The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Monday, December 10, 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 - DeWayne Kotrla

City Manager - David Stall
City Secretary - Jill Ready

And the following absent:
Councilman - Ronnie Rogers

1. Call to Order:

Mayor Frnka called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M., December 10, 2001.

2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: 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. Councilman Churchill seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

ABSENT: Councilman Rogers

The motion passed.

City Manager Stall reported the following:

There was a rash of burglaries last week. One officer was injured in the pursuit of the suspects. Two suspects were apprehended.

The Police Department is participating in the Blue Santa Project.

The Police Department sent in a request for funding for the purchase of audio/video equipment to be used in the police cars.

The water tank on the hill is being sandblasted and painted. The floor is in worse shape than expected and will require welding while the tank is empty. A new ladder and top door will also be installed.

At MidTown Park the last building has been demolished. The debris is being loaded into roll-off containers. A large amount of fill dirt is being delivered to the property from the construction site for the new telephone company building. This fill will be used for the amphitheater. The gravel is being removed from the roadway on the property east of Live Oak and this will be filled in with dirt so grass will begin to grow.

The set of plans from the First Baptist Church were found to not be in compliance. Proper notice was sent and new plans were submitted. These plans are in compliance and notice has been sent to all parties. An appeal to the Board of Adjustments was received today and a Board of Adjustments meeting will be scheduled.

5. Auditor’s Status Report:

Mr. Pierce Arthur and Mr. Chris Arthur were present to give an update on the status of the City’s financial audit. Pierce Arthur stated that the audit was substantially complete but he is waiting for additional grant information from grant administrator John Kroll. Both the mayor and city manager indicated they would contact Mr. Kroll to obtain the information needed.

6. Citizens Presentation and Comments:

There were no citizens present to make presentation or comment.

7. Consider and Act on Application to Permit a Manufactured Home to be Located at 1105 Spring Street:

Councilman Sebesta moved to approve the application to permit a manufactured home to be located at 1105 Spring Street. Councilman Kotrla seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

AYES: Councilmen Sebesta, Churchill, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler

ABSENT: Councilman Rogers

The motion passed.

8. Consider and Act to Approve Mayor’s Appointment of Two Members to the Planning and Zoning Commission:

Mayor Frnka announced the appointments of Annie Mae Hargrove and Judy Barrett to serve on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Councilwoman Chandler moved to approve the appointments of Annie Mae Hargrove and Judy Barrett to serve on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Councilman Sebesta seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

AYES: Councilmen Sebesta, Churchill, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler

ABSENT: Councilman Rogers

The motion passed.

9. Consideration and Approval of an Ordinance Establishing Rampart Street North of Its Intersection With Dewees Street as a One-Way Street Southbound on School Days; and, Establishing Martin Luther King Street One Hundred and Eleven Feet East of its Intersection With Rampart Street as a One-Way Street Westbound on School Days; Prescribing a Maximum Penalty of Two Hundred and No/100 Dollars ($200.00):

City Manager Stall presented an Ordinance and map of the proposed change in traffic flow at the Columbus Jr. High School-Riverside Campus. He stated that this change could be made with limited signage for the safety of students and would help relieve the congestion in the area. Principal Pfeffer reported that the proposal had been discussed with school administration and they were in support of the change. Councilwoman Chandler moved to adopt an Ordinance establishing Rampart Street north of its intersection with Dewees Street as a one-way street southbound on school days; and, establishing Martin Luther King Street one hundred and eleven feet east of its intersection with Rampart Street as a one-way street westbound on school days; prescribing a maximum penalty of two hundred and no/100 dollars. Councilman Churchill seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

AYES: Councilmen Sebesta, Churchill, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler

ABSENT: Councilman Rogers

The motion passed. A copy of the ordinance follows these minutes.

10. Consider and Act to Approve the Columbus Community and Industrial Development Corporation Selection of Wm. Pierce Arthur CPA as Auditors for Their Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2001:

Councilman Kotrla moved to approve the selection of Wm. Pierce Arthur CPA as auditors for the Columbus Community and Industrial Development Corporation for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001. Councilwoman Chandler seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

AYES: Councilmen Sebesta, Churchill, Kotrla and Councilwoman Chandler

ABSENT: Councilman Rogers

The motion passed.

At this time Mayor Frnka moved to Item 12.

Councilman Sebesta expressed his congratulations to all of Columbus High School band students who participated in the regional band contest and especially those students who reached the level of symphonic band.

There were no announcements.

11. Consider and Act to Establish a Reserve Price for 3-Acre Tract of Land on FM806 to be Offered for Public Sale:

Mayor Frnka recessed the regular meeting at 7:10 P.M. and, after a short break, entered into Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Real Estate Pursuant to the Provisions of the Open Meetings Law, Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon’s Texas Code Annotated, in Accordance with the Authority Contained in Chapter 551.072. The Executive Session was recorded on audio tape and sealed in an envelope marked "December 10, 2001 – Executive Session to Discuss Establishing a Reserve Price for 3-Acre Tract of Land on FM806 to be Offered for Public Sale".

The Executive Session adjourned at 7:32 P.M. Mayor Frnka reported that there was no action to be taken, and the reserve price would remain at the previously set amount of $50,000.

There being no further business, Mayor Frnka declared the meeting adjourned at 7:34 P.M.

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Mayor

ATTEST:

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City Secretary