HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 09/04/1974•
PRESENT:
MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
September 4, 1974
2:00 P.M.
* Mayor Jason Luby
Mayor Pro Tem James T. Acuff
Commissioners:
Thomas V. Gonzales
Ricardo Gonzalez
Gabe Lozano, Sr.
J. Howard Stark
**
City Manager R. Marvin Townsend
Executive Asst. City Attorney Michael May
City Attorney James R. Riggs
City Secretary Bill G. Read
Mayor Pro Tem James T. Acuff called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber of
the City Hall in the temporary absence of Mayor Jason Luby.
The Invocation was given by Commissioner Lozano in the absence of the invited Guest
Chaplain.
City Secretary Bill G. Read called the roll of those in attendance.
Motion by Stark, seconded by Tom Gonzales and passed, that the minutes of the Regular
Council Meeting of August 14; Special Meeting of August 14; and of the Regular Meeting of
August 21, 1974, be approved as submitted to the Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Acuff announced the issuance of proclamations as follows: WOMEN IN
CONSTRUCTION WEEK, September 9 through 13, 1974; and SQUARE DANCING WEEK,
September 9 through 14, 1974.
Motion by Ricardo Gonzalez, seconded by Lozano and passed, that the absence of
Commissioner Branch be excused for just cause.
Mayor Pro Tem Acuff called for the City Manager's Reports, and City Manager Townsend
presented requests and recommendations with related comments and explanations, as follows:
a. That a public hearing be held at 3:30 p.m., October 2, 1974, on the following
zoning applications:
(1) Padre Leasing, Inc. - "A-1" to "B-4", located on the northeast corner of
Monitor Street and South Padre Island Drive.
(2) Mr. James E. Faris - "R -1B" to "8-4", located on the east end of Whiteley
Drive adjacent to the Laguna Madre.
(3)
Mr. Roland Garcia - "R -lb" to "AB", located on the northeast corner of
Spring Street and Gollihar Road.
(4) Mr. George Moody, Trustee - "R -1B" to "13-4", located on the northwest
corner of Holly Road and Carroll Lane.
b. That a public hearing be held at 3:00 p.m. on September 25, 1974 on the following
zoning applications:
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(1)
(2)
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Nueces Bay Development Co., Inc. - "AT" to "B-4", located at the north
end of Corpus Christi Beach near the south approach of the Nueces Bay
Causeway, fronting approximately 770' along the west side of U.S. Highway
#181 for a depth of approximately 130'.
Text Amendment - Amend Article 31, Newly Annexed Territory, Section 31-5,
by adding two new subsections to be designated as 31-5.11 to prezone a
7.39 -acre area for "AT" and 31-5.12 to prezone a 15.76 -acre area for "B-4".
c. That a public hearing be held at 3:00 p.m., September 25, 1974, for the contractual
annexation of 23.15 acres located between Highway #181 and Canal A. The developer, Nueces
Bay Development Company, Inc., also owns 9.74 acres which are already in the City between
the highway and the property to be annexed.
d. That a public hearing be held on October 2, 1974 on the request of Carl L. Duaine
to close the alley located between Brownlee and Mexico, south of Lots 8 through 13, Block 3,
Jones Addition.
e. That a public hearing be held on October 2, 1974 on the request of Carl Duaine
to close the north 1/2 of an extension of Purdue Street between Flour Bluff Drive and Cayo Del
Oso. The Master Storm Sewer Plan and the Master Transportation Plan propose using the right-of-
way for a future storm sewer and collector street to serve the surrounding vacant property when it
develops.
f. That bids be received at11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 24, 1974 for replacement
glass for City vehicles. This is the first time that this item has been recommended for bids for an
annual supply contract.
g. That a contract be awarded to International Harvester Sales & Service, Corpus
Christi, for a 40 HP tractor for the Oso Golf Course for the low bid including trade-in of $5,350.00.
