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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 11/10/1971MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING November 10, 1971 2100 p. m . PRESENT: Mayor Ronnie Sizemore Mayor Pro Tem Charles A. Bonniwell Commissioners: Roberto Bosquez, M.D. Thomas V. Gonzales J. Howard Stark Hall. Assistant City Manager Archie Walker City Attorney James R. Riggs City Secretary T. Ray Kring Mayor Ronnie Sizemore called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber of City • The Invocation was given by The Reverend William DeAngelus of St. Theresa Catholic Church. City Secretary T. Ray Kring called the roll of those in attendance. Motion by Bonniwell, seconded by Gonzales and passed, that the absence of Commissioners Branch and Lozano be excused for just cause. The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of October 27, 1971, were approved as submitted to the Council. Mayor Sizemore proclaimed the week of November 6 through 13, 1971, as TEENS AID THE RETARDED WEEK, and November 10 through December 25, 1971, as CHRISTMAS SEAL DAYS. Motion by Bonniwell, seconded by Gonzales and passed, that the appointment of Commissioners Stark and Bosquez as Council representatives to the Oso Creek Drainage Advisory Committee, be approved and confirmed. Motion by Bonniwell, seconded by Bosquez and passed, that the appointment of Commissioner Stark to serve as the City's additional representative to the Coastal Bend Regional Planning Commission (COG), be approved and confirmed. Mayor Pro Tem Bonniwell asked that it be noted that an Honorary Citizenship Certificate and symbolic KEY to the City had been formally presented to Mr. Edwin C. Burke, Executive Vice President of Aetna Life Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut, in appreciation for that company having continued to write hurricane damage insurance in this City following Hurricane Celia. 1 • Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 10, 1971 Page 2 Bids for the construction of Sanitary Sewer Extensions for Western Hills Area were opened and read by Director of Engineering Services James K. Lontos, from the following firms: Heldenfels Brothers; Arnold Utility Contractors; R. S. Black; Cactus Utility; and Burtex Constructors, Inc. The foregoing bids were tabled for 48 hours as required by the City Charter and referred to the City Manager for tabulation and recommendation. Bids for Hurricane Celia damage repairs to the Exposition Hall were opened and read by Mr. Lontos from the following firms: B. E. Beecroft; Roofcraft, Inc.; and Casey & Glass. The foregoing bids were tabled for 48 hours pursuant to the requirements of the City Charter and referred to the City Manager for tabulation and recommendation. Mayor Sizemore announced the public hearing on the request of Mr. Martin Lynn of the Sand and Sea Motel to close Aubrey Street located between Lots 6 & 7, Block 10, Beach Addition. Assistant City Manager Archie Walker presented the request stating that the street is located adjacent to the Sand & Seal Motel;:that the request had been circulated through the affected City Departments and that it was generally recommended thatit be closed provided that easements are retained for a large outfall storm sewer and a 4" gas line existing within Aubrey Street right -of -way, and that if closed, the City be compensated on a fair market value for the right-of-way. It was pointed out that the alley between Aubrey and Mann Street possibly should also be closed since this alley is being fully utilized by the Motel. Mr. Walker stated it was his recommendation that the Council withhold action on the closing until the City Staff has had an opportunity to work out details relative to access problems and the utility easements. Mrs. Patricia Weir, 456 Eldon Drive, representative of the Sand and Sea Motel, stated that Mr. Lynn would be willing to meet with the City Staff for discussions relative to resolving the problems. Mr. Phillip Ingram, representative of the Electrical Union Workers, stated the Union would be interested in bidding on the area if it is closed, and asked that he be informed as to the action taken by the Council. Mayor Sizemore explained that normally one-half of the closed street would go to the State of Texas, owner of the adjacent property, and the other one- half to the Sand and Sea Motel. • • Minutes - Regular Council Meeting November 10, 1971 Page 3 No one appeared in opposition to the request to close Aubrey Street. Motion by Gonzales, seconded by Bosquez and passed, that the hearing be recessed until next week. Mayor Sizemore announced the public hearing on the request of Urban Engineering to close a portion of Boca Raton Street in Country Club Estates, Unit 9-A. Mr. Walker pointed out the location stating that a metes