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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes City Council - 04/18/2023I 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 April 18, 2023 which were approved by the City Council on April 25, 2023. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, on this the 25th day of April 2023. (SEAL) 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 Meeting Minutes City Council 1201 Leopard Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401 cctexas.com Tuesday, April 18, 2023 11:30 AM Council Chambers Addendums may be added on Friday. A. Mayor Paulette Guajardo to call the meeting to order. Mayor Guajardo called the meeting to order at 11:40 a.m. B. Invocation to be given by Deacon Richard Longoria, Saint Helena of the True Cross of Jesus. Deacon Richard Longoria, Saint Helena of the True Cross of Jesus, gave the invocation. C. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States and to the Texas Flag to be led by Victoria Gonzales, Senior at W.B. Ray High School. Victoria Gonzales, Senior at W.B. Ray High School, led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Texas Flag. D. City Secretary Rebecca L. Huerta to call the roll of the required Charter Officers. City Secretary Rebecca 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 Risley and City Secretary Rebecca Huerta Present: 9 - Mayor Paulette Guajardo,Council Member Roland Barrera,Council Member Gil Hernandez, Council Member Michael Hunter,Council Member Mike Pusley,Council Member Dan Suckley,Council Member Everett Roy,Council Member Jim Klein, and Council Member Sylvia Campos E. CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS / UPDATE ON CITY OPERATIONS: 1. 23-0658 RV Park at North Beach Assistant City Manager Neiman Young provided an update on the Puerto Del Sol RV Park at North Beach. The City entered into a 30 -year lease with Blue Marlin Holdings, LLC. Lease provisions required Blue Marlin to make improvements to the park totaling $1.5 million. Improvements consisted of an additional four feet of elevation, new drainage and electrical, and new concrete for 53 RV spots with added parking. The park will be available to reserve year-round. City of Corpus Christi Page 1 Printed on 4/21/2023 City Council Meeting Minutes April 18, 2023 A Council Member expressed his contentment about the completion of this project. 2. 23-0689 2023 Junior Olympic Boxing Tournament at the American Bank Center (Friday, April 21 - Sunday, April 23) City Manager Peter Zanoni announced the 2023 Junior Olympic Boxing Tournament to be held April 21 -April 23 at the American Bank Center. The winners of this event will advance to the national tournament. The coaches and staff offer free coaching to youth. This event is sponsored by the South Texas Amateur Boxing Association. F. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Guajardo opened public comment. Stephen Klepper, 317 Sunset Ave., spoke about storm water fee observations and the lack of transparency regarding water rates. Carrie Meyer, 4401 Gulfbreeze Blvd. and Ron Graban, 202 Surfside Blvd., spoke in support of Item 9 regarding the Linear Canal on North Beach. Shawn Flanagan, 4218 Herndon St., spoke in opposition to an environmental and sustainability department. David Owen, 401 N. Chaparral St., spoke about the goal of ending homelessness in Corpus Christi by collaborating on a unified community plan and providing affordable housing. Maggie Peacock, 7037 Islander Way, spoke in support of an environmental and sustainability department. Adam Rios, 7301 Tangled Ridge Court, spoke about the updated lighting at Cole Park, in addition to the Salinas Park project costing less than $50,000. Rachel Caballero, 522 Hancock Ave., spoke in opposition to desalination and requested that the community be allowed to vote on any desalination plant. Kimberly McIntosh, 422 Palmero St., spoke about her concern regarding the interim wastewater rate. Rafaela Sanchez, 549 Greenway Dr., spoke about a water leak at her property that was not addressed in a timely manner. John Weber, 609 Naples St., reminded the Council about the city's mission and spoke in opposition to a desalination plant. Dorothy Pena, 2114 Meadowpass Dr., spoke about Hillcrest community's concern regarding a desalination plant, along with a funding study. City of Corpus Christi Page 2 Printed on 4/21/2023 City Council Meeting Minutes April 18, 2023 Shirin Delsooz, 6030 Tapestry Dr., spoke about the need for protected bike paths in our city. The following citizen submitted a written public comment which is attached to the minutes: Naomi Linzer, 422 Stages Dr. G. BOARD & COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS: (NONE) H. EXPLANATION OF COUNCIL ACTION: I. CONSENT AGENDA: (ITEMS 3 - 7) Approval of the Consent Agenda Mayor Guajardo referred to the Consent Agenda. Council Members pulled Item 6 for individual consideration. Council Member Hernandez moved to approve the consent agenda with the exception of Item 6, seconded by Council Member Roy. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 8 - Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter, Council Member Suckley, Council Member Roy, Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos Absent: 1 - Council Member Pusley Abstained: 0 3. 23-0675 Approval of the April 11, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes The Minutes were approved on the consent agenda. Consent - Second Reading Ordinances 4. 