03 September 2024

"Councilmember Rubal requested Council to remember that they are stewards of the citizens when considering the motion."

Resolution 909-D-2024: A resolution by the City Council of the City of Universal City, Texas ratifying the property tax increase reflected in the Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. Councilmember Goolsby moved to approve Resolution 909-D-2024. Councilmember Putt seconded the motion.

• Yeas: Goolsby, Putt, Fitzpatrick, Bulman, Vaughan
• Nays: Rubal
• Motion Passed

Ordinance 656-E-2024: An ordinance setting the Ad Valorem Tax Rate for 2024 at $0.514382 per $100 of Appraised Value; and appointing a Tax Assessor/Collector (1st Reading). Councilmember Goolsby moved to approve Ordinance 646-E-2024 and to approve a 2024 Maintenance & Operations tax rate of 0.436882 and a Debt Service or I&S tax rate of $0.077500 for a total 2024 Ad Valorem “Goolsby/Vaughan” Tax Rate of $0.514382 per $100 of appraised property value. Councilmember Vaughan seconded the motion.

• Yeas: Goolsby, Vaughan, Fitzpatrick, Bulman, Putt
• Nays: Rubal
• Motion Passed

17 September 2024

Councilmember Rubal presented statistics that highlighted speeding on W. Byrd Blvd. After reminding Council of an item previously presented to them regarding traffic abatement using radar signs, he asked for consideration to place a discussion item at a future Council meeting for the consideration of placement of electronic traffic abatement signage on W. Byrd due to demonstrated need.

Councilmember Rubal continued his presentation to bring attention to alleyway maintenance in the City. He compared before and after images of alleyways in the City. He inquired about funding in the FY 2025 budget for alleyway maintenance. He asserted that it was the City’s responsibility to maintain the alleys he presented. He asked to place on a future agenda an item for discussion of the City’s scheduled alleyway maintenance program and requested that Staff present City standards for maintaining rights-of-way. He explained that he wanted to place this item on the agenda for process improvements to understand schedules and potential costs for improving alleys and rights-of-way.

Councilmember Rubal continued his presentation and addressed the golf course and venue tax. He asked to place on the agenda and a Staff Report with a clear definition of a Municipal Enterprise Fund and accepted operational goals for Enterprise Funds. He felt this was important before moving 4 forward with a business plan for the golf course.

Councilmember Rubal moved on to request that moving the Venue Tax to the General Fund be considered on a future agenda item. Councilmember Rubal further requested to place on the agenda a request for Staff to report the history of the $80,000 per year billboard revenue and why the billboard revenue does not go to the General Fund, and whether there is an appropriate path for this to be accomplished

Ordinance 656-E-2024: An ordinance setting the Ad Valorem Tax Rate for 2024 at $0.514382 per $100 of Appraised Value; and appointing a Tax Assessor/Collector (2nd Reading). Councilmember Goolsby moved to approve Ordinance 646-E-2024 on second reading. Councilmember Vaughan seconded the motion.

• Yeas: Goolsby, Vaughan, Bulman, Putt
• Nays: Rubal
• Motion Passed

18 February 2025

Concerns for School Closure: Councilmember Rubal shared that he moved to Universal City and specifically to Coronado because of the proximity to Coronado Village ES. He felt that the proposed action by Judson was counter to the safety and health of the Coronado neighborhood. He expressed his support for the citizen petition and his intent to attend the Judson ISD meetings.

Fence Ordinance Presentation Mr. Cassata gave a one-year review of the fence ordinance. This included reviewing the updates to the ordinance made in October 2023, lost revenue due to the ordinance, and the code compliance and variance cases since the new ordinance.

Councilmember Rubal moved to amend Ordinance 581-Y-2025 to preserve the concerns of the former Councils and simplify the definition of allowable fence repair to be "in-kind" repair and replacement. He stated that he felt there were arbitrary rules regarding the number of pickets allowed for repairs. The amendment would also reduce permit fees and remove some of the time burden for inspections for which the City contracts services. Councilmember Bulman seconded the motion.

