HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 06/15/2010MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
Regular Council Meeting
June 15, 2010 - 12:00 p.m.
PRESENT
Mayor Joe Adame
Mayor Pro Tem Larry Elizondo, Sr.
Council Members:
Chris Adler
Brent Chesney
Kevin Kieschnick
Priscilla Leal
John Marez*
Nelda Martinez
ABSENT
Mark Scott
*Arrived at 1:38 p.m.
City Staff:
City Manager Angel R. Escobar
City Attorney Carlos Valdez
City Secretary Armando Chapa
Mayor Adame called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
The invocation was delivered by Reverend Florence Phillip, Ph.D. with Unity by the Sea and
the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag was led by Council Member Kieschnick.
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 Adame called for approval of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of June 8,
2010. A motion was made and passed to approve the minutes as presented.
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Mayor Adame called for consideration of the consent agenda (Items 2 - 11). Mayor Adame
announced that Item 10 was withdrawn by staff. There were no comments from the public. Council
members requested that Items 2, 3, and 6 be pulled for individual consideration. City Secretary
Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
4. ORDINANCE NO. 028631
Ordinance appropriating payments from Nueces County, in the amountof$15,500, from the
City of Corpus Christi, in the amount of $31,000, and from San Patricia County, in the
amount of $21,000, in the No. 1066 Health Grants Fund, as the fiduciary agent on behalf of
the Regional Health Awareness Board, for services to be provided by the board.
An emergency was declared, and the foregoing ordinance was passed and approved with
the following vote: Adame, Adler, Chesney, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, and Martinez, voting
"Aye; Marez and Scott were absent.
INDEXED
Minutes — Regular Council Meeting
June 15, 2010 — Page 2
5.a. MOTION NO. 2010-134
Motion authorizing the City Manager or his designee to accept a grant in the amount of
$29,573.28 from the State of Texas, Criminal Justice Division for funding available under the
Recovery Act — Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) for the Police Department's Family
Violence Unit and to execute all related documents.
The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler,
Chesney, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, and Martinez, voting "Aye"; Marez and Scott were
absent.
5.b. ORDINANCE NO. 028632
Ordinance appropriating $29,573.28 from the State of Texas, Criminal Justice Division in the
No. 1061 Police Grants Fund for funding available under the Recovery Act — Violence
Against Women Act (VAWA) for overtime, training supplies, database to track assault
victims, and mileage.
An emergency was declared, and the foregoing ordinance was passed and approved with
the following vote: Adame, Adler, Chesney, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, and Martinez, voting
"Aye"; Marez and Scott were absent.
7.a. RESOLUTION NO. 028634
Resolution authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute an amendment to the
grant agreement with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to add an
amount of $258,270.74 Fiscal Year 2010 funds for air quality research, planning, and
pollution prevention activities.
The foregoing resolution was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler,
Chesney, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, and Martinez, voting "Aye'; Marez and Scott were
absent.
7.b. ORDINANCE NO. 028635
Ordinance appropriating $258,270.74 from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
(TCEQ) in the No. 1071 Community Enrichment Grant Fund for activities under (1) the air
quality research and planning program, and (2) the pollution prevention partnership and
educational outreach program.
An emergency was declared, and the foregoing ordinance was passed and approved with
the following vote: Adame, Adler, Chesney, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, and Martinez, voting
"Aye"; Marez and Scott were absent.
7.c. RESOLUTION NO. 028636
Resolution authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute Amendment No. 3 to the
lnterlocal Agreement with Texas A&M University -Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) to add an
amount of $87,235 Fiscal Year 2010 funds reimbursable under TCEQ Grant 582-8-86230, to
extend the pollution prevention partnership and educational outreach program.
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Minutes — Regular Council Meeting
June 15, 2010 -- Page 3
The foregoing resolution was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler,
Chesney, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, and Martinez, voting "Aye"; Marez and Scott were
absent.
7.d. RESOLUTION NO. 028637
Resolution authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute Amendment No. 3 to the
Interlocal Agreement with Texas A&M University— Kingsville (TAMUK) to add an amount of
$149,903.34 Fiscal Year 2010 funds reimbursable under TCEQ Grant 582-8-86230, to
extend the air quality research and planning program.
The foregoing resolution was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler,
Chesney, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, and Martinez, voting "Aye"; Marez and Scott were
absent.
8. RESOLUTION NO. 028638
Resolution authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute all documents necessary
to request continued financial assistance for beach cleaning and maintenance on North
Padre Island and Mustang Island during FY 2010-2011 under the Texas General Land
Office's Cleaning and Maintenance Assistance Program.
The foregoing resolution was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler,
Chesney, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, and Martinez, voting "Aye"; Marez and Scott were
absent.
9. RESOLUTION NO. 028639
Resolution dedicating resources, with the commitment of American Bank Center at a cost of
$15,000, to support the City of Corpus Christi's Bid for the 2014 Joint Institute and Trade
Show of the Texas Recreation and Park Society with the Texas Park and Wildlife
Department and Southwest Region of the National Recreation and Park Association, to be
held in Corpus Christi February 18 through February 21, 2014, and providing for an effective
date.
The foregoing resolution was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler,
Chesney, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, and Martinez, voting "Aye"; Marez and Scott were
absent.
10.a. WITHDRAWN
waterline.
10.b. WITHDRAWN
Minutes — Regular Council Meeting
June 15, 2010 — Page 4
11.a. RESOLUTION NO. 028640
Resolution approving a schedule of new and increased spay/neuter clinical charges.
The foregoing resolution was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler,
Chesney, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, and Martinez, voting "Aye"; Marez and Scott were
absent.
11.b. FIRST READING ORDINANCE
Amending the following provisions of Chapter 6 the Code of Ordinances: Section 6-27,
entitled "Fees,' to establish fees for the issuance of a three-year registration; Section 6-28,
entitled "Term," to revise the section to include a new three-year registration; Section 6-29,
entitled "Issuance and Wearing of Tag," to revise the fee for a replacement registration tag
and establish a new fee fora replacement rabies tag; Section 6-54, entitled "Fees," to revise
permit fees; and Section 6-126, entitled "Rabies Vaccination," to allow for a three-year rabies
vaccine: creating new Section 6-104 to establish fees for small animal traps and new
Section 6-105 to establish a dead animal pick-up service fee; providing for an effective date;
providing for penalties; and providing for publication.
The foregoing ordinance was passed and approved on its first reading with the following
vote: Adame, Adler, Chesney, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, and Martinez, voting "Aye"; Marez
and Scott were absent.
Mayor Adame opened discussion on Item 2 regarding the lease purchase of a skid steer
loader with attachments. Council Member Adler asked whether this equipment was only limited to
use at Corpus Christi Beach and the seawall. Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Stacie
Talbert explained that the steer loader will be primarily used at Corpus Christi Beach and the seawall
but will be used throughout the park system. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes
as follows:
2. MOTION NO. 2010-132
Motion approving the lease purchase of one (1) Skid Steer loader with attachments from
Bobcat Company, of West Fargo, North Dakota for a total amount of $77,270.00. The award
is based on the Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with the Texas Local Government
Cooperative (TLGPC). Financing for the Skid Steer loaderwill be provided through the City's
lease -purchase financing program. This unit is an addition to the fleet.
The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler,
Chesney, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, and Martinez, voting "Aye'; Marez and Scott were
absent.
Mayor Adame opened discussion on Item 3 regarding a professional services agreement
with Yaron G. Rabinowitz for professional psychologist services. In response to Council Member
Adler, Procurement Manager Paul Pierce explained that $641,800 is the estimated amount over a
five year period. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
3. MOTION NO. 2010-133
Motion approving a professional services agreement for the services of a professional
psychologist with Yaron G. Rabinowitz, Ph.D of Corpus Christi, TX, for an estimated amount
Minutes — Regular Council Meeting
June 15, 2010 — Page 5
of $641,800 of which $10,696.67 is required in FY 09-10. The term of the agreement will be
for five years. Funding is available in the General and Airport Funds for FY 09-10 and will be
requested in future fiscal years.
The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler,
Chesney, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, and Martinez, voting "Aye'; Marez and Scott were
absent.
Mayor Adame opened discussion on Item 6 regarding a grant application to the U.S.
Department of Justice, COPS Office, for the COPS Hiring Recovery Program. Council Member
Kieschnick asked how approval of this item would affect the budget to include funding for 10
additional officers. Police Chief Troy Riggs explained that the proposed budget will not be affected
because the academy will begin in August 2011 but the officers will not graduate until 2012. Council
Member Leal requested a list of police and all city employees eligible for retirement. In response to
Council Member Martinez, Interim Assistant City Manager Cindy O'Brien stated that if the City is
awarded the grant for the 36 -month period, the City is required to retain the 10 officers for a
minimum of 12 months. Ms. O'Brien added that after the three year grant expires, staff will present
alternate sources of funding to assume funding for the additional officers.
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
6. RESOLUTION NO. 028633
Resolution authorizing the City Manager or his designee to submit a grant application in the
amount of $2,328,090 to the U. 5. Department of Justice, COPS Office, for the COPS
Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP) to hire 10 additional police officers within the Police
Department and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to apply for, accept, reject, or
terminate the grant.
The foregoing resolution was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler,
Chesney, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, and Martinez, voting "Aye"; Marez and Scott were
absent.
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Mayor Adame announced the executive sessions, which were listed on the agenda as
follows:
12. Executive Session under Texas Government Code Section 551.071 regarding Friends of the
Coliseum vs. City of Corpus Christi, Texas Cause No. 10-000769, in the 250th District Court,
Travis County, with possible discussion and action in open session.
The Council went into executive session. The Council returned from executive session.
Mayor Adame advised the public that no action was taken in executive session or will be taken in
open session.
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Mayor Adame opened discussion on Item 13 regarding the FY2010-2011 Crime Control and
Prevention District Budget. Police Administration Manager Pat Eldridge reported that the Crime
Control and Prevention District budget was presented at the last meeting. Ms. Eldridge was
available to respond to questions.
Minutes — Regular Council Meeting
June 15, 2010 — Page 6
There were no comments from the audience. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for
their votes as follows:
13. RESOLUTION NO.028641
Resolution approving the FY 2010-2011 budget for the Corpus Christi Crime Control and
Prevention District.
The foregoing resolution was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler,
Kieschnick, Leal, and Martinez, voting "Aye"; Chesney, Elizondo, Marez, and Scott, voting
"Aye".
Mayor Adame opened discussion on item 14 regarding an agreement to lease 209 DataLux
Mobile Data computers. Director of Municipal Information Systems (MIS) Michael Armstrong
explained that this item is for the lease of 209 mobile data computers to replace the current system
for the Police and Fire Departments. There were no comments from the audience. City Secretary
Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
14. MOTION NO. 2010-135
Motion authoring the City Manager or his designee to execute all documents necessary to
lease 209 DataLux Mobile Data Computers from Austin Ribbon and Computer of Austin,
Texas for four years for a cost not to exceed $1,665,874.04 over the four year term, of which
$37,723.14 is required in FY 2009-2010. Austin Ribbon and Computer is a State of Texas
vendor number 174-233-9797-900.
The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler,
Chesney, Kieschnick, Leal, and Martinez, voting "Aye"; Elizondo, Marez, and Scott, voting
"Aye"
Mayor Adame opened discussion on Item 15 regarding an amendment to the lease
agreement with TRT Hotel Company LLC (Omni Hotels Management Corporation). Interim Director
of Parks and Recreation Stacie Talbert provided a brief overview of the amendments to the lease
agreement including changes to the hours of operation and the restroom facilities; and rental
payment considerations.
The following topics pertaining to this item were discussed: monitoring of the hours of
restroom operation; the entity responsible for the maintenance of the restrooms; the barricades
blocking the jetty walk; and the credits to the Omni Hotel.