23-0492 Ordinance authorizing the acceptance of two grants totaling $97,753.00 from the Texas Office of the Governor -Homeland Security Grant Division's Homeland Security Grant Program for terrorism prevention equipment for the Corpus Christi Police Department's Special Weapons and Tactics for $19,355.00, and Bomb Squad for $78,398.00; and appropriating $97,753.00 in the FY 2023 Fire Grants Fund. This Ordinance was passed on second reading on the consent agenda. Enactment No: 033022 5. 23-0458 Ordinance authorizing the acceptance of funding in the amount of $733.36 from the State of Texas - Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education Account for the Corpus Christi Fire Department for training and equipment for four arson investigators; appropriating funds in the amount of $733.36 to the City of Corpus Christi Page 3 Printed on 4/21/2023 City Council Meeting Minutes April 18, 2023 Fire Grants Fund; and amending the operating budget. This Ordinance was passed on second reading on the consent agenda. Enactment No: 033023 6. 23-0460 Case No. 0123-02 David and Nicole Gerlach (District 4): Ordinance rezoning property at or near 581 Yorktown Boulevard from the "RS -6" Single -Family 6 District and "RMH" Manufactured Home District to the "RE" Residential Estate District; providing for a penalty not to exceed $2,000 and publication. (Planning Commission and Staff recommend approval.) Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 6. There were no comments from the Council. Council Member Hernandez moved to approve the ordinance, seconded by Council Member Hunter. This Ordinance was passed on second reading and approved with the following vote: Aye: 8 - Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Roy, Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos Abstained: 1 - Council Member Suckley Enactment No: 033024 Consent - First Reading Ordinances 7. 23-0700 Ordinance amending Chapter 121/2 of the Corpus Christi Code to add experience requirement for Audit Committee, allow for an ex -officio member of the audit committee, clarify access to records, modify audit follow up timeline, and modify composition of ad hoc committee for city auditor vacancy review. This Ordinance was passed on first reading on the consent agenda. J. RECESS FOR LUNCH Mayor Guajardo recessed the Council meeting for lunch at 2:06 p.m. Executive Session Item 13 was held during the lunch recess. Mayor Guajardo reconvened the meeting at 3:07 p.m. K. BRIEFINGS: (ITEM 8) 8. 23-0680 Presentation by City Manager Peter Zanoni and Port of Corpus Christi Chief Executive Officer Sean Strawbridge to report progress to date on how the Port of Corpus Christi collaborating with the City of Corpus Christi can assist in the City advancing Seawater Desalination. City of Corpus Christi Page 4 Printed on 4/21/2023 City Council Meeting Minutes April 18, 2023 City Manager Peter Zanoni and Port of Corpus Christi Chief Executive Officer Sean Strawbridge presented information on the following topics: framework; collaboration update; collaborative actions; executive summary; permitting and regulatory assessment; permit materials and status; cost analysis; and next steps. Council Members, City Manager Zanoni and Chief Executive Officer Strawbridge discussed the following topics: a Council Member spoke in favor of having the community vote on a desalination plant; once permits are issued, a desalination plant could be complete in about 36 to 40 months; the Evangeline Groundwater System would take approximately two to five years to complete; a Council Member's concern about discharge into the bay, as well as the salinity level in a small body of water; all reports were overseen by third -party experts; the City and the Port have provided information to the public to promote transparency like town halls and websites; the significance of engaging the community about industrial water reuse; a Council Member's disappointment that this presentation focused strictly on the Harbor Island site; assertion that more water is needed for industry, especially for clean energy initiatives; the Port is looking at all alternative options of water, including Inner Harbor, Evangeline Groundwater Project and Barney Davis sites; ensure that Evangeline Groundwater Project is being considered equally; the importance that the Port and the City collaborate to provide the best water source that will benefit the community; MR Pipeline is producing at 50 percent; and future presentations are planned to discuss other collaborative efforts and to estimate costs for ratepayer. L. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Senior Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator Wendy Herman presented information on the following topics: Bills to Watch -Port Bill; Beach Bill; Annexation Bill; Preemption Bill; and 40 more days. Council Members and Senior Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator Herman discussed the following topics: that House Bill 3859 regarding public access to beaches is limited to Galveston; and in response to a Council Member's concern regarding prohibiting taxpayer -funded lobbying, this bill will prohibit a City from hiring a lobbyist, but so far this bill has not been heard in the Senate. M. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (NONE) N. INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION ITEMS: (ITEMS 9 -11) 9. 23-0289 Motion authorizing a professional services contract with Lockwood, Andrews & Newman, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $720,760.00 to provide design, bid, and construction phase services for Phase 1 of a linear park canal and drainage improvements from the North Beach Eco Park to Surfside Park located in Council District 1, with FY 2023 funding available from the American Rescue Plan Grant Funds. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 9. City of Corpus Christi Page 5 Printed on 4/21/2023 City Council Meeting Minutes April 18, 2023 Director of Engineering Services Jeff Edmonds stated that this item is for the design, permitting, bid documents and construction phase services for the Linear Park Canal to relieve ongoing drainage issues on North Beach. Council Members, City Manager Peter Zanoni, Director Edmonds, and Assistant City Manager Neiman Young discussed the following topics: a Council Member's desire to develop bridges instead of only culverts; the importance that transportation be included in the design to be eligible for Hotel Occupancy Taxes; a Council Member's request for staff to include maps in the agenda that portray the design of the project; the $720,000 is only for Phase 1 of the Linear Park Canal; this design phase will be complete towards the end of the year; and a Council Member's concern that $23,000 is pricey for public meetings. Mayor Guajardo opened public comment. There were no comments from the public. Mayor Guajardo closed public comment. Council Member Roy moved to approve the motion, seconded by Council Member Barrera. This Motion was passed and approved with the following vote: Aye: 9 Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley, Council Member Roy, Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos Abstained: 0 Enactment No: M2023-057 10. 23-0456 Motion awarding a construction contract to JE Construction Services LLC., Corpus Christi, Texas, for reconstruction of Carroll Lane from Holly Road to Dead End with new asphalt pavement and Utilities improvements in an amount of $5,499,682.00, located in Council District 3 with FY 2023 funding available from the Street Bond 2020, Storm Water, Water and Wastewater Funds. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 10. Council Members and Director of Engineering Services Jeff Edmonds discussed the following topics: a request that projects be released for bid for construction once approved by a bond; a desire to include trees in the plan; a Council Member is in support of the bicycle lanes, along with the 13 month time frame to complete this project; a Council Member's concern about the bidding costs from different engineers; and consider installing lighting for the multi -use trail. Council Member Barrera moved to approve the motion, seconded by Council Member Pusley. This Motion was passed and approved with the following vote: City of Corpus Christi Page 6 Printed on 4/21/2023 City Council Meeting Minutes April 18, 2023 Aye: 9 - Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley, Council Member Roy, Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos Abstained: 0 Enactment No: M2023-058 11. 23-0678 Ordinance accepting $1,611,159.39 grant from the Office of the Governor from the Texas Military Preparedness Commission for the Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) with a cash match of $387,000; appropriating $1,611,159.39 from the Community Development Grant Fund and Texas Military Preparedness Commission Fund to provide funding for wastewater collection system line & manhole replacement in support of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi; and amending the FY 2023 Capital Budget. Mayor Guajardo referred to Item 11. Mayor Guajardo opened public comment. There were no comments from the Council or the public. Mayor Guajardo closed public comment. Council Member Hunter moved to approve the ordinance, seconded by Council Member Hernandez. This Ordinance was passed on first reading and approved with the following vote: Aye: 9 - Mayor Guajardo, Council Member Barrera, Council Member Hernandez, Council Member Hunter, Council Member Pusley, Council Member Suckley, Council Member Roy, Council Member Klein and Council Member Campos Abstained: 0 O. EXECUTIVE SESSION: (ITEMS 12 -13) Mayor Guajardo referred to Executive Session Item 13. The Council went into Executive Session at 2:06 p.m. The Council returned from Executive Session at 3:07 p.m. 12. 23-0703 Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code § 551.071 and Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.05 to consult with attorneys concerning legal issues related to the Interim City Auditor and Texas Government Code § 551.074 (personnel matters) to deliberate the evaluation of the former Interim City Auditor succeeded by the current City Auditor. This E -Session Item was withdrawn. 13. 23-0712 Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code § 551.071 and Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.05 to consult with City of Corpus Christi Page 7 Printed on 4/21/2023 City Council Meeting Minutes April 18, 2023 attorneys concerning legal issues related to legislation pending or contemplated in the 88th Texas Legislature and potential changes to the City's Legislative Agenda, including, but not limited to, legislation related to navigation districts, The Port of Corpus Christi Authority of Nueces County, and/or Port Corpus Christi, and potential action related to all or part of the aforementioned subjects. This E -Session Item was discussed in executive session. P. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Guajardo adjourned this meeting at 3:41 p.m City of Corpus Christi Page 8 Printed on 4/21/2023 Norma Duran From: Jotform <noreply@jotform.com> Sent: Monday, April 17, 2023 8:57 AM To: CitySecretary; Norma Duran Subject: Public Input: 04-18-2023 - Linzer Naomi [ [ 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. ] ] Public Comment & Input Form Date of Meeting 04-18-2023 Name Linzer Naomi Address Street Address: 422 STAGES DRIVE City: CORPUS CHRISTI State / Province: TX Postal / Zip Code: 78412 Topic Harbor bridge lights Agenda Item Number Describe Feedback: General Agenda Is there a line item for maintaining the HARBOR BRIDGE LIGHTS? 1