HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 02/24/1987MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 24, 1987
2:00 p.m.
PRESENT
Mayor Luther Jones
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Jack Best
Council Members:
David Berlanga, Sr.
Leo Guerrero
Joe McComb
Frank Mendez
Bill Pruet
Mary Pat Slavik
Linda Strong
City Manager Craig McDowell
City Attorney Hal George
City Secretary Armando Chapa
Mayor Luther Jones called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber of
City Hall.
The invocation was given by Reverend Jose Ayala of Iglesia del Nazareno
Church, following which the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United
States was led by Council Member Joe McComb.
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.
A motion was made by Council Member Frank Mendez that the Minutes of the
Regular Council Meeting of February 17, 1987 be approved as presented; seconded
by Council Member Pruet; and passed unanimously.
City Secretary Chapa reminded Mayor Jones of the need to take action on the
items from the Workshop Session as listed below:
1. M87-0067
Motion to authorize use of Community development Block Grant funds in an
amount not to exceed $500,000 for creation of an Hispanic Art Center;
instruct staff to look at other possibilities for development of the
Agnes/Laredo Corridor area; and authorize the City Manager to enter into a
contract with the Hispanic Art Center Board for use of the funds as
stipulated in their proposal.
MICROFILMED
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Regular Council Meeting
February 24, 1987
Page 2
A motion was made by Council Member Mendez that the foregoing item be
confirmed, seconded by Council Member Linda Strong and passed unanimously.
2. M87-0068
Motion to amend Ordinance No. 19638, calling the Election of April 4, 1987,
to include a Bond Proposition for approval of $1 million for books and
reference data for the Corpus Christi Public Library and $420,000 for
Senior Citizen Centers Expansion, Lindale and Greenwood.
Assistant City Manager Bill Hennings provided the Council with the exact
wording that had been on the previous Bond election in 1985 on the library.
Mayor Jones inquired if it would be possible for the Council to change the
wording from $1 million for books to $1 million for books and reference data,
and City Manager McDowell stated that he did not think that would be a major
change that would be required to be considered by the Planning Commission.
Mr. Hennings then provided the wording on the Senior Citizen Centers
which referred to the expansion of Lindale and Greenwood Senior Citizen Centers.
A motion was made by Council Member Berlanga that the foregoing motion, as
amended, be approved; seconded by Council Member Mendez and passed unanimously.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Jones called for consideration of the Consent Motions 1 through 7.
1. M87-0069
Approval of specifications and authorization to receive bids for one truck
mounted hydraulic crane for the Water Division. The estimated expenditure
of $17,500 was approved in the 1986-87 capital outlay budget.
2. M87-0070
Approval of specifications and authorization to receive bids for four
chlorine scales for the Wastewater Division. Funds were included in the
1986-87 capital outlay budget.
3. M87-0071
Approval of specifications and authorization to receive bids for five 72"
self-propelled rotary mowers for the Park and Recreation Department and
Wastewater Division. Funds were approved in the 1986-87 capital outlay
budget.
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Regular Council Meeting
February 24, 1987
Page 3
4. M87-0072
Approving plans and specifications and authorizing the receipt of bids on
March 24, 1987, for repairs and repainting of the water storage tanks at
Alameda and Carmel Parkway and Flour Bluff Drive and Division Road.
5. M87-0073
Accepting the Baldwin Farms Drainage Outfall Waterline Adjustment project;
granting the contractor a two-day time extension; and authorizing total
payment of $104,719.69 to Garney Companies, Inc.
6. M87-0073
Authorizing the City Manager or his designee to submit a grant application
for the Corpus Christi Public Library to the U.S. Department of Education
(Library Services and Construction Act Title VI: Library Literacy Program)
in the amount of $18,401 and to execute all related documents. The funds
will be used to hire a part-time volunteer tutor coordinator for the Corpus
Christi Literacy Commission.
7. M87-0074
Authorizing the City Manager or his designee to submit a grant application
for funding of the Nueces County Organized Crime Control Unit to the Office
of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division via the Coastal Bend Council of
Governments.
Council Member Strong referred to Motion No. 4 and the background
information provided the Council which indicated that because of specific
requirements for this type of work, the minority qualifications would not be
included in the specification.
Assistant City Manager Lontos explained that this is a highly specialized
field; the firm that is well qualified has trained personnel; and they feel more
comfortable using their experienced personnel, and that is the reason the
participation by minority requirement is deleted from the specifications.
A motion was made by Council Member Mendez to allow the contractor to
employ minorities if he desired if the minority requirement is included in the
specifications.
Mr. Lontos indicated he had no problem with this and that the
specifications would be changed to that effect. He noted that the agenda item
would not require an amendment.
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Regular Council Meeting
February 24, 1987
Page 4
A motion was made by Council Member Guerrero that Items 1 through 7 be
approved, seconded by Council Member Berlanga and passed unanimously.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Jones called for consideration of the Consent Ordinances and
Ordinances from previous meetings.
Mayor Jones called for comments from the audience and there was no
response.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes, and the following
Ordinances were passed:
8. ORDINANCE NO. 19644
APPROVING THE DEVELOPER'S APPLICATION AND AUTHORIZING REIMBURSEMENT TO HANK
OLSON DEVELOPMENT FOR THE INSTALLATION OF SANITARY SEWER TRUNK LINE;
APPROPRIATING $315,795.23; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the the foregoing Ordinance passed by
the following vote: Jones, Best, Berlanga, Guerrero, McComb, Mendez,
Pruet, Slavik and Strong voting, "Aye."
9. FIRST READING:
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI AND CORPUS CHRISTI LAND VENTURE ASSOCIATES FOR
THE ANNEXATION OF APPROXIMATELY 20,500 SQUARE FEET OF LAND BEING A PORTION
OF LOTS 26 AND 27, SECTION 6, FLOUR BLUFF ENCINAL FARM AND GARDEN TRACTS,
NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS; FINDING ALL OF SAID LAND TO LIE ENTIRELY WITHIN THE
EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS,
ADJOINING, CONTIGUOUS, AND ADJACENT THERETO; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY.
The Ordinance was passed on its First Reading by the following vote:
Jones, Best, Berlanga, Guerrero, McComb, Mendez, Pruet, Slavik and Strong
voting, "Aye."
10. FIRST READING:
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI AND CORPUS CHRIST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FOR
THE ANNEXATION OF APPROXIMATELY 3.37 ACRES OF LAND BEING A PORTION OUT OF
LOTS 17 AND 18, SECTION 21, FLOUR BLUFF AND ENCINAL FARM AND GARDEN TRACTS,
NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS; FINDING ALL OF SAID LAND TO LIE ENTIRELY WITHIN THE
EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS,
ADJOINING, CONTIGUOUS, AND ADJACENT THERETO; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY.
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Regular Council Meeting
February 24, 1987
Page 5
The Ordinance was passed on its First Reading by the following vote:
Jones, Best, Berlanga, Guerrero, McComb, Mendez, Pruet, Slavik and Strong
voting, "Aye."
11. SECOND READING:
AMENDING THE CITY CODE, CHAPTER 53, TRAFFIC, SECTION 53-254, SCHEDULE V,
INCREASE OF STATE SPEED LIMIT IN CERTAIN ZONES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE;
AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION.
The Ordinance was passed on its Second Reading by the following vote:
Jones, Best, Berlanga, Guerrero, McComb, Mendez, Pruet, Slavik and Strong
voting, "Aye."
12. ORDINANCE NO. 19645
FINDING THAT THE PURPOSES OF THE COASTAL BEND HOSPITAL AUTHORITY HAVE BEEN
FULFILLED AND THAT IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
AND ITS INHABITANTS THAT THE AUTHORITY BE DISSOLVED; AND PROVIDING FOR A
VOIDANCE OF THIS ORDINANCE IN THE EVENT THAT ANY CLAIM AGAINST THE
AUTHORITY IS PRESENTED SUBSEQUENT TO ENACTMENT OF THIS ORDINANCE SO THAT
THE AUTHORITY SHALL BE AUTOMATICALLY REINSTATED TO DEFEND SUCH CLAIMS;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE; AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION.
The Ordinance was passed on its Third Reading by the following vote:
Jones, Best, Berlanga, Guerrero, McComb, Mendez, Pruet, Slavik and Strong
voting, "Aye."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Jones called for consideration of Motion No. 13 from the regular
agenda.
13. M87-0076
APPROVING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE REINVESTMENT ZONE NO. 1 BOARD OF
DIRECTORS.
City Manager McDowell explained that the Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board
approved several projects to be financed with bonds from the Reinvestment Zone
funds on the following projects: A new wing for the shipwreck artifacts at the
Corpus Christi Museum in the amount of $2 million and support funding for
construction of the Texas State Aquarium in the amount of $10 million. Mr.
McDowell continued by stating that the Board also approved funding for La Retama
Vest Pocket Park, including balustrade restoration, in the amount of $500,000,
and the Peoples Street T -Head Improvements Project in the amount of $400,000.
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Regular Council Meeting
February 24, 1987
Page 6
He noted that this is partial funding with the remaining funding scheduled to
come from the bond restructuring through the Corpus Christi Housing Finance
Corporation.
