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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 12/16/1970MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING December 16, 1970 2:00 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Jack R. Blackmon Mayor Pro Tem Gabe Lozano, Sr. Commissioners: Dick Bradley, Jr. Eduardo E. de Ases Ken McDaniel W. J. Roberts City. Manager R. Marvin. Townsend City Attorney Jim Riggs City Secretary T. Ray Kring • Mayor Jack R. Blackmon called the meeting to order. The Invocation was given by The Reverend John Thompson of St. Thomas Episcopal Church. City Secretary T. Ray Kring called the roll of those in attendance. Motion by Roberts, seconded by Bradley and passed, that th‘ absence of Commissioner Sizemore be excused for just cause. Mayor Blackmon announced the issuance of proclamations relative to the following: TOY BOWL DAY, December 19, 1970; urging citizens to support this worthwhile cause by making a contribution of toys and attending the football game between Radio Station KEYS and Television Station KIII, a project intended to augment The Marine CorphsReserves "Toys for Tots" program to help the underprivileged children of our City have a happier Christmas; PRISONER OF WAR DAY, December 25, 1970, and urged citizens to show their respect gndj.concern for the approximately 1,600 members of the Armed Forces of the United States who are listed as either missing in action or prisoners -of -war in Southeast Asia,Iby praying for their safety and speedy return to their homes and families; YOKOSUKA DAYS, December 17 through December 26, 1970, in honor and recognition of the Yokosuka Sister City Exchange Students and official representatives of Mayor Nagano, and the City of Yokosuka, who will be visiting in this City during this period in connection with the program of annual exchange of high school students. Approximately 25 students of the Government Class of Incarnate Word, accompanied by their sponsor, Sister Stanislaus, were present as observers of Council proceedings. Dr. Hans Suter, locql conservationist, accompanied by columnist, Mrs. Kay McCracken, appeared and requested that the City designate some 158 acres of City -owned land, exclusive of the fenced area and that under cultivation, located near the O. N. Stevens Filtration Plant, • • Minutes Regular Council Meeting December 16, 1970 Page 2 for creation of a bird and wildlife sanctuary. He presented a petition on behalf of the Corpus Christi Outdoor Club in support of the request, stating that it is felt that the project would stimulate other interest in the community. (Petition 05-70) Mayor Blackmon stated the request would be referred to the City Manager for study and recommendation to be considered by the Council at an early workshop. Mayor Blackmon recognized three local residents, Mr. Joe Marcom, 3901 Chestnut Street; Mr. Joe W. Kanipe, 1547 Lea Lane, and Mr..Charlie Nichols, 3942 Leopard Street, who had requested a place on the agenda to speak in opposition to the "Sensitivity Training for the Police Department" program. City Manager Townsend gave a brief outline of the program stating that it had been authorized May 20, 1970, as the Police Community Group Encounter Training Program, for the purpose of providing lecture and group discussion training for twenty volunteer police officers over a three-month period; that an application had been approved for federal funds for assistance under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968; and that the program was to be carried out by Director of Public Safety Wayland Pilcher. Mr. Marcom stated that the program had been called by many names since its institution in this country. He gave statistics of police fatalities in this country while on duty, stating that one out of every six police officers in the United States had risked his life for his community and should have the support of the community and not be required to assume additional burdens. He stated he was opposed to the entire program and labeled it as a form of "brainwashing" and stated that no benefit would come from it. He cited other cities as examples, particularly the City of Houston, stating that the program had been institutedithere in 1968; that it had cost $80,000 plus individually donated funds, and that the Chief of Police of that City reports that there has been no change in police efficiency as a result of that experience. Mr. Marcom was asked in what way he was familiar with the program and he stated that he was living in Houston at the time this program was instituted there. He was asl4d in what way the Houston program compared to the program in Corpus Christi, and he stated that the participants in the Corpus Christi program had been sworn to secrecy and therefore was not specifically familiar with the program. • . e • Minutes Regular Council Meeting December 16, 1970 Page 3 Mr. Kanipe stated he was opposed to the "sensitivity program" and that he was in agreement with statements made by Mr. Marcom. He stated that the program had originated with a group of psychologists and that it was intended as a means of seeking to change the participant's emotional values, and behavior, which has a tendency of weakening the character and intelligence of an individual, destroying his self confidence, self reliance, and ability to think and act for himself, resulting in frustrations and, in a sense, turning men'into robots. He stated the training could be compared to "treating the patient by making the doctor take the cure;" that policemen: will be taught to think twice before they make an arliest, and that in that moment of hesitation it could cost him his life, and that it is his belief that the program changes the individual but not the environment, and that it should be the other way