CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 4-M MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Recessed Meeting of the Regular Meeting (December 17,1953) December 18, 1953 10:00 Α.Μ. Council Chamber, City Hall 988 988 The Meeting was called to order with Mayor McAden presiding. Roll Call: Present: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Absent: None Councilman White moved that the City employees be given the same holidays in 1954 that they had in 1953; and where the holidays fell on Saturday or Sunday, that they get the holiday on Monday; and that they try to arrange the business of the City to take off at noon on Christmas Eve. The motion, seconded by Councilman Long, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: Councilman Thompson Councilman Thompson stated he voted against the motion because of his objection to the part that provides that if a holiday fell on Sunday, Monday would be observed. It seemed that a holiday was to give the employees free time when a holiday fell during the working time, and not simply to award a day off. He did not know how much money it cost the city. The City Manager presented the following recommendation regarding a special building permit for open-air parking facility: "December 18, 1953 "Considerable discussion has been had with the architects planning for an opne-air parking facility. We do not feel, and it was agreed by all, that it is advisable at this time to amend the City Building Code to allow this type of building in Fire Zone One. This is an entirely new and untried type of construction which could, in the future, develop objectionable features or conditions. Only a few cities in the United States have, at the present time, allowed this type of facility. This special permit is recommended, as has been true in the action of other cities, because of the critical need of off street parking in our downtown area. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 989 989 "We, therefore, recommend that a special permit be granted to Dr. H. B. Granberry, owner, for the building of an open-air parking facility consisting of exposed structural steel framing with concrete floors, with a mechantcal lift, at 113 East 9th Street, Austin, Texas, having seven parking levels not to exceed 70 feet, to be used for the parking and storage of passenger automobiles, having a capacity of not more than nine passengers per car. This permit shall be granted with the following limitations and conditions. "1. All the structural design for loading, etc., of this facility shall be in accordance with the Building Code of the City of Austin. "2. A sprinkler system (wet) shall be provided throughout the entire facility. "3. Fire escapes shall be provided at the front of the building in accordance with the requirements of the State law. "4. Eight inch masonry walls shall be provided around the rear bays that are to be used as a gasoline filling station. "5. Eight inch concrete tile or equivalent shall be constructed on the south side to a height of not less than three feet above the adjacent CommodorePerry roof line. "6. Special attention shall be given to the architectural appearance of this structure. "7. This parking facility shall be so designed that cars are mechanically parked, that is, not by a person in the car, and no passengers other that the elevator operators are permitted above the street floor. No car shall be allowed above the street level with the motor running. "8. The sale of gasoline and oil shall be permitted only on the street floor, and it is further provided that sales shall be made only for cars using the parking facility. The area for the sale of gasoline and oil shall be located so as to serve only those cars using the parking facility. "9. The gasoline and oil facility shall be constructed in accordance with the laws and ordinances governing filling stations. "10. No garage or repair facilities nor the sale of combustible accessories shall be allowed on the premises. "11. One 10 pound dry chemical extinguisher and one 20 pound CO2 extinguisher and one 10 quart sand pail are to be provided on each of the elevators. W. S. SEAHOLM City Manager" Councilman White moved that this special permit as per this recommendation of the City Manager dated December 18, 1953, be granted. 