HomeMy WebLinkAbout027988 RES - 12/16/2008RESOLUTION
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE BIG CITY MAYORS' LEGISLATIVE
INITIATIVE DEALING WITH HOMELESSNESS
WHEREAS, on August 29, 2008, the "Big City Mayors" group met in Fort Worth for its
quarterly meeting. Of the eight members, the mayors of Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth,
Houston, and El Paso attended the meeting. The Mayors of Austin, San Antonio, and
Corpus Christi were absent, but they were represented by staff;
WHEREAS, in discussing a potential legislative agenda for the Big City Mayors, one
vitally important issue that was discussed was the issue of homelessness;
WHEREAS, homelessness is an issue that impacts cities throughout Texas as
evidenced by the fact that on a single day in January 2007, 44,492 homeless Texans
were counted, and it is estimated that 247,500 Texans become homeless each year;
WHEREAS, specifically, there are two matters of concern:
1. The lack of coordination of the operational and service subsidies provided by
the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the members of the re-entry
population being released from Texas custody and the supportive housing
projects that are provided by local governments and charities.
2. The lack of proper official identification documents for people being
discharged from a Texas jail or prison;
WHEREAS, HiIICo Partners, a government affairs consulting firm in Austin, Texas, has
expressed a willingness to work with the Big City Mayors, on a pro-bono basis, in
addressing the two homelessness issues outlined above; and
WHEREAS, certain members of the "Big City Mayors" group have elected to join forces
to address these two issues, and in doing so, wish to enlist the services of HiIICo
Partners to assist with the successful implementation of measures that effectively
address these issues.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The City of Corpus Christi, Texas, as a member of the Big City Mayors'
consortium, does adopt as a part of its legislative program for 2009 and will support the
following two initiatives:
a. Creation of a strategic partnership with the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice that will provide a better link between the operational and service
subsidies that come with the re-entry population being released from Texas
custody and available housing projects at the local level from governments and
charities.
Big City Homeless Res 12012008
027988
b. Providing for the pre-release issuance of Texas Identification Certificates by
the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or Department of Public Safety for
everyone discharged from a Texas jail or prison.
SECTION 2. The City of Corpus Christi, Texas, consents to the firm of HiIICo Partners
of Austin, Texas, representing the City in addressing these two issues during the 2009
legislative session on a pro-bono basis.
SECTION 3. The City of Corpus Christi, Texas, supports of the efforts of HilICo
Partners and will provide additional council resolutions, correspondence from
appropriate municipal officials, or testimony, either written or oral, at times it is
requested to do so by HillCo Partners.
ATTEST:
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
ti
APPROVED: day of December, 2008.
R. J y RBening
First Assistant City Attorney
For City Attorney
Big City Homeless Res 12012008
THE C T OF CORPUS CHRISTI
He ry Garre
Mayor
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Corpus Christi, Texas
le* of i)(_eal
, 2008
The above resolution was passed by the following vote:
Henry Garrett
Melody Cooper
Larry Elizondo, Sr.
Mike Hummel)
Bill Kelly
Priscilla G. Leal
John E. Marez
Nelda Martinez
Michael McCutchon
Big City Homeless Res 12012008
027988
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