ccspecwksp 02-09-2000
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SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 9, 2000
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on
Wednesday, February 9,2000 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Complex Confer~nce
Room, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. Those present were as follows:
Mayor Hal Baldwin, presiding; Councilmembers Pia Jarman; Joe Potempa;
Reginna Agee; Glyn D. Williams and Ken Greenwald. Staff present were City
Manager Kerry Sweatt and City Secretary Norma Althouse.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
George Mower of 501 Brooks Ave. stated he wanted to speak about two items.
First, he asked if someone could point out the location of the 16.616 acres in
Comal County, which is proposed for annexation by the City. Also, because the
ComalISD, who owns the property proposed for annexation, wants to tie into the
City's sewer system, he questioned if that is profitable. He heard that CCMA will
be raising their rates and he thinks there's something screwy about this situation.
Mayor Baldwin reminded Mr. Mower that one of two public hearings on the
proposed annexation would be held on February 15th.
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Second, he mentioned, regarding water bills, he had heard rumors that a guy
from DeSoto was hired by the City, for $2000 per month, as a consultant for the
computer system and then was allowed to bid on the project. Why haven't we
received a water bill for several months now?
Mr. Sweatt explained that part of the problem is Brice Systems (company for
which the consultant works) and part of the problem is New World (the software
provider). They believe they will be able to get water bills out at the end of this
week or the beginning of next week. Mr. Mower commented it sounds like
they've hired a fox to watch the hen house.
#2 Discuss final reading of Ordinance establishing parking regulations
on FM 78 public parking lots.
Mr. Sweatt advised this ordinance establishes a two-hour parking limit 24 hours a
day. Mr. Williams asked if the City is really going to enforce this ordinance and
Mr. Sweatt replied they are going to try.
Mr. Potempa pointed out it has to be clear that these parking lots are for
customers and not for the businesses or their employees. They are also not to
be used for overnight parking lots.
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Council agreed they were ready for this item to be placed on next Tue&day
night's agenda.
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#3 Discuss first public hearing, scheduled for February 15, 2000, on
annexation of 16.616 acres of land out of Comal County.
Mr. Sweatt pointed out the location of the proposed annexation on the map. Mr.
Williams inquired if there would be any kind of backup paperwork in their packets
and the City Secretary replied there would be a copy of the Ordinance. Council
indicated they were prepared for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
#4 Discuss public hearing, scheduled for February 15, 2000, regarding
submission of a Disaster Recovery Initiative application to Texas
Community Development Program.
Mr. Sweatt related that notice of the public hearing had been published and then
noted that Council would need to take action on a resolution approving
submission of the application. Mayor Baldwin asked if the gentleman at 107
Zuehl would own that property after this process and Mr. Sweatt replied no - the
City plans to acquire that property.
Council agreed they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday
night's agenda.
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#5 Discuss bids for paging equipment and services.
Mr. Sweatt advised a rough tabulation of the bids had been included in the
packets and a memo had been distributed this evening. They are recommending
MobileComm be awarded the bid. They are the second lowest bidder and the
charge would be $812.10 per month. Pagenet, the current provider, came in with
the lowest bid, but the City has had a very unsatisfactory experience with their
billing procedures. Juan Guerrero, SAFES EMS Director, is here this evening to
answer questions.
Mr. Potempa inquired what nationwide access by pager means and was told it
means you can be reached when you are out of State. This prompted a brief
discussion about why that is necessary. Mrs. Jarman pointed out situations such
as the two recent floods make it necessary. Mayor Baldwin questioned what is
meant by network-supported access and Mr. Guerrero replied it means it is
supported by the City's computer system.
Mr. Williams remarked that on the specifications, the question was asked about
semi-annual and annual costs and he didn't see anything about a discount for
paying early. Mr. Guerrero stated that answering the question was mandatory for
the specifications. Details of a discount for paying early will probably follow the
usual invoice payment procedure.
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At this point, George Mower wondered if he could ask questions and Mayor
Baldwin told him no. They are keeping questions from citizens to the HEARING
OF RESIDENTS item tonight. He can ask questions next week at the Regular
Session.
Council indicated they were prepared for this item to be included on next
Tuesday night's agenda.
#6 Discuss Appointment to Board of Adjustment.
Mr. Sweatt advised the Board of Adjustment is recommending James Harden be
appointed as an alternate member of that Board for a term of two years. Council
agreed they were ready for this item to be placed on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
#7 Discuss Joint Agreement of General Elections for May 6, 2000.
