ccspecwksp 12-15-1999
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SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 15, 1999
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on
Wednesday, December 15, 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; Reginna Agee and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Councilmembers Joe
Potempa and Glyn D. Williams. Staff present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt
and City Secretary Norma Althouse.
Due to the number of citizens attending for the presentation of Christmas Lighting
awards, this activity was moved to the Council Chambers by Mayor Baldwin.
Steve Simonson, Asst. City Manager, was in charge of making the presentations.
The winners each received a plaque, and/or a gift certificate from a Schertz
merchant and the placing of a sign on their property announcing they were a
winner. The winners were as follows:
Creativity - First Place - 400 Brooks - Phyllis McNeal
Creativity - Second Place - 2520 Hidden Grove - M.L. & Pamela Williams
Subdivision Entrance - First Place - Carolina Crossing
Subdivision Entrance - Second Place - Savannah Square
Theme - First Place - 120 Patrick Henry - Don Pentacost
Theme - Second Place -145 Valley Oak - Ruth Rivett
Combined Effort - First Place (2 homes) - 502/503 Windburn - Connie Alvarez
and Jenny Frasman
Combined Effort - Second Place (2homes) - 1064/1068 Curtiss - Phillip
Steinberg and Richard Draper
Lighting - First Place - 528 Curtiss - Tommy Hunter
Lighting - Second Place - 2528 Bent Tree - Ron & Conchi Youngblood
Judges Award - 411 Aviation - Rick & Rita Saenz
Judges Award - Honorable Mention - 521 Exchange - James Hiebert
Christmas Spirit - 512 Wayward Pass - Raul & Laura Sontoya
Business Lighting - Contreras Flower Shop
Business Creativity - Sues Stitch "N" Sew
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After the Christmas Lighting awards presentation, Council moved back to the
Conference Room for the workshop.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
William Gignac of 173 Valley Oak had signed up to speak. Mr. Gignac stated he
had three issues to bring before Council.
First, he announced he was happy to be at the meeting.
Second, he inquired about the status of the emergency alert system. It would
have been nice if it had been in place when CCMA had their chlorine leak. He
referred to a siren alert system and also mentioned that when electric goes off,
the phone won't work and this is a problem with a telephone notification system.
Third, he wanted to complain about trains on the railroad track.
Mr. Sweatt informed Mr. Gignac he could call him anytime, he doesn't
necessarily have to come to a Council meeting. He went on to say the City feels
the sirens are a drawback, the telephone notification system leaves a message
in the area, and the cable emergency crawl system is getting better. Mayor
Baldwin asked if the siren will be moved and Mr. Sweatt replied perhaps to the
park area. Mr. Gignac requested that Mr. Sweatt put an article in the Newsletter
updating the citizens on emergency alert system plans.
Mr. Gignac then commented that on December 4th, engine 6012 157 blocked the
crossing and pathway to the Dietz Creek bridge from 4:10 p.m. until 4:50 p.m.
The State law says you can't block for more than five minutes except in an
emergency. The City of Marion has put the railroad on notice that they will cite
them for blocking a crossing.
Mayor Baldwin asked if there had been a problem and Mr. Sweatt replied yes,
they had some kind of problem with fuel. Mayor Baldwin observed a situation
like that could be dangerous.
Mayor Baldwin then mentioned there was a group represented at one of the TML
booths called Railwatch. They do all they can to make railroads comply. He has
a sample of a resolution from them and an application. There is no cost to
become a member. The Mayor suggested perhaps the City pass a resolution
supporting Railwatch. Mr. Gignac stated he would be interested in an
application.
Mr. Sweatt recommended Mr. Gignac call the dispatcher any time he observes a
similar situation such as the one he reported this evening. Mr. Gignac asked if
the City has an ordinance prohibiting hazardous material and Mayor Baldwin
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answered the City doesn't have a hazardous material route, but they may have
something on load limits. Mr. Gignac thanked Council for their time.
#2 Discuss public hearing regarding request from Halff Associates to
rezone 5.71 acres.
Mr. Sweatt pointed out the location of the proposed rezoning on the map. He
also noted five (5) letters have been sent to adjoining property owners. The
public hearing on this request is scheduled for December 21st. Council agreed
they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda.
