553 CITY OF AUSTIN. TEXAS 553 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Regular Meeting July 09, 1953 10:00 Α.Μ. Council Chamber, City Hall The meeting was called to order with Mayor McAden presiding. Roll Call: Present: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Absent: None Present also: W. E. Seaholm, City Manager; W. T. Williams, Jr., City Attorney; C. G. Levander, Director of Public Works. Invocation was delivered by REV. EDWARD V. LONG, St. Martins Lutheran Church, and President of the Austin Ministeral Association. Councilman White moved that the Minutes of the previous meeting be approved The motion, seconded by Councilman Pearson, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, McAden Noes: None Mayor McAden welcomed and greeted in behalf of the Council the foreign students in the Government Class of Professor Calkins at the University. These stu- dents teach English in their schools, and are from Peru, Brazil, Finland, Luxenburg, Belgium, Indonesia, Paraguay, Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, and Guatemala. The City Manager asked the Council to postpone action regarding the sale of some property on Lamar Boulevard at old 19th Street (Lot 22) at this time. Councilman Thompson outlined several things that were involved in that it might create a zoning problem in that the owners might want a type of zoning not practical; that it abuts a street not in use and the street might be vacated and this would add to that property, and other problems that were involved. Councilmen Long and Pearson inquired about the procedures of appraisals. The City Manager explained how this was handled, and stated he would give the Council the appraisal figures on this property. MRS. LOUIS HIRSCH, 1002 W. 34th Street, appeared before the Council, asking it to rescind the ordinance which prohibited parking from 7:00 - 9:00 A.M. and from 4:00 - 6:00P.M. as it had hurt their business. Councilman Thompson asked if daily records were available to produce to show how much their business had 554 554 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS dropped. She stated if it were absolutely necessary, they could be produced. Councilman Thompson pointed out it was necessary to protect lives of people on the street and to regulate traffic. Councilman Long thought with the relocation of the bus stop and new traffic signals, that these measures would help the situation. After more discussion, Councilman Long moved that the ordinance be changed to affect only the east side and to rescind it on the west side of Lamar. The motion, seconded by Councilman White, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: Councilman Thompson The Council received the following letter from Mr. J. M. Patterson, Jr., dated July 9, 1953: "Please find attached hereto a map of the City of Austin showing thereon proposed election precinct boundaries, which in my judgment will be adequate for conducting the next ensuing city, school, primary and general elections. For the convenience of you and members of the council, the proposed election precincts have been colored in order to clearly show to you their boundaries. It takes a considerable amount of time and work to prepare such a map and I am glad that I could be of service to you, but I am sorry that I do not have extra copies of the map or any written field notes of the proposed districts. It was my thought that the City Engineering Department would be the proper one to write the field notes for each of the respective election precincts. "In numbering the precincts, it is my suggestion that all election precincts in Commissioner's Precinct No. 1 be numbered within the brackets of numbers 1 to 24; that all election precincts in Commissioner's Precinct No. 2 be numbered within the brackets of 25 to 49; that all election precincts in Commissioner's Precinct No. 3 be numbered within the brackets of 50 to 74; that all election precincts in Commissioner's Precinct No. 4 be numbered within the brackets of 75 to 99. This method of numbering should be followed both in the City and outside of the city limits. If this method is followed, it would be a convenience in handling the details of supplying the necessary materials to conduct county-wide elections. "In my opinion, the map speaks for itself, and takes into consideration for each precinct all of the pertinent points which shuld be considered, and shows thereon thirty-seven election precincts which should be property numbered and designated on the final draft of the ordinance creating same. "It is important to the public officials of the city and the county and to the voters that the election precincts be kept on a sound and reasonable basis and I would, therefore, be glad to appear before you on Thursday, July 16, to explain my position pertaining to the precincts shown on the enclosed map. It is my understanding that your agenda for today is very full, and the 16th would, therefore, perhaps meet your convenience better." The Council agreed to take this matter up on the 16th when Mr. Patterson could be present. 555 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 555 Councilman White 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) A gas main in LESLIE AVENUE, from a point 15 feet east of Springdale Road westerly 1668 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet south of and parallel to the north property line of said LESLIE AVENUE. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 2½ feet. (2) A gas main in SPRINGDALE ROAD from Leslie Avenue northerly 167 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said SPRINGDALE ROAD. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 22 feet. (3) A gas main in FAIRPLAY COURT, from Leslie Avenue northerly 189 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said FAIRPLAY COURT. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 2½ feet. (4) A gas main in KITTY AVENUE, from Springdale Road westerly 520 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet south of and parallel to the north property line of said KITTY AVENUE. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 22 feet. (5) A gas main in SPRINGDALE ROAD, from a point 145 feet north of Kitty Avenue northerly 778 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said SPRINGDALE ROAD. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 22 feet. (6) A gas main in EAST 19TH STREET, from Springdale Road westerly 579 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 556 12.5 feet north of and parallel to the south property lint of said EAST 19TH STREET. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 2½ feet. (7) A gas main in OVERHILL DRIVE, from Springdale Road to East 19th Street, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said OVERHILL DRIVE. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 22 feet. (8) A gas main in ELMIRA ROAD, from Leslie Avenue to East 19th Street, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said ELMIRA ROAD. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of not less than 22 feet. (9) A gas main in ASTOR PLACE, from a point 5 feet south of Leslie Avenue northerly to East 19th Street, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said ASTOR PLACE. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 2½ feet. (10) A gas main in EAST 19TH STREET, from Temple Drive to Astor Place, the centerline of which gas main shall be 12.5 feet north of and parallel to the south property line of said EAST 19TH STREET. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 22 feet. (11) A gas main in TEMPLE DRIVE, from Wildrose Drive to East 19th Street, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet east of and parallel to the west property line of said TEMPLE DRIVE. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 22 feet. (12) A gas main in WILDROSE DRIVE, from East 19th Street to Temple Drive, the cneterline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet west of and parallel to theeast property line of said WILDROSE DRIVE. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 22 feet. (13) A gas main in EAST 19TH STREET, from Victoria Drive to Wildrose Drive, the centerline of which gas main shall 556 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 557 be 12.5 feet north of and parallel to the south property line of said EAST 19TH STREET. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of not less than 22 feet. (14) A gas main in VICTORIA DRIVE, from East 19th Street southerly 725 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said VICTORIA DRIVE. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 2½ feet. (15) A gas main in MONTICELLO CIRCLE, from Victoria Drive easterly 148 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet south of and parallel to the north property line of said MONTICELLO CIRCLE. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of not less than 22 feet. (16) A gas main in SPANISH OAK TERRACE, from a point 67 feet south of Spanish Oak Trail northerly to Spanish Oak Trail, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said SPANISH OAK TERRACE. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 2 feet. (17) A gas main in SPANISH OAK TRAIL, from Spanish Oak Terrace southerly 520 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6 feet south of and parallel to the north property line of said SPANISH OAK TRAIL. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 22 feet. (18) A gasmain in CROSLIN STREET, from a point 416 feet east of Guadalupe Street easterly 149 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 7.5 feet south of and parallel to the north property line of said CROSLIN STREET. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 22 feet. (19) A gas main in GUADALUPE STREET, from Hammack Drive northerly 598 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said GUADALUPE STREET. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 2½ feet. (20) A gas main in IRMA DRIVE, from Guadalupe Street westerly 502 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall 557 CITY OF AUSTIN. TEXAS 558 558 be 6.5 feet south of and parallel to the north property line of said IRMA DRIVE. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 2 feet. (21) a Gas main in WILMES DRIVE, from Guadalupe Street westerly 502 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet south of and parallel to the north property line of said WILMES DRIVE. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of not less than 22 feet. (22) A gas main in CANADIAN STREET, from East 1st Street southerly 143 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 21 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said CANADIAN STREET. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 2 feet. (23) A gas main in TILLERY STREET, from East 17th Street northerly 198 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said TILLERY STREET. