The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in special session on Monday, April 9, 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

                                           Councilman                  -                Brian Berger (arrived at 6:35pm)

                                          Councilman                                   Curtiss Schonenberg

                                          Councilman                  -                Chuck Rankin

                                              Councilman               -                Milton Wavra

                                           City Manager                -                  David Meisell

                                          City Secretary              -                Patti Glaeser

                                          

And the following absent:

                                          Councilwoman              -                Lori Sprague

                                           

 

                                                                              

1.    Call to Order.

Mayor Heffley called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.

2.    Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation.

Mayor Heffley led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Invocation.

3.    Consent Agenda:

a.Approval of invoices.

b.Approval of Minutes of March 26, 2007 Regular Meeting.

 

Councilman asked about the new chairs purchased.  Mayor Heffley said the chairs were for the Library.  City Manager, David Meisell confirmed this.  He said the Library had received a grant for them.  In reference to the modem for the access channel being purchased, Councilman Rankin asked if the access channel was up and running.  Mr. Meisell responded that it was still being worked on.    Councilman Schonenberg asked about the invoice from Morrison Supply.  He wanted to know if that was the same place the other pipe was purchased from.  Mr. Meisell stated that this was for additional pipe. 

 

There were no corrections to the minutes.

 

Councilman Wavra moved to approve the consent agenda.  Councilman Rankin seconded the motion.  The vote was as follows:

 

                           Ayes:  Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra

                         Absent:  Councilwoman Sprague

 

The motion passed. 

 

Councilman Berger arrived at 6:35pm.

4.    Consideration and Action to approve an invoice from Curtiss Automotive.

Councilman Berger moved to approve an invoice form Curtiss Automotive.  Councilman Rankin seconded the motion.  The vote was as follows: 

 

Ayes:  Councilman Berger, Rankin, Wavra

                                                Abstain:   Councilman Schonenberg

                         Absent:  Councilwoman Sprague

 

The motion passed. 

 

 

 

 

5.    Citizen’s presentations and comments.[i]

There were no citizen’s presentations or comments.

 

6.    Discussion of City Manager’s Report including Water Delivery Project, Drying Bed Construction, Water Well, Swimming Pool, Meeting with TXDOT and Union Pacific, Groundwater District News Article, Revenue Update, River Status, Recycling Update.

 

City Manager, David Meisell presented his City Manager’s Report, which is attached to these minutes.  He said that as of today, the cement was poured at McDonalds and was opened for the weekend.  Today, the driveway at Valero was opened to install water and sewer pipe.   Mr. Meisell presented a piece of the concrete that was pulled out from that location.  He said it appeared weak.  In addition to Item #3, Donald Warschak presented the Council with logs from the water well.  Mr. Meisell explained the log that measured resistivity.  The further the indicator goes to the right, the higher the potential for a water production zone.  Between 190 and 230 feet is a good zone and again between 250 and 290 feet. Mr. Warschak continued to explain the results to the depth of 1,000 feet.  The hydrologist confirmed that the best production level would be at 300 feet.  Mr. Meisell and Mr. Warschak explained that they are considering installing a variable speed drive at the new well location which will allow the pumps to not be pulled too hard.  Councilman Schonenberg asked at what depth the other wells are pumping.  Mr. Warschak responded that they are all at the 300 ft level.  Mr. Meisell explained that by drilling the well at the Spring Street location, it will allow the City to save the $600,000 originally budgeted for the new water plant because a new water plant will not be needed.  Councilman Berger asked if some of the $600,000 could be used to replace the old army generator.  Mr. Meisell stated that he is considering purchasing a couple of trailer mounted generators.  He would like to have a pad mounted generator at the Cardinal Hill plant. 

 

Mr. Meisell explained that the paint at the new addition at the swimming pool is not adhering.  Michael Poncik and his crew are working to scrape the paint from the bricks and then will repaint the bricks with the appropriate paint. 

 

Mr. Meisell explained his meeting with TXDOT and Union Pacific as explained in the attached City Manager’s report.

 

Mr. Meisell explained that the sewer rates increased in March.  Water revenues also increased.  He explained the gas revue less cost fluctuation as a factor of the new price discounting system.  He said he estimated high usage and that the correction will occur on next month’s billing. 

 

He also showed charts of the river height at noon every day.   

