08-10-2021 MinutesMINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
August 10, 2021
A Regular Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas,
on August 10, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. in the Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex Council
Chambers, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Building #4, Schertz, Texas. The following members
present to -wit:
Present: Mayor Pro -Tem Michael Dahle; Councilmember Mark Davis; Councilmember
Jill Whittaker; Councilmember Rosemary Scott; Councilmember David
Scagliola; Councilmember Allison Heyward; Councilmember Tim Brown
Absent: Mayor Ralph Gutierrez
City City Manager Dr. Mark Browne; Assistant City Manager Brian James;
Staff. 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
Call to Order
Mayor Pro -Tem Dahle called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Opening Prayer and Pledges of Allegiance to the Flags of the United States and
State of Texas. (Councilmember Scagliola)
Mayor Pro -Tem Dahle recognized Councilmember Scagliola who provided the opening
prayer followed by the Pledges of Allegiance to the Flags of the United States and State
of Texas.
Presentations
Proclamation regarding Landmark Property Designation - Designation of 7205 FM
482, Schertz Texas Landmark Property Designation to the Hansmann Family.
Mayor Pro -Tem recognized Schertz Historical Committee Member Howard
Alperin who provided a presentation on the 25th Nomination Landmark Property,
7205 FM 482, Schertz, Texas. The property is the Hansmann Homestead. The
Hansmann purchased the home in 1941, and Comal County Appraisal Office has
the home being built in 1900. Schertz Historical Committee Vice Chair Dean
Weirtz read the Mayor's Proclamation and Mayor Pro -Tem Dahle presented the
Landmark sign to the Hansmanns.
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City Events and Announcements
• Announcements of upcoming City Events (B. James /C. Kelm/S. Gonzalez)
* Announcements and recognitions by the City Manager (M. Browne)
• Announcements and recognitions by the Mayor (R. Gutierrez)
Mayor Pro -Tern Dahle recognized Assistant City Manager Brian James who provided
the following informaiton:
• Thursday, August 12th
Northeast Partnership Meeting
Olympia Hills Golf and Conference Center
11:30 AM
RSVP to City Secretary if you are interested in attending.
v Community Budget Meeting
Schei-tz Civic Center Grand Ballroom
6:30 -8:30 PM
• Saturday, August 14th
Music & Movie in the Park
Pickrell Park under the trees
7:00 — 10:30 PM
Mile 262 will provide music; the film will be School of Rock
. Tuesday, August 24th
Next regular scheduled Council meeting.
• "Save the Date" -- Friday, August 27th
TML Region 7 Meeting
Hilton Garden Inn, Live Oak
4:30 -7:30 PM
e November 2nd
Filing continues through August 16th by 5:00 PM for any qualified candidate
desiring to place his or her name on the November 2, 2021 City of Schertz ballot
for the purpose of electing Council Members in Place 6 and Place 7 for a
three -year term, from November 2021 to November 2024. Candidate packets are
available online as well as in the City Secretary's office. Qualifications for
candidacy can also be found online.
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Hearing of Residents
This time is set aside for any person who wishes to address the City Council. Each
person should fill out the speaker's register prior to the meeting. Presentations should
be limited to no more than 3 minutes.
All remarks shall be addressed to the Council as a body, and not to any individual
member thereof. Any person making personal, impertinent, or slanderous remarks
while addressing the Council may be requested to leave the meeting.
Discussion by the Council of any item not on the agenda shall be limited to statements
of specific factual information given in response to any inquiry, a recitation of existing
policy in response to an inquiry, and /or a proposal to place the item on a future
agenda. The presiding officer, during the Hearing of Residents portion of the agenda,
will call on those persons who
have signed up to speak in the order they have registered.
Mayor Pro -Tern Dahle recognized the following residents:
Michele Tereletsky, 705 Marilyn Drive - Ms. Tereletsky would like City Council /City
Staff to recognize newly promoted employees in the City at Regular Council meetings.