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 2 feet. (24) A gas main in HANCOCK DRIVE, from Turnabout Lane westerly 352 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet south of and parallel to the north property line of said HANCOCK DRIVE. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 2 feet. (25) A gas main in LAWSON LANE, from a point 192 feet south of Rosewood Avenue southerly 95 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 2 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said LAWSON LANE. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 2 feet. (26) A gas main in WEST 49½ STREET, from a point 172 feet west of Grover Avenue easterly 75 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 7.5 feet south of and parallel to the north property line of said WEST 49% STREET. Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 2½ feet. (27) A gas main in KIRK AVENUE, from Thompson Street northerly 265 feet, the centerline of which gas main shall be 6.5 feet west of and parallel to the east property line of said KIRK AVENUE. CITY OF AUSTIN. TEXAS 559 559 Said gas main described above shall have a cover of notless than 2½ 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 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 Long, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: None Councilman Long offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: (RESOLUTION) WHEREAS, a certain sanitary sewer and drainage easement was reserved and dedicated to the public on a map or plat of Breezy Hollow, No. 5, Section 2, a subdivision of a portion of the George W. Spear League in the City of Austin, Travis County, Texas, according to a map or plat of said Breezy Hollow No. 5, Section 2 of record in Book 6, page 102, Plat Records of Travis County, Texas; and, WHEREAS, the easement rights so dedicated, and hereinafter described, are not now needed and hereafter will not be required; Now, Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That W. E. Seaholm, City Manager, be and he is hereby authorized to execute a release of the sanitary sewer and drainage easement described as follows: A strip of land fifteen (15) feet in width, same being out of and a part of Lots 5 and 6, of Breezy Hollow, No. 5, Section 2, a subdivision of a portion of the George W. Spear League in the City of Austin, Travis County, Texas, according to a map or plat of said Breezy Hollow No. 5, Section 2, of record in Book 6, page 102, Plat Records of Travis County, 560 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 560 Texas, which strip of land fifteen (15) feet in width is more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the east line of said Lot 6, and from which point of beginning the southeast corner of said Lot 6 bears S. 29° 58'W. 48.50 feet; THENCE N. 59° 45'W to a point in the north line of said Lot 5, said north line of Lot 5 being a curve whose intersection angle is 292° 30' and whose radius is 45.00 feet; THENCE following said curving line in a northeasterly direction to a point on the west line of Lot 6; THENCE following a line fifteen (15) feet north of and parallel to the first course above described S. 590 45'E. to a point on the east line of said Lot 6; THENCE with the east line of said Lot 6, s. 29° 58'W. 15.00 feet to the point of beginning. The motion, seconded by Councilman White, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: None The City Manager submitted the folling tabulation of bids: "The following bids were received at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 7th for excavating a channel in Arroyo Seca, south of Koenig Lane. "Bids were received in two ways: A. That the Contractor dispose of the excavation materials as he saw fit. B. That the Contractor haul and place the materials in a fill at the north end of the new Colorado River Bridge. "A" "B" S. B. Ricks $10,047.70 $10,047.70 Raymond Canion 8,515.00 10,218.00 Collins Const. Co. No bid 22,990.50 Albert E. Nash No bid 10,728.90 $ 9,320.00 $11,363.00 City's Estimate "I recommend that S. B. Ricks be awarded the contract on his bid of $10,047.70 on Alternate "B". "The additional amount we will pay S. B. Ricks for hauling and placing the materials in the fill at the north end of the bridge will come to $0.45 per cu.yd. which in my opinion is a very reasonable price." Discussion followed as to the difference in estimates on this job. It was stated it was found there was more rock than at first anticipated. 561 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 561 Councilman White offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: (RESOLUTION) WHEREAS, bids under alternate proposals designated as "A" and "B", for excavating a channel in Arroya Seca, south of Koenig Lane, were received by the City of Austin on July 7, 1953; and WHEREAS, the bid of S. B. Ricks on Proposal "B" in the sum of $10,047.70 is the lowest and best bid on such proposal and is the best bid on both proposals and the acceptance of such bid has been recommended by the City Manager; Now, Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That the bid of S. B. Ricks on Proposal "B" be and the same is hereby accepted, and W. E. Seaholm, City Manager, is hereby authorized and directed to execute a contract with S. B. Ricks for excavating a channel in Arroya Seca, south of Koenig Lane, on the basis of his bid of $10,047.70. The motion, seconded by Councilman Long, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: None Mayor McAden brought up the following ordinance for its third reading: AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE EXTENSION OF CERTAIN BOUNDARY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND THE ANNEXATION OF A TRACT OF LAND LYING PARTLY IN THE GEORGE W. SPEAR LEAGUE AND PARTLY IN THE GEORGE W. DAVIS SURVEY, WHICH SAID ADDITIONAL TERRITORY LIES ADJACENT TO AND ADJOINS THE PRESENT BOUNDARY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, IN THE PARTICULARS STATED IN THE ORDINANCE. The ordinance was read the third time and Councilman Long moved that the ordinance be finally passed. The motion, seconded by Councilman Pearson, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: None The Mayor announced the ordinance had been finally passed. Councilman Thompson offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: (RESOLUTION) WHEREAS, unusual and unforeseen conditions have created a public need for increase in salaries of firemen and policemen in the classified service and of all other employees of the City receiving less than Five Thousand ($5,000.00) Dollars per year; and, 5621 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 562 WHEREAS, funds required to provide such increase are not available, and the necessity for having surplus funds available at this time could not have been anticipated by reasonable and diligent thought and attention; and, WHEREAS, it now appears that adoption of an increase in rates for domestic and commercial electric service is the only feasable manner by which the needed additional revenue can be obtained during the current fiscal year; and, WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Council to declare its plan and policy to increase the salaries of such employees and to adopt the means for obtaining the revenue necessary to provide such increase; Now, Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That the City Council hereby adopts the following plan and policy for providing the needed increase in salaries and for obtaining the necessary revenue: The anticipated revenue of the Cityforthecurrentfiscal year shall be increased in the amount of $156,850.00 by providing an increase of ten percent (10%) in the residential and commercial electric rates charged by the City; and, The pay of trainees of the Police and Fire Departments remain at $220.00 per month for the six (6) weeks period of their training, Group I employees of those departments shall receive $250.00 per month after the first six weeks of training and until they have served six months, $260.00 per month after six months training and service until they have served for twelve (12) months, and $272.00 per month after the first year of service, with the usual $2.00 per month longevity added for each additional year of service; and all other Civil Service employees of those departments shall receive $20.00 per month increase in their present pay; and the rates of pay of all other employees of the City whose pay does not exceed $5,000.00 per year shall be increased by five percent (5%). The motion, seconded by Councilman Pearson, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Peareon, Thompson, White*, Mayor McAden Noes: None *Councilman White made a statement regarding his vote, that he would change his vote from the last meeting, as he thought these people should have a little more raise; however he did not want to knock them out of anything; and he asked that the Council encourage consideration of a 40-hour week in making up the 1954 budget. Councilman Long joined him in that recommendation. Mayor McAden introduced the following ordinance: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 1 OF THAT CERTAIN ORDINANCE ENTITLED: "AN ORDINANCE PRESCRIBING AND LEVYING RATES AND CHARGES FOR SALES MADE AND SERVICES RENDERED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER WORKS AND SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL, AND OTHER USES OF ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER SOLD AND SERVICED BY 563 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 563 THE CITY OF AUSTIN; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, AND ORDERS, OR PARTS OF THE SAME, IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, " WHICH ORDINANCE WAS PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 1, 1949, AND IS RECORDED IN BOOK "O", PAGES 296-300, INCLUSIVE OF THE ORDINANCE RECORDS OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The ordinance was read the first time and Councilman Thompson moved that the rule be suspended and the ordinance passed to its second reading. The motion, seconded by Councilman Pearson, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: None The ordinance was read the second time and Councilman Thompson moved that the rule be suspended and the ordinance passed to its third reading. The motion, seconded by Councilman Pearson, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: None The ordinance was read the third time and Councilman Thompson moved that the ordinance be finally passed. The motion, seconded by Councilman Pearson, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: None The Mayor announced the ordinance had been finally passed. Mayor McAden introduced the following ordinance: AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING BASE SALARIES AND LONGEVITY PAY FOR CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The ordinance was read the first