The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Tuesday, October 22, 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 Stall
City Secretary - Jill Ready

1. Call to Order:

Mayor Frnka called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., October 22, 2001.

Pledge of Allegiance:

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Scout David Peletz of Troop #312.

3. Consent Agenda:

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

Councilwoman Chandler 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.

City Manager Stall reported the following:

Tomorrow there will be a county-wide emergency management meeting in Columbus.

Emergency personnel have developed a protocol for handling suspected cases of anthrax and city employees have been given a memo concerning handling suspicious mail.

The City received notice that the third tier reinsurance policy on our property insurance dropped terrorism coverage. TML will pad their existing coverage to raise the amount to $10,000,000 per occurrence.

Security at the utility plants has been tightened.

The First Baptist Church project is on hold pending the receipt of additional information and drawings. November 2^nd would be the earliest that a building permit could be issued.

The house at 1213 Back Street is a health hazard and it appears that it will take legal action to have the house removed or repaired.

Union Pacific has made some repairs on the railroad crossings but has not fixed everything. City Management will continue to monitor the situation and stay in contact with Union Pacific.

On Thursday the City Manager will be attending a meeting of city managers in La Grange.

Gave an update on the status of the MidTown Park project.

5. Citizen Presentations and Comments:

Mr. Chris Arthur appeared before council to give an update on the progress of the audit for fiscal year 2000-2001.

6. Presentation to City Council by Cory Holberg Requesting Zoning Change for Property Located at 626 Live Oak (Block 93) From "R-1" (Multi-Family, Apartment, Townhouse or Condominium District) to "B" (Business or Commercial District):

Mr. Cory Holberg owner of the property at 626 Live Oak appeared before council to request a zoning change. He would like to have the property rezoned to make it easier to sell.

7. Consideration and Possible Action to Submit Proposed Zoning Change for Property Located at 626 Live Oak (Block 93) From "R-1" to "B" to the Planning and Zoning Commission for Recommendation and Report:

Councilman Churchill moved to not submit the proposed zoning change for 626 Live Oak to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Councilwoman Chandler seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

8. Consider and Act on Application to Permit a Manufactured Home to be Located at 1037 Bonham Street:

Councilman Rogers moved to approve the application to permit a manufactured home to be located at 1037 Bonham Street. Councilman Sebesta seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

9. Discussion of City Taxation of Leased Personal Vehicles:

City Manager Stall reported that if the City did not adopt an ordinance to authorize the taxation of leased personal vehicles, taxation of them would cease. Taxation of the leased personal vehicles amounts to about $800 in revenue for the City. It was the consensus of council to proceed with drafting of the ordinance.

10. Discussion and Possible Action to Move the First Monday Council Meeting in November From Veteran’s Day, Monday, November 12^th, to Tuesday, November 13^th or Another Day and/or Time as May Be Determined Appropriate:

Mayor Frnka reported that she would be leaving town Tuesday afternoon. Councilman Rogers moved to schedule the next regular council meeting for Tuesday, November 13^th at noon. Councilman Sebesta seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

Councilwoman Chandler congratulated the Cardinal Band on their #1 rating at District UIL competition.

Mayor Frnka reminded council of "Make a Difference Day" on Saturday and encouraged them to turn in their project to City Manager Stall.

13. Adjourn Into Executive Session as Authorized by Texas Government Code Section 551.071 for Private Consultation With Attorney to Seek Advice on Pending Litigation and Legal Matters; and, Section 551.074 for Deliberations About Personnel Matters (Six-Month Review of City Manager’s Performance):

Mayor Frnka recessed the regular council meeting at 6:58 p.m. and entered into executive session.

The executive session was recorded on audio tape and sealed in an envelope marked "Executive Session for private consultation with attorney to seek advice on pending litigation and legal matters; and for deliberations about personnel matters (six-month review of city manager’s performance)".

The executive session adjourned at 7:44 p.m. and Mayor Frnka returned to open session.

Mayor Frnka stated that council is very pleased with the City Manager’s work and is fortunate to have him on staff.

16. Consider and Possible Action on an Employment Agreement With David K. Stall to Continue in Position of City Manager:

Councilwoman Chandler moved to authorize the mayor and the city attorney to move forward with the drafting of an employment agreement with David K. Stall for the position of city manager. Councilman

Rogers seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

There being no further business, Mayor Frnka declared the meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.

______________________________

Mayor

ATTEST:

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City Secretary