HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 05/08/1963PRESENT:
Mayor James L. Barnard
Commissioners:
Jim Young
Jack R. Blackmon
J. R. de Leon
M. P. Maldonado
W. J. Roberts
W. H. Wallace, Jr.
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
May 8, 1963
2:00 p.m.
City Manager Herbert W. Whitney
City Attorney I. M. Singer
City Secretary T. Ray Kring
Mayor James L. Barnard called the meeting to order.
The Invocation was given by the Reverend A. C. Madison, Pastor of
Trinity Church of the Nazarene.
City Secretary T. Ray Kring called the roll of those in attendance.
Motion by Young, seconded by Maldonado and passed that the minutes
of the regular meeting of May 1, 1963, at 2:00 p.m., and of the special meet-
ing of May 1, 1963, at 4:00 p.m., be approved as furnished to the Council.
Mayor Barnard read, signed, and presented proclamations relative to
the following: HOSPITAL WEEK, May 12-18, 1963, in recognition of National
Hospital Week and the vital community service provided by our hospitals; and
TEXAS NURSE WEEK, May 12-18, 1963, honoring the birthday of Florence Righting -
gall, and urging young people of our community to consider the possibilities
of entering this vital profession, both proclamations accepted by Sister
Maxie Roderick.
Mayor Barnard asked what was the Council's pleasure relative to the
pending application of Max C. Kluge for a change of zoning from "R -1B" One -
family Dwelling District to "A-1" Apartment House District on all of Block
414, Port Aransas Cliffs, on which public hearing was held and closed on
May 1, 1963, and for which the motion made and seconded to concur in the rec-
ommendation of the Zoning & Planning Commission and deny the "A-1" zoning,
but to approve a change of zoning to "R-2" was tabled for one week.
Motion by Roberts, seconded by Maldonado and passed that the motion
which had been tabled be brought forward and considered at this time.
It was directed that the memorandum submitted by the Legal Depart-
ment to the effect that the "20% rule" is applicable to this zoning applica-
tion, and that 6 affirmative votes are necessary to grant the rezoning on
Block 414, Port Aransas Cliffs, be reflected in the minutes.
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City of Corpus Christi, Texas
Regular Council Meeting
May 8, 1963
Page 2
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Motion by de Leon, seconded by Wallace that the application for a
rhenge of zoning on Block 414, Port Aransas Cliffs, be denied. The foregoing
motion did not pass, the vote being 3 "Ayes" to 4 "Nays".
Motion by Roberts, seconded by Maldonado that the recommendation of
the Zoning & Planning Commission be concurred in, and the request for a change
of zoning on Block 414, Port Aransas Cliffs, from "R -1B" to "A-1" be denied,
but in lieu the zoning be changed to "R-2".
Following an explanation to the audience of the effect of passage
of the motion now before the Council, which is that an ordinance reflecting
the action will be presented at next week's regular meeting for final vote
which in this instance requires an affirmative vote of 6 members of the Coun-
cil, a roll call vote on the motion was requested.
On roll call vote, Commissioners Young, Blackmon, Maldonado, and
Roberts voted "Aye", and Mayor Barnard and Commissioners de Leon and Wallace
voted "Nay". Mayor Barnard declared the motion had passed.
Mayor Barnard called for the opening of bids.
Bids were opened and read on a 12 -months' supply of Galvanized and
Black Malleable Fittings from the following: Ajax Supply Co.; The Rohan Co.;
Norvell-Wilder Supply; SAMSCO; Alamo Iron Works; 011 Well Supply Division;
Maintenance Engineering Corp.; Trans -Tex Supply; Gulf Supply, Inc.; Superior
Iron Works & Supply Co.; McAllen Pipe & Supply Co.; Wallace Co., Inc.; and
Allied Plumbing Co.
Bids were opened and read on a 12 -months' supply of Street Sign
Faces and Blanks from the following: Minnesota Mining Co.; South Tex Decal;
Traffic Supplies, Inc.; Atlantic Aluminum & Distributors, Inc.; Courtesy Ad-
vertising; Interstate Highway Sign Manufacturing Co.; Hunt Co.; Veped Traffic
Controls; Municipal Street Sign Co., Inc.; Sargeant Sale, Inc.; Howard Kelps
& Co.; Universal Coatings, Inc.; and Bridge Sign Co.
Bids were opened and read on a 12 -months' supply of Red Brass Pipe
frcm the following:
Fittings7`Norvell-Wilder Supply; The Rohan Co.; SAMSCO; Trans -Tex Supply;
Wallace Co., Inc.; Gulf Supply Co.; Ajax Supply Co.; Alamo Iron Works; McAllen
Pipe & Supply; Maintenance Engineering Corp.; Superior Iron Works; and Allied
Plumbing Co.
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City of Corpus Christi, Texas
Regular Council Meeting
May 8, 1963
Page 3
Bids were opened and read on a 12 -months' supply of Survey Stakes
from the following: Kaffie Lumber; West Side Lumber; and Armstrong Lumber.
Bids were opened and read on a 12 -months' supply of Manila and Wire
Rope from the following: Alamo Iron Works; Gunderland Marine Industrial Sup-
ply, Inc.; Oil Well Supply; SAMSCO; Norvell-Wilder; Oil Field Equipment Co.;
Superior Iron Works; Wallace Co.; and Gulf Supply.
The bid of Halliburton Portland Cement Co., the only bid received
on a 29 -months' supply of Bulk Portland Cement, was opened and read.
A11 of the foregoing bids were tabled for 48 hours as required by
the City Charter, and referred to the City Manager for tabulation and recom-
mendation.
Mayor Barnard called for the City Manager's Reports.
Motion by Blackmon, seconded by de Leon and passed that the City
Manager's Reports be accepted, and the recommendations and requests be ap-
proved and granted as follows;
a. That acceptance and final payment of Estimate #10 in the amount
of $23,561.50 for completion of Unit I of Oso Sewage Plant Improvements by
Burtex Constructors, be approved; and that a completion time extension of
117 days due to delays beyond the control of the contractor, be granted;
b. That the request of S. W. Dunham, III, and Keats Dunham, Jr.
(American Bottling Co.) for permission to extend a portion of the bell foot-
ings on a concrete pier foundation a distance of 14" to 10" into the street
right-of-way on the West side of Lester Avenue, between Antelope and Leopard
Streets, approximately 11' below grade, be granted;
c. That the request of Boy Scout Troop 231, sponsored by Alders-
gate Methodist Church, for permission to paint house numbers on street curbs
on a voluntary contribution basis by the property owner, be granted with the
understanding that no painting be done or contribution requested without
first recurring permission from the property owner;
d. That the award of bid be made on the basis of low bid meeting
specifications on the following: (1) One Marlow Model PE-81WA-2 Plunger Pump
for the Broadway Sewage Plant to Southern Engine & Pump Co., Inc., for $1,055;
(Bid Tabulation #17 in File); and (2) a 72 -week contract for Uniform Rental
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City of Corpus Christi, Texas
Regular Council Meeting
May 8, 1963
Page 4
Service for Utility Meter Readers, based on 29 employees receiving 3 uniforms
per week per employee at 52.02 per week, to Model Industrial Uniform Service,
for a total of $4,217.76, of which the City pays half and the employee pays
half; (Bid Tabulation #18 in File);
e. That authority to advertise for bids to be received on May 22,
1963, on the basis of a 12 -months' supply, on the following; (1) Automotive
Batteries for Garage Parts Room; (2) Foundry Items, consisting of cement &
cast iron meter boxes, etc., for Warehouse Stock; (3) Tapping Sleeves & Valves
for Warehouse Stock; (4) Blueprint Service for various divisions; (5) Spark
Plugs for Garage Parts Room; (6) Ready -Mix Concrete for various divisions;
and (7) Repair & Painting of Mestina Street Overhead Water Tank necessitated
by default of previous contractor due to going out of business;
f. That the Tax Error & Correction Lists for February and March,
1963, be approved;
g. That the date of May 29, 1963, at a special meeting at 4 p.m.,
be set for public hearing on the zoning applications of Roy Smith, Frank
Longoria, and John Huston; and the date of June 5, 1963, at a special meet-
ing at 4 p.m., be set for public hearing on the zoning applications of Mrs.
Wesley D. Grounds, Rainbow House Kindergarten & Nursery, and Greenwood -Molina
Nursery School.
ORDINANCE NO. 6899
DECLARING THE NECESSITY FOR AND ORDERING THE PAVING AND IMPROVEMENT OF AN
ALLEY BETWEEN SANTA FE AND THIRD STREETS AND FROM AYERS STREET TO ELIZABETH
STREET, SAID ALLEY BEING IN BLOCK IX, OCEAN VIEW ADDITION TO THE CITY OF
CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS; APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR
SUCH WORK; DIRECTING THAT SUCH WORK BE PERFORMED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC
WORKS; DIRECTING THE PREPARATION OF ESTIMATES; ADOPTING THE PROVISIONS OF
CHAPTER 106, ACTS OF THE FIRST CALLED SESSION OF THE 40TH LEGISLATURE, KNOWN
AS ARTICLE 1105b OF VERNON'S TEXAS CIVIL STATUTES; PROVIDING A METHOD OF RE-
IMBURSING THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI FOR.A PORTION OF SUCH COSTS BY ASSESS-
MENT OF A PORTION OF SUCH COSTS AGAINST THE PROPERTY ABUTTING SUCH ALLEY, AND
FOR THE FIXING OF A LIEN TO SECURE PAYMENT OF SUCH ASSESSMENTS; STATING THE
TIME AND MANNER PROPOSED FOR PAYMENT OF ALL SUCH COSTS; DIRECTING THE CITY
SECRETARY TO CAUSE A NOTICE OF THE ENACTMENT OF THIS ORDINANCE TO BE FT7.F'1)
IN THE MORTGAGE OR DEED OF TRUST RECORDS OF NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS; AND DECLAR-
ING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter rule was suspended by the following vote: Mayor Barnard,
Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts, and Wallace all
present and voting "Aye".
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City of Corpus Christi, Texas
Regular Council Meeting
May 8, 1963
Page 5
The foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Mayor
Barnard, Commissioners Young, Blaclnnon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts, and
Wallace all voting "Aye".
City Attorney Singer reported that the Notice referred to in the
foregoing ordinance has been filed as required by the ordinance.
ORDINANCE NO. 6900
APPROVING AND ADOPTING 'PTF WR11TEN STATEMENT AND REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF
PUBLIC WORKS, SHOWING Tut ESTIMATES OF THE TOTAL COSTS OF ALL THE .IMPROVE
MEETS, THE ESTIMATES OF THE COST PER FRONT FOOT PROPOSED TO BE ASSESSED
AGAINST THE ABUTTING PROPERTY, AND THE REAL AND TRUE OWNERS THEREOF, FOR THE
IMPROVEMENT OF AN ALLEY BETWEEN SANTA FE AND THIRD STREETS AND FROM AYERS
STREET TO ELIZABETH STREET, SAID ALLEY BEING IN BLOCK IX, OCEAN VIEW ADDITION,
TO 'FU' CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS; DETERMINING AND FIXING
THE PORTION OF SAID COST AND THE RATE THEREOF PROPOSED TO BE ASSESSED AGAINST
AND PAID BY THE ABUTTING PROPERTY, AND THE REAL AND TRUE OWNERS THEREOF; DE-
TERMINING THE NECESSITY OF LEVYING AN ASSESSMENT AGAINST SAID ABUTTING PROP-
ERTY, AND THE REAL AND TRUE OWNERS THEREOF, FOR THE PORTION OF SAID COST AP-
PORTIONED TO THEM; ORDERING AND SETTING A HEARING AT 3 O'CLOCK P.M., ON THE
22 DAY OF MAY, 1963, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY HALL OF CORPUS
CHRISTI, TEXAS, AS THE TIME AND PLACE FOR THE HEARING OF THE REAL AND TRUE
OWNERS OF SAID ABUTTING PROPERTY AND ALL OTHERS INTERESTED IN SAID ABUTTING
PROPERTY ORi%IN ANY OF THE PROCEEDINGS CONCERNING SAID ASSESSMENTS AND IM-
PROVEMENTS; DIRECTING THE CITY SECRETARY . OF THE CITY OF CORPUS UtilISTI,
TEXAS, TO GIVE NOTICE OF SAID HEARING AS REQUIRED BY LAW; AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.
