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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 09/15/1981 - Public HearingL - MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING ANNEXATION PUBLIC HEARING HAZEL BAZEMORE, COUNTY PARK SEPTEMBER 15, 1981 8:32 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Luther Jones Mayor Pro Tem Betty N. Turner Council Members: jack K. Dunphy Bob Gulley Herbert Hawkins, Jr. *Dr. Charles Kennedy ABSENT: Cliff Zarsky City Manager Marvin Townsend City Attorney Bruce Aycock City Secretary Bill G. Read Mayor Luther Jones called the meeting to order at Hazel Bazemore County Park at 8:32 p.m. City Secretary Bill G. Read called the roll of required Charter Officers and verified that the necessary quorum of the Council was present to conduct a legally constituted meeting. Mayor Jones made a few introductory remarks and stated that the City Attorney would explain the state statutes as they pertain to annexation, following which there would be a few remarks about the area being annexed and the services that would be available to that area. The Mayor pointed out that the Council had not yet decided on the areas to be annexed and these were only those under consideration. He explained further that the vote would be taken at the conclusion of the public hearings. The Mayor then introduced City Attorney Bruce Aycock. Mr. Aycock explained the state statutes as they pertain to annexation as a result of recent legislation. He explained that Corpus Christi was the only city in the State of Texas to his knowledge that required an election before annexation, that in all other cities annexation was accomplished by ordinance rather than election, but our Charter provides that we have an election, which is proposed to be held November 3, 1981. Mayor Jones then introduced City Manager Marvin Townsend who described the areas proposed to be annexed and the services that would be extended to the area in accordance with state law. OFILMEU SEP 191984 nutes acia1 Council Meeting ..ptember 15, 1981 • Page 2 Mr. Larry Wenger pointed out the areas on the map that have been reviewed by the staff separately and are before the Council now for consideration of annexation. He pointed out that Wood River has entered into a contract with the City to annex by 1983 or as the area is platted and developed. City Manager Townsend pointed out the impact on the drinking water supply for the City of Corpus Christi and its possible contamination by development along the river. He explained that the plans were to build a fire station generally in the area to serve the area being annexed and that the present fire protection will be taken over by the City. The Mayor explained that it was the responsibility of the City Council to take care of the welfare of citizens of the community. He pointed out that the state law of Texas was looked upon by most other states in the Union as a fine example of annexation requirements. He further pointed out that the City Charter of Corpus Christi was the only such Charter in the State of Texas that required the additional safeguard of election, rather than just by the action of the City Council. He explained that it was the desire of the Council that the public be reminded that it was the Council's objective to do what is best for the City of Corpus Christi and to help those who are being made a part thereof. lie further explained that the development around cities were usually dependent upon the City itself for their existence and invited the public to voice their opinions so the Council would be better informed and enabled to intelligently decide on October 7, 1981 on the areas to be considered for annexation. He asked for those who wished to speak to raise their hands and practically <averyone in the audience raised their hand. City Manager Townsend then pointed out three areas that had not been pointed out earlier that were being considered for annexation. The areas were Suburban Acres, San Carlos and San Juan additions, along with a small business area along Highway 44 near the Clarkwood meat market. Mayor Pro Tem Turner suggested that the first speakers to be heard should be those from San Juan and San Carlos Additions. There being no one in the audience representing the residences in this area the floor was opened and the first speaker was Mr. Adam Flores, 2932 `'nutes ecial Council Meeting 2ptember 15, 1981 Page 3 Flores. He expressed his concern that Suburban Acres does have water and stated that people were having to carry their water in containers from the City to their property in Suburban Acres. He further explained that if this was not considered in the annexation program, the residences of this area would have no way to get water and may have no opportunity for many years to be served. He explained why the communities of San Juan and San Carlos now have water and sanitary sewerservices. This came as a result of an epidemic of infectious hepatitus and pointed out that he would hate for' a similar calamity to befall the residences of Suburban Acres before they were annexed. He urged that the Council put this particular tract of land in the annexation election. He was asked to stop by several members of the audience indicating that, he had spoken more than three minutes. There was considerable conversation and confusion as to this gentleman's speech before the Council and the consensus indicated that he was an attorney representing a group of people rather than speaking for himself. Mr. Dan Winship, 2721 S. Padre Island Drive, explained that there were some things in the areas proposed to be annexed that were not logical, pointing out that Wood River would come into the City within two years by contract and he felt it illogical that the Council would go beyond and bring in areas that it would be impossible for the City to provide with services. He stated the area to be annexed contained some 3,000 acres while Wood River was only approximately 400 acres, stating that it would make better sense for the City go out to Wood River but not beyond, explaining that the City could provide the services on a more systematic basis, rather than going beyond Wood River at this time. He referred to the services that were to be provided within the 21 year period and pointed out that the only thing that the City could provide that is not now being provided is fire protection. He pointed out that the big annexation program of 1962 has left such a bad impression that it was just now beginning to heal and strongly suggested the City not consider annexing this area right now to avoid tearing the City apart again. The next speaker was Camilla Watson who pointed out that her area had been annexed 18 years ago and yet she still did not have city sewer and wanted to know why the city was going beyond her to annex when they haven't served her yet.' 'mutes 'dal Council Meeting .ptember 15, 1981 Page 4 The Mayor pointed out that it was true that some areas that were annexed 18 years ago were not supplied with sanitary sewer but he also pointed out that there were many areas in the City for many, many years that still did not have a sanitary sewer system. He further explained about how sewer lines were installed and at whose expense, pointing out that it was not prima facia guarantee that just because an area is annexed that it would automatically be provided with sewers. He gave examples of what conditions exist in Flour Bluff, pointing out that no people were served by sewers before it was annexed and in addition they were paying a water tax. After annexation the water tax was eliminated. As of today there are 2,562 people now being served by sewer and over 300 homes where the sewer lines existed in front of the home, but the home owners had chooser' not to tie into the sewer and that only 303 homes exist in the Flour Bluff area that do not have sewer lines existing in front of their homes at this time. He pointed out also that almost the same situation exist in the Calallen area. Mr. Joe Stevens, Valley View, stated that if the prime reason for wanting to annex was to avoid effluent going into the Nueces River,then the question is how long it would be if they got sewer lines since that was the prime reason for annexation. City Manager Townsend pointed out that just the use of septic tanks did not necessarily contaminate the water in ,the river, but that it was the complying with all of the requirements of building and sanitation which was now not controlled. Mr. Stevens then asked of the City Manager if there were any residences in the area that are not built to standard. Mr. Townsend said that he did not know whether there were or not. Mr. Stevens further stated that if the reason for annexation was to avoid contamination and the City was not prepared to do anything to prevent contamination, such as installing a sewer plant, there was no reason for annexation. The next speaker was Mr. Owen Turner who stated that the pollution of the River is the question. He claimed that some existing sewer lines are in such shape and the raw sewage is being pumped in at such force that it's lifting the manhole covers and draining out into the ditches and stated that raw sewage was coming out of sewer lines and going directly into the River and he challenged a question that annexation was going to in any way alleviate the existing problem. ''nutes ecial Council Meeting .;ptember 15, 1981 Page 5 Mr. Dick Morrow of Quail Valley explained the stringent requirements for the installation of septic tanks before the State would give them a permit. He also explained that the systems being installed meet all of those requirements. He said the City did not have any services that they wanted and stated that the water they are buying from Robstown was the best water that could be bought and people complained about the Corpus Christi water being very substandard as compared to Robstown water; they are happy with their garbage collection and do not want a change. He stated that they were serviced by Nueces Co -Op and they were satisfied with it; General Telephone served them from Robstown and they were satisfied with it; the mail was delivered out of Robstown and he didn't see why Corpus Christi had anything to do with them. An unidentified lady, (114 East Vanderbilt). Someone asked her from the audience as to what she was doing out here since she lived in Corpus Christi, and she explained that the citizens of Corpus Christi and she partially had an investment and that she needed to protect it. She questioned why the line stopped where it did rather than extending all this way to Highway 44; she indicated that not another area was being annexed and insinuated that some member of the Council may have some investment or interest in the area adjacent to the area being annexed but not being considered for annexation might possibly be the reason. She also questioned how much of the annexed area was in the ownership of churches and was not subject to taxes. She explained that the water was supplied from the Violet Water District and that she paid for it and wanted to know why the line stopped at the Missouri Pacific Railroad and didn't go on to Hwy 77 claiming that possibly it was ministers, preachers, or friends of members of the Council that caused the line to stop at the railroad track rather than going to 77. She claimed that while she was a qualified voter of Corpus Chr?ti, many of the people here were not qualified to vote in this election and she thinks it is unfair since the City had nothing to offer them and that the only thing that the Council was interested in was tax dollars. • Mr. Mike McMullen, 113 West Barbara Lane, claimed that he had contacted a member of the Council who had explained that the reason for wanting to annex