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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 05/14/1985 - SpecialMINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING ANNAVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA 3901 Hilltop Road MAY 14, 1985 7:30 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Luther Jones Council Members: David Berlanga, Sr. Leo Guerrero Frank Mendez Bill Pruet Mary Pat Slavik Linda Strong ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Jack Best Council Member Joe McComb Assistant City Manager James Lontos City Attorney J. Bruce Aycock City Secretary Armando Chapa Mayor Luther Jones called the meeting to order in the Annaville Elementary School Cafeteria. He explained that the cost of this project is $1.3 million, of which the property owners will pay about 25% with 75% to be paid by all of the citizens of Corpus Christi through the procedure of the sale of bonds which were approved through an election. City Secretary Armando Chapa called the roll and verified that the necessary quorum of the Council and the required Charter Officers were present to conduct the meeting. The Council Members present then introduced themselves and made brief remarks. Assistant City Manager James K. Lontos, P.E., explained the procedure to be followed during the assessment hearing in accordance with State law. He stated that the assessment roll has been prepared according to the City's policy on paving assessments. Mr. Lontos explained that State law requires that the City must prove enhancement of the property in order to charge assessments. Assistant City Attorney Jay Doegey conducted the formal portion of the hearing and called as his first witness, Mr. Gerald Smith, City Engineer. MICROFILMED inutes apecial Council Meeting May 14, 1985 Page 2 Through questioning of Mr. Smith, Mr. Doegey determined that he is a Registered Engineer in the State of Texas and that he has been employed by the City of Corpus Christi for twenty-five years. Mr. Smith testified that he had a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and verified that he is familiar with the Annaville Area No. 2 Street Improvement Project. Mr. Smith displayed a transparency showing the location of the streets to be improved as follows: Nida Drive and Sammons Drive, from Heizer Drive to Heizer Drive, from near Westview Drive to McKenzie Veda Drive, Hurst Drive, Emmord Loop Guess Drive, Sunny Drive, Leopard Street, Road. from Emmord Loop to Heizer Drive, from West Emmord Loop to East Emmord Loop, (throughout Bervonne Terrace Subdivision), from Hilltop Road to Violet Road, and from Violet Road to Leonard Drive Mr. Smith informed the Council that this was a voluntary paving project which was initiated in the neighborhood and that the property owners requested the street improvements. Mr. Smith continued by stating that the streets will be constructed by excavation to a width and depth to permit the laying of a standard 6" curb and gutter section, 6" compacted subgrade, 8" compacted caliche base, and 1}" Type D hot -mix asphaltic pavement. He stated that the streets will be 28 feet wide and will be constructed within the existing 50 -foot rights-of-way. He also stated that included in the construction project will be 4 -foot wide reinforced concrete sidewalks 4" thick and 6" thick reinforced concrete driveways. He also stated that new water lines will be installed by City forces in the Bervonne Terrace Subdivision and on Guess and Sunny Drives. Mr. Smith testified that the plans and specifications were prepared in the City's Engineering offices; bids were received on the project on March 26, 1985; and the low bid was submitted by Oceanside Asphalt, Inc. in the amount of $1,376,478.10. He stated that a contract with this company will be awarded within two weeks. Mr. Smith informed the Council that the company has 260 working days, or twelve to thirteen months, to complete the project. He explained that the storm sewer work will be performed first and that throughout most of the project, there are some fences that encroach into the public right-of-way; the contractor will relocate the fence at no cost to the property owner; and as many trees as possible will be saved. Mr. Smith informed the Council that the assessment roll has been prepared based on the current assessment policy and reviewed the assessment rates to be charged. He stated that the total preliminary assessments are $338,031.58, and the City's portion of the cost of the project will be $1,038,446.52. Lnutes Special Council Meeting May 14, 1985 Page 3 Mr. Smith verified that all of the property owners have been informed of their assessment; and also assured the Council that at a recent meeting at the school, more than 50% of the property owners indicated that they still wanted the street improvements and were willing to pay for the assessments. Mr. Smith explained that the assessments are not due until the work has been completed, at which time the property owners may pay their assessments in cash or they may pay them over a 5 -year period at an interest rate of 8%, or in case of a hardship, this period may be extended to ten years. He stated, also, that City's Engineering Department personnel will contact each property owner prior to construction in the event anyone wishes to have driveway changes. Assistant City Attorney Doegey asked Mr. Smith to describe the present conditions and how the property will be enhanced following completion of the street improvement project. Mr. Smith responded that the Bervonne Terrace Subdivision and Sunny Drive have a paved roadway twenty feet wide with roadside ditches and culverts for drainage. He explained that the benefits will include storm sewers which will result in improved drainage; the streets will be much cleaner and more attractive; and sidewalks will be added to the neighborhood. Assistant City Attorney Doegey called as his next witness, Mr. W. J. Holly, Real Estate Broker and Appraiser. Mr. Holly testified that he has had 32 years' experience in this field and has been performing this type of work for the City for the past nine years. He testified that he is familiar with the entire project area and with each parcel of land. Mr. Holly described the improvements contemplated and stated that there will be new sidewalks, curbs, gutters, improved drainage and the property will be enhanced in value by the improvements by at least the amount of the assessments. He also noted that the drainage in the area will be greatly improved. Mr. Doegey asked Mr. Holly to explain the overall benefit to the area and to the City. Mr. Holly stated that this area will be equal with other areas of the City and after the improvements are completed, the area will be an asset to the City. Mr. Holly explained that he had discovered two triangular shaped lots included in the project which in his opinion would not be enhanced equally in value by the street improvements. He stated that these properties are identified as Item No. 308 (S) and Item No. 154 (F); James Garland Birdwell, owner, on which he recommended a reduction in assessments in the amount of $697.85. He stated that the other property is identified as Item No. 78 (F) & Item #153A (S), Robert H. Stevens, on which he suggests a reduction in assessment of $908.40. inutes Special Council Meeting May 14, 1985 Page 4 Mr. Doegey inquired if these and other properties will be enhanced at least in the amount of the assessment, and Mr. Holly stated that in his opinion, they would be. Assistant City 'Manager Lontos assured the Council that these two adjustments will be made to the preliminary assessment roll. Mr. Lontos introduced members of the Engineering Staff and the contractor on the project. The representative of Oceanside Asphalt, Inc., stated that his company will perform the work at the elementary school first. Mayor Jones called on members of the audience who wished to speak in regard to the assessments. A lady in the audience inquired if their taxes will be increased as a result of the improvements. Mayor Jones assured her that the taxes will not be increased but the improvements will increase the value of their property. He stated that the tax rate is 55.60 per $100 evaluation now but there is no question that these improvements do increase the value of homes. Mr. David Cook, representing Mrs. Cleveland Sammons (Item 141) informed the Council that she would like to have the design for the sidewalks at her property at the intersection of Heizer and Sammons changed so that the sidewalks could be installed next to the curb. He explained that the reason for this is that White's Auto Store is located across the street; a number of cars park in front of her property; she is physically unable to take care of the median between the sidewalk and curb, therefore, she would like to have the sidewalk constructed adjacent to the curb. Mr. Smith stated that he has discussed this with the property owners; all of the property is zoned "B-4"; and their request was to move the sidewalk adjacent to the curb. He stated that there is a possibility that the plans might be changed to widen this street, and if this is done, the sidewalk could be constructed adjacent to the curb. Mayor Jones requested that the Council be provided with the Staff recommendation in regard to this item. Mrs. Phyllis McBride, 10606 Emmord Loop, (Item 28) informed the Council that they have an existing concrete driveway that is in very good condition and she wondered if they would be allowed credit for that driveway. Mr. Smith replied that if the contractor can tie that driveway into their construction, a 100% credit will be given the McBride's, but there might be difficulty in tying it into the construction. inutes Special Council Meeting May 14, 1985 Page 5 Mr. Jerry Mathis, who owns property at 10654 Heizer, informed the Council that Mr. Smith has been very responsive to his problem. He informed the Council that his property contains apartments where head -in parking exists; the lot next door is 60 feet wide and he has a 200 -year lease with the property owner to allow for parking there; the City has proposed eliminating that head -in parking. He stated that the ordinance allows up to 40 -foot driveways and he would like to have a variance for a wider driveway to accommodate the parking. Mr. Smith stated that if the Council will grant the variance, the Staff has no problem allowing the head -in parking. Mr. Lontos explained that the Staff could include that particular item in the ordinance next week with the entire recommendation. Mr. David Bowen, 11222 Guess Drive, questioned the change in the direction of the drainage flow, stating that he understood that there might be a problem in accommodating the drainage from Violet Road. Mr. Smith explained that on Guess Drive, the plans are for off-site storm sewer which will collect water on Violet Road. He agreed that there may be drainage problems until a storm sewer has been installed on Violet Road. Another gentleman in the audience inquired about the possibility of retaining the culvert that is picked up when the drainage ditches are eliminated. He asked if that would belong to the contractor. Mr. Smith explained that that is up to the contractor to dispose of, and if he wishes to give it to the property owner, he may do so. Council Member Mendez stated that he had discussed the drainage on Violet Road, and it was his understanding that some of it will flow down Sunny Drive and some down Guess Drive and he felt that the drainage will be greatly improved in the area following completion of this project. Mayor Jones invited members of the audience to attend any Council Meeting on any Tuesday, pointing out that they would be allowed to address the Council under Petitions from the Audience at any meeting. He stated that he felt that this was one of the most pleasant and rewarding neighborhood meetings they had attended in some time and expressed appreciation to the group who had attended. There being no further business to come before the Council, on motion by Council Member Pruet, seconded by Council Member Strong and passed unanimously, the meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m., May 14, 1985. DZ/rr