06-11-03
i /") CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
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SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION
6-11-03
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on Wednesday, June
11, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Complex Conference Room, 1400 Schertz
Parkway, Schertz, Texas. Those present were Mayor Pro-Tern Tony Wilenchik,
presiding; Councilmembers Carl Douglas, Steve Simonson, Reginna Agee and Ken
Greenwald. Absent: Mayor Hal Baldwin. Staff present were City Manager Mark
Marquez and City Secretary Norma Althouse.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
Robert Brockman of 4505 Grand Forrest had the following comments:
. Noted there was a truck parked by a ftre hydrant and he had nice cooperation
from Officer Honeycutt in getting the truck moved.
. Mentioned the need to look at a uniform speed limit on Live Oak Road. He
thinks there should be a 30 mph sign at Menlo. Part of the road going toward
) Schertz Parkway is 40 mph. Mr. Marquez promised to check into it. Mr. Douglas
indicated this is somewhat like the different speed limits on FM 78 within the City
limits. Mr. Marquez said that had been resolved. The ordinance needs to be
revised and TSAC, the Police Dept. and the Fire Dept. need ~o check it out.
Robert Copeland, representing Legacy Oaks, had signed up to speak. He chose to wait
until Item #4 on the agenda came up for discussion.
#2 Update on Post Office
Amy Madison, Community Development Director, introduced Dudley Lee, Operations
Manager, for the Schertz Post Office.
Mr. Lee reported there is no change in the status and no change is good. As of
yesterday, Schertz is still at the top of the priority list for a new Post Office. They have
passed all the requirements as far as being overcrowded.
Mayor Pro-Tern Wilenchik inquired how long it would take for us to get a new Post
Office. Mr. Lee answered it usually takes around two years once you have been
approved for one.
Mayor Pro-Tern Wilenchik then mentioned he had been told by several people they had
to wait for Post Office box keys for several months. Mr. Lee advised Mayor Pro-Tern
Wilenchik to tell anyone else who has this problem to contact either him or the
Postmaster of the Schertz Post Office and they will solve the situation.
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Mayor Pro-Tern Wilenchik asked if there's any way they could upgrade the current
facility and Mr. Lee replied they have done all they can do. Mayor Pro- Tern Wilenchik
then mentioned he thought they were looking at a site beside Dollar General. Mrs.
Madison commented that site would have prevented them from getting a new Post Office.
Mr. Lee added the Post Office won't lease anything over 10,000 square feet and they
want more than that. They have to look ahead 10-20 years.
Mr. Greenwald asked if there had been any progress on Northcliffe changing their zip
code to 78154. Mr. Lee replied the zip code boundary would not change because of
complications (they have no place to put Northcliffe deliveries). Mr. Greenwald then
said they were told th~re was one route left. Mr. Lee stressed that growth dictates those
changes.
Mr. Brockman asked if there's anything citizens can do as far as writing to their
Congressman. Mr. Lee answered that never hurts, but they are currently waiting on the
results of President Bush's committee, which was formed to study the Post Office
situation.
Council thanked Mr. Lee for his time.
#3 ORDINANCE: Consider and take action on ftrst reading of Ordinance levying
) drainage utility charges.
Mr. Marquez informed Council the final reading of this ordinance was inadvertently left
off the agenda of June 3, 2003. There are no changes and the public hearing was ftne, but
according to the Charter, they need to approve the first reading again and then the final
reading will be on the agenda for approval at the next regular meeting.
Mayor Pro-Tern Wilenchik introduced an Ordinance and read the caption as follows:
AN ORDINANCE
LEVYING DRAINAGE UTILITY CHARGES; PROVIDING THAT CHARGES
SHALL INCLUDE FtJNDING OF FUTURE CONSTRUCTION; MODIFYING
CHAPTER 19 OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ CODE OF ORDINANCES BY
ADDING THERETO A SECTION 166 PROVIDING FOR THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF A DRAINAGE UTILITY SYSTEM; ADOPTING
DRAINAGE CHARGES; PROVIDING FOR SEGREGATION OF INCOME;
PROVIDING FOR DISCONTINUANCE OF UTILITY SERVICES;
ESTABLISHING EXEMPTIONS; PROVIDING FOR DUE DATE OF CHARGES
AND DELINQUENCY CHARGES; AND ESTABLISHING BILLING AND
DEPOSIT PROCEDURES.
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~) Mr. Greenwald moved to approve the ftrst reading of an Ordinance levying drainage
utility charges. Mr. Simonson seconded the motion, which carried with the following
votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Simonson, Agee and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
#4 Discussion of Reinvestment Zone for Legacy Oaks.
Mr. Marquez stated the public hearing on this subject is scheduled for next week (June
17th) and he would like to know if Council wants to move forward on it. They are
setting up a reinvestment zone for the purpose of giving a tax abatement. It's still a
variance from the ordinance, but they believe it is practical. Mayor Pro- Tem Wilenchik
asked if it's zoned for commercial and Mr. Marquez replied yes. Mrs. Madison pointed
out there is an official request for 12 acres to be rezoned to R-4.
Mr. Marquez went on to say the purchaser already has a curb cut set up on Schertz
Parkway. He was told he needed another means of ingress/egress, so we are requiring
him to build a road that connects from his property to the IH-35 access road. It makes
some sense that the City may want to give him some assistance. It's not the first time the
City has helped on a road. Instel Steel got a tax abatement and a grant to upgrade Doerr
) Lane. Mrs. Madison pointed out that the apartments would be an economic boon to the
City. The road that runs through the Bomer property would allow for development. Mr.
John White, the developer, is here tonight.
Mayor Pro-Tern Wilenchik asked if doing this would help pay for the cost of the road we
want and how much is the cost? Mr. Marquez answered the cost is $380,000.00. It
would be curbed and guttered and have a median.
Mr. Douglas admitted they had a very long discussion about this at the Economic
Development Commission (EDC) meeting. This proposed road is not typically what the
City would build. It is more like Schertz Parkway. He agrees with Mrs. Madison in that
it would be added value to the City. Mr. Marquez indicated the EDC is sensitive about
an apartment complex versus other recommendations we deal with as a variance.
Mr. Simonson wondered if the City did something for the Sycamore Creek Apartments as
far as drainage. The drainage ditch that was built was good for the City as well as others.
This road would be good for the City regardless of the apartments. He doesn't think
we're jumping out on a limb with this and it beneftts the City, it doesn't just give
someone a break. Mr. Marquez said if you ask yourself if this is in the best interest of the
City overall, the answer is yes.
Mayor Pro-Tern Wilenchik observed the only reason the City is talking about the cost of
the roadway is because the City is considering giving this developer a tax abatement. Mr.
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/"~) Simonson emphasized the road is for traffic safety and is being required by the City. Mr.
Greenwald added the City has already said there would be no more single entrances/exits.
Mr. GreenwaJd went on to say if you grant a tax abatement to an apartment complex, you
better put up steel doors to hold back all the future developers coming in. Mr. Douglas
felt considerirtg it on a case-by-case basis for the beneftt of the City is the best approach
to take.
Mr. Simonson asked if we do this on a variance, are we sticking our neck in a vice.
Mayor Pro-Tern Wilenchik questioned if we go ahead and build a City road, can we
avoid the issue. Mr. Simonson answered we've never built a City road. Schertz Parkway
is an exception.
Mr. Douglas inquired how many future developers are going to be adjacent to a major
road. Mr. Sinionson, as an example, mentioned the extension of Westchester and said if
we want a street, the developer will want an abatement. Mr. Marquez stated if we set a
precedent, we would follow through. Things are going to get sticky as we develop little
plots here and there.
Robert Copeland had a map for Council to see. He explained they want to take
advantage of the trees, etc, for an attractive entrance. They have spoken with TXDoT
about the right turns out and the left turns out. Mr. Copeland then added doing an
) abatement through commercial property benefits the City, not the apartments.
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Mr. White pointed out they are donating the land for the road, the cost would be the road
itself When the road goes in it will alleviate backup on the FM 3009 comer. They have
incorporated the cost of the road into the loan for the apartments.
Mrs. Madison advised Council they are getting $3.00 in revenue for every dollar of
abatement they are giving up. Mrs. Agee added a roadway there would lead to the
development of other properties in the same area.
Mr. Simonson stated the question for Council is whether they think getting a road is a
City project. Mayor Pro-Tern Wilenchik noted that once you grant a variance, you have
changed the procedure. Mrs. Madison stressed that Council has the option not to
approve a variance.
Mr. Marquez emphasized if they are willing to put the public hearing on the agenda, the
tax abatement follows. The consensus of Council was to go ahead and put the public
hearing on the agenda.
