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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 05/17/2000 - Public HearingI HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Bond Program Public Hearing of the City of Corpus Christi of May 17, 2000, which were approved by the City Council on May 23, 2000. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 23rd day of May, 2000. ��/Ar�m�ando apse Ia City Secretary SEAL PRESENT Mayor Samuel L. Neal, Jr. Council Members: Javier Colmenero Henry Garrett Rex Kinnison John Longoria Mark Scott ABSENT Melody Cooper Arnold Gonzales Betty Jean Longoria MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS Bond Program Public Hearing May 17, 2000 6:00 p.m. City Staff: City Manager David R. Garcia Deputy City Manager George Noe Assistant City Attorney Doyle Curtis City Secretary Armando Chapa Mayor Neal called the hearing to order at Flour Bluff High School in Corpus Christi. City Secretary Chapa declared that the necessary quorum of the Council and the required charter officers were present to conduct the meeting. Deputy City Manager Noe gave a detailed computer presentation of the bond program, including the property tax proposals and the three '/s cents sales tax proposals and the financial impact on these projects. Mayor Neal opened the hearing for public comment. Mr. Pat Veteto spoke in support of the bond program. He also mentioned that the U.S. Corps of Engineers and the Port are in the process of dredging the port channel. It will create 40 million cubic yards of dredge which could be partially used to create a land barrier for further protection of the seawall and an additional land site which could be used for a variety of purposes. Mr. James Cottrell asked if there were specific projects or plans for the 1/s cent sales tax for economic development and if there are going to be time limits. Mayor Neal responded that the council has not yet determined specific projects. He said the basic premise will be to increase job opportunities in Corpus Christi. Council Member Scott also responded to the Ye cent sales tax for economic development. He said that Corpus Christi has a very slow job growth rate in comparison to the rest of the state. He stated that the job creation industries are being lured by other cities that already have economic sales tax incentives. Mr. Scott mentioned that many of the residents of Corpus Christi who are graduating from college are not staying in Corpus Christi to work. He also spoke about the possibility of structuring "incubator" programs. May 17, 2000 Minutes of Bond Program Public Hearing Page 2 Ms. Gail Hoffman informed the Council that her daughter who recently graduated from college will not be returning to Corpus Christi to work because of the lack of job opportunities. She also stated that it was important to support the economic development sales tax proposal. Ms. Marie Spear stated that the economic development sales tax should be tied into a specific project as they did in Harlingen, which created a desalination plant. Mr. James Cottrell spoke of the need for improving the Waldron Field Sports Park. Mr. Tony Cisneros, Director of Park & Recreation, mentioned that the field belongs to the Navy and the tax dollars might be more appropriately spent on city property such as Waldron Park. The Mayor mentioned that the city would look into it. Ms. Spear questioned where the multi-purpose arena would be located. Mayor Neal responded that at this time it would be located close to the Convention Center. However, he also said that land use for the arena was currently being looked at. Ms. Rene Gardner spoke about the need for repairs to the city park at Brighton Village, including the water fountain, sprinkler system, landscaping, backstop, hike and bike trail, basketball backstop and lighting. Council Member Kinnison stated that he had visited with a Brighton Village resident and city staff regarding those needs. An unidentified member of the audience spoke regarding public safety and the need for more officers. She said that the citizens voted for a 1/8 cent sales tax initiative for a crime control district. She said there needs to be more accountability. Mayor Neal explained the increased efforts currently being undertaken by the city. Ms. Spear asked Council Member John Longoria if the city was looking into the possibility of more than one skateboard park. Mr. Longoria responded that the city is not building parks but they are looking into the possibility of private donations to build one skate park at this time. An unidentified member of the audience asked if the city had looked at all avenues for federal and state funding for the seawall project. City Manager Garcia stated that the city had looked into those possibilities. An unidentified member of the audience suggested the Council speak to Dr. Henry regarding Packery Channel. Mayor Neal thanked the public for attending. He then asked for Council comments. Mr. Scott thanked the audience for attending the public hearing. Mr. Garrett cleared up the issues related to public safety. Mr. Colmenero stated that the bond program and sales tax initiatives are an excellent opportunity for Corpus Christi to compete with other cities. Mr. Longoria spoke about the Office of Technology Incubator Program in Austin and the success rate encountered there. Mr. Kinnison thanked the audience for their comments. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Neal adjourned the hearing at 7:10 p.m. on May 17, 2000.