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Record of Proceedings

Corpus Christi City Council Meeting - September 17, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, September 17, 2024
BodyCorpus Christi, Texas
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 17, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Unassigned speaker

0:35

Okay,

Speaker 1

0:36

good morning, everyone.

0:37

I'd like to call this meeting to order.

0:38

Welcome to City Hall and to our council chambers.

0:41

Uh this morning, our invocation will be given by Pastor Johnny Shea with Heritage Baptist Church.

0:49

Pastor.

Speaker 2

0:50

Thank you.

0:50

Let's pray.

0:52

Father, thank you for the privilege, the honor that we have to come before you in prayer, knowing that you hear us.

0:59

We don't just want this to be a time that takes up a portion of our schedule,

Unassigned speaker

1:04

but

Speaker 2

1:05

we're coming before you because we truly need you today.

1:08

We are a poor and needy people, so incapable even of governing ourselves, let alone others without your help.

1:14

So we ask that you would go before us, that you would grant wisdom, guidance, patience to all of us, that you would give safety to our families, to our city, to our country, that we would turn to you and follow you so that we could see your blessings unfold in our life.

1:30

We ask this in your name.

1:31

Amen.

Speaker 1

1:32

Amen.

1:33

Pastor Che, thank you very much.

1:36

Our Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States and to the Texas State flag will be led by Keegan Setliff.

1:42

He is a 12th grader senior at Arlington Heights Christian School.

1:46

He's vice president of the River Hills 4 H Club, and he is gonna graduate Magna Kum Lottie with honors.

Speaker 3

1:55

Well, you'll please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:58

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

2:05

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

2:12

And that one, the honoring of the Texas flag, honor the Texas flag.

2:17

I pledge allegiance to the Texas, under God, one and indivisible.

Unassigned speaker

2:24

Thank

Speaker 1

2:24

you, Keegan, and good luck with your studies.

2:28

All right, City Secretary Rebecca Warfare,

Speaker 4

2:31

would you please uh call the role?

2:33

Mayor Paulette Wahardo.

2:35

Present.

2:35

Council members Roland Bareta.

2:37

Here.

2:37

Sylvia Campos.

2:39

Gil Hernandez.

2:40

Michael Hunter.

Speaker 5

2:41

Here.

Speaker 4

2:42

Jim Klein.

2:42

Here.

2:43

Mike Pusley.

2:44

Everett Roy.

2:45

Present.

2:46

Dan Seckley.

2:47

Here.

2:47

City Manager Peter Zanoni.

2:49

Present.

2:49

City Attorney Miles Risley.

2:51

Mayor and Council Accorum of the Council and the required charter officers are present to conduct the meeting.

Speaker 1

2:55

Thank you, Ms.

2:56

Wertha.

2:57

And before we go on to our city manager's uh report, uh, I want to read a proclamation to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month.

3:05

So whereas each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, and Caribbean, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

3:21

And whereas the observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15th and ending on October 15th.

3:37

It was enacted into law on August 17th of 1988.

3:41

And whereas the history of Hispanics in America is the story of America itself and the Hispanic community's values, love of family, a deep and abiding faith, and a strong work ethic are America's values.

3:54

And whereas from those who trace their roots to America's earliest days to those who recently came to the United States, carrying nothing but hope for a better life.

4:07

And America is richer and more vibrant country because of the contributions of Hispanics.

4:12

And whereas Hispanics have played a vital role in the moments and movements that have shaped our country and they've enriched our culture and brought creativity and innovation to everything from sports to the sciences, from the arts to our economy, and have made invaluable contributions through their service to our country.

4:27

And whereas the rich ethnic heritage of Hispanic Americans gives us cause to celebrate because it is a proud and colorful portion of our nation's heritage, reaffirming our belief in the principles of liberty and democratic uh democratic government.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Health███████████████████19%
Water And Wastewater Management████████████████16%
Public Engagement███████████████15%
Board And Committee Appointments███████7%
Procedural██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Capital Improvement Planning█████5%
Arts And Culture████4%
Infrastructure Projects███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Corpus Christi City Council Meeting Summary - September 17, 2024

The Corpus Christi City Council convened on September 17, 2024, for a lengthy meeting addressing financial reports, the Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Budget, utility rate adjustments, board appointments, and a highly debated motion regarding a COVID-19 vaccine informed consent form. The meeting featured extensive public comment and council deliberation on major issues like the desalination project and capital spending levels.

