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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 03/23/1993I 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 March 23, 1993, which were approved by the City Council on March 30, 1993. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this the 30th day of March, 1993. Armando Chapa City Secretary SEAL MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS Regular Council Meeting March 23, 1993 2 p.m. PRESENT Mayor Mary Rhodes Mayor Pro Tem Edward Martin Council Members: Cezar Galindo Dr. David McNichols Betty Jean Longoria 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 Council Member Galindo, following which the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States was led by Council Member Longoria. City Secretary Chapa called the roll and verified that the necessary quorum of the Council was present to conduct the meeting. Mayor Rhodes called for approval of the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 16, 1993, and there being no corrections, she proclaimed them approved as presented. City Attorney Bray arrived at the Council Meeting at 2:04 p.m. Mayor Rhodes referred to the Board & Committee appointments and the following appointment was made by the Council. Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority Lilly Satterwhite Minutes Regular Co til Meeting March 23, 1993 Page 2 Mayor Rhodes called for consideration of consent motions, resolutions, ordinances and ordinances from previous meetings on Items 1 through 9, and Council Members requested that Items 1, 6, 7, and 9 be withheld for discussion. City Manager Garza commented that Item 2 would be withdrawn from consideration at the day's meeting. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following were passed: 3a. M93-098 Motion awarding a contract in the amount of $2,848,218.60 to Jalco, Inc. to slipline the existing sanitary sewer on Greenwood Drive between South Padre Island Drive and the Greenwood Wastewater Treatment Plant on Saratoga Boulevard, on Angela from north of Villarreal Street to Horne Road, and on Horne Road between Angela and Barrera. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Slavik voting "Aye." 3b. ORDINANCE NO. 021614 Ordinance appropriating $400,000 from the No. 250 Sanitary Sewer Bond Fund applicable to Project No. 250-601-605.39, Greenwood Trunk Slipline. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Slavik voting "Aye." 4. M93-099 Motion authorizing a Contract for Engineering Services in the amount of $71,945.00 with Naismith Engineers, Inc. to perform preliminary phase and field testing services associated with the Oso Water Reclamation Plant Odor Control Improvements Project. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Slavik voting "Aye." 5a. M93-100 Motion awarding a contract in the amount of $176,548 to C.W. Campbell Electric Company for fire alarm system renovations at the Bayfront Convention Center Complex and Art Museum of South Texas. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Slavik voting "Aye." Minutes Regular Co :il Meeting March 23, 1993 Page 3 5b. ORDINANCE NO. 021615 Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 021441, which adopted the FY 1992-93 Budget, by appropriating $120,000 from Tourist and Convention Fund No. 103 Unreserved Fund Balance for the Convention Center/Art Museum fire alarm system and appropriating $33,700 from the Convention Center major improvements account of the Tourist and Convention Fund for the Convention Center/Art Museum fire alarm system; transferring $153,700 to Convention Center Bond Fund No. 209; appropriating $153,700 from the Convention Center Bond Fund No. 209. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Slavik voting "Aye? 8. ORDINANCE NO. 021616 Authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a lease from July 1 to September 30, 1993, with an option to renew annually through September 30, 2003, with the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, for the access roads and walkways at the Corpus Christi International Airport in consideration of maintaining and operating the Visual Approach Slope Indicators (VASI) and Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL) on Runway 17/35. The foregoing ordinance passed on third reading by the following vote: Rhodes, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Slavik voting "Aye." Pursuant to Item 1, motion approving the purchase of thirty-five radios with scan control head and antennas, Council Member McNichols requested a breakdown of the costs. City Manager Garza replied that the breakdown would be provided to the Council before the close of the day's meeting. Pursuant to Item 6, authorizing the City Manager to execute a two-year lease agreement with John Russo and Thomas W. Stewart, for a tract of land for material storage, Council Member Moss referred to the distinctive nature of the land site. He next reviewed past rental fees for the land, pointing out the rental increases. Mr. Moss then suggested approval of the current agreement, and investigation of other appropriate land sites for the storage. City Manager Garza commented that the City owned property south of the referenced site which could be used as a potential site. Council Member Martin inquired about the votes required to pass Item 6. City Secretary Chapa explained that four votes were required for passage on the first and second reading of a lease agreement such as Item 6, and five votes for passage on the third reading. A brief discussion ensued, and City Manager Garza referred to the thirty day cancellation clause in the lease agreement which could be implemented in the event an alternate site was located. He suggested approval of the item at this time. Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none. Minutes Regular Co, .il Meeting March 23, 1993 Page 4 Mayor Rhodes opened the discussion on Item 7, ordinance appropriating $393,750 from the Street Bond Fund and authorizing the transfer of these funds into the General Fund to support street maintenance projects as adopted in the FY 92-93 operating budget. Council Member Slavik inquired whether, through this transfer, the street bond funds would be commingled with other funds in the General Fund. City Manager Garza explained that the original agreement with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) provided funds (approximately $200,000 annually) to be utilized for street repairs compensating for street damage by RTA buses. He also stated that the agreement further provided that the City and RTA would determine, on an annual basis, appropriate street projects to be financed from these funds. He then commented that several years ago, the City Council changed the procedure and eliminated the process for determining the street projects due to the cumbersome process involved. Responding to Council Member Martin, City Manager Garza reviewed RTA's past and current payments. Mr. Martin then suggested that, since the General Fund was currently in balance, the payments from the RTA could continue to be set aside for future major street projects. Mr. Garza commented that this suggestion would be an alternative, and reviewed the effects on the General Fund. City Manager Garza further explained that the $400,000 transfer would not increase the Street Department's budget. He further stated that, if the funds were transferred to the General Fund, these funds would be utilized for General Fund activities. After further deliberation, Mr. Garza agreed with Mr. Martin's suggestion to continue the present procedure concerning the RTA payments. Mr. Garza stated that the item would be withdrawn from consideration at the day's meeting. Pursuant to Item 9, resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with the State of Texas for the City to provide traffic signal control equipment for the Everhart Road and Baldwin Boulevard highway safety improvement projects, subject to reimbursement. Council Member Moss commented favorably on the project, and inquired whether utilization of private contractors for the equipment installation had been considered. Mr. Ogilvie F. Gericke, Street Superintendent, replied that installation of the equipment would be performed by private contractors through the Texas Department of Transportation. Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none. Relative to Item 2, motion approving a supply agreement for fiber optic cable, which had been withdrawn from the days meeting, Council Member McNichols referred to the difference in the cost of the fiber optic cable in the bids. He next stressed the importance of verifying the quality of cable in the purchase. City Manager Garza agreed. Minutes Regular Co, ;il Meeting March 23, 1993 Page 5 Returning to Item 1, motion approving the purchase of thirty-five radios, Mr. F. D. Glenn, Purchasing Agent, reviewed the costs of the radios and components in the bid tabulation. Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 1. M93-097 Motion approving the purchase of thirty-five radios with scan control head and antennas in accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -0160-93, based on low bids. The radios are budgeted in the Law Enforcement Trust Fund and the Police Department. Ericsson GE Mobile Portland. Texas Radios and Control Heads Antenna A&B Electronics, Inc. Corpus Christi, Texas $56,222.25 $1,540.00 TOTAL OF AWARDS: $57,762.25 The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Slavik voting "Aye." 2. WITHDRAWN Metion approving supply agreements for fiber optic cable in accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI 0135 93. The term of the contracts will be for twelve months with the seller and the City Manager or his designee. The awards are based on low bids. Professional Cable & Components, Inc. North Richland Hills. Texas 5,000 Ft. Multi Mode Cable @ $0.36 $ 1,800.00 Clifford of Vermont, Inc. Bethel, Vermont 33,000 Ft. Single Mode Cable cr $0.616 $21,318.00 TOTAL AWARD $23,118.00 6. FIRST READING ORDINANCE Authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute a two-year lease agreement with John Russo and Thomas W. Stewart, for a tract of land located at Resaca and Minutes Regular Co, :il Meeting March 23, 1993 Page 6 Sam Rankin Street, to be used by the City's Street Department for material storage, for a rental fee of $300 per month, with the option to renew for additional two-year periods under the same terms and conditions. The foregoing ordinance passed on first reading by the following vote: Rhodes, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Slavik voting "Aye." 7. WITHDRAWN .. as adopted in the FY 92 93 operating budget. 