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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 01/19/1999 - JointI HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Joint Council Meeting of the City of Corpus Christi of January 19, 1999, which were approved by the City Council on January 26, 1999. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 26th day of January, 1999. Armando Chapa City Secretary SEAL MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS Joint Meeting of the Corpus Christi City Council and Port Industries of Corpus Christi January 19, 1999 12:00 p.m. PRESENT Mayor Samuel L. Neal Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Melody Cooper* Council Members: Javier D. Colmenero Alex L. Garcia Jr.* Dr. Arnold Gonzales Betty Jean Longoria John Longoria Dr. David McNichols* ABSENT Edward A. Martin Ci y Staff: City Manager David R. Garcia City Attorney James R. Bray Jr. City Secretary Armando Chapa Mayor Neal called the joint meeting to order in the Basement Training Room of City Hall. City Secretary Chapa called the roll and verified that the necessary quorum of the Council was present to conduct the meeting. *Council Member Cooper arrived at 12:04 p.m. and Council Member Garcia arrived at 12:12 p.m. Mr. Tom Curlee, of the Port Industries of Corpus Christi, asked those in attendance to introduce themselves and to note the company they represent. Mr. Curlee said the Port Industries wanted to update the Council on some of their projects and issues of concern to them. Mr. Bob Blaschke, of DuPont, discussed the Port Industries' risk management program. He noted that in November 1998 the industries undertook a huge effort to release important (and potentially alarming) emergency planning information to the community. However, through the efforts of many groups, the communication process has been successful, which he explained. Council Member Gonzales commended the endeavor, saying it was very well organized. Mr. Roger TenNapel, of Koch Refining Company, discussed the proposed Regional Clean Air Strategy (RCAS) of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC). He said the TNRCC has identified four near non -attainment areas: Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and Tyler/Longview. Mr. TenNapel said the Port Industries have met with TNRCC representatives to ask that Corpus Christi not be included in the RCAS eastern Texas region, with the understanding that Minutes Joint Meeting January 19, 1999 Page 2 Corpus Christi will make commitments to avoid becoming non -attainment. If the city is included in that region, it will then be labeled as a non -attainment area, which will require that additional measures be taken in the future to improve air quality. Responding to Council members' questions, Mr. TenNapel discussed five elements involved in the clean air strategy. *Council Member McNichols arrived at 12:33 p.m. Mr. Ralph Coker, of Coastal Refining and Marketing, said the industries are interested in legislation that would require certain restrictions, including that class action lawsuits be based on good facts; that third -party suits be limited; and that punitive damages be capped. Mr. George Kain, of Valero Refining Company -Texas, addressed the issue of deregulation of the power industry. He said one advantage (or perceived advantage) will be the ability to buy power from any supplier and to move the power from one location to another. He pointed out that the power companies will own the distribution and transmission facilities and they will be selling power just like any other generator of power. Responding to Mayor Neal, Mr. Bob Moore, of OxyChem-Ingleside, described his company's new 440 -megawatt cogeneration plant. Mr. Gonzalo Sandoval and Mr. Dale Jones, of Central Power & Light Company, further discussed regional CPL projects and restructuring of the power industry. Dr. Gonzales suggested that the Council and the Port Industries meet more often to discuss important issues such as these. Mr. John LaRue, of the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, described projects the port is undertaking, including the Fulton corridor and waterfront development. Council Member Garcia thanked Javelina Company for its donation of the Buddy Lawrence House. He asked Mr. LaRue about plans to attract cruise ships to Corpus Christi. Mr. LaRue replied that the first step is to reconstruct Cargo Dock 1 in order to attract a cruise ship to homeport here. Council Members Garcia and Betty Jean Longoria discussed the northside plan that was presented during a recent public hearing. City Manager Garcia said there are inherent problems because the city is delivering a message that is difficult for the residents to hear; they want to discuss buy-out proposals and not land -use plans. Mr. Chuck Cazalas, of CITGO, discussed issues relating to the northside plan, and he pointed out that CITGO does not intend to have any other buy-out programs. A brief discussion ensued. Mayor Neal and Mr. Curlee thanked those in attendance. Mr. Curlee noted that the Port Industries will be sponsoring a candidates' forum in the near future. There being no further business, Mayor Neal declared the joint meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m. on January 19, 1999.