ccswks 06-14-1989
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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 14, 1989
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Meeting ,
Wednesday, June 14, 1989, at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of
the Municipal Complex, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The
followinq members were present: Mayor Earl W. Sawyer, presidingj
Barbara Stanhope; Mary Marsh and Ken Greenwald. Absent were Earl
Hartzog and Hal Baldwin. Staff present were City Manager Kerry
R. Sweatt and City Secretary June G. Krause.
Mayor Sawyer welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially Sgt.
Cedric Baldwin from Randolph Air Force Base and the five foreign
students who were visiting local municipalities. Mayor Sawyer
introduced the Council and staff to the students and explained a
little of their functions.
*1 HEARING OF RESIDIDft'S: none
*l-A BID AWARD: Consider and take action on awarding bid
on Rittimann CDBG Water Improvement Project.
Mr. Sweatt explained we have participated with Bexar County in a
project for water improvements in Ri ttimann Addition. This is
part of 1988-89 fiscal year CDBG program. In the course of
design and soliciting bids a work program was adopted in which
the City was to take action during June so that improvements
could be made by the end of August. Bids were opened on Monday.
We failed to place this item on the agenda to comply with the 72
hour notice because it not only needs to be discussed but action
should be taken at this time. It was posted as an emergency and
the news media has been contacted.
MR. HARTZOG ARRIVED AT 7:07 P.M.
Mr. Greenwald made a motion to award the bid on the Rittimann
Water Improvement Project CDBG 9rant in the amount of $110,130.99
to Wagner & Sons Paving Company Inc. Mrs. Marsh seconded the
motion.
Mr. Sweatt pointed out one additional item, we asked that as an
optional item, each of the bidders bid on furnishing linear feet
meter connection services. The apparent low bidder Wagner and
Sons is also "the low bidder on the additional items at the rate
of $3.50 per linear foot. We do not have the total worked out
because they will be bill on an individual basis.
Mr. Greenwald amended his motion to include this additional item
and Mrs. Marsh amended her second. Motion then carried with the
following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Hartzog, Stanhope, Marsh and Greenwald
NAYS: None
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Discussion regarding Citizens Leadership Panel matters.
Mayor Sawyer said he had asked Mr. Shriver, Chairman of the
Panel, to be present for this item.
Jim Shriver reported that the Citizen I s Leadership Panel was
formed under the direction of the P&Z, with the concurrence of
the City Council. Their goals are to look into the future plans
for the City, both long term and short term. He advised they
have met almost every week since their organization. Originally
nine citizens were appointed to the Panelj however three of those
were unable to serve. An additional members was appointed,
bringing the total to seven: Jim Shriver, Sharon Fruge, Kim
Potempa, Wayne Hofferichter, Jim Todd, Margaret Riley and Adolph
Aguilar.
Mr. Shriver said at the first meeting, they realized that the
majority of the Panel Members did not have sufficient knowledge
of the past or present problems and operations of city functions.
To gain this knowledge, the Panel invited City Department Heads
to brief them on their operations. He went on to say that each
panel member has been assigned two subjects from the departments
and are currently in the process of writing their
recommendations. At the present, they plan to submit their final
recommendations and report to the Planning & Zoninq Commission by
Ju 1 y 24, 198 9 .
Mayor Sawyer then thanked Mr. Shriver for his report, addinq that
the Council appreciates the Panel's efforts.
'3 Discussion on the request of Mr. John Lund for an
exception to allow placement of mobile homes on FM 1518, Lots
1851 and 1871.
Mr. Sweatt said that Planning & Zoninq will be recommending that
instead of an exception to the ordinance, a change in zoning in
the form of Specific Use Permit be issued, with the six months
expiration date for Specific Use Permit be extended to a two-year
period. P&Z is also recommending that prior to any construction
or installation of mobile homes, the area must be platted as
required by the Subdivision Ordinance and City utilities must be
extended to the area by the developer. P&Z feels that due to the
unusual topoqraphy of the land and that since the majority of the
land is located wi thin a creek bed and floodplain, a unique
situation exists that warrants consideration. With mobile homes
currently on adjacent lots, the indication is that mobile homes
would be a reasonable use for the land in question.
