ccspewksp 10-27-1999
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SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 27, 1999
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on
Wednesday, October 27, 1999 at 7:16 p.m. (following a tour of the new
Emergency Services Buildings) in the Municipal Complex Conference Room,
1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The following members were present:
Mayor Pro-Tem Joe Potempa, presiding; Councilmembers Pia Jarman; Reginna
Agee and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Mayor Hal Baldwin and Councilmember
Glyn D. Williams. Staff present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt and City
Secretary Norma Althouse.
Mayor Pro-Tem Potempa commented he was impressed by the tour of the new
Emergency Services Buildings. He then introduced Gene Mays with the
Guadalupe County Sheriff's Department who is running for Constable in
Precinct 4.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
No one had signed up to speak.
#2 Discuss remodeling plans for Municipal Complex.
Mr. Sweatt reminded Council they have a memo from him in their packets giving
some details of the remodeling. As Council will recall, the bond funds include
$150,000 as estimated cost for the remodeling, including removal of existing jail
cells and enclosure of the existing sally port. He then distributed copies of the
remodeling plans for the Municipal Complex explaining that Norris Fletcher, the
architect, is ill and could not be here this evening.
Mr. Sweatt went on to say they will soon be soliciting proposals for the
remodeling and are considering using a construction manager to expedite the
bidding process. Mrs. Agee inquired if the City will be contracting, have a
construction manager, and sub-contract it out. Mr. Sweatt indicated he thinks
that has some merit.
Mrs. Jarman asked when court is in session, where will they bring the prisoners
in and Mr. Sweatt replied probably through the back door. Mayor Pro-Tem
Potempa questioned how many times prisoners come before the Judge and Mr.
Sweatt answered frequently, but normally, they are not violent. Mr. Greenwald
added if they are violent, the Judge can go to them.
Council had no further questions at this time.
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#3 Discuss Remounted Type 1 Ambulance bids.
Mr. Sweatt reviewed for Council the fact they had taken bids on this project
previously and there was a considerable amount of money difference between
the bids from Professional Ambulance Sales and San Antonio Ambulance.
There was also a problem with Professional Ambulance Sales not in business
dealings with the service center they had listed, so both bids were rejected. The
specifications were rewritten and they went out for bids again. This project is the
remounting of a 1995 Chevrolet Ambulance with a 2000 chassis.
After review of the bids received from both Professional Ambulance Sales and
San Antonio Ambulance, it is recommended the bid be awarded to San Antonio
Ambulance Sales in the amount of $46,772.00. This bid is higher by $284.50
than the bid from Professional Ambulance Sales, but the same problem still
exists regarding the service center listed by Professional Ambulance Sales. This
finding, along with a reference check provided to Council in their packets, should
be sufficient information to default Professional Ambulance Sales.
The consensus of Council was they want a reputable company and they
indicated they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
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#4 Discuss final reading of Ordinance regarding Community Center rates.
Mr. Sweatt commented this had been discussed at a previous workshop and
Council approved the first reading of the Ordinance last week. There are no
changes. Council agreed they were ready for this item to be placed on next
Tuesday night's agenda.
#6 Discuss final reading of Ordinance regarding Food Establishment
Rules.
Mr. Sweatt related this Ordinance eliminates the issuance of a Health Card and
instead requires completion of a food handling class. It will be effective January
1, 2000, which gives Gary Davis time to set up the classes. Approval of the
Ordinance is recommended. The first reading was approved by Council last
week.
Council indicated their readiness for this item to be included on next Tuesday
night's agenda.
#6 Discuss Telephone System bids.
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Mr. Sweatt advised the City went out for bids on a new telephone system and six
proposals were received. The two lowest proposals (Commserve Inc. and Brice
Systems) were reviewed in depth to be sure they met all requirements and could
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deliver what was needed at the cost quoted. The difference was that one
proposal offered a fiber solution and the other a copper wire solution. The fiber
can easily handle both the phone and data requirement. To implement the
copper system, it would cost an additional $15,000 to $20,000. Brice Systems
offered the more cost effective fiber solution and is therefore recommended for
award, even though their bid was not the lowest.
