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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 06/18/2002I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of the City of Corpus Christi of June 18, 2002, which were approved by the City Council on June 25, 2002. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 25th day of June 2002. Armando Chapa City Secretary SEAL PRESENT Mayor Samuel L. Neal Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Bill Kelly Council Members: Brent Chesney Javier D. Colmenero Henry Garrett Rex A. Kinnison John Longoria Jesse Noyola Mark Scott MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS Regular Council Meeting June 18, 2002 - 2:00 p.m. City Staff: City Manager David R. Garcia City Attorney James R. Bray Jr. City Secretary Armando Chapa Recording Secretary Rachelle Parry Mayor Neal called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The invocation was delivered by Rev. Troy Bell Sr., St. Paul United Methodist Church, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag was led by Council Member Kinnison. City Secretary Chapa called the roll and verified that the necessary quorum of the Council and the required charter officers were present to conduct the meeting. Mayor Neal called for approval of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of June 11, 2002. A motion was made and passed to approve the minutes as presented. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal referred to Item 2 and the following board appointments were made: Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority Stanley Terry (Reappointed) Roland Barrera (Reappointed) Vicki Garza (Reappointed) John Buckley Jr. (Reappointed) Abel Alonzo * * * * * * * * * * * ** Mayor Neal referred to the presentation on the day's agenda (Item 5), status of the Packery Channel project by the Corps of Engineers (COE). Col. Leonard Waterworth, Commander of the Galveston Engineer District, introduced Carl Anderson, Project Manager; Leo Garza, Area Manager; and Marilyn Allrecht, a member of the colonel's staff. Col. Waterworth said he has the responsibility for national waters' infrastructure from the Louisiana border to Brownsville (about 150 miles). Col. Waterworth said that every month COE staff members meet with city staff at the project review board where they discuss all Corps projects. He said the COE has been authorized by legislation to construct the North Padre Island storm damage reduction and ecosystem restoration Minutes - Regular Council Meeting June 18, 2002 - Page 2 project, more commonly known as Packery Channel. He said with a project of that magnitude, he has to take into consideration the impact it will have on the environment as well as solicit input from community members and natural resource agencies. Col. Waterworth described the input process, beginning with the publication of the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) in the Federal Register on June 14, 2002. He said every comment that is made about the draft EIS has to be addressed in the final version. A public meeting is scheduled for July 18th with the final EIS tentatively scheduled to be released on September 6th. The Colonel said the final EIS will be reviewed by COE headquarters from September 6 - October 6, after which it will be sent to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. He will also have 30 days to review the project to determine if it is environmentally acceptable and technically viable. The next step is execution of the project cooperative agreement (PCA), the contract between the federal government (Galveston Engineer District) and the community. The project will be advertised in the Commerce Business Daily from November 26 -December 25, followed by solicitation and evaluation of bids and award of the contract on February 14, 2003. Responding to Mayor Neal, Mr. Anderson said the project construction estimate is 30 months from the time the contract is awarded. Council Member Colmenero asked if there could be dramatic changes between the draft and final versions of the EIS. Col. Waterworth said there have been projects that received no comments and others that received thousands of comments which had to be addressed. Council Member Scott thanked Col. Waterworth and his staff for their commitment to construct the Packery Channel project in the right way. The Colonel replied that he wants to ensure that the document is viable and that the project is completed. He said he and his staff have been working very closely with City Manager Garcia and city staff. Responding to a question from Mr. Scott, Mr. Garcia said staff is working with the Texas Department of Transportation to allow the city to use their existing dredge disposal sites. He said even though there is information in the draft EIS about using a park site, staff no longer intends to do so. He said changing that statement would have delayed the issuance of the document. Consequently, staff indicated that they will be modifying the site in the final version and sent a letter to that effect to Nueces County. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal called for consideration of the consent agenda (Items 6-11). There were no comments from the Council or audience. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes: 6. M2002-169 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute Amendment No. 4 to an engineering services contract with LNV Inc., d.b.a. Smith, Russo & Mercer, in the amount of $238,860 for the street resurfacing project located at: Up River Road (IH -37 to Leopard Minutes - Regular Council Meeting June 18, 2002 - Page 3 Street); Ayers Street (SPID to Port Avenue); Gollihar Road (Crosstown to Kostoryz); and SPID 30 -inch water line relocation to Johanna Street; and Mission Center sanitary sewer relocation to provide for additional design work necessary for additional utility line replacements and relocations and the inclusion of Regional Transportation Authority bus pads. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Longoria, and Noyola voting "Aye"; Kinnison and Scott absent. 7.a. M2002-170 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to accept a grant in the amount of $26,521 from the State of Texas, Criminal Justice Division for continuation of funding available under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Fund and to execute all related documents. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Longoria, and Noyola voting "Aye"; Kinnison and Scott absent. 7.b. ORDINANCE NO. 024908 Ordinance appropriating a grant in the amount of $26,521 from the State of Texas, Criminal Justice Division in the No. 1050 Federal/State Grants Fund for continuation of funding available under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Fund; transferring $3,769 from the No. 6010 Law Enforcement Trust Fund and appropriating it into the No. 1050 Federal/State Grants Fund as grant matching funds. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed as follows: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Longoria, and Noyola voting "Aye"; Kinnison and Scott absent. 8.a. M2002-171 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to accept a grant in the amount of $1,000 from the Texas Division of Emergency Management for television public service announcements during the 2002 hurricane season. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Longoria, and Noyola voting "Aye"; Kinnison and Scott absent. 8.b. ORDINANCE NO. 024909 Ordinance appropriating a grant in the amount of $1,000 from the Texas Division of Emergency Management in the Federal/State Grants Fund No. 1050 for television public service announcements during the 2002 hurricane season. Minutes - Regular Council Meeting June 18, 2002 - Page 4 An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed as follows: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Longoria, and Noyola voting "Aye"; Kinnison and Scott absent. 9.a. RESOLUTION NO. 024910 Resolution authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute an intergovernmental agreement with Del Mar College and the Regional Transportation Authority for Arcadia lift station site improvements. The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Longoria, and Noyola voting "Aye"; Kinnison and Scott absent. 9.b. ORDINANCE NO. 024911 Ordinance appropriating $75,000 into the Street Capital Improvement Program Fund No. 3530 from the Regional Transportation Authority to be used toward the construction of a bus passenger facility in association with the Arcadia lift station site improvements, increasing Fund No. 3530 appropriations by $75,000. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed as follows: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Longoria, and Noyola voting "Aye"; Kinnison and Scott absent. 10. ORDINANCE NO. 024912 Ordinance appropriating an additional $12,000 of program income from the Texas Department of Health in the No. 1050 Federal/State Grants Fund -Health Depaitnient tuberculosis elimination program income. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed as follows: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Longoria, and Noyola voting "Aye"; Kinnison and Scott absent. 11. ORDINANCE NO. 024913 Ordinance abandoning and vacating a 912 -square foot portion of a 10 -foot wide utility easement out of Lot 1, Block 1, South Bay Estates Subdivision; requiring the owner, Mr. Peter Nordby, to comply with the specified conditions and replat the property within 180 days at owner's expense. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed as follows: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Longoria, and Noyola voting "Aye"; Kinnison and Scott absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 4, budget for the Corpus Christi Crime Control and Prevention District. There were no comments from the audience. City Secretary Chapa polled the Minutes - Regular Council Meeting June 18, 2002 - Page 5 Council for their votes as follows: 4. RESOLUTION NO. 024907 Resolution approving the FY 2002-2003 budget for the Corpus Christi Crime Control and Prevention District. The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Longoria, and Noyola voting "Aye"; Kinnison and Scott absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal called for a brief recess. Upon reconvening, he opened discussion on Item 3, an overview of the proposed FY 2002-2003 Enterprise Fund budgets. Mr. Mark McDaniel, Director of Management and Budget, explained that those funds are supposed to be self-supporting. He said that of all the Enterprise Funds, the Water fund is the largest at 48% of the budget. Mr. McDaniel then discussed the Combined Utility System--Water/Stormwater, Wastewater and Gas. He said the budgeted revenues include the 5% utility rate increases previously discussed with the Council. Using a community average consumption of 7,000 gallons of water and 3 mcf of gas, the 5% rate increase will result in a $2.87 per month increase. Responding to Council Member Longoria, Mr. McDaniel said the Council will take action on a rate ordinance and fee ordinances at the end of the budget process. The Budget Director referred to page 165 of the proposed budget document regarding Enterprise Fund expenditures and said that the FY 02-03 budget is lower than the city actually spent two years ago --a result of ongoing reengineering efforts. He said the implementation costs for the new compensation plan for all the utility funds is approximately $250,000 and there is a contingency for implementation of the skill -based pay component. He said staff will continue the reengineering effort in Water and Wastewater and initiate it for Gas and Stormwater in the next fiscal year, for a combined start-up cost of about $1 million. Assistant City Manager Ron Massey explained that staff is implementing the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) in various areas. He said they began at the water treatment plant and are moving into the wastewater plants and collection system and water distribution system. He said staff will provide a more detailed presentation in August. City Manager Garcia said that CMMS allows the city to move from a reactive maintenance program to more of a preventive maintenance program. He said it also allows the city to better track personnel issues. In response to Mr. Longoria, Mr. Massey said the $1 million cost consists mostly of training as well as computer hardware and software. He said EMA is working with staff to implement the CMMS program. He said once it is executed in the utility departments, the Council will decide whether to continue it in the General Fund departments. Mr. Longoria said that before the reengineering effort moves into Gas and Stormwater, he would like a breakdown of the $1 million cost. Minutes - Regular Council Meeting June 18, 2002 - Page 6 Council Member Garrett asked about the operation of the Whitecap Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Mr. Foster Crowell, Wastewater Superintendent, said both the Laguna Madre and Whitecap plants are operated by a team of about 10 employees. To illustrate how the reengineering program works, Mr. Crowell said that staff has implemented the microwave and SCADA systems at the Oso plant and, as a result, they are eliminating the midnight shift, which has been used there since 1940. He said they also believe they can downsize the staff of the Broadway plant by 50% through automation and improved instrumentation. With regard to the Airport Fund, Mr. McDaniel said staff budgeted additional revenue from airline space rentals which will result from the completion of the new terminal in October 2002; there are also additional expenses associated with airport security. Mr. Dave Hamrick, Aviation Director, said one of the issues affecting the airport this year was the closure of the Semtech facility. He said that company is very interested in exploring a buy- out of the eight remaining years of their lease which, if approved, could result in a large influx of revenue in this year's budget. Mr. Hamrick said he has also had discussions with representatives of a firm interested in opening a service station/convenience store on International Drive. He also said staff received responses from their bids for rental cars and they expect to see an increase in that funding source, and there is the potential for an increase in flights out of Corpus Christi to two new hubs in the United States as well as international flights to Mexico. He said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has agreed to reimburse the city for some salary expenses associated with the terminal reconstruction project. Also, the increase in security costs will be offset by FAA grants during this federal fiscal year and possibly next fiscal year. Mr. McDaniel then discussed the Ambulance Fund revenues, saying that the proposed budget includes an increase in the amount transferred from the General Fund compared to the current budget. With regard to Ambulance expenditures, 68% of the budget is for personnel. Mayor Neal said he is frequently asked why the city continues to dispatch both an emergency vehicle and a fire truck for emergencies. Fire Chief J.J. Adame replied that the Corpus Christi Fire Department operates a first responder program, which means that the engine companies respond along with medic units because there are more engine companies strategically located throughout the city. He said all engine companies are staffed with at least one medic who carries the necessary equipment to provide rapid intervention services. Also, the firefighters provide assistance to medics on the scene. He said in most metropolitan areas, it is the method used to provide EMS service. Mr. Garcia said the city's current system makes a material difference in the response time to medical emergencies. He said staff can provide a cost breakdown but he noted that the alternative would be to only respond with ambulances. Mr. Noyola asked if there are occasions where only ambulances respond. Chief Adame said the determination is made when the call is received. Mr. Garrett said that in 1973 an eighth ambulance was put into operation and paid for jointly by the city and the Nueces County Hospital District. However, eventually the hospital district Minutes - Regular Council Meeting June 18, 2002 - Page 7 stopped providing those funds. Mr. Garrett also asked how Corpus Christi's ambulance fees compare to those in other cities. Mr. John Murray, EMS Director, said that for the past several fiscal years, Corpus Christi's base rate has been one of the highest in the state. He said he will provide the Council with a recent state survey delineating cities' costs. He added that the EMS fee structure is based strictly on the cost of EMS services and not on responses by any engine companies. Mr. Murray also said that staff is continuing to review where the new eighth ambulance will be located. Responding to Council Member Kelly, Mr. Murray said staff is analyzing the total call times around the city. Mr. Garrett spoke in favor of the annual ambulance replacement program. The next fund discussed was the Marina Fund. Mr. McDaniel said staff is proposing a 3% increase in slip rental fees, which constitute 69% of the total revenues, while salaries comprise 42% of the expenditures. He said strategic issues include the need for capital improvements and the current negotiations regarding development and maintenance of the marina. Council Member Kinnison requested a copy of the amount projected to be spent for the marina development projects currently underway. Mr. McDaniel said staff is concerned about declining revenues in the Golf Fund. He said where possible, staff has tried to cut back on expenses. Mr. Noyola asked about the difference between rounds played at the Oso and Gabe Lozano golf courses. Mr. Dan Whitworth, Director of Park and Recreation, said both courses currently have a total of about 120,000 rounds whereas they used to have about 140,000 rounds. Mr. Chris Semtner, Superintendent of Support Services, responded to specific questions about the two courses. Mr. Noyola commented on the need to improve the Lozano course. Mr. Whitworth said staff has planned a presentation to the Council on July 9th on the results of the golf feasibility study, including the National Golf Foundation's recommendations. Mr. Chesney asked about a driving range at the Oso course. Mr. Whitworth said there used to be a privately owned and operated driving range at Oso. Staff is exploring a site and changes that need to be made to reopen it and make it successful again. Mr. Scott asked about covered parking at the airport. Mr. Garcia said staff is looking into different options. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal called for the City Manager's report. Mr. Garcia gave an overview of the many items scheduled for the June 25th Council meeting and it was decided to start the meeting at noon. He said the July 9th meeting, which will begin at 2 p.m., will include the budget public hearing and the golf feasibility study. Mr. Kelly said he will not be able to attend the July 9th meeting and he asked if the golf presentation can be moved to the July 16th meeting. There was consensus of the Council to do so. Mayor Neal and several Council members congratulated Mr. Whitworth on his recent appointment as Park and Recreation Director. The Mayor then called for Council reports. Mr. Chesney requested a complete report on the recent police incident at the Northside Manor Apartments. He congratulated City Secretary Chapa and Assistant City Secretary Mary Juarez Minutes - Regular Council Meeting June 18, 2002 - Page 8 for the award the city received from the LaserFiche Association for innovation in records management. He also commented on the publication of the water quality report; Ms. Lane's citizen's inquiry; installation of no parking signs on Driftwood Place; scheduled completion date of the arena; a September town hall meeting in District 1; and the "Friends of the Park" program. He announced that the Don and Sandy Billish Park will be dedicated on June 22nd at 9:30 a.m. Mr. Garrett said that on December 11, 2001, the Council had asked city staff for