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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 01/10/1973MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING January 10, 1973 3:00 P.M. PRESENT; Mayor Pro Tem Chas, A. Bonniwell Commissioners; Roberto Bosquez, M.D. Rev. Harold T. Branch Thomas V. Gonzales Gabe Lozano, Sr. J. Howard Stark City Manager R, Marvin Townsend City Attorney James R. Riggs City Secretary T, Ray Kring Mayor Pro Tem Charles A. Bonniwell called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber of the City Hall. The Invocation was given by The Reverend Edwin Schaefer of St. Paul United Church of Christ. City Secretary T. Ray Kring called the roll of those in attendance. Motion by Branch, seconded by Lozano and passed, that the absence of Mayor Sizemore be excused for just cause, The minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 13, 1972, and of the Special Council Meeting of December 20, 1972, were approved as presented to Council. Mayor Pro Tem Bonniwell made special note of PPG Industries' record of having completed a "Million Man Hours of Safe Work", being the 8th time since they first began operations an the Gulf Coast in 1934. Bids were opened and read by Director of Engineering Services James K, Lentos on furnishing of the archives (storage) room of Corpus Christi Museum, from the following firms: E. J. Netek; B. E. Beecroft; Lee Roy Cole; Felton Carpenter Construction Co„ Rome Construction Co.; 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 Pro Tem Bonniwell proposed that the Council, by resolution, convey to the citizens of Corpus Christi the City Council's desire to support the athletic program of A & I University at Corpus Christi and urges the continuation of the present program, and that copies of the resolution be forwarded to the Board of Trustees of the University and to the President, Dr. q. Whitney Haliaday. Mayor Pro Tem Bonniwell called for the City Manager's Reports. • • • Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 10, 1973 Page 2 City Manager Townsend made the following requests and recommendations: a. That the dote of January 31, 1973, be set for a public hearing for the closing of an alley in Block 28, between Neal and Hayes Street on North Beach, Brooklyn Addi- tion, on request of Mr. Wayne A. Johnson. b, That bids be received at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 7, 1973, for pavement repairs to the driver training area at Fire Station No. 7 located at Staples and Weber, for which funds are available in the 1972-73 Budget. c. That the bid award of traffic control equipment for TOPICS Project, $taples- Swantner Improvements, be made to Signal Engineering Company, Corpus Christi, Texas, on the basis of their low bid of $13,429.00, said costs to be fully reimbursed by the State after installation. Bids were received from two firms, (Bid Tabulation #1-73) d. That an easement in Briarwood Addition 01 and adjacent areas, be aban- doned. The easement was given to the City by Humble and previously contained a 4 -inch products line which has been abandoned. The Gas Division has been recovering the pipe in those areas where the original alignment is not satisfactory for land development and has been utilizing the line where it is consistent with future streets or easements. e. That the City Manager be authorized to execute consent agreement with the Texas -Mexican Railway Company and the United States of America for the following installations across the railroad track between the U. 5. Naval Air Station and Padre Island Drive for Oso Estates Mobile Home Subdivision, as follows: (1) Two 60' R.O.W. street crossings (2) 60" diameter reinforced concrete storm sewer line (3) 8" diameter sanitary sewer force main (4) 8" diameter water line f. That the City Manager execute an agreement with the State of Texas for illumination of overhead signs on the Padre Island Drive Expressway by utilizing the existing electrical system that now serves roadway lighting, with all electrical energy costs for sign lighting being paid by the State and involving no cost to the City. g. That an agreement be approved with the developers of Mount Vernon Sub- division whereby the City will participate towards the cost of constructing 5 storm sewer • Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 10, 1973 Page 3 inlets and 72 linear feet of storm sewer pipe leads within Holmes Drive to alleviate a bad drainage problem that exists in this street and that an appropriation of $4,202.40 be author- ized. The developer is constructing a storm sewer thru the existing street to drain the proposed development between Mount Vernon, Princeton, Padre Island Drive and Padre - Staples Mall. h. That preliminary plans far the improvements to Violet Road between leopard Street and Interstate 37 be approved and submitted to the District Engineer of the Highway Department with the request that the State designate this road as an extension of Farm to Market Road No. 24 and participate in the improvements of this road; the State participa- tion to be limited to the paving only and the City to furnish the right-of-way, drainage and concrete work. i . That standards for outdoor advertising signs within 660 feet of IH 37, U.S.77, U.S.181, SH 286, SH 358, and SH44 west of SH 358 consistent with the standards estab- lished by the Texas Highway Beautification Act, the City having the option under the Act to enforce the standards within the City, be adopted. That the proposed Annual Arrangements Letter of Understanding, submitted to the City by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, be approved, and the City Manager be authorized to execute the instrument. Motion by Stark, seconded by Bosquez and passed, that the City Manager's Reports, Items "a" through "j" be accepted and that the requests and recommendations be granted and approved as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Bonniwell reminded the Council of the breakfast meeting sche- duled for Tuesday morning, January 16, at 7:30 at the Holiday Inn Emerald Cove, for discussions with Mr. Simon Eisner, Zoning Consultant, at which meeting members of the Planning Commission are invited to attend; and of the joint dinner meeting with the Navy, Planning Commission, and the two Airport Boards, scheduled for Tuesday evening, January 16, at Holiday Inn, at which time discussions of the Navy's policy and the City's position regarding increased density in and around the Novy flight patterns will be held. • • Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 10, 1973 Page 4 City Manager Townsend presented ordinances including first reading for adoption of standards for signs erected within the City. Attorney Jim Ryan, representing Rollins Advertising Company, appeared and stated he had reviewed the ordinance and that the position of his client is that they generally approve the ordinance as proposed with the exception of some minor points. He stated that since the ordinance is related to aesthetics, they are asking that it be amended to follow the State and Federal language which qualifies the restrictions to apply only to signs which are visible from the Highway; also asked for clarification of the status of signs which are standing within zones that would be prohibited; and that an increase in the maximum size permitted be increased from 1,200 square feet to 1,400 square feet to allow for typical and standard signs of the company. He further pointed out that the Federal Act permits municipalities to govern and regulate size of signs. Mr, Butch Adams, local manager of Rollins Advertising Company, pointed out an example of a free standing sign in the vicinity of Port Avenue, which was built with no intention of its being viewed from the Highway. City Manager Townsend commented that the ordinance prohibits billboards within 660 feet of major highways; within 500 feet of parks and intersections, and sets spacing standards of 100 and 500 feet, depending on the type of highway; that billboards would be allowed only in zoning districts which now permit them in primary business and indus- trial zones. He stated there would be a problem of enforcement relative to location of signs and whether or not they were visible from the highway. Following discussions and comments from the Council, the Staff was directed to clarify the points raked by Mr. Ryan before the ordinance is presented for second reading. ORDINANCE NO. 11247 THIRD READING OF AN ORDINANCE FINDING THAT THE GRANTING OF $3,000 ASSESSED VALUE EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM TAXES FOR PERSONS'S RESI- DENCE HOMESTEAD WHO ARE 65 YEARS OR OLDER IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY; EXEMPTING FROM ALL AD VALOREM TAXES LEVIED THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($3000) OF THE ASSESSED TAXABLE VALUE OF RESIDENCE HOMESTEAD OF PERSONS 65 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, PROVIDING FOR EXECUTION OF APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION ON THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT "A" INCORPORATED HEREIN, OR REVISION THEREOF, DURING RENDITION TIME, PROVIDING FOR Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 10, 1973 Page 5 REQUIRING CERTAIN INFORMATION THEREON; PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE IS CUMULATIVE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION. The foregoing ordinance was read for the third time and passed finally by the fol- lowing vote: Bonniwell, Bosquez, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano, and Stark, present and voting "Aye"; Sizemore was absent. SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CORPUS CHRISTI CITY CODE, 1958, AS AMENDED, AND PARTICULARLY AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO. 10570, BY AMENDING SECTION 21-131 (b) SO AS TO ADD THERETO PROVISIONS FOR PARK- ING IN THE 1600 BLOCK OF SOUTH ALAMEDA STREET, AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED HEREINAFTER, AS RELATES TO METER ZONE NO. 2; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICA- TION. The foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to third reading by the following vote: Bonniwell, Bosquez, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano, and Stark, present and voting "Aye"; Sizemore was absent. SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY CODE, 1958, AS AMENDED, BY AMENDING SECTION 21-153, SCHEDULE 1, ONE-WAY STREETS AND ALLEYS, BY ADDING AN ITEM THERETO SO AS TO MAKE LEXINGTON