 

Mr. Meisell gave a report on recycling.  He said approximately $5,700 have been received this fiscal year.  Councilman Schonenberg asked if he had noticed an increase in the amount of recyclables received.  Mr. Meisell responded he had not.

 

Mr. Meisell cautioned the public, telling them if they see a skunk in the middle of the day, they should call City Hall.

 

7.   Consideration and Action to Approve a Lease Agreement with The First State Bank.

 

Mayor Heffley provided a history of this agenda item.  He stated that The First State Bank originally owned the old building that was at one time an old plumbing store.  He said twenty years ago, The First State Bank came to the City with a five year agreement that they would tear down the old building if the City would maintain the grounds.  This agreement was renewed three times.  Councilman Rankin asked how much it costs to maintain.  Michael Poncik said that the City spends approximately one hour a week mowing and maintaining that location. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Councilman Berger moved to terminate the lease between the City and The First State Bank.   Councilman Rankin asked if anyone had spoken to them about this.  Mr. Meisell said he had not.  Councilman Rankin seconded the motion.  The vote was as follows:

 

                           Ayes:  Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra

                         Absent:  Councilwoman Sprague

 

The motion passed. 

 

    

8.    Consideration and Action to Approve the Sale of Various Office Equipment and Furniture from City Hall and the Library and a Police Car, Gas Truck, Case Tractor and Two Dump Trucks in April, 2007.

Mr. Meisell reviewed a list of items and vehicles that the City plans to dispose of at an auction in LaGrange on April 28th by Duncan Auctioneers.  His plan is to sell two trucks and buy one.  He would like to eliminate single use vehicles.  The list consists of the following items:

                           1          1979 Chevy 1 Ton Gas               9219                                                                    2          1980 Chevy 1 Ton Bucket           7290                                                                             3          1981 Ford Dump                       1106                                                                             4          1983 Chevy Dump               6757                                                                             5          1984 Ford ½ Ton                        9002                                                                           6          1985 Dodge ½ Ton                     3794                                                                    7          1989 Chevy ½ Ton                     6742                                                                    8          1991 Chevy ½ Ton Sewer           3739                                                                    9          1999 Ford Crown Vic                  6669    

Mr. Meisell also requested the sale of various office equipment and furniture from City Hall and the Library, along with a Case Tractor.

Councilman Rankin moved to approve the above items for auction on April 28th in LaGrange by Duncan Auctioneers.    Councilman Berger seconded the motion.  The vote was as follows:

                           Ayes:  Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra

                         Absent:  Councilwoman Sprague

 

The motion passed.

 

9.    Consideration and Action to Approve a Supplemental Budget Amendment for a Ford F-150 Truck.

Mr. Meisell thanked Councilman Berger for questioning the size and number of doors on the new truck he is trying to order.  Councilman Berger moved to approve $3,000 additional monies through a budget amendment for the purchase of a Ford F-150 Truck.  This additional money increases the total to purchase the truck to $25,000.  Councilman Rankin seconded the motion.  The vote was as follows:

 

                           Ayes:  Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra

                         Absent:  Councilwoman Sprague

 

The motion passed. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

10. Items from Councilmembers.2

Councilman Wavra – no comment.

Councilman Rankin – no comment.

Councilman Schonenberg asked if the City had looked into the cost of another roll-off for the Columbus Trash-Off Day for large items.  Mr. Meisell responded that he would stock pile any large item at the maintenance facility and refill the current roll off as needed.

Councilman Berger – no comment.

 

 

11. Announcements.

There were no additional announcements.

12. Adjournment.

There being no further business, the mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:50 pm.

 

 

 

 

____________________________

Richard Heffley, Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

_______________________

Patti Glaeser, City Secretary

 

 


 

The City Council Chamber is wheelchair accessible and accessible parking spaces are available.

Requests for accommodations or interpretive services must be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Please contact City Secretary Patti Glaeser 979.732.2366 or fax 979.732.8213 for additional information.

 

 

 1During this agenda item, citizens may comment for the record on items which are not on the agenda.  However, the Council may not participate in discussion or deliberation on any item that is not on the agenda.  Citizens may request that a topic be added to a future agenda.

 

Citizens who wish to comment on a posted agenda item may do so when that item is addressed by the Mayor.  Citizen’s comments are limited to five minutes. 

 

2 Limited to statements.  Issues raised by councilmember’s under this item cannot be deliberated by Council.  The Open Meetings Act does not allow Council to deliberate items that don’t appear on the agenda.