ccswks 04-13-1994
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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 13, 1994
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop
Session, Wednesday, April 13, 1994 at 7:00 p.m. in the
Conference Room of the Municipal Complex, 1400 Schertz
Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The following members were
present: Mayor Earl W. Sawyer, presiding; Barbara
Stanhope, Mary Marsh and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Joe
Potempa and Hal Baldwin. Staff present were City Manager
Kerry Sweatt and City Secretary June Krause.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS: Bill Neller announced that
next month the flags will be out on Main Street three times
in observance of VE Day on the 7th, Armed Forces Day on the
21st and Memorial Day on the 30th. He also thanked the
Public Works Department for fixing the streets and flag
poles.
#2 Consider and take action regarding SAFES-EMS
services with Randolph Air Force Base.
Mayor Sawyer reminded that we have tried for many years to
bring Randolph Air Force Base back under the protective Wing
of SAFES.
Mr. Sweatt referred to the draft contract submitted for
review. The contract provides for Randolph Air Force Base'
payment in advance of the first six months per capita
payment at the same rate other contracting entities are
charged of $4.18 per capita based on a military and civilian
personnel census of 8,300. It is a simple contract for a
minimum of six months time, and we will have to go through
the same process for next fiscal year. We have an
arrangement where the 12th Medical Group or the Fire Service
will serve as first responder same as the civilian entities
we serve. This will require that we amend the budget
eliminating 2 part-time and adding one full time employee.
Mrs. Marsh moved to approve the contract for EMS service
with Randolph Air Force Base and Mrs. Stanhope seconded the
motion.
Mr. Greenwald asked if he understood that the Fire Service
would be the ones to call us out. Mr. Sweatt advised that
no, the Fire Service will be the first responder and take
care of minor emergencies but will continue to be governed
by the medical service.
Mr. Greenwald said he brought it up because the hospital
locks the door at 5:00 p.m.; and if the base housing calls,
who pays the bill?
Mr. Sweatt related that the individual would pay if they
are transported, just as it is now. If there is no
transport, there is no charge.
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Mr. Greenwald stated that if we respond to base quarters
and say for them to pay, they will say no - that is the Air
Force' responsibility and the individual will not pay.
Mr. Sweatt reminded that we have potentially the same thing
in the civilian contracts and related instances.
Mayor Sawyer advised that long ago we had a ten year verbal
agreement with Randolph to back up our calls and when they
decided they would not respond, we quit serving them.
Mrs. Marsh asked if they had any type education out there.
Mr. Greenwald said they sent flyers around saying that if
help is needed call SAFES. Mrs. Marsh and Mr. Greenwald
agreed that without some education, the base residents will
not pay.
Mayor Sawyer decided
contract, they need
residents have to pay.
that before
to let the
Council approves
base know that
this
their
There was then some discussion regarding the 8,300 number
for both military and civilian personnel, thinking it was
low. Mr. Sweatt advised they gave us the total number of
residents and total number of employees on the base.
After more discussion, Mrs. Marsh withdrew her motion and
Mrs. Stanhope withdrew her second to await further
information.
#3 Discuss low water crossing warning and alarm
system.
Mr. Bill Dunn, representing Remote Operating Systems,
related that his company was a San Antonio based business
for 8-1/2 years. He said they were just awarded the
contract with the Edwards Underground Water District using
this same type of system with 100 sites over about 10.000
square miles. He indicated they look forward to working
with the City on this project because they feel it is
important to the area. He went on to say what they
proposed, in talking with Mr. Sweatt and Mr. Thorpe in
Universal City, was to install a level sensor that would
measure the water level before it reaches the crown of the
road on the low water crossing. As the water increases in
height, it would show on a small computer on site, installed
on the corner across from the Middle School, tied into
electrical power and with a back-up battery. The sensor
would be located up stream in order to anticipate the water
level as it would go over the bridge. The proposal would
have a sign and some appropriate blinking lights on either
side of the crossing far enough away so that they could be
seen by the motorist to make the decision not to cross.
This would give an automated way of knowing that the water
was rising. The other part of it is a little RTU on site
that would have a radio system that would bring data back to
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the Emergency Operating Center or the police Department that
is manned 24 hours a day. This would let the City know at
all times and would not have to be manually monitored.
Another aspect talked about is, with the installation of the
Edwards Underground System, which will include several sites
up Cibolo Creek across I-35 and beyond that up to Bulverde,
that will be radio linked to the Tower in San Marcos that
would be utilized to gather that data for the Edwards
Underground. Then you could access that data so you could
actually see the flood water on the Cibolo as they generated
all the way to Bulverde. By the phone connection, with the
software, you would be able to get the text data - meaning
the level and rainfall accumulation at sites up the Cibolo
Creek. He said for an additional $900, you could add a rain
gage on our site here so we would have automatic rainfall
accumulation and rainfall intensity due if that would be
something that would be of use.
Mr. Dunn then demonstrated on one of our PCs the system he
had discussed.
Mr. Sweatt said the other application we felt would be
appropriate was the two elements of monitoring and alarming
the low water crossing and secondly predicting the flood
stage further up stream. Additionally, this basic system
would allow us to put in similar monitors at a couple of
other low water crossing in the future.
Mr. Dunn explained by showing pictures of the components of
the system and how they would work. He explained it is
designed to be vandal proof and the ones shown had been in
operation for a long period of time without any vandalism.
Mrs. Stanhope asked if the PC is down, would the RTU still
be operational and was told yes, that it is a stand alone
unit.
Mrs. Stanhope asked their experience with the towers being
down. So far, they have not had any problems. Mrs.
Stanhope then asked if the all things go wrong, with the
loss of the tower and the PC is down, would that unit at the
creek handle the whole thing regardless. Mr. Dunn said
absolutely.
Mrs. Stanhope asked the experience
attention to the flashing lights
attention to the barricades. Mr.
experience reflects that they work.
of people really paying
when they do not pay
Dunn explained their
Mr. Greenwald asked if the data was retrievable for
printout and was told that it was.
Mr. Sweatt advised that the total for this system including
our sign work is about $7500 with two year full maintenance
agreement.
/
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Mr. Mower asked if there was any money in the current
budget for this project. Mayor Sawyer advised that we do
have the contingency fund.
Mr. Sweatt advised that Mr. Dunn would be making this same
presentation to Universal City on the 19th and after that we
will have it at another workshop.
#4 Discuss proposed ordinance amending swimming pool
charges and regulations.
Mr. Sweatt stated we are proposing reducing the total
operating days from 100 to 90 and add that a maximum of six
(6) family members be admitted under one season pass. Then
he related the changes in the season pass rates being:
Individual Rate - the same; 2 member rate - same; 3 member
rate down $2; 4 member rate - down $2.50; 5 member rate
would be $40.00 and 6 member rate - $45.00. These are
in-city rates. The Out-of-City rates are proposed to be:
Individual Rate up $5.00; 2 member-same; 3 member - down
$5; 4 member - down $5; 5 member - $50.00 and 6 member
rate - $55.
We also propose to add an adult night from 5:00 p.m to 9:00
p.m on Monday, with reservation night still on Wednesday,
but add Sunday, with the reservation times being from 6:00
p.m until 10:00 p.m.; if no reservations, then the pool
will close at 8:00 p.m. He then itemized the reservation
rates. We also have reduced the number of swim lessons from
five sessions to three (due to poor attendance); have added
a minimum of five students necessary to conduct a class and
there will be no discounts given for early purchase of pool
passes.
Mr. Sweatt said that these changes would allow
operate more efficiently and reduce the deficit. The
anticipates approximately $26,000 difference between
and expenditures.
us to
budget
income
MR. POTEMPA ARRIVED AT 8:00 P.M.
Mrs. Marsh said she would like to see the rates raised on
the Out-of-City rates, especially the group of 101-200
patrons, making it $150.00 and the 201-293 group should be
$200. Other members of the Council agreed with this.
#5 Discuss proposed BVYA fence construction agreement.
Mr. Sweatt said we discussed at budget time the loan of
$9,000 for a fence at the ballfields to be repaid by BVYA
over five years. We have drafted an agreement with BVYA and
they have reviewed it and are prepared to sign. They have
agreed to repay $2,000 this year and 4 additional
installment payments including interest.
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Mr. Greenwald advised that BVYA has agreed to this
agreement and will take action at their meeting the
following night and will be ready to write the City a check.
#6 Discuss ratification of Schertz Parkway Tax
Increment Financing Zone Board of Directors By-Laws.
Mr. Sweatt recalled that this is the result of several
meetings, in which they reviewed their role. He added that
the group is off and running with a great start and is a
good enthusiastic Board.
#7 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: A. The CDBG grant that was
made to the consortium of six cities for Economic
Development Study has been selected - the firm was Fantis
Corporation. It is anticipated that on May 24th all of the
City Councils will meet jointly with the Economic
Development Commissions and related people and kick off this
study with the consultant. This will be a posted meeting,
and is proposed so that each of the City Councils can hear
the same presentation. This will be a go and listen to
meeting with no action required.
B. We have received notices that the Post Office has denied
the request for south of Randolph to consider an address
change. We have a letter from the San Antonio District
Customer Service saying they will not do this because the
increased cost is approximately $7,000 a year. He said his
understanding is that an appeal is being developed.
#8 ITEMS BY COUNCIL: Mrs. Marsh announced that
Saturday morning the VFW will be having their breakfast
followed at 11:00 o'clock by the dedication of the tank.
Mr. Potemoa: A. Announced that as of this date,
were thirty signatures received saying they wanted
gas in Mobile Villa.
there
natural
B. The City crews did an outstanding job clearing out all
the brush in Mobile Villa.
Mrs.
went
light
out.
Stanhooe: Referred to an incident where a fire truck
onto Schertz Parkway, right in front of someone and the
never turned red. Mr. Sweatt said he would check it
Mr. Greenwald: A. Announced that P&Z met and recommends
going with the name change for FM 78 to John E. Peterson
Parkway.
B. Monday night he went to the Canyon Regional plant and it
looks as if it is ready to come on line next week. A
gentleman from GBRA was there to brief them and indicated
they would perhaps have problems. He had information he
wished copied for Council.
----/'
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#9 ITEMS BY MAYOR: He went to the VFW
they elected Dave Mazoch Commander and Mary
Vice Commander.
meeting and
Marsh Senior
#10 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further discussion,
the meeting was declared adjourned at 8:27 p.m. by Mayor
Sawyer.
ATTEST:
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lJt"~~/Y/~ /luvh1) -
~ayor, City Of-sc~tz, Texas
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, Secretary,