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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes City Council - 09/03/2024 , gL3S Cgs,, w' III fi. *on oRa''' 1852 I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Corpus Christi City Council of September 3, 2024 which were approved by the City Council on September 10, 2024. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, on this the 10th day of September 2024. einatirrWirt-' % Re ecca Huerta City Secretary Corpus Christi, Texas (S E-_A L) City of Corpus Christi Rebecca Huerta, City Secretary P.O. Box 9277 Corpus Christi,Texas 78469-9277 (361) 826-3105 rebeccah@cctexas.com SCANNED City of Corpus Christi 1201 Leopard Street Corpus Christi,TX 78401 I i , cctexas.com Meeting Minutes leg r% City Council Tuesday,September 3,2024 11:30 AM Council Chambers Addendums may be added on Friday. A. Mayor Paulette Guajardo to call the meeting to order. Mayor Guajardo called the meeting to order at 11:34 a.m. B. Invocation to be given by Pastor Kevin Jennings with Mount Olive Lutheran Church. Pastor Kevin Jennings with Mount Olive Lutheran Church gave the invocation. C. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States and to the Texas Flag to be led by Illiana Jade Arias, 12th grader at Tuloso-Midway High School. Illiana Jade Arias, 12th grader at Tuloso-Midway High School, led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Texas Flag. D. City Secretary Rebecca L. Huerta to call the roll of the required Charter Officers. City Secretary Rebecca Huerta called the roll and verified that a quorum of the City Council and the required Charter Officers were present to conduct the meeting. Charter Officers: City Manager Peter Zanoni, City Attorney Miles Risley and City Secretary Rebecca Huerta Present: 9- Mayor Paulette Guajardo,Council Member Roland Barrera,Council Member Gil Hernandez,Council Member Michael Hunter,Council Member Mike Pusley,Council Member Dan Suckley,Council Member Everett Roy,Council Member Jim Klein, and Council Member Sylvia Campos E. CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS/ UPDATE ON CITY OPERATIONS: (ITEMS 1 -4) 1. 24-1511 Moment of Silence for fallen Dallas Police Officer, Darron Burks, and recognition of all first responders, led by Mayor Paulette Guajardo City Manager Peter Zanoni recognized fallen Dallas Police Officer, Darron Burks, and all first responders. 2. 24-1506 FM 624 (Northwest Boulevard) from Wildcat Drive to CR 73 Project Overview City Manager Peter Zanoni introduced TxDOT Area Engineer Ernest Longoria and TxDOT Consultant Fernando Camarillo. City of Corpus Christi Page 1 Printed on 9/6/2024 City Council Meeting Minutes September 3,2024 TxDOT Consultant Fernando Camarillo presented information on the following topics: project details; project goals; what is the process and timeline; proposed design; safety highlights; raised center medians; and how to submit your comments. Council Members and City Manager Zanoni discussed the following topics: a request for the City to work with TxDOT to add additional street lighting to 1-69 corridor; and Council Members commended TxDOT for their work on this project. 3. 24-1471 Bond 2024 and Sales Tax Reauthorization Informational Material City Manager Peter Zanoni presented information on the following topics: Proposition A: Streets (18 projects); Proposition B: Parks and Recreation (11 projects); Proposition C: Public Safety (7 projects); Proposition D: Cultural Facilities (2 projects); Proposition E: proposed sales tax reauthorization projects; Proposition F: proposed sales tax reauthorization projects; Bond 2024 and sales tax reauthorization; and community outreach and engagement. 4. 24-1466 Pet Food Pantry Programs This Item was withdrawn. F. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Guajardo opened public comment. Shawn Flanagan, 4218 Herndon St., and Samuel Aundra Fryer, 2222 Cardinales Lane, spoke about updating the COVID-19 informed consent form. The following individuals spoke in opposition to Item 19, Industrial District Agreements (IDAs): John Weber, 609 Naples St., Jason Hale, 211 Leming Ave., Lamont Taylor, 522 Hancock Ave., Gina Kissee, 5478 Willow St., and Maggie Peacock, 4407 SE 28th Ave. Rachel Caballero, 522 Hancock Ave., spoke in opposition to Items 6, 13, 15 and 19. Mark Muenster, 1013 Barracuda Place, spoke in opposition to IDAs and desalination. Mary Dale Peterson, 210 Naples St., and Ernest Buck, 823 S. Water St., spoke in support of Item 26, upgrading the fluoride system. Victoria Holland, 235 Ohio Ave., advocated for support to be appointed to the Type A and Type B Board. Michael Miller, 51 Camden Place, spoke in opposition to Item 7, the Capital Budget. Bill Durrill, 22 Hewitt Dr., expressed concern that Type A funds should be used for economic development and not for entertainment. City of Corpus Christi Page 2 Printed on 9/6/2024 City Council Meeting Minutes September 3,2024 The following individuals submitted written public comments which are attached to the minutes: Encarnacion Serna, Portland, TX; Bette Cranford, 3802 Wilmont Dr.; Marie Lucio, Robstown, TX; Mary Alice Wiechman, 6813 Summer Wind Dr.; Miguel Briseno, 314 Caribbean Dr.; Myra Alaniz, Robstown, TX; Jumana Abd Al Rahman, 1948 SPID; Ruth David; Andrea Ramos, 1129 York Ave.; Molly Davis, 4025 Markins Dr.; Jason Hale, 4421 Hamlin Dr.; Heather Shields, 1230 Preston St.; Kirsten Aguilar, 7037 Islander Way; Tanya Bergstrom, CC, TX; and Elida Castillo, Taft, TX. G. BOARD & COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS: (ITEM 5) 5. 24-1331 Corpus Christi B Corporation (Type B Board) - 5 vacancies Corpus Christi Business and Job Development Corporation (Type A Board) - 5 vacancies Corpus Christi Downtown Management District- 7 vacancies Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 5. Corpus Christi B Corporation and Corpus Christi Business (Type B Board) and Job Development Corporation (Type A Board): Reappointed: Jesus J. Jimenez and Diana Summers Appointed: Victoria Holland, Johnny Philipello, and Vishnu V. Reddy Corpus Christi Downtown Management District: Reappointed: Raymond Gignac (Property Owner), Lesley B. Lomax (AET), Ben Molina (AET), and Cheryl A. Votzmeyer-Rios (Property Owner) Appointed: Zachary H. Bornstein (Resident), Chris Navarro (AET), and Avery Reny (AET) H. BUDGET RELATED ITEMS: (ITEMS 6 -17) 6. 24-1427 Ordinance adopting the Corpus Christi Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, beginning October 1, 2024; authorizing personnel complements; providing for a copy to be filed with the County Clerk; and appropriating funds as provided in the budget. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 6. Director of Management and Budget Eddie Houlihan presented information on the following topics: addresses city council and community priorities; FY 2025 proposed city budget; FY 2025 budgeted positions; city rates for residential customers; sample utility bill for residential customer; projected fund balance use; budget amendments-general fund; budget amendments-special revenue funds; and next steps. Council Members, City Manager Peter Zanoni, Director Houlihan, Chief Operating Officer of Corpus Christi Water Drew Molly, Director of Libraries Laura Garcia, Assistant City Manager Heather Hurlbert, and Principal with NewGen Strategies & Solutions Andy City of Corpus Christi Page 3 Printed on 9/6/2024 City Council Meeting Minutes September 3,2024 McCartney discussed the following topics: a concern about the wastewater and storm water fee increases; the purpose and plan for the increased fees; the rate design for inside city limit water users versus outside city limit water users; water rates are based on customer class; the projected revenue requirements versus past revenues; the Garcia Library would be open 40 hours per week based on visitor counts; the funding for the North Beach Kiwanis Baseball Field would be to restore fencing and mounds; and the economic development budget increased due to the parking division moving to the department and fluctuations in TIRZ and Type A and B expenses. Mayor Guajardo opened the public hearing. There were no comments from the public. Mayor Guajardo closed the public hearing. Council Member Barrera moved to approve the ordinance, seconded by Council Member Suckley. This Ordinance was passed on first reading and approved with the following vote: Aye: 6- Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley, Council Member Roy and Council Member Klein Nay: 3- Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter and Council Member Campos Abstained: 0 7. 24-1424 Ordinance adopting the Corpus Christi Fiscal Year 2024 - 2025 Capital Budget, beginning October 1, 2024. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 7. Director of Management and Budget Eddie Houlihan presented information on the following topics: CIP program; 10-year CIP; FY25 CIP program funding uses; and FY25 CIP funding sources. Council Members, City Manager Peter Zanoni, Director Houlihan, Chief Operating Officer of Corpus Christi Water Drew Molly, Assistant City Manager Heather Hurlbert, Director of Gas Operations Bill Mahaffey, and Financial Advisor with Specialized Public Finance Inc. Victor Quiroga discussed the following topics: a concern about the City's long-term debt; whether any water/wastewater projects can be delayed; the new gas facility will benefit customers and provide affordable rates, as well as generate revenue to the City; the City's goal is to secure the lowest interest funding for a new water supply project; to ensure that the City educate the community on how funds will be disbursed throughout several years; how the capital budget affects the City's credit ratings; the cost of a treatment plant versus the cost of adding pipeline to a project; and a request for staff to provide a graph to depict how debt is allocated. Mayor Guajardo opened the public hearing. City of Corpus Christi Page 4 Printed on 9/6/2024 City Council Meeting Minutes September 3,2024 There were no comments from the public. Mayor Guajardo closed the public hearing. Council Member Suckley moved to approve the ordinance, seconded by Council Member Barrera. This Ordinance was passed on first reading and approved with the following vote: Aye: 6- Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley, Council Member Roy and Council Member Campos Nay: 3- Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter and Council Member Klein Abstained: 0 8. 24-1433 Ordinance setting a property tax rate of$0.599774 per$100 valuation which is effectively a 6.03% increase over the no-new-revenue tax rate and approving the tax roll as calculated. (60 percent favorable vote required) Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 8. Assistant City Manager Heather Hurlbert presented information on the following topics: FY 2025 tax rate; property tax dollar; and property tax relief. A Council Member and Assistant City Manager Hurlbert discussed the following topic: property valuations are based on appraised value, so most homeowners should not see an increase in the overall valuation of their home. Mayor Guajardo opened the public hearing. There were no comments from the public. Mayor Guajardo closed the public hearing. Mayor Guajardo stated the following: "During today's City Council meeting, the City Council will vote on the first reading of the proposed property tax rate of$0.599774 per $100 valuation for Fiscal Year 2025, and at the September 10, 2024, City Council meeting beginning at 11:30 am at City Hall, the City Council will vote on the second reading of the proposed property tax rate of$0.599774 per$100 valuation." Council Member Barrera made the following motion: "I move that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of$0.599774 per$100 valuation, which is effectively a 6.03 percent increase in the tax rate," seconded by Council Member Roy. This Ordinance was passed on first reading and approved with the following vote: Aye: 7- Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley, Council Member Roy, Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos Nay: 2- Council Member Hernandez and Council Member Hunter City of Corpus Christi Page 5 Printed on 9/6/2024 City Council Meeting Minutes September 3,2024 Abstained: 0 9. 24-1434 Ordinance ratifying the property tax increase reflected in the FY 2024-2025 Operating Budget that will require raising more revenue from property taxes than in the FY 2023-2024 Operating Budget in amount of$531,037. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 9. Director of Management and Budget Eddie Houlihan stated this item is to adopt the budget with the increase of$531,037 in property tax revenues for the upcoming fiscal year as required by the state. Mayor Guajardo opened the public hearing. There were no comments from the Council or public. Mayor Guajardo closed the public hearing. Council Member Barrera moved to approve the ordinance, seconded by Council Member Suckley. This Ordinance was passed on first reading and approved with the following vote: Aye: 7- Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley, Council Member Roy, Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos Nay: 2- Council Member Hernandez and Council Member Hunter Abstained: 0 10. 24-1176 Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 9, Aviation, Section 9-35 - Parking Rates, by revising the parking rates at the Corpus Christi International Airport, effective October 1, 2024. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 10. Mayor Guajardo opened public comment. There were no comments from the Council or the public. Mayor Guajardo closed public comment. Council Member Barrera moved to approve the ordinance, seconded by Council Member Roy. This Ordinance was passed on first reading and approved with the following vote: Aye: 7- Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley, Council Member Roy, Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos Nay: 2- Council Member Hernandez and Council Member Hunter City of Corpus Christi Page 6 Printed on 9/6/2024 City Council Meeting Minutes September 3,2024 Abstained: 0 11. 24-1458 Ordinance amending Corpus Christi Code Section 55-50 regarding water rates and Section 55-100 regarding wastewater rates effective January 1, 2025. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 11. Chief Operating Officer of Corpus Christi Water Drew Molly presented information on the following topics: FY 2025 proposed water rates; FY 2025 proposed wastewater rates; FY 2025 proposed rates-residential; commercial; irrigation; large volume; and wholesale-treated. Council Members, COO Molly, and Water Resource Manager Esteban Ramos discussed the following topics: the City is cautious about releasing water from the Nueces River; Corpus Christi Water needs to educate the community about water releases; and to possibly add a water gauge to measure rainfall between Lake Corpus Christi and Nueces River saltwater dam. Mayor Guajardo opened public comment. There were no comments from the public. Mayor Guajardo closed public comment. Council Member Barrera moved to approve the ordinance, seconded by Council Member Suckley. This Ordinance was passed on first reading and approved with the following vote: Aye: 6- Council Member Barrera, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley, Council Member Roy, Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos Nay: 3- Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Hernandez and Council Member Hunter Abstained: 0 12. 24-1448 Ordinance amending Corpus Christi Code Section 55-159.1 to increase the Non-mandatory drought surcharge exemption fee effective January 1, 2025. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 12. Chief Operating Officer of Corpus Christi Water Drew Molly presented information on the following topics: ordinance amending the drought surcharge exemption fee; and staff recommendation. Council Members, City Manager Peter Zanoni, and Water Resource Manager Esteban Ramos discussed the following topics: whether residents have the option to pay a drought surcharge exemption fee; and the voluntary drought exemption fee revenue can only be used on projects for a drought proof water supply. City of Corpus Christi Page 7 Printed on 9/6/2024 City Council Meeting Minutes September 3,2024 Council Member Suckley moved to approve the ordinance, seconded by Council Member Barrera. This Ordinance was passed on first reading and approved with the following vote: Aye: 7- Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley and Council Member Roy Nay: 2- Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos Abstained: 0 13. 24-1443 Ordinance amending Section 14-1313 of the Corpus Christi Code to amend the roofing and siding building permit fees, certificate of occupancy fees, and oversized load permit fees; amending Sections 14-1313, 14-1321, 14-1341, 14-1351, 14-1361 10-30, and 10-38 of the Corpus Christi Code to clarify future indexing of the Development Services fees, including the fees for roofing and siding building permits, certificate of occupancy, Plan Review, Building Permits, Technical Construction Code Permits, Excavation and Fill Permits, Unified Development Code Fees, Public Improvement Fees, Zoning Fees, Beachfront Construction Fees, Dune Protection Fees, and Sign Permit Fee; reauthorizing increasing the Infrastructure Trust Fund lot and acreage fees by 10% for FY25; effective October 1, 2024. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 13. Director of Development Services Al Raymond presented information on the following topics: Development Services conducted a fee study in 2018; Development Services held extensive input sessions with development community leading into FY 2022 budget; and Ordinance 032546 was adopted during FY 2022 budget. Council Members, City Manager Peter Zanoni, and Director Raymond discussed the following topics: this amendment includes increasing the Infrastructure Trust Fund lot and acreage fees by 10 percent; and this fee increase will cover the cost of service. Mayor Guajardo opened public comment. There were no comments from the public. Mayor Guajardo closed public comment. Council Member Campos moved to approve the ordinance, seconded by Council Member Hernandez. This Ordinance was passed on first reading and approved with the following vote: Aye: 8- Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley, Council Member Roy, Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos Nay: 1 - Council Member Hunter City of Corpus Christi Page 8 Printed on 9/6/2024 City Council Meeting Minutes September 3,2024 Abstained: 0 14. 