16
Jun
June 14, 2010 - AH Council Meeting (audio)
Recognition of City Employees for their exemplary teamwork efforts on June 2, 2010
City Manager’s Report
A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Alamo Heights Kennel Club as the City’s veterinary hospital/quarantine facility for impounded animals – Rick Pruitt, Police Chief
Briefing on granting a license to the Alamo Heights Optimist Club to use a portion of Viesca Street and the parking areas associated with the Alamo Heights Swimming Pool for the celebration to be known as “O’Nine@Nite” – Shawn P. Eddy, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director
Part 2 ~1 hour, 3 min.
| Agenda | Action | Approved Minutes |
Email this
Comments
(53)
Show/hide comments
...
written by BUD , August 23, 2010
written by BUD , August 23, 2010
The Amegy bank building is free for the new jail. Got a drive in so we can dump offenders off as they drive by.
...
written by Sarah , August 23, 2010
written by Sarah , August 23, 2010
Yesterday on our Sunday Drive, we were in Floresville headed to Stockdale and I noticed the huge new high school. I was telling Ken about the comments on here about Floresville and he had a suggestion for Prassel for balancing the budget...build a rent-a-jail like Floresville did. We just have to figure out where downtown to put it. ;-)
...
written by Canis villaticus , July 12, 2010
written by Canis villaticus , July 12, 2010
That's all we need - Europe light. But I did get a good chuckle.....
...
written by JAK44 , July 12, 2010
written by JAK44 , July 12, 2010
I hear Prassel took a trip to Germany. Maybe now he'll stop using Floresville as the model for the new Alamo Heights. With broader horizons, maybe he'll want us to be more like Stuttgart or Dusseldorf!
...
written by Maxwell312 , June 23, 2010
written by Maxwell312 , June 23, 2010
So are Savage and Weser also Rotarians? The webstie has a closed list for members so it can't be easily checked.
There's a question for Citizens to be Heard next week.
There's a question for Citizens to be Heard next week.
...
written by Patriot , June 23, 2010
written by Patriot , June 23, 2010
CV
It is called tag team, very old game. Does Wesser have a chip on his shoulder, it comes across that way on the audio.
It is called tag team, very old game. Does Wesser have a chip on his shoulder, it comes across that way on the audio.
...
written by Canis villaticus , June 23, 2010
written by Canis villaticus , June 23, 2010
Notice that Weser is right on board with and almost as aggressive as Prassel. This was a carefully orchestrated preplanned attack on the Optimists. With Savage also on board this appears to be a walking quorum.
...
written by Contender , June 23, 2010
written by Contender , June 23, 2010
If anyone read anything about the newly elected councilman, you would be aware the Fred Prassel has been an active member of the Rotary Club for many years, and has never tried to hide the fact. Alamo Hgts. said there was too much of a parking problem and too much noise for residents, and did not favor to continue with Night in Alamo Hgts., but after running the Rotary Club out, they suddenly want the Optimist Club in the same old place with the same old problems of noise and parking. There is no good reason why the Optimist club could not select another date, so that both charitable organizations can make a profit. There will be plenty of noise, regardless of how large the crowd.
...
written by Canis venaticus , June 22, 2010
written by Canis venaticus , June 22, 2010
JAK44 it is Alinsky plus the "Art of War" basic 101 stuff.
Everyone that has been around knows that "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" works for awhile then fails when there is a new enemy's enemy that you have to sell your soul to. Great for a while but you eventually have to pay. This stuff is from HIgh School. As the Texas saying goes, eventually "this dog won't hunt"!
Everyone that has been around knows that "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" works for awhile then fails when there is a new enemy's enemy that you have to sell your soul to. Great for a while but you eventually have to pay. This stuff is from HIgh School. As the Texas saying goes, eventually "this dog won't hunt"!
...
written by Canis villaticus , June 22, 2010
written by Canis villaticus , June 22, 2010
Oh, but JAK, you have forgotten the old adage. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. You may have to adjust your attitude.
...
written by JAK44 , June 22, 2010
written by JAK44 , June 22, 2010
My first knee jerk reaction to AHNA suggestion is not just no but heck no. Too much ego in that group and they don't have nearly the numbers they would like you to believe. They follow Alinsky - Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.
A petition of this kind could be run without AHNA just as successfully because the members would want to sign it anyway or they would look like hypocrites.
A petition of this kind could be run without AHNA just as successfully because the members would want to sign it anyway or they would look like hypocrites.
