04-07-2016 MinutesNortheast Partnership for Economic Development
City of Converse
Conference Room, next door to City Hall
405 S. Seguin
MINUTES OF WORKSHOP APRIL 7,2016,6:30 P.M.
I. Call to Order and Establish a Quorum.
Mayor Daly called the workshop to order at 6:40 p.m. and a quorum was present.
Members present were:
Mayor Tom Daly, Selma
Mayor Al Suarez, Converse
Mayor Nadine Knaus, Garden Ridge
Mayor Bill Seiler, Marion
Mayor Pro -Tem Nick Milanovich, New Berlin
Mayor Hunt, Santa Clair
Mayor Dennis, Live Oak
Mayor Williams, Universal City
Others Present:
City Secretary Brenda Dennis, Schertz
City Secretary Holly Nagy, Converse
II. Introduction
Mayor Daly welcomed those present and thanked Mayor Suarez for hosting.
III. Old Business:
1. Alamo Area MPO Update/Issues.
No report was provided. Mayor's present indicated that this was no longer
needed on the Workshop agenda that updates should be provided at the regular
meetings.
IV. New Business
1. Discussion regarding scholarships for graduating seniors.
Mayor's present discussed this and indicated that the Northeast Partnership for
Economic Development only provides scholarships to college students and not to
high school students. Mayor Daly indicated that he would let the citizen who
inquired with the City Manager know.
2. Discussion regarding having Dr. Cleary, Interim President Northeast Lakeview
College, "The Friends of Nighthawks" provide a presentation about the college,
its place in the community and information of getting its accreditation.
Mayor Daly recognized City Secretary Brenda Dennis who stated that she had
received an email from Councilmember Ed Cimics on the inquiry have Dr. Cleary,
Interim President of Northeast Lakeview College come and make a presentation
about the college, its place in the community and information of getting its
accreditation. Mayor's present indicated that we reach out to Dr. Cleary and let him
know the next available date.
V. Items of Interest by the Member Cities.
Mayor Daly mentioned that Mr. Chris Fails is looking to become a member of AACOG,
members discussed that this is through the Greater Bexar County Council of Cities
( GBCCC). Mayor Williams indicated that the GBCCC votes on the appointments.
Mayor Williams also indicated that there is a position open on the Bicycle Mobility
Board and the individual he would like to nominate is William Shelby, from his Council,
and he can attend the AACOG meetings. Mayor Williams stated that he will make the
suggestion for nomination to the Northeast Partnership group to nominate William
Shelby to serve.
Mayor Daly recognized Mayor Seiler, City of Marion who stated that they are in process
of finalizing their new subdivision of 230 rooftops and going through all the legal steps
and they should be breaking ground sometime next month on two (2) show homes.
Mayor Seiler stated that they are also starting their annexation for the land in their ETJ.
Mayor Seiler also provided information regarding their upcoming Annual Bulls and Pulls
BBQ Cook Off, April 15, 16, 2016, Vie's Arena, 613 FM 465, Marion. He stated that
Friday, April 15, 2016, Salsa judging at 7:30 p.m., and Margarita judging at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday April 165, 2016, BBQ begins with judging on the following items and times:
Beans 11:00 a.m., Chicken 12:00 noon, Pork Spareribs 1:30 p.m., and Beef Brisket 3:00
p.m. Mayor Seiler indicated that he is in need of volunteer judges and asked the Mayors
present to please give him a call on which item they would like to judge. Mayor Seiler
stated that the proceeds from the BBQ will go for Guadalupe Agriculture Fair Queens
Court.
Mayor Seiler stated that they have an open seat and the Council will be setting up
interviews. He indicated that they four (4) candidates Council will be interviewing.
Mayor Daly recognized Mayor Suarez, City of Converse stated that they are still working
on the bond regarding their Fire Station. Mayor Suarez stated that they are starting the
annexation process on the piece of property by Randolph which is in their ETJ. This
property is where the fireworks stands are. He stated that they are also working on
installing double turn lanes in specific areas of the city. He spoke regarding the new City
Hall building going in across the street and saving the building at 504 S. Seguin by
trimming both conference rooms. They are building a new Animal Services Facility
across and adjacent to Judson High School. The designer has been chosen and hopes to
break ground this summer. Mayor Suarez stated that the Library is also going to be
expanded where it is now. Mayor Suarez stated the roads have been started, and the
subdivisions are also progressing. He stated that Senator Menendez is opening an office
in Converse by the Library; ground breaking will be next Friday. Lastly, Mayor Suarez
mentioned their new audio visual system has been installed. He stated that they are also
working with Time Warner to have their meetings broadcast live; their meetings will also
be streaming live on their city website.
