HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 06/05/2007 - Retreat1 HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Council
Retreat of the Corpus Christi City Council of June 5, 2007, which were approved by the City
Council on June 26, 200 7.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, on this the 26th day of June, 2007.
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
SEAL
MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
City Council Retreat
June 5, 2007 — 8:30 a.m.
PRESENT
Mayor Henry Garrett
Mayor Pro Tem Nelda Martinez
Council Members:
Melody Cooper (arrived at 8:54 a.m.)
Larry Eliz nd , Sr.
Mike Hummel!
Bill Kelly
Priscilla Leal
Michael McCutchon
John Marez (arrived at 8:46 a.m.)
City staff:
City Manager George K. Noe
City Attorney Mary Kay Fischer
City Secretary ArmandChapa
Mayor Garrett called the retreat to order in the Watergarden Room of the Museum of
Science and History.
City Secretary Chapa checked the roll and verified that the necessary quorum of the Council
and the required charter officers were present to conduct the meeting.
City Manager Noe provided the Council with a directory of City staff and asked staff to
introduce themselves to the new Council Members.
City Manager Noe made a presentation on the prior City Council Focus Areas including
improving the Downtown area; Job Growth and Attraction; Infrastructure; Neighborhood Initiatives;
Budget/Finance Processes and Policies; and Intergovernmental Relations.
Council members asked questions regarding economic development; Capital Improvement
Program expenditures; the 2004 Bond schedule; in -fill housing; acquisition of properties; demolition
of properties; the number of homes improved by Habitat for Humanity; residential neighborhoods
and properties in the downtown area; the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) process
and funding; budget policy implementation; the identification of projects for one-time expenditures
from the excess fund balance; available funding for street repairs in the Crestmont subdivision; and
the investment policy.
City Secretary Chapa introduced Dr. Richard Lewis as the retreat facilitator. Dr. Lewis
provided an overview of the retreat agenda which included a strategic planning process; setting
goals; building teamwork; ground rules for Council meetings; setting the calendar for 2007-2008;
and next steps (see Dr. Lewis 's attached report, included as part ofthese minutes). The Council set
ground rules and priorities for today's agenda. Dr. Lewis provided a review of the strategic planning
process including creating a vision for the organization; identifying goals; and building action steps
for implementation.
Dr. Lewis opened discussion on the City Council's short and long term goals. After a brief
exercise, the Council provided their vision of how the City of Corpus Christi will look in 2009. He
asked Council Members Marez and McCutchon to help develop a vision for the City with the
statements provided.
Minutes — Council Retreat
June 5, 2007 — Page 2
Dr. Lewis asked the Council to identify and prioritize their short term goals. After discussion,
Dr. Lewis summarized ed the council's short term goals over the next 12-24 months as follows.
1. Establish a comprehensive road/street plan (impacted by 2008 bond package)
2. Develop and implement a plan for maintenance and use of the coliseum
3. Develop and implement Unified Development Code. Include the development services
department and improve its effectiveness and efficiency
4. Develop and create a plan for Texas A&M University -Corpus Christi expansion
5. Complete the updating of the city's master plans
6. Increase and improve efforts at code enforcement
7. Expand the Neighborhood Initiative Program and Model Block Program
Dr. Lewis asked the Council to identify their long term goals for the next 24 months or longer
to consider for future action. These goals included matching education efforts with workforce
needs; economic development; technology and staffing for fire and police; long term transportation;
infrastructure improvements; revise or delete existing zoning ordinances; neighborhood
improvements; completion of the bayfront development plan; protection of the long term water
supply; new fuel alternatives; revitalization of the downtown area; smart growth initiatives; homeless
eradication; and elevate the economic and social standard in the community.
Council asked staff to identify the action steps and provide a timeframe for the short term
goals and present to Council in 30 days.
Dr. Lewis opened discussion on building teamwork between City Council members and
determine ways to build an effective City Council/City Manager Team. The Council participated in
exercises and provided responses to identify factors for creating and negatively impacting a
cohesive City Council team. Dr. Lewis also asked the Council for their personal commitments to
contribute to a cohesive Council.
The Council discussed ways to build an effective team between the Council and City
Management and asked staff to provide advanced notice of agenda items; e-mail the draft
Wednesday agenda; and include powerpoint presentations in the packet whenever possible. A brief
discussion ensued regarding the timeframe for providing the agenda packet.
Dr. Lewis opened discussion on the City Council operations and ground rules for City
Council meetings. The Council agreed on a set of ground rules to assist in the operation of Council
meetings.
City Secretary Chapa discussed the Council meeting calendar for 2007-2008. The Council
concurred to cancel the following meetings: July 31, 2007; August 14, 2007; November 27, 2007;
and March 18, 2008.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Garrett adjourned the
Council retreat at 3:18 p.m. on June 5, 2007.
City of Corpus Christi, Texas
City Council Planning Retreat
June 5, 2007
Session Summary
1. Session Expectations and Outcomes. City Council members were asked to delineate
their expectations relative to the session. These are annotated below.
Establish a collective vision of our mission and goals. Develop expectations of us as a
Council. Develop guidelines for Council staff interaction. Discuss information flow as
related to keeping Council and staff working on our mutual goals.
Get to know each other. Discuss the needs of the people and how to obtain them. Bring
forth ideas and how to go about to make sure they are implemented. Work with all
people.
A unified universal vision and identify realistic short-term and long-term goals.
Determine the directions in which the City will go during the next two years. Determine
what old policies will be retained and what new policies will be created.
Short-term and long-term goal. Time lines to achieve goals. Candid conversation of
viability of goals. Plan for downtown housing incentive program.
Clear direction of where the City will go in the next year. Create tangible goals and that
are easily identifiable. Improve our response to citizens concerns and needs.
At the end of the day 1 would like to have in place 5 goals for the next 2 years and also
talk about goals for the next 5-10 years. Also, every member ofthe Council shows
importance of team play
An understanding ofthe priorities of each ofthe Council members and some agreement
as to how we will be accomplishing those goals.
Greater understanding of my new partners, priorities, and goals. Continue to build this
Council as aneffective team.
Public input on how we want to look like when we grow up.
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H. Vision. Each City Council member was asked to develop a preliminary vision for
how the City ofCorpus Christi will look in 2009 if this Council works together as a team.
Corpus Christi in 2009 will have a dramatic increase in diverse, new, and enhanced
industries, technological companies, and professional companies employing both current
and new residents and having a partnership between learning institutions and companies
and the City to educate and direct our youth to these companies and industries. Corpus
Christi will also be a cleaner, more beautiful city with increased recreational and cultural
opportunities for our residents and enhanced quality of life. Melody Cooper
Street improvements will have been address through comprehensive scheduled
maintenance and or through a bond passage (2008). Strong enforcement of existing
ordinances that have direct major impact ofhow this City is perceived. The Council will
be looked upon as an open, honest, and transparent government that is inclusive.
Collaborative efforts to create or improve facilities for our youth and elderly. Being the
leaders for a more universal vision that involves all governmental entities. Focused on
resolving and taking the lead in our skilled educated workforce. Larry El o do
We will have an unobstructed Bayfront. We will have a state of the art Development
Services Department. We will have come a long ways in correcting the street problems.
We will have all of our master plan in place. Downtown will be very close to what we all
want it to be. Henry Garrett
Street repairs have occurred at an acceptable rate. The Coliseum issue is resolved.
