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ccswks 03-30-1988 72 \ SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 30, 1988 The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session, Wednesday, March 30, 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 Earl 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: reserved time to speak on item-#8. A resident of Kline Circle #2 AGENDA ANNOUNCEMENTS: A. Board of Adjustment to consider request of J.D. -Marks for a variance to ordinance 87-H- 25 on enclosure of a junk or salvage yard. Mr. Greenwald explained that Mr. Marks had been to P&Z, who have recommended approval of his request as he has shrubs now that hides the yard from public view better than a fence would. Mr. Gilmore agreed that the shrubs do a better job of screening the view than a fence. B. Joint Public Hearing with p&Z to consider request by Knights of Columbus to rezone two lots between Schertz Parkway and Pfeil Street. C. Joint Public Hearing with p&Z to consider reconfirming the zoning of approximately 85~.53 acres surrounding Schertz Parkway. Mr. Greenwald advised that this area had been zoned; however this will confirm the acreage for each type of zoning. Before continuing with the agenda, Mayor Sawyer asked that Council hear Mr. Ed Thorpe give his audit report for the period ending September 30, 1988. Mr. Thorpe first called attention to the submittal letter on page vii of the report, pointing out the three major sections: Introduction, Financial and Statistical. This summary. letter covers everything in the audit in capsule form; Page viii gets into the general governmental functions, which is fully explained on pages 7 and 8, showing increases and where they corne from. This also shows the expenditures and capitol outlay figures. Page x shows the total net bond indebtedness - there is money in the reserve account to payoff these bonds. Property taxes show a 97.0% collections this being the fifth year the tax collections have exceeded 96%. On page xi, we show the Water and Sewer System, SAFES and Trust and Agency funds, which includes payroll etc. This is a summary of what is in the back of the audit. (/u 73 Mr. Thorpe said that under the Management Report there were two things which caused problems. One was the tax accounting records - the figures did not ag ree, they found a number of errors amounting to about $7,000. Most occurred because the Bookkeeping cuts off on 9-30 and the tax people cut off when the payment was dated, which went over two or three days af~er ~he year closing. They now have a procedure for reconciling these figures monthly. Mr. Thorpe said they will be check ing this during the year. The second problem was they found that the Guadalupe Appraisal Distr ict had sent in some corrections and supplementals at the end of 1986 which had not been billed - about $1900 .~0. The procedures we have implemented will prevent this from happening again. Mr. Sharpe asked the cost of tying in with the County Appraisal District as the School has done. Mr. Gilmore said it would cost about $7,000 to $8,000. Both Mr. Sharpe and Mr. Baldwin agreed the City needs this service. Mayor Sawyer said this would need to be discussed at budget time. Mr. Gilmore said the Water, Street and SAFES departments have gotten computers this year, which has helped. Mr. Thorpe said the inventory went fine this year, except that a number of capitol items were purchased from expense accounts and it takes time to find these items. Mr. Gilmore explained that these are items that were not or ig inally in the budget. Mr. Thorpe said they are capitol equipment items and need to be purchased that way - they need to be in the right category for control. Mr. Baldwin asked what figure is used to back up capitol items. Mr. Thorpe said $150 unless the department head has items they want to control of lesser value. Mr. Thorpe said he would make his formal presentation of the audit at the next regular meeting and was available if any Councilmernber had questions. #3 Discussion of awarding bids on a one-ton truck for the Water Department. Mr. Sawyer called attention to the department head for accepting the low bid As Council was ready to act on this item, it be on the next agenda. #4 Discussion of awarding bids on Police Communications/TLETS. recommendation of the from Smith Motor Sales. Mayor Sawyer asked that ~ 74 \ Mr. Gilmore said two bids within the budgeted figure. expansion capabilities with bidder. were received and they both fall Layton and Associates also has their equipment and are the low Mr. Stanhope asked if there was room in the dispatch office for this equipment. Mr. Gilmore advised that we are having plans made up to add the room we will need. There is a possibility of using part of the lobby. #5 Discussion of a proposed ordinance revising speed limits on Jack Bays Boulevard. Mayor Sawyer said this ordinance is to comply with the State recommended speed limits. Council asked that this be