Corpus Christi City Council Meeting – June 17, 2025

The City Council convened on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 11:30 AM, concluding around 8:50 PM. The lengthy session featured extensive public comment, a major budget debate over Animal Care Services, briefings on crime statistics, water supply, the Inner Harbor Desalination project, and a comprehensive post-legislative session update.

Consent Calendar

• The bulk of Items 3 through 29 were approved in one motion. Items 5, 6, 14, 20, 24, 25, and 29 were pulled for individual consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Stephen Clepper: Expressed strong support for amending the city auditor ordinance to enhance independence and objectivity, arguing the current system lacks proper checks and balances based on his experience as an auditor.
• Clint Miracle: Alleged unfair preferential treatment for a specific marathon in acquiring city permits, claiming his own event was hindered and requested an investigation into equitable permit processes.
• Susie Luna Saldania: Urged council not to overlook long-term water supply issues and expressed concern over the Housing Authority CEO’s salary, calling for council oversight.
• Mark Munster: Criticized the city’s characterization of desalination opponents as a “small group,” noted the city’s marketing spend, and argued the Housing Authority situation demands public accountability.
• Brad Bartelson: Presented a case for stormwater capture as a simpler, cheaper alternative to seawater desalination, citing preserved city infrastructure and lower treatment difficulty.
• Rachel Caballero (CCTA President): Presented financial records showing over $482,000 in city expenditures for the Fourth of July event over four years, including alcohol purchases, contradicting prior statements that the event used no taxpayer dollars.
• Isabel Rizer: Connected firefighters’ personal pleas for cancer screening funding to broader budget priorities, questioning spending on the desalination pilot and the impact of industrial district agreements.
• Jason Hale: Supported water diversification but cautioned against fully diverting wastewater from the Oso Bay system, noting its positive ecological impact.
• Melissa Zamora: Supported rainwater capture, linking industrial encroachment in Hillcrest to environmental racism.
• Mike McFarland: Thanked the Mayor for proclaiming June as Responsible Fatherhood Month.
• Adam Rios: Expressed gratitude for city support of alternative sports, specifically the Ray High School skateboard club.
• Moses Mastagashi (Coastal Bend Lots): Supported the proposed roadway reclassifications but strongly warned against the city’s continued approval of “half-street” developments, citing long-term traffic and safety issues.

Discussion Items

• City Manager’s Report: Peter Zanoni briefed council on the 3-month agenda forecast planning tool and introduced Drew Molly for the weekly water update. Councilwoman Compos noted a communication error led residents to attend expecting a Hillcrest item that was delayed by the applicant at the port.
• Water Supply Update: Drew Molly reported significant rainfall (5-6 inches) in the western watershed, raising lake levels to 15.4%. Lake Texana reached 100% capacity, offering an interruptible water supply of 4,500 acre-feet. The Nueces River groundwater well project permit is deemed administratively complete. A water poaching investigation was initiated with TCEQ.
• Item 5: Animal Care Services Mid-Year Budget: Debate centered on an $821,000 concrete parking lot and a $1 million air conditioning project. Councilwoman Vaughn and Councilman Cantu criticized the costs, seeking cheaper alternatives (asphalt) and questioning prioritization of capital projects over direct animal care. Council voted to approve the item minus the parking lot, which will be re-evaluated.
• Item 6: Audit Standards Ordinance: Councilman Scott attempted to amend the ordinance to require a supermajority (6 votes) for removal of audit committee members to ensure independence. The amendment failed (motion to approve as presented carried).
• Item 24: Council Travel Policy: Councilman Hernandez successfully advocated for reverting from a shared travel pool back to an individual budget system for council members. The policy was approved.
• Item 25: Roadway Master Plan Map Update: The council approved a first reading to reclassify several roads (arterials to collectors) based on traffic studies. Moses Mastagashi supported the reductions but criticized half-street approvals.
• Item 30: SAFER Grant Application (Fire Dept): Fire Chief Wade requested approval to apply for a $4 million federal grant for 15 firefighters. A potential 2-cent property tax increase was discussed as necessary to fund the city's match. Council voted to submit the application, understanding withdrawal is an option if the budget doesn't allow the funding.
• Item 31: Granicus Software: Approved to expand the 3-1-1 system capabilities with text messaging.
• Item 32: Municipal Court Judges: Appointments for full and part-time judges were approved.
• Item 33: Council Meeting Schedule: Councilman Hernandez proposed bi-weekly meetings to reduce staff burnout. Councilman Cantu and Councilwoman Paxson opposed, preferring meetings based on business needs. No immediate action was taken.
• CCHFC Meeting: The board discussed a proposed Housing Needs Assessment and Toolkit. A September meeting is planned for action, with a project cap of $150,000 recommended.

Briefings

• Crime Statistics (Police): Chief Todd Green and Deputy Chiefs presented data showing violent crime decreased in 4 of 5 districts (except District 2). Clearance rates for homicide (95%) and motor vehicle theft (16%) exceeded national averages. The new Violent Crime Unit seized 93 firearms. The gang unit reported dismantling a major prison gang operation with a 30-count federal indictment. Homeless crime data was difficult to track systematically.
• Inner Harbor Water Treatment Campus (Desalination): Brettman Hazel provided an update. Phase 1A is complete. The demonstration plant is scheduled for a 30-day run cycle in September/October. Near and far field modeling results are expected July 15. Councilmembers expressed concerns over the 30-day pilot period being potentially insufficient and escalating costs (an estimated $18 million lump sum was avoided by using a time-and-materials contract).
• 89th Legislature Post-Session: Ryan Skrobarczyk and Snapper Carr detailed major wins, including a $46 million direct appropriation for emergency water supply projects (from Representative V. Lobos), a successful amendment for the Project Finance Zone (from Chairman Hunter), and TWIA windstorm reform. Anti-city bills on debt caps (HB 19) and land use preemptions were narrowly defeated but will return. Minimum lot sizes (SB 15) were reduced to 3,000 sq ft for cities like Corpus Christi, necessitating upcoming UDC updates.

Key Outcomes

• Approved/Adopted: Consent Agenda (as amended), ACS Budget (parking lot deferred), Audit Ordinance, Travel Policy, Roadway Master Plan (1st reading), SAFER Grant application, Granicus Software, Municipal Court appointments, CCHFC policy update.
• Deferred/Re-evaluated: ACS parking lot cost evaluation (returning in July). SAFER grant funding mechanism to be decided in budget process. Council meeting schedule to be reviewed by staff.
• Next Steps: ACS parking lot analysis to compare concrete vs. asphalt. GHD to present modeling results on July 15. Land Use code updates needed to comply with new state minimum lot sizes.