ccreg 08-17-04
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CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR SESSION
AUGUST 17, 2004
The Schertz City Council convened in Regular Session on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 at
7:00 pm in the Municipal Complex Council Chambers, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz,
Texas. The following members were present: Mayor Hal Baldwin presiding;
Councilmembers Carl Douglas, Steve Simonson, Reginna Agee, Tony Wilenchik and
Ken Greenwald. Staff members present were City Manager Mark Marquez and City
Secretary Norma Althouse.
Mayor Baldwin welcomed everyone and asked them to rise and join him in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
#1 SWEARING-IN OF MAYOR PRO-TEM
Mayor Baldwin swore in Councilmember Simonson as Mayor Pro- Tem
#2 INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES - Public Works Dept.
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Sam Willoughby, Public Works Director, introduced new employees Joel Nathan Brown,
Henry Mosqueda, Hector De Avila, Tom Donley, Michael Rushlow and Larry Busch.
Applause followed. City Council welcomed the new employees.
#3 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
Albert Guyott- President of the Woodland Oaks Homeowners Association, said he
represents 230 houses and all the property owners were not contacted about the park.
There is a noise problem and lots of kids from other neighborhoods.
Mayor Baldwin said since 2003 they have had 18 or 19 calls regarding the park area-
50% were traffic related. Only 2 or 3 were related to the park.
Mr. Simonson said they were fortunate to get the park at Woodland Oaks and it was
peaceful until several months ago.
Gail Douglas, Community Service Director, commented many residents are unhappy
with the park. We need to make an unfortunate situation right.
Will Brown, President of Woodland Oaks HOA, indicated there's been a lot of
controversy by homeowners and lots of noise. There are several options. He suggested
putting in a pavilion and a picnic area and putting up a wall.
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Sharilyn Krauss of 2384 Tree Branch has been working with the Park at Woodland Oaks
and after a great amount of research, they decided a basketball court seemed appropriate.
They have thirty days to make a final decision on their suggestions.
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Robert Brockman of 4505 Grand Forrest had the following comments:
A) Thanked City Council and Staff for their action at Sunday's meeting.
B) Inquired about the various committees in the City. Mr. Marquez said they were
all framed in the lobby.
C) Inquired when we're going to get a sign at Savannah Dr. and Schertz Pkwy. Mr.
Marquez said eventually.
D) Reported there was an accident at our favorite corner. Two pick up trucks
collided. The police had on their orange vests and did a fantastic job.
E) Wanted to know who owns the Elbel Rd. detour signs: Mr. Marquez thinks it's
the contractors.
Abbie Brown of 2601 Kingsland Circle suggested a mediator to handle all the questions
about the park.
Mr. Douglas, said there are two HOA's and moved to give them the opportunity to
investigate the matter further. Mr. Greenwald seconded the motion, which carried with
the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and Greenwald
NAYS: None
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Mayor Baldwin said this only affects a handful of homeowners.
#4 PUBLIC HEARING: To receive citizen comments on a request to establish a
Reinvestment Zone for Tri-County Business Campus (Schertz).
Mayor Baldwin explained the procedures to be followed for the public hearing.
Mr. Marquez explained you need to create a reinvestment zone in order to grant a tax
abatement. State laws require the reinvested zone.
Mr. Marquez then stated the representative from California could not be here touight.
There being no further questions or comments, Mayor Baldwin closed the public hearing
at this time.
#5 ORDINANCE: Consider and take action on fIrst reading of Ordinance
establishing a Reinvestment Zone for Tri-County Business Campus (Schertz)
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. Mayor Baldwin introduced an ordinance and read the caption as follows:
AN ORDINANCE
BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS
ESTABLISHING THE TRI-COUNTY BUSINESS CAMPUS (SCHERTZ) LLC
REINVESTMENT ZONE.
Mr. Greenwald moved to approve the first reading of an Ordinance establishing the
Tri-County (Schertz) LLC Reinvestment Zone. Mr. Simonson seconded the motion,
which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Simonson, Agee and Greenwald.
NAYS: Councilmember Wilenchik
#6 ORDINANCE: Consider and take action on fIrst reading of an Ordinance
approving Tax Abatement and Tax Abatement Agreement for and with Tri-County
Business Campus, LLC.
Mayor Baldwin introduced an Ordinance and read the caption as follows.
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AN ORDINANCE
BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS APPROVING
A TAX ABATEMENT AND A TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT FOR AND
WITH TRI-COUNTY BUSINESS CAMPUS (SCHERTZ), LLC, A PROPERTY
OWNER IN THE CITY OF SCHERTZ.
Councilmember Douglas moved to approve the first reading of an ordinance approving
tax abatement and tax abatement agreement for and with Tri-County Business Campus
(Schertz), LLC, a property owner in the City of Schertz. Mr. Simonson seconded the
motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Simonson, Agee and Greenwald.
NAYS: Councilmember Wilenchik.
#7 PUBLIC HEARING: To receive citizen comments on a request from RFW,
Inc. for a SpecifIc Use Permit for Nell Deane Subdivision, Block 1, Lot 7, to allow an
offIce/warehouse facility in the Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ).
