466 466 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 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 31st day of May, 1955, at the Municipal Building, Eighth and Colorado, in Austin, Texas, at 2:30 P.M. and 4:00P.M. for the purpose of meeting with the City Plan Commission and Parks and Recreation Board, respectively, and for the purpose of making appointments to the Board of Equalization. (Sgd) Elsie Woosley City Clerk ATTEST: (Sgd) Elsie Woosley City Clerk (Sgd) Tom Miller Mayor City of Austin, Texas 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 prupose therein stated. 4 (Sgd) Wesley Pearson (Sgd) Ben White (Sgd) Mrs. Stuart Long (Sgd) Lester E. Palmer 46467 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Special Meeting May 31, 1955 4:00 Ρ.Μ. Council Chamber, City Hall The meeting was called to order with Mayor Miller presiding. Roll call: Present: Councilmen Long, Palmer, Pearson, White, Mayor Miller Absent: None Present also: W. T. Williams, Jr., City Manager; Doren Eskew, City Attorney; Reuban Rountree, Jr., Director of Public Works. Present also: Members of the Parks and Recreation Board: Mrs. C. E. Browning, Mrs. Alden Davis, Mr. Frank Quinn, Mr. Nash Moreno, Dr. Brace, Mr. Vic Komeier; and the Director of Recreation, Mr. Beverly Sheffield. The Mayor announced that this was a special meeting called for the purpose of meeting with the Parks and Recreation Board, and for the purpose of making appointments to the Board of Equalization. The Council had just had a meeting with the Plan Commission. As to The Mayor went over the Statements of Estimated Receipts, Disbursements and Balances for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 1955, of the General Obligation Bond Funds and Utility Revenue Bond Funds and explained the Council was obligated to keep the tax rate down. MR. QUINN stated the Council had done much for the parks and playground program, and that the Mayor in particular had had much foresight and secured land for parks, which had kept Austin ahead. He urged that the program be continued. DR. BRACE submitted a list of expansion needs of the Park and Recreation system, showing land purchases, and developments necessary. Brief discussion on acquiring the Rabb Tract was held. land for the Northwest Park, Mr. Sheffield stated the only area available in this particular section was the Bullard property. One of the items discussed was the development of the river, with the idea of planting grass and shrubs along, putting in Barbecue pits and tables and benches. Councilman Long suggested allocating $10,000 of the $25,000 toward beautifying the river front, leaving $10,000 for a down payment on the north west park area. Councilman White thought maybe the regular crews could maintain the area. Councilman Pearson suggested that if this development were attempted, that the Parks Board should determine the exact area to be developed and maintained--giving particular attention to the approaches. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 46468 The Council heard a recommendation on swimming pools at Hancock Park and northwest Austin to be financed through revenue bonds. Mr. Sheffield submitted figures on revenues from the proposed swimming pools, and revenues for a golf course. It was stated that the golfers did not believe the present location for the golf course was suitable. The Board called attention to the necessity of buying land for the Jerry Joslin School and Allison School. Dr. Brace asked early dedication of a part of the Bee Creek property. The Mayor asked that the City Manager and City Attorney look into this matter, checking with the L.C.R.A. on its needs and checking into the contract with them. In discussion of the Rabb tract of land, the Mayor suggested it might be well for one of two members of the Council and some from the Park's Board, and someone from the Legal Department and the City Manager to negotiate further with the people regarding the purchase of this tract. He understood there was some money@allocated for this. After more discussion, Councilman Long moved that a committee of the Mayor, Councilman Palmer, and the City Manager be appointed to work with anyone that the Parks Board plans to choose. The motion, seconded by Councilman Pearson, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Palmer, Pearson, White, Mayor Miller Noes: None The City Manager pointed out another obligation the City had with its parks and that was the Schools had purchased land in the St. Elmo area and the City did not have funds to match, but the schools purchased the land and the city will have to pay them back for the neighborhood playgrounds. MRS. ALDEN DAVIS urged the development of the river front if at all possible. This meeting with the Recreation Board was adjourned at 5:30 P.M. Executive Meeting Councilman Pearson moved that Mr. L. Theo Belmont be appointed as a member of the Board of Equalization. The motion, seconded by Councilman Palmer, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Palmer, Pearson, White, Mayor Miller Noes: None Councilmen Long moved that Mr. G. L. Huckaby be appointed as a member of the Board of Equalization. The motion, seconded by Councilman Pearson, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Palmer, Pearson, White, Mayor Miller Noes: None CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 469 469 Councilman Pearson moved that Mr. Howard Bull be appointed as a member of the Board of Equalization. The motion, seconded by Councilman Palmer, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Palmer, Pearson, Mayor Miller Noes: Councilman White Councilman Long moved that the Board members be paid $350.000 for the first month and $10.00 a day thereafter. The motion, seconded by Councilman White, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Palmer, Pearson, White, Mayor Miller Noes: None There being no further business the Council adjourned at 5:45 P.M. subject to the call of the Mayor. ATTEST: City Clerk APPROVED Jom Miller Mayor