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City approves $4 million price tag
By Courtney Burleson, Managing Editor
It was a full house at the Columbus City Council meeting Thursday, Aug. 14 as council members discussed the future of the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, prior and future funds given to the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and agreed on a dollar amount for certificates of obligation for the city.
Following lengthy discussion council members voted to approve $4 million in certificates of obligation to cover the following: city hall renovations, repair work at the Columbus Volunteer Fire Department building, water well and plant, water and sewer projects throughout the city, gas line repairs and debt cost.
The largest portion of the pie will go to water projects at $1.25 million followed by city hall renovations at $1.15 million. Gas line upgrades in the city are estimated at $300,000.
A new water well plant is tagged at $520,000 and an additional $670,000 for a water well plant. However, there was discussion of pumping the water from a new well to the Tait or Cardinal Hill wells.
Another $50,000 is allotted for the CVFD and $60,000 for debt cost.
Projects planned for the 2009 fiscal year included city hall, CVFD, water and gas projects. The well, water plant and remainder of water line projects are currently scheduled for 2010.
To fund the certificates of obligation, the city is proposing a four cents increase in taxes. This would make the rate .27312 compared to the current rate of .23312.
CCVB discussions
Also up for debate was the future of the CCVB in which the hotel/motel tax rate of six percent was discussed along with whether or not to renew the CCVB's contract with the city.
Meisell began by showing a chart based on a $75 a room rate, which depicted a decline in local rooms rented, per day, with a drop from 27,000 in September 2000 to 23,000 in 2008. The biggest dip was in June 2003.
He then suggested the city consider raising the hotel/motel tax rate to seven percent.
"We would add $22,000 to our budget and let the traveling public pay," said Meisell.
The hotel/motel tax would affect only those staying in local motels. Local sales tax figures would be impacted.
No decision was made regarding the hotel/motel tax rate, but council did approve not to renew the city's contract with CCVB.
What does this mean for the organization?
"If we do not renew the contract the new concept [David] has given will go into effect," explained Mayor Heffley.
Under the new concept an administrative person will be housed in the historic Stafford Opera House as they are currently. However, the administrative person will be considered a city employee with full benefits. This will cut the administrative cost from around $100,000 to $43,787.
Meisell said the new plan would also free up to $109,000 to be granted out by council each quarter to community organizations such as the arts, Columbus Chamber of Commerce, athletic projects and Columbus Historical Preservation Trust.
"City council will distribute the funds so you have elected officials distributing public funds," said Meisell.
Gobert pointedly asked Meisell if the hotel/motel tax funds would be going towards sewer, water and plumbing type projects.
"No, it is illegal," replied Meisell. "We have the law right here. The truth is done right here in open session for everyone's scrutiny."
When asked what the administrative person would do since there is technically no longer a CCVB, Meisell's response was that they would do paperwork and help support the grant process.
"We will be reconfiguring with a little less focus on marketing because we haven't put heads in beds as numbers have shown," said Meisell.
Councilman Curtiss Schonenberg said he believed it was a good idea because it cut down the administrative cost dramatically and gave the city more money to use toward community projects.
Columbus Chamber of Commerce
Also up for debate were the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and the $10,000 usually given to the organization from the city's general fund.
"We don't have the slack in the rope to continue doing what we've been doing," said Meisell. "I'd rather see them get the money another way. I'm suggesting they apply for a grant and get more money than they did before."
Following discussion, council voted not to renew the city's contract with the Chamber of Commerce which in essence they would no longer receive $10,000 from the general fund.
City Manager Report
During the city manager's report Meisell gave an update on city hall renovations. He began with a brief history stating city hall had been housed in the building since 1975 and prior to that served as the hospital. He said the building was not compliant under the American Disabilities Act.
"We're 15 years delinquent with our bathrooms, counter tops and elevator," said Meisell. "We have an antiquated heating and air conditioning system and there is asbestos in the building."
Preliminary plans include adding a 2,000 square foot attachment to replace the old Emergency Medical Services garage for council chambers and the current council chambers will serve as additional office space for the Columbus Police Department.
Other projects included are putting a sloped roof on the building and adding an external staircase.
"There is currently only one stairwell which doesn't meet fire code," said Meisell.
The estimated cost given Thursday night was $972,968,000 with the council chamber attachment being $268,000 of that cost.
"The goal is to make sure the building can be used for the next 50 years," said Meisell.
Anticipated completion date is Sept. 4, 2009.
When asked about demolishing the current building and starting from scratch, architect Tim Gescheidle with TSG Architects said the city had studied that option and found the current building to be structurally sound and worth putting $1 million back into renovations. Gescheidle said a new building with the current specs would cost a minimum of around $2 million.
Other highlights from the city manager's report included the announcement of tree trimming season, August sales tax showing an increase of $7,000 and installation of the new Industrial Park sewer plant aerator.
Meisell also addressed the Great Southern Wood real estate valuation stating the land is currently valued at $18,000 which was uncontested.
"If Great Southern Wood's valuations are actually 90 percent of the true market value, the current market value of land in the Industrial Park would be $20,000 per acre," said Meisell in his report.
Dwain Dungen stated to council that undeveloped land in the Industrial Park was at $9,500 an acre according to Colorado County Appraisal District value printouts.
According to Billy Mitchell, chief appraiser for the Colorado County Central Appraisal District, the Dungen's price was the 2007 figures. The 2008 appraisal figures were $214,920 for the 11.94 acres outside the city limits and $505,080 for the 28.06 acres inside the city limits. Mitchell said this breaks down to about $18,000 an acre.
In other business the council:
Approved ordinance redesignating property located at 638 Bonham St., block 37 from District R to District R-3 Daycare facilities district. A public hearing took place prior to the approval. No one spoke.
Approved two-year public use of right-of-way agreement from AT&T Communications.
Approved request from Colorado County Fair Association to permit a parade within the city of Columbus on portions of Milam and Walnut Streets between the hours of 8 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13.
Approved the minutes of July 24 regular meeting and July 29 special meeting.
Approved payment on invoice from Curtiss Automotive.
Council members heard from numerous citizens regarding several issues including the recent decision to remove CCIDC board members during the July 29 meeting and economic development in the city.
First up was Dr. Tom Hancher who gave a brief history on the CCIDC and said the original goal of the organization was for it to have a separate board and "stay out of city politics."
Hancher continued, stating that the mayor and council have insulted 30-years of mayors and council member referring to a recent letter to the editor by Meisell.
"The letter did not acknowledge water and gas lines that were replaced and pressing budget priorities that some mayors and council may not have even been aware of," said Hancher. "What they did not deserve is the disrespect of the city of Columbus officials."
Next up was former Columbus mayor Dungen He addressed economic development and expressed dissatisfaction with the city's recent handling of real estate negotiation with locally owned Theut Glass, Inc.
"The number one job of economic development is to make businesses feel wanted," said Dungen. "If they don't feel wanted you lose a whole lot more. I do not think Theut Glass was made to feel welcome."
Dungen also addressed recent actions regarding the CCIDC and Meisell's letter to the editor.
Sometimes Frnka asks some pointed questions and they stink but I'm not sure they deserve an attack back."
Wrapping up the citizens comments was LoriAn Gobert who also addressed the CCIDC decisions and the visitor's bureau and chamber of commerce agenda items.
Regarding the CCIDC, Gobert said she found it amusing that the mayor said he made his decision because of a lack of synergy and confidence in the board members when most of the board members have now resigned.
Also discussed during Thursday's meeting were budget expenditures including the city manager pay increase and an additional police detective and vehicle for the Columbus Police Department.
For the full story along with results from the Thursday, Aug. 21 special meeting read next week's edition of The Citizen. The Aug. 21 meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Columbus Council Chambers in city hall.
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