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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 03/11/2003I 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 March 11, 2003, which were approved by the City Council on March 25, 2003. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 25th day of March 2003. Armando Chapa City Secretary SEAL MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS Regular Council Meeting March 11, 2003 - 2:05 p.m. PRESENT Mayor Samuel L. Neal Jr. Council Members: Brent Chesney Javier D. Colmenero Henry Garrett Bill Kelly Rex A. Kinnison Jesse Noyola Mark Scott ABSENT Mayor Pro Tem John Longoria City Staff: Acting City Manager George Noe Acting City Attorney R. Jay Reining City Secretary Armando Chapa Mayor Neal called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The invocation was delivered by Pastor Alston Kirk, Trinity Lutheran Church, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag was led by Council Member Kelly. 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 February 25, 2003. A motion was made and passed to approve the minutes as presented. The Mayor called for consideration of the consent agenda (Items 2-11). He requested that Items 3, 4, 5 and 7 be discussed. There were no comments from the audience. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes and the following passed: 2. M2003-100 Motion approving a supply agreement with OneSource Facility Services, Inc., Corpus Christi, Texas for custodial services for the Frost Building in accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -0055-03, based on low bid for an estimated annual expenditure of $46,602.96. The term of the contract is for twelve months with an option to extend for up to two additional twelve-month periods, subject to the approval of the supplier and the Acting City Manager or his designee. Funds have been budgeted by Building Maintenance in FY 2002-2003. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. 6. M2003-105 Motion authorizing the Acting City Manager or his designee to execute Change Order No. 1 with Garver Construction, LTD., of Houston, Texas in the amount of $354,287.50 for the Sanitary Sewer Trunk Main Rehabilitation Project. Minutes — Regular Council Meeting March 11, 2003 — Page 2 The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. 8. ORDINANCE NO. 025228 Ordinance authorizing the Acting City Manager or his designee to implement the Participation Agreement between the City of Corpus Christi and Braselton Land Ventures Inc. in the amount of $90,517.10 for construction of an 18 -inch Sanitary Sewer Force Main (Buckingham Estates Lift Station). An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. 9. M2003-106 Motion authorizing the Acting City Manager or his designee to execute a contract with Inwood Contractors, Inc., dba Trailer Trash of Corpus Christi, Texas guaranteeing the annual delivery of specific tonnage of acceptable waste to the J.C. Elliott Landfill for a specific fee, for a period not to exceed the life of the J.C. Elliot Landfill. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. 10.a. M2003-107 Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to accept a contract with the Coastal Bend Council of Governments -Area Agency on Aging/Direct Purchase Vendor Agreement with the Senior Companion Program for FY 2003 in the amount $50,000. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. 10.b. ORDINANCE NO. 025229 Ordinance appropriating $50,000 in anticipated funds from the Coastal Bend Council of Governments -Area Agency on Aging/Direct Purchase Vendor Agreement in the No. 1050 Federal/State Grants Fund for the Senior Companion Program. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. 11. ORDINANCE NO. 025230 Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances Chapter 53 - Traffic, Section 53-84, Project Eligibility Requirements and Design Standards, by adding discretionary language to the Guidelines for Location of Traffic Calming Devices. Minutes — Regular Council Meeting March 11, 2003 — Page 3 The foregoing ordinance passed on second reading by the following vote: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 3, force main repairs and replacement project. Responding to a question from the Mayor, Mr. Angel Escobar, Director of Engineering Services, explained that in October 2002, the force main under South Staples Street at the Saratoga Boulevard intersection collapsed. He said the old cast iron 24 -inch force main line "C" needs to be replaced. He explained the proposed new route of the force main, which will include the golf course of the Corpus Christi Country Club. He said the project has not yet been bid. He also noted that force main "B" is in the process of being replaced. In reply to Council Member Garrett, Mr. Escobar said the PFC pipes are color -coded and staff will be installing a blue pressure pipe inside a steel casing. He added that the landscaping will be completed at the intersection of Saratoga and South Staples. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 3. M2003-101 Motion authorizing the Acting City Manager or his designee to execute Amendment No. 8 to the consultant contract with Goldston Engineering, Inc. of Corpus Christi, Texas for a total fee not to exceed $359,130 for the Force Main Repairs and Replacement Project - Force Main Line "C." The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 4, Phase 1 of the sanitary sewer master plan. Mr. Escobar said the last master plan was completed in 1972 and Phase 1 of this plan will involve the Allison Wastewater Plant service area, which is a large geographic area. Mr. Foster Crowell, Wastewater Superintendent, added that this plan will review previous master plan studies and changed conditions of all six wastewater service areas to determine the location of major trunk lines for future development and the most feasible construction alternatives. He said Phase 1 goes all the way to Wood River and also covers south of FM 624. Responding to another question from the Mayor, Mr. Crowell said the Broadway Plant area is already very developed. In reply to Council Member Kelly, Mr. Escobar said the city is responsible for all of the costs of the treatment plants. However, he said the collection system is usually paid for by developers and the city participates in enlarging systems when needed. He added that the Wastewater Department follows zoning and planning activities as well as the existing master plan to anticipate where development will occur and prioritizes accordingly. Mr. Kelly asked if adoption of this plan will impede development of the land along Hwy. 77. Acting City Manager Noe said it should not. Minutes — Regular Council Meeting March 11, 2003 — Page 4 Council Member Garrett said there are several businesses on Leopard Street between Rand Morgan and Clarkwood roads that do not have city wastewater service. Mr. Escobar said this plan will give them the framework with which they can connect to the city's system. He said there is a capital improvement program called the extension of sanitary sewer lines to developed areas. Mr. Crowell said there is a new lift station proposed on Rand Morgan where a temporary station exists to serve the new school and subdivision. Mr. Garrett asked when those businesses will receive wastewater service and Mr. Crowell said staff will provide that information. Council Member Colmenero asked if the master plan analysis will be based on population density or existing infrastructure. Mr. Escobar said several components will be examined in order to project future wastewater flows. He said this will be a 30- to 50 -year plan. Responding to Council Member Noyola, Mr. Escobar said the Clarkwood plan encompasses the area inside the city limits, which he described. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council: 4. M2003-102 Motion authorizing the Acting City Manager or his designee to execute a consultant contract with HDR Engineering, Inc. of Corpus Christi, Texas for a total fee not to exceed $285,406 for the Sanitary Sewer Master Plan, Phase 1. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 5, realignment of water and wastewater utilities as part of the Spur 3, Phase 2 Ennis Joslin Road construction contract. Mr. Escobar said the cost takes into account the sequencing change, cost increases for PFC pipe for both wastewater and water lines, and certain sensitive areas where the lines will be located. The Mayor said this project has been under construction approximately 11 years. Mr. Escobar said the portion from Nile to SPID will probably be completed by this summer while the Nile to Ocean Drive portion will take another 14 months. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council as follows: 5.a. M2003-103 Motion authorizing the Acting City Manager or his designee to execute Change Order No. 43 with the Texas Department of Transportation in the amount of $1,114,384.29 for the realignment of water and wastewater utilities as part of the Spur 3, Phase 2 Ennis Joslin Road construction contract in accordance with the Advance Funding Agreement. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. 5.b. M2003-104 Motion authorizing the Acting City Manager or his designee to execute a consultant contract with ECMS Inc. of Corpus Christi, Texas in the amount of $60,500 for Minutes — Regular Council Meeting March 11, 2003 — Page 5 management of contractor claim and utility construction inspection for the Spur 3, Phase 2 project. The foregoing motion passed by the following vote: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 7, Bay Trail Phase 3 project, and he asked staff to describe it. Mr. Kevin Stowers, Assistant Director of Engineering Services, said this action will extend the hike and bike trail along the Cayo del Oso from South Padre Island Drive to Holly Road and from the end of Holly Road to the railroad trestle. He said that as a result of cooperative agreements and changes in regulations, TXDOT will pay 80% of the local cost of the engineering and environmental mitigation. Mr. Ray Allen, Director of the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program (CBBEP), said his organization is pleased to work with the city on this project. He said the CBBEP and the Coastal Bend Land Trust have acquired 55 acres along the Oso and they will be making that property available to the city as well as providing monies for the acquisition of the right-of-way for the trail itself. Mayor Neal said the city invests $75,000 a year into the CBBEP and the return on that investment has been worth millions of dollars. Council Member Scott commented on the positive quality of life that this project provides. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council: 7. RESOLUTION NO. 025227 Resolution authorizing the Acting City Manager or his designee to execute a Local Transportation Project Advance Funding Agreement using an in-kind contribution (real property valued at $400,000) as a local match for the Bay Trail, Phase 3 Project. The foregoing resolution passed by the following vote: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal referred to Item 12, and a motion was made, seconded and passed to open the public hearing on the following zoning case: 12. Case No. 0103-02, Morteza Shafinurv: A change of zoning from an "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District and "AB" Professional Office District to a "B-1" Neighborhood Business District on Airline Subdivision, Block B, Lots 1, 4 and 5, located on the east side of Airline Road and on the north side of Lyons Street. City Secretary Chapa said the Planning Commission and staff recommended approval of the "B-1" District on Lot 1 and denial of the "B-1" District on Lots 4 and 5. Mr. Michael Gunning, Director of Planning, explained that the applicant has requested a change of zoning on three of five lots that front on Airline Road and Lyons Street. He said both the Planning Commission and staff felt the commercial district should be limited to those lots which front on Minutes — Regular Council Meeting March 11, 2003 — Page 6 Airline Road in order to avoid any further intrusion into the neighborhood on Lyons Street. Mr. Gunning said that while some people called to oppose this case, there were no letters of opposition sent to the city. Mr. Shafinury's attorney requested a reconsideration of the Planning Commission's denial, which was also denied. Mr. Gunning then described the subject and adjacent properties. He said Mr. Shafinury is proposing that the Council approve "B-1" on Lots 1 and 4 and a special permit on Lot 5 for parking only with landscaping and no access to Lyons Street from Lots 4 and 5. Mr. Shafinury and his representative then addressed the Council. Responding to Council Member Kinnison, Mr. Shafinury said he would like to open a retail shopping center on the subject property as allowed with "B-1" zoning. Mr. Kinnison asked about staff's opinion on the applicant's request for a special permit on Lot 5. Mr. Gunning said staff thinks the special permit is reasonable in light of the condition that all five lots be replatted as a single premise, which prevents the resale of any lots. In addition, staff can prohibit driveway access to Lyons Street and landscaping would be required. Mr. Kinnison said he supported the applicant's new proposal. Mr. Doyle Curtis, Assistant City Attorney, said the proposed ordinance in the Council's packet (titled "Alternate 2") was revised to reflect Mr. Shafinury's request for operating hours of 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mr. Gunning said there is no limit to the operating hours for the other shopping centers in the area. Responding to Council Member Kelly, Mr. Gunning said the size and location of the proposed building will be governed by the setbacks and parking requirements in the zoning ordinance. He said the building will be located on Lots 1, 2 and 4 and no structures will be allowed on Lot 5. Mr. Kelly asked if any other businesses have driveway access to Lyons Street and Mr. Gunning said some were allowed prior to more restrictive regulations being put in place. Mr. Kinnison made a motion to amend Item 12 to adopt alternate ordinances 1 and 2; the motion was seconded and it passed. Mr. Garrett made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Colmenero and passed. Mr. Chapa then polled the Council for their votes: 12.a. ORDINANCE NO. 025231 Amending the Zoning Ordinance, upon application by Morteza Shafinury, by changing the zoning map in reference to Lots 1 and 4, Block B, Airline Subdivision Unit 3, from "AB" Professional Office District and "R -1B" One -Family Dwelling District to "B-1" Neighborhood Business District; amending the Comprehensive Plan to account for any deviations from the existing Comprehensive Plan. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed as amended: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. 12.b. ORDINANCE NO. 025232 Amending the Zoning Ordinance, upon application by Morteza Shafinury, by changing the zoning map in reference to Lot 5, Block B, Airline Subdivision Unit 3, (currently Minutes — Regular Council Meeting March 11, 2003 — Page 7 zoned "R -1B" One -Family Dwelling District) by granting a special permit for a shopping center parking area subject to a site plan and ten (10) conditions; amending the Comprehensive Plan to account for any deviations from the existing Comprehensive Plan. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed as amended: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. ************ Mayor Neal referred to Item 13, and a motion was made, seconded and passed to open the public hearing on the following zoning case: 13. Case No. 0103-04, Hogan Development Company, L.P.: A change of zoning from a "B- 4" General Business District to a "R -1C" One -family Dwelling District on Flour Bluff and Encinal Farm and Garden Tracts, Section 21, being 23.064 acres out of Lots 17, 18, 31, and 32, located on the east side of Cimarron Boulevard and approximately 300 feet south of Yorktown Boulevard. City Secretary Chapa said the Planning Commission and staff recommended approval of the "R -1C" One -family Dwelling District. No one appeared in opposition to the zoning change. Mr. Scott made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Kelly and passed. Mr. Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 025233 Amending the Zoning Ordinance upon application by Hogan Development Company, L.P. by changing the zoning map in reference to 23.064 acres out of Lots 17, 18, 31, and 32, Section 21, Flour Bluff and Encinal Farm and Garden Tracts, from "B-4" General Business District to "R -1C" One -family Dwelling District; amending the Comprehensive Plan to account for any deviations from the existing Comprehensive Plan. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal referred to Item 14, and a motion was made, seconded and passed to open the public hearing on the following zoning case: 14. Case No. 0103-05, Carmen Fader: A change of zoning from a "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District to a "B-1" Neighborhood Business District on Flour Bluff and Encinal Farm and Garden Tracts, Section 5, being a 0.590 acre out of Lot 25, located west of South Staples Street and approximately 349 feet north of Lipes Boulevard. Minutes — Regular Council Meeting March 11, 2003 — Page 8 City Secretary Chapa said the Planning Commission and staff recommended approval of the "B-1" Neighborhood Business District. No one appeared in opposition to the zoning change. Mr. Scott made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Colmenero and passed. Mr. Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 14. ORDINANCE NO. 025234 Amending the Zoning Ordinance upon application by Carmen Fader by changing the zoning map in reference to 0.590 acre out of Lot 25, Section 5, Flour Bluff and Encinal Farm and Garden Tracts, from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District to "B-1" Neighborhood Business District; amending the Comprehensive Plan to account for any deviations from the existing Comprehensive Plan. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal referred to Item 15 and a motion was made, seconded and passed to open the public hearing to consider amending the Corpus Christi Urban Transportation Plan, an element of the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Corpus Christi. Mr. Gunning said the city currently has 11 area development plans, nine of which have been adopted. He said this proposal is intended to consolidate all those plan documents into a single plan, which will facilitate staff's ability to review transportation plans or street extension improvements with developers. He said the plan has been coordinated with the city's Engineering Services and Traffic Engineering departments as well as several outside entities. Mr. Bob Payne, Senior City Planner, reviewed the computer presentation he gave at the February 25th Council meeting. He noted that issues in the transportation plan include a future street network to minimize traffic congestion; consolidation of transportation plans; sidewalks which meet ADA standards; bikeways which meet the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials standards; and street alignment and network changes. He said the plan will minimize the future purchase of rights-of-way and address collector and arterial streets. Responding to Mayor Neal, Mr. Gunning said this plan is not a