REGULAR MEETING
November 1, 2022
A Regular Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, on November 1, 2022, 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 Gutierrez; Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward; Councilmember Mark Davis; City Council Place 2 - Vacant; Councilmember Jill Whittaker; Councilmember Michael Dahle; Councilmember David Scagliola; Councilmember Tim Brown
- Staff present:
- City Manager Mark Browne; Assistant City Manager Brian James; City Attorney Daniel Santee; Assistant to the City Manager Sarah Gonzalez; Interim City Secretary Sheila Edmondson
Mayor Gutierrez called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
(Councilmember Whittaker)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Councilmember Jill Whittaker who provided the opening prayer followed by the Pledges of Allegiance to the Flags of the United States and State of Texas.
- Proclamation-Municipal Court Appreciation Week-November 7th-11th, 2022
- Proclamation-International Accounting Day-November 10th, 2022
- Announcements of upcoming City Events (B. James/S. Gonzalez)
Early voting for November 8 General Election continues through Friday, November 4, 2022
Check the City Website for locations, dates and times.
Tuesday, November 8
Election Day
Refer to City Website for locations
Thursday, November 10
Northeast Partnership Monthly meeting
11:30 a.m.
Olympia Hills Golf Course and Conference Center
RSVP to Sheila
Friday, November 11
Veterans Day
City Offices Closed
Veterans Day Celebration - Schertz, Cibolo & Selma
9:00 a.m.
Cibolo City Hall, 200 S. Main Street, Cibolo
Saturday, November 12
Nature Discovery Series
10:00 - 11:00
Crescent Bend Nature Park, 12805 Schaefer Road
Friday, November 18
Hal Baldwin Scholarship Golf Tournament
Registration and Check-in starting at 7:00 a.m.
Shotgun start at 9:00 a.m.
Olympia Hills Golf Course
Monday, November 21
City Council Meeting to Canvass November 8 Election
6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
Thursday, November 24
Thanksgiving
City Offices Closed
Friday, November 25
Thanksgiving Holiday
City Offices Closed
Saturday, November 26
Star Party
5:00 - 8:00
Crescent Bend Nature Park, 12805 Schaefer Road
Thursday, December 1
Deck the City Hall Tree Lighting Ceremony
6:00 p.m.
Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex, City Hall Bldg. 1
Saturday, December 3
Holidazzle
8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex
Tuesday, December 6
Next regular scheduled City Council Meeting
6:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
- Announcements and recognitions by the City Manager (M. Browne)
Recognized and thanked Patti Casas fand the Municipal Clerks for the service they provide.
Recognized and thanked James Walters and the Finance Department staff for the work they do on behalf of the City.
- Announcements and recognitions by the Mayor (R. Gutierrez)
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.
Mayor Gutierrez asked Mayor Pro-Tem Heyward to call the first speaker.
Mayor Pro-Tem Heyward recognized the following speakers:
Maggie Titterington, 1730 Schertz Parkway
Chamber Updates and Appreciation Recognition
The Chamber Military Affairs Committee has been working with the City of Cibolo on the November 11th Veterans Day Ceremony. The keynote speaker will be Brigadier General Russell Driggers, Commander 502nd Air Base JBSA Randolph.
Special thanks for the work done on the Kramer House for their Ribbon Cutting to the following individuals:
Joe Villerreal
Bruno Sepeda
Jeremiah Yandal
Chad Lonsberry
Sammy Maieda
Toby Salazar
Doug Ledbetter
Coyle French
Trevor Walker
Buddy Lewis
Michael Hernandez
Kevin Anderson
Jared Motney
Larry May
Ian Kind
Diego Isaac
Cole Moody
Nick Cromer
Ray Taikienko
Robert Dobratz
Office of Lexis Taylor
Ribbon Cutting and Grand Re-opening for First United Bank on Monday, November 5th. Ms. Titterington expressed her many thanks to Brian James and his team for helping get the renovations underway.
