ccspecwksp 04-12-2000
.
SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 12, 2000
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on Wednesday, April
12, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Complex Conference Room, 1400 Sc4ertz
Parkway, Schertz, Texas. Those present were as follows: 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.
Before the Hearing of Residents, Mrs. Jarman introduced Norma Head, Councilmember
elect for Place #1 and stated she is currently a member of the Library Board. She and her
husband are the ones responsible for revamping the bookstore. She will be a super
addition to the Council.
Mayor Baldwin told Mrs. Head they appreciate her accepting the challenge of being a
Councilmember and then added how much they will miss Mrs. Jarman.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
No one had signed up to speak.
. #2 Discuss final reading of Ordinance regarding required sewer connections and
fixtures and unlawful disposal of wastewater.
Mr. Sweatt explained this basically makes two measurement changes. The current
ordinance lists the distance requirement for tying onto the sewer line as being within 300
feet of the line. This would change it to 500 feet for residential and 1500 feet for
commercial. Council agreed they were ready for this item to be placed on next Tuesday
night's agenda.
#3 Discuss setting public hearing date for drought contingency plan.
Mr. Sweatt advised Council that just as late as a couple of minutes ago, they received
information from the Texas Natural Resource and Conservation Commission (TNRCC)
regarding changes. The reason for the public hearing is that even though our drought plan
is generally good overall, we need to show proof of public involvement.
John Bierschwale, Public Works Director, distributed some information he had just
received. Mr. Bierschwale stated the City's booklet meets some of the trigger action, but
there are some others they want us to adopt. We will have to mesh ours and theirs. San
Antonio River Authority (SARA) is the caretaker of the records. We need to have a
public hearing, but it makes no sense - TNRCC says do it their way.
.
-163-
.
Mayor Baldwin asked if the City would still have a booklet and Mr. Sweatt answered the
changes would be added to the City's booklet. The Mayor then inquired about the
Edwards and Mr. Bierschwale answered they are the authority and can make their own
rules. Mr. Sweatt added that when the City gets its alternate water supply up and going,
they might be able to revise things with the Edwards, but not with TNRCC.
Mayor Baldwin asked when the drought plan is needed. Mr. Bierschwale answered when
the water hits a certain level. Mr. Sweatt, saying May 2nd is too early, suggested the
public hearing be scheduled for May 16th. Council indicated their readiness for this item
to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda.
#4 Discuss setting public hearing date for zoning change in Oak Trails
Subdivision.
Mr. Sweatt reminded Council they have information in their packets about this request.
The developer is requesting a zoning change from R-1 to R-6. Planning and Zoning held
their public hearing and is recommending approval. Mr. Greenwald told Mr. Sweatt that
Planning and Zoning recommended denial. Mr. Sweatt said if that's the case, then
there's no need to have a public hearing unless they appeal.
.
Mayor Baldwin suggested setting a tentative date for the public hearing. There was then
some discussion about the difference between R-1 zoning and R-6 zoning. Mr. Sweatt
noted it's the size of the lot. R-1 is 9600 square feet and R-6 is 7200 square feet. There
was also discussion about the area surrounding this subdivision and it was mentioned
Green Valley Road is a big problem. Mr. Greenwald expressed the opinion that sooner
or later someone will come along and rebuild Green Valley Road all the way to FM 3009.
Council indicated they would like this item included on next Tuesday night's agenda.
Mr. Sweatt commented the City Secretary said May 2nd is the next best date for a pl,lblic
hearing on this matter.
#5 Discuss policy regarding security for use of public facilities.
Mr. Sweatt stated there is a general policy now, but the City feels it needs defmed a bit
more. Police Chief Jerry Smith mentioned that guidance in the current policy is up in
the air. More clarification is needed, especially in the park when alcohol is involved.
We want people to enjoy themselves without us being too restrictive.
.
Mayor Baldwin asked if that isn't the policy now and Mr. Sweatt replied it's close, but it
doesn't specify numbers. Chief Smith commented they need some defmite numbers
about what security is needed depending on how many people are at an event They may
also look at the type of event and be discretionary due to that. For example if there's a
children's birthday party with ten children and two adults, then security may be waived
or at least be a lesser number required. Mrs. Agee suggested the number of security
officers required be at the discretion of the Police Chief. She also added you can't do
anything about if they don't come in and rent the facility.
-164-
. Council agreed they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
#6 Discuss bids on River Road Street and Drainage Improvement Project.
Mr. Sweatt noted that Ed Ford, City Engineer, is present as well as Mr. McDaris who
lives on River Road. The tabulations as well as a letter of recommendation from Ford
Engineering and a memo from the City Manager are in the Council packets. Bids were
opened on April 6, 2000 and two were received. One from Pronto Sandblasting &
Coating, Inc. for $94,212.70 and one from ASC Paving for $81,656.32. The original
estimate on the project was approximately $70,000.
Mr. Sweatt went on to say he had asked Mr. Ford to review and analyze the increases
over the original estimate. He's sure a good deal of it has to do with the price of
gasoline. Mr. Ford commented he had talked with the low bidder and they asked him to
realize the increase in gasoline. He suggested to Mr. Sweatt that they table the project
until gasoline prices drop. This project needs to be done, but it won't be detrimental if
it's not done right now.
.
