ccswks 11-14-1990
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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
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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.
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#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.
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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.
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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.
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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: