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SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 9, 1991
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session,
Wednesday, January 9, 1991 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;
Joe Potempa; Hal Baldwin i Barbara Stanhope; Mary Marsh and Ken
Greenwald. Staff present were City Manager Kerry R. Sweatt and
City Secretary June Krause.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS: None
#2 Discussion of public hearing on a request by the
Resurrection Baptist Church for a Specific Use Permit allowing
them to locate their church at 909 FM 1518.
Mr. Sweatt advised that in Council's packets was a considerable
amount of information pertaining to this request. It has been
advertised and will be subject to public hearing at the next
regular meeting. This is a request for an exception to the AICUZ
zone and is the first request we have had under this zoning. The
use is proposed for a church at 909 FM 1518. The building was
buil t prior to the adoption of the AICUZ Zone ordinance. Mr.
Sweatt called attention to the information supplied on the
Randolph AICUZ Zone, which includes a map showing the zone. Alsc
is a copy of a letter from Colonel 0 I Beirne to Steve SimonsoT
relating what the Air Force attitude is and information on thE
AICUZ Zone. As pointed out, there are two other churches in this
zone currently; however, they were built prior to the adoption of
the AICUZ zone. They are quite anxious to secure the variance
and purchase the property. Planning & Zoning has labored over
this considerably because it is deal ing with a church and
because it is the first application for this zone.
Ken Greenwald said that most of the questions P&Z had dealt with
were the noise factor and proximity with the runway. The Church
people said they were aware of that; but because their services
were on the weekend, it would not have that much of an impact.
Colonel O'Beirne's letter said there would be an average of 360
aircraft movements and would pass approximately 400 feet west of
that site, and at an altitude between 300 and 500 feet. That
would be Monday through Friday. Mr. Greenwald said what he did
not address was the weekend, but this is not handled by the base
but by a civilian contractor. According to them, they average 80
to 85 aircraft movements both Saturday and Sunday. One of the
things that should be considered is people safety. He said one
of the first things the church wants to do is grow. As they
expand, more and more people will be congregated in this area.
We have already had one air crash in the city.
Mrs. Marsh said that although it was not actually stated, in her
mind it is implicit in the Colonel's letter that they are against
this.
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Joe Potempa said he was concerned with three problems - #1 is the
noise factor, #2 is the children - in their application they
mention future plans that include a day care center; #3 is the
traffic problem in the area. There is a curve on FM 1518 just
before you get to this building and people just come flying out
of the street at the curve - also in the summer, we have all the
BVYA activities in this same area creating more traffic.
Mayor Sawyer said since this is a large building, we are always
going to have the traffic but what is to be considered here is
does Council want to allow a church in the AICUZ Zone.
Mrs. Stanhope said that something has been bothering her for
awhile. When Council gets their recommendations from P&Z, why
don't they put in some of their rationale behind their
recommendation. She said P&Z is recommending approval of this
on a 4 to 1 vote but from what Mr. Greenwald said they want to
uphold the ordinance. She said she has a lot of qualms with
Council going with something that is so defini tel y stated that
this is one usage that should not be allowed in the area.
Mr. Greenwald said
hearing be held.
relatively new and
really is.
that P&Z was only recommending that a public
He said that two people on the P&Z are
are not really aware of what the AICUZ Zone
Mrs. Stanhope asked what would be the City's responsibil i ty if
Council approved this church going in there and then there was a
crash while church is in session.
Council agreed the City would probably be sued. Mr. Sweatt said
the City might get sued for anything. He felt the Air Force is
really saying what he felt in that we have adopted this zoning
for the right reasons. When you start chipping away at them,
then you end up defeating the whole thing.
Mr. Greenwald said all the people that attended the P&Z meetings
seemed to understand they are in an actual potential hazard zone
and a noise zone. He said what they don I t understand is the
weekend traffic is tremendous.
Mr. Sweatt
place - it
exceptions
enforcement
said staff's
is there for
to the rule
of the rule.
recommendation is the ordinance is in
the right reasons, and we bel ieve any
will be detrimental to the overall
# 3 Discussion of creating an Associate Municipal Court
Judge position.
Mr. Sweatt said Council had been furnished information on a
revised procedure to be used in Municipal Court. It is revised
for several reason, mainly to reduce the work flow and peaks and
valleys of the Municipal Court process. The way our current
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Municipal Court works is that we end up with at least two nights
a month of very high business activity in hearing pleas before
Municipal Court. With the remainder of the month at a different
level. The intent of this process is to level out the work load.
It also, as far as the creation of the Associate Judge position,
provides an easier more workable situation in issuing warrants.
The process is described more full y in the paperwork furnished
Council. This position is not to sit on the bench - we are not
looking for additional judges as part of the judging process but
rather to issue warrants and arraign prisoners.
Chief Agee said the City Manager had pretty well explained the
procedure. This is an acceptable procedure within Vernon's Texas
Civil Statutes to have more than one judge. Currently, what we
have run in to is that with Judge Finley being in New Braunfels
and a practicing attorney, we would have a large influx of
warrants one time during the month - after court date. Then we
would have to carry those warrants to New Braunfels and odds are
that Judge Finley would not be able to sign them while the
officer is there. So we would have to go back after them or wait
until the next court date when Judge Finley would bring them
back. The time lapse could amount to as high as ninety days and
the people who do not want to pay their citations could easily be
gone in ninety days. With this system, with a judge located here
in town, we could decrease that to from twenty-five to twenty-six
days; and we think that would give us a much better rate of
collection.
Mrs. Marsh said she felt this would be an efficiency move and at
no cost to the City.
Mr. Sweatt said we have a person willing to serve as a volunteer.
Mr. Sweatt also called attention to the new citations being used.
He said the net effect of this is to spread out the work load.
Mayor Sawyer received concensus to put this item on the next
agenda.
#4 Discussion of Data Processing Proposals.
Mr. Sweatt said we have solicited proposals and reviewed
responses and have discussed these proposals with the proposers
themselves. After reviewing, the Committee narrowed the list
down from the five proposals received. The proposals were based
on our needs and desires. This approach is somewhat different in
that we have not gone to vendors and asked what they can do but
rather have developed a set of proposal s describing our needs.
The needs short-term, intermediate and long-range have
centered on the overall premise and goals that all of the system
must be integrated, must be capable of being expanded modularly;
and capable of meeting current and future needs without the
"hodgepodge" of unrelated or mismatched systems. We are
recommending the awarding of a contract of purchase to IBM/CPS
Systems, Inc. to purchase specific software and hardware to
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operate a RISC 6000 system, operating on the UNIX language,
complete with appropriate new PCs as well as terminals and
pr inters together with util ization of existing printers at a
projected purchase price of $144,781; and we propose to finance
$125,000. The existing Burroughs system and PCs, together with
operating software, are not convertible and we will recommend
disposal through sale and can project some income from this
source. The Library and Fire Departments will not be added to
this system initially but some time down the road they will be
added.
We have looked into lease-purchase by both suppliers and others
and have come to the conclusion that we will recommend the
purchase of the system using available funds and a Certificate of
Contractual Obligation, in the amount of $125,000, for a total
expenditure of approximately $145,000, over a period of this year
and four additional years. The annual debt service wi 11 be
$37,688 in 1992; $36,000 in 1993; $38,000 in 1994 and $36,000 in
1995. We bel ieve this system, both the hardware and software,
will give us the capability to grow for a period of at least ten
years.
Mrs. Marsh asked what the difference is between Certificates of
Obligation and Contractual Obligations.
Mr. Sweatt said the Contractual Obligations are ease of issue -
one action by the Council, they are not subject to recall, there
are no publication costs, interest rates are as good as
Certificates of Obligation; and is a technique that State law
establ ished for the very purpose of purchasing large capital
outlay type items, particularly in the area of data processing.
The Fiscal Advisor, City Attorney and Mr. Sweatt reviewed the two
and believe that the Contractual Obligation to be the easier
process.
Mr. Baldwin asked if the Burroughs equipment could be used in
other departments. Mr. Sweatt said the Library has their own IBM
compatible program and the Fire Department does not have any
yet; but they will be needing to be tied into our system in the
future.
Mayor Sawyer asked how Council felt about committing to a five-
year plan.
Mr. Sweatt said we established in this year I s operating budget
what we estimated to be this year's cost of approximately
$30,000. Debt service on $125,000, financed over five years will
run from $36,000 to $38,000 annually and that is in line with
what we had estimated. Mr. Sweatt said that interestingly
enough, Contractual Obligations are accountable to the roll-back
rate but are considered a maintenance and operating expense as
far as coverage is concerned. The additional consideration is
that not all of these are General Fund items. Twenty-six percent
of this system will be attributable to the Utility system. Just
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so you will know there will be some movement between the systems
since we are pledging from the General Fund. We are not
anticipating any tax increase for this payment.
Mr. Sweatt said one of the most streamlining and most impressive
parts of the operation is going from the hand receipting and hand
posting systems we now use all money receipted across the
counter will be automaticall y validated in cash drawers and no
longer will it be a manual operation to the general ledger
accounting.
Mr. Sweatt said he hoped he did not confuse anyone by discussing
the financing along with the purchase of the system. He just
brought it up because there would be between $1,000 and $4,000
savings between the Contractual Obligations and lease-purchase.
Chief Agee said the upgrading of the TELETS system would allow
the Warrant Officer to run criminal history, etc. without
impacting the dispatchers. He said this will allow direct entry
by the police officers when they come in with a report, rather
than a data processing person having to put it in the next
morning. Chief Agee said we are all very excited about this.
