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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 04/20/1977PRESENT: *Mayor Jason Luby Mayor Pro Tem Bill Tipton Councilmembers: Eduardo E. de Ases Ruth Gill Bob Gulley Gabe Lozano, Sr. Edward Sample MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 20, 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. Dr. Sam L. Fore of Christian Men, Inc. (H.E.Butt Foundation) gave the invocation. City Secretary Read called the roll of required Charter officers and stated that a quorum was present. Motion by Lozano that the Minutes of the Regular Meetings of March 23, March 30, April 6 and April 13, 1977 be approved as,presented; seconded by Sample; and approved unanimously. Mayor Pro Tem Tipton announced that the following Proclamations had been issued by Mayor Luby: FOOD DAY, April 21, 1977; DR. H. J. WILLIAMS DAY, April 23, 1977; BUCCANEER DAYS CELEBRATION, April 21 through May 1, 1977; NATIONAL YWCA WEEK, April 24 through 30, 1977; PINAFORE WEEK, 'April 20 through 26, 1977, and SECRETARIES WEEK, April 24 through April 30, 1977. Mayor Pro Tem Tipton requested that the presentation of a Certificate of Commendation scheduled at this time be delayed until Mayor Luby arrives at the meeting and then called for the City Manager's Reports. City Manager Townsend presented the following items with related comments and discussion: a. Recommendation that bids be received at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 10, 1977 for the following: (1) A spare wide base tubeless tire for a scraper at the landfill. (2) A six months' supply (155,000') of 1", 2" and 4" bare steel pipe and the coating and wrapping of the same for the Gas Gas Division. MICROFILMED, 'SEP 0 31980 Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 20, 1977 Page 2 b. Recommendation that bids be received at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 9, 1977 for the sale of the following vacant City -owned properties, acquired through delinquent tax foreclosure: (1) Lot 17A, Block 4, Flour Bluff Estates No. 2 (636 Claride) - zoned "R -1B" (2) West 25' of let 16, Block 4, Flour Bluff Estates No. 2 (632 Claride) - zoned "B-4". Since the second parcel is only 25' x 165', it is recommended that it be sold only to an adjoining owner with a deed restriction pro- hibiting sale or use independent of the adjoining lot. It is further recommended that parcel 2 be conditioned upon a standard screening fence being constructed along the west and rear property line. The east 75' of Lot 16 is zoned "B-4" and used for an auto- motive repair business. c. Recommendation that bids be received at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 20, 1977 for the sale of 15 GMC diesel powered transit buses. These buses have been replaced by 15 45 -passenger buses purchased with the assistance of en Urban Mass Transportation Administration Grant. The buses are 36, 37 or 45 -passenger, 1953 or 1954 models with mileage ranging from 547,204 to 696,172. The sale of the buses will be advertised through all the normal channels and in transit journals. d. Recommendation that the offer of Mrs. Santos G. Pruitt to give the City the remaining portion of Lot 9, Block 18, Forest Park Addition, be accepted. The property is located on Buffalo Street between Palm Drive and Stillman Avenue and remains after the State acquired right-of-way for Interstate 37. It is further recommended that a public hearing be held May 11, 1977 on the closing of the alley in Block 18. A property owner across the alley has expressed an interest in purchasing Lot 9 if the alley separating his lot from Lot 9 is closed. All property owners abutting the alley have been contacted and agree with the closing. A11 affected City departments concur with the exception that the full alley be retained as a utility easement. e. Recommendation that the following actions be taken regarding the construction of Port Avenue from Buford to the Crosstown Express- way: (1) The assessment hearing be closed and the final assessment roll, consisting of 68 items for $159,343.64, be adopted. (2) The assessment for Item 28A be reduced from $1,965.95 to $1,393.30. This item was omitted in the testimony during the public hearing, but it is an odd shaped lot. The City's appraiser recommends the change. The project is being jointly financed by the Federal Government, State and City under the Urban Systems Program. The total cost is $788,357.01 of which the Federal and State portion is $558,935.61 and the City's, $229,421.40 including assessments. f. Recommendation that the Compensation Ordinance be amended to reclassify the position of Physician's Assistant from Grade 16 to Grade 18 to reflect increased job responsibility_ As the Industrial Health Physician has become more involved in medical checks of County prisoners and juveniles at the Martineau Hall, he has had to delegate additional responsibility to this position including assisting in pre-employment physicals, and assuming total charge of X-ray equipment, X-ray scheduling and X-ray film development and analysis of urine specimens. Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 20, 1977 Page 3 *Mayor Luby arrived at the meeting at 2:13 during the presentation of the City Manager's Reports. City Manager Townsend explained that in regard to Item "e" on the paving assessment hearing for Port Avenue, there had been a misunderstanding at the time Mr. Larry French appeared before the Council. Mr. Townsend stated that Mr. French was under the impression that the City had agreed to construct a driveway on his property on Port Avenue at no charge to him, but it was the staff's and Council's understanding that Mr. French had requested that his driveway be deleted from the construction plans. City Manager Townsend stated that Mr. French does desire to have a driveway built and it will be necessary that he be assessed for it. In regard to Item "f", Councilmember de Ases inquired about the amount of the increase in salary involved in the reclassification of the Physician's Assistant from Grade 16 to Grade 18. City Manager Townsend stated that it is an increase of 8%; that the increase is recommended to retain the employee; that the employee works under the direction of Dr. Metzger and the City Physi- cian; and her duties involve X-ray procedures. In regard to Item "a", Councilmember Sample inquired if the City has facilities to wrap and coat the steel pipe. City Manager Townsend stated that the City does not, and the service is performed under a contract. Councilmember Gill inquired about the necessity of the additional correction to the assessment roll for Port Avenue as listed under Item "e"-(2). City Manager Townsend explained that the staff had discovered after the public hearing that the lot involved is an irregular shaped lot; therefore, the City's appraiser recommended the decrease in the assessment after further investigation following a request of the owner. Mayor Luby inquired if there were any questions or discussion from the audience in regard to the City Manager's report. There were no questions from members of the audience. Motion by Tipton that the City Manager's Reports, Items "a" through "f" be accepted as presented, seconded by Gulley, and passed unanimously. Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 20, 1977 Page 4 At this time, Mayor Luby read and presented a Certificate of Commendation to Michael Aldrich, who was instrumental in saving the life of Larry Saldana at Padre Island on Sunday, March 13, 1977. Mayor Luby then introduced Mrs. Jean Keys of YWCA, who made the Council members honorary members of the YWCA and mentioned that the YWCA does accept male members. Mayor Luby introduced at this time County Commissioners Robert Bluntzer, J. P. Luby and Joaquin Villarreal. Commissioner Luby spoke at this time and read a letter which he had addressed to the City Council urging the Council to adopt a resolution expressing their opposition to Senate Bill No. 978 which would restrict motor vehicles from the Gulf beaches. He pointed out in his letter the problems, expense and detrimental effect the passage of such legislation would have on the tourist industry and to area residents. Commissioner Luby also read telegrams which he had received from State Representatives Hugo Berlanga and Arnold Gonzales expressing their opposition to this bill. Councilmember Gully inquired about the current status of the bill in question. Commissioner Luby stated that the bill had been passed by the committee to be presented to the State Senate for a vote, and it will probably be considered this week or next. He also urged the Council and all citizens to call Governor Dolph Briscoe's office, toll-free number 1-800-252-9600, to express their opposition to the bill. At Mayor Luby's request, City Secretary Read read the proposed resolu- tion which strongly expresses the Council's opposition to passage of Senate Bill No. 978. Councilmember Gill expressed her opinion of the bill, stating that she is in favor of control of traffic on the beaches but expressed her opposition to closing the beaches to all traffic. Mayor Pro Tem Tipton then read a prepared statement expressing his objections to the bill, expressing the opinion that local governmental entities should retain control of traffic on area beaches rather than having regulations on a State level. He also urged all citizens to write or call the State Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 20, 1977 Page 5 Senators urging defeat of the Senate Bill. Mayor Luby then called for consideration of the Resolution opposing Senate Bill 978. The following resolution was approved by the Council: RESOLUTION NO. 13713 EXPRESSING OPPOSITION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI TO THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL 978 OR SIMILAR PROPOSED LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD LIMIT ACCESS TO PUBLIC BEACHES BY PROHIBITING MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC THEREON AND FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT SUCH REGULATION SHOULD REMAIN WITH THE COUNTIES AND MUNI- CIPALITIES ALONG THE TEXAS GULF COAST; AND EXPRESSES FURTHER OPPOSITION BECAUSE THE CONSTRUCTION OF BEACH PARKING LOTS AS AUTHORIZED BY THE BILL WOULD BE DETRI- MENTAL TO THE ECOLOGY OF MANY GULF COAST BEACHES, PARTICULARLY PADRE AND MUSTANG ISLANDS; 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". City Manager Townsend next presented the ordinances. Mr. Townsend referred to the ordinance listed as Item "c" which proposed change of name of Coopers Street, between Shoreline Boulevard and Mesquite, and Telco Street, between Mesquite and N. Tancahua Streets, to Cooper's Alley. He stated that following the close of the public hearing on April 13, 1977, a letter had been received from Charles Baskin of the United Savings Association expressing opposition to the name change to Cooper's Alley. City Manager Townsend stated that United Savings is the only property owner on Coopers Street at this time, and that if the