The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Monday, June 25, 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 - Ester Chandler
Councilman - Leroy Sebesta
Councilman - Donald T. Churchill
Councilman - Ronnie Rogers
Councilman - DeWayne Kotrla

City Manager - David K. Stall
City Secretary - Jill Ready

1. Call to Order:

Mayor Frnka called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M., June 25, 2001.

2. Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Mayor Frnka

3. Consideration and Approval of Invoice From Rogers Electric:

Councilwoman Chandler moved to approve the invoice from Rogers Electric. Councilman Sebesta seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

4. Consent Agenda:

a. Approval of invoices.
b. Approval of minutes from June 11, 2001 Council Meeting.
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 Sebesta, Churchill, Rogers, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler

The motion passed.

City Manager Stall reported the following:

City Management met with Pierce Arthur concerning the status of the City’s audit. Field work will resume on Tuesday.

Work on the city budget continues. The net taxable value of property in the City is estimated at $135,500,000.

The water well at the high school has been repaired and is back on line.

Contract documents were delivered for the wastewater treatment plant headworks and work is scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

On June 13^th the TNRCC inspected the city’s water system. All minor corrections required have been accomplished.

An application for preliminary subdivision plat approval has been filed. City Management has reviewed the plat and will recommend in favor of the subdivision. It will go before the Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday for approval of the preliminary plat data.

The owner of another proposed subdivision in the west part of the city has raised concern that the City does not limit drilling for oil and gas in the proximity of residential subdivisions. A simple ordinance concerning this issue will be offered for Council’s consideration on July 9^th.

At this time, Councilman Sebesta cautioned council concerning the development of this property. He recommended that elevations be taken every ½ to ¼ foot, because any change in the existing elevation could redirect drainage and back up water onto existing lots.

Storm sewer pipe is being laid on King Drive in the Butler Addition.

Code enforcement is progressing with three notices of violations being served. Additional notices will be served in the upcoming weeks.

First Baptist Church has provided site plans for a new gymnasium.

Hydro-Test, Inc. submitted formal site plans and building drawings. The plans were reviewed and approved for compliance with CCIDC restrictions. Substantial modifications will require resubmission.

The City was notified that it had been awarded a grant from LCRA for $139,200.

The website update continues with the addition of more than 20,000 cemetery records.

A resolution will be presented to Council on July 9^th for consideration to authorize the City Attorney to take legal action to seek removal of a fence that is obstructing the flow of water.

At this time Councilman Sebesta expressed concern about the gases that will be released into the atmosphere by Hydro-Test, Inc.

6. Citizen Presentations and Comments:

Mr. John D. Mercer, engineer, appeared before council to request consideration for the appointment of city engineer.

7. Consideration and Authorization for the City Manager to Review and Approve Improvements to the Memorial Park Baseball Field Including the Rehabilitation of Concession Stand; Removal of Press Box; Construction of Additional Stands; and, Other Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Fences, Gates, Pavement, Dugouts and Other Existing Facilities:

City Manager Stall explained that the city owns the land that the baseball field is on and leases it to the school. The City will need to be flexible in approving improvements which will be done as funds become available.

Mr. Dennis Hartley appeared before council to review the proposed improvements. The work will be done in four phases, the first two being done with donations. Preliminary plans were displayed for council’s review.

Councilman Rogers moved to authorize the City Manager to review and approve improvements to the Memorial Park Baseball Field. Councilman Kotrla seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

8. Consideration and Approval of Citizen Request to Close Washington Street Between Milam and Travis to Vehicular Traffic During the Hours of 5:00 P.M. to Midnight on July 4^th:

John and Cynthia Engstrom made this request on behalf of the First United Methodist Church but were unable to attend the meeting. Council requested that citizens on the street be notified of the closing and consideration given to closing only a portion of the block. Councilman Rogers moved to approve the request to close Washington Street between Milam and Travis to vehicular traffic during the hours of 5:00 p.m. to midnight on July 4^th. Councilman Churchill seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

9. Consideration and Approval of Citizen Request to Close Washington Street Between Milam and Travis to Vehicular Traffic During the Hours of 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Each Day From July 16^th to and Including July 20^th:

Due to the absence of John and Cynthia Engstrom who made the request, Councilman Kotrla moved to table the request to close Washington Street between Milam and Travis from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. from July 16^th through July 20^th until additional information is received. Councilman Rogers seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion to table action passed.

Consideration and Approval of Interlocal Cooperation Contract With the Texas Department of Public Safety to Implement the Provisions of the Texas Transportation Code Chapter 706 to Deny Driver’s License Renewals to Persons Who Have Failed to Appear in Columbus Municipal Court to Answer Citations for Traffic Violations or Other Offenses; and, Authorizing the Mayor to Sign Such Agreement and Other Documents as May be Required:

Councilwoman Chandler moved to approve the Interlocal Cooperation Contract with the Texas Department of Public Safety to implement the provisions of the Texas Transportation Code Chapter 706 to deny driver’s license renewals to persons who have failed to appear in Columbus Municipal Court to answer citations for traffic violations or other offenses and authorize the Mayor to sign such agreement and other documents as may be required. Councilman Sebesta seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

11. Consideration and Statement of Support to the Colorado County Central Appraisal District for Amendment of the FY-2001 CAD Budget to Include the Purchase of Recommended Computer System Under a Plan Proposed in a Letter Dated June 14, 2001; and, Authorizing the Mayor to Send a Letter of Support to the Appraisal District:

Councilman Sebesta asked for the actual dollar amount of savings that the new system would generate as well as a list of other entities that are using this system. Councilman Rogers moved to table sending a letter of support to the Colorado County Central Appraisal District concerning an amendment of the FY-2001 Budget, and instead authorized City Manager Stall to send a letter expressing Council’s concerns and requests for additional information. Councilman Sebesta seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

Mayor Frnka explained that the Mayor makes the appointment for city engineer and council only has the authority to approve or disapprove the appointment. If they have any questions she asked that they contact her or the City Manager ahead of time. Mayor Frnka stated that she would try to get more information to council about appointees in the future.

Councilwoman Chandler stated that the CCIDC screens all applicants for the Business Park very carefully including checking on environmental issues.

Councilman Sebesta stated that he still wants to check on environmental issues at the Business Park. He also reported that the restrooms at the City Pool are in need of major improvements.

Councilman Churchill asked if there is someone on the CCIDC Board who can check into environmental issues. He also reported that one of the head scout masters had requested that improvements be made to the boy scout hut.

Councilman Rogers asked if the probation department could pay part of Mr. Ripper’s salary at the recycle center since he oversees many of the offenders as they work off their fines.

Councilman Kotrla stated that an environmental consultant may be needed to review issues at the Business Park. He also questioned why water is standing in the concrete ditch in the Krupka Addition. He said mosquitoes are getting bad due to the water not draining properly.

Mayor Frnka reminded Council of the Chamber of Commerce Fourth of July Festival at the Columbus Community Park. She also reminded Council to turn in their information sheets for the website.

Councilman Sebesta reported that his grandson had received a tremendous response on his scout project to collect clothing and other items for the needy.

There being no further business, Mayor Frnka declared the meeting adjourned at 8:13 P.M.

______________________________

Mayor

ATTEST:

___________________________

City Secretary