ccspecwksp 03-11-1998
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SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 11, 1998
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on
Wednesday, March 11, 1998 at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of the
Municipal Complex, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The following
members were present: Mayor Hal Baldwin presiding; Councilmembers Norman
Agee, Sr.; Timothy Swinney and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Council members
Charles McDonald and Joe Potempa. Staff present were City Manager Kerry
Sweatt and City Secretary Norma Althouse.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
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. Mike and Richard Biggs, representing American Roofing/Bronco Astros,
explained to Council that they and numerous others have volunteered to
supply the materials and labor free of charge to repair the BVY A roof. They
got together with several suppliers and asked if they would donate materials
and the suppliers said yes. Richard Biggs described exactly what they are
going to do to repair the roof. Mayor Baldwin asked the total cost and Mr.
Biggs answered if they were to hire it done, it would probably be between
$6500 and $7500 in materials and labor. Mr. Swinney asked how old the
current roof is and was told it is 9 years old. Mayor Baldwin expressed the
Council's appreciation for them doing this for BVY A. Mr. Sweatt said if they
could provide a complete list of the suppliers to the City, he would appreciate
it.
#2 BID AWARD: Consider and take action on data processing equipment bids
for Police Department.
Mr. Sweatt advised Council Chief Smith is here to provide information about the
new equipment. Chief Smith stated they will be getting a file server, 10 work
stations and 2 printers. The acquisition of the badge program software will come
from drug forfeiture funds. They will also have a photo image line-up program.
They have been approved for a grant from the Bexar County District Attorney's
office to pick up part of the hardware expenditures. The City's current software
provider, CPS, is going to get out of the business of upgrading the law
enforcement package. It is recommended the bid be awarded to Diamond
Computer Systems. They seem to be able to do a good job for less money.
The City, however, can buy the two printers from Office Depot cheaper than they
can be provided by Diamond Computer Systems.
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Mr. Swinney asked about a program for scanning fingerprints and Chief Smith
told him that is very expensive. Mr. Swinney then asked if there's a guarantee
for the equipment to operate in the year 2000 and if they can expand. Chief
Smith replied yes to both questions.
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Mr. Agee remarked he likes the badge system, but there have been some
problems with accident reporting. They might want to check it out.
Mr. Sweatt pointed out the bid from Diamond Computer Systems is in the amount
of $14,280. The total cost of the equipment will be $20,290 with the City's share
being 25% of the badge program and the two additional printers.
Mr. Agee moved to award the bid for data processing equipment for the Police
Department to Diamond Computer Systems in the amount of $14,280. Mr.
Swinney seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Agee, Swinney and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#3 Discuss public hearing for rezoning request from Lancaster
Development.
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Mr. Sweatt reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission held their public
hearing last night on this request from Lancaster Development to rezone 23.6
acres from R-1 to R-2. He then pointed out the location on the map and noted
that the developer says it will only create 14 more lots than if it were to remain
zoned R-1. The developer also says the increase in traffic will only involve 14
peak hour trips per day. Since it falls under 100, he was not required to do a full
blown traffic analysis.
Mr. Sweatt went on to say several property owners in the Oak Manor Estates
Subdivision had expressed concern about this development, so Dr. Harborth has
agreed to dedicate an extra 50' buffer to help protect their property and ease
their concerns. Quite a few of the homeowners, including those from Oak Manor
Estates, were there last night and there were no objections to the rezoning
moving forward.
Mayor Baldwin, admitting that every subdivision wants to be its own little
community, stressed they need traffic flow for schools, etc. Mr. Swinney added
that people look for a planned community because they want more security and
control of development.
Mayor Baldwin observed all the traffic is being pushed out to FM 3009 and Mr.
Swinney mentioned that Green Valley Road will become a crisis situation. There
was a brief discussion about improvements to Green Valley Road and the
expenses involved to upgrade it. Mayor Baldwin commented the only way to get
it improved is to make the developers do it.
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Mayor Baldwin then asked if there had been any complaints about the value of
homes and Mr. Sweatt related that Pulte, who will be building the homes, has
committed to upscale plans.
Mr. Agee inquired about what this development will do to the drainage down
through Greenshire. Mr. Sweatt answered that the largest portion of the
drainage will flow to East Dietz Creek and only a small portion will go through
Greenshire.
There was discussion about making Mr. Lancaster improve Green Valley Road
and Mayor Baldwin told Council if that's their decision, then they need to let Mr.
Lancaster know so he can stop the development process right now. Mr. Swinney
asked what Planning and Zoning's take is on the road situation and Mr.
Greenwald replied it is not a super large subdivision and Mr. Lancaster has
emergency access. Mr. Agee observed that limited ingress/egress is a security
factor.
Mr. Sweatt asked if Council wants to change the fast track method of having
public hearings where the hearings for both Planning and Zoning and City
Council are advertised at the same time and are normally only a week apart. Mr.
Swinney was in favor of going back to the old tried and true method. Mayor
Baldwin suggested putting it on the next workshop agenda for discussion.
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Going back to the rezoning request from Lancaster Development, Mayor Baldwin
asked Council if they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday
night's agenda and they agreed they were.
