HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 05/24/1961REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
May 24, 1961
2:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Mayor Ben F. McDonald
Commissioners:
Tom R. Swantner City Manager Herbert W. Whitney
Dr. James L. Barnard City Attorney I. M. Singer
J. R. de Leon City Secretary T. Ray Kring
M. P. Maldonado
W. J. Roberts
Jim Young
Mayor Ben F. McDonald called the meeting to order.
The Invocation was given by the Reverend L. E. Rogers, Pastor of Seventh
Day Adventist Church.
City Secretary T. Ray Kring called the roll of those in attendance.
Motion by Swantner, seconded by de Leon and passed that the minutes of
the regular meeting of May 17, 1961, be approved.
Mayor McDonald nominated Faires P. Wade for Substitute Judge of Corpora-
tion Court to serve during absences of the Judge of Corporation Court.
Motion by Swantner, seconded by de Leon and passed that the foregoing
appointment of Faires P. Wade as Substitute Judge of Corporation Court be approved
and affirmed.
Motion by Swantner, seconded by de Leon and passed that Dennis Walker
be appointed to the Airport Advisory Board to replace W. S. Fitzpatrick, resigned.
Mayor McDonald nominated the following to serve as the Port Protection
Committee: Duane Orr, District Engineer for the Navigation District; John
Carlisle, Chief, City Fire Department; R. T. Runyan, Chief, City Police Depart-
ment; Jack Graham, Director, City's Public Works Department; Commander Frank
Comatock,Security Officer, Naval Air Station; Commander F. Lederle, Coast Guard,
Captain of`the Port; Reuben Traynham, U. S. Customs, Local Officer in Charge;
Colonel Earl Dunn, Director of Local Civil Defense; E. L. Orchard, Central Power
& Light Co., Power Plant Chief, Nueces Bay Plant; John Mitchell, Sheriff's Office;
J. T. Dickens, President, C. C. Refinery -Terminal Fire Co.; Captain Herbert Weeks,
State Highway Patrol; and Ray Grandy, Fire Patrolman, Maritime Union.
The foregoing nominations were seconded by Swantner, and unanimously
passed and approved by the Council.
Regular Council Meeting
May 24, 1961
Page #2
Mayor McDonald announced the opening of bids.
Bids were opened and read on Vitrified Clay Sewer Pipe and Fittings
from the following: W. S. Dickey Clay Manufacturing Co.; SAMSCO; The Southern
Co.; and Texas Vitrified Pipe Co.
Motion by Swantner, seconded by Maldonado and passed that the foregoing
bids be tabled for 48 hours as required by City Charter, and referred to the City
Manager for tabulation and recommendation.
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Mayor McDonald announced the public hearing on the application of John
H. Thomason for the closing of a portion of Hillcrest Street, being the southerly
one-half of Hillcrest Street a distance of 73.51 feet on the easterly side which
abuts a 20 -foot alley on the easterly side of Hillcrest Street, and 160.03 feet on
the westerly side which abuts a 10 -foot alley on the westerly side of Hillcrest
Street, to the intersection of Leopard and Peabody Streets.
City Manager Whitney located the property and the area involved, contain-
ing approximately 6540 sq. ft., and pointed out that there are no utilities within
the portion of the street involved in the request for closing and that this portion
of the street has apparently not been used as a street for some time, and recom-
mended that the request be granted.
John Thomason, the applicant, stated he would be happy to buy the portion
being closed; that the street had been dedicated in 1926 but never developed or im-
proved, and had been used only for some alleyway type of traffic; that he proposed
to build an office building for which the size and shape would be determined by
whether or not the request was granted, and if granted, he proposed to provide
off-street parking.
A letter received from Charles Galland, Public Motors, Inc., approving
the closing of the street was noted.
No one appeared in opposition to the application.
Motion by Swantner, seconded by de Leon and passed that the hearing be
closed, and the application be taken under advisement for one week for determina-
tion of the consideration as to the portion of land which would revert to the abut-
ting property owner who is the applicant, in the event the request is granted.
Regular Council Meeting
May 24, 1961
Page #3
Mayor McDonald introduced Mr. Le Vax Hoi, Vietnamese Administrative
Officer in the Ministry of Interior, who is studying local government administra-
tion and management sponsored by International Cooperation Administration, Washing-
ton, D. C., and presented him with an Honorary Citizenship Certificate of the City.
In accepting the Certificate, Mr. Hoi expressed his appreciation for being made to
feel so welcome, and said ,1 be had some new ideas to take back with him.
