ccwks 09-29-04
COUNCIL - WORKSHOP SESSION
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMEBER 29, 2004
The Schertz City Council convened in workshop session on Wednesday, September
29, 2004 at 7:00 pm in the Municipal Complex Conference Room, 1400 Schertz
Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The following members were present: Mayor Hal Baldwin
presiding, Councilmembers Carl Douglas, Steve Simonson, Reginna Agee, Tony
Wilenchik and Ken Greenwald. Staff members present City Manager Mark
Marquez and Deputy City Secretary Mary Ybarra.
Mayor Baldwin welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
Robert Salas. 1041 Gettvsbun!: Dr. inquired on Schertz Elementary School zone
blinking all day long, is it a malfunction or is it suppose to? He was advised, that
Elementary School Zones are required to blink all day.
David Richmond. 2921 Bent Tree Dr. inquired on status of (TSAC) speed humps. Is the
issue still alive? He was happy to see the City is re-considering the issue.
Councilmember Wilenchik, Liaison to TSAC stated the issue is still very much alive,
however the process has slowed down, but still on the radarscope.
Robert Brockman. 4505 Grand Forest mentioned that the guy from Houston is back. If
e was looking for certain streets, such as First Street, FM78 and Randolph Ave. there are
no signs for these streets. He was advised the issue is being worked on. He went on and
inquired on the following:
. Asked how many miles of road does the City have? He believes there is a need for
a second street sweeper. He was advised it's a possibility that a street sweeper
might be concerned at mid-year; street sweepers are estimated at between $70,000
and $80,000.
. Sidewalk at Dietz Road and removal of GVEC poles. He had asked Rita Duprat-
Waldo, Customer Service Representative to inquire, and she reported having
spoken with representative from GVEC and was told that upon checking status,
nothing was found on the roster for removal of poles. He continued saying that he
had been informed (a month ago) that the holdup on the sidewalk issue were the
poles.
#2 Discuss 'Customer First", Mr. Caulkins.
At this time, Mayor Baldwin introduced David Caulkins who would like to discuss plan
regarding a letter he wrote on "Customer First". Mr. Caulkins is employed with the City
of San Antonio and has a similar plan in place.
Mr. David Caulkins stated, "Customer First" in his opinion is a quality of life issue. He
went on to say that as a Community grows the interactions between residents, and
government increases, and expectation of residents and role of government meeting those
needs and expectations increase; and it is important that the public sector employee
evolve as well. His concern is based on certain amount of evidence that there could be
some need for continuance quality improvement in customer service in the City of
Schertz. He wishes not to highlight specifics, but believes the City could find ways to
help improve on customer service. One-way would be to find out from the residents
themselves, "how they feel about the services they are getting". That in itself would be a
major step, because city staff would be asking the customer, "How are we doing"? He
believes the issue needs to be a public policy discussion, because as the community
grows it will become a quality of life issue.
Councilmember Simonson stated the feedback issue is worth looking into and possibly
come up with option or avenue the City could take. One that he is familiar with: is each
Department has a self-mailer questionnaire, which provides continuance feedback. He
believes that as City gets bigger it becomes harder to be personal.
Councilmember Wilenchik stated that a possibly way might be a surveying residents to
find out what type of service does the City provide and if there is a problem. A survey
along the lines of including it the Schertz Tales is a possibility.
Other possibilities discussed were such items as providing a feedback card as part of the
water bill, newsletter, survey on website; pose question to staff to see what the City can
come up with.
#3 Discuss final reading of Ordinance rezoning 78.14 acres from
Predevelopment (PD) to Residential-5 (R-5).
There were changes and Council would be ready to consider the matter at Tuesday nights
meeting.
#4 Discuss first reading of Garage Sales Ordinance.
City Manager Marquez advised the Garage Sale Ordinance was been rewritten to contain
fee structure to include everyone paying from non-profit organization to profit
organizations, HOA, and residents etc. The process becomes a lot simpler, which saves
on time and speeds up process.
Councilmember Douglas stated that when an Ordinance is being revised he would like to
see a copy of current Ordinance to compare changes. He went on to say that he has no
problem with permit, however there is no mention that the permit is to be posted. Another
issue of concern was number of signs relative to HOA holding a sale with twenty or more
participates and only four signs are issued. Referring to fee structure the item of concern
is the jump of HOA's paying $50.00; he understanding was that the previous rate of
$10.00 permit and $1.00 per sign helped offset cost within the department, thus does not
understand the $50 jump. What is the rational? He stated residents are going to believe
that the City is trying to make money off garage sales. In his opinion the only issue is
tracking of permits.