Mr. Sweatt reviewed the document and said it is a joint agreement between the
City of Schertz, the City of Cibolo and the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD. He
explained that the costs are broken down as 56% of the total for the SCUC ISO,
38% of the total for the City of Schertz, and 6% of the total for the City of Cibolo.
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Council agreed they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday
night's agenda.
#8 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
· Announced that Wednesday, February 16, 2000 at 2:00 p.m. is the
groundbreaking for Bob Bomer Oldsmobile.
· Reported TCMA is sponsoring a TML program on March 3-4, 2000 and he
needs everyone who is interested in attending to RSVP.
· Stated he also needs an RSVP from anyone who is interested in attending a
Legislative Conference in New Braunfels on March 23-24,2000.
· Noted they have been invited by the City of Live Oak to the second annual
Area Economic Development Discussion on March 18, 2000 at the Live Oak
Civic Center. An RSVP is required before February 15th. Mayor Baldwin,
saying he cannot attend, encouraged Council to attend if they can. It gives
them a chance to interact with other elected officials.
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· Mentioned that tomorrow Schertz City Council, members of City Staff, and
Consultants for the Schertz/Seguin Local Government Corporation Project
are taking a familiarization tour of Schertz/Seguin Local Government
Corporation property in Gonzales County.
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. #9 ITEMS BY COUNCIL
Mr. Williams:
. Thanked Mr. Sweatt for his assistance in solving a problem recently. A lady
from Cibolo called him and reported her son was involved in a wreck and was
told by Northeast Wrecker Service he could take his car only to Main Street in
Schertz. She wanted them to take the car to Slim's Automotive on the IH-35
access road. He called Mr. Sweatt, who resolved the problem, and proved
Schertz really is the Friendly City. Mr. Sweatt noted the gentleman from
Northeast Wrecker Service was incorrect about his information. Mrs. Jarman
asked Mr. Williams why the lady called him and he answered he did not
know.
Mr. Potempa:
. RepOrted that a Mr. Lowell Kelty of 106 Laurel Lane had contacted him about
some repairs the City had apparently done in his area. Mr. Kelly has pictures
and told him it looks like something is wrong, so he promised him he would
see what he could do about it. Mr. Sweatt promised to look into the situation.
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. Advised he attended the Schertz Parkway Zone meeting this past Monday.
Their by-laws and their budget are very interesting.
Mrs. Jarman:
. Stated that regarding Phase 2 of the Animal Control Facility addition, there is
something out there called the Kronkosky Foundation which has
$295,000,000 available for grants. A letter of inquiry has to be written, which
cannot be more than four pages.
. Mentioned she missed the Library Board meeting and apologized for that.
Mr. Greenwald:
. Commented Planning and Zoning interviewed two out of three people who
applied for an opening. They are trying to find a time to interview the third
one and as soon as they get all the information, they will send forth a
recommendation to Council.
#10 ITEMS BY MAYOR
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. Informed everyone Harvey Balcer is retiring as head Scoutmaster from Troop
51. He has been with the troop for 16 years. He has been invited to the
retirement ceremony and was asked to write a letter. Mr. Balcer witt stay
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active, but not in a leadership roll. The ceremony is February 23, 2000 at
7:00 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Parish Hall. There was a brief discussion
about various committees Mr. Balcer had served on for the City.
. Remarked the Kerrville group of Trail Riders met in the park and were fed
lunch. They had a good turnout. They probably spent about an hour and a
half at the park. Mr. Williams asked who the representative is in charge of
publicizing the event. Mayor Baldwin replied it's the Schertz Banks's deal and
they don't publicize. The Schertz Business Association is there just for
manpower. Mr. Williams said his wife was surprised there were no young
children in attendance. Council talked briefly about the history of the trail
riders coming through Schertz and Mr. Potempa inquired if the Riedel's are
still a part of the event. Mr. Sweatt replied they are not.
#11 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Called under Chapter 551 Texas Government
Code, Sub-Section 551.074, Personnel Matters.
An Executive Session was held from 7:56 p.m. until 8: 16 p.m.
#12 Action, if any, on above Executive Session.
No action was required.
. #13 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to duscuss, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the
meeting at 8:23 p.m.
ATTEST:
t
7J~~ at:~k~
City Secretary, City of Schertz
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