Mayor Daly recognized Mayor Pro -Tem Nick Milanovich stated that they are still
working with San Antonio and Cibolo on their annexations. Mayor Pro -Tem Milanovich
stated that no one ran against him for Mayor and no one ran for the vacant council seat.
He stated that May 7, 2016, he will be the new Mayor and that Gil Merkle will be
appointed to his vacant seat.
Mayor Daly recognized Mayor John Williams, City of Universal City who stated that he
has drawn an opponent for the May 7, 2016 election. Mayor Williams stated that D.A.
Grant was awarded to the County for the southeast section of the base at Randolph. He
stated that Gordon Hartman owns most of the property which is in Schertz. He indicated
that this was a very positive step towards that section. Between Universal City, Converse
and Schertz there are 130 families involved in the now Clear Zone, which Randolph
moved it from 2000 to 3000 feet. This change affects a lot of home owners that are
worried about having to move. He stated that Randolph is looking at the potential of
coming up with some federal funding to purchase the properties. Mayor Williams stated
that the current liaison is Lt. Col. Bliss; he took Lt. Col. Robin Baldwin's position.
Mayor Daly recognized Mayor Mary Dennis, City of Live Oak who commented that it
was the first time they were included on the Mayor's State of City Address. Mayor
Dennis stated that she has been working with the San Antonio Mayor to make sure that
surrounding cities are more thought of, and was happy that the City of Live Oak was
included. Mayor Dennis stated that Mayor Ivy has been communicating with her to
include the surrounding cities and being more broad minded in not just saying San
Antonio and having a more regional approach to decisions they make. Mayor's
mentioned that they have Mayor Ivy get information from us regarding decisions they
mark regarding CPS. Mayor Dennis stated that they haven't given up in getting presence
on the CPS Board from our organization. Mayor Dennis stated that the message to them
was that we still need a place at the table. She stated that CPS is now aware of our
interest. Mayor Dennis stated that when she was in D.C. she found out there t are some
grants out there, the Tiger Grant and asked if Mayor Seiler had looked into those. Mayor
Seiler stated that it is too late to apply for those you had to have all the paperwork filled
out and returned by the end of April. Mayor Suarez stated that they applied for this Grant
for Topperwine. Mayor Dennis suggested that NEP have a grant writer that writes grants
for all our cities. Mayors discussed possible having some grant companies come in so
that NEP could explain that we have all these cities that could use some help. Mayor
Seiler stated that we can reach out to these companies and they can go out to the various
councils /cities and brief them on their services. Mayor Seiler stated that NEP could help
facilitate this.
Mayor Seiler stated that they use Grant Works; he stated that they could call Lori for the
information. Mayor Seiler stated that he would send the information to Brenda and she
will disseminate out to the Mayors. Mayor Dennis also stated that their Dunkin Donuts
should be opening soon.
Mayor Daly recognized Mayor Jeff Hunt, City of Santa Clara who stated that they have
an Engineer on board who will be evaluating their 26 miles of roads and plans will be
forthcoming. Mayor Hunt pointed out Mayor Seiler missing the mention of the Marion
Groundbreaking for the high school sports facility to include a new football field, track
and bleachers etc. Mayor Hunt also stated that no opponents so they will not have an
election.
Mayor Daly recognized Mayor Nadine Knaus, City of Garden Ridge who stated that they
have an over population of deer and recently they did their first trap, transport and cull
event to remove the over population. Mayor Knaus also stated that on Saturday, June 11,
2016 the City will be hosting the 2nd Annual Garden Ridge Citizen Police Academy
Alumni Association Open Car Show, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
VI. Establish a Date, Time, & Location of the Next Meeting. (Next up is the City of
Converse to host).
Mayor Daly indicated that next up to host the NEP Mayor's Workshop is the City of
Kirby. City Secretary Brenda Dennis stated that she would contact the Mayor and the
City Manager to see if they would be amendable to hosting the next meeting on
Thursday, May 5, 2016.
VII. Adjournment
Mayor. Daly adjourned the workshop at 7:40PM.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 12th DAY MAY 2016.
Mayor Tom Daly,