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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 07/19/1976 - SpecialPRESENT: Mayor Pro Tem Bill Tipton Council Members: Eduardo E. de Ases Ruth Gill Bob Gulley Edward Sample MINUTES i CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING SOLOMON COLES SCHOOL JULY 19, 1976 7:00 P.M. City Manager R. Marvin Townsend City Attorney J. Bruce Aycock I City Secretary Bill G. Read Mayor Pro Tem Tipton called the meeting to order in Solomon Coles Elementary School. City Secretary Read called the roll and informed the Mayor Pro Tem that there was a quorum of the Council and the necessary Charter Officers present to have a legally constituted meeting; and at the same time he informed Mayor Pro Tem Tipton that Council Member Gabe Lozano, Sr. would not be present at the meeting because he was out of the city attending a funeral. Motion by Gulley, seconded by de Ases and passed unanimously, that Council Member Lozano's absence from tonight's meeting be excused. Mayor Pro Tem Tipton announced that this was the second in a series of meetings to gain citizen input on and discuss the design of the community -convention center; and turned the meeting over to representatives of the architectural firms Swanson, Heister, Wilson and Claycomb, Inc. of Corpus Christi, and Caudill, Rowlett and Scott of Houston. The architects reviewed their presentation made the previous week, using slides to explain the history of the project, define the goals for the center, and show their design concepts and ideas for the facility. They described in detail their updated 4 plans for a sheltered parking and arrival area. City Manager Townsend invited questions and comments from the'audience regarding the facility. A gentleman asked if the meeting rooms would have built-in communications. equipment with which the users could record their meetings, or if it was planned to let local people compete for that work. The Staff replied that to date no plans to install recording equipment have been included. A gentleman inquired if there would be concessions in addition to the general dining room. The architects answered yes, but the details have not yet been worked out. Rev. Harold Branch asked if people will be able to walk out on all or part of the roof for sightseeing. The architects replied that as of now that is not being considered, as there will be a very good view from the banquet rooms and the second floor. Isma • e"" Min, Special Council Meeting July 19, 1976 Page 2 Mr. Clay Moore pointed out loading and unloading difficulties for exhibitors in many convention centers. The architects responded that at the present time our facility is designed so that exhibitors can drive their trucks onto the floor, unload, and exit through a separate door, in addition to other doorways where they could unload from the outside. Ms. Margaret Ramage asked if food would be prepared in the center or if it would be catered for all banquets. The architects answered that plans now call for a catering kitchen with warming ovens, etc., rather than a full kitchen. The Staff added that they will continue to investigate the matter, but so far they have been advised that there are often problems with adequately staffing a large kitchen and with unscheduled use. City Manager Townsend further explained that with catering, there would be a wider choice of food and of who would provide it; that the local restaurants could compete for the service, bringing added revenue to the City. He explained that a disadvantage to having a full restaurant in the convention center is that if the food is not good, it is often hard to get out of the contract, and it's eventually damaging to the banquet/ convention trade. Council Member Sample added that he had talked with the Manager of the Lakes Charles, Louisiana convention center,'who also advised it would be better to have the events catered. Ms. Margie Bennett, concessibner for the Exposition Hall and Memorial Coliseum, asked that the City support the concessioner in the convention center so it could be competitive, citing that the City does not receive any revenue from catered affairs but it does from its concessions. She stressed to the architects that ample storage space and adequate room for the concessioner's equipment must be provided, adding that several thousand dollars worth of her equipment at the Coliseum is in a hallway, because the kitchen area is too crowded. City Manager Townsend asked Ms. Bennett to provide input to the architects as to how much space might be needed, and she gladly agreed to do so. A lady from the audience commented that she thought the building was too square - looking or rectangular. The architects explained that exhibitors find it hard to use odd -shaped rooms or curved walls, but are familiar with the type modules which have been planned. A gentleman asked if the parking at the facility would