08-13-03
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MINUTES
SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORKSHOP SESSION
AUGUST 13,2003
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session on Wednesday, August
13, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Complex Conference Room, 1400 Schertz
Parkway, Schertz, Texas. Those present were Mayor Hal Baldwin, presiding;
Councilmembers Carl Douglas, Steve Simonson, Reginna Agee, Tony Wilenchik and
Ken Greenwald. Also present were City Manager Mark Marquez and City Secretary
Norma Althouse.
#1 HEARING OF RESIDENTS
Robert Salas of 1041 Gettysburg mentioned that the outside lights in the Handy Andy
parking lot were on all day this past Monday. Mayor Baldwin suggested Mr. Salas report
this to Handy Andy rather than to City Council.
Robert Brockman of 4505 Grand Forrest had the following comments:
. Welcomed Mayor Baldwin back.
) . Suggested Tony Wilson put something in the Schertz Tales about cutting grass,
-' trimming trees, and the chipping service offered by the City.
. Said he trimmed the trees on Schertz Parkway so you could see the flashing
school signs. The Homeowner's Association didn't like it and Mr. Marquez
received a letter about it Mayor Baldwin asked whose trees they were and if they
weren't sort of on private property. He then asked Mr. Brockman if had worn his
orange vest. Mr. Simonson commented some of the trees are still on private
property even though they are outside the wall. The correct way to have handled
it would have been to notify the Homeowner's Association. Mayor Baldwin
jokingly mentioned to Mr. Brockman he's going to get shot because people are
very sensitive about trees.
. Indicated he saw a City employee working near the railroad track without an
orange vest.
. Commented he is glad to see the sidewalk going in along Schertz Parkway.
. Asked why the warrant officer's car has regular plates instead of exempt ones.
Chief Cantrell answered because it is not marked.
. Reported that the urinal in the men's restroom at the library vibrates.
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(/-~) #2 Discuss final reading of Ordinance regarding agreement with Bexar
Waste, Inc.
Mr. Marquez mentioned that paragraph f on page 9 has been added which says "The
FRANCJISEE will make provisions for the disposal of biohazardous waste at no cost to
the City." Also, on page 11, the paragraph under Section 16, the phrase "Rates will
remain in effect until changes are approved by Council" has been added. There are no
other changes.
After being asked by Mayor Baldwin, Council indicated they were ready for this item to
be included on next Tuesday night's agenda.
#3 Discuss final reading of Ordinance regarding request from Hubertus
Investment Company to voluntarily annex 1.345 acres of land out of Comal County.
Mr. Marquez advised that the word "voluntarily" was the only thing added to the caption.
There are no other changes.
Council agreed they were ready for this item to be included on next Tuesday night's
agenda.
#4 Discuss TXDoT plan for FM 3009.
) Mr. Marquez explained this item deals with the Public Improvement District (PID). We
will be putting in a median, lights and streets. The District goes past Forest Ridge
Subdivision with a turn lane. Some drainage along FM 3009 will be closed.
The PID had its first meeting on August 7, 2003. According to Larry Dublin from Ford
Engineering, the engineers met with representatives of Randolph Brooks Federal Credit
Union, State Bank and Trust and HEB. There were some problems, but they are just
about worked out. We will propose a sidewalk to the Credit Union, we will try to
minimize the impact on everyone, and we will go across the HEB parking lot with our
road, which will have to be dedicated. We hope to have plans and documents from Ford
Engineering before the next meeting so the PID Board can approve the plans and the
assessments.
Mr. Simonson asked Mr. Marquez if he knows when TXDoT is prepared to put in the
median. Mr. Marquez replied in either April or May and they also intend to put in a
crosswalk. They say it is an ADA requirement, but we will talk about that. Mr.
Simonson then said it would be interesting if TXDoT does their part. Mr. Marquez
commented he thinks the median is first and the light is second.
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'\ #5 Discussion and possible action approving a change in membership on the PID
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Advisory Board.
Mr. Marquez indicated that the following changes to the PID Advisory Board are
requested at this time:
HEB - Ms. Kathy Strimple, Sonic Industries - Mr. Michael Linam, and Randolph Brooks
FCU - Mr. Marty Rellstab.
