The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in special session on Monday, April 23, 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 7:00pm)
Councilwoman - Lori Sprague (arrived at 6:37pm)
Councilman Curtiss Schonenberg
Councilman - Chuck Rankin
Councilman - Milton Wavra
City Manager - David Meisell
City Secretary - Patti Glaeser
1. Call to Order.
Mayor Heffley called the meeting to order at 6:30pm.
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 April 9, 2007 Regular Meeting.
c. Approval of March Financial Statements.
Councilman Wavra asked if the water meeting was being held in the City of Moravia. Patti Glaeser confirmed this. Councilman Rankin asked about the light bar that was purchased for the fire truck. David Meisell explained the light bar on truck #1460 went out and this was a replacement.
Mayor Heffley continued to the minutes and financial statements.
Councilwoman Sprague arrived at 6:37pm.
Councilman Schonenberg moved to accept the consent agenda. Councilman Wavra seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
Absent: Councilman Berger
The motion passed.
4. Citizen’s presentations and comments.[i]
There were no citizen’s presentations or comments.
5. 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 Progress, Gas Volume, River Status, Trash Off, Bucket Truck, Employee Meeting, TMRS Meeting, Sales Tax.
City Manager, David Meisell presented his City Manager’s Report which is attached to these minutes. In discussing the water delivery project, Mr. Meisell said the project was over the original bid by $107,536 due to the changes in several areas Councilman Rankin asked how much more the project will cost. Mr. Meisell said it will probably be $150,000 more. Mr. Meisell said the project was virtually complete; with only a few more things to do. Councilman Wavra asked what the total cost of the project will be. Mr. Meisell said at the next meeting he will go over the entire project.
Councilman Schonenberg reported the Columbus Trash Off day was successful. He said 400 bags of trash and eight trailer loads of large items were collected. He said they have begun plans to have another trash off day next year.
Mr. Meisell discussed his meeting with TMRS. He mentioned that the average age of employees increased from 39 years old in 1989 to 47 years old in 2005.
Councilman Berger arrived at 7:00 pm. Mr. Meisell continued to explain the large unfunded debt in our retirement system. He said he hopes to propose to make a lump sum payment during the budget process pending legislation that will allow this.
6. Public Hearing regarding Proposed Amendment to Sec 86-402 (17) j, Use Regulations of the Columbus Zoning Code.
Mayor Heffley opened the public hearing at 7:10 pm. Mr. Meisell explained that proposal would allow a brick manufacture in the Industrial Park. He said the Planning and Zoning Commission will continue to study other areas of the zoning ordinance as it pertains to the Industrial Park. There were no comments from citizens. The public hearing closed at 7:13pm.
7. Consideration and Action to Approve Ordinance 66-07 Amendment to Sec 86-402 (17) j, Use Regulations of the Columbus Zoning Code.
Mayor Heffley reopened the meeting at 7:13 pm. Councilman Wavra moved to approve Ordinance 66-07 – Amendment to 86-402 (17) j, Use regulations of the Columbus Zoning Code that would allow brick/tile manufacturers in the Industrial Park. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
8. Consideration and Action to Submit a Proposed Subdivision of a .7018 Acre Tract located in the E. Tumlinson Survey, Abstract No.44, 1210 Montezuma; Such Application Requesting Said Tract be Subdivided into Two (2) Lots (.3496 Acres and .3522 Acres) to the Planning & Zoning Committee for Recommendation and Report and as requested by John Mau.
Councilman Berger moved to submit a proposed subdivision of a .7018 Acre Tract located in n Survey, Abstract No.44, 1210 Montezuma; Such Application Requesting Said Tract be Subdivided into Two (2) Lots (.3496 Acres and .3522 Acres) to the Planning & Zoning Committee for Recommendation and Report and as requested by John Mau. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed
9. Consideration and Action to Submit a Proposed Subdivision of .4250 Acre Tract located in the Original Lot 6, in Block No. 49, 1312 Live Oak; Such Application Requesting Said Tract be Subdivided into Three (3) Lots (.0751 Acres, .1236 Acres and .2264 Acres) to the Planning & Zoning Committee for Recommendation and Report and as requested by James Howell.
Councilman Rankin commented that one of the lots (.0751 Acres) appeared small.
Councilman Rankin moved to submit a Proposed Subdivision of .4250 Acre Tract located in the Original Lot 6, in Block No. 49, 1312 Live Oak; Such Application Requesting Said Tract be Subdivided into Three (3) Lots (.0751 Acres, .1236 Acres and .2264 Acres) to the Planning & Zoning Committee for Recommendation and Report and as requested by James Howell. Councilman Berger seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed
10. Consideration and Action to Approve the 2006 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
Mr. Meisell said the City ended the year with a profit of $337,000.
