HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 06/24/2011 - SpecialMINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
Special Council Meeting
June 24, 2011 — 10:30 a.m.
PRESENT
Mayor Joe Adame
Mayor Pro Tem Larry Elizondo, Sr.
Council Members: City Staff:
Chris Adler City Manager Ronald L. Olson (via conference call)
Kevin Kieschnick City Attorney Carlos Valdez
Priscilla Leal City Secretary Armando Chapa
David Loeb
John Marez
Mark Scott
Prior to the 10:30 Special Council Meeting, the invocation was delivered by the Most Reverend
Edmond Carmody, DD, Bishop Emeritus of Corpus Christi. The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was led by
Council Member Adler. The Honorable Nelva Gonzales Ramos, 347th District Court, conducted the
swearing-in ceremony of the Mayor and Council members. The Mayor and each Council Member thanked
their family, friends, and supporters for their assistance and encouragement during the election process.
Mayor Adame called for a brief recess before the new Council began their first Regular Council meeting.
************
Mayor Adame called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers of City Hall. 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 referred to Item D, the selection of Mayor Pro Tem. He recommended rotating the
Mayor Pro Tem service dates for the Council Members. Council members drew numbers for the rotation of
service. Ms. Martinez made a motion to accept the Mayor Pro Tern rotation. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Scott. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
D. MOTION NO. 2011-135
Motion providing for rotation of Mayor Pro Tem services as follows:
Larry Elizondo
Priscilla Leal
John Marez
Chris N. Adler
David Loeb
Mark Scott
Nelda Martinez
Kevin Kieschnick
06/24/11 - 08/29/11
08/30/11 - 10/31/11
11/01/11 - 01/02/12
01/03/12 - 03/05/12
03/06/12 - 05/07/12
05/08/12 - 07/09/12
07/10/12 - 09/10/12
09/11/12 - End of Term
The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler, Elizondo,
Kieschnick, Leal, Loeb, Marez, Martinez, and Scott, voting "Aye".
************
INC 0
Minutes — Special Council Meeting
June 24, 2011 — Page 2
MayorAdame referred to the Special Budget item regarding the discussion and consideration of the
FY2011-2012 Budget and Related Policy Issues. City Manager Olson stated that there are four decisions for
the Council to consider for staff to move forward including using the current tax rate or the effective tax rate;
use of the fund balance in reserves; and use of the hotel occupancy tax fund (HOT). Mr. Olson reported that
the Council gave explicit direction during the last Council meeting but staff wants to make sure of the
decision prior to moving forward.
City Manager Olson stated that his recommendation is to proceed with the effective tax rate and
allow the use of reserves if necessary to give stability over the next two (2) to 3 (three) years to concentrate
on funding more efficiency. In response to MayorAdame regarding the HOT tax, Mr. Olson said the Council
discussed beach cleaning, supporting the arts, and that the Convention and Visitors Bureau is functioning
well.
MayorAdame asked for a motion on the current or the effective tax rate. Ms. Adler made a motion to
proceed with the effective tax rate. The motion was seconded by Ms. Martinez.
The following topics pertaining to this motion were discussed: how the Council can aid the City
Manager in the process of finding efficiencies and how to determine the effectiveness of the efficiencies; the
creation of the performance improvement team; the timeframe for reviewing the efficiencies for each
department; focusing on prioritizing core services; the reorganization and consolidation efforts; not
compromising public safety; the three-year budget plan; consideration of a hybrid between the current and
effective tax rate by looking for potential cuts to reduce the tax rate increase; support for the effective tax
rate while staff continues to look for efficiencies; the challenges with street maintenance and under -funded
departments; concern with the reduction of staffing levels and the ability for departments to respond to
community issues and mandates; consideration for collaborating with school districts and Nueces County to
find efficiencies; and partnering with the Regional Transportation Authority to make arrangements for
seniors to travel to other senior centers.