...
written by Bubba , June 21, 2010
written by Bubba , June 21, 2010
Excellent idea, Outside. Why don't you join AHNA, meet some of the members, and suggest it at one of their meetings?
...
written by Outside the Box , June 21, 2010
written by Outside the Box , June 21, 2010
how is this for thought. i would be willing to sign a petition for several things i have seen here but it is large numbers of voters that will get the attention of council. what if you approached AHNA to get involved? they say they have a lot of members, are against McMansions and now have the ear of the majority of the councilmen. i also remember that they were against the SUP for Incarnate Word. they could get petitions signed at their meetings and get the word out in their newsletter.
before some of you go off on me, and i know that some of you will, just think about it.
this way we don't have to wait out a vote in November on a charter change and can still get some things done. i don't know any of the members but i am sure that someone here does.
before some of you go off on me, and i know that some of you will, just think about it.
this way we don't have to wait out a vote in November on a charter change and can still get some things done. i don't know any of the members but i am sure that someone here does.
...
written by BUD , June 21, 2010
written by BUD , June 21, 2010
You didn't miss anything. I don't think our new Councilman knew what he was talking about. He just did a fast google search for cities our size.
...
written by Patriot , June 21, 2010
written by Patriot , June 21, 2010
Am I missing something? AH has 95 employees which includes paid Fire and EMS full time. Floresville is 139 employees with a VOLUNTEER Fire Dept. What is with that?
AH Total Employees 2007 - 95
Floresville Total Employees 2007 - 139
(city-data.com figures)
AH Total Employees 2007 - 95
Floresville Total Employees 2007 - 139
(city-data.com figures)
...
written by Sarah Reveley , June 21, 2010
written by Sarah Reveley , June 21, 2010
Anybody with a brain can see that Prassel's comparison is ridiculous. My objection was to the manner in which the information was presented. The waste treatment facility is out 536, and it doesn't mean ditch like you are implying, so quit trying to find something cute to say about Floresville, they are a fine bunch of folks and have managed to accomplish a heck of a lot MORE in their community, as a community, than we have. SHEEEEESH.
...
written by Maxwell312 , June 20, 2010
written by Maxwell312 , June 20, 2010
Hey Bud, the woman works for them. They don't have anything to do with the City of Floresville.
...
written by Maxwell312 , June 19, 2010
written by Maxwell312 , June 19, 2010
Yea, JAK made 1 snide comment in the post but otherwise I thought it was pretty good comparison of how different the two cities really are. We need to compare apples to apples and Prassel isn't doing that.
...
written by JAK44 , June 19, 2010
written by JAK44 , June 19, 2010
Excuse me - Bubba, for calling you Ms. Revely. Thought it was the same post.
I agree with you, Bubba, about the churches.
I agree with you, Bubba, about the churches.
...
written by JAK44 , June 19, 2010
written by JAK44 , June 19, 2010
Ms. Revely, I meant no disrespect to farming - I come a long line of people who lived close to our earth. It is a most honorable profession.
I was merely pointing out that urban wants/ needs/ expectations differ from those in a rural community. You must agree with me that the AH residents aren't snobs because we would find it unacceptable to have an open air waste water treatment plant in the city.
You certainly don't think we are snobs because we demand 24/ 7 police and EMS, do you?
The fact that Floresville has a lot of surrounding room to grow, allows it to manage its city differently than we do in AH.
And, for the record, I agree with you that the churches in Floresville are the neighborhood association.
I was merely pointing out that urban wants/ needs/ expectations differ from those in a rural community. You must agree with me that the AH residents aren't snobs because we would find it unacceptable to have an open air waste water treatment plant in the city.
You certainly don't think we are snobs because we demand 24/ 7 police and EMS, do you?
The fact that Floresville has a lot of surrounding room to grow, allows it to manage its city differently than we do in AH.
And, for the record, I agree with you that the churches in Floresville are the neighborhood association.
...
written by Sarah Reveley , June 19, 2010
written by Sarah Reveley , June 19, 2010
JAK I believe these folks are merely pointing out that Floresville is a far better place to live in many ways than Alamo Heights, and the residents have accomplished more than we have. Some of your comparisons had snide remarks attached. Now there you go with "the farming thing." You are a great example of why Alamo Heights has earned the undeserved reputation of being a bunch of snobs.
...
written by JAK44 , June 19, 2010
written by JAK44 , June 19, 2010
Bubba you are right about the Floresville Courthouse - it is a great old building.
Several items listed however fall into the County jurisdiction. The Courthouse, hospital, library and one of the parks are strictly County property and are not overseen by the Floresville City Council.
Bud, yes the primary profession in Floresville is farming and that is another distinguishing factor.
I'm sure you meant the farming thing with affection.
Several items listed however fall into the County jurisdiction. The Courthouse, hospital, library and one of the parks are strictly County property and are not overseen by the Floresville City Council.
Bud, yes the primary profession in Floresville is farming and that is another distinguishing factor.
I'm sure you meant the farming thing with affection.
...
written by BUD , June 19, 2010
written by BUD , June 19, 2010
In Floresville the neighborhood Association is probably known as the FFA - Floresville Farmers Association.
...
written by Skip , June 19, 2010
written by Skip , June 19, 2010
I wonder if Floresville has a Floresville Neighborhood Association (FNA)?
...
written by Tex , June 19, 2010
written by Tex , June 19, 2010
Floresville is proud of its history and has a historical society that has created a museum in the old jail, proud of its heritage and holds annual festivals, proud of its citizens where "all white males" and Hispanic males and females refer to themselves as neighbors.
...
written by Peanut , June 19, 2010
written by Peanut , June 19, 2010
Floresville has a wonderful memorial park honoring its veterans, a first class nationally-award-winning newspaper, and a library.
...
written by Bubba , June 19, 2010
written by Bubba , June 19, 2010
Floresville also has a WalMart, a hospital, TWO grocery stores, THREE gas stations, a Dairy Queen, and a spectacular courthouse designed by an eminent Texas architect.
...
written by JAK44 , June 18, 2010
written by JAK44 , June 18, 2010
I missed the Floresville reference on the first go round.
I see where Prassel thinks we are Floresville - we do share about the same number of residents (AH - 7353 2008; Floresville 7387 in 2007), both own a water company and both are home ruled cities with a city manager.
However, that is where the comparison ends.
All comparative data taken from city websites or http://www.city-data.com.
AH - Urban
Floresville - Rural
AH City size - 1.9 square miles
Floresville - 4.8 square miles
AH Median Income 2008 - $77,257
Floresville Median Income 2008 - $10,785
AH median home price - $341,600
Floresville median home price - $ 90,153
AH - All white male Council
Floresville - All Hispanic Council; 4 males, 1 female
AH -Budget online
Floresville - No Budget online.
Where is their transparency?? How much does Wilson County Pick up for services?
AH tax rate - .355662 per hundred
Floresville tax - .3227 per hundred
For .033 per hundred more we have a sweet deal.
Bexar County Tax Rate - $ 0.296187
Wilson County Tax Rate - $ 0.4554 per hundred
WHOA - who would have thought that Bexar County was cheaper!
AH - Full Time Fire/ EMS Dept 24/7
Floresville - VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT
This doesn't even warrant a comparison. State does not require mandatory retirement of Vol Fire Department vehicles.
AH Police Dept - 22 (includes all personnel including 2 admin) + 9 in dispatch = 31.
Floresville - 18 ( includes all personnel including 3 admin; County does dispatch).
AH Total Employees 2007 - 95
Floresville Total Employees 2007 - 139
(city-data.com figures)
AH - No outside Sewer system to maintain other than pipes.
Floresville - Has two clarifiers, new chlorine contact chamber and aeration, open ditch. After treatment Effluent is discharged to the river in piping.
I really like the open ditch concept. Fred may be able to put that near 200 Patterson.
AH Trash Pick Up - 2x a week
Floresville - not reported
AH Recycle Pick Up - 1 x a week
Floresville - Drop-off recycling services Sat. 8-12
AH - owns 5 water wells
Floresville - owns 3 water wells
Since the population is close, this means AH has much larger capacity.
Floresville - 9 doctors, 3 dentists
AH - Is there any AH street that doesn't have at least one of these?
AH Residents below poverty level 2008 - 3.5%
Floresville residents below poverty level - 18.2%
Fred needs to get a better criteria for comparison, other than city size.
I see where Prassel thinks we are Floresville - we do share about the same number of residents (AH - 7353 2008; Floresville 7387 in 2007), both own a water company and both are home ruled cities with a city manager.
However, that is where the comparison ends.
All comparative data taken from city websites or http://www.city-data.com.
