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08_August 2019AUGUST 2019 ma g a z i n eSCHERTZBROUGHT TO YOU BY THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS Schertz Magazine August 2019 3 City Council Michael Carpenter Mayor Mark Davis Councilmember Ralph Gutierrez Councilmember Scott Larson Councilmember Cedric Edwards Councilmember David Scagliola Councilmember Allison Heyward Councilmember Tim Brown Councilmember Executive Team Dr. Mark Browne City Manager Brian James Assistant City Manager Charles Kelm Assistant City Manager Kyle Kinateder Executive Director Sarah Gonzalez Assistant to the City Manager About Our Magazine Schertz Magazine is a monthly popular lifestyle/entertainment/community events publication wholly owned and operated by the City of Schertz and produced internally by the Schertz Public Affairs Department. It serves as the primary dissemination source for government information for a growing city of 38,000 residents. Today, Schertz Magazine is the leading publication in the Tri County area with a circulation of 15,000 copies; including 13,000+ direct mailed and 500+ subscriptions from Austin through San Antonio and around the country (including dozens of out-of-state readers). The magazine is mailed to 12,000+ local households and over 1,000 businesses with hundreds of copies made available at local and regional banks, hospitals and clinics, schools, pharmacies, and restaurants. Mission Leading, improving, and serving a livable, sustainable, and financially sound community. Vision Community. Service. Opportunity. Core Values Treat others the way you would want to be treated. Do the right thing. Be the best you can. Work cooperatively as a team. TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURES Saving Animals. Serving Community. 34 08 30 City Headlines Parks & Recreation 34 42 47 Features Around the Community Calendar 18 Library Planning and Community Development monitors Schertz growth 42 FROM THE DESK OF CITY MANAGER PUBLISHED MONTHLY BYPublic Affairs Department Linda Klepper Public Affairs Director Devan FloresCommunications Manager _________ Contributing Writers Devan Flores, Linda Klepper, Stacey Lovett, Elizabeth Bertoia, Lauren Shrum, Tyler Bowker, Cecilia Palomo, Bryce Cox, Kade Long, Helen Lafitte, Chuck McCollough Contributing Photographers Devan Flores, Stacey Lovett, Helen Lafitte, Chuck McCollough Schertz Magazine is published monthly by the Public Affairs Department of the City of Schertz promoting city, community, and business activities. Our mailing address is 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154. © City of Schertz, Texas The editorial office of Schertz Magazine is at 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas 78154. Call (210) 619-1630Fax (210) 619-1619Website is Schertz.com _________ Send queries about articles or photographs to Schertz Magazine at magazine@schertz.com. For advertising information call (210) 619-1630 or email sales@schertz.com. NEWS POLICYSchertz Magazine encourages submission of news and event announcement items. News and event announcements must include contact name and contact phone number. All news and event items must be for activities that occur inside the Schertz city limits. Publication cannot be guaranteed. If you would like to submit an item to Schertz Magazine, email us at magazine@schertz.com or call us at (210) 619-1630. The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the City of Schertz. All products and services advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, political affiliation or other non-merit factor of purchaser, user or patron. Articles that appear in Schertz Magazine do not necessarily reflect the official position of the City of Schertz and does not constitute an endorsement therein. The appearance of any advertisement in Schertz Magazine does not constitute an endorsement of the goods or services advertised. Any publication of Schertz Magazine, whether draft or final is sole property of the City of Schertz and cannot be reproduced or distributed in any way, whether in print or electronically, without the express permission and written consent of the City of Schertz. OFFICIAL FINE PRINT AUGUST 2019 SCHERTZ.COM Hello everyone! I hope each of you is having a wonderful summer and you have gotten to spend quality family time together! This new feature of our Schertz Magazine, provides an opportunity for the City Manager to introduce some of the articles and important features of the magazine each month.With that in mind, there are several topics I would like to point out in the August issue. First, is that the City is currently in the midst of budget formulation and discussions. We want to share that budget information with you and thus we have scheduled three community budget meetings. You will find times, dates and locations inside the issue, but I wanted to stress the importance of receiving your feedback on budget priorities for the next fiscal year, beginning October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020. This is your chance to speak directly to the City Council about what you think is most important in terms of our spending priorities. It is a fact that the budget document is the single most important expression of City policy that is prepared during the year, so please come out and let us hear from you! I also want to provide an update on Fire Station #3. The construction is coming along very rapidly, and we anticipate completion in the Fall time frame. This will be a huge addition to our public safety capability, and we look forward to our grand opening. In the article, you will see the progress that has been made and understand better the process of construction. Keep on the lookout for grand opening information as we plan to have a nice celebration when it is complete. Finally, I wanted to say a word about “back to school.” It’s hard to believe the end of summer is approaching, but I wanted to make sure that all of us are prepared for the reactivation of school zones and to observe the correct safety precautions, including the appropriate speed limits and to ensure there is no operation of hand held devices to talk/text while in the school zones. We want to emphasize safety to everyone, drivers and students so that our students get to school and home again safely. I personally want to wish each of you the best in August and hope you have a great month. We are so fortunate to live and work in Schertz, Texas. What a fantastic City we have, and I hope each of you feels the same way. Please feel free to let me know how much you love Schertz and how we can improve as a City. Dr. Mark Browne City Manager mbrowne@schertz.com AUGUST 2019 mag a z i n eSCHERTZBROUGHT TO YOU BY THE CITY OF SC H E R T Z , T E X A S It is kitten palooza at the Schertz Animal Adoption Center! Thank you to the Animal Services staff for helping us choose our cover model. ON THE COVER It is time to start on your handmade projects so they are ready to sell at the Schertz Seniors Citizens Bazaar on November 23, 2019 at the Schertz Community Center (1400 Schertz Parkway.) Information & Reservations:Ann (210) 788-9078Debbie (985) 956-0212 Calling all Crafters! Schertz Magazine August 2019 8 Hometown 4th of July CityHeadlines Schertz brought the small town celebration with big entertainment for the 44th Annual 4th of July Jubilee, packing the day with a variety of activities and events to show and celebrate the city’s patriotism. Runners in the Let Freedom Run 5k ushered in over 100 floats in the parade through downtown Schertz as an estimated 4,000 onlookers, decked out in their red, white, and blue, cheered on the glory of their hometown representatives. Following the flag-filled festivities downtown, the fun moved further down the road to Pickrell Park where Mayor Michael Carpenter kicked off the carnival, music, and fairground activities alongside members of the City Council, the Sweetheart court, and District 44 State Representative John Kuempel. An estimated 10,000 people filled the city park over the course of the day to celebrate our nation’s independence. Many enjoyed funnel cakes, carnival rides, local food truck fare, and face painting, as they counted down to the day’s fireworks finale. Austin Forrest and Groove Knight rocked the park, generating an energetic dancefloor throughout the crowd. The Schertz Family YMCA and Schertz Parks & Recreation hosted their Float and Fireworks party at Pickrell Pool where pre-registrants splashed away their fun in the sun into the night with a poolside view of the light show. Schertz Magazine August 2019 9 Hometown 4th of July As all of the day’s festivities honored our great country, the grand finale solidified the heart of Schertz’ national pride with the always- anticipated fireworks show. Set to the songs of freedom, from the anthems of our nation’s military branches to those of the pride of our country, the fireworks show was one of the best in the area. While Independence Day is celebrated nationwide, there is a little something extra special about small-town heart, especially one with such military presence, and Schertz displayed that honor proudly. Schertz Magazine August 2019 10 Engaged residents are a key part of the success of any City government. The City of Schertz recognizes this and offers many opportunities for residents to provide input on City