ccspecwksp 04-29-1998
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SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 29, 1998
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on
Wednesday, April 29, 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 Pro-Tem Timothy Swinney, presiding; Councilmembers Charles
McDonald; Norman Agee, Sr. and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Mayor Hal Baldwin
and Councilmember Joe Potempa. Staff present were City Manager Kerry
Sweatt and City Secretary Norma Althouse.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
Ted Duigon of 1112 Antler Drive spoke regarding the Besch property. Mr.
Duigon, noting action on an ordinance to rezone had been tabled on April ih,
informed Council the pending contract on the property fell through, He doesn't
know what procedures Council will take now. Mr. Sweatt explained the rezoning
will probably be on the next agenda for action. It will have to come off the table
fi rst.
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#2 Discuss final reading of Ordinance regarding parking regulations in the
500 block of Main Street.
Mr. Sweatt advised the ordinance has been discussed several times and now
supposedly meets the needs of the property owners involved. He has told them
there will be limited enforcement. After being asked by Mayor Pro- T em Swinney,
Council agreed they were ready for this item to be placed on next Tuesday
night's agenda.
#3 Discuss final reading of Ordinance regarding Tax Abatement for
Coronado Paint.
Mr. Sweatt noted Bill Peterson of Coronado Paint is here this evening to answer
any questions Council may have. The Economic Development Commission has
approved a tax abatement for Coronado Paint for 37.7% over a five-year period
of time. The ad valorem taxes cover the abatement by a ratio of 2.7 to 1 which is
well above the average.
Mayor Pro-Tem Swinney commented this shows the City sticks with its
businesses for the long haul. Mr. Greenwald remarked on all the dirt being
moved at the Coronado Paint location and Mr. Peterson acknowledged it's about
3,000 yards. Council indicated they were prepared to have this item included on
next Tuesday night's agenda.
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#4 Discuss final reading of Ordinance regarding Tax Abatement for Alamo
Packaging.
Mr. Sweatt mentioned that John Taylor, President of Alamo Packaging, is here
this evening to answer questions. Alamo Packaging will construct a 63,000
square foot building in the Tri-County Business Park. The Economic
Development Commission has approved an 82.22% tax abatement over an
eight-year period of time for Alamo Packaging. The ad valorem taxes will cover
the tax abatement by a ratio of 8.21 to 1. This location will be their corporate
headquarters.
Mr. Taylor reported they had a State tax audit last week and no mistakes were
found. They manufacture boxes and distribute packaging supplies. They see
this as a hot business trend for them.
Mr. Sweatt asked if customers give them specifications and they design the
packaging. Mr. Taylor replied that's correct. They feel they have a good future
with high-tech manufacturing.
Mayor Pro-Tem Swinney asked if they do a lot of business with Mexico. Mr.
Taylor replied they do. Mr. Taylor also mentioned that if you go to the Sony
outlet at San Marcos, you will see their name.
. Mr. Greenwald said he understood they are looking at cardboard recycling. Mr.
Taylor stated that's true - they do it in-house, but do have the availability for
someone to drop off cardboard for recycling. Mr. Sweatt briefly mentioned Henry
Gutierrez and Mr. Greenwald thought that might be something Mr. Taylor should
pursue. Mr. Taylor agreed they may be able to set up something.
Council indicated their readiness for this item to be included on next Tuesday
night's agenda.
#5 Discuss first reading of Ordinance rezoning 77 acres of the Besch
property from R-4, R-5 and OP to R-1. (tabled April 7, 1998)
Mr. Sweatt advised that the Planning and Zoning Commission instigated the
rezoning request. He then pointed out the location of the property on the map. It
was zoned in 1986 at the request of the developer, but nothing has been
developed on the property. Public hearings were held and several property
owners came forward with objections. Mr. Duigon indicated there was a contract
on the property scheduled to close April 14h, but reported last week that it had
fallen through.
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Mr. Duigon noted the Oak Manor Estates property owners want the property
zoned R-1 and sent a letter to Planning and Zoning expressing their wishes.
Also, the notification on the Planning and Zoning agenda only said they were
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going to rezone, it didn't indicate the specific zoning classifications to which it
would be rezoned. Mr. Duigon went on to say the property is the estate of Jan
Besch Day. Her parents left it to her. She has an offer from someone who wants
to put a nursing home on that portion of the property zoned R-4. Mr. Duigon
stressed, again, that he doesn't feel the property owners involved have had much
of a basis on which to form an opinion.
Mr. Greenwald felt sure Green Valley Road is the big hold up because of the
expense it will take to improve it. As far as leaving a portion of the property
zoned R-4, he has no objection,to that.
