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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 05/07/1975MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS REGUIAR COUNCIL MEETING May 7, 1975 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. J. Howard Stark City Manager R. Marvin Townsend Acting City Attorney Michael May City Secretary Bill G. Read Mayor Pro Tem James T. Acuff called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber of the City Hall. , The Invocation was given by Reverend A. Arnott Ward, pastor of Jackson Woods Presbyterian Church. City Secretary Bill G. Read called the roll of ,those in attendance. Proclamations were issued as follows: NATIONAL NURSING HOME WEEK, May 11 through May 17, 1975; NATIONAL HOSPITAL WEEK, May 11 through May 17, 1975; SAFETY PATROL WEEK, May 11 through May 17, 1975; and Mayor Pro Tem James Acuff called for the City Manager's Reports, and City Manager Townsend presented the following requests and recommendations with related comments and explanations: following: be received at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 27, 1975 for the. (1) A replacement hose tender body for the Fire Department to be placed on a cab and previously purchased chassis (2) A replacement 5 -ton and 3 -ton air conditioning compressor and condensing unit for the central air conditioning system at the Stevens Filter Plant. (3) A 4 -month concession contract on McGee Beach. The contract will be subject to termination or relocation on the beach if such becomes necessary so that the present construction contracts thereon will not be hampered. b. That the speed limit ordinance for Shoreline Boulevard be clarified to reflect the name change made in September, 1972. The name was changed from "East" and "West" Shoreline Boulevard to "North" and"South" Shoreline Boulevard. The ordinance was not amended to reflect the change. The speed limit is 35 mph from Craig Avenue to Hirsch Street and 25 mph in the vicinity of Park Avenue when flashers so designating the speed are operating. c. That parking be prohibited on the east side of Tancahua Street between Mestina and Lipan next to the Corpus Christi Bank and Trust Motor Bank to provide a lane for slow moving traffic which is entering the bank driveway, as recommended by the Traffic Safety Advisory Board, • ar Council Meeting / May 7, 1975 - Page 2 d. That parking meter time limits be reduced from 10 hours to 2 hours on upper Broadway between Lipan and Blucher Streets. This action is recommended by the Traffic Safety Advisory Board so that more parking spaces will be available for visitors to the Centennial House. The original request was made by the Corpus Christi Heritage Society. Southwestern Bell has no objection since parking conditions around this building will be improved when this new building on Staples is occupied this fall. e. That the assignment of the'County's old lease for the Fisherman's Folly Bait Stand business located on the John F. Kennedy Causeway at the Humble Channel, from Mr. Floyd Beauregard to Mr. Frank Biermann, be approved. f. That a resolution be approved indicating the City's intent to participate in an areawide waste treatment management plan under Section 208 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972. The Coastal Bend Council of Governments would be the study coordinator and contract major portions of the study activities dealing with the City of Corpus Christi and its environs to the City. There will be a 100% Federal grant. The proposed study area includes all of Corpus Christi and portions of Nueces and San Patricio Counties to Port Aransas and Aransas Pass. It is also hoped that Rockport and the Nueces River from Calallen to the Dam will be included. g. That authority be granted to submit an application for a Criminal Justice Grant for second year funding of "The Police Legal Advisor" for $34,497 totally funded by C.J.C. The City will furnish office space, a desk and $29,712 in-kind personnel services. The grant application includes a secretary for the Legal Advisor. This position was not in the first year grant. This will be the first full year grant for this project. The present grant was for 8 months. h. That the proposed lease by the MH -MR Board of Trustees of the Lynnhaven Nursing Home, 1523 South Alameda, be approved. The building will house the Adult Day Care Program and the Chaparral Halfway House which are now in two leased facilities. The proposed lease is for one year for a rental of $600 per month. i. Recommendation that the Nueces County Mental Health -Mental Retardation Board of Trustees be authorized to submit tentative applications for the continuation of the adult and children mental health staffing grants to be submitted to the Regional Health Administration of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The County Commiss- ioners' Court tentatively approved the continuation applications on May 6. It is necessary that the applications be submitted in order to meet filing deadlines. Approval is recommended subject to the understanding