HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 05/01/1974MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
May 1, 1974
2:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Mayor Jason Luby
Mayor Pro Tem James T. Acuff
Commissioners:
Rev. Harold T. Branch
Thomas V. Gonzales
Ricardo Gonzalez
Gabe Lozano, Sr.
•
City Manager R. Marvin Townsend
City Attorney James R. Riggs
Exec. Assistant City Attorney Michael May
City Secretary T. Ray Kring
Mayor Jason Luby called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber
of the City Hall.
The Invocation was given by The Reverend Seymour Perkins, pastor of
the First Congregational Church, which he opened with a prayer in honor of former
Mayor Pro Tem Charles A. Bonniwell, III, whose untimely death occurred in a plane
crash at Galveston, Texas, April 30, 1974.
Mayor Luby requested that Commissioner Branch lead the audience and
Council in a special prayer in honor of Mr. Bonniwell. Reverend Branch quoted
from a passage from the First Psalm which ended "he shall be like a tree planted
by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf
shall not wither and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
Mayor Luby requested that Commissioner Thomas V. Gonzales read a prepared
resolution giving a resume of Mr. Bonniwell's illustrious professional career and
achievements, his contributions to his church, and to many civic affairs of the
community, which resolution provided that a ropy be forwarded to the family of
Mr. Bonniwell.
City Secretary T. Ray Kring called the roll of those in attendance.
Motion by Lozano, seconded by Branch and passed, that the absence of
Commissioner Stark be excused for just cause.
Motion by Ricardo Gonzalez, seconded by Lozano and passed, that the
Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of April 17, 1974 be approved as submitted
to the Council.
Mayor Luby announced the issuance of proclamations as follows: RESPECT
FOR LAW WEEK, May 1 through 7, 1974; MENTAL HEALTH MONTH, May, 1974; SENIOR CITIZENS
MONTH, May, 1974; HEARING AND SPEECH MONTH, May, 1974; HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE MONTH,
May, 1974; TEXANS TRY TRANSIT MONTH, May, 1974; and BUCCANEER DAYS CELEBRATION
April 25 through May 5, 1974 (Presented Thursday, April 25)
•
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
May 1, 1974
Page 2
Motion by Lozano, seconded by Ricardo Gonzalez and passed, that
nominations be accepted and the following appointments and reappointments to
fill vacancies on Boards and Committees, be approved and confirmed:
Aiport Board: Dr. W. H. Colson and Mr. Pete Null (appointments);
Mr. Hayden W. Head, Mr. G. Robert Welch and Mr. M. D. Miller (reappointments);
Board of Adjustment: Mr. Charles Bolden, Mr. James P. Naismith,
and Mr. Jesus Leija (reappointments); Mr. Rafael Carrizo and Mr. John T. Wright, III,
(appointments); Col. Lee H. Baker and Mr. R. R. "Bobby" Young, alternates.
Board of Equalization: Mr. Odell Ingle (reappointment); Mr, Paul
Larsen and Mr. Gilbert Mora (appointments);
Building Standards and Housing Board of Appeals: Mr. Andrew Duncan
(appointment), member at large; and Mr. Jim Wright, realtor (reappointment);
La Retama Library Board: Mrs. Paul Valerio (appointment);
•
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
May 1, 1974
Page 3
Marina Board: Mr. Bill Ogletree and Mr. Leonard "Pete" Larsen (appoint-
ments); and Mr. Claude P. Farris (reappointment);
Plumbing Advisory Board: Mr. J. W. Broughton, Master Plumber; Mr. Richard
Goedeke, Mechanical Engineer; Mr. Bill Glass, Casey & Glass; Mr. Hoyt Gentry,
Master Plumber; and Mr. Jon Held (appointments); Mr. Art Scott, Air Conditioning
Maintenance, and Mr. Santiago Martinez (reappointments);
Traffic Safety Advisory Board: Dr. Sanford Glanz (reappointment); and
Reverend Linn B. Self (appointment);
Planning Commission: Dr. H. Doyle Little (appointment);
Bay Drilling Committee: Mr. R. C. Granberry (appointment).
Mayor Luby called for the opening of bids.
Bids were opened and read by Director of Engineering and Physical Develop-
ment James K. Lontos on the construction of the Corpus Christi Bay Boat Launching
Ramp from the following firms: W. T. Young Construction Company; The Goldston
Company, Inc.; and Ausco, Inc. The facility is proposed to be constructed by grant
from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation;
the plans provide for a 36' x 20' concrete boat ramp approximately 1,000' north of
Ocean Drive Bridge on the east side of Ocean Drive; and a parking area provided for
boats and trailers. Mr. Lontos pointed out that the bid of the Ausco, Inc. was
submitted subject to conditions of an alternate method of construction procedure but
does not change the specifications. He stated he would recommend acceptance of the
bid.
The foregoing bids were accepted and tabled for 48 hours pursuant to the
requirements of the City Charter and referred to the City Manager for tabulation
and recommendation.
City Manager Townsend presented the request of the Waldron Field Baptist
Church to close that part of the unopened portion of Ridgewood Drive which abuts
Lots 27 through 33 of Block A and Lots 20 through 24 of Block B, Don Patricio Subdi-
vision. Mr. Townsend pointed out the location of the unopened street on the map and
explained that this is a typical problem of paper subdivisions. He stated the area
is grown up in brush, nothing to indicate division of the lots, and no utilities. He
stated the request had been circulated through the affected City Departments and there
are no objections to the closing other than the concern that there should be some way
• •
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
May 1, 1974
Page .4
provided to get traffic out to another street and so as not to result in a long
deadend street.
Reverend G. A. Summers, pastor of the Waldron Field Baptist Church, spoke
in support of the request, and stated they are requesting the closing of this portion
of Ridgewood in order to keep the Church property all together and to provide for
future expansion of the buildings to better serve the community. He explained that
in order to accomplish this the Church had recently purchased Lot 34 of Block B and
would deed this lot, together with Lot 19, which they already owned, to the City as
right-of-way to allow Ridgewood Drive to connect with Stardust Lane.
No one appeared in opposition to the proposed closing of a portion of
Ridgewood Drive.
Motion by Acuff, seconded by Lozano and passed, that the hearing be
closed.
Motion by Ricardo Gonzalez, seconded by Acuff and passed, that the part
of the unopened portion of Ridgewood Drive which abuts Lots 27 through 33 of Block A,
and Lots 20 through 24 of Block B, Don Patricio, be closed as requested by the Waldron
Field Baptist Church, conditioned on the Church's agreement to dedicate Lots 19 and
34 of Block B, as right-of-way to allow Ridgewood Drive to connect with Stardust
Lane, and an ordinance be brought forward effectuating the closing.
Mayor Luby called for the City Manager's Reports, and City Manager Townsend
presented recommendations with related explanations and comments, as follows:
a. That bids be received for an equipment trailer for the Wastewater
Services Division at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 21, 1974. The trailer will be used
to transport heavy material and equipment to construction sites thus reducing wear
and tear on heavy equipment.
b. That a contract be awarded to Central Power & Light Company for 28 wood
poles on the basis of the low bid of $10,730.40, and that $10,730.40 be appropriated
for the contract. The poles will be used as light standards for the Greenwood Softball
Complex.
c. That the Oso Fishing Pier Improvements constructed by W. T. Young
Construction Company be accepted and final payment of $35,163.00 be made to the con-
tractor. The total cost was $44,883.00. The fishing pier was constructed by narrowing
the original roadway to eight feet. Four shelter bays and 250 linear feet of heavy
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
May 1, 1974
Page 5
•
duty benches were constructed on the pier. The project was substantially
assisted to a large extent through a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department and the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation.
d. That Trinity Engineering Testing Corporation be engaged to provide
testing services in connection with repairs to runways and taxiways at International
Airport. The total fee is $2,500.00. No appropriation is required since the
original appropriation for runway repairs is sufficient.
