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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 12/04/1963PRESENT: Mayor James L• Barnard Commissioners: Jack R. Blackmon J. R. de Leon Me P. Maldonado W. J. Roberts W. H. Wallace, Jr, CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING December 4, 196.3 Z: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 Vernon Perry, Pastor of Grace Methodist Church • City Secretary T. Ray Kring called the roll of those in attendance. Motion by de Leon, seconded by Maldonado and passed that the absence of Mayor Pro tem Jim Young be excused for cause. Motion by Maldonado, seconded by de Leon and passed that the minutes of the regular meeting of November 279 19638 be approved as furnished to the Council. Mayor Barnard noted the presence of a large delegation of citizens for the purpose of presenting petitions to the City Council, and recognized J. A. Garcia, M. D., Chairman of the Nueces County Memorial Hospital Committee, who presented petitions of approximately 6,7.58 signatures, that the City Council continue the full operation of Memorial Hospital, the Charity Clinic and the operation of the Seventh Floor, by alloting the City's share of the funds requested by the Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees to keep the hospital operating in full capacity until a more permanent solution can be found, if one can be found; read a letter addressed to the Mayor and City Council in support of the petitions; and introduced the follow- ing representatives of organizations and citizens sponsoring the petitions: J. A. Garcia, M.D., PASO; Hector Garcia, M.D., American G. I. Forum; Cleo Garcia M.D., American G.L. Forum, Westport Ladies Auxiliary; Rudy Martinez, PASO; Issac H. Madison,, St, John Church; Tickle. Zinks, American G.I. Forum,, Westport Ladies Auxiliary; Felin Pumarejo,G.I. Forum; J. R. Villarreal, Mexican Chamber of Commerce; Hector dePena, attorney, Kelsey Memorial; Arturo Caceres, PASO; Mrs. Sara Saldana, Ladies Central Auxiliary; Mrs. Clemente Hernandez, Ladies Central Auxiliary; Joe Garza, PASO; Leon Bowles, Calvery First. Baptist Church; Josue Quintanilla, PASO; Richard Gonzales, PASO; Moses Perez; Carlos Truan, LULAC; William Bonilla, Mexican Chamber • City of Corpus Christi, Texas Regular Council Meeting December 4, 1963 Page 2 of Commerce, Gilbert Rivero; Father Berger, representing Msgr Michael Adams, Chaplain of G.I. Forum, District #3; and Mrs. Roger Chavanna, (Petition #18) Mayor Barnard expressed appreciation for the citizens interest in the community's health and welfare evidenced by the petitions just received, and asked the City Manager to explain the amount of money the City is presently furnish- ing to the Hospital. City Manager Whitney explained that $277,000 annually for operating expenses is presently budgeted, an increase of $30,000 over the amount budgeted and allocated last year, in addition to the principal and interest on half of the bonds that were issued for the construction of the new wing, which will amount to about $150,000 additional, so that the City will be contributing a total of approximately $427,000 during the present fiscal year. Mayor Barnard pointed out that the Council operated only with the money allocated by the tax- payers; that an impressive group of taxpayers have just registered their desire to continue the operation of an adequate hospital; that since the Council had met the request of the Hospital Board for additional funds at the time the City's budget was prepared and approved, and the tax rate set to provide the necessary funds for the budget, the subsequent request for some $26,000 per month additional, and the recently announced decision of the Hospital Board to discontinue the opera- tion of certain facilities and services of the Hospital, came as quite a surprise to the Council; that the Council shares the concern of the citizens in this matter; and that many avenues are being explored at this time to try to find a solution before the proposed closing of the Charity Clinic and Psychiatric Ward. Mayor Barnard emphasized that the Council has no power to dictate the policies or ad- ministrative operation of the Hospital; that the Board of Trustees, appointed by both the City and the County, is an autonomous body that acts independently of either the City or the County according to their Charter, and operates the Hospital from funds furnished by the City and the County, supplemented by income received from private patients using the Hospital facilities and services. He further explained that the Council has studied the financial reports from the Hospital, and also independent audits, and feels the Board is justified in its request for additional funds due to its financial difficulty at the present time resulting • • City of Corpus Christi, Texas Regular Council Meeting December 4, 1963 Page 3 from lack of anticipated income from private patients. Commissioner de Leon asked Dr. Garcia if he had noticed any curtail- ment of the Charity load since September when the Council announced its intention to withdraw the City's financial support next year, and Dr. Garcia answered that the Surgical Annex containing 16 beds had been closed for over 6 months, which cared for acute diseases, mostly Old Age Assistance cases for which the Hospital was paid, but about 50% charity cases. Several