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ccspecwksp 07-28-1999 . SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL JULY 28, 1999 The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on Wednesday, July 28, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Complex Conference Room, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The following members were present: Mayor Hal Baldwin, presiding; Councilmembers Pia Jarman; Reginna Agee; Glyn D. Williams and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Councilmember Joe Potempa. Staff present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt and City Secretary Norma Althouse. .. #1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS No one had signed up to speak. #2 Discuss second and final reading of an Ordinance regarding changes to Article ID, Sections 1.2 and 1.3 of the UDC. Mayor Baldwin commented that Councilmember Potempa had asked him to express his disappointment that manufactured homes are only authorized in designated areas and not allowed to be substituted as single-family homes in certain zoned areas. Council agreed they were ready for this item to be placed . on next Tuesday night's agenda. #3 Discuss second and final reading of an Ordinance regarding conversion from Yield to Stop intersections. Mr. Sweatt explained this is part of a group of intersections in the Aviation Heights area. They are still reviewing/studying the intersections in the area and others will be included in an ordinance at a later date. Council was prepared for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda. #4 Discuss revisions to Tax Abatement Guidelines and Criteria. Mr. Sweatt advised that as a result of losing the opportunity to locate a very large metal stamping company in Schertz, the Economic Development Commission concluded several changes to the Tax Abatement Guidelines and Criteria are needed. While the City remains open to all manner of business enterprise, these changes focus on manufacturing industries. The key to targeting manufacturers is an incentive. Since capital equipment for a manufacturer is more often than not a larger investment than the building that houses the equipment and capital equipment is considered personal property, one of the more significant changes recommended is to allow a tax abatement on personal property. . Mr. Sweatt went on to say the Commission has placed some restrictions -245- that should lessen the impact of abating personal property. The first restricts the personal property abatement to manufacturers. The second restricts the percentage computation to capital equipment only. The third requires a minimum of $1,000,000 in capital equipment to qualify for an abatement. In addition, the term of the personal property abatement will match the abatement for capital improvements, regardless of the computed term for personal property abatement. . Another change designed to limit the impact of adding personal property abatement is to establish a "floor" on the cost benefit ratio. The Commission has recommended the floor be at a ration of 1.5 to 1. This insures that regardless of the abatement, the City will always have a positive cash flow even after abatement. Also, if a company applies for an abatement on capital improvements, they must include a list of the equipment and the costs. Mr. Sweatt stated that Council would be asked to consider approval of a first reading of the ordinance on this at their next regular meeting. After a brief discussion on whether or not a minimum of $1,000,000 in capital equipment is enough, Council indicated their readiness for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda. #5 Discuss traffic study on Woodland Oaks Drive between FM 3009 and Grove Park. Mr. Sweatt commented that Woodland Oaks Drive is designated as an arterial street which means it is 42' of paved thoroughfare designed to carry traffic from and through a neighborhood with limited access and/or parking on the street. As a result of an earlier discussion and a question by Councilmember Williams, they were asked to review traffic information and other matters pertaining to the speed limit on Woodland Oaks Drive. . Using the Uniform Traffic Control Manual and TXDoT guidelines, they recently completed a traffic study of vehicular speed on Woodland Oaks Drive. A synopsis of the recent study indicates: A. In the area between FM 3009 and Kline Circle, the average speed was 27 mph with the highest speed being 42 mph and the lowest speed being 19 mph. B. In the area between Kline Circle and Cedar Lane near the Homeowners Association Park, the average speed was 25 mph with the highest speed being 32 mph and the lowest speed being 19 mph. C. In the area between Cedar Lane and Grove Park at the public park area, the average speed was 30 mph with the highest speed being 42 mph and the lowest speed being 20 mph. . -246- . Mr. Sweatt further stated that based on the average speed criteria, a speed of 25 mph throughout the section could be justified. Perhaps a "temporary" designation of 20 mph could be used during times of intensive traffic, i.e., May through September, and 30 mph could be used during the remainder of the year. Such an arrangement would not be substantially different than a school zone situation, which has one speed during certain times of the year and another during others. A secondary item evolved from the traffic study. In order to provide a safer traffic control environment for children and adults to cross Woodland Oaks Drive to utilize the public park area in the Grove ParkfTree Branch area, it is recommended that an all-way stop designation be placed at the intersection of Woodland Oaks Drive at Tree Branch. Mr. Williams mentioned that when Woodland Oaks Drive is opened all the way through to Schertz Parkway, that's when he's really worried about the speed limit. He feels it should be 20 mph year round, especially in the area by the pool. . There was discussion about the year round speed limit versus a temporary designation at certain times and whether or not the temporary designation made it more confusing. The idea of crosswalks in the pool area was brought up by Mrs. Agee. There seemed to be agreement about the need for the additional stop intersection at Woodland Oaks Drive and Tree Branch. After additional discussion, Mr. Sweatt was asked to have an ordinance written which would reduce the speed on Woodland oaks Drive