She recognized the Coldwell Banker and Health Texas items on the Consent Agenda and expressed her thanks and gratitude for the assistance given by Dr. Browne, Brian James, the development team, and GVEC which helped them overcome some of the challenges, enabling them to break ground. She also recognized Adrian Perez and the EDC Board of Directors for their help in getting Coldwell Banker and Health Texas to this point.
There were no additional comments from residents.
The Consent Agenda is considered self-explanatory and will be enacted by the Council with one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless they are removed from the Consent Agenda upon the request of the Mayor or a Councilmember.
Mayor Gutierrez read Consent Agenda Items 1- 4.
Mayor Gutierrez asked if any items needed to be removed for discussion. No requests to move items from Consent were received. Mayor Gutierrez asked for a motion to approve Consent Agenda Items 1 - 4.
Moved by Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward, seconded by Councilmember Tim Brown
- AYE:
- Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward, Councilmember Mark Davis, Councilmember Jill Whittaker, Councilmember Michael Dahle, Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
Mayor Gutierrez read the following into the record:
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Finance Director James Walters, who explained the need for the additional audio/visual improvements is to allow municipal court to be held in the Council Chamber. The current courtroom is slated for renovations to create office space for new personnel. The funding to be utilized for the audio/visual improvements required for the municipal court will come from court technology restricted funds that can only be used for core technology upgrades. The current fund balance is $507,000. This adjustment will provide the additional $10,000 required to accommodate court needs.
Mayor Gutierrez called for a motion to approve Ordinance No. 22-T-43.
Moved by Councilmember Tim Brown, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward
- AYE:
- Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward, Councilmember Mark Davis, Councilmember Jill Whittaker, Councilmember Michael Dahle, Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
Mayor Gutierrez read the following into the record:
RESOLUTION NO. 22-R-128
Mayor recognized Assistant City Manager Brian James stated that the goal of this resolution is to modify the Historic Preservation Grant to stipulate the property has to be in the Main Street area, or it has to have one of the Landmark designations. Landmark designations require it be a historic structure, at least 50 years old, and have significance to the City (architectural or event). These grants are for improvements of the primary elements of the building, such as foundation, roof, etc., not interior renovations.
Councilmember Whittaker stated she is the City Council Liaison to the Historical Preservation Committee, and she supports expanding the grant outside the Main Street area with the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Committee. Entire Aviation Heights is historic in nature and there is great potential specifically in this area.
Councilmember Brown asked for confirmation that the grants are for exterior renovation and preservation and that the City Historical designation does not fall under the State Historical designation criteria which may require the owner to do additional improvements creating undue financial strain. Mr. James confirmed the use of the grants for exterior renovation and stated that they make if very clear this is an Honorary Acknowledgment of the history as opposed to a historic designation from the State.
Councilmember Dahle asked for the maximum value of the grant. Mr. James responded that it is a dollar for dollar match up to $20,000.
Mayor Gutierrez asked for confirmation that the grants are for structural and not landscaping. Mr. James confirmed stating that the grants are for owners of structures used for residential exterior improvements to the roof, foundation, and wall repairs, including brick repointing.
Mayor Gutierrez asked about the funding source for the grants. Mr. James stated that the grants are paid from the General Fund.
Councilmember Davis requested clarification on the use of the grant to renovate front porches to bring them in line with the historic structure. Mr. James suggested adding clarifying language to speak to the "historic look" of the structure to the motion to add it to the program.
Councilmember Whittaker requested clarification regarding the landmark designation process. Mr. James stated that in order to get on the list of Landmark properties, a request is made to the Historic Preservation Committee. Committee evaluates the request and makes a recommendation. If the recommendation is approved, Staff will notify the property owner of the nomination. If the owner is accepting of the recognition, then the recommendation goes to Council where a proclamation will be read signifying the Landmark designation. Once they are on the Landmark designation list, they can apply for the grant. The application goes to the Historic Preservation Committee first, and if approved, it then goes to Council.
Mayor Gutierrez asked how long they would need to wait to apply for a second grant. Mr. James stated that currently awards are made on a one-time basis.
Mayor Gutierrez called for a motion to approve Resolution 22-R-128.
