HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 07/12/1972•
MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
July 12, 1972
3:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Mayor Ronnie Sizemore
Mayor Pro Tem Chas. A. Bonniwell
Commissioners:
Roberto Bosquez, M.D.
Rev. Harold T. Branch
Thomas V. Gonzales
Gabe Lozano, Sr.
J. Howard Stark
Church.
City Manager R. Marvin Townsend
City Attorney James R. Riggs
City Secretary T. Ray Kring
Mayor Sizemore called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber of the City Hall,
The Invocation was given by The Reverend Bob Meadows, Pastor of Gardendale Baptist
City Secretary T. Ray Kring called the roll of those in attendance,
The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of June 28, 1972, were approved as
presented to the Council.
Mayor Sizemore issued a Proclamation designating the week beginning on July 16, 1972
as CAPTIVE NATIONS WEEK.
Mayor Sizemore called for appointments to Boards and Committees and the fallowing
actions were taken:
Motion by Branch, seconded by Bonniwell and passed, that the resignation of Mr. L,
K, Williams be accepted, and the oppointment of Carroll Hudson as his replacement, on the Bay
Drilling Committee, be approved and confirmed.
Motion by Branch, seconded by Stark and passed, that the reappointment of Robert A.
Cruz and Frank Gomez, on the Building Code of Appeals, be approved and confirmed.
Motion by Bosquez, seconded by Stark and passed, that the reappointment of Howard
F. Sudduth, Jack Rice Turner and Jule Pels, on the Building Standards and Housing Board of
Appeals, be confirmed and approved.
Motion by Gonzales, seconded by Bosquez and passed, that the appointment of
William Bonilla, replacing Fronk Ludden, on the Civil Service Boord, be approved and confirmed.
Motion by Stark, seconded by Bonniwell and passed, that the reappointment of
William H. Wallace, Jr., Mrs. B. D. Holt, and Mrs, Alex Vaky, on the Municipal Arts Com-
mission, be approved and confirmed, and that Donald Greene and Mrs. Robin Lightner be
appointed to fill vacancies.
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Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
July 12, 1972
Page 2
Motion by Lozano, seconded by Branch and passed, that the reappointment of Tom
Dildy, Arthur H, Scott, A. G. Rhodes, and Jim Grigsby, an the Plumbing Advisory Board, be
confirmed and approved.
Mayor Sizemore announced the public hearing for an amendment to the Text of the
Zoning Ordinance to provide for "1-2" Light Industrial Zoning on Nottarb Place, Unit #3, being
a 29,45 -acre tract out of the northeast 495.0 feet of Lot 2, Section 12, Bohemian Colony Lands,
located west of the 7000 Block of Weber Road,
City Manager Townsend explained that this tract is proposed to be annexed into the
City on request of Mark Bratton, owner of Nottarb Place Subdivision, and this amendment pro-
vides that at such time, it shall be zoned "1-2" Light Industrial District. He stated the Proposal
was heard 6y the Planning Commission July II, 1972, and forwarded to the Council with the
recommendation that it be approved.
No one appeared in opposition to the foregoing request.
Motion by Stark, seconded by Gonzales and passed, that the hearing be closed.
Motion by Stark, seconded by Bosquez and passed, that the recommendation of the
Planning Commission be concurred in and that the Text Amendment be approved to provide for
"1-2" Light Industrial zoning when the 29.45 -acre tract out of the northeast 495.0 feet of
Lot 2, Section 12, Bohemian Colony Lands, known as Nottarb Place, Unit #3, is annexed to
the City,
Mayor Sizemore announced the public hearing on the proposal to annex Nottarb
Place 3.
City Manager Townsend explained that a previous public hearing had been held by
the City Council on June 7, 1972, for the contractual annexation of this tract, and had been
approved, but because of a minor discrepancy in the description listed in the notice, the pro-
posal was again being submitted for consideration. He stated the Council wcs aware that the
owner had indicated his consent to comply with the terms of the contract, and that it was his
recommendation that the tract be so annexed.
