HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 03/30/1977PRESENT:
*Mayor Jason Luby
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Tipton
Councilmembera:
** Eduardo E. de Ases
Ruth Gill
Bob Gulley
Gabe Lozano, Sr.
Edward Sample
MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 30, 1977
2:00 P.M.
City Manager R. Marvin Townsend
City Attorney J. Bruce Aycock
City Secretary Bill G. Read
Mayor Pro Tem Tipton called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber
while Mayor Luby was in his office conducting official City business.
Councilmember Lozano gave the Invocation.
City Secretary Read called the roll of required Charter officers and
stated that a quorum was present.
Motion by Sample that the Minutes of the Regular Council Meetings of
March 2, 9 and 16, 1977 be approved; seconded by Lozano and passed unanimously.
Mayor Pro Tem Tipton announced that the following Proclamations had been
issued by Mayor Luby: NATIONAL DEFENSIVE DRIVING WEEK, April 3 through 9, 1977;
and DOCTORS' DAY, March 30, 1977.
Mayor Pro Tem Tipton called for the presentation by a representative of
Central Power and Light Company. Mr. Wallace E. Whitworth, Manager of Central
Power and Light Company, reported to the Council that the fuel cost adjustment
to be applied to April, 1977 bills will be 2.218485p/KWH as compared to
2.035104e/KWH applied to March,1977 bills. City Manager Townsend stated that
this monthly rate procedure report is no longer necessary, according to the
Public Utilities Commission, but indicated that Central Power and Light Company
would continue to present the report.
Mayor Pro Tem Tipton announced the Public Hearing on the revision of a
grant application to the Urban Mass Transportation Administration for capital
assistance for 1976-77. City Manager Townsend stated that the grant was previ-
ously approved some time ago but it needs to be modified before final approval.
Mr. Tom Stewart, Director of Traffic and Transit, presented a report on
the modifications necessary for the grant application in order to maintain eli-
gibility for funding. He stated that he had been informed by the UMTA Division
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980
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 30, 1977
Page 2
of Project Development that the City's grant application can be revised to include
two additional projects, one of which is the implementation of a uniform system of
accounts, records and reporting system. Mr. Stewart stated that the City must
convert to this system by August 1, 1977. He stated that the second project is
the purchase of a coin sorter to handle transit receipts. Mr. Stewart explained
that in order to amend the grant application to include these additions, it will
be necessary to maintain the same funding level; therefore, it is recommended that
the bus wrecker replacement be deferred until the 1977-78 UMTA funding period.
Further discussion followed.
*Mayor Jason Luby arrived at the meeting at 2:20 p.m.
Mayor Luby recognized at this time Colonel Floyd Buch, Chairman of the
Transit Study Board. Colonel Buch stated that the Board is in favor of these
revisions and pointed out that the coin sorter will save a lot of time and the
bus wrecker replacement is not all that critical.
Motion by Sample that the hearing be closed; seconded by Gulley. There
was no discussion from the audience, and the motion passed unanimously.
Motion by Gulley that the revised grant application to UMTA be approved;
seconded by Sample and passed unanimously. (Transcript of Public Hearing is
available in the City Secretary's Office.)
Mayor Luby announced at this time that at a State meeting of the Women's
Committee of the Texas Safety Association in Houston, Mrs.Oscar L. Bocock had
received an award for the work accomplished by the "Hands Up Program" of the
Crime Prevention Program. Councilmember Gill suggested that a letter of congra-
tulations be sent to Mrs. Bocock; other Council members agreed; and Mayor Luby
requested that City Secretary Read prepare the letter for their signatures.
Mayor Luby then called for the City Manager's Report. City Manager Townsend
presented the following items with_related comments and' discussion:
a. Recommendation that a public hearing be held at 2 p.m. during the Regular
Council Meeting on April 13, 1977 on changing the name of Telco Street
from Upper Broadway to Tancahua Street to Coopers Street. This street
and Coopers Street from Water to Upper Broadway are being improved by a
City -State Urban Systems Program contract. Because this project will
connect the two streets so that traffic can flow from Water Street to
Tancahua Street, this street name change is recommended. There are no
addresses on Telco Street.