Mayor Adame called for comments from the audience. Abel Alonzo, 1701 Thames, asked
whether the restroom were ADA compliant. Ms. Talbert responded in the affirmative. City Secretary
Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
15. ORDINANCE NO. 028642
Ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the lease agreement
with TRT Hotel Company LLC (now Omni Hotels Management Corporation) for use of
McGee Beach Concession building to provide for schedule for concession operation, and
provide for operation of restroom outside hours of concession operation in exchange for $10
per hour credit toward monthly rental payment; approving assignment of lease agreement to
Omni Hotels Management Corporation.
Minutes -- Regular Council Meeting
June 15, 2010 — Page 7
An emergency was declared, and the foregoing ordinance was passed and approved with
the following vote: Adame, Adler, Chesney, Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, and Martinez, voting
"Aye"; Marez and Scott were absent.
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Mayor Adame referred to Item 16 regarding the proposed FY2010-2011 Operating Budget:
General Fund, Part 2. Assistant City Manager Oscar Martinez advised the Council that staff is
postponing the implementation of the proposed four day work week pilot program until August 1St to
allow staff to evaluate the proposal and present a plan to Council. Mr. Martinez also clarified that the
budget included an appropriation of $18,000 to the Sister City Program and staff is recommending
the removal of that appropriation unless directed by Council. Mr. Martinez provided a brief overview
of the approach to preparing the budget document including maintaining service levels; revenue
strategies; levying fees and rates; employing the effective tax rate; leveraging the fund balance;
cutting $3.5 million in expenditures; the elimination of vacant positions; and future considerations
based on the results from the privatization and restructuring study after the budget is adopted.
Assistant Director of Management and Budget Eddie Houlihan, Interim Director of Finance
Constance Sanchez and Interim Assistant City Manager Cindy O'Brien were available to respond to
questions.
The following topics pertaining to this item were discussed: the total saving amount of the
four day work week in the Cities of El Paso and San Antonio; an analysis of having alternating four
day work week schedules for employees; the value of the four day work week to city operations;
changes to employee moral for a four day work week concept; an energy management system for
City Hall; reduction of services; the mowing cycle for parks; the proposed revenue for the recycling
program; the elimination of vacant positions; recovering charges for cost of service; the cost of
recycle bins and the charge to citizens; the useful life of the recycle bin; concerns with beginning the
recycling program now and the saving that will be realized; once a week garbage collection; and the
Request for Proposal (RPF) process for the single stream collection process.
Mr. Martinez referred to a powerpoint presentation including the sales tax update; the
FY2011 budget preparation; and the proposed expenditures, continued and/or changed level of
service for the Municipal Court, Fire, and Police.
The following topics pertaining to these items were discussed: the timeline for receipt of the
sales tax; opportunities to amend the budget after the budget is approved; the advantages of
transferring the Detention Center from Municipal Court to the Police Department; the delay of the
Fire Academy; the benefit of maintaining the fire hydrants; the number of eligible retirees forthe Fire
Department; whether the pumper truck for the Fire Department is a replacement truck; the space
occupied by the Police Department at the Nueces County Appraisal District and options for
additional office space; eliminating the weight room at the Police Department and consider engaging
in a partnership with the YMCA to incorporation a wellness program; and an alternative hiring
program for the Police Department.
Council Member Adler requested additional information on the proposed saving forthe four
day work week. Council Member Chesney requested an analysis of an alternating four day work
week schedule. Council Member Leal requested a list of the vacant positions being eliminated from
the budget.
Mayor Adame announced that since the Destination Bayfront presentation was posted for
2:00 p.m., the Council would consider this item next, and then return to the budget discussions.
Minutes -- Regular Council Meeting
June 15, 2010 — Page 8
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Adame referred to Item 18 regarding an update on the Destination Bayfront Project.
Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Rudy Garza explained that this item is an update on the
Destination Bayfront's on-going process and development over the last five months. The
presentation team included Phillip Ramirez, Joe Hilliard, J.J. Hart, and Trey McCampbell. The team
referred to a powerpoint presentation including an overview of Destination Bayfront; the organizing
group members; the purpose of the presentation; the features of a great public space; examples of
other great public spaces; the economic benefits of a public space; larger and smaller cities than
Corpus Christi with great urban spaces; examples of the economic benefits of Discovery Green in
Houston, Texas, Campus Martius in Detroit, Michigan, and Tennessee RiverPark in Chattanooga,
Tennessee; the process preparation; the three phases; the timeline for phase 1; and the request of
Council.
Council Member Elizondo congratulated the committee for their efforts and stated that he is
convinced that this project can be a successful driver in the community. Council Member Chesney
stated that this project is a true community effort and appreciated the inclusiveness of the group to
receive community input. Mr. Chesney added that he hopes that the project is an economic driven
public use space that has some green space and that the funding mechanism is important to the
success of the project. Council Member Marez said that the project can be appropriately fitted for
Corpus Christi and recommended engaging the public. Mr. Marez added that he hoped that project
would have an economic benefit to the City. Council Member Adler spoke regarding the fundraising
efforts and planning phases and thanked the committee for their work. Council Member Martinez
thanked the group for their efforts and the initiatives that result from volunteerism. Ms. Martinez
stated that this project will have a huge economic impact for the community and the downtown area.
Council Member Leal thanked the committee for bringing forward a new project for the citizens to
experience in Corpus Christi. Ms. Leal expressed concern regarding the plan for the space and
spoke regarding the restrictions on the property.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
MayorAdame returned to Item 16 regarding the proposed FY2010-2011 Operating Budget:
General Fund, Part 2. Assistant City Manager Oscar Martinez referred to a powerpoint presentation
including expenditures and expected level of service for the Police, Health, Engineering Services,
Streets, and Solid Waste Operations; funding sources of the Street Department used by other cities;
current funding options methodologies for consideration for Streets; the RecycleBank program; and
the budget calendar.
The following topics pertaining to this item were discussed: Solid Waste revenues for
unpaved streets only; street maintenance program recommendations; concerns for the bond rating
for increasing funding through general obligation bonds and tax notes; the off street parking fee
option; options for charging fines for residential parking during designated hours; redirecting the 4A
sales tax to a street maintenance sales tax; re-evaluation of the organizational structure;
conversations with the Regional Transportation Authority; whether a 2012 Bond Election could be
held; the increased participation from other cities an the RecycleBank; the reduction in force policy
for the eliminated positions; the cost savings for re -aligning outside consultant work to in-house
services; and discussions to work together with Nueces County to help impact the City and County
budgets.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Adame called for petitions from the audience. Carolyn Moon, 4902 Calvin, spoke in
opposition to Destination Bayfront. Abel Alonzo, 1701 Thames, spoke in support of keeping an
Minutes — Regular Council Meeting
June 15, 2010 — Page 9
open mind regarding Destination Bayfront and the possible impact to the economy. Mike Staff,
President of the Corpus Christi Police Officers Association, thanked the Council for their support for
all of the Police Department issues and invited the Council to attend the Jackson Woods Park
renaming ceremony to Matthew Thebeau Park on Saturday, June 191b at 9:30 a.m.
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Mayor Adame referred to Item 18 regarding a presentation on the Storm Brush Removal
Plan. Assistant City Manager Oscar Martinez referred to a powerpoint presentation including the
response from the Solid Waste Department; estimated brush and debris; brush collection options;
and staffs recommendation to support Option 2B for brush collections.
The following topics pertaining to this item were discussed: informing the public of the
schedule for brush collection removal; waiving of commercial hauler fees at the landfill for the
disposal of clean brush until staff completes removal of storm brush; and whether residents would
be charged for dumping clean brush.
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There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Adame adjourned the
Council meeting at 4:16 p.m. on June 15, 2010.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
I 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 June 15, 2010, which were approved by the City
Council on June 22, 2010.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, on this the 22th day of June, 2010.
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
SEAL