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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 04/13/1983MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 13, 1983 2:00 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Luther Jones Mayor Pro Tem Betty N. Turner Council Members: Jack K. Dumphy Bob Gulley * Herbert Hawkins, Jr. Dr. Charles W. Kennedy Cliff Zarsky City Manager Edward A. Martin 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 Reverend Brian Crown of Trinity Temple Church, following which the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States was led by Council Member Jack Dumphy. 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. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Turner that the Minutes of the Special Council Meeting of April 4, 1983 and the Regular Council Meeting of March 30, 1983 be approved as presented; seconded by Council Member Kennedy; and passed unanimously. Mayor Jones noted the issuance of the following proclamations: "PRIVATE PROPERTY WEEK" - April 10-16, 1983 and "DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST" - April 10-16, 1983. o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*a*o*o Mayor Jones announced the presentation by Beautify Corpus Christi Association. MICROFILMED SEP 1 O 1984 Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 13, 1983 Page 2 Mrs. Ruth Gill, President of Beautify Corpus Christi Association, addressed the Council and assisted by Mrs. Chris Garcia, presented a portfolio of information in regard to a proposed system to rid the City of unsafe, unhealthy and unsightly litter. She informed the Council that according to public hearings and an independent poll taken, the number one problem, according to the citizens of Corpus Christi, was litter in the parks and on beaches. She stated that the situation has always existed but nobody seem to know what to do about it. She explained the Sparkleline Program and how successful it has been and, because of this, her association feels that a community -wide, all -sector effort is necessary to rid the City of litter. She urged that a coalition of government, business and community leaders be formed to combat the problem. She stated that there are twenty cities in Texas that have a "Clean Community System" which they now recommend for the City of Corpus Christi. She briefly described the method by which it could be implemented and stated that they have prepared a budget for a cooperative effort by the City, County and business community, and that for a total budget of $41 ,000, a full-time executive director and a part-time secretary could be employed, and this amount would also include necessary travel expense. She explained the number of endorsements on this program that they had already received and then introduced other members of the committee who have worked on this effort. Mrs. Gill specifically requested that the salary of the executive director be paid by the City of Corpus Christi and indicated that they would like to have the funds approved as soon as possible, prior to the adoption of the 1983-84 budget. Council Member Zarsky inquired if the County and business firms would make the same commitment as the City, and Mrs. Gill stated that she has not received an answer to her request, noting that they had contacted the Chamber of Commerce and the Junior League for assistance. A motion was made by Council Member Gulley that this matter be included on the agenda next week as a discussion item, seconded by Council Member Dumphy and passed unanimously. Mayor Jones pointed out that any expenditure the City might make to this effort would in turn reduce the cost of maintenance by City employees. City Manager Martin assured the Council that the Staff would study this request and hope to have a recommendation in regard to the funding as soon as possible. 0*o*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0 Council Member Gulley deviated from the agenda by stating that he had talked with Mr. Jimmy Storm who had informed him that Senator Carlos Truan's office staff had indicated that 5. B. 1260 on the Port Authority would be on the Senate floor today. City Manager Martin stated that he was not aware of that but explained that Mr. Briones is on his way home from Austin and possibly will arrive before the Council Meeting is over to provide information. 