and bounds description of the area had been published; that the closing is required before a plat of the area can be approved by the Planning Commission; that affected City Departments had no objections to the closing, and that it is his recommendation that the Street be closed on the condition that easements be retained for an existing 6" water line and a 21" diameter storm sewer now located in that portior considered for abandonment. He stated that this recommendation is acceptable to Urban Engineering. No one appeared in opposition to the closing of this portion of Boca Raton Street. Motion by Bonniwell, seconded by Stark and passed, that the hearing be closed. Motion by Bonniwell, seconded by Stark and passed, that the recommendation of Assistant City Manager Walker be concurred in and that the portion of Bocci Raton Street located in Country Club Estates, Unit 9-A, described by metes and bounds on file in the office of the City Secretary, be closed on the condition that easements be retained for existing utilities, and that an ordinance be brought forward effectuating the closing. Mayor Sizemore announced the informal public hearing to determine the City is position relating to the application of Rodd Village for a permit to discharge an average flow not to exceed 18,000 gallons per day into holding lagoons to be used for irrigation purposes near Rodd Village. Assistant City Manager Archie Walker stated it was the Staff's recommendation that the Texas Water Quality Board Abe advised that the City has no opposition to the proposal of Rodd Village Sewage Discharge request on the following conditions: (1) that the two small oxidation ponds should be cleaned of all debris, weeds, and such, and constantly maintained in that condition; (2) when the average flow of this discharge exceeds 18,000 gallons per day, the applicant for this permit should be required to install a mechanical sewage treatment plant; and (3) that the two lagoons be used for irrigation purposes near Rodd Village. • • Minutes. Regular Council Meeting November 10, 1971 Page 4 Mr. David Hull, 726 Berkshire, representative of Raid Village, was present and stated they were in agreement with the recommendation of the Staff. A. L. Cock, Public Health Engineer, explained reasons for the conditions of the permit, stating that the permit to discharge an average flow not to exceed 18,000 gallons per day in two holdinglagoons, should be satisfactory if the flow conditions are met. No one appeared in opposition to the application for sewage discharge permit. Motion by Bonniwell, seconded by Stark and passed, that the hearing be closed. Motion by Bonniwell, seconded by Gonzales and passed, that the recommendation of the Staff be concurred in and the Texas Water Quality Board be advised that the City does not oppose Rodd Village sewage discharge request on the following conditions: (1) that the two small oxidation ponds should be cleaned of all debris, weeds, and such and constantly maintained in that condition; (2) when the average flow of this discharge exceeds 18,000 gallons per day, the applicant for this permit should be required to install a mechanical sewage treatment plant; and (3) that the two lagoons be used for irrigation purposes near Rodd Village. Mayor Sizemore called for the City Manager's Reports. Motion by Stark, seconded by Bonniwell and passed, that the City Manager's Reports, Items "a" through "n", Item "m" to be considered separately, be accepted, and that the requests and recommendations be granted and approved as follows: a. That payment of the budgeted contribution of $6,420 by the Gas Fund to the Coastal Bend Economic Development District,, be authorized; (The E.D.D. pays $,40 per square foot per month rent for 1338 square feet which is $535 per month, thus, the full contribution is returned as rent) b. That NO PARKING be allowed on the east side of Swantner Street between Ohio and Louisiana Street so that two lanes of traffic on Swantner Street can approach the traffic signal at Louisiana as recommended by the Traffic Safety Advisory Board; c. That the City's representation on the Coastal Bend Regional Planning Commission (COG- Council of Governments). be increased from six to seven members, based on 1970 popu- lation, on advice that the City is entitled to one more representative, and request that the additional member be an elected representative to help the COG meet its new requirements that 2/3rds of its members must be elected; • • Minutes' Regular Council Meeting November 10, 1971 Page 5 d. That the Central Business District Association's request to remove parking meters on the 200, 300, and 400 blocks of Chaparral Street (both sides), and the 400 block of Mesquite Street (both sides) from November 22 to December 27, 1971, be granted so that Christmas decorations