ccwks 10-25-00
SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 25, 2000
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on Wednesday,
October 25, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Municipal Complex, 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
No one had signed up to speak.
Mayor Baldwin informed Council they are pulling Items #13 and #14 from the agenda.
They were put on in case the City Manager was ready to act regarding the EMS Director
and he's not ready.
#2 Discuss Guadalupe County Hospital request.
Don Richey and Nancy Berry were present to represent Guadalupe Valley Hospital. Mr.
Richey commented the drugs are available if you persevere. When the program started,
they were serving only the indigent and then found out the aging population is also in
need. It is a very efficient system and he is here tonight to answer questions. He knows
people have a problem with transfer of funds from a governmental agency. Nancy Berry
is the Director working with the foundation.
Michael Spain, City Attorney, commented there is a limitation on what a City can give
and how it can give it. If it's only for Schertz residents and there's some way to monitor
that, and the Guadalupe Valley Hospital District has no problem with that, then some
kind of agreement could be worked out. Mayor Baldwin inquired if they would like to
see this be an annual donation every year from now on and Mr. Richey replied yes.
Ms. Berry remarked the pharmaceutical companies decide who gets medications. Mr.
Richey added in order to get the medications, you have to front the vy",,,,;;on. Ms. Berry
went on to say the average profile of someone who needs medication is an elderly widow
living on a fraction of her husband's pension.
Mrs. Agee asked if there are any other organizations that do this. Mr. Richey replied
there is one in Fredericksburg. Ms. Berry emphasized this program would change
people's lives. Mrs. Agee then mentioned an innovation put out by the Comptroller
whereby you can order medication via the Internet. Ms. Berry acknowledged that
process, but stated it still requires a doctor to fill out the paperwork.
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Mayor Baldwin noted this is not on the agenda for action tonight. It will be put on the
next regular meeting agenda for action by Council.
Mr. Spain indicated there could be an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Schertz
and Guadalupe Valley Hospital. There was some concern about too little money or too
much. Mr. Williams feh ifthey discover the need is more than they thought, then maybe
they need to come hack and revise the agreement. Mr. Spain said he doesn't foresee too
little or too much. Mr. Williams stated he's not opposed to the idea, he's just asking
questions.
Mr. Simonson mentioned the City of Schertz has residents also in Comal and Bexar
Counties. Can those residents participate? Mr. Richey answered yes.
Ms. Berry satisfactorily answered Mr. Greenwald's concerns about how much of the
money goes to administration of the program. Mrs. Agee asked even if the City
participates this year, are they obligated for a second year. Mr. Spain answered they
could write a contract with an option.
Council agreed they were ready for this item to be placed on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
#3 Discuss final reading of Ordinance rezoning 71.08 acres from R-l and R-4 to
R-5. (Bescb property).
Mr. Simonson advised there is nothing new to report. If the plans for the school work
out, then they would have to request a Specific Use Permit.
Council was prepared for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda.
#4 Discuss appointment, by Mayor, of Commissioners to Housing Authority.
Mayor Baldwin had received a letter from the Housing Authority requesting the approval
of appointments to the Housing Authority of two Commissioners - Earl Sawyer and
Lawrence Dixon. The Mayor indicated he has no problem with that and it can be placed
on the agenda next Tuesday for action.
#5 Discuss appointments to Schertz Economic Development Corporation (4B
Board).
Those appointments needed are Reginna Agee for a two-year term until September 30,
2002; Ken Greenwald for a two-year term until September 30, 2002; and Ramon Cook
for a two-year term until September 30, 2002. Commenting this is the only Board they
can appoint themselves to, Council was ready for this item to be included on next
Tuesday night's agenda.
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#6 Discuss draft Ordinance regarding rewrite of Chapter 5 of the Code of
Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations).
Mr. Potempa questioned why this ordinance took so long to rewrite. Mr. Simonson
explained the State and federal agencies are putting extra regulations on the City. The
City is trying to get a handle on the plumbing and electrical codes, and they are also
dealing with international codes.
Mr. Simonson went on to say he has had this in his hands for 30 days, but due to other
things going on that he wanted taken care of first, he is just now submitting it to Council.
He wanted to make sure everything they need is included in this ordinance.
There was some discussion about hackflow devices and how they can do them equitably.
In regard to permits, it was suggested that when a permit is issued, a note needs to be
made in the file about when a reinspection is due. Mr. Williams stated we have all these
ordinances, but need a means to enforce thern.
There was then some criticism of Leonard Truitt and his handling of requests to several
neighborhoods to trim their overhanging trees. Mr. Williams felt people in his
neighborhood were told to trim because he (Mr. Williams) lives there and had requested
it. Mrs. Agee felt the enforcer should use common sense when talking to the public.
Tact and diplomacy are required.
Mr. Potempa felt strongly this ordinance is one and a half years late, but agreed with the
rest of Council it should be included on next Tuesday night's agenda The only change
Council requested was that the fees be listed on a s..p........e schedule.
#7 Discuss the following Interlocal Agreements witb Guadalupe County:
a. Library
b. EMS-SAFES
c. Fire Protection Services
d. Animal Control Services
Mr. Spain mentioned he would like to see a standard form for the SAFES services. After
some discussion about the various contracts, Mayor Baldwin suggested this item be
postponed until Mr. Spain reviews all of them and is ready for them to be on an agenda.
Council agreed.
#8 Discuss the following purchases:
a. Fire Truck
b. Ambulance
a. Fire Truck
Mr. Simonson informed Council the 4B Board has approved the purchase. The key here
is that it is not against what the citizens wanted in the bond issue. They anticipate
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$790,000 in new money in the 4B account by the end of the fiscal year. Mr. Greenwald
admitted his only concern was using the funds for a fire truck.
Fire Chief Johnny Woodward explained how the fire truck he is looking at from Ferrara
out of Louisiana meets the specifications 99%. He then explained why others he has
looked at don't meet the specifications.
b. Ambulance
Mr. Spain noted this purchase is already authorized under the GO Bonds and not the 4B.
They do, however, still have to go out for bids. He then mentioned the fire truck is also
authorized under the GO Bonds and not the 4B. They could also purchase police cars
under the GO Bonds.
Mrs. Agee commented they need a game plan for spending. Mayor Baldwin said the
Chiefs need to evaluate their needs and then this item would be placed on a future
workshop for discussion. Council agreed.
At this time Council took a short break.
#9 Discuss City Manager Employment A';'L"'" ent.
Mr. Spain felt they should be able to suspend a City Manager with pay. Mrs. Agee asked
if they could put term and clause for renewal. Mayor Baldwin answered term is a must.
Mrs. Agee then inquired if anyone other than the City Manager has an employment
contract and was told no. Mr. Williams said he would like to see a three-year contract
renewable every year after evaluation.
Mrs. Agee wondered if they could give Mr. Spain a general idea of what they want and
have him draft up an employment agreement. Among those items discussed were term
with renewa~ ability to suspend with pay, realistic termination clauses, some sort of
severance package, benefits such as longevity, retirement and vacation, number of days
required to give the City for termination of employment, non-City activities, elimination
of unrestricted mobile telephone services, a car with a City emblem on it, liability under
memberships and associations, yearly physical and drug testing. There were other minor
changes to the existing City Manager Employment Agreement, and Mr. Spain promised
to work up a draft of all the revisions as soon as possible.
#10 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
· Commented he had passed out a lot of information to Council and asked them to let
him know if they want any of it on an agenda. Mr. Greenwald mentioned they need
to look at the letter from Melvin Golla about the use of the pavilion for the trailriders.
· Advised he would be attending the AP A Conference next week, which had already
been scheduled several months ago.
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#11 ITEMS BY COUNCIL
Ken. Greenwald: Update on Schertz/Seguin Local Government Cv. yv.",;on Progress.
· Discussed some of the grazing leases and other leases obtained by the Corporation.
Mr. Spain asked when the next bond issue is scheduled and was told March. Mr.
Spain then mentioned they should get started on the process. Mr. Greenwald stated
the first well is already in. He and John Bierschwale made a presentation in New
Braunfels. Doug Miller of EAA says the right of capture is not ours and we told him
he is wrong. They will be going out to cities contacted previously to see if there's
any interest in participating. Mayor Baldwin noted cities are upset about the raise in
EAA fees.
#12 ITEMSBYMAYOR
· Announced Vestal Steel is having a 20-year anniversary celebration tomorrow
evening at 6:00 p.rn. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
#15 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the meeting at
10:02 p.rn.
Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas
ATTEST:
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