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SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 11, 2000
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on Wednesday,
October 11, 2000 at 7:00 p.rn. in the Municipal Complex Conference Room, 1400
Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. Those present were as follows: Mayor Hal Baldwin,
presiding; Councilmembers Norma Head; Joe Potempa; Reginna Agee; Glyn D. Williams
and Ken Greenwald. Staff present were Interim City Manager Steve Simonson and City
Secretary Norma Althouse.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
Councilmember Glyn Williams of 2800 Kingsland Circle read a letter he had received
from an unnamed person who called him a jerk because of some of his
comments/opinions about SAFES, the City and citizens of Schertz. Mr. Williams
commented that when he was growing up, he was told if you want to do something about
a situation, you have to get involved. Mr. Williams also remarked he considers this Jetter
hate mail and a threat to his well being and he will turn it over to the Police Department
for investigation.
Craig Ackerman of SAFES EMS had the following questions for Mr. Simonson: (a)
Why doesn't SAFES receive any funds from Bexar County? (b) Who formed the
SAFES Advisory Committee and why? Mayor Baldwin informed Mr. Ackerman they
are going to hold off on the answers to those questions because discussion of the current
status of SAFES is on the agenda tonight.
At this time, with Council's approval, Mayor Baldwin brought Items 5 and 6 forward
because the representatives for those discussions were present.
#5 Discuss public hearing and first reading of Ordinance regarding request for
rezoning from Larry Aiken on the Besch property.
Mr. Simonson explained they are asking to rezone 71.08 acres. Planning and Zoning is
looking at the platting, but nothing can go further until the rezoning is approved. Mr.
Aiken told Council the SCVC ISD carne to them with an :.,;.;,.:... plan for a school and if
the elementary school has an adverse impact on their plan, they won't be able to go
ahead. Mr. Simonson pointed out the zoning issue can move forward as agreed - the
school is a community issue. If there is a consensus on the zoning issue, the school
district will have to come back.
Mr. Williams inquired what school bus traffic would do to the road and Mr. Aiken
answered because there would be only 500 students in the elementary school, the road
would be widened to 80 feet and there would be an entrance/exit only.
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Mr. Williams then asked what impact other school buses would have on the road and was
told by Don McCrary there would be minimal impact. Mr. Aiken mentioned they have
decided to put in a left turn lane for safety. Mr. Aiken then noted that according to the
bond issue, the schooJ would not open until 2003.
Mr. Potempa questioned how this would impact Mr. Mayle's drainage problem. Mr.
Aiken responded that when they built Arroyo Verde, they gave Mr. MayJe too much
velocity and he needs to filter and capture water into a stock tank. They have an
opportunity to accommodate him and are negotiating with him to try and get his drainage
problem soJved without him having to go to court.
Mayor Baldwin commented the citizens appreciate neighborhood schools. The engineers
seem to be confident that 80% of the traffic would be internal. They will have the traffic
impact reports for Tuesday night's meeting.
Council indicated they were ready for this item to be placed on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
#6 Discuss public hearing regarding request for Specific Use Permit from Fairlee
AdamslMcCuistion on behalf of SCUC ISD.
David Fluker was present to represent the school district. Mr. Fluker expJained what they
are l''Vl'Vsing is a layout for an athletic facility. There would be two softball fields, a
soccer field, possibly an indoor swimming pool and most likeJy some tennis courts. A
very detailed environmental study was done in association with this proposed project.
After a brief discussion about traffic, Council agreed they were ready for this item to be
placed on next Tuesday night's agenda.
After a short break, Mayor Baldwin moved back to Item #2.
#2 Discuss current status ofS.A.F.E.S.
Mayor Baldwin ,,"Ap'''"~seS regret he was not at the meeting last week and noted the
presentation made by Peter Roth was out of line. He was disappointed in the legal staff
allowing the presentation to go on. PeopJe are nervous about the phasing out of the
voJunteers. As far as he knows, they have only one voJunteer left from St. Hedwig, and
he doesn't consider one volunteer as being a volunteer organization. They are paying
part-time personnel to stand by and there are other serious flaws in the scheduling which
is costing the City overtime. All of this is creating an ugly situation in the community.
The forming of the advisory committee has also caused some concerns. Maybe they need
to pull the current S.A.F.E.S. employees and the 50I3.c charter members together.
Mayor Baldwin went on to say some of the probJerns with S.A.F.E.S. came about as the
result of a study done in March of J999 by Mobile Health Care out of Dallas. Council
had no knowledge of this study. He is amazed this study was bottom-drawered by the
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former City Manager and the EMS Di""",u,. Also, there has been concern about the lack
of agre"..."",s between S.A.F.E.S. and other cities. There are other cities which are
indebted to the S.A.F.E.S. organization. The intent of City Council was to do the best
they could under the current circumstances and he is very disappointed in all the rumors
flying around. There is no room for all this (pardon the expression) crap - it is destroying
the organization. Ifwe can eliminate the profit only motive, we should be able to find a
place for everyone.
There was discussion about salaries; about the fact Council had authorized bringing on
more employees October I, 2000 versus mid-year; about Juan Guerrero and Johnny
Woodward being out of the firing line while the investigation is going on; about the need
to realize this situation involves the safety and well-being of the majority of the citizens;
about how they can possibly intermingle the City of Schertz and 50I3.c; about the status
ofvoJunteers; and about the effective utilization of manpower.
Several S.A.F.E.S. employees were present and expressed their concerns. Also, the
reporter from the Seguin-Gazette Enterprise had several questions about the advisory
committee. Mayor Baldwin indicated he would be issuing a separate report on that issue.
