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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Corpus Christi City Council Meeting - October 15, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, October 15, 2024

BodyCorpus Christi, Texas

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, October 15, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

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Transcript — Verbatim

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:00

Uh become these amazing adults has been a lot of fun.

Speaker 2

0:02

There you go.

0:03

They've learned how to supervise and how to be good leaders.

Speaker 3

0:08

As soon as we have a wave go down, it's pick them all up and watch them with faster than you can.

Speaker 2

0:12

I'm a very mousey person.

0:14

I tend to be quiet and soft

Speaker 3

0:15

spoken.

0:16

Just a little bit.

0:17

I think it looks awesome.

0:19

Volunteering and a completely different person.

Speaker 4

0:22

And throw it

Unassigned speaker

0:23

out.

Speaker 3

0:24

Look at that.

Speaker 5

0:25

I get a lot more out of it than just sitting at a computer or Xbox for an hour.

0:30

Awesome.

0:30

I get hundred percent more out of

Unassigned speaker

0:33

it.

Speaker 2

0:34

Olivia's first expo, she was seventeen weeks.

0:36

And this year's she's participating, or she'll go visit with the master naturalists and play with the tortoises, or she's learning the words of the stuff at the beach goodies table.

Speaker 6

0:50

Kids are gonna find value in what you find value.

0:53

If you're on the couch twenty-four-seven watching whatever it is on TV, they're gonna follow suit.

0:59

We try to get our kids out and get them engaged, get them plugged into the outside.

Speaker 3

1:03

This is what we do.

Speaker 2

1:13

It allowed us to really have that quality time with our kids.

1:18

It's fun, it's purposeful, but we get to do it as a family.

Speaker 7

1:24

So when Chad and Dorian decided to renew their wedding vows, they return to the park that held so many family memories.

Speaker 2

1:35

Kind of figured that was fitting.

1:37

Seems how that's where we kind of started all of this.

1:42

It's really a part of the fabric of our family life.

Unassigned speaker

1:47

You make yes, we've got to go to the house.

Speaker 8

4:46

Heavenly Father, we come before you today, seeking your guidance and wisdom as we begin this city council meeting.

Unassigned speaker

4:57

We thank you for the privilege to serve our community.

Unassigned speaker

5:01

And

Speaker 8

5:02

we ask for your presence to be with us as we discuss and make decisions that will impact the lives of those we represent.

5:13

Grant is the wisdom to discern what is best for the common good, the courage to make difficult decisions with integrity, and the humility to listen to each other with open hearts and minds.

5:28

Help us to set aside personal interests so that we may work together for justice, peace, and the flourishing of all in our city.

5:41

May your grace be upon us as we strive to serve with fairness, compassion, and a spirit of unity.

5:50

We ask this in your holy name.

5:54

Amen.

Speaker 9

5:56

Thank you, Father.

5:58

And our pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States and to the Texas state flag will be led by Jonathan Zachinojosa.

6:07

He attends Los Encinos Elementary.

6:09

He has perfect attendance.

6:12

And he exhals.

6:13

That's right.

6:15

Where did he

Unassigned speaker

6:16

go?

Speaker 10

6:17

Just kidding.

Speaker 9

6:18

And he excels in perseverance in completing his work diligently.

6:23

That is what the teachers said about him.

Speaker 1

6:26

Go ahead.

Speaker 11

6:29

That's

Unassigned speaker

6:29

right.

Speaker 11

6:30

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegi.

6:36

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

6:42

To the public for stand.

6:48

Indivisible.

6:56

Please join me to honor the Texas flag.

7:03

Honor the Texas flag.

7:05

I pledge allegiance to the Texas one state under God.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Arts And Culture██████████████14%

Public Engagement████████████12%

Libraries██████████10%

Economic Development███████7%

Procedural██████6%

Public Safety████4%

Workforce Development████4%

Zoning And Land Use████4%

Stormwater Management████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Corpus Christi City Council Meeting - October 15, 2024

The Corpus Christi City Council met on October 15, 2024, at 11:30 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting included city manager updates on the Texas Jazz Festival and airport improvements, extensive public comment on library policies, small business support, and beach access, followed by approvals of consent agenda items, public hearings on annexations and zoning, and individual consideration items including a major dam rehabilitation contract. A two-thirds vote requirement was in effect for many items due to the upcoming election.

