ccswks 07-27-1994
208
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JULY 27, 1994
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop
Session Wednesday, July 27, 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, presidinqj Joe Potempaj Mary
Marsh and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Barbara Stanhope and
Charles McDonald. Staff present were City Manager Kerry
Sweatt and City Secretary June Krause.
fl.1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS:
A. Georae Mower: A. Had recommended buying vehicles
without hubcaps but has heard nothing on his suggestion.
B. He mentioned that when he met with Mr. Sweatt, he had
asked for the water rates for Northcliffe and had not
received them. He said the water rates being used right now
are defective and he wanted to know if Council was going to
refund to those who are over paying and charge those who are
being undercharged.
Mr. Potempa asked what he meant on the hubcap issue.
Mr. Mower explained he felt police vehicles with hubcaps
are a liability to operate.
Mayor Baldwin advised Mr. Mower that a letter from Mr.
Sweatt explaining the Northcliffe water rates was in the
mail and that he had already been told that Council would
look at the water rates later in the year.
Mr. Jim Harris: A. First he thanked Council for
packet for citizens to look at. Then referring to
on the 9-1-1 budget, he asked if the added charge
telephone bill each month is for this.
having a
the item
to his
B. He referred to the ordinance allowing employees to
receive credit for previous membership in TMRS upon
depositing the withdrawal amount, and asked if this referred
to only those employees now employed?
C. He also asked about the TMRS ordinance on Special Credit
for limited military service. He wanted to know what the
limits are and how much it would cost the city.
D. Mr. Harris then asked when Council was going to start
on the budqet, reminding Council they had promised to have
copies of the budget available for citizen review during the
sessions.
~
209
Mayor Baldwin advised the two TMRS
discussed when that item comes up.
Harris that there would be copies of
during budget sessions.
ordinances would be
He then assured Mr.
the budget available
#2 Discuss final consideration
creating a Board of Adjustment.
of an
ordinance
Mr. Sweatt advised this ordinance tracks the recent Charter
Amendment and State law governing the creation of a BOA. In
the past, the BOA was used for other codes; however, this
is established purely as it relates to the Zoning Ordinance.
The appeal from the BOA will be to the District Court.
When asked about specific use permits, Mr. Sweatt said
those deal with zoning and will still be presented to
Council for public hearings. The BOA will deal with
variances. This ordinance does prescribe that the appeals
first go before the Planning and Zoning Commission for
recommendation.
#3 Discuss appointments to the Board of Adjustment.
Mr. Sweatt explained that the ordinance calls for five
members for two-year terms. He suggested that on
appointment, Council asked the members to draw for three
two-year terms and two one-year terms so that they would not
all expire at the same time. He referred to a list of names
of people who had either applied for the P&Z or had
evidenced an interest in boards or committees.
The Council agreed on staff contacting the following names
to see if they would serve on this committee: Anita Clark,
Joyce Briscoe, Earl Hartzog, Judy Dietz, Ted Duigon, Tom
Cabanski, and Norman Slocum.
#4 Discuss ordinance allowing employees to apply for a
Special Credit for limited military service with TMRS.
Mr. Sweatt explained that TMRS has an option that would
allow the City to authorize employes who have prior military
service to purchase up to sixty months credit. They must
have been a member for ten years and must have been an
employee for ten years. This cannot be bought by those
drawing military retirement. He added that we currently
have fifteen employees who will be eligible at some point in
time if they stay with the city. There are only two at this
time. They would pay $15 a month for each month they are
buying back. This will buy them time but no substantial
increase in their retirement. This can be done at any time
up to the time they retire. The cost to the City is so
infinitesimal because it would be spread over time. This
would provide a means by which employees, at the higher end
of the scale, would be eligible to retire sooner and we
could hire replacement at a lower rate.
210
Mayor Baldwin said the City's cost is so small and he felt
this is a good program and that most levels of oovernment
have somethinq similar.
#5 Discuss ordinance allowing employees who have
terminated previous membership in TMRS to deposit the sum of
withdrawal and receive credit.
Mr. Sweatt said this is another optional item. This will
allow employees who have withdrawn from TMRS the opportunity
to buy back that credit. We surveyed our employees and we
have seven who would qualify. An employee in the future
would be required to be considered by the Council. This
would cost the City.2 of 1% in our overall rate for
twelve months it would cost the City approximately $3500 a
year. The employee would be paying their amount of
withdrawal plus a charge. The benefit to the employee is to
secure time and increase benefit packaqe.
Mayor Baldwin remarked that it is very difficult to hire
employees from another city if you do not offer them this.
Before we had TMRS, we were askinq someone to stop TMRS and
go with the one we had. This way, if a person has broken
service, he can buy back that time.
Mr. Sweatt
service and
schools.
said
other
this is the same benefit federal civil
systems have in the state, city and
#6 Discuss Bexar Metro 9-1-1 Operating Budget.
Mr. Sweatt called attention to the letter from Bexar Metro
9-1-1 Network District and their proposed budget. This
enhanced service has been in operation for six years. To
fund this service, there is a charge on each telephone bill
22 cents for residential and 51 cents per month for
commercial. The attached proposed budget describes the cost
of operation, which includes a number of projects. The City
of Schertz has benefited by orants for firefighter
schoolinq, number of portable radios, hazmet traininq etc.,
the entire area has benefited. There is just no better
alternative around.
#7 Discuss TxDOT request for City of
participation in FM 3009 project costs.
Schertz
Mr. Sweatt recalled the meeting on July 29th with Mr.
Stephen of TxDOT at which he discussed the plans to make
improvements to the FM 3009 project by reducing the grade
between Elbel and East Live Oak and constructing a noise
abatement wall near Silver Tree and Greenfield Village.
There would be a gap in the wall where there is a utility
easement because GVEC has declined access. They have
discussed with the residents in the area a number of options
and they opted for the wall. There has been a lot of debate
about the wall. Now TxDOT is asking for the City's
--/
2J1
participation in the costs of moving Southwestern Bell's
junction box. Mr. Sweatt said he had discussed this with
the phone company and they are not building additional
capacity but just need to relocate the box. TxDOT also
needs to riprap the drainage ditch and have asked us to
participate in all this for a total of $53,000.
There followed intensive discussion on this project
regarding the wall, TxDOT handling of the entire project and
concern for employee safety.
After this lengthy discussion, it was Council's unanimous
agreement to not pay even one penny as requested by TxDOT.
fl.8 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: A. Reminded of the TML,
Region 7 meeting in San Marcos on August 12.
B. Announced a meeting on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. with the
Bexar County Advisory Council.
#9 ITEMS BY COUNCIL: Mr. Greenwald: A. Regarding
the Region 7 meeting, he asked if the Council wanted to push
some resolution supporting cutting down on federal mandates.
Mr. Sweatt would check to see if this is on the agenda.
B. Announced that two of BVYA girls softball teams will be
going to the National in Round Rock.
Mr. PotemDa: A. Asked what the watering hours are as of
this date. Mr. Sweatt said right now it is just voluntary
conservation and you should not water between the hours of
8:00 p.m and 10:00 a.m.
B. Announced that as if this date, Mobile Villa is on City
water.
Mrs. Marsh reported on the Schertz Business Association
meeting, saying the Jubilee reports were just fantastic.
Next year's theme will be "Memories of Yesteryear" as it
will be the 20th anniversary and homecoming. They will ask
the past grand marshals and past sweetheart and the alumni
from the high school band to participate. She passed on
their appreciation for the work and participation of the
City employees in this year's event. They did a terrific
job.
#10 ITEMS BY MAYOR: Said he was taking a lot of heat
regarding the dirt and white dust from Beck Concrete on FM
78. He tells people City has been dealing with them for
years on this. Mr. Greenwald added that it appears they
have rented a street sweeper. Mayor Baldwin suggested the
need to talk with them again.
~l~
#11 ADJOURNMENT:
meeting was declared
Baldwin.
There being no further business, the
adjourned at 8:25 p.m. by Mayor
d ~4&.~
Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas
ATTEST:
~S -~C. f h't
c~ ecretary, lty 0 Sc er z
-------