Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 11/09/1999 - 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 November 9, 1999, which were approved by the City Council on November 16, 1999. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 16th day of November, 1999. Armando Chapa City Secretary SEAL MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS Joint Meeting City Council and Greater Corpus Christi Business Alliance November 9, 1999 - 12:11 p.m. PRESENT Council Members: Mayor Samuel L. Neal Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Javier D. Colmenero* Melody Cooper Henry Garrett Dr. Arnold Gonzales Rex A. Kinnison Betty Jean Longoria John Longoria Mark Scott City Staff City Manager David R. Garcia City Attorney James R. Bray Jr. City Secretary Armando Chapa Recording Secretary Rachelle P. Ramon Business Alliance: Laurie Cook, Chair Gonzalo Sandoval, Chair -Elect Joe Fulton, Past Chair Joe Adame Ruben Bonilla Bill Dodge Al Jones George Kain Nelda Martinez Alliance Staff: Tom Niskala, Alliance Interim CEO Char Beltran, CVB CEO John Bell, Alliance Attorney Mayor Neal called the 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 and the required charter officers were present to conduct the meeting. *Council Member Colmenero arrived at 12:13 p.m. Ms. Cook, Chairperson of the Alliance, said they were present to discuss the plans for the reorganization of the Alliance. She said that in July she appointed a 10 -member task force, which was chaired by Mr. Sandoval, to look into that process. Mr. Sandoval explained that the task force met for several weeks and ultimately recommended to the Alliance board that the Alliance be restructured into three autonomous entities: Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), Economic Development Corporation (EDC), and the Chamber of Commerce. He said they felt that the task force could continue to oversee some of the activities during the transition period. Ms. Cook said work groups were formed and charged with developing the plan for the reorganization in terms of the responsibilities of the interim boards. She said the task force recommended that the work groups form the nuclei of the interim boards with other members being added over time. Ms. Cook said the interim boards of the three entities will develop a mission for each new organization, a board structure, and policies and by-laws. Minutes Joint Meeting November 9, 1999 Page 2 Ms. Cook noted that the three entities have different responsibilities. For example, the CVB will need to work closely with the city because ultimately all of the CVB board members are appointed by the city. She said they will work with city officials on developing a framework for the new board as well as a contract with the city and a job description for their chief executive officer. The EDC, on the other hand, needs to develop a job description and begin immediately to hire a CEO, as does the Chamber. The Chamber also has a responsibility to meet with its membership. Ms. Cook then referred to a list of members of the interim boards. She noted that the CVB interim board chair is Mr. Bill Pruet and the interim board consists of 15 members comprised of the nine -member CVB work group and six City Council appointees. The chair of the EDC interim board is Mr. Al Jones and that board consists of 15 members: the EDC work group, Mayor, Port Commission Chair, County Judge, two city appointees and one Port appointee. The Chamber interim board is chaired by Mr. Sandoval and its 15 -member board consists of the expanded Chamber work group and the current and immediate past Ambassador Chair. Ms. Cook then responded to Council members' questions about the interim boards. The Alliance Chair also discussed the time line for the reorganization, saying that once the interim board appointments are made they can begin meeting immediately. She said the goal is to have permanent boards appointed as quickly as the structure and bylaws can be developed. In addition, several other actions will be occurring, such as the transfer of property, funds, and contracts. The ultimate goal is to have all of that completed by July 31, 2000. Ms. Debbie Lindsey -Opel, Co -Chair of the Chamber interim board, said they intend to craft a new organization that will be driven by their membership. She said their first task is to define the criteria for an executive director. Mr. Jones, Chair of the EDC interim board, noted that earlier in the year he and the then - director of the EDC presented a plan to the Council for getting Corpus Christi active in the economic development effort. He said that process is well underway, although it has been stymied by the Alliance's reorganization and the departure of the EDC director. He said they have about $200,000 in private funds committed to that effort and more contributions will be sought. He said they plan to have a small board of qualified people supplemented with a board of trustees. Mr. Jones added that they plan to have a new CEO and structure in place considerably in advance of the July date. Mr. Fulton, a member of the CVB interim board, explained that Mr. Bill Pruet, the Interim Chair, was out of the country. He noted that the CVB has a chief executive officer already in place, Ms. Beltran. He said there is also a contract with the city, which will be somewhat revised in concert with city staff. Council Member Garrett asked about additional space needs, and Ms. Cook responded that that is one of the issues that will need to be worked out. Council Member Gonzales said he thought the EDC itself should consist of three separate entities. Mr. Jones replied that they envision having separate contracts with the city, the county, and the Port to fulfill economic development activities. Minutes Joint Meeting November 9, 1999 Page 3 Mr. Bell said the EDC will be an independent legal entity that will not report to any other entity except under the three funding contracts it will have with the city, county, and Port. Responding to Council Member Betty Jean Longoria, Ms. Cook said the Alliance will continue to exist only to wind down the operations and mediate any property or employee disputes. She added that the Alliance will have no decision-making authority. A discussion ensued about the membership of the interim boards. Council Member Scott asked how they planned to address back -room operations and efficiencies. Ms. Cook said the task force has discussed that but it should be addressed by the interim boards. She added that they have also discussed the idea of having some joint committees below the three entities to deal with issues common to all three, such as transportation, air service, etc. Mayor Neal said he was interested in appointing to the EDC interim board Dr. Gonzales and Mr. Kinnison He said Mrs. Longoria has offered to serve on the CVB interim board; Mr. Garrett and Mr. Colmenero also expressed interest in the CVB board. Mr. Scott said he was interested in the EDC board. Mr. Bonilla said he is a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and he wondered how such contractual relationships will be impacted. Mr. Bell replied that contracts with entities such as the Hispanic Chamber are structured on a fiscal -year basis. Mr. Colmenero suggested that financial issues be examined and that dialogue between the various entities continue. Mr. Kinnison suggested that the Council members receive copies of the board members' information packets. Mayor Neal said the official appointments of the Council members to the interim boards will have to be formally approved in the near future. There being no further business, the Mayor adjourned the joint meeting at 1:05 p.m. on November 9, 1999. * * * * * * * * * * * * *