'Mi. s Regular Council Meeting April 13, 1983 Page 3 Council Member Gulley expressed the opinion that the Council should have taken a stand on that bill and confirm the position that they did agree to a few weeks ago at the meeting with Nueces County Commissioners Court at which time they met as the Navigation Board. A motion was made by Council Member Gulley that the Council reconfirm the position that was taken by a majority of the Navigation Board at the recent joint meeting of the City Council and Nueces County Commissioners in regard to the appointment of Port Authority of Corpus Christi and that letters be sent to the Senate and the House of Representatives in regard to this, The motion was seconded by Council Member Dumphy. Council Member Zarsky suggested that the letters be sent to all of the Senate members and the local delegation of the House of Representatives. Mayor Jones stated that he would hesitate to do this since Senator Truan supports the bill. * Council Member Herbert Hawkins arrived at the meeting at 2:40 p.m. Mayor Jones called for the vote on the motion and it passed as follows: Turner, Dumphy, Gulley, Hawkins and Zarsky voting, "Aye"; Jones and Kennedy voting, "N&'. o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o Mayor Jones then administered the oath to the following newly appointed board members: Mrs. Janet Rice, Landmark Commission, and Mr. Wiliam H. Locke, Jr., Planning Commission. o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o Mayor Jones called for consideration of Action from the Workshop Meeting which had been posted as a supplemental agenda. 1. The City Council of the City of Corpus Christi supports the passage of legislation by this session of the State legislature to allow the application for a Foreign Trade Zone in Corpus Christi, First Reading - Approving the Courthouse site as the location for the new City Hall. 3. Cancelling the motion calling for a non-binding referendum on the location of the new City Hall on May 7, 1983. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Turner that the foregoing actions be confirmed, seconded by Council Member Dumphy. Mayor Jones called for comments from the audience on these items and there was no response. Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 13, 1983 Page 4 He then called for the vote on the No. 1 item and it passed unanimously. The first reading of the motion approving the Courthouse site for the location of the new City Hall passed as follows: Jones, Turner, Dumphy, Hawkins, and Kennedy voting, "Aye"; Gulley and Zarsky voting, "No". Mayor Jones then called for the vote on Item 3 and it passed by the following vote: Jones, Turner, Dumphy, Gulley, Hawkins and Kennedy voting, "Aye"; Zarsky voting, "No". o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*oxo City Manager Martin reported on the status of the Port Authority Senate Bill and stated that it is not on the floor of the Senate today but is actually on the agenda for a hearing of the Natural Resources Commission. Council Member Kennedy mentioned that at the meeting of the Navigation Board, three different votes were taken on the items included in the Senate Bill. o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o Mayor Jones called for consideration of the Motions from the Consent Agenda on items 1 through 9. 1. Bids be received May 10, 1983 for twelve months supply agreement for approximately 840 mechanical joint and 100 flanged fittings, 220 swivel hydrant fittings, 375 retainer glands and 5,750 miscellaneous nuts, bolts and gaskets for the Water Division. 2. Twelve months supply agreement for fine paper for printing be awarded to the following based on low bid meeting specifications: Century Papers Corpus Christi 14,780 Reams of Paper 10,000 Sheets of Cover Stock Various Colors $38,805.30 Clampitt Paper Co. San Antonio 20,000 Sheets of White Cover Stock Approximate Total: $42,101.30 $3,296.00 Prices have decreased 7% since the previous contract in May, 1982. Six bid invitations were issued and three bids were received. The apparent low bid of $2,170 by Century Papers on the white cover stock did not meet weight specifications. Mi. s Regular Council Meeting April 13, 1983 Page 5 3. Twelve months supply agreements for lubricating oils, greases and related items be approved based on low bids as follows: a. Texas Star Services, Corpus Christi 5,000 Gal. Solvent 4,000 Gal. Hydraulic Oil 10,500 Gal. Motor Oil 1 ,500 Gal. Automatic Trans. Fluid 360 Lbs. Wheel Bearing Grease Total: b. Industrial Lubricants, Corpus Christi 4,000 Gal. Torque Fluid 5,700 Lb. Extreme Pressure Grease 2,000 Gal. Anti -Freeze Total: c. Texaco, Corpus Christi 550 Gal. Natural Gas Engine Oil 4,750 Lbs. Molybedenum Grease Total: $ 6,450.00 6,920.00 22,890.00 3,597.00 194.00 $40,051.40 Subject to Price Adjustment $ 9,160.00 2,543.00 5,780.00 $14,940.00 $ 1,578.50 3,727.00 $ 5,305.90 Subject to Price Adjustment Grand Total: $54,996.45 Prices have decreased approximately 15% since last contract bid in 1982. Seven firms submitted bids. 4. A replacement hydraulic gate valve operator be purchased from E. H. Wachs Company, Wheeling, III. on the basis of only bid for $8,130.00 for the Water Division Maintenance of Lines. This item is included in the 1982-83 Budget. The current piece of equipment is deteriorated and replacement parts are no longer available. 