24-0424 Ordinance amending Corpus Christi Code Section 18-4 Fire Prevention permit fee schedule and Section 18-20 Ambulance rates to include a supplementary charge for non-emergency lift assist fee, effective October 1, 2024. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 14. Fire Chief Brandon Wade presented information on the following topics: non-emergency lift assist fee; and HHSC (Health and Human Services Commission). Council Members and Chief Wade discussed the following topics: the fire department will make adjustments to the ordinance for service outside the city limits; and a concern why private entities contact the fire department for lift assist. Mayor Guajardo opened public comment. There were no comments from the public. Mayor Guajardo closed public comment. Council Member Campos moved to approve the ordinance, seconded by Council Member Suckley. This Ordinance was passed on first reading and approved with the following vote: Aye: 8- Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley, Council Member Roy, Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos Nay: 1 - Council Member Hunter Abstained: 0 15. 24-1449 Ordinance amending Sections 19-33, 19-44, 23-20, 23-22, 23-57, and 38-9 of the Corpus Christi Code to increase fees for food health permits, vendor permits, food handler certificates, on-site sewage facilities inspections, daycare and foster home inspections, and commercial swimming pool inspections; and providing for penalty, publication, and effective date of October 1, 2024. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 15. Director of Public Health Dr. Fauzia Khan presented information on the following topics: background and summary; fee adjustments; proposed Environmental Health & Consumer Services (EHCS) fee schedule; and fiscal impact and staff recommendation. A Council Member and Dr. Khan discussed the following topic: the fee increases are based on the local cost of service. Mayor Guajardo opened public comment. City of Corpus Christi Page 9 Printed on 9/6/2024 City Council Meeting Minutes September 3,2024 There were no comments from the public. Mayor Guajardo closed public comment. Council Member Campos moved to approve the ordinance, seconded by Council Member Barrera. This Ordinance was passed on first reading and approved with the following vote: Aye: 5- Council Member Barrera, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley, Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos Nay: 4- Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter and Council Member Roy Abstained: 0 16. 24-1444 Ordinance amending the City Code of Ordinances, Chapter 36 Parks, Recreation, Cultural and Leisure Time Activities, Section 36-7 Rental Rates and Recreation Fees and Charges, effective October 1, 2024. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 16. Director of Parks and Recreation Robert Dodd presented information on the following topics: background; FY 2025 new and increased fees; and recommendation. Council Members, City Manager Peter Zanoni, Director Dodd, and Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Sergio Gonzalez discussed the following topics: a request for an update about Tuloso Midway joining the Latchkey program; concerns about increasing fees for the after hour kid program; what the City's projected revenue is from ball fields and what the cost of services are; and a staff member will be on duty at the ball fields when they are rented for tournaments. Mayor Guajardo opened public comment. There were no comments from the public. Mayor Guajardo closed public comment. Council Member Barrera moved to approve the ordinance, seconded by Council Member Campos. This Ordinance was passed on first reading and approved with the following vote: Aye: 7- Council Member Barrera, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley, Council Member Roy, Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos Nay: 2- Mayor Guajardo and Council Member Hunter Abstained: 0 City of Corpus Christi Page 10 Printed on 9/6/2024 City Council Meeting Minutes September 3,2024 17. 24-1446 Ordinance amending Section 55-709, Drainage Utility Charge, of the Corpus Christi Code of Ordinances, to levy an amended schedule of stormwater drainage charges, effective October 1, 2024. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 17. Director of Public Works Ernie De La Garza presented information on the following topics: drainage utility fee background; FY 2025 proposed budget storm water fund: $33.7M; FY 2024-2028 five-year enhancement forecast; FY 2023-2028 service enhancement forecast; and recommendations. Council Members and Director De La Garza discussed the following topics: the importance of maintaining right-of-way mowing and vegetation; a concern about increasing stormwater fees; to educate the community about maintaining their own stormwater drainage/gutters; and whether the City gets any credit from the federal government for street sweeping. Mayor Guajardo opened the public hearing. There were no comments from the public. Mayor Guajardo closed the public hearing. Council Member Roy moved to approve the ordinance, seconded by Council Member Klein. This Ordinance was passed on first reading and approved with the following vote: Aye: 6- Council Member Barrera, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley, Council Member Roy, Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos Nay: 3- Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Hernandez and Council Member Hunter Abstained: 0 EXPLANATION OF COUNCIL ACTION: J. CONSENT AGENDA: (ITEMS 18 -30) Approval of the Consent Agenda Mayor Guajardo referred to the Consent Agenda. Items 19 and 26 were pulled for individual consideration. Council Member Pusley moved to approve the consent agenda with the exception of Items 19 and 26, seconded by Council Member Barrera. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 9- Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley, Council Member Roy, Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos City of Corpus Christi Page 11 Printed on 9/6/2024 City Council Meeting Minutes September 3,2024 Abstained: 0 18. 24-1465 Approval of the August 8, 2024 and August 15, 2024 Budget Workshop Minutes, and August 27, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes The Minutes were approved on the consent agenda. Consent-Second Reading Ordinances 19. 24-1408 Ordinance authorizing execution of new 15 year Industrial District Agreements (IDAs); and reestablishing the land areas located within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Corpus Christi, Texas as Industrial Districts Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 19. Council Members, City Manager Peter Zanoni, Assistant City Manager Heather Hurlbert, and City Attorney Miles Risley discussed the following topics: to consider negotiating a 10 year contract instead of 15 years; if this item is postponed, it would delay the execution of the agreements and annexation process, if necessary; and IDA revenues have considerably increased over the past 10 years. Mayor Guajardo opened public comment. There were no comments from the public. Mayor Guajardo closed public comment. Council Member Campos moved to amend the ordinance authorizing execution of 10 year IDAs as opposed to 15 years, seconded by Council Member Klein. The motion failed. Council Member Pusley moved to approve the ordinance, seconded by Council Member Barrera. This Ordinance was passed on second reading and approved with the following vote: Aye: 7- Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley and Council Member Roy Nay: 2- Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos Abstained: 0 Enactment No: 033448 Consent-Contracts and Procurement 20. 24-1274 Resolution authorizing a total payment of$994,688 for the annual renewal of Excess Liability and Excess Workers' Compensation insurance coverage City of Corpus Christi Page 12 Printed on 9/6/2024 City Council Meeting Minutes September 3,2024 through its' Broker of Record, Acrisure LLC, dba Carlisle Insurance, for upcoming policy year October 1, 2024- September 30, 2025. This Resolution was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: 033449 21. 24-1354 Motion authorizing a one-year service agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, of Richardson, Texas, for stop loss coverage for the City's self-funded employee health benefit plans from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, with funding from the proposed FY 2025 budget for an estimated amount of$2,436,190.00 payable from the Police, Fire, and Civilian health benefit funds. This Motion was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: M2024-139 22. 