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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 10/13/1998 - WorkshopI HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the City Council Workshop of the City of Corpus Christi of October 13, 1998, which were approved by the City Council on October 20, 1998. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 20th day of October, 1998. Armando Chapa City Secretary SEAL MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS City Council Workshop October 13, 1998 12:20 p.m. PRESENT Mayor Samuel L. Neal Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Edward A. Martin Council Members: Javier D. Colmenero* Dr. Arnold Gonzales Betty Jean Longoria John Longoria ABSENT Melody Cooper Alex L. Garcia Jr. Dr. David McNichols City Staff: City Manager David R. Garcia City Attorney James R. Bray Jr. City Secretary Armando Chapa Mayor Neal convened the workshop in the Basement Training Room of City Hall. City Secretary Chapa called the roll and verified that the necessary quorum of the Council and the required charter officers were present. Also present at the workshop were Mr. Hugo Berlanga and Mr. Brent Chesney, who was representing Mr. Todd Hunter. Mr. Berlanga and Mr. Hunter are two of the city's lobbyists. City Manager Garcia said that for the past several months, city staff members have been preparing a package of issues and priorities that will be presented to the Council for their approval in anticipation of the convening of the 76'" Texas Legislature in January 1999. He said the legislative package will serve as a guide to the city's lobbyists and staff as the legislative issues emerge. Mr. Garcia then referred to the preliminary legislative package staff had prepared. He said the objective of the workshop is to receive input from the Council so that staff can compile a comprehensive list of priorities that the Council will act upon during a regular meeting. The City Manager said the first section of the document pertains to general policies that are designed to provide direction to the city's lobbyists on such issues as protecting the city's revenues, reducing costs and providing for more local control. Mr. Garcia then referred to Section 2 - Financial Integrity. He said one of the most important issues that is expected to be addressed by the Legislature is franchise fees and the city's ability to generate revenue from them. He said staff feels very strongly that franchise fee revenues will need Minutes City Council Workshop October 13, 1998 Page 2 to be protected. Mr. Garcia said the city is also anticipating an Attorney General's opinion on 911 fees that should allow the city to withdraw from the 911 district. Mr. Garcia added that the city supports legislation that would provide cities with an equitable share of the tobacco settlement. Responding to Council members' questions, Mr. Tom Utter, Assistant City Manager for Development Services, said the city would support legislation which would enable it to increase its hotel tax by up to three cents specifically for convention center construction or expansion. A discussion ensued about whether the legislation would be introduced on a state-wide basis or if the city should consider sponsoring specific legislation for the city's convention center expansion. Mr. Berlanga said that issue will need to be thoroughly discussed by all the entities involved. There was also discussion about the implications of Corpus Christi's current hotel taxes. *Council Member Colmenero arrived at 12:35 p.m. Council Member Betty Jean Longoria asked about Item 2.h., Crime Victims Fund. City Attorney Bray and Ms. Barb Sudhoff, Director of Municipal Courts, explained that the Texas Municipal League (TML) has proposed that local communities be allowed to benefit from some of the monies collected under the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund. Council Member Martin suggested that in the compilation of legislative issues, city staff indicate which ones are issues being promoted by TML. Mayor Neal suggested that staff also indicate which issues are priorities for the Greater Corpus Christi Business Alliance, the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, and Nueces County. Mr. Martin then addressed Item 2.n., Truth in Taxation. He said he agreed that new growth which results in additional ad valorem tax revenue should not be one of the issues that triggers tax notices and hearings. However, he said, the city should not support legislation which would try to exclude increased evaluations from triggering those notices and hearings. Mr. Garcia said staff could delete that issue from the legislative package. Mr. Garcia then referred to Section 3 - Essential Infrastructure. With regard to the water issue, he said the city would like to preserve the right to secure its water resources. Regarding transportation, Mr. Garcia said there are three priorities: JFK Causeway, Crosstown Expressway, and equitable distribution of road maintenance and construction revenues. Mr. Martin asked how the JFK Causeway and Crosstown Expressway would be considered legislative issues. Mr. Garcia said staff believes that legislation will be introduced, probably by Representative Gene Seaman, that attempts to identify a source of revenue. Mr. Martin said the Crosstown Expressway is the city's number one priority, and he would not mind directing staff and the city's lobbyists to help get the city's transportation projects prioritized on the state level. Minutes City Council Workshop October 13, 1998 Page 3 Council Member John Longoria commented that there is a group of local citizens rallying behind the JFK Causeway project. He said in order to bring that project to fruition, it will require a local sponsor and local funding. A discussion ensued about both the JFK Causeway and the Crosstown Expressway interchange and extension. Mr. Garcia and Mr. Utter commented that the issues being addressed represent both the city's legislative and administrative policies. Mr. Martin asked about Item 4.d., Windstorm Insurance, under Section 4 - Community Protection and Development. Mr. Utter explained how parts of the city fall outside the coverage area. Council Member Colmenero asked about Item 4.a., Annexation, and Mr. Utter said TML anticipates that there will be a strong effort in the upcoming Legislature to erode the annexation authority of cities, which Corpus Christi opposes. Mr. Longoria commented on the importance of the Latchkey Program, which was listed as Item 5.a. under the section titled Children and Youth. In response to Mr. Colmenero, Fire Chief J.J. Adame explained Item 6.d., Regional Public Safety Training Academy. The Council also discussed the issue of school crossing guards under Section 7 - Public Safety and Health. Mr. Berlanga asked if that was a TML initiative, and Mr. Martin explained that the city had asked Nueces County to increase the road and bridge taxes by $1.50 to fund school crossing guards, but the county would not take that action. Mr. Utter explained that the proposed initiative to fund the school crossing guards would be at the request of cities or school districts which represent at least 85% of the population of the county. There were also brief discussions about Items 7.e., Community Service for Minors; 7.g., Impoundment of Uninsured Vehicles; and 7.n., Automation Fee. In response to a question, Mr. Garcia and Mr. Utter explained how a city would serve as an aggregator with regard to the issue of electric industry deregulation (Item 8.a.). Mr. Utter also addressed Item 11.e., Waiver of Agricultural Rebate. Following a brief discussion on that issue, Mr. Garcia said staff may delete that item from the list. Mayor Neal urged staff to further review the issues of the hotel taxes and the JFK Causeway elevation. Mr. Garcia said some citizens have discussed the idea of hiring a lobbyist to further the causeway elevation project; he said those citizens feel the city has not supported their efforts on that issue. He added that there will be additional discussion about the causeway project. Mayor Neal declared the Council workshop adjourned at 1:50 p.m. on October 13, 1998. * * * * * * * * * * * * *