ccswks 09-11-1996
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER ll, 1995
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop
Session on Wednesday, September 11, 1996 at 7:00 p.m. in
the Conference Room of the Municipal Complex, 1400 Schertz
Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The following members were
present: Mayor Hal Baldwin, presiding; Councilmembers
Charles McDonald; Joe Potempa; Timothy Swinney and Ken
Greenwald. Absent: Councilmember Earl Sawyer. Staff
present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt and City Secretary
Norma Althouse.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS: James Harris of FM 1518
and Schaefer Road reported on the Restoration Advisory
Board saying the micro-organisms at Randolph Air,Force Base
are doing their job in eating up all the contaminants. One
problem the Board is having is getting right-Of-way along
FM 1518 to see if any of the contaminants are getting into
Cibolo Creek. They need approval from TXDoT and from
Governor Bush to do that.
#2 Discuss final reading of ordinance rezoning 121
acres from PUD/GB/M-1 to R-6 gated.
Mr. Sweatt reminded Council this is the second and final
reading of the ordinance. Mr. Swinney wondered if anyone
had heard comments from citizens either for or against the
rezoning. No one had heard any.
After being asked by Mayor Baldwin, Council
were ready for this item to be included on
night's agenda.
agreed they
next Tuesday
#3 Discuss public hearing on budget.
Mr. Sweatt distributed a correction sheet which made a
minor change to the total revenue number. It was strictly
a mathematical correction.
The public hearing on the budget is scheduled for September
17th and Mr. Sweatt commented unless something occurs at
this meeting, it is recommended Council adopt the budget to
be effective on October 1st.
Mayor Baldwin brought up the possibility of increasing the
over 65 exemption from the current $10,000 up to $15,000 or
possibly $20,000. Mr. Sweatt related that each $5,000 of
exemption represents a loss of approximately $20,000 in
revenue.
Following a brief discussion, Council's consensus was to
request that the City Manager put an action item on the
agenda, after the 1996/97 budget process is completed, to
consider raising the over 65 exemption from $10,000 up to
$15,000 for the 1997/98 budget year.
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Regarding further budgetary matters, Mr. McDonald
indicated he had heard that Ruth Tienor is getting money
from Randolph Brooks Credit Union for the proposed
walking/jogging trail. What is the status of that with the
School Board? Mayor Baldwin reported it has never gone
before the School Board.
Mr. Swinney asked what the City's share would be and Mr.
Sweatt explained the way it was set up was a three-way
split between the City, the school and the PTC. Each would
have to come up with approximately $7,040. The City's
share would be provided through labor and equipment.
Mayor Baldwin remarked that Herb Rehmann does not see this
as a simple matter of just putting in a track. There are
some drainage problems that need to be resolved first.
However, he thinks the school should deal directly with
Mrs. Tienor on this matter and talk'to her about the
situation.
Council acknowledged they were prepared for the public
hearing on the budget scheduled for September 17th.
#4 Discuss ordinance approving budget.
There being no questions, Council was ready for this item
to be included on next Tuesday night's agenda.
#5 Discuss ordinance adopting tax rate.
Mayor Baldwin commented the City's tax rate
compared to other communities in the area.
also ready for this item to be included on
night's agenda.
is very good
Council was
next Tuesday
#6 Discuss public hearing regarding
PRIMECO, Personal Communications, Inc.
Permit.
request from PCS
for a Specific Use
Mr. Sweatt advised PCS PRIMECO is requesting permission to
erect a cellular tower on the Cibolo Valley Baptist Church
property. The Church has written a letter saying they have
no objections to the request. Mr. Monty Pruitt is here
tonight to answer any questions Council may have.
Mr. Pruitt related PRIMECO has entered into an agreement
with the City of San Antonio to locate on existing
infrastructure. However as they expand, there are some
areas where they have no choice but to put up their own
cellular facility. There are very tight cell areas where
they can locate these towers and topography is always a
factor.
Mr. Swinney mentioned an article in the newspaper which
said a lot of companies share towers. Mr. Pruitt admitted
that's correct and the City of San Antonio has encouraged
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them to co-locate in as many areas as they can.
There was a brief discussion about the Church property as
far as ad valorem and improvement taxes and about whether
or not they are tax exempt. Mr. Potempa asked how many
years the contract with the Church is for and Mr. Pruitt
replied 25 years.
Mr. Swinney questioned what kind of security they
around the tower and Mr. Pruitt replied they put
six-foot chain link fence with three strands of barb
around the top. There will also be additional fencing
gate on the Church property to try and prevent
enticement for mischief.
have
up a
wire
or a
any
Mr. Swinney then asked if there are any health concerns
with these towers. Mr. Pruitt answered they have to
follow the FCC guidelines and they are well below the
emissions they set for a standard.
