cswks 10-28-1992
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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 28, 1992
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop
Session, Wednesday, October 28, 1992 at 7:00 p.m. in the
Conference Room of the Municipal Complex, 1400 Schertz
Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The following members were
present: Mayor Earl W. Sawyer, presiding; Joe Potempa;
Hal Baldwin; Barbara Stanhope; Mary Marsh and Ken
Greenwald. Staff present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt and
City Secretary June Krause.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS:
Mr. Bill Moore, President of BVYA Board of Directors
announced their next meeting would be November 12th at 7:00
p.m. at the VFW Conference Room. He said they were
anticipating a large crowd and invited everyone to attend.
This would be the only meeting in November for them.
Dean Pierce of 200 Aero Avenue referred to an occurrence in
the park at the pavilion where ten to twelve shots were
fired. He said they called the police and they came very
quickly. He said he heard that the police had caught the
individual who was shooting the pistol. He asked if
anything was being done about curtailing the late hours at
the basketball court at the pavilion. He said he had talked
with one of the policemen and they said they would hate to
cut back on the hours because then the kids would have to go
somewhere else to play. He said he had three small children
and did not relish the idea of bullets flying around the
neighborhood.
Mayor Sawyer advised that the lights would be out in the
pavilion for a while because someone did a lot of damage,
including the basketball hoops and one backboard, which are
being repaired. He advised Council and staff are well aware
of the situation and the problem is well in hand; but would
prefer not to spell out just what is being done.
Mr. Dan Kirk said he lives right next to the pavilion and
he felt something needed to be done immediately about the
light or need a full time policeman out there or cut the
hours back to eight o'clock. He said a lot of kids that
come there are not residents of Schertz. He said he had
called the police on several occasions for disturbances at
the pavilion and it does not seem like anything is being
done. He said he wasn't sure his family could take any
more.
Mr. Sweatt assured Mr. Kirk that the City shares his
concerns and those of his neighbors. The Mayor, City
Council and staff are well aware of the problems. He said
there now is additional police presence in the park. He
said although we regretted the damage done to the basketball
court, we feel this is a positive thing for the kids and we
will be replacing the hoops.
J_ ~~-p
Chief Agee said he thought they would find that a lot of
work was done on the lighting in the park today. He
reiterated what Mr. Sweatt had said that for the time being
anyway, they would see a lot more police presence down
there. He mentioned that Mr. Kirk had said that he did not
want to put up with this any longer. Chief Agee said he had
been putting up with it for 25 years and asked if anyone
could come up with a solution on how to rectify a
sociological problem from a law enforcement standpoint. he
would work with them any way he could. He said people had
been trying to do it for thousands of years, ever since the
first gang was started - he said there is not a good answer
to it. He advised that this City could not afford to hire a
police officer and keep them down there all the time. He
assured them that we are responding to the situation.
Ms. Tere I et sky asked
newsletter identifying
have to get involved.
if something could be put in
gangs because parents are going
the
to
Chief Agee advised that gang signs can change day to day.
He did say that there are programs in place. He said we
have officers assigned to the first through six grades and
they make periodic stops at each of the classrooms.
Hopefully in time we will build a rapport with those
children so that maybe they will not get involved with
gangs. There are other programs our officers are involved
in concerning education that can involve parents. The
problem is that the people who attend those courses in an
effort to learn more about what is goingfNin most cases do
not have problem children.
Mrs. Marsh said an item that would have merit
newsletter is to alert the citizenry to report
activity. Even with Crime Watch programs, we need
reminded.
in the
unusual
to be
Mr. Sweatt agreed and assured everyone that the police
service and the rest of the city will respond to reports.
3 . __M.r.~___lJQLC i s o._p tlJtci 0 of 111 7 Vicki Lynn said that c, n the
next Friday the company he works for will be delivering
material to Dobie School. He said they would be donating
the material and labor to make slabs for picnic tables they
have had inside the hallways for a long time. He said they
would be pouring the concrete on Saturday. On being asked.
he said he works for LaFarge Corporation in New Braunfels.
#2 Discussion of first public hearing on the proposed
disannexation of approximately 2.34 acres of land out of
Comal County.
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Mr. Sweatt advised this 2.34 acres of land in the
Northcliffe Subdivision represents two residents and four
lots that is proposed for disannexation. The first public
hearing is set for November 3rd and following the schedule,
the final consideration of the ordinance would be on
December 15th.
There were no questions or comments on this item.
#3 Discussion of awarding bids for police vehicles.
Mr. Sweatt called attention to the tabulation in Council's
packets for five police vehicles. Bids were solicited and
received on October 23rd from six suppliers. Bids ranged
from an apparent low bid of $62,373 to a high of $94,520.
The apparent low bid is that of Jordan Ford from San Antonio
with delivery from sixty to ninety days. We will be
recommending to you the low bid from Jordan Ford, in the
amount of $62,373. This is budgeted and financed through
lease-purchase, with the first payment being this fiscal and
the final payment next fiscal year.
#4 Discussion of awarding bids for Water/Wastewater
vehicles.
Mr. Sweatt said that a tabulation sheet was also included
in Council packets for this time for two half-ton pickups
and one compact truck. The apparent low bid of Gunn
Chevrolet Inc., in the amount of $33,762 and the only other
bid received was from Koepp Chevrolet in the amount of
$43,037.56. We will be recommending the low bid from Gunn
Chevrolet.
#5 Discussion of amending the Tax Abatement ordinance.
Mr. Sweatt said we currently have a Tax Abatement ordinance
that establishes a schedule in which we would consider
abating taxes for certain kinds of industrial and commercial
development based on a scale, primarily of capit~l
investment. As a result of operation for over a year on
this ordinance, the Economic Development Task Force has
joined with us in recommending certain kinds of changes.
Some parts of the policy are changed just for clarity. The
basic change is to change the schedule for the basic maximum
amount of abatement credit, which is 90%. Originally a firm
could reach the 90% abatement amount from a capitBl
investment of 2.5 million dollars. That has been raised to
3.5 million dollars. Additional changes are to add some
options. He referred to item 8 of the Guidelines on Special
Abatements. He added that additionally, they stipulated
that certain kinds of optional items might gain additional
abatement credit. That is, sales tax if a business or
industrial development was such a generator that increased
substantially sale tax income to the City, we would give
consideration to that in the overall abatement policy. The
same way would be for jobs. Mr. Sweatt said we felt it is
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vital for not only us, but our other governmental
organizations. to be in a position to offer tax abatements
to certain kinds of industrial development if we are going
to be competitive.
There were no further questions on this subject.
#6 Discussion of appointment
Development Foundation Board.
to
the
Schertz
Mayor Sawyer said the Economic Development Task Force has
recommended Mr. John B. "Jack" Garber for the Board of
Directors to replace Mr. Jim Shriver.
Mrs. Marsh asked what position Mr. Shriver held on the
Board.
Mr. Sweatt said he was Secretary/Treasurer and the
Assistant is serving in that position now.
Mr. Potempa again said he would like to see a woman on this
board. He was asked to get their names to the Municipal
Offices for consideration.
When asked who was on the Board at the present time, Mr.
Sweatt said Mr. MacDonald is President. Tom Weaver is
Vice-President, Mr. Shriver was Secretary/Treasuer and the
Assistant SecretarY/Treasurer is Kerry Sweatt, with Lewis
Borgfeld as a member.
#7 Discussion of collection agreement regarding
outstanding traffic citations.
Mr. Sweatt said there is some intentional evasion of our
collection efforts by persons who live outside of our 50/60
mile collection circle. They feel we will not collect those
warrants. Therefore, we have a backlog of warrants and we
believe it will enhance our collection efforts to contract
with a Service Bureau who has proposed a contract to collect
out-of-area warrants. We propose to use them for persons
outside our collection area. They would be paid a 30%
commission rate on those that are within sixty days old,
then if they are older than that, they would collect 40%.
However, if they do not collect, they do not get paid.
After further
that this is a
discussion by Council, Mr. Sweatt
non-binding contract agreement.
reminded
#8 Discussion of possibly changing the dates of
November workshops.
Mr. Sweatt called attention to the date of the
workshop which would be November 11th, Veteran's Day.
the following workshop would fall the day before
Thanksgiving holidays.
next
Then
the
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Mayor Sawyer said that, as has been done in the past, if
anyone has items that need to be discussed, take it to the
City Manager, otherwise just don't have workshops in
November.
#9 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: A. Mr. Sweatt advised
that we have been requested by both the Texas Department of
Transportation and the Southern Pacific Railroad Company to
temporarily close FM 3009 and the railroad near FM 78. The
FM 3009 project is moving forward with the bids being let in
January and work orders issued the next month after that.
Par! of the project calls for widening of the railroad
crossing at FM 3009. In order to expedite matters, we have
been asked to allow a closing of that crossing early so the
widening can take place and be out of the way before the
contractor gets to that point. We are looking at closing
that crossing for no more than four days, with that traffic
routed onto Schertz Parkway. We are going to suggest that
the traffic be routed on Live Oak where ever possible
because we do not want to dump heavy truck traffic in front
of the school.
Mrs. Marsh reminded him that you can not put the large
truck traffic on Schertz Parkway. Mr. Sweatt said it would
have to be posted on I-35. Mrs. Marsh said she would
rather close FM 3009 to the heavy truck traffic for those
four days. He said the time had not been set but wanted to
give advance notice.
B. We have been notified by the Governmental Officers
Finance Association that the City of Schertz has received a
Certificate of Excellence for financial reporting for FY
90-91 fiscal report and we will be receiving a plaque. This
will be four years in a row, with a total of seven we have
received. This speaks well for our finance department and
our auditors.
