HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 11/19/1975MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 19, 1975
2:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
*Mayor Jason Luby
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Tipton
Commissioners:
**Eduardo de Ases City Manager Marvin Townsend
Ruth Gill Acting City Attorney Michael May
Bob Gulley City Secretary Bill G. Read
Gabe Lozano, Sr.
Edward Sample
Mayor Pro Tem Tipton called the meeting to order in the temporary absence
of Mayor Luby.
The Invocation was given by Reverend George H. Dawson of St. Martin's
Episcopal Church.
City Secretary Bill Read called the roll of those in attendance and stated
there was a quorum of the Council and the necessary Charter Officers present to have
a legally constituted meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Tipton announced the issuance of proclamations in the Mayor's
office relative to the following: MAYFLOWER COMPACT WEEK: November 22 through 29,
1975; and BIBLE WEEK: November 23 through 30, 1975.
Mayor Pro Tem Tipton presented 30 -year service award pins to the following
City employees: Raby L. Bates, a Utilities Serviceman with the Department of Public
Utilities; Edwin H. Gollnick, a Wastewater System General Foreman with the Wastewater
Department; Alvino Lopez, a Water System Mechanic with the Water Department; Andrew
Ordner, a District Fire Chief with the Fire Department; Margaret Richter, a Personnel
Technician II with the Personnel Department; and Pedro M. Guerrero, a Plant Helper
with the Wastewater Department, and commended the employees for their many years of
fine service to the City.
Mayor Pro Tem Tipton called for the City Manager's Reports, and City Manager
Townsend submitted the following requests and recommendations, with related comments
and explanations, to the Council:
a. That authority be granted to receive bids on two 29 cubic yard sideloading
refuse collection chassis and refuse bodies. These units will be used on a trial
basis as two-man units to determine their feasibility and economy in the collection
of refuse. Funds are provided in the 1975-76 budget for the purchase of these two
units. Equal and alternate bids will be received on 20 cubic yard units.
Minutes - Regular Council Meeting
November 19, 1975
Page 2
b. That all bids received for 2 gas-fired swimming pool heaters be rejected
and new bids be received at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 9, 1975. The apparent low
bid of $1,549 did not meet specifications because a 20° temperature use was bid
instead of a 25° as specified. Revaluation has shown that a 20° use is adequate.
The low bid for a unit with a 25° use was $2,230. One heater is a replacement for
Meadow Park pool and the other is an additional for Collier.
c. That bid awards for dust control and shop towel service for one year
for various City operations be made to the following firms on the basis of low bid:
Model Industrial Uniform Service, Corpus Christi -
Item 1 Shop Towels $1,290.00
Item 3 Treated Dust Wipers 45.00
$1,335.00
Texas Industrial Services, Corpus Christi
Item 2 Fender Covers 125.00
Item 4 24" Treated Dust Mops 400.00
Item 5 24" Treated Mop Heads 137.50
Item 6 30" Treated Mop Heads 19.50
Item 7 36" Treated Mop Heads 337.50
Item 8 Walk Off Mats 3' x 5' 480.00
Item 9 Walk Off Mats 3' x 4' 124.80
Estimated Total $1,624.30
Bids were received from 2 firms.
d. That the bid award for a 12 month's supply of 50% concentration hydrogen
peroxide and related pumping equipment to be used for in-line treatment and odor
and corrosion control at the Broadway and Westside system plants and the McArdle
trunk main be made to McKesson Chemical Company, Corpus Christi, on the basis of
the only bid received of $93,296. Storage tanks will be provided by the bidder at
no additional cost and will remain his property. Two manufacturers submitted "no
bids" since they have no local distributors and the amount of hydrogen peroxide
being purchased is not enough for them to provide it from their Houston, Texas and
Norco, Louisiana storage facilities.
e. That $300.00 be appropriated for appraisal services by Mr. Harold Carr
for the acquisition of Parcel Number 1 for the expansion of Inwood Park. This parcel
is located on Trojan Drive and the Crosstown Expressway Frontage Road. Park Trust
funds will be used to purchase this parcel.
f. That Lot 13, Block A, Don Patricio Subdivision, located on the west
side of Waldron Road between Division and San Patricio Roads be acquired from Mr.
