ccswks 08-29-1990
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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 29, 1990
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session,
Wednesday, August 29, 1990 at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of
the Municipal Complex, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The
following members were present: Mayor Pro Tern Ken Greenwal d I
presiding; Joe Potempa, Hal Baldwin, Barbara Stanhope, Mary
Marsh. Absent: Mayor Ear I W. Sawyer. Staff present were City
Manager Kerry Sweatt and City Secretary June Krause.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS: Mrs. Stanhope said she was asked
by Mickey Tereletsky to present a plaque of the "Police Officer's
Prayer" to the Police Chief from the citizens of Schertz to say
thank you to our police department for a terrific job being done.
#2 Discussion of final reading of an ordinance amending the
Code, Section 18-76 providing speed limits on Ware-Seguin Road.
Council indicated they would be ready to vote on this item at the
next meeting.
#3 Discussion of awarding bids on audit for fiscal year
1990-91.
Mr. Sweatt informed that four proposals were received - three
from San Antonio firms and one from a Waco firm. The Audit
Committee is continuing to evaluate the proposals and believe
that all proposal s meet our specifications quite well. At this
stage it appears the firm of Leal, Carter & Rocha has the most
responsive proposal and represents the least projected costs to
the City. He said the Committee is continuing to check the
references of all the firms and expect to have their final
recommendations by the next meeting.
Mr. Baldwin added that the firm of Leal, Carter and Rocha has
done a lot of business with several school districts and he is
continuing to touch base with several of the districts.
Mr. Sweatt agreed that this firm does seem to have more
experience with school districts and the firm of Thompson,
Williams, Biediger, Kastor & Young has more experience with
Municipal Governments. He said they believe both firms have good
possibilities.
#4 Discussion of awarding bids on garbage collection
services.
Mr. Sweatt said staff has attempted to put into a legible form a
very complicated process of evaluation. Four bids were received
for this service for the next two years with provisions for
extension of two years. He then went through the various options
bid by the four bidders. The basic, routine service is defined
under Class 1 - Bidder#l bid $6.85; #2 bid $6.47; #3 bid $7.98
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and #4 bid $7.75.
for that type of
service is $7.37.
These are the raw bids from the four bidders
service. The current rate we pay for that
The Option 2 provides for recycling as a special pick up to
residential customers and provides for the 15% administration and
franchise fees that is charged by the City for those services.
An additional 2% charge is included in this fee as an incentive
for recycling to the contractor. Bidder# 1 - $7.95; #2 - 8.13 i
#3 - $9.43; #4 - $9.50. We do not have this service at this
time.
The third option is for curb side recycling and pick up of yard
waste as a separate and distinct item. For the same Class 1
residential service Bidder #1 bid $7.95; #2 - $8.74i #3 - no bidi
and #4 - $9.75.
The next sheet showed the Actual Use Dollar Values. Mr. Sweatt
said we have weighted these figures in each Class of customer
and applied the current number of customers to the proposed rate
by each of the bidders so that the total monthly charge to the
Ci ty of Schertz for Class 1 under Bidder 1 would resul t in a
monthly charge of $20755.50; Bidder 2 would be $19604.10i Bidder
3 would be $24179.40 and Bidder 4 is $23482.50. Our current
charge of $7.37 per customer for the same number of accounts
would be $22331.10. Mr. Sweatt then gave the figures for Option
No.2 and Option No.3. The third page of the handout showed the
rates for each bidder for the various size containers.
The Summary Contract Review showed the Actual Use Dollar Values
for Option 1, 2 and 3 for all Classes 1 through 6. Bidder #1 was
for $21056.05; #2 19922.80i #3 - $24543; with Bidder #4 having
made changes to their bid so that it could not be compared. The
container amounts were Bidder #1 5845; #2 7101; #3
$9720.80. Adding those two calculations together and making a
compar ison under the totals, reflects that Bidder # 1 would be
$26901.95; #2 - $27034.80; #4 - $34264.30. Not included in these
figures are options supplied by bidders. One in particular that
should be very closely scrutinized is a proposal to use bags
only. Were that a requirement for option No. 1 (base service>,
the rate would decrease to $6.45 per month.
Mr. Sweatt went on to say there are other options offered by
various bidders. The specifications did not specify that anyone
item would decide the bid. There are various ways of recycling
to be considered also. He pointed out that throughout the bids,
there is a higher rate for curb-side collection of recycable
mater ial . The way it is structured, whether the customer chose
to participate or not, they would pay the higher fee.
