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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 01/18/2000I 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 January 18, 2000, which were approved by the City Council on January 25, 2000. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 25th day of January, 2000. Armando Chapa City Secretary SEAL PRESENT Mayor Samuel L. Neal Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Mark Scott Council Members: Melody Cooper* Henry Garrett Dr. Arnold Gonzales Rex A. Kinnison Betty Jean Longoria ABSENT Javier D. Colmenero John Longoria MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS Regular Council Meeting January 18, 2000 2:00 p.m. City Staff: City Manager David R. Garcia Deputy City Manager George Noe City Attorney James R. Bray Jr. City Secretary Armando Chapa Recording Secretary Rachelle P. Ramon Mayor Neal called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The invocation was delivered by Rev. John Everett, Apostolic Church of Corpus Christi, following which the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag was led by Council Member Garrett. 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 January 11, 2000. A motion was made and passed to approve the minutes as presented. * * * * * * * * * * * * * The first item on the agenda was a special presentation regarding the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Homeless Issues Partnership. Mayor Neal introduced Mr. John Maldonado, of the HUD office in San Antonio, who asked those involved in the partnership to join him at the front of the Council Chambers. He explained that a check in the total amount of $1,397,762 was being presented to the following organizations which make up the Homeless Issues Partnership: Dos Mundos Day School, $269,942; Goodwill Industries of South Texas, $345,488; Salvation Army, $242,458; Dos Mundos Day School Inc., $272,968; and Coastal Bend Alcohol and Drug Rehab Center, $266,906. *Council Member Cooper arrived at 2:06 p.m. The next special presentation was made by Ms. Char Beltran, CEO of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. She showed a video describing Grupo Televisa, the largest Spanish-language media company in the world, which is helping to promote Corpus Christi. The video also included portions Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 18, 2000 Page 2 of a televised special held in Mexico to promote Televisa's program, "Amigos X Siempre." Mayor Neal, City Manager Garcia, and Ms. Beltran attended the event and the Mayor addressed the audience, describing the partnership between the City of Corpus Christi and Televisa. Once the video concluded, the Mayor pointed out that the program is simulcast and dubbed all over the world, including Russia, China, and Israel, which increases people's awareness of Corpus Christi. ************* Mayor Neal called for petitions from the audience. Ms Tammy Bois, 633 Jester, introduced her son, Jimmy, who was hit by a car while crossing NAS Drive to go to a pier across the street. Ms. Bois said a traffic light had existed in that area but it was taken down. Mayor Neal said they will have the city's Traffic Engineering Department consider the Bois's concems. He noted that that traffic signal was removed because it impeded the flow of traffic to NAS Corpus Christi, which is very heavy during certain times of the day. Mr. J.E. O'Brien, 4130 Pompano, said the Council's recent implementation of the "Cash for Trash" program has helped economic development, helped to clean up the city, and helped to publicize Corpus Christi. He distributed copies of an article that was published in the New York Times about the "Cash for Trash" program. Mr. Leon Perez, 904 Buford, questioned expenses for repairing Regional Transportation Authority buses. Mayor Neal replied that the city does not oversee the administration of the RTA. Mr. Jack Ussery, 6234 Norchester, said it is time for the purple martins to return to Corpus Christi, and he distributed copies of plans for building houses for the birds. He said people can pick up copies of the plans at the Gulf Coast Humane Society. Mr. Phillip Lara, 538 Indiana, asked the Council to form a committee to only be responsible for overseeing the People's Street T -Head. He said there are issues that need to be resolved. Mayor Neal asked if he had met with the Water/Shore Advisory Committee, and Mr. Laza said they had met with the committee but those members have other issues they need to address and the T -Head has its own unique concerns. The Mayor said he thought they should work within the existing system and he encouraged Park staff and the Water/Shore Advisory Committee to meet with Mr. Lara again. City Manager Garcia further explained the responsibilities of the committee. ************* Mayor Neal called for consideration of the consent agenda (Items 2-9). Council members requested that Item 5 be withheld for discussion. There were no comments from the audience. City Secretary Chapa said the Council had been notified of a clerical error on Item 5.c. A motion was made, seconded and passed to amend Item 5.c. to substitute "AT&T Broadband Cable Services" for "ClearSource Inc." Mr. Chapa then polled the Council for their votes and the following were passed: Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 18, 2000 Page 3 2. M2000-013 Motion approving a supply agreement with Cover Foam Services, Inc., Florence, South Carolina, for synthetic daily landfill cover material for an estimated annual amount of $214,200 based on a sole source supplier. The supply agreement is for a twelve month period, with an option to extend for up to two additional twelve month periods, subject to the approval of the supplier and the City Manager or his designee. Funding is provided in the Solid Waste Services FY99-00 budget. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Colmenero and J. Longoria absent. 3. M2000-014 Motion authorizing payment of the Special Commissioners' condemnation award of $17,305 for acquisition of Parcels 18 and 18UE located on Ennis Joslin Road between the Pharaoh Valley Golf Course and Pharaoh Drive in connection with the Spur 3, Phase 2 improvements project. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Colmenero and J. Longoria absent. 4. RESOLUTION NO. 023913 Resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute an interlocal agreement with Nueces County to provide an on -duty City of Corpus Christi Police Officer to be a Youth Opportunities United (YOU) site coordinator. The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Neal, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Colmenero and J. Longoria absent. 6. ORDINANCE NO. 023915 Ordinance closing and abandoning a 4,915 -square foot portion of a 10 -foot wide utility easement out of Lots 1-12, Block 3, La Arboleda Subdivision and Lot 6, Section G, Alamo Addition; requiring the owner, 1-1. E. Butt Grocery Company, to comply with the specified conditions and replat the property within 180 days at owner's expense. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Neal, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Colmenero and J. Longoria absent. Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 18, 2000 Page 4 7. ORDINANCE NO. 023916 Ordinance closing and abandoning a 2,900 -square foot portion of a 10 -foot wide utility easement out of Lots 15A through 20A and Lots 15B through 20B, Block 27, Padre Island No. 3 and a 750 -square foot portion of a 5 -foot wide utility easement out of Lots 1 A through 3A, Block 26, Padre Island No. 3, for a total closure of 3,650 -square feet; requiring owner, Vincent D. Lee, to comply with the specified conditions and replat the property within 180 days at owner's expense. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Neal, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Colmenero and J. Longoria absent. 8.a. M2000-017 Motion to amend ordinance prior to second reading by incorporating Amendment No. 1 allowing for relocation of Buc Days to new festival area. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Colmenero and J. Longoria absent. 8.b. ORDINANCE NO. 023917 Authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a five year lease with the Buccaneer Commission, Inc. to conduct the Buccaneer Days Festival and related activities on the areas bounded by (a) the interior of the west curb line of Shoreline Boulevard (northbound) and the east curb line of Shoreline Boulevard (southbound) and bounded on the south by the Memorial Coliseum and on the north by the south curb line of Kinney Street; and (b) the seafloor of the Municipal Marina's south basin bounded by Shoreline Boulevard to the west, the McGee Beach pier and rock groin to the south and the south side of the Lawrence Street L -Head to the north, in consideration of the Commission paying a one-time $250 permit fee and 100% of the cost of City services for event support, except that in 2000 only, Commission will pay 75% of police overtime costs; giving Commission exclusive use of the premises for 20 days and non-exclusive use for 29 days during a set period for each of the five years, as shown in the lease beginning April 14, 2000. The foregoing ordinance passed on second reading by the following vote: Neal, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Colmenero and J. Longoria absent. 9. ORDINANCE NO. 023918 Amending the City Code of Ordinances Chapter 35, Oil and Gas Well Division to increase Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 18, 2000 Page 5 fees in the following sections: "35-82, the filing fee is increased from one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) to one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00); 35-87 (7) the filing fee is increased from one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) to one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00); 35-88, the application fee is increased from one thousand dollars ($1,000) to one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00); 35-117, Annual Inspection fee for every land well is increased from one hundred dollars ($100.00) to