was to avoid the drainage going into the river. He says, -quite the contrary, that the water drained in the other direction and this was not a lutes :dal Council Meeting _iptember 15, 1981 Page 6 problem. He also reiterated that there are septic tanks that met all of the requirements of the state and that such tanks would not pollute the river. He said that if it could be proven to him that his septic tank was polluting the river he would be glad to come into the City providing the City would furnish him with sanitary sewers. He asked the Council again to look at this area and not annex it. Mr. Bill Turner lives on County Road 75 and is a member of the River Acres Water Board. He said that the City of Corpus Christi did not own the water system as the handout indicated. He said their water supply had no connection with Corpus Christi and that everybody in the area was happy with the water there and they did not need to be annexed to get water. He questioned how the City could come in and take over a water system that had been paid for by the residents of the area. Mr. Townsend pointed out that the handout did not say that this area was supplied by City water. The speaker said that the paper had so quoted and Mr. Townsend pointed out that they had no control over what the paper quoted. Ms. Shirley Mosmond, 121 River Trail, addressed the Council at this time, explaining that she did not have City water; did not have Southwestern Bell; did not have Central Power and Light, nor any of the services which she was to get within 60 days and did not want them. She stated that the reason for this was River Acres sold themselves out to the City of Corpus Christi and now Corpus Christi wanted to take them in in order to get more taxes and for that reason had no right to take them in and charge them for services that they were now getting elsewhere and that could not be provided by the City and they did not want anything that the City had to offer. She further stated that she resents that the area being annexed has no say on what is going to happen. Mr. W. R. Watkins, Route 1, Box 67W spoke at this time. * Dr. Charles Kennedy arrived at 9:11 p.m. Mr. Watkins claimed that the only reason that the City was considering them for annexation is so their taxes could pay for the busines§ 'for. they a' Convention Center that nobody wanted. .� -,nutes acial Council Meeting .ptember 15 1.981 Page 7 • Mr. Don Faris, who lives on Reagan Drive near the end of County Road 73 also brought out the pollution question and pointed out that the City several years ago annexed several miles of the river. He claimed that all the City had to do to insure the nonpollution of the river is to exercise their police rights and file charges against violators. Mr. Manuel Arredondo spoke next. He questioned what the citizens would be getting for the additional tax monies that they would be paying to the City. He pointed out that their taxes would be used for service in the City to those who did have sanitary` sewer and would not benefit them at all. He stated that no area should be annexed until all of the area between the existing city limits would also annexed. He asked if their taxes would be prorated determined by the amount of services being provided by the City and the Mayor replied that the taxes will be based on their market value by a County or areawide tax appraisal. Mr. Charles Wilson, Route 1, Robstown, uses all Robstown services. He claims he was victimized by the City of Corpus Christi nineteen years ago and he felt that this was an emotional subject and he asked to be forgiven for his lack of diplomacy. He stated that he wished he had brought a rope so it could be used on Marvin, because Marvin proposed to steal from these people who did not want City services and did not have them. Mr. Orville Dennis claimed the City would be taking him in and his was just farmland on the south side of 629 which is vacant and would probably remain vacant for a good many more years, but the City is proposing to take it into the City and put taxes on it but atthe same time were systematically not taking in other areas. He said the contract between the City and Wood River was not to take it in unless it was developed and yet they were going to take his area that is undeveloped and no development is planned and he did not feel it was right. Mr. M. D. Seed, Jr., 38 £mmord in Quail Valley, alluded to the pollution question. He said this was strictly an issue of politics, that we were talking about pollution, but it was just politics. An unidentified lady, 848 Valley Drive, stated that they are not getting an City services and did not want any and probably would not be able to get any for quite some time. She feels that when such time as the City could extend • `tnutes ,ecial Council Meeting aptember 15, 1981 Page 8 the services to them that it could be considered but at this time it should not 'be considered. Mr. Joe Askew, who lives in Quail Valley, addressed the Council and urged them to keep an open mind and consider carefully the facts before they include this area in the annexation election proposal. He asked what the cost would be to furnish the services as compared to the taxes collected. He asked that the City figure the cost of providing adequate police protection and adequate fire protection. He also asked if the transit system would be extended out to serve this area. An unidentified gentleman who resides on Valley View asked that the five mile extraterritorial jurisdiction be explained. City Manager Townsend explained that the only control the City has is just in subdivision of the lots and platting. The man claimed that he is one of the developers and that the City had required that all of the drainage and water problems had to be cleared with the City. He questioned why the City wpuld come in and annex this area since it had been completely developed at