04-13-2021 MinutesMINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
April 13, 2021
A Regular Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas,
on April 13, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. in the Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex Council
Chambers, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Building 94, Schertz, Texas. The following members
present to -wit:
Present: Mayor Ralph Gutierrez; Mayor Pro -Tern Jill Whittaker; Councilmember
Mark Davis; Councilmember Rosemary Scott; Councilmember Michael
Dahle; Councilmember David Scagliola; Councilmember Allison Heyward;
Councilmember Tim Brown
City Staff. City Manager Dr. Mark Browne; Assistant City Manager Brian James;
Assistant City Manager Charles Kelm; City Attorney Daniel Santee; City
Secretary Brenda Dennis; Assistant to the City Manager Sarah Gonzalez;
Deputy City Secretary Sheila Edmondson; Director of Planning & Community
Development Lesa Wood; Senior Planner Emily Delgado; Senior Planner
Nick Koplyay; Planner Megan Harrison; Planner James May
Attendees: Glen Outaw Chair P &Z Commission, Ernest Evans Vice Chair P &Z
Commission, Gordon Ray P &Z Commissioner, Earl Platt P &Z
Commissioner, Ken Greenwald P &Z Commissioner, Richard Braud P &Z
Commissioner, Ricky Haynes P &Z Commissioner, Jimmy Odom P &Z
Commissioner, Judy Goldick P &Z Commissioner
Call to Order
Mayor Gutierrez called the Special Joint meeting to order at 5:30 p.m, followed by
Planning & Zoning Chair Outlaw calling their Special Joint meeting to order.
Opening Prayer and Pledges of Allegiance to the Flags of the United States and
State of Texas. (Councilmember Davis)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Councilmember Davis who provided the opening prayer
followed by the Pledges of Allegiance to the Flags of the United States and the State of
Texas.
Mayor Gutierrez turned the meeting over to Planning and Zoning Commission Chair
Glen Outlaw.
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Hearing of Residents
Chair Outlaw recognized the following who spoke:
Maggie Titterington, 1730 Schertz Parkway, who spoke regarding the Tree
Mitigation Ordinance as well as showed a video from Pastor Zak White with
Revolution Church regarding same subject and the need for change and
flexibility in the ordinance and the burden on the landowner with a heavily
wooded lot. Ms. Titterington extended kudos to several Councilmembers and Mr.
James who assisted in walking her through the process and is looking forward to
further discussions on proposed changes and options.
g David Gleeson, 7000 Preston Shire Lane Dallas, owner partner of 1.7 acres west
side of FM 3009 and Wiederstein who also addressed concerns on the Tree
Mitigation Ordinance as the acreage is a virtual forest of trees and the cost of
mitigation and design around the trees present problems.
Workshop discussion:
Comprehensive Plan Update
e Process
• Major Policy Issues
Unified Development Code Update
• Goal
• Process
• Quick Victory Amendments
Chair Outlaw recognized Mr. Nick Koplyay Senior Planner who provided the
following information:
The purpose of this joint workshop is to align City Council, City Staff and Planning
and Zoning Commission (P &Z) on different policy values before we move forward
with the Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) and Unified Development Code (UDC)
updates and want to make sure after tonight moving forward, everyone was on same
page.
Workshop Goals: Articulate the City's Position:
• Allowing Smaller Residential lot sizes
• Responding to changed conditions in Southern Schertz.
• Increasing flexibility in regard to development regulations while maintaining quality
development
• Approaching the Comp Plan and the UDC Update
Allowing Smaller Residential Lot Sizes:
• The smallest single - family detached lot size currently allowed by the UDC is 8400
sq ft. (70'x120')
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• Used Planned Development District (PDD) to allow a variety of lot sizes
• Median new home price withing SCUCISD in Schertz is $310,800
• This highlights the issue of affordability and diversity in housing
City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission discussed numerous topics:
The issue of small lots with large homes, the PDD's putting small lots in their
developments that are below the 8400 sq ft minimum and wanting to have different
size lots spread out in developments to alleviate the `cookie cutter' style
neighborhoods. PDD's can have small lots in their designs and the lot size would not
be an issue, if the home built on it was proportionate to the size lot. There are several
areas in Schertz that have smaller lots with smaller homes are built on them, that do not
appear or feel small.
Setbacks were also discussed. Schertz has many setbacks depending on when
development was built. Some of the new PDD's ask for 5ft setbacks depending on the
lot and house being built. The fire department has always supported the 10 ft setback
for fire safety issues. The 10 ft setback will help neighborhoods feel less dense and is a
good thing for Schertz.