#10 ITEMS BY COUNCIL:J1Xp~_~arsh: A. Reported that
there will be some sort of a large plaque inside the new
Animal Shelter for the name of anyone who would like to give
money, in memory of someone, to be used to brick the front
of the shelter. She suggested a minimum of $25. and up.
For those who wanted to give less than that, would have
their name on an honor roll. The gUidelines will be
formalized and presented later. Mrs. Marsh then presented
the first check for the bricking, with Mrs. Stanhope
offering the second.
B. The Schertz Business Association met on October 27th and
their most pressing need is to build membership. They
decided to transfer their CDs to savings. She and Hal
Baldwin gave the City Hall report. The Nominating Committee
gave the slate of officers for next year as Anita Clark,
President, Nolan Edwards - Vice President, Annie Almond
Secretary, and Hal Baldwin - Treasurer. The Exeuctive
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Committee is Viola Kramer, Dennis Kusak and Mary Marsh.
Annie Almond showed the first place plaque for the Garza Day
parade. The Christmas Tree Lig0~ is scheduled for
December 3rd this year. This year~ill it be an "Old Time
Christmas" and they want it outside. They plan on having an
adult choir and after the program is over they want to do
some Christmas caroling. The Trail Ride will be Saturday
and Sunday the 6th and 7th of February. The stew will be
made at Ann Richard's on Friday the 5th. It will be held
this year at the Randolph Country Round-up, with a Saturday
night dance and camping right there. They also have a free
band on Sunday with a round robin ride through the
Cibolo-Schertz area.
They also discussed the July 4th Jubilee with the parade and
opening ceremony on Saturday the 3rd with band and booths.
On Sunday, they are talking about a Fiddler's contest. Chili
Cook-off, ending with the fireworks.
The Association wants the Jamboree to be an annual event in
either Mayor June with a silent auction. They are changing
the dues structure. The dues will be prorated but a person
will not get a plaque until they have paid a full year's
membership.
ML.______F'O't:J~JIl.Pa: A. He mentioned that the Schertz Parkway
bridge on 1-35 is open.
B. He thanked Wanda Sweatt for taking the pictures of the
Animal Shelter Ground Breaking.
C. Mr. Potempa said
dispatchers in uniforms.
time to insist.
he would sure like
Mayor Sawyer agreed,
to see the
saying it is
Mrs~___~_t_a,nhQj)e: A. She thanked the Council fClr their input
on the article she has been working on for the newspaper,
saying she has split it in two parts.
B. She asked the status of the curfew ordinance.
Mr. Sweatt said the City Attorney has samples from a number
of different jurisdictions. but we have not seen a draft of
one. He said we have some mixed signals from the courts as
to what will be approved and what will not. It seems that
what is going to be found to be constitutional, will not be
very effective.
Council discussed the pros and cons of the effectiveness of
an ordinance. Councilmembers said they felt our citizens
want a curfew.
It was decided to ask the City Attorney to draft a curfew
ordinance and bring it to Council for further discussion.
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Mrs. Stanhope said she would like to see some articles in
the newspaper asking citizens to be more aware and to notify
police when they see something happening.
M!,~__BaJdwln: A. He said he wanted the gentlemen who live
on Oak Street to know that Council is very aware of what is
going on and there is a plan in effect and we hope will be
effective.
B. He advised Mr. Pulido from LaFarge that the School
District will certainly appreciate what they plan to do at
Dobie School.
Mr. Greenwald: A. Planning & Zoning interviewed eight
people for the two vacancies. They have selected for
nomination Mr. Oliver Nelson and Mr. David Richmond.
B. BVYA has submitted a great end of year report.
The past president of BVYA thanked Council for allowing Mr.
Graham more money in the budget this year for BVYA. He said
when they had their big tournament, they heard a lot of
praise for the Schertz parks, especiallY the swimming pool.
He said the money would be put to good use.
#11 ITEMS BY MAYOR: A. He had a request from the
Housing Authority to re-appoint Wellington Cyr and David
Barker to the Board of Directors. If no objections, he
would like to do that at the next meeting.
B. He suggested those Council Members who will be seeing
Rep. Kuempel to ask him about FM 3009 and to thank him for
working hard to get the FM 3009 project brought up to the
January bid letting date.
C. He asked how many calls have been received on our new
answering service.
Mr. Sweatt said we are having trouble getting a report from
the phone company and it is suppose to be one of the things
for which we subscribed.
D. He had received a letter from Bob Krueger about the High
Speed Rail.
Mr. Potempa said he read where Paragon is talking about
raising rates again.
L5
#12 ADJOURNMENT:
be discussed. Mayor
adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
There being no further business
Sawyer declared the meeting to
to
be
ATTEST:
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~o~-ity of SCherCJf. Texas