around. Mr. Nichols, spoke in opposition to the program representing members of the "Support Your Local Police Committee", and stated this group feels this is a battle between the forces of good and evil and the forces of reason and anarchy, and that this sensitivity training program imposes psychiatric treatment on our police force in order to neutralize the only force which stands between us and the revolutionists. Mr. Nichols pointed out the increase in fatalities among law enforcement officers in the last ten years, pointing out that some of them had been killed with their own guns which had been seized and used against them when they hesitated, and that sensitivity training is intended to soften the policeman and cause him to hesitate while he analyzes the law breaker and sympathizes with him. Mr. Nichols further stated that it had been brought to his attention by one of the Commanding Officers of the Department, that he could not learn anything regarding the course because the men had been sworn to secrecy by those in charge. He asked the Council., before continuing with the program, to contact police officials in other cities and learn what have been the results. He further stated that the Council should consult with its legal counsel as to the use of group therapy, under any name, upon public employees with the use of tax funds. (See Council Exhibit #23-70) Mayor Blackmon stated he was deeply concerned because of the sincerity of these citizens, but stated he felt the program was misunderstood locally, and that he was not aware of any participants being sworn to secrecy, which won corroborated by Mr. Townsend. He stated • Minutes Regular Council Meeting December 16, 1970 Page 4 that as to the policemen being "brainwashed", we are all brainwashed from childhood to adulthood through parental guidance and through our school faculties. He further stated it is hoped that every policeman thinks before he makes an arrest, and that they all should have a certain amount of training and background to do a good job. He stated the Council is not interested particularly in other cities, but is interested in whether or not local police officers are being taught something subversive to law enforcement, and that he would check into the allegation that police officers participating in the program had been swam to secrecy. He asked Mr. Kanipe to furnish any information he had to support this allegation. Mayor Blackmon announced the opening of bids. Purchasing Agent Robert Walker opened and read bids for the sale of suplus property located in the 5300 Block of Leopard Street, being Lots 1 and 1A„ McBride Commercial Sites, from the following: C & C Mobile Homes, and Heldenfels Brothers. The foregoing bids were tabled pursuant to the requirements of 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 McDaniel and passed, that the City Manager's Reports, Items "a" through "k" be accepted, and that the requests and recommendations be granted and approved as follows: a. That a contract be awarded for a 125 CFM Portable Air Compressor with Diesel Motor to Girard Machinery and Supply Company of Corpus Christi, for $3,990 on the basis of low bid meeting specifications; (Bid Tabulation X54-70) b. That the City's estimated 12 -months tire and tube requirements, consisting of approximately 2675 items, 491 passenger car tires, 311 small truck tires, 281 large truck tires, 96 tractor tires, 55 industrial and roller tires, and 1441 tire tubes, be awarded to Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company of Corpus Christi, on the basis of lowest cost as determined by a combination of wear test and bid price, for the total sum of $38,163.72; (The extra mileage to be obtained from Goodyear passenger car tires results in effective low bid) (Bid Tabulation 055-70) c. That 18 two -passenger bus seats be purchased from National Seating Company of Mansfield, Ohio, for the low bid of $4,110.25; (Bid Tabulation 056-70) • • • Minutes Regular Council Meeting December 16, 1970 Page 5 d. That the authority to advertise for bids to be received at311:00 a.m., January 7, 1971, for replacement of six 20 -cubic yard rear load packer bodies installed on City owned truck chassis as approved in 1970-71 budget for the Sanitation Division, be granted; e. That the tax error and correction lists for May, June and July, be approved; (The corrections reduce the 1969 levy by $1,135, prior year's levies by $3,034, and prior year's levies for the Water District by $114. Some of the major changes by reasons are: presented records ($1,422), exempt ($433), statute of limitations (33 accounts - $308), bankruptcy and court action $469), exempt military($235), and not in City ($50). 279 accounts are either being increased or decreased) f. That $17,432.58 be appropriated from various bond funds for expenses in connection with the June 17, 1970, $4,500,000 Bond Sale, being $8,744.50 for financial advisor, $975.92 prospectus, arid' $1,800 for rating services; g. That the plans and specifications for C‘lia repairs to the Lindale Recreation Center be approved, and the authority to advertise for bids to be received January 6, 1971, be granted; h. That the City concur in the request of Centex Cement Corporation to the Texas Air Control Board for a variance to January 31, 1971, to repair damaged caused 6y Hurricane Celia; i. That the authority to receive bids at 11:00 a.m., January 7, 1971, for replacement and additional radio equipment approved in 1970-71 budget, for various departments, including 20 replacement and 3 additional 60 -watt mobile units, 16 replacement and 8 additional 30 -watt mobile units, and a replacement 90 -watt base station for public utilities, be granted; I. That the date of Monday, January 4, 1971, Special Meeting at 2 p.m. be set for a public hearing