08-04-09 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
August 4, 2009
A Workshop and Regular Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of
Schertz, Texas, on August 4, 2009 at 5:30 p.m., in the Municipal Complex Council
Chambers, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Building #4, Schertz, Texas. The following members
present to-wit:
Mayor Hal Baldwin Councilmember David Scagliola
Councilmember John Trayhan Councilmember Tony Wilenchik
Staff Present: City Manager Don Taylor Assistant City Manager John Bierschwale
Assistant City Manager David Harris City Secretary Brenda Dennis
Mayor Pro-Tem Jim Fowler and Councilmember Michael Carpenter were absent.
CALL TO ORDER:
WELCOME /OVERVIEW:
1. Presentation and discussion of the FY 2009/2010 Budget. (Staff)
Mayor Baldwin called the Workshop to order at 5:30 p.m. and recognized City
Manager Don Taylor who briefed the Council stating that this is the first of several
meetings scheduled for the Council to discuss the proposed budget and to ask
questions. Mr. Taylor stated that this year staff has prepared the budget in a format
that is easier to follow. Mr. Taylor introduced Assistant City Manager David Harris
who gave a brief Power Point presentation going over the following:
All Funds -Revenues
General Fund $18,127,770
Special Events Fund $ 176,544
Water & Sewer Fund $15,042,703
EMS Fund $ 6,705,686
Drainage Fund $ 665,070
Hotel Tax $ 417,810
Park Fund $ 39,100
Recycling Fund $ 46,000
Capital Recovery $ 4,555,002
I&S Fund $ 3,848,107
Parks & Rec Foundation $ 175,715
SEDC $ 2,183,000
Grand Total $51,982,507
8-4-09 Minutes
All Funds -Expenses
General Fund $17,962,656
Special Events Fund $ 169,344
Water & Sewer Fund $15,039,024
EMS Fund $ 6,565,398
Drainage Fund $ 663,433
Hotel Tax $ 370,319
Park Fund $ 33,500
Recycling Fund $ 46,000
Capital Recovery $ 4,555,002
I&S Fund $ 3,567,242
Parks & Rec. Foundation $ 175,000
SEDC $ 1,937,196
Grand Total $51,084,114
Property Values
• 2008 Tax Ro11= $1,926,528,474
• 2009 Tax Roll= $2,064,679,940
• 6% Increase
$0.4090 Includes
• CAD $208,000
• Current positions, 316 Total
• Health Insurance increase of 9%
• Includes creation of the Parks & Recreation Foundation
• Senior Deputy Court Clerk
• Crescent Bend Park
Proposed $0.4342 Adds
• $113,317 Facilities Maintenance 3 FTEs (1 F/T and 4 P/T)
• $ 54,685 Library 6 P/T positions and reclassifications
• $ 41,202 Library Equipment (video conferencing equipment, barcode
scanners, INCODE cash register, laptops for classes)
• $ 16,970 Crescent Bend Park Foreman Regrade
• $247,395 Cost of Living Adjustments 2%
• $165,000 Added to Fund Balance
• $638,569 Total
Property Tax Rate
Rollback 0.4343
Proposed 0.4342
Effective 0.4156
Current 0.4090
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New Improvements
• Library Staffing
• Crescent Bend Park
• Soccer Fields
• Senior Center (Planning Stage)
New Personnel
• 1 Senior Deputy Court Clerk
• 1 Parks Forman Reclassification
• 1 Full Time Facilities Maintenance Worker
• 4 Part Time Facilities Maintenance Worker
• 6 Part Time positions for the new Library
• 4 Library Technician Reclassifications
Mr. Harris stated the FY2009-10 proposed budget is balanced structurally,
conservative, and fiscally responsible, follows financial policies, maintains current
service levels and focuses on priorities. Mr. Harris stated that the Council will take
a record vote on the tax rate at their meeting of August 11, 2009. After the Record
Vote, the governing body must then schedule two (2) Public hearings at which the
proposed tax rate will be considered. Aone-quarter page "Notice of Public Hearing
on Tax Increase" must be published in the local newspaper. The notice will contain
information based upon a preliminary tax rate to be determined by the City Council.
Further, another record vote will have to be taken on the proposed rate prior to final
adoption of the tax rate ordinance.
