City Headlines

Schertz Receives American Rescue Plan Funding

The 117th United States Congress passed a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill called The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ("ARPA") which was signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021. ARPA will deliver $350 billion for eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments and the City of Schertz will receive a total of $10,417,416.86 from ARPA. This amount will be delivered in two equal disbursements or tranches and will equate to $5,208,708.43 per tranche.

At the August 24, 2021 City Council meeting, City Council unanimously approved Resolution 21-R-85, which authorizes approval of the allocation of funds into the following five categories that have been outlined in ARPA as to where funds can be spent.

First Tranche Disbursement (funds spread across all 5 categories)

Category 1: Support public health expenditures - $303,000 Category 2: Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency - $1,000,000

Category 3: Replace lost public sector revenue - $925,000

Category 4: Provide premium pay for essential workers - $500,000

Category 5: Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure - $2,480,000

Second Tranche Disbursement (funds targeted to a single category)

Category 5: Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure - $5,208,708.43

ARPA funds will be used across a variety of projects to include putting money toward the City's Street Preservation and Maintenance Program, providing one-time hazard pay for city employees, purchasing of an ambulance, water and sewer projects, and the creation of a Small Business Grant program.

Schertz Historical Preservation Committee Collecting Items for Time Capsule

TThe Schertz Historical Preservation Committee (SHPC) is asking local residents of Schertz to participate in the City of Schertz Time Capsule. The collection will consist of tangible and intangible items which you may feel will be of historic value and of interest to all when the time capsule is opened. The time capsule will be opened at a City of Schertz/Schertz Historical Preservation Committee public ceremony in the year 2032 (15 years). Items to be considered should be from the years 2020 to 2022 that are personal and/or company writings, photos, space, technology, poetry expression, art, etc. Companies and individuals may write on their experiences and struggles of how business/life changed during the pandemic. Collecting of items will end on June 30, 2022. Please contact the SHPC member below for further information. Name: Dean Weirtz Phone: 210-651-0394 Email: weirtz1@yahoo.com

Hosted by the Schertz Historical Preservations Committee Dean Weirtz, Chair of Time Capsule Subcommittee, weirtz1@yahoo.com

DID YOU KNOW?

REMINDING RESIDENTS OF CITY PROVIDED SERVICES AND RESOURCES

HONOR YOUR VETERAN WITH PERSONALIZED BRICK

Did you know you can purchase personalized pavers at the Veterans Memorial Plaza in honor of your loved ones who have served? Personalized pavers are available for purchase throughout the year, and engraving/placement of the pavers will take place in March and September of each year. Personalized pavers are $75.00 each and can be purchased on Schertz.com. Please contact parksandrec@schertz.com or call (210) 619-1850 if you have any questions.

November 2 turned out to be perfect weather for a golf tournament. The Hal Baldwin Scholarship was established in 2008 to encourage high school seniors who are residents of Schertz to consider public service as a career path. It honors SIGN UP FOR AUTOPAY ON YOUR SCHERTZ UTILITY BILL Hal Baldwin who served the city for more than 30 years as a civic volunteer, employee, Did you know you can sign up to autopay your Schertz utility bill? Paying your bill has never Council member and then Mayor. To date, been easier and you've never had more options! Through the Schertz Utility Billing online portal, the Hal Baldwin Scholarship has proudly awarded $30,500.00 in scholarships. Tournament day began with coffee, breakfast you can access real-time account information and consumption history, manage your credit card information, make a one-time payment, schedule a payment, or sign up for autopay, receive tacos, and a warm welcome from Mrs. Susan payment reminders, and view your payment history and past statements. Learn more and sign up Beck, daughter of Mr. Hal Baldwin. Over 100 players and 20 sponsors participated in this at municipalonlinepayments.com/schertztx/utilities and for assistance or for more information year’s event. Players and attendees had the call (210) 619-1100. opportunity to win big prizes, including a trip to Vegas for two, Spurs court-side tickets, and even a 2019 Chevy 1500 Silverado courtesy of Gunn Fleet & Commercial for anyone lucky enough to hit a hole-in-one. Previous scholarship recipient, Grace Harper, wrote, "this scholarship is allowing SCHERTZ MAGAZINE IS AVAILABLE ONLINE me to pursue my dreams and my higher education goals." Overall, it was a great day, Did you know you can read your Schertz Magazine anytime, anywhere, and and everyone was so pleased to see such a on any device on Issuu.com/schertz. Get unlimited access to all your favorite great turn out to keep the legacy alive. Schertz Magazine content and no subscriptions are needed. If you need assistance or if you have any questions email magazine@schertz.com.

Headlines

Schertz Public Affairs Earns Two Awards of Honor

The City of Schertz Public Affairs team recently attended the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO) conference in Round Rock, TX. Each year, Public Affairs submits entries within several communication categories of work completed and executed over the past year. This year the team was proud to be finalists in the Print Flyer & Posters category for the Spooky Social (Distanced) Flyer and in the Best Recurring Special Events category for the Spooky Social (Distanced) Event. The team received the Award of Honor in both of these categories. The TAMI Awards, founded in 2001, distinguish the efforts of municipal communications and marketing professionals around the state. In 2021 there were over 435 submissions for the TAMI Awards. The winners were announced at the special TAMI Awards Dinner at the conference on Tuesday, August 31. TAMIO is an active network of communications professionals dedicated to informing Texas residents of important issues in municipal government. TAMIO was developed as a result of the increasingly complex role of public information in municipal government. When organized in 1974, only a few Texas cities employed professional communications staffs. Today, TAMIO has an increasing number of public information professionals serving small communities as well as urban centers throughout the state.

CLEAN UP DAY 1/2 PG AD

Schertz Fire Rescue Reminds Residents to “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety”

Schertz Fire Rescue is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) — the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years — to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety”. This year’s campaign, October 3-9, works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe. “What do the sounds mean? Is there a beep or a chirp coming out of your smoke or carbon monoxide alarm? Knowing the difference can save you, your home, and your family,” said Lorraine Carli, vice-president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA.

Schertz Fire Rescue encourages all residents to embrace the 2021 Fire Prevention Week theme.

“It’s important to learn the different sounds of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. When an alarm makes noise—a beeping sound or a chirping sound—you must take action!” said Fire Chief Kade Long. “Make sure everyone in the home understands the sounds of the alarms and knows how to respond. To learn the sounds of your specific smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, check the manufacturer’s instructions that came in the box, or search the brand and model online.”

The Schertz Fire Department wants to share a few safety tips to help you “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety” ■ A continuous set of three loud beeps—beep, beep, beep— means smoke or fire. Get out, call 9-1-1, and stay out ■ A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed. ■ All smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years. ■ Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced. ■ Make sure your smoke and CO alarms meet the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities. Entries are currently being accepted for the Schertz Fire Rescue Fire Prevention Week Poster Contest. This contest is open to all students in the K-1, 2-3, and 4th-grade levels for schools in Schertz and SCUCISD. Posters must include items from this year’s Fire Prevention Week Theme "Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety." Posters are due to the main office of the student’s school no later than 12:00 p.m. on October 19. Posters will be judged and the top entries selected will be recognized at the Schertz City Council Meeting on October 26.

To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Schertz, please contact the Schertz Fire Department at (210) 619-1300. For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general, go to fpw.org.