ccswks 02-01-1995
~
ItJ ff
SPECIAL MEETING OF rHE CIry COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 1, 1995
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop
Session Wednesday, February 1, 1995 at 7:00 p.m. in the
Conference Room of the the Municipal Complex, 1400 Schertz
Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The following members were
present: Mayor Hal Baldwin, presiding; Charles McDonald;
Barbara Stanhope; Mary Marsh and Ken Greenwald. Absent:
Councilmember Joe Potempa. Staff present were City Manager
Kerry Sweatt and City Secretary Norma Althouse.
Mayor Baldwin read a Proclamation declaring the period of
February 13th to February 17th, 1995 as "HOSA Week in the
City of Schertz, Texas." There were several HOSA (Health
Occupation Students of America) students present to accept
the proclamation.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS: No residents signed up to
speak.
#2 Discuss an ordinance amending code of
pertaining to pilfering or scavenging of
materials.
ordinances
recyclable
Mr. Sweatt related that a couple of weeks ago, at one of
the workshops, Mrs. Stanhope had asked him if we had an
ordinance that prohibited folks from taking curbside
recyclable type items and he had told her we do. That
answer was correct because we have in our franchise
agreement a statement to that effect with the collector.
However, there is some doubt as to how that could be
applied, so we have drafted an ordinance to simply amend
our health ordinances in dealing with garbage and provide a
sentence that would say that any person, association,
organization, company or corporation, excepting the
homeowner, resident, their authorized agent, or an
authorized agent of the City of Schertz, who pilfers,
scavenges, or otherwise tampers with any recyclable
material in bins, bags or cans set at curbside for the
purpose of collection is subject to prosecution under the
laws of the State of Texas and upon conviction, a fine by
the City of Schertz in an amount not to exceed $200 per
occurrence. There is a definition of pilfering and
scavenqing and a definition of curbside recycling. Mr.
Sweatt went on to say we don't anticipate a problem with
pilfering, but this will provide a measure of safety.
Mrs. Marsh suggested that in paragraph f., the definition
of pilfering/scavenging, they add the words and the
orovided bin after recyclable material. Mrs. Marsh also
indicated that in paragraph c. they need to add the phrase
or the bin after material in bins.
Mayor Baldwin asked Council if they were ready to have the
first reading of this placed on next Tuesday night's agenda
.-'
ItJ '1
and they replied they were.
#3 Discuss participation in
Service Organization.
Combined
Emergency
Mr. Sweatt advised this is the second year of the
existence of such an organization. Included in Council's
packet is a letter, and at the bottom of the letter is a
list of cities and communities that are participants in the
organization. Participation was discussed prior to
membership last year and it was determined appropriate to
do so and Mr. Sweatt stated he feels that is still the
case. Dealing with hazardous material is an item that is
potentially indigenous to all the communities out here and
it makes sense to ban together and set up one group to
provide a proper response to that sort of circumstance.
All the cities and communities listed have joined together
and provided manpower, have received donations and
contributions, and then membership to set up a rapid
response hazardous material team. Membership last year was
$2100.00 and is proposed to be the same this year. We have
been provided a budget and expenditure report as well as an
activity report. It is recommended Council authorize
continued participation.
Mr. Greenwald asked if we still have the original contract
as far as speCifying what they would pick up and what
services they would provide. Mr. Sweatt replied we do and
this is just a continuation of that previous contract. Mr.
Sweatt indicated it is the organization's intent in each of
these instances, where possible, to bill the responsible
parties for the cost of clean-up. Having the proper
equipment, the techniques and the know how is vital and
rather than all of the communities trying to do it on their
own, it makes sense to combine their efforts. Hopefully,
if there is a call for this service in the future, not only
will we be able to get cost recovery, but maybe less
expenditures will result in a reserve fund whereby the
$2100.00 will be lowered.
Mayor Baldwin asked if this is a private organization and
Mr. Sweatt replied this year it is run by members from
Universal City, Live Oak, New Braunfels and Converse. Each
set of teams are made up of paid personnel in those various
city departments. The City of Schertz has two designated
members. They won't be called this year, but their time to
serve will be next year assuming everyone keeps their
membership in the organization. The idea is to rotate it
so that no single community has to furnish all the manpower
each year.
Mayor Baldwin questioned if Council is ready to have this
item included on next Tuesday night's agenda and they were.
---
110
#4 Discuss authorization for retired employees and
their dependents to purchase continued health coverage.
Mr. Sweatt noted they have talked for some time about
benefits that could be made available to retired employees.
Under the State law, cities over 25,000 population and
counties over a certain size have some responsibility to
offer to retirees certain kinds of continued health
insurance coverage. Under Federal law, there is a
provision called COBRA which provides for health coverage
to be available, to an employee who is leaving, for a
period of 18 months. We would propose to make that apply
to all retired employees and their dependents, under
certain conditions, so that they are eligible to continue
to purchase health insurance coverage under the City's
plan. We have talked to our current carrier, and they say
that would have no impact on our premium. Clearly, at some
point in the future, there might be an impact. Our
response and suggestion in that case would be that those
employees may be set in a specific category unto
themselves. The impact would be felt at their premium
alone. We have canvassed a number of cities across the
state and there's a mixture of whether they do or don't
provide continued health coverage for retired employees.
Overall we believe it is one of those additional benefits
that would be good to offer as an incentive to persons who
stay with the City and ultimately retire.
Mr. Sweatt further stated we have written in a number of
possible conditions. As far as dependent coverage, they
would have had to have dependent coverage for a period of
twelve months before retirement. They would have to
continue to make those payments to the City and not become
delinquent, must have been eligible for health insurance
and not eligible for other types of insurance except
Medicare or retired military benefits, and must make a
payment of 2% of the premium in administrative fees because
of the processing and handling.
Mrs. Stanhope asked what the cost would be to the City and
Mr. Sweatt replied there would be no cost to the City, the
administration fees will be paid by the retirees. Mr.
Sweatt admitted, however, in the long term it may have an
adverse result in that it will cost the City more to
provide health insurance to its employees. If that became
an issue, any insurance company could be asked to set
aside, and we would recognize by ordinance, that group of
retired employees as a separate category and that premium
would stand on its own.
Mrs. Marsh mentioned a problem with the wording of the
first paragraph in Section II which says "THAT dependents
of employees of the City of Schertz who shall retire after
the effective date of this ordinance shall....." and
suggested it say instead "THAT deoendents of retired
emolovees of the City of Schertz shall....." Mrs. Marsh
said this wording is in several places and should be
/
....:---
1//
corrected.
Mr. McDonald observed this gives the retired employee
access to a lower premium and Mr. Sweatt aqreed and added
it also, in some cases, gives them the opportunity to buy
at a reasonable rate.
Mayor Baldwin, with agreement from Council, asked that this
item be placed on next Tuesday night's agenda for a first
reading.
#5 Discuss revisions to Ordinance #94-S-35,
nominating an area as an Enterprise Zone.
Mr. Sweatt reminded Council they adopted an ordinance
establishing an Enterprise Zone along IH-35, broadening out
to cover portions of the Tri-County Business Park, going
across IH-35 and covering a fairly large area around Mobile
Villa, and then going back up along IH-35. This was done
pursuant to the Texas Department of Commerce regulations
dealing with Enterprise Zones. It was sent to the Texas
Department of Commerce and they sent it back asking that we
make some minor changes in the wording. In the caption of
the original ordinance it refers to Texas Civil Statutes,
Article 5190.7 which has since been codified and they
referenced Chapter 2303 of the Government Code. Also, the
field description had some errors and they have been
corrected. We have prepared a revised ordinance and rather
than simply pick out the wording, it is recommended Council
adopt a new ordinance.
Mayor Baldwin inquired if the new ordinance covers the same
entire area as before and was assured by Mr. Sweatt it
does. With Council's consent, Mayor Baldwin asked that
this item be placed on next Tuesday night's agenda.
#6 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: A. Commented he would like,
with the Council's permission, to change the format of the
agenda packet. He plans to use three-ring binders in place
of the folders to hold the agenda material. After each
meeting, they can remove all material they wish to keep
from the packet and return the binders and the dividers to
Mrs. Althouse. They will be furnished a larger three-ring
binder to keep at home where they can file and retain their
materials.
