Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 08/01/2002 - SpecialI HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Special Council Meeting of the City of Corpus Christi of August 1, 2002, which were approved by the City Council on August 20, 2002. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 20th day of August 2002. Armando Chapa City Secretary SEAL PRESENT Mayor Samuel L. Neal Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Mark Scott Council Members: Javier D. Colmenero Henry Garrett Bill Kelly Rex A. Kinnison Jesse Noyola ABSENT Brent Chesney John Longoria MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS Special Council Meeting August 1, 2002 - 4:00 p.m. Citv 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. 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 announced the executive session, which was listed on the agenda as follows: C. Executive session pursuant to Texas Government Code Sections 551.071, 551.072 and 551.087 regarding acquisition and development of a site for a minor league baseball stadium in the Arena/Convention Center/Port of Corpus Christi area, location of a professional baseball franchise in the facility, and possible lease agreements with the Port of Corpus Christi Authority and RSR Sports implementing the stadium, with possible discussion and action related thereto in open session. The Council went into executive session. The Council returned from executive session. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal called for petitions from the audience. Mr. J.E. O'Brien, 4130 Pompano, read from an article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal which stated that sports stadiums actually reduce per capita income in their hometowns. He said city staff provide misinformation and he questioned a statement by staff about previous utility rate increases of 40% to 50%. He said staff failed to mention the 6% rate cap that voters approved in 1990. Mr. O'Brien said that through July 31, 2001, in the last five years utilities netted over $74 million He said the rate increases affect every business in the city yet the Council continues to talk about economic development. He questioned whether the U.S.S. Minutes — Special Council Meeting August 1, 2002 — Page 2 Lexington Museum on the Bay and the Texas State Aquarium can continue to increase their fees. He also criticized the decision to abolish the internal auditor position. Mr. Bill Kopecky, 3609 Topeka, said there used to be a ballpark in Corpus Christi called Shep's Palms, which he believes was built totally with private funds by George Shep, a minor league baseball legend throughout the south and southwest. He said if there is a market for minor league baseball, the team itself should be able to build its own park. He also urged the Council to read an article in last week's San Antonio Express -News regarding a minor league ballpark. The article notes that there are no Texas league teams currently available and most leagues, including the Texas league, have a rule prohibiting the same family from owning two clubs in the same league. C ouncil Member Scott said he did not think the rule prohibited the same family but rather the same individual from owning two teams. Mr. Kopecky said the league members have to vote on it. Council Member Kinnison said no money would be spent on a ballpark unless a team is coming in. He said that is an issue that will be cleared up after the November 2002 election. Mr. Scott s aid t here is an a rticle i n t he S unday edition of the New York Times that discusses the significant impact of minor league baseball stadiums across the country in revitalizing key areas of cities. Council Member Kelly said this week Time magazine also addressed minor league baseball and they mentioned San Antonio's team. He said in the same issue there was an article about San Antonio being one of the best places to retire. He said a minor league team has tremendous economic opportunities for Corpus Christi. Mr. Kinnison said the supporters of the ballpark are trying to create a family entertainment venue through a baseball situation. He said the public subsidizes it so they can go there for a reasonable price. He said if they were willing to take the risk, owners of minor league teams could build their own stadiums. However, many families would not be able to attend the games because instead of costing $5 per person, the games would have to cost $30 a piece in order to pay for the ballpark. Mr. R.F. Hasker, 1813 Wallace, read a letter to the editor of the Corpus Christi Caller - Times from Kenneth Brown in which he discussed how citizens have trusted the Council to provide services for them. He said the Council is more worried about a ballpark than housing and unpaid city employees. Mr. Scott responded to Mr. Brown's letter to the editor, saying that the city did not turn down park improvements and he discussed police and fire services on the newly annexed areas of Mustang and Padre Islands. Mr. Scott also noted that the city's Engineering Department provides quarterly updates on city bond projects, including street projects, and he said Mr. Brown w as n ot a ccurate w hen he discussed raising taxes for Packery Channel. Mr. Kinnison encouraged Mr. Brown to call him to discuss his concerns and he said many letters to the editor are totally untrue and need to be corrected. Mr. Jack Gordy, 4118 Bray, said that previously City Attorney Bray has cited documents stating t hat e lection 1 aw p rohibits t he c ity from giving v oters a choice on the location of the baseball stadium. Mr. Gordy said he received a copy of the letter from the Secretary of State and it does not mention the location issue but it says there have to be separate propositions on the ballot. He said he believes the citizens deserve a choice on the location of the baseball park. Minutes — Special Council Meeting August 1, 2002 — Page 3 Mr. Bray said the reason the Secretary of State's office said that the Austin charter provision was contrary to state law was because it provided for alternative ballot propositions. The Attorney G eneral s aid the e lection c ode s ays cities w ill s ubmit a p roposition o n a b allot either for or against the proposition. Consequently, it precludes putting on the ballot language that asks voters if they would like a baseball stadium at "Location A or B." Responding to Mr. Kinnison, Mr. Bray said city staff have talked with state offices over the years because this issue has come up before. He said his opinion is based on those conversations as well as directly on what the election code states. Mr. Jose Marroquin, 2433 Allencrest, said if the Council wants voters to trust them, they need to respect voters and seek their input. He said the Council does not view revenue bonds as debt but it is a debt that the citizens have to pay. He said even if the city has good credit that does not mean it needs to incur more debt Mr. Scott said the Council members are all citizens too and they have to make payments as well. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Neal adjourned the Council meeting at 5:32 p.m. on August 1, 2002. *r**ssrrrrrr*