• Yeas: Rubal, Bulman
• Nays: Fitzpatrick, Goolsby, Putt
• Motion Failed

04 March 2025

5-Year Budget Outlook Presentation Ms. Green explained that the change to the way the proposed budget would be presented. The change is intended to offer a forward-thinking perspective. She displayed an example of how the new budget would look, including new columns for 5 years of projected budgets. This would allow for better tracking of financial targets and clearer expectations. She shared next steps, including preparation of the budget calendar for the next budget cycle and scheduling meetings with all Councilmembers in May and June with the goal of having two meetings with each member.

Mayor Maxwell appreciated the forecast of future projects and that they would allow tracking in future years.

Ms. Green said this would allow for future planning, especially for capital items. The Finance Department was trying to follow Councilmember [Rubal’s] suggestions, such as changing the way capital items are budgeted.

Councilmember Rubal appreciated this very much. [This progress and promise of forward-thinking in budgeting were abandoned by staff.]

Councilmember Rubal asked about firebreaks given the recent red flag days and fire warnings. He felt this was pertinent given UC abuts a dry forested area. He asked for an update on the CPS program that was proposed regarding maintaining treelines and powerlines. [I considered it necessary to wind harden our infrastructure.]

He discussed the P&Z and City Council Vision 35 joint workshop. He felt it was not really a workshop and more of a survey. However, he took statistics provided from the meeting regarding where citizens go outside of the city and there were not very many places. He noted high-traffic areas in the City such as Walmart, HEB, and CVS and proposed consideration of developing a "downtown" around high-traffic areas rather than the Aviation District. This could also be around Northeast Lakeview College. He also expressed surprise that infrastructure, waste management, and alleyways were not discussed during this workshop.

Consider Renaming Cimmaron Park: Mrs. Turner reminded the Council that Councilmember Rubal recommended this renaming. The proposed action was presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission who moved it forward. She noted that two members of the PARC were present to answer questions. The proposed action was a recommendation to rename Cimarron Park and the Cimarron Park Clubhouse to Neville Park and Neville Clubhouse.

• Yeas: Vaughan, Putt, Fitzpatrick, Bulman, Rubal
• Nays: None
• Motion Passed

18 March 2025

National Golf Foundation's Operations and Capital Assessment Report for Olympia Hills Golf & Event Center - Watch the Presentation

Richard Singer, Director of Consulting for the National Golf Foundation (NGF),said this job was refreshing compared to other consulting jobs, especially with municipal golf courses, because the Olympia Hills Golf Course gave positive results.

He shared 5-year projections of growth and revenues.

TODO: Review following comment within a comment

[Careful questioning by Council members revealed that Consultant projections required millions of dollars in current and future non-earned revenue to sustain operations. The consultant recommended $3.2-4.2M in expenditures, but stated not all were essential . He considered high-priority items = $1.66-2.03M. page 27 report.]

Councilmember Vaughan was told that to fully understand the place of the golf course in the local economy, an economic impact study should be conducted. He also confirmed that the golf course could cover its operating costs but not the recommended capital expenditures.

Councilmember Bulman felt disappointed that the report did not include recommendations to make the golf course more self-sustaining. She received clarifications that two-thirds of golf courses that are not fully financially self-sustaining receive some sort of outside funding with most having some level of tax-payer support.

Councilmember Putt asked for Mr. Singer's thoughts on the economic impact on the City if the golf course were to close. Mr. Singer responded that it depends on whether the City has a plan for the property. He noted examples of cities which closed their golf courses in lieu of using the property for another public amenity.

Councilmember Rubal received the definition of operational profit - "total revenues generated...minus direct cost of goods, labor, materials, supplies, and expenses required onsite." Generally, operational profit is profit after day-to-day operational expenses. Councilmember Rubal noted a discrepancy he viewed in revenue projections and worried about the improbability of the projections.

