HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 08/22/1995I 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 August 22, 1995, which were approved by
the City Council on August 29, 1995.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 29th day of August, 1995.
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
SEAL
MICKUFILMLU
PRESENT
Mayor Mary Rhodes
Mayor Pro Tem Betty Black
Council Members:
Dr. Jack Best
Melody Cooper
Tony Heldenfels
Betty Jean Longoria
John Longoria
Edward Martin
Dr. David McNichols
MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
Regular Council Meeting
August 22, 1995
2 p.m.
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 Rev. Glenn Kramer, Galilean Lutheran Church, following
which the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States was led by Council Member Betty
Jean 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 August
15, 1995, 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.
Council Member Martin asked if Mr. Cefe Valenzuela and Mr. Jimmy Rodriguez were eligible for
reappointment to the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee. City Secretary Chapa replied that
they were appointed on September 19, 1989, which means they would meet their six-year service
limitation in September 1995. City Attorney Bray said he would like to reserve answering that
question until he could study it further, although his inclination was to say they could not be
reappointed.
Mayor Rhodes said there were four incumbents on that committee who were being
considered, and the following appointments were made:
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Regular Council Meeting
August 22, 1995
Page 2
Park and Recreation Advisory Committee
Hector Salinas (Reappointed)
Sharon Stewart (Reappointed)
Augustine Ruiz (Reappointed)
JoAnne McNeill (Reappointed)
Following a brief discussion about the eligibility of Mr. Valenzuela and Mr. Rodriguez, a hand
vote was taken and it was decided that action on the other two vacancies would be postponed one
week pending an opinion on the issue from Mr. Bray.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 2, adoption of the 1995 ad valorem tax rate.
City Manager Garza stated that the tax rate remains the same as it was last year, and there is
a slight shifting of the actual tax rate from the General Fund into the Debt Service Fund.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience.
Mr. J.E. O'Brien, 4130 Pompano, said that the effective tax rate is $.598970, and by adopting
the tax rate proposed, the city is adding an additional $1.4 million in taxes to the city's revenue;
therefore, he said, this is a tax increase. Mr. Garza replied that the rate remains the same. The tax
levy is increased by the amount that is afforded by the growth in the tax base. He pointed out that
during the last 10 years, the city's property taxes have essentially remained the same.
Council Member McNichols reiterated that the tax rate is not increased, and the Council and
staff spent much time over the last three months preparing a budget that did not increase taxes.
However, the tax base did increase which increased the amount of tax revenues.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
FIRST READING ORDINANCE
Prescribing the taxes to be levied, assessed, and collected by the City of Corpus Christi, Texas
for the year 1995 and for each succeeding year thereafter until otherwise provided and
ordained and such other years as the same may be applicable. The proposed tax rate is
$0.612726, which is the same as the tax rate adopted last year.
The foregoing ordinance passed on first reading by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Black,
Cooper, Heldenfels, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols voting "Aye."
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
August 22, 1995
Page 3
Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 3, revised tax abatement guidelines and criteria.
Mr. Tom Utter, Group Manager for Development Services, stated that his discussion
pertained to Items 3, 4, 5 and 6 on the day's agenda. He stated that on October 11, 1994, the City
Council approved a tax abatement agreement for First Data Corporation, which was only the second
tax abatement the city had ever utilized. He said it was concluded that Corpus Christi's tax
abatement guidelines were too restrictive. The proposed revised guidelines include the following:
50% abatement over a 5 -year period for businesses creating at least 50 jobs; a 75% 5 -year abatement
for projects creating at least 100 jobs; and 100% 5 -year abatement for projects with at least 200 jobs.
He said those guidelines would only apply to the first $10 million in improvements or personal
property, with all investments above that amount limited to 50% abatement.
Mr. Utter said the current guidelines are also too narrow in that they allow tax abatements
only for telecommunication firms. This proposal would add two new tax abatement categories:
"regional visitor/amusement facilities" and "rehabilitation projects."
Mr. Utter said Item 4 on the agenda is a public hearing on designating the Marketing
Corporation of America (MCA) zone for tax abatement. He explained that MCA is proposing to
lease approximately 16,000 square feet in the Mercantile Bank building in Flour Bluff to establish a
telemarketing and data processing office which would employ 200 people. The other two items to
be considered by the Council are whether to authorize a tax abatement agreement with MCA, and
whether to authorize an amendment to the tax abatement agreement the city currently has with First
Data Corporation, which would incorporate the proposed guidelines.