5. Mowing equipment for the Park Division and Oso Golf Course be purchased as follows on the basis of low bid: Turf & Irrigation Corpus Christi, Texas Item 1 60" Self Propelled Rotary Mower 1 ea. @ $4,350.00 Chemical & Turf Speciality Dallas, Texas Item 72" Self Propelled Rotary Mower ea. @ $4,975.00 $ 4,350.00 9,950.00 Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 13, 1983 Page 6 Goldthwaites of Texas San Antonio, Texas Item 3 5 -Gang Reel Type Rough Mower 1 ea. @ $5,193 GRAND TOTAL 5,193.00 $ 19,493.00 All of the equipment is replacement except for one of the 72" mowers which will be used at the Bill Witt Softball Complex. The mowers are included in the 1982-83 Budget. Eight firms submitted bids. 6. A contract be awarded to South Texas Urethane, Inc. for reroofing Fire Station No. 13 in the amount of $6,670. Funds for the reroofing of this Flour Bluff fire station are included in the 1982-83 Fire Department Operating Budget. 7. Authorizing the City Manager to execute a revocable easement grant for a 20 -foot wide by 914 -foot long strip of Airline Road right-of-way to the Lakewood Village Council of Co -Owners. 8. Authority be granted for a team of four persons of the Mathis Skydiver's Club to perform parachute jumping over Buccaneer Stadium on April 30, 1983, as part of the Buccaneer Days celebration. 9. The appointment of Fox & Co., Certified Public Accountants, be approved to perform the following audits for the fiscal year ending July 31 , 1983. City's annual audit $40,000 Federal Grants Single Audit 30,000 Corpus Christi Housing Improvement Corporation 3,800 Corpus Christi Housing Finance Corporation 7,000 $80,800 Council Member Kennedy referred to item 9 and inquired if bids had been taken for this service. City Manager Martin explained that this City and most other cities every so often make a competitive selection of a different auditor and that auditor is employed for approximately seven years. After that time, they go out again for competitive selection proposals. He stated that this is the fifth year for Fox & Company to perform such audits and Director of Finance Chuck Daley recommends that the City go out for a competitive selection next year and he concurs with this recommendation. He stated that in no instances, does a City change auditors every year. Council Member Kennedy stated that there have been significant changes made in this company since the original contract was signed five years ago. Mr. Daley explained that it is a local company that merged with a national firm and only one partner left this company. He stated that they have been using the same people for the past few years and the fact that they have gone Mit. s Regular Council Meeting April 13, 1983 Page 7 national really is an asset because they have a specialist in municipal audits and this City has received better support on their audits. He pointed out that this is not a long-term agreement but is only for one annual audit. Mayor Jones referred to item 3 and expressed the opinion that 4,000 gallons of hydraulic oil seems to be a large amount. City Manager Martin assured the Council that the City does use that amount, but if all of it is not used, the City does not pay for it. There were no comments from the audience on these items. A motion was made by Council Member Zarsky that items no. 1 through 9 be approved, seconded by Council Member Dumphy and passed unanimously. o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o* Mayor Jones called for Consideration of Consent Ordinances and Ordinances from Previous Meetings on Items 10 through 16. There were no comments from the audience on the ordinances; City Secretary Read polled the Council for their votes; and the following ordinances were passed: 10. ORDINANCE NO. 17560: CLOSING THE HEARING ON STREET IMPROVEMENTS ON GLENMORE STREET, FROM KENTNER STREET TO OCEAN DRIVE, 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 passed by the following vote: Jones, Turner, Dumphy, Gulley, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting, "Aye". 11. ORDINANCE NO. 17561: AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT WITH M & M CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. FOR THE GLENMORE STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT; APPROPRIATING $100,000 FOR THIS CONTRACT; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Jones, Turner, Dumphy, Gulley, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting, "Aye". Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 13, 1983 Page 8 12. ORDINANCE NO. 17562: AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH PADRE ISLAND REALTY COMPANY, INC. FOR A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE IN BEL AIR ESTATES UNIT ; APPROPRIATING $2,500.00 FOR THIS AGREEMENT; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Jones, Turner, Dumphy, Gulley, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting, "Aye". 