Mrs. Stanhope thanked Steve Simonson and his committee for a
super job on the data processing proposals. She then asked if
the cables and connections were included and if the power sources
had been investigated. Mr. Simonson answered yes to both
questions, adding that al so incl uded is a uninterrupted power
source called a back-up power suppl y. In the event of a power
failure, this will allow you to take the system down orderly,
save all your data. We already have the surge protection.
Mrs. Stanhope also was concerned about the learning curve. Mr.
Simonson advised that included in the packet was ten working days
of instruction that is spl it up. The training costs is added
into the proposal.
Mr. Greenwald asked what is the possibility of up-grading after
the five to ten year time? Mr. Sweatt said that capacity wise,
memory will take us well into the ten year period. To move into
quadrupling, we would probably move into the next system.
Mrs. Stanhope asked about the built-in maintenance response time.
Mr. Simonson said it is seven days a week, eight hours minimum
time for the CPU, laser printer and tape drive because every
thing el se is carry in. This system will be wired just like
telephone jacks.
Mayor Sawyer received a concensus from Council to proceed with
this proposal at this time.
Mr. Sweatt said we would like to finalize financing at the same
time as purchase of software and equipment and will be bringing
that to Council at the next meeting.
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IS Discussion of renewal of Chamber of Commerce membership.
Mrs. Marsh said she feels they have a lack of organization,
leadership, management and any number of other things. She said
that $1,232 is no small change to belong to this organization and
one would expect a product from an organization and that has not
been forthcoming. They need direction. From the other point of
view, this is the "Friendly City" and we are one of nine
communi ties that belong to this Chamber of Commerce. She said
her personal feeling is that the City should remain a member for
at least one more year. However, she suggested that when our
check is sent in, it be accompanied by a letter that clearly
outlines our observations and feelings toward the Metrocom
Chamber of Commerce and that our membership this year is more or
less conditional. We would expect to see, during this next year,
something productive come out of the workings of the Chamber.
Mr. Baldwin asked what would be productive outcome. Mrs. Marsh
suggested the membership be increased, they need a plan with
goals and objectives. They need leadership and restructuring of
their committees.
Mayor Sawyer reminded Council that he had taken the City out of
the Chamber several years agO because we were very unhappy with
the Chamber. Then another Council voted to gO back in.
Mr. Sweatt said that probabl your perception of what a Chamber
would do is business promotional function, develop additional
markets, to assist in publicizing businesses and to further
business relationships and business development in the community.
That should be their overall and major goals. This Chamber has
not been doing that very well. One project that is not finished
is the Community Profile. They did get the map finished finally.
We would like to think they would be the focal point for people
who would like to move here. In the absence of our Chamber doing
that, our Business Club and Economic Development Task Force has
been doing that.
Mr. Sweatt said that even though we are a member of the Chamber,
we did not even get to vote on board members. They said they
mailed ballots but we never received one.
Mr. Greenwald said he would rather take this money and give it to
the Business Club. Mrs. Stanhope agreed, saying split it between
the Business Club and Economic Development Task Force.
Mr. Sweatt said there is some value in doing things as a unit. He
added that he did not think we could do all the things that a
Chamber should be doing through the Business Cl ub. There are
some things we should encourage them to do. He said he fel t
there would be a big gap, if we withdraw from the Chamber, in our
relationships with the other communities.
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Mrs. Marsh said the reason she suggested going with them one more
year is that she believed in giving them one more chance.
After further discussion, Mayor Sawyer called for a concensus of
the Council.
Mr. Baldwin said we should go with them one more year and write
the letter and let them know how we feel and give them fair
warning that if there are not some improvements, we will drop
out.
Mr. Potempa said he felt we should pullout.
Mrs. Marsh agreed with Mr. Baldwin.
Mrs. Stanhope said she would hate to see the City put on a
blacklist for pulling out without warning, so guess she would go
with one more year with the inclusion of the letter.
Mr. Greenwald, although his first thought would be to drop them,
he did say give them one more chance and then drop out if our
goals are not met.
16 Discuss action regarding CPS rate increase.
Mr. Sweatt said this is one of those cases where the cost of
fighting it exceeds what would be gained. He said he did not
feel they had done a good job of explaining the need for a 4%
rate increase. We have voiced our displeasure with the 14%
franchise fee, that all of our customers help pay, to the City of
San Antonio - where we only get 2% back. Most of the cities in
this area are willing to accept the increase. Our alternative
would have to be to fight it on a civil level and that is not
cost effective. Their rate system is good, they are much lower
than other systems, but they could be cheaper if they did not pay
the City of San Antonio the 14%. He ended by saying it does not
seem productive to fight the increase, therefore he recommended
adopting the ordinance approving the rate increase.