time and Councilman Thompson moved that the rule be suspended and the ordinance passed to its second reading. The motion, seconded by Councilman Pearson, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: None The ordinance was read the second time and Councilman Thompson moved that the rule be suspended and the ordinance passed to its third reading. The motion, seconded by Councilman Pearson, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: None CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 564 564 The ordinance was read the third time and Councilman Thompson moved that the ordinance be finally passed. The motion, seconded by Councilman Pearson, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: None The Mayor announced the ordinance had been finally passed. Mayor McAden introduced the following ordinance: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THAT CERTAIN ORDINANCE ENTITLED: "AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AND ESTABLISHING A WAGE AND SALARY PLAN AND SCHEDULE FOR OFFICES AND EMPLOYMENTS OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN; DEFINING THE SCOPE OF THE WAGE AND SALARY PLAN; CREATING THE WAGE AND SALARY COMMITTEE; PROVIDING FOR THE CONTROL OF WAGE AND SALARY ADMIN- ISTRATION; PROVIDING A SAVING CLAUSE, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY," WHICH ORDINANCE WAS PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL JULY 12, 1951, AND IS RECORDED IN BOOK "Q", PAGES 363-370, OF THE ORDINANCE RECORDS OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS, IN SUB-SECTION (3) (a) OF SECTION 5 THEREOF, RELATING TO THE MASTER WAGE-SALARY SCHEDULE; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The ordinance was read the first time and Councilman Thompson moved that the rule be suspended and the ordinance passed to its second reading. The motion, seconded by Councilman FWhiten, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: None The ordinance was read the second time and Councilman Thompson moved that the rule be suspended and the ordinance passed to its third reading. The motion, seconded by Councilman White, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Theompson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: None The ordinance was read the third time and Councilman Thompson moved that the ordinance be finally passed. The motion, seconded by Councilman White, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: None The Mayor announced the ordinance had been finally passed. Councilman Long offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: (RESOLUTION) 565 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 565 WHEREAS, the City Council has passed an amendment to the ordinance establishing a wage and salary plan for the offices and employments of the City, and in said amendment has established a new wage and salary schedule increasing the former rates of pay by five percent (5%); and, WHEREAS, because of limited resources, such new wage and salary schedule cannot now be put into effect in its entirety; Now, Therefore BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That in providing a five percent (5%) increase in pay of employees at the present time, such new wage and salary schedule shall not be applied to those employees whose rate of pay exceeds Five Thousand ($5,000.00) Dollars per year. The motion, seconded by Councilman White, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: None Councilman Thompson presented the following: In presenting this statement to the people, it is my purpose to give to the citizens of Austin in some detail a resume of the facts developed in the past three weeks' study of the proposition of pay increases for city employees. I want the people of the City of Austin to have these facts so that they will be able to make up their minds whether or hot they feel that their Council has served the interests of both the taxpayersand the employees in coming to the decision that they have reached. HISTORY OF THE PAY RAISETISSUE In the year prior to July 1951 a job evaluation study was made, and all of the jobs in the city were classified and rates of pay established suitable to each job classification and on a basis which was equitable to all employees. Approximately a year after this job evaluation was adopted by the Council, all city employees were given a seven and a half percent raise. This raise became effective June 1, 1952. Since that date there have been no additional raises. COUNCIL'S APPROACH TO PAY RAISE PROPOSITION When the present Council took office in May of this year it was handed by the retiring Council for solution the proposition of the raise of wages and salaries for the firemen and policemen especially, and for other city employees. The present Council's approach to the problem was a survey of the wages and salaries. In this survey the Council compared the wages of the city employees to the wages paid for like work in the local market such as the State of Texas, the U. S. Government, and Austin commercial concerns. Also a comparison was made between the wages paid by the City of Austin and other cities of comparable size in Texas. Also in this survey they considered the matter of competition in the labor market both from a standpoint in wages and salaries and from the standpoint of "working hours per week". 