HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 09/15/1965MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEAS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
September 15, 1965
2:00 p.m.
PRESENT:
Mayor McIver Furman
Mayor Pro Tem Jack R. Blackmon
Commissioners:
Patrick J. Dunne
Dr. P. Jimenez, Jr.
Ken McDaniel
Ronnie Sizemore
Wm. H. Wallace
City Manager Herbert W. Whitney
Asst. City Attorney Bob Young
City Secretary T. Ray Kring
Mayor McIver Furman called the meeting to order.
The Invocation was given by the Reverend Henry C. Edwards, Pastor of
Westgate Heights Church of Christ.
City Secretary T. Ray Bring called the roll of those in attendance.
Motion by Jimenez, seconded by Dunne and passed that the minutes of the
regular meeting of September 8, 1965, be approved as furnished to the Council.
Mayor Furman read and presented proclamations relative to the following:
HELP MAKE CORPUS CHRISTI MORE ATTRACTIVE WEEK, September 21 - 26, 19658 accepted
by Dr. James Gabbard; JOHN G. TOWER APPRECIATION DAT in Corpus Christi, September
24, 1965, accepted by Mrs. Walter Rodger for Mss. Cecil Laws; and TOASTMISTRESS DAY
in Corpus Christi, September 188 1965.
Mayor Furman announced that as a result of a meeting last Thursday night,
September 9, 1965, with Atlantic Refining Company and Cities Service, the "Bay
Drilling and Platform Committee" was suggested and accordingly he was submitting the
following nominations to serve on this Committee: Frank Priebe, Cities Service;
Charles Hutchinson, Atlantic Refining Company; and Jack Evans, Gulf Oil Company; re-
presenting the Oil Companies; Mayor Pro Tem Jack Blackmon; Commiasioners William H.
Wallace; Ken McDaniel, and Comffiissioner Patrick J. Dunne as Alternate; representing
the City Council; and Ed Haste, Harvie Branscomb and Stan Hultman, representing the
citizens of Corpus Christi, with Ed Harte as Chairman of the 'Bay Drilling and Plat-
form Committee."
Motion by Dunne, seconded by Jimenez and passed that the foregoing nomina-
tions be approved and confirmed.
City of Corpus Christi, Texas
Regular Council Meeting
September 15, 1965
Page 2
Mayor Furman brought up the pending item on the application for the
closing and abandonment of a portion of Collihar Street described as 5703,02 Square
feet on the South side of Gollihar's intersection with South Staples Street, being
adjacent to a portion of the Northerly boundary line of Spark's tract; on which
public hearing was held September 1, 1965, and on which decision was tabled for one
week for further consideration.
City Manager Whitney stated he had checked into the City's cost for re-
location of this street, and that the expense involved was justified and would be
shared jointly by the developer and City, and that it was his recommendation that the
Council approve the closing of Gollihar Road with the provision that it will not
become effective until such time that arrangements can be made for the necessary re-
location, and that the Quitclaim Deed of the adjoining property not be delivered
until an ordinance has been brought forward effectuating this change.
Motion by Blackmon, seconded by Wallace and passed that the application
of Cecil E. Burney for the closing and abandonment of a portion of Gollihar Street
be approved subject to the recommendations of City Manager Whitney.
Mr. H. Lee Howell, Jr. read and presented copies to the City Council, a
report from the Traneportation Committee relative to the recent study on bus trans-
portation in Corpus Christi, and in which several recommendations were made, The
Transportation Committee recommended that the City government assume responsibility
of maintaining the bus service as the transportation is needed in this city, and
that no private operator was interested in taking over the local system.
Mayor Furman thanked Mr. Howell for the great effort put into this report
by the Committee and advised that the report would be received and further action
will be taken.
Mayor Furman called for the City Manager's reports.
Motion by Wallace, seconded by Jimenez and passed that the City Manager's
Reports, Items "a" through "i", and Item "k", be accepted; and the recommendations
and requests, with the exception of Item "j" which is to be considered separately,
be approved and granted, as follows. Commissioner Sizemore voted "Nay" on Item
"c" because of limitations in specifications,
City of Corpus Christi, Texas
Regular Council Meeting
September 15, 1965
Page 3
a. That the plans and specifications for the Savage Lane Railroad Erosion
Control Project be approved; and that authority to advertise for bids to be received
October 6, 19658 be granted;
b. That the plans and specifications for the construction of Sanitary Sewer
Crossings for Interstate Highway 37, Part A, be approved; and that authority to
advertise for bids to be received October 6, 1965, be granted;
c. That the plans and specifications of the Greenwood Drive Branch Library
be approved, subject to the approval of the State Library Board;
d. That the authority to advertise for bids to be received September 29,
1965, for one cash register for the Corporation Court Clerk, be granted;
e. That the authority to advertise for bide to be received September 29,
1965, for three automatic sliding doors for the Airport Terminal Building, be granted;
f. That parking on Weber Road from Tiger Lane to Panama Street be restricted
between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 400 p.m. on school days, and an ordinance be
brought forward effectuating the change;
g. That the request from W. C. Cunningham for a revocable permit for the
construction of two protective groins and bulkhead on Corpus Christi Beach to protect
his property from erosion located on both sides of Beach Street at the water's edge,
the City assuming the cost of bulkhead across the street, be granted;
h. That the acquisition of Parcels 18, 22 and 22-A, Turkey Creek Right
of Way Basements, be approved; and that appropriation in the amount of $928.00 be
authorized;
i. That the acquisition of 2741.01 square feet of Right of Way, South
Staples Street - Gollihar Road to Lexington Boulevard, be approved; and that appro-
priation to cover coat,be authorized;
j. That the application of Southern Minerals Corporation to drill Well
B-3 on the R. E. Lawrence, et al Lease of the Sheppard Farm Lots Subdivision, be
considered separately;
k. That the plan of Central Business District Association, for closing
three blocks on Chaparral Street, from approximately November 25, 1965 to December
31, 1965, for "Christmas Spectacular" be approved; subject to an ordinance effectuat-
ing the agreement and providing for regulations,
City of Corpus Christi, Texas
Regular Council Meeting
September 15, 1965
Page 4
Mayor Furman announced the public hearing on the application of Southern
Minerals Corporation for a permit to drill Well B-3 on the R. E. Lawrence, et al
Lease of the Sheppard Farm Lots Subdivision.
City Manager Whitney presented the application; pointed out on the map the
proposed location of the well in Saxet Field, 1325 Feet South of Hunter Lane and
660 Feet West of County Road No. 53; proposed depth is 5500 Feet with a casing pro-
gram of 7-5/8" casing to 300 Feet, and 4-1/2" conductor pipe through producing
formation if well is completed; and that applicant had submitted Certificates of
Insurance in the amount of $500,000/1,000,000; copy of telegram from the Railroad
Commission granting the permit dated September 13, 1965; and the necessary filing
fee. Mr. Whitney explained that Public Works Department had inspected the proposed
location and certified that there are no public roads or buildings within 400 Feet
of the proposed well site; and that applicant had requested a variance to use earthen
pits instead of steel tanks, with the stipulation that the surface would be restored
upon completion.
No one appeared to be heard in connection with this application.
Motion by Wallace, seconded by Dunne and passed that the hearing be closed .
Notion by McDaniel, seconded by Jimenez and passed that Southern Minerals
Corporation be granted a permit to drill Well B-3 on the R. E. Lawrence, et al
Lease of the Sheppard Farm Lots Subdivision, as applied for.
0
INANCE N0. 7716
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACQUIRE, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE
CITY OF CORPUS c:yr,;;ISTI, THE NECESSARY RI OF WAY FOR SOUTH STAPLES STREET OUT
OF AN UNPLATTED PARCEL OF LAND, BEING A 0.063 ACRE TRACT OUT OF LOTS 25 AND 26,
SECTION 2, FLOUR BLUFF AND ENCINAL FARM AND GARDEN TRACTS AS SHOWN BY MAP OR PLAT
OF RECORD IN VOLUME 20, PAGE 72, NPECES COUNTY, TEXAS MAP RECORDS, OWNED BY JOHN
PLATIS AND CLEM GOVATOS; APPROPRIATING OUT OF NO. 220 STREET BOND FUND THE SUM OF
$3,079000 OF WHICH AMOUNT $3,000.00 IS FOR ACQUISITION OF SAID LAND, AND $79.00
IS FOR TITLE EXPENSE AND RELATED COST, ALL APPLICABLE TO PROJECT NO. 220-56-29;
AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by
the following vote° Furman, Blackmon, Dunne, Jimenez, McDaniel, Sizemore and
Wallace, present and voting "Aye."
City of Corpus Christi, Texas
Regular Council Meeting
September 15, 1965
Page 5
ORDINANCE NO. 7717
AMENDING SECTION 21-156 OF THE CORPUS CHRISTI CITY CODE, 1958, AS AMENDED, BY
MAKING PROVISION FOR ITEM 18 80 AS TO FORBID THE STOPPING, STANDING OR PARKING
OF VEHICLES ON BOTS SIDES OF WEBER ROAD FROM TIGER LANE TO PANAMA BETWEEN THE
HOURS OF 8:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M. ON SCHOOL DAYS ONLY; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION, AND
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by
the following vote: Furman, Blackmon, Dunne, Jimenez, McDaniel, Sizemore and
Wallace, present and voting "Aye."
ORDINANCE N0. 7718
APPROPRIATING OUT OF NO. 250 SANITARY SEWER BOND FUND THE SUM OF $928.00 OF WHICH
AMOUNT $450.00 I8 FOR ACQUISITION OF UTILITY EASEMENT PARCEL NO. 18; $408.00 IS
FOR ACQUISITION OF UTILITY EASEMENT PARCEL NO. 22; AND 473.00 IS FOR ACQUISITION
OF UTILITY EASEMENT PARCEL NO. 22-A, TURKEY CREEK TRUNK MAIN PROJECT NO. 250-64-36.7,
IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS; SAID PARCELS BEING MORE FULLY DESCRIBED
HEREINAFTER; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACQUIRE THE ABOVE
DESCRIBED PARCELS, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, AND TO EXECUTE
SUCH INSTRUMENTS AND DO SUCH OTHER THINGS AS ARE NECESSARY TO ACQUIRE THE PARCELS
DESCRIBED; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed
by the following vote: Furman, Blackmon, Dunne, Jimenez, McDaniel, Sizemore and
Wallace, present and voting "Aye."
ORDINANCE NO. 7719
CHANGING THE NAME OF ZARSKY DRIVE, LOCATED BETWEEN GOLLIHAR ROAD AND BRADSHAW, TO
ST. PIUS DRIVE; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Commissioner McDaniel stated that he was opposed to the foregoing ordinance
as Public Works Department and the Planning Department were opposed to the street
name change; and that three out of seven residents on Zarnky Drive were also
opposed to this change.
Mayor Furman advised the audience that the public hearing on this applica-
tion had been closed, and that final action would be taken by the Council.
The Charter rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed
by the following vote: Furman, Blackmon, Dunne, Jimenez, Sizemore and Wallace,
present and voting "Aye"; McDaniel voted "Nay" on passage.
Mr. Wayne Smith, attorney for Atlantic Refining Company, expressed his
gratitude to the Council for the meeting held Thursday night, September 9, rela-
tive to the drilling in the Corpus Christi Bay area, and asked if the Council
would consider a hearing for the drilling permits for State Tracts 23, 36 and 62,
City of Corpus Christi, Texas
Regular Council Meeting
September 15, 1965
Page 6
requested by Atlantic Refining Company. Mr, Smith stated that Atlantic Refining
Company had nix tracts in the Bay, and that each lease expired February 1, 1966;
that they propose to drill two deep tests; one on State Tract 23 and one on State
Tract 36; and that it was a matter of extreme urgency as these drilling tests would
take at least sixty-five days to complete, Mrs Smith further stated that his com-
pany had invested considerable money, and that time was very important to them on
State Tracts 23 and 36, but that State Tract 62 was not as urgent; and urged the
Council to reconsider and grant these two permits.
Commissioner McDaniel stated that there was a strong feeling that the
leases could be extended if action of any governmental authority was responsible
for delay in developing the leases. Assistant City Attorney Bob Young stated the
"force majuere" clause, Section 10 of applicant's lease, was valid, but Mr. Smith and
Mr, Hutchinson, District Manager for Atlantic Refining Company, both expressed doubt
to the "force majuere" clause applying if the City delayed them,
Mayor Pro Tem Blackmon advised that the newly formed Drilling and Platform
Committee was organized to study the drilling requests, and that applicant had
waited almost five years before requesting the drilling permits,
Commissioner Wallace felt that applicant had made a reasonable request,
and that Council should compromise and grant the permit to drill one well now,
thereby relieving the bind, and refer the permit to drill on the other well to the
Drilling and Platform Committee for further consideration,
Mayor Pro Tem Blackmon stated that the question was whether or not to
hold a public hearing today; not that of granting a permit, Mr. Smith asked the
Council to consider this as a hearing today, and that a permit be granted.
Motion by Jimenez, seconded by Wallace and passed that the Council recess
for ten minutes for further discussion relative to the drilling applications of
Atlantic Refining Company,
Mayor Furman reconvened the meeting after a brief recess.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Blackmon and seconded by Dunne, that a public
hearing be held on the three applications from Atlantic Refining Company, and
the one application from Cities Service as soon as possible.
City of Corpus Christi, Texas
Regular Council Meeting
September 15, 1965
Page 7
Mayor Pro Tem Blackmon explained to the Council that an informal meeting
was held last week with representatives from two major oil companies; that it was
a private work shop meeting with the public excluded from discussion, and that the
public should be able to participate now.
Commissioner McDaniel stated he was against a public hearing; that this
Council meeting today was public as are all Council meetings; and that the Council
should decide without a public hearing.
The Chair called for a show of hands, and declared that the motion to hold
a public hearing on the drilling applications from Atlantic Refining Company and
Cities Service had failed, with Jimenez, McDaniel, Sizemore and Wallace voting
"Nay."
City Manager Whitney presented the application of Atlantic Refining Com-
pany for a permit to drill Well No. 1 in State Tract 36, Corpus Christi Bay. Mr.
Whitney explained that the applicant had submitted a plat showing the location of
the well 467 feat Northwest of the Southeast line and 467 feet Northeast of the
Southwest line of State Tract 36, with a vertical depth of 13,500 Feet below the
mean water level, and that the well would be drilled as a straight hole and that
no deviation from vertical was planned. Mr. Whitney stated that the applicant had
submitted a photocopy of the Oil and Gas Lease, Certificates of Insurance, and
the necessary filing fee; and would comply with the provisions of the drilling
ordinance.
In answer to questions from the Council relative to plans for the screen-
ing or fencing of the proposed well site, Mr. Whitney advised that none had ac-
companied the application, and to his knowledge, no other application had been
accompanied by plans for screening or fencing. Commissioner Jimenez asked if
the application was a valid application, and Assistant City Attorney Bob Young
advised that the application was valid.
Mrs. Alice Scott commented on Sections 4, 8 and 11 of Ordinance No. 7201,
and stated that Atlantic Refining Company should be informed of the regulations
required of them, and this was a function of the committee recently formed.
City of Corpus Christi, Texas
Regular Council Meeting
September 15, 1965
Page 8
Mayor Pro Tem Blackmon asked Mr. Smith if the applicant would comply with
regulations that might be adopted by the City Council following the recommendation
of this committee, and Mr. Smith stated the applicant would comply.
Motion by Wallace, seconded by McDaniel, that the application for a permit
to drill Well No. 1 in State Tract 36, Corpus Christi Bay, be approved subject to
any regulations by the Drilling and Platform Committee. Following a discussion re-
lative to the pending application of Atlantic Refining Company to drill a well in
State Tract 23, the motion was withdrawn.
City Manager Whitney presented the application of Atlantic Refining Com-
pany for a permit to drill Well No. 1, in State Tract 23, Corpus Christi Bay. Mr.
Whitney explained that applicant had submitted a plat showing the location of the
well 467 feet from the Northeast Line and 467 Feet from the Southeast line of Tract
23, with a vertical depth of 13,500 feet below the mean water level, and that the
well would be drilled as a straight hole and that no deviation from vertical was
planned. Mr. Whitney stated that the applicant had submitted a photocopy of Oil
and Gas Lease, Certificates of Insurance, and the necessary filing fee.
Following a lengthy discussion relative to the granting of the permits
before the Drilling and Platform Committee had an opportunity to study the permits,
motion by Blackmon, seconded by Dunne, that the granting of the two permits be
tabled for one week. On vote, Jimenez, McDaniel, Sizemore and Wallace voted "Nay"
and the Chair declared the motion to table the applications for one week had
failed.
Motion by Wallace, seconded by McDaniel, that Atlantic Refining Company
be granted permits to drill Well No. 1, State Tract 36; and Well No. 1, State
Tract 23, in Corpus Christi Bay, as applied for, and subject to the regulations
of the Drilling and Platform Committee.
Mayor Furman spoke briefly with regard to the applications, and that it
might help the Committee to be aware of the problems in the Bay area.
On roll call vote, Furman, Dunne, Jimenez, McDaniel, Sizemore and Wallace
voted "Aye" and Blackmon voted "Nay", and the Chair declared the motion to grant the
applications had passed.
There being no further business to coma before the Council, the meeting
was adjourned.