Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 01/27/1987MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 27, 1987 2:00 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Luther Jones Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Jack Best Council Members: David Berlanga, Sr. Leo Guerrero Joe McComb Bill Pruet Mary Pat Slavik Linda Strong ABSENT: Frank Mendez City Manager Craig McDowell City Attorney Hal George City Secretary Armando Chapa FELL Mayor Luther Jones called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber of City Hall. The invocation was given by Mr. Foster Edwards, President of the Board of Realtors, following which the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States was led by Council Member Leo Guerrero. City Secretary Armando Chapa called the roll of required Charter Officers and verified that the necessary quorum was present to conduct the meeting. A motion was made by Council Member Mary Pat Slavik that the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of January 20, 1987, be approved; seconded by Council Member David Berlanga; and passed unanimously. MICROFILMED Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 27, 1987 Page 2 Mayor Jones presented a trophy called "The Mayor's Cup" to the Carroll High School Soccer Team which had won the Soccer Tournament for this year. He then introduced Mr. Ed Dillon, Carroll High School Soccer Coach, Mike Garza and Jeff Holst, Carroll High School Soccer players, and Mr. Marcus Perez, Soccer Coordinator for Corpus Christi Independent School District. Mr. Joe Fulton, representing the South Texas Chapter of Associated General Contractors, presented a plaque to Mayor Jones, who had been named the recipient of the "0. J. Beck, Jr. Award." He stated that Mayor Jones was honored as the "Developer of the Year." Mayor Jones then administered the oath of office to Nelia Barrera, new appointee to the Bay Drilling Committee. * Mayor Jones announced the bid opening on lease of the City's 1/2 mineral interest in a 40 -acre tract at Boy Scout Camp at Lake Corpus Christi. Mr. James Conn read the only bid received from Allegro Investments, Inc. of Victoria, Texas. A motion was made by Council Member Berlanga that a 90 -day primary term oil and gas lease for this property be awarded to Allegro Investments, Inc. The motion was seconded by Council Member Guerrero and passed unanimously. * * * * * * * * Mayor Jones called for consideration of Consent Motions, Items No. 1 through 14. 1. M87-0022 Approval of specifications and authorization to receive bids for three rubber tired wheel loaders for the Water, Wastewater, and Sanitation Divisions. Funds were approved in the 1986-87 capital outlay budget. 2. M87-0023 Approval of specifications and authorization to receive bids for one crawler tractor with side -boom for the Gas Division. Funds were approved in the 1986-87 capital outlay budget. 3. Withdrawn for One Week (See Page 5) Apprevel-e€- s-pee444tee4tes-tad--aut€1erriznt-i-enr-tr-reg-e-ive-15-145--€er-ea-ef+ntlel supply-�==="""-�o-r-lt:breeeeed-p-le8- ---�...M�-€er-�kee-des--Dlv-isi�xr--Pceads were-4neluded-#n-the-€986-84-bu4gee- Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 27, 1987 Page 3 4. M87-0024 Approval of specifications and authorization to receive bids for one 12 ton tilt -bed trailer and one 15 cubic yard dump bed trailer for the Street Division. Funds were approved in the 1986-87 capital outlay budget. 5. M87-0025 Approval of specifications and authorization to receive bids for four integral wheel loader backhoes for the Water, Gas, and Wastewater Divisions. Funds were approved in the 1986-87 capital outlay budget. 6. M87-0026 Approval of specifications and authorization to receive bids for six 50,000 GVWR cab and chassis with 10-12 cubic yard dump beds for the Water and Street Divisions. Funds were approved in the 1986-87 capital outlay budget. 7. M87-0027 Approval of specifications and authorization to receive bids for a supply agreement for fire hydrants for the Water Division. Funds were approved in the 1986-87 budget. 8. M87-0028 Approval of specifications and authorization to receive proposals for a supply agreement for library books, phonodiscs, and cassettes for the Public Library. Total estimated expenditure is $576,500. There are $290,500 available in the 1986-87 budget for the libraries. The remainder of $286,000 includes private donations and $130,000 from the 43 member libraries of the South Texas Library System. 9. M87-0029 Approving a supply agreement for estimated 479 tons of liquid chlorine delivered in one ton cylinders, with Dixie Petro -Chemical, Inc., based on low bid. The term of the agreement will be twelve months with an option to extend for an additional twelve months, subject to the approval of the supplier and the City Manager or his designee. The estimated expenditure 1s $147,771. Funds were approved in the 1986-87 budget. 10. M87-0030 Authorizing the execution of an agreement with AMIGOS Bibliographic Services, Inc. for the purpose of cataloging new library materials and developing a computerized file of our library holdings. The Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 27, 1987 Page 4 approximate annual cost for their services is $24,000 of which $6,700 will be paid directly by the state to AMIGOS in return for services rendered by the Corpus Christi Public Library as an Interlibrary Loan Center. 11. M87-0031 Authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute a grant application and related documents for operation of the regional Interlibrary Loan Referral Center located at Corpus Christi Public Library for State Fiscal Year 1987-88. 