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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 11/01/1994I 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 November 1, 1994, which were approved by the City Council on November 15, 1994. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 16th day of November, 1994. Armando Chapa City Secretary SEAL MtC4iOEILMEA'i MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1994 2 p.m. PRESENT Mayor Mary Rhodes Mayor Pro Tem Clif Moss Council Members: Dr. Jack Best Melody Cooper Cezar Galindo Betty Jean Longoria Edward Martin Dr. David McNichols David Noyola ABSENT City Manager Juan Garza Deputy City Manager Bill Hennings 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 Rev. Christos P. Matos, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 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 October 25, 1994, and there being no corrections, she proclaimed them approved as presented. Mayor Rhodes referred to the Board and Committee appointments on the day's agenda and the following appointments were made: Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1994 Page 2 Citizens Advisory Health Board Judy Baker Landmark Commission Edwin Goodman - Reappointed Joe Williams Leslie Mabrey - Advisory Library Board Elia Gutierrez JoAnn Carpenter Dr. Jean Richardson Spencer Pearson Vera McGonigle Inez Adams - Advisory Lilas Hammerick - Advisory Museum of Science and History Ruth O'Brien - Reappointed C.W. Carpenter Linda Evans -Herndon Mary G. Longoria Parks & Recreation Advisory Comm. Robert Gross Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 1, recommendations concerning the Columbus Fleet. Mr. Alex Harris, Chairman of the Columbus Fleet Task Force for the Corpus Christi Bay Area Business Alliance, reviewed the presentation he had given during the October 25, 1994 Council meeting regarding a proposed plan for the relocation of the replicas of Columbus' three ships. One of the elements of the plan involves expanding the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History by 10,000 square feet to house the "Seeds of Change" exhibit, which commemorates the Quincentenary and is a natural tie-in to the Columbus fleet display. Another aspect is to reduce the number of board members of the Columbus Fleet Association to nine and to hire an executive director and/or development director. Mr. Harris also reviewed the financial elements of the proposed plan, including selling $3.9 million in certificates of obligation for the museum expansion and to build two ship parks --the Santa Maria Park (land-based) and the Nina Park (next to the water). The Pinta will be initially located in the Santa Maria Park while it is being repaired, and then it will be moved to the Nina Park, where both the Nina and the Pinta will be sailed periodically. Mr. Harris noted that one of the concerns raised during the last Council meeting was the feasibility of locating the ships on North Beach between the Lexington Museum on the Bay and the Texas State Aquarium. He said that proposal would cost approximately $10.8 million and the debt service would be $1 million a year, as opposed Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1994 Page 3 to a debt service of $300,000 under the plan currently being considered. The plan being proposed by the Columbus Fleet Task Force also calls for revenues from the Museum of Science and History to be pledged toward the museum expansion; and, if the plan is adopted, the resulting increased visitor revenues would eventually pay for the cost of constructing the two ship parks. Addressing the concern about support for the project, Mr. Harris reiterated that Mr. Rafael Mazarrasa, President of the Spain '92 Foundation, is fully aware of the proposal and endorses it, as do the Friends of the Museum, and Mr. Stern Feinberg, Managing Partner of the Best Western Sandy Shores Hotel on North Beach. Responding to Council Member Cooper, Mr. Harris reviewed the proposal of placing the ships on North Beach. He noted that although the location might be desirable, there just is not enough money to build the necessary infrastructure at that site. Mrs. Cooper said she supported the plan to locate the ships next to the Museum of Science and History. Council Member McNichols questioned the viability of the proposed financial plan for the Columbus Fleet, expressing concern that if the visitor count was not as high as was projected, then the city, through the taxpayers, would end up paying the debt. Dr. McNichols also asked why the museum expansion had not been constructed separately from the proposed fleet display, and Deputy City Manager Hennings replied that without the combination of both the ships and the "Seeds of Change" exhibit, planners did not think there would be enough visitor revenue to support the museum expansion project. Mr. Tom Utter, Group Manager for Development Services, added that the present location of the Columbus ships near the museum has already increased the museum's revenue by $75,000 since last year. In order to finance the expansion, revenues would have to increase to $90,000, and Mr. Utter said that is expected to occur. Responding to another question from Dr. McNichols, Mr. Harris stated that the three Columbus fleet replicas are insured for $3 million as part of the contract with the Spain '92 Foundation. He said that if a hurricane