234 234 _ 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 llth day of April, 1956, at the Municipal Building, Eighth and Colorado, in Austin, Texas, at 2:30 P.M. for the purpose of holding public hearing on bond proposals. (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 purpose therein stated. (Sgd) Wesley Pearson (Sgd) Lester E. Palmer (Sgd) Emma Long (Sgd) Ben White 235 235 _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Special Meeting April 11, 1956 2:30 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 R. Eskew, City Attorney; Reuben Rountree, Jr., Director of Public Works J. D. Huffman, Jr., Finance Director; D. C. Kinney, Superintendent of Electric Department; Albert R. Davis, Superintendent of Water and Sewer Department. MAYOR MILLER announced that this was a public hearing on the proposed bond issue. The City Manager gave a resume of the needs of the city and the amount of bond money that could be expended over a five year period without increasing the interest and sinking fund tax. The Mayor stated these proposals had been gone over before the various groups, and he was interested in having the Chambers of Commerce present at this time. He stated the bankers and bond men had made a study of the interest and sinking fund tables and agreed that the bonds could be retired without any increase. However, the general price structure everywhere was up, and the general operation of the city might necessitate a general fund increase. If the bonds are not approved, the taxes will probably have to be increased to take care of the water, sewer, utility and street needs. MR. AMOS HEROLD made inquiry about the amount of penalty on the past revenue issue. It was explained no penalty was paid. He made inquiry about the allocation of bonds for the airport, and the City Manager listed the tentative allocation, where over half was to be paid by the Government in some instances. The City Manager went into detail about the airport operations in the city and stated a profit of over $28,000 had been realized last year. MR. FRANK QUINN stated the City had a very unsightly airport, and that the City had to keep in step with progress. 236 236 _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MR. QUINN, besides being interested in the Airport, asked that more be allotted for recreation. The Mayor stated there was some $200,000 in warrants that was being spent on parks--$192,000 on the northwest park in Allendale and $59,000 on Zilker. Mr. Quinn stated Austin had the finest Recreation Department in Texas, and maybe in the United States, and it should be maintained. Austin is spending more on Recreation than the State. MR. MOTON CROCKETT appeared in the interest of airport bonds, and also in the interest of whether or not the proposed improvements of the bonds fell within the Master Plan. The City Manager stated that all projects in the program were in the five year capital improvement program. MR. DICK MATHIAS, Chamber of Commerce, appeared to get information to pass on to the various committees. It was decided to give Mr. Mathias copies of the financial data on the bonds and the list of projects so that he could get this information to the Civic Affairs Committee, Airport, Transportation and Traffic Committees and others. MR. LEONARD LUNDGREN asked that someone from the City come to their meeting and present a 30 minute talk on these bonds. He believed a program could be arranged at the Jaycee meeting for Appil 19th for this purpose. MR. MOTON CROCKETT stated after this program, the Board of Directors would meet and bring in a resolution supporting the bond issue. The Mayor suggested getting those who worked on the bond issue beforethe big committee-- to serve as a committee to promote this issue. He asked that letters be sent out to this 200 man committee inviting them to this meeting and asking them again to serve as this committee. The Mayor scheduled the following meetings to be held at the Library Auditorium on the bonds: MONDAY, April 16th at 7:30 Ρ.Μ. WEDNESDAY, April 18th at 7:30 P. M. He then stated the Council would vote on it Thursday, April 19th. Upon request of the Director of Electric Utilities, through the City Manager, the Council informally agreed to use the bannisters from the Congress Avenue Bridge to place under the bridge where the soil had been washed from under the spans, and thus deepen the water at the Plant. The Mayor had checked with officials and engineers at the L.C.R.A. and they had recommended this, stating it would not interfer with any water levels down the river. Councilman Long was interested in this not interferring with the beauty of the river in any way. Discussion was held on the proposal of Mr. McKown and others to provide in the interest of the youth a Pony League and Colt League, and on their request that the City help with the lighting and furnish the water so that the games could begin. Mr. McKown stated the Recreation Department could use the field and the concession stand when there were no games scheduled. The field would be tied up for about eight weeks, with games scheduled five days a week. The Recreation Director thought this program was an excellent one; and took - CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 237 237 care of a program that otherwise would have to be planned under the City. The City Manager stated the usual contracts in the past provided that the use of the field was exclusive, and this was a different approach; that if it could be worked out, it would be well to have all on the same basis. The Mayor wanted it worked out; and if so, he thought furnishing the $3500 for lights would be in order. Councilman Long moved that $3500 be set up. The motion, seconded by Councilman Palmer, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Palmer, Pearson, White, Mayor Miller Noes: None The Mayor stated that since this was a permanent improvement that the money could be taken out of bond money; but after discussion, he said to go ahead and take it out of the general fund. Traffic on the Congress Avenue Bridge was discussed. The Mayor stated that four lanes going north or south must not be permitted. There being no further business Councilman Long moved that the Council adjourn. The motion, seconded by Councilman Palmer, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Palmer, Pearson, White, Mayor Miller Noes: None The Council adjourned at 6:00 P. M. subject to the call of the Mayor. ATTEST: El City Clerk APPROVED Jou mille Mayor