Mr. Singer addressed Councilmember Rubal's concerns. He reviewed the history of losses at the golf course between 2017 and 2019. After 2020, the golf course began to turn around their financials. He noted that the golf course had the venue tax as a funding mechanism to recover losses. Through discussion with Councilmember Rubal, he [Mr. Singer] realized the deficit was in not including other revenue "below the line" which included the venue tax, interest income, and billboard revenue.

[I cited report pages 70 and 71 that the actual projected deficit for the City, including what consultant described as other expenses and loss in City revenue by including non-earned income (venue, billboard, etc. ) equates to a deficit of -$11,964,400 which does not include the recommended $4.2M recommended upgrades or purchase of golf carts]

Councilmember Rubal confirmed that Mr. Singer had concluded that the venue tax was necessary to fund the golf course. He worried that the profitability of the golf course would continue to be defined in the context of being funded by the venue tax unless there was a management change. Mr. Singer clarified that he was not sure a management change would change the requirement for outside funding for the golf course. He reviewed where the golf course was self-sustaining with day-to-day operations and needed outside funding for below-the-line items such as depreciation, a non-cash item. He did not agree with the deficits Councilmember Rubal was finding.

[See my table below. Using NGF numbers, pages 70 and 71 and identifying non-earned revenue as an expense against which sales tax is use is channeled (which Mr. Singer refers to as the below-the-line numbers ), there is a cumulative deficit of projections from 2025-2029 of over $11M! This did not include golf cart purchases or $4.2M in projected improvement.]

Councilmember Rubal and Mr. Singer discussed improvements to the golf course that could help reduce the operational costs of the facility. They discussed golf trends moving away from a traditional 18-hole golf course. The consideration of a 9-hole golf course was discussed. Furthermore, investment in golf in a non-traditional setting such as practice amenities and simulators could be investments that are more convenient to provide. Other investments reviewed included food and beverage outlets and nighttime lighting.

Old Public Works Storage Yard Presentation Mrs. Turner said that this presentation was at the request of Councilmember Rubal to give further context of a budget line item.

Councilmember Rubal asked whether this $6 million investment would be a voter-approved bond. Mr. Luensmann and Mrs. Turner explained that it is a utilities revenue bond which is tied to utilities rates, not taxes. This means it would not be a voter-approved bond.

Councilmember Rubal asked how this project would increase or better resident services. He noted that $6 million could go a long way for infrastructure projects.

Mr. Luensmann indicated that the new facility helped with expanding the Public Works department to keep up with the growth of the City - office spaces are maxed out at the current Public Works building. Furthermore, the expansion would help by saving equipment from depreciation and replacement costs through providing more storage spaces indoors.

[There IS a need for improvements in the public works yard; however, $6M is a big gulp, particularly with our infrastructure deficits and water supply issues.]

01 April 2025

Cibolo Creek Fire Break Presentation

[Concerns for Fire protection for residents who border Cibolo Creek]

Mrs. Turner explained that the presentation was requested by Councilmember Rubal due to the increased interest after local wildfires, since the Cibolo Creek area is the most densely vegetated area in the City.

Chief Perna explained the UCFD's response plan in the case of a wildfire. This response plan was phased - he reviewed each phase of response with increasing mitigation measures. He noted the multi-departmental responses with the help of regional departments. Chief Perna reviewed the training his staff are required to take to achieve an "all-hazards approach" to readiness. This would total over 6,000 plus hours of training. He shared photos of Cibolo Creek and where fire breaks were present. He reported that while the Bexar County fires were grass fires, the trees in the creek actually help slow down and break up the fire since they do not burn as quickly. The trails in Cibolo Creek also assist in providing fire breaks. Councilmember Rubal and Chief Perna discussed the ability of the hose lines to reach the fire if needed for structure protection. [adjacent to the creek]

Councilmember Rubal congratulated Chief Perna and the Fire Department on their recent Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating, which placed the department in the upper 10% of departments nationwide. He confirmed that the traffic light system former Councilmember Neville pushed for would help with getting a better ISO rating. Mrs. Turner reviewed other factors that contribute to the ISO rating.

