HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 06/25/1991MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
Regular Council Meeting
June 25, 1991
2 p.m.
PRESENT
Mayor Mary Rhodes
Mayor Pro Tem Joe McComb
Council Members:
Cezar Galindo
Leo Guerrero
Betty Jean Longoria
Edward Martin
Dr. David McNichols
Clif Moss
Mary Pat Slavik
City Manager Juan Garza
City Attorney James R. Bray, Jr.
City Secretary Armando Chapa
Mayor Rhodes called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber of City Hall.
The invocation was delivered by Pastor Kelly Crabbe of Messiah Lutheran Church,
following which the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States was led by Council
Member Slavik.
Mayor Rhodes called for approval of the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting
of June 18, 1991, and there being no corrections, she proclaimed them approved as
presented.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Rhodes called for consideration of consent motions, resolutions, ordinances
and ordinances from previous meetings on Items 1 thru 5, and Council Member McNichols
requested that Item 5 be withheld for discussion.
Noting that the five items are all water and wastewater related, Mayor Pro Tern
McComb and Council Member Moss inquired about the purchases so late in the year, and
City Manager Garza advised that this equipment was planned for replacement during this
fiscal year and the purchases are behind schedule.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following items were
passed:
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
June 25, 1991
Page 2
1. M91-168
Motion approving supply agreements for stainless steel pipe, chain and shackles in
accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -0227-91 with the following companies based
on low bid for a grand total of $20,330.10. The terms of the contracts will be twelve
months with option to extend for up to an additional twelve months subject to the
approval of the supplier and the City Manager or his designee. These items will be
used by the Wastewater Department for use in wet wells of lift stations and funds
have been budgeted in FY 90-91 and requested for FY 91-92.
Southwest Stainless Steel
Corpus Christi. Texas
$11,100 - Pipe
Grand Total: $20,330.10
Kennedy Wire Rope & Sling Co.
Corpus Christi, Texas
$9,230.10 - Chain & Shackles
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, McComb, Galindo,
Guerrero, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss and Slavik voting, "Aye."
2. M91-169
Motion approving supply agreements for 45,100 ft. of PVC pipe and 16,896 both
fittings, ranging in size from i/" - 6", and 172 gallons of solvent, primer and cement
in accordance with Bid Invitation No, BI -0124-91 with the following companies for
the following amounts based on low bid for an estimated annual expenditure of
$36,120.45. The term of the agreements is for twelve months with an option to
extend for up to an additional twelve months subject to the approval of the supplier
and the City Manager or his designee. These items will be stocked in the Warehouse
and used by the Water and Wastewater Departments for the construction and
maintenance of lines. Funds have been budgeted for FY 90-91 and requested for FY
91-92 by the using departments.
Davis -McAllen Pipe and Supply
Corpus Christi. Texas
PVC Pipe
Total: $19,661
Noland Company
Corpus Christi. Texas
Solvent and Cement
Total: $1,757.80
Grand Total: $36,120.45
Fesco Supply
Corpus Christi. Texas
PVC Fittings
Total: $14,701,65
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, McComb, Galindo,
Guerrero, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss and Slavik voting, "Aye."
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
June 25, 1991
Page 3
3. M91-170
Motion approving the purchase of various items for Wastewater Division in
accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -0218-91 from the following sellers, based on
low bids. All items were budgeted in the 1990-91 Capital Outlay.
(A) Midcap Bearing Corp.
Corpus Christi. TX
1 ea. Grit Screw Conveyor
10 ea. Synchronous Motors
Total: $31,745
(C) J. R. Sheldon & Co.
Dallas. TX
4 ea. 4" Submersible Pump
1 ea. 6" Submersible Pump
Total: $16,472
Grand Total: $60,059
(B) Southern Engine & Pipe Co.
Corpus Christi. TX
1 ea. Relift Pump
Total: $11,842
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, McComb, Galindo,
Guerrero, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss and Slavik voting, "Aye."
4. M91-171
Motion approving the purchase of remote water quality monitors and recorders in
accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -0238-91, from H & H Industries, Corpus
Christi, Texas, for the total amount of $40,182 based on low bid. The equipment is
budgeted in the 1990-91 Capital Outlay by the Water Department.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, McComb, Galindo,
Guerrero, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss and Slavik voting, "Aye."
Responding to a question from Council Member McNichols on Item 5, approving the
purchase of three trucks with service bodies and hydraulic systems, City Manager Garza
justified the expenditure for the purchase of the three vehicles at this time.
Victor Medina, Public Utilities Director, stated that the extended capabilities of the
new vehicles will make leak crews more self-sufficient and will aid in reducing repair time
on main leaks. He noted that the new trucks are more rugged and will not break down as
much.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following motion
passed:
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
June 25, 1991
Page 4
5. M91-172
Motion approving the purchase of three trucks with service bodies and hydraulic
systems in accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -0069A-91 from Commercial Body
Corporation, San Antonio, Texas for the total amount of $97,599 based on low bid.
The trucks were budgeted in the 1990-91 Capital Outlay by Water Department.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, McComb, Galindo,
Guerrero, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss and Slavik voting, "Aye."
i t i t i t i t t f t t t
Mayor Rhodes inquired if five Council Members will be able to attend the meeting
of the CC Housing Finance Corporation at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, and the response
was affirmative.
Mrs. Rhodes stated that she attended the board meeting of the Texas Municipal
League and was given a good legislative update which she will furnish the Council in the
Friday packet.
Council Member Martin referred to the recent shootings which have occurred in the
City and stated that the City needs to do whatever is necessary to make the message clear
that the public areas in the City will remain safe to the public. He commented about
ordinances in other cities and made a motion to direct staff to come back with
recommendations in regard to laws and tools needed to deal with these issues. The motion
was seconded by Council Member Moss and passed unanimously.
Council Member Slavik requested a report of the number of City staff cars and what
the policy is in regard to driving the cars for personal use. She inquired if staff also receives
a car allowance in addition to their staff cars.
City Manager Garza stated that staff members do not get a car allowance if they
drive a City vehicle and they cannot use the City cars for personal business. He advised
that he will provide Mrs. Slavik with the written policy.
Council Member Longoria expressed appreciation to various organizations for their
participation in the opening of a new teen center in District 1.
Mayor Pro Tem McComb commented in regard to the poor condition of the pool at
the Oso Recreation Center.
Council Member Moss stressed the need for completion of the Ayers Street -Baldwin
project because of traffic problems.
Council Member McNichols requested a copy of the latest City ordinances pertaining
to waterways.
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
June 25, 1991
Page 5
Mayor Rhodes called for petitions from the audience on matters not scheduled on
the agenda.
Mr. James Sierman, 417 Scotland, spoke about mobile homes and recommended that
they should only be located in mobile parks.
Bill Hennings, Development Services Director, advised that the Council had
requested that the mobile home issue be reviewed by the Planning Commission and the
matter is on their agenda.
Mayor Rhodes deviated from the agenda and presented former City Secretary Bill
Read with a Certificate of Commendation for his outstanding service to the City of Corpus
Christi.
Ms. Ellen Sierman, 417 Scotland, expressed appreciation for the CDBG funds for the
park in Flour Bluff.
Mr. Leon Perez, 904 Buford, spoke of high weeds in the area of Buford near Santa
Fe and commented about the purchase of a home for AIDS patients.
Mr. Earl Wilder, 517 Williamson, expressed apologies for his rudeness at last week's
Council Meeting and addressed the pensions of the retired firefighters.
Mr. Rick Robertson, 3458 Austin, spoke about the feasibility of a neighborhood youth
center in the area of Alameda and Staples.
Mayor Rhodes declared a five-minute recess.
s s s s s s e s a s* a s
Mayor Rhodes reconvened the Council Meeting and noted that the privatization of
the City landfill will be the first item discussed.
Tom Utter, Director of Public Works, opened the presentation on the privatization
of the City's landfill. He provided background information, stating that in January 1991, a
private group came before the Council and proposed privatization of the landfill. The
Council then directed staff to obtain proposals in terms of privatization of the landfill and
that the City Solid Waste Services Department should also submit a competitive proposal.
Mr. Utter discussed the process used to develop the framework for proposals and
commented on the committee which was formed to review the proposals. He stated that
proposals were received from the following companies: Waste Management, Sanifill,
Browning Ferris, Laidlaw, and the City. He discussed specific questions and answers that
the proposers were requested to respond to.
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
June 25, 1991
Page 6
Mr. Utter reviewed an analysis of the proposals and indicated that the City's proposal
would result in a $927,000 gain to the City over five years, while the private proposals would
cost $3.4 to $13.4 million over the same period. He stated that in terms of cost, it is the
committee's interpretation that the City's proposal was the best proposal.
A broad discussion ensued as a series of specific questions were asked by several
Council Members relative to rate increases, other cities who have privatized, regionalization,
and the issue of legal and risk transfer.
Responding to a concern from Council Member Martin, Mr. Garza stated that he has
reviewed the proposal since its submittal but he was not involved in the development. He
stressed the need for appropriate safeguards if the landfill is privatized, stating that the
interest of the City must be aligned with the interest of the private industry.
Mr. Utter stated that the committee rated the City's proposal first because they
believe it would be the most cost effective and was the only proposal that allowed free
dumping for the citizens. He noted that it was the only proposal which would establish a
material recovery facility and a composting operation.
In concluding his presentation, Mr. Utter stated that the committee recommends that
the Elliott Landfill remain with the Solid Waste Services Department, but should the
Council wish to undertake negotiations with a private firm, the committee would then
recommend Waste Management as the best private proposal.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience.
The regional landfill manager for Waste Management stated that the City is presently
responsible for 100 percent of the liability and they can offer to share half of the liability.
He noted that they are doing a recycling pilot program for the City.
Mr. Archie Walker stated that he is working with Waste Management and was under
the impression that the City would negotiate with the companies who submitted the first and
second best private proposals. He recommended that the City do this.
Mr. Bill Aiken, local manager for Laidlaw, stated that they have not reviewed the
material submitted by the City and he wished to hold his comments for a later time.
Mr. Bill Whittle, Corpus Christi Waste Company (Sanifill), stated that the variable
rate in his proposal does not mean zero rate. He noted that the question of regionalization
or localization of the landfill is of critical importance and indicated that they believe that
there are some serious problems with the staffs proposal.
Mr. Mickey Schuford, district manager for BFI, stated that they have a regional
landfill which is located in Sinton, Texas and a materials handling facility in Corpus Christi.
He stated that he would like to make an analysis of the material received from the City and
make his presentation at a later time.
Minutes .
Regular Council Meeting
June 25, 1991
Page 7
Ms. Pat Suter, 1002 Chamberlain, a member of the City's recycling committee,
expressed support of the City's solid waste department's proposal.
Mr. Frank Hankins, 721 Crestview, stated that some private companies have had
problems with the EPA and suggested that the records of the private companies be checked.
Ms. Pauline Clark, 3902 Mueller Street, spoke in support of the City keeping control
of the landfill.
Mr. Jimmy Tills, 1265 Southern Minerals Road, stated that the City should keep its
landfill for the people of Corpus Christi.
Following more discussion, Mayor Pro Tem McComb made a motion to instruct staff
to do an analysis of the proposals and present it to the Council in thirty days after they have
requested the bidders to respond and comment to the City's analysis based on the worksheet
format which the City used. The motion was seconded by Council Member Guerrero and
passed unanimously.
Council Member McNichols recommended that the proposers should specify their
position on the risk and legal aspects.
Mayor Rhodes declared a ten -minutes recess.
Mayor Rhodes reconvened the Council Meeting and called for the discussion on the
police department budget.
Police Department
City Manager Garza reviewed some accomplishments made in the department during
the last few years such as: addition of approximately thirty police officers and eleven
civilians; relocation into the new building; upgrading the automobile fleet; and purchase of
a new radio system, records management system, and computer-aided dispatching system.
He summarized the budget and noted that the department is receiving $140,000 less funding
from the school districts for the D.A.R.E. program.
