Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 09/22/1998I 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 September 22, 1998, which were approved by the City Council on September 29, 1998. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 29th day of September, 1998. Armando Chapa City Secretary SEAL MINUTES, CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS Regular Council Meeting September 22, 1998 2:02 p.m. PRESENT Mayor Samuel L. Neal Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Edward A. Martin Council Members: Javier D. Colmenero Melody Cooper* Alex L. Garcia Jr. Dr. Arnold Gonzales Betty Jean Longoria John Longoria Dr. David McNichols City Staff: City Manager David R. Garcia City Attorney James R. Bray Jr. City Secretary Armando Chapa Mayor Neal called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The invocation was delivered by Rev. Ellis Orozco, Corpus Christi Baptist Church, following which the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States was led by Council Member John 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 Neal called for approval of the minutes of the City Council workshop and the regular Council meeting of September 15, 1998. There being no corrections, he proclaimed them approved as presented. *Council Member Cooper arrived at 2:05 p.m. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal referred to the presentation on the day's agenda, which was made by Mr. Vic Menard of Neighborhood Visions Inc. regarding "Operation Hook Up." He said as they have been completing successful missions of Operation Clean Sweep, they have noticed many junk cars on private property throughout neighborhoods, which pose safety hazards and environmental risks. Mr. Menard said Operation Clean Sweep has teamed with the National Kidney Foundation of the Texas Coastal Bend to form "Operation Hook Up," which involves obtaining owners' permission to remove and tow junk cars free of charge to a salvage yard, where they are disposed of in an ecologically sound manner and recycled. Those proceeds go to the Kidney Foundation to benefit South Texans who have kidney disease. Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 22, 1998 Page 2 Police Cmdr. David Torres said the Corpus Christi Police Department is proud to be a participant in "Operation Hook Up" along with the Weed and Seed Program, the Kidney Foundation, and Neighborhood Visions Inc. Ms. Shelley Howard, Executive Assistant for the National Kidney Foundation of the Texas Coastal Bend, said they have been operating this program for about 15 years and they work closely with the Texas Department of Transportation, Commercial Metals, and Mike's Auto Salvage. In response to Council members' questions, Mr. Menard said they will be publicizing "Operation Hook Up" through the media, and he gave the program's hotline number: 886-2422. Several Council members voiced their support of the program. ************* Mayor Neal called for petitions from the audience. Mr. R.J. Herschbach, 4650 Hakel, referred to a previous Council discussion concerning various civic events and the costs associated with them. He said the Texas Constitution prohibits any city from lending its aid, money, or assistance to any association, individual, or corporation. He said when he worked in the Corpus Christi Fire Department, they went door to door soliciting donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). He said during the past few years, on -duty firemen have been using city equipment to solicit funds for MDA at street intersections. He said if the city complied with the Constitutional prohibition he described, they would eliminate the problem of deciding how to disburse funds to different organizations. Mayor Neal asked City Manager Garcia and City Attorney Bray to address Mr. Herschbach's concerns. Mr. John Hartley, 3925 Sandy Hollow, said a meeting will be held in Austin tomorrow concerning the Garwood Irrigation Company permit. He said it has been estimated that it will cost $70 million to build a pipeline from Garwood to Lake Texana. He said that amount could be divided in half and spent on repairing Wesley Seale Dam and building a diversion from the Nueces River (where flooding frequently occurs) to Choke Canyon. Mr. Hartley said there are about 1,800 members of the Corpus Christi Taxpayers Association who have allies among voters. Council Member McNichols said the Garwood meeting will not occur tomorrow due to a continuance that was filed; he said it has tentatively been rescheduled for October 7t. Dr. McNichols said that in 1991 and 1992 the Simmons diversion project was carefully reexamined. He said they did not recommend that as a water supply alternative because while it did capture water from flood events and diverted it away from the Nueces River, it did not provide additional yield and the cost was high. In response to Council Member Gonzales, Dr. McNichols said the Garwood pipeline would cost approximately $30 million to $40 million. Mr. J.E. O'Brien, 4130 Pompano, read two paragraphs from a letter sent to the Texas Natural Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 22, 1998 Page 3 Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) from the Corpus Christi Taxpayers Association dated September 15, 1998, concerning the Garwood permit and public participation in the process. He said the voters rejected a sales tax increase and the politicians approved the Lake Texana contract anyway. He said he agrees that the Simmons transfer should be closely reexamined, adding that it was a recommendation of the 1984 Hayden Head report. Mr. O'Brien concluded that millions of dollars worth of water are being lost and future bond issues will be a very hard sell. Dr. McNichols said the TNRCC staff thought the Garwood permit application would be referred to the hearing examiner; however, the parties that have standing recently withdrew their opposition, which made the administrative process much easier than had been