Corpus Christi City Council Regular Meeting - August 18, 2026

The Corpus Christi City Council convened on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 11:30 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting included an invocation by Pastor Rick Milby, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Adam Black, roll call, the city manager's comments with an end-of-summer parks update, public comments, consent agenda items, a public hearing, individual consideration items, a water supply briefing, and executive sessions. Key actions included tabling an annexation, approving a new employee health clinic contract, amending homeless service grant allocations, and receiving a detailed water supply update with discussion on drought restrictions.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2 through 12 were considered en bloc with the exception of items 3, 7, and 11, which were pulled for individual discussion. The remaining items were approved unanimously.
• Item 2: Approval of the August 11, 2026 regular meeting minutes.
• Item 4: Zoning case ZN9184 (rezoning at 1753 Gollihar Road from RS-6 to RM-1).
• Item 5: Annual update to the Whitecap Public Improvement District assessment.
• Item 6: Amendment to service agreement with Concentra Health Services (up to $365,053.75).
• Item 8: Purchase of gas meter valves from A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. ($138,120.00).
• Item 9: Two tire supply agreements combined up to $1,211,145.00 (potential $3,633,435.00).
• Item 10: Resolution reaffirming the Investment Policy for FY 2026-2027.
• Item 12: Ordinance amending the Roadway Master Plan (removing a proposed collector).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kristen Stanzel (Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program) opposed any change to the agreed order not developed through the established process, citing salinity impacts on the bay.
• Bradley Bartelson called for process reforms and criticized water management and economic development practices, advocating for cost-benefit analysis and campaign finance limits.
• Vidal Conde (District 1) discussed North Beach tourism potential and requested police and fire substations.
• Valerie Robles, Bridget Vela, Gabrielle Longoria, Marilena Garza, Candice Cloud, Kristen Heslip, Candace Cardin, and Brianna Davis spoke in support of HHSP funding for homeless services, sharing personal stories and advocating for continued and increased support for organizations like Esperanza de Tejas, Mother Teresa Shelter, Mission 911, and others.
• Susie Luna Saldaña criticized council for belittling citizens and urged focus on water and homelessness.
• Scott Barraza strongly criticized the city's groundwater pumping, calling it unsustainable.
• Amanda Gomez thanked staff for recommending Mother Teresa Shelter for HHSP funding but asked for additional resources to meet needs.
• Candice Cloud (Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse) thanked council and outlined services for substance use and homeless youth.
• Christina McKay accused the city manager of misleading statements on drought exemption fees and a state agency characterization.
• Bruce Switela raised concerns about lack of transparency in the Inner Harbor desalination project planning.
• Lauren Cargill (Mission 911) emphasized the importance of prevention funding.
• Johnny Lathan and Sammy Lugo reported unsafe living conditions at an apartment complex, including fire hazards, mold, and security issues, prompting a commitment from the city manager and council to investigate.
• Robin Cox requested a crosswalk or pedestrian bridge at the Shea Parkway/Saratoga intersection and clarification on sidewalk ownership.
• Sean Merritt (via Webex) made self-deprecating remarks about his past.

Discussion Items

• City Manager's Comments – End of Summer Parks Update (Item 1): Parks Director Robert Dodd reported 105,000 pool visitors (60,000 at Bill Witt Aquatic Center), 40,000+ preventative beach interactions, 186 medical aids, 84 rescues, zero drownings, and extended splash pad operations through Sept 7. Summer camps, senior centers, and ongoing events (Bay Jamming, Health Fair) were also highlighted. Councilmember Hernandez praised the Bill Witt pool investment.
• Item 7 – Next Level Urgent Care Contract: HR Director Rebecca Castillo explained the selection process, two clinic locations (Everhart/SPID and Saratoga/Cimarron), and services (primary, urgent, chronic care, virtual). Estimated savings: $1 million in emergency spend annually, with a guarantee. Councilmembers Barrera, Vaughn, Campos, and Scott discussed costs, employee responsibility, and savings. Approved unanimously.
• Item 11 – HHSP Subrecipient Grants: Staff pulled the item because Timon’s Ministries withdrew. Revised allocations: General set-aside ($51,072.25 each to Mother Teresa Shelter, Salvation Army, Mission 911, Esperanza de Tejas); Youth set-aside ($26,903 each to Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Esperanza de Tejas). Several councilmembers advocated for increased city funding for homelessness and discussed accountability. Motion to approve as amended carried.
• Item 13 – Zoning Case ZN9265 (Rhodes Development): Staff recommended rezoning 69.28 acres from RS-6 to RS-4.5. Councilmember Roy moved to amend to RS-6 with a special permit for a setback deviation. Motion passed.
• Item 14 – 1525 N. Shoreline Property Acquisition: Resolution to authorize purchase ($657,375 total) for economic development. Approved without discussion.
• Item 15 – Water Supply Update: Chief Operating Officer Nick Winkleman reported reservoir levels: Lake Corpus Christi 91.7% (from 18.4% a year ago), Choke Canyon 24.1% (12.4%), combined 42.9% (14.1%), Lake Texana 94% (92%). Inflows have ceased; Stage 2 restrictions continue. Projects: Western Well Field conveyance line, Greenwood- Valero wastewater reuse (Valero to take 3 MGD soon), Evangeline groundwater construction, Inner Harbor desal (model review pending), Barney Davis and CC Polymers seawater desal, and the NRA project (30% design, cost $6.2 billion). The city, NRA, and Three Rivers jointly applied to TCEQ to temporarily suspend environmental releases until combined capacity exceeds 50%. Discussion included disagreement on moving to Stage 1. Councilmember Cantu pushed for Stage 1, but staff and other members recommended staying at Stage 2 given weather outlook and agreed order uncertainty. No action taken.

Key Outcomes

• Item 3 (Annexation): Motion to table to the August 25, 2026 meeting carried. Staff corrected the number of notices sent from 23 to 7.
• Item 7 (Next Level Urgent Care): Approved unanimously as presented.
• Item 11 (HHSP Grants): Approved as amended in the following allocation: General set-aside ($51,072.25 each to Mother Teresa Shelter, The Salvation Army, Mission 911, Esperanza de Tejas); Youth set-aside ($26,903 each to Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse – Coastal Bend and Esperanza de Tejas).
• Item 13 (Zoning ZN9265): Approved with amendment to rezone to RS-6 with a special permit for a setback deviation (4.5).
• Item 14 (1525 N. Shoreline): Approved authorizing the property acquisition program project.
• Item 19 (Executive Session action): Motion to set the expiration date of September 30, 2026 for the City of Sinton and St. Paul Water Supply Corporation agreements carried unanimously.
• Directives: City Manager to investigate apartment complex complaints (Lathan/Lugo) and provide a report; to coordinate with public works on the Shea Parkway/Saratoga intersection safety; staff to bring options for homeless services funding in the FY 2027 budget; City Council to receive a briefing from NRA and IDE on the seawater desalination project (scheduled for September 1).