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 Pro -Tem Dahle read the following items into record:
1. Minutes — Consideration and /or action regarding the approval of the minutes of
the meeting of August 3, 2021. (B. Dennis)
2. Resolution No. 21 -R -66 — Consideration and/or action approving a Resolution
by the City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, authorizing a contract with
M &C Fonseca Construction Co., Inc. relating to the Aviation Heights Water
Line Improvements (Phases 5, 6, & 7) and authorizing the budget expenditures
for the project. (B. James/K. Woodlee /J. Shortess)
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3. Ordinance No. 21 -F -30 - Consideration and/or action approving an Ordinance
by the City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas amending Chapter 90, of the
Code of Ordinances, Article V, Water and Wastewater Capital Recovery Fees;
Repealing all Ordinances or Parts of Ordinance in Conflict with this Ordinance,
and providing an effective date. Final Reading) (C. Kelm/S. Williams)
Mayor Pro -Tern Dahle asked Council if there were any items they wished
removed for separate action, as there were none, Mayor Pro -Tem Dahle asked
for a motion to approve Consent Agenda Items 1 through 3.
Moved by Councilmember Allison Heyward, seconded by Councilmember
Tim Brown
AYE: Mayor Pro -Tem Michael Dahle, Councilmember Mark Davis,
Councilmember Jill Whittaker, Councilmember Rosemary Scott,
Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Allison Heyward,
Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
Discussion and Action Items
4. Ordinance No. 21 -E -29 - Consideration and/or action approving an Ordinance
calling a bond election to be held by the City of Schertz, Texas on November
2nd, 2021. First & Final (M. Browne /J. Walters)
Mayor Pro-Tern Dahle recognized Finance Director James Walters who
presented information to approve an Ordinance calling a Bond Election to be
held by the City of Schertz, Texas on November 2nd, 2021 for the amount of
$15,400,00.00 for Fire Station No. 4. located in the Industrial Park.
Councilmember David Scagliola asked why the amount for Fire Station 4 is
almost double of Fire Station No 3. Fire Chief Kade Long explained that Fire
Station 4 has the apparatus included in this bond, whereas the bond for Fire
Station No. 3 did not.
Moved by Councilmember Allison Heyward, seconded by Councilmember
Jill Whittaker
AYE: Mayor Pro-Tern Michael Dahle, Councilmember Mark Davis,
Councilmember Jill Whittaker, Councilmember Rosemary Scott,
Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Allison Heyward,
Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
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5. Resolution No. 21 -R -82 - Consideration and/or action approving a Resolution
by the City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, authorizing a preliminary
maximum tax rate for Fiscal Year 2021 -22 and setting the Public Hearing
dates, and other matters in connection therewith. (M. Browne/B. James /J.
Walters)
Mayor Pro -Tern Dahle recognized Finance Director James Walters who
presented information on authorizing a preliminary maximum tax rate for
Fiscal Year 2021 -22. A preliminary maximum tax rate of $.5121 per $100
valuation which is composed of the Maintenance & Operation Tax Rate of
$0.3517 and the Interest & Sinking Tax Rate of $0.1604. The Public Hearings
on the budget and tax rate will be held on August 24th and September 7th ,
2021.
Council had questions on the 5 Year Summary- I &S Fund, 2021 Property
Taxes, No New Revenue Rate vs Current Tax Rate, Disabled Veteran
Homestead Exemptions and the loss of Taxable Value on properties. Mayor
Pro -Tem Dahle reiterated the City has $550,000,000 of taxable property (12 %)
that we do not collect taxes on because they are tax exempt.
Moved by Councilmember Jill Whittaker, seconded by Councilmember
Rosemary Scott
AYE: Mayor Pro-Tern Michael Dahle, Councilmember Mark Davis,
Councilmember Jill Whittaker, Councilmember Rosemary Scott,
Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Allison Heyward,
Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
Public Hearing
Mayor Pro-Tern Dahle read the following item into record.
6. Ordinance No. 21 -S -31 - Conduct a public hearing, consideration and /or action
to make a recommendation on a request for a Specific Use Permit to allow a
convenience store with gas pumps on approximately 8.5 acres of land, more
specifically described as the northwest corner of the intersection between IH -35
and Schwab Road, City of Schertz, Comal County, Texas. (B. James/L.
Wood/M. Harrison) First Reading
Mayor Pro -Tem recognized City Planner Megan Harrison who presented
information for a Specific Use Permit to allow a convenience store with gas
pumps on approximately 8.5 acres of land, more specifically described as the
northwest corner of the intersection between IH -35 and Schwab Road, City of
Schertz, Comal County. This Specific Use Permit was brought before the
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Planning and Zoning Commission on September 11, 2019 and was approved.
City Council approved the SUP on October 22, 2019, however the building
permit was not pulled within a year so the SUP expired on October 22, 2020.
The proposed Specific Use Permit application and site plan are consistent with
what was previously approved by the City Council in October of 2019.
Conditions of the Request Specific Use Permit:The proposed convenience store
with gas pumps land use will be subject to provisions of the Unified
Development Code, UDC Section 21.5.11.E. Additionally, the Specific Use
Permit will be conditioned upon the following occurring:
1. A building permit is approved within one year of the adoption of the
SUP ordinance; and
2. The use begins operation within two years of the issuance of the
necessary building permit(s).
The Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a Public Hearing on July 14,
2021 and offered a recommendation of approval by unanimous vote. Staff is
also recommending approval of the Specific Use Permit to allow a convenience
store with gas -pumps at the subject proeprty with the above mentioned outlined
conditions.
Mayor Pro -Tem Dahle opened the Public Hearing, and as no one spoke; closed
the Public Hearing for Council comments. Councilmember Rosemary Scott
asked if this property had storage units on it or has it been vacant. The property
has been vacant.
Moved by Councilmember Mark Davis, seconded by Councilmember Tim
Brown
AYE: Mayor Pro -Tem Michael Dahle, Councilmember Mark Davis,
Councilmember Jill Whittaker, Councilmember Rosemary Scott,
Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Allison Heyward,
Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
Roll Call Vote Confirmation
Mayor Pro-Tern Dahle recognized City Secretary Brenda Dennis who provided the roll
call vote confirmation for Agenda Items 1 through 6.
Workshop
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7. Bond refinancing Opportunity - Workshop on possible bond refinancing
opportunity. (M. Browne/B. James /J. Walters/M. McLiney /A. Friedman)
Mayor Pro -Tem Dahle recognized Finance Director James Walters who
introduced Mr. Andrew Friedman from SAMCO Capital Market, the Financial
Advisor to the City of Schertz. Mr. Friedman presented information on Bond
Refunding for Debt Services Savings. There will a refunding opportunity this
fall that we can act on and refinance the two Series of Outstanding Bonds:
General Obligation Funds 2012- $4,345,000, interest rate of 2.25%
to 3.10% with the final maturity 2032
Cetificates of Obligations 2013 42,120,000, interest rate of 3.00% to
4.00% with final maturity 2033
Based on lower interest rates (currently: approx. 2% lower) that are prevailing
in the market, we can go out and refinance these bonds with a fixed interest
rate,and can refund the debt service with a savings of a $519,853 dollars.
City Council would like Mr. Andrew Friedman to proceed with the bid and
come back October 12, 2021 with the final interest rates in hand and will know
the exact savings of refinancing these two bonds. If the final interest rates and
savings are not what City Council would like, they can choose not to approve
to sell the bonds.
8. Proposed FY 2021 -22 Budget - Workshop and Discussion on the Proposed
FY 2021 -22 Budget. (M. Browne/B. James /J. Walters)
Mayor Pro -Tem Michael Dahle recognized Finance Director James Walters
provided a presentation on the Proposed FY 2021 -22 Budget:
The Proposed FY 2021 -22 Budget inclused highlights from the General Fund,
W &S Fund, EMS Fund, Drainage Fund, SEDC, and Restricted Revenue Funds.
General Fund revenue will increase 5.2% over FY 2020 -21 year end estimates
not including the transfer in from reserves. The largest contributor to this
increase will be from property taxes (6.3 %) and sales taxes (3.3 %)
The overall FY 2021 -22 General Fund Operating Budget increased 3.2% from
FY 2020 -21 year end estimates. This increase includes $157,000 for new
positions and personnel programs for Police and Facilities Maintenance.
Another notable item for the FY 2021 -22 Budget is the implementation of the
Classification & Compensation Study's second year recommendation. The first
year recommended adjustment was effective on July 4th, 2020 while the
second phase will be effective on October 1 st, 2021. The budget includes
$52,750 for a 0.25% ECI for all employees effective October 1st.
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Included in the Budget for FY 2021 -22 is setting a new minimum wage of
$15.00. Comparable positions in the surrounding cities are at or above this
amount and this change costs $87,000.
This budget also allocates $500,000 to replace the financial software that is over
20 yrs old and can no longer can meet the demands of staff and the public.
The Facilities Maintenance and Parks Budget will also increase by $75,000
combined for contract cleaning for public safety buildings and the park
restrooms.