Police Chief Garrett advised that the Calallen, Tuloso Midway, and West Oso school
districts have withdrawn from the D.A.R.E. program and CCISD has indicated that they will
only pay for the time that a police officer is in the classroom because the State will not give
them the funding for the program.
A discussion followed in regard to the D.A.R.E. program and Council Member
Martin and Mayor Pro Tem McComb expressed concern that the school districts have
withdrawn from the program. They indicated that if the educators in the community do not
feel it is an important enough program, perhaps the officers should be put into enforcement
action.
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
June 25, 1991
Page 8
Council Member Slavik stated that she is against raising taxes. She stated that more
policemen are needed and something will have to be deleted in order to pay for them.
Chief Garrett and Mayor Rhodes emphasized the need for the D.A.R.E. program,
stating that it is a long-term solution to youthful drug abuse.
Council Member Longoria stated that she had been a member of the Tuloso Midway
school district and they believe that the D.A.R.E. program is a good program but found that
there are other programs that worked just as well.
City Manager Garza advised that he will present the Council with a proposal for
additional staffing for the police department. He also stated that the jail consolidation
contract is forthcoming.
Chief Garrett proposed adding twelve police officers and four civilians. He stated
that he would place nine officers in the uniform division, assign three officers in the criminal
investigation division, and use the four civilian personnel in central records.
Council Member Martin requested that the Council be provided the realistic cost of
this proposal in terms of the budget.
Responding to a question from Mayor Pro Tem McComb, City Manager Garza stated
that the computer-aided dispatch system is on line and working well and the records
management system is scheduled to go on line July 15th. He stated that staff believes it will
have an effect on the efficiency of the patrol officers.
Chief Garrett discussed the replacement car program and advised that the program
is working well.
It was the consensus of the Council to conduct a late budget workshop meeting next
Tuesday.
In response to Council Member Galindo, Chief Garrett discussed the process police
officers observe when they arrest an individual for a DWI.
Mayor Rhodes recessed the Council Meeting for a dinner break.
Mayor Rhodes reconvened the Council Meeting and opened the public hearing on
the budget for FY 1991-92. She called for comments from the audience.
Mr. Fred Greenberg, Vice Chairman of the Animal Control Advisory Committee, 353
University, requested an additional animal control officer and additional funding for kennels
in Animal Control.
Mr. Philip Rosenstein, 949 Bobalo, spoke of the need for senior citizen services.
Minutes .
Regular Council Meeting
June 25, 1991
Page 9
Mr. Ray Garcia, representing the Advisory Committee for Senior Citizens Community
Services, advised that there is not enough staffing at the Lindale Senior Center.
Mr. J. E. O'Brien, 4130 Pompano, recommended no tax increase and a reduction in
spending. He made the following suggestions: check into car allowances versus a mileage
basis for staff who receive car allowances; to reduce proposed funding for the Heart of
Corpus Christi, Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Economic Development
Corporation; to reduce major memberships; to reduce the proposed bond sale; and to
reconsider Ordinance No. 20164.
Ms. Gwen Bryant, 5029 Merganser, requested funds for the Parks and Recreation
Department. -
Mr. Jim McGowen, 1114 Birdwood, advised that the Park & Recreation Board has
reviewed the parks and recreation budget. They noted that it is a limited budget but
believe that they can maintain status quo. He stated that the board is in agreement with
the proposed fees. Mr. McGowen stated that in August 1992, the City will sponsor the
Games of Texas and an additional $75,000 is needed in the budget to prepare for those
games.
Council Member Martin inquired about a Council policy in regard to a cost recovery
level and following a brief discussion, City Manager Garza stated that he will review the
action taken by a former Council.
Mr. Edward Austin, 3625 Prosper, suggested laying off City meter readers and
gardeners in order to hire more policemen.
City Manager Garza advised that an operations analysis of the utilities area is being
done which includes the commercial office and the meter reading section. He stated that
if any savings are derived, they could not be put into the police department because those
are utility funds.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Rhodes declared
the Council Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. on June 25, 1991.
s s s s s s s s• s s s s
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 June 25, 1991, which were
approved by the City Council on July 2, 1991.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this the 20th day of August, 1991.
Armando Chapa
City Secretary