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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 10/23/1968fir MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING October 23, 1968 2:00 P. M. PRESENT: Mayor Jack R. Blackmon Mayor Pro Tem Ronnie Sizemore Commissioners: Dr. P, Jimenez, Jr. Gabe Lozano, Sr. Ken McDaniel W. J. Roberts Acting City Manager Wayland Pilcher Assistant City Manager Archie N. Walker City Attorney I. M. Singer City Secretary T. Ray Kring Mayor Jack R. Blackmon called the meeting to order. The Invocation was given by Dr. Vernon O. Elmore, Pastor of the First Baptist Church. City Secretary T. Ray Kring called the roll of those in attendance. Motion by Sizemore, seconded by Roberts and passed that Commissioner Bradley be excused for cause. The Minutes of the Special CouncilMeeting of October 8, and the Regular Meeting of October 16, 1968, were approved as furnished to the Council. Mayor Blackmon recognized members of the Student Council from Corpus Christi Academy, and read and presented Certificates of Attendance to Rene Canes, Joe Whitworth, Dan Jackson, Tim Gonzales, Melvin Kolodziej, and Tommy Kaspar. Their sponsor, Father Augustine Lindeck attended the meeting with them. Mayor Blackmon read and presented proclamations relative to the following: PRE- SCHOOL CHILD WEEK, the week of October 27th through November 2nd, 1968, in recognition of the Texas Licensed Child Care Association Conference to be held in Corpus Christi on November 1 - 3, 1968, and urged citizens to express appreciation to the many teachers who work with the pre-school child in helping to prepare for the future, received by Mrs. Clara McCord, Convention Chairman; UNITED NATIONS DAY, Thursday, October 24, 1968, calling upon the citizens of Corpus Christi to observe the day in a spirit of common purpose with the aims of the United Nations, with a sense of rededication to the high truths which we hold to be self-evident, to be mailed to the National Chairman of the organization. Mayor Blackmon announced the nomination of Mr. C. W. (Chile) Vetters to the vacancy on the City Solicitations Commission. This vacancy was created by the death of Mr. Henry Schlenk, Manager of the Better Business Bureau. Mr. Vetters was named to this position with the Better Business Bureau. Minutes Regular Council Meeting October 23, 1968 Page 2 Motion by Sizemore, seconded by Roberts and passed, that Mr. C. W. Vetters be appointed a member of the City Solicitations Commission. Mayor Blackmon recognized Mr. Tony Murphy, President of the Central Business District Association; Mr. W. P. (Pat) Fischer, Vice -President; and Mr. Joe Coudert, who presented 22 litter containers to be installed in a three -block area of Chaparral Street in order to help beautify the area. It was stated that the approving of these con- tainers is in the City Manager's Reports. Mayor Blackmon called for the City Manager's Reports. Motion by Roberts, seconded by Lozano and passed, with Jimenez voting "Nay" on "f", that the City Manager's Reports, Items "a" through "m", deleting Item "j", be accepted and that the requests and recommendations be granted and approved as follows: a. That bids be received on November 5, for 18 mobile radio units for various activities as set forth in the 1968-69 Budget. b. That three additional marked Police patrol cars and radios be authorized for the Sergeants who will be assigned as flexible or roving patrol units. c. That a contract be awarded to Heldenfels Brothers for $83,603.56 for storm sewer improvements in Flour Bluff on the basis of their bid, which was the only bid received. d. That the City Manager be authorized to approve a letter agreement with Heldenfels Brothers through which Heldenfels will dig a drainage ditch from the Tex-Mex railroad track at Carroll Lane to the proposed structure at Kostoryz Road in right-of-way to a sufficient grade to drain existing subdivisions with Heldenfels keeping the dirt. The ditch is to be shaped and any dirt not removed within six months becomes property of the City. e. That the contracts between the City and the Corpus Christi Independent School District and Corpus Christi Junior College District for assessment and collection of taxes be renewed for three years. f. That the Police Building be accepted with $3,300 being retained for correction of minor problems. g. That $125,000 be appropriated for the Rader and Associates engineering contract for International Airport and $17,000 for laboratory tests. 