CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 211 211 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Regular Meeting February 01, 1951 10:00 Α.Μ. Council Chamber, City Hall Roll Call: The meeting was called to order with Mayor Glass presiding. Present: Councilmen Drake, Johnson, Long, MacCorkle, Mayor Glass Absent: None Present also: Walter E. Seaholm, City Manager; WoT. Williams, Jr., Assistant City Attorney; C. G. Levander, Director of Public Works; R. D. Thorp Chief of Police. Councilman Long moved that the Minutes of the last meeting be approved as sent out to each of the Councilmen, with the correction of placing her motion in its proper order regarding the Budget; showing her motion before the adoption of the Budget instead of after its adoption. The motion, seconded by Councilman MacCorkle, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Drake, Johnson, Long, MacCorkle, Mayor Glass Noes: None The City Manager submitted the following memorandum from the Director of Public Works, with his approval and recommendation: "Following is a tabulation of the bids received January 19, 1951, for the widening of West 7th Street from Colorado Street to Guadalupe Street: Earl Rogers $ 10,995.90 Collins Construction Co. 11,247.79 W. S. Conner 11,303.28 Joe Fuhrman 11,752.30 Brown & Root, Inc. Maufrais Bros. 12,193.75 12,625.68 John R. Andrews 12,772.12 Richard Schmidt & Son 14,357.55 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 212 212 "Our estimate on the above project was $10,965.74. "Earl Rogers is low bidder on this project and I recommend that he be awarded the Contract. "Work on this project will commence as soon as possible after each property owner has placed his share of the cost of this widening in escrow with the City. In case the property owners do not pay in advance for this work, the project will be discontinued on this basis and will be processed as an assessment paving project." "Approved: W.E.SEAHOLM (S) C. G. Levander" Councilman Long offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: (RESOLUTION) WHEREAS, the City of Austin has advertised for bids for the widening of West 7th Street from Colorado Street to Guadalupe Street based on plans and specifications prepared by the Director of Public Works of the City of Austin; and WHEREAS, on January 19, 1951 bids were received at the office of the Director of Public Works for such construction work; and WHEREAS, the bid of Earl Rogers in the sum of $10,995.90 is the lowest and best bid received for such work and the Director of Public Works has recommended the acceptance of such bid; now therefore BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: THAT such bid of Earl Rogers in the sum of $10,995.90 be and the same is hereby accepted and Walter E.Seaholm, City Manager is hereby authorized to direct and enter into contract with the said Earl Rogers for such construction work. vote: tion: The motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson, carried by the following Councilmen Drake, Johnson, Long, MacCorkle, Mayor Glass Ayes: Noes: None Councilman Johnson offered the following re solution and moved its adop (RESOLUTION) BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: THAT the City Council of the City of Austin hereby approves the proper ty situated on the west side of Lamar Blvd., which property is owned by The Grapette Bottling Company, and is designated as a part of Lot 1, Stark Addition, Original City of Austin, Travis County, Texas, and hereby authorizes the said CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 2/3 213 Grapette Bottling Company to operate a private gasolie plant consisting of a 550 gallon tank and electric pump for the sole purpose of servicing their own motor equipment, and from which no gasoline is to be sold, subject to the same being operated in compliance with all the ordinances relating thereto, and further subject to the foregoing attached recommendations; and the Building Inspector is hereby authorized to issue an occupancy permit for the operation of this private gasoline plant after full compliance with all the provisions of this resolution, and said permission shall be held to be granted, and accepted, subject to all necessary, reasonable and proper, present and future regulations and ordinances of the City of Austin, Texas, in the enforcement of the proper police, traffic and fire regulations; and the right of revocation is retained if, after hearing, it is found by the City Council that the said Grapette Bottling Company has failed and refused, and will continue to fail and refuse to perform any such conditions, regulations and ordinances. (Regulations attached) "Mr. Walter Seaholm City Manager Austin, Texas "Dear Sir: "January 31, 1951 "I, the undersigned, have considered the application of Grapette Bottling Company through their agent, E. B. Edwards, for permission to operate a private gasoline plant consisting of a 550 gallon underground tank and pump for the sole purpose of servicing their own motor equipment and from which no gasoline is to be sold, upon property located on the west side of Lamar Blvd., which property is designated as Lot 1, Stark Addition in the City of Austin, Travis County, Texas, and locally known as 5636 Lamar Blvd. "This property is located in a "C1" Commercial District and I recommend that this permit be granted subject to the following conditions: "(1). That the gasoline tanks and pumps shall be of an approved type and shall bear the label of the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., and that all tanks and pumps shall be installed in compliance with the Ordinance governing the storage and handling of gasoline. "(2) That all tanks and pumps shall be located not nearer than 10 feet to the property line and so located that cars stopped for the purpose of unloading or receiving gasolineor other supplies shall not in any way obstruct the free passage of traffic on either the sidewalk, street or alley. "(3). That "NO SMOKING" signs shall at all times be prominently displayed and ro person shall be permitted to smoke on the premises where gasoline is handled or stored. "(4). That all fees shall be paid and a permit secured from the Building Inspector's Office before any installation work is started, and that no equipment shall be placed in operation until after final inspection and approval of same. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 214 214 The motion, seconded by Councilman Long, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Drake, Johnson, Long, MacCorkle, Mayor Glass Noes: None Councilman Drake offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: (RESOLUTION) WHEREAS, Southern Union Gas Company has presented to the City Council tentative maps or plans showing the proposed construction of its gas mains in the streets in the City of Austin hereafter named, and said maps or plans have been considered by the City Council; therefore BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: THAT Southern Union Gas Company be and the same is hereby permitted to lay and construct its gas mains in and upon the following streets: (1) A9 x 61 x 71 gas regulator pit in East 45th Street, the centerline of the 6 axis to be 5' north of and parallel to the south line of East 45th Street, and the centerline of the 9 axis to be 12 east of and parallel to the east line of Speedway. (2) A gas main in SOUTH 3RD STREET, from a point 116 feet north of Post Oak Drive northerly 50 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 7.5 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said SOUTH 3RD STREET. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of not less than 2 feet. (3) A gas main in EAST 13TH STREET, from a point 195 feet east of Walnut Avenue easterly 51 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 7.5 feet south of and parallel to the north property line of said EAST 13TH STREET. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of not less than 2 feet. (4) A gas main in GRAHAM STREET, from East 12th Street southerly 920 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 7.5 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said GRAHAM STREET. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of not less than 20 feet. (5) A gas main in BROOKVIEW ROAD, from a point 250 feet north of East 38 Street northerly 109 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 7.5 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said BROOKVIEW ROAD. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 215 215 Said gas main described above shall have a cover of not less than 2 feet. (6) A gas main in WALNUT AVENUE, from a point 164 feet south of East 19th Street northerly 98 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said WALNUT AVENUE. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of not less than 20 feet. (7) A gas main in SAN SABA STREET, from a point 85 feet north of East 8th Street northerly 32 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said SAN SABA STREET. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of not less than 20 feet. (8) A gas main in EAST 16TH STREET, from a point 93 feet east of McKinley Avenue easterly 53 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 7.5 feet south of and parallel to the north property line of said EAST 16TH STREET. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of not less than 20 feet. (9) A gas main in EAST 14TH STREET, from a point 147 feet east of Sanchez Street westerly 484 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 7.5 feet south of and parallel to the north property line of said EAST 14TH STREET. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of not less than 20 feet. (10) A gas main in CLIFFORD AVENUE, from East 14th Street northerly 118 feet, the centerlineof which gas main shall be 715 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said CLIFFORD AVENUE. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of not less than 22 feet. The Southern Union Gas Company is hereby put upon notice that the City of Austin does not guarantee that the space assigned above is clear from other underground utilities, but is based upon the best records we have at hand, and that the minimum depth stated does not have any reference to the fact that greater depths may not be required at special points. When the Southern Union Gas Company requires definite information upon the ground as to elevations or working points from which to base the location of their assignments, they shall apply to the Department of Public Works not less than three (3) days before such information is required. The Southern Union Gas Company is further put upon notice that they will be required to bear the expense of repairs or replacement CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 211216 of any underground utility damaged during the construction of lines named in this resolution. AND THAT whenever pavement is cut in the vicinity of a fire plug, water must be used at intervals during the course of backfilling of the ditches. THAT the work and laying of said gas mains, including the excavation in the streets, and the restoration and maintenance of said streets after said mains have been laid shall be under the supervision and direction of the City Manager, and under all the pertinent terms and conditions of the certain franchises granted to said company by the City of Austin. The motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Drake, Johnson, Long, MacCorkle, Mayor Glass Noes: None Councilman Long moved that the following list of Holidays submitted by the City Manager be observed during the year: New Year's Day January 1, 1951 George Washington's Birthday February 22, 1951 Texas Independence Independence Day Labor Day Armistice Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas March 2, 1951 July 4, 1951 September 3, 1951 November 12, 1951 (City Manager to decide on this; if other agencies celebrate it on Monday, then the City will also; other- wise, November 11th will be the day of celebration) November 22, 1951 December 25,1951 The motion, seconded by Councilman MacCorkle, carried with a unanimous vote. Councilman Long moved that since Washington's Birthday fell on Thursday that the Council meeting be held on Wednesday, February 21st. The motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Drake, Johnson, Long, MacCorkle, Mayor Glass Noes: None CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 2017 Councilman Long moved that the following applications for change of zoning be set for public hearing at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, February 21, 1951: J. W. SCARBROUGH O. W. ROBERTS M. F. KREISLE :: 1401-09 Eva Street N.29'of Lot 12, all of Lots 13,14,15 and 16, Block 14. 