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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 09/26/2000I 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 September 26, 2000, which were approved by the City Council on October 10, 2000. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 10th day of October, 2000. Armando Chapa City Secretary SEAL MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS Regular Council Meeting September 26, 2000 2:10 p.m. PRESENT Mayor Samuel L. Neal Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Melody Cooper Council Members: Javier D. Colmenero Henry Garrett Dr. Arnold Gonzales Rex A. Kinnison Betty Jean Longoria Mark Scott ABSENT John Longoria City Staff: City Manager David R. Garcia Deputy City Manager George Noe City Attorney James R. Bray Jr. City Secretary Armando Chapa Assistant City Attorney Jay Reining 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. Al Schubert, Lord of Life Lutheran Church-LCMS, following which the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag was led by Council Member Gonzales. 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 September 19, 2000. A motion was made and passed to approve the minutes as presented. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal called for petitions from the audience. Mrs. Pat Suter, 1002 Chamberlain, invited the Council members to the "Celebration of Flight" hawk event at Hazel Bazemore Park next weekend. She said last year they saw almost one million hawks during the count period. She also expressed concern about the condition of the soil at one of the dry ponds at Pollywog Pond (a former birding site), and said the soil should be tested. Council Member Gonzales agreed that the soil at that pond should be tested, and Mayor Neal said he would like additional information. Mrs. Elizabeth Payne, 3734 Flour Bluff Dr., said she owns property on the corner of Graham Road and Hutsell Avenue. She said she and other residents appeared before the Council in July 2000 to discuss the possibility of an application to close Hutsell Avenue and to take it off the street master Minutes - Regular Council Meeting September 26, 2000 Page 2 plan. She said Council Member Scott talked to Assistant City Manager Tom Utter, who she said promised that nothing would happen to the property until the residents' issues were resolved. However, she said the developer recently cleared the property and the residents are angry and disappointed. Mr. Michael Gunning, Director of Planning and Development, said he understood that over the weekend some brush and trees were cleared from what will be the Hutsell street extension if it is approved by the Council. He said a neighborhood meeting has been scheduled for October 2, 2000, to receive input from the residents before the issue goes before the Transportation Advisory Committee. He said that since Hutsell is a planned collector street on the city's adopted plan, the issue will probably also have to go to the Planning Commission. Mr. Gunning said that about 30 feet of right-of-way was cleared to install a water line that will connect to the south for the newly approved La Cantera subdivision. Assistant City Manager Ron Massey said the residents had expected that there would be no construction activity, and the contractor was not informed to stop doing such things as the utility work. He noted that no work is being done on the road itself. Mrs. Payne added that Mr. Henderson said he was pressured by city staff to proceed with the water line installation even though staff knew that was an integral part of the residents' application. Mr. Scott suggested that Mr. Henderson provide a letter stating that the city forced him to take that action. Dr. Gonzales asked whose property was affected. Mr. Gunning replied that it is publicly dedicated right-of-way that was approved with a plat by the Planning Commission and it was reaffirmed by the City Council in 1984. Mr. Leon Perez, 904 Buford, criticized the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission's proposal to coat air conditioner coils to reduce air pollution. He said they should be addressing the red tide problem. Mr. R.F. Hasker, 1813 Wallace, said the feasibility of the Packery Channel project is in the hands of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and he said most reports about the channel are negative. He said the financing proposal is a disaster and he criticized the Council's support of it. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal referred to Item 16, and a motion was made, seconded and passed to open the public hearing on the cost and impact of the multipurpose arena and seawall improvements projects, and on the general economic development sales tax proposition proposed to be funded by a sales and use tax, which will be submitted to the City's voters at an election on November 7, 2000. Deputy City Manager Noe said the first proposition would dedicate 1 /8th cent for not more than 25 years for repairs and improvements to the seawall. The estimated cost of the project is $43.4 million to be implemented over a five-year period. The improvements would cover approximately two miles of the seawall from the art museum to McGee Beach. Mr. Noe said the seawall protects the large amount of property value in the downtown area. Minutes - Regular Council Meeting September 26, 2000 Page 3 The second sales tax increment for 1/8th would provide for construction of a multipurpose arena facility in the vicinity of the convention center for an estimated cost of about $35 million. He said PKF Consultants extensively studied this issue