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ccspecwksp 05-12-1999 . SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL MAY 12,1999 The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on Wednesday, May 12, 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; Councilmembers Pia Jarman; Glyn D. Williams and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Council members Norman W. Agee, Sr. and Joe Potempa. Staff present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt and City Secretary Norma Althouse. #1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS Roman Froboese of 4513 FM 3009 had signed up to speak about drainage. Mr. Froboese stated nothing is happening from Forest Ridge Subdivision to the culvert. Nothing has been cleaned out. Mayor Baldwin asked if it's the City's responsibility and Mr. Sweatt replied no, it's the developer's responsibility - he's waiting to hear from Barshop on the status. . Mr. Froboese commented he feels like it's Barshop's responsibility. They built a big culvert and because it needs cleaned out, it's not doing any good. The water goes around the culvert and runs into his front yard. Mayor Baldwin indicated the City would continue to press the developer to clean it out. Mr. Froboese then mentioned that water from the large warehouse in the Industrial park runs onto the Morton property, which he farms. He dug a ditch along the property so the water wouldn't ruin the field. The City needs to get the soil conservation people out there to resolve the situation and do what's best for everyone involved. Mr. Sweatt noted he and Mr. Froboese went out and looked at the area and he had assured Mr. Froboese he would talk with the engineers. He hasn't had a chance to set up a meeting yet. Perhaps there may be a different opinion as to where the drainage goes. Mayor Baldwin remarked it seems like there could be better drainage in the industrial park. He thanked Mr. Froboese for his input and asked him to give the City time to find a solution. At this time Mayor Baldwin asked if Council had any objection in going next to Items #3 and then #6 on the agenda and then coming back to Item #2, etc. Council did not have a problem with that. #3 Discuss public hearing regarding request from Stanley E. Stehle of 21650 FM 2252 for a Specific Use Permit. . -183- Mr. Sweatt pointed out the location on the map and related the request is for permission to allow a manufactured home on the property adjacent to the current residence. A parent will reside in the manufactured home. The public hearing is scheduled for May 18th. Mr. Stehle is present if anyone has questions. . Mrs. Jarman inquired if Mr. Stehle understands the provisions of a Specific Use Permit and Mr. Sweatt answered that Mr. Stehle understands that if he sells his property, the Specific Use Permit is subject to review. Mayor Baldwin pointed out the public hearing will be held next week and after the public hearing, Council will vote on the request. #6 Discuss request by Guadco MUD #1 and Guadco MUD #2 for agreement to sell refunding bonds. Representatives from both Guadco MUD #1 and Guadco MUD #2 introduced themselves and stated they were present to answer questions. Mr. Sweatt reminded Council they have copies of letters from Guadco MUD #1 and Guadco MUD #2 in their packets. Both Municipal Utility Districts are requesting approval for a private sale of bonds. Also included is a letter and comparison of debt service amounts relating to City annexation effort. Part of the consideration for annexation of the Northcliffe area is that the rate be no lower than what they are paying now. The City believes the plan proposed is acceptable, but doesn't know if it will have a positive or negative effect on annexation proposals. . Mr. Sweatt went on to say they have reviewed this request, the 1975 consent resolutions and the current service agreements with the two utility districts. While this refunding does change facets of the original annexation plans, the City is recommending the refunding proposal be allowed to go forward. Council will be asked to consider a resolution on this matter. Bill Blitch, representing Guadco, stated both Municipal Utility Districts have outstanding debts with high interest. He is here tonight to ask for approval of the resolution. This will be a current refunding. If they are required to go out for public bids, it will incur twice as much issuance cost versus the cost on a negotiated sale. If the refunding is approved, Guadco MUD #1 will be out of debt in the year 2002 and Guadco MUD #2 will have a 22-cent tax reduction, which might engender some activity. Mr. Sweatt noted the downside to this is that it may impair salability of annexation to the residents. Mr. Miller and Mr. Towry, both representing Guadco, told Mr. Sweatt they feel the refunding is an asset. The majority of residents they have spoken to are in favor of annexation. . -184- . Mr. Sweatt advised Council that approval of the resolution would be on next Tuesday night's agenda for approval. Mayor Baldwin asked if that is the City's only involvement and Mr. Sweatt told him the agreement says the City will be notified. #2 Discuss final reading of Ordinance regarding smoking in buildings open to the public. Mr. Sweatt reminded Council they have, in their packets, the revised ordinance with the changes previously discussed and a section has been added clarifying the penalty. Council indicated they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda. #4 Discuss the following requests from the Schertz Business Association regarding 4th of July Jubilee: A. Curfew exception for park usage and possession of alcohol in the park; B. Resolution regarding the restriction of alcoholic beverages in certain places of the park; and C. Contract approval. . Mr. Sweatt noted the curfew exception deals with liquor being served from 11 :00 p.m. until midnight. Also, several years ago the City recognized the concern for outside alcoholic beverages being brought in and adopted a festival-type resolution, which barred that activity for certain places in the park. Anita Clark, representing the Schertz Business Association, remarked the area would change a little this year because of placement of the carnival. The new location of the carnival will be at the corner of Aero where the pavilion exists down to FM 1518. She has spoken with John Bierschwale, Public Works Director, and Aero will be closed from Monday through the end of the Jubilee. Aero will be the midway. Mr. Sweatt related the carnival opens on the 1st of July, which is Thursday, and the parade is on Saturday and the fireworks on Sunday. Mrs. Clark added the Grand Marshal is Schertz's own Tom Funk and the Honorary Grand Marshals are Ricci and Trey Ware from KTSA. The theme for the parade is "Stars and Stripes Forever" and the theme of the opening ceremony is "God and Country.