HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 08/08/1970•
PRESENT:
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MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
RECESSED MEETING
August 8, 1970
10:00 a.m.
Basement of the Police Building
Mayor Jack R. Blackmon
Mayor Pro Tem Gabe Lozano, Sr.
Commissioners:
Dick Bradley, Jr.
Eduardo E. de Ases
Ken McDaniel
W. J. Roberts
Ronnie Sizemore
City Manager R. Marvin Townsend
Acting City Attorney Jim Riggs
Assistant City Secretary Bill G. Read
The recessed meeting was called to order at 10:10 a.m.
City Manager Townsend reported on present conditions in the City, stating that
most of the emergency problems have been met. He stated that the number of telephone
calls of an emergency nature have diminished. The City and the Office of Emergency
Preparedness have established three neighborhood centers staffed to take care of Corps of
Engineers permits. These centers are located at Meadowbrook Elementary School on
Gollihar, the Boys' Club on Greenwood, and Coles Junior High School. The City intends
to stop issuing these permits at the Police Station as soon as possible and divert all requests
for permits to these neighborhood centers.
Councilman McDaniel suggested that we eliminate the Lot and Block Regulation on
permits for removal debris. It was decided that it would be very helpful if people would
indicate their lot and block number, but it was not essential. Contracts have been let by
the Corps of Engineers for the removal of debris.
The City has received some complaints about mosquitos. So far, this has not developed
into a major problem and is not expected to do so since the regular crews are continuing to
spray all areas of the City.
It was reported that many of the traffic signals are in operation and work is progressing
on this problem. Citizens should not report traffic signals that are completely out of order as
this information is already known. However, any signal that is only in partial operation should
be reported as this situation creates a dangerous traffic hazard.
The Department of Housing and Urgan Development reported that mobile homes will be
brought into the City to be used as temporary shelters for those who have lost their homes. This
department suggested that the City endorse a program in which the City is responsible for leasing
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Minutes
Special Recessed Meeting
August 8, 1970
Page 2
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space for these new mobile homes. The trailers will be made available to the City for a
period of up to twelve months.
Mr. Bill Austin of the Housing and Urban Development Department suggested that
the City should allow residents to park these trailers on private property. City Manager
Townsend stated this would call for a special ordinance. However, there would be no need
to change the zoning laws since these trailers are only temporary.
Mr. Austin stated that this program has been used in other states and there has been
no problem with people who are financially able to rebuild their homes since they move out
of the trailers when their homes are rebuilt. The problem has come from people who cannot
afford to rebuild their homes and, therefore at the end of one year had no place to go. He
suggested that these people can be moved into public housing at the end of the year. Also,
as many loans as necessary can be made available under the FHA 235 program. There are
thirty men here row to work on this program.
City Manager Townsend made the following recommendation: That the City approve
the HUD program and that the Housing Department authorize trailer camps and make space
available for them; that the City request mobile home parks to make space available as they
can; that the City authorize the placement of this type of mobile home on owner occupied
lots or lots owned by the City for one year. All of this program will be controlled locally.
Motion by McDaniel, seconded by Lozano and passed, that the foregoing recommendation
be adopted.
Mr. Alex Becerra of the President's Council on Spanish Speaking Affairs said that
arrangements are being made to allow trailers to pass easily through other states on their
way to Corpus Christi. Mr. Becerra also reported on services which his organization can
render.
City Manager Townsend stated there is some difficulty in drawing the line between
itinerant vendors and skilled craftsmen who are coming into the City to make repairs. As the
law now reads, an itinerant vendor is a person or firm who solicits contracts after arriving
here and who does not have a place of business here.
°Minutes
Recessed Special Meeting
August 8, 1970
Page 3
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It was agreed that all persons, whether they fall into this category, who are
coming to Corpus Christi to make repairs, should register with the City.
City Manager Townsend proposed an emergency amendment to the Itinerant Vendor
Ordinance that would waive the ten-day waiting period for a vendor's license and to
accept the statement that they will provide bond within five days.
Motion by Roberts, seconded by Bradley and passed, that the foregoing recom-
mendation for amendment to the itinerant vendor ordinance be adopted.
It was recommended that a Master's License from other cities could be recognized
in Corpus Christi for a period of six months. Mayor Blackmon suggested that a sub -committee
study the problem.
Councilman de Ases mentioned the food distribution problem and also problems with
transportation to food centers. According to Assistant City Manager Archie Walker, there
are four food distribution centers in Corpus Christi, two in Robstown, and also in Sinton,
Taft, Aransas Pass and Rockport. City Manager Townsend reported that there are special
buses that citizens can ride free of charge that run to the food distribution centers. Also,
there are buses that connect with the special buses to the food centers. However, citizens
must pay a fare to reach these connecting points. The special bus from Molina to the dis-
tribution point and back again is the only one for which no fare is charged. Councilman de Ases
stated he is in favor of providing free transportation to all food centers, either by bus or
private auto.
Mayor Blackmon recognized the president of the Electrician's Union. According to
his report, 300 men have reported for work, but so far only about 16 calls have been received.
There is not enough material or tools available at this time. The problem was turned over to
Councilman Bradley for study.
City Manager Townsend recommended that the question of curfew and the National
Guard be continued until the next meeting. There were many people out after curfew last
night and the checks outside the City are not working. The authority of the Mayor was
recognized by the Council to set rules for curfew.
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Minutes
Recessed Special Meeting
August 8, 1970
Page 4
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According to Councilman McDaniel, the insurance adjustors can be reached at the
Committee Room, Parkdale Plaza, 4501 Gollihar, and in the Buick Building near the
Court House.
The problems of ice, housing for workers coming in, and the Charter Amendment
Election which must be called for next Wednesday, will be discussed at the next Council
meeting.
The next meeting will be Monday at 11:00 a.m. at the Police Station unless
notified otherwise.
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