DISCUSSION AND ACTION
City Manager Dr. Browne provided the following retreat overview with the theme "Building the Complete City".
- Welcome/Breakfast
- Teambuilding Activity
- The Complete City Discussion
- Staff Compensation
- Lunch
- City Staff Presentations
- Citizen Engagement
Welcome/Breakfast
Introductions - Mayor Gutierrez and City Manager Dr. Mark Browne provided the opening introductions.
Icebreaker Question: "What is something we may or may not know about you?" City Manager Dr. Mark Browne led this section and all those in attendance provided something to the group that each may or may not have known about themselves to the group.
Teambuilding Activity - Mayor/Council and staff engaged in a bowling teambuilding exercise.
The Complete City Discussion:
- Core Services (what we must provide to be a city)
- Quality of Life (what we want to provide to be a desirable city)
- Economic Engine (what drives our ability to provide adequately for each)
We have competing demands and scarce resources. Are we appropriately balancing these resources to meet the three areas?
Are we successfully creating the complete city as envisioned in the strategic plan?
Resiliency and Adaptability lead to Sustainability
Resiliency - “the ability to prepare and plan for, absorb, recover from and more successfully adapt to adverse events.”
We often think about resiliency in terms of natural disasters.
Adaptability involves longer term, flexible planning
“Sustaining such prosperity requires that regional decision-makers undertake coordinated planning efforts that emphasize resilient and adaptable policies and infrastructure."
Changing economy (example)
Richardson, Tx – Telecom bust in 2001
Richardson’s office vacancy rate, which was 9.5 percent in the first quarter of 2001, climbed to 25.9 percent by the fourth quarter of 2003. Telecom Corridor lost as many as 30,000 jobs tied to the industry.
Decline of brick and mortar retail
Thoughts on sustainability – ability to support "it" in the future. Are we relying too much on something that will not always be here – permit revenue, growth, or one demographic or not thinking about what will be here?
In smart cities of the future, social resilience will be a key ingredient for building stronger communities and for addressing aging-in-place issues. In 2013, a research report published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta concluded that cities with a high degree of social resilience tend to enjoy numerous health and economic benefits. Put simply, it is not only the right thing to do, it is also not feasible to continue isolating adults based on their age as seniors become a greater share of the populace.
- Seeking clarity and alignment
- Short-term and long-term goals
Discussion regarding staff compensation. (Mayor Gutierrez/M. Browne/C. Kelm)
Staffing Levels/Vacancies dashboard and Class & Comp
Mayor Gutierrez, City Manager Dr. Browne and Assistant City Manager Charles Kelm reviewed and discussed minimum pay for full-time employees.
- Hourly Employee Personnel discussion, breakdown and examples of take-home-pay - possible suggestions were presented by Mayor Gutierrez to address this.
Finance presentation discussions - led by Finance Director James Walters
Future Bond Issuance:
- FM 1518 (already approved and committed)
- Fire Station 4 - Industrial area, benefits our ISO rating, insurance, response times, projected completion date CY 2024, cost estimate$15M
- Public Safety Building - Phase 1 - provides new bulding 60K sq. ft, projected completion if approved 2028, minor renovations for bldg #6, cost estimate $35M
Phase 2 (not planned in next 10 years) - adds on to existing new building 30K sq. ft, completes renovations for Bldg 6, cost estimate $25M
CIP Funding discussion
Timing
- Ability to complete Public Safety Items and some CIP
- Reduce the I&S Rate
- Old Plan debt issuance discussion
- New Plan (lower I&S)
City Staff Presentations
Core Services
Planning & Community Development -discussion led by Assistant City Manager Brian James
Key Projects Accomplished FY 19/20
- Shift to online application submittal and inspection requests
- Permit Information Sheets
- Fee Calculator
- Virtual Inspections
- Delayed Annexation Service Agreements
Key Projects Planned FY 20/21
- Residential Master Plan Process
- Building Code Update
- Cityview Go Live
- UDC Update – quick victories and overhaul
- Comprehensive Plan Update
- Office Space/Counter remodel
Look Ahead: 1-3 years
- Annexations
- Comprehensive Plan and UDC adjustments
- Inspector Certifications
- Improvement – Virtual Inspections & Permit fee estimator
Public Works (Drainage, Sidewalks, Facilities) - discussion led by Public Works Director Suzanne Williams
Key Projects Accomplished FY 19/20
- The Colonies Drainage Project - Schertz Pkwy behind the Gardens
- Curtis Avenue Sidewalk Project - Westchester Dr to Main Street
- Main Street Sidewalk Project - Schertz Pkwy to Randolph Ave
- Castle Hills Drainage Project - from existing concrete north to golf course
- Osage Avenue Drainage Project - from Osage Ave S to Jasmine Dr
- Westchester Drive Sidewalk Project - Elbel Rd to Gettysburg Dr.
