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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. 1 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 2 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). 2- 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) 3 *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. 4 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. 5 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 6