05-02-2023 MinutesMINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
May 2, 2023
A Regular Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, on May
2, 2023, 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 Ralph Gutierrez; Mayor Pro-Tem Tim Brown; Councilmember Mark Davis;
Councilmember Michelle Watson; Councilmember David Scagliola; Councilmember
Allison Heyward
Absent: Councilmember Jill Whittaker; Councilmember Michael Dahle
Staff City Manager Steve Williams; Deputy City Manager Brian James; Assistant City
present: Manager Sarah Gonzalez; City Attorney Daniel Santee; City Secretary Sheila
Edmondson; Deputy City Secretary Sheree Courney
Call to Order
Mayor Gutierrez 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 Dahle)
Mayor Gutierrez provided the opening prayer and led the Pledges of Allegiance to the Flags
of the United States and State of Texas.
Employee Introductions
Mayor Gutierrez recognized department heads who introduced the new city staff members
listed below.
• Planning: Ameriz Gamez, Planner; Daisy Marquez, Planner
• Public Works: Water/Wastewater: Anthony Jimenez, W-Worker II;
• EMS: Kylee Cottenden-Paramedic; Jimi Clary-Paramedic(Part-time);
• Fire: Joshua Tannert-Firefighter
• Parks: Daniel Delong-Parks Maintenance Technician; Jeremy Jacoway-Park
Maintenance Technician;
• Utility Billing: Samantha Strong -Utility Billing
Proclamations
• Building Safety Month-Councilmember Watson
Councilmember Watson presented the Building Safety Month proclamation to Ms. Lesa
Wood, Planning and Community Development Director and members of the Building
Inspections, Planning, and Neighborhood Services staff.
• Community Action Month-Councilmember Whittaker
Mayor Pro-Tem Brown read the Community Action Month proclamation.
• National Preservation Month-Councilmember Dahle
Councilmember Heyward presented the National Preservation Month proclamation to
Dr. Miguel Vazquez and members of the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee
and members of the Schertz-Cibolo Cemetery Association.
• International Firefighters Day May 4, 2023-Councilmember Scagliola
Councilmember Scagliola presented the International Firefighters Day May 4,
2023 proclamation to Fire Chief Greg Rodgers and members of the Fire, EMS, and
Emergency Management staff.
• National Small Business Week (April 30-May 6, 2023)-Mayor Pro-Tem Brown
Mayor Pro-Tem Brown presented the National Small Business Week (April 30-May 6,
2023) proclamation to Zak White, Vice Chair, The Chamber Board of Directors
• Municipal Clerk's Week (April 30-May 6, 2023)-Councilmember Heyward
Councilmember Heyward presented the Municipal Clerk's Week (April 30-May 6,
2023) proclamation to City Secretary Sheila Edmondson and Deputy City Secretary
Sheree Courney.
City Events and Announcements
• Announcements of upcoming City Events (B. James/S. Gonzalez)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Deputy City Manager Brian James who provided the
following:
Friday, May 5
Movies in the Park - "Selena"
Pickrell Park
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 6
Historic Schertz Cemetery Tour
Schertz-Cibolo Cemetery
Bubbling Springs Road
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Announcements and recognitions by the City Manager (S. Williams)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized City Manager Steve Williams who provided the following:
Thursday, May 11
Peace Officer Testing
8:00 a.m.
Apply online at www.schertz.com/jobs
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Recognition of City Staff and Programs
• Appreciation from resident, Amanda Aikman, for the Schertz Young Leader Program
for the opportunity provided to her son.
• Appreciation from resident, John Casey, to the Schertz Fire Department for their
assistance with detecting the issue with old smoke detectors and for their assistance
with installing new ones.
• Announcements and recognitions by the Mayor (R. Gutierrez)
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.
No residents spoke.
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.
1. Resolution 23-R-38 - Consideration and/or action by the City Council of the City of
Schertz, TX approving a Resolution authorizing the Schertz Housing Authority to
submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
for the release of Project Based Voucher funds under Title V of the Quality Housing
and Work Responsibility act of 1998, as amended, to undertake a project known as
1518 Apartments for the purpose or providing affordable housing. (S. Williams/B.
James)
Mayor Gutierrez called for a motion to approved Consent Agenda Item # 1.
