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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 11/13/1984 - SpecialMINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRIST, TEXAS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING GEORGE EVANS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA 1315 Comanche Street November 13, 1984 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Luther Jones * Mayor Pro Tem Betty N. Turner *** Council Members David Berlanga, Sr. Welder Brown Leo Guerrero Joe McComb Frank Mendez Mary Pat Slavik Deputy City Manager Ernest Briones Assistant City Attorney Jay Doegey City Secretary Bill G. Read Council Members Welder Brown, Leo Guerrero and Frank Mendez were present at 7:25 p.m., and Assistant City Manager James K. Lontos opened the meeting and explained that the Council Members were detained due to a very important Council Meeting which lasted until 7:00 p.m., following which the Council was obligated to meet with Navy Officials who were in town in connection with the Homeporting project. Mr. Lontos stated that they would like to open the meeting with the Staff present, begin an explanation of the project and present some of the information that the property owners needed to be aware of. He stated that as soon as a quorum of the Council arrives, the official meeting would be opened. Mr. Lontos then called on Assistant City Attorney Jay Doegey to present the formal portion of the hearing. Mr. Doegey introduced Mr. Gerald Smith, the City Engineer, and asked him to describe the project. Mr. Smith explained that the public hearing is to explain the project and it is required by State Law. Mr. Smith explained that the George Evans School Area Phase II Street Improvement Project includes improvements to the following streets: (1) Howard and Mestina Streets, from Sam Rankin Street to Brownlee MICROFILMED utes _.,ecial Council Meeting November 13, 1984 Page 2 Boulevard, (2) Sam Rankin Street, from Caldwell Street to Comanche Street, and (3) Josephine and Mexico Streets, from Caldwell Street to I.H. 37 Access Road (Antelope Street). Mr. Smith informed the members of the audience that the plan is to totally reconstruct the streets to a width of 40 feet. He explained that the streets will be constructed by excavation to a width and depth to permit the laying of a 6" curb and gutter section, 6" compacted subgrade, 10" compacted caliche base and 2" Type D Hot Mix asphaltic pavement. He stated that the streets will be 40 feet in width and there will be 4 foot or 5 foot wide reinforced sidewalks 4" thick and 6" thick reinforced driveways. Mr. Smith stated that the plans were prepared in the City's Engineering Department; bids on the project were received; and the low bidder was Claude Chapman Construction Company in the bid amount of $922,126.25. He stated that the project will require twelve to fourteen months for completion and stated that the assessment roll was prepared after the bids were received in accordance with the City's assessment policy ordinance. He explained that the residential, school and church property rates will be as follows: 6" curb, gutter and pavement - $9.75 per linear foot; sidewalk - $1.00 per square foot; and driveways - $4.32 per square foot. He stated that the rates for the commercial properties will be as follows: 6" curb, gutter and pavement - $19.50 per linear foot, sidewalks and driveways - the same as those of the residential property. Mr. Smith explained that this is a project to be funded by Community Development Block Grant funds and residents of this area are eligible for grants to pay their assessments. He explained that this information was sent to all of the property owners involved, written in English and Spanish, and explained the policy by stating that all property owners who have one or two family residences who occupy the property can qualify for the residential rate regardless of the zoning of the property. He explained further that low to moderate income residents in the area may qualify for a 100% grant if they meet 120% of the Section 8 income guidelines. He gave as an example, a one-person family must have an income that does not exceed $17,580 to be eligible for the grant for the assessments and the amount of salary can be increased according to the number of people in the family. * Mayor Luther Jones arrived at the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Mr. Smith continued his explanation by stating that absentee property owners who rent to low to moderate income residents may be eligible for low interest loans for an interest rate of 5%. ** Council Members David Berlanga and Mary Pat Slavik arrived at the meeting at 7:36 p.m. Assistant City Attorney Doegey informed the Council that the hearing has not been officially opened but Mr. Smith has been involved in providing information in regard to this particular project. Utes :,pecial Council Meeting November 13, 1984 Page 3 Mayor Jones then called the meeting to order and explained that the Council regrets being late for the meeting but they felt it was important to meet with the Navy Team who are in the City of Corpus Christi to consider the possibility of designating this City for Homeporting. Mayor Jones explained that this hearing is being conducted as a requirement for projects involving an assesssment. He stated that it is his opinion that the paving assessment program has been a great success in Corpus Christi and has provided many improvements to neighborhoods all over the City. Council Member Mendez explained that several meetings have been conducted in regard to street improvements involving the CDBG funds at which time the grants for the assessments were explained. He noted that citizens are usually very pleased when they find out that they are eligible for the grant for their assessments. Council Member Berlanga thanked everyone for taking the time to attend the meeting. Council Member Brown also expressed appreciation to the people who came and stated that he is proud to be a member of this City Council. Council Member Slavik also apologized for being late but stated that she felt that they were doing a great deal of good by meeting with the Navy Homeporting team. She stated that she, too, is very supportive of this program which will improve this neighborhood. *** Mayor Pro Tem Betty Turner and Council Member Joe McComb arrived at the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Council Member McComb stated that he is grateful that the people came to the meeting, and Mayor Pro Tem Turner apologized for being late but explained the importance of the Navy Homeporting Team to the entire City. City Secretary Read called the roll of required Charter Officers and verified that the necessary quorum was present to conduct a legally constituted meeting. Assistant City Attorney Doegey informed the Council Members that Mr. Smith has been testifying in regard to the project and explained several aspects of it, including the possibility of grants being available for low to moderate income eligible families for 100% of their assessments. Mr. Smith then explained the improvements that would be realized in this area by the street improvement project, stating that all the streets in the area now have roadside ditches; the area drains very well; there are no curbs and gutters in the project area; the streets are approximately 34 feet wide and the area is predominantly residential but a few churches are in the area as well as small businesses. utes :,pecial Council Meeting November 13, 1984 Page 4 Mr. Doegey asked Mr. Smith to describe the benefits that will be derived from this project, and Mr. Smith explained that the benefits will be the community will not have to pay maintenance cost when the storm sewer is installed; new water lines will be installed which will increase the water pressure and provide better fire protection; and in his opinion, each piece of property will be enhanced at least in the amount of the cost of the improvements. Mr. Smith continued by stating that if the contract is awarded next week, work can begin before Christmas and be completed by October of 1985. He reiterated that the low bidder on the project was Claude Chapman Construction Company and explained that each property owner will be contacted by a City Staff member in the event they need to make changes on the driveways that are included on the plan. Mr. Smith explained that the assessments will not be due until completion of the project, at which time the assessments may be paid in cash, with monthly installments over a 5 -year period at an interest rate of 8%, or in case of hardship, the payments may be made over a 10 -year period. Mr. Smith referred to the trees that are in the project area and stated that the City has a policy of trying to save as many trees as a property owner would like to save, noting that the location of sidewalks can be moved somewhat to prevent the necessity for removing trees. Mr. Doegey called as his next witness, Mr. William J. Holly, Broker and Appraiser. Through questioning of Mr. Holly, Mr. Doegey noted that he was qualified to testify in that he is a real estate broker and appraiser and has been performing appraisals for 31 years; he is familiar with real estate values in Corpus Christi; and he is familiar with each and every piece of property in this project. He testified that he is familiar with the existing conditions of the property. Mr. Holly explained the improvements that would be realized from the project, stating that at this time, drainage ditches exist which will be removed; vehicular traffic will be less noisy; all the property will be improved in appearance; there will be less dust; and the water pressure will be improved and the property will be increased in value. Mr. Holly testified that in his opinion, all of the property will be enhanced at least in the amount of the improvements. Mr. Holly also testified that there are no triangular or pie -shaped pieces of property in the project and he did not recommend any reductions on any of the assessments as listed on the assessment roll. utes Jpecial Council Meeting November 13, 1984 Page 5 Council Member Berlanga inquired if there are any new sewer lines planned, and Mr. Smith stated that at one location, they will establish new sewer lines and they will check the other lines. Mr. Doegey stated that that completes the formal testimony of the public hearing. Mayor Jones then called for comments from the property owners who were present in the audience. Judge Eduardo E. de Ases, speaking as a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, stated that they have two items that are being assessed. He stated that they have no quarrel with the improvements and feel that the project will enhance not only this particular area but will enhance the community as a whole. He stated that their problem is the amount of their assessments which are listed at a commercial rate and explained that the property owned by the Salvation Army, which is a non-profit organization that deals in alleviation of suffering, have two pieces of property, one of which is being used to house transients who have no means of support and no place to stay, and the other parcel of land on this roll includes a building that houses supplies for the Salvation Army. He stated that he is present to speak on behalf of the Salvation Army because both of these properties are being assessed at the commercial rate and they would like to request that they be allowed to pay the residential rate since both of their establishments are for non-profit organizational use. Judge de Ases continued by stating that they had discussed this with the Staff and they would be glad to execute a covenant to run with the land that as long as the parcels are used by the Salvation Army the assessment would be paid at the residential rate, and if the land is purchased by another party for a commercial use, that owner would have to pay the difference between the cost of the assessments at the residential rate and the cost at the commercial rate. Mr. de Ases then introduced Major Jim Waller of the Salvation Army. Assistant City Manager Lontos informed the Council that the Staff has discussed this with the Salvation Army representatives and the Staff recommends that the City comply with their request because of the service the Salvation Army provides to the community. He expressed the opinion that this is the most reasonable approach to reduce the assessment and enter into a covenant running with the land so that in the event the property is sold and used for commercial purposes, the commercial rate will then apply. A motion was made by Council Member Mendez that the City Council reduce the assessment rate for the Salvation Army property to the residential rate in conjunction with approval of a covenant to run with the land as described above. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner and passed unanimously by those present and voting. utes .,pecial Council Meeting November 13, 1984 Page 6 Mrs. Melinda Dolphin addressed the Council and inquired if following completion of the project, 18 -wheelers would still be allowed to drive down Caldwell Street. She mentioned the fact that large moving trucks tear up the streets. Mr. Smith inquired about the type of company they served, and Mrs. Dolphin stated that the Red Ball Company has large trucks but there are other companies that have 18 -wheelers going to that area. Mr. Smith stated that he did not know of any way that they could prevent the trucks using Caldwell Street but at least the street would be widened which might alleviate the problem somewhat. Mr. Tom Stewart, Director of Transportation, stated that there may be a way to limit the truck travel and he would be glad to examine this. Mr. Harry Williams, part-time pastor of a church located at the corner of Comanche and Mexico, stated that following the street improvements and the elimination of head -in parking on Mexico Street, a large part of their parking will be eliminated. Mr. Smith stated that the elimination of ditches will provide curbside parallel parking but the head -in parking will be eliminated. He stated that he will ask Mr. Stewart to discuss this with Mr. Williams to see if additional parking could be established. An unidentified lady in the audience inquired if the contractor has to move fences to construct the sidewalk if the contractor will repair their fences and replace them, and Mr. Smith assured her that if fences are moved, the City will pay for the replacement. Mrs. Estella del Oro inquired about the streets in which sewer lines will be replaced. Mr. Smith stated that he thought that the sewer lines to be replaced are on Josephine Street but he will be glad to check the plans and explain in detail after the meeting. An unidentified lady in the audience inquired if Leopard Street and Josephine will be blocked off during construction. Mr. Smith explained that the City's specifications require that the contractor provide access at all times and they will try to do so except on the days when driveways are poured. He stated that even during that time, the residents will be able to park on the street near their houses. He also explained that the contractor will work on the project in phases, or in other words, all of the streets in the project will not be under construction at the same time. ,utes .,pecial Council Meeting November 13, 1984 Page 7 Mrs. Dolphin, who had spoken earlier, asked that the residents be notified when they will be unable to get to their houses because of the pouring of the driveways and also requested that the residents be notified when they are going to have their water cut off. Mr. Smith explained that the City Staff is responsible for cutting off the water at the time they are installing new water meters, but it was his understanding that they usually try to notify the residents to make them aware of that fact. Council Member Slavik suggested that cards might be printed up and placed on the residents' doors if they are not at home to explain the times and dates that their property will be inaccessible. Mr. Marion Brown, Voluntary Paving Coordinator, stated that he does have that type of card printed up for that purpose. An unidentified gentleman in the audience stated that he is a member of a church in the project area and inquired about the possibility of wider driveways. Mr. Smith stated that that would be possible but the property owner will have to pay an extra charge for wider driveways. Another lady in the audience pointed out that some of the property owners are senior citizens who will probably qualify for the 100% grant to pay their assessments. She inquired if the property changes hands or is willed to relatives of the senior citizens, if the new owners will have to pay the assessments, and Mr. Smith stated that the new owners will have to pay part of the assessment at that time. (Note: After investigation, it was determined that heirs or new property owners acquiring such property would not have to pay the assessments in this type of situation.) There being no further business to come before the Council, on motion by Mayor Pro Tem Turner, seconded by Council Member Mendez and passed unanimously, the Special Council Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m., November 13, 1984. DZ/rr