ccswks 09-12-01
Schertl; City Council Special Workshop Session
Wednesday, September 12, 2001
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on Wednesday,
September 12, 2001 at 7:00pm in the Municipal Complex COnf""",uvll Room, 1400
Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. Those t""~""; were as follows: Mayor Hal Baldwin,
presiding; Councilmembers Norma Head, Tim Swinney, Ken Greenwald, Reginna Agee,
and Billy Pitts. Staff members present were City Manager Dewey Cashwell and Planning
and Zoning secretary Mary Ybarra.
Mayor Baldwin called to meeting to order at 7:00p.m.
#1 Hearing of Residents: Mr. Cashwell informed the Mayor that Chief
Smith had not signed up to speak but Council should give him a few minutes.
Chief Smith stated that he had just come from the Hospital, and Kim Park is in a private
room (room 1236). He stated that she is in good spirits. Chief Smith thanked everyone
for their support and donations. He also stated that they have gotten phone calls from the
San Antonio Police Department and the Washington D.C. Police Department ...nt"...~sing
their Sl.t't'v';,
It was also noted that some local businesses have set up a one week or ten-day time frame
when 1 % of their sales will go to her fund.
#2 Public Hearing: To receive citirens comments on a Specific Use Permit for
GeofIery Nienstedt (Road Runner Towing).
Mr. Cashwell stated that this subject has to do with a Specific Use Permit for an impound
lot for vehicles. Mr. Cashwell explained that the proposed facility would be constructed
at the corner of Pecan Drive and FM1S18, with the entrance on Pecan Drive. The facility
would be used for vehicles that have been impounded. Mr. Cashwell emphasized that
this would not be a salvage yard or repair facility.
Mr. Steve Simonson stated that a Specific Use Permit does not change the roning of the
property in any way. He also noted that this is the type of facility that works well inside
the ACUIZ rone.
GeofIery Nienstedt explained that this would only be used for a storage facility for the
law enforcement agencies.
Martha Solomon attended on behalf of the Greater Randolph Church. Mrs. Solomon
stated that she just came to make sure that this facility wouldn't interfere with their sign.
Mr. Nienstedt stated that it wouldn't.
Ralph DeLuna stated that he didn't see any alley or easement anywhere in the layout.
Mayor Baldwin stated that there is an easement, just not an alley.
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#3 Ordinance: Discuss and take action on first reading of ordinance amending
Chapter 16 of the Code of Ordinance, Streets and Sidewalks, by adding Article V, Right
of way construction.
Mayor Baldwin introduced an ordinance and read the caption as follows:
AN ORDNINANCE Alh~l\..ING CHAPTER 16 OF THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS, BY ADDING SECTIONS
PROVIDING FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY CONSTRUCTION; PROVIDING FOR
CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS; PROVIDING FOR "PLANS OF RECORD";
PROVIDING FOR CONFORMANCE WITH PUBLIC IMPROVEJ\o.~lu~;
PROVIDING FOR RESPONSES TO IMPROPERLY INSTALLED FACILmES;
PROVIDING FOR TYPES OF FACILITIES; PROVIDING FOR RESTORATION
OF PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR REVOCATION OR DENIAL OF PERMITS;
PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.
Mr. Cashwell explained that the reason for this is to clarify and have ground rules for
people who wish to carry out construction in the public rights-of-way. At this point there
was not the documentation and the ordinance in place to address that. Mr. Cashwell noted
that the City Attorney stated that this was already in place, but did not make it to the
Council for action. There has been a request from a service provider to insta1l
telecommunications utility within the right of way and that needs to be addressed on the
basis of good public policy.
Without further discussion Mr. Pitts moved to approve the first reading of an ordinance
amending Chapter 16 of the Code of Ordinance, Streets and Sidewalks, by adding Article
V, Right of way construction. Mr. Swinney seconded the motion, which carried with the
following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Head, Agee, Pitts, Swinney, and Greenwald
NAYS: None
#4 Discuss Limited Use Agreement: Council decided to discuss the agreement at
next weeks meeting on the IS1h.
#5 Discussion of bids for the elevated storage tank in F _ HI.' '-.J Manor. John
Bierschwale asked Council to reject the bid they had gotten so far and the next time to
ask for a minimum depth. It was stated that the next bid have the pillar structure and the
gallon price added in.
Mayor Baldwin stated that the rejection fur the bid would be on next week's agenda.
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Mayor Baldwin adjourned the meeting for a short break at 8:00pm and re-_.....u...: at
8:10pm.
#6 B_dIet Review diseussion:
Mr. Cashwell noted that the financial '~t'"" for AUgust 2001 reflected some good
numbers. He also noted tbat the revenue figure with '''b'-'': to the EMS and expenditure
figure did not get posted during the ..........:.. of July and August.
Mr. Jain explained that Alexander and Associates breaks down the tota1 monthly
expenditures, and then the City goes back and codes it as revenue. Mr. Jain stated that
the ...t'v.... received from Alexander and Associates did not get into distribution during
those two .~....J..!. He explained that about $80,000.00 of revenue was received in July
and August and needs to be posted.
It was asked when the year end numbers would be posted.
Mr. Jain explained that the year-end report would not be posted untiJ January 2002, but
they should have a good idea of the outcome by the middle of October 2001.
&rial PJ~ Mr. Cashwell explained that the Aeria1 platform (fire services .....,,...;.:,(In)
would provide a level of services that are d..",.. .....:.ly needed for the City of Schertz. Mr.
Cashwell explained that this vehicle is highly versatile in tetmS of its use for a variety of
emergencies.
Chief Woodward explained that be found a truck (Ferrara). He explained that the truck is
being buih and right now it is in the plant having the turntable and ladder mounted. The
truck would be ready for delivery December 1, 2001. The truck can pump 2,000 gallons
of water a minute. Chief Woodward stated that this is a Class A truck and that the City
would not find another one like it for the same price.
Mr. Swinney asked lf the City could lease the trock. Chief Woodward stated that they
can lease the vehicle, but most of the time people veer away from that. He explained that
it would be better to purchase the truck than it would be to lease it.
Chief Woodward infurmed Council of the v,...._.1es of the truck. The pump is a five-
year warranty, the chaise is five years, the lighting is one year and the w."t'.:.rtment is a
lifetime v....,......y.
Council asked about the extended length of the Aerial platform. Chief Woodward stated
it is 9S-feet in length.
Council asked what kind of :..;.......... rate was there going to be on this. Mr. Jain stated that
it is subject to a grant, and they are talking prime plus up to a halfpercent.
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It was asked how long it would take to go up to Austin to get the grant. It was noted that
it would be a fairly short time, less than thirty days.
The question came up of what l....."....s if the grant is not issued. It was stated there are
other financing alternatives at very low interest rates.
The anticipated life of the vehicle would be around thirty years.
Mr. Cashwell stated that another area of attention is equipment for mailing various types
of information. The equ:,,~....~; cost is structured on a lease basis. This would be a
straight lease, not a lease purchase. Mr. Cashwell explained that under a lease
arrangement, they would provide service capability that would keep the equipment
working. The twelve thousand-dollar budget item is a thousand dollars a month to keep
this equipment up and working. Mr. Cashwell explained that at the end of the lease
agreement, the City would then receive new equipment under a new lease agreement.
Mr. Jain stated that the initial term of the lease is five years. He also explained that 70010
of the cost would be from Water and Sewer out of fund 2 and only 30% from general
funds.
Mayor Baldwin continued with the 20-year ,,,,,;',,,,,,ent discussion. It was asked how
many people would be affected by this change if it happened. It was noted that there are
already 7-10 people that are almost ready for the 2S-year ...;:...,......1 and with the 20-year
."';:....~...,,; you would add another 7-10 people to that. Mrs. Head noted that a lot of the
people are not going to take the early ,...;:'"...ent because they will not get as much money
because they are younger. The effective date would be January 1,2002
It was stated that there has to be a public hearing on this issue before it can be changed.
Mr. Jain stated that the cost to change it would be $3,228.00. He explained that 35% was
budgeted for insurance and it came in at 27%, so a portion of the extra could be used for
this change.
Mr. Jain explained the proposal that was asked for the extended hours of the library
would be a"",v.Jmately $4,849.00 a month. The budget for the library is $19,160.00.
There was some discussion on where the additional money would come from.
Mayor Baldwin stated that to keep the swimming pool operational for another year would
cost a minimum of$5,000.00 and that would be just to do the minimum repairs to keep it
safe.
Amy Madison explained that in her budget she had not included the Student Assistance
program. She thought that the money could be found though. The students would be
paid a minimal amount. Mrs. Madison stated that she thought that some of the kids
would even do a couple of hours during the summer as well.
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Mr. Jain explained that the tax rate was posted at .3825 and was going to be lowered to
.3709. The I&S rate cannot be changed once it is posted though, so the City is stuck with
that rate. He stated that next year the rate would automatically go down.
Mr. Jain stated that the doubling of the medical director's salary was not a .l"".l'"sal that
the medical director had asked for and so the Council can choose to lessen that amount.
Council suggested that he be given a 50% increase this year and the rest next year.
Mr. Jain went on to talk about the ",v"vsed budget from Mr. Bierschwale, and explained
that the software, if it is approved, would be under Mr. Pierce's Capital Budget as an IT
item Mr. Jain explained that Mr. Bierschwale is trying to get in line with the code
system
Mayor Baldwin stated that this year's budget is one of the most impressive action budgets
that he has seen in a while, and he feels that it will accomplish a number of things.
Mayor Baldwin recapped some of the areas of the budget:
1) C~.."......sation package
2) Benefits
3) S"'p",,,.e one time capital request for """.v ,al use
4) Establish ongoing reserve for information technology
5) Roll fleet maintenance operations into general fund
6) Move economic development and PIO costs over to 4B
7) S.........,,;e much ofHR function
8) Provide tuition reimbursement program
9) Employee assistance program
10) New software package for public and staff benefit
11) Expand public information office
12) Animal control d..."", "uent enhancement
13) Consolidation of operations
14) Capital equipment acquisitions
It was stated that the school district did get their planning grant and the City is going to
have to match ten percent. Council stated that they did not think that it would be a
problem to come up with $12,500.00.
Mayor Baldwin suggested that when they have the budget presentation next week, they
include positive things that this budget will have. It was suggested that there be a press
release.
It was stated that it will be mentioned next week that the majority of the tax increase is
for the Schertz Parkway project.
Ken Greenwald stated the staff made an excellent presentation at the Scenic Hills
""',,.....; owners association. He also requested putting this issue on the agenda in an
executive session. Mr. Cashwell stated that it could not be put as an executive agenda
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item, but if council members would like to discuss their views on it, that they could do so
in his office.
Mr. Swinney cv~,.....;ed that he feels Chief Smith and the Police D...I'''';....~nt are doing a
wonderful job.
Mr. Pitts stated that he is impressed with the budget and with the City staff. He
commented that it was very professional and detailed. He also stated that the City has a
leadership team to be proud of.
#7 Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin
adjourned the meeting at 9:50pm.
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Qayor, itY ofScbertz, Texas
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ATTEST:
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Dep Ci e ary, City of Schertz
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