The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Monday, July 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
Mayor Pro Tem - Curtiss Schonenberg
Councilman - Charles Richardson
Councilwoman - Sandra Frnka
Councilman - Chuck Rankin
Councilman - Milton Wavra
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. Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of invoices.
b. Approval of Minutes of July 9, 2007 Regular Meeting.
c. Approval of June Financial Statements.
Mayor Heffley asked about the plumbing bill paid to Mrs. Wilson. City Manager, David Meisell explained that the City reimbursed Mrs. Wilson for expenses she paid to hire a plumber to repair damages. The damages to her sewer line were caused when new water lines were installed recently by Uticon. Councilman Schonenberg asked what the pump repair was for. Mr. Meisell responded that this was to replace a sump pump that was 10-12 years old.
Councilman Schonenberg moved to accept the consent agenda. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Frnka
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, Storm Sewer Work, Drainage Right-of-Way South of Montezuma, LCRA Update, River Status, Groundwater District Progress, Priority List, Sales Tax Update, Minimum Wage Increases, Fire Department Call Status, Sewer Line Inspections, Water Plant Improvements.
City Manager, David Meisell, presented his City Manager’s Report which is attached to these minutes.
In addition to #7, Groundwater District Progress, Mr. Meisell said the following persons were appointed to the temporary Board of Directors: Marion Schonenberg, Clayton Wallin, Bill Briscoe, Vivian Spanihel, Jim Wiese, Tom Kelley and David Kahlich. He said the main function of this group is to call for an election in November.
Mr. Meisell also discussed the priority listing survey prepared by Councilmembers. Mr. Meisell reported that sales tax increased 12%. He said Weimar also increased, but Eagle Lake’s Sales Tax for the month of July decreased.
Mr. Meisell reported that minimum wage rates increase on July 24th from $5.15 to $5.85 per hour. In 2008, the rate will increase to $6.55 and in 2009; it will increase to $7.25.
Mr. Meisell discussed the events over the last 4-6 weeks that occurred between the Columbus Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD) and the County EMS. He said the county believes the CVFD should support EMS in medical care. Mr. Meisell reported the CVFD responded to 290 calls within the City limits during the last 7 years, while responding to 769 calls in the County, outside the City limits during the same time frame. He said the City funded almost $1million over the last 7 years with the County providing around $60,000, and the Forest Service granting them $144,000. He said it’s hard to believe the County is asking the CVFD to do more.
Mr. Meisell said it appears the EMS is understaffed and that they need to bring out staff to cover themselves. He believes the EMS should recruit First Responders if additional help is needed. He also said approved EMS dispatch protocols should be established. He also said EMS and CVFD need to work out mutual aid agreements with protocols. Mr. Meisell said he wrote a letter on June 18th and hasn’t received a response. He said the CVFD already has mutual aid agreements with the surrounding small fire departments.
He reported that the EMS responded to 1800 calls in 2001. In June 2004, the annual number of calls dropped to below 1550. By July 2007, call volume bounced back to 1773.
Councilwoman Frnka said she had previously been on the ambulance corps. She is concerned with the conflicts of interest between the CVFD and the EMS. She is also concerned with liability issues if the CVFD responds to aid the EMS in emergency procedure calls. She said the City is not insured for that and should beware. She said that when she was on the ambulance corps, they never left the ambulance barn without three people.
Councilman Rankin said it appears that something needs to be done. He asked what procedures need to occur to get protocols in place. Mr. Meisell responded that it is time for the County to come to the table to discuss these problems.
Councilman Warva stated he does not want the CVFD to make medical emergency calls. Mayor Heffley said the letter Mr. Rogers wrote starts off antagonistic. He said he has lost respect for Mr. Rogers (EMS Director) and the County officials. He said CVFD Chief Walla’s years of service are more than all the County members involved. He believes the County owes Chief Walla and the CVFD an apology. Mr. Meisell prefers to deal with this in a roundtable setting. Mr. Meisell wrote an e-mail to Mr. Rogers on June 25 requesting this and has received no response.
Councilman Richardson asked what the City’s obligation was. He asked if the CVFD is qualified to respond to emergency medical calls and if they are insured. Councilwoman Frnka responded that they are not. Councilman Rankin asked what the City needs to do to resolve the problem. Mr. Meisell suggested the Mayor draft a letter asking the County to come to the table to discuss these issues and concerns.
