ccspecwksp 06-30-1999
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SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 30, 1999
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on
Wednesday, June 30, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of the
Municipal Complex, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. Those present were
as follows: Councilmembers Pia Jarman; Reginna Agee; Glyn D. Williams and
Ken Greenwald. Absent: Mayor Hal Baldwin and Councilmember/Mayor Pro-
Tern Joe Potempa. Staff present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt and City
Secretary Norma Althouse.
Due to the absence of both the Mayor and the Mayor Pro-Tern, Council chose
Councilmember Ken Greenwald to preside over the meeting.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
No one had signed up to speak.
#2 Discuss final reading of Ordinance regarding traffic regulations for
the intersection of Maple and Beacon.
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Mr. Sweatt advised it is proposed that at the intersection of Maple and Beacon,
the sign on Beacon be changed from a Yield to a Stop. This will be the final
reading of the ordinance. They have been asked to look at other Yield
intersections in the Aviation Heights area for consideration in possibly changing
them also from Yields to Stops. Part of that study was received today.
Council indicated they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday
night's agenda.
#3 Discuss final reading of Ordinance authorizing Tax Abatement and
Tax Abatement Agreement with FM 3009 Properties LLC (Cal- Tex).
Mr. Sweatt reminded Council this was approved on the first reading. Cal- T ex
met all the criteria for a tax abatement and the Economic Development
Commission approved a tax abatement of 90% for a period of 10 years. The plat
has been approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and it is felt Cal-Tex
will make a nice addition to the City.
Mr. Greenwald asked if there's any further interest in developing the sewer line
and Mr. Sweatt replied it looks like it will be a go. If there's some fallout from
other possible participants, Cal-Tex will pick up their share.
Council agreed they were prepared for this item to be included on next Tuesday
night's agenda.
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#4 Discuss and set public hearing date for changes to UDC.
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Mr. Sweatt explained there have been recent changes in the law as to where
manufactured homes can be located and proposed revisions to the UDC will take
those changes into consideration. The earliest possible date for a public hearing,
meeting all the legal requirements for notification, is July 20th. The consensus
of Council was to set the public hearing date on changes to the UDC for July 20,
1999.
#5 Discuss bid award for remounted Type 1 Ambulance.
Mr. Sweatt reported the City had solicited bids for the retrofit of an existing
ambulance box to a new chassis as was provided in the current year's budget.
They received two bids. One was from San Antonio Ambulance Sales in the
amount of $59,007 and the other from Professional Ambulance in the amount of
$50,525.
Due to the wide difference in prices, questions of warranty work, workmanship
and compliance with regulations, they are continuing to investigate the low
bidder. There are several issues of concern, but not enough to justify not going
with the low bidder. The City has a good relationship with San Antonio
Ambulance Sales and cannot account for the large difference in the bids.
Mrs. Agee asked if Professional Ambulance had been checked out and Mr.
Sweatt replied they have. They meet all the specifications and have designated
a local company to do their work for them Mrs. Agee then asked if there are any
other concerns and Mr. Sweatt answered it is mostly the workmanship.
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Mr. Williams observed the lowest bid is not always the best. Is there pressure to
rush? Mr. Sweatt replied that without justification, it is not fair to the lowest
bidder not to accept their proposal.
Mrs. Agee, saying she is not familiar with the bidding process for cities, asked if
she understands correctly that you have to take the lowest bid if you can't justify
a reason not to do so. Mr. Sweatt answered that's correct. Mrs. Agee then asked
how long Professional Ambulance has been in business and Mr. Sweatt admitted
he does not know.
Mrs. Agee questioned where each company is located and Mr. Sweatt replied
San Antonio Ambulance Sales is located in Louisiana and Professional
Ambulance is located south of Fort Worth. Mrs. Agee wondered if references
from Fort Worth had been checked out and Mr. Sweatt indicated they had
checked out several. Mrs. Agee then inquired if when they're talking about
workmanship, are they talking about being down and the liability being on the
City. Mr. Sweatt responded no - there have been some safety issues under
discussion. There have been problems with some of the seats coming loose.
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. Mrs. Jarman commented previous shoddy workmanship just doesn't cut it. Mr.
Williams, noting they're talking about a lot of money, asked about references in
the San Antonio area and Mr. Sweatt replied they have good references from
that area. Mrs. Agee expressed concern about faulty seats and the possibility of
Worker's Compensation claims. Mr. Sweatt stated they would have further
information on it by next Tuesday's meeting.