Jack P. Kelso and Mr. Oscar Soliz for $1,300. A gas regulator station will be
placed on the lot to service the area from Graham Road to the King Ranch between
Minutes - Regular Council Meeting
November 19, 1975
Page 3
the Laguna Madre and the Oso. This approximately 5 square mile area cannot be
adequately served by a small station at Waldron Road and Crestline.
g. That a cooperative contract be renewed for maintenance and operation of
a stream -flow gauging station on the Nueces River at the Tilden crossing west of
Three Rivers, with the Texas Water Development Board and the United States Geological
Survey to estimate flows coming into Lake Corpus Christi. Total cost for operation
and maintenance of the station from September 1, 1975, through August 31, 1976, will
be $3,120.00. The City's share will be $1,279.00, the Texas Water Development Board's
share $281.00, and the U. S. Geological Survey's share $1,560.00. The City's cost
for 1974-75 was $1,140 and for 1973-74 was $1,066.
h. That authority be granted to submit a grant application for second year
funding of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program to the ACTION Office in Dallas and
to execute all related documents required in the implementation and administration
of the program for the period April 1, 1976 through March 31, 1977. Program cost
includes $31,247 federal funds and $9,012 in-kind local share for a total $40,259.
Project staff will remain the same consisting of a Project Coordinator, Senior Clerk
Typist, and Bus Operator. There are currently 110 volunteers providing 3,000 hours
of service monthly at 33 stations. It is estimated that there will be 250 volunteers
by the end of the second year.
i. That a lease be approved with the Federal Aviation Administration
permitting the locating of a van -mounted engine generator unit adjacent to the
control tower at Corpus Christi International Airport for a period of one year.
The generator will provide an emergency power source for radar and for air traffic
control and communications equipment. Since the generator is considered a part of
the United States governmental operations at the Airport there will be no rental fee.
j. That a public hearing be held on December 3, 1975 on the request of the
Airport Limousine Service to increase fares as follows:
Zone Present Fare Proposed Fare
1 $2.50 $3.00
2 $2.75 $3.50
3 $4.00 $4.50
4 $4.50 $6.00
5 $6.00 $7.50
The request is due to increased operating expenses. The Airport Advisory Board
recommends approval.
**(Commissioner de Ases arrived at 2:25 at this time.)
Minutes - Regular Council Meeting
November 19, 1975
Page 4
No one from the audience appeared relative to any Item on the City Manager's
Reports.
Motion by Gulley, seconded by Lozano and passed, that the City Manager's
Reports be accepted, and Items "a" through "j" be granted, approved and adopted as
presented by City Manager Townsend.
City Manager Townsend presented for the Council's consideration the following
ordinances, with related comments and explanations as follows:
SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A POLICY ESTABLISHING A BASIC FEE TO BE
CHARGED INDIVIDUALS, FIRMS, COMPANIES OR OTHER PARTIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF UTILIZING
PUBLIC RECORDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING ELEVATIONS OF PROPERTIES WITHIN THE
CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING
AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT TO ATTEST TO SAID ELEVATIONS BY LETTER FROM PUBLIC RECORDS,
SETTING A FEE TO BE CHARGED FOR SAME, AND PRESCRIBING REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
PROCEDURES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE.
The foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to its third reading
by the following vote: Tipton, de Ases, Gill, Gulley, Lozano and Sample, present and
voting "Aye"; Mayor Luby absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 12908
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A COOPERATIVE CONTRACT WITH THE TEXAS WATER
DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR THE OPERATION OF A
STREAM FLOW GAUGING STATION AT THE TILDEN CROSSING ON THE NUECES RIVER WEST OF THREE
RIVERS, TEXAS, AT A COST OF $3,120, ALL AS MORE FULLY SET FORTH IN THE CONTRACT, 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: Tipton, de Ases, Gill, Gulley, Lozano and Sample, present and voting "Aye";
Mayor Luby absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 12909
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION LEASE #DOT-
FA76SW-1082 PROVIDING FOR THE LOCATING OF A VAN -MOUNTED ENGINE GENERATOR UNIT
ADJACENT TO THE CONTROL TOWER AT CORPUS CHRISTI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR A TERM OF
ONE YEAR BEGINNING ON JULY 1, 1975 AND ENDING ON JUNE 30, 1976, ALL AS MORE FULLY
SET FORTH IN THE LEASE, A SUBSTANTIAL 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: Tipton, de Ases, Gill, Gulley, Lozano and Sample, present and voting "Aye";
Mayor Luby absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 12910
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL FOR SECOND YEAR FUNDING OF THE
RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM TO THE ACTION OFFICE IN DALLAS, AS MORE FULLY
DESCRIBED AND SET FORTH IN THE PROPOSAL, A COPY OF WHICH IS ATTACHED HERETO AND
MADE A PART HEREOF, MARKED EXHIBIT "A"; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
ALL NECESSARY AND RELATED DOCUMENTS REQUIRED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION
OF THE SAID PROGRAM; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following
vote: Tipton, de Ases, Gill, Gulley, Lozano and Sample, present and voting "Aye";
Mayor Luby absent.
