08-29-2017 MinutesMINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
August 29, 2017
A Regular Meeting was held by the Main Street Committee of the City of Schertz, Texas, on August
29, 2017, at 8:32 p.m. immediately following the Regular Council Meeting at the Hal Baldwin
Municipal Complex Council Chambers Conference Room located at 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz,
Texas. The following members present to -wit:
Members Present:
Mayor Pro -Ter Cedric Edwards
Councilmember Scott Larson
Staff Present:
Executive Director Brian James
Deputy City Secretary Donna Schmoekel
Call to Order
Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 8:32 p.m.
Discussion and action items:
Mayor Michael Carpenter
Councilmember Mark Davis
City Manager John Kessel
Executive Director Dudley Wait
1. Approval of the minutes of the meeting of July 11, 2017. (Chair Davis)
Members did not address this item.
2. Discuss property that could most easily be redeveloped. (B. James)
Members did not address this item.
3. Discuss Main Street improvement costs and funding sources. (B. James)
Chair Davis said they need to think about what funding do we have available, what other
money would be accessible and what do we want to do with it. Also, what could EDC assist
with in regard to business infrastructure and improvements (i.e., parking lots and lighting)?
They had also previously discussed what type of structures would draw people into this area,
such as monument signs. Staff was asked to go back and address Main Street and find out
what other pots of money are available in addition to what money is left over from the bond.
Problems to resolve are parking issues and accessibility (i.e. non - compliant sidewalks). They
want to work on getting a complete list of what we need/want, and how do they all rack and
stack among each other (within the available funding).
In order to entice folks to come down to Main Street, we will need more than just paved
parking lots and marquee signs. What can we do to incentivize someone to come in the area
and open something up and stay open later in the evenings?
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Executive Director Brian James passed out a one -page handout listing some things they had
previously talked about and said they would like to get done, such as parking lot
improvements, monuments, sidewalks, decorative lighting, bump outs at street intersections,
ornamental benches, trash cans and street work. The idea was to prioritize them. His question
to the members was, do we do one side of the street first, then the other, or both sides
simultaneously? They also had talked about wanting to do a new seal coat on the road to give
it a cleaner, fresher look.
Mayor Pro -Tern Edwards cautioned the group that they should be careful about what type of
incentives we provide for business growth. He gave an example of downtown Cibolo where a
bar was opened and while it draws a crowd, there are other associated negatives such as loud
noises, trash, late hours, etc. Mayor Carpenter brought up that having late hour businesses
does create a draw for customers. Therefore, there are pluses and minuses.
Mr. James expanded on explaining the placing of decorative lighting and what type of lighting
to utilize (gas /electric) and putting in the infrastructure for that. A consideration is also
something that will be pretty maintenance /vandalism free. He suggested nine poles on each
side for a total of 18 with the possibility of adding more later if needed.
In regard to other funding sources, EDC has the ability to assist on infrastructure so they are
going to do some more research to see if that could be possible with some parking lot
improvements. A question was asked in regard to HOT Tax —that we can't do, as they must
be used specifically for `art festivals and events.'
Chair Davis asked if their priority should be first filling in where there are no sidewalks and
taking care of the inaccessibility issues at the intersections versus taking the existing
sidewalks out that are noncompliant and replacing them.
Mr. James said a big goal is to do things that will draw people into the neighborhood. They
have to activate this area with `events'.
Mr. James announced that he has heard from the Texas Railroad Museum in San Antonio and
they are trying to connect us with a company who can come out and move and restore the old
Riedel train/caboose located off of FM 78. The representative has agreed to meet with us on a
Thursday and show us two of them that they have already restored. Members discussed if they
could get the caboose, where would they place it? The corner lot by Contreras Flower Shop
was discussed. Mr. James said he would be actually speaking with the owner soon and would
bring the subject of the property up.
Members briefly discussed what kind of festivals to have and speculated on the possible
future location for the caboose and associated eclectic mismatched, mid- century -modern
themes and the possible park/festival site(s).
ADJOURNMENT:
As there was no further business, Chair Davis adjourned the meeting at 9:08 p.m.
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l
ell e �-
Councilmember Mark Davis, Chair
ATTEST:
Donna Schmoekel, Deputy City Secretary
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