The City Council of the City
of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Monday, February 12, 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
Councilman - Brian Berger
Councilman - Curtiss Schonenberg
Councilman - Milton Wavra
City Manager - David Meisell
City Secretary - Patti Glaeser
And the following absent:
Councilwoman - Lori Sprague
Mayor Heffley called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Mayor Heffley led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Invocation.
Councilman Schonenberg asked what the $18,000 invoice was for from JTM Construction. David Meisell, City Manager, responded it was two segments of the Water Project. One was for the tapping at Rampart and the other was for the tie in of a six inch line to the East. Councilman Schonenberg also asked which well “Well #3” was that was referred to on the Layne Christensen invoice. Eddie Hernandez, Utility Supervisor, responded that well #3 was the Cardinal Tower well. Mr. Meisell said the invoice was for rebuilding of the motor. Mayor Heffley asked if the invoice for the tire disposal was for the property at Midtown Park that was demolished. Mr. Meisell confirmed this and added that three roll offs full of material were also disposed of. Councilman Rankin asked about the invoice from the Railroad Commission. Mr. Hernandez said this invoice was for rent of the oil pipeline. Councilman Rankin asked what the fee was for from the Texas Excavation Services. Mr. Hernandez said this was for 1-call notification which was line locates.
Mayor Heffley asked if the City heard back from John D. Mercer on the estimates for the Telemetry additions. Mr. Meisell said that he had not.
Councilman Rankin moved to accept the consent agenda. Councilman Schonenberg seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Absent: Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
Councilman Rankin moved to approve the invoice from Curtiss Automotive. Councilman Wavra seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Rankin, Wavra
Abstain: Councilman Schonenberg
Absent: Councilwoman Sprague
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. He discussed the Water Project’s success at Schobel’s Restaurant. He also discussed the need for updated water lines in the Irwin Addition. He said there is the need for additional fire hydrants in this area and the area just west of Highway 71 and Bowie Street. He also said the area west of Highway 71 has a limited water supply.
7. Discussion of Chamber of Commerce Report.
Frank Howell, President of the Chamber of Commerce and George Fox, Director presented the Chamber of Commerce Annual Report, which is attached to these minutes. Mr. Howell asked if there were any guidelines or formula the City wants them to follow. Councilman Rankin asked how Economic Development is measured through the Chamber. Mr. Fox said they have a committee set up to try to monitor this. Councilman Rankin also asked how much the Chamber has grown the last 2-3 years. Mr. Fox responded by saying 10 years ago, the Chamber had 73 members and now there are 203 members. Councilman Rankin also asked what the Chamber sees as a growth target. Mr. Fox said they would like to hire part-time help which would then allow him (Mr. Fox) to go out in the field.
Mr. Fox thanked the City for the funds ($10,500) the Chamber receives from the City.
8. Discussion and Action to approve Fire Department Report for 2006.
Fire Chief Bobby Walla presented his Fire Department Report for 2006, which is attached to these minutes. Councilman Rankin asked for a clarification on the commercial calls. Mr. Walla responded that this was for calls mainly at the nursing homes. David Meisell said that there is a fire inspection scheduled there this week. Councilman Rankin asked how the City is doing with its fire inspections process. Chief Walla thinks that the Fire Marshal’s office needs to be aggressively improved. He says the inspections are not being done. He also said the inspections can be used as a PR tool also. Chief Walla said the City is enjoying a low ISO rating and he would hate for this rating to be jeopardized by not having the inspections done.
Chief Walla continued to explain that rescue calls have increased because every time EMS runs an auto accident, the fire department will probably be called especially when a helicopter is called out. The Fire Department is responsible for setting up the landing zone. Chief Walla also said they have 42 Firemen on the roster. He also demonstrated one of two thermal imaging machines the Fire Department was able to purchase through total generous donations of $20,000.
Chief Walla discussed the ISO rating of 4 that the City currently has.
Councilman Schonenberg asked what the City can do to help with this rating to
receive a “3”. Chief Walla responded that the water project will have a big
impact on the rating. Mayor Heffley asked Chief Walla how often commercial fire
inspections should be done. Chief Walla responded that the law says that every
commercial business should be inspected annually. David Meisell said that at
one time the City had a Fire Marshall and two assistants. Chief Walla said the
City may need to have two assistants again. Councilman Wavra asked how many
were certified to assist in the fire inspection. Chief Walla said Rudy
Walla Schmidt
and several others are certified. Councilman Rankin suggested the City start the
fire inspections within the next three months.
