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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
 February 2, 2021

A Regular Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, on February 2, 2021, 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 Jill Whittaker; Councilmember Mark Davis; Councilmember Rosemary Scott; Councilmember Michael Dahle; Councilmember David Scagliola; Councilmember Allison Heyward; Councilmember Tim Brown
Staff present:
City Manager Dr. Mark Browne; Assistant City Manager Brian James; Assistant City Manager Charles Kelm; City Attorney Daniel Santee; City Secretary Brenda Dennis; Assistant to the City Manager Sarah Gonzalez
             
Call to Order

Mayor Gutierrez 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. (Councilmember Jill Whittaker)

Mayor Gutierrez recognized Councilmember Whittaker who provided the opening prayer followed by the pledges of allegiance to the Flags of the United States and State of Texas.

Mayor Gutierrez recognized Caleb Reeder, Boy Scout from Troop 341 who was in the audience this evening, he is working on his Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge. Mr. Reeder stood to be recognized.

A. Mayor Pro-Tem Oath of Office - Oath of Office administered to Councilmember Jill Whittaker. (B. Dennis)

City Secretary Brenda Dennis provided the Mayor Pro-Tem Oath of Office to Councilmember Whittaker.

Mayor Gutierrez stated he has a special announcement, Council and guests while seated it is perfectly fine for you to remove your mask or while speaking at the podium, but as you approach the dais or depart the Chamber we respectfully ask that you place your face mask back on.
             
Presentations
  • Proclamation recognizing and designating February 2021 as Career and Technology Education Month. (Mayor/Amy Massey/Cassandra Garcia)
Mayor Gutierrez read and presented the proclamation to Ms. Amy Massey and Ms. Cassandra Garcia with SCUCISD. Ms. Massey and Ms. Garcia provided Council with information on the CTE program.
  • Historical Preservation Committee Annual Report. (M. Browne/B. James/D. Weirtz/D. Bourgeois)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Chair of the Historical Preservation Committee Daniel "Frenchy" Bourgeois who provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding their Annual Report. Mr. Bourgeois addressed questions from Council. Mayor and Members of Council thanked Mr. Bourgeois and Mr. Weirtz for all the work the Historical Preservation Committee have done to preserve our history.
             
Employee Recognition

Mayor Gutierrez recognized the following Department Heads who introduced their new employees.
  • Collin Sherman - EDC Marketing & Recruitment Manager. (M. Browne/A. Perez)
  • Hunter Valdez - EMS Full Time Paramedic; William Fowler IV EMS P/T Paramedic. (M. Browne/C. Kelm/J. Mabbitt)
  • Analyse Miranda - Park and Recreation Administrative Assistant. (M. Browne/B. James/L. Shrum)
  • Bryce Burch, Roberto Garcia, Cole Moody - Street Worker 1. (M. Browne/C. Kelm/S. Williams/D. Letbetter)
  • Valentine Ruiz Jr. - Schertz-Seguin Local Government Corporation Assistant General Manager. (M. Browne/C. Kelm/S. Williams/A. Beard)
             
City Events and Announcements
  • Announcements of upcoming City Events (B. James/C. Kelm/S. Gonzalez)
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Assistant City Manager Charles Kelm who provided the following information on upcoming events:

Friday, February 5th
City Council Workshop Retreat
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
EVO Entertainment (18658 IH 35)
The overall theme of the retreat is "Creating the Complete City" and the question we are asking Council to consider is, Is the City of Schertz successfully creating the complete city as envisioned in our strategic plan?

Tuesday, February 9th
Next regular scheduled Council meeting

March 4th-May 6th
The Schertz Police Department is hosting the Citizens Police Academy starting March 4, 2021, and ending on May 6, 2021. The classes are every Thursday from 6pm-9pm. At this time, the location of the class is to be determined. Depending on how many applications we receive will depend on having the classes in the PD training room or another location. Applications are available at the Police Department or by visiting the Schertz website at www.Schertz.com/351/Schertz-Citizens-Police-Academy, completing the PDF application, and returning the application to the Schertz Police Department, attention Officer Anna Kraft.
  • Announcements and recognitions by the City Manager (M. Browne)
Dr. Browne recognized the Public Affairs Department who recently worked to refresh all the photos in the hallways in Building #2, they are currently working with the EDC Department to also update their photos. Dr. Browne also recognized the Public Works Department for the work they have done on the Westchester and Curtis Avenue sidewalks as well as the drainage project along Schertz Parkway.
  • Announcements and recognitions by the Mayor (R. Gutierrez) - None at this time.
             
