HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 02/20/2001 - WorkshopI HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the City
Council Workshop of the City of Corpus Christi of February 20, 2001, which were approved by the
City Council on March 13, 2001.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 13th day of March, 2001.
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
SEAL
MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
City Council Workshop
February 20, 2001
12:12 p.m.
PRESENT
Mayor Samuel L. Neal Jr.
Mayor Pro Tem Betty Jean Longoria
Council Members:
Javier D. Colmenero*
Melody Cooper
Henry Garrett
Dr. Arnold Gonzales
Rex A. Kinnison
John Longoria*
Mark Scott
City Staff:
City Manager David R. Garcia
Deputy City Manager George Noe
City Attorney James R. Bray Jr.
Assistant City Secretary Mary Juarez
Recording Secretary Rachelle P. Ramon
Mayor Neal called the workshop to order in the Basement Training Room of City Hall.
Assistant City Secretary Juarez checked the roll and verified that the necessary quorum of the
Council and the required charter officers were present to conduct the workshop.
City Manager Garcia introduced Ms. Daiquiri Richard, Executive Director of Beautify
Corpus Christi Association, and Ms. Susan Cable, Director of Communications and Quality
Management for the City of Corpus Christi. Ms. Richard explained that nationwide taxpayers spend
over $200 million each year to pick up litter. In order to better address the problem locally, the
"STOP Trashing Corpus Christi" (STCC) campaign was initiated in 1999.
Ms. Cable said that STCC is an innovative community outreach program that leverages
limited resources to increase positive environmental practices. The goal of STCC is to achieve a
noticeably cleaner environment and to change behaviors. She said two major impediments to having
a clean community are a lack of resources to significantly increase city efforts, and a lack of
understanding by citizens of the rules and responsibilities for property and waste management.
Ms. Cable said those involved in the STCC campaign developed a five -pronged strategy:
establish partnerships in the community; conduct community clean-up events and volunteer
recognition events; coordinate and promote city programs such as "Cash for Trash," household
hazardous waste collection, recycling and inlet stenciling; increase the education and marketing
campaign; and support new legislation and enforcement. Ms. Cable said 78 community organizations
have participated in community -wide clean-up events.
*Council Member John Longoria arrived at 12:20 p.m.
Ms. Richard listed many of the initiatives undertaken by other communities, and Ms. Cable
described specific accomplishments of the local STCC campaign. They include ongoing educational
Minutes - City Council Workshop
February 20, 2001
Page 2
programs in schools; targeted communications, including public service announcements, videos,
coloring books, utility bill inserts, and others; amendments to the city's ordinances regarding solid
waste and graffiti removal; and five annual community clean-up events, two of which are
coordinated with national events.
Several city staff members responded to Council members' questions concerning how the
city deals with litterers, including people who litter at shopping centers and other private property.
Mayor Neal noted that large quantities of trash often collect on undeveloped farm land located along
major thoroughfares
Ms. Cable said a community clean-up event has already been held on February 17th, and
other scheduled dates are April 7th (in conjunction with "Don't Mess with Texas Trash -Off'), June
16th, August 18th, and October 27th (coordinated with "Make a Difference Day").
Ms. Cable discussed three different concepts for the community -wide clean-up events, and
there was consensus of the Council to adopt the first concept, in which the Mayor, At -Large and
District Council members would each take the lead for one of the scheduled events. Their lead role
would include promoting the event and holding a follow-up news conference to recognize
volunteers.
The schedule of events would be as follows: (local events) June 16, 2001 - District 1; August
18, 2001 - District 2; February 2002 - District 3; June 2002 - District 4; and August 2002 - District
5. The Mayor and At -Large members would head up the clean-up events held in conjunction with
the state and national events: April 7, 2001 - Mayor; and October 27, 2001, April 2002 and October
2002 - each of the three At -Large Council members.
Mayor Neal said the Council members could work with the directed patrol officers in their
areas to help coordinate the clean-up events. He added that enforcement of the regulations against
littering and in support of the solid waste ordinance is important. Several Council members made
similar comments. Mayor Neal asked staff to compile these ideas and bring them back to the Council
so they can take a public position on them.
*Council Member Colmenero arrived at 1:15 p.m.
Council Member Betty Jean Longoria stated that the Council needs to remember this
proposal when they prepare the budget for the next fiscal year. Additional comments were made
about setting aside a particular day in Municipal Court to process violations of the solid waste
ordinance.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Neal adjourned the
workshop at 1:20 p.m. on February 20, 2001.
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