AH - Urban
Floresville - Rural
AH City size - 1.9 square miles
Floresville - 4.8 square miles
AH Median Income 2008 - $77,257
Floresville Median Income 2008 - $10,785
AH median home price - $341,600
Floresville median home price - $ 90,153
AH - All white male Council
Floresville - All Hispanic Council; 4 males, 1 female
AH -Budget online
Floresville - No Budget online.
Where is their transparency?? How much does Wilson County Pick up for services?
AH tax rate - .355662 per hundred
Floresville tax - .3227 per hundred
For .033 per hundred more we have a sweet deal.
Bexar County Tax Rate - $ 0.296187
Wilson County Tax Rate - $ 0.4554 per hundred
WHOA - who would have thought that Bexar County was cheaper!
AH - Full Time Fire/ EMS Dept 24/7
Floresville - VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT
This doesn't even warrant a comparison. State does not require mandatory retirement of Vol Fire Department vehicles.
AH Police Dept - 22 (includes all personnel including 2 admin) + 9 in dispatch = 31.
Floresville - 18 ( includes all personnel including 3 admin; County does dispatch).
AH Total Employees 2007 - 95
Floresville Total Employees 2007 - 139
(city-data.com figures)
AH - No outside Sewer system to maintain other than pipes.
Floresville - Has two clarifiers, new chlorine contact chamber and aeration, open ditch. After treatment Effluent is discharged to the river in piping.
I really like the open ditch concept. Fred may be able to put that near 200 Patterson.
AH Trash Pick Up - 2x a week
Floresville - not reported
AH Recycle Pick Up - 1 x a week
Floresville - Drop-off recycling services Sat. 8-12
AH - owns 5 water wells
Floresville - owns 3 water wells
Since the population is close, this means AH has much larger capacity.
Floresville - 9 doctors, 3 dentists
AH - Is there any AH street that doesn't have at least one of these?
AH Residents below poverty level 2008 - 3.5%
Floresville residents below poverty level - 18.2%
Fred needs to get a better criteria for comparison, other than city size.
...
written by Bubba , June 18, 2010
written by Bubba , June 18, 2010
But if there is mo alchhol, seems to me it wood coompete, or am I mishing something? ..hic...
...
written by BUD , June 17, 2010
written by BUD , June 17, 2010
I like how Prassel thinks we are Floresville. He must not get out much.
...
written by Canis villaticus , June 17, 2010
written by Canis villaticus , June 17, 2010
Our City Councilman has insulted a charitable organization who offered a much better deal than the Rotary ever offered. How petty can you get.
This was clearly a set up because Rotary wants to keep it's options open to come back and make it difficult for anyone else to get in. That's why they trade marked any possible name "Alamo Heights" related, which the attorney down the street says that they can't do anyway.
Prassel was just protecting his own instead of looking out for the City.
This was clearly a set up because Rotary wants to keep it's options open to come back and make it difficult for anyone else to get in. That's why they trade marked any possible name "Alamo Heights" related, which the attorney down the street says that they can't do anyway.
Prassel was just protecting his own instead of looking out for the City.
...
written by Maxwell312 , June 17, 2010
written by Maxwell312 , June 17, 2010
This is worth the listen.
So now every city activity will he held hostage by Councilmen. They were going to hold up an event that we have had for 14 years because they don't know what city permits require!
They should have asked staff about this before the meeting if they didn't understand how the city works.
So now every city activity will he held hostage by Councilmen. They were going to hold up an event that we have had for 14 years because they don't know what city permits require!
They should have asked staff about this before the meeting if they didn't understand how the city works.
...
written by Missing something , June 17, 2010
written by Missing something , June 17, 2010
Optimist offered 50 percent. Sounds like a good deal but it will cause hard feelings. If city truly wants a family night then no alchohol should be served. Teens won't attend a family event anyway. Optiimist Club insists it has to be Friday nite maybe they should cosider daytime. If there is mo alchhol, it won't coompete with AH night in Incarnate Word.
...
written by party in 09 , June 17, 2010
written by party in 09 , June 17, 2010
They were going to set up a non-profit non-govt. foundation, like other cities have, to spend within the city. This, like many other details about Rotary leaving, is not important now. The question is, should AH have a small family-oriented fiesta party on the traditional Friday night or not?
