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ccreg 08-04-1992 f',. -i ~ "oJ Li iJ REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 4. 1992 The Schertz City Council convened in Regular Session, Tuesday, August 4. 1992 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; Mary Marsh and Ken Greenwald. Staff present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt and City Secretary June Krause. Mayor Sawyer opened the meeting by leading everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Before starting the regular meeting, Mayor Sawyer recognized Mrs. Ann Vick with a proclamation naming her the "Star of the Month" for August. After congratulating Mrs. Vick, he told her the proclamation would be o-n display at the Schertz Bank & Trust and later at Wuests store and the Municipal Building. Along with the honor, Mrs. Vick received a gift certificate fro~ Contreras Flower Shop. #1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A. B. BOA Meeting of 7-7-92 Regular of 7-7-92 Mrs. Marsh..m()'y_~g to approve the minutes of the BOA hear ing of July 7, 1992 and the Regular Meeting of July 7 I 1992. Mr. Baldwin seconded the motion, which carried with the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Potempa, Baldwin, Stanhope. Marsh and Greenwald. NAYS: None #2 HEARING OF RESIDENTS: A. Mr. Spicewood referred to the tax abatement the City would be granting abatements to the City, when or what will be given businesses. Ken Brown of 1217 and said that since people coming into to the existing Mr. Sweatt advised that the Tax Abatement Agreement on the agenda at this meeting is to upgrade an existing business. B. Mrs. Jean Stewart of 1308 Circle Oak Drive said she had visited the Municipal offices that day to get a preliminary budget and was charged $22.20. She went on to say this is high just to see a budget. She felt they should be readily available to all citizens, since they need to know if they can afford to live in Schertz. She was advised that there is a copy available for anyone to come in and look at as long as they wish. C. Mrs. Tereletsky asked if the budget could be checked out of the library. 246 Mr. Sweatt again advised that a copy was filed with the City Secretary and is available for review. If someone wants to purchase a copy to take with them, they are available and were priced in accordance with the Open Records Act. D. Mrs. Jeanie Ayote of 516 Mitchell said she felt everyone knew that she had been having classes at the swimming pool for senior citizens. Some of them walk with a cane and cannot or have difficulty getting into the pool. She suggested the possibility of a portable ramp. Mr. Sweatt said he would look into the possibility. #3 ORDINANCE: Mayor Sawyer introduced an ordinance and read the caption as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 92-T-16 AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS, ESTABLISHING THE PECAN DRIVE REINVESTMENT ZONE. Mrs. Stanhope moved ordinance establishing Mr. Greenwald seconded follows: to approve the final reading of an the Pecan Drive Reinvestment Zone. the motion, which carried as AYES: Councilmembers Potempa, Baldwin, Stanhope, Marsh and Greenwald. NAYS: None #4 ORDINANCE: Mayor Sawyer introduced an ordinance and read the caption as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 92-T-17 AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS, APPROVING A TAX ABATEMENT AND A TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT FOR AND WITH MR. REX BORNMANN, A PROPERTY OWNER IN THE CITY OF SCHERTZ. Mr. Baldwin moved to approve the final consideration of an ordinance approving a Tax Abatement and a Tax Abatement Agreement for and with Mr. Rex Bornmann. Mrs. Stanhope seconded the motion, which carried with the follOWing vote: AYES: Councilmembers Potempa, Baldwin, Stanhope, Marsh and Greenwald. NAYS: None #5 ORDINANCE: Mayor Sawyer introduced an ordinance and read the caption as follows: f ~~ ORDINANCE NO. 92-S-18 AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 87-5-1 BY REZONING AREAS OF LAND OUT OF GUADALUPE COUNTY AND REFLECTING SUCH CHANGES ON CERTAIN ZONING MAPS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCHERTZ ZONING ORDINANCE. Mr. Potempa. moved to approve the final reading of an ordinance amending the zoning ordinance by rezoning areas of land out of Guadalupe County. Mr. Greenwald seconded the motion, which carried with the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Potempa, Baldwin, Stanhope, Marsh and Greenwald. NAYS: None #6 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Sawyer called an Executive Session at 7:12 p.m. under Section 2 (e) of Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes concerning pending litigation and pending settlement offers. The Regular Meeting was reconvened at 8: 10 p.m. #7 Consider and take action, if any, on the above Executive Session. Mayor Sawyer announced there was no reason to take any action as Council was just briefed by the attorneys. #8 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: None at this time. #9 ITEMS BY COUNCIL: None #10 ITEMS BY MAYOR: None At this time, Mayor Sawyer called a short recess in order to move the meeting to the conference room for the remainder of the meeting. #11 BUDGET WORKSHOP: The meeting was reconvened in the Conference Room at 8:14 p.m. for a budget workshop, with Mayor Sawyer announcing the meeting would last only until 10:00 p.m., if not earlier. Before starting on his explanations, Mr. Sweatt gave some clerical changes on pages 7, 