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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 10/27/1982MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 27, 1982 2:00 P.M. PRESENT Mayor Luther Jones **Mayor Pro Tem Betty N. Turner Council Members Jack K. Dumphy Bob Gulley Herbert L. Hawkins, Jr. Dr. Charles Kennedy *Cliff Zarsky City Manager Edward Martin Assistant City Attorney Bob Coffin City Secretary Bill G. Read Mayor Luther Jones called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber of City Hall. Mr. Lloyd Neal, gave the invocation in the absence of the invited minister, following which the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States was led by Council Member Herbert Hawkins. City Secretary Bill G. Read called the roll of required Charter Officers and verified that the necessary quorum was present to conduct a legally constituted meeting. Mayor Jones noted the issuance of the following proclama- tion: "INTERNATIONAL TOASTMISTRESS CLUBS MONTH" - October, 1982. A motion was made by Council Member Jack Dumphy that the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of October 20, 1982 be approved as presented; seconded by Council Member Herbert Hawkins; and passed unanimously. Mayor Jones administered the oath to the following newly appointed Board and Committee members: Mr. Joseph S. Owmby - Mechanical Advisory Board; Mrs. Rosa Garza - Sr. Community Services Advisory Board; and Mr. Lloyd Neal - Municipal Arts Commission. o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o Mayor Jones announced the bid opening on the following Engineering Project. Lighting of the tennis courts at Calallen High School and itti ROFILMED SEP 191904 inutes .egular Council Meeting October 27, 1982 Page 2 Parker Park. Bonds for this project were approved in the 1977 bond program. Mr. James K. Lontos, P.E., Assistant City Manager, prefaced the bid opening by informing the Council that the 30 day com- pletion date as set forth in the specifications will have to be extended because of expected delivery delays. He assured the Council that he was aware of the delay and had agreed that the completion date should be extended. Mr. Lontos then opened bids from the following firms: Amber Electric Co., Inc.; Evans -Clanton Electric Co.; Electric Construction Co.; Industrial Electric Co.; N. R. Johnston Electric Co.; and Scott Electric Co. Mr. Lontos informed the Council that Scott Electric Co. failed to submit a bid security bond with their bid; therefore it would be considered as an irregular bid. o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o City Manager Martin introduced four members of the manage- ment course who were present in the audience. o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o Mayor Jones announced consideration of actions of the City Council by motion on the following items: 1. Plans and specifications be approved for Convention Center Area Drainage Improvements and bids be received November 17, 1982. This project includes the extension of a storm relief line from Water Street to Chaparral Street and along Chaparral to Brewster Street. A smaller relief line would be extended to near the Convention Center building from Brewster and Chaparral to intercept parking lot drainage and to separate the lower level sump pump system from the parking lot drainage system. 2. The heating and air conditioning ductwork related to the renovation of the car rental booths at the Corpus Christi International Airport, performed by Toland Construction be approved and payment of $14,845 be authorized from the Airport Reserve Fund. 3. The Agnes/Laredo Triangle Development project be accepted and final payment of $5,651.13 be made to American Roofing and Construction Company, for a total of $44,001.29. A two day extension of time is recommended due to delays in delivery of materials. Landscape median improvements were made at the Agnes -Laredo -21St Street intersection to accommodate the statue of Alonzo de Pineda which will be placed at a later date. The project was funded from the 5th Year Community Development Block Grant. 4. Authorizing the leasing until January 10, 1983 and acceptance as a gift to the City at that time from Mr. inutes .egular Council Meeting October 27, 1982 Page 3 Harvey Grossman, the GRANDE-GROSSMAN HOUSE located at 709 Artesian for the purpose of relocating the house to the Bayfront Science Park. 5. Bids be received November 16, 1982 for an estimated three months supply or 36,100 feet of copper pipe used by Water and Gas Divisions. Bids are not solicited for a longer period of time because the price of copper fluctuates frequently. 6. Hines Industrial, Kinney Street Associates, and Rust Properties be selected to make presentations of their proposals to expand and/or renovate City office facilities, as recommended by the City's financial consultant, Laventhol & Horwath. 7. Highland Resources be granted a permit to drill a well from a regular location 5 miles seaward of the Harbor Bridge and 200 ft. south of the ship channel right-of-way in Corpus Christi Bay. The State Tract 19 Well No. 1 will be directionally drilled to a bottomhole location 8,800 ft. beneath the ship channel. No exceptions to the Bay Drilling Ordinance are requested. Highland Resources has two existing wells in the cluster from which the well will be drilled. 