HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 08/01/1973 - SpecialMINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
August 1, 1973
9:00 A.M.
PRESENT:
Mayor Jason Luby
Mayor Pro Tem James T. Acuff
Commissioners:
Rev. Harold T. Branch
Thomas V. Gonzales
Ricardo Gonzalez
Gabe Lozano, Sr.
J. Howard Stark
City Manager R. Marvin Townsend
City Attorney James R. Riggs
City Secretary T. Ray Kring
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Mayor Jason Luby called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber of the City Hall,
stating the purpose of the special meeting was to continue the public hearing on the proposed
City Budget for 1973-74, and for further discussions of additional requests and other matters
pertaining thereto.
City Manager Townsend briefly reviewed the background of the hearing. He explained
that the items and ordinances which are the subject of this meeting were brought forward from
the Regular Meeting of July 25. Relative to the item of new salary schedules, Mr. Townsend
stated there was some concern as to what impact the Minimum Wage Bill now pending in Congress
would have on the timing of putting into effect the new proposed changes. He stated that if
Congress recesses Friday of this week without acting on the bill they will not convene again until
after Labor Day. He explained that in the present form of the bill the City would be required
to add funds to place firemen on a 48-hour workweek which he would not recommend. He
explained that the Transit Workers would also be affected.
Mr. Townsend explained that if the President approves the bill to go into effect
October 1, then there will remain ten months of salary costs amounting to some $600,000 which
would have to come from Revenue Sharing Funds or elsewhere. He stated the salary increases
could be deferred or an attempt made to balance the workweek with the change in salaries.
He pointed out that from everything that could be ascertained the ordinance is within the guide-
lines but are still not clear as to timing. He pointed out that the last salary increase was given
November 14, 1972, the proposed ordinance sets August 6 as the effective date, and the only
question before the Council at this time is the effective date. Mr. Townsend stated the ordinance
provides for a five percent increase plus modifications of fringe benefits which would amount to
5-1/2 percent. Suggested alternatives as to the effective date were made by the Council,
namely, that money be set aside for that purpose in case the bill does pass, or if the bill does
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Special Council Meeting
August 1, 1973
Page 2
not pass, the action could be made retroactive. City Attorney Jim Riggs stated it is his opinion
that legally the effective date could be August 1. Commissioner Stark commented he feels the
Council has a moral obligation to try to hold down inflation. He asked if consideration had
been given to giving the full 5-1/2 increase allowed by law, and be effective in November
to be balanced out over the 12 month period.
Mr. Townsend stated it would be his recommendation to proceed with the salary
increase to be effective August 6 with modification of fringe benefits set forth in the ordinance,
or as a second alternative, hold the proposed increase until the bill pending in Congress has
been resolved. Relative to the Firemen, he stated the law would give the option to pay over-
time, but felt this would be a short range solution. Mr. Townsend stated he was concerned that
money coming from Revenue Sharing will be fully committed by 1974-75, and in that event there
will be a financial crises in every city in the country. He pointed out that the budget can be
revised at any time during the year within limits specified.
Mr. William Whittle, Treasurer of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Community
Center, appeared and requested that the Council consider appropriating $100,000 in this year's
budget for the Center. He stated he felt the City had not been aware of the programs being
undertaken by the Center, and presented a narrative description of the services. He explained
that the request is primarily for the expansion of badly needed children's mental health services
and for the continued development of comprehensive drug abuse services in this community.
He further stated a further major point of consideration in his request is that additional local
funding will allow the agency to match at approximately 30-70 ratio available State Dollars
for the center. Mr. Whittle pointed out that he was a City appointee to this Board, and if
the Staff is unprepared to recommend to the Council aid for these programs, they (the Council)
should take another look at whether or not they feel the services are needed. He expressed
surprise that the City Manager had not recommended the continuation of the $25,000 allocated
from Revenue Sharing Funds from last year.
City Manager Townsend stated he feels all these are programs and services which
should have a great deal of local responsibility, but should be requested in a reasonable
approach. He explained that he had attempted for some time to communicate with the Board
to have them submit a budget request earlier so that it could be evaluated and processed along
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Special Council Meeting
August 1, 1973
Page 3
with other City budget requests and according to procedures set forth. He stated a copy of these
procedures had been furnished the Board. He stated he had asked for information and answers
to questions which he had not received, and feels some other process needs to be established.
Mr. Townsend further stated he feels the City and MH -MR should enter into a contract and reach
a definite understanding as to what the City's participation should be, and feels this is the basic
question. He stated the City needs to be in a position to know what is a reasonable participation
in the program and then be in a position to accept it as the local responsibility for base alloca-
tions. Mr. Whittle stated the Board would be willing to provide any cost summary the City
requested and would comply with any regulations promulgated by the City.
Mr. H. H. McCool, Board member of MH -MR, stated he felt there should be better
communications between the City and the Agency, and that when it was established the Council
determined at that time that it was a sponsor and would take its responsibility for financial pro-
motion and leave to the Board the responsibility of establishing the program of activities
acceptable to the community. Mr. McCool appealed to the Council to give careful consideration
to the $100,000 request since it was needed as matching funds in federal and state aid. He
pointed out that there is no other organization that is providing such a wide scope of services,
that they are being provided on a cost basis, and are preventing disturbed persons from being
taken to penal institutions which is more costly in the end.
Commissioner Stark stated he disagreed with the statement that the Council is not
aware of the services being rendered and needed. He stated he was particularly concerned
about the overlap of service between the Ghormley Clinic and the Halfway House, that he felt
the Halfway House is doing a tremendous service and is being severely overlooked.
Mr. Nick Huestis, executive director of MH -MR, made a lengthy presentation of the
Center's services, operations, budget breakdown and sources of income, and allocation of
funds. He stated it had not been clearly understood that the City Manager wanted a full break-
down of the budget. He invited the Council to visit the Center, and stated they would make
a slide presentation at any time convenient to the Council. He stated he is very anxious to
work out the problems of communications, and if there are more specifics regarding the justifi-
cation or accountability of funds, they will go into it with as much detail as needed. Relative
to the timing of the request, Mr. Huestis stated they did not have full knowledge of what their
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Special Council Meeting
August 1, 1973
Poge 4
request would be until July 6.
Mr. Mills Latham, member of the Board of Governors of the Art Foundation; appeared
and noted that the proposed budget had a lesser figure for the Art Museum than had been
requested. He pointed out some of the problems involving added expense that have developed
at the Museum which were not present last year to account for the request for more funds. He
pointed out that the building was new last year and repairs were not needed. He stated thct
the building had not been open to the public for the full year 1972 and there will be more wear
on the building; that to meet the City's fire regulations which require that upstairs doors be
open, one more security guard will be needed, and because the public traffic is expected to
increase to some 180 thousand this year, one more janitor is needed. He pointed out that
there are some 30,000 square feet of space to be taken care of, and that some painting wm
need to be done. Mr. Latham also stated an $8,000 expenditure for purchase and installation
of hurricane shutters is requested. He stated the shutters are particdarly needed for tH s building
to protect the expensive display of art and also to protect the City's investment in the b lding.
The Council questioned Mr. Latham as to the provisions for removing the art work and placing
it in a safe place when hurricanes are anticipated; also noted that the windows on the water
side have a natural protection against flying debris. It was pointed out that other buildings in
the City are not protected by shutters, including City Hall. Mr. Latham stated that their
request included additional equipment and maintenance, pointing out that the equipment
originally installed is no longer under warranty. He stated the five percent increase from wast
year's budget is less than the amount they actually spent. He stated they are also asking for
maintenance contracts on their air conditioning and heating equipment, and stated he did not
think the 5 percent increase recommended by the City Manager would take care of all ;heir
problems.