Councilmember Wilenchik asked, why is there a need to permit, why does the City even
care about garage sales. It was pointed out that it became issue when some garage sales
became permanent fixtures every weekend almost becoming a business. The Ordinance
enables the City to monitor, enforce and track those individuals. A question was asked
whether the City had a database enabling the City to track the number of garage sales
held by individual, etc. It was noted not a database per say, but record of residents issued
permits.
City Manager Marquez advised there would be some adjustments to Ordinance, based on
discussion on signage, permits, etc. This Ordinance is before Council for discussion only;
to make sure all issues are considered and covered within the Ordinance. Ordinance
would be ready for consideration with changes, additions, etc. as discussed at next
Tuesday nights meeting.
#5 Update on Church property renovation.
City Manager Marquez introduced Mr. Tom Ellis, Architect and Douglas Winnek with
Communications Group working on project, who gave presentation on renovation and
proposed layout of audio/visual for Council Chambers.
Mr. Ellis presented design of Council Chambers relative to outside and inside
construction covering; meeting rooms, lobby, restrooms, break room, trophy cases,
seating arrangement in Chambers (160 theater type), staff sitting area, and Council
seating arrangement. He presented proposals for building roof color and covered such
items such as; color proposed within building, carpet, tile, and chair fabric, etc. proposed
for use throughout Council Chambers. Other items covered were lighting, LCD sign (in
lobby area), ramp leading to podium, as well as canopy construction that would connect
both buildings. He asked for Council direction on several samples passed out.
Mr. Winnek passed out information on audio/visual proposal and indicated such items as
placement of screen that lowers from the ceiling, mentioned control room would be set
up to show presentations from DVD, VCR, TV, and there is plan for computer document
camera. Council would have recessed monitors that would show what audience is being
shown. It was pointed out that the control room would have to be manned by someone
trained on operations. Also, voice reinforcement for Council, presenter and staff
microphones are planned, as are recommendation on number of microphones, which
would be equipped with push to talk button. There is also recommendation for wireless
microphones in the room.
Lastly, the system will be designed to include complete feed back elimination and have
echo free sound throughout the room. It was pointed out that video streaming and
archiving is part of the communication system, it will record and distribute City Council
meetings. Meetings can be recorded live with no editing and recorded on a PC hard drive
or archived to server. The City Secretary could use the program for minutes, and program
could be made available to on-line viewers or stored for historical preservation. City
Manager Marquez indicated that this particular item is an optional system that would
have to be approved by Council.
Council thanked Mr. Ellis and Mr. Winnek for their presentation.
Mr. Ellis informed Council that project is scheduled to go out for bid (construction) in
October and scheduled of occupancy in six months, April 2005.
Councilmember Simonson brought up the question about electronic doors. He was
advised doors would be handicap accessible.
At this time, City Manager Marquez continued by introducing plans and design for the
end of the Church property and construction of four ball fields with concession area and
went on to explain the design.
#6 Discussion regarding sign age and other related matters.
City Manager Marquez stated he would touch on the matter briefly and went on to say
that because the City has experienced growth not only is signage an issue, but so is
management, staffing and the way the City conducts business. Taking into consideration
the hour, he is not going to expand on the issue, but will at a later time and reiterated that
there would be changes and adjustments throughout the City.
#7 Discussion and possible action contract with J.R. Perez for November 2,
2004, Tax Freeze Election.
City Manager Marquez stated that the contact before Council is unusual, only because it
is out of cycle, however it is pretty much standard. The election would take place along
with the Presidential election, however the tax freeze issue would take place at the usual
voting place, Community Center.
Councilmember Greenwald moved to approve contract with lR. Perez for November 2,
2004 for Tax Freeze Election. Councilmember Agee seconded the motion, which carried
with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and Greenwald
NAY: None.
#8 Discussion and possible action regarding EMS write-offs.
City Manager Marquez stated this is ugly, write-off of approximately 1.2 million dollars.
The intent was to request write-off s every quarter, however the number reflects time
frame from August 1,2003 to August 31,2004. The thought was to stretch out write-offs
softening the blow, however recommends getting it done before the end of the fiscal year.
Dudley Wait, EMS Director explained that large portion of write-off is accounts currently
with collection agency, (Municipal Services Bureau) MSB, of which accounts (year
2003) have been in collection for sometime. The other item, Miscellaneous Bad Debt
Internal is another portion of accounts, which are adjusted for some reason or another
such as: negotiating reductions, co-pays, homeless patients and deceased patient not
having insurance coverage. Lastly, Contractual Allowables (current fiscal year): are
accounts that cannot be collected by law due to accepting Medicare and Medicaid
payments.
