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REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 21, 1993
The Schertz City Council convened in Regular Session,
Tuesday, September 21, 1993 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers 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; and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Mary Marsh.
Staff present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt and City
Secretary June Krause.
Mayor Sawyer opened the meeting and asked everyone to stand
and join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
#1 PUBLIC HEARING: The purpose of the hearing was to
receive comments from the public on the proposed budget for
fiscal year 1993-94.
Mr. Sweatt commented that this is the completion of the
overall planning that began back in June, when the
information was distributed to all department heads. There
were three separate reviews with department heads and then
the proposed budget was filed on September 1st. The Council
held five workshops on the budget where they went over it
line item by line item, where a lot of changes were made.
He announced that the budget before Council now is the
result of a lot of work.
Mr. Sweatt then showed and explained some
first slide showed General Fund expenses by
The second was a breakdown of the General Fund
showing Personnel Costs - 60%; Supplies - 6%,
26%; Maintenance - 3% and Capital - 6%.
slides. The
departments.
by character,
Contractual -
The third slide represented the income to the General Fund
to support the expenses in the last slide. The largest
income is from Taxes - 50%; Sales Tax - 19%; Permits - 4%;
Franchises - 8%; Municipal Court - 7% and Miscellaneous
12%.
Mr. Sweatt then showed a chart of the historical tax rate
of the City from 1981 at 64 cents/$100 to 1993 recommended
amount of 46.84 cents/$100 value. The old tax rate for the
year 1992-93 was 42.55 cents and the recommended new rate is
46.84 cents per $100 value. This is a difference of 4.29
cents per $100 value. This is broken down where .78 cents
or .18% of that represents the assessed value that was lost;
additionally some 2.10 cents is made up of increased debt
service as a result of bonds that were sold in 1992. The
total of those represents 6.7% of the total recommended
increased tax rate, leaving 1.41 cents per $100 represents
additional Operation and Maintenance costs. The rollback
rate calculated in the manner prescribed by the State is
48.15 cents and the net effective tax rate is 43.33 cents.
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of the recommended tax rate for 1993-94 of 46.84 cents,
37.31 cents is devoted to operation and maintenance costs
and 9.53 cents is devoted to total debt service.
Mr. Sweatt listed some of the major items that are included
in this year's budget recommendations. The one having the
highest impact of all is to convert our fire service to a 24
hour manned department. This will place the department on a
24 hour/48 hour shift arrangement and it is necessary to add
1-112 firemen for a total cost of some $30,556. Also
included is to add a dispatcher to our emergency
communications section at a total cost of $15,723:
continuing our fleet replacement program in police service
at a cost of $53,667. We propose to add an additional
person for the last 6 months of the fiscal year in our
finance administration for $7,900: lease-purchase
arrangement to add a generator to provide power in times of
emergencies and power outages - over a three year period,
based on receipt of a grant from the E-9-1-1 district we
expect a cost of approximately $13,000 a year. Our per
capita charges for SAFES EMS services have gone up for about
$5,200 annually, a state mandated records management program
estimated cost some $8,000. We added some hours to the
clerical function for Library services for some $1600 and
added a speaker system for the large pavilion in the park at
a cost of $4500.
Mr. Sweatt then described some of the things this budget
does not include, that were originally recommended. One of
the real needs is the repainting and erosion work on the
large pavilion in the park - $25,000: to accomplish one
additional police officer on duty during all 24 hours/7 day
a week, it would be an absolute necessity to hire three
additional police officers at the cost of some $64,684. We
had a request to replace a vehicle in the fire service at a
cost of $13,000. We looked at replacement cost of a booster
pumper truck in the fire service and that would cost
$100,000 plus. We have a number of data processing needs at
a cost of about $9,000 that were excluded. We looked at the
cost of a centralized purchasing system and that would have
cost about $9,000: playground equipment in the park
$3500: various other fire equipment at $3,000: copier at
$8,000: replacement of marketing videos at about $3,000.
This is just a few of the items that were deleted from the
proposed budget.
Some of the changes that resulted in reduction from last
year included substantial savings in our workers' comp
insurance premium, as a result of our experience rating.
Through significant efforts dealing with the peak loading,
we see some major changes in our electrical Charges. OVer
all we reduced in our table of organization one department
head position.
2S~
In the Water/Wastewater division, we are recommending a
block rate program that will produce conservation and
hopefully provide the means to meet our growth demands. The
overall increase to our average customer is approximate 6%.
The rate is based on living unit equivalents and we believe
this to be a fair way to relate consumption. The rate is
recommended to go from $6.50 for the first 3,000 gallons to
$7.00/3,000 gallons. The next block of 3,000 gallons would
be at the current rate of $1.11 for each 1,000. After that
the inverted block rate is designed to produce conservation
and strongly penalize the higher consumption.
The final slide Mr. Sweatt showed was a pie-chart of the
entire budget, showing the General Fund 53%;
Water/Wastewater - 34%; SAFES - 9%; Fleet Service - 1% and
Capital Recovery - 3%.
Mr. Harris advised he went to City Hall the previous week
and went over the budget as recommended. He said the City
Manager covered a lot of stuff that was good, especially for
the breakdown of the increased tax. As for the water issue,
he said he did not agree with the graduated rate at this
time. He felt the City was premature with this. He agreed
with the fifty cents increase in the base rate.
Mr. Clyde Dishong - Deer Haven. He was concerned about the
water rate also. Last year he put in a sprinkler system and
his total bill was about $30 to $45 a month and last month
it was $89. He said he cut back on watering and this month
it was $96. He felt there was something wrong and that it
had to do with graduated rates.
Mr. Sweatt assured him the
into effect. He invited Mr.
next day and we would reread
first thing we could do.
inverted rates have not gone
Dishong to give him a call the
the meter. That would be the
A lady from Woodland Oaks said they also program their water
sprinkler and did not recall them watering any more this
month but the bill did go up about $25.00 this 'month.
Jenny Clark - Ware Seguin Road - represented the South East
Randolph Property Owners Association. She said they
recently met with the City Planner and were told they were
in a bond package to get their roads fixed. She felt this
was excellent as their roads could no longer be repaired,
they had to be redone. They just wanted to let City Council
know that they are thankful for the effort put forth to
repair their streets, keep them patched and with this bond
package the roads will be fixed properly. The City Council
had put forth great effort to keep unnecessary items out of
the budget and they were grateful for that. She said they
did support Council on the increase in taxes because they
know it will cover the debt service on the bonds and will
cover the increase in city services they need. They support
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the addition of the full service fire department and the
additional dispatcher. They appreciate all the Council has
done and appreciate the fact that Council always allows them
to be heard regarding any part of city government. She said
the Council has done a great job in the past and their
association supports them in the increase.
Larry Jarman said he did not really have any problems with
the budget and he felt Mr. Sweatt did an excellent job of
laying it out but one thing everyone should look at is that
since 1987, the city is on an astronomical tax increase
curve. This is frightening. He asked staff to take a
really good look at where the city has gone and where it is
~oing. He felt the curve exceeds the rate of inflation.
Mr. Sweatt said a large part of those services were
mandated changes by the federal and state governments. A
part of it relates to decreased assessed values, a large
part of it relates to providing additional debt services.
Mr. Sweatt then showed a slide indicating how we compare to
other entities on tax rates.
Pia Jarman said she would not place blame but asked what are
we going to do about this. She felt the city needs to do
something and offered her support if needed. She said this
is our city and if Council needs their help, then tell them.
She asked to be kept informed.
Mayor Sawyer again said he had never seen most of
audience at any meeting before. He suggested people
the newsletters that we put out, read articles in
Herald, call up and ask what is going on. He said he
not received one phone call on the budget or tax rate.
the
read
the
had
Mr. Sweatt agreed that we are all concerned, that roof tops
will not sustain services to this community. You cannot
provide full-line municipal services based on ad valorem
taxes alone. He said the entire effort on the part of the
Council and staff was to diversify - to bring in those types
of businesses that will throw off sales taxes.
Regina Agee said she realized that the budget was based on
taxes and asked what is the percentage of collection.
Mr. Sweatt said about 98% of taxes are collected.
Mr. Harris asked about the bonds that were issued recently
and when were they voted on.
Mr. Sweatt advised they were voted on in 1987 but only a
portion were issued at that time. Answering Mr. Harris'
question as to the purpose of the bonds, Mr. Sweatt advised
they were for drainage work and equipment, road work
throughout the city, and some was allocated for street work.
There are no more bonds outstanding.
267
June Delaney said she agreed with the man from Deer Haven,
who said the water bills took a terrific jump - her's did
too. She mentioned the Mayor saying come to the meetings
and she had tried that but the smoke was so bad, she could
not breathe. She felt if they cut out smoking at the
Council meetings, they would have many more people come.
