ccspecwksp 11-10-1999
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SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 10,1999
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on
Wednesday, November 10, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Complex
Conference Room, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The following
members were present: Mayor Hal Baldwin, presiding; Councilmembers Pia
Jarman; Glyn D. Williams and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Councilmembers Joe
Potempa and Reginna Agee. Staff present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt and
City Secretary Norma Althouse.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
Brent Jollv of 1308 Birchwood Circle and Susan Fitzaerald of 2834 Bent Tree
Drive had both signed up to speak about "No Parking" signs on Woodland Oaks
Drive. (There is an agenda item tonight for discussion of no parking designation
on portions of Woodland Oaks Drive.)
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Ms. Fitzgerald mentioned she is on the landscaping committee of the Greenshire
Homeowners Association. They understand the need in Woodland Oaks for
signs, but Greenshire has a brick wall and doesn't need them. She and Mr. Jolly
are here to ask the City not to put up signs in Greenshire. Environmentally, they
are an eyesore.
Mayor Baldwin deferred to Mr. Sweatt feeling there may be some legal reason
that putting up the signs is not a possibility. Mr. Sweatt pointed out that if the
City intends to enforce the ordinance, then they would have to put up the signs.
Mr. Greenwald wondered how many tickets have been issued for parking on
Woodland Oaks Drive and if there's a possibility of having the ordinance without
putting up signV Mr. Williams responded to that by saying if there are no signs,
you can't issue tickets. He also emphasized the only difference between
Woodland Oaks and Greenshire is that Woodland Oaks has fencing and
Greenshire has a brick wall. If someone were ticketed in Woodland Oaks, they
could challenge it if Greenshire was not signed. Ms. Fitzgerald felt that the
Greenshire Homeowners Association is pretty aggressive about seeing that
regulations are enforced.
Mayor Baldwin asked if the City could get the names of those people on the
Greenshire Homeowners Association landscaping committee. The City is
looking for volunteers to help with the landscaping of the new emergency
services buildings.
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Basil McDaris of 600 River Road had signed up to speak about the dust problem
on River Road because mud from Bubbling Springs Road gets on it. He had
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previously presented the City with four sheets of signatures requesting corrective
action. Mayor Baldwin asked who uses Bubbling Springs Road and Mr. McDaris
answered CCMA, GVEC, Southwestern Bell and people going to the cemetery.
Mr. Sweatt stated that Bubbling Springs was not designed as a road. Lone Oak
Subdivision was platted in 1965 and Rio Vista Subdivision was platted in 1967.
The real problem comes from River Road. The City could have the engineer look
at curbs and gutters and the driveway approaches on both sides to help
channelize the water. That may help the mud problem, but there's lots of
ponding on the east side.
Mayor Baldwin asked Mr. McDaris what he would like for the City to do and Mr.
McDaris replied he would like to see some surface on Bubbling Springs Road.
Mr. Sweatt didn't feel that was advisable all the way - perhaps only from River
Road to Bubbling Springs and perhaps CCMA would pay for it.
Mayor Baldwin asked Mr. McDaris if he had ever seen a funeral in the Bubbling
Springs area and Mr. McDaris answered yes he had many times. Mr. McDaris
also mentioned he had called the City and they came and sprayed something for
dust, but he feels the drainage problem needs to be solved. Mr. Greenwald
noted the solution is simple, the problem is the cost.
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Mr. Sweatt asked that he be allowed time to research the law as far as blocking
access to the cemetery. Mayor Baldwin suggested that if they paved up to the
gate, it might help. Mr. McDaris stressed he would appreciate anything they can
do to help.
#2 RESOLUTION: Consider and take action regarding Resolution casting
votes for election of Director for Guadalupe County Appraisal Board.
Mayor Baldwin introduced a Resolution and read the caption as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 99-R-18
BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS CASTING
VOTES TO ELECT DIRECTORS FOR THE GUADALUPE COUNTY
APPRAISAL DISTRICT FOR YEARS 2000-2001.
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Mayor Baldwin asked if anyone had talked with Earl Sawyer to see how much
support he had gotten, but no one had spoken with him. The Mayor then
commented the school district (SCUC ISD) will probably go either with Malford
Brehm or Sylvia Schlather. Commissioner Wolverton was present and Mayor
Baldwin asked him if anyone had voted and he replied both SCUC ISD and the
County got an extension. Mr. Sweatt said the City had scheduled the vote
tonight because they understood the deadline was November 15th. Can we
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extend to the 16th? Commissioner Wolverton explained all you have to do is call
Ed Barnes and send him a letter requesting an extension.