Mayor Adame called for comments from the audience. Abel Alonzo, 1701 Thames, stated that staff
is presenting the facts and hopes that the Council has trust and confidence in the new City Manager. Mr.
Alonzo hopes the community supports the City Manager's recommendations. Jim McCutchon spoke
regarding the City employee's retirement system. A brief discussion ensued and Mayor Adame requested
that staff provide a presentation on the TMRS employee retirement system. Foster Edwards, CEO of the
Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, stated that the Chamber is in favor of the City Manager's
recommendations to preserve the quality of place. Dr. Robert Furgeson, 1334 Sand Piper Drive, spoke in
support of the effective tax rate to develop stability in City services and identify efficiencies.
City Secretary Chapa announced that there was a motion on the floor directing staff to go with the
effective tax rate.
Mr. Kieschnick made a motion to amend Ms. Adler's motion to go with the effective tax rate or a
hybrid thereof. The motion was seconded by Mr. Marez. Council Member Loeb asked for clarification that
the motion indicated that staff would continue to work on the budget to find savings that are agreeable or
otherwise go with the effective tax rate. Council Member Kieschnick responded in the affirmative. City
Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
The foregoing motion failed with the following vote: Adame, Kieschnick, Marez, and Loeb, voting
"Aye"; Adler, Elizondo, Leal, Martinez, and Scott, voting "No".
City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows on the original motion to proceed
with the effective tax rate:
Minutes — Special Council Meeting
June 24, 2011 — Page 3
The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler, Loeb,
Marez, and Martinez, voting "Aye"; Elizondo, Kieschnick, Leal, and Scott, voting "No".
Mayor Adame referred to discussion on the use of the fund balance. Council Member Scott asked
questions on how much staff plans to use of the reserve funds during the three year plan. Assistant City
Manager Oscar Martinez reported that staff balanced the budget on a three year plan and will continue to
strive to look for efficiencies. Mr. Martinez stated that even with the effective tax rate, the City is still facing a
shortfall. Mr. Martinez explained that it would be essential to use the fund balance to have the flexibility to
use anything over 10% to offset the current costs.
Mr. Scott made a motion to direct the allocation of appropriate contributions from the fund balance in
the three year plan. The motion was seconded by Ms. Martinez.
There were no comments from the audience. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes
as follows:
The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler, Elizondo,
Leal, Loeb, Marez, Martinez, and Scott, voting "Aye".
Mayor Adame opened discussion on the use of the HOT funds. Mr. Scott made a motion to direct
staff to use a portion of the HOT fund balance to fund Park and Recreation beach cleaning in the amount of
$270,000; the Art Museum of South Texas in the amount of $170,000; and the Botanical Gardens in the
amount of the $20,000. The motion was seconded by Mr. Elizondo. Mr. Martinez reported that the HOT fund
balance would be $303,000.
Council Member Adler requested that the maintenance of public art be added to the motion in the
amount of $20,000. Mr. Scott and Mr. Elizondo accepted the amendment. There were no comments from
the public. City Secretary Chapa polled the Council for their votes as follows:
The foregoing motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Adame, Adler, Elizondo,
Leal, Loeb, Marez, Martinez, and Scott, voting "Aye".
Council Member Adler stated that the Corpus Christi Symphony is in dire need of funding and would
like to support funding this organization. Council Member Martinez asked to defer this decision to the next
meeting. Assistant City Manager Martinez said staff would meet with the Corpus Christi Symphony to
identify their needs.
Council Member Marez said that regardless of the vote for the effective tax rate, staff should
continue to work towards finding efficiencies between now and the final vote. Council Member Elizondo
stated that he is prepared to support the increase if necessary but only if staff continues to work to find
opportunity for efficiencies. City Manager Olson thanked the Council for their support and confidence.
*************
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Adame adjourned the Special
Council meeting at 12:28 p.m. on June 24, 2011.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Special
Meeting of the Corpus Christi City Council of June 24, 2011 which were approved by the City
Council on July 12, 2011.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, on this the 12th day of July, 2011.
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
SEAL