ccswks 11-29-1989
SPECIAL SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 29, 1989
The Schertz city Council convened in Special Session, Wednesday,
November 29, 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 Hartzogi Hal Baldwini Barbara Stanhopei Mary Marsh and Ken
Greenwald. Staff present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt and City
Secretary June Krause.
II HEARING OF RESIDENTS: A. Mr. Bill Neller, representing
the American Legion, said that part of their obligation is to
inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, state
and nation. As Council knows, they have put 24 flag brackets on
poles on Main Street. Monday they will put 24 Christmas
decorations up to enhance the Christmas spirit. Mr. Neller said
they have also made 280 ornaments to give to the school and 160
they are going to give to a veterans organization who will
transfer them to Audie Murphy Hospital. They also have about 160
that will be used to decorate small Christmas trees for senior
ci tizens, who they feel will be without decorations. Mayor
thanked Mr. Neller and added that Council always appreciates the
work Mr. Neller and his group does for the city.
B. Mr. Ed Mazian asked about any follow up on alternative cable
TV for the City. Mr. Sweatt said the man he called told him they
could not do anything about it now because they are going through
a sale. He said he asked them to put our request at the top of
the list, but has not heard anything from them as yet. Mr. Sweatt
said he would contact them again.
'2 Discussion of Tax Abatement and He-investment zones
policy recommendations from the Economic Development Task Force.
Mayor Sawyer said we had asked the Economic Development Task
Force to take a look at this and Mark Marques, our intern, to
discuss this with Council.
Mr. Marques called attention to the Guidelines and Criteria
Council had in their packets. He said essentially what we are
talking about in tax abatement is another tool for cities to play
in the Economic Development game. It is a means of providing an
incentive to businesses, both external and internal to the city.
State law requires that if a City is going to offer an abatement,
they need to establish some guidelines and criteria. State law
is very broad in that it says first the city must make the
decision to offer abatements and re-investment zones - this is
done by resol ution. The second cr iter ia is to establ ish, by
ordinance, the criteria and guidelines by which you are going to
offer abatements. After having passed an ordinance, the Council
then at its option and depending on an application from a
potential person who wants to improve his property would
consider that application in terms of abatement individually and
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in terms of whether they would want to make that area an
investment zone.
Part 2 of the law says that once having agreed, through
negotiations, to offer an abatementi public hearings are
required. Following that the agreement is signed and that
agreement is in concrete for whatever period you have decided to
give abatement. The standard abatement, in this guideline, is
six years.
Mr. Marques said most of the prov~s~ons of the law aare included
in this packet and if someone wants to talk about tax abatement,
then you would qive them this package. This is essentially that
policy that Schertz has on Tax Abatements and it also covers the
major provisions of the law.
Mr. Marques said the question was raised about New Braunfels, and
it was found that New Braunfels does not have guidelines at all
and San Marcus has very broad guidelines, that says we will
comply with state law.
Mr. Marques
guidelines
guidelines
it.
said that, as he reads the law, the purpose of the
and criteria is that you are offering the SAME
and criteria to any person who comes in and asked for
Mr. Sweatt added that the primary reason for doing this is to
create a level so that everyone understandsi and secondly so that
we do have a clear cut guideline. This sets out what we have the
power to do but we do not have to do it. Mr. Sweatt said that
staff suggests striking the 15 year provision in the guidelines.
He added that after Council has discussed this, then they would
like to take it back to the Task Force, to the City Attorney and
then bring back to Council by the end of the year.
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Council then discussed the guidelines and criteria, agreeing that
this has been needed for years.
13 Discussion of awarding radio bid.
Mr. Sweatt relayed that bids were opened the early part of this
month and six bids were received for radio equipment for use in
the police service. This equipment is included in the '89-90
budget under lease arrangement. We were pleased that all bids
received came in under our original estimates.
Chief Agee said this bid includes a console for the dispatch
office, with ancillary equipment and repeater for the
Nacogdoches well site. He said this will enable us to talk all
over the city, which we are unable to do at this time. It will
al so allow the different departments to communicate with each
other, which is very important especial I y in times of
emergencies. Chief Agee said his original recommendation was to
be the third from lowest bid. The reason being that we have been
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dealing with them for years and the low bidder had bid a
different console than we anticipated. However, in checking into
the console of the low bidder, we find it to be every bit as
good as the one we had looked at. The City of Live Oak has this
type and have found it to be very reliable. We have, therefore,
changed our recommendation to the low bidder, S & p
Communications, in the amount of $19,988.66. Both consoles are
capable of expansion and are equal in specifications.
Mr. Sweatt said this will enable us to tie all our departments
together and that is vital during an emergency. What we propose
to do is request proposals for financing, so that we will be able
to make the award by the second meeting in December.
'4 Consider a report of police vehicle bids.
Mr. Sweatt related that as a resul t of Council action on the
earlier bids, we are happy to report that we will have saved
$8,244 over the earlier bid on the purchase of four vehicles.
