The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in special session on Thursday, August 9, 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.

Mayor Heffley called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.

2.       Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation.

Mayor Heffley led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Invocation.

3.       Budget Workshop.

City Manager David Meisell explained the Texas Municipal Retirement System’s (TMRS) history of unfunded liabilities.  He said currently the City’s unfunded liability is about $500,000.  He said he just received notice from them in the attached documentation that TMRS is concerned these unfunded liabilities are understated. He said TMRS should have more information in October 2007.    Mr. Meisell voiced his concerns about this in his memo dated October 2004.  He said that in the proposed 2008 City budget, the City is anticipating paying down $25,000.  He is concerned that is not enough.  Also in the proposed budget, there is an increase in the retirement for the employees raising the matching funds from 150% to 200% in January 2008.  He said the City may have to reevaluate this increase in benefits once more is known of the underestimated unfunded liabilities.  Councilman Rankin asked if Mr. Meisell had an estimate on how much it’s off.  Mr. Meisell responded he had no idea.

In discussing capital items on the budget, Mr. Meisell said the $250,000 diffuser needed to be added with the offset being against the sewer line improvement.  He also said 2 generators, approximately $100,000 would be added as separate items from the Water plant.

Mr. Meisell also briefly discussed the additional of a new position in Code Enforcement. He said he anticipated this person to take the lead in all inspections and have the ability to take over water and sewer operations.  Mr. Meisell said overall, he would need an additional $75,000 to be able to make this happen. 

Mayor Heffley voiced his concerns over the probability of two new hotels coming in and the City’s need for increased inspections.  Mr. Meisell voiced his concerns that with all the capital projects coming up, he will need additional manpower.  Councilman Richardson said that with low standards, you have higher costs.  Mr. Meisell said that even with the Safe Route to School project that will be outsourced, Mr. Poncik will still need to supervise that project, which will take him away from other projects. 

Councilman Schonenberg asked if Mr. Meisell had seen any plans for improvements on Montezuma Street.  Mr. Meisell said he had not, but that the sidewalks may need to begin on Veterans Drive.  Councilman Schonenberg asked Mr. Meisell if he would be able to do all this work with 38 people.  Mr. Meisell said that he will have to sub out some of the work.  Councilman Rankin said that he considers the City as service and repair, not construction. 

 

 

 

4.       Adjournment.

                   There being no further business, Mayor Heffley declared the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

 

 

 

____________________________

Mayor, Richard Heffley

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

_______________________

Patti Glaeser, City Secretary