HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 02/19/2002 - 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 February 19, 2002, which were approved by the
City Council on February 26, 2002.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 26th day of February 2002.
SEAL
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
7 T t m
MINI JTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
CORPUS CHRISTI CITY COUNCIL AND
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
February 19, 2002 - 12:10 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Samuel L. Neal Jr.
Mayor Pro Tem Brent Chesney*
Javier Colmenero*
Henry Garrett
Bill Kelly
Rex Kinnison
John Longoria
Jesse Noyola
Mark Scott
City Staff Present
City Manager David R. Garcia
Deputy City Manager George Noe
City Secretary Armando Chapa
City Attorney James R. Bray Jr.
Recording Secretary Rachelle Parry
RTA BOARD
Mike Rendon, Board Chairman
Robert Jones, Vice Chairman
Roland Barrera
John Buckley
Julio Garcia Jr.
Vicki Garza
Carole Wilkinson
ABSENT
John Corder (RTA)
Guadalupe Gomez (RTA)
Mack Rodriguez (RTA)
Stanley Terry Sr. (RTA)
Mayor Neal called the meeting to order in the Basement Training Room of City Hall. City
Secretary Chapa checked the roll and verified that there was a quorum of the Council and the RTA
board and that the meeting had been duly posted.
Using a computer presentation, Ms. Linda Watson, RTA General Manager, explained that
the RTA's mission is to provide good transportation and to promote economic development. She
said public transportation in Corpus Christi is a necessary, efficient element that will continue to
grow as the city's population continues to grow. She said that of the 19,000 riders per day (6 million
per year), 80% are dependent on the transit system; 21% use the bus to go to school; 58% are
employed; and 73% have no car available.
Ms. Watson showed graphs to discuss the RTA's expenses of $17.8 million and revenues of
$18.3 million. The largest expense is operations and maintenance (42%) and the largest source of
revenues is sales tax (91%). She also reviewed the growing need for transit services, particularly
among the elderly, which has an expected growth rate of 29.5%.
*Council Member Chesney arrived at approximately 12:20 p.m.
Ms. Watson outlined the current capital projects totaling $16.25 million: Southside Transit
Center; LCI Staples/Leopard Street; LCI IH -37 Overpass (Phase II); Robstown Main Street
improvements; ADART; Northwest bus stop improvements (Five Points); data communications
Minutes - Joint Meeting
February 19, 2002
Page 2
system; Bear Lane operations facility; LCI Port/Ayers (Phase I); and renovation of the Port/Ayers
station stucco roof. She said neighborhood improvements are being made or have been made at
Oveal Williams, Leopard Street, Agnes/Laredo/Crosstown, Port and Ayers, and Six Points.
The General Manager said the RTA is also partnering with the city on several projects,
including ADA accessibility improvements, DBE certification, technology, and street improvements.
She said the RTA is also collaborating with the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, Downtown
Management District and the city on a downtown transportation study. In addition, the RTA has
partnerships with Del Mar College, Texas A&M University -Corpus Christi, HEB, Texas Department
of Transportation, City of Robstown, West Side Business Association, and the Convention and
Visitors Bureau and tourism industry.
*Council Member Colmenero arrived at approximately 12:30 p.m.
Ms. Watson said the RTA's future actions include holding semi-annual meetings with the
City Council; creating partnerships to address the city's renewal community designation and to serve
the convention center and new arena; working on the reauthorization of the TEA -21 legislation;
obtaining homeland security funds for replacement of radios; continuing ADA accessibility
improvements and the reinforced bus pad program on streets; and participating in state and federal
legislative efforts.
Ms. Watson then responded to Council members' questions on a variety of issues, including
automatic vehicle locator and pollution -control systems on RTA buses; transportation needs for the
convention center and arena; and service to Padre Island. Mayor Neal commented that RTA officials
need to continue to inform the public about their efforts.
There being no other business, the Mayor adjourned the joint meeting at 12:50 p.m. on
February 19, 2002.
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