Consent Calendar

Approved minutes of previous meetings.
Approved grants: $99,976.50 from TxDOT for traffic enforcement; $59,609 for Violence Against Women Program; $318,816.56 for Victims of Crime Program; $186,309 for Edward Byrne JAG grant; $4,000 from Flint Hills for shelter-in-place kits; $7,500 for smoke/CO detectors; $94,634 from ASPCA for animal shelter HVAC and kennel repairs (item pulled, discussed separately).
Approved ground lease with CCISD for Malibu Heights and Carroll Woods Parks ($1/year) for school expansion.
Approved zoning changes: 7868 Yorktown Blvd (CN-2), 2201 Rodd Field Road (CG-2), 601 Graham Road (RS-4.5 and CG-2).
Approved lease amendment with Art Community Center for expansion to Lomax Street.
Approved construction contract for citywide wastewater IDIQ project (up to $9M).
Approved eight small business assistance agreements totaling $1,076,700 (item pulled, discussed separately).
Approved honorary street name "Veterans Memorial Parkway" for Cimarron Boulevard.
Approved three-year lease with Elizondo Tennis Foundation for tennis centers (item pulled, discussed separately).

Public Comments & Testimony

Support for small business programs: Multiple speakers (Joe Hopkins, Larry Ortega, Christopher Takach, Michelle Rodell, Gary Aguilar, Joelle Gonzalez, Michael Steinman, Susan Glass) testified that Del Mar College's Small Business Development Center, LiftFund, and internship programs helped them start or grow businesses, retain employees, and win contracts. They urged continued funding.
Library policies on explicit materials: Sean Flanagan, Juan Rodriguez, Katie O'Callahan, Melinda Delos Santos, and others argued that sexually explicit books should be restricted to adults, not minors, and supported the library board's proposed policy changes. Some provided examples of books in the children's section.
Padre Island National Seashore beach access: Jan Robertson and Jeb Bradshaw opposed proposed seasonal/permanent vehicle beach closures, citing economic impact and Texas Open Beaches Act. They criticized superintendent Eric Brunnemann.
Open meetings concerns: John Weber and Susie Saldaña alleged violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act, referencing a lawsuit and email exchanges. Saldaña urged council to focus on policy, not management.
Other topics: Brian O'Callaghan asked to reconsider fluoridation; Rachel Caballeto requested an audit of Oak View Group and review of city manager expenses; Jason Hale urged a climate action plan; Adam Rios promoted upcoming community events.

Discussion Items

City Manager's Report (Items 1-2): Update on 63rd Annual Texas Jazz Festival (Oct 18-20, free, 30,000 expected) with free shuttles. Announcement of new airport outdoor patio and New Oasis Brewing Bar (opening Oct 17), funded 90% by FAA.
Briefing: Nueces County Appraisal District (Item 3): Ryan Skrobarczyk explained new voting process; City of Corpus Christi has 1,100 votes of 5,005. Council to vote on nominees in a future meeting.
Briefing: Art Museum of South Texas (Item 4): Sarah Morgan highlighted exhibitions, education programs, free admission days (4 per month), and sensory Mondays. She noted vulnerability to storm surge and mentioned that Proposition F (seawall) and Proposition E (facility improvements) on the ballot could help.
Clarkwood Estates Annexation (Item 22): Ordinance to annex 87.57 acres and rezone 84.71 acres to RS-4.5 for 476 homes. Council discussed drainage concerns and the need to upgrade County Road 36. Developer's engineer stated they will construct a drainage structure across Clarkwood Road to connect to the master drain.
Tennis Center Lease (Item 21): Three-year lease with Elizondo Tennis Foundation, transitioning from city-paid management to revenue-sharing (15% year 1, 20% year 2, 25% year 3 of net revenue, or minimum rent $2,500-$2,765). Discussion included restoring public restroom access at South Bluff Park and financial reporting standards. Councilman Hunter opposed due to negotiated rates differing from advertised samples.
Wesley Seale Dam Rehabilitation (Item 31): Contract to Zachry Construction ($25,493,495) for dewering system and spillway gate rehabilitation. Engineering staff clarified that all 60 gates have been opened during major floods and the stop-log system is needed to safely maintain gates. Councilman Hernandez questioned scope; staff confirmed necessity.

