HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 02/26/2002 - 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 26, 2002, which were approved by the
City Council on March 19, 2002.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 19th day of March 2002.
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
SEAL
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11
MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
CORPUS CHRISTI CITY COUNCIL AND THE
CORPUS CHRISTI REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
February 26, 2002 - 12:04 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 Attomey James R. Bray Jr.
City Secretary Armando Chapa
Recording Secretary Rachelle Parry
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Joe Adame, Chairman
N. Foster Edwards
Bernard Paulson
Gloria Perez
ABSENT
Jim Barnette
Bill Dodge
Ray Hayes
Al Jones
George Kain
Edward Martin
Jacob Mufioz
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 said these joint meetings with the City Council have already resulted in open
lines of communication between the two entities and their staffs. He introduced the EDC's staff:
President and CEO Ron Kitchens, John Plotnick, Omar Garcia, Jennifer McCoy, and Sarita
Martinez.
Mr. Kitchens referred to the EDC's quarterly report, saying that it continues to be their goal
to provide realistic benchmarks so the Council can stay informed of their performance. With regard
to initial contacts, he said the EDC staff sends out four postcards a year to a data base of about 4,000
companies, which are contacted a minimum of twice a year following the mail -outs. Mr. Kitchens
said the EDC has also completed its annual fundraising drive with the private sector for a total of
$400,000 in commitments and contributions. He said their goal is to have a 50/50 ratio of private and
public sector funding.
Mr. Kitchens also discussed specific businesses, noting that Southwest Airlines will be
celebrating its 25th anniversary in Corpus Christi in March and the Singapore Technologies project
is moving forward now that the enterprise zone application has been approved by the state. Mr.
Kitchens described studies that are underway, including ones on labor and employer satisfaction;
Minutes - Joint Meeting
February 26, 2002
Page 2
building availability; and entrepreneurial development.
*Council Member Chesney arrived at 12:15 p.m.
Responding to Council members' questions, Mr. Kitchens discussed Corpus Christi's
economic stability, which is strong in relation to other cities, and the proposed 1/8th cent sales tax
for economic development. He said if the voters approve the sales tax increase, the money could be
used to improve the community's infrastructure and provide educational opportunities for the
workforce. He said the EDC staff believes that the best social program is a good job with health care
benefits and a retirement plan. He also addressed the EDC's web site; the demand for smaller
industrial buildings; the need to maintain existing businesses and anticipate their requirements; and
job training programs. He said there should be a statewide marketing program.
Mayor Neal commented that Texas A&M University -Corpus Christi and Del Mar College
are concemed about their state budgets, which will have a direct impact on the community. Council
Member Scott said he hopes the Council will be able to discuss the city's legislative agenda this
summer in anticipation of the next legislative session beginning in January 2003. Mr. Kitchens said
the EDC, Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau meet monthly. One of their
topics this moming was the need for expert opinions about the condition of Texas' budget crisis next
year and opportunities for financial assistance.
There being no further business, Mayor Neal adjourned the joint meeting at 12:55 p.m. on
February 26, 2002.
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