can be installed; Parking Meter Attendance to enforce 2 -hour free parking restrictions on these three blocks of Chaparral Street and NO PARKING signs to be erected on both sides of the 400 block of Mesquite to improve the flow of traffic; e. That plans and specifications for the reconstruction of North Alameda Street from IH 37 to West Broadway be approved and that bids be received on December 8; (The project includes new curbs and gutters, reworking of all pavement, total overlay of hot -mix, and sidewalk improvements, all estimated at $66,000;) f. That an amendment to the Compensation Plan Ordinance, relating to the changes as recommended in the 1971-72 budget be approved, the changes not to take effect until the end of the "freeze"; (The positions involved were set forth in the activity comments of the Budget) g. That the high bid of $1,400 from Modern Service Corporation for purchase of a City -owned building at 2714 Moore Street which is considered surplus property, be accepted, the building to be relocated at 3005 Dempsey for storage as part of a rehabilitation contract with NIP; h. That provision for the salvage and disposition of abandoned cars through City Forces arby contractural arrangement with a private entity with all regulations relative thereto, be authorized; i. That a 10 -foot utility easement in Lexington Park Unit 11 be closed as requested by Urban Engineering and recommended by the Planning Department since it was required in con- junction with the replat of the area; (The Utilities Department and Engineering Services concur in the recommendation) j. That the date of November 24, 1971, be set for a public hearing for closing the streets, easements and rights-of-way in Kibby industrial Subdivision as requested by Ted Anderson; k. That bids be received at 11 a.m., November 30, 1971, for the City's 1971-72 requirements for Tires & Tubes; • • Minutes - Regular Council Meeting November 10, 1971 Page 6 I. That November 24, 1971, be set for a public hearing on the application of Central Power and Light Company to the Texas Water Quality Board for an amendment to their waste control order for existing discharge at Lon Hill Plant; m. (Considered Separately) n. That the low bid of $173,224.28 be accepted from Encolite Corporation, Fort Worth, Texas, for installation of a radio box fire alarm system which is wireless and will be funded by the Office of Emergency Preparedness under Public Law 91-606. The contract will not be signed until a letter of confirmation from OEP as to the reimbursement which will allow the City to set up a receivable to cover the appropriation; (The old system was completely destroyed by Hurricane Celia) Assistant City Manager Walker read the recommendation identified as Item "m" as follows: That new plats in the area between Padre Island Drive, Highway 44, Navigation Boulevard and Cliff Maus Drive, be approved without a showing of adequate off-site drainage until the next Capital Improvement Bond Election, upon installation of temporary drainage facilities off-site by the subdivider, and a showing of cooperation and assistance in providing right-of-way for permanent drainage, and that such bond election include trunk drainage for such area. Attorney Jim Ryan, representing the West Oso Property Owners Association, appeared in protest of the freeze on subdivision plats, stating that basically they were in agreement with the foregoing recommendation, but did not understand the term "off-site drainage", and that he interprets the recommendation to mean that if the bond election is defeated, the embArgo would be continued. He stated that this area was annexed in 1961 and that taxes have been collected since that time; that they have all other utilities and feel the City k obligated to provide drainage the same as any other part of the City. He stated that developments such as Village on the Green are now drained by facilities considered as temporary, but that these facilities are not as temporary as may be believed. He stated that with modifications, they could handle the foreseeable developments in that area if the bonds are rejected. He stated that that part of town should be allowed to develop. He filed with the Council a statement of the landowners pledging cooperation and assistance in providing right-of-way on a reasonable basis to the City for permanent drainage in the area. • • Minutes - Regular Council Meeting November 10, 1971 Page 7 Others in the audience in support of the position of Mr. Ryan were: Mr. Ralph Burnett; Fred F. Morgan, Jr.; S. F. Crecelius; W. L. Bates; L. H. Gross; Celia Feil; H. C. He!deifies, Jr.; Fred Flato; Dr. McIver Furman; A. K. Adams. Mr. Walker stated the City wants to be in a position to be able to buy the right-of-way at a fair market value without severance damage problems, and stated