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:
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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
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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
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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
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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."
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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).
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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.
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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.