ccswks 04-13-2005
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION
APRIL 13, 2005
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on
Wednesday, April 13, 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, Steve Simonson, Tony
Wilenchik and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Council member Reginna Agee. Those
staff members present were Interim City Manager John Bierschwale and City
Secretary Norma Althouse.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
Before the residents spoke, Mayor Baldwin introduced Mark Brown, one of the
candidates for City Manager.
Roberto G. Salas of 1031 Gettvsburq reported the school district motor pool has
a junkyard dog. Are they allowed to do that? Mayor Baldwin informed him he is
at the wrong meeting for that discussion.
Robert Brockman of 1000 Elbel stated he went up this morning and there were
no school crossing guards, so he called the Police Department. Mayor Baldwin
asked him at which location and he replied at the crossing by the Baptist Church.
Mayor Baldwin then assured him that Chief Starr was trying to do his best.
Mr. Brockman then mentioned they now bus kids who live farther than one mile,
but they are changing that to two miles. That will require a crossing guard at
Lindbergh. Mayor Baldwin mentioned two miles has always been the walking
limit. Mr. Brockman said parents may feel that's a dangerous situation. Mayor
Baldwin promised him they would have Chief Starr take a look at the situation.
#2 Discussion on final reading of Ordinance regarding vehicular weight
limits on roadways maintained by the City of Schertz.
Mr. Bierschwale related there have been no changes to the Ordinance. He said
he had received a phone call from a trucker who was presumably with Flying J.
Council agreed they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday
night's agenda.
#3 Discussion on final reading of Ordinance regarding the authorization
to install speed humps on City streets.
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Mr. Bierschwale reported there have been no changes to the Ordinance and .
Council indicated they were prepared for this item to be on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
#4 Discussion on final reading of Ordinance regarding amending a
Franchise for Roadrunner Towing.
Mr. Bierschwale advised there have been no changes to the Ordinance since
approval of the first reading. Council was ready for this item to be included on
next Tuesday night's agenda.
#5 Discussion on first reading repealing Ordinance 05-C-04 relating
to Fire Department and establishing a new Ordinance.
Mr. Bierschwale stated the five acres mentioned in the previous Ordinance has
been replaced with three acres and it is mentioned if the person burning is
negligent and the fire gets out of control, they will pay for the burn.
Michael Spain, City Attorney, added that in the fireworks section of the
Ordinance, it says they will enforce within 5,000 feet and that is an improvement.
Mr. Spain then added they are not enforcing the fireworks section of the
Ordinance uniformly regarding fireworks sellers. Fire Marshal, Glen Outlaw, said
that's not true - the old Ordinances prohibited novelties and we now permit .
novelties.
Mr. Bierschwale reminded everyone that 1-10 and Trainer Hal Road are outside
our ET J Also, there is no fee for residential burning and the Fire Department is
recommending a $150.00 fee non-residential and commercial burning.
Council was prepared for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
#6 Consider and take action on revising Exhibit 1, A7.002-11, Fire
Prevention Service Fee.
Mr. Wilenchik asked what about non-profits. Mr. Outlaw replied if they follow the
rules, their property falls under residential. Mr. Spain asked where commercial
property falls if they have three acres and Mr. Outlaw replied the same as
residential.
Mr. Spain suggested using the following wording in Exhibit #11-0perational
Permits:
m. Open or Controlled Burns in commercial or residential development -$150.00.
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Mr. Wilenchik moved to approve revising Exhibit 1, A7.002-11 Fire prevention
Service Fees with the wording provided by Michael Spain. Mr. Greenwald
seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Simonson, Wilenchik and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#7 Discussion on Mult-Agency Narcotics Unit Interlocal Agreement.
Mr. Bierschwale mentioned this Interlocal Agreement is between the City of
Schertz and the City of Selma. The two cities are anxious to get started. It is a
good agreement.
Council was in favor of this item being included on next Tuesday night's agenda.
#8 Discussion on proposed FM 3009 TXDoT changes.
Mr. Bierschwale distributed a proposal for the preliminary design. He stated
there is some budget money available and they are trying to come up with an
access plan that will make everyone happy. There are some access issues with
property owners.
. Amy Madison, Community Development Director, stated there are concerns
about new land development and the critical areas along FM 3009. They need to
look at the options and see if people prefer right-of-way from one side or from
both sides. There is an Executive Summary, but it is not ready for
publication. Looking at the project realistically, it will probably take about three
years to complete.
Mrs. Madison went on to say that as far as funding, TXDoT is looking to
participate. They could possibly contribute up to 90% for the right-of-way. The
aspect of looking at bridges causes some problems. The question was asked
what if if they don't have bridges and just widen the road.
Mrs. Madison stated there would be a second meeting in June. They do have an
identified financial stream, they just don't have the numbers. They're looking at
four lanes with improvements.
Mrs. Madison felt the meeting was very successful and they had great
participation.
Mayor Baldwin then brought up some issues that were raised at the meeting:
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. Why can't we go ahead and build bridges?
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. Is there any possibility of Union Pacific combining tracks? (The first .
railroad crossing doesn't have arms.) A Union Pacific representative did
not attend the meeting.
. What about retail frontage? (There was concern from property owners)
Larry Dublin of Ford Engineering mentioned that 281 to IH-35 to 1-10 would be a
major loop around San Antonio.
