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I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Retreat
of the Corpus Christi City Council of March 4, 2014 which were approved by the City Council on
April 8, 2014.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, on this the 8th day of April, 2014.
Rebecca Huerta
City Secretary
SEAL
INDEXED
CorpuCorpus Christi 1201 Leopard Street
s Corpus Christi,TX 78401
cctexas.com
Meeting Minutes
City Council
Tuesday,March 4,2014 1:00 PM RETREAT LOCATION:
Holiday Inn Downtown Marina
707 N.Shoreline Blvd.
Corpus Christi,TX 78401
CITY COUNCIL RETREAT
Public Notice --THE USE OF CELLULAR PHONES AND SOUND ACTIVATED
PAGERS ARE PROHIBITED IN THE MEETING ROOM.
A. Mayor Nelda Martinez to call the meeting to order.
Mayor Martinez called the meeting to order.
B. City Secretary Rebecca Huerta to call the roll of the required Charter Officers.
City Secretary Rebecca Huerta called the roll and verified that the necessary
quorum of the Council and the required charter officers were present to
conduct the meeting.
(Note:Council Member Scott arrived at 1:10 p.m.)
Present: 7- Council Member Kelley Alien,Council Member David Loeb,Mayor Nelda
Martinez,Council Member Mark Scott,Council Member Chad
Magill,Council Member Lillian Riojas, and Council Member Rudy Garza
Absent: 2- Council Member Priscilla Leal, and Council Member Colleen McIntyre
C. Welcome and Review of Retreat Agenda
The retreat was facilitated by Ms.Toby Futrell.Ms.Futrell provided a review of
the retreat agenda including the continuous improvements to be the Best City
in Texas and what it takes;checking in on last year's Council Priorities;
discuss proposed 2014 Council priorities;review the recent citizen survey
results;finalize the 2014 Council priorities;and summary.
D. Opening Comments
City Manager Ron Olson discussed the need for continuous improvement and
the changes made to the management process and organization culture.Mr.
Olson referred to the strategic plan and the process to achieve those goals.Mr.
Olson stated that as decisions are being made,he is implementing a 3-D
process of discovery,discussion,and decision making.Mr.Olson added that
the conditions of the City did not happen overnight,and the processes to make
those changes will be long term.
E. Report on 2013 Policy Priorities
Corpus Christi Page 1 Printed on 4/2/2014
City Council Meeting Minutes March 4,2014
Ms.Futrell referred to the 2013 Council priorities and highlighted the Council's
focus areas including streets,building maintenance,asset management;the
Mary Rhodes Pipeline Phase II;alternative water supply and development,
water reuse;workforce development;infill redevelopment and specific area
plans.City Manager Olson presented the steps implemented in each of the
three priority area including 1)taking care of assets and resources,2)Water
Policy and 3)Economic Development Policy.
F. Discuss 2014 Policy Priorities
Ms.Futrell referred to the discussion on the 2014 policy priorities.Ms.Futrell
presented for discussion the following list of preliminary priorities provided by
the City Council: 1)Road Conditions,including a residential road improvement
plan and implementing major road reconstruction and maintenance plans;2)
Adopting Economic Policies that Shape our Economy including targeting
industry niches,tailored incentives,and area specific policies;3)Water Policy
addressing water supply education,development and contracts;and 4)Parks
Maintenance Plan and Funding.
G. Review Latest Citizen Survey
Ms.Futrell referred to the review of the latest citizen survey.Dr.Daniel
Jorgensen with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi presented information
on the survey methodology;demographics of the respondents;zip code
coverage.Ms.Futrell provided a review of the survey areas for celebration
including quality of life&long-term planning,parks and libraries,public safety,
customer services,and quality of specific city services.Ms.Futrell also
reviewed the areas for improvement including the quality of life and long term
planning; road conditions;economic development;public safety;taking care
of our assets and resources in code enforcement,environment,and parks
maintenance;and quality of specific city services.City Manager Olson
addressed the City needs for improvement and the action plans in progress.
H. Finalize 2014 Policy Priorities
Ms.Futrell opened discussion on finalizing the 2014 policy priorities.After a
brief discussion and feedback from the City Council,Ms.Futrell summarized
the 2014 goals as follows(see attached report,included as part of these
minutes): 1)Road conditions,including residential roads;2)Water Policy;3)
Economic Development Policy;4)Quality of Life&Long Term Planning; 5)
Taking Care of Our Assets&Resources;and 6)Public Safety.