No one appeared in opposition to the foregoing annexation proposal.
Motion by Stark, seconded by Gonzales, and passed, that the hearing be clased.
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Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
July 12, 1972
Page 3
Motion by Branch, seconded by Stark and passed, that the recommendation of the City Manager
be concurred in and that an ordinance be brought forward effectuating contractual annexation of
Nottarb Place #3, being a 29.45 -acre tract of land out of the northeast 495.0 feet of Lot 2,
Section 12, Bohemian Colony Lands.
Mayor Sizemore called for the City Manager's Reports.
Motion by Branch, seconded by Gonzales, and passed, that the City Manager's
Reports, Items "a" through "h", Stark abstaining on Item "h", be accepted, and that the
requests and recommendations be approved as follows:
a. That the date of Wednesday, August 2, 1972, at 4:30 p.m., be set for a public
hearing on the following zoning applications:
(1)
R. F. Emmord - from "R -IB" to "1-3" located on the southeast
corner of South Padre Island Drive and Holly Road.
(2) The Planning Commission - from "R-2" to'R-IB", located on the
north right-of-way line of Egyptian Drive, east of the Oso Golf
Course.
(3)
Ray Wasserman & James Kidwell - from "B -I" to "B-4" located
on t e east side of South Staples Street, south of Doddridge
Street
(4) R. F. Emmord - from "R -IB", "B-4" & a Special Permit to "1-2"
located on the north side of South Padre Island Drive, west of
Kostoryz Road.
(5) Doyle G. Harris - from "R -IB" to "T -I", located between Violet
Road and Leonard Drive, south of Sunny Drive.
b. That the bid award for chain link fence enclosing the Police Pistol Range be
made to Allied Fence Company for their low bid of $2,108.18. Bids were received from three
firms. (Bid Tabulation #15-72)
c. That the bid award on Heavy Equipment, 1971-72 requirements, be mode to the
following firms on the basis of low bid meeting specifications: (Bid Tabulation #16-72)
B. D. Hod. Co.
Girard Machinery
One(I) 125 HP Motor Grader
One (I) Carrier Mounted Hyd
Excovatgr
Three (3) Self Propelled
Vibrating Patching Rollers
One (I) Street Sweeper
$30,555.00
$35,547.00
5,980.00
16,795.00 $58,322.00
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
July 12, 1972
Page 4
Gulfside Equipment Inc.
Two (2) 60 HP Tractors 8,378.54
Two (2) 40 HP Tractors W/PTO
& 3 -Point Hitch 6,286.94
One (1) 50 HP Tractor W/Loader
& Backhoe 7,005.10
One (1) Tractor Mounted Mechan-
ical Brush Loader 14,557.08
GRAND TOTAL $125,104.76
$36,227.76
d. That Gulf Coast Testing Laboratory, Inc., be engaged to perform all necessary
material and quality control testing for the Airport Park Street Improvement Project; the proposal
being for a total of $4,000, and no additional appropriation needed since funds have been pre-
viously included in the contingency appropriation of the ordinance authorizing the protect.
e. That the City policy on street assessments as adopted by Ordinance No. 10075 be
amended to include the provision that churches which abut on two streets and have double frontage
will be assessed 50% of the residential rate for the street on which they physically side, and that
the determination of whether the church is physically siding be made according to the actual
location of the improvements on the property.
f. That a revocable easement be granted to use portions of the alley running through
Block 15, Cuiper Addition located in the rear of the Portairs Shopping Center for installation and
maintenance of refrigeration equipment and appliances. (Ordinance No. 8081, dated July 6,
1966, granted a permit for five years.)
g. That condemnation proceedings be authorized to acquire two parcels of land
needed for the Ocean Drive Open Space Project, Park Site #3; (1) Parcel 23, from Mr. James
D. Cable and wife Mary Pearle Cable; and (2) Parcel 26, from Mrs. Edith Seeger. The Depart-
ment of HUD will participate one-half the cost of this acquisition. The City has been unable to
negotiate for the acquisition of these parcels an the basis of the approved values.
