The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Tuesday, May 29, 2001 at 6:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 605 Spring Street, Columbus, Texas, with the following present:

Mayor - Paula Frnka
Mayor Pro-Tem - Ester Chandler
Councilman - Leroy J. Sebesta
Councilman - Donald T. Churchill
Councilman - Ronnie Rogers
Councilman - DeWayne Kotrla
City Manager - David Stall
City Secretary - Jill Ready

1. Call to Order:

Mayor Frnka called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M., May 29, 2001.

2. Pledge: Led by Mayor Frnka

3. Consent Agenda:

a. Approval of invoices.

b. Approval of minutes from May 14, 2001 council meeting.

c. Approval of financial statements.

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

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

The motion passed.

4. City Manager's Report:

City Manager David Stall reported the following:

  1. The budget process for fiscal year 2001/2002 has begun.
  2. On Saturday, May 26th , the water well pump motor failed at the water plant by the high school. The pump is being repaired, and the outage does not present any shortage concern at this time.
  3. MidTown Park project is progressing. Final drawings were reviewed and sent to Texas Parks and Wildlife for grant review.
  4. Storm water drainage problems are being investigated. A comprehensive storm water drainage plan needs to be developed.
  5. Installation of storm water drain pipe on King Drive will resume.
  6. A long-term project to identify and document the City’s real estate holdings has begun.
  7. Gave an update on Texas Crossroads Industrial Park.
  8. A Bicycle Rodeo sponsored by the Columbus Police Department will be held Wednesday.
  9. The Chamber of Commerce is seeking approval to move the Annual Fourth of July Picnic to the City Park on Montezuma.
  10. Several citizens have expressed interest in organizing a Juneteenth Celebration in Columbus.
  11. The City continues to update it’s website. Minutes and agendas will now be online.

5. Citizen Presentations and Comments:

No citizens appeared before council with comments or presentations.

6. Accept Bids For Head Works Screen Structure (Sewer Plant #1), Award Contract, and Authorize the Mayor to Sign the Contract and Other Documents as May Be Required:

Mr. Donald Warschak, engineer with John D. Mercer & Associates, reported that the following bids were received for the head works screen structure:

BIDDER BID PRICE

LL&F Construction Management, El Campo, Texas $43,900.00

Mercer Construction Company, Edna, Texas $59,200.00

Two other bids were received after the deadline and bid opening.

Councilwoman Chandler moved to award the contract to LL&F Construction Management for the bid of $43,900 for the construction of the head works screen structure at sewer plant #1. Councilman Rogers seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

Councilwoman Chandler moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the contract and other documents as may be required for the construction of the head works screen structure. Councilman Sebesta seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

7. Consideration of Resolution Authorizing Submission of a HOME Program Application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs:

Councilman Churchill moved to adopt a Resolution authorizing the submission of a HOME Program application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Councilman Kotrla seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

8. Discussion of Annexation Needs Related to City Property, Public Use Land, and Industrial District Property:

City Manager Stall reported that some of the additional land purchased from the Railroad at the Industrial Park had not been annexed into the City. There are many reasons to annex this property into the city including property taxation. He also recommended that the three acre tract owned by the City on FM 806 be annexed before it is sold along with the adjourning property. Additionally, the land at Wastewater Treatment Plant #1 is not currently within the city limits and should be annexed.

Council requested drawings of the areas recommended for annexation. Mayor Frnka asked that city management and council proceed with annexation of the property at the Industrial Park and continue to gather information on the other properties.

9. Items From Council Members:

Councilman Kotrla requested that an explanation of agenda items be included in their agenda packets. Councilman Kotrla also requested an update on the rehabilitation and demolition of unsafe buildings.

Councilman Rogers stated that he had attended the memorial services at the Veterans Hall and they were excellent.

Councilman Churchill requested an update from Building Inspector Krenek on unsafe structures.

Councilman Sebesta questioned the unfavorable variance in the gas department for purchase of natural gas.

10. Announcements:

Mayor Frnka announced that council is invited to the annual law enforcement appreciation dinner on June 13th, which is the same night as the Tri-Cities meeting.

11. Adjournment:

There being no further business, Mayor Frnka declared the meeting adjourned at 7:11 P.M.

______________________________

Mayor

ATTEST:

___________________________

City Secretary