The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Monday, November 26, 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 - Ronnie Rogers
Councilman - DeWayne Kotrla
City Manager - David Stall
City Secretary - Jill Ready

And the following absent:
Councilman - Donald T. Churchill

1. Call to Order:

Mayor Frnka called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., November 26, 2001.

Pledge of Allegiance:

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Frnka.

3. Consent Agenda:

a. Approval of invoices.
b. Approval of minutes from Regular November 13, 2001 Council Meeting.
c. Approval of financial statements.

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

AYES: Councilmen Sebesta, Rogers, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler

ABSENT: Councilman Churchill

The motion passed.

City Manager Stall reported the following:

A leak was found on the galvanized tank on the hill. A replacement panel has been ordered and the company came out today to replace it, but found that the tank is rusted and pitted. The inside of the tank needs to be sandblasted and repainted and the ladder and door need to be replaced. This will cost between $20,000 and $25,000 and needs to be done now.

Plans for the MidTown Park will be displayed tonight and then the City will go out for bids. The bids will be opened on January 10^th, 2002 and the contract will be awarded at the January 14^th council meeting. Dirt from Highway 71 in front of the Industrial Park will be trucked by City crews to MidTown Park for use there. Demolition of the two-story building will begin next week. Posts and cable will be erected to define the MidTown Park area east of Live Oak Street.

The First Baptist Church brought in the requested plans and documents on Wednesday, November 21^st. The City should finish its review by Friday and then, per the agreement, the building permit will be issued seven days following the approval.

St. Anthony Catholic Church’s application for a variance was heard by the Board of Adjustments on November 15^th. An eight-foot setback from Live Oak Street at Wallace Street was granted in lieu of the required fifteen-foot setback.

The City’s only reservist, Eddie Hernandez, is on his annual two week tour of duty.

Significant progress is being made toward refurbishing the Memorial Park Baseball Field.

The Columbus Historical Preservation Trust and the Columbus Convention and Visitor’s Bureau have joined together to advance the development of a multi-property historical designation for the Columbus area. The City will be asked to support this effort and eventually consider historic preservation ordinances.

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. He reported that the audit is on schedule and a draft copy will be presented to city management in the next few weeks.

6. Consideration and Approval of Closing Spring Street East of Milam Street From 4:00 P.M. Friday November 30, 2001 to 1:00 A.M. Saturday December 1, 2001 for a Holiday Event and Street Dance Sponsored by the Columbus Chamber of Commerce:

Councilman Kotrla moved to approve the closure of Spring Street east of Milam Street from 4:00 p.m. Friday November 30, 2001 to 1:00 a.m. Saturday December 1, 2001 for a holiday event and street dance. Councilman Sebesta seconded the motion. The vote was follows:

AYES: Councilmen Sebesta, Rogers, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler

ABSENT: Councilman Churchill

The motion passed.

7. Presentation and Review of Plans for MidTown Park:

Donald Warschak with John D. Mercer and Associates and Kristie Dungen of KMD Design presented an overview of the MidTown Park project. Council was shown drawings of the layout of the park and building designs. Mayor Frnka thanked the MidTown Park Task Force for their hard work and dedication to see this project become a reality.

There were no items from councilmembers.

There were no announcements.

There being no further business, Mayor Frnka declared the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

______________________________

Mayor

ATTEST:

___________________________

City Secretary