ccspecwksp 04-01-1998
.
.
.
SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 1,1998
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on
Wednesday, April 1, 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 Charles McDonald; Joe
Potempa; Norman Agee, Sr. and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Councilmember
Timothy Swinney. Staff present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt and City
Secretary Norma Althouse.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
Kathy Hill had signed up to speak, but upon being questioned by Mayor Baldwin
on what she wanted to speak about, decided to wait until Item #10 on the
agenda.
#2 Discuss request for parking regulations in the 500 block of Main
Street.
.
Mr. Sweatt reminded Council they have in the packets a memo from him
regarding this item and also a copy of a letter from Mary Ann Krueger, Manager
of Ace Plumbing and Hardware. Parking has become a big concern since the
new business, Nathalie's, opened on Main Street.
Mary Ann Krueger was at the meeting and told Council the problem has gotten
worse. She would like to have Customer Parking Only signs placed in front of
Ace Plumbing and Hardware. Thirty-minute parking only signs had been
suggested, but she now feels it should be fifteen minutes instead.
Mayor Baldwin asked if Nathalie's, when the business opened, had to guarantee
a certain number of parking spaces. Mr. Sweatt replied he is not sure about that,
but thinks they have the lot beside the beauty shop, the old Best Cleaner site and
the old City Hall site. He then added it seems parking meters or the marking of
tires are the only solutions. Time limit signs might be somewhat effective.
Mayor Baldwin asked if anyone had suggestions. Mr. McDonald mentioned
parking meters to which Mr. Potempa asked if they're going to punish everyone
for one business. Mr. McDonald pointed out you can't restrict just one section of
Main Street.
.
Ms. Krueger noted the cook for Nathalie's parks in front everyday and then
indicated she has gotten so desperate, if the City approves them, she will pay for
the signs.
-146-
.
.
.
Mr. Sweatt mentioned that other businesses on Main Street have off-street
parking. It might be worthwhile to try fifteen-minute only parking signs. That
would require an ordinance for action.
Mayor Baldwin recommended Mr. Sweatt find out exactly how many parking
spaces Nathalie's has and then if Council has to pass an ordinance they will.
Mayor Baldwin advised Ms. Krueger this process would probably take about a
month.
Ms. Krueger understood that and then stated again she will pay for and install the
fifteen-minute only parking signs if Council approves them.
#3 Review model of proposed emergency services buildings.
Mr. Sweatt advised they will finish the domed cover for the model tomorrow and
move it into the lobby for display. It will eventually be moved to the library.
Norris Fletcher of BSA Design Group, Inc. is here this evening to answer any
questions Council may have.
.
Mr. McDonald suggested the insignias on the towers be on the street side of the
buildings. There was a brief discussion about the location of the hose drying
rack for the Fire Department, of the locations of the generators and about
additional parking. Mr. Sweatt noted additional parking will be done either by
force account work or come out of future budgets.
Council had noticed the progress sign is up along Schertz Parkway and were
appreciative of that. Mayor Baldwin stated it's a good looking model and thanked
Mr. Fletcher for his time.
#4 Discuss revisions regarding zoning change process.
Mr. Sweatt reviewed the current fast-tracking system of advertising for public
hearings regarding zoning changes. The public hearings for both the Planning
and Zoning Commission and City Council are advertised at the same time. The
public hearings for Council are normally scheduled a week after the public
hearing for Planning and Zoning. A question has arisen from time to time about
this process because the public hearing for Council has been advertised before
they have their workshop meeting to discuss the rezoning request. An option for
Council would be to wait until Planning and Zoning has acted and then advertise
the public hearing for Council. The Planning and Zoning Commission acts as the
advisory to Council in these cases and then they come forward to Council for the
final decision anyway.
.
Mr. Sweatt went on to say if Council awaits Planning and Zoning's decision, then
they can bring it to their next meeting (either a workshop or a regular session)
and set the date for their public hearing. Mr. Ernie Evans, Chairman of the
-147-
.
.
.
.
.
Planning and Zoning Commission, stated he didn't think extending the time frame
would hurt the developer. The City should look out for the interest of the citizens.
Council decided they needed more of a buffer between the two public hearings
and their consensus was to eliminate the fast-tracking system.
#5 BID AWARD: Consider and take action awarding bid for UC Well #1 repair.
Mr. Sweatt reported the City went out for bids to repair UC Well #1 and two were
received. After review, it is recommended the bid be awarded to Odessa Pump
as the best-qualified and lowest bidder in the amount of $12,618.
Mr. Potempa questioned if this is the same well that was repaired two years ago
and was told it is not. Mr. Potempa then moved to award the bid to repair UC
Well #1 to Odessa Pump in the amount of $12,618. Mr. Greenwald seconded
the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Potempa, Agee and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#6 BID AWARD: Consider and take action awarding bid for swimming pool
repair.
Mr. Sweatt related the City went out for bids to repair the swimming pool and
three bids were received. All the bidders meet the specifications, and after
review, it is recommended the bid be awarded to Fiberglass Works of Floresville
as the lowest and best-qualified bidder in the amount of $17,000.
Mr. Potempa inquired if anyone checked out Fiberglass Works of Floresville and
John Bierschwale, Public Works Director, replied they had been checked out and
were found to have a good reputation.
Mr. Greenwald moved to award the bid for repair of the swimming pool to
Fiberglass Works of Floresville in the amount of $17,000. Mr. Potempa
seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Potempa, Agee and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#7 Discuss final reading of ordinance regarding request from Lancaster
Development to rezone 23.6 acres of land from R-1 to R-2.
Mr. Evans commented this development will have only one entrance and Mr.
Sweatt remarked it will have an emergency exit at Golden Oak. After being
-148-
.
.
.
asked by Mayor Baldwin, Council agreed they were ready for this time to be
placed on next Tuesday night's agenda.
#8 Discuss final reading of ordinance regarding rate changes for 1998
swimming pool season.
This item had been discussed at a previous workshop and at a regular meeting,
so Council admitted they were prepared for it to be included on next Tuesday
night's'agenda.
#9 Consider and take action on amendment and extension of lease
agreement for City-owned parcel of real property to Eller Media Co.
Mr. Sweatt reminded Council this had been discussed at their last regular
meeting and the panel faces on the billboard will be restricted from advertisement
of tobacco, alcohol and items of a sexual nature as they requested.
.
Mr. McDonald moved to approve the extension of the lease agreement with Eller
Media for an additional five-year period commencing July 1, 1998 and expiring
June 30, 2003 and to approve the amendment prohibiting advertisement of
tobacco, alcohol and items of a sexual nature. Mr. Potempa seconded the
motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Potempa, Agee and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#10 ORDINANCE: Consider and take action on first reading of Ordinance
regarding traffic control measures at the intersection of Ashley Park and
Baldwin Park.
At this time Kathy Hill, who had signed up to speak earlier, made her comments.
Her opinion was that it would make better sense to put a stop sign on Davenport
and crosswalks to the park for children.
Mayor Baldwin asked if staff had considered this option. Mr. Sweatt replied staff
felt it was best to put a three-way stop at Ashley Park (east and west) and
Baldwin Park. If there's a problem when the park develops, then it can be
changed.
.
Mayor Baldwin suggested they go ahead with the first reading of the ordinance
tonight and then have the staff check out the possibility of a stop sign at
Davenport before the final reading. Mayor Baldwin then introduced an ordinance
and read the caption as follows:
-149-
.
.
.
AN ORDINANCE
BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS PROVIDING
THAT THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BE AMENDED BY REVISING SECTION
1849, THREE-WAY STOPS; AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR
PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT.
Mr. Greenwald moved to approve the first reading of an Ordinance regarding
traffic control measures at the intersection of Ashley Park and Baldwin Park. Mr.
McDonald seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Potempa, Agee and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#11 Discuss public hearing for request to re~one 77 acres of the Besch
property from R4, R-5 and OP to R-1.
.
Mr. Sweatt pointed out the location of the property on the map and stated it was
originally rezoned, some years ago, at the request of the developer who has
since gone away. The Planning and Zoning Commission took at look at it and
decided over the years some things have changed and so on their own volition
have made this request for a zoning change from R-4, R-5 and OP to R-1. Some
of the property owners in the area have come forward with objections. There is
no formal application before the City to use the property as it exists.
Mayor Baldwin observed no one will be able to develop this property as long as
Green Valley Road is an issue. Now is a good time to talk about it. We need to
have a plan.
Mr. Evans stated Planning and Zoning is willing to hold to its course of action and
regarding problems with Green Valley Road - that is prime property and it will
develop regardless of the road. Mr. McDonald suggested that perhaps
developers put some money in escrow with the City for improvements to Green
Valley Road.
Council indicated their readiness for this item to be included on next Tuesday
night's agenda and Mr. Sweatt warned them to be prepared for irate citizens.
#12 Discuss Interlocal Agreement with Department of Public Safety
regarding failure to appear program.
.
Council had received in their packets a letter from Judge LeRoy Cinnamon
outlining the proposed Interlocal Agreement. Mr. Sweatt noted that 188 plus
political subdivisions are members. There is no additional cost to the City and
they end up netting $4.00 per case for handling.
-150-
.
.
.
Judge Cinnamon was present at the meeting and told Council it is an excellent
plan, it is very workable and has proved itself in various size cities from EI Paso
to Cut and Shoot. It helps in keeping the files cleaned out.
Council thought it was a good idea and indicated they were ready for this item to
be included on next Tuesday night's agenda.
#13 Discuss proposals for pay plan study.
Mr. Sweatt stated Council received copies of two memorandums in their packet
regarding this subject. If Council recalls, the City requested proposals on a pay
study plan earlier and rejected those that were received and decided to advertise
again. The requests for proposals this time were sent out on January 22nd and
as of February 20th, the closing date, four were received. They range in price
from $10,000 to $30,000. After review, it is suggested the City go with Public
Sector Personnel Consultants. It is felt they understand and agree with the City's
general goals and objectives for the study. If Council agrees, this item will be
placed on next Tuesday night's agenda for action. Council agreed.
Mr. Potempa asked if any other cities had used Public Sector Personnel
Consultants and was told they had been used by Balcones Heights, Boerne and
Hays County.
. #14 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Asked for Council's direction regarding invitations to the proposed annual
Business Appreciation Program being sponsored by the Northeast Partnership.
Each City is allowed to invite fifty businesses and the event is scheduled for May
14th at the Live Oak Civic Center. Reported he had tentatively selected fifty
businesses and commented others will be invited next year.
Mr. McDonald commented Schertz has always been inclusive and he feels
they're going to be exclusive with the Northeast Partnership. If everyone can't be
included, then don't participate.
Mayor Baldwin noted that the purpose is to key in on and work with
manufacturers. It will benefit not only Schertz, but the other cities in the
Partnership.
There was a brief discussion about this and John Moore, a consultant working
with the City on the GVEC franchise agreement, said he sat in on a similar
situation and there are several options available. You can invite businesses on a
rotational basis, you can draw lots, and you can send letters to all of them and
insert a slip for them to fill out and send back saying whether or not they're
interested.
.
-151-
.
.
.
Mr. Sweatt indicated sending letters to all of them would be quite an undertaking.
Mr. Potempa asked how many businesses there are in the City and Mr. Sweatt
replied several hundred. Mr. Potempa also felt the City is being selective. Mr.
Sweatt informed Council the businesses on the tentative list had been chosen by
whether they were large or small, old or new. Some from each of those
categories were selected. If Council prefers, they can take some off and put
others on the list.
Mr. Potempa remarked he likes the lottery method. Mr. Agee stressed they are
making a mountain out of a mole hill. If some of the businesses get mad, we will
know that next year.
Mr. Greenwald, Mr. Potempa and Mr. McDonald agreed that the City should
send letters to all the businesses and insert a slip for them to return as to
whether or not they are interested.
#15 ITEMS BY COUNCIL
Mr. Potempa:
.
· Expressed concern about water waste by the model home near Mobile Villa.
There's mud in the streets. Can something be done? Mr. Sweatt told Mr.
Potempa they have been told not to waste water, their spraying is not
improperly directed, and the City couldn't find any violations. Mr. Potempa
asked what time the City went by and was told about 11 :00 a.m. Mr. Potempa
suggested they go by at night. Mr. Sweatt promised to look into it further, but
stated there is only a violation if they are wasting water.
Mr. AQee:
· Jokingly mentioned he had hoped more people would show up. He had
wanted to say a word or two about the Council not being spendthrifts.
· Pointed out a misspelled word on the GVEC contract.
Mr. McDonald:
· Pointed out we have named a park after the Gutierrez family and a
conference room after Bob Andrews. We need to recognize Earl Sawyer and
we need to honor him before he dies.
Mr. Greenwald:
. Reported the opening day ceremonies for BVY A were very good.
.
-152-