ccswks 04-25-01
SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF mE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 25, 2001
The Schertz City COImcil convened in Special Workshop Session on Wednesday, April
25, 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
Greenwald. Staff present were City Manager Dewey P. Cashwell, Jr., and City Secretary
Norma Althouse.
Even though a public hearing was not scheduled, the meeting was moved to the Council
Chambers because of the crowd.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
George Mower of 501 Brooks asked for an update on the situation with SAFES. Are
they a City depa.;....""~;? Mayor Baldwin explained SAFES is a SOlc3 organization
chartered by the State of Texas. The acronym SAFES (Schertz Area Facility for
Emergency Services) has earned a lot of respect in surrounding communities. They are a
City Department and any new contracts now will refer to them as City of Schertz EMS.
Before moving on to the next agenda item, Mayor Baldwin mentioned the Community
Forum scheduled for May 14th at 6:30 p.m at the Knights of Columbus Hall. He
encouraged everyone to attend.
#2 Disc:ussion with representative ofTXDoT.
Mayor Baldwin indicated he had asked that a representative of TXDoT be present to
discuss the traffic congestion at the comer of FM 3009 and IH-3S. This is also a good
opportunity to talk about some other problems.
Clyde Dishong of 1116 Antler suggested everyone drive through Deer Haven. Not a cent
has been spent in the past 25 years. Antler needs to be widened and Fawn needs to be
straightened,
Harry Richburg of 1005 Fawn Drive mentioned the entrances to Fawn and Antler are
dangerous. A stoplight would help a lot. Also, Live Oak Road is dangerous and will get
worse when the two churches are constmcted.
Dana Summers of 1016 Antler stated because of the HEB intersection, there are times
when you have to wait 30 minutes to get out onto FM 3009 from Antler Drive.
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Dick Wayman of 1320 Circle Oak remarked that when they sat in on several meetings,
they indicated the need for a bridge similar to the one at Crest Oak. Because of traffic, he
would like to see some signage at Crest Oak saying Be Prepared To Stop. TXDoT
assured them proper turn lanes and he is sure the bridge could be redesigned.
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At this time Mayor Baldwin had to leave and Mayor Pro- Tem Greenwald presided over
the meeting.
#3 Discuss mid-year budget adjustments.
A Budget Adjustment Request had been included in Council's paclcets.
Mr. Cashwell co~~,,~;lld he was pleased to begin this dialogue. The revenue picture is
extremely good. As filr as EMS, the City has it under control and he thinks they will see
continued improvement.
Mr. Williams stated the two-way dialogue with Mr. Cashwell all week has been a breath
of fresh air.
Mrs. Head noted her appreciation for the dialogue from the City Manager because she is
not a good auditor.
Council indicated they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
Mr. Potempa had to leave at 10:04 p.m
#4 Discuss amendment to Ordinance regarding food handler sanitation training
course.
Mr. Gary Davis explained they are placing greater emphasis on the employer being
responsible to see that all employees have completed the sanitation training course. After
being hired, an employee must be scheduled for a course within two weeks.
Council was ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda.
#5 Discuss Randolph pool reservation request.
John Bierschwale's d",>,"";"'''''''''; has received a request from Barney Ciay of Randolph
Youth Programs concerning reservatiOn of the pool for their youth swim team They
have requested permission to reserve the pool May 15th through June 30th from 7:00 to
9:00 p.m for practice and competition during their swim team season.
After a brief discussion, the consensus of Council was to approve the request from Mr.
Clay of the Randolph Youth Programs.
#6 Discuss OrdinancelM,,~~...ndum of Understanding between the City of Schertz and
GRASP.
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Mr. Cashwell, along with Council, reviewed the document. They agreed it was a good
document and a ........,_.18 program and said they were ready for it to be included on next
Tuesday night's agenda.
#7 Discuss setting of date for Strategic Planning Workshop,
A Strategic Planning Workshop was t,,";"';':.-ely scheduled for May 18th and 19th.
#8 RESOLUTION: Consider and take action on Resolution authorizing "'....;..:...
actions including proceedings in eminent domain in connection with the acquisition of
certain waterline and temporary construction easements in Gonzales and Guadalupe
Counties and related matters.
Mayor Pro- Tern C.....~.;ald introduced a Resolntion and read the ""'t';':v.. as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 01.R.15
AUTHORIZING CERTAIN ACTIONS INCLUDING PROCEEDINGS IN
EMINENT DOMAIN IN CVllllJ!.CTION WIm mE ACQUISITION OF
CERTAIN WATERLINE AND TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEJ\......ll.S
IN GONZALES AND GUADALUPE COUNTIES AND RELATED MAnERS.