anticipated. Mr. O'Brien said it was his understanding that the City of Austin had withdrawn its opposition, but he thought there was a water district that is still opposing the issuance of the Garwood permit. Mr. R.F. Hasker, 1813 Wallace, presented a petition of 42 AARP members who object to any effort to do away with the over 65 homestead tax exemption. He referred to a previous comment made by Dr. McNichols regarding that issue, and he said that most of the people who signed the petition are members of Dr. McNichols' district. He said that tax exemption was approved by the voters. Mr. Hasker also said that Central Power and Light charges a fee of approximately $5 on the average bill if a person has a gas meter on his or her property. Council Member Gonzales requested a clarification of Mr. Hasker's last statement, and City Manager Garcia said staff would provide that information. Mr. Leon Perez, 904 Buford, criticized the Lake Texana water, saying it is stagnant. Mayor Neal replied that last year over one million acre-feet of water was released from the dam at Lake Texana due to overflows. City Manager Garcia said staff had the information referred to by Mr. Hasker. He said that CPL charges all customers a standard rate for the first 500 kilowatt hours; from 500-900 kilowatt hours, they offer a discount to customers who have an electric water heater. After 900 kilowatt hours, the rate stays the same. He said they estimate that the amount of the discount is about $5.00. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal called for consideration of consent motions, resolutions, ordinances and ordinances from previous meetings on Items 2-7, and Council members requested that Items 2 and 7 be withheld for discussion. There were no comments from the audience. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following were passed: 3. M98-325 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to apply for and to execute all Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 22, 1998 Page 4 necessary documents for continued financial assistance through the Texas General Land Office for beach cleaning and life guarding at Padre Island during FY 98-99. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye." 4. M98-326 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a construction contract with Duncan -Hope, Corpus Christi, Texas in the amount of $90,000 for the Oso Wastewater Treatment Plant: Catwalk Installation. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye." 5. RESOLUTION NO, 023441 Resolution authorizing resale of ten properties shown on the attached and incorporated Exhibit A for a minimum bid equal to bid amount listed in Exhibit A. The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye." 6. ORDINANCE NO. 023442 Ordinance authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a participation agreement with A & J Construction Inc., developer of The Vineyards Unit 1B Subdivision, for payment in an amount not to exceed $20,292.93 for public street improvements on Vineyard Drive and Napa Drive in accordance with the Platting Ordinance. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye." * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 2, Hewlett-Packard TrainingPak units. Responding to Council Member McNichols, Mr. John Bacon, Director of Information Systems, explained that the TrainingPaks equate to 56 actual training classes. City Manager Garcia said the pak includes instructional material and instruction. Mr. Bacon added that they are on target Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 22, 1998 Page 5 according to both the budget and the schedule. Council Member Martin said he thought that training was included as part of the packages when it was evaluated. Mr. Bacon said it was; however, the consultants recommended that city staff acquire additional training. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 2. M98-324 Motion approving the purchase of 207 Hewlett-Packard TrainingPak units from BCS Systems, Houston, Texas, for the total amount of $76,590. This purchase is through the State of Texas Cooperative Purchasing Program. Funding will be provided through the Computer System Replacement Fund. The Hewlett-Packard TrainingPak units will be utilized by Municipal Information Systems, Maintenance Services, and Municipal Court in implementing the new computer systems. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye." ************* Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 7, South Texas Pop Warner Football League. Responding to several questions from Council Member Garcia, Mr. Dan Whitworth, Acting Director of Park and Recreation, explained that staff has had discussions with representatives of the Pop Warner League and Padre Soccer League regarding long-term plans for fields to be created for the Pop Warner League at a different location. He said in the future the goal is to expand the Padre Soccer League into the area that is currently occupied by the Pop Warner League. Mr. Whitworth also discussed the parking and traffic situation at Bill Witt Park by the different athletic groups that use the playing fields. Council Member Colmenero commented that there is a need for additional playing fields in the city for youth athletics, and he requested a report indicating future plans for those fields. Council Member Betty Jean Longoria said there is a need to enhance youth sports activities throughout the city, although the funding is not available. Council Member Martin said much more money is spent on dealing with troubled youths rather than on programs that benefit youths, such as Pop Warner football, the junior golf program, and many others. Council Member John Longoria commented on the importance of improving the quality of life for citizens. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 22, 1998 Page 6 7. FIRST READING ORDINANCE Authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a 5 -year lease with South Texas Pop Warner Football League for a portion of Bill Witt Park in consideration of South Texas Pop Warner Football League maintaining the premises and improvements and operating a youth football program. The foregoing ordinance passed on first reading by the following vote: Colmenero, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye"; Cooper absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened the public hearing on the following zoning case: 8. Case No. 898-4. Braselton Land Ventures. Inc.• A change of zoning from an "AB" Professional Office District to a "B-1" Neighborhood Business District on Flour Bluff and Encinal Farm and Garden Tracts, Section 6, being 4.0 acres out of Lots 22 and 23, located along the south side of Yorktown Boulevard, approximately 1,100 feet west of South Staples Street. City Secretary Chapa said the Planning Commission and staff recommended approval of the "B-1" Neighborhood Business District. No one appeared in opposition to the zoning change. Council Member Garcia made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Council Member Colmenero, and passed (Cooper absent). Mr. Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 023443 Amending the Zoning Ordinance upon application by Braselton Land Ventures, Inc., by changing the zoning map in reference to 4.0 acres out of Lots 22 and 23, Section 6, Flour Bluff and Encinal Farm and Garden Tracts from "AB" Professional Office District to "B-1" Neighborhood Business District; amending the Comprehensive Plan to account for any deviation from the existing Comprehensive Plan. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye"; Cooper absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened the public hearing on the following zoning case: Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 22, 1998 Page 7 9. Case No. 898-6. CPS Investments, Inc.: A change of zoning from an "F -R" Farm -Rural District to an "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District on Nueces River Irrigation Park, Block 1, Lot 6, located along the north side of County Road 52, approximately 1,100 feet east of County Road 69. City Secretary Chapa said the Planning Commission and staff recommended approval of the "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District. No one appeared in opposition to the zoning change. Council Member Garcia made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Council Member Colmenero, and passed. Responding to Council Member Martin, Mr. Tom Utter, Assistant City Manager for Development Services, said that County Road 52 is outside the city limits at this time. He said it is a 40 -foot roadway and plans are to make it 70 feet; consequently, the city will require that some land be dedicated when the property is platted. Mr. Michael Gunning, Acting Director of Planning and Development, said this subdivision will have a primary access with the extension of Riverside Boulevard. He said the city will require that the developers put up cash in lieu of half -street construction until the property on the opposite side is developed. He said Planning and Engineering staff are currently reviewing a pending preliminary plat. In reply to Council Member McNichols, Mr. Gunning said that dividing a platted lot into multiple lots requires that it be replatted, which he explained. A brief discussion ensued. Council Member Betty Jean Longoria asked if any opposition had been received from the neighbors on River Rock Drive, and Mr. Utter replied that there was none. He added that under the plat, the city is requiring that the developer dedicate right-of-way for a half -street and half of the money for road construction that will eventually tie in to River East Drive. Mr. Martin asked where this property will drain to, and Mr. Gunning said there is a drainage way on the north side of the property that runs east and west, which will have to be extended by the developer. Mr. Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 023444 Amending the Zoning Ordinance upon application by CPS Investments, Inc., by changing the zoning map in reference to Lot 6, Block 1, Nueces River Irrigation Park, from "F -R" Farm -Rural District to "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District; amending the Comprehensive Plan to account for any deviation from the existing Comprehensive Plan. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye." Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 22, 1998 Page 8 * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 10, southside transmission main project. He called for comments from the audience, and there were none. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 10.a. ORDINANCE NO. 023445 Ordinance adopting a portion of the proposed FY 98-99 Capital Budget for design of the Oso Creek Pumping Plant - New Pumping Plant and Storage Reservoir. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye." 10.b. M98-327 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute Amendment No. 1 in the amount of $298,505 to the contract with Urban Engineering Inc. expanding the scope of engineering services for the Southside Transmission Main - Stevens Plant to Clarkwood Road Project to include related additional services and Oso Creek Pumping Plant - New Pumping Plant and Storage Reservoir. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye." 10.c. M98-328 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a geotechnical investigation contract in the amount of $32,882.65 with Trinity Engineering Testing Corp. for the Southside Transmission Main - Stevens Plant to Clarkwood Road Project: Oso Creek Pumping Plant - New Pumping Plant and Storage Reservoir. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye." ************* Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 11, Corpus Christi Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). He called for comments from the audience, and there were none. Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 22, 1998 Page 9 Responding to a question from the Mayor, City Attorney Bray said this action involves the state of Texas recognizing (as they have in the past) that the City of Corpus Christi is the MPO and the proper party to agree to these contracts. Mayor Neal said the MPO has spent an extensive amount of time trying to determine if it is a Corpus Christi MPO or a regional MPO. City Manager Garcia said they work for the City of Corpus Christi but they have a very broad mandate and are responsible for regional transportation coordination. In response to Council Member John Longoria, Mr. Carl Crull, Assistant City Manager for Public Works and Utilities, said this grant is for one year. City Manager Garcia noted that according to the contract, the MPO employees work for the City of Corpus Christi. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 11.a. M98-329 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to accept a grant in the amount of $390,200 from the Texas Department of Transportation for continuing the Metropolitan Planning Organization Program. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye." 11.b. ORDINANCE NO. 023446 Ordinance appropriating a $390,200 grant from the Texas Department of Transportation in the No. 162 Federal/State Grants Fund to pay for Transportation Planning and Related Activities to be undertaken by the Metropolitan Planning Organization. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye." * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 12, grant to reduce juvenile delinquency. He called for comments from the audience, and there were none. In reply to Council Member Garcia, Mr. Whitworth said the grant amount is $185,914 and it requires a match of $20,657, for a total of $206,571; the $45,718 is separate and specifically designated for the county. He added that the addition of the two new positions to the Commission on Children and Youth will allow it to serve as the Juvenile Crime Enforcement Coalition. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 22, 1998 Page 10 12.a. M98-330 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to submit a grant application in the amount of $185,914 to the State of Texas, Office of the Govemor, Criminal Justice Division for funding eligible under the FY 1998 Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant Program. Grant funds must be used to reduce juvenile delinquency, improve the juvenile justice system, and increase accountability for juvenile offenders. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye"; Cooper absent. 12.b. FIRST READING ORDINANCE Amending Section 2-217 of the Corpus Christi Code of Ordinances to increase the number of members of the Corpus Christi Commission on Children and Youth from twelve (12) to fourteen (14); providing that one member shall be a representative of the Nueces County Sheriff's Office; providing that one member shall be a representative of the Nueces County District Attorney's Office. The foregoing ordinance passed on first reading by the following vote: Colmenero, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye"; Cooper absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 13, Community Youth Development grant subcontracts. He said he wished to have the Council consider Items 13.a. and 13.b. first and then consider the rest of the items separately. He called for comments from the audience on Items 13.a. and 13.b., and there were none. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 13.a. M98-331 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a contract with the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services for funding in the amount of $500,000 from the Community Youth Development Grant for the 78415 zip code for projects as recommended by the Community Youth Development Steering Committee. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye." Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 22, 1998 Page 11 13.b. ORDINANCE NO. 023447 Ordinance appropriating $500,000 from the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services in the No. 163 Federal/State Grants Fund to fund the approved 78415 youth service programs. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye." Mayor Neal called for public comments on Item 13.c., and there were none. Replying to Council Member Garcia, Mr. Whitworth said that last year Communities in Schools received $222,213 and this year's funding is $224,115. He said they are still in the process of closing out their budgets, but he believes that the majority of their funding was expended on the projects. Mr. Whitworth explained that the city acts as the fiscal agent and implements the guidelines within the grant for the submittal of reimbursements from the subcontractors. He added that last year Communities in Schools' grant application estimated that they would assist 936 youths in the 78415 zip code area and they actually served 2,519; this year they are estimating assisting 1,000 youths. Mr. Whitworth went on to explain that the 78415 zip code area has been targeted for these grants because of the high crime statistics in that area. Responding to Council Member John Longoria, Mr. Whitworth said that grant applications were solicited through legal notices in the local newspaper and by contacting previous grant recipients. The 78415 Committee then reviewed the proposals and made a recommendation to the Council. He added that there are vacancies on the committee that need to be filled and staff is in the process of recruiting new members for appointment by the Council. Mr. Whitworth and Ms. Sylvia Martinez, Superintendent of Support Services for Park and Recreation, further explained how unexpended funds are reprogrammed and the reimbursement process for the subcontractors. He pointed out that the contracts have been approved for one-year periods contingent upon the state grant monies being available. He added that many of the programs are offered in other areas of the city, but the grant monies allow them to be offered specifically in the 78415 zip code area. Council Member Gonzales emphasized the importance of ensuring that the programs offer quality services. Ms. Martinez and Mr. Whitworth explained how the programs are monitored throughout the year, and she added that the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services is developing an evaluation form to help the fiscal agent (the city) evaluate the programs. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes on Items 13.c. -13.k. as follows: Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 22, 1998 Page 12 13.c. M98-332 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a subcontract with Communities in Schools in the amount of $224,115 to provide mentoring and recreational activities for youth ages 6 to 17 in the 78415 zip code. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye"; Martin absent. 13.d. M98-333 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a subcontract with the Corpus Christi Public Library in the amount of $44,000 to provide computer tutoring for youth ages 6 to 17 in the 78415 zip code. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye"; Martin absent. 13.e. M98-334 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a subcontract with the Park and Recreation Department in the amount of $55,942 to provide recreational activities for youth ages 6 to 17 in the 78415 zip code. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye"; Martin absent. 13.f. M98-335 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a subcontract with the Corpus Christi Independent School District -Community Connection Volunteers in the amount of $31,476 to provide employment training for youth ages 6-17 in the 78415 zip code. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye"; Martin absent. 13.g. M98-336 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a subcontract with the Housing Authority of Corpus Christi in the amount of $23,351 to provide educational and Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 22, 1998 Page 13 recreational activities for youth ages 6 to 17 in the 78415 zip code. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye"; Martin absent. 13.h. M98-337 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a subcontract with the Paisano Girl Scout Council in the amount of $18,772 to provide educational and recreational activities for youth ages 6 to 17 in the 78415 zip code. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye"; Martin absent. 13.i. M98-338 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a subcontract with the Corpus Christi Independent School District - ROPES Course in the amount of $3,910 to provide educational activities for youth ages 6 to 17 in the 78415 zip code. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye"; Martin absent. 13.j. M98-339 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a subcontract with the Volunteer Center of the Coastal Bend in the amount of $5,425 to provide employment training for youth ages 6 to 17 in the 78415 zip code. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye"; Martin absent. 13.k. M98-340 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a subcontract with the YMCA of Corpus Christi in the amount of $7,351 to provide educational and recreational activities for youth ages 6 to 17 in the 78415 zip code. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye"; Martin absent. Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 22, 1998 Page 14 Mr. Colmenero said he thought the organizations which receive grant monies from the state should begin developing other funding sources for the future. Mr. Garcia said they would like the organizations to be accountable for the funding they receive in terms of the success of their programs. City Manager Garcia said the Council funds a large number of outside agencies which do very important work for the city. He said he envisions the city being very hard-pressed to maintain the funding to the existing agencies, and he does not anticipate recommending that a lot of new agencies be funded in the future. He said he believes the city will be struggling to meet its existing obligations, which are the city's primary concerns right now. Dr. Gonzales said that was true; however, he said they need to be creative in finding other ways to support successful programs that would not cost the city any more money. Dr. McNichols pointed out that there is a difference between the city acting as an administrator of a program to ensure that funds are properly distributed and between the city actually funding programs through its General Fund. He said it is the programs that the city actually funds that need to be closely examined. Mr. Longoria said the subcontractors listed in Item 13 are providing expanded services to the 78415 zip code area. He said non-profit organizations know that they cannot be dependent on any one funding source. Mr. Whitworth said that in the next request for proposals, they can try to get the issue of continuation of services addressed. Mr. Garcia said he wants to have some measurement that the monies provided to the subcontractors were spent as intended. City Manager Garcia assured the Council that the monies were spent in accordance with the contracts, which the city monitors in its capacity as the fiscal agent. He said some Council members have said they want staff to address the quality of service that is provided by the subcontractors. Mayor Neal announced the closed sessions, pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071, regarding the following: Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission Docket No. 98 -0987 -WR, Amendment to Certificate of Adjudication, Application No. 14-5434B, Garwood Irrigation Company (Corpus Christi's Right); contract with H.T.E. Inc. for customer information and utility billing system; Robert Rodriguez et al v. Corpus Christi Business Alliance and the City of Corpus Christi, No. 98-4544-G, 319th District Court, Nueces County, Texas; and claim of Christine A. Golleher, with possible action thereon in open session. The Council went into closed session. The Council returned from closed session. Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 22, 1998 Page 15 Mayor Neal made the following motion, seconded by Council Member Cooper. A voice vote was called, and the motion passed as follows: M. M98-341 Motion authorizing the City Manager to execute documents settling the claim of Christine A. Golleher for $92,500 in accordance with the agreement negotiated by the City Attorney. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye"; Martin absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal called for the City Manager's report. Mr. Garcia said the hearing regarding retention of the 512 area code will be held before the Texas Public Utilities Commission on October 5, 1998, at 8:30 a.m. at Judson Independent School District in San Antonio. He said City Council representation is being requested at that hearing and at the TNRCC hearing in Austin on the Garwood application on October 7, 1998. Mr. Garcia also said that the recent heavy rains have resulted in areas of high grass throughout the city, particularly in city parks. He said city crews are working overtime in an attempt to catch up. He said they are also asking private property owners to attempt to maintain their property as well. Mr. Garcia said the city and the Police Officers Association have reached a tentative agreement which the union membership should be voting on this week; if so, staff will present the agreement to the Council next Tuesday for ratification. In his report, Mayor Neal announced that a public hearing on the application of the new windstorm code will be held at the Bayfront Plaza Convention Center on September 24, 1998, at 1:30 p.m. The Mayor asked when Mr. Utter would make a presentation to the Council on the empowerment zone application. Mr. Utter replied that it would be next Tuesday. The Mayor said he receives complaints about the numbers of animals in residential areas within the city limits, and he said more needs to be done to enforce the provisions of the existing ordinance. He also said the issue of cleaning up neighborhoods --particularly private property --needs to be addressed. City Manager Garcia said he agrees with the Mayor's assessment and said he spoke with representatives of a city task force regarding mowing and property maintenance. Mr. Garcia said he has also spoken with the City Attorney about strengthening the city's existing property maintenance ordinances, which will be brought to the City Council for their consideration. Council Member Gonzales reported that he attended the "La Cumbre" tourism conference in Orlando, Florida, on September 16-18, 1998. He said there were tourism representatives from Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 22, 1998 Page 16 almost every country in Central America and South America in attendance who were learning about tourism destinations in the United States, including Corpus Christi. Dr. Gonzales said he was surprised to learn that people in many South American countries want to visit Los Barcos (the Columbus ships) and the U.S.S. Lexington. He said there is tremendous competition for the tourist trade, and Corpus Christi needs to spend more money to compete. He also commended the people who represented Corpus Christi. Council Member Colmenero praised the efforts of the people who participated in the volunteer neighborhood clean-up over the weekend, and he said that program could be successful in many other neighborhoods on an ongoing basis. Council Member Garcia asked if the city's building code is mandated to conform with the state's new windstorm code. Mr. Utter said that issue will be brought before the Council in the next few months; it is currently being reviewed by the various building code boards. He said the city's existing building code is the Southem Standard Building Code; in addition, the city has adopted the state windstorm code that was in effect prior to the new windstorm code which became effective on September 1, 1998. Mayor Neal said that in reality the city does not have a choice because in order for anyone to be eligible for the Texas Catastrophe Insurance Program, they would have to comply with the new windstorm code. For example, if after a catastrophe a person rebuilt his property under the city's old building code, he would not be eligible to purchase windstorm coverage into the future. The Mayor added that the Commissioner of Insurance has instructed the insurance pool to waive compliance to the new code for 90 days until entities have an opportunity to review this issue and either come into compliance or until the state fully adopts that code. Council Member Betty Jean Longoria commented that she, Mr. Utter and Mr. Norbert Hart, Director of Housing and Community Development, along with Mr. Rick Maldonado and Mr. John LaRue from the Port of Corpus Christi gave a presentation to the Gregory City Council concerning the empowerment zone application. She said the Gregory City Council is in support of the application. Mrs. Longoria also said the state needs to be informed about areas of high weeds that block motorists' view of the roadways, and she reported street lights that are not working at the intersections of Lipan and Crosstown and Morgan and Crosstown. Council Member John Longoria asked if the positions in the city's job listing had been analyzed in terms of budget needs. City Manager Garcia replied that there is a process where all vacancies are scrutinized by a committee that he chairs. He said any department head who wishes to propose an exception to the hiring freeze has to justify the position both in writing and in person. There being no further business to come before the Council. Mayor Neal declared the Council meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. on September 22, 1998.