9. RESOLUTION NO 021617 Resolution authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute an agreement with the State of Texas, acting through the Texas Department of Transportation, for the City to provide traffic signal control equipment for the Everhart Road and Baldwin Boulevard highway safety improvement projects, subject to reimbursement. The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Slavik voting "Aye." Mayor Rhodes recessed the Regular Council Meeting for the meeting of the Corpus Christi Community Improvement Corporation. Mayor Rhodes reconvened the Regular Council Meeting and called for a recess. Mayor Rhodes reconvened the Regular Council Meeting and called for consideration from the Regular Agenda. Mayor Rhodes referred to Items 11, 12, and 13, which involved authorization to execute (Item 11) a one-year lease and (Item 12) a ten-year lease for the old Police station to the Corpus Christi Community Improvement Corporation, and (Item 13) the amendment to the FY 92-93 CDBG Program Final Statement by reallocating $500,000 from the Wynn Seale Street School Area Phase II street improvements to the FY 92 Corpus Christi Community Improvement Corporation Community Training Center project; and (Item 14) motion approving a consent agreement for the loan agreement between the Corpus Christi Community Improvement Corporation and consenting to the $500,000 loan from the bank consortium, previously discussed at the day's CCCIC meeting. Mayor Rhodes called for further Council comments or comments from the audience. There being no further comments on these items, City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: Minutes Regular Co Al Meeting March 23, 1993 Page 7 11. ORDINANCE NO. 021618 Ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a one-year lease of the old Police station to the Corpus Christi Community Improvement Corporation. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Slavik voting "Aye." 12. FIRST READING ORDINANCE Authorizing the City Manager to execute a ten-year lease of the old Police station to the Corpus Christi Community Improvement Corporation. The foregoing ordinance passed on first reading by the following vote: Rhodes, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Slavik voting "Aye." 13. ORDINANCE NO. 021619 Ordinance amending Ordinance 021571 to amend the FY92 CDBG Program Final Statement by reallocating $500,000 from FY92 CDBG Wynn Seale Street School Area Phase II street improvements to FY92 Corpus Christi Community Improvement Corporation Community Training Center project and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the documents required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for this program amendment. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Slavik voting "Aye." 14. M93-101 Motion approving a consent agreement for the loan agreement between the Corpus Christi Community Improvement Corporation and a bank consortium (NationsBank, Texas Commerce Bank, Mercantile Bank, Citizens Bank, and Nueces National Bank); consenting to a $500,000 loan from the bank consortium secured by a pledge by the CCCIC of its CDBG Program income and the lease payments for the Workforce Development Corporation. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Galindo, Longoria, McNichols, Moss, and Slavik voting "Aye"; Martin abstaining. Mayor Rhodes opened the discussion on Items 15a, 15b, and 15c, motions and ordinance regarding the proposed Street Capital Improvement Program. Returning to Item 9, Council Member Moss inquired whether the installation agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation should be included in the proposed Street Capital Improvement Program. City Manager Garza stated that the installation Minutes Regular Co. Al Meeting March 23, 1993 Page 8 agreement would be returned to the Council at a later date and suggested that the Council proceed with Item 15. Further, Mr. Moss inquired whether the payments from RTA were subject to increases, and City Manager Garza explained the inflationary increases. Mr. Moss then suggested basing RTA's payments on the miles used by the RTA buses in their scheduled routes. Ms. Grace McNett, Capital Budget Officer, commented on the priorities used to formulate the Project Recommendation and Funding Requirements list in the agenda material, and reviewed such proposed projects and costs. She stated the list consisted of the Wynn Seale School Area Station, Phase 2; the Leopard Street, Rand Morgan to Callicoate Road design; the Knickerbocker Street Extension; the Everhart Street Overlay/Widening program; the IH 37 Lighting Rehabilitation, Phase 1; and the Oso Parkway (Southfork and Greenfields Subdivision Connection) project. Council Member Martin referred to the reprogramming of funds allocated to the Park Road 22/53 Intersection Improvements, and requested information of such reprogramming. Ms. McNett explained that the funds consisted of the City's contribution for the State project of elevating the Kennedy Causeway. She stated that this project was not in the current three year transportation improvement program, and staff recommended utilization of these funds in the interval for other projects. Responding further to Council Member Martin, Ms. McNett discussed the process by which funds were initially programmed for projects. Council Member Martin expressed concern that new projects were replacing bond projects. He then requested that the Council be provided with the next priority list concerning the 1986 street bond projects. Mr. Martin next referred to the contingency fee, and Ms. McNett replied that the amount reserved for contingency was for the total street program and not only the proposed six projects on the day's agenda. Mr. Martin further inquired whether the Wynn Seale School area street project would be CDBG eligible, and Mr. Utter replied in the affirmative. Responding to Council Member McNichols, Ms. McNett discussed the association of the Kennedy Causeway elevation project and the reprogramming of the Park Road 22/53 intersection improvements. Dr. McNichols stressed the importance of replacing the reprogrammed funds when necessary for use in the Park Road project. Responding further, Ms. McNett explained the additional costs for the improvements of the Knickerbocker Street Extension, and referred to the possible cost participation of the developer. Next, Ms. McNett discussed the modification and cost of the Everhart Street Overlay/Widening project. Responding to Mayor Rhodes' inquiry about implementation of the project, City Manager Garza commented that this modification was included in the item presently before the Council. Council Member Martin inquired whether adequate right-of-way was available for proper widening, and Ms. McNett replied in the affirmative. Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none. Minutes Regular Co ;il Meeting March 23, 1993 Page 9 City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 15a. M93-102 Motion approving the Street Capital Improvement Program for FY92-93. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Slavik voting "Aye." 15b. M93-103 Motion authorizing the reprogramming of funds allocated to the Park Road 22/53 intersection improvements. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Slavik voting "Aye." 15c. ORDINANCE NO. 021620 Ordinance appropriating $918,152 from the Street Bond Fund to support the recommended projects. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Slavik voting "Aye? Mayor Rhodes announced the discussion on Item 16, consideration of proposal to amend City retirees' health insurance rates. Responding to Mayor Rhodes' inquiry, City Manager Garza stated that Item 16 had been designed to amend the current health insurance rates for retirees at the day's meeting, if the Council elected to do so. City Manager Garza next discussed the amendment recommendations by staff as well as the letter Council Member Martin provided in the agenda material. Responding to several inquiries, City Manager Garza explained the staff's proposal to freeze the retiree health insurance premiums at the current levels and the "phase in" plan providing a common premium rate for both active and retiree participants. Council Member Martin expressed appreciation for the prompt response to the issue. Mr. Martin then stated support of staff's recommendations (1) whereby the retirees would pay 100 percent of their premiums; (3) the development of a plan for the retirees' rates would remain frozen over the next five years or until such time, whichever is less, the health premiums of active City's employees reach the same level as the retirees health insurance premiums (utilization of a common rate structure for both groups); and (4) a plan to implement the "phase in " common premium rate for both active and retiree participants in five years or less and such plan to be provided to the City Council within 90 days. Mr. Martin referred to his suggestion not included in staffs recommendation ([2] roll back Minutes Regular Co Al Meeting March 23, 1993 Page 10 the recent retiree rate increase to no more than ten percent) regarding the roll back, and moved to amend the staffs recommendation to include a roll back of the recent retiree rate increase to no more than ten percent. The motion was seconded by Mayor Rhodes. Mayor Rhodes inquired about the cost and funding source for the City to include the roll back. City Manager Garza discussed the annualized impact on current and future budgets. Council Member Martin commented that, since the projection was based on a prediction of last year's costs experience, the impact could be higher or lower than Mr. Garza's suggested cost ($178,000) utilizing the ten percent roll back. Responding to Council Member Martin, Mr. Pat Alba, Director of Risk Management, reviewed the results of the City's insurance program over the last three month period, and stated that these results were similar to the preceding year. City Manager Garza discussed the City's insurance program budget, and commented that presently expenditures did not exceed the year's projections. Council Member Slavik inquired about the source of the projection figures and the number of retirees in the health insurance plan. City Manager Garza explained the actuarial study performed annually, and stated that the retiree health insurance program consisted of approximately 280 participants. Responding further, Mr. Garza stated that the retiree's increased premiums resulted from a larger program utilization than anticipated and the smallness of the retiree group. Council Member Slavik inquired about the number of active members in the insurance plan and expressed concern that costs to these members would be increased. Mr. Garza replied that the active group consisted of approximately 2,600 members. Council Member Slavik inquired whether increasing the retirees' deductibles would provide amelioration for the program. Mr. Garza stated that the deductibles were costly. Further, Mr. Alba reviewed current retiree deductibles. Council Member Martin referred to the insurance plan provided to terminated City employees. He also mentioned a law currently in the State Legislature requiring that retirees' health insurance rates be rolled back to parallel active employee rates. Mr. Martin commented favorably on composite rates for active and retired members which goal could be reached over a period of time. He stated that a five year period to obtain this goal was suitable and would lessen the impact of such consolidation. Mr. Martin then discussed percentage rates for the roll back which, with good experience, could be relatively risk free. In agreement, Mr. Garza replied that 20 percent would be more appropriate. Mr. Martin then amended his