and determined that the project will have a substantial impact, including the potential for over 120 event nights attracting over 400,000 visitors. He noted that the arena would be able to accommodate events that are too large for the existing coliseum, which was built in 1953. The third proposition is 1/8th cent for economic development which would provide about $3.8 million per year for the attraction and creation of jobs through a number of efforts in the City of Corpus Christi and the industrial districts. Mayor Neal called for public comment. Ms. Gail Hoffman said she is Executive Director of Associated General Contractors, which consists of over 200 companies representing thousands of citizens who are in favor of the bond package. She noted that construction is one of the major employers across the country and it increases the economic base of this community. She said she is also personally in favor of these proposals in order to increase jobs and provide more opportunities for young people. Mr. R.F. Hasker criticized the proposed funding mechanism for repairing the seawall. He compared it to the dam stabilization project, in which $26 million in bonds was sold although the repairs will only cost about $16 million. He also expressed concern about traffic problems associated with locating the arena near the convention center. He said the arena should be located elsewhere. Mr. Massey said the amount of bonds sold for the dam were based on the estimated construction costs for that stabilization project. However, the bids for the project came in significantly lower than the original estimate. He said staff has accounted for the funds when they have amended the contract. Mr. Garcia said their recommendation at this time would be to use those funds to retire the debt. Mr. Kevin Stowers, of Engineering Services, further described the breakdown of the dam stabilization project funds, saying they estimate that there will be approximately $3 5 million left at the end of the project. Mayor Neal pointed out that the dam project is on time and under budget. Mr. Massey referred to an article in the Mathis newspaper about it. Regarding Mr. Hasker's comments about the location of the arena, Mr. Garcia said part of the reason the arena makes such good financial sense is its location next to the convention center. He said that will allow both facilities to benefit, specifically in attracting large conventions to the city. Mr. Garcia said PKF also analyzed the parking issue under peak load conditions, noting that there is adequate surface parking in that area. Mr. Noe said there is also an opportunity to work with the port in joint parking ventures, and ingress and egress will be addressed in the arena's design. Dr. Gonzales expressed concern about the traffic flow and about using valuable land in that area for parking. He also asked if the Council had specifically voted on the location of the arena, and Mr. Garcia said they had. Mr. Colmenero suggested that staff provide specific figures on the parking issue. Dr. Gonzales said he supports the arena project, and he asked why the background material stated that the arena would cost $25 million to $35 million. Mr. Garcia said staff provided the Council with a more detailed breakdown of those costs, but the background material stated that Minutes - Regular Council Meeting September 26, 2000 Page 4 figure in order to be consistent with the original estimates and informational material. Mr. Kinnison commented that the amount of the naming rights will affect the final figures. Mr. David Engel, Chairman of Forward Corpus Christi, said that organization was formed to promote the bond package and the sales tax initiatives. He said they are excited about the city's future and they feel those proposals will help the city grow and move forward. Mrs. Longoria requested a List of the organization's speaking dates. Mr. Jose Marroquin, 2433 Allencrest, referred to a handout containing his calculations about the proposed property tax increase and the sales tax initiatives. He said the city will be collecting much more money than is needed for the projects. Mr. Garcia said Mr. Marroquin's calculations were based on a 25 -year bond issue and the city's calculations are based on a 20 -year issue. Mr. Noe and Mr. Garcia emphasized that the only thing the money can be used for are the projects specified on the ballot. Mayor Neal said if the funds come in at a greater amount, they will be used to pay the debt off sooner and remove the tax. He added that the costs for police, fire and EMS take all of the available ad valorem and sales tax revenues. Mr. Foster Edwards said he is President of the Corpus Christi Industrial Foundation, a non- profit organization which owns land known as the Corpus Christi Industrial Technology Park. He said the group is in favor of the bond proposals because of the need to repair the infrastructure and to attract jobs. He said the projects are well-planned and contain safeguards for use of the funds. He added that for too long the city has been ruled by "no -growth" advocates and it is time for a change. Mr. Sam Beecroft, 144 Ropes, said the antidote to economic stagnation is investment and the result of failing to invest in a community is deterioration. He said people have failed to invest in this community for the past 10 to 15 years (even longer for the seawall) and the infrastructure has suffered. He said the time to invest is now and he urged the passage of the bond issues. Mrs. Longoria made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Colmenero, and passed (J. Longoria absent). * * * * * * * * * * *** Mayor Neal referred to the presentations on the agenda, and the first one was made by Ms. Susan Cable, Director of Communications and Quality Management. Using a computer presentation, Ms. Cable discussed the "Stop Trashing Corpus Christi" community clean-up campaign. She noted that the major complaints made by citizens during the last fiscal year focused on code violations, high weeds and trash and debris. She said the challenges facing the city in addressing those problems are limited resources, specific rules that must be followed, and encouraging people to accept their responsibilities. She said the concept behind this campaign is to reinforce the value that a clean community is better than a trash -filled community. Ms. Cable said Mayor Neal kicked off the clean-up campaign in January 1999 and since then there have been several community -wide events with participation by many groups, including the Minutes - Regular Council Meeting September 26, 2000 Page 5 Junior League, Juvenile Probation Division, student groups, Sheriffs Department, Volunteer Center, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, churches, Weed and Seed and neighborhood groups. Policies governing these activities have been included in the "Guide to Services," new solid waste services ordinances, graffiti ordinance, and the upcoming right-of-way management ordinance. She also discussed positive practices being carried out by city departments, including Stormwater, Park and Recreation, Environmental Programs, and Gas. Ms. Cable said new committees that have been established are Legislation, Enforcement, Education, and Events. Ms. Cable described promotional efforts, including the "Know the Code" coloring book and campaign, which was designed by Mr. Wesley Vardeman, a city employee, and developed by the City of Corpus Christi, CITGO, and Beautify Corpus Christi Association. She also showed new public service announcements that have been developed by the Communications and Quality Management Department. Mayor Neal said the largest percentage of calls and e-mails his office receives have to do with the city's appearance. He urged all citizens to participate in the effort to clean up this city. Responding to Council Member Scott, Mr. Garcia said there are two ways to approach this issue: change the economic value of trash so people will actively dispose of it properly, or basically punish them into compliance through enforcement actions. The Mayor added that he and others have met with four of the five area school superintendents to encourage them to take a very active role in the educational side of this clean-up campaign. Council Member Betty Jean Longoria asked how citizens will be informed about the bulky item collection to take place in October. Ms. Cable said announcements will be made via television, radio, newspaper, and the utility bills. Responding to another question from Mrs. Longoria, City Attorney Bray said commercial establishments are required by ordinance to keep their parking lots clean. Mrs. Longoria said Woodlawn Shopping Center has a lot of trash. Mr. Colmenero said the problem with dumpsters is that other people use them as well, and he agreed that many shopping centers are full of trash. * * * * * * * * * * * * * The second presentation was regarding the maintenance of local pipelines and wells. Mr. Garcia said this issue was raised by the Council following a major rupture of a gas pipeline in New Mexico, and they indicated that they wished to receive information about the city's pipeline system. Ms. Debbie Marroquin, Gas Superintendent, said the city Gas Department delivers the safest and most dependable form of engery by adhering to an operations and maintenance plan approved by the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC); through corrosion prevention and monitoring; and through flame ionization survey frequencies, which she described. Ms. Marroquin noted that as per RRC rules, residential areas are surveyed every five years; mobile home parks, apartment complexes, and public housing authorities are surveyed annually; business districts, churches, schools, and hospitals are surveyed on a semi-annual basis; and shopping malls are surveyed quarterly. Minutes - Regular Council Meeting September 26, 2000 Page 6 Mr. Kenneth David Bom, Gas Program Manager of the RRC, said the Pipeline Safety Section has authority for enforcing the federal pipeline safety regulations on facilities that operate in the state. He said the RRC has seven offices around the state from which the inspectors work, including an office in Corpus Christi which has four natural gas inspectors and one hazardous liquid inspector. He said the RRC maintains a database in Austin on all the pipeline systems in the state that they are responsible for inspecting, and he explained the state's inspection schedule. Mr. Juan Ortiz, Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator, discussed how the city maps pipelines in the city. He said about 80% of the information has been converted into the Geographic Information System (GIS) format and it can be manipulated in many different ways. He also said the Local Emergency Planning Committee has developed the integrated alert notification system, which consists of five different information and alerting tools that are activated through the crisis management dispatch center in the Police Department. Those tools include• telephone call -down system, emergency information telephone line (826 -INFO), tone -alert radios, emergency radio (89.5 FM), and emergency alert system. Mr. Ortiz also responded to Council members' questions, and the point was made