The discussion and definitions of congestion vs. density brought out varying ideas on
how we can alleviate congestion and have some areas of planned density. Adding
townhomes, condos and garden homes can increase density without a lot of congestion
if planned properly. Congestion can be addressed by having developers address
parking, street widths and layout designs.
Having cars being parked on the streets makes it very congested in some
neighborhoods. Some of our current streets are not wide enough to have a pick -up truck
parked on both sides of the street and have enough room for vehicles drive down the
road without pulling over and letting traffic through. On these narrow streets, firetrucks
cannot turn around once they are finished with the emergency call. They have to back
out of the streets where the emergency call was in order to return to their stations.
Discussion included having the newly proposed developments put in wider streets to
accommodate parking and allow emergency vehicles able to travel up and down
without issues. Other ideas concerning cars parking on streets are extended driveways,
adding additional garages to homes and carports.
Many opposed the R6/R7 size lots, but by having PDD's limit smaller lots (percentage
of total lots) they can be part of the proposed development with mixed lot sizes and add
the diversity and affordability Schertz is looking for. On the other side, areas with large
lots, 1 -10 acre lots would be a good blend and with good conversation find positive
solutions.
The City of Schertz has a wonderful charm and character and is a destination city to
live in. Both Council and P &Z want to keep the standards high, offering. quality homes
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at affordable costs. Currently, the market is booming and there are not a lot of homes in
the $250,000 price range. The median home price in the SCUCISD area is $318,000.
The hope is that folks who are working in the city could afford to live here is a big
challenge. The demand for housing outweighs the homes available. Developers want to
cash in on the market and want to put in as many homes in a development as possible.
We need to make sure the developments that are being built, meet the high standards
that make Schertz a desirable area to live in. Ideas of researching affordable good
quality building materials was brought up. Newer building material options can help
make homes more affordable, without compromising building standards. By updating
the Comp plan and UDC to have some built in flexibility, we can meet those standards
and work to keep Schertz a premier place to live in.
Planning and Zoning Commission felt with the written rules in the Comp Plan and
UDC, are not aligning with the feelings of the current council. Current council did not
write these rules, but things change, and P &Z are stuck trying to enforce the rules when
opinions and feelings have changed. Planning and Zoning Commissions is looking for
guidance and more insight of what council wants moving forward.
One of the biggest areas of challenge is with commercial properties and our current
Landscaping Area and Tree Planting requirements. Our ordinances are not simple to
read. Staff would like to make some modifications to maintain that standard and
quality, build in an `ease of use' and make it a `win -win' for everyone. Make standards
the same in the Comp Plan and UDC, build in some flexibility. We can propose some
of the tree planting requirements and some of the landscape issues without reducing
standards with developers.
The Tree Mitigation staff would like to work with P &Z concerning the heavily wooded
lots that landowners want to develop. With the current fee schedule developing those
lots can be extremely expensive. Ideas of possibly having a cap on fees was mentioned.
Planning and Zoning Commisison and Staff want the developers to meet the high
standards Schertz has, but at the same time understand with the current fee schedule,
costs can be very expensive. Let staff work with P &Z and fix the easy topics, get those
updated and with the more difficult topics, put them aside for the UDC update. City
Council, City Staff and Planning and Zoning want to address and rework these issues
by finding a better balance while not giving up quality.
Trees add value to the community and there are some trees in this area that are as old as
Texas. Staff will work to find a solution and compromise for landowners with heavily
wooded areas and landowners with barren lots.
Mayor Gutierrez and Council thanked Planning and Zoning for all their hard work and
dedication.
Chairman Outlaw and Planning and Zoning Commissioners thanked City Council and
staff for hosting this joint workshop and look forward to working together again.
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Adjournment
Chair Outlaw adjourned Special Meeting at 7:30 p.m. followed by Mayor Gutierrez.
Mayor Gutierrez requested a five - minute recess before calling the regular Council
meeting to order.
Call to Order
Mayor Gutierrez called the Regular meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
Mayor Gutierrez stated that students who are participating in the Hal Baldwin
Scholarship and are present to sign in on the sheet in the back.
UPDATE: Due to COVID -19, students are encouraged to watch a City Council
meeting on the City's YouTube channel:
For more information, contact Sarah Gonzalez by email at sonzalez @schertz.com.
Proclamations
Mayor Gutierrez read and presented the following proclamations:
Proclamation recognizing Parental Alienation Awareness Day. (Mayor/Robert
Untz)
• Proclamation recognizing National Public Safety Tele- Communicators Week.
(Mayor/K. Kallies)
Proclamation recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month. (Mayor /C. Williams)
• Proclamation recognizing National Crime Victims Rights Week. (Mayor /C.
Williams)
Presentations
Presentation regarding the newly designed Schertz.com Website. (M. Browne /S.
Gonzales/L. Klepper/D. Christensen)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Public Affairs Director Linda Klepper,
Communications Manager Devan Christensen and Librarian Natalie Shults
who provided an overview of the newly designed Schertz website and the design
process. Those that participated in the new design process were Linda Klepper,
Devan Christensen, Madison Porras with the Public Affairs Department, Natalie
Shults with the Library, and Tony McFalls with GIS.
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City Events and Announcements
Announcements of upcoming City Events (B. James /C. Kelm /S. Gonzalez)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Assistant to the City Manager Sarah Gonzalez who
provided the following:
Saturday, April 17, July 17 & September 17
edZoocation in the Park - Crescent Bend Park - 10:00 a.m.
Learn about Texas Horned lizards and their food sources
Sundays, April 18th through May 23rd
Last Call for the Adult Kickball League registration (ages 21 years and older)
sponsored by the Schertz Parks & Rec Social League Games will be played
Sunday evenings from 6 -10 PM, April 18th through May 23rd at Thulemeyer Park
Register online at Schertz.com or call the Parks Department at 210 -619 -1850 for
more information.
Registration includes a team t -shirt!
Tuesday, April 27th
Next regular scheduled Council meeting
* Announcements and recognitions by the City Manager (M. Browne)
Dr. Browne stated that Amazon has announced three new Delivery Stations in the
area, and Schertz has been designated as one of those new Delivery Stations, it
will be located on Schwab Road. Location to open early 2022. Dr. Browne
thanked EDC Exectuive Director Adrain Perez and his team. Dr. Browne also
thanked the Planning and Development Team as well as the Engineering team
getting this accomplished. Kudos to all.
Announcements and recognitions by the Mayor (R. Gutierrez)
No announcements.
Hearing of Residents
Mayor Gutierrez recognized the following:
Ms. Maggie Titterington, 1730 Schertz Parkway, (The Chamber)
April 20th, Chamber Luncheon - Impacting your Business Through Top
Digital Trends for2021 - EVO Entertainment - 11:30
Lastly, Ms. Titterington read a letter of congratulations to the City of Schertz and
the success regarding the COVID-19 Shot Clinics being sponsored. The letter
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thanked Fire Chief Kade Long, Emergency Management Coordinator Summar
Hall and all the volunteers who made this happen. Ms. Titterington also thanked
the City and all the volunteers.
Mr. Emilio Silvas, 9939 Meadowlark who came forward asking for support as he
is running for Place 7 for the Judson Independent School District, School Board.
Consent Agenda Items
The Consent Agenda is considered self - explanatory and will be enacted by the Council
with one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless they are
removed from the Consent Agenda upon the request of the Mayor or a Councilmember.
Mayor Gutierrez read the following into record:
1. Minutes — Consideration and /or action regarding the approval of the minutes of
the meeting of Special Workshop meeting of April 2, 2021 and minutes of the
Regular meeting of April 6, 2021. (B. Dennis)
2. Resolution No. 21 -R -29 - Consideration and /or action approving a Resolution
by the City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, authorizing the City Manager
to sign a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Sterling McCall Ford for the purchase of
one (1) new ambulance for Fiscal Year 2021/2022. (C. Kelm /J. Mabbitt)
3. Ordinance No. 21 -S -12 - Consideration and /or action on a request for a
Specific Use Permit to allow Mini - Warehouse / Public Storage on approximately
25 acres of land generally located north -east of the intersection of FM 3009 and
FM 78, also known as 200 FM 3009, also known as Guadalupe County Property
Identification Numbers 153960, 164035, 67453, City of Schertz, Guadalupe
County, Texas. (B. James/L. Wood/E. Delgado) Final Reading
4. Ordinance No. 21 -S -11 - Consideration and /or action on a request to rezone
approximately 25 acres of land from General Business District (GB) and
General Business II District (GB -2) to General Business II District (GB -2),
generally located north -east of the intersection of FM 3009 and FM 78, also
known as 200 FM 3009, also known as Guadalupe County Property
Identification Numbers 153960, 164035, 67453, City of Schertz, Guadalupe
County, Texas. (B. James/L. Wood/E. Delgado)Final Reading
5. Resolution No. 21 -R -32- Consideration and/or action approving a Resolution
by the City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas authorizing and approving a
service contract with Saeco Electric Company for on -call traffic lighting
maintenance, repair, and other related matters. (C.Kelm /S. Williams/D. Letbetter)
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Mayor Gutierrez asked Council if there were any items they wished to be
removed for separate action. No items were removed.