Councilmember Announcements

Councilmember Rubal did not feel that the NGF report provided a business plan for the golf course for sustained profitability. He noted that the consultant did not rule out a change in the golf course to an executive 9-hole course to cut costs. He asked Council to be open to alternative uses at the golf course to make it more profitable. He emphasized that he did not intend to close the golf course but make it more sustainable.

Councilmember Rubal asked residents to keep in mind that sometimes Council does not receive all information that consultants are given and must ask questions. He hoped in an upcoming meeting with the Mayor that they could figure out a better process for this.

[Unrecognized and under-supported economic node in our City.]

On another note, he felt inspired by a comment by Mr. Cassata, Development Services and Economic Development Director, regarding "economic nodes." While he was unsure if he was using the term correctly, he felt there was an economic node in the Super 8 on Palisades. He reported that the manager of the hotel confirmed that they received between 35,000-45,000 room bookings a year. He felt the City should support the hotel and the surrounding area [to include the Triangle Shopping Center and Pat Booker/1604 business] to use this as an economic development opportunity. He noted that the hotel is within walking distance of 17 restaurants, but do not have a sidewalk between the hotel and Pat Booker Road. Street lights could also be improved in the area.

Xenforo Council Message Board Renewal Councilmember Bulman moved to approve the renewal of a one-year contract with XenForo for a City Council Message Board, with another review of the contract in one year. Councilmember Goolsby seconded the motion.

• Yeas: Bulman, Goolsby, Rubal
• Nays: Fitzpatrick, Putt
• Motion Passed

16 April 2025

National Golf Foundation Economic Impact Analysis Proposal

Councilmember Rubal inquired on Placer.ai and its use. He was unclear on item two of the proposal - Indirect and Secondary Contributions - given that it seemed the City had this date with Placer.ai.

Mrs. Turner clarified that the City did not have this date because this item would cover the financial impact. While Placer.ai could assist in counting the number of trips to the golf course, it did not account for money spent.

Councilmember Rubal took this to mean the money spent at the golf course. He opined that the City had this data through tracking sales at the golf course. Furthermore, he felt the proposal was missing the true economic impact of people coming into the City to the golf course. He discussed his view that the proposal did not adequately include a discussion on property values as well.

Councilmember Vaughan questioned whether the report would change any of the decision making process. He agreed with some of the proposal scope. However, he wished for more detail to ensure final reports include data the way Council wants it. He also wanted to see if there could be an opportunity cost factored into the report to calculate whether the golf course was worth continuing to run. He assured the public that his intention is not to close the golf course. He concluded that his main goals were to know where golf course attendees were coming from and going, and how much they are spending the in the community. He opined that the latter would be hard for anyone to know and that the consultants may also be unsure. He did not support spending on the analysis. However, if the majority of Council wished to spend on the report, he would be okay with it.

Councilmember Goolsby moved to approve the NGF Economic Impact Analysis Proposal. Councilmember Fitzpatrick seconded the motion.

• Yeas: Goolsby, Fitzpatrick, Bulman, Putt, Vaughan
• Nays: Rubal
• Motion Passed

06 May 2025

Resignation of Councilmember Bulman

Councilmember Rubal voiced his regret regarding Councilmember Bulman's departure. He felt she was a good representative for the City, especially for those who have felt unheard. Councilmember Rubal requested the consensus for posting all Council expenses on the City website for transparency purposes. He did not receive a consensus. He then requested that Staff provide a report on Placer.ai, what the software has yielded in data, and he requested that some sort of notice be given to the community about the tracking of data. He did not receive response from Council for this. He moved on to discuss vacant properties in the City. Councilmember Rubal moved to request a report of vacant properties from Staff. He did not receive a second. Councilmember Rubal moved to request monthly reports as well as a report for the last year in crime statistics from the Police Department. He did not receive a second. Councilmember Rubal spoke on corruption, not as it would be presented in the Code of Conduct, but rather corruption of ideas and ideals as they relate to the further development of the City.

