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ccswks 11-14-1990 86 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 14, 1990 The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session Wednesday, November 14, 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 Earl W. Sawyer, presidingi Joe Potempai Hal Baldwini Barbara Stanhopei Mary Marsh and Ken Greenwald. Staff present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt and City Secretary June Krause. Prior to beginning the regular agenda, Mayor Sawyer welcomed Mrs. Ramirez and her daughter to the meeting and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Mrs. Ramirez, on behalf of her husband Nick Ramirez, for his tenure on the Library Board. Mr. Sawyer added that the City really appreciates the work Mr. Ramirez did while serving on the Board. #1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS: None #2 Discussion of final consideration of an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances by revising Article V, Chapter 7 1/2 Municipal Solid Waste Collection and Disposal. Mr. Sweatt said that this ordinance sets up the Code provision that outlines specific requirements of a franchise for solid waste. It is gener ic and would apply to any sol id waste franchise that might be considered. It deals with requirements for insurance, quality and performance standards, speaks to times and routes of service, and special considerations. It is a broad statement of conditions that we propose to be a part of the City Code for solid waste collection franchises. Mr. Potempa asked about the provisions of "white waste" and asked if it was our Spring Cleanup. Mr. Sweatt said this is in addition to that, things like refr igerators, washing machines and bulky types of appliances that would require disposal at least twice a year. One of the times could be our Spring Cleanup. Mr. Sweatt said Mr. Gutierrez indicated to him that their firm might be willing to do this on a more frequent basis. Mr. Gutierrez said it would be difficult to tell folks that they had to wait sixty days so if the people take it to the curb, they will pick it up. This way they would not have such a huge amount to do during one week. Mr. Greenwald asked if they would have radio so that the driver could call in with the appliance was at the curb to be picked up. that is the way it would work. contact in the truck information that an Mr. Gutierrez said I" I I J 87 Mr. Sweatt reminded Council that the franchise ordinance would not reappear before Council until December 18th because of some charter requirements and publication times. The interim contract was approved and will be executed within the next several days. It is our understanding that the current contractor will continue picking up garbage until the 30th of November and on December 1st, Alamo Waste will commence under the interim contract. Contacts are being made with the larger commercial customers now to complete their container agreements. The first month's bill, because of our cycl ing, will be pro-rated to some customers. There may be a small amount of confusion at that time. #3 Discussion of the first reading of an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances by revising Section 19 Exhibit 4 Water Rates. Mr. Sweatt reminded Council that at the time they discussed the bond issue in December of 1989, through the time of budget preparation, we had proposed that the water rate would be revised to fund additional operating costs and the debt service that was necessitated as a part of the 1990 Certificates of Obligation. We have prepared an ordinance containing the rate revision consisting of a rate increase of 50 cents in the base rate and ten cents per thousand in the consumption charge. Currently for a 5/8 x 3/4 inch meter, the base charge is $6.00 for 3000 gallons. The proposed rate increase would change that to $6.50 base rate for 3000 gallons. Currently the consumption charge is $1.01 per thousand for allover the minimum of 3000 gallons. We propose that would be increased to $1.11 per thousand for each one thousand gallons above the 3000. The same percentages exists for all meter sizes throughout the program. The current charge for Service outside the city is 200 percent of the rate inside the citYi and we propose that would continue to apply. Under the terms of our sale agreement with GUADCO MUD providing notice, we have provided notice of intention to increase the rate effective December 26th. The would be the same date the proposed rate increase would go into effect for those inside the city limits. As Council had no further questions, Mayor Sawyer said he assumed they would be ready to act on this ordinance at the next meeting. #4 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Sawyer called an executive session at 7:17 p.m. under Article 6252-17, Section 2 (f) to discuss land acquisition. The Special Meeting was reconvened at 7:44 p.m. #5 Consider and take action, if any, on Executive Session discussion above. Mayor Sawyer said the only action to be taken at this time was the continued dealings for acquisition of land. 88 #6 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: A. December 6th is the Schertz Business Club Annual Program and Tree Lighting to begin at 6:00 p.m. B. December 14th will be the Annual City Employee Awards Dinner at the Community Center at 6:30 p.m. C. November 16th at 10:00 a.m. there will be the Dobie Junior High School dedication ceremony as part of the school renovation proqram. D. Mr. Sweatt then discussed our meeting schedule for the holiday period, saying that routinely we would have a workshop on December 26th and the first Tuesday in January, which is New Year's Day. He sugqested waiving the 26th of December and the first meeting in January and suggested meeting in workshop on the 9th of January for the January 15th action meeting. Council agreed saying, that if the need should arise, a special