101 tes Regular Council Meeting October 23, 1968 Page 3 h. That the plat of Barateria Bay, Unit 3, which contains 271 lots, be approved. i. That the installation of 22 litter containers in a three -block area of Chaparral be approved. j. Deleted. That an easement be granted to Humble for crossing Hopkins Road (Acme Road), Highway 44, McMullen Road, Old Brownsville Road, Woolridge Road, Holly Road, and Rodd Field Road and running along Rodd Field Road from Holly Road to Saratoga Boulevard and that an easement be granted along the property line of International Airport generally from McMullen Road to Highway 44. k. That the Tax Error and Correction List for the months of June andJuly be approved. I. That the date of November 18, 1968, 2:00 P.M. be set fora public hearing on four zoning cases. m. That the City enter into an agreement with the Chamber of Commerce for the purpose of promoting additional conventions and better serving them. FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TO EXECUTE A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH TOMMY M. BERNSEN, LEASING TO SAID TOMMY M. BERNSEN, A TRACT OF LAND CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 35 ACRES, SITUATED IN NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS, LOCATED ON THE O.N. STEVENS FILTRATION PLANT PROPERTY, AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 77, UPRIVER ROAD AND HEARN ROAD, WEST SECTION OF SAID PROPERTY, TO BE USED FOR FARMING AND AGRI- CULTURAL PURPOSES, FOR A TERM OF THREE (3) YEARS BEGINNING AUGUST 1, 1968, AND ENDING JULY 31, 1971, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORM PRESCRIBED BY ORDINANCE NO. 4657, PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON THE 24TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 1956. The foregoing ordinance was read for the first time and passed to the second reading by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Jimenez, Lozano, McDaniel and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Bradley was absent. ORDINANCE NO. 9084 AUTHOROZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH HELDENFELS BROTHERS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE JAMAICA, CARIBBEAN, WALDRON, AND WHITELEY DRIVE STORM SEWERS, PROJECT NO. 295-67-58; APPROPRIATING OUT OF NO. 295 STORM SEWER FUND THE SUM OF $89,000, OF WHICH $83,603.56 IS FOR THE CON- STRUCTION CONTRACT AND $5,396.44 IS FOR CONTINGENCIES AND INCIDENTAL EXPENSES; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Jimenez, Lozano, McDaniel, and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Bradley was absent. Minutes Regular Council Meeting October 23, 1968 Page 4 ORDINANCE NO. 9085 APPROPRIATING OUT OF NO. 220 STREET BOND FUND THE SUM OF $2,430.00 TO SUPPLEMENT CONTINGENCY FUNDS PREVIOUSLY APPROPRIATED FOR EVERHART ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, AVALON TO STAPLES, PROJECT NO. 220-67-89, AND AS REQUIRED, TO PAY FINAL ESTIMATE NO. 6 DUE THE CONTRACTOR, KING CON- STRUCTION COMPANY, PAYMENT FOR WHICH WAS AUTHORIZED BY ORDINANCE NO, 9076, DATED OCTOBER 16, 1968; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Jimenez, Lozano, McDaniel, and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Bradley was absent. ORDINANCE NO. 9086 AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CORPUS CHRISTI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING ADDITIONAL CONVENTIONS AND TO BETTER SERVE THE CONVENTIONS WHICH ARE AND WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR CORPUS CHRISTI, ALL AS MORE FULLY SET FORTH IN THE AGREE- MENT, A COPYOF 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, Jimenez, Lozano, McDaniel, and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Bradley was absent. ORDINANCE NO. 9087 RECEIVING AND ACCEPTING CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW POLICE BUILDING, PROJECT NO. 207-64-4, AS PERFORMED BY THE CONTRACTOR, BURNETT CON- STRUCTION COMPANY, UNDER THEIR CONTRACT DATED FEBRUARY 2, 1967, AUTHORIZED BY ORDINANCE NO. 8353; APPROPRIATING AND REAPPROPRIATING $1,228 FROM NO. 102 GENERAL RESERVE FUNDS FOR SUPPLEMENTARY CONTINGENCIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE AFORESAID PROJECT; AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF FINAL ESTIMATE NO. 15, DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1968, IN THE NET AMOUNT OF $32,894.76, A COPY OF WHICH IS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF, SAID PAYMENT BEING THE BALANCE DUE THE CONTRACTOR, LESS THE SUM OF $3,300, WHICH IS RETAINED PENDING COMPLETION OF MINOR ITEMS OF WORK, WHICH SUMS RETAINED ARE AUTHORIZED FOR RELEASE TO THE CONTRACTOR UPON COMPLETION OF THE MINOR ITEMS OF WORK, SAID PAYMENT TO BE MADE FROM NO. 207 BUILDING FUNDS PREVIOUSLY APPROPRIATED AND FROM THE SUMS HEREBY APPROPRI- ATED AND REAPPROPRIATED; APPROVING A 96 -DAY EXTENSION OF CONTRACT TIME FOR PROJECT COMPLETION; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Lozano, McDaniel, and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Jimenez voting "Nay"; Bradley was absent. Oil Minutes Regular Council Meeting October 23, 1968 Page 5 ORDINANCE NO. 9088 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 NO. 6106, AS AMENDED, UPON APPLICATION OF MR.. AND MRS. FRANK P. BLALACK, BY GRANTING A SPECIAL COUNCIL PERMIT FOR A DRIVE-IN GROCERY, SITUATED ON A PORTION OF LOT "Q", TRAVIS ADDITION, UNIT 3, IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS, AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN THE APPROVED SITE PLAN, ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF; SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH HEREINAFTER; 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: Blackmon, Sizemore, Jimenez, Lozano, McDaniel, and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Bradley was absent. The fore- going ordinance was submitted with the following results: Sizemore and Lozano voting "Aye"; Blackmon and Jimenez passed; McDaniel voting "Nay"; Roberts abstained; Bradley was absent. The ordinance was resubmitted and passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Lozano, and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Jimenez and McDaniel voting "Nay"; Bradley was absent. ORDINANCE NO. 9089 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 NO. 6106, A5 AMENDED, UPON APPLICATION OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, BY AMENDING THE ZONING MAP BY CHANGING THE ZONING ON LOT A, BANCROFT DODGE ANNEX IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS, FROM "R -1B" ONE -FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT TO "A-1" APARTMENT HOUSE 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 and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Lozano, McDaniel, and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Jimenez abstained; Bradley was absent. ORDINANCE NO. 9090 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 NO. 6106, DR. RICHARD LYMAN, BY AMENDING THE ZONING MAP BY CHANGING THE ZONING ON LOT "A", CARROLL HEIGHTS ANNEX AND A 100' X 455.6' PORTION OF LOT 2, SECTION 2, BOHEMIAN COLONY LANDS ADJOINING SAID LOT "A", IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY,TEXAS, FROM "R -1B ONE -FAMILY DWELLING M Minutes Regular Council Meeting October 23, 1968 Page 6 DiSTRIC', TO "C.-1' APARTMENT HOUSE DISTRICT; KEEPING IN EFFECT ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE AS AMENDED; REPEALING ALL ORDI- NANCES .IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Lozano, McDaniel, and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Jimenez abstained; and Bradley was absent. ORDINANCE NO. 9091 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 NO. 6106, AS AMENDED, UPON APPLICATION OF MR. SAM L. ALLEN, BY AMENDING THE ZONING MAP BY CHANGING THE ZONING ON A 325' X 287' PORTION OUT'OF LOT 2, BYRON WILLIS SUBDIVISION, FACING 287 FEET ON BRETT AND 325 FEET ON WEBER ROAD, IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS, FROM "R -1B" ONE -FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT TO "B-4" GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT; KEEPING IN EFFECT ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE AS AMENDED; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CON- FLICT HEREWITH; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Lozano, McDaniel, and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Jimenez abstained; and Bradley was absent. ORDINANCE NO. 9092 AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CORPUS CHRISTI INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR AN EXTENSION FOR A TERM OF THREE YEARS OF THE PRESENT TAX COLLECTION CONTRACT BETWEEN SAID INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE CITY, ORIGINALLY AUTHORIZED BY ORDINANCE NO. 5582, AND AS LAST EXTENDED BY ORDINANCE. NO. 8445, A COPY OF WHICH EXTENSION AGREE- MENT 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, Lozano, McDaniel, Jimenez, and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Bradley was absent. ORDINANCE NO. 9093 AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CORPUS CHRISTI JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT FOR AN EXTENSION FOR A TERM OF THREE YEARS OF THE PRESENT TAX COLLECTION CONTRACT BETWEEN SAID JUNIOR COLLECT DISTRICT AND THE CITY, ORIGINALLY AUTHORIZED BY ORDINANCE NO. 5593, AND AS LAST EXTENDED BY ORDINANCE NO. 8446, A COPY OF WHICH EXTENSION AGREEMENT IS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Minutes Regular Council Meeting October 23, 1968 Page 7 The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Blackmon Sizemore,Jimenez, Lozano, McDaniel and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Bradley was absent. ORDINANCE NO. 9094 AMENDING THE BUDGET BY APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $142,000 OF UNALLOCATED FUNDS IN NO, 102 GENERAL FUND AND TRANSFER SAID AMOUNT TO NO. 245 AIRPORT BOND FUND; APPROPRIATING OUT OF NO, 245 AIRPORT BOND FUND, FOR PROJECT NO. 245-68-11, THE SUM OF $142,000 OF WHICH AMOUNT $125,000 IS FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED BY RADER AND ASSOCIATES PER CONTRACT AUTHORIZED BY ORDINANCE NO. 8988 AND $17,000 IS FOR CONTINGENCIES AND INCIDENTAL EXPENSES, INCLUDED LABORATORY SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED BY SHILSTONE TESTING LABORATORY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR PROPOSAL DATED AUGUST 12, 