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
,