[PAGE 1]
WEST COLUMBIA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AND
SUPPLEMENTAL TELEPHONE CONFERENCE
Council Chambers, 512 E. Brazos
Monday, February 09, 2026, at 7:00 PM
MINUTES
INVOCATION & PLEDGES. – Kincannon led the invocation and pledges.
ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL. – Avirett called roll. Mayor Kincannon, Council Members Thomas, Carreon,
Gilbert, Burke, and Buchanan were present. Staff members present were City Manager Paul Odin, City
Attorney David Olson, Public Works Supervisor Tommy Kay, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor
Manuel Espinoza, City Secretary Kaili Avirett, Finance Clerk Yvonne Darrell, and Clerk Kaitlynn Kennemer.
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL GREETINGS. – Kincannon announced that February is Black History Month.
She encouraged everyone to visit Columbia Historical Museum’s Black History Month display. A luncheon
was held in honor of the closing of E. Viola & Sons Funeral Home.
CITIZEN'S COMMENTS. Members of the public wishing to address Council should seek recognition by raising their hand, and when
acknowledged, move to the podium and state their name and address. Specific factual information or a recitation of existing policy may be furnished in
response to an inquiry made by a member of the general public but any deliberation, discussion or decision with respect to any subject about which the
inquiry was made that is not on the agenda shall be limited to a proposal to place such subject on the agenda of a future meeting for which notice is
provided in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. The public is requested to limit presentation of comments regarding agenda and non-agenda
items to five (5) minutes. – Jacqueline Moore – N. Ringgold St. – Moore wanted to remind council of the drainage
issues on N. Ringgold and N. 11th St. She reported the flooding in the area after the heavy rains in January.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT.
1. City Hall * Public Works * Hurricane Beryl/FEMA Update * Christmas Decorations * Police
Department * Grants * New Development * Code Enforcement/Health Inspector/Building
Inspector * EDC Director * Citizen's Comments * Elections * Upcoming Meetings & Events
Odin reported on the listed topics. Carreon inquired about the plans for permit increases to
cover the cost of paying a contractor for building inspector and code enforcement work. Odin
stated that he plans to pass the cost on to the customer.
CONSENT AGENDA. – Buchanan asked to remove agenda item #11 (EDC Board of Directors
Recommendations) because of a conflict of interest. Kincannon asked to remove #9 the Tourism Director
Report and #12 HOT Board recommendations because the HOT board was unable to meet before the
council meeting. Burke motioned to approve the consent agenda and remove agenda items 9, 11 and
12. Carreon seconded the motion and all voted aye. Elizabeth Gant, Tourism Director, gave an update
on Tourism and Chamber of Commerce Events. Gilbert motioned to approve consent agenda items #9
and #11. Burke seconded the motion. Council members Thomas, Carreon, Gilbert, and Burke voted aye.
Buchanan abstained from voting.
2. Previous Meeting(s) Minutes
3. Treasurer Report
4. Municipal Court Report
5. Police Department Report and Racial Profiling Report
6. Fire Marshal Report
7. Public Works Report
8. City Engineer Report

[PAGE 2]
9. Tourism Director Report
10. Consider Pay Request 2 - MIT Resilient Community Program - GLO RCP - Langford Community
Management Services
11. Consider Economic Development Board of Directors Recommendations
12. Consider Hotel Occupancy Tax Board of Advisors Recommendations
PUBLIC HEARINGS.
13. Public Hearing Concerning the Voluntary Annexation of a 24.6967 Acre Tract of Land Located
at the Northeast Corner of State Highway 35 and Business State Highway 35 – Kincannon
opened the public hearing at 7:20 p.m. Olson explained that the annexation is part of the
previously approved development agreement. There were no other comments from interested
parties. Kincannon closed the public hearing at 7:21 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS.
14. Consider and Take Possible Action to Accept the Landowner's Petition for Voluntary
Annexation and Approve an Ordinance Annexing the Property - 24.6967 Acre Tract of Land
Located at the Northeast Corner of State Highway 35 and Business State Highway 35 - Burke
motioned to approve the petition for voluntary annexation and to adopt the ordinance
annexing the property. Gilbert seconded the motion and all voted aye.
15. Consider Water and Sewer Request at 1919 S. Columbia Drive. – Trey Wenzel requested
additional water and sewer connections at his property outside of city limits. The board
discussed the unexplained consumption at the master meter. No action was taken. Staff were
instructed to meet with Mr. Wenzel and the City Engineer to go over the history and details of
the current request.
16. Consider Resolution Authorizing the Submission of the Grant Application for the Body-Worn
Camera Grant Program FY2027 – Burke motioned to approve the resolution authorizing the
submission of the grant application for the Body-Worn Camera Grant Program FY2027.
Buchanan seconded the motion and all voted aye.
17. Consider Resolution Authorizing the Submission of the Grant Application for the Rifle-
Resistant Body Armor Grant Program – Buchanan motioned to approve the resolution
authorizing the submission of the grant application for the Rifle-Resistant Body Armor Grant
Program. Burke seconded the motion and all voted aye.
18. Consider the 2nd Reading of the West Columbia Economic Development Resolution - 1st
Capital Meats, LLC – Kincannon read the resolution. Buchanan motioned to approve the second
reading of the West Columbia Economic Development Corporation Resolution – 1st Capital
Meats, LLC. Thomas seconded the motion. Carreon asked to further discuss points brought up
by Buchanan and Gilbert at the prior meeting about the EDC grants. They discussed EDC
reporting to city council and the application process for EDC grants. All council members voted
aye.
19. Consider the First Review of Gulf Coast Christian Center Subdivision Preliminary Plat –
Buchanan motioned to approve the first review of Gulf Coast Christian Center’s Subdivision
Preliminary Plat. Burke seconded the motion and all voted aye.
20. Consider Ordinance Amending the Waste Collection Rates for Commercial and Residential
Customers - Waste Connections 4.8% CPI-U Adjustment – City Council discussed the rate
increase options to cover Waste Connections’ increase. Buchanan motioned to approve the
ordinance amending the waste collection rates for commercial and residential customers to

[PAGE 3]
$20.35/ residential and commercial 95-gallon cart and $5.00 per month for each additional
trash cart. Gilbert seconded the motion and all voted aye.
21. Consider Proposal for Professional Engineering Services for Design and Construction Phase
Services - Sinclair Lift Station Rehabilitation – No action was needed.
22. Consider Drainage Improvement Quote for Ditch Clearing – Buchanan motioned to approve
the quote for drainage improvement and ditch clearing. Burke seconded the motion and all
voted aye.
23. Consider and Discuss Welcome Sign Quote – Burke motioned to approve the design of the
welcome sign and the quote. Buchanan seconded the motion and all voted aye.
24. Consider Resolution Calling the 2026 City of West Columbia General Election – Gilbert
motioned to approve the resolution calling the 2026 City of West Columbia General Election.
Burke seconded the motion and all voted aye.
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
The West Columbia City Council may convene in a closed meeting pursuant to Texas Government Code
Section 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney) and Section 551.074 (Personnel Matters). Kincannon
closed the open meeting at 8:20 p.m.
25. Action as Result of Executive Session – Kincannon reconvened the open meeting at 8:47 p.m.
No action was taken.
ADJOURN. Kincannon adjourned the meeting at 8:48 p.m.
ATTEST:
Kaili Avirett, City Secretary