HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 07/26/1994I 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 July 26, 1994, which were
approved by the City Council on August 9, 1994.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 10th day of August, 1994.
C/
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
SEAL
M09f.ILMFA,
MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
Regular Council Meeting
July 26, 1994
2 p.m.
PRESENT
Mayor Mary Rhodes
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Jack Best
Council Members:
Melody Cooper
Cezar Galindo
Betty Jean Longoria
Edward Martin
Dr. David McNichols
Clif Moss
David Noyola
City Manager Juan Garza
City Attorney James R. Bray, Jr.
City Secretary Armando Chapa
Mayor Rhodes called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
The invocation was delivered by Mr. J.P. Patterson, Society of Friends, 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 and the required charter officers were present to conduct the meeting.
Mayor Rhodes called for approval of the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting
of July 19, 1994, and there being no corrections, she proclaimed them approved as
presented.
Mayor Rhodes recognized the employees retiring from the city in the months of
June and July 1994 as follows: Ms. Jeanette Thompson, Health Department; Mr. Ronnie
A. Smith and Mr. Michael E. Vargo, Water Department; Mr. Jenaro Perez, Street
Department; and Mr. Alfonso Aguinaga, Park and Recreation Department.
, Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
July 26, 1994
Page 2
Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 2, adoption of guidelines and criteria
under the Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act.
Mr. Mike Carrell, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Corpus Christi Bay
Area Economic Development Corporation (EDC), distributed a packet of information to
the Council in which he stated that the EDC had been working to draw a major voice data
transmission/telecommunications prospect to Corpus Christi.
Mr. Carrell cited three main ways in which the company would benefit this city by
locating here: the prospect is a leader in the telecommunications industry, and their
action could induce other telecommunications companies to move to Corpus Christi as
well; the EDC estimates that 1,000 new jobs would be created by the prospect company;
(of those, 10 percent would be supervisory and 90 percent would be computer keyboard
operators requiring keyboard and customer relations skills); the prospective move would
also involve a $4 million construction project, as well as many other benefits. Mr. Carrell
went on to say that the proposed guidelines before the Council would abate only the
property taxes of approximately $25,000 per year for five years.
Council Member Martin reiterated that while the city would be abating the property
taxes, it would be gaining so much more by having the company move to Corpus Christi.
He noted that he and Council Member Longoria sit on the EDC, and said that an
important aspect of the proposal would be the involvement of the Corpus Christi and
West Oso Independent School Districts and Del Mar College, as well as several other
entities.
Council Member Moss verified with Mr. Carrell that the tax abatement can be
viewed as an investment the city is making that will more than pay for itself; in addition,
he noted that the proposed policy changes regarding abatements would apply to any
companies in the telecommunications industry, not just to the prospective company.
Responding to Council Member Cooper, Mr. Carrell stated that the
telecommunications company being discussed had not informed local EDC officials
exactly how competitive their offer was. He said that the EDC would be asking Nueces
County to approve the same tax abatement guidelines. Mr. Carrell also confirmed that
telecommunications would be a new industry to the city, and Mrs. Cooper said that for
that reason, a tax abatement would be justified as an incentive.
In response to Council Member Longoria, Mr. Gary Bushell, President of the
Corpus Christi Bay Area Economic Development Corporation, stated that incentive funds
for job training would come from the state's Smart Jobs Program, which was enacted
recently by the Texas Legislature. He added that the grant would be administered
through the Del Mar College system.
Council Member Best asked about the proposed tax abatements, and Mr. Carrell
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Regular Council Meeting
July 26, 1994
Page 3
reiterated that the guidelines would apply only to companies in the telecommunications
industry.
Council Member Noyola commended the EDC and school district officials for their
efforts in luring the company to Corpus Christi and stated that he supported the proposal.
City Manager Garza emphasized that current taxes on the land for the proposed
site of the new company would not be abated; however, new improvement taxes would
be abated.
Council Member McNichols stated that it was important for the city to attract such
high-tech industries such as telecommunications, which are clean, non -water intensive
and people -oriented. Mr. Carrell said that while the abatement was $25,000 a year for
five years, the company would generate $5.4 million in additional annual payroll and
$140,000 a year in local sales taxes.
Mayor Rhodes verified with Mr. Carrell that if the company did not produce at least
625 new jobs, the abatement would be withdrawn.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
2. RESOLUTION NO. 021993
Resolution approving the adoption of guidelines and criteria under the Property
Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act Chapter 312 of the Texas Tax Code.
The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper,
Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye."
Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Items 3 and 4, discussion and second
reading of the ordinance adopting the proposed FY 1994-95 budget.
City Manager Garza referred to a memo highlighting the amendments suggested
by the Council during the last two Council meetings.
Council Member Martin asked what the amount of the Texas Municipal Retirement
System rate increase would cost if funded all at once (as approved by the Council during
the July 19, 1994 meeting), and Mr. Garza responded that the amount would be $381,193
for all of the city's funds, or $267,859 for the General Fund. Mr. Garza verified that the
full TMRS funding would be at 11.01 percent, rather than 10.94 percent mentioned
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Regular Council Meeting
July 26, 1994
Page 4
previously.
Responding to Council Member Moss, Mr. Garza stated that the total amount
budgeted for new library books, including an increase approved during the previous
Council meeting, was $309,000.
In response to Council Member McNichols, Mr. Garza explained why it was more
advantageous to fully fund the TMRS rate increase, rather than phasing it in over a three-
year period.
Mr. Martin requested a break down of the salary and benefits of the new reference
librarian, including insurance and TMRS rate.
In reply to Dr. McNichols' question, Mr. Garza explained that the required reserves
in the Wastewater Debt Service and Water Debt Service had been funded from the
utilities' proceeds; this year the city proposed to fund the reserve requirement over a
period of five years, which is advantageous because it avoids payment of interest.
Mr. Garza also noted that the current tax rate is 61.8 cents per $100 valuation, and
the proposed rate is 61.3 cents.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
4. ORDINANCE NO. 021997
Adopting the City of Corpus Christi Budget for the ensuing Fiscal Year beginning
August 1, 1994, and ending July 31, 1995; to be filed with the County Clerk;
appropriating monies as provided in said Budget; and providing for severance.
The foregoing ordinance passed on second reading by the following vote: Rhodes,
Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting
"Aye."
Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Items 5.a. and 5.b., FY 1994 Community
Development Block Grant Program.
Referring to the previous budget discussion, Dr. McNichols questioned the
proposed half -cent tax rate cut, and Mr. Martin noted that the Council -directed
amendments would be funded from other sources and not from funds generated by the
tax rate. Mr. Moss stated that the valuations of approximately one-third of the properties
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
July 26, 1994
Page 5
in the city were increased, while roughly two-thirds of the property owners, whose
valuations remained the same, would benefit from the half -cent tax rate decrease.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience on Items 5.a. and 5.b., and
there were none.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
5.a. M94-201
Motion authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to accept
and implement the FY 94 Community Development Block Grant Program.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper,
Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye."
5.b. ORDINANCE NO. 021998
Ordinance appropriating $6,293,390 for FY 94 Community Development Block
Grant Program projects approved by City Council on May 3, 1994.
An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following
vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and
Noyola voting "Aye."
Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Items 6.a., 6.b. and 6.c., FY 1994
Emergency Shelter Grant Program.
Responding to Council Member Cooper, Mr. Michael Reuwsaat, Director of
Community Development, stated that all of the agencies that applied for grants did
receive funding, adding that this year's funding levels were similar to the levels of the last
few years.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
6.a. M94-202
Motion authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to accept
and implement the FY 94 Emergency Shelter Grant Program.
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Regular Council Meeting
July 26, 1994
Page 6
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper,
Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye."
6.b. ORDINANCE NO. 021999
Ordinance appropriating the FY 94 Emergency Shelter Grant of $149,000 from the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following
vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and
Noyola voting "Aye."
6.c. M94-203
Motion approving agreements with the following agencies: Corpus Christi Metro
Ministries - $58,850; Dos Mundos Day Care School - $34,200; Women's Shelter
of the Corpus Christi Area, Inc. - $18,500; Gulf Coast Council of La Raza -
$30,000; and authorizing the City Manager to execute agreements with these
organizations, upon clearance from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper,
Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye."
Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Items 7.a. and 7.b., construction of water
distribution facilities in the vicinity of Clarkwood Road and Leopard Street.
City Manager Garza explained that a major fire at the Sam Kane meat processing
plant a few years ago highlighted the need for increased water pressure in that area of
the city.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
7.a. M94-204
Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to enter into an agreement
with Sam Kane Beef Processors, Inc. and Hoechst -Celanese Corp. relative to the
dedication of easements and participation in the construction of Water Distribution
facilities in the vicinity of Clarkwood Road and Leopard Street.
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Regular Council Meeting
July 26, 1994
Page 7
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper,
Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye."
7.b. M94-205
Motion awarding a contract in the amount of $150,144 to Asphalt Paving &
Construction Company to construct a 24 -inch waterline on Clarkwood Road from
Leopard to the Hoechst -Celanese facility on Clarkwood Road.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper,
Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye."
Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 8, Use Privilege Agreement with AT&T
Communication Inc. for fiber optic cables.
Responding to Council Member Moss, Mr. Carl Crull, Director of Engineering
Services, stated that AT&T Communication was authorized a Use Privilege Agreement
for a section of Highway 44 for a line that was installed approximately five years ago.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
8. ORDINANCE NO. 022000
Ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a Use Privilege Agreement
with AT&T Communication, Inc. for the right to install and maintain one 4 inch
diameter HDPE flexible duct for fiber optic communication cables within the
following streets; and establishing a fee of $20,160:
a. Blucher Street from the AT&T building to Carancahua Street;
b. Carancahua Street from Blucher St. to Cooper's Alley;
c. Cooper's Alley from Carancahua St. to Tancahua St.;
d. Tancahua St. from Cooper's Alley to Kinney Street;
e. Midtown Interchange from Kinney St. to Carrizo St.;
f. Carrizo St. from Laredo St. to Agnes St.;
g. Agnes St. from Carrizo St. to Tancahua St.;
h. Tancahua St. from Agnes St. to Furman St.;
Furman St. from Tancahua St. to S. Staples St.;
j. S. Staples St. from Furman St. to Morgan Ave.;
k. Morgan Ave. from S. Staples St. to Airport Road.
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Regular Council Meeting
July 26, 1994
Page 8
An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following
vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and
Noyola voting "Aye."
Mayor Rhodes recessed the Regular Council Meeting for the meeting of the
Corpus Christi Housing Finance Corporation.
Mayor Rhodes reconvened the Regular Council Meeting.
Mayor Rhodes called for consideration of consent motions, resolutions, ordinances
and ordinances from previous meetings on Items 10 through 18, and Council Members
requested that Items 11, 13, 14.a., 14.b. and 18 be withheld for discussion.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following were
passed:
10. M94-206
Motion approving the purchase of office furniture for the new Fire Department
administrative offices in accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -0255-94 with the
following companies for the following amounts based on low bid, for a total
expenditure of $30,951.01. Funds are budgeted in FY 93-94 by the Fire
Department.
Yochem's Business Interiors Texas Office Supply
Corpus Christi, Texas Corpus Christi, Texas
Workstations Desk, File Cabinets, Chairs,
Bookcases
$10,918.19 $20,032.82
Grand Total - $30,951.01
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper,
Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye."
12. M94-208
Motion awarding a contract in the amount of $55,014 to Harrop Construction
Company for dryer and dust collectors improvements at the O.N. Stevens Water
Plant.
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Regular Council Meeting
July 26, 1994
Page 9
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper,
Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye."
15.a. M94-211
Motion approving the reimbursement application submitted by Shell Development
Joint Venture, developer of Barclay Grove Unit I, for the installation of 1,268 linear
feet of a 12 -inch PVC water grid main and 628 linear feet of off-site 12 -inch PVC
sanitary sewer collection line.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper,
Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye."
15.b. ORDINANCE NO. 022002
Ordinance appropriating $34,616.04 from the Water Arterial Transmission and Grid
Main Trust Fund and $45,929.67 from the Wastewater Collection Line Trust Fund.
An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following
vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and
Noyola voting "Aye."
15.c. M94-212
Motion authorizing the City Manager to execute a Participation Agreement with
Shell Development Joint Venture, for improvement to Lipes Boulevard of which the
City's share of costs is $77,471.50.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper,
Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye."
16. ORDINANCE NO. 022003
Authorizing execution of an assignment of a concession agreement from Lakeside
Surrey, Inc. dba Shoreline Surreys of Texas, to Karim and Wedad Hamid.
The foregoing ordinance passed on second reading by the following vote: Rhodes,
Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting
"Aye."
17. ORDINANCE NO. 022004
Amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 9, Aviation, Article II, Municipal
Airports, Section 9-26, Setting the duties of Airport Public Safety Officers;
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Regular Council Meeting
July 26, 1994
Page 10
amending Section 9-32, Trespass upon Runways, Ramps, Taxiways, etc.;
providing severance; and providing for publication.
The foregoing ordinance passed on second reading by the following vote: Rhodes,
Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting
"Aye."
Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 11, chemical storage silo tanks.
Council Member McNichols asked if the proposed repairs included correcting a
problem with the chlorine off-loading facility, and Mr. Crull stated that they did.
Responding to Council Member Longoria regarding the required five percent
minority business enterprise participation, Mr. Crull responded that each project is
examined individually to determine what aspects of the project can be subcontracted out
without damaging a general contractors ability to perform the job. He gave a brief
explanation of how the staff monitors the contractors' adherence to the minority business
requirement.
Also in response to Mrs. Longoria, who asked about Harrop Construction
Company, Mr. Crull stated that initially that company, which is based in Houston, had a
small office in Corpus Christi; as the number of contracts they have been awarded has
grown, they have increased their local office staff.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
11. M94-207
Motion awarding a contract in the amount of $196,640 to Duncan -Russo, Inc. for
the repairs/rehabilitation of the chemical storage silo tanks located on top of the
chemical building at the O.N. Stevens Water Plant.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper,
Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye."
Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 13, storm water monitoring stations.
Responding to Dr. McNichols regarding the sites of the storm water monitoring
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
July 26, 1994
Page 11
stations, Mr. Crull stated that the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and
the Environmental Protection Agency specified where the stations would be located.
Mr. Crull said, in response to Mr. Martin, that the Public Health and Safety Bond
Fund included landfill closure funds, and funds from the closure of the old police and fire
station buildings.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none.
Referring to a previous comment by Dr. McNichols, Mr. Garza noted that $13,000 was
recovered on a claim after one of the storm water monitoring stations was damaged by
a reckless driver.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
13. M94-209
Motion awarding a contract in the amount of $135,714.40 to Garrett Construction
Company to install four storm water monitoring stations.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper,
Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye."
Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Items 14.a. and 14.b., water capital
improvements.
Mr. Garza stated that the amount of the contract should be $140,100, rather than
$140,000 as originally presented. Mayor Rhodes made a motion to amend the motion
to $140,100, seconded by Dr. McNichols and passed unanimously.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
14.a. M94-210
Motion awarding a contract in the amount of $140,100 to Bracco Construction
Company to repair and install slope protection at the Nueces River Pump Stations
at the O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant.
The foregoing motion passed as amended by the following vote: Rhodes, Best,
Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye."
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
July 26, 1994
Page 12
14.b. ORDINANCE NO. 022001
Ordinance appropriating $170,600 from interest revenue earned during FY 1993-94
in the Water Capital Improvements Fund.
An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following
vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and
Noyola voting "Aye."
Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 18, second reading of an ordinance
regarding classification schedules.
Responding to Mr. Noyola, Mr. Garza discussed some of the clarifications that
were made in the classification schedules, specifically, the cashing in of sick leave. Mr.
Garza explained that the Compensation and Classification Plan is divided into Plan I,
under which every new employee is hired; and Plan II, which was in effect before Plan
I was adopted on August 1, 1988. He went on to say that the Plan I employee who has
used no more than 32 hours of sick leave during the previous calendar year and who has
at least 240 hours of accrued sick leave, may cash in --at 50 percent of the hourly rate of
pay --up to 32 hours of sick leave. However, he said, if the Plan I employee retires from
the city, he can only cash in a maximum of 45 days, if he has accumulated that much.
A Plan II employee can cash in up to 90 days of sick leave at retirement, if they have
earned it. Mr. Garza added that one of the major differences between Plan I and Plan
II is that under Plan I, employees are eligible to receive disability income (according to
the guidelines), and there is a cap on the amount of vacation leave and sick leave an
employee is allowed to accumulate.
