ccreg 08-17-1999
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REGULAR MEETING OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 17, 1999
The Schertz City Council convened in Regular Session on Tuesday, August 17,
1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Complex Council Chambers, 1400 Schertz
Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The following members were present: Mayor Hal
Baldwin, presiding; Councilmembers Pia Jarman, Joe Potempa, Reginna Agee,
Glyn D. Williams and Ken Greenwald. Staff present were City Manager Kerry
Sweatt and City Secretary Norma Althouse.
Mayor Baldwin asked everyone to rise and join him in the Pledge of Allegiance to
the Flag. Following the Pledge, Pastor Don Jeffreys of the First Baptist Church
of Schertz offered a prayer
Mayor Baldwin then read and presented a Proclamation to Sergeant McClain,
declaring the month of September as "Graduate - Be All You Can Be Month."
#1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Session 12-15-98
Regular Session 01-27-99
Regular Session 03-16-99
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Mrs. Jarman referred to the minutes of March 16, 1999, under ITEMS BY
COUNCIL, second paragraph under her name, where it says Advised there is a
aftermath flood conference scheduled in San Marcos on April 30, 1999 and
thought the words aftermath flood should be rearranged to say flood aftermath.
Mrs. Jarman then noted she had not made that statement and after some
discussion it was decided it should have been included under the CITY
MANAGER'S REPORT.
Mr. Greenwald moved to approve the minutes, as written, for the Regular
Session of 12-15-98 and the Regular Session of 1-27-99, and to approve the
minutes, as amended, for the Regular Session of 3-16-99. Mrs. Jarman
seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Jarman, Potempa, Agee and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
ABSTENTIONS: Councilmember Williams.
#2 HEARING OF RESIDENTS: Those citizens wishing to speak on agenda
items (other than public hearing items) or items not on the agenda, will be heard
at this time.
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George Mower of 501 Brooks mentioned the City saw the need last October to .
have air raid sirens in times of emergency. Older people need assurance of
warning in times of disaster and he wishes Council would consider some type of
disaster signals.
#3 ORDINANCE: Consider and take action on final reading of Ordinance
revising Tax Abatement Guidelines and Criteria.
Mayor Baldwin introduced an Ordinance and read the caption as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 99-T -16
BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS ADOPTING
REVISED GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA FOR TAX ABATEMENT AND RE-
INVESTMENT ZONES.
Mr. Sweatt advised this had been discussed at two workshops and approved on
first reading by Council. He had nothing new to add. The recommendation for
the Ordinance comes from the Economic Development Commission.
Mr. Williams moved to approve the final reading of an Ordinance revising Tax
Abatement Guidelines and Criteria. Mr. Potempa seconded the motion, which
carried with the following votes:
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AYES: Councilmembers Jarman, Potempa, Agee, Williams and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#4 ORDINANCE: Consider and take action on final reading of Ordinance
regarding traffic regulations on Woodland Oaks Drive.
Mayor Baldwin introduced an Ordinance and read the caption as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 99-D-17
BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS PROVIDING
THAT THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS BE
AMENDED BY REVISING SECTION 18-33, ALL-WAY STOPS, AND SECTION
18-76, MAXIMUM LIMITS ON SPECIFIC STREETS; AND PROVIDING A
REPEALING CLAUSE.
Mayor Baldwin pointed out this ordinance provides for a Stop sign at Woodland
Oaks Drive and Tree Branch and for a speed limit of 20 mph on Woodland Oaks
Drive from Kline Circle to Cedar Lane.
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Mr. Williams moved to approve the final reading of an Ordinance regarding traffic
regulations on Woodland Oaks Drive. Mrs. Jarman seconded the motion, which
carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Jarman, Potempa, Agee, Williams and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#5 REAPPOINTMENTS: Consider and take action reappointing members
to the Board of Adjustment.
Mr. Potempa moved to reappoint Chairman Earl Hartzog and Vice-Chairman Ted
Duigon to the Board of Adjustment for two-year terms. Mrs. Agee seconded the
motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Jarman, Potempa, Agee, Williams and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#6 BID AWARD: Consider and take action awarding bids for employee
insurance.
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Bob Feike was present to answer any questions by Council.
Mr. Sweatt reviewed what had been discussed at the workshop regarding
employee insurance. The City is recommending Community First be awarded
the health care contract effective October 1, 1999. This is based on cost,
availability of physicians, a multi-year option and cost of the drug formulary.
Mr. Sweatt went on to say the main criteria used for review of the dental
insurance were cost, requirement for major dental procedures and reasonable
dependent coverage. Based on that, the City is recommending Aetna be
awarded the contract for dental insurance effective October 1, 1999.
Mr. Sweatt stated they had reviewed the life insurance not because of
dissatisfaction, but to look at raising the face value. They simply wanted to
gauge the market and no action is required. They are recommending
continuation of the current program.
As far as long-term disability insurance, Mr. Sweatt explained Provident has no
viable competitors for our business. The City is recommending renewal with
Provident. They have found them to have one of the best rates available.
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Mr. Sweatt then discussed eye care insurance. A special program is available
from Eyemasters that will provide one free pair of glasses each year and
substantial discounts for other services. Community First and Eyemasters have
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agreed to merge their programs. Employees will pay just a $10.00 co-pay. The .
City is recommending the eye care insurance contract be awarded to
Eyemasters effective October 1,1999.
Mayor Baldwin explained you have to consider things that encourage keeping
good employees on board.
Mrs. Jarman moved to award the bids for employee insurance as presented by
the City Manager. Mr. Potempa seconded the motion, which carried with the
following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Jarman, Potempa, Agee, Williams and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
Following the vote, Mr. Sweatt thanked Bob Feike for the great job he had done
again this year.
#7 BID AWARD: Consider and take action awarding bid for seal coating
street maintenance work.
Mr. Sweatt reported the City had solicited bids and received three. After review,
it has been determined the best and lowest bidder is REL Construction
Company. It is recommended they be awarded the bid in the amount of $55,650. .
That is a very good bid and they are hoping to expand the number of streets for
the project. Mr. Sweatt then stated they hope to bring bids on overlay work to the
Council in a couple of weeks.
Mr. Greenwald moved to award the bid for seal coating street maintenance work
to REL Construction Co. in the amount of $55,650. Mrs. Jarman seconded the
motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Jarman, Potempa, Agee, Williams and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
Following the vote, Mr. Sweatt mentioned this project would require patience by
the citizens.
#8 Consider and take action setting a public hearing date regarding the
tax rate proposal.
Mr. Sweatt related that under the provisions of the State law, it is required that a
public hearing be held by the City on the proposal to increase total tax revenues
from properties on the tax roll. The City taxes are not going up, but the revenues
from properties, due to appraisals, are increasing. ' This public hearing has to be
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the only item on the agenda and it is recommended setting the date for the public
hearing as September 7, 1999.
Mrs. Jarman moved to authorize September 7, 1999 as the public hearing date
regarding the tax rate proposal. Mr. Greenwald seconded the motion, which
carried with the following votes:
AYES: Council members Jarman, Potempa, Agee, Williams and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#9 Consider and take action to place a proposal on the agenda to adopt a
tax rate.
Mr. Sweatt emphasized again that a public hearing will be held on September
7th, but no action will be taken on the tax rate until September 21st. This is
strictly action to place a proposal on the agenda for September 21, 1999.
Mr. Greenwald moved to place a proposal on the agenda of September 21, 1999
to adopt a tax rate. Mrs. Jarman seconded the motion, which carried with the
following votes:
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AYES: Councilmembers Jarman, Potempa, Agee, Williams and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#10 Consider and take action setting a public hearing date regarding the
budget.
Mr. Sweatt noted they are recommending the public hearing date regarding the
budget be set for September 21,1999. This meets all the steps under the City
Charter.
Mrs. Agee moved to set a public hearing date regarding the budget for
September 21, 1999. Mr. Greenwald seconded the motion, which carried with
the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Jarman, Potempa, Agee, Williams and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#11 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
· Reminded Council the next regular workshop date is September 1 st. August
25th is not a regular meeting night and they need to decide if they want to
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schedule a budget workshop on that date. Mayor Baldwin suggested they
play it by ear according to how the budget workshop goes tonight.
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· Announced this Saturday, August 21st, the City will hold a public auction and
there is a lot of stuff for sale. Items can be viewed on Friday afternoon and
Saturday morning before the auction.
#12 ITEMS BY COUNCIL
Mrs. Jarman:
· Jokingly asked if there is a clock among the stuff for sale. We need a new
one in the Chambers. Mr. Sweatt indicated he would have the facility
maintenance people look into replacing the clock.
Mr. Williams:
· Mentioned there are 18-wheelers parked behind the Tiger Tote on FM 3009.
It is said some people are sleeping in them.
· Commented he received a visit from a lady regarding the new Eckerd
drugstore at FM 3009 and Woodland Oaks Drive. She says they are working
on it at 9:30 at night and the police have been notified. She's also worried .
about trees, etc. Mr. Sweatt promised to check into the working at late
hours, but said no one from the Police Department had mentioned a problem
to him.
Mr. Greenwald:
· Remarked BVY A will be changing their meeting nights, so he should be able
to start attending again.
· Questioned if Curtiss is on the list for street maintenance and was told by Mr.
Sweatt if not this year, then next year. Mayor Baldwin observed that from
Curtiss to Brooks, on Randolph, it's about as bad of a section of street as you
can get. Mr. Sweatt said that section is anticipated to be in the overlay
project. Mr. Sweatt reminded Council this is all preventative maintenance and
they are not looking at completely tearing out the streets and rebuilding them.
#13 ITEMS BY MAYOR
· Noted that apparently they are getting the old house on Pfeil torn down. The
yard looks bad, but he's not complaining. Mr. Sweatt related they might
recoup some of their money if it sells.
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Before moving to the Conference Room for the Budget Workshop, Council took a
short break.
#14 BUDGET WORKSHOP
There were brief discussions about the changes to the Fire, Police and EMS
budgets, about the Fleet budget and about the need to augment the emergency
warning system.
Mr. Sweatt then mentioned they are proposing a 4% overall salary increase for
employees and proposing to increase the longevity from $8.00 to $10.00. The
longest and most controversial discussion, however, centered on the proposal to
reinstate the two-step merit system. Some members understood the merit
system had been discontinued permanently when the salaries were brought up
last year to 88% of the prevailing wages for similar positions in similarly
populated entities. Others felt there is no way to do objective evaluations.
Among the ideas discussed were the way evaluations are done in the military
and in Civil Service. Some members felt the two-step merit system caps out an
employee's salary too quickly The discussion went on for a long time with no
real solution being reached. Longevity merited only a brief discussion.
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Council decided to skip having a budget workshop on August 25th and decided
to wait until the next regularly schedule workshop of September 1st to continue
and try to finish the budget review.
Before adjournment, Mayor Baldwin said he had forgotten to mention there is a
Region 7 meeting on Friday and encouraged everyone to attend.
#15 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the
meeting at 9:50 p.m.
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ATTEST:
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City Secretary, City of Schertz
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