Corpus Christi City Council Meeting: October 22, 2024

The City Council convened on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 11:30 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting included a city manager's report on the Fire Chief's appointment to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and legislative updates from the Texas Municipal League conference, public comments on various topics, a briefing on the North Beach Revitalization Update, a consent agenda with two items pulled for individual consideration, four public hearings related to development agreements and annexation, a recess for the Corpus Christi Industrial Development Corporation meeting, and a resolution casting votes for the Nueces County Appraisal District Board of Directors. The meeting adjourned at 1:48 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the October 15, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes (Item 4)
• Ordinance accepting a $59,609 grant from the Criminal Justice Division for the Violence Against Women Program (Item 5)
• Ordinance accepting a $318,816.56 grant from the Victims of Crime Act for the Victim Assistance Program (Item 6)
• Ordinance authorizing a three-year lease with Elizondo Tennis Foundation for the Al Kruse and HEB Tennis Centers (Item 7) – pulled for discussion, approved separately
• Ordinance annexing Clarkwood Estates subdivision (87.57 acres) and rezoning (Item 8) – pulled for discussion, approved separately
• Zoning Case ZN8435, rezoning at 7213 State Highway 361 (Item9)
• Zoning Case ZN8441, rezoning at 11202 Haven Drive (Item10)
• Ordinance authorizing an agreement with Del Mar College Foundation for skills training equipment ($1,897,870) (Item11)
• Resolution rejecting bids and awarding a $12,174,975 contract for Mary Rhodes Pipeline Phase 1 Improvements (Item12)
• Motion awarding a $458,900.57 contract for Littles-Martin House rehabilitation (Item13)

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Weber (609 Naples Street) expressed concerns about the cost of modeling for the Inner Harbor desalination project, arguing the far-field model cost ($44,000) is insignificant compared to the project's $750 million budget. He noted the city's history of using groundwater and criticized the city's focus on desalination.
• Laurie Ling (16130 Jessamine Street) spoke on behalf of herself and an advocate group in support of reopening the BMX racetrack at Salinas Park, noting there are no sanctioned BMX tracks south of San Antonio and asking the city to collaborate with the group.
• Robin Sanders (730 Avondale) raised concerns about crime (prostitution, drug dealing) in the Leopard Street area and the proximity of a hotel (Safari Hotel) to Westchester Park, asking for increased patrolling.
• Stephen Clepper (317 Sunset Avenue) advocated for accountability and transparency, urging the city to restore performance reporting (e.g., the City Performance Report) to the public website.
• Alicia Casparitis (6262 Weber Road, Coastal Bend Home Builders Association) supported internal growth in the Development Services Department's leadership to maintain consistency.
• Jason Hale (address not stated) compared the last water supply (Mary Rhodes Pipeline phase 2, 30 MGD) to the proposed desalination project, noting the city sold 85% of the new supply to large-volume users and the pipeline operates at only 55% capacity. He argued for focusing on fixing existing infrastructure and exploring cheaper alternatives like groundwater or reuse.
• Kerry Meyer (4401 Gulf Breeze Boulevard, North Beach Community Association) supported the North Beach Revitalization Update and urged continuation regardless of future council changes. She highlighted the drainage project and elevation of Beach and Gulf Spray Avenues.
• Adam Rios (7301 Tangled Ridge Court) shared personal stories about parks and BMX, thanking the city for the Adopt-a-Park program and advocating for a BMX track.
• Bob Catalano (201 Surf Side Boulevard) requested attention to a concrete foundation with rebar on the beach, cracked and uneven sidewalks, and poor lighting in the park at North Beach.
• Michlle Gaines (5406 Partridge, Robstown) spoke in support of reopening the BMX racetrack at Salinas Park, explaining it would be sanctioned by USABMX. (Non-resident, limited to 1 minute)

Discussion Items

• City Manager's Report (Items 1-2): City Manager Peter Zanoni highlighted Fire Chief Brandon Wade's appointment to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (term through February, likely to be renominated). Director of Intergovernmental Relations Ryan Schubarcyk presented a post-conference report from the Texas Municipal League annual conference (October 9-11 in Houston). Key legislative topics included super preemption, ETJ/annexation, zoning reform and housing (potential state mandates on minimum lot sizes), and community entity censorship on lobbying. Council members expressed concerns about state preemption of local control over lot sizes, with Councilman Hernandez noting the city's smallest zoning is 4,500 square feet versus proposed 1,400. The TML board will set final legislative priorities in December.
• North Beach Revitalization Update (Briefing, Item3): Engineer Jeff Edmonds presented a detailed update on multiple projects: Phase1 drainage improvements (advertising for bid, expected council award by end of 2024), eco-park enhancements, elevation of Beach and Gulf Spray Avenues (2018 bond projects), hike and bike tral connectivity from the new harbor bridge, parking lot for Texas State Aquarium (funded by Type B), park grand opening, structural fill policy for property owners, Puerto del Sol RV park redevelopment, Villa del Sol demolition after fire, new Fajitaville restaurant (expected compleion March 2025), Texas State Aquarium animal rescuer center (3,000 sea turtle capacity), trish can and signage replacements, tropical storm Alberto sand removal and repairs, and Hotel Deville renovation (TURS fundig). Council discussed funding options, including applying for state grants through the Region 13 flood plan and proposition F (seawall/coastal resiliency on the ballot). Councilman Roy urged continued planning for phase 2.
• Corpus Christi Industrial Developent Corporation Meeting (Item17): The board elected officers (President: Councilman Barreta, Vice President: Councilman Hernandez, staff officers). Authorized amending the deed from the Texas General Land Office for Salinas Park to allow constrction of Fire Station #10 and coney the entire Salinas Park (91.70 acres) to the city. Council discussed the replacement of the fire station at Horn and Greenwood, relocating a baseball field within the park, and ensuring safety.

Key Outcomes

• Item 7 (Tennis Lease): Approved by vote after being pulled from consent. Councilman Hunter voted no, expressing concern that the procurement process was unfair because draft percentages differed from final negotiated terms. Staff explained the process was qualification-based.
• Item 8 (Annexation of Clarkwood Estates): Approved by vote after being pulled. Councilman Klein voted no, citing concerns about urban sprawl and rising utility rate burden.
• Items 14 and 15 (Developent Participaton and Wastewater Trunk System Agreements for King's Landing): Approved after a joint public hearing. Discussion included the pilot program for roller compacted concrete (RCC) streets, with a 7-year warranty and the developer responsible for maintenence for 10 years. Staff noted quarterly inspections.
• Item 16 (Wastewater Collection Line Reimbursement for Westwood Heigts Unit 4): Approved after public hearing.
• Item 18 (Resoltion casting votes for Nueces County Appraisal Distict Board): Approved with a vote allocation of 200 votes to Susie Sullivan and 900 votes to Devin Bodka. Council noted this was the first time under new Senate Bill 2 rules.
• North Beach Revitalization: No action taken (briefing only). Council expressed support and noted ongoing work.
• City Secretary's Office: Announced an upcoming agenda item in November to amend council rules of decorum to require public comment speakers to state city of residence instead of full address.