ccswks 04-14-1993
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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 14, 1993
The Schertz city Council convened in Special Workshop
Session Wednesday, April 14, 1993 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, presidingi Barbara
Stanhopei Mary Marsh and Ken Greenwald. Absent were Joe
Potempa and Hal Baldwin. Staff present were City Manager
Kerry Sweatt and City Secretary June Krause.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS: None.
#2 Discuss utility plans for Mobile Villa Improvement
Project.
Mr. Sweatt reminded Council they had voted $200,000 of
Certificates of Obligation as the estimated cost for
replacing the water lines and stubbing out the sewer
arrangements in Mobile Villa ahead of the street paving
project. This was done for two reasons. First, at that
time we could not afford the complete project and secondly,
the home owners in that area had indicated they did not have
a sewer problem at present so that was not high on their
list. Since that time we have completed the detailed
estimates and we have now found that we can replace the
water lines as we planned and stub the sewer line out
complete for $158,000. The sewer would likely be installed
in the center of the street and the laterals would be
installed to grade to the property line and then be plugged.
It would extend out to I-35 and be plugged. This is $42,000
less than our original estimate. However, now the Planning
& Zoning has approved a plat for HEB as a strip center. It
would be to their advantage and the rest of the Barshop
property, to sewer toward Mobile Villa. The La Pasadita
Restaurant has, on several occasions, expressed a real
desire to expand but they can not with the current septic
system. We have investigated the cost of extending sewer to
Mobile Villa and La pasadita and get it lined up to go to
HEB. The best plan, we believe to be available, would call
for a trunk main to be laid down 1-35 service road in front
of Mobile Villa to about the end of Mobile Villa and bore
I-35 directly across to the Quality Close Out property.
There is a large CCMA collector main in that vicinity.
Otherwise we would have to build a lift station and other
things. Once we are under I-35, it would allow us to extend
a distance on toward Schertz Parkway. It does appear the
entire work in Mobile Villa, the trunk line down and bore
I-35 and across and connect to the CCMA main could all be
completed at a total of $280,800. This is about $81,000
more than we sold the Certificates of Obligation for. We
would have to go to Capital Recovery. Water has more than
this available in Capital Recovery. Water Capital Recovery
could loan Sewer Capital Recovery money until more Sewer
Capital Recovery money comes in. A decision does not have
to be made todaYi
138
however, Mr. Sweatt said we could desion the sewer
internally and just stop there for a time. We wanted to let
you know before we finish the desiqn and start lettinq bids.
One question that needs answerinq is if we made sewer
available to Mobile Villa Subdivision, what about all the
people there now who are satisfied with the septic system
arranoements. The ordinance says that if you are within 200
to 300 feet of the sewer line, you are required to connect.
Mr. Sweatt said we miqht say that as lono as their system
works, they can continue with the septic system.
Mayor Sawyer reminded Council that there would be
Capital Recovery fee; but the ordinance says you
hook up to the sewer and he and all his neiohbors
originally.
a hefty
have to
had to
Council discussed the pros and cons of the residents of
Mobile Villa havinq to hook up to the sewer line immediately
of delay. Mr. Sweatt advised that CCMA just went up with
their fees so now the Capital Recovery Fee for sewer is
about $1140, of that CCMA's portion is about $965. Council
decided that the City should do the whole project at one
time and that we do have an ordinance that should be
followed; however, we should be humane about payment of the
huqe sewer Capital Recovery fee.
#3 Discuss street improvement proqram for 1987 Bond
Projects.
Mr. Sweatt advised that this issue was promulqated by the
Mobile Villa street pavinq issue. In 1987 when bonds were
voted and sold, the one project that was named to be done
that was not completed was Mobile Villa Subdivision. We
held off on doino that because no money had been
appropriated to do the water and/or sewer lines. At Council
direction, in December we sold the remainino $610,000 worth
of bonds that included the Mobile Villa project; but there
are also a number of other dollars available. We provided a
preliminary list of #1, #2 and #3 projects and
recommendations of spendino the remainder of the 1987 issue
money. That list has been revised a couple of times and we
now offer a list revised April 9, 1993. Mr. Sweatt said
the estimated cost of all the #1 projects, includino Mobile
Villa, is $481,270. Enoineerino costs for those is
estimated at another $48,000. We have identified the need
for some force account work and the purchase of some
equipment to accommodate the force account work. That cost
estimate Is $83,650. Those three totals, $612,920,
represent the funds that are currently available from the
1987 bond sales.
Mrs. Marsh felt that Antler and Fawn Drives should be moved
from priority #2 to #1.
Mr. Sweatt said he did not disaqree but those streets have
been overlaid once already.
-; ,";
~<'; ,
Mrs. Marsh said the streets do not have
would make a difference in the length of
last. She said she did not disagree with
#1 projects.
a curb and
time they
any of the
that
would
other
Mrs. Stanhope said you would have to knock out two or three
of the other projects just to do the Antler and Fawn
project.
Mayor Sawyer said he was not sure if many of the people in
Deer Haven want the streets curbed and guttered and brought
up to City standardsj and that is what we would have to do.
After further discussion, it was Council decision to leave
the list as presented.
#4 Discuss revisions to customer service counter area.
Mr. Sweatt said the front counter area has always been an
open area and has become somewhat of a security problem with
the Municipal Court people working after hours. He said
staff would like to construct a plywood front on the service
area and provide a three window opening across the front
counter. He presented a drawing showing this configuration.
On the back side we would install a ramp to provide for the
clerical personnel to sit at the chairs and turn and roll to
the counter and wait on customers at counter level. Now
they need to get up and walk to the counter. He said the
down side is perhaps the image the customer might have about
walking up to a little teller window as apposed to the way
it is now. We anticipate at some times lowering a venetian
blind covering one of the windows so that if some of the
clerical personnel were not there the traffic would be
funnel led to one given window. The estimated cost of
materials is less that $500 and the work would be done by
force account personnel. It would probably take two to two
and half weeks working after hours. He said he was bringing
it to Council because it might very easily effect customer
perception of doing business.
Mrs. Marsh said she recently, again, had to spend 45
minutes explaining why the door to the back is locked. It
is nice to be able to walk in and see the people, it is a
more personal type thing. This would preclude that type
thing.
Mr. Greenwald
making working
look.
said he could understand the platform
conditions better but not the closed
and
off
Mrs. Stanhope said she hated the closed in look. She said
she would hate to see the one court night a month change the
image of the whole open effect.
140
Council then discussed some type of roll down screen that
could be used on court niohts or perhaps low dividers, such
as those used in banks or the credit union.
Mr. Sweatt advised that security was only a question on
court niohts. The reason for the windows was to channel
customers to a specific area to pay taxes, fines or water
bills.
#S CITY MANAGER'S REPORT:
Mayor Sawyer request to pass this item for the moment.
#6 ITEMS BY COUNCIL:
Mrs. Marsh just reminded everyone they are still in need of
silent auction items for the jamboree.
Mrs. StanhoDe reported on the Housino Authority meetino.
She said they have been a little active down there but have
calmed down now. They chanoed the meetino times. They will
only meet every other month unless there is somethino that
has to be approved. The Director will still qet their
reports to them monthly so they can stay on top of it. Also
two of the board members will be stoppino in to check on
thinqs.
Mrs. Stanhope said they are also puttino in a request for
more units. Mr. Sweatt said Mrs. Lackey had mentioned it
to him and he requested her to put it in writinq.
Mayor Sawyer said to just be sure it is senior citizen units
and not welfare families.
Mrs. Stanhope reported that some of the senior citizens
there had complained about the liohtino. She said the
meetino disbursed and they met back after dark and walked
the area. There are numerous buildinos that do not have
outside liqhts and this is beino looked at. There is also a
very dark area at the rear. GVEC has been contacted about
this. She said also there was a problem with the berm area.
The qrass will be cut and trees will be trimmed up to an 8
foot heioht and the area cleaned out so it does not oive a
hidino place.
Mr. Greenwald said that Bobbie Vanada had submitted her
resionation from the Plannino and Zonino Commission,
effective April 27th.
#7 ITEMS BY MAYOR: A. Wrote letter to a youno man
who has asked him about what is beinq done about fire works
in the City. He was concerned about kids oettinq hurt.
B. Attended a VFW meetinq where they elected officers, with
Dave Mazoch continuino as Commander and Mrs. Marsh as Senior
Vice Commander.
141
#5 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: A. There will be a United
Suburban Cities meeting the next day at Hollywood Park
Council Chambers.
B. Have met with Humane Society and
contractor and it appears we would like to
June 19th for the Grand Opening. We should
the construction well before that.
discussed with
set the date of
be finished with
C. Have plans for an Executive Session at next Tuesday's
meeting to discuss litigation with attorneys. Mike Spain
does plan to be present, the first time since his illness.
D. We also would like to place on that agenda the agreement
with the Scouting Association for the sub-lease of the
building.
#8 ADJOURNMENT: There
meeting was adjourned at 8:03
being no further business, the
p.m. by Mayor Sawyer.
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ATTEST:
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c~secretarY,TCifY of Schertz