ccswks 09-15-1993
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SPECIAL SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 15, 1993
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop
Session in the Conference Room of the Municipal Complex,
1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas at 7:55 p.m. The
followinq members were present: Mayor Earl W. Sawyer,
presiding; Joe Potempa; Hal Baldwin; Mary Marsh and Ken
Greenwald. Staff present were City Manager Kerry R. Sweatt
and City Secretary June G. Krause.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS: A. Mr. Bill Neller
mentioned that he lives in one of the oldest areas in the
city. When he moved in his streets was of dirt and we had
septic tanks at that time. Now all the areas where the old
lateral lines were are very green but he did not feel he had
a leak. Mayor Sawyer suqqested that maybe the washer
discharqe was not connected to the sewer and could cause
this.
B. Mr. Ken Brown said he had received his water bill in an
envelope with a letter saying if the bill was not correct,
mail your reply to the auditors. Mr. Sweatt said we had
mailed all water bills this month because of a requirement
by the state to mail the second letter in the envelope.
#2 Discuss hospitalization insurance.
Mr. Sweatt reminded that the city is currently covered by
PacifiCare of Texas and the policy is due to expire the end
of September. We have compared rates and solicited bids
from other companies. Based on the bid rates from
PacifiCare qoinq from $115.09 to $120.62 per employee, we
recommend renewinq with PacifiCare. We were no-bid by most
companies; but were offered another HMO with sliqhtly
reduced rates and reduced coveraqe. We feel PacifiCare
represents the lowest and best proposal. The HMO has worked
very well for our employees. To reduce doctor visits, they
stress the Wellness Proqram and preventative measures.
Mr. Potempa remarked that other cities having PacifiCare
had different rates than Schertz. Mr. Sweatt advised that
the rates are based on that city's experience.
Mr. Potempa then asked if this increase was added to the
budqet. Mr. Sweatt reminded him that we had originally
added for an 8% increase. When we finally received their
new offer this year, it came down to 4.17% increaser and we
used those savinqs to fund additional items in tahe budqet.
Mr. Harris
cities. Mr.
this time.
asked if the President's health plan effects
Sweatt advised that we really don't know at
Mr. Baldwin asked if we are startinq to pick up on the
number of family coverages. Mr. Sweatt said a little.
264
#3 Discuss Planning Zoning recommendation on Oak
Forest Park.
Mr. Sweatt commented that several years ago, as part of the
platting of this subdivision, two lots were dedicated for
park purposes. No development has occurred on the lots.
The Oak Forest Home Owners Association has notified the city
they do not desire that park. We have reviewed this with
the City Attorney and he has recommended the City consider
placing this on a ballot to sell the land, the proceeds to
go into a park fund. We have had some inquiries lately
about the lots. Oak Forest has very few lots left for
development. Planning & Zoning recommends these lots be
placed on the May ballot for abandonment as a public park
and be put up for sale by the city.
Mr. Greenwald said the original dedication was a result of
our old, old park ordinance. When we could, we were
accepting park land. Upon the sale of the land, the money
has to be put back into park improvements.
Mr. Sweatt said that once it has been approved for sale, we
can go to a public auction. We have an appraisal based on
current tax values. The property has slightly less value
than some in the area and only has one tree.
Mrs. Marsh said the lot was way in back of the subdivision
and when the home owners discovered it would not be a
private park, they decided to turn it back to the city.
Council agreed this should be put up for vote of the
citizens.
#4 Discuss service agreement for external auditor.
Mr. Sweatt said staff is recommending retaining the firm of
Leal, Carter and Rocha one more year and then next year
solicit proposals. They have done our audit for three years
and we feel four years is about the limit for one firm.
There was no objection to putting this item on the next
action agenda.
#5 Discuss resolution authorizing application for a
Texas Forest Service Grant.
Mr. Sweatt explained that the developer of Dove Meadows
Subdivision has donated 1.88 acres of land for a park. This
land meets the City's park dedication requirements. Because
of the location, we feel it should be a different type park,
rather than the traditional. We have applied for a $2500
grant from the Texas Forest Service to develop an
educational park on the uses of Texas native plants and
trees, together with the goals of xeriscape landscaping.
The grant will not completely develop the park; but will
give us a beginning of a long-term, low-landscape plan. We
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believe the Texas Forest Service will be amendable, in
future years, to additional qrants. We have approximately
$2000 in the park fund which was the result of small
subdivisions that paid money in lieu of park space for their
subdivision. That money, plus force account, we believe can
at least get us started. The Forest Service is strictly for
trees and low maintenance shrubs.
Mayor Sawyer asked that this be on the next agenda as there
was no opposition to the resolution.
*6 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: A. The Housinq Authority
has been notified they have received favorable award from
HUD regarding evaluation and ratinq they were qiven. This
is considered quite an asset.
