HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 07/14/1992 - SpecialMINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
Special Council Meeting
July 14, 1992
6:00 p.m.
PRESENT
Mayor Mary Rhodes
Mayor Pro Tem Betty Jean Longoria
Council Members:
Cezar Galindo
Leo Guerrero
Edward Martin
Joe McComb
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.
City Secretary Chapa performed a roll check and all members of the City Council
were present.
Mayor Rhodes opened the public hearing on the FY 1992-93 Budget and the
Proposed Tax Rate.
Mr. Rome Smyth, 3338 Halfpenny, suggested privatization in such areas as vector
control, airport administration, the gas division, golf courses, park maintenance, etc. He
requested that the Economic Development Council conduct a study on privatization in these
areas.
Mr. Phil Rosenstein, 949 Bobalo, commented on the senior citizen services and
requested more funding to allow for the increasing number of senior citizens.
Mr. John Dunn, 1921 Thames, commented unfavorably on hiring of contract laborers
and consultants. He further suggested that a comparison of Corpus Christi to the cities of
Waco, Temple, Longview, and Midland would be more appropriate than comparison of
Corpus Christi to Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth.
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Mr. A. Ramos Sr., 4521 Leon Street, stated that he would like more information
regarding the proposed reduction in benefits for City employees, and Mayor Rhodes
suggested that he attend the next Council meeting since this topic would be discussed.
Mr. Ron Jongema, 3529 Pecan, distributed a petition signed by Gas Division
employees objecting to a decrease in City retirement benefits. He commented on the
interest earned by the City through the 2-1 match, and inquired whether or not it was a wise
decision to reduce the match which would also reduce the City's earned interest. He further
stated that this reduction would create a hardship on loyal City employees.
Mayor Rhodes reiterated that the Council had not made final decisions regarding the
FY 1992-92 Budget.
Ms. Dorothy Kucera, 4637 Wilma, representative of the Arts Community Center,
stated that an increase in funding was not requested this year, and a decrease in funding was
not anticipated. She reviewed the Art Center's yearly expenses and outlined the building
maintenance needed. She further stated that the Center is considering closing one day a
week to reduce expenditures.
Ms. Maria Linan, a resident of Corpus Christi, commented unfavorably on the
increased utility and garbage rates, and requested an investigation of standing water in her
residential area.
Mr. Maury Johnson, 13533 Queen Johanna Court, stated that he supports the Tax
Payers Association's recommendations concerning the FY 1992-93 Budget.
Ms. Gloria Perez, 1317 Seventh Street, stated that she is against increasing utility
rates as well as property taxes because these increases would create a hardship for people
living on fixed incomes.
Mr Richard Peters, 312 Glenmore, commented unfavorably on increasing utility and
property tax rates.
Mr. Paul Werner, 601 Pasadena, representing City retirees and current employees,
discussed the proposed TMRS reductions and the reasons that the City should not consider
this suggestion.
Mr. Charles Tipps, 4822 Elm Hurst, discussed the utility rate increase, reduced City
employment and TMRS benefits, and requested that the Council explore other alternatives
to the Budget. He further discussed possibilities for decreasing City expenses which would
include the elimination of nightly watering a park located in his neighborhood. Mr. Garza
stated that the City did not intentionally water City parks every night and that he would
investigate this matter.
Mr. Billy Franklin, 513 Jane, stated that he opposed a utility and property tax
increase because City services were not increased or improved and because the funds were
allocated to pay for debt payments on the recently refinanced Bonds. He requested that the
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July 14, 1992
Page 3
City perform an audit on City operations regarding overstaffing, restructuring of utility rates
to reflect actual customer usage, and implementation of a "metro -type" government to
eliminate duplication of various city and county services.
Mr. John Watson, 3002 Quail Springs, first expressed appreciation to the City Council
for support of the Heart of Corpus Christi. Next, Mr. Watson discussed the
accomplishments of the Heart regarding the downtown area and requested funding similar
to last year.