1968; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Jimenez, Lozano, McDaniel, and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Bradley was absent. The meeting was recessed at 2:40 P. M. Acting City Manager Pilcher called for an informal workshop with the Council in order to discuss obtaining Parcel #22, the last parcel of land in the North Staples Street Project. The property is owned by the Tex-Mex Railway Company. Mr. Pilcher stated that the City had appraised the property at $5,350 and an appraiser for Tex-Mex at $6,450. An agreement had been reached whereby the City and Tex-Mex would split the difference and the value of the property would be set at $5,900. The Council agreed to a recommendation by Mr. Pilcher when the meeting reconvened. At 3:00 P.M., Mayor Blackmon recalled the meeting to order. Acting City Manager Pilcher advised that the City and Tex-Mex had reached an agreement on the last parcel of property to be obtained in the North Staples Street Project. He stated that a consideration for the property of $5,900 was agreed upon, and recommended that it be accepted. Motion by Roberts, seconded by Lozano and passed, that the recommendation be accepted. Minutes Regular Council Meeting October 23, 1968 Page 8 ORDINANCE NO. 9095 APPROPRIATING OUT OF NO. 220 STREET BOND FUND THE SUM OF $5800.00 FOR THE ACQUISITION OF PARCEL 22, APPLICABLE TO PROJECT NO. 220-61-50, NORTH STAPLES STREET, KINNEY AVENUE TO I.H. 37; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE HEREINAFTER DESCRIBED PROPERTY FROM TEXAS MEXICAN RAILWAY COMPANY, OWNER OF THE SAID PARCEL 22; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Sizemore, Jimenez, Lozano, McDaniel and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Bradley was absent. Mayor Blackmon stated that former Councilman William Wallace had hoped to be able to attend the meeting today, but was in the meeting of the Bay Drilling Committee. Mr. Wallace extended an invitation to the Mayor, members of the Council, City Manager, City Secretary, and their wives, to be his guests at the Symphony, Monday night, October 28, 8:30 P.M. Mr. Wallace is president of the Corpus Christi Symphony organization this year. Mayor Blackmon announced the public hearing regarding assessments against abutting property owners on the proposed street improvements on Belton, MacArthur, Sarita, Hiawatha, and Rodd Field Road. Mayor Blackmon called on Tom McDowell, Assistant City Attorney, to conduct the proceedings, who in turn requested James K. Lontos, City Engineer, to give an explanation of each segment of the improvements and the basis for the assessment rates. Mayor Blackmon stated the purpose of the hearing was to establish the enhancement in value of the property which abuts the streets to be improved, and that the City Council would hear the protests or objections by the owners or their representatives. Mr. Lantos stated the total contract price for the five streets to be improved was $159,365.35; the property owner's assessment was $84,528.36; the City's portion is $74,587.49, and explained the manner in which such pro rata share was computed. He stated that Belton Street, from the Expressway to Greenwood Drive is about 18' to 20' wide at present and is proposed to be 31' wide. MacArthur, Sarita and Hiawatha Streets also are proposed to be 31' wide, and Rodd Field Road is proposed to be 41' wide. Minutes Regular Council Meeting October 23, 1968 Page 9 Property owners in the audience were given the opportunity to question Mr. Lontos, at which time Mrs. Leal, representing her mother-in-law on Sarita Street questioned the difference in driveway assessment. Mrs. Joe Medina asked about the intersection of Sarita and Belton where the drainage of water is a problem when it rains. She was advised by Mr. Lontos that the storm sewer improvements would correct this problem. Mr. Frank Medina, Jr., inquired about houses not facing Belton Street (facing side street) and what their assessment would be. He was advised that the assessment would be for curbs, gutters and sidewalks, and the rates differ between houses depending on existing conditions. Mr. Joe Robles also inquired about difference in assessments and was advised by Mayor Blackmon that the assessments are made on the basis of footage. Mr. Lontos stated the difference in driveway width could also make a difference in the assessment. Mr. McDowell called on Mr. J. H. Milo Garcia to testify as the City's expert witness, and interrogated him regarding his qualifications as a real estate appraiser. It was determined that he was amply qualified to act in this capacity. Mr. Garcia stated that he has had occasion to view each of the properties involved in this hearing, has sold property in these area, and believes the assessments will enhance all properties by the amounts of the assessments. He stated that the neighborhoods are predominantly residential except for two businesses on comers of MacArthur and Belton, and the apartments on Rodd Field Road. Mayor