that if the bonds are voted down the City will take another look at the situation. He modified the recommendation by deleting the words "upon installation of temporary drainage facilities off-site by the subdivider" the recommendation reading as follows: "m. That the new plats in the area between Padre Island Drive, Highway 44, Navigation Boulevard and Cliff Maus Drive, be approved without a showing of adequate off-site drainage until the next Capital Improvement Bond Election, and request,a showing of cooperation and assistance from developers in providing right-of-way for permanent drainage, and that such bond election include trunk drainage for such areas." Motion by Stark, seconded by Bonniwell and passed, that the foregoing recommendatio. be approved as modified. Mayor Sizemore announced that a communication had been received from the Chairman of the 1971 Awards Committee of the Texas Public Works Association that Director of Public Works Jack McDaniel had been chosen as one of the "Top Three Public Works Men of the Year" in the State of Texas, and that the award was presented to him at the Texas Public Works Short Course at Texas A & M University November 8. Attorney Ed Prichard, representing Buford Nicholson, developer of Briarwood Additiord, appeared and asked that the City Council overrule the City Staff's recommendation and reimburse the developer $3,583 as the City's share of building a bridge across a ditch by Williams Drive to the Briarwood Addition. He stated that the bridge was built by the developer on the assumption that the City would pay a portion of the cost. He read sections of the ordinance covering such participation. He exhibited to the Council a series of communications to substantiate his claim that the Staff was aware of what they were doing and of their expectations as to reimbursement, but stated that the developers' actions were never questioned until the facilities were completed and they asked for reimbursement. He stated there was not a written guarantee that they would be reimbursed. • • Minutes. Regular Council Meeting November 10, 1971 Page 8 Director of Engineering Services Jim Lontos upheld the City Staff's position and reviewed the events leading tb the completion of the bridge and request for reimbursement. He stated it was not his understanding that the City would pay for the bridge, and that he had made a recommendation to the City Manager that nothing undeil5 feet would be paid. Mr. Tony Heldenfels, Jr. made a statement to the effect that Schanen Estates was a similar situation, and that a bridge was built and paid for by the developer. Motion by Bonniwell, seconded by Stark and passed, that the foregoing matter be tabled for further consideration at next week's workshop meeting. Assistant City.Manager Walker presented the pending matter of the request to close on which action was a portion of Easy Circle/taken by the City Council September 15, 1971, that the closing be effected subject to conditions of the connection between Easy Street and Whitley Drive. He stated that the instrument was filed November 8, 1971, and recorded in Nueces County Deed Records. Motion by Bonniwell, seconded by Gonzales and passed, that the recommendation of the Staff be concurred in and that the portions of Easy Circle, being the northwest 1/3 of Easy Street cul-de-sac, northeast 5 feet, southwest 5 feet, and southeast 100 feet of Easy Street, be closed, and that an ordinance be brought forward effectuating the closing. Mr. Walker presented the pending matter of Zoning Application #971-2, Pharaoh Enterprises, Ltd., on which a public hearing was held November 3, 1971, at which time the Council concurred in the recommendation of the Planning Commission granting a Special Permit on Tract A (a 2.061 -acre tract out of Lots 5 & 6, Section 29, Flour Bluff & Encinal Farm & Garden Tracts) for a 22 -unit townhouse project with certain conditions, and tabled the request for change from "R -1A" and "R -1B" to "R-2" on Tract B (an 8.507 -acre area out of Lots .5 & 6, Section 29, Flour Bluff & Encino! Farm & Garden Tracts.) He stated it was the recommendation of the Planning Commission that the request for Tract B be denied but in lieu thereof a special permit be granted in accordance with the approved plot plan. Motion by Bonniwell, seconded by Gonzales and passed, that the recommendation of the Planning Commission be concurred in and that the request of Pharaoh Enterprises, Ltd., #971-2, for change of zoning on Tract A , from "R -1A" One -family Dwelling District, with • • Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 10, 1971 Page 9 a Special Permit for townhouses to "R-2" Two-family Dwelling District, on a 2.061 -acre tract out of Lots 5 & 6, Section 29, Flour Bluff & Encina! Farm & Garden Tracts, be denied but in lieu thereof a