ccreg 08-02-1994
2J :J
REGULAR SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 2, 1994
The Schertz City Council convened in Regular Session
Tuesday, August 2, 1994 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers of the Municipal Complex, 1400 Schertz Parkway,
Schertz, Texas. The following members were present: Mayor
Hal Baldwin, presidingj Charles McDonaldj Joe Potempaj
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 meeting and asked
them to rise and join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
#1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A.
B.
C.
D.
Special Meeting 6-15-94
Regular Meeting 6-21-94
Special Meeting 6-29-94
Regular Meeting 7-5-94
Mrs. Marsh moved to
Meetings of 6-15 and
6-21 and 7-5-94. Mr.
the following results:
approve the minutes of the Special
6-29-94 and the Regular Meetings of
Greenwald seconded the motion, with
AYES: Mrs. Marsh and Mr. Greenwald on all minutes. Mr.
McDonald and Mr. Potempa on the minutes of June 29 and July
5, 1994.
NAYS: None
ABSTAINING: Mr. Potempa and Mr. McDonald on the minutes of
June 15 and 21, 1994.
Mayor Baldwin declared the minutes of the meetings of June
15 and 21, 1994 did not pass and would be voted on again.
#2 HEARING OF RESIDENTS: Georae Mower: A. Asked the
difference in the Regular and Special Meetings as apposed as
Workshops. Mrs. Krause explained that the Charter states
Regular Meeting dates and all others are special meetings.
Mayor Baldwin added that we use them for workshops.
B. He then expressed his opposition to the buying
pension time for employees as there are only seven
and it would cost the City $3500. He felt this a
imposition to put on the citizens.
back of
involved
terrible
Del Wersebe mentioned that at the last workshop, there was
mention of doing away with hubcaps. He suggested going a
step further and reduce the police clothing allowance by
doing away with shoe laces as they could cause damage in a
high-speed foot race. He then strongly suggested Council
give no thought to either suggestion. He then mentioned
yards with tall grass and debris and asked that the
ordinance governing this be enforced or taken off the books.
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Sue McBride: Referred to item #6, which was discussed at
Workshop as costing the City $3500 a year for buying in some
seven employees. She said she understood that the City
Manager just received a 15% raise and he is also one of
those to benefit from this. Her theory was that these seven
people spent time serving some other city and now the
citizens of Schertz would have to pay for that time spent
elsewhere.
.Jim Harri~ spoke on the same subject, saying he agreed with
Ms. McBride. He was also against the allowing city
employees to applY for Special Credit for limited military
service with TMRS. He urged the Council to go back and
reconsider this.
#3 ORDINANCE: Mayor Baldwin introduced an ordinance
and read the caption as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 94-S-18
AN ORDINANCE, AMENDING ARTICLE XXVII OF THE
SCHERTZ ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 87-S-1,
CREATING THE CITY OF SCHERTZ BOARD OF
ADJUSTMENT, PRESCRIBING THE DUTIES AND
QUALIFICATION OF ITS MEMBERS AND THEIR TERM
OF OFFICE, PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF
ITS MEMBERS, THE METHOD OF FILLING
VACANCIES, PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF RULES,
REGULATIONS AND BY-LAWS.
Mr. Potempa moved to approve the final reading of an
ordinance creating a Board of Adjustment. Mr. Greenwald
seconded the motion, which carried as follows:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Potempa, Marsh and Greenwald
NAYS: None
#4 APPOINTMENT: Consider and take action on
appointing five members to the Board of Adjustment.
Mr. Sweatt advised that as requested at Workshop, staff has
contacted the people on the list. Those who indicated they
would serve on this board are Ted Duiqon, Norman Slocum, Tom
Cabansky, Earl Hartzog, Joyce Briscoe and Anita Clark.
Mayor Baldwin suggested Council write down five names and
turn them in to Mrs. Krause, those five with the most votes
would be appointed.
There ended up being a tie between Caban sky and Briscoe with
the Mayor breaking the tie by voting for Briscoe.
Mrs. Marsh moved to appoint Ted Duigon, Earl Hartzog, Joyce
Briscoe, Anita Clark and Norman Slocum as the Board of
Adjustment. Mr. Potempa seconded the motion, which carried
as follows:
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AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Potempa, Marsh and Greenwald
NAYS: NONE
#5 ORDINANCE: Mayor Baldwin introduced an ordinance
and read the caption as follows:
AN ORDINANCE
ALLOWING CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF
SCHERTZ, WHO PERFORMED OR HEREAFTER PERFORM
ACTIVE SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES (OR THEIR
RESERVES OR AUXILIARIES) OF THE UNITED
STATES UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS, TO APPLY
AND MAKE DEPOSITS FOR, AND TO RECEIVE
SPECIAL CREDIT WITH, THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS FOR LIMITED PORTIONS OF
SUCH MILITARY SERVICE; AND PROVIDING FOR
PAYMENT BY THE CITY OF SCHERTZ ITS SHARE OF
THE COSTS OF ALLOWING SUCH CREDIT.
