09-10-03
Council – Workshop Session
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
The Schertz City Council convened in workshop session on Wednesday,
September 10, 2003 at 7:00pm in the Municipal Complex Conference Room, 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
Assistant City Manager Johnny Bierschwale and Deputy City Secretary Mary
Ybarra.
At this time, Mayor Baldwin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
#1 Hearing of Residents:
Roberto Salas, 1041 Gettysburg Dr. had the following comments:
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Saluted the Fire Department on their professionalism at a recent situation
in his home from the result of an overheating light bulb over vent.
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Advised of complaints regarding rental units.
Frank Johnson, 1533 Circle Oak commented on the following:
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Voiced concern on use of street usage (Circle Oak & Silver Oak) by
contractors, etc. He believes usage of these two streets will go from 180
cars to over 700 cars by next year. This is the result of home development
around Oak Forest. Development has begun and speeding occurs from
semi-trucks and if told of violation, it is ignored. Police Chief has tired to
enforce, but department just doesn’t have enough personnel. His question,
what does the City plan to do? At a meeting he attended, he was advised
the gate was emergency only, used only as secondary entrance for school
buses and emergency vehicles, etc. Since then has spoken to developer,
who advised him it’s the main entrance to Wynn Brook Circle. It was his
understanding there was a main entrance from Green Valley Road unto
Wynn Brook too, however, with the opening of the gate, traffic will filter
unto Circle Oak (easiest route) and will backup traffic unto FM 3009. The
road has been cut and no one seems to care about it, except for some
certain individuals trying to come up with alternative. If the road is to
become an entrance his suggestion is to place speed bumps to help traffic
slow down. The residents would like to see if something could be done.
Assistant City Manager, Johnny Bierschwale identified the area on a map
and indicated the area Mr. Johnson referred to. Mr. Bierschwale indicated
that in speaking with developer, the street in question is the primary
entrance until completion. The street will become secondary, however,
because it is a short cut will be utilized. To keep traffic deterred, staff
would recommend to TSAC the placement of speed bumps. If it were
found warrant, staff would come to City Council and ask them to levy
cost of speed bumps. It would be the responsibility of the developer to
place speed bumps. Circle Oak would need placement of three, at the cost
of $3,000.
Other option discussed would be the possibility of one-way street (Silver
Oak). Option would be discussed with staff, Public Works, and Police
Department.
Mayor Baldwin commented he didn’t have any answers, however the
matter could be placed on agenda for discussion at the next workshop.
Council was in agreement.
Robert Brockman, 4505 Grand Forrest had the following comments:
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Stated that a few years ago he made the comment that if Wiederstein Road
was fixed he would stop talking and go home. Well, he lied. He also
mentioned Wiederstein Road is misspelled on Schertz Parkway. It was
mentioned that the name is misspelled in three different places, twice by
the State, along IH-35.
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Asked if separator is planned for hike/bike trail on Schertz Parkway.
There is no plan for it.
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Suggested placing black top all the way to curb. He believes it will cause
problem with moist if it isn’t done.
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Gutierrez Park lights are on, day and night. Lights have been on for a
week or more.
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Advised of trouble finding stop sign at the end Town Gate in Dove
Meadows. There are two trees obstructing visibility. Councilmember
Wilenchik stated the matter has been addressed at HOA meeting. The
HOA is saying the trees belong to the resident and not the association. The
matter would be checked out.
#2 Discuss Ordinance on the creation of TSAC Commission.
Assistant City Manager Johnny Bierschwale sat in for City Manager Marquez in
his absences. He pointed out memo from City Manager is part of Council packet.
By his memo, he believes the City Manager has mixed feelings about the
ordinance. He went on to say, that currently there are staff members on the
committee, such as EMS, Public Works, Fire Department and Police Department.
If the Ordinance is approved these staff members would come off, except for
Police Department members. The Police Chief becoming the liaison to the
Commission. Mr. Bierschwale suggested adding Pubic Work Director and City
Engineer, because the department is responsible for traffic design and both work
hand in hand. The ordinance is a good ordinance, and has been reviewed by City
Attorney. However, he believes it does need the additions he spoke about,
adding Public Works Director and City Engineer.
Councilmember Douglas made a comment to last page of Ordinance, where it
refers to: “Vacancies shall be filled by City Council for the completion of a term
of office. He believes it should state: “Vacancies shall be appointed by City
Council for the completion of the a term of office. He went on to say, referring to
By-Laws, Section 2, items 2, 3, 6 & 7. His question, where is the money coming
from to provide materials each item refers too. Mr. Bierschwale explained
funding would be provided by Schertz Police Department and suggests adding
Public Works Department due to department being geared on doing traffic
studies, etc. Councilmember Douglas questioned fund availability in budget to
support Ordinance. He was advised Public Works budget funds (engineering
costs) in the amount of $5,000 for miscellaneous, and this type of expenditure
falls under the category. If costs were to go beyond this amount, staff would
come to Council and ask to re-appropriate funds, either in Public Works or Police
Department.
It was determined that if Ordinance were approved, the TSAC Commission
would be given a budget, as are the other Commissions. This year, the
Commission would be unable to do certain things due to City budget, however
the matter could be revisited at mid-year. Council agreed to add Public Works
Department to Ordinance.
Councilmember Agee asked if Council wants to undertake establishing another
Commission while they’re in the process of discussing the Planning & Zoning
Commission.
Councilmember Wilenchik believes the matter shouldn’t be placed on hold and
should move forward. Councilmember Simonson commented that the only
reservation he has and hopes everyone understands that money would be
limited to the Commission; until such time that a budget is established. He
believes Commissions are important to help Council with recommendations to
establish priorities. He has no problem proceeding with the changes that were
suggested.
David Allen commented he was author of the Ordinance and for as long as he
has been associated with the committee and working group there was never a
working budget. When he undertook the writing of the Ordinance he wanted the
Ordinance to be structured right so not to lose it’s effectiveness. He would like to
see the committee become a commission, however would not like to lose the
working relationship it has. It was pointed out that EMS, Fire, etc. are part of the
committee and voting entities. Once it becomes a commission these entities are
no longer voting members, they become advisory members.
Mayor Baldwin believes staff should provide input, information, and
recommendations and have someone else make decisions. The commission’s
recommendations would have a formal path to Council and carry no authority.
He believes other Commissions such as Planning & Zoning Commission would
welcome the TSAC Commission to help review plats for safety issues. Mr. Allen
also believes that the TSAC Commission could head off problems. Hopefully,
these problems could be foreseen by the Commission and forward
recommendations.
Council agreed that if changes were made to Ordinance, Council would be ready
to discuss first reading at next meeting, if not, Council would review at next
workshop session. Council agreed to add the following staff to the Ordinance;
Police, Fire, EMS and Public Works.
#3 Discuss Ordinance regarding tax rate.
Assistant City Manager Bierschwale commented there were no changes
regarding the tax rate. Council would be ready to vote on tax rate at Tuesday
night’s meeting.
#4 Discuss Public Hearing and Ordinance regarding budget.
Council would be ready to hold Public Hearing and consider Ordinance
regarding budget at next Tuesday night’s meeting..
#5 Discuss elected officials e-mail addresses.
Councilmember Wilenchik commented that discussion regarding e-mail
addresses was his suggestion due to article published in “Herald” newspaper.
He believes it raised some questions. In discussion with City Manager of possible
e-mail access from home and the recent publication he requested update on
findings. What is the City doing and what does the future hold.
Assistant City Manger Bierschwale explained the possibility of Council having
accessibility to terminals to access e-mail throughout City Hall. However, does
not recommend access from home. Under law, the possibility exists that hard
drives could be confiscated. E-mail account would be set-up for each
Councilmember at no cost to them. Councilmember Agee commented that she
wanted understood that she would not be checking e-mail three times a day.
Councilmember Wilenchik asked if it were possibly to piggyback from home
computer to City computer and access e-mail. Was advised that at this time the
City is working on the capability.
Rohan Pierce, IT explained some options that are being worked on, however
these options would require dial in capabilities, which the City doesn’t have. The
software and setup would possibly go on line in approximately another month.
This option would be open to Council if Council had compatible software. Mr.
Pierce voiced concern regarding setup at home. Who would setup software at
homes and who would be responsible for systems not working?
For the time being, Mr. Pierce suggests e-mails could be received at City Hall,
then in turn forward to home addresses. However, this would put workload on
staff.
Tony Wilson, Public Information Officer suggested the possibility of using the
City’s customer care e-mail address. The e-mails would be received and forward
to Mayor and City Council at Council meetings, etc. This would give citizens the
opportunity to contact Mayor or Council via e-mail. Councilmember Wilenchik
commented he has a problem with this type of set up; it isn’t very private. If this
were the case and subject were to be sensitive, Council phone numbers are
published and is another means of communication.
Mayor Baldwin commented if the City is going to get into the e-mail business he
has no problem with someone else accessing e-mail and forwarding them to the
appropriate parties. He pointed out that the only personnel that citizens could
complain about to Council would be the City Manager, City Attorney and City
Secretary. If citizens had complaints about others, complain would go the City
Manager, who is the boss. Councilmember Greenwald pointed out the average
citizen believes that every one in City Hall works for City Council.
Councilmember Simonson suggested e-mail addresses via the City Customer
Care addresses for Council is a good idea. This would give Council an idea if e-
mails were warranted. Council was in agreement that setup would be provided
through customer care as a test. If warranted, it gives the go ahead to pursue the
other options. This would be a good first step. Advertising the e-mail address
and waiting to see how many hits it gets. Councilmember Simonson asked if
Council or Mayor would answer e-mails. Council could have the option to
answer e-mail via staff. Assistant City Manager suggested Rita could open e-mail
forward to City Secretary Office where e-mail would be forward to Council or
Mayor and reply would be handled through the City Secretary Office. Council
consensus was to proceed and start e-mail test.
#6 Items by City Manager
General Announcement
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Advised of Northeast Partnership meeting scheduled for tomorrow, 11:30
am. Councilmember Simonson commented he would be attending as well
as Mayor Baldwin.
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Reported Schertz Parkway will be unofficially opened on Friday. Paving
completed today on the repair section, and stripping is ongoing. Grand
opening will be held on Sept. 27, 9:30 am. A 3-K walk is planned and
parade.
The question was brought up regarding the removal of stop signs at
Ashley Park and “caution traffic does not stop” signage. When would
signage be coming down? In an answer to question, Mr. Bierschwale
reported signs are in and would be installed at completion of Parkway.
The stop sign signage will need to stay in place until such time that
Council rescinds Ordinance. Will get with City Engineer and report a
target date for placement of new signage.
#7 Items by Council
General Announcements
Councilmember Douglas
Liaison EDC
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Reported he would be in Austin, Friday and Saturday attending TML
seminar.
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Commented footbridge over Cibolo Creek is complete and it looks very
good.
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Commented on poor coordination of stripping at intersection of
Wiederstein Road and FM 3009 (by car wash). At 4:30 in the afternoon was
not a good time to detour traffic to one lane, it created a jam.
Councilmember Simonson
4-B Board
Liaison BVYA
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Reported that at the end of Oak Street and FM1518 Pecan trees are getting
pretty low preventing traffic visibility.
Councilmember Agee
4-B Board
Liaison Schertz Housing Authority
Liaison Schertz Library Board
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Reported a problem with traffic visibility on Menlo and Live Oak Road.
She believes the problem lays with design of FM3009.
Councilmember Wilenchik
4-B Board
Liaison Schertz Humane Society
Liaison HOA Coalition
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Asked when would traffic light on Live Oak Road be turned on? Was
advised work is ongoing and just as soon as it is complete TXDOT will
start lights flashing.
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Commented on sidewalk issue, Dietz Road going to Dobie Middle School.
Cibolo is asking if Schertz would help with portion of sidewalk. Council
consensus was they would vote against it, the sidewalk is on Cibolo side
of street.
Councilmember Agee commented there is Ordinances designed for such
matters. If a designated route is designed as the safeties and most affective
and City has Ordinances in place to enforce, these individuals could be
ticketed. The question was brought up regarding if the City had a J
walking Ordinance? Mr. Bierschwale advised no. Councilmember Agee
commented the possibility of looking into the matter. The matter would
be researched.
Councilmember Greenwald
4-B Board
Ex-officio P & Z Commission
Ex-officio SSLG Corp.
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Reported on Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting:
1. Nextel Tower was approved at FM1518 and junk yard
2. Cibolo resident bought old Schertz Bike Shop property and plans
are to open a sound showroom installation for cars. Because the
property was altered with construction of an apartment to property
and plans are for the son to live on premises the applicant is
requesting specific use permit allowing residential in general
business zoning.
3. Benevest Subdivision going up in the Industrial Park.
4. Walk-a-about at Heitkamp property adjacent, Freeway Manor.
Continental Homes Development. Plans are for 460-480 homes, R-5
and R-6 zoning. Would start selling lots in June or July 2004. The
homes would approximately bring 1,155 children to school district.
5. Dutch Boy Cleaners and Little Caesars Pizza going in adjacent
Walgreen on FM3009.
#8 Items by Mayor
General Announcements
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Asked if anyone was interested in attending the TML Region 7 in Converse a
week from Thursday. City use to participate in the past, however participate has
dropped in the past several years. He plans to attend and would like City Manager
to attend if possible along with any other staff members that would like to go.
Before adjournment Assistant City Manager Bierschwale advised of historical signing
between cities (Universal City, Selma, and Spring Hill Water) regarding the water
th
contract. Signing is scheduled on the 17 at 1:00 p.m. in the Police Training Room.
#9 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Baldwin moved to adjourn the meeting
at 8: 36 p.m.
__________________________
Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas
ATTEST:
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Deputy City Secretary, City of Schertz, Texas