Hearing of Residents

Mayor Gutierrez read the following:

This time is set aside for any person who wishes to address the City Council. Each person is limited to 3 minutes, and we ask before addressing the Council, for the record, please state your name and address. Mayor Gutierrez read the five rules that were on the overhead. For the record please state your name address.

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:
  • Mr. Leonard Moore, 1653 N. Santa Clare, who again spoke on the need to change police policies and stated that until that is done, he will keep coming to council.
  • Ms. Maggie Titterington - The Chamber President. 1730 Schertz Parkway who provided information on the recent Chamber events as well as all the upcoming ribbon cutting events. Council should be receiving those invitations.
  • Sr. Miguel Vazquez, 9320 Berean Way, who addressed Council regarding the recent new Cemetery National Historic Site designation for the Cemetery along FM 78 - Cibolo Creek - FM 78 and River Road. He also stated that the Cemetery Committee is working to restore the other cemeteries in Schertz. He stated that Schertz has 9.
             
Consent Agenda Items

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 the following items into record:
             
1. Minutes – Consideration and/or action regarding the approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of January 26, 2021. (B. Dennis)
             
2. Resolution 21-R-13 - Consideration and/or action approving a Resolution by the City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, approving Employee Policies. (M. Browne/C. Kelm/J. Kurz) 
             
3. Resolution 21-R-12 - Consideration and/or action approving a Resolution by the City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas authorizing and approving a professional services agreement with M&S Engineering for various on-call engineering services and all matters in connection therewith. (M. Browne/C. Kelm/S. McClelland)
             
4. Ordinance No. 21-A-04- Consideration and/or action for an Ordinance on a request for voluntary annexation of approximately 142 acres of land located generally 3,500 feet southwest of the intersection of Doerr Lane and Bell North Drive, Comal County, Texas (B. James / L. Wood / E. Delgado) Final Reading
             
5. Ordinance No. 21-S-03- Consider and act upon a request to rezone approximately 142 acres of land to Manufacturing District- Light (M-1). The subject property is located generally 3,500 feet southwest of the intersection of Doerr Lane and Bell North Drive, Comal County, Texas. (B. James / L. Wood / E. Delgado) Final Reading

Mayor Gutierrez asked Council if there were any items they wished to be removed for separate action.  Mayor Gutierrez recognized Councilmember Scott who requested that agenda items, 2 and 3 be removed.
  Moved by Councilmember Rosemary Scott, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Jill Whittaker to approve consent agenda items 1, 4 and 5.
 
AYE: Mayor Pro-Tem Jill Whittaker, Councilmember Mark Davis, Councilmember Rosemary Scott, Councilmember Michael Dahle, Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Allison Heyward, Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
             
Discussion and action items

Mayor Gutierrez read the following items into record:
             
2. Resolution 21-R-13 - Consideration and/or action approving a Resolution by the City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, approving Employee Policies. (M. Browne/C. Kelm/J. Kurz)

Mayor Gutierrez recognized HR Manager Lindsey Cox who addressed questions from Councilmembers Scott and Dahle.
  Moved by Mayor Pro-Tem Jill Whittaker, seconded by Councilmember Michael Dahle to approve agenda item 2 Resolution No. 21-R-13.
 
AYE: Mayor Pro-Tem Jill Whittaker, Councilmember Mark Davis, Councilmember Rosemary Scott, Councilmember Michael Dahle, Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Allison Heyward, Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
             
3. Resolution 21-R-12 - Consideration and/or action approving a Resolution by the City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas authorizing and approving a professional services agreement with M&S Engineering for various on-call engineering services and all matters in connection therewith. (M. Browne/C. Kelm/S. McClelland)

Mayor Gutierrez recognized Assistant Director of Public Works Scott McClelland who came forward addressing Councilmember Scott's questions.
  Moved by Councilmember David Scagliola, seconded by Councilmember Tim Brown to approve agenda item 3 Resolution No. 21-R-12.
 