previous motion to reflect a roll back of the recent retiree rate increase to no more than 20 percent. Responding to Council Member Slavik, Mr. Garza reviewed the effects of the amendments on the City's budget as well as the active employees. A discussion developed. Council Member Longoria agreed with Council Member Slavik's concern about increased rates to active employees. Mr. Garza explained the rate structure which would not increase active employee rates in the current year, but would in succeeding years. Mr. Garza also stated that the health insurance program was examined each year to Minutes Regular Co .i1 Meeting March 23, 1993 Page 11 ascertain the best costs, and discussed the examination procedures. Mrs. Longoria further referred to active employees which could not presently afford insurance through the City. Council Member McNichols inquired whether the roll back rate could be determined each year based on experience, instead of setting a specific rate. City Manager Garza commented that it would be best to provide the roll back rate for the retirees at this time. A discussion ensued regarding the motion. Council Member Moss suggested adoption of the referenced amendment and review of the matter by the Council in one year. City Manager Garza discussed the changing insurance system which would influence the City's insurance program in the future. Council Member Slavik inquired whether insurance benefits were promised to City employees upon hiring. City Manager Garza replied in the affirmative. Council Member Slavik commented that she was uncomfortable with voting on the matter as presently presented and requested other options. City Manager Garza replied that the proposed plan was designed to provide respectable rates. Mr. Garza also compared the proposal to insurance programs of other entities. In summation, City Manager Garza stated that, since active members would become retired members at some point in time, the insurance program provided benefits to the active members in a two -fold manner. He commented favorably on support of the City's health insurance program from active employees as well as the retired employees. City Manager Garza responded to several questions posed from Council Member Galindo regarding present and future health insurance costs. A discussion developed. Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience. Mr. Eric Wramp stated support of active and retired employees participating in the same insurance plan. Mr. L. D. Foster, 1118 Vernon, agreed with Mr. Wramp, and inquired about the high cost to include dependents on the insurance plan. City Manager Garza explained the procedure by which the dependent rates were determined. Mrs. J. Foster, 1118 Vernon, commented that insurance rates were increasing because medical services were increasing, and was not a result of actions by retirees. Mayor Rhodes referred to the motion to amend the City's retiree health insurance rates. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 16. M93-104 (1) continuation of the retiree health insurance program whereby the retirees pay 100 percent of their premium; (2) roll back the recent retiree rate increase to no more Minutes Regular Co :il Meeting March 23, 1993 Page 12 than 20 percent; (3) develop a plan whereby retiree health insurance premiums remain frozen over the next five years or until such time, whichever is less, active City employee's health premiums reach the same level as retiree health insurance premiums, at this time, a common rate structure will be used to rate both groups; and (4) a plan to implement this "phase in" of a common premium rate for both active and retiree participants in five years or less will be provided to the City Council within 90 days. The foregoing motion passed as amended by the following vote: Rhodes, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, Moss, and Slavik voting "Aye"; McNichols absent. Mayor Rhodes announced the discussion on Item 17, consideration of resolutions and other actions deemed appropriate by the City Council, as to legislative issues before the 73rd Texas Legislature. City Manager Garza stated that there were no actions to report at this time. Mayor Rhodes called for the City Manager's report. City Manager Garza commented on the successful results of the recent trip to Austin regarding House Bill 467, fines pertaining to pipelines. He further stated that an ordinance regarding such matter would be presented to the Council. A brief discussion ensued regarding the issue. Mayor Rhodes referred to a letter concerning traffic signage in the Betty Jean/Williams Drive area. Mayor Rhodes requested that City Manager Garza examine the situation. Further, Mayor Rhodes referred to the Brawner Parkway monitoring program issue. In response, Mr. Bray explained the present circumstances. Mayor Rhodes called for Council concerns and reports. Council Member Galindo inquired whether studies were available regarding the effects of the brine releases on the bay and the brine toxicity levels. City Manager Garza stated that the City did not currently have such reports. Council Member Slavik referred to a complaint she received regarding Scotland Drive in the Flour Bluff area, and requested an examination. Further, Mrs. Slavik inquired about installation of water conservation plumbing fixtures on new construction in the City. Mr. Garza explained the new requirements. Mayor Rhodes called for petitions from the audience, and there were none. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Rhodes declared the Council Meeting adjourned at 5:23 p.m. on March 23, 1993. .............