two hundred dollars ($200.00), and for every marine area well from two hundred dollars ($200.00) to three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00)," and providing for an effective date of February 1, 2000. The foregoing ordinance passed on second reading by the following vote: Neal, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Colmenero and J. Longoria absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 5, franchise renewal request by AT&T Broadband Cable Services. Responding to Council Member Kinnison, City Attorney Bray replied that the franchise agreements for AT&T and ClearSource Inc. are generally consistent but each one was negotiated and differ somewhat. He explained that this proposal involves an additional 1% franchise fee that the city would be receiving from AT&T before the end of the present franchise (which is 4%) that the city otherwise would not be receiving. He said they anticipate completing the negotiations for the new franchise with AT&T (which includes the new 5% franchise fee) by October 2000, whereas the old 4% franchise would run through April 2001. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes: 5.a. M2000-015 Motion approving an agreement with AT&T Broadband Cable Services for advancement of expenses for the review, negotiation and grant of its application for a new cable television franchise in an amount up to $120,000. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Colmenero and J. Longoria absent. 5.b. ORDINANCE NO. 023914 Ordinance appropriating $120,000 from AT&T Broadband Cable Services for franchise application processing cost reimbursement in the No. 1020 General Fund to reimburse services of the Bailer Herbst Law Group, P.C. to assist the City of Corpus Christi in the cable television franchise granting and renewal process; amending Ordinance Number 023702, which adopted the FY99-00 Budget by adding $120,000 to the No. 1020 General Fund. Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 18, 2000 Page 6 An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Neal, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Colmenero and J. Longoria absent. 5.c. M2000-016 Motion amending Motion M98-404, as amended, which authorized a professional services agreement with Adrian Herbst, the Bailer Herbst Law Group, P.C., to increase the estimated cost by $85,000 for additional services required in connection with the cable franchise application by AT&T Broadband Cable Services. The foregoing motion passed, as amended, by the following vote: Neal, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Colmenero and J. Longoria absent. ************* Mayor Neal referred to Item 10, and a motion was made, seconded and passed to open the public hearing on the following zoning case: 10. Case No. 1299-6, Manuel Banuelos: A change of zoning from a "B-4" General Business District to an "I-2" Light Industrial District on Harland Industrial Sites Annex No. 1, located on the north side of Horne Road, approximately 150 feet west of Ayers Street. City Secretary Chapa said the Planning Commission recommended denial of an "I-2" District, and in lieu thereof, approval of a special permit for outside storage subject to a site plan and six conditions. He said the staff recommended denial of the requested "I-2" District. Mr. Michael Gunning, Director of Planning and Development, described the requested zoning change. He explained that the subject property fronts on Horne Road, which is designated as an arterial. All of the property along Horne Road in that area is zoned "B-4" and developed with retail commercial uses. He said the applicant currently has outside storage of tires and he has been given a notice of a zoning ordinance violation. Mr. Gunning said staff believes that an outside storage use should not be permitted in that area and if it is, it could have a "domino" effect east and west of the property along Horne Road. He added that there was no opposition from the adjoining property owners. Mayor Neal asked why it has taken since 1994 for this property to be brought before the Council for a zoning change. Mr. Gunning replied that he could not give a definite answer, although he is aware that zoning violation notices involve an extended process. Mr. Tony Banuelos, representing the applicant, said they have a family-owned business and have been located on the subject property since 1985. He said he does not know about the previous Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 18, 2000 Page 7 zoning violations, but they responded to the violation issued in 1999. He said they have two other locations for their business and they are planning to build a warehouse in the future. Responding to Council Member Garrett, Mr. Gunning said if the Council granted the "I-2" district there are many other uses that could be allowed as a matter of right that would be inconsistent with some of the development in the area. He said a special permit would allow the applicant's outside storage use to continue. Mr. Garrett asked Mr. Banuelos if they were in agreement with the special permit, and he replied affirmatively. Council Member Gonzales spoke in support of the applicant. Council Member Scott made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Council Member Kinnison, and passed. Mr. Kinnison then made a motion to adopt the ordinance on page 98 in the support material regarding the Planning Commission's recommendation, seconded by Mr. Scott, and passed. Mr. Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 10. ORDINANCE NO. 023919 Amending the Zoning Ordinance, upon application by Manuel Banuelos, in reference to Harland Industrial Sites Annex No. 1, currently zoned "B4" General Business District, by granting a special permit for outside storage on said property, subject to a site plan and six (6) 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: Neal, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Colmenero and J. Longoria absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 11, loan for the JFK Causeway project. There were no comments from the audience. Responding to Council Member Gonzales, City Manager Garcia said the total cost for elevating the JFK Causeway is $45 million, which is being paid by four different entities: state of Texas (through the Texas Department of Transportation) -$23.3 million; Metropolitan Planning Organization -$13.7 million; City of Corpus Christi -$4 million; and Nueces County -$4 million. He said the city applied to the State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) for its portion of the local match, which was approved at an interest rate of 4.5% with repayment on the principal deferred until FY 2006-07. Replying to Council Member Scott, Mr. Angel Escobar, Director of Engineering Services, said TXDOT will be responsible for that project. He said construction should begin in spring 2001 and be completed in mid -2004. Ms. Mary Sullivan, Director of Finance, added that the first interest payment would not be until the city's fiscal year ending 2002. Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 18, 2000 Page 8 Council Member Kinnison asked about $400,000 that was set aside in this year's budget for this project. Ms. Sullivan explained that the $400,000 was originally set aside for the $4 million in certificates of obligation to finish the 1986 bond projects, with any excess to be used for the SIB loan. Mr. Kinnison said that was a one-year commitment, and Mr. Garcia said every commitment is for one year but the city has to meet its obligations. Mr. Garcia said the loan document with the state only contains the city's interest and principal payments. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 11.a. RESOLUTION NO. 023920 Resolution approving the terms of a loan from the State Infrastructure Bank for $4,000,000 to fund the City's share of the JFK Causeway project, and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the necessary documents. The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Neal, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Colmenero and J. Longoria absent. 11.b. RESOLUTION NO. 023921 Resolution accepting Texas Transportation Commission Minute Order Number 107987, dated October 28, 1999, providing for the elevation of the JFK Causeway and providing for the contribution from the City of $4,000,000 toward construction of the project. The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Neal, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Colmenero and J. Longoria absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 12, Padre Island pumping plant. There were no comments from the audience. Council Member Scott asked when this project will be completed. Mr. Escobar said the tank, pumps and piping necessary to increase the water pressure on Padre Island will be functional this summer. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 12. ORDINANCE NO. 023922 Ordinance amending the FY99-00 Capital Improvement Program Budget by accelerating the Padre Island Pumping Plant improvement project and revising the project scope to include land acquisition, which was adopted by Ordinance No. 023703 by adding $1,030,000 to the Water Capital Improvement Program. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Neal, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Colmenero and Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 18, 2000 Page 9 J. Longoria absent. ************* Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 13, Fair Housing Program. There were no comments from the audience. Dr. Helen Gurley, Director of Human Relations, said the substance of the original ordinance has not changed although these proposed changes are necessary to allow the city to enter into a work share relationship with HUD. She added that the Human Relations Commission has reviewed the proposal and concurs. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 13.a. FIRST READING ORDINANCE Ordinance amending the Corpus Christi Code of Ordinances, Chapter 24, Sections 24-33, 24-37, 24-40, 24-46, 24-47, 24-48, 24-49, 24-50, 24-51, 24-52, 24-53, 24-54, 24-55, 24-56, 24-58, 24-62, 24-64, 24-65, 24-66 of Human Relations, Article III, Discrimination in Housing and providing for penalties. The foregoing ordinance passed on first reading by the following vote: Neal, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Colmenero and J. Longoria absent. 13.b. M2000-018 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to submit such ordinance to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for substantial equivalency and enter into an interim agreement with Housing and Urban Development for the $115,000 funding package to establish a substantially equivalent Fair Housing Program, beginning with this federal funding cycle; and to include authorization for the City Manager to continue with the preliminary agreement for up to a three-year period and thereafter establish annual Housing and Urban Development work sharing agreements. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Colmenero and J. Longoria absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal referred to the presentations on the day's agenda. The first presentation was the quarterly update on the Wesley Seale Dam stabilization project. Dr. Ron Waters reported that they are six months into the project, which is 23% complete in terms of the ballast on the north spillway. He said no ballast has been placed in the south spillway yet Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 18, 2000 Page 10 because it has to be stabilized with anchors before the water can be drained out. He said the contractor is proceeding with great speed and precision and he is wil:hin budget. He said completion is expected in the summer of 2001. Dr. Waters said they have not found any unexpected problems with the dam. Mayor Neal asked if there will be a time prior to completion of the project that the lake elevation can be raised above the current level of 91 feet. Dr. Waters said the critical factor is when the ballast can be placed in the south spillway. * * * * * * * * * * * * * The second presentation was regarding the arts subgrant process and allocation of hotel/motel tax to the arts. Mr. Dan Whitworth, Assistant Director of Park and Recreation, explained that the art grant program provides seed money to non-profit arts and cultural organizations for the purpose of developing performing and visual art programs for the community. He said the program began in 1980 and included funding from hotel tax revenues and a three-year start up grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Since then funding has come from the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) along with a combination of General Fund and hotel tax revenues. Mr. Whitworth said the art grant program began with $115,000 of hotel tax revenue; at that time the city's total hotel tax revenues were approximately $976,000. Today the funding for the arts subgrant program from hotel/motel tax revenues is about $126,500 and the overall hotel/motel tax revenue is almost $5 million. He also discussed art grant funding in other Texas cities. Mr. Whitworth pointed out that in FY 1999-2000, arts funding in Corpus Christi consists of line item funding in the total amount of $296,000 and arts grant program funding in the total amount of $126,500. The following organizations receive funding through budget line items: Texas Jazz Festival, Art Museum of South Texas, Asian Cultures Museum, Antonio Garcia Education Center, Art Center of Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi Symphony, and Harbor Playhouse. In addition, the arts grant program funded 17 nonprofit organizations this fiscal year. The Assistant Director went on to say that the art grant process was developed in the mid- 1980s by the Arts and Cultural Commission (ACC) --formerly the Municipal Arts Commission. It was modeled after the same grant review process used by the NEA and the TCA and it includes a peer review process, which he explained. He also reviewed the timeline for this year's process. He noted that the peer panel's recommendation is based on the organization's artistic merit, value to the community, and financial ability of the applicant to match the grant. Mr. Whitworth described the following options for arts funding: continue the current method of funding utilizing hotel/motel tax money; utilize a combination of General Fund and hotel/motel tax money; solicit corporate or foundation funding for the arts in addition to hotel/motel tax money; eliminate all current line item allocations for art groups and develop a competitive process for the allocation of those dollars; eliminate all tax -funded support for the arts, utilizing city staff to assist Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 18, 2000 Page 11 arts organizations in their quest for corporate funding. Responding to Mayor Neal, Mr. Garcia said he thinks the city has a process that works in that it takes many competing, worthy interests and allocates scarce resources. Council Member Betty Jean Longoria discussed the Texas Jazz Festival and the importance of tourism associated with it. Mr. Garcia said part