The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Tuesday, November 13, 2001 at 12:00 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 12:05 P.M., November 13, 2001.

2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Mayor Frnka

3. Consent Agenda:

a. Approval of invoices.
b. Approval of minutes from Regular October 22, 2001 Council Meeting.
c. Approval of minutes from Special October 29, 2001 Council Meeting.
d. Approval of minutes from Special November 5, 2001 Council Meeting.
e. Approval of financial statements.

Councilman Rogers moved to approve the consent agenda as presented. Councilman Sebesta 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 Stall reported the following:

The lawsuits against the City filed by Hepner and Thompson were dismissed.

The MidTown Park project is on track. A request for an extension until August 2002 will be filed with Texas Parks and Wildlife. Plans will be presented at the next regular council meeting.

The City locked in its gas rate through March at about half the cost of gas during last winter.

The Baptist Church project went to court and the injunction was dropped but the lawsuit remains. This has no effect on the City’s issuance of a building permit. The City is still waiting for additional documentation before a permit can be issued.

St. Anthony’s Catholic Church is requesting an eight foot setback on its gymnasium construction instead of the required fifteen foot setback. This issue will go before the Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustments.

Three new police officers were introduced to council, Officers Kimble, Schelsteder, and Nieto.

5. Citizen Presentations and Comments:

Ms. Toni Burns appeared before council to invite them to a special meeting at the Opera House on November 14th concerning historical property designation.

6. Consideration and Approval of Columbus Independent School District Appointment of Richard Heffley as Joint Representative to the Colorado County Central Appraisal District Board:

Councilman Churchill moved to appoint Richard Heffley as the joint representative with the Columbus Independent School District to the Colorado County Central Appraisal District Board. Councilman Sebesta seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

AYES: Councilmen Sebesta, and Churchill

NOES: Councilman Rogers

ABSTAIN: Councilman Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler

The motion passed.

7. Consideration and Approval of City’s Appointment of Representative on the Colorado County Central Appraisal District Board:

No action was needed on this item.

8. Acknowledge Receipt of Colorado County Appraisal District’s Chief Appraiser’s Certified Tax Roll for 2001:

Mayor Frnka acknowledged receipt of the Colorado County Appraisal District’s chief appraiser’s certified tax roll for 2001 with a taxable value before exemptions of $142,513,290.

9. Consideration and Approval of an Ordinance Providing for the Ad Valorem Taxation of Leased Motor Vehicles Otherwise Exempted Under Tax Code Section 11.252, Subsection (a):

Councilman Kotrla moved to adopt an Ordinance providing for the ad valorem taxation of leased motor vehicles otherwise exempted under Tax Code Section 11.252, Subsection (a). Councilman Rogers seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

10. Consideration and Approval of an Ordinance Amending Section 2-11 to Provide for One Regular Council Meeting in December and Automatic Rescheduling of Regular Council Meeting Dates When They Fall on an Official Holiday:

Councilwoman Chandler moved to adopt an Ordinance amending Section 2-11 to provide for one regular council meeting in December and automatic rescheduling of regular council meeting dates when they fall on an official holiday. 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 Approval of a Request for a Leave of Absence for Councilman Churchill for Three Consecutive Regular Council Meetings Beginning on November 26, 2001; as Authorized by Texas Local Government Code, Section 22.041:

Councilman Rogers moved to approve the request for a leave of absence for Councilman Churchill for three consecutive regular council meetings beginning on November 26, 2001 as authorized by Texas Local Government Code, Section 22.041. Councilwoman Chandler seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

12. Presentation on Pooled Investment Program By MBIA Municipal Investors Service Corporation:

Ms. Garcia, a representative with MBIA Municipal Investors Service Corporation, gave a presentation on their pooled investment program. She reported that it is a fast-growing, AAA rated, conservative investment program that provides an excellent rate of return.

13. Items from Councilmembers:

There were no items from members of Council.

14. Announcements:

The Mayor reported that she will be out of town for a few days starting this afternoon. Mayor Pro-Tem Chandler can be contacted during her absence.

15. Adjournment:

There being no further business, Mayor Frnka declared the meeting adjourned at 12:32 P.M.

 

______________________________

Mayor

 

ATTEST:

___________________________

City Secretary