Mr. Duigon commented he had checked the traffic and lots of people use Green
Valley Road coming from the Royal Oak Subdivision. Mr. McDonald remarked
that when Dr. Harborth's property was rezoned, people were against smaller
zoning. It might be an injustice to go to smaller lots because of the traffic.
Mr. Greenwald acknowledged it's an old philosophy from the 1970's. Everything
came in zoned as R-1 and then you had to request what zoning you wanted.
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A gentleman in the audience (name unknown) mentioned that someone is
pursuing the old Simmons property and wants to use Crest Oak for the traffic.
It's too bad there's no exit to Wiederstein Road so traffic could use that route to
get to IH-35. Mr. Greenwald said that's in the City's long-range plans. Planning
and Zoning has told the developer of Oak Trails he will have to build a road.
Mr. McDonald observed larger lots mean less density which means less cars.
They can address the nursing home request when it happens.
Mayor Pro-Tem Swinney wondered if there's any strong impetus to change the
zoning right now.
Mr. Agee asked how much of the 77 acres is projected to be used for the nursing
home. Mr. Sweatt replied approximately 11 .7 acres.
Mr. McDonald suggested removing it from the table, leaving one piece of it R-4,
removing the R-5 and OP and going with R-1 and R-2. Can they do that? Mr.
Sweatt answered they can act on all of it or only part of it.
After Mr. Greenwald emphasized they need to know the acreage of each type of
zoning, Council agreed they were ready to have this item placed on next
Tuesday night's agenda.
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#6 Discuss Tax Abatement request from Genuine Parts.
Mr. Sweatt explained Genuine Parts is a subsidiary of the S.P. Richards
Company. The Economic Development Commission approved a 90% tax
abatement for an eight-year period of time. The ad valorem taxes will cover the
tax abatement by a ratio of 3.99 to 1. Ron Bogart, General Manager, is here
tonight to answer questions. We are real pleased to have them in Schertz.
Mr. Bogart commented he was pleased and privileged to be here. S.P. Richards
has been in the wholesale office products distribution business since 1848.
Genuine Parts was acquired in 1985. Their plan is to relocate the San Antonio
office in Schertz and blend in the Austin operation. They will construct a 134,000
square foot building. They have 200 customers and sell to resellers. They
publish a general line catalog and warehouse over 20,000 items. They will
employee approximately 60 people - some in sales, some in management and
some in the warehouse.
Council was prepared for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
#7 MID-YEAR BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS: Consider and take action regarding
mid-year budget adjustments.
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Mr. Sweatt reminded Council this is on the agenda tonight for action. The most
significant item is the 3% across the board salary adjustment for all employees.
Also, the City will now provide health insurance coverage to all new employees
upon hire. They previously had to wait until after their probation period to have
health insurance coverage.
Mr. McDonald asked why the audit fees went up. Mr. Sweatt replied it
recognizes additional work in the past and also the fees themselves increased.
Mayor Pro- T em Swinney asked where the 3% COLA came from. Mr. Sweatt
answered COLA is a misnomer - he prefers it be called a salary adjustment.
This was discussed at budget time and is to maintain the current structure until
the salary plan study is completed.
Mr. McDonald commented the immediate health insurance coverage is a good
idea.
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Mayor Pro-Tem Swinney asked what the turnover rate is for the City. Mr. Sweatt
replied less than 5%. Mayor Pro-Tem Swinney then mentioned the possibility of
disability benefits. He estimated it would cost the City about $5.00 per employee
per month. Mr. Sweatt said they talk about it each year with the employees.
They will try to do a survey before next year's budget.
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L.J. Cott, Comptroller, reported that 41 employees participate in the deferred
compensation program.
Mayor Pro-Tem Swinney noticed that the postage in the Finance Department has
gone up and wondered why. Mr. Sweatt answered that Finance was part of the
City Manager's budget before and they just guessed wrong.
Mayor Pro-Tem Swinney then asked when the last time was the City Council had
a pay adjustment. Mr. Greenwald answered never - you have to change the
Charter to give Council a pay adjustment.
There being no further discussion, Mr. Greenwald moved to approve the mid-
year budget adjustments as presented. Mr. McDonald seconded the motion,
which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Agee and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#8 COMMITTEE: Consider and take action to appoint a committee to meet
with GVEC to discuss franchise issues.
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Mr. Sweatt reported that he, Mayor Baldwin and John Moore have been meeting
with GVEC and most of the points are resolved. There are two sticking points:
(1) R.O.W. easements at rear lot lines (they want the City to clean them up) and
(2) GVEC will not be authorized to do anything but electrical business - if they do,
they must get Council approval. Also, they don't like the five-year franchise deal.
