Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 11/24/1998I 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 November 24, 1998, which were approved by the City Council on December 8, 1998. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 8th day of December, 1998. Armando Chapa City Secretary SEAL MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS Regular Council Meeting November 24, 1998 2:03 p.m. PRESENT Mayor Samuel L. Neal Jr. Mayor Pro Tem John Longoria Council Members: Javier D. Colmenero Melody Cooper Alex L. Garcia Jr.* Betty Jean Longoria* Edward A. Martin ABSENT Dr. Arnold Gonzales Dr. David McNichols City Staff: City Manager David R. Garcia Assistant City Attorney Alison Gallaway City Secretary Armando Chapa Mayor Neal called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers of City Hall and he then delivered the invocation. 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 regular Council meeting of November 17, 1998. A motion was made and passed to approve the minutes as presented. *Council Member Garcia arrived at 2:06 p.m. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal referred to the presentations on the day's agenda. The first presentation regarded the Greater Corpus Christi Business Alliance's tourism master plan. Mr. Gary Bushell, CEO of the Alliance, explained that earlier this year the Alliance commissioned a regional tourism study by Economics Research Associates (ERA). Mr. Dan Martin, a partner with ERA, said the study was conducted by a 15 -member project team using group meetings with community experts, site visits, and extensive staff research. *Council Member Betty Jean Longoria arrived at 2:10 p.m. Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 24, 1998 Page 2 Mr. Martin noted that about 12 years ago, ERA conducted a tourism feasibility study for Corpus Christi. They concluded at that time that Corpus Christi did not attract enough tourists to support the types of improvements that were envisioned. He said that to ERA's surprise, Corpus Christi has developed its tourism facilities and increased its tourism base. As a result of the recent study, Mr. Martin said his firm's principal finding is that the most important tourism attractions in the greater Corpus Christi area are the beaches of Padre and Mustang islands. He said another key finding is that there is market support for further development in the region, including from Mexico and the central U.S. markets. In addition, other attractions include the downtown area, beaches on the bay, convention center, the potential for water sports on the bay, and the area's rich and diverse natural ecosystems. Mr. Martin said ERA recommends completing several "catalytic projects" which ERA believes will spark further development. Those projects include: developing the area's Gulf beaches; leveraging Gulf beach development with nationally competitive resorts on Padre and Mustang islands; and developing downtown projects, including a resort on Corpus Christi Bay, a unified harbor -front attraction, and expansion of the convention center. He said two other catalytic projects that serve niche markets with great potential are eco -tourism lodging and ranch lodging. Mr. Martin said ERA's recommendation to the Business Alliance was that they should take the lead by coordinating, planning, promoting, and actively supporting new development on the islands, in the downtown area, and in the niche market areas. He noted that, in cooperation with the private sector, the city and the Port of Corpus Christi Authority will be key players in downtown development; and the city, county, and state will be instrumental in the development of the islands. Council Member Garcia said ERA's report discussed tourism ideas familiar to many people, and he asked if the report highlights ways to access funding for the recommended projects. Mr. Martin said the report does address funding possibilities but he said the task was to provide a strategic overview of tourism development. Mayor Neal thanked Mr. Martin, saying that the region has long-range planning to undertake, particularly with regard to the opening of Packery Channel and the raising of the JFK Causeway. * * * * * * * * * * * * * The next presentation was a briefing on the empowerment zone application. Council Member Betty Jean Longoria said a delegation of Coastal Bend officials traveled to Washington, D.C., to promote the region's application. They included four Corpus Christi City Council Members (Mrs. Longoria, Mr. Garcia, Mr. Colmenero, and Dr. Gonzales); County Judges Josephine Miller and Richard Borchard from San Patricio and Nueces counties, respectively; Port Commissioner Ruben Bonilla; the Mayor of Robstown; the Mayor Pro -Tem of Gregory; and Mr. Danny Noyola, Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 24, 1998 Page 3 Superintendent of West Oso ISD, among others. Mrs. Longoria said the delegation members made a presentation about the empowerment zone application to the staff of Vice President Gore's office. She noted that the announcement will be made January 1" of the 15 cities which will be designated as empowerment zones. Mrs. Longoria thanked Mr. Rick Maldonado of the Port, Mr. Torn Utter, Assistant City Manager for Development Services, and Ms. Jo Ann Dominguez, Community Development Administrator. Council Member Garcia said the region's application was well received by the Washington officials. He said if the designation is not granted, at least the area's needs will have been made known to Housing and Urban Development officials and others, Council Member Colmenero said this region's application was set apart from others because of the cohesiveness of the entities involved and the two-year benchmarks that were included. Mr. Garcia and Mr. Colmenero also commented on the political clout of U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz. * * * * * * * * * * * * * City Manager Garcia said the last presentation was regarding the status of existing airport terminal repairs. Ms. Bonnie Allin, Director of Aviation, said the City Manager previously sent the Council members a copy of the October structural report by W.P. Moore & Associates, which indicated that the cracks in the terminal roof had increased slightly. As a precautionary measure, interim shoring has been added at two points while additional steel columns are being fabricated for installation in the back of the facility. Ms. Allin said staff is inspecting and documenting the existing cracks on a regular basis and the structural engineer is reviewing the reports and making periodic inspections of the facility. Ms. Allin said a contingency plan has been developed in the event some tenants need to be relocated prior to the scheduled building section being replaced. She said the plan includes moving the tenants from the affected portion of the building to temporary quarters and the proposed rerouting of the public around the affected area. Ms. Allin then introduced two representatives of Day & Zimmerman Infrastructure Inc.: Mr. Ed Sanii, President, and Mr. Doug Ellis, Project Manager. Mr. Ellis referred to diagrams showing the area of structural concern, which impacts four airport tenants: Southwest Airlines, the gift shop, the fish house, and the back office for Avis Rental Cars. He said once long-term construction begins, a temporary corridor will be built from the edge of Continental's ticket counter past the restaurant, which will require the relocation of the checkpoint to the new entrance to the concourse. In response to Council Member Martin, Ms. Allin said an architect from Southwest Airlines has reviewed the temporary area and they will provide their requirements for building out that space. Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 24, 1998 Page 4 Council Member Garcia asked how these actions affected the budget for the terminal renovation. Ms. Allin and City Manager Garcia explained that the relocation of some tenants would have to occur anyway as part of the renovation, but a contingency plan is being developed in the event that the relocation will have to occur earlier than planned. The City Manager added that it is not an emergency situation. Replying to Council Member Colmenero, Ms. Allin said the slight increase in the cracks in the affected area are a result of the structural condition of the terminal building and the shortening of the beams. As a result, shoring was added to that area. She said staff is watching the situation very closely to ensure there is no significant change in the condition of the building. Mr. Colmenero asked how long the tenants will have to be relocated. Ms. Allin said that at this time staff is planning the phasing of the construction which they will bring back to the Council in the first quarter of next year. Council Member Cooper complimented staff on the work at the airport, saying she has seen progress there. Council Member Betty Jean Longoria asked about the new food court. Ms. Allin said business has increased significantly with the opening of the new food court. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal called for petitions from the audience. Mr. Ross Wilmeth, Executive Director of the Harbor Playhouse, thanked city staff, in particular Mr. Utter and Mr. Hal Peterson, Director of Convention Facilities, for their help in addressing the Harbor Playhouse's roof problem. Mr. Wilmeth also thanked City Manager Garcia, the City Council, and the community for their suggestions and support. Mr. Jack Gordy, 7226 Owen Court, said he was addressing the same issue as before: illegal signs in the right-of-way. He said he has sent letters asking why city staff refuses to send the developers and realtors a legal notification regarding their signs. He also said he has called numerous times to report illegal signs in specific areas and they have not been removed. Mr. Phil Rosenstein referred to his appearance before the Council on November 17' in which Mr. Rosenstein spoke, followed by comments by the Mayor. Mr. Rosenstein said that at that meeting Mayor Neal called him out of order and had him removed from the Council Chambers. Mr. Rosenstein asserted at this meeting that he has every right to be present without being intimidated, and he asked Mayor Neal for a public apology. Mr. Tony Sanchez, 2022 Harvard, said he was bothered by last week's events involving Mr. Rosenstein. He said he feels the Mayor is popular in the community. He also emphasized the importance of public comments during Council meetings, and he said the rules of decorum are somewhat ambiguous and should be clarified. Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 24, 1998 Page 5 Mr. Jose Marroquin, 2433 Allencrest, referred to the November 10, 1998 Council meeting during which he petitioned the Council to set a rate case regarding the high electric rates charged by Central Power and Light Company. He said Mr. Geoffrey Gay, the utility law attorney for Corpus Christi and the other cities in the CPL service area, had informed the Council at that meeting about two pending cases in Austin regarding merger savings and glide path. Mr. Marroquin asked the Council to carefully examine the information he has provided to them about CPL's rates. Mr. R.F. Hasker, 1813 Wallace, said he believes that each citizen has the right to question some of the decisions made by the Council. He said those citizens have never asked the Council for any funding, unlike representatives of some organizations who fill the Council Chambers when they are seeking city funding. Mr. J.E. O'Brien, 4130 Pompano, asked if a copy of the empowerment zone application is available for public viewing. He also asked whether the monies for the empowerment zone have been appropriated by Congress and how the funds would be administered if Corpus Christi is designated as an empowerment zone. Mayor Neal said staff would provide Mr. O'Brien with a copy of the application. Mr. Orval E. Young Jr., 5757 S. Staples, said he had sent information about several issues (including crop depreciation) to different people, including the Mayor, the governors of Texas and Kansas, and state senators. He said he had not received responses to his letter, adding that he and others were not being heard. Mayor Neal thanked Mr. Young, who left the podium. Mr. Young then continued to address the Council while standing in the middle of the Council Chambers. The Mayor said Mr. Young was out of order and he asked him to sit down; Mr. Young left the chambers. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal called for consideration of consent motions, resolutions, and ordinances under Items 2-9. Council members and an audience member requested that Items 4, 6 and 9 be withheld for discussion. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following passed: 2. M98-394 Motion approving the purchase of traffic controllers, signals and equipment consisting of fifteen (15) TS2 traffic signal controllers, fifteen (15) traffic signal video processors, sixty (60) pedestrian signals, thirty (30) school flasher cabinets, one -hundred ten (110) traffic signals, thirty-five (35) time switch clocks, fifty (50) LED hand clam shell kits and two hundred five (205) brackets from the following companies for the following amounts in accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -0030-99, based on low bid, for a total of $253,215. Funds have been budgeted by the Street Department under the capital outlay and operating budgets. Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 24, 1998 Page 6 Texas Highway Products Corp. Round Rock, Texas Items 5-8 $33,500 Econolite Control Products, Inc. Santa Fe, New Mexico Items 1 & 2 $165,750 Naztec, Inc. Sugarland. Texas Item 9 $5,600 Control Technologies of Texas Tomball. Texas Items 11-14 $16,560 Consolidated Traffic Controls, Inc. Arlington Texas Items 3 & 10 $23,555 Traffic Parts, Inc. Spring. Texas Item 4 $8,250 Grand Total: $253,215 The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Gonzales and McNichols absent. 3. M98-395 Motion approving a supply agreement for approximately 2,091 gas meters with the following companies in accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -0029-99 based on low bid, low bid meeting specifications, and best bid for a total of $155,270. The term of the contracts will be twelve months with an option to extend for up to two additional twelve month periods. These meters will be used by the Gas Department and funds have been budgeted in FY 98 - 99. Schlumberger RMS Owenton Kentucky Bid Item 3 $2,740 National Meter, Inc. Lancaster, Ohio Bid Item 1 $98,100 Grand Total: $155,270 McGinnis Industrial Sales, Inc. Houston Texas Bid Items 2, 4-7 $54,430 The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Gonzales and McNichols absent. 5. M98-397 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute Amendment No. 1 in the amount of $74,340 to the contract with Bath & Associates, Inc., expanding the scope of engineering services for the O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant: Instrumentation Documentation Project to include related additional services and process and instrumentation Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 24, 1998 Page 7 diagrams for process hazards analysis. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Gonzales and McNichols absent. 7.a. ORDINANCE NO. 023490 Ordinance appropriating a matching grant of $3,832 from the Texas Commission on the Arts in the No. 114 Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund - Arts Commission Budget Activity, to support the City's Art Subgrant program; amending the FY 98-99 budget, adopted by Ordinance No. 023387, to increase appropriations by $3,832 in the No. 114 Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Gonzales and McNichols absent. 7.b. ORDINANCE NO. 023491 Ordinance transferring $5,000 from the No. 114 Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund to the No. 111 Permanent Art Trust Fund for public art. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Gonzales and McNichols absent. 7.c. M98-401 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a contract in the amount of $22,764 with the Harbor Playhouse for support of their 1999 season. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Gonzales and McNichols absent. 7.d. M98-402 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a contract in the amount of $21,572 with the Corpus Christi Symphony for support of four performances during their 1999 season. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Gonzales and McNichols absent. Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 24, 1998 Page 8 7.e. M98-403 Motion approving the allocation of $73,497 from the Hotel Occupancy Fund to 14 arts organizations as approved in the FY 1998-99 Budget. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Gonzales and McNichols absent. 8. ORDINANCE NO. 023492 Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 023450 which closed and abandoned a 338 -square foot portion of a 5 -foot wide utility easement out of Lot D, Markins Place Subdivision; to allow for a 10 -foot utility easement dedication in lieu of payment of the fair market value fee of $1,450 for the closure and abandonment of the 338 -square foot portion of the 5 -foot wide utility easement out of Lot D, Markins Place Subdivision; subject to compliance with the specified 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, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Gonzales and McNichols absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 4, artwork selection for the Southeast Senior Center. Responding to Council Member Colmenero, Mr. Dan Whitworth, Acting Director of Park and Recreation, said once the Council takes action on this item, the art selection panel will meet and establish a time schedule for the selection of the artwork. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 4. M98-396 Motion authorizing the appointment of an ad hoc art selection panel to the Arts & Cultural Commission for the purpose of selecting artwork for the Southeast Senior Center in accordance with the Public Art Ordinance No. 19663. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Gonzales and McNichols absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 24, 1998 Page 9 Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 6, effluent diversion demonstration project. Referring to Item 6.c., Mr. J.E. O'Brien said that on November 19, 1996, the Council approved a similar contract in the amount of $70,000. He said he assumed the information from that study has been made available. Mr. O'Brien questioned why the proposed action under Item 6.c. constitutes a $14,500 increase over the previous contract. Council Member Martin said that originally the city had a plan to conduct this demonstration project to determine whether it could receive multiple credit for the effluent discharge in lieu of releasing water. He said he had the impression that this project is no longer a priority with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) and others. Mr. Martin questioned how much longer the city will continue to conduct these studies. City Manager Garcia replied that some of the discussions he has had lead him to believe that it is still a viable concept. Mr. Carl Crull, Assistant City Manager for Public Works and Utilities, said there are some TNRCC staff members who feel that a one-to-one credit for the effluent discharge is sufficient, while others feel that --based on the study --the city might receive more credits. He said the monitoring was supposed to occur for five years after the demonstration project was completed and in operation. Mr. Garcia said that based on the results of the monitoring, the city should be able to demonstrate the value of a higher nutrient -loaded effluent to the estuary, as opposed to the normal amount of fresh water that is released from the dam. Mr. Martin said the people involved with the city's water releases and permits have not acknowledged the possibility of multiple credits for the effluent diversion project. He added that he did not want to pour a large amount of money into the project without that acknowledgment. Mr. Crull pointed out that two-thirds of the $90,000 for the salinity monitoring is part of the agreed order for the bay and estuary flows. Mayor Neal asked if staff could answer Mr. O'Brien's question about Item 6.c. Mr. Crull said he did not have all the details at that time but he assumed that the work conducted from 1996-97 was to establish the base line and this new contract is for a more intensive sampling and study program to review over the next year what the effects will be. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 6.a. M98-398 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a contract for consulting services in the amount of $52,500 with the Center for Coastal Studies for ecological/biologi- cal monitoring of treated wastewater diversions in the Rincon Delta and Nueces Bay. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Garcia, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Cooper, Gonzales, and McNichols absent. Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 24, 1998 Page 10 6.b. M98-399 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a contract for consulting services in the amount of $90,500 with the Conrad Blucher Institute for ongoing salinity monitoring in the Rincon Delta and Nueces Bay. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Garcia, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Cooper, Gonzales, and McNichols absent. 6.c. M98-400 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a contract for consulting services in the amount of $84,500 with the University of Texas Marine Sciences Institute for biological monitoring of the effects of wastewater effluent diversions on primary and secondary production in the Rincon Delta and Nueces Bay. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Garcia, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Cooper, Gonzales, and McNichols absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 9, concession services lease at Oso Golf Course. Responding to Council Member Garcia, Mr. Whitworth said the city's revenues in the proposed lease are close to the amount received under the previous contract with the former concessionaire. He said Pan American has requested the ability to expand the kitchen facilities at the Oso Golf Course. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 9. ORDINANCE NO. 023493 Authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a five-year concession services lease with the Pan American Golf Corporation at the Oso Beach Municipal Golf Course in consideration of Pan American paying 10% of monthly gross sales or $1,000 per month, whichever is greater. The foregoing ordinance passed on second reading by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Gonzales and McNichols absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 24, 1998 Page 11 Mayor Neal opened the public hearing on the following zoning case: 10. Case No. 1098-2, Koch Refining Company: A change of zoning from an "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District and "A-1" Apartment House District to a `B-3" Business District on Nueces Bay Heights Extension, all of Block 22, bounded by Hulbirt Street, Floral Street, Noakes Street, and Nueces Bay Boulevard. City Secretary Chapa said the Planning Commission and staff recommended denial of the "B-3" District, and in lieu thereof, approval of a special permit for temporary off-street parking subject to a site plan and seven (7) conditions. No one appeared in opposition to the zoning change. Council Member Garcia made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Council Member Betty Jean Longoria, and passed (Gonzales and McNichols absent). Responding to Council Member Martin, Mr. Michael Gunning, Acting Director of Planning and Development, said the applicant concurs with the recommendation of the Planning Commission and city staff. Mr. Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: ORDINANCE NO, 023494 Amending the Zoning Ordinance upon application by Koch Refining Company, by granting a special permit for temporary off-street parking on all of Block 22, Nueces Bay Heights Extension, subject to a site plan and seven (7) conditions; amending the Comprehensive Plan to account for any deviations from the existing Comprehensive Plan. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Gonzales and McNichols absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened the public hearing on the following zoning case: 11. Case No. 1098-5. Progressive Structures, Inc.: A change of zoning from an "R -1B" One - family Dwelling District to a `B-4" General Business District on Gregorio Farias Grant, Abstract No. 592, being a part of Tract 3, located on the north side of Up River Road, approximately 750 feet east of U.S. Highway 77. City Secretary Chapa said the Planning Commission and staff recommended approval of the "B-4" 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 Cooper, and passed (Gonzales and McNichols absent). Mr. Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 24, 1998 Page 12 11. ORDINANCE NO. 023495 Amending the Zoning Ordinance upon application by Progressive Structures, Inc., by changing the zoning map in reference to a 0.832 acre tract out of a part of the Gregorio Farias portion of the Barranco Blanco Grant, from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District to `B-4" General Business District; amending the Comprehensive Plan to account for any deviations from the existing Comprehensive Plan. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Gonzales and McNichols absent. ************* Mayor Neal opened the public hearing on the following zoning case: 12. Case No, C1098-6, City of Corpus Christi: A change of zoning from a "B-4" General Business District to an "R -1A" One -family Dwelling District on River Ridge, Block 7, Lots 6, 7, and 8, located on the northeast corner of River Rock Drive and County Road 69. City Secretary Chapa said the Planning Commission and staff recommended approval of the "R -1A" 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 Betty Jean Longoria, and passed (Gonzales and McNichols absent). Responding to Council Member Martin, Mr. Crull said that "R -1A" has a minimum lot size of 10,000 square feet and "R -1B" has a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet. Mr. Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 023496 Amending the Zoning Ordinance upon application by City of Corpus Christi, by changing the zoning map in reference to Lots 6, 7, and 8, Block 7, River Ridge, from "B-4" General Business District to "R -1A" One -family Dwelling District; amending the Comprehensive Plan to account for any deviations from the existing Comprehensive Plan. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Gonzales and McNichols absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 24, 1998 Page 13 Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 13, consultant for TCI franchise negotiations. He called for comments from the audience, and there were none. Responding to Council Member Colmenero, City Manager Garcia said that Mr. Adrian Herbst has negotiated agreements such as this on a national level. He said part of the complexity in renegotiating the city's contract with TCI is that there are two major components of it. The first component involves assessing TCI's existing service (whether it was adequate); the second involves evaluating TCI's ability to service the community in the future. Mr. Colmenero asked if TCI intended to use fiber optic cable throughout their network. Mr. Garcia replied that he thought the industry was moving toward using fiber optic cable for several types of services. He added that the franchise agreement is not exclusive and the city will consider other providers. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 13. M98-404 Motion authorizing the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Adrian Herbst, The Bailer Herbst Law Group, P.C., in the estimated amount of $69,500, to assist the City in negotiations with TCI Cablevision of Texas for renewal of the cable franchise. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Gonzales and McNichols absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 14, wetland demonstration project. He called for comments from the audience, and there were none. Council Member Martin asked why the city was conducting this study. Mr. Whitworth explained that the grant the city received requires a detailed analysis of the plant materials to see if they can be utilized in other areas. City Manager Garcia said the original motivation for the grant was to examine run-off from residential areas. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 14. M98-405 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a contract for consulting services in the amount of $29,894 with the Center for Coastal Studies for development of a quality assurance plan, project design and water quality assessment for the Falcon Park/Oso Creek Wetland Demonstration Project. Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 24, 1998 Page 14 The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Colmenero, Cooper, Garcia, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, Martin, and Neal voting "Aye"; Gonzales and McNichols absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal called for the City Manager's report. Mr. Garcia said that due to recent rains, the overflow parking lot at the airport has not been completely paved; as a result, the city will be offering a discounted rate of $5 per day as opposed to the normal $7 per day rate during the holiday season. Mr. Garcia also reviewed the garbage collection schedule due to the Thanksgiving holidays. Mr. Garcia said he is planning a presentation for the December 8th meeting about proposed budget reductions. Also scheduled for that meeting is a closed session beginning at noon, during which Mr. Geoffrey Gay will review the full make-up of the recommendation on the merger involving CPL. Mr. Garcia said it pertains to the settlement of a lawsuit, which is the reason for the closed session. The item will then be placed on a regular agenda for more substantive discussion. Mayor Neal asked staff to review the list of stormwater projects, and he asked them to study the movement of traffic on Greenwood Drive around Garcia Elementary and on Waco Street next to Coles Elementary. The Mayor also thanked the Miller High School students who took part in the march that morning. He asked about construction on Lokey Street (near Holly Road), and Mr. Crull replied that there is a commitment on the part of the developer to pave that section. Mayor Neal asked about the status of the Council's luncheon meeting with the legislative delegation scheduled for December 15th to discuss the city's legislative agenda. City Manager Garcia said Senator Carlos Truan called to say that he has scheduled a meeting on December 16th with the legislative delegation. The Senator requested that all entities in the area which are interested in presenting issues relating to their legislative agendas attend that meeting. City Secretary Chapa said Rep. Vilma Luna had also indicated that she would be involved in the December 16th meeting; however, not all of the legislators have called the City Secretary's office regarding the city's planned luncheon meeting on December 15th. City Manager Garcia said both the Police Department and the Street Department have received a number of complaints about the Alameda Street hospital zone, and staff is considering removing the hospital zone designation. Council Member Martin said the city has determined that in order to improve water pressure on the south side, a water storage tank is needed between Oso Creek and Chapman Ranch Road. He asked if it was true that even though the city has located a site, staff is reviewing other sites in the area and will bring a recommendation to the Council at some point. Mr. Garcia said that was correct, adding that there are a number of sites upon which a tank can be built but the issue is availability of the site. He said Mr. Crull conducted a public hearing and heard the neighbors' concerns. Minutes Regular Council Meeting November 24, 1998 Page 15 Mr. Martin also requested an update on the capital projects that were scheduled for last year but have not been completed, and the capital projects for this year. He said the report should also include the Community Development Block Grant projects. He pointed out that the city's Engineering Department can only handle so many projects. Council Member Garcia requested a report on possible grants for the afterschool program. He also said it is important that the legislative delegation understand that the Council would like to meet with them about the upcoming legislative session. Mayor Neal said that on November 23rd Senator Truan informed him that the legislative delegation had received many invitations for meetings with different entities. He said the Senator and the delegation decided that in order to meet with all interested parties before the legislative session, they would hold a public forum at Texas A&M University -Corpus Christi. Mayor Neal said he expressed his concerns to Senator Truan that the Council wished to discuss specific issues with the delegation, but the Senator felt the public meeting was the forum that could best accomplish that. Council Member Betty Jean Longoria said she was disappointed about Senator Truan's decision regarding the Council's request for a meeting with the delegation. She said in the eight years she has been on the Council, they have never asked to meet with the delegation. Mr. Chapa said staff will contact the legislators to determine if they will attend the December 15`h meeting. Council Member Garcia asked about the planned meeting with the Nueces County Commissioners Court. Mr. Chapa said he contacted Judge Borchard, who stated that he would look at the Commissioners' schedule and discuss the proposal with them. He said if the Commissioners are interested they will contact city staff. Mr. Garcia asked staff to review the lobbyists' contracts to determine if there are any limitations that would not allow them to take on other competitive areas. Mrs. Longoria requested a report on traffic problems in the Dona Park residential area. Council Member Cooper thanked Ms. Marion Loucks, Park and Recreation, Ms. Mary Juarez, Assistant City Secretary, Mr. Chapa, and Ms. Yalee Shih for their assistance in preparing the delegation that traveled to Keelung, Taiwan, one of Corpus Christi's Sister Cities. She said she and the delegation members, including Council Member John Longoria, had a fruitful trip. Mayor Neal said his office is drafting a letter to invite the Mayor of Keelung to Corpus Christi. Council Member Colmenero said if the empowerment zone application is denied, the city should find ways to utilize the information in it for planning purposes. Mayor Neal said the application was designed so that the information can be used not only for grant applications. Mrs. Longoria also requested a report on options for a new municipal golf course. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Neal declared the Council meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m. on November 24, 1998.