HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 09/29/1998I 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 29, 1998, which were approved
by the City Council on October 13, 1998.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 13th day of October, 1998.
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
SEAL
MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
Regular Council Meeting
September 29, 1998
2:00 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
Assistant City Secretary Mary Juarez
Mayor Neal called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
The invocation was delivered by Lt. Cmdr. Harold Palmer, CHC (USN Ret.), Naval Station
Ingleside, following which the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States was led by
Council Member Colmenero.
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 regular Council meeting of September 22, 1998, and there being no
corrections, he proclaimed them approved as presented.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Neal referred to the board and committee appointments on the day's agenda, and the
following appointments were made:
Community Youth Development (784151
Belinda Cisneros
Linda Cavazos
Anita McFarland
Maria "Lupita" Galvan
Linda Villarreal
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Nueces County Community
Action Agency
Mayor Loyd Neal (Reappointed)
Betty Jean Longoria (Reappointed)
John Longoria (Reappointed)
*
Mayor Neal referred to the presentations on the day's agenda. The first presentation was
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Page 2
made by Mr. James Garino, General Manager of the Corpus Christi IceRays, regarding the team's
inaugural ice hockey season. He invited the Council members to the team's first game on October
13, 1998, and he thanked several people for their assistance in preparing Memorial Coliseum for the
hockey season.
In the next presentation, Ms. Laurie Cook, Chairperson -Elect of the Greater Corpus Christi
Business Alliance, introduced Mr. Dan Martin of Economic Research Associates (ERA). Mr. Martin
discussed ERA's tourism master plan and he noted that he will return to Corpus Christi in the near
future to address the report in greater depth with the City Council. He explained that ERA had
conducted tourism studies for Corpus Christi about 12 years ago and they concluded at that time that
the city did not have the influx of tourists to support many new projects. Mr. Martin said they were
pleasantly surprised to see that over the years, the city has been marketing its tourism trade and
succeeded in building many new attractions. He said ERA believes Corpus Christi has great potential
for building on its tourism foundation to attract even more tourists.
In response to Mayor Neal, City Manager Garcia said he has talked with Alliance officials
about the possibility of scheduling a noon luncheon/work session to further discuss ERA's plan.
Council Member Gonzales said he was impressed with the report and he looks forward to addressing
it in more detail.
*************
Mayor Neal called for petitions from the audience.
Mrs. Gloria Martinez, 1440 Dahlia, said she was concerned about her husband's safety. She
referred to an article in Sunday's Corpus Christi Caller -Times in which she said a threatening
remark was made by a Council member. She questioned if citizens should be afraid to bring their
opinions before the City Council.
Mr. Jack Gordy, 7226 Owen Court, referred to illegal signs in the public right-of-way. He
used the examples of utility poles located on Leopard Street near City Hall and on Everhart Road
that have had campaign signs and a business sign nailed to them for a month. He said the Planning
Commission discussed the issue of illegal signs during four meetings, which he attended. Mr. Gordy
said he has raised this issue before the City Council numerous times, and he said the City Manager's
first responsibility (according to the City Charter) is to ensure that all ordinances and laws of the city
are enforced.
Mayor Neal said he had not seen any recommendations from the Planning Commission
concerning illegal signs. City Manager Garcia said the Planning Commission had discussed that
issue several times and their recommendation is that the ordinance should remain as it is. He said
staff will provide a report.
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Regular Council Meeting
September 29, 1998
Page 3
Council Member Garcia said he did not think the Council members should continue to allow
violations of the ordinance regulating signs. He said he thought the Planning Commission members
needed to make a recommendation on how to change the ordinance. City Manager Garcia said this
was a pervasive problem in cities throughout Texas. He noted that it is illegal to use the right-of-
ways for a private purpose and the City of Corpus Christi cannot make it legal to do so. However,
he said, people post illegal signs in the right-of-ways for a variety of reasons (lost pets, new homes,
garage sales, etc.).
