HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 02/14/2006I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the
Regular Meeting of the Corpus Christi City Council of February 14, 2006, which were approved by
the City Council on February 21. 2006.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL. on this the 21st day of February, 2006.
Ar/LY
mando Chapa
p
City Secretary
SEAL
PRESENT
Mayor Henry Garrett
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Kelly
Council Members:
Brent Chesney
Melody Cooper
Jerry Garcia
Rex Kinnison
* John E. Marez
Jesse Noyola
Mark Scott
* Arrived at 10:40 a.m.
MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
Regular Meeting
February 14, 2006 — 10:00 a.m.
City Staff:
City Manager George K. Noe
City Attorney Mary Kay Fischer
City Secretary Armando Chapa
Mayor Garrett called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
The invocation was delivered by Deacon Adelfino Palacios and the Pledge of Allegiance
to the United States flag was led by Council Member Scott.
Mayor Garrett called for approval of the minutes of the regular Council meetings of
January 17, 2006 and January 31, 2006. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to
approve the minutes as presented.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Garrett referred to Item 2 and the following board appointments were made:
Coastal Bend Council of Governments
Oscar Martinez (Appointed)
Richard Hooks (Appointed)
Commission on Children and Youth
Captain Vidal De La Cerda (Appointed)
Committee for Persons with Disabilities
Linda Fallwell-Stover (Reappointed)
Abel Alonzo (Reappointed)
James M. Duerr (Reappointed)
Toni Padilla (Reappointed)
Park and Recreation Advisory Committee
Russell Stowers (Appointed)
Weed and Seed Steering Committee
Frances E. Garza (Appointed)
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Garrett called for consideration of the consent agenda (Items 3 - 17). City
Secretary Chapa announced that Mr. Noyola would be abstaining from the vote and discussion
on Items 14, 16, and 17. Mr. Garcia requested that Item 8 be pulled for individual consideration.
There were no comments from the public. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to
Minutes — Regular Council Meeting
February 14, 2006 — Page 2
approve Items 3 through 17, constituting the consent agenda, except for Item 8, which was
pulled for individual consideration. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as
follows:
3 MOTION NO. 2006-030
Motion approving a supply agreement for approximately 118,000 pounds of drop -on type
glass spheres, in accordance with Bid Invitation No. BI -0070-06 from Swarco Reflex,
Inc., of Mexia, Texas, based on low bid for an estimated annual expenditure of $31,388.
This item will be used by Street Services. The term of the contract is for twelve months
with options to extend for up to two additional twelve-month periods, subject to the
approval of the supplier and the City Manager or his designee. Funds have been
budgeted by the using department in FY 2005-2006.
The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Garrett,
Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott, voting "Aye"; Marez was
absent.
4.a. RESOLUTION NO. 026636
Resolution authorizing the City Manager or his designee to accept grant funding in the
amount of $10,000 from the Texas Department of Transportation for an Impaired Driving
Mobilization Selective Traffic Enforcement Project (STEP) grant for DWI enforcement
overtime pay within the Police Department and to execute all related documents.
The foregoing resolution was passed and approved with the following vote: Garrett,
Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott, voting "Aye"; Marez was
absent.
4.b. ORDINANCE NO. 026637
Ordinance appropriating $10,000 from the Texas Department of Transportation for
funding of an Impaired Driving Mobilization Selective Traffic Enforcement Project (STEP)
grant for DWI enforcement overtime within the Police Department in No. 1061 Police
Grants Fund.
An emergency was declared, and the foregoing ordinance was passed and approved
with the following vote: Garrett, Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and
Scott, voting "Aye". Marez was absent.
5.a. RESOLUTION NO. 026638
Resolution authorizing the City Manager or his designee to accept a grant from the
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in the amount of $69,000 in the No. 1058 Marina
Grants Fund for Phase #1 of the Corpus Christi Marina Boat Pump -out System for Dock
"E" Peoples Street T -Head, with $23,000 match from the No. 3233 Marina Development
Capital Improvement Program Fund.
The foregoing resolution was passed and approved with the following vote: Garrett,
Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott, voting "Aye"; Marez was
absent.
Minutes — Regular Council Meeting
February 14, 2006 — Page 3
5 b. ORDINANCE NO. 026639
Ordinance appropriating a $69,000 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
in the No. 1058 Marina Grants Fund for Phase #1 of the Corpus Christi Marina Boat
Pump -out System for Dock "E" Peoples Street T -Head grant.
