ccwks 02-25-04
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION
02-25-04
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on Wednesday,
February 25, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Complex Conference Room, 1400
Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. Those present were Mayor Hal Baldwin, presiding;
Copuncilmembers 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 called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
Robert Brockman of 4505 Grand Forrest brought up the following:
Welcomed the new Public Information Officer, James Schindler.
Suggested that they put a statement in the Schertz Tales that the traffic signals don't work
well in the fog.
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#2 DiSCllSS Cmal reading of Ordinance regarding selected changes to UDC.
Mr. Marquez reported there have been no changes to this Ordinance since it was
approved on first reading. Council agreed they were ready for it to be included on next
Tuesday night's agenda.
#3 Discuss public hearing, scheduled March 2, 2004, and fIrst reading of
Ordinance for establishment of Triple R Electric Reinvestment Zone.
Amy Madison, Community Development Director, introduced Randy Amescua of Triple
R Electric who is relocating the expansion of his business, which is now located in
Garden Ridge.
Mr. Amescua stated he is oue of three brothers, the other two being Robby and Russell.
They have acquired property on Red Iron Road. They need more space and are hoping to
have their building completed by the end of next year. They do mostly commercial work,
but sometimes residential. They need more space before they can expand their business.
Mayor Baldwin asked Council if they had any questions. Mr. Douglas mentioned he had
sat through the Economic Development Commission meeting when Mr. Amescua spoke
and he was very impressed. This company would be a great asset for the City to acquire.
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Mr. Amescua related had lived in Schertz for seven years and always wanted to come .
back. He was a volunteer for the Schertz Fire Department for a number of years. Mayor
Baldwin told him they were glad to have his business in Schertz.
Council indicated they were ready for the public hearing on this item, which is scheduled
for next Tuesday night's agenda.
#4 DisCllSS fIrst reading of Ordinance authorizing Tax Abatement for Triple R
Electric.
Council reviewed the Ordinance, but no action was required at this time. Approval of the
first readingofthe Ordinance will be on the agenda of March 2,2004.
#5 Discuss CPS Franchise Ordinance.
Mr. Marquez noted it is not intended action be taken on this Ordinance next week unless
CPS approves the document. It is almost ready, but it is up to the two attorneys to get it
right. One significant thing is Item 2 of the Ordinance, where it states the franchise fee
goes up from 2% to 3%.
City Attorney, Michael Spain, pointed out the Ordinance, according to the City's Charter,
has to be approved at two regular meetings.
The representative from CPS pointed out that I % is being set aside in addition to the 3%.
Mr. Marquez explained that is for underground wiring should the City require it.
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#6 Fire Department Update
Fire Chief, Elroy Friesenhahn, mentioned the following projects on which the Fire
Department is working: .
They have met with the architect to make changes for the new sub-station. Plans should
be submitted for bid around March 1,2004.
They continue to prepare and teach the reserve firefighters to broaden staffing in the
department. They have four new reserves.
In the month of December, the Fire Department was involved in a two-hour training
session at Randolph Air Force Base on Aircraft Fire and Rescue.
The Pre-fire Plan project will begin the middle of next month. Each shift will be
assigned a business and identify any hazards for that business. They will also draw up
plans for that business and they will be updated yearly.
The 1983 Ford F800 Fire Truck has been sold to Votaw-Thicket VFD for $15,250.00.
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The Fire Safety House was completed on January 30th. The ribbon cutting is scheduled
for March 6th at HEB. The Fire Safety House made its debut at the Christmas parade and
will be used frequently as a safety demonstration for citizens of the area. It was totally
paid for by donations. Included in Council's packets was a list of the donors.
Council thanked ChiefFriesenhalm for his presentation.
James Schindler, Public Information Officer, mentioned the Fire Safety House is one of
few in the area and state of the art. The City of Schertz should be very proud of it.
#7 Discussion setting date for Strategic Planning Session dllring the week of the
21st throllgh the 27th of March.
Mr. Marquez explained they would look at particular projects. . Mr. Simonson requested
they discuss the Quality of Life Bond and Mr. Douglas requested they discuss how 4-B
money can be spent.
Mr. Marquez commented the Good Shepherd Church property was not in the plan a year
ago. Ifwe are looking at a bond, there will be a definite tax rate increase. He is looking
for input from Council.
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Mr. Wilenchik mentioned he would like to look at annexation and also the needs of
BVY A. Mr. Marquez indicated they could look at all those things if Council is willing
to pay the cost. Mr. Marquez expressed the need for a professional tournament facility.
Mr. Greenwald suggested they need to upgrade the already existing fields. Mr. Marquez
stated the land swap should close possibly by the end of next week. That may be enough
space to get started temporarily. Mr. Greenwald also pointed out they need to take a look
at Exchange Street.
Mr. Wilenchik inquired if they are ready for Wal-Mart as far as roads, etc and Mr.
Marquez replied yes, the only issue left is signage.
Mr. Simonson stressed the need to continue looking at regional issues. We need to see
how our City connects with other entities.
Mr. Marquez remarked the week of March 21st through the 27th is a meeting free week.
Mr. Douglas suggested scheduling the meeting for Tuesday and if they don't finish, then
have it on Wednesday also. Mayor Baldwin thought that was a good point The date was
set for March 23, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Marquez commented it would be a public
meeting and an agenda would be posted.
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#8 Items by City Manager
General Announcements
Bid Award
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. Reported the first Comprehensive Land Plan meeting went well. Mayor Baldwin
asked him toreview that with Council at the Strategic Planning Session.
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. Noted everyone should have gotten their TML Regional meeting invitation and all
spouses are invited.
. Mentioned he and John Bierschwale, Asst. City Manager, would be going to
Laredo for a TCMA meeting.
. Advised everyone they have a letter in their packets from JWD Properties. The
City accepted their bid.
. Reminded everyone that March 19th is Employee Remembrance Day.
. Advised that Karen Choina is not doing well.
#9 Items by Council
General Announcements
Councilmember Douglas
Liaison - EDC
Liaison - Schertz Library Board
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. Inquired if the contract for Wiederstein Road from FM 3009 to Schertz Parkway
was finished and if part of that contract was for striping. Mr. Marquez answered
he would find out.
Councilmember Simonson .
4-B Board
Liaison - BVY A
. Thanked Danny Smith of the City and two guys from Selma for their help. He
had a tire blowout on IH-35 and they took care of the situation.
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
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Mr. Wilenchik had nothing to report.
Councilmember Greenwald
4-B Board
Ex-officio - P&Z Commission
Ex-officio - S/SLG Corporation
. Reported the Schertz/Seguin Local Government Corporation would meet
tomorrow at Seguin City Hall. Everyone is invited.
. Noted Planning and Zoning is working with Wal-Mart on their signage.
. Mentioned the plat came in for Savannah Bluff next to Paschal Elementsry.
There are 63 lots and the plan should help the traffic flow in the area.
. Commented the plat came in for Schertz Forest Subdivision off Pfeil Road and
Ware-Seguin.
. Remarked the first plat on Belmont Park Subdivision came in. It is located along
IH-35 coming off the Wiederstein frontage.
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. Noted the first plat for Silver Thorn Unit 1 canie in.
. Mr. Simonson inquired if the last sign for Wal-Mart is approved, will they be
ready to move forward and Mr. Greenwald answered yes.
#10 Items by Mayor
General Announcements
. Stated he and Mr. Marquez attended a meeting in Seguin last night for the
Transportation Corridor and four people showed up.
#11 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Called under Chapter 551 Texas Government Code,
Sub-Section 661.071 - Consultation with Attorney.
Before the Executive Session, Council took a short break. After the break, an Executive
Session was held from 8:05 p.m. until 9:05 p.m.
#12 Action, if any, on above Execlltive Session.
No action was required.
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Michael Spain, City Attorney, reminded Council how important it is to comply with the
Open Meetings Act.
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#13 ADJPOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the meeting at
9:08 p.m.
ATTEST:
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City Secretary, City of Schertz, Texas
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Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas
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