= CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Special Meeting May 15, 1961 10:30 Α.Μ. Council Chamber, City Hall 4.18 418 The meeting was called to order with Mayor Pro-tem Palmer presiding. Roll call: Present: Councilmen Bechtol, Perry, White, Mayor Pro-tem Palmer Absent: Mayor Miller Mayor Pro-tem Palmer stated HONORABLE HERMAN JONES, District Judge, had been asked to administer the Oaths of Office. JUDGE HERMAN JONES, 53rd District Court, administered the Oath of Office as follows: THE STATE OF TEXAS I COUNTY OF TRAVIS ( I, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of Councilman of the City of Austin, of the State of Texas, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this State; and I furthermore solemnly swear that I have not directly nor indirectly paid, offered, or promised to pay, contributed, nor promised to contribute, any money, or valuable thing, or promised any public office or employment, as a reward for the giving or withholding a vote at the election at which I was elected. So help me God. s/ Bob Armstrong Bob Armstrong, Councilman, Place l s/ Ben White Ben White, Councilman, Place 2 s/ Louis F. Shanks, Louis F. Shanks, Councilman, Place 3 s/ Lester E. Palmer Lester E. Palmer, Councilman, Place 4 s/ Edgar Perry, Edgar Perry, Councilman, Place 5 SWORN TO before me by Bob Armstrong, Ben White, Louis F. Shanks, Lester E. Palmer, and Edgar Perry, on this the 15th day of May, 1961, A.D. s/ Herman Jones Judge, 53rd District Court, Travis County, Texas 1 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 419 419 Mayor Pro-tem Palmer declared the above to be the duly elected and installed City Council members for the ensuing two years. Councilman Shanks nominated LESTER E. PALMER as Mayor. The nomination was seconded by Councilman Perry, and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Noes: Councilmen Armstrong, Perry, Shanks, White None Present but not voting: Mayor Palmer Councilman Armstrong nominated MR. EDGAR PERRY as Mayor Pro-tem. The nomination was seconded by Councilman Shanks, and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Armstrong, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer Noes: None Present but not voting: Councilman Perry Councilman White offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: (RESOLUTION) WHEREAS, the Honorable Tom Miller today completes his eleventh elective term of office as mayor of his beloved native City of Austin; and, WHEREAS, Mayor Miller has served his City, his State, and his Nation with no compensation whatever except that which comes from the joy of hard work; that which comes from the satisfaction of devotion above and beyond the call of duty in seeking the welfare of others; and that which comes from the justifiable pride of seeing the city which one has nurtured with one's genius and substance, and has cultivated with one's tireless energy, continue to grow toward the maturity one has envisioned bringing forth much beauty in blossom, and abundant fruit in due season; and, -- WHEREAS, Mayor Miller's magnificient public service has been altogether unexcelled, it is altogether fitting that the career of this great man who has so superbly distinguished himself be this day appropriately marked; Now, Therefore BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That the Honorable Tom Miller be named and be henceforth recognized for life as: "The Honorable Tom Miller, Mayor Emeritus of the City of Austin". for whose courageous leadership through perilous time; whose faith and wise counsel in times of doubt; and for whose great heart in times of greatest need, the people of Austin shall remain indebted forever. The motion, seconded by Councilman Armstrong, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Armstrong, Perry, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer Noes: None 420 420 _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Councilman Armstrong moved that MR. W. T. WILLIAMS, JR., be appointed as City Manager. The motion, seconded by Councilman Perry, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Armstrong, Perry, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer Noes: None Councilman Perry moved that MRS. ELSIE WOOSLEY be appointed as City Clerk. The motion, seconded by Councilman Shanks, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Armstrong, Perry, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer Noes: None Councilman Perry moved that MRS. GRACE MONROE be appointed as Assistant City Clerk. The motion, seconded by Councilman Armstrong, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Armstrong, Perry, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer Noes: None Councilman Perry moved that JUDGE PAT H. DOUGHERTY be appointed as Judge of the Corporation Court. The motion, seconded by Councilman Armstrong, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Armstrong, Perry, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer Noes: None Councilman Perry moved that MR. RICHARD HILL, be appointed as Clerk of the Corporation Court. The motion, seconded by Councilman Shanks, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Armstrong, Perry, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer Noes: None Councilman Armstrong made the following statement: "This ceremony is very personal to me--I am humble and appreciative. "Now I can officially thank the many people--men, women and children, who gave so freely of their time and talents to this campaign. "As far as I am concerned, when it comes to representing the people of Austin, my election was unanimous, and I will repeat, 'Regardless of race, color, religion, where he works or lives, if he is a citizen of Austin, I expect to represent him fairly and impartially as a member of the City Council'. "This is a new experience that only former councilmen have had. I feel the great responsibility of being one of five (5) elected men that will administer the affairs of the city for the next two years. I expect to work harmoniously with the other members of the council for the accomplishment of the best results for the city as a whole. =CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 421 421 "I pledge my vote will always be cast, after every consideration is given to the matter at hand for the interest of good government. When advice is necessary, I will seek the most expert advise available. "Austin should be the 'Model City' of the State. I intend to join with the other members of the Council to work to keep it just that way." Councilman Armstrong introduced his wife, Louise, his son, Bob Landis, his sister, Mrs. Charles West; his Mother, Mrs. R. A. Armstrong. Councilman Shanks made the following statement: "As I accept this