11-13-02 COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION
NOVEMBER 13, 2002
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on Wednesday,
November 13, 2002 at TOO p.m in the Municipal Complex Conference Room, 1400
Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. Those present were Mayor Hal Baldwin, presiding;
Councilmembers Steve Simonson, Reginna Agee, Tony Wilenchik and Ken Greenwald
Staff present were City Manager Mark Marquez and City Secretary Norma Althouse.
Mayor Baldwin arrived at 7:04 p.m., so Mayor Pro-Tern Agee presided until he arrived.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
Robert Brockman of 4505 Grand Forest had the following comments:
· A crosswalk is needed where the tennis courts are at the school complex.
· Referred to the property next to the County offices and asked if there's any hope
of getting a new Post Office. Amy Madison, Economic Development Director,
advised it is a 5-year process to buy. They are looking at leasing a property in
Schertz. The only thing that matters is employee safety.
Gall Douglas, Parks and Recreation Director/Librarian announced that next Thursday,
November 19th, there would be a ribbon cutting at the Community Center at 11:30 p.m.
for the Senior Citizen Programs.
#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Session 9-17-02
Mrs. Agee pointed out that on page 5, under #7, in the AYE votes, her named was spelled
incorrectly.
Mr. Simonson _moved to approve the minutes, with the correction of Mrs. Agee's name,
for the Regular Session of 9-17-02. Mr~ Wilenchik seconded the motion, which carried
with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Simonson, Agee. Wilenchik and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#3 LAND PURCHASE: Consider and take action regarding Schertz/Seguin Local
Government Corporation land purchase.
Mr. Marquez explained that until the SSLGC is able to generate revenue from the sale of
water, the two cities would have to provide funds for the purchase of properties. The
costs would be shared equally by the two cities. The SSLGC Board has approved the
purchase of approximately 88 acres adjacent to property they already own. The projected
cost is $130,000. It is recommended Council authorize an amount not to exceed $65.000.
Mr. Greenwald moved to authorize an advance mount not to exceed $65,000 for the
purchase of land by the Schertz/Seguin Local Government Corporation. Mr. Wilenchik
seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and Greenwald
NAYS: None.
#4 BID AWARD: Consider and take action on awarding bid for administrative
vehicle.
Mr. Marquez noted this bid would be for the purchase of an administrative vehicle. The
vehicle is a Ford Taurus 4 door sedan to be used by City Administration.
Mrs. Agee moved to award the bid for an administrative vehicle to Bluebonnet Motors in
the amount of $15,338.84. Mr. Simonson seconded the motion, which carried with the
following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and CJreenwald.
NAYS: None.
#5 Discussion of upcoming Public Hearing regarding Specific Use Permit request.
Mr. Mr. Marquez reported tb3s is a request for a Specific Use Permit from Sue Ann
Cherrine at 530 Main Street for a small living addition at the rear of the business that will
allow her the ability to provide assisted care for her spouse during the course of the
business day. Planning and Zoning will have their public hearing on November 18th.
City Council's public hearing is scheduled for November 19th.
#6 Discussion and possible action on accounts receivable write-offs.
Mr. Marquez told Council, as they will recall, a policy was issued, on recommendation of
the auditors, regarding accounts receivable write-offs. The amounts will be written off
quarterly.
Mr. Wilenchik asked how you balance the accounts when you write off something. Mr.
Marquez answered it is considered new money. Mayor Baldwin added the auditors have
a way to do it. Mr. Marquez commented the collection agency for EMS hasn't worked
very well. They will continue to pursue non-residents. Dudley Wait, EMS Director, said
the collection agency has been very aggressive on 2001 delinquent accounts.
Mr. Wilenchik asked if there are any repeat offenders and Mr. Wait replied yes, but they
are not allowed not to respond. Almost 300 accounts are less than $200. Mr. Wait then
said if the patient is not transported, but they medicate them, they are charged a $75 fee.
Mayor Baldwin observed they have delinquent accounts in water billing also and those
people should have had their water turned off Mr. Marquez advised they would also
pursue those aggressively.
