Corpus Christi City Council Meeting - October 27, 2026

The Corpus Christi City Council met on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Steve Lopez of Koinonia Church and pledges led by Kayleen Avila, a senior at Por Vida Academy. The agenda included a Flags for Heroes update, public comment, a consent agenda, separate consideration of four pulled items, executive session on four legal matters, and post-executive session action on a judgment and a water-line reimbursement dispute.

City Manager's Comments - Flags for Heroes

• City Manager Peter Zanoni reported that the annual Flags for Heroes event will take place Saturday, November 7 through Sunday, November 15, 2026, with about 1,800 flags displayed along Ocean Drive and at Doddridge, Ropes, Oleander, and Cole parks.
• The city is a major sponsor and sponsors 80 flags; council members and city departments nominate heroes.
• Alan Wilson, Rotary Club of Corpus Christi Flags for Heroes chairman, said the event began eight years ago with 350 flags, grew to 660 in its first year, and has now grown to 1,800 flags. He described related events including a dedication ceremony at First Baptist Church and a Veterans Day 'honk for your heroes' drive along Ocean Drive.

Consent Agenda

• The council approved the consent agenda by one motion after pulling items 5, 6, 9, and 13 for separate consideration.
• Approved the October 13, 2026 regular meeting minutes.
• Approved a $17,830,308 grant from the U.S. Department of War, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, under the FY 2026 Defense Community Infrastructure Program, for the Leopard Street and Up River Road Water Line Replacement Project, with a $7,641,561 cash match from the Water Capital Fund and an FY 2027 Capital Budget amendment.
• Approved Zoning Case No. ZN9401 for Texas Store Properties, LLC at or near 2060 Tuloso Road, adopting the alternative ON/SP Neighborhood Office District with Special Permit recommended by staff and Planning Commission in lieu of denial.
• Approved a one-year supply agreement with ACT Pipe and Supply, Inc. for manhole covers, risers, and accessories for Corpus Christi Water, not to exceed $246,465.95, with a potential amount of $739,397.85 if options are exercised.
• Approved a one-year supply agreement with ACT Pipe and Supply, Inc. for fire hydrants, not to exceed $340,376.00, with a potential amount of $1,021,128.00 if options are exercised.
• Approved an interlocal agreement with Texas A&M University-Kingsville for health district workforce development, leadership training, organizational assessment, technical assistance, and evaluation services, not to exceed $140,004.00.
• Approved a $6,677,961.03 FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program grant for the La Volla Creek Drainage Improvement Project, with a $2,206,332.91 cash match from the Storm Water Capital Fund.
• Approved an ordinance adjusting speed limits on SH 286, US 181, and SH 361, and removing portions of state highway demolished during the Harbor Bridge Project.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ajit David said the city does not have a desalination plant today because of past decisions and said he opposed a proposal that would have handed water authority to the Port of Corpus Christi.
• Dale Switala opposed the Inner Harbor desalination project, saying it is about five blocks from his residential neighborhood, lacks permits for Gulf discharge, and would leave no water for homes. He cited campaign donations to the Coastal Bend Coalition from Valero Services, Exxon Mobil, Gulf Coast Ventures, Coke Industries, Sunir LNG, and Occidental Petroleum, and thanked the council for voting against the project.
• Sean Merritt, speaking via WebEx, alleged that Mayor Guajardo engaged in electioneering at polling locations, displayed photos and videos, referenced an assault case, and said he would serve as a poll watcher. His time expired during the comment.
• Christina McKay, District 1, complained that the city changed its camera coverage so council members and staff receive high-quality individual shots while community speakers receive a low-quality wide shot; she asked the council to restore equal high-quality production and respond in writing.
• Eli McKay, District 1, called for less division, fearmongering, and AI-generated campaign content, and urged respect and privacy for candidates and neighbors.
• Linda McLinchek, London Ranch Estates, requested reimbursement for 1.2 miles of off-site water line her company installed, saying the city uses the line and has refused to pay. She said the company has been in business 25 years, built over 650 homes, and generates $4.8 million in tax revenue per year, plus almost $1 million from London Ranch.
• Brenda Simmons, District 1, supported the McLinchecks and asked the council to grant the reimbursement.
• Douglas Ellison, District 2, supported reimbursement, said the line cost more than $1 million, and accused the city of using the pipeline without payment; he also made political accusations and asked council members to attend a settlement meeting.

Discussion Items

• Item 9 - Longyards Corpus Christi, LLC lease: Councilwoman Paxson questioned the 12-to-18-month repair timeline and lease costs. Staff said the Asset Management heavy-equipment maintenance building burned on March 18, the rebuild requires design and bidding, and the Holly Road location was the best available option. Councilman Cano called the monthly cost outrageous; staff said the rate was on par for the market and the lease is an interim solution. The item was approved.
• Item 13 - Texan Stores airport lease: Councilwoman Paxson questioned the fuel flowage fee reduction from an original 2 cents per gallon to a tiered rate beginning around half a cent, and the absence of a time-based escalation. Aviation Director Richard McCurley explained that the tenant renegotiated after its $10 million loan terms, the new fee is volume-based and can rise to about 1.3 cents per gallon, land rent is near fair market value, and fuel revenue is projected at about $37,000 minimum per month. The 40-year lease with one additional 10-year option for up to 8 acres or 348,480 square feet at Corpus Christi International Airport was approved.
• Item 5 - Evangeline Laguna, LP groundwater rights lease: Councilman Cano pulled the item to vote no, saying the city should not keep spending before adequate studies are done. Councilman Scott said he was uncomfortable because he had been told the item was not a 'today conversation' but then it appeared on the agenda. Nick Winkelman, Chief Operating Officer of Corpus Christi Water, said the two existing wells are each permitted for 1,500 gallons per minute and are expected to produce about 3-4 million gallons per day; the initial $1,000,000 payment works out to 80 cents per thousand gallons; and the lease will provide groundwater data for the contested case. Council members supporting the item described it as part of water-supply diversification. The item was approved.
• Item 6 - Formosa Plastics raw water sales contract: Councilman Hernandez moved approval, saying the contract adds about 2.2 million gallons per day. The council approved the temporary untreated raw water sales contract authorizing the city to purchase up to 10,000 acre-feet from Lake Texana in calendar year 2027 at $900 per acre-foot, with a take-or-pay quantity of 2,500 acre-feet and up to two one-year mutual extensions.

Executive Session

The council entered executive session on items 14-17 under Texas Government Code § 551.071 to consult with attorneys concerning: the Maria Calderon v. City of Corpus Christi judgment; Ajit David and Elevate QOF litigation and related ordinances and agreements; the SOAH/PUC outside city ratepayers appeal; and LM & JM Investments LLC, Unified Development Code water and wastewater trust fund provisions, and reimbursement agreements.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda items 2-4, 7-8, and 10-12 were adopted by one vote; items 5, 6, 9, and 13 were considered separately and approved.
• Item 9 was approved: amended and restated lease with Longyards Corpus Christi, LLC, not to exceed $213,000, with a potential amount of $423,000 if options are exercised.
• Item 13 was approved: 40-year Texan Stores lease with one additional 10-year option for up to 8 acres or 348,480 square feet at Corpus Christi International Airport.
• Item 5 was approved: groundwater rights lease with Evangeline Laguna, LP, with an initial payment of $1,000,000 for a one-year term with automatic renewals.
• Item 6 was approved: temporary untreated raw water sales contract with Formosa Plastics Corporation, up to 10,000 acre-feet from Lake Texana in 2027 at $900 per acre-foot, with a 2,500 acre-foot take-or-pay quantity.
• Council authorized payment of $250,000 for the judgment in Maria Calderon v. City of Corpus Christi; the motion carried with one abstention.
• Council opened public comment on item 17 and directed staff to arrange a meeting within a week among City Manager Zanoni, staff, and Doug Allison regarding the London Ranch water line reimbursement dispute, with a full briefing to council afterward.
• City Manager Zanoni committed to provide a Seven C's water project contract update or briefing at the November 10, 2026 council meeting and to follow up on floating solar panel research with the Bureau of Reclamation and Texas Parks and Wildlife.
• Several council members asked staff to revisit the public-comment camera coverage decision as a full council matter.