The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Monday, August 28, 2000 at 6:30 P.M., in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 605 Spring Street, Columbus, Texas, with the following present:
| Mayor | Paula Frnka |
| Mayor Pro-Tem | Earl Joe Frnka, Jr. |
| Councilman | Donald T. Churchill |
| Councilman | Ronnie Rogers |
| Councilman | DeWayne Kotrla |
| City Manager | John Brasher |
| City Secretary | Jill Ready |
and the following absent:
| Councilwoman | Ester Chandler |
1. Call to Order:
Mayor Frnka called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M., August 28, 2000.
2. Invocation: Mayor Frnka led the Lord’s Prayer
3. Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of invoices.
b. Approval of minutes from August 14, 2000.
c. Approval of financial statements.
Councilman Rogers moved to approve the consent agenda. Councilman Frnka seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, and Kotrla
ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
4. City Manager's Report:
City Manager Brasher reported the following:
The City Hall, the Nesbitt Memorial Library, and the Recycling Center will be closed Monday, September 4th for the observance of the Labor Day holiday. The library and recycling center will be open Saturday, September 2nd. There will be no city residential garbage collection on the day of the holiday. Regularly scheduled routes will resume Tuesday, September 5th. Citizens who were affected by the holiday will be allowed to place ten (10) items for collection on Thursday, September 7th.
As of Friday, Supak Construction had laid 900 linear feet of 42-inch storm sewer pipe along Montezuma Street. The remaining storm sewer pipe for Oak Cluster and King Drive has been ordered.
The Bowie Street storm sewer project has been completed. The wet well at the sewer plant will still have to be cleaned out to remove the sand and debris that resulted from the project.
A letter was sent to the Texas Department of Economic Development requesting them to make a determination with regards to the conflict of interest issue between Mercer Construction and the engineering consulting firm of John D. Mercer and Associates. Once determined, the bid can be officially awarded so that the installation of the gas and water lines can begin in the industrial park. Dernehl Construction has already begun the drainage improvements with the paving so to follow. The construction of the elevated storage tank will begin around November. Finally, the CCIDC is in the process of finalizing plans for the construction of an incubator building at the industrial park.
Chris Glenn is scheduled to paint the ground water storage tank at the Tait Water Well on September 9th for his Eagle Scout project. A new logo will also be painted on the tank.
City Management will be having a meeting with Union Pacific to discuss the railroad crossings in Columbus.
5. Presentation by Citizens:
Mr. Frank Steitz appeared before council concerning the dust on Bowie Street. He requested that the street sweeper not be used because it stirs up more dust than it picks up. He would like to see the city crews wash down the streets instead of sweeping them.
Mr. Chris Christensen also appeared before council. He thanked city crews for installing a gas line to his property on May Street. He reported that it was done quickly and neatly. Mr. Christensen expressed concern about the speed limits on Montezuma and Veterans Drive. He would like to see the speed limits on both streets lowered to 30 mph due to the large number of pedestrians on these streets.
Mr. R. F. Rau appeared before council to express concern about a mobile home application that will place a manufactured home on the Convention and Visitors Bureau tour route. He requested that council postpone approval of the mobile home application until the state approves an enlarged historic district for the city.
6. Audience to Bob Pickens Regarding a Discussion of a Proposed Colorado County Groundwater Conservation District:
Mr. Bob Pickens with the Colorado County Groundwater Formation Committee was present to educate council on the formation of the committee and its main goals, and answer any questions and address any concerns. He reported that the proposed groundwater conservation district is a vehicle to manage groundwater conservation. The enabling act allows a temporary board to come into effect and then the board would have to be approved by the citizens of the area by a vote.
Councilman Frnka expressed concern about preferential treatment for certain users.
Councilman Rogers expressed concern about the proposed representation on the board. He stated that some water districts would not have representation on the board and the county would have more representation than all three cities put together.
Councilman Kotrla said he would support the resolution and let the voters make the decision.
7. Consider and Act on Resolution Supporting the Pursuance of Forming a Colorado County Groundwater Conservation District:
Councilman Kotrla moved to approve the resolution supporting the pursuance of forming a Colorado County Groundwater Conservation District. Councilman Rogers seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, and Kotrla
ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
8. Consider and Act to Award a Bid for a Playscape for the MidTown Park:
Mr. Jim Brisco, grant administrator, reported that two bids had been received for playground equipment. He reported that it was the recommendation of the MidTown Park Committee to go with the bid from Park Place for Option A at a cost of $30,657. Councilman Rogers moved to accept the Option A bid from Park Place for $30,657.00 for a playscape for the MidTown Park. Councilman Frnka seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, and Kotrla
ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
9. Consider and Act on Application to Permit a Manufactured Home to Be Located at the Corner of Front and Malleck:
Councilman Churchill questioned the measurements of the property which were missing from the drawing of the property layout and asked if the building inspector had visited the property. Councilman Rogers moved to approve the application to permit a manufactured home to be located at the corner of Front and Malleck. Councilman Kotrla seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Rogers, and Kotrla
ABSTAIN: Councilman Churchill
ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
10. Public Hearing for the Purpose of Receiving Comments Pertaining to the CCVB Budget for Fiscal Year 2000-01:
The council meeting was recessed and Mayor Frnka opened the public hearing at 7:40 P.M. There being no one present to make comments, the public hearing was closed at 7:41 P.M. and Mayor Frnka reopened the regular council meeting.