...
written by missing something , June 17, 2010
written by missing something , June 17, 2010
That whole Rotary discussion didn't mention another aspect. I read that AH demanded that Rotary pay AH a portion of net proceeds into their new fund (which had not been yet established). All of a sudden that info got buried. So maybe Fred Prassel is right Rotary was treated shabbily. Knowing Mr. Prassel, he wasn't trying to hide anything.
...
written by no good old boys , June 17, 2010
written by no good old boys , June 17, 2010
are we back to the good old boys era in AH politics? - a councilman saying "AH owes the Rotary something" and blocks another charity group from holding a party and he is member and past president of Rotary - nice - the best part is he doesn't mention it - that's quality leadership
...
written by BUD , June 17, 2010
written by BUD , June 17, 2010
Savage worried about how money is handled - HA HA HA HA HA. I'm sending this to everyone I know!
...
written by Cut the Carping , June 17, 2010
written by Cut the Carping , June 17, 2010
Speaking of people with axes to grind, perhaps certain defeated city council candidates or those who resigned might want to sit back and take a deep breath.
Start acting like adults. Anyone, except those mentioned above, who attended this week's council meeting will tell you it was by far the most open, far-ranging discussion the council has had in at least 10 years. It very obviously really was a whole new day. They actually had an candid but diplomatic discussion. A great deal was accomplished instead of merely rubber-stamping what staff wanted.
Start acting like adults. Anyone, except those mentioned above, who attended this week's council meeting will tell you it was by far the most open, far-ranging discussion the council has had in at least 10 years. It very obviously really was a whole new day. They actually had an candid but diplomatic discussion. A great deal was accomplished instead of merely rubber-stamping what staff wanted.
...
written by Concerned citizen , June 17, 2010
written by Concerned citizen , June 17, 2010
Technically, Fred probably should have said something. Most people do know he is a member. What would be more interesting is knowing why Rotary chose to move. Not what was published but the real skinny. And now Optimists will take over the name? I thought AH found it too burdensome. Certainly enough posters here said good riddance.
...
written by party in 09 , June 17, 2010
written by party in 09 , June 17, 2010
I listened to the audio. Councilman Prassel says Alamo Heights should not have a Friday night party to protect the Rotary and he never mentions he is a Rotary member and past president during that discussion. Campaign disclosure does not provide proper public disclosure for a city council meeting. I guess conflict of interest is not as important to him as he stated during his campaign.
...
written by JAK44 , June 17, 2010
written by JAK44 , June 17, 2010
Without proper public disclosure, it was very apparent that Prassel was the one with the ax to grind.
...
written by Juan Pelota , June 17, 2010
written by Juan Pelota , June 17, 2010
Councilman Prassel's affiliation with the Rotary Club is public knowledge.
http://www.myalamoheights.com/place-3/fred-prassel-place-3
You are on record as distorting facts by claiming that the City bears the costs of this event, as you posted here:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/fiesta/Alamo_Heights_party_moving_to_UIW.html?c=y&viewAllComments=y in which you posted as JAK44 at 12:09 AM: "Personally, I like that the city would request that a portion of the proceeds to stay within the City. We AH taxpayers eat the costs of police and fire for this event..."
You obviously have an axe to grind, but it's your lack of credibility that makes your posts pointless.
http://www.myalamoheights.com/place-3/fred-prassel-place-3
You are on record as distorting facts by claiming that the City bears the costs of this event, as you posted here:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/fiesta/Alamo_Heights_party_moving_to_UIW.html?c=y&viewAllComments=y in which you posted as JAK44 at 12:09 AM: "Personally, I like that the city would request that a portion of the proceeds to stay within the City. We AH taxpayers eat the costs of police and fire for this event..."
You obviously have an axe to grind, but it's your lack of credibility that makes your posts pointless.
...
written by JAK44 , June 17, 2010
written by JAK44 , June 17, 2010
How is this for transparency and disclosure - Why didn't Prassel disclose that he was a current member and past president of the Rotary and remove himself from the conversation. Why does the City owe the Rotary anything considering they were the ones who left.
With Rick the rotary guy showing up right on cue the whole thing smells like a set up against the Optimists.
As an Optimist, I say we take this to Terrell Hills or Olmos Park and tell AH and Prassel to take a hike.
With Rick the rotary guy showing up right on cue the whole thing smells like a set up against the Optimists.
As an Optimist, I say we take this to Terrell Hills or Olmos Park and tell AH and Prassel to take a hike.
You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register (free) if you do not have an account yet.
