ccreg 01-27-1999
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REGULAR SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 27,1999
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on
Wednesday, January 27, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Complex
Council Chambers, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. Those
present were as follows: Mayor Hal Baldwin, presiding;
Councilmembers Ken Greenwald; Pia Jarman; Norman Agee, Sr.; Joe
Potempa and Tim Swinney. Staff present wer~. City Manager Kerry
Sweatt, Steve Simonson, Assistant City Manager, Leonard Truitt,
Building Official, L.J. Cott, Comptroller and Dolores Butler, Deputy City
Secretary.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
#2 DISCUSS COST ESTIMATE FOR ELECTRICAL SERVICES
TO PUBLIC SAFETY BUilDINGS.
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Mr. Sweatt introduced Norris Fletcher (architect) and asked that he
describe a circumstance we have encountered regarding power service
to the Public Safety buildings.
Mr. Fletcher greeted the Council and proceeded to explain that his firm
had been contacted by Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative, through
the general contractor, asking for an additional $27,000 as a premium
payment to service the current design for the project which is a pad
mounted transformer at each building to be serviced by an underground
feed. This doesn't have to be decided on tonight but within the next six
to eight weeks.
We have a couple of alternatives to deal with. One is to put a pole at
each building with a pole-mounted transformer and a drop to a weather
head on each building at no additional cost. The other option is to go
north across the drive that serves the three (3) buildings and set a pole
for each of the buildings, a pole-mounted transformer,come down the
pole and go underground and that option is $37,000 additional.
From an esthetic point of view, we would like to stay with the pad
mounted transformers and the underground service from the primary
pad on the street; however, understanding money is tight, discussion of
alternatives is necessary.
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Mr. Potempa asked what it would cost if we went all electric. Mr.
Sweatt responded he did not know, but he has a feeling that may have
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some bearing on it, but it is not just the one-time cost but the long-term
cost that pointed us in the direction of gas heating for the buildings and
we still believe that is an appropriate decision. These proposed
charges may be somewhat in retaliation for that decision. We were
shocked that GVEC would want to charge us that much additional to go
underground.
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Mayor Baldwin commented that (1) after giving GVEC a bad time about
their poles on Schertz Parkway, he wouldn't want to see us put poles
up out there, and (2) he wouldn't want us to give up gas heat to save
the $27,000.
Mr. Sweatt stated that if it is the pleasure of the Council, this item will be
on next week's action agenda.
#3 DISCUSS REPORT FROM BEXAR COUNTY DEPARTMENT
OF PUBLIC WORKS REGARDING CIBOLO CREEK CLEARING
PROJECT.
Mr. Sweatt noted that the indication in the briefing in the agenda packet
that part of this project anticipates possible clearing of sand bars and
some Creek water blockage is not the case and Michael (Martin) will
discuss the more direct intent and purpose of this project. Mr. Sweatt
introduced Michael Martin, Director of Public Works for Bexar County
and commented he assumed that is part of the reason Commissioners
Wolverton and Adkinson are here and we're pleased they are in
attendance to hear the presentation.
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Mr. Martin thanked the Council and proceeded to report that he is
working with the Federal and Natural Resource Conservation Service
(FNRCS) [the old Soil Conservation Service] and they have a program
whereby they can assist local entities in a clean up effort which is to
pick up the debris and trash (knocked down trees), be able to remove
that and it would be at a 75% federal funding match with a 25% local
funding match. The 25% local funding match can be in kind services.
In essence, what FNRCS was looking at was to structure this to where
the project would be done on an equipment rental basis - we would get
a contractor in and he would charge by the hour to do the clean up work
and stockpile the debris. As part of the local in kind match, the local
entities would take the piles of brush and burn it and also remove the
trash that is taken to a landfill as part of the 25% local match. The
FNRCS would fund the entire project up front and then at the end of the
project, come to the local entities to be able to get the 25% match.
They want only one sponsor so Bexar County stepped forward to work
with all the other entities which includes Schertz, Cibolo, Universal City,
Guadalupe County, Comal County, city of San Antonio and Selma.
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We're looking at a project stretching from FM 2252 (Nacogdoches
Road) in San Antonio through Selma and tying in past IH-10 down
about half-a-mile east of Zuehl Road. The project is about 22.6 miles.
We have gotten some cost estimates from the FNRCS as to what this
will be. It has been broken out into individual entities (spreadsheet
provided) projecting what will be the cost to each entity.
The most important column to this body is the one about two-thirds of
the way to the right which says Schertz at the top and bring it down to
the very bottom line, the local match is approximately $26,093, either
cash or in kind. That essentially clears up all the area with heavy, light
and moderate debris. There are separate areas (color coded) as to the
severity of the work that needs to be done. The cost estimate was
done based on dollars per thousand foot and the heaviest (blue) is
projected to be about $9,000 per thousand feet or $9.00 per linear foot.
The moderate (red) is about $5,100, and the light (magenta) is about
$3,600 per thousand linear feet.
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One key thing to remember is that we are doing work on private
property. All of this region, except for maybe the park area in Schertz,
is private property so there may be some funding type questions that
may have to be resolved. We will need private property access
releases from each of the property owners before going onto the
property. Finally, it would be the responsibility of the separate entities
to contact landowners and acquire the releases. The report being
concluded, Mr. Martin stated he would be happy to answer any
questions.
Mr. Sweatt interjected, he had misinformed the Council about sandbar
removal. That can be done but if we encounter sandbars/gravel bars
that are really obsticles to the flow, we can cause those to be removed
but it would be at the 100% local cost, making arrangements directly
with the contractor.
Mayor Baldwin wondered if any of the rock and gravel companies would
be interested in removing that type of debris for the hauling.
Mr. Sweatt noted that being on private property, arrangements would
have to be made with the landowner(s) and that could be a sticky
situation.
Mr. Martin interjected that we could have it under the guise of the
project and essentially get that second contractor come in and remove
the material.
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The FNRCS has given us a sample release form to be signed, giving
authorization to access their property.
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Commissioner Adkinson inquired as to the time frame for the resolution
of this project, to which Mr. Martin said they are really wanting to get
started by March and hoping to be finished before the end of summer.
Commissioner Wolverton noted the last time we looked at this, Selma,
Universal City and Cibolo opted not to participate. Can we still go onto
their jurisdiction and the other entities pick it up or are we going to do hit
and miss.
Mr. Martin said we would like to have them participate. We can go and
just clean out certain sections, we can prioritize this to the point of
whichever the worst areas are in the areas that we have jurisdictional
authority in to do those, and if we start running out of money locally, we
can choose those areas we want to address and let the rest of them go
until and if we want to have a second project to do the remaining
portions. The problem with that of course, is that with the next flood, all
that debris we didn't get comes on down into the areas we just cleaned
up.
Mr. Greenwald wondered if any thought had been given to IH-10 and
south.
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Mr. Martin advised they are going to be doing a portion of the area
south of IH-10 down to about half-a-mile east of Zuehl Road.
Mr. Sweatt expressed the concern that the bigger issue is expanding
up further north, upstream toward Boerne so that when the next rains
come we won't be doing this again. We should think about expanding
the project even more or doing a second project.
Mr. Martin said he believed there was an opportunity to do an
expansion of the project further north and further south. We wanted to
get this area first because it was the worst.
Mr. Martin stated interlocallinteragency agreements are required before
the project can begin.
Mr. Sweatt commended the city of San Antonio and Mr. Martin
specifically for taking the lead in this worthwhile project.
Mayor Baldwin said the project seems like a worthwhile project and
expenditure of our money and he hopes the surrounding cities will
participate.
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#4 DISCUSS FINAL READING OF ORDIANANCE AUTHORIZING
TAX ABATEMENT AND TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT WITH
SCHERTZ VP PARTNERS, LTD.
It was the consensus of the Council to place this item on the Tuesday
night action agenda.
#5 DISCUSS FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE REGARDING
TRAFFIC SIGNALSITRAFFIC LIGHTS.
It was the consensus of the Council to place this item on the Tuesday
night action agenda.
#6 DISCUSS FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE REVISING CODE
OF ORDINANCES REGARDING UNSANITARY, UNSIGHTLY
CONDITIONS ON PRIVATE PREMISES.
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Mr. Sweatt asked the Council to be reminded, the city currently has
ordinance that prescribe certain types of advance notices to property
owners regarding unsightly or unsanitary conditions generally requiring,
at the minimum, a 10 day notice in which the owner must comply. In
some instances that has become quite onerous and sometime ago
Council asked staff to look into the possibility of ways that we could
expedite that so that continual, repeat violators could be dealt with. A
review has been conducted with Leonard Truitt, Steve Simonson and
Attorney Spain and a recommended ordinance (in your packet) that
does in fact prescribe that upon formal notice to the owner and a
certification, that we would not be required to continue to go back to
that same party. This would not be done in each and every case
because the cost of sending a certified, return receipt requested letter,
but in those circumstances in which it appeared that this was a
continuing, repeat violation and other conditions, we think this will be an
effective tool to deal with a situation quicker.
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Leonard Truitt (Building Official) stated what we are trying to do is target
the areas that are most problematic. Right now we're sending out a 10
day letter, the resident takes care of the violation and two weeks later
we're going through the same process again. Basically, this ordinance
will give us the power to send a certified letter and during a years time,
they'll be on a probationary period with us. If they neglect to take care
of the problems and we are called again, we can take immediate action,
getting the city to clean it up, write citations, whatever is necessary to
take care of the problem. About 40% of what we handle during the
spring/summer period are people who are well aware of the way our
current ordinance reads and they just wait for c:i notice from the city to
take care of their property.
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Mr. Swinney asked what kind of tracking is done, paper files or
computer program? Mr. Truitt replied, a monthly log book is kept right
now and we follow up that way; however, the Inspection Department is
in the process of building a data base.
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With no further discussion, this item will be placed on next weeks
agenda for first reading.
#7 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
· Reminded the Council of Mayor Baldwin and his plans to attend the
TML Legislative Break next Monday morning in Austin. We may
have an opening if another member of Council could attend.
· Advised of plans to place on the agenda next week, if the contracts
are in, a proposal to conduct a joint election with the city of Cibolo
and the school. Guadalupe County election administrator has put
together most of the documents but has not got the contract
agreements to us, consequently, we do not have it on your
discussion agenda. Barring any unforeseen happenings, we plan to
put that on as a joint election if that is no problem to Council It has
worked very well in the past, sharing costs and the voter can go to
one place to cast votes.
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#8 ITEMS BY COUNCIL
Mr. Greenwald:
· Reported that at the Planning & Zoning meeting last night Gary
Wallace brought up a problem at the Tiger Tote on FM 3009 where
the sidewalk ends. He apparently observed people pushing a
carriage with little ones. A vehicle coming down the hill can't see
and it could have been a disastrous situation. We need to take a
look at it.
· Stated Mr. Wallace also complained about his water having dirt in it
and wondered if we are working on a water line.
· Reported Planning and Zoning (P&Z) held a public hearing on
changes to zoning up by Forest Ridge (Barshop property). They are
not happy, claim we had an agreement with them to leave it as
general business. P&Z is going to recommend we continue zoning
from general business to neighborhood services.
· Reported that the water meeting with Seguin last Thursday went
pretty well. Kerry and Jack (Hamlett) and the lawyer went to Corpus
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Mayor Baldwin adjourned the workshop session at 8:25 p.m.
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#10 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Called under Chapter 551, Texas
Government Code, as follows:
A. Sub-Section 551.072, Deliberation regarding real property;
and
B. Sub-Section 551.074, Personnel Matters
(1) to deliberate the appointment, evaluation, etc. of
employee.
Mayor Baldwin called the vvorkshop session back to order at 9:30 p.m.
#11 ACTION ON ABOVE EXECUTIVE SESSION
No action required at this time.
#12 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss,
Mayor Baldwin adjoumed the meetingQ~ ~~
Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas
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ATTEST:
jf)d~ d~/lJ
Deputy City Secretary, City of Schertz
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