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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.