8. Authorizing an agreement providing for the payment of $10,000 to the Port of Corpus Christi Authority in order to participate in the funding of an evaluation of the use of the Port of Corpus Christi by shippers and consignees located in San Antonio and other locations in Texas to be conducted by the firm of Booz -Allen and Hamilton, Inc., for the total amount of approximately $40,000. 9. Qualification proposals be received through 5:00 P.M. Friday, December 17, 1982 from architectural, space planning or similar consultant firms for a study of the space needs of the City's Police Department for the next 20 years with recommendations on specific capital improvement projects to meet the projected needs. The recommendations would include a Phase I which will help satisfy the current space requirements of the depart- ment and which can be accomplished with the bonds approved in 1977 for construction of additional operating space for the department. *10. Consideration of the request of the Traffic Safety Advisory Board that the passage by the next session of the State Legislature of measures to strengthen DWI laws be endorsed. Mayor Jones referred to item 3 and stated that he had driven by this location and he was of the opinion that the Agnes/Laredo Triangle looks very good, but urged that it be properly maintaned because this is a prominent location in the City. Council Member Kennedy referred to item 4 pertaining to the Grande -Grossman House and inquired if there was a second home named the Ben Grande House. * Item 10 was withdrawn - see page 5 inutes .egular Council Meeting October 27, 1982 Page 4 City Manager Martin explained that the house in question is the same as the Ben Grande House; it is now owned by the Grossman Family and has been for 57 years; this house will represent the history of both families; and the plaque placed in front of the house will contain a true representation of the history of the house. Council Member Kennedy requested that a copy of the wording to be placed on the historical marker be provided them prior to its installation, stating that he also would like to have the complete history of the house. Dr. Kennedy then suggested that the Landmark Commission should establish some kind of procedure for handling and naming these historical homes. Mayor Jones invited Dr. Richard Marcum, Chairman of the Landmark Commission, to provide comments in regard to this matter. Dr. Marcum stated that the Commission has discussed the naming and history of the homes and at a recent meeting they adopted a motion in which they recommended to the City Council that all houses which have been, or may be, moved into the bayfront area should have the names of the family that built the houses and the other prominent families who have lived in the houses. Dr. Marcum then provided background information on this house and others. *Council Member Cliff Zarsky arrived at the meeting at 2:20 p.m. Mayor Jones complimented the Landmark Commission for their diligence in providing the history of the various homes. He noted that the Galvan House was sold to the City under certain conditions in regard to the naming of the house. Council Member Dumphy inquired if the State installs the plaques. Dr. Marcum explained the various commissions and stated that the Texas Historical Commission must approve the marker and the information placed on it. He stated that the wording must also have the approval of the County Historical Commission. inutes .egular Council Meeting October 27, 1982 Page 5 Council Member Gulley referred to item 6 pertaining to the presentation of proposals by three firms for the expansion and/or renovation of City office facilities. He suggested that the consultants be contacted as soon as possible make arrangements to make their presentations November 8. City Manager Martin explained that the meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m., following which dinner will be served to provide the Council time to discuss the various proposals and possibly make a decision the following Wednesday. Mayor Jones referred to item 10 which pertains to the support of state legislation to strengthen DWI laws and commented that the Texas Municipal League has recommended legislation on this subject in order to enforce the DWI laws. He inquired if the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Advisory Board was similar to that that was considered during the TML meeting. Mr. Tom Stewart, Director of Transportation, stated that the TSAB recommendation was based on information received from the Governor's office. Council Member Kennedy made the observation that the legis- lation must be supported by the local municipalities in order to be effective. City Manager Martin assured the Council that he would be glad to withdraw this item from the agenda in order for the staff to make a comparison of the TSAB recommendation and that of the Committee from the Governor's office. Council Member Gulley inquired as to why the staff does not so that they can to the Council on recommend the place City and there beverages the prohibition of the sale of alcoholic beverages at of business where gasoline is sold. Manager Martin explained that it is simply economics is no correlation between the purchase of alcoholic and the purchase of gasoline at the same location. Mayor Jones stated that he would like to withdraw item 10 until a comparison report has been made of the two recommenda- tions. inutes .egular Council Meeting October 27, 1982 Page 6 Council Member Hawkins suggested that the recommendation pertaining to children driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol should be reviewed. He expressed the opinion that a twelve year old should not be tried under the same laws as adults. Council Member Zarsky expressed the opinion that Section 2 of the law referred to does not really place juveniles in the same category as adults. He pointed out that in his opinion, children should not be exempt from the law enforcement of DWI or driving while under the influence. Mr. Richard Graessle, member of the Traffic Safety Advisory Board, explained to the Council that the proposed amendments have been collected from members of the Traffic Safety Advisory Board. He stated that DWI has been a concern of the Board for many years, and the board members feel that some legislation should be passed which would strengthen the DWI laws and assured the Council that the recommendations made by the Board are merely suggestions. Mayor Jones called for comments from the audience on the motions and there was no response. A motion was made by Council Member Dumphy that items 1 thru 9 be approved, seconded by Council Member Zarsky and passed unanimously. c*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o Mayor Jones called for actions of the City Council by ordinance and referred to the new ordinances. Council Member Hawkins referred to the first reading of the ordinance prohibiting the removal or redemption of pawned items from pawnbrokers or secondhand dealers for 72 hours and suggested that a longer period of time be established for redemption of such items. City Manager Martin stated that it was determined that the 72 hour period would be ample. Chief Bill Banner of the Police Department referred to the ordinance recently passed which was designed to deter robberies inutes ..egular Council Meeting October 27, 1982 Page 7 of precious metals but stated that that ordinance did not address this problem and the proposed amendment would limit the sale of many types of items for that period of time. Council Member Zarsky referred to the ordinance pertaining to the architectural agreement with Wisznia & Peterson for the design of the Central Public Library and inquired if the archi- tect's fee is established according to the cost of the library. City Manager Martin agreed that this was true and stated that this is just an estimate of the fee. Mr. Lontos further explained the method of the fee structure for architects. Mayor Jones referred to the item changing the zoning on the Juan Villarreal property and inquired if the zoning of "B-1" is just for the part of the tract on which the stores are located. City Secretary Read assured him that it is just for that area and Mr. Tom Utter concurred. Mayor Jones called for consideration of three second and third reading ordinances and referred to the second reading of the ordinance authorizing the Convention Center Manager to execute a 10 -year lease agreement with the Las Donas De La Corte organization. He inquired if the City Manager was comfortable with this term. City Manager Martin expressed the opinion that the 10- year lease could be granted without harming the Convention Center and possible conventions to be conducted there. He pointed out, however, that it might generate further requests from other organizations. Council Member Gulley inquired of the Mayor if he had written the letter to LULAC on this question, and Mayor Jones stated that he had not but he would do so. Council Member Kennedy inquired if the Convention and Tourist Bureau agreed that this 10 -year lease would not present a problem with future conventions. Council Member Gulley stated that it was his understanding that the Bureau is comfortable with the five-year lease, but they inutes egular Council Meeting October 27, 1982 Page 8 feel that within a short period of time after that when more hotels have been constructed, there might be a conflict with convention bookings. Speaking on this matter was Mr. Bob Conwell of the Convention and Tourist Bureau, who pointed out that during Buccaneer Days this past year, they did book a convention at the request of the organization. Mr. Conwell confirmed that they have no problem in booking conventions in the Bayfront Plaza for the next five years, but after the hotels are completed, they will be booking conventions on any day including Buccaneer Days. He assured the Council that they will attempt to work with the Las Donas De La Corte organization but they would be more comfortable if they had some lead time for booking conventions. He stated that in other cities events such as Buccaneer Days have flexible dates, but for several reasons, Buccaneer Days must be on specific dates. He stated that they could have a problem with this within the next 10 years. Mayor Jones ascertained that there were no further comments from the audience on the ordinances. City Secretary Read pointed out that the ordinance changing the zoning on the request of Mr. Juan J. Villarreal should be delayed until a full Council is present since the 20% rule is in effect. He stated that it was his understanding that Mayor Pro Tem Betty Turner would arrive shortly. City Secretary Read polled the Council for their votes and the following ordinances were passed: FIRST READING: AMENDING CHAPTER 37 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING SECTION 37-4 TO PROHIBIT REMOVAL OR REDEMPTION OF PAWNED ITEMS FROM PAWNBROKERS OR SECONDHAND DEALERS FOR SEVENTY-TWO HOURS; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION. The foregoing ordinance was read for the first time and passed to its second reading by the following vote: Jones, Gulley, Dumphy, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting "aye"; Turner "absent." SECOND READING: AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE CORPUS CHRISTI ARTS COUNCIL FOR THE LEASING OF THE PREMISES OF THE MERRIMAN-BOBYS HOUSE FOR THE RESTORATION AND USE OF THE PREMISES. The foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to its third reading by the following vote: Jones, Gulley, inutes .egular Council Meeting October 27, 1982 Page 9 Dumphy, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting "aye"; Turner "absent." SECOND READING: AUTHORIZING A TEN YEAR LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE LAS DONAS DE LA CORTE ORGANIZATION TO LEASE THE BAYFRONT PLAZA CONVENTION CENTER'S EXHIBIT HALL FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRESENTING THE ANNUAL BUCCANEER DAYS CORONATION PAGEANT. The foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to its third reading by the following vote: Jones, Gulley, Dumphy, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting "aye"; Turner "absent." ORDINANCE NO. 17321: DETERMINING THE NECESSITY FOR AND ORDERING THE IMPROVEMENT OF AIRLINE ROAD, FROM WILLIAMS DRIVE TO HOLLY ROAD; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Jones, Gulley, Dumphy, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting "aye"; Turner "absent." ORDINANCE NO. 17322: APPROVING THE WRITTEN STATEMENT OF THE CITY ENGINEER OF VARIOUS COSTS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE FOLLOWING STREET: AIRLINE ROAD, FROM WILLIAMS DRIVE TO HOLLY ROAD, DETERMINING THE PORTION OF SAID COSTS TO BE ASSESSED AGAINST ABUTTING PROPERTY AND THE PORTION TO BE PAID BY THE CITY; SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PRELIMINARY ROLL FOR DECEMBER 8, 1982, AT 3:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL, 302 S. SHORELINE BOULEVARD, IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Jones, Gulley, Dumphy, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting "aye"; Turner "absent." ORDINANCE NO. 17323: AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH WISZNIA AND PETERSON ARCHITECTS FOR DESIGN OF AND PREPARATION OF THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE CENTRAL PUBLIC LIBRARY; APPROPRIATING $120,000 FOR THE AGREEMENT; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Jones, Gulley, Dumphy, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting "aye"; Turner "absent." ORDINANCE NO. 17324: AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH HBW ASSOCIATES FOR PREPARATION OF AN ARCHITECTURAL PROGRAM STATEMENT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE DESIGN OF THE CENTRAL PUBLIC LIBRARY; APPROPRIATING $11,000 FOR THE AGREEMENT; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Jones, Gulley, Dumphy, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting "aye"; Turner "absent." ORDINANCE NO. 17325: CLOSING AND ABANDONING THE 50 FOOT WIDE AND 127.0 FOOT LONG UNNAMED STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY BETWEEN LOT 1, BLOCK 2, AND LOT 5, BLOCK 3, FERRELL SUBDIVISION NO. 2; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. inutes .egular Council Meeting October 27, 1982 Page 10 The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Jones, Gulley, Dumphy, Kennedy and Zarsky voting "aye"; Hawkins "no"; Turner "absent." ORDINANCE NO. 17327: AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH THE BOYS CLUB OF CORPUS CHRISTI, INC., FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE BOYS CLUB PARKING LOT; APPRO- PRIATING $40,000 FOR THE CONTRACT; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Jones, Gulley, Dumphy, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting "aye"; Turner "absent." ORDINANCE NO. 17328: AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, SECTION 6-10(d) TO PROVIDE THAT THE TERM OF LICENSES FOR DOGS AND CATS SHALL BE ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE. The foregoing ordinance was read for the third time and passed by the following vote: Jones, Gulley, Dumphy, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting "aye"; Turner "absent." ORDINANCE NO. 17331: AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE SO AS TO AMEND ARTICLE 33, SECTION 33-1 PERMITS; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Jones, Gulley, Dumphy, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting "aye"; Turner "absent." *o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o* A motion was made by Council Member Dumphy that the Regular Council Meeting be recessed at 3:11 p.m. in order to convene the Special Council Meeting; seconded by Council Member Gulley; and passed unanimously. *o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o* p.m. Mayor Jones reconvened the Regular Council Meeting at 4:05 and displayed a framed arts award presented to the City of Corpus Christi by the Texas Municipal League for special recogni- tion of outstanding contributions to enhance the quality of life for its citizens through support of the arts. He stated that the City of Corpus Christi tied with San Antonio and Ft. Worth in this category. Council Member Kennedy asked about the entrance at the airport and suggested that plans be established for a larger sign, improved light poles and landscaping of the entrance area. Dr. Kennedy also commented that he had learned at the Texas Municipal League Meeting that some cities had programmed their inutes .egular Council Meeting October 27, 1982 Page 11 traffic lights to coincide with the passage of emergency vehicles. He suggested that this be studied by the staff. Council Member Gulley referred to improvements at the Airport and inquired if there were any provisions for telephones to be installed closer to the baggage claim area. City Manager Martin stated that they will investigate this possibility and informed the Council of the completion of the baggage claim area and that the revolving doors are now in operation. Council Member Gulley then asked about the poor lighting at the Airport parking lot which he felt presented some security problems and inquired if any standards have been established in other airports. City Manager Martin stated that he will investigate this also. Council Member Zarsky referred to discussions conducted at the TML meeting on improving productivity in local government. He referred to the report of the Texas Research League which indicated that this city rates pretty high in this area but stated that at the conference a number of suggestions were made to improve productivity at all levels of government. He requested that copies of the report be made for the other Council Members and that this subject be listed as a discussion item on a future agenda. He expressed the opinion that productivity could be improved. Council Member Zarsky also referred to another topic discussed at the meeting on the liability of municipalities. He stated that it was brought to their attention how municipalities are subject to liability as well as all employees. He informed the Council that TML now has available errors and omissions coverage because immunity of City officials and employees is diminishing through every federal court case. He also suggested that copies of this article be made available to the other Council Members. He expressed the opinion that additional insurance should be carried by the City, either through Texas Municipal League or some other source. inutes _.egular Council Meeting October 27, 1982 Page 12 Mayor Jones commented that the members of the TML approved an increase in dues in order to provide funds for an additional attorney and staff to assist the cities in lawsuits. Council Member Gulley agreed that the Council and the City Manager should have some coverage for errors and omissions. City Manager Martin informed the Council that they are already covered in the City's self-insurance plan. He stated that he will make a report on the anti-trust issue and other concerns that might generate lawsuits. Mayor Jones referred to the employee ethnic report presented to them and suggested that this be discussed within the next two weeks. He stated that he feels that substantial progress has been made and this fact should be publicly discussed. City Manager Martin stated that he would welcome the oppor- tunity to publicly discuss this subject. He stated that the City has specific goals for affirmative action in employment. He stated that he could discuss it next week or wait until Council Member Hawkins has presented his written report on his concern about the lack of minorities in the position of Police Commander. City Secretary Read announced that Mayor Jones was elected President of the Texas Municipal League and he felt that this was quite an honor since it is the first time anyone from this City has been elected to that position. He also informed the Council that he has ordered tapes of all of the TML sessions in the event some of the Council Members would like to review them. There being no further business to come before the Council, on motion by Council Member Gulley, seconded by Council Member Kennedy and passed unanimously, the Regular Council Meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m., October 27, 1982. ** Mayor Pro Tem Betty Turner arrived at the meeting during the Special Council Meeting and was present for the last portion of the Regular Council Meeting.