He went on to say that the estimated revenue billed, October 1, 2003 to August 31, 2004
would be approximately 2.2 million dollars and would be a bit higher once September
revenue is added.
City Manager Marquez recommends the write-offs. It would help clear the amount of the
books at the request of the auditor.
Councilmember Simonson moved to approve the EMS write-offs as presented.
Councilmember Douglas seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and Greenwald
NAY: None.
#9 Discussion regarding Council assignments.
City Manager Marquez advised the issue is not an action item, however it's an
opportunity for Council to re-Iook assignments and possibly make changes before the
fiscal year.
Council consensus is to continue Council assignments as they stand.
#10 Discussion and possible action regarding Certificate of Convenience and
Necessity (CCN).
City Manager Marquez stated that San Antonio River Authority (SARA) is planning to
build a treatment plant and is asking the City of Schertz to adjust the City's Certificate of
Convenience and Necessity (CCN) in order to accommodate the plant. Schertz staff
(drainage/sewer personnel) believes it's not a bad idea, due to growth within the City.
SARA has applied and the City is responding that there are no objections to proposed
CCN. Staff recommends it, because it would probably speed up getting a full sewer
service along portions of the IH 10 area, also, the project will not get in the way of the
Town Creek project. SARA would be responsible for the sewer services, however the
City of Schertz would retain the retail services.
Councilmember Agee moved to approve and authorize the City Manager to sign
agreement with SARA regarding Certificate of Convenience and Necessity.
Councilmember Greenwald seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and Greenwald
NAY: None.
#11 Discuss first reading of an Ordinance Authorizing and Allowing, Under The
Act Governing The Texas Municipal Retirement System, "Updated Service Credits"
In Said System On an Annual Basis For Service Performed By Qualifying Members
of Such System Who At The Effective Date Of The Allowance Are In The
Employment Of The City Of Schertz; Providing For Increased Prior And Current
Service Annuities For Retirees And Beneficiaries Of Deceased Retirees Of The City:
Providing For Increased Municipal Contributions To The Current Service Annuity
Reserve At Retirement Of The Employees Of The City; And Establishing An
Effective Date For The Ordinance.
City Manager Marquez stated that in essence discussions during budget process were to
alter the City's match in retirement to 2 to 1. The Ordinance before Council is approving
the change.
Council would be ready to consider Ordinance at next Tuesday nights meeting.
At this time, Council moved to item # 15 on the agenda.
#15 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Called under Chapter 551 Texas Government
Code, Sub-Section 551.074 Personnel Matters: Evaluation of Municipal Court
Judge and Evaluation of City Secretary.
An Executive Session was held from 8:48 p.m. to 10:05 p.m.
#16 ACTION, if any, on above Executive Session.
No action was necessary.
#12 Items by City Manager
General Announcement
. No comments.
#13 Items by Council
General Announcements
Councilmember Douglas
Liaison EDC
Liaison-Schertz Library Board
. No comments.
Mayor Pro-tem Simonson
4-B Board
Liaison BVY A
. No comment.
Councilmember Agee
4-B Board
Liaison Schertz Housing Authority
. Was not present.
Councilmember Wilenchik
4-B Board
Liaison Schertz Humane Society
Liaison HOA Coalition
Ex-officio- TSAC
. Reported on meeting of the Humane Society held last evemng, where Dr.
Rodriguez was in attendance doing some training.
. Had a citizen voice concern relative traffic light at four-way intersection of
Schertz Parkway/ Aero. Has the issue been discussed and is traffic light warranted.
He believes it's a dangerous situation.
Councilmember Greenwald added that the situation is dangerous due to school kid
drivers not paying attention. The situation is dangerous only at certain times of the day,
twenty minutes both morning and afternoon.
. Reported that HOA meetings are now subject to the "Open Meeting Act".
Councilmember Greenwald
4-B Board
Ex-officio P & Z Commission
Ex-officio SSLG Corp.
Reported on Planning and Zoning Commission meeting of upcoming construction, etc.
. Murphy Oil (gas) came in with preliminary plat for Wal-Mart location.
. Guadalupe Care Subdivision plans 90 rooms of assisting living facility, adjacent
to Mark Roberts (Auto Collision facility) off ofFM3009.
. Have received two applications for the soon to be vacant position on the Planning
and Zoning Commission.
. The Word of Life Fellowship Church was denied variance for sign along Schertz
Parkway.
.
#14 Items by Mayor
General Announcements
. TML Region 7 fall meeting will be held October 14, 2004 in Castroville starting
at 6:30 pm; Cost for those interested in going is $18.00.
#17 ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the meeting at 10: 13 p.m.
Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas
.
, City of Schertz, Texas
.
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