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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 07/20/2021I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Corpus Christi City Council of July 20, 2021 which were approved by the City Council on August 10, 2021. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, on this the 10th day of August 2021. (S E A L) J."\--1 Rebecca Huerta City Secretary Corpus Christi, Texas City of Corpus Christi Rebecca Huerta, City Secretary P.O. Box 9277 Corpus Christi, Texas 78469-9277 (361) 826-3105 rebeccah@cctexas.com SCANNED City of Corpus Christi 1201 Leopard Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401 cctexas.com Meeting Minutes City Council Tuesday, July 20, 2021 11:30 AM Council Chambers Addendums may be added on Friday. A. Mayor Paulette M. Guajardo to call the meeting to order. Mayor Guajardo called the meeting to order at 11:34 a.m. B. Invocation to be given by Pastor Brian Hill, First Baptist Church. Pastor Brian Hill, First Baptist Church, gave the invocation C. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States and to the Texas Flag to be led by Megan Pendleton, Texas A&M University -Corpus Christi, Sociology Major. Megan Pendleton, Texas A&M University -Corpus Christi, led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States and to 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 Member Barrera participated by video conference at 1:14 p.m. and left at 3:09 p.m. Council Member Smith arrived at 12:08 p.m. Present: 9 - Mayor Paulette M. Guajardo,Council Member Roland Barrera,Council Member Gil Hernandez,Council Member Michael Hunter,Council Member Billy A. Lerma,Council Member John Martinez,Council Member Ben Molina,Council Member Mike Pusley, and Council Member Greg Smith E. Proclamations / Commendations 1. 21-0849 Proclamation declaring July 26, 2021 as the "31st Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Day." Commendation recognizing Dynamo Coastal Bend Soccer Team. Mayor Guajardo presented the proclamation and commendation. F. PUBLIC COMMENT City of Corpus Christi Page 1 Printed on 7/30/2021 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2021 Mayor Guajardo opened the public comment period. Sherry Sells, 5014 Wingfoot Lane, spoke regarding a complaint against code enforcement. Angel Castillo, 1729 Morris, spoke regarding a work order. Jack Gordy, 4118 Bray Dr., spoke regarding no responses to his public information requests. Omar Becerra, 3021 Lawnview St. and Carla Gardiner, 4105 Meridian Place, spoke regarding the local film ordinance issues with interpretation of film ordinance, and involving stakeholders in the revision to the ordinance. Brian Watson, 5813 Hugo Dr., spoke regarding the effects of fluoride in the water. Barbie Baker, 6003 Lost Creek Dr., expressed her gratitude and support for the City Council and staff. Tim Dowling, 8017 Ville Franche, spoke regarding the City's process for redistricting. Errol Alvie Summerlin, 1017 Diomede Dr., Portland, submitted a written public comment which is attached to the minutes. City Manager Zanoni stated that the City is working on the film ordinance and revisions will be brought to Council in August. The CVB is taking the lead and agency and stakeholders will be involved. G. South Texas Military Task Force Briefing by Hans Govertsen, United States Coast Guard. Captain Hans Govertsen, United States Coast Guard, gave a briefing on the South Texas Military Task Force. A Council Member and Captain Govertsen discussed the following topics: the Coast Guard is in charge with inspecting containers that come through the Ports, but has limited manpower; and they take snapshots to track them and prioritize risks. H. CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS / UPDATE ON CITY OPERATIONS: Mayor Guajardo referred to City Manager's comments. a. Recap of City Operations since June 29, 2021 City Manager Zanoni reported regarding the following subjects: 4th of July recap; heavy rainfall week; and the City's budget preparation and workshops in August and community input. City of Corpus Christi Page 2 Printed on 7/30/2021 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2021 b. Design Standards Manual Update City Manager Zanoni reported that the Design Standards policy updates for new infrastructure will be brought to Council. c. Packery Channel Funding Update -None d. Overview of the J22 Regatta World Championship presented by Alex Harris Alex Harris, 2138 Highway 238, presented an overview of the J22 Regatta World Championship. Council Members and Mr. Harris discussed the following topics: it takes approximately 2,500 hours to put together the remote controls; and new footage is posted daily on the Corpus Christi Yacht Club's Facebook page. e. Seawater Desalination Update by Michael Murphy, Chief Operating Officer Michael Murphy, Chief Operating Officer, gave an update on the seawater desalination workshop that will take place on July 21, 2021. The meeting will be open to the public. I. BOARD & COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS: NONE J. EXPLANATION OF COUNCIL ACTION: K. CONSENT AGENDA: (ITEMS 2 - 22) 2. 