h. That a $1 charge be established at International Airport for every passenger leav-
ing Corpus Christi, excluding Military personnel and passengers passing through on a non -
stopover ticket; that the Airlines and charter plane services collect the charge and retain 6%
for the cost of collection; that the ordinance adopting this charge be read on July 12th, 19th, and
264, cn that c e,r'r : ,er, Auqus; 1, 1972; the , -cs, �;r;o;r r+' sory Board, and
charter plane operators at international A.i;port to be contact peior ro Phe fiat reading iu,, the'r
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Regular Council Meeting
July 12, 1972
Page 5
comments. (The Supreme Court in a recent case involving the State of New Hampshire and the
City of Evansville, Indiana, found a $I charge to be constitutionally allowable.)
Relative to the pending item for annexation of the bed of the Nueces River with
the City's existing 5 -mile extraterritorial jurisdiction, on which a public hearing was held
June 28, 1972, Mayor Sizemore made the following statement:
"Two weeks ago the City Council conducted a hearing on the annexation of
some 9 miles of the river bed for the purpose of extending its extraterritorial
jurisdiction along the river to enable it to better control possible future
pollution of the river and hence the water supply of Corpus Christi, Robstown,
and all other water users.
During that hearing persons from the area, including elected officials,
opposed this annexation basing their opposition on the supposition that they
were quite capable of controlling their own areas without the help of the
City of Corpus Christi.
It was disclosed at that time that the Commissioners Court of San Patricio
County had on its agenda regulatory recommendations for the control of
pollution along the river. Upon request of the Mayor, the Corpus Christi
City Council was assured that the results of the County Commissioners
Court of San Patricio County's decision would be made known to the City
and a copy of the regulatory controls would be furnished.
The City has had no further communication, except a domestic septic tank
ordinance, from San Patricio County Officials or any of the other persons
who spoke in opposition to the City's proposed annexation of the river bed.
A news article in today's paper indicates that plans are for an election to
incorporate an area which may in effect thwart the plans of the City to
annex the river bed.
While this may not have been an act of bad faith, it certainly is an indica-
tion of the lack of desire of cooperation between the two governmental
bodies, It is for this reason that I am asking for the Council to meet in
special session at 10:a,m. on Monday, July 17, for the purpose of annexing
by ordinance some 9 miles of the riverbed and declaring an emergency,
as I feel that in this manner the City of Corpus Christi will be better able
to control the pollution of its and the Coastal Bend's water supply and,
therefore, is in the best interest of the health and welfare of our citizens
that the river be annexed."
City lvlanoner Townsend stated it is still his recommend :'ion that the City limits be
extended to the limits of the 5 -mile extraterritorial jurisdiction oiong the Nueces River Bed for
approximately nine miles because of the need to control pollution of the River and to protect
the City's water supply. He stated he had received from the San Patricia Officials a reso!:<tion
setting standards a^+d fees fry: -ta'!ation and use of septic tanks along the water front, 'out
that he feels th;s Is in no wo, adequate f:;c;trr�
+'� f.7v111a't eat,u,.7n ekf tHe water 6tipM'„y•
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
July 12, 1972
Page 6
Mr. George Miller, 110 Old Robstown Road, spoke in opposition to the proposed
annexation, stating that he owns land along the river and is fearful that the City will eventually
annex the land. He complained of too many regulations restricHrtg the use and sale of his land
and stated the river is no more polluted now than it had always been and that the City's water
treatment systems do not really purify the water. He stated the land owners do not want their
property annexed and cannot afford to pay the taxes for which they would receive nothing in
return.
Mayor Sizemore explained that private property is not annexed without a vote of
the people and that regulation of public waters is far more stringent now than ever before to
meet the requirements of the Texas Water Quality Board.
