HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 04/22/1981dcw_ 04 -
MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 22, 1981
2:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Mayor Luther Jones
Mayor Pro Tem Edward L. Sample
Council Members:
Dr. Jack Best
Jack K. Dumphy
Leopoldo Luna
Betty N. Turner
Cliff Zarsky
City Manager Marvin Townsend
City Attorney J. Bruce Aycock
City Secretary Bill G. Read
Mayor Luther Jones called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber of
City Hall.
The invocation was given by Dr. John Gilbert of the First Methodist Churbh,
following which the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States was led
by Council Member Jack Best.
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.
Mayor Jones announced the issuance of a proclamation designating April 19-25,
1981 as "PROFESSIONAL SECRETARIES WEEK".
Mayor Jones then called for the canvassing of the returns of the Runoff
Election held on April 18, 1981.
City Secretary Read referred to his memorandum presented to the Council
calling to their attention in particular the three polling places .that had faulty
voting machines and the explanation he had provided, which indicated that the
result of the election was not affected by the discrepancies created by those
machines.
Mayor Jones checked several General Return Sheets from precincts selected
at random and ascertained that the reports were identical to the figures as
listed on the computer printout.
Motion by Dumphy that the report of the City Secretary be accepted,
seconded by Best and passed unanimously.
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City Secretary Read presented for the Council's consideration the ordinance
canvassing the returns. He called for the vote on it and the following ordinance
was passed:
MICROFILMED r 1":
SIP 1919gg
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
April 22, 1981
Page 2
ORDINANCE N0. 16199:
CANVASSING RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE RUNOFF ELECTION FOR THE PURPOSE
OF ELECTING THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI HELD ON THE
18TH DAY OF APRIL, 1981; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance was passed by the follow-
ing vote: Jones, Sample, Best, Dumphy, Luna, Turner and Zarsky voting "Aye".
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Mayor Jones invited the departing Council Members to make statements if
they desired to do so.
Council Member Luna expressed appreciation to Mayor Jones and his fellow
Council Members for appointing him to fill the vacancy created by the resignation
of Council Member David Diaz. Mr. Luna stated that he had enjoyed serving on the
Council and assured the Anglo community that he had nothing against them because
he had received many votes from the south side of the City. He expressed the
opinion that he was not reelected because the Mexican -American citizens did not
support him in his race. He alleged that the Mexican -American leadership is
dividing that segment of the community. Mr. Luna complimented his opponent in
the Place 1 race, Mr. Bob Gulley, for the excellent and fair campaign he had
conducted.
Mayor Pro Tem Sample thanked all of the citizens who had confidence in
him and voted for him during the past ten years. He stated that he looked forward
to continuing to serve the City of Corpus Christi in the future, possibly on a
City Board or Commission.
Council Member Best, having served on the Council for two years, expressed
the opinion that the City of Corpus Christi is in good hands with an outstanding
staff, including the City Manager, Marvin Townsend. He stated that he felt that
this Council's accomplishments had been great and offered his support in their
future endeavors. Dr. Best asked that the citizens remember him because he intends
to run for office in the future.
Council Member Zarsky expressed appreciation to the voters who reelected
him. He assured everyone that the newly elected Council will represent everyone
in the City in a fair manner. He, too, stated that he felt that the preceding two
years had been very productive and that the current Council had accomplished a
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
April 22, 1981
Page 3
great deal during that time. He expressed appreciation to the City Staff who had
helped the Council produce. He also thanked his wife and friends who had been
instrumental in getting him reelected. Mr. Zarsky stated that he looks forward to
serving with the new Council Members.
Council Member Turner stated that serving on the City Council is not what
she had perceived, but noted that 'it offers some good times even though it is an
awesome responsibility. Mrs. Turner extended her regards to the Council Members
who are departing with a special message to each one of them. She stated that she
is looking forward to working with the new Council Members and hopes to unify this
community and to be sensitive to the needs of every ethnic group in this community.
She thanked the people who voted for her and the individuals who had worked on her
campaign, with a special thanks to her husband.
Council Member Dumphy noted that the Council is losing some good workers
but they will gain some in the new Council Members. He assured the citizens that
this Council is not just for the Anglos,'and if anyone makes such a statement,
they should look to the Lord and ask forgiveness. He expressed the hope,that
everyone present will leave the Council Chamber with an open mind and help this
Council in their endeavors. He agreed with the statement made by Council Member
Luna that he could have been elected if the Mexican community had supported him.