An emergency was declared, and the foregoing ordinance was passed and approved
with the following vote: Garrett, Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and
Scott, voting "Aye" Marez was absent.
6 ORDINANCE NO. 026640
Ordinance transferring $3,000 from the No. 1020 General Fund Account No. 202965 to
Account No. 13700: and appropriating the $3,000 to pay expenses for "Celebrate Texas
2006".
An emergency was declared, and the foregoing ordinance was passed and approved
with the following vote: Garrett, Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and
Scott, voting "Aye": Marez was absent.
MOTION NO. 2006-031
Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to reallocate Community
Development Block Grant Program funds from the FY2004 Corpus Christi Police Athletic
League T. C. Ayers project to the FY2005 Corpus Christi Police Athletic League Ben
Garza Project.
The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Garrett,
Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott, voting "Aye"; Marez was
absent.
MOTION NO. 2006-033
Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute Change Order No. 3 to
increase the Advanced Funding Agreement with the Texas Department of
Transportation in the amount of $28,864.57 for the Cefe F. Valenzuela Landfill F.M. 70
Drainage Culverts.
The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Garrett,
Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott, voting "Aye"; Marez was
absent.
10. MOTION NO. 2006-034
Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute Change Order No. 2 to
the construction contract with Zimmerman Construction, of Burnet, Texas in the amount
of $32,051 for the Senior Center Improvements Project (CDBG).
The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Garrett,
Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott, voting "Aye"; Marez was
absent.
Minutes — Regular Council Meeting
February 14, 2006 — Page 4
11. MOTION NO. 2006-035
Motion approving the temporary closure of Mann Street from Water Street to Shoreline
Drive, beginning at 12 midnight, July 14, 2007 through 5:00 p.m. on July 18, 2007 and
waiving the associated occupancy fees of Section 53-195 and requirements of
Subsections 49-17 (a) and (b), for the 2007 Texas Pecan Growers Annual Conference
and Trade Show due to a finding that the event will promote the City and provide
sufficient publicity and economic benefit to justify the waiver in accordance with Section
49-17 ( r) of the Code of Ordinances.
The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Garrett,
Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott, voting "Aye"; Marez was
absent.
12. MOTION NO. 2006-036
Motion authorizing payment to American Electric Power in the amount of $148,000 street
light installation on Spur 3 between Nile Drive and Ocean Drive.
The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Garrett,
Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott, voting "Aye"; Marez was
absent.
13. MOTION NO. 2006-037
Motion authorizing the City Manager to execute a Deferment Agreement with Value
Place LLC, (Developer), in the amount of $135,941.70 for public improvements including
water, wastewater.. paving, and drainage improvements required to plat Value Place
Subdivision, located north of SH 358 (South Padre Island Drive) and west of Friendship
Drive at West Point Road, in accordance with the Platting Ordinance Section V -Required
Improvements, Subsection A.3(b).
The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Garrett,
Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott, voting "Aye"; Marez was
absent.
14. ORDINANCE NO. 026641
Ordinance appropriating $2,700,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration Grant No.
3-48-0051-37-2005 in the No. 3020 Airport Capital Improvement Fund for the Runway
13/31 Rehabilitation, Phase II; Runway 17/35 Shoulders and Blast Pads; Airport
Drainage Improvements Phase IV; Terminal Apron at Corpus Christi International
Airport.
An emergency was declared, and the foregoing ordinance was passed and approved
with the following vote: Garrett, Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, and Scott,
voting "Aye"; Marez was absent; Noyola abstained.
Minutes — Regular Council Meeting
February 14, 2006 — Page 5
15. ORDINANCE NO. 026642
Waiving the 60 -day waiting period and publication of legal notice; renaming the park at
3010 Sunnybrook from Southside Park to Mike Zepeda Park. (First Reading 01/31/06)
The foregoing ordinance was passed and approved on its second reading with the
following vote: Garrett, Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott,
voting "Aye"; Marez was absent.
16. ORDINANCE NO. 026643
Authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute Supplemental Agreement No.1
to Federal Aviation Administration Lease No. DTFA07-04-L-00560 eliminating all
references to the Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) and adding 0.15 acre of land
for the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) serving Runway 17. (First Reading
01/31/06)
The foregoing ordinance was passed and approved on its second reading with the
following vote: Garrett, Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, and Scott, voting
"Aye"; Marez was absent; Noyola abstained.
17 ORDINANCE NO. 026644
Authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute Supplemental Agreement No. 1
to Federal Aviation Administration Lease No. DTFA07-98-L-01123 eliminating all
references to the Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) and adding 0.25 acre of land
for the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) serving Runway 13 and 0.64 acre for
the PAPI serving Runway 31. (First Reading 01/31/06)
The foregoing ordinance was passed and approved on its second reading with the
following vote: Garrett, Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, KeIIy, Kinnison, and Scott, voting
"Aye"; Marez was absent; Noyola abstained.
Mayor Garrett opened discussion on Item 8 regarding the Water System Interactive
Hydraulic Model and Analysis project. Mr. Garcia stated that a Flour Bluff resident was
concerned that the proposed project would damage a number of ancient trees on her property.
Assistant City Manager Ron Massey replied that Mr. Garcia was referring to the Southside
Transmission Main project, and this item was not related to that project. Mr. Garcia withdrew
his question. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
8. MOTION NO. 2006-032
Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute Amendment No. 6 to the
Contract for Professional Services with LNV Engineering, Inc., of Corpus Christi, Texas
in the amount of $866,302 for a total re -stated fee of $3,940,767 for the Water System
Interactive Hydraulic Model and Analysis to include the City-wide Water Distribution
Master Plan Update.
The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Garrett,
Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, KeIIy, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott, voting "Aye"; Marez was
absent.
Minutes — Regular Council Meeting
February 14, 2006 — Page 6
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Garrett referred to Item 18, and a motion was made, seconded, and passed to
open the public hearing on the following right-of-way closure:
18.a. Public hearing to consider abandoning and vacating a 7,215 -square foot portion of the
Eden Lane public right-of-way, out of Lot 3,Ehlers Garden Tracts, Lot 3D, Ehlers Garden
Tracts, and Lot 5, Ehlers Garden Tracts; located approximately 540 -feet east of the
McBride Lane street right-of-way and north of IH 37.
No one spoke in opposition to the right-of-way closure. Mr. Noyola made a motion to
close the public hearing, seconded by Ms. Cooper, and passed. City Secretary Chapa polled
the Council for their votes as follows:
18.b. FIRST READING ORDINANCE
Abandoning and vacating a 7,215 -square foot portion of the Eden Lane public right-of-
way, out of Lot 3, Ehlers Garden Tracts, Lot 3D, Ehlers Garden Tracts, and Lot 5, Ehlers
Garden Tracts; located approximately 540 -feet east of the McBride Lane street right-of-
way and north of IH 37; subject to compliance with the specified conditions.
The foregoing ordinance was passed and approved on its first reading with the following
vote: Garrett, Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott, voting "Aye";
Marez was absent.
Mayor Garrett opened discussion on Item 19, and a motion was made, seconded, and
passed to open the public hearing on the following issue
19.a. Public hearing in connection with the issuance by the Colorado Educational and Cultural
Facilities Authority of its tax exempt obligation for the benefit of the Educational Media
Foundation in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $16,500,000.
No one spoke in opposition to the issue. Ms. Cooper made a motion to close the public
hearing, seconded by Mr. Scott, and passed. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their
votes as follows:
19.b. RESOLUTION NO. 026645
Resolution of the City of Corpus Christi, Texas approving the issuance of tax exempt
obligation by the Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority for the benefit of
Educational Media Foundation as required by Section 147 (f) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended.
The foregoing resolution was passed and approved with the following vote: Garrett,
Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott, voting "Aye"; Marez was
absent.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Garrett referred to Item 20, and a motion was made, seconded, and passed to
open the public hearing on the following zoning case:
Minutes — Regular Council Meeting
February 14, 2006 — Page 7
Case No. 0106-01, Al Development, Inc.: A change of zoning from a "F -R" Farm Rural
District to a "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District. The property is 47.87 acres out of Lots
3-6, Section 21, Flour Bluff and Encinal Farm and Garden Tracts, located 900 feet west
of Airline Road along future Lipes Boulevard.
City Secretary Chapa said the Planning Commission and staff recommended the
approval of a "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District.
No one spoke in opposition to the zoning change. Ms. Cooper made a motion to close
the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Scott, and passed. City Secretary Chapa polled the
Council for their votes as follows:
20. ORDINANCE NO. 026646
Amending the Zoning Ordinance, upon application by Al Development, Inc., by changing
the zoning map in reference to 47.87 acres out of Lots 3 through 6, Section 21, Flour
Bluff and Encinal Farm and Garden Tracts, from "F -R" Farm Rural District to "R -1B"
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 was passed and approved
with the following vote: Garrett, Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and
Scott, voting "Aye": Marez was absent.