Referring to a letter Council Member Moss had sent to the other Council Members
regarding the proposed ordinance, Mr. Martin questioned the reason for adopting the
ordinance at that time since the proposed three percent pay increase for non-union
employees would not go into effect until December 12, 1994. Mr. Garza gave several
reasons why he felt the ordinance should be adopted during the day's meeting: 1)
several years ago the city had a strongly merit -based evaluation system under which only
about 20 percent of the workforce received a pay raise, leaving many employees
dissatisfied; 2) it has been some time since the employees had received a permanent
increase in their pay; and 3) there has been an increasingly strong effort among the
employees to organize the labor force.
Mr. Moss asked if the merit evaluation system could be reinstituted, and Mr. Garza
responded that a merit system is very complicated and should be carefully studied before
a decision is made to change the present system. A discussion ensued regarding the
advantages and disadvantages of the merit system, and Mr. Garza stated that he would
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Regular Council Meeting
July 26, 1994
Page 13
bring the issue back to the Council for further discussion.
Mr. Moss made a motion to table Item 18, seconded by Mr. Noyola. Mayor
Rhodes voiced her opposition to the motion to table, saying that such a move would
affect employee morale. The motion failed.
Mr. Galindo requested more information on the evaluation system. Mr. Garza
raised several issues relating to the complexity of adopting any kind of evaluation system.
Mr. Martin stated that the three -percent pay increase should be adopted, and any
discussion of changing the evaluation system should apply to future budgets, not to the
budget which was approved during the day's meeting. He also discussed the issue of
maintaining the minimum levels of the different employee pay ranges.
Mr. Noyola stated that he favored the employees receiving an across-the-board
three percent pay increase, but opposed the section of the ordinance regarding cashing
in of sick leave, and Mr. Garza emphasized that city employees would receive exactly the
same benefits as they have now --the only difference is a clarification of the language.
Mrs. Cooper stated that she favored a merit -based evaluation system, but she
expressed concern about implementing it at this time.
Mrs. Longoria said that she supported the three -percent increase for employees,
effective in December, and would also like more information about the merit system.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience.
Mr. Joe Barrera, president of the Police Officers Association, questioned the
changes in language of the previous compensation plan regarding cashing in of sick
leave; after a short discussion, Mr. Garza and Mr. Bray responded that the eligibility
requirements or amount of sick leave which may be cashed in had not changed.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
18. ORDINANCE NO. 022005
Amending Ordinance 3658, as amended, Subsections 251 through 257 revising
Classification Schedules; amending Ordinance 8127, Section 510, to provide for,
consistent with the pay adjustments required by the Police Collective Bargaining
Agreement for non -managerial personnel, a 3% range adjustment to Police
managerial salary ranges effective August 8, 1994, and 2% range adjustment
effective January 23, 1995; amending Ordinance 8127, Section 501, to provide for
an approximate 3% general increase and range adjustment for Salary Schedules
A and B and Grade 8, effective December 12, 1994; amending Ordinance 8127,
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Regular Council Meeting
July 26, 1994
Page 14
Section 510, to provide for an approximate 3% range adjustment to non -Police and
Fire managerial classifications effective December 12, 1994; amending Ordinance
3658, Section 103, to exempt temporary employees from the Classified Service;
amending Ordinance 8127, Section 650, to define temporary employee as at will;
amending Ordinance 8127, Section 850, to clarify language; amending Ordinance
8127, Subsections 951.13 and 952.14, to clarify language on the cash -in of sick
leave; amending Ordinance 8127, Subsection 951.14, to provide the option for
Plan I employees who are age 65 or older at time of hire or who have reached the
age of 65 while participating in Plan I to decline or discontinue participation in the
Disability Income Protection Plan; amending Ordinance 8127, Subsection 955.21
to clarify language. The copy of the ordinance is on file in the Office of the City
Secretary.
The foregoing ordinance passed on second reading by the following vote: Rhodes,
Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Moss voting "Aye";
Noyola voting "No."
Mayor Rhodes announced the closed session, pursuant to Texas Government
Code, Section 551.071, regarding City of Corpus Christi v. W.T. Young Construction Co.,
et al, Cause No. 92-3102-D, 105th Judicial District Court, Nueces County, Texas, with
possible action in open session approving settlement thereof.
