HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 03/21/1995I 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 March 21, 1995, which were approved by
the City Council on March 28, 1995.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 29th day of March, 1995.
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
SEAL
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MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
Regular Council Meeting
March 21, 1995
2 p.m.
PRESENT
Mayor Mary Rhodes
Mayor Pro Tem Edward Martin
Council Members:
Dr. Jack Best
Melody Cooper
Cezar Galindo
Betty Jean Longoria*
Clif Moss
Dr. David McNichols
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 Council Member Galindo, following which the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag of the United States was led by Council Member Moss.
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 March
14, 1995. Mr. Chapa noted that on page 4 of the minutes, the following sentence was added: "Mr.
Moss urged staff to make a united presentation to the Transportation Commission at either their
March or April meeting to seek funding for the interchange project." The Mayor then proclaimed
the minutes approved as corrected.
****ssss*+s+s
Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 1, Nueces County Juvenile Department Graffiti
Program.
Four employees with the Juvenile Department introduced themselves and discussed the
county's graffiti program: Mr. Joe Alley, Program Specialist; Mr. Rick Papageorge, Coordinator of
the Make Amends Program; Mr. Benito Salazar, Probation Department; and Mr. Kenneth Barrera,
Probation Department.
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 21, 1995
Page 2
Mayor Rhodes presented the men with a certificate of commendation for the Make Amends
Program, which provides a community service treatment program for victims, the community and
juvenile offenders. The most visible program, Operation Cover -Up, will rid more than 1,200 sites
of gang graffiti during 1995.
Mr. Papageorge said so far this year there have been over 340 sites of graffiti which have been
painted over, and there was a total of 614 sites painted over in 1994. Mr. Alley noted that Police
Chief Henry Garrett is currently drafting a graffiti ordinance to present to the Council in the next few
months to help combat graffiti. In addition to graffiti being ugly and annoying, Mr. Alley said it is
also an advertisement for gang activity.
Responding to Council Member Martin, City Manager Garza explained that although the
proposed graffiti ordinance has not been completed, it would establish some penalties for violations.
Mr. Alley said State Representative Vilma Luna has drafted legislation to make changes to probation
requirements regarding painting over graffiti.
Council Member Cooper asked how citizens could volunteer their time or supplies to fight
graffiti, and Mr. Papageorge said people could call him at 855-7303 for more information. He added
that many church and civic groups have already volunteered to help.
*Council Member Longoria arrived at the meeting at 2:10 p.m.
Council Member Moss commented that using people on probation to cover up graffiti is
appropriate since it assists the community in general.
Mrs. Longoria asked about instances where neighbors complain about graffiti on someone's
property but the property owner does not want to paint over it. Mr. Garza replied that the city
provides paint and volunteers to paint over graffiti, and citizens can call his office (880-3220) to
report graffiti. Mr. Alley added that the Juvenile Enforcement Team (JET) has been very effective
in identifying those graffiti sites which are of particular importance to certain rival gangs, and the
team paints over those sites as soon as they are vandalized.
Council Member Noyola thanked the Juvenile Department members for their efforts, adding
that more steps need to be taken to clean up neighborhoods. He suggested that possibly one day a
month be set aside for such a task, and proposed that the Crime Stoppers program target those who
engage in graffiti. In addition, he said inmates should be used to clean up graffiti.
Responding to Council Member Best, Mr. Alley said the JET team has staked out certain
graffiti -prone areas, but no arrests have been made yet. He said manpower and financial restrictions
make it difficult to stake out graffiti sites when other crimes are being committed at night.
Mayor Rhodes thanked the men for their enthusiastic endeavors. Mr. Alley replied that last
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Regular Council Meeting
March 21, 1995
Page 3
year the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges recognized the Make Amends
Program as the best social services program in the country.
*s+assr*rsrs*
Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 2, resolution regarding the agreed order for the
reservoir system.
City Manager Garza said the proposal before the Council consisted of the recommendations
of several scientists and others after extensive study of the existing interim order and related concerns.
He outlined some of the benefits of the plan over the interim order, including the fact that no stored
water would have to be released; and the firm yield of the reservoir system will be significantly
enhanced. He said staff strongly recommended the proposal.
Mr. James Dodson, Regional Water Director, showed charts comparing the projected
supply/demand of the reservoir system under the interim order versus the "pass-through" approach.
The pass-through approach will allow the city some additional time (until about the year 2010) to
continue to develop the future water supplies for the area.
He said the pass-through plan consists of measuring the inflows into Lake Corpus Christi from
the Nueces River watershed. A monthly target is established each month, which varies according to
the amount of water in storage; however, at no time will the amount of water passed through to the
estuaries be more than what flows into the reservoir system. Mr. Dodson explained that the inflow
to the reservoir system is calculated with a stream gauge located on the Nueces River near Three
Rivers. In addition, the amount of water from the Frio River that is captured in the Choke Canyon
reservoir is also taken into account.
Responding to Council Member Moss, Mr. Dodson said that the pass-through amount would
consist of what would have been the natural stream flow up to the established monthly target; the
excess above the monthly target would then be captured and stored for municipal use. Mr. Moss
expressed concern about the complicated language contained in the proposed agreed order, and
Mayor Rhodes noted that the agreed order contains legal terminology that can be confusing but is
necessary for the order.
Mr. Dodson went on to say that the next step in implementing the pass-through plan is to file
a motion with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) asking them to
replace the current interim order (which was issued on March 9, 1992) with the proposed document.
The Nueces Estuary Advisory Council wholeheartedly endorsed the concept and recommended to
the TNRCC that it adopt the new agreed order. Mr. Dodson added that staff is hoping the TNRCC
will make a decision about the proposed agreed order in April so that the plan can be implemented
prior to the May and June freshwater releases.
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 21, 1995
Page 4
In addition to being endorsed by the Nueces Estuary Advisory Council, Mr. Dodson said the
city's proposal has also been approved by the Nueces River Authority and the Port of Corpus Christi
Authority, as well as other organizations.
Council Member McNichols pointed out that soon after the agreed order was implemented
in March 1992, it was determined that the amount of the required freshwater releases was too high
and a long, involved process ensued to negotiate a new agreed order. He added that during this
process, a spirit of cooperation has developed among city officials, scientific experts hired to study
this issue and environmental groups. They have all worked diligently to accomplish two major goals:
that the consumers in this area have an adequate water supply under this plan, and that the health of
the bays and estuaries is protected.
Dr. McNichols added that the pass-through plan allows about a 50% recovery of the amount
of water that was available to the area to use that had to be released under the current plan. The 50%
recovery amount also includes the city's intent to reroute wastewater effluent into the Nueces Delta,
the pilot project of which is underway.
Responding to Council Member Cooper, Mr. Dodson said a drought contingency plan has
been in effect with the current interim order.
Council Member Best emphasized that despite the savings of water that would be realized
under the new agreed order, the city still needs to secure a future water supply. Mr. Dodson
concurred that this plan makes better use of the existing resources, but it does not replace the need
for additional water. He added that the plan does not change the operating policy of Lake Corpus
Christi; rather, it would probably prevent the lake from being drawn down as quickly at times.
In response to questions from Council Member Martin, Mr. Dodson said the proposed agreed
order, if approved by the TNRCC, would replace the current interim order. In addition, the agreed
order containing the pass-through plan would not have an expiration date nor a review date. Mr.
Martin expressed concern about credits for return flows and the need to conduct studies on that issue
if the likelihood is low that the agreed order can be changed in the future.
Dr. McNichols responded that it will take another three to five years before results from the
effluent studies will be available. At that point, the different entities will review those studies and
possibly adapt the agreed order if it is determined that benefits are achieved through rerouting
wastewater effluents, and there is no harm to the bays and estuaries.
Mr. Martin asked why specific language stating that intent could not be included in the
proposed agreed order. City Attorney Bray responded that the proposed plan does call for studies
to be conducted by the Nueces Estuary Advisory Council, including whether "the increased biological
productivity justifies an inflow credit...of greater than one." He added that the TNRCC maintains a
"hands-on" interest in this issue due to the fact that the executive director of the TNRCC is also the
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 21, 1995
Page 5
chairman of the Nueces Estuary Advisory Council. City Manager Garza also emphasized that a spirit
of cooperation exists among all the parties involved in this matter.