City Manager Townsend pointed out that the ordinance for annexing the river bed
is not being submitted for action at this meeting and that it is his recommendation thot a
Special meeting be called for Monday, July 17, 1972, at 10:00 a.m., following posting
notice of such meeting, at which time the ordinance effectuating the annexation would be
submitted for passage on an emergency basis.
Motion by Stark, seconded by Bosquez and passed, that the recommendation of
the City Manager be concurred in and that a Special Council Meeting be called for Monday,
July 17, 1972, at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chamber.
Commissioner Bosquez departed the meeting at this time.
ORDINANCE NO. 10962
THIRD READING OF AN ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE EFFECT OF REVOCABLE EASEMENTS
HERETOFORE ISSUED UNDER ORDINANCE NO. 8844 AS AMENDED AUTHORIZING THE
PERMITTEE TO DISPOSE OF WASTE MATERIALS AND WATER FROM OIL WELL PRODUCTION,
AND SETTING FORTH OTHER PROVISIONS TO THE MATTER OF REVOCABLE EASEMENTS FOR
SAID PURPOSE.
The foregoirg ordinance was read for the third time^.r,' pass finally by the
following vote: Sizemore, Bonniwell, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano, and Stork, present and
voting "aye"; Bosquez
SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CORPUS CHRIST! CITY CODE:, 1958,
AS AMENDED AN!) PARTICULARLY AMENDING SECTION 21-155, SCHEDULE III, "PARKING
PROHIBITED AT ALL T`MFE5 ti=i RT...`:"+I STREETS", 3`:' ADDING THERETO THREE ITEMS WHICH
WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF n0H4iliiNG PARK!NG AT IML ON THE EAS', SIDE OF
GOLLIHAR ROAD BETWEEN SOUTH ;`fAFL`S STRF;E .AND AIRL!N-! ROAD, AND ON ;H7. WEST
SIDE OF GOLLIHAR ROAD BETWEEN SOUTH STAPLES STREET AND MUSTANG TRAIL„ AND
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
July 12, 1972
Page 7
BETWEEN MEADOWBROOK DRIVE AND AIRLINE ROAD; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION; AND
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY.
The foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to its third reading
by the following vote: Sizemore, Bonniwell, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano and Stark, present and
voting "Aye"; Bosquez was absent.
SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO, 9499, KNOWN AS
"THE ELECTRICAL LICENSING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI", BY AMEND-
ING SECTION 2-5 OF CHAPTER 2, QUALIFICATIONS AND LICENSING OF ELECTRICIANS,
SO AS TO REDUCE THE ANNUAL LICENSE FEES FOR MASTER ELECTRICIAN LICENSES FROM
$I00 to $25, AND THE MASTER ELECTRICIAN -SIGN LICENSES AND MASTER ELECTRICIAN -
ELEVATOR LICENSES FROM $50 TO $25; PROVIDING SAID ORDINANCE NO. 9499, AS
AMENDED, SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT EXCEPT AS AMENDED HEREIN;
PROVIDING A SEVERANCE CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION.
The foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to its third reading
by the following vote: Sizemore, Bonniwell, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano and Stark, present and
voting "Aye"; Bosquez was absent.
SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER
TO APPROVE A LEASE BETWEEN WILLIAM B. HOSKINS, TRUSTEE, LESSEE, AND LOWER
NUECES RIVER WATER SUPPLY DISTRICT, LESSOR, PERTAINING TO THE LEASE OF CERTAIN
LANDS WITHIN THE LOWER NUECES RIVER WATER SUPPLY DISTRICT, BEING APPROXIMATELY
25 ACRES MORE OR LESS AND MORE FULLY DESCRIBED 1N SAID LEASE AGREEMENT, A
COPY OF WHICH 15 ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF FOR ALL PURPOSES.
AND MARKED EXHIBIT "A".
The foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to its third reading
by the following vote: Sizemore, Bonniwell, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano and Stark, present and
voting "Aye"; Bosquez was absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 10963
AMENDING SECTION 34-21 OF THE CORPUS CHRISTI CITY CODE, AS AMENDED BY
ORDINANCE NO. 10075, PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON JANUARY 20, 1971, THE
POLICY OF STREET ASSESSMENTS APPLICABLE TO ALL STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, BY ADDING TO SUBSECTION B THEREOF A NEW ITEM,
NUMBERED 5, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR CHURCH ASSESSMENTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVER-
ABILITY; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The charter was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed Ey the fol-
lowing vote: Sizemore, Bonniwell, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano and Stark, present and voting
"Aye"; Bosquez was absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 10964
AUTHORIZING E; INENT .DOMAiN PROCEEDINGS BY THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI TO
CONDEMN FEC i ,_ ,C,. Cr; PARC:L RAC: LOCATED IN !,,II✓EC,''
COUNTS:'', TEXAS DESCRIBING SAG ?R(..).'"'-'.07; IDENTIFYING THE RECOID "TITLE OWNERS
AND CITING LIENHOLDERS OF RECORD, SAID CONDEMNATION BEING NECES;;ARY FOR
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
July 12, 1972
Poge 8
THE ACQUISITION OF PARCEL NO. 23, BAYFRONT OPEN SPACE PARK SITE NO, 3,
PROJECT NO. 291-70-8; DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO INSTITUTE CONDEMNATION
PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE RECORD OWNERS JAMES D, CABLE AND WIFE, MARY PEARI.E
CABLE, TO CARRY OUT THE INTENTIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE; AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the
following vote: Sizemore, Bonniwell, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano and Stork, present and voting
"Aye"; Bosquez was absent,
ORDINANCE NO, 10965
AUTHORIZING EMINENT DOMAIN PROCEEDINGS BY THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI TO
CONDEMN FEE TITLE TO A CERTAIN PARCEL OR TRACT OF LAND LOCATED IN NUKES
COUNTY, TEXAS; DESCRIBING SAID PROPERTY; IDENTIFYING THE RECORD TITLE
OWNERS AND CITING LIENHOLDERS OF RECORD; SAID CONDEMNATION BEING
NECESSARY FOR THE ACQUISITION PARCEL NO. 26, BAYFRONT OPEN SPACE PARK
SITE NO. 3, PROJECT NO. 291-70-8; DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO INSTITUTE
CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE RECORD OWNER, MRS. EDITH SEEGER,
A WIDOW, TO CARRY OUT THE INTENTIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE; AND DECLARING
AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the Foregoing ordinance was passed by the
following vote: Sizemore, Bonniwell, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano and Stark, present and voting
"Aye"; Bosquez was absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 10966
GRANTING TO RAY PETERSON A REVOCABLE EASEMENT TO USE PORTIONS OF THE ALLEY
RUNNING THROUGH BLOCK 15, CUIPER ADDITION, AT THE POINTS WITHIN THE LIMITS
HEREIN SET FORTH FOR THE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF REFRIGERATION
EQUIPMENT AND APPLIANCES; PROVIDING FOR FORFEITURE OF THE EASEMENT GRANT
IN CASE OF FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE GRANTEE TO OBSERVE THE TERMS AND RE,
STRICTIQNS OF THE ORDINANCE SETTING OUT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS THEREOF;
PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the
following vote: Sizemore, Bonniwell, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano and Stark, present and voting
"Aye"; Bosquez was absent,
ORDINANCE NO, 10967
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A GRANT OF PRIVILEGE TO TEXACO,
INC. FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF A DOUBLE -FACE ILLUMINATED SIGN AT THE CORPUS
CHRISTI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR A TERM OP THREE YEARS, ALL AS MORE FULLY
SET FORTH IN THE GRANT OF PRIVILEGE, A COPY OF WHICH I$ ATTACHED HERETO AND
MADE A PART HEREOF, MARKED EXHIBIT "A"; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY,
The Ch:
ger ,I,isoended end the foregoing ordinance was passed by the
following vote: Sizemore, 8ona iweli, urar;c',, Go:^ales, Lozano end Stork, present and voting
"Aye"; BoSouez was absent,
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Regular Council Meeting
July 12, 1972
Page 9
City Manager Townsend presented for the Council's consideration an ordinance
which proposes a service fee of ane dollar on each passenger enplaning commercial aircraft
from Corpus Christi International Airport, which ordinance sets out procedures for payment of
tax and method of collection.
