ccsbwks 08-22-01
Schertz City Council- Special Budget Workshop
Wednesday, August 22, 2001
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on Wednesday, August
22,2001 at 7:00pm in the Municipal Complex Conference room, 1400 Schertz Parkway,
Schertz, Texas. The following members were present: Mayor Hal Baldwin, presiding;
Councilmembers Reginna Agee, Ken Greenwald, Norma Head, Billy Pitts, and Tim
Swinney. Staff members present were City Manager Dewey Cashwell and Planning and
Zoning Secretary Mary Ybarra
Mayor Baldwin called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
#1 Budget Workshop:
Economic Development
City Secretary
Library
Office Manager
Water and Sewer Fund
Capital Recovery
Poo~ Parks, Streets, and Fleet
Planning and Zoning
Inspections
Mayor Baldwin stated that they are going to start where they left off last night with the
Economic Development.
At this time Council reviewed the budgets and talked to the department heads for
Economic Development - City Secretary - Library - Office Management - Water and
Sewer Fund - Capital Recovery - Pool, Parks, Streets & Fleet - Planning and Zoning -
Inspections.
Economic Develooment
Mr. Marquez stated that the two main reasons for Economic Development are to manage
the growth for the citizens and the need to maintain a tax rate.
Mr. Swinney asked about the plans for re-vitalizing FM78 and Main Street. Mr. Marquez
answered that the Urban Design Team is looking at some possibilities as far as tourism
and a "street folk" kind of situation for Main Street.
Mr. Pitts asked ifthe year 2002 would be one of refocusing on the capabilities of the City
of Schertz and the market place. Can the City afford that vppv.;unity? Mr. Marquez did
not know, but stated that refocusing is critical.
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Citv Secretary
Due to the absence of Mrs. Althouse; Mr. Jain presented her budget.
Mr. Jain explained that Mrs. Althouse has contacted some Code people and has gotten
proposals. Mr. Jain stated that is what she is requesting in her record management line
item. It would involve the updating of the Code and getting it on the web site for public
access.
Librarv
Council asked how much money the library received from the County. Ms. Douglas
stated that it came out to almost $96,000.00.
Council asked if the library were open on Sundays, would there be enough usage. Ms.
Douglas thought that there would be. Council then asked Mrs. Douglas to get a break
down of the cost of operation for one day. She agreed to do so.
Business Offic~
Mrs. Boggess is asking for equipment for mailing that sorts and inserts. The equipment
would be leased and not purchased. She also stated that the software that would go along
with the equipment would help in providing a lower rate.
Council asked what the expected savings in postal rates would be. Mrs. Boggess stated
that they could save anywhere from 50-75%.
Mrs. Agee asked how much time is spent per month on the mailings. Mrs. Boggess
stated that it takes about six hours per billing cycle to sort everything. She noted that this
machine would do all of the sorting and inserting.
Council suggested that Mr. Jain look into leasing versus purchasing, and which one
would be more beneficial.
Water And Sewer Fund
Mr. Bierschwale advised that the total cost to hire an Animal Shelter Manager would be
$28,952.00.
Mr. Bierschwale then eXplained that the insides of the water tanks need to be painted, the
cost of this is approximately $164,000.00 and the paint would last about 10-years. He
also stated that he would like to give the residents a chance to pay their water bill on-line
and feels that now is the time to do that.
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{:aoital Recoverv
Mr. Bierschwale mentioned the Ordinance on Capital Recovery fees has just been
revised.
pool. Parks. Streets. & Fleet
Pool
Mr. Bierschwale stated that the swimming pool is in pretty bad shape. The flood of 1998
caused a lot of damage. The cost to upgrade the swimming pool would be about
$65,000.00 (for one more year) and the total cost to keep the pool open for one more year
would be about $94,000.00.
It was suggested closing the swimming pool after this year. Council felt that the money
could be better spent.
Parks
Mr. Jain stated that the Leisure Services Director Position is included in the budget.
Mr. Bierschwale commented they should hire a Leisure Services Director this fiscal year.
One of the jobs of the Director would be to work with City Council and help develop the
bond package. Then in the next fiscal year, they plan on hiring another person to help the
Director.
Mr. Bierschwale noted they are asking for a building for the City baseball parks. This
building would have two toilet fucilities, a storage room, and a concession stand. The cost
would be $15,000.00.
Streets
Mr. Bierschwale briefly mentioned the development of a street maintenance plan.
Fleet
Mr. Bierschwale stated he would like to make an exact file on every piece of equipment
that the City of Schertz owns.
Insnectiol]J!
It was mentioned the City is going to recycle computers for the employees. When one
person gets a new computer, they will take the old computer and give it to another
person.
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Mr. Truitt remarked that there was a request for a new Code enforcement officer, but that
request was withdrawn from the budget.
Planning And Zoning
Mr. Youngblood advised that the customers expect and demand more from a City this
size. They expect to see nice aerial photographs. The computers are not powerful
enough to open the files for the photographs, so Planning and Zoning is also asking for
more memory for their computers.
Regarding the West Dietz Creek Drainage project, Mr. Simonson stated that the people
from EP A came out and looked at the project and hopefully the City will hear something
by September.
Mr. Simonson then talked a little bit about the Storm Water Plan. He noted that at some
point, they are going to have to set up storm water fees.
Mr. Simonson hopes to move forward with the National Flood Insurance Program
Community Rating System. Basically if the City participates in everything, then the
citizens could get a 5-45% reduction in their flood insurance.
Chief Woodward then announced his retirement as of October I, 2001. He thanked the
City of Schertz for the last ten years as Fire Chief. It was suggested to keep Chief
Woodward on the payroll for another 60-90 days to consult with the City and help in the
selection process of the new Fire Chief.
#2 Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin
adjourned the meeting at 10:45pm.
/Mayor, ty of Schertz, Texas
ATTEST:
IY7 tV).., tALrAA A ,
Depuw City/Se~tary, City of Schertz, Texas
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