Chris Arthur and Pierce Arthur presented the 2006 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Mr. Chris Arthur discussed several areas of the audit. He explained that this was the third year for GASB 34. He encouraged the Council to read the Transmittal Letter and the Management’s Discussion and Analysis. He also said the Report included the Statistical Section which is required by GASB 44. He also compared revenues of the three cities of the County, Columbus, Eagle Lake and Weimar. He also compared the top ten taxpayers of the three cities. This comparison is attached to these minutes.
Mr. Arthur also reported the City is in great financial shape. He compared several prior years as to how long the City could continue if there were not additional revenue: 2001 – 7.5 months, 2002 – 9.7 months; 2003 – 12.1 months; 2004 – 11.6 months; 2005 – 10.4 months, and 2006 – 7.5 months.
Mayor Heffley asked about page 74 which listed the top ten property value owners. He asked if Great Southern Wood’s figures were correct. Mr. Meisell said that 10% of the value of Great Southern Wood is in the City and 90% is in Glidden.
Chris Arthur said big steps were taken this year by recording all assets in house.
Mayor Heffley said he would like the Council to be able to spend a little more time on the audit and bring it back to the next meeting.
Mr. Meisell explained the audit report through a spread sheet of comparisons of prior years.
Councilman Rankin asked about the numbers on page 70 about the top 10 sales taxpayers in the City. Mr. Pierce Arthur said he obtained this information from the State Comptroller’s office.
11. Consideration and Action to Approve the Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbus, Texas Memorandum of Understanding as prepared by Franklin Legal Publishing.
Mr. Meisell explained that this codification will update our code to the State Law. Councilman Rankin said he is concerned with the format of the review and the approving the significant changes without knowing the background.
Councilman Rankin asked if there would be updates. Mr. Meisell explained that there would be updates.
Councilwoman Sprague moved to approve the Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbus, Texas Memorandum of Understanding as prepared by Franklin Legal Publishing. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
12. Consideration and Action to Approve Resolution 44-07, Safe Routes to School.
Councilman Sprague moved to approve Resolution 44-07, Safe Routes to School. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed
13. Consideration and Action to Approve Resolution 45-07, Rules and Regulations Regarding the use of Excessive Force During Nonviolent Civil Rights Demonstrations.
Councilwoman Sprague moved to approve Resolution 45-07, Rules and Regulations Regarding the use of Excessive Force During nonviolent civil rights demonstrations. Councilman Berger seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed
14. Consideration and Action to Approve the Appointment of a Fair Housing/Equal Opportunity Standards Officer.
Councilwoman Sprague moved to appoint Mayor Richard Heffley as the Fair Housing/Equal Opportunity Standards Officer. Councilman Berger seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
15. Consideration and Action to Approve Citizen Participation Form, Texas Community Development Block Grant Program.
Councilman Berger moved to approve a Citizen Participation Form, Texas Community Development Block Grant Program. Councilwoman Sprague seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
16. Consideration and Action to Approve Policy of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicapped Status.
Councilman Berger moved to approve a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of Handicapped Status. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
17. Consideration and Action to Approve Section 3 Local Opportunity Plan.
Councilman Berger moved to approve Section 3 Local Opportunity Plan. Councilwoman Sprague seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
18. Consideration and Action to Approve Section 504 Grievance Procedure.
Councilwoman Sprague moved to approve Section 504 Grievance Procedure. Councilman Berger seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
19. Consideration and Action to Approve the Sale of a Generator and a Water Tank at Auction on April 28, 2007.
Councilman Berger moved to approve the sale of a 1950 Generator and water tank from an old fire truck at auction on April 28, 2007. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
20. Consideration and Action to Appoint Rudy Schmidt as the Animal Control Officer for the City of Columbus.
Councilman Wavra moved to approve Rudy Schmidt as the Animal Control Officer for the City of Columbus. Councilman Berger seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Berger, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Sprague
The motion passed.
21. Presentation and Discussion of March Police Report.
Police Chief, Danny Jackson, presented his March Police Report which is attached to these minutes. Councilman Rankin asked if the Police Department was fully staffed. Chief Jackson said that the department was fully staffed. He said two recent hires were William Raabe and Gary Ashford. He said two officers resigned, one for personal reasons and one to take a job closer to his home.
22. Items from Councilmembers.2
Councilman Wavra – no comment.
Councilman Rankin said he would have an update on the Garbage Ordinance before the next meeting. He also mentioned approving the Columbus Community Industrial Development Corporation’s (CCIDC) Policy and Procedures on the grant procedures.
Councilman Schonenberg – no comment.
Councilwoman Sprague – no comment.
Councilman Berger – no comment.
23. Announcements.
There were no additional announcements.
24. Adjournment.
There being no further business, the mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:08 pm.
____________________________
Richard Heffley, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Patti Glaeser, City Secretary