13. ORDINANCE NO. 17563: AMENDING THE 1982-83 BUDGET TO INCLUDE RISK MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY, ACTIVITY 112-501.17, AND PROVIDING FOR AN APPROPRIATION FROM THE UNALLOCATED FUND BALANCE OF THE SELF INSURANCE FUND FOR RISK MANAGEMENT EXPENDITURES IN 1982-83; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Jones, Turner, Dumphy, Gulley, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting, "Aye". 14. SECOND READING: AMENDING ARTICLE VI, SECTIONS 2-160, 2-166, AND 2-167 AND DELETING SECTIONS 2-161 AND 2-162 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY DELETING ALL REFERENCES TO WELFARE ACTIVITIES. The foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to its third reading by the following vote: Jones, Turner, Dumphy, Gulley, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting, "Aye". 15. SECOND READING: APPROVING AND ADOPTING A WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS MASTER PLAN FOR THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI. The foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to its third reading by the following vote: Jones, Turner, Dumphy, Gulley, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting, "Aye". 16. THIRD READING - ORDINANCE NO. 17564: AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A THREE YEAR LEASE AGREEMENT WITH C AND C INDUSTRIAL BUILDERS, INC. TO LEASE LOT 1, LEXINGTON INDUSTRIAL CENTER FOR MATERIAL STORAGE. The foregoing ordinance was read for the third time and passed by the following vote: Jones, Turner, Dumphy, Gulley, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting, "Aye". Mil s Regular Council Meeting April 13, 1983 Page 9 0*o*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0 Mayor Jones called for Consideration of Motions from the Regular Agenda. 17. The sale of $11,045,000 general improvement bonds Wednesday, May 18, 1983 at 2:00 p.m. Purpose Amount Sanitary Sewer $ 100,000 Streets 3,030,000 Sanitary Land Fill 350,000 Parks and Recreation 300,000 Airport Land and Hazard Elimination 1,500,000 Airport Improvements 80,000 Storm Sewers 555,000 Public Safety 430,000 Library 4,700,000 11,045,000 City Manager Martin explained this item to the Council and reminded them that the voters approved these general improvement bonds in February of 1982, and following that, the Council conducted a Workshop Session to set tentative plans as to when the bonds would be sold. He reminded the Council that last fall, the City sold $10,525,000 in bonds, and the schedule calls for the second sale to be conducted in the Spring of 1983 for a total amount of $13,000,000. He stated that the Staff feels that it is important that these bonds be sold prior to July, at which time the law will be changed in regard to municipal bonds. He noted that there is a reduction from the original $13,000,000 to approximately $11,000,000 and the reason for the reduction is because of the grant that was received by the City for the improvement of sewer plants. He stated that approval of this item will keep the bond sales on the schedule set by the Council. Council Member Kennedy inquired about the purpose of the Parks & Recreation Department's Tennis Center improvements, and Mr. Utter explained that it is for the completion of the lighting program and the program for the South Bluff Tennis Expansion. Council Member Kennedy suggested that if the Council is considering reallocating priorities, that some airport improvements also be moved ahead of schedule. City Manager Martin explained that the airport improvements are dependent upon availability of federal funds and the only funds available at this time are for runway improvements, etc. Mayor Pro Tern Turner inquired if all of the projects approved in the 1982 sale were underway or if progress had been made in some way on all of them. Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 13, 1983 Page 10 Assistant City Manager Lontos verified that most of them are either underway or in the planning stage. Mayor Pro Tem Turner inquired of Mr. Martin about the anticipated interest rate on the bond sale, and Mr. Martin replied that if they were sold today, the City would probably have a better interest rate or at least the same as the previous rate which was .856%. Mayor Jones referred to the airport land and hazard elimination and urged that this be accomplished as soon as possible after the bonds are sold. There were no comments from the audience on this item. A motion was made by Council Member Dumphy that item 17 be approved, seconded by Council Member Zarsky and passed unanimously. 18. Consideration of pending state legislation. Deputy City Manager Ernest Briones, who had just arrived in the Council Chamber, stated that he had testified on the bill that would take away the authority of the City to require that City employees reside within the City limits. Mayor Jones urged Mr. Briones to make the judgment as to when he needs assistance from the Council to testify on bills in Austin. Mr. Briones stated that testimony by elected officials on both Senate and House Bills is much more important than testimony by Staff members. He assured the Council that he would contact them when he felt it was necessary for them to testify. o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o* Mayor Jones called for Consideration of the Ordinances from the Regular Agenda on items 19 through 22. There were no comments from the audience on these ordinances; City Secretary Read polled the Council for their votes; and the following ordinances were passed: 19. ORDINANCE NO. 17565: CLOSING THE 300 BLOCK OF TWENTY-FIRST STREET TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 11:00 A.M. UNTIL 5:00 P.M. ON SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1983, AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF ATTACHED APPLICATION PERMIT; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Jones, Turner, Dumphy, Gulley, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting, "Aye". Mi. ;s Regular Council Meeting April 13, 1983 Page 11 20. ORDINANCE NO. 17566: APPROPRIATING $56,600 TO PAY THE ESTIMATED COSTS OF SELLING $11 ,045,000 OF BONDS ON MAY 18, 1983; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Jones, Turner, Dumphy, Gulley, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting, "Aye". 21. ORDINANCE NO. 17567: AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE UPON APPLICATION OF OSCAR SALSTRAND BY GRANTING A SPECIAL COUNCIL PERMIT ON A PORTION OF LOTS 43, AND 44, BLOCK 4, HUGHES SUBDIVISION FOR A USED CAR LOT; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Jones, Turner, Dumphy, Gulley, Hawkins, Kennedy and Zarsky voting, "Aye". o*o*o*oto*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o* A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Turner that the Regular Council Meeting be recessed at 3:46 p.m. in order to convene the Special Council Meeting on zoning cases; seconded by Council Member Kennedy; and passed unanimously. o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o* Mayor Jones reconvened the Regular Council Meeting at 4:51 p.m. City Manager Martin referred to his memorandum on the midblock lighting situation which had been sent to the Council a short time ago. He reminded the Council that citizens can have lights installed in midblock locations if they are willing to pay for it, noting that it is very inexpensive. He confirmed that the City has a policy not to install or pay for midblock lighting unless there is a certain distance between the intersections. He also made reference to the situation that previously prohibited the operation of gas lights and stated that it may have changed recently due to the availability of gas. Mayor Jones requested that the staff provide a report on the of gaslights and gas appliances. Mayor Jones called for petitions or information from the matters not scheduled on the agenda. possible sale audience on Mr. Cliff Moss, 3837 Denver, President of Friends of the Library, asked about the situation in regard to a site for the new library. Mayor Jones informed Mr. Moss that the Council approved on first reading a motion to locate the new City Hall at the Courthouse site. Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 13, 1983 Page 12 Mr. Moss continued by stating that they would like to see the library project move ahead as quickly as possible and requested that the Council make a decision on a site that would be fairly inexpensive as soon as possible so that they can move forward with their project. Council Member Dumphy noted that Mr. Moss had specified "a site at a reasonable cost," but recently, he addressed the Council and indicated that the location was more important than the cost. Mayor Jones presented a map to Mr. Moss which shows the suggested location of the library near the new City Hall across from Blucher Park, stating that savings could be effected if a common parking lot could be used by both facilities. Council Member Kennedy also confirmed that two weeks from today, hopefully the new City Hall site can be determined and following that, the library project can move forward as soon as a site selection is made. City Manager Martin stated that a meeting of the Site Selection Committee has been called for Friday and noted that the meeting was set as soon as the decision had been made by the Council during the morning Workshop Meeting. He assured Mr. Moss that the Staff was moving forward as quickly as possible but a definite date could not be given to him as to when the site selection will be made. He pointed out that the sale of bonds in the amount of $4.7 million for the Central Library will be accomplished on May 18, 1983. Mr. Jay Wheless, 5914 Moultrie, representing Country Club Estates presented a petition requesting that a traffic light be installed at the intersection of Everhart and Wooldridge Road. He explained the difficulties with entering and departing the subdivision because of the high traffic count. He stated that the petition contained signatures from residents of 450 households in the area; this has been discussed with the Traffic Department; personnel in that department have indicated that lights are installed after consideration has been given to the possible stacking of traffic. Mr. Martin stated that traffic signal improvements were included in the bond program; plans and specifications are being prepared; and the staff hopes to go out for bids for equipment for that intersection, as well as other intersections very soon. Mr. Rudy Valdez, P. O. Box 7607, referred to Ordinance No. 11009 which requires property owners to pay for utility service even though the renters of the property are the ones responsible for such payments. He explained that the landlord does not have the authority to discontinue or turn on service for his rent property, but instead, the tenants must make arrangements for this. He expressed the opinion that landlords should be notified as to whether or not their tenants are paying their bills. He pointed out that landlords are not notified if tenants move out, yet the landlord is the one who is responsible for payment of all utility bills on their property even though the user of the services is the one viewed by the City as being responsible for the bills. He stated that he recently paid a bill for $1,000 for one of his rental properties. Mit , Regular Council Meeting April 13, 1983 Page 13 Council Member Kennedy questioned how such a large bill of over $1,000 could be incurred without having the utilities disconnected. City Secretary Read explained that frequently, renters do not go to the Public Utilities Office to arrange for service but simply turn the meters on at the houses they are renting, or, after their utilities have been turned off, they simply turn them back on again for unauthorized service. Council Member Gulley recalled that the City had been involved in a lawsuit to test this ordinance to see if it is legal and asked about the status of the lawsuit. City Attorney Bruce Aycock stated that it is still pending. Council Member Gulley expressed the opinion that the ordinance should be examined to see if something can be done about this unfair practice against landlords. Council Member Kennedy suggested that criminal charges should be filed against the renter who illegally turns on their utilities without registering for service or paying a deposit. Council Member Hawkins agreed and suggested that the landlord should be notified if this happens. City Manager Martin stated that the City has no way of knowing who owns the land and cannot notify anyone. He stated that the deposit is so small that it would not take care of any very large utility bills. Mr. Valdez pointed out that obviously the Utilities Department eventually finds out who owns the property because unpaid bills are sent to the landlord, and they could notify the owner of any unauthorized use of utilities by their renter. Mrs. Mary Williams, 6626 Clare Drive, stated that she owns a ladies shop at 518 Chaparral Street and a place of entertainment in the area known as the "Cut". She explained that she tries to maintain a good atmosphere and improve the area, but last week, a murder occurred very near her place of business. She stated that there are two places in the area where violent crimes have occurred and alleged that two Cubans were involved in the last two crimes that were committed. She urged that the Council do something to help the situation and possibly close the two places of business. Mayor Jones asked Mrs. Williams to identify the two establishments and asked for a legal opinion as to what authority the City might have to close such businesses. Council Member Kennedy requested a report from the Legal Department and Chief Banner as to what their options are in such situations. He suggested the possibility of increased surveillance and checking minors entering those places of business. Minutes Regular Council Meeting April 13, 1983 Page 14 Mr. Jack Graham addressed the Council in regard to the Crime Stopper Program and provided statistics on the success of the program. He expressed appreciation to the City Council for their support of the Crime Stopper Program. o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*oto*o*o A motion was made by Council Member Kennedy that the Council convene in closed session to discuss pending litigation under the authority granted by Article 6252-17 of the Open Meetings Law; seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner; and passed unanimously at 5:40 p.m. o*c*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o Mayor Jones reconvened the Regular Council Meeting at 6:27 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Council, on motion by Mayor Pro Tem Turner, seconded by Council Member Kennedy and passed unanimously, the meeting was adjourned at 6:28 p.m, April 13, 1983.