HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 05/13/1997 - SpecialI HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the
Special Council Meeting of the City of Corpus Christi of May 13, 1997, which were approved by
the City Council on May 20, 1997.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 20th day of May, 1997
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
SEAL
440(ur ►1.MEU
MINUTES
CORPUS CHRISTI CITY COUNCIL
City Hall Basement Training Room
May 13, 1997
7:00 a.m.
CO1 JNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT Staff Members Present
Mayor Loyd Neal
Council Members: Alex L. Garcia, Jr.
Arnold Gonzales
Edward Martin
John Longoria
Jaime Capelo
David McNichols
Melody Cooper
City Manager Bill Hennings
City Secretary Armando Chapa
City Attorney James R. Bray Jr.
Mayor Loyd Neal opened and thanked the Councilmembers, Staff, and Alliance members
for being present. He then introduced Alex Harris, Chairman of the Alliance.
Mr. Harris welcomed the Councilmembers, introduced Keith Arnold, CEO of the Alliance
and recognized the Alliance staff. He stated that the purpose of the meeting was to present the
Alliance Bi -annual briefing and to keep the lines of communication open between the City Council
and the Alliance. Mr. Harris presented a general overview of the Alliance and its volunteer
management structure.
Alliance member Bill Pruett presented an overview of tourism activities including
accomplishments for the past ten years. He also presented what the current needs in the area of
tourism are.
Alliance member Mike Carrell provided an overview of Economic Development activities
including successes and goals. He stated that their main effort is the recruitment of new businesses
and also the retention of businesses already in the City. Mr. Carrell went over the marketing strategy
for 1997. He then introduced Bud Harris, Dean of Del Mar College who talked about the
cooperative efforts of the Alliance. Mr. Carrell stressed the need for continued city support. He
stated that there is momentum in this area and it needs commitment and increased public and private
funding.
Alliance member Nelda Martinez gave a brief overview on three departments within the
Alliance structure: Governmental Affairs, which includes joint lobbying efforts with the City; Small
Business Development Center; and the Leadership Development Conference. She stated that under
Governmental Affairs are the State Affairs Committee, Local Affairs Committee and the
Transportation Committee.
Minutes
City Council/Greater Corpus Christi Business Alliance Meeting
May 13, 1997
Page 2
Ruben Bonilla, Executive Board Member of the Alliance, gave an overview on Alliance
strategies and initiatives regarding youth and community issues. Mr. Bonilla spoke on the mentoring
network, the Fifth Dimension Program which targets fifth graders in CCISD, and the efforts to
establish a youth complex similar to Bill Witt Park in the Greenwood Area.
Joe Fulton, Chairman -Elect of the Alliance, spoke on the future of the Alliance. He stated
that the Alliance needs continued and additional funding to accomplish their goals. He mentioned
that the Alliance is working on a three year plan and asked the Council for their input.
Mayor Neal then asked for Council comments or questions.
Council Member Arnold Gonzales asked for an explanation on enterprise zones and Mr.
Fulton and others responded. He also asked that the Alliance appear before the Council on a regular
basis to give status reports and asked for a copy of the Alliance Organizational Chart with names.
He also asked for a copy of their budget, salary scales, equal employment opportunity efforts, and
make-up of the Board.
Council Member John Longoria asked for a status report on the Community Progress
Partnership. Chairman Harris and Alliance member Al Jones responded. They anticipate possibly
going to the Council on this matter some time in June.
Mayor Neal thanked everyone for attending the meeting and the meeting was adjourned at
8:25 a.m.