This same recommendation will project a savings of $4,320 over
the local bid and $5, 188 over the lowest bid in the original
packet. To reiterate, we had joined in a group arrangement with
New Braunfels, Selma, and Garden Ridge and bids were received the
early part of October. At that time we reviewed the bids, there
were two bids, and all felt that the two bids were not the best
prices. As you know, we rejected the bids and re-advertised. As
a result of the re-bidding process, we find that a proposed bid
of $12,618 per unit is the apparent low bid from A. C. ColI ins
Ford in Houston, which is the same company that supplied our last
four vehicles. This compares to a local bid from Bluebonnet Ford
of $13,698. We will be recommending to you the acceptance of the
A.C. Collins bid, in the amount of $12,618. Once we are assured
of the bid award, we will be soliciting lease-purchase proposals
for financing these vehicles.
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'5 Discussion of Bexar Metro 9-1-1 budget.
Mr. Sweatt advised that as Council knows the 9-1-1 program is
funded through a charge to each customer on their telephone bill.
There is no direct participation by the City in the cost of
operating the 9-1-1 system. This is the first year the system
has been up and completely operational and as a result has
submitted a proposed budget to each entity for their
consideration. Chief Agee and Chief Melton and I have developed
good working relations with 9-1-1 district and have visited with
Jerry Marshal on a number of occasions. The proposed fiscal year
budget is $1,661,736, with the exclusion of contingency. The
projected income for the district is $1,885,410. The district
asked that each governing body consider and approve the budget.
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16 Discuss participation with other local government
entities in study for Health Risk Pool.
Mr. Sweatt said that recently State law has broadened authority
to interlocally contract as well as to insure under a Risk Pool
arrangement or to provide self-insurance to governmental entities
under the pooling of both risk and benefits arrangements. This
has been an area where the Municipal League has been able to take
advantage of in years past under worker I s comp arrangements as
well as other insurance. The recent state law has broadened that
capacity so that there can be risk pool development as well. Our
city, along with a number of others, has participated with
Village Oaks in studYing the feasibility of combining our needs
and our total number of employees and desired coverage for
medical insurance. This is new and we believe it has some merit.
All the cities and governmental entities in this area have looked
at the possibility of dOing a feasibility study through Boone-
Chapman. The estimated cost of the study of $10,000 would be
shared among a number of cities and school districts to literally
determine if there is sufficient benefit to be derived from
developing a Risk Pool Insurance provision. The group has met on
a couple of occasions and there are approximately 1800 employees
available to this risk pool. If all entities were to participate
on a pro-rata basis ,our cost would amount to $477.78 for 86
full-time employees. We bel ieve that it would be worthwhile to
participate with the other entities to do such a study to develop
costs on how we can better insure our employees. He ended by
saying we would like Council concurrence in participation in this
study.
Mayor Sawyer said he would like to see, it and felt it would be
money well spent providing the larger entities jOin in this
group.
Mr. Baldwin said our school district has been contacted but until
they have a board meeting, he cannot commit their share of this.
He added by saying he would like to see this happen, not only
would this give a good programi but it would also give more
business to Village Oaks and help insure that it would stay open.
17 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: A. Bill Neller is one of the
many people who have been very active in the Christmas
Decorating Committee program. The decorating contest for
businesses and residences will be judged on December 16th by a
five-member committee. Want to invite all the Council to sign
the large Christmas Card that Joe Potempa is having made for out
in front. Our Christmas Tree Lighting Program is on December 7th
and we believe this will be one of the really memorable years.
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B. Live Oak has invited the Council to their dedication
ceremonies on Saturday, December 2nd at 10:00 a.m. If you plan
on gOing, let us know and we will RSVP.
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C. Randolph Metrocom Chamber of Commerce is having the Annual
party on December 7th at Woodlake Country Club, cocktails
starting at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7:30 p.m. with tickets costing
$17.50 each.
D. Universal City has invited everyone to a ribbon cutting for
the Library renovations at 2: 00 p. m on December 3rd. This al so
needs a RSVP.
E. Melick, Armstrong and Vaughan's holiday season Open House is
Friday, December 8th, starting at 4:30 p.m.
F. AACOG' s Semi -Annual Dinner and meeting
starting at 10: 00 a. m. at the Menger Hotel.
person.
is December 12th,
This is $15 per
'8 ITEMS BY COUNCIL: Mrs. Marsh: A. She wanted to thank
Mr. Sweatt for the letter to the District Traffic Engineer of the
state Department of Highways and Public Transportation regarding
the traffic lights on FM 3009.
B. Asked if anyone has commenced a study of the speed limit on
East Live Oak Road. Mr. Sweatt said that Chief Agee is in the
process of going back over traffic tickets and will have the
information soon. He will also be doing some speed checks.
C. Have previous 1 y spoken to the City Manager about a citizen
inquiry about police cars that have had accidents and one that is
dented. Mr. sweatt said right now we have one of the new
vehicles that has a dent because of a hit and run driver i two
others have been fixed and we have four new vehicles coming in
and the department is aware of the need to present a good face.
