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
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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.
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#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
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#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
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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.
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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:
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