AVENUE, BETWEEN LEOPARD STREET AND I.H. 37 EASTBOUND FRONTAGE ROAD ONE-WAY; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY; REPEALING ALL ORDI- NANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to third reading by the following vote: Bonniwell, Bosquez, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano, and Stark, present and voting "Aye"; Sizemore was absent. ORDINANCE NO. 11248 AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, A SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE TEXAS HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, COVERING THE ROADWAY ILLUMINATION SYSTEM ON S.H. 358 FROM THE EAST END OF THE AIRLINE ROAD INTERCHANGE TO THE EAST END OF THE AYERS STREET INTERCHANGE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ILLUMINATING SIGNS IN CONNEC- TION WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY, COPY OF WHICH SUPPLE- MENTAL AGREEMENT, IDENTIFIED AS PROJECT "E" IS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Bonniwell, Bosquez, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano, and Stork, present and voting "Aye"; Sizemore was absent. Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 10, 1973 Page 6 ORDINANCE NO. 11249 • AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE CONSENT AGREEMENTS WITH THE TEXAS -MEXICAN RAILWAY COMPANY AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE INSTALLATION AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS UNDER AND ACROSS THE RAILROAD TRACK BETWEEN THE U. S. NAVAL AIR STATION AND PADRE ISLAND DRIVE IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS 1) 60' R.O.W. STREET CROSSING AT STATION 859 +7961 2) 60" DIAMETER REINFORCED CONCRETE STORM SEWER LINE AT STATIONS 848 + 77.61 3) 60° R.O.W. STREET CROSSING AT STATION 850+76.61 4) 8" DIAMETER SANITARY SEWER FORCE MAINS AT STATION 851 + 11.3 5) 8" DIAMETER WATER LINE CROSSING AT STATION 859 + 99.61 SAID CONSTRUCTION BEING A PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF OSO ESTATES MO- VILE HOME SUBDIVISION; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended cnd the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Bonniwell, Bosquez, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano, and Stark, present and voting "Aye"; Sizemore was absent. ORDINANCE NO. 11250 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH ROY SMITH, DEVELOPER OF MOUNT VERNON SUBDIVISION, UNIT NO. 1, WHEREBY THE CITY WILL REIMBURSE THE DEVELOPER FOR THE COST OF CERTAIN STORM SEWER IMPROVEMENTS ALONG HOLMES DRIVE, AS MORE FULLY SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT, A COPY OF WHICH IS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF, MARKED EXHIBIT "A", APPROPRIATING OUT OF THE NO. 295 STORM SEWER BOND FUND $4,202.40, REPRESENTING THE CITY'S SHARE OF CONSTRUCT TION AND ENGINEERING COST, APPLICABLE TO PROJECT NO. 295-70-72; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Bonniwell, Bosquez, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano, and Stark, present and voting "Aye'; Sizemore was absent. ORDINANCE NO. 11251 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 AMEN- DED FROM TIME TO TIME AND PARTICULARLY AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO, 6106, AS AMENDED, UPON APPLICATION OF TEXAS METHODIST FOUNDATION BY AMENDING THE ZONING MAP BY CHANGING THE ZONING ON APPROXI- MATELY 97.5 -ACRE TRACT OUT OF LOTS 3 AND 4, BLOCK 7, BOHEMIAN COLONY LANDS, FROM "R -1B" ONE FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT TO "I-2" LIGHT INDUS- TRIAL DISTRICT; CHANGING THE ZONING ON A 10.6 -ACRE TRACT OF LAND OUT OF LOT 6, BLOCK 7, BOHEMIAN COLONY LANDS, FROM "R -1B" ONE FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT TO "A-1" APARTMENT HOUSE DISTRICT; AND CHANGING THE ZONING ON A 4.3 -ACRE TRACT OUT OF LOT 6, BLOCK 7, BOHEMIAN COLONY LANDS, FROM "R -1B" ONE FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT TO "A-1" APARTMENT HOUSE DISTRICT; KEEPING IN EFFECT ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 10, 1973 Page 7 THE EXISTING ORDINANCE AS AMENDED; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CON- FLICT HEREWITH; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Bonniwell, Bosquez, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano, and Stark, present and voting "Aye"; Sizemore was absent. ORDINANCE NO. 11252 VACATING AND ABANDONING, TO THE ABUTTING PROPERTY OWNERS, AN EASE- MENT HERETOFORE OWNED BY HUMBLE PIPE LINE COMPANY AND SUBSEQUENTLY ASSIGNED TO THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, AS IT PERTAINS TO LOTS 17, 18, 19, 20 & 21, SECTION 18, FLOUR BLUFF AND ENCINAL FARM AND GARDEN TRACTS IN THE COUNTY OF NUECES, TEXAS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A RELEASE OF SAID EASEMENT, A COPY OF WHICH RELEASE 15 ATTACHED HERETO, MARKED EXHIBIT "A", AND MADE A PART HEREOF; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Bosquez, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano and Stark,present and voting "Aye"; Bonniwell abstaining; Sizemore absent. FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING STANDARDS FOR SIGNS ERECTED WITHIN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI AND WITHIN 660 FEET OF THE NEAREST EDGE OF THE RIGHT-OF-WAY OF IH 37, US 77, US 181, SH 