ccswks 08-29-01
Schertz City Council-Special Workshop
Wednesday, August 29, 2001
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on Wednesday, August
29,2001 at 7:00pm in the Municipal Complex Conference room, 1400 Schertz Parkway,
Schertz, Texas. The foIlowing members were present: Mayor Hal Baldwin, presiding;
Councilmembers Norma Head, Tim Swinney, Ken Greenwald, Reginna Agee, and Billy
Pitts. Staff members present were: City Manager Dewey CashweIl and Planning and
Zoning Secretary Mary Ybarra.
Mayor Baldwin called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
#1 Hearing of Resident: None
#2 Pnblic Hearing to receive citizen's comments on a request from the Law Offices
of Earl and Brown to rezone app.v,,;mately 41418 acres, south of Elbel Road to FM78
ROW from Single Family Residential Dwelling District (R-2), to Neighborhood Services
(NS), Apartment/Multi-Family Dwelling District (R-4).
Mr CashweIl explained that the portion of land adjacent to Greenfield Village on the
corner ofElbel and FM3009 was not included. That portion is not subject to discussion,
nor will any action be taken on it. Mr. Cashwell then turned the floor over to Buck
Benson (attorney for the property owner).
Mr. Benson did not have any concerns to address.
Mayor Baldwin then gave citizens the opportunity to speak.
Burt Rowen, a resident for 27 years, stated that at the last meeting, it was brought to their
attention that the contractor would do their own vehicle flow survey Mr. Rowen stated
that is a conflict of interest. He feels that they will be faced with the same problems that
occurred with the FM3009/IH-35 intersection unless there is an independent survey of
vehicle traffic. Mr. Rowen commented that he was amazed that the TXDoT does not do
a traffic study.
Mayor Baldwin explained that the developer asked that the City be responsible for the
study. There was a firm hired to do the traffic study, and after the study was done, there
were still a lot of questions, so the Public Works Department went out and also did a
study. They did basically the same kind of study and there was only one real difference.
The City felt that school hours were the peak time for traffic on the road. The rest of the
numbers matched pretty closely.
Mr. Benson added that during the planning process, they had tried to address some of the
concerns that have been raised at that intersection. Mr Benson stated they have tried to
put plenty of space in there. They have spaced the curb cuts into FM3009. He explained
they used the fewest number that they could possibly use with this type of development.
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In addition, they have an internal traffic devise and acceleration/de-acceleration lane to
aIlow two cars to turn in and enter
It was noted that Planning and zoning approved three entrances on FM3009 and one on
Elbel Road.
Mrs. Head commented that this plan is unrealistic because of the traffic off of FM3009
and because of the flood zone. There has only been one notice of this plan and she feels
that there needs to be more public notification and feedback before they consider this
action.
Roger Nichols asked what is going in and where the cuttings are going to be. He also
asked if the original proposal was terminated before the second proposal was initiated.
Mr. Cashwell informed Mr. Nichols that the original proposal with the additional piece of
land was withdrawn and then they submitted the new proposal without that piece of land.
Dave Jackson advised that he had submitted a letter to the council members suggesting
that the 15 acres on the corner be rezoned for office/professional. The reason is to try and
maintain some integrity. Mr. Jackson feels that Tract 1 (part of Elbel) would be perfect
for office/professional rather than neighborhood services. He feels that this would be a
better plan because of the businesses and the school that are already there. Mr. Jackson
requested that Planning and Zoning and the City Council think about that when making
their decision.
Mrs. Agee felt this would be a fiasco at 3 '45 when the school gets out and all the traffic is
backed up on FM3009 She also stated that there are always people who run that red
light and she feels that this would just make more traffic and more chances for accidents.
Mr. Swinney felt that FM3009 is not ready for that kind of traffic.
Mr. Pitts commented that Neighborhood Services is a high turnover situation (traffic that
continues throughout the day) whereas Office/Professional has an influx and an outflow
of traffic. The traffic is not continuous throughout the day, and that is something to
consider He also mentioned he is concerned with the traffic flow, and stated that any
other person wanting to develop along that area is going to be faced with the same
obstacles.
It was also noted that the other side of FM3009 would eventually be developed as well,
so this can not be looked at as an isolated issue.
Mayor Baldwin stated that traffic flow is a problem in any high-density area and that is
becoming a high-density area. He commented it is City Counci'ls fault over the last 20
years by aIlowing subdivisions like Greenfield Village to open up with only entrances
onto FM3009. He also stated that there just was not adequate planning years ago to put
in an infrastructure that would carry internal traffic. He felt that you can't have Rl
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driveways that exit on FM3009, but he also wasn't sure if they could legally restrict
people on what kind of development goes in there.
David Richmond (resident/P&z Chairman) commented that P&Z is having some of the
same concerns. He informed Council that P&Z has made every attempt to get the
developer to make this OfficelProfessional instead of Neighborhood Services, but the
developer does not want to and cannot be forced to do that.
Mrs. Agee asked what types of traffic controls are being thought of for the outlet onto
Elbel Road. It was ~ted that there might be a stoplight or stop sign. She also
commented that is som hing that the City needs to look into because there are three
specific times of the da where you see a major traffic flow. Those times are morning
(on the way to school), lunchtime, and at 3 A5pm when school lets out.
Mrs. Head asked Mr. Benson if his client might consider having part of the property
Office/Professional. Mr. Benson stated that he didn't think that his client would go along
with that.
It was asked that if this development went in would there be another traffic light installed.