Mr. Bob Conwell, Executive Director of the Corpus Christi Area Tourist Bureau,
appeared in opposition to the proposed passenger head tax, stating he was concerned of its
effect on tourists and that he did not like the idea of Corpus Christi being the first City in
Texas to Impose the Tax. Mr, Conwell introduced representatives of the Airlines and Hotel
Managers, who spoke in opposition.
Mr. Stephen E. Klinglehoffer, attorney representing the Air Transport Associa-
tion of America, Washington, D. C., stated the Airline Industry, is very concerned that the
multiplicity of the proposed taxes which are being proliferated in towns and cities throughout
the country will impede the travel from one city to another, He estimated that it would
require 15 to 20 minutes per flight to collect the tax,in addition to their regular work, in
boarding passengers; that it will cost the Airlines more to collect the tax than is gained by
the cities; that though a few cities have adopted the tax, it has interfered with scheduled
flights, and that some passengers are refusing to pay, but that the Airlines cannot prohibit
o passenger from boarding if he refuses to pay the tax, He stated that a ruling by the Supreme
Court is that the tax is constitutional, but stated that while it may be constitutional, it is
not wise and has not been o popular issue, and has been rejected by many cities including the
City of Dallas. He stated that airports are important to the growth and progress of cities,
and that cities benefit as well as the Airport Industry, Mr. Klinglehoffer explained that
there is a bill pending in Congress which would Increase the ratio of federal/city participa-
tion from 50-50 to 75-25 percent on capital expenditures, and that this would come up within
the next month. He urged the Council to refuse the proposal or postpone action until Congress
acts on the legislation for an increase In federal participation,
Mr. Bill West, attorney representing Braniff International,spoke in opposition to
the proposed tax; ting rnat there =, o se;tion it the City's current contracts with the Airlines
operating here, which states that the City will place no charge on the Alrlinc`s pcssengetw,
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Regular Council Meeting
July 12, 1972
Page 10
He further pointed out that the City of Dallas has rejected the tax on the basis that it would dis-
courage rather than encourage tourist trade to the City, stating that one dollar would not discourage
an individual, but that when a company is concerned with transportation for a hundred or more passen-
gers the dollar head tax would be a factor,
City Manager Townsend stated he is not prepared to accept the interpretation that
the current contracts with the Airlines is contradictory to the proposal. He pointed out that the
one dollar head tax is proposed as a means of making the Airport more self-supporting and would
bring in enough revenue to cut in half the deficit in airport operations now paid out of the
General Fund, He maintained that the tas could be written on the airline ticket with relatively
little inconvenience to the Airlines.
Mr. Harry Lawson, attorney representing Texas International Airlines, opposed the
proposed tax, stating that the Airline which he represents operates on a "short haul" schedule,
and consequently the dollar tax would be a larger percentage for his company; that they have
been advised by economists that every time the passenger fare is raised, passengers are lost; that
they cannot afford to lose these passengers and feel the City would suffer also. He stated the
only feasible way to collect the tax would be directly from the passengers and this would mean
long lines and delays, because they would have to explain to the passengers the purpose of the
tax. He stated he feels it would create an 111 will toward both City and the Airlines and would
result in restricted growth of air service to the City. He pointed out that since 1969, there has
been a down trend of air passenger traffic to and from Corpus Christi, and this tax would not
help that situation.
