HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 10/19/1983 - SpecialMINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 19, 1983
7:30 P.M.
PRESENT:
Mayor Pro Tern Betty N. Turner
Council Members:
David Berlanga, Sr.
Leo Guerrero
Herbert Hawkins, Jr.
Dr. Charles Kennedy, Jr.
Joe McComb
Frank Mendez
Mary Pat Slavik
ABSENT:
Mayor Luther Jones
City Manager Edward A. Martin
City Attorney J. Bruce Aycock
City Secretary Bill G. Read
Mayor Pro Tem Betty N. Turner called the meeting to order in the Council
Chamber of City Hall.
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.
item:
Mayor Pro Tem Turner announced the assessment hearing on the following
Furman School Area Street Improvements, Phase I. This provides for
assessments of $270,728.16 for the 184 items on the roll and includes
the following streets:
South Alameda Street, from Morgan Avenue to Agnes Street;
Tenth Street, from Craig Street to Mary Street;
Buford, Hancock, Coleman, Mary and Marguerite Streets, from
Tenth Street to South Staples Street;
Park Street from South Alameda Street to South Staples Street;
and Morris Street from Tenth Street to Alameda Street.
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City Manager Martin explained to the Council that it is necessary to
conduct a certain procedure involving testimony by the City Engineer and an
independent appraiser and the formal portion of the presentation will be
conducted by the City Attorney.
Assistant City Manager James K. Lontos explained that this is the first
phase of the Furman School Area Street Improvement projects which will be
funded by Community Development Block Grant Program. He stated that there
are no voluntary paving petitions but it is an area in which the street
improvements and drainage improvements are essential.
City Attorney J. Bruce Aycock called as his first witness Mr. Gerald
Smith, P.E., City Engineer and established his qualifications to testify, noting
that he had been employed by the City of Corpus Christi for twenty-four years
and that a copy of his qualifications in resume form is on file in the City
Offices.
Mr. Smith explained the project which is described as Phase I and which is
funded through the 8th Year Community Development Block Grant Program.
Mr. Smith located the streets included in the project and stated that the plan is
to reconstruct most of the streets in varying widths and some of the streets
will be resurfaced. He stated that new water lines will be installed on most of
the streets included in the project.
Mr. Smith testified that the plans were prepared in the City's Engineering
Department; bids were received from five contractors on August 17, 1983; and
the low bid was that submitted by King Construction Company in the amount of
$968,676.55. He stated that the contractor will be allowed 220 working days or
approximately 11 months of construction time.
Mr. Smith informed the Council that the assessment roll consists of 184
items for a total of $274,202.82. He explained that the assessment rates have
been calculated according to the current assessment ordinance. He pointed out
that some of the property is zoned other than residential but the assessment
rate will be established at residential rates if that is the use of the property.
He stated that the Staff proposes not to charge assessments on the new water
line for this project. Mr. Smith then pointed out that under a revision to the
assessment ordinance, there are several exceptions for residential use property
in the project in that (1) any property used for one or two-family residences,
which is in a different zoning district than "R -1B", will be assessed at the
residential rate; (2) low-income residents who own and occupy the property may
be eligible for a no interest no payment loan through this CDBG Program and
the owner/occupants will not be assessed until the property is sold, at which
time the assessment will be paid at no interest; and (3) absentee owners in this
area who own property which is being used for residential purposes and where
such property is rented to low-income tenants will be eligible for a 3% loan not
to exceed a ten-year program. He explained the guidelines for low-income
which indicates if one person living in a residence has an income of $11,000 or
less, he will be eligible for the no interest loan.
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Mr. Smith also informed the Council that a letter in both Spanish and
English will be sent to all property owners explaining the possible eligibility for
the no interest loans.
Mr. Lontos pointed out that this is the first public hearing conducted
since the change in the CDBG Program. He stated that the Staff recommends
that that policy be retroactive to cover the Spohn Hospital Area Street
Improvements and the Washington -Cole Phase 3A Street Improvements.
He explained that the reason this particular neighborhood was selected for
street improvements was to renovate this older section and informed the Council
that the Phase 2 portion will follow this one with funding from the 9th Year
Community Development Block Grant.
City Attorney Aycock called as his next witness Mr. William J. Holly, Real
Estate Broker and Appraiser.
Through questioning of Mr. Holly, Mr. Aycock determined that he is
qualified to provide testimony on this case and that a copy of his qualifications
in resume form is on file in the City Engineering Office.
Mr. Holly testified that he has had extensive experience in real estate
appraisal and that he is well acquainted with this area and the value of the
property. He stated that he has examined each and every piece of property
included on the assessment roll and that in his opinion, each and every piece of
property will be enhanced at least in the amount of the assessments. Mr. Holly
also testified that the drainage will be improved a great deal and flooding will
be diminished.
Mayor Pro Tem Turner then invited property owners to address the
Council.
Mrs. Juanita Vandermeer, 1015 South Alameda, questioned why she should
have to pay for sidewalk improvements when new sidewalks were installed in the
front of her property two years ago by the telephone company.
Mr. Smith agreed that the telephone company did tear out the sidewalks on
that street in order to install an underground duct and they did install a new
sidewalk. He stated that the telephone company had allowed the sidewalk to
settle but agreed with Mrs. Vandermeer that she should not have to pay for
new sidewalk improvements since it should be paid for by the telephone
company.
Mr. Carl Crull, Design Engineer, stated that Mrs. Vandermeer will not
have her sidewalk removed except on the Buford Street side.
Mr. Smith also informed the Council that there will be no water line
assessments on this project.
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City Manager Martin explained that the existing City policy contemplates
charging for water line improvements but the Staff is going to recommend that
no assessments be charged for the installation of water lines for this project or
in the future.
Mr. Smith then referred to Mrs. Vandermeer's property on Alameda and
pointed out that it is a four-plex and does not qualify for the no interest loan.
Mr. Robert Silvas, 1034 Meadowbrook, stated that he owns the north 40' of
Lot 19, Block 13, Bayview Addition and informed the Council that he felt that
the property is over valued and the tenants are low-income residents.
Mr. Smith stated that Mr. Silvas would qualify for a 3% loan if he is
renting to low-income families. He noted that he will still be assessed but the
rate will be much lower than the usual interest on assessment loans.
Mr. Silvas also indicated that he did not feel he should have to pay for
the water line and questioned the installation of the driveway.
Mr. Lontos noted that the driveway is the property owner's choice but in
his opinion, Mr. Silvas would be wise to construct a driveway if he has a
garage. He reiterated that the Staff is recommending that there be no
assessments for the water line on this project.
Mr. Silvas then referred to his property listed as Item 130.
Mr. Smith pointed out that there is no charge for assessments on this
piece of property and even though there is an assessment listed for the
water line, the Staff recommends that there be no assessment for the water
line.
No one else spoke in regard to the assessments.
Mr. Lontos introduced the following Staff Members who will be working
with the property owners on the street improvements: Mr. Marion Brown,
Voluntary Paving Coordinator; Mr. Dan Ambriz, Harry Maxim, and Erasmo
Garza, who will also be working on the assessments; Mr. Bob Hobbs,
Construction Inspector; and Mr. Phil Beck and Mr. Carl Crull of the
Engineering Department.
A motion was made by Council Member Mendez that the hearing be closed,
seconded by Council Member Guerrero and passed unanimously.
There being no further business to come before the Council, on motion by
Council Member McComb, seconded by Council Member Hawkins and passed
unanimously, the Special Council Meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m., October
19, 1983.
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