ccswks 03-11-1992
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SPECIAL SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 11. 1992
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop
Session Wednesday, March 11, 1992, 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, presiding; Joe Potempa;
Barbara Stanhope: Mary Marsh and Ken Greenwald. Absent:
Hal Baldwin. Staff present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt
and City Secretary June Krause.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS:
A. Mr. Bill Neller advised that he had received a phone
call from a gentleman who claimed he was from the police
department of Universal City and wanted a donation for films
and drugs. He said he was a member of the Alamo Area
Fraternal Order of Police. Mr. Neller asked if this was a
legitimate organization.
Mrs. Marsh said it is a bonafide organization that is
purchasing tapes and will give them to the different schools
in the area.
#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 that the two public hearings on this
had been held with no objections. The Beck Concrete people
were favorable and Mr. Riedel made some comments. He
suggested Council move ahead on this item and received no
objections.
#3 Discussion of an ordinance setting rates and
policies for Community Center rental.
Mr. Sweatt brought out that the rates had not been changed
in over eleven years. He added that at the request of
Council staff has again revised the suggested rates. He
proposed to do away with the individual Social, Commercial
and Convention rates and make one rate, leaving the category
of Local Civic Organization. The proposed rates would be
$75 for the first four hours and $8.50 for each additional
hour for In City 50 people or less; $95 plus $9 for In City
over fifty people: $150 plus $8.50 for Out of City fifty
people or less: $170 plus $9 for Out of City over fifty
people. The Local Civil Organization rates are proposed to
be $70 for the first four hours with $8.50 for each
additional hour. We feel these rates characterize the real
costs. We have broken down the in-city and out of city
rates and have identified the additional ten hours for the
maintenance of the Community Center and have allocated those
to the Out of City users.
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Mr. Sweatt said staff had contacted other facilities and
these rates are lower than all but two of the facilities in
the area.
The total deposit has been increased from $60 to $80 - if
the user cleans up the facility and there is no damage, then
the entire deposit is refunded.
Mrs. Marsh said she likes this proposal and just could not
believe that the City operated all those years without
breaking even.
As there were no further comments, Mayor Sawyer advised this
item would be on the next action agenda.
#4 Discussion of Planning and Zoning recommendations
concerning Schertz Parkway.
Mr. Sweatt advised that Planning & Zoning Commission has
suggested the Council review the Overlay requirements in
both areas (Jack Hays Boulevard and Schertz Parkway) and
make some changes. As staff went over the suggestions, we
found that in the outline of general business uses, it
excludes certain businesses that are in the General Business
Zoning. He said he believed a more proper approach might be
the creation of a new Zoning category - such as GB-a). This
new category could include the uses outlined under Schedule
of Uses - Schertz Parkway in their suggestion.
Mrs. Stanhope asked why, after all this time and work, is
the Overlay District no longer any good.
Mr. Sweatt said it was to make Schertz Parkway and Jack
Hays Boulevard Overlay Districts more compatible.
Mrs. Marsh asked for clarification as to why a special
category was required.
Mr. Sweatt advised the zoning was to place the "highest and
best use of land". By making a separate category, if
someone else comes in and likes that zoning and wants it, we
would have it available. Mr. Sweatt said that staff
suggests sending this back to Planning & Zoning aSking them
to consider creating a new zoning category that would only
include those uses determined appropriate out of the current
General Business category. This would be in lieu of the
overlay special as they proposed.
After considerable discussion. Council then agreed to
it back to Planning & Zoning Commission with
suggestions.
send
these
Mr. Sweatt then addressed the platting fees. suggesting the
use of a Tax Incremental Financing method to accomplish the
financing of future improvements to Schertz Parkway rather
than the platting fees.
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As part of the construction of Schertz Parkway in our
agreements with the land owners at that time who fronted the
majority of the money for the improvements, it was agreed
that certain kinds of additional platting fees would be
charged and collected at the time of development. With the
economy the way it is, that has proven to be a not
particularly workable situation. The majority of those
owners are no longer the land owners. Today a special and
an increased platting fee, instead of being an asset to the
property, is now perhaps a very strong liability. We now
propose, as a part of the Planning & Zoning review of this,
that we consider eliminating the special platting fees and
review and consider the use of Tax Incremental Financing as
a way to develop the funds to make those improvements to the
future. If we do nothing, somewhere down the line the need
to expand will come about and we would have to find some way
to finance it - likely with bonds. We could do it as a
special assessment but we are suggesting the Tax Incremental
Financing District be created. It essentially freezes the
taxes at a certain level and pledges increased value and
increased taxes to inure to the benefit of that tax
incremental financing district. Mr. Sweatt explained by
saying for instance, suppose the city taxes an a piece of
property right now is $1,000. Then someone starts
development on Schertz Parkway in the Tax Incremental
District and the value of that property jumps up to
$200,000. The taxes on that additional amount alone amounts
to an additional $5,000. That $5,000 would not come to the
city but would go to the district to be pledged toward
financing or paying the costs of certain development as they
become due. This way,the money would be available in a fund
to make the improvements as they become necessary. Or, of
course, you could use a percentage of the enhanced taxes go
to the district and the balance to the entity. Several
things have to come together to make this work first,
there has to be a plan saying what improvements we want this
district to do. Once all the improvements were done and
paid for, the Tax Incremental Financing District would go
out of place: but usually would last for up to twenty
years. This would require a five-member Board to manage the
funds.