1705 Cedar Avenue Lot 9, Block 8, Outlot 32, Division "B", Glen- wood Addition 2315-2317 Longview Street Lots 13 and 14, Outlots 41 and 42, Division "D" Longview Terrace From "A" Residence To "C" Commercial RECOMMENDED by the Zoning Board of Adjust- ment. From "A" Residence To "C" Commercial RECOMMENDED by the Zoning Board From "B-1" Residence To "B" Residence RECOMMENDED by the Zoning Board of Adjust- ment. The motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Drake, Johnson, Long, MacCorkle, Mayor Glass Noes: None MR. STUART LONG, speaking for the 10th Ward Civic Club, asked that something be done about dividing the precincts, particularly Wards 7-B and 7-A and asked if they could be divided in the middle. The Fire Station on 2nd Street was suggested as a good polling place in addition to the Central Fire Station. Ward Memorial Church andMetz Schools would be good polling places also. Mr. Long stated the Civic Club planned to ask the Commissioners' Court in August, if the Council would change them this year. The Mayor suggested changing them the same time the Commissioners' Court, and all changes be made for 1952, since the poll taxes have already been paid and precincts designated. Councilman Long moved that the City Manager be instructed to have the Legal Department make a study of this before next August and bring back recommendations regarding changing of Ward Boundaries, creating smaller wards; and to get this study under way to submit to the Commissioners' Court and both work together on it. The motion, secnded by Councilman Johnson, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Drake, Johnson, Long, MacCorkle, Mayor Glass Noes: None The City Manager stated one of the City's bond coupons had been found in a bank vault in Michigan. It had been lost in a safe. It is No. 7, Refunding Bond No. 525, dated July 1, 1916; Coupon dated January 1, 1920, in the amount of $23.75, submitted by the First National Bank, Howell Michigan, to the Capital National Bank under date of January 13, 1951. Councilman Drake moved that the Coupon be honored, to be paid out of the Interest and Sinking Fund. The motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Drake, Johnson, Long, MacCorkle, Mayor Glass Noes: None CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 214218 COUNCILMAN LONG asked the Council not to pass the water rate increase, as she had gone through the budget and had studied it a little more and found that there were 241 jobs that had been created, but not yet filled, which could be eliminated. In 1949 the City had 1924 jobs as shown in the Budget; in 1950, a year that held opportunity to dotthings with $17,000,000 appropriated, there were 1915 jobs in the budget, which is less than 1949. In 1951, a year in which there will be shortages, there are 2156 jobs. In 1950, when we had a chance to go full speed, we did not spend all the money. She felt the money that would be obtained from the water rate increase would not be needed to pay the increase in salaries, as there were set out in the new personnel, $559,415, and that is more than is set up in the present budget to pay increases. The increase in the payroll of 1951 is almost $1,000,000 over last year--$978,887. She stated in view of the situation, the City would not need those 241 extra people; and this was not a forecast, but a comparison with 1950 when the City could have gone fullspeed. The City Manager explained that the extra labor was not coming out of operations, but out of the capital expenditures, and it would come out of bond money. He stated the amount of extra labor was estimated to take care of the extra contract jobs that we must do; and that money would come out of bondmoney, and would not help in the operating budget; and the $400,000 was set up for employees in the operation. COUNCILMAN LONG stated the budget reflects 1917 employees, but there was an error of 177 employees not being shown in the Trash and Garbage section. The Mayor asked that the 241 employees that could be cut out, be shown as to where they were listed. Councilman Long stated they were shown all through the budget--personnel in every Department. The City Manager stated all of these employees would be picked up to do the extra jobs; if we were able to go on with the work. He statedemployees in the Utility Department were used both ways--operation and on contract. Councilman Long stated there was a lump sum for labor; and she figured this lump sum) would hire about 54 men. The City Manager stated the lump sum would be used partly for taking care of overtime. The Budget is set up for straight time purposes. Councilman Johnson indicated a large amount of overtime would be spent during this week of bad weather for sanding the streets. Councilman Long stated in comparison with 1950 that she doubted if the 241 people would be used; yet money would be collected from the people to lay up and do nothing. The City Manager stated if the capital jobs were not done, the bond money would not be spent. He stated the budget was the most realistic budget ever presented to the Council. If the general cost of operations is to be cut down, the services will have to be cut down. COUNCILMAN DRAKE asked the City Manager to submit the number of employees on operation and maintenance, and the number of employees anticipated in the Budget for capital improvements. He added he would like a copy of the number of employees in the Police Department this year and last--in the Electric Department--what is there for operation and what is there in the capital improvements, etc. MR. E. C. DUKE, representing the Texas State Guard, asked for $25.00 a month from the City to help defray the expenses of this organization. He explained its functions. He stated they needed this assistance for miscellaneous CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 219219 supplies. Councilman Johnson moved that the City Manager check into this, and the Councill will give Mr. Duke an answer at the next meeting. The motion, seconded by Councilman Long, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Drake, Johnson, Long, MacCorkle, Mayor Glass Noes: None The Council received notice from the City Manager that the following application for change of zoning had been referred to the Zoning Board of Adjust- ment: MRS. MAY LAPRELLE PRICE 2300 Block, College Avenue From "B" Residence To "C" Commercial There being no other business, the Council adjourned subject to the call of the Mayor. ATTEST: City Clerk APPROVED: ayo