Mr. Mike Carrell, Chairman -Elect of the Greater Corpus Christi Business Alliance, further
explained the proposed revised tax abatement guidelines. Using slides, Mr. Carrell discussed the
following issues: port industries capital investments; industrial district payments; types of facilities
eligible for tax abatement; the regional visitor/amusement facility category; a comparison of Texas
cities which utilize tax abatements; abatement percentages; the rehabilitation projects category; and
the transition rule regarding tax abatements.
Mr. Carrell then introduced Mr. Kevin Park, a Vice -President with Marketing Corporation
of America, Ms. Jacqueline Hill, Director of Operations for the Corpus Christi office of First Data
Corporation, and Deb Goodwin, First Data's Corporate Communications Director. Mr. Park said
that after several months of considering different cities, the company chose to open an office in
Corpus Christi. He commended city officials for their efforts to keep unscrupulous telemarketers out
of this area. Unlike those companies, MCA negotiates their telemarketing contracts in large part with
the national offices of the largest national health organizations. Mr. Park went on to describe MCA's
plans for their office here.
Ms. Hill explained that First Data now offers two products through its Corpus Christi office --
providing money -grams and customer service for business markets. She said each group employs
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
August 22, 1995
Page 4
about 150 people, and the company's original goal of hiring about 1,000 people over a five-year
period remains the same.
Responding to Council Member Martin, Mr. Utter said the guidelines apply to rehabilitation
and to personal property. Mr. Martin also asked about the penalty provision, and Mr. Utter explained
that there would be a contractual relationship involved.
In reply to Council Member John Longoria, Mr. Utter said the guidelines also contain a
provision about considering tax abatements on a case-by-case basis, which is the same clause that is
contained in the industrial district agreements. To illustrate the necessity of the case-by-case clause,
Mayor Rhodes cited the example of a telemarketing company that retained a large percentage of the
money it raised for a charity.
Referring to a previous question from Mr. Martin, Mr. Utter said if a company built a building
but failed to perform and a tax abatement agreement existed, then there would be a lien on the
building and personal property, as well as the contractual relationship that they would have to pay.
Council Member McNichols asked about how the tax abatement agreement pertains to MCA,
and Mr. Utter replied that the agreement is for equipment that MCA would own and operate;
currently, no taxes are abated on the building that MCA plans to lease.
Dr. McNichols asked if there were any particular companies being considered for the regional
visitor/amusement facilities tax abatement category, and Mr. Carrell replied that there were none in
mind at this time. A brief discussion ensued about different examples of sports/amusement facilities.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience.
Mr. Abel Alonzo, 1701 Thames, said that tax abatements create jobs for more people, and
he encouraged the Council to support it.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 022322
Resolution adopting amended guidelines and criteria for temporary property tax abatement.
The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Black, Cooper,
Heldenfels, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols voting "Aye."
*************
Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 4, a public hearing on designating the Marketing
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Regular Council Meeting
August 22, 1995
Page 5
Corporation of America (MCA) Zone for temporary property tax abatement, and she opened
discussion on Items 5 and 6.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none. Council
Member Heldenfels made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Council Member Best,
and passed unanimously.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 022323
Ordinance designating the MCA Zone for temporary property tax abatement pursuant to the
Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act (Chapter 312 of the Texas Tax Code).
An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote:
Rhodes, Best, Black, Cooper, Heldenfels, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols
voting "Aye."
RESOLUTION NO. 022324
Resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement with Marketing Corporation of
America providing for temporary property tax abatement.
The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Black, Cooper,
Heldenfels, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols voting "Aye."
RESOLUTION NO. 022325
Resolution authorizing the execution of an amended and restated agreement with First Data
Corporation providing for temporary property tax abatement.
The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Black, Cooper,
Heldenfels, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols voting "Aye."
*************
Mayor Rhodes called for consideration of consent motions, resolutions, ordinances and
ordinances from previous meetings on Items 7 through 17, and Council Members requested that Item
8 be withheld for discussion.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following were passed:
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
August 22, 1995
Page 6
M95-236
Motion awarding a contract in the amount of $37,339 to Prime Construction Company for
replacement of the 35 -year old restroom facility at South Bluff Park which will comply with
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1991.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Black, Cooper, Heldenfels,
B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols voting "Aye."
9. M95-238
Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to apply for continued financial
assistance through the Texas General Land Office for beach cleaning and life guarding at
Padre Island and to execute all necessary documents.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Black, Cooper, Heldenfels,
B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols voting "Aye."
10. M95-239
Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute Miscellaneous Easement No.
950040 for a term of up to six (6) years with the State of Texas General Land Office (GLO)
for a total amount of $500 to accommodate a low water crossing over Oso Creek.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Black, Cooper, Heldenfels,
B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols voting "Aye."
