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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 08/21/1989 - SpecialMINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 21, 1989 4:00 p.m. PRESENT Mayor Betty Turner Council Members: Tom Hunt City Manager Juan Garza Joe McComb * City Attorney Hal George Clif Moss City Secretary Armando Chapa Mary Rhodes Frank Schwing, Jr. * Absent Mayor Pro Tem David Berlanga, Sr. Leo Guerrero Edward A. Martin Mayor Betty Turner opened the public hearing to consider the position of the City Council on the application of Enviromed, Inc., to the Texas Department of Health for a permit to operate a medical waste facility at 7433 Leopard Street. 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 stated that the site for the project is located in an "I-2" light industrial zoning district which is appropriate for the proposed use. She stated that the only regulatory involvement the City would have in the establishment of the project would be the normal building process. She then explained the rules of procedure for the public hearing, noting that the purpose of the hearing is for the Council to hear comments from both sides of the issue. Dr. Sue Nelson, Superintendent of Schools, Tuloso-Midway Independent School District, read from a prepared statement asking the Council to support the stand taken by the citizens of Northwest Corpus Christi who will be most directly affected by the incinerator. She requested the Council to endorse the resolution passed by the Tuloso-Midway Board of Trustees which opposes the location of the incinerator. Council Member McComb arrived at the meeting at 4:12 p.m. INDEXED MICROFILMED _nutes Special Council Meeting August 21, 1989 Page 2 Council Member Schwing arrived at the meeting at 4:15 p.m. The following individuals expressed opposition to the planned facility: Mr. Jim Cooper, 9309 Moonglow; Ms. Ana Elizando, 1925 Tawakoni; Mr. Clark C. Flato, 608 McClendon; Mr. Philip Rosenstein, 949 Bobalo; Mr. Albert E. Till, 1265 Southern Minerals Road; Mr. Tim Clower, representing Joslyn Partnership; Mr. Richard Leshin, an attorney representing Joslyn Partnership; Mrs. Edith George, 2723 Morrow; Mr. Don Sanders, a teacher at Tuloso Midway; Mr. Jerry Sawyer, 9309 Sunshine; Ms. Janette Hallmark, 10625 Potomac; Mr. Michael Pusley, President of the Board of Trustees of Tuloso Midway; Ms. Linda McKenzie; and Ms. Catherine Kyro, who lives directly across the street from the proposed site. Mr. Jim Cameron, 10613 Potomac, expressed the opinion that the public does not know enough about the proposed project or about the qualifications of the people involved. He indicated that these two areas should be checked more thoroughly. Mr. David Roth, 3901 Kesselridge, expressed concern about the controversy relative to this issue and stated that there needs to be a better way of settling controversial matters. The following individuals spoke in favor of the planned facility: Mr. Ted Isensee, 9115 Agnes; Mr. David Mock, President of Enviromed, Inc., who stated that the proposed facility is a good system and a needed system; and Mr. Charles Mansfield, Vice President of Enviromed, Inc., who briefly reviewed the regulations of the Texas Department of Health and stated that incineration is a proven technology. Mayor Turner closed the public hearing and called for comments from the Council. Council Member Hunt expressed his concerns and stated that this type of issue should have been given more study by the Council and the staff. He moved that the Council support the resolution by the Tuloso Midway School District and pass a resolution denying the permit for the facility. The Council discussed this issue and concerns were expressed relative to the location of the facility and about infectious material being brought to the facility from outside the City. A series of specific questions were asked by various Council Members and responded to by Dr. Nina Sisley and other members of the City staff. Dr. Sisley indicated that at the present time, various hospitals incinerate their waste and others have the waste hauled to the City landfill. Council Member McComb seconded Council Member Hunt's motion and noted that the location of the facility is not politically acceptable. _nutes Special Council Meeting August 21, 1989 Page 3 In answer to a question from Council Member Rhodes, David Mock, President of Enviromed, Inc., explained the process of incineration and stated that at this time no one knows the amount of generated medical waste which would have to be incinerated. He stated that Enviromed, Inc. is licensed by the State of Texas Health Department and their intention is to incinerate material for South Texas. Mr. Mock noted that they could not refuse material from other places in Texas. In answer to a question from Council Member Schwing about the procedure the City is presently using regarding infectious waste, Deputy City Manager Jesus Garza briefly explained the present procedure. Mayor Turner stated that she will abstain from voting on this issue to avoid a possible conflict of interest because she is employed by a hospital that produces medical waste. She stated that she supports the residents in the area and opposes the facility at the proposed location. Council Member Schwing indicated that he has not heard enough facts and that he cannot support a resolution for or against the incinerator plant until he receives more information. He indicated that sworn statements will be presented at the Department of Health's public hearing to be held the next day. Mayor Turner called for the vote on Council Member Hunt's motion to approve the resolution described by Mayor Turner as follows: URGING THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO DISAPPROVE THE APPLICATION OF ENVIROMED, INC., FOR A PERMIT TO OPERATE A PROPOSED TYPE V MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE SITE (INCINERATOR FOR SPECIAL WASTE FROM HEALTH CARE RELATED FACILITIES) TO BE LOCATED AT 7433 LEOPARD STREET, CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS. The foregoing Resolution failed to pass by the following vote: Hunt, McComb, Moss and Rhodes voting, "Aye"; Schwing voting, "No"; Turner abstaining; Berlanga, Guerrero and Martin absent. City Secretary Chapa explained that the resolution failed to pass because the charter does specify that an ordinance or a resolution must have a majority vote of the Council. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Council Member Rhodes asked if the Council has no objections, she would like to represent herself as a Council Member at the public hearing the next day. She stated that she will be out of the City and would like her comments read into the hearing. Various Council Members and members of the audience expressed their disappointment that today's public hearing failed to provide the citizens of Northwest Corpus Christi with the moral support they needed from the City Council. nutes Special Council Meeting August 21, 1989 Page 4 Council Member Schwing stated that this is not a dead issue; the public hearing is tomorrow; and that more detailed information will be presented at the public hearing to be held by the Department of Health. Mayor Turner declared a five-minute recess. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Turner reconvened the Council Meeting and explained that while a resolution requires five affirmative votes of the Council for passage, a motion requires a simple majority vote. Council Member Hunt then moved to support the Tuloso-Midway Independent School District's resolution opposing the application of Enviromed, Inc., for a permit to operate a proposed Type V municipal solid waste site (incinerator for special waste from health care related facilities) to be located at 7433 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, Texas. The motion was seconded by Council Member Rhodes and passed unanimously by those present and voting; Turner abstaining; Berlanga, Guerrero and Martin absent. (M89-0232) Mayor Turner adjourned the Special Council Meeting at 5:37 p.m. on August 21, 1989. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the Special Council Meeting of the City of Corpus Christi of August 21, 1989, which were approved by the City Council on August 29, 1989. 1989. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this the /LP4ay of ceri- idienCt Armando Chapa City Secretary