#3 Discuss action regarding presentation on behalf of Guadalupe County
HospitaL
Mr. Greenwald advised that Council was briefed Jast week by Nancy Berry of the
Guadalupe County Hospital district and she was asking for a donation of $10,000 over a
two-year period. They are looking to come up with money for prescription drugs.
Michael Spain, City Attorney, had remarked a possibility would be that they could only
allocate money to people within the City limits of Schertz. Mrs. Agee felt the recipients
would have to prove they lived within the City limits. Mr. Greenwald was curious about
how much money wouJd be going for administrative purposes versus the prescription
drug program. Mrs. Head suggested that perhaps a grant pays salaries. Mr. Williams
thought maybe all contributions could be paid directly to health care.
Mayor Baldwin pointed out the Guadalupe ValJey Hospital is not tax-supported. Mr.
Williams suggested asking Ms. Berry to come back. Council agreed to ask her back to
another workshop and get the questions resolved about how the money could be allocated
only to Schertz residents and where the money for staffing comes frorn.
#4 Discuss draft Ordinance regarding Municipal Solid Waste DisposaL
Mr. Simonson emphasized this is a draft. The old parts are underlined. They put in the
hazardous waste pick-up and the yard clippings pick-up. Is twice a year, Spring and Fall,
enough for the City-wide clean-up and the hazardous waste pick-up? Mrs. Head reported
calling Universal City and they do the hazardous waste pick-up twice a year, Garden
Ridge does it once, and Live Oak doesn't do it at all.
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Mr. Simonson then asked Council if they want to keep recycling. Mayor Baldwin wasn't
sure Council could make that decision because the citizens voted on it at an election.
Mrs. Head didn't think it was a smart idea to remove recycling. Mr. Potempa was in
favor of giving recycling to the citizens free of charge because he's tired of hearing about
buying down the contract.
Regarding hazardous waste, Mr. Williams asked if the company in charge is required to
have people on site. Mark Marquez was not sure, but said they could make that
requirement part of the contract.
Mr. Simonson related there's a time bind and if Council likes, they can act on this next
Tuesday. The Ordinance could be used as part of the bid document. Mr. Williams
questioned if there's a performance bond and how much it is. Mr. Marquez answered
that is part of the contract.
Council indicated they were prepared for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
#7 Discuss awarding of bid for Schertz Comprehensive Land Plan.
Mr. Simonson reJated Council had been apprised of the RFP. The City reached a point in
growth where they felt they needed outside help for this project. It is a budgeted item.
They have insisted on citizen participation in the process. There is a time line.
Mr. Simonson went on to say Wilbur Smith and Associates is a well-respected company.
Their bid came in at $75,000.
Council agreed they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
#8 Discuss first reading of Ordinance regarding sewer rates.
John Bierschwale, Public Works Director, reported that a Jetter explaining the rate
increase had been sent to all the citizens. This is a pass-through cost and is not a cost to
the City. He has instructed staff to funnel all complaints to CCMA.
Council was prepared for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda.
#9 Discuss final reading of Ordinance regarding Tax Abatement and Tax
Abatement Agreement with Block Distributing.
This item having been on a previous workshop agenda and having been approved on first
reading, Council agreed they were ready to take action at next Tuesday's meeting.
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#10 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
. Reported having a formal request from HEB for a traffic signal between Taco Cabana
and Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union. They are asking for our support and will
support the City's efforts to obtain such a traffic signal.
. Related receiving a bid from V.W. Brooks and would like to go forward with the
change order for further improvements to the Municipal Complex. They checked and
the money is available.
. Reminded Council they received a copy of the bank agreement. They are waiting on
MichaeJ Spain for a copy of the Exhibit.
#11 ITEMS BY COUNCIL
Mrs. Head:
. Commented she had called Coronado Paint and talked with Bill Peterson. He
recycles paint for San Antonio and Austin and is excited about having a hazardous
waste pick-up date in Schertz. There are certain costs involved, but he would make
them minimal. He puts the paint in 55 galJon drums
. Announced the work party for putting out the trees and flowerbeds is October 21st.
Mr. Simonson added people have been super. They have great plans. Mr. Williams
noted Chief Smith got volunteers as a response from Homeowners Association
newsletters. The next project would be the Cibolo Creek area after the FM 78
widening. Do we have any plans to recognize these people? Mr. Simonson answered
we do. Mr. Simonson then mentioned bouJders are being donated by Larry Hunt.
Mr. Williams:
. Referred to the Jetters to the editor about car washes. Have these people been to City
Council? Mayor Baldwin indicated as long as they meet the requirements, they are
authorized. Mr. Simonson stated the Edwards Aquifer Authority recommends 80%
recycled water. Mr. Potempa wondered what this will do to the competition and Mr.
Simonson said they would survive.
#12 ITEMSBYMAYOR
Advised Council needs to schedule a workshop session for discussion of the City
Manager's contract.
Inquired how the Annual Business Appreciation Dinner is coming along. He heard a
rumor the entertainment had been cancelled. Mr. Marquez answered the originaJ
entertainment had cancelled, but they have a call in to an alternate source.
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Asked if anyone is contacting the Schertz Business Association about ribbon cuttings and
groundbreakings.
Mentioned he and Mr. Simonson had attended the Chamber luncheon this week and they
are expanding the Community College District into this end of the county. They still
have donated land on 1604 and Ware-Seguin.
#13 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the meeting at
9:49 p.rn.
Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas
ATTEST:
1YJ u/1q IAkMJ
~ City Sec~lII#, City of Schertz
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