special permit be granted for a 22 -unit townhouse project subject to an asphalt driveway 27 feet in width along the east boundary line, plus an additional 4 feet to allow for a planting strip and fence; and that the recommendation of the Planning Commission not be concurred in for denial of the request for change of zoning from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District to "R-2" Two-family Dwelling District on Tract B, being an 8.507 -acre area out of Lots 5 & 6, Section 29, Flour Bluff &;Encina! Farm & Garden Tracts that in lieu thereof a special permit be granted in accordance with the approved plot pion, but that "R-2" Two-family Dwelling District be granted as requested in accordance with deed restrictions Iim=eing to. 10:units :per :acre, and.that an ordinance be brought forward effectuating the change. ORDINANCE NO. 10550 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, AS AMENDED, 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. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Sizemore, Bonniwell, Bosquez, Gonzales and Stark, present and voting "Aye"; Branch and Lozano were absent. ORDINANCE NO. 10551 AMENDING ORDNANCE NO. 3658, AS AMENDED', BY CHANGING CERTAIN SALARY GRADES, CREATING CERTAIN POSITIONS, CHANGING CERTAIN CLASS TITLES, CHANGING CERTAIN JOB CODE$, AND DELETION OF CERTAIN POSITIONS, BY AMENDING SECTION 4 THEREOF: AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 8127, AS AMENDED, BY MAKING CHANGES PERTAINING TO OVERTIME COMPENSATION, AND DELETION OF A CERTAIN POSITION, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE: AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Sizemore, Bonniwell, Bosquez, Gonzales and Stark, present and voting "Aye"; Branch and Lozano were absent. • Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 10, 1971 Page 10 ORDINANCE NO. 10552 AMENDING THE CORPUS CHRISTI CITY CODE, 1958, AS AMENDED, BY AMENDING SECTION 21-155 BY ADDING THERETO AN ITEM SO AS TO PROHIBIT PARKING AT ALL TIMES ON THE EAST SIDE OF SWANTNER STREET, BETWEEN OHIO AND LOUISIANA STREETS; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance -was passed by the following vote: Sizernc;, Bonniwell, Bosquez, Gonzales and Stark, present and voting "Aye"; Branch and Lozano were absent. ORDINANCE NO. 10553 CLOSING THAT 10 -FOOT UTILITY EASEMENT BETWEEN LOTS 2R AND 1R, BLOCK A, LEXINGTON PARK UNIT II, AS SHOWN BY PLAT RECORDED IN NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS MAP RECORDS; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Sizemore. Bonniwell, Bosquez, Gonzales and Stark, present and voting "Aye"; Branch and Lozano were absent. ORDINANCE NO. 10554 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 ARTHUR H. VINSON BY AMENDING THE ZONING MAP BY CHANGING THE ZONING ON A PORTION OF LOT 3, SECTION 7, BOHEMIAN COLONY LANDS, SITUATED IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS, FROM "R -1B" ONE -FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT TO "1-2" LIGHT INDUSTRIAL 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: Sizemore, Bonniwell, Bosquez, Gonzales and Stark, present and voting "Aye"; Branch and Lozano were absent. FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE REPEALING CHAPTER 33, SECTIONS 33-1 THROUGH 33-8, CORPUS CHRISTY CITY CODE, 1958, AS AMENDED; ADOPTING THE TEXAS ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE ACT; DECLARING ABANDONED PROPERTY A NUISANCE; PROVIDING CERTIFICATION OF ABANDONMENT; AUTHORIZING USE OF CITY PERSONNEL OR USE OF CONTRACT FOR IMPOUNDING ABANDONED VEHICLES; AUTHORIZING.THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR OTHER AGENT TO ISSUE REQUIRED NOTIFICATION; AUTHORIZING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT AUCTIONS OF ABANDONED PROPERTY; CREATING THE ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE TRUST ACCOUNT; DECLARING JUNKED VEHICLES A NUISANCE; ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR ABATING SUCH NUISANCE ON PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PROPERTY BY ESTABLISHING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AS THE RESPONSIBLE DIVISION TO DETERMINE THE EXISTENCE OF NUISANCES; PROVIDING FOR NOTICE TO OWNERS OF JUNK VEHICLES AND PROVIDING AN APPEAL OF SUCH DETER- MINATION; PROVIDING A HEARING BY THE BUILDING STANDARDS AND HOUSING BOARD OF APPEALS TO HEAR SUCH APPEALS, WITH POWER TO AFFIRM OR REVERSE THE DETERMINA- TION THAT A NUISANCE EXISTS; PROVIDING THAT JUNKED VEHICLES SHALL NOT BE • • Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 10, 1971 Page 11 RECONSTRUCTED OR MADE OPERABLE; PROVIDING NOTICE TO THE TEXAS HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT; PROVIDING CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; PROVIDING FOR REMOVAL OF JUNKED VEHICLES DETERMINED TO BE A NUISANCE WITH CITY