Mayor Baldwin asked for a motion and Mr. Greenwald moved to delay action
regarding a Resolution casting votes for election of Director for Guadalupe
County Appraisal District until the next Regular Session of City Council on
November 16, 1999. Mrs. Jarman seconded the motion, which carried with the
following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Jarman, Williams and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#3 Discuss right-of-way conveyance for Dietz Road.
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Mr. Sweatt reminded Council of a letter in their packets from Commissioner
Wolverton asking that this item be placed on tonight's agenda. Right-of-way is
needed to widen the bridge in front of the CCMA building. The other property
owners have been asked to donate the right-of-way for the Dietz Road Project.
The request from Guadalupe County concerns a very small part of right-of-way
originally conveyed to the City for drainage ditch relocation as a part of the FM
3009 improvement project. The City sees no objection to the requested
conveyance.
Commissioner Wolverton was at the meeting and told Council the County and
the City of Cibolo have combined to improve Dietz Road and they need some
conveyance. The County feels it is best for them to buy it all and turn it over to
Cibolo. In 2001 they will be doing a portion of Green Valley Road to try and give
another exit to the interstate.
Mayor Baldwin asked when they will be doing Dietz Road and Commissioner
Wolverton answered they hope to meet the April letting of contracts. Mayor
Baldwin thanked Commissioner Wolverton for his time and informed him the
Council will act on this request next week.
#4 Consider and take action authorizing execution of easement to
Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.
Mr. Sweatt advised Council they have in their packets a proposed easement for
Southwestern Bell Telephone to provide telephone services to the new buildings.
They will install a "200 pair" cable underground at no cost to the City that will
terminate at the police building. Timing is sensitive in that the cable should be
installed before final landscaping and paving begins.
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Mr. Sweatt further stated he had made Southwestern Bell Telephone aware of
the need and recommends Council take action tonight.
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Mr. Jarman moved to authorize execution of an easement to Southwestern Bell
Telephone Co. Mr. Williams seconded the motion, which carried with the
following votes:
AYES: Council members Jarman, Williams and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#5 Discuss youth participation in City government.
Mayor Baldwin suggested they wait to discuss this item until Mrs. Agee and Mr.
Potempa are here. He would like Council to discuss it before they invite Ms
Briscoe for her input, so they know the Council's limits. The consensus of those
present was to schedule it on the agenda again sometime after the first of the
year.
#6 Discuss bids for police cars.
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Mr. Sweatt reported five bids were opened on October 22nd ranging from
$79,808.00 to $79,095.40. Based on past performance and the low bid, it is
recommended the bid be awarded to Bluebonnett Ford in the amount of
$79,095.40. They are simply discussing it tonight and will take action at the
Regular meeting next week.
Mr. Williams asked if it's possible for Council to get the bid specifications so he
knows whether or not the City is getting the best bang for its buck. He is not
referring only to bids for vehicles, but all bids. That would put him at ease with
citizens when they ask questions. Mr. Sweatt asked Mr. Williams when he wants
the specifications and he replied it would be nice to get them in a packet shortly
after the invitation to bid goes out so there's time to look them over before time
comes to award the bid.
Mr. Williams went on to say he understands most City Councils are at the
opening of bids and Mr. Sweatt assured him that is not true. Mayor Baldwin
asked Mr. Williams if he also wants a copy of the bids and Mr. Williams replied
yes he does. Mrs. Jarman asked if he doesn't think the recommendation of
"lowest bid" is good enough and Mr. Williams replied he does not. Mayor
Baldwin instructed anyone else on Council who wants this same information, to
let the City Manager know.
Council agreed they were ready for the award of the police car bids to be on next
Tuesday night's agenda.
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#7 Discuss Mayor's appointment of Housing Authority Commissioners.
Mayor Baldwin explained it is customarily the duty of the Mayor to go ahead and
sign the paperwork appointing the Commissioners to the Housing Authority. This
is just in the packets for the Council's information. Those being appointed are
Warren Klebig, Sharon Fruge and Jackie Jones.
#8 Discuss no parking designation on portions of Woodland Oaks Drive.
