ccswks 02-10-1988
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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 10, 1988
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session,
Wednesday, February 10, 1988, at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room
of the Municipal Complex, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas.
The following members were present: Mayor Ear.l W. Sawyer,
presiding; Charles B. Sharpe; Hal Baldwin; Ray Stanhope; Adolph
Aguilar and Ken Greenwald. Staff present were City Manager Jimmy
G. Gilmore and City Secretary June G. Krause.
#'l "BEARING OF RESIDENTS: Merwin Willman advised that ,he
had talked with Mr. ,Stine about straightening out Green Valley
Road and was told that he was not aware of the City's plan for
this. He suggested writing Mr. Stine outlining the City's plan
to have Green Valley Road straightened out through to F.M. 1518.
#3 Discussion of Library Advisory Board
A. Change order to library addition: Mr. Earl Hartzog,
president of the Board advised the Board had requested approval
of City Council for a change order to the library addition to
cover putting in a solid core door for $350. Mr. Aguilar
reminded that this door would have a glass panel.
Mayor Sawyer asked that this item be placed on the next regular
agenda.
Mr. Hartzog said they were still waiting for Mr. Stanhope to get
an estimate on repainting the library sign.
B. Appointment to the Board. Mr. Hartzog asked that this item
be scratched as the Board is still looking for another appointee.
#2 Discussion of ordinance calling an election.
Mayor Sawyer asked that this ordinance be on the next agenda for
vote.
_ :~ ,_ #4,:. Discussion of chipper bids.
Mayor Sawyer said he was under the impression that Council gave
the okay to go out for bids.
Mr. Gilmore reminded Council that they had asked for him to get
additional information about the two different types of chippers.
He had checked with GVEC and the one they use is similar to the
one in the $14,000 range. He then checked with the State and
they use both the smaller one and the larger one discussed
previously. The indicated they get good use out of each.
Mr. Stanhope said he had talked with a man at the base who said
that the manual loader was a man killer and very dangerous.
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Mr. Greenwald said that looking at th~ long range, Council might
as well spend the extra to get something safe and that would last
longer.
Council concurred to advertise for bids on~ the larger chipper.
#5 Consideration of approving Planning & Zoning
recommendation on updated street plan.
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Mr. Greenwald said this is just a suggested plan that has been
discussed previously. It shows continuation of existing streets
and additional ties into streets. Some may not com~ to'pass but
it is best to be prepared.
Mr. Aguilar remarked that he saw nothing connecting some of the
newer subdivisions, such as Greenfield Village and Savanna
Square.
Mr. Greenwald said the street plan is looked at and updated every
two years.
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Mr. Sharpe said he remembered Counci! talking about making Lower
Seguin Road a major artery. He felt Council should start pushing
this right now.
Mr. Greenwald reminded Council that this plan is limited to
inside the city limits.
Mr. Aguilar said he would like to recommend going out with some
decision on East Live Oak Road. Dietz Road from Jack Hays to the
curve should be included in the name of East Live Oak Road, that
way there would only have to be one customer involved - CCMA.
Mr. Baldwin said he noticed that there is another Live Oak Road
in Live Oak Hills Subdivision. Mayor Sawyer said that part of
that Road is in Selma, we would have to dicker with them on
changing the name.
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Mr. Sharpe said he remembered talking at last workshop about
writing the people on East Live Oak Road, saying that Council
wanted to change the name to Dietz Road and get input from them.
Mr. Gilmore said no input had been received but the deadline for
receiving input had to been reached.
#6 Mr. Tom Fox to discuss the acquifer with Council.
Mr. Fox said he had been asked' by'IMr. Gilmore to corne out to make
himself available to answer questions of Council. First he would
throw out some of the things the Edwards is doing. First Mr. Fox
explained the boundaries of the Edwards, saying that even though
Schertz is in Guadalupe County, our wa~er comes from the Edwards.
They are working with the City of San Antonio to develop a
regional Water Development Plan. The major policies that would
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affect the plan include sources of water, conservation, re-use,
Edwards and surface water development. What can we reasonably
expect to pull from the Acquifer over a period of time, is one of
the questions being explored. Another issue is water quality
because Schertz' wells are reasonably close to the saline zone,
which is bad water zone. Schertz is not as likely to be affected
as New Braunfels and San Marcos and San Antonio will run really
close to the saline zone. Other issues are that the decline in
water will increase the cost to pump; decline may cause lawsuits
or maybe nothing more than the area would be perceived as a water
short area. Other issuCis that deal in the Federal realm is
endangered species especially in the San Marcos river. Their
effort is to try to pull all those issues together and address
those problems. Mr. Fox said the question is asked as to why San
Antonio does not go out and build a reservoir but they have the
right to continue to pump water just as everyone else does.
Other parts of Texas have formed what they call Underground Water
Districts but the Edwards is not one of those. There is a need
to set some type of logistics to determine limits as to how much
water can be pumped out of the acquifer.
The four components being considered are: (I) conservation, (2)
Re-use, (3) Surface water and (4) drought management. Mr. Fox
said they are in the process of getting a draft version ready.
Mr. Greenwald asked if any thought had been given to increasing
the recharge. Mr. Fox said they had but that there are not many
projects that would make any difference. They will be looking at
Medina Lake because it leaks - that is about the extent of the
recharge availability. Some would be along the Cibolo Creek but
the problem is it would endanger the Natural Br idge Caverns.
Mr. Fox said they had looked at a lot of alternatives.
Mr. Ed Ford asked in the year 2010 how Mr. Fox perceives the
source of water for the City of Schertz. Mr. Fox said the
Edwards Acquifer. Mr. Ford asked who had the right of the
Edwards. Mr. Fox answered that no one area has the rights.
Mr. Stanhope asked if Mr. Fox thought there would be a time when
there would be restrictions from drilling in the Acquifer. Mr.
Fox said yes, the time will come when you have to have a permit
to drill there.
Mr. Sharpe asked how much San Antonio would save if they re-used
their affluent. Mr. Fox said they would have available somewhere
around 30,000 to 40,000 the first year; the year 2000 about
60,000 and the year 2010 about 13l,000 a year.
Mr. Fox went on to say that the City of Schertz is like the City
of San Antonio, they are having to address these same issues; but
have a better shot at re-use. The City of Schertz will probably
be able to participate in these plans. He said Council needs to
ask if these plans are reasonable - will they have access to
water in order to continue growth.
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Mr. Paul Denham of Ford Engineering asked if there were any other
acquifers that we could model ours after. Mr. Fox said
certainly, and they have called upon those; however the Edwards
is a little -doifferent- in that it is a limestone system that takes
the water" across three river basins qnd then b~Gom~s surface
water again.
Mr. Fox said they are going to put together a seminar to bring
people together to talk about these areas and examine the
options.
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After thanking Mr. Fox for briefing Council, Mayor Sawyer called
for a short recess at 8:28 p.m.
The Workshop Session was reconv~ned at 8:32 p.m.
Mr. Stanhope had to leave the meeting at this time.
#7 Discussion on Northcliffe.
Mayor Sawyer said he had received a letter from some people at
Northcliffe and they wanted to know what the final decision was
on whether or not the Council would de-annex them. Mr. Sawyer
recalled that the City was to send a letter to the property
owners and if all of them wanted de-annexation, Council would
release them and if not all of them wanted it then we would not
release them.
Mr. Gilmore said within the last few
are gettin9_ t9gether ~g~jn and take
the City- the entire subdivision.
group has become active up there. .
days we have heard that they
another look at corning into
It seems that a whole new
Mr. Sharpe said they should all look at what they want to do.
Mr. Aguilar said that in the areas where the homes are split, we
cannot go piecemeal.
Mr. Gilmore said the City got one letter back from those sent and
the one received said they wanted to stay in the City.
#8 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT:! ' M~t., Gilmore said there were some
questions about surface water and the sewer plant so he had asked
Mr. Ed Ford to corne to the meeting.
Mr. Ford said he appreciated Council asking Mr. Fox to corne out -
he answered most of the questions and he has copies of most of
the work they have done. Mr. Ford said the Cibolo Creek is one
of the major recharges of the acquifer. One of the reasons there
has not been much on establishing a reservoir on the Cibolo is
the raising of the water level in the caverns.
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With regards to the City talking with New Braunfels Utility,
there are a number of options. One is to expand the City's
source of water by establishing additional water wells in
Guadalupe County - probably adjoining the John's property because
they can tell that is part of the acquifer. He said they had
talked with the people at the Edwards and they are willing to
help us take samplings if we get any wells in that area. Mr.
Ford said the concern he has using the Edwards is contamination.
Another source would be to work with the City of San Antonio in
their development of surface water, such as Applewhite. Another
solution is the same as San Antonio by taking affluent and
recycling through CCMA.
Mr. Ford said it would be a good idea for the City of Schertz to
get into an agreement with CCMA for 100% of the right for the
affluent.
Another option would be to enter into and participate with the
City of New Braunfe1s in surface water treatment for Canyon Lake.
Mr. Ford said he feels our existing system is for more economical
than working with New Braunfels with their treatment system. The
key thing we are looking at is working with the Edwards
Underground Water District, establishing water with the Edwards.
We have sources in Bexar County and the Nacogdoches system and
need water in Guadalupe County. At this time, in talk ing with
the Texas Water Resources, there are grant funds available but
has to be on a regional basis. We need to get into an in-depth
study with Selma, Garden Ridge, Cbiolo for this purpose. Mr.
Ford said our direction is with San Antonio and not New
Braunfels.
Mr. Aguilar said there has never been a doubt that we should
drill new wells, even if we cap them.
Mr. Gilmore said he is talk ing with Johns and Jesse Helms on
their well. We have made arrangements to pull and go in and test
the well.
Mayor Sawyer said Council needs to instruct the City Manager to
get with Ford and buy the land for a well site.
Mr. Ford said the City could also work with Morton Southwest on
the site for a well.
Mr. Greenwald said he felt we should actively pursue some sort of
agreement with CCMA. Mr. Gilmore said Torn Weaver is working on
that now.
Mr. Sharpe asked that to treat affluent from CCMA what acreage
would be required and how would it be done. Mr. Ford answered
that it would look similar to a miniature refinery and would be
about the same acreage as CCMA has for water treatment.
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Mr. Agui1qt asked if e1ectr ica1 cleaning would be better. Mr.
Ford said that for in-house type it would be more economical but
for large vo~ume, we would have to have a plant that will
process.
Mr. Ford advised that from studies the Edwards has done on the
Cibolo Creek, it seems we are tied to San Antonio and the
Edwards. We do need to take a look at source of water with San
Antonio and work with CCMA and establish a conservation usage
policy.
There was some discussion as to the two new water tanks and could
we increase the one south of Schertz to a one million gallon
tank. Mr. Gilmore said we would have to look at bond money and
see what is available.
Mr. Paul Denham of Ford Engineering addressed the sewerage
problems. He advised that the City now has their permit, saying
it comes down to the two options - build our own or go with New
Braunfels. He said the dollar figures show it would be more
economical to go with New Braunfels and let them maintain it.
The City needs to sit down and work out the details with New
Braunfels.
Mayor Sawyer reminded that New Braunfels wants one mile of 135
frontage and that would cut into our profit.
Mr. Denham said the 1986 study was before they carne up with the
one mile. He said we would only want to participate in the over
sizing o~ the line and oversizing of the p~ant to accommoda~e us.
Mr. Denham said he recommends that the City keep the one mile
frontage on 135.
Mr. Ford interjected that if this is tied to the 135 land, then
we have our permit; but the City needs to look at the most
feasible and practical way to go.