# 7 Discuss Letter of Commitment regarding SVFD loan for
vehicle purchase.
Mr. Sweatt said that in years past, the Schertz Volunteer Fire
Department has been given a loan and the volunteers repaid the
loan. The volunteers are to pay a portion and get a loan for the
balance. The bank has requested the City to back that note with
a Letter of Commitment. The volunteers are drawing up the
specifications at this time for this vehicle.
Mayor Sawyer advised that he has signed the notes in the past and
the volunteers have never defaulted on their note. In the past,
the bank has forgiven the interest on the notes. He then asked
for and received concensus from Council to go along with this
request.
#8 CITY MARAGER'S REPORT: A. We are in the process of
soliciting bids on a dump truck for the Street Department - the
bids to be opened in February.
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B, We have been advised by TML of the Legislative Briefing and
Luncheon on February 4th in Austin at the Marriott.
Registration cost is $50 each. We will be inviting our
legislators and senators. The meeting begins with registration
at 8:45 and should be over by 2:30. Mr. Sweatt encouraged
everyone that could to attend.
C. At the meeting on January 15th, we will be presenting the
Christmas Decorating Awards winners plaques.
D. We also have a Certificate of Appreciation for a retir ing
Library Board member.
E. We have received the Government Finance Officers Association
award for our audit for the period ending September 30, 1989. He
said he would like to formally receive the award at this meeting
also.
F. The Library is announcing new hours of operation. Beginning
February 4th, Monday, Wednesday and Friday the Library will be
open from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursdays from
noon until 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m until 4:00 p.m.
G. We have a group that has requested a place on the agenda to
discuss drainage in Deer Haven. We are meeting Friday with the
engineers and they will be here at the meeting to discuss the
problem.
H. We have had a dispatcher to leave and another is going into
the hospital so we have had to add an emergency dispatcher.
#9 ITEMS BY COUNCIL: Mr?---,_JiaJ:_~l1: A. Asked the City
Manager to see that the Dispatcher has the name and phone numbers
of all Councilmembers.
B. Received a compl iment for Alamo Waste - they are doing a
super job.
C. Asked when the new grocery store would be opening. Mr.
Sweatt said they are waiting for the weather to clear so they can
pour the concrete.
D. Has anyone approached them about adding photo developing -
there is a great need for that in our City.
Mr. Potempa: A. He was very happy to see Chief Mel ton making
the promotions in the Fire Department.
B. He reserved time on the agenda of January 15th for the
Business Club to make a presentation to a new member.
C. He said he really enjoyed the City Manager's Information
Activity Reports as it is important Council be advised every time
something happens in the City.
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Mrs. Stanhope: A. She would like to see the City set aside a
week in February as Vol unteer Week. She said she had drafted
something for the next newsletter and wanted Council comments.
B. She thanked Mr. Sweatt for attending the Library Advisory
Board meeting, it was really a good exchange. They are a
terrific group of people and appreciated his being there.
Mr. Baldwin interjected that Mr. Sweatt has also been attending
the SAFES meetings and they are happy about that.
C. Asked the status of the Animal Shelter. Mr. Sweatt said the
local Human Society has reviewed our plans and were pleased with
them. The weather has been so bad, we have not gotten the survey
crew out.
Mr. Baldwin: A. There is not a School Zone sign on Curtiss
Avenue coming up Schertz Parkway or from Randolph Avenue. Mr.
Sweatt said he would check into that.
B. Would there have to be an ordinance change regarding the area
of curb the School District would like to mark off as no parking
zone. Mr. Sweatt said if they wanted to enforce it, yes. He
asked that Mr. Baldwin have the School Board write a letter of
request.
Mr. Greenwald: A. Regarding the letter from GUADCO, they are
implying that because of our rate increase their rates had to go
up even more than our rate increase.
B. At the last CVADAC meeting, they had an election of officers
and we should be getting a list soon.
C. In the latest TML Legislative Report, there are a lot of
filings that effect cities and we should be contacting our
legislators about these.
# 10 ITEMS BY MAYOR: A. Mr. Sawyer listed a number of
items he felt needed to be called to attention of Council and
discussed: Animal Shel ter, pol icy on drugs, annexations, the
pros and cons of the City buying property for development, a
Goals Committee - to involve citizens, recycling, welcome sign to
the City, continue beautification allover the City, more small
pavilions in the park, public safety bonds, review our legal
agenda, storm water management, abatement policy, continue the
widening effort on FM 1518 and FM 3009, Fire Department Bonds _
they need to expand, Schertz Parkway needs to be striped, and
trailers going into Universal City's ETJ needs to be checked out.
Mr. Sweatt called attention to a new Law Enforcement Television
Network Training Program we have added. He invited Council to
come early to the next meeting and observe this program.
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# 11 ADJOURNMENT: There being
meeting was declared adjourned
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