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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 11/02/1970 - SpecialMINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING WEST OSO HIGH SCHOOL November 2, 1970 7:30 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Jack R. Blackmon Mayor Pro Tem Gabe Lozano, Sr. Commissioners: Dick Bradley, Jr. Ken McDaniel Ronnie Sizemore • City Manager R. Marvin Townsend Assistant City Attorney Amador Garcia City Secretary T. Ray Kring Mayor Jack R. Blackmon called the meeting to order and stated the purpose of the Special Meeting was to hold a public hearing on assessments for the Molina Area Neighborhood Improvement Program, and directed that it be noted that a quorum of the Council and required Charter Officers were present. He expressed, on behalf of the Council and City Staff, appre- ciation to the West Oso Independent School District for permitting the Council to hold the public hearing within the community, and acknowledged the presence of Dr. George Garza, Superintendent of the School District; Mr. Welder Brown, member of the School Board of Trustees; and Mr. Jonas Salinas, President of the Board of Trustees. He also expressed appreciation for music rendered by the High School Band prior to the opening of the meeting. President of the Board Jonas Salinas welcomed the Council and City Staff on behalf of School Personnel and residents of the Molina Area, commenting that their community had enjoyed many improvements as a result of the mutual cooperation and trust among its citizens and the City Council, and were confident this meeting would bring about further trust and understanding. Mayor Blackmon explained the nature of the project, stating it is part of the Molina Area Neighborhood Improvements Program, and that this Code Enforcement Project is being funded, in part, by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; that the contract had been awarded to Heldenfels Brothers; stated that the total contract price is $1,111,908.20; that the total assessments are $333,224.26; and that the total cost, including the City's portion and Housing and Urban Development is $779,968.94. He explained that the night meeting is being held in the vicinity of the proposed improvements to accommodate and encourage the attendance of interested persons within the community. He explained the procedure to be followed, stating that Assistant City Attorney Amador Garcia would conduct the hearing; that • T. • Minutes Special Council Meeting November 2, 1970 Page 2 the Staff would offer testimony from the City Engineer and evaluation testimony from a real estate appraiser to substantiate the assessments which appear on the Preliminary Assessment Roll, and that the hearing was to form a basis on which the Council, acting as a legislative body, would determine or establish the assessments on the abutting properties. Assistant City Attorney Amador Garcia explained the legal theory in support of the public hearing, stating the procedure is governed by the Statute requiring that a public hearing be held to determine that the properties, after improvements, will be enhanced at least in the amount of the assessment. First Assistant Director of Public Works Jim Lontos described the plans and specifications; testified as to his qualifications and as to the nature and extent of the proposed improvements. He pointed out on the map the location of the streets proposed to be improved, which includes portions of (1) Elvira Drive, Jose Drive, Valdez Drive, and Yolanda Drive, from West Point Road to Bloomington; (2) Ramona, from West Point Road to Skinner; (3) East and West Theresa Street, from Bloomington to Lolita; (4) Theresa, from Lolita to Horne Road; (5) Molina, Barrera, and Angela, from Linda Visi`eto West Point Road; (6) Bush Avenue, from West Point Road to Padre Island Drive (S.H. 358); (7) Columbia Street, from Linda Vista to West Point Road; (8) Linda Vista, from Columbia to Padre Island Drive; (9) National Drive, from Columbia to Angela; (10) West Point Road, from Columbia to Bush Avenue; (11) Villarea4 from Columbia to Elvira; (12) Skinner, from Valdez to Jose; and (13) Bloomington, from Columbia to Molina Drive. Mr. Lontos explained that the assessment rate had been determined,by using the unit prices taken from the bid submitted by Heldenfels Brothers and separating the items in the contract into five categories which the Department of Housing and Urban Development will participate in with the City; that after the total cost of the participating items in the five categories was established, 1/3 of the cost was divided by the total amount of either linear or square footage assessable on the project; and that based on this, the rate of assessments is calculated. He stated that credits have been allowed for existing improvements such as curbs, gutters, and pavement, as well as sidewalks where they exist. He stated that there are a total of 816 parcels of land to be assessed, and that 816 notices had been mailed to the respective property owners as they appear on the tax rolls. • • Minutes Special Council Meeting November 2, 1970 Page 3 A number of property owners stated they did not receive a notice of the hearing, and inquired as to the reason. Mr. Garcia explained that the notice list had been made up from the current rendered and unrendered tax rolls as governed by the Statute, and that if the resident had purchased his property Ander contract for deed, and did not record