Councilmembers agreed the presentation was an excellent and very
clear presentation.
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Mr. Sweatt suggested that Council select the contractor and after
that they could choose to select from the various options. He
said staff has asked for comments from the Recycling Committee.
He reminded Council that this is a two-year bid with options for
negotiating for renewal for a one to two year extension.
After discussion, Mr. Greenwald suggested letting the Recycling
Committee have a look at this and get their suggestions back to
Mr. Sweatt. In the meantime Council can look at the figures
presented.
Mr. Sweatt said it is hoped that a recommendation can be made and
Council can come to a decision by the end of September. He added
that we have made arrangements with the current contractor for an
extension, if necessary.
#5 Discussion of a
Development training program.
resolution
regarding Economic
Mr. Sweatt said this refers to the Texas Department of Commerce
"AimHigh Program". The Economic Development Task Force has
reviewed this resolution and recommend Council adopt it naming
Mark Marques as the City of Schertz Coordinator for the Texas
Department of Commerce AimHigh Strategic Planning Program. We
would also encourage participation by one or more of the officers
of the Task Force.
There being no further discussion, Mayor Pro Tern Greenwald asked
that this item be on the next action agenda.
#6 Discussion of SAFES uncollectable Charge-off accounts.
Mr. Greenwald called attention to the repetition of names on the
list of charge-offs.
Mr. Sweatt said that since we are in the transport business and
receive a call, which is declared an emergency, we have no option
but to transport. We have made several contacts with these
people and they either cannot be reached, refuse to pay, or
cannot pay. The collection agency was paid about $2700 and only
collected about $2600. We went with that firm in this manner so
that we would not get the reputation of being real hardnosed.
The City Attorney has advised a process of getting a lien against
a party, who has not executed a document to begin with, is quite
expensive and probabl y would eat up the cost that you might
recover.
Councilmembers were incensed that there were names on the list
repeatedly and the people refused to pay their bills. It was
suggested that we take one case and prosecute it and get the word
out and maybe that would help. At any rate, Mr. Sweatt was asked
to check every legal aVenue available to collect these charges.
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Mr. Sweatt reminded Council that the fact that they are charging
off these accounts does not keep us from trying to collect them.
Mr. Greenwald suggested sending copies of the Charge-off List to
each of the participating cities to let them know this is one of
the things that drives charges up.
Mr. Baldwin said although it makes you sick to see a list like
this, it is a national problem and not just Schertz.
#7 Discussion of license for city property use.
Mr. Sweatt said this was placed on the agenda for discussion of a
specific case i but there is a need for a general policy. We
have a particular circumstance in the Rio Vista Subdivision in
which there is a piece of property adjacent to what is described
on the plat as a twenty-foot roadway. The roadway was
apparently placed as a way for utilities to get to the easement
of the properties. Apparently it has never been used by the
utility companies. It does not conform to any subdivision
regulation. The property owners have been taking care of this
property to the extent of placing a sprinkler system on it. At
the rear of the property there is a fence but from the front it
is open but does not have a curb-cut. The property owners have
asked for us to close it off but we have not wanted to do that
because it is public right of way and we should not be giving it
away or create circumstances in which we might lose the use of
it. In this instance, we would propose to give a license for
use. A very specific license to the abutting property owner to
use this property with the understanding that it does not waive
any of the City's rights to that property if we chose to come
back and open up that right of way. There are very few
circumstances like this in the City but in some instances there
is a legitimate need to allow the property owner to use the
property without giving it away.
At Mr. Greenwald's suggestion, Mr. Sweatt said he would add to
the license that no permanent structures could be built on this
property.
#8 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: A. Reminded Council they needed
to RSVP by September 4th plans regarding attendance to the Leon
Valley Region 7 TML meeting on September 21st.
B. Starting early the following week the Department of Highways
and Public Transportation contractor on 1-35 would be beginning
some blasting work, mostly in the area of Schertz Parkway
extension.
C. The City and Business Club are reviewing our first invitation
to participate in a parade. The Randolph Area Veteran's Council
is hosting a parade on November 10th. The theme of this year's
parade is "Our Flag, You Can't Burn Valor".
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#9 ITEMS BY COUNCIL: Mr. Baldwin. A. In reference to the
letter from John Bierschwale to Randolph Air Force Base, has
Randolph asked us to build a water line that serves some of their
customers?
