ccswks 06-29-1994
182
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 29, 1994
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop
Session Wednesday, June 29, 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, presidingj Charles McDonaldj
Joe Potempaj Barbara Stanhope; Mary Marsh and Ken
Greenwald. Staff present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt and
City Secretary June Krause.
Mayor opened the meeting and welcomed everyone present.
fl.1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS: A. George Mower signed in
to speak on why the ordinance on Council rules and
regulations will not work. He said that this is the first
time he would have to rebut what was said by Council at the
last meeting. Then he mentioned that he made a declaration
of appreciation to Council for passing this ordinance
allowing citizens to speak and neither of the local papers
quoted him. He then left the meeting.
'2 Discuss final consideration of an ordinance
amending the Code, Section 18-33, Four-Way Stops for Dimrock
at the intersection with Cotton King.
Mayor Baldwin reminded Council they had considered the first
reading of this ordinance and it is scheduled for final
consideration at the next action meeting.
Mr. Sweatt advised that we have had no comments from the
neighborhood other than the initial ones of appreciation
when the signs were first installed. They have been up
almost three weeks and traffic appears to move correctly.
'3 Discuss final consideration of an
amending the Code, Section 19-96, Drought and
Water Management and Surcharoes.
ordinance
Emergency
Mr. Sweatt said this ordinance changes the level in which
various stages of the Water Management Plan are triggered.
The current level is 644 for Stage 1, this ordinance would
change that to 649 and proposes a goal of 15% reduction;
Stage 2 currently begins at 628, to be replaced with 640
under the new ordinance and a reduction goal of 20% and
instigates certain mandatory regulations. Stage 3, which
currently begins at 612 feet, would begin under the new
ordinance at 632 feet, and has a reduction goal of 30% and
has additional mandatory requirements for conservation.
Stages 4, 5 and SA will continue in effect. These are in
line with the recommendations of the Edwards Underground
Water District and are the same as have been adopted by
several other cities.
10<)
0.)
Mayor Baldwin said he just wanted to ask the reason why the
small cities are required to go into emergency conservation
action earlier than the City of San Antonio. He said so we
take all these measures and conserve water in the City of
Schertz but how is that going to help the aquifer when the
City of San Antonio can continue to use their higher levels.
Mr. Sweatt gave some of their current numbers that
correspond to ours. Their current Stage 1 starts at 655,
our's would be at 649 so actually they begin Stage 1
earlier. Stage 2 is 640, which is the same as our's would
be. Their third stage, however is 620 feet, whereas our's
is at 632 feet. That is the real substantial difference
Stage 3.
Mayor Baldwin again said he does not understand why we have
to really impose heavy conservation on our people at Stage 3
when San Antonio does not have to until much lower level.
Mr. Sweatt said these are the measures proposed by the
Edwards and there is continuing discussion as to the role
the Edwards Water District has and will have under the Water
Management Plan. It is felt by many people in the water
business that these efforts being made by the Edwards
Underground Water District will lessen the impact that the
Federal Water Master will order.
Mr. Greenwald related that the Edwards has said their
projections are that these levels they are proposing
keep the springs flow at Comal to what the judge
mandated. San Antonio has taken it upon themselves to
they feel the 632 foot level will do that.
best
will
has
say
Mr. Potempa suggested holding up on this ordinance until we
get something final from the Water Master.
Mrs. Marsh suggested going along with this ordinance,
saying she is not unhappy with it. It was recommended by
the Edwards and we should go along with it; but we should
ask for an explanation as to why it is not across the board.
It is always subject to change.
Mayor Baldwin said he would rather someone in authority make
a legal decision. On polling Council, they agreed to have
this ordinance on the next action agenda.
#4 Hear and discuss presentation regarding Guadalupe
County Appraisal District budget and related matters.
Mayor Baldwin recognized and welcomed Mr.
Chairman of the Appraisal District and
Appraiser.
Malford
Pat Fox,
Brehm,
Chief
Ms. Fox, after thanking Council for allowing them to visit,
said she would like to cover two topics. The first would be
the 1994 reappraisal and second the proposed 1995 budget.
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As for as our values are concerned, the Appraisal District
did a major reappraisal this year. They mailed notices to
approximately 80% of property owners within their boundary,
about 44000 notices. They have had approximately 2500
informal hearings and it looks like them will finish in a
timely manner before the end of July. The City of Schertz
has 217 new homes for a total value of $22,000,000 to
$24,000,000 in new improvements, which represents about 10%
increase in new construction and another 8 to 10% straight
increase on our values. There is a great deal of
construction activity on this end of the county so they
expect this trend to continue.
Several weeks ago they sent a copy of the proposed 1995
budget in the amount of $676,883, that represents an
increase of $47,098 over the 1994 level. That is
represented in three different areas. First they have an
addition of one appraisal position, for a total cost
including benefits of $26,620. They had employee expense
increases in the amount of $13,800 and that represents a
3.25% increase of the salaries, plus increases in health
insurance and unemployment insurance. The remainder of the
increase, which is $6,678 can be found in the general
operating expenses. $4,500 of that is for the purchase of a
new copier for their mapping department.
In explanation of the new appraisal position, the property
tax division of the Comptroller's Office is requiring each
year to do methods and procedures review of each Appraisal
District. They received their report in January of this
year and they indicated a number of areas in which they are
in good shape. They then indicated three areas they felt
the Appraisal District needed to commit more resources to,
those being Sales Analysis, Personal Property Discovery and
Agricultural evaluations. As for Sales Analysis, when you
are in a down market you are okay because you do not have a
lot of activity; however we are in a position of increasing
number of sales so we really need to commit more man hours
to the analyzation of those sales so they can accurately
track those values. The second area of Personal Property,
they have about 2300 accounts but have not had adequate
resources to be able to do an on-site inspection of those
accounts every year. The last area is agricultural
evaluation. The Comptroller's office report indicated they
should dedicate more resources to checking those account
that have been branded agricultural. They have been using a
part-time appraiser for the last three years and they have
now dedicated him to checking questionable agricultural
accounts. Each year they have coded between 200 and 300
accounts as questionable. They successfully removed the
agricultural valuation on 25% of those accounts. That has
cost them approximately $1800 to $2500 per year and has
gained them in levy between $22,000 and $30,000 each year -
that is the return for their $2500. Ms. Fox said they feel
if they hire this additional appraiser they will be able to
review all of the accounts in the district within the first
couple of years.
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Mr. Brehm said it was the Boards feeling that they were
trying to put out a lot of brush fires. Although it doesn't
effect the City of Schertz but they are going to take a good
look at the river front property and also all the farm
properties. He said he personally had notices a lot of farm
property that has not been in use in a number of years.
Because of the expansion, they need this additional person
and may even have need of another in the future.
Mr. McDonald noticed there was no vehicle allowance on the
last page of the report submitted. Ms. fox said it was
shown on the previous page as $2400 but it really is only
$1800. They changed their way of figuring the auto
allowance this year. It now is each appraiser is
compensated with $150 per month plus 12-1/2 cents per mile.
Mayor Baldwin
county. Ms.
related that
from 8 to 10%.
asked the overall increase throughout
Fox said it was approximately 12%.
the average reappraisal value in Schertz
the
She
was
Mr. Potempa asked why, when he has a Texas Tax license to
collect tax, did he get a letter from her office saying he
had to file as a business. He only has a hobby. Ms. Fox
said they get the list from the comptroller's office of
everyone who is registered to collect sales tax and they
have no way of knowing if they are a business or not without
sending that letter.
Mr. Sweatt asked if the Appraisal District expects to meet
their deadline of July 25th, for submission of the assessed
value information. Ms. Fox said they could not certify
before July 25th. She said they could give cities estimated
figures earlier but could not certify.
Mayor Baldwin mentioned that the roll value is probably the
largest the City of Schertz has every had. He told both Ms.
Fox and Mr. Brehm that they were doing an excellent job and
thanked them for coming out.
fl.5 Discuss policy reqarding aqenda information.
Mr. Sweatt reminded Council that they had asked staff to
investigate the possibility of furnishing more information
and furnishing advance information to the public as it
relates to the agenda packet and information. We have never
had any intent to hide anything but the Open Records Act
makes it a little more complicated that just making a copy
of everything. He and the City Attorney reviewed and looked
at Attorney General opinions as to how we might furnish this
information and developed this policy. He then read the
policy proposed. Primarily, a copy of the Council packets
will be available for the public to look at or copy, less
any information that could be disadvantageous to the
interests of the City. We believe this will meet the
Council's interest in making the material available and
still will not compromise any position the City might have.
J86
Mrs. Marsh wanted to make it clear that Council is doing
this on their own, they are not required by law to do this.
Mrs. Stanhope mentioned that this is additional work so she
felt that in six months Council should again look at this to
get a wag on the cost of this service.
