CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Special Meeting May 15, 1977 2:00 Ρ.Μ. Wooldridge Park The meeting was called to order with Mayor Friedman presiding. Roll Call: Present: Mayor Friedman, Mayor Pro Tem Snell, Councilmembers Himmelblau, Hofmann, Lebermann, Linn, Trevino Absent: None Mayor Friedman said they were there to conduct very little business, but it was probably the most important business ever conducted in Austin every two years. That is, he said, to bring into focus the new Council that will serve the City of Austin for two years. He presented Mr. Dan Davidson, City Manager, who served as Master of Ceremonies. Mr. Davidson thanked Mayor Friedman and extended a warm welcome to all of the guests present, on behalf of the outgoing and incoming members of the Austin City Council. He introduced four members of the Crockett High School Texans, Drew Palmer, Pat McCausland, Tracy Young and Pat Pollack, who posted the colors on the stage. MR. GEORGE COLEMAN, Student Council President at Anderson High School, was introduced next. He led the assembly in the Pledge Of Allegiance to the flag. MR. ARTURI SERGI sang the "Star Spangled Banner," accompanied by Mr. Robert Thieme. MR. JACK D. HOOPER, Pastor of the Tarrytown United Methodist Church, presented the Invocation. At this time, Mr. Davidson honored the four retiring members of the Austin City Council. Each of these Council members, he said, has served their City with distinction and deserve the citizens' thanks. As City Manager, he said he was honored to make special presentations on the City's behalf. He first called Mrs. Margret Hofmann, who served as Councilmember in Place 1, to the podium and presented her with a plaque, citing her outstanding public service and dedication for the citizens of Austin as a member of the Austin City Council _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS May 15, 1977 from 1975 to 1977. Mrs. Hofmann accepted the plaque, saying that the time to celebrate was not at the beginning, but at the end. And she was celebrating two years of dedicated and rewarding work for the benefit of the City and of the citizens of Austin. She thanked everyone for the plaque. Serving in Place 3 for two years, announced Mr. Davidson, was Dr. Emma Lou Linn. He presented a similar plaque to her, recognizing her for outstanding service to the City of Austin. He thanked her for a job well done, on behalf of the citizens and himself. Dr. Linn replied, "Thank you very much for allowing me to serve you." Lowell Lebermann, who served as Councilman in Place 4 for six years, was called to the rostrum. A similar award of appreciation for outstanding public service for a period of six years, citing Mr. Lebermann's participation in many things on the citizens' behalf, was presented to the Councilman. Mr. Lebermann accepted the award by saying he had very much enjoyed his six years of service to this community. He pointed out that he had considered it a privilege to work with each of his colleagues on the Council and looks forward to a continued relationship. He also looks forward to an excellent and progressive two years for our community. The next person recognized and honored, Jeffrey Friedman, served as City Councilman for four years and as Mayor for the past two years. Mr.. Davidson also presented him with a similar plaque in regard to stating the appreciation of the City, and specified his Councilman's terms, 1971 to 1973; 1973 to 1975; and his term of Mayor from 1975 to 1977. Mr. Davidson extended the thanks of the citizens for a job well done. Mr. Friedman thanked the citizens for the honor and privilege of serving them for six years, but more importantly for learning to grow and to understand the needs each person brings to the Council on a day to day basis. He said that Austin will no longer have a silent majority, its people will be active, and vocal, and we will know what to do with the government. Mr. Friedman thanked the people for sharing that with the Council and for being strong enough to determine their future, because their future was that of the City. In parting, he wanted to offer a bit of advice to the incoming Council, particularly the Mayor. To paraphrase Lincoln, he said, "Do this job so that at the end of your term if you have lost all other friends in this world, you will be able to count on the friend inside of you. Do it with your heart and do it with compassion." I have tried, he said, and I know the next Mayor will. Mr. Davidson told the retiring members of the Council that he was sure they felt and enjoyed the satisfaction being heaped on them at the present time in expressing appreciation for the many hours, dedication and devotion to a beautiful city and for the inspiration during their Council tenure. As a result of the last City elections, continued Mr. Davidson, three City Council members will return. He introduced Councilmembers John Trevino, Jr., Place 5; Betty Himmelblau, Place 2; and Jimmy Snell, Place 6. After appropriate remarks by the returning Councilmembers and introduction of their families, they were presented with City Council Certificates for serving on the 1977-79 City Council. Mr. Davidson then recognized the four new members of the Austin City Council. They are Mr. Richard Goodman, Place 4; Mr. Ron Mullen, Place 3; Mr. Lee Cooke, Place 1; and Mrs. Carole Keeton McClellan, Mayor-Elect. After CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS May 15, 1977 appropriate remarks by the newly elected members of the Austin City Council, and introduction