566 566 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS RESULTS OF SURVEY Since the only comparisons that could be made in the case of firemen and policemen, the wages of the Austin departments were compared with wages for like jobs in other Texas cities of comparable size. It was found that the average wage of the personnel in these two departments for the City of Austin was 10% below the average for Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth, El Paso, Corpus Christi, Waco, Amarillo, and Lubbock. In the case of employees other than firemen and policemen it was found that average wage paid by the City of Austin was nine percent below the average wage paid by the above named other cities. Also that the average wage paid to city employees was 17% below the average wage for like work paid by local employers; namely, State Government, Federal Government, and Austin commercial concerns. SOURCES OF FUNDS When the Council approached the proposition of where they could procure the money with which to institute a pay raise to be effective for the balance of the year 1953, they were confined to the proposition of revising the 1953 budget or raising new revenue or both. It was the opinion of some members of the Council that the 1953 budget could be adjusted and substantial sums recovered from appropriations that had been made at the beginning of 1953 for the operation of the City. For three weeks the Council dug into the 1953 budget in an attempt to find any moneys that might have been appropriated for the year 1953 that were not going to be spent during the year for things not absolutely necessary for the continuation of the services of the City. In this study of the 1953 budget, the Council went into the projects now being carried on by the Water Department and the projects now being carried on by the Electric Department. Also they made a study of personnel of the City and of job vacancies, of temporary help, and of overtime pay to determine whether or not any moneys could be diverted from the budget to be used in the payment of a new increase in salaries and wages. After three weeks of diligent study it was the opinion of the Council that they would seriously impair the services of the City and the very necessary expansion of our water and light distribution plants if any moneys were removed from the current year's budget. The only other source of funds available to the Council was arranging for new revenue. Austin has only two sources of revenue; one is our tax, and the other the income from our Water and Light Departments. Since it was impossible to procure any money immediately from new taxes which would become available for the payment of these raises, the Council was given no choice but to vote for an increase in electric or water rates or both in order to provide the money with which to effect a pay increase. In turning to the Utility Department for a, source of additional income, the Council made a study of utility rates in Austin as compared to utility rates of other cities in Texas of like population. In this study it was found that Austin users were paying lower rates for electric energy than was being paid by the people of other cities for the same services, and it was decided that the electric rate only would be increased in order to furnish the necessary new revnue. STUDY OF AMOUNT OF PAY INCREASE It was proposed by one Council member that policemen and firemen be given 567 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 567 a $30.00 a month increase and all other employees receiving less than $5,000.00 per year be given a $20.00 a month increase. This proposal would have required. $289,620 for the six months remaining in 1953. To raise this amount of money, it would have required that the electric rates on domestic and commercial users be raised 18%. Another Council member proposed that the firemen and policemen be awarded a $20.00 per month raise and that all other city employees earningless than $5,000.00 per year be awarded a five percent increase. This proposal would have required $161,966.00 for the balance of the year. To raise this amount of money it would have required a 10.3 percent increase in commercial and domestic electric rates. It was finally decided by the Council that the later proposal more nearly served the interests of both the tax payer and the employees, and the majority of the Council voted to award to the firemen and policemen a $20.00 per month per man increase; also to award all other city employees making less than $5,000.00 per year a five percent increase. It was determined that a ten percent increase in the domestic and commercial electric rates would produce $156,850.00. This lacked $5,116.00 of providing enough money to effect a pay increase. The City Administration felt that out of a few thousand dollars of income which had not been anticipated when the 1953 budget was made up that they could provide the additional money to effect this pay increase plan. STATUS OF CITY EMPLOYEES! INCOME AFTER PRESENT PAY INCREASE The average wage of Austin firemen and policemen will be approximately five percent below the average wage of the firemen and policemen in the following cities: Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth, El Paso, Corpus Christi, Waco Amarillo, Lubbock. After the five percent increase award to all other employees of the City making less than $5,000.00 a year, Austin's employees will be receiving an average of six percent less than the average of like employees in the following cities: Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth, El