services, programs and initiatives throughout the year. In August the City will be hosting three community budget meetings to review the FY 2019-20 proposed budget and budget highlights with the public. If you are curious about what new programs, services, or projects the City will be working on next fiscal year then join us for a budget meeting as we work together to build the best possible city for our residents. MEETING DATES: August 14 - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Corbett Middle School 12000 Ray Corbett Dr , Schertz, TX 78154 August 21 - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. North Community Center 3501 Morning Dr, Schertz, TX 78108 August 22 - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Schertz United Methodist Church 3460 Roy Richard Dr, Schertz, TX 78154 City to Host Community Budget Meetings CityHeadlines City of Schertz General Election is on November 5, 2019 Last day for filing application for place on the ballot is August 19, 2019 by 5:00 p.m. Candidate Filing For November 5 General Election The City of Schertz will be holding its General Election on November 5, 2019 for the purpose of electing Council Members in Place 1, Place 2 and for Mayor for a 3-year term. Any candidate desiring to have his or her name placed on the Official Ballot shall, by August 19, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. file with the City Secretary an application in writing in the form prescribed by the Texas Election Code requesting that his or her name be placed on the Official Ballot and declaring as a candidate for Council Member Place 1, Place 2 and for Mayor. The term of office for these three positions is three years and is from November 2019 to November 2022. All candidates for office in the City of Schertz must, at the time of filing for office, have attained the age of eighteen or older on the first day of the term of office applied for, be a registered voter of the City of Schertz, and have been a resident of the City for at least twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the deadline for filing for an application for a place on the ballot. The Candidate packet is available in the City Secretary’s office at 1400 Schertz Parkway, Building 2, or it can be found online at Schertz.com. Should you have any questions, please contact the City Secretary’s office at (210) 619-1030. Voting information: Early voting begins Monday, October 21, 2019 through Friday, November 1, 2019. Voting locations and times will be posted on Schertz.com. You can also contact the following election administrators: § Lisa Hayes, Guadalupe County Elections Administrator earlyvotingclerk@co.guadalupe.tx.us • 830-303-6363 co.guadalupe.tx.us/elections § Jacquelyn F. Callanen, Bexar County Elections Administrator (210) 335-VOTE (8683) • bexar.org/1568/Elections-Department Schertz Magazine August 2019 12 Hot Cars and Children’s Safety It’s that time of year again…. summer. In 10 minutes, a car’s temperature can rise over 20 degrees. Even with an outside temperature of 60 degrees, the temperature inside a car can reach 110 degrees. Always check the back seats of your vehicle before you lock it and walk away. Keep a stuffed animal or other memento in your child’s car seat when it’s empty and move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when your child is in the back seat. Severe injury or death can result from the extreme heat the builds up inside a vehicle. Being arrested and potential jail time are potential consequences for those who leave children in hot cars. If someone else is driving your child, or your daily routine has been altered, always check to make sure your child has arrived safely. If you see a child alone in a car, don’t worry about getting involved in someone else’s business—protecting children is everyone’s business, so get involved! “Good Samaritan” laws offer legal protection for those who help in an emergency. Here’s what you can do if you see a child left alone in a vehicle and the child is responsive. Do not wait more than a few minutes for the driver to return, stay with the child until help arrives, and have someone else search for the driver or ask the facility to page them. If the child is not responsive or is in distress, immediately call 911, get the child out of the vehicle, cool the child by spraying them with cool water, do not place the child in an ice bath, and begin CPR if the child is not responsive and not breathing. Some warning signs of heatstroke include: red, hot, moist or dry skin, no sweating, strong, rapid pulse or slow, weak pulse, nausea or vomiting, and confusion or strange behavior. If the child does not appear in distress, still get involved. You can utilize a non-emergency number to call for assistance, Schertz Police at (210) 619-1200. CityHeadlines For the third year in a row, Schertz EMS has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Plus Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks. Every year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the deadliest type of heart attack caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it’s critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication. Mission: Lifeline’s EMS recognition program recognizes emergency medical services for their efforts in improving systems of care to rapidly identify suspected heart attack patients, promptly notify the medical center, and trigger an early response from the awaiting hospital personnel. “Schertz EMS is dedicated to providing the highest possible care for heart attack patients,” said EMS Director Jason Mabbitt. “We are pleased to be recognized for Gold Plus for our third consecutive year and could not do it without our dedicated employees.” Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Recognition: Agencies earn Gold recognition with a minimum patient volume of at least 8 STEMI patients transported directly to a STEMI Receiving Center for Primary PCI and/or STEMI Referring Hospital for fibrinolytic administration and for achieving 75% or higher adherence over at least one consecutive 24 month interval all Mission: Lifeline® EMS quality measures to improve the quality of care for STEMI patients. Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Recognition: In addition to meeting the above requirements, the agency also achieved at least 75% on the 2018 Plus Measure – Percent of adult Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest patients resuscitated on scene with sustained ROSC of at least 20 minutes, maintained to arrival at the emergency department, who has a 12 lead ECG performed in the field. Schertz EMS receives American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Recognition Award NEW COURSE OFFERING For more information contact Schertz EMS at 210-619-1410. MEMBER FDIC We meet you where you are with our top-rated app, by answering the phone 24/7 and with bankers who actually want to make your life better. Visit us at frostbank.com or call (800) 51-FROST. A BANK THAT KNOWS YOU BY NAME. OR, IF YOU PREFER, BY USERNAME. Schertz Magazine August 2019 14 Schertz Transportation, Our Priority A new school year is upon us! Students will be heading back to school on foot, bicycles, by car, and on buses. It is important for everyone, not just students, to learn and understand safe practices for getting to school. It is never too late to remind ourselves of the rules of the road, including using sidewalks, crossing the street properly, and school bus etiquette. This includes motor vehicle drivers as well as other multimodal transport users on our roads and sidewalks. Please share the following guidelines with your kids, friends and neighbors: Walkers » Review your family's walking safety rules and practice walking to school with your child. § Walk on the sidewalk, if one is available; when on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic § Before you cross the street, stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are coming § Make eye contact with drivers before crossing and always cross streets at crosswalks or intersections § Stay alert and avoid distracted walking Bike Riders » Teach your child the rules of the road and practice riding the bike route to school with your child. § Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, and in a single file § Come to a complete stop before crossing the street; walk bikes across the street § Stay alert and avoid distracted riding § Make sure your child always wears a properly fitted helmet and bright clothing Bus Riders » Teach your children school bus safety rules and practice with them. § Go to the bus stop with your child to teach them the proper way to get on and off the bus § Teach your children to stand 6 feet (or three giant steps) away from the curb § If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, teach him or her to walk on the side of the road until they are 10 feet ahead of the bus; your child and the bus driver should always be able to see each other Driving Your Child to School » Stay alert and avoid distracted driving. § Obey school zone speed limits and follow your school's drop-off procedure § Make eye contact with children who are crossing the street § Never pass a bus loading or unloading children CityHeadlines Schertz Magazine August 2019 15 § The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them to safely enter and