Mr. Dunphy asked for the support of the people in the community and requested that
the voters not abandon the Council after they have elected them. He expressed the
opinion that the new Council Members to be sworn in have outstanding backgrounds
and excellent experience and stated that he looks forward to a great two years.
Mayor Jones stated that it was difficult for him to add anything except
that he was of the opinion that this Council has been the most productive one the
City has had in a number of years. Mayor Jones expressed appreciation to the
Council members and informed them that it had been a great pleasure serving with
them.
The retiring Council Members departed the Council Table.
The Honorable David Diaz, Judge of the 94th District Court, then adminis-
tered the oath to the Council, who were then seated at the Council Table.
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
April 22, 1981
Page 4
Mayor Jones invited the new Council Members to provide remarks.
Council Member Herbert L. Hawkins, Jr., spoke first and thanked God for the
opportunity to serve the people of this City as a member of the Council. He expressed
appreciation to the citizens who had elected him and thanked Mr. Edward Sample for
serving as his campaign manager, his wife for her support, and his minister, The
Reverend Elliott Grant, for his encouragement. Mr. Hawkins stated that he would
strive to serve the people of this community. I
Council Member Charles Kennedy expressed his excitement and happiness at
being allowed to serve on the Council. He stated that his number one priority
would be to unite this City. Dr. Kennedy thanked his family for their support,
as well as those who had worked on his campaign. He assured the citizens that
the decisions he will make and the votes he will cast will be for the best
results for the entire community. Dr. Kennedy then stated that he will begin
next Wednesday by arriving at 8:30 a.m. for a prayer session that the decisions
he makes will be the right ones and invited anyone who desired to meet with him
for this purpose. He stated that he believes in this City and hoped to be instru-
mental in making it a better place in which to live.
Council Member Zarsky thanked the people who helped him in his reelection
campaign but promised to work just as hard for those who did not vote for him as
those who did. Mr. Zarsky admitted that the City has some problems, but if the
Council asks for God's help, particularly with a prayer before the Council Meeting
next Wednesday, he was of the opinion that some of those problems could be solved.
Council Member Bob Gulley stated that it was good to be back on the Council.
He introduced his family and stated that he is looking forward to working with the
other Council Members. He expressed opinion that this Council will represent all
of the citizens of Corpus Christi.
Council Member Jack Dumphy introduced his wife and thanked her and those
who supported him in his campaign. He stated that he, as well as other Council
Members, are willing to set special meetings in order to get their job done. Mr.
Dumphy again stated that he has enjoyed serving on the previous Council and looks
forward to the next two years.
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
April 22, 1981
Page 5
Mayor Jones introduced his daughter and thanked those who had worked with
him during his campaign. He noted the many accomplishments of the previous Council
and assured the citizens that the new Council will work very hard to represent the
Spanish-speaking members of this community.
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Mayor Jones stated that the first order of business of the new Council was
to elect a Mayor Pro Tem.
Motion by Zarsky that CouncilMemberBetty Turner be elected Mayor Pro Tem,f
seconded by Dumphy.
Motion by Kennedy that Mrs. Turner be elected by acclamation, seconded by
Hawkins and passed unanimously.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner stated that she was humbled by the large vote that
she had received in the General Election and indicated that she would do her best
to fill the position vacated by former Mayor Pro Tem Edward Sample.
Mayor Jones discussed briefly the necessity of a weekend retreat for the
Council which would be conducted in order to brief the Council on the status of
projects and the operation of the City. He suggested that such a session be
scheduled as soon as possible in May.
Motion by Zarsky that this weekend retreat be scheduled for May 16 and 17,
1981; seconded by Turner; and passed unanimously.
City Manager Townsend assured the Council that the staff will work out the
details.
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City Manager Townsend informed the Council that he had one urgent matter
to bring to their attention. He stated that one particular zoning case on the
application of Mrs. Josephine S. Davis had been pending for six months; that
time expires as of this date; and requested that the Council extend the time
period for one additional week.
Motion by Turner that the time extension be granted, seconded by Zarsky
and passed unanimously.
Mayor Jones addressed the members of the audience and urged their partici-
pation in the Council Chamber. He pointed out that the people had elected this
Council, but the citizens have the responsibility to follow up to make sure that
Minutes
• Regular Council Meeting
April 221` 1981
I Page 6
the Council,is performing its job. He explained that any citizen on any given
Wednesday may address the Council on any subject for five minutes and urged them
to do so.
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There being no further business to come before the Council, on motion by
Zarsky, seconded by Turner and passed unanimously, the Regular Council Meeting
was adjourned at 2:54 p.m., April 22,;,1981.