11.a. M95-240
Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to accept a grant in the amount of
$141,732 and to execute a contract on all related documents with the Texas State Library for
the continued operation of the Regional Interlibrary Loan Center located at Corpus Christi
Public Library for state fiscal year 1995-96.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Black, Cooper, Heldenfels,
B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols voting "Aye."
11.b. ORDINANCE NO. 022327
Ordinance appropriating $141,732 from the Texas State Library for the continued operation
of the Regional Interlibrary Loan Center located at Corpus Christi Public Library for state
fiscal year 1995-96; amending Ordinance No. 022279 which adopted the FY 1995-96 budget
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
August 22, 1995
Page 7
by adding $141,732 to the Federal/State Grants Fund No. 162.
An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote:
Rhodes, Best, Black, Cooper, Heldenfels, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols
voting "Aye."
12.a. M95-241
Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to accept a Major Urban Resource
Library (MURL) grant in the amount of $23,784 and to execute a contract on all related
documents with the Texas State Library. These funds will be used for reference subscriptions
at the Central Library.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Black, Cooper, Heldenfels,
B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols voting "Aye."
12.b. ORDINANCE NO. 022328
Ordinance appropriating $23,784 from the Texas State Library for the Major Urban Resource
Library (MURL) grant; amending Ordinance No. 022279 which adopted the FY 1995-96
budget by adding $23,784 to the Federal/State Grants Fund No. 162.
An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote:
Rhodes, Best, Black, Cooper, Heldenfels, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols
voting "Aye."
13.a. M95-242
Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to accept a grant in the amount of
$722,436 and to execute a contract and all related documents with the Texas State Library
for the continued operation of the South Texas Library System located at Corpus Christi
Public Library for state fiscal year 1995-96.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Black, Cooper, Heldenfels,
B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols voting "Aye."
13.b. ORDINANCE NO. 022329
Ordinance appropriating $722,436 from the Texas State Library for the continued operation
of the South Texas Library System located at Corpus Christi Public Library for state fiscal
year 1995-96; amending Ordinance No. 022279 which adopted the FY 1995-96 budget by
adding $722,436 to the Federal/State Grants Fund No. 162.
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
August 22, 1995
Page 8
An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote:
Rhodes, Best, Black, Cooper, Heldenfels, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols
voting "Aye."
14.a. M95-243
Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to accept a grant in the amount of
$35,000 from the U.S. Department of Education for Family Literacy Programming at the
Greenwood Branch Library during FY 1995-96.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Black, Cooper, Heldenfels,
B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols voting "Aye."
14.b. ORDINANCE NO. 022330
Ordinance appropriating $35,000 from the Department of Education for Family Literacy
Programming at the Greenwood Branch Library; amending Ordinance No. 022279 which
adopted the FY 1995-96 budget by adding $35,000 to the Federal/State Grants Fund No.
162.
An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote:
Rhodes, Best, Black, Cooper, Heldenfels, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols
voting "Aye."
15.a. M95-244
Motion to amend, prior to second reading, the Padre Island Yacht Club lease by adding a
minimum annual payment of $2,000 to Section 3. Rental Payments; by adding a prohibition
against live aboards in Section 9. Control and Use; and by adding a requirement to post the
phone number of the Director of Park and Recreation as the contact person in the non-
discrimination clause the club is required to post in Section 29. Non -Discrimination.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Black, Cooper, Heldenfels,
B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols voting "Aye."
15.b. ORDINANCE NO. 022331
Authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a 10 -year lease with a 10 -year
renewal option of 2.55 acres of upland and submerged land on Whitecap Boulevard adjacent
to the Whitecap Wastewater Treatment Plant property, with the Padre Island Yacht Club for
their construction and operation of boat slips, club house, and related improvements, at a
rental rate of 10% of gross revenue or $2,000, whichever is greater.
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
August 22, 1995
Page 9
The foregoing ordinance passed on second reading by the following vote: Rhodes, Best,
Black, Cooper, Heldenfels, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols voting "Aye."
16. ORDINANCE NO. 022332
Closing and abandoning a 43,122 square foot portion of the Terminal Street right-of-way
located adjacent to Lots 5-9, Block 3, and Lots 13-19, Block 5, Navigation Industrial Park,
Section 2; subject to the compliance with the specified conditions; and the replatting of the
property within 180 days.
The foregoing ordinance passed on second reading by the following vote: Rhodes, Best,
Black, Cooper, Heldenfels, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols voting "Aye."