Mrs. Stanhope pointed out, that in other words, they will
have a rotating binder for the agenda packets. Mr. Sweatt
mentioned they would like to give it a try and if it
doesn't work, they can go back to the old way of doing it.
B. Reminded everyone that tomorrow at noon at the
southbound rest area on IH-35, the Schertz Business
Association will be feeding the trail riders. The dance
and dinner are tomorrow night at the VFW with dinner from
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at a cost of $3.50 per plate. The
~
II J--
dance will be in the canteen from 7:30 p.m. until 11:30
p.m.
#7 ITEMS BY COUNCIL:
following from a Schertz
held on the 24th:
Mrs. Marsh reported the
Business Association meeting
(a) Treasurer's Report was good.
(b) New officers are President Nolan Edwards,
Vice-President Wayne Wolter, Secretary Cindy Hiebert and
Treasurer Tony Morales.
(c) It's dues time - $15.00 for an individual membership
and $25.00 for a business membership.
(d) Kerry Sweatt updated the Association on all the
City's activities for the month of January.
(e) They're starting to get organized for the 4th of July.
The 4th is on a Tuesday this year and the carnival will be
there from Friday through Tuesday. Rides will begin at
1:00 p.m. on the 4th, after the opening ceremonies.
Sunday night is family night. There will be a band on
Monday night. Among other activities, there will be a
parade, opening ceremonies and fireworks on the 4th. The
theme for the opening ceremonies is "The Best of the Past."
Once again they're running the Club 100 for anyone who
donates $100 or more for the fireworks.
(f) The Association donated $150.00 to 4-H, $150.00 to
Tri-County and $200.00 to Project Graduation.
Mr. Greenwald: A. Mentioned the need to put an article
in the Newsletter reminding people to put the recycling
bins out only on recycling day. Mr. Sweatt aCknowledged
there have been some problems, but overall it's been well
received. Mr. Sweatt then referred to a letter he
received today where it referred to recycling as having
"teething problems."
B. Suggested the City have the Highway Department look at
the light at the intersection of FM 78 and FM 3009. It is
set for one minute and thirty seconds and traffic really
gets backed up. He and his wife observed it while eating
at the Pizza Hut. Mr. Sweatt advised those are temporary
controllers and every time the weather changes, it affects
the fiber optics, but he will have the Highway Department
check it out.
There was a brief discussion about other traffic problems
along FM 3009 and about the wall.
the
we
VFW
#8 ITEMS BY MAYOR: Mavor Baldwin:
subject of the flags along Main Street
want to make it a City project or turn
or some other organization. Several
A. Brought up
and wondered if
it over to the
Councilmembers
--'
. -----
1<3
felt it should not be a City project, but rather a project
for one of the organizations. Mr. Greenwald related he
had mentioned it, informally, to Commander Mazoch who will
bring it up at the next VFW meeting.
Mr. McDonald mentioned that in Hondo the businesses each
paid $25.00 annuallY and the Kiwanis Club members put up
the flags on the buildings and along the streets as a
community service.
B. Mentioned he had read in the Express News that the
Perry Five and Dime Company is going to open up a store in
the previous Winn's facility in Schertz.
C. Recapped the Suburban Cities meeting:
(a) VIA is promoting legislation allowing cities that
participate in the metropolitan transportation service to
adopt the other half cent sales tax that they gave back
after completion of the Alamodome. If they can get the
vote through, one fourth cent will go to the participating
city and one fourth cent will go to VIA. This would be in
lieu of raising prices and would go to a vote of the
people.
(b) Jeff Wentworth is sponsoring legislation to combine
city and county governments in the large metropolitan
areas. The legislation will have some kind of provision to
allow cities to opt out. There are a lot of pros and cons
regarding this idea. Mr. Sweatt has a copy of the
legislation for anyone wishing to read it.
*9 ADJOURNMENT: On a motion by Mr. McDonald, seconded
by Mrs. Stanhope and unanimously carried, the meeting
adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
<<L~eA_~
Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas
ATTEST:
YJu~~
City Secretary, City of Schertz