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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 02/21/2001 - SpecialI HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Special Council Meeting of the City of Corpus Christi of February 21, 2001, which were approved by the City Council on February 27, 2001. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 27th day of February, 2001. Armando Chapa City Secretary SEAL MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS Special Council Meeting February 21, 2001 7:00 p.m. PRESENT Mayor Samuel L. Neal Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Betty Jean Longoria Council Members: Javier D. Colmenero Henry Garrett* Dr. Arnold Gonzales Rex A. Kinnison John Longoria Mark Scott ABSENT Melody Cooper 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. Ram6n Mayor Neal called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers 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. He noted that Council Members Garrett and Gonzales had filed disclosure affidavits and would be abstaining from discussing or voting on Item C. on the agenda. Mayor Neal called for comments from the audience. Mr. Chuck Spencer, 13845 Hawksnest Bay Dr., commented on the petitions that were signed in order to place the Packery Channel issue on the April 7th ballot. He said the group that organized the petition drive, Let Us Vote Corpus Christi, spent very little money in their efforts. He added that some citizens felt trepidation about placing their names and addresses on the petition in fear of retaliation, and some local businesses feared a negative economic from supporting the effort. Mr. Bill Kopecky, 3609 Topeka, said this is the first successful referendum in over 10 years, to which elected officials should pay heed. He said this shows that the City Charter works. Mrs. Betty Spencer, 13845 Hawksnest Bay Dr., said the petition organizers said from the beginning that this is not a matter of being for or against the Packery Channel project, but rather a matter of democracy. She urged people to work together for the betterment of the city. Mr. Jose Marroquin, 2433 Allencrest, said he is very pleased that the petition drive was successful because of accusations that were made against the petitioners. He said it is the people's right under the Constitution to petition their government, and elected officials need to respect the voice of the people. Minutes - Special Council Meeting February 21, 2001 Page 2 Mr. J.E. O'Brien, 4130 Pompano, said the initiative and referendum procedure outlined in the City Charter is a method for the citizens to participate in their government. He said he believes that, contrary to the City Attorney's opinion, five votes of the City Council would be sufficient to place this issue on the ballot. Ms. Elizabeth Walker, 13969 Das Marinas, said she was very upset to learn about some of the things that people were told when they were asked to sign the petition. She said she disseminated information about the proposed tax increment financing district to the public, and she hopes the Council will continue to educate the public with the facts about the project. Ms. Gail Hoffman, 3442 Paradise Dr., said she was speaking on behalf of a newly formed organization called Corpus Christi Yes which sees the development of Packery Channel as a vision for the entire city, not just Padre Island. She said that placing this issue on the April 7th ballot will give their organization the opportunity to inform the citizens about the benefits of the project, including an increase in the number of jobs, in tourism and of the tax base. She added that it is in the developer's best interest to develop the land to its maximum potential. Mr. John Trice, 13706 Tajamar St., said he thought the petitions were built on misconceptions and fraud. He said there were several people who were not aware of what they were signing and the repercussions. He said the petitioners hired Flour Bluff High School students to gather signatures for $2 each. Mr. Abel Alonzo, 1701 Thames, said the majority of people who signed the petition are opposed to the Packery Channel project. He asked the Council to unite and to present the facts about the project. He said there are many people who are concerned about the future of Corpus Christi. He pointed out that Council Member Scott, who represents District 4 (which includes Padre Island), is unopposed in the upcoming City Council election. Mr. Jeff Frohm, 13501 Royal Fifth Court, said he and his wife, who works in Houston, want to be able to raise their family in Corpus Christi. He said the Packery Channel project will offer more jobs and create more tourism, which is a clean, safe, productive industry. He said it will also increase the city's tax base. *Council Member Garrett arrived at 7:27 p.m. Mr. Lewis Lovelace, 1549 Casa Grande, described an incident in which he was asked to leave the Nueces County Courthouse by Commissioner Joe McComb as he was collecting signatures for the petition. Mr. Lovelace said Mr. McComb later called him back and told him he could return to the courthouse. He said if Packery Channel is developed, the necessary city services will be paid for by the taxpayers out of the General Fund. Mr. R.F. Hasker, 1813 Wallace, showed a copy of the petition, saying the language on the petition is very clear. Minutes - Special Council Meeting February 21, 2001 Page 3 County Commissioner Joe McComb said he became involved with the Packery Channel project because he believes in the future of Corpus Christi and the need to expand the tax base. He described some of the findings of the economic impact analysis that was prepared for the project, including the revenues the consultant believes will be generated. Mr. McComb said he does not own any property on Padre Island, but he is concerned about people leaving the community because of a lack of jobs and potential here. Mr. Paul Schexnailder, a developer, said that Gulf Shores Joint Venture is a joint venture of he and his deceased partner's company and the Day Group, whose developments he described. He said important aspects of the Packery Channel project include the following: protecting the seawall on Padre Island by renourishing the beach in front of it; maintaining rational development; and increasing jobs and tourism. Referring to a map and a diagram, Mr. Schexnailder said the planned development of Packery Channel is not high density. He said according to the consultant's study, the anticipated annual direct revenue from the project is $224 million, which is 1% of the state's tourism and which does not exceed the available market. He described other financial benefits of the project, and he said the developers do not see the downtown area as a competitor to their project but rather as a complement to it. He also discussed marketing plans, potential local investors, and environmental issues. Responding to Council members' questions, Mr. Schexnailder said they believe the project will create approximately 4,500 permanent jobs, from managers to support staff, as well as summer jobs for students. He added that he is pleased that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be going through all of the designs and will proof and modify them as needed. Mayor Neal made a motion to amend Section 3 of Ordinance No. 024347 to insert the following ballot language: "Shall the City Council continue Ordinance No. 024270 which creates a taxing zone on part of Padre Island to pay, solely from the increased property values within the zone, for construction and maintenance of Packery Channel and related beach restoration, a park, beach access, restrooms, showers, walkways, parking, fishing, and related improvements? Yes or No?" Council Member Scott seconded the Mayor's motion to amend. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the motion passed as follows: Neal, Colmenero, Kinnison, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Garrett and Gonzales abstaining; Cooper absent. Mr. Chapa then polled the Council on Item C. on the day's agenda as follows: C. ORDINANCE NO. 024380 Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 024347 of the City of Corpus Christi, ordering a General Election to be held on April 7, 2001 in the City of Corpus Christi for the election of Mayor and eight Council Members; ordering a Special Election on April 7, 2001 for the purpose of submitting to the voters a ballot measure pursuant to a referendum petition to repeal Minutes - Special Council Meeting February 21, 2001 Page 4 Ordinance No. 024270; providing for procedures for holding such election; providing for notice of election and publication thereof; providing for establishment of branch early polling places; designating polling place locations; enacting provisions incident and relating to the subject and purpose of this ordinance. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed, as amended, by the following vote: Neal, Colmenero, Kinnison, B. Longoria, J. Longoria, and Scott voting "Aye"; Garrett and Gonzales abstaining; Cooper absent. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Neal adjourned the special Council meeting at 8:10 p.m. on February 21, 2001. * * * * * * * * * * * * *