The Council went into closed session.
The Council returned from closed session.
Regarding Item 19, Mayor Rhodes made a motion as follows: that the City
Manager be authorized to execute documents settling City of Corpus Christi v. W.T.
Young Construction Col, et al, No. 92-3102-D, 105th District Court, Nueces County,
Texas, in accordance with the settlement negotiated by staff, whereby W.T. Young will
perform additional work placing filter cloth and rock in specified areas and provide a one-
year warranty thereon, the City will pay $289,600 upon completion thereof out of funds
withheld by City on the original project, other claims are released, and other incidental
provisions are included as negotiated. The motion was seconded by Council Member
Martin.
Mr. Martin confirmed with Mr. Garza that the proposed solution was acceptable to
the city's outside design marine engineer, and that the dispute was resolved totally within
the original funding, with no additional expense to the city.
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Regular Council Meeting
July 26, 1994
Page 15
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes on the motion, and it
passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin,
McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye." (M94-213)
Mayor Rhodes called for the City Manager's report. Mr. Garza outlined items to
be considered during the August 9, 1994 meeting: first reading of the ordinance adopting
the tax rate for 1994; discussion of the old County Courthouse; the James Caplin zoning
case (No. 694-5); and consideration of the proposed Bay Area Business Alliance.
Mayor Rhodes called for Council concerns and reports.
Council Member Best urged the Council and residents to listen to KTSA radio in
San Antonio regarding their water shortage. He commended the Council for their
farsightedness in trying to find future water supplies for the Corpus Christi area. He noted
that one of the main goals emerging from Vision 2000 is an adequate water supply for
this area.
Council Member Cooper asked if the traffic lanes on Everhart Road from
Wooldridge to Saratoga still under construction could be widened, and Mr. Garza
responded that the construction should be completed soon. She added that Puerto Rico
is also experiencing a severe water shortage. She also encouraged citizens to participate
in the Vision 2000 process as neighborhood meetings are held throughout the city.
Council Member Martin requested a weekly status report of the water levels in
Lake Corpus Christi with an explanation of the related conditions.
Council Member Galindo asked if the Council needed to take a position on how
NAFTA would affect local highways, and Mayor Rhodes said that a discussion on the
issue would be forthcoming.
Council Member McNichols noted that the problem of the brown tide in the Laguna
Madre is worsening, and several state and federal agencies will be meeting soon to try
to find a solution. He said that after the meetings are held and a report is brought back
to the Council, the Council could consider approaching the Environmental Protection
Agency for funds with which to fight the brown tide problem.
Council Member Longoria stated that the citizens who live in the area around
Mayfield Drive spoke favorably about the employees of Garrett Construction Company
and the city staff, particularly Wende Holbert, Construction Inspector 11 in the Engineering
Department. Mrs. Longoria also noted that there is a problem of high weeds at the
entrance to a subdivision behind the Sam Kane plant.
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Regular Council Meeting
July 26, 1994
Page 16
Council Member Moss requested an update of the industrial district contracts
situation.
Mayor Rhodes stated that she would be attending a hearing in Washington, D.C.,
next week regarding two bills the city has introduced on the Choke Canyon debt.
Mayor Rhodes called for petitions from the audience.
Mr. John Tanguma, 4201 River Hill, president of the Corpus Christi Firefighters
Association Local 936, highlighted repairs which the firefighters do to reduce costs. He
also emphasized the need for more firefighters, fire stations and ambulances, and for
higher wages.
Responding to a question from Mayor Rhodes regarding the status of the
negotiations with firefighters, Mr. Garza stated that the negotiations had reached an
impasse, and the next step would be fact-finding, which should begin in September.
Mayor Rhodes emphasized that despite impressions to the contrary, the Council is not
just sitting on the issue; rather, the Council is waiting for information from the fact finders
before it can proceed. Mr. Martin verified with Mr. Bray that the firefighters made a formal
request to invoke the fact-finding provisions of their contract, which means the city has
to go to fact finding as well.
Mr. Leon Perez, 904 Buford, commented about the hiring of two new neighborhood
inspectors, and the new telecommunciations company that is considering moving to
Corpus Christi.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Rhodes
declared the Council Meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m. on July 26, 1994.