09-16-2025 Council Workshop MinutesMINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING
September 16, 2025
A Workshop Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, on
September 16, 2025, at 5:00 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; Councilmember Paul Macaluso; Councilmember Michelle
Watson; Councilmember Robert Westbrook; Councilmember Allison Heyward;
Mayor Pro Tern Tim Brown
Absent: Councilmember Mark Davis
Staff City Manager Steve Williams; Deputy City Manager Brian James; City Attorney
present: Daniel Santee; 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 5:00 p.m.
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.
No one signed up to speak.
Discussion and Action Items
1. Join the American Flood Coalition (Councilmember Heyward)
Councilmember Heyward spoke about joining the American Flood Coalition and
the membership is free. The American Flood Coalition is a nonprofit organization
funded through philanthropy. When flooding occurs, the American Flood Coalition
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reaches out to the area affected and can help find resources for grants. They are
looking at ways to teach cities how to mitigate some of the flooding. Individuals
can join as well as sign up as a city for membership. They are working not only in
the State of Texas, but nationally as well.
Councilmember Watson agreed with joining. With no cost of membership and
additional resources before and after flooding, it is a great idea.
Mayor Pro Tem Brown agreed with Councilmember Watson about signing up as a
city.
City Manager Williams will have staff reach out to the American Flood Coalition
and sign up.
2. Join Coalition Against Bigger Truck (Councilmember Heyward)
Councilmember Heyward presented information about the Coalition Against
Bigger Trucks. This organization lobbies the federal government against trucks
carrying more than 80,000 lbs. of cargo. Companies are carrying 90,000 lbs. of
weight and are transporting them with two trailers. Studies show that it is
dangerous to have companies carry more than 80,000 lbs.
Councilmember Heyward stated it also costs the cities money to repair roads that
are damaged by larger loads. There is no membership for this Coalition, and they
ask that when they go before the federal government, the cities provide letters or
resolutions saying they are against bigger trucks on the road.
Councilmember Macaluso states it is unnecessary for the city to join. There are
standard weight limits and special permits are needed for larger loads. He knows
that there is legislation to increase the weight of trucks hauling cargo, but it does not
have a lot of support. Councilmember Macaluso explained that the railroad industry
supports this coalition. Railroad industries want to keep trucks off the street because
it takes freight away from them.
Councilmember Macaluso recommended that we pass on this organization.
Mayor Gutierrez added that most of the big trucks are on state roads and very few
go into neighborhoods. We have not had too many complaints regarding the bigger
trucks on our city streets. There are regulations on who drives, how long they can
drive and weight limitations.
Council will not take action on this topic and will wait until it becomes necessary in
the future.
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Adjournment
Mayor Gutierrez adjourned the meeting at 5:16 p.m.
ATTEST:
Sheree Courney, Deputy City Secr
galh C u errez, Mayor