exit the bus Teen Drivers » Car crashes are the number one cause of death for teens. Fortunately, there is something we can do. § Teens crash because they are inexperienced; practice with new drivers every week, before and after they get their license § Set a good example; drive the way you want your teen to drive The City’s Safe Streets Initiative aims to bring awareness to all Schertz citizens. Studies show that educational activities and teaching traffic safety reduce the risk of injury. Please take the time to share this article with children, neighbors and friends. Educational guidelines like presented above, can be found at guide.saferoutesinfo.org/education and nsc.org/home-safety/seasonal-safety/ back-to-school. Concerns regarding traffic in your area should be communicated to the Police Department on their non-emergency line at (210) 619-1274 or to the Transportation Safety Advisory Commission at TSAC@schertz.com or (210) 619-1824. Join us for Transportation Safety Advisory Commission meetings every first Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the Schertz Council Chambers Conference Room Bldg 4. Schertz Magazine August 2019 16 CityHeadlines Sign up for Emergency Nortifications In an effort to improve communication during emergency situations, the City of Schertz encourages residents to register for the Regional Emergency Alert Network (REAN) system. Use of this system allows local public safety officials the ability to send mass notifications to registered users through both land-lines and a variety of electronic devices during a natural or man-made emergency in the area. Traditional systems similar to this were previously limited to land-line phones. Guadalupe, Comal, and Bexar Counties have improved the system and now register multiple means of communication so that mobile contact information is included in the 911 database. It is important to note that citizens must be registered in REAN to receive notifications. During the registration process users are able to opt-in to receive emergency notifications via phone call, text messaging, and/or email based on addresses that they specify (home, work, school, parent's house, etc.). Alerts will be disseminated during the duration of an emergency and will cease to broadcast when public safety officials deem the imminent threat has passed or activation settings expire. The City of Schertz encourages residents to also stay informed during emergencies by monitoring local radio and television stations. In areas of potential immediate impact, the Police, Fire and EMS Department first responders may go door-to-door with information or instruction. The City's website also provides information to the media and the public during emergency situations. This information can be accessed from a computer or electronic devices. The City of Schertz also encourages residents to stay up to date by following the Schertz Police Department Facebook page. Go to Schertz.com/REAN now to register. Schertz Magazine August 2019 17 Construction on Schertz’ Fire Station #3 continues, and residents are beginning to see a more completed structure. So far the $8 million project is about 60% complete, and officials anticipate opening the facility before the years end. Fire Chief Kade Long commented, “Things are progressing quickly on the new station. We are at a point in construction where citizens can see the walls and roof of the structure is close to complete. Interior walls, Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC ducts are all being installed as well as the fire sprinkler system. The exterior stone veneer is about 95 % complete, and the parking lot is starting to take shape.” As people drive by the new station, located just north east of the intersection of Lower Seguin Road and Hollering Vine, they will see the outside of the building look more and more like the rendered design of the station. Officials anticipate the majority of the station to be completed sometime in October, but it will take about a month or so after that to complete all of the small items and make sure everything is working properly. “It’s been great to see all of the construction progress these past few weeks; there are big changes occurring pretty much on a weekly basis. The fire crews are also getting excited about moving into the new location as soon as its completed,” stated Chief Long. Fire Station #3 About 60% Complete Schertz Magazine August 2019 18 The popular on-demand film streaming service Kanopy is now available for free at the Schertz Public Library. Library card holders can access Kanopy and instantly sign up to start streaming 10 films per month by visiting schertzlibrary.kanopy.com Films can be streamed from any computer, television, mobile device or platform by downloading the Kanopy app for iOS, Android, AppleTV, Chromecast or Roku. BrainFuse HelpNow is an all-in-one suite of tutoring services designed for a wide range of academic needs whether it’s tackling a tough homework problem, mastering a particular topic, or writing a paper. HelpNow services include expert academic tutoring and self-study tools to empower users to study at their own pace or collaborate with peers and teachers. Students can access live, on-demand academic help and state-aligned skills building lessons from expert tutors from 2:00 - 11:00 p.m. With HelpNow, tutors and students communicate in real time in our online classroom by typing, drawing, and marking-up lessons and web content. Visit main.schertzh.tx.brainfuse.com for all of your tutoring needs! Schertz Magazine August 2019 19 AUGUST CALENDAR BOOK ENDS AFTERNOON BOOK CLUB The library book club meets the second Thursday of each month in Library Meeting Room 1. On Thursday, August 8, join us for a discussion of Radium Girls by Kate Moore from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. POETRY OPEN MIC NIGHT Join us for a relaxed and friendly open mic poetry night on Thursday, August 8 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in Library Meeting Room 1. This open mic will give poets the opportunity to socialize and network with other writers. Everyone is invited to come enjoy the work of our local poets. Sign-up for readers will be available the night of the program. The library holds an open mic event once a month. SEW LET IT BEE: LIBRARY QUILT BEE Join us for a few fun hours of quilting! The quilt bee meets on the second Tuesday (August 13) and third Saturday (August 17) of each month from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. both days in meeting Room 1 (located in the library foyer). The bee is perfect for advanced quilters and for those interested in getting started! SHORT STORY WRITING WORKSHOP Join veteran publishers and editors, Max Booth III and Lori Michelle, as they lead an 8-month drop-in course on writing an effective short story. The next session will be held Tuesday, August 27 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. They will teach topics including: characterization, dialogue, how to avoid plot pitfalls, mistakes short story writers make, and how to make your story marketable. This program is intended for adults and older teenagers (15+). BOOK NERD CHALLENGE 2019 We are 6 months into our challenge, but it’s not too late to join! This year-long book nerd reading challenge is for ages 5 - adult. The goal is to complete a book from each of the categories on the list for your age group throughout the year. Those who complete the challenge will be awarded an awesome prize in January of 2020! Registration is currently available and will remain open throughout the year, but all categories must be complete by the end of January 2020. Please contact the library with any questions about this program. 1,000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN The Schertz Public Library & the Schertz-Cibolo Lions Club have partnered to offer an early literacy initiative called 1,000 Books before Kindergarten. This project encourages parents to read aloud at least 1,000 books with their children before they enter school. Register your child at the Children’s Information Desk at the library to receive a free tote bag. Children will earn a sticker for every 100 books read and a book when they complete the program. YOUTH PROGRAM PAUSE We hope you enjoyed our summer youth programming as much as we did! We will pause programming in August to prepare for fall and winter programs and special events. Youth programming will resume in September. Check the online calendar for more details. We have a lot of fun planned for you this fall, so come join us! SCHERTZ AREA GENEALOGY INFORMATION The Schertz Area Genealogy group meets on the first Tuesday of every month, except July, at the Schertz Public Library. The meetings are held 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in Library Meeting Room 1 with speakers or general discussion about worldwide research. The August 6 meeting will be the group’s annual meeting to plan presentations and workshops for the upcoming year. The September 3 guest speaker will be Juan Soliz Garcia, an enrolled member of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas. He will discuss his ancestral history and the importance of the buffalo to the Lipan Tribe. Anyone interested in genealogy is encouraged to attend. ADULT ESL BEGINNER PRONUNCIATION CLASSES BEGIN EARLY SEPTEMBER Join us