Retreat Summary & Close
City Manager Ron Olson stated that staff will work to address and implement
the Council priorities in addition to the continuing efforts to accomplish the
work as part of the strategic plan.
J. Council Meeting Calendar
City Secretary Huerta referred to the City Council meeting calendar and
recommended canceling the following Council meetings:August 12,2014;
November 25,2014; December 23,2014;and December 30,2014.There was a
consensus of the Council to cancel the recommended meeting date.
Corpus Christi Page 2 Printed on 4/2/2014
City Council Meeting Minutes March 4,2014
K. Adjournment
The Council retreat was adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
Corpus Christi Page 3 Printed on 4/2/2014
�013,sNE,
o� 1l INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
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1852
MEMORANDUM
To: Ron L. Olson, City Manager
From: Esther Velazquez, Assistant to the City Manager elf ri4l
Date: March 12, 2014
Subject: 2014 City Council Retreat
The City Council held their annual retreat on March 4, 2014. The retreat was facilitated by Ms.
Toby Futrell. The following report is a summary of the retreat.
In her opening comments, Ms. Futrell laid out the goals for the day's retreat. The objectives
were:
• Alignment among last year's Council priorities, proposed Council priorities for 2014 and
the most recent citizen survey results; and
• Alignment between the most recent citizen survey results and both the City's current
policy discussions and management's current operational initiatives.
Ms. Futrell explained that cities typically lagged in their citizen surveys whereby an area of
concern is identified and subsequently the city reacts to explore and resolve the issue. With
the recent citizen survey, Ms. Futrell found the Council and City Manager were leading the
survey. The survey data validated the policy areas already under discussion and improvement
plans were already underway in Corpus Christi.
Ms. Futrell outlined the following topics of discussion for the retreat:
1. Continuous Improvement to be the Best City in Texas. What it Takes.
2. Checking In on Last Year's Council Priorities.
3. Discuss Proposed 2014 Council Priorities.
4. Review Recent Citizen Survey Results.
5. Finalize 2014 Council Priorities.
6. City Manager Goals Support Continuous Improvement Efforts.
7. Retreat Summary.
1
Continuous Improvement To Be The Best City In Texas
City Manager Ron Olson discussed the need for continuous improvement to be the best city in
Texas. He reviewed his Strategic Plan diagram (see Attachment A) and the process of
working towards the achievement of that goal. The key points were:
• Understanding the Level & Complexity of Change Required
• Involving Difficult Organizational Culture Change
• Requiring Leadership Focus &Tenacity
• Demanding a 3-D Process:
Discovery
Discussion
Decision Making
• Tees Up the Debate. Raises Awareness. Reflects in Survey. Validates We are
"Leading"the Survey
• Expecting a Long-term Change Process: Results Will Not be Immediate
Checkina In On Last Year's Council Priorities
Ms. Futrell reviewed the 2013 Council priorities as follows:
• What is Being Done in each Priority Area?
Priority 1: Taking Care of Assets & Resources
Priority 2: Water Policy
Priority 3: Economic Development Policy
2013 Council Priority 1: Taking Care of Assets & Resources
• Street Investment Policy, including Dedicated Funding Through Bond Dollars & Street
Maintenance Fee
• Citywide Facility & Property Services Inventory & Improvement Plan
• Asset Management:
Parks & Public Utilities Master Plan
Fleet Replacement Plan
Solid Waste & Municipal Court Assessments
Public Works & Utilities Reorganization
Human Infrastructure: Class/Compensation Study, Workforce Succession Planning
2013 Council Priority 2: Water Policy
• ROI Analysis, Funding & Construction of Mary Rhodes Pipeline Phase 2
• Water Supply Development
Desalination
2
Brackish
Aquifer Storage & Recovery
• Conservation & Reuse (effluent)
• Utility Rate Evaluation for Sustainability & Continuity for Future Capital Requirements
2013 Council Priority 3: Economic Development Policy
• Drafting Economic Development Strategies & Policies
• Comprehensive Plan Components
Infill & Redevelopment
Affordable Housing
• Area Plans
Central Downtown Business District, SEA District, Uptown, ROW from realignment of
Harbor Bridge, Northside, & North Beach
Southside Area Development Plan
• Over the Last 3 Years, approximately $9 million Supported Workforce Readiness &
Development Efforts in our Community
Discuss Proposed 2014 Council Priorities
A week prior to the retreat, the City Council was asked to provide a preliminary list of priorities
as their top areas of focus for 2014. Ms. Futrell facilitated a round table discussion with
Council to explain and explore the four preliminary areas identified as follows:
1. Road Conditions
a. Residential Road Improvement Plan
b. Implementing Major Road Reconstruction & Maintenance Plans
2. Adopting Economic Development Policies that Shape Our Economy
a. Targeted Industry Niches
b. Tailored Incentives
c. Area Specific Policies (i.e., Downtown)
3. Water Policy
a. Water Supply Education
b. Water Supply Development
c. Water Supply Contracts
4. Parks Maintenance Plan & Funding
3
Review Recent Citizen Survey Results
Dr. Daniel Jorgensen, a professor of public administration at Texas A&M University-Corpus
Christi discussed the survey history and methodology. Dr. Jorgensen explained the
demographics of the respondents and the zip code coverage.