were threatening the Coastal Bend, the Santa Maria and Pinta --already on land --would be protected by the sea wall, and the Nina would be taken farther up the ship channel. Mr. Harris added that the new nine -member board may consider adding loss -of -revenues insurance as well. Council Member Best asked if a new contract with the Spain '92 Foundation would have to be negotiated in order for the project to begin, and Mr. Harris replied that it would. He added that the proposed plan is the only plan being presented to Mr. Mazarrasa and to the City Council. Upon verification from Mr. Utter, Council Member Martin stated that the proposed $3.9 million financing package would not be competing with Capital Improvement 7 Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1994 Page 4 Program funds, but would be derived from visitor revenues to both the ships and the museum, as well as hotel/motel tax revenues. Council Member Longoria stated that she supported the proposed plan because it would benefit the residents of this area as well as visitors. As she had stated during the last Council meeting, Mayor Rhodes emphasized that the city's reputation is on the line and it cannot afford to let the Columbus ships fall into financial ruin. Responding to Council Member Galindo, Mr. Harris stated that the only location that allows for all three of the replicas to be in the water permanently is on North Beach, which the Columbus Fleet Task Force determined was not financially viable. He said there was a brief discussion about dredging the marina near the museum in order to place all three ships there, but that proposal was not feasible either. Mr. Galindo also asked about the ticket price to tour the museum and view the ships display, and Mr. Harris said that in order to meet the financial projections, the fleet's portion of a combined ticket price would have to be at least $3.30 each. Mr. Utter added that there probably will also be separate tickets sold to view the museum alone and the ships alone. Mr. Galindo asked staff to respond to information contained in a report written in June 1992 by Mr. Rick Stryker, President of the Columbus Fleet Association and Museum Director, to City Manager Garza. Mr. Utter stated that some of the information in that memo had changed in the intervening two years, including the fact that the operating costs of the ships had decreased. In response to Dr. McNichols' question, Mr. Hennings stated that the museum expansion would be supported by increased revenues generated by the expansion and by the Columbus Fleet. He said if the planned revenues are not generated, then the city would be responsible for the construction debt on the museum expansion. Mrs. Cooper stated that she would hate to lose the Columbus ships after all of the effort and expense it took to acquire them from Spain and to acquire the "Seeds of Change" exhibit from the Smithsonian Institute. Mayor Rhodes reemphasized that having the Santa Maria and the Pinta on land would provide a more enriching experience for visitors as they can view much more of the ships. Referring to an earlier comment by Dr. McNichols, Mr. Harris cited a study indicating that tying the "Seeds of Change" exhibit to the Columbus Fleet would produce a visitor count of 200,000 a year. He added that the company conducting that study was the same one which conducted studies for the Lexington and the Texas State Aquarium. Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1994 Page 5 Responding to Mr. Galindo, Mr. Harris described plans for a road leading to the Army Corps of Engineers building next to the museum. Mr. Harris then asked those people present who supported the proposed plan to stand. Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience. Mr. Jim Moloney, 3435 Ocean Dr., said he has been involved with the Columbus Fleet and the Friends of the Museum for many years and he supports both endeavors. He informed the Council that Southwestern Bell Foundation recently committed $10,000 to the Columbus Fleet to help repay its debt, and two other supporters have pledged $10,000 each for at least $30,000 of debt payment by the end of the year. In addition, he continued, the 1995 Southwestern Bell Telephone Directory will have the Columbus Fleet on the front cover, which will be distributed in April 1995. Mr. Fernando Iglesias, 3110 Southern Sun, stated that he was a member of the delegation which went to Madrid, Spain, to negotiate the acquisition of the Columbus ships. He gave several reasons why Corpus Christi was chosen as the site to display the ships, including the city's strong Hispanic heritage and the dedication of many Corpus Christi residents. He noted that the ships are a cultural, historical and economical exchange between Corpus Christi and Spain, and thanked Mr. Dusty Durrill, Mayor Rhodes and Mr. Harris for their commitment to the project. Mr. Bernard Paulson, 5310 Greenbriar, said he viewed the Columbus Fleet as an economic development project which enhances tourism and strengthens this city's ties to Spain. He added that the "Seeds of Change" exhibit will be an educational benefit to the area's children. Mr. Foster Edwards, 118 Alta Plaza, recounted how while in Dallas one weekend he encountered a man from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who said he had heard that Corpus Christi was going to lose the Columbus ships. Mr. Edwards