Mr. Potempa inquired if these towers will interfere with
television reception for those people who do not have
cable. Mr. Pruitt replied they will not because they are
under strict FCC regulations.
Mr. Swinney asked Mr. Greenwald how this new technology
is being handled by Planning and Zoning. He can foresee a
lot of towers coming in and wondered if there is a game
plan to keep them under control. Mr. Greenwald indicated
Planning and Zoning's primary concerns were the height of
the towers, the sharing of towers and the security of the
location of the towers. Mr. Swinney encouraged Planning
and Zoning to set up some control procedures. Council
agreed with Mr. Swinney's suggestion.
Council indicated their readiness for this item to be
included on next Tuesday night's agenda.
#7 Discuss release and
damage to water line by M & M
(Michael or Rhonda Mercer).
settlement
Underground
agreement for
Construction
Mr. Sweatt reminded Council they have a copy of a draft of
a property damage settlement in their packets. This
represents an offer of a full settlement of damages the
City suffered as a result of a Southwestern Bell
subcontractor doing boring work on Borgfeld Road. They
have agreed to pay in full, including attorneys fees. It
is recommended that Council accept, by motion, the full
settlement in the amount of $12, 010.33 and authorize the
release of the settlement agreement.
Council was prepared for this item to be included on next
Tuesday night's agenda.
#8 Consider award of bids for police vehicles.
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Mr. Sweatt advised Council they have in their packets a
tabulation sheet regarding bids on police cars. They will
note the bid from Arendale Ford of Arlington, Texas in the
amount of $74,840 for four police cars. That is believed
to be the best and lowest bid. They understand these units
are in stock and are 1996 models. That's one of the
reasons they are immediately available for delivery.
Mileage is more of a factor than the year model. This is
about $10,000 less than the original budget estimate. It
is asked that Council favorably consider awarding the bid
to Arendale Ford.
Mr. Potempa, noting this company has two bids, asked what
the difference is between option 1 and option 2. Mr.
Sweatt answered the difference is whether the City goes to
get them (option 1) or Arendale Ford delivers them (option
2). Chief Smith added he thinks there's a heavier duty
floor mat included in option 2.
Mr. McDonald asked
maintenance between a
answered they didn't
there's any difference.
if there's any difference
1996 and 1997 model. Mr.
pursue that, but he doesn't
on the
Sweatt
think
Mr. Swinney asked if the vehicles are fully equipped and
Chief Smith replied they would have to stripe them and put
the lights on them.
Mayor Baldwin asked if there's an inventory document that
shows the number of vehicles, the age of each vehicle and
the mileage on each vehicle as part of the replacement
plan. Mr. Sweatt replied he doesn't have one for the
entire City, but it would be easy enough to get one.
Council indicated they would like to see such a list.
Mr. Potempa moved to award the bid of $74,840 to Arendale
Ford of Arlington Texas for the purchase of four police
cars. Mr. Greenwald seconded the motion, which carried
with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald,
Greenwald.
Potempa, Swinney and
NAYS: None.
#9 Discuss GBRA recommended resolution regarding
implementation of Emergency Withdrawal Reduction Plan
concerning the Edwards Aquifer.
Mr. Sweatt noted Council has in their packets a letter and
some information from GBRA and Bill West. It's still a
very complicated issue. The Judge's Emergency Withdrawal
Reduction Plan has been temporarily set aside by the 5th
Circuit Court. This was placed on the agenda for
discussion, but it may not be time to take any further
action.
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Mr. Greenwald stated he had asked Mr. Sweatt to place
this item on the agenda for discussion. Do we want to do a
resolution? Do we want to approve this one? Do we want to
modify this one?
Mr. Swinney asked if it matters whether or not we do a
resolution. Mr. Greenwald replied by saying the Edwards
has got to do something as far as pushing everyone to seek
an alternative water supply.
Mayor Baldwin explained the Guadalupe River Basin
have got to show good faith and show that they're
something about the water situation.
users
doing
Mr. McDonald stated he would support a resolution, but not
Judge Bunton's Emergency Withdrawal Reduction Plan.
Following discussion about finding alternative water
sources, about being penalized for having alternative water
sources, about San Antonio's various theories on the water
situation, about supporting the Edwards Aquifer Authority
(EAA) legislation, and about various candidates running for
the EAA, Council agreed to modify the resolution to support
the EAA versus supporting the Emergency Withdrawal
Reduction Plan.
The Resolution will be on next Tuesday night's agenda in
it's modified form.
