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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 Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 29, 1998 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. Minutes 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 Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 29, 1998 Page 4 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." Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 29, 1998 Page 5 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." Minutes Regular Council Meeting 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 Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 29, 1998 Page 7 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 Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 29, 1998 Page 8 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 Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 29, 1998 Page 9 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. Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 29, 1998 Page 10 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." * * * * * * * * * * * * * Minutes Regular Council Meeting 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. Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 29, 1998 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 Minutes Regular Council Meeting 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. Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 29, 1998 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. * * * * * * * * * * * * *