ORDINANCE NO. 6143
CREATING A MUNICIPAL INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION TO ACT AS A ROUND TABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL
EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT AND PROVIDING FOR APPOINTMENTS OF ITS MEMBERS AND ORGAN-
IZATION, SETTING FORTH THE PURPOSES QF SAID COMMISSION, ITS PERIOD OF EXISTENCE
AND SETTING FORTH THE DUTIES AND AUTHORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SAID INDUSTRIAL
COMMISSION; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter rule was suspended by the following vote: All Council Mem-
bers present and voting "Aye".
The foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: All Council
Members present and voting "Aye".
Mayor McDonald nominated the following as the Municipal Industrial Com-
mission: Homer Innis, Vice -President of Chamber of Commerce; Tom Mathis, Presi-
dent of Parkdale State Bank; Blake Gillen, President of Inland Motor Freight Line;
Charles R. Porter, attorney; Mrs. Virginia Ridgway, Public Relations; Ted Herring,
labor representative at Corn Products Co.; and Glenn Alexander, President of Coastal
Bend Tourist Association.
The foregoing nominations were seconded by Swantner, and unanimously
elected by the Council.
Mayor McDonald nominated Homer Innis as Chairman of the foregoing Muni-
cipal Industrial Commission, and Charles R. Porter as Vice -Chairman
The foregoing nominations were seconded by Swantner, and unanimously
elected by the Council.
Commissioner de Leon presented and read a Resolution unanimously adopted
by the Branch Library Site Committee as a Supplemental and Final Report of the Site
Committee to the Council, in which the Committee recommended that the offer made
by the landowners, Harry Weisman, Abe Katz, Ben Marks, and C. H. Marks, which has
been designated as "Site Y" in Parkdale Plaza, be accepted by the City, and that
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Regular Council Meeting
May 24, 1961
Page #4
the Council proceed with all reasonable speed with the selection of architects,
preparation of detail plans and the award of construction contracts.
Motion by Barnard, seconded by Swantner and passed that the Resolution
contained in the Supplemental Report of the Branch Library Site Committee be adopted
by the Council; that separate resolutions of appreciation be prepared for adoption
by the Council for each offer of a site that has been made.
Mayor. McDonald expressed the City's thanks and appreciation to the Site
Committee for a most efficient functioning.
Mayor McDonald called for the City Manager's Reports.
Motion by Roberts, seconded by de Leon and passed that the recommenda-
tions and requests of the City Manager be accepted and approved, as follows:
a. That the plans and specifications for construction of Unit I, Salt
Flats Storm Sewer Project, be approved, and that authority to advertise for bids
to be received on June 7, 1961, be granted;
b. That $2,048.50 be appropriated for installation of a semi -actuated
traffic signal at the intersection of Agnea Street and Tancahua Street;
c. That due to the irregularities of the two bids received on con-
struction of the Electrical Service Systems on the "L" -Head, and to the small
dollar value of the project, that the bids be rejected, the provisions requiring
prequalification be waived, and authority be granted to readvertise for bids;
(See Bid Tabulation #18 in File.)
d. That authority to advertise for bids to be received on June 7, 1961,
on 750' of 24" - 14 gauge Galvanized Metal, double tar tipped, Corrugated Pipe be
granted;
e. That Hyman E. Finger be granted an extension of construction starting
time in connection with his rezoned property on the southeast corner of Everhart
and South Staples, from July 1, 1961, to October 1, 1961, under the same condi-
tions as the original zoning change;
f. That the date of June 7, 1961, during the regular meeting, be set
for a joint public hearing of the City Council and the Zoning & Planning Commis-
sion on three amendments to the text of Zoning Ordinance No. 6106, passed and
approved on March 29, 1961;
Regular Council Meeting
May 24, 1961
Page #5
g. That $6500 be appropriated to reimburse Nueces County for the City's
share of the cost of the Ennis Joslin Road Improvements;
h. That, in order to encourage a wider use of the City's swimming pools on
week -days, that the rates of 20p for children under 12 years of age, and of 40p
for persons over 12 years of age, be established at H. E. Butt Swimming Pool and
Collier Park Swimming Pool, on Mondays through Fridays, on a trial basis for this
season, and that the rates of 25p and 504 respectively, be continued on Saturdays,
Sundays and Holidays.
Mr. Kirby, of Kirby Cleaners & Laundry, 226 S. Tancahua, explained the manner
in which a proposed one-way street pattern for Tancahua and Carancahua Streets would
damage his business, that he has already lost one tenant, and that the other tenant
of 10 -years' duration plans to move if the one-way pattern is put into effect; and
urged that the streets be left two-way at least for a trial period; and further
stated that Mr. A. E. Dabney, Corpus Christi Bank & Trust Co., who had to leave the
meeting, had been present to oppose the one-way pattern on the basis that it would
interfere with the parking lot at the rear of the bank.
There followed a discussion in which City Manager Whitney pointed out the
proposed traffic pattern on a strip map of the Agnes -Laredo, Tancahua and Carancahua
area, including a future extension of Tancahua and Carancahua Streets.