Mr. Townsend explained that the contract had called for monthly reports which he
had not received and he had had no basis to develop the Museum budget, and for that reason
he had listed the same figure as last year plus five percent. Mr. Townsend stated he placed
no priority on the request for storm shutters which would be very costly to install. He agreed
they were an added protection for office furnishings which could not be moved to safety, but
pointed out that three-fourths of the buildings in the City do not have shutters. Mr. Townsend
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Special Council Meeting
August 1, 1973
Page 5
stated he was not in a position at this time to recommend a higher increase than the five percent,
but stated if the need arises, he would recommend accordingly,
Commissioner Stark pointed out that the object of "Zero Base Budgeting" had been to
look at specific items and cut where possible, and that he still feels very strongly in this regard,
and concurs with the City Manager with regard to the request for storm shutters.
Mrs, Linda Walker, member of the Staff of the Art Museum, spoke an behalf of the
request, stating there was no justification for lack of submitting a report of anticipated expendi-
tures to the City. She stated they had submitted a report to the Budget Office for August
through December 1972, and their figures were within $500 of the estimate. She stated they
had supplied all information at that time.
City Manager Townsend stated he would make an on -sight investigation of the Museum,
particularly with regard to the doors for compliance with the City's fire regulations.
Relative to the request of the Industrial Development Commission for allocation of
City funds in this year's budget for promotional expenditures of at least one-half of its $76,000
budget, Mr, Townsend stated he had not had an opportunity to properly evaluate thus request
stating it would need to be a joint recommendation of the City and Navigation District which
would probably take two or three weeks to coordinate, A figure of $30,000 was suggested
Motion by Acuff, seconded by Ricardo Gonzalez and passed, that the City Manager
be instructed to work with the Nueces County Navigation District officials for a joint recom-
mendation relative to support of the Commission and its coordination into the 1973-74 budget.
Relative to the request of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Community Center,
the Council discussed ways to avoid the last minute approach in making requests for funds.
It was pointed out that this Board is made up of well-meaning hardworking citizens who are
caught between their responsibilities and the Council. It was suggested that a staff memb€r
be responsible for asking for a report at least three months prior to the adoption of the budget.
Motion by Stark, seconded by Acuff and passed, that the budget be amended to
reflect continuation of $2,500 per month support to the Mental Health and Mental Retordatiion
Community Center.
The request of Mr. Robert Wolter, Chairman of La Retama Library Board for locations
for branch libraries and a new bookmobile was discussed. The use of Revenue Sharing Funds
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Special Council Meeting
August 1, 1973
Page 6
was suggested to build a small branch library in the Anuravville and Calallen area as a capital
improvement expenditure. The Council also discussed the Logic of changing the headquarters
of the Library System to the Parkdale Branch Library. Mr. Townsend pointed cuff that the
Parkdale Branch Library had been enlarged and is handling that area adequately; that nothing
had been done recently to improve the Downtown Iccation and the parking is a problem, but
stated it is closer to bus connections and more centrally !'orated so far as the western part of
the City is concerned.
Motion by Acuff, seconded by Lozano and pc d, that the [312u:hase of a new book-
mobile for the Library be included in the 1973-74 Budget.
It was also agreed that an appropriation be approved For .continuation of the City's
support of the Corpus Christi Symphony Society.
Motion by Branch, seconded by Lozano and possed, that the 1973-74 Budget hearing
be closed and adopted as amended.
City Manager presented the following ordinances pursuant to the budget and recom-
mended organizational changes,
ORDINANCE NO. 11596
AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, 1958,
AS AMENDED, BY AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ART. IV, PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT;
CHAPTER 3, ART. !, LODGE EMBLEM; ART. Il, BILLBOARDS; CHAPTER 11, ART. IV, BUILDING
CODE, ART. ICI, FIRE DISTRICT MAP, ART. IV, BUILDINGS - SUBSTANDARD BUILDINGS -
BUILDING AND HOUSING STANDARDS CODE, ART. V, HOUSE MOVING; CHAPTER 12,
COLISEUM; CHAPTER 13, ELECTRICITY; CHAPTER 14, EXCAVATIONS; CHAPTER 16, FOOD
AND FOOD ESTABLISHMENT PERMITS; CHAPTER 18, GARBAGE, TRASH AND WASTES;
CHAPTER 19, STAGNANT WATER, WEEDS AND RUBBISH; CHAPTER 21, MUNICIPAL C]\ail.
