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01-27-2015 MinutesMINUTES REGULAR MEETING January 27, 2015 A Regular Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, on January 27, 2015, at 6:00 p.m., in the Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex Council Chambers, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Building #4, Schertz, Texas. The following members present to -wit: Mayor Michael Carpenter Councilmember Jim Fowler Councilmember Cedric Edwards Staff Present: Deputy City Manager John Bierschwale Chief of Staff Bob Cantu City Secretary Brenda Dennis Call to Order Mayor Pro -Tern Daryl John Councilmember Grumpy Azzoz Councilmember Robin Thompson City Manager John Kessel Executive Director Brian James City Attorney Charles Zech Deputy City Secretary Donna Schmoekel Mayor Carpenter called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Invocation and Pledges of Allegiance to the Flags of the United States and the State of Texas ( Councilmember Edwards) Councilmember Edwards provided the invocation followed by the Pledges of Allegiance to the Flags of the United States and the State of Texas. Mayor Carpenter moved to the Hearing of Residents section on the agenda. Hearinjj of Residents Ms. Maggie Titterington, Chamber President who provided updated information regarding the upcoming Chamber Events: - Wednesday, January 28, 2015, Biz Ed — Doing Business in Schertz, 7:30 a.m. Schertz Chamber Offices. - Saturday, January 31, 2015, Health & Wholeness Fair, Sponsored by the Baptist Emergency Hospital, Schertz Civic Center 11:00 a.m. - Thursday, February 5, 2015, Ribbon Cutting at RockStar's Place, 1248 FM 78, 3:00 p.m. - HEB is starting to open up all their different shops within HEB. Mia's Mirror in HEB Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting will be Friday February 6, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. She stated that HEB will be hosting several soft openings of their other shops and the Chamber will be sending out notifications. 1 -27 -2015 Minutes Page - 1 - Ms. Titterington also stated that she has been contacted by several businesses regarding the Grackle (bird) problem. She stated that HEB has spent $20,000 trying to get rid of the grackles in the parking lot. She stated that this is a sanitation issue and she is not sure what the City can do to assist. She wasn't sure if the City had a policy in dealing with this issue or what can be done. Mayor Carpenter stated that since the Council can respond with factual information the city in the past allowed the use of explosive materials for the dispersion of the birds. Mayor Carpenter stated they could visit with Marshal Harris or Mr. Bierschwale on this issue. • Mr. David Richmond, 2921 Bent Tree, who came forward, extending a thank you to the City, particularly the Public Works Department for the recent completion of a sidewalk section in his neighborhood. He stated that when his subdivision, Greenshire, was developed back in the 80's a section of sidewalk was not put in by the developer at that time, but as the neighborhood has grown to completion, this section on the west side of Woodland Oaks Drive between the Woodland Oaks bridge and Bent Tree Drive, forces many walkers to walk out in the street. Mr. Richmond stated that at their last meeting several residents spoke up regarding their appreciation of completing the section of sidewalk. Mayor Carpenter moved to the discussion and action items of the agenda. Discussion and Action Items 1. Minutes - Consideration and/or action regarding the approval of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 20, 2015. (J. Kessel/B. Dennis) Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Edwards who moved, seconded by Councilmember Fowler to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 20, 2015. The vote was unanimous, with Mayor Pro -Tem John, Councilmembers Fowler, Azzoz, Edwards, and Thompson voting for, no one voting no. Motion passed. 2. Resolution No. 15 -R -08 — Consideration and/or action approving a Resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a professional services agreement with Evergreen Solutions to conduct a city staff classification and compensation study and authorizing a contingency amount. (J. Kessel/J. Smith) The following was read into record: RESOLUTION NO. 15 -R -08 A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH 1 -27 -2015 Minutes Page - 2 - EVERGREEN SOLUTIONS TO CONDUCT A CITY STAFF CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION STUDY AND AUTHORIZING A CONTINGENCY AMOUNT Mayor Carpenter recognized Human Resource Director Josh Smith who introduced this item stating the Schertz City Council identified a Classification and Compensation Study for City employees as a top priority in the City's budget process. The City of Schertz is proposing to conduct a complete classification and compensation study in attempts to stay competitive within the competing labor market, to remain fair and equitable, to properly classify employee positions, and to retain productive employees long -term. As the City prepares to reach the 50,000 population figure, it is recognized that proper staffing levels and staff knowledge, skills, and abilities are two of the most significant factors in determining our future success. It is also recognized that 100% of our service delivery comes from our staff. This study will help prepare both an immediate set of recommendations and develop a longer teen, five year strategy to positively impact our current staff and to ensure our future success. Mr. Smith stated the City of Schertz has not conducted a complete compensation study in approximately 10 years. In 2011, a partial compensation study was conducted internally and neither it nor the 2004 study included a classification update. The City Council budgeted $85,000 to conduct the Classification and Compensation Study. Additionally, the City Council has budgeted $300,000 for an initial implementation of the study, recognizing that additional implementation funds may be required. The City released an RFQ in search for a 3rd party provider to conduct a classification and compensation study. The City received eight bid proposals from various vendors. A panel of six City staff reviewed the proposals and, through a scoring system, selected three finalists to interview. After the interviews were conducted, the panel, utilizing the same scoring system, has recommended Evergreen Solutions as the most qualified respondent. Mr. Smith provided the following goals that were set out during this process: 1. Properly classify positions in the City to reflect actual knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as the essential duties of each position. 