#10 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: Related he had distributed
to Council a draft of a letter and a list of proposed
businesses. At last budget time they discussed, as part of
the contingency budget, supporting the full amount of the
estimated cost of a new artificial Christmas tree. The
letter asks for donations to support the acquisition of an
18' artificial tree and up to $500 worth of additional
decorations. The proposed list of those from whom they
will be seeking donations consists of businesses who have
been the beneficiaries of recent economic development
activity.
Mr. Potempa questioned why some of the developers aren't
listed and Mr. Sweatt explained he didn't put any land
developers on the list because if you miss someone, it may
look like the City is in collusion with a particular
developer.
Mr. Sweatt mentioned each donor will be recognized with
some sort of a small tree ornament. The details have to be
worked out yet. He has asked Steve Simonson to take these
plans to the Christmas Committee which meets tomorrow.
Mr. Swinney stated he has a problem with commercializing
this project to that extent. There are other ways to
recognize the donors - perhaps a program with the list of
donors or a list of donors in the Newsletter.
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Mr. Sweatt asked if it's Council wishes that after this is
presented to the Christmas Committee and they approve it,
that he move forward and solicit donations from these
businesses. The majority of Councilmembers agreed to that.
Mr. McDonald commented if the Christmas Committee is
against it, then they won't do it. Mr. Swinney asked that
his concerns about commercialization be passed onto the
committee.
Mayor Baldwin asked if
Swinney's point of view.
anyone else agrees with Mr.
None of the others felt that way.
#11 ITEMS BY COUNCIL: Mr. Swinnev: A. Questioned if
the review of the City Manager has been completed. Mayor
Baldwin replied it has not, but promised to do it this
coming week. Mr. Swinney said we owe it to Mr., Sweatt to
complete it.
B. Requested that sometime in October a
expense report from the Northeast Partnership
agenda for Council's review.
revenue and
be put on the
C. Thanked
paint was
donation of
Mr. Sweatt for excellent job on graffiti - the
donated. Also thanked Mr. Potempa for his
paint.
Mr. potemoa: Thanked Mr. Sweatt for sending a letter to
Pat Irwin of TXDoT regarding dangerous traffic conditions
at IH-35 and FM 3009.
Mr. Greenwald: A. Mentioned a letter should be coming to
Council from Planning and Zoning regarding four members who
are up for reappointment.
Mayor Baldwin asked if there's a plan for a joint meeting
with Planning and Zoning. Mr. Greenwald answered they
have agreed to have a joint meeting after the budget
process. The Mayor felt Planning and zoning needs
Council's input on the direction they want the City to go.
B. Declared he attended a CRWA meeting Monday night and
will get the minutes and other information for Council.
The budget was passed. They are still discussing the water
line and seriously considering enlarging the plant.
Mayor Baldwin mentioned he had spoken with David Dennis
about the reuse of CCMA water for athletic fields, but Mr.
Dennis informed him there is no way to get water into a
truck so it can be hauled to the fields. It was suggested
the City needs a couple of big commercial accounts along
IH-35 to help pay for the pipe needed to transport the
water. It is not a simple matter since the water isn't
always of the highest quality. Council needs to invite Mr.
Dennis to talk with them about this subject.
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James Harris related that Randolph Air Force Base taps into
the golf course water and waters shrubbery off the golf
course with it. Also, he has seen Beck's Concrete filling
up their truck out of the part of Cibolo Creek which is on
their property.
There was a brief discussion on the various ways to reuse
water.
#12 ITEMS BY MAYOR: A. Read a letter from Bud Cyr
saying he does not wish to seek reappointment to the
Schertz Housing Authority. The main reason he is not
seeking reappointment is to make way for the resident
Commissioner which is mandated by HUD and who will be
selected by the residents in October. Mr. Cyr's
appointment ends in December. Council needs to'give him a
plaque for his years of service to the ~ousing Authority.
B. Also read a letter from Texas Scholars asking that the
City sign a Proclamation declaring October as Texas
Scholars month.
C. Announced he had a number of letters from various
politicians regarding Medicare reform proposals.
D. Mentioned a letter from the Director of the Housing
Authority saying $300,000 had been approved for group 2
comprehensive funding. The eligible work items are a
truck, painting, computer, cabinets, floors, side work,
refrigeration fees and administration.
Before adjournment, Mr. McDonald commented he had received
a letter from a lady who wants us to donate turkeys. Why
don't we contact her and ask her if she wants to chair that
committee? Mayor Baldwin asked what would be expected of
her and Mr. McDonald answered to solicit donations. Mayor
Baldwin then added he didn't think it was only turkeys she
wanted - just anything to reward people for random acts of
kindness. Council felt the idea was a good one.
#13 ADJOURNMENT: On a motion by Mr. Potempa, seconded
by Mr. Swinney and unanimously carried the meeting was
adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas
ATTEST:
~ !Zt-:/-;h u ~ '" /
City Secretary, City of Schertz
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