved thereto, remodel same on the outside with either stucco or brick veneer, and equip and maintain same as a library for the Negroes, rather than delay the matter until such future time as the City has funds available for the erection of a permanent structure. Mrs. Chas. Stephenson, President of the Library Commission, was also present and assured the committee of the desire of the Library Commission to procure the best library possible for the Negroes and urged that they accept the temporary building to be converted into a library for them rather than wait until the time when funds can be obtained for the building of a larger and more permanent structure. A committee from the University Baptist Church, composed of Judge 0. 8. Lattimore and T. H. Barrow, appeared before the Council in the matter of exempting from taxation the property known as Lot 19, Blook 1, Outlot 14, Division "D", heretofore deeded by Miss Sallie Cook to said Church for a parsonage, but which is being used and occupied by the said Miss Cook as a home during her lifetime and asked that the taxes against said property for the years 1928 to 1932, inclusive, be remitted on the grounds that said property is designated as a parsonage and therefore under the law is exempt from taxation. The matter was referred to the City Attorney for a legal opinion. The application of John Francis for permit to set the curb back in front of his property at 415 West 6th Street was read. The Mayor then laid before the Council the following: "Austin, Texas, February 23, 1933. i Mr. Adam R. Johnson, City Manager, Austin, Texхав. Dear Sir: The request of John Francis, owner of Lot 7, Blook 52, of the Original City of Austin, and locally known as 415 West Sixth Street, for a permit to set his curb back and construct a ramp in front of his property, has been investigated and considered and the following facts are presented: יחי 30 Said property of John Francis is located within the "0" Commercial Use district. The property adjacent to this setback is being used for commercial purposes, and the area created by the setback will be used chiefly by patrons of the business conducted thereon and will act as a widening of the paving on said West Sixth Street and will be of benefit to the users of said West sixth street by allowing a greated width of travel way. I recommend that this permit be granted subject to the following conditions: (1) That reconstruction of the setback area on West Bixth Street shall be constructed in: accordance with the accompanying plan marked 2-0-481 and that all such widened area, ramps and ourbs and a sidewalk between the property line and the ourb line shall be constructed of concrete at the expense of the applicant. (2) That all such concrete shall be not less than 6 inches in thickness and shall be of the following proportions: 1 part of cement, 2 parts of sand, and 4 parts of screened gravel or rock. (3) That the concrete curb adjacent to the sidewalk area shall be not less than 6 inches high and an expansion joint not less than 3/4 inch thick shall be placed between the curb and the sidewalk as shown on the plan hereto attached marked 2-0-481. (4) That all said expansion joints shall be of the premoulded type. (5) That all concrete work within the street area shall be done by a bonded sidewalk contractor. (6) That all work shall be done in accordance with lines and grades furnished by the Engineering Department of the City of Austin and under the direction of the City Engineer. Yours truly, (Sgd) Orin E. Metcalfe, City Engineer. " WHEREAS, John Francois, owner of the property situated on the south side of West Sixth Street between Guadalupe Street and San Antonio Street, legally described as Lot 7, Block 52, of the Original City of Austin, Travis County, Texas, and locally known as 415 West Sixth Street, has presented a request to be granted permission to set the curb back adjacent to his property so as to provide more parking space on said West Sixth Street; and WHEREAS, a plan has been presented showing the proposed layout and said plan bas been considered and approved by the City Council of the City of Austin; therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: THAT permission is hereby granted to John Francis, owner of the property situated on the south side of West Sixth Street between Guadalupe Street and San Antonio Street, legally described as Lot 7, Block 52 of the Original Oity of Austin, Travis County, Texas, and locally known as 415 West Sixth Street, to set his curb back adjacent to his property subject to the same's being constructed in accordance with plan approved by the City Engineer, which plan is hereto attached and marked 2-0-481, and in accordance with the following conditions: (1) That the reconstruction of the setback area on West Sixth Street shall be constructed in accordance with the accompanying plan marked 2-0-481, and that all such widened ares, ramps and ourbe and a sidewalk between the property line and the curb line shall be constructed of concrete at the expense of the applicant. (2) That all such concrete shall be not less than 6 inches in thickness and shall be of the following proportions: 1 part of cement, 2 parts of sand, and 4 parts of screened gravel or rook. (3) That the concrete curb adjacent to the sidewalk area shall be not less than 6 inches high and an expansion joint not less than 3/4 inch thick shall be placed between the courb and the sidewalk in accordance with the plan hereto attached marked 2-0-481 (4) That all such expansion joints shall be of the pre-moulded type. (5) That all concrete work within the street area shall be done by a bonded sidewalk contractor. (6) That all work shall be done in accordance with the lines and grades furnished by the Engineering Department of the City of Austin and under the direction of the City Engineer. ! The foregoing resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Councilman Gillis, Mayor HoFadden, Councilman Mueller, 3; nays, none; Councilmen Alford and Steck absent, 2. The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution: WHEREAS, the improvements on Lot 19, Outlot 5, Division "0", Park Hill Addition, Plat 55, was assessed in the name of A. W. Speckles for the year 1931; and WHEREAS, the building permit for said improvements was taken out November 28, 1930, and an inspection of same made by the Tax Department on December 23, 1930, to ascertain the percentage of completion as of January 1, 1931, so that the assessment could be based on same; and WHEREAS, it is the custom of the Tax Department to confer with the contractor or the owner and reach an agreement as to the percentage of completion of all now structures that are in course of construction January 1st, but in this instance failed to do so; and WHEREAS, after going over the matter with the owner and his records, it is evident that the 80% completion assessment was excessive; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: THAT the City Assessor and Collector of Taxes be and he is hereby authorized to change the assessment for the year 1931 from 80% completion to 60% completion, thereby changing the assessment from $2,125.00 to $1,600.00. The above resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Councilman Gillis, Mayor McFadden, Councilman Mueller, 3; nays, none; Councilmen Alford and Steck absent, 2. The application of G. J. Wheeler, 2513 East 2nd Street, for license to operate as a taxicab a 1929 Pontiac 4-door Sedan, Engine No. 617210, State Highway License No.156-796, was read. Councilman Mueller moved that the application be granted. Motion was seconded by Councilman Gillis and same prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Councilman Gillis, Mayor McFadden, Councilman Mueller, 3; nays, none; Councilmen Alford and Steck absent, 2. Councilman Mueller moved that a letter of commendation be sent to Mr.Joe Amstead, Sr., for his efficiency and untiring efforts in handling the unemployment situation in this City before the same was taken over by the Reconstruction Finance Corporation Committee. Motion was seconded by Councilman Gillis and samo prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Councilman Gillie, Mayor McFadden, Councilman Mueller, 3; nays, none; Councilmen Alford and Stook absent, 2. There being no further business, Councilman Gillis moved that the Council recess subject to call of the Mayor. Motion was seconded by Councilman Mueller and same prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Councilman Gillis, Mayor Mofadden, Councilman Mueller, 3; nays, none; Councilmen Alford and Steck absent, 2. The Council then recessed. Attest: mycar City Clerk APPROVED WM den Mayor. 31