Council advised that it is up to the State to put in a traffic light, but it was felt that if the
development went in, then they would have to put up an additional light.
Council asked if it would be possible to build a road behind the apartments that could go
to FM78 to aIleviate some of the traffic away from FM3009. Mr Benson stated that he
thinks his client would do something like that.
There being no further questions or comments, Mayor Baldwin closed the Public Hearing
at 7:55pm
#3 Ordinance: Consider and take action on first reading of ordinance request to
rezone 41 418 acres from R-2 to NS and R-4
Mayor Baldwin introduced an ordinance and read the caption as follows:
AN ORDINANCE
BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS AMENDING
THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE (UDC) ORDINANCE NO. 96-8-28 BY
REWNING APPROXIMATELY 41.418 ACRES OUT OF GUADALUPE
COUNTY AND REFLECTING SUCH CHANGES ON CERTAIN ZONING MAPS
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCHERTZ UDC ORDINANCE.
Without further discussion, Mr. Greenwald moved to approve the first reading of an
ordinance request to rezone 41.418 acres from R-2 to NS and R-4, with a
recommendation that when the site plan is done, they look at the railroad crossing. There
was no second, so the motion died.
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Mr. Pitts moved that Tract II be rezoned to Office/Professional, and Tract III remain as
R-4. The motion failed for the lack ofa second.
Mayor Baldwin pointed out there is no other action that can be taken at this time until the
owner comes back with another zoning request.
#4 Consider and take action on Life, Health, and Dental Insurance Bids for the
City of Schertz.
Mark Marquez related there were only four companies that bid on the health insurance.
Council was iuivuued that Humana and Community First came in pretty close together,
but Humana has been having problems of their own.
Patricia Sellens explained that the family rates Community First is charging are the
lowest they could go without taking a loss to themselves.
It was noted that the employee & family rates are $599 00 a month and the employee
only rate is $187.00 a month. The City would be paying the hospitalization prices so the
employee will have 100% hospitalization coverage.
Mrs. Sellens stated they are strictly an HMO. The PPO rates will not be ready until the
first of the year The employees who wanted the PPO would be able to have that in
January The PPO would be a minimum of30% higher than the HMO
It was suggested that the PPO not be offered in the middle of the year; it would just cause
more difficulties in the HR department.
Council questioned the situation with Humana. Mr Marquez stated that some of the
problems were that there was much time and effort that had to be spent dealing with
claims that were not paid, issues with referrals, and Humana also had problems within
themselves. They had been fined by the Texas Department of Insurance for slow pay on
claims. Mr Marquez felt that this would just be a bad situation to get into.
It was also noted, that with Humana the employee would have to pay three co pays on
prescription drugs and then send in to get a three month supply, whereas with
Community first; the employee can go into the pharmacy, pay only two co pays, and get
the three month supply
Mrs. Sellens noted that the Community First health plan contracts with all of the hospitals
in the San Antonio area.
The question was asked what an employee would have to do if they needed to be referred
to a specialist. Mrs. Sellens answered there are two benefits where the employee would
not have to have a referral. To see an OBGYN and for behavioral health. Any other
referral would need to be made through the PCP
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Mrs. Sellens mentioned that after 5pm, all calls are forwarded to a nurse link.
She also stated that there is a program called CHIP that would allow children to have
insurance coverage for as little as 15-18 dollars a month. This program is only for people
within a certain income limit.
Mayor Baldwin commented there are people that work for the City that do not have
insurance because they cannot afford the premium.
It was also stated that there is a recommendation for a new Dental provider (Delta).
Mr. Marquez explained that the life insurance package was at $10,000.00 and went up to
$25,000.00. This resulted in the lowering of the cost from .23 cents per thousand to 18
cents per thousand.
Mr. Marquez suggested a twenty-year retirement for the employees and he asked that
they consider that as part of this year's package.
There were no claims on long term disability
Without further discussion, Mr Pitts moved to accept the bids as submitted for life,
health, and dental insurance for the City of Schertz. Mr. Greenwald seconded the motion,
which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Council members Head, Pitts, Agee, Swinney, and Greenwald
NAYS: None
#5 Consider and take action on police department vehicle bids.
Mr Cashwell stated there are funds remaining in this year's budget for the purpose of the
cars. Those funds will not cover the total cost of the vehicles, but there is another source
for the balance. The bid for the replacement of four police vehicles and one warrant
officer vehicle was $99,410.00 for all five vehicles.
With no further discussion, Mrs. Agee moved to approve the bid for the four police
vehicles and the one warrant officer vehicle in the amount of $99,410 00 to Five Star
Ford. Mr Greenwald seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES. Councilmembers Head, Pitts, Agee, Swinney, and Greenwald
NAYS: None
#6 Executive Session: Called under Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code,
Sub-Section 551-071, Litigation on GBRA permits.
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An Executive Session was held from 8:45pm until \0:20pm.
Mayor Baldwin called the Special Workshop back to order at \0:20pm.
It was stated that the tax rate published was .3825 and it may come in at .3705
#7 Action, if any on the above executive session.
No action taken.
#8 Budget Workshop: Discuss any questions.
Library Staffing: It was stated that the savings with the healthcare package vs. what was
budgeted would cover the additional library expenses.
It was suggested to have another workshop session and then finalize the budget on
September 12, 2001.
#9 Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin
adjourned the meeting at \0:30pm.
""YO'. kT=
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ATTEST
~~i;y of Schertz, Texas
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