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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 05/23/1972 - SpecialMPNUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING May 23,:)972 7:30 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Ronnie Sizemore Mayor Pro Tem Charles A. Bonniwell Commissioners: Roberto Bosquez, M.D. Thomas V. Gonzales Gabe Lozano, Sr. • City Manager R. Marvin Townsend Assistant City Attorney Hal George City Secretary T. Ray Kring Others Present: Assistant City Manager Archie Walker; Director of Traffic Engineering Tom Stewart; Administrative Assistant Andy McCown; Assistant City Secretary and Assistant to the Mayor Bill Read; Director of Urban Development Ernest Briones; Staff Information Assistant Jim McElhaney; Director of Engineering Services James K. Lontos; Director of Parks & Recreation Bill Witt; Asst. Supt. of Parks & Recreation Dick Racken- baugh; Director of Neighborhood Improvement Ron Stubing; Senior Property Advisor Lonnie Kubala; Assistant Director of Neighborhood Improvement Jesse Randa; John Murphy, Branch Librarian at Greenwood Library; Charles Speed, Personnel Directari and Phil Berry, Park Instruction. Mayor Sizemore called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m., at the Stephen F, Austin Elementary School, 3902 Morgan Street, and stated the purpose of the meeting was in keeping with the Council's policy of holding neighborhood Council meetings for a closer relationship with the citizens of specific areas, and to hear complaints, comments and suggestions which would result in a better understanding between the neighborhoods and the Council, and to better assess the needs and problems of those areas. He intro- duced the members of the City Council to approximately 200 persons who were in attendance, and City Manager Townsend introduced attending members of the Staff stating there were available to answer any questions from the audience. The Invocation was given by Mr. Wayne Edwards, Principal of the Austin School. Mr. Joe H. Barroso, Austin Neighborhood Council representative on the Community Action Agency Board of Directors, expressed appreciation for the interest and concern shown by this Council in arranging this.. meeting, and commended the Council for` its -past coopera ign,and.efforts in making their community a better place to live, Mr. Barroso listed a number of complaints which he felt were detrimental to the community. He stated that the ratio of bars andtaverns in this area is far greater as compared to other parts of the City, some of which are located near their residences and schools.'ttiat.ae;a,r'esult, their children are subjected to a lover, degrading, economical, and moral level, and that this is the direct responsibility of all the community. He stated the Austin Community area is the center and heart of these beer taverns and that it had been reported that they have approximately 75 percent more • Minutes Special Council Meeting May 23, 1972 Page 2 intoxicant -serving establishments in this area (Agnes -Port -Morgan -Airport) than any other part of the City; that these nuisances are objectionable and are disturbing to the peace and tranquility of their homes, and listed the nuisances as being loud music, prostitution and drunk driving. As a solution to this problem, Mr. Barroso proposed that no beer licenses beissued fo permit the operation of these establishments within 500 yards of any elementary, high school, college or residential area. He also suggested that a new ordinance be passed which would control the number of liquor license appli- cations, pointing out that the Council does condemn buildings which are torn down, and suggested that the taverns be handled in the same manner. City Manager Townsend stated that possibly if some of the taverns were in violation of the City's building code, these could be closed .if they did not comply with the Code, bet commented that the City could not force the bar owner to tear down his place if it can be repaired. He also explained that the beer licenses are con- trolled by the State and the City cannot go beyond what the State allows. He suggested that members of the Austin Neighborhood Council meet with City officials to determine the overall zoning in that particular area and then make recommendations tc the City Planning Commission relative to zoning changes which could reduce the bar count in the Austin area. Mrs. Moreno, 542 Pueblo, complained that some of the bar establishments which had been totally destroyed by Hurricane Celia had been rebuilt and the operation con- tinued, and inquired as to why this was permitted. Father Raymond Pena, 540 Hiawatha, complained of the condition of the streets, sidewalks and open ditches, stating theywere a health hazard to the residents.and the school children. Director of Engineering Services James K. Lantos reviewed the street improve- ment plans and stated that petitions by residents on the undesignated streets had not been submitted. He urged residents on these streets who wished street improvements to obtain at least one-half of the people on a given block to sign a petition and submit it as soon as possible. He explained that construction on the overall project of street improvements would begin in the fall of this year. Mr. Joseph Garza, 4021 Iturbide, complained of a beer tavern near his home, and stated that alcohol is being sold to minors. He stated that when police are called, the music is turned down but is continued after the police are gone. City Manager • • Minutes Special Council Meeting May 23, A972 Page 3 Townsend explained that if loud noises continue after police have ordered it to stop, then the citizens should file a formal complaint. Mr. David Saenz, 1437 10th Street„ complained of the condition of the streets in the area of T. G. Allen School, stating they are narrow and have no side- walks. He stated that it appears that street improvements on Ocean Drive and other areas in the south part of town had received priority, and that is the reason why west - side voters do not support bond issues for street improvements. Following a brief recess, Mr. Lontos made a lengthy and detailed presen- tation of the street improvement program in this area; pointed out the streets to bel improved ,en the map; explained costs involved; explained calculations for paving assessments, and methods of payment. Members of the audience were given an opportunity to question Mr. Lantos relative to the street program. Mr. Ernest Briones, Director of Urban Development, discussed the Code Enforcement Program and its effect on the Street Improvement program, and also dis- cussed the benefit of Urban Renewal in eliminating bars and improving the streets as well as the overall condition of the property. He stated the program is to upgrade the homes and not to buy them or destroy them. Mr. Briones made his presentation in the Spanish language and a large number of Spanish speaking persons in the audience par- ticipated in a question and answer period pertaining to the subject of Code Enforcement, Urban Renewal, and the street improvement program. Mrs, Lilly Lira, 42$ Hiawatha, inquired as to why the blinking traffic light had been removed from the intersection of Baldwin and Balboa. She stated that a large number of school children cross at that intersection two or three times a day; that out-of-town travelers are not aware that it is a school zone and do, on occasions, run the red light. She stated that the blinking light is badly needed for the safety of the school children and pedestrian traffic in general, Director of Sraf£ic Engineering Tom Stewart, explained the cost of a flashing light and stated that this had been discussed at the Traffic Safety Advisory Board meetings and that the Police Department survey had not indicated enough support for this type of light. He explained that a regular traffic signal light had been installed at this intersection and that the school crossing guards were on duty during school hours. He pointed out that thie is one of the many such problems existing in the City, Minutes Special Council Meeting May 23, 1972 Page 4 but the overall problems must be consider4d as a whole. He invited representatives of the area to attend the Traffic Safety Board meetings at which time this will be discussed and reconsidered. A request was made from the audience that the Meadowbrook Neighborhood Recreational facilities be opened for use on Saturdays and Sundays. Director of Parks & Recreation W. P. Witt explained that the facilities are open six days a week and on Sundays on request; that to open the buildings for use seven mean days a week would / that employees would have to work overtime, and that budgeted funds become a factor. Mayer Sizemore thanked those responsible for making the Austin School available for this meeting, commenting that the neighborhood meetings provide a means for the Council to be better informed of the needs of the communities. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m., May 23, 1972.