REGULAR MEETING
January 28, 2020
A Regular Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, on January 28, 2020, 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 Tim Brown; Councilmember Mark Davis; Councilmember Rosemary Scott; Councilmember Scott Larson; Councilmember Michael Dahle; Councilmember David Scagliola; Councilmember Allison Heyward
- Staff present:
- City Manager Dr. Mark Browne; Assistant City Manager Brian James; Assistant City Manager Charles Kelm; City Attorney Daniel Santee; Assistant to the City Manager Sarah Gonzalez; City Secretary Brenda Dennis
Mayor Gutierrez called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
- Announcements of upcoming City Events (B. James/C. Kelm/S. Gonzalez)
- TxDOT will conduct work on FM 1518 between 1st Street and Wiederstein Road (in Selma) starting January 29th. Alternating lane closures will take place and work will last from 4-8 weeks.
- Thursday, January 30th Joint City Council Workshop 6:30 pm, Schertz Civic Center
- Tuesday, February 4th City Council Meeting, Council Chambers
- Announcements and recognitions by the City Manager (M. Browne)
One of their ideas was to install a touch board at City parks that would help non-verbal children communicate with others.
Dr. Browne also thanked Sarah Gonzales and Jackie Gaines for their assistance in setting up the retreat meeting last Friday.
- 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.
Discussion by the Council of any item not on the agenda shall be limited to statements of specific factual information given in response to any inquiry, a recitation of existing policy in response to an inquiry, and/or a proposal to place the item on a future agenda. The presiding officer, during the Hearing of Residents portion of the agenda, will call on those persons who
have signed up to speak in the order they have registered.
Mayor Gutierrez recognized the following:
- Ms. Gayla Wilson, 3516 Hamilton Place, spoke regarding sidewalk expansion request on Savannah Drive.
- Ms. Mikki Austin, 1024 Natalie Way, spoke regarding her enrollment into the Chamber's Leadership Core Class of 2020. She thanked the staff and Council for the opportunity given to learn about how the Council works. She thanked the Council and staff for what they do for the residents
- Ms. Kasie Tankersley, 152 Sendera Crossing, who stated she was enrolled into the Chamber's Leadership Core Class of 2020. She also thanked the Council and staff for what they do for the residents.
- Ms. Maggie Titterington, The Chamber who provided information on their upcoming events and to make sure that they check their website.
- Mr. Ferrando Heyward, 2628 Hansel Heights, who announced the Republic Party Meet the Candidates Forum for the Primary Election will be held February 6, 2020, at 7:009 p.m. at the Schertz Civic Center.
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.
The following was read into record:
Moved by Councilmember Mark Davis, seconded by Councilmember Allison Heyward to approve consent agenda items 1 through 5.
- AYE:
- Mayor Pro-Tem Tim Brown, Councilmember Mark Davis, Councilmember Rosemary Scott, Councilmember Scott Larson, Councilmember Michael Dahle, Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Allison Heyward
Passed
Mayor Gutierrez stated that he requested this item be placed on the agenda for Council consideration as March 3rd is the Primary election night and is wanting to get consensus of council to cancel.
Moved by Councilmember Allison Heyward, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Tim Brown to cancell the March 3, 2020 City Council meeting.
- AYE:
- Mayor Pro-Tem Tim Brown, Councilmember Mark Davis, Councilmember Rosemary Scott, Councilmember Scott Larson, Councilmember Michael Dahle, Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Allison Heyward
Passed
The following was read into record:
Moved by Councilmember Scott Larson, seconded by Councilmember Allison Heyward
- AYE:
- Mayor Pro-Tem Tim Brown, Councilmember Mark Davis, Councilmember Rosemary Scott, Councilmember Scott Larson, Councilmember Michael Dahle, Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Allison Heyward
Passed
The following was read into record:
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Assistant City Manager Brian James who introduced this item and stated that staff recommends approval.
Mayor opened the public hearing, and as no one spoke; closed the public hearing for council comments. Staff addressed questions.
Moved by Councilmember Allison Heyward, seconded by Councilmember Michael Dahle
- AYE:
- Mayor Pro-Tem Tim Brown, Councilmember Mark Davis, Councilmember Rosemary Scott, Councilmember Scott Larson, Councilmember Michael Dahle, Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Allison Heyward
Passed
City Secretary Brenda Dennis provided the roll call vote confirmation for agenda items 1 through 8.
