HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 04/21/1987PRESENT
Mayor Betty Turner
Council Members
David Berlanga, Sr.
Leo Guerrero
Frank Mendez
Cliff Moss
Bill Pruet
Mary Rhodes
Mary Pat Slavik
Linda Strong
MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 21, 1987
2:00 p.m.
City Manager Craig McDowell
City Attorney Hal George
City Secretary Armando Chapa
Mayor Betty Turner called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber of
City Hall.
The invocation was given by Reverend Elliot Grant, Trustee of the Corpus
Christi Independent School District, who also led the Pledge of Allegiance to
the Flag of the United States.
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 Mendez that the Minutes of the Regular
Council Meeting of April 14, 1987 be approved as presented; seconded by Council
Member Slavik; and passed unanimously.
Mayor Turner addressed the Council on the issue of the selection of the
Mayor Pro Tem. She stated that in the City's new Charter two things are
apparent, one it removes any right to the permanent ascendancy to the Mayor's
chair for the Mayor Pro Tem if the mayor is permanently disabled. She stated
that if the Mayor's term is longer than one year, that decision will come
through a referendum. She stated that if the term is less than one year, the
Mayor is the person at large who received the most votes. She stated the second
thing the Charter change does is that it enables the City to change the way it
selects its Mayor Pro Tem by removing any mention of the term, so the Council
still makes the decision, but they can elect to have a Mayor Pro Tem serve at
various periods during the term. She stated that the Council is going to be
facing a lot of challenges in the future, and a clear message should be sent to
the Community of the Council's intentions to unify. Mayor Turner then strongly
proposed to the Council that the Mayor Pro Tem position be rotated on a
quarterly basis among all members of the City Council, and she further
recommended that the order be determined by lot.
MICROFILMED
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Council Member Slavik made the motion to proceed with the Mayor's proposal,
and the motion was seconded by Council Member Moss.
Council Member Pruet stated he would like to point out for the Council's
consideration and for the Staff's action, that the Council has had several
appointments to significant committees tied to the Mayor Pro Tem Position, and
that the Council will need to address those issues. He stated that in changing
the designation, the Council would have to change the appointments because all
the committee actions need the continuity of both the Mayor and the Mayor Pro
Tem.
Council Member Berlanga concurred with the Mayor's proposal. He stated he
didn't think it was fair that the position went to the highest vote getter
because it excluded the members of the single member districts.
Council Member Mendez concurred with the proposal and stated that everyone
on the Council should be given a fair opportunity to serve as Mayor Pro Tem, and
that the option should be up to the Council and not designated to a certain
individual.
Council Member Guerrero pointed out to the Council and audience that
Council Member Slavik should be commended for her action in making the motion
approving the proposal because she was the highest vote getter in the election.
He also stated that she is a great Council Member.
Council Member Moss stated that rotating the position will give the Council
flexibility and later if a change is needed, it will be easier to accomplish on
a rotating basis.
The motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Shelia Senterfitt, 6722 Sahara, Chairman of the Art in the Heart of
Downtown Festival, expressed appreciation for the Council's support in moving
the festival downtown. She invited the Council to the opening ceremonies of the
festival.
Council Member Berlanga stated that he hoped the Council Members will
attend the Art Jamboree because this will be the first one held in the downtown
area, and that the Council should make an extra effort to attend.
Council Member Pruet stated that in addition to what the art community is
doing downtown, their activities and the Art in The Heart Program have brought
about renovation, remodeling and face lifting on a number of independent
businesses in the area. He expressed his appreciation to the people in the art
community who have worked to get this program downtown, and he pointed out it
will be the start of a real tradition in Corpus Christi.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
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Mayor Turner called for consideration of Consent Motions, Items 1 and 2.
1. M87-0155
Scheduling a public hearing on May 12, 1987, on the closure and abandonment
of a 10 -foot long street right-of-way stub -out along Nile Drive
approximately 100 feet north of Williams Drive.
2. M87-0156
Authorizing the City Manager or his designee to submit a grant application
for the Corpus Christi Public Library in the amount of $20,196 through the
Major Urban Resource Libraries (MURLs) program and to execute all related
documents. The funds will be used to purchase books for the genealogical
collection.