the cost of the developers and at no expense to the City. He felt this would be unfair for the City to annex it then and make them start paying taxes since the City had not contributed anything toward the development of the area. Mrs. Kay Hill, of Route 3, Callicoate Road, speaking on behalf of the residents of Suburban Acres, claimed that much of the property that was sold in Suburban Acres was misrepresented by the real estate dealers in being assured that they could get water only to find that after they had moved in they could not. She also questioned what would happend to the school districts, if they would be incoporated into Corpus Christi? She stated that she felt sorry for the people who lived there, but that they should have looked into the situation before they spent their money. Mr. Joe C. Joslin said he moved to Corpus Christi by choice. He threatened the Council that they would be challenged in a court of law if everything that was done was not done exactly according to the laws. Mr. H. T. Hill, 1 Valley View Drive in Valley View Subdivision, stated that there was a drainage problem in Valley View Subdivision, claiming that his house is completely surrounded by water after just a slight rain. He said that 'nutes ?.cial Council Meeting .:ptember 15, 1981 Page 9 he would welcome annexation with open arms if the City could correct his drainage problem. Mr. Phil Garza claimed that he had lived in Corpus Christi since 1972 and had so much trouble trying to conduct his business, that he is now moving out of town so he would not have to be burdened by this. He said the City of Corpus Christi is not taking care of the problems they now have and could not be expected to take care of the problems way out in the country. Mr. Leo Casbeer, of Valley View Drive stated he retired from City employment five years ago, and moved out of the City to get away from all their problems. An undentified gentleman urged the Council to take their time . He stated it has taken nineteen years for some of the areas that were annexed to get their services so the Council could afford to take their time and do this thing gradually. He claimed that the areas out here with two or three acres are primarily so that they can have livestock, but if they come into the City they will be prohibited them from having them. He said that if they had the livestock at the time it was brought into the City, the City would have to let them keep it. Mr. Bill Sewald, who lives in Broad Acres on Highway 624, questioned what would be allowed such as livestock if it is annexed. Mr. Townsend explained the distance between houses as the ordinance addresses the keeping of livestock. He asked the Mayor if he had referred to that group as parasites. The Mayor said that he had not made any statements such as that, had not implied it, and would not make one. Another unidentified gentleman who resides in Valley View Subdivision 909, questioned how the City could provide them with sanitary sewer when the sewer plant is now operating above its capacity. He said they already had a lot of what the City was proposing to give them. Mr. Dennis Stapalls, has a business on Saturn Street in Nottarb Place, stated he is ready to come into the City with his business because they City can now provide them with sewer services. He stated he would be glad for his home out here to be annexed if he could get the sewer service. M^r Jim :Bradshaw thanked the Council -for coming out and listening to /them-. Mr. Bradshaw claimed that many of the residents out here were, • "inutes ecial Council Meeting eptember 15, 1981 Page 10 dissatisfied with the police protection, ambulance service,- and _fire protection ;that they were getting in the City and they moved out here in order to get ,away from it. He questioned the staffing of the Police Department. He says _ that the crime rate is rising and the Police Department has quit investigating - minor crimes. Mr. Tim Barber stated he felt he was wasting his time to come out and express his opinion, but nevertheless, urged the Council to listen to what was being said tonight before they include this area in the annexation election. Ms. Doris Bagnall, Route 4, Robstown, says she lives on a small farm and wanted to know what would happen to her taxes since it was farmland. Mayor Jones explained the taxing policy, then called for comments from the Council. Dr. Kennedy spoke first and explained that he had not made up his mind; and the purpose for the meeting was to help them decide on the areas to be annexed. Mayor Pro Tem Turner spoke next thanking everyone who had called and shared their concern; and also thanked everyone present for coming out and making their statements, and assured them their comments have not fallen on deaf ears, but that their comments were well received and would be considered very seriously as the Council deliberated on the question of what areas were to be included in the annexation election. Council Member Hawkins stated that his mind is not made up; that this was the purpose for the meeting; and his determination would be based on his belief as to when the City could and would provide services to the area being considered. Council Member Dumphy spoke next and stated that as far as he knew no member of the Council had made up their mind and would not make up their minds until they had heard all of the evidence. Council Member Gulley reiterated that it was a public hearing and assured them that whether they thought it would do any good or not made no difference because it would make a difference to the Council as they made their decision on what areas would be included in the annexation and stated that his mind was not made up and would not be made up until all of the facts were heard. By motion by Council Member Gulley, seconded by Dumphy, and passed unanimously, the meeting was adjourned at 10:06 p.m. , September 15, 1981.