HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 05/09/1973PRESENT:
Mayor Ronnie Sizemore
Commissioners:
* Roberto Bosquez, M.D.
Rev. Harold T. Branch
Thomas V. Gonzales
Gabe Lozano, Sr.
J. Howard Stark
MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
May 9, 1973
3:00 P.M.
City Manager R. Marvin Townsend
Assistant City Attorney Hal George
City Secretary T. Ray Kring
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Mayor Sizemore called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber of
the City Hall.
The Invocation was given by Commissioner Harold Branch in the absence
of the invited guest chaplain.
City Secretary T. Ray Kring called the roll of those in attendance.
Mayor Pro Tem Bonniwell, incumbent candidate for mayor in an election
to be called at this meeting, did not answer roll call and departed the meeting
immediately after requesting that the Minutes reflect his absence from this meeting.
Motion by Branch, seconded by Gonzales and passed, that the absence of
Mayor Pro Tem Bonniwell be excused for just cause.
The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of April 25, 1973, were
approved as submitted to the Council.
Mayor Sizemore announced the issuance of proclamations as follows: SMALL
BUSINESS WEEK, May 13 through 19, 1973; SAFETY PATROL WEEK, May 13 through 19, 1973;
NURSING HOME WEEK, May 13 through 19, 1973; and REALTOR WEEK, May 20 through 26, 1973.
*(Commissioner Bosquez departed the meeting at this time)
City Manager Townsend reported to the Council that he is withdrawing
his recommendation of last week relative to pending legislation (HB846) concerning
a proposed compromise agreement with the Nueces River Authority whereby the City
would agree not to oppose the legislative bill to expand the Authority's powers
and the Authority would agree to reorganize its board to shift more representa-
tion to the Lower-Nueces River Counties. He explained that the City's opposition
to the legislation would effectively block passage of the bill because of lack of
time for supporters before the Legislature adjourns later this month. He stated
his recommendation was made solely on the basis of the compromise agreement, and
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Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
May 9, 1973
Page 2
he is withdrawing it because of opposition expressed by Nueces County's two repre-
sentatives, Mr. Hayden Head and Mr. Allen Wood. He explained that it is clear at
this time there is no active consensus that this compromise would be an advantage,
but that both representatives see strong disadvantages.
Motion by Stark, seconded by Branch and passed, that the Council's opposi-
tion to the legislative Bill 846 be forwarded to local legislators and the legisla-
tive committee considering the Bill.
City Secretary T. Ray Kring asked that it be noted that the official return
sheets of the General Election for Mayor & Council, together with the tally sheet
totals and adding machine tabulations were in his custody and presented them for
public record. He stated the documents may be examined here at the Council Table
or later in his office.
Mr. Emile S. Bolden 2742 Greenwood Drive, unsuccessful candidate for
Place 2 in the May 5 Mayor & Council Election, appeared and requested a recount
of voting machines at Lozano and Oak Park Schools. He stated his supporters had
expressed belief that he had received more votes in these two precincts than had
been indicated by the final count. He stated he was not asking for the check in
the hope of winning the election, but was asking "for the benefit of getting satis-
faction for the little people who worked in his campaign."
City Manager Townsend pointed out that the Lozano machines had already
been checked by election officials, and under the law it would cost the candidate
$3.00 for each machine checked; that the candidate's money would be refunded if an
error was discovered which was significant enough to change the results of the
election, but pointed out that there were not enough total votes cast in the two
precincts to change the outcome of the Place 2 race.
Mr. Bolden explained that he had run a low-cost campaign and did not want
to spend a lot of money on the recount. He agreed to withdraw his request providing
City Secretary Kring would write a letter stating that the machines at Lozano
School had been checked. Mr. Kring was directed to provide Mr. Bolden with a
letter as requested.
Mr. David Saenz, 1430 17th Street, unsuccessful candidate for the Place 5
position on the May 5 Ballot, congratulated those elected, and stated he wished to
publicly defend statements he had made during the campaign. He stated he had not
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Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
May 9, 1973
Page 3
been aware of threats made on the life of his opponent's family until he read it
in the newspaper; that he deplored such threats, and that the•statements heard on
the radio "to the hest of my knowledge, were correct."
ORDINANCE N0, 11473
CANVASSING RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE GENERAL ELECTION FOR THE PUR-
POSE OF ELECTING THE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEN OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI HELD ON
THE 5TH DAY OF MAY, 1973; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by
the following vote: Sizemore, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano and Stark, present and
voting "Aye"; Bonniwell and Bosquez, absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 11474
CALLING A RUNOFF ELECTION FOR THE OFFICE OF MAYOR IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI TO
BE HELD ON THE SECOND TUESDAY AFTER THIS CALL OF ELECTION, THE SAME BEING MAY 22,
1973; DESIGNATING PLACES OF HOLDING SUCH ELECTION; NAMING THE OFFICERS THEREFOR;
PRESCRIBING THE FORM OF NOTICE OF ELECTION, AND ENACTING PROVISIONS INCIDENT AND
RELATING TO THE SUBJECT AND PURPOSE OF THIS ORDINANCE; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed
by the following vote: Sizemore, Branch, Gonzales, Lozano and Stark, present and
voting "Aye"; Benn.iwell and Bosquez, absent.
Mayor Sizemore called for petitions or information from the•audience on
matters not scheduled on the agenda. No one appeared.
City Manager Townsend made brief announcements relative to the following:
that appointments to the Ambulance Advisory Committee should be made during this
moratorium period; that the transaction for conveyance of the University of Corpus
Christi Site is nearing completion; that the construction of the new Hudson Acres
Park is almost complete and it is hoped the dedication cermonies can be set for
the 19th of this month.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting
was adjcurn d at 3:35 p.m„ May 9, 1973.