Council desires, it would be appropriate to reconsider the action taken on April 13 changing the name to Cooper's Alley. After further discussion by the Council, Councilmember Sample moved that the matter be tabled for two weeks to allow further study by the Staff, the Council and input from local historians. The motion was seconded by de Ases and passed by the following vote: Luby, de Ases, Gill, Lozano and Sample voting "Aye"; Gulley voting "Nay". City Manager Townsend presented for consideration the ordinances listed as "a", "b" and "d". There was no discussion from the Council or members of the audience in regard to these ordinances. The following ordinances were approved by the Council: Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 20, 1977 Page 6 THIRD READING - ORDINANCE NO. 13714: AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, 1976 REVISION, BY AMENDING SECTIONS 53-99 AND 53-100 SO AS TO RESTRICT THE OPERATION OF TRUCKS, TRAILERS AND OTHER HEAVY AND/OR LARGE VEHICLES ON CERTAIN STREETS, ALL AS MORE FULLY SET FORTH HEREINAFTER; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE; AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION. 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. 13715: AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 3658, AS AMENDED, BY AMENDING SECTION 4 THEREOF TO RECLASSIFY THE POSITION OF PHYSICIAN'S ASSISTANT AS MORE FULLY SET FORTH HEREINAFTER PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; PROVIDING A SEVERANCE CLAUSE; 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". ORDINANCE NO. 13716: CLOSING THE HEARING ON STREET IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE FOLLOWING STREETS: PORT AVENUE (M.H. 102), FROM BUFORD STREET TO S. H. 286, PROJECT NO. M -R009 (2) AND FINDING AND DETERMINING THAT PROPERTY ABUTTING SAID STREETS WILL BE SPE- CIFICALLY BENEFITED AND ENHANCED IN VALUE IN EXCESS OF COST OF THE IMPROVEMENTS AND LEVYING AN ASSESSMENT; FIXING A LIEN AND CHARGE, THE MANNER AND TIME OF PAYMENT AND COLLECTION; 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 Pro Tem Tipton then opened the floor for petitions or information from the audience. He recognized Mrs. Carlene Gunther, 4434 Fleetwood, at this time. Mrs. Gunther, representing the greater Northwest area of Corpus Christi, presented questionaires which had been circulated throughout the Tuloso-Midway, Calallen and Annaville area, stating that a total of 2,560 questionaires have been returned. She explained that 1,160 questionaires have been tabulated, and the results overwhelmingly indicate a desire for a branch library in that area. Mrs. Gunther also presented to the Council letters from students and individuals expressing a desire for a branch library. Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 20, 1977 Page 7 Ms. Betty Black, 10733 Westview, also representing the greater northwest area of Corpus Christi, addressed the Council at this time and explained the tabulated results of the questionaire and stated that it is indicated that between 12,000 and 15,000 citizens would take advantage of a branch library in that area. Mrs. Black stated that their group had only been working on this for four days.and they felt it is an urgent matter since the Library Board meets on April 22 and they would like to have the petitions presented to the Board for consideration as a priority recommendation that a branch library for the northwest area be considered in next year's budget. She informed the Council that a petition had been presented a year ago Yequesting the library, but the City had not considered the construction of a library in that area. City Manager Townsend stated that the Library Board had recommended a branch library for the northwest area, but had indicated that other areas had a greater need for a branch library. He suggested that the representatives attend the meeting of the,Library Board because it was not likely that the staff' cwoul'd ma a recommendation to. -the Council unless the LibraryBoard recoommend's that a branch library be locatedin-that area. Mayor Luby and several other Councilmembers complimented Mrs. Gunther, Ms. Black and other representatives of the group on the outstanding presentation they had made and requested that City Manager Townsend direct a member of the staff to present the questionaires and petitions to the Library Board. Mr. Edmund Williams, 420 Dolphin Place, spoke at this time and expressed his appreciation to the Council for their performance during the past two years. He mentioned that even though depravity exists in many governmental entities, he feels that all of the present Councilmembers are honest individuals. City Manager Townsend reminded the Council of the Council of Governments meeting to be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 22, at the COG office. Mr. Townsend stated that COG had approved Criminal Justice Division grants for the City of Corpus Christi in the amount of $117,000 and that some of the programa Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 20, 1977 Page 8 established by the Council as priority items for consideration by COG had not been approved. City Manager Townsend reminded the Council that a Manpower ConsortiuR meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 21, 1977, but indicated that it would be a short meeting. There being no further business to come before the Council, on a motion by de Ases, seconded by Sample, and passed unanimously, the meeting was adjourned at 3:35 p.m. April 20, 1977. 4 '1L ,