Corpus Christi City Council Meeting – January 14, 2025

The City Council of Corpus Christi met on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, appointments, consent agenda approvals, public hearings, and individual actions. After an executive session on water-supply property matters, the council returned to open session and approved related actions.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (Items 6–21) was approved by one vote, with Items 7, 8, 15, and 16 pulled for individual consideration.
• Approved consent items included: minutes of Dec. 10 and Dec. 23, 2024 and Jan. 7, 2025; purchase of two fire trucks ($2,147,998); water supply agreement with Ferguson Enterprises ($76,328.44, up to $228,985.32 if options are exercised); rehabilitation of the O.N. Stevens elevated storage tank ($432,100); reconstruction of Aaron Drive ($3,840,880.73); design services for Sand Dollar Avenue/Crowsnest ($927,701); grant acceptances for radios, police video systems, body-worn cameras (with $106,017 grant and $35,339 cash match), and ASPCA animal-shelter improvements ($94,634 with $14,192 match); and other routine items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• North Beach residents, including Carrie Meyer (North Beach Community Association), Mary Elder, Myra Helms, Barbara Johnson, Tracy Jackson, and others, spoke in favor of appointing Ron Graben to the North Beach TIRZ community seat.
• Numerous residents opposed the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant. Ralph Ricardo cited 50 million gallons per day of discharge and potential dead zones; Brendan Hazelton said the plant would produce 30 million gallons per day, highlighted the 1.5-year water-exchange time in the inner harbor, and raised environmental-justice concerns for the Hillcrest neighborhood; Amanda Breland and Ryan Hanish strongly opposed it; Isabel Ariza called it environmental racism; Autumn Hensick noted that five large industrial users combined use 36.5 million gallons per day and urged ending their drought exemptions.
• Robert Pohlson, executive director of the Coastal Bend Industry Association, supported the desalination project as the best option for a drought-proof water supply.
• Stephen Clepper criticized the city for lacking transparency and failing to provide KPIs, service levels, and fee-cost data. Rachel Caballero echoed accountability concerns, criticizing the city manager and industrial water use.
• Melissa Zamora noted that total per-capita water use rose from 201 GPCD in 2019 to 235 GPCD in 2023, contrary to the conservation plan's goals. Others urged expanded reclaimed-water use, rainwater harvesting, and improved water-conservation messaging.
• Marilyn Garza, founder of The Free Store, urged the city to suspend gas disconnections during cold weather, citing a 17.6% poverty rate and 53,000 residents struggling. She also requested participation in the Jan. 23 Point-in-Time homeless count.
• Robin Sanders alleged municipal malfeasance, saying roughly 6,000 water meters were not working and that estimated bills constituted "stealing."
• Cheryl Martinez, president of People Assisting Animal Control, said she had suspended the Pet Retention Program due to misuse by animal-control staff and management concerns; City Manager Peter Zanoni said a memo with the city's perspective would be provided.
• John Weber and Jason Hale criticized contractor Freese and Nichols for insufficient modeling of the desalination discharge, referencing a QIT technical statement and lessons from the Brownsville pilot.
• Other speakers addressed homelessness, industrial flaring, and the need for a low-barrier shelter.

Discussion Items

• Mayor Guajardo announced committee appointments: Audit Committee – chair Roland Barrera, members Sylvia Campos, Caitlin Paxon, Mark Scott; Municipal Court Committee – chair Everett Roy, members Eric Cantu, Gil Hernandez, Carolyn Vaughn.
• The 2025 Mayor Pro Tem service schedule was presented and approved.
• City Manager Peter Zanoni briefed the council on the 39th annual MLK Commemorative March and related events on Jan. 18–20, 2025; he deferred a United Way campaign update to the next meeting.
• The council made appointments to three Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) boards. For TIRZ No. 2 (Island), Caitlin Paxon was named chair. For TIRZ No. 3 (Downtown), a chair was appointed but not identified in the transcript. For TIRZ No. 4 (North Beach), Carolyn Vaughn was selected as chair and Ron Graben was appointed as the community member.
• After executive session, the council authorized the city manager to execute lease agreements with landowners for well sites to supply water. The motion authorized up to $2,080,500 for the initial year, up to 15 MGD of pumping, royalty based on 1984 CPI-adjusted 12 cents per thousand gallons, advance royalties and surface damage clauses, for up to five years.
• Consent items pulled for discussion:
  • Item 7 (disannexation of about 129.44 acres with Flint Hills Resources): approved; Councilmember Campos voted no.
  • Item 8 (WellMed senior center joint-use agreement): approved; Councilmember Campos voted no after changing her earlier vote.
  • Item 15 (Roller Compacted Concrete pilot program amendment and participation agreement with MPM Development for Lady Alexa Drive, up to $415,460.61): discussion centered on reducing inspections and eliminating bonding; approved.
  • Item 16 (acceptance of Michael J. Ellis Seawall easements and maintenance responsibility): approved; staff noted this makes the seawall FEMA-eligible.
• Public hearings were held for Item 22 (wastewater trunk line reimbursement agreement with MPM Development, up to $77,285.28) and Item 23 (zoning change at 4222 Avalon Street). No public comments were made; both items were approved.
• Item 24 (construction contract for the Southside Police Substation, $5,880,000) was approved; Councilmember Hernandez questioned the cost difference versus the northwest substation.
• Item 25 (10-year renewal of the Padre Island Yacht Club lease) was approved.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the 2025 Mayor Pro Tem service schedule.
• Appointed committee members, TIRZ board members, and chairs, including Ron Graben to the North Beach TIRZ.
• Authorized the city manager to negotiate and execute well-site land leases totaling up to $2,080,500 for the initial year, with up-to-five-year terms and up to 15 MGD of pumping.
• Approved the consent agenda and all individually considered items (7, 8, 15, 16, 22–25).
• Councilmember Campos recorded dissenting votes on Items 7 and 8.