ccrg 07-06-04
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR SESSION
July 6, 2004
The Schertz City Council convened in Regular Session on Tuesday, July 6,
2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Complex Council Chambers, 1400
Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. Those present were Mayor Hal Baldwin,
presiding; Councilmembers Carl Douglas, Steve Simonson, Reginna Agee,
Tony Wilenchik and Ken Greenwald. Staff members present. were City
Manager Mark Marquez and City Secretary Norma Althouse.
Mayor Baldwin welcomed everyone and asked them to rise and join him in
the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
#1 PRESENTATION: Police Department
Chief Steve Starr made the following announcements: .
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Corporal John Eisen, who sold the most tickets for EMS Day (190 tickets),
was presented a $350 gift certificate for an Apollo Cruise. Corporal Eisen
is very active in the community.
Detective Thad Siwecki, who served in the military for 17l!2 years amd
came to Schertz in 2002, is moving into the Criminal Investigation
Department and has been promoted to Corporal.
Sergeant Mike Harris, who has worked for the City for IS years and is a
pleasure to work with, has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Chief
Starr pinned on the bars.
Lieutenant Beverly Todd, an outstanding officer who has worked her way
through the ranks, has been promoted to the rank of Captain. Her husband
pinned on her bars.
Mayor Baldwin noted that Steve Starr has just recently been promoted to
Chief and then congratulated everyone on their promotions.
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Mayor Baldwin asked if anyone if they wanted to introduce someone in the
audience and Beverly Todd introduced her husband of 33 years, Charled
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Todd. Mike Harris introduced his wife, Lori, his Mom and Dad, his in-laws .
and their granddaughter.
Those who had been promoted and Mr. Eisen who won the cruise, received
as round of applause from the audience and congratulations from the Mayor,
City Council and the City Manager,
#2 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
David Richmond of 2921 Bent Tree Drive_wanted to wait and speak on
Item #4.
Robert Brockman of 4505 Grand Forrest mentioned
the following:
· Guadalupe County Commissioner's Court approved the EMS contract
today.
· The Post Office doesn't have a stamp machine any more. They took it
out.
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. Butch Kunde, County Commissioner, is going to schedule a meeting
at the Silver Center in Seguin on Proposition 13 (over age 65 tax
freeze).
. Heard about an ordinance in New York addressing cell phones and
wonders why we can't have one in Schertz. Mr. Wilenchik said he is
not in favor of a cell phone ordinance. We have other rules and laws
to enforce about lack of attention while driving,
#3 APPROVAL OF MlNUTEOS: Special Workshop Session 4-14-04
Regular Session 4-20-04
Special Workshop Session 4-28-04
Regular Session 5-04-04
Mr. Douglas moved to approve the minutes, as written, for the meetings
listed above. Mr. Greenwald seconded the motion, which carried with the
following votes:
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AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and
Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#4 Consider and take action regarding appeal of decision by
Planning and Zoning to deny a variance allowing an LED message sign
for Samuel Clemens High School.
David Richmond of 2921 Bent Tree Drive stated he had been on vacation
since Planning and Zoning disapproved the LED sign for Mark Roberts who
then appealed to City Council and they approved it. Mr. Richmond
explained he is not here to argue one way or another, but rather to argue for
the current Sign Ordinance. It took eighteen months to write on the part of
Planning and Zoning who were helped by the City Attorney. He thinks it is
fair and understandable and dictates the way the City wants to go.
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Mr. Richmond went on to say there are two criteria for approval of a
variance. The first is why you need the variance. The second is it will
afford parity and consistence about what's gone on before.
There is no ambiguity in the Ordinance - it says no electronic signs. The
Commission feels strongly because they had resident input in regard. to this
issue. When you have 24-7 flashing signs adjacent to a subdivision, it is not
only distracting to residents, but also to motorists. The Commission felt not
allowing electronic signs was in the best interest of the City. If Council feels
electronic signs should be allowed in the ordinance, then Planning and
Zoning would consider it in the future.
Mayor Baldwin admitted that the Council has taken a different look at
electronic signs and may want some changes to the ordinance in the future.
Mr. Bryan, high school principal, mentioned this LED sign was a donation
from the classs of 2004. The school is not in a busy area, and he feels it
would not bea distraction. The school tries to communicate on a daily basis
and is looking at upscaling their sign with characters 9" tall. That seems like
a pretty basic sign.
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Mr. Douglas agreed with the Mayor in that Pinning and Zoning did an
outstanding job on the Sign Ordinance. Mr. Douglas went on to say "other
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governmental sign" is one of three exceptions in the Sign Ordinance. What .
would the average individual interpret this to be? Is the school considered a
governmental agency? From what Mr. Ryan said, they are providing a
community service. Mr. Douglas said based on his interpretation, they are
exempt from prohibited signs. It is his opinion they need to give the City
what it needs as far as electronic signs, That's his opinion only. What does
Council think about it?
Mr. Wilenchik said there;s no action required because there never should
have been a variance required.
Mr. Simonson pointed out Planning and Zoning has done an outstanding job
for over 30 years. He, personally, doesn't see anything wrong with LED
signs - it's the coming trend. Even traffic lights are LED now. Planning
and Zoning needs to be commended.
Mrs. Agee commented that whether Council approves it or not, she charges
the Staff to get in touch with the school about a larger sign. Mr. Bryan
admitted he has made contact with several companies to get sizes and costs.
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Mr. Marquez suggested all request go through Planning and Zoning. The
Sign Ordinance has served the City well, but perhaps it is time for a change.
Mr. Douglas indicated it has to go back through Planning and Zoning for
consideration if there are changes to the original request.
Mrs. Madison pointed all signs have to be permitted.
Mayor Baldwin asked Mr. Richmond if he has any further comments. Mr.
Richmond remarked that at the time he doesn't think they considered the
school.a player, but he understands the rationale.
David Tate, a gentleman in the audience, asked about home schoolng signs.
Mayor Baldwin said they would probably be establishing themselves as a
tax supported governmental entity.
Mrs. Agee remarked the school is defined as a political subdivision.
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Mr. Douglas moved to approve the variance request allowing an LED sign
for Samuel Clemens High School. Steve Simonson seconded the motion,
which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Simonson, Agee and Wilenchik.
NAYS: Councilmember Greenwald.
#5 BID AWARD: Consider and tke action awarding bid for EMS
facility.
Mr. Marquez clarified the bid is for the Fire Station on IH-35. The first set
of bids were out ofline. These are a little better. They will proceed with the
block building as well as all the site work.
They are recommending the bid be awarded to C.A. Landry in the amount of
$639,750.
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Mayor Baldwin asked what they are not going to build and Mr. Marquez
replied the living quarters. They will use trailers. They will build up the
reserves in the General Fund over the next several years and then take care
of living quarters.
Mr. Greenwald moved to award the bid for a Fire Station on IH-35 to C.A.
Landry in the amount of $639,750. Mrs. Agee seconded the motion, which
carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and
Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#6 Items by City Manager
General Announcements
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Announced the EMS contract with Guadalupe County was approved today.
They will start nailing down other contracts. It was yeoman work on the
part of Dudley Wait.
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Stated it is appropriate to raise Interlocal Agreement fees from $6.60 to .
$7.00. That would net them an additional $73,000. They will make the
contacts if City Council agrees. Council. agreed. Mayor Baldwin asked
when the last time was they raised the prices and Mr. Wait answered two
years ago.
Mentioned he hadn't received anything from the County regarding the road
cut on Wiederstein.
#7 Items by Council
General Announcements
Councilmember Douglas
Liaison - EDC
Liaison - Schertz Library Board
Stated the City did an outstanding job. on the number of floats for the 4th of
July Jubilee. James Schindler told him they ahd 114 entries, He also
appreciated the refurbishing of the fire truck.
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Councilmember Simonson
4-B Board.
Liaison - BVY A
Mentioned he thought the 4th of July parade was very well run.
Councilmember Agee
4-B Board
Liaison - Schertz Housing Authority
Mrs. Agee had nothing to report.
Councilmember Wilenchik
4-B Board
Liaison - Schertz Humane Society
Liaison - HOA Coalition
Ex-officio - TSAC
Mr. Wilenchik had nothing to report.
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Councilmember Greenwald
4-B Board
Ex-officio - P&Z Commission
Ex-officio - S/SLGC
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#8 Items by Mayor
General Announcements
Thought everything he wanted. to say about the Jubiilee had already been
said.
#9 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin Adjourned the
meeting at 7:50 p.m.
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ayor, City of Schertz, Texas
ATTEST:
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City Secretary, City of Schertz, Texas
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