ccspecwksp 12-10-1997
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SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 10, 1997
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on
Wednesday, December 10, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of the
Municipal Complex, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The following
members were present: Mayor Pro-Tem Timothy Swinney, presiding;
Councilmembers Joe Potempa; Norman Agee, Sr. and Ken Greenwald. Absent:
Mayor Hal Baldwin and Council member Charles McDonald. Staff present were
City Manager Kerry Sweatt and City Secretary Norma Althouse.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS: Bill Neller of 506 Koch St. spoke on the
following:
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· Complained about receiving a water bill with a due date of November 11th,
which was a City holiday for Veterans Day, and the offices were not open. He
came in and paid his bill around noon on November 1ih, and got his receipt.
However, when he received his water bill for the next month, there was a late
charge on it for an additional $3.14. This made him very unhappy. Mr.
Sweatt advised Mr. Neller if he pays his bill by 10:00 a.m. on the day after the
due date, there is no late charge. Mayor Pro-Tem Swinney suggested he use
the drop box.
· Mentioned that the traffic light at Schertz Parkway and FM 78 stays green for
only 8-10 seconds. Could TXDoT change it so it stays green for 15 or 20
seconds? Mr. Sweatt answered they should be able to change it. Mr.
Potempa advised Mr. Neller you can turn right on red and Mr. Neller
responded you could get hit.
· Stated that at the corner of Schertz Parkway and Curtiss Ave., whenever it
rains, there is a puddle. He has seen cars spray water on people standing at
the corner. Can it be raised up with additional asphalt? Mr. Sweatt and Mr.
Greenwald both acknowledged that additional asphalt has been tried and the
street still sinks.
Mayor Pro-Tem Swinney thanked Mr. Neller for his comments.
#2 Hear report from Auditor regarding FY 96/97 audit.
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Fred Timmons reported he had been working at the City for the past two weeks
and pretty well completed his task today. The records were delivered to him in a
timely manner. They have never finished up this early before. Council should
receive a draft sometime the first part of January, the Audit Committee will meet
sometime shortly thereafter, and the final report should be on the agenda of one
of the meetings in January. He commented that L.J. Cott has made some good
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changes to the Finance Department. His only request is that the City have a
phone jack installed in the Conference Room.
Mayor Pro-Tem Swinney thanked Mr. Timmons and also thanked Mr. Sweatt and
Mr. Cott for all their hard work.
#3 Discuss bond election preference survey.
Mr. Sweatt introduced Billy Pitts, mentioning that he had served on the Citizens
Bond Study Committee, and that we are fortunate to have him available.
Mr. Pitts thanked Mr. Sweatt and the Council for the opportunity to do the survey.
He related he had talked with poll makers throughout the country and found that
never before has a municipality done this. They did think, however, it was a
good idea. There were 533 responses and 92% of those responding are
satisfied with the quality of life in Schertz. Mr. Pitts then spoke briefly about what
he called Key Points and distributed a report for Council to read. The Key Points
are Future Bond Elections, Funding Capital Improvements and Taxes, Public
Awareness, City Services, and Vision of the Future. The results of the survey
had been given to Council and contained, among other things, overall survey
statistics, survey demographics and questionnaire statistics.
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There was a brief discussion about how the biggest challenge was getting the
word out about the bond election, about how we want to be proactive versus
being reactive, and about how we don't want growth to outstrip the City's ability
to provide services.
Mr. Potempa noted that there was a comment about the need for the Police
Department to be more visible. He thought the Park and Walk Program was in
place. Mr. Sweatt indicated it is in place. Mr. Potempa also remarked on a
comment about police officers cursing young adults. Was that a one time
situation? Mr. Agee observed you cannot please everyone. Mr. Pitts added you
have to look at both ends of the spectrum and he felt obligated to include that
comment. Mr. Sweatt pointed out that negatives encourage us to be more
sensitive.
Mayor Pro- T em Swinney thanked Mr. Pitts for all his efforts. Mr. Pitts
commented he would not like for his involvement to stop at this point.
Mr. Sweatt asked for some thought from Council about distribution of the
information collected from the survey. The information will certainly go to the
members of the Citizens Bond Study Committee, to other Boards and
Commissions of the City, and perhaps a one-page synopsis should be included
in the Newsletter.
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After being asked by Mayor Pro-Tem Swinney, Council agreed they were ready
for this item to be placed on next Tuesday night's agenda for action.
#6 Discuss acceleration of tax abatement agreement with Interplastic
Corp.
Mr. Sweatt reminded Council they have information in their packets about
Interplastic. They were recently granted a tax abatement of 35.66% over a five-
year period, but are asking for an acceleration. The acceleration would be for a
three-year period of time with the first year being a 90% tax abatement, the
second year being a 60% tax abatement and the third year being a 35.60% tax
abatement. The Economic Development Commission has recommended
approval of this acceleration. This variance will require a new ordinance.
Council indicated they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday
night's agenda for action.
#7 Discuss General Obligation Bonds as follows:
A. Receipt of bids relating to the sale of the bonds; and
B. Second reading of Ordinance authorizing the issuance of bonds.
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Mrs. Sweatt reported that Mark McLiney of Southwest Securities is here this
evening to outline the process.
A.
Mr. McLiney distributed a booklet to Council containing the official notice of sale,
bid forms and an official statement regarding General Obligation Bonds. Mr.
McLiney advised that the request for bids went out Monday and they are already
getting some back. He expects at least five bids. The interest rates are not
known yet.
Mr. McLiney went on to say companies will call and give Southwest Securities
their bids over the phone. The bids will be opened next Tuesday, December 16,
1997. The Council does not have to accept the bids and can elect to return all of
them. This "Notice of Sale" is preliminary.
