HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 01/06/1982 - SpecialMINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 6, 1982
7:00 P.M.
T. G. ALLEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
2002 ELIZABETH STREET
PRESENT:
Mayor Luther Jones
Mayor Pro Tem Betty N. Turner
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Council Members:
Herbert Hawkins
Dr. Charles W. Kennedy
ABSENT:
Council Member Jack K. Dumphy
Council Member Bob Gulley '
Council Member Cliff Zarsky
Acting City Mgr. Ernest Briones
Ass't. City Attorney Bob Coffin
City Secretary Bill G. Read
Mayor Luther Jones called the meeting to order at T. G. Allen Elementary
School and introduced the Council Members who were present.
Mayor Jones explained that Mr. David Saenz had been instrumental in
circulating the voluntary paving petition and was assisted by several other
residents of the area.
Mr. James K. Lontos, P.E., Assistant City Manager, explained that !this
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assessment hearing is required by State Law;and that the project started as a
result of voluntary paving petitions. He then introduced members of the
Engineering Staff who will be associated with the project.
Mr. Lontos then informed the Council and the audience that Assistant City
Attorney Bob Coffin would conduct the hearing.
Assistant City Attorney Coffin called as his first witness, Mr. Gerald
Smith, and through questioning of the witness, ascertained that Mr. Smith is
Chief Engineer of the Engineering and Physical Development Department of the
City of Corpus Christi and has been employed in that capacity for 22 years.
Mr. Coffin verified that a copy of Mr* Smith'''s qualifications in resume form is
on file in the Office of the City Secretary.
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Mr. Smith informed the Council that he is thoroughly familiar with the 7
project and then displayed a transparency which showed the various streets
included in the project, as follows:
1. Riggan, Cloyde, Lynch and Terrace Streets, from Baldwin Boulevard
to 19th Street;
2. Elizabeth Street, from Baldwin Boulevard to 18th Street;
3. 19th and Tracy Streets, from Prescott Street to Terrace Street; and
4. McKenzie Street, from 18th Street to 19th Street.
Mr. Smith informed the Council and the audience that in addition to the
assessment hearing, a public hearing will be conducted on dosing unused alleys
that are in the project. He explained that if the alleys are closed, the
easements will be retained for utilities.
Chief . Engineer Smith explained that the project proposes the complete
reconstruction of streets to City' standards and that all of the streets will be
28' wide with the exception of 19th Street, which, will be 36' wide. He stated
that storm sewers and new water lines will be installed on most of the streets in
the project and staled that the plans were prepared in the City Engineering
offices. Bids were received on November 4, 1981 from five contractors with the
low bid of $1,268,274.05 being submitted by APCCO. He explained that there
are 286 separate parcels included on the assessment roll for a total amount of
$204,976.74.
Mr. Smith explained the assessment rates as follows:
28' Wide, Curb, Gutter & Pavement $13.40 L.F.
36' Wide, Curb, Gutter & Pavement $]9.12 La F.
Sidewalks $ 7.00 p,T.
Driveways $ 3.29 S.F.
He also explained that the following rates would be charged for residential,
churches and schools:
Curb, Gutter & Pavement $4.75 L.F.
Sidewalk $ .75 S.F.
Driveways $3.29 S.F.
Mr. Smith also stated that the City's share of the project will be
$1,063,297.31.
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Mr. Smith continued his presentation by explaining that the assessments
will not be due until after the work is completed at which ti e,'they may be
paid in cash or over a:five-year period at an interest rate of 614% or iri cases of
extreme hardship, the period of time may be extended. He informed the
audience and the Council that the project allows 275 working days and stated
that the Engineering Staff will be able to work with the individual property
owners on driveways and special problems and assured them that there will be
every attempt made to save all of the trees possible. He noted also that some
fences must be removed by the contractor during construction, but the
contractor will replace the fences at no cost to the property owner.
Mr. Smith referred to the alleys proposed to be closed and stated that
they are either 10' wide or 20' wide alleys and if they are closed, the land
realized from the closures will be awarded to the abutting property owners. He
stated that the contractor will probably start to work in• four to five weeks and
the project will require thirteen to fourteen months for completion.
Mr. Anastacio R. Hernandez, 2406 Elizabeth Street, informed the Council '
that there is an island that divides Elizabeth Street from 19th Street. He noted
that the plans indicate "that the island will be eliminated and expressed
opposition to that portion of the plan.
Mr. Smith explained that the plans do propose the removal of that island;
the neighbors desire to have the island retained; but the Staff has determined
that the cost of retention will be $5,500; therefore, the Staff is reluctant to
recommend that the island be retained.
Assistant City Attorney Coffin called as his next witness Mr. W. A. Holly.
Through questioning of the witness, Mr. Coffi • determined that Mr. Holly
is a Real Estate Appraiser and Broker; that he has been in that business for
approximately 27 years; and that he has served as appraiser on a number of
municipal jobs. He stated that a copy of Mr. Holly's resume, including all of
his qualifications, is on file in the Office of the City Secretary.