changed to an emergency consideration. #6 Discussion of a proposed ordinance updating the Health Ordinance and allowing for reinspection fees. Mayor Sawyer explained that Council desire to have the reinspect ion fees charged back to the consumer were not in the original ordinance. This will correct that. #7 Discussion of an ordinance establishing regulations for drilling wells and plugging of abandoned or deteriorated wells within city liaits. Mr. Gilmore said that after the child fell into the well in North Texas, Council had mentioned that Schertz needs an ordinance on capping abandoned wells. Mr. Greenwald asked why limit it to just "water" wells. After Council discussion, Council suggested some changes to include the word "water" and make it any wells and in Section 19- 104, the number of days in which to cap or plug the old well after completion of the new well, should be changed to 15 days. #8 Discussion of a petition to block through traffic on Kline Circle for a Block Party to be held on April 9, 1988. Mayor Sawyer said he had been contact about this and he asked them to bring it to Council. He said he was in favor of this. Since there was no objection from Council, Mayor Sawyer advised their representative to go ahead with their plans. #9 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: Mr. Gilmore presented a Hazard Communication Program fOr consideration. Mayor Sawyer asked that this be on the next workshop agenda. / / I 7r: "J B. The light bulb supplier for the lights for the ballfields are no longer producing the type bulbs we have been using. We could hold up until February of 1989 but do need to plan now and find out what type fixture we should put in. Mayor Sawyer said we are waiting to see if we will be getting a grant, which requires matching funds. Mr. Greenwald said this would be tied in with turning the ballfields. Mayor Sawyer said maybe Council should talk about spending the $100, 0~~ bond money for the parks. However, as the tournaments are set for this year, it would be best to wait until next year. Mr. Greenwald suggested getting Mr. Graham to start work on this even without matching funds. c. We have completed the negotiations for the water tank land in Schirmervi1le and have signed the papers so we do have the land now for both tanks. Bids were opened this date for both tanks. We will be going out for bids for the water lines. Everything is listed on the updated flow chart. The bids carne in at about $417,000 but have not been checked out as yet. Will have for next workshop. D. The spr inkIer system is being put in out in front of the Municipal building. #10 ITEMS BY COUNCIL: Mr. Aguilar asked what is being done about the dumping by' the Schertz Parkway Lift Station. Mr. Gilmore said we are trying to clean it up now. We moved the dumpster and people continue to dump there. Mr. Aguilar said he had talked with a gentleman about cutting a drive through the island so that when you leave the Post Office you do not have to make a u-turn on Main Street. Mr. Stanhope said there was a precedent for this in Lone Oak at the Pizza Hut. Mayor Sawyer said that one is further back from the cross street but he did feel this was a good idea but suggested having someone who knows about traffic to look at it. Mr. Gilmore said he has someone working on it now. Mr. Sharpe said the Traffic Safety Council talked about the City of Schertz sign at FM ISl8 and I 10. They said this 'belonged to San Antonio because they have I 10. Mayor Sawyer said we agreed that we would not annex south of I 1~. Mr. Gilmore said he would look into this. Mr. Sharpe reported that he has someone to repaint our welcome sign. He will do it for about $350. The Business Club has donated $100 and GVEC has contributed $100, if the City would put up the additional $IS~. Concensus of Council was to proceed. ~ 76 \ Mr. Sharpe announced that TML is having a meeting on May 18 & 2~th on Waste Management. He said he feels the City should have someone at the meeting. The cost is $125 for the three days. After discussion, Mayor Sawyer asked Mr. Sharpe to attend. Mr. Stanhope asked if the striping machine was broken. Mr. Gilmore advised that they restriped part of Schertz Parkway the previous week. Mr. Stanhope said the path for children on Randolph still has not been striped. Mr. Stanhope said he noticed in the reports that the police reports what he considered excessive amounts for vehicle repairs. He asked if the City has a contract for this work. Mr. Gilmore said we do not have a contract but usually take the vehicles to Willie's Garage in Marion. Mr. Stanhope then asked about using, Larry's Automotive. Mr. Gilmore said the last time we went out for bids, Larry's did not give preference to emergency vehicles. Mr. Gilmore continued by saying that we have not gotten work that was satisfactory locally. We use two or three different place and some of the work is done by our people. Mr. Stanhope then asked about warrant fees and if the City gets any of that. Mr. Gilmore said the City gets whatever the fine is, the warrant fee is tacked on to the original fine. Mr. Stanhope asked the manning of the Police Department now. Mr. Gilmore said we have 14 officers, one Corporal and one Sergeant besides the Chief. Mr. Aguilar asked what the turn over rate in that department is. Mr. Gilmore replied that according to the resignation letters, they are all leaving because they will get more money elsewhere in the area. Selma, Live Oak, Universal City and Converse all pay more than Schertz. Mr. Aguilar asked if everybody has the opportunity to serve warrants. Mr. Gilmore said only three people right now have the experience because of the possibility of legal action that could corne about. The other officers have the opportunity of doing security work. Most of the officers we have had did not want to serve warrant but do want the moon-lighting jobs. It requires about 3 to 4 years experience as an officer to serve warrants. Mr. Sharpe but would stabilized detriment. said a stabilized police department might be desirable not be cheaper. Mr. Gilmore agreed, saying a police force for more than 3 or 4 years is a Mr. Stanhope then asked who serves our warrants. Mr. Gilmore said the Chief, two investigators and now Kruetler is serving. Mr. Baldwin asked how much we take in in warrants. Mr. Gilmore said he would check on that. (~- 77 Mr. Stanhope said he thought the people of this city would pay increased taxes to get a stable police department. Mr. Baldwin said one of the problems in raising patrol salaries is it affects everyone on the way up. Mayor Sawyer said you do not have to balloon everyone, you can raise in the lower ranks - not sergeants or above. Mr. Gilmore said he is working on salary ranges from the bottom to the top. There is no reason for the City to pay $7 to $8 an hour to a person to do the basic job when we can hire someone to do that job for $4.50 an hour. Mr. Sharpe asked what is the direct cost for attr ition. Mr. Gilmore said the time it take for a new patrolman to ride with another officer to get oriented. Mr. Sharpe then said if we get enough people to apply for these positions, who are willing to work at that rate, why up the salary so much. Mr. Gilmore stated that the City needs to get to a fair market salary. Mr. Baldwin mentioned that Mr. Waldrop was present and he wants to put a carport on his property. Mr. Waldrop brought up that 2 or 3 in his neighborhood have put them up. Mayor Sawyer said that at one time we did permit ones in Aviation Heights. Mr. Baldwin said he had looked at three in Mr. Waldrop's neighborhood and one in his own that don't meet the criteria of the code. He had talked with one neighbor who said he had not given his permission but did not really care. Mr. Waldrop said he did not think he should have to put in for a variance. Mayor Sawyer said he should corne in and apply for a variance. Mr. Baldwin advised that regarding the Senior Citizen Appreciation Day, we have been off in attendance. Maybe it was because the format is getting dull. He asked Council and citizens to think of some new ideas for the celebration. Mr. Greenwald said he noticed that in the reports we had 14 false alarms in January and 23 in February. He then asked if the City was collecting on these false alarms. Mr. Gilmore said the ordinance allows for three free, then they pay for all remaining. Mr. Greenwald said he had raffle tickets from the Cibolo Valley Drug Abuse. ~ 78 \ Mr. Stanhope asked if everyone was aware that they lost the top portion of a monopole sign on 135. He asked if the City could inspect these signs. Mr. Gilmore said the bolts sheared off and the sign is private property. Mr. Stanhope advised that he had attended the Metrocom meeting on the proposed race track. It was discussed about getting together money for this project. The Mayor of Selma suggested fie thought the surrounding cities should pay for this. Mr. Aguilar said what puzzles him on the billboard signs is the length of time it takes to clear them up. Mr. Gilmore said the delay was caused by the insurance companies. Mr. Stanhope asked if the City was liable now that one sign had blown down. Mr. Gilmore said no. Mr. Baldwin said he would like to add his thanks to the Coach's letter to the Street Department employees and the City Council for their cooperation in getting the work done on the track at the High School. #11 ITEMS BY MAYOR: Mayor Sawyer announced that Mr. Reese had contacted him about a proclamation for Loyalty Day. The VFW will also be having a flag pole dedication at the Fire Department. Mr. Klebig, Chairman of the Housing Authority Board, has asked that Mrs. Fruge be appointed to the Board to replace Mrs. Vick who has resigned. Mr. Gilmore announced that the next day another group of Foreign students from Randolph would be visiting our offices. #12 ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Sawyer declared the meeting to be adjourned at 9:30 p.m. ATTEST: