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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 1, 1994
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop
Session Wednesday June 1, 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 Hal Baldwin, presidingi Charles L.
McDonald; Joe Potempa; Mary Marsh and Ken Greenwald.
Absent: Barbara Stanhope. Staff present were City Manager
Kerry Sweatt and City Secretary June Krause.
Mayor Baldwin welcomed everyone to the Workshop Meeting.
fl.1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS: Mr. Bill Neller explained
the arrangement made for the Flag Retirement Ceremonies at
the Fire Department on June 14th. He mentioned that our
neighboring city was having one on June 12th.
Mr. Jim Harris: A. He received his Guadalupe County
appraisal the previous day and was shocked. He did not
think there should be any tax increases this year as his was
raised 16%.
B. Regarding the ordinance establishing procedures for the
conduct of City Council meetings, he would like a copy and
would pick one up the next day.
C. He suggested that the City provide a full packet of
material on meetings to citizens, except for restricted
items. He said he would like to have that available before
the meeting.
D. He said he understood that the Charter called for a
review of the charter on even numbered years. He would like
to be a member of that committee for this year.
Mr. Sweatt advised that we had a review committee in 1990
but did not believe there was one in 1994.
Mayor Baldwin reminded that even though we had a committee
meet this year, the results could not be voted on until 1996
as the charter can only be amended every two years.
Mr. Ken Brown: A. Aqreed with Mr. Harris on not having a
tax increase as his appraisal went up 21%. He felt there
should be a 21% reduction in the budget.
B. With all the publicity on health, he would like to see
the Council prohibit smokinq in all City buildinqs,
especially the Council Workshop meetings.
#2 Discuss No Parking Zone for a portion of Mill
Street.
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Mr. Sweatt related that the Police Chief and Director of
Public Works have studied the traffic and parkinq near the
Sonic Drive In. Because of the street width and customer
parking, Mill Street has become difficult to maneuver
traffic. They looked at various alternatives and have
recommended no parkinq on the west side of Mill Street fifty
feet from FM 78. If this does not resolve the problem, we
can amend it to increase the distance from FM 78.
Mayor Baldwin asked if Council was ready to act on this at
the next meetinq and found they were.
fl.3 Discuss ordinance establishinq procedures for the
conduct of City Council meetinqs.
At the request of Mr. Harris, the ordinance was read in
it's entirety by Mrs. Marsh.
Mayor Baldwin reminded that he had asked Mr. Sweatt and Mr.
Spain to draft this ordinance, on conduct of meetings, riqht
after the election. This is their draft taken from several
ordinances throughout the State. He ended by sayinq he was
satisfied with the results.
Mr. Sweatt showed a draft of the Reqister form as described
in the ordinance.
Mr. Greenwald referred to the part where it referred to
citizens participation, saying they "Shall speak from
lectern" and suqqested that may need to be chanqed as
normally there is not a lectern at workshop meetinqs and it
was determined that this ordinance would apply to all
meetinqs, both reqular and workshops.
Mr. Sweatt suqqested usinq the one in the Conference Room
or the ordinance could be worded differently.
Mrs. Marsh suqqested havinq the sign in table in the hall
and designatinq a spot where the citizens would speak.
Mr. Greenwald also brouqht up that even thouqh we start at
7:00 p.m. some people do not arrive until later - how do
they sign up? It was decided they just did not.
After further discussion, Mr. Sweatt suqgested rewordinq
the ordinance to say "shall speak from a designated area".
Council aqreed with this wordinq.
Mr. Harris aqain said this is what he was alluding to - he
needed to see a copy of the ordinance prior to the meetinq.
Mayor Baldwin advised that the aqenda is posted
can go to the counter and ask for copies
document they want. He then ask Mr. Sweatt
attorney's opinion prior to the next meetinq.
and citizens
of whatever
to qet the
/~
16J
#4 Discuss mid-year budget revisions.
Mr. Sweatt referred to page 1 of the revisions, saying that
we only propose an amendment to the General Fund Revenues of
$21,488, bringinq the total revenues to $2,869,278.
The General Fund Expenditures show an increase of $17,100
for a new total of $2,862,255. There are no proposed
chanqes in Water & Wastewater Fund revenues or expenditures.
Capital Recovery has a $43,700 increase to revenues. SAFES
has an increase of $52,000 in revenues and $10,123 in
expenditures, showing a project balance of $48,566 instead
of the estimated $6,689 as originally projected.
On page 3 which gives the break-down of General Fund
Revenues, we expected an additional $40,000 in Sales Tax.
Answering questions of Council, Mr. Sweatt advised that the
GVEC Franchise shows a short fall of $1,188 and the
Municipal Court Fines were decreased by $15,000.
Mr. McDonald was told the increase in alarm permits is
because of additional alarm systems going in.
Mr. Sweatt called attention to the decrease in
Miscellaneous income of $5,000 and because of the additional
sales tax, we do not feel it necessary to make the $9,000
loan for fencing as anticipated. This can be financed out
of our current budget funds.
The City Manaqer also mentioned the $17,100 additional
expenditures for legal services caused by several items of
litigation this year.
Mr. McDonald asked about drug forfeitures and where would
that be shown in the budget. Mr. Sweatt said that in the
past, we were affiliated with AACOG and it went to them. On
page 4, item #48115 shows revenue coming from AACOG for one
police officer's salary and the money came from drug
forfeitures.
Mr. McDonald then asked about the large amount of
uncollectible accounts for SAFES. Mr. Sweatt advised that
this amount is reserved for debt, not necessarily the actual
amount. We do try collections through the efforts of SAFES
personnel and also have a collection agency. He added that
our collections loss is less than most other aqencies. The
increase in SAFES is the additional contract with Randolph
Air Force Base, plus we are doing more business.
Mr. Sweatt added that is anticipated later this year or
next year we will be looking at replacing another SAFES'
unit or even two units.
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Mr. Potempa referred to page 47 concerninq Fleet Services.
fl.43040 shows actual revenues at six months as being
$31,262.23 as opposed to the original budgeted figure of
$12,370j but there is no amendment listed. Mr. Sweatt
said he would look into that and get back to him.
Mr. Sweatt explained the $2,000 increase in Commercial
insurance in the Non-Departmental budqet as payments to
unemployment. We are a reimbursinq employer and have never
budqeted for this. Some years we do not have any claims at
all. This year we have had two claims already.
Mayor Baldwin added that some employers buy the State
insurance but that is quite expensive.
Mr. Potempa also questioned the amount of electricity and
why, since the Animal Control bUilding is brand new, we have
to add $2,000 to this item. Mr. Sweatt explained that we
had no experience with this size bUilding and personnel had
no experience, they were keeping the temperature too high
during the cold months; but have now learned it is not
necessary.
Mr. Greenwald mentioned that the cover sheet has a date of
May 1993 rather than 1994.
Mayor Baldwin asked if, with the corrections mentioned,
Council would be ready to act on this at the next meeting,
and received an affirmative reply.
#5 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: A. Called attention to the item
in Council packets regardinq the Sierra Club lawsuit and the
proposed filinq. There is some discussion of 1984 being set
as the base year for pumping limitations. If 1984 is set as
the base year, our pumpage would be approximately 2,135 acre
feet. In 1989 our pumpage was 2,414 or 14% difference. If
the proposed rules, as we read them, were placed in effect
with the 30% reduction, under severe drought conditions, we
are looking at almost a 45% curtailment in pumpage and we
could not live with that.
fl.6 ITEMS BY COUNCIL: Mrs. Marsh wanted to make sure,
since it was left out of the newsletter article, that there
will be a street dance on July 2nd. This is the first time
this has been tried for the Jubilee and we want it
advertised so it will be a success. She also pointed out
that we have an ordinance that prohibits the bringing in of
food and beverages for the Jubilee; however, on the 2nd for
the street dance you will be able to bring in your drinks -
for that night only.
Mr. Potemoa: A. Advised that he and Mr. McDonald
attended the Grand Openinq of the Wood R Us on FM 78 and
they really have some nice things at reasonable prices.
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B. He mentioned that there is a new nursery in town and
they will also be having a grand opening soon.
C. The contract work in Mobile Villa is going great. He
talked with the supervisor on the job and he is great to
work with.
Mrs. Marsh asked when we could expect to have recycling on
an agenda.
Mr. Sweatt said we have had two meetings with the
contractor and hope to have something in late June or early
July. We are trying to work out all the logistics right
now.
Mr. McDonald: A. He would like to see a recap on the
budget such as how much we spend on salaries, overtime, etc.
- a summarization of what and how we are doing. Mr. Sweatt
said he could run those totals for him.
B. Reported on the AACOG seminar for newly elected
officials and they scared him to death. He said he came
back with about 14 pages of notes and questions. He asked
if we have insurance and a monthly financial report. Mr.
Sweatt does furnish that quarterly.
Mr. Greenwald: A. Briefly discussed the article on the
Sierra Club's proposals, saying it is really scary as to
what can happen. We are not on the Edwards but are
transporters. We will be looking at a lot more information
on this.
B. He mentioned the editorial
ridiculous this is getting.
on mandates and
how
#7 ITEMS BY MAYOR: A. He had received letters from
both the Bexar County Council of Mayors and the United
Suburban Cities inviting him to attend their meetings.
Mayor Baldwin asked if we are still members of the Randolph
Council of Mayors and was told we are.
Mr. Sweatt said we have finally received a preliminary
right-of-way map from TXDoT on FM 78. Apparently this is in
the 1997 funding. They will be holding right-of-way
hearings in the near future. We will be facing the
necessity of acquiring right of way and utility adjustment
and/or storm sewer and curb and gutter costs for FM 78
improvements.
Mayor Baldwin mentioned that when Mrs. Stanhope returns and
we have a full Council in attendance, we will put on the
agenda the evaluation of the City Manager. He said he would
rather wait until the full Council is present.
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fl.8 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the
meetinq was adjourned at 8:24 p m by Mayor Baldwin
~r .
, Mayor, Ci tyof Scfi~z, Texas
ATTEST:
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cp Secretary,