17. ORDINANCE NO. 022333
Closing and abandoning a 3,240 -square foot portion of a 12 -foot wide utility easement within
Lot 1, Block A, Brookhaven Annex; subject to compliance with the specified conditions; and
the owner replatting the property within 180 days at his expense.
The foregoing ordinance passed on second reading by the following vote: Rhodes, Best,
Black, Cooper, Heldenfels, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols voting "Aye."
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Rhodes opened discussion on Item 8, airport monitoring and lighting system.
Responding to Council Member McNichols, City Manager Garza stated that the high-voltage
lighting at the Corpus Christi International airport is extremely reliable, and the proposed monitoring
system would ensure its continued reliability in the event that there is a breakdown in the wiring. The
monitoring system allows for the quick identification of the breakdown and subsequent repair.
Council Member Heldenfels asked if this proposal had anything to do with the continuing
contract that the Heldenfels Brothers have at the airport, and Mr. Garza said it did not.
Mayor Rhodes called for comments from the audience, and there were none.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
8.a. ORDINANCE NO. 022326
Ordinance appropriating $139,725 as the FAA's estimated share of the installation of Airfield
Insulation Resistance Monitoring System (IRMS) and Airfield Computer Lighting System
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
August 22, 1995
Page 10
(ACLS) at the Corpus Christi International Airport (CCIA) authorized under FAA Grant No.
AIP3-48-0051-22-95 adding $139,725 to the 245 Airport Capital Improvement Fund.
An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote:
Rhodes, Best, Black, Cooper, Heldenfels, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols
voting "Aye."
8.b. M95-237
Motion awarding a construction contract in the amount of $140,000 to F&W Electrical
Contractors, Inc. for the installation of IRMS and ACLS at the Corpus Christi International
Airport.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Rhodes, Best, Black, Cooper, Heldenfels,
B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and McNichols voting "Aye."
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Rhodes called for the City Manager's report. Mr. Garza distributed an artist's
rendition of a proposal being made by Mr. Dusty Durrill, a local philanthropist and businessman. The
proposal involves building an open-air pavilion and statue on the seawall to honor slain Tejano singer
Selena Quintanilla-Perez. Mr. Garza noted that the City Council would have to approve any changes
made to the seawall, and he said Mr. Durrill had indicated that it would be a fairly long period of time
before he was ready to come back before the Council with a more formal presentation about the
proposed memorial.
Mr. Garza added that he very much supports the work of the Selena Memorial Committee,
which was appointed earlier this year by Mayor Rhodes and Nueces County Judge Richard Borchard.
The committee made its own presentation to the Council on August 15, 1995 about possible ways
to honor Mrs. Quintanilla-Perez. Mr. Garza said he is committed to seeing that the proposals by the
Selena Memorial Committee are implemented.
Mayor Rhodes said that Mr. Durrill came to discuss his idea with her, and she added that the
Selena Memorial Committee members did not see Mr. Durrill's proposal until the day they came to
give their presentation. She said since the committee has already done an extensive amount of work,
she felt that their suggestions should be considered first.
Mayor Rhodes also stated that Mr. Durrill's proposal initially did not include a statue of Mrs.
Quintanilla-Perez, and that the new rendition now does. She stated that since one of the committee's
recommendations was also for a statue, the matter needed to be coordinated.
Council Member John Longoria commented that Mr. Durrill's suggestion was a good one,
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
August 22, 1995
Page 11
since the overlook needs to be improved. He said it would have the double advantage of improving
an area of the seawall as well as memorializing a famous person in the community. At the same time,
he said the work of the Selena Memorial Committee should be respected by allowing for a certain
period of time to appraise their proposals. Mayor Rhodes added that Mr. Durrill has made many
improvements already to the bayfront. Mr. Garza said that he would work to appropriately
coordinate the different proposals.
Group Manager Utter then distributed a draft of a letter from city staff to the Texas General
Land Office concerning the Coastal Coordination Council's proposed rules for the Coastal
Management Program. Mr. Utter said that a public hearing was scheduled at 7 p.m. on Wednesday,
August 23, 1995 in the Council Chambers to discuss the issue. He briefly explained the history of
the coastal management legislation, adding that Mr. Fred Heldenfels IV, a local businessman, has
been named a member of the Coastal Coordination Council.
Mr. Utter said staff feels the regulations published July 18, 1995 will, in general, meet the
federal requirements for a coastal management program. However, staff pointed out several items
which could impede federal approval, which Mr. Utter described.
Mayor Rhodes called for Council concerns and reports.