#4 Discuss architectural presentation for public safety building elevations.
Mr. Sweatt informed Council Norris Fletcher is present this evening to describe
the elevations and answer questions. Mr. Fletcher showed Council the site plan
and stated they are trying to create a municipal complex that has some dignity
and is homogenous with the current complex. Mr. Fletcher described the
materials to be used, the walls, and the private side and public side of the
buildings. He also explained the parking layout. When asked by Mr. Swinney
how they decided on the color of the roof, Mr. Fletcher answered they felt hunter
green and kelly green were too overbearing for this size complex. Mr. Fletcher
stated they will build the model next
Mr. Agee inquired what type of windows are in the rest of the buildings and Mr.
Norris replied the same as in the front. Mr. Swinney wondered if stained glass
windows with a City of Schertz emblem would be cost prohibitive. Mr. Norris said
they plan to put the logo on the monument signs.
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Mr. Swinney inquired about future radius turn arounds. Fire Chief Woodward
indicated the radius turn arounds will be sufficient for future equipment.
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Mr. Sweatt mentioned he had been asked about cost figures for adding a second
floor to the Police Department building for the intent of enlarging it in the future.
Mr. Fletcher remarked it could have been designed for a second floor, but over
time codes and regulations change. Mr. Greenwald asked if it wouldn't be more
cost effective to take a risk now. Mayor Baldwin inquired how much money
we're talking about and Mr. Fletcher answered between $150,000 and $160,000.
Chief Smith pointed out there is always ground expansion. Mr. Fletcher, saying
that was a good point, admitted they could virtually double the size of the building
with ground expansion. The consensus of Council, regarding a second floor for
the Police Department building, was to go with ground expansion instead.
#5 Discuss rate changes for 1998 swimming pool season.
Mr. Swinney made the following observations:
1. The pool will quickly reach capacity and we should raise out-of-City rates
even higher.
2. The daily entry fee has not been raised in long time and it could go from
$1.00 to $1.50 or $2.00.
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3. If parents could purchase punch cards instead of having the children carry
money, it would be more convenient.
Mr. Sweatt noted the jump in pool rental revenues and the lack of participation in
adult night. He commented they have two goals for the pool - to make it self-
sustaining and affordable for the children. His suggestions were to raise the daily
rate to $1.25 this year and to $1.50 next year and to raise the out-of-City rates by
$5.00 per category.
There was some discussion about how to incorporate the punch card system and
Mr. Sweatt felt there would have to be some kind of inducement to buy a punch
card. John Bierschwale, Public Works Director, asked for time to think about it.
Mr. Swinney expressed the hope they could do something about the reclining
loungers this year. Mr. Bierschwale assured him they already have a plan for
that. Mr. Swinney then wondered how we verify someone is a Schertz resident
and Mr. Bierschwale answered they have to show a driver's license.
There being no further discussion, Council agreed they were ready for this item
to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda.
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#6 Discuss FM 78 water line and sanitary sewer line relocation.
Mr. Sweatt related they couldn't determine the exact relocations until they had
the right-of-way plans from TXDoT. They have an estimate from the engineer of
$563,000 and Mr. Bierschwale feels it should be about $100,000 less than that,
but they will go with the current estimate. Mayor Baldwin inquired if the Public
Works people will do it or contract someone and Mr. Bierschwale answered they
will contract someone to do it.
Mr. Swinney questioned what kind of impact this will have on businesses as far
as customers. Mr. Bierschwale replied from the standpoint of service from Public
Works there will be no impact. Mr. Sweatt added that the contractors are
expected to work with the businesses.
Mr. Sweatt explained they plan to borrow the money from themselves and pay
back a minimum per year of $50,000 into the reserves. If Council has no
objection, they will move forward toward getting bids and contracts. Council had
no objection.
#7 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
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. Reminded everyone about Employee Remembrance Day at noon on March
20th at the Public Works Center. Mr. Swinney asked if the families of the
deceased employees had been invited and was told they had been.
. Announced that on Friday March 13th, Garden Ridge Pottery will kick off a
three-day special event with a breakfast at 8:00 a.m. People from Economic
Development and from the Fire Department will be there. Mayor Baldwin had
some statistics on Garden Ridge Pottery. He said they have 21 stores in 13
states. They plan to build 9 more stores this year and between 12 and 15
new stores next year. This past fall they had their best revenue intake ever.
Mr. Sweatt noted that Jeff Zunker will be in charge of the manufacturing
division. They manufacture some of their own products.
. Reported the improvements to the ditch between Silvertre6 and Dove
Meadows have finally been recognized by FEMA after 13 years.
. Declared the BVY A parade will take place on Saturday, March 28th beginning
at 10:00 a.m.
. Stated there will be discussion of the expansion of the Alamo Community
College District at the Live Oak Civic Center on March 1 yth at 11 :30 a. m.
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. Noted there will be a TML Region 7 meeting in Seguin at the Silver Center on
E. Court St. the evening of March 27th. The tickets are $20.00 each and he
needs Council's RSVP's as soon as possible.
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