The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Monday, January 28, 2002 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., January 28, 2002.

2. Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Mayor Frnka.

3. Consent Agenda:

a. Approval of invoices.
b. Approval of minutes from Regular January 14, 2002 Council Meeting.
c. 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.

City Manager Stall reported the following:

Included in the current invoices is the purchase of 35 new dumpsters.

The City Manager and City Secretary will be attending a Public Funds Investment Law Workshop in San Antonio next month.

Maps were presented to council of streets designated for resurfacing.

A gas leak survey was completed. Some small leaks were found and repaired but no major problems were detected.

A proposal was presented to the Columbus Community & Industrial Development Board for funding swimming pool dressing room/office rehabilitation. The Board voted favorably and tendered a check today for $30,000 for the project. Plans will be presented to council before work begins.

The water tank on the hill passed its inspection test and has been filled. A water line coming from pump three at the pool to the tank had been cut when the sprinkler system was installed on the golf course. The leak was found and repaired.

City management continues with aggressive weed and trash control. One violator was prosecuted, found guilty, and fined $500.

A pre-construction meeting will be held Wednesday on the Mid-Town Park project. Construction should begin soon after the meeting.

City management continues to investigate the possibility of selling electricity to residents.

Improvements at the Memorial Park Baseball Field are nearing completion. Baseball practice will begin soon.

Mayor Frnka announced that Tom Etheridge and David Stroud had signed in to discuss issues concerning the First Baptist Church, but would not be allowed to speak at this time because the topic appeared as a separate agenda item.

Councilman Rogers moved to accept the auditor’s report for the City’s fiscal year ending September 30, 2001 as presented to Council on January 14, 2002. Councilwoman Chandler seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

Mayor Frnka announced that on the advice of the City Attorney this item would not be discussed as a result of the petition filed by Dr. Stroud, et al. Councilman Rogers moved to table any discussion of issues raised by Dr. David Stroud and Thomas Etheridge at the January 14, 2002 meeting on the recommendation of the City Attorney. Councilwoman Chandler seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:

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

The motion passed.

Councilman Sebesta reported that one of his neighbors has a circular drive and one end of that drive has been rendered useless because of the grade resulting from the storm sewer installed. He requested that the City investigate and correct the problem.

Mayor Frnka asked citizens to fill out an application if they are interested in volunteering to serve on a committee for the City.

There being no further business, Mayor Frnka declared the meeting adjourned at 6:50 P.M.

______________________________

Mayor

ATTEST:

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City Secretary