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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 04/06/1966 - SpecialMINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING April 6, 1966 7x00 pomp PRESENT: Mayor McIver Furman Mayor Pro Tem Jack R. Blackmon Commissioners 7 Patrick J. Dunne Ken McDaniel Ronnie Sizemore Wm, Ho Wallace City Manager Herbert W. Whitney Assiatant_City Attorney Tom McDowell City Secretary To Ray Kring Mayor McIver Furman called the meeting to order, City Secretary T. Ray Kring called the roll of those in attendance. Motion by Dunne, seconded by Sizemore and passed that the absence of Commissioner Jimenez be excused for cause, Mayor Furman explained the purpose of the special meeting was to hold a public hearing on the question of Urban Renewal, and to bring forth facts whereby the Council would be enabled to make a finding as to whether or not an election would be held on the proposition of Urban Renewal, and that if an election vas called, the decision would be made by the qualified voters; and explained the procedure to be followed. City Manager Whitney explained that the State law requires that an election be held before the Council can adopt provisions of Urban Renewal; that before an election can be called, notice must be given sixty days in advance and a public hearing held; and that the election, if called, would determine whether or not the Council should adopt a Resolution substantially as follows: 1. It 1s hereby found and determined that one or more slum or blighted areas exist in the City of Corpus Christi, Texas; 2, It is hereby further found and determined that the rehabilitation, conservation, or slum clearance and redevelopment, or a combination thereof of such slum or blighted area or areas, is necessary in the interest of the public health, safety, morals or welfare of the residents of this City; 3. It is hereby further determined that the City of Corpus Christi, Texas, shall exercise the powers granted to the City by the ihban Renewal Lew of the State of Texas; 4, The findings, determinations, and elections herein made are made in accordance with and the various terms used herein are used in the same sense as used or defined in said Urban Renewal Law. City Manager Whitney pointed out on en overall map of the City, the areas considered to be the problem areas, and stated that these areas contained 15% of the total developed area of the City; that it was occupied by 35% of the total City's Minutes Special Council Meeting April 6, 1966 Page 2 population; and that it provided 9.5% of the total assessed valuation of the City, Mr. Whitney further stated that the staff would present factual information relative to these problem areas. Dr. W. R. Metzger, Director of the Department of Public Health and Welfare, pointed out that the poor people live in crowded conditions in substandard houses and are subject to more diseases; that the diseases are caused by eating contaminated food and unsanitary conditions; that during the year of 1965, 5 of the intestinal disease cases were in these areas, and 78% of the tuberculosis canes were found in the substandard areas; and that these two examples of physical disorders related to poor housing and could be decreased if the amount of space per person vas increased. Chief R. T. Runyan of the Police Division, pointed out that during the year of 1965, 52% of all the burglaries occurred in the problem areas; that 7•,• of all juvenile arrests and 75% of reform school commitments were residents of these areas. L. K. Stout, Chief Building Official, pointed out that there were 320 cited building code violations during the year of 1965, and that of this figure, 98% of the citations were in the problem areas; and that according to the 1960 census, there were 11,538 substandard buildings. Wilfrid Calnan, Director of City -County Welfare Department, pointed out that the total expenditure for the welfare program during the year of 1965 was $365,000; that 84% of all the families served by City -County Welfare reside in these problem areas; and that poor housing did not cause all the problems but there was a definite relation. City Manager Whitney pointed out that during the year of 1965, 40% of the total fire calls received by the Fire Department originated in these areas which comprises only 15% of the total developed area of the City. City Manager Whitney concluded the findings in the problem housing areas as follows: The substandard areas comprise 15% of the City's total developed area; contains 35% of the total City's population; contributes 9.5% of the total assessed valuation; 58% of enteric disease cases were in these areas; 78% of tuberculosis cases under the care of the Health Department; 40% of all fire calls occurred in these areas which constitute only 15% of the total developed area of the City; Minutes Special Council Meeting April 6, 1966 Page 3 52% of all burglaries occurred in the problem areas; 70% of all juvenile arrests and 75% of reform school commitments were residents of these areas; 98% of all cited building code violations were in these areas; and 84% of all families served by City - County Welfare reside in these areas. The following persons appeared in favor of Urban Renewal; John Crutchfield, Chairman of the Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal, commended the City Staff in presenting a very factual case, and stated that something should be done to get to the cause of these problems; that the Committee is in favor of Urban Renewal and recommends that Urban Renewal be adopted in this community as a tool to work with these problems. Ik. Crutchfield further stated that there were many programs, loans and grants available from the Federal Government for enforcing codes adopted in the community; that nineteen cities in the State have adopted Urban Renewal; that 2,357 families have been relocated; that from a business and economic standpoint Urban Renewal is needed; and that the program would make the City a more attractive place in which to live. Mr. Crutchfield further stated that the Committee on Urban Renewal urged the City Council to make the required findings and ask for the referendum on Urban Renewal, and that we would be derelict if we did not do something about these problems that exist in our City. Preston Doughty, President of the Chamber of Commerce, stated that the Chamber of Commerce, through its Board of Directors, endorsed the question of Urban Renewal; that many people had studied the problems in these areas and were convinced that the problems would materially diminish if the substandard dwellings were re- placed; and that it was the sincere hope and wish of the Board of Directors that a referendum be called on Urban Renewal. Ben Marks, speaking as a private citizen, stated that the community rejected the Urban Renewal proposition in 1959 on the basis that it was not a public matter and that federal funds should not be used; that nothing had been done loonl1y to improve the situation; and that the community had continued to degenerate. Mr. Marks further stated that the opponents to Urban Renewal had not proposed any other program and had left the matter "status quo'; and that he sincerely believed the Urban Renewal Program was the only resource that was available at this time and that it would be a crime not to face the existing problems; and urged the Council to take proper action at this time. Minutes Special Council Meeting April 6, 1966 Page b William Bonilla, attorney, stated that he was in favor of Urban Renewal; that if the City Council finds one or more blighted areas a referendum could be sub- mitted; that no one could deny that the area exists; that the figures cited. by Staff members substantiate the rate of crime and juvenile delinquency in these areas; that the Urban Renewal Program was in the best interest of public health, safety, morals and welfare of the residents of the City; and that he endorsed this Urban Renewal Resolution and urged the Council to submit a referendum to the people of Corpus Christi. Morris Lichtenstein stated that the facts and figures presented by the Staff indicated that something should be done about these blighted areas; that Urban Renewal was a tool to work with these problems; and that he urgently urged the Council to take proper action and call an election of the question of Urban Renewal. Reverend Harold Branch, Pastor of St. John Baptist Church, stated that he was part of the group that petitioned the City Council to call an election on Urban Renewal several years ago; that very little had been done to r+1iminpte the problems that existed in the blighted areas; and that Urban Renewal was the best tool for eliminating the conditions existing in our City being talked about tonight. Ben McDonald, Chairman of the Daman Relations Committee and Senior Advisor of Civil Defense, stated that there was much to be considered in the Urban Renewal Program; that tax money was being used by other cities in the United States for this program; that the Committee had studied the housing conditions in the City and recommended that considerable effort be expended in substandard housing and some- thing done to alleviate the conditions described in the blighted areas; and urged the Council to submit a referendum to the people for a decision as it is a matter of public interest. Dr. H. L. Brownlow stated that being a doctor he was concerned with the medical aspects of these problems; that the tuberculosis rate in this problem area was far in excess of those in other sections of the City; that the diseases and tuberculosis cases would not stay confined to this area but would progress into the adjacent areas; and urged the Council to present the question of Urban Renewal to the people of Corpus Christi as a matter of public interest, and that he did not believe it would fail. Minutes Special Council Meeting April 6, 1966 Page 5 Reverend 111iott Grant, Pastor of St. Matthew°s Baptist Church, stated that his church was located in one of the existing problem areas in the City; that he vas called upon many times to visit these substandard homes to help relieve some of the pressures; that he was concerned with all the problem areas in the City; that it was a blessing that some of these things could be corrected; and that he was in favor of Urban Renewal and urged the Council to present Urban Renewal to the people of Corpus Christi to be voted upon. The following persons spoke in opposition of Urban Renewal: Lawrence Berger, attorney, stated that he was opposed to the powers of eminent domain; that it takes property away from one individual and sella it to another; that the original intent of the Urban Renewal Program in 1949 was never carried out; that the main purpose of the program was to provide decent housing for every citizen at a price they could afford to pay; that approximately one million American citizens have been displaced from their homes, between the years of 1949 and 1966, and have never been provided for adequately. Mr. Berger further stated that the Urban Renewal Program was ideal in the beginning but that graft, corruption and politics had infiltrated the program; that it was sinful, immoral and was taking advantage of the poor people; and that anyone that advocated Urban Renewal "should be ashamed." Mr. Berger stated that the program took three and one-half years in planning, five years in action, and twelve years before the plan was completed, and asked where all these people would be placed. Mr. Berger cited a plan in Dallas, Texas, that allowed the people to help themselves, and asked the Council to help these poor people in this City and to cooperate with them and reject the Urban Renewal Program because "it is not human;" the majority of people would suffer, and that it was not in the public interest. Cuban Burbank, member of the Board of the Y.M.C.A. but speaking as an individual, stated that in the year of 1959 the people of Corpus Christi defeated the Urban Renewal Program by a vote of ) to 1; that the people were being asked again to approve this same program with the same master plan and seizure of property by eminent domain; that he did not oppose good housing for anyone; that there was adequate economical housing available here in the City; that the people of Corpus Christi should "run our own business in Corpus Christi," and urged the Council to disregard the request for a referendum on Urban Renewal, and that he was opposed to Urban Renewal. • Minutes Special Council Meeting April 6, 1966 Page 6 Dr. Leroy Boriak, Intern at Memorial Hospital, stated that the City "had not gone down" but that a lot of progress had been made; that drugs, rest and medical care would cure tuberculosis and not new housing; that crime and diseases were actually a matter of education; and that if these people were displaced from their homes social problems would be involved. Dr. Boriak further stated that if the Building Standards Code was enforced there would not be any substandard buildings; that the people should look for other plans to correct these problems without taking freedom away from the people of Corpus Christi, and that he was opposed to Urban Renewal. Lonnie King stated that he did not know whether he was for or against the Urban Renewal Program; that he was confused about the "blighted areas;" that the areas would not deteriorate if they were maintained; and that he was "for improvement but at a price." Miner Swearingen stated that he was opposed to Urban Renewal on the grounds that he did not want the Federal Government telling the people of Corpus Christi what to do but that he was willing to have the decision come to a vote and let the majority of people rule. Larry French stated that the Urban Renewal Program was not the solution to the problems here; that the City has progressed and is not a "siek city;" that since the vote was taken in 1959 there had been a great amount of documentary proof against Urban Renewal; and that if a vote were called, the people should know the facts and background of Urban Renewal. C. C. Cosgrove spoke in opposition to Urban Renewal, and stated that he had seen Urban Renewal in operation; that moving the people from one residence to another would not stop crime; that the Welfare cost would be doubled with rent and food; that the "poor will be with you always," and asked where the people would be moved. Travis Parker stated that he was opposed to Urban Renewal and that it vas the seizure of private property for private gain. Mts. Robert Clark inquired about the owners of the properties in the blighted areas and if they lived in the City. Mrs. William Rascoe stated that she was opposed to Urban Renewal, on the basis of the human element involved; and that the displacing of people from their homes started out on the Beach before it vas voted upon; and that it Was a terrible thing for people to be driven out of their homes. Minutes Special Council Meeting April 6, 1966 Page 7 Preston Doughty stated that was not caused by Urban Renewal, but was the enforcement of the City Housing Code; and City Manager Whitney advised that no enforce- ment of Urban Renewal was authorized here and that it was enforcement of the Building and Housing Code. Mrs. Jane Crane, public school teacher but speaking for herself, stated she had lost one home through eniment domain; that she was completely opposed to Federal intervention, and asked Council to reconsider this proposition on Urban Renewal. Mayor Furman advised that a five-minute rebuttal would be allowed on each side it it was so desired. Mr. Crutchfield pointed out that one of the purposes of Urban Renewal is to create the needed low-cost housing that these people can afford.; that if the build- ing codes are enforced this procedure can become rather harsh; and that one of the requirements of Urban Renewal is that housing first be provided before any clearance is done. Mr. Berger asked if there was a feasible plan to take care of these people, and that the Statute says there must be a feasible housing program. Bob Flato spoke in favor of Urban Renewal, and stated that the areas would be rehabilitated; that Urban Renewal gave the City Council the tools to work with these people to help themselves; that Urban Renewal is lore1ly operated and locally eRministered; that the program is under the Federal Government; and that the people of Corpus Christi need to give the Council the tools to work with and correct these problems. Dr. Boriak asked if any investigation had been made on a private enterprise plan such as the plan in Dallas, Texas. E. Allan Williford, Chairman of the Citizens Committee for Community Improvement, stated that other means were being investigated; that a Workable Pro- gram had been presented to the Federal Government for consideration; that no one would be displaced until homes are available; and that this matter should be presented to the people to vote on and decide whether they wanted Urban Renewal and e1iminnte the slums. Motion by McDaniel, seconded by Dunne and passed that the hearing be closed. Minutes Special Council Meeting April 6, 1966 Page 8 Mrs. Tommie Ballengee spoke briefly on substandard buildings, and stated it would be less expensiveto build a.house than to meet the requirements of the City Building Code. Mayor Furman expressed appreciation to the audience for the interest dis- played on the question of Urban Renewal, and declared, the hearing officially closed. Motion by McDaniel, seconded by Dunne and passed that the meeting be recessed until 7;00 p.m., Monday, April 11, 1966. There being no further business to come before the Council, the special meeting was adjourned.