HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 06/14/1994 - JointI HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the
Joint Meeting of the Corpus Christi City Council and the Nueces County Commissioners
Court of June 14, 1994, which were approved by the City Council on June 21, 1994.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 22nd day of June, 1994.
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
SEAL
MICROFILMED
MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
Joint Meeting
City Council and Nueces County Commissioners Court
June 14, 1994
12 p.m.
PRESENT
Council Members
Mayor Mary Rhodes
Mayor Pro Tem Melody Cooper
Jack Best
Cezar Galindo
Betty Jean Longoria
Edward Martin
Dr. David McNichols
Clif Moss
David Noyola
City Staff
City Manager Juan Garza
City Attorney James R. Bray, Jr.
City Secretary Armando Chapa
ABSENT
Carol Karter, Commissioners Court
Commissioners Court
Judge Robert Barnes
David Berlanga
Ida Brazell
Frank Schwing
Mayor Rhodes called the meeting to order in Room 221 of the Bayfront Plaza
Convention Center.
Mayor Rhodes stated that the reason for the joint meeting was to discuss and
consider further consolidation efforts.
Council Member Best asked if he could inform those present about the discussions
held by the Consolidation Study Committee up to that point. Mr. Best explained that
consolidation was a major theme in the race for County Commissioner leading up to the
primary election in April 1994. He said that even though he did not win in the county
primary election, he still felt he could promote the issue of consolidation as a member of
the City Council. As a result, he added, the Consolidation Study Committee was formed
Minutes
Joint Meeting
June 14, 1994
Page 2
and he was appointed chairman by Mayor Rhodes; everyone else serving on that informal
committee have equal standing as taxpayers but do not vote.
Dr. Best stated that his committee had met several times with different elected
officials in attendance, including members of the Corpus Christi Independent School
District Board and the Nueces County Commissioners Court. He said the purpose of the
committee was to solicit suggestions and ideas to consolidate city and county services.
He expressed his concern that if the committee became formalized, it would limit the
amount of interaction among the members and limit the committee's potential for success.
Dr. Best asked City Manager Juan Garza to give a synopsis of the committee's progress
thus far.
Mr. Garza said that the committee examined certain areas of concern and
prioritized them, beginning with suggestions that could be accomplished fairly easily and
without much expense to more difficult and expensive propositions. One area that had
been investigated was purchasing, said Mr. Garza, who briefly described some of the
conclusions that were drawn about consolidating purchasing services. He emphasized
that no actions were taken by the Consolidation Study Committee members.
Mayor Rhodes said she understood the desire to have an informal consolidation
committee, but in order to be effective, she said the committee needed to have interaction
and coordination with county officials from the outset.
Dr. Best said that because of changes in elected positions on the City Council and
Commissioners Court, there would be no continuity on the committee unless its
membership remains informal. He said once the study committee formulates some
suggestions, they can present them to the elected officials for possible action.
Judge Barnes stated that the Commissioners Court had not been invited to the first
meeting of the Consolidation Study Committee. He said that for a consolidation effort to
be effective, the county needs to be an equal partner with an equal number of votes.
Judge Barnes noted that consolidation may be necessary to try to reduce the area's tax
rate, which is one of the highest in the state. He added that he would not be willing to
participate in a consolidation effort unless it is more formally organized. Judge Barnes
referred to a packet of information he had prepared and distributed to those present at
the meeting.
Council Member Noyola agreed that equal representation between the city and
county was necessary to consolidate, adding that area school districts should be
represented as well.
Mayor Rhodes stated that she did not think that other entities, such as area school
districts, should be represented at this time; their input could be gathered at a later time.
She also agreed that the city and county should be equally represented.
Minutes
Joint Meeting
June 14, 1994
Page 3
Dr. Best replied that the members of the study committee had not intended to
address complex issues regarding consolidation referred to by Judge Barnes in his
packet. He stated that he, Commissioner Berlanga and Council Member Martin had
emphasized consolidation during their election campaigns; Dr. Best asked how they had
planned to carry out a consolidation effort.
Commissioner Berlanga stated that he and Commissioner Schwing have had some
success in consolidating communication efforts and law enforcement. He said the
method they used was to communicate their ideas to city staff and reach an agreement.
Mayor Rhodes asked if those present felt that a formal committee was needed,
and Mr. Berlanga responded that the Mayor should appoint a group of people to study
the issue of consolidation. He added that priorities should be established.
Commissioner Brazell stated that she had been supportive of a committee or task
force --comprised of members appointed by Judge Barnes and Mayor Rhodes --designed
to study consolidation. She noted that her precinct includes residents in Robstown and
Driscoll and they should be included in the plan.
Council Member Martin expressed his support of formal meetings with county
officials to decide if and how the two governments should proceed with consolidation. He
cautioned that if the two groups could not agree completely on a consolidation plan, then
it would not be successful. He said a partnership should be formed between the city and
county and a single area of concern should be addressed. The city and county should
then decide if consolidation can be achieved in that particular area, following which school
districts and citizens groups can be included.
Referring to Dr. Best's comments, Mr. Martin stated that his concept on
consolidation was to form a city -county group and then move to forming another group
involving many more members on a long-term basis. Those members could determine
functional areas and progress from there. He reiterated that without equal cooperation
from all involved, consolidation will not succeed. He suggested that a formal committee
be established and directed to return in 90 days with a recommendation on whether or
not to pursue consolidation.
Commissioner Schwing stated that elected officials have achieved consolidation
in some areas, sometimes voluntarily and at other times involuntarily. He cited EMS, MI -1 -
MR, City -County Health Department, among other efforts. He stated that a formal
committee should address two or three major issues and meaningful consolidation can
be realized.
Council Member McNichols agreed with Mr. Schwing that some areas have been
consolidated; the next question is how the city and county should proceed. He noted that
not all consolidation is effective. Sometimes costs have increased as a result. Those
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Joint Meeting
June 14, 1994
Page 4
involved should approach the matter in an organized and cautious way.
Council Member Cooper commended Dr. Best for his efforts, adding that more
structure was needed for the committee to proceed.
Council Member Moss agreed that a formal group or study was needed. He
mentioned some areas which had been consolidated and others which, he felt, needed
to be consolidated.
Council Member Galindo stated that he had participated in the meetings of the
informal study committee, adding that its original intent was to avoid a too -rigid, politicized
structure.
Council Member Longoria thanked Dr. Best and Mr. Galindo for their involvement
thus far. She stated that the committee should include representatives from both the city
and county.
Mr. Galindo noted that certain entities, such as CCISD or the county, were not in
attendance at some of the study committee meetings because the consolidation issue
being discussed at that time did not involve those entities.
Mayor Rhodes stated that the consensus of those present was to appoint a formal
committee.
Mr. Noyola reemphasized that the school districts surrounding Corpus Christi
should not be excluded from participating in the consolidation process. Mayor Rhodes
stated that initially just the city and county should be involved. She suggested that two
co-chairs and two other members be appointed and instructed to meet and bring back
suggestions.
Mr. Martin noted that the committee, by its makeup, would involve the political
process. He stated that while the committee is formulating ideas, the other officials
present at the day's meeting should find ways to work with each other.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Rhodes
declared the Joint Meeting adjourned at 1 p.m. on June 14, 1994.