Mr. Greenwald said that by gOinq with the Specific Use Permit, it
lets Mr. Lund go ahead with his plan and give Council time to
decide the best use of the land.
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Mr. Hartzoq said he did not feel the best use would be
residential because it is close to a farm to market road. He
said he felt Council should go ahead and give Mr. Lund at least a
five-year time limit.
Mrs. Marsh said she thought we have a situation where the zoninq
for that area should be readdressed. It is not good for
business, not really suitable for anything. In this instance,
Mrs. Marsh said she felt they would have to do a spot zoning but
should not let the Specific Use Permit go on for ever.
Mr. Greenwald said the two-year time limit gives Council time to
go back to Planning & Zoning for study.
Mr. Sweatt said that P&Z fel t that wi thin two years time, the
City would have determined some type of zoning for this
particular piece of property.
'4 Discussion of Econoaic Develo~nt Task Force BudGet.
Mr. Sweatt said that the Economic Development Task Force has met
on a number of occasions and has developed a budget and at the
next meeting will ask Council to amend the budget to acomodate
this. Amend the General Fund income by increasing $34,118.00 -
this represents income to the general fund from other sources,
such as Schertz Housing Finance and the Industrial Development ,-----
Corporation $34,118 - and GF budget, $3000, for a total available
to the Task Force of $37,118. We have had expenses of $443 for
various items. The remaining for this year's budget will show
$15,725 for proposed expenditures, $1,800 Contingencies and a
Reserve of $19,150.
Mr. Hartzog asked if Mr. Sweatt would be adding line item
numbers. Mr. Sweat answered that for the remainder of this year,
these will be items under Economic Development. In the next
fiscal year, we will line item budget established. It is
strongly recommended that the reserve be established to recognize
that the transfer is not re-occuring. Hopefully the estimate of
this reserve will provide the bulk of funds for next year.
*5 Discussion of a resolution supportinG the Karnes County
application for a aal[illUII security facility and the City of
Dilley for a ~diUII to ainillUII security facility in South Texas.
Mr. Sweatt advised that a number of other city and county
governments have been contacted for support of this resolution.
A resolution sample is enclosed in packets. A decision is soon
to be made on this.
Mayor Sawyer asked if Council objected to supporting this
resolution and Council did not object.
'6 Report on bids received for hospital insurance.
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Mayor Sawyer reminded Council that at the last meetinq the City
Manaqer had reported our current insurance went into receivership
so he had asked the Ci~y Manager to go out for bids.
Mr. Sweatt said we did not furnish a tabulation sheet because we
are still tabulatinq the bids. Twenty Six bids were received
from nine companies and everyone has variations. Because of the
size of our bid, no one had bid exactly to our specifications.
The apparent price for employee only coveraqe runs from an
apparent low for a self funded program of $84 to a full coveraqe
for employee only of approximately $121.00. Specifications have
qenerally been complied with but there are a number of
variations. We believe it is quite urqent to have this on your
agenda for action at the next reqular meeting. We know that is
somewhat contrary to what is usually done. Because of the
urgency, we would like to be into the contract by the 1st of July
so that our employees can be covered. As quickly as we can, we
will get our evaluations to you. Right now we are pointinq
toward a fully funded program, which basically increases the
employee cost - that is deductible. The City cost will probably
be a minimum of approximately a 20% increase.
Mrs. Marsh asked if these were major companies. Mr. Sweatt said
yes they were such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Etna, Humanna
etc. We believe that we will be able to sort out the best one by
the next meeting.
Mayor Sawyer received an affirmative reply to his question if the
Council would be ready to act if they received tabulations before
the next meeting.
# 7 CITY MAlfAGER' S REPORT: A. The Chairman of the Tax
Appraisal District i.s present tonight. There is a vacancy on the
Board. The board will make an appointment for the interim time
and election will be held latter part of the year. We need to
think about recommendation for that.
HAL BALDWIN ARRIVED AT 7:38 P.M. after attending the Flag burninq
ceremonies at the Fire Station.