Wednesday, September 4 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. in Library Meeting Room 1 for an introductory class for our 6-week ESL pronunciation series that will begin Wednesday, September 11. This class is designed for adults 18+ and the focus will be on English pronunciation for beginners. Pre-registration is available online at schertzlibrary.org. MEDICARE 101 PRESENTATION WITH TEXAS MEDICARE SOLUTIONS Thursday, September 5 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Michael Salazar with Texas Medicare Solutions will be presenting on the topic of Medicare 101, as the new enrollment period is about to begin. Registration is available at schertzlibrary.org. Medicare 101 will be held in Library Meeting Room 1. LOCAL AUTHOR FAIR APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS The Library’s annual local author fair is taking place Saturday, October 12, and Friday, August 30 at 6:00 p.m. is the last day for authors to submit applications. Applications are available online at schertz.com/614/Local-Author-Fair and can be dropped off at the library or emailed to ebertoia@schertz.com. READ BEFORE BOOKSTORE SUMMER BOOK SALE The Read Before Bookstore Summer Book Sale will be held in the Children’s Area of the Schertz Library on Friday, August 23 and Saturday, August 24 from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. each day. We have a good inventory of books, paper and hardback, from which to choose. The Bookstore will also be open for shopping our inventory there, including our Vintage collection. Schertz Magazine August 2019 20 Schertz Police Department Adds Online Reporting CityHeadlines accepted or rejected with an explanation and/or a request for more information. At this time users can only file certain types of accident reports online; however, Schertz Police Department plans for minor property crime offenses such as theft and criminal mischief to be added to the same online reporting system in the future. Lt. Kelly Kallies stated, “Schertz Police Department is constantly looking for ways to improve service to our residents and this online reporting system will not only benefit the Police Department to increase efficiency, but it also benefits our community. Citizens are now able to file reports online using a computer, tablet, or cell phone at their convenience - day or night.” With over 1,800 minor accidents and hit and runs in 2018, this online reporting system will provide patrol officers the opportunity to focus more time on actively patrolling the city. The system also provides users the convenience of completing a report on their schedule from the comfort of their home. While Schertz PD encourages residents to try out this new online service for reporting minor accidents they can still request an officer complete the report instead by calling dispatch. For more information and to use this online reporting system go to Schertz.com and click on Services – Police - File an Online Report. Beginning in July, the Schertz Police Department is now able to accept certain motor vehicle accident reports online via an online reporting program provided by LexisNexis. Visitors to the site can file a minor vehicle accident or hit and run accident report online without the need of speaking to a Police Officer. Currently, there are only a few reports users can file online. These include most accidents and require both the driver license and vehicle information for all involved parties. Another type of report that can be filed online involve those accidents where an involved party did not stop at the scene of the accident and provide any of the required information. This might be a hit and run with property damage only, or a hit and run involving vehicle damage only. For example, someone collided with and damaged a mailbox, but left the scene without stopping to provide any information, or someone being rear-ended at a stoplight and the other party leaves the scene without providing the necessary information. It is important for users to remember that in order to use this online reporting system the accident must have occurred within the Schertz City Limits. Upon filing a report, users are then provided a temporary case number to be used for future reference. The report is then reviewed by Police Department personnel, and it is either Schertz Magazine August 2019 21 Junior Cadets Dive Into Law Enforcement interactive items for the cadets to see and touch. Warden Solis demonstrated the proper way to wear a life jacket when aboard a boat, and also talked about general boating safety. The week was rounded out with a visit to Schertz EMS and Schertz Fire Rescue. While visiting with EMS, the cadets learned basic CPR skills and toured the AMBUS and ambulance. Over at the Fire Department, the cadets got an in-depth look at a fire truck and all the equipment it carries. The cadets were also able to experience firsthand spraying a firehose. A graduation ceremony was held for the cadets and their family members in the Council Chambers and included lots of smiles, stories shared, and pictures. With both the Alpha and Bravo classes at full capacity, the Schertz Police Department will continue to host these academies each year. Be sure to follow them on Facebook to catch details for next year’s academy dates early. Most elementary aged children are not too excited about spending a week of their summer break back in a classroom; however, when they are given the opportunity to go behind the scenes of law enforcement the list of willing participants grows very long very quickly. 2019 marked the fifth year the Schertz Police Department has hosted its Junior Police Academies. These academies are designed to give local children an in-depth look at the various roles and responsibilities of police work in a laid back atmosphere. The Schertz Police Department Junior Academy is a 4-hour, week-long course that educates cadets on several topics covering different areas of law enforcement. These topics include the tools of the police belt, K-9’s and their roles, forensics and fingerprinting, internet safety, and working as a team to name a few. Guest speakers throughout the week included Schertz PD’s own Officer Hanley and his K-9 Medor. Hanley spoke with the cadets about his and Medor’s role in the Department, and Medor even demonstrated his skills as a drug detection dog. In keeping with the “K-9” theme, the class was also visited by Inspector Ron Miller and his K-9 partner Bingo of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Inspector Miller spoke to the cadets about how he and Bingo, an explosives detection K-9, travel all over the country to assist with large events such as the Super Bowl and the Final Four. Miller was also able to show off Bingo’s skills to cadets in the classroom. Texas Game Wardens, Kathleen Stuman and David Solis, were also able to stop by and speak to the cadets to share their experience as state law enforcement officials. Warden Stuman talked about hunting and fishing laws, and also brought several hides and CityHeadlines WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS LOCALLY OWNED FREE HOME DELIVERY SHORTER WAIT TIMES IMMUNIZATIONS INCLUDING FLU, SHINGLES, AND MORE COMPETITIVE PRICING FOR UNINSURED CBD MON-THURS / 8:30AM-5:30PM FRI / 9AM-2PM SAT-SUN / CLOSED 5000 SCHERTZ PARKWAY, SUITE 401 TEL: 210.651.6337 (MEDS) FAX: 210.651.6339 We stock pharmaceutical grade CBD products! Capsules Sublingual oils Topical creams and salves Pet products10% OFF your first purchase of CBD products Offer expires 9/1/2019 Schertz Magazine August 2019 24 Area Gamers Locked & Loaded for Live Tactical Laser Tag Experience Schertz Parks & Recreation joined forces with Stryker Tactical Laser Tag to bring a five-week ‘pop-up’ live video game experience to Pickrell Park. This simulated combat situation brought out players of all ages to team up with their strategies and tactics in this exciting entertainment innovation. Tactical laser tag blends the fun of traditional laser tag with more of the dynamics of paintball. Players are equipped with a headband receiver, infrared laser gun, a team, field full of bunkers, and a mission. The rest is up to their imagination to craft the experience they wish, and within each game the dynamic shifts in intensity and skill with the number, age, and desire of the players in the game. Some passionate gamers came fully decked out for the part, locked and loaded and ready to lead their team on a mission - focused on their battlefield standings digitally tracked through the equipment on to the Game Master’s statistics board. Everyone on the field, including onlookers, enjoyed the experience which brought players together for an exhibition of team work and physical activity while jumping into the fun of what is normally only practiced on a video game screen. The Parks & Recreation department is looking to ‘fall back’ in the cooler months and possibly offer this opportunity again for gamers of all ages. Follow Schertz Parks & Recreation on social media for upcoming event information, and be sure to visit stryker-tactical.com for more information on the game sponsor and rental opportunities. CityHeadlines Fight the Bite Schertz! Those pesky mosquitoes are making their appearance as temperatures rise and chances for rain continue through the summer. The American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) has tips to help you keep those annoying little blood-suckers away. AMCA recommends people follow the three D’s to keep mosquitoes away: § Drain: Empty out water containers at least once per week § Dress: Wear long sleeves, long pants, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing § Defend: Properly apply an approved repellent such as DEET, picaridin, IR 3535, or oil of lemon-eucalyptus Pools are open and grills are going, but are you cooking up a breeding ground for mosquitoes? Make your yard a mosquito-free zone by disposing of any tires as they can breed thousands of mosquitoes. Some other helpful tips include drilling holes in the bottom of recycling containers, clearing roof gutters of debris, cleaning pet water dishes regularly, checking and emptying children’s toys, repairing leaky outdoor faucets, and changing the water in bird baths at least once a week. Joseph Conlon, AMCA Technical Advisor says, “Encouraging your neighbors to also eliminate sources on their own property is critical to a community-wide control program. Mosquitoes require water to complete their life cycle. If their water source is eliminated, so are their offspring.” Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance, their bites can spread diseases such as Zika and West Nile Virus. “We already have the mosquitoes. We are continually importing the diseases they carry,” said Conlon. “We must be prepared to prevent their spread throughout our public health landscape – and this requires safe, effective, sustained mosquito control, and awareness in the community.” For more information how you can protect yourself and family from mosquitos, please visit AMCA online at mosquito.org. Schertz Magazine August 2019 25 Schertz Library Transforms Into Mini Golf Course A lot of people were puttering around in the Schertz Public Library on Saturday, June 22, and it was all for a great cause. The 4th Annual Tee Off for the Library Mini Golf Fundraiser drew a nice crowd who wanted to play in the area’s only indoor golf facility that’s only open one day a year. The event has grown in popularity each year and gives players of all ages a chance to enjoy some fun, food, and friendly competition. After all, where else can you putt a golf ball from the children’s book section, through the cookbook section, and finish in the non-fiction book section. “This is the library’s biggest fundraiser for the year, and we partner with the Schertz Library Foundation. All the money raised at this event will go for sound mitigation panels for the foyer (entrance area),” said Adult Services Librarian Lizzi Bertoia. Library Director Melissa Uhlhorn said the mitigation panels will help reduce sound in the main library area coming from the outside when people enter and leave the building. Library officials said the event saw more visitors this year than last year; certainly a great testament to the hard work of library staff, library foundation members, and many volunteers who spent their time Friday night and Saturday morning setting up the 18-hole course. Among those visitors who enjoyed the indoor greens were Jeff Sweet and his son, Colin. “We heard about the mini golf course and it sounded like a lot of fun,” said Jeff Sweet, a golf coach at Churchill High School whose family lives in Schertz near JBSA Randolph. “Yes, fun!” Colin said setting up his next putt. Cibolo residents Jeff Avery and grandson Tobin Levens, 10, were joking with each other as they prepared to putt at the next hole. “It sounded like a perfect thing for us to do and Tobin really wanted to come,” Jeff said. Another group from Cibolo, the McDaniel clan, was enjoying their tour through the library. Grandfather Ed, mom Kimberly, and Isabella, 8, were seeing who the best putter was while laughing and having fun. “We have come all four years and now it has become a family tradition,” Kimberly McDaniel said. Tim and Donna Shuler from Marion brought their four children, ages 7, 5, 4, and 2, to the mini golf for a day of family fun. When asked how the parents were doing they both just smiled as their excited children, all speaking at the same time, raved about how much fun they were having playing golf in the library. Fight the Bite Schertz! Schertz Magazine August 2019 27 DID YOU KNOW? REMINDING RESIDENTS OF CITY PROVIDED SERVICES AND RESOURCES PUBLIC MEETINGS AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE City Council meetings and Planning and Zoning meetings are recorded and shared online for the public to view. For a full list of videos check out the City’s YouTube channel at Youtube.com/CityofSchertz. LOST PETS? If you have lost your pet in the City you can check the City’s Lost and Found Pets page on Schertz.com. You can also call the Animal Adoption Center at (210) 619-1550. DONATING FANS TO RACAP Schertz Fire Rescue collects fans each summer for RACAP who provide fans to those in need during the hottest times of the year. Fans should be in their original packaging and can be dropped of to any of the Schertz Fire Stations. 27Schertz Magazine August 2019 With miles of hike and bike trails, a leisurely stroll is never far at The Crossvine. TheCrossvine.com Schertz Magazine August 2019 30 STAY INFORMED!Follow us on Facebook at cityofschertz andcityofschertzparksandrecreation WE WANT YOUR BEST SHOT!Follow us on Instagram at @SchertzParksandRec and use #SchertzParksandRec when posting. ASHLEY PARK GRAND RE-OPENINGWe ended National Park & Recreation Month with a bang on July 31 with the grand re-opening celebration for Ashley Park. A ribbon cutting ceremony, music, games, giveaways, and free sno-cones were enjoyed by participants. New features at the park include a basketball court, gaga ball pit, two soccer fields, double net-climber structure, swing set including expression swing, benches, trash cans, and accessible routes. The restroom facility was also renovated, and crosswalks near the park were re-striped. The project was part of an overall effort to inject $200,000 in additional maintenance funds into deferred maintenance projects across the parks system. Make sure to check out Ashley Park and all of its new amenities! Schertz Magazine August 2019 31 CRESCENT BEND BIRDING WALK Join us at Crescent Bend Nature Park for the next Birding Walk on Sunday, August 18 from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. Participants will meet in the first parking lot with leader Sandi Wheeler for a walk through the park to learn about the bird life. Bring your binoculars, cameras, water, and snacks. All levels of birders are welcome – from beginners to experts. PAWS IN THE POOLThe dog days of summer are still hanging on so it’s time to get your pup’s paws in the pool and cool off! Join us on Saturday, September 7 at Pickrell Park Pool from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. for this special event for dogs and their owners. Admission is $3 per person (cash or check only) and 2 dogs per person are allowed.All dogs must be on leash outside the pool facility, and must wear a collar they can swim in. All humans must show proof of dog vaccinations at the gate, and must clean up after their dog. Any aggressive dogs will be asked to leave. The small dog area is in the wading pool and the large dog area is in the main pool. Lawn chairs and dog toys are allowed. FLOAT & FIREWORKS Over two hundred guests got the VIP treatment at Schertz’ 4th of July Jubilee and enjoyed floating in the pool during the amazing fireworks spectacular. This was the third year for this cool event and advance-only wristbands quickly sold out. We will continue this event in 2020 so stay tuned for next year’s event! SCHERTZ AWARDED 100% MATCHING PLAYGROUND GRANTThe City of Schertz has been awarded a 100% matching grant as part of the TRAPS-GameTime Statewide Funding Initiative for a playscape structure at Heritage Oaks Park. The City of Schertz was one of 25 grants awarded throughout the state, and our playscape structure was awarded two national demonstration site designations: “NatureGrounds” and the “PlayOn! Promoting Physical Activity.” For more on this initiative and the research on play that will be part of the project, check out PlayCore’s website at playcore.com/nds. The playscape and an accessible trail will be installed in late August and early September. A grand opening ceremony will be held in the near future, so stay tuned! NATURE DISCOVERY SERIES The Nature Discovery Series ramps back up in September so call the Parks & Recreation Department to register at (210) 619-1850. All programs start at 10:00 a.m. at Crescent Bend Nature Park. Upcoming dates and themes are: Saturday, September 14: Discover Clues and Traces Saturday, October 12: Discover Rocks; Senses and Sediments 2019 MUSIC & MOVIES IN THE PARK Bring the family out to the Schertz Soccer Complex to register for fall soccer and watch a free movie in the park on August 9. Kicking and Screaming, the soccer-themed movie starring Will Ferrell, Mike Ditka, and Robert Duvall, will be the feature film. The fun starts at 7:00 p.m. with the movie beginning at dusk. The Schertz Soccer Complex is located at 75 Maske Road and has 12 soccer fields, restrooms, and a playscape to enjoy before the movie. Concessions will be available for purchase. Heritage Oaks ParkSchertz, TXRendered in Modified “Rainforest” Color Palette Schertz Magazine August 2019 33 Schertz area