of the difficulty with the Jazz Festival is that they have not filed the grant applications that the city requires as part of the process. Mr. Tony Cisneros, Director of Park and Recreation, said the funding for the Jazz Festival is now a line item in the budget which the Council will have to approve each year. Mr. Garcia explained that there is a competitive process for art funding and an entitlement process. Council Member Gonzales said he thought they needed to examine the process to see if it needs to be changed and to generate new ideas. Mr. Whitworth said staff is examining how they can make changes to the process. Council Member Kinnison said smaller organizations are not benefiting as much from the process, and he suggested that the Council consider dedicating a portion of the increase of the hotel/motel tax to the subgrant process. He also expressed concern that some of the arts organizations which receive line item funding are also involved in the subgrant process. Mr. Chuck Anastos, Chairman of the ACC, said the line item funding can only be used toward operations and maintenance of a facility used by the art organization; the subgrant process is used for funding particular arts programs. Mr. Whitworth said there are two exceptions: the Texas Jazz Festival and the C.C. Symphony both utilize their line item funding for performances. Council Member Scott suggested that at some point the arts organizations that receive public funds should be required to provide something to the public at no charge. Dr. Gonzales commented on the importance of a community maintaining an interest in the arts, particularly the symphony. Mr. Anastos suggested that if the arts were to receive additional funds from the hotel/motel tax, a fund could be established that makes additional grants after the subgrant process is completed to the organization which received the least amount of funds on up in reverse order. *********** Mayor Neal called for a brief recess. ************* The third presentation was about the Solid Waste Services' automated collection pilot program. Mr. Andy Leal, Director of Solid Waste Services, said that last March staff made a presentation to the Council about the automated garbage collection. Some of the reasons they gave for considering such a program include the need to replace some of the department's equipment; potential for cost control and cost reduction; the potential for a reduction in labor requirements; safety issues, including a reduction in injuries; and cleaner neighborhoods. He said further discussions about the automated program were held during the budget process and $80,000 was Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 18, 2000 Page 12 included in the Solid Waste budget for a pilot program. Mr. Lawrence Mikolajczyk, Assistant Director of Solid Waste Services, explained that the automated trucks will use a single operator and the program will utilize five different types of 96 - gallon trash containers. He said there will be no change in the garbage pick up schedules throughout the pilot period, which begins in March 2000 and concludes at the end of June 2000. The four pilot areas are Calallen, mid -town, King's Crossing, and Padre Island, which he described using maps. He said they chose those four different areas because they offer different challenges. Mr. Mikolajczyk also described the communication strategies that staff has been utilizing, including mailing letters to the residents in the pilot areas; delivering informational flyers with the garbage containers; meeting with residents at town hall meetings and neighborhood associations; sending out media releases and holding news conferences; and establishing a customer service telephone line. Council Member Kinnison asked about customers who cannot push the large garbage containers to the street. Mr. Mikolajczyk replied that there is a process whereby the customer would contact Human Resources and obtain an agreement from their doctor that they cannot manuever the container. The operator is then notified and retrieves the container himself. Mr. Leal commented that the pilot neighborhoods have been receptive to the program thus far. * * * * * * * * * * * * * The fourth presentation was regarding enhanced service levels for street sweeping. Ms. Valerie Gray, Stormwater Superintendent, explained that prior to 1989 street sweeping was performed by staff in the Street Department and then it became the responsibility of Solid Waste Services. In 1993, the city contracted out street sweeping services to Coastal Sweeping Services with funding from Solid Waste Services. Coastal was awarded the contract again in 1995 while Bentex Services Inc. received the contract in 1997. In FY 1998-99, the street sweeping function was transferred to the Stormwater Department. Ms. Gray said that street sweeping is a "best management practice" for pollution prevention, and the city's NPDES permit committed to the existing level of street sweeping services for the permit term. She noted that the present contract, which expires in June 2000, calls