HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 06/02/2009 - RetreatI HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Retreat
Meeting of the Corpus Christi City Council of June 2, 2009, which were approved by the City
Council on July 7, 2009.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, on this the 7th day of July, 2009.
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
SEAL
MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
City Council Retreat
June 2, 2009 - 8:30 a.m.
PRESENT
Mayor Joe Adame
Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Kieschnick
Council Members:
Chris N. Adler
Brent Chesney
Larry Elizondo, Sr.
Priscilla Leal
John Marez
Nelda Martinez
Mark Scott
City Staff:
City Manager Angel R. Escobar
City Attorney Mary Kay Fischer
City Secretary Armando Chapa
Mayor Adame called the retreat to order in the Watergarden Room of the Museum of
Science and History.
The invocation was delivered by Council Member Chesney and the Pledge of Allegiance to
the United States flag was led by Council Member Scott.
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 Escobar provided the Council with a directory of City staff and asked staff to
introduce themselves to the new Council Members.
City Secretary Chapa discussed the Council meeting procedures and calendar for 2009-
2010. Mayor Adame encouraged the Council to eliminate the time spent on the consent agenda by
asking questions to City staff prior to the meeting. The Council concurred to change the meeting
time to 12:00 p.m. effective in July and to cancel the following meetings: August 11, 2009;
November 24, 2009; December 22, 2009; December 29, 2009 and March 16, 2010.
City Manager Escobar made a presentation on the prior City Council Initiatives including
establishing a comprehensive street/road plan; development of a plan the for Texas A & M — Corpus
Christi expansion; expanding the Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) and Model Block
Program; improving the development process and Unified Development code implementation
process; Bond 2008; plans for the Memorial Coliseum; updating the City's Master Plan utility
elements; increasing code enforcement; develop a downtown plan; and review the City Charter.
The following topics pertaining to this item were discussed: timeline for the Memorial
Coliseum; review of the downtown ordinances; and an overview of the Tax Increment Financing
Zone (TIF) #3 for the downtown area.
Director of Engineering Pete Anaya provided a brief update on the status of the Bond 2004
projects; Bond 2008 projects; and the Bond 2008 timeline.
The following topics pertaining to this item were discussed: funding for Park Road 22 Bridge;
if there is language in the Bond 2008 project to move funds to other projects; cost escalators; the
issuance of certificates of obligation for projects; the Packery Channel TIF; developer participation
on Park Road 22; the Laguna Shores Road project; the Padre Island Aesthetic Development
Participation; notifying the public on the progress of projects through e-mail blasts, internet, and
public meetings; and identifying projects by district.
Minutes — Council Retreat
June 2, 2009 — Page 2
Assistant City Manager Oscar Martinez referred to a powerpoint presentation on the water
supply including the water planning background; the Region N Planning Group; comparison of
annual water supply and costs for potential future water management strategies; current water
supply considerations; water demand; water supply projections; demand and supply summary; the
Las Brisas contract terms; the comparison of water demand and supply with additional large volume
users; Garwood water; the revised demand & supply summary if Garwood access is moved up to
2020; map of alternate routes; potential support; opportunities and impacts; status of the Garwood
Water Project; Garwood water current tasks; and next steps.
The following topics pertaining to this item were discussed: the amount of water to operate
the Las Brisas plant and the period of time; the potential water supply; the reason for the high cost of
Lake Texana; how the water demand projections were determined; whether industrial growth was a
factor to determine water demand; the projected decrease in water demand for the City of Mathis;
the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority (LNRA) call back; how off -channel storage of Garwood water
improves the firm yield; the term of the Garwood water rights; whether Las Brisas will reduce electric
services rates to citizens; location of the Palmetto Bend Dam; possible partnership with LNRA for
off -channel storage; whether the water plan includes the interruptible water supply from Lake
Texana; vision of the Mary Rhodes Pipeline; if the plan factors in maintenance and operation costs;
removal of sediment; and the financing plan.
Mayor Adame opened discussion on the Character First Video/ Pride Campaign
Presentation. The Mayor and Council Members viewed a video on the Character First program.
Monica McCleod -Sawyer and Mark Minutaglio provided a brief overview of the Pride Program
Campaign and the action steps including establishing a city -staffed position to handle the Pride
campaign; planning and launching of the campaign; establishing quarterly city-wide cleanups;
implementing the Recycle Bank; and commitment to the program.