- Looking ahead Sidewalk Projects
- Drainage CIP projects FY19/20 - FY20-21
- Facilities - Renovations
- Future Renovations
Building 10 Renovation – Parks
Building 1 City Hall - Counter Renovation
Community Center Renovation
Flooring Projects – Fire Station 1; Civic Center (main)
Building 2 Administration - ADA Renovation
HVAC Replacement – Building 1,6,7,8
Fire Station #4
Public Safety Building
East Live Oak Pump Additions
FY 19-21 Water Plans
Looking ahead 1-3 years
16"(Hooks) Waterline & Ware Seguin loop line
Engineering - lead by City Engineer Kathy Woodlee
Key Projects accomplished FY 19-20
- First Round of SPAM Projects
- Easement Acquisition for Woman Hollering Creek Wastewater Project
- Corbett Elevated Storage Tank and Distribution Mains
- Capital Improvements projects (website)
Key Projects underway or Planned FY 20-21
Water and Wastewater
- Woman Hollering Creek Wastewater Main and Lift Station
- 16" Transmission Main Route Study and Preliminary Design
- Riata Lift Station Relocation
- Crest Oak Wastewater Line Upsize
- Ware Seguin to Lower Seguin Loop Lines
- Aviation Heights Water Main Replacements (phases pending funding)
- FM 1518 Utility Relocation Design
- Corbett Ground Storage Tank
Streets
- Remediation to Schertz Parkway and Residential Chip Seal
- Elbel Road and Drainage Improvements Design
- Cibolo Valley Drive Expansion (collaboration with Cibolo and Developer)
- Tri County Parkway Reconstruction (Corridor Parkway to FM 3009)
- Next Round of SPAM Projects
- Cherry Tree Drive nearly done
- Aviation and Lindbergh on hold due to drainage discussion
- Elbel Road Construction possibly accelerated (pending funding availability)
- Elbel Road and Drainage Improvements Construction (pending funding)
Studies and Support
Water-Wastewater Master Plan and Impact Fee Update Study
Pedestrian Trails and Bike Lanes Project (Parks)
PCI Study Update
2020 Drainage Projects - Fire Station #2, Sycamore Creek Channel, Savannah Square Detention, East Dietz Creek at Arroyo Verde, etc. (Public Works – Drainage)
S4 Permit Implementation – City Facilities Control Inventory and Operations Assessment
FM 3009 – FM 78 Intersection Improvement (TxDOT Planning Study)
Moved to 11 Commercial Place!
