The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Monday, June 25, 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 - Curtiss Schonenberg
Councilman - Charles Richardson
Councilwoman - Sandra Frnka
Councilman - Chuck Rankin
Councilman - Milton Wavra (left at 8:25pm.)
City Manager - David Meisell
City Secretary - Patti Glaeser
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Heffley at 6:30 p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance.
The Pledge and Invocation were led by Mayor Heffley.
3. Consideration and Action to Approve Purchase of Incode Software – Building Projects.
Shane Cleaveland of Tyler Technologies presented a demonstration of the Incode Software Building Projects module. This module tracts the building process of structures, including the different phases of permitting and inspections. In addition, the module would allow fire and grease trap inspections to be scheduled when due. Also, fees for the permits would be calculated through this software and automatically recorded in the general ledger. Patti Glaeser said the office staff would be able to input information for the code inspector and assist in scheduling inspections.
Councilman Rankin moved to approve the purchase of Incode Software – Building Projects. Councilman Schonenberg seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Frnka
The motion passed.
Mayor Heffley moved to Item #5.
5. Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of invoices.
b. Approval of Minutes of June 11, 2007 Regular Meeting.
c. Approval of May Financial Statement.
Patti Glaeser explained that the Grantworks invoice was for the remainder due on the Planning Grant. The invoice from Moody Brothers is for the maintenance inspection on the sewer plants and water wells. Actual maintenance is in addition. Councilwoman Frnka asked what the invoice was for from Sensus. Ms. Glaeser said it was for the annual maintenance fee for support for the meter readers and software.
There were no questions on the minutes.
In response to Councilman Rankin’s question on what was the total effect on the budget of all the budget amendments this year, Mr. Meisell explained each budget amendment and it’s effect on fund balance. The total effect on fund balance in the general fund, including budget amendments for tonight’s meeting total $134,953.66.The total effect on fund balance in the utility fund, including budget amendments for tonight’s meeting total $45,000. A copy of the worksheet presented is attached.
Mr. Meisell left the meeting at 7:35pm.
Councilman Rankin moved to approve the consent agenda. Councilman Schonenberg seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Frnka
The motion passed.
4. Consideration and Action to Approve Budget Amendment to Purchase Incode Software – Building Projects.
Councilman Rankin moved to approve a budget amendment to purchase Incode Software Building Projects for $9,480. Councilman Schonenberg seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Frnka
The motion passed.
6. Citizen’s presentations and comments.[i]
There were no citizen’s presentations or comments.
Mayor Heffley then moved to Item #8.
8 Consideration and Action to Award Fuel Bid for the period of July 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007.
Two bids for fuel were received. Thomas Petroleum of La Grange bid $.2545 per gallon above the lower of the Houston or Austin OPIS for gas and $.2541 per gallon above the lower of the Houston or Austin OPIS for diesel. Colorado County Oil of Columbus bid $.2800 and $.2800 respectively. Both bids included the $.20 State tax. Patti Glaeser said she spoke to a representative from the Columbus Independent School District and they said everything had been fine over the last two years they used Thomas Petroleum. Councilman Richardson moved to award the fuel bid to Thomas Petroleum for the period of July 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007 Councilwoman Frnka seconded the motion. The vote was as follows
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Frnka
The motion passed.
Mayor Heffley moved to Item # 11.
11. Consideration and Action to approve a Budget Amendment for Sewer Department Pickup Truck.
Councilwoman Frnka asked what the City is using now for a truck. Eddie Hernandez said that they are sharing a pickup. Councilman Rankin would like to see something done with the pickup that has all the paint chipped off. Councilman Schonenberg moved to approve a Budget Amendment of $20,000 to purchase a pickup for the Sewer Department. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Frnka
The motion passed
Mayor Heffley then moved to Item #13.
13. Consideration and Action to Submit a Proposed Subdivision of a .8119 Acre Tract located in the E. Tumlinson Survey, 1715 Highway 71 South; Such Application Requesting Said Tract be Subdivided into Two (2) Lots (.2187 Acres and .5932 Acres) to the Planning & Zoning Committee for Recommendation and Report and as requested by Jim and Peggy Garvison.
Mayor Heffley explained that this property was across from Theut property. Patti Glaeser added that this was part of the Dairy Queen property. They are asking to subdivide the land so they can sell part of it. Councilman Rankin moved to submit a proposed subdivision of a .8119 Acre Tract located in the E. Tumlinson Survey, 1715 Highway 71 South; such application requesting Said Tract be Subdivided into Two (2) Lots (.2187 Acres and .5932 Acres) to the Planning & Zoning Committee for Recommendation and Report and as requested by Jim and Peggy Garvison. Councilman Schonenberg seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Frnka
The motion passed
Mayor Heffley recessed the meeting at 7:47pm.
