ccss 03-22-2005
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL SESSION
March 22,2005
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Session on March 22,2005 at 7:00 p.m. in
the Municipal Complex Conference Room, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas.
Those present were Mayor Hal Baldwin, presiding; Councilmembers Carl Douglas,
Reginna Agee, Tony Wilenchik and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Councilmember Steve
Simonson. Those staff members present were Interim City Manager John Bierschwale
and City Secretary Norma Althouse.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
Robert Brockman of 1000 Elbel commented on the following:
. There is a sign at the corner ofFM 78 that says Randolph Road and it should say
Randolph Avenue.
. Regarding the budget, he is in favor of the bucket truck and also of looking into
the possibility of a new library.
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#2 Discussion and possible action on Contract for Collection of Delinquent
Accounts Receivable.
Mr. Bierschwale advised the contract was written by a law firm out of Austin, Texas.
Michael Spain, City Attorney, has reviewed the contract and is recommending it be
approved by Council. If it doesn't work out after six months, then they will change
again. The current collection agency has only collected $7,000 in bad debts.
There was a brief discussion about what percentage the collection agency gets for
actually collecting on a delinquent bill. Dudley Wait, EMS Director, related they receive
40% if the bill is collected non-electronically and 30% if it is collected electronically.
Mrs. Agee pointed out that is not what the paperwork says under Section VII. Council
agreed there should be a minor word change. Mr. Douglas moved to approve the contract
for collection of delinquent accounts receivable with the minor word change. Mr.
Wilenchik seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Agee, Wiolenchik and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#3 Discussion and possible action regarding Labor Market Analysis and
Salaryillepartment Realignment.
Mr. Bierschwale advised this was brought forward the first time on December 15,2004.
. He feels it will be in the best interest of the City to do it in two parts. Part A should
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become effective on April 16, 2005 and Part B should become effective on October 1,
2005. Salaries are based on today's current value and the funds are there to support it.
He just needs some direction from Council.
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Among those changes he would like to see become effective are the following:
Reinstatement of Kim Lewinsky as a full-time employee (with all full-time benefits).
Hiring of another Warrant Officer.
Hiring of a Baliff for the Court.
Hiring of two more crossing guards for the remaining six weeks of this school year and
then from mid-August through September 30th.
Hiring of a Certified Planner. They have advertised and four people have applied.
Under the school program, they currently have two students working with EMS in the
office. That program has worked out well and it totals $4600 for each student for a full
year. They would like to see it continue.
They have established some changes to be paid out of 4-B funds, They will pay for Amy
Madison, the Executive Director of 4-B and Erin Matlock, her Executive Assistant.
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Along with the Police Department, Publi(; Works is getting beat up severely. Our sister
cities are taking our trainees.
Mr. Wilenchik asked for an explanation of a current weighted salary and was told it is a
salary that includes all benefits. This was followed by a brief discussion about the vision
insurance program and the fact it looks like it will go up significantly.
Mr. Bierschwale stated he feels it makes more sense to do evaluations annually rather
than on an anniversary date. He will take Council's recommendations on all the changes
just mentioned.
Mrs. Agee noted she doesn't see any kind of a salary report from the local area so they
can compare. Donna Dykes, Human Resources Director, stated that a local one was done
for Police, Fire and EMS.
Mrs. Agee went on to say if they're basing it on a TML study, she didn't see any TML
study in the packet. Also, areas up by Dallas are going to be much higher. They need a
sampling of the immediate market area. She doesn't feel there's enough information
here for them to do anything tonight.
Mayor Baldwin pointed out our entry level should be second highest to that of San .
Antonio.
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. There was discussion about the turnover rate, about having to bite the bullet to make the
City competitive, about evaluations all at one time each year rather than on anniversary
dates, about who the City's competitors are, about how far out they should go to get
comparisons, and about having a local study before anything is done because they want
to do it right.
Among the cities Council felt they should contact for comparison were Live Oak,
Universal City, Converse, New Braunfels and Seguin. Mayor Baldwin suggested the
results be brought back in the form of a spreadsheet. Mr. Bierschwale said he would aim
for the first week in April. He then asked if they could go ahead with approval of the few
that were mentioned at the beginning ofthe discussion. They were as follows:
Reinstating Kim Lewinski as a full-time employee with all full-time benefits.
Hirung of a Warrant Officer.
Hiring of a Baliff.
Hiring of two more school crossing guards for the remaining six weeks of this school
year and from mid- August through September 30th.
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Hiring of a Certified Planner.
Maintaining the school program with two students in the EMS Department.
Council had no problem with those positions listed above and Mrs. Agee moved to
approve them. Mr. Greenwald seconded the motion, which carried with the following
votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Agee, Wilenchik and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
Mr. Bierschwale indicated he would try to have the salary studies available for the first
workshop in April. Mayor Baldwin informed him they need an overall computation.
At this time Council took a ten minute break.
#4 Discussion and possible action regarding Mid-Year Budget.
Mr. Bierschwale pointed out some of the highlights as follows:
An inter-fund transfer of $244, 222 on page 1.
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A big increase in fees driven by warrant fees and security fees.
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Pool administration fee last year was $19,000.
They are planning on purchasing a man lift and completing the final phase of the
computers.
They put some money back in City Council Special Events for snacks and sympathy and
get well flowers/plants.
The IT Department has added $13,000 for computer changeout to the new building.
Stated they have found that Nextel is cheaper than Verizon. They set up a center in case
of emergencies.
Mayor Baldwin inquired about the occupancy date for the new Fire/EMS substation and
was told it is approximately two months away.
Mentioned there has been an upgrade in the Fire Department. Terry Aikman is now an
Assistant Deputy Fire Marshal. He can be an official arson investigator.
Making Kim Lewinsky a full-time employee increases the City Secretary Department
budget.
They are purchasing additional library books.
In the non-departrmental category, postage is up. Mr. Marquez missed the mark when he
consolidated.
The cost of medical services is up, particularly eye coverage.
The City is donating $5,000 to the Guadalupe County Children's Advocacy Center.
Under I & S there was a transfer of$125,281 from the MUDs.
Water and Sewer had reduced fees due to water sales.
No changes to Business Office or Administration.
No changes to EMS except the collection agency.
Mr. Bierschwale indicated he would bring back the Mid-Year Budget for possible
approval on April 5, 2004.
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#5 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Called under Chapter 551, Texas Government Code:
Sub-Section 551.071, onsultation with Attorney regarding pending or contemplated
litigation; and
Sub-Section 551.974, Personnel Matters: Appointment, employment, evaluation,
reassignment, duties, discipline or dismissal of City Manager.
An Executive Session was held from 9:40 p.m. until 10:25 p.m.
#6 Action, if any, on the subject of the above Executive Session
No action was required.
#7 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the meeting at
10:25 p.m.
Mayor, City 0
ATTEST:
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City Secretary, City of Schertz, Texas
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