Key Outcomes

Consent Agenda: Approved with items 16, 17, 21 pulled for separate discussion. Item 17 (small business agreements) approved with Councilman Klein abstaining. Item 16 (ASPCA grant) approved after first-time application query. Item 21 (tennis lease) approved 8-1 (Hunter dissenting); 6 votes required.
Public Hearings (Items 22-25): All approved as a group. Item 22 required 6 votes (annexation and rezoning) – passed. Items 23- 25 (zoning cases and TIRZ No.6) passed.
Individual Consideration (Items 26-31): Approved unanimously. Items 30 (Whitecap PID bonds) and 31 (dam contract) required 6 votes – passed.
Executive Session: Held on Item 33 (desalination legal issues). Item 32 (legal issues on annexation) was pulled and handled in open session.

Meeting Transcript

Uh become these amazing adults has been a lot of fun. There you go. They've learned how to supervise and how to be good leaders. As soon as we have a wave go down, it's pick them all up and watch them with faster than you can. I'm a very mousey person. I tend to be quiet and soft spoken. Just a little bit. I think it looks awesome. Volunteering and a completely different person. And throw it out. Look at that. I get a lot more out of it than just sitting at a computer or Xbox for an hour. Awesome. I get hundred percent more out of it. Olivia's first expo, she was seventeen weeks. And this year's she's participating, or she'll go visit with the master naturalists and play with the tortoises, or she's learning the words of the stuff at the beach goodies table. Kids are gonna find value in what you find value. If you're on the couch twenty-four-seven watching whatever it is on TV, they're gonna follow suit. We try to get our kids out and get them engaged, get them plugged into the outside. This is what we do. It allowed us to really have that quality time with our kids. It's fun, it's purposeful, but we get to do it as a family. So when Chad and Dorian decided to renew their wedding vows, they return to the park that held so many family memories. Kind of figured that was fitting. Seems how that's where we kind of started all of this. It's really a part of the fabric of our family life. You make yes, we've got to go to the house. Heavenly Father, we come before you today, seeking your guidance and wisdom as we begin this city council meeting. We thank you for the privilege to serve our community. And we ask for your presence to be with us as we discuss and make decisions that will impact the lives of those we represent. Grant is the wisdom to discern what is best for the common good, the courage to make difficult decisions with integrity, and the humility to listen to each other with open hearts and minds. Help us to set aside personal interests so that we may work together for justice, peace, and the flourishing of all in our city. May your grace be upon us as we strive to serve with fairness, compassion, and a spirit of unity. We ask this in your holy name. Amen. Thank you, Father. And our pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States and to the Texas state flag will be led by Jonathan Zachinojosa. He attends Los Encinos Elementary. He has perfect attendance. And he exhals. That's right. Where did he go? Just kidding. And he excels in perseverance in completing his work diligently. That is what the teachers said about him.

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TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
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Corpus Christi City Council Meeting - October 15, 2024

Consent Calendar

Approved minutes of previous meetings.

Approved grants: $99,976.50 from TxDOT for traffic enforcement; $59,609 for Violence Against Women Program; $318,816.56 for Victims of Crime Program; $186,309 for Edward Byrne JAG grant; $4,000 from Flint Hills for shelter-in-place kits; $7,500 for smoke/CO detectors; $94,634 from ASPCA for animal shelter HVAC and kennel repairs (item pulled, discussed separately).

Approved ground lease with CCISD for Malibu Heights and Carroll Woods Parks ($1/year) for school expansion.

Approved zoning changes: 7868 Yorktown Blvd (CN-2), 2201 Rodd Field Road (CG-2), 601 Graham Road (RS-4.5 and CG-2).

Approved lease amendment with Art Community Center for expansion to Lomax Street.

Approved construction contract for citywide wastewater IDIQ project (up to $9M).

