02-11-2022 Special Meeting MinutesMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
STRATEGIC PLANNING
February 11, 2022
A Special Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, on February 11, 2022, at
9:00 a.m. in the Conference Room, Fire Station #3, 11917 Lower Seguin Road, Schertz, Texas. The following
members present to -wit:
Present: Mayor Ralph Gutierrez; Mayor Pro -tem David Scagliola; Councilmember Mark Davis;
Councilmember Jill Whittaker; Councilmember Michael Dahle; Councilmember Allison Heyward;
Councilmember Tim Brown
Absent: Councilmember Rosemary Scott
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; EDC Director Adrian Perez; Finance Director James Walters; Parks,
Recreation & Community Services Director Lauren Shrum; Interim Police Chief Marc Bane; Assistant
Fire Chief Greg Rodgers; Clinical Manager Mike Shown; Library Director Melissa Uhlhorn; Planning
& Community Development Director Lesa Wood; Public Affairs Director Linda Klepper; Purchasing
& Asset Manager Julie Gohlke; Public Works Director Suzanne Williams; IT Director Myles Clauser;
City Engineer Kathy Woodlee
Attendees: Glen Outlaw
Call to Order (General Comments)
Mayor Gutierrez called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.
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.
No one signed up to speak.
Discussion and Action Items
1. Discussion and appropriate direction on 10 year Bond Projections, Strategic Funding, Major Facility
Projects, Development Review Process Overview, Roadway CIP, Special Events, and Department 10 years
Focus/Needs. (M.Browne)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized City Manager Dr. Mark Browne who provided the following outline for the
Retreat today:
Community Planning Priorities
In the next 10 -20 years...
What areas do we want to make better?
Where do we want to target our resources to make progress for the future?
What options should be evaluated to be able to make choices on what needs to be done?
What does the future direction look like
Retreat Overview
. Financial Forecast & Bonding Update - Finance Director James Walters provided information
regarding the following.
Update on Current Bond Forecast
What does the next 10 years look like
How are we with the tax rate swap
Previous Plan Debt Issuances
Updated Plan Debt Issuances
Proposed 2030's Plan Debt Issuances
. Future Public Safety Facilities - Assistant City Manager Charles Kelm provided information regarding
the following:
What Public Safety Facilities will we need over the next 10 years
New Public Safety Building and at least 2 more fire stations
How does this impact the bond plan? Does it need to change?
Do we want to move forward with the Public Safety building?
New facility relocates PD, Fire Admin, and EMS Admin from Station 1
Opens Bldg 6 for Non - Public Safety personnel
• Development Review - Assistant City Manager Brian James provided information regarding the
following:
• Process Overview
• Which departments are involved
• Where are the bottlenecks & what are the causes
• Staff turnover /new staff lacking experience and familiarity with ordinances
• Highs and lows of resource activity (workload peaks and valleys)
• Staff prioritizes other responsibilities
• Lack of awareness of bottlenecks (CityView)
• Lack of communication with applicants (CityView)
• Impact of regulations
How can we expedite the review process?
• CityView — anticipated launch in April
• Management of Review Process
• Prioritization of staff training and importance of development review over other work
• Identifying and hand holding on more difficult projects
• How can we expedite the review process?
• Are we okay with the amount of time it takes us to go through the process
• CityView will provide a clearer picture of timeframes and where delays occur — staff
review vs developer resubmittal
Potential Area to Increase Staffing
Consider impact of increased workload on departments - increased CIP projects from ARPA on
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Engineering
Monitor workload and lags over time to prioritize increased staffing
Mayor Gutierrez called for break at 10:40 a.m. Councilmember Scagliola also arrived.
. Roads Update - Roadway Maintenance Policy - Public Works Director Suzanne Williams provided the
following:
Roadway Maintenance Policy
How do we care for and expand our roadway system
What we plan to do this year
What the next 5 years looks like
Maintenance
Included Strategies: Base Repair, Crack Sealing, Pothole Repair, Level Up
Resurfacing (Target PCI 68)
Included Strategies: Cape Seal, Slurry Seal, Overlay, Curb and Gutter Repair, and Base
Failure Repair
Rehabilitation (Target PCI 60)
Included Strategies: Resurfacing, Restoration, and Rehabilitation work that includes
structural enhancements
Reconstruction (Target PCI 30 -40)
Included Strategies: Removal and Replacement of all asphalt and /or concrete layers and
base layers, Curb and Gutter Repairs, and Drainage Remediation
Roadway Program FY2020 and 2021
Project Description
Type
Action
Orig.Est.
2020
PCI Study
PCI Data
PCI Data
$140,000
Ashley Place
Preservation
Chip Seal
$446,000
Dove Meadows /Silvertree
Preservation
Chip Seal
$213,000
Fairways at Scenic Hills
Preservation
Chip Seal
$196,000
Mesa Oaks
Preservation
Chip Seal
$70,600
Oak Forest
Preservation
Chip Seal
$288,000
Parkland Village
Preservation
Chip Seal
$213,000
Savannah Square
Preservation
Chip Seal
$316,000
Schertz Forest
Preservation
Chip Seal
$1,600
Val Verde
Preservation
Chip seal
$154,000
Westland Park
Preservation
Chip Seal
$86,000
Design for Elbel overlay and storm drain
Preservation
Design only
$153,430
Cherry Tree, MeadowheadtoHarvestDriverehabilitation
Rehab /Recon
Rehabilitation
$269,566
FM 3009 /FM 78 Crossing planning study (partnered with TXDOT)
Added Capacity
Planning Study
$0
$2,547,]96
2021
Elbel overlay and storm drain construction
Preservation
Overlay
$1,964,000
$1,964,000
Suzanne provided information regarding the FY2022 through FY2024 Target and Project Lists.
Road Funding Options:
Requirement: $2,000,000 /year
Funding level
2022 - $200K
2023 - $572,450
2024 - $538,970
2025 - $1,048,900
2026 — $1,553,995
Reach target $2 million in 10 years
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. Vision for Events, Recreation, Arts & Culture - Parks, Rec & Comm Services Director Lauren Shrum
provided the following information:
Special Events
Recreation
Public Art
• One -time events
• Often series or leagues
■ Murals
• Larger crowds
■ Smaller crowds
■ Athletic Complex
• Pickrell Park or City
- Neighborhood Parks
Sculptures
Streets
• Large percentage of
- Large percentage of
residents
- Nature Inspired Art
p
non - residents
- Kickball & Cornhole
■ Art on Trails
• July 4th Jubilee /Parade
Leagues
• Holidazzle /Parade
- Discovery Nature Series
• Art Contests
• Movin on Main
■ Dark Skies & Fireflies
• Art at Events
• Trunk or Treat
- Ed- zoo - cation in the Park
• Kick Cancer 5K
- Tactical Laser Tag
Special Events have lifespans
• Lifespan of events
• Balancing - Keeping some events, adding/modifying /dropping others
• Possibilities are endless - Fall events, Summer Evens, Spring & Recreation Programs
• Need to change the name of the December holiday celebration
• Christmas decorations, Phase I to Phase III ideas
• Public Art Programs
Councilmember Heyward left the meeting at 11:31 a.m.
Dr. Browne introduced the Department Visions - 10 -year vision of each City.
Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, Lauren Shrum provided the following:
Park acreage increasing significantly:
Hilltop/Homestead Park — 45 acres
Woman Hollering Creek Park (Hallie's Cove) — 24 acres
Parklands Park — S acres
Graytown Valley Park — 43 acres
Staffing needs to keep pace with growth
5 additional Park Maintenance Technicians, Tech II
Recreation Coordinator
Trail Development Coordinator
Trail System expanding
Future Regional /Community Parks
Community Circle Park (includes Skate Park Phase 11, III) —15 acres
Live Oak Hills Park — 40 acres
Additions to Crescent Bend Nature Park
Cibolo Creek Park — 60 acres (COMA Buffer Property at Trainer Hale & I -10)
Something North of 1 -35?
Additional Athletic Complex, Additional Outdoor Pool
Transition Plan for City to take over Rec Center, Sr Center, Aquatics Ctr operations from YMCA (contract up
2036)
Mayor Gutierrez recessed the meeting at 12:05 p.m. for lunch break.
Councilmember Heyward returned to the meeting at 12:41 p.m.
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Mayor Gutierrez resumed the meeting at 12:45 p.m.