that the sponsors retain "the right to approve the budget that will use these grant funds and to further approve the number of jobs and the salary for each. In approving the forwarding of the continuation grant requests we do not necessarily endorse the programs operated during 1974-75." Motion by Ricardo Gonzalez, seconded by Lozano and passed, that the City Manager's Reports be accepted, and Items "a" through "i" be approved, granted and adopted as presented by City Manager Townsend. Mr. Paul A. Vogler, Jr. complained that he had been prevented from campe Minutes Regular Council Meeting May 7, 1975 Page 3 near certain polling places in the that his truck with campaign signs outside the 100 -foot limit marker. Air May 20, 1975 Mayor & Council Election alleging was illegally impounded even though it was parked Mr. Vogler filed formal charges in contest of actions of the Election Judge and requested that the alleged illegal impoundment fees in the amount of $11.00 be returned to him. (Council Exhibit #2-75)_Commis- sioners Ricardo Gonzalez and Lozano also complained that members of their families were prevented from campaigning near the polls. City Manager Townsend explained that a city ordinance prevents persons from placing signs on public property which was the authority for signs being removed on buildings or stuck in the ground at schools being used for polling places. City Manager Townsend presented and discussed ordinances appearing on the agenda. FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY CODE, AS AMENDED BY AMENDING SECTION 21-131, PARKING METER ZONES ESTABLISHED, BY AMENDING SUBSECTION (a), METER ZONE NO. 1, SO AS TO DELETE ITEM (5), UPPER BORADWAY - BLUCHER STREET TO LIPAN STREET, AND ADDING TO SUBSECTION (c), METER ZONE NO. 3, THE STREET, UPPER BROADWAY - BLUCHER STREET TO LIPAN STREET; AMENDING SECTION 21-155, SCHEDULE III, "PARKING PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES ON CERTAIN STREETS", BY ADDING THERETO AN ITEM TO THE EFFECT OF PRO- HIBITING PARKING AT ALL TIMES ON THE EAST SIDE OF NORTH TANCAHUA STREET, FROM A POINT 190 FEET NORTH OF MESTINA STREET TO A POINT 225 FEET NORTH OF LIPAN STREET; 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, Thomas Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez, Lozano and Stark, present and voting "Aye". SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 4168, THE PLATTING ORDINANCE AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, BY AMENDING SECTION IV, DESIGN STANDARDS, BY DELETING THE PRESENT PARAGRAPH G, AND IN LIEU THEREOF, ADDING A NEW PARAGRAPH G, LARGE TRACT DI7ISION, SO AS TO ALLOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF ONE -ACRE OR MORE LOTS IN THE "RE" ZONING DISTRICT WITHOUT CURBS, GUTTERS AND SIDEWALKS, AND MODIFYING OTHER SUBDIVISION DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS THEREFOR; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; 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, Thomas Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez, Lozano and Stark, present and voting "Aye". ORDINANCE NO. 12606 AMENDING THE CORPUS CHRISTI CITY CODE, AS AMENDED, BY AMENDING SECTION 21-68, INCREASE OF STATE SPEED LIMIT IN CERTAIN ZONES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR SPEED LIMIT IN CERTAIN ZONES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR SPEED LIMIT OF 35 MILES PER HOUR, AT ALL TIMES,.ON NORTH AND SOUTH SHORELINE BOULEVARD, NORTH BOUND ONLY, FROM THE NORTH CURB LINE OF CRAIG AVENUE TO HIRSCH STREET; AND AMENDING SECTION 21-69, DECREASE OF STATE LAW MAXIMUM SPEED, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR SPEED LIMIT OF 25 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN FLASHERS ARE OPERATING DESIGNATING SUCH SPEED, ON NORTH SHORELINE BOULEVARD, NORTH BOUND ONLY, FROM A POINT 588 FEET SOUTH OF THE CENTERLINE OF PARK AVENUE TO A POINT 390 FEET NORTH OF THE CENTERLINE OF PARK AVENUE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Luby, Acuff, Branch, Thomas Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez, Lozano and Stark, present and voting "Aye". Minutes Regular Council Meeting May 7, 1975 Page 4 ORDINANCE N0. 12607 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COUNCIL FOR SECOND YEAR FUNDING OF THE POLICE LEGAL ADVISOR, A SUBSTANTIAL COPY OF THE GRANT APPLICATION BEING 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, Branch, Thomas Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez, Lozano and Stark, present and voting "Aye". RESOLUTION N0. 12608 DECLARING THE INTENT OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI TO JOIN WITH OTHER LOCAL GOVERN- MENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PREPARING AND IMPLEMENTING A COORDINATED WASTE TREATMENT MANAGEMENT PIAN; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing resolution was passed by the following vote: Luby, Acuff, Branch, Lozano and Stark, present and voting "Aye". ORDINANCE NO. 12609 Thomas Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez, CANVASSING RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE GENERAL ELECTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI HELD ON THE 3RD DAY OF MAY, 1975; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: Luby, Acuff, Branch, Thomas Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez, Lozano and Stark, present and voting "Aye". ORDINANCE N0. 