Paso, Corpus Christi, Waco, Amarillo, and Lubbock. Also other employees will then be receiving twelve percent less than the average of like employees in the Austin Area. COMPARISON OF ELECTRIC RATES After the ten percent increase in the electric rates for domestic and commercial users the average Austin domestic users will be paying 4.25% less than the average users in 15 other Texas cities. The following table shows the comparable costs of domestic electric consumption in Texas cities of over 50,000 population: Min.Bill 40 100 250 500 City KWH $ KWH KWH KWH KWH Austin 9 .50 1.87 3.63 6.93 11.11 Amarillo 22 1.00 1.80 3.85 6.48 8.98 Beaumont 22 1.00 1.80 4.05 7.05 9.55 Corpus Christi 12 .75 2.01 3.96 7.46 9.96 Dallas 12 .60 1.64 3.63 6.84 10.97 568 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 568 City Min.Bill 40 100 250 500 KWH $ KWH KWH KWH KWH El Paso 16 .75 1.80 3.75 6.75 9.25 Fort Worth 10 .50 1.56 3.66 7.07 10.59 Galveston 12 .50 1.31 2.84 5.60 9.36 Houston 12 .50 1.31 2.84 5.60 9.36 Laredo 14 1.00 2.43 4.48 7.98 10.48 Lubbock 12 .67 1.44 3.60 7.20 11.70 Port Arthur 22 1100 1.80 4.05 7.05 9.55 San Angelo 16 1.00 2.30 4.30 8.05 10.55 San Antonio 10 .50 1.85 3.59 6.21 10.59 Waco 10 .65 1.91 4.01 7.23 10.77 Wichita Falls 10 .75 1.96 4.36 7.78 11.29 I feel that with the above facts at their disposal, the people of Austin can come to an informed conclusion as to whether or not they feel their City Council has acted with prudence in disposing of the problem of the pay raises for their Cityeemployees. I would like to comment further that during the studies made of the 1953 budget that the City Administration and Department Heads performed in excellent fashion in cooperating with the Council to produce statistics upon which to base conclusions. The Department Heads put in many hours of overtime in bringing necessary information to the Council. One fact was brought out in this study which I think deserves the attention of the taxpayers of Austin. It has been rumored for many months that the Water and Light Department was dilatory in the collection of water and light bills. It was developed in this investigation that over a five year period on a total billing of $24,000,000.00 worth of water and light that the accounts which were actually delinquent and possibly uncollectible amounted to only approximately 4 of one percent. I mention this collection record because I am sure that any person who has ever had anything to do with collection of accounts will recognize it as a very excellent job of collection and reflects credit on the City Administration. Councilman Long asked if the postponement of the Water District No. 5 would affect the South 1st Street project set out for this year--the $66,000 project. The City Manager stated it would not. Councilman Long stated the Council had received a letter from Sigma Delta Chi, in which this group felt that the Planning Commission should not hold Executive meetings. She stated she felt they were right. Councilman Long moved that the Council commend the Sigma Delta Chi on their study and recommendation and that the Council take it under advisement as far as any City Board is concerned which is in the habit of having executive sessions. The motion, seconded by Councilman Thompson, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: None 569 569 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Councilman Pearson stated he had talked to several people interested in the park on Wilshire Boulevard and they had had a meeting with Mr. Beverly Sheffield and were very well pleased. Councilman Long inquired about the development of the park area around Casis School. The City Manager stated he did not have the report ready on this yet. Councilman White inquired about the progress on Oltorf. The Director of Public Works reported that they were about ready to let a contract for excavation; that they were now working on designs on the little culverts. Councilman White inquired about the South 1st Street improvement. The Director of Public Works stated some work had been done on this, but it was dependent on the amount of money left from the East Avenue right-of-way before they could actually get started; but that it would be started as soon as they could. With reference to the ordinance increasing the electric rates 10%, Councilman Long inquired about the contracts which the City had and how this would affect them. The City Manager stated no contracts would be affected, as there were no contracts on Rate A or Rate B. Councilman Long inquired about the industrial rate, and asked what it would be if it were upped 10%. The City Manager stated it would bring in about $100,000. She asked about how many were on the Industrial Rate, and the City Manager stated there were about 300 customers on the "D" rate. Coun cilman Pearson stated unless a customer were a very large user, it would cost more to be on the Industrial rate. Councilman Long felt that possibly the Council were making a mistake in not putting the 10% on the industrial rate; as this may be the place where the increase could be obtained for the 40-hour-week at the beginning of the year. Councilman Pearson noted that the City was receiving the same rate out in the rural district. The City Manager stated that the City was serving almost all of Travis County. There being no further business, the Council adjourned at 12:10, subject to the call of the Mayor. ATTEST: Elsie Nooslay City Clerk APPROVED: Mayor