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ccswks 03-14-01 SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL MARCH 14, 2001 The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session at 7:00 p.rn. on Wednesday, March 14, 2001 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, Reginna Agee, Glyn D. Williams and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Councilmember Joe Potempa. Staff present were City Manager Dewey Cashwell and City Secretary Norma Althouse. #1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS George Mower of 50 I Brooks said he found a sixth car wash at the end of the water line. Do any ofthe car washes have a tax abatement? Mayor Baldwin replied no. Bill Neller of 305 Koch showed an old SAFES jacket he found. Mayor Baldwin asked him if he would consider donating it to the City as part of their history. Mr. Neller was unsure. Mr. Neller then stated that several years ago he was involved in Schertz Animal Control, but because of something that happened, he went to Universal City under Gordon Blake. He is the can collector and the money goes to the Homes for the Homeless. The last time around they received a check for $600.00. Is there something like this is Schertz? Is there a Humane Society? Mayor Baldwin responded there could be something like that in Schertz if someone like Mr. Neller ran it. He recommended making a request to the Humane Society through Pia Jarman. Public In;"...",,;ion Officer, Amy Madison, reminded everyone of the Hope Floats Waikathon on May 5th at the park in New Braunfels. It benefits people with ATC, which all three of her children were diagnosed with in 1994. Mayor Baldwin added it's a great event. #2 Discuss final reading of Ordinance regarding Tax Abatement Reinvestment Zone for Technos, Incorporated. Mayor Baldwin reminded Council they had the public hearing and the first reading of the Ordinance. He asked if they were ready for this item to be on next Tuesday night's agenda. Council indicated they were ready. #3 Discuss final reading of Ordinance regarding Tax Abatement and Tax Abatement Agreement with Technos, Incorporated. 116 Council agreed they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda. #4 Discuss final reading of Ordinance adopting Guidelines and Criteria Policy for Tax Abatement. There being nothing new to discuss, Council mentioned they were prepared to have this item included on next Tuesday night's agenda. #5 Discuss public hearing (scheduled for March 20, 2001) regarding request for Specific Use Permit to build elementary school in Wynn Brook Subdivision on Green Valley Road. Steve Simonson, Asst. City Manager, explained the school would be located at the end of our City limits. He also mentioned a two-way stop would become a four-way stop, there would be a sidewalk on Green Valley Road up to the school, and there would be a turn lane and a rebuilt road. Larry Aiken, the developer, informed Council he had met with the Homeowner's Association regarding extension of sidewalk to the last comer house, more sidewalks and turn Janes, and three Janes down near FM 3009. The Traffic Impact Analysis had been done by the Engineer as well as the final approval on legalities of the lot. #6 Discuss New Bond Issue and Refunding of Bonds. Mr. Cashwell distributed a handout for Council's review and noted Mark McLiney is recommending refunding and refmancing because it is a savings to the City. Mr. McLiney pointed out the new amount is $400,000.00 and the old amount is $600,000.00. This is a better use of the City's money. Mr. Williams inquired about the life of the existing bond and was told by Mr. McLiney unti12007. Mrs. Agee observed they are combining two payments. There was some discussion about the real cost, about the cost of issuance and about the credit rating being in jeopardy. Mr. McLIney commented the Ordinance would go to Standard & Poors and he's 95% sure the credit rating won't be an issue. Mr. Cashwell emphasized this is a good Oyyv.;.mity based on good credit and prudent practice. Council concluded they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda. #7 Discuss awarding bid for 2001 Street Repair Project. 117 Mr. Cashwell commented there's good news. The additional cost of adding four streets to the chip seal contract is less than 25%. The addition of these streets will finish out the list for chip sealing in this part of town. They also plan a one-inch overlay on Lindbergh. Council agreed they were prepared for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda. #8 Discuss City's Investment Policy. Mr. Cashwell advised Council he had run this policy by Michael Spain because it needs to be reviewed periodically. Mr. Spain recommended this policy. Mr. V.J. Jain, Cvmy;.vller, stated this policy is more extensive than the previous one. They have put in an index, and this policy is consistent with current legislation. Council indicated their readiness for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda. #9 Discuss Resolution on opposition to HB64 and SB339, Financial Disclosure. Mr. Cashwell advised this Resolution comes by way of the Northeast Partnership up to City Council as the policy-making body. Mayor Baldwin added it would be used along with Resolutions from seven other cities. Council affumed they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda. #10 Discuss Interlocal Agreements for EMS Services. Mr. Cashwell commented, in his opinion, these have been nothing more than a strong handshake agreement in the past. They are now more defmitive as to what we require. Council agreed they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda. #11 Discuss Information Technology - Position & Salary. Mr. Cashwell advised he thinks the top priority is GIS - if we don't do this, we are relying on institutional memory. The next priority is archiving of information and in- house achievement of this is preferable. Ajob description is available for those who wish to see it. He is recommending a Step Grade 29 at $38,000 per year. He strongly feels this is the right path for the City. 118 Mayor Baldwin asked if they are saying the City can get rid of Brice Systems. Mr. Cashwell responded with the exception of proprietary software. The Mayor then asked if the annual maintenance will go away and Mr. Williams replied no. Mr. Williams stressed this is long overdue. You can put a back-up copy of data in a safety deposit box. Mr. Greenwald inquired if one person can do this job. Mr. Cashwell answered they are taking a leap offaith. He expects to augment this position in the future. Mayor Baldwin asked if this would be brought before Council. Mr. Cashwell admitted he is not familiar with the process. Mayor Baldwin suggested bringing it up at the mid- year budget adjustment time. Mark Marquez informed the City Manager they have done across the board pay raises at mid-year previously. Mayor Baldwin mentioned they have salary revisions this year. Mr. Cashwell encouraged input. . Council was prepared for this item to be on next Tuesday night's agenda. # 12 Discuss use of City facilities. Mr. Cashwell related there is no written policy in place. They need to establish actual costs, costs associated with capital renewal, a rental rate, and a for profit pay-as-you-go rate. Non-profit organizations would have to meet certain requirements. Mrs. Agee wondered if they are going to require a regular certificate of insurance with the City as additional insurer. Mr. Williams inquired if there would be a cost for training aids. Mr. Cashwell answered we are proposing folks not use our equipment. Mayor Baldwin commented Council would wait for the rate schedule. #13 Discuss Tax Windfall Issues. Mr. Cashwell mentioned a request came to them a while ago about the possibility of some assistance from the City as far as utility bills. Mr. Jain advised the only possible source is Entex/Reliant. There are no unusual levels of revenue from CPS or GVEC. If Council believes an entity is in a good position to help, then it's a matter of policy. Mr. Williams some have changed from a tax to a franchise fee. The power cost recovery factor has been going up. His suggestion was a budget line item available for these people to build up to a certain level. Mayor Baldwin verified Mr. Williams is not ."vyvsing a grant and Mr. Williams indicated he is not. Mr. Greenwald asked why not look at overages on franchise fees. 119 Mr. Simonson advised that GRASP and RACAP both have budgets for this type of assistance. Mr. Williams pointed out it creates good public relations with the citizens. Mayor Baldwin emphasized the City has the power to turn off water, but not to turn off heat and electric. Mr. Greenwald suggested the excesses on franchise fees be put on a line itern. Mayor Baldwin inquired if you don't have excesses, then what. Mrs. Agee asked if Schertz would be limited to only our money. Mr. Cashwell answered there is a limited period issue. This is meant to augment versus supplant. They can come back with a structure. Mayor Baldwin questioned what happens if you don't use all the money. Mr. Greenwald answered you keep it. Mrs. Head stated she has no problem with the idea, she just wants to make sure the money is excess money. Mr. Mower had suggested since the public is already credited for .42 out of the $1.25 charged for recycling, the difference of .83 be put in this fund. Mrs. Agee thought that was a good idea. Mayor Baldwin informed Mrs. Agee the money goes to the people who pick up the recycling, so you can use only .42. Mrs. Head wondered if part of the excess money could go toward hazardous waste removal costs and part toward parks. Could we establish the need? Mr. Cashwell, saying they need to create a policy, recommended it go toward assistance with utility bills. #14 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT . Attached is copy of Department of Health Report. . Also attached is copy of March 5 issue of the Austin-San Antonio Council Monday Morning Report. . Also attached is copy of Midweek Brief from Randolph Metrocom Chamber of Commerce. . Reported the EMS Director position has been advertised with a March 22nd deadline. . Related he would provide a copy ofthe Attorney General's opinion regarding hearing of residents in the next packet. It prohibits spontaneous discussion and he's sorry to see that. 120 #15 ITEMS BY COUNCIL Norma Head: . Thanked Mr. Simonson for the signs regarding hazardous pick up. . Asked if there's any progress on the Burch wall. Mr. Cashwell indicated it's a continuing dialogue. Mr. Simonson stated the lawyer said the City can't touch the wall. #16 ITEMSBYMAYOR Commented the Attorney General's opinion regarding hearing of residents pushes City Councils underground. #17 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the meeting at 9:24 p.rn. C~~~-C Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas ATTEST: /Y7 {/1M GfhJ AIlo- ) ~ City ,secretaIJ</City of Schertz --- 121