B. We were asked sometime aqo to investiqate a question relating
to the proposed location to a gas transmission line that was
proposed some time ago in various communities. We understand a
portion of the line will pass through a portion of the city
following the existinq Exxon pipe line and would fall between
Lower Sequin Road and Sequin Road at the south extension of
Randolph Air Force Base. We have not seen the plans or
specifications but this is the plan as it touches the City of
Schertz.
Mayor Sawyer asked if there was any fee for this. Mr. Sweatt
said no fee but we will require a review of the construction
plans.
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C. We are beginning to experience some effect of the recently
adopted abandoned automobile ordinance. In fact some 57 notices
have been sent out and thus far we have removed two vehicles and
ten have been removed by the property owners. We believe we are
beginninq to have an impact.
*8 ITEMS BY cotJRCIL: Mrs. Marsh: A Reported on the
Economic Development Task Force. They met on 1 June and it was
very very interesting. We had a discussion with Mike Collins
from Texas Department of Commerce and discussed programming and
service. He did not give a report as such, but joined in their
discussion items with sugqestions and experience of other cities.
There was a Marketing Team Report - they showed the new logo to
everybody and the new Task Force calling cards were passed out.
The brochure is ready with the exception of the pictures for the
inside front cover. Mrs. Marsh made a plea from everyone for
pictures of interestinq items and smilinq faces, etc.. The next
major undertaking will be the video, which will be a larger task.
The Contact Team Reported they are consolidating their packages
on land parcels and for buildings for prospective businesses.
They are also working on a wag on prices tax structure,
utilities, etc. and are gather inq more information from other
entities such as the School Board, Railroad, etc.
The Community Relations Team is continuing with their survey
forms to businesses. They should be returned in three to four
weeks. They discussed tours of the businesses they are trying to
get qoing and seem to need more interest on that. They discussed
ways to gain entry to these businesses. They also discussed a
super idea - a Business Appreciation Week for August 13 - 19 to
honor and thank local business for being here and contributinq to
the quality of life of Schertz. They would want a proclamation,
there would be a luncheon and other facts are being discussed.
The Public Relations Officer discussed publicity through the
media. There have been several news articles and a radio spot.
They are workinq on a city map that will identify specific spots
in the city i.e. Post Office, Bank, etc.
Mike closed the meeting with some remarks. He seemed impressed
wi th Schertz and indicated we are on the right track. He
mentioned we could use some signage on the interstates. He
talked about a major problem in Economic Development efforts in
cities is that it is treated as a program, not a process. They
start out with a bang and then bust! It is a long, diligent,
drawn-out process. Three years is a normal time for industry to
decide if they are going to move, expand or what.
Mike had previously mentioned that there are 144,000
manufacturers in the United States and in a six-year period, only
500 chose to relocate. He stated that expansion is where it is.
SO -75% are qoinq to come from business startups and expansion
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with small and mid-sized businesses. He stated you need to look
in your own back yard and see what is goinq on. Some companies
are moving out of larqe cities to smaller communities for a
number of reasons: quality of life, can develop closer relations
and thereby achieve better support from smaller cities. He
stated you need to tarqet specific business for certain land use
(which we are doinq). He also stated you need to check supply
networks for major central city businesses. Mike closed by
stating we need to compl iment our long range goal s with short
ranqe goals. This keeps up the interest and activity and we need
to get tied into the Federal Economic Development network and the
Texas Industrial Development Organization.
B. Mrs. Marsh said the other meeting she and Mr. Sweatt attended
was the Greater Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council Meetinq on
June 2nd in San Marcos. It was quite a qathering with judges,
mayors, Lila Cockrell, Helen Dutmer, Seguin and Austin Mayors.
They had a nominating committee report and election of officers.
A continuing focus is the Austin-San Antonio Parkway, which runs
from Georgetown to San Antonio. Seems Travis County is putting a
lot of money on the line to achieve right of way.
They talked a lot about keeping a business eye on Mexico. They
talked about a "Match-Maker Program" which matches up companies
from both sides of the border.