Mr. Loyd Neal, 1902 North Shoreline, representative of the Art Museum of South
Texas, reviewed the City's prior funding to the Museum, and explained the reasons the
Museum could not afford a decrease in funding.
Mr. J. E. O'Brien, 4130 Pompano, discussed the reasons he felt a tax increase was
not needed. He referred to the proposed two cents increase in the General Fund which
would be used to enhance the General Fund's balance and stated that this reason did not
adequately support an increase. He further suggested the City reduce spending and
elaborated on appropriates areas for reductions.
Responding to Mr. O'Brien's assessments, City Manager Garza reviewed the ending
balance in the Utility Fund and Debt Service Fund. Mr. Garza stated that due to the
economy, these funds have been significantly reduced and that it was not advisable to
continue depleting reserves. Mr. Garza next discussed the City's efforts to reduce expenses.
Mr. Leon Perez, 904 Buford Street, stated his opposition to a tax increase and
commented on the appraised value of property in the City. He further commented on his
gas bill which he feels is excessive in relation to the amount of gas used.
Ms. Marie Speer, 909 Red Start, stated that the community cannot afford increases
at this time. She further stated that the City should concentrate on good basic services
without a tax increase. She next discussed the eliminated positions.
Mr. Robert Rowling, representing TRT Holdings, TRT Development, and Corpus
Christi National Bank commented on property taxes in the City. He next commended the
City staff on their competency and willingness to assist the public. Mr. Rowling suggested
that, before cutting positions, a readjustment of the current benefit package of City
employees be examined, and suggested the appointment of an independent committee to
investigate standard employment benefits in the community.
Ms. Henrietta Newbury, 606 Chase, commented on the eliminated positions in the
City Budget, City's retirement benefits, and utility rate increases.
Mr. Jesse Quijas, 3115 Seagull, suggested the City utilize more volunteers for City
services.
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special Council Meeting
July 14, 1992
Page 4
Mr. Alex Gonzales, 6010 South Alameda, discussed winter averaging and suggested
implementation immediately and the reasons for such conclusion. He also suggested the
City implement a retirement program similar to the Federal Government.
Mr. Lewis Lovelace, 1549 Casa Grande, commented unfavorably on utility and tax
increases. He requested that the City cut spending in areas such as funding outside
agencies. He next discussed the annexation of the Industrial District, and further
commented on Brawner Parkway's sewage problems.
Mr. R. F. Hasker, 1013 Wallace, commented unfavorably on utility and property tax
increases and stated he supports Mr. O'Brien's comments.
Mr. Charles Nichols, 1547 Lea Lane, requested the City Council appoint a committee
to investigate a "metro -type government" for the coming year, and further introduce this
concept to the State Legislature.
Mr. Frank Schlegel, 3734 Piedra Creek Drive, discussed reasons that the TMRS
benefits should not be reduced.
Mr. Vicente Caranza, 1933 Melissa Lane, commented on City morale in relationship
to the public hearing.
Mr. Jose Villegas Jr., 2424 Ruth Street, stated that the utility rates do not need to
be increased because it produces a hardship on citizens, and commented on ways to reduce
City costs. He further commented on the proposed TMRS benefits reduction and the
current merit pay raises.
Mayor Rhodes asked if City Manager Garza wanted to discuss the TMRS alternative
today, and Mr. Garza declined.
Mr. Garza commended the staff for their devotion and hard work, and stated he was
disappointed at the actions of some of the City employees at the public hearing.
Council Member Guerrero stated that he was also disappointed in the behavior
exhibited by City employees today. Mr. Guerrero discussed the reasons for the increased
rates.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Rhodes declared
the Special Council Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. on July 14, 1992.
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 July 14, 1992, which were
approved by the City Council on July 21, 1992.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this the 21st day of July, 1992.
L� CL-6—
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
SEAL