Approved eight small business assistance agreements totaling $1,076,700 (item pulled, discussed separately).

Approved honorary street name "Veterans Memorial Parkway" for Cimarron Boulevard.

Approved three-year lease with Elizondo Tennis Foundation for tennis centers (item pulled, discussed separately).

Public Comments & Testimony

Support for small business programs: Multiple speakers (Joe Hopkins, Larry Ortega, Christopher Takach, Michelle Rodell, Gary Aguilar, Joelle Gonzalez, Michael Steinman, Susan Glass) testified that Del Mar College's Small Business Development Center, LiftFund, and internship programs helped them start or grow businesses, retain employees, and win contracts. They urged continued funding.

Library policies on explicit materials: Sean Flanagan, Juan Rodriguez, Katie O'Callahan, Melinda Delos Santos, and others argued that sexually explicit books should be restricted to adults, not minors, and supported the library board's proposed policy changes. Some provided examples of books in the children's section.

Padre Island National Seashore beach access: Jan Robertson and Jeb Bradshaw opposed proposed seasonal/permanent vehicle beach closures, citing economic impact and Texas Open Beaches Act. They criticized superintendent Eric Brunnemann.

Open meetings concerns: John Weber and Susie Saldaña alleged violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act, referencing a lawsuit and email exchanges. Saldaña urged council to focus on policy, not management.

Other topics: Brian O'Callaghan asked to reconsider fluoridation; Rachel Caballeto requested an audit of Oak View Group and review of city manager expenses; Jason Hale urged a climate action plan; Adam Rios promoted upcoming community events.

Discussion Items

City Manager's Report (Items 1-2): Update on 63rd Annual Texas Jazz Festival (Oct 18-20, free, 30,000 expected) with free shuttles. Announcement of new airport outdoor patio and New Oasis Brewing Bar (opening Oct 17), funded 90% by FAA.

Briefing: Nueces County Appraisal District (Item 3): Ryan Skrobarczyk explained new voting process; City of Corpus Christi has 1,100 votes of 5,005. Council to vote on nominees in a future meeting.

Briefing: Art Museum of South Texas (Item 4): Sarah Morgan highlighted exhibitions, education programs, free admission days (4 per month), and sensory Mondays. She noted vulnerability to storm surge and mentioned that Proposition F (seawall) and Proposition E (facility improvements) on the ballot could help.

Clarkwood Estates Annexation (Item 22): Ordinance to annex 87.57 acres and rezone 84.71 acres to RS-4.5 for 476 homes. Council discussed drainage concerns and the need to upgrade County Road 36. Developer's engineer stated they will construct a drainage structure across Clarkwood Road to connect to the master drain.

Tennis Center Lease (Item 21): Three-year lease with Elizondo Tennis Foundation, transitioning from city-paid management to revenue-sharing (15% year 1, 20% year 2, 25% year 3 of net revenue, or minimum rent $2,500-$2,765). Discussion included restoring public restroom access at South Bluff Park and financial reporting standards. Councilman Hunter opposed due to negotiated rates differing from advertised samples.

Wesley Seale Dam Rehabilitation (Item 31): Contract to Zachry Construction ($25,493,495) for dewering system and spillway gate rehabilitation. Engineering staff clarified that all 60 gates have been opened during major floods and the stop-log system is needed to safely maintain gates. Councilman Hernandez questioned scope; staff confirmed necessity.

Key Outcomes

Consent Agenda: Approved with items 16, 17, 21 pulled for separate discussion. Item 17 (small business agreements) approved with Councilman Klein abstaining. Item 16 (ASPCA grant) approved after first-time application query. Item 21 (tennis lease) approved 8-1 (Hunter dissenting); 6 votes required.

Public Hearings (Items 22-25): All approved as a group. Item 22 required 6 votes (annexation and rezoning) – passed. Items 23- 25 (zoning cases and TIRZ No.6) passed.

Individual Consideration (Items 26-31): Approved unanimously. Items 30 (Whitecap PID bonds) and 31 (dam contract) required 6 votes – passed.

Executive Session: Held on Item 33 (desalination legal issues). Item 32 (legal issues on annexation) was pulled and handled in open session.

Meeting Transcript