There were no comments from the Council or the audience on the Consent
Motions. A motion was made by Council Member Mendez that Consent Motions 1 and
2 be approved; seconded by Council Member Pruet; and passed unanimously.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Turner then called for consideration of the Consent Ordinances on
Items 3 through 8.a.1.
Council Member Moss referred to Item No. 3 pertaining to the easement
closures in Crestmont Subdivision and inquired if this closure was just for the
convenience of the owners.
City Manager McDowell responded that it was, but it is also one of the
planned unit subdivisions with smaller lots and is being reconfigured for
affordable housing as a demonstration project.
Council Member Moss referred to Item No. 4 pertaining to the Convention
Center parking lot expansion and asked if there was a sketch of the layout.
City Manager McDowell stated that the parking lot is the one behind the
Convention Center and that this item had previously been presented to the
Council.
Regarding Item No. 3, Council Member Slavik inquired how many parking
spaces will be available and when the expansion will be finished. In answer to
her question, City Manager McDowell stated there will be over 332 additional
parking spaces and the project should be finished in about three to four months.
In answer to the Mayor's question concerning more plans for parking in the
immediate future, City Manager McDowell stated that the Staff is working with
the Port and an additional 150 to 250 spaces will be available in the area.
Council Member Berlanga referred to Item No. 5 pertaining to the Kingsbury
Street Bridge replacement and inquired why the contract is being terminated and
if the project is finished.
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Assistant City Manager Lontos responded by stating that the City and the
State had an agreement to replace a small bridge in Kingsbury and during the
initial investigation, it was discovered that a private line existed in the
ditch area. He stated that the line did not interfere with the bridge project,
but the company who owns the private line insisted that the City relocate the
line. He stated it would cost over $100,000 to relocate the line, and that the
State has requested if we do not relocate it, the project should be cancelled.
Regarding Item No. 5, Council Member Moss stated that as he understands the
memo, this is a mistake made by our Engineering Department which is costing the
City $21,736.10 to have to cancel the contract and $8,396.10 additional money
over and above what the City intended to pay. He inquired if this statement is
correct.
Assistant City Manager Lontos stated basically it is correct, and that the
City was not aware that the Utility Company wanted the line to be relocated. He
stated that the City knew the line was there, and that it did not interfere with
the construction.
Council Member Moss stated that it is the City's fault in not having found
that there were prior rights before entering into a contract.
Council Member Rhodes referred to Item No. 6 pertaining to amending the
Zoning Ordinance in reference to the Crossroads Shopping Village. She stated
that the City Staff is sent out to enforce the sign regulations. She stated
that a citation is issued for violations, and that the Council needs to change
the sign ordinance or be willing to back up the Staff when they enforce the law.
Council Member Strong referred to Item No. 7 pertaining to the facsimile
signatures to be used on all City checks. She inquired who has control over the
facsimile stamp and where is it kept. City Manager McDowell responded by
stating it is kept in the Finance Department and it is tightly controlled.
In answer to a question from the Mayor on the same Item, Assistant City
Manager Garza stated that sometime ago the Council had authorized the Staff to
use facsmille signatures on all checks. He stated that the Ordinance which was
signed by the Mayor and officials did not give the Staff that authorization. He
stated that if the Ordinance had been correct, it would have given the Staff the
authority to sign all checks using a facsimile signature.
In answer to a question from Council Member Strong on the same Item,
Assistant City Manager Garza stated that there is a check signer machine, a
plate that goes into the check signer and the checks are automatically fed
through the check signer.
Mayor Turner referred to Item No. 8 pertaining to the Buccaneer Days
Parachute Jump. She inquired if corporate liability has been provided and City
Manager McDowell responded by stating that there is coverage.
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Council Member Strong stated that the parachute jumpers are a beautiful
sight and are amazingly accurate. She stated that they are professionals and
have control of their parachutes.
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:
3. ORDINANCE NO. 19712
CLOSING AND ABANDONING FOUR 10 -FOOT WIDE UTILITY EASEMENTS IN PORTIONS OF
BLOCKS 1 and 2, CRESTMONT SUBDIVISION, UNIT 10, SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS
LISTED BELOW; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing Ordinance passed by the
following vote: Turner, Berlanga, Guerrero, Mendez, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes,
Slavik and Strong voting, "Aye."
