01-21-2014 MinutesMINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
January 21, 2014
A Regular Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, on January
21, 2014, at 6:00 p.m., in the Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex Council Chambers, 1400 Schertz
Parkway, Building 44, Schertz, Texas. The following members present to -wit:
Mayor Michael Carpenter Mayor Pro -Tem Jim Fowler
Councilmember David Scagliola Councilmember Daryl John
Councilmember Cedric Edwards
Staff Present: City Manager John Kessel
Executive Director David Harris Executive Director John Bierschwale
Executive Director Brian James Chief of Staff Bob Cantu
City Attorney Charles Zech City Secretary Brenda Dennis
Deputy City Secretary Donna Schmoekel
Councilmember Matthew Duke was absent.
Call to Order
Mayor Carpenter called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
Invocation and Pledges of Allegiance to The Flags of The United States and The State of
Texas
Pastor Terrin Phillips, Everyday Christian Fellowship Church, provided the invocation followed by the
Pledges of Allegiance to the Flags of the United States and the State of Texas.
City Events and Announcements
a Announcements of upcoming City Events (D. Harris /J. Bierschwale/B. James)
Mayor Carpenter recognized Executive Director of Support David Harris who provided the
following announcements and upcoming events:
Saturday, January 25, 2014 — Health & Wellness Fair — Schertz Civic Center -11:00
a.m. to 3:00 p.m. — hosted by Schertz Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by the City
of Schertz.
a Announcements and recognitions by City Manager (J. Kessel)
No announcements provided.
Presentation
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Presentation/proclamation recognizing Marshal Beverly Todd and the transfer of the City
Marshal badge. (J. Bierschwale/Mayor Carpenter)
Mayor Carpenter read and presented a Proclamation naming January 21, 2014 as "Marshal
Beverly Todd Day" to Marshal Beverly Todd for her 25 years of service, also recognizing
her retirement.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Police Chief Michael Hansen who stated the next part of the
ceremony would be the passing of the badge, which would be a three part process of affixing
the stars and the badge on the incoming City Marshal Michael Harris. Mayor Carpenter,
Deputy Marshal Steve Pulaski, and Lori Harris, Michael Harris wife subsequently pinned the
stars and badge on the new Marshal.
Mayor Carpenter recognized City Manager John Kessel who stated the Change of Command
ceremony is a simple and traditional event that runs deep in symbolism and heritage. The
history of Marshals in the United States and in Texas runs deep. On September 24, 1789,
President George Washington appointed the first 13 U.S. Marshals creating the oldest
Federal Law Enforcement Agency in our Nation's history.
One thing that is unique about a Marshal's badge is that it has a five pointed star. The U.S
Marshals adopted a five point star for their badges. Here in Texas, the Texas Rangers
adopted a five point star as early as 1889. This is in the tradition established by most
Marshal's departments throughout the United States and is distinct from a police badge
which is often a shield.
The five pointed star is our Marshal's badge. Even though individual personnel come and go
and commanders change, the badge remains.
The key to the Change of Command is the passing of the Marshal's badge. In many ways, the
history, tradition, and accomplishments of the command are symbolized by the Marshal's
badge.
Mr. Kessel stated he is so proud that the Office of City Marshal is being transferred from one
active duty Marshal to another active duty City of Schertz employee. This internal
promotion was earned through 25 years of dedicated service in our Police Department by
incoming Marshal Michael (Mike) Harris.
The transfer of the badge represents the transfer of responsibility for the accomplishment of
the mission, and for providing for the welfare, order, and individual development of the
Marshal's staff assigned to the City Marshals. I have complete confidence that incoming
Marshal Harris will excel in these duties.
Oath of Office - Oath of Office administered to newly appointed City Marshal Michael
Harris — (B. Dennis)
City Secretary Brenda Dennis provided the Oath of Office to newly appointed Marshal
Michael Harris.
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Mayor Carpenter recessed the regular at 6:16 p.m., to allow for congratulations to soon -to -be
retired Marshal Beverly Todd and newly appointed Marshal Michael Harris.
Mayor Carpenter reconvened back into regular session at 6:30 p.m.
• Presentation and update regarding the landscape islands in the Greenshire Subdivision (B.
