02-16-2016 MinutesMINUTES
SPECIAL TOWN HALL MEETING
February 16, 2016
A Special Town Hall Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, on
February 16, 2016, at 6:30 p.m., in the Community Center North, 3501 Morning Drive, Schertz,
Texas. The following members present to -wit: .
Mayor Pro -Tern Cedric Edwards
Councilmember Grumpy Azzoz
Councilmember Robin Thompson
Staff Present:
Executive Director Brian James
Executive Director Bob Cantu
City Secretary Brenda Dennis
Mayor Carpenter was out of town on business.
Councilmember Jim Fowler
Councilmember Daryl John
City Manager John Kessel
Executive Director Dudley Wait
City Attorney Clarissa Rodriguez
Deputy City Secretary Donna Schmoekel
Call to Order — City Council Special town Hall Meeting
Mayor Pro -Tem Edwards called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
Welcome and Introduction
• Mayor Michael Carpenter/Mayor Pro -Tem Cedric Edwards
Mayor Pro -Tem Edwards welcomed everyone and provided a brief overview of the evenings
proceedings and introducing the attending councilmembers, city manager and executive
directors.
Presentations regarding the specific topics:
• Infrastructure (Streets & Waterlines)
Mayor Pro-Tern Edwards recognized City Engineer Kathy Woodlee who provided
information on ongoing waterline improvements in Northcliffe as follows:
• Phase 1 - Waterlines Replaced, Streets Reconstructed (all done)
• Phase 2 - Waterlines Replaced (all done)
• Phase 3A - Waterline, Replacement in Design (30% done)
• Phase 3B - Waterline Replacement in Design (30% done)
City -Wide Street Improvements (maintenance and reconstruction) are usually funded with
bond revenues and include:
• Staff currently working on professional services contract for
Pavement Condition Index (PCI) Survey
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• Survey will be a basis for street improvement prioritization
• Street improvement projects to be identified during budget process for FY 2016 -2017
• The recently approved bond projects, including improvements to FM 1103 & FM 1518
Mayor Pro -Tem Edwards recognized Kathy Woodlee who provided the following info:
The November 2015 Bond Election authorized $2 million for FM 1103 improvements
including the Schertz portion (IH 35 to Old Wiederstein Road) and the Cibolo portion (Old
Wiederstein Road to Rodeo Way. City Staff has a meeting with TxDOT on February 29 and
TxDOT will hold a public meeting to present a preliminary plan. Further information will be
coming out in the near future.
The City has allocated Five million dollars for FM 1518 improvements (FM 78 to IH 10).
TxDOT is also contributing $5 million. TxDOT (on our behalf) also applied to the Alamo
Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) for additional federal funding of $9.5
million. Proposed design plans include intersection improvements by Hwy 78 & FM 1518 as
well as more traffic lanes on FM 1518. Public input is scheduled to start February 22, 2016.
You can participate online at www.alamoareampo.org/yourmove. Additionally, there are
several meetings scheduled at different locations in the area from February 23 to March 3.
Executive management and staff answered questions from residents and clarified information.
Mayor Pro -Tem Edwards recognized former Councilmember David Scagliola and wife Maria who
were in the audience.
Proposed development in the area, including the Homestead project at Schwab Road and IH-
35.
Mayor Pro-Tern Edwards recognized Director of Planning and Community Development Lesa
Wood who pointed out the current commercial and residential entities in the area on maps.
There are three proposed developments; 1) Cypress Point, 2) Parkland subdivision plus a
proposed park and school site, and 3) The Homestead Subdivision (formerly known as Nor -
Tex Farms). Ms. Wood pointed out each location on maps for the audience and summarized
the following proposal(s):
• 750 Single Family Residential Homes (232 lots currently being platted)
• 133 acres of land designated for Commercial/Multi- Family
• School site
City Park (14 acres)
• Townhomes
• Open space areas with multi - purpose walkway to provide links between park areas, open
space, neighborhoods, and the school site.
• Main Boulevard with tree lined streets and sidewalks.
Ms. Wood and Executive Directors Brian James and Dudley Wait answered various questions
from the residents.
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• Traffic and Code Enforcement issues.
Mayor Pro -Tern Edwards recognized Traffic Unit Supervisor and Patrol Officer A.J. Arriaga
who stated that along with the help of citizens, members of the TSAC committee,
Engineering, Public Works, and Planning they are able to concentrate on where the city's
traffic issues are at. Early last year they got a letter advising the city that in the Northcliffe
area there were problems with speeding, running stop signs, and parking problems. He stated
they have been out there with traffic units and also are utilizing a mechanism called a Speed
Spy that gives them data on what is going on. Moving violations are a major goal to address
but they have also now developed some courtesy traffic booklets that officers are starting to
give out to violators.
Mayor Pro -Tem Edwards recognized City Marshal Michael Harris who said they are the other
law enforcement unit in the city. They have three divisions, 1) Warrant Division, 2)
Environmental Health and Code Enforcement, and 3) Animal Services. He encouraged
citizens to contact them with any assistance regarding discarded large trash items, vehicles
obstructing right of ways, illegal dumping, and high grass /weeds. Animal Services can assist
with stray animals, animals running at large, or cruelty cases, as well as rabies control,
adoptions, and licenses and permits. He spoke about some outside adoption and rescue
organizations that they network with, the Trap, Neuter, and Release program and asked
anyone who wants to volunteer some time to the shelter to give them a call. Another thing
they do is fundraising for the needs and care of the animals.
Mayor Pro Tem Edwards asked if anyone had heard of the `hand free ordinance'. He asked
Police Chief Michael Hansen to come forward and say a few words about it. Chief Hansen
stated this was a hot topic of discussion at city council for a while last year. The city
ordinance prohibits a driver from talking or texting on their cell phone while driving unless
they can do so hands free. In the back at their table, they have some `holders' for their cell
phones that will work with most phones. He invited everyone to check it out.
City Hall Communications:
City Council will host a citizens' communication meeting to hear citizen issues and provide
general policy and factual information as to issues brought up by citizens. No action shall be
taken except to place an item on a future agenda as appropriate.
Mayor Pro -Tem Edwards asked all the councilmembers to come forward. He said these are
the councilmembers who represent you - -the residents. We are growing as a community. Hold
your elected officials to their task of representing you by speaking on your behalf. These
people are here to serve you.
Mayor Pro-Tem. Edwards asked City Manager John Kessel to come forward and say a few
words. Mr. Kessel stated if anyone had any more questions to please bring them forward.
Residents brought forth a few more questions related to getting a prompt response from city
personnel in regard to street repair due to broken waterlines, how to address the speeding in
their neighborhoods, Country Club Drive, construction damage by contractors on roads,
mowing of green areas, and surveying activity on FM 1103.
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As there were no more questions, Mayor Pro -Tem Edwards thanked the residents for coming and
participating and all the City Staff members for making this a successful meeting.
Adiournment
Mayor Pro -Tem Edwards adj ourned the meeting at 8: 00 p.m.
ric Edwards, Mayor Pro -Tem
ATTEST:
Brenda Dennis, City Secretary
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