said he felt the proposed plan to keep the ships was well thought out and he encouraged the Council to support it. Mayor Rhodes added that she had heard the same comments about losing the ships during a recent meeting in Austin. Ms. Linda Pate, 241 Bayside Dr., said she had met with the Smithsonian Institute about acquiring the "Seeds of Change" exhibit for the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History. She said the proposal of tying the exhibit with the Columbus Fleet display is very viable and could be very successful. Mr. Rudy Gonzales, 15814 Punta Espada, emphasized that the Columbus ships are sailing ships and should not be land-based, noting that sailors are being taught how to sail them. He said he hoped the plan included keeping two of the ships in the water and allowing them to sail in the bay, which is a truly unique experience. He said his only disappointment at this time is that Spanish officials are not involved in the decision- making process. Mayor Rhodes reiterated that two of the ships (the Nina and the Pinta) Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1994 Page 6 will be water-based, and that Mr. Mazarrasa approved of the plan. Mr. Mark Meyer, 465 Miramar, President of the Friends of the Museum board, described some of the exhibits the museum has acquired in recent years. He said the board unanimously voted to support the proposed site of the Columbus Fleet next to the museum which, when completed, will be a world-class exhibit. Mr. Rick Adams, 1023 Whispering Sands, said he recently moved to Corpus Christi to open a branch of a mortgage company. He said the city's many tourist attractions, including the Columbus ships, were one of the deciding factors in choosing to expand into Corpus Christi. He added that the Texas Association of Realtors will hold their state convention in this city again in 1995. Ms. Janet Rice, 118 Southern St., stated that she felt the proposed plan was immature and needed refinement, and asked that the Santa Maria be water-based as well. She said that the process of developing the proposed plan was not inclusive, calling the plan a "drastic solution" to a management problem, adding that despite not having a marketing budget, the ships were still very popular with visitors. She also distributed copies of an article about the ships by the Coastal Bend Sun. Mr. Eric Hansen, 1617 Ocean Dr., a retired merchant seaman, said that all three Columbus ships should be together in the water and not land-based. Ms. Frances Nichols, who volunteers time on the Columbus ships, said the ships should be located in the bay, or on North Beach, and not by the museum. She stated that the ships' sails can only be raised on a limited basis because of their strength. She raised the question of whether the ships can be located on North Beach with construction completed in phases. Mr. Harris replied that phasing in the project would not generate the necessary visitor count of 175,000 people per year for the endeavor to be successful. He added that such costs as dredging the bay on North Beach could not be accomplished in phases. Mayor Rhodes added that although many people thought North Beach was the ideal site, it was cost -prohibitive to locate the ships there. Mrs. Candace Moloney, 3435 Ocean Dr., described fundraising activities for the Columbus ships. Ms. Shirley Mims, 3613 Brushwood, and a member of the Columbus Fleet Task Force, said the city owes it to the residents to display the "Seeds of Change" exhibit and to make the ships' display successful. She briefly recounted Mr. Mazarrasa's comments to the task force members, noting that he supported making the Santa Maria land-based. Mr. Peter Davidson, a marine surveyor and sailmaker, said that the whole community needs to pull together and formulate a good plan for the Columbus Fleet. He added that he would like to see all three replicas sailing because they are only three or four years old. Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1994 Page 7 City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 1. RESOLUTION NO. 022079 Resolution endorsing the recommendations of the Columbus Fleet Task Force and expressing the intention of the City Council of the City of Corpus Christi to adopt all measures necessary to implement the Task Force recommendations. The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Longoria, Martin, and Moss voting "Aye"; Galindo, McNichols and Noyola voting "No." Mayor Rhodes called for a five-minute recess. Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 2, daytime curfew ordinance. The Mayor said she had received many calls from concerned citizens asking that the daytime curfew be adopted, although some did raise questions about it. She suggested that the Council adopt the curfew, have the Corpus Christi Commission on Children and Youth hold a public hearing to address the questions, and then, if need be, amend the daytime curfew accordingly. Council Member Martin noted that Municipal Court Chief Judge Rudy Tamez, through a report in the Council members' packets, had described the disposition of nighttime curfew violations. Mr. Martin said that the daytime curfew is intended to be one of the tools to deal with truancy and delinquency --that it needs to be accompanied by counseling programs and other programs. Referring to statements made about Nueces County's DARE drug -prevention