ccswks 09-13-1989
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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 13, 1989
The Schertz city Council convened in Special Session, Wednesday,
september 13, 1989, 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;
Earl Hartzogj Hal Baldwini Barbara Stanhopei Mary Marsh and Ken
Greenwald. Staff present were City Manager Kerry R. Sweatt and
City Secretary June Krause.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS: A. Mr. Bill Neller, affiliated
with the American Legion Post, read a statement which said "Let
service to the community, state and nation be ever the main
object of the American Legion and its members". He said their
members feel they are obligated to serve their community in any
manner in which they can. They have made available the flag
displays on Main Street and now have another project. He had 106
Chr istmas decorations he had made to be used wherever in the
city. He also showed a small plastic tree that he had decorated
and he suggested there are bed-ridden people in the city who
would like to have one of these on loan during the season. He
asked if Council knew of anyone that would be interested in
having one of these small trees to help bring Christmas to their
homes, just let him know. He said these things are examples of
things that he would like to do for the city.
B. Mr. Jim Shriver, as Chairman of the Citizen Leadership Panel,
passed out their final report to Council. Mr. Sweatt said this
was made a part of the five-year plan.
Mr. Shriver, as President of the Schertz Business Club, said
that Mr. Baldwin had brought up the possibility of the Business
Club working with the City on a float. He said if the City wants
to do this, they would like to know so that they could earmark
the funds for this.
Mr. Sweatt said some money is set aside in the next budget with
the view of funding a float. He said he has a staff committee
working on this now. He said it is our feeling that we would
probably not unveil it until the 4th of July. Mr. Sweatt said
yes, we definitely do want the Business Club to participate. He
said Mr. Simonson is chairing a committee for Christmas
decorations this year and he would be getting Mr. Neller to help
on that also.
C. Michelle Tereletsky said the storage
Shelter was cleaned up and looks wonderful.
some manpower on Friday to unload some
shelter.
shed at the Animal
She asked to borrow
kitty litter at the
Mrs. Tereletsky said she would like permission to advertise that
the month of october is "Adopt a Dog Month". She advised that
they have kits on this at the shelter.
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She also showed some very professional little dog house boxes,
made by Jim Purcell, in which to collect donations.
#2 ORDIIIAlfCE: Mayor Sawyer introduced an ordinance and
read the caption as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 89-T-26
AN ORDINANCE LEVYING AND ASSESSING ALL
TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS
OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS, FOR THE YEAR
1989 i PROVIDING THE BASIS OF ASSESSMENT OF
100% APPRAISED VALUE AND PROVIDING FOR THE
COLLECTION THEREOF AT THE RATE OF $0.3183 ON
THE ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR ($100.00) ASSESSED
VALUATION AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Mr. Greenwald moved to approve this ordinance adopting the tax
rate for 1989 as an emergency measure. Mr. Baldwin seconded the
motion.
Mr. Sweatt showed a couple of graphics, the first was a
comparison of tax rates of area cities. The charts gave the
comparisons for Converse, Cibolo, Selma, Schertz, Live Oak San
Antonio, Universal City and Windcrest. This shows Schertz's rate
of .3183 is very comparable with the area cities. The next chart
showed the net effect of the proposed tax rate on different
appraised valuations. One other chart showed the assessed values
from 1982 through 1989, another showed the current tax collected
as compared to the tax rate itself.
Mr. Hartzog mentioned that at the budget discussions, it was said
that since 1986 the city has spent its reserves. He said we have
gotten to the point in several departments, noticeably the police
and fire departments, where we have to replace vehicles and
equipment. He said that this year we have no choice but to raise
taxes because the City is out of reserve funds. Whether it was a
mistake to spend those reserves or not is a decision of the past
and should be buried and this year Council should proceed on with
what has to be done.
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Mrs. Marsh said she agreed except it sounded strange that we have
to raise taxes because we do not have a reserve and she said she
would not like to leave the idea in anyone I s mind that it is
appropriate to spend the reserve over and above what is budgeted.
Mayor Sawyer then called for a vote and the motion carried with
the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Hartzog, Baldwin, Stanhope, Marsh and
Greenwald.
NAYS: None
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Mr. Hartzog asked if we are faced with a roll back election, what
is the time frame.
Mr. Sweatt said most of that is governed by the Uniform Tax
Legislation. He said there is about a gO-day period in which
certain actions can take place. And of course one of the four
authorized elections dates has to be taken into consideration.
One of the problems it creates is that we have to get our tax
notices out and begin to collect money. If a roll back occurs
and carries at the election, then you have to go back through the
process of escrowing the funds or sending the money back - some
very expensive conditions.
#3 Discussion of September 19th agenda items:
A. Final consideration of an ordinance relating to taxation of
Telecommunication Services.
Council had no problem with this ordinance and Mayor Sawyer asked
that it be on the next agenda.
B. Final consideration of an ordinance amending the Zoning
Ordinance.
No further discussion, put on the next agenda.
#4 Discussion of an ordinance repealing Section 12-6 (h)
Process Server's Fees of the Code of Ordinances.
Mr. Sweatt said this is a very brief ordinance repealing the
prov~s~on that provides for the collection and payment of a
Process Server's Fee. Under our current arrangement for our
warrant officer service, that being a full time employee of the
ci ty, the fee goes to the General Fund so this is no longer
valid.
#5 Discussion of an ordinance regulating sexually oriented
businesses.
Mr. Sweatt said this is a 21 page ordinance that has been
reviewed by the Planning & Zoning Commission, our staff and City
attorney's office. This proposed licensing process tracks what
we bel ieve have been consti tutionall y tested cases and other
cities' and counties' regulations on the subject. It ties both
land use and licensing together. It provides for a route of
appeal. Mr. Sweatt said we believe these will meet both the
statutorial and constitutional tests and feel it appropriate to
add to our code of ordinances.
Council thought the ordinance was very thorough.
for
#6
the
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: A.
paving work to the tank
We have completed the plans
sites and would propose to
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solicit bids for mid October to get the work done before the
extra cold weather sets in. This is completing the 1987 project,
including the paving to the Live Oak site that was a condition of
the purchase of land.
Mr. Hartzog asked if it was possible to do this in-house. Mr.
Sweatt said we will take a look at it but he real I y feel s the
size of the job may prohibit our doing the work. We would really
like to get the work done before the real cold weather comes.
B. Received a letter from the County Judge concerning our
nomination to the AACOG Regional Development and Review
Commi ttee. They are pr imar il y looking for nominees from the
consumer area.
Mrs. Stanhope suggested nominating Mr. Aguilar.
C. As reminder, at least by
giving some thought to our
County Appraisal District.
by the middle of October.
next workshop session, we need to be
possible nominees to the Guadalupe
We need to finalize our nominations
D. It is a pleasure to announce another anniversary for one of
our long tenure employees Mrs. Krause. Would like some
direction from Mayor and Council for salary consideration and
eval uation. In the past Mrs. Krause's salary was set by City .
Councili last year Council approved establishing the City
Secretary's position within the pay plan itself. Mrs. Krause
serves also as deputy city manager.
Mayor Sawyer said Council handled Mr. Sweatt's evaluation with a
TML list of items and if Council so desires, he suggested
handling Mrs. Krause's the same way.
After discussion, Council decided the Mayor and Mr.
the evaluation, then it be reviewed by Council in
Session.
Sweatt do
Executive
#7 ITEMS BY COUIICIL: Mrs. Marsh: A. The first thing
concerned marketing our city through our local newspapers. She
suggested a need for the establ ishment of a central contact
point to advise the media on events that happen. She recommended
Linda Boyle be appointed as Schertz Public Affairs or whatever
name desired. If anyone - Council, staff, committee, citizen -
has news of an event, they would contact Linda, who would make
sure the news media were advised of it. This could be announced
in the newsletter.