Mr. Sweatt said yes, to some of their customers adjacent to
Randolph Air Force Base where there has been a question of
quality of water and Randolph has chosen to replace their water
wells with City water. There are five or six customers involved.
Mrs. StanQQQ~. A. Asked the status of the park ordinance.
Mr. Sweatt answered that it is finished and at the attorney's now
and it looks like we will have it ready for the next workshop.
B. There is a very unhappy contingent of residents at the
Housing Authority. Has anything been done about speeding?
Mr. Sweatt said we have given that information to the Housing
Authority Director. We suggested that we abandon the street and
close it to the publ ic and have it become the property of the
Housing Authority. They could sign it or speed bump it or
whatever they might chose to do. We cannot do it on public right
of way. Although we have asked the Director to discuss this with
her Board, we have not heard anything from them. We priced
blinking signals and they would cost about $700.
Mrs. Stanhope asked if the Housing Authority does not accept the
street, what is the City going to do. Mr. Sweatt answered that
there is not a lot we can do. We could change some signs and we
have placed a police officer down there at times and their
complaints do not seem to hold true. Other than that, we are not
sure what can be done.
Mr. _ Potemp~. A. The V.F.W. is going to hold a "Voice of
Democracy" contest and we will get more details later.
B. Mary Marsh has received a life membership in the V.F.W.
C. The V.F.W. has installed pads, like sidewalks so they can get
in, and were very impressed with our inspector Leonard Truitt for
his cooperation and helpfulness.
D. Schertz Parkway at G. V. E. C. looks 1 ike the middle of the
street is sinking in - has this been checked out?
Mr. Greenwald said that is an annual problem. Mr. Sweatt said we
have tried concrete cement stabilization and that area probably
has more concrete than any area in town. It appears that there
is an underground spring.
E. There was no meeting of the Schertz Humane Society this
month. He then called attention to a copy of his letter to Mrs.
Keller regarding their elections and his position regarding same.
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F. He called attention to his article in the newsletter, saying
he would I ike to see a correction because through error, hi s
appreciation to Chief Agee and the Police Department was left
out.
G. He mentioned that the contract on I-35 is going good but
asked when they intend to start work on the water line. Mr.
Sweatt said it should start within 15 to 20 days and they will
not have to close Schertz Parkway for the water line work.
Answering Mr. Potempa, Mr. Sweatt said we have no further plans
to run a line under the road as we are already over on the other
side.
Mrs. Marsh. A. The Economic Development Task Force met on
August 23rd. She said they were introduced to two gentlemen who
are thinking of putting in a new grocery store in Schertz. The
location they are looking at is the old Circle K building. The
Public Relations - Jim Shriver introduced Leo Longoria who is
going to put in a Bicycle Cross at the old Starlight Theatre
location, which will be real good for the kids. The Chamber is
working with UTSA for an agreement for seminars for prospective
businesses and they would like Schertz to sponsor the seminars.
The Contact Team Lee Boswell gave a good report on his
activities. Community Relations Business Appreciation Week
will be October 7-13th. The dinner will be on October 10th at
7:00 p.m. at the VFW. Marketing Team is getting ready to go on
the video and hope to have it finished by the Business
Appreciation Dinner. Mr. Sweatt gave the inventory report and
they now have $1742 worth of merchandise - new items discussed
were sweatshirts, windbreakers and license plate holders. They
have sent out 8 marketing packages to companies interested in
Texas. The Economic Development Plan for Schertz will be coming
to Council for approval. It is a very good plan written by our
intern.
B. Business Club met August 28th and had three new members and a
guest, who is running for Treasurer of Guadal upe County. The
Chamber report was about the Casino Night, which is going to be
in Garden Ridge the 8th of September. Their monthly luncheon
will be September 5th at Humanna. On October 11, in the
Community Center from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m, they will have a Commerce
Fair . Anita Clark briefed the meeting on the 4th of July and
things they are going to do to make things better next year. Mr.
Sweatt gave a City Government update. Next month they will
nominate officers for 1990-91. They need donations for
Christmas, and will have bigger and better contests and
decorations. The Business Club would like to sponsor a drive of
education for children and adults on the kidnap/murder subject.
# 10 ITEMS BY MAYOR. Mayor Pro Tem Ken Greenwald advised
that the Planning & Zoning Commission has selected Gary Bricken
from Woodland Oaks as their recommendation for membership.
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# 11 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business the
meeting was declared adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
ATTEST:
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Mayor Pro Tern, City of Schertz