Staff is recommending a rate of $0.4342 (0.2842 for M & O and 0.1500 for I & S).
This rate exceeds the effective tax rate of $0.4156.
ADJOURNMENT WORKSHOP:
Mayor Baldwin adjourned the workshop at 6:25 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Baldwin called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAGS OF THE
UNITED STATES AND STATE OF TEXAS.
Councilmember Scagliola gave the invocation followed by the Pledges of Allegiance to the
Flags of the United States and State of Texas.
HEARING OF RESIDENTS
Mayor Baldwin recognized Assistant Economic Development Director Jeff Jewell who
briefed Council on the upcoming Schertz Downtown Planning Forum being scheduled
with the businesses.
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Mayor Baldwin recognized the following citizens:
• David Richmond, Planning & Zoning Commission Chair, who spoke against ~
using the Tree Mitigation Fund to fund the landscaping needs for the Library,
Visitors Center, and Schertz Parkway.
• Robert Brockman, 1000 Elbel Road, who spoke on the disposition of City assets
i.e., old bookshelves from the Library.
Discussion and/or Action Items
• Use of Speed Control Devices -General discussion and possible action regarding
the use of Speed Control Devices. (L. Dublin) (Requested by Councilmember
Scagliola)
Mayor Baldwin recognized City Engineer Larry Dublin who briefed the Council on
options available for controlling speed in subdivisions with the City of Schertz
answering questions from Council. Mr. Dublin stated the following three (3) major
points: (1) Proactive planning and design for future developments; (2) Speed
control devices have limited utility; (2) Education and enforcement are the most
practical ideas.
1. Minutes -Discussion and consideration and/or action regarding the approval of the
minutes of the July 28, 2009 regular meeting.
Mayor Baldwin recognized Councilmember Trayhan who moved, seconded by
Councilmember Scagliola to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 28,
2009. Vote was unanimous. Motion Carried.
2. Utility Billing Write-Offs -Consideration and/or action approving the Utility
Billing Write-Offs. (C. Spence).
Mayor Baldwin recognized Business Office Manager Carol Spence who introduced
this item stating per City Policy, Utility Billing is to bring uncollectible debt to City
Council throughout the year. For uncollectible debt, we are to write the debt off
after 180 days of non-payment. To ensure that our outstanding receivables are
current, we are requesting to write-off $1,780.28 of uncollectible Water, Sewer,
Garbage, and Drainage Accounts. The amounts included in this request are for the
period of November 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009. All collection efforts have
been exhausted.
Mayor Baldwin recognized Councilmember Trayhan who moved, seconded by
Councilmember Wilenchik to approve the Utility Billing write-off in the amount of
$1,780.28. Vote was unanimous. Motion Carried.
3. Bexar Metro 9-1-1 Proposed Budget -Presentation and consideration and/or
action on the Bexar Metro 911 District Fiscal Year 2010 proposed budget. (D.
Wait)
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Mayor Baldwin recognized EMS Director Dudley Wait who introduced this item
stating Bexar Metro 911 was formed by legislation in 1985. This legislation created
a high quality, three county-wide Enhanced 911 service through implementation of
emergency communication districts. The agency has been working towards this
goal ever since and today; we enjoy a very reliable, high quality single emergency
number system. Over the years, the agency has traditionally utilized its revenue to
not only build this system, but to also assist local public safety agencies across the
tri-county area with equipment and training. Unfortunately, this has not been the
case over the last 5 to 7 years, when the agency has limited its spending to only
supplying hardware and software to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) such
as Schertz PD Dispatch.
Mr. Wait stated that for the last three years, the City has voted to disapprove or take
no action on the Bexar Metro 911 budget. The city in cooperation with our
he
2 million of t
surrounding cities has made proposals for utihzmg approximately $
Bexar Metro 911 reserves to help improve and strengthen our regional radio
system. These proposals have been denied on every occasion. After last year, we
met with William Buchholtz, the Executive Director at Bexar Metro. During this
discussion, we were told that it is difficult for a tri-county agency to spend a large
amount of money to improve a small regional system while not spending any
dollars on the larger regional system. He explained that if we could work to build
the two systems into one then money could possibly be allocated to assist in
upgrading the larger system as a whole.
