The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Monday, February 12, 2001 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. |
| Councilwoman | Ester Chandler |
| Councilman | Donald T. Churchill |
| Councilman | Ronnie Rogers |
| Councilman | DeWayne Kotrla |
| City Manager | John Brasher |
| City Secretary | Jill Ready |
1. Call to Order:
Mayor Frnka called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M., February 12, 2001.
2. Pledge: Led by Mayor Frnka
3. Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of invoices.
b. Approval of minutes from January 22, 2001 and Workshop on January 31,
2001.
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, Rogers, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
4. City Manager's Report:
City Manager Brasher reported the following:
The City replaced the rotted awning at the Mansfield Building.
The City intended to begin laying the storm sewer on King Drive, but could not due to the rain.
The City installed additional storm sewer pipe at Malleck and Charter to improve the drainage at that location.
The Columbus Police Department has initiated a sweep through the entire city to address junked vehicles.
The City has hired Charles Rerich to work in the Utility Department.
Union Pacific replaced the railroad crossing on Austin Street.
Phoenix Fabricators has begun painting the elevated storage tank at the industrial park.
The construction of the equipment storage shed at the city maintenance yard has been completed.
Broadwing Communications has begun boring the west side of Highway 71 to install a fiber optic telecommunications line. The project could possibly be completed in two weeks.
5. Police Chief’s Report:
Police Chief Connor reported the following:
The Department has contacted approximately 50 residents in regards to junk vehicles. Violators will be given ten days to respond.
The Department will be conducting an Alcohol-Tobacco Forum on February 20, 2001. This forum was set up after receiving complaints from parents about juveniles and alcohol. The goal will be to inform parents of their options and to partnership with parents to prevent the abuse of alcohol by juveniles.
The Department is investigating complaints about the use and sale of drugs on Back Street between Preston and Walnut. The Department has made several arrests in the area and will continue to monitor the area closely. Weeded areas have been cleared and a street light is being requested at the intersection of Back and Crockett to help make the area safer and more visible.
The monthly statistical reports were presented for council review.
6. Presentation By Citizens:
Mr. John Axel appeared before council and stated that he was sorry he had not been able to attend the two Wednesday night meetings but he is against any proposal to zone mobile homes. He stated that council would be denying rights to citizens by not allowing them to place a mobile home on their property if that is what they can afford and want. Mr. Axel said he feels that a large portion of the city does not have representation on council. He also stated that he is going to get a petition started to get equal representation for all citizens in Columbus.
Ms. Toni Burns appeared before council and stated that she feels improving tourism will improve the economy for everyone. She also stated that long-time residents as well as new residents can take pride in our community and in our history. Ms. Burns encouraged council to consider approval of map #4 for the zoning of mobile homes in the city.
7. Discussion and Action to Consider Expanding Lots and Blocks Where Manufactured Homes Would Be Prohibited:
Mayor Frnka reported that the following votes were received at city hall for each map showing where manufactured homes would be restricted:
| Map #1 - 1 Vote |
Map #2 - 0 Vote |
| Map #3 - 1 Vote | Map #4 - 129 Votes |
Councilman Churchill moved to accept Proposal #4 for expanding lots and blocks where manufactured homes would be prohibited and amended it to exclude Highway 71 north of Highway 90 and include Milam, Walnut and Fannin. Councilwoman Chandler seconded the motion. Councilwoman Chandler stated that she knew this was a highly emotional topic, but felt that it was in the best interest for the future of Columbus to approve this restriction. Councilman Frnka stated that rules and regulations needed to be adopted concerning what would be grand-fathered in and reported that he was not opposed
to a business using a manufactured building for its offices, but of all the maps #4 was the least offensive. Councilman Rogers stated that he believes everyone should have the right to do whatever they want with their property, especially in the established areas of the City. Councilman Kotrla stated that he does favor some expansion of the area, but will abstain from voting because he owns property within the proposed area and a mobile home park on the edge of the area. There being no further discussion, the vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, and Councilwoman Chandler
NOES: Councilman Rogers
ABSTAIN: Councilman Kotrla
The motion passed.