The meeting reconvened at 8:05 pm. with all returning including David Meisell.
7. Discussion of City Manager’s Report including Water Delivery Project, Drying Bed Construction, Water Well, Storm Sewer Work, Swimming Pool Celebration, Drainage Right-of-way South of Montezuma, River Status, Groundwater District Progress.
Regarding the Water Delivery Project, Mr. Meisell said that not much had been done on the repair punch list. Councilman Rankin asked if the amount in retainage would cover all the repairs that needed to be done. Mr. Meisell said he thought it would. Regarding the water well, Mr. Meisell explained that the new well is expected to produce 350 gallons per minute (GPM). He said the old well at the Spring location was pumping at 175 GPM.
Councilman Wavra left at 8:25pm.
In regards to #8, Councilman Rankin said that in March, the Council passed a resolution demanding a response from LCRA regarding the SAWS project. He said the Council needs to request a response from them.
Mr. Meisell also said he received quotes Diesel and Natural Gas pad mounted generators for the Cardinal Hill Water Plant and for Sewer Plant #1. He will ask Council to choose the type at a later time, but he believes the Natural Gas Generator to be a better choice.
10. Consideration and Action to Approve Ordinance 68-07- Flood Plain Ordinance.
Mr. Meisell recommended tabling this ordinance until the verbiage could be changed regarding court orders on the last page. Councilman Rankin moved to table Agenda Item #10, Ordinance 68-07 – Flood Plain Ordinance. Councilman Schonenberg seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin
Councilwoman Frnka
Absent: Councilman Wavra
The motion passed.
9. Discussion and Action Regarding Garbage Ordinance Amendment.
Mayor Heffley began the discussion on Ordinances in general. He said ordinances are meant to solve or prevent problems for citizens. He said he has not had complaints from anyone from the public concerning this problem. He said the City once operated the garbage service and said he does not recall anyone complaining about the placement of dumpsters at that time. He said there has not been any public outcry. He wants to be sure we’re creating an ordinance for health and safety reasons. He asked if the City is ready to assess penalties for dumpster locations. He also asked how we would enforce the ordinance and who would enforce the ordinance. He asked if they want the City Manager, or the Police Chief and officers or the Code Inspector to enforce the ordinance. He asked how the people would move the dumpsters. He just wants to be sure the Council is doing this for the right reasons.
Councilman Rankin said the Council has been waiting a year to have this approved. He said AL&M looks at a dumpster in the street. He said the people must accept the rules that are established. He said consideration of the neighborhood should be taken into account. He said that they could look at having individual containers at apartment complexes instead of a large dumpster.
Councilwoman Frnka thinks the City should first go to the contractor and sees if they can move the dumpsters to a better location. She showed pictures of the dumpster at the softball field which sits out almost in the street. She said there are older people who leave carts out as well because they are too heavy for the people to move them.
Councilman Rankin said there is risk with the dumpster’s locations. He said he has seen children crawling in the big dumpsters. He also asked that if the dumpsters are on City property, whose responsibility if it.
Councilman Schonenberg said he placed a call to TDS (Texas Disposal Service) to see how other cities handle these problems. He said he would like to see this handled on a one to one basis.
David Meisell is concerned that the City would pass an ordinance without a solution. He said some areas of town do not have easements that would allow garbage trucks to pass through to pick up the garbage.
Councilwoman Rankin and Mayor Heffley said that there are smaller 64 gallon containers available for those people who think the 96 gallon ones are too large.. Mr. Meisell said the City did exchange smaller containers for anyone who requested one.
Councilman Rankin would like property owners to take responsibility for the placement. He is also willing to wait to see if this can be handled in another manner.
Councilman Schonenberg moved to table the garbage ordinance amendment. Councilman Richardson seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin
Councilwoman Frnka
Absent: Councilman Wavra
The motion passed.
12. Consideration and Action to approve Budget Amendment for Drainage Improvements, South of Montezuma.
Mr. Meisell explained this is for the drainage improvements he discussed in his City Manager’s report. Councilman Rankin moved to approve a budget amendment for $20,000 for drainage improvements south of Montezuma. Councilwoman Frnka seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin
Councilwoman Frnka
Absent: Councilman Wavra
The motion passed.
14. Items from Councilmembers.2
Councilman Rankin mentioned that he will attend the Rotary Club meeting on Tuesday to discuss CCIDC (Columbus Community Industrial Development Corporation).
Councilman Schonenberg – no comment.
Councilwoman Frnka – no comment.
Councilman Richardson – no comment
15. Announcements
Mayor Heffley reminded Council of their pictures on Tuesday.
16. Adjournment.
There being no further business, Mayor Heffley declared the meeting adjourned at 9:37p.m.
____________________________
Mayor, Richard Heffley
ATTEST:
_______________________
Patti Glaeser, City Secretary