ccspecwksp 07-14-1999
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SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL
JULY 14,1999
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on
Wednesday, July 14, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Complex Conference
Room, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The following members were
present: Mayor Pro-Tern Joe Potempa, presiding; Councilmembers Pia Jarman;
Reginna Agee and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Mayor Hal Baldwin and
Council member Glyn D. Williams. Staff present were City manager Kerry
Sweatt and City Secretary Norma Althouse.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
Rachel Drady of Prime Time Publishing informed the Council she had been
appointed the editor of the Bulverde Community News and will no longer be
covering the City's meetings. She then introduced David Terry who will be her
replacement. Ms. Drady commented she has enjoyed the three years she spent
working with Council. Mayor Pro-Tern Potempa stated they will miss her and
appreciated all her efforts. Ms. Drady noted they would still be doing the "Talk of
the Town."
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#2 Discuss proposed changes to UDC. (Public hearing scheduled
7-20-99)
Mr. Sweatt advised that several years ago there was a lot of debate about
manufactured homes and whether or not there should be any distinction between
them and other homes. New laws have now been passed and Planning and
Zoning is recommending a proposed change to the UDC. The proposed change
would state that manufactured homes are only authorized in designated-zoned
areas and not allowed to be substituted as a single-family home as established in
R-1, R-2, R-5 and R-6 zoned subdivisions. Current categories are for
Manufactured Home Parks and Manufactured Home Subdivisions.
There was a brief discussion about the location of current manufactured home
parks and/or subdivisions and Mr. Sweatt listed three - Pecan Grove, Windy
Meadow and Mobile Villa. Cliff Johnson has one that is pending.
Council agreed they were ready for this item to be placed on next Tuesday
night's agenda.
#3 Consider and take action ratifying City financial support to
Schertz/Seguin Local Government Corporation.
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Mr. Sweatt stated the Corporation is now moving into water rights/land
acquisition and substantial additional funds are needed. The Corporation has
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entered into an agreement to purchase 1,158.512 acres of land in Gonzales .
County in the very heart of the best water table. This land acquisition assures
not only the location of one well and over 2,000 acre feet of water per year, but
establishes a substantial block of property that will prevent exploitation of the
area by others. The City's share, subject to reimbursement, is $649,999.55. As
additional properties or rights became available, it is the intention of the
Corporation to make additional acquisitions.
Based on current status, it is anticipated the Corporation will be selling bonds
and be in a position to make reimbursements for these and other expenditures in
the next six to eight months.
Mr. Greenwald pointed out the 1,158.512 acres is a beautifully maintained cattle
ranch and he moved to ratify City financial support to the Schertz/Seguin Local
Government Corporation. Mrs. Jarman seconded the motion, which carried with
the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Jarman, Agee and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
Mayor Pro-Tern Potempa commented he thinks this is a step in the right direction
and the best investment for this time. Mr. Sweatt added it is visible proof the .
project is going forward.
#4 Discuss report regarding converting Yield to Stop intersections in
Aviation Heights area.
Mrs. Sweatt asked Mrs. Jarman to first explain about the cake she brought to
Council this evening. Mrs. Jarman stated that some mothers in the area had
asked that the Yield sign at Beacon at the intersection of Beacon and Maple be
changed to a Stop sign. When she brought it to Mr. Sweatt's attention, he 'had
the Public Works Department and the Police Department investigate the situation
and they agreed. Now that the Ordinance has been passed changing the sign
from a Yield to a Stop, they wanted to express their gratitude and bake a cake for
her, but she told them the cake should be for Council.
Mr. Sweatt then mentioned that several weeks ago, Mayor Baldwin suggested
several other intersections in Aviation Heights where he felt the Yield signs
should be changed to Stop signs and had asked him to look into it. After review
by Public Works and the Police Department, it is felt the following Yield signs
should be converted to Stop signs: Elm at Brooks, Elm at Mitchell, Beacon at
Mitchell and Beacon at Brooks. It is also recommended the Yield signs at Linda
Court, Sharon Court and Melissa Court be converted to Stop signs at their
intersections to Marilyn Drive. Mrs. Agee asked if any of these are four-way
stops and was informed they are not. .
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Mr. Sweatt went on to say they are continuing to review other locations in the
area for such changes and expect that will be a significant number. The
estimated cost of change-out signs in the Aviation Height area is approximately
$200.
Council indicated they were prepared for this item to be included on next
Tuesday night's agenda.
#5 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
There was none.
#6 ITEMS BY COUNCIL
Mr. Greenwald:
· Asked if now that the old Hillert building is gone, is Burch Roofing salivating
over parking spaces. Mr. Sweatt answered there will be an Executive
Session on next week's agenda regarding land acquisition.
· Mentioned he understands Eckerd bought out the pharmacy on FM 78 and
wondered if it's worthwhile to condemn the building. Mr. Sweatt replied they
could pursue that if it is the wish of Council to do so.
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· Inquired if Michael Spain is going to provide them with a readout of the new
annexation law. Mr. Sweatt responded that TML has a fairly good
breakdown of the law.
· Questioned the status of the seal coating and overlay project. Mr. Sweatt
advised they are going out for bids. Mr. Greenwald wondered if they had
looked again at any of the streets since the flood and Mr. Sweatt indicated
they had not modified the plan. Mr. Greenwald then noted the streets by the
park are getting a lot of pot holes and they should at least look at the streets
that were under water.
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· Referring to the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, remarked Oak
Trail was there with a plat for Unit 2. Mrs. Agee asked where that is and was
told behind Oak Forest. Mayor Pro-Tern Potempa then wanted to know if it is
a gated community and was told it is not. Mrs. Agee then inquired about
progress on the Bordertown project and Mr. Greenwald answered they have
submitted several plats. Mayor Pro-Tern Potempa commented on the sign
saying future home of a Lutheran Mission and asked what that is. Mr.
Greenwald replied it is a church/schoolldaycare. Mr. Sweatt commented they
would need to come before Planning and Zoning for a Specific Use permit.
Mayor Pro-Tern Potempa than asked if a school zone would be required and
Mr. Greenwald answered he doesn't think so because it is private.
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Mrs. Jarman:
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· Reported that today she attended the pre-school awards at the library. The
program is something of which they can be very proud. Gail Douglas will
give her the statistics for the meeting next week, but she understands over
500 registered and 205 received certificates. Other summer programs
included a horse show, martial arts, medieval knights and ladies, and natural
sciences (bat houses). She had presented a five-session Well-Mannered
Dog program. A lady from PAWS for services came out and there was
discussion about how to meet a dog. She enjoyed it very much. Ms. Douglas
has expressed the desire to have something dealing with dogs throughout the
rest of the year.
#7 ITEMS BY MAYOR:
· Stated he was very impressed by the pre-school program at the library. He
passed out certificates for treats at places like Bill Miller, McDonald's, Arby's,
Dairy Queen and Pizza Hut. Former Council member Swinney's daughter
received a certificate. He told the parents that without them, this program
wouldn't be a success. He will pass out certificates again this Saturday at
1 :30 p.m. Mr. Greenwald asked the status of renting the old GVEC office for
a bookstore and storage. Mr. Sweatt replied he would be speaking with Ms.
Douglas tomorrow.
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#8 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Pro-Tern Potempa adjourned
the meeting at 7:46 p.m.
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ATTEST:
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City Secretary, City of Schertz
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