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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 08/16/1988MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 16, 1988 2:00 P.M. PRESENT Mayor Betty Turner Mayor Pro Tem Linda Strong * Council Members: David Berlanga, Sr. Leo Guerrero Clif Moss Bill Pruet Mary Rhodes Frank Schwing ** Mary Pat Slavik 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. The -invocation was delivered by Council Member Moss following which the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States was led by Council Member Guerrero. 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 called for approval of the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of August 9, 1988, and there being no additions or corrections, she proclaimed them approved as written. * Mayor Pro Tem Strong arrived at 2:02 p.m. Mayor Turner read a Proclamation honoring Laura Zuniga, a track star participant in the World Olympics for the Deaf, and Council Member Guerrero, representing her sponsors, presented her with the proclamation and a check for $3,500. Mayor Turner recognized City Secretary Chapa for the recent designation awarded to him of Certified Municipal Clerk from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks and presented him with a plaque. MICROFILMED ates regular Council Meeting August 16, 1988 Page 2 Mayor Turner recognized Dr. Katherine Conoly, Chairman of the Corpus Christi Literacy Council, who gave a brief presentation to the Council. She asked all the citizens of Corpus Christi to help support the Literacy Council. She informed the Council that a public awareness campaign is being launched August 20 which asks working citizens of Corpus Christi to donate one hour of their wages to the Literacy Council. Mayor Turner thanked Dr. Conoly for her presentation and encouraged everyone to get involved. Mayor Turner referred to the Board and Committee appointment and Hal Holmes was appointed to the Landmark Commission. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Turner announced the bid opening on the Rehabilitation of Runway 13-31. Mr. Victor Medina, Director of Engineering Services, opened bids on this project from the following firms: Bay, Inc.; Block M, Inc.; Delta Electric Construction Co.; Hallmark Electrical Contractors; Heath Construction, Inc.; Heldenfels Brothers, Inc.; King -Isles, Inc.; Lambda Construction Co.; South Texas Construction Co.; S. H. Tolliver Co.; Walker Engineering; and H. B. Zachery Co. Mr. Medina verified that all companies submitting bids on the project had submitted the required security bond and had acknowledged receipt of addendums 1 & 2. Mayor Turner expressed appreciation to the bidders for submitting bids on this project. ** Council Member Schwing arrived at 2:20 p.m. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Turner announced the public hearing on consideration of the Brown and Caldwell -Freese and Nichols, Inc. Site Selection Recommendation for the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant and amendment of the Wastewater Master Plant to adopt the recommended site. Assistant City Manager Jesus Garza introduced Mr. Anthony Reid, Vice President, Freese and Nichols, Inc. Mr. Reid stated that this project was a joint -venture of Brown Caldwell -Freese and Nichols, Inc. He stated his firm was retained to identify a specific site for the location of the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mr. Reid presented slides and reviewed the manner in which the study researched each objective. He stated the site selection committee had three principal objectives: 1. to determine the location of the southside wastewater treatment plant, 2. to reconsider the recommended staging of the modifications for the Oso Wastewater Treatment Plant, and 3. to evaluate any potential impact that the Chapman Ranch development might have on the Oso and Southside Wastewater Treat Plant. .rtes ncgular Council Meeting August 16, 1988 Page 3 He stated that based on initial examinations, two sites were removed from consideration because of concerns due to their location, accessibility problems and greater utility costs. He stated the selected sites were based on a number of factors which included accessibility, the effect of the project on City development plans, environmental and cultural impact, construction costs, and permit requirements. He continued by stating that the design of the Oso Wastewater Treatment Plant will be completed by early 1989 to allow completion by 1991 and initiation of operation by 1992. The reports show that the need to expand the Oso Plant will exist even if the southside plant is built. He stated modifications to the Oso Plant are in the City's best interest, followed by the construction of the southside plant for completion by the year 2000. In summary, he reiterated the major conclusion of the report is that the area south of Yorktown Boulevard, east of the old NASA tracking station and north of Oso Creek is the site recommended for the southside plant as being the most beneficial to the City of Corpus Christi; that the Oso Plant be expanded to increase from 16.2 to 24 MGD; and the design of the proposed phase I of the southside plant be started in 1995 for completion in the year 2000. Council Member Slavik referred to the expansion of the Oso Plant by 1/3% and inquired if a 1/4% increase was considered and diverting the remaining MGD's to the southside plant. She is concerned about a possible odor problem as the plant expands. Mr. Reid explained that modifications would be made to the Oso Plant rather than expanding the plant, and the construction of these modifications costs a considerable amount less than proceeding on with the construction of the southside plant. He pointed out that there is also a timing question involved. He stated that starting from scratch with the new plant requires a longer period of time than providing the Oso Plant with these modifications. He stated the need will be there for this additional capacity that extends beyond the 20 MGD Mrs. Slavik suggested. In response to the concern about the possible odor problem, Mr. Reid stated that a control measure was planned in the modifications which can handle the odor. Don Funderlic, Vice President, Brown and Caldwell, stated that part of the modifications for the Oso Plant included an assessment of the odor problem and recommendations on its control. Council Member Pruet questioned the logic behind placing the southside plant on the opposite side of the Chapman Ranch. He feels this area will show the most growth in the future and is a greater area of potential growth and development is on the new side of the Oso, and Mr. Reid explained that the population projections and population distribution that was used in the 1986 Master Plan were studied and they concluded that there would be significant growth in the area they have recommended. He does recognize that the Chapman Ranch area could cost considerable flow in that area but he feels the ates nagular Council Meeting August 16, 1988 Page 4 assumptions they made for the Chapman Ranch area were appropriate and the costs to go to the other side of the Oso outweighed the recommended location. Council Member Pruet inquired about the population on the existing side of the Oso that will be serviced by the new plant and asked how far out the population projections were, and Mr. Reid stated the projections went to the year 2025 and the population distribution that was developed for the 1986 Master Plan was reviewed and concluded that those figures were still appropriate. These figures indicate that a substantial amount of population growth would occur on the north side of the Oso and the logical location of the plant would be on that side. After discussion, Assistant City Manager Garza informed the Council that the Planning Commission has reviewed and recommended the site selected. Mayor Turner called for public comments. Mr. Bill Brown, representing Peterson Development Company, expressed the opinion that the proposed site on the north side of the Oso does not make sense to him and he is opposed to the Council approving this as an emergency item today. He encouraged the City Council to approve the expansion of the Oso Plant and requested that the Barney M. Davis site be considered for the southside plant. Mayor Turner then inquired why this was being considered an emergency ordinance rather than a three -reading ordinance, and Mr. Garza stated that the City needs to start options on acquiring the land, but it can be passed by a three reading ordinance. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to approve this ordinance on three readings. Harold Pace, a resident in the area, expressed the opinion that the Barney M. Davis site is the most appropriate. He stated he agrees with Mr. Brown and urged the Council to consider his request. Roy Smith, an owner of adjacent property, expressed the opinion that the plant should be built across the Oso. John S. Talbot, representing the citizens of the Pharaoh Neighborhood Association and associations in the general area, is in favor of the recommended site for the southside plant. After discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Strong stated she would like a presentation on sites 2 & 3 and the reason these sites were rejected. Mary Davis, a resident of Pharaoh Valley, stated she is in favor of building the southside plant and objects to expanding the Oso Plant. Irving Dietz, 455 Miramar, sympathizes with the residents of Pharaoh Valley, but noted, however, that it was established after the Oso Plant was ates negular Council Meeting August 16, 1988 Page 5 built, but pointed out that this is a different situation because established subdivisions already exist and he urged the City to take this into consideration. Gale Hoffman, a resident of Roscher Estates, urged the Council to consider the negative impact the southside plant will have on the residents of that area. A motion was made by Council Member Guerrero to close the Public Hearing; seconded by Council Member Moss and passed unanimously. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following was passed: 1. FIRST READING ACCEPTING THE SITE SELECTION STUDY REPORT FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AS PREPARED BY BROWN AND NICHOLS, INC., AND AMENDING THE WASTEWATER MASTER RECOMMENDED SITE. The foregoing Ordinance passed on first reading by Turner, Strong, Berlanga, Guerrero, Moss, Rhodes, voting, "Aye," Pruet voting "No." PROPOSED SOUTHSIDE CALDWELL-FREESE AND PLAN TO ADOPT THE the following vote: Schwing and Slavik Mayor Turner called for consideration of Consent Motions 2 thru 4, and City Manager Garza requested that Motion 2 be withdrawn. There were no comments from the audience on Motions 3 and 4. A motion was made by Council Member Guerrero to approve Motions 3 and 4; seconded by Council Member Pruet and passed unanimously. 3. M88-0188 Awarding a contract in the amount of $114,750 to Travis Industrial Painters, Inc. to repair and repaint the Morgan Avenue water storage tank. 4. M88-0189 Setting a public hearing for August 23, 1988, to consider the request to change the name of Hilltop Road to Cliff Crenshaw Street to honor the Principal of Annaville Elementary School, at the request of the teaching staff. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Turner called for consideration of Consent Resolutions, Ordinances and Ordinances from previous meetings, and Council Members requested that Items 5, 6 and 7 be withheld for discussion. ,ites negular Council Meeting August 16, 1988 Page 6 There were no comments from the audience on the other items. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following were passed: 8. ORDINANCE NO. 20427 AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A CERTIFICATE OF CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO MR. AND MRS. JOHN SUTER, DBA ISLAND SHUTTLE CAB CO., FOR THE OPERATION OF A TAXICAB SERVICE WITHIN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI. The foregoing Ordinance was passed on third reading by the following vote: Turner, Strong, Berlanga, Guerrero, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes, Schwing and Slavik voting, "Aye." 9. ORDINANCE NO. 20428 ADOPTING THE NORTHWEST AREA DEVELOPMENT PLAN, AN ELEMENT OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. The foregoing Ordinance was passed on third reading by the following vote: Turner, Strong, Berlanga, Guerrero, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes, Schwing and Slavik voting, "Aye." In reference to Item No. 5 pertaining to the acquisition of Parcel 29 for the South Staples Street Improvements, Council Member Moss inquired about the Appraisal District's valuation of the property, and Assistant City Manager Garza replied that he would obtain that information for the Council. In reference to Item No. 6 pertaining to accepting provisions of the State Highway and Public Transportation Commission Minute Orders pertaining to construction of street improvements as part of the Urban System/Principal Arterial Street System Program Council Member Moss inquired where the City's $6 Million share is coming from, and Assistant City Manager Garza replied that the City's share of the Pass Program will come from the Bond Program. In reference to Item No. 7 pertaining to the sale of lots on Lipan Street, Council Member Slavik inquired if the adjacent properties were appraised, and Assistant City Manager Utter replied that tax roll values on adjacent property are from $1.00 sq. ft. to $1.29 sq. ft. Council Member Moss expressed his concurrence with the selling of surplus City property. Assistant City Manager Utter updated the Council on the sale of surplus City property and stated that to date, including this property, the City has sold $887,950.66 which represents an additional $5,000 the City receives in property taxes. Mayor Turner inquired if these funds could be isolated and used for specific development projects, and Mr. Utter replied that these funds are put into the General Fund. City Manager Garza noted that if the property had been .ites regular Council Meeting August 16, 1988 Page 7 purchased by an Enterprise Fund the money would be placed in that fund. Mayor Turner requested recommendations on how this money could be used. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following were passed: 5. RESOLUTION NO. 20424 AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF THE DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR THE ACQUISITION OF PARCEL 29 IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOUTH STAPLES STREET IMPROVEMENTS FROM SARATOGA BOULEVARD TO OSO CREEK. The foregoing Resolution passed by the Following vote: Turner, Berlanga, Guerrero, Moss, Rhodes, Schwing and Slavik voting, "Aye"; Strong absent; Pruet abstaining. 6. RESOLUTION NO. 20425 ACCEPTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE STATE HIGHWAY AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MINUTE ORDERS 87550 THROUGH 87555 PERTAINING TO JOINT CONSTRUCTION OF STREET IMPROVEMENTS BY THE CITY AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION UNDER THE URBAN SYSTEM/PRINCIPAL ARTERIAL STREET SYSTEM PROGRAM. The foregoing Resolution passed by the Following vote: Turner, Berlanga, Guerrero, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes, Schwing and Slavik voting, "Aye"; Strong absent. 7. ORDINANCE NO. 20426 AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF LOTS 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, BLOCK 4, BRENNAN ADDITION LOCATED IN THE 1900 BLOCK OF LIPAN STREET TO MARTIN A. VALDEZ FOR $17,250. The Charter Rule was suspended and the foregoing Ordinance passed by the following vote: Turner, Berlanga, Guerrero, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes, Schwing and Slavik voting, "Aye"; Strong absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Turner called for the City Manager's report, and City Manager Garza informed the Council that the shelter at 1802 Lipan had been opened for residents in the area of a cotton belt fire who wished to vacate the area due to heavy smoke. Mr. Garza referred to the Validation Lawsuit and stated that the hearing is scheduled for Monday at 11:00 a.m. and he had been informed that Judge Dunham will not be here on Monday. He stated that if the hearing is rescheduled we would be required to advertise again. Mayor Turner requested that any updates be sent to the Council in their packets. utes negular Council Meeting August 16, 1988 Page 8 Mr. Garza then recognized Senior City Planner Bob Payne who recently held a public hearing on the island and did an outstanding job. Mr. Garza introduced Mr. John Bacon, the new Director of Municipal Information Systems, and Mr. Chris Gorham, the new Director of Community Development. Mr. Garza then recognized Mike Harty and Josephine Villarreal from the Finance Department who have become Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Garza then recognized and congratulated Switchboard Operator Mary Jones for 20 years of service with the City. Mr. Garza informed the Council that he had been working on Council Member Pruet's suggestions for changes in the meeting schedules and the staff's recommendations would be sent to them in Thursday's packet. Mayor Turner called for liaison and other reports from the Council. Council Member Berlanga informed the Council that there are several applicants trying to start businesses in the downtown area which is attributed to the Farmer's Market. Council Member Slavik requested that staff investigate the accumulation of debris at the bottom of the stairs in Ropes Park. Mrs. Slavik then referred to the 0. N. Stevens Raw Water Reservoir and stated that she is not satisfied with the information the Council has received. She requested that a private investigation be performed by an outside firm. She expressed concern about possible collusion by City personnel and feels that deliveries of sand to the plant should be stopped until this is straightened out. She referred to a letter from Mrs. Kathleen Smith regarding the consistency of the sand and meeting specifications. City Manager Garza stated that Mrs. Smith has brought up some valid concerns with the City's inspection procedures. He stated that a few years from now Corpus Christi will be known as being tough on its inspection procedures, they will be frequent and at random. At this point, one option is to remove all the sand and put in new sand or add new sand to what is already there and end up with a thicker blanket of sand for the levee. He stated that the engineer has given the City in writing his recommendation that the grade of sand will be as strong or stronger than recommended in the specifications. Mayor Turner requested to see this report, and Mr. Garza informed her that this had previously been provided the Council. Mrs. Slavik reiterated that the City did not receive what was ordered and she feels that we should demand that the specs should be honored and the supplier remove the sand that is not correct. In response to Mrs. Slavik's question, City Manager Garza clarified that the engineer is saying that with respect to the sand, we are not getting what we utes ..agular Council Meeting August 16, 1988 Page 9 ordered; with respect to design, it meets or exceeds the engineer's specifications. Council Member Guerrero stated he agrees with Mrs. Slavik about the City not receiving what was ordered and someone needs to answer to this, and City Manager Garza replied that this has been investigated and they have corrected the problem. After discussion, City Manager Garza stated that procedures have been changed, and Mayor Turner requested to see these changes in writing. Council Member Pruet referred to the extension of Corona Drive as it deals with the expansion of Williams Street. He stated that the vast majority of owners on Williams Street would like an expansion of the street. He referred to a letter from Mr. John Helm and asked that the staff consider Mr. Helm's request and respond within the next two weeks. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to have staff consider the extension of Corona and widening Williams Street. Council Member Guerrero requested that the Airport Ditch between Horne Road and Columbia Street be cleaned. Mayor Pro Tem Strong informed the Council that the Corpus Christi Farmer's Market has become the third Texas city to be certified by the State of Texas. Mayor Turner requested a report on the Request for Proposals that are out and the cost for each proposal. Mayor Turner continued by stating that eight months remain on this Council term and suggested that Council Members list priorities they wish to accomplish during the next eight months. She also requested that Council Members inventory the parks in their districts and determine if there are any specific needs tor those parks. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Turner called for petitions from the audience on matters not scheduled on the agenda. Mr. Charles Blasingame, Principal of Fred R. Sanders Elementary School, explained that the Student Council raised money to buy a sign for their school which exceeds the 30 square foot maximum as stated in the Zoning Ordinance and asked the Council for guidance. Mayor Turner stated that many schools are in non-compliance with this ordinance and requested that staff address this issue and prepare recommendations for the Council's approval. It was the consensus of the Council to allow the erection of the sign while staff is reviewing this ordinance. utes ,.agular Council Meeting August 16, 1988 Page 10 Mrs. Henrietta Newberry, 606 Chase, informed the Council that she resides one block from Windsor Park School and one block from Alameda Street, where a health problem exists in that the neighborhood is overrun with opossums. She explained that she and her neighbors attempted to obtain traps from