U. 1
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 30, 1977
Page 3
City Manager Townsend stated that in 1958 Cooper's Alley was changed to
Coopers Street and that a new street improvement project proposes to tie Coopers
Street onto Telco Street and that there is a need for both streets to have the
same name. Councilmember de Ases stated that he preferred the name Cooper's
Alley rather than Coopers Street, and other Council members expressed agreement.
City Manager Townsend stated that the recommendation for the public hearing will
be changed to reflect the inclusion of Coopers Street in the recommendation of a
name change for Telco Street; therefore Item "a" of the City Manager's Report was
revised as follows:
a. Recommendation that a public hearing be held at 2:00 p.m. during the
Regular Council Meeting on April 13, 1977 on changing the name of
Coopers Street, from Shoreline Boulevard to Mesquite Street, and Telco
Street, from Mesquite Street to North Tancahua Street, to Cooper's Alley.
These streets are being improved and connected by a City -State Urban
Systems Program contract so that traffic can flow from Water Street to
Tancahua Street, thus, making one street name desirable.
b. Recommendation that bids be received at
*for 6 - 10" butterfly valves to replace
ham Water Plant. The valves drain sand
c. Recommendation that bids be received at
for the following special truck bodies,
lift gate:
•
11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 19, 1977
unserviceable valves at the Cunning -
filters before backwashing.
11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 26, 1977
utility tool boxes and hydraulic
(1) Replacement 12 - 15 cu.yd. tandem axle dump trailer for the Water
Division.
(2) 3 replacement 4 - 5 cu.yd. dump bodies for the Park, Water and
Gas Divisions.
(3)
1 replacement 106" and 1 replacement 132" utility service body
for the Gas Division.
(4) Replacement crew truck body for the Park Division.
(5) 2 replacement 120".utility service bodies for the Water Division.
(6) Replacement 108" utility service body for Traffic and
Transit.
(7) 7 pairs of replacement and 1 additional pair of utility
tool boxes for the Water and Gas Divisions.
(8) 1 replacement hydraulic lift gate for a 3/4 ton pickup for
the Park Division.
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 30, 1977
Page 4, L
'd. Recommendation that a grant application be submitted to the United
States Department of Housing and Urban Development for continuation of
701 Comprehensive Planning. The application requests $40,000 to be
matched with $20,000 in Community Development funds presently avail-
able for planning purposes, and will become effective July 1, 1977.
Of the total $60,000, $45,145 is for salaries. No additional personnel
will be required. The program will provide land use planning, long
range capital improvement programing, updating the platting ordinance,
and planning and preparation of the Community Development Block Grant
application.
e. Recommendation that a resolution be passed establishing the following
priorities for the funding of Criminal Justice Division grants for the
City:
(1) Nueces County Organized Crime Control Unit
(2) Narcotics Task Force
(3) Counter Fencing Task Force
(4) Rape Crisis Center
(5) Night Magistrate
(6) Technical Equipment
(7) Polygraph
$78,325
66,000
36,624
21,310
15,110
7,837
25,980
$251,186
In regard to Item "e", City Manager Townsend stated that following last
week's discussion of priorities for the funding of Criminal Justice Division
grants, the Council had been mailed status reports on the existing programs, and
the programs listed above represent the Staff's recommendation of priorities.
Mayor Luby stated that he has no objections to these priorities for funding, and
other Council members agreed.
In regard to Item "b", Councilmember Sample inquired as to whether or not
the 6 butterfly valves are routine replacements. City Manager Townsend stated
that the replacement of these valves is essential this year since the existing
valves were installed some time between 1912 and 1920. Councilmember Gill
inquired about the price, and City Manager Townsend stated that they were approx-
imately $900 each.
In regard to Item "d", Councilmember Gill asked what the Staff had planned
.to do about the allocation of $45,145 for salaries for continuation of 701
Comprehensive Planning if the grant application of $40,000 had not been available.
City Manager Townsend indicated that the Staff had planned to reduce the staff
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 30, 1977
Page 5
next year if funds had not been available through this grant, emphasizing that this
is for next year's budget.
There was no discussion from the members of the audience in regard to the
City Manager's Report.
Motion by Sample that the City Manager's Report, Items "a" (as revised)
through "e" be approved; seconded by Gulley and passed unanimously.
Mayor Luby at this time introduced Mr. Reuben Garcia of the Texas Department
of Community Affairs. Mr. Garcia stated that he was in Corpus Christi to assist
in coordinating the Summer Youth Recreation Program with the City and the Manpower
Consortium so that everyone involved will be aware of what each entity is doing
in the planning of the program. Mr. Garcia mentioned the problem all cities have
with late funding from the Federal Government for the summer program and informed
the Council that his office is preparing a proposal to assist in eliminating this
problem.
Councilmember Lozano inquired if,since the late funding is caused by the
Federal office, something could be done by City Councils on a statewide basis to
alleviate this problem. Mr. Garcia indicated that no one has done anything to
coordinate an effort to eliminate the late funding problem and that he would like
to cooperate with the cities on this matter.
Mayor Luby suggested that the Council go on record as being opposed to the
late funding and suggested a letter be written to this effect.
Mr. Ernest Brionea, Director of Planning and Urban Development, stated that
plans for the Summer Youth Recreation Program are being formulated at this time
under the assumption that funds will be available.
Councilmember Gulley at this time referred to copy of City Manager Townsend's
presentation before the Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs, March 29, 1977, in
opposition to H.B. 513, H.B. 475, and S.B. 189, complimenting him on his statement.
Councilmember Sample indicated that he was not familiar with the matter and
requested the City Manager to elaborate on it.
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 30, 1977
Page 6
City Manager Townsend stated that the bills were designed to prohibit cities
from regulating the residence locations of City employees, and that he had appeared
before the Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs to express opposition to the
proposed bills, citing the reasons why it is beneficial to the City to have its
employees residing within the city limits.
Councilmember de Ases requested that he be provided with a copy of the
bill at a later date and inquired as to the policy of staff members making appear-
ances before legislative committees in Austin to express the opinions of the City.
He suggested that the Council be apprised of matters about which the City Manager
or a Staff member plans to make statements of policy positions of the City of
Corpus Christi. City Manager Townsend stated that in this particular instance,
he was made aware of the Committee meeting on Saturday, March 26, and there was
not an opportunity for him to discuss it with all of the Council members. Mayor
Luby stated that Mr. Townsend had discussed the matter with him before his
appearance before the committee in Austin.
City Manager Townsend informed the Council that City Attorney Aycock had
been in Austin in regard to a bill on Airport zoning to limit height conditions
and to regulate density in line with the ordinance passed some time ago by the
City Council. He also stated that on Monday a Staff member had requested a dele-
gation to sponsor an amendment to a bill involving annexation of water and sewer
districts. Mr. Townsend explained that if the bill was not amended, the City of
Corpus Christi would be in a position of annexing other cities since the City
supplies water for them.
City Manager Townsend next presented the ordinances for approval. Mayor.
Luby referred to the ordinance listed as Item "e" which is a resolution urging
defeat of House Bill 1200, which would impose a tax levy of 5% of the market
value of crude oil and petroleum distillate consumed by each refinery, and
inquired as to just what is the threat to the area refineries. Councilmember
Sample stated that such a bill would possibly influence refineries to relocate
outside the State of Texas.
