HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 01/15/1990 - JointSpecial Council Meeting
City of Corpus Christi, Texas
Joint Meeting - Corpus Christi ISD Board of Trustees
Sponsored by the Danforth Foundation
Town Club, 800 N. Shoreline
January 15, 1990
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT
Edward Martin
Joe MCCOMb
Clif Moss
Mary Rhodes
Frank Schwing
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
T. Theresa Basco, President
Leslie LeRoy, Vice President
Dr. John M. Hammerick, cArretary
Chris N. Adler, Assistant Sarretary
Dr. Arturo Medina
Henry Huss
OIHE LS PRESENT
Dr. Ray Cross, CCSU, Consultant
Mr. Steve Cavendar, TASB Representative
CITY STAFF
Jesus Garza
Dorothy Zahn
COISD STAFF
Dr. Charles W. Benson, Superintendent of
Schools
Kathy Uhles
The following topics were discussed by the City Council and the Board of
Trustees:
1. CROSSING GUARDS
Council Member Rhodes expressed the opinion that this is a traffic problem and
therefore is the responsibility of the City.
Council Member Martin stated that while the City had no intention of withdrawing
funding for crossing guards, cooperation on the part of the School District in
locating new schools away from major arterials would be welcome.
Dr. Hammerick explained that financial considerations were usually the deciding
factors in site placement.
Dr. Medina and Mrs. Basco agreed that the District could consult with the City's
traffic engineering department when considering locating a new school.
MICROFILMED
.utes
Special Council Meeting
January 15, 1990
Page 2
Mrs. LeRoy pointed out that the expansion of older school zones was a large
factor in increased use of crossing guards.
Mr. Martin suggested that the traffic program could be tied more closely to
school traffic patterns.
Dr. Medina noted that several years ago, the City had commissioned a traffic
engineering study focusing on traffic patterns around schools.
2. PLATTING FEES/EXEMPTIONS FROM CITY RDDUIREbIFNI.'S
Dr. Benson stated that prior to 1985, an unwritten agreement between the School
District and the City existed exempting the District from platting fees Dr.
Benson continued that in 1986 a fee was imposed upon the District and due to a
tight bond construction schedule, the District proceeded rapidly to plat all of
its schools. Dr. Benson further stated that when other school districts were
later required to pay platting fees, they threatened the City with a lawsuit and
received a waiver. Dr. Benson asked that the City consider refunding the
platting fees or providing services in lieu of a cash settlement.
Assistant City Manager Jesus Garza noted that the City Council had approved an
ordinance in April, 1989 which exempted existing properties used for educational
purposes from platting fees. Mr. Garza explained that the funds paid by the
District in 1985-86 had been paid into a special trust fund and disbursed.
Mrs. LeRoy reiterated the fact that the District had passed a bond issue in 1985
and had not included funds for platting, as per the previous arrangement, and
that a rather substantial amount of money had been required with no prior
warning. Mrs. LeRoy suggested that an arrangement be worked out between the two
entities whereby the funds could be repaid in services such as facility usage.
Mr. Martin suggested that the City might consider waiving the platting fee for
new schools if the District would be willing to give up its right to seP
reimbursement for oversizing of utility lines.
Mr. Noss stated that he would be willing to consider a reimbursement paid in
services.
Mr. Garza emphasized the fact that the City utility department was a "stand
alone" operation based on fees.
Mr. Nuss suggested that a special discounted utility category be considered for
schools.
Following a brief disnlssion, Mr. Martin stated that the City had engaged a
consultant to perform a rate study and that the Council would ask the consultant
to look into a differential rate for schools.
3. SHARED USE OF FACILITIES
sates
Special COunncil Meeting
January 15, 1990
Page 3
Mr. Nuss commended City and District staff for working out a good agreement for
shared use of facilities but questioned the necessity for the City's reduction
of some programs.
Mrs. Adler observed that both entities had cane under criticism for the
reduction of programs - particularly the winter basketball program.
Mr. Martin asserted that the problem with the contract was that both entities
sat down and counted and that he preferred a more informal arrangement.
Dr. Benson noted that the facility problem began when the Bayfront Plaza
Convention Center came under separate accounting and the District was limited in
its usage.
Both groups agreed that returning to a more informal agreement was desirable.
Mr. Garza suggested that the City and District consider a cooperative venture
with libraries and recreational facilities.
Mr. Schwing suggested that the District consider allowing the City to build
parks on District property which would be maintained and used by the District
and open to neighborhood residents outside of school hours.
Mr. Nuss stated that the District would be building new sports facilities and
improving existing facilities at Cabaniss Field and suggested that the City
consider participating in the program.
4. REINVESTMENT ZONES
Dr. Benson stated that the District was not inherently opposed to reinvestment
zones and that such zones could be advantageous under certain circumstances.
Dr. Benson further stated that the District's main concern was that every school
district in the state, except those in Corpus Christi and El Paso, had the right
of self-determination.
Mr. Schwing stated that he believed that all taxing entities should have a
choice.
Mr. MoCaob commented that prior to the last regular session of the state
legislature, school districts did not have the right to refuse to participate in
a reinvestment zone. Mr. McC'anb continued that the City had not been trying to
outmaneuver local taxing entities but was simply looking after its own
interests.
Dr. Benson pointed out that a City staff member had been made aware of the
exclusion of Corpus Christi frau the pending legislation and had not apprised
the District.
Mr. Martin stated that the City had negotiated with the District on the first
reinvestment zone and would do so in the future.
_ .,rtes
Special Council Meeting
January 15, 1990
Page 4
Mr. Garza added that the City staff member in Austin had been directed to
protect the interests of the City and to challenge any weakening of City powers
and that he had done so.
Mrs. Rhodes stated that she felt that the proposed Padre Island Reinvestment
Zone was the reason behind the exclusion of Corpus Christi from the legislation.
Mr. Martin indicated that while he understood the District's position, it had
not lost any options that it had previously.
Mrs. LeRoy observed that the Reinvestment Zone Board should have been notified
of the pending legislation.
5. LEADERSHIP ROLE OF BOARD AND COUNCIL/LINES OF COMMUNICATION
Mr. McComb stated that the Chamber of Commerce sponsored intergovernmental
cooperation study was nearing completion and it included a recommendation for
establishment of a purchasing council and that the Navy had a model program
which could be adapted to city, school, and county governments.
Mr. Garza suggested that the City be included in bidding for resurfacing of
District parking lots.
Following a brief discussion, Mt. Martin proposed the establishment of a liaison
committee made up of Council and Board members and appropriate staff which would
meet regularly. Mt. Martin stated that the Freeport issue was an excellent
example of a topic which should have been discussed jointly prior to individual
consideration.
Mrs. Basco stated that she would like to see both groups get together in a
similar setting on a regular basis.
Dr. ikanmierick suggested that the Council and Board meet on a semi-annual basis
and that the liaison committee meet every two months arxi as necessary.
Mr. Schwing suggested that the committee include other school districts within
the city.
6. ROLE OF CITY GOVERNMENT IN EDUCATIONAL ISSUES AND STUDENT PROBLEMS
Due to time constraints, this topic was not discussed.
7. TIMING OF CAPTTAL IMPROVEMENT BOND ISSUES
Due to time constraints, this topic was not discussed.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
/ku
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
January 15, 1990, which were approved by the City Council on Januuaary 30, X1990.
W1TNESSEIH MY HAND AND SEAL, this the 2 / day of Y ` ,
1990.
Z t L,yz"f
Mayor
Armando thapa
City Secretary