B.
Council had received a copy of the ordinance in their packets and there was
really no discussion about it at this time. It will be on next Tuesday's agenda for
approval of the first reading.
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Mayor Pro-Tem Swinney thanked Mr. McLiney for his time.
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#8 Discuss recommendations regarding architectural services contract.
Mr. Sweatt explained they sent out ten (10) requests for proposal and received
nine (9) proposals back. It is a two-step process. First they solicit proposals and
then they submit the proposals they have received.
Mr. Sweatt further stated that Chief Smith, Chief Woodward and EMS Director
Guerrero have gone to look at several public safety buildings for comparison.
Chief Smith stated he had looked at all the proposals. Some companies are light
on experience. He is looking for companies with background. They are
considering going with BSA, but have concluded they want more data before
making a final decision.
Mr. Sweatt pointed out the City went the extra mile on background research so
they wouldn't be embarrassed.
Chief Woodward noted that the gentleman from BSA is currently building
complexes of the same size as the ones proposed here in Bryan and College
Station. He is on top of all the regulations.
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Mr. Potempa asked if we know the charges yet and Mr. Sweatt replied we do not.
According to law, we select the highest qualified company first and then move to
the second phase which is the financial phase.
Mr. Guerrero mentioned they have a genuinely good feeling about BSA. They
take a lot of pride in their work, could answer all their questions, and are up to
date in knowing the regulations.
Mr. Sweatt stated that according to BSA's schedule, they are looking roughly at
next October. Mr. Potempa asked when they would be looking at a
groundbreaking and Mr. Sweatt replied the 24th week which is sometime in June.
What the City needs from Council tonight is authorization to enter into further and
final negotiations for purchase of the land on which the complex will be built.
Mayor Pro-Tem Swinney proposed authorizing the City Manager and the three
Department Heads of the public safety departments (police, fire and EMS) to
enter into further negotiations to accomplish the purchase of land for the building
of the public safety facilities. The consensus of Council was unanimous in this
authorization.
#9 Discuss second reading of Ordinance annexing 82.22 acres out of
Comal County.
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Mr. Sweatt noted the caption of this ordinances pretty well describes the action to
be taken. This will be annexed prior to January 1St, so the property will be
subject to taxes in 1998.
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. Council indicated their readiness for this item to be included on next Tuesday
night's agenda for action.
#10 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT:
. Remarked that he would like to put an item on next week's agenda for action
which was not on tonight's agenda for discussion. That item is the award of
the bid for the vehide for the Fire Department. They received six (6) bids and
will be recommending the award of the bid go to Benson Chevrolet. Council
was prepared for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda.
. Added he would also like to place on next week's agenda for action the award
of the bid for a pickup truck for the Public Works Department. Council was
agreeable to this request.
. Lastly, as far as bid awards are concerned, he would also like to place on
next week's agenda for action the awarding of bids for the Ware Seguin and
Pfeil Road (water improvements) Materials Only Project and the Ware Seguin
and Pfeil Road Water Main Project. Council was also agreeable to this
request.
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. Commented at next week's meeting they will give Representative Edmund
Kuempel the plaque he was supposed to have received at the Business
Appreciation dinner, but didn't stay long enough to get.
. Stated he had included in Council's packet a copy of a "Thank You" from
Salvadores Flores for flowers he received while in the hospital recently.
#11 ITEMS BY COUNCIL:
Mr. Greenwald:
. Reported that the firm of Hancock and Sheridan were at the Planning and
Zoning meeting last night with a site plan for Interplastic.
. Related that Mr. Jim Long was in again with a request to place storage sheds
in Freeway Manor. Planning and Zoning recommended the request go to
BOA for action.
. Stated Steve Simonson gave Planning and Zoning copies of the traffic counts
for 1995 and 1996.
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. Noted two gentlemen came to the Planning and Zoning meeting last night
wanting to build a 200 unit two-story apartment complex on Corridor Loop
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Road behind Bill Miller and Taco Cabana. Planning and Zoning convinced
them it was not a good idea.
. Mentioned that Slim's Paint and Body will build a 20,000 square foot facility in
the City and will employee 62 people. Mr. Potempa asked where they will
build and was told at Tri-County and IH-35. Mr. Potempa inquired if that
location is in the floodplain and was told it is not. Mr. Sweatt said there has
been a lot of trepidation about this company, but they have been assured they
are a good and reputable business. They will go the extra mile for
landscaping.
Mr. AQee:
. Questioned how the employees liked their longevity pay this year. Mr. Sweatt
replied it seemed like some didn't know it was going to be doubled, but overall
everyone was genuinely pleased.
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. Remarked he got a call from Mr. Jim Long about Freeway Manor and he still
thinks the City should provide them with everything out there. Could we get
Michael Spain to send their representative a detailed letter about what needs
to take place if they want water/sewer and streets. Mr. Sweatt replied Mr.
Long and his attorney sat in his office and made the same argument. It is on
tape where the attorney said the road is a perfectly good road.
Mayor Pro-Tern Swinney suggested deannexing Freeway Manor. Mr. Greenwald
pointed out it would still be the City's responsibility, only then they would have a
slum to maintain.
Mr. Sweatt advised the City is continuing to set pat until the Council gives them
some direction about Freeway Manor. Mr. Greenwald suggested sending each
property owner a letter outlining their cost for improvements.
Mr. Potempa:
. Declared he was impressed with the City Christmas decorations and with the
business and residential Christmas decorations.
#12 ITEMS BY MAYOR:
. Requested they take a look at the feasibility of a crosswalk over by the
Catholic Church.
. Reported he will be out of town on business on the night of next week's
meeting.
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