program, Mr. Martin emphasized that the city's DARE program is not underfunded and not in danger of being eliminated. Council Member McNichols asked if one of the defenses contained in the curfew regarding interstate travel applied to intrastate travel as well. City Attorney Bray said it does not include intrastate travel. He added that when a police officer encounters a juvenile from another city in Corpus Christi during the times of the curfew, he can make inquiries and use his judgement concerning the situation. Quoting from the proposed ordinance, Council Member Cooper noted that "before making an arrest under this article, a peace officer shall inquire of the apparent offender his age and reason for being in the public place, and will not arrest or issue a citation unless the officer reasonably believes that an offense has occurred, and that, based on any response and other circumstances, that one of the defenses in (c) is not present." Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1994 Page 8 Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience. Mrs. Grace Rank, 3446 Flour Bluff Dr., Chairperson of the Commission on Children and Youth, said she had received several questions about the daytime curfew. She said the Commission asked that the Council delay voting on the second reading of the proposed ordinance until after the Commission's public hearing on November 14, 1994. Mrs. Rank described some of the questions raised about the proposal: are the defenses and exceptions to the ordinance too narrowly defined, what is the definition of guardians, how will the ordinance's effectiveness be judged, and what are some of the other ways that juvenile crime can ultimately be prevented. She added that it was important for the public to support the proposed ordinance. Mayor Rhodes noted that two public hearings had already been held on the proposal --during the first reading on October 25, 1994 and during the day's meeting. Referring to the question of siblings acting as guardians, City Attorney Bray stated that a parent can entrust a child to be with someone 21 years of age or older, including a sibling, but not someone who is under 21. Mayor Rhodes then asked if a minor, accompanied by someone over 21, could be in a public place during school hours without a legitimate excuse, and Mr. Bray said the minor could not. Mr. Martin pointed out that eight of the nine defenses pertaining to the curfew ordinance currently exist, and the new defense is permissive rather than prohibitive. He added that basically the change involves taking the current nighttime curfew and expanding it into daytime, school hours. Mr. Martin also commended Police Chief Henry Garrett for educating the public about the need for the proposed ordinance. Mrs. Rank replied that it was important for the ordinance to serve not only a legal purpose but also a public education purpose. Mayor Rhodes reiterated that even though the second reading vote would be taken during the day's meeting, the ordinance could still be amended again. Council Member Noyola stated that the ordinance should be passed because it was overdue. He said many of his constituents had indicated their full support of the proposal. Mrs. Cooper also requested that the Council approve the ordinance during the day's meeting. Council Member Longoria thanked Chief Garrett and Judge Tamez for the information they provided. She also encouraged the school board of the Corpus Christi Independent School District to address the issue of closed campuses. Responding to Mayor Rhodes, Chief Garrett said he would provide data to Mrs. Rank concerning crimes being committed during school hours. Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1994 Page 9 Mr. Phil Rosenstein, 949 Bobalo, stated that the ordinance would help deter potential delinquent behavior, and he said the public hearing would help disseminate information. Mr. Philip Rhoades, 4522 Carlow Dr., an advisory member of the Commission on Children and Youth, stated that an important exception is absent from the proposed ordinance --the exception in exercising First Amendment rights. He also cited two publications which discuss similar daytime curfews in other cities, saying that Corpus Christi's proposed ordinance falls short for several reasons. He added that statistics indicate that juvenile crime will decrease during the time of the curfew. However, in other cities with a similar curfew, a displacement of juvenile crime has occurred, where juvenile crime has increased between the end of the daytime curfew and the onset of the nighttime curfew. Despite this trend, Mr. Rhoades added, one advantage is that juvenile victimization is decreased with a daytime curfew. Referring to Mr. Rhoades' comments, Mr. Bray responded that the issue of parents and businesses is addressed separately in additional sections of the City Code, not within the particular ordinance being amended. He said that with respect to parents, it is a violation of the law for a parent with criminal negligence to allow a child to violate the curfew; with respect to a business establishment, it is an offense for the establishment to knowingly allow the child on the premises in violation of the curfew. Mr. Bray stated that regarding the particular exceptions that are within the ordinance, this ordinance does not specify First Amendment activities in general --some of the other ordinances do specify that. However, this ordinance, within the exceptions, allows a broad area of First Amendment activities by juveniles, which he feels are constitutionally sufficient. He added that the proposed ordinance is modeled on recent cases and would be upheld in court if challenged. Mayor Rhodes noted that she had recently returned from the Texas Municipal League conference and a meeting with mayors from other Texas cities, who indicated their overwhelming support for daytime curfews. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 2. ORDINANCE NO. 022080 Amending Section 33-40, of Corpus Christi's Code of Ordinances, to establish a curfew for minors between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on school days; adopting certain exceptions; providing penalties for violation; 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." Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1994 Page 10 Council Member Best asked when the ordinance would take effect, and Mr. Bray replied that it was effective upon publication in the newspaper on Monday, November 7, 1994. Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 3, interlocal agreement with Kleberg County pertaining to dune protection. Mr. Utter explained that Kleberg County Commissioners Court had unanimously approved the dune protection and permitting delegation, affecting the area from the city limits of Corpus Christi south to the Padre Island National Seashore, about 1,000 feet back. He added that staff is not anticipating any permitting there but the agreement is in place just in case. Responding to Council Member Best, Mr. Utter said that as soon as Nueces County receives approval for its Coastal Management Plan, they will also consider the issue of delegating dune protection and permitting activities to 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: 3. M94-292 Motion authorizing the City Manager to execute an Interlocal Agreement with Kleberg County delegating to the City of Corpus Christi authority to administer Chapter 63 of the Texas Natural Resources Code pertaining to dune protection within the City limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City within Kleberg County. 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 4, two escrow agreements with the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT). Mr. Carl Crull, Group Manager for Public Works and Utilities, said that TXDOT has received bids for the first phase of Holly Road improvements from Ayers to Everhart and will be starting work within the next 60 to 90 days. He said the two proposed escrow agreements are for roadway items and for utility adjustments. Mr. Crull added that the state anticipates receiving bids on the second phase of Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1994 Page 11 Holly Road improvements (from Everhart to Rodd Field) in August 1995, with completion in the latter part of 1997. Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 4. M94-293 Motion authorizing the City Manager to execute two escrow agreements with the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), one in the amount of $1,213,000 as the City's share of the roadway improvements, and one in the amount of $770,589.93 as the estimated costs of utility (water and wastewater) relocations, replacements, and adjustments associated with the Holly Road Street Improvement Project. 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 5, national tree planting grant. Mr. Malcolm Matthews, Director of Park and Recreation, said this is the second year of a three-year grant program involving the city, the Small Business Administration, and the Texas Forest Service. He said the next grant period will probably be submitted in spring 1995 for approximately $30,000. Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 5. M94-294 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a grant agreement (and other agreements associated with the grant agreement) with the Texas Forest Service to receive assistance from the Small Business Administration National Tree Planting Program for $61,000 which includes $30,000 in federal funds and $31,000 in City match to plant trees in public parks. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye." Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1994 Page 12 Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 6, change order pertaining to Waldron Road improvements. Mr. Crull explained that the proposed change order dates back to approximately a year ago when problems surfaced with portions of the concrete channel liner on Channel A, and in August 1993 a change order was initiated to make some modifications to the ditch liner. Subsequently, staff has reevaluated the plans for that project, and are proposing the deductive change order. Council Member Moss said he was pleased that the change order was deductive, and asked when the contract would be completed. Mr. Crull responded that the full roadway should be completed this month. Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 6. M94-295 Motion authorizing Change Order No. 6 to the contract with Haas -Anderson Construction, Inc. for improvements to Waldron Road which would decrease the contract amount by $86,225.75. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. Mayor Rhodes called for consideration of consent motions, resolutions, ordinances and ordinances from previous meetings on Items 7.a. and 7.b., adding that Item 8 on the consent agenda was being pulled. Council members had no comments or questions on Item 7. Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following were passed: 7.a. ORDINANCE NO. 022081 Ordinance appropriating $39,870 from the No. 245 Airport Capital Improvement Fund as the Federal Aviation Administration's estimated participation for the construction of sanitary sewer improvements to serve the Airport Rescue and Firefighting Facility (ARFF) (Grant No. AIP 3-48-0051-19). Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1994 Page 13 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." 7.b. M94-296 Motion awarding a construction contract subject to Federal Aviation Administration approval in the amount of $37,500 to Bay, Inc. for ARFF sanitary sewer improvements. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye." 8. WITHDRAWN Mayor Rhodes called for the City Manager's report. Deputy City Manager Hennings stated that the contractor on the Mayfield Drive street improvement project went into bankruptcy and work was stopped. He said the bonding company has selected another contractor to complete that project, possibly by the end of January 1995. He said items scheduled for the November 15, 1994 Council meeting included a Workforce Development Corporation meeting, a possible discussion on the industrial district agreements, the Tee One Up zoning case, and possibly actions pertaining to the Columbus ships. In her report, the Mayor stated that her recent meetings with the other mayors were very productive, noting in particular that another city's ordinance banning alcohol in public parks was upheld in court. Another topic discussed by the mayors concerned casino gambling, specifically ensuring that any proposed legislation would provide for adequate revenues to cover cities' infrastructure costs. In addition, Mayor Rhodes said that during the Texas Municipal League board meeting, the members received a draft document from Mr. John Hall, the director of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), requesting input from cities on his proposed reorganization plan for that agency. Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1994 Page 14 Mayor Rhodes called for Council concerns and reports. Council Member Martin commented about the status of casino gambling legislation, and the Mayor stated that she was told that actual legislation had not yet been introduced into the Texas Legislature. She said she was concerned that the "starting draft" of the legislation was written by the gambling industry. Mr. Martin added that with regard to the discussion of the Columbus ships, it is not the function of Mr. Stryker and the staff of the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History to operate those ships. He also suggested that the Corpus Christi Housing Finance Corporation be used as an interim funding source for some of the planning funds for the Columbus fleet, so it is clear that no tax dollars were involved in that project. He asked that that issue be placed on the agenda of the next Council meeting. Council Member Moss asked if TXDOT could expedite the Holly Road improvements, and Mr. Crull replied that TXDOT has already compressed the time frames on Phase I of the project. Due to the time frames for state funding and revenues, Phase II will not begin to be implemented until August 1995. Council Member Cooper praised the efforts of neighbors in Greenfields by the Bay for their participation in neighborhood activities. She encouraged citizens to contact Mrs. Mary Beth Nelson about establishing a Neighborhood Association in their own neighborhood. Mayor Rhodes stated that she had named Mrs. Nelson to a committee pertaining to Neighborhood Associations, and asked Mrs. Cooper to chair it. Council Member Best announced the next Consolidation Task Force meeting would be held at City Hall on Friday, November 4, 1994. Responding to Mr. Martin, Dr. Best stated that the dune protection issue had previously been discussed at consolidation meetings. Council Member Longoria suggested that Ms. Joan Morgan, 10921 Mayfield, serve on the Neighborhood Association Committee as well. In addition, Mrs. Longoria requested information regarding water pressure problems on Villa Drive, and a report on the recent Tejano Music Festival. Council Member Noyola requested an update on the litigation concerning the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority, and the status of the sports district. Mr. Martin commented that the sports district would be addressed at an upcoming meeting. Mayor Rhodes called for petitions from the audience. Mr. John Tanguma, 4201 River Hill Dr., reported that 17% of the members of the local firefighters union had taken a vote of confidence on Fire Chief J.J. Adame and voted Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 1, 1994 Page 15 against him. He said the union was requesting 50 more firefighters, two additional fire stations with fire trucks, two more ambulances, and six brand new brush trucks. He said lack of adequate manpower and equipment was causing injuries. Mr. Tanguma also stated that Chief Adame had not brought those concerns to the City Manager and the Council. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Rhodes declared the Council Meeting adjourned at 5:02 p.m. on November 1, 1994.