Corpus Christi City Council Meeting - August 20, 2024

The City Council met on August 20, 2024, at 11:30 AM. The meeting included presentations on the Senior Center Fitness Program and the TML Policy Summit, public comments on a range of issues from drought contingency to budget cuts, a briefing from Port Commission appointees, and consideration of an ethics ordinance amendment and development reimbursement agreements.

Consent Calendar

• Approved items 4-5, 7-8, 10, 17-19 (after pulling items 6, 9, 11-16). Item 9 was withdrawn by staff.
• Items approved included: August 13, 2024 regular meeting minutes; an ordinance updating industrial discharge wastewater pollutant limits; an ordinance amending ethics commission representation (original version); acceptance of a Texas Beach Watch Program grant for $140,000; termination of Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #5; a zoning change at 3909 Laguna Shores Drive; and several contracts (welding services, auditing services, CIAC consulting).

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Weber urged the council to finalize the drought contingency plan (last updated 2018), criticized the timeline, and called for a proper far-field model for desalination brine dispersal. He advocated for conservation and smart rate design.
• Judge Joe Benevides invited council to visit the Hispanic Cultural Institute museum, highlighting its cultural preservation and STEM programs.
• Susie Saldania challenged the mayor's clarification of a previous 4-4 vote, asserting that tie-breaking occurred in a closed session.
• Joshua DeLeon advocated for expanding smoking prohibition to all city-owned parks, presenting a draft amendment and noting that Corpus Christi is eighth among Texas cities for such ordinances.
• Sean Flanagan proposed using volunteer lifeguards to maintain Bill Witt Pool for lap swimming during budget reductions.
• Rachel Caballero criticized the city for not following through on resident requests and opposed the ethics reimbursement ordinance, calling it a dangerous precedent. She also opposed desalination in the Inner Harbor and La Quinta Channel.
• Chloe Torres (virtual) and Susie Saldania spoke against proposed budget cuts to homeless services (from $433,804 to $60,828) and the loss of $1.2 million in CARES Act funding for a Salvation Army shelter expansion.
• Henry Williams highlighted the needs of homeless disabled persons, including a woman in a wheelchair living at a Habitat for Humanity building and a homeless veteran under the Crosstown Expressway. He urged the council to maintain homeless assistance in the budget.
• Catherine Barnes opposed the ethics ordinance allowing city-paid legal representation for officials, arguing it is not a court of law and that officials should pay their own attorney fees if they choose outside counsel.
• Sarah Cortez and Jesusa Garcia spoke in strong support of the Greenwood Senior Center, praising the programs, staff, and volunteer fitness coordinator Betty Guerrero. They urged the city to keep the center open and under city operation.
• Daniel Pena raised concerns about the sale of three residential properties to the Port for $9,000 total and about stormwater fees being applied incorrectly to his mother's property.

Discussion Items

• City Manager's Comments: Betty Guerrero, volunteer fitness coordinator for 16 years, presented her work at three senior centers (Greenwood, Lindale, Broadmoor), teaching Tai Chi and exercise classes with up to 50 participants. She emphasized the social and health benefits of keeping seniors active. Council members praised her energy and the importance of senior centers.
• TML Policy Summit Recap: Ryan Skrobarczyk reported on the Texas Municipal League summit held August 12-13 in Austin. Key points: the state has a $20 billion surplus; property tax relief is a priority; at least 32 new state representatives are expected. TML's positions include supporting local control and opposing unfunded mandates. Council members stressed the need to advocate on emergency management, glass recycling, and preserving city lobbying rights. The city will adopt its state/federal legislative agenda this fall.
• Port Commission Briefing: Chairman David Engel, Commissioner Gabe Garrett, and CEO Kent Britton (with Commissioner Gonzalez) provided an update. Port tonnage reached 117.3 million tons, representing $350 million per day in commerce. The channel deepening/widening project is nearly complete, making Corpus Christi the deepest port in the Gulf. On desalination: the port has a discharge permit for 50 million gallons per day (under appeal), and is applying for permits for a 100 million gallons per day intake and discharge in the Gulf of Mexico. $10 million has been spent on permitting over 7-8 years. The port is not a water provider but facilitates permits for potential regional use. Council members discussed economic impact, water needs, environmental justice (Donna Park neighborhood), and the need for quarterly updates. An amendment to the budget was noted: 5% of industrial district agreement revenue (approx. $3.3 million) goes to residential streets.
• Item 6 – Ethics Representation Ordinance: Extensive debate on an ordinance to allow city-paid legal representation for officials before the Ethics Commission (budget $30,000). Councilman Pusley proposed an amendment: cap legal expenses at $5,000 per event and allow the City Attorney to pre-review complaints for form and legal sufficiency before they proceed. Councilman Klein proposed a $1,000 cap. The Pusley amendment passed (vote not specified in transcript). The amended ordinance then passed. Councilman Klein and Councilwoman Campos voted against, citing fiscal concerns and potential for frivolous complaints.
• Items 11-16 – Water/Wastewater Trust Fund Reimbursements: Six items pulled by Councilman Klein due to trust fund deficits. The agreements would reimburse developers for constructing water/wastewater trunk lines for subdivisions (Starlight Estates, Royal Oak South, King’s Landing, Azali Estates, Kaspian) totaling approximately $2.2 million. Debate centered on the trust fund being in the red and the need for impact fees. Councilman Hernandez noted he had submitted a memo for CAC to review trust fund policies. City Manager Zanoni confirmed the budget proposes funding these reimbursements from water and wastewater utility fund balances rather than depleting the trust fund. The items were approved in a single motion.

Key Outcomes

• Approved amended Ordinance (Item 6) providing city-paid legal representation (up to $5,000 per event) for city officials and city board members before the Ethics Commission, subject to pre-review by the City Attorney’s office. Total budget set at $30,000 per year.
• Approved Items 11-16 (six Water and Wastewater Trust Fund reimbursement agreements with MPM Development, LSK Development, and MST, LLC) totaling approximately $2.2 million. Funding will come from utility fund balances as recommended in the FY2025 budget.
• Consent Agenda approved with the exception of pulled items (6, 11-16) and withdrawn item 9.
• Port Commission will provide quarterly updates going forward.
• Next Steps: The council will develop its state and federal legislative agenda in September. A workshop on trust fund policies and potential impact fees is expected before October 1 to provide alternative funding mechanisms for growth-related infrastructure.