Downtown is no longer an embarrassment. The university issue is resolved. The citizens
have confidence in City leadership. Mike Hummell
Corpus would have an expanding economy with a sense of opportunities. Educational
opportunities will be expanding, especially at the college level. There will be new
housing opportunities downtown and the older neighborhoods will start to revive as new
homes are built and older ones are restored. We will recognize the need to preserve our
history including buildings from the past. We will recognize the natural resources we
have and make their preservation a priority. All segments of the community will
recognize and feel vested in the changes. Bill Kelly
In 2009, District 3 will have at least one fire station, a police substation, one recreational
center, one library, one senior citizen center, and the Coliseum is a family-oriented
facility. Concentrated crime control and educational alliances with industries involving
students in school to train them for good paying jobs in the region. Priscilla Leal
In 2009, Corpus Christi should be a city that is both desirable to live in and desirable to
visit. The parameters that keep us from being that city (education system, drug and gang
violence, beautification, taxation level, traffic/street problems, urban blight) will have
been minimized, while our assets (bays, beaches, parks, leisure activities, economic
opportunities) will have been maximized. Michael McCutcheon
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Our neighborhoods have improved infrastructure (streets, sewer, water fixed, and safe
neighborhoods). Our downtown continues to grow and improve with new residents and
residential living, more businesses moving into downtown, and reduced vacant buildings
and property. We have quick code enforcement response. We have a plan for TAM -
CC development and expansion. And we have a plan for the Coliseum. JMares
A clean and safe city with a solid infrastructure that will support and expand job and
economic growth while nurturing and protecting its natural environmental assets. Nelda
Martinez
M. Short -Term Goals Identification and Prioritization. City Council members
identified 30 short-term goals to be addressed during the term of this Council (2007-
2009).
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2 9 . After they were identified, members were given seven dots (votes) to determine
the most important short-term goals and winnow this listing down to a management
grouping. Vote totals are indicated by numbers within parentheses.
• Develop and implement a plan for the maintenance and use of the Coliseum. (7)
• Establish a comprehensive street road plan. (6)
• Develop and create a plan for TAM 1J -CC expansion. (6)
• Complete the updating of the City's Master Plan. (4)
• Improve the effectiveness and efficiency the Development Services Department (one-
stop shop). (3)
• Enhance and invigorate the economy of the Downtown area. (3)
• Complete and implement the storm water system plan. (3)
• Expand and enhance the NIP and Model Block programs. (3)
• Develop and implement the UDC. (3)
• Modify (improve) relationship between City staff and City Council. (3)
• Increase and improve efforts at Code Enforcement. (2)
• Recognize the importance of a skilled educated workforce designating an educational
advisor that will bring together all independent efforts. (2)
• Prioritize best uses of our money in the community. (2)
• Organize a summit on the best management practices for our beaches. (1)
• Approve economic develop to meet the needs of growth in the City. (1)
• Implement policy for authentic public input policy with use of public land and
resources. (1)
• Develop policies to invigorate our local economy. (1)
*t Organize and schedule a metropolitan summit to share vision and ideas. (1)
• Schedule to control odors in our neighborhoods. (1)
• Increase housing incentives for the Downtown area. (1)
• Build more recreation centers. (1)
• Establish equitable and comprehensive guidelines for tax incentives (economic
development). (1)
• Complete Phase II amenities for Packery Channel. (1)
• Complete expansion of County Roads 52 and 69. (1)
• Improve carrying capacity of Buddy Lawrence Drive. (1)
• Fix drainage problems at Gateway Mobile Home Park. (1)
• Drainage repairs in identified neighborhoods. (1)
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*1 Expand and recruit for the Police Department.
• Expand on collaborations with the County and school districts.
• Fix service areas in Crestmont neighborhood.
Iv. Prioritized Short -Term Goals. Based on the discussion ofthe goals and issues
summarized in the previous section, the City Council agreed that the City should focus its
effort the 7 short-term goals illustrated below. As a result, City Management Staff will
develop action steps, tasks, and timeframes for addressing each goal. The City Manager
said the initial implementation work on the short-term goals will be completed by the
staff and presented to the City Council by mid-July 2007 (within 30-45 days).
• Establish a comprehensive street/road plan (implemented by the 2008 Bond package).
• Develop and implement a plan for the maintenance and use of the Coliseum.
• Develop and implement UDC. Include this goal improving the effectiveness and
efficiency of the Development Service Department.
• Develop and create a plan for TAMU-CC expansion.
• Complete the updating process of the City's Master Plan.
• Increase and improve efforts at code enforcement.
• Expand the NIP and Model Black programs.