Mr. Denham said we have a five-year permit and will have to renew
and of course that gives the State time to require further
things. The size plant we would have is considered real small,
it is something that is going to be sensitive in the future. New
Braunfels has a large plant.
Mayor Sawyer asked if the engineers would look at what it would
cost to pump back into CCMA and have them increase their area.
Mr. Ford said they had looked at that before. He said he did not
remember what the figure was at that time but it turned out more
economical to build a plant than go that route.
Mayor Sawyer said he felt Council would prefer to go with New
Braunfels but if we can not, then we should build our plant. Mr.
Denham said that even if we do build, we need to contract with ,~
someone for the sludge.
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#8 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: A. Have
based on meeting we. had to discuss getting
along Schertz Parkway. There was no reply to
it underground. We need to get them back out
a letter from GVEC
electr ical service
getting them to put
to discuss this.
Mr. Sharpe said we also need to talk with CPS.
B. February 16th at 10:00 a.m. in New Braunfels, there will be
another meeting on raw water needs.
C. You have copy of a letter sent to Gutierrez setting up
schedule for Spring Clean Up.
D. Judge Sagebiel will be here on the 25th of February from 4:00
to 7:00 p.m. in the large conference room.
#9 ITEMS BY COUNCIL: Mr. Aguilar reminded everyone of the
Auction and Dance on Saturday February 13th.
Mr. Sharpe said that regarding Spring Clean Up, we have a
gentleman in Woodland Oaks who has volunteered to help organize
some neighborhood group to clean up along the highways. We need
to look at some way of controlling the excess - how can we keep
people from out of the City using the dumpsters. Mr. Gilmore
said we have placed them within the subdivisions this year,
rather than putting them on public streets.
Mr. Sharpe said that hopefully we will have the chipper by then
or if not we can rent or borrow one. Mr. Gilmore said we could
get a chipper.
Mr. Greenwald said he agreed with the schedule but the 50~0 acres
south of FM 78 was left out. We need to place a dumpster there.
Mr. Willman said perhaps Council could invite the business people
to clean up, especially some of the old signs.
Mr. Sharpe reported that regarding the Welcome to Schertz sign,
the man Mr. Stanhope recommended needs to borrow a ladder.
Mr. Sharpe reported that there are large pot holes on Green
Valley Road and we need to get a city limits sign on the 110
Access Road.
Mr. Baldwin said he talked with a gentleman who said the Knights
of Columbus are being held up a little bit because their budget
is less than what they expected. The are concerned about P& Z
saying they have to put the street through. Mr. Baldwin said he
is concerned about holding up a business coming in - small or
large we have to start something on Schertz Parkway.
Mr. Greenwald said the problem is not holding them up - they had
the public hearing, P&Z made recommendation to Council, Council
concurred with the recommendation. However, when the plan was
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presented at the P&Z meeting the night before, it was no where
near what was agreed to by everyone previously. It is now two
lots and one will probably be sold and what will happen is that
the lot to be sold, if they do not put the street in, will have
no access except from Pheil Street.
Mr. Willman explained that the ordinance says if construction is
not started within six months, you have to start the ,process all
over again.
Mayor Sawyer said to go back and tell the Knights of Columbus, if
they want to pursue, to start allover again. We do want to deal
with them, they know that we want them to build and Council will
help any way possible; but they have to abide by the public
hearing and ordinance.
Mr. Greenwald announced that Mr. Willman had taken the ad from
the Window of the Corr idor and, ,mad,e ~ome changes in the map.
Mr. Greenwald said he had talked with Mr. Gilmore about garbage
pickup. There are several streets and houses that have not been
getting picked up.
#10 ITEMS BY MAYOR: Mr. Sawyer said he had received a
letter from the Greenfield Homeowners Association and they are
taking our advice and writing to their representatives.
Mayor Sawyer announced that "Black Heritage Month" is February
and he will be going to a luncheon on the 16th for that.
#11 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor
Sawyer declared the meeting to be adjourned at 1~:21 p.m.
ATTEST: