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ccswks 07-01-1992 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JUL Y 1. 1992 The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session, Wednesday July 1, 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; Hal Baldwin; Barbara Stanhope; Mary Marsh and Ken Greenwald. Absent: Joe Potempa. Staff present were City Manager Kerry R. Sweatt and City Secretary June G. Krause. #1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS: Mr. Merwin Willman asked when the State was going to disconnect the lights at the school crossings. Mr. Baldwin progress and active. advised that summer school was that is probably why the lights still in are still Mr. Willman asked what happened to the curb painting youth were going to perform. Mr. Sweatt said they had the house number painting on the curbs but ran out of before getting to all residences. the done time #2 Discussion and review of revised plans and specifications for the Animal Shelter. Mayor Sawyer reminded Council of the big let down at the last meeting when advised that the bids came in about double the amount of bond money approved. Mr. Sweatt related that the extended time for receiving bids on the animal shelter is July 7th. As discussed at the last meeting, we have tried to shorten as much as possible the lead time in receiving bids because of trying to get this project under way. After the review at this meeting, if there are additional changes, Mr. Ford can make those and make an addendum to the bids so bidders will have them in time for the July 7th deadline. He then covered the twenty items of revisions in the plans; which included reducing site fencing, site paving, grading excavation, removing sidewalks, relocating parking area, reducing water line from 1-1/2 to 1"; with the City installing the sewer outfall line. As far as the building, we deleted the brick facing, deleted the porch, replaced the movable windows with fixed windows, changed gables of roof, and removed roof cover over bath and dip area, changing the doors and small things like that. The primary changes were to the exterior finishes and site work with the floor plan not being changed. Mr. Ford explained about the foundation being moved further back on a flatter area to reduce the depth of the beams and the amount of excavation needed. Mr. Ford said they also itemized all the items in the bid so the contractors could 212 bid them separatelY. He added that there was a better bidder response this time than last. He said he still felt we would be looking at a building that would be well over $100,000. Mrs. Marsh said she could not imagine how Council could have been led to believe this could be built for $100,00 and then the bids come in at double that. The outside of the building will certainly be a far cry from what was originally planned - this is a disappointment. She had no objection to the fencing being reduced. Her main concern is that there will be no change on the interior or to the runs _ the area that was to be covered will still be covered. Mr. Sweatt said that with interest, we now have $112,000 to spend. If the cost is an overrun, we will at individual bid items to see what can be eliminated. the bids on July 7th are clear, we will have them on agenda for action. If there are doubts or questions to resolved, we will asked that you pass that item and bring back to Council at another workshop. about look If the be it #3 Discussion of request from Excel regarding the change of the beginning date for the 60 day provision in the construction time table. Mr. Sweatt advised that under Section 8 A of the franchise ordinance, one of the stipulations for the new cable service is the provision that within sixty days after accepting the franchise, the company would have begun their operations to the extent of having filed all necessary papers with FCC. Those sixty days have come and gone. Mr. Gangwer was at a meeting some three weeks ago and explained some of the matters that occurred; is here tonight to explain further. Mr. Jeff Gangwer said he had stated Excel's case at the previous meeting. They had met with all City Managers and felt they had a workable program in place; but met a snag with a couple of the city's attorneys. He said he was very happy to state tonight that their financial package is approved and being finalized right now. He said he would like to not make the paperwork on this publiC at this time. He said they would like to get a sixty day extension only on the bonding part. The FCC papers are on their way and they are working, as far as site are concerned. Sites are being narrowed down to three or four locations. He said they would not slow down the construction but will be on schedule. The system is being designed right now and they will meet their schedule within one and one half years before everyone in the metrocom will be served. When asked by Council, Mr. Gangwer said customers would be served street by street as construction progresses. He also said they do hope to have the other cities franchised soon. After discussion, it was decided the request for extension would be requested by the July 21st meeting, when financial statement could be made public. .~ "t #4 Discussion of a BOA hearing on a request by the Housing Authority for Special Exception to the Zoning Ordinance to construct storage areas in Roy Richard Courts. Mr. Sweatt recalled that the request for a Special Exception by the Housing Authority had been discussed at an earlier meeting. The Board of Adjustment hearing is set for July 7th. Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the request. #5 Discussion of setting a public hearing date on a request by C.E. Stone, 352l Jack Hays Boulevard for a zoning change from Neighborhood Services to R-l Single Family Dwelling District. Mr. Sweatt said this is simply to let Council know of a request that will be coming from Planning & Zoning. P&Z has set the public hearing dates for July 21st. #6 Discussion of Task Force recommendation for approval of the Pecan Drive Reinvestment Zone. Mr. Sweatt advised the Task Force has met and considered this request and they believe this is what economic development is all about. Cabinet Fronts of Texas, a local business, has proposed expansion. It is wonderful to talk about new business but nothing is greater than for an existing business to expand. Mr. Bornmann has proposed to expand his operation by building a new building across the street and has plans for additional enlargements of that. The Economic Development Task Force has met and talked with Mr. Bornmann on several occasions and now make the recommendation that the City Council approve a Reinvestment Zone to be known as the "Pecan Drive Reinvestment Zone" to consist of three plus acres in that area. They also recommend the Council amend the current tax abatement ordinance to allow an additional ten percent abatement for existing businesses. As a third recommendation, the Council approve a total of thirty percent tax abatement for a period of six years for this particular project. It qualifies under our existing tax abatement program for a twenty percent abatement. There are other ways of developing that additional ten percent recommendation; but after reviewing this, the Economic Development Task Force felt that we need to give additional credit for existing business as an additional incentive for growth within the community. Mr. Sweatt said the only action the Council could take at the next meeting would be the amendment to the ordinance. The earliest date for the public hearing requirement is July 21st. .') ~ 11 ~;J _~j ~ #7 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: A. Reported on the Metropolitan Planning Organization, which is a new organization designed to deal with highway dollars. We have submitted a proposed set of projects for the MPO funding for fiscal years 1992-95. There was a meeting on the 22nd of June, at which the projects were discussed. There will be a hearing on July 27th that he would like for Councilmembers to attend with him. Mr. Sweatt said as usual there are about fifty times more projects than there is funding available. He added that we understand that the FM 3009 project has been set back from a proposed September bid letting to a November bid letting because Cibolo has not obtained the right of way. He said he was told this date in Austin that this project may be set back even further. He had called Representative Kuempel to try to run down that rumor. FM 78 right now is not set into the five-year cycle. He then again named some of the projects we had submitted. B. There was a Community Development Block Grant workshop on June 30th and Mark Marques attended this meeting. Sometime between July 3rd and 20th Commissioner's Court will be receiving comments on proposed projects. It is important that we try to get support for those projects we submitted because on July 22nd, the Commissioner's Court will make a final selection. C. If Council has no objection, on August 8th we would like to close the Library for inventory. This is needed for our new security system. D. He announced today the appointment of Johnny Woodward as Acting Fire Chief. We have received a number of good applications so it will take longer than expected to process them. Mr. Woodward is a full-time employee in the Alamo Heights Fire Department as a Captain. #8 ITEMS BY COUNCIL:.Mrs . Marsh: A. The Schertz Business Association met on June 23rd. As was pictured in the paper this date, Shelley Askew was selected as Schertz Sweetheart and Princess selection was Jennifer Peel. Other than that, they discussed the July 4th activities. She mentioned they should get confirmation on the fireworks permit. Mrs. Marsh suggested someone contact the State Fire Marshal's office the next morning and request the permit be faxed back to us. Concerning responsible year. the parade, she reminded Council that they for obtaining their own transportation were this .t1L$~~___.st_a n h QJ2~ for July is Bill appropriate that ceremonies at the A. The Schertz Star of the Month selection Neller. She added we all feel it is very this will be given to him at the opening 4th of July parade. Mr._~aldwi~ A. He said he was very concerned about the letter to the Editor in the Herald about the desecration of the graves in the Dietz cemetery. Mr. Sweatt said the police have not been notified of this but he will look into it. B. He said another thing he was concerned about was the item on the newscast about the chlorine threat and all of us that have been drinking chlorine water all these years. C. Mr. Baldwin reminded everyone that a number of the Business Association members will be at the pavilion Friday evening at 6:00 to set up the tables. He added that he had a commitment from at least Boy Scout Troops to help out. He said he volunteered to fix them supper if they show up. M~ Gre~nwald: A. He called attention to the information letter to Mayor Sawyer from Carl Walker. After seventeen years at Randolph, the Department of Labor has decided the Contact Field Teams is a permanent site and they are going to cut their pay by 25%. He said they would like help from any and everybody. Letter have gone out to all legislators. This will have a big economic impact on this entire area. Mr. Sweatt advised that Mayor Sawyer had sent a letter to the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce suggesting that it impacts them significantly. Mr. Greenwald said since this is a national thing, we will have to deal with Phil Gramm and Lamar Smith, Bustamante, etc. Most letters came back saying you are not in my district. Mrs. Stanhope suggested the City Manager draft a letter to be signed by the Mayor and members of the Council. Mayor Sawyer suggested passing a resolution and asking the area cities to join us in passing a resolution. #9 ITEMS BY MAYOR: Mayor Sawyer reported he had attended an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for a young man named Stade. .). .~. (j~' '. .~ ",=,L Mark Marques advised that the Schertz Development Foundation is alive and well. They were the successful bidder on Commercial Place and at a good number and expect to close on that within forty-five days. #10 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was declared adjourned at 8: 12 pm by Mayor Sawyer. ATTEST: t ~/xf --../