462 462 =CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Public Hearing July 11, 1956 8:00 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 The Mayor summarized the efforts to obtain an Auditorium, and stated that after analyzing the whole matter and talking to bond people, it was thought that Auditorium tax bonds could be sold less than revenue bonds; and over a 30 year period a savings of $546,000 would be realized. That would take care of the extra cost, and in addition the city would receive the revenues from the Coliseum, Auditorium, etc. He believed the tax bonds could be sold without raising the interest and sinking fund and without delaying the issuance of bonds voted on May 12th. He stated it seemed that a lot of people wanted an election called on this. Former Councilman TED THOMPSON complimented the Council on its proposal to the people that these bonds be changed to Tax Bonds, as there would be over a half million dollars saved in interest. He thought the people would not want the multiple-use auditorium reduced in its scope in any way, and stated the people would want an opportunity to vote the required amount necessary to carry out the plans. Former Mayor GLASS also complimented the Council on proposing to change these bonds from Revenue to General Obligation Bonds, as there would be a big savings, and he did not believe anyone would oppose this. Former Mayor MCADEN thought this way was sound; and as an Auditorium was one of the most important things at this time, he believed the voting public would support it. MR. JACK SWENSON, President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, stated the Junior Chamber of Commerce had submitted a resolution urging the Council to study the Auditorium proposition making it possible to get the Auditorium as first planned; now, the Board of Directors endorsed the plan to issue tax bonds, CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 463 463 and the Jaycees would go all out in getting the people out to the polls. Mr. VIC MATHIAS, President of the Senior Chamber of Commerce, stated the Chamber of Commerce had endorsed this new proposal. He outlined the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce in trying to get an auditorium, ever since 1914. The Chamber of Commerce commended the Council in asking that this be issued under General Obligation Bonds, and thus saving over one-half million dollars in interest, and at the same time obtaining the parking meter funds, etc., (otherwise designated to back up a revenue issue) for the general fund. MR. PAYNE was for submission of the proposition to the people, as he believed the Auditorium would bring in 5 or 6 million dollars a year. There had been efforts made to get industries here that would bring in that much payroll. Austin had waited so long for an Auditorium, and he urged that this be set for a vote, and then get started. MR. JOHN SIMPSON, past president, Chamber of Commerce, stated the Auditorium had been the No. 1 project, and the people would support this change of financing. MR. THOMPSON, E. L. Steck Company, asked that the Council go forward immediately and submit this under the new plan. MR. JOE STEADHAM and MR. TROUEL, made statements favoring submitting this back to the people. Mr. Trouel stated organized labor was for it, and would be glad to help in anyway possible. MR. EDMUND CRAVENS, MR. M. H. CROCKETT, SR., and MR. ED CLARK all complimented the Council on the steps it had taken to get the Auditorium and the leadership it had put forward. MR. HARRY PRUETT was in favor of constructing the Auditorium now, as he felt prices would continue to rise, and he felt the people would give a vote of confidence if this were submitted. Mr. C. В. SMITH believed the bond issue would carry, and that this Auditorium would mean catching-up with other cities in the southwest. MR. ARCH BRASWELL was in accord with submitting this proposition right away. MR. HALDEN wondered why the Council had been so long in building the Auditorium. The Mayor explained. SEYMORE FOGLE, Artist, urged that the Council go ahead and build the Auditorium as a thing of beauty and to build as soon as possible. MOTON CROCKETT, JR., stated the Jr. Chamber of Commerce was behind this Auditorium 100%, and had been all along. MR. PRICE believed the Auditorium to be a "must", and was willing to do what he could to get it. MR. HARRY AKIN did not want the Auditorium plans changed any, and believed it would be a serious mistake to cut down on the scope of the Auditorium in any way. MRS. HEINATZ suggested going ahead and submitting this to the vote of the people, and to also include in the proposition the location, and let the people vote on that. Later, the Council put to a vote to those in the audience on locating the Auditorium on the Hancock Tract, and only Mrs. Heinatz stood. Councilman Long stated all that she had talked with were in favor of the beautiful plans as originally designed. MR. MCKOWN stated in the past few days he had talked to over 200 people, and they all seemed to want the Auditorium built in its entirety as first planned. MRS. GAMBRELL stated that the Council had devoted many hours of their time without remuneration on this and had done a wonderful job, and she favored going ahead with the Auditorium as planned. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 464 464 MRS. JANNET COLLET favored the Auditorium as planned as it could be used to bill musicals, dances, etc., as well as conventions. DR. LUND felt Austin was in the right direction in going ahead with the Auditorium. Mayor Miller read a telegram from FRANK D. QUINN favoring the Auditorium without any changes and favoring tax bonds as they would be more economical. MR. E. W. JACKSON had endorsed the Auditorium as planned originally, and MR. C. N. AVERY had called the Mayor asking that it not be cut down any. Councilman White had a call from the President of the South Austin Civic Club, who wanted him to report that the Board of Directors voted unanimously on submitting changing the bonds from Revenue to Obligation Bonds. The Mayor asked that the ordinance calling the election be brought to the Council in the morning. There being no further business the Council adjourned subject to the call of the Mayor. ATTEST: Bailey City Clerk APPROVED Don Willar Mayor