Moved by Mayor Pro-Tem Tim Brown, seconded by Councilmember Allison
Heyward
AYE: Mayor Pro-Tem Tim Brown, Councilmember Mark Davis,
Councilmember Michelle Watson, Councilmember David Scagliola,
Councilmember Allison Heyward
Passed
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Discussion and Action Items
2. Ordinance 23-M-11 - Consideration and/or action by the City Council of the City of
Schertz, TX on amending Ordinance 15-M-32, Section 1. Time and Place of Regular
Council Meetings, Section 2-2(a) of the Code of Ordinances to be hereby amended to
read "(a) Regular meetings of the City Council shall be held on the first and third
Tuesdays of each month, provided that the City Council by motion or resolution or
the City Manager in consultation with the Mayor may cancel any such regular meeting
due to conflicting events or meetings or lack of need for a meeting so long as at least
one regular meeting of City Council is conducted each month." (First Reading) (S.
Williams)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized City Manager Steve Williams who briefed Council on
request to change the number of regular council meetings from three meetings per
month to two regular council meetings per month. Meetings will occur on the first
and third Tuesdays of each month effective June 1, 2023, if approved.
Mayor opened the floor to Council for discussion.
Councilmembers expressed concerns that by reducing the number of meetings
per month the meetings would be much longer and residents would be confused
as to meeting dates. It was asked if the reason for reducing the number of
meetings was due to the lack of discussion/action items on one agenda per
month. Response was affirmative.
Mayor Pro-tem Brown expressed support for reducing the number of meetings
provided it is communicated widely and often to ensure residents are
well-informed. Mr. Williams stated the meeting date change would be
communicated via the Schertz magazine, social media platforms, and on the
website.
Mayor Gutierrez requested a posting be done each Friday, either an agenda or a
notice of no meeting to ensure residents were informed. City Secretary Sheila
Edmondson responded affirmatively.
Mayor Gutierrez asked for a motion to approve Ordinance 23-M-11.
Moved by Councilmember Allison Heyward, seconded by Councilmember
Michelle Watson
AYE: Mayor Pro-Tem Tim Brown, Councilmember Michelle Watson,
Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Allison Heyward
NAY: Councilmember Mark Davis
Passed
Closed Session
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3. The City Council will meet in Closed Session in accordance with Section 551.071 of
the Texas Government Code to receive legal advice from its attorneys regarding the
following litigation:
• Green Valley Special Utility District v. City of Schertz, Texas, et al, Cause No.
1:17-cv-00819 in the United Stated District Court, Western District of Texas,
Austin Division;
• Cause No. D-1-GN-18-000535, Green Valley Special Utility District v. Public
Utility Commission of Texas, et al., 419th Judicial District Court of Travis
County, Texas; and PUC Docket No. 45956, Application of the City of Schertz
for Single Certification in Incorporated Area and to Decertify Portions of Green
Valley SUD's Sewer CCN in Guadalupe County ((i) and (ii) collectively
referred to as the "CCN Litigation")
Mayor Gutierrez recessed to closed session at 6:53 p.m.
Closed session start time: 7:02 p.m.
Closed session end time: 7:27 p.m.
Reconvene into Regular Session
Mayor Gutierrez reconvened to Regular Session at 7:31 p.m.
4. Take any action based on discussion held in Closed Session under Agenda Item #3.
Mayor Gutierrez motioned to approve the comprehensive settlement agreement
between the City of Schertz and Green Valley SUD and authorize City Manager to
execute the agreement, seconded by Councilmember Allison Heyward.
AYE: Mayor Pro-Tem Tim Brown, Councilmember Mark Davis,
Councilmember Michelle Watson, Councilmember David Scagliola,
Councilmember Allison Heyward
Passed
Information available in City Council Packets - NO DISCUSSION TO OCCUR
5. Monthly Update - FY 2022-23 Approved Expanded Programs (S. Williams/S.
Gonzalez)
6. Monthly Update - Major Projects In Progress/CIP (B. James/K. Woodlee)
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Requests and Announcements
• Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers for updates or information from Staff
. Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers that items or presentations be placed on a
future City Council agenda
• Councilmember Scagliola requested that the voice vote be reinstated for the
purposes of transparency.
• Announcements by Mayor and Councilmembers
• City and Community Events attended and to be attended
Councilmember Watson attended the Library Advisory Board meeting and served
as a judge for the Cibolo BBQ Cook -off.
Councilmember Heyward attended the TML Risk Pool Board Meeting in
Galveston and a Ribbon cutting in Selma. She also expressed kudos to Mr.
Williams for Schertz EMS for responding to an accident in Selma to ensure the
safety of the citizens involved.
• 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
Adjournment
Mayor Gutierrez adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
ATTEST:
AV �VIII
Sheila Edmondson, City ecretary
A
��Jlph utierrez, Mayor
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