Mr. Douglas moved to approve the changes to the PID Advisory Board as stated by Mr.
Marquez. Mr. Greenwald seconded the motion, which carried with the following votes:
AYES: Councilmembers Douglas, Simonson, Agee, Wilenchik and Greenwald.
NAYS: None.
Following the vote, Mr. Wilenchik asked if this is the same Mr. Ripps that was originally
appointed and Mr. Marquez answered yes - it's just a correction to the spelling of his
first name. Mr. Douglas then asked if they're going to follow through with naming a
road after the Ripps family. Mr. Marquez answered it is under discussion.
#6 Discuss first reading of Ordinance regarding placement of traffic lights.
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Mr. Marquez related there would be new traffic lights at three locations. They will be at
Live Oak Road and FM 3009, at Schertz Parkway and Woodland Oaks Drive, and at
Schertz Parkway and Savannah Drive. Mr. Wilenchik commented the Transportation
Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) brought up the question of whether these will have
protected left turn lanes and Larry Dublin ofFord Engineering replied yes they would.
#7 Items by City Manager
General Announcements
Annexation
Program Updates by Department Heads
Candidate for S/SLGC
PID Update
. Announced there is good news. The Community First health insurance rates for
employees only went up by 13.9% and as usually goes along with that, dependent
rates went up. We're doing as good, if not better, than surrounding areas.
Council will get a copy of the employee survey in the next packet.
. Mentioned that as far as updates by Department Heads, for example Community
Development, Planning, and Community Services, they will have rotation every
fourth workshop.
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r) . Advised we have a vacancy coming up on the Schertz/Seguin Local Government
Corporation and it's Schertz's turn to nominate a replacement. Gloria Rivera has
opted not to be nominated. Mayor Baldwin asked if the balance would be skewed
because of this. Mr. Marquez replied no, it's our turn to nominate. Mr.
Greenwald explained they start rotating after the 5th year. Mr. Marquez said he
would anticipate some input from Seguin. Past nominations have preserved the
continuity of the Board. We can talk about who we may want to appoint and he
will put a chart in next week's packet
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. Stated Elbel Road will close on August 25th. Mr. Douglas asked for how long
and was told for approximately three months. The school has been informed.
. Noted he plans to come forward with an annexation plan. He plans on starting
with the easy ones and then going to the hard ones.
. Reminded everyone of the Economic Development Conference coming up and
said they can contact Amy Madison or Rita Duprat- Waldo for reservations.
. Stressed they need to get a nomination to the Metropolitan Planning Organization
(MPO) by September 14, 2003. He intends to recommend Amy Madison. They
are going to dump short-range and long-range planning together for financial
. purposes.
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. TSAC has sent a proposal to change from a Committee to a full-blown
Commission. Mayor Baldwin asked how many people we can nominate, Mr.
Simonson reminded him that those on the Committee volunteered. Mr. Wilenchik
mentioned that one of the four people applying is a civil engineer with 13 years
experience with TXDoT. Mr. Wilenchik also commented that David Allen is
asking for a letter to appoint a City Council liaison to TSAC. Mrs. Agee
mentioned that the people on TSAC were appointed by City Council.
#8 Items by Council
General Announcements
Councilmember Douglas
Liaison - EDC
. Said he was glad to see Mr. Marquez respond to Mr. William Brown's request for
assistance in construction of a measured walk path around the perimeter of the
Woodland Oaks pool area.
. Mentioned also the letter of response to the Guadalupe County Judge regarding
the City of Schertz declining a proposal for boarding, feeding, euthanizing, etc.
during the transitional period since Guadalupe County declined the proposed
Animal Control contract by the cities of Schertz and Seguin.
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" Oy Councilmember Simonson
4-B Board
Liaison - BVY A
. Reported attending the BVY A meeting on Monday night. They've had over 200
kids sign up for fall baseball. The basketball program will be larger than that.
Cibolo has requested BVY A take over their football program. BVY A also has a
volleyball program. They asked how we're coming on the bond issue and he
informed them the election would be no earlier than February. The programs are
really booming because of our growth.