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 30, 1977
Page 7
Mayor Luby referred to the ordinance listed as Item "g", which amends
Ordinance No. 13682 to reflect changes in Election Judges, Alternates and -
Polling Places for the April 2, 1977 Election, and asked City Secretary Read
if he foresees any controversy on the proposed changes. City Secretary Read
stated that the amendment to the ordinance involves only minor corrections
necessitated by the inability of some of the judges and alternates to serve
and one or two address changes of the polling places. Mayor Luby inquired if
an election school had been conducted, and City Secretary Read assured him that
new judges had been in attendance at the election school Tuesday, March 29, 1977,
conducted by the League of Women Voters.
There was no discussion of the ordinances from the audience. All ordinan-
ces passed, as follows:
SECOND READING:
AMENDING CHAPTER 57, ARTICLE II, DIVISION 5 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY
OF CORPUS CHRISTI, 1976 REVISION, BY REPLACING THE TERM "CHAUFFEUR'S LICENSE"
WHEREVER IT APPEARS WITH THE TERM "TAXICAB DRIVER'S" LICENSE AND REPEALING
SECTION 57-105 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, 1976 REVI-
SION, AND SUBSTITUTING THEREFOR A NEW SECTION 57-105, TO PROVIDE FOR ISSUANCE
OF TAXICAB DRIVER'S LICENSE.
The foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to his third
reading by the following vote: Luby, Tipton de Ases, Gill, Gulley, Lozano
and Sample voting "Aye".
THIRD READING - ORDINANCE NO. 13703:
AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, 1976 REVISION, BY
AMENDING SECTION 53-250, SCHEDULE I, "ONE-WAY STREETS AND ALLEYS", BY ADDING
ITEMS THERETO AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED HEREINAFTER; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES
IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
The foregoing ordinance was read for the third time and passed finally by the
following vote: Luby, Tipton, de Ases, Gill, Gulley, Lozano and Sample voting
"Aye"
ORDINANCE NO. 13704:
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT FOR A GRANT OF $40,000 TO CARRY
OUT THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING ACTIVITIES, ALL AS MORE FULLY SET FORTH IN THE
APPLICATION, 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: Luby, Tipton, de Ases, Gill, Gulley, Lozano and Sample voting
"Aye".
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 30, 1977
Page 8
RESOLUTION NO. 13705:
ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES FOR THE FUNDING OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION GRANTS FOR
THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, AS MORE FULLY SET FORTH HEREINAFTER; AND DECLARING
AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing resolution was passed by the
following vote: Luby, Tipton, de Ases, Gill, Gulley, Lozano and Sample voting
"Aye".
RESOLUTION NO. 13706:
URGING DEFEAT OF HOUSE BILL 1200 INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE NUGENT AND OTHERS,
WHICH, IF PASSED WOULD IMPOSE A TAX LEVY OF 5% OF THE MARKET VALUE OF CRUDE OIL
AND PETROLEUM DISTILLATE CONSUMED BY EACH REFINERY FOR THE PURPOSE OF BEING
REFINED; INSTRUCTING THE CITY SECRETARY TO PROVIDE A TRUE COPY OF THIS RESOLU-
TION TO THE NUECES COUNTY DELEGATION; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing resolution was passed by the
following vote: Luby, Tipton, de Ases, Gill, Gulley, Lozano and Sample voting
"Aye".
RESOLUTION NO. 13707:
CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF WAYNE TIBBETS TO THE POSITION OF GENERAL SUPER-
INTENDENT WATER SYSTEM BY THE CITY MANAGER, PURSUANT TO CITY CHARTER ARTICLE
III, SECTION 3; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing resolution was passed by the
following vote: Luby, Tipton, de Ases, Gill, Gulley, Lozano and Sample voting
"Aye".
ORDINANCE NO. 13708:
AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 13682, PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON MARCH 2,
1977, CALLING AN ELECTION FOR MAYOR AND SIX COUNCILMEN IN THE CITY OF CORPUS
CHRISTI TO BE HELD ON THE FIRST SATURDAY IN APRIL, 1977, SO AS TO MAKE CERTAIN
CHANGES IN THE LIST OF ELECTION OFFICIALS AND POLLING PLACES AS HEREINAFTER SET
FORTH; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the
following vote: Luby, Tipton, de Ases, Gill, Gulley, Lozano and Sample voting
"Aye".