286, SH 358, AND THAT PORTION OF SH 44 WEST OF SH 358; MAKING EXCEPTIONS FOR OFFICIAL, AND ON -PREMISE SIGNS: REQUIRING LICENSES FOR NEW SIGNS AND EXIST- ING SIGNS; ESTABLISHING PERMIT FEES; MAKING VIOLATIONS A MISDEMEANOR PUNISHABLE BY FINE NOT EXCEEDING $200; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION; AND PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE. The Foregoing ordinance was read for the first time and passed to second reading by the following vote: Bonniwell, Bosquez, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano, and Stark, present and voting "Aye'; Sizemore was absent. Mayor Pro Tem Bonniwell announced the meeting would be recessed until 4:30 p.m. at which time the Council would hold public hearings on five zoning cases. ************ The Regular Meeting was reconvened at 5:00 p.m. for the purpose of hold- ing the scheduled public hearing for consideration of the 1972 and 1973 expenditures of Revenue Sharing Funds. City Manager Townsend distributed to members of the Council and audi- ence copies of his memorandum which outlined the proposed revenue-sharing expen- ditures. He explained the Bill in general, stating that the City's first revenue • Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 10, 1973 Page 8 sharing check was $1,576,903 covering the first half of 1972, and the year's total is estimated to be some $2.8 million, He pointed out that because many Federal programs were in danger of being drastically cut, consideration will hove to be given to using same of the funds for continuation of these programs, but a determination will have to be made as to how these programs will be maintained after the revenue-sharing funds are discon- tinued, and also determination as to how the programs will rank in priorities. Mr. Townsend commented that some of the money had already been earmarked; that some $500,000 would be set aside so that taxes would not have to be increased to pay off the recently passed $34.7 million bond issue; explained that another portion of the funds was used in 1972 for salary increases for City employees which had been raised from 4 to 5 percent as a result of the revenue-sharing funds. He explained that the figures are not exact because it is not known what effect the reduction on property taxes for persons over 65 will have on the allocations; that any reduction in local taxes means that the City's allocation of revenue shoring funds is reduced for the following year; that the local tax effort is one of three factors used in determining all allocations, being general tax effort, population, and level of per capita income. He explained that it is estimated that $225,000 will be lost in property taxes because of the property tax exemptions for persons 65 years old and over. He pointed out that if Federal Aid to Cities is substantially curtailed, it would be his recommendation to use revenue funds as a substitute for those services which are curtailed and emphasized that we should very cautiously approach commitment of these revenue funds. Mr. Townsend named priorities for revenue-sharing expenditures as follows: (1) Ordinary and necessary maintenance and operating expenses, being public safety, including low enforcement, fire protection, and building code enforcement; environmental protection including sewage disposal, sanitation and pollution abate- ment; public transportation, including transit systems and streets; health; recreation; libraries; social services for the poor or aged; and financial administration; (2) Ordinary and necessary capital expenditures authorized by law. He explained that since the Bill took effect January 1, 1972, and is only for five years, care should be • Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 10, 1973 Page 9 exercised to avoid creating re-occuring expenditure levels that the City will be unable to continue to finance if revenue shoring should terminate December, 1976. He stated the program which is outlined and recommended specifically applies to calendar years 1972 and 1973 and generally for the years 1974, 1975 and 1976. He pointed out that the out- line of expenditures being presented is only a skeleton of the revenue program and explained each category in detail. He stated that it has been the Council's intention to set aside some $125,000 a year to set up a publicly -supported ambulance service. Members of the. Council were given an opportunity to question Mr. Townsend' outline of expenditures generally and as to specific items. Mayor Pro Tem Bonniwell explained to the audience that the Council will not take any action on any part of the suggested expenditures today and will give no indication as to whether or not they will act favorably on any of the proposals and requests. The following persons appeared requesting consideration for the revenue,. sharing funds. Mr, William Berry, President of SAGE (Services and Activities Geared to the Elderly) represented a number of persons in support of a request for a Senior Citizen Center at a cost of $100,000, and various other programs for the elderly; also requested OQ $691460,for first year operation and $69,414 for the second year operation of the Center. He proposed that SAGE become a "Quasi -public" organization with repre- sentation