. Distributed information about an upcoming ALS walkathon.
Councilmember Agee
4-B Board
Liaison- Schertz Housing Authority
Liaison - Schertz Library Board
. Stated the school district had an explosion of kids. They are opening Paschal
Elementary with double portables. That same school had four air conditioners
stolen last night. They are sending children from Jonas Woods to Schertz
Elementary. They are building a new high school and two others. It is all bond
) issue money. They have also bought land for future school sites. Mayor Baldwin
.- , said he saw enough parents and kids at the Paschal Elementary dedication to fill a
: school.
.Councilmember Wilenchik
4-B Board
Liaison Schertz Humane Society
Liaison - HOA Coalition
. Mentioned attending the TSAC meeting and said one of the items of discussion
was crosswalks at HEB. TSAC felt we shouldn't have them, but Sam Willoughby
told them it is a federal regulation. Mr. Simonson said this had been discussed at
other places like Live Oak Road, Borgfeld Road and Savannah Drive. Mr.
Greenwald mentioned it also came up regarding crossing FM 3009 at Woodland
Oaks Drive.
. Questioned if there would be no U-turn signs on Schertz Parkway. Mr. Marquez
promised to check into it. The Master Plan for FM 3009 has two places for U-
turns sometime in the future. Chief Cantrell said he would check the Statute.
. Stated he had a citizen query regarding occupancy limits for the Conference
Room and at the Community Center. Is it posted? Chief Friesenhahn replied it
should be posted at the Community Center and probably in the Conference Room.
The rule of thumb is 15 square feet per person. Amy Madison, Community
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() Development Director, said they held a public hearing in the Community Center
conference room and it was too crowded, so they decided to have future ones in
this Conference Room.
Councilmember Greenwald
4-B Board
Ex-officio P&Z Commission
Ex-officio S/SLGC
. Related attending the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting last night. The
site plan for Dr. Harborth's property was passed. As Mr. Marquez and Mrs.
Madison pointed out, the Green Valley Road portion starts out a 65', goes down
to 50' and then down to 49'. He has to come back on the plat.
. Nextel wants to come in with a monopole tower of 120' between Randolph Air
Force Base, FM 1518 and FM 78. They still have to go through FAA. Mr.
Simonson commented all these extra requirements that keep coming up do not
help us because P & Z wants a stealth tower and Randolph wants it lighted.
. Mrs. Agee indicated she would like to see an upcoming workshop discussion on
Planning and Zoning and their role. We need to take action if they are getting out
of hand. We need to discuss what we want their role to be and then take action.
) Mr. Marquez said that's not as simple as you may think. Mrs. Agee pointed out
there are State Statutes and Mr. Marquez said he would provide them to Council.
Mr. Simonson pointed out Schertz is one of the few cities that allows it's Planning
and Zoning Commission make major decisions. Mrs. Agee recommended this
discussion wait until after the budget workshops are completed and the budget is
passed.
. In regard to the Planning and Zoning meeting, Mr. Brockman said they couldn't
agree on whether 4 or 5 trees provide enough for a shopping center. Mr.
Greenwald pointed out they try to save as many trees as possible. Mrs. Madison
said Planning and Zoning thought they should have more trees and that was good
enough. Mr. Marquez thought given the prospective location, they are lucky to
have someone who wants to develop. Mayor Baldwin indicated he has no
problem with discussion about Planning and Zoning.
. Lastly, Mr. Greenwald commented he got a letter from the Texas Leadership
Institute if anyone wants to attend. They're offering a course on water resources.
#9 Items by Mayor
General Announcements
Mayor Baldwin had nothing to report.
Before the Budget Workshop, Council took a short break.
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-, #10 BUDGET WORKSHOP
Mr. Marquez mentioned the packets contain a series of documents relative to the budget
There are also a series of charts. Regarding the I&S funds, there is still capacity. The
EMS chart shows revenues since the City took over the billing.
Mr. Marquez went on to say they have made some adjustments to the Tentative Budget
Schedule. They have the actual appraisal role of $1,400,000,000 and $64,000,000 is
under protest. Evelyn Boggess, former Tax Assessor for the City, explained there is a
new law this year - 95% has to be certified and it allows 5% not to be certified. Mr.