Mr. Williams inquired what happens if no one on Council votes in favor of the
lowest bidder and Mr. Sweatt replied that is within their rights, but there has to be
some justification for that decision. Mayor Pro-Tern Greenwald asked about a
time limit and Mr. Sweatt answered he thinks they should make a decision within
30 days of the time that the bids were opened.
Council felt they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
#6 BID AWARD: Consider and take action awarding bid for drainage
ditch repair work.
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Mr. Sweatt related this item is on the agenda for action in as much as this is one
of the FEMA projects for which they have received 75% funding and they have
deadlines to meet for completion. Three bids were received. Upon review by the
City and Ford Engineering, it is recommended the contract be awarded to ASC
Paving in the amount of $175,092.50.
Mr. Williams asked why the big disparity in bids and Mr. Sweatt explained
because all the contractors are busy. Mr. Sweatt went on to say this bid from
ASC Paving comes in under the estimated cost. They understand they get to
keep the difference if the bid is under the estimated cost, but they won't be paid
the difference if there's an overrun.
Mrs. Jarman moved to award the bid for drainage ditch repair work to ASC
Paving in the amount of $175,092.50. Mrs. Agee seconded the motion, which
carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Jarman, Agee and Williams.
NAYS: None.
#7 Discuss appointments of City Council representative(s) to the
Economic Development Corporation and the Housing Authority.
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Mr. Sweatt reminded Council that former Councilmember Norman Agee, Sr. had
served as a member of the Economic Development Corporation and as City
Council representative to the Schertz Housing Authority. After a brief discussion
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about when and how often the Corporation and the Housing Authority meet, Mr. .
Williams volunteered to represent City Council as a representative to the Housing
Authority and Mrs. Agee volunteered to serve as a member of the Economic
Development Corporation. The appointments will be made official at next
Tuesday night's meeting.
#8 Discuss policy in regard to swimming pool use by non-residents.
Mr. Sweatt referred to a memo and report included in the Council packets. This
discussion has come about as a result of Mr. Sutton, a resident of Schertz,
expressing displeasure at the last workshop meeting about his children not being
able to have access to the pool on Wednesday, June 9th due to a number of out-
of-City users.
The current City policy prescribes that when the maximum attendance at the pool
reaches 293, additional persons are not allowed into the pool area until others
have vacated the premises. On the day in question, over 80 swimmers were
brought to the pool from St. Monica's Daycare Center. The Corbett Junior High
Daycare Program also takes swimmers to the pool. Not all the members of
either of these groups are outside residents. The report from John Bierschwale,
included in the Council packets, provides information regarding attendance, fees
and revenue.
Mr. Williams mentioned that from his observation of the report, they are not
comparing apples with apples. He's not saying the report is wrong, he's just
wondering about some of the figures. He mentioned several in particular and
asked Mr. Sweatt to check them out. Mr. Sweatt said he would be glad to do so.
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Mayor Pro-Tern Greenwald asked Council to be thinking about any suggestions
they may have for a change in the policy for the swimming pool.
#9 Discuss 911 District budget.
Mr. Sweatt noted this is the first year the Bexar Metro 911 District hasn't asked
for an official approval of their budget. He doesn't think an approval/disapproval
is a big issue, but it's good for Council to review the budget.
There was a brief discussion about the budget with the most being about the
enhanced system, which will also address mapping. This system will show the
location and most expedient route to a particular location. Mr. Sweatt stated he
has a complete copy of the budget if anyone is interested. The consensus of
Council was to consider the Bexar 911 District budget approved.
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#10 Discuss data processing software bids.
Mr. Sweatt advised this project has been a long time in coming. They have dealt
with the hardware and the next hurdle is the software. They have experienced
quite a few problems with the current software provider, CPS.
Brady Le Blanc of Brice Systems was present and indicated he does not feel
CPS can meet the December 31, 1999 time frame compliance. The City was
going to be told by July 1 st if CPS could meet the time frame compliance and so
far they have heard nothing. Mr. Le Blanc briefly reviewed all that has taken
place so far and the deadlines they need to meet in the future.
Mr. Sweatt stressed he doesn't feel they can run the risk of remaining with CPS.
The City solicited proposals and received two bids - one from Incode and one
from New World. The committee, comprised of Steve Simonson, L.J. Cott,
Evelyn Boggess and Mark Marquez, visited four locations with scheduled
demonstrations by each software provider. New World is the unanimous
recommendation of the committee. They feel New World has a good response
time, good training, a good updating process, good resources and good
opportunities. Mr. Le Blanc commented they don't deal with the functions, but
rather with the viability.
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Mr. Sweatt noted the entire implementation cost has to be approved by Council.
The figures do not include a court package. They have someone coming
tomorrow to present a court program for consideration. It is recommended
Council award the bid to New World Systems in the amount of $234,207.60.
Mr. Williams questioned how many users, if they have to use NT, and why opt for
IBM. Mr. Le Blanc answered 25 or less users, yes they have to use NT and IBM
has a municipal platform. Mr. Le Blanc then briefly explained the transition
period.
There were some questions about the wiring and Mr. Le Blanc explained they
had gone out for bids on the wiring and it should be finished in about another
week. When the new public safety buildings are finished, they will be wired to
connect with the current municipal complex. Mrs. Agee remarked she,
personally, feels they should do something good because this area is so far
behind the Dallas area.
There was a brief discussion about some of the programs such as Windows
2000 and Office 2000, and about the possible bar coding of utility bills. Mrs.
Boggess stated New World Systems would try to put out enhancements to their
programs. There was also a brief discussion about stringing fiber and about
LAMS. It was pointed out there is a designated closet at the new police
department building for computer equipment.
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Mr. Sweatt noted this has been an exciting time and now they need to move on. .
Mr. Williams observed this looks like the best product available today.
Council agreed they were ready for this item to be placed on next Tuesday
night's agenda.
#11 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
· Reminded everyone of the parade for the 4th of July Jubilee on Saturday
morning (everyone is invited to sit in the reviewing stand), the activities at the
pavilion and park, and the fireworks on Sunday night.
· Mentioned the Legislative Session and said there was lots of bad legislation
out there, but most of it didn't pass. Several items did pass and we'll just
have to live with it.
· Referred to the Hometown Heroes program being sponsored by Paragon
Cable. Mrs. Jarman had mentioned nominating Tim Swinney and Ruth
Tienor and he concurs, but we need to get the supporting material. A
committee needs to go and talk with these people. Mrs. Jarman volunteered
to do that.
· Noted there will probably be a suggested budget workshop schedule in the
next packet. Mayor Pro-Tem Greenwald felt they should stick to past rules
and not go any longer than 10:00 p.m. at budget workshops.
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· Announced October 12th is the Business Appreciation Dinner and he thinks it
will be at the VFW this year.
#12 ITEMS BY COUNCIL
Mrs. Jarman:
Commented the summer library program for children has really taken off, but
parking is a problem. Whereas this year the various sessions were back to back,
next year they will probably be spread out a little to try and avoid the parking
problem. Mr. Greenwald asked if they're going to demolish the fire department
building and Mr. Sweatt replied he has basically been against using it as a
temporary bookstore. Mayor Pro-Tem Greenwald then asked about the old
GVEC building and Mr. Sweatt replied he had spoken with Mr. Pridgeon about
renting it out, but it appears he's not interested in doing that. Of course there
would be limited parking there also. Mr. Sweatt said that ultimately they might
have to eliminate the bookstore. Mrs. Jarman pointed out they have such
devoted volunteers and Mayor Pro-Tem Greenwald commented it's a good way
to recycle books.
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#13 ITEMS BY MAYOR
· Advised Council the Local Government Corporation met the Thursday before
last in Seguin. They are looking at property and last Thursday they had two
members of the Board meet with landowners in Leesville. It was a very
amenable meeting, but no decisions were made. The trip to Leesville was a
gorgeous drive. You can drive for miles and miles without seeing a house.
#14 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Called under Chapter 551 Texas Government
Code, Sub-5ection 551.072, deliberation regarding real property.
An Executive Session was held from 9:14 p.m. until 9:47 p.m.
#15 RESOLUTION: Consider and take action approving a statement and
petition in condemnation relating to Anthony W. Mays, Jr. and Helen
Delores Mays.
Mayor Pro- T em Greenwald introduced a Resolution and read the caption as
follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 99-R-9
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RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS
APPROVING A STATEMENT AND PETITION IN CONDEMNATION RELATING
TO ANTHONYW. MAYS, JR. AND HELEN DELORES MAYS.
Mrs. Jarman moved to approve the Resolution approving a statement and
petition in condemnation relating to Anthony W. Mays, Jr. and Helen Delores
Mays. Mrs. Agee seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Jarman, Agee and Williams.
NAYS: None.
#16 Action, if any, on above Executive Session.
No action was required.
#17 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Pro-Tem Greenwald
adjourned the meeting at 9:49 p.m.
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ATTEST:
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City Secretary, City of Schertz
Ma*~~ft~.Texas .
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