02-04-2003 Schertz City Council - Regular Session
Tuesday, February 4, 2003
The Schertz City Council convened in regular session on Tuesday, February 4, 2003 at
7:00pm in the Municipal Complex Council Chambers, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz,
Texas. The following members were present: Mayor Hal Baldwin, presiding, council
members Steve Simonson, Reginna Agee, Tony Wilenchik 'and Ken Greenwald. Staff'
members present were City Manager Mark Marqnez and Deputy City Secretary Mary
Ybarra.
Mayor Baldwin welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. He asked for
everyone to rise and join him in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
At this time he introduced several distinguished guests, GVEC representatives, Marcus
Pridgeon, General Manager, Lou Borgfeld, President, Tom Dekunder, Board member,
County Commissioner Jim Wolverton, and several government students fi'om Samuel
Clemens High School.
#1 CANVASSING OF ELECTION RETURNS: Consider and take action on
Ordinance regarding canvassing of election returns for Special Election of February
1, 2003, and declaring an emergency.
Mayor Baldwin introduced an ordinance and read the caption as fbllows
ORDINANCE 03-E-04
AN ORDINANCE BY TItE CITY COUNCIL OF TIlE CITY OF SCItERTZ,
TEXAS CANVASSING TIlE RETURNS AND DECLARING TIlE RESULTS OF
TIlE CITY SPECIAL ELECTION ltELD IN SAID CITY ON TttE FIRST DAY
OF FEBRUARY 2003, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Mayor Baldwin read the official election returns provided by Guadalupe Elections
Administrator.
POSTION CANDIDATE VOTES
Councilmember Place 1 Jerry D. Graham 62
Councilmember Place 1 Nancy Brice Jones 76
Councilmember Place I Carl C. Douglas 223
Counci[member Place 1 George E. Mower 69
Councilmember Place I Abbie L. Brown 35
The results show Carl C. Douglas the elected official to Place 1.
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Councilmember Greenwald moved to approve the ordinance canvassing returns of said
special election, February 1, 2003, and declaring Carl C. Douglas elected to P'lace 1.
Councilmember Agee seconded the motion, which fbllowed with the tbllowing votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik 'and Greenwald.
NAY: None.
#2 SWEARING-IN OF ELECTED OFFICIAL
At this time Mayor Baldwin introduced Carl Douglas, newest member of council.
At this time, Mayor Baldwin swore in Mr. Carl Douglas as elected official to Place 1, and
asked him to take his seat with council. Mayor Baldwin presented him with a City of
Schertz pin, expressed congratulations and welcomed him.
#3 Introduction of new Public Works Employees
Public Works Director Sam Wiloughby introduced new employees to the Public Works
force- Cynthia Raleigh, Administrative Assistant, Jeremy Thornhill- SM1, Carl Quast-
SM1, and Isidro Arriaga-SMl. He informed council he believes the Public Works force is
excellent and will continue to be so. The Council welcomed them aboard.
#4 Hearing of Residents:
Robert Broelanan, 4505 Grand Forest made the following comments.
Would have liked the results of the Special Election posted, preferably at the poll
place.
· Commented how sharp looking the new Parks/Recreation unifbrms were. So sharp he
is thinking of joining up, just to get a uniform.
· Voiced concern that the School District has not informed the City of Schertz on
placement of crosswalk on Elbel Road crossing over to the tennis court area. He's a
bit upset the matter hasn't been resolved. His concerns are that someone is going to
get injured or possibly killed. Mr. Marquez advised that talks with school district are
on hold temporarily, but will talk to them again.
· Reiterated, as he has many times. "Schertz is a great place to live". He is finding it
more difficult to find fault with the city.
#5 Presentation of Franchise check by Marcus Pridgeon, General Manager and
CEO, Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative.
Marcus Pridgeon introduced some people with him-Lou Borgfeld, Chairman of the
Board, Dr. Tom Dekunder, Board member and Lindsey Direct out of the Gonzales office.
He presented a quarterly check to the City in the amount of $49,001.39, making the total
for the year 2002- $216,384.19. Mr. Pridgeon remarked it's always a pleasure to serve
Schcrtz and asked if coancil had any questions or comments.
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Mark Marquez stated he had only one comment, in the short time he has been with the
city, Mr. Scan Alvarez, representative for the area 'has done an excellent job. He is
cooperative, bends where he can and works with the city. He is very appreciative,
because it makes his job much easier.
#6 ORDIANCE: Consider and take action on final reading of Ordinance
regarding changes to thc Unified Development Code (UDC), Article IV, Permissible
Uses, Section 5, Land Uses, General Business (GB) and Section 5, Land Uses,
Manufacturing District (M-I).
Mayor Baldwin introduced an ordinance and read the caption as follows
ORDINANCE 03-S-05
AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ,
TEXAS PROVIDING THAT THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE (UDC) OF
THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS BE AMENDED BY REVISING ARTICLE IV,
PERMISSIBLE USES, SECTION 5, LAND USES, GENERAL BUSINESS (GB)
AND SECITON 5, LAND USES, MANUFACTURING DISTRICT (M-l);
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND PROVIDING A REPEALING
CLAUSE.