Citizen Survey Methodology
• A Survey Instrument of Approximately 109 Closed-ended Questions
• 94 Attitudinal Categories With History From the 2011 Survey
• 55 or About 60% With Benchmarks From Texas Cities
• New Questions Look at Social Media Usage And Information
• Cluster Sampling Process
1834 Households Selected For a Survey Throughout The City
About a 1.5% Probability Your Household Would Be Surveyed
• In-person Survey Delivery the 2nd And 3rd Weekends in November
• 509 Respondents
• Completion Response Rate of 27.75% -- Considered Good With No Incentives & a Long
Survey Instrument
• 95% Confidence Level
• +/- 4.25% Margin of Error
Ms. Futrell then reviewed areas in the survey where the City showed improvements. City
Manager Ron Olson talked about Corpus Christi being on the brink of major growth and of its
number 17 ranking in the Milken Institute's Best-Performing U.S. Cities.
Areas for Celebration
1. Quality of Life & Long-Term Planning
2. Parks & Libraries
3. Public Safety: Police, Fire & EMS
4. Customer Service
5. Quality of Specific City Services: Solid Waste, Water Utilities, Animal Control, Flood
Control
City Manager Ron Olson explored the areas in the survey where the City needs improvement
and shared with Council the in-progress action plans for each.
Areas for Improvement
1. Quality of Life & Long Term Planning
4
Action Plan: Awarded Contract for Long-term Strategic Planning Services, Including
Developing Strategic Comprehensive &Area Plans
Downtown Area Development Plan
Central Downtown Business District
SEA District
Uptown
Harbor Bridge Realignment of ROW
Northside
North Beach
Southside Area Development Plan
2. Road Conditions
Action Plan: Four Comprehensive Street Strategies
Street Maintenance:
City Council adopted street maintenance fee, policies, & rates on 6/25/13
CIP for Reconstruction/rehabilitation of Arterials & Collectors:
Bond in phases
CIP Rehabilitation/Reconstruction for Local/Residential Streets:
Bond in phases
Assessment Program to be discussed with City Council in Spring
Policies:
Street Design Standards — City Council adopted new standards requiring 30 year life
expectancy including additional base materials & curb/gutter backfill on 3/19/13
Street Cut Policy — City Council adopted street cut policy on 12/17/13
3. Economic Development
Action Plan: Economic Development Strategic Plan Under Development
Four Goals are:
Economic Diversity
Workforce Development
Quality of Place
Regional Cooperation
5
Ten Strategies Established, Including Strengthening Existing Businesses
Working on Targeted Market or Industry Niches, Area-Specific Policies &Tailored Incentive
Tool Guidelines
Type A Retreat Planned for Targeted Investment of Remaining Dollars
4. Public Safety: Police & Municipal Court
Action Plan: Continued Increase in Police Presence
Traffic Enforcement (Up 37%)
DWI Enforcement (Up 16%)
No-Texting Ordinance
SAD (Stop Aggressive Driving) Program
Renewed Juvenile Curfew Ordinance
Continue City Support of Juvenile Assessment Center to Aid At-Risk Youth
Focused Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Efforts
Evaluate Adding In-Service Training to Improve Officer Interaction with Citizens
Municipal Court — Software system replacement underway along with implementation of other
improvement recommendations under new management
5. Taking Care of Our Assets & Resources: Code Enforcement & Cleanliness of City
Action Plan:
Realigned Code Enforcement & Neighborhood Improvement under Police Department
Established Interdepartmental Nuisance Abatement Team
Approved Litter Ordinance & Extensive Educational Program
Built City's 1st Database of Facilities & Property
