.The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in regular session on Monday, August 27, 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 and Invocation.
The Pledge and Invocation were led by Mayor Heffley.
3. Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of invoices.
b. Approval of Minutes of August 9, 2007 Special Meeting.
c. Approval of Minutes of August 13, 2007 Regular Meeting.
d. Approval of Minutes of August 16, 2007 Special Meeting.
e. Approval of July Financial Statements.
Councilman Schonenberg asked what the J& S Water Well invoice was for. David Meisell said J&S went to the Tait well to check on a vibration. Mr. Meisell said three wells are operational, with the Spring Street well still being down. Councilwoman Frnka asked about the invoice from Mercer Controls. Mr. Meisell explained that this was for the SCADA system that was bid out earlier this year. He said it is part of the Water and Sewer Project. Donald Warschak, with John D. Mercer and Associates, explained that the SCADA system will be housed at the Cardinal well and it is like a master brain that will tell which well pump to kick on when. It will control all the wells, sewer lift stations, sewer plants, etc. These controls will also be able to be monitored from City Hall.
Mayor Heffley asked what the invoice was for regarding the International Code 2006 books. Mr. Meisell responded that it was for updated code books.
Patti Glaeser told Council that she had given them updated minutes from August 13. Regarding the minutes, Mayor Heffley informed the Council that he had asked Mr. Meisell if he had heard from Mr. Akers regarding the mobile home ordinance. Mr. Meisell said he had not heard from him. Councilwoman Frnka asked for clarification on her comment on August 16 regarding if employees pay any part of their health insurance. Mr. Meisell said employees pay for dependent coverage. Councilman Rankin also noted that the August 13th minutes contained a typo with a date listed on the back page as August 169 and should be August 16. The correction was noted.
Councilman Schonenberg moved to approve the consent agenda with corrections. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin
Councilwoman Frnka
Absent: Councilman Wavra
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 Drying Bed Construction, Water Well, May Street Widening, Drainage Right-of-Way South of Montezuma, Thursday’s Storm, River Status, Curb and Gutters, Garbage Route Revisions, Hurricane Evacuation, Financing Alternatives.
David Meisell, City Manager, presented his City Manager’s Report, which is attached to these minutes. Mr. Meisell showed pictures of the May Street improvements and the Hurricane Evacuation procedures.
Councilman Rankin asked if it had been decided what to do next regarding the problems with the Hurricane Evacuations. Mr. Meisell responded that traffic flow needs a better alternative. He said the diagram for traffic flow at the fairgrounds was charted out on July 17, 2007. Councilman Rankin said the change Mr. Meisell came up with is better than going into the fairgrounds. Mr. Meisell said no one at the City knew of plans. Some items that were still questionable included health, police, traffic control, and fire. The buses that were scheduled to arrive would be full of people with special needs and the elderly. Mayor Heffley said he wrote a letter to Judge Jamison asking to have a joint meeting with the County Commissioners to discuss the situation, but the County voted it down by a vote of 3-2. Mr.Meisell said he appreciated Commissioner Wessels and Commissioner Helmcamp. Councilwoman Frnka asked where the command posts for the state, county and city are. Mr. Meisell responded that it’s Austin, the Facilities Building, and City Hall, respectively. Mayor Heffley said the County and Cities have an emergency Management plan in place to follow.
Mayor Heffley then moved to Agenda Item #13.
13. Consideration and Action to Award Bid for the 2007 Water Plant Improvements – Electrical.
One bid, in the amount of $139,357 was received from Mercer Controls of Edna. Donald Warschak said that since this same company is doing the Telemetry/SCADA work, the two projects will compliment each other. Councilwoman Frnka moved to award the bid for the 2007 Water Plant Improvements – Electrical to Mercer Controls for $139,357. Councilman Rankin seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin
Councilwoman Frnka
Absent: Councilman Wavra
The motion passed.
14. Consideration and Action to Award Bid for the 2007 Water Plant Improvement – Pumps and Piping.
Two bids were received for the 2007 Water Plant Improvements – Pumps and Piping. They were from Mercer Construction for $268,240 and Matula and Matula for $292,950. Councilman Rankin moved to award the bid to Mercer Construction for $268,240. The motion was seconded by Councilman Schonenberg. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin
Councilwoman Frnka
Absent: Councilman Wavra
The motion passed.
