CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS- MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Special Meeting September 14, 1970 10:00 Α.Μ. COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL 973 3 The meeting was called to order with Mayor LaRue presiding. Roll Call: Present: Absent: Councilmen Atkison, Gage, Janes, Johnson, Price, Mayor LaRue Councilman MacCorkle The Mayor announced that this was a Special Meeting called for the purpose of holding a public hearing on the 1970-71 Budget. ARTS COUNCIL OF AUSTIN, INC. Mrs. Mary L. Thornhill, President, Arts Council of Austin, Inc., reviewed some of the accomplishments of the following fine arts agencies: Austin Ballet Society Austin Symphony Orchestra Society, Inc. Laguna Gloria Art Museum, Inc. Zachary Scott Theatre Center She then introduced Mr. Bob Fernia of the Austin Ballet Society, who reviewed the Society's proposed 1970-71 schedule and accomplishments during the past ten years. The Society was requesting a services contract from the City for $3,500. BRACKENRIDGE HOSPITAL BUDGET Dr. Bud Dryden, Dr. John Garcia and Dr. Maurice Hood spoke in favor of increasing the number of beds available at Brackenridge Hospital and increasing the hospital budget by hiring more nurses at a higher salary. Dr. Hood, representing the Medical Executive Committee, recommended several other items to the Council for inclusion in the 1970-71 Budget, as well as some administrative changes. Mayor LaRue acknowledged receipt of a letter from Mrs. Rita Jaso, R.N., Supervisor of the Intensive Care Unit, Brackenridge Hospital. _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS September 14, 1970 974 Dr. Bill Turpin presented some statistics on a partial survey of available nurses in Travis County who were not working. Fifty-two nurses indicated a willingness to return to either full or part-time employment if conditions were right. There was some discussion about the creation of a day care center for nurses with children. The center would be staffed by the Ladies Auxiliary at Brackenridge Hospital. Councilman Atkison stated that he was ready to vote for approval of the day care center to be implemented immediately. POLICE DEPARTMENT Sergeant John Pope, President, Austin Police Association, read a statement to the Council concerning a police pay raise. Officers Harold K. Bost and James Baker presented the following petition to the City Council; signed by members of the Austin Police Department: "We, the undersigned officers of the Austin Police Department, hereby indicate our honest belief and our firm support of a fair, just and equitable pay raise for all members of our department, and we earnestly solicit the support of the City Council." RECESS The Council recessed for five minutes. FIRE DEPARTMENT Mr. John Burns, President, Austin Fire Fighters Association, supported a general pay raise for City employees, but addressed himself primarily to the need for a pay raise for fire fighters. He requested a $205 per month raise for Austin firemen. MH-MR CENTER Mr. John Weimer, Administrative Director of the Mental Health-Mental Retardation Center, requested an increase in funding from $65,000 to $80,000 for the coming year. PERSONAL BOND PROGRAM Mrs. Leon Dorn, representing the Travis County Democratic Women's Committee, requested that the Council apply for Texas Criminal Justice Council funds for improving the City/County Personal Bond Program. CITY OF AUSTIN. TEXAS September 14, 1970 975 AUSTIN ASSOCIATION FOR RETARDED CHILDREN AND RETARDED CITIZENS OF AUSTIN/TRAVIS COUNTY Mr. King Moody, representing the two preceding groups, presented a proposal to set up three sites within the City to serve mentally retarded children during a 10-week summer program. ABOLISHMENT OF REBATE POLICY Father Joe Znotas, representing St. Julia's Church, the Human Opportunities Corporation and a group of 22 Eastside ministers, spoke against the Austin rebate system for water and sewer lines, paving and storm sewers. He strongly recommended the abolishing of the rebate system. Mr. Woodrow Sledge, speaking in favor of the rebate system, made the following points: 1. If developers had to bear the full cost, they would pass the cost on to the home buyer, thereby making the home more expensive. 2. The refund policy has tended to discourage the development of independent, incorporated municipalities outside the City, which would tend to be bad for the total urban situation. Mr. Sledge also spoke in favor of raising City employees' salaries at least to the level of where they were a year ago to compensate for inflation. RECESSED MEETING After some additional discussion of the budget, particularly with regard to Brackenridge Hospital, Councilman Janes moved the Council recess until 9:00 Α.Μ. Wednesday, September 16, 1970. The motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson, carried by the following vote: : Ayes: Noes: Absent: Councilmen Atkison, Gage, Janes, Johnson, Price, Mayor LaRue None Councilman MacCorkle ATTEST: City Clerk APPROVED: Mayor