James/K. Woodlee/L. Busch)
Mayor Carpenter recognized Engineer -In- Training Larry Busch who provided a Power Point
presentation updating the Council on the landscape islands in the Greenshire Subdivision and
answered questions. This issue began back in August 2013 at a Transportation Safety
Advisory Commission (TSAC) meeting as a result of complaints from residents on Hickory
Lane regarding people parking around the cul -de -sac and creating problems for traffic. A
recommendation was brought to Council on August 13, 2013 to prohibit parking in this area.
Council requested that staff look at all of Greenshire at one time and come back with more
information. Staff attended a September 26, 2013 HOA meeting and subsequently decided to
check the rest of the subdivision. Staff again visited with homeowners in the evening hours
of December 19, 2013 and contacted about 62 homeowners seeking their concerns. He
stated, overall, no other problems were presented by the residents. On January 9, 2014 staff
brought the issue back to the Transportation Safety Advisory Commission and updated them.
Barring no further concerns, the intent by staff was to bring it back to Council in February
and recommend, by ordinance, prohibited parking in specified areas only on Hickory Lane.
Since Council had no further questions or concerns Mayor Carpenter stated it appeared we
have done our due diligence and we are ready to go forward. Mayor Carpenter recognized
Executive Director of Development Brian James who stated that the majority of the credit for
this endeavor should go to Engineer -in- Training Larry Busch and Public Works
Superintendent Doug Letbetter who put everything together and went out to speak with the
residents to gather information. He also advised Council that the Planning Staff were going
to be working with the Planning and Zoning Commission in the future to revisit the current
residential standards in an effort to avoid these types of problems in future developments.
Mayor Carpenter moved to the Work Session portion of the agenda because the only person
who signed up to speak this evening during the Hearing of Residents section had left the
building to take a phone call.
Work Session
• Discussion and direction regarding honoring or memorializing former Mayors of the City.
(D. Harris/D. Harris)
Mayor Carpenter recognized Executive Director of Support David Harris who stated we
currently have seven former mayors and three of them have had a building or roadway
named after them and others have not. He is seeking direction from Council on what they
would like to do moving forward for the future.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Edwards who stated he felt strongly about
recognizing some additional former mayors and even Councilmembers such as the late
Councilmember Tony Wilenchik. He stated Mayor Bueker was the person who was
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instrumental in bringing the industrial park here. It has solidified a great spot for our
Economic Development. There were a lot of `firsts' with Mayor Bueker. He suggested
naming a small street Wilenchik Way and possibly naming the industrial park area after
Mayor Bucker. It is a good idea to honor the past as well as we go forward with the future.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Mayor Pro -Tem Fowler who suggested we establish criteria for
this honor and not just allow it to run amok. Councilmember Edwards stated he remembers
six months ago establishing some guidelines and conditions regarding naming rights.
Executive Director of Operations, John Bierschwale stated that was for Parks, but that
several years ago Council had put out conditions such as you have to have passed to be
considered. He suggested revisiting that policy to make changes if appropriate.
Pro -Tem Fowler agreed the review of the current qualifications should be looked at.
Councilmember Edwards suggested we also consider honoring someone while they were still
living, such as former Mayor Bob Bueker. Mayor Carpenter stated he agreed with
Councilmember Edwards and thinks we should recognize people who made significant
contributions before us. How we do that is not clear yet. He is supportive of moving with
some immediate speed for Mayor Bucker because 1) he is still alive and can still know any
gesture put forward by the City, and 2) because of the significant contributions he made
during his tenure as Mayor.
Mayor Carpenter stated, as we move beyond the recommendation for former Mayor Bueker,
He would like us to think very carefully before we name something in honor of someone.
The process should be measured, careful, and slow. We need to make sure that what we do is
not disruptive, is for an appropriate contribution made, and not something we do as a matter
of course, but is a rarity so that it retains its value. Mayor Pro -Tem Fowler suggested as we
review these matters we should consider the costs for such things as renaming a road that
would be associated with maps and GPS. Mayor Carpenter thanked everyone and suggested
we take another look at this in a few weeks.
Consent Agenda Items
1. Minutes - Consideration and/or action regarding the approval of the minutes of the Regular
Meeting of January 14, 2014. (J. KesselB. Dennis)
2. Resolution No. 14 -R -07 — Consideration and/or action approving a Resolution authorizing
the extension for one year of the Bank Depository Agreement with Schertz Bank & Trust,
and other matters in connection therewith. (B. Cantu/J. Santoya/R. Galindo)
The following was read into record:
RESOLUTION NO. 14 -R -07
A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS
AUTHORIZING THE EXTENSION FOR ONE YEAR OF THE BANK
DEPOSITORY AGREEMENT WITH SCHERTZ BANK & TRUST, AND OTHER
MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
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3. Resolution No. 14 -R -09 - Consideration and/or action approving a Resolution appointing
Cedric Edwards to the Lone Star Rail District Board for a term beginning January 2014 and
expiring February 2016. (J. Kessel/Council)
The following was read into record:
RESOLUTION NO. 14 -R -09
A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ,
APPOINTING COUNCILMAN CEDRIC EDWARDS TO THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE LONE STAR RAIL DISTRICT, AND OTHER MATTERS IN
CONNECTION THEREWITH
4. Resolution No. 14 -R -10 — Consideration and/or action approving a Resolution authorizing a
Grant Acceptance related to the Texas Traffic Safety Program and other matters in
connection therewith. (J. Bierschwale/M. Hansen)
The following was read into record:
RESOLUTION NO. 14 -R -10
A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS
AUTHORIZING GRANT ACCEPTANCE, AND OTHER MATTERS IN
CONNECTION THEREWITH
Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Scagliola, who moved, seconded by Mayor Pro-
Tern Fowler, to approve consent agenda items 1 -4. The vote was unanimous with Mayor Pro -
Tem Fowler, Councilmembers Scagliola, John, and Edwards voting yes and no one voting
no. Councilmember Duke was absent Motion Carried
Roll Call Vote Confirmation
Mayor Carpenter recognized Deputy City Secretary Donna Schmoekel who recapped the votes of
items 1 through 4.
Mayor Carpenter announced that since the resident who signed up to speak had not returned we
would continue to move forward.
Requests and Announcements
5. Announcements by City Manager
• Citizen Kudos
• Recognition of City employee actions
• New Departmental initiatives
Mayor Carpenter announced that Deputy City Secretary Donna Schmoekel had passed her
first test toward becoming a certified City Secretary. Mayor and Council congratulated her.
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6. Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers that items be placed on a future City Council
agenda.
No items requested.
Requests by Mayor and Councihnembers to City Manager and Staff for information.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Mayor Pro -Tem Fowler who stated he received a telephone call
from a Mr. Wicks who lives on Maple Street. He wants to know what the City is doing to try
to reduce the flood insurance for this group that has added about $1,100 per month to their
living expenses. He wants to know if the City has taken any type of action. Per Executive
Director of Support David Harris, Congressman Hinjosa has been working on a bill in
Congress that would help bring back some federal subsidies for flood insurance. Mayor
Carpenter stated they brought this up at their recent Northeast Partnership meeting and will
be putting together a resolution for the mayors of the various cities to sign in support of this
bill.
Mayor Carpenter stated that on Thursday, January 23, 2014, he will be attending the
Guadalupe County Mayors Association and will ask them to do the same thing and then they
will take both resolutions to every elected official who touches any of the cities within
Guadalupe County, Northeast Partnership, or other statewide elected officials and petition
them to put those federal subsidies back in the federal budget.
8. Announcements by Mayor and Councihnembers
• 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 Carpenter recognized Mayor Pro -Tem Fowler who attended the recent Housing
Authority Meeting and they have their new budget in place. He stated there are more Section
8 housing units now open and they are getting some of these places and people matched
together.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Scagliola who stated he attended the Ribbon
Cutting Re- opening ceremony for ReMax on IH -35 last week and the Schertz Chamber
luncheon today at the Civic Center.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Edwards who also attended the Schertz
Chamber Luncheon. Councihnember Edwards recognized Ms. Wendy Griffin who was in
the audience this evening and has taken over as the Chairman of the Chamber.
Mayor Carpenter stated that he will be attending the Guadalupe County Mayors Association
meeting this week Thursday, January 23 in Seguin and again stated he will be asking for their
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support in preparing a resolution and petitioning our elected officials to reinstate, the flood
insurance subsidies.
Mayor Carpenter stated that since the citizen who signed up to speak had not come back in
the meeting was hereby adjourned.
Hearing of Residents:
No one spoke.
Executive Session
Council did not meet.
Reconvene into Regular Session
9. Take any action deemed necessary as a result of the Executive Session.
No action taken, as Council did not meet.
Adiournment
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at p.
ayor, Michael R. Carpenter
TT • ST:
City Secretary, Brenda Dennis
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