Councilman Schonenberg moved to accept the 2006 Fire Department report. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin and Wavra
Absent: Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
Councilman Rankin also discussed stacked tires as potential fire hazards at local businesses. He would like to see these areas cleaned up.
9.
Consideration and Action to Accept
Bids for Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Supply, Award
Contract to Successful Bidder, and Authorize the City Manager to Execute any
Agreement Necessary to Accomplish Such Contract.
David Meisell explained that a bid from Colorado County Oil was received by the bid date. Another bid from Thomas Petroleum, La Grange, was received after the due date. Colorado County Oil bid $.28 above their OPIS index. Councilman Berger moved to accept the bid for gasoline and diesel fuel supply, award contract to Colorado County Oil for $.28 cents above the OPIS rate, and authorize the City Manager to execute any agreement necessary to accomplish such contract. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Absent: Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
10. Discussion and Action to Approve a Request by the Columbus FFA Alumni to Close Milam Street From Jackson Street to Walnut Street; and, to close Walnut Street from Milam Street to Legion Drive; for Approximately one and one-half hours Beginning at 11:00a.m. Saturday, February 24, 2007 for the annual Columbus FFA Parade.
Councilman Berger moved to approve Request by the Columbus FFA Alumni to Close Milam Street from Jackson Street to Walnut Street; and, to close Walnut Street from Milam Street to Legion Drive; for approximately one and one-half hours beginning at 11:00a.m. Saturday, February 24, 2007 for the annual Columbus FFA Parade. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Absent: Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
David explained this item. He said the current residents want the properties changed from R-1 to R. Councilman Berger moved to submit the proposed revision of zoning District Range 7, lots 6-14; Range 3, Lot 10-14; Range 5, lot 16-18; Range 4, lot 18 ( from District R-1, Multi-Family, Apartment, Townhouse, or Condominium District to District R, Single-Family or Two-Family Residential District) to the Planning and Zoning Commission for Recommendation and Report. Councilman Wavra seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Absent: Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
Councilman Berger moved to approve action to submit Proposed Subdivision of 1.0 Acre Tract located in the Butler Survey, 215 Oak Cluster; Such Application Requesting Said Tract be Subdivided into Two (2) Lots (.29 Acres and .71 Acres) to the Planning & Zoning Committee for Recommendation and Report and as requested by Mary Richter. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Absent: Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
Mayor Heffley asked if there were any changes to the Resolution from a year ago. Patti Glaeser responded that the debt service fund was added and the midtown park account was deleted. Councilman Rankin moved to adopt Resolution 45-07, approving the City Investment Policy pursuant to Public Funds Investment Act. Councilman Schonenberg seconded the motion. The vote was as follows
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Absent: Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
Councilman Berger moved to approve an order to call for a General Municipal Election on Saturday May 12, 2007 to fill the Mayor Position and Alderman Positions 1 and 2. Councilman Wavra seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Absent: Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
Police Chief Danny Jackson said this budget amendment was for a Wal-Mart Donation they received for the Police Dog. Councilman Berger moved to approve a budget amendment for the Police Department, Canine expenses. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Absent: Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
Chief Jackson said this was seizure money of $3,400 the Police Department acquired. Councilman Schonenberg asked if the drug dog was responsible for any of the acquisitions. Chief Jackson responded that he did not know if the dog had been responsible for any of this money, but it had been responsible for seizure of a vehicle and additional money not yet received from the County Attorney. He explained that money seized from drug busts goes to the County Attorney and then is split between the County and the City. Councilman Schonenberg moved to approve a budget amendment for the Police Department, Gun and Ammunition acquisition. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Absent: Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
Councilman Berger moved to approve a budget amendment for $12,795.00 for the Library’s Catherine Dumarese Trust donation. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Absent: Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
Councilman Wavra – no comment.
Councilman Rankin brought up the dumpster problem. He said that at 700 Milam, he saw someone dumpster diving. Mr. Meisell said the police can patrol that area.
Councilman Schonenberg said he thought the Fire Department Report came in at a good time. He believes the whole inspection process is in need of an overhaul. He believes our standards need to be improved.
Councilman Berger said people; in general, get lax as far as fire protection goes; whether it is through maintaining their fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and so forth. He said David and the City are working too hard to improve the water system. He would hate to see the ISO rating slip because of our lack of inspections.
There were no additional announcements.
There being no further business, Mayor Heffley declared the meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.
____________________________
Richard Heffley, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Patti Glaeser, City Secretary