M-3 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 77778 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 27th day of September, 1954, at the Municipal Building, Eighth and Colorado, in Austin, Texas, at 2:00P.M. for the purpose of holding a public hearing on the Hancock Tract. (Sgd) Elsie Woosley ÁTTEST: City Clerk (Sgd) Elsie Woosley City Clerk (Sgd) C. A. McAden Mayor City of Austin, Texas (Seal) CONSENT TO MEETING We, the undersigned members 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 purpose therein stated. (Sgd) Mrs. Stuart Long (Sgd) Ben White (Sgd) Wesley Pearson (Sgd) Ted Thompson CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 779779 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Special Meeting September 27, 1954 2:00 Ρ.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 The Mayor announced that this meeting was called for the purpose of holding a public hearing on the Hancock Tract. MR. ED WEISS asked the Council to refrain from selling this tract as Austin was growing so rapidly, the needs of the city were not yet known; as Austin was below the national average in ball parks, tennis courts, etc; the price offered for the tract is too low; desegregation should be considered in park planning; and that if sold, the money would be dissipated. MR. BOB COOPER, Austin Golf Association, urged the sale of the tract to obtain needed funds to develop park areas throughout the city, and expressed belief that people were confused on the issue, thinking the sale was to include the Club House tract. He noted MR. WILL CASWELL and MRS. FAGAN DICKSON, members of the Park Board, favored the sale of the east part of the tract to finance funds for development of existing parks and others. REV. JOHN BARKLEY, Austin Council of Churches, was anxious that this tract not be sold, but kept for the future and for the children. MR. HERMAN JONES, speaking for the Austin Aquatic Club, told of the activities of members of this club, and the trained instructors who were giving their time teaching the youth to swim. MR. WALLY PRYOR said the Club was ready to accept the Recreation Board's recommendation that the 40 acres were not needed for recreational purposes, but that funds were needed for the development of the Hancock Park and others. He was interested in obtaining a regulation CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 780780 swimming pool in Austin so that Austin could have these swimming tournaments, and the AAC urged the sale of the tract so that out of the proceeds, this 50 meter pool could be constructed on the Hancock Park. MR. KELLY BARNETT, Professor of Christian Ethics, stated this large tract of land should be kept for the future needs of the City--hospital or educational purposes; and that the Council should look to the future in its stewardship of the City, and let free enterprise look after itself. MR. RODNEY KIDD, Boy Scout Leader, asked that the 40 acre tract be retained for playgrounds, ball parks, tennis courts, kite-fields, etc. MR. G. C. MORRIS, President of Highland Park Civic Club, pointed out there were no playground facilities in this area, and recreational facilities were needed now, more than 10 years hence. MR. SWEENEY, home owner, suggested developing this into a beautiful residential area. MRS. FAGAN DICKSON, Member of the Parks Board, stated for $100,000 seven times this area could be purchased in seven areas in Austin that need Recreational facilities, and she favored the sale of this tract to the highest bidder. MRS. FRANCISCO suggested raising taxes an extra one cent, and using that for purchase of park land. MR. LAWRENCE, 1001 E. 41st, did not want a community center in his neighborhood, and he and his neighbors purchased their homes in this area adjoining this property, believing it to be park land and that it would never be anything else. MRS. HENSLEY suggested selling the property and using the money to buy park land scattered all over the city. She could not see 40 acres idle for 25-50 years, when recreation was needed so badly all over the city. MR. M. H, CROCKETT opposed the commercial development of this tract as it would damage residential property in the area as well as all the business property within a mile. MRS. DICK MASON, Ridgetop area, favored the sale of the tract in order to improve the 50 acre park land other areas to take care of the children today instead of in the future. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 79/781 MR. JOHN ADRIAN read a letter in opposition to selling this property. MR. WILL CASWELL, Parks Board, stated there were seven proposed park sites that could be obtained for $100,000; and if this tract were sold, there would still be $200,000 for development. He favored the sale of this tract, replace it in more land at less cost, distribute the facilities for better use of the people all over town and cover all sections of the city. REV. BERT MILLER, Pastor Congregational Church, Teacher of Ethics at Huston Tillotson College, was willing to take recommendation of the Park Board, but wanted consideration given to location of Auditorium, Municipal Building, City Hospital, home for the ageing, University, or other needs. : C. E. ALVIS favored better distribution of the parks. MR. ELMUNDS TRAVIS asked that nothing be done to this tract until after the Master Plan was finished to see what the City, University or State might need. MR. ROY BEDICHEK asked that the tract be retained as a arboretum. MR. TAYLOR HUFF favored the sale of this tract and develop recreational facilities--golf, swimming pools, and purchase other recreational property. He pointed out the training golf gave individually, and favored development of golf training. MR. DAVID BARROW saw no need for the City to own 95 acres in one area for parks, and suggested turning over the 40 acres to private enterprise and adding it to the tax rolls. He believed more people would receive benefits from the sale than they would with a 95 acre park in this location. The Mayor announced that the matter would be taken up on October 6th. There being no further business, the Council adjourned subject to the call of the Mayor. ATTEST: Elsie City Clerk APPROVED: Mayor