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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 12/18/1963PRESENT: Mayor James L. Barnard Commissioners Jim Young Jack R. Blackmon J. R. de Leon M. P. Maldonado W. J. Roberts W. H. Wallace, Jr. CITYr OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING December 18, 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 Dr. W. H. Colson, Superintendent of Baptist Missions, prior to which, on behalf of all of the citizens of the City, Dr. Colson expressed appreciation for the time and effort spent by each member of the Council in the service of the community and its interests, and extended to each of them and their families best wishes for all the blessings and joys of the Christmas season. City Secretary T. Ray Kring called the roll of those in attendance. Motion by Roberts, seconded by Maldonado and passed that the minutes of the regular meeting of December 11., 1963, as furnished to the Council be approved. Mayor Barnard recognized and welcomed Peter Parciany, member of the Senior Council of Roy Miller High School, who presented a booster ribbon to each of the Council to wear in anticipation of this Saturday's football game at which the Buccaneers hope to bring home the State Championship Title. Mayor Barnard, on behalf of the citizens and the Council, wished the Buccaneers all success and added that win,, lose, or draw the whole City is backing them. Mayor Barnard introduced and welcomed Bob Metzner, W. B. Ray High School student, attending the meeting to report to his Civics Class on Council procedure. Mayor Barnard welcomed to the meeting representatives of the Student Council of South Park Junior High School, who were introduced by their sponsor, Mr. Tom Davis, accompanied by their co-sponsor, Miss Catherine Roberts; and Mayor Pro Tem Young presented Certificates of Attendance to the following, designating them as Honorary Junior City Commissioners: Russell Morris, president; Harry Kirk, vice-president; Peggy Kunze, secretary; Donnie Neman, treasurer; and Melba Ohlenbusch and Linda Peterson, representatives. Commissioner de Leon nominated to the Citizens Advisory Health & Welfare Board, Joseph A. Cohn, Jr., and Mrs. Fred Swearingen. • City of Corpus Christi, Texas Regular Council Meeting December 18, 1963 Page 2 Motion by Maldonado, seconded by Roberts and passed that nominations cease, and that the re -appointment of Joseph. A. Cohn, Jr,, and the appointment of Mrs. Fred Swearingen to the Citizens Advisory Health & Welfare Board be approved and affirmed. Mayor Barnard presented a mertifiFate of Appointment to Mrs. Swearingen, and expressed appreciation for the services on this Board of Jim Brace, whose term has expired. Mayor Barnard announced the opening of bids. Bids were opened and read on 16 items of A.tcacotive Equipment. from the followings Bill Moyer Rambler Co. Ed Hoffman ;rotors Lewis Boggus Motors, Inc.; International Harvester Co.; Bird Pontiac,, Inc.; Lew Williams Chevrolet Co.; and Creveling Motors. The foregoing bids were tabled. for 48 hours as required by the City Charter, and referred to the City Manager for tabulation and. recommendation. In connection with the pending item of an application for the closing of a portion of Denver. Street, from Ropes to Proctor, and from south line of Proctor to a point approximately 325' north of roddridge, on which public hearing was held January 17, 1963, Mayor Barnard asked City Marager Whitney if he had any further information for the Council. City Manager Whitney reported that the Traffic Engineer advises that the results of the Transportation Shady by the State Highway Department and the City does not indicate any significant effect or the over-all street pattern by either the closing or opening of Denver Street, that the survey indicated the probable continuation by 1983 of Brawner Parkway from Alameda to Ocean Drive, but this would not affect Denver Street.. Motion by Blackmon, seco:nde by Maldonado and passed that the foregoing pending matter be tabled for fu her study. Mayor Barnard calked for the City Manager's Reports. Motion by Young, seconded by Maldonado and passed, that the City Manager's Reports be accepted, and the recommendations and requests be approved and granted as follows City of Corpus Christi, Texas Regular Council Meeting December 18, 1963 Page 3 a. That authority to advertise for bids to be received on January 8, 1964, on 476' of 42" Corrugated Casing, be granted; b. That authority' to advertise for bids to be received on January 8, 1964, on 17 items of Weld Fittings, be granted; c. That authority to advertise for bids to be received on January 8, 1964, on 7 items of Special Truck Bodies, be granted; d. That the award of bid on an estimated 12 -months' supply of Copper Tubing be made on the basis of low bid meeting specifications to Ajax Supply Company, for 21,000' of 3/4" 1,200' of 1'k", and 500° of 2" Type K Soft Copper Tubing, for a total of $7,280.45; (Bid Tabulation #82); e. That the erection of two identification signs on a portion of the Alameda Shopping Center in the 3100 and 3200 blocks of South Alameda, shown on the plat of the subdivision to be dedicated to the public for parking purposes, be ap- proved by the City Council as representing the public, subject to all other require- ments of the zoning ordinance , with the understanding that the City Council does not consider the area of request to be public right-of-way; f. That the following Interim Zoning Permit, as recommended by the Zoning & Planning Commission, be approved as follows; #62-78, Paul A. Sandblom, to erect a 140' x 225' metal frame and clad covered rodeo barn and arena on the westerly portion of Lot 13, Section 4, Flour Bluff & Encinal Farms: & Garden Tracts, at 5302 Woolridge Road, be approved subject to the conditions that (1) construction be in compliance with all Building Codes of the City; and (2) compliance with all other regulations of the "B-4" General Business District; g. That at the request of the Zoning & Planning Commission for a joint public hearing with the City Council, the date of January 8, 1964, during the regular meeting convening at 2000 p.m., be set for public hearing on the zoning application of South Texas Telecasting Company; h. That the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and John D. Hawn and George S. Hawn with respect to agreement to certain undertakings relative to provision of storm drainage facilities in connection with construction of the Corpus Christi Country Club to be located southeast of Everhart Road and northeast of Saratoga Road, be approved. (See Agreement in File) City of Corpus Christi, Texas Regular Council Meeting December 18, 1963 Page 4 SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE GRANTING TO CHARLES M. BOLDEN A FIVE-YEAR FRANCHISE TO ENGAGE IN THE BUSINESS OF OPERATING A SIGHT-SEEING SERVICE ON AND OVER THE PUBLIC STREETS WITHIN THE CITY LIMLTS OF CORPUS CHRISTI, ALL IN THE FORM PRESCRIBED BY ORDINANCE NO. 5072 PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON JUNE 25, 1958. The foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to its third reading by the following vote: Mayor Barnard, Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts and. Wallace, present and voting "Aye". SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE GRANTING TO ELI ABRAMS A FIVE-YEAR FRANCHISE TO CON- STRUCT, ERECT, PLACE AND MAINTAIN TRASH CANS ON SIDEWALKS IN THE PRIMARY BUSINESS DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, ALL AS PRESCRIBED BY ORDINANCE NO. 5176, PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 8, 1958. The foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to its third reading by tb.e following vote; Mayor Barnard, Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts and Wallace, present and voting "Aye". SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A LEASE AGREEMENT, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, WITH THE $3.99 ECONOMY CAR RENTALS OF CORPUS CHRISTI, INC., COVERING A RENT -A -CAR BUSINESS AT THE NEW CORPUS CHRISTI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FOR A PERIOD FROM THE DATE OF EXECUTION TO AUGUST 8, 1965. 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 abstained. ORDINANCE NO. 7104 AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TO EXECUTE A REAL ESTATE SALES CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF A SITE FOR FIRE STATION NO. 12, PROJECT N0. 212-53-14, A COPY OF WHICH IS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF; APPROPRIATI.NG OUT OF NO. 212 FIRE STATION BOND FUND THE SUM OF $7,603 OF WHICH AMOUNT $7,500 IS FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE LAND AND $103 IS FOR TITLE FEES AND RELATED COSTS; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter rule was suspended by the following votes Mayor Barnard, Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de. Leon, Maldonado, Roberts and Wallace, present and voting "Aye". The foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Mayor Barnard, Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts and Wallace, present and voting "Aye". ORDINANCE NO. 7105 APPROPRIATING $26,092.50 OUT OF NO, 250 SANITARY SEWER BOND FUND TO COVER THE COSTS OF CONSTRUCTION OF CABANISS ACRES SANITARY SEWER