04-21-2015 MinutesMINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
April 21, 2015
A Regular Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, on April
21, 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 Daryl John
Staff Present:
Deputy City Manager John Bierschwale
Interim Executive Director Dudley Wait
City Attorney Charles Zech
Call to Order
Mayor Pro -Tem Cedric Edwards
Councilmember Grumpy Azzoz
Councilmember Robin Thompson
City Manager John Kessel
Executive Director Brian James
Chief of Staff Bob Cantu
Deputy City Secretary Donna Schmoekel
Mayor Carpenter called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
Invocation and Pledges of Allegiance to the Flags of the United States and the State of
Texas ( Councilmember Azzoz)
Councilmember Azzoz 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
• Announcements of upcoming City Events (J. Bierschwale /B. James)
Mayor Carpenter recognized Director of Development Services Brian James who
provided the following announcements:
• Friday, April 24, Chamber Grand Re- Opening for Hands N' Harmony; Whole Body
Wellness, 2041 Universal City, 3:00 p.m.
• Friday, April 24, Dog Park Ribbon Cutting, 3:00 -6:00 p.m.
• Friday, April 24, Schertz- Cibolo Lions Club Casino Night, 6:00 p.m., Civic Center.
Upcoming Events
• Thursday, May 7, Schertz Sweetheart Coronation, Civic Center, 5:30 p.m.
• Sunday, May 17, Schertz EMS Golf Tournament, Olympia Hills Golf Course.
• Sunday, May 24, EMS Banquet, Civic Center, 6:00 p.m.
• Announcements and recognitions by City Manager (J. Kessel)
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Mayor Carpenter recognized City Manager John Kessel who stated he wanted to
recognize a few employees from Public Works. A few months ago we applied for a
TERP Grant which lets you retire old equipment that is polluting the environment; if we
permanently disable it, we can be eligible for a reimbursement from the state. We
received $107,000 back from .the state. We can now reassign that money for other
purchases for more fleet equipment. Mr. Kessel named Jonathan Harshman, Cindy
Raleigh, Jennifer Jones, Jimmy Hooks, Larry Busch, Jr. and other folks in the Public
Works Department as contributors to attaining this reimbursement. With further research
they found that by trading in three of the pieces of equipment they could get more value
through a trade in. This was a very smart way of handling this matter and he commended
the public works staffers for their leadership and ingenuity.
Mayor Carpenter moved to the Hearing of Residents portion of the agenda next.
Hearing of Residents
Mayor Carpenter recognized the following who spoke:
Mr. Glen Outlaw, 3729 Forsyth Park, who spoke on the future operation of the senior
center. He believes the city realizes this is a very worthwhile program but understands
that they do not have the resources, staff or skills to operate it; making it an easy option
to engage a third party to run it. He thinks the decision to hire a third party should be an
economic one, making sure we get our money's worth.
Workshop Session
• Discussion regarding the Skate Park Phase II Project. (Item requested by Mayor
Pro -Tem Edwards) (B. James /C: VanZandt)
Mayor Carpenter recognized Executive Director Brian James who stated when we built the skate
park we received a $25,000 grant to help us and the city kicked in an additional funding amount,
resulting in about $140,000 to get the first phase up and running. The park opened last March.
He showed a picture of the design on the overhead screen. There are three more circles of
skating space that can be added. However, we haven't done the actual construction drawings for
the future phases. That would be the next step if we decide to proceed. Initially we probably
thought it would occur in three phases. The first phase is the least expensive. One of the next
steps is that the Parks Department will come in and add some extras such as a bench, water
fountain, a gazebo, picnic table, some trash cans, etc. They are starting to build this into their
current workload. They are planning to talk with the Parks Board and talk about the city budget
and what the members feel is needed and what our priorities should be.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Mayor Pro -Tem Edwards who stated he thinks the park is being
fully utilized all the time; in fact, there are kids using it from our surrounding areas (i.e,
Universal City, New Braunfels) who come to hang out with their friends in Schertz . He has
spoken to some of the youngsters and they are interested in the other phases being added to what
we have now. He is encouraged and wants to hear what the Parks Board has to say about the
budget as well.
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Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Azzoz who asked whether we have any hours of
operation posted and/or any security cameras. Mr. James stated we do not. In fact we are
waiting to see about the possible need to add lighting and then also post hours of operation at that
time. We have not had any problems so far, but once we grow the facility, we may want to
consider some camera installation options.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Fowler who sked if any of this is going to be put
into next year's budget. Mr. James said the Parks Board will need to tell us what the priorities
are and take this into consideration. We have been successful so far with the design -build
process. With this process you hire someone, tell them your budget, and they go out and do the
actual plan design and build it all in the same effort. If council is interested in doing this, staff
could probably go out and get a better feel for what we think the next phases will cost and
establish an order of magnitude.