Councilmember Simonson moved to approve the Ordinance regarding changes to the
Unified Development Code (UDC), Article IV, Permissible Uses, Section 5, Land Uses,
General Business (GB) and Section 5, Land Uses, Manufacturing District (M-l).
Councilmember Greenwald seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Council members, Douglas, Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and Greenwald.
NAY: None.
#7 ORDINANCE: Consider and take action on final reading of Ordinance
regarding changes to Fire Alarm regulations.
Mayor Baldwin introduced an ordinance and read the caption as follows
ORDINANCE 03-M-06
BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS AMENDING
AND RESTATING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF SCHERTZ~ TEXAS
REVISED CHAPTER 10, MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES AND PROVISIONS,
ARTICLE V, ALARMS SYSTEMS, FALSE ALARMS, SECTIONS 10-81
THROUGH 10-94; PROVIDING A PENALTY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE,
SPECIFICALLY FOR ORDINANCE NO. 02-M-23
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Mark Marquez remarked there were no changes to the ordinance, however for the benefit
of those in the audience he went on to explain that in review of the ordinance 02-M-23, it
was found that an error had occurred in the permit fees; charging of false alarms. There's
a distinction between burglary and fire (6 for burglary and 4 for fire).
Councilmember Agee moved to approve final reading of ordinance on fire alarm
regulations. Councilmember Simonson seconded the motion, which carried with the
following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and Greenwald.
NAY: None.
#8 ORDINANCE: Consider and take action on first reading of Ordinance
calling a General Election for May 3, 2003.
Mayor Baldwin stated that the election would take place the first Saturday in May.
Councilmember Greenwald moved to approve the calling a General Election on May 3,
2003 for the purpose of electing (3) three Councilmembers, Places 3, 4, & 5.
Councilmember Wilenchik seconded the motion, which carried with the ~bllowing votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik aud Greenwald.
NAY: None.
#9 Items by City Manager
General Announcements
· He informed council of contract change from AT&T (city cell phone) to Verizon.
Verizon has savings of $600/monthly, which is the best offer. He will be signing
contract with Verizon, unless council has any objection.
· Advised council the audit is complete. The audit committee is scheduled to meet
February 18, 2-4 p.m. for review. The Mayor and councilmember Agee sit on the
committee as well as staff members.
· Informed council of DMG Quest, LLC (telephone equipment), not holding up to their
contract. He will cancel contrach the city is not receiving support and the company
doesn't return telephone calls. If the city doesn't hear from the company, it will be
~brced to cancel contract.
· Advised of invitation roo~er, which was passed out for council review to the "Big
Splash"- Live Oak Road planned 20th February (turning on new water). If anyone has
additions please let us know.
· Advised of a second list passed out, which contains names for review to establish a
bond committee.
· Advised he would be out of town Thursday through Tuesday. He would be attending
his daughters wedding. In his absence, Assistant City Manager, Johnny Bierschwale
will be acting City Manager.
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#10 Items by Council
General Announcements
Councilmember Simonson
4-B Board
Liaison BVYA
· Commented on Trailrider event, (City Park), it is getting bigger and better each year.
He believes there should be more notice to Schertz citizens for a bigger turnout.
Schertz Bank should be commended for a job well done, and it was a gmat jester on
the city's part, on presentation of gift.
· Welcomed Carl Douglas and welcomes the opportunities ora good leadership team.
Councilmember Agee
4-B Board
Liaison Schertz Housing Authority
Liaison Schertz Library Board
· Councilmember Agee had n comments.
Councilmember Wilenchik
4-B Board
Liaison Schertz Humane Society
Liaison HOA Coalition
· Referred to FYI, regarding insurance rating to the City of Schertz newly annexed
area. The FYI informs that State Farm is refusing to adjust rate, due to not using
classifications given by Insurance Services Office and also the decision by Texas
Department of Insurance. Can anything else be done? Have these (newly annexed
area) people been contacted?
Councilmember Greenwald
4-B Board
Ex-officio P & Z Commission
Ex-officio SSLG Corp.
· Informed of the legislation agenda packet and the addition of two new members on
Insurance committee (referring to councilmember Wilenchik comments). The time
for a new voice.
· Commented on 'article in the Express News, EAA Gives Legislators Water Woe."
#11 Items by Mayor
General Announcements
* Reiterated comments made by councilmember Simonson regarding the Trailriders
event, being bigger every year. He would like to see participation by Elementary
Schools. Believes them could be better advertising on thc event.
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· Commented how proud he was in the City's City Council accomplishments~ Water
project, Schertz Parkway project, etc. Council has done an outstanding job.
Leadership in the city is on a proper path.
Before adjournment question was brought up regarding ~atus of traffic light at Live Oak
Road. It was noted that the School District has advised the city that they no money tbr the
traffic light. As it stands now, City of Cibolo 25%, County 25%, leaving the City of
Schertz with balance.
#12 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the meeting at 7:37
p.m.
Mayo[, City of Schertz, Texas
ATTEST:
Depu~ City/Secl~ary, City of Schertz, Texas
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