Mr. Baldwin asked if we require our officers to take an emergency
driving course as the SAFES drivers take. Chief Agee said we
have a video tape and we intend to send officers to take the
course. We are checking to see if we can get someone certified
as an instructor.
Mr. Hartzog: A. Thanked Bill Neller and all the rest who worked
on the Christmas Committee, inc 1 uding Joe potempa and staff.
They deserve some type of appreciation.
B. Asked if the City Manager had checked on the car lot property
on Main Street. Mr. Sweatt said the property was leased, not
sold.
C. Do not know if there is anything we can do about it; but
corning into Schertz on FM 78 on the Bexar County side, there is a
house that is for sale that has windows broken out and looks
terrible. Mayor Sawyer suggested contact Commissioner Bob Lee to
look into this.
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D. What progress has been made about the dumping of fill near
the Animal Shelter. Mr. Sweatt said we have looked at it and
notified them they are in violationi and have asked the State and
the Corps of Engineers to help and have not gotten any help so
far. Mayor Sawyer suggested our Code Enforcement check this out.
E. What about the Chamber of Commerce maps? Mr. Sweatt said his
understanding is that we will be able to look at the draft next
week.
F. Has the Juvenile Probation Officer moved out of our offices?
Mr. Sweatt said not yet. However, Guadalupe County has agreed to
fund an office in Schertz. They have located space in the
Pacific Southwest Bank Building for the Juvenile Probation
Officer, clerical support and a full-time county tax clerk.
Quite an advantage to have those services available to us. We
hate to have Ron Quiros leave our offices but they need more
space that we cannot offer at this time. They plan to open that
office January 1st.
Mrs. Stanhope: A. Added her thanks to the decorating people,
saying this is a very special project to her.
B. What is the status of the Garden Ridge problem. Mr. Sweatt
said the hearing date is set for some time in March.
C. She asked if we have run into problems with the sign out
front. Mr. Greenwald said we can find nothing in our plans on
this sign; but they will do their best.
D. Do we have a committee to insure that we get everything we
want in our census. Mr. Sweatt said our Planning Department is
on top of this and they want to advertise that this will only be
by mail. As we understand it, there will not be a house to house
census.
Mrs. Marsh asked if there is anything wrong with having our own
people go door to door, after these things have been mailed out,
saying we are representing the City and are here to assist you.
Mr. Sweatt said we can do everything, as far as
we choose to do; but the Census Bureau wi II
census. We need to do everything possible to get
our people of the importance of filling out these
publicity, that
not accept our
the word out to
forms.
Mr. Greenwald said Steve Simonson has the information from the
Census Bureau, saying they have flyers, etc. that they will send
to us to assist. He mentioned that the main thing is to be sure
that our City limits is correct.
E. Have we had any call or any indication that a fence was
going in behind Windy Meadows. Mr. Sweatt said no, nothing at
all.
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Mr. Baldwin: A. The decision on the Constitutional Amendment
that has to do with "Goods in Transit" and the exemption of those
things from the tax role, we have to make a decision before the
end of December or that is automaticallY off your tax role next
year. Then you have to make another decision by April or it is
off the roles forever. Mr. Sweatt said that is right. He said
he has asked the Appraisal District to furnish us some hard
numbers. He said his basic reaction is to recommend that we not
overr ide the Constitution and allow the exemption to go into
place. This on the philosophY to make us competitive. However,
at this time we do not really know what the impact is. The plus
side is that we do have the two dates to make our choice.
Mr. Greenwald: A. He agreed that we need to do something to
recognize the Christmas Decorating Committee because, when
finished, everyone is going to be amazed at what has been done in
the $400-$500 range. The did not spend all the money budgeted
because after Christmas, they want to take advantage of all the
sales.
Mayor Sawyer suggested using banners to encourage people to fill
out the census papers. There was suggestions that perhaps banks,
Utility companies include on monthly bills in fact use
everything resource possible to advertise census.
B. We had second meeting with Rimrock Consultants. Most of the
discussion was catching up; primarily background, history and why
it is being done the way it is.
19 ITEMS BY MAYOR:
Mr. Sweatt advised that Mr. Sippel had donated a cabinet for the
front lobby to display the items the Task Force will be providing
for sale. At present we have T-shirts for $10.00 and logo
watches for $27.50; and will have caps very soon.
We plan to acknowledge to one of our citizens, you are well aware
of through the Nationwide publicity, the Smith family. Mayor,
Council and staff will be sending some get well wishes to the
family when they corne out of intensive care.
Chief Agee announced that in keeping with the police Department
awards program, they had asked the Business Club to act as their
committee to select their Employee of the Year. They have
selected Sgt. R. M. Tacquard and he will be awarded the
Certificate of Merit Award at our Annual Dinner.
Mayor Sawyer said that if there are any citizens that need to be
recognized to please let us know. He mentioned that Mrs. Ware of
the Housing Authority should be recognized, along with the people
on the decorating committee.
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110 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor
Sawyer declared the meeting to be adjourned at 9:14 p.m.
ATTEST:
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