Loading...
ccspecwksp 04-14-1999 . . . 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. -146- #4 Discuss proposals for information systems equipment. . 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. . 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 . -147- . . . 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. -148- #8 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT . · 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. . . -149- . 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. . · 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 . · 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. -150- 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: ~~~./ Ci y Secretary, City of Schertz . . -151-