meeting could be called. E. As a part of the incentive for donations to the Christmas Decoration, the committee set up a program for eligibility for drawing for gifts - a cap, watch, or t-shirt. The committee would like to have the drawing at the next Council Committee. #7 ITEMS BY COUNCIL: Mrs. Marsh: A. She asked about the plans for the Animal Shelter that was mentioned about two months ago. Mr. Sweatt said we are getting with the State Health Director to review some rough drawings next week. As soon as they have made their comments, we will bring the plans to Council. Our proposed layout, we believe, meets all the requirements of the Health Department and the National Humane Society. He added that staff has not submitted it to the local Humane Society as yeti but wanted to get the blessings of the State Health Department, then to Council, then to the local Humane Society. B. What are the plans for protest on FM 30091 Mr. Sweatt said he would suggest setting up an appointment with District Enqineer Lockheart and qo through the thing again. He said he thought it very important to put the onus on the District Engineer. He felt the District Engineer had overloaded himself by making commitments for all of the funding on San Antonio projects, that have eaten away our projects. He needs to face it. He said after we do that, we should ask our leqislators to go with us and set an appointment with the Highway Commission and voice our displeasure at the manner in which we have been treated. It might not get our projects any sooneri but it will assure us that we are being heard and that we are not being put back any longer. I- , J 89 Council agreed with this agenda. Mr. Greenwald asked how much more time would Mr. Dovey need to acquire the rest of the property we need for right-of-way? Mr. Sweatt said we could finish by February. Mr. Greenwald said he would like to walk into the Engineer's office and tell them we have our money tied up in this property that we cannot do anything with. You are costing us. Mr. Baldwin mentioned that it would not hurt to get the Home Owner's Associations involved also. C. With regards to political signs, the ones on FM 3009 were in violation of the Overlay Ordinance. Mr. Sweatt said it has been our stated practice that political signs were not considered a part of the process. Mrs. Marsh said that political signs are mentioned in the ordinance so we need to do something, ei ther excuse pol i tical signage or re-define it or something, or go by the ordinance. Mr. Sweatt by policy community signs. said that City Council, some ten years ago, expressed statement that it was not City Council's intent for sign ordinance to be made applicable to political Mayor Sawyer agreed, but added that he political signs as long as the people get the election. However, since we are ordinance, it does need to be changed. real I y did not mind them down right after in violation of the Mr. Sweatt asked if Council would like staff to draft up a proposed amendment to the sign ordinance or a resolution stating Council's policy or both. Council agreed that the ordinance needs to be changed. D. There are two areas in the garage sale ordinance that need to be reviewed. One is the consideration of garage sales by groups. The other has to do with bazaars - are bazaars garage sales? Also are groups that have bazaars such as the church or Autumn Winds going to be allowed to put up their large signs as well as the official garage sales. Mr. Sweatt suggested some clarifying language that would say bazaars or rummage sales, by any other name, are all covered by the provisions of this ordinance. Council agreed. E. Mrs. Marsh announced that she will be out of town for the next two meetings. 90 \- Mr. Potempa: A. The school zone signage on Schertz Parkway is incomplete. Turning from Mitchell there is a school zone sign; however on Aero, there is only a pedestrian zone sign. Mr. Sweatt said we are looking into the complete school zone signage. Mr. Potempa asked if the City would look at painting yellow stripes on Schertz Parkway where the school starts and where it ends. Mr. Sweatt said he felt sure the Uniform Traffic Code says you need to mark school zones by signs rather than painting stripes but that he would look into it. B. Asked if we are having problems with School Crossing Guards. Mr. Sweatt and Mrs. Krause advised that one guard had been off on a Worker's Compensation claim but that she should be back to work by the following Monday. C. Mentioned that on Schertz Parkway past East Live Oak Road there is a crack that is getting bigger. Mrs. Stanhope: A. She mentioned that while dOing some house cleaning of packets, she noticed the repetition of copies of ordinances. It was discussed, and decided, that in the future, material for packets would be printed front and back and copies of ordinances would only be given one time with Council bringing the ordinance to the next meetings. B. The Senior Citizen Bazaar will be held next Saturday. Mr. Baldwin asked if it had been discussed putting a dry line across Schertz Parkway where it crosses 135. Mr. Sweatt said staff had looked at it and the difficul ty of getting one permit from the Federal and State was almost impossible. We do not particularly need it, but we did look at the cost involved and came to the conclusion it would not be feasible. Mr. Greenwald advised that the BVYA contract needed to be looked at at the next workshop. #8 ITEMS BY MAYOR: Reported on a complaint he had received regarding the Water Department employees. Some people had a water break and were trying to get their water service back on when one of the City employees came by and told they they were going to fine the people $200 for not having a permit. I I i / 91 Council discussed at length the repairs that do and do not require permits. #9 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor Sawyer declared the meeting to be adjourned at 8:35 p.m. ATTEST: