Loading...
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 _nutes 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. ..mutes 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. ..mutes 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. _ -nutes 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. _autes 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. ..mutes 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. _ _nutes Regular Council Meeting February 24, 1987 Page 8 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. ..minutes 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. ._nutes Regular Council Meeting February 24, 1987 Page 10 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