Mrs. Madison mentioned she serves on the Advisory Board and they will look
carefully at all the plans and alternate routes. She then mentioned it is 1.9
miles to Garden Ridge. You're looking at both counties and at two cities. It's
possible they may look at it as a Corridor with two phases.
Mayor Baldwin observed they need to work closely with everyone involved in this
project and Council needs to get involved.
Mr. Wilenchik wondered, regarding drainage mitigation, is there was any FEMA
money involved.
Mr. Douglas stressed that instead of looking at 5-10 years, they need to look at a
40-50 year potential.
Mrs. Madison noted that as far as Loop 1604, they are supposed to have .
another meeting on that.
Mr. Wilenchik requested that they keep TSAC in the loop as far as updated
information on the project.
#9 Discussion on participation with Schertz Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Bierschwale informed Council they are looking at a membership fee of
$875.00. His suggestion is to support the Schertz Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Baldwin thought they should find out where Council stands on this. The
Schertz Chamber of Commerce can't get started on a shoestring.
Mr. Simonson said they have been waiting for this for years. Mr. Douglas
commented they projected if 50% of the businesses participated, it would be a
go.
Mr. Bierschwale related he would let them know the City is committed to the
project.
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#10 Discussion awarding bid for Civic Center
Mr. Bierschwale advised the bids were opened on March 21, 2005. They had
budgeted $1,760,000 and the bid came in at $1 ,940,000.
Architect, Jerry Mendenhall, was at the meeting representing the bidder, which is
Vertex. Mr. Mendenhall said he has done business with them for over twenty-
five years and they are financially sound.
There was a brief discussion about why the bid came in over what was projected.
Among other things, it was determined the price of materials has gone up
considerably. Mr. Bierschwale recommended they approve the bid.
Mr.. Douglas inquired if they have 300 days from the signing of the contract to
complete the project and was told that's correct.
Council determined they were ready to act on this item at next Tuesday night's
meeting.
#11
Items by Interim City Manager
General Announcements
. Reported they will be opening bids on April 28th for the Maske Road
drainage project.
. Mentioned the Northeast Partnership meeting is tomorrow and he needs
Council's RSVP's.
. Noted he will be attending a meeting in Austin on Monday.
. Remarked after the Post Office made it known they are looking for land for
a new location, property owners are getting greedy.
. Reminded everyone the American Cancer Society Relay for Life will be
April 29th at Pickrell Park.
. Noted the EMS sub-station has been completed. Dudley Wait, EMS
Director, distributed pictures for Council to see.
#12 Items by Council
General Announcements
Council member Douglas
Liaison - EDC
Liaison - Schertz Library Board
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. Reported the Sign Ordinance Committee held another meeting and they .
are making some progress.
. Mentioned the lights are up at the library.
. Commented he would like to see Ford Engineering do a study on the low-
water crossing on Aviation and see if Universal City is willing to split the
cost. Mr. Bierschwale agreed they could do that.
Councilmember Simonson
Liaison - BWA
. Commented Ford Engineering had done a study a number of years ago
on the low water crossing and has lots of information on it.
. Noted the developer on Nell Deane left all the brush out front and it hasn't
been chipped. Mr. Bierschwale promised to check into it.
. Complimented the Inspection Department for doing a good job in the City.
Mayor Pro-Tem Agee
Liaison - Schertz Housing Authority
Liaison - Guadalupe County
Children's Advocacy Center
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Mrs. Agee was absent.
Council member Wilenchik
4-B Board
Liaison - Schertz Humane Society
Liaison - HOA Coalition
Ex-officio - TSAC
Investment Advisor
. Reported attending the Northcliffe Homeowners Association meeting last
night. A couple of issues were brought up, but it was a pretty friendly
meeting.
. Advised the Doggie Dash is alive and well. They are up to over $3,000 in
contributions.
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Council member Greenwald
4-B Board
Ex-officio P&Z Commission
Ex-officio - S/SLGC
. Mentioned the Northcliffe residents brought up the fact that State Farm is
still charging them the Cibolo rate. (There was a brief discussion about
the effort being made to get all the Northcliffe residents a 78154 zip
code.)
. Announced there is a Schertz/Seguin Local Government Corporation
meeting next Thursday for anyone wishing to attend.
#13 Items by Mayor
General Announcements
· Remarked Michael Spain had called him about a Ways and Mt)'J'lf:
Committee meeting in Austin. (Council had been providec informatiol1
regarding that meeting.)
. Commented on the favorable response to visits in Schertz hy Henry
Cuellar or members of his staff to answer questions by citizens.
. Noted the letter of retirement by City Secretary, Norma Althouse, effective
June 30, 2005.
At this time Council took a short break before going into Executive Session.
#14 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Called under Chapter 551 Texas Government
Code, Sub-Section 551.074, Personnel Matters: Appointment, employment,
evaluation, reassignment, duties or dismissal of the City Manager.
An Executive Session was held from 8:32 p.m. until 9:40 p.m.
#15 Action, if any, on the subject of the above Executive Session.
No action was necessary.
Mr. Bierschwale said he had forgotten to mention the Bachelor Auction being
held to raise money for the American Cancer Relay for Life. He will be the
auctioneer. Channel 4 will air a report about it.
#16 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the
meeting at 9:43 p.m.
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ATTEST:
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City Secretary, City of Schertz, Texas
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