Three bids were received. A price comparison reveals an increase of 34% over a like purchase in
1972. (Bid Tab #49-74)
h. That a contract be awarded to Duncan Meter Company, Elk Grove, 111., for 115
double parking meters with 10 -hour time limit and 80 10 -hour time limit conversion kits for Parking
Control for the low bid of $11,928.75. The meters are part of the program to implement the revised
parking meter regulations recently approved. Bids were received from two firms. Price increase
from the previous meter bids is 3.6%. (Bid Tab #50-74)
i. That the 200, 300 and 400 blocks of Chaparral Street and the 300 and 400 blocks
of Lawrence and Williams Streets be closed to vehicular traffic from 7:30 p.m. Friday, September 13,
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1974 to 12:00 Midnight Sunday, September 15, 1974 so that LULAC Ladies Council No. 26 can
sponsor their 4th Annual Fiesta Mexicana de Corpus Christi. The Central Business District Associa-
tion has submitted a letter endorsing this Fiesta.
j. That a contract be authorized with the Credit Bureau Collections, a division of
Associated Credit Services, Inc. at 509 Lawrence Street, to assist in collecting City utility bills
that have been transferred to inactive status. These accounts involve people who have moved out
of the City. The charge for the service will be one-half of the amount collected. Last year bad
accounts more than 1-2 years past due transferred to inactive status were $32,704. Past experiences
indicate something less than $200.00 per year has been collected on these accounts. The Credit
Bureau is a member of a national computer system which makes credit information available to all
credit bureaus which should enhance collections from people who have moved away.
k. That the contract with Malek, Inc. for modification to the air conditioning system
at Parkdale Library be accepted and final payment of $2,539.30 be authorized. The total cost of
construction is $18,184.00. An appropriation of $2,098.00 is requested to supplement previous
appropriations for this work due to two change orders for a total of $2,882 for a replacement for
fans and blowers to reduce noise levels and additional maintenance access and safety vents.
I. That the preliminary plans for improvements to Flynn and Shea Parkways be approved
and authority to prepare the final drawings for bidding, be granted. The plans include construction
of a 8' concrete lined channel with 2' vertical walls, grading the sides to approximately four to
one slope, placing top soil, seeding the slopes, installation of a sprinkler system, and the construc-
tion of a six foot wide bicycle path the entire length of the proposed improvement on at least one
side of the ditch. The project was included in the 1972 bond program.
m. That the appointment of Douglas Matthews to the position of Assistant Director of
Public Utilities be confirmed. Mr. Matthews holds a degree in Chemical Engineering and has 21
years of division level Utilities Management experience with the City. He was appointed Assistant
Wastewater Superintendent in 1953 and General Wastewater Superintendent in 1968.
Motion by Stark, seconded by Ricardo Gonzalez and passed, that the City Manager's
Reports, Items "a" through "m" be accepted, and the requests and recommendations be granted,
approved, and adopted, as presented by City Manager Townsend.
* (Mayor Luby arrived during the discussion of the ordinances.)
Mr. Robert Blackmon, attorney representing Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Emerson and Fiorentino
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Shelton dba SEBBCO Sports, Inc. (All Star Wrestling), spoke in portest of the proposed ordinance
for establishment of a policy of giving conventions precedence over most local events booked at
the Coliseum and Exposition Hall during off-peak tourist season, which ordinance passed on first
reading August 28, 1974, and is being presented for second reading at this time. Mr. Blackmon
opposed the ordinance for the following reasons: (1) discriminates against local organizations and
institutions in favor of out-of-town entities; (2) discriminates against smaller, non-political local
activities in favor of the Buccaneer Commission Ice Show and the Mexican Consul; (3) may well
operate to deny completely the use of the Coliseum and Exposition Hall by local organizations and
institutions whose activities are too large for other existing facilities in Corpus Christi. He filed
with the City Secretary and Council written statement setting forth his objections. Mr. Blackmon
further pointed out that the Coliseum and Exposition Hall are the only facilities in this City
adequate to house large activities that use the Coliseum on an annual recurring basis, some of which
are long time users. He stated All Star Wrestling is a regular paying customer of the Coliseum for
approximately 41 out of 52 Thursday nights during the year, and together with the concessionaire,
paid the City $18,324.06 for the year 1973-74. He stated his clients do not oppose tourism and do
want the City to prosper, but feel the ordinance is clearly discriminatory and may spell the end of
the use of the Coliseum by All Star Wrestling and other local entities. He further commented that
the issue may be the need to expand our convention facilities in this City. He presented a petition
containing some 450 signatures of persons interested in keeping wrestling events in the City and
urging the Council to include weekly wrestling events on the exempted list within the body of the
convention booking policy. (Petition 010-74) Mayor Luby asked that it be noted that he signed
the petition. He stated he felt the policy would hurt local activities.
Mrs. Margie Bennett, concessionaire at the Coliseum, spoke in opposition to the
ordinance on the basis that when she had bid on concessions the bid was based on an average
percentage of events. She pointed out that when the Driscoll Hotel closed, she had asked for
kitchen facilities but had been turned down. She stated she is opposed to the proposed ordinance
unless these kitchen facilities are provided.
** (City Attorney Riggs arrived at Council table, relieving Executive Assistant City Attorney
May.)
City Manager Townsend stated the proposed policy is now in effect by and large and has
been for several years, and the ordinance would only put on record a policy which was agreed to
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by previous councils. He explained that the policy had not been closely followed, but that it
provides that bookings by groups other than conventions do not become final until a year before
the date desired, the primary exceptions being Buccaneer Commission Ice Show and the Mexican
Consul's Diez Y Seis Celebration.
Mr. Gilchirst, representative of Boy Scouts, spoke in opposition to the proposed
ordinance, pointing out the importance of Boy Scout activities to the community and asked for
assurance that their annual Scout -O -Rama will be booked on weekends as usual.
City Manager Townsend presented the Council with a list of tentative booked dates for
the Coliseum and Exposition Hall. Following a lengthy discussion, the Council concluded that it
would be difficult to eliminate any of the local activities appearing on the list. Mr. Blackmon
requested that he be allowed to submit suggested amendments prior to the third reading of the
ordinance.
Motion by Acuff, seconded by Lozano and passed, that the second reading of the pro-
posed ordinance establishing a policy for bookings at the Memorial Coliseum and Exposition Hall,
be tabled pending more information and a closer look at the local events and their scheduling;
that the matter be further discussed at the workshop meeting of September 11, at 11:00 a.m., and
that representatives of all the local users of the Coliseum be invited to attend, including Mr. Bob
Conwell of the Tourist Bureau.
ORDINANCE NO. 12249
THIRD READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER
TO ACCEPT AND APPROVE AN AMENDMENT OF ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
CORPUS CHRISTI BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, TRUSTEE, AND GARY R. LEVITZ, TO
HELICOPTERS, INC., AND HERMAN BARNETT, INDIVIDUALLY, AND DBA TROPICAiR COVER-
ING A COMMERICAL HANGAR AND FIXED BASE AVIATION LEASE PLOT ON CORPUS CHRISTI
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SITE, AS SHOWN AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE
AMENDMENT OF ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT, COPY OF WHICH IS ATTACHED HERETO AND
MADE A PART HEREOF, MARKED EXHIBIT "A".
The foregoing ordinance was read for the third time and passed finally by the following
vote: Luby, Acuff, Thomas Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez, Lozano and Stark, present and voting
"Aye"; Branch absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 12250
FINDING THAT THE FIESTA MEXICANA DE CORPUS CHRISTI ON SEPTEMBER 14 AND 15, 1974 IS
IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC WELFARE BY ADVANCING ETHNIC AND CULTURAL UNDER-
STANDING AND IS BENEFICIAL TO THE ECONOMY OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI;
CLOSING THE 200, 300 AND 400 BLOCKS OF CHAPARRAL STREET AND THE 300 AND 400
BLOCKS OF LAWRENCE AND WILLIAMS
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STREET TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 7:30 P.M. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1974 TO 12:00
MIDNIGHT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1974 FOR SAID FIESTA SPONSORED BY LULAC LADIES
COUNCIL 6126; PROVIDING FOR BARRICADES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLE ENTRANCE; PRO-
VIDING FOR LIABILITY INSURANCE, RESTORATION OF DAMAGED CITY PROPERTY, APPROVAL
OF THE ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR FOR CERTAIN CHANGES,
REQUIRED PERMITS FOR BEER AND FOOD, COMPLIANCE WITH CITY CODES AND PROHIBITING
CERTAIN MARKINGS AND REQUIRING THE SPONSOR TO RESTORE THE AREA FOR USE FOR
VEHICULAR TRAFFIC; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE ATTACHED
APPLICATION PERMIT; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR PUBLICATION; PROVIDING
FOR SEVERANCE; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following
vote: Luby, Acuff, Thomas Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez, Lozano and Stark, present and voting
