HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 03/26/2002 - 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 March 26, 2002, which were approved by the City
Council on April 16, 2002.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 16th day of April 2002.
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
SEAL
MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
CORPUS CHRISTI CITY COUNCIL AND
CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
March 26, 2002 - 12:07 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
City Attorney James R. Bray Jr.
City Secretary Armando Chapa
Police Commander Bryan Smith
Recording Secretary Rachelle Parry
CRIME CONTROL DISTRICT BOARD
Linda Bridges, President
Vicky Alexander
Larry Baker
John Heldenfels
W.L. Hermis
Butch Pool
Rose Marie Soto
Isaac Valencia
ABSENT
Danny Mora (Crime Control)
The meeting was called to order in the Basement Training Room of City Hall. City Secretary
Chapa checked the roll and verified that quorums of both the Council and the Crime Control District
(CCD) Board were present to conduct the meeting.
Ms. Bridges said that the board would make a short presentation to update the Council on
the district's progress and then be available for questions. Cmdr. Smith explained that district funds
were used to purchase 20 radars which have been installed in the patrol cars; another 17 will arrive
in the next allotment. Assistant Chief Bung said they are awaiting one more signature to proceed
with the video imaging project. Cmdr. Smith said the community policing mobile vehicle has been
used in various ways around the city and there are 179 families in case management at the Juvenile
Assessment Center. The district provides funds for two case managers there.
*Mayor Neal and Council Members Colmenero and Longoria arrived at about 12:10 p.m.
Cmdr. Smith also discussed how district monies have assisted the city in installing a special
graffiti -resistant laminate on street signs in specific neighborhoods identified by directed patrol
officers. He said it is cost -prohibitive to use that laminate on all the city's street signs.
Ms. Bridges addressed the district's proposed FY 2002-03 budget. She said the CCD board
will hold a hearing on the budget on April 17, 2002 and adopt it during their May 8th meeting. The
City Council must hold a public hearing on the adopted budget on or before the June 1 l th Council
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Minutes - Joint Meeting
March 26, 2002
Page 2
meeting to meet the June 16th deadline. On or before their June 25th meeting, the Council must
approve or reject the CCD budget by the July 2nd deadline.
Ms. Bridges said that while the board is very positive about the CCD being renewed by the
voters during the November 2002 election, they also want to ensure that they have contingency plans
in case it is not renewed. Cmdr. Smith said the proposed budget essentially continues the funding
of the 50 police officers (the last 10 officers will start the police academy in April).
Cmdr. Smith said that when the CCD was formed five years ago, it paid for 25 civilian
positions. In FY01-02, six civilian positions were cut (three dispatchers and three crime scene
technicians). In order to fund the remaining 10 police officers in FY02-03, another 16 civilian
positions will have to be cut: legal advisor, seven dispatchers, one crime scene technician, and seven
office assistants (three from the pawn shop unit and four from the telephone reporting unit). He said
those reductions --which equal about $750,000 --will result in three civilian positions being funded
by the CCD. Cmdr. Smith said that staff had recommended retaining those civilian positions and
limiting the number of police officers to 40 instead of 50.
A discussion ensued about the proposed budget and Cmdr. Smith responded to Council
members' questions. Assistant Chief Bung pointed out that the elimination of seven of the civilian
positions will slow down the implementation of some of the CCD's technological programs. Mr.
Mark McDaniel, Director of Management and Budget, said the proposed revenue for FY02-03 is
about $3.8 million. Cmdr. Smith also reviewed the budget calendar.
*Council Member Chesney arrived at approximately 12:25 p.m.
Ms. Bridges said she had informed the Council via a letter that the CCD board unanimously
supports a five-year renewal of the district through a continuation referendum in the November 2002
election. She said the board had originally discussed a 10 -year renewal period but reconsidered to
five years for several reasons. She said the board has budgeted monies for administrative costs
associated with the election.
Council Member Scott asked what would occur if the CCD renewal failed in November. City
Manager Garcia said the city would begin the process of realigning the Police Department, which
would have to be reduced by the 50 officers being funded by district monies. Additional discussion
ensued and Mr. Garcia pointed out that the city does not have the resources to support the district's
programs. Mayor Neal asked the CCD board members to develop suggestions on how the Council
can promote the district's renewal.
Responding to Council Member Colmenero, City Attorney Bray said the ballot language for
the renewal election is prescribed by the statute. The Mayor said it is important to promote the many
benefits of the Crime Control District. Cmdr. Smith added that the existence of the district is critical
to the community policing initiative. There being no other business, Mayor Neal adjourned the joint
meeting at 12:42 p.m. on March 26, 2002.
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