HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 03/08/2011 - WorkshopMINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
Workshop Council Meeting
March 8, 2011 — 8:30 a.m.
PRESENT
Mayor Joe Adame
Mayor Pro Tem Nelda Martinez
Council Members:
Chris Adler
Larry Elizondo, Sr.*
Kevin Kieschnick
Priscilla Leal
Mark Scott
ABSENT
John Marez
Linda Strong
*Arrived at 8:56 a.m.
City Staff:
Interim City Manager Margie Rose
City Attorney Carlos Valdez
City Secretary Armando Chapa
Mayor Adame called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
City Secretary Chapa verified that the necessary quorum of the Council and the required
charter officers were present to conduct the meeting.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Assistant City Manager Oscar Martinez announced that the workshop would include
discussions on the Island Strategic Action Committee (ISAC); follow-up from the workshop held on
February 8, 2010; zero -based budgeting; and an update on the privatization initiatives.
Assistant City Manager Martinez introduced First Assistant City Attorney Jay Reining who
provided an overview of ISAC including the duties of the committee; the project and financing plan
for the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 2 (TIRZ #2); the Packery Channel six pack
(recreational amenities); the background and roles of the ISAC, the North Padre Island
Development Corporation (NPID), and TIRZ #2.
The following topics pertaining to this item were discussed: whether the six pack was
included in the referendum language and voted by the public; NPID's recommendation and
Council's adoption of the six pack; approximate funds available for the completion of the Packery
Channel project; the amendment made to include Phases 2 and 4 of the six pack improvements; the
total cost of the six pack; the probability of not building Phase 7 ADA parking lot improvements at
jetty ramps; recent approval to move forward with Phase 2 Packery Channel parking and overlooks;
whether the six pack projects are eligible for grant funding; the timeline for completing these
projects; if there was consideration for requesting grant funding for the dredging; FEMA funding; re-
evaluating and reallocating the realized saving from the dredging to the improvements; the $3 million
currently encumbered in contracts; development of a financial forecast including a project plan,
maintenance and operation, cash flow, dredging, annual allocation forthe trust and public amenities,
and seawall protection; and working with the developers for Tortuga Dunes to re -look at the FEMA
zoned areas in the area.
Council Member Leal requested a copy of the Packery Channel six pack.
INDEXED
Minutes — Workshop Meeting
March 8, 2011 — Page 2
Mr. Martinez provided information on the other issues concerning Padre Island and stated
that ISAC will review and make recommendations to Council. John White, Vice Chair of the ISAC,
provided a brief overview of the composition of the committee; the subcommittees developed; and
the committee's commitment to get the work done to improve the island.
Mr. Martinez opened discussion on the follow up from the February 8, 2011 budget
workshop. Mr. Martinez referred to a powerpoint presentation including demographic and economic
statistics, property tax levies and collections, general fund property tax revenue versus growth in
personal income and tax rates from 2001 to 2010; the trend in the decrease in water revenue; inside
city limit commercial water use; outside city limit large volume usage; general fund revenue and
expenditure major trends; five year forecast; general fund deficient with or without utility transfer;
$11.5 million shortfall in the general fund budget; the matrix for establishing proprieties in
departments; major definitions; process for prioritization; communication plan update; and the fiscal
year budget calculator to receive information from the community.
The following topics pertaining to this item were discussed: decrease in water revenue due
to water conservation and outside city limit customers recycling water; sales tax income from oil and
gas; the legality to denying utility service to individuals that owe money to the City; forecasting of
sales tax; the loss of revenue projected for emergency medical response; communication with
employees contemplating retirement; utility transfer; the projected decrease in next year's budget;
the miscalculation of projected revenues and expenditures for EMS and collective bargaining;
expediting the business management competition; encouraging departments to reevaluating
services; exploring the option of allowing customers to pay the full cost for recycling bins rather than
monthly; flagging state and federal funded program and adjusting personnel for these services; and
the City's social media outreach.
Mr. Elizondo suggested that staff request that Port Industries provide a collective response
report on the recycling of water. Mr. Scott requested a drill down of the sales tax revenues.
Mr. Martinez referred to the topic on zero -based budgeting and decision packages and
provided information on the definitions; the implementation of zero -based budgeting; the
transitioning approach; and examples of zero based budgeting decision packages.
In response to Council Member Martinez, Mr. Martinez stated that zero based budgeting
would only be used for the general fund departments.
Mr. Martinez referred to the topic of privatization and reorganization initiatives and provided
information on the City's approach; current progress; the MIS business case evaluation progress
and the Fleet Services business case evaluation progress.
Mr. Martinez introduced Adam Rujan and Dennis Bagley with Plante & Moran. Mr. Rujan
referred to a powerpoint presentation on the privatization analysis of MIS including the objectives of
the analysis; background of Plante & Moran; comprehensive methodology; approach and timing;
and the project team.
The following topics pertaining to this item were discussed: cutting departments beyond their
ability to provide adequate service to the community including Animal Control and Neighborhood
Services; the span of control study; the manage competition opportunity; department's opportunity to
compete; cutting costs in existing operations; the privatization of the golf course; whether the MIS
business case evaluation will be incorporated into the budget; the location of Plante & Moran
headquarters; the higher annual costs for the more vehicles owned; and leasing of vehicles.
Minutes — Workshop Meeting
March 8, 2011 — Page 3
Mr. Scott requested an update on the privatized street repair maintenance program and
asked staff to look at street patchwork on Weber Road near McArdle. Ms. Leal requested a meeting
with Interim City Manager Rose to discuss the rates at the privatized golf course with concerned
golfers.
Mr. Martinez stated that the next workshop topics include street maintenance; utility service
and rates; capital budget overview; and energy conservation initiatives.
*************
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Adame adjourned the
Council workshop at 11:10 a.m. on March 8, 2011.
*************
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Workshop
Meeting of the Corpus Christi City Council of March 8, 2011 which were approved by the City
Council on March 22, 2011.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, on this the 22nd day of March, 2011.
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
SEAL