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ccspecwksp 05-31-2000 . SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL MAY 31, 2000 The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on Wednesday, May 31, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Complex Conference Room, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz Texas. Those present were as follows: Mayor Pro-Tern Reginna Agee, presiding; Councilmembers Norma Head; Joe Potempa and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Mayor Hal Baldwin and Councilmember Glyn D. Williams. Staff present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt and City Secretary Norma Althouse. #1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS In the absence of Mayor Baldwin, Mayor Pro-Tern Agee presided over the meeting. Mayor Pro-Tern Agee noted that three people had signed up to speak, but since the items they signed up for were already on the agenda, it was decided to let them speak when those particular items come up. #2 Discuss public hearing regarding request for Specific Use Permit, allowing a horse training and breeding facility off FM 1518 in an area zoned R-2. . Mr. Sweatt advised the public hearing is set for June 6th. He then pointed out the location on the map (FM 1518 N) and commented one notice had been sent to a property owner within the required distance. Elgin Friesenhahn and Stewart Armstrong are joint applicants. Mrs. Head inquired if there had been any response from the one property owner who was notified and Mr. Sweatt replied no. Mr. Potempa asked if the property is in the floodplain and Mr. Sweatt answered part of it is. Council has the authority to attach as many conditions as they see fit to the Specific Use Permit if it is approved. Mr. Greenwald observed there's quite a drop off in elevation behind the property. Mr. Sweatt acknowledged it's probably a 20' to 30' drop ofT. Council agreed they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda. #3 Discuss appointment to Library Board and appointment of Council liaison to Library Board. . Mr. Sweatt reminded Council they have in their packets a letter of recommendation from The Schertz Library Advisory Board. It states they voted on May 1, 2000 to replace Norma Head with Pia Jarman and requests Council formally approve this action. The -203- . Board also requests that Norma Head be appointed as the ~ouncilliaison to the Library Board. Council indicated they were prepared for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda. #4 Discuss amendment to previous ordinance regarding PG&E settlement. Mr. Sweatt once again reminded Council they have in their packets a letter and black- lined ordinance from City Attorney, Michael Spain. The settling parties have requested some changes and Mr. Spain has made them. The changes are not considered a real detriment to the adoption of the ordinance or harmful to the City's position. Adoption of the ordinance is recommended. Mr. Spain stated the Houston office of Fulbright & Jaworski represents PG&E. If the ordinance is not adopted, there will be no settlement payment. He then briefly reviewed the changes that had been requested. He said there was a big discussion over whether or not PG&E was trespassing. PG&E has no customers in the City at the present time. This ordinance repeals the one adopted in February, 2000. Council acknowledged their readiness for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda. . #5 Discuss City depository bids. Mr. Sweatt referred to a copy in Council's packets ofa memorandum from the committee and it's recommendation for the City depository bid, The City received three responses from local banks - Schertz Bank. & Trust, State Bank. & Trust of Seguin and Surety Bank.. They are recommending the bid be awarded to State Bank. & Trust of Seguin. Comptroller Vijay Jain is here to answer questions. Mr. Greenwald questioned the rationale behind Schertz Bank. and Trust contracting out employee direct deposit. Mr. Sweatt explained they contract that service out to Frost Bank., which represents somewhat of a delay in solving a problem if one should arise. The City would be contacted by Schertz Bank. to resolve the problem and then they would communicate the resolution to Frost Bank.. Mr. Potempa asked how direct deposit is done now and Mr. Sweatt replied it is not done now. If an employee has an account with Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union, then a deposit can be done by a representative of the City delivering a check to the Credit Union with a list of deposits to be made to various employee accounts. . Mayor Pro-Tern Agee commented she knows Schertz Bank. & Trust can do direct deposit without a problem because the school district uses them. Melvin Golla, President of Schertz Bank. & Trust, stressed the actual transmission is the only thing that bypasses them. -204- . Mayor Pro-Tern Agee wondered about the difference in cost of services between the three bank.s and what points were considered. Mr. Potempa wondered if Council has a copy of all the responses. Mr. Potempa then asked what the interest rate would be if the City decided to buy an ambulance or a fire truck today. Mr. Sweatt answered that is unknown at this time. Mr. Potempa also inquired when the last time was a depository bid was awarded and Mr. Sweatt replied five years ago. Mr. Potempa questioned what is positive pay and Mr. Sweatt remarked it's a second review of the check. Mr. Jain explained it's a guarantee the bank. will not issue a check for more than the amount. The bank. assumes the loss in case the check has been altered. Mr. Potempa, feeling this feature could be built into any bank.ing system, asked what the chances are of it happening. It hasn't happened so far. Wendy Kuhlmann of Schertz Bank. & Trust explained some of the security measures used to try and prevent it from happening. Mr. Greenwald asked Mr. Golla if one of the City employees has a problem with direct deposit, who would they call. Mr. Golla replied Schertz Bank. & Trust. . Mr. Potempa, referring to the memorandum from the committee, said the comments about State Bank. & Trust of Seguin being locally owned and surviving the bank. failures of the 1930's could also apply to Schertz Bank. & Trust. Mayor Pro-Tern Agee inquired how much a conversion to State Bank. & Trust of Seguin would cost. Mr. Sweatt answered his best estimate would be approximately $1,000. There was then discussion about cost analysis and account analysis and Council agreed they would like to see the bid comparisons before making any decision. Mayor Pro-Tern Agee asked what the time period is and Mr. Sweatt replied July 1, 2000. Council asked that this item be scheduled for another workshop. #6 Discuss bids for ball fields and parking lot construction. Mr. Sweatt advised the City received two bids and based on review by them and Ford Engineering, it is recommended the bid be awarded to Winco Contractors in the amount of $150,832.29. There will be a small amount of lighting - only for the parking lot and not for the ball fields. Mr. Potempa asked if on down the road, there could be picnic tables, etc. Mr. Sweatt replied it's in the floodplain and they could possibly do that. Mr. Potempa then inquired if this contractor is the one out of Selma because he knows the Parkway Baptist Church was very pleased with their work. Mr. Sweatt replied they are the same one. . -205- . Mr. Sweatt reminded Council there was no money in the bond issue for an increase in the parking lot and Council agreed they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda. #7 Discuss Green Valley Road improvements. David Richmond, Planning and Zoning Vice-Chairman, stated he had asked that this item be on the agenda to consider solutions. His feeling is that the areas on both sides will develop and we will be left with Green Valley Road as it is. One of his suggestions is to ask the developers to contribute, but so far they have not been willing to participate. Another concern is drainage because Green valley Road will continue to be a major thoroughfare. Larry Aiken, developer for Jonas Wood Ltd., explained several solutions had been discussed, but they didn't come up with anything they thought would work. His suggestion is to move the easement to define the right-of-way. Janet Besch has given right-of-way. You're talking about almost a mile of road and this might be an interim solution until there is bonding to upgrade the road. . Don McCrary, an engineer with Don McCrary & Associates, suggested Green Valley Road could serve purposes as an urban style road. Mr. Potempa asked if they're looking for action tonight and Mayor Pro-Tern Agee inquired if they want to have a public hearing. The answer to both questions was they just want to discuss it. They feel a long-term solution is needed and it will take the cooperation of the City of Schertz, the City of Cibolo and Guadalupe County. It will, of course, take a lot of money. Mayor Pro-Tern Agee remarked it's definitely something to think about and asked if City staff is pursuing a solution to the problem. Mr. Sweatt replied they are not. Mayor Pro- Tern Agee then stated, in her opinion, it's something Council should consider, but they can't do anything without a plan. Mr. Richmond and Mr. Aiken thanked the Council for their time. #8 Discuss creation of reinvestment zone in Commercial Place Business Park. Mr. Sweatt related that Metro Ambulance has requested a tax abatement for a new building in Commercial Place Business Park. A reinvestment zone was established for a five-year period and has expired. Before they can be granted a tax abatement, there has to be a reinvestment zone. The public hearing on the matter is proposed for June 20th. He does not anticipate any protest to the request. Council agreed the City should move forward on this matter. . -206- . #9 Discuss Tax Abatement request by Metro Ambulance. Mr. Sweatt noted that Metro Ambulance is an existing local business and they are expanding by means of a new location. They have gone before the Economic Development Commission and qualified for a 59.2% tax abatement over the next five years. Mark Marquez, Economic Development Coordinator, reviewed some of the capital improvement figures with Council and emphasized the City should encourage growth. Mr. Sweatt added that the date for a public hearing would be set at the next meeting. Once again, Council agreed the City should move forward on this matter. #10 Discuss mid-year budget amendments. Mr. Sweatt explained the City's overall revenues are slightly higher than originally anticipated and it is requested Council consider appropriating these additional revenues to address unanticipated needs that have been identified as follows: . The City has received notice of several Special Purpose Grants that have been awarded and it is requested Council formally approve a budget amendment to recognize the additional revenue and corresponding expenditures. It is requested Council establish a number of "Reserve" and "Contingency" set-asides in the General Fund and similar designations be considered in the equity sections of Water & Sewer and SAFES. A charge against Fund Balance and Equity for one-time hardware and software upgrade is proposed. A number of Departments have made changes to their line-item budgets. Mr. Sweatt went on to say the information supporting these proposed budget amendments is provided to Council in the attachments in their packets. If, after discussion, they are satisfied with the reasons for the amendments, this item will be on the agenda for action next week. After review, Council indicated they were prepared for this item to be on next Tuesday's Agenda. #11 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT . . Mentioned that due to the fact the City offices will be closed on Monday and Tuesday due to the 4th of July holiday, he is recommending the Council meeting be deferred to July 12th. Council agreed. -207- . . Related they forgot to provide specifications to Council on the out-front mowers for Public Works. If Council has no objections, this item will be on the agenda for action the next time. Council had no objections. . Reported the Schertz/Seguin Local Government Corporation does not have the power of eminent domain and the two cities each have to act on any and all condemnation issues. There is an urgency for that authorization and Mr. Spain has an ordinance from the City of Seguin. He would like to have it on the next agenda. Council had no objections. #12 ITEMS BY COUNCIL Mrs. Head: . Mentioned there's a contractor somewhere behind Deer Haven in the Carolina Crossing area that has some people upset about a swimming pool. Mr. Sweatt promised to look into it. #13 ITEMS BY MAYOR There were none. . #14 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Pro-Tern Agee adjourned the meeting at 8:52 p.m. ~FcJ4~ Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas V~ ffijJ-1 ~111 ATTEST . ~~~) City Secretary, City of Schertz -208-