on the following zoning cases: (1) W.H.P., Inc. - from "R -1B" to a Community" Unit Plan on the southeast corner of Rodd Field Road and Williams Drive; (2) Allen H. Russell, from "R -1B" to "3-4" on the southwest corner of Hall Avenue and Padre Island Drive; (3) Oscar Gonzalez, from "R -1B" to "B-1" on the southeast corner of Hidalgo and Balboa Streets; and (4) Roy Smith, Trustee, from "R -1B" to "B-4" on the northwest corner of Greenwood and Padre Island Drives; k. That a contract be awarded to Manson Industries for the low bid of $7,900 for painting and rehabilitation of the Transit System Building, and that an appropriation in the amount of $7,900 be approved. • e . • Minutes Regular Council Meeting December 16, 1970 Page 6 Motion by Roberts, seconded by Bradley and passed, that the public hearing held November 4, 1970, relative to the question of Urban Renewal, be further recessed to one week hence. ORDINANCE NO. 10034 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 REG;ORDS, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME AND PARTICULARLY AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO. 6106, AS AMENDED, UPON APPLICATION OF E. L. JACKSON AND HELEN BLUNTZER BY GRANTING A SPECIAL COUNCIL PERMIT FOR OPERATION OF A DRIVE-IN GROCERY WITH GASOLINE PUMPS ON LOTS 11, 12, AND 13, BLOCK B, DIAZ ADDITION, LOCATED IN THE 500 BLOCK OF WINNEBAGO STREET SITUATED IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS, AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON THE SITE PLAN APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION, ATTACHED HERETO; KEEPING IN EFFECT ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE AS AMENDED; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HERE- WITH; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance Was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Lozano, Bradley, de Ases, McDaniel and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Sizemore was absent. ORDINANCE NO. 10035 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 PARTICULARk'R.;AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO. 6106, AS AMENDED, UPON APPLICATION OF GIBSON DISCOUNT CENTER BY GRANTING A SPECIAL PERMIT FOR THE ERECTION OF A SIGN ON BLOCK A, CASA LINDA ESTATES, UNIT 4, LOCATED AT 1330 KOSTORYZ IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS, AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON THE APPROVED SITE PLAN ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF; 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, Lozano, Bradley, de Ases, McDaniel and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Sizemore was absent. ORDINANCE NO. 10036 REDECLARING, UNDER ART. 5890e, V.A.C.S., TEXAS AND ARTICLE 1175, V.A.C.S., TEXAS AND FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CITY -HUD CONTRACT OF AUGUST 12, 1970 UNDER AUTHORITY OF PUBLIC LAW 79 AND PUBLIC LAW 875, U. S. CONGRESS, AS AMENDED, AND THE DISASTER RELIEF ACT OF 1969, THE STATE OF CIVIL EMERGENCY CONTINUING IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI AS A RESULT OF HURRICANE CELIA AND AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT BY THE CITY OF MOBILE HOME PARK ACCOMMODATIONS FOR DISASTER HOUSING PURPOSES WITHIN THE CITY AS HERETOFORE AUTHORIZED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, TO CONTINUE THE SAME; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING NOTICE AND PUBLICATION; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. • . A 4111 Minutes Regular Council Meeting December 16, 1970 Page 7 The Charter Rule was .sui'pended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Lozano, Bradley, de Ases, McDaniel and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Sizemore was absent. ORDINANCE NO. 100317 GRANTING A REVOCABLE EASEMENT AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A REVOCABLE EASEMENT TO AMERICAN PETROFINA COMPANY OF TEXAS, A CORPORATION HAVING AN OFFICE AND PLACE OF BUSINESS IN CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS, TO LAY, CONSTRUCT, OPERATE, MAINTAIN, REPAIR AND REMOVE ONE (1) 2-3/8" FLOW LINE TO CROSS BUCKHOLT ROAD 330 FEET SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 44, AS MORE FULLY SET OUT IN THE REVOCABLE 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 ordirfancee was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Lozano, Bradley,* Ases, McDaniel and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Sizemore was absent. ORDINANCE NO. 10038 APPROPRIATING THE SLIM OF $17,432.58 OUT OF VARIOUS BOND FUNDS FOR EXPENSESIN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE OF 0,500,000 GENERAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS, SERIES 1970 ON JUNE 17, 1970; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Lozano, Bradley, de Ases, McDaniel and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Siemore was absent. ORDINANCE NO. 10039 AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH MAN$ON INDUSTRIES FOR TRANSIT SYSTEM BUILDING REHABILITATION; APPROPRIATING $7,900 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT OUT OF NO. 218 TRANSIT SYSTEM BOND FUND; APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $13,454 OUT OF THE NO. 220 STREET BOND FUND, OF WHICH $1500 IS:APPLICABLE TO PROJECT NO. 220-70-108, NORTH ALAMEDA, WEST BROADWAY TO I.H. 37, AND $11,954 IS APPLICABLE TO PROJECT NO. 220-70-122, WINNEBAGO STREET IMPROVEMENTS, NORTH ALAMEDA TO SAM RANKIN; AUTHORIZING THE REIMBURSEMENT OF TRANSIT SYSTEM BOND FUND FOR EXPENSES INCURRED IN IMPROVING PORTIONS ALAMEDA AND WINNEBAGO STREETS; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Blackmon, Lozano, Bradley, de Ases, McDaniel and Roberts, present and voting "Aye"; Sizemore was absent. There being no Further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.