of the petitioners asked questions as to the responsibility for the administration of the hospital and its funds; suggested the operation of the Charity load at half the normal amount instead of complete elimination; contri- bution from the United Fund; all of which were answered by the Council; and em- phasized the urgency for a solution to the problem due to the vital need for indigent care, out-patient therapy, and continuation of the internship program. Commissioner Wallace stated that he felt that a solution to the problem would unquestionably be found by the time of the next fiscal year; and suggested that some organization conduct a drive during the next 7 months to raise the money. Carlos Truan, president of LULAC, suggested that his organization might be able to help along with Commissioner Wallace's suggestion, but that they needed actual figures and leadership. Mayor Barnard suggested that Mr. Ed Glaze, the Hospital Administrator, would be glad to furnish any figures or information requested. Dr. Garcia, on behalf of the Committee, thanked the Council for its courtesy to the petitioners in allowing each of them to speak, and for its con- sideration of their petition. Mayor Barnard presented to Frank Cotton a Certificate of Commendation on behalf of the citizenry of Corpus Christi, for the quick thinking, good judg- ment, and heroism displayed in the rescue of six members of his family, who otherwise, in all probability would have perished in the fire which occurred at his home on Monday, November 18th. Mayor Barnard welcomed the following representatives of the Student Council of Hamlin Junior High School, their sponsor, Mrs. Sue Haggett, and principal, • • City of Corpus Christi, Texas Regular Council Meeting December 4, 1963 Page 4 Mr. Hargrove, and presented Certificates of Attendance designating them as Hon- orary Junior City Commissioners: Jim Gillen, president; Lloyd Cage, vice-presi- dent; Kathy McNabb, secretary; Pat Rogers, treasurer; Reid Hawn, public relations officer; Jane Allard, representative -at -large; Ave Tollett, parliamentarian; Martha Nicks, correspondent; Vicki Crews, historian; Joe Gardner, sargent-at-arms; Diane Roberts;. Sylvia de Leon; Bill Barnard; and Debbie Blackmon. Mayor Barnard announced the opening of bids. Bids were opened and read on 3 quantities and sizes of Type K Soft Copper Tubing from the following: McAllen Pipe & Supply Co.; Municipal Pipe & Fabricating Co.; The Rohan Co.; SAMSCO; Standard Brass & Mfg. Co.; Crane Supply Co.; Gulf Supply Co.; Alamo Iron Works; Norvell-Wilder Supply Co.; Southern Plumbing Supply; Superior Iron Works & Supply; Airtrol Supply; Metal Goods; Tropical Supply; and Ajax Supply. Bids were opened and read on the furnishing and installing of Drapery Material for La Retama Library from the following: The Glidden Paint Co.; and The Show Room. Mayor Barnard, with the approval of the Council, ruled that tne letter addressed to the Glidden Paint Company from a supplier quoting a price on Bamboo Draperies, which was enclosed with the Glidden Paint Company bid but not mentioned or referred to by the bidder, would not be read or considered as a bid. All of the foregoing bids were tabled for 48 hours as requirred by the City Charter, and referred to the City Manager for tabulation and recommendation. Mayor Barnard announced the public nearing on tne application of W. L. Bates for a change of zoning from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District to "I-2" Light Industrial District, on a portion of the northwest quarter of Lot 2, a por- tion of tine western half of Lot 4, and a portion of tne northwest quarter of Lot 3, all in Range 9, Section 5, Gugenheim-Cohn Farm Lots. Tom Lake, Zoning Coordinator, located the property on the map; pointed out tine zoning and land use of the area; explained that 8 notices had been mailed out, one written return received in favor of the request and one against, and that nu one had appeared to speak either for or against the application at the Commis- sion hearing; and stated that the recommendation of the Zoning & Planning Commis- sion was that it be approved. City of Corpus Christi, Texas Regular Council Meeting December 4, 1963 Page 5 City Manager Whitney reported the receipt of a communication from Ray E. Peterson, Peterson Development Company, in favor of the request. W. L. Bates, applicant, appeared in support of his request and submitted a preliminary lay -out for the 35 -acre tract for the construction of industrial build- ings. No one appeared in opposition to the request. Motion by de Leon, seconded by Maldonado and passed that the hearing be closed, and the recommendation of the Zoning & Planning Commission be concurred in subject to the filing of an acceptable plat, and that the zoning on a portion of the northwest quarter of Lot 2, the portion of the western half of Lot 4, and the portion of the northwest quarter of Lot 3, all in Range 9, Section 5, Gugenheim- Cohn Farm Lots, described in the application, be changed from "R -1B" to "I-2" Light Industrial District. Mayor Barnard announced the public hearing on the application of Cecil Burney, trustee, and Frank Cech for a change of zoning from "R -1B" One -family Dwell- ing District to "I-2" Light Industrial District, on the north 200' of the 8.38 -acre Frank Cech Tract and the north 200' of the 8.0 -acre Cecil