02-02-2017Northeast Partnership for Economic Development
City of Schertz
Administration Building 42
1400 Schertz Parkway
Schertz Texas 78154
MINUTES OF WORKSHOP FEBRUARY 2, 2017
I. Call to Order and Establish a Quorum.
Mayor Carpenter called the workshop to order at 6:30 PM.
Members present were:
Mayor Michael Carpenter, Schertz
Mayor Bill Seiler, Marion
Mayor John Williams, Universal City
Mayor Nick Milanovich, New Berlin
Mayor Jeff Hunt, Santa Clara
Mayor Mary Dennis, Live Oak
Mayor Pro -Tem John McCaw, City of Garden Ridge
Others Present:
Texas House of Representatives Barbara Gervin - Hawkins, District 120
Texas Representative Thomas Uresti, District 119
Biri Nayarro — Aide to Uresti
Catarina Gonzales, Attorney & Counselor, Denton Navarro Rocha Bernal Hyde & Zech
Ramon Chapa, Jr.
II. Introduction
Mayor Carpenter welcomed those present and those present introduced themselves.
Mayor Carpenter welcomed Senator Carlos Uresti, District 19 who was present. Senator
Uresti provided background information as well as listened to the Mayors' concerns
regarding some of the proposed legislation asking for assistance. Senator Uresti also
provided his proposals which he asked for support from the group. Mayor's main focus
message was "Let us maintain local control" and keep Austin from restricting our
authority to run our cities.
Mayor Carpenter welcomed and introduced Texas House of Representatives Barbara
Gervin - Hawkins, District 120 who also provided background information and also
listened to the Mayors' concerns and provided her proposals.
III. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Update regarding a NEP Legislative Agenda and other services from
Catarina Gonzales, Denton Navarro Rocha Bernal Hyde & Zech.
Ms. Gonzales provided members with a draft copy of the proposed NEP
Legislative Agenda. Mayors' present discussed and provided their feedback. Ms.
Gonzales stated that if the Mayors had additional items to please let her know.
Ms. Gonzales that the Senate Finance is meeting already. The Senate Committees
have been appointed already, but the House Committees have not. Today the
legislature took up the Cities Sanctuary Bill on the Senate, there were a number of
individuals there to speak and this will go into the wee hours of the morning. The
Governor has declared items: CPS Reform, Ethics Reform, Convention of
States, and the Sanctuary City Band. He named others as well. Mayor Carpenter
stated that the Governor named, as far as tax relief, he named it very generally
Mayor Carpenter stated that as soon as she finds out when the revenue cap issues
will be presented to please let them know, as we chartered a bus last year and was
able to be at the capital and meet with the representatives and want to do this
again this year. Mayor Dennis also stated that as soon as we know the date to
make sure that we let the Suburban Cities also know, Mayor Carpenter also stated
that he would send out to the Guadalupe County Mayor's Associations. Catarina
stated that she would find out and send the information out as soon as she knows.
IV. NEW BUSINESS:
2. Discussion regarding members prepaying.
This item was not discussed.
3. Discussion and consideration regarding either cancelling or rescheduling The
March NEP Mayor's Workshop due to those participating in The Chamber
Taste Event which is March 2nd, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Retama Park.
Mayor Carpenter recognized City Secretary Brenda Dennis who stated that the
proposed date for the next NEP Mayor's workshop falls on the night of the
Chamber Taste event, which several Mayors' will not be able to attend as they are
judges. Mayor Carpenter and other Mayor's concurred to cancel the meeting, but
reserved the possibility of calling a special meeting at a later time.
V. Items of Interest by the Member Cities.
Mayor Carpenter recognized the Mayor's present who continued conversations with
Senator Uresti and Texas House Representative Gervin- Hawkins regarding concerns of
possible bills that will be filed that would affect the cities local control and those that
would restrict cities authority.
Mayor Dennis requested the Mayors make sure to take a look at the "Texas Town &
Cities" January issue as it has many articles related to the topics of our concerns for the
upcoming legislative session.
VI. Establish a Date, Time, & Location of the Next Meeting. (Next up is the City of
Converse to host.
City Secretary Brenda Dennis stated that she would contact Mayor Suarez of his
availability and get back to the group.
VII. Adjournment.
Carpenter adjourned the workshop at 8:20 p.m.
PASSE_ PROVED THIS "'DAY OF MARCH 2017.
or Michael R. Carpenter, NEP Chairman