2017-2 Remembrances Special Edition revised1
City of Schertz
Remembrances Special Edition Article 2017-2
Presented by: Schertz Historical Preservation Committee
Schertz in the Millennium Decade –Growth and Diversification
The first decade of the 21st Century witnessed many memorable and significant events to
include: the election of George W. Bush as the nation’s 43rd president (2001-2009); the
millennium computer virus scare; American successes at the summer Olympics (2000); Al
Queda attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon (2001); hurricanes Katrina (2005)
and Ike (2008) struck the Texas Gulf Coast; and, Barack Obama was elected as America’s first
African American president (2008). Locally, the decade saw the City of Schertz become, in the
words of then Councilman Michael Carpenter, “the envy” of those neighboring southcentral
Texas communities dependent on the Edwards Aquifer for their water source. Councilman
Carpenter’s comment referred to Schertz having landed the rights to water supply from the
Gonzales County Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer and development of the Schertz Seguin Local
Government Corporation (SSLGC). Adding to that sense of envy might have been the naming
of Schertz, by Money Magazine, as “Best Small Texas Town in Texas to Live In” (2007 & 2009).
The magazine also labeled the City its “40th and 39th, respectively, “Best Small Town to Live In”
throughout the United State.
If asked, today’s City “old timers” would respond to a question about the city’s transition over
the decades with the often heard adage “my how times have changed.” Changed they have,
since the City became incorporated (1958) until the end of the first decade of the 21st century.
As earlier reported, in REMEMBRANCES Special Edition 2014-1, it was in early 1960, before an
Air Force audience, that Dr. Richard (then Mayor of Schertz) told the audience that as the
decade of the 1960s began:
, “…Our (City) tax assessment at present is $1,250,000 which gives us roughly $12,500 in
tax money. So you can readily see that we could never finance a sewer system under
the present evaluations.”
Evidence of how significantly ‘times had changed’ is found in comments made by City Manager
Don Taylor to City Council on August 11, 2009 that reported property evaluations for the year
(2009) were at $2,264,679,940 which represented a six percent rise from the previous year.
The 1960 City population was 2,281 and by the year 2000 the population numbers had reached
18,694. Between year 2000 and 2010 the population had grown by 63 percent reaching 31,468
and the City boundaries had expanded exponentially (as graphically displayed in
REMEMBRANCES 214-1). The economic impact of such growth allowed medium household
income to rise over the decade from $55,156.00 to $69,659.00. There were 3,200 new jobs
added within the City from the introduction of new business to the area such as the Caterpillar
manufacturing plant and relocation of Sysco Foods Headquarters.1
1 Schertz Gateway Plan, July 16, 2012, p. 19
2
Most observers of the first decade of the 21st century’s history would put the resolution of the
City’s water supply as it’s most pressing and immediate concern. The City experienced severe
drought conditions in early 2000 which prompted City Council to issue Ordinance No. 00-F-6
which produced the Drought Contingency Plan for Wholesale Customers and City of Schertz
Public Water Supply. Mayor Baldwin reassured Council that the alternate water supply system
(Carrizo Springs) would provide a fifty year supply of water for approximately 50,000 people.2
Ken Greenwald, City Council’s representative on the SSLGC Board, and accompanying City staff,
informed Council that the Carrizo Aquifer ran from Arkansas to Mexico and had more water
than all the surface water in Texas.3 On June 6, 2000, City Council authorized the use of
eminent domain proceedings in conjunction with SSLGC activity to assure placement of water
lines, wells and pumping stations.4 Multiple eminent domain actions followed in Gonzales and
Guadalupe Counties in pursuit of acquisition of waterline right-of-ways and temporary
construction easements.5 On October 24, 2001, Council approved the purchase of a 1.5 million
gallon water storage tank at a cost of $1,490,000. On March 15, 2005, Mr. Greenwald advised
Council that SSLGC had acquired 2,500 acres in conjunction with the Carrizo Springs water
supply project. On February 7, 2006, Ramon Cook, President of SSLGC, reported that the
project was supplying eight million gallons of water to cities across 55 miles of pipelines. Cook
reported that 7,600 acres of land had been purchased or leased in Gonzales County and that
the Corporation was then servicing 2,002 customers in Seguin and 2,015 customers in Schertz.
Cook further advised that the Corporation was continuing work on more wells, pumps and land
acquisitions.6 Eventually, other cities neighboring Schertz were added to the water distribution
project. By 2010, the City of Schertz was well positioned with water availability thanks to the
work of several City leaders as noted above.
Annexation and rezoning actions occupied important places in the development of the City
during the decade. Annexations and ETJ adjustments were not as pervasive as they had been in
the 1980s and 1990s but as the below chart demonstrates they did produce a consolidation of
pockets of territory previously outside the City’s boundaries.
DATE OF RESOLUTION ACERAGE LOCATION
April 4, 2000 16.6 Comal County
December 4,2001 Multiple Guadalupe Co. (Northcliff & Scenic
Hills)
August 19, 2003 1.345 Comal Co.
September 7, 2004 37.4 Guadalupe Co.(Northcliff)
September 7, 2004 14.3 Guadalupe Co. (Old Wiederstein
Rd.)
2 Schertz City Council Meeting, May 16, 2000
3 Schertz City Council Meeting, March, 27, 2002
4 Schertz City Council Meeting, June 6, 2000
5 Schertz City Council Meeting, December 4, 2001
6 Schertz City Council Meeting, February 7, 2006
3
September 7, 2004 119.44 Guadalupe Co. (Maske Rd. & FM
1518
September 7, 2004 216.77 Comal Co. (FM 482/FM 2252)
September 7, 2004 225.40 Comal Co. (FM 482/IH 35)
July 31, 2007 194,56 Guadalupe Co. (Eckard & Faboese
Roads)
July 31, 2007 35.874 Guadalupe Co. (FM 1518 & Schaefer
Rd.)
December 1, 2009 (Proposed) 186,55
310 +or-
Guadalupe Co. (Cresent Bend)
(CCMA land)
The year 2006 witnessed the introduction, by then Mayor Hal Baldwin, of discussions regarding
the need for a “town center” village concept within the central city area where old historic
homes could be placed for business use.7 The movement and restoration of the historic Kramer
farm house was an initial step toward the proposal.8 In October 2006, the Council established
the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee (SHPC) as a body to work toward preserving the
City’s historical elements.9 Expectations of a “town center” village concept never materialized,
but the SHPC has survived, although with an alteration of its original mission of establishing a
Schertz history museum. In June 2008, the Randolph Realty Office Building was dedicated as a
Schertz Historic Landmark Property. In November 2008, the Committee produced its first book
on the history of the City titled: Schertz, Texas – The Story of Great Ancestry, Legacy and
Development. In March 2009, the 1916 Schertz Community Hospital Building was dedicated as
an Historic Landmark property. Subsequently, two additional books pertaining to the history of
Schertz and its ETJ development were published.
The October 1998 flooding showed the need for better water diversion outlets throughout the
City. The major initiative to assist in curtailing the effects of flooding was to widen Dietz Creek.
In December 2000 the Council voted to establish a program for comprehensive emergency
management and approved adding positions of an Emergency Management Director and a
coordinator position. The July 28, 2001 Strategic Planning Session focused on storm water
runoff. The goal was set for establishing a West Dietz and inter-city drainage plan, to which
FEMA was to contribute $3 million and the City $1 million. Flooding along Cibolo Creek in July of
2002 again brought the need for improved drainage to the forefront. In April of 2003, Council
adopted the Municipal Drainage Utility System that made drainage for the City a public utility
with charges for services adopted.10 By July 2003, City Manager Marquez presented an
estimate to Council of $20 million for street repair and drainage. In June 2004, the Council
authorized issuance of Certificates of Obligation which in part dealt with drainage projects. In
May 2006, Schertz citizens passed a bond issue that among other things provided for drainage
improvement initiatives. In January 2009, the opening of a new low water crossing along
Aviation Road assisted with the flow of flood waters away from central Schertz
7 Schertz City Council Meeting, March 8, 2006
8 Schertz City Council Meeting, March 8, 2006
9 Schertz City Council Meeting, October 24, 2006
10 Schertz City Council Meeting, April 15, 2003
4
neighborhoods.11 Much work was done during the remainder of the decade to complete the
drainage projects. By decades end the City drainage problems were much improved.
Business expansion and residential growth prospered during the decade. This growth was most
evident by the recurring zoning change issues that arose for Council action as well as the many
tax abatement requests that were handled each year.
There were many quality of life initiatives and City infrastructure improvements undertaken
during the decade. Projects like opening of an addition to the animal shelter, introduction of
the San Antonio Youth Soccer Institute into the community, opening of a new public library and
Crescent Bend Park, opening of new City Council/maintenance/administration buildings, and
widening of Schertz Parkway, all allowed for better public services. Beyond these more obvious
developments were the hundreds of year-by-year actions by City Council dealing with such
matters as: City board appointments; City personnel actions; contract awards; zoning
adjustments; road repairs; budget decisions; franchise agreements; City ordinance issuance;
Unified Development Code (UDC) revisions; and, many more issues.
All of these achievements and many more throughout the decade were the result of efforts by
a dedicated City staff and the management expertise of a very loyal and hard working group of
City Council members and City Managers. The men and women who served the Council during
the decade included the following: Pia Jarman, Joe Potempa, Reginna Agee, Glyn D. Williams,
Ken Greenwald, Hal Baldwin (Mayor), Kerry Sweat (City Manager), Norma Head, Steve
Simonson (Acting City Manager & Council), Dewey P. Cashwell, Jr. (City Manager), Timothy G.
Swinney, Betty R. Pitts, Tony Wilenchik, Mark Marques (City Manager & Council), Billy Pitts, Carl
Douglas, John Bierschwale (interim City Manager), Michael R. Carpenter, Don Taylor (City
Manager),Jim Fawler, and David Scagliola.
The millennium decade was a period of important accomplishments for the City of Schertz.
Many of the plans and policies established will be seen to benefit the community for years to
come. Those responsible for the successes of the decade extend beyond the governmental
representatives and include the hundreds of volunteer citizens who gave of their time and
talents to work on City commissions, committees, and events. The end of the decade offers
promising prospects for an even better and more prosperous Schertz.
11 Schertz City Council Meeting, January 13, 2009