LATERALS, PROJECT NO. 250-61-33, CON- STRUCTED BY CITY FORCES; AUTHORIZIN:;- REIMBURSEMENT OUT OF THIS APPROPRIATION FOR FUNDS EXPENDED OUT OF 109 SEWER FUND AS PROVIDED IN THE 1963-64 BUDGET; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. City of Corpus Christi, Texas Regular Council Meeting December 18, 1963 Page #5 The Charter rule was suspended by the following vote: Mayor Barnard, Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts and Wallace, present and voting "Aye". The foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Mayor Barnard, Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts and Wallace, present and voting "Aye". In connection with the reading of a proposed resolution relative to a Science Park in accordance with the proposal made by the Foundation for Sciences and Arts, Inc., Howard Sudduth, attorney, urged that in view of the arguments presented to the Council for and against both the proposal of the Foundation for a Science Park and the proposed location of the site, the matter be submitted to a vote of the people in a bond election. He restated his arguments that it is un- fair to the property owners involved not to be allowed to proceed with improve- ments and prepared plans to their business properties that have been contemplated for some time, and yet continue to pay taxes on the properties until divested of their title; protested the manner in which the offer was made to the Council; asked what reservations have been retained in the City as referred to in the cap- tion of the resolution; and asked if his client, Mr. Gunderland, applies for a Building Permit, will he be allowed to proceed with the construction of his con- templated improvements. City Manager Whitney read the section of the resolution relating to Mr. Sudduth's question as to the reservations retained in the City; and Mayor Barnard stated in answer to Mr. Sudduth's question regarding application for a Building Permit, that if the Council votes in favor of the proposed resolution, the property owners will not be permitted to construct improvements on property marked for public use which the City would later have to buy, and that taxes will not be excused. Commissioner Wallace added that if any property owner involved applies for a Building Permit in this instance the City would be forced to either grant the permit or buy the property. Commissioner Blackmon explained that ordinarily the submission of a proposition of this kind, size and magnitude to a vote of the people might be City of Corpus Christi, Texas Regular Council Meeting December 18, 1963 Page 6 desirable, but that in this case, if the bona fide offer of substantial property to be donated to the City has to wait for action by the people in a bond election, it will not be made, and the City as a whole will be the loser, therefore the Council must make the decision now. Wayne Johnson and his partner, C. W. Allison, property owners involved, stated that they intend to apply for a Building Permit and will probably go to Court over any attempted purchase or condemnation proceedings; that they have had no sympathy through the TV or the Press, very little sympathy from the City Council and the Zoning Commission, and will therefore let the people know their feelings in the matter by direct mail, as they intend to fight the City all the way. Paul Vogler urged that the issue be submitted to the people to decide whether or not they think they will be benefited by a Science Park. RESOLUTION 30. 7106 EXPRESSING THE WILLINGNESS OF THE CITY TO ACCEPT CONVEYANCE OF LAND TO THE CITY TO BE. USED AS A PORTION OF A SCIENCE PARK IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROPOSAL HERETO- FORE MADE TO THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI BY FOUNDATION FOR SCIENCES AND ARTS, INC., WITH CERTAIN RESERVATIONS IN THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR THE FUTURE CREATION AND APPOINTMENT OF A SCIENCE PARK ADVISORY BOARD; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter rule was suspended by the following vote: Mayor Barnard, Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts and Wallace, present and voting "Aye". The foregoing Resolution was passed by the following vote: Mayor Barnard, Commissioners Young, Blackmon, de Leon, Maldonado, Roberts and Wallace, present and voting "Aye". Mayor Barnard recognized Noah Cunningham, Superintendent of Tuloso- Midway Independent School District, for presentation of the request for the sale of 20 acres out of West Guth Park to the District for the construction of a Junior High School. Mr. C. H. Sheffield presented petitions relative to West Guth Park, urging consideration of the sale and using the proceeds to develop and beautify River front property between the Water Plant and the Nueces River Bridge, which were received by the Council. (Petition #18) Mr. Cunningham introduced Mr. Bob Hayes, president of the Tuloso-Midway School Board, and Mt. Ralph Bradley, Administrative Assistant; displayed a map City of Corpus Christi, Texas Regular Council Meeting December 18, 1963 Page 7 of West Guth Park; pointed out the area being requested; explained the need for this particular area for the new junior high ac,k;ool close enough to the present senior high school for possible interchange of teachers for some classes and co- operative use of recreational facilities and less need for students crossing the highway; emphasized that the existing cooperative policy of the City and the School District, which the District fully appreciates,, would be continued with respect to any recreational facilities provided by the proposed development; that the park needs to be developed;. and, that the District is asking that. the City study the matter of a feasible, workable plan by which the City and School District can share in locat- ing the new school and enhancing the facilities of this park. Mr. Cunningham added that the School Districtis not in a position to immediately finance the development since bonds will have to be voted to build the school, but that the request for the 20 -acre site is the first step in the progress they hope to make in the area. Receipt of a large number of letters from citizens opposing the sale of any of the subject park area was also made part of the record. The following spoke in oppositionto any sale of these park lands on the basis of the need for more and larger parks to meet the present and future needs of the community, and that the natural terrain of this land is unequalled in the area for picnics, barbecues, and imaginative play as well as organized recreation, and that there is other available undeveloped land for a school: Mrs. William Prock; Mrs. Merritt; Mrs. L. A. Schobel; Mrs. T. W. Ammerman; Mrs. W. H. Allen; Mrs. Mayers; Gus Heinemann, past chairman of the Park Board; W. D. Stephenson,, immediate past chairman of the Park Board Mrs, Reid Cochran, presids.nt of Council of Garden Clubs; Mrs. William Gill; Bob Metzner, Ray High School student; Mrs. D. C. Bernwanger, member of Park Baird; Mrs. Theo Weber.. Mrs. Wright; Mrs. Levi Materne: Harold Carr; and Paul Vogler. In view of statements made during the duscussion with respect to the safety of children having to cross Highway 9 in that area, Mayor Barnard requested that the Highway Department be contacted fox consideration of construction of a crosswalk. Mrs. Mayers particularly asked when adequate fire protection would be provided for this area, and Mayor Parnard explained that one of the ordinances just City of Corpus Christi, Texas Regular Council Meeting December 18, 1963 Page 8 passed at this meeting authorized the purchase of a site on Rand Morgan Road for construction of a new fire station to serve that area. Commissioner Roberts reminded the audience of a previous offer of a donation to develop the park which was turned down due to the park's location out - Bide the City limits at the time, and that the Park Board's recommendation not to sell any land in West. Guth Park carried the further recommendation that funds be made avilable within the immediate future for the development of this park; commented that he felt the School DistrLct was working in the public interest to try to develop the school facilities in the most economic way; congratulated the School Board on its evidence of cooperation in the past for the good of the community, and assured the Board of the continued assistance and cooperation of the City in any way feasible and advisable. Motion by Blackmon, seconded by Young and passed that the request of the Tuloso-Midway School Board with respect to West Guth Park be tabled for further study and consideration. Commissioner Maldonado introduced two guests at the meeting, his secre- tary and bookkeeper, Miss Gonzales and Miss Morales, who on behalf of the employees of Monita Food Products, expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the fine work the Council is doing for the Community and the just decisions they have made on ail matters; extended their best wishes to the Council for the Christmas season. They presented the Council with token gifts of remembrance, and extended an invita- tion for the Council to attend their Christmas celebration this Saturday, at 8 p.m., at Knights of Columbus Hall, There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.