The annual budget is required to have a Public Hearing before adoption. Staff
recommends holding that hearing on August 24, 2021 and September 7, 2021
and adopt the budget on second reading on September 14, 2021. This follows
the regulations set by the state in the Local Government Code on Budget
Adoption Chapter 102.
-Councilrr ember Scott had questions about the sales tax growth drop in 2015
and noted that the items presented as expenses are excellant investments for
future cost savings.
Mayor Pro -Tem Dahle thanked the entire Staff for their hard work on the
proposed FY2021 -22 Budget.
9. Police Department Training Program - Workshop discussion regarding the
Police Department Training Program. (C. Kelm/M. Hansen/M. Bane/H.
Murphy /A. Kraft)
Mayor Pro -Tem Dahle recognized Assistant Chief of Police Marc Bane who
presented the Schertz Police Department Best Practices Recognition Program
under the guidance of the Texas Police Chief s Association.
The Best Practices Recognition Program:
An Accrediation Program with 166 Texas Law Enforcement Best Practices
The Police Department must implement and adhere to policy,
procedure, training and documentation that meets Best Practices
Standards.
Policy Review
We have 126 policies and all policies are in the process of being
reviewed, updated or developed. Estimated completion of policy
review December 2021.
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Staff Development
Some Policies have annual training requirements built in: Use of
Force, De- escalation, Pursuits, Crime Victim Services, Grievence
Procedures and Harrassment.
Worked with the City Attorney's Office to develop this course.
Technology- PowerDMS
PowerDMS is a policy and training software used by the department
for Policy Input and Acknowledgement, Training Modules /Annual
Training, Policy Review -2 year, and reminders for the Command
Staff to review.
Assistant Chief of Police Mark Bane recognized Officer Anna Kraft who
explained the Police Services Survey. The survey was to better
undersand the progress the Police Department and identify common
issues. The Police Services Survey can be accessed on the website,
www.Schertz.com or a QR Code.
Assistant Chief of Police Mark Bane recognized Cpl. Hillory Murphy who
presented the Schertz Police Application. The Schertz Police App is
designed for the community members to download to their cell phones to
be kept aprised of the Schertz Police Dept. responses during a critical
incident. The goal is to increase effective communicaiton and transperancy
between the Police Dept. and the community. The Schertz Police App has
many features that include: real -time notifications, traffic issues, road
closures and inclement weather.
Information available in City Council Packets - NO DISCUSSION TO OCCUR
10. Quarterly Financial Reports.
11. Monthly update - on major projects in progress /CIP. (B. James/K. Woodlee)
Requests and Announcements
*Announcements by the City Manager.
Mayor Pro -Tern Michael Dahle recognized Dr. Mark Browne. Dr. Browne thanked
the Staff for their hard work on the proposed Budget for FY2021 -22 which
included Finance Director James Walters, Asst. Finance Director Babett Martin
and the entire Finance Dept. He also thanked his City Manager's Office: Assistant
City Manager Brian James, Assistant City Manager Charles Kelm and Assistant to
the City Manager Sarah Gonzalez for their work on the budget. Dr. Browne also
recognized Assistant Police Chief Marc Bane for all the work they are doing with
the Texas Police Chief s Association, Certification Program, Policy Review and
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the new Schertz Police App.
*Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers for updates or information from staff.
No items requested.
• Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers that items or presentations be placed on
a future City Council agenda.
No items requested.
• 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
• Recognition of actions by community volunteers
Mayor Pro -Tem Michael Dahle recoginIzed the following:
• Councilmember Rosemary Scott stated she attended the City Council -City Staff
Budget Retreat
• Councilmember Jill Whittaker stated she attended the last half of the City
Council -City Staff Budget Retreat
• Councilmember David Scagliola stated he attended the City Council -City Staff
Budget Retreat
• Councilmember Allison Heyward stated she attended the City Council -City Staff
Budget Retreat, Suburban Cities Meetings, Schertz Animal Advisory Board
Meeting, VFW 98315 District 5 Meeting, and a ribbon cutting ceremony for
Wreaths Across America
• Councilmember Tim Brown stated he attended the City Council -City Staff Budget
Retreat
Adjournment
Mayor Pro -Tem Michael Dahle adjourned the meeting at 7:34pm.
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• a�� ierrez. •
ATTEST:
s �
Sheila Edmondson, Njuty City Secretary
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