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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 April 7, 2020, which
were approved by the City Council on April 14, 2020.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, on this the 21st day of April 2020.
•
Rebecca Huerta
City Secretary
Corpus Christi, Texas
(SEAL)
City of Corpus Christi
Rebecca Huerta, City Secretary
P.O. Box 9277
Corpus Christi,Texas 78469-9277
(361)826-3105
rebeccah@cctexas.com SCANNED
Cid of Cor us Christi
Meeting Minutes 1201 Leopard Street
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City Council
Tuesday,April 7,2020 9:30 AM Council Chambers
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
A. Mayor Joe McComb to call the meeting to order.
Mayor McComb called the meeting to order at 9:34 a.m.
B. Invocation to be given by Mayor Joe McComb.
Mayor McComb gave the invocation.
C. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States and to the Texas Flag.
Mayor McComb led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States
and the Texas Flag.
D. City Secretary Rebecca L. Huerta to call the roll of the required Charter Officers.
City Secretary Rebecca L.Huerta called the roll and verified that a quorum of
the City Council and the required Charter Officers were present to conduct the -
meeting.
Charter Officers:City Manager Peter Zanoni,City Attorney Miles K.Risley and
City Secretary Rebecca L.Huerta.
NOTE: Council Members Paulette Guajardo and Michael Hunter participated
telephonically. Council Members Greg Smith and Ben Molina participated by
video conference.
Present: 9- Mayor Joe McComb,Council Member Roland Barrera,Council Member Rudy
Garza,Council Member Paulette Guajardo,Council Member Gil
Hernandez,Council Member Michael Hunter,Council Member Ben
Molina,Council Member Everett Roy,and Council Member Greg Smith
E. CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS/UPDATE ON CITY OPERATIONS:
Mayor McComb referred to City Manager's Comments. City Manager Peter
Zanoni made no comments.
a. GOVERNMENT ACTIONS RELATED TO CORONA VIRUS
City of Corpus Christi Page 1 Printed on 4/10/2020
City Council Meeting Minutes April 7,2020
F. PUBLIC COMMENT- AUDIENCE AND PRESENTER SOCIAL DISTANCING AND
PUBLIC TESTIMONY AND PUBLIC HEARING INPUT AT PUBLIC MEETINGS OF
THE CITY COUNCIL. To reduce the chance of COVID-19 transmission, public
meetings will be held in a manner intended to separate, to the maximum practical
extent,audience and presenters from personal contact with members of
Community, City Staff, and City Council.This meeting will be broadcast at
cctexas.com/services/council meeting-agendas-minutes-video. Public testimony
and public hearing input for Public Comment and all items on the agenda at
public meetings of the City Council should be provided in written format and
presented to the City Secretary and/or designee no later than five minutes after
the start of each meeting of the City Council.Testimony and/or public input shall
be in accordance with the City Secretary's instructions,which shall be posted on
the City Secretary's door and on the City website, and allow for electronic
submission. The written public testimony shall be provided to members of City
Council prior to voting on measures for that meeting.Written testimony shall be
limited in accordance with the City Secretary requirements and shall be placed
into the record of each meeting. This testimony shall serve as the required public
testimony pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.007 and shall constitute a
public hearing for purposes of any public hearing requirement under law.The
meeting may be held telephonically or via videoconference.The public may
participate remotely by following the instructions of the City Secretary at
cctexas.com/departments/city-secretary.
Mayor McComb referred to comments from the public.
The following people submitted public comments which are attached to the
minutes:
Tom Ernst,14721 Whitecap Blvd.;Debbie Fernandez,802 S.Carancahua St.;
and Gilda E.Ramirez,6433 Clairfield St.
G. REGULAR AGENDA:
1. Ordinance Approving and Extending Orders issued pursuant to the
Coronavirus Disaster Declaration; providing for penalties; and declaring
an emergency.
Mayor McComb referred to Item 1.
City Attorney Miles Risley presented on the ordinance approving and
extending orders issued pursuant to the Coronavirus disaster declaration.He
said the ordinance extended the following orders until April 30,2020,which
were attached to the ordinance:Second Amended Order regarding Public and
Private Gatherings; First Amended Order to Stay at Home;and Order to Report
COVID-19.Mr.Risley then distributed a new Second Amended Order to Stay at
Home.He said the order was being amended to prohibit"short-term rentals",
pending Council approval.
Council Member Garza made a motion to amend Section 1 of the ordinance to
City of Corpus Christi Page 2 Printed on 4/10/2020
City Council Meeting Minutes April 7,2020
read"Second Amended Order to Stay at Home",seconded by Council+Member
Roy.
Council Members,City Attorney Miles Risley and City Manager Peter Zanoni
discussed the following topics: a request from a council member to modify
rules for non-operating businesses; if the rules are modified for non-operating
businesses,a council member requested taking more precautions,i.e.,making
masks mandatory and putting a curfew in place;a council member's request to
consider closing playground equipment;that mixed messages do not need to
be sent out to the public;Texas State Parks are closing today,so consider city
parks; need feedback from the public health officials before making any
changes to the rules;that certain businesses(e.g.bars,restaurants,food
courts,gyms,cosmetology salons,tattoo studios,and massage parlors)
specified in the Governor's March 31,2020 Order cannot be reopened;a
council member's concern about opening non-essential businesses;the need
to plan an exit strategy and coordinate with other cities and the state;adhere
to the rules today because short term pain versus long term gain;and the City
is working with Texas A&M Corpus Christi to provide more data,which should
be available this Friday.
There being no further discussion,Mayor McComb called for a vote on the
motion to amend Section 1 of the ordinance referenced above.The motion
passed unanimously.
Council Member Garza made a motion to approve the ordinance as amended,
seconded by Council Member Hernandez.This Emergency Ordinance was
passed and approved as amended with the following vote:
Aye: 9- Mayor McComb,Council Member Barrera, Council Member Garza, Council
Member Guajardo, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter,
Council Member Molina, Council Member Roy and Council Member Smith
Abstained: 0
Enactment No: 032082
2. Ordinance approving a$2,000,000.00 agreement between the City of
Corpus Christi and the Corpus Christi Business and Job Development
Corporation for Type A funding for maintenance of arterial and collector
streets within the City; approving a Chapter 380 agreement in an amount
not to exceed $2,000,000.00 with LiftFund, Inc. for a small business
recovery program; appropriating $2,000,000.00 from the unreserved fund
balance of the Business and Job Development Fund for use on the
arterial and collector street improvements; amending the operating and
capital budget; and declaring an emergency.
Mayor McComb referred to Item 2.
Chief Financial Officer Constance Sanchez presented information on the
following topics: small business recovery program;funding for program;
LiftFund,Inc.;loans;eligibility;program summary;program access
information;and staffs recommendation.
Council Member Hernandez made a motion to amend the ordinance to
City of Corpus Christi Page 3 Printed on 4/10/2020
City Council Meeting Minutes April 7,2020
prioritize businesses most affected by the COVID-19 virus specifically identified
in the Governor's order,seconded by Council Member Barrera.
Council Members,City Manager Peter Zanoni,President and CEO of LiftFund,
Inc.Janie Barrera,President and CEO of Corpus Christi Regional Economic
Development lain Vasey,Chief Operating Officer Mike Culbertson,and Market
Manager of LiftFund,Inc.Laura Estrada discussed the following topics: a
council member's request to prioritize businesses that are most affected by the
Governor's order;what small businesses are doing to sustain their operations;
a council member's concern about the requirement that a business have
annual gross revenues of not more than$5 million,and that more small
businesses can be helped if the revenue is reduced;the Paycheck Protection
Program versus the LiftFund program;LiftFund is a non-profit program so it is
not gaining any revenue;the default rate is 4% based on other cities and
programs with a 96%retention rate;LiftFund's mission is to provide credit;
LiftFund has an agreement with the City to ensure that the taxpayers won't be
charged a higher interest rate;a recommendation to not reduce the revenue
cap more than$2.5 million;what are the technical services provided for the
loan;many small business owners do not know how to manage the technical
side; LiftFund is offering a loan that needs to be repaid,it is not a grant;a
council member's concern of capping the revenue at$1 million as opposed to
$2.5 million;that LiftFund can be a bridge to get to the Paycheck Protection
Program,but it can also sustain itself on its own;LiftFund is not requiring a
letter or a statement from the banks in order for someone to receive a loan;a
council member's concern that a$1 million revenue cap is too low;75%,of the
Paycheck Protection Program's reimbursement relies heavily on labor costs;if
there was any discussion for using the$2 million to eliminate,reduce or defer
utility bills for four to five months for small businesses;the Small Business
Recovery Task Force is brainstorming other ideas,such as utilities,to help
small businesses;LiftFund is screening applicants to determine legitimate
need for those who deserve the loan and who can pay it back;a council
member's concern that the interest rate is too high;what percentage of
commercial businesses are behind on their utilities;and the Type B fund plan
is in motion for additional funds.
Council Member Barrera made a motion to amend the ordinance to prioritize
businesses most affected specifically identified in the Governor's order and to
reduce the annual gross revenue cap to$1,500,000,seconded by Council
Member Hernandez. This Ordinance was passed as amended and approved
with the following vote:
Aye: 9- Mayor McComb,Council Member Barrera, Council Member Garza, Council
Member Guajardo, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter,
Council Member Molina, Council Member Roy and Council Member Smith
Abstained: 0
Enactment No: 032083
H. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:24 a.m.
City of Corpus Christi Page 4 Printed on 4/10/2020
Sarah Brunkenhoefer
From: CitySecretary
Sent: Monday,April 6, 2020 8:18 AM
To: Rebecca Huerta
Cc: Sarah Brunkenhoefer; Norma Duran
Subject FW: Coronavirus
Importance: High
FYI.
See below.
From:Tom Ernst<tcernst@q.com>
Sent:Sunday,April 5, 2020 6:58 PM
To:Joe McComb<Joe.McComb@cctexas.com>; CitySecretary<CitySecretary@cctexas.com>
Cc: nueces.countyattorney@nueces.com.
Subject: RE:Coronavirus
Importance: High
[[WARNING: External e-mail.Avoid clicking on links or attachments. We will NEVER ask for a
password, username, payment or to take action from an email. When in doubt, please forward to
SecurityAlert@cctexas.com. 11
(Note to City Secretary: Please forward this Email to the City Council members)
Dear Mayor McComb
I am getting the feeling that Nueces County doesn't understand the seriousness of the of the COVID-19 pandemic.While
the "sheltering" order is commendable, keeping the beaches open is not. We understand that there is an order to park
100 ft. apart on the beach and to vacate by 8 pm, but that isn't enough. Last night when I walked to Whitecap Beach,
cars were parked right next to each other and large groups of young people were gathering, all the way down to the Bob
Hall Pier.The Beach Patrol confirmed that they observed the same conditions. But even that beach crowding is not the
point.The point is that having the beaches in Nueces County open at all,. is attracting travelers from all over(including
Houston, Dallas and hotspots like CA,WA, IL,WI,etc.).Today(Sun. Apr 5`h) new people arrived to our condo complex
from Austin, Houston, Dallas and as far away as AR, OK and IL. I spoke with several of them and they said they weren't
concerned with "stay at home" advisories.They came for the sun and the beach.These travelers have to go to the stores
for their supplies. Walmart, HEB,Target, etc. have people in them that are recent arrivals to Corpus Christi.Travelers
make up over 60%of our cases here. This pandemic hasn't hit here full force yet, BUT IT WILL. Attracting more people
here by keeping the beaches open is a recipe for disaster. Hotels/motels may be closed in Pt A and PI, but the VRBO
condo rentals are attracting new arrivals daily. We are hunkered down here but every time we have to go to the store
we are amongst new arrivals from hotspots that have ignored the "shelter" orders. It is critical that we reduce the influx
of travelers into the County for the rest of April. Please take this pandemic as seriously as it deserves.The beaches need
to be closed off and we need to publicize that act. Please take action quickly.
Thank you in advance for your serious attention and action,
Thomas C Ernst Sr
14721 Whitecap Blvd
CC,TX 78418
1
Sarah Brunkenhoefer
From: CitySecretary
Sent: Monday, April 6, 2020 3:38 PM
To: Rebecca Huerta
Cc: Sarah Brunkenhoefer; Norma Duran
Subject: FW: Coronavirus
Attachments: Whitecap Beach VRBO.png; Beach Club.jpg
Importance: High
FYI.
From:Tom Ernst<tcernst@q.com>
Sent: Monday,April 6, 2020 3:33 PM
To:Joe McComb<Joe.McComb@cctexas.com>; CitySecretary<CitySecretary@cctexas.com>
Cc: nueces.countyattorney@cctexas.com
Subject: RE:Coronavirus
Importance: High
[[WARNING: External e-mail.Avoid clicking on links or attachments. We wilt NEVER ask for a
password, username, payment or to take action from an email. When in doubt, please forward to
SecurityAlert@cctexas.com. 11
Further to my recent note regarding closing Padre Island beaches. . .VRBO has hundreds of condos for rent on Padre
Island. I am not picking on the Beach Club, but only use them as an example.You can see on the attached pictures that
they highlight their proximity to the beach.They've closed their pool but attract more people to the area because of the
beach. Many travelers have moved in there in the past week, ignoring sheltering advisories.These new travelers will be
at Walmart,Target, HEB (they've already had an employee with COVID-19 at HEB)and other open stores. Since the virus
has been mainly spread by travelers in Nueces County it is paramount that we close our beaches for the rest of April and
remove this attraction. Port A beaches are closed with the exception of exercise. Please take quick action to help stop
the spread of this extreme pandemic, by closing beach access to all traffic. Please forward this message to the City
Council members.
Thank you,Tom Ernst
From:Tom Ernst<tcernst@q.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 5, 2020 6:58 PM
To: 'joe.mccomb@cctexas.com'<joe.mccomb@cctexas.com>; 'citysecretary@cctexas.com'
<citysecretary@a cctexas.com>
Cc:'nueces.countyattorney@nueces.com.' <nueces.countyattorney@nueces.com.>
Subject: RE: Coronavirus
Importance: High
(Note to City Secretary: Please forward this Email to the City Council members)
Dear Mayor McComb
l am getting the feeling that Nueces County doesn't understand the seriousness of the of the COVID-19 pandemic.While
the "sheltering" order is commendable, keeping the beaches open is not.We understand that there is an order to park
1(111 ft apart nn thn hnarh and to uaratra hxr A nm hilt that icn't anni'oh I act nioht uarhon I ‘arallcari tri 1A/hitaran Raarh
Hall Pier.The Beach Patrol confirmed that they observed the same conditions. But even that beach crowding is not the
point.The point is that having the beaches in Nueces County open at all,. is attracting travelers from all over(including
Houston,Dallas and hotspots like CA,WA, IL,WI,etc.).Today(Sun.Apr 5th) new people arrived to our condo complex
from Austin, Houston, Dallas and as far away as AR,OK and IL. I spoke with several of them and they said they weren't
concerned with"stay at home"advisories.They came for the sun and the beach.These travelers have to go to the stores
for their supplies.Walmart, HEB,Target, etc. have people in them that are recent arrivals to Corpus Christi.Travelers
make up over 60%of our cases here.This pandemic hasn't hit here full force yet,BUT IT WILL.Attracting more people
here by keeping the beaches open is a recipe for disaster. Hotels/motels may be closed in Pt A and PI,but the VRBO
condo rentals are attracting new arrivals daily.We are hunkered down here but every time we have to go to the store
we are amongst new arrivals from hotspots that have ignored the"shelter"orders. It is critical that we reduce the influx
of travelers into the County for the rest of April. Please take this pandemic as seriously as it deserves.The beaches need
to be closed off and we need to publicize that act. Please take action quickly.
Thank you in advance for your serious attention and action,
Thomas C Ernst Sr
14721 Whitecap Blvd
CC,TX 78418
•
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PUBLIC COMMENT/INPUT FORM
City of Corpus Christi
Enter either"City Council"or the name of the City Board: City Council
DATE OF MEETING (mm/dd/yy): 04/07/20
NAME: Debbie Fernandez
ADDRESS: 802 S. Carancahua St,#432
CITY: Corpus Christi STATE: TX ZIP: 78401
TOPIC:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER(if applicable):
If no agenda item is specified,then this will be considered a general public comment and not a public hearing.
LiftFund is prepared to deepen its 15-year relationship with the City of Corpus Christi to further support small business owners with
interest-free relief capital.I encourage the mayor and oouncilmembers to approve LiftFund's proposal before City Council on Tuesday,
April 7th.I firmly believe that the work LiftFund is doing is crucial for our small business community,espedall*now during this
T4e01.4
PUBLIC COMMENT/INPUT FORM
City of Corpus Christi
Enter either"City Council" or the name of the City Board: Emergency City Council Meeting
DATE OF MEETING (mm/dd/yy): 04/07/2020
NAME: Gilda E. Ramirez
ADDRESS: 6433 CLAIRFIELD STREET
CITY: CORPUS CHRISTI STATE: TX ZIP: 78414
TOPIC: In Support for agreement with LiftFund, Inc. for Small Business F
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER (if applicable): 2
If no agenda item is specified,then this will be considered a general public comment and not a public hearing.
As Vice President for Small Business and Education for the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce,I fully support the LiftFund,
Inc.proposal in front of City Council for a vote on Tuesday,April 7th.I firmly believe that the work LiftFund,Inc.is doing is crucial for our
small business community,especially now during this unprecedented disaster. LiftFund is prepared to further develop its relationship
with the City of Corpus Christi in support of small business owners with interest-free relief capital. In my position with the chamber,I
regularly work collaboratively with Mrs. Laura Leal Estrada,Market Manager for LiftFund, Inc.to assist small businesses,especially in
disseminating information and helping mentor business owners.I encourage Mayor McComb and City of Corpus Christi
Councilmembers to approve the Chapter 380 agreement with LiftFund, Inc.for the small business recovery program.