The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Monday, February 26, 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 (Arrived at 6:45pm)
Councilwoman - Lori Sprague
Councilman - Curtiss Schonenberg
Councilman - Milton Wavra
City Manager - David Meisell
City Secretary - Patti Glaeser
Mayor Heffley called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Mayor Heffley led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Invocation.
In reviewing the invoices, Councilman Rankin asked what the BOAT (Building Officials Association of Texas) was for. David Meisell said it was for Jerry’s membership fees, Mayor Heffley asked what the charge was for from Colorado Vet Services. Police Chief Danny Jackson said it was for drug dog expenses. Councilman Schonenberg asked about the Tim Moody invoice. Mr. Meisell said it was for the pipe and installation of it in front of the new medical clinic. Councilman Rankin asked if the invoice from Metro Fire was for one bunker coat. Patti Glaeser confirmed this. Councilman Schonenberg asked what the invoice from the Railroad Commission was for. Patti Glaeser explained that it was the City’s annual gas pipeline inspections. The credit listed was for a check that was accidentally sent to the wrong vendor and cashed. Councilman Schonenberg commented that the Regency Gas invoice for $110,000 was 20% of the total budget. Mr. Meisell said he would have a report at the next meeting on the gas costs. Mayor Heffley asked if the Regency gas invoice contained the gas pricing discount. Patti Glaeser said it did not. Mr. Meisell showed charts on the gas costs he had through January. He explained that because of the seasons, most of the expenses will occur at the beginning of the fiscal year.
Councilman Schonenberg said that in Item number eight on the minutes, it should read ‘Rudy Schmidt’ instead of ‘Rudy Walla’.
In discussing the January Financial Statements, Councilman Rankin asked about the Property Taxes reported. Patti Glaeser explained that the total property tax revenue was accrued. Councilman Rankin also asked if we were recording depreciation expense on new assets now. Patti Glaeser explained that we will wait until the end to record the depreciation. Any segments in the water projects are considered construction in progress until the entire water project is finished. Any other completed projects have been moved into the asset accounts.
Councilman Berger arrived at 6:45 pm.
Mayor Heffley asked about the Retainage amount of $55,000. Mr. Meisell stated that we are withholding 5% of the contract price. Patti Glaeser confirmed that the Retainage account was an accumulation of all projects.
Councilman Schonenberg moved to accept the Consent Agenda. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
There were no citizen’s presentations or comments.
Mayor Heffley then moved to item #6.
Mr. Meisell reviewed the events occurring during the Hurricane Rita evacuation in September 2005. He explained how the police were working hard and there was a large crowd in the Wal-mart and HEB parking lot area. He explained that he asked Eddie Hernandez, who had Army experience, to help patrol that area with a radio. Mr. Hernandez donned his Army fatigues and helped restore order in that area. Because Sgt Hernandez went beyond the call of duty, Mr. Meisell contacted the Adjutant General of the Texas National Guard, Chuck Rodriguez, a classmate of Mr.Meisell at West Point to see if a commendation was possible for Sgt Hernandez. Adjutant General Rodriguez directed Mr. Meisell to Brigadier General Peters, who graduated from Columbus High School and whose father is former city manager in Columbus, Raymond Peters. Brigadier General Peters awarded Eddie Hernandez with a Medal of Merit.
Mr. Meisell then turned the meeting over to Mayor Heffley.
Mayor Heffley described the chaos. He also expressed his gratitude to the all the department heads for their assistance in this matter. Mayor Heffley presented the Medal of Merit to retired Sergeant First Class Eddie Hernandez from the State of Texas for outstanding service in the military forces of Texas.
City Manager, David Meisell, presented his City Manager’s Report, which is attached to these minutes. Mr. Meisell said the Water and Sewer bores were completed south of the Interstate. He said lines will be run along the east side of Hwy 71 and will cross the Highway to the lift Station, South of the Interstate. He said the City is also starting the road patching at Shult Drive and at Front Street.
He continued discussing the drainage project on Front Street. He displayed a sample of an old water line that was leaking into the storm sewer.
Donald Warschak of John D. Mercer & Associates discussed the pre-bid conference held on Thursday for the Water Well Project. He said six contractors attended. Bids will be opened on Thursday, March 1st.
Regarding the Incode installation, Patti Glaeser showed the Council a sample of the new utility bill that will go out next week. The barcode on the bill will enable quick posting of the receipts.
Mr. Meisell reported problems with vehicles ignoring work zones.
Mayor Heffley asked about the status of the new lift truck conversion (fire truck and bucket apparatus) Mr. Meisell stated that it should be completed by March 9th. He added that it will have a 40 ft lift on it.
Councilman Rankin asked about the process of tree trimming in the City. He is concerned with cutting off too much of the trees. Mr. Meisell assured him that their goal is to make the trees look nice.