office of Councilman of the Cityof Austin, I pledge as I try to represent all of the people of the City of Austin, that I will do so with the best of my ability. "I pledge to you, to the Council individually and collectively, that I will work with you in a cooperative manner. Knowing these men as I know them personally, I expect and predict that this particular Council will exemplify the true spirit of team play in all of its work. 11 I pledge that my individual thinking will not be motivated by any political aspiration. I hope and pray that I will not be biased for friend nor biased against foe. In conclusion, I shall work on this particular Council as hard as I can work to make sure that we will have a real honest-to-goodness City Manager form of government." Councilman Shanks introduced his wife, Georgia; his daughter, Susan; his gandson, his son-in-law, Mr. Amor Forwood; his other daughter, Tena; and his son, Steve. Councilman White made the following statement: "I do want to thank all of the people of the City of Austin for having continued to give me two more years on the City Council. I want to assure you these next two years I want to do what I have done before. I am going to try to help everyone--old, young, rich, poor, and those in trouble. You know to whom to come. If I have any trouble, you know to whom I will go. The Council have all worked together, and I hope will continue to work together in the future. Thank you, the people." Mayor Pro-tem Perry introduced his wife, Kathleen. He stated he wanted to publicly thank the Council for attending his Grandfather's funeral as a group and expressed his family's appreciation. He said his Grandfather had been very sincere in his love for the City and he would have appreciated the public recognition of the lowering of the flag at half-mast. He made the following statement: "I would like to say in my feelings, it is not enough for a new administration to merely take over the reins of city government, and I would like to say on behalf of the new Council to MAYOR MILLER and HUB BECHTOL, the two that are going off the Council at this time that I hope this new Council will make a sizable contribution to the welfare of the City of Austin; it is not enough to take over the reins of government unless we 422 422 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS can make an improvement. I feel the City is one of the most beautiful and most wonderful places anywhere. You have but to travel to any one city before you can hardly wait to get back to Austin. "I make my pledge that the new Council will do everything humanly possible to make some improvement over what has already been done." Words of congratulations and commendation were spoken by Former Councilman Wesley Pearson, former Councilman Ted Thompson, former Councilman C. N. Avery, Mrs. Tom Miller, Mr. Frank Denius, representing Mayor Mom Miller, and Mr. Bob Folmar who presented the Council and others with name plates; and Mr. Theo Bellmont. MAYOR PALMER made the following statement: "It was my privilege to serve for six years with MAYOR MILLER. I have seen him sit here and work in this chair, and I remember the energy and devotion he had and gave to the City. He gave his health to carry on the city's business. The Mayor has left so many tangible evidences of his work, but the intangible things we will always remember. This City will owe him a debt of gratitude forever. "It will be the duty of this Council to try to protect the fine heritage we have had. Austin has been fortunate in having good clean city government. We pledge you our best efforts to that end. "When you realize the greatness of the job and you feel your limitations, you cannot help but realize it takes your best efforts and Divine help to make decisions. I want to thank my colleagues for nominating me as Mayor, and I will be the best I can. We will solicit advice and suggestions from the citizens. We are going to make some mistakes, but we will make them trying to do something good; but we hope we can give you the same type of government we have had in the past." Mayor Palmer introduced members of his family, his wife, Ethel; his older son, Barry; his mother-in-law, Mrs. W. W. Boring; his sisters, Irene and Helen Palmer; his cousins, Mrs. Fred Schriber and Mrs. Nora Bankston; and his daughterin-law, Mrs. Barry Palmer. MR. W. T. WILLIAMS, JR., stated it had been a privilege and pleasure to serve as City Manager of Austin during the last six years, and expressed appreciation for the appointment today. He stated he hoped the work the administration does for the Council in the months to come will justify the confidence. He introduced those members of the Administration present, Mr. Jim Wilson Assistant City Manager; Doren Eskew, City Attorney; Mr. Clark Blankenship, Superintendent of the Power Plants and his two assistants, Mr. G. C. Pokorny and Mr. C. W. Boswell; Mr. Dexter Kinney, Director of Electric Utilities; Police Chief Bob Miles; Mr. Vance Murphy, Director of Aviation; Mr. Albert Davis, Director of Water Utili ties; Mr. Dick Jordan, Building Inspector; Mr. Beverly Sheffield, Director of Recreation, and Mr. Phil Morgett, Personnel Director. He introduced Mr. Theo Bellmont, an appointee of the Council, who is on the Board of Equalization, and CITY OF AUSTIN. TEXAS 423 422 Mr. Dave Barrow, another Council appointee, Chairman of the Planning Commission. MR. VIC MATHIAS stated in addition to congratulating the Council members, it would be well to congratulate the people of Austin on the selection they have made. MR. ED ST. JOHN on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, pledged the support of the Chamber in any way it could in the progress and planning of Austin. MAYOR PALMER introduced Mr. Kinser, Planning Commission; Mr. Jack Adams, and some friends of his from Caracas, Venezuela. There being no further business, the Council adjourned at 11:35 Α.Μ., subject to the call of the Mayor. ATTEST: Eliy City Clerk APPROVED Mayor 4.24 424 =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 15th day of May, 1961, at the Municipal Building, Eighth and Colorado, in Austin, Texas, at 10:30 A.M. for the purpose of passing an ordinance authorizing issuance of $1,000,000 City of Austin, Texas, General Obligation Various Purpose Bonds, 1961 (239), and passing an ordinance authorizing the issuance of $4,000,000 City of Austin, Texas, Electric Light and Power, Water Works and Sewer System Revenue Bonds, 1961. s/ Elsie Woosley City Clerk ATTEST: s/ Elsie Woosley City Clerk (Seal) s/ Lester E. Palmer 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. s/ Edgar Perry III Edgar Perry III s/ R. C. (Bob) Armstrong R. C. (Bob) Armstrong s/ Louis Shanks Louis Shanks s/ Ben White Ben White