15. Discussion of Swimming Pool Report.
Kathy Burris, Swimming Pool Manager, gave an end of season report, which is attached to these minutes. She said that this is her tenth year as manager of the pool. She thanked the City of Columbus for having a pool and for the improvements that have been made. She said Columbus is one of only a few swimming pools still operational in surrounding towns. She said the swimming pool had been broken into twice recently. $15 – $20 worth of concessions had been taken and a window in the office had been broken. She said everything has been recovered. Councilwoman Frnka thanked Ms. Burris for patience and dedication. Mayor Heffley reminded everyone of the $145,000 in improvements that were done to the pool two years ago, which was funded with Columbus Community Industrial Development Corporation (CCIDC) money.
At this time, Mayor Heffley closed the regular meeting at 8:00 pm.
6. Public Hearing: City’s 2007-2008 Operating Budget.
Mayor Heffley opened the Public Hearing at this time. Mr. Meisell reviewed the summary page (6) and told them that between the utility and the general funds, there was a deficit ending balance for the year of $134,000. He also told the Council that since the printing of the budget, gas revenues were reviewed and it was determined that budgeted gas revenues should be increased by $75,000, leaving a $59,000 deficit. Mr. Meisell discussed some alternatives. Mr. Meisell reviewed the local tax rate history for Columbus and other surrounding towns. He said we are second to the lowest. Even with the increase to $.24312, Columbus would not rise in the ranking. He also said that the Columbus ISD is proposing lowering their tax rate by $.30.
Mr. Meisell said that to get the ($134,000), we cut an employee for $33,000, cut street seal coating by $30,000, and raised the tax rate by $.01 which increased taxes by $20,000. Councilman Schonenberg asked Council to remember that if the Groundwater District passes, it will be a taxing entity that will raise everyone’s taxes also. Councilman Rankin agreed with Councilman Schonenberg and said he feels comfortable with a ($134,000) deficit.
He mentioned that public works employee that was cut could be added back at $33,000. He also said that the $30,000 cut in street seal coating could be added back. Another scenario would be to leave the tax rate as is, which would be a $20,000 increase in taxes. Councilman Rankin would like to revisit the gas revenue discount early in 2008, around March.
The Council agreed to add back the employee at $33,000 and leave the tax rate at $.23312, with a $20,000 effect.
Mr. Meisell asked what the Council’s thought was on the financing structures. Councilman Rankin is cautious, but not against it.
Patti Glaeser wanted everyone to be sure they understood that the $134,000 deficit was operating funds only and did not include any capital purchases proposed. Capital Purchases increase the deficit which would come out of reserves.
There were no citizen’s comments.
Mayor Heffley closed the public hearing at 8:30 pm. and reconvened into the open session.
7. Consideration and Action to Approve an Ordinance Adopting the City’s Budget for all Operating Funds for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2007.
Councilwoman Frnka asked if the budget included the increase of the TMRS rate to 200%. Mr. Meisell responded that yes it is budgeted, but the Council will revisit it after the new October TMRS unfunded liability figures come out.
Councilman Rankin moved to table the action to approve an ordinance adopting the City’s Budget for all operating funds for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2007. 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 Ratify Budgeted Property Tax Increase which will raise more total property taxes than last year’s budget by $49,402 or 11.25%, and of that amount, $4,968 is tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the roll this year.
Councilman Rankin moved to table Agenda Item #8. Councilman Schonenberg seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin
Councilwoman Frnka
Absent: Councilman Wavra
The motion passed.
Mayor Heffley closed the regular meeting at 8:35pm.
