ccswks 03-28-01
SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 28, 2001
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on Wednesday, March
28, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. 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
G.';'';'u,/ald. Staff present were City Manager Dewey P. Cashwell, Jr., and City Secretary
Norma Althouse.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
No one had signed up to speak.
#2 Discuss Audit Report for Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2000.
Nancy Vaughan from Armstrong, Vaughan and Associates was present to review the
Audit Report with Council. Among those funds discussed were Revenues, Debt Service,
Capital Projects, Water/Sewer and EMS. There was a brief discussion about EMS being
combined with the Enterprise Fund. Mayor Baldwin thought it best to leave it as the
Enterprise Fund. They can look at the budget and actual for both departments and then
show the Enterprise Fund.
Regarding the Management Letter, Mr. Cashwell noted they need to improve on some of
the internal controls, one of those being a detailed inventory list. They expect to come
back with some figures for that.
Mayor Baldwin commended Mr. Cashwell and Vijay Jain for their cooperation with Ms.
Vaughan in completing the audit. Mark McLiney thanked Ms. Vaughan for completing
the Schertz/Seguin Local Government Cv."v...;;an audit.
Mr. Greenwald asked why it took so long. Mayor Baldwin explained that due to some
extenuating medical circumstances, they were about a month behind. Ms. Vaughan
thanked everyone for their cooperation.
#3 Presentation by representative of City Public Service.
No one was present for this agenda item.
#4 Presentation by Norma Head regarding possible park activities.
Mrs. Head stated she has been communicating with a company called Leathers &
Associates. The City has sent them a letter of intent and $250.00 seed money to get the
project officially started. The project is the building of a playscape area by volunteers of
the community. She is very excited about it and hopes to have a video to show Council
at a later date.
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Mr. Potempa admitted she has convinced him it's a good idea. Mayor Baldwin inquired
what the fee includes and Mrs. Head replied it includes materials, engineering, etc.
#5 Discuss final reading of Ordinance regarding authorizing the issuance of "City
of Schertz, Texas utility system revenue and refunding bonds, Series 2001."
Mark McLiney informed Council everything is moving ahead very well. The City was
confirmed at an A- credit rating. He's here tonight to answer any questions. The final
reading of the Ordinance will be April 3'd.
#6 Discuss City of Schertz Investment Policy.
Mr. Cashwell advised they incorporated all of the bold print additions, as suggested by
the City Attorney, and made a change in the investment committee. After a brief review,
Council agreed they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
#7 Discuss Open Meetings Act.
Mr. Cashwell observed it has to do with interpretation. The Attorney General has
rendered an opinion.
Michael Spain related that one of the negative results of the Act is that it stifles
dissemination of information to the public. The items on the agenda that list City
Manager's Report, Items by Council and Items by Mayor are in violation of the Act. One
way to correct it is for Councilmembers to let the City Manager know by Thursday if
they wish to discuss a specific item and it can be listed on the agenda. Mr. Spain went on
to say he can't tell Council what the punishment will be for violation - it hasn't been
decided yet. He is recommending this safer course of action. If they are going to talk
about something, his advice is that it's best it be on the agenda.
Mr. Greenwald asked if announcements, for example, upcoming events are permitted
without being listed and Mr. Spain replied yes. Mrs. Agee indicated she was not aware
there was an agenda deadline and asked ifit's in the S.O.P. She was informed it is.
#8 Discuss Beur Waste contract.
Among those items discussed was pilfering tbrough non-recyclables and the "cash for
trash" incentive used by Corpus Cbristi. Mr. Spain noted that once your trash is on the
curb, it is not yours anymore. They could write an ordinance to regulate non-recyclables.
There could be penalties and the ordinance would be the tool to enforce them.
Mr. Williams inquired how the billing of the roll-offs is going. Mrs. Agee pointed out
the City agreed to do the billing for 90 days and then come back and review the process.
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Mr. Williams suggested that a future agenda item be to review and take action on the
billing of the roll-offs.
Mr. Potempa asked if they got all the containers back from Waste Management and Steve
Simonson promised to check into it.
Henry Gutierrez reported that the Spring Clean-Up went well, but feels the next time he
should be involved in getting the information out. Some information should be more
specific. Mayor Baldwin asked if an 10 was required from the citizens and was told yes
it was.
Mr. Cashwell commented he wasn't sure tires constitute hazardous waste. Mr. Gutierrez
agreed. Mr. Gutierrez then mentioned that in past discussions the subject had been
broached about the old landfill being turned over to the City. There was a brief
discussion on this.
Mrs. Head thanked the City for the signs regarding the Spring Clean-Up, and in particular
mentioning hazardous waste. Mr. Gutierrez stated he would provide a report to Mark
Marquez on the results of the Spring Clean-Up.
Mr. Cashwell thanked the Mayor and Mr. Williams for pointing out that the signs didn't
sayan 10 was required. He then informed Mr. Gutierrez he would get together with him.
#9 Discuss first reading of Ordinance regarding traffic regulations in Woodbridge
Subdivision.
Mr. Cashwell advised that the situation was brought to the City's attention by a citizen.
At the corner of Woodland Oaks Drive and Woodbridge Way, there is a traffic hazard
caused by some landscaping being in the line of sight. The Chief of Police and the Public
Works Director both visited the site and determined there is indeed a traffic hazard.
Mr. Greenwald asked if this ordinance could be an emergency since there is a traffic
hazard and Mr. Spain replied yes. Mr. Williams wondered if railroad ties are in violation
ofthe ordinance. Mr. Spain questioned if railroad ties require a permit and was informed
they do not.
Council indicated they were prepared for this item to be on next Tuesday night's agenda
as an emergency.
# 1 0 Discuss progress on demolition of old fire station.
Mr. Cashwell'''t'v.ted that John Bierschwale is having some medical problems, and since
that's under his jurisdiction, he will get back to Council later on the progress of the
demolition.
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#11 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
. Noted that at the next workshop there will be discussion about the formation of a
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee.
. Announced ROAD (Randolph Opportunity A~ency for the Disabled) is having an
open house at their facility in Cibolo on April 4' . Everyone is encouraged to attend.
#12 ITEMS BY COUNCIL
Mr. Williams:
. Commented the inspection results were not in the Newsletter last month. They
should be in every month.
Mr. Greenwald:
. Remarked a representative of BVY A is supposed to drop off a letter about opening
day March 31 st.
Mr. Potemna:
. Regarding the inspection results, stated he doesn't think the City is making an effort
to see that businesses comply.
#14 ITEMS BY MAYOR
. Indicated he would like to see the latest status ofTXDoT's plans for FM 3009 at the
IH-35 intersection up by HEB.
#15 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Called under Chapter 55ITexas Government Code,
Sub-Section 551.074, Personnel Matters, to deliberate the appointment, employment,
evaluation, etc. of Municipal Judge/Court Administrator/Magistrate.
An Executive Session was held from 9:25 p.m. until 1 0:40 p.m.
#16 Action, ifany, on above Executive Session.
No action was required.
#17 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the meeting at
10:41 p.m.
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