that the city's emergency notification system has been greatly enhanced. Fire Chief J.J. Adame introduced District Chief Richard Hooks, Fire Department Safety and HazMat Officer. Mr. Hooks said that when the Fire Department arrives at an emergency scene involving a pipeline, they initiate public safety actions, including isolating the area and providing telephone and radio notifications to the public; conduct air monitoring by the HazMat Team; identify the pipeline operator (they are assisted in doing so from the Gas Department, the digital map, and pipeline markers); and begin the shut -down process. He noted that the leak may take hours to contain depending on how far the valve is located from the leak. Mr. Hooks said the pipeline companies have been very helpful during past incidents. Mr. Ortiz and Mr. Born also responded to additional Council questions. Mayor Neal suggested that the information presented be included in a public service announcement for educational purposes. ************* Mayor Neal deviated from the agenda and opened discussion on Item 20, Job Development Corporation. Council Member Gonzales made a motion to substitute the following resolution for Resolution No. 024207; seconded by Council Member Betty Jean Longoria. There were no comments from the audience. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 20. RESOLUTION NO. 024233 Finding that it is advisable that the Corpus Christi Business and Job Development Corporation be created pursuant to Section 4A of the Development Corporation Act of 1979, approving Articles of Incorporation for the Corporation, and specifying the public purposes which the corporation may further on behalf of the City of Corpus Christi. The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Cooper and J. Longoria absent. Minutes - Regular Council Meeting September 26, 2000 Page 7 * * * * * * * * * * * * * Returning to the regular agenda, the third presentation was made by Mr. Ronald Kitchens, President and CEO of the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC). He explained that the EDC was established in January 2000 and he started working there on June 1st. Referring to the EDC annual report, he said that during the past year 194 leads were generated, 33 of which became prospects; of those, 13 became active projects and nine are still active. He said the EDC staff asked the companies what factors led to this region being eliminated from consideration, and 28 of them indicated that it was the lack of available buildings or sites. Other issues were lack of incentives and labor issues (size of the pool or competition within the pool). Mr. Kitchens said the EDC's goal is to facilitate the creation of meaningful jobs. The plan of work for 2000-2001 includes the following: increase awareness of economic opportunities in the Corpus Christi region; institute integrated outcome -based marketing; implement a consistent, systematic retention and expansion program; compare the best practices of similar communities; support the creation of long-term economic opportunities for the community; increase private sector funding to achieve a 50-50 public/private partnership; and develop a professional staff and offices. Responding to Council Member Colmenero, Mr. Kitchens discussed the need to develop complete industrial parks where businesses can move in and begin operating. He also described marketing techniques the EDC uses, such as postcards and newsletters. In reply to Council Member Scott, Mr. Kitchens said there are about 45,000 people in Nueces and San Patricio counties who are looking for a job --about half of those are under -employed but there is no opportunity for them to move up. Council Member Kinnison discussed the importance of the EDC communicating with the Council and other entities, including providing financial information. Mayor Neal called for a brief recess. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal called for consideration of the consent agenda (Items 2-15). Council members requested that Item 7 be withheld for discussion. There were no comments from the audience. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following were passed: 2. M2000-341 Motion approving the purchase of sixteen (16) police radars for the Police Department in accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -0005-01, from Kustom Signals Inc., Lenexa, Kansas for a total of $28,584 based on low bid. These police radars will be used in police vehicles and motorcycles. Funds are available in the 1999 Law Enforcement Block Grant. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, and B. Longoria voting "Aye"; J. Longoria and Scott absent. Minutes - Regular Council Meeting September 26, 2000 Page 8 3. M2000-342 Motion approving the purchase of police photography equipment for the Police Department in accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -0007-01, from B&H Photo Video, New York, NY, for a total of $16,088.55 based on low bid. This photography equipment will be used at the Police Department. Funds are available in the 1999 Law Enforcement Block Grant. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, and B. Longoria voting "Aye"; J. Longoria and Scott absent. 4. M2000-343 Motion approving a supply agreement for portable chemical toilet service from BFI Waste Systems of North America in accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -0164-00 based on only bid for an estimated annual expenditure of $18,000. The term of the supply agreement will be for twelve months 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. Funds are budgeted by using departments in FY00-01. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, and B. Longoria voting "Aye"; J. Longoria and Scott absent. 5. M2000-344 Motion approving a supply agreement with Hughes Supply, Helotes, Texas for approximately 2,277 cast iron foundry items in accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -0165- 00 based on low bid for an estimated annual expenditure of $54,226.19. The term of the supply agreement will be for twelve months 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. These items will be purchased into Warehouse Inventory and used by the Gas, Water, Wastewater, Street and Traffic Engineering departments. Funds have been budgeted in FY00-01. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, and B. Longoria voting "Aye"; J. Longoria and Scott absent. 6. M2000-345 Motion approving the purchase of one cargo van from the Houston -Galveston Area Council of Governments (HGAC), for a total amount of $17,162.27. The award is based on the Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with HGAC. The Texas State Aquarium will use the cargo van. Funds are budgeted by the Texas State Aquarium. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Minutes - Regular Council Meeting September 26, 2000 Page 9 Gonzales, Kinnison, and B. Longoria voting "Aye"; J. Longoria and Scott absent. 8. M2000-347 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute an architectural services contract (Amendment No. 1) in the amount of $14,989 with Terry K. Orf, Architect, dba Architect TKO, for Sea Lab Renovations at the Texas State Aquarium in accordance with provisions of the Contract Management Agreement with the Texas State Aquarium Association, utilizing funding provided by the Texas State Aquarium. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, and B. Longoria voting "Aye"; J. Longoria and Scott absent. 9.a. M2000-348 Motion approving the application by the Corpus Christi Downtown Management District for the temporary closing of the following street sections for the "Texas Music Jam" event on October 28, 2000: 1) 400 and 500 blocks of Water Street beginning 6:30 p.m., Friday, October 27 through 9:00 a.m., Sunday, October 29, 2000; 2) 200 and 300 blocks of Schatzel Street beginning 6:30 p.m., Friday, October 27 through 9:00 a.m., Sunday, October 29, 2000. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, and B. Longoria voting "Aye"; J. Longoria and Scott absent. 9.b. M2000-349 Motion pursuant to Chapter 49 (Streets and Sidewalks), Division 2 (Temporary Closure of Streets), Section 49-17 (Conditions and Requirements for Permit), Paragraph (a), to allow the applicant for the "Texas Music Jam" event to charge an admittance fee of $5.00 for all persons above the age of 12 years. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, and B. Longoria voting "Aye"; J. Longoria and Scott absent. 10. RESOLUTION NO. 024234 Resolution authorizing the City Manager or his designee to apply for a grant of $133,900 from the State of Texas, Criminal Justice Division to fund a project to prevent minors from purchasing and consuming alcohol using police officers on overtime. The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, and B. Longoria voting "Aye"; J. Longoria and Scott absent. Minutes - Regular Council Meeting September 26, 2000 Page 10 11.a. M2000-350 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to accept grant funding in the amount of $68,082 from the Texas Department of Transportation to continue the Safe and Sober Selective Traffic Enforcement Project (STEP) within the Police Department and to execute all related documents. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, and B. Longoria voting "Aye"; J. Longoria and Scott absent. 11.b. ORDINANCE NO. 024235 Ordinance appropriating $68,082 from the Texas Department of Transportation in No. 1050 Federal/State Grants Fund to continue funding the Safe and Sober Selective Traffic Enforcement Project (STEP) within the Police Department. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, and B. Longoria voting "Aye"; J. Longoria and Scott absent. 12. ORDINANCE NO. 024236 Ordinance appropriating $151,600 from the Unreserved Balance in the No. 1050 Federal/State Grants Fund as State Fiscal Year 2000-2001 Program Income to fund environmental health, laboratory, and nursing services for the period of September 1, 2000 through August 31, 2001. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, and B. Longoria voting "Aye"; J. Longoria and Scott absent. 13. RESOLUTION NO. 024237 Resolution amending Resolution No. 024159 and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to accept the amended Federal Aviation Administration Grant Number 3-48-0051- 31-00, contingent upon receipt of the grant offer, in the amount of up to $3.1 million for the Terminal Apron Improvements project. The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, and B. Longoria voting "Aye"; J. Longoria and Scott absent. 14.a. RESOLUTION NO. 024238 Resolution approving the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Contract between Texas Minutes - Regular Council Meeting September 26, 2000 Page 11 Department of Transportation (TXDOT) and the Corpus Christi Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Committee (MPO) and the City of Corpus Christi as Fiscal Agent for the MPO; and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the contract on behalf of the City as MPO Fiscal Agent, with the contract having a term not to exceed 45 days beginning October 1, 2000. The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, and B. Longoria voting "Aye"; J. Longoria and Scott absent. 14.b. RESOLUTION NO. 024239 Resolution approving the Fiscal and Personnel Management Agreement between the City of Corpus Christi (City) and the Corpus Christi Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Committee (MPO) for the City to provide fiscal and personnel management assistance to the MPO by acting as Fiscal Agent; and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the agreement on behalf of the City as MPO Fiscal Agent, with the agreement having a term not to exceed 45 days beginning October 1, 2000. The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, and B. Longoria voting "Aye"; J. Longoria and Scott absent. 15. ORDINANCE NO. 024240 Authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the "First Amendment to the lease agreement" with the Corpus Christi Art Foundation, Inc. dba South Texas Institute for the Arts for the lease of two properties from the City for consideration of one dollar per year for the purpose of developing a youth activities park and to provide bus access to the Antonio E. Garcia Education Center, and providing for the automatic renewal of the lease term for an additional ten years. The foregoing ordinance passed on second reading by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, and B. Longoria voting "Aye"; J. Longoria and Scott absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 7, basketball court resurfacing. Responding to Council Member Betty Jean Longoria, Mr. Angel Escobar, Director of Engineering Services, said the consulting engineer gave a recommendation on the construction company. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 7. M2000-346 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a construction contract with Minutes - Regular Council Meeting September 26, 2000 Page 12 Cam Rett Corporation of Houston, Texas for a total fee not to exceed $99,530.48 for the T.C. Ayers Park Complex Basketball Court Resurfacing. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; J. Longoria absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal referred to Item 17, and a motion was made, seconded and passed to open the public hearing on the following zoning case: 17. Case No. 0800-07. Gary L. Martin: A change of zoning from an "FR" Farm -Rural District to an "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District on 4.99 acres out of the Mariano L. De Herrera Grant, Abstract No. 606, located adjacent and north of the Spring Creek Drive terminus. City Secretary Chapa said the Planning Commission and staff recommended approval of the "R -1B" District. No one appeared in opposition to the zoning change. Mr. Scott made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Ms. Cooper, and passed (J. Longoria absent). Responding to Mrs. Longoria, Mr. Michael Gunning, Director of Planning and Development, said a portion of the property which abuts the River Hills Country Club was proposed to be annexed in 1999. Mr. Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 024241 Amending the Zoning Ordinance upon application by Gary L. Martin by changing the zoning map in reference to a 4.99 acre tract out of the Mariano L. De Herrera Grant (adjacent to Wood River Unit 5), Abstract No. 606, from "F -R" Farm -Rural District to "R -1B" 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: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; J. Longoria absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 18, metropolitan medical response system. There were no comments from the audience. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes: 18. ORDINANCE NO. 024242 Ordinance appropriating $400,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the No. 1050 Federal/State Grants Fund for a Metropolitan Medical Response System. Minutes - Regular Council Meeting September 26, 2000 Page 13 An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, B. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; J. Longoria absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 19, ecotourism development plan. There were no comments from the audience. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 19.a. M2000-351 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a contract with Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Texas Engineering Experiment Station in the amount of $25,000 for the development of an Ecotourism Website. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, and 13. Longoria voting "Aye"; J. Longoria and Scott absent. 19.b. M2000-352 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute a contract with the Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau in the amount of $50,000 for the development and implementation of an Ecotourism Development Plan. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Cooper, Garrett, Gonzales, Kinnison, and B. Longoria voting "Aye"; J. Longoria and Scott absent. City Attorney Bray stated that the executive sessions regarding AT&T Cable television franchise negotiations and the L -Head bait stand lease agreement were being withdrawn. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal called for the City Manager's report. Mr. Garcia said a joint luncheon meeting has been scheduled with the Council and the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board at noon on October 10th. During the regular Council meeting that day there will be presentations about the water pass-through and the drought management plan, as well as the Bayfront Arts and Sciences Park and the marina area. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Neal adjourned the Council meeting at 5:15 p.m. on September 26, 2000. * * * * * * * * * * * * *