The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Monday January 22, 2007 at 6:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 605 Spring Street, Columbus, Texas, with the following present:
Mayor - Richard Heffley
Mayor Pro Tem - Chuck Rankin
Councilwoman - Lori Sprague
Councilman - Brian Berger (Arrived at 6:35pm)
Councilman - Curtiss Schonenberg
Councilman - Milton Wavra
City Manager - David Meisell
City Secretary - Patti Glaeser
And the following absent:
Mayor Heffley called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Mayor Heffley led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Invocation.
Councilman Wavra asked where the eight meters were used. David Meisell, City Manager, said the meters were used on Rampart Street. Councilman Rankin asked what the Texscan Character Generator was for. Mr. Meisell explained that it was the device to input information into the public access channel. Councilman Rankin asked if the roll off charge from Allied Waste was for the demolition of the houses on Fannin. Mr. Meisell confirmed this. Mayor Heffley asked if the gas bill contained the discount from TMGS. Mr. Meisell said it did not. Councilman Rankin asked about the bidding of the gas. Mr. Meisell said that natural gas bidding would be considered. He said that the City is currently bidding gasoline and diesel.
Councilman Berger arrived at 6:35pm.
Councilman Berger asked what the invoice from JTM was for. Mr. Meisell explained that it was for the eight water meters installed on Rampart Street.
There were no corrections to the minutes.
Mayor Heffley asked what the Technology and Leose reserve funds were for on the financial statements. Chief Danny Jackson said that the Leose funds were for law enforcement training. Mr. Meisell said the Technology funds are fees collected through the court system and can be used for court technology. Councilman Rankin asked about the unclaimed asset process. Mr. Meisell explained that the property would be sent to the State Comptroller.
Councilman Rankin moved to accept the consent agenda. Councilman Schonenberg seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
Councilman Berger moved to approve the invoice from Curtiss Automotive. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
Abstain: Councilman Schonenberg
The motion passed.
There were no citizen’s presentations or comments.
City Manager, David Meisell, presented his City Manager’s Report which is attached to the minutes.
In addition to #5, Groundwater issues, Mr. Meisell explained the steps the Groundwater Committee went through. He explained that the Commissioner’s Court today approved the resolution presented to proceed with the formation of a water district. He said the issue will now move to the legislature for approval. He explained that the Legislation addresses the seven main issues that voters were concerned with during the past votes. He hopes that these seven compromises will solve the public’s problems with a ground water district. These seven issues are:
1. Eminent domain would be prohibited.
2. Access to private property is restricted.
3. Ad valorem taxes would be capped at 3%.
4. Water meters on exempt wells are prohibited.
5. Directors are limited to two 4 year terms.
6. The directors would receive no compensation.
7. The Groundwater District could be dissolved by an election.
Mr. Meisell explained that they began to look at forming a groundwater district due to the potential impact of LCRA/SAWS and Purtex Water.
Mr. Meisell explained that 90% of the groundwater in Texas is managed by Groundwater Districts.
Mr. Meisell continued with #6. He said the City will begin filling the third roll off at the site of the Midtown Park House demolition. Councilman Berger asked if the Fire Department could use one of the diliapated houses as a fire drill. Mr. Meisell said they could check on this.
Mr. Meisell briefed the Council on the Water/Sewer project. He explained that this item was part of the project. Donald Warschak, of John D. Mercer and Associates, explained that the new system would enable the water pumps and the sewer lift stations to be run remotely. The radio link would be at the Industrial Park. He also said that there could be monitoring at City Hall. He said that there would be an auto dialer at the Cardinal Tower which would call dispatch. Dispatch would call out City workers. Councilman Wavra asked if it would be better to have the controls at the Maintenance Center on Montezuma than at the Cardinal Tower. Mr. Warschak said that the controls could be accessed by computer remotely. Mr. Meisell said the SCADA system could be expanded with controls at City Hall and/ or remote controls through a laptop computer. Councilman Schonenberg asked why the main control was at Cardinal Tower versus City Hall. Eddie Hernandez, Utility Department Supervisor, explained that utility workers do not have access to City Hall on the weekends. Councilman Schonenberg asked what the additional cost would be to upgrade at City Hall. Councilman Rankin asked what the additional cost would be to upgrade to the laptop. Mr. Warschak said he could check on these items. Battery backup systems versus generators were discussed. Mr. Meisell explained that the City has a generator on a trailer that can be moved from one location to another. He said it would be nice to have other generators.
Councilwoman Sprague moved to award the Bid on the Water and Wastewater Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA) to Mercer Controls for $151,500. Councilman Wavra seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
Councilman Rankin said he would like to see an addendum or a change to the original bid to include the upgrades at City Hall and the Remote access through a lap top computer.
Marion Schonenberg, Garden Club member, explained that the intent of this item was to apply for a grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife for new park benches and avenue banners at the Courthouse. She explained that the matching funds will hopefully come from the Columbus Community Industrial Development Corp (CCIDC).
Councilwoman Sprague moved to approve Resolution 44-07, TRPA-Small Community Recreation Grant Program. Councilman Berger seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
No action was taken.
Mr. Meisell reviewed the current list of 16 Industries allowed in the Industrial Park. He also reviewed the list of 65 prohibited Industries. He said they he believes these lists of industries should be reviewed to hopefully attract businesses to the park. Councilman Rankin said the CCIDC does currently have someone looking at the park, but their industry is prohibited.
Councilwoman Sprague moved to request the Planning and Zoning Commission to hold Public Hearings and make Recommendations to revise the list of Industries prohibited from the Industrial District, Section 86-402, Use Regulations. Councilman Berger seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
Mr. Meisell explained that the area at Center Street, between 3rd and 4th Streets is currently zoned R-1, Multi Family. R-1 setbacks are different than R and R-2, with side yard setbacks of not less than 15 feet.
R and R-2 both have 5 feet setbacks. He said that in other areas, a single family home would be treated with the same setbacks as District R.
Councilwoman Sprague moved to send this issue to the Planning and Zoning Commission to Hold hearings and make a recommendation to revise Section 86-263 Are Regulations such that a Residential use would adhere to the same conditions as stated in District R. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
Councilwoman Sprague moved to approve Sally Rogers to fill the unexpired term of Kathy Altieri on the Library Board, ending October 2007. Councilman Berger seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
Police Chief, Danny Jackson presented his December Police Report which is attached to the minutes. He also mentioned that “Court TV” has interviewed the two officers involved in the incident that occurred when a suspect stole a police car and officers fired at the car.
Councilman Wavra – no comment.
Councilman Rankin mentioned that March is the deadline for LCRA to get back to the City, regarding Resolution 40-06. He also said that the CCIDC will meet tomorrow to award grants.
Councilman Schonenberg asked if tasers would have helped the police situation mentioned above. Chief Jackson said he believes they would have. He also asked about the influx of day vendors setting up around town. He asked if the City has a permitting process. Mr. Meisell said there is very little if they are not going door to door. Councilman Schonenberg suggested that this law be looked at.
Councilwoman Sprague – no comment.
Councilman Berger – no comment.
There were no additional announcements.
There being no further business, Mayor Heffley declared the meeting adjourned at 8:13 pm.
____________________________
Richard Heffley, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Patti Glaeser, City Secretary