The Charter rule was suspended by the following vote: Mayor Barnard,
Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts, and Wallace all
present and voting "Aye".
The foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Mayor
Barnard, Commissioners Young, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts, and Wallace all
voting "Aye".
ORDINANCE NO. 6901
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF
THE CITY, A RELEASE OF A PAVING ASSESSMENT LIEN ASSESSED BY VIRTUE OF ORDIN-
ANCE NO. 6594 PASSED ON THE 10TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 1962, AND NOTICE FILED ON
AUGUST 15, 1962, AND RECORDED IN VOL. 837, AT PAGE 553 OF THE MORTGAGE REC-
ORDS OF NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS, AND OF A MECHANIC'S AND MATERIALMAN'S CON-
TRACTUAL LIEN EXECUTED BY GILBERT CISNEROS AND WIFE, MARIA CISNEROS, ON THE
26TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1962, AND FILED FOR RECORD ON THE 31ST DAY OF OCTOBER,
1962, AND RECORDED IN VOL. 166, AT PAGE 445, OF THE MECHANIC'S LIEN RECORDS
OF NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS, INSOFAR AS SAID ASSESSMENT AND SAID MECHANIC'S AND
MATERLUMAN'S CONTRACTUAL LIEN PERTAINS TO AN ASSESSMENT AGAINST LOT 28,
BLOCK 4, SEIKEL ADDITION TO THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS,
FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF RUTH STREET IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, FOR
THE REASON THAT SAID ASSESSMENT AND SAID MECHANIC'S AND MATERIALMAN'S CON-
TRACTUAL LIEN WERE IN ERROR IN THEIR DESCRIPTION; RESERVING SAID ASSESSMENT
AND SAID MECHANIC'S AND MATERIALMAN'S LIEN AGAINST ALL OTHER PROPERTY THERE-
IN DESCRIBED; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
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City of Corpus Christi, Texas
Regular Council Meeting
May 8, 1963
Page 6
The Charter rule was suspended by the following vote: Mayor Barnard,
Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts, and Wallace all
present and voting "Aye".
The foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Mayor
Barnard, Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts, and
Wallace all voting "Aye".
ORDINANCE N0. 6902
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF
CORPUS CHRISTI, TO EXECUTE A USE PRIV/LEGE AGREEMENT WITH HARRY STUTH JR.
FOR THE USE OF BOAT SLIP N0. 46 AT PEOPLES STREET T -HEAD IN THE CORPUS CHRISTI
MARINA FOR THE CONCESSION OF SJrrLING AND RENTING SAIL BOATS AND RELATED ART-
ICLES FOR CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS, AND UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, ALL AS MORE
FULLY SET OUT IN TNF AGREEMENT, A COPY OF WHICH IS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE
A PART HEREOF; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter rule was suspended by the following vote: Mayor Barnard,
Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts, and Wallace all
present and voting "Aye".
The foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Mayor
Barnard, Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts, and
Wallace all voting "Aye".
ORDINANCE NO. 6903
RECEIVING AND ACCEPTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE OSO SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT,
UNIT N0. 1, DESIGNATED AS PROJECT NO. 250-61-25.1, AS PERFORMED BY Tffr CON-
TRACTOR, BURTEX CONS'T'RUCTORS UNDER THEIR CONTRACT DATED APRIL 18, 1962,
AUTHORIZED BY ORDINANCE N0. 6490; AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF FINAL ESTIMATE NO.
10 DATED MARCH 10, 1963, IN THE AMOUNT OF $23,561.50, A COPY OF WHICH IS
ATTACHED HERETO ANA MADE A PART HEREOF, SAID PAYMENT TO BE MADE FROM N0. 250
SANITARY SEWER BOND FUNDS PREVIOUSLY APPROPRIATED; GRANTING A TIME EXTENSION
OF 117 WORKING DAYS FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter rule was suspended by the following vote; Mayor Barnard,
Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts, and Wallace all
present and voting "Aye".