be free, or paid parking. City Manager Townsend replied that has not been1decided at this point. Mi • Sp Council Meeting " July 19, 1976 Page 3 A gentleman inquired if there would be a helicopter landing area on the roof. City Manager Townsend answered that there is a heliport nearby, so to date none has been planned for the community -convention center. He added that if the need arises it would not be too difficult to add one later. Council Member Gill emphasized to the architects that they should keep energy efficiency in mind at all times in the'design of the building. The architects explained several energy-saving features which have been included in the design. A gentleman urged the City to begin now to get parties interested in holding a convention in Corpus Christi. The Staff responded that they are so doing. A lady from the audience suggested a sculpture, fountain or attractive landscaping for the entrance to the building, saying she believes it needs to be "played up" as much as possible. The architects responded that they feel the entrance as planned will be very dramatic. Another lady asked if there will be monies available for art and decorating of the center. City Manager Townsend replied that there is no money allocated specifically for that purpose. A gentleman from the audience said he thought it was agreed several years ago that there would be a 1% budget for art in projects of this type. City Manager Townsend responded that that idea has been discussed at various times by the Art Commission, but it has not been put into an ordinance, and no such policy exists at the present time. The gentleman then asked the Council in the future to consider a ratio of 1% for art in future public buildings. City Manager Townsend suggested that the Art Commission give the Council some examples of the type of art they would like to see in the community - convention center. Mrs. Alex Vaky suggested that a formal invitation to the community be made to invite serious donors for art or whatever for the center. Council Member Gill mentioned that often in convention centers with dividing walls you can hear the adjacent meetings; she inquired if that would be true in this building also. The architects responded that some permanent walls are planned in the meeting room area; but that with transferable walls,noise is sometimes a problem, explaining that as a general rule the most expensive dividers provide the best noise insulation. There being no further discussion from the audience regarding the community - convention center, the Council recessed at 8:20 p.m. Mi Sp, Council Meeting July 19, 1976 Page 4 The Special Meeting was resumed at 8:25 p.m., and City Manager Townsend announced discussion of the lawsuit with Lo -Vaca Gathering Company in light of a new development on the case. City Manager Townsend proceeded to outline the basic lawsuit which the City has filed with Lo -Vaca for damages for their failure to honor their contract price for gas. , Mr. Jim McKibben, attorney representing the City, distributed copies to the Council of additional information on the case,'reviewed past discussions regarding the matter, and explained the recent developments. He added that on July 22 the City must advise the Railroad Commission of the status of its negotiations. City Manager Townsend clarified that Lo -Vaca has not failed to supply the City with gas, and that the Railroad Commission did approve Lo-Vaca's price increase. He emphasized that the City's main concern is the difference in the cost of gas to us, and also our future gas supply. Attorney McKibben briefed the Council concerning discussions with other customers of Lo -Vaca and the current status of their lawsuits with the company. City Manager Townsend advised that it would be good if the Council could give the Staff further direction. The Council agreed to place the item on the agenda for discussion at the Council Meetings on Wednesday, July 21. There being no further business to come before the Council, on Motion by Gulley, seconded by de Ases and passed unanimously, the Special Meeting of July 19, 1976 was adjourned at 9:13 p.m. %/_ WE Arredoev 77/E.O0.u4EN77jN emurne MeEnw4 N .iul y / 9 &, 47- eD/e SCNoa/ () m : A bR€5_5 i�NaN� a°/ -/ 3 f5' -_ 306 Ve 3 7- 6-Z 33 ,-, e' er .,5-42 q, J/. �'s,-2‘d2/ �, l , j x41. SsS-.r9-' il94T li06-tp-64,5-4 ss PF/e. 1_9 LI 3— 00 I i / Sl s -,t — ? ? / 2_, /!' '1' -Ae5k )2_-te7w63 7-65' / q_7 0(9'4,- 49x3,4-�� � d d -b 72 oa�e>o 7s-s-o_y 4. p 0--3 S c�./L o cam_ aS4 - 81 3s %oS c- .ct-/-30/ PC/ , w 5 DA( 6 b.6 M.i7uu r _,7T _i t ss_6_ mecd/e- is z /_c,a59,V&_ DRv P -b- 3 3Z3f,, l6/'iV/ CJ7,i -► ?5-R -- o )";C, te. 1}AREsS a ?owe- _'Na// ,,,aK „..1, t .I..,t,. , /(9•3,3 /.6/,_r lait&992-A 0.5' _4_f;_de 13o8_C Asti ,7 Hof `, , BM PAW `,. ! M UIF1—TOWSLZlIp r' 73 , I _ rDa, —A' 1Y- -cls `' _ t -IIRc _U eeE___8_ A-10 a, noNkit S c..0_ L t.s r Po pi, e___ Fiee-sewr wM-Dd Nor _Di ,