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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