The City Manager said the city has an enforcement program to deal with those illegal signs;
staff tries to first deal with the ones that are most egregious and pose a problem with public health
and safety. A brief discussion ensued, and Council Member Gonzales suggested that public service
announcements be prepared to explain why private signs in the right-of-ways are illegal. City
Manager Garcia said staff had discussed that idea with the utility company, on whose property many
of the signs are posted. The City Manager added that the issue pertains to the allocation of resources.
Mr. Irving Dietz, 455 Miramar, referred to an article in the local newspaper on August 2,
1998, regarding information about the Lake Texana pipeline. He said the city and the Nueces River
Authority had a contract with the Bureau of Reclamation to deliver 252,000 acre-feet of water to
their customers by building the Choke Canyon Dam. He questioned the accuracy of other figures that
have been associated with the area's water supply.
Mr. J.E. O'Brien, 4130 Pompano, said he thought the extension of the contract to begin
construction on the outlet mall expires on September 30`h, and he questioned whether any progress
had been made. He also questioned the status of the 50 cent 911 fee charged by the Council of
Governments. City Attorney Bray replied that the city is still awaiting the Attorney General's
opinion on that issue, which is expected in the near future. Council Member Gonzales asked if staff
has asked the Attorney General's office to expedite the process, and Mr. Bray said they had. City
Manager Garcia said he is scheduled to meet with the Attorney General in the next few weeks to
discuss it.
Mr. Leon Perez, 904 Buford, complained of high grass in the lots around his house and of
mosquito problems. He said he had contacted Council Member Colmenero about it, adding that he
had not had those problems previously. Mr. Colmenero replied that he had talked with city staff
about high weeds and mosquito problems, and he pointed out that some mowing activities have been
postponed due to recent ozone action days.
City Manager Garcia said the city's mowing and vector control programs have been working
six days a week for 10 hours a day to address the problem. He said they are concentrating on the
areas of highest mosquito infestation along the Nueces River and Oso Creek.
In response to Council Member John Longoria, Mr. Garcia said the city has a process to mow
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weed -filled lots and then assess a lien against the property. He said staff is currently working on a
proposal to establish an expedited administrative process for code enforcement which they will be
presenting to the Council. Mr. Colmenero suggested that the ordinance address citizens who
repeatedly violate the property code.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Neal called for consideration of consent motions, resolutions, ordinances and
ordinances from previous meetings on Items 3-16, and Council members and an audience member
requested that Items 4, 5, 9, 12, 13 and 15 be withheld for discussion. City Secretary Chapa polled
the Council for their votes and the following were passed:
3. M98-342
Motion approving the purchase of winter seed for golf courses from Turf Industries,
Houston, Texas for approximately 26,175 pounds of seed for greens, tees and fairways, in
accordance with Bid Invitation No. 0009-99, based on low bid for a total of $21,114.25.
Funds have been budgeted by Park and Recreation in 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."
6. M98-345
Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a contract with A -Plus
Parking Lot Service in the amount of $43,375 to expand the parking lot at the Northwest
Branch Public Library.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales,
B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye."
7. M98-346
Motion authorizing the City Manager to retain Jim McKibben, Attorney at Law, to represent
the City of Corpus Christi in Robert Rodriguez et al v. The Corpus Christi Business Alliance
and the City of Corpus Christi, No. 98-4544-G, 319`h District Court, Nueces County, Texas,
at an hourly rate of $125.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales,
B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye."
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September 29, 1998
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8. M98-347
Motion authorizing the City Manager to retain Michael Terry, Attorney at Law, to represent
the City of Corpus Christi in its claim against HTE, Inc., regarding its contract for a
computer information and utility billing system, for a contingent fee of one-third of recovery.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales,
B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye."
10. M98-349
Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute an annual contract in the
amount of $100,776.96 for purchase of services from the State of Texas, Department of
Information Resources, to provide computer maintenance for the Police Department's Digital
Equipment Corporation (DEC) equipment being maintained by DEC under its computer
services contract with the State of Texas.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales,
B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye."