Moved by Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward, seconded by Councilmember Tim Brown Motion made and amended to approve Resolution 22-R-128 with addition of verbiage that states grants will be limited to exterior structural or aesthetic modifications that are approved and coordinated through the Historical Preservation Committee.
- AYE:
- Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward, Councilmember Mark Davis, Councilmember Jill Whittaker, Councilmember Michael Dahle, Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
Mayor Gutierrez stated for the record that Councilmember Dahle had stepped down from the dais. Councilmember Dahle is the property and has signed an affidavit regarding a conflict of interest regarding this ordinance.
Mayor Gutierrez read the following into record:
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Councilmember Scagliola. Councilmember Scagliola stated he is in favor of Workforce housing and this development satisfies a significant need in our community, so he is in favor of the development. However, he objected to a seeming disregard for the voice of the people. He stated it is the absolute responsibility of the developer to ensure projects in our city are perceived as being beneficial to our community. It is the responsibility of the developer to inform the residents and ensure they're objections are heard and addressed. He did not feel that was accomplished.
Mayor Gutierrez called for a motion to approve Ordinance No. 22-S-41.
Moved by Councilmember Tim Brown, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward
- AYE:
- Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward, Councilmember Mark Davis, Councilmember Jill Whittaker, Councilmember Michael Dahle, Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
Mayor Gutierrez asked Councilmember Dahle to rejoin Councilmembers on the dais.
Mayor Gutierrez read the following into the record:
RESOLUTION NO. 22-R-129
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Assistant City Manager Brian James. ACM James explained that the amendment to the contract is required in order to make the necessary audio/visual improvements in the Council Chambers to accommodate the Municipal Court.
Mayor recognized Councilmember Davis who asked if the contract included updated outlets with the USB port. Jack Bluebird, IT Department, responded affirmatively.
Councilmember Scagliola asked for the start date. Mr. Bluebird responded by stating late December.
Mayor asked if there were any other questions or comments. None were expressed.
Mayor Gutierrez called for a motion to approve Resolution 22-R-129.
Moved by Councilmember Mark Davis, seconded by Councilmember Jill Whittaker
- AYE:
- Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward, Councilmember Mark Davis, Councilmember Jill Whittaker, Councilmember Michael Dahle, Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Interim City Secretary Sheila Edmondson who provided roll call confirmation for Consent Agenda Items 1-4 and Agenda Items 5-8.
- Project E-86
- Project E-88
Start time: 7:28 p.m.
End time: 7:41 p.m.
No action taken on Agenda Item 9.
Start 6:55 p.m.
End 7:41 p.m.
No action taken on Agenda Item 10.
Start time: 8:16 p.m.
End time: 8:25 p.m.
Mayor Gutierrez asked for a motion. Mayor Pro-Tem Heyward made a motion to appoint Steve Williams as the City Manager with an effective date of 1 December. Seconded by Councilmember Scagliola.
Moved by Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward, seconded by Councilmember David Scagliola
- AYE:
- Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward, Councilmember Mark Davis, Councilmember Jill Whittaker, Councilmember Michael Dahle, Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
Start time: 8:28 p.m.
End time: 8:35 p.m.
No action taken on Agenda Item 12.
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Interim City Secretary Sheila Edmondson who provided roll call confirmation for Closed Session Agenda Item 10.
- Announcements by the City Manager.
- Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers for updates or information from staff.
- Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers that items or presentations be placed on a future City Council agenda.
- Announcements by Mayor and Councilmembers
- City and Community Events attended and to be attended
- City Council Committee and Liaison Assignments (see assignments below)
- Continuing Education Events attended and to be attended
- Recognition of actions by City Employees
- Recognition of actions by Community Volunteers
Attended the 'Live to Lead Leadship Conference' with Jay Johnson.
Ribbon cutting for Nolan Agency, a health care insurance company.
Ag event at elementary school.
Councilmember Whittaker welcomed Steve Williams.
Attended the Historic Preservation Committee Meeting.
Attended First United Bank Community Prayer Event.
Attended CVLGC Meeting.
Voted
Mayor Gutierrez adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
____________________________________
Sheila Edmondson, Interim City Secretary