"Aye"; Branch absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 12251
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI AND CREDIT BUREAU COLLECTIONS,
A DIVISION OF ASSOCIATED CREDIT SERVICES, INC., LOCATED AT 509 LAWRENCE STREET,
CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS, APPOINTING SAID CREDIT BUREAU COLLEC-
TIONS AS ITS AGENT FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF COLLECTING AND ASSISTING THE
COLLECTION OF UTILITY BILLS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES, CITY OF CORPUS
CHRISTI, OF CUSTOMERS WHO NO LONGER HAVE SERVICES WITH THE CITY OF CORPUS
CHRISTI AND WHOSE ACCOUNTS HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO INACTIVE ACCOUNTS AND
DEEMED UNCOLLECTABLE, TERMINATION UPON BREACH OF AGREEMENT BY AGENT HEREIN
PROVIDED FOR, FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF FEES AS SHOWN HEREIN, ALL IN ACCORD-
ANCE WITH SAID AGREEMENT, A COPY OF WHICH IS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART
HEREOF, MARKED EXHIBIT "A"; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following
vote: Luby, Acuff, Thomas Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez, Lozano and Stark, present and voting
"Aye"; Branch absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 12252
AMENDING THE CITY BUDGET FOR THE NO. 121 FIRST ENTITLEMENT PERIOD GENERAL
REVENUE SHARING FUND BY REDUCING THE APPROPRIATION FOR THE CHIQUITA PARK
(PINE AND PUEBLO PARK) LAND ACQUISITION, ACCOUNT 5602, CODE 501, FROM $10,000
TO $7,902 AND INCREASING APPROPRIATIONS FOR PARKDALE LIBRARY AIR CONDITIONING
MODIFICATIONS, ACCOUNT 3912, CODE 345, FROM $17,000 TO $19,098; APPROPRIATING
AND REAPPROPRIATING $2,098 TO SUPPLEMENT EXISTING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE
CONTRACT WITH MALEK, INC. FOR MODIFICATIONS TO THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
AT PARKDALE LIBRARY, APPLICABLE TO ACCOUNT 3912, CODE 345; AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following
vote: Luby, Acuff, Thomas Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez, Lozano and Stark, present and voting
"Aye"; Branch absent.
Mayor Luby called for petitions from the audience on matters not scheduled on the
agenda.
Mr. William H. Martin, 317 Santa Monica Street, representing various civic and social
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September 4, 1974
Page 7
associations, served written notice to the Council of their intent to submit petitions within two
weeks requesting that a special election be held for the revision of the City Charter to provide for
a strong mayor form of government. Mr. Martin submitted twelve names of persons chosen from
Good Government League, Corpus Christi Taxpayers Association, West Side Taxpayers Association,
South Side Civic Association, South Side Tax Association, as recommended members of the Charter
Revision Committee. (Petition #11-74)
Mr. Eugene Clough, 311 Hayes Street, spoke representing the Corpus Christi Beach
Taxpayers Association, and complained that a trailer park, occupying land owned by the City and
leased to the trailer park owner, is blocking some 1000 feet of access to the beach and depriving
the public, particularly fishermen, from their rightful use of the beach area. He requested that
the City not renew the lease which expires next year.
City Manager Townsend stated he had been of the opinion that access to the beach was
provided in the lease, but that the lease would be checked.
In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Ricardo Gonzalez, City Attorney Riggs stated
that this beach, being on baywater, is not subject to the Texas Open Beach Law.
There being no further business to come before the Council, motion by Acuff, seconded
by Lozano and passed, that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 3:40 p.m. September 4, 1974,
to hold public hearings scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
* * * * * *
Motion by Acuff, seconded by Ricardo Gonzalez and passed, that the Regular Meeting
be reconvened.
Commissioner Stark stated that, in view of a letter which had been received from Dr.
Mclver Furman, chairman of the Goals Steering Committee, suggesting that because of the pressing
time requirements of Mayor Luby, an additional City representative be named to serve on the Goals
for Corpus Christi Committee, requested that a new appointment be made.
Mayor Luby nominated Commissioner Stark for this committee, and the nomination was
approved by acclamation.
There being no further business to come before the Council, motion by Acuff, seconded
by Lozano and passed, that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 4:50 p.m., September 4, 1974.