B. We have been asked to consider a letter of support for
additional Section 8 certificates by the Housinq Authority.
If it is Council's wish, we can furnish additional
information. The Housinq Authority has 73 people in the
proqram and have 123 people waiting for public assistance.
Mayor Sawyer asked how many there would be and where they
would be located and if Schertz has that many people needinq
assistance or would they be cominq from San Antonio.
Mr. Sweatt said he has been advised by the Housinq
Authority that the majority of people on the waitinq list
are local residents.
Mr. Potempa said he had met some students who lived in
Section 8 housing and they were qood people, just receivinq
rent subsidies.
Mayor Sawyer expressed his opinion that he did not like
Section 8 housing and would like to see how the Housing
Authority Board feels about this.
Some Councilmembers said they would like to have more
information.
C. We have been presented a plaque to our City by the Texas
Chapter of the American Planninq Association. Mrs. Marsh,
Mrs. Stanhope and members of the Planninq and Zoning
Association and Mr. Sweatt attended a luncheon with the
City of San Antonio and other members of the Association.
They presented the plaque of recognition to the City for the
Project Planning Award 1993 presented to the City of Schertz
for " Schertz Parkway, A vision of the future". We felt
somewhat overshadowed because all the rest of the awards
went to the City of San Antonio and VIA.
Mayor Sawyer said that on behalf of the citizens, we are
proud to accept this for the City. This qoes to show what a
dedicated group of volunteers, unpaid, can do for a small
city. These folks deserve a great vote of thanks.
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D. Reminder of the Schertz Business Association
Appreciation Dinner the following night at 6:30 p.m. at the
VFW Ha II .
Mr.
clean
there
#7 ITEMS BY COUNCIL:
Davis' remarks about
up the hiqhway. Mr.
real often.
Joe Potemna - A. Referrinq to
Beck Concrete, how often do they
Harris replied that they are out
Mrs. Marsh said she felt it was time to qet the EPA to
check this out.
B. Several meetinqs aqo, Mr. Potempa had asked the City
Manaqer to check to see if the 1-35 Access Road by Mobile
Villa could be chanqed back to two-way traffic.
Mr. Sweatt said the Hiqhway Department says the exits are
situated so that it cannot be confiqured for two-way
traffic.
C. He asked when bids would be let for Mobile Villa
improvements.
Mr. Sweatt just went out for bids but may have to extend
the deadline as contractors have not picked up any plans and
specifications.
Mr. Baldwin: A. Reported on the monthly meeting of
Humane Society and their dance and auction was
successful, they made about $3200. They announced they
have one more Saturday doq dip on the 9th of October
wanted to qet the information in the newsletter.
the
very
will
and
Mr. Sweatt said we could put it in and also on the
community phone messaqe.
Mr. Baldwin said the Humane Society would be participatinq
in the Cibolo Fest on October 16th.
Mr. Greenwald: A. P&Z got the almost final plans for
Woodland Oaks, Unit 5 and they are lookinq real nice. They
do not know yet whether they will qo with the park
dedication of land or qo with money. They are havinq to put
in a lot of drainaqe enqineerinq.
B. Attended the CRWA meetinq on Monday. He had some
minutes and information he would have duplicated for
Council. He advised that the City should be qettinq $500
back - we had paid the $500 for an Associate membership and
then paid $10,000 for full membership. The Lake Dunlap
plant is cominq alonq real qood. Should be ready by April
of next year. There was a lot of discussion on water
wheeling and transport.
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Mr. Sweatt reminded that the City of Schertz is
participating with the City of New Braunfels on the outfall
lines. The project has been finished and they are acceptinq
improvements to the sewer treatment plant and our first
installment will be due on our portion of the project.
Sewer service is not going to be available on that portion
of the 1-35 corridor.
#8 ITEMS BY MAYOR: A. Asked if the City Manager had
any information on the revitalization of the I-35 Corridor
Group.
Mr. Sweatt said the City is a voting member, and they have
met and reorganized a couple of times. They are encouraging
more private companies membership and not depending so much
on the cities along the corridor. They are continuing to be
active.
B. How is the Tax Increment Financing group doing on
Schertz Parkway?
Mr. Sweatt said we have had no response from the other
entities on our request for their appointments.
C. One
college
Marsh.
of our members received the highest award for a
alumna from Kentucky, which happens to be Mrs.
Mrs. Marsh said she was pleased her university submitted
her name and she won. She said she had just returned from a
lovely weekend in Kentucky where she was presented the
award.
D. Mayor Sawyer said he had the pleasure of swearing in Mr.
Regis at the Housing Authority last night.
#9 ADJOURNMENT:
meeting was declared
Sawyer.
There being no further business, the
adjourned at 8:52 p.m. by Mayor
ATTEST:
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