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Mr. Marquez reported that 10 letters were sent and one e-mail as returned opposed. He
also reported they are holding a public hearing because the business that wants to locate
there is in the ACUlZ.
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There being no further questions or comments, Mayor Baldwin closed public hearing at
this time.
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#8 Consider and take action on above request for a Specffic Use Permit.
Mr. Greenwald moved to approve the request for a Specific Use Permit for Nell Deane
Subdivision, Block 1, Lot 7, to allow an office/warehouse facility in the AICUZ. . Mr.
Douglas seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes.
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and Greenwald.
NAYS: None
#9 PUBLIC HEARING: To receive citizen input on a request from Hardy and
Company, Inc. to rezone 11.867 acres from General Business (GB) to Residential 5
(R-5). Property is located in the Northeast quadrant of Schertz Parkway and Live
Oak Road.
Mr. Marquez stated this public hearing has been cancelled.
#10 Consider and take action regarding Park at Woodland Oaks.
Council voted earlier to give the two HOA's more time to work out a solution and come .
back with the results of their decision.
#11 RESOLUTION: Consider and take action regarding Resolution declaring the
current number of inhabitants of the City of Schertz, Texas.
Mayor Baldwin introduced a Resolution and read the caption as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 04-R-07
A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE CURRENT NUMBER OF INHABITANTS
OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS.
Mr. Marquez commented we now have 26,463 residents. Mr. Marquez said it's about
time we recoguized our size. The population only deals with census data. We looked at
several sources to determine our population. We are the largest city in Guadalupe County
and it is appropriate to be recognized as such.
Mrs. Agee moved to approve the Resolution declaring the current number of inhabitants
of the City of Schertz, Texas. Mr. Wilenchik seconded the motion, which carried
unanimously with the following votes.
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and Greenwald.
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NAYS: None
#12 Discussion regarding Church project time frame.
Mr. Marquez related the new facility will seat approximately 162 people, there will be a
large meeting room and small gallery. Our presentations will be more visually friendly.
Each councilmember and the podium will have a computer. There will be comfortable
chairs and the screen will be large enough for the persons in the back to see. The City
Secretary will have a separate area. Mayor Baldwin said they have to make sure its
handicapped accessible. Mayor Baldwin said the completion date, according to the
architect, would be April 2005.
#13 Consider and take action on a proposal to increase total tax revenues from
properties on the tax roll.
Mr. Marquez stated we will have a decreasing tax rate this year and there will be a slight
increase in the tax value.
Mr. Wilenchik talked about not being able to call the November 2nd election due to the
fact they could not provide sufficient information. Mr. Marquez said it wouldn't have
been in effect until 2005.
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There was some discussion about the tax freeze exemption.
George Mower thanked the Council for a show of democratic process. He then asked if
they have received a petition and receipt of such petition was acknowledged by City
Secretary Norma Althouse.
Mr. Greenwald moved to approve increasing the total tax revenues from properties on the
tax roll. Mr. Wilenchik seconded the motion which carried with the following votes.
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Simonson, Agee, Wilenchick and Greenwald.
NAYS: None
#14 Consider and take action setting a public hearing date of September 7, 2004
for the budget and the tax rate.
Mr. Wilenchik moved to approve the setting of a public hearing date of September 7,
2004 for the budget and for the tax rate. Mr. Simonson seconded the motion, which
carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Simonson. Agee, Wilenchik and Greenwald.
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NAYS: None.
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#15 Items by City Manager
General Announcements
Mr. Marquez had no comments at this time.
#16 Items by Council
General Announcements
Mayor Pro- Tem Douglas
Liaison - EDC
Liaison - Schertz Library Board
Mr. Douglas had nothing to report.
Councilmember Simonson
4-B Board
Liaison - BVY A
Mr. Simonson had nothing to report.
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Councilmember Agee
4 - B Board
Liaison - Schertz Housing Authority
Commented she was glad Elbel Road opened before school started.
Councilmember Wilenchik
4- B Board
Liaison - Schertz Humane Society
Liaison - HOA Coalition
Ex-officio - TSAC
Thanked Mr. Spain, Mr. Marquez and Staff for their work regarding the election.
Councilmember Greenwald
4 - B Board
Ex-officio - P&Z Commission
Ex-officio - S/SLGC
Advised the County office ran out of powdered milk, and powdered potatoes. The Seguin
office ran out of money. Milk, butter and cheese has gone by the wayside.
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#17 Items by Mayor
General Announcements
Advised Henry Cuellar came to visit the City and they took him to the Post Office. He
pledged to help us get a new one, if elected.
At this time Council took a short break and moved to the conference room for the budget
workshop.
#18 BUDGET WORKSHOP
There was a brief discussion about park funds, about new development in the City, and about the
new fire station. Mr. Marquez noted there may be some changes in the personnel manual and
also advised the reserves are in good shape. He said he could schedule a workshop on August
25th if Council so desires. Council felt comfortable with the budget and saw no need to schedule
another workshop.
#19 ADJOURNMENT
. There is no further business to discuss Mayor Baldwin adjourned the meeting at 9:30
p.m.
ATTEST:
~~12-V
City Secretary, City of Schertz, Texas
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