Council Member Martin asked about the status of the parking lot at the Ethel Eyerly Senior
Center. Mr. R.H. Shackelford, Director of Engineering Services, explained that there had been some
difficulty in getting the contractor's insurance requirements submitted as they should. He said the
contract was let about six weeks ago, adding that he would provide a full report. Mr. Martin said the
Council had been assured that this project would be a high priority project, and he questioned why
there have been so many delays on getting it constructed.
Referring to a previous discussion about Phase II of the annexation program, Mr. Martin also
asked about the response time from the fire station to the farthest point in the area being proposed
for annexation for which the city is required to provide service. Mr. Garza replied that he would
provide the Council with Fire Chief J.J. Adame's response in their August 25, 1995 packet.
In reply to another question from Mr. Martin, Mr. Garza said in addition to the first reading
on the Phase II annexation proposal, other items scheduled for the August 29th meeting were a
presentation on the Southside Retail Transportation Study, an update on the Task Force on
Neighborhood Associations, a zoning case, and the first reading of the industrial district agreements.
Mr. Garza added that the first reading of the Capital Improvement Program proposals was scheduled
for the first Council meeting in September.
Council Member John Longoria said there was a public hearing in his district the night before
on the proposed drainage utility, and he provided the appropriate information to the media. He
emphasized that the city should notify the media of all these drainage utility public hearings. Mr.
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Regular Council Meeting
August 22, 1995
Page 12
Garza said notices of the hearings were sent to utility customers with their bills, and paid newspaper
advertisements will appear for the other public hearings. He said staff will contact the television
stations as well. Mr. Longoria commented that citizens had many questions about the proposed
drainage utility, and he requested more detailed information.
Council Member McNichols announced that the drainage utility public hearing for District 4
would be held on August 24, 1995 at 6 p.m. at the Oso Recreation Center. Dr. McNichols also
referred to a response from an official in Region 6 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) about the criteria for establishing ozone exceedances. He said the EPA's response did not
answer the question of why there is a maximum of only three days of ozone exceedances in three
years before a city loses its attainment status, resulting in huge adverse economic effects. Dr.
McNichols said he spoke with local pulmonary specialists about the effects of higher ozone emissions
during ozone advisory days, and they did not report an increase in respiratory problems experienced
by high-risk patients. He said the EPA's current exceedance standards should be openly challenged
from a health perspective.
Mr. Garza said he had the same reaction Dr. McNichols did to the EPA's response. He added
that he serves, at U.S. government expense, on an advisory committee to the EPA administrator, and
he was unable to attend a recent meeting during which he intended to raise that issue. He said he will
do so through a letter.
Dr. McNichols also reported that there is a very uneven stretch of roadway on Highway 361,
just beyond Pass 1852, on Padre Island that needs improvement.
Council Member Heldenfels said he has received several comments from citizens regarding
the proposed drainage utility, including their concern that the utility will not lower their water bill,
the proposed income to be generated from the utility is too high, and questions about the method of
charging residential versus commercial customers. He added that he would also like to hold public
hearings on this issue. Mr. Garza said when this presentation was first made to the Council, they
instructed staff to provide different configurations regarding the services that would be provided by
the revenue that would be generated by the utility.
Council Member Cooper thanked the members of the San Jose, California, Neighborhood
Association Center for their hospitality during a recent visit there. She said local members of the
Neighborhood Association Task Force will be making a presentation at the next Council meeting.
Council Member Betty Jean Longoria pointed out that the public hearings on the proposed
drainage utility are open to every citizen, no matter what district they are held in. She also announced
three other utility public hearings: August 23, 1995, 11 a.m., at Hilltop Senior Center; August 24,
11:30 a.m., at Oveal Williams Senior Center; and August 25 at Zavala Senior Center. Mrs. Longoria
added that problems continue to exist with Up River Road, and she suggested that staff talk with the
Northwest Business Association about it.
Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
August 22, 1995
Page 13
Council Member Black announced that the District 2 drainage utility public hearing will be
held on August 24 at 6 p.m. at the Lindale Senior Center. She said business owners have expressed
their concern about the utility.
Responding to Mr. Martin, Mr. Crull said driveways were not included in the initial data base
for the drainage utility, but staff is considering adding some average driveway square footage to
residential customers' "footprints" to determine their utility charge.
Mrs. Cooper added that the District 5 public hearing will be held on August 24 at 6 p.m. at
Spohn South Health Plaza.
*************
Mayor Rhodes called for petitions from the audience.
Mr. Abel Alonzo, 1701 Thames, referred to possible candidates for the position of Chief of
Police, saying the Police Department currently has many well educated people with much experience
who would be well qualified for that position.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Rhodes declared the
Council meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m. on August 22, 1995.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *