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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 04/24/1968A PRESENT: • MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING April 24, 1968 2:00 P.M. Mayor Jack R. Blackmon Mayor Pro Tem Ronnie Sizemore Commissioners: Dick Bradley, Jr. Dr. P. Jimenez, Jr. Gabe Lozano, Sr. Ken McDaniel W. J. Roberts City Manager R. Marvin Townsend City Attorney I. M. Singer City Secretary T. Ray Kring Mayor Jack R. Blackmon called the meeting to order. The Invocation was given by Commissioner W. J. Roberts in the absence of the invited Guest Chaplain. City Secretary T. Ray Kring called the roll of those in attendance. The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 17, 1968, were approved as submitted to the Council . Mayor Blackmon recognized the Student Council of the South Park Junior High School, and read and presented Certificates of Attendance to: Craig Shook, Richard Stolleis, Sherry Edwards, Christal Orbison, Lupe Gutierrez, and Roland Silva, accompanied by their sponsor, Miss Catherine Roberts. Mayor Blackmon gave special recognition to Mr. Jack Ryan one of five recipients of the Southern Methodist University Distinguished Alumnus Award which was presented to him on the 18th day of April in Dallas. Mayor Blackmon presented Mr. Ryan with a Commendation Certificate ex- pressing appreciation for his extremely active participation in the many facets of our community life, and designating him as an outstanding business executive truly interested in the progress and welfare of the City, eagerly supporting any progressive movement with his talents and resources. Mayor Blackmon read and presented proclamations relative to the following: LAW DAY USA, May 1, 1968, a special day of celebration by the American people in appreciation of their liberties and the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States for the cultivation of respect for law which is so vital to the democratic way of life; CONSUMER CREDIT WEEK, April 28 through May 4, 1968, urging all citizens to join in the promotion of activities of this worthy annual observance, received by Mr. George Garst; POPPY DAYS, May 23, 24 and 25, in recognition of the patriotic merits of the basic purposes of the annual sale of Poppies by the American Legion and American Legion Minutes Regular Council Meeting Apri 124, 1968 Page 2 Auxiliary; LOYALTY DAY, May 1, 1968, as a special occasion for reaffirmation of dedication to the American way of life; MENTAL HEALTH MONTH, May 1968, urging that all citizens observe this month with appropriate activities and to support the work of the Coastal Bend Association for Mental Health, received by Mrs. J. Gordon Bryson; and NATIONAL SECRETARY'S WEEK, April 22 - 27, 1968, delivered to Mrs. Naomi Addy. Mayor Blackmon read nominations for appointments to various Boards and Committees as follows: Board of Adjustment: Eduardo de Ases, Robert Rylee, II, Sam Amspoker, Franklin Critz, Sr?, for reappointment; the appointment of R. E. Laird, James P. Naismith and Bill House, the latter two appointed as alternates; Ambulance Committee: Manuel Cantu, Jr., and Patrick J. Dunne; Human Relations Committee: Bernie Karchmer; Board of Equalization: Odell Ingle, Hector De Pena and Bill G. Read, reappointments; Building Code of Appeals: John Harrison and Robert A. Cruz; replacing Robert Peerman and Houston McElhaney; Examining & Supervising Board of Electricians: Jule Pels, Trinidad Garza and J. U. Clements; D. C. Ware, and George C. Westervelt, Jr. re -appointed; Housing Authority: F. E. Gonzalez, Jr., Robert T. Koester, and Mrs. Wi son P. Snyder; Sister City Committee: Sam Frech, Chairman; Traffic Safety Advisory Board: Joe Moreno, Jr., and Gordon Smith appointed, and Hal Byers reappointed. Motion by Jimenez, seconded by Bradley and passed that the foregoing nominations for appointments to Boards and Committees be approved and confirmed. Mayor Blackmon announced the opening of bids. Bids were opened and read on additions and alterations of La Retama Library from the following firms: H. E. Jones; Tanner Freeman; and Casey & Glass. The foregoing bids were tabled for 48 hours as required by the City Charter and referred to the City Manager for tabulation and recommendation. Minutes Regular Council Meeting Apri 124, 1968 Page 3 Bids were opened and read on various items of Radio Equipment from the following firms: General Electric Company; Motorola Commercial Electric, Inc., and Radio Corporation of America. The foregoing bids were tabled for 48 hours as required by the City Charter and referred to the City Manager for tabulation and recommendation. Mayor Blackmon called for the City Manager's Reports. Motion by Roberts, seconded by Bradley and passed, Sizemore voting "Nay" on "e", that the City Manager's Reports be accepted, and that the recommendations and request be granted and approved as follows: a. That the authority to advertise for bids to be received on May 8, 1968, on 790 feet of 18 -inch corrugated casing for relocation of three Padre Island Water Line crossings, be granted; b. That the non-scheduled aircraft landing fee at International Airport be amended from 10r, per 1,000 pounds gross weight to 50% above the scheduled airline fee for all planes over 12,500 pounds or $.15 per 1,000 pounds; and that the procedure to collect be changed from the operator to the Airport Manager; c. That the sale of $2,500,000 General Obligation Bonds on June 11, 1968, at 11:00 a.m., be authorized; d. That the firm of Swanson, Heister, Wilson and Boland, architects, be employed for services in connection with the remodeling of the First Floor of City Hall Building; e. That the authority to modify plans relative to the Ocean Drive pavement be made uniform by substituting hot -mix for rock asphalt surface treatment for the safety lanes, at an additional cost of $1,800, be granted; f. That the date of May 8, 1968, be set for public hearing on the closing of the portion of Home Road adjacent to the Community Settlement House; g. That the request for authority to submit to the Economic Development Administration an application for a grant and/or loan under the terms of Public Law 89-136 for instal- lation of a water line from the intersection of Holly Road and Staples Street to Flour Bluff, the Naval Air Station and across the Laguna Madre to Padre Island, be granted; Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 24, 1968 Page 4 h. That a revocable easement to Southern Pipe Line Corporation for permission to install a 6-5/8" gas pipeline within the right of way on Stillwell Lane from Hunter Lane northward approximately 1600 feet to a connection with an existing gas line, be approved; i . That the revised plans and alternate specifications for construction of the proposed Neighborhood Facility -Boy's Club, be approved, and that the authority to advertise for bids on dates to be established after plans and specifications have been approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, be granted; I. That an agreement between the City, Gulf Tractor Company, and J. R. Locke, relative to construction by Gulf Tractor Company of a temporary canopy on a tract of land ad- jacent to its existing facilities on Highway 44, be authorized; k. That the authority to advertise for separate bids to be received May 15, 1968, on the topsoil portion of the improvements to Cole Park, be granted; I. That the award of contract for construction of the Cole Park and Moody -Greenwood Park Improvements be made to King Construction Company, and that an appropriation in the sum of $60,000, of which amount $55,995.15 is for the construction contract and $4,004.15 for contingencies, be approved; m. That the recommendation of the Transit Advisory Committee to extend hourly bus service during daylight hours along Water Street between the City Hall and Corpus Christi Beach, be approved, and that the transfer of funds from General Fund be author- ized to cover an estimated deficit of $3500 per six-month period. ORDINANCE NO. 8843 THIRD READING OF AN ORDINANCE REGULATING PARKING AT PLACES OTHER THAN PUBLIC STREETS; REGULATING ACTIONS ON PARKING LOTS; PROVIDING A DEFENSE TO CHARGES OF ILLEGAL PARKING; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING A PENALTY; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION. The foregoing ordinance was read for the third time and passed finally by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Bradley, Jimenez, Lozano, McDaniel, and Roberts present and voting "Aye." Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 24, 1968 Page 5 ORDINANCE NO. 8844 THIRD READING OF AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF REVOCABLE PERMITS BY THE CITY PETROLEUM SUPERINTENDENT AUTHORIZING THE PERMITTEE TO DIS- POSE OF WASTE WATER AND MATERIALS FROM OIL WELL PRODUCTION INTO THE BORROW PITS ALONG CITY STREETS AND ROADS, AND INTO AND THROUGH PUBLIC DRAINAGE DITCHES; PROVIDING REGULATIONS REGARDING THE OBTAINING OF SUCH PERMITS. The foregoing ordinance was read for the third time and passed finally by the following vote: Blackmon, Bradley, Jimenez, Lozano, and Roberts present and voting "Aye"; Sizemore and McDaniel voting "Nay". Motion by Bradley, seconded by Lozano and passed, that the Land Drilling Ordinance, adopting rules and regulations for exploration, drilling and production of hydrocarbons and related matters, be amended before its second reading by substituting the amended draft submitted on April 22, 1968, by the City Petroleum Superintendent, Harty Franklin, including Exhibit "A" (Maps) in 15 pages attached thereto. Mr. Hayden Head, attorney, stated that most of the oil industry is in essential agreement with the new amended ordinance, but stated that additional meetings are needed before the final reading, and requested that the third reading be deferred for two weeks, for further collaboration with Mr. Singer, Mr. Franklin, and the oil industry. SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR EXPLORA- TION, DRILLING AND PRODUCTION OF HYDROCARBONS, AND CONCERNING MATTERS INCIDENT THERETO, IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, FOR ALL AREAS OF THE CITY EXCEPT THOSE AREAS SUBJECT TO REGULATION UNDER THE TERMS OF ORDINANCE NO. 8294, ADOPTED ON FINAL READING ON DECEMBER 21, 1966, AND AMENDMENTS THERETO; PRO- VIDING FOR THE CONTINUANCE OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND PROVIDING PENALTIES AND MEANS OF ENFORCEMENT; AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION. The foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to its third reading as amended by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Bradley, Jimenez, Lozano, McDaniel, and Roberts, present and voting "Aye." Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 24, 1968 Page 6 ORDINANCE NO. 8845 APPROPRIATING AND RE -APPROPRIATING OUT OF 102 GENERAL FUND RESERVE APPROPRI- ATION THE SUM OF $15,800 FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FIREMEN'S RELIEF AND RETIREMENT FUND FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 1, 1968, THROUGH JULY 31, 1968, SUCH ADDITIONAL FUNDS BEING NECESSARY TO MATCH THE AMOUNT OF CON- TRIBUTIONS TO BE MADE TO THE FIREMEN'S RELIEF AND RETIREMENT FUND BY FIREMEN; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Bradley, Jimenez, Lozano, McDaniel, and Roberts present and voting "Aye." ORDINANCE NO. 8846 APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $148,009.00 TO THE GENERAL FUND RESERVE APPROPRIATION ACCOUNT, SAID SUM HAVING BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UNDER THE FEDERAL DISASTER ACT (PUBLIC LAW 875, 81ST CONGRESS; 42 U.S.C. 1855-1855G) AS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE CITY IN REPAIRING DAMAGES TO PUBLIC PROPERTY CAUSED BY HURRICANE BEULAH; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter rule was suspended and the foregoing 'ordinance was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Bradley, Jimenez, Lozano, McDaniel, and Roberts present and voting "Aye." ORDINANCE NO. 8847 GRANTING A REVOCABLE EASEMENT AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TO EXECUTE A REVOCABLE EASEMENT TO SOUTHERN PIPE LINE CORPORATION, A CORPORATION HAVING ITS OFFICE IN NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS, TO PLACE A 6-5/8" GAS PIPELINE WITHIN THE RIGHT OF WAY, AND AD- JACENT TO THE WEST BOUNDARY LINE, OF STILLWELL LANE, EXTENDING FROM HUNTER LANE NORTHWARD APPROXIMATELY 1600 FEET TO A CONNECTION WITH AN EXISTING GAS LINE OF SAID SOUTHERN PIPE LINE CORPORATION, AS MORE FULLY SET OUT IN THE RE- VOCABLE EASEMENT ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF, UPON THE PAYMENT OF THE FEE PROVIDED THEREIN; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Bradley, Jimenez, Lozano, McDaniel, and Roberts present and voting "Aye. ' ORDINANCE NO. 8848 AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 8780, WHICH AMENDED ORDINANCE NO. 5584, BY AMEND- ING SECTION 1 OF SAID ORDINANCE NO. 8780 SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE NECESSITY FOR THE ATTESTATION OF THE EXECUTION OF THE RELEASES OF LIEN BY THE CITY SECRETARY; AMENDING SECTION 2 OF ORDINANCE NO. 8780 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, IN LIEU OF THE CITY SECRETARY, TO KEEP ON FILE THE CERTIFICATE EVIDENCING THE ISSUANCE OF A RELEASE; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Bradley, Jimenez, Lozano, McDaniel, and Roberts present and voting "Aye." Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 24, 1968 Page 7 ORDINANCE NO. 8849 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TO EXECUTE A CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, GULF TRACTOR COMPANY AND J. R. LOCKE, CONCERNING CONSTRUCTION BY GULF TRACTOR COMPANY OF A TEMPORARY CANOPY ON A TRACT OF LAND ADJACENT TO ITS EXISTING FACILITIES ON HIGHWAY 44, IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS, ALL AS MORE FULLY SET FORTH IN THE CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT, A COPY OF WHICH IS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Bradley, Jimenez, Lozano, McDaniel, and Roberts present and voting "Aye." ORDINANCE NO. 8850 AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CIN OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH KING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE COLE PARK AND MOODY -GREENWOOD PARK IMPROVEMENTS; APPROPRIATING OUT OF NO. 291 PARK BOND FUND THE SUM OF $60,000, OF WHICH $55,995.15 IS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AND $4,004.15 IS FOR CONTINGENCIES AND INCIDENTAL EXPENSES, APPLICABLE TO PROJECT NO. 291-67-6; APPROPRIATING AND REAPPROPRIATING OUT OF NO. 102 GENERAL FUNDS CURRENTLY BUDGETED IN PARK CON- STRUCTION ACTIVITY NO. 4121 THE SUM OF $5,000, OF WHICH $4,595.00 IS FOR THE CON- STRUCTION CONTRACT, AND $405 IS FOR CONTINGENCIES AND INCIDENTAL EXPENSES APPLICABLE TO THE MOODY -GREENWOOD PARK IMPROVEMENTS; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Bradley, Jimenez, Lozano, McDaniel, and Roberts present