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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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