AYE: Mayor Pro-Tem Jill Whittaker, Councilmember Mark Davis, Councilmember Rosemary Scott, Councilmember Michael Dahle, Councilmember David Scagliola, Councilmember Allison Heyward, Councilmember Tim Brown
Passed
             
Roll Call Confirmation

Mayor Gutierrez recognized City Secretary Brenda Dennis who provided the roll call vote confirmation on agenda items 1 through 5.
             
Workshop
             
6.             Workshop Discussion and Update (Ordinance 20-H-18) - Discussion and update regarding the COVID-19 virus and our current Ordinance No. 20-H-18 Declaration of Local Disaster. (M. Browne/K. Long/S. Hall)

Mayor Gutierrez recognized Emergency Management Coordinator Summer Hall who provided a PowerPoint presentation on the current COVID virus and EOC activities.  Ms Summer also in the provided information regarding the upcoming vaccination clinic.  The City of Schertz and Guadalupe County are partnering together to host a series of COVID-19 vaccine clinics this week.  The Texas Department of State Health Services has allocated 1,000 Moderna vaccine doses to our community.  COVID-19 vaccines will be administered free of charge at the Schertz Civic Center, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 4.  The COVID-19 vaccines will be distributed to individuals, per State guidelines, who fall under phases 1A and 1B.  These are the only populations currently eligible to be vaccinated at this time. Appointments are required and can be made by registering online at Schertz.com/covidvaccine or by calling the City of Schertz COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at (210) 619-1000.  Registration opened today at 9:00 a.m.   Walk-ins will not be accepted. Those with appointments are required to bring a driver's license or other form of photo identification with them to the clinic.   Ms. Hall also stated that the City of Seguin and Comal County will also be hosting clinics at the Seguin Coliseum located at 950 S. Austin Street in Seguin from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, February 3rd, Thursday, February 4th and Friday, February 5th. Registration for this opened today at 9 a.m .- the link Seguintexas.gov/covidvaccine or by calling the Guadalupe County COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 830-303-9701. Ms. Hall addressed questions from Council.

Mayor Gutierrez thanked Ms. Hall and her team for all the work they did in regards to the registration for the upcoming COVID-19 shots.  He thanked all the volunteers who assisted.
             
Information available in City Council Packets - NO DISCUSSION TO OCCUR

Mayor Gutierrez pointed out agenda Item 7 which was in the City Council packet as well as can be found on-line.
             
7.           Monthly update - on major projects in progress/CIP. (B. James/K. Woodlee)
             
Requests and Announcements
  • Announcements by the City Manager. Nothing further.
  • Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers for updates or information from staff.
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Councilmember Scott who requested that they revisit the Tree Mitigation policy. City Manager Dr. Browne stated that he would send the current ordinance out to all members of Council. Councilmember Scott also stated that she had been contacted by a member of the Friends of Crescent Bend who stated that several individuals are speeding in the area and have requested speed bumps. City Manager Dr. Browne stated that he would look into it and get back to her.
  • Requests by Mayor and Councilmembers that items or presentations 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
Mayor Gutierrez recognized the following members of Council who provided information on events attended:
  • Mayor Pro-Tem Whittaker - assisted today with the phone bank for the upcoming City COVID-19 shots. She thanked all the volunteers who assisted today
  • Councilmember Dahle - Thursday attended the Cibolo Valley Local Government Corporation meeting, and Saturday attended the Chamber Health and Wholeness Fair.
  • Councilmember Heyward - Saturday attended the Chamber Health and Wholeness Fair and was sitting next to the Guadalupe County Community Coalition. They were discussing upcoming education events regarding current drug abuse problems among the youth. Today she also assisted with the phone bank for the upcoming COVID-19 shots.
Mayor Gutierrez thanked all those that assisted today with the phone bank regarding the registrations for the upcoming COVID-19 shots.
             
Adjournment

Mayor Gutierrez adjourned the meeting at 7:17p.m.
_______________________________
Ralph Gutierrez, Mayor
ATTEST:


____________________________________
Brenda Dennis, City Secretary

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