Mr. Simonson _moved to approve the accounts receivable write-offs as presented by staff.
Mr. Greenwald seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#7 Discussion on uses and disposition of Boy Scout Hut.
Mayor Baldwin asked Mr. Marquez if he had notified the Boy Scouts this was on the
agenda. Mr. Marquez replied no, but said he would notify them the next time it's on the
agenda.
Mr. Greenwald commented the intent never was to take the building away from the
Scouts. Mayor Baldwin stated the Scouts were under the impression the City was going
to tear it down. He would like to know Council's feelings. Obviously it is one of the
first buildings to flood every time. Mr. Marquez indicated FEMA may pay to have it
destroyed. Mayor Baldwin said the Scouts assured him they would get volunteers to
rehab the building.
Mr. Simonson asked if anyone had looked at the integrity of the foundation. There had
been discussion about raising it out of the floodplain. He agreed with the Mayor saying it
is always one of the first buildings to flood. Mr. Grcenwald commented if they can find
someone to move it, he has no objections. He then mentioned we need to give the Scouts
the opportunity to look at and pursue alternate locations. Mayor Baldwin noted if the
building were tom down, it would make room for extra parking spaces for the ballfields.
It was decided this item would be on a future workshop agenda.
#8 Briefing on Public Works Projects.
Ed Ford and Larry Dublin of Ford Engineering were present for the briefing.
The following items were discussed:
· The construction projects underway are all in good shape. The elevated tank is
coming along. There is still some work to do on the pump station.
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The Schertz/Seguin water line is coming through. Signs were posted regarding
the closures. Mr. Bierschwale, Asst. City Manager, said all the residents had
been notified. Mr. Marquez commented it's bothersome, but the project is of a
high priority.
The Wiederstein water main contract has been let.
· The Wiederstein/FM 3009 intersection will be bid on December 4th.
· Mr. Marquez asked ifLCRA has moved the fiber line and was told they have.
· The Lower Seguin water line is moving along. Arno Penshorn is working on the
IH- 10 south waterline.
· Regarding tank repainting, the Northcliffe tank is 80% complete. They will try to
work on others in the future.
· Now is the time to be bidding work They have had 3 low bids~
· They got the layout back for approval for the EMS/Fire sub-station. Mr. Marquez
stated they anticipate adding manpower, etc. in the future. Perhaps a kiosk will be
added for paying water bills.
· The Public Works complex moves along with the EMS/Fire sub-station. They're
going to fast track the bid in January. It is definitely a buyer's market.
· The Dietz Creek (FEMA project) is fast tracking Because of the FEMA
requirements, they anticipate having to malign East Dietz Creek. Mayor Baldwin
asked if the right-of-way will be on landfill property and was told it will be. Mr.
Bierschwale said the owners would have access. Mr. Ford pointed out the 100
year floodplain will align with the channel. Mayor Baldwin inquired if the 78
Dietz Creek will accommodate water and was told it will. Mr. Bierschwale
advised they have approached Cibolo and Guadalupe County about their share of
the project Mr. Wilenchik asked about Elbel Road and was told by Mr.
Bierschwale it will never be flooded again.
· Mr. Bierschwale said the Butler property will lose about 2 acres and Felix's will
lose about I acre. They are considering giving the City the drainage channel.
· There was no problem with Leon Jones's church donating and the school already
deeded the property.
· Mr. Bierschwale advised they will have to lower the gas main going to the City of
New Braunfels and they will have to adjust a few sewer lines with CCMA.
· Mr. Ford stated Felix's property is 100% in the floodplain and he can't build until
it's up out of the floodplain. Mr. Bierschwale noted the school parking lot would
no longer be in the floodplain.
· Mr. Dublin said they reviewed the funds and everything looks great.
· Mr. Bierschwale mentioned they need to talk about utility district fees regarding
storm water~
This concluded the Public Works Projects report.
#9 Discussion of nnmet capital needs, capital budgeting and management of the
interest and sinking fund.
