Corpus Christi City Council Meeting - September 10, 2024

The City Council held a lengthy meeting on September 10, 2024, starting at 11:30 AM and continuing into the afternoon. Major actions included approving the FY 2024-2025 operating budget with an amended travel budget, setting a property tax rate of $0.599774 per $100 valuation (a 6.03% increase over the no-new-revenue rate), and passing numerous fee ordinances. The capital budget initially failed but will be reconsidered next week. A controversial resolution requiring COVID-19 mRNA vaccine recipients to sign a detailed informed consent form was tabled until the next meeting after extensive public comment and council debate.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes approved: September 3, 2024 regular meeting.
• Grant acceptances: Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority grants for Auto Theft Task Force ($864,514 + $98,728).
• Contracts and procurement: Fire Department cardiac monitors ($311,160.68), utility bill printing services with USIO (up to $4,628,350), beach erosion survey with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi ($58,124), playground mulch supply with Exerplay ($197,410), and advance funding agreements with TxDOT for Harbor Bridge connectivity projects ($95,000).
• Item 18 (removal of judge) withdrawn. Items 20 and 22 were pulled individually for discussion but later approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 26 – Vaccine Informed Consent: The majority of speakers addressed this item. Proponents of the resolution (including Sean Flanagan, Aaron Richmond, Carrie Meyer, Dara Ridgers, Patricia Anderson, Ginger Sparks, Jansen Abraham, Melinda de los Santos, Samuel Fryer, and others) argued that patients have a right to full information about all reported adverse effects from the CDC's VAERS system, citing personal stories of harm and legal obligations under Texas law. Opponents (including Dr. Allison Larkin of Nueces County Medical Society, Dr. Carl Sarrow, Susie Saldania, and Julie Rogers) argued the proposed form contains inaccuracies, is not evidence-based, and could expose healthcare providers to liability. Some speakers opposed fee increases for restaurants (George Polakis, May Mendoza). Others raised concerns about desalination plant brine disposal (John Weber, Mark Menster, Ashton Hoblitzel), library board actions (Tom Taglerboom, Tina Butler), street maintenance, and a skateboard camp (Adam Rios). City staff clarified that certain quotes attributed to Drew Molly about desalination modeling were actually from a former Port of Corpus Christi attorney.

Discussion Items

• City Manager's Report: Recap of Tex Villarreal Vector Services Center rededication, introduction of new Communications Director Elisa Olsen, and upcoming 9/11 remembrance events.
• Budget and Tax Rate: Extensive debate on the operating budget, capital budget, and property tax rate. Councilman Pusley successfully amended the travel budget from $3,600 per council member to $1,000, with a $15,000 reserve. The tax rate ordinance (Item 5) initially failed 4-5, but was reconsidered and passed 6-3 after Councilman Roy changed his vote. The capital budget (Item 4) failed 5-4, but city staff noted the charter allows the previous year's budget to continue; it will be brought back next week.
• Water/Wastewater Rates (Item 8): The ordinance to increase water and wastewater rates failed. Council then approved the water rate increase separately on first reading (unanimous), but the wastewater portion will return next week due to a $12 million revenue gap. Staff warned of potential cuts to consent decree compliance and developer trust fund payments.
• Item 26 – Vaccine Consent Resolution: After lengthy public comment and staff presentations, the council debated a motion to table the item until the next meeting, which passed 6-3. Councilman Hernandez and Councilman Hunter agreed to meet with the sponsoring group to seek a compromise.

Key Outcomes

• Operating Budget (Item 3): Approved as amended, with council travel reduced to $1,000 per member plus a $15,000 reserve.
• Property Tax Rate (Item 5): Set at $0.599774 per $100 valuation (6.03% increase over no-new-revenue rate). Passed 6-3 after reconsideration.
• Tax Rate Ratification (Item 6): Approved, confirming $531,037 additional revenue.
• Airport Parking Rate Increase (Item 7): Approved 7-2.
• Water Rates (Item 8, partial): Approved on first reading (unanimous); wastewater rates to return next week.
• Drought Surcharge Exemption Fee (Item 9): Approved.
• Development Services Fee Increases (Item 10): Approved.
• Fire Prevention Permit & Ambulance Lift Assist Fee (Item 11): Approved.
• Health Department Fee Increases (Item 12): Approved.
• Parks & Recreation Fee Schedule (Item 13): Approved.
• Stormwater Drainage Charge Increase (Item 14): Approved.
• Capital Budget (Item 4): Failed 5-4; will be reconsidered next week.
• Item 26 (Vaccine Consent): Tabled to September 17, 2024 meeting.
• Consent Agenda: Approved with items 20 and 22 pulled and individually approved.
• Zoning Cases (Items 24 & 25): Approved as recommended.