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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