e. That the acquisition of Parcels 293 and 328 of the Corpus Christi
Beach Park Sites Project be approved from the W. E. Pope Estate and $81,073.00 be
appropriated out of the Fourth Entitlement Period Revenue Sharing Fund (1973-74)
to cover acquisition costs and related expenses. These parcels are part of the
acquisition program for the second phase of Corpus Christi Beach Park.
f. That values be approved for three parcels in Block 70 of the Bayfront
Science Park Expansion Project for $59,650 and that this amount be appropriated from
Fourth Entitlement Period Revenue Sharing (1973-74). Block 70 is bounded by Hughes,
North Chaparral, Resaca and North Mesquite. The property is owned by Mrs. Ethel
Bates, Trustee. Approved values still remain to be set for Block 91, part of which
is still being appraised.
g. That a minimum speed limit of 45 mph be established on I.H. 37 from
Corn Products Road east, on S.H. 286 (Crosstown Expressway) from I.H. 37 to Padre
Island Drive, and on Padre Island Drive from Clare Drive to a point 3,650 feet north-
west of Ayers Street. Prior to the State-w4de speed limit reduction, minimum speed
limits of 50 and 55 mph existed on these expressway sections. This measure was
recommended by the Traffic Safety Advisory Board and the Highway Department.
Mr. Pat Horkin, attorney representing the Corpus Christi Beach Taxpayers
Association, complained to the Council that the Inspection Division had issued a
permit to Cablevision TV to construct an antenna tower in an area on Corpus Christi
Beach which is not in conformance with the zoning ordinance. He stated notice had
not been given to property owners of this construction and, to his knowledge, there
had been no request for a change in zoning. Mr. Horkin stated the organization he
represents feels that the construction of this tower will damage the development of
the Beach and the proposed park at the north end of the Beach. He also pointed out
that the zoning ordinance provides that the grantee of a permit (franchise) shall
keep on file with the City Secretary a current list of shareholders and bondholders,
• •
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
May 1, 1974
Page 6
and it should be the responsibility of the City Staff to see that this provision is
complied with. He stated he had called these matters to the attention of the City
Manager by letter dated March 21 of this year and had no response.
City Manager Townsend stated the list of bondholders and shareholders
would be checked and the information given to Mr. Horkin.
Motion by Lozano, seconded by Tom Gonzales and passed, that the City
Manager's Reports, Items "a" through "g", be accepted, and the requests and recom-
mendations be approved as presented by City Manager Townsend.
City Manager Townsend presented and reviewed the proposed ordinances
appearing on the agenda.
Mr. Steve Bolden, Mrs. Grenelle Dorn, and Mrs. Mary Meador, spoke in
protest of the ordinance, read on the first of three readings April 24, approving
a new rate schedule for Central Power & Light Company. They protested on the basis
that the rate left in effect by the compromise would work a hardship on the poor
people of the City, and asked for reconsideration of the ordinance. Mr. Bolden
requested that a special committee be appointed for the purpose of making an investi-
gation as to the desires of the people.
Commissioner Branch read excerpts from a letter addressed to the City
Manager and dated April 22, 1974, from a member of the Austin law firm which was
employed to defend the City in the suit by Central Power & Light Company. The
letter had been placed before the Council immediately before the meeting, and in
essence, was to make it clear that this firm did not recommend the compromise
settlement as set out in the ordinance and the Council should not justify its
action to accept the proposal based upon the recommendation of the firm. Commis-
sioner Branch also read from a list of figures prepared by the Staff showing how much
the Central Power & Light rate dispute had cost the City, and how much the consumers
have been saved by not granting the full increase as the Company had sought in 1972.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Acuff that the Council be polled on the
ordinances as presented.
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CORPUS CHRISTI CITY CODE, 1958, AS
AMENDED, BY AMENDING SECTION 21-68 SO AS TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM SPEED LIMITS ON
CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE CROSSTOWN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 37; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION.
