The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Monday, January 8, 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. (Arrived 7:00 P.M.)
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., January 8, 2001.

2. Pledge: Led by Mayor Frnka

3. Consent Agenda:

a. Approval of invoices.
b. Approval of minutes from December 22, 2000.
c. Approval of financial statements.

Councilman Rogers moved to approve the consent agenda. Councilwoman Chandler seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

AYES: Councilmen Churchill, Rogers, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler

ABSENT: Councilman Frnka

The motion passed.

City Manager Brasher reported the following:

From January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2000 the Columbus Recycling Center collected 3,575 gallons of used oil and 475,392 pounds of paper totaling $17,517.

City Hall, Nesbitt Memorial Library and the Recycling Center will be closed Monday, January 15^th for the observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. The garbage schedule will be as it usually is for a holiday.

The City is currently advertising for bids for the purchase of a vibratory roller. The specifications for this piece of equipment can be picked up at City Hall. The bids for the vibratory roller will be opened on February 7^th.

The Columbus Community and Industrial Development Corporation is currently advertising for bids for the construction of an incubator building to be constructed in the Texas Crossroads Business Park. Bids will be opened on January 18^th.

 

The City took delivery of a Ford tractor today purchased from Potter Ford. It will be used by the sewer department. The utility department also took delivery of a pickup last week from Columbus Ford.

The codification of the city ordinances has been completed and is currently being setup to link with the city’s web page.

City Management did meet with a representative from the Railroad concerning the railroad crossings and followed up the meeting with letters. They know the crossings need replacement, but it is not in their budget at this time.

5. Police Chief’s Report:

Police Chief Connor reported the following:

The Department will be checking up on registered sex offenders once a month. It is recommended that pictures be published with the registered sex offenders notice in the newspaper. Due to prohibitive costs, Chief Connor would like council’s input concerning putting the photos on the city’s web page.

The Department has been providing extra security at the banks on Friday evenings. They are taking the escapee situation very seriously and exercising caution on all calls.

The Department would like to start a community program beginning with a Citizens Police Academy, which would be an eleven-week program to give citizens an idea of what the department does.

The monthly statistical reports were presented for council review.

6. Consider and Act to Endorse the Following Community Programs Sponsored and Conducted by the Columbus Police Department: Citizens Police Academy, Youth Public Safety Academy, Crime Watch Program, and a Neighborhood Partners Program:

Councilwoman Chandler stated that she was pleased to see these programs being brought to the community and moved to authorize the Police Department to begin the Citizens Police Academy. The motion died for lack of a second.

7. Consider and Act on a Request From the Columbus Volunteer Fire Department to Receive 100% of Their Attendance Bonuses:

Councilman Kotrla moved to not withhold any dues from the Columbus Volunteer Firemen’s attendance bonuses. Councilman Churchill seconded the motion. Councilwoman Chandler stated that she supported the fire department but felt that under most retirement plans the participants must contribute something to the plan. The vote was as follows:

AYES: Councilmen Churchill, Rogers, and Kotrla

NOES: Councilwoman Chandler

ABSENT: Councilman Frnka

The motion passed.

8. Consider and Act to Award a Bid for the Purchase of a New Garbage Truck:

The following bids were received for the purchase of a new garbage truck:

VENDOR MAKE AMOUNT

International Trucks of Houston 2001 International/ $98,535.96
Houston, Texas Pak-Mor 25 yd. packer

Houston Freightliner, Inc. 2001 Freightliner/ $90,837.00
Houston, Texas McNeilus 25 yd. packer

Lone Star Truck Center 2001 GMC/ $97,942.00
Houston, Texas McNeilus 25 yd. packer

Councilman Rogers moved to accept the low bid from Houston Freightliner, Inc. for $90,837.00. Councilman Churchill seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

AYES: Councilmen Churchill, Rogers, Kotrla, and Councilwoman Chandler

ABSENT: Councilman Frnka

The motion passed.

9. Consider and Act on the Adoption of Ordinance No. 1-01 Adopting and Enacting a New Code for the City of Columbus:

Councilman Churchill moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1-01 adopting and enacting a new code of ordinances for the City of Columbus. Councilman Rogers seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Rogers, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler

The motion passed.

10. Presentation By Citizens:

No citizens appeared before council at this time.

Councilman Churchill reported that a citizen had contacted him about adding an additional handicapped parking place in front of the fitness center on Milam Street.

Councilman Frnka stated that the K.C.s would be selling barbecued chicken and sausage again.

Mayor Frnka announced that the 2000 Fire Alarm Report was included in council packets.

There being no further business, Mayor Frnka declared the meeting adjourned at 7:08 P.M.

______________________________

Mayor

ATTEST:

___________________________

City Secretary