The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Monday, December 11, 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 |
and the following absent:
| Councilwoman | Ester Chandler |
| City Secretary | Jill Ready |
1. Call to Order:
Mayor Frnka called the meeting to order at 6:32 P.M., December 11, 2000.
2. Invocation: Councilman Frnka
3. Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of invoices.
b. Approval of minutes from November 27, 2000.
c. Approval of financial statements.
Councilman Rogers moved to approve the consent agenda. Councilman Churchill seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, and Rogers
ABSENT: Councilman Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
4. City Manager's Report:
City Manager Brasher reported the following:
The City of Columbus failed to score enough points to secure a $350,000 Texas Community Development Program grant from the Texas Department of Economic Development to drill a new water well. Columbus accumulated 254.3 points while Colorado County had the highest score of 321.7 points.
The Texas Department of Economic Development Board met on Wednesday of last week and approved the Hydro-Test Texas Capital Fund application. The effective start date on the project was December 6th and Hydro-Test can begin incurring costs associated with this project immediately. The City should receive the official award for this project within the next two weeks.
All city departments are gathering a list of information to submit to CyberVision Corporation in order to complete phase two of the city’s website.
The City is currently advertising for bids for a new garbage truck. Bids will be opened on Thursday, December 28th.
The water line extension and the rail spur in the industrial park have been completed. The rail line still needs to be connected to the Union Pacific switching lines. The paving of Great Southern Way and the private drive to the plant began last week. You should begin seeing construction of the elevated water storage tank soon.
f. City Hall, the Nesbitt Library, and the Recycling Center will be closed Monday, December 25th for the Christmas holiday and Monday, January 1st for the New Years Day holiday. There will be no residential garbage collection on the day of the holidays. Residents who did not have garbage collection service due to the holidays will be allowed to put out ten items on their next collection day pickup.
5. Police Chief’s Report:
Police Chief Connor reported the following:
The Department has an ongoing narcotic investigation. Several arrests were made in the past month.
Additional patrol will be added during the holidays for businesses. Shoplifting is one of the major problems during the holiday season.
The Department will be sponsoring two mandatory law enforcement courses in January.
An investigation of counterfeit money issued local business was conducted. Three persons were arrested and the counterfeit bills were released to the U.S. Secret Service.
The Department continues to notify residents about junk vehicles on their property.
Statistical reports were presented for council’s review.
6. Presentation By Citizens:
No one appeared before council at this time.
7. Audience to Dr. Sarah Williams Regarding the Abandoned Top Cat Cafe Building:
Dr. Williams was not present at this time.
8. Discussion and Action Regarding the Top Cat Café Building:
It was the consensus of council to request a written letter from Dr. Sarah Williams explaining her intentions for the Top Cat Café building including a time frame. This letter should be sent to the City by December 22, 2000.
9. Discussion and Action Regarding Request for Incentives for the Charter Oaks Townhouse Project:
Mr. Charlie Pearson was present to discuss the Charter Oaks Townhouse Project. He reported that these townhomes would be built with senior citizens in mind and would meet ADA requirements. The investors are interested in building them individually, joined by a patio area. Each unit would be custom designed. Mr. Pearson stated that any incentives and/or support the City could give them would be greatly appreciated. Councilman Frnka moved to table action until plans are submitted to the City for construction to determine the various applicable fees. Councilman Churchill seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Williams, Rogers, and Kotrla
ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler
The motion to table passed.
10. Consider and Act on the Recommendation From the MidTown Park Committee to Enter Into an Engineering Service Agreement With John D. Mercer and Associates for Engineering Services For the MidTown Park:
Mr. Jim Brisco with Northern Connection and Mr. Donald Warschak with John D. Mercer and Associates, were present to discuss the agreement for engineering services for the MidTown Park. A set of plans would be prepared for the whole project and then construction packets for each part of the project. Councilman Frnka moved to approve the recommendation from the MidTown Park Committee to enter into an engineering service agreement with John D. Mercer and Associates for engineering services for the MidTown Park. Councilman Rogers seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Williams, Rogers, and Kotrla
ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
11. Consider and Act to Allocate a Portion of the Texas Southeastern Gas Settlement Funds to Purchase Additional Gas Meter Indexes:
Utility Superintendent Lawrence Dungen explained that he needed these indexes to change existing gas meters to touch read meters. Councilman Churchill moved to allocated all of the Texas Southeastern Gas Settlement funds to the purchase of additional gas meter indexes. Councilman Rogers seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Williams, Rogers, and Kotrla
ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
At this time Mayor Frnka returned to Item #7.
7. Audience to Dr. Sarah Williams Regarding the Abandoned Top Cat Cafe Building:
Mr. Williams appeared before council and reported that they plan to demolish the deteriorated portion of the building within thirty days and begin construction of the new portion of the building within sixty days following demolition. Plans will be submitted in about twenty days and building permits are to be obtained from the building inspector.
12. Consider and Act to Set a Date and Time for the Second City Council Meeting in December 2000:
Councilman Rogers moved to set Friday, December 22, 2000 at 12:05 P.M. as the date and time for the second city council meeting in December. Councilman Kotrla seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Williams, Rogers, and Kotrla
ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
13. Items From Council Members:
Councilman Frnka reminded everyone that the Columbus Fire Department will be having their stag stew supper in January.
14. Announcements:
Mayor Frnka wished everyone a happy holiday season and reminded them of the upcoming City Christmas party.
15. Adjournment:
There being no further business, Mayor Frnka declared the meeting adjourned at 7:26 P.M.