Mr. Meisell explained the opportunity the City and the School have to bring in sidewalks to the north side of Martin Luther King from west of Hwy 71 to the west side of Rampart Street, down to Walnut. He also explained that the difficulty will be in crossing the Railroad tracks. He said some type of ramp would have to be designed to cross the railroad tracks. Lighting would also be added. Councilwoman Sprague asked if the City would also be able to add crossing arms to the one crossing downtown that doesn’t have crossing arms. Mr. Meisell said that it was the City’s decision not to install arms years ago.
Mayor Heffley asked Columbus Independent School District (CISD) Superintendent Randy Hoyer what makes this a joint venture between the City and the CISD. Mr. Hoyer responded that the project is called Safe Route to School (SRTS) and that this project would be funded through the Texas Department of Transportation. The City must be a part of the effort. This project would include sidewalks and curbs and gutters for drainage. He said maximum funding could be $750,000. He said there is a SRTS plan that is the responsibility of the School. He added that there is an Infrastructure Plan which would make up 90% of the project. He continued by saying that the School would be responsible for developing a plan to encourage children to walk or ride their bikes to school. Mr. Hoyer said that there are a number of children who walk to school now and are walking in the street. He said a municipality is the only one that can apply for the infrastructure part.
Councilman Rankin asked how much and when. Mr. Hoyer responded that the application deadline is May 25th. He said everything must be in place; including engineering plans and budgets.
Mr. Hoyer said buses are not allowed to cross the Rampart Street intersection at the railroad tracks because of the steepness of the tracks. He said buses must exit the Jr. High on Fannin and go to the intersection of Walnut and Fannin which increases the congestion at that intersection. Mayor Heffley asked if curbs and gutters are included. Mr. Hoyer said they were. Mr. Meisell said the City had a 36” storm drain on Back Street. He said the curbs and gutters would help get the water to that storm drain.
Councilman Rankin said that the plan does not cover funds for crossing guards. He asked Mr. Hoyer if the school is considering putting crossing guards at the intersection of Hwy 90 and Rampart. He said many children try to cross Hwy 90 in the morning and it is very dangerous. Mr. Hoyer said the school would have to look into it. Councilman Rankin said that now the children are playing dodge ball to cross Hwy 90. Councilman Schonenberg said he was supportive of this project especially the intersections of the main thoroughfares. Councilman Rankin asked how much this would cost. Mr. Hoyer said that the plan would have to be designed to come in under $750,000. He also said the City would have to front the cost and then be reimbursed. Councilman Wavra asked how long until the City would be reimbursed. Mr. Meisell said the reimbursements would be installment based. Councilman Rankin asked what funds would not be reimbursable. He said it appears the City could have the expense of the engineering fees. Councilman Berger asked how much those would be. Donald Warschak said that he would guess that the preliminary engineering fees would be less than $5,000. He said he would look at the grant specs to see what type of engineering study would be required with the application. They all agreed that a main feature of this project is the children crossing Hwy 90. Some type of flashing lights, etc may have to be installed. Councilman Rankin said that needs to be looked into whether or not the grant is received. He is very concerned about the children crossing Hwy 90. Mr. Meisell said he thought an initial budget of $10,000 would allow him to do the preliminary work necessary for this project.
Councilman Schonenberg asked what the chance of getting the Railroad involved to help with the crossing of the railroad. Mr. Meisell said that they could definitely be contacted.
Councilwoman Sprague made a motion to authorize City Management to proceed with the SRTS program as presented by CISD. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
Councilman Rankin moved to submit a proposed subdivision of a .4247 Acre tract located in the E, Tumlinson Survey (A-44); Such Application Requesting Said Tract be Subdivided into Two (2) Lots (.2162 Acres and .2085 Acres) to the Planning & Zoning Commission for Recommendation and Report and as requested by Mark Youens. Councilman Berger seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
Councilwoman Sprague moved to submit a proposed zoning change at 1919 Bowie, A-44 E Tumlinson Survey from District R-3 Day Care Facilities District to District R, Single-Family or Two-Family Residential District to the Planning and Zoning Commission for Recommendation and Report and as requested by August H. Jones, Jr. 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 the January police report, which is attached to these minutes.
Councilman Warva – no comment.
Councilman Rankin asked about the status of the
LCRA Resolution that the City sent to LCRA with a March 1st
deadline. He would like for us to follow up on that. He also said that he
would like to clarify his point about dumpsters in the minutes. He thinks they
should be addressed in the contract renewal. He also mentioned that CCIDC has
received applications from several local businesses for economic development.
He said he visited with two of them that have done a good job fixing up their
buildings and facilities. He said they are requesting grant funds from the
CCIDC to help with the costs. He said CCIDC has been met with someone that has
recently invested in three buildings in the community which is encouraging.
Councilman Schonenberg voiced his concern over the lot that was proposed for subdivision in the Butler subdivision. He said the lot reduction to the proposed .29 acre may not be fair to the neighbors.
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 7:50 pm.
____________________________
Richard Heffley, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Patti Glaeser, City Secretary