24-0533 Motion authorizing execution of a two-year professional services agreement with Axim Geospatial, LLC, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, through the Texas Department of Information Resources, for$525,959.47 to replace the outdated 20-year-old version of the ESRI Utility Network for the City's Water and Wastewater Geographic Information System (GIS) database, which will no longer be supported in the fall of 2025 and to implement an upgrade to the utility network system to be managed by Corpus Christi Water, with FY 2024 funding of $315,000 from the Water Fund. This Motion was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: M2024-140 23. 24-0959 Motion authorizing the execution of a one-year supply agreement, with two one-year option periods, with Rush Truck Centers of Texas, dba Rush Truck Center, of Corpus Christi, Texas, through the BuyBoard Cooperative for heavy equipment automotive repair parts for the Asset Management Department in an amount up to $290,000.00, and a potential total amount up to$870,000.00 if both one-year option periods are exercised, with FY 2024 funding of$48,333.33 from the Fleet Maintenance Fund. This Motion was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: M2024-141 24. 24-1289 Motion authorizing execution of a one-year cooperative purchase agreement with Rehrig Pacific Company, through the OMNIA Partners Cooperative, for $675,324.00, to purchase refuse and recycling carts for the City's Residential Curbside Collection by the Solid Waste Services Department, with FY 2025 funding from the General Fund, subject to budget approval. This Motion was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: M2024-142 City of Corpus Christi Page 13 Printed on 9/6/2024 City Council Meeting Minutes September 3,2024 25. 24-1226 Motion authorizing execution of a three-month service agreement with Zeitenergy, LLC, of Irving, Texas, for the purchase, removal and installation of two compressed natural gas dispensers to replace the existing dispensers located at the Ayers CNG Station, for$239,742.50, for Gas Operations, with FY 2024 funding from the Gas Operations Fund. This Motion was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: M2024-143 Consent-Capital Projects 26. 24-1415 Motion awarding a professional services contract to Hazen and Sawyer, Corpus Christi, Texas, to provide design, bid, and construction phase services to fully upgrade the complete Fluoride system utilized at the O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant (ONSWTP) in an amount not to exceed $532,418 with FY 2024 funding available from the Water Capital Fund. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 26. A Council Member, Director of Water Systems and Support Services Nick Winkelmann, Director of Engineering Services Jeff Edmonds, and Director of Public Health Fauzia Khan discussed the following topics: the percentage of design for the overall construction cost of the project; a suggestion to adjust the Capital Improvement Plan to follow protocol for design services; and whether any research has been done regarding the relationship between fluoride additives and dental issues. Council Member Suckley moved to approve the motion, seconded by Council Member Campos. This Motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Aye: 8- Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Hunter, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley, Council Member Roy, Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos Nay: 1 - Council Member Hernandez Abstained: 0 Enactment No: M2024-144 27. 24-1335 Motion authorizing a professional services contract with Urban Engineering, LLC, Corpus Christi, Texas, to provide a Preliminary Engineering Report for the Northwest Blvd Wastewater Infrastructure Upgrade Project in an amount not to exceed $80,210.00, located in Council District 1, with FY 2024 funding available from Wastewater Capital Fund. This Motion was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: M2024-145 General Consent Items City of Corpus Christi Page 14 Printed on 9/6/2024 City Council Meeting Minutes September 3,2024 28. 24-1349 Resolution Adopting the Nueces County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Action Plan used to reduce vulnerability to future hazards, acquire disaster funding, and lower flood insurance costs. This Resolution was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: 033450 Consent-First Reading Ordinances 29. 24-1381 Ordinance authorizing the acceptance of a grant from the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority in the amount of$864,514.00 with a City cash match of $184,005.00 and an in-kind match of$750,763.00, for a total project cost of $1,048,519.00 for salaries, overtime, and fringe benefits for four sworn officers and three civilians, and for operational needs for the Corpus Christi Police Department's Auto Theft Task Force; and designating several City staff members as designated officials for the grant; and authorizing four sworn and three civilian positions that currently exist; and appropriating $864,514.00 in the Police Grants Fund. This Ordinance passed on first reading on the consent agenda. 30. 24-1383 Ordinance authorizing the acceptance of a grant from the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority for catalytic converter theft detection and prevention in the amount of$98,728.00 for overtime for four sworn officers and two civilians, and for equipment and supplies for the Corpus Christi Police Department's Auto Theft Task Force; and designating several City staff members as designated officials for the grant; and appropriating $98,728.00 in the Police Grants Fund. This Ordinance passed on first reading on the consent agenda. K. RECESS FOR LUNCH Mayor Guajardo recessed the Council meeting for lunch at 1:47 p.m. Mayor Guajardo reconvened the meeting at 2:29 p.m. L. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (NONE) M. INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION ITEMS: (ITEM 31) 31. 24-1513 Citizen Referendum - Request for Council Reconsideration of Ordinance 033436 amending Section 2-330 of the Code of Ordinances to provide for outside representation of City Officials for alleged violations before the Ethics Commission. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 31. City Secretary Rebecca Huerta stated the City Charter allows citizens to require the City City of Corpus Christi Page 15 Printed on 9/6/2024 City Council Meeting Minutes September 3,2024 Council to reconsider adopted ordinances through referendum proceedings. If the Council fails to reconsider the ordinance, the proponents can circulate a petition to gather signatures of at least 5% of registered voters to force an election on the issue. The City Council has until the end of today's meeting to reconsider the ordinance. Mayor Guajardo opened public comment. John Weber, 609 Naples St., shared a discussion between the Ethics Commission and City Attorney, and spoke in support of reconsidering Ordinance 033436. Mayor Guajardo closed public comment. Council Members and City Secretary Huerta discussed the following topics: Council Members spoke in support of this ordinance because it also protects Board Members, not only Council Members; and a concern that by supporting this ordinance, it could cause more accusations for Council Members. Council Member Klein moved to reconsider Ordinance 033436, seconded by Council Member Campos. The motion failed. Aye: 2- Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos Nay: 7- Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley and Council Member Roy Abstained: 0 N. BRIEFINGS: (ITEM 32) 32. 24-1512 City of Corpus Christi's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Update Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 32. Director of Finance Sergio Villasana presented information on the following topics: overview; allowable uses; approved infrastructure projects; spending to date; citywide waterline improvements project status; citywide wastewater lift station upgrade project status; citywide stormwater improvements project status; and other ARPA projects-status updates. Council Members, City Manager Peter Zanoni, Assistant City Manager Heather Hurlbert, and Director Villasana discussed the following topics: a desire to obligate this money to the homeless population; and a request for an update on North Beach projects. O. EXECUTIVE SESSION: (NONE) P. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Guajardo adjourned this meeting at 6:32 p.m. City of Corpus Christi Page 16 Printed on 9/6/2024 Norma Duran From: City of Corpus Christi <noreply@formresponse.com> Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:12 AM To: City Secretary; Norma Duran Subject: Public Input:09-03-2024 - Myra Alaniz Attachments: 6011855445619952388.pdf [ [WARNING: External e-mail. Avoid clicking on links or attachments. We will NEVER ask for a password, username, payment or to take action from an email. When in doubt, please forward to SecurityAlert@cctexas.com. ] ] Warning: Replies to this message will go to returns@formresponse.com. If you are unsure this is correct please contact the Helpdesk at 826-3766. Public Comment & Input Form Date of Meeting 09-03-2024 Name Myra Alaniz Address Street Address: 4695 FM 1889 City: Robstown State/ Province: TX Postal/Zip Code: 78380 Are you a resident of No Corpus Christi? Topic Item 31 Agenda Item Number 24-1513 Describe Feedback: Item 31 24-1513 Version: 1 Being held accountable by citizens is part of being an elected official. Allowing City Council to hire an attorney will create a situation in which the interest of the Council being questioned is prioritized above the citizens concerns. This will lead to a 1-sided and unfair situation, causing citizens to fear brining their concerns before the council, despite the council member's pledges to listen to those concerns if elected. The Ethics Attorney's primary concern will be to the City Council, Not the citizen. As a 1-side counsel representation, the citizen will be outwitted by an attorney who is versed in law and procedural rules. If you strongly believe in a need for an Ethical attorney for the Council, then provide one to the citizen so the balance of power will be equal. This 1-side, unbalance legal representation will lead to suppressing citizens concerns. Provide an email to receive a copy of your samalaniz24@yahoo.com submission. 2 Norma Duran From: City of Corpus Christi <noreply@formresponse.com> Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:41 AM To: City Secretary; Norma Duran Subject: Public Input: 09-03-2024 -Jumana Abd Al Rahman Attachments: 6011872847412348161.pdf [ [WARNING: External e-mail. Avoid clicking on links or attachments. We will NEVER ask for a password, username, payment or to take action from an email. When in doubt, please forward to SecurityAlert@cctexas.com. ] ] Warning: Replies to this message will go to returns@formresponse.com. If you are unsure this is correct please contact the Helpdesk at 826-3766. J 'ublic Comment & Input Form Date of Meeting 09-03-2024 Name Jumana Abd Al Rahman Address Street Address: 1948 S Padre Dr City: Corpus Christi State/ Province:TX Postal/Zip Code: 78412 Are you a resident of Corpus Christi? Yes What district do you District 4 reside in? Topic IDA Agenda Item Number 24-1408 Describe Feedback: Hello, I am writing my public comment today to address the IDA industrial district agreements. After last city council public comments,we made it clear that those who vote in support the IDA, is giving a greenlight to the polluting industries here to continue their late stage colonization of not only the native Karankawa, Lipan Apache, Tonkawa and Coahuiltecan peoples and lands, but to continue enabling Valero's current fueling of i the ongoing genocide in Palestine.You have the opportunity to begin to rectify this mistake, and amend your conscience by voting to ANNEX the industries today so they may at the very least pay taxes, rather than their current decade long state of polluting with a blank check. Provide an email to receive a copy of your cctxpsc@gmail.com submission. 2 Norma Duran From: Kenny Jones Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:22 AM To: Ruth David Cc: City Secretary Subject: Re: IDAs Thank you for your concern, however, I am not the contact person for City Council. Anything like that should go through City Secretary at CitySecretary@cctexas.com. I have cc'd them. Have a great day! Thank you, Kenny Jones La Retama Central Library 805 Comanche St. Ph. 361.826.7070 e-mail: Kennyj @cctexas.corn From: Ruth David<redavidincc@yahoo.com> Sent: Saturday, August 31, 2024 1:01 AM To:Jim Klein <Jim.Klein@cctexas.com>; Dan Suckley<Dan.Suckley@cctexas.com>; Kenny Jones<KennyJ@cctexas.com>; Mike Pusley<mike.pusley@cctexas.com>; Paulette Guajardo <Paulette.Guajardo@cctexas.com>; Sylvia Campos <Sylvia.Campos@cctexas.com> Subject: IDAs [ [WARNING: External e-mail. Avoid clicking on links or attachments. We will NEVER ask for a password, username, payment or to take action from an email. When in doubt, please forward to SecurityAlert@cctexas.com. ] ] Warning: This email or its attached document contains a URL that has an unknown reputation status. While this does not guarantee the URL is malicious, the validity of the URL cannot be verified. Please exercise caution when clicking on any links inside of an email or an email attachment. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Service Desk at 826-3766. Thank you. To the city council and mayor, I understand that the IDAs are to be renewed and the terms are not favorable to the general population but overwhelmingly beneficial to industry at the taxpayers expense. Please consider the numerous examples of previous city decisions that have cost us dearly ie. our water supply, our roads, and current sagging taxes resulting in loss of jobs, services and hours of operation. Please do not make any long term agreements without a crystal ball. 15 years is incredibly long and it is ridiculous and unwise to lock us in unfavorable deals or any long term contracts. In my opinion, either you are favoring industry over the welfare of the city or you are too lazy to allow individual negotiations or any future negotiations. i I am not happy with your recent actions concerning the budget and now you might compound the problem with another city folly. I hate that so many people talk about all the stupid and costly problems that have occurred because of the city council's past decisions. This city could be a jewel and not a joke. Please be mindful of the consequences of your actions. November is around the corner and if you don't consider the citizens, you probably won't be returning to office. I realize that you are probably doing the best job you can... I hope so anyway. No one wants to believe that you are in the industry's back pocket, but if you go forward and favor industry, it will be a reasonable assumption. Sincerely, Ruth David 361-815-8438 Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad 2 Norma Duran From: City of Corpus Christi <noreply@formresponse.com> Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:23 AM To: City Secretary; Norma Duran Subject: Public Input: 09-03-2024 - Andrea Ramos Attachments: 6011897645335439490.pdf [ [WARNING: External e-mail. Avoid clicking on links or attachments. We will NEVER ask for a password, username, payment or to take action from an email. When in doubt, please forward to SecurityAlert@cctexas.com. ] ] Warning: Replies to this message will go to returns@formresponse.com. If you are unsure this is correct please contact the Helpdesk at 826-3766. Public Comment& Input Form Date of Meeting 09-03-2024 Name Andrea Ramos Address Street Address: 1129 York Avenue City: Corpus Christi State/ Province: TX Postal/Zip Code: 78404 Are you a resident of Corpus Christi? Yes What district do you I don't know reside in? Topic IDA(Industrial Distric Agreement Agenda Item Number IDA Describe Feedback: Valero needs to pay taxes. How is it that the people of Corpus pay more taxes than them?? And they are also great polluters of Benzene. This is definitely affecting the citizens of this city-the least they can do is pay taxes. And they are also supplying Isreal with fuel in the ongoing genocide that us happening in Gaza. This is disgusting the fact that our city i is mixed in in all of this. Innocent people are dying. Provide an email to receive a copy of your chs.andrearamos@gmail.com submission. 2 Norma Duran From: City of Corpus Christi <noreply@formresponse.com> Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:27 AM To: City Secretary; Norma Duran Subject: [EXTERNAL]Public Input: 09-03-2024 - Molly Davis Attachments: 6011900221644354329.pdf [ [WARNING: External e-mail. Avoid clicking on links or attachments. We will NEVER ask for a password, username, payment or to take action from an email. When in doubt, please forward to SecurityAlert@cctexas.com. ] ] Warning: Replies to this message wilt go to returns@formresponse.com. If you are unsure this is correct please contact the Helpdesk at 826-3766. =Public Comment& Input Form Date of Meeting 09-03-2024 Name Molly Davis Address Street Address: 4025 Markins Dr City: Corpus Christi State/ Province: Texas Postal/Zip Code: 78411 Are you a resident of Yes Corpus Christi? What district do you District 2 reside in? Topic IDA Agenda Item Number IDA Describe Feedback: It is necessary that we annex industry and not allow IDAs to give tax breaks to multi- million and billion dollar corporations. How is this fair? How is this just? How is this doing right by the people of the city?While we pay hundreds for water each month and are taxed on all of it, industry is given a pardon. Who gets sweetheart deals like this? Only corporations, not the people of your city. It is a disgrace to allow these IDAs to be approved for 10-15 years in order to avoid i annexation. It is criminal to give these polluting, harmful industries a complete pass in this city. These IDAs also help aid a genocide across seas in Palestine, where companies like Valero continue to ship jet fuel. This is not right, it is not just. Provide an email to receive a copy of your mollygreenhamdavis@gmail.com submission. 