on its board by public officials, Mr. Berry explained the organization of SAGE, stating it is sponsored by volunteers and is presently being partially supported by United Fund and the Junior League, and that the estimated 22,000 persons over age 60 in Nuaces County and Corpus Christi share in this request. He stated that he did not feel revenue -shoring funds should be used to make up the tax money lost due to reduction of taxes of persons over 65 years or older, pointing out that most of these elderly persons have been paying ad valorem taxes for most of their lives and had voted for this tax exemption bill in good faith. He pointed out that a recent Notional poll listed crime as the first notional priority and social services for the aged as • Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 10, 1973 Page 10 second. Mr. Berry submitted letters from individuals and representatives of local organiza- tions, clubs and churches in the City who support the request for a center and the SAGE program. Others speaking for SAGE were Mrs. Anne Newton, President of the Corpus Christi Retired Teachers Association, stating the center would provide a place for recrea-' tion and meeting facility for elderly persons who come to Corpus Christi for the winter. She stated it is a needed and worthy organization that works to supply the emotional, cultural, and physical needs of the elderly and would like to see it expanded to serve the social needs of more persons; Mr. James A. Anderson, representing the American Association of Retired Persons, urged the support of the SAGE Center in the revenue- sharing plan; Mrs. Virginia Brown, SAGE Volunteer, asked that the SAGE center be supported and that it be located in the central area of the City where a largo percen tage of the elderly live; Mr. William Shireman, Director of the Nueces County Legal Aid Society and board member of SAGE, suggested that the SAGE proposal for a center be supported and also suggested that special green fees for the elderly be instituted at the City's Golf Courses, Tennis Centers, and other recreational centers; and Mrs. Evelyn Wilson, Director of the program for the elderly at St. Luke's Methodist Church also urged support. Mr. Robert O. Wolter, representing Corpus Christi Public Libraries, requested that the Council set aside $750,000 for three new branch libraries, one located in Flour Bluff, one in Annavjlle, and another in Saxet Shell Center. He stated considerable increase in population is expected in the next 10 years and library expansion should be included in the capital improvement expenditures. Mr. D. B. Saaverdra, President of the Senior Citizens Group and repre- senting the Spanish-speaking elderly, stated at least 30 percent of revenue-sharing funds should go to the needs of the elderly. Mr. Alfred Vela, 1418 15th Street, representing the Corpus Christi Firefighters' Association, requested that the revenue-sharing funds be used for parity pay between policemen and firemen, with equal or comparable ranks. He • Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 10, 1973 Page 11 stated they are not requesting parity pay on an hourly basis but rather on a monthly or annual basis and that the request is made for the betterment of the firefighters of this City and in no way do they intend to downgrade or belittle the policemen, Captain J. T. Acuff, Chairman of the City Planning Commission, proposed that most, if not all, of the revenue-sharing funds be spent on solving the City's office space problems. He stated he feels that placing this money in capital improvements which do not depend on recurring money is more logical. Mr. Johnnie Bilano, Executive Director for Project SER, a Manpower Training Program, asked that consideration be given to providing support of a job - training program for underemployed persons. He stated the Federal funds for SER have been frozen and that the program would probably be cut by 50 percent and that City support of the program might be done for $100,000. He asked that they be allowed to submit a manpower proposal for 1973-75-76, stating that they are serving from 400 to 600 and presently with 100 trainees in various occupations. Mr. William Shireman, 625 Gregory, Director of Legal Aid Society and Director of SAGE, asked for a coordinated program for the elderly through the proposed center, that a monitoring agency be established, and central telephone whereby the elderly could report their problems. Mr. Bill Granberry, 518 Williamson, member of the Board of Directors of Corpus Christi Hearing and Speech Center, asked for additional funds for this program. He stated that they still have children on a waiting list which could be served with additional funds. He stated their needs are great and expressed appreciation for the $10,000 proposed in the revenue-sharing allocation presented by Mr. Townsend. Mr. Cristobal Perales, member of a Mexican -American group at the University of Corpus Christi, requested that $100,000 be used for construction of a Mexican -American cultural center and that $63, 104 be allocated for the first year of its operation. Mr. Rode, representing Retired Federal Employees in Southern District of State of Texas, spoke in support of SAGE's request for a share in revenue-sharing • Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 10, 1973 Page 12 funds for construction of a center, He stated they have people available to work with the program. He stated he heartily concurred in the suggestion made by Mr. Shireman that the elderly should have reduced fees for use of City recreational facilities. Mrs. Pat Duaine, 621 Atlantic, representing the Association for the Retarded, requested consideration of this group grid a greater share in the revenue-sharing funds. She stated she felt the need for this program is enormous; that there has been in the past over 6,000 retarded persons in Nueces County with whom this Association has been in contact, and many more who have never been contacted or on anybody's waiting list. She stated that the needs of this category are not being met because of lack of funds and facilities, Mrs. Duaine stated she is speaking in place of Mr. Bill Stevens, Execu- tive Director, and that he has a written report which will be submitted to the Council. Mr. Nick Huestis, Executive Director for Nueces County Mental Health and Retardation, requested an additional $25,000 over and above the $50,000 allotted in the tentative budget presented by the City Manager. He stressed the need for funds to establish a facility and personnel to combat alcoholism. Mr. Phil Ridgeway, representing Corpus Christi Tennis Association, requested more of the revenue-sharing funds for renovation of the H.E.B. Tennis Center and also for illumination of some of the tennis courts for night play. He des- cribed the deplorable condition of the H.E.B. Tennis Courts, stating their plea for money for repairs last year had been denied and they did not get the needed repairs for the June, 1972, tournament, and are making the same plea now. He stated if the repairs are not provided, they ore in danger of not being able to host the tourna- ment events after this year. Others appearing and speaking for improvements to the tennis courts were Mrs. Wallace A. Crozier, 529 Ronson, representative of C. C. Tennis Association; Mr. Chuck Haynes, Assistant Athletic Coach of Corpus Christi School District; Mr. John Zimmerman, Tennis Association; Mr. Bob Modlin, Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation; and Mr. Bill Holmes, 742 Meadowbrook, member of the Marina Board. Mr. Holmes requested construction of two additional piers at the Marina to • Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 10, 1973 Page 13 accommodate 80 boat slips at an estimated cost of $125,000. Mr. Holmes stated the addition of these slips would require no additional maintenance or personnel and would pay for themselves in five years, after which the revenue would go to the City. Mr. Billy Spivey, Sr., requested that $100,000 be set aside for general improvement of parks in the City, particularly improvement of Elgin Park, He asked that an olympic size swimming pool be constructed in Elgin Park. Mr. Roberto Tijerina, Chairman of the Board of Nueces County Community Action Agency, appealed for expenditure of funds on the poverty stricken in Corpus Christi, stating there are some 70,000 in the County and surrounding areas who are on low incomes and are suffering from inadequate housing. He proposed that the City Council take steps to set up some type of advisory committee composed of persons who belong to all these agencies, clubs and organizations, who have expressed interest in helping the poor, to work with the City in this regard, and that the money be set aside for this purpose not be used until this advisory committee is established and "plugged into the City Staff." City Manager Townsend made suggestions and comments relative to priori- ties for use of the revenue --sharing funds, stating that ambulance service falls high on that list, and also that consideration must be given to those federal programs already in progress. Mr. Townsend stated that he would strive to have a recommendation for expenditure of revenue-sharing funds in about two weeks, but commented that this should wait until it is more definite as to the thrust of Federally funded programs. He stated a draft of the contract with the Hospital Board pertaining to ambulance service would be presented to the Council for review and proposed that bids be received through the Hospital District. He stated the bid process would consume approximately five weeks. Motion by Stark, seconded by Branch and passed, that the hearing for 1972 and 1973 expenditures of Revenue Shoring Funds be closed. Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 10, 1973 Page 14 RESOLUTION NO. 11257 EXPRESSING TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF A & I UNIVERSITY AT CORPUS CHRISTI THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY COUNCIL, OF CORPUS CHRISTI FOR CONTINUING THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT THE STATED A & I UNIVERSITY AT CORPUS CHRISTI; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing resolution was passed by the following vote: Bonniwell, Bosquez, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano, and Stark, present and voting "Aye'; Sizemore was absent. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Regular Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m., January 10, 1973.