*************
Mayor Garrett opened discussion on Item 21 regarding a grant from the Morris L.
Lichtenstein Jr. Foundation to establish a Spay and Neuter Program. Mr. Harry L. Marks,
Lichtenstein Foundation president, reported that Ms. Susan Thiem, Animal Control Advisory
Committee chairman, approached the foundation a year ago with a funding proposal for a spay
and neuter clinic. She also provided a report supporting the need to control unwanted animals
in the city. After visiting the city's animal care facility and meeting with city staff, he said the
foundation accepted Ms. Thiem's proposal, agreeing to provide $244,000 in funding for the
facility. Mr. Marks stated the $244,000 would be used to defray the facility's capital costs as
well as fund one year's salary for the facility's employees. Given Mr. Morris L. Lichtenstein Jr.'s
support for animal causes during his life, Mr. Marks said the foundation was pleased to assist
the city with this endeavor
Mr Chesney thanked Mr. Marks and the foundation for their generous gift, saying that
the spay and neuter clinic would address a tremendous need in the city. He also thanked Ms.
Thiem for efforts.
Ms. Susan Thiem, Animal Control Advisory Committee chairman, made a brief
statement regarding the city's progress in addressing the unwanted animal problem. She also
stated that the Animal Control Advisory Committee recommended a three -pronged approach to
the problem as follows: intense public education; enforcement of city ordinances by the Animal
Care Center and the Police department: and a large scale, low cost spay and neuter program.
Ms. Thiem stated a spay and neuter clinic because it would enhance the animal care
officers' ability to enforce the city's spay and neuter ordinance. According to the ordinance,
passed in December 2004, spaying and neutering was required for all trapped roaming animals,
all impounded dogs (on the first impound if unvaccinated; on the second impound if vaccinated),
Minutes — Regular Council Meeting
February 14, 2006 — Page 8
and all animals adopted from shelters. Ms. Thiem said the animal care facility currently issued a
$25 voucher fee toward spaying and neutering for an adopted animal, yet few of the vouchers
were ever redeemed. Consequently, one of the benefits from an on -premises clinic would be
100 percent compliance for adopted animals, which would be spayed and neutered before
leaving the facility. Ms. Thiem cited a number of additional benefits, such as man-hour savings,
prevention of unwanted litters, and low-cost spay and neutering services. She concluded that
the Animal Control Advisory Committee unanimously recommended the establishment of a low-
cost spay and neuter clinic at the city's animal care facility.
Ms Cooper spoke in support of the spay and neuter clinic, and thanked the foundation
for their donation.
Mr. Scott thanked the foundation for their generous donation. He pointed out, however,
that the city would be responsible for funding the project beginning in FY 2006-07. Although he
would no longer be serving on the Council in 2006-07 because of term limitations, he
nevertheless spoke in support of the continued funding. He said the city manager supported the
project, and he hoped the Council concurred. City Manager Noe replied that staff anticipated
that the clinic would generate revenues to partially offset the operation costs. Staff was
developing a cost analysis now. and would report to the Council upon completion.
Mr. Garcia also thanked the foundation for their generous donation. He told Mr. Noe that
the spay and neuter clinic was vitally important to the area, and he would like to see the clinic's
operational costs included in the FY 2007 budget. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for
their votes as follows:
21. RESOLUTION NO. 026647
Resolution authorizing the City Manager or his designee to accept a grant from the
Morris L. Lichtenstein Jr. Foundation in the amount of $244,000 to establish a Spay and
Neuter Program and to authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute an
agreement with the Foundation for that purpose.
The foregoing resolution was passed and approved with the following vote: Garrett,
Chesney, Cooper, Garcia, Kelly, Kinnison, Noyola, and Scott, voting "Aye"; Marez was
absent.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Garrett referred to Item 22, a presentation on the results of the 2005 Citizen
Satisfaction Survey, given by Dr. Dan Jorgensen with Texas A&M University -Corpus Christi. Dr.
Jorgensen stated the purpose of the survey was to report on the citizen attitudes toward the
city's performance in 41 various service areas, such as public safety, transportation, parks and
recreation, housing, public health, and social services. Dr. Jorgensen, in conjunction with Texas
A&M -CC's Social Science Research Center, had conducted the survey for the past four years.
This year, he said his sample size was 430 people and the margin of error was +1- five percent.
According to survey results, Dr. Jorgensen stated that approximately 76 percent of
citizens felt the overall quality of city services was favorable (good to excellent). When studying
survey data collected between 1994 to 2005, he said an upward trend in favorable attitudes
toward government appeared to be emerging. He noted, however, that since he was not
involved in collecting the data from 1994 to 2001, he could not vouch for its accuracy.
Minutes — Regular Council Meeting
February 14, 2006 — Page 9
Dr. Jorgensen discussed the services that rated particularly high in satisfaction as
follows: emergency medical services; fire protection; airport services (new); gas service;
garbage collection; water services; wastewater service; quality of residential areas; recycling;
and library services. In general, he said these services rated highly in most cities. Additionally,
he said the scores were placed on a 100 -point scale for comparison with other ICMA citizen
surveys.
Dr. Jorgensen covered the services that rated particularly low in satisfaction levels as
follows: enforcement of vacant building ordinances; road conditions; attracting new employers
to the community; enforcement of weed ordinances; enforcement of litter ordinances; street
repair and maintenance; new street construction; helping existing employers to grow; street
sweeping; and animal control.
Dr. Jorgensen listed the ten services with the top growth in satisfaction rates in 2005
compared with 2004 as follows: juvenile crime prevention (up 36.73 percent from last year);
helping existing employers to grow (33 percent); storm drainage (27 percent); requiring property
owners to maintain property (25 percent); keeping citizens informed (24 percent); quality of
residential neighborhoods (23 percent); library services (22 percent); and protection of water
supply from pollution (22 percent).
Dr. Jorgensen stated that only three services exhibited a statistically significant growth in
negative attitudes in 2005 compared with last year as follows: new street construction, garbage
collection, and brush collection.
Dr Jorgensen stated that as a researcher, he was interested in investigating what
factors were driving citizen attitudes toward services. Of the factors studied, he said that age,
education, gender, and amount of city contact appeared to have significant positive and
negative effects on attitudes. Education had the most significant positive affect on attitudes; the
more educated the individual, the more favorable his or her attitudes were towards city services.
Age had a similar positive affect on attitudes. Women had more favorable attitudes regarding
city services than men did By contrast, the more contact a citizen had with the city, the more
negative their attitudes toward city services.
Dr. Jorgensen also studied various attitudes toward public safety. He said 17 percent of
citizens reported being a crime victim in the past year. Of these individuals, 93 percent said
they reported all crimes against them, up six percent from last year.
Dr. Jorgensen covered stated that overall impressions of city employees were 75
percent favorable. He said 75 percent of respondents stated that they had gotten what they
needed.
Dr. Jorgensen briefly discussed attitudes toward city business practices, city
intergovernmental relations, public policy issues, and city Internet usage.
(*John Marez arrived at 10.40 a.m.)
Finally, Dr. Jorgensen said most respondents said they received information about the
city through television (91 percent) and newspaper (83 percent) reports, and most preferred to
receive information through these media.
Mr. Noyola asked if survey results were available by council district. Dr. Jorgensen
answered negatively, saying that they had tried providing results by district in the past, but the
Minutes — Regular Council Meeting
February 14, 2006 — Page 10
majority of respondents did not know what district they resided in when asked. Thus, he said
the survey results were provided by zip code. To obtain representative numbers from each
district, he said he would have to use a different sampling frame and increase the number of
respondents per district. City Manager Noe added that the purpose of the data was to provide
general input on how the city was providing services; it was not intended to provide results at
the council district level. He said the information was valuable in part because it allowed staff
to track attitudes over time and to find trends. He said staff could try to accommodate Mr.
Noyola's request for more specific geographic information in future polls.
Mr. Marez thanked Dr. Jorgensen and Dr. Rios, who were his public administration
professors at Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi, for administering a strong graduate
program. He also asked staff to put more resources towards those areas rated poorly in the
survey results.
Mr. Scott was concerned about the low satisfaction levels with garbage collection, job
creation, and streets and roads. Mr. Noe replied that only 16 percent of respondents were
dissatisfied with garbage collection service, a two percent increase from last year. He noted
that this growth rate was within the margin of error, so it was not statistically significant.
