The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Monday, July 9, 2007 at 6:35 p.m., in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 605 Spring Street, Columbus, Texas, with the following present:
Mayor - Richard Heffley
Councilman - Charles Richardson
Councilwoman - Sandra Frnka
Councilman - Chuck Rankin
City Manager - David Meisell
City Secretary - Patti Glaeser
And the following absent:
Mayor Pro Tem - Curtiss Schonenberg
Councilman - Milton Wavra
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Heffley at 6:35 p.m.
2.Pledge of Allegiance.
The Pledge and Invocation were led by Mayor Heffley.
3. Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of invoices.
b. Approval of Minutes of June 25, 2007 Regular Meeting.
Mayor Heffley asked the council members to talk into the microphones so that the tape recordings would be better.
Mayor Heffley announced that Councilman Wavra was absent from the meeting due to medical reasons. Mayor Pro Tem Schonenberg was absent for personal reasons.
Mayor Heffley asked what the invoice was for from Heusser. Patti Glaeser explained it was for enzymes for the sewer plants. Mayor Heffley also asked what the National Elevator Inspection invoice was for. Ms. Glaeser explained that it was for the annual inspection of the elevator. Councilwoman Frnka asked about the invoice for copper from Golden Triangle. David Meisell said it was for supplies for the water department.
There were no questions regarding the minutes.
Councilman Rankin moved to approve the consent agenda. Councilwoman Frnka seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Rankin
Councilwoman Frnka
Absent: Councilman Schonenberg, Wavra
The motion passed.
4. Consideration and Action to Approve Invoices from Curtiss Automotive.
Councilwoman Frnka moved to approve the invoices from Curtiss Automotive. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Rankin
Councilwoman Frnka
Absent: Councilman Schonenberg, Wavra
The motion passed.
5. Citizen’s presentations and comments.[i]
There were no citizen presentations or comments.
6. Discussion of City Manager’s Report including Water Delivery Project, Drying Bed Construction, Water Well, Storm Sewer Work, Drainage Right-of-Way South of Montezuma, River Status, Groundwater District Progress, Priority List, Revenue Update.
City Manager, David Meisell presented his City Manager’s Report which is attached to these minutes. In addition to #1, Mr. Meisell stated that the punch list for the Water/Sewer Project repairs was down to 5.
Councilwoman Frnka asked when the City would videocamming the sewer lines. Mr. Meisell responded that it would begin Monday, July 16th.
Mr. Meisell discussed the revenue charts for water, sewer and gas. He said the sewer revenues were declining as expected. He also said with the wet spring, water revenues were also declining. He said gas net revenue was stabilizing.
7. Consideration and Action to Select Generator Type for Cardinal Hill Water Plant and McCormick Sewer Plant #1.
Mr. Meisell presented different scenarios for different types of generators for the Cardinal Hill Water Plant and McCormick Sewer Plant. He said these generators will be pad mounted which would make them permanent. The cost to purchase a natural gas run generator is initially more expensive to purchase, but is easier to maintain. He also said the City would be able to easily furnish it with natural gas.
Mr. Meisell said the installation costs were not included in the price. Councilman Rankin said that while the natural gas operated generator is more expensive, he is in favor of it because of simple maintenance. Councilman Rankin also asked if it would be funded with certificate of obligation money. Mr. Meisell confirmed this. Councilman Richardson asked what the life span of the generator was. Mr. Meisell said he would check into it.
Councilman Rankin moved to select the Natural Gas Generators at a cost of $57,911 and $57,397 to be placed at the Cardinal Hill Water Plant and the McCormick Sewer Plant #1. Councilman Richardson seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Rankin
Councilwoman Frnka
Absent: Councilman Schonenberg, Wavra
The motion passed.
8. Update and discussion of Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS).
Mr. Meisell discussed the TMRS History of the City, which is attached to these minutes. He said the City currently has 39 full-time employees participating in TMRS. He said in 1986, the average age of employees was 38.6, in 1996, it was 42 and in 2006, the average age was 47.7. He said the number of participating members were 28 in 1986; 47 in 1996; and 38 in 2006. He said the City’s production with older people is up. This is due to equal amounts of work being done with fewer number of employees. He said the number of annuitants were stable from 1986-1998 with 4 to 5. In 1998 to 2001, it rose. In 2006, the number stands at 13.
Mayor Heffley asked when the 5 year vesting went into effect. Mr. Meisell said it was in 2002. He explained that TMRS said the 10 year vesting would default to 5 year vesting unless the Council passed a resolution to leave it 10 years. No action was taken by the City Council in 2002.
Mr. Meisell continued to explain that the average length of service increased to 9.1 years, up from 5.6 years in 1986. Mr. Meisell explained that the unfunded actual liability is “off the books liability”. He explained that it is a debt the City owes to future retirees. He said he will suggest during the budget process to make a lump sum contribution of around $25,000 to the unfunded liability. He said the legislature this year passed a bill that would allow municipalities to pay down some of this obligation. He said he would like to continue to make lump sum contributions for approximately the next seven years.
Mr. Meisell discussed the contribution rate chart provided by TMRS. He said that in 2002, the City’s part was 6.34%. It is currently 8%.
He went on to discuss the attached memo dated July 6. He showed comparisons of a 150% match and a 200% match and its effect on an employee’s income at retirement. He said the City currently has a 6% employee contribution with the City giving a 150% match. He showed different cost scenarios if the City changes the Contribution percentages. He said if the City makes no changes, the cost increase, with a 6% salary increase will be about $1,875. If the City goes to a 7%, 150%match, the increase over the current cost would be $22,500. A 6%, 200%match would be a $36,375 increase and a 7%, 200% match would increase by $66,750. Mr. Meisell said further discussion will be held during the budget process.
Councilwoman Frnka asked what other benefits the City employees receive. Mr. Meisell said the Medical insurance is paid for by the city. Life insurance costs the City .42% of salary.
9. Items from Councilmembers.2
Councilman Rankin – no comment.
Councilwoman Frnka asked everyone to pray for Councilman Wavra.
Councilman Richardson – no comment.
10. Announcements
Mr. Meisell asked the Council to turn in their Priority List Survey.
11. Adjournment.
There being no further business, Mayor Heffley declared the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
ATTEST:
_______________________ _______________________
Mayor, Richard Heffley Patti Glaeser, City Secretary