and voting "Aye." RESOLUTION NO. 8851 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FILING OF APPLICATION WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FOR A GRANT AND/OR LOAN UNDER THE TERMS OF PUBLIC LAW 89-136; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter rule was suspended and the foregoing resolution was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Bradley, Jimenez, Lozano, McDaniel, and Roberts present and voting "Aye." Mrs. Jim Alice Scott appeared and asked for clarification as to the present status and as to procedures for applying for and the issuance of permits in connection with the ordinance providing for revocable permits for disposal of waste materials from oil well production. City Manager Townsend explained that applicants will obtain a Railroad Commission Permit, and that after re- quirements have been complied with relative to insurance and bond, permits will be considered and Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 24, 1968 Page 8 issued. Mayor Pro Tem Sizemore stated that he voted "Nay" on the aforementioned ordinance for the reason that he was opposed to the $25 annual fee. Commissioner Jimenez stated that he voted for the ordinance, but that he was opposed to the $25 fee. Mayor Blackmon called for petitions or information not scheduled on the agenda. Mr. Robert Markos, 1202 Stratton Street, Secretary of CWA Local Union No. 6137, appeared as spokesman for approximately 100 Southwestern Bell Telephone Company employees who marched to City Hall in connection with the strike of Communications Workers of America members against Western Electric Company. Mr. Markos presented the Council with a petition signed by 131 persons requesting that the Council sign a letter to the President of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company asking for his influence in having injunctions issued against striking Communications Workers and employees of Western Electric Company in Southern Bell territory, lifted so that bargaining may resume. (Petition 04-28) Mayor Blackmon received the petition and thanked those present for the orderly presen- tation of the petition, but advised the group that the Council has limited influence in a national strike. He expressed doubt that there is anything the Council can effectively do, but stated that he hoped that the matter will soon be resolved. Mr. Ben F. McDonald, attorney representing the owners of the Greater Corpus Christi Enterprises, owners of the Nueces Hotel Property and the Ramada Inn, appeared and requested a two-year time extension for removal of the old power plant on Water Street across from the Hotel. Mr. McDonald stated that the hotel is being leased and used as a home for some forty elderly people, and that if the City demands immediate removal of the plant, it would result in the hotel closing down which would just add another vacant building to the downtown area. He stated that the power plant is needed for heating and air conditioning purposes for the hotel building. He stated that his client is prepared to deliver a deed to the 20 -foot Water Street right of way which was agreed upon in 1964 by his client when the City abandoned the alley through the block on the condition that the power plant would be removed. Mr. McDonald explained that the original plans called for Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 24, 1968 Page 9 remodeling of the building and connecting it with the Ramada Inn, but the owner, Mr. Joe Barshop of San Antonio, had backed off" because he had so many problems with the City over the size of the Ramada Inn sign. Mayor Blackmon stated that the City Staff recently was instructed to take action necessary to complete the contract, and that contract compliance is already overdue. Motion by Sizemore, seconded by Jimenez and passed, that the foregoing matter be tabled for further consideration. Mr. Jack Davis, 4002 Surfside, appeared and requested that the City relax building re- strictions on Corpus Christi Beach. He stated that he feels the restrictions are hurting business, and that there has only been two permits taken out since the City passed the Building Code following Hurricane Beulah. He stated he is in favor of upgrading the Beach Area and does not favor substandard construction, but that some relaxing would be helpful. Mr. Davis further re- quested that the Fire Districts on the Beach should be changed comparable to other areas of the City. Mayor Blackmon requested that Mr. Davis furnish specific information on what he feels are oppressive portions of the Building Code so that the Council and Staff may study and made recom- mendations. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned. I, JACK R. BLACKMON, Mayor of the City of Corpus Christi, Texas, certify that the foregoing minutes, same being for the period of April 3, 1968, through April 29, 1968, inclusive, and having been previously approved by Council action, are by me hereby approved. CKMON, Ma of Corpus Christi, Texas