05-26-2026 Council Meeting CanvassingMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
May 26, 2026
A Special Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, on May
26, 2026, 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 Rodriguez; Mayor Pro Tern Mark Davis; Councilmember Michelle
Watson; Councilmember Paul Macaluso; Councilmember Ben Guerrero;
Councilmember Robert Westbrook; Councilmember Allison Heyward;
Councilmember Robert Sheridan
Staff Steve Williams, City Manager; Sarah Gonzalez, Assistant City Manager; Sheila
present: Edmondson, City Secretary; Irene Chavez, Assistant City Secretary
Call to Order
Mayor Rodriguez 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. (Mayor Rodriguez)
Mayor Rodriguez provided the opening prayer and the Pledges of Allegiance to the Flags of the
United States and State of Texas.
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 VSB 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 VSB devices will be vetted by City IT
staff to ensure City property is protected from malware.
Mayor Rodriguez recognized the following residents:
Tiffany Gibson, 6939 Hallie Loop, paid homage to outgoing City Councilmember Allison
Heyward stating her service since 2018 has strengthened both the City of Schertz and
communities across Texas. Through her leadership, advocacy for first responders and city
infrastructure, and historic service as the first Schertz official to serve as President of the Texas
Municipal League, she-has >exemplified servant leadership, putting people, progress, and purpose
above all else.
Bob Jameson, 4504 :Brash. Creek Drive, thanked Ms. Heyward for her service to the community.
Dana Eldridge, 2628 Gallant Fox Drive, commended Schertz EMS for their outstanding
response to a medical emergency at his church involving a 90-year-old man, congratulated Sarah
Dietz on her election and new role, and expressed deep appreciation for Councilmember Allison
Heyward's years of service to Schertz and Texas. Recalling her first campaign victory, he praised
her leadership, accomplishments, and representation of the city, thanking her for her dedicated
public service.
Chrys Hecox, 768 Clearbrook, expressed gratitude to Councilmember Allison Heyward not for
her public accomplishments, but for her character and compassion, recalling how she offered
support during a difficult personal time without expecting anything in return. She praised her
servant's heart, integrity, and the positive example she has set through her service to both her
office and the City of Schertz.
Brent Bolter, 2633 Cloverbrook Lane, congratulated Councilmember Sarah Dietz on joining the
council and acknowledged Councilmember Allison Heyward's service. Mr. Bolter reflected on a
lifetime of service in the Air Force and community organizations, emphasizing that leadership is
about serving others, not personal interests. He urged the City Council to represent all residents of
Schertz equally, focus on the community's collective well-being, and make decisions that move
the entire city forward.
Discussion and Action Items
1. Resolution 26-R-064-Approving the canvassing of the election returns and declaring the
results of the May 16, 2026 Runoff Election for Place 6 (Mayor/S.Edmondson)
Mayor Rodriguez recognized City Secretary Sheila Edmondson who presented Resolution
26-R-064 approving the canvassing of the May 16, 2026, Runoff Election for City
Council Place 6. There were two candidates in the Runoff Election, Ms. Sarah Dietz and
Ms. Raquel Gutierrez.
Ms. Sarah Dietz received 887 votes or 59.05% of the vote total.
Ms. Raquel Gutierrez received 615 votes or 40.95% of the vote total.
The total votes cast during early voting by personal appearance and absentee votes was
1205. On the Runoff Election Day there were 298 votes cast. The total number of votes
cast in the May 16, 2026, Runoff Election was 1503.
Staff recommends approval of Resolution 26-R-064 with the vote total showing Ms. Dietz
receiving the majority of the vote.
Mayor Rodriguez asked for a motion to approve Resolution 26-R-064.
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Moved by Councilmember Allison Heyward; seconded .by Councilmember Paul
Macaluso
AYE: Councilmember Paul Macaluso, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Davis, Councilmember
Michelle Watson, Councilmember ben Guerrero, Councilmember Robert
Westbrook, Councilmember Allison Heyward, Councilmember Robert
Sheridan
Passed
2. Oath of Office (S.Edmondson/S.Coumey)
Oath of Office for Councilmember Place 6 was administered to Sarah Dietz by Mayor
Ralph Rodriguez.
Following the Oath of Office, Councilmember Dietz expressed gratitude to the voters of
Schertz for their trust and pledged to serve the community with integrity, transparency,
and dedication. She also thanked the Schertz Police and Fire Associations for their support
and acknowledged the importance of their service to the city.
Ms. Dietz offered heartfelt appreciation to her family for their encouragement, sacrifices,
and unwavering support throughout her campaign, giving special thanks to her husband
for standing beside her every step of the journey. She concluded by expressing her
excitement to work with the mayor and council to continue strengthening the Schertz
community.
3. Pin Presentation for Newly Elected Councilmember (Councilmember Allison Heyward)
Councilmember Allison Heyward presented a Schertz lapel pin to newly elected
Councilmember Sarah Dietz, sharing that the tradition began in 2018 when she received
her own pin. She has. since continued the practice for each new Councilmember, and noted
that pinning Ms. Dietz would be her final official act before inviting her to take her seat on
the council.
4. Presentation for Councilmember Allison Heyward
Mayor Ralph Rodriguez honored Councilmember Allison Heyward with a
commemorative street sign signed by colleagues and supporters, as well as a plaque
recognizing her dedicated and selfless service as City Council Place 6 from 2018 to 2026.
The plaque thanked her for leading with integrity and helping make Schertz one of the
safest and most desirable communities in the nation.
City Manager Steve Williams reflected on their years working together, praising Ms.
Heyward's vision, leadership, and role in elevating Schertz's profile across Texas. He
highlighted her accomplishments as Texas Municipal League President, particularly her
efforts to strengthen municipal advocacy during the legislative session, and presented her
with a City. Manager Coin in recognition of her outstanding service and contributions.
3
In her farewell remarks, Councilmember-Heyward reflected-,on.her seven years of service
to the City of Schertz, expressing gratitude to residents for their trust and thanking her
family, friends,, fellow councilmembers, and city staff for their unwavering support. She
praised the council's ability to work together despite differences and emphasized that their
shared focus was always doing what was best for the city.
While acknowledging the bittersweet nature of leaving office, Ms. Heyward expressed
confidence in her successor, Sarah Dietz, and encouraged her to lead in her own way. She
closed by looking forward to spending more time with her grandchildren and continuing to
serve the community through volunteer work, emphasizing that her commitment to
Schertz will continue beyond her time on the council.
Adjournment
Mayor Rodriguez adjourned the meeting at 6:31 p.m.
ATTEST:
GI