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ccspecwksp 10-01-1997 . . . SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 1, 1997 The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on Wednesday, October 1, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The following members were present: Mayor Hal Baldwin, presiding; Councilmembers Charles McDonald; Joe Potempa, and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Councilmembers Norman Agee, Sr. and Timothy Swinney. Staff present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt and City Secretary Norma Althouse. 11 HEARING OF RESIDENTS George Mower of 501 Brooks thanked Commissioner Wolverton for trying to get Dietz Road fixed and then said he wished the City would be as adamant about fixing some of its roads, specifically those in Freeway Manor and in Live Oak Hills. #2 Discuss Guadalupe County/City of Cibolo request for participation in Dietz Road project. . Commissioner Jim Wolverton was present to represent the County and indicated they need the support of the City of Schertz in the Dietz Road project. It is up to Schertz as to exactly what kind of support they will give, but more right-of-way is needed and also more drainage. The road portion of the money is estimated to be $870,000 and then there is an additional $90,000 in engineering fees. The drainage was totally left out of the figures and sidewalks were not addressed. Mayor Baldwin explained the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has money, but someone (county/city) needs to come up with the difference and if the MPO money is lost because the difference cannot be raised, it will hurt Schertz and Cibolo and the County. Commissioner Wolverton stressed the County will come up with the money somewhere, even if they have to tap their reserve. Mr. McDonald asked why thereJs a shortfall and was told by Mayor Baldwin that when Cibolo figured the cost, they left out the engineering fees. There was right-of-way Meadows was developer to a brief discussion about water lines and with Mr. Sweatt pointing out that when Dove planned, the City of Schertz required the dedicate 10' of right-of-way along Dietz Road. . Mayor Baldwin mentioned that Commissioner Wolverton needs one more vote to get the money from the MPO and he asked Council to consider Mr. Wolverton's request because improvements to Dietz Road are important to the City of Schertz. Dobie is the only school on the road, but there will be two other schools in the area. It is important not to let the grant money get away. Mr. Potempa questioned if the City of Schertz supports project, how much money will they have to put into this it. -1- . . . Commissioner Wolverton answered he will not know until he gets the final figures from TXDoT. Tonight he is just asking for support. There are means of support other than money. The consensus of Council was to support the Dietz Road project 100%. #3 Discuss Resolution regarding bond expenditures prior to bond sale. Mr. Sweatt advised they are likely facing some expenditures for the public safety facilities and library such as construction costs, architectural costs, administrative costs, and the purchase of the land. He feels that prior to the selling of the bonds, they should go ahead and buy the land and then they can pay themselves back when they sell the bonds. At this time they are looking at January 1998 to sell the bonds. Mr. McDonald asked if the City will lose interest on its funds and can they be reimbursed. Mr. Sweatt replied yes they will lose interest and no they cannot be reimbursed. Mr. McDonald then asked why wait until January and Mr. Sweatt answered because that seems to be the best window for the bond market. . Council agreed they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda. #4 Discuss public hearing on a request from Jesse Hellums for a Specific Use Permit allowing him to place a manufactured home on his property. Mr. Sweatt related that Jesse Hellums wishes to place a 30' x 70' manufactured home on the northeasterly section of his property. Mr. McDonald asked if Mr. Hellums will be able to hook the sewer. Mr. Sweatt replied he will be able to if project between him, the John family and the Schertz Bank forward. The bank has committed, but the John family has onto that goes not. Mr. Greenwald asked if the John family is within the required distance and Mr. Sweatt replied yes they are, but they think they might come out cheaper if they don't participate. After a brief discussion about the reason for dividing out the sewer line between Mr. Hellums, the John family and the Schertz Bank, Council indicated their readiness for this item to be placed on next Tuesday night's agenda. . #5 Discuss Gutierrez for Gutierrez Lane. public hearing on a request from Helen a street name change from Live Oak Road to Mr. Sweatt reported that twenty-four (24) letters had been -2- e . . . . sent to property owners within the required distance and eleven (11) had been returned opposed and one (1) returned in favor. The Council has information on this request in their packets and also has a copy of a letter from Henry Gutierrez distributed to them this evening. Planning and Zoning held a public hearing on this request on October 7th and is recommending the request be denied. Henry Gutierrez spoke about the history of his family in Schertz and commented his aunt spearheaded this project to have a road or street named after the family. They probably have the only privately owned company which has affected every citizen in Schertz. They feel strongly about their obligation to Schertz, not only as far as garbage rates, but also as far as civic duties. He thanked the City Manager, the Mayor and the Council for all their help. His company has done a lot for the City and they have done a lot for him. Commissioner Wolverton noted that Mr. Gutierrez's father helped the youth of the community before there was BVYA. He was always there and always had something for the youth to do. Mr. Potempa remembered that Henry Guiterrez, Sr. gave you two months free on your water bill if you paid twelve months at a time. Mr. McDonald agreed they should honor the something, but perhaps it should be a building rather than a street. family or a with park After placed assured to honor further discussion, Council agreed to have this item on next Tuesday night's agenda and Mayor Baldwin the Gutierrez family they would come up with some way them. Because Mr. Gutierrez was present and ITEM #8 involved him, Mayor Baldwin moved to ITEM #8 at this time. #8 Discuss Alamo/USA franchise. Waste request for transfer of Mr. Sweatt told Council Mr. Gutierrez had several months ago about the possibility of advised Mr. Gutierrez Council would need transfer of franchise. contacted a change and to approve him he any Mr. Gutierrez stated he had been approached by a number of companies to merge. United Waste is based in Connecticut and has the strength and resources they need. They made a deal with United Waste on August 22nd and United Waste has now merged with USA Waste. The plans are for them to build their new headquarters where Alamo Waste is currently located on FM 2252. They will serve all of the Metrocom area except Converse and Randolph Air Force Base. $ Mayor Baldwin inquired if the Council needs to act on this and -3- . . . . . was advised by Mr. Sweatt the City Attorney feels they need an affirmative action on the part of the Council. Council felt they had the necessary information to have this item placed on next Tuesday night's agenda. #6 Discuss final reading of ordinance rezoning 30 acres from Mobile Home Subdivision (MHS) to Residential/Agriculture (R/A) (Cliff JohnsQn property). Cliff Johnson admitted he knows it's been a long time coming, but he can see the light at the end of the tunnel. He will be getting together with Chief Woodward and with John Bierschwale tomorrow and will be getting construction permits by Friday. The history of this project was briefly discussed and Baldwin asked if Council was ready to move on it. indicated they were ready for it to be included on Tuesday night's agenda. Mr. Greenwald commented they table it again or disapprove the ordinance. Mayor They next could #7 Discuss lease agreement for data processing equipment with IBM Corporation. Mr. Sweatt informed Council a copy of the lease agreement will be included in their packets for Tuesday's meeting. It appears they are looking at a payment of $14,900 a year for five (5) years. They believe it is a good system and the City will be better off not having one big system, but rather an ancillary arrangement. The Police Department will have a separate system - they are not included in these figures. Council agreed they were ready for this item to be placed on next Tuesday night's agenda. #9 Discuss reappointment of Planning & Zoning members. Mr. Sweatt noted that the terms of Pia Jarman, David Richmond and Gary Wallace are up for reappointment and they have all expressed the desire to continue to serve. Planning and Zoning recommends their approval. The Commission is in the process of filling Merwin Willman's position since he has resigned. Council indicated their desire to have this item placed on next Tuesday night's agenda. #10 Discuss awarding bid for Elbel sidewalk project. Mr. Sweatt explained they received only one bid and that was from San Antonio Constructors, Inc. Their bid consists of a base bid in the amount of $32,472 and an alternative additive bid in the amount of $7,040. Ford Engineering recommends awarding the base bid and disregarding the alternative additive bid. The bid submitted is higher than the amount estimated for the project. -4- . . . Mr. Greenwald asked if the City could bid out the bridge and do the sidewalk in house. Mr. Sweatt replied they don't have the necessary bodies to do that. Mayor Baldwin asked how much over estimate the bid is and Mr. Sweatt replied $6,000. There was some discussion about this with the conclusion being that if they cut out the sidewalks, the bidder would probably withdraw. Council agreed this item should be placed on next Tuesday night's agenda. #11 Discuss City Manager evaluation forms. The consensus of Council was to hold up on discussion of this item until all their members are present. #12 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: A. Reported some problems with the Appraisal District tapes. It seems one of the tapes they sent didn't have anything on it. Mayor Baldwin suggested turning the taxes over to the County. B. Reminded Council the names for the GAD Board need to be submitted no later than October 16th. . C. Passed around the invitation to the employee appreciation luncheon to be held on November 5th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. D. Stated that some of the employees have suggested changing the annual awards dinner from Christmas time to a spring picnic because Christmas is always such a busy season for everyone. E. Mentioned that Billy Pitts, an intern, will with the City to do a study of the last bond issue A survey will be sent to everyone who voted percentage of those who did not vote. be working election. and to a #13 ITEMS BY COUNCIL: Mr. McDonald: A. Asked why City doesn't send a bill to Cibolo for the work that was several years ago. Mr. Sweatt replied David Walker, Administrator at the time the work was done, refused to the administrative and vehicle costs. the done City pay B. Mentioned an article in the San Antonio Express-News about drainage and the fact San Antonio is rewriting their ordinance on drainage. Mr. Greenwald commented one traffic lane must be completely passable even during a flood. . C. Indicated he thought the City should give some kind of recognition to Merwin Willman for all his years of service. Mr. Sweatt described a new kind of plaque that Tony Morales of Southwest laser is doing and Council thought one of those was a good idea. Mayor Baldwin suggested they present it to him in the Council Chambers and have the Planning and Zoning -5- . . . Commission attend. D. Reminded everyone of the Business Appreciation Dinner October 14th at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Mr. Greenwald: A. Related they took Judy Wilson to the hospital this evening. She had either a seizure or a stroke. He played traffic cop for about an hour at the corner of Westchester and Gettysburg because the first responder parked in the street. B. Said he called GVEC today about street lights because from Kountry Kitchen on down there are nine lights out. C. Observed FM 78 is getting bad again. Mr. Potempa remarked that at the Dairy Queen water is still standing two days after the rain. D. Noted October 11th is Monte Carlo night at the VFW. the one They three out. #14 ITEMS BY MAYOR: A. Admitted the school district dodged bullet on the Dobie fire because it was contained to only room. Kudos to the Schertz Fire Department and others. got the call at 6:28 a.m. and the response time was minutes. It took 200 gallons of water to put the fire . B. Related that for those who knew John Gardner, he died of a heart attack at the age of 56. C. Recommended Council take a look at a daytime curfew for students in school. D. Invited everyone to the ribbon cutting at Nathalie's on October 2nd at 5:00 p.m. E. Stated he had received an invitation to the November 5th bid session for the Pan American games. #15 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Called under Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, sub-section 551.072, deliberation regarding real property. An Executive Session was held from 9:35 p.m. until 9:50 p.m. #16 Consider and take action, if any, on above Executive Session. Mr. McDonald moved to authorize the City Manager to finalize negotiations on real property. Mr. Potempa seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes: . AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Potempa and Greenwald. NAYS: None. -6-