9. Public Hearing: Columbus Community Industrial Development Corporations Budget.
Mayor Heffley opened the public hearing at 8:35 pm. Councilman Rankin who is chairman of the CCIDC presented the budget. He said the budget included an increase for promotion of the Park. He said that additional funds were also proposed for maintenance. He said also the CCIDC is proposing increasing the City’s funding by $45,000 to $135,000. He would also like to propose meeting with the Planning and Zoning Committee to discuss the Industrial Park Business exclusion part of the Zoning Ordinance. Councilwoman Frnka is concerned with all the advertising and promotional amounts that are proposed with CCIDC, CCVB. She would also like the CCIDC or the CCVB to pay for some of the Chamber funds, instead of the City paying for them.
Councilman Rankin said that the CCIDC had given The Cotton Mill funds this years for a new sign with economic development funds. Community Development funds are given to non profit organizations. Mayor Heffley asked what the criteria for economic development are. Councilman Rankin responded that there are four categories; signs, historic preservation, renovations and landscaping and improvements.
Mayor Heffley asked if the CCIDC could fund any more if the City looks into doing some of the major project. Councilman Rankin was receptive to this as long as the laws for 4B Sales tax were followed.
The public hearing closed at 9:05pm and the regular meeting was reopened.
10. Consideration and action to approve Columbus Community Industrial Development Corporation’s Budget for the year beginning October 1, 2007.
Councilman Schonenberg moved to approve the CCIDC budget for the year beginning October 1, 2007. Councilwoman Frnka seconded the motion. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin
Councilwoman Frnka
Absent: Councilman Wavra
The motion passed.
The regular meeting closed at 9:06pm.
11. Public Hearing: Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau Budget.
The public hearing opened at 9:06pm. Charlotte Tilotta, Chairman of the Columbus Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CCVB) discussed the budget presented.
Mayor Heffley mentioned that the CCVB had budgeted hotel/motel revenue of $135,000 and the City budgeted to give the CCVB $126,000.
Councilwoman Frnka asked if they have a statement that shows what the beginning balance is and their estimated expenses for the year are. Tonya Britton said their beginning cash balance for year end 2008 will be $45,000.
Tonya Britton, Executive Director of the CCVB, explained the expenses on the budget. She said they are looking at increasing the technology at the Santa Claus Museum which would allow videos to tell the story of the museum.
Mayor Heffley asked if the CCVB is excluded from funding the Chamber any money. Ms. Britton explained that the money has to be spent on tourism. Councilman Rankin would like to know what the Chamber does with the $10,500 the City funds them.
David Meisell suggested raising the Hotel/Motel tax rate from 6% to 7% and giving the 1% increase to the Chamber.
Councilwoman Frnka asked if the staff benefits were just medical. This was confirmed. Mr. Meisell asked if there was any interest income because none was budgeted. Tonya Britton said no investing was being done.
Patti Glaeser asked what the new bookkeeping item was on the budget. They are now going to have to pay for those services when before they were volunteered. Ms. Glaeser also asked for clarification of the statement that the beginning cash balance would be $45,000. She said that on the City’s audited financial statements, the CCVB began 2007 with $68,000 in the bank. She wondered what this $23,000 was spent on. Ms. Britton said that the balance should be $68,000.
The public hearing closed at 9:35 pm. The regular meeting reopened.
12. Consideration and Action to Approve the Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau Budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2007.
Mayor Heffley said we are still waiting on a contract from last year with new verbiage. Councilman Rankin moved to approve the CCVB Budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2007 contingent that a contract be approved.
Tonya Britton said the contract should have one year on intent to renew clause. And wanted a two year contract because they plan in advance. Councilwoman Frnka seconded the motion presented. The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Councilman Richardson, Schonenberg, Rankin
Councilwoman Frnka
Absent: Councilman Wavra
The motion passed.
13. Discussion of May, June, and July Police Reports.
Chief Jackson presented his police reports. They are attached to these minutes.
14. Items from Councilmembers.2
Councilman Rankin said he hoped Councilman Wavra is doing better.
Councilman Schonenberg – no comment.
Councilwoman Frnka – no comment.
Councilman Richardson – no comment.
15. Announcements
Mayor Heffley reminded the Council of the Budget Workshop on Thursday, August 30th.
16. Adjournment.
There being no further business, Mayor Heffley declared the meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
____________________________
Mayor, Richard Heffley
ATTEST:
_______________________
Patti Glaeser, City Secretary