02-04-2025 MinutesMINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
February 4, 2025
A Regular Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, on
February 4, 2025, 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 Allison Heyward; Councilmember Mark
Davis; Councilmember Michelle Watson; Councilmember Ben Guerrero;
Councilmember Robert Westbrook; Councilmember Tim Brown
Absent: Councilmember Paul Macaluso
Staff City Manager Steve Williams; City Attorney Clarissa Rodriguez; Deputy City
present: Manager Brian James; Assistant City Manager Sarah Gonzalez; 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 Mark Davis)
Councilmember Mark Davis provided the opening prayer and led the Pledges of Allegiance to
the Flags of the United States and State of Texas.
Discussion and Action Items
Appointment of Mayor Pro-Tem - Discussion, consideration, and/or action
regarding the confirmation, appointment, or election of the Mayor Pro-Tem.
(Mayor/Council)
Mayor Gutierrez explained the selection process, duties, and term of the Mayor
Pro-Tem and thanked Councilmember Robert Westbrook for his service. He opened
the floor to Council for discussion regarding the appointment of Councilmember
Allison Heyward to Mayor Pro-Tem. No discussion occurred.
AYE: Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward, Councilmember Mark Davis,
Councilmember Michelle Watson, Councilmember Ben Guerrero,
Councilmember Robert Westbrook, Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
Proclamations
San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo (Ms. Barbara Hall)
Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward presented the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo
Proclamation to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Ambassador Committee led
by Ms. Barbara Hall.
Employee Introductions
Mayor Gutierrez recognized City Department Heads who introduced the following new staff:
• Engineering: Donald Moreno -Engineering Inspector
• Police Department: Adam Rodriguez - Police Officer
• Public Works -Streets: Abel Valdez -Streets Maintenance Worker 1
• Public Works -Utilities: Dean Fickling - Water/Wastewater Worker 1; Mark Shadle -
Water/Wastewater Workerl
Presentations
Presentation of the FY 23-24 Parks & Recreation Annual Report
(S.Gonzalez/L. Shrum)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Parks and Recreation Manager Cassie Paddock who
presented the FY23-24 Parks & Recreation Annual Report. The report highlighted the
many activities Parks & Recreation run throughout the year, with spotlights on Team
Accomplishments, Boards & Committee Members, budget expenditures and
revenues, and the many projects they are working on.
Councilmember Brown thanked the Parks & Recreation department for everything
they do and offered kudos for all the improvements they have made to the
maintenance program. Mayor Gutierrez and Mayor Pro-Tem Heyward also thanked
the Parks staff for their hard work.
City Events and Announcements
• Announcements of upcoming City Events (B.James/S.Gonzalez)
Assistant City Manager Sarah Gonzalez announced upcoming city events.
• Announcements and recognitions by the City Manager (S.Williams)
City Manager Steve Williams congratulated Engineering Inspector Sam Lopez for
earning his concrete field-testing technician grade one certificate from the American
Concrete Institute. He recognized Sydney Paredes for receiving the Al Johnson Endowed
Scholarship providing $1,000 for her to attend the National Recreation and Parks
Association Conference and for being recognized by the NRPA as being one of the 30
under 30 receiving the award at a national level. In the EMS Department, Baptist Health
System visited the Schertz station to recognize one of the crews for exceptional care
given to a patient who was thought to be suffering from a stroke, but turned out to be
worse than that. Due to their training and quick assessment of the situation, they were
able to give care and save the individual's life.
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Mr. Williams recognized Communications Manager Nichole Kuhlmann for 20 years of
service.
• Announcements and recognitions by the Mayor (R.Gutierrez)
Mayor Gutierrez congratulated Ms. Kuhlmann on the milestone and thanked her for her
dedication and service to our community. He also congratulated Councilmember Ben
Guerrero for being elected. He extended congratulations to the Fire and Police
Departments for the recognitions they received in the week prior and thanked them for
their service to the City.
Mayor Gutierrez stated for the record that the Committee assignments previously
designated to Councilmember Gibson have been transferred to Councilmember Guerrero
as noted on the agenda.
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.
