ccreg 10-03-00
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REGULAR SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 3, 2000
The Schertz City Council convened in Regular Session on Tuesday, October 3, 2000 at
7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex, 1400 Schertz Parkway,
Schertz, Texas. Those present were as follows: Mayor Pro-Tern Glyn D. Williams,
presiding; Councilmembers Norma Head; Joe Potempa; Reginna Agee and Ken
Greenwald. Absent: Mayor Hal Baldwin. Staff present were Interim City Manager
Steve Simonson and City Secretary Norma Althouse.
Mayor Pro-Tern Williams presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Baldwin.
He asked everyone to rise and join him in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Special Workshop Session
Regular Session
Regular Session
Special Workshop Session
Special Workshop Session
8-09-00
8-15-00
8-22-00
8-29-00
8- 3 0-00
Mr. Potempa moved to annrove the minutes for the Special Workshop Session of 8-9-00,
the Regular Session of 8-15-00, the Regular Session of 8-22-00, the Special Workshop
Session of 8-29-00 and the Special Workshop Session of 8-30-00. Mrs. Agee seconded
the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Head, Potempa Agee and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#2 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
Peter Roth of 112 Telfair Square had signed up to speak about the controversy
concerning SAFES. He was sorry Mayor Baldwin wasn't present because some of his
remarks were directed at him. He started off by saying he did not write the newspaper
article that appeared in the Herald signed P. Lanman. He did, however, concur with the
article written.
Mr. Roth went on for approximately 20 minutes, some time having been yielded to him
by others who had signed up to speak. The highlights of his speech were as follows:
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a. status of allegations made by members of SAFES EMS toward the SAFES EMS
administration;
b. why Mr. Sweatt chose to ignore the SAFES hiring board's recommendation and
appoint Juan Guerrero as the administrator for SAFES;
c. questions about a checks and balances process which ensures efficient and effective
leadership and management within various organizations in the City of Schertz;
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d. why City Council is getting involved with the scheduling of SAFES EMS employees;
e. the 24/48 hour schedule and all its conditions and its legality;
f. mismanagement and misuse of resources available;
g. status of volunteers;
h. events of August 8, 2000;
i. salaries;
j. City money versus SAFES money;
k. loss of Randolph AFB contract;
1. use of SAFES vehicle for personal use;
m. money wasted at car washes;
n. performing duties above limitations;
o. driving a SAFES vehicle after drinking;
p. staffmg of only two ambulances for such a large area; and
q. pornographic materials download onto City computer.
Mr. Roth had directed several questions to Councilmembers and was informed by City
Attorney, Michael Spain, they were not allowed to respond because this item was not on
the agenda. Also, Mr. Roth was asked several times by Mayor Pro-Tern Williams to
wrap up his comments because oftime.
George Mower of 501 Brooks Ave. had signed up to speak about truth and justice and
read a letter to Council concerning that subject.
#3 PRESENT AnON: Consider and take action regarding presentation on behalf of
Guadalupe County Hospital.
Nancy Berry, President and CEO ofthe Guadalupe Valley Hospital Foundation, made a
presentation on behalf of those people who do not have or carmot afford medical attention
and medication. She mentioned there are a large number of people who show up in
crisis, are treated, and then are back again in need of help. It is estimated it costs $5,500
per patient per stay. The pharmaceutical companies are mandated to provide medicines
to people who carmot afford them They are trying to centralize the paperwork in order
to get this program working. A similar program is working beautifully in Fredericksburg.
Yolanda Griffm is the coordinator for the program.
Ms. Berry went on to say the average profile of a patient is a woman in her late 60's or
70' who is a widow and has an average income of $400 per month. Medications require
at least half of that income. She is here tonight ?e\r;"1~ for a donation from the City of
Schertz. They received an endowment from Winifred Orchard for $75,000, $2,500 from
the City of Cibolo, and $25,000 from both the City of Seguin and from Guadalupe
County. Ms. Berry stated they would submit reports every month and they believe they
can help a lot of people in Guadalupe County.
Mayor Pro-Tern Williams, saying he would do all he could to support this effort, advised
Ms. Berry they still need to discuss the matter and put it on an agenda for a vote. Mr.
Spain advised the City can't make an outright donation, but he may be able to come up
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with a legal contract between the City and the hospital. Perhaps the money could be
limited to City of Schertz residents. This needs to be put on a workshop agenda for
discussion.
Mayor Pro-Tern Williams thanked Ms. Berry for her time and informed her they would
be getting in touch with her regarding further discussion of her request.
#4 ORDINANCE: Consider and take action on first reading of Ordinance regarding
Tax Abaternent and Tax Abatement Agreement with Block Distributing.
Mayor Pro-Tern Williams introduced an ordinance and read the caption as follows:
AN ORDINANCE
THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS, APPROVING A TAX ABATEMENT
AGREEMENT BY THE CITY COUNCIL FOR AND WITH BLOCK
DISTRIBUTING INC., A PROPERTY OWNER IN THE CITY OF SCHERTZ.
Mark Marquez, Economic Development Coordinator, showed a drawing of the building,
on an easel, for Council to observe. He stated the Economic Development Commission
and Staff have recommended approval. Steve Hughes from Block Distributing is here
tonight to answer any further questions.
Mr. Potempa moved to approve the first reading of an Ordinance regarding Tax
Abatement and Tax Abatement Agreement with Block Distributing. Mr. Greenwald
seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Head, Potempa, Agee and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#5 APPOINTMENTS: Consider and take action regarding appointments to Planning
and Zoning Commission.
Mrs. Agee moved to reappoint Joyce Briscoe, Tony Moreno, Ernie Evans and Keith Van
Dine for two-year terms to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mrs. Head seconded
the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Head, Potempa, Agee and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#6 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
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. Distributed letters of invitation to the Annual Business Appreciation Dinner.
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. Indicated that at the next workshop they would have a revised contract for solid waste
and it would be on the agenda.
. Reported they have leased another 140-acre feet of water.
. Mentioned the seal coat project is moving forward.
#7 ITEMS BY COUNCIL
Mr. r ....~~u.......a:
. Said he had requested a copy of the bank contract be in the packet. Where is it? Mr.
Simonson replied there were a few minor corrections that had to be made, so it will
be in the packet next time.
#8 ITEMS BY MAYOR:
. Thanked everyone for their help this evening in getting him get through everything.
It was his first stint as Mayor Pro-Tem
#9 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Pro-Tern Williams adjourned the
meeting at 7:45 p.m
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Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas
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ATTEST:
aJ
, City of Schertz
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