ccreg 05-15-01
Schertz City Council-Regular Session
Tuesday, May 15, 2001
The Schertz City Council convened in Regular Session on Tuesday, May 15, 2001 at
7:00pm in the Municipal Complex Council Chambers, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz,
Texas. Those present were as follows: Mayor Hal Baldwin, presiding; Councilmembers
Norma Head, Tim Swinney, Reginna Agee, Ken Greenwald, and Joe Potempa. Staff
members present were: City Manager Dewey Cashwell and City Secretary Norma
Althouse.
Mayor Baldwin called the meeting to order at 7:00pm and then lead everyone in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Baldwin then introduced a proclamation and designated the month of Mayas
Trawna Awareness Month.
#1 Hearing of Residents:
Betty Tate came to talk about a water problem. Previous to buying the property in
September 1997 (Lower Seguin Rd.) there was no water. Mrs. Tate went to the water
department and talked to Sam Willoughby, who told her that she should have water
within six months. Mrs. Tate did not move onto the property until July of 1998, at which
time she bought a three thousand-gallon tank, only to find out that no one delivers water
to that area. She then made arrangements to hook up to the fire hydrants and receive
water that way (at commercial rates). Mrs. Tate stated her plans to have a home (for her
daughter) and restaurant were ruined because of the water situation. She also spoke
about traffic problems on Lower Seguin Rd and does not like to haul water through heavy
traffic. Mrs. Tate commented on the right-of-way and the problems the City is having
with that and that she is having the same problems. She cannot get a waterline through
there because there is a problem with the right-of-way.
Mayor Baldwin stated he has spoken with Mr. Simonson and Mr. Bierschwale
concerning this matter and would like Mr. Simonson to explain the details.
Mr. Simonson reported they are trying to work out the situation with Randolph AFB.
The City has already bought ten out of the twenty partials needed for the road. There has
been no cooperation so the City is going to have to go with condemnation in many cases.
Mr. Simonson stated that Mr. Bierschwale was going to put this in mid-year budget but
was told not to because they didn't have the right-of-way. The funds are still there
though.
Mayor Baldwin asked if the road improvement had been funded by the MPO. Mr.
Simonson stated that yes it was funded.
168
Mr. Swinney asked what the concern was with the ILS system. Mr. Simonson stated that
they need 20-feet on both sides, but the twenty feet is a drainage problem because it is so
flat in that area.
Mr. Swinney asked if the engineers think that they can work around it. Mr. Simonson
stated that Randolph would like TXDoT to come back with an alternate plan.
Mr. Greenwald asked if they could put in underground pipes. Mr. Simonson thought that
might be a possibility. Pictures and maps were shown and discussed at this time. Mrs.
Tate commented that she needs to know that somebody is doing something. Mayor
Baldwin asked if this would be tied into the loop system and was told it would be.
#2 Ordinance: Consider and take action on final reading of Ordinance regarding
food handler sanitation training course.
Mayor Baldwin introduced an Ordinance and read the caption as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 01-H-14
BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS PROVIDING
THAT THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS BE
AMENDED BY REVISING SECTION 7 Yz-19, FOOD HANDLER SANITATION
TRAINING COURSE AND SECTION 7 Yz-20, PENALTY; AND PROVIDING A
REPEALING CLAUSE.
Without further discussion Mr. Greenwald moved to approve the Ordinance on the food
handler sanitation-training course. Mrs. Agee seconded the motion, which carned with
the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Head, Swinney, Agee, Greenwald, and Potempa.
NAYS: None
#3 Resolution: Consider and take action on Resolution regarding public hearings for
capital improvements plan and impact fees.
Mayor Baldwin introduced a Resolution and read the caption as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 01-R-9
BY THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS CALLING FOR AN INITIAL PUBLIC
HEARING ON LAND USE ASSUMPTIONS TO BE USED TO DEVELOP A
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN PURSUANT TO WHICH WATER AND
WASTEWATER IMPACT FEES MAY BE IMPOSED AND A SUBSEQUENT
169
PUBLIC HEARING ON THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN AND
IMPACT FEES.
Without further discussion Mrs. Head moved to take action on Resolution regarding
Capital improvement Plan and Impact fees. Mr. Swinney seconded the motion, which
carned with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Head, Swinney, Agee, Greenwald, and Potempa.
NAYS: None
#4 Resolution: Consider and take action on Resolution authorizing certain 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 Baldwin introduced a Resolution and read the caption as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 01-R-16
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CERTAIN 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.
Without further discussion Mr. Swinney moved to approve the Resolution authorizing
certain 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. Mr. Greenwald seconded the motion, which
carned with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Head, Swinney, Agee, Greenwald, and Potempa.
NAYS: None
#5 Discussion of Volunteer Applications for Economic Development
Commission and for Transportation Safety Advisory Committee.
Mr. Cashwell noted that there are a nwnber of applications that have been sent to the City
from people who are very interested in participating in the Economic Development
Commission and the Transportation Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC). The TSAC
requires four citizens.
170
Mrs. Madison explained that there are 11 members on the Economic Development
Commission (EDC), two member's terms have expired, so the two positions would be
filling those vacant seats. TSAC requires four appointed citizens and three staff
members.
Mr. Swinney felt that they should put more emphasis on the resume rather than the
address of the individual.