All handouts and/or USB devices must be submitted to the City Secretary no later than
noon on the Monday preceding the meeting. Handouts will be provided to each
Councilmember prior to the start of the meeting by the City Secretary. All USB devices will
be vetted by City IT staff to ensure City property is protected from malware.
Mayor Pro -Tern Heyward recognized the following residents:
Ms. Susan DeLano, 129 Lindy Hills, addressed Council as a boardmember of the Miss
Cibolo Pageant. She explained the pageant is a year -long ambassadorship that empowers
young women and provides them with scholarship opportunities. She thanked the Council and
community for their support.
Miss Lindsey Large, Jr. Miss Cibolo, stated she is an 8th grader at Corbett Junior High,
spoke regarding the benefits of participating in the pageant.
Daniel Jameson, 1048 Richmond, congratulated Councilmember Guerrero on being elected.
He stated he represents VFW Post 8315 and asked Council to come out to support the veterans
at the monthly breakfast.
Dana Eldridge, 2628 Gallant Fox Dr, welcomed Councilmember Guerrero to the council. He
addressed Council regarding concerns with item 13, temporary signs.
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Glen Outlaw, 3729 Forsyth Park, addressed Council regarding the refuse collection contract.
Maggie Titterington, 5325 Storm King, as the spokesman for her brothers and sisters,
recognized Will Fowler and Rolando Gonzalez of the Schertz EMS Department. She thanked
them for their professionalism, comfort, and medical expertise in helping her mother during a
time of crisis. She and her family wanted council to know how excellent of a job they are
doing of having employees of this caliber in our community and helping our citizens.
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. Minutes - Approval of the minutes from the Council Meeting on January 21,
2025, and the minutes from the Special Meeting -Canvassing the Runoff Election on
January 28, 2025 (S.Edmondson/S.Courney)
2. Resolution 25-R-016 - Authorizing a Public Library Interlocal Agreement for mutual
access to C1oudLibrary digital resources (S.Gonzalez/M.Uhlhorn)
3. Resolution 25-R-018 — Authorizing the City Manager to sign and submit a Notice of
Intent for Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer
Systems (MS4) under the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES)
Phase II MS4 General Permit TXR040000 for the City and other matters in
connection therewith (B.James/K.Woodlee)
4. Resolution 25-R-019 Authorizing the submission of a Special Projects Grant
application to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) for a
Library Outreach Vehicle (S.Gonzalez/M.Uhlhom)
5. Resolution 25-R-013 - Granting signature authority to the City Manager to enter into
and sign certain contracts and documents on behalf of the City
(S. Williams/S.Gonzalez/J.Kurz)
6. Resolution 25-R-020 - Authorizing a pro-rata agreement for the Saddlebrook
Development (S.Williams/B.James)
7. Resolution 25-R-014 - Authorizing the Schertz Police Department to accept
equipment from the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) RECONYX
Illegal Dumping Cameras Program (J. Lowery)
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8. Resolution 25-R-002 — Authorizing a professional services agreement with Unintech
Consulting Engineers, Inc. for the design of the Boenig Drive Reconstruction Project
(B. James/K. Woodlee/J. Nowak)
9. Resolution 25-R-009 - Authorizing an expenditure with SAMES Bastrop Ford for the
acquisition of 7 police vehicles (B.James/D.Hardin/C.Hernandez)
Mayor Gutierrez stated Item #6 was removed for separate action.
Mayor Gutierrez asked for a motion to approve Consent Agenda Items #1-5 and #7-9.
Moved by Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward, seconded by Councilmember
Michelle Watson
AYE: Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward, Councilmember Mark Davis,
Councilmember Michelle Watson, Councilmember Ben Guerrero,
Councilmember Robert Westbrook, Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Deputy City Manager Brian James to discuss item #6,
Resolution 25-R-020 authorizing a pro rata agreement for the Saddlebrook
Development. Mr. James explained staff requested this item be pulled because they
are working with the developer on a few changes to the pro rata agreement, primarily
a change to the excess capacity. Developer built a sewer lift station after the prior
agreement which was approved in 2024. Because of how it connects to the CCMA
plant, there's additional excess capacity that must be signed out, and the city must
make a provision for the developer to be reimbursed for the excess capacity in the lift
station they built. Mr. James stated staff is recommending approval with the changes
as noted.
Mayor Gutierrez asked for a motion to approve Resolution 25-R-020 with changes
noted.
AYE: Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward, Councilmember Mark Davis,
Councilmember Michelle Watson, Councilmember Ben Guerrero,
Councilmember Robert Westbrook, Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
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Discussion and Action Items
10. Ordinance 25-S-005 Adopting a Compensation Schedule and Procedure for the City
Council (R.Gutierrez/S.Williams)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized City Manager Steve Williams who introduced Ordinance
25-S-005 including a proposed pay plan schedule for City Council. Mayor Gutierrez
opened the floor to Council for discussion. Councilmembers expressed their thoughts
regarding the proposed plan and need for issue to brought forth to residents for a vote
during next charter review.
Motion to approve Ordinance 25-S-005 was made by the Chair, seconded by Mayor
Pro-Tem Allison Heyward.
AYE: Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward, Councilmember Michelle Watson,
Councilmember Ben Guerrero, Councilmember Robert Westbrook,
Councilmember Tim Brown
NAY: Councilmember Mark Davis
Passed
11. Resolution 25-R-017 - Establishing a date for a Public Hearing on Amendments to
the Land Use Assumptions, Capital Improvement Plans, and Impact Fees for Water
and Wastewater Utilities (B.James/K.Woodlee)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized City Engineer Kathy Woodlee who introduced
Resolution 25-R-017 stating that Chapter 395 of the Local Government Code sets an
explicit process for noticing and setting public hearings for either establishing or
updating impact fees or Capital Recovery fees. This resolution is to ensure adequate
transparency and opportunity for comment regarding these fees. One of the
requirements is for Council to order a date for the public hearing which must be set
more than 30 days in advance of that public hearing. Ms. Woodlee stated they are
asking Council to approve March 18, 2025, for the public hearing.
Mayor Pro-Tem Heyward opened the floor to Council for discussion. After brief
discussion, Mayor Pro-Tem Heyward asked for a motion to approve Resolution
25-R-017.
Moved by Councilmember Tim Brown, seconded by Councilmember Robert
Westbrook
AYE: Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward, Councilmember Mark Davis,
Councilmember Michelle Watson, Councilmember Ben Guerrero,
Councilmember Robert Westbrook, Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
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12. Resolution 25-R-005 - Approving a Utility Service Extension Request for the Woman
Hollering Townhomes (B.James/K.Woodlee)
Mayor Gutierrez stated Resolution 25-R-005 had to be postponed until Resolution
25-R-021 had been resolved.
Mayor Gutierrez stated Resolution 25-R-005 had been tabled.
13. Ordinance 25-S-004 - Consider amendments to Part III of the Schertz Code of
Ordinances, Unified Development Code (UDC), to Article 11, Section 21.11.6
Prohibited Signs and Section 21.11.17 Temporary
Signs (B.James/L.Wood/E.Delgado)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Planning Manager Emily Delgado who provided
background information and proposed amendments to the UDC as related to
Ordinance 25-S-004. Staff asked for feedback on the proposed amendments, but no
action on the ordinance at this meeting. After much Council discussion, Ms. Delgado,
joined by Deputy City Manager Brian James, stated they were seeking consensus at
this meeting for the proposed amendments which will be incorporated into a larger
re -write of this section of the UDC. Further stating, staff anticipates bringing the full
proposed update of this section to Council for approval in April 2025. Councilmember
Guerrero asked staff to bring options back to Council at the next regularly scheduled
meeting.
Councilmember Ben Guerrero made a motion to table Ordinance 25-S-004, seconded
by Councilmember Michelle Watson.
AYE: Councilmember Mark Davis, Councilmember Michelle Watson,
Councilmember Ben Guerrero, Councilmember Robert Westbrook,
Councilmember Tim Brown
Other: Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward (ABSENT)
Passed
14. Resolution 25-R-021 - Authorizing the approval of a Development Agreement with
BFR LLC for the approximately 30 acre tract at FM 1518 and Woman Hollering
Road (S.Williams/B.James)
Mayor Gutierrez announced this item was being moved ahead of Resolution
25-R-005, then recognized Deputy City Manager Brian James who stated the
applicant had requested this time be tabled.