B. She would I ike to see, as part of the financial reports on
the new budget, how the City stands on contingency based on
deferrals that were established.
C. Received a call from a citizen, who suggested the need for
some sort of institute of higher learning in our area.
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D. Asked if the city Manager was
Richburg on the street in Deer Haven.
still working with Harry
Mr. Sweatt advised he was.
E. Asked the status of the Don Decker project. Mr. Sweatt said
we plan to have that on the last workshop in September.
F. What is the status of a license tag substation at some place
like Wuests. Mr. Sweatt said Mrs. Boyd is willing to meet with
Mr. Kusak to discuss the possibility.
Mr. Hartzog: A. How near are they to
Rittimann Water Project. Mr. Bierschwale
probablY be done by the 25th of this month.
completion of the
said they would
B. Are the residents of Rittimann getting the line to their
house or will that be a separate project. Mr. Bierschwale said
that will have to be negotiated between the County and the City
of Schertz, but no one will be left without water to their
residence.
C. I-35 sewer line - what is the status. Mr. Sweatt said we have
revamped our Memorandum of Understanding and they are in the
process of doing the same. We are preparing specifications for
our portion of the line. We will be bringing the Memorandum of
Understanding back to Council after staff has revised it. There
is money in the budget for oversizing.
D. Dur ing Budget workshops, Mr. Hartzog said he suggested the
City annex Anton I s on I -10. Since it is in San Antonio's ETJ,
can we see if San Antonio will release this for annexation by
Schertz.
E. Mr. Hartzog said he would also like to see the City annex
along F.M. 78 to include the Shamrock Service Station. Mayor
Sawyer said that may be in our ETJ but we need to look at it very
carefully before taking any action on this.
Mr. Greenwald said this could negate us from getting any further
grant funds.
Mayor Sawyer said another place to look at for annexation would
be Stone Creek
Mrs. Stanhope: A. There will be a bake sale Saturday at Kountry
Kitchen to support GRASP and their purchase of a van.
She attended the Housing Authority meeting and one of the tenants
brought up their lack of transportation, they really miss the
van.
Mr. Baldwin: A. He received a call from a woman who is very
concerned because it has been 1-1/2 years since Schertz has done
anything for the Senior Citizens. His recommendation would be to
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do something soon - say in October, maybe in conjunction with
th~ir Monday or Thursday luncheons. He said we would still make
preparations for the second saturday in May for Senior Citizen
Appreciation Day.
Mr. Sweatt advised that on October 14th, they are having a Senior
Citizen Mini-convention at the Community Center. Perhaps
something could be done at that time.
Mr. Greenwald: A. Planning & Zoning will try to bring their
presentation for the APA Conference to the 27th of September
Workshop.
B. P&Z are getting a lot of requests on the junk vehicle
ordinance, primarilY from people who are actually restoring
antiques. He would like to get a concensus to send P&Z a letter
asking them to look at the screening requirements, as they are
too restrictive. He felt there should be some allowances.
Mr. Sweatt said when this ordinance was being developed, this was
looked at very long and hard and he felt it is an area that would
be difficult to deal with. He said staff would look at it again.
C. At the P&Z meeting, Steve Simonson talked about Christmas
decorations and one suggestion brought up was rounding off the
water bills - for instance if the bill was $22.50, make the check
for $23.00 on a voluntary basis. This could be used for
Christmas decorations, landscaping, float, etc. as these are
things that are tangible and can be seen by the people. Mr.
Sweatt said he would look into it.
#8 ITEMS BY MAYOR: A. He invited Mr. Joe Porter to the
Council meeting on Tuesday to discuss his plans for the Housing
Authority.
B. He had received a letter from the Kiwanas Club asking if the
City had any projects they could get involved in.
#9 ADJOUR1lMEllT: There being no further business, Mayor
Sawyer adjourned the meeting at 8, 42 J~L
~or. City 0 S
ATTEST:
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