ccwks 08-29-06
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Minutes
City Council
Workshop Session
August 29, 2006
The Schertz City Council convened in Workshop Session on Tuesday, August 29,2006
at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber Workshop, 1400 Schertz Parkway Building #4
Schertz, Texas. The following members were present: Mayor Baldwin presiding,
Council Members Jim Fowler, David L. Scagliola and Reginna Agee Tony Wilenchik
and Michael Carpenter. Also present were City Manager Don Taylor, Asst. City Manager
John Bierschwale, and Deputy City Secretary Mary Ybarra.
#1 CALL TO ORDER.
Mayor Baldwin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
#2 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
Sharon Penninlrton. Chamber President made the following report:
. Thanked the Mayor for speaking at Luncheon.
. Her family will be leaving Schertz; husband is being transferred next Spring.
. Schertz Business Showcase is scheduled Sept. 30th.
#3 Discussion on approving Schertz Seguin Local Government Corporation FY
2007 Budget.
Allen Cockrell, SSLGC General Manager presented the annual budget approved by the
Board of Directors at their last meeting. Covered the budget in detail and provided a
handout pertaining to account categories by percentages, detailing the total mid-year vs.
EOY (end of year) estimate comparisons. Council made some inquires on certain
percentage numbers, and was provided with an explanation. Council agreed to consider
this item at next Tuesday night's meeting.
#4 ORDINANCE: Discussion on fll'st reading of an ordinance providing that the
Code of Ordinances of the City of Schertz, Texas be amended by revising
Section 18-75, Maximum Limits in school zones (Green Valley Road).
Chief Starr explained that the Ordinance is being amended to include the newly added
crosswalk to school zone along Green Valley Road.
Council would be ready to consider this item at next Tuesday night's meeting.
#5 Budget Workshop
Council continued with the budget review from the last meeting of August 12,2006.
Workshop Session- 8-29-06
Mayor Baldwin pointed out that in his opinion there are several items within the budget
in need of clarif;~~hnn. One such item is the City pay plan. The budget shows
considerable increases in salaries, which he doesn't quite understand.
Assistant City Manager Bierschwale revisited the pay pian that covered such items as;
Exempt adjustments; Cost of living increase and 4% increase for the Fire and EMS
Departments, which he thought had been made available for Council review at last
meeting. At this time, he reminded Council of a meeting, appro"';~~'-ly a year ago
(August 1 0, 2005) where he got direction from Council to do adjustments to exempt
positions. Because of certain circumstances, these adjus--" were not made, and in
order for the City to stay competitive regarding salaries for non-exempt and exempt
positions, the adjustments were included in this budget year (2006-2007). The tape
covering the meeting of August 10, 2005 is available if Council would like to review it.
A review and exp]~~~';nn of the final phase pay plan adjustments was made, detailing
salary increases, changes to service grade, etc. A brief dis~'..;nn followed among
Council, with Councilmember Wilenchik stating that after careful consideration
regarding the pay plan, he believes it's not up to Council to decide salary increases or
promotions. That decision should be made by the City Manager. Council generally
approves the pay scale, wonnin,! document (number of positions), and the bottom line.
After discussion on several budget items, Mayor Baldwin stated that in his opinion the
budget needs to be cut 2% and believes the tax rate should be reduced. He believes
citizens who are paying the bills need a break. Just because the money is coming in,
does it need to be spent? After a brief discussion, it was det~;~-A that cuts would be
made as Council suggested. However, the question was raised; would the cuts hurt
services? Probably not! It was Council consensus to have budget revised to reflect the
2% cut and review the numbers before molt-in,! a final decision.
#6 Items by City Manager Taylor and Staff
General Announcements
. Assistant City Manager Bierschwale asked for Council input on selecting
colors for the new fire truck.
. City ~K?Mr- Taylor informed that the City Manager Association (CMA) is
holding <~_...1 meeting in San Antonio next week. Friday of that week, plan
is to have several City Managers tour Schertz City facilities.
#7
Items by Council
General Announcements
. . .
.,
CouncilmemberFow~r
. Had no comments.
Workshop c;"..;nn 8-29-06
Councilmember Fowler made an inquiry on the Parks and Recreation general fund
budget, regarding supplies (replacement equipment). He was advised that this particular
line item was included in the Park fund and would be discussed later on during the budget
process.
At this time, Dudley Wait, EMS Director went over the department budget. He covered
EMS revenues and expl.;np,l that additional revenue needs to be added ($21,000)
collected from surroH~,l;nr; cities serviced by Schertz EMS. He went on to explain other
revenue line items:
. Calculation of revenues
. Personnel cost to cover 24/7 shifts if ~__,l_,l
. Addition of fourth ambulance (if warranted)
. EMS Personnel regular and overtime salaries
. Medical supplies
. Utilities
. Advertising
. Operating supplies
. Professional services
. Contractual allowances (write-offs)
. Maintenance service
· Capital Equipment (2-ambulances, mini ambulance, computer analysis
equipment, etc.)
After a brief discussion, Council determ;np,l that several changes were necessary and
would like to review these number changes before final approval of the budget. Council
asked that Mr. Wait also provide justification on certain capital equipment.
Budget review continued covering the following funds:
. Drainage fund; sununary recap, expenditures and revenues.
. Hotel/Motel Tax-SHmm."Y on revenues and expenditures.
· Park Fund-sununary on revenues and expenditures.
. Recycling- revenues and expenditures.
. SED Corp- revenues and expenditures
. Capital Projects-community project bond; 2005 bond -public improvements and
2006 bond.
Councilmember Carpenter asked for clarification on certain line items regarding
Information Technology fund. He would like to opportunity to meet with IT staff to
discuss these items.
Assistant City M.""~Pf Bierschwale went over the Public Works budget and covered
several changes to certain line items in revenues and expenditures.
Workshop Session 8-29-06
Co '. ," ".' rnber Scagliola
. Asked if a date has been scheduled to discuss issues on Park and Recreation
and Tax Phase-In.
. TSAC meeting is scheduled for the first Thursday of the month and asked if
the Wynn Brook issue is scheduled for this meeting.
Co' ,",,, 'mber Agee
. Had no commpnts.
Mayor Pro Tern Wilenchik
· Had no comments.
Councilmember Carpenter
. Had no comments.
#8 Items by Mayor
· Mentioned having received a report of no water pressure in Belmont Park
Subdivision. He asked if he could get an update, so he could report to this
individual.
#9 ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Baldwin adjourned the meeting at 10: 40 p. m.
c2
l1al Baldwin, Mayor
ATTEST:
/J1tUJu ~ ~
Mart Ybafra, lYeputy City Secretary
Workshop Session 8-29-06