Since this time, we have been in discussions with the City of San Antonio and Live
Oak to begin this process. Both agencies agree that our radio coverage must be
improved before any merger can occur. As of this date, paperwork is being
developed and a budget is being prepared that will not only improve our coverage
but will also upgrade all radio equipment currently on the Live Oak system to make
it compatible with the City of San Antonio system. It is the intent of the City of San
Antonio to work with Live Oak and Schertz to go to the Bexar Metro 911 Board of
Directors with this budget to obtain funding to accomplish this merger.
Mr. Wait stated that with an increase in reserves of $6,039,021 in FY 2008 and a
forecasted increase in reserves of $5,958,197 in FY 2009 on top of reserves in
excess of $26M; the funding of this system upgrade, with the cooperation of the
Northeast Partnership cities, San Antonio and Bexar County is almost a certainty.
Mr. Wait stated staff believes that City Council should either approve this budget or
elect to take no action. Mr. Wait stated that although there is no planned
expenditure for enhancing our radio system, the increasing reserves and the planned
upgrade of our 911 technology are two facets of this budget that will improve our
public safety capabilities in the next fiscal year.
Mayor Baldwin recognized Councilmember Trayhan who moved, seconded by
Councilmember Wilenchik to approve the Bexar Metro 911 District proposed FY
2010 budget. Vote was unanimous. Motion Carried.
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4. Bid # 09-PW-24-C-01 -Relocation of Water, Sewer and Lift Station on FM
3009 -Consideration and/or action awarding a bid to Holloman Corporation in the
amount of $1,010,086.00. (L. Dublin)
Mayor Baldwin recognized City Engineer Larry Dublin who introduced this item
answering questions from Council.
Mr. Dublin stated that this project is required by TxDOT as part of the Overpass
Construction and widening of FM 3009. This project was bid on July 29, 2009 with
three (3) contractors submitting. A tabulation of the bids was attached showing the
low bidder to be Holloman Corporation with a base bid of $1,037,086.00 and a
$27,000.00 deductive alternate bid item for the use of a fiberglass wet well in lieu
of Precast Concrete with liner. Accepting the alternate yields a bid amount of
$1,010,086.00. He stated that as bid, the project consists of relocating water and
sewer lines along FM 3009 and construction of a new lift station adjacent to SE
Freight Lines. Mr. Dublin recommends that Council award the bid for the
Relocation of Water, Sewer and Lift Station on FM 3009 to Holloman Corporation
in the amount of $1,010,086.00.
Mayor Baldwin recognized Councilmember Trayhan who moved, seconded by
Councilmember Wilenchik to award a bid to Holloman Corporation for the
relocation of the water, sewer and Lift Station on FM 3009 in the amount of
$1,010,086.00. Vote was unanimous. Motion Carried.
5. Bid #09-PW-25-C-02 - Town Creek Sewer Lift Station Construction -
Consideration and/or action awarding a bid to Pesado Construction Company in the
amount of $1,437,592.65. (L. Dublin)
Mayor Baldwin recognized City Engineer Larry Dublin who introduced this item
answering questions from Council. Mr. Dublin stated this is the third phase of the
Town Creek Sewer Project consisting of the construction of two sewage lift
stations to bring sewer from the West side of IH 35 to the gravity line that was
constructed in 2008. This project was bid on July 23, 2009 with nine (9) contractors
submitting. A tabulation of the bids was attached showing the low bidder to be
Pesado Construction Company with a base bid of $1,437,592.65. Alternate bids
were taken for the use of HDPE pipe in lieu of PVC however; this would result in a
higher unit price for the project and was not taken with the force main contract.
Mr. Dublin stated that as bid, the project consists of construction of the lift station
at Friesenhahn Road and FM 482 and the lift station at the GBRA (Guadco MUD)
treatment plant site at FM 1103 and IH 35. The Engineer's estimate for this project
was $1,836,592.10. Mr. Dublin concurs with the Ford Engineering Inc.
recommendation that Council award the bid for the Town Creek Sewer Lift Station
Construction Project to Pesado Construction Company in the amount of
$1,437,592.65.
Mayor Baldwin recognized Councilmember Scagliola who moved, seconded by
Councilmember Trayhan to award the bid for the Town Creek Sewer Lift Station .
