ccswks 02-26-1992
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MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 26, 1992
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop
Session, Wednesday February 26, 1992, at 7:00 p.m. in the
Conference Room of the Municipal Complex, 1400 Schertz
Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The folloWing members were in
attendance: 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. A. Mr. Merwin Willman
referred to the sign at Main and Oak Streets, advertising
the park, saying it is in bad shape, out of date and needs
to be torn down.
Mr. Sweatt related that in researching the background of
this sign, he discovered that GVEC was at least one of the
sponsors: however no one at present will admit ownership.
Mayor Sawyer instructed the City Manager to see about having
it taken down, since it is on City property and in terrible
condition.
B. Londa Mitchell advised that the railroad crossing
First Street has a broken rail. When she called
Southern Pacific Railroad Company, she was told that
there is an accident, they can do nothing about it.
at
the
until
Believing there must have been some misunderstanding, Mayor
Sawyer instructed the City Manager to follow up on this.
#2 Discussion of an ordinance on the proposed
annexation of three tracts of land, containing approximately
250.96 acres, out of Guadalupe County.
Mayor Sawyer reminded Council that this is the area, on
which we have had the two public hearings, that essentially
belongs to Beck Concrete Company, with a small part owned by
Mr. Riedel.
There was no further discussion on this item.
#3 Discussion of possible changes to Community Center
Fees.
Mr. Sweatt
schedule has
sat down with
and City Hall
first advised that the Community Center fee
been in effect for over eleven years. Staff
GVEC to analyze usage, as the Community Center
are off one line.
He said that statistically, over 283 functions were held in
the Community Center last year, with 47 contracts. Out of
--~
- ,
the
the
Of
60%
47, there is a average per
average use per function is
those 47 contracts, 40% were
by outside city people.
function of 105 people
7-1/2 hours, rounded to
held by Schertz people
and
8 .
and
MR. BALDWIN ARRIVED AT 7:11 PM.
Mr. Sweatt referred to his memo which spoke to rates,
average maintenance costs and cleanup charges. He said, of
course, there are a number of functions where the charges
were waived, but this past year we took in $2,382.50 and we
have spent more than that on the roof.
Mrs. Marsh referred to the comparison furnished by staff,
saying it showed maintenance costs averaging $77.99;
however staff is only recommending raising the fee to $75.00
that will not even cover costs. She suggested it should
be at least $25 above expenses.
Mr. Sweatt said that the costs shown in the memo only cover
the weighted salary costs and electricity. However, since
the increase recommended was so large, he felt we should go
with it this year and then consider increasing it again next
year. He added that right now we only have one rate but are
proposing both inside city and outside city rates.
Mrs. Marsh said that if the rates have not increased in
eleven years, and with what has happened to the economy, it
will be more palatable to the public to just raise rates one
time rather than now and again in a year.
Mrs. Stanhope asked if any comparisons had been done with
other centers.
Mr. Sweatt said not really because this facility is a
little different from most of them.
Mr. Baldwin mentioned that there is a big difference
between the inside and outside city users.
Mr. Sweatt explained staff had taken the cost of
maintenance and added it to the outside rate as the inside
city residents already pay taxes.
Mrs. Marsh said she would like to see this re-done to
include all costs.
Mr. Greenwald agreed saying it should include
administrative costs, water and sewer, electricity and
supplies before the City could at least break even.
Mayor Sawyer asked Mr.
cost and bring them
discussion.
Sweatt to get figures on the total
to the next workshop for more
118
,
\
Mr. Potempa asked what would be considered an emergency
situation as mentioned in the Agreement.
Mayor Sawyer explained it would be any emergency set by our
Emergency Management Coordinator - which is our Fire Chief.
He is the one to declare an emergency.
#4 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Sawyer called an
Executive Session under Article 6252-17 Vernon's Texas Civil
Statutes, Section 2 {f} to discuss land acquisition for
water well and site for Animal Control Facility at 7:30 pm.
The Special Workshop Meeting was reconvened at 8:09 pm.
#5 Consider and take action, if any, on the above
Executive Session.
Mayor Sawyer announced the only action from the Executive
Session was to instruct the City Manager to move forward on
the purchase of land.
#6
meeting
conflict
be in by
CITY
will
with
March
MANAGER'S REPORT: A. The Region 7 TML
be held in Seguin on March 14th, which will
the Business Club's 50s Dance. RSVPs need to
10th.
Mayor Sawyer suggested that if anyone attends the TML Region
7 meeting, they should offer Schertz as a Host City for the
next meeting or the one thereafter.
B. Announced that our Community Center will
every other Wednesday, starting March 4th, by
Clemens "Belles" for practice and fund raising.
be utilized
the Samuel
#7 ITEMS BY COUNCIL:
Mrs. Marsh - A. Report on the Business Club meeting. The
Treasurer's report showed $1865.37 in checking account,
$2043.10 in the Savings account and $787.66 in the
Scholarship account, showing they are in good shape
financially. She reported that Kerry Sweatt reported on the
Excel franchise, the amendment to the plumbing ordinance,
the May 2nd election and the Spring Clean Up. They talked
about the trail riders, saying they did not make any money
but the "Belles" did make over $490. It was decided that
the Business Club would do the meals next year.
As stated before, the Business Club 50's Dance will be at
the VFW on March 14th and this is a big fund raiser for the
Jubilee Fireworks. Mrs. Marsh said they then talked about
looking for designs for the float. This year the theme is
"Let Freedom Ring". The Business Club incorporation is
moving right along. They also announced that Anita Clark
has been nominated for the Rotary Club "Volunteer of the
Year" award.
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B. Mrs. Marsh recommended sending a thank-you letter to
the Recorder-Times for all the coverage received during the
past year.
C. She asked about the project of bricking in the sign in
front of the Municipal Complex.
Mrs. Sweatt said it is on work order and should be done
before too long.
Mr. Potempa: A. Advised that the traffic light at 1-35
and FM 3009 is not properly coordinated. He related an
incident where he waited eight minutes and the light still
had not turned green.
Mayor Sawyer suggested asking the Texas Department of
Transportation to check this out.
Mrs. Marsh said she wished that something could be done by
the Department of Transportation about traffic control at
that area. To her, it seems ridiculous for four of our
patrolmen to be up there at one time.
B. Mr. Potempa said he strongly feels that 55 miles per
hour is too fast a speed for the construction area and
recommended aSking the State to lower the speed limit.
There are so many accidents in that area that maybe the
lower speed could save lives.
C. He received a call from some people at 5310 Cabana Drive
concerning an excessive propane bill they received from
Ferrelgas Company. They called the company asking for a
copy of the billing and were told it could not be
reproduced. This company has a tank on one of the lots in
Mobile Villa and sells to those who do not have their own
tank. Mr. Potempa asked if staff could check to see if
they have a license to sell in the city or permit or
whatever is required.
Mr~ Stanhope: A. Asked if Management had
department heads to turn money back in at this
Sweatt said no, but they have a standing request
and not spend just because it is in the budget.
asked the
time. Mr.
to conserve
B. Suggested something be put in our newsletter explaining
how adjustments can be made to the water bills.
C. Announced there will be a bake sale by the Auxiliary of
the Volunteer Fire Department on March 7th at Wuest.
D. Reported that everybody possible has checked out the
berm at the Housing Authority and says there is no problem.
Mr. Greenwald asked if could be put in the Senior Citizen
Bulletin that residents should turn off their outside hose
when finished watering.
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120
Mr. Baldwin: Announced that the Lion's Club is again this
year selling fertilizer at GVEC for $8.50 a bag and it is
formulated for this area.
Mr. Greenwald: Reported that at the previous night's P&Z
meeting, they had a resignation by Gary Bricken and are now
looking for volunteers. He asked everyone to pass the word
for anyone interested to fill out an application.
#8 ITEMS BY MAYOR: Reported a friend had asked him
about the story in the paper concerning the City approving a
franchise with Excel Communications. This gentlemen seems
to get the impression that the Council was getting rid of
Paragon Cable. He, of course, told the man we are just
offering competition.
#9 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to
come before Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:47 pm by
Mayor Sawyer.
ATTEST:
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