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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 11/01/1988PRESENT Mayor Betty Turner Mayor Pro Tem Leo Guerrero Council Members: David Berlanga, Sr. Clif Moss Bill Pruet Mary Rhodes Frank Schwing Mary Pat Slavik Linda Strong * MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 1, 1988 2:00 p.m. City Manager Juan Garza Asst. City Attorney Jimmy Bray City Secretary Armando Chapa Mayor Pro Tem Leo Guerrero called the meeting Chamber of City Hall. The invocation was delivered by Council Member Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States Schwing. to order in the Council Pruet following which the was led by Council Member 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 Meeting of proclaimed Turner called for approval of the Minutes of the Regular Council October 25, 1988, and there being no additions or corrections, she them approved as written. * Council Member Strong arrived at the meeting at 2:10 p.m. Council Member Pruet provided the Council with a Report from the Corpus Christi Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Task Force and expressed appreciation to all the members who worked on the Task Force. Mr. Pruet noted that the charge of the Task Force involved three areas of concern including governance, financing and organization. He stated that a recommendation by the Task Force concerning the governing body of the bureau was presented to the Council on September 27, 1988 and they approved a recommendation in concept: that the existing 32 -member board be replaced by a 15 -member board of directors representing the hospitality industry and the community in general, noting that positions on the board would be by category representation as follows: 3 members from accommodations, 2 members from air or ground transportation, 2 members from restaurants or attractions, 4 members from general business MICROFILMED iinutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1988 Page 2 community and/or professional, 2 members from community at large, Mayor and the City Manager. Mr. Pruet continued by stating that appointments to the board would be for three-year staggered terms and appointments would be recommended by the Bureau Bboard in consultation with local industry associations. Mr. Pruet stated that both the Mayor and City Manager would function as full members, and the Council would have authority for all appointments and would not be restricted to select from the recommendations submitted by the Bureau Board. Mr. Pruet stated that the other primary need identified by the Task Force is for action to stabilize the level of funding. He stated that the Task Force recommends that $1,500,000 or 3.5 cents (whichever) is greater of the hotel occupancy tax collections be established for the annual level of funding of the Bureau for the next two years (FY 89-90 and 90-91), and that funding be 3.5 cents of the hotel occupancy tax collections thereafter. He noted that the actual tax collections for the year ending March 31 would be the basis for next fiscal year allocation. Mr. Pruet reported that the recommendation of the Task Force pertaining to organization is that the Bureau organization continue as a private, not for profit corporation, providing promotional and advertising services for the City on a long-term contractual basis, noting that the amended contract will include statistical performance measurements which have been developed and agreed upon by the Bureau and the City Manager. Mr. Pruet concluded by noting that the Task Force endorses the proposal of the Chamber of Commerce that a Corpus Christi Business Council be established, noting that the Council would consist of the chief executive officer, chairman, and chairman -elect of five organizations being, the Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Area Economic Development Corporation and the Heart of Corpus Christi. Mr. Pruet stated that the Business Council would meet regularly to coordinate efforts of the various organizations and the chair would rotate among the participants. Council Member Berlanga, a member of the Task Force, praised the Task Force and stated that they did a magnificent job inspite of all the differences which were encountered. Mr. Jim Bradley, representing the Chamber of Commerce, briefly explained how the proposed Business Council would function and what roll they would play. In answer to some questions from the Council, Mr. Bradley noted that the Business Council would require no funding or additional staffing, and that it would be appropriate for a Council Member or staff representative to attend their meetings. He noted that all of the organizations proposed for the Business Council are private non/profit organizations involved in economic development, noting that the Mayor's Interagency Council is made up primarily of bodies who receive public dollars, indicating that the Mayor's Interagency Council is much broader in its concerns. Mr. Bradley indicated that a !Mutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1988 Page 3 Resolution in support of this general concept would be appropriate from the Council. After some discussion, Council Member Pruet noted that these policy recommendations are intended to improve the accountability of the use of public funds, stabilize the level of funding in future years, and maintain an efficient tourism advertising and promotion effort. He stated that it is the recommendation of the Task Force that the City Manager should be authorized to prepare the necessary ordinance to create the new board and draft a revised contact for services with the Convention and and Visitors Bureau. A motion was made by Council Member Berlanga to accept the recommendations of the Task Force. The motion was seconded by Council Member Schwing. Council Member Guerrero added an amendment to the motion moving that the Council accept the recommendations of the Task Force subject to the contract being brought back to the Council for approval. City Manager Garza noted that the contract and ordinance will be brought to the Council as quickly as possible. Mr. Garza presented the Council with a copy of a draft report which indicates that there is a need for a good comprehensive economic development program for the whole community. Mr. Garza indicated that he would like the Council to study the memo and the draft report. Council Member Schwing reminded the Council that during the budget process, alternative funding was discussed for the Bureau, noting that there was informal acceptance from the Visitors Bureau that they would look for other funding, but that task would be given to the new Bureau in area participation from the closest surrounding cities. Council Member Rhodes noted next week, noting that it is out in advance what the budget is for the Council would be locking in looking at one part of the budget budget as a whole. that she would prefer to vote on the motion of order and asking how the Council will know next year. Mrs. Rhodes expressed concern that a new Council, noting she has a problem with without giving the next Council to look at the City Manager Garza stated that he assumes that the Council's priority would be tourism, noting that one Council can commit itself for the two years and another Council may have different priorities. He stated that the contract would commit the funding at the 3} percent level for the term of the contract, noting that an appropriations clause could be inserted in the contract. Mr. Garza pointed out that this Council is merely stating its intent. Council Member Rhodes expressed the opinion that the Mayor and the City Manager should not be members of the Tourism Task Torce. She noted that they will be making recommendations and bringing them back to the Council, indicating that it is not appropriate to have voting members on the Tourist Bureau Board linutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1988 Page 4 who will bring recommendations to the Council. She stated that the Mayor and City Manager should be non-voting members. Council Member Pruet noted that because the Council feels it needs increased accountability of managing the funds allocated, the Council adopted a procedure whereby they appoint the board members and included within those board members are the Mayor and the City Manager so that the Council's point of view will be represented on the board. Council Member Rhodes expressed the opinion that the Bureau's annual funding level should be capped at $1.5 million. Council Member Guerrero concurred with Mrs. Rhodes about the cap and stated that he would hope that the City Manager incorporate that into the new contract as far as a deadline mandate as to alternative methods of funding. He reiterated the amendment to the motion being, that the Council accepts the Task Force recommendation, but only contingent upon approval of the contract which is brought to the Council. Council Member Moss seconded the amendment to the motion and it was passed unanimously; Strong absent at the time the vote was taken. The previous motion made by Council Member Berlanga and seconded by Council Member Schwing passed unanimously; Strong absent at the time the vote was taken. * * * * * * * * * * * * * City Manager Garza referred to Items 7 and 8 on the agenda, noting that representatives from the taxing entities are present to receive the Reinvestment Zone checks. Mr. Garza inquired if Items 7 and 8 could be taken out of order. Mayor Turner called for consideration of Items 7 and 8 pertaining to approving a request by the City to Reinvestment Zone No. 1 for remittance of such funds as set forth in the Second Amended Agreement executed January 19, 1988 and approving a Resolution appropriating funds from the Reinvestment Zone No. 1. In answer to a question from Council Member Berlanga pertaining to money in the Reinvestment Zone, City Manager Garza noted that this is a one-time rebate, indicating that the financing that was done is structured in a way that the City should be able to generate some additional dollars for special projects, assuming that they conform to the improvements and financing plan for that area. There were no comments from the audience on Items 7 or 8. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following Resolutions were passed: linutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1988 Page 5 7. RESOLUTION NO. 20509 REQUESTING REBATE OF FUNDS FROM THE REINVESTMENT ZONE NO. 1 FOR REMITTANCE OF SUCH FUNDS AS SET FORTH IN THE SECOND AMENDED AGREEMENT EXECUTED JANUARY 19, 1988, PARAGRAPH IIIC. The foregoing Resolution passed by the following vote: Turner, Guerrero, Berlanga, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes, Schwing and Slavik voting, "Aye"; Strong absent at the time the vote was taken. 8. RESOLUTION NO. 20510 APPROPRIATING FUNDS FROM THE REINVESTMENT ZONE NO. 1 AS FOLLOWS: $1,938,712 AS REBATES TO THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, CORPUS CHRISTI INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, CORPUS CHRISTI JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT (DEL MAR), NUECES COUNTY, AND NUECES COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT AS ALLOCATED HEREIN; $1,827,784 FOR THE CORPUS CHRISTI MUSEUM EXPANSION; SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO PAY DEBT SERVICE FOR THE COMBINATION TAX AND TAX INCREMENT REVENUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION SERIES 1988 (TAX INCREMENT FINANCING ZONE PROJECT); AND ALLOCATING THE CITY'S REBATE FROM THE REINVESTMENT ZONE IN THE AMOUNT OF $900,000 TO THE LA RETAMA/BALUSTRADE PROJECT, $500,000 IN THE CIP BOND FUND, AND TO THE PEOPLE'S STREET T -HEAD PROJECT $400,000 IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRUST FUND; AND APPROPRIATING AND ALLOCATING $43,400 FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRUST FUND TO THE CORPUS CHRISTI MUSEUM EXPANSION PROJECT. The foregoing Resolution passed by the following vote: Turner, Guerrero, Berlanga, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes, Schwing and Slavik voting, "Aye"; Strong absent at the time the vote was taken. Mayor Turner presented the Reinvestment Zone checks to various representatives from the taxing entities. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Turner acknowledged representatives from the Corpus Christi Chapter of the Alzheimers Association, Inc. and presented them with a Proclamation declaring the month of November, 1988 as Alzheimers Disease Public Awareness Month. Mayor Turner administered the Oaths of Office to the following Board and Committee appointees: Richard Miller - Mechanical Advisory Committee; Dr. James Carlsen, Heather Kendrick, Frank Weathered, Dorothy Spann, John Yochem, Jr. - Municipal Arts Advisory Committee; Linda Pate and Karen O'Connor - Museum Advisory Committee. Mayor Turner referred to the Board and Committee appointments and the following appointments were made by the Council: if r iinut e s Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1988 Page 6 Sister City Committee Debbie Reeder Elaine Kline Evelyn Manshein * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Turner called for consideration of Consent Motions, Resolutions, Ordinances and Ordinances from previous meetings on Items 1 thru 6, and a Council Member requested that Item No. 6 be withheld for discussion. 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: 1. M88-0228 Motion approving Change Orders No. 1 and No. 2 in the respective amounts of $18,722 and $24,187 to the contract with King -Isles, Inc. for the Park Road 22 Utility Adjustments; extending the contract time by 15 days for the change order work; accepting the project; and authorizing final payment of $159,642.29 to the contractor. The foregoing motion was approved by the following vote: Turner, Guerrero, Berlanga, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes, Schwing and Slavik voting, "Aye"; Strong absent at the time the vote was taken. 2. M88-0229 Motion approving Change Order No. 1 in contract with F & E Erection Company Highway 44 and F.M. 2292; extending the change order work; accepting the project $65,610.31 to the contractor. The foregoing motion was approved by the Berlanga, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes, Schwing absent at the time the vote was taken. 3. M88-0230 the amount of $27,876.09 to the for utility adjustments at State contract time by 30 days for the ; and authorizing final payment of following vote: Turner, Guerrero, and Slavik voting, "Aye"; Strong Motion granting a 6 -month time extension to Michael R. Moore on the deadline for submission of a site plan for the pending special permit for a professional office and mini -storage warehouse development, located on the east side of Airline Road between Holly and Wooldridge Roads, waiving the 10' sideyard requirement along the south property line on Lot 1, Block 1, Airline Subdivision Unit 3. linutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1988 Page 7 The foregoing motion was approved by the following vote: Turner, Guerrero, Berlanga, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes, Schwing and Slavik voting, "Aye"; Strong absent at the time the vote was taken. 4. ORDINANCE NO. 20507 AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT WITH THE BOYS CLUB OF CORPUS CHRISTI, INC. TO PROVIDE FOR AIR CONDITIONING UNITS/FURNACES IN LIEU OF CONSTRUCTION OF A JOGGING TRACT USING THE $8,200 OF CDBG FUNDS PREVIOUS APPROPRIATED. An emergency was declared and the foregoing Ordinance passed by the following vote: Turner, Guerrero, Berlanga, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes, Schwing and Slavik voting, "Aye"; Strong absent at the time the vote was taken. 5. SECOND READING AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY FOR THE USE OF APPROXIMATELY 28.3 ACRES OF FEDERAL PROPERTY FOR CONDUCTING YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS; AND AUTHORIZING A LICENSE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE OSO YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE FOR THE USE OF SAID FEDERAL PROPERTY. The foregoing Ordinance was passed on second reading by the following vote: Turner, Guerrero, Berlanga, Moss, Pruet, Rhodes, Schwing and Slavik voting, "Aye"; Strong absent at the time the vote was taken. * * * * * * * * * * * * * In reference to Item No. 6 pertaining to the Alley Closure Request — Gaffney Addition and Bay View Unit 1, Council Member Moss expressed concern about giving property away and suggested deferring the third reading of the ordinance to reconsider the ordinance which permits alleys to be given to the property owners. Victor Medina, Engineering Services Director, explained that legally the City could not prohibit this alley closure under the new ordinance because the request came to the City prior to passing the ordinance. Council Member Moss noted that this topic should be a subject for discussion by the Council. There were no comments from the audience on Item No. 6. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following ordinance was passed: linutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1988 Page 8 6. ORDINANCE NO. 20508 CLOSING AND ABANDONING THE 15 -FOOT WIDE PUBLIC ALLEY IN BLOCK 5, GAFFNEY ADDITION, AND BLOCK 5, BAY VIEW UNIT 1, SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS BELOW; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE. The foregoing Ordinance was passed on third reading by the following vote: Turner, Guerrero, Berlanga, Pruet, Rhodes, Schwing and Slavik voting, "Aye"; Moss voting "No"; Strong absent at the time the vote was taken. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Council Member Slavik noted that she did did realize that Item No. 8 pertaining to the Appropriation of Funds from the Reinvestment Zone had been voted on and inquired how much money is left in the Reinvestment Zone, and how the museum cost is in excess of the funds available. Regarding the museum, City Manager Garza noted that he has a report forthcoming which will list out item by item what the overages and shortages are; the areas which are intended to cut back; and the additional funding we need to make the contract fit. Mr. Garza noted that the City would be using the Economic Development Trust fund to finance a part of the deficit for the museum and intends thru interest earnings to replenish that money in the trust funds. Assistant City Manager Utter stated that as of today, there is approximately $161,000 left in the Reinvestment Zone. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Turner called for the City Manager's report. City Manager Garza expressed appreciation to Assistant City Manager Andrews for the excellent job she did last week. Mr. Garza informed the Council that there was a situation last week where the Morgan Avenue water tower footings had corroded and work needed to be done, and Assistant City Manager authorized an emergency change order for $14,950. Mr. Garza indicated that any expenditure in excess of $10,000 during an emergency is required to be reported to the Council. Mayor Turner noted that Crime Stoppers has asked the Council to sponsor a reception in honor of the program on Wednesday November 16 at the Town Club. Mayor Turner noted that the Chamber of Commerce will have a retreat on November 18 thru the 20th. Mayor Turner called for liaison and other reports from the Council. Council Member Slavik referred to a report regarding the improvements to be made on Kostoryz and Holly, and Assistant City Manager Jesus Garza indicated that a report on that situation will be in the Thursday packet. 1r r iinutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1988 Page 9 Mrs. Slavik referred to the schedule for the Area Development Plan indicating there is a bargraph which shows that the Padre Island Plan only has 1} months' time to be completed. She indicated that the plan should have equal importance to the other plans and should not be rushed. Assistant City Manager Elizondo indicated that the 1} months is the time that is left, noting that work on the plan began in January of 1988. Mr. Elizondo indicated that all the plans are relatively balanced. City Manager Garza reported that there is a concern from the Planning Commission that the workload is quite extensive. He stated that they are trying to meet the deadline, are meeting twice a week and working very hard. Council Member Slavik referred to the Kennedy Causeway Task Force and indicated that they would like to make a presentation to the Council. After some discussion on this matter, Mrs. Slavik moved that the Kennedy Causeway Task Force be allowed to present their current information to the Council as an informational tool before the third public hearing on the Mustang/Padre Island Plan. The motion was seconded by Council Member Guerrero and passed unanimously; Strong absent at the time the vote was taken. Council Member Rhodes referred to the concern regarding the Planning Commission, noting that they are meeting twice a week and are overloaded. She referred to the deadlines and expressed the opinion that she would like to see a quality product come out and not have the work pushed hurriedly thru because of the deadlines. Mrs. Rhodes indicated that a question has come up about the causeway having input into the Planning Commission process before the Planning Commission votes. She also refered to the question of whether the staff endorses the Packery Channel. She noted that she would like a legal opinion if the Packery Channel issue is legal, noting that the matter should be discussed and a report requested from the Attorney General. City Manager Garza indicated that the matter will be checked into, noting that the Council did not endorse the Packery Channel, but only endorsed the concept of opening a boat channel. In answer to a question from Council Member Moss concerning bids and the awarding of a contract, City Manager Garza explained that the City wants to shorten the period of time from opening the bids to awarding the contract as much as possible. In regard to the Allen School street project, Victor Medina, Engineering Services Director, noted that all street projects have to go thru the assessment process Mr. Moss indicated that he would like to see the estimated amount of the project, and that he hopes in the future the architects and engineers arrive at better estimates. 1 r tinutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1988 Page 10 Council Member Guerrero inquired if it would be possible to schedule a workshop in the future on all facets of island development and planning, and City Manager Garza indicated that staff will put something together. City Secretary Chapa noted that the Private Industry Council is planning the next JTPA Executive Committee meeting and would like to host a noon luncheon on November 29 in their office. Mr. Chapa inquired if this would be agreeable with the Council, and the Council indicated their concurrence. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Turner called for petitions from the audience on items not scheduled on the agenda and no one spoke from the audience. * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Council went into closed session at 3:30 p.m. pursuant to authority granted in Article 6252-17, Section 2(e), V.A.C.S. to discuss Litigation. (Tuloso-Midway Independent School District vs. City of Corpus Christi) The Council departed from closed session and Mayor Turner declared the Council Meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m on November 1, 1988. * * * * * * * * * * * * * r 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 November 1, 1988 which were approved by the City Council on November 8, 1988. 19 cif(ITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this the 9_7 day of (? Armando Chapa, City Secre City of Corpus Christi Betty rner, MAYOR '%C� 'A" r r