ccswks 11-29-00
SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 29, 2000
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on Wednesday,
November 29, 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.
Before the meeting, Mayor Baldwin announced, for those who hadn't heard yet, that
Chief Johnny Woodward has been in the hospital for a couple of weeks now. He was
diagnosed with leukemia. At this time he seems to be holding his own, but everyone is
asked to pray for him. He is at Northeast Baptist Hospital, but is not allowed visitors.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
George Mower of 50 I Brooks Ave. mentioned there's a State law, which says no elected
official may serve on a board to which he may appoint. (Mr. Mower was ,..r",,:'.g to the
4B Board on which several Councilmembers serve.) Michael Spain, City Attorney, said
there are certain exceptions to the rule and the 4B Board is one of those exceptions. Mr.
Mower asked if he could have a letter stating that. Mayor Baldwin indicated Mr. Spain
could send him a copy of the statute.
#2 ORDINANCE: Consider and take action on final reading of Ordinance regarding
rewrite of Chapter 5 of the Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations).
Mayor Baldwin introduced an Ordinance and read the caption as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 00-C-33
BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS, PROVIDING
THAT THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS BE
AMENDED BY DELETING CHAPTER 5, BUILDINGS AND BUILDING
REGULATIONS, AND REPLACING SAME WITH A REVISED CHAPTER 5,
BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS; AND PROVIDING A
REPEALING CLAUSE.
Mr. Potempa moved to approve the final reading of an Ordinance regarding rewrite of
Chapter 5 of the Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations). Mr.
Greenwald seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
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AYES: Councilmembers Head, Potempa, Agee, Williams and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#3 ORDINANCE: Consider and take action on first reading of Ordinance regarding
Stop intersections.
Mayor Baldwin introduced an Ordinance and read the caption as follows:
AN ORDINANCE
BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS, PROVIDING
THAT THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF SCHERTZ TEXAS BE
AMENDED BY REVISING CHAPTER 18-32, STOP INTERSECTIONS; AND
PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE.
Mr. Simonson explained this ordinance provides traffic regulations for all the new streets
that have been added.
Mr. Greenwald moved to approve the first reading of an Ordinance regarding Stop
intersections. Mrs. Agee seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Head, Potempa, Agee, Williams and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#4 APPOINTMENTS: Consider and take action appointing Capital Recovery
Advisory Committee members representing the ETJ and Realtors.
Steve Simonson advised that every 3-5 years they are required to go through these steps
to justify capital recovery fees. The ""y"".,entatives for the ETJ (James Anderson) and
Real Estate Development (Lee Boswell) are no longer able to participate. The Advisory
Committee and Staff seek Council's approval of William Woechner as the ETJ
representative and Tim Fetter as the Real Estate Development representative.
Mrs. Head move4 to approve William Woechner as the ETJ representative and Tim
Fetter as the Real Estate representative for the Capital Recovery Advisory Committee.
Mrs. Agee seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Head, Potempa, Agee, Williams and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
Mayor Baldwin now moved to Items #11 and #12.
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#11 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Called under Chapter 551 Texas Government Code:
A. Sub-Section 551.072 - Deliberation regarding real property; and
B. Sub-section 551.074 - Deliberation regarding employment of EMS Director.
(Sub-Section 551.074 was cancelled)
An Executive Session was held from 7:14 p.m. until 8:19 p.m.
#12 Action, if any, on above Executive Session.
There was no action required.
#5 Discuss awarding of bid for police cars.
Mr. Simonson commented this is a budgeted item and Chief Smith is recommending the
cars be purchased from Northside Ford.
Both Mr. Potempa and Mr. Williams referred to an article off the Internet they thought
Chief Smith should read before making up his mind. Mr. Williams complained that they
didn't get the specifications for the cars until last Friday in their packets. He also
mentioned that according to the Internet report, there's only I" difference between the
Ford and the Chevy.
Chief Smith informed Council they had the Chevy brought out so they could check it
out. There is no room for the prisoner when the seat is hack. They had their biggest
officer sit in it and when he did, there is no room for the cage. Chief Smith went on to
say that, personally, he doesn't like Fords, so he is open for other possibilities. Mr.
Williams gave Chief Smith a copy of the Internet report.
Mr. Williams mentioned we don't buy cars for the comfurt of the prisoner, so maybe it's
best in the long run to buy new equipment Chief Smith commented they did away with
the Chevy Caprice which was the same as the Crown Victoria.
There was a brief discussion about gas mileage and maintenance. Mr. Greenwald pointed
out that a disadvantage in front wheel drive is it wears out the boots.
Mayor Baldwin asked Chief Smith if he had time to do some research before next week
and he replied yes.
#6 Discuss Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) restrictions.
John Bierschwale, Public Works Director, reported that currently the City is permitted to
withdraw, under Permit BEOOOSl, 2414.20 acre feet and under Permit BEOOOOl, 82.0
acre feet for a combined total of 2496.20 acre feet. On the first round of reduction by
the Edwards, the City will lose 728.12425 acre feet. On the second round of reduction,
which they understand will be in 2008, the permits will be reduced again to 1454.27 acre
feet under Permit BE0005!. The Edwards has not reported the reduction of Permit
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BEOOOOl. Mr. Bierschwale recommended the purchase of an additional 730 acre feet to
regain the City's loss. Mr. Bierschwale had provided for Council, in their packets, a
fairly lengthy report.
Mayor Baldwin commented he had noticed the City has two permits. Mr. Bierschwale
explained they have an individual permit and a municipal permit. That will eventually be
changed to two municipal ones. He also mentioned they plan to maintain at least 400
acre feet of the Edwards even when they get the alternate water source from the Carrizo.
Mr. Greenwald stated they don't envision giving up the Edwards rights.
Mayor Baldwin pointed out they need to provide proposed rate increases for the next sale
of bonds. Mr. Bierschwale admitted that's correct - water rates will go up. Mr. Williams
inquired how much of a raise is anticipated. Mr. Bierschwale replied he is currently
looking at a 48.6% raise, but it's not definite. He is concerned about the double impact
on those customers outside the City limits. Mr. Williams told Mr. Bierschwale that if
gives information to the Woodland Oaks and Ashley Homeowners Associations, they
will publish it in their newsletters.
Mr. Potempa emphasized they need to make sure the public is aware of the water rate
increase. Along that line, Mr. Bierschwale mentioned he would like to comract with
Amy Madison for some public relations work. Mayor Baldwin asked if Council has a
problem about negotiating with Mrs. Madison. Mrs. Agee asked if the City of Schertz is
big enough to have a full-time public relations person. Mr. Bierschwale indicated this
person could be floated to other departments suffering bad publicity. Mr. Greenwald
suggested giving Mr. Bierschwale a six-month trial with Mrs. Madison and see how
much it would cost for a year. Mr. Simonson feh the more publicity, the better. The
consensus of Council was to go ahead and negotiate with Mrs. Madison.
Mr. Bierschwale then told Council he would like to start negv.:':'.:"g for more water.
Council gave him their approval.
#7 Discuss Emergency Plan.
Mr. Simonson advised the current ordinance was passed in 1982. They have merely
changed the wording to what is now required by the State. Glen Outlaw is the
Emergency Management Coordinator and has been working on this plan.
Council agreed they were ready for the first reading of this ordinance to be on next
Tuesday night's agenda.
#8 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
· Mentioned distributing the City Manager's contract for Council to review and make
either tighter or looser. They would like to see it made more City friendly and less
City Manager friendly. Mayor Baldwin observed that a really good City Manager
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would want a contract in hisJher favor. Mrs. Agee added the person would also have
to weigh the benefits.
. Commented that State Highway 130 would impact Schertz.
· Reported the City is currently doing a water and sewer impact study.
· Noted the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony is scheduled for Friday night,
December 1st at 6:00 p.rn. Along Main Street and Schertz Parkway, all the
decorations have new garland and lighting. He then told Council the story about the
gentleman who was watching them set up the decorations in front of the Community
Center and after they turned off the lights, asked them to turn them back on. He went
and got his girlfriend and knelt down among the decorations and proposed marriage
to her.
· Related they now have specifications for the lihrary roof and for the demolition of
several buildings. Mr. Potempa inquired about the status of the RFP on the phone
and computer system and Mr. Williams asked about the garbage contract. Mayor
Baldwin asked both men if Council could do those items next week and they replied
yes. Mr. Simonson said for Council's information they will have a written report on
the computer on December 13th.
#9 ITEMS BY COUNCIL
Mr. Williams:
· Stated he honestly didn't know anything about the Mayor's advisory committee
regarding SAFES. Mayor Baldwin said he gave everyone letters and if Council wants
discussion of the subject on a future agenda, that can be arranged.
· Asked why the second item under the Executive Session said EMS Director versus
SAFES Director. Mayor Baldwin answered because SAFES is a private organization.
Mr. Potemna:
· Commented he needs a photograph of the first ambulance in the City. Mayor
Baldwin thought he could find one.
Mr~ Head:
· Inquired if there will be a Council workshop on December 27th. Mayor Baldwin
replied they usually cancel because of the holidays.
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#10 ITEMS BY MAYOR
. Announced Council would meet tomorrow at I :00 p.m. to review City Manager
applications. The suggestion has been made to hold off making a decision until after
the holidays. If that's what Council decides, then letters will have to go out to
everyone who was invited to the reception on December 15th telling them about the
change.
#13 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the meeting at
9:49 p.rn.
~r
MaYor, City of Schertz, Texas
ATTEST:
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~ City ec e , City of Schertz, Texas
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