families shared some quality time in the water, and unlike Dory the beloved Blue Tang, they did not have to search far to find it. The Float & Flick events hosted by Schertz Parks and Recreation and the Schertz Family YMCA provides an evening of free family fun and this one featured everyone’s favorite Disney Pixar fish Dory and Nemo at Pickrell Park for a screening of Finding Dory. The Mister Softee food truck was on site serving up some frozen treats and eats, and the Schertz Area Senior Center provided popcorn for moviegoers. Attendees ‘just keep swimming’ throughout the night as they enjoyed the treats and entertainment. Everyone in attendance also got to mark off another square on the National Park & Recreation month BINGO game card which ran through the month of July. Checking off a line of five Game On! themed events or activities around town won a 30 minute unlimited play EVO Entertainment game card. The final Float & Flick Movie in the Park of the summer definitely gave kids and adults alike a summer night to remember! The last event in the 2019 Music & Movies in the Park Series will be held on Friday, August 9 at the Schertz Soccer Complex and will feature the hilarious soccer comedy, Kicking & Screaming. Schertz ‘Just Kept Swimming’ for Dory CityHeadlines M viesIn The ParkMuicand Schertz Magazine August 2019 34 Most of the work done by animal shelters is done quietly and with little or no recognition, but the work is profound and critically important nonetheless. The employees and volunteers who work tirelessly on behalf of the voiceless deserve so much praise for saving lives by loving and caring for the animals. Schertz Animal Services is charged with promoting responsible pet ownership, preventing the spread of animal-borne diseases, picking up and sheltering stray, sick and/or injured animals, investigating animal cruelty and neglect, and finding these pets a loving and caring home. Animal Services, now reporting to the Schertz Police Department, takes their responsibilities very seriously and have been working diligently to make improvements to not only the day-to-day operations of the organization, but to the Schertz Animal Adoption Center as well. Since being moved under the Police Department, Animal Services has increased resources to help provide the best possible service and care for Schertz animals. “We have worked on improving processes by updating and implementing appropriate policies and procedures related to management of the shelter,” Assistant Chief of Police Marc Bane explains. Recently, Animal Services purchased a new truck to ensure that each Animal Services Officer had a vehicle to drive. New mobile CAD systems have also been installed in the trucks to allow Animal Services Officers (ASO) to be more efficient in being dispatched to calls for service, and offers the ability to write reports in the field and input intake information into the system. The time officers were using to input animal information and create reports at the shelter is now used to respond to more animal control calls and allows for increased time in the field. Saving Animals. Serving Community. By: Devan Flores Schertz Magazine August 2019 35 continued on page 36 of. For now, staff relies on the hard work and dedication of their wonderful volunteers. Volunteers assist with many things like taking the animals out for playtime and showing them love while kennel techs ensure a clean space for them to return to. Volunteers also train the animals on appropriate behaviors needed to live with their new family when they leave the shelter. If anyone is interested in volunteering at the Schertz Animal Adoption Center, they can stop by and pick up a Volunteer Application Form. Volunteers must go through an orientation before being able to sign up for hours. Fosters are also a great resource and are typically used when animals are undergoing treatments, or when an animal needs to be separated from others. Additionally, while staff continues to build relationships with local rescues to better place animals who struggle to be adopted, animals are first made available for adoption for at least 15 days before trying to place an animal with a rescue. In hopes of increasing the amount of adoptions, Animal Services has been holding several special adoption events Steve Solitto, Sergeant over Animal Services, was able to train the ACO’s on the CAD system, and they are ecstatic about how it has made it easier for them to handle their workloads. Sergeant Solitto commented, “This small improvement has been a huge success!” Once an ASO picks up a stray and brings them back to the shelter they are immediately put on a 72 hour hold to allow the owners a chance to find and claim their lost pet(s). In some cases animals will have identification on them and those pets are held for 5 days. Found pets are regularly posted on Schertz.com as well as shared on the Schertz Animal Services Facebook page in an effort to locate the owner or anyone who may know who the pet(s) belongs to. If the animal is not claimed in that stray hold period, it becomes the property of Schertz Animal Services and may be made available for adoption to the general public. In order to be made available for adoption, an animal must wait through the hold period and then take a trip to see the veterinarian. At the vet’s office animals are checked to ensure they are healthy, spayed or neutered, and have all of the necessary vaccinations before being placed into the adoption kennels at the shelter. Preventing the spread of disease is a top priority for shelter staff, and they help prevent this by holding stray dogs separately from those who have been ‘vetted’ and are now available for adoption. Animal Services has also been working to obtain new cat kennels with exhaust systems in order to prevent the spread of air- borne diseases strays can have upon intake. With new disinfecting procedures put in place to ensure illnesses are not dispersed throughout different areas of the shelter, staff has seen great improvements to animal health and safety. In June, when Animal Services reached a peak number of 165 animals in the shelter, their live release rate was 95%; which means almost all of the animals who came into the shelter left happy and healthy. All of the hard work and dedication of the staff to keeping things clean and sanitary is paying off. While the new precautions taken to prevent the spread of diseases in the shelter have made improvements, more staffing is needed to keep kennels clean and to ensure animals are well taken care Schertz Magazine August 2019 36 throughout the year including the Macy’s “Backstage” adoption event, the 4th of July Jubilee, Buffs & Paws event, and the Kitten Palooza. Animal Services Manager Ginger Dispain exclaimed, “We have had four adoption events offsite over the last two months and have had 26 adoptions at those events. Since May 1, we have had 113 total adoptions from the shelter. Adoptions have been going really well!” If you are interested in adopting from the Schertz Animal Adoption Center, you can find all adoptable pets on the Schertz Petfinder site. Animal Services staff is extremely excited about all of the new systems and enhancements that have been made in the organization, and they hope to move forward and continue to be an incredible source of love and care to the animals in the Schertz area. “The best part is the happy endings,” Sergeant Solitto exclaims. “Feeling like you are actually seeing some progress is amazing.” “I have been a part of many changes for the better in our department, and every accomplishment has been a group effort,” says Manager Dispain. “It has taken the support and involvement of the staff, the Police Department, City Management, the Animal Advisory Board, Cibolo Small Animal Hospital, volunteers, and the citizens of Schertz to help us with the accomplishments that we have made. It is a huge blessing to be a part of such a successful collaborative effort.” Saving Animals. Serving Community. continued from page 35 It is a huge blessing to be a part of such a successful collaborative effort. Enroll them in Kumon today! Kumon Math and Reading Center of SCHERTZ 5580 FM 3009, Ste. 114, Schertz, TX 78154210-642-0000kumon.com/schertz ©2019 Kumon North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Start giving your kids all the advantages of Kumon. To learn more, we invite you to schedule a Free Placement Test. THIS SCHOOL YEAR, GIVE YOUR CHILD AN ACADEMIC ADVANTAGE. Start here.Go far! General Education courses, Cybersecurity, and Network Administrator Programs Apply Now for Fall Enrollment 210-21ALAMO alamo.edu/nlc Start here.Go far! General Education courses, Cybersecurity, and Network Administrator Programs Apply Now for Fall Enrollment 210-21ALAMO alamo.edu/nlc The Alamo Colleges District is an EOE. For any special accommodations issues or an alternative format, contact the Title IX Coordinator, (210-485-0200) Schertz Magazine August 2019 38 Planning and Community Development Monitors Schertz Growth By: Chuck McCollough Schertz has been recognized for the past several years as a premier community for all to enjoy. With a diverse population, a visionary City Council, and hard working city staff, it’s no wonder growth continues to be present throughout the community. One of the city departments managing that continuous growth is Planning and Community Development, which oversees many areas of the city’s development and plays a part in ensuring quality growth throughout. “Planning and Community Development works diligently to ensure orderly growth and development within the City of Schertz and its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ),” said Senior Planner Bryce Cox. “We are committed to providing excellent customer service to our stakeholders, including builders, city commissions, developers, neighborhood groups, partnering agencies, property owners, and the community,” Cox said. We are committed to providing excellent customer service to our stakeholders. Schertz Magazine August 2019 39 The multi-faceted department works with customers big and small, from giant projects like Amazon to smaller projects like the addition of a shed in a residents backyard. The department oversees things pertaining to growth, development, zoning, long-range land planning, and the city’s Unified Development Code (UDC). While staff is responsible for facilitating many different aspects of development, most people only seem to be curious about the new construction in their area - often expressing curiosity about ‘how that business ended up going there?’ To answer that question residents must first understand a little bit about the comprehensive land plan, zoning, and how development occurs in the city. Zoning and the Comprehensive Land Plan The Planning and Community Development Department maintains a long-range vision, approved by City Council, for what future development in Schertz will look like as the city continues to grow. The primary tool that city officials use for this decades look ahead is the Schertz Comprehensive Land Plan, which acts as a guide for staff and City Council to ensure that changes to zoning or land use make sense as we get larger. This visioning document encompasses all properties inside of the city limits and in the City’s ETJ, and identifies issues in the following development related categories: land use, transportation, public facilities, parks and recreation, community enhancement, and growth capacity. The plan includes vision statements, goals, and objectives that have been created through the cooperation of residents, civic leaders, and business owners to serve as an implementation strategy for future development of the Schertz community. This plan is regularly used by city staff in decision making and when providing recommendations to City Council and various appointed boards and commissions. “The Comprehensive Land Plan is a crucial resource in evaluating and making recommendations to City Council on discretionary items such as zone change requests. It is also a living document that must be updated regularly with lots of public input, because as time goes on and we grow and change as a city, our collective vision for the future of the city often changes,” Cox said. While the Comprehensive Land Plan envisions the future of the city, the City’s current zoning map and zoning ordinance provide the regulations for development. The primary function of zoning is to establish types of land uses permitted on a specific tract of land while also regulating the size, intensity, and scope of development. The City of Schertz adopted its first zoning ordinance on November 28, 1974. That first ordinance originally established zoning regulations and divided the city into districts; however, continued on page 40 over time that original zoning ordinance has seen many revisions and rezones approved through the City Council process. While zoning classifications have remained relatively the same, the current zoning map does look a bit different than the original from 1974. The City of Schertz has about 25 different zoning districts/overlays. The zoning districts help city staff determine which land uses are permitted, the minimum lot size and dimensions (area square footage, width, and depth of the lot), the minimum yard setbacks (the distance between the property line and the building), the maximum height in feet the building is allowed to be constructed, and the maximum impervious cover (the amount of land area that is allowed to be of an impervious material like asphalt) for any given property. All the land uses and zoning districts in the city are organized into a permitted land use matrix which lists which land uses are allowed in each zoning district. This table can be found on the City’s website in Article 5.8 Permitted Use Table of the Unified Development Code. The land uses in the table are generalized to types of uses such as retail stores and shops, or restaurant, drive-in. A property owner can develop their land into any land use that is permitted within the current zoning of the property. “I sometimes get asked questions from residents about ‘why did the city allow another fried chicken restaurant or strip mall to be built’, and end up explaining that the City’s zoning regulations list general land uses such as where restaurants or shops can go, but the code does not regulate the specific restaurant or store that ends up opening in that location. This is part of the important balance between the City’s role in regulating safe and orderly development, the ability of the property owner to develop their land, and the free market economy,” Cox said. “Once a business knows which zoning district they are permitted in, the choice of where to locate is often complicated and is based on many factors which include cost of development, return on investment, and market demand.” Zoning in Schertz only applies to property within the corporate limits of the city and does not extend into the City’s ETJ. While there is no land use regulation within the ETJ, subdivision of land and commercial signage is still regulated by the city. What’s Developing in Schertz? An excellent resource that the city has made available on our website is the “What’s Developing in Schertz?” interactive map. This feature allows residents and the public to easily view what construction is happening in their neighborhoods. By using the interactive map you can view current commercial developments and residential subdivision development. In addition to the name and development location, a general description of the development is provided listing the general location, size of buildings, land use, and subdivision information. Approved site plans for commercial developments, and approved plats for residential developments are provided with embedded links for each development. The feature is updated weekly when building permits for construction are issued, to ensure that once construction begins residents can review the webpage and learn more about what will be taking place there. If you would like to explore this web tool, please go to Schertz.com, and select “What’s Developing in Schertz?” in the City Highlights section on the homepage. If you have any questions about development in Schertz please contact the Planning and Community Development- Planning and Zoning Division at (210) 619-1780 or at planning@schertz.com. Zoning Categories Within the City’s zoning ordinance there are two basic categories of zoning, residential and non-residential. § RESIDENTIAL is considered homes or dwellings that include single family homes, multifamily homes, and apartments. § NON-RESIDENTIAL consists of commercial uses ranging from retail shops and schools to manufacturing. Within these two categories there are more specific districts which have different regulations and appropriate land uses. Non-residential classifications can range from office and professional to heavy manufacturing. The districts are a way of differentiating the intensity of the commercial use. Residential has different districts as well to differentiate the density and lot dimensions allowed in each zoning district. Planning and Community Development Monitors Schertz Growth continued from page 39 Schertz Magazine August 2019 42 Vehicle Parade Brings Joy to Boy Battling Cancer AROUND THECOMMUNITY Vehicles of all sorts lined the street where 6-year-old Nathan Hernandez lives. Diagnosed with brain cancer when he was 6-months old, Nathan’s friends and family organized a special parade to cheer him up. On Saturday, June 22 several Schertz emergency vehicles and other community members with a variety of unique vehicles paraded past Nathan’s home in the Fairway Ridge subdivision as he sat between his parents to enjoy the joyous sight. Nathan had a great love of watching school bus videos on YouTube, so family friend, Heather Jackson, came up with the idea to host a vehicle parade in his honor. She posted online and requested 50 vehicles; in just 24 hours all of the slots were full, and an additional 25 vehicles showed up for the procession. The Schertz community poured out love and support for Nathan and his family. Teachers from Sippel Elementary School and Dobie Middle School offered gifts to show their support. It is amazing to see the community come together to bring happiness to those in need. Schertz emergency services crews were incredibly thankful to participate in this parade for a good cause. Schertz Magazine August 2019 43 Youth Learns About Community and Local Government The Schertz Family YMCA recently held their annual summer Community First Camp for children ages 9-14. Students enrolled in this camp had the opportunity to learn about the