21-0841 Approval of the June 29, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 2. Mayor Guajardo made a motion to amend the minutes as follows: Motion to clarify the Motion that followed Item 28 of the June 29th City Council Meeting, increasing the base salary of the City Manager by 5%, to authorize it be effective on the second anniversary date of the City Manager's contract, which is May 20, 2021, seconded by Council Member Hunter. The Minutes were passed as amended and approved with the following vote: Aye: 8 - Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter, Council Member Lerma, Council Member Martinez, Council Member Molina, Council Member Pusley and Council Member Smith Absent: 1 - Council Member Barrera Abstained: 0 Consent - Second Reading Ordinances City of Corpus Christi Page 3 Printed on 7/30/2021 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2021 Approval of the Consent Agenda Mayor Guajardo referred to the Consent Agenda. Council Members requested that Items 2, 14, 20 and 22 be pulled for individual consideration. A motion was made by Council Member Molina, seconded by Council Member Martinez to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of Items 2, 14, 20 and 22. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 8 - Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter, Council Member Lerma, Council Member Martinez, Council Member Molina, Council Member Pusley and Council Member Smith Absent: 1 - Council Member Barrera Abstained: 0 3. 21-0683 Zoning Case No. 0521-02, Terry J. Cox (District 4). Ordinance zoning a property located at or near 15022 Leeward Drive from the "RM-AT/IO" Multifamily AT District with the Island Overlay to the "RM-AT/IO/PUD" Multifamily AT District with the Island Overlay and a Planned Unit Development. (Planning Commission and Staff recommend Approval) This Ordinance was passed on second reading on the consent agenda. Enactment No: 032492 4. 21-0684 Zoning Case No. 0521-03, Nicholas Ha!lick: (District 4) Ordinance rezoning property at or near 6097 Ennis Joslin Road from the "RS -10" Single -Family 10 District to the "ON" Neighborhood Office District. (Planning Commission and Staff recommend Approval) This Ordinance was passed on second reading on the consent agenda. Enactment No: 032493 5. 21-0743 Ordinance revising Marina Advisory Committee membership to all at-large/general category members. This Ordinance was passed on second reading on the consent agenda. Enactment No: 032494 6. 21-0745 Ordinance accepting and appropriating $901,952 grant from the Office of the Governor from the Texas Military Preparedness Commission's Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) in the 1072 Community Development Grant Fund for Naval Air Station Corpus Christi (NASCC) gas distribution system improvements; appropriating $242,818 from the Texas Military Preparedness Commission CIP Fund 3543 as a City match; amending the FY 2021 Capital Budget to add DEAAG NASCC Gas Line Replacement project; and amending the FY 2021 Budget to increase revenues and City of Corpus Christi Page 4 Printed on 7/30/2021 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2021 expenditures by $1,144,770. This Ordinance was passed on second reading on the consent agenda. Enactment No: 032495 Consent - Contracts and Procurement 7. 21-0560 Motion authorizing the purchase of six replacement trucks which consist of one 6 -cubic yard dump truck, two 12 -cubic yard dump trucks, two heavy crew trucks with service bodies, and one heavy crew truck with a flatbed body for the Water and Wastewater Utilities Department from Houston Freightliner, Inc. of Houston, Texas, for a total not to exceed amount of $861,584.00 paid through the Vehicle and Equipment Replacement Fund. This Motion was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: M2021-137 8. 21-0570 Motion authorizing the purchase of one portable 350 kilowatt trailer -mounted generator from ROMCO Equipment Company, LLC from Corpus Christi, Texas for the Water Utilities Department, in the amount of $167,950.00 to be paid through Water Fund. This Motion was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: M2021-138 9. 21-0651 Motion authorizing a two-year service agreement with three additional one-year periods, with Williams Scotsman, Inc., of Robstown, Texas, in an amount of $125,867.15 for the lease of a modular building to meet short-term office requirements for Solid Waste Department staff that manage the JC Elliott Transfer Station, the closed landfill, and other facilities effective upon issuance of notice to proceed, with FY2021 funding in an estimated amount of $34,410.98 available through the General Fund. This Motion was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: M2021-139 10. 21-0702 Motion authorizing a two-year supply agreement for 7,000 residential gas regulators for Gas Operations for an estimated amount of $238,000.00 with Wilnat, Inc. dba Koons Gas Measurement of Tulsa, Oklahoma, effective upon issuance of notice to proceed, with FY 2021 funding in an amount not to exceed $19,833.00 available through the Gas Fund. This Motion was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: M2021-140 11. 21-0788 Motion authorizing the purchase of one replacement Aerial Lift Bucket Truck that will be used in the maintenance of City's traffic control signals by the Public City of Corpus Christi Page 5 Printed on 7/30/2021 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2021 Works Department from Grande Truck Center in San Antonio, Texas for a total amount of $137,898.00, with FY 2021 funding available through the Equipment Replacement Fund. This Motion was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: M2021-141 12. 21-0741 Motion authorizing a three-year service agreement with Horacio Carrillo III, dba Carrillo's Welding Services "CWS" of Corpus Christi, Texas for an amount not to exceed $480,000.00, for Welding Services for Asset Management, Fleet Division, with FY 2021 funding in the amount of $27,000.00 available through the Fleet Maintenance Fund. This Motion was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: M2021-142 Consent - Capital Projects 13. 21-0758 Motion awarding a construction contract to EMR Elevator, Inc., Corpus Christi, Texas, to upgrade the freight traction elevator for the Police Department Headquarters, located in Council District 1, in an amount of $210,000.00 with FY 2021 funding available from the Bond 2018 Fund. This Motion was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: M2021-143 14. 21-0760 Motion authorizing the execution of Change Order No. 1 with Western Specialty Contractors, Selma, Texas, for the Seawall Capital Repairs, to pressure wash the Seawall from McGee Beach to the Barge Dock and amenities such as eight miradors, the Selena Memorial, sidewalk, and benches in an amount of $162,500.00, located in Council District 1, for a total contract value not to exceed $1,261,004.60, with FY 2021 funding available from the Seawall Capital Fund. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 14. Council Members, Director of Engineering Services Jeff Edmonds and City Manager Peter Zanoni discussed the following topics: the change order was necessary because the desired level of cleaning was not included in the original scope of work; and a long-term solution needs to be determined to maintain the Downtown Management District. Council Member Pusley made a motion to approve the motion, seconded by Council Member Molina. This Motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Aye: 8 - Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter, Council Member Lerma, Council Member Martinez, Council Member Molina, Council Member Pusley and Council Member Smith City of Corpus Christi Page 6 Printed on 7/30/2021 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2021 Absent: 1 - Council Member Barrera Abstained: 0 Enactment No: M2021-144 15. 21-0787 Motion authorizing Amendment No. 1 to a professional services contract with Freese & Nichols Inc., Corpus Christi, Texas, to provide design, bid, and construction phase services for the reconstruction of Everhart Road from South Padre Island Drive to McArdle Road, located in Council District 2, in an amount of $361,859.00 for a total amount not to exceed $411,851.00 with funding available from the Bond 2018, Storm Water, Water, and Gas Funds. This Motion was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: M2021-145 General Consent Items 16. 21-0619 Resolution approving pavement design recommendations for the 22 Bond 2020 Streets projects following City Council Policy 28 which outlines the guidelines for awarding arterial and collector street construction contracts using concrete pavement or asphalt pavement. This Resolution was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: 032496 17. 21-0636 Motion authorizing a Joint Funding Agreement with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Department of the Interior, for USGS to maintain automated river gauging stations that record stream flows and water quality parameters associated with the Frio and Nueces Rivers and associated tributaries, which is data the City uses daily to manage releases from the City's reservoir system and for water treatment operations, whereby the USGS contributes $28,950.00 and the City contributes $166,350.00. This Motion was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: M2021-146 18. 21-0747 Resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application for the FY 2021 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program in the amount of $192,413.00; and authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Nueces County for the distribution of Justice Assistance Grant Program funds in the amount of $96,206.00 to Nueces County and $96,207.00 to the City of Corpus Christi should the grant be awarded. This Resolution was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: 032497 City of Corpus Christi Page 7 Printed on 7/30/2021 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2021 19. 21-0801 Resolution approving FY 2021-2022 grant application for the Beach Cleaning and Maintenance Assistance Program from the Texas General Land Office for an estimated amount of $70,000 to provide beach cleaning and maintenance on North Padre Island and Mustang Island. This Resolution was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: 032498 20. 21-0804 Resolution authorizing City of Corpus Christi withdrawal from the Regional Health Awareness Board and transferring $56,436.72 in funds held as fiduciary agent to the Board. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 20. A Council Member and Director of Public Health Annette Rodriguez discussed the following topics: the City is not contributing any additional dollars to the Regional Health Awareness Board. Council Member Pusley made a motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Council Member Hunter. This Resolution was passed and approved with the following vote: Aye: 9 - Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter, Council Member Lerma, Council Member Martinez, Council Member Molina, Council Member Pusley and Council Member Smith Abstained: 0 Enactment No: 032499 21. 21-0808 Resolution Opposing Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Rate Increase This Resolution was passed on the consent agenda. Enactment No: 032500 22. 21-0844 Resolution amending City Council Policy Number Nine, Community Development Block Grant and HOME Programs to delete subsection 9.e which prohibits outside agencies from applying for CDBG funding from the City more than once every three years and to amend subsections 9.f and 9.g to change the name of Housing and Community Development Department to the Neighborhood Services Department; and providing an effective date. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 22. Interim Director of Neighborhood Services Tracey Cantu stated that the purpose of this item is to amend City Council Policy No. 9 removing the prohibition on outside agencies receiving CDBG funds more than once every three years and reflecting the name change of the administering Department. A Council Member, Interim Director of Neighborhood Services Cantu and Homeless City of Corpus Christi Page 8 Printed on 7/30/2021 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2021 Services and Workforce Housing Manager Jennifer Buxton discussed the following topics: the City holds public hearings and advertises through the Caller -Times for these grants; the intent is for the City to be as quick as possible when responding to community needs; and a Council Member's concern that the same organizations will get the grant every year. Council Member Smith made a motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Council Member Pusley. This Resolution was passed and approved with the following vote: Aye: 8 - Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Hunter, Council Member Lerma, Council Member Martinez, Council Member Molina, Council Member Pusley and Council Member Smith Nay: 1 - Council Member Hernandez Abstained: 0 Enactment No: 032501 L. RECESS FOR LUNCH Mayor Guajardo recessed the Council meeting for lunch at 3:07 p.m. Executive Session Item 28 was held during the lunch recess. Mayor Guajardo reconvened the meeting at 4:23 p.m. M. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (ITEMS 23 - 24) 23. 