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
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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
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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.
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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,
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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;
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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;
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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.
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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.