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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 09/04/1990CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, REG IIAR C URM MEEL'ING S Prk aER 4, 1990 2 p.m. YG� PRESENT Mayor Betty Turner Council Venters: Cezar Galindo Leo Guerrero Tom Hunt Edward Martin Joe McComb Clif Moss Absent Mayor Pro Tem Frank Schwing Council Member Mary Rhodes 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 Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States was led by Council Member Clif Moss. City Secretary Armando Chapa called the roll and verified that the necessary quorum of the Council and the required charter officers were present to conduct the mooting. Mayor Turner called for approval of the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of August 28, 1990, and there being no corrections or additions, she proclaimed them approved as presented. Mayor Turner read a Proclamation designating September, 1990, as "Library Card Sign-up Month" which she presented to Ms. Inez Adams, President of the Library Board, and Herb Canales, Libraries Director. Mr. Don Roland, a representative of the Corpus Christi Army Popot, and Mr. Roger Koehler, a spokesman for Oxy -Petrochemicals, gave a presentation in regard to the Bay Area Quality Council. They elaborated on the mission and services of the Council and requested that the City Council endorse the Bay Area Quality Council. MICROFILM Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 4, 1990 Page 2 Following a a brief discussion, a motion was made by Council Member Martin to endorse the Bay Area Quality Council. The motion was ceconded by Council Member Galindo and passed unanimously; Schwing and Rhodes absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Turner administered the Oaths of Office to the following newly appointed Board and Committee members: Augustin Rivera - Museum Advisory Committee; and Dr. Wesley Stafford - Honey Ree Advisory Committee. Mayor Turner referred to the Board and Committee appointments and the resulting appointments were made by the Council: (MB0-234) Food Service Advisory Committee Water Shore Advisory Board Method Snapka J. R. Thompson Jack Cooper - Reappointed Mechanical/Plumbing Advisory Comm. Derwood Anderson - Reinstated Roberto Olivo - The Council instructed the City Manager to bring back a resolution in regard to disbanding the Kennedy Causeway Advisory Committee. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Turner called for consideration of consent motions, resolutions, ordinances and ordinances from previous meetings on Items 1 thru 4, and Council Members requested that Item 3 be withheld for discussion. In regard to Item 1, Human Investment System, Council Member McComb stated that the Private Industry Council endorsed the concept of a Human Investment System for Corpus Christi and Nueces County. He elaborated on the concept of the system and related that the PIC requests Council support and approval of a resolution calling for the development of this system. There were no comments from the audience on the items. City Serretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following were passed: 1. RESOLUTION NO. 20977 INDORSING THE INITIATION OF A HUMAN RESOURCE INVESTMENT SYSTEM BY THE CORPUS C RIST1/NUECES COUNTY PRIVATE INDUSTRY COUNUIL. The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Turner, Galindo, Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 4, 1990 Page 3 Guerrero, Hunt, Martin, McComb and Moss voting, "Aye"; Schwing and Rhodes absent. 2. RESOLUTION NO. 20978 AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMERT ACCEPTING ADDI'T'IONAL GRANTS FROM THE MEADOWS FOUNDATION OF $25,000 PAYABLE SEPTEMBER 10, 1990, AND UP TO AN ADDI.LONAL $18,600 SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE MEADOWS FOUNDATION, FOR CONTINUATION OF THE SEARCH FOR THE CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS SHIP "GALLEGA"; AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH SHIPS OF DISCOVERY FOR CARRYING OUT THE ARCHEOLOGICAL EXPEDITION AND APPROPRIATING $25,000, AND UP TO AN ADDITIONAL $18,600 IF GRANTED BY THE MEADOWS FOUNDATION. The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Turner, Galindo, Guerrero, Hunt, Martin, McComb and Moss voting, "Aye"; Schwing and Rhodes absent. 4. ORDINANCE NO. 20980 CLOSING AND ABANDONING A 4 FOOT WIDE BY 28 FOOT LONG PORTION OF A 7.5 FOOT WIDE UTILITY EASEMENT IN LOT 9, BLOCK 2, WOOD RIVER UNIT 1 SUBDIVISION; SUBJECT TO CERTAIN PROVISIONS. The foregoing ordinance passed on third reading by the following vote: Turner, Galindo, Guerrero, Hunt, Martin, McComb and Moss voting, "Aye"; Schwing and Rhodes absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Relative to questions raised by Council Members Moss and Martin on Item 3, Agnes Street Improvements, Port Avenue to Padre Island Drive, City Manager Garza provided background information on the project. He indicated that the funds for this project were set aside in the Water Bond Fund. Carl Crull, Director of Engine ring Servirn, elaborated on the various improvements and discussed the City's total contribution for the project. Mr. Garza claimed that when the State does a project for the City, usually the City receives a refund, rather than a request for more funds. Because of various questions raised in regard to the memorandum which was presented to the Council on the improvements, Council Member Moss moved to table Item 3 in order for the 'memorandum to be rewritten so that the Council could get a better understanding of the funding for the project. The motion was ccconded by Council Member Guerrero and passed unanimously; Schwing and Rhodes absent. 3. Tabled (See Page 7) Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 4, 1990 Page 4 AUPHWRISIN6 AN ABBI'P16NP:L-BEPAS±P -IN -THE-AMeuNI -6B -$22967651737 -TS -THE EIP'f1S -EseRew-AEE61:3NT -WITH -THE -STATE -BEPA T -6F -HIGHWAYS -AND -PHBI:LIE 'PRANSPERTAT±ON -TS -SEWER COSTS -AS:ACIAPED-WITH -THE -REEAEATIeN-OF -A-36-IHEH WATERLINE IN CONNECTION -WITH -THE -AGNES -STREET-IMPRSVEFONTS -PRoEEt; -FROM PORT-AVEPFHE-TR-PADRE-ISLAND-BRIVE AND-APPREPNIATEiS-$290,-651.-37. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Turner called for consideration of Item 5, police station and municipal court facility. Deputy City Manager Jesus Garza reviewed the status of the project. He provided an overview of the costs and elaborated on the various change orders, including a spPrific explanation for change order no. 6. He stated that the facility is 80 percent complete and the project is currently under budget. Council Member Hunt expressed concern about the change orders and expressed the opinion that a better inspection of the building should have been performed which could have prevented the various change orders. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following motion was passed: 5. M90-235 Motion approving Change Order No. 6 in the amount of $63,555 to the contract with Fulton Construction Corp./Cnastcon Coiporations, for corrective work for the Police Station and Municipal Court Facility. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Galindo, Guerrero, Martin, McComb and Moss voting, "Aye"; Hunt voting, "No"; Turner abstaining; Schwing and Rhodes absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Turner opened the public hearing on the approval of the Central Power and Light rate increase request. City Manager Garza provided background information on the rate request and stated that this is part of a settlement which the Council approved earlier this year, noting that this is increase no. 2. He stated that the first increase has been implemented, but final action is still pending with the PUC. Mr. Garza declared that the City's options would be to approve the request; to take no action; to deny the request; or to reduce the request. Council Member Martin expressed concern that the rate payers could not handle another 16 percent increase. He noted that in January, the City will face a charter issue that would put a limitation on the City's capabilities to expend funds. Mr. Martin commented on the various options offered to the City and expressed the opinion that he would like to reduce the rate request. Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 4, 1990 Page 5 Council Member Guerrero concurred with Council Member Martin and stated that the PUC board is appointed by the governor and that is subject to change. He noted that a message should be sent to Austin because there has to be an end to the increases. In response to a question from Council Member McComb, Mr. Dan Lawton, a consultant with Diversified Utility Consultants, responded that this is part of the overall settlement, stating that there are two separate rate cases. He indicated that the Council approved the first rate increase, but did not approve the entire agreement. He explained that this is the second step of a two-step rate increase; it is for $120 million; and it is part of a negotiated settlement. Mr. Lawton elaborated on the settlement and urged the Council to accept the settlement, pointing out that the recent PUC decisions were not in the consumer's favor. He indicated that under the proposed settlement, CP&L will not seek another rate increase until 1995. Council Member McComb stated that the Council made a commitment in February to approve a second rate increase. He expreszed concern about the past performance of the PUC and indicated that he will support the recommendation of the consultant. Council Member Moss noted that the message that needs to be sent to Austin is that the PUC has cost the customers of CP&L a vast amount of money. He commented in regard to the City of San Antonio which has the same size service area. Mr. Moss expressed the opinion that the PUC is very poorly serving the public. Following a discussion, Council Member Martin moved to deny the second rate increase. The motion was seconded by Council Member Guerrero. Mr. Philip Rosenstein, 949 Bobalo, and Mr. Jesse Hix, 2622 Segrest, commented in opposition to the proposed rate increase. Discussion ensued and City Attorney George recommended that the Council pass the ordinance on three separate readings to deny the rate increase because the City charter specifically states that rates are regulated by ordinance. Mr. Martin reworded his motion and moved to amend the ordinance to provide for denial of the rate request. The motion was seconded by Council Member Guerrero and passed by the following vote: Turner, Galindo, Guerrero, Hunt and Martin voting, "Aye"; McComb and Moss voting, "No"; Rhodes and Schwing absent. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following ordinance was passed, as amended, on first reading: 6. FLPSP READING DENYING THE RATE RDQUEST OF CENTRAL POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRIsi1, TEXAS, WHICH WOULD IMPLEMENT THE SETT LEXFNT HERETOFORE AGREED TO BY THE PARTICIPATING CITIES, CENTRAL POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY AND Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 4, 1990 Page 6 CERTAIN OTHER PARTIES; PROVIDING FOR CONDITIONS AND REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCE=S The foregoing ordinance passed, as amended, on first reading by the following vote: Turner, Galindo, Guerrero, Hunt and Martin voting, "Aye"; McComb and Moss voting, "No"; Schwing and Rhodes absent. A motion was made by Council Member Galindo to close the public hearing; seconded by Council Member McComb and passed unanimously; Schwing and Rhodes absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * City Secretary Chapa informed the Council that Council Member Rhodes had called before the Council Meeting to advise that she was ill and would not attend the meeting. Mayor Turner declared a five-minute recess. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Turner reconvened the Council Meeting. Chief Henry Garrett provided an update on the furniture purchase for the police building and municipal court facility. A brief question and answer period ensued in regard to the furniture bids. City Manager Garza stated that the City will proceed to notify the bidders to get their bids in. He indicated that the City has narrowed down the furniture to a list and any of the bidders who are on the bidder's list can bid on the furniture if they are qualified distributors of that furniture. Mr. Garza claimed that it is not a sole -source bid. Council Member Moss commented in regard to the date that the building will actually be occupied and expressed concern about the delays because it is costing the City interest money every day. Mayor Turner requested a copy of the bid specifications, and Council Member Guerrero requested a list of the bidders who are participating in the furniture bid. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Turner called for the City Manager's report. City Manager Garza indicated that the first presentation by the staff will be on the Southside, Oso and Whitecap wastewater projects. He stated that he has canceled the requests for proposals on these projects pending direction from the Council. Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 4, 1990 Page 7 car]. Crull, Engineering Services Director, gave a presentation in regard to the various approaches to the design and construction of the Southside and Whitecap plants, including conventional, design -build and program management. He indicated that for a project of the complexity, duration and cost of the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant, the program management approach would be the best approach. Discussion ensued in regard to the program management approach, and Council Member Guerrero moved to accept the staff's reconnendation to hire a project manager. The motion was seconded by Council Member Moss Mayor Turner called for a Shaw of hands on the vote and before the show of hands, Council Member Martin suggested that there should be a discussion on the matter. A subsequent vote was not taken. Deputy City Manager Jesus Garza responded to various questions posed by the Council and stated that staff recommends proceeding with the Oso expansion and construction of the Southside plant. He stated that staff is in the process of developing an analysis of how a six percent utility rate cap will affect the City. After a long discussion on the sewer plant expansion projects in regard to the Oso improvements and construction of the Southside plant, no action was taken by the Council. They did agree to proceed with improvements to the Whitecap plant on Padre Island. A motion was made by Council Member Martin to direct staff to proceed with improvements to the Whitecap plant. The motion was seconded by Council Member McComb and passed unanimously; Guerrero absent at the time the vote was taken; Schwing and Rhodes absent. Council Members also asked staff to bring back further information on a series of options in regard to the expansion of the Oso and Westside plants and construction of a new Southside treatment plant. Ms. Mary Davis, a resident in Pharaoh Valley, commented in regard to the Oso Plant and the construction of the southside treatment plant. The Council took a short recess. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Turner reconvened the Regular Council Meeting at 5:52 p.m. A motion was made by Council Member Moss that Item 3 on the agenda be removed from the table, seconded by Council Member McComb and passed unanimously by those present. City ceeretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following resolution was passed: 3. RESOLUTION NO. 20979 Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 4, 1990 Page 8 AUUIORIZING AN ADDITIONAL DEPOSIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $290,651.37 TO THE CITY'S ESCROW ACCOUNT WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO COVER COSTS ASSOCIAl'bl) WITH THE RELflTION OF A 36 -INCH WATERLINE IN CONNECTION WITH THE AGNES STREET IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, FROM FORT AVENUE TO PADRE ISLAND DRIVE; AND APPROPRIATING $290,651.37. The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Turner, Galindo, Martin, McComb and Moss voting, "Aye"; Guerrero and Hunt absent at the time the vote was taken; Schwing and Rhodes absent. Mayor Turner called for the presentation on the 1990-91 Capital Improvement Program (cal. City Manager Garza commented that the bond rating companies will have representatives in Corpus Christi for the Texas Municipal League annual meeting in October, and they will provide the City with a bond rating at that time. Grace McNett, Capital Budget Officer, provided background information on the projects from the 1986 bond program that have not been completed and noted the negative growth that the City has experienced in taxable values, a fact that has delayed the bond program somewhat. Ms. McNett informed the Council that staff proposes the sale of $12 million in bonds to fund the projects listed on the attached Exhibit "A", pointing out that the City's investment of $4,355,000 in allocations for its share of street improvements will yield approximately $10 million in funds from the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation, specifically on the first three projects listed. Ms. McNett stated that other projects that are urgent but which were not included in the bond program are proposed to be funded from other sources listed in Exhibit "B". She explained the staff recommended funding for the projects. Ms. McNett summarized by stating that the Grand Total of the FY 90-91 Proposed CIP Funding is $27,957,000. Council Member McComb inquired about the inclusion in the bond program of $850,000 for a southside recreation center to be located on City -awned property. He stated that one thing that is needed in the City is a first-class swimming facility. He pointed out that the Corpus Christi Independent School District has approximately $1.2 million for a natatorium and suggested that the City combine efforts with the school district to cooperatively construct a first-class swimming facility that would allow for hosting some statewide swimming competitions. Mayor Turner expressed the opinion that this is an excellent idea, and Assistant City Manager Jesus Garza stated that this would be worth exploring. Council Member Martin made several comments in regard to the proposed program and questioned the priority of the Saratoga Lighting and Landscaping Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 4, 1990 Page 9 project. Mr. Martin then referred to the proposed sale of certificates of obligation in the amount of $3 million for the Greenwood Sanitary Sewer Improvements and inquired if that is the highest priority for the City in the event the rate increase cap is approved in January. He suggested that the certificates be sold strictly for wastewater improvements so that the money could be used for another project such as the Westside, the Southside or the Oso Plant. City Manager Garza replied that he thought that this could be done. Council Member Martin pointed out the need for water system improvements for the Northwest area of the City, and City Manager Garza explained that the cost would be quite substantial. Council Member Martin referred to the project in the CIP for the Corona Extension and questioned the wisdom of depleting the Special Assessment Account for this project when the staff is not sure exactly how the street will be extended. Director of Engineering Services earl Crull explained the plan for this project, noting that the City will take the north portion of the Board of Realtors' land and about three houses on Williams Drive. He stated that this will eliminate the offset intersection at Corona and Williams, alleviate some of the traffic congestion in the Moore Plaza Center, and help improve arress to the new Wal-Mart Store at the intersection of Padre Island Drive and Everhart. He described in detail the traffic circulation plan to serve the Wal-Mart Store. City Manager Garza informed the Council that staff will present the CIP in the form of an ordinance the following week and appropriate all of the funds at the same time. Council Member Martin suggested that the appropriations be made on each project when it is before the Council for approval. City Manager Garza agreed that the appropriations could be done that way. A motion was made by Council Member Galindo that the CIP be arrepted as recommended by staff; seconded by Council Member McComb; and passed by the following vote: Turner, Galindo, Martin, McComb, and Moss voting "Aye"; Guerrero and Hunt absent at the time the vote was taken; Rhodes and Schwing, absent. (M90-236) City Manager Garza stated that Assistant City Manager Tom Utter would make the presentation on the Lawrence Street Realignment Project. Mayor Turner indicated that the Council had no problems with this project and called for a motion to approve. A motion was made by Council Member McComb that the Lawrence Street Realignment Project be approved; seconded by Council Member Moss; and passed by the following vote: Turner, Galindo, Martin, McComb, and Moss voting "Aye"; Guerrero and Hunt absent at the time the vote was taken; Rhodes and Schwing, absent. (490-237) Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 4, 1990 Page 10 Mayor Turner called for comments from the audience. Mr. Reynaldo Rincon, 4145 Stafford, pointed out that plans for improvements for the senior citizen centars had been formulated three years ago. He inquired about the anticipated date for completion, and City Manager Garza explained the reasons for the delay and stated that the projects will probably 170 completed by summer. Mrs. Gwen Bryant, 5029 Merganser, referred to CIP and expresood appreciation for Council Member McComb's idea for the cooperative aquatic program. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m. * * * * * * * * * * * * * 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 September 4, 1990 which were approved by the City Council on September 11, 1990. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this the 7th day of January, 1991. Asta.ta CA -- Armando Chapa City Secretary