In addition to #13, Mr. Meisell said the City has begun inspecting grease traps at area food serving establishments. He said that of the seven inspections done, all had problems. He said most grease traps were filled to capacity with some solidified. He said one restaurant’s grease trap was ok, but they had a substandard lid. Mr. Meisell said Donald Warshak with Mercer Engineering is helping to calculate the grease trap size that is needed based on their volume. He said Jerry Krenek, Code Inspector, is working on a questionnaire for everyone who serves food to the public.
Mr. Meisell said that the Sewer lines on Tait Street are 15 inch and 12 inch. He said the 12” line was completely occluded and the 15” line was 60% occluded.
Mr. Meisell also discussed the different sized sewers lines that are connected near the Boy Scout Hut. A 10” pipe and 12” pipe come together and cause a back flow effect. They are working to correct this problem. Councilman Wavra said they will also find a sewer line problem at the corner of Jackson and Back Streets. Mr. Meisell reported that the sewer camera could not get through a line on North River Drive.
In addition to Item #14, Mr. Meisell reported that there are many improvements that need to be done at the Water Plants. He said currently the control mechanism at the Tait well failed to turn on the well. He said failures are occurring before renovations can be completed.
6. Consideration and Action to Approve a Manufactured Home Permit at 1615 Prairie.
A manufactured home permit was submitted for approval at 1615 Prairie, which is in Block 52. It appears the request meets the criteria except that previously there was a mobile home located on that lot. Section 3.09.0007 says in order to have a replacement home in that location; a request for the replacement of the manufactured home must be filed with the building official within 14 days prior to the removal of the nonconforming manufactured home.
Councilman Richardson mentioned that this permit does not include a survey. He also said that historically mobile homes reduce the value of a single family home. Councilman Rankin said homes should be in mobile home parks.
It was suggested that this permit be taken to the Board of Adjustment for a variance.
It was a consensus that the mobile home ordinance should be addressed in the zoning ordinance.
Councilman Wavra moved to deny the manufactured home permit based on the 14 day rule. Councilman Richardson seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Frnka
The motion passed.
7. Consideration and Action to Approve a Budget Amendment for Wage Structures.
Mr. Meisell discussed the impact of the recent minimum wage increase from $5.15 to $5.85. He said that personnel at the Library and Pool would be the greatest effected. He said that is a 13.6% increase. He explained why he felt everyone else should be raised proportionately based on the minimum wage increase and merit increases of 6%. He suggested that everyone below $6.00 be raised 13%. Wage earners from $6.00 to $8.99 would receive a 12% increase; 6% minimum wage impact and 6%merit increase. He said this continues until you get to a 0% minimum wage impact and a 6% merit increase. He also said he would like this increase to go into effect on July 22. This would meet the new standard requirements. He said that the budget amendment proposed is basically moving money between payroll accounts. There would be no net increase in funds. Mr. Meisell reminded everyone that this increase will happen again in July 2008 and 2009 because of the minimum wage increases. Councilman Rankin would like to see raises based on actual merit; not just everyone receiving 6%, some more, some less. Councilman Rankin moved to approve a budget amendment for wage structure improvements that would go into effect on July 22nd and apply the rules, as identified, with Mr. Meisell’s exercise of judgment to manage the pool of money to distribute to the employees as fairly as possible. Councilman Schonenberg seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin, Wavra
Councilwoman Frnka
The motion passed.
8. Items from Councilmembers.2
Councilman Wavra – no comment.
Councilman Rankin presented the Council with a letter from the CCIDC, requesting the Planning and Zoning Commission to look at the Industrial Zoning.
Councilman Schonenberg said that walking and jogging on Montezuma has increased and he would like to look at the possibility of a trail of some sort in this area during the budget process. Councilman Schonenberg also said there is increased pedestrian traffic at Houston and Fannin Streets. He also asked about the status of the three mobile homes at Washington and Prairie. Mr. Meisell said the owner has committed to have them removed.
Councilwoman Frnka said she would like to see a new speaker on the Budget.
Councilman Richardson – no comment.
9. Announcements
Mayor Heffley reminded the Council of the Countywide Fire meeting on Tuesday, August 14th with the social beginning at 6:30pm.and the meal at 7:30 pm. He also reminded everyone of the Budget Workshop on Thursday, July 26th.
10. Adjournment.
There being no further business, Mayor Heffley declared the meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.
____________________________
Mayor, Richard Heffley
ATTEST:
_______________________
Patti Glaeser, City Secretary