2. To have competitive compensation within Schertz's competing labor market and benchmark cities. 3. To promote internal and external compensation equity. To foster productive employees, in part, through a fair and balanced compensation system. 1 -27 -2015 Minutes Page - 3 - Mr. Smith and City Manager John Kessel addressed questions from Council. Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Edwards who moved, seconded by Councilmember Thompson to approve Resolution No. 15 -R -08. The vote was unanimous, with Mayor Pro -Tem John, Councilmembers Fowler, Azzoz, Edwards, and Thompson voting for, no one voting no. Motion passed. Mayor Carpenter moved back to the presentation section of the agenda. Presentations Presentationibriefmg and update regarding the 2015 Hal Baldwin Scholarship Committee. (B. Cantu/P. Horan) Mayor Carpenter recognized Chief of Staff Bob Cantu who came forward stating that this evening the Hal Baldwin Scholarship Committee met and has agreed and decided on the essay questions that they will be asking and will be drawing up a draft and sending it back to the committee for approval. Mr. Cantu recognized and thanked Ms. Patty Horan who assisted in facilitating their meeting. Mayor Carpenter moved back to the City Events and Announcement section of the agenda. City Events and Announcements • Announcements of upcoming City Events (J. Bierschwale/B. James) Mayor Carpenter recognized Deputy City Manager John Bierschwale who provided the following announcements: • Saturday, January 31, 2015, Schertz Chamber of Commerce Health and Wholeness Fair hosted by the City of Schertz, the Chamber of Commerce and the Baptist Emergency Hospital, Civic Center 11:00 a.m. Mr. Bierschwale also stated that CCMA has filed their permit for the South Schertz Plant. He announced that CCMA will close on the last track of land they spoke about last week. • Announcements and recognitions by City Manager (J. Kessel) Mayor Carpenter recognized City Manager John Kessel who recognized City Secretary Brenda Dennis and Deputy City Secretary Donna Schmoekel thanking them for their recent attendance at several meetings during the past week and covering for each other. Roll Call Vote Confirmation Deputy City Secretary Donna Schmoekel provided the roll call vote information for agenda items 1 and 2. 1 -27 -2015 Minutes Page - 4 - Requests and Announcements Announcements by City Manager • Citizen Kudos • Recognition of City employee actions • New Departmental initiatives No further announcements. 4. Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers that items be placed on a future City Council agenda. No items requested. Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers to City Manager and Staff for information. Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Edwards who stated that they have talked about their profiles that they all did recently and was wondering if his fellow colleagues Councilmember Thompson and Councilmember Azzoz had taken their profile assessment. City Manager John Kessel stated that he would make sure that they have received the information and have taken the assessment. Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Fowler who stated he had received a call regarding the intersection of Schertz Parkway and Woodland Oaks. The complaint is that individuals coming out of Woodland Oaks are trying to get on Schertz Parkway; you have a single lane road and some individuals want to turn left while others want to turn right. Those wanting to turn right are getting caught in a long line of traffic. He is requesting staff take a look at this intersection and see if it is possible to widen the road. 6. 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 Carpenter recognized Councilmember Fowler who stated last week he held his first meeting with eight (8) pastors to discuss and come up with how we can work together to help seniors who need small repairs or other small projects done, but they are unable to do so. Councilmember Fowler stated that the first meeting had a great outcome and resulted in good ideas. He stated they are looking at putting a mission statement and goals together and will be meeting next month to go over these. He thanked the City and General Services for providing the room and refreshments. 1 -27 -2015 Minutes Page - 5 - Mayor Carpenter stated that the Mayor's Task Force and Community Involvement future planning held their second meeting this past weekend. He stated they are making some very interesting and fast progress in looking at all the projects the city might consider in the near term and some more in the long term. They also discussed community involvement and how to get others involved in the city as we seem to have the same citizens getting involved that are already on various boards and committees. Mayor Carpenter also stated that the Mayors of the Northeast Partnership held a special meeting last week and were briefed by Chris Young with Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP, regarding a number of proposed legislative bills that would directly impact our cities. Mayor Carpenter stated that they will be having a group meeting with the Guadalupe County Mayor's Association and get with them and go up to Austin as a group to speak to our legislature representatives. Executive Session Mayor Carpenter adjourned the regular session at 6:36 p.m. into executive session. Councilmember Edwards left the meeting. 7. City Council will meet in closed session under section 551.074 Evaluation of the City Secretary and Deputy City Secretary. Reconvene into Regular Session Mayor Carpenter reconvened into regular session at 7:36 p.m. 7a. Take any necessary action based on discussions held in closed session under Agenda Item number 7. No action taken. Adiournment Meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m. ichael R. Carpenter, Mayor 7T: Bren a Dennis, City Secretary 1 -27 -2015 Minutes Page - 6 -