from 30 mph to 20 mph in the area from Kline Circle to Cedar Lane and to create an all-way stop at the intersection of Woodland Oaks Drive and Tree Branch. Mr. Sweatt agreed to have a first reading of such an ordinance on next Tuesday's night's agenda. Mr. Williams pointed out that the current ordinances stop at Cotton King and they may want to consider expanding their ordinances to include others. Mr. Sweatt promised to take that into consideration and see if it's needed. #6 Consider and take action regarding Resolution authorizing acquisition of HP Printing property. Renee McElhaney from Fulbright & Jaworski was present and updated Council on the situation and explained the need for Council to approve this Resolution. It is in connection with the widening of the FM 78 right-of-way for which the City of Schertz must acquire, on behalf of the State of Texas, certain property from H.P. Printing. Mayor Baldwin introduced a Resolution and read the caption as follows: . -247- RESOLUTION NO. 99-R-3 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS AUTHORIZING ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE AND OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. . Mr. Greenwald moved to approve the Resolution authorizing acquisition of certain real estate and other matters in connection therewith. Mr. Williams seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes: AYES: Councilmembers Jarman, Agee, Williams and Greenwald. NAYS: None. #7 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Reminded everyone about the Region 7 TML meeting on August 20th and said he needs any RSVP's. #8 ITEMS BY COUNCIL Mr. Greenwald: · Mentioned he had requests from several citizens regarding a once a year pick . up of hazardous waste. Mr. Sweatt noted they have tried to put such a program together with other cities, but haven't been successful. Waste Management is not into picking up hazardous waste. Mr. Greenwald suggested perhaps they could use the City yard for four or five cities. If they get enough of the small cities together, maybe they can make it worthwhile. Mr. Sweatt promised to check into it. Mr. Marquez pointed out that Nagley has a paint recovery program whereby you can turn in your old paint. · Commented Mr. Millekin has a water tower up with the City of Garden Ridge painted all over it. · Announced that fall ball registration for BVYA starts soon. Notifications should be going out. Mrs. Jarman: · Referred to the Paragon Hometown Hero nominations and said she had agreed to do a write up on Ruth Tienor. She will give everyone a copy by next Tuesday and if they will write in their suggestions, she will finalize it and take it to Mr. Sweatt to be typed. Mayor Baldwin remarked he was glad they are nominating Mrs. Tienor. He then asked if each town can nominate only . -248- . one and Mr. Sweatt replied you could submit more than one, but there will be only one winner for each town. · Reported there was a Schertz Humane Society meeting last night and she is glad to say they have some good contributing-type individuals from the new areas of town. . · Mentioned the CCMA chlorine leak last Thursday and asked about it. Mr. Sweatt stated it was a minor leak and in the process of trying to fix it, it got worse. The City is the first responder and they did what they felt was best. They had good cooperation from Bexar and Guadalupe counties and the surrounding cities. There were several people who chose not to leave their homes. Mrs. Jarman asked how often the system is inspected and Mr. Sweatt answered every time it is serviced. Mrs. Jarman commented she heard several of her neighbors say they wish there were some kind of system whereby they could be alerted when things like this occur. Mr. Sweatt said he believes door to door notification and a PA system are still the best. Mrs. Agee, saying there were two at the school who had to have medical attention, asked if the City had anyone needing assistance and Mr. Sweatt replied there was one person who required some medical attention. Mayor Baldwin commented on the possible use of sirens and indicated that Mr. Gignac is insisting on sirens for flood warnings. Mr. Sweatt admitted they have been talking about sirens and are looking into the possibility. Mr. Williams asked if they are putting a siren in the new public safety buildings and Mr. Sweatt replied they are not. Mayor Baldwin thought the subject of sirens would be a good item for a future workshop discussion. Mrs. Aaee: · Stressed they need to establish some means of communication with the school district during times of crisis. They need better coordination. Mayor Baldwin observed they need key people at command posts who can make decisions. Mr. Williams: · Related he had been told that Ricci Ware made some derogatory remarks about Schertz on his radio show. Mr. Sweatt commented Mr. Ware was one of the grand marshals for the 4th of July Jubilee parade and the announcer this year botched things and didn't even introduce the grand marshals to the bystanders at the parade. · Asked if there are problems at the Eckerd construction site. There are only two trees left now. Mr. Sweatt advised that Eckerd has committed to tree mitigation fees of approximately $6,000 to $7,000. Mr. Greenwald . -249- commented a lady at the Planning and Zoning meeting asked why the City didn't buy the ground where the Eckerd is being built and make it a park. . . Reported there are unauthorized garage sale signs on the IH-35 frontage road in front of HEB. There's even one on the No Parking sign. . Inquired if the members of Council are permitted to have individual business cards. Mrs. Sweatt answered yes they are and apologized to Mr. Williams for not having taken care of this for him sooner. #9 ITEMS BY MAYOR · Related attending the funeral for Tom Anderlitch yesterday and said the City will miss him. . Mentioned receiving an invitation from TMRS to a reception for the family of John Treager. At this time Council took a short break. #10 EXECUTIVE SESSION: CallE;ld under Chapter 551 Texas Government Code, Sub-Section 551.072, Deliberation Regarding Real Property. An Executive Session was held from 8:37 p.m. until 9:13 p.m. . #11 Action, if any, on above Executive Session. No action was required. #12 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Mayo Baldwin adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m. ( ATTEST: ~~~ City Secretary, City of Schertz . -250-