#3 Discuss public hearing regarding request from Schertz Planning and
Zoning Commission to revise the 'Unified Development Code (UDC).
Mr. Sweatt advised the public hearing on this is also scheduled for December
21st. In response to growing concern, this deals primarily with bandit signs.
Ernie Evans, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, is here this
evening to answer questions.
Mr. Greenwald stated they are aware of all the inspectors have had to put up with
as far as bandit signs. Mr. Sweatt added this ordinance limits the signs to twelve
per builder in an approved area. Mayor Baldwin, noting they have to get permits,
. asked if the permit is good for one year and Mr. Evans replied that's correct.
Mr. Sweatt pointed out like any zoning ordinance change, this requires a public
hearing. Council indicated their readiness for this item to be included on next
Tuesday night's agenda.
#4 Discuss Ordinance regarding annexation plan.
Mr. Sweatt related that after reviewing provisions of Senate Bill 89 with TML and
with the City Attorney, they are recommending Council adopt the ordinance
included in their packets which states the City's intentions to annex only property
or areas which are exempted from the annexation plan requirements (this could
be amended any time) and continue to examine areas such as the Municipal
Utility Districts as to annexation prior to 2002, and/or develop a three-year plan
that would include such populated areas.
Mr. Sweatt went on to say the three-year plan requirement includes areas
containing less than 100 tracts of land on which one or more residential dwellings
are located on each tract. There are other items and Council was provided a
chart prepared by TML to try and assist in this explanation
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Mayor Baldwin remarked he understands this ordinance has to be adopted
before the end of the year and Mr. Sweatt said that's correct. There was a brief
discussion on this and the question came up about ET J's. Mr. Greenwald felt
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that subject would come up again in the Legislature. Mr. Sweatt emphasized he
feels the State of Texas returns less to citizens than almost any other State.
Council was prepared for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
#5 Discuss Comal School annexation request.
Mr. Sweatt explained this tract is exempt from what they just discussed because
annexation is being requested by the owner. The school district is requesting
annexation because they want sewer service. No action on this item is required
at this time. An annexation schedule will be worked up by the City Secretary and
action will need to be taken at a later date.
#6 Discuss Emergency Services Buildings furniture bids.
Mr. Sweatt advised that bids were solicited and a total of 7 companies
responded. Bids were opened on December 6th. Councilmembers received a
memo and tabulations in their packets. The bids and recommended awards
were broken down by what items are being purchased. Three awards are
being recommended - Texas Wilson Office Furniture in the amount of
$31,978.25, BT Office Products in the amount of $25,387.84, and Office
Furniture Express in the amount of $2,708.00. The total for all three awards is
$60,074.09.
Police Chief Jerry Smith had some photos and information available for Council
to see. Mayor Baldwin asked if this money was in the bond fund and Mr. Sweatt
replied it was not. Mrs. Agee inquired if these figures were about what they
expected and Mr. Sweatt answered yes - they were approximately $10,000 over.
Council agreed they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday
night's agenda.
#7 Discuss communication console bids.
Mr. Sweatt stated that three (3) bids were received. After review, they are
recommending the bid be awarded to Sand P Communications in the amount of
$6,682.00.
Council was prepared for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
#8 Discuss appointment of Mayor Pro-Tem.
Mr. Sweatt noted that according to the rotation plan policy of the Council, it is
time for Reginna Agee to be appointed Mayor Pro-Tern. The Council had no
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# 11 ITEMS BY MAYOR
. Suggested Council put the Railwatch resolution on a future agenda for
adoption. Also suggested the City become a member of Railwatch.
. Mentioned they need to do something for the Samuel Clemens High School
football team. A parade would be nice and also a Proclamation. Mr. Sweatt
commented the park is a great place to accumulate and they could start there
for a parade. His suggestion would be to end at the football stadium.
Everyone agreed. Mrs. Agee asked what the City's going to do for the band
when they win the sweepstakes 9 out of 10 years.
. Encouraged everyone to visit the library for the Visions of Santa exhibit. Mr.
Greenwald said the San Antonio Express had a nice article on the exhibit
today.
. Asked if anyone had been to the xeriscape park lately and stated it's looking
good. Those who are maintaining it need a pat on the back.
#12 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the
. meeting at 8:50 p.m.
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ATTEST:
~ tilL~
City Secretary, City of Schertz
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