ccreg- 09-20-1994
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REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 20, 1994
The Schertz City Council convened in Regular Session
Tuesday, September 20, 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, presiding; Charles McDonald, Joe Potempa,
Barbara Stanhope, Mary Marsh and Ken Greenwald. 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.
Regular Meeting 8-16-94
Special Meeting 8-31-94
Mr. McDonald moved to approve the minutes of the Regular
Meeting of August 16, 1994 and the Special Meeting of August
31, 1994. Mrs. Stanhope seconded the motion, which carried
with the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Potempa, Stanhope, Marsh
and Greenwald.
NAYS: None
#2 HEARING OF RESIDENTS: Mayor Baldwin
students from Ms. Briscoe's Government
present to observe.
acknowledged two
class who were
Mr. Jim Harris reserved time to speak on the public hearing
on the proposed budget.
#3 PUBLIC HEARING: The purpose of the public hearing
was to receive comments from the public on the proposed
budget for fiscal year 1994-95.
Mr. Sweatt showed and explained a series of charts on the
makeup of the budget. The first charts showed the total
revenues of the City as being $5,730,767. The second was a
pie chart that showed the expenditures by activity. Third
was a pie chart showing expenditures by object category.
The fourth chart showed expenditures of all funds. The
fifth chart showed the breakdown of the General Fund income
by object, with the sixth showing the expenditures of the
General Fund by object. The seventh, a very busy chart
showed the General Fund Departmental expenditures. The last
two were bar charts showing the historical tax rates and
historical tax values. Next Mr. Sweatt showed the Table of
Organization for the City, which reflected 97 Full-time
employees and 38 Part-time employees. He explained this
chart reflects the changes discussed at workshops.
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Mr. Sweatt then discussed the recommendation made for a tax
rate of $.43/$100 assessed valuation. The breakdown for
this will be $0.3503 for Operation and Maintenance and
$0.0797 for Debt Service. This includes the three police
service vehicles and one for the fire service and the
automation program for the library, the records management
program, which is state mandated, one clerical in the
General Fund and an additional position in the Water
Department. Mr. Sweatt ended by saying he believes this
represents a good program that will meet the needs for the
upcoming year. The Department Heads have all done an
exceptional job, with Alice Austin and Mark Marquez doing a
superb job this year.
Mayor Baldwin then invited anyone who wished to speak on the
budget.
Mr. Jim Harris, noting that in the past Mr. McDonald had
asked for citizens to speak about positive things, referred
to the proposed $0.43 tax rate. He felt the rate needed to
be reduced. Mr. Harris mentioned the $7,000 or so savings
the City would experience with the new health plan and using
that as a basis he applied his mathematics and suggested the
tax rate should be no more than $0.4225. He mentioned that
perhaps only 50% of the merit raises for employees would be
used for a savings of $24,000. He then suggested a tax rate
of $0.4185, with the City still having a surplus in his
opinion. He said this would be supportable and justifiable
for citizens. He said he was at every budget meeting and
Council went through the budget very carefully; but
sometimes in wanting to do what Council feels is best for
the city is not best for the citizens. He ended by saying
he felt the $.4185 would be adequate to provide services and
anything above that would be surplus.
Mayor Baldwin thanked Mr. Harris for attending all meetings
and asked for further comments from citizens.
Mr. Bob Pond stated we are in a sad shape the way we spend
tax dollars at every level of government. It seems to him
every year budgets are submitted with increases. He said
the budget Mr. Sweatt submitted is no exception - it has a
tax increase. He urged Council to follow the recommendation
of Mr. Harris to consider the suggested $.4185 tax rate as
being adequate to serve the needs of this city.
There being no further citizens wishing to speak on
subject, Mayor Baldwin closed the publiC hearing at
p.m.
this
7:24
#4 BID AWARD: Consider and take action on awardin<;J
bids on the following:
A. Group medical, dental, life insurance.
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Mr. Sweatt advised that Bob Feike was present and has
helped the City over the years dealing with insurance
companies and their bids. We solicited bids and received
eleven. He added that we are very pleased with the plan of
the Humana HMO. It is an extremely good plan and offers a
complete level of services with low copay.
Mr. Feike mentioned that last week he had covered in detail
probably more than they wanted to know about insurance.
This Humana HMO is not only a tax dollar savings to the City
but the employees can cover their dependents at a low enough
rate that we feel more will take this insurance. Mr. Feike
said he has been privileged, since 1987, of assisting
Council on insurance needs. He said he enjoyed working with
June Krause because it is hard to find someone who is so
interested in the employees and citizens of this town. He
mentioned that she will really be missed upon retirement.
Mr. Sweatt stressed that this not only is a savings to the
City but many more of our employees will be able to cover
their dependents because of the lower rate.
Mayor Baldwin said this is probably the best insurance
package this City has ever had. He added that he is
pleased to see they have added a four-tier dependent rate.
Also that they offer a PPO for those who want to use their
own doctors.
Mrs. Stanhope moved to approve the bid from Humana for the
City's health insurance. Mrs. Marsh seconded the motion,
which carried with the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Potempa, Stanhope, Marsh and
Greenwald.
NAYS: None
B.
Project.
Reconstruction of Pfeil Road and Eckhardt Road
Mr. Sweatt advised that these two projects were part of
plans from the 1987 Bond issue, which were sold in 1992.
They were designed to relieve continuing maintenance
problems. He recommended, after a review of the three bids
received by staff and engineer, the bid be awarded to V.K.
Knowlton Paving Contractor, Inc. for a total cost of
$220,936.70. The breakdown is $160,093.70 for Pfeil Road
and $60,843 for Eckhardt Road.
Mr. Greenwald moved to award the bid for the reconstruction
of Pfeil Road and Eckhardt Roads to V.K. Knowlton Paving
Contractor, Inc. Mr. McDonald seconded the motion, which
carried as follows:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Potempa, Stanhope, Marsh
and Greenwald.
NAYS: None
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C. Municipal Complex Roof Repair.
Mr. Sweatt explained that hail damage was done to the roofs
of both the Municipal Building and the Community Center. We
have received an insurance check to cover the cost of
repairs. Only one bid was received in the amount of
$19,453.80 and we recommend this company be awarded the bid
as they were the company who made the original installation.
Mr. Greenwald moved to award the bid for Municipal Complex
Roof Repairs to Foam and Coatings Company Mrs. Stanhope
seconded motion, which carried as follows:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Potempa, Stanhope, Marsh and
Greenwald.
NAYS: None
#5 ORDINANCE: Mayor Baldwin introduced an ordinance
and read the caption as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 94-T-21
AN ORDINANCE LEVYING AND ASSESSING ALL
TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS
OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS, FOR THE YEAR
1994; PROVIDING THE BASIS OF ASSESSMENT OF
100% ASSESSED VALUE AND PROVIDING FOR THE
COLLECTION THEREOF AT THE RATE OF $0.43 ON
THE ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR $100.00) ASSESSED
VALUATION AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Mr. McDonald ID~ved to set the tax rate at $41.85. He said
he agreed with Mr. Harris that there is a surplus in this
recommended rate. He said that he understands that the City
will have their three months reserve this year. In fact, he
said it appears the City might have a little more that could
go toward the reserves.
Mr. Potempa seconded the motion.
Mrs. Marsh was violently opposed to this lower rate. She
said the $.43 was agreed to weeks ago. She said we might
have the reserve and we might not. She said that running a
City is entirely different than running a private business.
She recalled the last time the tax rate went down and it has
taken all these years to build it up again. She said she
would really hate to see this City go backwards.
Mrs. Stanhope said she really appreciated the fact that Mr.
Harris has been at all the meetings and appreciated his
interest. She said he had mentioned his article in the
newspaper and hoped the citizens would call councilmembers.
She said she had not received one call - not one citizen had
talked to her about a lower tax rate. Mr. Harris and his
gronp were the only ones that mentioned it. Mrs. Stanhope
explained that every City has to have a contingency fund and
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cited as an example when we had the bad storm, we had to
rent a larger chipper to clean up the debris. She related
that she had sat on the Council where they had been trying
to build the reserve back up. What that reserve does is
give us a better rating when we go out for bonds. The three
months reserve is the bare minimum and she would hate to go
backwards after working so hard to get this far.
Mr. Potempa asked what happens to the extra money if we do
not spend it. Mr. Sweatt explained that it would go into
the reserves.
Mrs. Stanhope asked the City Manager to relate some of the
things the Department Heads had asked for that were not in
this budget.
Mr. Sweatt listed them as being an additional one percent
in salaries, one additional police officer, the fire service
needs some additional equipment, painting the large
pavilion. Also there was some additional construction in
the Water Division, additional data processing equipment and
a further records management proposal to do all the records
instead of just the current records, and the replacement of
the video and brochure in Economic Development.
Mrs. Stanhope reminded that these are things that were not
in the budget but were asked for by the Departments.
Mr. McDonald said he understood all of this but we are
talking of $30,000 that would not buy any of these things.
Mrs. Marsh reminded that we never know what state mandates
might come down and this City has no surplus.
Mayor Baldwin said one difference in private business is
that you can raise prices but the Council cannot adjust the
tax rate. He said he recommended the $0.43 rate because of
the discussion about repainting the pavilion and the fact
that there was no money in the budget for this. Council
wanted to get the pavilion looking decent for the 4th of
July and the people who rent it. He said he agreed with
Mrs. Marsh, you can try but when the audit is finished, you
will not have the reserves you thought would be there.
Mayor Baldwin asked one thing of Council, he said if they
were going to adopt the tax rate of $.4185 then they would
have to give the City Manager some guidelines as to where to
cut the budget.
Mr. McDonald said he realized there would have to be a
compromise, he mainly wanted to get a discussion going.
Mayor Baldwin then called for a vote on the motion on the
floor, and the motion was defeated as follows:
AYES:
NAYS:
Councilmembers McDonald and Potempa
Councilmembers Stanhope, Marsh and Greenwald.
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Mr. Potempa then made a mQtion to set the tax rate at
$0.4275 as presented in the budget. Mr. McDonald seconded
the motion.
Mr. Greenwald said he also wanted to thank Mr. HarrIs;
however he took exception to several references to merit
increases that only 50% would get a one step increase and
50% getting two steps. He too cited instances when reserve
money was needed in the past, such as when 1-35 almost
collapsed during contract work and the bore had to be filled
in. Another was when Council cut taxes way back and Garden
Ridge Pottery burned down - we ended up eating almost two
months reserves. We have to get back with at least three
months and more comfortably four months reserves.
Mayor Baldwin then called for a vote on the motion, which
carried with the following results:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Potempa and Greenwald
NAYS: Councilmembers Stanhope and Marsh
#6 ORDINANCE: Mayor Baldwin introduced an ordinance
and read the caption as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 94-M-22
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1994 AND ENDING
SEPTEMBER 30, 1995, BY APPROVING THE BUDGET
FOR SAID PERIOD AND APPROPRIATING THE
NECESSARY FUNDS OUT OF THE GENERAL AND OTHER
REVENUES OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS, FOR
SAID YEAR FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION
OF THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF THE CITY; AND
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Mrs. Marsh ~oveq to approve the budget as presented. Mrs.
Stanhope seconded the motion, which carried as follows:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Potempa, Stanhope, Marsh
and Greenwald.
NAYS: NONE
Mr. Sweatt, on behalf of the staff and himself, thanked
Council for their time and effort and assured we all will be
able to supply the service expected.
Mayor Baldwin commended Mr. Sweatt and staff as well. He
added that Mr. Sweatt always has the answers when Council
needs them.
#7 ORDINANCE: Mayor Baldwin introduced an ordinance
and read the caption as follows:
~"(j
ORDINANCE NO. 94-5-23
AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS, AMENDING THE ZONING
ORDINANCE NO. 87-S-1 BY REZONING 14.57
ACRES OF LAND OUT OF GUADALUPE COUNTY AND
REFLECTING SUCH CHANGES ON CERTAIN ZONING
MAPS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCHERTZ ZONING
ORDINANCE
Mr. Sweatt reminded that this refers to the Cottage
Lifestyles request on Live Oak Road and was passed on first
reading on September 6th.