Mayor Luby then opened the floor for petitions or discussion from the
audience. Mrs. Betty Brandesky, 4017 Cork Street, expressed her concern in regard
to the lack of attendants on duty to assist with luggage at Corpus Christi Inter-
national Airport for late -arriving flights. Mrs. Brandesky related an incident
that had recently occurred in such a situation involving her niece and two elderly
people who had arrived on a late flight. Further discussion followed, and City
Manager Townsend stated that he would instruct the Airport Manager to bring this
matter up at the monthly meeting of the Airport Advisory Board.
Mr. James K. Ritchey, 4537 Brookdale, asked to speak on this same matter.
He stated that if "redcaps" are allowed to work at the Airport for tips, they
should come under the State Employment Act and that if they work just for tips,
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 30, 1977
Page 9
they are illegal.
Mr. Jim Ross, 315 Laurel Drive, addressed the Council at this time and
spoke at length regarding a sewer problem that has existed at the rear of his
home for more than two years, expressing concern that because of raw sewage
from an overflowing manhole and line possibly has caused illness in his family.
City Manager Townsend stated that he will have a full report on the matter for
the Council. •
**Councilmember de Ases departed the meeting at 3:44 p.m. because of a
flight schedule.
Mr. John Steneland, 337 Primrose Drive, appeared at this time in regard
to an ordinance passed in November setting forth a new lease contract for the
Corpus Christi Marina. He stated that the lease contract requires that when
a new lease is signed, the City of Corpus Christi is given assignment to the
water craft. City Manager Townsend stated that this matter had been under dis—
cussion, and the Legal Department has revised the form so that the assignment
of the water craft does not become effective until the slip rental is overdue.
He also indicated that all future contracts will be corrected.
Mr. James K. Ritchey, 4537 Brookdale, spoke again. He referred to a report
from the Personnel Department on the Employee Ethnic Distribution Report as of
February 1, 1977, which had been presented to Council candidates, stating his
objection to the breakdown of employees under categories of "Spanish Surname",
"Black", and "Other", and suggested that this classification of employees be
changed.
Mr. Ken Pesek, 3502 Santa Fe, expressed concern to the Council about the
numerous accidents that had occurred at the intersection of Santa Fe and Sinclair.
He stated that he had noticed traffic counters at the intersection one or two
weeks ago and asked if there are plans to alleviate the problem. Councilmember
Gill confirmed the fact that there seemed to be a blind spot at the corner where
townhouses are located. City Manager Townsend stated that there is an ongoing
program of having traffic counters all over the City and stated that nothing
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 30, 1977
Page 10
specific is planned at this location, but he will discuss this with the Staff of
Traffic and Transit.
City Manager Townsend informed the Council that the City has received a
check from Texas Municipal League Workmen's Compensation insurance in the amount
of $18,055 as the return on this year's Workmen's Compensation payments. He
stated that this will go into the insurance fund.
There being no further business to come before the Council, on motion by
Sample, seconded by Lozano and passed unanimously, the meeting was adjourned at
3:53 p.m., March 30, 1977.
I, JASON LUBY, Mayor of the City of Corpus Christi, Texas, certify that i
the foregoing minutes, same being for the period of February 2, 1977 through
February 23, 1977, inclusive, and having been previously approved by Council
action, are by me hereby approved, as itemized:
JASdN'LBY, Mayor
City of Corpus Christi
2/2/77 Regular Council Meeting
2/2/77 Special Council Meeting
2/9/77 Regular Council Meeting
2/9/77 Special Council Meeting
2/16/77 Regular Council Meeting
2/16/77 Special Council Meeting
2/23/77 Regular Council Meeting
2/23/77 Special Council Meeting
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