12. M87-0032 Accepting the Corpus Christi Beach Force Main Replacement project, and authorizing final payment of $10,356.80 to the contractor, Backhoe Lease Service, Inc. 13. M87-0033 Authorizing acquisition of Parcel 9 located at the southwest corner of Padre Island Drive and Camron Street at a cost of $2,975 for the Padre Island Drive -Bush to Agnes Street Improvements. 14. M87-0034 Approving a contract between the City, the Texas -Mexican Railway Company, and the Windsong Subdivision developer (Windsong, a Joint Venture) which provides for transferring to the City and Railway Company the maintenance responsibilities for railroad crossing improvements installed on Joplin Lane by the developer. Council Member Guerrero referred to Item 3, and expressed concern because the specifications are so specialized in that they call for tapered valves which are manufactured by only one company. He stated that competitive bidding is virtually eliminated because of this specification. Assistant City Manager James K. Lantos explained that the Staff has provided information in regard to their recommendation that the tapered valves are preferable. He stated that he is not sure how many of the cylindrical valves are still in use and reported maintenance problems with that type of valve. Further discussion followed and a motion was made by Council Member Guerrero that cylindrical valves be included in the bid specifications. The motion was seconded by Council Member Berlanga. Mayor Jones called for comments from the audience. Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 27, 1987 Page 5 Mr. Rick Gonzales, 402 Peoples Street, stated that he represented a company that manufactures the cylindrical valve and he took exception to the remarks that they are inferior to the tapered valves. He noted that the Gas Division had reported problems with this type of valve in 1966, but be expressed the opinion that this is unfair because they have been greatly improved since that time. He noted also that there are only two manufacturers of the valves — one that manufactures cylindrical valves and one that manufactures tapered valves. He reiterated that the cylindrical valve is just as good as the tapered valve. Mr. Ray Lingo also spoke in favor of including cylindrical valves in the specifications, stating that they have been produced for over 45 years and have been greatly improved. Mayor Jones expressed the opinion that it would be preferable to table this item to obtain additional information from Staff rather than changing the specifications to include cylindrical valves. He then called for the vote on the motion to amend Item No. 3 to include cylindrical valves in the specifications and the motion failed to pass by the following vote: Berlanga and Guerrero voting "Aye"; Jones, Best, McComb, Pruet, Slavik, and Strong voting "No"; Mendez, absent. A motion was made by Council Member Slavik that Item No. 3 be tabled for one week to allow time for a further Staff analysis. The motion was seconded by Council Member Guerrero and passed by the following vote: Jones, Best, Berlanga, Guerrero, Pruet, Slavik, and Strong voting "Aye"; McComb voting "No"; Mendez, absent. There were no further comments from members of the audience. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Best that Items No. 1 through 14 be approved with the exception of -Item No. 3 which had been tabled for one week; seconded by Council Member Berlanga; and passed by the following vote: Jones, Best, Berlanga, McComb, Pruet, Slavik, and Strong voting "Aye"; Guerrero, absent at the time the vote was taken; Mendez, absent. Mayor Jones called for consideration of the Consent Ordinances, Items No. 15 through 17. There were no comments from the audience on the Consent Ordinances. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following ordinances were passed: Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 27, 1987 Page 6 15. Resolution No. 19616: ACCEPTING THE STATE HIGHWAY AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION'S MINUTE ORDER NO. 85070 PERTAINING TO THE EXTENSION OF THE CROSSTOWN EXPRESSWAY; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the resolution passed as follows: Jones, Best, Berlanga, McComb, Pruet, Slavik, and Strong voting "Aye"; Guerrero, absent at the time the vote was taken; Mendez, absent. 16. Ordinance No. 19617: APPROPRIATING $300,000 FROM THE NO. 561 STREET BOND FUND FOR REIMBURSEMENT TO THE NO. 162-152-807.10, 12TH YEAR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FOR THE LOCAL SHARE OF CONSTRUCTION COSTS FOR STREET IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FURMAN SCHOOL AREA; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the ordinance passed as follows: Jones, Best, Berlanga, McComb, Pruet, Slavik, and Strong voting "Aye"; Guerrero, absent at the time the vote was taken; Mendez, absent. 17. Ordinance No. 19618: AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT WITH W. P. WILLS CONSULTING ENGINEERS FOR PRELIMINARY DESIGN FOR RUNWAY 13-31 TAXIWAY REHABILITATION AND LIGHT IMPROVEMENTS: APPROPRIATING $30,000; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the ordinance passed as follows: Jones, Best, Berlanga, McComb, Pruet, Slavik, and Strong voting "Aye"; Guerrero, absent at the time the vote was taken; Mendez, absent. Mayor Jones called for consideration of the motions from the Regular Agenda on Items No. 18 and 19. 