Mayor Carpenter stated that unlike other skate parks that needed cameras, the skate community
here seems to be adept at being self - policing. The choices we made in building it are good ones
(i.e., sturdy materials) and it looks like it will hold up for a long time. He thinks the council
would like to see a few choices on what we might do in the upcoming budget year and then we
could have a discussion to see what options are available in securing private funding assistance.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Thompson who suggested that we engage the
opinions of some of the current skate park users by showing them the proposed design drawing
and ask them which of the three future circles they would like to see built first. Mr. James
concurred that this was a good idea.
Discussion and Action Items
Minutes - Consideration and /or action regarding the approval of the minutes of the
Regular Meeting of April 14, 2015. (J. Kessel/B. Dennis)
Mayor Carpenter recognized Mayor Pro -Tern Edwards who moved, seconded by
Councilmember Fowler to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 14, 2015.
The vote was unanimous with Mayor Pro -Tem Edwards, Councilmembers Fowler,
Azzoz, John and Thompson voting for and no one voting no. Motion Passed.
2. Resolution No. 15 -R -29 — Consideration and/or action approving a Resolution
Authorizing an Emergency Services Mutual Aid Agreement with Alamo Area Fire Chiefs
Association. (D. Wait/D. Covington)
The following was read into record:
RESOLUTION NO. 15 -R -29
A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ,
TEXAS AUTHORIZING AN EMERGENCY SERVICES MUTUAL AID
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AGREEMENT WITH ALAMO AREA FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION, AND
OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
Mayor Carpenter recognized Fire Chief David Covington who stated they have an
existing mutual aid agreement with the Alamo Area Chief's Association. Due to changes
in the state law we had to make those same changes in our agreement and we also
cleaned up some other language for clarification and continuity. Since it wasn't just a
normal renewal, they thought they needed to bring it back to council to approve.
According to the agreement, any time an agency /city decides not to respond, it is not an
obligation. However, in cases when there is an unusual fire or large structure fires, the
mutual aid agreements are great to have in place so that outlying area assistance is
available to us.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Mayor Pro -Tern Edwards who moved, seconded by
Councilmember Fowler to approve Resolution No. 15 -R -29. The vote was unanimous
with Mayor Pro -Tem Edwards, Councilmembers Fowler, Azzoz, John . and
Thompson voting for and no one voting no. Motion Passed.
Before proceeding to the next item on the agenda Mayor Carpenter recognized Mr.
Dwayne Robinson from Judge Nelson Wolffs office in Bexar County, who was in the
audience tonight.
3. Ordinance No. 15 -T -13 — Consideration and/or action approving an Ordinance authorizing
a Budget Adjustment to the Drainage Channel Maintenance Fund for Improvements to the
Laura Heights Drainage Channel — Downstream Section. First Reading (J. Bierschwale /L.
Busch)
The following was read into record:
ORDINANCE NO. 15 -T -13
AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ,
TEXAS AUTHORIZING A BUDGET ADJUSTMENT TO THE DRAINAGE
CHANNEL MAINTENANCE FUND FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LAURA
HEIGHTS DRAINAGE CHANNEL — DOWNSTREAM SECTION; REPEALING
ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT WITH THIS
ORDINANCE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
Mayor Carpenter recognized Storm Water Manager Larry Busch, Jr. who stated this is an
ongoing project, Phase III (final phase) of the Laura Heights Drainage Channel. The city
has funded the first two phases already. After talking with the Home Owners Association
(HOA), they were more than willing to participate so that Phase III could be completed.
As a result, they donated $25,000 to help finish it. Now we are looking at about $30,000
for the project. All that remains, is for us to do a budget adjustment to move that donation
from the HOA to the Drainage Channel Maintenance Fund to finish out this project.
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Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Fowler who moved, seconded by Mayor
Pro -Tem Edwards to approve Ordinance No. 15 -T -13 first reading. The vote was
unanimous with Mayor Pro -Tem Edwards, Councilmembers Fowler, Azzoz, John
and Thompson voting for and no one voting no. Motion Passed.