Moved by Councilmember Allison Heyward, seconded by Councilmember
Mark Davis to approve consent agenda items 1 through 5.
AYE: Mayor Pro -Tem Jill Whittaker, Councilmember Mark Davis,
Councilmember Rosemary Scott, Councilmember Michael Dahle,
Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Allison Heyward,
Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
Discussion and Action Items
6. Resolution 21 -R -33 - Consideration and /or action approving a Resolution
authorizing an amendment to the Professional Services Contract with
Kimley -Horn Associates, Inc. for the 2020 SPAM Resurfacing Project to add
scope and fees to address concerns discovered during the design process and add
the Lindbergh Avenue reconstruction and storm drain extension to the project.
(B. James /J. Nowak)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized City Engineer Kathy Woodlee who introduced this
item answering questions from Council.
Moved by Councilmember David Scagliola, seconded by Councilmember
Allison Heyward to approve Resolution No. 21 -R -33.
AYE: Mayor Pro-Tern Jill Whittaker, Councilmember Mark Davis,
Councilmember Rosemary Scott, Councilmember Michael Dahle,
Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Allison Heyward,
Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
7. Resolution No. 21 -R -34 - Consideration and/or action approving a resolution
by the City of Schertz, Texas, authorizing a submission to the Office of
Congressman Vicente Gonzalez to seek funding under the Fiscal Year 2022
Community Project Funding for the Corbett Ground Storage Tank. (C. Kelm/S.
Williams /S. McClelland)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Assostamt Public Works Director Scott McClelland
who introduced this item addressing questions from Council.
Moved by Mayor Pro -Tem Jill Whittaker, seconded by Councilmember Tim
Brown to approve Resolution No. 21 -R -31.
AYE: Mayor Pro -Tem Jill Whittaker, Councilmember Mark Davis,
Councilmember Rosemary Scott, Councilmember Michael Dahle,
Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Allison Heyward,
Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
Roll Call Vote Confirmation
Mayor Gutierrez recognized City Secretary Brenda Dennis who provided the roll call
vote confirmation for agenda items 1 through 7.
Information available in City Council Packets - NO DISCUSSION TO OCCUR
Mayor Gutierrez mentioned that agenda items 8 & 9 are informational only items and
were provided in their packets as well as can be found online.
8. Monthly update - on major projects in progress /CIP. (B. James/K. Woodlee)
9. COVID -19 UPDATE - Bi- Weekly COVID-19 Update. (C. Kelm/
K.Long /S.Hall)
Requests and Announcements
Announcements by the City Manager.
City Manager Dr. Browne stated that he received two emails from CPS tonight
that our friends from ERCOT are requesting conservation across the state entitled
"First Level Energy alert." They are looking for conservation, there's been various
factors in the weather today, higher than forecasted temperatures, lower plant
capacity due to maintenance, overcast skies impacting solar output and wind
power was lower than expected. They are not expecting rolling outages, he is just
passing the message along.
Requests by Mayor and ,Councilmembers for updates or information from staff.
None at this time.
Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers that items or presentations be placed on
a future City Council agenda.
No items requested.
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• Announcements by Mayor and Councilmembers
• City and community events attended and to be attended
• City Council Committee and Liaison Assignments (see assignments below)
• Continuing education events attended and to be attended
• Recognition of actions by City employees
o Recognition of actions by community volunteers
Mayor Gutierrez recognized the following:
Mayor Pro Tern Whittaker attended the following:
• Citizens Police Academy
• COVID -19 Vaccine Clinics
. Movin On Main Event
Councilmember Scott attended the following:
* Movin On Main Event
Councimember Dahle attended the following:
* Movin On Main Event
Councimember Scagliola attended the following:
• Movin On Main Event
COVID -19 Vaccine Clinics
Councimember Heyward attended the following:
* Virtua Legislative Update
* Movin On Main Event
* Guadalupe County Committee Collation
Councilmember Brown attended the following:
* Movin On Main Event
Adjournment
Mayor Gutierrez adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
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ATTEST:
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n a Dennis, City Secretary
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