Mr. Greenwald ~oved to approve the first reading
ordinance allowing employees to apply for a Special
for limited military service with TMRS. Mrs.
seconded the motion.
of an
Credit
Marsh
Mr. Sweatt explained there is a cost but according to TMRS
it is infinitesimal. It makes a difference as to when an
employee chooses to buy back the time. The maximum they
could buy back would be 60 months at $15.00 per month or a
maximum of $900. They could buy less than that if they
wanted to. They must have worked for the City for a period
of ten years and can buy back any time up until they retire.
If an employee buys back this time and then goes to work for
some other city, the matching money stays with the City.
Again, TMRS says the amount is so small it is incalculable.
Mayor Baldwin said this is an opportunity for an individual
who has been called into military service during the most
vital years of his work life and he just loses those years
unless there is some way he can buy back that time. Almost
every retirement system he had been associated with has this
provision to buy back.
Mayor Baldwin then called for a vote on the motion and the
motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Potempa, Marsh and Greenwald
NAYS: None
#6 ORDINANCE: Mayor Baldwin introduced an ordinance
and read the caption as follows:
AN ORDINANCE
ALLOWING CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF
SCHERTZ, TEXAS WHO HAVE TERMINATED PREVIOUS
216
MEMBERSHIPS IN TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT
SYSTEM, TO DEPOSIT THE SUMS SO WITHDRAWN,
PLUS ANNUAL WITHDRAW CHARGES, AND ALLOWING
ANY SUCH EMPLOYEE CREDIT IN SUCH SYSTEM FOR
ALL SERVICE TO WHICH SUCH EMPLOYEE HAD BEEN
ENTITLED AT DATE OF SUCH WITHDRAWAL, WITH
LIKE EFFECT AS IF ALL SUCH SERVICE HAD BEEN
PERFORMED AS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE CITY OF
SCHERTZ.
Mrs. Marsh said Council has discussed this since the time
of joining the plan. It has been gone over and hashed and
rehashed. If this was not a worthwhile program, TMRS would
not have offered it to begin with. It is a very excellent
program for employees and does nothing but bring back to the
City of Schertz.
Mr. McDonald added that any employee who had to leave a
city to improve themselves, had to take their money out if
the new city was not a member - they had no choice. We
would not want employees who were not interested in helping
themselves.
Mr. Potempa said that if you are a federal civil service
employee and retire and then later go back in, you have to
pay the money back out of your pocket.
Mayor Baldwin said this is the same type program, you pay
back every cent you withdrew plus penalty. The only City
cost is for all employees from that day on. He said he sees
this as a reward to employees that stay with the City. Five
of the seven are police officers and we are notoriously low
paying.
Mayor Baldwin then called for a vote on the motion and the
motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Marsh and Greenwald
NAYS: Councilmember Potempa
#7 9-1-1 BUDGET: Consider and take action on the
Bexar Metro 9-1-1 Operating Budget.
Mr. Sweatt reminded that Council was furnished a letter and
budget at the last workshop. The total expenses are
$2,911,415 and the income is $2,911,415. The Bexar Metro
9-1-1 District is supported from charges on each residential
and commercial telephone service. The residential is 22
cents and commercial is 51 cents per month. He added that
Schertz has benefited by capital outlay program in the
dispatch area of training, radios. All our emergency
services has benefited from them.
Mrs. Marsh moved to approve the Bexar Metro 9-1-1 Operating
Budget. Mr. Potempa seconded the motion, which carried
with the following vote:
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AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Potempa, Marsh and Greenwald
NAYS: None
#8 BID AWARDS:
following bids:
Consider and take action on the
A. Mobile Villa Street Construction
Mr. Sweatt had a number of good bids for labor and
materials for construction of streets in Mobile Villa
Subdivision from a low of $177,093 to a high of $227,913.
The engineer has reviewed and recommend the low bid from
Evans and Evans be accepted. They have done construction
work for TxDOT and Comal County. This exceeds the estimate
by approximately $11,000. This is being funded by 1987
Bonds, sold in 1992 and they have earned interest that
exceeds the estimated excess. we recommend accepting the
low bid.
Mr. McDonald moved to approve the low bid from Evans and
Evans in the amount of $177,093. Mrs. Marsh seconded the
motion, which carried with the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Marsh and Greenwald
NAYS: None
ABSTAINING: Mr. Potempa
B. 8"CCMA Water Line
Mr. Sweatt advised this is a proposed capital project
necessitated by TxDOT project on FM 78 and the Cibolo Loop.
Our present 6" water line goes from Dietz Creek, back across
Cibolo Creek and back to Schertz. When we were notified by
TxDOT to relocate this line, our choice was to abandon this
6" water line and put in a new 8" line on private easements.
We solicited bids for material only for that job, with labor
to be in-house. The engineer is recommending the low bid
from Davis/McAllen Pipe of $20,033.45.
Mr. Greenwald moved
Davis/McAllen Pipe Co.
8" water line. Mrs.
carried as follows:
to accept the low bid from
in the amount of $20,033.45 for this
Marsh seconded the motion, which
AYES:
NAYS:
Councilmembers McDonald, Potempa, Marsh and Greenwald
None
#9 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: None at this time
#10 ITEMS BY COUNCIL: Mr. McDonald reported on his
attending the Mayor and Council Institute in Amarillo, where
he learned a lot. He elaborated by saying sometimes it is
best to put your personal agenda aside, find something that
is right and build on that. For example, if someone doesn't
like our budget, bring us a budget - come up with something
that is good. Forty percent of budget have to do with
2] 8
mandated projects that we have nothing to do with. ADA is
one example where we have to make curbcuts throughout the
City but were not given the money to do that. Fortunately
we obtained a grant or we would have had to come up with
over $100,000 to this that was mandated. Think how much we
could lower taxes if we did not have to comply with
mandates.
Mr. Greenwald reported on the CVADAC meeting, saying
are alive and well. They are looking for volunteers
Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 am until 4:00 p.m.
telephone service. They have a counselor on staff.
they
for
for
#11 ITEMS BY MAYOR: None
At 8:03 p.m. Mayor Baldwin recessed the meeting in order
for Council to move to the Conference Room for their Budget
workshop.
The Regular Meeting was reconvened at 8:07 p.m.
Conference Room of the Municipal Complex.
in the
#12 BUDGET WORKSHOP: Mayor Baldwin asked Council how
far they would like to go into the budget this time.
Mrs. Marsh
the budget
departmental
received the
suggested having
home and study
budgets at the
budget package.
the summarization, then
it and then start on
next meeting as they
take
the
just
Mr. Sweatt started by saying the one item that is of big
concern is the tax rate calculations. Based on the number
Certified from the Appraisal District this year the total
assessed value is $311,865,816. The 1993-94 tax rate was
46.84cents/per $100 value. After utilizing the revised tax
roll certification and using the Proof in Taxation format,
we calculate the 1994 effective rate to be 41.84 cents per
$100 value. Under terms of the Truth in Taxation Act, the
rate from which the various hearings are required, which is
a 3% increase, the number is 43.09 cents per $100 value.
Using the calculation, the roll back rate would be 43.96
cents per $100 value. We have recommended a budget to you
that establishes a tax rate of 42.75 cents per $100 value.
That is a recommended decrease of 4.09 cents. It is .9 of
1% above the effective tax rate and .34 cents below the
special hearing rate. We believe this represents a good
budget and a tax rate that is reflective of the needs of the
community. The recommended 1994 tax rate is broken down
with 7.9 cents devoted for debt service and 34.78 cents for
the Operating and Maintenance expenses. This is 1.21 cents
below the roll back rate. One cent in the tax rate
calculations now produces about $30,500. Overall the
General Fund represents a projected revenue, including ad
valorem taxes of $3,014,421. That is compared to expected
expenditures in the General Fund of $3,010,744, leaving a
projected fund balance of $3,677. Mr. Sweatt then gave
-,,'
219
some significant items in the General Fund budget as being a
proposed 3% COLA for all employees. We have been advised
that the overall cost of living increase is all the way from
3.97% to 4.87%. We have also recommended the addition of
two police officers, two new police vehicles (continuing the
replacement program), replace one vehicle in the Fire
Department, an automation program in the Library, increased
cost in the per capita charges in the EMS Service and the
addition of Records Management costs for a mandated records
management program to begin this year.
Mr. McDonald asked what would be the cost of a 1% cost of
living increase.
Mr. Sweatt said about $16,000 - 3% in the General Fund
costs $48,117, the Water/wastewater Operation another $9681
and SAFES is almost $2,933.
Mr. Sweatt continued, saying that rather than include in
each budget we have proposed a reorganization process, as
this will touche on several General Fund budgets. As
Council knows, Mrs. Krause has tendered her retirement
effective December 31, 1994. She has been a long term
employee and because of her personality and the growth of
her job, it has entailed a number of duties and
responsibilities. To attempt to fill that void, we have
proposed a reorganization plan that would take effect on
Mrs. Krause' retirement. The current Deputy City
Secretary, Mrs. Althouse, would be designated as City
Secretary. Mrs. Althouse would be replaced at the
beginning level for a Planning Secretary. The City
Manager's Secretary be designated as Deputy City Secretary
and that a portion of the duties be reassigned between two
departments. The City Secretary department would continue
to function in its primary activities of election
responsibilities, official records, serving as secretary to
the Mayor and City Council and various other duties relating
to the City Secretary. The Personnel function would be
transferred to the current Administrative Assistant position
and that title be changed to Director of Management
Services, and that we employ one additional person to help
with the Personnel function and to add service at the front
counter. Because of our growth, we find that often our
clerks at the front counter are swamped. The overall
realignment, including purchasing of the desk and CRT and
various equipment, would be the net cost of $972 as opposed
to the current cost of those personnel in their current
positions. We will develop a module, and if Council agrees
with the concept of this reorganization, we will go back and
plug in the numbers in the proper departments. The net cost
is $972.
Mr. McDonald remarked that if the City was successful in
passing an Economic Development Tax of 1/4% for Economic
Development and 1/4% for ad valorem tax reduction, that
$150,000 or part of it could be funded Economic Development
under the City instead of General Fund doing it.
220
/
Mr. Sweatt
like we do
Works salary
of Water.
said that he would anticipate doing something.
in Water/Sewer. We pay the Director of Public
a portion out of General Fund and a portion out
Mr. Sweatt said that in the SAFES Budget we are projecting
revenues of $554,307, which reflects primarily an increased
contract with Randolph Air Force Base. Also an increase in
per capita for each of the contract cities. Expenditures,
in the amount of $554,024, leaves a fund balance of $283.
The Water/Wastewater Department expenditures are estimated
to be $1,955,047, with Revenues of $1,961,172. Council has
discussed on several occasions the revisit to the block rate
water rate structure. We believe that regardless of how
that issue comes out, the overall water rate projections are
very likely to be reached.
Probably the largest unusual expenditure in the
water/Wastewater Department this year is the purchase of raw
water in the amount of $53,000. We propose that the City of
Schertz purchase 1,000 acre feet of water from other sources
to provide our means of relating to restrictions to the
Edwards pumping. You saw today that the monitor' has
suggested that under certain strange flows at Comal Springs,
pumpage might be reduced by some 40%. It is interesting to
note that out of the last 15 years, 8 of those years under
that formula would have had pumpage reduction ranging from
10% to 40+%. In our case, it is impossible to expect to
respond through conservation measures to achieve a 40%
reduction. It is very necessary to make our plans to
purchase raw water and at least keep our options available.
This does not speak to the question of treatment or
transmission. If we own a 1,000 acre feet, we might use
that in a wheeling or trading situation or in a response at
peak demand time or any manner of options.
The Fleet Service fund is basically a self perpetuating fund
and is designed to service our vehicles and maintain our
fleet. Its revenues are projected at $69,056 and
expenditures of $60,284. Of course, these estimates depend
on the number of repairs.
Capital Recovery Fund projects revenues of $140,369 and
expenditures of $132,869. This is basically two projects.
This is a proposed construction of a new 16" water line
along 1-35 from Tri County Parkway entrance down to the city
limits at Lookout Road. This is part of our overall master
plan in tieing in the loop system. The other project is the
revision and recalculation of Capital Recovery charges that
are required under the ordinance and this is a study for
some costs for consulting engineer.
Mr. Potempa asked about the vehicle purchase in the
Department. Mr. Sweatt advised this is not a fire
but a new car for the Fire Chief and Will replace a
Fire
truck
1987
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Plymouth, that was bought used three years ago. It will be
retained and used by the Inspector of fire services.
Mr. Greenwald asked how solid is the Certified Tax Roll.
Mr. Sweatt said we believe it to be pretty solid. Right
now the anticipating is that if there is a change, it could
be up. Under the Truth in Taxation Act, the Appraisal
District furnished to us a number of those accounts that are
under protest at their lowest rate. when they are resolved
it could be at a higher rate, but we really don't feel it
will appreciably change.
Mr. McDonald asked what our sales tax percentage growth was
for this last year.
Mr. Sweatt was not prepared for percentages, but our sales
tax for the coming year is projected at $625,000. The
1992-93 actual budget was $563,677 and 1993-94 budget
estimates $590,000 but we feel it might exceed that.
Mr. Sweatt added that we have a number in for the County
Library as an increase but that has not been finalized yet.
The County has an arrangement to fund both our library and
the library in Seguin. This represents the per capita
charge that both Seguin and Schertz feels is appropriate.
Mayor Baldwin said if there were no further questions at
this time, Council should take their budget home and
carefully scrutinize it and bring their questions back to
the next Budget Workshop on August 10th.
#13 ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Potempa moved the meeting be
adjourned at 8:52 p.m. with Mrs. Marsh seconding the
motion, which carried with a unanimous vote.
d~
Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas
ATTEST:
Cit~t;~y, Clty of Schertz