Ms. Delaney also thought the trash collection was unfair.
She puts out one little bag once a week and someone else
puts out ten bags twice a week but the rate is the same.
Mayor Sawyer said we were under contract with Alamo Waste
and he would ask Mr. Sweatt to discuss that at the next
contract renewal.
Receiving no further comments from anyone, Mayor Sawyer
declared the public hearing closed at 7:52 p.m.
#2 ORDINANCE: Mayor Sawyer introduced an ordinance
and read the caption as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 93-T-15
AN ORDINANCE LEVYING AND ASSESSING ALL
TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE CORPORATE
LIMITS OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS, FOR
THE YEAR 1993; PROVIDING THE BASIS OF
ASSESSMENT OF 100% APPRAISED VALUE AND
PROVIDING FOR THE COLLECTION THEREOF AT
THE RATE OF $0.4684 ON THE ONE HUNDRED
DOLLAR ($100.00> ASSESSED VALUATION AND
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Mr. Greenwald moved to approve the ordinance setting
tax rate for 1993 and declaring an emergency.
Stanhope seconded the motion, which carried with
following vote:
the
Mrs.
the
AYES: Councilmembers Baldwin, Stanhope and Greenwald
NAYS: Mr. Potempa
Mayor Sawyer advised that Mrs. Marsh would have liked to
vote for the budget by proxy but the law does not provide
for that.
#3 ORDINANCE: Mayor Sawyer introduced an ordinance
and read the caption as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 93-M-16
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1993 AND
ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1994, BY APPROVING
THE BUDGET FOR SAID PERIOD AND
APPROPRIATING THE NECESSARY FUNDS OUT OF
THE GENERAL AND OTHER REVENUES OF THE
268
CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS, FOR SAID YEAR FOR
THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE
VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND FOR VARIOUS
ACTIVITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS OF THE CITY:
AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Mrs. Stanhope moved to adopt the ordinance approvino the
budget for fiscal year 1993-94 and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Greenwald seconded the motion, which carried with the
following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Baldwin, Stanhope and Greenwald
NAYS: Mr. Potempa
#4 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Special Meeting of 9-1-93
Mrs. Stanhope moved to approve the minutes of the Special
meeting of September 1, 1993. Mr. Greenwald seconded the
motion, which carried with the followino vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Potempa, Baldwin, Stanhope and
Greenwald
NAYS: None
#5 HEARING OF RESIDENTS: None
#6
approving
FY93-94.
HEALTH INSURANCE: Consider and take action
the renewal of the employee health insurance
on
for
Mr. Sweatt commented that the cost of providino health care
has become a hiqhly debated issue. We have reviewed the
proposed rates from PacifiCare, who have been providino
coverage for our employees since FY 91-92. The have
proposed a rate of $120.62 per employee, an increase between
4 and 4.7%.
Mr. Sweatt advised that staff had solicited proposals from
other carriers with like benefits and the rate we received
from PacifiCare is the overall best for our employees. We
have had good service from the HOM because they stress the
wellness program. They have held clinics and a Health Fair.
We recommend authorizing the execution of a contract between
the City and PacifiCare.
Mr. Greenwald moved to approve the renewal of the health
care contract with PacifiCare. Mrs. Stanhope seconded the
motion, which carried with the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Potempa, Baldwin,
Greenwald
NAYS: None
Stanhope
and
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P&Z
Park
park
#7 OAK FOREST
recommendation
on the ballot
and then put it
PARK: Consider and take action
to place the selling of the Oak
of an election to abandon as a
up for sale.
on the
Forest
public
Mr. Sweatt commented that in 1980, Oak Forest Unit 3 waS
platted as being developed by Coy Simmons. At that time, a
200 x 125' lot was platted and dedicated to the City for
park purposes. This lot has been maintained by the City but
not developed as a park. Both the City and the Home Owners
Association feel there is no need for this park. P&Z has
reviewed this and they recommend disposing of the land and
use the funds for other park improvements. The State law
says that to sell the property, it has to go to an election
and then be abandoned before the City can sell it.
Mr. Greenwald moved to approve the P&Z recommendation to
place the selling of the Oak Forest Park on the ballot to
abandon as a public park, then put it up for sale. Mr.
Baldwin seconded the motion, which carried with the
following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Potempa, Baldwin, Stanhope, and
Greenwald.
NAYS: None
#8 AUDITOR: Consider and take action on a Letter of
Understanding with the firm of Leal, Carter and Rocha for
completion of the FY 92-93 audit.
Mr. Sweatt advised that this firm has provided the external
audit services to the City for the past three years. For
each of these years, as well as previous years, we have
received the Government Finance Officers Association
Certificate of Conformance for Excellence in Accounting,
which we believe is quite an accomplishment. We recommend
that Council authorize this Letter of Understanding with
this firm.
Mr.
with
Mrs.
Baldwin moved to approve the Letter of Understanding
Leal, Carter and Rocha for completing the 92-93 audit.
Stanhope seconded the motion.
Mr. Baldwin said that being on the Audit Committee for the
last three or four years, he has found that the people we
deal with are very helpful and willing to provide
information upon request. The Management letter has always
been excellent and pointing out things that needed to be
done and needed to be corrected. It has also been helpful
in making budgetary decisions.
Mayor Sawyer then called for a vote on the motion, which
carried as follows:
AYES: Councilmembers Potempa, Baldwin, Stanhope and
Greenwald.
NAYS: None
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#9 RESOLUTION: Mayor Sawyer introduced a resolution
and read the caption as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 93-R-6
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE TEXAS FOREST
SERVICE ACCEPT AND CONSIDER A GRANT
APPLICATION.
Mr. Sweatt said this resolution expressing approval by the
Government for the overall purposes of the Texas Forest
Service in developing additional use of trees in our urban
landscape, recognizing the value both ecologically and
aesthetically. In our particular case, we are asking for a
grant of $2500 to be matched with cash and in-kind
contribution by the City to began the development of a 1.8
acre park being developed in conjunction with the Dove
Meadows Subdivision. We propose to develop this park, not
as an active park, but as a demonstration ofaxeroscapinq
process. We recognize that this grant will not completely
develop the park. We have long range plans, with a gazebo
and parking and believe this will have a very positive
advantage, being near the school, to demonstrate how
effective xeroscaping can be.
Mr. Potempa moved to approve the resolution requesting the
Texas Forest Service to consider our grant application. Mr.
Baldwin seconded the motion, which carried as follows:
AYES: Councilmembers Potempa, Baldwin, Stanhope and
Greenwald
NAYS: None
#10 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Called under Section 551.041
of the Texas Government Code, Section 551.071 to confer with
the attorney on pending litigation at 8:07 p.m.
The Regular Meeting was reconvened at 8:41 p.m.
#11 Consider and take action on the above executive
session.
Mr. Greenwald moved to authorize the City Manager to
execute a settlement agreement in regards to the Deer Haven
Subdivision law suit as set out in the form of the Mutual
Lease Agreement as reviewed by the City Council. Mrs.
Stanhope seconded the motion, which carried with the
following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Potempa, Baldwin, Stanhope, and
Greenwald
NAYS: None
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#12 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: a. We have received an
invitation from the VFW and its auxiliary for September
26th Annual POW/MIA candlelight service on Sunday at 7:00
p.m. at the large pavilion in the park. Everyone is
encouraged to attend.
#13 ITEMS BY COUNCIL: Mrs. Stanhooe - A. When Mrs.
Jarman made the comment that Council would not want everyone
at our meetings, she was wrong. We go meeting after meeting
when there are no one present but staff members and Council.
It makes you feel like no one cares. She added that Council
enjoys it when they have a full house.
B. The Schertz Business Appreciation Dinners was a very
successful event and very nice. It was her pleasure to
announce the "Star of the Year" as Bub Cyr. She said she
hopes their "Star of the Month" program will continue.
There are so many volunteers in the area, if anyone knows of
an outstanding one, please fill out the application for the
"Star of the Month".
c. She said she was delighted and offered her "thank you"
for the clean up of the Cibolo Creek bridge area. It looks
100% bettep.
Mr. Greenwald received an invitation from the Canyon Region
Water Authority to tour the Bexar Metro Water District on
the 23rd.
#14 ITEMS BY MAYOR: A. Agreed the
Association Appreciation Dinner was real nice.
Business
B. He told Mr. Harris he appreciated his comments on the
budget and thanked him for attending all the meetings.
#15 ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Potempa moved the meeting be
adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Mr. Baldwin seconded the motion,
which was approved unanimously.
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