DEFENSE; CHAPTER 27, PLUMBING; CHAPTER 34, ARTICLE II, PRIVATE DRIVEWAYS;
ORDINANCE NO. 2818, OF JULY 11, 1950, AS AMENDED, AND ORDINANCE NO. 10331,
OF JUNE 30, 1971 (ENGINEERING SERVICES)„ AS AMENDED, FOR THE OBJECT OF RE-
ORGANIZING THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND SUBDIVISIONS OF THE CITY OF CORPUS
CHRISTI GOVERNMENT, AND, FURTHER TO IMPLEMENT SAID REORGANIZATION, BY
ADDING TO THE SAID CODE OF ORDINANCES A NEW ARTICLE Ii( IN CHAPTER 2, ADMINIS-
TRATION, THEREOF,, WHEREBY THE OFFICE OF PLANNING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
AND THE DIRECTORSHIP THEREOF ARE ESTABLISHED, INCLUDING THE PRESENT DEPART-
MENT OF PLANNING AND THE DIRECTORATE OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT; THE DEPARTMENT
OF INSPECTIONS AND OPERATIONS AND THE DIRECTORSHIP THEREOF ARE ESTABLISHED,
CONSISTING OF THE RECONSTITUTED DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND THE PRESENT
COLISEUM AND EXPOSITION HALL DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND
RECREATION; THE OFFICE OF CULTURAL AND LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES AND THE DIRECTOR-
SHIP THEREOF ARE ESTABLISHED, CONSISTING OF THE RECONSTITUTED DEPARTMENT OF
PARKS AND RECREATION, THE LIBRARY DEPARTMENT, THE MARINA DEPARTMENT AND
THE MUSEUM DEPARTMENT; THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING AND PHYSICAL DEVELOP-
MENT AND THE DIRECTORSHIP THEREOF ARE ESTABLISHED, CONSISTING OF THE PRESENT
DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING SERVICES AND THE STREET DIVISION IN THE FORMER
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PROVIDING FOR COORDINATION WITH THE TRAFFIC
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Special Council Meeting
August 1, 1973
Page 7
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND SUPERVISION OF THE 'TRAFFIC SAFETY COORDINATOR;
AND THE OFFICE OF STAFF SERVICES AND THE DIRECTORSHIP THEREOF, CONSISTING OF
THE PERSONNEL AND CIVIL SERVICE ACTIVITY, THE OFFICE OF DATA PROCESSING
MANAGER, THE BUDGET OFFICE AND DIRECTORATE THEREOF IN THE CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE, AND THE FUNCTIONS OF CORPORATION YARD AND WAREHOUSE SUPERVISION,
MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, AND OPERATION OF ALL PUBLIC BUILDINGS BELONGING TO
OR USED BY THE CITY, THE CHARGE OF CITY'S AUTOMOBILE MECHANICS AND MACHINISTS,
AND FURNISHING OF MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES, LABOR, AND MATERIALS AT ACTUAL
COST TO OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES; TRANSFERRING FUNCTIONS, DUTIES,
AUTHORITIES, PERSONNEL, AND PROPERTIES AMONG SAID OFFICES, DEPARTMENTS,
AND DIVISIONS TO EFFECTUATE SAID REO'RGANI'ZATION; DESCRIBING AUTHORITIES
AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SAID DIRECTORSHIPS; PRESCRIBING FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES
OF OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS THUS ESTABLISHED; AUTHORIZING DISTRIBUTION OF
SAME WITHIN SAID OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS; ANNEXING HERETO AND INCORPO-
RATING HEREIN THE TABLE OF ORGANIZATION MARKED EXHIBIT "A"; COVERAGE dN
TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM; PROVIDING REPEALER; PROVIDING SAVINGS;
PROVIDING SEVERABILITY; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following
vote: Luby, Branch, Tom Gonzales, Lozano and Stark, present and voting "Aye"; AcJff and
Ricardo Gonzalez, present and voting "Nay
ORDINANCE NO. 11597
AMENDING ORDINANCE NO, 3658, AS AMENDED, BY CHANGING CERTAIN SALARY
GRADES AND CREATING CERTAIN POST TONS BY AMENDING SECTION 4 THEREOF;
PROVIDING A SEVERANCE CLAUSE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND DECLARING
AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and thgoing ordinance was passed by the following
vote: Luby, Acuff, Branch, Tom Go ztrIes, Ricard G ,-,zuIez, Lozano and Stark, pre- nt and
voting "Aye".