2 Norma Duran From: City of Corpus Christi <noreply@formresponse.com> Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:29 AM To: City Secretary; Norma Duran Subject: [EXTERNAL]Public Input: 09-03-2024 - Heather Shields Attachments: 6011901349425092194.pdf [ [WARNING: External e-mail. Avoid clicking on links or attachments. We will NEVER ask for a password, username, payment or to take action from an email. When in doubt, please forward to SecurityAlert@cctexas.com. ] ] Warning: Replies to this message will go to returns@formresponse.com. If you are unsure this is correct please contact the Helpdesk at 826-3766. Q EPublic Comment & Input Form Date of Meeting 09-03-2024 Name Heather Shields Address Street Address: 1230 Preston Street City: Corpus Christi State/ Province: TX Postal/Zip Code: 78418 Are you a resident of Corpus Christi? Yes What district do you District 4 reside in? Topic IDAs Heavy Industrial Users Agenda Item Number IDAs Heavy Industrial Users Describe Feedback: I would like to voice my concern over the city council's continued pursuit of renewing IDAs for heavy industrial users. IDAs are set up between industries and the city to encourage them to bring their business to the city. Over the course of heavy industrial users being located in our city, they have polluted air, land, and sea; some of this to the point of being irreparable. These industries have caused friends and family members to become infected with rare diseases and i cancers. And now we are finding out our city and Port's complicity in fueling the genocide in Palestine, which has killed over 186,000 people.The damage done to our community, and to the communities being genocided around the world is irreparable, but as elected council members you can at least make these refineries pay our community back by removing the IDAs and requiring taxation. Listen to the voice of your constituents. Provide an email to receive a copy of your h.shields87@gmail.com submission. 2 Norma Duran From: City of Corpus Christi <noreply@formresponse.com> Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:30 AM To: City Secretary; Norma Duran Subject: Public Input:09-03-2024 - Kirsten Aguilar Attachments: 6011901961648576292.pdf [ [WARNING: External e-mail. Avoid clicking on links or attachments. We will NEVER ask for a password, username, payment or to take action from an email. When in doubt, please forward to SecurityAlert@cctexas.com. ] ] Warning: Replies to this message will go to returns@formresponse.com. If you are unsure this is correct please contact the Helpdesk at 826-3766. =Public Comment& Input Form Date of Meeting 09-03-2024 Name Kirsten Aguilar Address Street Address: 7037 Islander Way Unit 9104 City: Corpus Christi State / Province: TX Postal/Zip Code: 78412 Are you a resident of Corpus Christi? Yes What district do you District 4 reside in? Topic IDAs Agenda Item Number 24-1408 Describe Feedback: You're raising taxes and bills of the people of the city, when you're using people of the city's money for criminal purposes.This should be outlawed, and y'all should put people over power. Do better for us and the future generations of Corpus Christi. This place could thrive if you have it a chance to, not the industries a chance for tax cuts. Ridiculous. i Provide an email to receive a copy of your kirstenagui@gmail.com submission. 2 Norma Duran From: City of Corpus Christi <noreply@formresponse.com> Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:37 AM To: City Secretary; Norma Duran Subject: Public Input: 09-03-2024 - Tanya Bergstrom Attachments: 6011906268926413406.pdf [ [WARNING: External e-mail. Avoid clicking on links or attachments. We will NEVER ask for a password, username, payment or to take action from an email. When in doubt, please forward to SecurityAlert@cctexas.com. ] ] Warning: Replies to this message will go to returns@formresponse.com. If you are unsure this is correct please contact the Helpdesk at 826-3766. p Public Comment& Input Form Date of Meeting 09-03-2024 Name Tanya Bergstrom Address Street Address: District 4 City: Corpus Christi State / Province: TX Postal/Zip Code: 78414 Are you a resident of Corpus Christi? Yes What district do you District 4 reside in? Topic Industries Agreement District/Ethics Violation Agenda Item Number 24.1513 &24.1408 Describe Feedback: I don't understand how 80 industries get a sweetheart deal and small folks who are trying to get by with there business.You're trying to raise small business permits. Everything is high inflation, groceries, gas and bills. Not only are you expending their IDAs for 15 years you are getting a small piece of the pie when thoseindustries bring in billions of dollars. But like always you guys attack the small folk trying to make a living. i You guys can try and make industry happy but at the end of the day these are elected positions. We elected you in public service you are here to work for the people and not corporations. We know who works for us and we know who's against us. November can't come soon enough. I completely disagree that taxpayers should be on the hook for a lawyer bill.We all know what happened to Blake Farenthhold. The taxpayers paying into the city is not a piggy bank for corrupt city officials to get a free lawyer. Council member Mike Pusley pay it yourself. 2 Norma Duran From: City of Corpus Christi <noreply@formresponse.com> Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:35 AM To: City Secretary; Norma Duran Subject: Public Input: 09-03-2024 - Elida Castillo Attachments: 6011905195226646966.pdf [ [WARNING: External e-mail. Avoid clicking on links or attachments. We will NEVER ask for a password, username, payment or to take action from an email. When in doubt, please forward to SecurityAlert@cctexas.com. ] ] Warning: Replies to this message will go to returns@formresponse.com. If you are unsure this is correct please contact the Helpdesk at 826-3766. 0 iPublic Comment& Input Form Date of Meeting 09-03-2024 Name Elida Castillo Address Street Address: 131 Lerdo St City: Taft State/ Province: TX Postal/Zip Code: 78390 Are you a resident of Corpus Christi? No Topic IDAs Agenda Item Number 24-1408 Describe Feedback: I am writing you to urge the denial of the IDAs that benefit 80 facilities. These agreements have subsidized these businesses for too long at the expense of residents. Now you want to increase the term from 10 to 15 years for a measly 19%. The problem with the backflow prevention program also started because the rules were not being enforced. Then the council goes and votes to use around $1.3 million of the lawsuit funds to start a program that benefits the offenders. Where was the money to reimburse residents &small businesses for not being able to use the water, then having to purchase bottled water out of their own pockets? The mayor& Port commissioners couldn't stop praising the $315 million of commerce that passes through this area daily. So, not only do these industries enjoy federal&state subsidies, but local subsidies like IDAs as well. You see the issues that the city is now facing in getting them to pay equitable water rates, so we do end up losing much more in the end. Provide an email to receive a copy of your ecastillo@lcv.org submission. 2 Norma Duran From: City of Corpus Christi <noreply@formresponse.com> Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:21 AM To: City Secretary; Norma Duran Subject: [EXTERNAL]Public Input:09-03-2024 - Jason Hale Attachments: 6011896328913953590.pdf; Public Comment on Ordinance 24-1513 (Hale, Jason).pdf [ [WARNING: External e-mail. Avoid clicking on links or attachments. We will NEVER ask for a password, username, payment or to take action from an email. When in doubt, please forward to SecurityAlert@cctexas.com. ] ] Warning: Replies to this message will go to returns@formresponse.com. If you are unsure this is correct please contact the Helpdesk at 826-3766. imiamissumaru 0 :Public Comment& Input Form Date of Meeting 09-03-2024 Name Jason Hale Address Street Address: 4421 HAMLIN DR City: CORPUS CHRISTI State/ Province: TX Postal/Zip Code: 78411-3059 Are you a resident of Yes Corpus Christi? What district do you District 2 reside in? Topic Ethics Commission Agenda Item Number 24-1513 Describe Feedback: See attached PDF Uploads: Public Comment on Ordinance 24-1513 (Hale, Jason).pdf i Public Comment on Ordinance 24-1513 (Hale, Jason) 09/02/2024 Public funding for City Officials for alleged violations before the Ethics Commission This version of the ordinance has significant deviations from the recommendations given to the City Attorney by the Ethics Commission. The City Council should repeal this ordinance for the following reasons: 1. The Ethics Commission can only make recommendations to the City Council. 2. The Ethics Commission members are appointed by City Council and are unlikely to rule against them. 3. The funds should be reimbursed afterwards rather than paid up front. If a council member is found guilty near the end of their term, there is no way to ensure that the City will be made whole. Respectfully, Jason Hale Public Comment 9-3-2024 1 Date of Meeting 9/3/2024 Name Encarnacion Serna Street Address: 105 Lost Creek Drive Address City:Portland State/Province:Texas Postal/Zip Code:78374 Are you a resident of Corpus Christi? No Topic Should the City with citizens tax money pay for legal representation of city personnel Agenda Item Number 31 This proposed item/amendment or whatever it is officially named must not be approved.This proposal whereby the City of Corpus Christi will pay with citizens monies for legal representation when members of city council or city employees engage in unethical behavior must not be approved because it is in itself unethical and illegal to do so.This proposal is being pushed arbitrarily,maliciously,capriciously and abusively by current members of city council who engage Describe Feedback: themselves in unethical and abusive behavior.This proposal if it becomes an ordinance,will not just cost the citizens money,but will encourage and perpetuate on-going unethical and abusive actions by members of city council and others.One example of many;is councilman Mike Pusley, who constantly engages in unethical and abusive behavior,towards his fellow council members and to members of the public;with the complacent and tolerant lack of oversight by the Mayor and the Citys Attorney.He used a criminal At Provide an email to receive a copy of cachetonl@twc.com your submission. 2 Date of Meeting 9/2/2024 Name Bette Cranford Street Address:3802 Wilmont Dr Address City:Corpus Christi State/Province:TX Postal/Zip Code:78410 Are you a resident of Corpus Christi? Yes What district do you reside in? District 1 Topic Should the City pay for legal representation of Board Members using tax dollars Agenda Item Number 31 This proposed item/amendment should not be approved.This proposal whereby the City of Corpus Christi will pay with citizens monies for legal representation when members of city council or city employees engage in unethical behavior must not be approved because it is in itself Describe Feedback: unethical and possibly illegal to do so.This proposal is being pushed arbitrarily,maliciously,and capriciously by current members of city council who engage themselves in unethical and abusive behavior.This proposal,if it becomes an ordinance,will not just cost the citizens money,but will encourage and perpetuate on-going unethical and abusive actions by members of city council and others.Misconduct by board members should not be paid for with tax dollars. Provide an email to receive a copy of bette78412@aol.com your submission. 3 Date of Meeting 9/3/2024 Name Jason Hale Street Address:4421 HAMLIN DR Address City:CORPUS CHRISTI State/Province:TX Postal/Zip Code:78411-3059 Are you a resident of Corpus Christi? Yes What district do you reside in? District 2 Topic Industrial District Agreements Agenda Item Number Ordinance 24-1408 The attached document clearly explains the failures related to the proposed Industrial District Describe Feedback: Agreement.Please read and consider this comment before making your decision on the IDA's. Uploads: Public Comment on Ordinance 24-1408(Hale,Jason).pdf Provide an email to receive a copy of positivelypositiv@vahoo.com your submission. 4 Date of Meeting 9/3/2024 Name Jason Hale Street Address:4421 HAMLIN DR Address City:CORPUS CHRISTI State/Province:TX Postal/Zip Code:78411-3059 Are you a resident of Corpus Christi? Yes What district do you reside in? District 2 Topic Drought Surcharge Exemption Fees Agenda Item Number 24-1448 Large volume water users who reap the benefits of drought exemptions are not good neighbors. They will fight tooth and nail to maintain profits even if it means that we have to suffer the consequences.Attached is a comment outlining how annexation is a far superior option to Describe Feedback: drought surcharge exemption fees.It could easily be a 367%improvement over the proposed fees and could be used to improve existing water supplies like the Mary Rhodes pipeline which could secure us up to 70 MGD more than what we are already receiving all without having to risk the ill effects of desalination in the bay. Uploads: Public Comment on Ordinance 24-1448(Hale,Jason).pdf Provide an email to receive a copy of positivelvpositiv@vahoo.com your submission. 5 Date of Meeting 9/3/2024 Name Marie Lucio Street Address:4999 CR 30 Address City:Robstown State/Province:TX Postal/Zip Code:78380 Are you a resident of Corpus Christi? No Topic public comment Agenda Item Number #19 and#31 Describe Feedback: I have sent public comment thru email to council as my comment would not fit here. Provide an email to receive a copy of marielucio92@vahoo.com your submission. 6 Date of Meeting 9/3/2024 Name MaryAlice Wiechman Street Address:6813 Summer Wind Dr. Address City:Corpus Christi State/Province:Texas Postal/Zip Code:78413 Are you a resident of Corpus Christi? Yes What district do you reside in? District 5 Topic The city paying attorney fees for Councilor's ethic violation and IDA agreements Agenda Item Number Items#19 Regarding item#19: Please reconsider having the City of Corpus Christi pay the legal fees for council members to defend against ethics complaints made by tax-paying citizens.The council member in question should be required to turn over the records requested under the Freedom of Information Act immediately.Why does he need an attorney?What is he hiding? Thank you, Mary Alice Wiechman 6813 Summer Wind Dr. Corpus Christi,TX 78413. Provide an email to receive a copy of mars.alice.wiechman51@gmail.comWiechman your submission. 7 Date of Meeting 9/3/2024 Name Miguel Briseno Street Address:314 Caribbean Dr. Address City:Corpus Christi State/Province:Texas Postal/Zip Code:78418 Are you a resident of Corpus Christi? Yes What district do you reside in? District 4 Topic City resolution on informed consent for injectables Agenda Item Number Unknown Describe Feedback: Would like to be included as a 3-minute speaker at the City Council public Hearing at 11.30 Provide an email to receive a copy of miguelbriseno1959@gmail.com your submission. 8 Date of Meeting 9/3/2024 Name Mary Alice Wiechman Street Address:6813 Summer Wind Dr. Address City:Corpus Christi State/Province:Texas Postal/Zip Code:78413 Are you a resident of Corpus Christi? Yes What district do you reside in? District 5 Topic IDA agreements Agenda Item Number #31 Regarding item#31: Please reconsider the ordinance authorizing execution of a 15-year industrial contract for industry Describe Feedback: (IDAs).Consider annexing these industries to the City of Corpus Christi so that they can pay their fair share of taxes,removing the entire burden from the citizens. Provide an email to receive a copy of mary.alice.wiechman51@gmail.comWiechman your submission. Public Comment on Ordinance 24-1408 (Hale, Jason) 09/02/2024 First Comment A Plan For Reform IDA's are a subsidy to some of the most profitable businesses in town. Case in point, new improvements are not taxed for the first four years after they have been put in service. By year five, the value of these improvements are a small fraction of what they initially were. How much taxpayer funds are we leaving on the table with policies like this? So far, this has not been elucidated by City staff. Residents deserve to know how much potential revenue is being foregone before the IDA is signed for the suggested 15 year term. I don't think we should be directly subsidizing industrial growth flat out. Instead, we should directly subsidize specific growth that the community actually wants to see in our area because there are a lot of types of projects that do not align with the community's values. If you've been to a TCEQ public meeting for one of the proposed ammonia plants in the area, then you know what I am talking about. Companies are designed to make profits, they only consider what is priced, so subsidies should come with conditions. This IDA agreement gives all of our carrots away and leaves the City of Corpus Christi with fewer tools to incentivize the growth that residents would like to see. For example, Cheniere's currently proposed expansion would lead to the emission of over 6.9 million tons per year of greenhouse gasses (as CO2e)with a projected climate related social cost of$1.2 billion per year, and projected climate change related deaths of 1,423 people per year. Is that the growth we want to encourage with tax abatements? Is this the future we want for the Coastal Bend area? More importantly, will it be the growth that residents want to encourage 5 or 10 years from now? I certainly hope not. But it shouldn't be up to me or to City staff. It should be up to the residents, which means they need to be involved during the negotiation process. Residents deserve to be a stakeholder with a seat at the negotiation table. While there is no single recipe for successful subsidy reform, experiences suggest that the following ingredients are needed: 1. A comprehensive tax abatement sector reform plan with clear long-term objectives with an analysis of the impact of reforms; 2. Transparent and extensive communication and consultation with stakeholders, including information on the size of subsidies and how they affect the City's budget; 3. Price increases that are phased-in Tax abatements through IDA's have the potential to encourage pollution reduction improvements, water use improvements, and improvements in job to resource use ratios just to name a few. They are an opportunity to encourage specific criteria that align with the values of residents. However, the proposed IDA agreement does nothing to encourage targeted growth. Instead it is a flat out subsidy that promises more of the same industrial activity which has led to negative health outcomes, expansions in overburdened communities, and a depletion of our water resources. All while we are cutting City services to residents that we desperately need. Who is this IDA good for? If it's a good deal for us, then it's a bad deal for them. So how would that incentivize growth? All we are asking for is a rational explanation of the costs and benefits of the current agreement so that we can make an informed decision on whether or not this is an actual benefit to the community. If this IDA incentivizes growth, then it must have some costs to the residents, and that cost has not been clearly explained in contrast to a non-IDA type agreement like annexation or at the very least, alternative scenarios like 100% PILOT on improvements from year 1 to 4 after it has been put in service. We all want what is best for the residents, even if we have different views on how that can be achieved. However, we can't have a rational conversation about this topic without the facts. Annexation is a valid option whose costs and benefits should be clearly explained before signing this agreement. Alternative PILOT scenarios are worth exploring. Failure to do so is extremely troubling since the term length is 15 years, potentially locking in losses that will deprive residents of essential City services. I believe this agreement is a step back for the residents of Corpus Christi because it robs us of a better future. Please keep this in mind when making your decision on the current proposed IDA. Respectfully, Jason Hale Second Comment Don't Mess With Texas Growing up I would see these signs all over the place. Billboards, magazine ads, television commercials, you name it. To me, it meant that our natural resources are special and worth preserving and if you screw it up, you're a jerk, even if you only tossed out a candy wrapper at the beach. Don't mess with Texas is a strong message.and it's something I believe deeply resonates with Texans, because our land, water, and air are special, and they are worth preserving. When I turned 16 and started driving, I was kind of a jerk. Every now and then I'd toss out my fast food garbage while driving down the road. At the time, it felt like in the grand scheme of things, it wouldn't matter. What's one piece of trash compared to the vast amounts of waste that's dumped into our land, air, and water everyday? It was dumb. The novelty wore off. And with the threat of getting a hefty fine, quickly went back to properly discarding my trash. IDA Incentives IDA's provide a unique opportunity to incentivize good stewardship of our natural resources because they deal with businesses that have been given a license to pollute. Although these businesses produce goods that are important to the economy, the waste they generate is not always disposed of in the most efficient manner. This is because they are businesses that are designed to make a profit. Balancing proper waste disposal versus profits can be difficult, but the IDA's can help bridge that gap by financially incentivizing good stewardship. For example, 100% of all pollution technology improvements are untaxed in this agreement, even if it is for the replacement of an older bare minimum technology with a newer bare minimum technology. That does very little to encourage better stewardship. We are basically subsidizing something the company should be doing anyways. A better approach would be to 1. give 100% abatement to the maximum achievable technology, 2. less for 'best available control technology', and 3. none for the bare minimum. That could actually go a long way in improving the health of our land, air, and water. Another incentive that could be added would be a reduction in abatements based on air quality attainment. The current air quality in the region is approaching non attainment with national air quality standards which can result in a huge burden to all aspects of life here in Corpus Christi. According to a recent study it could cost the region over $1.7 billion annually for 23 years. Implementing a reduction in abatements as we approach non-attainment could encourage industries that have the biggest effect on air quality to reduce their emissions by giving them a financial incentive to do so. You could set the reductions to 1. 100% for non attainment or higher, 2. 50% for half way to attainment from current air quality averages, and 3. 0% for current air quality. By reductions I mean 0% is the current abatement, and 100% is no abatement. This could also result in meaningful air quality improvements. Public Input Unfortunately suggestions like these weren't able to be made during the City's negotiations with IDA businesses because there was no public input opportunity while they were taking place. Residents don't need access to sensitive financial information, we just need a seat at the table. Now, with the term length set to 15 years, our voices have been effectively silenced. We were robbed of an opportunity to be involved, and now we won't get another chance for another seven and a half election cycles. Something about that feels incredibly undemocratic. Recently, a Port commissioner mentioned that the City needs a plan for how it would like industry to grow in the future. We currently don't have an official plan, but the IDA's are actually pretty indicative of how the City sees growth in the future. I'm not anti growth, but I do believe there is room for improvement in our current growth plan, something that could be addressed with the IDA's. For example, climate change is a huge issue. With the Port being a number one exporter of oil, this community plays a large part in the stability of the earth's climate. Do we really want to encourage growth in industries that exacerbate our current climate crisis? I don't. But it's not up to me. It's up to the community to decide. Personally, I would like for the IDA'S to incentivize more renewable energy businesses that reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Given that we are currently out of water to sell to new IDA businesses, I'd also like to see more incentives to businesses that have a high job to water use ratio, or at the very least, utilize the best available technology to reduce water use. Again, that's for the community to decide. With that in mind, I request that the IDA's term length be reduced to the minimum number of years possible. I'd settle for 5 years, but less would be better. That way, the City can restart the negotiation process and this time, involve the community's input by giving them a seat at the table. There should be more community stakeholders present, not just the City staff and industrial partners. Residents are partners in this as well. We work here, we breathe the air here, and if we reach non-attainment, we will also suffer the consequences. Respectfully, Jason Hale Public Comment on Ordinance 24-1448 (Hale, Jason) 09/02/2024 Drought Surcharge Exemption Fee The City of Corpus Christi is experiencing a water crisis that is exacerbated by large volume water users who opt out of water conservation during periods of drought through the use of drought surcharge exemption fees. If we eliminate the water exemption fee and annex large volume water users, we could raise the water rates, creating more revenue to develop adequate water resources like improvements to the Mary Rhodes pipeline, something that isn't an option with the current drought surcharge funds. Last year, the City raised large volume water rates to reflect the actual costs of providing services from $1.94 to $3.94 per thousand gallons. These large volume users immediately appealed to the public utilities commission (PUC) to have their rates lowered. Large volume water users aren't the good neighbors they pretend to be. They are businesses who will fight tooth and nail to maintain profits even if it means we suffer as a consequence. If they take every opportunity to do what's best for them then we should do the same. Cost Benefit Analysis of Annexation The 30 year cost for the Inner Harbor plant could be as much as $1.957 billion, assuming a $40 million yearly operations and maintenance cost. The proposed drought surcharge exemption fee would only net 10.22% of these costs assuming that large volume water users consume 58.92 MGD of water. If the City annexed the IDA businesses and charged them the minimum rate that is billed to residential customers ($5.08 per thousand gallons), the benefit would be $735 million, assuming the current $3.94 per thousand gallon rate isn't lowered by the PUC. That is an improvement of 367.7% over the proposed surcharge fee. Summary Clearly, annexation is the better option for recouping costs for a new water supply that is only necessitated by current and future large volume water users. Please do what is in the best interest of residents by ditching the drought surcharge exemption fee and annexing large volume water users. Respectfully, Jason Hale