#5 Discussion regarding the dissolution of the Schertz Parkway Zone Board of
Directors.
Mr. Marquez related he had asked Jerry Bethke to attend this meeting. The Parkway
Zone Board must have been dissolved by the time Schertz Parkway is completed. Mr.
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-- J Bethke suggested the day of the ribbon cutting for Schertz Parkway would be a good time
to dissolve the Parkway Zone Board. The Board agreed it would be a good day to
dissolve. Mr. Marquez added it has been in existence for almost 10 years.
Mrs. Agee inquired if there are some requirements about resolving the money issues if
the Board is dissolved. Mr, Marquez stated there would be a final audit. The money
would pay off bonds.
Mr. Bethke mentioned if it's in the best interest of the City, the Board could dissolve
earlier. Mr. Marquez said no - the day of the ribbon cutting is the right time to do it.
#6 Items by City Manager
General Announcements
Reported he had spoken with Frank Holtzman of TXDoT who told him their funding had
been cut. The status of different projects involving them is as follows:
. Lower Seguin Road has moved to an unfunded category.
. The FM 3009 upgrade is also now in the unfunded category.
. The upper part of FM 3009 is not even on the horizon. The City will start
, ) working with MPO to get it on the horizon.
. Instead of upgrades on FM 1518 (turn lane at Commercial Place), there will be
maintenance only.
. The speed study ofFM 78 is complete and he thinks they will recommend 45 mph
for the entire section within the City limits.
. The drainage issue on FM 78 requires an inlet pipe and has been programmed for
this year.
. The Animal Control directional sign on FM 3009 is not allowed unless you want
to take it up with the legislature. Mr. Simonson stated those kinds of signs are on
TXDoT's right-of-way.
. The cost for the traffic signal at Live Oak Raod and FM 3009 is $86,000.00 and
some change. He has the agreement on his desk. The City is front-funding the
project, but has a quasi-commitment of $32,500.00 from Cibolo and $25,000.00
from Guadalupe County. Mrs. Agee noted they were told this morning that the
property values in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal School District would outrank
those of Seguin.
Mentioned the CPS seminar is a good one to attend. The City will drive you if you wish
to go.
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/-~') Announced the -Schertz/Seguin Local Government Corporation celebration is scheduled
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for July 17, 2003 at the water plant in Gonzales. There is a Board meeting that afternoon.
He will get all the logistics for Council.
Stated the LCRA step-down station is going through condemnation on the Ripps
property. Mr. Simonson said the UDC states they have to subdivide. - Mrs. Madison
indicated they would cooperate.
Reported they got the bids in on the Public Works and EMS Projects. They are
excessive. They will be on the next agenda. They are thinking about rejecting them
because the numbers are unacceptable. He didn't stay on top of certain details for the
projects and so every decision will be his the rest of the way through. Mayor Pro-Tern
Wilenchik mentioned the last date he heard for the start of construction was in July.
When will it be now? Mr. Marquez replied he doesn't know.
#7 Items by City Council
General Announcements
Councilmember Douglas
Liaison EDC Commission
Mr. Douglas had nothing to report.
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- -' Council member Agee
4-B Board
Liaison Schertz Housing Authority
Liaison Schertz Library Board
Mrs. Agee had nothing to report.
Councilmember Greenwald
4-B Board
Ex-officioP&Z Commission
Ex-officio S/SLGC
Mr. Greenwald had nothing to report.
Councilmember Simonson
4-B Board
Liaison BVY A
Emphasized strongly the Highway Department better ftnd out where the money
for Lower Seguin Road went. They made a lot of promises to the Air Force and
to a lot of farmers. He wants to know what happened to that money.
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#8 Items by Mayor
General Announcements
Mayor Pro-Tern Wilenchik had nothing to report.
At this time Council took a short break.
#9 EXECUTIVE SESSION: called under Chapter 551 of the Texas Government
Code, Sub-Sections:
551.071 Consultation with attorney on pending litigation
551. 072 Deliberation regarding real property
551.074 Personnel matters
An Executive Session was held from 8:25 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
#10 Action, if any, on above Executive Session
No action was necessary.
#11 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Pro-Tern Wilenchik adjourned the
meeting at 9:01 p.m.
Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas
Ff-ol UYl
ATTEST:
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City Secretary, City of Schertz, Texas
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