18. M87-0035 Public hearing to be held on February 16, 1987, by the Director of Planning in the Committee Room, City Hall, at 8:30 a.m., and a second public hearing be held on February 17, 1987, by the City Council at 2:00 p.m. on the annexation of 20,500 square feet of land out of Lots 26 & 27, Section 6, Flour Bluff & Encinal Farm and Garden Tracts, located west of Boston Drive, and approximately 1,300 feet south of Yorktown Boulevard, at the request of Corpus Christi Land Venture Association. This 30 -foot wide by 685 -foot long strip will be dedicated as the south half of the extension of Boston Drive in conjunction with the development of Stonybrook Unit 2 Subdivision. Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 27, 1987 Page 7 19. M87-0036 Public hearing to be held on February 16, 1987, by the Director of Planning in the Committee Room, City Hall, at 8:30 a.m., and a second public hearing be held on February 17, 1987, by the City Council at 2:00 p.m. on the annexation of 3.37 acres of land out of Lots 17 and 18, Section 21, Flour Bluff and Encinal Farm and Garden Tracts, located on the south side of Yorktown Boulevard between Cimmaron and Bill Witt Park, at the request of Corpus Christi Development Corporation. There were no comments from the audience on the regular motions. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Best that Items No. 18 and 19 be approved; seconded by Council Member Strong; and passed by the following vote: Jones, Best, Berlanga, McComb, Pruet, Slavik, and Strong voting "Ayes"; Guerrero, absent at the time the vote was taken; Mendez, absent. Mayor Jones called for consideration of the ordinances from the Regular Agenda on Items No. 20 and 21. Assistant City Manager Bill Herrings provided an explanation of Ordinance No. 20 which authorized the execution of agreements with the Texas State Aquarium Association, and appropriated $1,300,000 from the Aquarium Bond Fund. He stated that this ordinance approves two agreements with the Texas State Aquarium Association and appropriation from the Aquarium Bond Fund. He explained that this is to firm up the City's commitment to build parking lots, streets, and develop the site; $1,300,000 would be used to purchase the land which will be used for the parking and realignment of streets and alleys; the other part of the $1,300,000 would be to reimburse the engineers. He stated that the second agreement would provide for an agreement to lease by the City to the Texas State Aquarium Association. Council Member Slavik inquired about the possibility of using the City's portion of the Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Funds, and City Manager McDowell explained that if this is done, the agreement would have to be amended. Council Member McComb referred to the chart on display and inquired if the land indicated as being aquarium property is actually owned by the association, or if they have options to purchase it. He also inquired if the City must go through the permitting process with the Corps of Engineers for the bulkheading, and Mr. Hennings replied in the affirmative. Council Member McComb questioned the reason for tying up money from the City for parking lots and other improvements that may deteriorate before the aquarium is completed. Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 27, 1987 Page 8 City Manager McDowell stated that this first portion will be used to purchase the land, not build parking lots. He pointed out that the City has three years in which to spend the money. Mr. Hennings explained that the Aquarium Association has asked the City to purchase the land as soon as possible, and this will be City land which will be leased to the aquarium. Mayor Jones called for comments from the public in regard to this ordinance and there was no response. City Attorney Hal George explained that the agreement to lease is not actually a lease but really only contemplates the leasing of the property for five years, and a three -reading ordinance authorizing the actual lease will be presented to the Council at a later date. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following ordinance was passed: 20. Ordinance No. 19619: AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AGREEMENTS WITH THE TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM ASSOCIATION FOR THE OPERATION OF AN AQUARIUM FACILITY: APPROPRIATING $1,300,000; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Charter Rule was suspended and the ordinance passed as follows: Jones, Best, Berlanga, Guerrero, McComb, Pruet, Slavik, and Strong voting "Aye"; Mendez, absent. City Manager McDowell informed the Council that Mr. Douglas Matthews, Director of Public Utilities, will provide an explanation of the Water Conservation and Drought Contingency plan for Corpus Christi. Mr. Matthews made the presentation on the Water Conservation and Drought Contingency plan utilizing various charts, graphs and exhibits. He stated that the recommendation is that the following actions adopting a Water Conservation and Drought Contingency plan in Corpus Christi be approved: 1) the Water Conservation and Drought Contingency plan prepared by City Staff be adopted as the standard to be followed in matters concerning water conservation, drought management, and water supply enhancement programs; 2) the City Manager be instructed to continue the land leasing program to assure sufficient acreage for the production of up to 60,000,000 per day of ground water to supplement surface supply; 3) The City Manager be authorized to contract for engineering services to verify water