Regarding job creation, Mr. Scott noted that the city had recently held an economic summit to
discuss the issue and develop a plan. Regarding streets and roads, City Manager Noe said
street maintenance and reconstruction was a top priority. Street improvements required a
substantial amount of resources, and while the city was allocating monies for this purpose, it
was a long-term project that would not be solved overnight. He also noted that new street
construction was also on the unfavorable list, and staff needed to improve in this area. Mr.
Scott thanked staff for the
In conclusion, Dr. Jorgensen commented that if the Council wanted more detailed data,
staff could contact the Texas A&M University -Corpus Christi MPA and CPM graduate programs,
whose students sought opportunities for research projects throughout the academic year.
Mayor Garrett asked how often staff inventoried the city's streets. Assistant City
Manager Ron Massey replied the street pavement conditions were assessed annually to
determine which streets needed repairs or replacement. Due to a lack of funding, Mr. Massey
said the majority of the repairs were made on an emergency basis rather than proactively. In
response to Mayor Garrett's question, Mr. Massey stated in the Bond 2004 issue, staff had
looked for opportunities to couple street repairs and reconstruction with other utility projects to
pool resources.
City Manager Noe thanked Dr. Jorgensen and the Texas A&M- Corpus Christi for
heading the citizen survey for the past four years. He also said the city had built a great
relationship with the MPA program by sponsoring a number of internships every year, which
would benefit the community in the long term.
*************
Mayor Garrett called for the city manager's report. City Manager Noe reported that the
city was instituting a new program called the Citizen University on March 22. Designed to help
citizens actively learn how the city functioned, the program would be comprised of 30 citizens
selected through an application process.
Mr. Noe thanked everyone who participated in the successful City Hall in the Mall
program last weekend.
Minutes — Regular Council Meeting
February 14, 2006 — Page 11
On Monday, Feb. 22 at 6:00 p.m., Mr. Noe said the city would hold an open forum on a
proposed open container ordinance requested by local businesses and the CCPD.
Finally, Mr. Noe reported that next week's agenda would include an item on the new
Southside Library project proposals.
Mayor Garrett congratulated city staff, SMG, and the marina for their efforts on the
bowlers convention. He said he had received many positive compliments about the city's
professionalism and hospitality.
Mayor Garrett called for Council reports. Mr. Chesney complimented Mr. Noe and city
staff for the City Hall in the Mall, saying that he hoped the city would hold the event again.
Mr. Marez announced that the next town hall meeting would be held on Monday,
February 20, at Casa Linda Elementary in District 2. He also encouraged non-profit
organizations to continue to contact him regarding his offer to donate his Council salary. Finally,
he asked City Manager Noe to dispatch staff to 1301 Melbourne regarding an ongoing problem
with their sewer system.
Mr. Scott asked for an update on the proposed Knucklehead's restaurant location on the
corner of Santa Fe and Leming Streets. City Manager Noe replied staff had reviewed and
approved their parking plan, and was currently reviewing his proposal for vertical remodeling.
Mr. Scott asked staff to be diligent during the permitting process for this establishment to ensure
the application met the zoning requirements. Mr. Scott stated the parking issue was crucial to
the neighborhood because Citko's Deli, an adjacent restaurant, lacked sufficient parking so
patrons parked along the neighborhood streets. Since the Knucklehead's downtown location
was a popular motorcycle bar, he emphasized that this would be unacceptable for their
proposed second location in the Santa Fe residential area. He reminded the Council that
residents in another area frequently complained about noise associated with a motorcycle bar in
their vicinity, and in hindsight, the city should not have permitted the bar in that location. Mr.
Scott was also opposed to granting the establishment a liquor license.
Mr. Scott provided an update on the Island Foundation's request to acquire city parkland
for a proposed school expansion. Thanks to the efforts of the Council, staff, and area residents,
the Island Foundation found a landowner that was willing to donate his property for their project.
Mr. Scott asked Mr. Noe to e-mail the Council the dates that the UDC and the Storm
Water Master Plan would be scheduled for their consideration.
Mr. Scott asked for an update regarding the riding stables on the Island. He understood
that the owner had moved 75 horses onto the property yesterday, an inappropriate use in that
zoning district. He asked staff to diligently follow the case to ensure proper compliance. Ms.
Barbara Bailey Holly, Director of Development Services, said she had spoken with the
gentleman and his attorney, Mr. John Bell, about the compliance issues and would continue to
do so.