When asked what control the Council would have over the
Board, Mr. Sweatt said the Council would appoint the Board
and approve the plan and would have fidUCiary control. This
only works well if all taxing entities join together - it
can work without the other taxing entities, but would take
so much longer to achieve. Mr. Sweatt concluded by saying
staff would like Council's approval to go with Planning and
Zoning's recommendation and ask them to really look hard at
this.
Council gave their approval.
#5 Discussion of Board of Adjustment hearing for Oak
View Mobile Home Park.
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Mr. Sweatt advised that Oak View Mobile Home Park has had a
non-conforming use permit for some time and have asked that
it be continued.
Mrs. Marsh
that the
development
request.
said that in line with Mr. Simonson's statement
economics of today are not opportune for
at this time, she would go along with the
Mayor Sawyer called for consensus of Council and they all
agreed.
#6 Discussion of report and recommendation by Vision 8
Study Group.
Mrs. Stanhope said that in their group discussion. there
were two items that should not wait as they are needed now.
One is the sign to be placed on top of the existing sign in
front of the Municipal Complex. It would be painted like
the existing sign and have four lines for messages - black
letters on white background. The assembling and painting
would be done in house. She said that as for financing, the
franchise taxes have come in above budget so the money is
there. This would cost approximately $637. The Vision 8
Group asked that this be approved by Council.
Mayor Sawyer called for and received consensus of Council to
move ahead with this project.
Mrs. Stanhope then said the second item they felt should be
taken care of immediately is the fact that the dispatchers
are inundated with calls that really do not belong there.
They talked with Southwestern Bell about a system like an
answering machine. It would have three mailboxes and would
be especially good during non-business hours. The first
mailbox would greet the caller and refer them to the 9-1-1
if they calling in an emergency. If not an emergency, then
the caller is provided a menu of three choices: (1)
Community Affairs, which would provide recorded information
on activities of a general nature (2) Governmental
Activities, a message providing information on Council
meetings, etc. (3) would give the caller an opportunity to
leave a message. Each of the three mailboxes has the
capacity for twenty two-minute messages. This cost of the
system is within the budget parameters with the installation
being about $47 and monthly estimated costs of $63.50. Mrs.
Stanhope said they felt they could get this system and the
sign and still not use all the money that came in over the
budgeted franchise.
Council agreed to both requests.
#7 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT.
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A. We will be receiving bids on approximately one mile of
water line on FM 1518 from Trainer Hale Road down to
Ware-Seguin Road. Bid opening is set for March 26th.
B. As a result of Council's request for research, at this
stage staff has reviewed the plat of Mobile Villa and have
not found any public easements for Ferrelgas except back of
Plaza Drive. They are not required to have a franchise and
there are not any sales taxes on propane gas.
Mr. Potempa said that in
restrictions, three feet in
dedicated to utility easements.
accordance
back of
with his deed
the property is
C. There will be a 26th Annual Texas Legislative
in New Braunfels on March 20th where they will
Robert Strauss, U.S. Ambassador to Russia, as
Texan of the Year.
Conference
recognize
the 1992
#8 ITEMS BY COUNCIL:
Mrs. Marsh: A. Remarked on the safety hazard created at
the polls on election days by candidates stopping traffic to
hand out literature. This has caused a 7 to 9 car backup on
the street. She suggested some type of pOlicy to prohibit
caUSing a traffic hazard.
Lengthy discussion followed on the pros and cons of an
ordinance versus policy, with the final decision being to
pass a policy prohibiting the stopping of cars.
B. Reminded everyone of the Business Club's Roaring 50's
dance the fOllowing Saturday night at the VFW - the proceeds
going toward the 4th of July fireworks fund.
Mr. Potempa: A. Thanked everyone for the kind words of
sympathy when his mother passed away.
B. Received a call from a resident on Maple Drive who said
that on the 18th of February they called the Street
Department concerning condition of the 500-600 block of
Maple. No one ever showed up; however they noticed that
the street in front of Mr. Graham's house was repaired.
Mrs~ Stanhope: Reminded everyone of the TML Region 7
meeting in Seguin on Saturday night.
Mr. Greenwald: A. Planning & Zoning did discuss the
Animal Shelter area and as they did not see any problems,
suggested we press on with acquisition.
B. CVADAC will sponsor a seminar on "Gang Recognition"
to be held by Officer Clary of the San Antonio Police
Department on March 19, 1992 at the Schertz Library.
C. The library will be holding their annual book sale on
March 27th through 29th.
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D. One of the things brought up at Planning & Zoning was
the Transportation Report. One section brings up several
points - we now have the right of way for the widening of FM
78 and in possibly five to six years we should see the new
bridge and widening. One question is how are we going to
get in and out of the city while they are widening FM 78?
One of the suggestions is looking at the possibility of
Schertz, Universal City, Bexar County, Guadalupe County
going in on a higher bridge than what is now the low-water
crossing. We should check the possibility of Highway Urban
monies for this. It was decided this should be discussed at
the next workshop.
#9 ITEMS BY MAYOR: A. Those not attending missed a
good closing ceremonies of the BVYA Basketball Season.
B. Also they had a good flag ceremony at Randolph Air Force
Base with the Girl Scouts the previous evening.
#10 ADJOURNMENT:
meeting was declared
Sawyer.
There being no further business, the
adjourned at 8:51 p.m. by Mayor
ATTEST:
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Mayor. City of s9;.- T:xis