4. Resolution No. 15 -R -31 - Consideration and/or action approving a Resolution in Support
of House Bill 1415 introduced by Representative John Kuempel during the 84th Regular
Session of the Texas Legislature related to the establishment or use of cemeteries in certain
municipalities. (J. KesseI/D. Wait)
The following was read into record:
RESOLUTION NO. 15 -R -31
A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS
IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE BILL 1415 INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE
JOHN KUEMPEL DURING THE 84TH REGULAR SESSION OF THE TEXAS
LEGISTLATURE RELATED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OR USE OF
CEMETARIES IN CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES
Mayor Carpenter recognized Interim Executive Director Dudley Wait who stated in 2011
the city worked with Representative Kuempel and Senator Wentworth to introduce a bill
that would allow somebody in the City who had a desire to open a city cemetery could do
so. Currently, under state law, it is not allowed to start up a new cemetery within the city
limits of a municipality. Representative Kuempel's law was passed in 2011 and had a
sunset date of January 1, 2014. Since these plans did not materialize, now there is a desire
to reintroduce it. Representative Kuempel has reintroduced it this time without a sunset
date. It has made it through the House and has been introduced to the Senate. There has
been an approach to Senator Uresti to carry it through the Senate. With his tenure in the
Senate, he requested a resolution from the elected officials of the city showing that we
were indeed in support of a bill like this, and that is why we are here this evening.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Azzoz who asked where something like
this (a new cemetery) would be located. Mr. Wait stated it could be anywhere but one
place that was talked about was south of the air force base where it is mostly parkland
and where we can't build anything else to protect the base.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Azzoz who moved, seconded by
Councilmember John to approve Resolution No.. 15 -R -31. The vote was unanimous
with Mayor Pro -Tem Edwards, Councilmembers Fowler, Azzoz, John and
Thompson voting for and no one voting no. Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote Confirmation
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Mayor Carpenter recognized Deputy City Secretary Donna Schmoekel who recapped the
votes for agenda items 1 through 4.
Requests and Announcements
5. Announcements by City Manager
• Citizen Kudos
• Recognition of City employee actions
• New Departmental initiatives
No further announcements were provided.
6. Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers that items be placed on a future City
Council agenda.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Fowler who requested the following:
1) A work session to discuss considering a code amendment to require surveys of the
first floor foundation prior to issuing a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) of a new
residential home so that if at a later date there were concerns about foundation issues
this document would provide a basic level of information. After first going to the
Planning and Zoning Commission with this then a council work session could be
scheduled for council to discuss further.
2) A work session on the subject of the city participating in student internship programs.
3) An overview by Public Works Director Sam Willoughby of the road bond project
work we did as a result of the 2006 Bond Election, addressing what we did and how
we prioritized our work projects (i.e., Northcliffe roads like Tiffany Drive that did not
get completed due to running out of funding).
Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Azzoz who requested a general discussion
work session regarding Section 4.07A of the city charter.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Thompson who requested an update on the
Amazon incentive package (tax abatements) and benchmarks, in particular, with regard to
the number of employees (full time /part-time) it has on board. It was agreed to put this
on the agenda for further discussion in a couple of weeks.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Azzoz who requested an update on the
Employee Classification and Compensation Study currently in progress and being
conducted by Evergreen Solutions. This item is to be placed on the agenda in a few
weeks for discussion.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Mayor Pro -Tern Edwards who requested we prepare a
proclamation for local business Schertz Bank and Trust for being in business over 65
years. He also asked for a proclamation thanking all the outside organizations and groups
that helped with the recent re- dedication of Gutierrez Park.
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7. Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers to City Manager and Staff for information.
None requested.
8. 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 Mayor Pro-Tern. Edwards who asked the rest of the
councilmembers to avail themselves to write letters of recommendation for our local high
school seniors. There are a lot of families sending their kids off to college in a few
months and the kids are needing these letters for attaining acceptance into college. He
also stated that at the recent re- dedication of the Gutierrez Park there were a lot of clubs
in attendance (Lions, Leo's, Key Club, Art Club) who were all volunteers. He suggested
we do something for them; kudos, on public record, letting them know that what they are
doing in the community is good.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Fowler who stated the Schertz Chamber
luncheon today was excellent and it was nice to see all of the non -profit organizations
who were there participating.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Azzoz who stated he enjoyed the tour last
Friday of Amazon.com and seeing all the state -of -the -art technology they use. He also
complimented the Schertz Chief of Police and his department staff members in regard to
their frequent presence patrolling the community and keeping everyone safe.
Mayor Carpenter recognized Councilmember Thompson who thanked Park Manager
Chuck VanZandt of the Parks and Recreation Department in regard to the care of the
Gutierrez Park as well as a thank you to the Gutierrez family for providing lunch for
everyone who attended the park's re- dedication on Sunday, April 19.
Mayor Carpenter stated the local HEB had their grand re- opening at 9:30 a.m. on Friday,
April 17. They did a fine job and are good partners here in our community.
Adi ournment
As there was no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p. .
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Michael R. Carpenter, Mayor
ATTEST:
Donna Schmoekel, Deputy City Secretary
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