11. M98-350
Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a contract with Dailey -Wells
in the amount of $24,427 for maintenance of the City's 800 mhz radio system for one month
beginning September 29, 1998, with an option to extend for up to five (5) additional one-
month terms subject to approval by the City Manager.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales,
B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye."
14. ORDINANCE NO. 023451
Ordinance appropriating $1,318.39 from the Texas Book Festival in the No. 111 Trust Fund
for the purchase of library materials for the Greenwood and Parkdale Branch libraries;
amending Ordinance No. 023387 which adopted the FY 98-99 Budget by adding $1,318.39
in the No. 111 Trust Fund.
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."
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September 29, 1998
Page 6
16. ORDINANCE NO. 023452
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 second reading by the following vote: Colmenero,
Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting
"Aye."
************
Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 4, utility billing system computer upgrade.
Mr. J.E. O'Brien said the city has spent over $8 million upgrading the computers in the utility
department. He said the public should be given an explanation why another $240,000 is needed. City
Manager Garcia said this is for the purchase of a processor for water utilities billing. He said they
are in the process of upgrading the mainframe computer and the purchase is an addition to the
existing contract that staff did not anticipate. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes:
4. M98-343
Motion approving the purchase of a customer information and utility billing system
computer upgrade and associated services from Business Integrators, Inc., of Austin, Texas,
through the State Cooperative Purchase Program for a cost not to exceed $240,000.
The foregoing motion passed 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 5, Minority Business Opportunity Committee.
Council Member Garcia asked about the idea of centralizing minority business assistance
efforts into one location. City Manager Garcia said staff would need to review each of the grants and
the operating circumstances of each of the minority business groups to determine the best location
for them. Mr. Tom Utter, Assistant City Manager for Development Services, also said that a task
force has been working at Del Mar College on the issue of establishing a centralized location for
those minority business efforts. Council Member Betty Jean Longoria said the Westside Business
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Association is working on that project as well. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their
votes as follows:
5. M98-344
Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to submit an application to the U.S.
Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency for $150,000 to continue
the Minority Business Opportunity Committee program.
The foregoing motion passed 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 9, Texas Jazz Festival street closing.
Council Member Garcia asked how the proceeds from the Texas Jazz Festival are used. Mr.
Utter replied that the organization uses the proceeds to pay for performers and they keep a small
amount as an operating balance. He said that last year the organization paid the city $500 for the use
of the city land where the festival is held. Mr. Angel Escobar, Acting Director of Engineering, said
the City Council had approved a five-year use agreement with the Texas Jazz Festival in 1996.
Assistant City Secretary Juarez polled the Council for their votes as follows:
9. M98-348
Motion approving the application by the Texas Jazz Society to temporarily close Kinney
Street between East and West Shoreline Boulevard beginning Friday, October 23, 1998 at
6:00 a.m. and ending Sunday, October 25, 1998 at 11:00 p.m. in conjunction with the Texas
Jazz Festival on October 23-25, 1998.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales,
B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye."
Council Member Betty Jean Longoria asked if the park improvements in that area will be
completed prior to the Jazz Festival, and Mr. Utter said it is still under construction.
* * * * * * * * * *
*
**
Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 12, traffic enforcement project.
Responding to Council Member Garcia, Police Chief Alvarez said this is the first year the
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city has received this comprehensive grant to pay overtime for police officers to focus on
enforcement of speeding, DWI, and seatbelt laws. City Manager Garcia pointed out that percentage
reduction goals for each area of offenses have been set as part of the STEP program. The Chief
added that the grant requires the city to provide matching funds of $27,488 for retirement on police
officers' overtime. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
12.a. RESOLUTION NO. 023448
Resolution authorizing the City Manager or his designee to accept a grant in the amount of
$86,412 from the Texas Department of Transportation for funding of a Safe and Sober
Selective Traffic Enforcement Project (STEP) within the Police Department and to execute
all related documents.
The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia,
Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye."