The foregoing ordinance was read for the first time and passed to its
second reading by the following vote: Luby, Acuff, Branch, Tom Gonzales, Ricardo
Gonzalez, Lozano, present and voting "Aye"; Stark, absent.
• •
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
May 1, 1974
Page 7
SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 4168, GENERALLY REFERRED
TO AS THE PLATTING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, AS AMENDED, AND
PARTICULARLY AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO. 5472, BY AMENDING THE MINIMUM STANDARD
SPECIFICATIONS SET FORTH IN SUBPARAGRPAHS 4(c) AND 4(d) OF SUBSECTION B OF SECTION V
OF SAID ORDINANCE SO AS TO REQUIRE ALL STREET NAME SIGNS TO BE MOUNTED ON TWO-INCH
HOT DIP GALVANIZED STEEL PIPE INSTEAD OF 4" x 4" WOOD POSTS; PROVIDING FOR SAVINGS;
AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION.
The Foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to its
third reading by the following vote: Luby, Acuff, Branch, Tom Gonzales, Ricardo
Gonzalez, and Lozano, present and voting "Aye"; Stark absent.
SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 11392; APPROVING A NEW
RATE SCHEDULE FOR THE FURNISHING OF ELECTRICITY AND ELECTRIC SERVICE WITHIN THE
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, BY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY; REQUIRING A
WRITTEN STATEMENT ON COST OF FUEL; PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL NOT LIMIT
POWERS OF REGULATION OF THE CITY; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
The foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to its
third reading by the following vote: Luby, Acuff, Tom Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez
and Lozano, present and voting "Aye"; Branch voting "Nay" and Stark absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 12028
THIRD READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CORPUS CHRISTI CITY CODE, AS AMENDED, BY
ADDING TO CHAPTER 18, GARBAGE, TRASH AND WASTES, A NEW SECTION, TO BE NUMBERED 18-34A,
TO PROVIDE FOR SPECIAL PERMITS FOR DISPOSAL OF GARBAGE AT THE J. C. ELLIOTT SANITARY
LANDFILL; PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION.
The foregoing ordinance was read for the third time and passed finally
by the following vote: Luby, Acuff, Branch, Tom Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez and
Lozano, present and voting "Aye"; Stark absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 12029
THIRD READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CORPUS CHRISTI CITY CODE, AS AMENDED BY
REPEALING SECTION 21-44 AND ADOPTING NEW SEUION NUMBERED 21-44 SO AS TO RATIFY,
CONFIRM AND DECLARE TO BE OFFICIAL ALL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES INSTALLED AND IN
SERVICE AT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ORDINANCE AND SUCH INSTALLATIONS AS ARE
AUTHORIZED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND INSTALLED; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING
FOR PUBLICATION.
The foregoing ordinance was read for the third time and passed finally by
the following vote: Luby, Acuff, Branch, Tom Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez and Lozano,
present and voting "Aye"; Stark absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 12030
THIRD READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CORPUS CHRISTI CITY CODE, AS AMENDED BY
AMENDING SECTION 21-9, OBSTRUCTING STREET INTERSECTIONS WITH SHRUBS, STRUCTURES, ETC.,
SUBSECTION (a) THEREOF, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL
APPLY TO ALL AREAS DESIGNATED AND CLASSIFIED BY THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
EXCEPT THOSE ZONES DESIGNATED AS "B-5" OR "B-6"; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING
FOR PUBLICATION.
The foregoing ordinance was read for the third time and passed finally by
the following vote: Luby, Acuff, Branch, Tom Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez and Lozano,
present and voting "Aye"; Stark absent.
•
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
May 1, 1974
Page 8
ORDINANCE NO. 12031
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR THE ACQUISI-
TION OF PARCELS 49 THROUGH 51 OF BLOCK 70, ALL OUT OF THE BEACH PORTION OF THE
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, FOR THE BAYFRONT SCIENCE PARK AREA EXPANSION PROJECT;
APPROPRIATING OUT OF NO. 124 GENERAL REVENUE SHARING FUND, $59,650 OF WHICH AMOUNT
$53,350 IS FOR LAND ACQUISITION AT APPROVED VALUE AND $6,300 IS FOR INCIDENTAL
EXPENSES REIATED TO CLOSING AND OTHER CONTINGENCIES; 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 absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 12032
AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF A PURCHASE ORDER TO CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY FOR
ACQUISITION OF TWENTY-EIGHT (28) WOODEN POLES TO BE USED AS LIGHT STANDARDS
FOR THE FOUR -FIELD SOFTBALL COMPLEX IN GREENWOOD PARK; APPROPRIATING OUT OF THE
NO. 291 PARK BOND FUND THE SUM OF $10,730.40 FOR THE AFORESAID PURCHASE, APPLICABLE
TO PROJECT NO. 291-72-2; 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 absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 12033
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR THE ACQUISITION OF
PARCELS 293 AND 328 FOR THE CORPUS CHRISTI BEACH PARK SITES PROJECT; APPROPRIATING
OUT OF 124 GENERAL REVENUE SHARING FUND $81,073, OF WHICH AMOUNT $80,500 IS FOR
LAND PURCHASES AT THE APPROVED VALUE AND $573 IS FOR INCIDENTAL COSTS RELATED TO
CLOSING COSTS; 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 absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 12034
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 AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME AND PARTICULARLY AS AMENDED BY
ORDINANCE N0. 5106, AS AMENDED, UPON APPLICATION OF CORPUS CHRISTI TEACHERS CREDIT
UNION BY AMENDING THE ZONING MAP BY CHANGING THE ZONING ON A 20.231 -ACRE TRACT OF
LAND OUT OF LOTS 1 AND 8, SECTION 4, BOHEMIAN COLONY LANDS, SITUATED IN THE CITY
OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS, FROM "R -1B" ONE -FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT TO
"AB" PROFESSIONAL OFFICE DISTRICT ON TRACT 1 (6.104 ACRES), AND FROM "R -1B" ONE
FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT TO "B-1" NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT ON TRACT 2 (14.127
ACRES); KEEPING IN EFFECT ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE AS AMENDED;
REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; 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,
present and voting "Aye"; Stark absent.
RESOLUTION NO. 12035
RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH A BRIEF RECORD OF THE MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MR. CHARLES A.
BONNIWELL III, AND THE CITIZENS OF THIS COMMUNITY JOIN IN MOURNING THE LOSS OF THIS
VALUABLE CITIZEN; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by
•
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
May 1, 1974
Page 9
the following vote: Luby, Acuff, Branch, Tom Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez and
Lozano, present and voting "Aye"; Stark absent.
Mayor Luby called for petitions or information from the Council on matters
not scheduled on the agenda.
Mr. Dean Flynn, representative of the Nueces County Historical Society and
Nueces County Survey Committee, appeared and stated he had made application to be on
next week's agenda relative to the usage and preservation of the old houses located
in the Bayfront Science Park area.
Motion by Acuff, seconded by Lozano and passed, that the Regular Meeting
be recessed, during which time the Council held the Regular Meeting of the Corpus
Christi Municipal Gas Corporation and Workshop meeting.
* * * * *
The Regular Meeting which was recessed awaiting the appearance of Mr.
Calvin Floyd, or his attorney in regard to his appeal from a decision of the Electrical
Advisory Board, was reconvened. It was determined that Mr. Floyd or his attorney
understood the hearing would be postponed and did not plan to be present on this dated
Motion by Acuff, seconded by Lozano and passed, that the hearing on the
appeal of Mr. Floyd be postponed until June 12, during the Regular meeting as requested
by his attorney.
Motion by Acuff, seconded by Branch and passed, that the Regular Meeting
be adjourned at 4:25 p.m., May 1, 1974.