4. ORDINANCE NO. 19713
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT WITH A. ORTIZ CONSTRUCTION AND
PAVING, INC. FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL PARKING LOTS AROUND THE
BAYFRONT CONVENTION CENTER; APPROPRIATING $461,000; AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing Ordinance passed by the
following vote: Turner, Berlanga, Guerrero, Mendez, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes,
Slavik and Strong voting, "Aye."
5. ORDINANCE NO. 19714
REQUESTING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO
TERMINATE THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT WITH HELDENFELS BROTHERS, INC.
PROVIDING FOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT ON KINGSBURY STREET AT TURKEY CREEK;
APPROPRIATING $8,400; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing Ordinance passed by the
following vote: Turner, Berlanga, Guerrero, Mendez, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes,
Slavik and Strong voting, "Aye."
6. ORDINANCE. NO. 19715
AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE UPON APPLICATION OF CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI BY
GRANTING A SPECIAL COUNCIL PERMIT FOR SIGNAGE ON A PORTION OF LOT 1, THE
CROSSROADS SHOPPING VILLAGE; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing Ordinance passed by the
following vote: Turner, Berlanga, Guerrero, Mendez, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes,
Slavik and Strong voting, "Aye."
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7. ORDINANCE NO. 19716
AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 19510, CONCERNING FACSIMILE SIGNATURES IN THE
ISSUANCE OF CHECKS, WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON SEPTEMBER 30,
1986, AND WHICH AMENDED ORDINANCE NOS. 6239 AND 15927, APPROVED BY CITY
COUNCIL ON AUGUST 2, 1961, AND DECEMBER 10, 1980, RESPECTIVELY; AND
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing Ordinance passed by the
following vote: Turner, Berlanga, Guerrero, Mendez, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes,
Slavik and Strong voting, "Aye."
8. ORDINANCE NO. 19717
AUTHORIZING SKY'S THE LIMIT, P.C. TO CONDUCT A PARACHUTE JUMP ON APRIL 23,
1987, IN CONNECTION WITH BUCCANEER DAYS FESTIVITIES; AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing Ordinance passed by the
following vote: Turner, Berlanga, Guerrero, Mendez, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes,
Slavik and Strong Voting, "Aye."
8a1. RESOLUTION NO. 19718
RESOLUTION CONFIRMING MAYOR LUTHER G. JONES, JR. AS MAYOR EMERITUS OF THE
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing Ordinance passed by the
following vote: Turner, Berlanga, Guerrero, Mendez, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes,
Slavik and Strong Voting, "Aye."
Mayor Turner referred to Item 8a. pertaining to the appointment of eight
members and nine alternates to serve on the Coastal Bend Council of Governments
(COG).
City Manager McDowell stated that this item will be an action by motion.
He explained that there will be a meeting of the COG on Friday, April 24th in
which key policy decisions affecting next year's budget will be discussed.
Council Member Mendez stated that he would like to become the alternate
member to serve on the Coastal Bend Council of Governments.
A motion was made by Council Member Guerrero that the eight Council Members
be appointed to serve on the COG with Council Member Mendez serving as an
alternate, along with the following Staff members as alternates: Craig
McDowell, Armando Chapa, Ernest Briones, Juan Garza, Bill Hennings, Jimmy
Lontos, Kelly Elizondo and Tom Utter. The motion was seconded by Council Member
Strong and passed unanimously.
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Mayor Turner then called for consideration of Item No. 9 pertaining to
Expenses for the Sale of General Improvement Bonds and asked Assistant City
Manager Garza for information pertaining to this Item.
Assistant City Manager Garza stated that the expenses for selling bonds are
generally included and are paid from the proceeds of the actual bond sale. He
explained that the expenses from the General Improvement and Refunding Bonds
were paid from the Debt Service Fund. He stated that those expenses were
charged to the Debt Service Fund and should have been charged to the Bond Fund,
and this Ordinance is an action to charge them to the correct area. He stated
that the expenses for the 1986 Bond Sale is simply just a tallying up of the
most recent Bond Sale and appropriating the funds so that the proper accounts
can be charged.
In answer to a question from Council Member Slavik regarding how it affects
the Debt Service Fund, Mr. Garza stated that it helps the fund balance. He
stated that the total of these monies, instead of coming out of the Debt Service
Fund will go back into the Debt Service Fund balance.
In answer to a question from Council Member Berlanga pertaining to the
percentage which is figured on expenses, Mr. Garza stated that it runs up to 2%
depending on the size of the issue. He stated the smaller the Bond Sale the
larger the percentage. He stated he would report back to the Council on the
exact figures.
Mayor Turner stated that in reference to the $25M in bonds which were sold,
the Council would like to have, as quickly as possible, a status report of how
the funds will be used, for what projects, and when the money can be expected on
the streets. She referred to the holdup of any of the funds which are not yet
committed, and inquired if there was anything the Council could authorize to
move the thing forward, and if any more work could be contracted out.
City Manager McDowell stated that the Staff is trying to move it as fast as
they can through the Engineering Department. He stated that the contracts are
now beginning to come forward.
In answer to a question from the Mayor, City Manager McDowell stated that
the first $25M was designed to be: 1. labor intensive projects, 2. address our
most immediate infrastructure needs and 3. try to stimulate economic
development. He stated that the balance of the $105M program is scheduled to be
sold at about $20M a year over four more years. He stated that with a downturn
in the assessment valuation and the Homestead Exemption, the Staff will have to
review the ability to sell bonds without having to raise taxes. He stated that
there is a question as to how aggressively we can pursue the Bond Program.
Council Member Mendez stated that for the benefit of the new Council
Members, this issue should be made an agenda item to be discussed so that
everyone will understand where we stand on the projects which have been
appropriated in the initial $25M and to deal with the issue of the shortfall of
the budget.
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Council Member Guerrero stated that there is an issue if anyone would want
to buy our bonds, and he stated that should be part of the agenda.
City Manager McDowell stated that the City has an AA rating and that our
bonds sell very well in the market. He stated that our ability to sell
additional bonds will have to be looked at in terms of our ability to cover them
with debt service. He stated that a report to the Council regarding the bond
funding will be forthcoming in about two weeks.
Mayor Turner stated that she has been informed that the City can get the
bond money on the street faster by completing the engineering work now, and not
wait until after the bonds are sold. She stated she would like that item
included in the report.
City Manager McDowell pointed out to the Council that in anticipation of
this bond issue, approximately $200,000 worth of engineering work was done prior
to the sale and then reimbursed out of this bond issue when the '86 bonds were
sold, so that those projects could get on the streets faster. He stated it has
been ongoing.
Council Member Moss stated that the Council must keep in mind that $25M has
been sold, and then program how the City can finance these bonds. He asked if a
bar graph was available. He stated that the Council needs to look at the
engineering and how that fits in with what we can spend and how fast we can
spend the money.
Council Member Pruet referred to the report due in two weeks and inquired
if it will contain the amount of the anticipated shortfalls so the Council can
have a reasonable estimate as to when these bonds can be sold. He stated it
would be informative to see what the Staff and Management have been doing to
address this shortfall internally and to make this a part of the presentation
from Staff.
City Manager McDowell stated that all the departments were asked to take a
look at their budgets and see what could be cut back this year. He stated they
were able to identify approximately $850,000 in reductions which could be made
on a temporary basis. He pointed out that the Council is aware that the sales
tax projections this year are down about $1M and some other revenue sources,
i.e. the franchise tax and the electrical utility tax bring us down about $2M.
He stated that the Staff has been able to compensate for that and still maintain
the service levels. He stated that next year there will be about a $3}M
downturn in revenue.
Council Member Berlanga made reference to projects and inquired about the
status on the La Retama Library and if it would be possible to give the Council
a full status report on the old courthouse.
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In reference to the La Retama Library, City Manager McDowell stated that
the contract was let for the demolition of the library. He stated the Staff is
in the final stages of working with the Quality Control people on the asbestos
removal problem. He stated in the next couple of weeks a decision will be made
and then the demolition of the library will begin. In reference to the
courthouse, he stated that has been referred back to the Building Standards
Board, and they will discuss it in June.
In reference to a question from Council Member Moss pertaining to the
demolition of La Retama Library, Assistant City Manager Lontos stated that it
will be in about two months.
There were no comments from the audience on Item No. 9.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following
Ordinance was passed:
9. ORDINANCE NO. 19719
APPROPRIATING $186,921.56 OUT OF VARIOUS FUNDS FOR EXPENSES IN CONNECTION
WITH THE SALE OF $13,064,000 GENERAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS ON OCTOBER 17, 1985,
AND THE SALE OF $25,625,000 GENERAL IMPROVEMENTS BONDS ON NOVEMBER 18,
1986; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing Ordinance passed by the
following vote: Turner, Berlanga, Guerrero, Mendez, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes,
Slavik and Strong voting, "Aye."
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
City Manager McDowell stated he would like to bring to the Council's
attention an item relative to a piece of Legislation, No. FCR57, which
designates the Texas Maritime Museum in Aransas County. He stated that our
museum board of directors has gone on record to oppose that designation, not the
museum per se, but the designation as Texas Maritime Museum because of the fact
that our museum has the shipwreck collection. He stated they are concerned that
if we begin to divide that up, it may endanger and jeopardize our status and
standing with the Spanish artifacts. He stated they have taken a position in
opposition to this legislation and are asking for a Council position. He stated
that there is no opposition to the fact they are having a museum. He stated the
opposition is in designating it as the Texas Maritime Museum.
In answer to a question from Council Member Berlanga, Mr. McDowell stated
that it has been passed out of Committee on a favorable note, and it is now on
the floor.
Council Member Guerrero stated that he didn't think the Council had a
choice but to support the museum if the artifacts were jeopardized. He stated
that point needs to be made in the State legislature.
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City Manager McDowell stated that since the Council sets our legislative
agenda, they are asking the Council to take a position in opposition to the
piece of legislature.
Council Member Moss stated that he was sorry to hear we are at odds with
Aransas County, but the Council needs to defend their position. He stated he
hoped that something could be worked out.
Council Member Mendez stated that if the Council is going to support any
kind of a Resolution, there ought to be communication between the City Staff and
the people in Aransas County, and perhaps an agreement could be worked out.
Council Member Mendez made a motion that the Staff communicate with the people
in Aransas County to work out an agreement for this situation. The motion was
seconded by Council Member Slavik and passed unanimously.
Council Member Berlanga stated that there will be a Citizens of Volunteers
in Service Celebration and he had been asked by the Director of the organization
to invite the Council to attend the celebration at the Bayfront on April 28
after 5:00 p.m.
City Secretary Chapa conducted a drawing to determine the selection of the
Mayor Pro Tem position terms.
A motion was made by Council Member Berlanga to appoint Council Member
Slavik to be the first Mayor Pro Tem, since she was the highest vote getter and
made the initial motion to rotate the term. The motion was seconded by Council
Member Moss and passed unanimously.
As a result of the drawing, the terms for the Mayor Pro Tem positions are
as follows: 1. Council Member Slavik; 2. Council Member Moss; 3. Council
Member Rhodes; 4. Council Member Berlanga; 5. Council Member Pruet; 6.
Council Member Strong; 7. Council Member Guerrero; 8. Council Member Mendez.
Mayor Turner stated that the Council will in the next couple of weeks
decide on the appointment to the Reinvestment Zone. She asked City Secretary
Chapa for a list of the other appointments which will be needed.
Council Member Pruet inquired if the Council would like to take time to
discuss the format for the workshop meeting. He stated that he would like
included on the workshop agenda, the matter of scheduling the Council retreat.
Mayor Turner stated that she has scheduled a meeting with the City Manager.
She stated she felt strongly about developing an action agenda, a very specific
game plan which lets everyone know where the Council is going, and how they are
going to get there. She stated that this would be discussed in the workshop
session, as well as discussion of the retreat. She stated that the Council
couldn't deal with the budget until they know where they are going and what the
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priorities are. Mayor Turner stated that in the past the Council discussed
current concerns for an hour during the morning meeting and she hoped to use the
workshops more productively. She strongly encouraged the Council to submit
their concerns in writing, and send them to the City Manager or the City
Secretary who will then submit them to the proper departments for resolution.
She stated if the concerns are not resolved in a reasonable period of time, they
should be brought to the Council during the workshop meeting.
Council Member Strong reminded the new Council that the old Council had
committed to participate in the first cleanup to adopt a mile of beach for the
Adopt -a -Beach Cleanup Task Force. She explained that the Council committed to
three cleanups a year of gulf beaches.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Turner called for petitions or information from the audience on
matters not scheduled on the agenda.
Mr. James A. Sierman, 417 Scotland, referred to the veteran's eternal
light. He requested if a plaque could be made, and if the light could be lit
permanently. A motion was made by Council Member Guerrero that there be a
ceremony on July 4th to start burning the light. The motion was seconded by
Council Member Slavik and passed unanimously.
Ms. Gwen Bryant, 5029 Merganser, congratulated the Council on their
elections. She stated she represented Citizens for Progress and presented to
each Council Member a plaque of a newspaper article with a sad tale of Crystal
Beach, Texas.
Mr. Earl Wilder, representing the Retired Firefighters and Widows of Texas,
requested that the Council consider a Resolution similar to the one passed on
April 7th, No. 19659, which requested that the State legislature use the federal
poverty guidelines in regard to Corpus Christi's indigent people. His request
was that the Resolution request the Corpus Christi active firefighters to
consider federal poverty guidelines in regard to the retirement pay for the "Old
Smokies."
Council Member Guerrero stated it would be appropriate to ask the Staff to
come back with a report in reference to the preparation of a Resolution urging
the firefighters to approve an increase for the retired firefighters.
City Manager explained to the new Council that this is a problem which the
Staff has been dealing with. He stated that the firefighters have their own
retirement system and any increase in benefits must be voted by the active
membership. He stated it has been an ongoing struggle for a number of years in
which the active membership has chosen not to raise the benefits. He stated
that a Resolution would certainly express the Council's intent, but it is up to
the active membership to vote as to what they want to do with the pension
benefits.
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Council Member Berlanga stated that this problem has been brought up in the
past and that the concern is justified. He stated he supported the idea for the
resolution.
In answer to a question from Council Member Moss, the Mayor stated that the
City Council can pass a Resolution encouraging the active membership to take
care of their own.
Council Member Mendez requested the Staff to provide the Council with a
full report from the City Manager pertaining to the above item.
Mr. Wilson Pickering, Chairman of the Municipal Arts Commission of Corpus
Christi, expressed his appreciation to the previous Council for their support in
passing the Percent for Art Ordinance for the City of Corpus Christi. He asked
that the new Council join in that support for the arts in Corpus Christi and
hoped that they can maintain the level of funding which they now have. He
expressed his appreciation to Council Member Strong for her constant support of
the arts. He inquired about the $25,000 which had been authorized by the
Reinvestment Zone concerning the feasibility study for the City Hall annex as a
possibility for a new home for the Art Community Center.
Mr. Charles Blum, Chairman of the Park & Recreation Board, stated he
requested the delay in the study because he was in the middle of coming up with
an alternative to the proposal. He stated that the Council agreed to the delay
until he completed the proposal, and that he is in the process of completing a
report from the Bayfront Activities Committee and the Park Board to present to
the Council.
City Manager McDowell explained that the Parks Board and the Bayfront
Activities Committee have met and have taken a position on the matter. He
stated the Staff was going to schedule this item for Council action at the April
28th meeting to make a decision whether to proceed with the engineering study,
or to take one of the recommendations from the Park Board or the other groups
which are interested.
Council Member Berlanga stated this matter has been around for sometime.
He stated he did not agree with the Parks Board to tear the building down, and
that it should be salvaged. He stated he didn't think the Council needed the
$25,000 study because the City has engineers who can determine whether the
building is sound or not.
Mr. Bill Read, 515 Ohio, stated he is President of the Corpus Christi
Civitan Club who are the prime sponsors for the Special Olympic games for the
handicapped to be held at Buccaneer Stadium on Saturday, April 25th, and invited
the Council to attend.
Dr. Maria Luisa Garza, Chief Executive Officer of the Gulf -Coast Council of
La Raza Runaway Shelter, congratulated the Council and welcomed the new Council
Members to their first meeting. She stated that the annex which the City is
subsidizing will be completed within two to three weeks. She stated there will
be a reception and invited the Council to attend.
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Mr. Bennie Benavides, 2421 Cleo Street, congratulated all the members of
the Council on their elections. He stated that he visited a park in Laredo,
Texas called Jarvis Plaza which is a success and very beautiful. He stated the
park was very impressive and recommended that the Council pattern La Retama Park
after the one in Laredo. He suggested that the Council make a trip to Laredo to
observe the park.
There being no further business to come before the Council, on motion by
Council Member Mendez, seconded by Council Member Strong and passed unanimously,
the meeting was adjourned at 3:27 p.m.
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 April
21, 1987, which were approved by the City Council on May 5, 1987.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this the S1/3" day of
jetty Tu er, MAYOR
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Armando Chapa, City Secretary
City of Corpus Christi, Texas