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 940 990 Councilman White offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: (RESOLUTION) WHEREAS, the United States of America owns a tract of land consisting of approximately 200 acres which adjoins and has been used in conjunction with property owned by the State of Texas as the site of Camp Mabry, and, WHEREAS, except for small portions of such tract, no use is being made thereof and there appear to be no plans for its future use, now, therefore; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That the United States of America be requested to declare the portion of such tract which is not used by the government to be surplus, and if such property be so declared and offered for sale, that the City of Austin be given the refusal thereof at the price for which it is offered for sale. The motion, seconded by Councilman Long, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: None The Council heard the tax appeal of MR. YEATES, MR. FITZPATRICK, and MR. BOLM from the valuations placed by the Board of Equalization on the Bolm Building, Robert E. Lee Hall, and Austin Laundry and Dry Cleaning Company. The Tax Assessor went over the figures set by the Board, and figures he recommended after reviewing all of the evidence that had been presented and considering all the information he had. He understood that the owners were in agreement to accepting his recommended figures on everything except the personal property on the Austin Laundry and Dry Cleaning Company. The following values were recommended: Bolm Building Land Improvements $ 3,720.00 54,070.00 Robert E. Lee Hall Land 12,620.00 Improvements 125,680.00 Personal-Furn&Fix. 3,850.00 Mchny.&Equip, Air Conditioning 11,490.00 Austin Laundry & Dry Cleaning Land 38,440.00 Improvements 55,280.00 Personal 71,690.00 Councilman Pearson moved that the Council adopt the recommended value as set out by the Tax Department down to the personal property of the Austin Laundry and Dry Cleaning Company, so that the Council could hear that part only. The motion, seconded by Councilman White, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: None CITY OF AUSTIN. TEXAS 991 991 The amount under consideration was the value recommended by the Tax Assessor to the Council on the Personal Property of the Austin Laundry and Dry Cleaning Company of $71,690.00, as against their figure of $24,096.00 and the value set by the Board of Equalization of $84,010.00. MR. YEATES, Vice President of the Company, gave testimony to the inventory of the Company. The Attorney, Mr. Sloan, submitted a list of inventory. MR. JOE COCKRELL, Office Supply Business, had appraised the office furniture, equipment and supplies, and valued it at $4,463.50, as compared to Mr. Yeates' value of $4,686.50. MR. RAY ARNOLD, Jobber for Hugh G. Henderson Company, had gone over the laundry equipment inventory list and placed values which he thought were actual fair cash sales value. He pointed out equipment which was obsolete, and stated obsolescence was an improtant factor in valuing laundry equipment. MR. CHARLES A. BURTON, Burton's Laundry, placed lower values on different items than those placed by Mr. Arnold and Mr. Yeates. MR. BEN KING, appraiser, outlined the methods as he understood them that the Tax Department used in arriving at the percentage of market value on which to assess personal property. He explained a ratio he had worked out on real property, which was assessed at between 38.37 and 28.84% of the fair cash market value. Mr. Sloan wanted to establish his ratio on personal property, as the personal property had been assessed on 75% instead of 28-38%. Much discussion was held on the ratio. He contended the personal property had not been taxed in the same manner that the real property had been. The Assistant City Attorney stated this was Mr. King's opinion of the results worked out and not any particular method. MR. T. B. MARSHALL, Tax Assessor and Collector explained the method he used in assessing the equipment and furniture. MR. ROBERT BURNS, Assistant City Attorney, asked if Mr. Marshall had ever been instructed by the Council to leave any personal property, except that exempt by law, off the rolls; if he had ever refused to accept a rendition of any stock, insurance policy, etc., to which he answered he had not. After more discussion, the Council deferred action on this appeal until it could further study the matter. There being no further business the Council adjourned at 5:30 P.M. subject to the call of the Mayor. ATTEST: Ca City Clerk APPROVED: Mayor 992 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 992 NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: Notice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Austin will be held on the 22nd day of December, 1953, at the Municipal Building, Eighth and Colorado, in Austin, Texas, at 10:00 A.M. for the purpose of discussing and adjusting the budget submitted by the City Manager and adopting the same. ATTEST: (Sgd) Elsie Woosley City Clerk (Sgd) C. A. McAden Mayor City of Austin, Texas CONSENT TO MEETING We, the undersigned member of the City Council, hereby accept service of the foregoing notice, waiving any and all irregularities in such service and such notice, and consent and agree that said City Council shall meet at the time and place therein named, and for the purposes therein stated. (Sgd) Ben White (Sgd) Mrs.Stuart Long (Sgd) Wesley Pearson (Sgd) T. R. Thompson