He explained that there was also a motion passed by the Board to approve
the necessary amendments to the project plan for the Reinvestment Zone as well
as to amend the contracts with the other taxing entities including Corpus
Christi Independent School District, Del Mar Junior College District, Nueces
County, and the Nueces County Hospital District. He explained also that if the
entities desired, they could remove any funds that would not be required to pay
for the bonds that are sold, and none of the entities would take action to
withdraw from the zone until the contract term is completed.
Mayor Jones expressed the opinion that this was a historical moment in that
all entities involved supported the projects recommended.
Mayor Pro Tem Best concurred and then made a motion that this Council
approve the recommendations of the Reinvestment Zone No. 1 and proceed with the
plans. The motion was seconded by Council Member Berlanga.
Mayor Jones called for comments from the audience.
Mr. Tom Hunt, Sr., speaking for himself, stated that in the many years
past, this is the first project that has ever brought the entire community
together because it has the support of all of the citizens and he urged rapid
progress on the project because it will benefit the community economically and
provide tax income for all of the entities involved.
Mr. Irving Dietz, 455 Miramore, referred to the 1986 bond election which
included one item in the amount of $4 million which was for the site
improvements for the Aquarium and at that time it was widely advertised that $15
million would be raised by the Aquarium Association. He pointed out that if
this is approved, $14 million will be contributed by the City rather than the $4
million as originally planned.
Council Member Mendez explained that this Council feels that this is in the
public interest; many details need to be worked out; and he assured Mr. Dietz
that the public's interest will be protected even though many items must be
resolved.
Mr. Dietz inquired about the amount of money this will cost the City of
Corpus Christi, and Mayor Jones replied that it would be $14 million plus the
interest but the return to the citizens will be much greater. Other comments
were made by the Council indicating their support.
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Regular Council Meeting
February 24, 1987
Page 7
Mayor Jones called for the vote on the motion and it passed unanimously.
Mayor Pro Tem Best inquired as to how rapidly the project can be moved
forward, and Mr. McDowell explained that it will require nine to twelve months
to prepare the plans and specifications and the project will not be started
until next year.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Jones called for consideration of Ordinance No. 14 which is the First
Reading - Creating a Municipal Art Program for Allocation of Funds for Art.
City Manager explained that this is the result of a great deal of
discussion between Staff and members of the Municipal Arts Commission. He
stated that the City has agreed to allocate 1 and 1/4 per cent from five
specific projects which were approved in the 1986 bond election as follows:
Police Station and Municipal Court Facility, Relocation of Fire Station 1/1,
Airport Terminal Interior, Development of Unimproved Parkland and Recreation
Center. He explained that works of art financed from these projects would be
limited by the ordinance to permanent creation of visual art, including
paintings, sculptures, etc.
Mr. McDowell continued by stating that the City's Bond Counsel provided the
opinion that it should be limited to permanent art work and it should be
installed at the particular project from which the funds were taken.
Assistant City Manager Hennings stated that a number of cities in the
United States have embarked on public arts programs, but if the City Council
adopts this ordinance to utilize City funds for arts, Corpus Christi will be one
of the leaders of public art.
Mayor Pro Tem Best inquired if there's any way that the City could assist
performing arts, and City Manager McDowell stated that this type of assistance
could be considered when the City's budget is adopted.
Council Member Guerrero expressed the opinion that the two kinds of art
should be separated because physical art will be with the City forever whereas
performing arts will not.
Council Member Slavik stated that she has performed research on this
because of her interest in art and her concern is future ability to pay and she
would still like to see some long-term demographics because she is concerned
about infrastructure needs that will be necessary to support Homeport which she
feels will definitely become a reality. Mrs. Slavik pointed out that she has
also requested that something be included in this ordinance to address the
private sector as other cities have done and reiterated that she would like to
have answers to the questions she had asked Staff.
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Regular Council Meeting
February 24, 1987
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City Manager McDowell replied that Staff is working on the figures that she
had previously requested and they should be ready within two weeks. He
explained that since this is new to the City, Staff was of the opinion that we
should start with the public sector and possibly in the future approach the
private sector.
Mayor Jones called for those who wished to speak in opposition or anyone
else who felt obligated to speak on this issue which obviously the Council was
going to approve.
Mrs. Nelwyn Anderson, member of the Municipal Arts Commission for six
years, stated that she is speaking on behalf of the Chairman who was out of the
City. She expressed appreciation to Staff for working with the Commission on
this project and reminded the Council that each year the Commission has been
allocated money for the funding of arts, including performing arts, from the
hotel/motel tax, but this year all of the monies allocated will go to performing
arts because there will no longer be a need to allocate funds for permanent art.
She stated that if this ordinance is approved, the City will probably be
eligible for federal grants as well. She stated that she had already received a
letter from the Art in Public Places Coordinator from Garden City, California
who has written to request a copy of the Public Arts Ordinance.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following
ordinance was passed:
14. FIRST READING:
AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ADMINISTRATION, OF THE CITY CODE, BY CREATING A NEW
SECTION 2-109, MUNICIPAL PUBLIC ART PROGRAM, WHICH AUTHORIZES THE
ALLOCATION OF CERTAIN FUNDS FOR ART IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC WORKS,
PROVIDES FOR REVIEW OF SUITABLE CAPITAL PROJECTS AND FOR AN ARTIST
SELECTION PROCESS, AND ESTABLISHES A METHOD FOR CALCULATING ART
APPROPRIATIONS FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE; AND PROVIDING
FOR PUBLICATION.
The Ordinance was passed on its First Reading by the following vote;
Jones, Best, Berlanga, Guerrero, McComb, Mendez, Pruet, Slavik and Strong
voting, "Aye."
Council Member McComb inquired about the proposed Landscape Ordinance, and
City Manager McDowell stated that that discussion must have occurred before he
was associated with the City and he has been unable to find anything on it.
City Secretary Chapa confirmed that he did not recall any discussion of
such an ordinance either, and Mr. McDowell stated that they will try to get back
to the Council on this.
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Regular Council Meeting
February 24, 1987
Page 9
Council Member Mendez referred to street lighting on Greenwood Drive and
stated that according to a memorandum from Director of Engineering, Victor
Medina, $17,000 of CDBG funds are available for this purpose.
Mayor Jones suggested that the Staff be directed to work on this.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
City Manager McDowell referred to the item from the Workshop Agenda on the
discussion of legislative issues. He also pointed out a notice was posted for a
closed meeting, and Mayor Jones suggested that before those items are taken up
that the petitions from the public be heard.
Reverend Jose Ayala, Minister of Iglesi.a del Nazareno, expressed the
opinion that this City could be a cleaner City and suggested that there are too
many topless bars and it was his opinion that they should be moved to one area
of the City; there are videos for rent or sale in all types of stores and are
displayed before children; there are immoral rock concerts; and trash on the
streets. He suggested that all of these things should be improved if this City
is truly to become a sparkling City.
Mayor Jones inquired if the City's Police Department has any program in
regard to these matters that Reverend Ayala presented, and City Manager McDowell
stated that this is a very complex issue but he would like to ask City Attorney
George to address this question.
Council Member Guerrero
this next week rather than
Berlanga stated that he would
Council Member Guerrero
all over the downtown area,
ordinance prohibiting this
removed at this time. He
enforcement of littering.
stated that he would prefer a written report on
a brief explanation today, and Council Member
like to see the City file charges for littering.
objected to the footprints that have been paigted
and City Manager McDowell stated that there is an
and they are attempting to have the footprints
also stated that the City has increased police
Mr. Earl Wilder, representing the Retired Firefighters, stated that
still like to have a committee formed to receive information that
requested from various sources.
they would
they have
City Manager McDowell stated that Mr. Hennings is the City's representative
on the Retirement Board for the Firefighters and it would be appropriate to
direct information to him.
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Regular Council Meeting
February 24, 1987
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After further discussion, Mayor Jones assured Mr. Wilder that it would be
appropriate for the City Council to receive copies of information from him as
well.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Council then returned to the Workshop Session in order to discuss
legislative issues.
Deputy City Manager Ernest Briones explained that nothing detrimental has
happened to the City yet but 900 House bills and 50 Senate bills have been
introduced; the House of Representatives has been a little slow on these because
of their concern about the budget. He described some of the bills that have
been introduced and discussion followed among the Council Members.
Mr. Briones mentioned one bill that had been introduced that authorized
taped or written records of closed meetings that could be required by the
courts. Be stated that he needed to know the Council's opinion about this
particular bill as to whether they were in favor of it or if they were opposed
to it.
City Attorney Hal George explained that basically closed meetings are
allowed for discussion of personnel, litigation, acquisition of property and
these types of items which should not be open to the public.
Mayor Jones expressed the opinion that the City should protect the right
to discuss the firing of an employee but they should restrict discussion in
closed sessions to the specific items for which the meeting was called.
Mr. Briones stated that the general attitude is that the present law is
enough to protect the people and explained that the proposed law is very
restrictive but stated that he will provide copies of the law in their packets
Thursday.
A motion was made by Council Member Slavik that the Council convene in
closed session to discuss personnel and litigation. The motion was seconded by
Council Member Berlanga and passed at 3:50 p.m.
The Council reconvened the Regular Council Meeting at 4:15 p.m. and the
meeting was adjourned.
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 February
24, 1986, which were approved by the City Council on March 5, 1987.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this the
Luther Jon=P, MAYOR
day of ,�a /9/7.
der
Armando Chapa, City Secretary
City of Corpus Christi, Texas