of their families, they received the City Council Certificates for serving on the 1977-79 City Council. In her remarks, Mayor-Elect McClellan said that Austin is a City that belongs to all Texans, but to those fortunate enough to call it home, Austin is our City and it belongs to no special interest group, to no special political credo, to no special individual. She said the history of this City is one of residents reasoning together, and although the citizens dispute, they respect the contrary point of view, and maintain a common and steadfast view through the years that Austin is a special City. It's citizens are ingenious and open, who care and dare. In speaking of her goals during her term of office, Mayor-Elect McClellan expressed a desire for an open and accessible government for the new City Council. She pledged that her next two years of City government will reflect the atmosphere that was in the park that day...open, informal and relaxed. She feels that in such an atmosphere people can continue to dare and care for Austin. Mayor-Elect McClellan expressed gratitude for the people's trust and looked forward with great anticipation to being Austin's Mayor. Judge Tom Reavley, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, then administered the Oath of Office to the new Austin City Council as follows: "I, do solemnly swear, that I will faith- fully execute the duties of the office of of the City of Austin, 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." Judge Reavley then presented the new Mayor and City Council to the audience. Mayor McClellan opened the floor for nominations for Mayor Pro Tem. Councilmember Mullen moved that the following resolution be adopted: WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of Austin provides that the Council shall, by election, designate one of its number as Mayor Pro Tem, who shall serve in such capacity during the pleasure of the Council; and, WHEREAS, because of the importance of the Office of Mayor Pro Tem, it is deemed advisable to rotate the Office of Mayor Pro Tem among all City Council members; Now Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That the office of Mayor Pro Tem shall be occupied by all members of the City Council on a rotating basis. The City Council shall, prior to the beginning of each new term, elect one of their number to the position of Mayor Pro Tem. Each member's term as Mayor Pro Tem shall be for a period of four (4) months, the first term to begin May 15, 1977, each new term to begin thereafter on September 15, January 15, and May 15, until all members of the City Council have served in such capacity. The motion, seconded by Councilmember Himmelblau, carried by the following vote: May 15, 1977 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Ayes: Councilmembers Cooke, Goodman, Himmelblau, Mullen, Snell, Mayor McClellan Noes: Councilmember Trevino Councilmember Trevino made the following statement when casting his vote: "Madam Mayor and Members of the Council: One It is my opinion that the office of Mayor Pro Tem was written into the City Charter for good reason. individual should be, at all times, prepared to succeed the Mayor. Just as importantly, the Charter gives the responsibility of determining which Council member is best qualified to fill that position to the City Council itself. It is also my opinion, that by refusing to make such a determination, we shirk our collective responsibility and opt for a simple, expedient, politically comfortable solution. I have made clear to my colleagues, throughout discussion of the future of the Mayor Pro Tem'ship that regardless of which candidate was elected, I felt that the idea of rotating this important office was not a wise one. I am less than optimistic that it will work smoothly or with any particular efficiency. While I will, of course, abide by all decisions made by the City Council, I cannot in good conscience vote for this resolution. I vote no." Motion Councilmember Goodman nominated Councilmember Snell as Mayor Pro Tem for the term of May 15, 1977 to September 15, 1977. The nomination, seconded by Councilmember Cooke, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Goodman, Himmelblau, Mullen, Snell, Trevino, Mayor McClellan, Councilmember Cooke Noes: None At this time, Mayor McClellan recognized Taylor Glass, former Mayor; Les Gage, former Councilmember; and Winnie Gage, School Board member, who were in the audience. She thanked all persons who participated in the program. Motion to Adjourn Councilmember Trevino moved that the Special Called Meeting of the Austin City Council adjourn. The motion, seconded by Councilmember Himmelblau, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Cooke, Goodman, Himmelblau, Mullen, Mayor Pro Tem Snell, Councilmember Trevino, Mayor McClellan Noes: None Mr. Davidson announced that Mr. Arturo Sergi would sing "America the Beautiful", again, accompanied by Mr. Robert Thieme. Mr. Davidson concluded by telling the audience that the new City Council would form a receiving line, refreshments would be served, and music would be furnished by the Gabrieli Quintet. He said the people of Austin had spoken and the new 1977-79 City Council was officially in office. He extended his and the citizens' of Austin support and understanding and best wishes as they face the challenges in Austin's future. ATTEST: CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS May 15, 1977 Rev. Msgr. Reyes, Catholic Diocese of Austin, offered the benediction. ace Monroe City Clerk APPROVED Mayor