Contract for Olympia Hills Master Plan & Renovation Design Service

Councilmember Rubal shared a quote indicating the initial intent of the golf course as a facility to bring in revenue. He spoke on the corruption he saw of this idea and the amount of taxpayer money that would be committed to the golf course with renovations in the next few years. He advocated for Council to put the venue tax to a vote so that residents could consider if they were comfortable with the magnitude of use of their sales tax money.

Councilmember Goolsby received permission from the Mayor to have open deliberation among Council so that he could discuss with Councilmember Rubal. He asked for clarification on Councilmember Rubal's stance on the proposal tonight.

Councilmember Rubal clarified that he would prefer to wait on the proposal until the conclusion of the economic impact study. Councilmember Goolsby was told by Staff after inquiry that the study would be done in approximately three months.

Councilmember Vaughan asked Staff if the report would still be helpful if it was done but renovations were not done for a few years.

Councilmember Putt moved to approve the contract as presented. Councilmember Goolsby seconded the motion.

• Yeas: Putt, Goolsby, Fitzpatrick, Vaughan
• Nays: Rubal
• Motion Passed

Award Safe Streets 4 All Contract

Mr. Luensmann explained that the City was awarded a $160,000 grant with a $40,000 match by the City for the SS4A program.

Councilmember Rubal asked if the program would have neighborhood representation for street safety issues. Mr. Luensmann clarified that in this phase they would work with Staff.

Mayor Pro Tem Fitzpatrick and Mr. Luensmann discussed sidewalk projects. Mr. Luensmann confirmed that this project would not include sidewalks. However, another ADA grant would include addressing existing sidewalks. They discussed the complexities of installing new sidewalks.

Mrs. Turner noted that the Comprehensive Plan would address new sidewalks.

Councilmember Rubal received clarification that this item would approve a contract to identify street safety issues, to then be funded by other grants or taxpayer dollars.

• Yeas: Goolsby, Putt, Fitzpatrick, Rubal, Vaughan
• Nays: None
• Motion Passed

Award Contract for Olympia Hills Parking Lot

Councilmember Goolsby moved to approve the low base bid in the amount of $427,954.48 and Additive Alternate Bid of $151,267.76 for a total bid of $579,222.24 to D&D Contractors for the Olympia Hills Golf Course Parking Lot, Sewer, & ADA Upgrade Improvements. Councilmember Putt seconded the motion.

• Yeas: Goolsby, Putt, Fitzpatrick, Vaughan
• Nays: Rubal
• Motion Passed

Resolution 943-F-2025: Senate Bill 224 Catalytic Converter Theft PD Grant 2026 [Flock Safety]

Mrs. Turner explained that the resolution authorized the Police Department to apply for a grant.

Councilmember Goolsby moved to approve Resolution 943-G-2025. Councilmember Vaughan seconded the motion.

• Yeas: Goolsby, Vaughan, Fitzpatrick, Putt, Rubal
• Nays: None
• Motion Passed

20 May 2025

Councilmember Announcements

[In the video but not in the minutes, was the report of the results of a meeting between myself, the City Manager, and the Finance Director, in which the City Manager confirmed that millions of dollars from the venue tax were used to support golf course operations in addition to paying the bond debt between 2002 - 2024.]

[Discussion begins at 24:20 (min:sec) in this video.]

[Included in the minutes was the following:]

Councilmember Rubal moved for council to consider billboard fees to be moved to the General Fund for purposes of the betterment of the city as a whole. Mayor Maxwell suggested delaying the item for the budget season.

Councilmember Goolsby seconded Councilmember Rubal's motion to discuss the topic.

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