HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 06/28/1988PRESENT
Mayor Betty Turner
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Pruet
Council Members:
David Berlanga, Sr.
Leo Guerrero
Clif Moss
Mary Rhodes
Frank Schwing
Mary Pat Slavik
Absent
Linda Strong
MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 28, 1988
3:00 P.M.
City Manager Juan Garza
City Attorney Hal George
City Secretary Armando Chapa
Mayor Betty Turner called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber of
City Hall.
City Secretary Chapa called the roll and verified that the necessary quorum
of the Council and the required charter officers were present to conduct the
meeting.
Mayor Turner referred to the Minutes of the June 20 & June 21 Council
Meetings, and City Secretary Chapa noted that he had been out of the office ill
and was unable to approve the Minutes, noting that they will be presented for
approval at the July 5, 1988 Council Meeting.
Mayor Turner referred to the presentation on the David M. Griffith Cost
Recovery Study, and City Manager Garza noted that the proposal prepared by the
David M. Griffith Company is a solid report which contains good data from which
to base the recommendations for the budget proposal.
Mr. Harry Read and Ms. Mildred Ellis -Farmer presented the Council with a
report on the David M. Griffith Cost Recovery Study. Mr. Read noted that their
firm contracted with the City to do a cost of services review study to find out
how much the General Fund is subsidizing certain activities. Mr. Read
highlighted the basic precept of the study and elaborated on the objectives of
the cost of services analysis.
After discussion and questions by the Mayor and various Council Members,
Mr. Read stated that his firm did a cost analysis on various areas which the
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June 28, 1988
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City is currently charging and a cost analysis on various areas where the City
was delivering services without charge. He stated that their objective to the
City was to do only the cost analysis and determine what the costs of providing
those services were, noting it was not an efficiency study.
Dan Hobbs, Management and Budget Director, noted that the David M. Griffith
firm was retained by the City and their main goal was to help the City answer
the question of the true costs of the 210 different activities, including direct
and indirect costs. Mr. Hobbs pointed out that in terms of recommending the
fees, it is the staff's recommendation and not the David M. Griffith Company.
Some explanations provided by Mr. Read were the results of the study by
department, the implementation of costs and implementation options available.
He noted that the City has been provided with an information tool for a data
base and point of reference to work from in finding areas to increase fees and
revenues to the City, noting that they have turned over the data base to Dan
Hobbs and will train his staff on its use.
After some discussion, Mr. Read reiterated that his firm specializes in
doing cost analysis work for local units of governments, noting that they did
work for 1500 local units of government.
Mayor Turner called for consideration of Item 1 on the agenda pertaining to
the recreation fees and charges, inquiring as to how the staff arrived at their
recommendations for fees.
City Manager Garza noted that this is a judgement made by the staff along
with the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee, noting that several factors were
considered, and he elaborated on the factors. Mr. Garza stated that this is not
a consistent recommendation; it is the staff's best judgment as to what they
feel would be acceptable, noting that the Council should feel comfortable with
what they will recommend.
Council Member Guerrero indicated that the Council must assume that the
information presented is correct at a 100 percent recovery. Mr. Guerrero
expressed the opinion that he opposes taxes, noting that the user fee is
probably the fairest of all taxes if there is to be any type of taxation.
Assistant City Manager Hennings referred to the spreadsheet pertaining to
the fees, explaining the different columns for the fees at 100%, 40% and 507
recovery including the recommended fee.
Mr. Bob Bruner, Parks & Recreation Director, noted that there are two items
under consideration, one being the ordinance change, and the other pertaining to
the schedule of fees. Mr. Bruner provided an explanation of the fee schedules,
noting that the Staff recommends that the cost recovery for adult and youth
sports be reduced to forty percent, providing that charges not be set below the
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current level. Mr. Bruner referred to the Griffith Report, indicating that in
some cases the staff agreed with their recommendations. He noted that there
were four fees which were not included in the study, including field rentals,
and he elaborated on those fees which were not included in the study, along with
the rates for the rentals of the fields. Mr. Bruner indicated that the
ordinance will provide the flexibility for the staff not having to come before
the Council with every fee.
Discussion followed on the various fees for the different sports, and Mr.
Bruner indicated that the staff would like some policy from the Council on how
much the City wants to recover. Mr. Bruner explained all the recommendations,
elaborating on how they were determined. He also commented on the recreational
classes, indicating that the staff recommends a 60% - 40% split.
Mr. Bob Kenney, a former Park & Recreation Department Athletic Director,
spoke in opposition to the flag football fees and the field rental charges. He
spoke briefly about the necessary costs for flag football and presented
information to the Council.
Council Member Berlanga expressed the opinion that the $325 fee for adult
softball should remain, and the fee for flag football should be lowered.
Council Member Rhodes inquired about the high fee for flag football, and
Mr. Bruner explained that the increased costs are for the use of the fields.
Various members of the Council expressed concern about the high fees for
flag football, and Mr. Bruner explained about the cost recovery. He stated that
there needs to be a policy decision, noting that other representatives from
other sports will request lower fees. He stated that consideration is being
given to combining the fields for different activities.
Council Member Guerrero expressed the opinion that the Council cannot start
playing politics and start picking and choosing. He noted that either the costs
are correct or incorrect and that the City should get on the right track and
recover what they want, noting that if the Council starts picking and choosing,
the burden will be placed on someone else.
Mr. Bruner noted that the figures are correct; the ordinance will enable
the staff to discuss the fee with the user; and that costs may be able to be
tailored.
Council Member Berlanga noted that the Council should render a policy which
is fair to everyone and should be balanced. He made a motion to table this item
so that the staff can present a more equalized rate for softball, flag football
and soccer. The motion died for lack of a second.
Mr. Dusty Adams, 5026 Middlecoff, a softball player, spoke in favor of the
40 percent recovery for adult softball at $214, noting that they will be in
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opposition if there is a change in the services which are provided. He
requested a breakdown of the rental fees for the fields.
Mr. Rodney Lee, 610 Vaky, referred to the user fees, noting that he does
not want his tax dollars to pay for the direct costs of the programs. He spoke
in opposition to the charge for the field rentals.
Mr. Manford Walter, affiliated with Girl's fast pitch, spoke in opposition
to the field rental fees.
Mr. Dean Webster, 302 Troy Drive, stated that every effort has been made to
study fee increases and no consideration has been given to the revenues which
the sports activities bring into the City, referring particularly to tennis. He
spoke in opposition to the junior tennis fees.
Mr. Bob Mapes, 754 Brock, a tennis pro at the HEB Center, spoke in
opposition to the tennis fees, referring to the tennis tournaments, noting that
they generate 2} times their costs just in tax dollars which the City receives.
Several Council Members expressed concern over the tennis figures, and Mr.
Bruner explained the rates.
Mr. Lonnie Lenningham, a softball and flag football player, spoke in
opposition to alcohol at the Grandstands, noting that he is not against
privatization. He spoke in opposition to the field rental fees and complimented
Lamar Turner, a representative of the Parks and Recreation Program.
Mr. Manny Gonzales, 1038 Zarsky, a softball player, and Ms. Rose Garst,
1441 Maryland, spoke in opposition to the field rental charges.
Ms. Janet Shiner, 6926 Aswan, an Aerobics Plus instructor, spoke in
opposition to the 60% - 40% split, noting that she will have to find another
place to teach.
Mr. Curtis Rich, 5314 Crossridge, a representative of the Grandstands,
spoke in favor of the 60% cost recovery of $325 for adult softball.
Mr. Elroy Griffin, 10817 Mayfield, affiliated with girl's fast pitch, spoke
in opposition to the field rental fees.
Mayor Turner noted that the City has to increase the fees, noting that she
has serious reservations about increasing any activity 100 percent.
Mr. Bruner again pointed out that no study has been done on the field
rentals, explaining the field rental fees.
Council Member Moss made a motion to amend the ordinance before the first
reading of the recommendation submitted by staff with the following ceilings:
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youth charges not to exceed 40 percent and no other fee increase to exceed 25
percent over current fee for the following year.
Council Member Berlanga requested that adjustments be made to soccer, flag
football and softball fees before the second reading of the ordinance.
Council Member Rhodes seconded the motion made by Council Member Moss,
noting that she would like to see an adjustment of how much revenue will be
produced and what the difference will be.
Mayor Pro Tem Pruet expressed the opinion that the staff should look at
ways to lower the costs of the services the City offers instead of raising the
fees.
Council Member Slavik inquired if the staff will consider the possibility
of phasing out some activities which the private sector could do better, and Mr.
Bruner replied in the affirmative, elaborating on the situation with the
Grandstands, noting that it is hard to find someone who could do the services
the City does, pointing out that the City is unique in what it does.
The aforementioned motion passed unanimously by those present and voting;
Strong absent.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following
Ordinance was passed as amended:
1. FIRST READING
AMENDING THE CITY CODE, CHAPTER 36, PARKS, RECREATION, CULTURAL AND LEISURE
TIME ACTIVITIES, BY AMENDING SECTIONS 36-1 THROUGH 36-5 AND SECTIONS 36-7
THROUGH 36-8.1 TO PROVIDE FOR AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF RECREATIONAL CHARGES FOR
FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES, AUTHORIZING THE PARK AND RECREATION
DIRECTOR TO ADJUST THE SCHEDULE OF CHARGES WITHIN CERTAIN LIMITATIONS
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF THE CITY MANAGER, AND AUTHORIZING THE NEGOTIATION OF
CHARGES TO EVENTS WITH SPECIAL OR UNUSUAL NEEDS OR REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING
FOR SEVERANCE; AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION.
The foregoing Ordinance was passed on first reading, as amended, by the
following vote: Turner, Pruet, Berlanga, Guerrero, Moss, Rhodes, Schwing,
and Slavik voting, "Aye"; Strong absent.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Turner referred to Item 2 pertaining to the City's vacation and sick
leave policy, noting that the Council has decided to hold this item for
discussion until next week's Council Meeting.
2. WITHDRAWN
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June 28, 1988
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Mayor Turner called
scheduled on the agenda.
Mr. Philip Rosenstein,
Times pertaining to various
cap and read excerpts from
that some of the citizens
Council Members.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
for petitions from the audience on matters not
949 Bobalo, referred to an article in the Caller
Council Members' remarks concerning raising the tax
the article. Mr. Rosenstein expressed the opinion
are being misled with false statements by certain
Mr. Raymond Hasker, 1813 Wallace, referred to the meeting that morning,
noting that questions are duplicated and a voter never gets an answer to a
question. He referred to the airport and remarks made by Assistant City Manager
Hennings and asked where the money is coming from to pay off the bonds that the
government already refunded to the City to repay.
Mr. Trian Serbu, 14310 Playa del Rey, an architect and builder, expressed
some serious concerns about what is proposed for Packery Channel, noting that he
is not opposed to Lake Padre Development and is for a proper Boat Pass. He
expressed the opinion that Packery Channel is the least desirable place to put
the Boat Pass, elaborating on several reasons, noting that there are four other
pass locations possible.
Council Member Slavik referred to the Sister City Committee, noting that
Ted Schoenberg will resign in September. Mrs. Slavik requested that the Council
consider Ms. Sandra Langberg as the Chairman -Elect.
A motion was made by Council Member Guerrero to appoint Sandra Langberg as
the Chairman -Elect of the Sister City Committee. The motion was seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Pruet and passed unanimously by those present and voting; Strong
absent.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Turner
declared the Council Meeting adjourned at 5:53 p.m. on June 28, 1988.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
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 June 28,
1988 which were approved by the City Council on July 5, 1988.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this the rI4Ki. day of
I )'
Armando Chapa, City Secretary
City of Corpus Christi
B tty Turne', MAYOR