Mayor Sizemore complained of the air service furnished by this company to and
from Corpus Christi, pointing out the difficulty in getting air transportation to Austin and San
Antonio, also made reference to Texas International's promise for direct service to Mexico by
way of Corpus Christi. Mr, 5izemare stated he had had discussions with Dallas officials and
knew their reasons for not enacting the tax was not solely because of fear of discouraging
tourists. Mr. Lawson stated it is his understanding that the service to Mexico would be started
in November of this year,
Mr. Holt Shippman, Public Affairs Representative for Eastern Airlines, pointed out
that Ccrp;:s Christi is or. t -.e list of smole^ cities „ onstonti,y 4 r�rrt;r-�acatior or
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Regular Council Meeting
July 12, 1972
Page 11
dispensing with air service, and the tax would be just one more item against the City.
Mr. Bob McClean, Manager of Holiday Inns and past president of Hotel Manager's
Association, stated he felt the solicitation of conventions in the City would be adversely
affected as a result of the tax, particularly if Corpus Christi were the only city to impose the
tax and in view of the inadequate convention facilities here.
Mayor Sizemore pointed out that when the Hotel -Motel tax was adopted here, the
Council had opposition from the hotel managers on the basis that their business would be
damaged. He commented that this tax has been very successful and has not been as "painful
as anticipated by the hotels".
Mr. R. H. Burck, Mice President - Public Affairs of Braniff international of
Dallas, Texas, when questioned if his company would be interested in renegotiating their
current lease agreement, said he would submit the matter to his company.
Mr. Howell Parks of Houston, representing the National Passenger Traffic Asso-
ciation, spoke in opposition to the proposed passenger tax, stating it would cause confusion
and tend to discourage air flights within a 250 mile radius. He pointed out that one of the
most common complaints of passengers was the length of time required getting to and from the
airport as compared to flight time, and that any further delay would be sufficient for a passen-
ger to consider other means of transportation.
Mr. Scott Bledsoe, owner and operator of Bledsoe Aviation, inquired if the tax
would apply to passengers of his operation.
City Manager Townsend stated the tax would only apply to seats sold on an
industrial basis and not to non-scheduled or charter type flights. He stated he felt if this
charge is to be effective, it should be collected by the airlines; that he is not withdrawing
his recommendation, but would not recommend passage of the ordinance until some effective
way, of collection is found.
Mayor Sizemore pointed out that operating expenses and not capital expenses are
the major problem at the airport; that citizens do not like ad valorem taxes, and the airport
must be financed somehow.
Mayor Pro Tern Bonniwell stated he feel's the tax is needed but would be in favor
of deferring passage of the ordinance until a legal opinion from the City Attorney is received
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Regular Council Meeting
July 12, 1972
Page 12
relative to the pending legislation mentioned by Mr. Klinglehoffer.
Motion by Bonniwell, seconded by Branch and passed, that the first reading of the
ordinance be deferred for two weeks, July 26, 1972, pending an opinion from the City Attorney
regarding the legislation, and all other legal phases of the proposal, including interpretation
of the terms included in the present leases with the airlines,
Mayor Sizemore called for petitions from the audience on matters not scheduled on
the agenda.
Mrs. Lilly White, representative of the Robert L. Moore Neighborhood Council,
appeared and inquired if funds for voluntary street improvements would be included in the
current bond program. She was particularly concerned with the plans for Carver Addition,
stating that several petitions hod been submitted, one in 1969, and others prior to that date,
they still do not have the improvements, and nothing has been mentioned in the current bond
program. She also inquired as to how a neighborhood could qualify for the Code Enforcement
Program.
Mrs, Charlene Johnson, Kitchens Street, stated the residents in her area felt
they had not been dealt with fairly because the Molina Addition was improved soon after
annexation.
City Manager Townsend assured Mrs. White and Mrs. Johnson that all streets on
which valid petitions have been received will be included in the proposed bond program and
confirmed that such a petition was on file from the Carver Area. He explained the Code
Enforcement Program and the problems and complications which have arisen the past year
regarding funding,
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was
adjourned at 5:25 p,m., July 12, 1972.