>> After Mrs. Clark allayed some concerns expressed by Mr. Greenwald about power cords, Council agreed they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda. #5 Discuss bid award for check writing and billing system. Mr. Sweatt advised this is additional equipment for the Finance Department and . Council gave approval for it to be placed in the . budget. Four (4) bids were -185- received and the tabulations are in the Council packets. After review of the bids, . L.J. Cott, Comptroller, is recommending it be awarded to Secure Document. Mr. Sweatt further stated this system basically prints the checks from stock. It takes the place of the check writer. He then explained some of the security safeguards. Mayor Baldwin asked if anyone had checked out Secure Document, considering their bid was lower than the others submitted. Mr. Cott replied he had visited TMRS to observe the system in person and they had nothing but praise for it. Mr. Cott then noted this system will also print the utility bills and a return envelope will be included. Mr. Sweatt commented it is one more way to control personnel costs and has a lot of good potential. Mr. Greenwald asked if in accounts payable, there's some way to put in the department code and Mr. Sweatt replied yes. Mr. Greenwald also inquired if it's capable of making a direct payment to the bank and Mr. Cott answered it is not. Mr. Greenwald then questioned if it is Y2K compliant and Mr. Sweatt replied it is and has been checked out by the consultant. Mr. Sweatt also pointed out the amount bid by Secure Document is under budget. Council affirmed their readiness for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda and before moving on, Mr. Cott introduced his new employee in . the Finance Department, Senior Accountant Juan Santoya, Jr. #7 Discuss appointment to Schertz Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Sweatt explained this is the 4B Board, which was established to oversee the % cent sales tax. It is comprised of both Councilmembers and citizens. The Articles of Incorporation call for four (4) Councilmembers and three (3) citizens. This appointment is to replace Tim Swinney who did not run again and it is appropriate for Council to fill Mr. Swinney's unexpired term. Mr. Williams was asked if it would be a problem for him to serve on the Board and indicated it would not be a problem. If that's okay, then Council will act on it at next Tuesday's meeting. Council agreed. #8 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT · Announced the GVEC grand opening for their new building is May 25th from 2-4 p.m. · Reported he had spoken with Reginna Agee and Norman is still in the ICU at Northeast Methodist Hospital. He is in pain and has respiratory problems. . Reminded Council that when the bids were awarded for the three new public safety buildings, they pulled out the towers. Things are moving along and . -186- . looking good and it appears they are under budget, but he would like to put an item on the agenda for Council to authorize removing the towers from the contract. Mayor Baldwin asked the cost of the towers and Mr. Sweatt replied $126,000. Mr. Greenwald questioned what kind of figures the City is getting in sales tax and Mr. Sweatt answered they're doing fine, but there are still some unknowns · Related the Schertz/Seguin Local Government Corporation will meet in Schertz this month on May 20th at 1 :30 p.m. #9 ITEMS BY COUNCIL Mr. Greenwald: · Noted that according to the Seguin-Gazette, they are funding a full-time tax appraiser position at the County Building location in Schertz. · Indicated Coma I County has changed the rules on wells and septic tanks. Both have to have a minimum lot size of 5 acres - it was previously 1 acre. Mrs. Jarman: . · Referred to the Paragon Cable Hometown Hero program and asked if there's a deadline and if the City submitted a name. Mr. Sweatt replied they have not received the forms, but have requested them again. Mrs. Jarman thought Ruth Tienor would be a good candidate for all her perseverance in getting the fitness trail off the ground. Also, AACOG had requested submissions for a Distinguished Citizen program and she thought Mr. Greenwald would be a good candidate for that because of all his efforts through the years on various committees trying to obtain an alternate water supply for the City. · Mentioned that on behalf of the Schertz Library, she will be participating in the summer program by doing a presentation over five weeks on well-mannered dogs. The program will be for children 9 years of age and up. She has noticed from her reading that dog bites have increased dramatically and in her opinion, it is because children don't know how to behave around dogs. Children 9 years of age and up is a good age group for the program, and it will be for those who already have a pet or who are considering getting one. Mr. Williams: · Commented on the letter to the editor in the Herald Newspaper last week regarding the Mayor and said he got a six-page anonymous letter through the mail. . -187- . Remarked he thought there would be a big discussion tonight about the . smoking ordinance, but there wasn't. He has talked to people, but no one has contacted him about the ordinance. #10 ITEMS BY MAYOR . Stated both Mr. Froboese and Mr. Ackermann have farmed for years and know a lot about water channelization and where it goes. Water has an impact on their livelihood. He asked the City Manager to check into the drainage problems Mr. Froboese mentioned. . Reported there is a Northeast Partnership meeting tomorrow and they have a new slate of officers. He invited everyone to attend. . Advised he had visited Wilder Intermediate School one day and gave out a lot of free pool passes. He told the students about activities sponsored by the City, about the new drugstore, about new buildings in the City and about the Bordertown complex proposed up along the IH-35 access road. The prospect of the new Bordertwon complex caused the most excitement. #11 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to meeting at 8:37 p.m. discuss, Mayor ~ aldwin adjourned the . ! ez2L9P-- ATTEST: ~ Cilt:;t~ City Secretary, City of Schertz . -188-