community, city government, and even organized a service project. On Monday, July 8, students visited the City of Schertz Council Chambers for a mock City Council session. Students were welcomed by various City staff as well as Schertz City Manager Dr. Mark Browne. During the visit eight students were voted in to City Council while the remainder of the group played the role of engaged citizens. The goal of the mock council session was to have the Council evaluate and approve one staff requested program. City staff from the Police, Library, and Animal Services departments presented three presentations to the Council to request funding for various programs. The requests included a new driving simulator system for PD, new books for the library, and new cat runs for the Animal Adoption Center. The residents listened to the presentations and came before Council to voice their opinions on which project they felt was most needed. After consideration from the Council, the majority vote was for the new cat runs at the Animal Adoption Center. Students from the camp were actively engaged throughout the whole program and seemed excited to participate the mock city council session. While they came to consensus on the vote, they agreed that it can be difficult to vote on something as a team. The Community First camp is a great opportunity for participants to learn leadership, communication, volunteerism, and community pride. Contact the Schertz Family YMCA for more information on Community First Camp. Schertz Magazine August 2019 44 Birthday Fill the Boot Youth Sports Programs Keegan is a typical, active three-year-old boy who loves building Legos, reading books, and playing outside. Keegan also has a slight obsession with fire trucks. A few months before his third birthday in June, Keegan’s parents asked him what theme he wanted for his birthday party; to no surprise he repeatedly said a firefighter theme. Keegan’s parents wanted to teach him early on that getting gifts is fun, but giving back to others is even better. They had heard about the Schertz Fire Department’s fire truck restoration project, explained it to Keegan, and decided together that at his party he would do a “fill the boot” to help a little with this project. Keegan had the boot at his party, and friends and family helped him raise $100 for the fire truck restoration project. On June 28, Keegan took his check to the fire station, had a tour, and got to meet a lot of the Schertz firefighters. Keegan’s mom, Elizabeth Bertoia, mentioned that when they left the station that day Keegan said, “my heart is so happy, that was the best day.” Because of his kind act, Keegan was given the opportunity to be featured on the KENS5 People Who Make San Antonio Great series. “He still talks about that morning at the fire station and likes to look at the pictures and video we took,” comments Bertoia. “He gained so much through this experience and has learned a valuable life lesson that giving back can make your heart feel happy and full.” Near You! Allowing your children to participate in youth sports is a great way for children to explore and develop lifelong skills. Youth sports not only play an important role in your child’s physical health, but it promotes mental health as well. Youth sports promote healthy lifestyles and safe environments for stronger communities. The Schertz Parks and Recreation Department owns several recreational and competitive sports fields and manages those fields through partnerships with local youth sports associations. These associations are the Buffalo Valley Youth Association (BVYA) and the Schertz Youth Soccer Alliance (SYSA). BVYA offers a variety of youth sports including baseball, softball, swimming, cheerleading, football, volleyball, and basketball. Go to BVYA.com for more information and to register. SYSA is a partnership between GRAYSA (Greater Randolph Area Youth Soccer Association), Lions FC Soccer Club, Schertz Family YMCA, and the City of Schertz. These soccer organizations offer spring and fall soccer for ages 2 – 18. Go to SchertzSoccerComplex.org to learn more about each of these organizations and to register. AROUND THECOMMUNITY (Above) Tim O'Neil took his Schertz Magazine to the USS Alabama battleship during a field studies trip to Denmark. (Right) Victor and Alva Diaz de Leon traveled to Singapore with their Schertz Magazine. (Below) Logan and Luke McCauley traveled to Taipei 101, Taiwan with their Schertz Magazine. (Left) The Schertz Public Affairs Department took their Schertz Magazine. to the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO) Conference in Denton, Texas. (Left) Bob & Trudy Brink went to Fort Lorenzo in Panama with their Schertz Magazine. Bring your Schertz Magazine along during your travels and send us a high resolution photo of you and your magazine to magazine@schertz.com. You may see your photo in an upcoming issue of Schertz Magazine! Schertz Magazine All Over the Map AROUND THECOMMUNITY (Below) Dave & Leah Lynch visited Sydney, Australia with their Schertz Magazine. Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies. LOOKING BACK August QUOTE OF NOTE “People like to say the conflict is between good and evil. The real conflict is between truth and lies.” Don Miguel Ruiz LOCAL HISTORY In the last part of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century churches began to be constructed in the Schertz area. The Lutherans built their first church in Cibolo, Texas (now St. Paul Evangelical), The Methodist built their first church in Schertz in 1904 (still standing on First St.) and the Catholics built their first church in Selma (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) in July of 1897. TEXAS HISTORY On July 6, 1923, the Dr. Pepper Company was incorporated in Dallas. Dr. Pepper was first made in Waco in 1885. Wade Morrison, owner of Morrison's Old Corner Drug, employed a pharmacist named Charles Alderton, who, when not filling prescriptions, often served soft drinks to customers. Alderton enjoyed experimenting with various combinations of fruit extracts and sweeteners. One combination, later to become Dr. Pepper, proved enormously popular with patrons. Morrison named the beverage after Dr. Charles T. Pepper, a physician and pharmacist for whom Morrison had worked in Virginia. Schertz City Council Mayor: Michael Carpenter (210) 619-1045 mcarpenter@schertz.com Council Members: Mark Davis (210) 376-9141 MarkDavis@schertz.com Ralph Gutierrez (210) 376-9231 ralphgutierrez@schertz.com Scott Larson (210) 376-9835 scottlarson@schertz.com Cedric Edwards, Sr. (210) 566-4540 cedwards@schertz.com David Scagliola (830) 606-1130 davidscagliola@schertz.com Allison Heyward (210) 608-9543 Allisonheyward@schertz.com Tim Brown (210) 608-2381 Timbrown@schertz.com City Departments: City of Schertz (210) 619-1000 Animal Control (210) 619-1550 Business/Utilities (210) 619-1100 City Manager (210) 619-1000 City Secretary (210) 619-1030 Civic Center (210) 619-1600 Customer Care/311 (210) 619-1000 Economic Development (210) 619-1070 EMS (non-emergency) (210) 619-1400 Fire (non-emergency) (210) 619-1300 Human Resources (210) 619-1150 Information Technology (210) 619-1180 Inspections (210) 619-1750 Marshal Services (210) 619-1650 Municipal Court (210) 619-1500 Parks & Recreation (210) 619-1850 Planning & Zoning (210) 619-1780 Police (non-emergency) (210) 619-1200 Public Affairs (210) 619-1630 Public Library (210) 619-1700 Public Works (210) 619-1800 Records (210) 619-1030 IMPORTANT SCHERTZ PHONE NUMBERS SCHERTZ.COM AUGUST 2019 CITY CALENDAR SUN MON TUE WED THR FRI SAT 1 Transportation Safety Advisory Commission Meeting 5:30 p.m. Council Chambers 2 City Council Workshop/Retreat/ Special Called Meeting, All Day 3 4 5 6 City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers 7 Animal Services Advisory Committee 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers 8 9 Movie In the Park 7:00 p.m. Schertz Soccer Complex 10 11 12 13 City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers 14 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers Community Budget Meeting 6:30 p.m. Corbett Middle School 15 SSLGC Meeting 1:30 p.m. SSLGC Administrative Building 16 17 18 19 Library Advisory Board Meeting 6:30 p.m. Schertz Public Library 20 21 Community Budget Meeting 6:30 p.m. North Community Center 22 Economic Dev. Corp 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers Community Budget Meeting 6:30 p.m. Schertz United Methodist Church 23 24 25 26 27 City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers 28 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting 6:00 p.m. 29 30 31 Be sure to go to Schertz.com for more event information. Meetings are subject to change. PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT 1400 SCHERTZ PARKWAY SCHERTZ, TEXAS 78154 We’re right in your own backyard. Serving all branches of the Armed Forces (800) 725-0083 armyresidence.com 7400 Crestway San Antonio, TX 78239 Army ResidenceCommunity Are you looking for active retirement living in the community you already know? The Army Residence Community is located right here in Northeast San Antonio, and this is retirement living at it’s best! Live maintenance-free in a high rise apartment or stylish cottage. No need to worry about mowing the lawn, cooking, or cleaning -- we do it for you. 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