At this time, Council reviewed the applications.
Mr. Cashwell stated that in his previous jurisdiction it was a real challenge to get citizens
to volunteer. This is a good turnout.
Mayor Baldwin asked that everyone take a piece of paper and put four names on that
paper, then give them to Mr. Cashwell. They will make this an action item for the next
agenda.
Mrs. Madison stated that the EDC could have more than eleven people if Council so
desires.
#6 Discussion of proposed park project previously presented by Councilmember
Norma Head.
Mr. Cashwell commented that Staff have been very impressed by this concept and are
willing to help in any way.
Mrs. Head remarked she had asked Mr. Simonson to check the legality regarding a
retainer. She is now asking Council for a timetable for pursuing this project. Mrs. Head
noted that several people commented that Schertz needs a closer facility than the Schertz
Park. She also talked to Mr. Youngblood about a grant for part of the money and he
suggested that companies and businesses in the community might come forward with
donations.
Mr. Swinney asked if parking is going to be an issue. Mrs. Head felt that the parking
would have to be expanded. There are 5-acres available.
Mr. Swinney commented there could be a lot of money from corporations if the matter is
pursued. He also mentioned that he would like to see an outdoor gazebo going in there.
Mrs. Head noted that there have also been requests for a skateboard park. She felt that
could be a workable concept.
Mrs. Head requested Council would make this an action item on the next agenda. Mayor
Baldwin asked if the action item would be to approve the concept or go for the money.
Mrs. Head answered it would be to approve the concept.
171
Mr. Swinney suggested that a timeline of maybe six months should be laid out when this
is introduced. Mrs. Head stated that she is looking for direction from the City on that.
Mayor Baldwin suggested they wait a couple of weeks to put this on the agenda as an
action item. They need to have more details.
Mrs. Head noted that Leathers has a way to approach the community about the money
needed for the project.
Mrs. Agee asked if the retainer fee is for Leathers to come to the site. Mrs. Head stated
that is correct, but the City would also have to pay the transportation costs for them from
New York to Schertz, Texas.
Mrs. Agee asked if they are the only company that does this type of thing. Mrs. Head
stated they were the only company that impressed her. She also noted Mrs. Madison had
been involved in a church project very similar to this.
Mrs. Madison explained that the project she was involved with was called Miracle Day
and it is done all over the country. What they did was renovate a Mexican Christian
Church. There were lots of media and lots of volunteers. Mrs. Madison also stated the
timeline works very well and starts from a steering committee.
Mrs. Head expressed concern about having volunteers who do not have the right kind of
training or experience in certain areas. She suggested investigating other sources.
Mr. Cashwell commented that Mr. Leathers is a retired architect and has committed to
these types of projects. Mrs. Head added Mr. Leathers has done thirty years of research
into what type of materials to use for children.
Mayor Baldwin noted that they could put this item back on the agenda once they have a
timeline and the other research needed.
#7 City Manager's Report
. Article about Population in West Guadalupe County- brought to attention by Ron
Youngblood
. Monthly report from Mr. Truitt
. Agenda for Strategic Planning program
Mayor Baldwin remarked that the City needs to get involved in the redistricting.
Mrs. Agee felt that the East End has more of the older residents who come out and vote,
whereas the West End has more of the newer residents who don't vote.
Mr. Cashwell commented that he was taken aback a little by this article. He felt Schertz
and Seguin had a good relationship.
172
Mayor Baldwin stated the City of Schertz has gotten along wonderfully with the Seguin
City Council, but has not gotten along so well with Guadalupe County Commissioners.
Mr. Swinney stated that ten years ago, the City of Schertz would have never dreamed of a
Guadalupe County annex here.
Mayor Baldwin talked about some of the things that were discussed last night at the
Public Forum. There were concerns about drainage, not having parks in subdivisions,
cutting down trees, and traffic problems on FM3009. There were also a lot of people
who wanted the growth to stop. They are not ready for it.
Mrs. Head noted that a lot of the people claim not to know what the City is doing, and
they blame City Council for things like three car washes.
Mayor Baldwin stated a lot of the complaints were only a matter of people not having all
the facts. Mr. Swinney remarked that the PIO has some wonderful opportunities there.
Mr. Cashwell stated most people are preoccupied with day to day lives and don't keep
track of what goes on. He felt that once you have a conversation and get past the "what
did you do to us", you will get to the "can you do this".
Mayor Baldwin felt that the reason there were so many people attending was because
post cards were sent out. Mrs. Head stated another reason for the attendance was because
of the web site. She also felt that the City is not using the web site as much as they could.
Mayor Baldwin asked if they were counting how many people visit the web site. Mrs.
Madison answered yes they are being counted. She explained that they could also track
which areas are being visited frequently and which are not. Mrs. Head suggested the
web site should be made more visible.
Mrs. Madison reported that she would like to send postcards out and get email addresses
and have an email address for the citizens to write to with questions or concerns.
Mr. Swinney looked at last night's comments as an affirmation. He said when they stop
complaining and give up is when you should start worrying.
#8 Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin
adjourned the meeting at 8:25pm.
173
ATTEST:
~(JjJ,::~
City Secretary, City of Schertz, Texas
Mayor, City or-Schertz, Texas
174