V. Long -Term Goals. City Council members individually and collectively identified
long-term goals (more than 2 years out) that the City should, at least, begin to consider
for future action. About 17 thematic areas are listed and not prioritized.
• Focus on long-term transportation needs based on growth patterns.
• Vibrant Downtown with new residents and business that make this area 24/7.
• Infrastructure planning.
• Complete Bayfront Development plan.
• Traffic Engineering plan expanded and modified for projected City growth.
• Match education efforts with workforce needs.
• Develop new incentives for economic development.
• Revise, delete, and update existing zoning and planning ordinances to best fit current
and future City growth.
• Economic development.
• More technology-based businesses.
• Eradicate homelessness.
• Elevate the economic and social standards in the community.
• Increase the Police Department and Fire Department staffing as well as technology
enhancements.
• Identify technology needs to support future City growth.
• Improve social service in neighborhoods.
• Research fuel alternative for City vehicles.
• Protect and secure long-term water supply.
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VI. City Council Teamwork. Retreat participants were queried with respect to potential
positive and negative influences on building teamwork among this City Council.
A. Through a brainstorming process, City Council members were asked to identify key
factors for creating a cohesive Council team. These are annotated below.
• Communicate in good faith.
• All members must be privy to the same information,
• Understand each other's goals.
• Trust.
• Respect the majority decisions made by City Council.
■ Respect input from those that may be in the minority with respect a City Council
decisions.
• Value each other's comments.
• Recognized each other's strengths and weaknesses with respect to experience.
• Work in spirit of compromise without marginalizing the end result.
• Do not have personal goal override the common goals of the Council.
• Focus on this Council's vision and direction.
■ Respect and balance is needed for each of the five districts.
B. City Council members were later queried about what things can get in the way of
effective Council teamwork. Comments are illustrated below.
ill Ego.
• Hypersensitivity.
• Close-mindedness.
• Holding grudges.
■ Hidden andlor personal agendas.
• Dishonesty (playing with the truth).
• Establishment of subgroups (cliques) among City Council members.
a Not including all members in the discussion and conversations.
VII. City Council Meeting Ground Rules. The City Council agreed to an informal set
of ground rules that should assist in streamlining meetings. These are provided below.
• Every member needs to actively participate in Council meetings.
■ Maintain mutual respect for each other.
• Minimize side -bar conversations.
• Minimize talking over each other.
• Pay attention to your colleagues and what they are saying.
• Try to always maintain a quote during meetings.
• Minimize the dead horse effect during meetings.
• Do not buzz -in too frequently to talk during meetings.
• Work with staff to shorten non -staff presentations to Council. Encourage presenters
not to read Powerpoint slides to the Council.
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VIII. Effective City Council -City Management Team. Council members discussed
ways to improve the working relationship between them, as a group, and the City
Management staff. Comments are provided below.
■ Both Council members and staff must know their appropriate roles relative to each
other.
• As soon as an item is placed on the meeting agenda, advance notice should be
provided to Council members.
■ Give advance notice to Council members on special interest items on the agenda.
■ City Council members need to make better use ofthe quarterly calendar for meeting
preparation and knowing what issues are forthcoming.
■ Council will give clear and direction and expectation to City Management staff.
▪ Where possible, include Powerpoint presentation material in the meeting packet.
• Provide all Council members with the draft Wednesday agenda.
■ City Council members need to make efforts to read their packets prior to the meeting.
IX. Next Steps. The following are the next steps based on retreat outcomes.
m Development of preliminary implementation actions related to the short -terms by City
Management staff with 30-45 days.
■ Expanded use of the quarterly calendar in assisting City Council members in their
preparation for meetings. This will be assessed to determine effectiveness.
• Wednesday draft City Council session agenda will be provided to all City Council
members to assist in meeting preparation. This will be assessed to determine
effectiveness.
■ A mid -year (December 2007) mini -retreat session will be held to assess short-term
goal progress.
Dr. Richard Lewis, Jr., Ph.D.
Round Top Consulting Associates
6/2007
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