RESOLUTION NO, 11598
CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF I. W. "BILL" HIENNINGS TO THE OFFICE OF
DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONS AND OPERATIONS BY THE CITY
MANAGER, PURSUANT 70 CIT` CHARTER ARTICLE III, SECTION 3; AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rue was suspended and Tile Gerrego".g resokticro was passed by the following
dotes Luby, Acuff, Branch, Tom Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez, Lozano and Stark, present and
voting "Aye"'.
RESOLUTION NO. 11599
CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OE JAMES K. LONTOS TO THE OFFICE OF DIRECTOR
OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT BY THE CITY
MANAGER, PURSUANT TO CITY CHARTER ARTICLE LI, SECTION 3; AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended urd a^c foregoing resol,�tion was passed by the following
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Minutes
Special Council Meeting
August 1, 1973
Page 8
vote: Luby, Acuff, Branch, Tom Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez, Lozano and Stark, present and
voting "Aye"
RESOL"U"TION NO. 11600
CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNEST BRIONES TO THE OFFICE OF DIRECTOR
OF THE OFFICE OF PLANNING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT BY THE CITY MANAGER,
PURSUANT TO CITY CHARTER ARTICLE III, SECTION 3; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing resolution was passed by the following
vote: Luby, Branch, Tom Gonzales, Lozano and Stark, present and voting "Aye"; Acuff and
Ricardo Gonzalez, present and voting "Nay".
ORDINANCE NO. 11601
PRESCRIBING THE MAXIMUM EARNINGS TO BE CONSIDERED IN CALCULATING DEPOSITS
AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO BE MADE BY REASON OF CURRENT SERVICE OF EMPLOYEES OF
THIS CITY WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM; AND
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following
vote: Luby, Acuff, Branch, Tom Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez, Lozano and Stark, present and
voting "Aye".
ORDINANCE NO. 11602
AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 8127, AS AMENDED, BY AMENDING SECTION 1, SUB-
SECTION (b) BY SUBSTITUTING NEW SALARY SCHEDULES; AMENDING SECTION 2,
SUBSECTION (b), PARAGRAPHS 2, 3 AND 4; PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL
NOT BE IN CONFLICT WITH THE FEDERAL WAGE AND SALARY CONTROLS AND REGULA-
TIONS; PROVIDING A SEVERANCE CLAUSE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following
vote: Luby, Acuff, Branch, Tom Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez and Lozano, present and voting
"Aye"; Stark present and voting "Nay".
ORDINANCE NO, 11603
PRESCRIBING THE TAXES TO BE LEVIED, ASSESSED AND COLLECTED BY THE CITY OF
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, FOR THE YEAR 1973 AND FOR EACH SUCCEEDING YEAR
THEREAFTER UNTIL OTHERWISE PROVIDED AND ORDAINED, AND SUCH OTHER YEARS
AS THE SAME MAY BE APPLICABLE: PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE: AND DECLARING
AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following
vote: Luby, Acuff, Branch, Tom Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez, Lozano and Stark, present and
voting "Aye"',
Minutes
Special Council Meeting
August 1, 1973
Page 9
ORDINANCE NO. 11604
ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE ENSUING FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING AUGUST 1, 1973,
AND ENDING JULY 31, 1974, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CITY CHARTER, AS AMENDED,
FOR THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS; APPROPRIATING CERTAIN SUMS OF MONEY
FOR THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING AUGUST 1, 1973, AND ENDING
JULY 31, 1974; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the
following vote: Luby, Acuff, Branch, Tom Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez, Lozano and Stark,
present and voting "Aye".
There being no further business to come before the Council, the Special Meeting
was adjourned at 12:30 p.m., August 1, 1973.