Blackmon stated that Mr. Garcia is an independent appraiser, hired by the City on a contract basis; and he is not a City employee. Item No. 59, Mrs. Joe Medina, questioned Mr. Garcia about the $5.33 charge per linear foot and questioned if the price was high. She was advised that the total amount to each and every individual property would enhance the property to the value of the assessment. He stated that the property owners in this neighborhood had indicated pride of ownership, and believed that these assessments would enhance their properties. Item No. 7, Frank Medina, Jr., asked if the contract would be awarded even if there were those who were not in favor of the contract. He was advised by Mayor Blackmon that the contract would be awarded only if the members of the Council voted to approve it; that there are five streets involved in this contract; and that the one contract price does include all the streets together. SID Minutes Regular Council Meeting October 23, 1968 Page 10 Mrs. Medina questioned the difference between $5.33 for some properties, and $5.66 for others. She was advised that this was because of the difference in the construction of the streets. Item No. 89, Mrs. Julia T. Cantu, inquired about the payments for these assessments. She was advised by Mr. Joe Pierce that no payment starts until after the project is finished. If the complete assessment amount is paid within thirty days after the project is completed, no interest is charged. Otherwise, payments can be arranged on a monthly basis with no pay- ment over $10 per month. The question was asked as to why Rodd Field Road was to begin first. Mr. Lontos explained that since this was a dirt road, with bad weather in the offing, it had been decided to begin there.first,although it would not take over a month to finish that segment. Mr. Lontos also stated that there had been four bidders for the contract. Item No. 156 - 161, Mr. G. Phillip Albright, one of the owners of the apartment zoning project on Rodd Field Road stated that in comparison with the one block of Rodd Field Road that had already been paved to 16' wide, an estimate had been made as to the cost of paving his block. The firstestimate had been about $900, later raised to about $2,000, and now up to $6500. He stated that there was no question as to the fact that the street does need to be paved, but questioned the classification of it as a "collector" street. He was advised by Mr. McDowell that his assessment was higher because of the zoning and use of the property. Mr. Albright questioned the lower zoning across the street where the assessment was much lower, and how the lower zoned property was getting equal benefit. Mayor Blackmon acknowledged the point made and stated the Council would give due consideration to the objections. Mr. William Wallace arrived to extend his invitation to the Mayor, Council, City Manager, City Secretary, and their wives to attend the Symphony Monday night. Item No. 11, Mr. Joe Guzman, Trustee for Salvador Presbyterian Church, stated that the members of the church are all pleased with the proposed improvements. He stated that the Church has plans for expanding or rebuilding the church, estimated at about $45,000.00, and the Church presently has head -in parking which is a convenience to them and hence would like to omit the sidewalks for their property. Mr. Guzman also Minutes Regular Council Meeting October 23, 1968 Page 11 requestedthat their assessment be reduced if possible because of its use. Mayor Blackmon stated that the Council was sympathetic with churches being assessed, but there wasn't any legal alternative. He pointed out however, that churches do not pay taxes, are permitted in residential areas, and are given the benefit of residential assessments. In conclusion, Mr. Pierce, Paving Coordinator, stated that prior to the project's beginning, he will contact each person as to the payment procedure. He will subsequently mail a letter stating the total amount of the assessment and method to be chosen for payment of the assessment. Mr. Pilcher presented a letter of objection filed by Mr. Harry Weisman, as the record owner of a number of pieces of property abutting the streets to be improved, protesting alleges excessive assessments. Item No. 36, Mr. Juan D. Guerrero, asked whowould be contacted when the property had been sold on a Contract for Deed. He was advised by Mr. Pierce that probably Mr. Weisman would be contacted first since he had owned most of the properties; and their individual sales purchase contracts would have to be examined to determine who is liable for the assessments. Mayor Blackmon commended all those attending for their interest in these improve- ments. He stated that the Council appreciates the orderliness: of the meeting. He also stated that the Council would have to discuss the objections raised and determine an equitable assessment for each property involved. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.