HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 12/11/2001 - JointI HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Joint
Council Meeting of the City of Corpus Christi of December 11, 2001, which were approved by the
City Council on December 18, 2001.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 18th day of December, 2001.
SEAL
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Armando Chapa
City Secretary
MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
CORPUS CHRISTI CITY COUNCIL AND THE
CORPUS CHRISTI REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
December 11, 2001 - 12:00 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Samuel L. Neal Jr.
Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Noyola
Brent Chesney
Javier Colmenero
Henry Garrett
Bill Kelly*
Rex A. Kinnison
John Longoria*
Mark Scott*
City Staff Present
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
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Joe Adame, Chairman
Jim Barnette
N. Foster Edwards
Ray Hayes
Al Jones
ABSENT
Edward Martin
Bill Dodge
Bernard Paulson
Jacob Munoz
George Kain
Sam L. Susser
Mayor Neal called the meeting to order in the Basement Training Room of City Hall. City
Secretary Chapa checked the roll and verified that a quorum of the Council was present to conduct
the meeting. (The EDC Board did not need a quorum since they were only providing information to
the Council.)
Mr. Adame introduced Mr. Ron Kitchens, President and CEO of the EDC, who updated the
Council on the community's economic situation. He noted that as a result of the general downturn
of the national economy and the September 11th terrorist attacks, many cities around the country are
experiencing difficult economic situations. The Corpus Christi area, on the other hand, has been
faring better for a variety of reasons, including the presence of the military bases, the local colleges
and universities, the use of sales tax abatements and other reasons.
*Council Members Kelly, Longoria and Scott arrived at approximately 12:10 p.m.
Mr. Kitchens said there seems to be a new attitude of excitement in the city, which has been
evidenced by the passage of the bond program last year. He emphasized the importance of
maintaining a good quality of life and one element of that is clean beaches. He used the example of
a potential client who opted to go to South Padre Island instead of Corpus Christi because of the poor
condition of the beaches here. He also gave several examples of how the EDC is assisting in the
growth of small businesses. One of the EDC's tools is its web site, which lists several buildings that
are available along with contact persons for each.
Minutes - Joint Meeting
December 11, 2001
Page 2
Mayor Neal asked Mr. Kitchens what the EDC needs from the City Council. A discussion
ensued about a possible 1/8th cent sales tax for economic development and job creation, and Council
members noted that those monies should be administered by a separate board. City Manager Garcia
pointed out that in the near future, the Council will be making several key decisions affecting
economic development, the Crime Control and Prevention District and possible Charter
amendments.
In response to Council members' questions, Mr. Kitchens discussed the European market,
oil drilling, and the city's one-stop development center. Mr. Hayes commented on the importance
of Texas A&M University -Corpus Christi's Harte Research Institute, which is the world's second-
largest endowed research center for maritime studies. He said he believes the institute will play a big
part in Corpus Christi's continuing economic development. There was also discussion about the need
for a first-class industrial park as well as opportunities to partner with TAMU-CC and NAS -Corpus
Christi.
There being no other business, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 12:52 p.m. on December
11, 2001.
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