Mr. Greenwald moved to approve the final consideration of
an ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance by rezoning 14.57
acres of land. Mrs. Stanhope seconded the motion, which
carried with the fOllowing vote:
AYES: Councilmembers
Greenwald
NAYS: Potempa
McDonald, Stanhope, Marsh and
#8 ORDINANCE: Mayor Baldwin introduced an ordinance
and read the caption as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 94-S-24
AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS, AMENDING THE ZONING
ORDINANCE NO. 87-S-1 BY REZONING 155.848
ACRES OF LAND OUT OF GUADALUPE COUNTY AND
REFLECTING SUCH CHANGES ON CERTAIN ZONING
MAPS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCHERTZ ZONING
ORDINANCE
Mrs. Marsh moved to approve the final consideration of an
ordinance amending the zoning ordinance by rezoning 155.848
acres of land. Mrs. Stanhope seconded the motion, which
carried with the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Potempa, Stanhope, Marsh
and Greenwald.
NAYS: None
#9 ORDINANCE: Mayor Baldwin introduced an ordinance
and read the caption as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 94-S-25
AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS, AMENDING THE ZONING
ORDINANCE NO. 87-5-1 BY REZONING 8.61 ACRES
OF LAND OUT OF GUADALUPE COUNTY AND
REFLECTING SUCH CHANGES ON CERTAIN ZONING
MAPS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCHERTZ ZONING
ORDINANCE
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Mr. Sweatt advised this tract lies along either side of
Schertz Parkway and was requested by Rayco Homes for single
family residences.
Mr. McDonald moved to approve the final consideration of an
ordinance amending the zoning ordinance by rezoning 155.848
acres of land. Mr. Potempa seconded the motion, which
carried as follows:
AYES: Councilmembers McDonald, Potempa, Stanhope, Marsh
and Greenwald.
NAYS: None
#10 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: A. Mark your calendars
for September 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the Live Oak Civic Center.
There will be a report from the Economic Development area
group.
B. Please plan to attend the Schertz Business Association
Appreciation Dinner at the VFW this coming Thursday starting
at 6:00 p.m.
C. There will be a Senior Citizen Arts and Crafts Bazaar on
November 19th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
#11 ITEMS BY COUNCIL: .l'1I~___~9j)_~IL~ld: A. He had
received two phone calls from citizens on FM 3009 regarding
the high weeds at Green Valley Road. Another citizen called
about the bad lighting in the area.
Mr. Sweatt advised that GVEC would locate the lighting at
our direction but we really should wait until the project is
near completion. He said he would notify the Highway
Department about both.
B. He said he had talked with Mr. Stevens of the Highway
Department regarding the two feet of water in the Woodland
Oaks intersection. He said they cannot tell the contractor
when to get out here but when they do come Mr. Stevens will
have him look at this. Mr. McDonald told him there was a
culvert originally there and it should be replaced. Mr.
Stevens said if we could find proof where it was there
originally, then they would replace it.
Regarding the traffic alignment on FM 3009, Mr. Sweatt said
he was told that the contractor does not want to realign the
traffic until the walls are built so that it will only have
to be one time. Mr. Kelly has not returned any phone
calls.
Mayor Baldwin said what worries him is that someone is going
to get hurt or killed on that road. It is a very poor
situation right now.
Mr. Sweatt said he would try to get some additional
information to put in their next packet.
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Mr. Potemoa said he hoped something could be done about the
intersection of FM 78 and FM 3009.
Mrs. Marsh advised that, in keeping with the promotion of
local businesses, the Kountry Kitchen is now open evenings
on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5:00 to 8:30, serving
good German food and a fish fry on Fridays.
Mr. Greenwald advised that Canyon Regional Water Authority
will have an open house on September 29th at the Guadalupe
County Fire Training Building. He will meet anyone and show
them where it is.
#12 ITEMS BY MAYOR: A. Explained that the following
Friday night at the football game, the School District would
be inducting some people into the Hall of Honor. He invited
everyone to attend.
B. The Lion's Club is having their annual fertilizer sale
Saturday at the GVEC building.
#13
seconded
the
meeting
Baldwin.
ADJOURNMENT:
by Mr.
On a motion
Po tempa and
by Mrs.
unanimously
Stanhope,
carried,
was declared
adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
by Mayor
Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas
ATTEST:
City Secretary, City of Schertz