it, he would probably not receive a notice. Mr. Jake Jarmon, attorney representing Paul Cox Land Company, Elbert and Alex Cox Land Company, Coastal Development Company, Port Land Company and all those property owners who are purchasing their properties under contract for deed, appeared and stated that approximately 80 percent of the properties under consideration at this hearing fall in that category. He explained -that his clients are strongly in favor of the proposed improvements and feel they will be of tremendous benefit to every homeowner in the area. He explained that it was his understanding that his clients were charged with the responsibility of notifying those property owners who had purchased their property on contract for deed, but that due to lack of time and the fact that the list which they had received was defective in that the numerical sequence was obliterated, this was a physical impossibility!. He requested that the record reflect that perhaps some 80 percent of the property owners most affected by the proposed improvements had not been made aware of this hearing, and suggested that this hearing be continued to a subsequent meeting so as to afford all an opportunity to appear and be heard. City Manager Townsend pointed out the relatively large number present for this hearing which indicated that most, if pot all, had received notice; explained that this project had been petitioned by the residents of this community and had been pending for three years. He described the legal processes governing the notice of hearings of this nature, and stated it was his feeling that the notification had been as complete as is possible. Mayor Blackmon explained that the law requires that only those persons whose names appear on the tax rolls as of January 1 of the current year be notified, but that the tax rolls undergo constant change; that this governing body has fulfilled its obligations in this respect, and that not an&,have been made on Mr. Jarmon or his clients. He stated that he ,did not recommend that this hearing be discontinued at this point, but explained that it can be recessed to a definite date, and that further communications can be received from those having questions, • Minutes SpecialCouncil Meeting November 2, 1970 Page 4 protests, or information which they wish to convey to the Council before the ordinance is officially passed closing the hearing. Mr. Harold A. Carr, the City's expert witness, testified as to his background and experience which hefelt qualified him as a real estate appraiser. He stated that he had personally viewed and understood the extent and specifications of the proposed improvements; that he had studied the preliminary assessment roll and each of the properties to be assessed, and that in his opinion, each of the properties so assessed on the project would be enhanced in value at least to the extent of the assessments with exceptions on the following: Item #1, J. W. Clements, Lots 55 thru 52, Block 3, Southwest Industrial Park, be reduced from $1,062.48 to $531.24; Item #2, Tirey Wilemon, Lots 51 thru 12, Block 3, Southwest Industrial Park, be reduced from $5,137.55 to $2,568.77; Item #25, Mary Marshall, Lot 12, Block 3, Washington Addition, be reduced from $831 .00 to $669.00; Item #26, Henry Holt, Lot 1, Block 9, Colonia Hidalgo, be reduced from $908.64 to $679.36; Item #27, George Handson, S. 1/2 of Lot 8, Block 6, Colonia Hidalgo Addition, be reduced from $1,108.00 to $828.00; Item #32, Jack Roberson, Lot 24, Block 1, Washington Addition, be reduced from $730.90 to $587.28; Item #75, C. F. Slaughter, Lot 26, Block 2, Washington Addition, be reduced from $773.52 to $530.50; Item #119, Elbert Cox, Lot 1, Block 12, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $698.08 to $559.00; Item #120, Elbert Cox, Lot 51, Block 10, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $686.82 to $546.52; Item #121, Elbert Cox, Lot 1, Block 10, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $629.22 to $491.67; Item #122, Elbert Cox, Lot 52, Block 8, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $586.10 to $439.10; Item #123, Elbert Cox, Lot 1, Block 8, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $604.80 to $457.80; Item #124, Elbert Cox, Lot 52, Block 6, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $629.22 to $482.22; Item #125, Coastal Development Company, Lot 1, Block 6, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $604.80 to $457.80; • Minutes Special Council Meeting November 2, W70 Page 5 Item #159, Ernest J. Mackey, Lot 1, Block 1, Washington Addition, be increased from $459,82 to $667.32; Item #199, Roger Ellison, Lot 14-A, Block 3, Colonia Hidalgo, be reduced from $630.30 to $481.28; Item #209, Clarence Haston, Lot 7-A, Nock 6, Colonia Hidalgo, be reduced from $593.38 to $443.42; Item #218, John Lee, Lot 7, Block 3, Colonia Hidalgo, be reduced from $596.28 to $478.92; Item #219, J. F. Clark, Lot 1, Block 2, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $595.84 to $479.80; Item #482, E. Cox Trustee, Lot 26, Block 10, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $606.94 to $466.94; Item #483, E. Cox, Trustee, Lot 27, Block 8, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $587.86 to $440.86; Item #484, Coastal Development Company, Lot 26, Block 8, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $622.32 to $475.32; Item #485, Coastal Development Company, Lot 27, Block 6, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $622.32 to $475.32; Item #486, Coastal Development Company, Lot 26, Block 6, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $622.32 to $475.32; Item #487, Port Land Company, Lot 27, Block 4, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $622.32 to $475.32; Item #488, Port Land Company, Lot 26, Block 4, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $569.38 to $422.38; Item #493, Elbert Cox Trustee, Lot 1, Block 9, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $593.52 to $459.62; Item #494, Coastal Development Company, Lot 52, Block 7, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $622.32 to $475.32; Item #495, Coastal Development Company, Lot 1, Block 7, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $622.32 to $475.32; Item #496, Coastal Development Company, Lot 52, Block 5, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $622.32 to $475.32; Item #497, Coastal Development Company, Lot 1, Block 5, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $572.90 to $425.90; Item #498, Coastal bevelopment Company, Lot 52, Block 3, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $622.32 to $475.32; Item #499, Coastal Development Company, Lot 1, Block 3, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $581.70 to $434.70; • • Minutes Special Council Meeting November 2, 1970 Page 6 Item #613, Coastal Development Company, Lot 40, Block 7, La Pascua #2 be reduced from $581 .70 to $434.70; Item #614, Coastal Development Company, Lot 13, Block 7, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $572.90 to $425.90; Item #615, Vancura and Salinas, Lot 40, Block 5, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $581 .70 to $434.70; Item #616, Corona Properties, Inc., Lot 13, Block 5, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $622.32 to $475.32; Item #716, Elbert Cox, Lot 25, Block 11, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $580.74 to $42114; Item #717, Elbert Cox, Lot 27, Block 9, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $585.62 to $421.36; Item #718, Elbert Cox, Lot 26, Block 9, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $648.68 to $401.68; Item #720, Coastal Development Company, Lot 27, Block 3, La Pascua #2, be reduced from $545.62 to $398.62; Item #721, Elbert Cox,Lot 26, Block 3, La Pascua #2, be reduced.: from $510.20 -to $373.20; . Item #757, Alex Cox, Lot 1 IC, Block 3, Laguna Acres, be reduced from $576.00 to $468.00; Item/758, Domingo Ramirez, Lot 26A, Block 4, Laguna Acres, be reduced from $576.00 to $436.00; and Item #779, Guadalupe Flores, South 1/2 of East 1/2 of Lot 12, Block 4, Molina Addition, be reduced from $609.23 to $475.87. Mr. Carr stated that the foregoing recommended adjustments had been made generally on the basis that the properties front on side streets and therefore should not be required to pay the full amount as shown on the preliminary assessment roll. He stated that he had indicated the recommended adjustments on the preliminary assessment roll marked Exhibit "A" on file in the Public Works Office. The following persons appeared and questioned Mr. Carr as to how the assessments had been calculated and how the improvements would enhance their respective properties: Mr. J. W. Clements, Mary Ann Hernandez, Mr. Raymond Williams, Reverend Carlisle, Mary Johnson, Mr. Tirey Wilemon, Mr. Welder Brown, Mr. Lee A. Kelly and Mr. Chavez. • Minutes Special Council Meeting November 2, 1970 Page 7 Mayor Blackmon stated that each property owner present would be given an opportunity to state his or her approval or objection to the proposed improvements or assessments on each individual parcel. The following persons appeared: Mr. Jim Young appeared and sppke as trustee relative to Item 12, Lots 51 thru 12, Block 3, Southwest Industrial Park, and stated that the area is set aside for an industrial park which is bounded by Linda Vista and Columbia; that since these 22 acres are an industrial park and zoned "1-2" it should not be assessed as residential property. He stated that there is no egrets or ingress to the proposed improvements, the improved street would not enhance the property, and that he feels there should be no assessment at all on this 22 -acre tract of land. Mr. J. W. Clements, Item 11, stated he felt the assessment on this property should be 25 percent of the amount shown on the assessment roll instead of the 50 percent reduction recommended by Mr. Carr. Mr. Raymond Williams, Items 159, 160, #61, #71, and /Y72, stated he had purchased several piecetof property in this area because he thought it was a cheap addition. He stated he was opposed to the amount of the assessments. Mr. Willie Flemmings, Item #62, stated he was very much in favor of the proposed improvements and that he did not object to the assessments. - Others speaking in favor of the proposed street improvements were: Mr. Seth Washington, Mrs. Mary C. Marshall, Mrs. Margie Harris, Mrs. Katherine Howard, Mrs. Yvonne Brown, Mrs. M. G. Martinez, Sammy Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Juan Perez (expressed regret that the portion of Molina Street in front of their property was not included in the project), Mr. Willie Lee Thomas, Mr. Salinas, and Maria M. Garcia. No one else appeared to be heard in connection with the proposed street improvements. Motion by Bradley, seconded by Sizemore and passed, that the hearing beirecessed until three o'clock Wednesday, November 4, 1970. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.