8. Hearing With John Zweigel Regarding Property Located at the Corner of Preston and Prairie and Action to be Taken:
Mr. John Zweigel appeared before council and reported that he has plans to remove the mobile homes from the corner of Preston and Prairie Street by the end of February. He is trying to find someone that he can afford to pay to move the mobile homes.
9. Consider and Act on a Request By the Columbus FFA to Close a Portion of Milam Street and Walnut Street From 11:00 A.M. to Approximately 12:30 P.M. on Saturday, March 10, 2001 for the Annual Columbus FFA Parade:
Councilman Frnka moved to approve the request by the Columbus FFA to close a portion of Milam Street and Walnut Street from 11:00 a.m. to approximately 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 10, 2001 for the Columbus FFA parade. Councilman Churchill seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
10. Discussion and Action Regarding the Placement of a Street Light at the End of Back Street South of the Railroad Tracks:
Councilman Frnka moved to approve the placement of a street light at the end of Back Street south of the railroad tracks. Councilman Kotrla seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
11. Consider and Act on the Appointment of Ty Prause as the City Prosecutor for Municipal Court Trials:
Councilman Kotrla moved to approve the appointment of Ty Prause as the City Prosecutor for
Municipal Court trials. Councilman Churchill seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
12. Consider and Act on the Appointment of Mary Ellen Prause and Dr. Arun Nayar to a Two-Year Term on the Planning and Zoning Commission:
Councilman Churchill moved to appoint Mary Ellen Prause and Dr. Arun Nayar each to a two-year term on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Councilwoman Chandler seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
13. Consider and Act on a Request to Place a Four-Way Stop at the Corner of Bowie and Harbert:
City Manager Brasher reported that he received a call from a citizen at that location stating that cars speed through the intersection. Mr. Brasher stated that he was not aware of any accidents or other complaints at that location. Councilman Churchill moved to approve a request to place a four-way stop at the corner of Bowie and Harbert. The motion died for lack of a second.
14. Consider and Act on a Budget Amendment for the Purchase of a 2000 Ford Crown Victoria:
Councilwoman Chandler moved to approve a budget amendment increasing account #01-8480-10 Administration-Vehicles by $1,320 and decreasing account #01-8800-05 Contingency by $1,320 for the purchase of a 2000 Ford Crown Victoria. Councilman Rogers seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
15. Consider Streets Scheduled for Street Seal Coating and Grant Authorization to Advertise for Bids:
Councilman Kotrla moved to authorize management to advertise for bids to seal coat the recommended streets. Councilman Rogers seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
16. Consider and Act on the Adoption of Ordinance No. 2-01 Amending the Manufactured Home Ordinance:
Councilman Rogers moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2-01 amending the manufactured home ordinance as previously approved. Councilman Churchill seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed. A copy of the ordinance follows these minutes.
17. Consider and Act to Award a Bid for the Purchase of a Vibratory Roller:
The following bids were received for the purchase of a vibratory roller:
$23,500.00 $24,699.00
VENDOR
MAKE
AMOUNT
Carruth-Doggett Ind.
Houston, TexasDynapac CC 92
$24,425.00
Hi-Way Equipment Co.
Houston, TexasVibromax 255
R. B. Everett & Company
Houston, Texas2001 Benford/Terex TV 900
$23,738.00
R. B. Everett & Company
Houston, Texas2000 Benford/Terex TV 1200
Councilman Rogers moved to accept the low bid from Hi-Way Equipment Co. for $23,500.00 for the purchase of a vibratory roller. Councilman Churchill seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, Kotrla, and Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
18. Consider and Act on the Resignation of the City Manager:
Councilman Kotrla moved to accept the resignation of City Manager John Brasher. Councilman Churchill seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler
The motion passed.
19. Items From Councilmembers:
Councilman Churchill expressed his appreciation to the citizens for turning out for the meetings on manufactured homes.
Councilman Frnka stated that he was pleased with the process and turnout to resolve the manufactured home issue.
20. Announcements:
Mayor Frnka wished City Manager Brasher the best in whatever he decides to do. She also requested that council hold a workshop on February 15, 2001 at 4:00 P.M. to discuss criteria for hiring a new city manager.
21. Adjournment:
There being no further business, Mayor Frnka declared the meeting adjourned at 7:36 P.M.