availability and select a site for a water pumping station and pipeline easement for the Simmons Project; 4) The operating plan for water releases from the Lake Corpus Christi -Choke Canyon Reservoir system described in Part 3 of the plan be adopted; and, 5) The City manager be authorized to Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 27, 1987 Page 9 participate with other governmental entities in planning for future area water sources. Mr. Matthews stated that at this time there is a great deal of water in Choke Canyon but it is not as full as Staff would like to have it for recreational purposes. He stated that Lake Corpus Christi is full and has been for about one month. Mr. Matthews explained that the goal is to increase efficiency of water usage while maintaining an environment acceptable to the citizens of the area, and in order to meet this goal, certain sub -goals are to be accomplished as follows: 1) initially fill Choke Canyon Reservoir at the earliest practical time to insure its integrity and dependability; 2) extend the period of time before an additional long term water supply source will be needed; 3) develop a drought contingency plan for use during emergencies; and, 4) identify and evaluate long term water supply sources. Mr. Matthews further explained these sub -goals by stating that the City plans to fill Choke Canyon before any water is released to Lake Corpus Christi, noting that the Bureau of Reclamation is interested in seeing it filled as quickly as possible. He stated also that Staff plans to allow Lake Corpus Christi to go down to 86 feet before any water is released into Lake Corpus Christi. He then explained the process of releasing water from Choke Canyon into Lake Corpus Christi. Mr. Matthews assured the Council that Lake Corpus Christi at 86 feet is an elevation at which fishing and recreational activities can continue. He noted, however, that a lot of facilities around Lake Corpus Christi were constructed in anticipation that it would be maintained at 88 feet. He stated that when Choke Canyon is filled, the City could go into phase two, which would be in effect when the user demand was great enough, and under this condition, water would be released from Choke Canyon. Mr. Matthews continued by stating that in the third phase, which would be in accordance with the Bureau of Reclamation plan, the City would allow Lake Corpus Christi to fall to 88 feet and Choke Canyon to fall to 214.5 feet. Mr. Matthews stated that the fourth phase would be after the demand was over 200,000 acre feet of water and if by that time a long term source of water had not been developed, the City could go back to the plan that the Ad Hoc Committee recommended and the City would allow Lake Corpus Christi to fall to 76 feet elevation at which time water would be released from Choke Canyon. He explained that the fifth phase would allow the City Manager to participate with other governmental entities the planning for future area water sources. Mr. Matthews informed the Council that one of the concerns was the development of a pumping station called the Simmons Project which contemplated pumping water from the Nueces River to Choke Canyon. Be stated that the Ad Hoc Water Commission suggested that the City study this plan and possibly secure property or easements. ..inutes Regular Council Meeting January 27, 1987 Page 10 A motion was made by Council Member McComb to authorize the Staff to pursue the acquisition of land for the Simmons Project. He commended the Staff for the outanding work in preparing this plan. The motion was seconded by Council Member Pruet. Council Member Slavik referred to Page 113 to 119 of Part Three of the plan stating that the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service is concerned in regard to the amount of water to be released. She stated that if she votes in favor of this motion, it is with the caveat that Staff will explain this to them. Mr. Matthews stated that Staff has not heard from them but the plan will actually increase the water to be released to the bays and estuaries. He assured Mrs. Slavik that the Staff will be glad to discuss this with them. Council Member Slavik then to referred to Page 54 of the book and inquired about the money placed in a fund from surcharges, and Mr. Matthews explained that this is a very small amount because the City started on the surcharge and about one month later the City was fortunate enough to receive a lot of rain. He explained the expenditures of those funds during the water shortage stating that he will provide additional information next week on this subject. Council Member Slavik then referred to Page 71 of the plan, Paragraph B, which allows the issuance of a citation by Police and Staff to anyone who is not complying with the water conservation program, Mr. Matthews explained that these citations will be issued by Police and Water Department Staff only. Council Member Slavik then referred to cloud seeding and stated that it was her understanding that it cannot be accomplished unless rainfall is likely. She stated that she would prefer that the City not perform cloud seeding. Mr. Matthews informed the Council that the cloud seeding program was discontinued after one year, but San Antonio and San Angelo and other areas have continued the plan. He pointed out that any future agreements for such a program would have to be approved by the City Council. Mr. Matthews then reminded the Council that one of the recommendations is that the City continue the programs started during the drought of