11. Consider and Act on the Proposed CCVB Budget for Fiscal Year 2000-01:
Mr. Buddy Rau was present to discuss the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau budget. He explained various changes in the budget from the previous year. Councilman Rogers moved to approve the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau budget for fiscal year 2000-2001 as presented. Councilman Frnka seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, and Kotrla
ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
12. Discussion and Action to Approve a Contract With the CCVB for the Disbursement of Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax Revenues for Fiscal Year 2000-01:
Councilman Rogers moved to approve the contract with the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau for the disbursement of hotel/motel occupancy tax revenues for fiscal year 2000-01. Councilman Churchill
seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, and Kotrla
ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
13. Consider and Act on a Budget Amendment in the Amount of $15,000 to Purchase a Pre-Owned Vehicle for the Police Department:
Councilman Frnka moved to approve the budget amendment to increase account #01-8480-20 in the amount of $15,000 to purchase a pre-owned vehicle for the police department. Councilman Kotrla seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, and Kotrla
ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
14. Consider and Act on a Budget Amendment in the Amount of $18,199 to Repair the Water Well 2A:
Councilman Rogers moved to approve a budget amendment to increase account #03-8268-70 in the amount of $18,199 to repair water well 2A. Councilman Frnka seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, and Kotrla
ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
15. Consider and Act to Cast a Ballot to Vote for a Candidate to Serve on the TML Intergovernmental Employee Benefits Pool Board of Trustees:
Councilman Frnka moved to authorize city management to cast a vote for Tom Reid to serve on the TML Intergovernmental Employees Benefits Pool Board of Trustees. Councilman Rogers seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, and Kotrla
ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
16. Consider and Act to Cast a Ballot to Vote for Candidates to Serve on the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool Board of Trustees:
Councilman Rogers moved to vote for Greg Ingham for Place 11 on the TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool Board of Trustees. Councilman Frnka seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, and Kotrla
ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
Councilman Frnka moved to vote for Mike McGregor for Place 12 on the TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool Board of Trustees. Councilman Rogers seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, and Kotrla
ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
Councilman Frnka moved to vote for Eliseo Valdez, Jr. for Place 13 on the TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool Board of Trustees. Councilman Rogers seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, and Kotrla
ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
Councilman Frnka moved to vote for Pat Norris for Place 14 on the TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool Board of Trustees. Councilman Rogers seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, and Kotrla
ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
17. Set Date and Time for a Public Hearing to Receive Comments on the Proposed City of Columbus Budget and Ad Valorem Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2000-01:
Councilman Rogers moved to set September 11, 2000 at the regular council meeting as the date and time to hold a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed City of Columbus budget and ad valorem tax rate for the fiscal year 2000-01. Councilman Frnka seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, and Kotrla
ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
18. Items From Council:
Councilman Rogers stated that he is glad to see the house at the underpass being torn down.
19. Announcements:
There were no announcements.
Mayor Frnka recessed the regular meeting at 8:03 P.M. and entered into Executive Session.
20. Executive Session for Deliberations Regarding Personnel Matters Pursuant to the Provisions of the Open Meetings Law, Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon’s Texas Code Annotated, in
Accordance with the Authority Contained in Chapter 551.074, to Evaluate the City Manager and Discuss Salary Percentage Increases:
The Executive Session was recorded on audio tape and sealed in an envelope marked "August 28, 2000 - Executive Session to Evaluate the City Manager and Discuss Salary Percentage Increases".
21. Return to Open Session for the Purpose of Taking Action Relative to the Executive Session in Reference to the Evaluation of the City Manager and Discuss Salary Percentage Increases:
The Executive Session adjourned at 8:41 P.M. and the city council meeting reconvened into Open Session. Mayor Frnka reported that council was satisfied with the City Manager’s performance.
22. Budget Workshop:
Morris Sandefer with the Fire Fighters Pension Commission was present to discuss bringing the Columbus Volunteer Fire Department into the State Pension Plan. He explained the history of the Texas Statewide Emergency Services Retirement Fund and discussed the benefits, including the disability and death benefits.
He explained the cost of entering into the plan and the various payment options available.
23. Adjournment:
There being no further business, Mayor Frnka declared the meeting adjourned at 10:10 P.M.