comprehensive bikeway plan but staff is beginning to address the bikeway issues. Mr. Payne continued his presentation, saying that the Planning Commission suggested a northwest collector grid pattern, which would help solve the east -west traffic issues in that area. He added that this plan is not a panacea to planning challenges and he referred to a table that compared right-of-way requirements. Mr. Muhammad Amin Ulkarim, of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, said the MPO will use this plan in their planning efforts. He said the MPO is preparing additional information about other planning issues that will be used to validate the city's plan. Mr. Greg Brubeck, of the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, said they are pleased to see the addition of the Fulton Corridor and the proposed improvements to Up River Road, which are Minutes — Regular Council Meeting March 11, 2003 — Page 9 important not only to the port's current operations but also to its future growth. He said the port supports the adoption of the revised urban transportation plan. Mr. David Seiler, of the Regional Transportation Authority, said the RTA supports the proposed increases in travel lane widths as well as the identification of the RTA as a planning partner with the city in terms of capital improvements and design elements. Council Member Colmenero made a motion to close the public hearing, which was seconded and passed. Council Member Kelly asked why the plan reduces the size of County Road 52 at County Road 73A from an arterial to a collector street. Mr. Kelly said he thought the plan was to make County Road 52 a parallel arterial from Orange Grove to Hwy. 77. Mr. Payne said in the denser areas that road is shown as an arterial and as it moves west it becomes a lesser street section. Acting City Manager Noe said staff can review that issue prior to second reading. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 15.b. FIRST READING ORDINANCE Ordinance amending the Corpus Christi Urban Transportation Plan, an element of the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Corpus Christi, by adopting the revised Corpus Christi Urban Transportation Plan for the City and its extraterritorial jurisdiction; establishing a Unified Transportation Plan for coordination of street improvements consistent with the public interest; rescinding the Corpus Christi Urban Transportation Plan adopted by City Council Ordinance No. 022166, February 22, 1995; amending the Comprehensive Plan of the City. The foregoing ordinance passed on first reading by the following vote: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. Mayor Neal asked staff to prepare a report summarizing all of the planning documents that have been presented to the Council over the last two years and related Council actions. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal opened discussion on Item 16, general obligation refunding bonds. Acting City Manager Noe said that staff and the city's financial advisors regularly monitor the market to determine if there are opportunities to save money by refunding various types of debt. He said that occurs when the city is able to realize a 3% present value savings. Ms. Lee Ann Dumbauld, Director of Finance, passed out information that had been gathered the day before. She said the current savings are 6.09% or $1.4 million on the bonds proposed for refunding. She said it is a delegated sale that will allow the City Manager to pull the trigger on a date that is most advantageous on the market. She said the city's underwriter is J.P. Morgan. Responding to Mayor Neal, Ms. Dumbauld said they are not extending the term of the debt and they are also taking the majority of the savings in the early years. The Mayor asked staff to also prepare a report recapping savings that have been realized in the last two years. Minutes — Regular Council Meeting March 11, 2003 — Page 10 In reply to Council Member Scott, Mr. Noe said the last time a request for proposals was done, there were no local underwriters that responded. Council Member Chesney echoed Mr. Scott's concem about using a local company. There were no comments from the audience. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows: 16. ORDINANCE NO. 025235 Ordinance providing for the issuance of the General Improvement Refunding Bonds, Series 2003, of the City of Corpus Christi, Texas, in an amount not to exceed $25,000,000; establishing parameters regarding the sale of the bonds; approving the execution of a bond purchase contract and an escrow agreement; and all other matters related thereto; and providing that this ordinance shall be in force and effect from and after the date of its passage. An emergency was declared and the foregoing ordinance passed: Neal, Chesney, Colmenero, Garrett, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott voting "Aye"; Longoria absent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal announced the executive session, which was listed on the agenda as: 17. Executive session under Texas Government Code Section 551.071 regarding Hector Villarreal, Corpus Christi Association of City Employees, and Stan Wilt, Cause No. 02- 868-E, 214th District Court, Nueces County, Texas, with possible discussion and action in open session. The Council went into executive session. The Council returned from executive session. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Neal called for the City Manager's report. Acting City Manager Noe said the Council will receive information in the Friday packet about the skate operation and on March l2`h the Nueces County Commissioners Court will consider a resolution to endorse the child safety fee bill. He said there is no Council meeting on March 18th and there are several items scheduled for the March 25th meeting. Mayor Neal called for Council concerns and reports. Mr. Chesney said that on March 10`h there was a successful town hall meeting on the island and another town hall meeting is scheduled for March 315`. He thanked Mr. Noe and Mr. Crowell for their assistance with a constituent's problem and he asked if the new animal control facility had a cracked foundation. Mr. Escobar said the slab on the kennel area will be replaced. Mr. Chesney congratulated the Tarpon Foundation for a successful fundraiser. Mr. Garrett asked if the parking meters can be replaced on the south curb of the 600 block of Leopard Street. He also asked if there is a space problem at the Police Department or Municipal Court. Mr. Noe said there has been an ongoing effort to find a new location for the court. He said staff can provide a written report. Mr. Garrett said he also wants to ensure that the city inspects roadways that have been repaired following the inclusion of utility lines through them. Minutes — Regular Council Meeting March 11, 2003 — Page 11 Responding to Mr. Kinnison, Mr. Massey said that in addition to the traffic signal at Weber and Saratoga, the intersection of Staples and Saratoga also has a protected left turn light. Mr. Kinnison said a similar light is needed at Saratoga and Everhart. Mr. Noyola said he reported a large concrete block on Navigation Road at Agnes Street. He also asked when the One -Stop Center will be fully operational. Mr. Art Sosa said almost all the boxes have been unpacked. Mr. Noyola said he has received numerous complaints about an uneven section of Ayers Street between Horne, Gollihar and Port. Mr. Scott complimented staff for the opening of the One -Stop Center and he said a constituent commented during the town hall meeting last night that he had not received responses to his concerns. Mr. Scott also spoke positively about the refunding bond sale. Mr. Kelly commended the Junior League and the directed patrol officers at Hudson Park off of Main Drive for the recent tree planting there. In addition, the Police Athletic League baseball season is now underway at T.C. Ayers and team sponsorships are available. He thanked Mr. Dan Whitworth, Director of Park and Recreation, for his efforts. He said there will be a presentation at the next Council meeting about the housing initiatives and he said the issue of the shopping center on Old Robstown Road should be resolved soon. Mr. Kelly thanked Police Chief Alvarez for his responses to his questions. Mr. Colmenero thanked Mr. Noe and Mr. Escobar for their responses to several concerns and he requested an update on legislative issues. He also asked how the available space in City Hall will be utilized. Mr. Noe said staff will bring back a recommendation. Mr. Colmenero also requested information about regulations regarding building inhabitants and signage. Mr. Chesney said he wants to ensure that constituents' questions are responded to by staff. Mayor Neal called for petitions from the audience. Mr. Figeroa said he was speaking on behalf of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, which presented Council Member Colmenero with a token of their appreciation. Ms. Judy Loverde said she represents the South Texas Alliance for Peace, which feels the resolution presented to the Council at their March 4th meeting was dismissed. She read a letter from Ms. Susan J. Peoples, a member of the organization's steering committee, who said the minimum projected cost of a war with Iraq is $80 billion to $100 billion. She said they represent people who have serious questions about this issue. Mr. Daniel Green commended the Council for their care for the city of Corpus Christi and its citizens. He said he is also a member of the South Texas Alliance for Peace and he commented on the devastation that occurred during World War II. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Neal adjourned the Council meeting at 4:35 p.m. on March 11, 2003.