ccspecwksp 07-28-1999
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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.
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Mr. Sweatt went on to say the Commission has placed some restrictions
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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RESOLUTION NO. 99-R-3
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS AUTHORIZING
ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE AND OTHER MATTERS IN
CONNECTION THEREWITH.
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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
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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.
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· 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
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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.
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#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.
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ATTEST:
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City Secretary, City of Schertz
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