Established Facilities & Property Maintenance Plan with 6 Recommendations for Improvement
6
6. Taking Care of Our Assets & Resources: Environment
Action Plan:
Centalized Management of Public Utilities
Water Quality of Bays & Estuaries:
Address SSOI Issues
Approved Litter Ordinance & Extensive Educational Program for Litter Reduction
Adopting Stormwater Best Management Practices
Working with TCEQ to Identify Sources of Bacteria
Developing Bacterial Mitigation Action Plan
Drainage Issues: Street Funding Strategies Will Address Road, Curb & Gutter Issues
7. Taking Care of Our Assets & Resources: Parks Maintenance
Action Plan:
City Parks Master Plan Implementation
Includes Parks Maintenance Plan
Accelerate 10-year Master Plan to 3 years
Evaluate Resources Needed as Part of Proposed Budget
Mowing Consolidation
Create Strategy for Youth Sports Organizations Assistance
Pursue Public/Private Partnership to Develop New Athletic Complex for Tournaments
8. Quality of Specific City Services
Action Plan:
Taste & Quality of Drinking Water Heavily Influenced by the Water Quality You Start With
Need to Explore Citizen Concerns with Gas Service Further:
Holmes Drive Explosion Due to Gas Leak
Although Decreasing, Continued High Volume of Gas Leaks
Pilot Light & Gas Turn On Requests During 11/10/13 Cold Snap
Ms. Futrell paused after each area of discussion to get feedback from Council on the findings.
Finalize 2014 Council Priorities
Ms. Futrell conducted another roundtable discussion regarding priority alignment. She pointed
out that a very strong alignment existed between the data and the City's current policy
discussions, as well as what Council had already identified as priority policy areas through
recent decisions and direction to the City Manager.
1. Road Conditions, Including Residential Roads
o Implement Major Road Reconstruction & Preventative Maintenance Plans
o Develop, Fund, & Implement Residential Road Improvement Plan
2. Water Policy
o Update & Report on State of Water Supply
o Continued Water Supply Development
o Comprehensive, Equitable Review of Water Supply Contracts
3. Economic Development Policy
o Create Policy that Shapes Our Economy by Targeting Desired Industry Niches
Using Tailored Incentives &Area-Specific Plans
o Build on Diversity of Businesses Inside City Limits
o Develop Strategies to Retain & Grow Existing Businesses
o Continue Investment in Citywide Workforce Development and Readiness
4. Quality of Life & Long Term Planning:
o Long-term Planning: Develop Comprehensive &Area Development Plans
o Quality of Life: Improve City as a Place to Raise Children
5. Taking Care of Our Assets & Resources:
o Code Enforcement & Cleanliness of City
• Strengthen Enforcement Efforts to Eliminate High Weeds,
Abandoned/Junk Vehicles, Dilapidated or Vacant Buildings
• Litter Education, Prevention, & Enforcement
o City Facilities & Property
• Improve the Maintenance of City Facilities & Property
8
• Improving the Appearance of City Parks & Quality of Outdoor Athletic
Fields
o Environment
• Continue Evaluating & Implementing Storm Water Drainage Best Practices
• Monitor Impacts of Best Practices on Water Quality in Our Bays &
Estuaries
6. Public Safety:
o Develop Policing Strategies To Improve Nighttime Safety Downtown
o Disrupt & Deter Gang-related Criminal Activity
o Identify At-risk Youth & Reduce Juvenile Crime
o Improve Officer Interactions With Citizens
o Municipal Court Information Technology Improvements & Other Improvement
Efforts
Throughout the discussion, Council provided additional input. Ms. Futrell recorded all feedback
and prepared the attached final 2014 Council Priorities (see Attachment B).
City Manager Goals Su000rt Continuous Improvement Efforts
City Manager Ron Olson laid out five key goals which support the continuous improvement
efforts:
1. Reaffirm the ethical foundation of the organization.
2. Institutionalize a sound and effective management process.
3. Set realistic expectations regarding services and continuously improve organizational
performance until Corpus Christi becomes the pre-eminent benchmark among Texas
Cities.
4. Make the financial capacity of the City sustainable.
5. Assure that appointed City leadership is capable & strong.
Retreat Summary
City Manager Ron Olson praised Council for a process he coined discovery, discussion and
decision making. "Rather than fire, aim, ready, this Council is being very disciplined in a
policy making process that is ready (discovery), aim (discussion), fire (decision making). By
doing this, we are teeing up the public debate, increasing citizen involvement and raising
awareness of key policy issues. This is why our policy initiatives are leading the citizen survey
this time around and our policy making is hitting the mark," said City Manager Ron Olson.
9
OTHER BUSINESS
City Secretary Rebecca Huerta reviewed the 2014-15 Council meeting calendar. She
recommended the following Council meetings for cancellation:
• August 12 — Summer Break
• November 25 —Thanksgiving
• December 23 — Christmas Holiday
• December 30 — New Year's Holiday
The Council concurred with the meeting schedule as proposed.
Mayor Martinez adjourned the retreat at 4:10 p.m.
10
Attachment A
Strategic Plan
Governance Envision Believe Achieve
With Connect to Constituency
Leadership Unified Vision ,
Communication
By one voice Persuasion/Influence
1 Majority Rule "'
By Giving as much latitude �� f Or�
ance ���
Pol general guidance to staff y' " ��
ry as possible ����_
VA th Appropriate
i ,
oversight Best Financial Performance 1 Intergovernmental
Where Cooperation
We
,Best Performance in
Customer Service Reserve Ratios Business
Are Satisfaction with 1 Relationships
Today , 1 Debt Service Ratios
Personal Service
Best Performance in Enforcement+ 1 Economy
1 Consequences Tax&Fee Burden Employment
Deliverin• Munici•al Services General Satisfaction
1)also by household o
with City Services ro in
Measurement a income) Attitude
Process Improvement 1 u 1
Appoint a -Surveys+Feedback Q Pride
-Secret Shopper By Department
On Champion p Appearance
1 Time Business Plan B Mission Element �? Texas Friendly
Execution Hire the right Eyeball to Eyeball Training 1 Y
On Quick Budget Kind of Peo le�1 O
4 Budget 1 Base g p Phone Training ,By Service Component 4
Health Care
E CPM ? ■Performance V 1 Education
r+ 1 On General Training 44
CI Quality , m Against Budget
u
E
O ♦Clarify&Standardize
d; Expectations . ® Quality of Life
H Arts
>1 Engaged 4—Selection
Entertainment
4—Work Values 4—Mgt.Philosophy
v People Training Recreation
(� 4—Ethical Foundation
L 4—Development evelopment Unique identity S p orts
g
O 4—Succession Plan * Shopping
in
Capable 4---Discipline
-City Public Transportation
pJ ..• 1—Vision
Z • Strategic Plan Municipal Corporation
L....yCPM 1'Goals Performance 0"
4---Business Plan 4......-Accounting System
Planning 4 �Budget 4--- Accounting
Tool 1411e:rating 4—CIP
4—Succession Plan Service
0
Attachment B
2014 COUNCIL PRIORITIES
tl
a 1. Neighborhood Improvements
r • Residential Roads
• Utilities & Drainage
• Lighting & Sidewalks
3 • Park Maintenance & Enhancements
• Code Enforcement & Cleanliness
2. Water Policy
• Continue Water Supply Development
• Educate the Public on Water Supply & Strategy
• Align Water & Wastewater Strategies
. Economic Development Policy
• Create Policies that Shape our Economy by
Targeting Desired Business Niches
P7
• Develop Area Specific Plans Using Tailored
Incentives, i.e. Creating a Vital Downtown
• Expand Diversity of Businesses
• Retain & Grow Existing Businesses
4. Quality of Life & Long Term Planning
• Strengthen the City as a Place to Live & Raise
Children
4 • Nurture the Environment While We Grow the
1 Economy
• Improve Downtown Safety
5. Taking Care of Our Assets & Resources
s • Execute Major Road Reconstruction & Maintenance
r • Plans
I • Implement City Facilities & Property Maintenance
E
Plan
r
i
I