13, 24, 25 and 81. He then referred to the charts on pages 2 through 5, explaining the chart A gave the historical tax rates from 1981 through 1992 and the historical taxable values from 1982 through 1992. Chart B indicates the General Fund revenues by category, showing the percentages for each with taxes being the larger at 43%. \ \ \ '~ 248 Chart C is the General departments. Fund expenditures by larger Chart D shows the General Fund expenditures by category, with the largest being personnel at 63%. Chart E shows the total budget request expenditures with General Fund at 51% and Water Fund at 37%, SAFES 7%, Capital Recovery at 3% and Fleet Service at 1%. This shows the total budget, including all departments is $5,170,354.51. Mr. Sweatt referred to page 7 of the budget, saying it is the same information as on the last chart. The General Fund revenues are estimated at $2,614,150.67, of which ad valorem taxes represents $1,088,094.00; sale's tax at $525,OOOi payment in lieu of taxes $210,000; various franchise payments $100,420; municipal court fines $175,000, etc.. He said we have received from the Guadalupe County Appraisal District a certified value of $253,847,4l0, with $3,048,037 in new improvements and $7,276,485 under protest. Under the State Property Tax Code, we have calculated a number of calculations. Last year our estimated values was $269,354,784 and this year we estimate we have an assessed value of some $8,230,839 less for 92-93 than for 91-92. On that basis the calculation for the effective tax rate would be 40.019 cents per $100 value. After preparing the budget revenues and proposed expenditures, we have recommended to you a tax rate of 42.55 cents per $100 value, which represents an increase above the effective rate of 2.53 cents per $100 value. That is 6% above the effective rate. Overall we have tried to use a conservative approach to revenue estimates, based on passed performances or our best estimates for next year. Mr. Sweatt then explained the classification of accounts numbering, with the first two digits designating the department and the last three digits is a description of the line item account - which is used in all departments. There is a commentary before each department describing briefly what that department consists of and the functions of that department. Following that is the recap sheet, then the detail sheet or sheets. To make each department illustrative of the actual cost of providing that service, we attempted to break out wherever possible the actual costs for that department. Where there is a general telephone cost, such as in the Municipal Building, we have attempted to assign costs to each department for their share of those telephone services and the hardware involved. There are some kinds of activities that are not very well defined and those are under Non-Departmental Department, such as debt service. ~~(19 In the past, we have discussed the need for a necessary reserve to meet good operating practices. Generally we discussed the need of a minimum of a three-month operating reserve. This budget, at $2,612,000, would represent a need for a three-month reserve of approximately $426,000. Mr. Sweatt then reviewed the tentative dates for the budget workshops, those being the regular and workshop meeting dates for August and possibly two in September. This would anticipate that a Tax Public Hearing would be held on September 8th, the budget Public Hearing on September 15th and that Council would consider adopting both the tax rate and the budget on September 15th. There being no problem with the dates recommended, Mr. Sweatt began going through the department budgets. City Council, in the amount of $17,800.00 When asked what memberships were being dropped, Mr. Sweatt advised the Metrocom Chamber of Commerce. He added that under Special Events are included Senior Citizen Program $500, 4th of July activities $1500, Military Appreciation - $100, Christmas lighting $300, public relations advertisements $200, float improvements $350, miscellaneous - $500, and fireworks - $1,052 for a total of $4,700. City Manager, in the amount of $143,817.35 Mr. Sweatt advised this department includes the Manager, his secretary, finance officer and finance and a part-time clerk. City clerk Line item Other Professional Services includes the license fees for the accounting department software. Line item City Insurance Commercial. Mr. Sweatt recalled that at mid-year budget revisions, we had gone throughout the budget and stripped out the department's share of insurance cost and put that in Non-Departmental, trying to get some accounting problems resolved. We believe we have taken care of that and have gone back to each department and budgeted it's share of all kinds of insurance. Line item Other Repair/Maintenance Agreements. This year we are allocating out to each department their share of such things as data processing, license fees, telephone maintenance, typewriter maintenance and things like that. Municipal Court - budget of $51,345.35 Line item Other Professional Services includes fees for the Judge, Prosecuting Attorney, and data processing license fees. ~.'4 :-; d'~, .(o""ll'jV Line item Court & Jury Costs. The jury costs are $6 for each juror and we anticipate four jury trials this year. Tax Department - budget of $81,215.05 The primary increase is in the Personnel Services. In past years, the secretary was paid half from this department and half from the Inspection Department. This year, because of problems in accounting and potential problems of supervision, we have transferred that employee full time to the tax department. It was called to the attention of the City Manager some transposed figures and an incorrect total in this department. Mr. Sweatt was to check this out. Planning & Zoning - budget of $86,507.50 When questioned concerning the Other Professional Service item, Mr. Sweatt advised this is for consulting engineering services and not for the comprehensive plan as we feel our Planning & Zoning Commission and staff are qualified to complete that. He was also asked about the increase Conference/travel/training and explained this includes APA Conference for P&Z members as well as one major processing session. in the data Mr. Sweatt said that, at this time, he would like to discuss the manning document. As Council knows, personnel in this department are the Assistant City Manager and secretary to the P&Z Commission. We see the need to supply the City Secretary with some assistance and are recommending Mrs. Althouse (the P&Z secretary) for this additional duty. Mrs. Austin's title would be changed to Office Manager/Data Processing System Administrator. Mrs. Althouse is willing and has the background and capability to assist the City Secretary. The reason for bringing this up right now is the extra money in training for this department includes training for Mrs. Althouse. There are times when the P&Z and Council meet at the same time; in that event Mrs. Austin would serve as secretary to one. Legal - $34,100.00 The department represents expenses directly involving legal services. Police Service - $708,166.15 Mr. Sweatt explained that personnel costs are the single highest item, in the amount of $564,576.15, with vehicle replacement cost being next at $26,971 for lease/purchase payments. He said he would be recommending replacing five vehicles. The Office Equipment expense is for the purchase of an additional PC with color monitor. .,' ,1 When asked what we would do with the replaced vehicles. Mr. Sweatt advised that two of the best would be transferred to the Inspection Department. Mr. Potempa asked about the uniform allowance and if the dispatchers were still paid the allowance. If so, why are some of the dispatchers not in uniform. Mr. Sweatt advised that it is not mandatory and if they choose to wear civilian clothes, this is for cleaning. Fire Department - $228,317.70 Mrs. Marsh asked why the clothing and laundry decreased. Mr. Sweatt to outfit all personnel with three set for the part-time employees. laundry. allowance was increased informed that we propose sets of clothing and one They will do their own Mr. Sweatt explained the Capital Outlay for Building was to replace the bay area with lockers for bunker gear. Also to purchase a fan, chain saw, two minotors and water rescue equipment that we have never had before. The Training expense includes sending employees to HASMET school, emergency management courses and schools and to send one to be certified as an instructor so we can document certain credits in-house. Inspection - $52,327.85 This department is responsible for enforcing bUilding related codes, support for the health officer and code enforcement. The decrease from last year is because of transferring half of the secretary's salary to reflect the full salary in the Tax Department. Street Department - $297,006.80 Mrs. Marsh questioned the decrease in the street maintenance materials, adding that our streets are not in the best of condition now. Mr. Sweatt advised that the money is just not available - we could make that item $140,000 and it still would not solve our problems with streets. We cannot afford the level of maintenance that it would take to bring our streets up to the required level. This account contains money for continuing remedial patch program only. Mr. Baldwin Mr. Sweatt transferring a decrease. questioned the increase in personnel services. explained we are not adding employees, just some from Parks, where you will notice there is Mrs. Marsh requested that after going through all departments, Council should go back and discuss street repairs. She then asked why the increase in chemicals. Mr. 252 Sweatt said that last year we tried to eliminate the use of herbicides at curb lines; however due to the excessive rain, we do not have the personnel to do the weed eating now. Parks and Recreation Department - $114,549.28 Mrs. Stanhope asked about the program comments concerning an Advisory Committee. Mr. Sweatt said there has been a recommendation from one of the Visions Groups for a Park and Recreation Advisory Committee. Mrs. Marsh mentioned that some day the large pavilion has to be painted. Mr. Sweatt said staff recognized that need but felt we do not have the money this year. Mrs. Marsh also expressed the need for system for the pavilion. Mayor Sawyer Manager to get some cost figures on that. a better asked the sound City Mr. Potempa asked giving BVYA. Mr. electricity, water concession stand, repair fences. what additional support Sweatt said that included and sewer; also red clay, new score keeper stand and we would $14,400 roof on repair, be for the and Mr. Potempa asked if there was any bond money left and Mr. Sweatt said none for parks. Mayor Sawyer suggested stopping at this point and continuing with the budget at the next meeting, which will be August 12th. #12 ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Potempa moved the meeting be adjourned at 9:55 p.m. with Mrs. Marsh seconding the motion, which carried unanimously. ATTEST: I ~