Assistant Fire Chief Greg Rodgers provided the following:
Building Fire Stations #5 and #6
Personnel and Equipment that come with it
New Emergency Operations Center
Grow Fire Prevention Division
Grow Training Division
Grow Department with Additional Personnel
Interim Police Chief Marc Bane provided the following information:
New police building
Staff increase in conjunction with growth of city
Training facility — firing range
Clinical Manager Mike Shown and Asstistant City Manager Charles Kelm provided the following diagram
regarding Schertz EMS Coverage area:
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Mike and Charles provided information on the number of calls they received in each area/
Melissa Uhlhorn, Library Director provided the following information:
Increase staffing levels to meet needs of growing community and to improve current levels of service
Investment in library facility needed to due to wear, changes in technology, and changes in way public uses
facility
Increase materials funding to meet demand by public for both physical and digital materials and to meet
accreditation requirements
Provide additional access points to library service in other areas of the city
Director of Planning & Community Development Lesa Wood provided the following information:
Planning & Community Development Planning & Zoning Division
Focus on current planning
Focus on long range planning
Redevelopment
Plan/Map /Code updates
5
Focus has been on rapid growth
Start focusing on redevelopment
Funding to keep up with changing technology
Planning & Community Development Inspections Division
Continue to plan for staffing gaps
Contract inspection and review services
Add a Plans examiner position
Focus on the one -to -one customer service
Challenges with the office space
Funding to keep up with changing technology
Planning & Community Development Schertz Neighborhood Services
Increase division staff to meet community needs and expectations
Focus on a balancing enforcement and service
Hold Neighborhood Meeting, attend HOA meeting, Block walks /talks
Connect residents with partners /resources (LWYL, City programs, etc.)
Build programs for assistance and community outreach
Awareness campaigns (social media, magazine articles, flyers, videos), Lending tool shed, Neighbors
Helping Neighbors (elderly /disabled), building volunteer pool (skilled /unskilled), graffiti kits,
Mosquito management, Home Maintenance Academy /Workshops (Code /Inspections)
Challenges with office and storage space
Funding to keep up with changing technology
Seek grants from various organizations to help administer new programs.
Director of Public Affairs Linda Klepper provided the following information:
Communications Division
Grow digital footprint
Use of PEG funds to build a multimedia studio
Increase staffing levels to meet this need
Civic Center Division
Continued maintenance into buildings
Plan for Community Center
Repurpose for recreation use or make it more banquet- friendly?
Director of Public Works Suzanne Williams provided the following information:
Water and Wastewater Division
Increase wastewater capacity in Northern and Southern Schertz to support anticipated growth
Work with SSLGC and CVLGC to ensure water capacity for 2050 and beyond
Expanding SCADA system and increasing functionality
Provide reliable constant power for all strategic infrastructure
Become a regional training school for certifications
Streets and Drainage Divisions
Continue capital improvements of streets and improve PCI's overall
Increase personnel and advance abilities to perform in house capital projects
Work with FEMA to look at ways to reduce overall flood plain area by improving drainage flows
Facility Services Division
Implement Facility Asset Management practices throughout all facility systems
Formalizing apprentice training and advance abilities to perform capital projects
Fleet Division
Explore moving Fleet from General Fund to an Enterprise Fund
Become regional third -party skills testing site for CDL's
6
City Secretary Brenda Dennis provided the following information:
AgendaQuick hosted on their server so any updates will be automatic and new versions installed
immediately. (Less work for I.T., will not have to update our server / and provide AgendaQuick
maintenance. Approximate Cost: ($6,200 annually)
Full time employee for Records Management, Open Records Requests and Special Projects
Computer hardware /software every (3 -5 years) to stay current
Funding for Training: To keep City Secretary /Deputy City Secretary current on Recertification Texas
Municipal Clerks Certification Program (TMCCP)
Purchasing and Asset Manager Julie Golke provided the following information regarding Human Resources &
Purchasing:
Recruitment & Retention
Prioritize efforts to ensure the best available recruitment avenues and methods are being utilized to
enhance applicant pools and attract highly qualified applicants while being able to maintain a City
workforce that is reflective of the community
Succession Planning: Develop a methodology for predicting upcoming retirements to anticipate
which employees and skills will need to be replaced.
Classification & Compensation
Complete next study in 2025
Purchasing:
Asset Management
Redesign capital asset SOPS to include annual audit
Staffing
Add Contract Specialist Position
Implement new software management systems
Replace Incode - POs
Adopt Contract Management System
Digitize bid submissions
IT Director Myles Clauser provided the following information:
What are the rapidly changing challenges Schertz Faces, and what changes in technologies are needed to
respond?
