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-