Mayor Adame introduced Trey McCampbell, Claudia Jackson and Dr. Mary Sherwood who
served as retreat facilitators. Mr. McCampbell explained that the goals and priorities for the City will
be categorized under the BoldFuture ideas. Ms. Jackson and Dr. Sherwood provided an overview of
BoldFuture Phases 1 through 4 and the six (6) vision categories including vibrant economy; thriving
education and entertainment; safe healthy communities; well-planned region; community identity
and leadership and sustainable environment.
Mr. McCampbell asked the Council to review and prioritize their short and long term goals.
(see Mr. Campbell's attached report, included as part of these minutes). After a brief exercise and
discussion, Mr. McCampbell summarized the council's goals as follows:
1. Create streamlined plan to attract business/upgrade tax abatement and other incentives
2. Resolve the Memorial Coliseum issue
3. Improve Development Services infrastructure
4. Support strong public safety, police and fire
5. Prepare the Garwood Water plan to be shovel ready in two years
6. Continue road plan and dedicated revenue, not bonds
7. Expand pride of appearance in the City and incorporate community pride with Clean Cities
8. Maximize green initiatives, outreach to solar, wind energy partnerships and initiatives.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Adame adjourned the
Council retreat at 3:45 p.m. on June 2, 2009.
Summary of Priorities
Corpus Christi City Council Retreat
June 2, 2009
Vibrant Economy
9 Create streamlined plan to attract business/ upgrade tax abatements and other
incentives
8 Resolve Memorial Coliseum issue
7 Improve development services infrastructure
4 Increase funding for convention center, CVB, EDC, with incentive based
4 Support business & industry to keep jobs and salary dollars here
3 Foster entrepreneurship spirit/business incubator
2 Keep gas department
1 Expand convention center & convention hotel
1 Develop marketable warehouse facilities
0 Recognize/reward existing large employers
0 Adopt more proactive to job creation & expansion
0 Launch National public awareness campaign
Thriving Education and Entertainment
(no top votes)
1 Jumpstart downtown campus for college & university
0 Improve curriculum for adults returning to college
0 Complete Packery Channel TIF projects
0 Reinvent museum & Columbus ships
0 Initiate youth teaching seniors technology & seniors teaching youth arts program
1 Provide learning connections between youth and seniors
0 Support vibrant downtown arts & entertainment
O Expand institutions to improve skilled workforce
O Improve after-school programs
O Maximize public entertainment venues
Safe Healthy communities
6 Support strong public safety, police and fire
4 Improve parks & rec facilities/plan for watering parks
4 Create employee health care clinic
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Summary of Priorities
Corpus Christi City Council Retreat
June 2, 2009
Well- Planned Region
11 Prepare Garwood water plan to be shovel -ready in two years
5 Continue road plan and dedicate revenue, not bonds
4 Organize regional leaders summit throughout Coastal Bend
3 Develop Island convention & community facility/assist Island development
3 Retain Army depot & Navy presence
3 Complete/address 2004 bond & implement 2008 bond projects
2 Improve infrastructure of older neighborhoods
2 Develop comprehensive downtown revitalization plan/support with ordinances
1 Define development trust funds solvency/development friendly
1 Implement Community Development Block Grant balance scorecard
1 Consider County Road 52 arterial/2nd arterial for NW Blvd.
1 Plan outer highway loop connecting to Padre Island
1 Continue marina improvements
1 Help redevelop Naval Station Ingleside
O Plan regional approach to procuinge state & Federal transportation dollars
O Complete city utilities master plan
O Create Bayfront water-based activities
O Develop/maximize bike trail from Southside to Ocean Dr.
O Expand airline service
Community Identity and Leadership
9 Expand pride of appearance in city/ incorporate community pride with clean cities
4 Recognize & appreciate diversity/be inclusive & respective of all citizens
0 Integrate "Character First" campaign
1 Develop a go -to -the -people mentality in communication
2 Review City Council district boundaries
0 Communicate with stakeholders: industry, education , health, etc
Sustainable Environment
10 Maximize Green initiatives, outreach in solar, wind energy partnerships and initiatives
3 Develop artificial reef program
1 Maintain clean, healthy beaches
1 Protect air & water quality & reduce pollution
0 Improve seaweed maintenance plan
0 Emphasize/communicate that we have clean air/water
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