12610 CALLING A RUNOFF ELECTION FOR THE OFFICE OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI TO BE HELD ON THE SECOND TUESDAY AFTER THIS CALL OF ELECTION, THE SAME BEING MAY 20, 1975; DESIGNATING PLACES OF HOLDING SUCH ELECTION; NAMING THE 'FFICERS 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: Luby, Acuff, Branch, Thomas Gonzales, Ricardo Gonzalez, Lozano and Stark, present and voting "Aye". Mayor Pro Tem Acuff called for petitions or information from the audience on matters not scheduled on the agenda. Mrs. Elizabeth Price, 4309 Omaha, complained to the Council that she had seen hundreds of campaign signs on telephone poles and public rights of way all the way up and down Gollihar and Ayers Streets, and in public places all over the City. She stated these signs should be removed and this should be the responsibility of the candidate. City Manager Townsend stated that these signs are being removed and that he had physically inspected the the stockpile of removed signs. Commissioner Minutes Regular Council Meeting .May 7, 1975 Page 5 Stark commended Commissioner Branch for having his signs removed as quickly as possible after the election. Mrs. W. B. Carter,owner of a motel on Corpus Christi Beach, complained that the property had been flooded last week by Bay water washing ashore through City streets and demanded relief. She explained that she had complained of this situation many times since Hurricane Carla and had appeared before the Council two years ago and nothing had been done; that following the recent rain her entire downstairs had been flooded and damaged; that she cannot continue to pay taxes if the condition of the street and area surrounding the motel is such that customers cannot get to the building. She contended that the City could construct a drainage ditch that would eliminate about 90 percent of the flood water and would drain the water toward the harbor. She stated the water is coming from the streets which are higher than her property and the situation made worse when the extension of the jetties was removed. She complained' that too much money is being spent elsewhere. City Manager Townsend told Mrs. Carter that he was aware of the problem but did not think the ditch would help because the property is at about three feet elevation. He explained that the staff was having difficulty getting drainage plans on the entire beach area from the City's consulting engineer; that a new draft has been received which includes a culvert system but he does not think will be satifactory. Director of Engineering and Physical Development explained the overall drainage plan for Corpus Christi Beach, stating that consideration was being given to raising the level of the street in front of Mrs. Carter's motel which could be done with City forces and which could possibly solve Mrs. Carter's problem. The Council directed that a review be made of the drainage plans for the entire Beach area in coordination with the proposed beach restoration project, and also advised /Mrs. Carter to appear before the next Council for possible action involving an appropriation. Relative to a quote from Mayor Luby, appearing in a recent newspaper article, saying that members of this Council were "obligated" to those who contributed to their campaign, Commissioner Stark stated that he considered that statement as a personal affront and resented his integrity being questioned on this Council. He asked Mayor Luby for specific instances when he voted the way he was supposed -to be obligated, and also, to whom was he obligated. Minutes Regular Council Meeting May 7, 1975 Page 6 Mayor Luby stated if he had offended anyone, he "deeply apologized for the offense". He stated he felt this Council is aware of whom he was speaking, commenting that he had "sat at this Council Table many times and observed persons sitting on the front row in numbers who were heavy campaign contributors." Mayor Pro Tem Acuff also referred to a quotation "that during the last two years he had made motions dictated by Mayor Luby", commenting that he assumed this was "poetic license being used in talking about a lot of motions".• He stated he felt this Council is aware that he has done his own thinking during this admin- istration which he considered a high mark in his career. Commissioner Lozano stated he had no knowledge of anyone working behind the scenes and he had had no obligations to anyone. There being no further business to come before the Council, motion by Stark, seconded by Luby and passed, that the meeting be adjourned at 3:25 p.m., Wednesday, May 3, 1975, after which Director of Engineering and Physical Development presented in detail the plansfor construction and restoration of Corpus Christi Beach including drainage