Mr. Holly testified that he is thoroughly familiar with all of the property
included in the Tracy Addition Street Improvement Project and that he has
examined each and every parcel of land. Mr. Holly stated that* he has
ascertained that there are eleven pieces of property which are odd -shaped and
on which he recommends a reduction because Ihcy will not be enhanced in value
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to the extent of the assessment:rate. Mr. Holly recommended reductions on the
properties listed below:
Item No. 271 & 55, Olivero R. Benavides - suggested reduction $294.18
Item No. 272 & 83, Castulo E. Delgado - suggested reduction $288.56
Item No. 274 & 112, Sebastian Ramirez - suggested reduction $313.96
Items 275 & 137, Frances Evans suggested reduction $225.32
Items 276A & 160A, Catherine McKenney - suggested reduction $239.28
Item No. 181, Carlos Sauceda suggested reduction $130.40
Items 181A & 199A, Catherine McKenney - suggested reduction $431.22
Item No. 278, L. H. Dillman suggested reduction $283.62
Items 279 & 230, Raul & Carmen Almaguer- suggested reduction $282.24
Items 21 & 210, Archie McKinney - suggested reduction $164.97
Item 10, Santos & Christina Rosales - suggested reduction $173.98
He noted that the total reduction recommended to the assessment roll is
$2,827.73.
Mr. Holly testified that, with the exception of those eleven
pieces of
property, all of the other property, in his opinion, will be enhanced at least in
the amount of the assessment.
Mayor Jones called on members of the audience who wished to speak.
Mr. Chet Hartley, representing the Calvary Gospel Tabernacle, which is
located at 2637 Terrace, inquired if taxes on property in the area would be
increased as a result of the enhancement of the property.
Chief Engineer Smith explained that taxes are based on the sale of
property in a neighborhood, , and the owner's property value will increase only
if other property on the street is sold for a higher price.
Mr. Hartley then referred to the intersection of Terrace and Tracy and
inquired if the pattern of traffic control would be changed after the
improvements are completed. �` Y
Mr. Smith stated that he was not aware of a4 5 problem there; there a
number of stop signs on the street; the Staff -anticipates that the traffic signs
will be replaced; and he explained that the Traffic and Transit Department will
have to study this if there is a problem.
Mr. Hartley then referred to the 'fact that their church has an_ off-street
parking problem; they presently have a sidewalk running in front of the church
on Terrace Street which provides some off-street parking; and inquired if some
additional provisions could be made so that they can have off-street parking by
widening the street in front of their church.
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Mr. Smith explained that additional widening would be at the expense of
the abutting property owner. He commented that the Masonic Lodge, which is
falsorin that neighborhood, made a similar request and the cost to them for
widening will be $750. Mr. Smith stated that the Staff members would be glad
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to discuss this with the church to see if something could be worked out.
Mr. Hernandez, 2406 Elizabeth Street, addressed the Council and inquired
about driveways adjacent to each other on the same side between houses. He
inquried if new driveways would be separated or if it will be one wide driveway
and Mr. Smith replied that the driveways will be separate.
Mr. Carl Crull, Engineer with the City, stated that at Mr. Hernandez'
house, a community driveway for two property owners will be constructed.
Mr. Obie Etheridge addressed the Council and commented that the
voluntary paving program was started 19 years ago when he was City Engineer
for the City of Corpus Christi. He stated that he was speaking as a
representative of the Masonic Temple, which is a non-profit organization, and
stated that they have a large frontage and urged that the City widen the
pavement at that point by 7'. He noted that this would provide parking for
their organization and they are willing to pay for it.
Also speaking in favor of retaining the island on Elizabeth Street were Mr.
Ben Elizondo and Mr. D. C. Fisher.
Mr. Lontos informed the Council that the Staff will have a report next
week in regard to the island and they will also work with the Calvary Gospel
Tabernacle Church and the Masonic Temple in regard to their parking problem.
Assistant City Attorney Coffin referred to Mr. Hartley's question in regard
to tax increases and pointed out that if the churches caned property is used for
religious purposes, the property will be exempt from taxes.
Mayor Jones referred to the bond election scheduled for February 20, 1982
and explained items included in that bond issue. He urged that the citizens
vote in favor of the items included in the bond election. He then opened the
meeting for comments on other matters, noting that Council Member Hawkins had
suggested that the Council hold Town Hall Meetings, to discuss any subject that
the area residents desired.
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One unidentified gentleman inquired if there was someone he could talk to
about an inferior sidewalk that a private contractor had built in front of his
property and Mayor Jones suggested that he see Mr. Marion Brown as soon as
the meeting was over.
There being no further business to come before the Council, on motion by
Mayor Pro Tem Turner, seconded by Council Member Kennedy and passed
unanimously, the Special Council Meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m., January
6, 1982.
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