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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 01/21/1981 - SpecialMINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 21, 1981 7:00 P. M. CENTRAL PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 3602 McARDLE PRESENT: Mayor Luther Jones Council Members: Dr. Jack Best Jack K. Dunphy Cliff Zarsky ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Edward L. Sample Council Members: Leopoldo Luna Betty N. Turner City Manager R. Marvin Townsend Asst. City Attorney Jim Holtz City Secretary Bill G. Read Mayor Luther Jones called the meeting to order at Central Park Elementary School and stated that the purpose of the meeting was to conduct a public hearing on the assessments for the Street Improvements on Lexington Estates -Mahan Acres. Mayor Jones then introduced the Council Members who were present and recog- nized the citizens who had been instrumental in obtaining signatures on the volun- tary paving petitions. Mrs. Walter Forster, 5011 Cosner, explained that she and Mr. Forster had started the petitions in order to improve the drainage in the area. Mayor Jones explained to the audience that some of the Council Members were absent because of the necessity to attend another meeting. City Secretary Bill G. Read called the roll of required Charter Officers and verified that the necessary quorum was present to conduct a legally constituted meeting. Motion by Best that Mayor Pro Tem Edward Sample, Council Member Leopoldo Luna and Council Member Betty Turner be excused for just cause; seconded by Dumphy; and passed unanimously. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mr. Janes K. Lontos, Director of Engineering and Physical Development, explained that the Lexington Estates -Mahan Acres Street Improvement Project had started with petitions from the neighborhood; the City's Engineering Staff prepared the plans for the project; and informed the audience that formal testimony will be provided by Mr. Gerald Smith and Mr. Bill Holly. MICROFILMED su 1.91984 Minutes Special Council Meeting January 21, 1981 Page 2 Assistant City Attorney Jim Holtz stated that this public hearing is being conducted in accordance with State law to assist the Council in making a determina- tion as to whether or not the property involved will be enhanced at least in the amount of the assessments. Mr. Holtz called as his first witness Mr. Gerald Smith, Chief Engineer of the City of Corpus Christi. Through questioning of the witness, Asst. City Attorney Holtz established that Mr. Smith is the Chief Engineer of the City and has been employed by this entity for 21 years; he is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, with a degree in Civil Engineering; and that he is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. Mr. Holtz then asked Mr. Smith to explain the assessments and describe the street improvement project. Chief Engineer Smith testified that he is thoroughly familiar with the Lexington Estates and Mahan Acres Street Improvement Project which includes the following streets: Brandesky, Cosner and Kosarek Drives, from McArdle Road to South Padre Island Drive; Foley Drive, from Kostoryz Road to Broughton Drive; and Hakel Drive, from McArdle Road to Mahan Drive. Mr. Smith explained that some of these streets were included in the Voluntary Paving Program in the 1977 Bond Election, and the staff added Hakel Drive in order to complete street reconstruction in the subdivision. He stated that storm sewers will be installed where necessary. Mr. Smith continued by informing the Council and the audience that the plans were prepared by the City's Engineering Department; bids were received from seven local contractors; and the low bid of $603,957.20 was submitted by King Construction Company. He stated that the contractor has 71/2 months to complete the project. Chief Engineer Smith explained that the assessment roll was prepared in accordance with the City's current assessment policy and the bid price. He then displayed a transparency depicting a street section and explained that the streets will be constructed by excavation to a width and depth to permit the laying of a standard curb and gutter section, 6" compacted subgrade, 8" compacted caliche base and 11/2" Type "D" Hot Asphaltic pavement; streets will be 28' wide within the exist- ing right-of-way; there will be 4' wide reinforced concrete sidewalks 4" thick and 6" thick reinforced concrete driveways as shown on the plans or where requested by owners. Minutes Special Council Meeting January 21, 1981 Page 3 Mr. Smith noted that the assessment rates for this project for a 28' wide street are as follows: Curb, Gutter & Pavement - $13.68 per linear foot; Sidewalks - $1.00 per square foot; driveways - $2.97 per square foot and driveway breakout - $1.08 per square foot. He stated that the assessment rates for residential, schools and churches are as follows: Curb, Gutter & Pavement - $4.75; Sidewalks - $.75; Driveways - $2.97; and driveway breakout - $1.08. He informed the Council that the total of the preliminary assessments is $141,197.82 and the City's portion of the project cost is $462,759.38. Chief Engineer Smith explained that the assessments may be paid after com- pletion of the project by cash or over a 5 -year period in monthly installments at an interest rate of 61/2%. He also stated that in the case of hardship, the 5 -year period may be extended to 10 years at the same interest rate. Assistant City Attorney Holtzcalled as his next witness Mr. William J. "Bill" Holly, a real estate appraiser. Through questioning of Mr. Holly, Mr. Holtz ascertained that he is a licensed real estate broker registered in the State of Texas and that he has been performing appraisals for the City for a number of years. Mr. Holly testified that he has personally examined each and every parcel of land included in this project and stated that in his opinion, each and every parcel of land will be enhanced at least in the amount of the assessment with the exception of 15 odd -shaped lots on Foley Street on which he has recommended reduc- tions in the assessments for a total reduction of $2,227.87. He stated that the lots included in this category are listed on the assessment roll as Items No. 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115. Chief Engineer Smith indicated the staff's concurrence with Mr. Holly's recommended reductions on these lots. Assistant City Attorney Holtz stated that this concluded the formal testi- mony for this public hearing. Mayor Jones then called for comments from the audience. An unidentified gentleman in the audience stated that he resides at the corner of Brandesky and McArdle and inquired as to whether his property will have 4" or 6" curbs. Minutes Special Council Meeting January 21, 1981 Page 4 Mr. Smith replied that it has been the City's policy to construct 4" curbs on residential property and 6" curbs on commercial property. Mr. Bill Cochran, speaking on behalf of his mother-in-law, Mrs. E. J. Randolph, asked for a definition of "hardship cases." Mr. Smith explained that if it can be verified that a property owner is having difficulty making their monthly payments, Mr. Marion Brown, Voluntary Paving Coordinator, will attempt to make arrangements to extend the payment period to 10 years. Mr. Brown explained further that this usually applies to widows or elderly property owners who have a limited income. He commented that the City usually has only one or two hardship cases on each street improvement project. Mr. David L. Holland, 4613 Hakel, inquired if one street at a time will be improved or all of the streets at once, and Mr. Smith stated that this will not be a one street at a time project and the contractor will have several streets under construction simultaneously because storm sewers must be installed at the same time. He stated further that the City tries to restrict the contractor so that he will not have too many streets torn up. City Manager Townsend requested that the Engineering staff employees raise their hands so that if individual questions are necessary, the property owners will know who to discuss them with. Mrs. Goff asked about the estimated maximum time that the streets will be inaccessible, and Mr. Smith replied that the streets will always be accessible, but there may be times when residents will not be able to enter their driveways, but if it rains a great deal, it is possible that there may be times when residents cannot get onto their streets. An unidentified lady asked if the gas and water meters will be moved to the rear of their property, and Mr. Smith stated that they will not be moved unless they are in the way of the project. An unidentified gentleman inquired about trees that are in the location where the sidewalks are to be installed, and Mr. Smith stated that every effort will be made to save trees. He also explained that if fences are in the way, the City will remove the fences during construction and replace them following com- pletion of the construction. Minutes Special Council Meeting January 21, 1981 Page 5 Mayor Jones expressed appreciation to all of the citizens who attended the meeting. There being no further business to come before the Council, on motion by Dumphy, seconded by Zarsky and passed unanimously, the Special Council Meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m., January 21, 1981.