Continued growth requires more technology support
Increasing City staffing requires additional technology support
Support services changing from "break and fix" to supporting core applications, more sophisticated
mobile devices, greater use of technologies by public safety, etc.
Greater reliance on technologies to boost productivity
New technologies require greater expertise by IT staff
Training and retention of IT staff must improve
Shift to cloud requires new technology and management skills by IT
Changing workforce means different expectations and needs
Increased remote workers increase security issues
Flexible use of new technologies require increased expertise and support by IT
CyberSecurity becomes the greatest risk to City operations
State and local governments are seeing huge increases in cyberattacks
Foreign governments are targeting US assets including utility providers as part of their overall
defense strategies
City Engineer Kathy Woodlee provided the following information:
More of the Same ...
Construct Capital Improvement Projects
Expect continuation of available funding for infrastructure = increased number of projects
Ensure Compliance of Private and Commercial Development
Maintain pace with expected increased level of development reviews and construction
Continue to Guide and Support Compliance with Federal, State, and Local Mandates
More intense MS4 Permit requirements (sampling, modeling, water quality)
Maintain and Update Infrastructure Master Plans
Anticipate Increased Staff Needs
Engineers, Inspectors, Admin
EDC Director Adrian Perez provided the following information:
SEDC 10 Year Goals:
The City of Schertz is a premiere location for industrial location and expansion for manufacturing,
data centers, cold- storage and highly automated warehouse distribution operations due to its superior
infrastructure (water, power, wastewater, roads), innovative workforce development support
programs, and alignment with the State of Texas as business friendly and pro - growth local government.
The industrial parks in Schertz continue their development as a vibrant mix of large Fortune 500
anchors, medium -sized suppliers as well as small businesses. Schertz has a strong retail base that is
filling in IH- 35 and IH -10 and major thoroughfare corners with local amenities and regional
entertainment options.
Schertz is a fast - growing community of choice for an educated workforce due to its housing options,
premium city services, park and trail amenities, and provision of classic small -town Americana with
access to urban amenities and jobs prospects.
SEDC 10 -Year Objectives:
Policy — Reserve Fund Strategy ($15M SEDC balance).
Plan with City staff an SEDC reserve fund investment process to plan infrastructure, personnel, and
other investments to be prioritized and allocated up to two years in advance.
Financial advisor and attorney will be contracted to support SEDC consideration of issuance of
SEDC debt for investments such as power redundancy and resiliency
Partners and Programs ($I OM SEDC Balance).
Market Schertz through regional partnerships to national and international prospects.
Continue to refine competitiveness of incentive offerings primarily focused on Workforce Development to
set Schertz apart in the region.
Invest in Quality -of -Life projects including parks, trails, etc.
Councilmember David Scagliola left the meeting at 3:20 p.m.
Director of Finance James Walters provided the following information:
Accounting
Finish upgrading financial software
Add a position per staffing study
Utility Billing
Continue to add customer friendly ways to pay and access account information — phone app,
Court
automatic phone payments
Add additional clerk for better customer service
Upgrade court facilities to accommodate jury trials and flow of defendants
8
City Manager Dr. Browne stated that some members of Council wanted to discuss the Council's alignment with the
Boards and Commissions. The following information was provided:
Selection Process
Applications submitted
Reviewed by City Secretary's office and Interview Committee
Committee recommends approval to City Council
Renewal Process
Member receives notice when term will expire
2 -year terms - All expire 5/31, but have staggered terms
Member chooses to renew or not
Currently, no interview process for renewal
Members of Council discussed the current process, City Secretary Brenda Dennis stated that there are 47 renewals
up in May of this year. Council discussed the process, and it was decided to have the Mayor work with the City
Secretary and divide the boards and commissions expiration dates up.
Councilmember Jill Whittaker left the meeting at 3:55 p.m.
Mayor and Council provided their thoughts, suggestions and addressed questions to staff during the retreat
regarding all the topics presented. A full copy of the PowerPoint can be found in the City Secretary's Office.
Mayor Gutierrez adjourned the meeting at 4:03 p.m.
Adjournment
ATTEST:
Firenda Dennis, City Secretary
4
t1p 1 ut' ez, Mayor
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