Mr. Marquez stressed the unmet capital needs are significant. They need to see how to
meet those needs without a high tax rate. He had provided a chart in Council's packets
where the red areas show the current debt and the blue areas look at capacity. These are
based on the projected growth rate. They can see 5% growth in the next two to three
years. It is important to have flexibility. A critical point is that we set the cap on our I&S
rate not to exceed $. 10 and use (as needed) the available funding to meet existing capital
requirements.
They need to look at capital requirements for the next five years. Basic services are why
we are here. Projects include the EMS/Fire sub-station, the swimming pool, and the PID
project at FM 3009/IH-35, matching funds for the FEMA grant, equipment for the
library, EMS and Fire, vehicles for EMS, Building Services, Animal Control, CID, and
Inspection, a power riding broom and a slope mower. If they go with bonds, it is
estimated they won't have to pay on them until 2005.
Mr. Marquez said they are proposing a 5-year capital budgeting plan, which would be
reviewed and adjusted each year. The capital budgeting process would begin in April of
each year.
Mr. Marquez had outlined his plan in his memo to Council. He explained to Council this
is primarily for discussion. They do not need to act.
#10 RESOLUTION: Discussion and possible action on Reimbursement Resolution.
Mark McLiney of Southwest Securities was at the meeting for this presentation. He said
the Resolution is just a precaution. Conceptually all of this works and the first bond
payment wouldn't be until 2005. It is not a fast schedule. It could be speeded up or
slowed down.
Mr. Wilenchik asked what happens if they lay out this money and can't get the bond
issue passed. Mr. Marquez stated this is a Certificate of Obligation.
Mayor Baldwin expressed some concerns about the process. Mr. McLiney mentioned
that in the event there is reimbursement from FEMA, they could go with reimbursement.
The Resolution gives Council the flexibility to either reimburse or not. It could pay off
other bonds.
Mr. Marquez noted the project list would come back as an action item.
Mayor Baldwin introduced the Resolution and read the caption as follows:
RESOLUTION 02-R-14
A RESOLUTION RELATING TO ESTABLISHING THE CITY'S INTENTION
TO REIMBURSE ITSELF FOR THE PRIOR LAWFUL EXPENDITURE OF
FUNDS FROM THE PROCEEDS OF OBLIGATIONS TO BE ISSUED BY THE
CITY FOR AUTHORIZED PURPOSES; AUTHORIZING MATTERS INCIDENT
AND RELATED THERETO; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIE DATE.
Mrs. Agee _moved to approve the Reimbursement Resolution. Mr. Greenwald seconded
the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
Following the vote, Mr. Simonson asked if they would get another look at the project list
and was told they would.
Mrs. Agee verified the fact that approving the Resolution is irrelevant as to what they use
it for.
#11 Discussion of Quality of Life Bond lssue.
Mr. Marquez related Council had asked him to proceed on this. He already has a plan in
place. He is aiming toward an August election. He has already appointed staff members
who will appoint others to assist them.
Mr. Marquez went on to say he is proposing bonding authority (as room becomes
available on the I&S rate) spread over multiple projects. Among the things they are
looking at are a new library, a covered pool, tournament quality ballfields and a multi-
purpose center.
Mr. Simonson related that BVYA is very interested in participating. Mr. Wilenchik
asked what we do with a new library - he thought the library was tied in with the
Playscape. Mr. Marquez said they had discussed upgrading facilities. Mr. Wilenchik
then asked about hiking/jogging trails. Mr. Simonson answered those cost very little
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money. Mayor Baldwin suggested they see what the community wants before they make
all these decisions. The voters have to let us know what they will support.
Mr. Marquez suggested a Community Forum in June. Mrs. Agee thought he would want
a Fomn before that to get some grass roots support.
Mr. Marquez then asked for some names of individuals who may be interested in
participating. Among those suggested were Dickie Day, Ramon Cook, Robert
Brockman, Leon Jones, Will Brown, Bob Cantu and D.C. Morgan. Mayor Baldwin
suggested Council think about names and give them to Mr. Marquez.
Mr. Greenwald observed money would dictate some degree of timing
Mayor Baldwin thanked Mr. McLiney for his time.
#12 APPOINTMENT: Consider and take action on appointment of Schertz
Development Foundation Board member.
Mr. Simonson _moved to approve the appointment of Mark Marquez to the Schertz
Development Foundation Board. Mrs. Agee seconded the motion, which carried with the
following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
Mr. Marquez had told Council in his memo that if he were appointed to the Board, he
would name Amy Madison as the Executive Director.
#13 APPOINTMENTS: Consider and take action on appointment of City
Councilmembers to City Boards and Commissions as follows:
a. Liaison to the Schertz Library Board
b. 4-B Board Member.
Mr. Greenwald _moved to appoint Reginna Agee as Liaison to the Schertz Library Board
and Steve Simonson as a member of the 4-B Board. Mr. Wilenchik seconded the motion,
which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and Greenwald
NAYS: None.
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#14 Discussion and possible action regarding Bexar County Interlocal Agreement
for Fire Protection Services.
Mr. Marquez explained the changes from last year are a requirement to document training
(which we do anyway), a change in the term from January to December, and an increase
of $243.75 per month to $13,725 annually. He recommends approval.
Mr. Simonson Moved to approve the Interlocal Agreement with Bexar County for Fire
Protection Services. Mrs. Agee seconded the motion, which carried with the following
votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#15 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Called under Chapter 551 of the Texas Government
Code, Sub=Section 551.074, Personnel Matters, deliberation and possible interview of
candidates for appointment to fill the unexpired term for Place #1 on the City Council.
An Executive Session was held from 9:19 pm until 9:45 p.m.
#16 Action, if any, on above Executive Session.
Mr. Wilenchik moved to hold a special election versus appointing someone to fill the
unexpired term for Councilmember, Place #1. Two members have already been
appointed. It is in the interest of the voters to hold an election. Mrs. Agee seconded the
motion, which carded with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#17 Items by City Manager
General Announcements
Personnel Matters
Reported attending the Northcliffe HOA meeting and said discussions were mostly
positive.
Told Council they need to look at the December calendar and make a decision about
meetings. Mayor Baldwin commented it looks like the calendar gives them a nice long
Christmas break.
Hoped everyone noticed the article in the paper about the Teen Court.
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#18 Items by Council
General Announcements
Councilmember Simonson
Liaison to BVYA
Reiterated BVYA is very interested in the bond issue. They told him 65% of all their ball
players are 10 years of age or younger.
Councilmember Greenwald
4-B Board
Ex-officio Planning & Zoning Commission
Ex-officio Schertz/Seguin Local Government Corp.
Reported going to Northcliffe last night. All three chiefs were there, John Bierschwale
and City Inspector Leonard Truitt. They answered a lot of questions and the group
thanked them for good input. State Farm Insurance uses our zip code as a fire rating
source. Half of them up there are rated as Cibolo. Mayor Baldwin recommended they
contact the State Insurance Board.
Thanked Mr. Simonson for sitting in at the P & Z meeting last night.
Councilmember Agee
4-B Board
Liaison to Schertz Housing Authority
Mrs. Agee had nothing to report.
Councilmember Wilenchik
4-B Board
Liaison to Schertz Humane Society
Liaison to HOA Coalition
Announced the Humane Society is having a fund raiser (black tie and tails) on Saturday,
November 16, 2002, starting at 5:00 p.m. They're doing black tie and tails because it is a
national trend that black animals don't adopt out that well.
Stated he, Gail Douglas and Tony Wilson are going to the HOA meeting at Oak Trails.
#19 Items by Mayor
General Announcements
Mentioned he has to attend a funeral tomorrow and then has an appointment at Fort Sam,
so he won't make the Northeast Partnership meeting.
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#20 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the meeting at
10:00 p.m.
Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas
ATTEST:
City Secretary, City of Schertz, Texas
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