The foregoing ordinance was passed by the following votes Mayor
Barnard, Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts, and
Wallace all voting "Aye".
ORDINANCE No. 6904
AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI ADOPTED ON THE
27TH DAY OF AUGUST, 1937, APPEARING OF RECORD IN VOLUME 9, PAGES 565 ET SEQ
OF TIM ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTION RECORDS, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME AND
PARTICULARLY AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE N0. 6106, PASSED AND APPROVED ON THE
29TH DAY OF MARCH, 1961, BY AMENDING THE ZONING MAP BY CHANGING 'ThE ZONING
OF ALL OF BLOCK 1002, BAY TERRACE N0. 2, AN ADDITION TO THE CITY OF CORPUS
CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS, FROM "A4" APARTMENT HOUSE DISTRICT TO "AB"
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City of Corpus Christi, Texas
Regular Council Meeting
May 8, 1963
Page 7
PROFESSIONAL OFFICE DISTRICT; KEEPING IN EFFECT ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE
EXISTING ORDINANCE AS AMENDED; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH;
AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter rule was suspended by the following vote: Mayor Barnard,
Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Icon, Maldonado, Roberts, and Wallace all
present and voting "Aye".
The foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Mayor
Barnard, Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts, and
Wallace all voting "Aye".
ORDINANCE N0. 6905
AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI ADOPTED ON £H1
27TH DAY OF AUGUST, 1937, APPEARING OF RECORD IN VOLUME 9, PAGES 565 ET SEQ
OF THE ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTION.RECORDS, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND
PARTICULARLY AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO. 6106, PASSED AND APPROVED ON TEE
29TH DAY OF MARCH, 1961, BY GRANTItG A SPECIAL USE PRIMO ON LOT 23, BLOCK 3,
MOLINA ADDITION NO. 1, IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNRY, TEXAS,
FOR THE OPERATION OF A MATEESS FACTORY; KEEPING IN EFFECT ALL OTHER PRO-
VISIONS OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE AS AMEDE€S; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN
CONFLICT HEREWITH; ANL DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter rule vas suspended by the following vote: Mayor Barnard,
Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts, and Wallace
all present and voting "Aye".
The foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Mayor
Barnard, Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts, and
Wallace all voting "Aye".
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TO EXECUTE A CON-
TRACT AND LEASE AGREEMENT WITH C. C. MOBTr.F HOMES, INC., LEASING TO THE SAID
C. C. MOBILE HOMES, INC., ALL OF LOT 1 OF THE MC BRIDE COMMERCIAL SITES, IN
THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NIJECES COUNTY, TEXAS, FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION
OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE CONTRACT AND LEASE AGREEMENT,
A COPY OF WHICH IS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
The foregoing ordinance was read for the first time and passed to
its second reading by the following vote: Mayor Barnard, Commissioners
Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts, and Wallace all present and
voting "Aye".
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE GRANTING TO PHARAOH ENTERPRISES, LTD.,
A FRANCHISE TO LAY, CONSTRUCT, OPERATE, MAINTAIN, REPAIR AND REMOVE A PIPE-
LINE EIGHT INCHES IN DIAMETERR FOR THE TRANSPORTATION Ory THE SEWAGE EELLUENT
FROM THE OSO SANITARY SEWER TREATMENT PLANT WITHIN AND UPON CERTAIN ROADS
AND STREETS OF THE CITY; SETTING FORTH PROVISIONS TO THE P:r'FdCT THAT SAID
PIPELINE BE CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINS: AND OPERATED IN SUCH MANNER AND IN SUCH
PLACES AS NOT TO INTER E E WITH THE USE OF SAID STREETS BY THE CITY OR THI
INHABITANTS THEREOF AND CONTINUING CERTAIN OTHER PROVISIONS, RESTRICTIONS
AND CONDITIONS; AND PROVIDING FOR FORFEITURE OF THE FRANCHISE UNDER CERTAIN
CONDITIONS.
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City of Corpus Christi, Texas
Regular Council Meeting
May 8, 1963
Page 8
The foregoing ordinance was read for the first time and passed to
its second reading by the following vote: Mayor Barnard, Commissioners
Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts, and Wallace all present and
voting "Aye".
ORDINANCE NO. 6906
APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $350,000.00 FROM HOSPITAL BOND FUND NO. 214 FOR
PAYMENT, UPON CERTLFiCATION BY THE HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR AND APPROVAL OF
THE CITY MANAGER, TO THE BUILDING FUND FOR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOR PAYMENT OF
THE CITY'S PORTION OF OBLIGATIONS INCURRED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ADDI-
TION TO THE HOSPITAL; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter rule was suspended by the following vote: Mayor Barnard,
Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts, and Wallace all
present and voting "Aye".
The foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Mayor
Barnard., Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts, and
Wallace all voting "Aye".
Mayor Barnard asked the City Manager to explain for the record the
gas rates being charged new customers of the City's system and the reason
for the differences customers are encountering in their bills. City Manager
Whitney explained that the gas rates being charged to the Houston Natural Gas
customers which were acquired within the City limits are the same as charged
by both the City and Houston Natural Gas and have been in effect since August
1, 1959, and that there has been no change in the rates charged those cus-
tomers in the previous City limits due to the acquisition of property; that
in the West part of the City, due to a rate war between Southern Community
Gas Corp. and Houston Natural Gas Corp., the customers of the Southern Com-
munity Gas Corp. had a rate lower than that provided by the ordinance, and
upon acquisition by the City those rates were raised to provide standard
rates throughout the City; and that the City had acquired a large number of
customers just prior to the Boldest winter of record in many years which re-
sulted in high gas bills due to quantities of gas consumed, not to any raise
in rates.
Commissioner Young reported that it has come to his attention that
a Corpus Christi boy, Darrel Hayes, Ensign aboard the S. S. TICONDEROGA, is
presently stationed at Yokosuka, Japan, and suggested he would make an
City of Corpus Christi, Texas
Regular Council Meeting
May 8, 1963
Page 9
effective representative of Corpus Christi in our Sister City Program, and
that arrangements be made through the Mayor's office for a meeting between
him and some of the citizens of our Sister City.
Commissioner Roberts reminded the Council of the request to re-
juvenate and make workable the old fountain beneath the Bluff in an effort
to preserve some of the few remaining old land marks in the City, and sug-
gested that the Park Board consider the matter and recommend some similar
beautification for our Bayfront area, possibly in the triangle between the
Downtowner Motel and the C. C. State National Bank. City Manager Whitney
reported that the fountain pipe has deteriorated and the electric cable is
no longer useable, but that estimates of cost are being prepared relative
to the rejuvenation of the fountain on the Bluff.
Commissioner de Leon called attention to the urgency of the North
Staples Street Improvement project, and City Manager Whitney reported that
the Director of Public Works has been requested to prepare the plans and
specifications, and pointed out that when the street section is properly
curbed and guttered the present practise of head -in parking on private prop-
erty and partly in the street will be eliminated.
Commissioner Wallace commented on the success of the recent Pops
Concert given by the Symphony Orchestra Society, suggested the formation of
a group or association of citizens to underwrite a program of such Pops Con-
certs for the 1964 season, and invited the participation of anyone interest-
ed in helping to underwrite such a program.
A member of the audience commented on the wonderful effect in the
appearance of South Beach by the completion of the recent sand fill project,
and suggested that a drive be made among the citizens or civic organizations
to fill in the balance of the South Beach area in the same manner. Mayor
Barnard welcomed the suggestion and pointed out that the same type of sand
which does not blow should be used and that the City recognizes the desirabil-
ity of completing the project and also has hopes of including an overhead
passageway from the parking to the beach, but that if the City could have
furnished approximately $5,000 more than the $12,000 donated by the develop-
ers of Emerald Cove in lieu of park dedication, the project could have been
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City of Corpus Christi, Texas
Regular Council Meeting
May 8, 1963
Page 10
completed while the crews and trucks were still there.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the
meeting was adjourned.