They are holding their new building out as a carrot to promote a longer time
period for the franchise deal.
It has been suggested that their Executive Committee which consists of Lewis
Borgfeld, Melvin Strey and Robert Young meet with a City Committee and try to
resolve these issues. Mayor Pro-Tem Swinney inquired if this process gets
deadlocked, can we get independent arbitration. Mr. Greenwald said they won't
need it.
Mayor Pro-Tem Swinney then asked if they're looking for a citizen to serve on the
City Committee and Mr. Sweatt replied no, they're looking for at least one more
Council member. Mr. Greenwald volunteered.
The consensus of Council was that Mr. Sweatt, Mayor Baldwin, John Moore and
Ken Greenwald serve as the City Committee to meet with GVEC to discuss
franchise issues.
#9 BID AWARD: Consider and take action to award bid for sidewalk
. construction.
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. Mr. Sweatt advised the City solicited bids and two were received. This bid is for
the construction of a sidewalk at Ashley Park and an alternate bid for
construction of another sidewalk at the location of Borgfeld Road between the
Dove Meadows Subdivision and FM 3009. After review, it is recommended the
bid be awarded to I & J Concrete in the amount of $6,379 for Ashley Park and
$3,663 for Borgfeld Road for a total of $10,042.
Mr. McDonald moved to award the bid for construction of a sidewalk at Ashley
Park to I & J concrete in the amount of $6,379 and also to award the alternate bid
for construction of a sidewalk at the location of Borgfeld Road between the Dove
Meadow Subdivision and FM 3009 to I & J Concrete in the amount of $3,663
making the total for both sidewalks an award of $10,042 to I & J Concrete. Mr.
Agee seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Agee and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#10 RESOLUTIONS: Consider and take action on the following:
A. Appointing one member to Board of Managers of CRWA
B. Appointing two members to Board of Trustees of CRWA
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Mr. Sweatt reminded Council they have a memo in their packet from John
Bierschwale, Public Works Director, recommending appointment of Sam
Willoughby, a Council member, or Mr. Bierschwale himself, to the Board of
Trustees and recommending appointment of Eber Busch to the Board of
Managers. These positions will be seated on the Board May 1st.
Mr. Greenwald, who has served on the Board in the past, noted that when
CRWA was created, Mr. Armbruster made them put in a five-year term limit.
CRWA meets the second Monday of each month.
After a brief discussion, Mr. McDonald moved to appoint Sam Willoughby and
Kerry Sweatt to the Board of Trustees for a one-year term and to appoint Eber
Busch to the Board of Managers for a one-year term. Mr. Agee seconded the
motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Agee and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#11 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
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. Announced that this Friday Samuel Clemens High School will stage a mock
DWI accident at 9:30 a.m. There will be some participation by the Police
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Department and the Fire Department. They have a lady speaker whose child
was involved in a drunk driver accident. Mayor Pro-Tem Swinney stated, that
along that line, the City of Austin shows a powerful multi-media slide show
about a prom date.
Reported they have a potential epidemic. They have captured the second bat
with rabies. Mayor Pro-Tem Swinney asked in what part of the City and Mr.
Sweatt answered one in Savannah Square and one outside the City limits.
Noted he has the BVY A schedule and Council will be getting a copy.
Mentioned the First Baptist Church of Schertz has asked the City to endorse the
Power Team program which will be held at the church June 3rd through tho It is a
non-denominational evangelistic program. Council had no problem with
endorsing it.
Melvin Golla. President of the Schertz Bank, is celebrating his 25th year with the
bank this Friday. There will be cake and other refreshments, at the Main Street
branch, starting at 8:30 in the morning and going all day long for those who wish
to stop by.
#12 ITEMS BY COUNCIL
. Mr. AQee:
· Told Mr. McDonald it has been fun working with him on Council. (Mr.
McDonald's term is up and he is not running for reelection.)
Mr. Greenwald:
· Related that Planning and Zoning had some questions about the roof
proposed for the new public safety buildings. One member says the color
they have chosen supposedly fades and the roof costs $25,000.
. Presented Mr. Sweatt with a list of the people who donated their time and
supplies for the new roof on the BVYA building.
. Mentioned the possibility of Council foregoing a whole or partial payment from
BVY A. Mayor Pro- T em Swinney said he was open to foregoing one payment
and the rest of Council agreed. (It will need formal action on a future
agenda. )
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. Noted that GVEC presented its plan to Planning and Zoning last night for their
new building and there are several problems with it. The height of the
antenna could interfere with two houses, they plan to block off Richmond, and
their choice of landscaping is not good. In regard to blocking off Richmond,
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