Mr. McDonald suggested a sunset condition to this effect.
Mr. Greenwald asked if we would be releasing the tabulation
of bids received. Mr. Sweatt said it would be released
because the bids were opened and read at a public meeting,
so were already public knowledge.
'6 Discuss bids for Savannah Square drainage.
Mr. Sweatt recalled that this is a long and involved
process. We are resolving an issue in the Savannah Square
area with the proposed construction of a storm sewer line
running from the current retention and detention basin
across a portion of Savannah Square and across a portion of
Deer Haven and down to FM 3009. This work is being funded
through a payment by the consulting engineering firm that
did the work in the Savannah Square area.
We have solicited bids and the low bidder is $167,592.23.
That full amount has been posted with us and we propose that
at the next regular meeting you consider awarding bids to L
& J Construction Company in that amount.
Answering questions, Mr. Sweatt advised that this company
has not done work for us but have been in business ten years
and they have numerous construction projects and have a good
reputation. They have been investigated by our engineer.
The second low bidder was $185,961.40.
Mayor Baldwin asked that this be on the next agenda for
action.
fl.7 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: A. He asked for
concurrence or direction on budget workshops. During the
month of August the proposed workshop dates would be August
2, 10, 16, and 31st. August 24th is not a meeting date but
it also could be set as a workshop date so that we would
have five full meetings to work through the budget process.
The department head budgets will be submitted to the City
Manager on the 8th of July, and they will go through review
from the 11th to the 27th of July. As Ms. Fox stated, we
will not have the certified tax roll until July 25 and he
has to file a budget by August 1, 1994. Some significant
dates Council would want to be aware of are the Tax Public
Hearing date is September 14th, budget public hearing around
the 20th of September and on this date we expect that some
action would take place on the budget and tax rate.
--,'
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Mrs. Marsh asked if the conduct of the budget meetings
would be under the same rules as other meetings and was told
they would.
B. With Council permission he would like to place an item
on the agenda for action next week. We have had a vacancy
on the Schertz Development Foundation Board. They have
suggested Sabina Neal, who is the Vice-President of Technos
Corporation, to fill the vacancy left when Mr. McDonald was
elected to Council.
Council agreed for this to be on the next agenda.
#8 ITEMS BY COUNCIL: Mr. Potemoa: A. Asked if a
letter had gone out to Mr. Street regarding his possible
replacement on the Tax Increment Financing Board. Mr.
Sweatt said a letter had gone out this date.
B. He said he wanted to see more visibility of police in
Mobile Villa. He reported that the sewers are in and they
are now putting in the water lines and then later will do
the streets and curbs.
Mr. Sweatt said they would do their best as they do in any
other neighborhood.
Mrs. Stanhooe reminded those that planned to go to the
Mayors and Councilmembers TML convention in Amarillo needed
to get their reservations in.
Mrs. Stanhooe also called attention to an editorial in the
Herald Newspaper by Gary Gossett that was very good, adding
that we need to thank him.
Mrs. Marsh reported on the June 28th meeting of the Schertz
Business Association. They added two new members and Mr.
Sweatt gave a very good City Hall update. The majority of
the meeting was taken up with discussion of the July 4th
Jubilee. They already have 90 parade entries, 16 Arts and
Crafts booths and will have an adult carnival as well as the
kid's carnival. They announced that Leah Elena Brown is the
new Miss Schertz Sweetheart, Colette Conques is Miss
Friendly City, Kelly Sutherland is Miss Jubilee and Robin
Diane Bruce is Miss Freedom. This year will be the biggest
and best Jubilee ever, starting with the street dance on the
2nd of July.
#9 ITEMS BY MAYOR: A. Mayor Baldwin asked what the
status was on establishing a Board of Adjustment. Mr.
Sweatt said the proposed ordinance will be ready for Council
consideration by the 19th of July.
B. Announced that he will be creating a "Town Hall" meeting
to allow anyone to come and say whatever they want to say,
where the public can come and speak their mind. He said he
would conduct the meeting and Council members could join him
188
if they wanted to. He is trying to create an atmosphere of
letting people say what they want to knowing we will listen.
fl.10 ADJOURNMENT:
meeting was declared
Baldwin.
There beinq no further business, the
adjourned at 8:15 p.m. by Mayor
d~
Jfayor~Citi -of Schert;ijA'Texas
ATTEST:
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Secretary, City of Schertz
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