Minutes - Regular Council Meeting
November 19, 1975
Page 5
ORDINANCE NO. 12911
APPROPRIATING OUT OF THE 111 TRUST FUND, ACCOUNT 1761, $300 FOR APPRAISAL SERVICES
BY HAROLD CARR IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION OF PARCEL NO. 1 FOR THE EXPANSION
OF INWOOD PARK; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following
vote: Tipton, de Ases, Gill, Gulley, Lozano and Sample, present and voting "Aye";
Mayor Luby absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 12912
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR THE ACQUISITION
OF PARCEL NUMBER 1 FOR THE WALDRON ROAD GAS REGULATOR SITE FROM THE OWNERS, JACK P.
KELSO AND OSCAR SOLIZ; APPROPRIATING AND REAPPROPRIATING OUT OF THE 106 GAS FUND,
ACTIVITY 5273, CODE 501, $1,474.50, OF WHICH AMOUNT $1,300 IS FOR ACQUISITION AND
$174.50 IS FOR COSTS RELATED TO CLOSING; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following
vote: Tipton, de Ases, Gill, Gulley, Lozano and Sample, present and voting "Aye";
Mayor Luby absent. ,
ORDINANCE NO. 12913
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH NUECES COUNTY FOR JOINT
UTILIZATION OF THE INDUSTRIAL HEALTH PHYSICIAN, ALL MORE FULLY SET FORTH IN THE
AGREEMENT, A SUBSTANTIAL 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: Tipton, de Ases, Gill, Gulley, Lozano and Sample, present and voting "Aye";
Mayor Luby absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 12914
RATIFYING AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE CONTRACTUAL ANNEXATION OF THE PROPERTY AS SHOWN IN
EXHIBIT "A" ATTACHED CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 38.207 ACRES OUT OF LOTS 13, 14 AND
15, SECTION 5, FLOUR BLUFF AND ENCINAL FARM AND GARDEN TRACTS, IN NUECES COUNTY,
TEXAS, AND A PORTION OF COUNTY ROAD 26A, ALL AS MORE FULLY SET FORTH IN THE CONTRACT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI AND FIRST SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, A COPY OF WHICH
CONTRACT IS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF, MARKED EXHIBIT "A"; PROVIDING
SEVERABILITY; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the following
vote: Tipton, de Ases, Gill, Gulley, Lozano and Sample, present and voting "Aye";
Mayor Luby absent.
No one from the audience appeared relative to any of the ordinances.
City Secretary Read stated that according to his tally all ordinances voted
upon passed unanimously.
Mayor Pro Tem Tipton called for petitions or information from the audience
on matters not scheduled on the agenda. No one appeared.
The Meeting was recessed at 2:25 p.m.
.tes - Regular Council Meeting
November 19, 1975
Page 6
*(Mayor Luby arrived during this time.)
Mayor Luby called the Regular Council Meeting back to order at 3:05 p.m.
Motion by de Ases, seconded by Sample and passed, with Gulley voting "Nay",
that the public hearing be reopened for the purpose of allowing first the proponents
of the LULAC proposal for Artesian Park and then a representative of the opposition to
make some closing remarks, limited to three minutes each.
Mr. Ruben Bonilla, Jr., President of the League of United Latin American Citizens
(LULAC) stressed that the LULAC proposal was not a plan to promote a private interest
group but a plan which was innovative in many aspects and would be for the public good.
Dr. Richard Marcum, Chairman of the Landmark Commission, summarized the
opposition's views and maintained that the real issue at hand was not the history,
heritage or contributions of the Spanish or Mexican -Americans --that they fully acknowledge
that history, heritage and contributions and have spent considerable time studying it
and trying to promote it --but whether the oldest, most historic park in the City should
be changed in the methods proposed.
Motion by Tipton, seconded by de Ases and passed, that the hearing be closed.
Gabe Lozano, Jr. asked to address the Council but was told that the hearing
had been closed and that in fairness to both sides the Council was not desirous to hear
any further testimony; and that remarks made by him would not be a part of the permanent
record of this meeting.