Consent Calendar

  • The Consent Agenda (Items 12-30) was approved with items 21 and 22 postponed. Item 23 was pulled for an abstention.
  • Councilmember Klein requested Item 13 (Zoning Case ZN8340) be pulled and voted against it again, citing concerns over the city's outward expansion and the financial burden on existing infrastructure.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Desalination Project: Multiple residents (Mark Munster, Emily Bonetta, Jason Hale, Maggie Peacock) urged the city to conduct a Farfield model for the Inner Harbor Desalination project, citing environmental risks and lack of transparency. Jason Hale submitted a 250-signature petition demanding the model.
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Consent: Speakers were sharply divided. Anthony Aquino and Sean Flanagan supported providing additional information. Dr. Ernest Buck and Terry Burke opposed the measure, arguing it would harm public health and is based on unverified data.
  • City Spending: Rachel Caballero and Jason Page criticized proposed expenditures on a recording studio ($300k+), characterizing the high-end equipment as excessive for the city's needs.
  • Library Policy: Tom Taglerboom and Julie Rogers criticized the advisory library board's proposed policy changes as censorship and a violation of First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
  • Small Business: Mirza Pearson advocated for a small business grant program for local businesses with 20 employees or less.

Discussion Items

  • FY 2024 Q3 Budget Report: City Manager Peter Zanoni reported General Fund revenues are $2.2 million over plan and expenditures $14.1 million under plan. Sales tax collections were strong, while property tax collections lagged slightly. The capital improvement program showed strong delivery.
  • Wastewater Rates & Consent Decree (Item 7): A long debate centered on the $12 million stormwater legacy debt and the $750 million EPA consent decree. The average residential wastewater bill will increase by $4.68, offset by a $1.77 decrease on the water bill, for a net increase of $2.91 per month. Council staff were directed to provide better documentation of the transfer of funds and specific project spending.
  • FY25 Capital Budget (Item 8): Councilmembers Campos and Hernandez voiced strong opposition based on the high amount of debt ($354M) funding the $1 billion plan. Councilmember Campos's amendment to remove desalination funding failed. The capital budget was ultimately approved.
  • COVID-19 Informed Consent (Item 9): Dr. Hoxsie Khan of the Public Health District recommended against the item, arguing the data was cherry-picked and unverified. City Attorney Miles Risley warned the motion likely violated the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act (HB 2127) by attempting to mandate medical procedures on behalf of doctors. An amendment to modify the form failed, and the original motion also failed to pass.
  • Capital Improvement Advisory Committee (CIAC) (Item 10): Staff provided a timeline for analyzing the sustainability of the city's trust funds versus impact fees, with a recommendation expected by March 2025. The CIAC will request to remain active until the analysis is complete.
  • Art Center of Corpus Christi Briefing (Item 11): Executive Director Diana Bluntzer highlighted the center's growth, including a 43% increase in art sales and a 27% increase in visitors. Council praised the leadership and the center's community impact.
  • Traffic Management Upgrades (Item 35): Council approved a $1.15 million contract with Iteris, Inc. to upgrade the Traffic Management Center, signaling the first phase of a plan to synchronize traffic signals across the city's 257 intersections.

Key Outcomes

  • Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Budget Approved.
  • Wastewater and Water Rate Changes Approved, resulting in a $2.91 net monthly increase for average residential customers.
  • COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Consent Motion (Item 9) Failed. The City Council did not pass the motion directing the Health District to use the proposed form.
  • Board Appointments: Council appointed members to the Board of Adjustment, Planning and Airport Zoning Commissions, and Visit Corpus Christi. Four nominees were advanced for the Nueces County Appraisal District Board of Directors.
  • Lease Approvals: A ground lease for a new Yeager Elementary School and the expansion lease for the Art Center of Corpus Christi were approved.
  • Directives: Staff directed to explore a parking plan for the Art Center and expedite improvements to Graham Road. Staff to bring a resolution extending the CIAC term.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, good morning, everyone. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Welcome to City Hall and to our council chambers. Uh this morning, our invocation will be given by Pastor Johnny Shea with Heritage Baptist Church. Pastor. Thank you. Let's pray. Father, thank you for the privilege, the honor that we have to come before you in prayer, knowing that you hear us. We don't just want this to be a time that takes up a portion of our schedule, but we're coming before you because we truly need you today. We are a poor and needy people, so incapable even of governing ourselves, let alone others without your help. So we ask that you would go before us, that you would grant wisdom, guidance, patience to all of us, that you would give safety to our families, to our city, to our country, that we would turn to you and follow you so that we could see your blessings unfold in our life. We ask this in your name. Amen. Amen. Pastor Che, thank you very much. Our Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States and to the Texas State flag will be led by Keegan Setliff. He is a 12th grader senior at Arlington Heights Christian School. He's vice president of the River Hills 4 H Club, and he is gonna graduate Magna Kum Lottie with honors. Well, you'll please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. And that one, the honoring of the Texas flag, honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to the Texas, under God, one and indivisible. Thank you, Keegan, and good luck with your studies. All right, City Secretary Rebecca Warfare, would you please uh call the role? Mayor Paulette Wahardo. Present. Council members Roland Bareta. Here. Sylvia Campos. Gil Hernandez. Michael Hunter. Here. Jim Klein. Here. Mike Pusley. Everett Roy. Present. Dan Seckley. Here. City Manager Peter Zanoni. Present. City Attorney Miles Risley. Mayor and Council Accorum of the Council and the required charter officers are present to conduct the meeting. Thank you, Ms.

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