City Secretary Brenda Dennis introduced this item providing information as stated in the Charter and the City Council Rules of Conduct and Procedures regarding the appointment procedures of the Mayor Pro-Tem position and rotation. Council discussed this and indicated that the next member of Council would be Mr. Mark Davis. Mr. Davis indicated that he would be willing to serve. Ms. Dennis stated that Council would need to make a motion to appoint him and that at the first meeting in February she would swear him in.
Moved by Councilmember Michael Dahle, seconded by Councilmember David Scagliola to appoint Mr. Mark Davis as Mayor Pro-Tem to serve beginning February 2020 and ending August 2020.
- AYE:
- Mayor Pro-Tem Tim Brown, Councilmember Rosemary Scott, Councilmember Scott Larson, Councilmember Michael Dahle, Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Allison Heyward
- Other:
- Councilmember Mark Davis (ABSTAIN)
Passed
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Assistant City Manager Brian James who provided a thorough PowerPoint presentation regarding Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones, why they are created, what they can be used for, how they work and how they are funded. This item was from a request from Councilmember Scagliola that we look into the possibility of a potential Northcliffe Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ). Mayor and Council discussed and provided their thoughts regarding the potential TIRZ, and staff addressed questions.
Motion was made by the Chair seconded by Councilmember Larson to disapprove a potential Northcliffe TIRZ.
- AYE:
- Mayor Pro-Tem Tim Brown, Councilmember Mark Davis, Councilmember Scott Larson, Councilmember Michael Dahle, Councilmember Allison Heyward
- NAY:
- Councilmember David Scagliola
- Other:
- Councilmember Rosemary Scott (ABSENT)
Passed
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Assistant City Manager Brian James who introduced this item stating Council suggested revisiting the program recently, in particular with regard to grants for residential properties. The Main Street Committee discussed the grant program and was supportive of restricting grant funding for residential uses to only exterior structural work - roofs, walls and foundations.
On January 23, 2020, the Schertz Historic Preservation Committee considered the question and concurred with the recommendation of the Main Street Committee. Staff is supportive of this change as well and is seeking direction from Council.
Council concurred with staff to move forward with updating the grant program and bring back in February a resolution making the changes.
Mayor Gutierrez recessed the regular meeting into closed session at 7:40 p.m.
Mayor Gutierrez reconvened into regular session at 8:26 p.m.
Moved by Councilmember Allison Heyward, seconded by Councilmember Michael Dahle to retain the services of Dr. Mark Browne and provide a cost of living increase of 2% with an effective date of February 15, 2020.
Mayor Gutierrez provided comments and stated that it's an honor for our city to have someone who provides a friendly and inspiring work environment. We appreciate his hard work, your dedication and your performance. Please know that you play a major role behind our city success and our accomplishments. Mayor Gutierrez thanked Dr. Browne for his excellent service towards our city.
- AYE:
- Mayor Pro-Tem Tim Brown, Councilmember Mark Davis, Councilmember Rosemary Scott, Councilmember Scott Larson, Councilmember Michael Dahle, Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Allison Heyward
Passed
City Secretary Brenda Dennis provided the roll call vote confirmation for agenda items 9 through 12A.
- Announcements by the City Manager.
- City Manager Mark Browne stated that it is a privilege and a pleasure for him to be the City Manager for the City of Schertz.
- Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers that items be placed on a future City Council agenda.
- No items requested
- 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
Councilmember Rosemary Scott who attended:
Thursday, January 23rd Ribbon Cutting Allure Integrated Pet Specialists
Friday, January 24th City Council Retreat
Friday, January 24th Zikam Neighborhood Pharmacy ribbon cutting
Councilmember Allison Heyward who attended:
Thursday, January 23rd Ribbon Cutting Allure Integrated Pet
Friday, January 24th City Council Retreat and the Zikam Neighborhood Pharmacy ribbon cutting
Monday, January 27th TML Regional Officers Webinar Training
Wednesday, January 15th Provided Bingo at the Schertz Senior Center
Friday, January 17th Kung Jung Mu Sul Performance
Saturday, January 18th YMCA free throw Championship
Tuesday, January 21st Chamber Luncheon
Wednesday, January 22nd Bexar County Coalition of Cities - focus was on the 2020 Census
Friday, January 24th City Council Retreat and the Zikam Neighborhood Pharmacy ribbon cutting
Monday, January 27th Groundbreaking Ceremony at Pinnacle Montessori, Community Leaders Luncheon, hosted by OLPH
Mayor Gutierrez adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.
____________________________________
Brenda Dennis, City Secretary