Responding to another question from Mr. Martin, Mr. Bray stated that the TNRCC always
maintains the legal authority under the permit to set the operating procedures. However, the
permanence of the proposed plan rests on the fact that it is the product of several years of intense
scientific study at this point, and it is not likely that the TNRCC would attempt to increase the
amount of freshwater releases required.
Mr. Dodson, in reply to Mr. Martin, said the proposed agreed order before the City Council
would be the only document submitted to the TNRCC for consideration. Mrs. Cooper asked if
provisions regarding salinity levels were the same as the current order; Mr. Dodson said they were.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience.
Mr. Ray Allen, Chairman of the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation, one of the entities involved
in the negotiations for a new plan, said this proposal is an improvement over the current one, but it
does not solve the future water supply concerns and it does not address the bay's needs in terms of
drought periods. He emphasized the need to continue developing the wastewater diversion plan.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
2. RESOLUTION NO. 022184
Resolution requesting the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission to issue a new
Agreed Order pertaining to special condition 5.B., Certificate of Adjudication No. 21-3214,
implementing a "Pass -Through" operating plan for the Choke Canyon/Lake Corpus Christi
Reservoir System to provide freshwater inflows for the Nueces Estuary, and replacing the
Agreed Order issued on March 9, 1992.
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 Item 3, Economic Development Administration (EDA)
application for the outlet mall project.
Mr. Tom Utter, Group Manager of Development Services, said the regional office of the EDA
has indicated its receptivity toward the application to acquire 50% funding for the highway ramp
reversals and utilities for the outlet mall, which equals approximately $981,600.
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 21, 1995
Page 6
Council Member Longoria expressed her support of this application.
Responding to Council Member Moss, Mr. Utter said if the EDA approves the city's pre -
application, then the project can move forward while the EDA considers the actual application. And
if that is finally approved, then 50% of the infrastructure costs could be reimbursed. He added that
there is also an EDA application for funding 50% of the expansion of the Texas State Aquarium,
which is not in competition with the funding request for the outlet mall.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
3. RESOLUTION NO. 022185
Resolution authorizing the execution and submission to the Economic Development
Administration of a public works application pertaining to the proposed new Corpus Christi
Factory Stores Project.
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 Item 4, industrial district contract amendment.
Mr. Utter explained that due to a legal question that arose (which has since been resolved),
staff is recommending that the Council amend the original ordinance pertaining to the industrial
district contracts to allow for submission of the contracts to the city by the industries by May 15.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
4. FIRST READING ORDINANCE
Amending Ordinance No. 022092 authorizing the Industrial District Agreements amending
the contractual date from April 1, 1995 to May 15, 1995.
The foregoing ordinance passed on first reading by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper,
Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss and Noyola voting "Aye."
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 21, 1995
Page 7
Council Member Best made a motion to open the public hearing on zoning Case No. 295-1,
Southwestern Refining Co., Inc., seconded by Council Member Longoria, and passed unanimously.
5. Case No. 295-1, Southwestern Refining Co., Inc.: A change of zoning from "R -1B" One -
family Dwelling and "A-1" Apartment House Districts to "B-1" Neighborhood Business
District on Nueces Bay Heights Extension, Block 25, Lots 1 through 4, located on the
northeast corner of Nueces Bay Boulevard and Minton Street.
Mayor Rhodes said the Planning Commission and staff recommended approval.
No one opposed the zoning case. Council Member Best made a motion to close the public
hearing, seconded by Council Member Noyola, and passed unanimously.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 022186
Amending the Zoning Ordinance upon application by Southwestern Refining Company, Inc.,
by granting a Special Council Permit for an off-site parking lot subject to four (4) conditions
on Nueces Bay Heights Extension, Block 25, Lots 1 through 4.
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 called for consideration of consent motions, resolutions, ordinances and
ordinances from previous meetings on Items 6 through 13, and Council Members requested that Item
11 be withheld for discussion. Mayor Rhodes added that Item 8 would be withdrawn.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following were passed:
M95-063
Motion approving a supply agreement for approximately 3,600 - 1" gas meter valves in
accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -0131-95 with National Meter, Lancaster, Ohio, based
on low bid for an estimated annual expenditure of $42,840. 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. Funds are budgeted in
FY 94-95 by the Gas Division.
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 21, 1995
Page 8
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo,
Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye."
7. M95-064
Motion approving supply agreements for water meter repair parts in accordance with Bid
Invitation No. BI -0091-95 with the following companies for the following amounts, based
on only bids, for a total estimated annual expenditure of $27,000. The terms of the contracts
will 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. Funds have
been budgeted by the Water Department in FY 94-95.
Sensus Technologies, Inc.
Uniontown, PA
$17,000
(Sensus Meter Parts)
Badger Meter, Inc.
Milwaukee. WI
$2,000
(Badger Meter Parts)
GRAND TOTAL: $27,000
Schlumberger, Inc.
Dallas TX
$7,000
(Trident Meter Parts)
Kent Meters, Inc.
Ocala, a
$1,000
(Kent Meter Parts)
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper, Galindo,
Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting "Aye."
8.a. WITHDRAWN
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Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 21, 1995
Page 9
8.d. WITHDRAWN
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8.g. WITHDRAWN
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• • •
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9. ORDINANCE NO. 022187
'
•• • ., •• •
• •
Ordinance closing and abandoning a 867 -square foot utility easement in Lot 41-A, Block
1600, Bay Terrace No. 2; subject to compliance with the specified conditions, and the owner
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, McNichols, Moss, and Noyola voting
"Aye."
10. FIRST READING ORDINANCE
Closing and abandoning a 3.42 -square foot portion of a 10 -foot wide utility easement in Lot
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 21, 1995
Page 10
22, Block 1, Yorkshire Estates, subject to the owner's compliance with the specified
conditions and the owner replatting of the property within 180 days at his expense.
The foregoing ordinance passed on first reading by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Cooper,
Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss and Noyola voting "Aye."
12. ORDINANCE NO. 022188
Closing and abandoning a 3,076.61 -square foot portion of Windward Drive and Leeward
Drive right-of-way; adjoining Lot 12, Block 46, Padre Island Section "A"; subject to the
compliance with the specified conditions; and the owner replatting of the property within 180
days at owner's expense.
The foregoing ordinance passed on second reading by the following vote: Rhodes, Best,
Cooper, Galindo, Longoria, Martin, McNichols, Moss and Noyola voting "Aye."
13. ORDINANCE NO. 022189
Authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute a deed to the State of Texas for
four (4) parcels acquired by the City of Corpus Christi for the F.M. 665 (Old Brownsville
Road) Improvements.
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, cable t.v. public access channel operating rules.
Council Member Noyola made a motion to postpone voting on this issue until an opinion is
issued from the Texas Attorney General's office; seconded by Council Member Galindo.
Council Member Best commented that this issue came about in reaction to the airing of "Race
and Reason," a racist, neo-Nazi national program. He said members of the Corpus Christi Coffee
Club, which produces its own local public access program, are concerned that the more restrictive
regulations will force their program to be pulled. Dr. Best said he would support the motion to delay
voting on this item.
City Manager Garza said he supported staffs recommendation in the interest of simplicity and
ease of administration. He noted that prior to the airing of "Race and Reason," the city did not have
good operating rules for the public access channel television programs.
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 21, 1995
Page 11
Council Member Martin asked why the Nueces County Attorney has become involved in this
issue. City Attorney Bray replied that the County Attorney is one of the officials who could refer a
question to the Attorney General. Upon verification from Mr. Bray, Mr. Martin said if the Council
sought the Attorney General's opinion, they could ask one of the state legislators to request it.
Council Member Moss said he thought the proposed rules were simple to follow and the
Council was not trying to discriminate against the Coffee Club or any other group. Mayor Rhodes
pointed out that the public access users have the responsibility to review their tapes before sending
them to TCI Cablevision of Texas to be aired, so as to prevent violations of the operating rules.
Council Member Cooper said she was satisfied with the inclusion of the appellate procedures,
and would support the ordinance as proposed.
Council Member Longoria shared her previous concern about limiting the number of
violations to two before a program is taken off the air. Mayor Rhodes said that the previous
recommendation by the Cable Communications Commission of six violations was too lenient.
Mr. Noyola said that TCI staff should be responsible for reviewing the tapes that are
submitted. He noted that a recent airing of "Race and Reason" included violations of the current
rules. He added that many of the local programs are produced by amateurs who do have access to
editing equipment, and two "strikes" was too restrictive.
Council Member McNichols agreed with concerns expressed about two strikes being too
harsh, since inadvertent mistakes are sometimes made. He said he was inclined to support delaying
the vote, since he was reluctant to make another motion to change the number of violations allowed.
Dr. Best said he supported changing the number of violations to three.
Mayor Rhodes called for a hand vote on the motion to delay voting on the ordinance until the
Attorney General's opinion is received; the motion failed to pass.
Dr. Best made a motion to amend the ordinance from two violations to three violations,
seconded by Dr. McNichols.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience.
Mr. Craig Pierce, a TCI public access channel user, expressed concern that the more detailed
operating rules were not yet available. Mr. Bray said the Council could direct that the enforcement
date of the ordinance follow the dissemination of the precise rules. Mr. Pierce added that he thought
two violations were too strict, and he objected to the fact that after the first violation, the offending
program is suspended for 10 days.
Referring to Mr. Pierce's concerns about the unavailability of the rules, Mayor Rhodes made
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 21, 1995
Page 12
a motion that the proposed ordinance would not go into effect until the list of violations is distributed.
She added that the programs on the public access channel are utilizing the channel for no charge --they
are being subsidized by those who subscribe to cable programming. With that privilege comes
responsibility to not violate the rules, the Mayor said.
Mr. Hector T. Morales, a professor at Del Mar College, said that recently a Public Access
Channel Users Group was formed and he was elected its chairman. They met with Mr. Dennis
Moore, General Manager of TCI, to discuss several issues. He commented that the rules are not
simplistic, including the fact that there are no clear guidelines about what constitutes advertising,
which is prohibited. He added that he publicly condemned the program "Race and Reason" on his
own television show, but said many of the local programs aired are very beneficial to the community.
He asked that the Council postpone voting on the ordinance until the Cable Commission
meets again on April 10, 1995, and can approve the formation of the access users group. After that
the users group would like to help formulate the guidelines with city staff and TCI staff.
Dr. Best remarked that his motion was made with the assumption that the operating rules
were already in place. Mr. Bray responded that there are basic rules in place prohibiting advertising
(political and commercial), lotteries and obscenity, and staff is attempting to more clearly define those
rules, particularly regarding advertising. A brief discussion ensued about drafting the revised
guidelines. Dr. Best then said he was withdrawing his motion until the guidelines have been written.
Responding to Mayor Rhodes, Mr. Bray explained that TCI is charged with regulating the
use of the public access channel and they are currently administering it on a case-by-case basis. He
added that possibly more precise guidelines may be needed about the proper use of TCI equipment.
Mr. Alonzo Garcia stressed the importance of upholding the right of freedom of speech.
Mr. J.E. O'Brien, 4130 Pompano, said many of the users of the public access channel provide
a public service by voicing a viewpoint that is different from the local media. He urged the Council
to postpone their vote on this issue until the guidelines are completed.
Mr. Ray Madrigal, producer of the Coffee Club, distributed copies of the group's list of guests
and described the show's purpose. He said he hoped the rules would soon be finalized so the users
can provide better services to the community.
Mr. Raymond Hasker, 1813 Wallace, expressed his opposition to the proposed ordinance.
Ms. Tina Cruz, 4522 Castellon, said she had been a guest on the Coffee Club program, and
her appearance helped to publicize concerns about funding for the Head Start program. Mayor
Rhodes replied that the Coffee Club was not being singled out as an example of a program
committing violations.
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 21, 1995
Page 13
Mr. Johnny Moncada commended Mr. Morales for his variety show and Mr. Madrigal on the
Coffee Club.
Mrs. Cooper asked staff to expedite the drafting of the operating rules, and Mr. Bray replied
that staff would try to have a copy of the rules available for the April 10th Cable Commission
meeting. Mrs. Longoria echoed Mrs. Cooper's comments.
Upon verification by Mr. Bray, Mr. Moss said the Cable Commission could adopt the revised
rules and make further revisions as necessary at a future meeting. The Mayor reiterated that there
are operating rules that currently exist.
Mr. Morales added that TCI staff members are contacting other cable operators in other cities
regarding operating rules for public access users. He expressed his enthusiasm about the potential
effectiveness of the newly formed users group.
Mayor Rhodes made a motion to postpone the ordinance until after the Cable Commission
meeting and after receiving input from the users group; seconded by Mr. Noyola and passed
unanimously.
11. POSTPONED
• , .. . ' • 1 • . .11
• ...
•.. .
investigation and appcal FLOC cduiCb.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
a . .
Mayor Rhodes called for the City Manager's report. Mr. Garza said items scheduled for the
March 28, 1995 Council meeting included agreements with the Advanced Housing Alternatives
Corporation and the HOME Rental Assistance Program.
In her update, Mayor Rhodes commented that Mr. Robert Crandall of American Airlines said
that company's jet service to and from Corpus Christi would continue through the end of the year,
at which time American officials would evaluate the situation.
Mayor Rhodes called for Council concerns and reports.
Council Member Martin asked about the status of the design of the new municipal golf course.
Mr. Garza replied that he had directed staff to begin advertising for a consultant. Mr. Martin said his
intention was not to follow that process, but rather to gather a community-based group of participants
to develop the proposal. Group Manager Utter said staff would consult with representatives of the
various golf associations for their input.
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
March 21, 1995
Page 14
Council Member Best asked staff for a report on the construction of La Plaza. He also asked
about the status of the Gateway Project. Mr. Garza responded that the Gateway Project was not
funded by the state and the Downtown Management group is developing an alternate design.
Council Member Cooper said over 50 people attended a District 5 town hall meeting on
March 20. One of the issues raised was the need for screens on the stormwater drains to prevent
obstructions in the lines. Mr. Garza said the street inlets do not have screens, but the city does have
an inlet cleaning program. He added that the cost of trying to retrofit those drains with screens would
be prohibitive. Also, the recent flooding was caused by too much rain in too little time. Mrs. Cooper
also asked staff to investigate the status of installing street lights on Oso Parkway near Yorktown.
Mrs. Cooper then asked when the Crosstown Expressway/South Padre Island Drive
interchange funding proposal would be submitted to the Texas Transportation Commission. Mr. Carl
Crull, Group Manager of Public Works and Utilities, said the commission will begin discussing their
financial plan during their March 30th meeting, which will probably be carried over to the April
meeting. Mrs. Cooper asked staff to inform the Council members if their presence was needed at
either of those meetings to express the community's support. Mr. Moss stressed the importance of
illustrating support for the interchange project.
Council Member Longoria said the members of the Northwest Senior Center recently visited
the Zavala Senior Center for ideas about the design of their center. She added that Mr. Malcolm
Matthews, Director of the Park and Recreation Department, would provide periodic updates on the
construction of the Northwest Center to the members.
Council Member McNichols said the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Waldron Road
improvements was held March 21. He said that road incorporated state-of-the-art improvements.
He also asked for a response to a letter regarding St. Pius X Catholic Church. Mr. Martin asked for
a response to a letter from the members of the Greenwood Senior Center.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Rhodes called for petitions from the audience.
Mr. J.E. O'Brien read from portions of the water contract with the Lavaca-Navidad River
Authority. He questioned aspects of the contract, including making payments for the water. City
Attorney Bray said that contractual issues are contingent upon a final ruling of the court, of which
there is none at this time.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Rhodes declared the
Council Meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m. on March 21, 1995.
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