Look Ahead 1-3 years - Water and Wastewater:
Continue Execution of Water and Wastewater 5-Year CIP
Graytown to Pfeil Loop Line
FM 2252 Utility Relocations
Lookout Road Sewer Line Upsize
Aviation Heights Water Main Replacements (Future Phases)
Cibolo West Wastewater Trunk Main to South CCMA Plant
Look Ahead 1-3 years - Streets
Continue with SPAM 5-Year Plan
Studies and Support:
- Continue to manage design and construction of drainage maintenance projects requiring design
- Roadway Impact Fee Update Study (due FY22/23)
- Continue Implementation of MS4 Permit Requirements
Quality of Life
Parks - discussion led by Director of Parks, Rec. & Community Services Lauren Shrum
Key Projects Accomplished FY 20/21 or Late 19/20
- Heritage Oaks Park playscape and trail
- Shade structures at Johnie McDow Sports Complex
- Senior Center Parking Lot
- Veterans Memorial Plaza paver replacements
- Implementation of CivicREC software
- Shift to virtual events
Key Projects Planned FY 20/21
- Schertz Pedestrian Routes and Bike Lanes Construction
- Great Northern Trail Segment Design and Construction
- Veterans' Memorial Plaza landscape renovation
- Crescent Bend Entry Improvements
- Pickrell Pool Deck
- Thulemeyer Parking Lot
- Trail of Lights
- Volunteer Schertz Program
Look Ahead: 1-3 years
- Hilltop & Homestead Park Design and Construction
- Hallie's Cove Park Design
- Parklands Park Acceptance and Construction
- Graytown Valley Park Acceptance and Design
- Trail Construction ($150,000 annual budget)
- Community Circle Park Master Plan Begin Implementation
- Improvement - Year calendar of work program tied to projects
Economic Engine
EDC - discussion led by Executive Director Economic Development Adrian Perez
SEDC 2019-2020 Accomplishments:
Kellum/Nexus/Four Oaks
Pivot to digital marketing
Implementation of CRM
Incentive Policy/Practices
Return to traditional event-based prospect generation
COVID-19 Response
Outreach – over 100 direct calls
Assessment
Response
Food Related
Top 20 employers
Workforce development incentives/programs
Completed payment on Schertz
312 Phase I
Market-Driven Infrastructure
$3.5 M Lookout Rd
David Lack Blvd
Mixed-Use Retail
Looking Ahead:
Policy
- Establish quantitative evaluations and joint process to adapt
Incentive Policy
Reserve Fund Projects
Resilient, Adaptable, Sustainable
Partners
State of Texas/Regional Partners
Developers/Brokers/Site Selectors
Programs
Targeted Recruitment
Retention/Expansion
Infrastructure Development
Presentation on citizen engagement. (M. Browne/L. Denton)
City Attorney Lowell Denton with Denton Navarro Rocha Bernal & Zech, P.C. provided a presentation regarding Crucial Policing Choices - What do you want?"
Today:
•2016
•The world is different since the last time
•The same old Lessons from particular - Consent Decrees
•“Best Practices”
•Follow your own rules
•Smaller communities are in this now
•Don’t expect to hide the things that have not been visible in the past
What do you want?
•Compliance & Compliant
•Oath of Office
•Law Enforcement must obey the law
•Professionalism
•Law Enforcement must know what they are doing, NOT in a 1980’s world
•Avoid the Death Penalty for misdemeanors or worse
•Avoid the consequences of unnecessary police authority
•Citizens involved
•Officers
•Officer’s families
•Community at large
•Actually treat citizens with respect and serve them
•Avoid unfair criticism and COMPELLED changes
Who are You?
•What do we have in common?
•What do we believe in? About law enforcement?
•What do we know about
•Police law
•Police policy and professionalism
•Police in Schertz
•What do you have in common with your community?
•What do your officers have in common with your community?
•What parts of your community lack
•Commonality and common experience
•Common expectations
•Trust
•Access
•What do POLICE DEPARTMENTS have in common
8 Can't Wait - is trending on social media. It's been endorsed by Oprah and Arian Grande, and DeRay McKesson is talking about it everywhere from GQ to Fast Company to The Bill Simmons Podcast.
Proof:
•LAW & RULE OF LAW
•Oath of Office
•Fact & Evidence
•Investigation
•Truth not Opinion
•Why did we reach our conclusion?
•Why did we decide as we did?
•How did we evaluate our own compliance and standards?
•Can we show a jury the truth?
•Can we prove our story?
A Volatile Discussion - How to have it?
•PERF - IACP – COPS – ACADEMICS
•Educators, Psychologists, Social Science
•Street cops and “experts” say not necessary, don’t do it, won’t work
•Professionals are prepared to learn and grow
•Cops are the CORE of a learning organization
•The culture WILL change
•Choose the right thing and the right side of history
Focus on tactics and scenarios
Community relationships
Don't Get Lost in the Deadly Force