Council felt they were prepared for this item to be included on next Tuesday
night's agenda.
#7 Discuss Uniform bids.
Mr. Sweatt stated they solicited bids for uniforms and four were received. A
number of exceptions and confusion of items occurred, and for this reason, they
are recommending all bids received be rejected. Council had no problem with
Mr. Sweatt's recommendation.
#8 Discuss appointments to Schertz Economic Development Corporation
Board.
Mr. Sweatt explained the terms of Councilmembers Pia Jarman and Glyn
Williams expired on September as well as the term of Johnie McDow. He has
not discussed willingness with Mr. McDow to be reappointed, but expects he will
be willing to serve if asked. It would be appropriate to consider appointments to
this Board.
When asked if they were ready to include this item on next Tuesday night's
agenda, Council replied in the affirmative.
#9 Consider and take action accepting statement regarding final tax roll.
Mr. Sweatt, noting this is an unusual item, said in order to comply with the
property tax code wording, they are requesting City Council formally approve an
appraisal roll total assessed value of $647,874,941 and exemptions totaling
$12,739,403, producing a net taxable appraisal roll of $635,135,538 which,
based on the tax rate of 34.5572 cents per $1000 evaluation, produces total
taxes due of $2,194,398.
Mrs. Jarman moved to accept the statement regarding a final tax roll as
presented by the City Manger. Mrs. Agee seconded the motion, which carried
with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Jarman, Agee and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
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#10 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
. Announced he had received a letter from Paragon Cable stating they had
chosen Ruth Tienor as the recipient of the Hometown Hero Award for the City
of Schertz. The award will be presented at a ceremony on November 17th at
the Mariott Rivercenter.
#11 ITEMS BY COUNCIL
Mrs. Jarman:
. Related that at the Humane Society meeting there was a lot of discussion
about the confiscation of the animals on 1-10 out in the County. There have
been reports of both 17 animals and 24 animals --she has seen 17. Does
our ordinance require an inspection? Mr. Sweatt, referring to the fact it was
out in the County, said he didn't believe an inspection was conducted the last
time and, as far as inspections, the City has no real authority. The case is
being handled by the Sheriff's office. Mr. Greenwald wondered if the County
could ask for an inspection by Schertz or Seguin or the Humane Society.
Mayor Pro-Tem Potempa asked who called it in and was told by Mr. Sweatt it
was based on a complaint and if it were in the City, they would have to be
inspected. Mayor Pro-Tem Potempa then inquired if they have a permit and
Mr. Sweatt replied they do not.
Mr. Greenwald:
. Reported that the BVYA meetings will now be held on the first and third
Mondays of the month. He will now be able to attend. BVY A is running out of
gyms - they are using every gym available. They are probably going to use
the Community Center for practice. Also, they will probably come in with a
letter regarding use of the property in back of City Hall for practice fields.
Mayor Pro-Tem Potempa asked if the schools are free and was told they
charge $1.00 per hour.
. Commented that the APA Conference for the Planning and Zoning
Commission members was held at South Padre this year. There were
several sessions on annexation and will probably be some changes in the
original annexation plan. The City needs to talk with Michael Spain for the
real skinny.
. Mentioned that the land for the car dealership has been purchased.
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Mrs. Aaee:
. Inquired what other businesses the City is talking to about coming here. Mr.
Sweatt replied there are some nationally known restaurants they have been
pursuing.
#12 ITEMS BY MAYOR
. Stated he enjoyed the tour.
. Asked the status of Bordertown and Mr. Greenwald said according to Steve
Simonson, they came in with a new plan, which was downsized, from their
original.
. Noted there's a building for sale beside Slim's Automotive.
#13 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Pro- Tem Potempa adjourned
the meeting at 8:22 p.m. .
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"Mayor P;o-Tem, C({y of Schertz, Texas
ATTEST:
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City Secretary, City of Schertz
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