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ccswks 09-15-1993 -~~ , 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 ~~r.\ 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. 2F)(1 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. '):::;'7 ---01 ~ ~ 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: Ck ,_ -r1 L2--~ City s!/,etarY.,~~-' SchE.' L< ~J/!-7 /' .JAg--<( J---.., ~~~r, City of SChert~Texas