The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in special session on Thursday, July 26, 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

                                          Councilwoman              -                Sandra Frnka

                                          Councilman                  -                Milton Wavra

                                           City Manager                -                 David Meisell

                                           City Secretary               -               Patti Glaeser

 

And the following absent: 

                                          Councilman                  -                Charles Richardson

                                          Councilman                  -                Chuck Rankin

 

                                                                              

1.       Call to Order.

Mayor Heffley called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm.

2.       Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation.

Mayor Heffley led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Invocation.

3.       Budget Workshop.

Mr. Meisell explained his worksheet on the Balance Sheets from the last five years of audited financial statements.  He said the City is in good financial shape with excess money in the bank.  He recommended spending the money down and allowing for capital improvements to be made.  He stressed that money in the bank doesn’t solve the problems in the field. 

Mr. Meisell showed pictures from the current blower building at the McCormick Sewer Plant.  He explained that the electrical components needed to be moved out of that building into its own building. He also suggested improving the ventilation system in the blower building.    The estimated cost of this project is $50,000

 

Mr. Meisell discussed several areas that will need improvements and the Council may want to consider for the new budget. 

1.     Sweetbriar Extension would give the Hospital another access path, coming off the Interstate 10 feeder road and connecting to the current Sweetbriar Lane.  The estimated cost of this improvement is $100,000.

2.     Highway 71 Water Improvements from Shult Drive north would cost around $440,000. 

3.      Certificate of Obligations Fund monies including:

       a. Water Plant Improvements $500,000

       b. Blower Building $450,000.

        c.  Sewer Lines $800,000

        d.  Telemetry. 95,000

4.  Additional Water Well

5.  Walking Path on Montezuma/ Veterans Drive.

6.  Safe Route to School (SRTS).  The City would have to front the $750,000 until reimbursement is made from the grant.

7.  Drainage.  Councilman Wavra said that most of  the big drainage work has been recently completed, there are still small ones.

8.   Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT).  Drainage improvements along Spur 52 from Wal-Mart north.  TXDOT’s share is $1.25 Million and the City’s share is $250,000. 

Mr. Meisell discussed Revenue next.  He reviewed the TML Water Rate Survey Results for Cities with populations between 3,500 to 4,500; showing the City of Columbus being 38 out of 39.  He said a 10 % increase in water revenue would only move the City up one place.  Mr. Meisell suggested leaving the minimum rate of $12.00 for the first 3,000 gallons but increasing the next tiers from $1.50 to $ 1.75 for each additional 1,000

Mr. Meisell also discussed the TML Sewer Rate Survey Results for Cities with the same population range.  Columbus ranked 27 out of 38.  He would like to increase sewer rates the same as the water rates which would be to leave the $12.00 minimum for the first 3,000 gallons and increasing the next tiers from $1.50 to $1.75.

Mr. Meisell is not expecting to increase Gas rates.  He said garbage will have its normal increase per the contract. 

Mr. Meisell said that in the past 10 years appraised property values have doubled.  He anticipates leaving the tax rate at $.23312 per $100 valuation.  He said of surrounding cities, Columbus has the second lowest tax rate, with Schulenburg having a $.1679 rate.

Permit fees will probably need to be increased.   Mr. Meisell said he is working on a solution to our permitting process.  The solution may involve additional staffing.

Mr. Meisell suggested the following capital items or major purchases be added to the 2007/2008 budget:

1.       Backhoe. Cost estimate is $55,000.

2.        City Hall Renovations. - $100.000.

3.       Library Roof   - $100,000.

4.       Digital Cameras for the Police Department - $5,000.

5.       Heath Locator - $5,000

6.       Lift for Submersible pumps.  $5,000

7.       Fire Dept Bunker Gear - $6,000

8.       Fire Dept Voice Activated Mic System - $12,000                                                                    

                                                                                             

4.       Adjournment.

                   There being no further business, Mayor Heffley declared the meeting adjourned at 9:10p.m.

 

 

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