Mr. Scott reported that residents expressed concern about a rehab facility located at 326
Meldo Park. He understood that 24 or 25 individuals were residing in the home, and asked staff
to promptly investigate.
Minutes — Regular Council Meeting
February 14, 2006 — Page 12
Mr. Garcia thanked the city manager and staff for holding the City Hall in the Mall event.
Regarding the proposed entertainment district re -use of the Memorial Coliseum, Mr. Garcia
stated the city's negotiations with TRT Holdings were only a starting point for the public
dialogue. He suggested that TRT Holdings use this opportunity to sell their project to the
community directly, stressing that the Council and staff were not required to do this. Mayor
Garrett replied he understood that TRT Holdings had begun meeting with area residents about
their project. Mr. Noe added that he had asked Assistant City Manager Oscar Martinez to
ensure that TRT Holdings met with all the adjoining property owners. Mr. Scott added that Mr.
Charnquist, who was developing a major apartment complex in the area, supported the
entertainment district proposal and had been in contact with TRT Holdings. Mayor Garrett
asked Mr, Noe to keep the public informed on the project to combat any inaccurate information.
Ms. Cooper announced that the local Wi-Fi Summit was scheduled on February 22 at
Texas A&M University — Corpus Christi. The summit would explore the economic benefits of
Wi-Fi and how to proceed with the initiative. She asked about city efforts to market the summit.
Mr. Noe replied staff envisioned a more intense dialogue on the topics, and thus compiled an
invitation list of 70 individuals. Ms. Cooper asked if the summit was open to the public. Mr. Noe
stated that interested individuals could contact the Economic Development department for more
information
Mr. Noyola emphasized the importance of keeping the public informed about the TRT
Holdings proposal, and of providing opportunities for public input. Mayor Garrett replied the
Council was committed to maintaining a transparent process on the issue.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Garrett called for petitions from the audience. Mr. Johnny French, 4417 Carlton
Street, stated that on January 10, he submitted a request for information on the Packery
Channel project under the Public Information Act, yet he had not received a response. He said
he submitted a copy of the request to Mr. Chapa during a Council meeting, and asked that
copies be made and distributed to the Council. He asked for a response before March 21. Mr.
Chapa recalled processing a lengthy letter received in the Mayor's Office a week after that date.
He said he would look into the matter and report to the Council and Mr. French.
Mr. J.E. O'Brien, 4130 Pompano, spoke regarding his concern that the city had
terminated the Internal Audit department, and speculated that this was the reason why the city
could not complete its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) by the state deadline.
Mr. Noe replied there was absolutely no relationship between the Internal Audit function and the
timeliness of the annual audit. Mr. Chesney commented that the Council had asked staff to
consider reestablishing the department during the next budget discussion. Mr. Noe replied
affirmatively.
Mr. Noyola asked when the CAFR was due. Director of Finance Cindy O'Brien replied
state law required 120 days for completion, while the Government Finance Officers Association
allowed 180 days for completion. He asked why the report wasn't being completed by the state
deadline. Ms. O'Brien replied that problems with a software upgrade had delayed the
submission this year, but she felt it could be submitted on time in the future. Mr. Noyola
emphasized that he felt the report should be submitted on time every year, yet it had been
submitted late as long as he had served on the Council. Mr. Noe replied that the GASB 34
introduced a number of changes further complicating the financial reporting requirements.
Coupled with the problems related to the PeopleSoft Financials software upgrades, he said staff
had been unable to complete the report within 120 days. Mr. Noe stated his preference was
Minutes — Regular Council Meeting
February 14, 2006 — Page 13
that the report was accurate, and since there wasn't a huge public outcry, he was not
concerned. Mr. Chesney spoke in support of city staffs position.
The following individuals spoke in opposition to the opening of a Knucklehead's
restaurant on the corner of Santa Fe and Leming Streets: Marta Sotomayor, 251 Amistad;
Melba Chatham, 222 Rosebud; Cornelius Hayes, 225 Oleander; Rita Watson, 214 Leming; and
Nancy Roberts, 210 Leming.
Mr. Scott stated that he and some of the Council members planned to write a letter
opposing Knucklehead's liquor permit application. He noted that the County Judge was also
involved in the liquor license application process, and suggested the residents contact him as
well
The Mayor called for a brief recess to present proclamations and to conduct a swearing-
in ceremony.
The Council returned from recess. There being no further business to come before the
Council, Mayor Garrett adjourned the Council meeting at 12:15 p.m. on February 14, 2006.
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