The statement was made that these will be General Motors Plants
in Texas and logically other auto companies will follow.
They noted that San Antonio, over the past few years, has spent
120 million dollars on tourism marketinq while Austin has spent
only 10 million dollars.
They also talked about tourism coupons, i.e. discount coupons for
tourists and explorinq this possibility, to be sponsored by the
Corridor Council.
Also are thinkinq about a Planning/Marketing almanac for the
Corridor.
International Trade Trips will take place dur inq the next 18
months. The purpose is to tarqet areas to reach out and qenerate
interest for new capital coming this way. Trips are paid for by
participants for the benefit of the Corridor. Trips to
Australia, Europe, Canada, Japan and Korea are planned.
They are lookinq for more memberships from the private sector.
Mr . Hartzoa: A. I n the Water tWas te Water report there is
mention that the Naco well went dry. Was that really the well.
Mr. Sweatt said no, the starter was off and did not bring the
pump on line and the tank went dry. We replaced the pump starter
and brought it back on line.
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Mr. Hartzoq said he recommend that John Bierschwale qive Council
a briefing on the wells - how deep, what the status is, etc. Mr.
Sweatt said he would be happy to have Mr. Bierschwale do that.
Mayor Sawyer asked the City Manager if he could come up with a
map and have a report for the next workshop on the infrastructure
of our system.
B. Does the Health Inspector look at swimming pools in the
apartment complexes. One was closed down in Universal City and
Mr. Hartzoq said he received a complaint about an apartment pool
in Schertz. Mayor Sawyer said that anythinq that is unhealthy,
he is authorized to inspect. Mr. Sweatt said we normally use him
for food handling.
Mrs. Stanhope: A. The Humane Society Jamboree will be on July
16th at the V.F.W. from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. and they are sellinq
raffle tickets.
B. She reported that they have been haVing very qood turn out
for Dog Dip Day. She asked if the City has any tarps or
somethinq to provide shade.
C. The Landscape Committee and others planted some trees
Saturday morninq. Mrs. Stanhope thanked everybody who showed up
for this. She reported that phase I is about completed. The
Memorial Board has been placed in the front hallway for those
wishinq to make donations.
Mr. Baldwin: A. Today is Flaq Day and they had an outstandinq
flag burning ceremonies at the Fire Department put on by the
American Leqion. All old flaqs were properly disposed of - they
burned over 21 flaqs. The next flag display on Main Street will
be July 4th.
Mr. Greenwald: A. Cibolo Valley Alcohol and
the United Way asking for $5300 for supplies.
are here by allotting $4675. The United Way
money back into this community.
Druq Abuse went to
They recognized we
is starting to put
B. CVADAC's next seminar will be tomorrow niqht (June 15) at the
Library from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., entitled "Dealing with Anger".
There is suppose to be a very good speaker.
*9 IrDlS BY MAYOR: A. Mayor Sawyer said he had the
pleasure of swearing in Esther Ware on the Housing Authority
Board on Monday night. This will bring the Board up to strenqth
and Mrs. Ware lives there so she knows the problems.
The Housing Authority is still in the process of lookinq for a
new Executive Director.
Mrs. Stanhope said they will accept resumes until June 22nd.
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B.
for
the
one
for
Mayor Sawyer said he and Mr. Sweatt went to Hollywood Park
their qrand openinq. They have a nice larqe siqn in front of
buildinq telling of meeting dates, etc. Hopefully we can get
similar. Mayor Sawyer said he would be glad to donate $200
the sign.
C. The sign that looks like a tombstone at the Animal Shelter
should be taken down immediately. It is an uqly thinq.
Mr. Joe Potempa advised that there was a water break in Mobile
Villa and the water employees qot up there and within two hours
they were back in service. He said they did not go without water
but the pressure was extremely low.
D. Mayor Sawyer said he would like for the Chief of Police to
present a five-year plan. Mr. Sweatt said he was not only asking
the Chief of Police but other departments will also be presenting
five-year plans as part of their budget process.
#10 ADJOURHMERT: There being no further business, Mayor
Sawyer declared the meeting to be adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
ATTEST:
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