for weekly sweeping of the downtown and North Beach areas and monthly sweeping of street arterials and some state -maintained highways; it does not include residential streets. The total contract amount is $123,849. Ms. Gray also reviewed street sweeping contracts in other Texas cities. Ms. Gray then discussed options for enhanced service levels: Option 1 would include current services as well as the sweeping of residential streets on a monthly basis, which would increase the contract amount by an estimated $350,592; Option 2 would add residential street sweeping on a quarterly basis at an additional cost of $146,080; Option 3 would add residential street sweeping on an annual basis for an additional $69,388. She said staff is recommending Option 2 (quarterly Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 18, 2000 Page 13 residential sweeping), which would require diverting funds from water revenues to the Stormwater budget (one-half of 1%). She said that equates to approximately $1 per year for the average residential water customer. Responding to Council members' questions, Ms. Gray said that only improved streets (those with curbs and gutters) will be sweeped on a contract basis. Mr. Garcia noted that street sweeping also aids in the longevity of street surfaces by preventing grass from growing and deteriorating the base. Council Member Kinnison said the Council should consider this issue as part of the budget process, and he asked about savings that are to be achieved through the reengineering process. Mr. Garcia and Mr. Leal explained that a street sweeping fleet is very expensive to maintain; in addition, residential street sweeping was eliminated from the contract as a cost-cutting measure. With regard to the issue of savings from reengineering, Mr. Garcia said that involves reducing the cost of delivering water to customers, which hopefully will result in a rate reduction. Responding to Council Member Scott, Mr. Garcia and Ms. Sullivan further explained how stormwater services are separated out from the Water Fund and how this proposal would affect the rates. Council Member Gonzales said that street sweeping is another way of picking up trash and he said this proposal should be paid for out of solid waste fees. Mr. Garcia replied that those revenues are currently allocated to the General Fund and without an additional revenue source, the enhanced street sweeping services would have to be funded through cuts in existing programs. Dr. Gonzales asked if the city receives credit from the federal government for street sweeping activities. Ms. Gray said it is included in the city's stormwater permit and is part of the management plan. Mr. Kinnison said the city has very healthy utility funds. Mayor Neal said the Council was asking staff for recommendations to modify and improve the street sweeping contract. He said it will be up to the Council to decide how the program will be paid for. Ms. Gray said they can prepare requests for proposals at current street sweeping levels with an additive alternate for quarterly residential street sweeping. The Mayor said if the city does improve its street sweeping services, staff should forward that information to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. ************* The fifth presentation was about proposals for the marina administration offices. Mr. Cisneros gave a brief history of the location of those offices, which are now located in temporary facilities on the Lawrence Street T -Head. He said discussions about the permanent marina offices have included the possibility of locating them on a barge, similar to Landry's Restaurant, due to the valuable commodity of land in the marina. He said there are several types of barges available, which he described, as well as several possible locations in the marina for land-based or barge -based offices. He added that the Water/Shore Advisory Committee had discussed this issue. Responding to Mayor Neal, Mr. Garcia said staff would need to identify a barge that might Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 18, 2000 Page 14 serve the city's purposes, determine the cost, and develop a financing package based on certificates of obligation which the Marina Enterprise Fund will address through its own revenues. He said there are several junctures that would require the Council's approval. Mr. Cisneros said staff would need 30 to 60 days to prepare the RFPs. In reply to Council Member Gonzales, Mr. Cisneros said they estimate that the barge facility would cost approximately $400,000, although the amount could be less. Dr. Gonzales said he thought the city could lease office space across the street from the marina. Mr. Cisneros described the importance of locating the administration offices in the marina itself to accommodate the day-to- day operations of the marina. Council Member Scott commented on the mixed-use opportunities with a barge facility. Mayor Neal called for a voice vote on a motion to direct staff to move forward with the recommendation of the Water/Shore Advisory Committee and city staff to proceed with the concept of utilizing a barge facility for the marina administration offices. The motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Cooper, Garrett, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Gonzales voting "No"; Colmenero and J. Longoria absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * The sixth presentation was made by Mr. Juan Ortiz regarding the Local Emergency Planning Committee's "Blueprint Call -Down Information Line System." He explained that the blueprint sponsors include the City of Corpus Christi (specifically, the Stevens Water Treatment Plant), Nueces County, the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, and several refineries (CITGO, Coastal, Celanese, Koch, Equistar, and Valero). Mr. Ortiz said the project will keep the citizens informed in two ways: with a telephone call -down system and with an emergency information line. The telephone call -down system is a warning tool which consists of a 30 -second bilingual recorded message that is multi -hazard and multi -tasking. He said the system will be able to make approximately 3,400 calls using 72 lines for incoming and outgoing calls. The emergency information line, which is citizen -initiated, will be able to alleviate calls to the 911 center. Mr. Ortiz added that the project will be operated from the crisis management dispatch at the Police Communication Center and it replaces leased call -down services by the Stevens WTP and industries. The blueprint cost estimate is $85,000 and the city and county will be responsible for the operational costs. The city's share for the first year is $14,766 and $20,766 for the second year. The first year of funding is included in the Emergency Management Department's budget for FY 1999- 2000 and future years will be funded with Council approval. Mr. Ortiz said the project will be fully operational by July 2000. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal called for the City Manager's report. Mr. Garcia said the time of the ground Minutes Regular Council Meeting January 18, 2000 Page 15 breaking ceremony for the Southeast Senior Center has been changed from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on January 21st. He also reviewed several items that are scheduled for next week's Council meeting. It was determined that that meeting would begin at noon. Mr. Garcia also referred to information distributed to the Council about the reassignment of Police Commander Bryan Smith to coordinate the Crime Control and Prevention District, and about duck hunting in the city limits. The Mayor asked staff to recommend some dates for the annual Council retreat. Dr. Gonzales requested information on the possibility of developing a nine -hole golf course on the land next to the Oso Golf Course. Mr. Scott asked about a memo concerning Ennis Joslin Road. Mr. Garcia replied that the city budgets the advance funding amount and it is available. Mr. Scott also asked about the status of the condemnation proceedings for Nile Drive. Mr. Escobar said that Nile Drive and Spur 3 are together; the condemnation proceedings are for the Spur 3 element of it. He said there are a total of five condemnations and two have been approved and the last one should be approved in March. Mr. Garrett said the Council had received a letter from the Pan American Golf Association regarding fees. Mr. Cisneros replied that staff has met with representatives of the Pan American Corporation, which he explained. Mr. Garcia said they will review the situation further and try to develop recommendations. Mr. Garrett also asked about the status of the Metrocom. Mr. Garcia said the city and the county have approved different agreements regarding the consolidated dispatch center. He said they are attempting to meet with the county to address how the Metrocom will be administered. Mr. Kinnison said he had received a letter from a senior golfer regarding fees for playing nine holes versus 18 holes. Mrs. Longoria referred to a letter from Ballet Nacional. Mr. Garcia said there were many misrepresentations in their letter. He said part of the reason staff included a history of art grant funding in their presentation that day was to reflect the variety of organizations that the city has funded, including the Ballet Nacional for the last three years. Mr. Garcia said the Ballet Nacional wants a building in Heritage Park and while their organization is very worthy, the city does not have the resources to meet all the demands and they are trying to be fair to all the arts organizations. Mayor Neal announced the executive session, pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 regarding City of San Benito et al v. PG&E Gas Transmission, Texas Corporation et al, No. 96-12-7404-A, 107`h District Court, Cameron County, Texas, with possible discussion and action related thereto in open session. The Council went into executive session. The Council returned from executive session. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Neal adjourned the Council meeting at 6:10 p.m. on January 18, 2000.