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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 Minutes 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.