The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Monday, April 9, 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., April 9, 2001.

2. Pledge: Led by Mayor Frnka

3. Consider and Act on Invoice from Roger’s Electric:

Councilman Kotrla moved to approve for payment the invoice from Roger’s Electric. Councilwoman Chandler seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

AYES: Councilmen Frnka, Churchill, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler

ABSTAIN: Councilman Rogers

The motion passed.

4. Consent Agenda:

a. Approval of invoices.
b. Approval of minutes from March 16, 19, 26, and 30, 2001 council meetings.
c. Approval of financial statements.

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

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

The motion passed.

Utility Superintendent Dungen reported the following:

The City completed the flushing of all fire hydrants.

The exterior of City Hall was treated for termites.

City Hall and the recycling center will be closed Friday, April 13^th for the observance of Good Friday. The Nesbitt Memorial Library will be closed Friday and Saturday, April 13^th and 14^th. The recycling center will be open Saturday, April 14^th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There will not be any garbage collection service on the day of the holiday. Regularly scheduled routes will resume on Monday of the following week and those residents who did not have collection service due to the holiday will be allowed to put out ten items on Tuesday, April 17^th.

City crews have begun the process of constructing the playscape at the MidTown Park.

6. Police Chief’s Report:

Police Chief Connor reported the following:

Budgeted capital outlay items have been ordered.

Various narcotics investigations were conducted. Several arrests were made and contraband seized.

Requested that council revisit adopting a vicious animal ordinance. Vicious dogs are being used to deter narcotic investigations.

Officer Martinez submitted his resignation on March 31, 2001. He will be accepting employment with the Weimar Police Department.

The local law enforcement administrators in Colorado County are discussing the creation of a county-wide task force. The proposal would require each agency to sponsor an officer to work with the proposed county-wide task force.

The Department has issued two citations to residents for junk vehicles. 90% of the junked vehicles identified by council have been removed from the City.

The monthly statistical reports were presented for council’s review.

7. Fire Marshal and Building Inspector’s Report:

Fire Marshal Krenek was present to review the quarterly reports. He stated that he is trying to conduct two fire safety inspections per week. Mr. Krenek also gave a report on properties identified by council as needing cleaning.

8. Quarterly Report From Buddy Rau on the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau:

The quarterly report from the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau was included in councils’ packets for their review. Mr. Rau was unable to attend the council meeting.

9. Quarterly Report From Jim Brisco on the MidTown Park:

Ms. Carolyn Brisco was present to give a report on the status of the MidTown Park project. Engineer Donald Warschak stated that he is working on the construction drawings and hopes to have them submitted by mid-May and then be able to go out for bids by the end of May.

10. Quarterly Report from Doak Hartley on the Columbus Community and Industrial Development Corporation:

Mr. Hartley was unable to attend the council meeting, but included the quarterly report in council packets. Engineer Donald Warschak will be contacting Phoenix Fabricators to fill the new water tower. It must be filled, drained and refilled. The problem with the lights on the water tower is also being addressed.

11. Quarterly Report From George Fox on the Chamber of Commerce:

The quarterly report for the Chamber of Commerce was included in council packets. Mr. Fox was unable to attend the council meeting.

12. Presentation By Citizens:

No citizen presentations were made.

13. Consider and Act to Award a Bid for a Head Works Screen for the Old Sewer Plant:

Mr. Donald Warschak, engineer on the project, reported that the following bids had been received:

COMPANY ADDRESS AMOUNT

Headworks, Inc. 9601 Katy Freeway $36,900.00
Houston, TX 77024

Lakeside Equipment Corp. 1022 E. Devon $51,371.00
Bartlett, IL 60103

Mr. Warschak and Utility Superintendent Lawrence Dungen reported that they had met with Headworks, Inc., inspected their product, and were pleased with the design. Councilman Rogers moved to accept the low bid of $36,900 from Headworks, Inc. of Houston, Texas for the installation of a head works screen at the old sewer plant. Councilman Churchill seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

14. Discussion and Action Pertaining to Repairs Needed on the 1981 Mack Class A Pumper:

Fire Chief Bobby Walla explained that the tank on the 1981 pumper had developed leaks and was dripping on a pump causing it to short out. Mr. Walla recommended replacing the tank on the truck and reworking all the valves. He stated that this would extend the life of the truck by fifteen years. The approximate cost of the repairs would be $12,000 to $12,500. The truck will be out of service for about two months. Councilman Frnka moved to authorize the fire department to make the necessary repairs to the 1981 Mack Class A pumper. Councilman Kotrla seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

15. Consider and Act on the Adoption of Resolution No. 2-01 Authorizing Signatories for the Hydro-Test, Inc. Texas Capital Fund Project #714502:

Councilwoman Chandler moved to adopt Resolution No. 2-01 authorizing signatories for the Hydro-Test, Inc. Texas Capital Fund Project #714502. 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 to Adopt a Proclamation Proclaiming April as Fair Housing Month:

Councilman Rogers moved to adopt a Proclamation proclaiming April as Fair Housing Month. Councilwoman Chandler seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

17. Consider and Act on the Appointment of Jill Ready and Lawrence Dungen to Serve as Co-City Managers Until a Replacement Has Been Hired:

Councilman Frnka moved to appoint Jill Ready and Lawrence Dungen to serve as Co-City Managers until a replacement has been hired. Councilman Kotrla seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

18. Consider and Act to Award a Bid for Street Seal Coating:

Mr. Donald Warschak reported that the following bids were received for street seal coating:

COMPANY ADDRESS AMOUNT

H & C Construction, Inc. Shiner, Texas $0.80/sq. yard
Dernehl Construction, Inc. Orchard, Texas $0.85/sq. yard
Faltisek Paving, Inc. El Campo, Texas $0.98/sq. yard
Silva Contracting Co. Richmond, Texas $0.94/sq. yard

Councilman Kotrla moved to accept the low bid of $0.80 per square yard for street seal coating submitted by H & C Construction, Inc. Councilwoman Chandler seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

Councilman Rogers thanked the utility department for their good work resulting in an excellent rating on the gas audit.

Councilman Churchill stated that the Zoning Ordinance requires an annual audit of properties and it is now past due. Mayor Frnka said the audit would be the job of the new city manager.

Councilman Frnka stated that the St. Anthony’s Parish youth would be having a passion play and everyone is invited to attend.

Councilwoman Chandler thanked the various committees for their informative reports.

20. Announcements:

There were no announcements at this time.

Mayor Frnka recessed the regular meeting at 7:50 P.M. and, after a short break, entered into Executive Session.

21. Adjourn to Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Personnel Matters and Real Property 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 and 551.072:

The Executive Session was recorded on audio tape and sealed in an envelope marked "April 9, 2001 – Executive Session to Discuss Personnel Matters and Real Property".

The Executive Session adjourned at 8:32 P.M. Mayor Frnka reported that there was no action to be taken regarding real property. Councilman Rogers moved to hire David Stall as the new city manager. Councilman Kotrla seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

There being no further business, Mayor Frnka declared the meeting adjourned at 8:33 P.M.

______________________________

Mayor

ATTEST:

___________________________

City Secretary