Wilenchik asked if the amount under protest is included in the $1,400,000,000 and Mrs.
Boggess replied it is not.
Mr. Marquez pointed out the numbers are designed to derive our effective tax rate. New
growth doesn't count when they compute the effective tax rate.
Mr. Marquez then mentioned the rollback rate is .4095. Mr. Simonson commented the
current tax rate is well under the rollback rate.
There was a brief discussion on I&S funds, M&O funds and investments. Mr. Marquez
commented that, if Council so desires, they could restore the position in Animal Control,
they could restore the fire trucks, they could fund the plaques for the buildings, and they
) could upgrade the computer network. They have approximately $60,000 to restore
previously suggested cuts.
Mr. Marquez remarked the City still has another sales tax check coming. Mr. Simonson
asked about projections on funds from GVEC and Mr. Marquez promised to check into it.
Mr. Greenwald asked about revenue from the credit card/on line services and was told
they're just starting that process. Mr. Marquez then added they made approximately
$18,500 from the auction.
Mr. Marquez noted several other items, including the following:
(a) library contributions from Guadalupe County are up
(b) library fines are up, especially on videos
(c) there is no longer a Cibolo fire contract
(d) additional indirect costs include a hotel marketing study for EDC.
There was a question about FEMA money being in the General Fund. Mr. Greenwald
explained we have to keep it on the books until the project is completed.
Mayor Baldwin asked if the MUD is paid off and Mr. Marquez answered it would be
paid out of Capital Recovery funds and we still owe payments for two years at
approximately $125,000 per year.
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) Mr. Marquez reviewed the following departments:
Stated the City Manager's budget includes him, John Bierschwale, Rita Duprat-Waldo
and Karen Garcia. He went on to say copy services for the coming fiscal year would
come out of a non-departmental fund and they will evaluate that process. Training and
Travel is up because it now includes John Bierschwale Also, the City Manager will be
getting some appropriate furniture.
As far as the City Secretary's budget, they may have to re-appropriate some funds again
for Records Management.
Finance will add a new person.
Regarding the Legal department, Mayor Baldwin asked if the City would stay within the
budgeted $147,000. Mr. Marquez replied they would..
Human Resources is considering an additional person.
Information Technology includes modem upgrades and replacement of some servers.
Mr. Wilenchik asked that Workman's Compensation be explained. Mr. Marquez said it
is a percentage of the salary times the rate for that particular job. Mrs. Agee added if the
l I rate is good, they might have a modified plan. Mr. Marquez admitted they have probably
, overestimated. There was a brief discussion about a cap on Workman's Compensation.
Mr. Marquez said he would have some further information the next time.
Mr. Bierschwale mentioned they are going to put monitors at City Hall and other places.
That cost will be approximately $25,000.
Medical Services includes the EMS costs.
TIF budget should be zero.
Municipal Court has money in their budget for a warrant officer. Mr. Douglas asked if
we're considering being a Court of Record. Mr. Marquez replied the costs are not a lot,
but there are other issues to consider. Mr. Wilenchik thought a Court of Record required
a different Judge. Mr. Marquez reminded him that at evaluation time for the Judge, they
decided to let that issue ride Mayor Baldwin said it requires a lot of considerations. Mrs.
Agee felt there might not be enough advantages to it. Mr. Greenwald remarked that in
another year or two, it might be mandatory.
The Public Information Office budget is no problem. It is paid out of 4-B funds.
As far as the Library budget, Mrs. Agee asked what happened to the Special Events line
: - item. Mr. Marquez said he would pay for special events out of his budget. That line item
has been removed from several budgets.
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The Pools and Parks budgets have been consolidated.
As far as Planning, Mrs. Madison's salary was previously taken out of 4-B funds, but the
4-B Board expressed some concern about that, so it is no longer the case.
Mr. Simonson expressed his desire to stop at this time because of the time. Council
agreed and said they would start at Inspection at the next budget workshop.
#11 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Baldwin adjourned the meeting
at
9:55 p.m.
Mayor, City of Schertz, Texas
ATTEST:
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City Secretary, City of Schertz, Texas
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