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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 11/22/1994I 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 22, 1994, which were approved by the City Council on November 29, 1994. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 30th day o November, 1994. Armando Chapa City Secretary SEAL MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS Regular Council Meeting November 22, 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 ABSENT Dr. David McNichols David Noyola City Manager Juan Garza Assistant City Attorney Alison Gallaway City Secretary Armando Chapa Mayor Rhodes called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The invocation was delivered by Rev. Michael Moreno, St. John's Lutheran, following which the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States was led by Council Member Galindo. 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 November 15, 1994, and there being no corrections, she proclaimed them approved as presented. Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 1, a presentation on the Veterans Band's recent trip to Washington, D.C. Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 22, 1994 Page 2 Mr. Ram Chavez, Musical Director of the Veterans Band, presented Council Members with a packet which included copies of programs distributed in Washington, D.C. and letters from citizens throughout the U.S., including Jan Scruggs, President of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, and Governor Ann Richards. Mr. Louis Bazaldua, an employee of the U.S. Postal Service and a member of the Veterans Band, noted that the packet of information also contained a special envelope with stamps honoring Vietnam Veterans that are out of circulation and a designation of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., as a Veterans Band Station. Council Member Moss commended the Veterans Band, and Mr. Chavez, for their role as ambassadors for the city of Corpus Christi. Council Member Longoria also thanked Mr. Chavez and the band members for their efforts, and she recognized Mrs. Janie Chavez, who was present at the meeting. Responding to a question from Mrs. Longoria, Mr. Chavez said that the band's bus is in need of repair, so the band members carpool to their many different performances throughout the year. Council Member Galindo read a letter from Council Member Noyola, who was not able to attend the day's meeting. In the letter Mr. Noyola stated that he had accompanied the Veterans Band on their trip to Washington and commended them for their ongoing musical contributions. He also proposed that the city budget approximately $65,000 a year to help pay the band's expenses, and investigate the possibility of letting the band use the old Park and Recreation building on Belden Street as their "home base." Mr. Galindo added that he supported Mr. Noyola's suggestions concerning the band. Mayor Rhodes said she would fully support the Veterans Band's application for funding through the Municipal Arts Commission. Mrs. Longoria agreed that the Municipal Arts Commission would be a more appropriate funding source than the General Fund. Mayor Rhodes added that there are many groups worthy of funding and it would not be possible to fund them all through property tax revenues. Mr. Chavez replied that he would be willing to pursue those funding options. A brief discussion then ensued regarding the condition of the old Park and Recreation building. Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 2, Texas State Aquarium expansion project. Mr. Tom Utter, Group Manager of Development Services, explained that the proposal was to authorize the execution and submission of a public works application to the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the aquarium's expansion project. Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 22, 1994 Page 3 Mr. Utter said the expansion would substantially enhance the aquarium. Mr. John Hendricks, Executive Director of the Texas State Aquarium, gave a slide presentation showing the planned expansion of that facility. He said the proposal is to build a 76,500 -square -foot Conservation Pavilion featuring sea turtle and river otter live animal exhibits. He said through leveraging, the aquarium has raised the required $650,000 match for the EDA grant. Responding to Council Member Galindo, Mr. Hendricks stated that the new exhibit would lengthen visitors' time in the aquarium by at least an hour and 20 minutes. He said an expansion of the snack bar and the children's playground will also increase visitors' time spent there. Following Council Member Moss' question, Mr. Hendricks reiterated that no tax dollars would be spent on the expansion --the funds are already available through donations. Council Member Cooper commended Mr. Hendricks, his staff, and the aquarium trustees for their efforts in raising the funds. The Mayor also commented on the quality of the aquarium. Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience. Mr. Abel Alonzo, 1701 Thames, said he supported the aquarium's expansion, and asked what would be the estimated number of visitors with the new project. Mr. Hendricks responded that the estimate is a net of 100,000 visitors a year, which, over a five-year period, would generate approximately 2,000 jobs, with an estimated $18 million flowing into the local economy. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 2. RESOLUTION NO. 022086 Resolution authorizing the execution and submission to the Economic Development Administration of a Public Works Application pertaining to the Texas State Aquarium Expansion Project. The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, and Moss voting "Aye"; McNichols and Noyola absent. Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 3, parking meter rate revision on Mesquite Street. Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 22, 1994 Page 4 Responding to Council Member Martin, City Manager Garza stated that the proposed parking meter change was at the request of the businesses in the area of Mesquite Street. Mr. David Seiler, City Traffic Engineer, said the Heart of Corpus Christi had not approved the proposal, and Mr. Martin expressed concern that that organization had not been contacted. Mr. Garza said he would have staff communicate with Heart of Corpus Christi officials before the second reading of the ordinance. Mr. Martin also questioned the feasibility of the proposed meter rate revisions, when citizens are currently parking for free in some areas of downtown. Council Member Moss said he thought the city should be eliminating parking meters rather than changing them or adding to them. Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience. Mr. George Moff, Chief Appraiser for the Nueces County Tax Appraisal District, noted that his office recently relocated to a building on Chaparral and John Sartain streets, and there is inadequate parking for the 100 appraisal district employees and customers. He said currently it was less expensive for the employees to utilize all -day parking lots rather than the closer city parking meters. In response to Mr. Moss, Mr. Moff said there are plans to build a parking lot for the appraisal district employees in the future, although additional parking on the street will be needed. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 3. FIRST READING ORDINANCE Amending Code of Ordinances, Chapter 53 - Traffic, Section 53-257, Schedule VIII, Parking Meter Zones, Established, by (a) establishing a 5 -cents per hour parking meter zone along the west side of the 100 block and both sides of the 200 block of Mesquite Street, (b) converting 10 -hour parking meters to 2 -hour parking meters along the east side of the 100 block of Mesquite Street, and (c) converting 2 -hour parking meters to 10 -hour parking meters along the east side of the 200 block of Mesquite Street. The foregoing ordinance passed on first reading by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, and Moss voting "Aye"; McNichols and Noyola absent. Mayor Rhodes opened the public hearing on the following zoning case: Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 22, 1994 Page 5 4. Case No. 1293-2. Dorothy Wilde: A change of zoning from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District to "B-4" General Business District on 6.4 acres out of Lots 23 and 24, Section 5, Flour Bluff and Encina) Farm and Garden Tracts, located on the west side of S. Staples Street, approximately 260 feet south of Gateway Drive. Mayor Rhodes stated that the Planning Commission and staff recommended denial of the "B-4" District, and in lieu thereof, approval of a "B-1" District on the front 210 feet as measured from the centerline of S. Staples Street, and a Special Permit for mini - storage units for the area between 210 feet and 585 feet from the centerline of S. Staples Street subject to five (5) conditions. No one opposed the zoning change. Council Member Dr. Best made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Council Member Moss, and passed unanimously. Responding to Council Member Galindo, Group Manager Utter explained that the proposed special permit zoning for the mini -storage units will be contained within a specific area. Council Member Martin pointed out that it would be the responsibility of the developer of the land behind the subject property that is currently zoned "R-113" to provide access to that property. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 022087 Amending the Zoning Ordinance upon application by Dorothy Wilde, by granting a Special Permit for mini -storage unit uses on Lot 24, Section 5, Flour Bluff and Encinal Farm and Garden Tracts and lying between 210 feet and 585 feet from the centerline of S. Staples Street, subject to five (5) conditions; providing for publication. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, and Moss voting "Aye"; McNichols and Noyola absent. ORDINANCE NO. 022088 Amending the Zoning Ordinance upon application by Dorothy Wilde, by changing the Zoning Map in reference to Lot 24, Section 5, Flour Bluff and Encina) Farm and Garden Tracts and lying within 210 feet of the centerline of S. Staples Street from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District to "B-1" Neighborhood Business District; providing for publication. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 22, 1994 Page 6 vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, and Moss voting "Aye"; McNichols and Noyola absent. Mayor Rhodes called for consideration of consent motions, resolutions, ordinances and ordinances from previous meetings on Items 5 through 12, and Council Members requested that Items 6 and 10 be withheld for discussion. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following were passed: 5. M94-301 Motion approving the purchase, in accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -060-95, of one new Type 1, Class 1 Modular Ambulance, less trade-in, from Frazer, Inc., Houston, Texas, in the amount of $68,850; and one ambulance remount, Tess trade-in, from San Antonio Ambulance Co., San Antonio, in the amount of $37,913. Both awards are based on low bid. The equipment is budgeted by Emergency Medical Service, in the 1994-95 Capital Outlay as replacement. Total of awards is $106,763. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, and Moss voting "Aye"; McNichols and Noyola absent. 7. M94-303 Motion approving a supply agreement for dairy items which include approximately 140,000 - % pints of whole milk; 18,000 -' pints of butter milk; 25,000 - % pints of chocolate milk; and 60,000 - ' pints of skim milk in accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -0026-95 with Borden, Inc., Corpus Christi, Texas, based on low bid for an estimated annual expenditure of $38,023.10. The term of the agreement shall be for twelve months with an option to extend for up to an additional twelve months, subject to the approval of the supplier and the City Manager or his designee. These items will be used by Senior Community Services for the Elderly Nutrition Program. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, and Moss voting "Aye"; McNichols and Noyola absent. 8. M94-304 Motion approving a supply agreement for approximately 126 fire hydrants, ranging in size from 3' - 51', in accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -0046-95 with Mueller Co., San Antonio, Texas, based on low bid for an estimated annual expenditure Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 22, 1994 Page 7 of $63,462.88. The term of the agreement shall be for twelve months with an option to extend for up to an additional twelve months, subject to the approval of the supplier and the City Manager or his designee. These hydrants will be used by the Water Department. Funds are budgeted for FY 94-95 by the Water Department. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, and Moss voting "Aye"; McNichols and Noyola absent. 9. M94-305 Motion approving a supply agreement for approximately 204 tons of sodium chlorite solution in accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -0035-95 with International Dioxide, Inc., Clark, New Jersey, based on low bid meeting specifications for a total estimated annual expenditure of $479,400. The term of the supply agreement will be twelve months with option to extend for up to an additional twelve months subject to the approval of the supplier and the City Manager or his designee. This chemical is used by the Water Department for treatment of our water supply. Funds have been budgeted in FY 94-95. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, and Moss voting "Aye"; McNichols and Noyola absent. 11. ORDINANCE NO. 022090 Amending the Corpus Christi Zoning Ordinance, Article 4A, "F-R"/Farm-Rural District regulations, by deleting temporary outdoor advertising as an allowable use; Article 30, Changes and Amendments, by requiring a waiting period for filing a second zoning application when a previous application has been denied and providing a waiver process; Article 31, Newly Annexed Territory by deleting automatic zoning of property as "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District upon annexation and requiring that property be zoned upon annexation through public notice, public hearing, and City Council approval coincident with annexation proceedings. The foregoing ordinance passed on second reading by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, and Moss voting "Aye"; McNichols and Noyola absent. 12. ORDINANCE NO. 022091 Amending Code of Ordinances, Chapter 53 - Traffic, Section 53-252, Schedule III, Parking Prohibited at All times on Certain Streets, by prohibiting curbside parking on both sides of the following streets, at all times: Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 22, 1994 Page 8 a. Saratoga Boulevard (S.H. 357), between Staples Street and Rodd Field Road b. Rodd Field Road (S.H. 357), between The Mansions Drive and So. Padre Island Drive The foregoing ordinance passed on second reading by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, and Moss voting "Aye"; McNichols and Noyola absent. Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 6, purchase of motorized construction equipment. Council Member Martin asked if all of the pieces of equipment to be replaced will be disposed of, and City Manager Garza said they would, adding that he had not received any requests for extended use of the equipment. Responding to Mr. Martin's concerns about budget requests for equipment, Mr. F.D. Glenn, Purchasing Agent, listed the budgeted figures for the pieces of equipment, and stated that the requests would be shown in the background material in the future. Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 6. M94-302 Motion approving the purchase of motorized construction equipment in accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -002-95 from the following firms based on low bid, low bid meeting specifications, and only bid. The equipment is budgeted in the 1994-95 Capital Outlay as replacement equipment, and will be used by Water, Wastewater, and Gas departments. BC Equipment Company Coastal Plains Equipment Cornus Christi. Texas Corpus Christi, Texas 1 ea. Track Excavator 2 ea. Series III Tractor -Loader - $163,818 Backhoe $81,588 Preco Machinery Co. Waukesha -Pearce Ind. Corpus Christi, Texas Corpus Christi. Texas 1 ea. Series IV Tractor - 1 ea. Wheel Loader -Tool Loader -Backhoe Carrier 1 ea. Series IV Tractor - $72,023 Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 22, 1994 Page 9 Loader -Backhoe with Sideboom $121,929 GRAND TOTAL OF AWARDS - $439,358 The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, and Moss voting "Aye"; McNichols and Noyola absent. Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 10, an easement closure in the Ocean View Addition. Council Member Martin asked if state law required payment by a property owner for the closure of an easement, and Assistant City Attorney Gallaway stated that it did. Mr. Martin requested a copy of that portion of the law. Responding to another question from Mr. Martin, Mr. Carl Crull, Group Manager of Public Works and Utilities, explained that the value of an easement is determined by taking the fair market value of the adjacent property and apply a 50 percent factor to the easement. A brief discussion ensued regarding easements. In response to Council Member Galindo, Mr. Crull said that only a portion of the area's easement would be closed. Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 10. ORDINANCE NO. 022089 Ordinance closing and abandoning a 1,414.20 square foot portion of a 15 -foot wide by 94.28 -foot long utility easement in between Lots 10, 11, 12, & 13, Block 7, Ocean View Addition, subject to compliance with the specified conditions, and the owner agreeing replatting the property within 180 days at his expense. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, and Moss voting "Aye"; McNichols and Noyola absent. Mayor Rhodes called for the City Manager's report. Mr. Garza stated that proposed items for the November 29, 1994 meeting included: second reading of the Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 22, 1994 Page 10 industrial district agreements, presentation on the renovation of the airport terminal building, a presentation by the Air Service Task Force, resolution of notice of intent to issue certificates of obligation. Mr. Garza also noted that the Council members' packets included a detailed description of the proposed Thermal Energy Storage System for the Bayfront Arts and Sciences Park. Council Member Moss asked where the water storage tank would be located in the complex, and Mr. Garza responded that it would be west of Chaparral. Mr. Moss then asked if natural gas had been considered, and Mr. Garza stated that an extensive investigation into the possible use of natural gas was conducted; however, Central Power and Lights' (CPL) incentives outweighed the benefits of using natural gas. Mr. Garza added that in about 10 years the option to use natural gas can again be considered. Council Members Galindo and Best also expressed concem about contracting with CPL for the energy source, and Mr. Garza stated that the price difference between electric and natural gas energy sources was significant. Mayor Rhodes called for Council concerns and reports. Council Member Cooper stated that the first meeting of the Neighborhood Association Task Force was held on November 22, and the group plans to develop a model for neighborhood associations to use. Council Member Longoria invited citizens to attend performances by several groups of Mexican estudiantinas (folk singers) on November 26, 1994, co-sponsored by the Hispanic Arts Center, the city and Harbor Playhouse. Council Member Moss asked if portions of the Water Garden will be repaired, and Mr. Garza said he would provide a report. Mr. Moss also commented about street striping activity, and commended the improvements to the marina. Mr. Garza added that the interest rate for the recent lease/purchase agreements was fixed. Mr. Moss then announced that the Friends of the Library annual meeting would be held on November 27, 1994 at 2 p.m. at the Parkdale Branch Library, and Mr. Terrance McNally, playwright, would give the address. Mr. Garza added that in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, city offices would be closed November 24 and 25, and there would be no trash pick-up on those days. Mr. Garza also noted that during the November 15 Council meeting, the CPL rate reduction ordinance failed by a vote of four in favor and four against, and he intends to bring it back before the Council during the November 29 meeting as new business. Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 22, 1994 Page 11 Mayor Rhodes called for petitions from the audience. Mr. Dennis Raulie, 4930 High Meadow, distributed information to the Council about a company that reduces emissions from vehicles. City Manager Garza said he would consider the information if it has been reviewed and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Mr. R.F. Hasker, 1813 Wallace, questioned the vote taken on the CPL rate ordinance. Mayor Rhodes asked for clarification of the issue, and City Secretary Chapa said that the minutes indicate that Mr. Martin originally voted "Aye" on that item, and then after the result was announced, he changed his vote to "No," but the vote was recorded as four to four. The Mayor added that the City Manager can bring any item before the Council at any time. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Rhodes declared the Council Meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m. on November 22, 1994.