HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 05/08/2025 - Workshop �yUS
Cgs,`
pp `4P
?r
1852
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the
Workshop Meeting of the Corpus Christi City Council of May 8, 2025, which were
approved by the City Council on June 24, 2025.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, on this the 24th day of June 2025.
Rebecca 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
Meeting Minutes
City Council Workshop
1201 Leopard Street
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
cctexas.com
Thursday, May 8, 2025
10:00 AM Council Chambers
FY 2026 Council Budget Goal Setting Session and Animal Care Services Assessment
Briefing
A. Mayor Paulette Guajardo to call the meeting to order.
Mayor Guajardo called the meeting to order at 10:14 a.m.
B. 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 Kaylynn Paxson, Council Member Eric Cantu, Council
Member Carolyn Vaughn, Council Member Everett Roy, Council Member Sylvia Campos,
and Council Member Mark Scott
C. FY 2026 Budget Goal Setting Session (10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
1. 25-0639 FY 2026 Budget Goal Setting
Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 1.
Assistant City Manager Heather Hurlbert presented information on the following topics:
budget calendar and fiscal policies; FY 2026 budget calendar; and financial policies.
Director of Management and Budget Amy Cowley presented information on the following
topics: revenues; revenue assumptions; property tax rate; property tax rate comparison;
property tax rate and exemption comparison; circuit breaker exemption; expenses; cost
assumptions; reserves; change in general fund reserves (fund balance); forecast; general
fund forecast for FY 2026-revenues; general fund forecast for FY 2026-expenses; and
general fund forecast for FY 2026.
Police Chief Mike Markle presented information on the following topics: FY 2025 budget
initiatives; police staffing plan; and FY 2026 mandated increases.
A Council Member and Chief Markle discussed the following topic: the police
City of Corpus Christi
Page 1 Printed on 6/16/2025
City Council Workshop
Meeting Minutes May 8, 2025
department is requesting to fill 10 positions for a total cost of $1.4 million.
Fire Chief Brandon Wade presented information on the following topics: fire department
staffing; and FY 2026 mandated increases.
Council Members, City Manager Peter Zanoni, and Chief Wade discussed the following
topics: a Standard Operating Procedure is in place for electric vehicles and the new
Harbor Bridge; the importance of responding to emergency calls within a very reasonable
time; a request for national statistics on cancer diagnoses of firefighters; the field medical
officers coordinate with hospitals to transport patients, as well as assist with training and
new equipment; the three biggest challenges the fire department encounters are efficient
staffing, the wellness program, and to keep fleet in good operating condition; and the fire
department offers free installation of smoke detectors.
Director of Parks and Recreation Robert Dodd presented information on the following
topics: parks and recreation amenities; FY 2025 budget increases for mandates; FY
2026 mandates; and City wide park upgrades.
Council Members, City Manager Peter Zanoni, Director Dodd, and Assistant Director of
Parks and Recreation Sergio Gonzalez discussed the following topics: a request for
park development funds and Capital Improvement Program projects; in-house park
maintenance services versus outsourcing; the Bill Witt Aquatic Center's grand opening is
Memorial Day weekend; the annual operational cost for Bill Witt Aquatic Center includes
personnel; and a request for the operational cost of all City pools.
Director of Development Services Michael Dice presented information on the following
topics: code compliance; compliance officers funded by general fund and CDBG;
customer service metrics; demolition and abatement funds; total structures demolished;
and total property abatements.
Council Members and Director Dice discussed the following topics: the department is
requesting 20 additional positions to be proactive; and a Council Member commended a
code compliance officer for taking initiative.
Director of Solid Waste Philip Aldridge presented information on the following topic:
historical solid waste fee increases.
Council Members and Director Aldridge discussed the following topics: a Council
Member praised the department for their efforts and leadership; and a concern about the
significant amount of debt under solid waste.
Director of Library Services Laura Garcia presented information on the following topics:
mission statement; library branch locations; FY 2019-FY2025 enhancements; and
department needs.
City of Corpus Christi Page 2 Printed on 6/16/2025
City Council Workshop
Meeting Minutes May 8, 2025
Council Members and Director Garcia discussed the following topics: a request for the
City to collaborate with CCISD to determine the site location and design for the Garcia
Library/Senior Center; and to ensure libraries are valued and assessed.
Director of Public Works Ernesto De La Garza presented information on the following
topics: FY 2025 Public Works Operating budget: $115.7M; street adopted budget FY
2023-FY 2025; streets funding; and street user fee.
Council Members, City Manager Peter Zanoni, and Director De La Garza discussed the
following topics: a desire to recreate the street user fee to generate revenue and to
include sidewalks in that discussion.
Director of Public Works Ernesto De La Garza presented information on the following
topics: storm water fee; storm water service enhancements; and FY 2022-2026 five-year
enhancement forecast.
Council Members, City Manager Peter Zanoni, and Director De La Garza discussed the
following topics: a concern the storm water fees have increased every year since 2022
for street sweeping; and the 1/8 cent sales tax is intended for capital improvement
projects.
Managing Director of Specialized Public Finance Inc. Victor Quiroga presented
information on the following topics: common debt financing tools; outstanding debt
summary as of September 30, 2025; property tax -secured (GO) debt by financing tool;
property tax -secured (GO) debt service payments; historical and projected taxable
values; property tax rate; update on property tax exemptions; November 2022 Bond
Program: $125,000,000; November 2024 Bond Program: $175,000,000; FY 2025
estimated project funding needs; and upcoming discussion and action.
Council Members, City Manager Peter Zanoni, and Director Quiroga discussed the
following topics: the City can only control setting the tax rate; the tax levy changes based
on value of property; and taxpayers could vote on the next Bond program to change the
Maintenance and Operation tax rate to the Interest and Sinking tax rate.
Assistant City Manager Heather Hurlbert presented information on the following topic:
HB 19.
Council Members and Assistant City Manager Hurlbert discussed the following topics:
the City filed an opposition to this Bill; and the City would not be able to issue more debt
on the General Obligation Bond for about 10 years if the bill becomes law.
D. Recess for Lunch:
Mayor Guajardo recessed the Council meeting for lunch at 12:51 p.m. Mayor Guajardo
reconvened the meeting at 1:35 p.m.
City of Corpus Christi Page 3 Printed on 6/16/2025
City Council Workshop
Meeting Minutes May 8, 2025
E. Animal Care Services Assessment Briefing (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
2. 25-0640 Presentation on the Animal Care Services Assessment
Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 2.
Project Manager and Animal Services Specialist at Citygate Associates Jan E. Glick
presented information on the following topics: presentation objectives; Citygate overview
and project team; Citygate Associates; Citygate assessment timeline;
timeline -September 2023 to December 2025; Citygate Assessment project scope;
Animal Care Services department overview; hours of operation; Animal Care Services
(AC) timeline; ACS adopted budget history FY 2020-FY 2025; ACS facility (2626 Holly
Road); department divisions; ACS organizational chart (57 budgeted FTEs); customer
care (4 FTEs); field operations (22 FTEs); kennel operations (13 FTEs); live release (4
FTEs) and 1 contract consultant; veterinary clinic (4 FTEs); key findings and
recommendations; overall assessment; key findings; Citygate recommendations by
category; recommendation status; key recommendations by program areas; general
operations; shelter operations; field operations; veterinary program; adoptions; foster
program; social media, website and marketing; euthanasia; proactive programs;
Citygate priority recommendations; additional staffing needs; recommended additional
staffing needs; recommended reclassifications; increased staffing impacts; facility
upgrade recommendations; facility assessment (new construction); facility assessment
(enhancements); air conditioning in kennel buildings; dedicated adoption counseling
area; expand meet -and -greet areas; separate public animal turn -in area; implementation
plan; Animal Care Services implementation plan; and closing.
Council Members, City Manager Peter Zanoni, Ms. Glick, and Director of Animal Care
Services Kathleen Chapa discussed the following topics: concerns about the incinerator
not in use, animals being euthanized, and animal cruelty; Council Members expressed
frustration about not prioritizing Animal Care Services and the lack of leadership; to
explore grant options; to prioritize cooling in kennels; a challenge to hire a qualified
director and a shortage of Veterinarians; and a request for monthly updates regarding the
Animal Care Services department.
F. Adjournment
Mayor Guajardo adjourned the meeting at 4:13 p.m.
City of Corpus Christi Page 4 Printed on 6/16/2025