having the potential to obtain additional ground water from wells. He suggested that the City lease acreage for this purpose. Council Member McComb referred to Page 55 and noted that if this plan is adopted, Staff will introduce an ordinance to discontinue the odd -even watering system, and Mr. Matthews stated that if the Council adopts this plan it would automatically eliminate the odd -even system. Mayor Jones called for comments from the audience. .,mutes Regular Council Meeting January 27, 1987 Page 11 Mr. Elmer Singleton, President of Save Lake Corpus Christi, Inc., introduced members of that organization who were present. Mr. Singleton assured the Council that contrary to some statements attributed to them, they have never advocated that water should be used for recreation, per se, over the needs of humans health and livelihood. He explained that their only concern is the water in Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon which is the only resource they have in the area to stimulate business and they depend upon water for their tourist trade. Mr. Singleton continued by stating that they would like to request that the Council consider a change in Phase One, Paragraphs 1, 2, and 3, which pertains to the initial filling of Choke Canyon. He stated that the change they wanted was that the designation of elevation 86 be changed to elevation 88, noting that this is the elevation on Lake Corpus Christi when water will be released from Choke Canyon to maintain Lake Corpus Christi at this elevation until Choke Canyon falls to elevation 184. He stated that another area of concern was the long term plan and referred to the Simmons site which is shown on Page 120. He expressed the opinion that this proposal is so vague that he has many questions about it, particularly how the pumping will affect the amount of water coming into Lake Corpus Christi. He stated the other areas of concern in relation to this are, 1) when the pumps run; 2) all of the time; 3) only during a flood; 4) at what level maintained in Choke Canyon Reservoir; 5) at what level Lake Corpus Christi; and, if it would be just to fill or maintain Choke Canyon Reservoir. He stated that they would like to have more information on this plan when it is formulated. Mayor Jones informed Mr. Singleton that his statements are very considerate and he hoped the Staff would respond to the concerns. He suggested that the second reading of this ordinance be delayed for two or three weeks. Council Member McComb made a motion to amend the ordinance prior to third reading to indicate that the ultimate water plan will be triggered when the City has a two year water supply rather than a one-year water supply. The motion was seconded by Council Member Strong and passed unanimously. 21, First Reading: AMENDING THE CITY CODE, CHAPTER 55, UTILITIES, BY ADDING A NEW SECTION 55-156, WATER CONSERVATION AND DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN: PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE: AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their vote on the first reading of the orginance and it passed as follows: Jones, Berlanga, Guerrero, McComb, Pruet, Slavik, and Strong voted "Aye"; Best, absent at the time the vote was taken; and Mendez, absent. Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 27, 1987 Page 12 Mayor Jones announced the public hearing on the following zoning application: 22. Application No. 1186-1, PJC Partnership: For a change of zoning from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District and "B-1" Neighborhood Business District to "B-4" General Business District on a tract of land being Lot 1A, the South 10' of Lot 26, and the North 40' of Lot 27, Block 1, Koolside Addition, located on the northwest corner of Airline and McArdle Roads. Council Member Strong made a motion that the zoning application Item No. 22 be postponed for one week since the 20% rule is in effect and Mayor Pro Tem Best has already departed the meeting. City Secretary Chapa explained that the proper procedure would be to open the hearing, and if the Council desires, a motion could be made to recess the hearing. Council Member Strong amended her motion to recess the public hearing on this zoning application for one week. The motion was seconded by Council Member Pruet and passed unanimously. Mayor Jones called for the City Manager's report and other items. City Manager McDowell stated that he had the pleasure of accepting a certificate of membership in the Corpus Christi Area Economic Development Corporation on behalf of the City Council. Re then presented it to the City Council. Mayor Jones called for petitions or information from the audience on matters not scheduled on the agenda. Ms. Dawn Allen, representing Families in Action, issued an invitation to the City Council to be present for a film showing of an educational film on Drug Prevention at 6:30 p.m. at the Bayfront Plaza Convention Center. She stated that it can also be viewed at 7 p.m. on television. There being no further business to come before the Council, a motion by Council Member Strong, seconded by Council member Pruet, and passed unanimously, the meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m., January 27, 1987. * * * * * * * * I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of the City of Corpus Christi of January 27, 1986, which were approved by the City Council on February 3, 1987. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this the ;,45 day of 1917 • Armando Chapa, City Secretary City of Corpus Christi, Texas