Mayor Gutierrez stated Resolution 25-R-021 had been tabled.
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Public Hearings
15. Ordinance 25-F-006 - Conduct a public hearing and consider an amendment to
Ordinance 14-F-20 amending the Drought Contingency and Water Emergency
Response Plan which is incorporated adopted by reference in the Schertz Code or
Ordinances, Chapter 90 Utilities, Article IV Mandatory Water Conservation, Section
90-119 Drought Contingency and Emergency Response Plan Adopted
(B.James/L.Busch/Z.Eaton)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Water/Wastewater Superintendent Zach Eaton, who
introduced Ordinance 25-F-006 highlighting proposed amendments to the 2023
Drought Contingency Plan, bringing it compliant with TCEQ requirements.
Public Hearing opened at 8:04 p.m.
No residents came forward to speak.
Public Hearing closed at 8:04 p.m.
No Council discussion occurred.
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Councilmember Brown, who made the motion to approve
Ordinance 25-F-006, seconded by Councilmember Michelle Watson.
AYE: Councilmember Mark Davis, Councilmember Michelle Watson,
Councilmember Ben Guerrero, Councilmember Robert Westbrook,
Councilmember Tim Brown
Other: Mayor Pro -Tern Allison Heyward (ABSENT)
Passed
Workshop
16. Workshop Discussion on the Integration of Space Force into Veterans Memorial
Plaza (S.Gonzalez/L.Shrum)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Parks Manager Jerad Montney who provided details
regarding the integration of Space Force into Veterans Memorial Plaza. Parks worked
with the LUCK Design Team (landscape architect) as well as local focus groups such
as The Chamber Military Affairs Committee, the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board, Ruth Tienor and the original committee, and City Council. He explained the
integration of Space Force and the addition of two additional monuments (Purple
Heart and Gold Star). He closed the presentation with the proposed cost and timeline
for completion.
Mayor Gutierrez opened the floor for discussion. Questions regarding the placement
of flags, pavers, and the timeline were addressed.
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17. Workshop Discussion on the upcoming Request For Proposal for Municipal
Solid Waste (S.Williams/S.Gonzalez)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Assistant City Manager Sarah Gonzalez who opened the
discussion on the upcoming Request for Proposal for Municipal Solid Waste. She
provided a history of services in Schertz, an overview of current services provided, the
RFP process, and Communication/next steps. Ms. Gonzalez then introduced Mr. Lynn
Lantrip, consultant charged with putting together the RFP, reviewing proposals, and
helping secure the best value contractor for the City. He outlined the timeline, options,
and the general provisions and requirements set for the vendors. Following his
presentation, Public Affairs Director Linda Klepper stated her department would be
gathering feedback from residents through a partnership with Flash Vote, which is a
software system that allows the city to quickly and easily survey residents using short
polls to obtain statistically valid results. Public Affairs is also working on a full
campaign that will be launched as soon as the new contract is executed.
Mayor Gutierrez opened the floor to council for discussion. Councilmembers posed
questions regarding the criteria used for selection to which staff and the consultant
responded.
Information available in City Council Packets - NO DISCUSSION TO OCCUR
18. Monthly Update - Major Projects In Progress/CIP (B.James/K.Woodlee)
19. Update on EcoBrite Cleaning Contract Changes
Requests and Announcements
• Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers for updates or information from Staff
No requests were brought forward by the Mayor or Councilmembers for updates or
information from Staff.
• Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers that items or presentations be placed on a
future City Council agenda
No requests were brought forward by the Mayor or Councilmembers that items or
presentations be placed on a future City Council agenda.
• City and Community Events attended and to be attended (Council)
*Mayor Pro -Tern Heyward stated she attended the TML Risk Pool Board Meeting.
*Councilmember Westbrook attended the Bob Mills Opening, the Tri-County Mixer, and
the Tae Kwon Do Exhibition.
*Councilmember Brown attended the Bob Mills Opening.
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Adjournment
Mayor Gutierrez adjourned the meeting at 8:39 p.m.
,a h ut errez, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sheila dmondsori, City Secretary
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