.The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Monday, August 13, 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

                                               City Manager                -                 David Meisell

                                           City Secretary               -               Patti Glaeser

 

And the following absent:

                                          Councilman                  -                Milton Wavra

 

 

                                                                              

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 23, 2007 Regular Meeting.

c.       Approval of Minutes of July 26, 2007 Special Meeting.

d.      Approval of Minutes of August 2, 2007 Special Meeting.

 

Councilman Rankin questioned the invoice from Aqua Meter. City Manager, David Meisell, said it was to replace a motor. 

 

Councilman Schonenberg moved to approve the consent agenda.  Councilman Rankin seconded the motion.  The vote was as follows:

 

                       Ayes:  Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin

                                  Councilwoman Frnka

                     Absent:  Councilman Wavra

 

The motion passed.

 

 

4.       Consideration and Action to approve Invoice from Curtiss Automotive.

Councilman Rankin moved to approve the invoice from Curtiss Automotive.  Councilman Richardson seconded the motion.  The vote was as follows:

 

Ayes:  Councilman Richardson, Rankin

                                  Councilwoman Frnka

                     Abstain:  Councilman Schonenberg

                     Absent:  Councilman Wavra

 

The motion passed.

5.       Citizen’s presentations and comments.[i]

 

Carla Cain of Coldwell Banker Real Estate began discussing the mobile home permit in Item #7.  It was decided that she should continue on Item #7.  There were no other citizen’s presentations or comments.

 

7.  Consideration and Action to Approve a Manufactured Home Permit at 1726 Fannin.

 

Mr. Meisell told the Council that this manufactured home was located on Fannin Street where Fannin Street continues behind Hwy 71 at Bonham Street.  He said it appears the lot is unoccupied with no evidence that a manufactured home ever existed on that location.  Councilman Schonenberg was concerned that the remaining of the Block would have no access.  Realtor Donna King said that relatives own the remaining lot and they would have no problem allowing access. Councilman Richardson asked if the City has an inspection process for manufactured homes after they go in.  Ms. King said it will be set used based on FHA rules.  Mr. Meisell said it appears it meet all criteria.  Councilman Richardson moved to approve a manufactured home permit at 1726 Fannin.  Councilman Schonenberg seconded the motion.  The vote was as follows:

 

Ayes:  Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin

                                  Councilwoman Frnka

                     Absent:  Councilman Wavra

 

The motion passed

 

8         Consideration and Action to Approve 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 as requested by Jim and Peggy Garvison and recommended by Planning and Zoning Commission.

 

Mr. Meisell explained that this subdivision was recommended by the Planning and Zoning commission.  John Mau, future owner, was available for questions.  Councilman Rankin moved to approve 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) as requested by Jim and Peggy Garvison and recommended by Planning and Zoning Commission.  Councilman Schonenberg seconded the motion.   The vote was as follows:

 

Ayes:  Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin

                                  Councilwoman Frnka

                     Absent:  Councilman Wavra

 

The motion passed.                                                                                                                                                                                           

 

 

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, 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 #1, Mr. Meisell said the Water Delivery project has gone over budget by $284,363.  This was due to expanded work being done on Montezuma and South of town.  The bores at Schobel’s intersection and the bore at Interstate 10 also were more complex than originally planned. 

 

9.       Consideration and Action to Approve a Request From the Colorado County Fair Association to Permit a Parade Within the City of Columbus on Portions of Milam and Walnut Street Between the Hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12 O’clock Noon on Saturday, September 15, 2007.

Councilman Rankin moved to approve a request from the Colorado County Fair Association to permit a parade within the City of Columbus on portions of Milam and Walnut Street between the hours of 10:00am and 12:00 pm on Saturday, September 15, 2007.  Councilman Richardson seconded the motion.  The vote was as follows:

 

Ayes:  Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin

                                  Councilwoman Frnka

                     Absent:  Councilman Wavra

 

The motion passed

10.   Consideration and Action to Approve Building Permit Fee Schedule.

Mr. Meisell presented a chart that showed the current building permit fee schedule, a proposed fee schedule and one from the City of Sealy.  Mr. Meisell showed that for a $1,500,000 home, the current fee imposed would be $1, 025. The same home on the proposed chart would be $3,720.  Councilwoman Frnka said that the City must have higher expectations and that it would be better protection for the homeowner.  Councilman Rankin would prefer the lower building amounts to grow slightly.  Councilwoman Frnka said that the lower end homes probably would need more inspections.  Councilman Rankin said he believes that manufactured homes need the same building inspections as homes.  Councilwoman Frnka moved to approve the Building Permit Fee Schedule as presented.  Councilman Schonenberg seconded the motion.  The vote was follows:

 

Ayes:  Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin

                                  Councilwoman Frnka

                     Absent:  Councilman Wavra

The motion passed.

11.   Consideration and Action to Publish Notice of a Proposed Property Tax Rate for 2007.

Patti Glaeser explained that this action would enable her to publish a required notice in the paper relating to property taxes for the next year.  The published tax rate amount would be the highest rate the Council would consider adopting at a future meeting, currently set for September 10, 2007.  Once the rate is published, the Council could not vote to raise the tax any higher, unless the proposed tax rate was republished. 

Mr. Meisell presented a history of the ad valorem tax rates over the last 10 years.  In 1997, the tax rate was $.19000 for each $100 valuation for maintenance and operations with $0 for debt service. In 2005, the maintenance and operations tax rate was $.19312 and $.04 for debt service, for a total tax rate of $.23312.  That rate remained for 2006.  The Colorado County Central Appraisal District, (CAD) estimates a 99.55% collection rate.  He also said that right now, there is approximately a $200,000 loss budgeted within the new budget.

Mr. Meisell   reminded everyone that the Water and Sewer project going on right now only provides maintenance.  There is no additional capacity being addressed.  Councilman Rankin supports commercial development and believes the City should grow the tax base instead of the tax rate.  Mr. Meisell said the best way is to provide infrastructure improvements.  Mayor Heffley asked how long it would take to spend down the reserve at the current rate.  Mr. Meisell responded that it would take about 10 years.  Councilman Schonenberg said he has seen the town not do maintenance.  He said he could not run a business that way.  He said he has no problem starting to raise some things.  He is not against going up. 

Mr. Meisell reminded the Council of just the electrical repairs that have been made over the last three years.  He mentioned the Golf Course, Little League field, swimming pool circuit breaker, lift station, blower, Girl Scout Hut and the softball field.  He wonders what he hasn’t found. 

Councilwoman Frnka would like to see a $.01 increase now and slowly raise rates rather than all at once.  Mayor Heffley is concerned that sales tax could decrease. Councilman Rankin believes the City should “do more with less”.  He said this may mean delaying some of the planned projects and to hold down expenses.  He believes that the base should be increased with sales tax. 

Councilman Richardson moved to publish a notice of a proposed Property tax rate of $.25300 for 2007.  Councilwoman Frnka seconded the motion. The vote was follows:

 

Ayes:  Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg Councilwoman Frnka

  Nay:  Councilman Rankin

                     Absent:  Councilman Wavra

 

The motion passed.

 

12.   Discussion and Action to Seek Legal Counsel to Consolidate the Mobile Home Ordinance (Article 3.09 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbus) into the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbus).

Mr. Meisell said the Mobile home ordinance has been on the books a long time.  He referred to section 3.09009 #7 of the current City Code of Ordinances which talks about lawful and unlawful, conforming and unconforming homes.  He said it is all very confusing and would like to see it simplified.  Councilman Rankin said the reason for that particular section is that they were grandfathering in mobile homes that existed within the City that were not in mobile home parks.  Mr. Meisell suggested giving the mobile home ordinance and the zoning ordinance to Legal advisor, Monty Akers for consolidation.  Mr. Meisell said that hopefully Mr. Akers could tell the Council exactly what they have.  Councilman Rankin asked if anyone wanted mobile homes outside of mobile home parks.  Councilman Richardson said he did not.    He said he did not think it was fair to stick mobile homes next to nice homes.

Councilman Schonenberg moved to seek legal counsel to consolidate the mobile home ordinance with the zoning ordinance.  Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows: 

 

Ayes:  Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin

                                  Councilwoman Frnka

                     Absent:  Councilman Wavra

 

The motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.

13.   Executive Session:  Deliberation about Real Property  Pursuant to the Provisions of the  Open Meetings Law, Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon’s Texas Code Annotated, in accordance with the authority contained in Chapter 551.072;  Sale of Three Acres on FM 806.

Mayor Heffley recessed the regular meeting at 9:00pm and entered into Executive Session under Texas Government Code 551.072; Real Property to discuss the sale of three acres on FM 806.

14.   Consideration and Action to Authorize the Sale of Three Acres of Real Property on FM 806.

The Executive Session adjourned at 9:15 p.m. and the city council meeting reconvened into Open Session.  Councilman Richardson moved to authorize City Management to put the three acres up for bid after identifying the property’s value.  Councilman Schonenberg seconded the motion.  The vote was as follows: 

 

                                                Ayes:  Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin

                                  Councilwoman Frnka

                     Absent:  Councilman Wavra

 

The motion passed.

The Council then returned to Agenda Item #11 regarding the published property tax rate. Councilman Rankin moved to rescind the motion to publish a notice of a proposed Property tax rate of $.25300 for 2007.  Councilwoman Frnka seconded the motion. The vote was follows:

 

Ayes:  Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin

                                  Councilwoman Frnka

                     Absent:  Councilman Wavra

 

The motion passed.

 

Councilman Richardson then made a motion to publish a notice of a proposed property tax rate of $.24312 for 2007.  Councilwoman Frnka seconded the motion. Councilman Rankin said this would be the maximum rate. The vote was as follows:

 

Ayes:  Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin

                                  Councilwoman Frnka

                     Absent:  Councilman Wavra

 

The motion passed.

15.   Items from Councilmembers.2

Councilman Rankin – no comment

Councilman Schonenberg – no comment.

Councilwoman Frnka – no comment.

Councilman Richardson – no comment.

 

 

16.  Announcements

Mayor Heffley reminded the Council of the Budget Workshop on Thursday, August 169^th.  

 

17.  Adjournment.

 

        There being no further business, Mayor Heffley declared the meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

 

 

 

____________________________

Mayor, Richard Heffley

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

_______________________

Patti Glaeser, City Secretary