Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Corpus Christi City Council convened on March 18, 2025, for a business meeting lasting over six hours. The primary focus was the adoption of the updated Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) following extensive public comment and deliberation. The council also confirmed board appointments, approved a contested change order for the Alameda Street project, received a briefing on the American Bank Center, and reviewed state legislation.
Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) Adoption: Drew Molly (CCW) presented the final DCP, incorporating changes from previous meetings. Modifications included raising the residential surcharge threshold to 7,000 gallons, moving the water meter moratorium to a Water Emergency stage, and defining Water Emergency triggers (Level 1: 180 days out, Level 2: catastrophic event). Council discussion revealed divisions. Councilwoman Cumbles proposed an amendment to add a 15% lake level trigger for mandatory curtailment; it failed for lack of a second. Councilman Cantu stated that overselling water by previous councils and staff, not industrial users, created the crisis and stressed the need for the DCP to secure well permits. Councilwoman Vaughn made the motion to adopt the DCP with its highlighted changes. The motion carried.
American Bank Center Briefing (OVG360): Daniel Melissa reported strong operational metrics, including $6M in food & beverage gross revenue and $1.3M in global partnerships. Council members sharply noted discrepancies between the presentation and the agenda packet. Councilman Scott expressed strong frustration. Councilman Cantu questioned the status of an offer from Thomas J. Henry for naming rights. Councilman Badada and the Mayor cautioned against open session discussion of the negotiations to protect the bargaining position. The council requested standardized quarterly reports.
Other Items:
The council approved the bulk of the consent agenda, which included police equipment purchases, IT fiber agreements, grants, and engineering service agreements, pulling specific items for individual questions and votes.
Appointments to the Arts & Cultural Commission, Building Standards Board, Crime Control & Prevention District, Island Strategic Action Committee, and Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee were confirmed en masse.
Oh, we don't have a city manager here. Well, good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us here at City Hall and in our council chambers. Um, let's see here. We're just waiting for one moment. Did anybody go check on? Yes, he's coming. Okay. All right. So I'm calling this meeting to order. Today, our invocation is is uh Mr. Rob Bailey today, Chief Wade. Our invocation will be said impromptu by our wonderful fire chief Brandon Wade. Okay. Thank you. If you'll bow your heads. Holy Father, we're here to discuss the topics that will benefit the people in our community. We want to think about how we can make life easier for everyone and give us the wisdom to make the right decisions. Let us not make biased decisions, but decisions based on solving problems. Be our leader during this meeting. Show us the way because you have chosen us to be here. Give us direction, and let us not think with our own interests. Open our eyes to solutions and help us grow as a community. Thank you and Amen. Amen. Thank you, Chief Wade. And Chino. Jonathan, thank you, and good luck in your studies. Council members rolling Baretta. Eric Anthu is uh absent, running or will be running late. Gil Hernandez. Kaylin Paxon. Everett Roy. Mark Scott. Carolyn Bond. City Manager Peter Zanoni is on his way. City Attorney Miles Risley. Thank you, Miss Werkner. And actually, you know, while we're kind of getting good morning, Peter, settled in. And before we really start uh get the meeting going, I just wanted to take a quick moment to honor the life and legacy of Larry running turtle salasad. He was a beloved leader and a proud member of the Caronqua tribe, and he was a dedicated advocate. So just on behalf of the city of Corpus Christi, we want to extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Okay, so that uh we're gonna we're gonna start with item number one under individual consideration items. This is a presentation on the city's drought contingency plan and ordinances or ordinance amending City Code of Ordinances Chapter 55, Article 12, water resource management. All right. Good morning. Good morning, Mayor, Council, Drew Molly, Chief Operating Officer. I'm joined today with a couple of my colleagues from CCW, Esteban Ramos, uh Nick Winkleman, and Camille Terras.