12.b. ORDINANCE NO. 023449
Ordinance appropriating $86,412 from the Texas Department of Transportation for funding
of a Safe and Sober Selective Traffic Enforcement Project (STEP) within the Police
Department in the No. 162 Federal/State Grants Fund.
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 13, utility easement closure.
In response to Council Member Garcia, City Manager Garcia said this property is an isolated
easement within an existing lot; the request is that the easement be closed and abandoned so that the
entire lot can be sold as a unit. Mr. Escobar added that once the easement is closed and abandoned,
the existing sanitary sewer line in the easement will be retained by the owner as a private sewer
service main. The City Manager said the owner will pay the city $1,450 for the easement. City
Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
13. ORDINANCE NO. 023450
Ordinance closing and abandoning a 338 -square foot portion of a 5 -foot wide utility
easement out of Lot D, Markins Place Subdivision, subject to compliance with the specified
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conditions and the owner, REE, Inc. replatting the property within 180 days at owner's
expense.
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 15, amending the Code of Ethics.
Mr. J.E. O'Brien said he did not object to the proposed ordinance, which he said is probably
badly needed. However, he said there are several areas in the Code of Ethics which need to be
clarified. He used the example of the portion of the code which says that one of the duties of the
Ethics Commission is to review all city documents, which he said is impossible and does not make
sense. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
15. FIRST READING ORDINANCE
Amending the Code of Ethics, Article V, Division II, Section 2-325 of the Code of
Ordinances, City of Corpus Christi, to specify that the Ethics Commission shall meet at least
once a year and to specify an annual meeting date.
The foregoing ordinance passed on first reading by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper,
Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye."
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Neal referred to the regular agenda and opened discussion on Item 17, collective
bargaining agreement with the Corpus Christi Police Officers Association (CCPOA).
City Manager Garcia said the proposed agreement is for two years through July 31, 2000,
and it calls for a 2% salary increase for each of the two years. He said other provisions include a cap
on vacation accrual; a differential cap for new employees and existing employees; changes in the
grievance policy; and increases in several areas. Chief Alvarez said both the city and the CCPOA
recommend that the Council approve the agreement.
Mr. Isaac Valencia, President of the CCPOA, thanked Mr. Ruben Perez, the city negotiator,
whom he said understood the process of interest -based bargaining as opposed to an adversarial
process. Mr. Valencia also thanked City Manager Garcia, who was a catalyst in the two sides
reaching an agreement; and the Council for choosing Mr. Garcia as the new City Manager.
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City Manager Garcia said the cost of the contract is estimated at $724,954. He said staff feels
they can work with that amount in the city's current financial condition. Mayor Neal and Council
Member John Longoria commended the parties involved for coming to an agreement on the police
contract.
In response to Council Member McNichols, the City Manager said the city's contribution
to the Health and Benefit Trust is a new provision in the police officers' contract --it mirrors an
existing provision in the firefighters' contract. He said it provides supplemental resources for health
benefits for police and fire retirees.
Council Member Garcia asked if the retroactive clause is mandated or negotiated. City
Manager Garcia replied that retroactivity is not an issue in the police officers' agreement because
the previous agreement expired at the end of the last fiscal year, so they had only been operating
without a contract for approximately one month. Mr. Garcia said retroactivity is an issue in the
firefighters' agreement because they have been operating for over a year without a contract. He
added that retroactivity is a negotiated issue and not an assumption.
Council Member Colmenero commented on the expeditious manner in which the police
agreement was handled. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
17.a. ORDINANCE NO, 023453
Ordinance appropriating $724,954 from the Unreserved Fund Balance in the No. 102
General Fund for police salaries and benefits; amending the FY 98-99 Budget, adopted by
Ordinance No. 023387, to increase appropriations by $724,954 in the No. 102 General Fund.
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."
17.b. M98-351
Motion authorizing the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City a collective bargaining
agreement with the Corpus Christi Police Officers Association from August 1, 1998 through
July 31, 2000, as negotiated by City representatives and ratified by the Association's
membership.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, Gonzales,
B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye."
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
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September 29, 1998
Page 11
Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 18, empowerment zone application.
Mr. Utter noted that the following entities passed resolutions supporting the empowerment
zone: Nueces and San Patricio counties; the cities of Gregory and Robstown; and staff from the Port
of Corpus Christi Authority.
Mr. Utter also recognized those who participated in preparing the application: Norbert Hart,
Daniel Gallegos, Jack Perales, Martha Macias, Hector Vallejo, George Hodge, Art Sosa, Ken
Trevino, Al Morin, Ken Chastain, Sally De La Cerda, Dan Whitworth, Sylvia Martinez, Adelle Ives,
Marion Loucks, Michael Gunning, Robert Payne, Faryce Goode -Macon, Mic Raasch, Guillermo
Pulido, Lucinda Beal, Mike Newberry, Estela Garcia, Yolanda Moran, Beth Ordonez, Joe West, and
Jo Ann Dominguez. Mr. Utter also announced that there will be a special ceremony "launching" the
application on October 2"d
Mayor Neal called for comments from the audience, and there were none. City Secretary
Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
18. RESOLUTION NO, 023454
Resolution endorsing the Corpus Christi Bay Area Empowerment Zone application and
authorizing the City Manager or his designee to submit the application to the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, B.
Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye"; Gonzales absent.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 19, Oso Water Reclamation Plant improvements. He
called for comments from the audience, and there were none. City Secretary Chapa polled the
Council for their votes as follows:
19. M98-352
Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a construction contract in
the amount of $1,068,841.22 with H&S Constructors, Inc. for the Oso Water Reclamation
Plant Structural and Process Improvements Project.
The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, B.
Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, McNichols, and Neal voting "Aye"; Gonzales absent.
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Page 12
Mayor Neal announced the closed session, pursuant to Texas Government Code Section
551.071, regarding minority business enterprise contractual provision enforcement.
The Council went into closed session.
The Council returned from closed session.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
*
Mayor Neal called for the City Manager's report. Mr. Garcia announced two important
hearings: on Monday, October 5th, the Public Utilities Commission will hold a hearing on the 512
area code in Live Oak; and on Wednesday, October 7'h, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission will hold a hearing in Austin on the Garwood water permit.
In addition, Mr. Garcia said there will be two Council luncheon/workshops scheduled: on
October 13`h regarding the legislative agenda; and a detailed presentation by Economic Research
Associates (the date will be announced). Mr. Garcia added that the dedication of the Mary Rhodes
Pipeline will be held at 6:00 p.m. on September 29`h.
In his report, Mayor Neal said that each quarter the Council receives a detailed report on the
city's investments, and he asked if an executive summary on that issue can be provided. Council
Member Martin suggested that staff give a brief presentation on investments each quarter, which will
allow them to restate for the public the city's investment policies; Mr. Garcia agreed.
Mayor Neal said he will be making a presentation on behalf of the City Council and the city
at the Public Utilities Commission hearing, and he invited the Council to attend. He then called for
Council concerns and reports.
Council Member Betty Jean Longoria asked about the status of the Complete Count
Committee for the 2000 census. Mayor Neal said there is a closing date for applications for the
committee, which is to go through either the Mayor's Office or the City Secretary's Office. Mr.
Chapa said there had not been very many responses up to that point. He said they may sit down with
staff and determine the different categories that the Census Bureau would like to have represented
on the Complete Count Committee, and then think of people to invite to participate.
Council Member Gonzales said he thought the Council needed to get organized regarding
the Complete Count Committee. He said he would like the Council to appoint a committee of three
Council members to begin the process. He made a motion that Council Members Garcia, Colmenero,
and Betty Jean Longoria be appointed to a Council committee.
Mayor Neal suggested that the Council wait until Mrs. Vangie Chapa, Community
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September 29, 1998
Page 13
Partnership Specialist with the 2000 Census, brings the Council a recommendation. He said he
thought the Council needed to have the parameters for representation on the Complete Count
Committee. Dr. Gonzales said Mrs. Chapa would be providing input on the federal government's
requirements, but the Council could proceed with the appointment of the committee.
Mrs. Longoria referred to the speech that was made last month by Mr. Michael Hall, of the
U.S. Bureau of the Census, Dallas Regional Office, regarding the importance of the census and of
elected officials participating in the census process.
Mr. Chapa said the Census Bureau has prepared broad guidelines regarding participation in
the Complete Count Committee, including that members should be well-respected and influential
men and women from all segments of the community; for example, business, labor, government,
religious, and educational organizations. He said he did not think the Census Bureau would specify
any further about the types of organizations to invite to participate --it will be up to the Council to
decide who serves on the committee.
Mayor Neal asked if the Council was selecting representation from across the entire
community. Mr. Chapa said the committee will have representatives from the city only. Nueces
County has been asked to establish its own Complete Count Committee and other segments of the
community can do so if they choose. He said the city's committee can be comprised of no more than
20 members; in addition, the City Council selects the chairperson or persons.
Mayor Neal asked that at their next meeting, the Council be provided with the list of people
who served on the 1990 Complete Count Committee so they can review the composition of that
committee. Dr. Gonzales reiterated his motion that Council Members Garcia, Colmenero, and Betty
Jean Longoria develop a list of individuals to propose to the City Council for appointment to the
Complete Count Committee. Council Member John Longoria seconded Dr. Gonzales' motion.
Council Member Martin asked if the Council could take that action during this Council
meeting. City Attorney Bray said the item should be brought back at a subsequent Council meeting
since it was not posted on the day's agenda.
Dr. Gonzales then made a motion to place on the October 13th Council meeting agenda an
item to consider selecting a committee of Council members to work on the development of the
Complete Count Committee.
Council Member Garcia said the validity of proceeding that way is that the Council
committee members can send out direct invitations to certain individuals from segments of the
community which need to be represented. Mr. Colmenero said he had served on the 1990 Complete
Count Committee and several of those members were sought out by the Council at that time.
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Page 14
Mr. Chapa polled the Council for their votes on Dr. Gonzales' motion, and it passed by the
following vote: Colmenero, Garcia, Gonzales, B. Longoria, and J. Longoria voting "Aye"; Martin,
McNichols, and Neal voting "No"; Cooper absent.
In other Council reports, Dr. Gonzales said he had attended an economic development
conference in Corpus Christi on September 28`h, and he said he was encouraged by the regional
participation.
Mr. Colmenero noted that earlier in the meeting the Council had discussed the issue of high
weeds around the city. He said some CITGO employees have volunteered to mow certain areas and
the city may be able to incorporate some of CITGO's ideas in its own efforts.
Mr. Garcia said that a few months ago the Council had made the decision to meet quarterly
with representatives of the port industries. City Manager Garcia said he would provide the Council
with a status report on that issue.
Council Member Garcia also asked several questions about the recent Bayfest event,
including possible income from the carnival rides; the organization's accountability to the city; use
of a large platform at the Water Gardens; loss of rental revenues for the convention center prior to
Bayfest; and loss of revenues from Harbor Playhouse and the Corpus Christi Museum of Science
and History. City Manager Garcia said the city receives 4% of the gross revenues from Bayfest.
Council Member Garcia requested a status report on the City Council's planned meeting with
the Corpus Christi Independent School District Trustees. Mr. Chapa reported that Dr. Abelardo
Saavedra, CCISD Superintendent, said the CCISD Trustees agreed to meet with the City Council
during one of the Council meetings in October, possibly a luncheon meeting. Referring again to
Bayfest, Council Member Garcia asked if the city receives 4% of the revenues from the items that
were sold in shops at the event. City Manager Garcia said staff will ask the Bayfest organizers to
make a report to the Council.
Mrs. Longoria said she did not understand the reservations to the idea of appointing a
Council committee to develop the list for the Complete Count Committee. Mayor Neal said his
reservation is that he has not seen the make up of the previous committee. He added that there is a
concern in the community about the composition of the new Complete Count Committee.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Neal declared the
Council meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m. on September 29, 1998.
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