ccspecwksp 04-14-1999
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SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 14, 1999
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on
Wednesday, April 14, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Complex Conference
Room,1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. Those present were as follows:
Mayor Hal Baldwin, presiding; Council members Pia Jarman; Joe Potempa;
Timothy Swinney and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Councilmember Norman W.
Agee, Sr. Staff present wetfl City Manager Kerry Sweatt and City Secretary
Norma Althouse.
The Mayor was not present yet, so Mayor Pro-Tem Pia Jarman called the
meeting to order.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
No one had signed up to speak.
#2 Discuss final reading of Ordinance authorizing tax abatement for
Alamo Holly.
Mayor Pro-Tem Jarman introduced an ordinance and read the caption as follows:
AN ORDINANCE
BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS, APPROVING A
TAX ABATEMENT AND A TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT BY THE CITY
COUNCIL FOR AND WITH ALAMO HOLLY SALES AND SERVICE, INC., A
PROPERTY OWNER IN THE CITY OF SCHERTZ.
Mr. Sweatt reminded Council they had approved the first reading of this at their
last regular meeting. Council agreed they were ready for this item to be included
on next Tuesday night's agenda.
Mayor Baldwin arrived at this time and presided for the remainder of the meeting.
#3 Discuss final reading of Ordinance authorizing tax abatement for and
with Mark F. Keatts and Lori L. Keatts Living Trust.
Mr. Sweatt, indicating Council had also approved the first reading of this
ordinance at their last regular meeting, stated this is just a name change from
Keaco, Inc. and all the terms and conditions are the same.
Council indicated they were prepared for this item to be included on next
Tuesday nighfs agenda.
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#4 Discuss proposals for information systems equipment.
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Mr. Sweatt commented Council had been furnished a revised report in which the
total was less than in the initial report. The City had gone out for bids even
though they are not awarding bids for Phase 2 items at this time.
The Council started to review the bid sheets and discovered there was a
discrepancy between the ones they had and the ones Mr. Sweatt had, so Mark
Marquez made copies of the correct bid sheets. Brady Le Blanc, the consultant
for the information systems equipment, was present to answer questions.
Mr. Swinney asked if they had compared the cost of renting versus buying. Mr.
Le Blanc answered no and commented that for a government, the tax issues
don't do any good. No significant differences have been found. There are
benefits for commercial establishments, but not for governments.
The bid sheets were reviewed and discussed. Mr. Le Blanc explained the Y2K
issues and some of the other issues that would improve the productivity of the
staff. It was Mr. Le Blanc's recommendation that Council go with the Y2K issues
and the items in Phase 1. He also recommended that for an additional $11,885
they go with two items from Phase 2 - the SMS server and the remote access
server. Those would be beneficial at this time. Mr. Le Blanc pointed out all the
contracts are fixed contracts except the wiring.
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Mr. Sweatt mentioned the City is still at risk with their current software company.
CPS has still not committed on the Y2K issues and said they should know by
October 1. The City would like to have a commitment by July 1.
Mr. Potempa asked if the City will have to go out for training and Mr. Sweatt
replied yes. Mr. Potempa then mentioned that usually the provider furnishes the
training. Mr. Le Blanc said what they're suggesting is that the City establish a
formal, regularly scheduled in-house training program provided by contract
trainers. This will involve the use of manuals, vendor-supplied training materials
and video training tapes. Certainly, they (Brice Systems, should they be
awarded the bid) will provide training on how to use the new hardware, but not
necessarily the new software tools.
Mr. Sweatt noted they have tried to show the total cost of implementing the Y2K
issues, Phase 1 and Phase 2. Between now and the end of this fiscal year, they
would like to move forward on the Y2K issues and Phase 1. They would like for
Phase 2 to be considered for implementation in next year's budget expenditures.
They are still holding aside the purchase of software this fiscal year.
Mr. Potempa inquired if they're talking about approving these expenditures now
and if the money is available. Mr. Sweatt replied he would like for Council to be
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prepared to vote on this next week and the money is available. They had
identified approximately $250,000 for Y2K issues and data processing.
Mr. Swinney asked if when the Police Department moves out and the remodeling
of this building begins, does that include wiring. Mr. Sweatt indicated they would
likely pick that up in the next fiscal year in Phase 2. Mayor Baldwin asked if the
bond issue included wiring for the new buildings and Mr. Sweatt replied yes. Mr.
Le Blanc added that the Y2K "stuff' would move to the new buildings.
Mr. Sweatt commented that as a follow-on item, they have mailed out 900 plus
letters to vendors asking them to verify that they are Y2K compliant. The City
has received some 200 such requests.
Mr. Potempa asked if the web site is up to date and was informed by Mr. Sweatt
it is now current.
There were no other questions for Mr. Le Blanc and Mayor Baldwin thanked him
for his time.
#5 Discuss bids for library remodeling work.
Mr. Sweatt related the bids had been turned over to the architect for review, but
they are not ready to make a recommendation yet. They won't be on next
week's agenda.
#6 Discuss appointment to Library Board.
Mr. Sweatt reminded Council they have a memo in their packets with the Library
Board's recommendation of Jake Valadez. Mayor Baldwin asked Mrs. Jarman if
she knew Mr. Valadez and she replied no, but she had heard about him. Council
said they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda.
#7 Discuss appointments to Schertz Economic Development
Commission.
Mr. Sweatt noted that the terms of office are for two years and all those
recommended have indicated they are willing to serve again. Those being
recommended are Henry Gutierrez, Ben Davis, Jeff Zunker, Byron Williams and
Bob Vallance, Sr. The current Chairman, Tim Fetter, and Vice-Chairman,
Jackie Jones, were nominated by acclamation to continue in their current
positions. The term for Commission officers is one year. Council agreed they
were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda.
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#8 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
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· Asked for a count of how many would be attending Tim Swinney's farewell
dinner on April 21 st and said the Officer's Club has a barbecue buffet that
evening if that's satisfactory to everyone.
· Announced the CCMA Board of Directors will have a contested election this
year.
· Reminded everyone that April 20th is the date that has been set for public
input on the smoking/non-smoking issue.
· Mentioned there is a meeting with the residents along the Cibolo Creek on
April 22nd at 6:30 p.m. here at City Hall.
#9 ITEMS BY COUNCIL
Mr. Potempa:
· Referred to the smoking issue and asked how Council feels about banning all
cigarette sales in the City of Schertz. He knows of another city that is
considering that very thing. Most of Council was not in favor of the ban. Mr. .
Swinney commented secondary smoke is a health hazard and the whole
discussion has to center on public health. Mr. Potempa asked what about
smoke from a barbecue grill and Mr. Swinney answered it's not the same.
Mr. Swinney then added banning cigarette sales is not legal and not
necessary.
· Noted he brought Council the latest copy of Senate Bill 7 where they claim
there are no rate increases.
· Mentioned he received his 1999 Model Railroad magazine. There is an
article in it about some cities going for a new system that keeps railroad noise
down.
· Asked what can be done about the mound next door where construction is
going on. Mr. Sweatt said that was part of construction and he wasn't sure
they were violating any ordinance if the weeds and grass are not more than
12" tall. Mayor Baldwin commented he couldn't see the Christmas lights at
City Hall until he got past the mound. Mr. Swinney didn't see a need to move
the mound unless it is a hazard. Mr. Potempa then pointed out he is not
talking about the mound of dirt, he is talking about the weeds in front by the
chain link fence where the sign is located. Mr. Sweatt acknowledged
something could be done about those and said he had misunderstood Mr.
Potempa. .
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Mr. Swinnev:
· Asked if the City will be ready to go with a proposed ordinance on April 28th
after the recommendation next week. Mr. Sweatt answered he would prefer
to furnish Council with sample ordinances after the hearing and have them tell
him what they want in an ordinance. Mayor Baldwin suggested the possibility
of a first reading of an ordinance at the workshop meeting on the 28th - that
would at least give Mr. Swinney the opportunity to make a motion on the
ordinance. Mr. Swinney mentioned he doesn't think they need to go with all
public buildings. They could specify if liquor is more of a business than food
in a particular establishment. Bars are not a family atmosphere. Mr.
Potempa questioned if that wouldn't be discriminating. Mr. Swinney said he
had spoken with the manager of the Patio in Universal City who has made
that restaurant smoke free. He told him that at first he lost some of the
breakfast crowd, but the business had improved. Mayor Baldwin observed
that if a businessman can increase his business by 20% by making it smoke
free, then he will go for it.
· Mentioned he will do his mayoral duty tomorrow at the Fiesta reception with
General Newton.
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· Commented he understand the Shoe Shop was demolished today and Mr.
Sweatt said that's correct.
Mrs. Jarman:
· Showed Council a blue ribbon her dog won for first place in Competition
Ozark. She was congratulated by all.
Mr. Greenwald:
· Stated there's going to be a new Eckerd Drug Store and their developer
brought up the tree ordinance. Planning and Zoning reminded them there is a
cash-in-Iieu-of tree policy. When they counted diameters, etc., they came up
140" short. Planning and Zoning came up with a fair price of approximately
$46 per inch. Mentioned also, that lots of people came to the Planning and
Zqning meeting requesting exceptions. -
#10 ITEMS BY MAYOR
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· Related that some representatives from Camino Real MH/MR, who are
sponsored by FEMA, will be in Schertz April 29th for a meeting at 6:30 p.m. at
the library. They will be here to help the flood victims and have invited
everyone to come. He thinks Mr. Sweatt and Johnny Woodward are planning
to attend.
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Before adjournment, Mr. Sweatt reminded everyone of the Employee Picnic on .
April 24th and said the food will be served at 6:00 p.m. After the meal, the
awards will be presented.
#11 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the
meeting at 8:40 p.m.
ATTEST:
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Ci y Secretary, City of Schertz
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