HomeMy WebLinkAbout10479 RES - 09/22/1971A RESOLUTION
IN RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION OF THE
SERVICES OF JOHN W. CUNNINGHAM TO THE
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI ON THE OCCASION
OF HIS RETIREMENT; AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.
WHEREAS, John W. Cunningham has been a vital force in the City Water
Department for fifty -four years. In essence he has been "The Water System" almost
since its beginning. In 1917, when he came to the City Water System, a good day's
production for the plant was between 500,000 and 750,000 gallons. There was only
one 20 inch transmission main some 16 miles long, from the plant into the 1917 City,
which provided water for the City's inhabitants and the system was manned by only
ten employees. Today, as Mr. Cunningham leaves the system, the production
capacity is 92 million gallons per day, distributed through a system of 868 miles of
pipe lines and manned by nearly 200 employees and a reservoir of over a hundred
billion gallons of water; and
WHEREAS, in our thriving City there has been a constant need for expansion in
every facet of the system; production, transmission and distribution, and under the
guidance and advice of Mr. Cunningham the City Council has been able to keep the
water system operating in a way to meet those needs throughout all these years. In 1935,
Mr. Cunningham was designated as Superintendent of Water, Gas and Sewer operations.
In 1953 he was made Director of Public Utilities, a position that was not particularly to
his liking because he preferred to be "where the action is" in the construction and
expansion of the water system. In 1954 he became Water Construction Coordinator for
a major water system enlargement program. It was during this time that the 0. N. Stevens
Plant was constructed and other major improvements made. In 1955 the John W. Cunningham
Filtration Plant was named in his honor; and
WHEREAS, in 1961; with modernizing of the system complete, including plans for
the future, Mr. Cunningham requested that his position as Coordinator be abolished and
he be reassigned to other duties in the Water Department with a corresponding reduction
in pay. For the past year he has been employed on a consulting basis; and
10479
WHEREAS, by choice his services have terminated and Mr. Cunningham now
has the time for enjoying his richly deserved retirement while the City is fortunate
to have his son succeed him as Water Superintendent. Mr. Cunningham's service
has been phenomenal; his zeal and dedication unsurpassed, if indeed equalled.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS:
Section 1. That, the sincere gratitude of all the citizens of Corpus Christi
is due John W. Cunningham for his long and devoted service as a true and faithful
public servant.
Section 2. That, by this Resolution, the recognition and appreciation of the
City of Corpus Christi for the outstanding service of John W. Cunningham to the City
be recorded and that a copy hereof be conveyed to him.
Section 3. The fact that John W. Cunningham has devoted many years of
service to the City of Corpus Christi, and this City Council desires to express its
appreciation therefor, creates a public emergency requiring the suspension of the
Charter rule that no ordinance or resolution shall be passed finally on the date of its
introduction and that such ordinance or resolution shall be read at three meetings of
the City Council, and the Mayor having declared such emergency and necessity to
exist, and having requested the suspension of the Charter rule and that this resolution
shall be passed finally on the date of its introduction and take effect and be in full
force from and after its passage, IT IS ACCORDINGLY SO ORDAINED, this the
22nd day of September, 1971.
ATTEST:
a
City Secretary
0
MAYOR
The City of rp s Christi, Texas
APPROVED:
Vday of%
Ci ttorney
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
DAY OF — j9 "%/
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
FOR THE REASONS SET FORTH IN THE EMERGENCY CLAUSE OF THE FOREGOING
ORDINANCE, A PUBLIC EMERGENCY AND IMPERATIVE NECESSITY EXIST FOR THE SUSPEN-
SION OF THE CHARTER RULE OR REQUIREMENT THAT NO ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION SHALL
BE PASSED FINALLY ON THE DATE IT IS INTRODUCED, AND THAT SUCH ORDINANCE OR
RESOLUTION SHALL BE READ AT THREE MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL; Is THEREFORE,
REQUEST THAT YOU SUSPEND SAID CHARTER RULE OR REQUIREMENT AND PASS THIS ORDI-
NANCE FINALLY ON THE DATE IT IS INTRODUCED, OR AT THE PRESENT MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL.
RESP LY,
d
PAYOR
THE CITY OF CORP C RISTI, TEXAS
THE CHARTER RULE WAS SUSPENDED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
BONNIE SIZEMDRE -�
CHARLES A. BONNIWELL
ROBERTO BOSQUEZ
REV. HAROLD T. BRANCH
THOMAS V. GONZALES
GABE LOZANO, SR.
J.: HOWARD STARK r_
THE ABOVE ORDINANCE WAS PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING'''' VOTE:
BONNIE SIZEMORE
CHARLES A. BONNIWELL
ROBERTO BOSQUEZ
REV. HAROLD T. BRANCH
THOMAS V. GONZALES
GAGE LOZANO, 'SR.
J. HOWARD STARK