ccspecwksp 09-15-1999
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SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 15, 1999
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on
Wednesday, September 15, 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; Council members Joe
Potempa; Reginna Agee; Glyn D. Williams and Ken Greenwald. Absent:
Councilmember Pia Jarman. Staff present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt and
City Secretary Norma Althouse.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
George Mower of 501 Brooks had signed up to speak. The first thing he
mentioned was that the agenda for tonight's meeting was not posted. Mr.
Greenwald walked outside the building to the bulleting board and checked and
found that the agenda had been posted last Thursday afternoon. Mr. Mower
apologized for his mistake.
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Mr. Mower then referred to two different notices (Seguin Gazette-Enterprise and
Schertz Newsletter) regarding tax rates and values going up, and claimed they
are nothing but gobbledygook. Mayor Baldwin stated you have to follow the
State law in advertising these notices. Mr. Mower suggested that the Mayor
explain that and then added when the City makes statements, they should at
least put them in the same newspaper. Mr. Potempa pointed out that not only
was the notice in the Seguin Gazette-Enterprise, but reporter Will Holford of that
same newspaper had also written an article about the taxes. Mr. Greenwald tried
to explain that it was a notice about an increase in revenue from taxes, not the
City's tax rate going up.
Mr. Mower also suggested that TIF money goes to Comal County and when the
Mayor asked him to explain how that happens, it caused an argument about the
TIF, with no real answer ever being provided.
Bill Hamm of 1512 Oak Tree Circle stated he is a member of the Citizens for Tax
Reform. His evaluation on his house went up, but somehow with the proposed
tax rate going down for several entities, it all balances out. He also mentioned
that in regard to the TIF, now that the school has dropped out, he thinks it
should be abandoned.
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Leon Davis of 1017 Gettysburg stated he was present to protest the notice of the
public hearing on the tax rate. It should have been in the Herald Newspaper, not
the Seguin Gazette-Enterprise. He doesn't have a subscription. to the Seguin
Gazette-Enterprise, so how was he to know about the public hearing. Mr.
Hamm pointed out that all meeting notices are .in the Wednesday Northeast
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Section of the Express News. Mr. Hamm also suggested the City advertise
better in the Newsletter.
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Mayor Baldwin tried to explain that because the Herald does not have a certain
type of permit, it is not legal to advertise in that newspaper. An opinion from the
Texas Attorney General said the advertisement for the SCUC ISD bond issue
was not legal when advertised in the Herald. The City Attorney gave an opinion
regarding the City's use of the Seguin Gazette-Enterprise as the City's legal
newspaper. Mr. Mower asked to have a copy of that opinion and Mayor Baldwin
agreed to furnish him one.
There was a brief discussion about why other cities in the area use the Herald
Newspaper and if their notices are considered illegal.
#2 Discuss final reading of Ordinance establishing a Municipal Court
Technology Fund.
Mr. Sweatt reminded Council this had been discussed at the workshop and they
had approved first reading of the ordinance.
Council indicated they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday
night's agenda.
#3 Discuss final reading of Ordinance regarding Pro-Log is request for
tax abatement.
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Mr. Sweatt once again reminded Council they had approved the first reading of
this ordinance and it had been discussed at the workshop. Council agreed they
were ready for this item to be placed on next Tuesday night's agenda.
#4 Consider and take action regarding setting the ad valorem tax rate for
1999/2000 fiscal year.
Mr. Sweatt advised it is the City's understanding of the State law that they have
to set the tax rate, so this is an action item. Next week they will vote on the
ordinance to approve the tax rate. The proposed tax rate is 0.345572.
Mr. Greenwald moved to set the ad valorem tax rate at 0.345572 per $100.00 of
evaluation. Mr. Williams seconded the motion.
Before the vote, Mayor Baldwin mentioned an article in the newspaper today
showing that Schertz has one of the lower tax rates around for a City of its size.
It looks like things are going well and that justifies tax abatement.
At this time the vote was taken and the motion carried as follows:
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. AYES: Councilmembers Potempa, Agee, Williams and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#5 Discuss landscape architectural services agreement.
Mr. Sweatt referred to his memo to Council, which was included in their packets,
regarding the proposal for landscape architectural services at the new
emergency services complex and said they need some direction from Council.
An overall master plan could be prepared and they could work toward that goal
or they don't have to use a landscape architect, and could do the landscaping
themselves. He feels the first priority should be some kind of sprinkler system.
Basically, they put this on the agenda for discussion.
Mr. Williams commented that when he looked at the proposal he about fell on the
floor. He thinks they can do a lot of the work themselves. They don't have to
buy expensive trees. Do they really need 50 trees? Are John Bierschwale's
people capable of installing the sprinkler system? Mr. Sweatt answered he
doesn't know if they have the time. They could work up a plan and go out for
bids.
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Mr. Greenwald thought it was a good idea to go out for bids on a sprinkler system
and do all the other a little bit at a time as Public Works gets time. A good
hydromulch will produce grass almost overnight.
Mr. Potempa stated we don't need to pay this landscape architect for information
we already know. Maybe we could get a volunteer committee. He mentioned
the work that had been done by volunteers at the xeriscape park. Mr. Potempa
also commented that colleges have architectural classes and we could probably
get someone from there to help us out. Mr. Greenwald remarked colleges have
gotten smart about their "volunteer" work and it isn't exactly free anymore.
Mayor Baldwin mentioned they could probably get groups like the scouts to plant
trees. This prompted discussion about garden clubs and Mr. Williams
volunteered to get the name of some of the gardening clubs and see if they
would possibly be interested in helping out. Mrs. Agee noted that the father of
one of the SAFES volunteers is in the landscaping business.
The consensus of Council was that the first priority should be to get a sprinkler
system and do some hydromulching. They also agreed they need a master plan.
#6 Consider and take ~ction regarding a joint meeting with the City of
Seguin regarding the alternate water supply project.
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Mr. Sweatt advised that things are moving along well as far .as the alternate
water supply project is concerned. They feel it is.timely for the two cities to get
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together. He knows trying to get a date that suits everyone is hard, but
September 22nd at 7:00 p.m. at the Seguin Library has been set as the time for
the joint meeting. Council just needs to approve it.
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Mr. Greenwald moved to approve a joint meeting with the City of Seguin,
regarding the alternate water supply project, for September 22, 1999 at 7:00 p.m.
at the Seguin Library. Mr. Williams seconded the motion, which carried with the
following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Potempa, Agee, Williams and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#7 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
· Mentioned they need to get registration forms back from Council as soon as
possible from those who are attending the TML Conference.
· Stated if Council has no objection he would like to place a resolution on the
next agenda to take action regarding an Interlocal Agreement for Animal
Control Services between Guadalupe County, the City of Schertz and the City
of Seguin. Council did not object.
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· Reminded everyone of the Annual Business Appreciation Dinner, which will
be held October 12th at the VFW. Social hour begins at 6:00 p.m. and the
meal will be at 7:00 p.m.
#8 ITEMS BY COUNCIL
Mr. Williams:
· Reported attending the Housing Authority board meeting on Monday night.
They approved the budget which will be sent to Washington. They haven't
been reimbursed for the last two months for Val Verde. Three
Commissioner's terms are up this year and a letter will be forthcoming to
Council regarding those appointments.
Mr. Potempa:
· Referred to bandit signs and said on Sunday mornin-g he counted 68 on one
side of the road and 62 on the other side for a total of 130. We need some
enforcement. He woulq-like to see those cleaned up.
· Asked the status of the situation with Mr. Froeboese. We got some rain and
Mr. Froboese wants the bar ditch cleaned out. _Can we help -him? Mr. Sweatt
replied he thinks the situation is in the process of being resolved.
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· Commented he heard some discussion by Mark Marquez's clerk, Teresa,
about a retired worker, James Bernal, not being covered by insurance. Is that
true? Mr. Sweatt promised to check it out.
Mrs. Aaee:
· Inquired if we are going to proceed with discussion on the issue of student
representation at Council meetings. Mr. Williams added they hadn't wanted
to discuss it last time because of the budget workshop, but maybe the Mayor
could send a letter asking for participation from other cities. It was suggested
it be placed on a workshop agenda for discussion.
Mr. Greenwald:
· Reported that at the Planning and Zoning meeting last night it was asked that
bandit signs be discussed at their next meeting. They are trying to get some
semblance of control. What will probably happen is they will have. to get
authorization from Planning and Zoning, they will have to get permits, and
there is a possibility of citations for violation of the ordinance. In defense of
bandit signs, too many restrictions can kill the goose that lays the golden egg.
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· Also at the Planning and Zoning meeting, the preliminary plat for Walgreen's
was approved. City Hall will probably get calls when they start clearing the
land.. The people from Walgreen's want a letter from City Council and
Planning and Zoning stating that a traffic signal is needed at that location.
Mayor Baldwin asked the status of that situation and Mr. Sweatt replied they
are running traffic counts again.
Mr. Potempa:
· Asked what the latest update is about FM 78. Mr. Sweatt said he understood
a contract had been signed. Mr. Greenwald added that according to Steve
Simonson, TXDoT will not allow the contract to proceed until Universal City
buys all of the required right-of-way.
#9 ITEMS BY MAYOR
· Stated that after reading the minutes about the Wares not being recognized at
the 4th of July Jubilee parade, he wrote them a letter of apology and talked
with them and they were very appreciative. . They also received letters from
the City, the Schertz Business Association and from Anita Clark.
· Asked that Lt. Colonel Pat Ward and his wife be invited to the Annual
Business Appreciation Dinner and maybe before the Council meeting next
. week, we could hold a little reception for them. .
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· Thanked Bill Hamm for his comments tonight in pointing out that all meeting
notices are in the Northeast Section of the San Antonio Express-News.
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#10 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the
meeting at 8:28 p.m.
ATTEST:
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City Secretary, City of Schertz
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