21-0843 Ordinance adopting the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Consolidated Annual Action Plan (CAAP) for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) budget in the amount of $2,784,119, the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) budget in the amount of $235,265, and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) budget in the amount of $1,162,686 for a total of $4,182,070 annual funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); authorizing the execution of all necessary documents to submit the CAAP; authorizing a staff complement of 13 positions; accepting and appropriating funding for the approved CAAP projects and authorizing the execution of funding agreements, amendments and other documents necessary to implement the FY 2021-2022 CAAP. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 23. Interim Director of Neighborhood Services Tracey Cantu presented information on the following topics: 2021-2022 CAAP; 5 year consolidated plan goals; timeline for submittal; entitlement allocations; CDBG; ESG; HOME; and recommendation. Council Members, Interim Director Cantu, Homeless Services and Workforce Housing Manager Jennifer Buxton, City Manager Peter Zanoni and City Attorney Miles Risley discussed the following topics: CDBG is currently the only funding source for demolition; five additional code enforcement officers will be added to the division for a total of 28 City of Corpus Christi Page 9 Printed on 7/30/2021 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2021 officers; if the $1 million dollars for the Palms at Blucher Park is not approved, then the City can lose the tax credits; the tax credit numbers are based on expenses that are depreciable; not every expense counts towards the tax credit; the $1 million dollars for the Palms at Blucher Park will go back into the HOME project, not the CDBG project; the single-family rehabilitation is the demolition reconstruction program; regarding Palms at Blucher Park, a clawback provision can be added to ensure unused funds are returned to the City; and Council Members' would like more information on requests for additional funding for the Palms at Blucher Park project. Mayor Guajardo opened the public hearing. Representative for Developer, Ray Lucas with Lucas & Associates, stated that Palms at Blucher Park requested $300,000 back in February, and are now asking for another $700,000 due to unforeseeable construction costs. Vice President of Property Development for Prospera Brad McMurray stated that the banks will get a lot of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) credit, so the City will get a higher rate on tax credits. Founder of Coastal Bend Center for Independent Living, Housing Navigator and President of Accessible Housing Resources, Inc. (AHRI), Judy Telge, spoke regarding her concern about the $1 million dollars in the HOME program when in the past it had been less than that, and in support of affordable housing. Director of Coastal Bend Food Bank, Bea Hanson, thanked the Council for the CDBG funding support. Rising Tide Ministries, Lisa Curtis, 9841 SPID, thanked the Council for the CDBG funding support. Business Manager of the Salvation Army of the Coastal Bend, Emily Shafer Northrup, 1804 Buford St., thanked the Council for the ESG funding support. Case Manager of Corpus Christi Hope House Debra Arsuaga, thanked the Council for the ESG funding support. Mayor Guajardo closed the public hearing. Council Member Hernandez made a motion to remove the $1 million dollars from line Item #3 under the HOME program, seconded by Council Member Lerma and approved with the following vote: Mayor Guajardo, Council Members Hernandez, Lerma, Barrera, Hunter, Martinez and Smith voted - Aye; Pusley voted - No; and Molina - abstained. Council Member Hernandez made a motion to approve the ordinance as amended, seconded by Council Member Lerma. This Ordinance was passed on first reading as amended and approved with the following vote: City of Corpus Christi Page 10 Printed on 7/30/2021 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2021 Aye: 7 - Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter, Council Member Lerma, Council Member Martinez and Council Member Smith Nay: 1 - Council Member Pusley Abstained: 1 - Council Member Molina 24. 21-0746 Public Hearing and Resolution approving the Corpus Christi Crime Control District budget for FY 2022 with revenues in a total amount of $7,720,024.00 and expenditures in a total amount of $7,518,479.00 to fund 63 authorized Police sworn personnel, five replacement vehicles, and equipment to support both. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 24. Director of Management and Budget Eddie Houlihan presented information on the following topics: budget summary; budget overview; revenues; and expenditures. Council Members, Director Houlihan and City Attorney Miles Risley discussed the following topics: a Council Member thanked the Crime Control Board for their work. Mayor Guajardo opened the public hearing. There were no comments from the Council or the public. Mayor Guajardo closed the public hearing. Council Member Hunter made a motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Council Member Lerma. This Resolution was passed and approved with the following vote: Aye: 8 - Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter, Council Member Lerma, Council Member Martinez, Council Member Molina, Council Member Pusley and Council Member Smith Absent: 1 - Council Member Barrera Abstained: 0 Enactment No: 032502 N. INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION ITEMS: O. FIRST READING ORDINANCES: (ITEM 25) 25. 21-0658 Ordinance rejecting the apparent low bid of WLE, LLC. of Austin, Texas due to refusal to perform on a previous mowing contract providing similar services and authorizing a three-year service agreement for mowing and grounds maintenance of Storm Water Group 5A1 for an estimated amount of City of Corpus Christi Page 11 Printed on 7/30/2021 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2021 $204,540.00 with Dorame General Repair & Lawn LLC of Corpus Christi, Texas for the Public Works Department, with FY 2021 funding in an amount not to exceed $11,363.33 available through the Storm Water Fund. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 25. Director of Public Works Richard Martinez presented information on the following topics: moving contract for Group 5A1; Saratoga -Rodd Field to Airline; Saratoga -Airline to Everhart; Saratoga -Everhart to Kostoryz; Saratoga-Kostoryz to Las Colina's-23.09 acres; and Ayers -.42 acres. Council Members and Director Martinez discussed the following topics: a Council Member's concern that contractors are blowing grass clippings into the storm drains, and a request to address this problem; and a Council Member's request to look into xeriscaping the medians. Mayor Guajardo opened the public hearing. There were no comments from the Council or the public. Mayor Guajardo closed the public hearing. Council Member Hunter made a motion to approve the ordinance, seconded by Council Member Lerma. This Ordinance was passed on first reading and approved with the following vote: Aye: 8 - Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter, Council Member Lerma, Council Member Martinez, Council Member Molina, Council Member Pusley and Council Member Smith Absent: 1 - Council Member Barrera Abstained: 0 P. BRIEFINGS:(ITEMS 26 - 27) 26. 21-0810 Tammy Embrey, Intergovernmental Relations Director, along with City of Corpus Christi legislative consultants from Focused Advocacy in Austin will provide the Council insights and lessons learned from the 87th legislative session in Austin. The presentation will also cover a look ahead into the Special Sessions that will occur this year, what the city needs to consider moving into the interim activities in 2022 and looking ahead to the 88th session for 2023. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 26. Director of Intergovernmental Relations Tammy Embrey presented information on the following topics: contract lobby team; general legislative policy; engagement by the City of Corpus Christi Page 12 Printed on 7/30/2021 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2021 numbers; and key accomplishments. A Council Member and Director Embrey discussed the following topics: a Council Member's request for an update on the TWIA rate discussion. Partner and General Counsel of Focused Advocacy Snapper Carr presented information on the following topics: Senate delegation; House delegation; overview; session drivers; 2021 Texas Legislature: by the numbers; budget; municipal bills did not pass; sales tax refund transparency; SB 10: city/county advocacy ban; HB 4640/SB 2186: Port of Corpus Christi economic development; ETJ removal; what did pass; SB 1448: TWIA; beach safety; HB 1869: debt; SB 23: law enforcement defunding; HB 1900: law enforcement defunding; SB 3: emergency preparedness; HB 1929 ETJ agreements; summer special sessions; and fall special sessions. There were no comments from the Council. 27. 21-0540 Regional Transportation Authority Year in Review where Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority CEO Jorge Cruz-Aedo will provide an overview briefing of the positive transformational changes RTA implemented over the last year as well as how the improvements have helped better serve RTA riders and team members. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 27. Director of Public Works Richard Martinez introduced CEO of the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA) Jorge Cruz-Aedo and Board Chair Eddie Martinez. Council Members, Mr. Cruz-Aedo and CCRTA Managing Director Robert Saldana discussed the following topics: the RTA is working on major projects with grant funds which include the Naval Air Station and Del Mar College South Campus; the pre -pandemic fare recovery rate was 6.5%, while currently it is at 3.3%; the current cost for a fixed route is about $5.23 and transit is about $22 for a trip; the construction for the bus stop on Ayers is out for bid; and a Council Member's request for more bus covers in the Northwest area, and a desire to bring a ferry back to the RTA. Q. EXECUTIVE SESSION: (ITEM 28) Mayor Guajardo referred to Executive Session Item 28. The Council went into Executive Session at 3:07 p.m. The Council returned from Executive Session at 4:23 p.m. 28. 21-0842 Executive session pursuant to Texas Government Code § 551.076 concerning security personnel and devices, with possible discussion, resolution(s), and other actions in open session concerning any matters related thereto. This E -Session Item was discussed in executive session. City of Corpus Christi Page 13 Printed on 7/30/2021 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2021 R. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Guajardo adjourned the meeting at 6:11 p.m. City of Corpus Christi Page 14 Printed on 7/30/2021 Norma Duran From: JotForm <noreply@jotform.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2021 11:08 AM To: CitySecretary; Norma Duran Subject: Public Input: 07-20-2021 - Errol Summerlin [ [ 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. ] ] Warning: Replies to this message will go to returns@jotform.com. If you are unsure this is correct please contact the Helpdesk at 826-3766. Public Comment & Input Form Date of Meeting Name Address 07-20-2021 Errol Summerlin Street Address: 1017 Diomede Dr City: PORTLAND State / Province: TX Postal / Zip Code: 78374 Topic Desalination Agenda Item Number Public Comment Describe Feedback: Please see the attached comments Uploads: 1- comments on port and number of desats - 072021.docx Provide an email to receive a copy of your submission. summerline@verizon.net 1 Mayor, members of the Council. My name is Errol Summerlin and I live in Portland. I am a co-founder of CAPE. I commend the Mayor for her persistence in getting answers about the 2 desal facilities proposed by city staff and consultants and look forward to listening to the workshop tomorrow. As you know there are 4 desal permits being sought from the TCEQ. All the facilities will discharging into the bay and at least 3 will be drawing water from the bay. In the past, I have heard several council members state that just because 4 permits are being sought doesn't mean all will be built. I think maybe you should re -consider that notion. The Port is seeking a Water Rights Permit on the La Quinta Channel to provide freshwater directly to new industries. At least that is what is in the Port's Application, and the Draft Permit. But, a TCEQ Public Meeting was conducted on July 13 regarding that permit. I asked a question of Port staff. The question was "Will the use of the withdrawn water include industrial use of water for cooling water purposes?" Port staff deflected on the question. Instead, they responded "the Port will provide the water to the San Patricio County Municipal Water District and as such will be a wholesale provider of water". Now, I am informed that the Water District has never been contacted by the Port about supplying them with this water. More important, the Port staff indicated by their answer that the Port was now in the wholesale business of providing water for the region; a wholesale provider of water? And yesterday, Mr. Strawbridge told the San Pat County Commissioners that the desalinated water from their facilities would be used for the production of hydrogen. Without getting into the pros and cons of hydrogen production itself, one think is very clear. The size of the hydrogen operation planned by the Port will require massive amounts of freshwater. A quick analysis indicates they will need all of the freshwater produced from their planned Harbor Island facility. So, this notion that not all 4 desal will be built is questionable. The Port is moving forward with their 2 and not a drop will be go to drinking water for residents. If the city proceeds with even one on the bay, that's 3 of the 4. That begs the question "how much can the bay withstand?" One is risky, 3 will be disastrous. Another area of inquiry for the council should be how much can the bay withstand? Is there a limit on how much water and aquatic life can be drawn from the bay? Since the Port made it clear they will proceed as a wholesale provider of water and the production of hydrogen, 152.9 million gallons of concentrated brine will be discharged into the bay. That's without the city facility. Do you dare add another? Thank you.