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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 10/22/2001 - Public HearingI HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Annexation Public Hearing of the City of Corpus Christi of October 22, 2001, which were approved by the City Council on November 13, 2001. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 13th day of November, 2001. Armando Chapa City Secretary SEAL MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS Annexation Public Hearing October 22, 2001 6:06 p.m. PRESENT Mayor Pro Tem Rex A. Kinnison Council Members: Javier D. Colmenero Henry Garrett Bill Kelly John Longoria Jesse Noyola Mark Scott ABSENT Mayor Samuel L. Neal Jr. Council Member Brent Chesney 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 Pro Tem Kinnison called the meeting to order at the Port Royal Ocean Resort on Mustang Island. City Secretary Chapa checked the roll and verified that a quorum of the Council and the required charter officers were present. Assistant City Manager Tom Utter explained that state law requires the City Council to hold two public hearings prior to initiating annexation proceedings; this hearing is the second one (the first Council public hearing was held on October 16, 2001). He said the first reading of the annexation ordinance is scheduled for November 20, 2001 and the second reading is scheduled for December 11, 2001. Mr. Utter then described the six proposed annexation areas: Areas A and B -Wood River Development (51 acres); Area C -South Padre Island, Tracts 1 and 2 (1,251 acres); Area D- water area west of Port Aransas (919 acres); Area E -Gulf of Mexico water area east of Port Aransas (13,128 water acres); and Area F -Mustang Island north of Mustang Island State Park, Tracts 3A, 3B, 4 and 5 (718 acres). He also discussed services the city will provide upon annexation, including police, fire, water, wastewater, solid waste, and other services. Mr. Utter said that during the October 16th public hearing, two citizens raised concerns about the proposed annexation dealing with the erosion line and the city's requirement for sewer systems, which staff subsequently addressed. Council Member Garrett made a motion to open the public hearing, seconded by Council Member Scott and passed (Neal and Chesney absent). Mr. Jack Ponton, 821 Alister, said that in 1999 he had urged the Council to delay the annexation of Area F until city staff and residents could work together to develop an acceptable service plan. The Council agreed at that time to delay the annexation of the developed areas of Mustang Island. He said that while many residents would prefer not to be annexed, they recognize the city has the right to do so. He said residents are mainly concerned about the cleanliness of the Minutes - Annexation Public Hearing October 22, 2001 Page 2 beaches and the use of the hotel/motel tax to promote tourism on the island. Mr. Charles Adams said he is a part-time resident of Mustang Towers and a full-time resident of Corpus Christi (6110 Boca Raton Dr.). He said the residents need more information about mail delivery, cable, and telephone services. He also questioned why the city would want to annex Area F when almost all the residents would prefer not to be annexed. Ms. Anne Stapp, a resident of Mustang Towers, asked about fire protection prior to the construction of the new fire station on Mustang Island and solid waste pick-up for condominium residents. She questioned what the residents would gain since they already receive their water service from the Nueces County Water Control and Improvement District #4 (NCWCID), the state maintains Highway 361, and the condominium maintains its own private driveway and street lights. Mr. Carl Boot, a resident of the Mayan Princess, said they do not believe they will get any services for the extra taxes they will have to pay. He said they believe this is a money -grabbing venture by the City of Corpus Christi and they would rather be annexed by the City of Port Aransas. Mr. Chuck Borders, representing the Seagull Condominium, said the residents there are also wondering how they will benefit from annexation. He said they have questions about beach cleaning, police and fire protection, storage of beach maintenance equipment, beach sticker program, beach vending in front of the condos, and the beach access plan. He urged the Council to postpone this annexation until January when the new legislation will take effect. He also asked about the future zoning of the condos and the future use of disaster cards and hurricane evacuation procedures. Mr. Borders said the proposed annexation of the western side of Area D is confusing. Mr. Jack Rush, General Manager of Port Royal Ocean Resort, questioned the language regarding the "level of service" in the proposed service plan, specifically regarding the level of police protection. He also referred to a report dated April 9, 1999 regarding assumed growth on the island and questioned whether those assumptions are still valid. Dr. Fletcher Lee, Board President of the Seagull Condominium, said the residents of Mustang Island do not use Corpus Christi's facilities to the degree that would justify annexation. He said it is estimated that residents of that condo will pay about $1,200 more per year in property taxes and they question whether they will get their money's worth. He also asked about beach cleaning, cost of water service, and telephone service. Mr. Bill Stephens, owner of a unit in Lost Colony Villas and a home in San Antonio, said the services for Lost Colony are provided by Port Aransas. He said Corpus Christi's City Hall is located 30.8 miles from his condo while Port Aransas is located less than nine miles away. He said it took 20 years to receive services after his home in San Antonio was annexed. He said it makes no sense for Mustang Island to be annexed by Corpus Christi rather than Port Aransas. Dr. Robert Walter, 15326 Isabella, said he is the owner of Tract 2 in Area C. He said he met with Mr. Utter and Mr. Michael Gunning, Director of Planning and Development, regarding his �— f" Minutes - Annexation Public Hearing October 22, 2001 Page 3 concerns. He said if the Council amends two city ordinances as staff will recommend, he should be able to build a house on his property in Area C within a year or so. He said they need the city's assistance in taking his property out of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act zone. Mr. Carl Balalich said he supports this annexation because restrictions are needed on development in the county. He thanked Mr. Utter for his assistance in negotiating an agreement with the NCWCID and he asked if both of his lots (Lot 1, Block 1 and Lot 3, Block 1) will receive water and wastewater service. He added that the county has approved his septic system. Mr. Sam Poteet, 465 Marina Dr. in Port Aransas, said his company manages Mustang Towers and the Sandpiper Condominium. He said in the year 2000 Mustang Towers paid $47,771 and the Sandpiper paid $169,453 to the county and state in occupancy taxes. He said the county's portion for both properties was over $117,000. He reiterated that the residents are concerned about beach maintenance, security and access and the amount of money that will be spent for tourism on Mustang Island. He said this is not the right time to annex Area F and he said it will take many years --if it occurs at all --to provide services to that area. Council Member Longoria made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Council Member Scott, and passed (Neal and Chesney absent). Mr. Utter then responded to the concerns raised during the public hearing. He said approximately $846,000 in hotel/motel taxes is collected from development on Mustang Island. He said staff based its estimate on the cost to clean the beach in Area F on the fact that currently the city pays Nueces County approximately $100,000 per year to clean a one -mile stretch of beach in front of the Padre Island seawall. He said Shiner Moseley & Associates is preparing a report about best practices in beach cleaning, which City Manager Garcia further discussed. With regard to other questions, Mr. Utter said cable franchise agreements in Corpus Christi require that the companies serve the entire city (over a period of time). He said city staff is working with Southwestern Bell representatives regarding telephone service, but the mail delivery is out of the city's hands. He discussed the new fire station to be located north of Mustang Island State Park and solid waste service to the condos. He said the city will not maintain private roads but it will maintain existing beach access roads; the beach maintenance equipment will be located at the new fire station and at the reopened Packery Channel. He also discussed the beach sticker program and access plan, annexation schedule, zoning, disaster cards, police services, and water rates. He pointed out that Area F is annexed on three sides by Corpus Christi and on the fourth side by Port Aransas. Council Member Scott said the Council's intention during the hearing was to listen to the residents' concerns. He said they will discuss the proposed annexation areas at future Council meetings. Mayor Pro Tem Kinnison noted that staff will provide written responses to these questions and he said the heads of almost every city department were in attendance at the hearing. Council Member Garrett made a motion to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. on October 22, 2001. The motion was seconded by Council Member Noyola and passed (Neal and Chesney absent).