Mr. Williams moved to "'YY'V Ie the Resolution regarding proceedings in eminent
domain. Mrs. Head seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Mayor Pro- Tem Greenwald and Councilmembers Head, Agee, and Williams.
NAYS: None.
#9 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Council received copies of several items as follows:
1. Monday Morning Report of April 16, 2001
2. Infonnation from Southwest Securities relating to City of Schertz Utility System
Revenue and Refunding Bonds, Series 2001.
3. Letter from Chief Smith regarding our d"y""w""'~'s assistance in aggravated robbery
trial
4. Copy of2000-2oo1 sewer averaging rate
5. Copy of letter and signatures of 173 Deer Haven and Oak Forest residents petitioning
a traffic light at FM 3009 and Antler Drive
6. Copy of May and June schedule for Food Handler Sanitation Training classes
7. Copy of Marchi April 2001 issue ofC"~'t'....vller Rylander's S~".."".... regarding the
2000 y,vy""; value study
8. Tables from Annual TML Taxation and Debt Survey
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Mr. Cashwell explained the City is in the process of forming a Traffic Safety Advisory
Committee to get a handle on some of these very issues.
Clay Smith, Transportation Engineer for the San Antonio District was present. He stated
some of the things you have to consider to v,,,,,,,,,,,; a traffic signal are amount of traffic,
speed, turn lanes and accidents.
Mr. Smith said he received a letter from Steve Simonson on the Comprehensive Plan
effort by the City and that's very important. They will do a study of the HEB area and
recommend some solutions. It will take private and public covp",..Jon. They will take a
look at Fawn and Antler and at the Oak Forest bridge. Mr. Smith indicated his
appreciation at being invited to the meeting.
Mr. Potempa suggested that in front of Mobile Villa they put a Stop instead of a Yield.
Nobody yields. Mr. Smith stated Yields have to stay when there are double white lines.
Mrs. Head asked about a timetable for the study of the HEB intersection and Mr. Smith
replied it would probably take 3-4 months, but he doesn't see a quick solution to that
problem.
There was a brief discussion on speed limits along FM 3009 and the nUntber of teenage
drivers that use that road.
Mayor Baldwin admitted that the road in Deer Haven could have gone all the way
through to Schertz Parkway, but the residents didn't want that. It's not TXDoT's tauh.
It's the City's muh for allowing uncontrolled develor"'~_:'
Mayor Baldwin thanked Mr. Smith and the public for attending.
Mayor Baldwin them moved to Item #11 on the agenda - Executive Session.
#11 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Called under Chapter SSI of the Texas Govermnent
Code, Sub-Section SS 1.074, Personnel Matters to deliberate the appo:....;..""..~, evaluation,
etc. of Municipal Judge/Court AdrninistratorlMagistrate.
An Executive Session was held from 8:30 p.m until 9:26 p.m
#12 Action, if any, on above Executive Session.
Mr. Williams moved to make the annual salary for Judge Stacy Padgett $40,000 effective
May 1, 2001. Mr. Potempa seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Head, Potempa, Agee, WlIIiams and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
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#10 ITEMS BY COUNCIL
Mrs. Head:
( a) Second installment regarding park information
(b) Update on status of old firehouse.
Mrs. Head opted to table item (a) and discuss it at another meeting.
Mrs. Head then noted they had already received an update on the old fire house- item (b).
Mr. Greenwaid:
Discuss billboard and signage regulations.
Mayor Pro-Tern Greenwald advised it is legal to eliminate billboards, but you have to
amortize. You're probably looking at 8-10 years. Does the City want an Ordinance?
There was a brief discussion during which the following points were discussed:
This process won't get easier or cheaper;
Billboards are a lucrative business;
BilIbords are a blight - they mostly advance off-premises businesses;
120 cities have changed their UDC to say billboards are unlawful;
We need to send a message we place a high value on our image;
Suggested Council have a legal document supported by an attorney;
Questioned if Planning and Zoning shnuld get guidance from Council;
The way the Sign Ordinance is written, we have to honor requests for billboards;
Do we have to have a public hearing?
There are other sign issues to be considered.
The consensus of Council was to go for it. It was agreed to advise Planning and Zoning
to start the process.
#13 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor ~rrern Greeneld adjourned the
meeting at II:oop.m ~(~ ./ ..., \
y_L(/~/
Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas
ATTEST:
~~
City Secretary, City of Schertz
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