The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Monday, July 23, 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
Councilman - Leroy J. Sebesta
Councilman - Donald T. Churchill
Councilman - Ronnie Rogers
Councilman - DeWayne Kotrla
City Manager - David Stall
City Secretary - Jill Ready

and the following absent:

Mayor Pro-Tem - Ester Chandler

1. Call to Order:

Mayor Frnka called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M., July 23, 2001.

2. Pledge: Mayor Frnka led the Pledge

3. Consent Agenda:

a. Approval of invoices.
b. Approval of minutes from July 9, 2001 Council Meeting.
c. Approval of financial statements.

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

AYES: Councilmen Sebesta, Churchill, Rogers, and Kotrla

ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler

The motion passed.

City Manager Stall reported the following:

City Management has been working on the budget and a draft copy will be ready to give to council on Wednesday, August 8^th. Budget workshops will be held on August 13^th and August 27^th.

City Management met with the City Attorney and the City Engineer concerning the storm water drainage issue between the Ward and Youens additions. A survey of the City’s drainage right-of-way is needed before any action is taken. City Management also met with County Commissioner Doug Wessels to discuss drainage problems south of Montezuma Street. A meeting is scheduled between City Management, Commissioner Wessels and the property owner to discuss cleaning and maintaining the drainage ditch.

The request from Mr. Buddy Edwards for approval of a subdivision plat at the corner of Charter and Dewees received final approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission on July 17^th.

Bids are being picked up from Energy Engineering for the Hydro-Test, Inc. project. The bids will be opened on August 8^th at about 2:30 p.m. The bid will be awarded on August 13^th, subject to availability of funds.

The playground equipment has been installed at the MidTown Park along with drainage pipes, barrier material and gravel under and around the equipment.

Material is still needed from council to update the City’s website.

Agenda calendars were included in council packets. They will be used to keep council informed on upcoming appointments and agenda items.

Councilman Sebesta recommended that guardrails be installed at the culvert on Montezuma Street due to the steep drop-off.

5. Citizen Presentations and Comments:

No citizens appeared before council at this time.

Consideration and Adoption of an Ordinance to Prohibit Oil and Gas Drilling Operations in the City of Columbus Within 1,500 Feet of Any Property That is Zoned Residential:

Council Sebesta stated that he still feels like this ordinance is an infringement of rights and is being done as a special consideration to certain citizens. Councilman Churchill moved to adopt the ordinance to prohibit oil and gas drilling operations in the City of Columbus within 1,500 feet of any property that is zoned residential. Councilman Rogers seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

AYES: Councilmen Churchill, Rogers, and Kotrla

NOES: Councilman Sebesta

ABSENT: Councilwoman Chandler

The motion passed.

Presentation of Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Audit For Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2000:

Mr. Pierce Arthur addressed council concerning the delay in preparation of the audit. Mr. Chris Arthur requested that the audit committee schedule a meeting to review the audit. City Management recommended that the entire council be included in this meeting. Mr. Arthur reported that the General Fund has five months of expenditures in reserve which is a decrease from the previous year, while the Utility Fund has working capital to cover eight months of expenses, which is an increase over the previous year.

8. Items From Councilmembers:

Councilman Sebesta stated that he does not like making special considerations to citizens. He felt that the permission to burn brush near his neighborhood was special treatment. He stated that the smoke odor got in carpets, drapes and clothes and that, only through the TNRCC, were they successful in getting the burning stopped.

Councilman Kotrla reported that the sixteen-year old girls softball team, Tri-County, would be advancing to the World Series and the fourteen-year old girls are playing now.

Mayor Frnka reported that the Recreation Steering Committee met last week, elected officers and is looking at different options for the community.

9. Announcements:

Mayor Frnka announced that Craig Lilie will be coming to future council meetings working on Scout badges and is concerned about some development that is going in and wants to be involved in that discussion.

There being no further business, Mayor Frnka declared the meeting adjourned at 7:00 P.M.

______________________________

Mayor

ATTEST:

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City Secretary