the City without success and subsequently purchased their own trap and that she personally caught 18 opossums. She expressed the opinion that the animals presented a health problem because they are infested with fleas and that one of her neighbors contracted typhus from a flea bite. She urged that the City continue the rental of traps but agreed that they should not be misused to capture pet cats. Mr. Rick Bolech, 4229 Archdale, stated that he is employed by Carpet Services, Inc. and objected to the decision made the preceding week by the Council when they awarded the contract for carpeting for the Convention Center to S. A. Floor Finishers, Inc., for the installation of lobofloor carpeting. He indicated that he did not feel that it was fair for the specifications to be amended to allow for this alternate to be bid. He urged that the Council reconsider their decision of the last meeting. Ms. Kathy Smith addressed the Council on the sand used at the 0.N. Stevens Reservoir and questioned some of the statements included in Assistant City Manager Jesus Garza's memorandum of explanation. She reminded the Council that material was used that was not in accordance with the specifications; she objected to the retention of the low quality material which is being covered up with layers of the appropriate material. Ms. Smith then displayed samples of the sand that was placed at the reservoir and sand that should have been used, noting that the latter is free draining as it should be, whereas, the other is not. She emphasized the fact that the inferior material should be removed. She reminded the Council that City Manager Garza had suggested at one time that her company file a lawsuit, and she expressed the opinion that this might be a viable alternative to correct this situation. Mrs. Janet Scott, 3113 Crestwater, a resident of Crestmont Subdivision, urged that the City consider operation of the swimming pool in that subdivision. She stated that the property owners in the subdivision are willing to help the City as much as possible by cleaning the pool and performing minor maintenance. Mayor Turner explained that the City has a problem with such action because of the cost of operation, maintenance, etc., and the fact that if they did this in one subdivision, other neighborhoods would ask for the same consideration, which could be very expensive for the City. She inquired if several neighborhoods in the vicinity might join the Association for the purpose of owning and operating the pool. Mrs. Scott responded that their association is not large enough, but they do plan to discuss this issue with adjacent subdivisions. Council Member Guerrero stated that the staff is working on this now and will have a report soon. lr r utes Regular Council Meeting August 16, 1988 Page 11 Mr. J. E. O'Brien, 4130 Pompano, also addressed the 0. N. Stevens Plant issue and stated that this problem will not disappear; Jesus Garza's memorandum of August 4, 1988, is ineffective. He quoted portions of the memo and then read a portion of the letter from Black & Veatch in which it was noted that the sand used at the plant is out of specs according to the tests run. He alleged that something is radically wrong with this project and the material used and urged that the Council resolve this problem. Mr. Irving Dietz, 455 Miramar, referred to an "Open Forum" letter written by Joe McComb in which he urged that the City and County consolidate services. He urged the Mayor to appoint the committee which Mr. McComb had suggested in order to investigate the possibilities. Mr. Dietz continued by referring to the statement made by Police Chief Olson that he allowed employees to go home when the air conditioning system at the Police Building failed. He stated that something needs to be done to correct this problem. Mr. Dietz also mentioned Chief Olson's remarks that the proposed new police building would only be adequate for a few years, whereas, the citizens were led to believe that the proposed building would take care of the Police Department needs for many years. He then stated that it was suggested at a recent Board meeting of CCISD that approximately $500,000 be spent to purchase land around Miller High School to eliminate the delapidated buildings where drug sales occur. He stated that this should be addressed by the City's Neighborhood Improvement Division and the Building Standards Board, thus relieving the school district of the necessity to purchase the property. Council Member Rhodes requested a staff response in regard to the condition of the buildings in the area of Miller High School. Mr. Raymond Hasker, 1813 Wallace, commented that City Manager Garza had expressed pride in having a balanced budget, yet he is currently negotiating with Southwestern Bell Telephone officials to increase the franchise tax they are paying the City to generate enough income to balance the budget. The Council then convened in closed session pursuant to the provisions of Article 6252-17, Section 2(f), V.A.C.S., to discuss the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Turner reconvened the Regular Council Meeting at 5:45 p.m. and declared the meeting adjourned at that time. 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 August 16, 1988 which were approved by the City Council on August 23, 1988. xWITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this the oi - day of /1.C� ✓• 19 b7 J �y Armando Chapa, City SectAtary City of Corpus Christi ti5.41_ 7L_ tty Turner, MAYOR