There was discussion about some of the prices that had more than doubled. Mr. Ford
mentioned the estimate on the project was $58,000 and the bid came around $82,000.
Mayor Baldwin pointed out that in Mr. Sweatt's memo, he states the original estimate
was $70,000. Mr. Ford agreed that was the original, but after the project was
reconfigured, it was lowered to $58,000.
Mr. Sweatt recommended tabling the award of the bid until there's a drop in prices. Mrs.
Jarman pointed out that even ifprices go down, the condition of the drainage deteriorates
and worsens. Mr. Ford stressed it won't deteriorate, it will just be a mess.
Mrs. Jarman asked what CCMA's share of this is and Mr. Sweatt answered under the old
estimate it would have been $3,000, but with this bid, it's $5500. Mr. Ford mentioned
they are starting to get more competitors in their bidding and perhaps some from the
Houston area will trickle this way.
Mayor Baldwin noted it's possibly more economical to wait, but he doesn't live in that
neighborhood. Mr. Greenwald felt that ifCCMA agrees to the $5500, then we ought to
go with it.
.
Mr. McDaris remarked that gasoline prices may come down, but other materials may go
up. Mr. Greenwald asked what happens if CCMA objects and the Mayor questioned if
CCMA can be taken out of the mix. Mr. Sweatt replied no. There was then some
discussion about Bubbling Springs Road and what it would take to change it from
dedicated to a utility easement. Mr. Sweatt answered you would be closing off the
cemetery.
-165-
.
Mrs. Jarman wondered if CCMA would agree to the principle that everyone's share has
gone up. Mrs. Agee questioned if the City would need to ask CCMA if they want to hold
off. Mayor Baldwin indicated they need to inform CCMA of the situation.
The consensus of the Council was to put it on the agenda and see how it goes. Mr.
McDaris thanked Council for their time.
#7 Discuss bids on building renovation work adjacent to FM 78 parking project.
Mr. Sweatt advised bids were opened on April 6, 2000 and only one bid was received
from Pronto Sandblasting & Coatings, Inc. in the amount of$49,777. Mr. Ford indicated
they had received no other interest in this project. Mayor Baldwin inquired if any of the
local contractors expressed an interest and was told they did not.
Council indicated their readiness for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
#8 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
. Stated the Police Department is going out for bids on a tape logging system and the
bid specifications were included in Council's packets.
.
. Reminded everyone that April 22nd is the day for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt and
for the Employee Picnic, both at the City Park. The Easter Egg Hunt begins around
9:00 a.m. and the Picnic begins around 3:00 p.m.
· Mentioned that April 24th at Noon at the Public Works facility, the ceremoney will
be held for the Annual Employee Remembrance Day.
· Commented the City is encouraging Food Handler class attendance.
#9 ITEMS BY COUNCIL
Mrs. Jarman:
· Thanked those who attended the April 8th workshop on the Rules of Conduct. It was
Mayor Baldwin, Reginna Agee and her. Glyn Williams was there by remote (speaker
phone). Mr. Williams is going to try and attend the workshop on April 26 at which
time the Rules of Conduct will be on the agenda. We might want to put it toward the
top of the agenda because he will probably get tired easily and might have to leave.
. Distributed sheets on the policy for naming public facilities. Council read it over
briefly. It will be on a later agenda.
.
-166-
.
Mr. Greenwald:
. Mentioned he received a letter from the State Comptroller regarding the Texas
Tomorrow Fund. He was advised everybody got a letter.
. Noted he also received a letter regarding grants for SAFES-EMS.
. Reported the banning of all billboards was one of the topics of discussion at the
Planning and Zoning meeting last night. Mayor Baldwin asked if they wanted to ban
them everywhere and if any were grandfathered. Mr. Greenwald said they are going
to check on the taxes that would be lost and then noted that San Antonio banned them
in 1984. Mayor Baldwin then asked if they have a rule that says they must be 1,000
feet apart. Mr. Greenwald replied Planning and Zoning would forward a lett~ to
Council answering some of these questions. Mr. Sweatt felt it's a good way to
discourage business. Mayor Baldwin thought highways and billboards go together.
Mrs. Agee said it's a better idea to regulate rather than ban. Mayor Baldwin indicated
he would like to see Council ban election signs. This prompted discussion about
freedom of speech, etc., but the Mayor asked if they could take a look at the
ordinance about election signs. Mr. Sweatt replies yes.
#10 ITEMSBYMAYOR
.
· Announced tomorrow is the meeting of the Northeast Partnership and
invited everyone to attend.
· Commented he saw in the Seguin Gazette-Enterprise where the Commissioner's
Court was going to discuss the TIF. He, his wife, Mr. Sweatt, Mark Marquez and
Chuck Sharpe went to the meeting where it was discussed. The County had some
kind of misnomer about the billing. They thought they would be billed for $200,000
all at once. It was a good meeting and he's glad they were there. Commissioner
Wolverton agreed to meet with them for a briefmg. He just wants the facts. Mrs.
Agee wondered why Commissioner Wolverton didn't ask questions if he didn't
understand.
Before adjournment, Mr. Sweatt gave everyone a copy of the press release regarding the
re-roofing around April 17th. There will be lots of traffic congestion.
#11 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the meeting at
8:37 p.m.
.
-167-
.
ATTEST
~~ ~4-e__)
City Secretary, City of Schertz
.
.
Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas
-168-