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Construction to Pesado Construction Company in the amount of $1,437,592.65.
Vote was unanimous. Motion Carried
6. Bid #09-PW-25-C-OS - Northcliffe Street Reconstruction - Phase I -
Consideration and/or action awarding a bid to Wagner Materials & Construction in
the amount of $647,272.65. (L. Dublin)
Mayor Baldwin recognized City Engineer Larry Dublin who introduced this item
answering questions from Council. Mr. Dublin stated as part of the 2006 Street
Bond Election, the City designated funding for rehabilitation of Northcliffe Streets.
The Reconstruction of Morning Drive, Cliffside Drive and Stoneybrook Drive is the
second project in this area. The project was bid on July 23, 2009 with fourteen (14)
contractors submitting. A tabulation of the bids was attached showing the low
bidder to be Wagner Materials & Construction with a bid of $647,272.65.
As bid, the project consists of construction of new sidewalks, new curbs, driveways
and a new pavement section. The Engineer's estimate was $1,220,225.00. The City
Engineer concurs with Ford Engineering Inc. recommendation that Council award
the bid for the Northcliffe Street Reconstruction Phase I Project to Wagner
Materials & Construction, in the amount of $647,272.65.
Mayor Baldwin recognized Councilmember Scagliola who moved, seconded by
Councilmember Wilenchik to award the bid for the Northcliffe Street
Reconstruction - Phase I project to Wagner Materials & Construction in the amount
of $647,272.65. Vote was unanimous. Motion Carried
7. Sid # 09P-26-S-O1 -Landscaping Installation Services at the Public Library,
Visitor Center and Schertz Parkway -Consideration and/or action authorizing
and awarding bids to fund and install landscaping at the new Library, Visitor's
Center and Schertz Parkway. (G. Logan)
Mayor Baldwin recognized Parks and Recreation Director George Logan who
introduced this item answering questions from Council. Mr. Logan stated the City
of Schertz Department of Parks Recreation and Community Services is requesting
the approval of the City Council authorizing funds. for the installation of
landscaping from the Tree Mitigation Fund 317 for landscaping to be completed at
the Schertz Public Library, the Visitor's Center and Schertz Parkway. Bids were
received from local area contractors were as follows:
Schertz Public Library: Big Foot Turfgrass Farms: $41,167.00
Schertz Visitors Center: Preferred Landscape & Lighting: $ 8,912.00
Schertz Parkway Islands: Landscape of Texas $ 5,737.50
Total Landscaping: $ 55,816.50
Tree Mitigation Fund Balance as of 7-22-09: $271,500.00
Landscaping Project: <$55,816.50>
Tree Mitigation Fund 317 Balance: $215,683.50
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Mayor Baldwin recognized Councilmember Trayhan who moved, seconded by
Councilmember Wilenchik to award the bids to fund and install landscaping at the
new Library to Big Foot Turfgrass Farms in the amount of $41,167.00, the Visitors
Center to Preferred Landscaping & Lighting in the amount of $8,912.00 and
Schertz Parkway to Landscape of Texas in the amount of $5,737.50 for total
amount of $55,816.50. Vote was unanimous. Motion Carried
8. Ordinance No. 09-E-31 -Consideration and/or action approving Ordinance No.
09-E-31 calling anon-binding referendum to be held in the City of Schertz, Texas
on November 3, 2009 concerning the City's Curbside Recycling Program, making
provision for the conduct of the non-binding referendum; and resolving other
matters incident and related thereto. First Reading (B. Dennis)
Mayor Baldwin recognized City Secretary Brenda Dennis who introduced this item
stating that she received more information from Sue Basham, the Elections
Administrator, regarding information on the upcoming November 3, 2009 Joint
Election. Ms. Dennis stated that we might want to add language to the ordinance
that says we will be running with the County and using the County's polling
locations just to clarify the reason our ballot will be going everywhere. She also
stated that we might want to add language in the ordinance to put a provision in that
the locations listed on the exhibits are subject to change dependent upon the
Counties polling locations.
Mayor Baldwin recognized Councilmember Wilenchik who moved, seconded by
Councilmember Trayhan to approve Ordinance No. 09-D-31 first reading
incorporating the changes as mentioned by Ms. Dennis for final reading. Vote was
unanimous. Motion Carried
9. Ordinance 09-M-32 -False Alarm Notification -Consideration and/or action
approving an Ordnance amending Section 50.162 (a) (e), False Alarm Notification;
providing an effective date; and providing a repealing clause. First and Final
reading (M. Harris)
Mayor Baldwin recognized Police Chief Steve Starr who introduced this item
answering questions from Council. Chief Starr stated a review of the false alarm
ordinance was conducted; the ordinance did not reflect the current method of billing
for false alarms and is necessary to correct.
Mayor Baldwin recognized Councilmember Trayhan who moved, seconded by
Councilmember Scagliola to approve Ordinance No. 09-M-32 first and final
reading. Vote was unanimous. Motion Carried
10. Ordinance 09-D-33 -Temporary Construction Speed Limit -Consideration
and/or action approving an Ordinance for extending a temporary construction speed
limit on FM 3009 North and Southbound Directions between Mile Point 4.688 and
Mile Point 4.527 and Between Mile Point 23.663 and Mile Point 23.012. First
Reading (L. Dublin)
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Mayor Baldwin recognized City Engineer Larry Dublin who stated that as you
recall in May 2008 the City received a request from TxDot requesting a temporary
speed limit reduction for cone-half mile section of FM 3009 in order to increase
safety for their project. The project consisted of constructing two roadway bridges
over the two U.P.R.R. tracks located between IH 35 and FM 2252. The City
complied bypassing an Ordinance.
Then on January 12, 2009 the City of Schertz received another letter from the Texas
Department of Transportation TxDot) requesting a temporary speed limit reduction
fora 1.2 mile section of FM 3009 in order to increase safety for an upcoming
roadway construction project. This is an extension of the project.
On July 29, 2009, we received a further request for a construction speed zone of 45
mph in the existing 55 mph regulatory speed zone (from approximately 1478 feet
north of Tri County Rd to approximately 850 feet south of the Guadalupe County
Line). This will extend the existing construction speed zone south for a total
additional 3152 feet (essentially eliminating the existing 55 mph zone during the
construction project).
The project consists of constructing the roadway between IH 35 and 1.212 miles
West of IH 35. TxDot is requesting the speed limit to be reduced from 55 mph to
45 mph, in both Northbound and Southbound directions, between Mile Point 4.688
and Mile Point 4.527 and between Mile Point 23.663 and Mile Point 23.012
basically from the FM 2252 to IH 35. The project is scheduled to start September
2009 and construction should end around January 2013. The speed limit reduction
would be needed for the entire duration of construction, approximately 30 months.
Mayor Baldwin recognized Councilmember Trayhan who moved, seconded by
Councilmember Scagliola to approve Ordinance No. 09-D-33 first reading. Vote
was unanimous. Motion Carried
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council did not meet.
11. Take any action deemed necessary as a result of the Executive Session.
No action taken.
Requests and Announcements
12. Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers that items be placed on a future City
Council agenda.
No requests given.
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13. Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers to City Manager and Staff for
information.
Mayor Baldwin recognized Councilmember Scagliola who asked if staff could
provide information on the possibility of acquiring right-of--ways to allow Country
Club Boulevard to be connected with Green Valley. City Manager Don Taylor
stated that any savings or money left over from the bids would be going toward the
Aviation Heights area and the older part of town.
14. Announcements by Mayor and Councilmembers
• City and community events attended and to be attended
• City Council Committee and Liaison Assignments (see assignments below)
• Continuing education events attended and to be attended
• Recognition of actions by City employees
• Recognition of actions by community volunteers
• Upcoming City Council agenda items
Mayor Baldwin recognized Councilmembers Scagliola and Trayhan who stated
they had recently attended the Schertz Artz Exhibit and gave credit to staff for such
a great event. Mayor Baldwin also echoed their remarks stating it was a great
event.
15. Announcements by City Manager
• Recognition of City employee actions
• New Departmental initiatives
No Announcements were given.
ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further action, Mayor Baldwin adjourned e meeting at 7:59 p.m.
Hal Baldwin, Mayor
ATTEST:
Brenda Dennis, TRMC, CMC City Secretary
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