Commissioner Barnard requested that prior to the anticipated 60 -day trial
period for putting the proposed one-way street pattern for Tancahua and Carancahua
Streets into effect, that a report be provided the Council from the Traffic Engineer
and the Traffic Safety Advisory Board as to what is hoped to be accomplished and
the reasons for this recommendation.
ORDINANCE NO. 6144
APPROPRIATING OUT OF N0. 209 STREET TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM BOND IMPROVEMENT FUND
THE SUM OF $2,048.50 FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION AT THE INTERSECTION OF AGNES
STREET AND TANCAHUA STREET; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter rule was suspended by the following vote: All Council Members
present and voting "Aye".
The foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: All Council
members present and voting "Aye".
Regular Council Meeting
May 24, 1961
Page #6
ORDINANCE N0. 6145
APPROPRIATING OUT OF NO. 220 STREET BOND FUND THE SUM OF $6500 IN PAYMENT OF THE
CITY'S SHARE OF THE ENNIS JOSLIN ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, PROJECT NO. 220-53-20; AND
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter rule was suspended by the following vote: All Council Members
present and voting "Aye".
The foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: All Council
Members present and voting "Aye".
ORDINANCE NO. 6146
APPROPRIATING OUT OF N0. 220 STREET BOND IMPROVEMENT FUND THE SUM OF $352.47 FOR
ACCEPTANCE OF SPECIAL CERTIFICATES OF HOMESTEAD ASSESSMENTS, APPLICABLE TO PROJECT
N0. 220-59-35, RAMSEY, HORNE ROAD AND HOUSTON STREET IMPROVEMENTS; AND DECLARING
AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter rule was suspended by the following vote: All Council Members
present and voting "Aye".
The foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: All Council
Members present and voting "Aye".
ORDINANCE NO. 6147
AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI ADOPTED ON THE 27TH
DAY OF AUGUST, 1937, APPEARING OF RECORD IN VOLUME 9, PAGES 565, ET SEQ OF THE
ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTION RECORDS, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND PARTICULARLY
AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO. 6106, PASSED AND APPROVED ON THE 29TH DAY OF MARCH,
1961, BY AMENDING THE ZONING MAP BY CHANGING THE ZONING OF LOTS 1 AND 2, BLOCK 6,
BAYVIEW SUBDIVISION, BEING THAT PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF
CRAIG AVENUE AND OCEAN DRIVE, IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, FROM "A-1"
APARTMENT HOUSE DISTRICT TO "A-2" APARTMENT HOUSE DISTRICT WITH A RESTRICTION;
KEEPING IN EFFECT ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE AS AMENDED;
REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The Charter rule was suspended by the following vote: All Council Members
present and voting "Aye".
The foregoing ordinance was passed by the following vote: All Council
Members present and voting "Aye".
SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE GRANTING TO ELI ABRAMS, DBA COURTESY AD-
VERTISING COMPANY, A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, ERECT AND MAINTAIN FOR A PERIOD OF
FIVE YEARS AT LOCATIONS ON THE ROUTES OF BUSES AND OTHER PUBLIC CONVEYANCES IN
THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, BENCHES FOR USE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC; TO USE AND
EMPLOY THE STREETSIDE THEREOF FOR ADVERTISING; PROVIDING FOR A FIXED CHARGE FOR
SAID FRANCHISE AND FOR PAYMENT OF A PERCENT OF THE GROSS RECEIPTS TO THE CITY;PRO-
VIDING FOR THE DESIGNATION OF LOCATIONS AND THE PROPER CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTEN-
ANCE OF SAID BENCHES; LIMITING THE CHARACTER AND KIND OF ADVERTISING PERMITTED;
PROVIDING FOR PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE TO PROTECT THE CITY AND GRANTEE AND THE
PUBLIC; CONTAINING PROVISIONS FOR FORFEITURE OF THE FRANCHISES; CONTAINING A
SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR THE ASSIGNMENT OF SAME, SAID FRANCHISE NOT TO BE
EXCLUSIVE.
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Regular Council Meeting
May 24, 1961
Page #7
The foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed to its
third reading by the following vote: All Council Members present and voting "Aye".
Mayor McDonald reported that at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of
Alice, attended by City Manager Whitney, Mr. Hoi, Mr. Joe Watson and himself, he
had proposed a Greater Coastal Bend Committee of citizens to work out the important
and essential area problems for the growth of all the Coastal Bend together, instead
of at the expense of one another, particularly on such area problems as connecting
roads, water requirements and firm rates, Padre Island National Park, Civil Defense,
and Port Development, and that his suggestions had been enthusiastically received
both at Alice and at Engleside where he had also spoken on the matter this week.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was
adjourned.