The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in special session on Thursday, August 30, 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.

Mayor Heffley called the meeting to order at 6:45 pm.

2.       Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation.

Mayor Heffley led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Invocation.

3.       Communication Workshop.

Mayor Heffley began the communication workshop by saying how disappointed he was that the Commissioner’s Court had declined his invitation three times to meet and discuss the communication problems the City and County are having.  He would like to discuss these items.  Mayor Heffley then began to read his letter dated August 29 to the Citizens of Columbus.  David Meisell presented a timeline of events that have led to this meeting.

The meeting recessed at 8:37 pm.  

4.       Budget Workshop.           

The meeting reconvened at 8:50 pm.  Mr. Meisell reported on the increase in building activity in the City.  He said a $4 million, 100 bed Nursing care facility will begin construction soon. Also, two hotels are working south of town to begin construction.  Also south of town, a new restaurant is requesting a water tap. 

Mr. Meisell said the budget currently shows an operating loss of just under $100,000 and included adding back the public works employee and lowering the tax rate to $.23312.  He also discussed some changes in the water and sewer project that will need to take place.  He added a chlorination system and a tower aerator. 

Mayor Heffley said he would like to revisit with the Columbus Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CCVB).  Mayor Heffley asked if the CCVB had decided what their budget of hotel/ motel taxes would be.  Tonya Britton said she felt comfortable leaving it at $135,000.  Ms. Britton believes the lower taxes this year were mainly due to terrible weather and the Holiday Inn being renovated.

Mayor Heffley asked Ms Britton if the CCVB budget had been approved by the CCVB Board before it had been approved by the City Council.  Charlotte Tilotta said it had not been approved prior to being submitted to the Council because Patti Glaeser had requested it earlier this year.  Ms. Glaeser responded that they should have said it wasn’t ready.  It could have been put on a subsequent agenda. 

Mayor Heffley asked what the CCVB has accomplished for Columbus.  Ms. Britton referred the Council to the binder she handed to them.  It contained a listing of all the things they have done this year, including partnering with the Columbus Garden Club to provide banners, benches, and planters for the downtown square.  They also had the Columbus Bridal Expo which helped bring three weddings to the area. The CCVB has also helped the Santa Claus Museum with upgrades.

Mayor Heffley mentioned the possibility of raising the Hotel/Motel tax for the City from 6% to 7% and allocating the 1% increase to the Chamber.  Ms. Britton warned the Council to consider what the Chamber would spend the money on.  She said the CCVB is already paying for the Chamber’s phone, copier, rent and utilities.  She is also concerned that if the taxes are raised, tourists may not stay in our hotels, but may go to surrounding small towns.  Mr. Meisell said he will start research on Hotel/Motel tax rates in surrounding areas.   He said that if the rate was raised 1%, the CCVB would remain neutral in the amount they would receive.  He also said the Chamber could receive $20,000 instead of $10,500 and the City could save $10,000. 

The Council decided it would like to hear from the Chamber at the second meeting in September. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

5.       Adjournment.

                   There being no further business, Mayor Heffley declared the meeting adjourned at 10:30pm.

 

 

 

____________________________

Mayor, Richard Heffley

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

_______________________

Patti Glaeser, City Secretary