Mr. Sweatt stated that upon review of the City ordinance concerning "No Parking"
on Woodland Oaks Drive, it was found that an amendment is needed. Contained
in Council's packets is a copy of the proposed ordinance changing it from either
side from eastern City limits to Cotton Kina to either side from eastern City limits
to western City limits. Council should note this ordinance existed before
Greenshire was developed, so signage would be required in Greenshire on
Woodland Oaks Drive.
Council indicated their readiness for this item to be placed on next Tuesday
night's agenda.
#9 Discuss Interlocal Agreement regarding Fire Protection Services for
Bexar County.
. Mr. Sweatt advised that the area generally covered in this agreement is between
FM 1518 and Cibolo Creek. The City would be the first responder. The County
pays us $900 per month for this service. It is recommended Council approve it
next week. It's only on the agenda for discussion tonight.
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Council was prepared for this time to be included on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
#10 Discuss the following BVY A Agreements:
A. Use of Ballfields and Concession Stand at Thulemeyer Park; and
B. Use of Building at 401 Oak Street.
Mr. Sweatt noted Johnie McDow is here tonight to answer questions. Mayor
Baldwin asked Mr. Sweatt if there are any changes in the Agreements and Mr.
Sweatt replied there are none.
Mr. McDow informed Council they were charged several years ago to make the
renewal of the agreements concurrent. Mayor Baldwin asked Mr. McDow his
position with BVY A and Mr. McDow replied he is Vice-President - there is no
President.
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Mr. McDow said he would like to see better utilization of activities between boys
and girls. He doesn't know if it's under the federal guidelines to have equal
utilization. They have done some reorganization in the past several years and
the programs are equally promoted.
Mr. McDow went on to say they have invested $4,000 in portable mounds. They
have some things to work out internally and are in need of a centralized
scheduling person. Girls represent 35% of the softball registration. He feels they
are doing the best they can and will have to utilize until a new complex is built
They remodeled the concession stand after the flood, but the building on Oak
Street has been there for ages.
Mr. Greenwald observed that if basketball were any indication, they wouldn't
have enough fields for baseball/softball. Mayor Baldwin indicated the City needs
to look into that situation. Mr. Greenwald mentioned that the 4B Board might do
something for them.
When asked by Mayor Baldwin, Council agreed they were ready for this item to
placed on next Tuesday night's agenda.
#11 Discuss Resolution regarding former insurance provider billing
practices.
. Mr. Sweatt advised that in an effort to encourage the Texas Department of
Insurance to take a strong stand and prohibit secondary or downstream providers
of medical services under the old, now defunct, Well Choice program from billing
City employees, they are asking Council for action.
The Resolution in Council's packets is being considered by several city
government employers and we plan to furnish the information not only to the
State Board of Insurance, but also to those secondary or downstream providers
that continue to bill and demand payments from employees which should have
been covered under the hospitalization plan.
Mr. Greenwald observed it's worth a shot and Council indicated they were
prepared for this item to be on next Tuesday night's agenda.
#12 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
. Advised the problem with the Eckerd sidewalk will be resolved.
· Announced there is an open house at the Schertz Animal Hospital this Friday
honoring Donna McDowell for 10 years of service. It is a surprise.
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· Noted the City received acknowledgement of flowers sent to J.L. Stewart who
passed away recently.
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. Commented they need RSVP's for the ceremony on Wednesday, November
17th when Ruth Tienor is scheduled to receive her Hometown Hero Award.
#13 ITEMS BY COUNCIL
Mr. Greenwald:
. Reported Pro Logis is coming in with another building. It will require a zoning
change from GB to M-1 .
#14 ITEMS BY MAYOR
. Said he understands Bordertown finally broke ground and Mr. Greenwald
verified that's correct.
. Noted we're not getting a lot of response from manufacturing businesses.
What about Forbes? Mark Marquez commented Mr. Forbes really likes his
land.
. Asked if there are any plans to get a good family restaurant. Mr. Sweatt
confirmed there are some prospects.
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. Inquired when they expect some further progress on the Oldsmobile
dealership and Mr. Greenwald answered after the first of the year.
. Mentioned he received a call from a gentleman regarding a sign on FM 3009
that shows the intersection with FM 78, but doesn't show the railroad tracks.
Mr. Sweatt said he would check with the Resident Engineer about that.
#16 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the
meeting at 8:30 p.m.
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Mayor, Cit of Schertz, Texas
ATTEST:
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City Secretary, City of Schertz
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