Burney Tract, out of the Hatch Tract. Tom Lake located the property on the map; pointed out the zoning and land use in the area; explained that 15 written returns had been received in opposi- tion to the request and one in favor with certain conditions; and stated tnat the recommendation of the Zoning & Planning Commission was that it be denied on the basis that the approval would constitute industrial encroachment into a residential area. Jim Harris, attorney representing Cecil Burney, Dave Coover, attorney representing Frank Cech, and Bert Haas, architect for the applicants, all spoke in support of the application on the basis that the property in question is suitable only for commercial use due to the adjacent Hatch Trailer Park and Rose Hill Cemetery, and emphasized that proper drainage will be provided which will improve the situa- tion in the residential area as well; that the plan was developed in accordance with requests and recommendations of the Fire Department, the Traffic Engineer, and the • City of Corpus Christi, Texas Regular Council Meeting December 4, 1963 Page 6 Public Works staff; and that the applicants are willing to accept any reasonable conditions or restrictions imposed by the Council. The following appeared in opposition to the request on the basis that it would devalue their residential property with particular reference to drainage, possible extension of the railroad spur to the property, and the noise in connec- tion with operation of the proposed development which they felt would be detrimental to residents in the area and to funeral services being conducted: Mr. & Mrs. R. W. Allbritton, 226 Eastgate Drive; Mrs. Simon Gonzales, 202 Eastgate; Mrs. James Bryant, 206 Eastgate; Mrs. Joanne Thompson, 224 Eastgate; A. 2. Gonzales, 218 Eastgate; Sam Magee, 250 Eastgate; Dr. & Mrs. Roger Mills, and Dr. Concklin, Rose Hill Cemetery. Motion by de Leon, seconded by Roberts and passed that the hearing be closed, and this application be taken under advisement for consideration with the pending zoning applications on the balance of the two tracts involved, with a view to taking action on all three zoning applications at the same time. Upon requests from the audience, Mayor Barnard stated that the City Secre- tary would be requested to give notice when the Council was ready to take action. Mayor Barnard called for the City Manager's Reports. Motion by Blackmon, seconded by Wallace and passed that the City Manager's Reports be accepted, and the recommendations be approved as follows: a. That an agreement with Central Power & Light Company to provide metered electrical service to commercial boat slip tenants at the Peoples Street T -Head, be approved; b. That the recommendation from the Park Board that the City Council not sell any land in West Guth Park, and further that the City Council make funds avail- able within the immediate future for the development of West Guth Park, be received; c. That the recommendation of the Building Standards Commission that emergency measures be used to eliminate the substandard and hazardous conditions that now exist regarding the Town House Hotel on Lot 1, Block 20, Beach Portion, at 701 North Mesquite, be concurred with, and such temporary measures as are necessary to protect the health and safety of the public be authorized at this time. • • City of Corpus Christi, Texas Regular Council Meeting December 4, 1963 Page 7 SECOND ADING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE N0, 6331 PROVIDING FOR FEES TO COVER THE EXPENSE OF INSPECTING ESTABLISHMENTS PROCESSING MEAT AND POULTRY FOR HUMAN FOOD, AND PROVIDING FOR THE COLLECTION OF SAID FEES, AND PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN REPORTS TO BE MADE BY ESTABLISHMENTS TO WHICH INSPECTION SERVICE IS GRANTED; REPEALING ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PRO- VIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE; PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION, The foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to its third .reading by the following vote: Mayor Barnard, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts and Wallace, present and voting "Aye"; Commissioner Young, absent, SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY, AN OIL AND GAS LEASE ON 100,32 ACRES OF LAND, IN NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS, LOCATED AT THE WESTSIDE SEWER PLANT, WITH GEORGE H. FALK, FOR A THREE YEAR PERIOD, BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 1964, AND EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 1966, FOR A CASH BONUS IN ADDITION TO ALL OTHER CONSIDERATION SET OUT IN THE LEASE FORM, TO BE PAID IN ADVANCE, ALL AS MORE FULLY SET OUT IN THE LEASE AGREEMENT, A COPY OF WHICH IS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF. The foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to its third reading by the following vote: Mayor Barnard, Commissioners Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts and Wallace, present and voting "Aye"; Commissioner Young, absent. ORDINANCE N0, 7096 AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TO EXECUTE AND DELIVER TO E. L. KIELY, AN AMENDMENT TO THE CON- CESSION CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE SAID E. L. KIEL!, SAID CONTRACT DATED JANUARY 30, 1963, AND COVERING THE CONCESSION RIGHTS AT THE PEOPLES STREET T -HEAD, A COPY OF WHICH AMENDMENT IS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter rule was suspended by the following vote: Mayor Barnard; Commissioners Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts and Wallace, present and voting "Aye"; Commissioner Young absent, The foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Mayor Barnard; Commissioners Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts and Wallace, present and voting "Aye"; Commissioner Young absent, ORDINANCE NO. 7097 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH CENTRAL POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY TO FURNISH ELECTRICAL SERVICE TO COMMERCIAL BOAT SLIP TENANTS AT THE PEOPLES STREET T -HEAD, IN ACCORD- ANCE WITH THE TERMS OF SAID AGREEMENT, A COPY OF WHICH IS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. • • City of Corpus Christi, Texas Regular Council Meeting December 4, 1963 Page 8 The Charter rule was suspended by the following vote: Mayor Barnard; Commissioners Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts and Wallace, present and voting "Aye"; Commissioner Young, absent. The foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Mayor Barnard; Commissioners Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts and Wallace, present and voting "Aye"; Commissioner Young Absent. ORDINANCE NO. 7098 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 THE 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 A 1.7 -ACRE, MORE OR LESS, TRACT OF LAND OUT OF TRACT 3, WILKEY PARTITION, OUT OF LOTS 13 AND 14, SEC- TION 13, FLOUR BLUFF & ENCINAL FARM & GARDEN TRACTS IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREINAFTER, FROM "B -1A" TOURIST COURT DISTRICT AND "R -1B" ONE -FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT TO "8-4" GENERAL BUSINESS 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 Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts and Wallace, present and voting "Aye"; Commissioner Young absent. The foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Mayor Barnard; Commissioners Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts and Wallace, present and voting "Aye"; Commissioner Young absent. Mayor Barnard announced the City Council has received some 5 telegrams requesting favorable action upon the paving of a parking lot in the Agnes and Laredo area. City Manager Whitney advised that the report received from the Traffic Engineer as a result of a recent survey made in the area, indicated that the presently available parking in the area is not being fully utilized during the normal business day, but that conditions might not be considered normal due to the construction going on in the area relative to the Crosstown Expressway. He further advised that at the City's request, the Highway Department had submitted a plan for 2 parking areas, which had been referred back to them requesting a plan for only 1 parking area to provide approximately 45 off-street parking spaces, leaving the other parking area until some future time when conditions might justify the need; and that the modified plan submitted would cost in the neighborhood of City of Corpus Christi, Texas Regular Council Meeting December 4, 1963 Page 9 $8500.00. Mr. Whitney explained that if the Council desires to proceed with the modified plana he will so notify the Highway Department, who will submit a con- tract whereby the State will do the work to be paid for by funds advanced by the City, and that such contract with the State will have to be authorized by the Council Commissioner Blackmon called attention to the fact that the telegrams received had been sent by the same people who had presented the petitions regrad- ing the financial problem at Memorial Hospital, and felt that since the situation at Memorial Hospital is a much greater and more urgent problem, and since the money for the parking lot at Agnes & Laredo is not in the budget, he could not see the wisdom in giving any encouragement at this time with respect to the parking lot. Mayor Barnard felt that the Council had indicated a favorable disposi- tion to the granting of the request for the parking lot in Workshop Sessions; that there are many needs in the City, and the Council cannot compare a problem of $8500 with one of $800,000 or put off other needs that exist because of the Memorial Hospital need; and pointed out that the City needs to act before the State sods the area and installs a sprinkler system. Motion by de Leon, seconded by Maldonado and passed, with Commissioners Blackmon and Roberts voting "Nay", that the City Manager be instructed to notify the Highway Department of the City's intention and desire to provide for the construction and use of one parking lot under the over -pass at Agnes and Laredo Streets in accordance with the modified plan submitted by the State Highway De- partment, Dave Coover suggested that half-price parking meters be installed in this and all public parking lots in the City as is done in some other cities, on the basis that the parking lots are just as much public property as the streets. Motion by de Leon, seconded by Roberts and passed that the City Manager be granted leave of absence during Christmas week, and that R. Marvin Townsend be appointed Acting City Manager during his absence. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.