11-12-2020 MinutesNortheast Partnership
Olympia Hills Golf and Conference Center
12900 Mount Olympus, Universal City, TX 78148
MINUTES OF MEETING
Thursday, November 12, 2020 —11:30 a.m.
1. Call to Order and Establish a Quorum — A quorum was present.
Chair Mayor Walt Williams, City of New Berlin called the meeting to order at 12:00
p.m. as a quorum was present and thanked everyone for attending.
2. Welcome and Introductions
Mayor Williams welcomed everyone and had them stand to be recognized and introduce
themselves.
Members present were:
Mayor Walt Williams, New Berlin
Mayor Pro -Tern Joel Hicks, Cibolo
Mayor Larry Thompson, Garden Ridge
Mayor Victor Contreras, Marion
Mayor Ralph Gutierrez, Schertz
Mayor Pro -Tern Kevin Hadas, Selma
Mayor John Williams, Universal City
Mayor Pro -Tern Ed Cimics, Live Oak
Mayor Williams also recognized County Judge Kutscher and County Commissioner
Wolverton and welcomed them to the meeting.
3. Approval of the minutes the Mayors Workshop meeting of October 1, 2020 and the
minutes of the NEP Regular meeting of October 08, 2020.
Mayor Williams recognized Mayor Larry Thompson, City of Garden Ridge who
moved, seconded by Mayor Victor Contreras, City of Marion to approve the minutes
of the Mayors Workshop meeting of October 1, 2020 and the minutes of the NEP
Regular meeting of October 08, 2020. The vote was unanimous. Motion Passed.
4. Approval of the Current Treasurer's Reports for NEP. (Treasurer Mayor Jeff
Hunt)
Mayor Jeff Hunt was not present, but he supplied a treasurer's report. Mayor Williams
recognized Mayor John Williams, City of Universal City, seconded by Mayor Pro -Tem
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Joel Hicks, City of Cibolo to approve the current treasurer's report. The vote was
unanimous. Motion Passed.
5. Presentation and updates regarding Guadalupe County topics — Honorable Judge
Kutscher.
Mayor Walt Williams recognized Judge Kutscher who began his remarks by honoring
the veterans present and asked them to stand for a round of applause. Judge Kutscher
gave brief updates on county issues including COVID -19 and how it has affected our
businesses, schools, and hospitals. Judge Kutscher paused to commend the school
districts who pivoted on a dime to make sure kids can have in person and virtual learning
settings available. His approach has been to take the heat on COVID decisions made
and to support business so they can feed their family, keep their businesses open, and
keep paying employees. Keep an open mind on other people's perspectives and do not
just think of yourself. Preserve and protect what we care about be kind, patient, and
understanding. Judge Kutscher spoke briefly on the Metropolitan Planning Organization
(MPO) and the call for projects that is open. Judge Kutscher took questions from the
audience.
6. Special Presentation to Honorable Judge Kutscher.
Mayor Walt Williams recognized Mayor Pro -Tern Joel Hicks who presented Judge
Kutscher with a plaque showing the appreciation of NEP for his outstanding leadership.
7. Presentation regarding Unemployment Claims and Local 4 Year Strategic Plan.
(Adrian Lopez- Workforce Solutions)
Mayor Walt Williams announced the next speaker, Adrian Lopez with Workforce
Solutions, was unable to make his speaking engagement.
8. Information Items.
A. Report from Tri County Chamber of Commerce
Tri County Chamber Representative — Mindy Paxton began her remarks by asking for
prayer for Rachel Clark who recently went through surgery. The Tri County Chamber
combined a Wurstfest celebration with the Election Watch Party which culminated in The
Wurst Election Watch Party. She announced their Elected Officials reception with the
elected officials invited to come for free. Ms. Paxton announced a joint ribbon cutting with
the Schertz Chamber and the City of Selma at Mercedes Benz, and a final announcement
for the Tri County Prize Palooza monthly luncheon where almost everybody receives a
prize.
B. Report from The Chamber.
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The Schertz Chamber Representative — Maggie Titterington announced the success of their
Shred Day. The young professionals managed to raise $1,600.00 for RACAP (Randolph
Area Christian Assistance Program) to adopt families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We
have a Zoom Speed Networking event covering Building Business Bridges. In 2021 the
Chamber is resuming all our activities, with first being the Health and Wholeness Fair at
the Civic Center and in the Bluebonnet Hall, Mrs. Leslie Mouton will be our guest speaker
giving her breast cancer survivor testimony along with a few other speakers. We are
planning to have our annual Remax Skylight Balloon Fest with the Spazmatics performing.
C. Report from Randolph Air Power Community Council (RAPCO).
There were no announcements at this time
D. Report on Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee.
City Manager Scott Wayman was not able to attend but is able to provide information to
anyone who is interested. The committee is meeting next week.
E. Report from Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
Kevin Hadas, MPO Representative, thanked Commissioner Wolverton for all the help the
City of Selma received from him. Mr. Hadas announced Mario Jor e, with TxDOT will be
retiring. Mr. Hadas announced Commissioner Kevin Webb will be taking over the MPO.
This will be the first time in MPO history we will have a voice from the rural counties
chairing the MPO. Mr. Hadas encouraged all to thank Judge Kutscher for the work he does
with MPO.
9. Establish a Date and Time of the next NEP Mayor's Workshop January 7, 2021 —
City of Santa Clara. (December's meeting has been cancelled)
Next Mayor's Workshop will be January 7, 2021 hosted by the City of Santa Clara.
10. Establish a Date and Time of Next Northeast Partnership for Economic
Development Meeting —January 14, 2021. (December's meeting has been cancelled)
November Prizes — City of Cibolo
January Door Prizes — City of Santa Clara
Door Prizes were provided by the City of Cibolo. January's - City of Santa Clara to provide
door prizes.
11. Items of Interest by Members.
Thanks, were given to Universal City, Schertz, JBSA, and Congressman Cuellar for joining
the celebration of the first project of an historic blanket Intergovernmental support
agreement between ACOG and JBSA.
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Mayor Victor Contreras with the City of Marion thanked all of the veterans in the room
and stated they had a Veterans Day celebration that was very well attended, and they will
be having their annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in a safe manner.
Mayor Gutierrez with the City of Schertz announced their Tree Lighting Ceremony and the
Holidazzle with the Festival of Angels Parade. Mayor Gutierrez expressed his gratitude to
all present and wished them Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Mayor Pro -Tem Joel Hicks with the City of Cibolo commented on the beautiful Veterans
Day Ceremony with the City of Schertz, City of Selma, and the City of Cibolo. Mr. Hicks
announced the City of Cibolo's Holiday Parade and their Tree Lighting event.
City Manager Mark Browne of the City of Schertz commented on our Veterans Day
Ceremony and thanked President Maggie Titterington with The Chamber for arranging the
whole event.
12. Adjournment.
Mayor Williams adjourned the meeting at 12:52 p.m.
Mayor Walt Williams, Che Kr
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