EQUIPMENT OR BY CONTRACT; PROVIDING THAT THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS ORDINANCE IS A FUNCTION OF THE POLICE POWER OF THE CITY, AUTHORIZING ENTRANCE ON PRIVATE PROPERTY FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS ORDINANCE AND AUTHORIZING THE MUNICIPAL COURT TO ISSUE ORDERS NECESSARY TO ENFORCE THIS ORDINANCE; PROVIDING FOR A LIEN ON IMPOUNDED PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR REDEMPTION OF IMPOUNDED PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR FEES FOR IMPOUNDING, STORAGE AND OTHER FEES; PROVIDING FOR DISPOSITION OF PROCEEDS OF SALE OF IMPOUNDED PROPERTY; REPEALING CHAPTER 21, SECTION 21-108, CORPUS CHRISTY CITY CODE, 1958, AS AMENDED; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. The foregoing ordinance was read for the first time and passed to the second reading by the following vote: Sizemore, Bonniwell, Bosquez, Gonzales and Stark, present and voting "Aye"; Branch and Lozano were absent. ORDINANCE NO. 10555 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 JOHN T. TUCKER BY AMENDING THE ZONING MAP BY CHANGING THE ZONING ON LOTS. A, B, C, D, & E, BLOCK 8, GARDENDALE 02, SITUATED IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS, FROM "R -1B" ONE -FAMILY DWELL- ING DISTRICT TO "B-1" NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS 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: Sizemore, Bonniwell, Bosquez, Gonzales and Stark, present and voting "'Aye"; Branch and Lozano were absent. Motion by Bonniwell, seconded by Gonzales and passed, that the ordinance relative to an agreement with Corpus Christi Savings and Loan Association, developers of Sandy Oaks Subdivision, be tabled for further consideration. Commissioner Bosquez departed the meeting at this time. Mayor Sizemore called for petitions from the audience on matters not scheduled on the agenda. Mr. AI Dyer, Del Mar College student, 4122 Christi, appeared and cited certain ordinances which he stated are outdated or unenforced, and asked That an organization which he has formed, Legal Research Assistance, be allowed to work with the Legal Department in updating the ordinances. He particularly noted that possession of marijuana is a felony offense • Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 10, 1971 Page 12 under State kw and is also covered in the City Code. City Attorney Riggs explained that all violations of City ordinances are misdemeanor offenses but State Law takes precedence in such instances. Mayor Sizemore stated that the Council would take under consideration Mr. Dyer's suggestion that a committee be appointed to update the ordinances, but stated that it would not be feasible to review City ordinances one by one, section by section. Mr. Yancy White, attorney representative of the National Maritime Union, appeared and suggested that the City explore the possibility of acquiring on some basis one of the United States Ocean Liners, now in mothballs, as a temporary convention center. He requested that the Mayor send a telegram to Representative John Young asking him to defer passage of a Bill now before Congress which would permit the sale of the vessels to foreign countries. He also asked that he be delegated to obtain more information on the vessels while he is in Washington later this week. Mr. White explained that the vessels cost some $60,000,000 to build and can be purchased for some 10 to 15 percent of that cost, that they can be obtained on a rental or charter agreement, and would be a unique tourist attraction to this City. Mayor Sizemore stated that the Council had been approached with many suggestions of this nature before and none had been deemed feasible. He agreed to send the telegram to Congressman Young asking that the Bill now in Legislation be held in the Rules Committee. He authorized Mr. White to obtain all the information available regarding the vessels and report to the Council. Mr. Jim Gitlin, 738 Sheridan, representative of the Taxpayers Association, requested information relative to the City's commitment to Oso Development Company on the proposed Cayo del Oso project. He was advised that the City is committed, subject to approval of plans, to seek voter approval of bonds to relocate the sewage effluent line and a portion of Ocean Drive. He was in'ited to attend a meeting Wednesday night of the Oso Ecology Advisory Committee. Assistant City Manager Walker fumished representatives of the Taxpayers Association, who were present in this regard, a memorandum on questions raised at previous Council meetings as to cost of the Cole Park Improvement Project, and information relative to a proposed bond issue for a convention center. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was duly adjourned at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 10, 1971.