Commissioner Gill stressed that the name of Artesian Park should not be changed,
but that she thought the contributions of the LULACs could be recognized on plaques in
Artesian Park rather than by changing its name; that the historical integrity of the park
must be preserved. She maintained that the City could work with LUIAC and other interested
persons on the development of the project, but that the City should retain control.
Commissioner Gill stated she very strongly supports recording the achievements of any
minority group in a public place for all to see and learn about that heritage, and
mentioned the concept of a "Heritage Plaza".
Commissioner Sample observed that if the proposal were simply to commemorate
the contributions of the Mexican -Americans he would vote yes; but that he opposes the
immoralizing of any particular name or group and therefore would be against the proposed.
name change of Artesian Park.
nutes - Regular Council Meeting
November 19, 1975
Page 7
Mayor Pro Tem Tipton stated he felt it was not in the best interest of the
City as a whole to change the name of the park, nor to have such improvements made
there. He said he favored the concept of LULAC, but felt that another location would
serve their purpose better.
Commissioner Lozano warned that granting LULAC's request could set a precedent.
He stated that as one of the three original charter members of LULAC, he had personally
worked hard to get the approval for Ben Garza Park and is very proud to have it named in
memory of the founder of LULAC; that if the idea of the LULAC proposal is to commemorate
the work of LULAC, there is enough property area in Ben Garza Park, and the City would
probably not object.
Commissioner Gulley stated he would be against the LULAC proposal because it
would set a precedent for any organization to change the name of a park and because of
the historical aspect of it. He stated that he felt that the LULACs were entitled to a
yes or no vote at this time so that they could move forward at either this or some other
location.
Commissioner de Ases suggested that since one of the main objections to the
proposal appeared to be the name change of Artesian Park, perhaps the proponents would
concede to leaving the name as is; that this could perhaps be negotiated. He urged
that the Council not reject the proposal outright but approve the concept that has been
proposed --that the cultural backgrounds of our peoples be recognized. He said that if
the proposal was turned down flat that he feared it would discourage not only the LULACs,
but other organizations as well to attempt similar projects.
Mayor Luby stated he believes that the City of Corpus Christi should give to
LULAC or any other organization that wants to make a similar contribution, an area in
the Bayfront Science Park in which they could commemorate their culture. He said he was
not in favor of changing history in any way, and would vote against the recommendation
for that reason.
Commissioner de Ases then asked Mayor Luby if he objected to LULAC's building
in Artesian Park, providing they did not change the name of the park or alter it in any
manner. The Mayor answered that he would prefer the City give property in the Bayfront
Science Park to the LULACs for their project. Commissioner Gulley added that he felt
the LULACS and those who opposed their request were entitled to a vote on the request as
it was presented, and that it should not be altered or thrown back into any further
negotiations --either vote yes or no. Commissioner de Ases urged that the Council not
reject the proposal but rather that they endorse the concept and try to work out details
..sautes - Regular Council Meeting
November 26, 1975
Page 8
satisfactory to all parties. Commissioner Tipton stated he felt the recommendation
should be addressed as it was presented to the Council so that the issue might be put
to rest; then LULAC or any other organization could start fresh with another proposal.
Commissioner Lozano again stated that he was one of the three remaining charter members
of LULAC; that he felt their proposition was an excellent idea but he disagreed with the
location. He reminded again that Ben Garza Park was named after the founder of LULAC and
he felt that that would be the proper place for the LUTACs to build this memorial. Mayor
Luby again stated he felt it should be in the Bayfront Science Park, and suggested that
the LULACs choose a location in that park, and he would do everything in his power to
see that the City donated the land.
Motion by de Ases, seconded by Gill and passed, to approve the concept of an
area within the City limits of the City of Corpus Christi where individuals or organizations
can endorse, exhibit, exemplify, document, etc., the past achievements of our citizens of
various ethnic backgrounds; and this approval then be forwarded to the Municipal Arts
Commission with an invitation for all interested parties to meet with the Commission and
work out the details of size, financing, etc.
Motion by Gulley, seconded by Tipton and passed, with Commissioners de Ases
and Gill voting "Nay", that the Park Board's recommendation as presented by LULAC
pertaining to Artesian Park be rejected.
On Motion by de Ases, seconded by Sample and passed, the Regular Council Meeting
of November 19, 1975 was adjourned at 3:50 p.m.