an update on the Frost Brothers building downtown and they have not yet received a response. Mr. Garcia said the weekly list of City Council action requests does not reflect activity that has occurred on each request until a final report is written. In that instance, staff has had several discussions with the downtown partnership involved in that project. He said they will probably have an executive session on that issue to review all the legal options. Mr. Garrett also asked about the status of the video imaging system at the Police Department. Mr. Garcia replied that Assistant Chief Ken Bung indicated that all the components are in place to initiate that system. Mr. Longoria said he thinks Mr. Whitworth's appointment will result in an improvement in the city's park system. Mr. Longoria also discussed the dissemination of press releases and media stories and he suggested that the Council be kept regularly informed about issues in the media. Mr. Scott suggested that a ground breaking ceremony be held for the new Mustang Island fire station. He also asked about the issue of prohibitive homeowners' insurance rates. Mayor Neal replied that Governor Perry has initiated discussions with the Insurance Commissioner about the possibility of state control of the rate structure, which he further discussed. Mr. Scott asked staff to investigate whether the Council ever made a public declaration that the citizens of Corpus Christi would never be obligated to pay the Columbus Fleet debt. Mr. Garrett said he thought such a statement was made by then -Mayor Mary Rhodes when the Columbus Plaza was dedicated. Mr. Longoria said the current Council is not obliged to honor commitments made by previous Councils in the same way a future Council is not obligated to the actions of this Council. Mr. Chesney said he agreed with Mr. Scott in his request for that information. Mr. Scott also commented on the President's initiative to build affordable, single-family homes in low-income areas, and he requested additional information on the American Dream Downpayment Fund and overlay districts. He complimented Mr. Garcia for being appointed to the Urban Consortium Steering Committee for Public Technology. Mr. Kelly commended the teens in the Sea City Work Camp. He said St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Grace United Methodist Church, and Church of the Good Shepherd are some of the churches assisting the young people as they repair people's homes. Mr. Noyola congratulated Mr. Whitworth, Mr. Chapa and Ms. Juarez. He also asked if there is any litigation regarding the Columbus Fleet. Mr. Garcia said Mr. Durrill has a pending suit but since the city is not a party to it, he is unclear as to its status. He said that currently the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has the direct corporate responsibility for the ships and it has assigned that task to the Columbus Fleet Association. However, the status of the association is unclear Minutes - Regular Council Meeting June 18, 2002 - Page 9 because there have not been any reappointments to that board for some time. He said the city is involved because it funds the CVB, which uses some of the money to pay the ships' debt. Responding to other questions from Mr. Noyola, Mr. Garcia said the government of Spain has always felt that the city should have direct control and responsibility for the Columbus ships. They have looked favorably on the steps the city has already taken to put the ships back into minimally productive use. He pointed out that the debt was incurred for the construction of the plaza (on which the Santa Maria and Pinta sit) and the lease associated with it. Mr. Chesney requested additional information about the Harwood ADA case. Mayor Neal suggested that the City Attorney send the Council a confidential memorandum about it. Mr. Chesney said he has also received calls about the wrecker service issue. Mr. Garcia said staff is preparing a response. Mr. Chesney asked for an explanation about the overtime issue at the Police Department. Mr. Kinnison asked staff to develop several options for providing additional funding to the CVB using hotel/motel occupancy receipts. Mr. Scott thanked the Mayor and City Manager for allowing some of their staff members to attend the All American Cities Awards convention in Kansas City. Mr. Scott said he thinks it is a worthwhile effort, adding that other cities highlighted several programs that Corpus Christi already provides. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal called for petitions from the audience. Mr. Roy Pell, Chairman of the Water/Shore Advisory Committee, said that on May 2, 2002, the committee voted to recommend terminating the current bait stand lease agreement. And on June 6, 2002, the members voted to reaffirm their endorsement of the South Wharf project as presented and to encourage the city to aggressively pursue an agreement with Mr. Leon Loeb. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Neal adjourned the Council meeting at 4:13 p.m. on June 18, 2002. * * * * * * * * * * * * *