Good morning everyone and welcome to city hall and welcome to council chambers. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Uh this morning our invocation will be given by deacon Richard Longoria with St. Helena of the true cross of Jesus. Holy God, holy mighty one, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We ask that your graces come upon our city council on the individuals and all our city, those who work for Corpus Christi and those who live here in every way. We ask for your blessings of kindness, grace, mercy. May all friction and jealousy among our council be ended in every way. May they work together for the goodness of our people, for the goodness of our city. May you come upon them and send your Holy Spirit upon all our city council members and all who are here today and grant them the wonderment. May they all reflect the light of Jesus Christ upon each other and upon all who are in Corpus Christi. We ask your blessings and your mercy upon them. We pray this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. >> Amen. Thank you so much, Deacon. And this morning, our pledge of allegiance will be to the flag of the United States and to the Texas State flag will be led by Mallalerie Raina. She is uh a senior at Herald T Branch Academy, top 10 in her class, and she is in the uh paramedics program. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> The Texas pledge. Honor the flag. >> Honor the Texas flag. >> I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas. One state under God, one and indivisible. Mallerie, thank you and good luck in your studies. >> Miss Wua, would you please call the role? >> Mayor Plet Wardo, >> present. >> Council members Roland Bara >> here. >> Sylvia Campos >> here. >> Eric Anthu will be late. Gilnandez >> here. >> Kaylin Paxton >> here. >> Ever Roy >> here. >> Mark Scott >> here. >> Carolyn Vaughn >> here. >> City manager Peter Zenoni >> present. >> City attorney Miles Rley >> here. Mayor and council, a quorum of the council and the required charter officers are present to conduct the meeting. >> Thank you, Miss Wza. Section E is our city manager's comments and update on city operations. We have one item, Mr. Zenone. >> Yes, we do. Good morning, mayor and mayor and members of the council and the community. We have one item for the city manager report and that will be an overview of the 88th annual uh Buck Days festival which will be celebrated this year from April 30th through May 10th. And so, as we know, uh, Buck Days has been around for a number of years. This Buck Days will be 88 years, uh, since it was first started in 1938, and it's one of Corpus' largest community events, and it draws tens of thousands of visitors, uh, from the entire Coastal Benton region. So, it's held at the Bayfront, and the event um, has something for everyone. As Johnny Filipella will tell us here in a moment, there's rodeos, concerts, a carnival, and parades, and much more. An important note is that since 1996, the Buck Commission has awarded 2.6 million in scholarships for local students and those monies come through the Buck Day's uh celebrations. So this morning we have Johnny Filipello. He's the president and CEO of the Buccaneer Commission. And Johnny, thank you for being here. He's going to give us some background on some of the prior Buck Days uh that we've had here and then talk more importantly about this year's Buck Days event. So turn it over to you Johnny. Thank you. Thank you, Peter, and and mayor council. Honored to speak to you guys today. We're excited about the upcoming Buccaneer Days Festival. Uh before I get into this year's events, I do want to do a just brief recap of our successes from last year. Um we we typically do this once a year. Um 112,000 unique visitors participated in Buck Days last year. Of those 112,000, almost 20,000 were from out of our market. So out of out of the Corpus Christi region, you can see the makeup down at the bottom of this slide. Uh we have people coming from all over the United States and certainly you know San Antonio, Rio Grand Valley, Houston are are big drawers of folks uh for the event as well. And then our makeup uh when you look at place, it truly is a makeup of the coastal bend and and a reach of of folks that are attending. What I'm really excited about is this is pretty new information. We just conducted a uh economic impact report with tourism economics. And so of those 20,000 folks that came from out of market, they brought about $10 million of impact with them uh to our event. That's not counting the other 100,000 or so people that participated in the in the region. Um so really excited about those numbers. Buckdays also contributes to about 555 jobs during the 11-day period. And uh then our tax base, the local and state taxes, about 600,000 is generated off of those those 20,000 people coming from out of town. So that's pretty hot off the press information. We just finalized that study and and uh really proud of of those numbers. And then more importantly, uh for organization, it's it's what are we doing to support uh education in the Coastal Bin. Uh at the end of last year's event, we were able to award over 364,000. a lot of that in the form of scholarships to uh local students. Uh but we've also helped the museums, the science and history museum, the art museum, uh Harbor Playhouse. There's a variety of ways that we we reach those those different students in what we're doing. And then our leadership program uh takes on 20 high school seniors from uh Kingsville to Sentin and everywhere in between uh to really learn. And then at at the end of buck days, we'll award a little over $100,000 to those those folks as well. So, as we dive into this year, really excited to take uh uh two traditions that have typically fallen on the last Saturday of the event, the the night parade or sorry, the children's parade and the 5K. And uh we're moving those to this coming Saturday. Uh we're we're partnering with the city of Portland on that and utilizing Fifth and M as kind of the center point to make it a kickoff regional event for the community to come in and enjoy. We'll have a cowboy breakfast that morning. Free food, live music, fun for everyone to to come together. And uh really just trying to say, hey, uh we're all part of of Buck Days. Come come be prepared. It's it's coming up for the whole community. and um kind of taking that first that that children's parade that gets lost on the back end and really giving it its own footing um for this. So really excited. If you don't have anything going April 18th, this Saturday, come out and enjoy with us. The night parade, the the the big tradition that has been with us from the very beginning is April 25th. Uh the stadium show will again be back at Buck Stadium. We'll start there, go down Leopard, and end on the Bayfront. and our friends at Chris 6 will be broadcasting that uh live as well on on their their stations uh for the evening. So uh look forward to having each of you guys participate in that with us as well. But numbers are up on both parades. So really excited about uh the number of people uh coming out. Uh when I talk come early, stay late. There's a lot happening over the course of the 11 days. April 30th to May 10th. The first weekend we partner with Crawfish for a cause who supports charities to have a big crawfish festival. There'll be 5,000 folks right there on the bayfront inside the footprint. Our shopping and Stripes Carnival uh shopping's really continued to grow year-over-year. Um we've got a lot of great vendors coming in into the exhibit hall for that. Uh the Steam Expo I'll touch on even more in a a little bit, but it's really taken off with with a lot of the out of town participation you see um in in things. And then I mentioned earlier the science and history museum and art museum. Uh for the price of admission, you get those two uh museums as part of the uh the attraction as well. So when you come to Buck Days, stay all day. Go check out the museums. Uh come shop and enjoy the live music. And then barbecue showcase. Our last weekend, we've got 10 of the best barbecue joints in the whole region uh for you to sample barbecue that last Saturday and make it a fun experience. But I I think it's important to stress there at the top right corner uh 51 bands will perform with most of those being local over the course of the 11 days of the event. So we're supporting the music community uh very much so um with with their activations as well. And then uh Western Sports uh one of the the main stays since the early 90s uh PBR will again uh bring the velocity tour finals here May 1st and 2nd. Again, that's one of three championship events they host throughout the year with Las Vegas and Fort Worth having the other ones. We're really proud that the city of Corpus Christi, the branding, the mantra, all roads lead to Corpus Christi on a 30 tour stop or mentioned u at every one of those uh tour, every one of those competitions leading up to our event in Corpus Christi. And then Rodeo Corpus Christiey's May 5th through 9th. Um, we're part of PRCA this year, which, uh, puts us, there's 800 and some odd PRCA rodeos. Uh, we'll be the 12th ranked rodeo in all of Pro Rodeo this year, which is pretty, uh, pretty cool for for our size market. Uh, we'll be broadcast on Cowboy Channel, which have about 200,000 eyeballs watching uh, for that, for all five of the performances. And uh one of the really neat things that I I think is showcasing our community to the Western Sports World is we'll be hosting the Association of Rodeo Committees Conference during the event this year. So there'll be about 150 uh rodeo organizers, executives from all over from Calgary, Canada to Houston and everywhere in between coming to the Omni, participating in the conference, attending our event. And uh so it's a nice way to let let let the rest of the Western sports world see see what we're doing down here in Corpus Christi. The concert series expanded this year. Um the PBR nights will have concerts as well. Really excited about this lineup. You can see there's just about something for everyone to enjoy um on on that lineup as well. I'll point out the the May 8th concert with Midland selling super fast. Um, but that's also military night and we've got some really great things in store within as Corpus Christi and uh the Coast Guard and and uh folks to recognize some individuals during that. We'll save it for for that evening, but uh should be a great night to to check out the Steam Expo. This started about six years ago. A concept that Sitco and us came up with was saying let's do something called radio robotics rodeo weather. And it's just exploded. You can see all the great partners that have jumped on board with us. We'll have robotics competitions both the first weekends and second weekend. We've added uh a lot of new things uh to the programming. Uh an aerial drone competition for young people. It's already sold out in in new competitors. It's I think in its second year in in existence. Um but there's a lot of excitement around it. And then we've added what's called VEX VU um which is a university robotics competition this year. So we'll have teams from the University of Michigan uh University of Central Florida&M Collet Station A&M Kingsville and a few others sprinkled throughout coming to compete in our robotics competition right here in in the coastal bin on the university level. So really excited about those things. We've got some great 4H programming as well. Uh food challenge, public speaking, those type of things. Overall about 90,000 will be awarded to these young people as we uh compete in in those different segments. Agon industry awareness days. Last year we did one day of this. It filled up super fast with third graders coming and learning about agriculture and uh just the variety of things that Coastal Bin has to offer. Um this year we've got uh the Heart Research Institute. We've got the aquarium involved. Um, we obviously have uh a lot of different agriculture aspects, but we'll have 1500 students from all over the coastal bin coming in and doing tours uh on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of of that event as well. The steam day um open to the public with the price of admission at the science and history museum. Last year we had about a thousand students come in and just engage and immerse in in science and technology. Uh mad science will be back. Anom Kingsville's engineering department will have a lot of programming and Tesla will even be uh there doing some stuff with our students. So if you have a youngster third grade to high school, bring them and and let them have a fun time on that uh May 9th Saturday. It's a lot of fun for them. Couple of other regional uh partnerships we formed this year. Anom Corpus Christi is going to have a isfest at Buck Days. So, the first Friday, um, with PBR, we'll have 1500 students enjoying the PBR, uh, bull riding event and concerts to follow with that. Uh, we're going to have a cookout for all those students right on the bayfront that Friday night as well, just to to have some fun with them and and really bring them in to be part of our community as well. Anam Kingsville will have Havalina night on May 7th. Um, they'll have a huge group of alumni come over, have a reception, but then they'll also have a ton of student involvement. will have their marching band out front playing as guests come. They'll have ballet flororico, mariachi, all all sorts of activities going on showcasing what their school has to offer to the coastal bend as well. So really excited about engaging them. And then uh Delmare College has taken another approach with us this year. Uh they have dress up days on their campuses, but then on leading up to the event on the 28th, 29th, and 30th, they're going to have pancake breakfastes at each of their uh campuses. will push out more information, but their culinary program is just going to serve pancakes to the public and get folks excited about uh Buck Day's coming up as well. So, really really pleased with what they're they're offering there. And then the newest uh thing we're actually going to push out press on this tomorrow uh is Buck Day's build. We've partnered with Habitat for Humanity. We're going to build the frame of a house right there on the festival grounds and then once the over the 11 days once it's done we'll move it to uh where the foundation is and let the home be finished. It's a fundraiser that we've started a commitment HUD 8 our our presenting sponsor has has pledged a starting amount and we're promoting with QR codes at the festival and on our website uh for folks to make donations. Our goal is to help fully fund this house uh for a a single mother and her children to move into uh as soon as we can get it accomplished. But really really proud of the partnership we're able to come up with with Habitat on on this as well. So you can see there's a a ton happening a lot going on each year. It's how can we do it better and how can we bring more people into the tent to work with us and and goal here and uh look forward to having the whole community out during buck days. If you have information um uh or need information, buckdays.com is the best location for that. And I'd be remiss without uh talking about uh the uh RTA, our our transit authority does an amazing job of shuttling folks uh from all the outerline parking lots, but then also helping us on parade night with those disabled being able to uh catch a ride to their uh bus center on on Leopard Street and then being able to enjoy the parade and their footprints. So, uh, really a lot of great partners, over 100 plus, uh, companies that come together to make it happen and 300 volunteers and then the city staff. Y'all's team is is always topnotch on helping make it all come together. So, thank you guys. >> With that, >> thank you, Johnny. And congratulations on 88 years. This is amazing, and we appreciate the numbers. I would love to um maybe ask you to to email those to the council or that presentation. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Yes. Yeah, >> good job, Johnny. >> That's great. Yeah, thank you, Johnny, for that. And, uh, mayor, that concludes the city manager's report. >> Great. Thank you, Peter. >> It's 11:48, so I think we're going to go ahead and start public comment a little early. Um, as we begin the meeting, I'm going to go ahead and take a moment to address rules of decorum. The council chambers is a public uh, I'm sorry, place of public business, a forum for civic discussion, decisionmaking, and service to the people of Corpus Christi. It is not a stage for personal attacks, disruptions, or vulgarity. We will not tolerate violations of decorum. We're here to do the people's work. So, we'd like to proceed in that spirit. If you would like to speak on a specific agenda item during its discussion, you do not need to sign up beforehand. I will ask for public comment when the council considers the item. At that time, you may come up to the podium and speak. Uh, at this time I'll ask our city attorney, Miles Rizley, to review the council meeting rules of decorum, which will be displayed on the television screens above. >> All citizens must be must be courteous, polite, and respectful of one another, including the city council and city staff. The mayor and council members shall be referred to by title and/or title surname. All remarks must be addressed to the mayor and city council and not to the council members as individuals. Citizens are only permitted to speak on city- related subject matter. Speaking on any non city related matter is prohibited. Loud, boisterous, profane, or obscene language or behavior is not allowed. Citizens must refrain from any disturbing noise, demonstration, or other act disrupting to the city council business. >> Thank you, Mr. Risley. In-person comments are limited to three minutes uh for call-in or WebEx video speakers. Corpus Christie residents receive up to three minutes and non-residents up to one. Uh a visible timer position near the city secretary's desk will help manage the allotted time. If you have a petition or relevant information, please pres present it to the city secretary before speaking. Our first speaker is uh Tom Taglibu. Good morning, Tom Tag Leu, District 2. I'm asking the city council to end the chaos that continues to embarrass the city statewide. Courts have ruled the removal process not legal. You knew it. Staff knew it. But no one was willing to prioritize the city's reputation, the financial burdens involved, and let the electoral process take its course in just a few more months. I don't think it should ever have gotten this far. Do any of you honestly think this process is going to be resolved before the November elections? Do you have such little faith in the integrity of the local, state, and federal law enforcement professionals that you're willing to turn your back on their findings to score a political point? There are so many critical issues facing this city. Take a step back and think what's in the best interest of this city and the residents long term. Is the chaos worth it? Personally, I think it's a sad reminder of how vindictive and nasty politics can be. It's hard enough to be a public servant, and this process fosters mistrust, weakens faith in our leaders, and causes damage that will linger. Please stop, make peace, choose democracy, continuity, and justice, and get back to your roles as policy makers. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Tagler. I just like to remind everyone that there's no applause just to keep our decorum. I know that's okay. Thank you for understanding. And just so everyone knows, we have about well we have 47 uh 47 people to speaking today. Not necessarily all in person, but 47 total. Bradley Bartlesen have a presentation to feed up there. There we go. Okay. Um, good morning. I'm Brad Bartlesson, Corpus Christi. Lack of strategic planning yields crisis mode operation, dealing with only with what's urgent and important. Perhaps you're right now thinking, why are we listening to something that's not urgent? False exaggerated statements are a sign. A councilman stated that he is unaware of any potential negative effects of Inner Harbor. the misleading substitution of desalination in place of inner harbor desalination in a meeting called workshop instead of inner harbor inner harbor rally meeting we see the effects of anxiety reactive thinking staff turnover erosion of trust and resource waste truth number one is we have and expect no residential demand increase number two is that the city oversold the water. Number three is that projects other than Inner Harbor were slowwalked or not investigated at all. Our water dashboard is a status report, not a strategic plan. I provided this strategic outline for this last October with planned capacities going forward and sales limited to 85%. Without control of sales, we are without a rudder subject to whatever walks in the door. are planned to filter by prospective users by employees per MGD percent revenues and higher percent higher management to remain local. What we need the flawed bootstrap deal consumes 600 homes worth of water has four employees instead of a 100 and hundreds of millions of dollars going offshore in Nigeria. The cost details of projects are not still shared and comparison is sketchy undermining trust. It's time to also share that the city revenue is a motivator in project decisions. The signs include heavy promotion of inner harbor while knowing TCQ permit granting was a derelction of duty. Good news is that we have options and you can perform strategy and you can lead such as using all the political influence and perhaps federal money to make Barney Davis happen. You can easily proceed to let the lakes fill up instead of evaporating everything that comes in with floating solar for free. And you have more water now using storm water collection. As per my home system, you see up there 800 gallons in the past week. We can avoid the trifecta of salt, nutrients, and temperature causing hypoxy in our bays by using this water. and more water now can be had by not wasting the water running underneath our Mary roads pipeline. Thank you and may God bless. Thank you, Mr. Brdlesen. Clint Miracle. Clint. Yeah. Do I just start? Just go. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Clint Miracle, Corpus Christi. I try to emulate retired Navy Captain John Butterfield, founder of Beach to Bay Relay Marathon, and former executive director of the President's Fitness Council. I have history with the Corpus Christie Road Runners. I'm the founder of what is now Corpus Christi Triathlon Club. Last year, se June 17th, I spoke here about fairness, referring to a permit for a run September 1st, believing assistant parks and recreation director Sergio Gonzalez was hindering. Recently, swimmers at Collier Pool have asked about a swim run swim event that I have directed for over 26 years. Everyone should be entitled to the same privileges that the fits Victor Benton Court gets from city officials. Sergio Gonzalez is apparently in cahoots with EIT then taking advantage of Corpus Christi Triathlon Club examples. July 7th, Corpus Christi Triathlon Club president asked my approval to have a swim run swim like mine yet evasive on details. He mentioned the club was approached to have one at Bill Wit Pool Labor Day weekend. heard nothing more about it until August 6th at club meeting where we were told Sergio's idea but only date available was Monday September 1st same day and time as my run. I let them know my objections and the reasons why. Someone asked a pool rental fee. He nervously responded. Don't think there is one. I pay pool rental. I said is still going ahead with it. VIT should not be involved. He said he asked okay without VFit. I replied okay. September 1st. Skeptical me drove to Bill Wit pool after my run. Sergio Gonzalez, Vfitit, Victor Benton Court, and their equipment trailer were all there. The name of the vent was mine. It conflicted with an event of mine on my birthday. Parks and Recreation should have the invoice and proof of payment from Corpus Christi Triathlon Club. Their entry was also two and a half times more than mine. Fair is fair. If pool rental is waved, I could avoid charging participants, making it easier to put on. None of this seems coincidental or fair to me. People lose jobs with this kind of conduct. >> Thank you, Mr. Clint. Council Paxton. Thank you. Um Peter, this is the second time that this community member has come to us asking for fair consideration for his events. Um I believed that last time we had staff look into it and now he's back again. if we could please have a direct conversation with him, determine what's what his details are and see how we can make it correct. >> Yeah, we can do that. Councilwoman >> today. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Councilman Hernandez. >> Yes, Peter. Um, this is multiple times where we've had issues with this VIT organization. uh like to have some documentation as to how we're how we're treating them versus other uh organizations. I know that they've participated, you know, in when we had the COVID thing a long time ago. But if we're giving them special treatment, then that's not fair. >> So, I I want to make sure that parks and recreations, whether it's Robert or Sergio, give us a report on on how that's being administered. We need to make sure we treat people fairly. >> Thank you. >> Okay. We'll look into it. Councilman Thank you, sir. Abel Sanchez. >> Thank you, mayor and council members. I have some documents. I turn them into the secretary. Mhm. So briefly, uh, as a son of Corpus Christi, I found that there's a lot of concerns with our water and listening to some of the residents behind me have some very interesting uh, statistics and numbers which I do not personally have, but I have presented uh, a document with the option to deregulate the city water billing company. And uh, it's very simple. Well, there's five basic steps and if there's any questions I would like to answer. Um, this is a very simple problem that has a very quick resolution. Uh, Corpus Christi has a very high temperature, very high sun and humidity. With all that excess moisture, we can actually draw that from the atmosphere and purify it for clean, safe drinking water. That technology does exist. So, I'm just pretty concerned as a resident here of what our plans are to do moving forward. That's really all I have to say. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> We appreciate Thank you. Sandre Meyer Okay, Sandre Meyer, District 4. Y'all know I come from an audit background and as an auditor, we love policies and procedures. Policies and procedures will keep you out of trouble. I have a feeling I've tried to hint at some of the ethics rules that y'all need to be complying with to stay out of trouble. And I'm almost thinking that maybe it's gotten to a point that y'all are embarrassed to go ahead and bring up the issue. So today, I want to put it out public record because for transparency and public trust, everybody needs to know that there are three of y'all that have gotten donations from either David Ajet and his hotels or andor uh Doug Ellison, the attorney. You need to disclose those. Councilman Gil Hernandez, he chaired the audit committee. The city auditor returned to work on August the 28th. The same day, the Homewood Suites allegation was assigned to the auditor. The next day, he receives a campaign donation from Mr. Ajit's hotel. September 30th when the lawsuit is filed is Doug Allison is the attorney that worked with the auditor. Also, he gave or I'm sorry, the Ajet David's Hotels gave Mr. Hernandez a campaign donation. Then the proper thing is to say I've had these donations. Ethics policy says I cannot deal with this. And I've quoted the top two things at the top. Eric can too is when in January he received two campaign contributions from Doug Allison and the uh Mr. Ajit's hotel. On the sheet I've written down which hotel it is. Kayn Paxton. This tears me up because we want you to do well. We We trust you. Please disclose that you got two campaign donations also from the hotels. It is not fair for y'all to be complaining about campaign donations and not disclosing conflicts of interest when y'all have some that's very relevant and it will protect you if you disclose it. It's still not time or there's still time. Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody may forget about the policies and procedures, but this is important for y'all. Please. And like I said, and me and my church members, we want you to do well. We want all of you to do well. We don't want people getting kicked off the council. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Myers. Uh Kenneth Castro, >> Councilman Kim, >> uh Miles, I got a question. Um what's the maximum um donation we receive that we can't vote on an issue? Is it 2500 or how much is it? Do you know? Is there any kind of guidelines? >> Can you turn on your microphone, please? >> I believe the ethics ordinance refers to certain items at at 2700. I have to look up that particular provision. >> There's a limit. >> It's with respect only to a certain the specified subsection >> and I'm with you. I I I think I think everybody should close that. That's what I did. I put on my financial report. Um I really like the city of Corpus Christie to be just like Austin, Texas. Everybody um only gets $300 per person. I mean, you know, I don't think I don't think um you know, all these donations for a city seat, you know, like a mayor's race, a half a million dollars. I mean, that's that's pretty crazy. So, thank you. >> Thank you for clarifi clarifying that, Councilman Kenneth K Castro. >> Yes, sir. >> Good morning. >> Morning. >> My name is Kenneth Castro. First time here. I don't have statist statistics like everyone else, but hey, mayor, city council member, city manager, the necessities of life are food, water, and shelter. As for stage three water restriction, public has sacrificed water usage, but the refineries continue to use more than the p than the past. questions are, are the refineries being fined for using more water than the year before according to the city manager statistics. Um while the public and small districts, schools, colleges, NAS and etc. have sacrificed the usage of water at the sake of the refineries. City manager and CCW officials, what are the what are y'all doing? It seems like you're unqualified and logistic. City Mandrew, you stated on the last video that you cannot just turn off the refinery's water because it will blow up. What kind of statement is that? And you gave that to the public really. Groundwater pumping. Groundwater pumping. That's good for the residents of Corpus Christi, but it's like rearranging the deck chairs with the Titanic when you factor in the refineries. Corpus Christie needs desalinization plant ASAP. US Navy ships use desalinization. Giant cruise ships use desalinization. Other countries use desalinization. Cities, they lost their freshwater sources. Those cities now are thriving and population is not at a lack of water. And this is my opinion, but for the future of Corpus Christi and it is to establish a law on high volume users in the foreseeable future to have their own standalone water system and stay away from the community's water system. >> Thank you, Mr. Castro. >> Thank you. Thank you. Sean Flanigan. Hi, my name is Sean Flanigan. I live in District 2. I got two purposes talking today. The first purpose is to talk to you about alert you to an event that's going to happen at Cole Park Amphitheater from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday the 17th of May. We are having a one nation under God prayer rally to celebrate 250 years of being a nation under God. This coincides with a national rally with the same title being held on the same day in the National Mall in Washington DC. Through prayer and song, we will organize around three themes. First, thanksgiving for our nation. Second, prayer for unity among our citizens. Third, forgiveness when we as an individual or a nation has fallen short of the mark of Christ. We have 10 ministers interpersed with songs leading the praying. I have given you each a flyer and sent you got a PDF that's up on the screen. And everybody, everybody in the audience, everybody in the city is invited to this event. It's a non-political event. We're trying to pray for our country and our city. Second deal is that this is a difficult day. Seems like you all have difficult days every time you meet. What I wish, and this is for me and for everybody who's going to stand at this podium like I'm doing now, is remember Christ's teaching when uh the apostles were chastised for eating improper food, breaking the dietary laws. Christ said, "Hey, it's not what you put in your body. It's what come out of your body that makes you impure." Your words. If somebody stands up here or you all amongst yourselves and disagrees with you or tells lies about you or does personal assaults against you, personal complaints against you, you have no control over that. You have total control over what you say when you are replying to things of that nature. You can disagree agreeably. You can point out falsehoods agreeably. And if you you're better off meeting personal invective with humor and humility. In other words, and that goes for not just you all, but everybody is standing up here is like, you know, here's the deal. This is our city council and we're going to disagree. you guys did. I disagree with a lot of you about a lot of things, but you got to do it with dignity and we got to respect each other and and that's the example we're hoping to see throughout the day today. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Flanigan. Uh Jason >> Fwell, >> do I have the floor? >> You do. >> Thank you. Uh so I'd like to talk about the quorum. Time, place, and manner. Time is uh now time limits three minutes, right? That's uh equal treatment under law, which is the 14th amendment, which you're aware of what you're using to combat counsel, right? So you agree with your rights, but not our rights. Shame on you. Manor at the podium or virtual. Is that right, Mr. What is it? Weasley. Is that right, Weaszley? All right. So, uh, place is here. That's it. That's all. That's all your Texas oath meeting act. That's all your rules. That's it. Anything else does not matter and you can't violate people's constitutional rights. With that said, I tried to finish my conversation last time I was here, but these gentlemen over here threatened me with arrest for my first amendment right. Let you know, equal treatment under law, right? Thank you. Okay. So, today, if y'all threaten to arrest me, make sure you actually have the law that I broke. Go ahead and get GPT chat. This is going to happen in a minute. and I'm gonna ask for it before you threaten me with arrest so I don't look stupid. Okay, men. So in this population you have roughly 350,000 people with the 350,000 people. About 70% of them men 18 years and older is about 120,000 men. If just.1% of the men in this town would do what I do, this city council meeting would be overflowing with men. Over 200. If there's more than 200 men here, what do you think happens to these cops when they try to illegally arrest us? What would you do? Would you arrest 200 men for telling you, "I don't believe in you and you're a piece of shit." Would you? You see how the tides would turn if y'all would just listen? And you could take those 200 men and do it across the entire United States at every city council meeting. And it would take the men what? One hour a month to change the entire world. Men could change the entire world if they just sat up here and did what I did. Thank you for not threatening me for arrest. I appreciate it. Cussing is legal, right, Mr. Reley? Weasley. >> Mr. Weasley, last time I was here, you said cussing was illegal. You have no statement now. Y'all learn. Thank you for your time. Uh, before I leave, your officer also understands constitutional rights as he told me [ __ ] you in the hallway last time I was here. So, [ __ ] you and have a nice day. Amen. >> Andrew, I'm sorry. Alejandro Chabia Alejandro Chave, District 3. Uh, I don't know how I can follow that one. I'm here to talk about the most important thing, water. not the mayor, not uh whether somebody should be talking about other stuff or not. We have to do something now because the water is getting critical. Now, last time I was here, I told you guys what you could do with a del plant and you could act add an extra uh process to it and then take those uh that brine and sell it because those are rare minerals. Well, you guys know that you don't even need a company to make a dessel plant. You guys, the city can make their own. All they got to do is set up where they can boil the salt water. Once that salt water becomes steam, you can put it through a turbine, make electricity for the city free while you're doing the process. At the end, what you're going to have get left is what's called uh solar salt because they use solar energy to heat up the water to make the steam that also becomes fresh water at the end. So, why aren't we looking into that? You know, water is the most important thing right now. Not the mayor, not anything else. I looked into the mayor's uh thing and if you guys proceed with this thing, all you're going to be doing, you're already costing the city money, our money. By continuing with the mayor, you're going to cost us even more. Because if I was a mayor, I'd sue every one of you. And I'll tell you why. The people that voted both times should not be allowed to be judged in jury. The people that did not that voted no both times should be allowed to be the judge and jury. And I tell you why. The other people are going to become witnesses. If I was her lawyer, I'd make sure that the other people become witnesses. Why did you turn? Why do you want to do this now? You took a small percentage of the population and decided to do all this drama when you could have waited until she left office or election and we'd still have that extra money for water. You know, you guys need to really get together. You know, you're a team, but you don't look like one right now. You know, you're causing these people aggravation. You're causing them money. all these things and you should be concentrating on the main thing water. I have filmed I collected six gallons of water since Easter on a 3x4 panel that never moves that stayed at one spot and collected this water. You imagine if you had all these panels how much water you would collect? >> Thank you very much. And I got my prototype. >> Thank you, Mr. Chavea. Scott Barasa. >> Good afternoon. Scott Barazza, Noises County. Want to talk about the whale mitigation program you'll have. Uh this was a program not that I asked for. This was a program that the city employees uh acting as board members of the aquifer storage and conservation district pit as a special condition on the well permits. The uh well permits were approved on December 19th of 2025 and had 60 days to comply. Uh it's listed on the securing water website that they were approved January 13th. Um on the permit, the special conditions on well permits number four states the permittee is to develop a well assistance program, good neighbor program that will A assist any owners with periodic water level monitoring, b assist well owners with water quality data sampling, c review well construction formation with well owners and d include a well remediation program for wells that have been confirmed to be impacted by the permittes operations. Now no evidence that 4D has been done or is being drafted. I cannot find it anywhere uh as of this morning. I was here in February asking about this. I was told we were going to look into it. I came back again in March and Peter said he would look into it. Now on March 26 at the Aquafer Storage and Recovery Conservation District meeting, uh Nick gave a uh briefing report, like a quarterly report. He did not bring forth a written well mitigation plan. It is now April and let me guess, you have to look into it. Less than a week of the partial operation in the western rail field, Orange Grove had well issues and that was not pumping at the planned capacity there. This wasn't supposed to happen but did. Rural whale owners are both concerned and worried and rightfully so. Will our wells be like orange groves and have issues caused from your wells? It wasn't supposed to happen there but it did. Would our wells be any different? No mitigation program exists, just a data collection program. Council will be different and staff as well next year. This needs to go beyond word of mouth and be codified somehow. Estebon Ramos, the CCW water resource manager, he couldn't answer my question on whale spacing rules and told me I had to do a public information request and I did. And still there is no response from Belinda Beras, a senior management an analysis for CCW. These are both the general manager and administrator for the Corpus Christie Aquifer Storage and Recovery Conservation District. I sent my request February 19th. I also sent a request asking about the well mitigation program. that too was met with silence. With this type of behavior from them, I don't expect any help from the Corpus Christi Aquifer Storage and Recovery Conservation District in regard to well issues caused by their permit holders. And with that lack of action forming a written well mitigation plan from the city, it appears rural well owners won't see any help if those wells the city's wells cause their wells issues. Hire a consultant or do whatever you need to do. Just get it done. Uh my opinion on this as well as many others in rural uh Noises County and surrounding counties, uh we're all of the opinion that we're just [ __ ] out of luck if our wells have issues caused by the city wells because nothing is being done. Don't you just love good neighbors? >> Uh thank you, Mr. Barza. And Miles, would somebody please address his his inquiries? >> Jesus Wong. Jesus Wang, District 4. Good afternoon, council. I stand here as a community member, organizer, uh, and a university student. About a year ago, a colleague and I were sitting in the council chambers when a community member spoke during a public comment about the adopt a park program. Um, inspired by that moment, Texas Rising adopted Dodge Park located along Ocean Drive and committed to monthly uh litter cleanups. Uh, we wouldn't have otherwise known about the program. So, this is our way of paying it forward. Across our 11 park cleanups, we've engaged about 90 volunteers ranging from university students, business owners, and community members just simply looking to get involved. Over the past year, we've collected roughly 78 industrial-grade trash bags, roughly equivalating to 573 cubic square feet of waste. And trust me on the math, I uh I'm confident in my grade school skills. Um, and most of that trash is consisting of plastic bottles straws styrofoam um a handful of vape pens, disposables. And tomorrow, April 15th at 6 p.m. marks our 12th park cleanup and one year since we initially adopted Dodric Park. We invite members of the community to join us as we celebrate this milestone. Um, and also encourage other individuals and civic organizations to consider adopting a park through the city's adopt a park program. According to the website, about 33 out of 132 parks have been adopted. Um, and again, picking up trash once a month for an hour and a half may not sound like the most fun thing, but um, surprisingly, picking up trash, um, and witnessing the beauty of that park is the few enjoyable things that have come about, um, despite turbulent times. So, thank you again. I invite everyone here to, um, attend our puck clean up tomorrow and, um, I look forward to it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Wong. Susie Sana. I'm Susil Luna Salana as you well know and I'm here today to bring up some concerns that I have and they are involving Raju and the island hotel Marriott and David Ajieve and the connection with the residential and hotel. On August the 27th, the city of Corpus Christi entered into a business agreement with Padre Island North LLC on Reju for the development of a dual brand island hotel Marriott and a conference center. The agreement clearly state that the company would invest an estimated $34 million into construction projects, including 200 hotel rooms and a conference center during the space. Based on that representation, the developers received an approval of $2 million incentive. Heard two million before, have you? However, just one month later, on September the 24th, 2025, a commercial building permit tied to the same project listed a total of construction for only $10.3 million. That is a discrepancy of nearly $34 million. So, the question is simple. Which number is the truth? because the permits appear significantly undervaluing the reduction fees of the city permits money that's paid to the city. Is the real cost 10.3 million or 35 million? Which one is it? Because either way, it looks like there's a possibility of something that is fraught. And I hear rumors said that, oh, the staff agrees that the we we can't talk about this. It'll open a Pandora's box. Okay? Everybody does this. I'll tell you what I told my kids in school. Everybody may do it, but if you got caught, you're the one that got caught. And there's documentation in what I have provided to you. Strong documentation that shows what it is. And you cannot have pref. Hey, I agree with Congressman uh uh Councilman Hernandez. I agree with him that there should be no pref. So you need to investigate these things. You cannot let it go that oh everybody does it. That's a third of the money and permits that is not being paid to the city. And they'll tell you oh but we have receipts. No they don't. Or they would have been on your website. There would have been public information that I received. So you obviously don't have them. Is somebody countering them up? Is there an deal going on behind closed doors? Oh my god, is it possible that we have people doing things like that in Corpus Christi? I want every one of you that came out and demanded answers from the Homewood Suites to demand answers on this hotel. It is appropriate that you do so. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Alana and Jared Suarez. Jared Suarez, District 2. The city is in severely compromised position over basic human necessity, water. We are mission status critical. This alone ought to be the singular utmost importance of reasons to impeach the mayor. The responsibility lies with the mayor. The mayor and the council's implied consent of approval from the city's manager's actions have resulted in epic failure. As a result, the community now faces the consequences of the leadership from the mayor and that has not prioritized the needs of its citizens but that of our own. Of course, allegedly that is. Is the agenda to impeach the mayor political power move? Maybe, maybe not. What I do know is those running for city council somehow all seem to be tied to the mayor. If she stays in, if she stays in and her pawns elected, they will obey her every demand, refineries first, and then possibly consider the residence again. Allegedly. Also, the city is roughly $1.9 billion dollars in debt. Yet, we are paying the city manager more than what the president makes. Why? We the people should vote on the salary and that of the council and mayor no more self-pay raises. My opinion, he should be paid minimum wage for his performance. I am not against del plants. I am against the experimental diesel plant being in a closed bay and not even a plan to make profit from the salt that would be extracted. Dumping the salt back into the water will kill our wildlife ecosystem that will stop the revenue we get from the fishing industry. The salt dumped back into the water. It will eventually overload the del. The salt content of the water will become higher as the years go by. The salt will be too much for the filters. How much will that cost us to fix when that breaks down? Sources say that the mayor already pre-sold all the water that will come from the diesel plant to refineries again allegedly. Yet, our tax money will foot the bill for the diesel plant to be built, which in turn raises our water bill. The refinery should pay for the diesel completely since they will only benefit from it. Aristotle in his book of ethics says that to be a politician is of the greatest good a cit citizen can do because a politician self-sacrifices for the city they serve. How extremely far we have gone from self-sacrifice for the greater good to now how can I best serve myself and get the best kickbacks. Our judgment before God sees all our intentions of what we do in secret. We cannot hide from nor escape God's perfect justice and punishment. Do what is right even at the sake of your reputation. Even if you can't afford any more Gucci bags in the near future. Thank you Dr. Rick Baretta. Good afternoon everybody. My name is Dr. Rick Barrera from District 5. I gratefully serve as the pastor and uh a proud commissioner and vice chairman of the ethics commission. A few weeks ago, Councilman Scott had asked uh for clarification on the procedures uh when a complaint is presented to the ethics commission and he was told that they were all distributed through the city attorney's office and then forwarded to the ethics commissioners. And that's not entirely accurate. Two years ago, in March of 2024, a member of this council was brought before the ethics commission following a complaint um concerning from a concerned citizen alleging uh a violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act um involving interactions with council members and some port officials. That council member was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing. However, shortly after that meeting u that hearing, a revision to the code of ordinances uh was presented to and ultimately approved by this council. That revision capped legal expenses and allowed city officials to retain their own legal counsel. And there's no significant uh concern over that. The concern arises with the provision directing the city attorneys the city attorney's office to review all complaints and determine unilaterally whether or not they're forwarded to the ethics commission. Not not the city attorney's fault. Miles and his staff do a fantastic job for the city. That change, however, is contrary to the very reason why the ethics commission even exists. Since that change was made, please hear me. Since that change was made, not a single complaint has made it to the ethics commission in over a year and a half. All of them have been dismissed by the city attorney's office. The ethics commission exists to get to give citizens a voice to ensure transparency and and accountability to in public service. The commission guards against conflicts of interest and clarifies what's permissible and investigates complaints f fairly and makes recommendations to this council. But most importantly, it preserves public trust. Even when a city official acts appropriately, appearances matter. When a city employee determines whether or not another city employee is in violation, that's that's hard to take. It it can be um it can be something that doesn't look right. um not because the city attorney won't be fair or has an agenda, but simply because they're a city employee and they may have professional or personal relationships with individuals who could be the subject of complaints. Early last year, um the commissioners voted unanimously to recommend restoring the original language to the code of code of ordinances, allowing all complaints to be reviewed by the commissioners that you folks appointed. that recommendation still hasn't made it to you folks. Um, over a year later and now the word on the street is you guys have been pretty busy here in the council chambers. I don't know something about water or something like that. I don't know um I don't know anything about that. But what I do know is that it's time it's past time guys for you guys to review that recommendation that the ethics commission gave you. The commission believes restoring the original language of that uh section would strengthen transparency. >> Thank you, Dr. Betta. >> Yeah. >> Uh Ghart Jackson. >> Yes, >> Councilwoman. Thank you, Peter. Can we review that recommendation from that committee please? >> We can. Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you. Hello, Corpus Christie. Yesterday, I was at your school board. They passed a new Texas Senate Bill 13 went into effect at the beginning of this school year. All school boards in Texas have to have a library review committee for books added to or removed from the school library. I have been taking autographed copies of Dr. Judy Wood's book, Where Did the Towers Go? She took the National Institute of Science and Technology to court in New York's Southern District along with several military contractors. And none of you know her name. It's not mentioned on the news. It is hidden under the table. The fact is no plane hit the World Trade Center. It is in your face obvious. You look at page two here after her quote. It shows an F4 Phantom jet. That's Newton's third law. Instant and opposite reaction. The instant that nose touches, the explosion begins. All debris field forms externally to the collision. You watch it on 911 and the building flies right through it. The plane doesn't even wrinkle. It goes right on by. Not a single piece of dust as it enters and goes completely into the building. Finally, a fireball after it reaches the center. Another one is the freef fall. You look at page three. the time it would take in freef fall for a vacuum compared to the collapse of the tower times and so forth. They broke the bonds. >> I'm sorry to interrupt you, but it must be city related. You're >> I can't understand you. I'm hard of hearing. May I please finish my three minutes? >> You're you're it must your comment must be city related. So, >> Texas Senate Bill 13 and the school board must review this book. I'm putting it in your face. You are a gullible fool if you think an airplane knocked down the World Trade Center building. Dr. Judy Wood goes 500 pages of publicized information that is beyond doubt and it is in your school board and will be. All Texas school boards need to review this. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Mr. Jackson. Rachel Cabayro, >> city secret, I need a a clarification because my agenda item is later. So, I need to know what to speak on my public comment now. Will I be given the opportunity to speak on my petition later in the meeting if I speak about it now or should I speak about something else? Well, um, you have a choice to speak now on the item or when the item comes up, when it's being considered, David, I mean Rachel Gabayto, District 1. Um, it's comical that we're getting attorneys to uh fight for our constitutional rights and here I'm fighting for my constitutional right to speak on the things that I need to speak on. I'm going to speak about the Inner Harbor experimental inner harbor desalination plant. I think uh the joke of an emergency meeting last Friday was proof that things are not moving forward. the meeting was unnecessary and that we um are pushing a horrible horrible project. Um this community and this city manager and others are wanting to put this all of the rateayers to pay to have quadruple water rates for approving an experimental inner harbor desalination plant. We're already in debt. Three billion dollars. Three billion. And there's no water to show for it. 60 million. One of our lovely, thank goodness, last term council members said that, yeah, they have squandered about 50 million of that money. It's been squandered because there's nothing to show for it. Um, corruption comes at a really, really, really expensive price for our community members. Um Chris 6 did a story on April 3rd and showed how we as a community are conserving. We have dropped in usage from February to March from 395 MGD to 2 361 MGD. So when we conserve water, where is the water that we're conserving going? Oh, large volume water users their usage was 871 and it is increased to 900 mgd. So, we're saving water and industry is taking it because we don't have an administration or we haven't had in the last 10 years, 20 years low elected public officials that represent the community. The scales are upside down. It is time that we get public servants who serve this community and do not serve themselves, do not serve their industry partners, do not serve their contri uh contri contributors from their campaigns. We cannot continue to bear the weight of what industry is taking. We've been a good partner to them. You can drive up I37 corridor and see how good of a partner we've been to industry. You can go up Joe Fulton corridor and see how good of a partner we've been to industry, but you can't look at your property tax bill and see that. You can't drive our streets and see that. Start representing people. It's time. Robin Sanders. Madame Mayor, City Council, and all, we've reached a point where you just have to have a reality check. If this were a marriage, it would be dissolved for irreconcilable differences. If this was a jury, it would be disbanded because it is a hung jury. Individually, you're all just great people. As a team, you are dysfunctional. Not your fault. And it's not the fault of the mayor of this city. It's our fault. We voted you into office. We can take you out of office. There's only one solution, and that solution was given by Governor Abbott when he said that he can come down here and take over this project. He's going to have to do it. because you're small town thinking people. You can't do it been after the mayor. You don't have to you don't have to put up with this. You are the one that can contact Governor Abbott and say, "Please come and take this burden." I, as a citizen, a lone voice in the wilderness, am going to do the same. I'll people to follow me. The city can't go any further. Right now, there are 120 tankers on the way to the Gulf of America. Venezuela is sending oil. Do y'all think that President Trump came down here just to make your acquaintance? No. Corpus Christi is becoming a major industrial hub and there's nothing that the hotel industry, the hospital industry, tourism can do about it. This is soio economic stop it. You're not going to stop progress. You can't be the bride at every wedding and the corpse at every funeral. You cannot confuse education with wisdom. And the puppet master that is the hospitality industry throwing money around because they want to beat tourism. They're nothing. We're talking about billions and billions right now. a major data center, AI, is sending out a survey for jobs that pay $120,000 a year. Thank you all, Madame Mayor. I'll be in touch with you again and uh I'm going to go talk to the governor's office. >> Thank you, Miss Sanders. Joseph Gore. Thank you, mayor, city council, city staff. Very good to be here. Thank you for having me. Um Joe Gore, District 5. Corpus Christi needs water, not witch hunts. A Chronica independent poll showed that 64% of Corpus Christie residents wanted the city to move forward with an air harbor del. But six votes on the council killed the Kiwit contract at taxpayer expense. This is not representing your constituents. This is called activism. Water has always been a serious issue here in Corpus Christi. And this decision was mowled over by hundreds if not thousands of experts, city council persons, citizens, and studies. Already for 20 years plus, several successive councils have moved this del closer to completion. All this council had to do was take the ball and fall over the goal line. That's it. Simple. No problem. But they didn't. Now, some of the council is wanting to impeach the mayor to just distract from this mistake that they made. I bring this up because it appears that some of these councils are not only experts on water, but also experts on investigations as well. Uh it seems that even after a thorough CCPD investigation and another one paid for what 50 grand um you're still not happy you didn't get the results that you wanted. Um well I'm not happy. I'm a taxpayer. I don't like wasting money and we're wasting a whole lot of money. If I would I would believe that a person of integrity would when they didn't get the results that they wanted, they would offer to pay for that investigation themselves. You know, if if witch hunts is what they and what we want, maybe we ought to investigate everybody's donor roles and see maybe what's making mo what's motivating everybody's actions here. Anyone can see that this is all just a classic act of projection. you know, uh, you know, accusing others just to cover cover for yourself and your own actions. Uh, it's not the mayor's ethics that need investigation. It's the it's the people that are making the accusations and and accusing and and stirring the pot and making dirty in the waters is who really need to be looked at. I support the mayor in her defense of herself and these baseless accusations and very much appreciate that she's fighting for what is right for her and this city. and also to the council members who stood on the right side of the issue of the water and have not been swayed by the intimidation and bullying tactics of these activists. Hopefully the voters will remove these radicals and elect more adults to serve along your side in the next election. Time will tell you, but we'll see. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Mr. Gorm. >> Statement of fact. >> Statement of fact. Yes. Go ahead, Councilman War. >> Yeah, I just wanted to present a statement of fact there. Um, as far as the council goes in desalinization and the and the vote to terminate QID, we saved the taxpayers about $350 million. When we did that, we didn't kill I didn't vote I've never voted once to stop Del. But what I did do was take a look at their price tag, which they couldn't substantiate and save this community $350 million. If that's not something, then I don't know what is. Thank you, >> Grace Canales. Hello, I'm Grace Canales and I live in district 4. As a lifelong resident of Corpus Christi and a student, I am not just frustrated. I am alarmed by how long this water crisis has been allowed to escalate. Right now, our reservoirs are sitting at roughly 14% capacity overall. With Lake Corpus Christi around 8.5 and Choke Canyon near 7%. If you don't see that as a warning as a warning sign, then the residents of Corpus Christie are screwed. Our water supply constitutes for seven counties and over 500,000 residents. Industry accounts for a significant portion of um of this city's water use, often estimated at over half of the total supply. Yet, despite that, the burden of conservation continues to fall heavily on residents while long-term solutions remain unclear or delayed. This is not a new issue. For decades, we have known our water supply was vulnerable. So the question is no longer what is the plan. It is why were stronger actions not taken sooner. Great idea for desalination plant but dumping that sludge right back into the bay. Yeah. No. Y'all are ready for real solutions but don't want to invest. People are already leaving the city because they are losing confidence in its future. That's sad. What concrete actions are being taken right now to reduce industrial strain on our water supply? What measurable steps are being implemented to secure a a sustainable source of water for residents? And why does it feel like we are still reacting to this crisis instead of having prevented it? Water is not optional. It is a basic necessity and right now it does not feel like it has been treated with the urgency it deserves. We do not need more reassurance. We need accountability, immediate action, and a clear timeline. What are you doing today to ensure that Corpus Christie has water tomorrow? Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Canales. Jody Fedler meeting. Jody Fedler, Corpus Christie Police Officers Association, District 1. I'm here today to express the POA support for our mayor. Public safety is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of any city government. Mayor Plet Guardo has been a champion for public safety since she was elected in 2016. And as a proponent for public safety, Mayor Guardo, excuse me, has been committed to two things. Protecting the citizens of Corpus Christi and making the city safer and protecting the officers of the police department. We would be remiss if we did not take a moment to recognize the near decade of steadfast support given by this mayor and council to improve public safety throughout our great city. These efforts include adding additional staff, new facilities, updated equipment, advanced training, and continued public support. There is little doubt these efforts have added up to the safety of this community. Equally important is the investment in officers. Funding for 506 officers demonstrates a serious commitment to maintaining a strong and effective police force. It's not just about numbers. It's about making sure our departments are properly staffed so our officers can do their job safely and effectively and so our community receives the level of service it deserves. We respectfully urge all city members or correction. We respectfully reserve urge all members of city council to conduct themselves in a manner that ensures that all actions taken are guided by established laws, proper protocols, and a commitment to fairness above all else. In the world we live in, unfortunately, versions of events and/or opinions of events are many times dictated by social media, emotions, and misinformation and not by facts that dictate the truths of this case. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Fedler. Ron Greybin, >> Ron Greybin, District 1. Um, I say amend to what was just said. Um, Austin, uh, there's no go zones for the police department. I have a friend that, uh, works up there and so I'm mess with you a little bit and say I don't want to be like Austin. And I know what you were saying, but uh that's why I live in Corpus because I don't want to live in Austin. But I want to thank the city manager who has been called a lot of different names for an incredible job on North Beach. Uh if you go down there, you'll see something that is happening that hasn't happened in decades on North Beach. And I thank our council uh just one representative for your work over there. I know you're not running again, and that's sad to me, but I understand. and uh Mayor Guardo, we wrote around. I gave you seven things to do. We got three, six of them done and the seventh one was really a wish list. So, thank you for what you've uh been able to accomplish. Um the um the Farfield study isn't going to really settle anything. Either you're for it or you're not. Um, it's just not the point of contention that you're going to be able to argue about. Al Gore predicted 20 years ago certain things. He still says he's right 20 years later. So, you know, you need to look at that and say, what are we doing? Environmentalist. I'm environmentalist. You know, our family has a um owns a um a um forest in New Zealand. And we take those trees and we harvest them and we bring them all the way over here. And you know what we make out of them? Toilet paper, which everybody I assume uses. And I haven't heard anybody address the issue of the economics of the um environment impact of making that tree into a toilet paper roll in your bathroom. So if you don't have toilet paper, hopefully you have a bedet, but now you're taking water away from the industry. If you don't have a bedet, I don't want to shake hands with you. All due respect, I've been to India before. So I'm just trying to point out to you that there are certain things that are highlighted as environmental and it's like a smorgas board environmentalist. We have to survive in this world or else we can go back to living in caves and cooking over wood. I got off the plane in New Delhi, India. And I said, "Jroj, what's going on here? I can't hardly breathe." He said, "Well, that's all the poor people. They cook with using uh cow dung patties. They put straw in there and they then they cook it." So, I wish I could get to the mayor, but I'm sorry. >> Thank you, Mr. Craven. Christian Recendes. Hello. Hello. Good afternoon. Hope you all have been having a pretty good day so far. Uh Gil, Eric, good to see you guys again. Um my name is Christian, uh affiliate and member of CDF, Citizens Defending Freedom. Um, I did have uh some stuff to say, but I just want to still um go off of some encouragement that I saw this morning. Um, I am a Christian and uh we I live in this beautiful city, Corpus Christi, uh, in Texas. And, um, what does Corpus Christie mean? You know, in Latin, I'm sure a lot of people know it means body of Christ. Correct. Um, so a lot of us Corpus Christians hold that dear. And um because we stand on truth, we stand on morals leadership respect compassion and of course, yes, love. And uh so the uh encouragement I want to share today with you guys is this. Uh we've all done things that weigh us down and make us wonder, why do I seem to do what I know is wrong? In scripture, sin is described as actions that miss the target that God's asked us to aim for. living a life centered around loving God and others. While there are universal actions and dishonor God, small acts of disobedience also pull us away from him. The Apostle James wrote that it is sin to know what the right thing to do is and then to not do it. James 4:17. In other words, if you know what God is asking you to do, yet you still decide to disobey him, then you are undermining God's authority in your life. Sin entices us because it is self-gratifying, but it results in eternal separation from God and others. Um, that's just some good encouragement I want to share with you. Uh, ladies and gentlemen, um, y'all still doing a great job. Uh, I am an athlete and coach here in this community. um working as a team is very important and I hope that y'all continue to work as a team together and you listen to us uh community and um I know there's a lot of uh enticement negative but I hope um y'all guys can make the right choices and the right decisions for this community. There's a lot of wasted projects that have happened in the past. Um, I mean, I know a lot of some of y'all were behind it. If not, um, the, uh, the outlets, Slitterbond, um, a lot of businesses that continue to go bankrupt and leave here. Corpus is a beautiful, beautiful city. I'm electrician. I work for American Electrical Power Company and um, I've traveled around Texas and everybody loves Corpus Christi. I love Corpus Christi. And we need to continue to make this company I mean this uh community grow and flourish. I mean it's I see it all the time. Austin uh San Antonio, Dallas, I used to live in Fort Worth area. Houston, it's all flourishing and booming. I mean they have highrises going up like crazy. And why is that not happening here? It needs to happen here because this is an amazing, beautiful city, guys. Thank you guys. >> Thank you, Mr. Recendes. Samuel Andre Frier Sam Andre Frier District 4. I'm thinking about a movie quote and it says, "This town needs an enema." Now before I'm misunderstood, I'm not talking about necessarily removal of the mayor or anyone else per se, but I am talking about a process needs to take place. In Proverbs the 6th chapter, it says, "A scoundrel, a wicked man is one who goes around with a perverse mouth, winking his eyes, shuffling his feet, pointing his fingers, who continually plots evil with deceit in his heart, stirring up strife. Therefore, his disaster will be sudden. In an instant, he will be broken with no remedy. Six things Adonai hates. Yes, seven are an abomination to him. Hotty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet that run to evil, a false witness who spouts lies, and one who stirs up strife among a brother. You know, it's interesting because we're sitting here, I know in May the 17th, they're talking about a national time of prayer. And if we really think about that a lot of times the 2 Chronicles 7:14 when it says, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, if they would seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land." The problem is most people overlook the fact that it's really referring also to if the Lord allows the heavens to be like iron and there's no rain on the land, aren't we not in a drought? Is it not time for certain things to take place? We hear interesting things. For example, efforts to obstruct what? My pet project, the inner harbor diesel. When it comes to individuals who are just standing their ground, feeling doing the the right things that they feel is the right thing to do. Well, guess what? What do you think God prepares more about? Does he care about disrupting or obstructing the progress of a pet um job or something? Or does he care about obstructing justice? I think he cares more about obstructing justice. Now, let's think about a few things. I know that the count the code of of ordinance article 211 talks about different things. Oftentimes you hear, "Oh, we're obstructing, we're o overlooking the dem democracy." Well, first of all, if I'm not mistaken, we're in a constitutional republic, not a democracy. So why do we use those kind of words? We're not a democracy. A constitutional republic. And guess what that means? We the people are the government. That means we have a responsibility. Just because someone is elected, it doesn't absolve them from any criminal actions from above the law. It doesn't elevate them above scrutiny and it doesn't elevate them above accountability. We need to hold everyone accountable. And oh what oh what tangled wells we weave when we first seek to deceive. >> Thank you Julian Hernandez. Uh, good afternoon. I So, I was actually on the phone last council meeting at the end. I almost waited like two hours to and y'all couldn't hear me. I didn't know if I can have any of that time back. Well, I just thought I'd ask. But uh uh there was a lot of things I wanted to say that I'll probably say today um in reference to that day. Uh Julian Hernandez uh District 3. Um first off, condolences to the family, Mr. Ku. Um from from my family and I I found a lot of stuff that my uncle uh anyways uh condolence to the family and uh also to that day that I wanted to speak um there was the first lady that came out here. I think she was crony to somebody, but she pointed out Mrs. Compost and Mrs. Paxton. And I was so angry at that because she was complaining about a person that came in here and pointed out some other ladies, but yet she came and did the same exact thing and nobody said anything to her. Okay. Um but just wanted to address those two things from last time. Uh two minutes. Okay. My deal is on ethics and the law. Um you know uh I used to do uh transmission uh utilities. And just to set the scene, we're in South Dakota. Um farmer parcel uh rightway easement. Uh, in the corner of the easement was a uh a wetland area. And for those that aren't familiar with that, uh, you know, you can't just as you can't just put dirt in it, you know. Um, but we drilled a hole about 15 ft in in in diameter, about 60 ft down. So, we had a lot of spoils left. And I knew that I couldn't push that dirt into that hole, but the farmer I could give that dirt to the farmer and he could push it in. If I did it, it was against the law, right? I could be fined. The company that I work for couldn't be fined. But if he did it, it's his dirt. Okay? It's the same exact thing. It would cost me money to fill a dump truck and remove all those spoils from that job site or I could leave it for him to do. It wouldn't cost me anything. He could fill up that that uh that little watering hole that I'm not allowed to do. And I say this because it was against the law for me to do it, but ethically it was right for me to take the spoils, pay for it, and remove it from that location. Some of these things that that that I started following when I started coming to the council meetings. Yeah, there's a lot of stuff saying that it wasn't against the law that some of the things that happened here, but ethically the fine line that that was crossed that I could have easily crossed that day and those things beat action. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Hernandez. Adam Rios, Adam Rios, Kathy Fulton, Kathy Fulton, Selena Gera. My name is Selena. I'm District 2. When a system becomes flawed, when it lacks integrity and drifts into unethical behaviors, it no longer serves the people it was designed to protect. In my work, I've built a model centered on advocacy, ownership, and removing unnecessary barriers along with a critical soft skill called listening. Not listening to respond, but listening to understand. Because when we listen only to reply, we are not truly listening at all. What I have consistently observed not just in this issue but across many is a pattern of division, manipulation and harsh responses. When individuals question decisions or offer diffing perspectives, this is deeply concerning. Leadership, especially elected leadership, carries a responsibility to re remain steady and principled. Personal emotions should never dictate decisions or responses. When accusations arise, the response should not be defensiveness or retaliation, but transparency and accountability. If actions are just, they can withstand scrutiny. Everyone deserves to be heard, including the mayor. Avoiding dialogue of silencing concerns does not resolve issues. It deepens them. When we silence, we veer on the side of socialism. Justice should never be something we evade. It should be something we pursue. And according to our city charter, we have that right. Retaliation is not a sign of strength. It is often a sign of resistance to change. True leadership seeks truth even when it's uncomfortable. It invites accountability rather than punishing those who raise concerns. When over 2,200 people and today 2,355 to be exact, people recognize that a system may be flawed, that is not something to dismiss. It is something to examine closely. It becomes a responsibility to advocate, take ownership, and acknowledge the reality of the situation. At the end of the day, leadership exists to serve the people. We the people, not the other way around. If a system protects injustice instead of addressing it, then that system itself must be questioned. That should never be a political thing, but it's about doing the right thing. As is, as it is written in Proverbs 3:18 says, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly." And that's what the people in this courtroom have done every week. I watch it live almost every single week. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Ga Jasmine Evans. Hi, I'm Jasmine Evans, District 5. Um, what's being passed out right now is just an invitation to our park cleanup that we're doing next uh tomorrow. It is one year of Texas Rising adopting Dodridge Park. Um, I always come out to these council meetings wanting to stay up to date with city issues that are going on. Um, making sure that we are opposing deselination here in our bay. But also, uh, I just really wanted to shout out the adopt a park program. Um, I really loved hearing about it. Last year, there was one gentleman from, I think, a skate organization who had brought it up and I thought it was just a very lovely program and I really wanted to make sure that more organizations, more people know that they can adopt a park. Um, and I'd love to see our council as there. Um, definitely, especially with it getting closer to like, I don't know, campaign season or something. I know there'll be a lot of promises about how y'all serve our community, but we would actually love to see y'all out there serving our community and making sure that Corpus Christi is a beautiful, lovely community. Um, and really making sure that, you know, we are actually taking care of the body of Christ and making sure that it is clean and it is beautiful. Um, and so that was just what I wanted to share out here today. The QR code is to sign up. If y'all would like to scan it right now with your phones, um, you absolutely can, but we would love to see you there tomorrow. >> Thank you, Miss Evans. Ellie Castillo, Elli Castillo, Michael Savad. Good afternoon. Uh, my name is Michael Savode. I'm a recent legal immigrant crossing the border from California to Texas. Uh I left California a few years ago, three or four years ago, because of the what I considered the despicable political environment that I was living under. Uh I moved to Dallas. Uh I thought that would be a much better situation. Uh but when I got there, I realized there was a city council that must have had a very strong California influence. Uh this influence, I think, is under the misnomer of uh political correctness. In fact, they started to do things that reminded me way too much of why I had left California. In fact, they took the governor, I'm excuse me, the mayor, Eric Johnson, and he actually left the Democrat party and became a Republican because of the way the city council was acting. Uh, last summer, I decided, okay, enough of Dallas. I'm going to move to Corpus Christi. I had been here a long time ago as a young Navy officer at the Naval Air Station before I went to Vietnam. Uh, and I said, "There's there's a place. It's on the ocean. I miss that part of California. And I came here last year and one of the first events we attended on my fiance and I was a c was the Corpus Christie Jazz Festival. We were sitting at a table by ourselves and we watched this lady walk around talking to all the people who were there. Think I'm thinking she must be a representative of the jazz festival. Well, she came over to our table, sat and introduced herself as Pette, strictly Pette, no sign of a mayor. And we said, "We just moved here and we were interested." She sat down with us and went on and told us how much she loved Corpus Christi, how beautiful the city was. And then by coincidence, she says, "Oh, by the way, I'm the mayor." I kind of took me back and I said, "Wow, uh, you're doing one heck of a job." And since then, she has helped me find places to go and make what I think Corpus Christi my final resting place. I hope that doesn't sound too bad. Uh but I want to stay here. I want to see Corpus Christi continue to grow. I think it's a great place. Uh I don't think we need uh to change a system that is working. So, I read about this 50,000 almost 50,000 votes for a mayor uh candidate, not because of promises she made, but because she had been an elected official doing that job for already two terms. This wasn't campaign promises. People liked what she had done. in a campaign filled with six or seven candidates, she almost got 50% of the vote and wouldn't have needed a runoff like many of you have. Don't let that take place. City council, don't calicnicate Corpus Christi. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Seote. Robin Cox. Hello, I'm Robin Cox, District 3. And the first thing I'm going to read to y'all is the definition of decorum. Decorum refers to proper, polite, socially acceptable behavior, emphasizing on dignity and good taste and conduct. We all hear the word decorum constantly here. And today, with the cameras rolling, decorum seems to be right on spot. So everybody askked how I can get along. I'm a it's no no secret that I'm a staunch Republican. How am I friends with many many Democrats, even socialist? I'll tell you how. I show them respect and they show me respect right back. And we found out we have more in common than we have differences. But I would never insult them. And this council um has done some things that I can't believe. And I'm not saying who's responsible. I would never stoop to the level of hiring someone to do reals and insult other council members and be bullied. Even it's gone to the point of bullying people that come up to speak. Now, I know about 20 people who wanted to speak today. They called me, but they're afraid. I say this every time. They're afraid of their businesses, code enforcement coming after them, restaurants. You should not use your power like this. Don't know who's doing it because we can't say names, but you should never use your power to bully people. Another thing I want to say, nobody pays me. I've never taken a dime from any one of y'all. I don't have a nonprofit I can ask y'all to give to me. I do this simply because I care about this community. Another reason many people haven't come out today, they're middle class people. They can't take off work. I'm lucky that I work for myself and I'm able. Many people have given place um things they've quoted today. I'm not going to quote the chronica because um gosh, I might as well quote tiger beat or the inquirer. I mean, that's just not going to be a social a person to um um quote. And when we talk about decorum, I don't think I've ever called anyone disgusting here, but yet I've been called disgusting. Wear it as a badge of honor. So you come up here and you give people time that talk about things you like and smile. I would like for each of you that didn't weren't part of that horrible video to at least admit it and then we can get down to the bottom of who's doing that because it's terrible. And I know Buck Days is coming up. Many of you are excited about riding on a float. And the words of my dad when we used to ask to go there's a reason those floats are all made of toilet paper. You know what sits on top of them a lot? Just want to let you know that. And um as far as being nice people, we had the police department come up and give their say who they thought the police is supposed to kind of stay out of things. This makes me a little afraid of when they take sides. And as far as quoting who's nice and a nice person, my dad met Sam G and Connie years ago. Said he was one of the nicest guys he ever met. Ted Bundy was pretty nice, too. >> Thank you, Miss Cox. Zachary Bournestein. >> Councilman, my condolences on your loss. Zachary Bournesting, District 1. I have a video I want to play from the uh emergency. >> No, no, no. How much staff time we have spent >> from the special meeting workshop focus on the worst del project ever considered, the inner harbor diesel project. Play the video, please. No, no, no. How much staff time we have spent in an entire year before five council members put in put a halt >> to the original desalination project, the inner harbor. Let's talk about that >> by rejecting the key wit and it was six council members, not five. Um, and then you can add the 50 million that was also flushed down the toilet when that action took place. And that is factual. That is that is factual. >> On your on page nine, he identifies uh that we're a 25% reduction. So even if we have spent 50 million, we save 336 million. So we're we're in the black by 286 million just by rejecting Keywit projects. >> As a citizen and a taxpayer, this is not about abstract budgets. It's about our money, our homes, and our future where I only need but demand reasonable and sensible spending. When you consider new project, you must look beyond the initial cost. We, the citizens, pay the long-term operating expenses. We need to know how these decisions influence our utility bills, our taxes, and the services we rely on. Every decision made here directly affects us. We expect you to act in the best interest of every family, every business, and every person in this community. We are your rateayer, your taxpayer, and we hold you accountable. Clear thinking and disciplined planning lead to practical, substantial solutions. This is what delivers better outcomes for us. Our goal is a city where the cost of living is stable and affordable. We expect choices that ensure our city's financial health translates directly into a better, more secure life for all of us. No excuses. Just deliver. Can I play the video one more time, please? No. No. No. How much staff time we have spent in an entire year before five council members put in put a halt >> to the original desalination project, the inner harbor. Let's talk about that. by rejecting the key wit and it was six council members, not five. >> Um, and then you can add the 50 million that was also flushed down the toilet when that action took place. And that is factual. That is that is factual. >> On your on page nine, he identifies uh that we're a 25% reduction. So even if we have spent 50 million, we save 336 million. So we're we're in the black by 286 million just by rejecting the Keywit project. >> Thank you. >> Oh, thank you, >> Melinda Delis Santos. >> And then we'll go I see Kathy Fulton is here, so we'll call Kathy Fulton after that. >> Good afternoon, Melinda Deosantes, District 2. Uh I'm here to support the petition regarding the mayor. Our citizens have a right to truth and transparency. I mean, we just got to look at the corruption that's uh coming to light everywhere. First off, I want to say that the 2020 election was still stolen and it's going to come out. Second, uh Ken Paxton is reviewing all the property tax increases in Texas cities and stuff that have been unlawfully done. Child care fraud in Minnesota, California, hospice fraud. So, yes, there's a level of mistrust that's going on. And I'm just going to take it a step further. I sent a text to some of y'all that I had gone to recently gone to a a human trafficking course in Greenville, Texas. The information I received validated much of my research over the years. It awakened me of the depth of corruption which nefarious activities occur at the global federal, state, county, and city level. I was dis very disheartened upon hearing of cases in which our government, police, sheriff's department, city councils, school boards, CPS, judicial system, and religious organizations failed in protecting one of the most vulnerable of our society, the children. So, yes, and I'm just going to give you an example because people are saying, well, everything was investigating and stuff like that. Well, let me give you an example of a 12-year-old daughter who was sold by her dad to a pimp. The first client was a police chief of police along with his investigators. And you know what she was told? She was told, "You call the police, you will get us." Another client was a right-hand aid to the governor of the state. So not so yes, there is a big mistrust going on with people in power. So all I'm asking for, I'm not saying that um I'm not here to argue that there wasn't some uh type of investigations or stuff. I'm not saying uh some may argue that no legal conduct was found with the mayor from the investigations by our police or or legal representatives, but I can only laugh after the numerous cases I heard going to this course from people who go and save these kids and these same entities, the police, the sheriffs, the the judges, they all failed these kids. So yes, I I'm sorry. I do have mistrust going on with people in power. So, I'm not here to condemn you, mayor. All I'm asking for is some truth and transparency. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Del Santos. Uh Kathy Fulton, >> and is Adam Brios here? No. >> Hi, my name is Kathy Fulton. I'm from Portto Ranis, Texas, but I was born and raised in Corpus Christi. Still stay involved. Still have family here. Um I I I I've got a couple of things and I want to say that I was trying to get here as quick as possible, but I was at the New Asus River Authority meeting, which was very quite interesting. And on I'm still I really don't understand how this council how certain people on this council seem to think that they can remove the mayor based on I'm I'm still confused about the whole thing with five signatures. It really makes no sense. Uh she was elected by the voters of Corpus Christie. Like over 47,000 people voted for her. So how can y'all decide? Oh, we're just going to take that right away from those voters. Doesn't matter if you're Democrat or Republican. To be honest, I don't adhere to either party. Uh what to me does matter is that this is a democracy. And you just don't wipe out those 47,000 people by saying, "Well, we're going to do it our way." I just think that this is just a it's a it's it's a witch hunt for a reason I don't understand. And I think is wrong. Very wrong. Now I and I support the mayor. We've, you know, I have my differences with all civic leaders on a regular basis. Just ask the mayor over in Border Ransis. That comes up kind of regularly. But at least I can express that civic discord in an environment and then have discussions about it. And we may not come to an agreement. and we may come to an agreement and that's what needs to be happening here with this council. Y'all need to kind of like line up and get into a better agreement. By the way, one of the things going on at the Newasis River Authority meeting today is just that that is something that needs to be the focus here because the Newasis River Authority has violated multiple open meetings act laws and this has only been I mean they just did it again last week. Okay. And they're doing they're going to be they they've they've hired a quote outside firm, but they also did it again on that because they had already selected somebody but without having it done by the board. So the meeting today was because they got caught. Okay. And then the meeting last week they got caught by me because they didn't do the posting proper. Back in February of last year, they had a meeting without the required quorum and they got caught by me yet again and they had to hold another meeting. This is the group that y'all decided to go with for investing money for Harbor Island. They can't even do proper open meetings. So, and that's not the only thing going on. There's going to be more coming out, believe me, about the wrong things. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Fulton. Jason, hail. Thank you, mayor. Good afternoon, council members. Jason Hail, Corpus Christi. Um, okay. Okay, today I'm a little thrown off because there was some uh news about the modeling for the inner harbor, but yeah, today my today my comment is about the inner harbor. Um it's coming up for a vote in two weeks. We were supposed to have preliminary modeling results available then. Apparently that's getting pushed back 30 days. Um but today I just wanted to kind of raise some questions about that because I was curious. you know, we're voting, we were supposed to be voting on the project with a preliminary results, but what I was wondering is, do we have a a vote in a meeting scheduled for when we get the final results? And the reason that's important is because, you know, we're doing this to make sure it's safe for the environment. We want to know the ecological impacts, but we're not even going to have that once the final results are available because those are water quality results and we have to translate water quality results into ecological impacts. So, you know, that's like a month maybe longer after we get those final results that were supposed to be in June may now be July. Um, so I wanted to raise that also. Um, since it is a contract, uh, I wanted to ask if, um, basically if the ecological impacts were determined to be severe and unavoidable, will the city be able to exit the contract without penalty. Um, you know, we need water. We need our water dollars to go to projects that are going to happen. And so, I want to make sure that we're responsible with our, you know, rate funds. Um, so I have a minute left. I just wanted to raise a statement of fact. Um, at the workshop on Friday, I think city staff had mentioned that DO dissolved oxygen modeling was being done and I just wanted to clarify that as far as I'm aware, it's not being done. Um, although it would be great if we did get it done. Um, the ecological experts have stated this. Um, I know we were kind of late to that when it came to the statement of qualifications, request for qualifications, all that kind of stuff, but um, if y'all do move forward with the Inner Harbor, it would be great if you, um, also chose to do dissolved oxygen modeling. And, uh, yeah, that's it. Thanks. >> Thank you, Mr. Hail. Melody Cooper. Melody Cooper, District 5. Good afternoon. You may or may not remember that I sat where you are sitting for 14 years between 1993 and 20ou in 2009. During that time and since and since then I have never seen a situation such as presents itself with the current council. I stand here in support of my mayor Paul Guardo has worked tireless for this tirelessly for Corpus Christie for the past 10 years. This removal action is unprecedented and it is wrong. What do the citizens really think is going on here? seeing the p seeing social media talking to people, they think it's about water. They think she's being removed about the water issues. Why is that? Do some of you want them to think that? I'm going to say a fiveletter word that hopefully won't me get me kicked out of the meeting because of the quorum rules. Water. W A T R. The water issue is what you be should be acting on and not this preposterous removal. I initially believe what you are doing is in part diver a diversionary tactic to take the heat off of yourselves for voting against inner heart of her dalination costing us a great opportunity and causing us to lose millions and millions of dollars that we have to repay. But perhaps this completely politically charged movement is even more sinister to remove the mayor and stop the salination altogether or to remove the mayor and accomplish some political agenda some hidden agenda you may have. Do you really believe this is a point in time to attempt to make your personal agendas a priority over the best interests of our citizens? Is there a puppet master somewhere behind? I don't know. It's a good question to ask. I was appalled after seeing the news of report of last year weeks water workshop in disbelief of several of you who thought the meeting was a waste of time. Waste of time. Water is the most important issue facing us today. If you haven't noticed, our city is dying. Professionals are moving out. Houses, although taxes are raising, can't be sold. I have a business with seven employees and another home. I'm afraid. My employees are afraid. Our citizens are afraid. The salination must be implemented and measures to stop to bridge the gap before it's operational, secured now. But working on a solution through a workshop on water is a waste of time really. But it is not a waste of time to try to remove a mayor when two investigations have found absolutely no wrongdoing on her part and we have elections in five months. Those of you who support removal appear to intend to act as judge, jury, and executioner of our mayor. Whether or not she is mayor again for another term should be up to the voters, not for those in support of the removal. Might those that support the removal and want to run, which I understand several of you may be planning to do, be a conflict of interest, might that be the subject of a recall? Think about it. Thank you. Uh, Council Member Barrera, Mark Scott for your support. And thank you Mayor. >> Thank you, Miss Cooper. Isabella Risa, Isabelle, not here. Uh, Jeep David. Good afternoon. Ajit David, District 2, >> able to save the taxpayers of this city millions of dollars. Okay. >> Thank you. One last comment >> again. No, no, I'm we're we're going to You've sp >> I've only spoken once. >> Okay. So, we're going to go ahead and call the vote. Rebecca, take a roll call, please. We're we're calling vote. Take a roll call. >> Wait. We We still have questions here that we don't hear things from them as well. >> Vote on this and move forward. You guys put it on. We're voting. Rebecca, please take a roll call. So for a roll call vote, council member Ednandez, >> I >> Hunter, >> after waiting for seven and a half years for DAL and following five and a half years before that for any progress in DAL in the city, I have to vote yes. >> Okay. Pesley. >> Oh yes. >> Yes. Okay. No problem. Roy, >> no. >> Suckley. >> Yes. >> Vera, >> no. >> Maro, >> no. Okay, the item fails. >> Great. Thank you. Sorry, I'm just tired of hearing all this fancy talk about del and the process and this. It's simple. How much is the bill going to go up? Because that's what the people of Corpus Christi care about. They don't care about, you know, the process of desalination or reverse osmosis and blah blah blah. Some people may, >> most don't. My parents don't. They want to know what is this going to do? And by the way, Del is a long-term plan. That is not a short-term plan. We will have that plan in eight years. We will not have it >> in two or three or four or five. I'm going to leave that alone. I don't want to get into a whole another discussion. But it is let's let's make that clear. We're not going to get a detail plant in the next three years. That's an >> call timeout. We'll quit we campaigning and let's just vote. >> Excuse me. But the bottom line is is that we are committed to uh the city's permitting process. We want to help you in any way we can. Uh if you choose to solicit our help, I know that the port worked very well with the city back during the days of the Mary roads pipeline. In fact, uh our our staffs who engineered and built the pipeline. So, I think there's a lot we can offer the city with their delaw plans if you want it. If not, we're here standing by hoping you get your permit wherever you want it. >> Commission. >> It's that simple. >> I I don't there is no working together. Again, we're we we are not going to the port and building docks. >> The port doesn't need docks either. There are no shortage of docks, by the way. >> Why? The port is coming over to this side to try to build del with no customer. >> And we're not trying to build del. We're just going for a permit for the city to use if you ch so choose. That's all we're doing. >> Yeah. >> Just an alternative. I don't know how we can be more clear on that. Mayor >> and that is why Corpus Christie doesn't have del today. Thank you. >> Thank you. Statement of fact. I'd like to clarify something. What was left out of all of those clips were had we done that ladies and gentlemen we would be giving our water authority away to the port of Corpus Christi. So billions of dollars of infrastructure that you have paid for over decades and those before us would be that would have been handed over to the port for them to control the regional water. That's why I was against giving port the green light to to handle our water. We're the water authority. None of that is said, but Mr. Ajit, I appreciate your passion. No, no, sir. We're good. Thank you. >> All righty. You have a statement of fact ma'am. Council, statement of fact. I believe what we saw was the option to partner with another entity to provide regional water quickly. That was what was discussed. And I think regardless of the face of that partner, if we can all come together and find water, that's actually what we want. >> Yeah. >> Also, I don't think we're supposed to directly call out public commenters. >> Yes. So again, what's always left out as a statement of fact is that our water authority would have been given away to the port. We can nod heads all you want. I was there. So thank you Christopher Olives. Christopher Olives. Okay. Now we'll move on Rebecca to WebEx video. >> Yes ma'am. The first person is Sean Merritt. usually do. I do want to uh clarify uh before I get started that I'll be able to speak uh later on on uh item 21. >> Are you speaking on it now or? >> No, I'm going to speak on something else now if I'm allowed to speak on item 21 later. >> That's fine. Yeah, if you we're going to speak about that something else. Go ahead. >> All right. Thank you. Um Sean May, District 5. I've been here two years and there seems to be uh three sides to this discussion. Uh there's industry, there's residents, there's environmental protection. Uh the issue isn't choosing one. It's how do we balance all three evenly. Today we are running on singledigit reservoir levels, limited groundwater that isn't fully online, and future supply that hasn't been built yet. Residents about 14% of total use have cut billions of gallons. They're monitored restricted enforced. Industry, the largest water user, uh roughly 60% of the system is industrial use. Uh then the pressure isn't accidental. It's by design. And that's not shared responsibility. That's an imbalance. You don't tell a guy eating one bologn sandwich a day he needs a diet while the guy at the buffet 247 keeps eating his field. And this isn't anti-industry. It's about aligning cost with demand. If we build dies out the traditional way, costs are going to go up and get passed to the residents by about $9 to $11 per bill. If we build it smartly, capture brine instead of dumping it, we create revenue that helps stabilize rates and fund the city. And this is already being done. Eli Israel salt recovery, racial care, magnesium recovery, high sand plant, Dubai, largecale solar integr integration in a similar industrial corridor to ours. Salt sells anywhere from 50 to $230 per ton. Bromine is currently 2,800 per ton. Magnesium is trading roughly 11,000 to 20,000 per ton depending on market and grade. And this is a key input for fertilizers which ties directly to rising agricultural and food costs. By the way, those home tests that you all are doing, uh, they're showing dissolved minerals. DAL will concentrate those same minerals in the brine stream at the inner harbor scale. That's roughly a 30 to 40 million gallons of brine discharged every single day, billions of gallons a year. And we know PAS is present. It was identified in the uh inner harbor reports. Delaw concentrates those into the brine stream. That's exactly why we shouldn't dump it. Capture the brine, recover the minerals, and handle contaminants in a controlled process instead of dispersing them in the bay. Which, by the way, jet diffusion and ship propellers, they're just going to spread that around more. So the question isn't how to dispose of the brine and poison the bay. It's how to protect it while monetizing what you call waste. Because if we get this right, Dowl doesn't just produce water. It helps pay for itself, pays the city back, and supplies our good neighbors. That's how you align industry, residents, and environmental stewardship. Industry isn't the problem. Imbalance is. Revelation 22:17. Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. and I'll be back to talk later. Thank you very much. >> Mr. Merritt, I'm so sorry. I um when I said that you could speak again, we don't do remote um when the item comes up. So, I'd like to offer you um a minute to make your an extra minute to make your comment regarding item 21. My apologies. >> Uh I appreciate that, but just a minute is not going to be enough uh for what I've got to say. Uh so I'll just try to condense it the best I can. Um what we've seen take place uh in this council chamber uh even today we saw how rules in the chamber are not always applied consistently and that matters because of the process of consistency or what how and it's how you build public trust. So public comments operate under constitutional law as limited public form and access to speak should be structured consistently. rules must be applied equally. When enforcement appears to change based on the message, that standard is not met. Now, there are a series of violations that are going to be uh discussed later on. I have about 18 listed here. Um according to the city charter, only four standards must be met. Incompetence, misconduct, malfecence, neglect of duty. So, and again, this is not a criminal proceeding. And I want to stress that uh this is clearly uh based on uh the city's charter and the eth ethics uh violations defined therein. So we don't need a criminal proceeding. We don't need any of that other things. If you find any instance of those 18 violations where there was incompetence, misconduct of duty, there you go. Thank you very much for my time. >> I appreciate it, sir. Next is Taylor Johnson. Good afternoon, Taylor Johnson, District 5. If you could please play the video that was provided. >> Do you have any interest in Elevate QF LLC? >> Uh, no sir. >> You understand that's the company that owns the hotel that's being built downtown right? >> I learned that today. >> Okay. Um, you know, you voted on it before, right? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Guess you voted on it not knowing who they were. >> Uh, I just had to be refreshed. >> Did you just think of it as Devon's and and uh Phillips project? >> Um, well, I guess um not necessarily. No. >> Well, you know they own it, right? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. And you knew that when you were voting for it, right? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. And because both of them are also political donors of yours, right? >> Oh, of course. Yeah, >> they believe in good government. >> Well, they certainly when it gives them $2 million with a forged document, right? >> Uh I wouldn't >> $2 million has been appropriated to a company that is owned by your political donors. Right. >> Objection form. >> Uh a documented. >> Yeah. an an incentive has been appropriated uh for an economic development project >> of which their own of of which the developer are my donors. >> Okay. >> $2 million >> and your city manager and your assistant city manager have testified that in their opinion and I know you know they're not you you don't think they're qualified but in their opinion it's a forgery. Right. You've seen that testimony. >> Yes. And you've seen the testimony where Peter, I know you think he's not qualified, but he says law was broken, right? >> Yeah. He said there was an appearance of the law. >> Okay. And so, and then of course, Ajet came in front of you twice and made the accusation as well. Twice, right? And showed you where the document where the federal FEMA website had been altered. He showed that to you, right? >> Yes. And all of those things have happened and you've told me that the only person that's qualified to investigate it and make a determination about whether or not there's been a crime is somebody in law enforcement, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, are you going to turn it over to law enforcement to be investigated? >> Uh, I no. >> Okay, that's all I have. >> Thank you. >> All right. Anything from any other question? >> That is all. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next is Tracy. My apologies for mispronouncing your last name. Jenk. >> Yes. Thank you, Tracy. Jenk, District 5. And I'll ask the video submitted be played at this time. Yeah, I know you've admitted it's your slide and I know you've you're the one who created the slide. I have a very specific question for you. Did you drop that text box, the one that's shown right now, the larger one that obscures the release date and the release number? Did you drop that text box there? >> I already told you that I had done that. Yes, that it was a there was a >> And did you drop the second text box that's now highlighted that again obscures the release date? again. Again, it was a formatting issue. >> This was an omission. This was somebody obscuring data on a federal slide. Right. >> Yes. >> That's different than an omission. Right. >> Right. >> Okay. That's what makes it criminal as opposed to an accident. Right. >> Right. And I understand. >> Oh, definitely. Right. It was altered. And then when you read the entire PowerPoint, the it's so it's so obvious that the reader or the writer wanted one to be led to believe that the FEMA was just recent. even where it's like recently released and this and that. And part of it goes back to the narrative. Mike Cersonson said, "Hey, you know, we can't this has to be tied to infrastructure." And so then they they catch the scheme that okay, FEMA flood plane, that's infrastructure, you know, the the they they fixing the bottom floor so it meets the flood plane and they stuck with it. >> Got it. >> And then they then they then they develop a narrative to fit it that they just found out because people would say like, "Shit, they should have known about this long time ago." After review of the presentations, deposition testimony, investigative materials, and applicable Texas and federal penal statutes, the PowerPoint slide at issue appears to have been intentionally altered to cover the dates that appear on the government website. >> You agree the documents were altered. There's no doubt about that. >> The the screenshot was definitely altered. Yes. >> Did it look intentional? Can you, as a police officer, I mean, you look at stuff like this, you can say. >> So, it would be hard to argue that it was not. >> Thank you. I think what you're telling me is during that time frame you were not in the loop as to what the findings were for the investigation. >> Correct. >> And so therefore you had no knowledge that it was something illegal in the process that you were voting on. >> Right. There was Right. >> Okay. That's all. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Justin O'Neal. >> Video that I provided. >> I'm sorry. >> Justin O'Neal, District 5, could you please? Go >> ahead. I come before you today because I'm really appalled that our city is being sued. It's being sued because of all the lack of process from this council. Our illustrous mayor is named 31 times in this lawsuit. Also, one of the things that really bothered me in looking at this lawsuit is that it says Mayor Paguardo privately solicited a fellow councilman's vote during the public meeting in violation of Texas Government Code section 551.021 and 551.143. You know, to me, you are the keepers of the process of Corpus Christi. Your job is not to run the city, it's to set up policy. I was also appalled that Councilman Barrera went on television and chastised the city manager, which would to me is a violation in itself for publicly reprimanding an employee in public on television. So, it seems to me that this council people need to go back and review what their job is to set policy not to run the city. Set policy not to run the city. So, I am very appalled at this behavior. I'm grateful that the person filing the lawsuit is not asking for money from the taxpayers. He's making a a request to get it straightened out in your process. It's a shame that we the citizens have to go through this extreme in order to get things done by this council and especially the people who I've named. So have a great day. You too, Miss Alona. >> Thank you. That's all. >> Thank you. Next is Trevor Leeong. Hello. Can you hear me? >> Yes, we can. >> Uh, Trevor Lee Blong, District 4. Oh um I couldn't make it today. Uh, my infirmities get the best of me quite often. I've been watching as much as I can and trying to pay attention. I served with uh a squadron BAW 1115 on the USS Midway home ported in Yakuza, Japan, which is our sister city, which everybody's always surprised uh when I point that out. I think there should be a lot more uh coverage on that to bring international uh borders together. But during that time uh I served during operation earnest will when the USS Stark was fired upon. And in that time uh the admiral gathered us in the folks and said, "I'm going to make a a huge demand of y'all. I want you to have an E2C Hawkeye on station 247 until I say stop." That was a huge undertaking because we only had four aircraft. So you have to cover the time to being on station and back and having one there all the time. And in that time our squadron won the AEW excellence award from the Navy back to back and the uh battle e and safety award. So I have seen good leadership in my life and as a crew leader on the base uh for a good long time 15 years or so I saw a lot of good leadership out there. I'm not seeing it in this case. Back in August uh of 2025, August 21st actually, I had messaged my council woman Kayn. How you doing, Kaylin? Glad you're there. About uh maybe a sample project at the airport to give the whole airport covered parking with solar panels and huge banks of dehumidi de dehumidifiers. I haven't seen any kind of thinking outside the box like that or maybe uh a huge campaign to get residents to get rain barrels. We need more thinking outside of the box like that. And I think trying to do that would help exercise the minds of the city council members who who might need it to help realize that the inner harbor is not a place for a diesel project. I came I think it was back in October and addressed the council in person. I was able to make it that day. >> Thank you, sir. Your your time is up. >> No way. That wasn't three minutes. It was. >> Oh man. >> Thank you. Next is Laura Madden. >> Hello. >> Yes, Miss Madden. >> Hello. >> Can you hear us? >> Hi. Can you hear me? >> Yes, we can. >> Okay. Thank you for allowing me to take the opportunity to speak today. Lord Madden district district one. So I keep hearing everybody talk about how many votes the mayor got and I'm not sure where that comes into play because the mayor didn't take any votes away from any other council members. We all as a community voted for the mayor and then voted for our district representative. So, it really doesn't have any play in how many votes she got. Um, I think that we need to stop chastising the uh other council members for following city procedures. You know, blame the citizen. you have to blame somebody that wanted to put a petition into um action. I don't know how much how we got to give so much power to the mayor that the mayor could have held this off for so long for so many months and then all of a sudden we want to uh address it because months have gone by and now it's like everyone is against the citizen for actually bringing something to attention that needs to be noticed. We have a council member for each district and each council member represents the ones in their district. And the mayor, and you know, in case everybody has forgotten what a mayor does, a mayor acts as the chief executive officer of a city or town, responsible for overseeing daily operations, managing municipal departments like the police, fire, and public works, and implementing city law. They work with the city council to set policies, budgets, and serve as the main public representative. But each district has a representative. You know, the mayor does not act as, you know, the one person that makes all the decisions and everybody is upset at the council members and, you know, calling them three or five because they voted the way they should. They're not going against the mayor. They're just voting what the district wants. And you know, using social media and the tea lady and the tea guy and the car salesperson to um conduct your uh business is not right. I don't see any other council members going to the chronica or the tea. >> Thank you very much, Miss Madden. >> Address. >> Your time is up. >> Okay. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, ma'am. Micah Hunt hurts, are you online? >> Okay. How about Alberto Certuche? >> Hello. >> Yes, Mr. Certuche. >> Give me just a second. >> Okay. >> I got a quick question before we start. the uh I saw earlier y'all gave a gentleman an extra minute because he was going to he was on video call rather than in person to speak on the agenda item. >> No, I did that because I I when the gentleman asked me at the beginning of public comment whether he could speak twice, I I misspoke and told him that he could. So, um, what we did, what I did is offered him an extra minute. That way, um, he could, um, still make his comment since I, uh, since I misspoke and gave him the wrong information. So, if you're just speak, you can address both topics now, sir, in the three minutes if that's your that's your goal. >> But I'll still only be reduced to the three minutes. Correct. >> Yes, sir. Well, that's the it's not a reduction. That's the time that that's allotted. >> Okay. All right, my name is Albert Suche, District 3. I'm a veteranowned heart of business with Hard Lives Bait and Tackle and a YouTube channel called Team Hard Life. I started paying attention to what's going on in politics and where the money is going and not going. I have seen payraises for city officials while closing in and or reducing public service areas while streets get neglected. City water problems on the rise and see where the monies that are asked for for taxpayers or businesses that charge the public for entry squandered their profits. The American Bank Center being one amongst dozens of other failed projects. also seen where they fear mongering over the selling of overselling water while not holding industries accountable for what they are using while taxing the taxpayers and making them pay for it all. My property taxes grew over $20,000 in one year. How in the world does that happen? What is that supposed to be paid for? Thank God Paxton is looking into this for the state of Texas. I kept up with the detail information that is being given and made public. When the mayor ran for office and used the promises for those who voted for her years later, we have seen where those promises turned into lies. We have seen where the mayor keeps saying all of the tests that have been done. Another lie being told to the public. The farfield models haven't been done. The do hasn't been done. while she speaks down to those who don't support the experimental diesel plant because it truly is an economical and ecological disaster waiting to happen. Where is the transparency and accountability to what is being told to the public? Why is this city charter and this is why the city charter is important where there have been other proposed desalinization plants or sites with way better and easier ways to produce water to get rid of the brine into deeper water and more. Don't release the sludge TCQ to stop the permits where the pollution is going to be released into the saltwater environments killing our bays estuaries and killing hundreds of local businesses. I was an abused child and seeing this firsthand and having seen where the mayor publicly attacked citizens when they addressed it the attacks of abusive men against women within our city and is her is this her way of saying she's defending abusive men or are those who defend her also okay with abusive men? We see where there are so many questions not being answered also on the deselinization plant. How much will the city be held accountable if the experimental plant gets approved and then has to be stopped because of the pollution in the bays is too extreme? Who is who and how much is it going to cost to clean our bays esters and regrow all the death created by the brine and sludge? What it's going to cost to remove the hazardous materials, truckers, driver permits and so forth for the experimental diesel plant. He demanded her questions to be answered. Why aren't you getting the questions that we're asking >> answered? >> Thank you very much, sir. >> Right, mayor. That concludes the public comment period. >> Thank you, Rebecca. We're going to go to boards and committee appointments now. >> All right. The first board for your review is the airport board, which has four openings. Ricardo Tala, Jeremy Taylor, and Mark Almiger are seeking reappoint. >> I move for second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose say no. The motion carries. >> Okay. And then that would leave you with one position to fill. >> Okay. We'll open up. >> Oh, I'm um one moment. Mayor, can gentlemen, can you show the on the screen our control room the our voting template please? Thank you very much. All right. Okay. So to start nominations, mayor, thank you. >> We're opening nominations and this is for one vacancy, correct? >> Yes, ma'am. >> So Jeremy Taylor, >> yes, we did. >> Michael Sanders. Anyone else? >> Alex Garcia. Okay. Is there anyone else? I'm closing uh nominations and we are again trying to fill one vacancy. >> Yes, ma'am. >> I'll start with Councilman Bon. Sanders. >> Garcia. >> Um, Garcia. >> Sanders. >> Sanders. Okay, Mr. Sanders is uh appointed. Okay, next is the board of adjustment the which has seven vacancies and they're categorized as follows. five regular members and two alternate members. Staff recommends postponing the filling of one alternate position to allow for further recruitment. And please note that the board typically requests the appointment of an alternate member to an open regular member position and the appointment of a new individual to fill the alternate position. So board members Cro Croen, Manzan, Manzanetes, Lopez, Rios, San Miguel, and Potter are seeking reappointment and their attended. Okay, >> we have a motion and a second to reappoint. All in favor say I. >> And any oppose say no. The motion carries. >> So Alan Potter um is currently serves as an alternate member and the board requests that he be appointed as a regular member to fill the vacancy left by Sue Corey. I move for approval. >> We have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. >> Any oppose say no. The motion carries. >> Okay. So then that creates that vacancy for an alternate member. And that's what we're asking you to delay right now. Delay that appointment uh for additional recruitment. So that concludes that one. Next we have the Coastal Ben Council of Governments. There's one vacancy. City Manager Zenoni recommends the appointment of Michael Dice. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. >> Any oppose say no. The motion carries. >> Okay. Then we have the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation. There's one vacancy for a city representative. >> Well, we're going to open nominations. >> So, you have Javier who? >> Werta. >> Moses Magashi. >> Okay. Moses. Any other nominations for the one vacancy? And this is filling a a term. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Great. Okay. Well, does she have one? >> Say that again. >> We have Moses Migosi. >> No. >> Oh, this is to fill a term. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Okay. We'll close nominations and I will start with Councilman Kentu. >> Moses. >> Moses. >> That's Did you get that? Sorry, mine's Masi. >> Yes, Masashi. Okay. So, Moses Mustagashi is appointed. Next we have the crime control and prevention district. There's one vacancy. Each council member appoints a board member subject to confirmation by the full council. Council member Beretta nominates Billy Bellow as his appointee. So if we could entertain a motion to um >> I move for approval. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> We have a motion in a second. All in favor say I. I. Any oppose? Say no. The motion carries. >> Okay. Next is the reinvestment zone number seven. The London area board. On March the 25th, Noises County appointed Bart Brazzleton to the board and that's uh on instead of Commissioner Mike Pesley and that that is subject to council confirmation. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose say no. The motion carries. >> Okay. And last is the senior core advisory committee. There's one vacancy for a senior companion program SCP volunteer category. Um at this point there's only one applicant. Uh it is difficult to fill because it is that one particular category. So we bring it for your consideration. >> Move to approve. Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose say no. The motion carries. >> Thank you very and that is to appoint Maria Castanuela for the record. Thank you very much mayor and councel. Thank you, Rebecca. Uh, do we have any requests to pull any items on the consent agenda, items three through 14, to consider individually from the council? >> Seven, number 12. >> Number seven, number 12. Okay. And do we have any requests from the public to uh pull an item to make public comment at this time? What? What item is that? >> Anybody else? >> Yes, sir. Number seven. Okay. So, that's already pulled. Does anybody else uh would anyone else like to make public comment? Four. Okay. Okay. So, I'm going to entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda with the exception of items uh 4, 7, and 12. >> Approval. >> Second. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose say no. The motion carries. We are going to break for lunch and then we will return and discuss those um items. So, the council is going to go into executive session on items 23 through 25 per Texas government code sections 551.071 and 551.072. We will return Okay. Okay. We're going to uh reconvene our meeting and we had left off on uh section uh I our consent agenda. We had three items pulled. Number four is >> I think we have a motion after the executive session. >> Oh, okay. >> Okay. Not yet. I'm sorry. My apologies. >> Okay. We had item four pulled for public comment and that is a briefing on annual operations of foresight corpus Christie golf. Who had public comment on item number four? >> You pulled four. >> Did you have comment on number four? >> I was waiting for the presentation on it. That's why >> was it for uh >> There's no pres. >> Yeah, there's no presentation. You you you were pulling it for public comment. No, I was pulling it to be presented. >> Do we need Rebecca if she pulled it when I asked is there public comment on any items of consent and number four was pulled? >> Yes, but it was for public comment. Yeah. >> Right. So, Miss Gett, if you want to do public comment on it, now's your chance. >> All right. I'll make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> Make a motion. >> Okay. We have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. >> Any oppose say no. No. >> The motion carries. Item number seven was the next item pulled. That is a resolution to authorize the amended treatment or treated water supply contract with the newasis county water control and improvement district number three. Councilman Hernandez, your question or comment. Uh this is uh and if you want to go ahead and do the presentation on this that's fine. What I was trying to uh wanted to get more information on specifically for public consumption is what the total cost is uh and what it is on a per thousand gallon basis that we're charging wicked three. >> Okay. Wesley uh Wesley Nebian I'm director of water systems infrastructure. Um, so on the what we will be charging them is going what we would normally be charging them if they were a wholesale customer would be the $180 per th uh per thousand of treat for treated water. >> Okay. Wait a minute. We are you talking about not the raw water? The raw water is $118, but treated water should be 207, not a$180. The rate for treated water wholesales is $180. Okay. Wait a minute. That's not what we've been charging our >> Okay. So, when we do a comparison on cost, we do what the raw water cost is, which is right now is $118 per thousand. Right. >> Since it's their raw water that we're treating, since they can't treat it themselves, we're not charging them for the raw water. I get that. But we've always but we'd always had the estimates for treating that water at 207. What at what point in time did we have a different cost for wholesalers? >> It's part of the ordinance. >> Let me finish. Let me finish. >> And we have different contracts with different wholesalers that apply that have different costs associated with them on that one. So why is this since this does not have a contract, why are we giving them specific rate? Because by that rate is for wholesalers who take it at the source of uh uh of the meter does does not use the network uh like for example Alice which has a different treated rate. So we treat this one as a wholesaler who takes it at the source. Does that is that also apply to our the C um >> G Co Growth Ventures because they don't they're not using our system. >> So they're getting it at the$180 treated rate as well. >> Yeah. The same as the South Texas Water Authority >> South because it's their pipeline. >> Yes. >> And it's a$180 what? >> For the treated $180. >> Just a$180. Can you break that down? Hm. >> Can you break that down in terms of cost? >> In which way? How much? >> Like what does it cost? I mean, you know, you usually have a breakdown as to how much it costs to treat water. Is that how is that is is there an additional cost for treating water because it and let me see if I can explain this. We had already said that anything coming out of Owen Stevens was that cost. That's what you cost to treat it. We didn't include transmission cost. We didn't include um distribution. We didn't include meters. Just what comes out of Owen Stevens and that was 207. >> Mhm. >> Can you tell me how that's different? Even though they're not using our system, but we're still calculating it beyond Owen Stevens. >> I would have to pull the I don't have the rate model in front of me. I'll have to pull it to to exactly separate it for you. But that's that's the rate that is calculated in the rate model. that is part of the annual ordinance for rates for the different uh for the different uh source for the different uh customers. >> Okay. So, Peter, that you're gonna have to try and get this explained to us a lot better than than how it is right now because if we're talking about them using their system or their pipeline, well, we're talking about cost coming out of Owen Stevens, not necessarily using a transmission line or any of our systems. So, how does that I I want to make sure I understand how that works, not only for this particular contract, but for other contracts. >> We can we can definitely go over as part of the rate that we can have that discussion. It's always been that that way. >> Okay. It's it's first time I've heard about it. I've been on council for seven years that there was a different treatment rate for for wholesale than than uh regular treatment. >> Okay. Well, we >> I want I want specifics as to what the difference is. That's what 25 cents per thousand gallon. 27 cents per thousand gallons. >> 20. Yeah, somewhere around 27 cents. Yes. >> Okay. That's a lot of money over time over volume. So, I want to just make sure I understand how you got that. >> We can go over that in the rate that's in the model. >> Well, I I expect you to bring it back to us before then. >> Yeah, that's not a problem. >> Whether it's a memo or or direct discussion, I expect to have that information. >> Okay. Absolutely. Yes, sir. >> Thank you. Councilwoman Compos. >> Um, well, I I went ahead and just looked it up about uh I went to our utility water service rate schedule. And again, did you just say that uh the one let's see 1,000 gallons uh outside is 180 >> for the treated water from Owen Stevens. It's not on the rate schedule. The rate schedule includes other the transmission the distribution costs other aspects of it. >> Okay. Where is the like he said where where is that other amount the 20 something 207 >> the the treated water costs are embedded in the rate model as part of your rate. It's it's part of the overall >> so it's not it's not listed anywhere here. >> No it won't be listed. That's an aggregate of all the costs associated with distribution, transmission, treatment, everything that goes into it. >> Wow. Okay. Yeah. No, we definitely need a breakdown cuz I I did not realize that. I see the wall raw water rates inside and outside 18. Raw water for non- rate pairs $136 and then for resale $133. So none of that is accurate. >> That's the raw water rate. That's >> that's not the >> that's not the treated water rate. The treated water rate that you will see on our schedule of values includes your distribution cost, your pumping, your treatment costs, all of those um combined in the system. >> Okay. Yeah, it doesn't show it at all. Okay. Yeah, I sure would like to see that. Thank you, >> Councilman Bonetta. here. But the only item that we're voting on is the fact that um that it's no cost to them if the TDS is over a thousand. >> That that is correct. The if the TDS is over a thousand and we have wells running, it's an and statement. We have to have both going on. Then we provide them water at no cost. >> I move for approval. >> Second. >> Okay. We have a motion and a second. >> Yes. Yes, sir. We sure do. Thank you. I'm going to go ahead and open public comment. Come on down. Item number seven. Thank you. Chris Quer, Newasis County. Um, I come to speak on agenda item number seven as a member of the Riveracres Water Supply Corporation and a receiver of the new Asus County WCID number three water distribution system. I make the following comments to ensure transparency and that two conditions of this three-year uh agreement are made public. Notice I say a three-year agreement. This agreement states that CCW will provide up to 3 million gallons of treated water to WCID number three for a term up to three years due to the elevated TDS that has been created by CCW's groundwater conveyance into the new Asus River. Condition one that's not publicized is WCID number three must perpetually support CCW on all future projects that may influence the new Asus River and its quality. Condition two, WCID number three may never for perpetuity oppose CCW's future actions with regards to the New Asus River. That's not confidence. This is legal bri bribery to remove a senior water rights holder the ability to have any say on the condition of their sole water source as well as hinders their ability to advocate for their own constituents for perpetuity. Another example of the good neighbor program. Thank you. >> Thank you sir. Rachel Cavayto D1 part of this contract says city can take treated water from the district should the city deem it necessary. The not to exceed reimbursement amount stated in section 18 is to reduce the total dollar amount of the city's uh cost of construction. So this is proof that whenever the legal department wants to make a contract that is in favor of the city, they can. Um, I want to apologize to the community of Rosstown for what the city of Corpus Christie is trying to do with their water and that they have weak management in their water districts and a horrible lawyer. Thank you. Scott Barza, Noasis County. I can't help but to think this agreement is very much like a well mitigation plan I've been asking about. It spells out the what, the when, and the cost on it. Even though it's not a well they're mitigating is the river water. U you already got 1.7 million in damages there uh coming out uh as a result of these wells because the wells have in essence wrecked the river. Uh 2 miles south of the Wesley Seal Dam in Jim Wells County used to be a lot of fish. We see them gar swimming in fish. Now we just see the turtles. Don't know why. Don't know if it's a TDS or the arsenic. Uh, one concern I have with this agreement, it is ne I believe it's necessary because Robstown needs clean water. So, it is very necessary that they get clean water. However, I have a concern with the contaminants remaining after those three years. You're going to provide them water at no cost as long as the TDS is above a th00and and you're pumping. What happens when you stop pumping but the TDS remains over a thousand or there's other contaminants like arsenic coming out of the wells that remain in the river uh that you are now going to hold JBC ID3 hostage and sell them water back uh as a result of your actions. Thank you. >> Thank you sir. Anyone else? This is item number seven. Come on down. Uh, Julian Hernandez, District 3. Um, I guess I didn't fully read that, but some of the information that Mr. Hernandez or one of the council members mentioned about getting the the whole rate, uh, and it brought up a question for me, and I'm just, you know, thinking in the background. Um, I know if if we lock in rate, well, as as budgets go up, the residents pay a difference. We always get a rate change or anything like that. And then noticing these these contracts that go through here, what have you. Uh, the question comes to mind, do those contracts change? Do do their rates go up? Are they locked in uh at the time that they these contracts were made? Whatever it is. Um, and as a public member that my rates go up, I'd like to know if their rates go up as well. Um, and uh, that's all I had. Oh, um, I did have a question on I know Miss Cabo brought up a an an agenda item and I was going to ask about that before uh, we moved on or you guys moved on. if is she the only one allowed to comment on that or um I wasn't asked if or the the body wasn't asked if we can comment on any what she wanted to bring up. Um it just kind of went on to the next next issue. So because I actually wanted to talk in about something about that, but like I said, it was moved on and we were never asked if um if we had any if anybody else had any other comment other than her. No, it's because she pulled the item earlier, >> right? I I I got that part and she didn't make comment on it. But does that open it up for everybody else? Because u she pulled it. So if she was going to make I I was going to make a comment in reference to it. So >> Okay. >> When y'all moved on there, I I don't know what the quorum is. If if because she pulled it, even though she didn't have a comment, does it open the floor for other folks to make comment? And he's nodding his head yes. And >> so that tells me that, you know, I know there's certain council members that that come in and say, you know, I moved to to pass it. And I think that's a tactic to to get everybody ju just to kind of put it on the board and move it on. >> But yet, uh, the quorum, I think, if if that's the quorum, nobody was asked if they wanted to comment about it. And so, >> yeah, it it's just an understood thing. So, I apologize that you didn't, >> but it's >> like right now where y'all just got up, everybody >> right, but I want to bring that back to the attention because I wouldn't afford the opportunity. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. Councilman or is there anyone else? Okay. Going to close public comment. Councilman Scott, >> I just want to point out how interesting it is to have Charlie Zhan's competent questions competence question in a council meeting. Mr. Thank you for being here. I think the WCID number three is here on their own free will and they support the the the contract. Peter, thank you for you and your group working with these folks in Robstown to make sure that we're all to the best of our ability. I mean, nobody wants to be here, right? Nobody wants to be in this predicament, but I think we've done the best that we could with our with our neighbors and it's a good agreement. And uh I just wanted to say I appreciate you all and appreciate you and your team, Peter. Thank you, Mayor. >> Councilman Hernandez, >> um just real quick, I want a clarification on the contract, are we restricting them from opposing anything that we're doing in the future with regards to the Noises River? My understanding of the contract is that for the three years that we have the contract, if we apply for bed and banks permit um for the well fields, things like that, they could not um they would not oppose those those to the TCQ, but it's not perpetual all the way into the future. It's only for the term of the contract. >> So just for the three years and that's where the prices hold at the$180. If if it's below >> if it's below a th00and TDS, it's >> I want to clarify and it actually answers the question. It's the rate that the council sets in the ordinance. So for this for this ordinance that's applied that went into effect on January 1, the rate for treated water is $180. We recalculate that as part of the um the service study for the rates every year. We bring a new ordinance to council that adjusts prices for everybody including wholesalers large volume commercial thing. So if the price when it gets calculated for next year changes and we have an amendment to the rates that will be the new rate. You know, the re the reason I asked that question about how uh restricting um their ability to uh say anything is it reminds me of when the port uh leased out the their I guess the the boat slips over there in Porttoanis and they weren't allowed to uh complain or or say anything about what the port was doing without affecting their their agreement. is that what are the um what are the consequences if they have a disagreement with you on something with the noises river >> at this point I'm I'm not quite following what uh >> I mean would we cut them off >> no >> if they disagreed with us on the >> I believe they have terms in here no we no would not if they disagreed with we have the ability to terminate the contract just as they do at any point during >> No I understand that you know but what I'm saying is if we're affecting the I mean we're it may not be us completely right obviously we can be affecting the TDS within the within the river depending on how much well water we put in right and that would affect their ability to treat water but I want them to be able to address any issues with us without consequences of us cutting them off is that what you're trying is what I'm trying to say is that we shouldn't hold a a hammer over their head if they disagree with No, I I fully agree and I think we've been working together on the on many issues that we've had. I mean, would you >> Yeah, we can have the lawyer Charlie Zan can speak to that. >> My name is Charlie Zhan and I'm council for WCID number three. We did I worked a provision to the last provision, Mr. and Hernandez that we worked out in this agreement with Miss Aguilar that in the event we have a dispute such that you're talking about we have 30 days that both parties must sit down and try to negotiate an agreement between the parties before the city of Corpus Christi could terminate the contract. >> Okay. So Charlie, I just want to make sure that we're treating you fairly, right? That we're not bullying you into doing anything. And it, you know, sometimes we're the big bad, you know, wolf of Corpus Christie. >> I believe that we're happy and I would tell you I believe the citizens of Robstown, contrary to what you heard a few minutes ago, are going to be happy with the agreement that we have because they're now assured in the future that they have an adequate supply of water in the event that we're unable to treat water out of the the new Asus River Basin. >> Okay. Well, Charlie, you have my contact information. If you come across any issues, you let me know. Thank you. >> And mayor, if I could, I do want to thank your staff for working with us. Um, city manager um, uh, Zenoni and and and Miles and and your legal staff. Uh, they worked with us. We had some tough issues that we had to uh, respond to. I would tell you that the first time we l took this to my board, it was 3 to2. Last night, it was 50. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Z. Uh, we do have a motion in a second. Um so please submit your vote. The motion carries. The next item pulled was item number 12. That is a one reading ordinance amending city code of ordinances chapter 55 article 12 uh water resource management section 55-150 updating the city's drought contingency plan providing an effective date of April 14th of 2026. Uh did you want to make comment now? >> Yes, >> I I pulled it. Uh yes. I just wanted to see if we uh could have just a little bit more time if we could just uh postpone it until our next scheduled meeting. Mayor, postpone until the next >> and for what reason? >> Uh so that we can have more time to review the language on the code of the ordinance. >> So why don't are you presenting on this? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Well, let's present on this and see what Okay. Exactly is going to be Sure. >> what information is going to be given to us. >> Okay. Uh for the record uh hello mayor council my name is Stein Ramos. I am the assistant director of water uh resources or water supply management. Uh the item before you is a motion authorizing update to the water resource management ordinance uh chapters 55 article 12 water resource management to include two new definitions. And so the on the 24th uh we heard from council and a discussion on adding the verbiage or language of essential water use and auxiliary water supply. Uh next slide. So the motion that we have today again is to add those two definitions uh and to make uh the changes within the DCP to cover those two new def definitions suggested by city council on the 24th. And again that is defined by essential water use. And essential water use is going to be defined by water use necessary to sustain public health welfare safety sanitation and fire protection along with the definition of auxiliary water supply. water supply from a source that does not originate from Corpus Christi water supply system whether treated or raw. Uh with those two updates, I believe I feel that the it adds clarification to the DCP and provides extra uh support for the attempt of protecting our water supply >> and Steon, we are not doing anything different um than what the chief and I guess chief, I want to know from you if you're okay with this. I don't want to do anything against what some of the things you stated um last time we talked about this. Yes, ma'am. Brandon Wade, fire chief. So, that's correct. So, we put the language, the definitions that we talked about before, uh, utilizing the words the public health, welfare, safety, sanitation, and fire protection that was already used throughout the document. We just put it into a definition and then updated the DCP throughout it. Uh, and the ordinance to reflect that definition. And then again added the auxiliary water supply, which we talked about, water wells or a source coming from outside. So that's what the update was. I think this is a good plan and and exactly what we talked about before. >> Okay. So the process is not changing. >> The process the process is not changing. We just added the recommended language in there. >> Okay. Great. Councilman Hernandez. >> Okay. So this this addressed what Councilwoman Paxton had brought. She's not here but uh had brought previously to address her the issues she had uh asked for, right? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Okay. So, what happened to the all the other discussions we had during the um workshop, the water workshop where definitions for multif family housing and all that stuff. Is that coming back at a later time? What what are we doing there? >> Yes, under my understanding during that discussion was to take additional comments because on the workshop for the 21st, we are going to talk more about cretailment, definition of allocations. We're going to work our uh discussion through that. I thought it was proper to bring all that so that we wouldn't be a keep on amending the DCP and amending the DCP. So, that was kind of the intent >> that Yeah, councilman. That that will come back to city council if there's a council meeting on the 28th. That's a recommendation on the agenda today is to make the 21st another workshop. >> So, we're going to amend the DCP twice. >> Yes. Or more than once. >> Twice at least. Councilwoman Paxton and and the three signature memo that was brought forth several weeks ago uh talked about doing this immediately and so that's that was the majority of the council wanted to do it immediately. >> Uh we recommended doing them do everything one at one time but we have uh we can do this now if you want just adjusting the definition and we'll bring back the DCP >> on the 28th. >> Okay. So that that's when this came up. I was saying, well, we we haven't done any of the other edits. We should have we should >> this was at the recommendation of council. We we didn't recommend this doing multiple changes, but we we we can support it because it's a minor amendment here. >> Okay. I mean, I if you want to do this in peacemail, that's okay. I was going to ask to to table this until we got all the amendments ready to go, but Okay. >> You want to do this now? I'll defer to >> You signed the three signature memo again. That was three. I don't have >> Right. I mean, I'll defer to Councilwoman Paxton if she wants to move forward with this right now or wait until the till the other amendments come in, but I mean, I don't have a problem with it. I just didn't understand why we're doing this in pieces. >> It was a request of the three signature memo. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Councilwoman Compos. >> I'll I'll defer to Councilwoman Paxton. >> Councilwoman Paxton, thank you. Um, I appreciate this being added. Um, I read through everything that was redlined. Um, I'm okay with most of that and I appreciate the work that went into it. I do have a question. Um, in the packet in the redlinined version, page 26 under section 16.1, one of the recommendations is to strike domestic water use from that under the declaration of policy purpose and intent. I think based on page one of the redlinined document that you would leave that in there and then that would cause consistency of the declaration of purpose under the introduction it's outlining that that's >> so so I understand what you're describing instead of saying or leave the essential water use you're just you would continue the sentence that say domestic water use sanitary. >> It says in order to conserve the available water supply and or to protect the integrity of water supply facilities with particular regard for and then we're discussing adding essential water use >> and then we're striking the previous definitions of what we were particular regarding to protect water. I believe under essential water use that covers sanitation, fire protection, public health >> and such items. But what it doesn't is the domestic water use which throughout the document we've consistently identified domestic water use as a priority to protect. >> We can put that language back in. The chief's shaking his head, right? So it would be essential and domestic water use would be the modification. >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay, we would we would support that recommendation if the council does that amendment. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, do I need to make a motion to amend before we vote on the item? >> Uh, I think so. Yeah. Check. Yeah. >> Yes. Okay. So, I'd like to make a motion to keep domestic water use written in section 16.1. >> Second. >> Okay. We have a motion in a second. Please submit your vote. >> We do a voice vote, please. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose say no. The motion carries. >> Oh. Uh, Councilman Roy is an I. Okay. So, that takes us to item 15. This is >> We just need to approve it as amended. >> Yeah. >> Oh, okay. Right. >> So, move a motion. >> Do we have Right. >> Motion to approve as amended. >> As amended. >> We have a motion. Hold on a second. No, dude. We We did not Did we do have public comment? >> No. >> Um >> Okay. >> This is a consent item. I think at the beginning you asked if there were any comments, but if you want to ask for it again, you can. >> Well, is there anyone in the audience that would like to make comment on 12. >> Okay. There being none, we'll close public comment. And we have a motion in a second. Please submit your vote. Okay, the motion carries. Now that takes us to item 15. This is a zoning case number ZN9062, Gulfway Mobile Home Park in District 4. >> Good afternoon, Mayor Council. Iette Wallace, interim director, development services. Before you today is zoning KZN962, Gulfoy mobile home park. The property is in district 4 with a request to reszone the subject property from the CG2, which is the general commercial district, to a CG2 with an SP, a special permit. The subject property will have a new uh 95 ft telecommunication tower, replacing the existing one. The purpose of this request is to allow the replacement of the telecommunication tower of 95 ft. The property is part of the Bayside area development plan adopted on December 10th, 2024. and the subject parcel is zone CG2 commercial general commercial district today. Eight notices were mailed inside the 200 foot buffer. Zero notices uh mailed outside the 200T buffer. Zero notices were received in opposition and zero notices were received in favor. The proposed resoning is consistent with the elements and the goals of the city of Corpus Christie comp plan. However, it's inconsistent with the future land use designation of government. The applicant's request is compatible with the existing zoning and conforming uses of the nearby properties as a general necessity and use within the very limited on-site activities. The property to be reszoned is suitable for the use to be permitted by the special permit to be applied and staff determined that the zoning map amendment will not have a negative impact upon the surrounding neighborhood. Planning commission and staff recommend approval of the special permit and there are conditions for the special permit. So the special permit only allows the use is allowed by right in the CG2 and a wireless telecommunication facility of 95 ft in height that meets all applicable adopted building regulations. It also allows for off- streetet parking meeting the UDC 7.2.2 off- streetet parking and then the time limit is 12 months unless a building permit has been submitted. The special permit shall expire expire if the use is discontinued for more than six months. And I stand by for any questions. Councilwoman Paxton. >> Thank you. Um, it it doesn't have that there was any comments from the public. Did we receive any sort of feedback on this? >> We did not. So, we sent out the notices and received no favor or opposition. >> Okay. And um you had listed in here that it wasn't entirely consistent with um >> it is not consistent with the future land use map which identified government. >> Okay. But you're still recommending approval. >> Correct. There's an existing telecommunication tower there that's 84 ft and this is a replacement of that tower to a 95 ft tower. >> Okay, perfect. >> Perfect. >> Motion to >> We have a motion in a second. I'm going to open public hearing. Is there anyone in the audience that would like to make comment on item number 15? >> Okay, we'll close public hearing. Please submit your vote. Okay, the motion carries. Uh, section L is individual consideration items 16 through 21. Item 16 is a resolution revising the 2026 calendar year city council meeting schedule. >> I move for approval. >> Second, Councilwoman Paxton. Um, Peter, the my understanding is the reason or the rationale behind this request was to facilitate action to be taken on the 28th and at this point we don't have it confirmed that we'll be able to take action potentially because the farfield results. >> Yeah. So, this this item um was more so to uh give the council appropriate information on the level one water level one water emergency policy issues. Uh so we had contemplated doing those on the 28th, waiting to the vote on the 28th. Um excuse me, we had we had contemplated uh doing those the next meeting, but our uh but we want to give the council more followup from the first workshop that we had and do a little more policy introduction. That would be the second meeting uh next week and then votes on those policy issues would be on the 28th. So, it's less the change here on the calendar is not about the del vote or not. It's about having good information for us giving the council good information uh to take policy votes on what could be used in a level one water emergency. >> Okay. Thank Yeah, but you're right on the far field that information will will uh begin to communicate with the public that there may be a slight delay now on getting the farfield study done uh because of a change at Spheros, the company that we hired to do the to do the work. >> Okay, >> they've asked for up to another 30 days, right? >> Okay. I'm going to ask for public uh comment. Is there anyone in the audience that would like to make public comment on item number 16? Uh Julian Hernandez, District District 3. Um I feel like a repetitive deal and I apologize for coming in all the time and and making comments, but um I made a comment on on changing the city council meetings when it was first imposed. Uh bless you. when it was first imposed and I believe one of the council members mentioned and I said something about a slippery slope that we've already cut off time for the public to speak at 5. We moved them to to 12:00 noon and and I could see it coming that uh once we start moving the council meetings or or making them into workshops then then it's going to be an ongoing effect and now here we are if I read this understand this correctly we're we're getting rid of another council meeting is that what I understood u and that's where I mentioned back then that we're setting the table for those slippery slopes to oh we'll just now we got less comment we you got less people coming in to communicate uh with council. Um and and that's where I was at then and now it's coming to fluition now if I understand what y'all are reading correctly. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. And if you need clarity on that, Peter, if you can have your staff uh provide that clarity. Anyone else? >> Sana. Uh, and in order for us to make a true public comment, does that mean you're going to cut down on one meeting? >> That's what we need to know. Because if it's cutting down on meetings, you all need all the time you can get. I realize that right now you off one, you actually have three meetings a month, regular meetings. Now, I realize you're putting a lot of extra time on other things. All we as a public want to know is are you cutting down on one meeting going down to two. If that is so then I have a problem with it. If it is not and it's just a temporary thing that's a difference. So we need clarification. >> Okay. Thank you. Is there anyone else? >> Okay. I will close public comment. Um Peter, will you clarify that basically we're switching this back? We're >> so in the month of April we have three city council meetings. uh the last sk the last calendar change approved by the council uh substitutes or makes one of the meetings I should say a workshop on water issues on level one water emergency policy. This item just substitutes or swaps those dates. So initially we had the 28th as the city council meeting for the level one water emergency workshop. This will now make the workshop on the 21st and the 28th will be a regular city council meeting. >> So we're just flip-flopping them. >> Right. >> Okay. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Please submit your vote. Okay. The motion carries. Item number 17 is discussion possible action to direct city manager to provide an update on the recent communication regarding the city's revised credit rating outlook to negative for general uh obligation bonds from Fitch ratings as well as potential ratings from Moody's and S&P rating agencies. >> Mr. Zone. >> Yes. Okay. Great. Mayor, I'll present this item and our financial advisor, uh, Victor from Specialized Public Finance is here somewhere as well as our finance director. Um, so we have been keeping council apprised of our ratings. Uh, this time of year, the three rating agencies, uh, Fitch, Standard, and Pors, and Moody's. This time of year, they generally reassess us as we get ready to sell bonds in the early summer or late summertime. So, there's nothing new in the assessment. This is the the the routine of the calendar. Um each agency uses its own set of metrics to rate us. And a rating the rating agency's rating of of us is very similar to our own credit scores. Right? It's the rating agency gives us essentially a credit score. So that when we do borrow money, a higher credit score generally means lower interest rates. Um this month the city has met with all three rating agencies. Uh so generally uh they'll give us questions ahead of time. We'll respond to the questions in writing and then we'll have a one to one and a half hour meeting or so and sometimes a follow-up meeting with them to to get to get them questions that they still might have uh answered. So let me go over the three rating agency's uh recent actions and pending actions. And I'll begin with Fitch ratings. So on April 8th, Fitch affirmed our double A rating. uh and this is the highest grade rating. They also revised our outlook from stable to negative for our geo debt. So our geo debt, this is just a general obligation bond debt. They kept our rating the same, which is a high-grade rating, but they moved our our outlook from uh from stable to negative because of our water situation. So there was some words of a downgrade of a rating and that's not that's not an accurate portrayal. Uh Fitch did not downgrade us. They just changed our our outlook from stable to negative. There was no change in our utility in our utility debt from from Fitch ratings. So they kept our rating the same at double A minus uh with a negative outlook. That's what the outlook was be was before. Okay. So just a change a slight change in our GEO rating uh but uh no change in our utility rating. We have two two types of debt. general obligation bonds and then our utility bonds for water, wastewater, and gas projects and storm water from time to time. Moody's is the second one I'll go over with you. So on April 6, uh we met with Moody's to discuss the city's water supply projects and timelines for them coming online. The city team also provided detailed responses to questions that Moody's had on the economy here and our finances. um on April 13 of 2016, which is this week, uh Moody's notified the city that they'll be meeting with their committee as they call it. And so the the rating analyst is who we deal with and then they present to a bigger committee who ultimately decides the rating. Okay. So for Moody's their uh their rating committee is expected to meet either today or tomorrow and then we expect to hear and we'll inform the council and the community uh what their what their outlook is for this city for geo debt and utility debt. Okay. So that's for Moody's. >> Excuse me. What is it currently? >> Yeah. So currently Moody, if you if you recall last year, um in December of 2025, Moody's downgraded the city from a double A1 uh to an A1 and that was for our geo that was for our our utility debt and then um and then an A3 to an A, excuse me, that was for the GO debt and then the utility debt went from a double A3 to an A1 downgrade there as well. So, we're downgraded all three ways through Moody's. >> Just two. Yeah, just two. Just for the geo debt and the utility debt. >> Back in December of 2025, uh Moody's did downgrade us. >> Okay. And that's that's news that we we know about. We told the community, we told the council. However, uh this week Moody's will rule again or I don't know if rule is the right word, but they'll give us their opinion again on our creditworthiness. uh and they are they have asked a lot of questions about our water portfolio and and um um it wouldn't surprise us if they if they uh downgraded us again. They're they're of the three firms are a little they're the toughest. >> We currently don't use Moody's uh when we're um selling debt. uh they uh they're they're giving a rating for prior debt that they worked with us on several years ago. Okay. And then the third the third rating agency uh standard and pores um we met with them also on April 9th and we provided responses to their questions on utility and geo supported debt. It'll be over the next two weeks or so. uh we expect that they similarly will meet with their uh committees and then uh provide the city with an update on our credit rating. And so currently for our geo bond, we have a high-grade rating with S&P, a double A. So it's it's the highest grade, a double A. And our outlook for our geo bonds from October of 2025's rating was stable. And then for the utility debt, uh we had a high r high grade rating with them as well, a double A minus. And um back in October of 2025 and on the utility debt, they did revise our outlook from stable to negative. >> So Peter, this is as I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here, but extremely concerning. >> Are we concerned? >> Would you agree? >> Uh it's extremely concerning. In other words, the the the the effect like none of this happens as in in in a vacuum, right? >> Um the effect is the uncertainty in uh or or it's concern about uncertainty versus certainty. >> Yeah. >> And and that has a a huge effect on our rateayers or can obviously in borrowing more money. So, I I'm I I think the public needs to know, which is why I put this item on the agenda because this just happened this week, right? No, last week. >> It happened last week. >> Last week. >> Yeah. >> Um we've got things that happened that led to this this outlook change and there are risks in that. Um but more importantly, what are we going to do to fix this? H how do we fix this? because, >> you know, all of this has been downgraded. >> So, we're on a we're not on a good path and and and this council and the public needs to know what that means. >> Bunch of letters, you know, or letters, but when you say we're downgraded to negative, what happens after that? How do we fix that? And what >> it's not downgraded. So, the out so again Fitch um Fitch kept our rating the same but change changed the outlook. So, the outlook doesn't the outlook the outlook doesn't have and Victor can can correct me if I'm wrong, but the outlook doesn't have a necessarily >> uh doesn't have an an immediate impact. >> I'm sorry to interrupt you. Where is Victor? >> Is he here? >> He what? >> Okay, we're going to get him. >> Uh, so the the the the outlook doesn't translate into higher interest rates because it's not your credit score. It's just for the investors saying, "Hey, the city of Corpus Christie has a high the highest rating, a highest category rating, but our outlook for the near-term future has changed from either stable or some measure to to a negative." >> Yeah. Victor, could you come up? Would you mind? >> Yeah. Victor, the question is, um, >> does a change in our outlook, if you have the same rating, have a material impact on our debt, uh, interest rates? And before you answer that, Councilman Roy, go ahead. So, >> I want to interject on on this subject. Yeah. >> Um, first of all, as as far as um the rating goes part of that is, uh, you know, in the last year, if you take a look in the last year, right, from the last time they rated us until now, >> right? >> Um, and I'm sure that you've made it aware because I know you've met with them in terms of all the progress that we have made. I mean, when you look at it, we were sitting there at 42 MGD with the Merry Roads and we went up to 70 and then >> then you look at all the other alternative things that we put in place and the extra, >> you know, all the things that we're working on. So, they're they're fully aware of that, right? >> They're they're not only they fully aware, but they're they're complimentary of the work we're doing. >> Yeah. Because I also think about when you take a look around, unfortunately, in Texas as a whole, >> we're not and and Victor, you can also um lay credence to this. We're not the only ones that this is has happened to. Um I understand it's pretty much across the board in cities that are in similar water situations like oursel that that um they're getting down if you want to use it downgraded or um right it's affecting their rating overall. Could could you speak to that? >> Sure. Honorable mayor, members of council, Mr. Zenoni, thank you for having me here. Uh for the record, my name is Victor Koga with Specialized Public Finance and we have the honor representing the city as your financial adviser. So, I know there's a number of questions here. So, um should I go backwards, Mr. Jared? Um >> yeah. So, so the city is is in a unique position in that you're trying to find additional water supply to add to your portfolio to provide to your customers. Um but there are other cities that are also being affected by this drought and there's a a concern by rating agencies and how Texas is going to handle um these concerns to find additional water. So, um, you know, the the city is not the only one that's ever been either downgraded or had a negative outlook. You know, things like that happen, but they could also rebound um based on positive developments that continue to occur. Um, with Fitch, I just want to point out it's not an indictment on the financial practices and management of the city. Uh, all your financials are are are doing really well. Um the the key thing with Fitch and why they uh placed the outlook on negative, they didn't actually downgrade you just yet, but there's on the geo side that has nothing to do with water traditionally. But here now in this in this drought situation where the situation that we're in, uh water is now bleeding over and impacting your other credits. And so uh Fitch basically their main concern is just additional water supply. So they didn't downgrade you all but they said that we could upgrade you or improve that revision from stable from from negative to stable is if you are able to find a water solution within the next 12 to 24 months. So they've been a little bit more understanding uh them and S&P and and us we we we presented to them a plan. Uh right now we're in the process of executing it and uh it's just a matter of them giving us a little bit more time, but they did site and put us on negative. They didn't downgrade us just yet uh based off of how that execution plays out for the city. >> And then my other question is historically when you compare our rating, >> let's let's go back uh 2017 2018, that's when we had our first um increase in our our credit rating, right? >> Yeah. You've had multiple increases by multiple rating agencies um over the years and it wasn't until uh fall of 2024 where Moody's placed you all on negative uh primarily because uh the council at the time took action to reduce certain revenue sources that the city had available to it and uh reduced uh that. And so that's where they saw you all were were taking a little bit too much from your fund balances and they got a little concerned knowing that we have capital needs. But um I'm just I'm just the messenger here from this independent report. I'm not that's not my opinion. >> No, no. And I understand that and I remember that because as a council um we struggled I I say we struggle but there's a lot of debate over that in terms of are we holding too much reserve and it went back and forth with this council and ultimately our reserves and that resulted in our first ding in terms of our credit. Right. >> Yes. I just wanted historically for people to understand that because it's such you know when you're talking about credit there's just so many factors in that and I I I you know um and hopefully we'll get through this and and we'll continue to climb. Thank you. >> Yes sir. You're welcome. >> Victor um how how do we fix this? So so needless well maybe there is need to say it. We we will have higher we're not on a good path. We we can say, well, no, they didn't downgrade us, but we're on the path towards being downgraded, right? Because now we >> I wouldn't say that, Victor. Yeah. Not necessarily. Because if if we if if we bring on the water, >> I'm getting to that though. I'm getting to that. >> Like, we need to answer the question though, mayor. If we bring on water supplies or if we if our reservoirs fill up >> or if we take off water supplies or if water supplies never come on >> or if we cancel projects that affect all of that affects in some way. It's it's multiple pieces of the pie. And that's my concern because the the path we are on today today and we'll know here. I don't know how quickly they let you know. Uh which one did you say? Moody's I mean uh Moody's that is having a meeting today or tomorrow. >> They're they're right. They're committing meetings this week. >> So So we'll see what what they do. But I guess my point is is the path that we're on is extremely concerning to me. And the reason is is because investors will demand higher interest rates if we do not have a good standing. Correct. >> I mean that's generally putting it. You don't have to go into the weeds. So So that's my concern. >> I'm good at that going into the weeds. Well, I didn't mean that. I That was not offensive. But so, so how do we fix this? How do we turn this around? >> So, so the the elephant in the room with the rating agencies and they cited this since last fall is just the um the city securing an additional water supply. They're not giving you opinion as to, you know, surface water, groundwater, diesel, whatever it is. They're not giving you opinion on that. They're not experts in that. I'm not an expert in that. what they're just saying is that they recognize that the city and you recognize that you need to get additional water uh into your portfolio from whatever means that is to provide to your customers. And so that's really the the key here is just execution on that water plant, whatever it is, whatever water source it is, that's going to be uh the key. They don't really get into the details of, you know, this project versus that project. They just are looking at do you have water to sell to your customers. >> Uh Councilman Hernandez. >> Okay. Hey, Peter, you had mentioned that or maybe you had mentioned it that they're looking to see make sure we're get water within the next 12 to 18 months. Who said that? Was that >> that was what Victor said? Yeah, but they >> that's the general statement that Fitch has, but really nobody wants you to get into that LE1 or >> I know I know. And so what we did was we rejected the inner harbor diesel through key width that wasn't going to provide water until 3 four years afterwards 2028 2029 time frame. And we replaced it with three projects. Evangeline water u groundwater, the western wells in Oasis County which are you know and then wastewater reuse. All are scheduled to have water within the 12 to 18 months sometimes out to 24 months time frame. Are they giving us credit for those projects to come online sooner than the other project than the >> So, as I said earlier, they're not really giving you an opinion as to which project you should go by. I didn't say but but timing timing. So, so, so but the key is just from, you know, being a messenger from this independent reporting agency and assisting the staff with presenting this information to these independent reporting agencies. All those plans have been um uh communicated to all the rating agencies. So, they're factoring everything in everything that you just laid out has been communicated to the rating agencies and um you know, the actions they take is their actions. All that has been communicated to Would we be in a worse situation if we had not done th those projects that would have delivered water in the 12 to 18month period? >> Yeah. Uh that that you know I I try not to this is not my opinion because I'm not a rating analyst or anything but I think um you know I think the fact that we have a plan is beneficial. >> Uh the plan the fact that we have a plan is beneficial is what I'll say. But, you know, whether it's what plan it is and what's going to be more fruitful and more productive and and more efficient for your constituents, I I you know, that that's for you all to decide. >> Councilman, who who went up and talked to them specifically? >> We they came here. So, we >> they came here. So, you spoke to them? >> I spoke to them. Michael Rodriguez, um Sergio Victor >> the water team, >> Camille. Yeah. >> And they talked about all our our short-term projects to get water within the short time. >> Yeah. The answer to the question is we'll get credit if we can bring them on as planned. So if we if Evangeline starts flowing with 4 million gallons in November like we've told them, then they're going to give us credit. >> The issue is they're saying just it's it's there's it's not clear that they'll come on. There's there's some risk in them coming on as we are planning. And so but the answer to the question is if they come on as we say they're going to, we're going to get credit for it. >> Yes. So just from from the perspective of us up here, it's imperative that we do those projects that get us to water in the shortest amount of time to avo try to avoid curtailment. >> That's correct. And they recognize that, Councilman, and they applaud us for that. >> Thank you. >> They do. They've said it several times. >> Councilwoman Compass. >> Thank you, mayor. Okay. I was just curious about um the Inner Harbor uh plant. You know, there was a lot of speculation that uh the reason that that our ratings went down was because uh we didn't move forward on the inner harbor. Is that >> I think that was some of comments. Yeah, that was Moody's a year ago. >> That was >> It wasn't the exclusive reason why, but they just said it introduced a little more water uncertainty, >> even though that they knew that the water was not going to be produced till another >> and we told them that Oh >> yeah, and Victor can speak to it because he has more experience in this than me, but Moody's is a is the toughest agency, rating agency. >> Yes, I would say so. And to also, I don't want to um minimize the impact of the drought. When we were talking to uh Moody's back in October 2024, the reservoir levels, which they keep an eye on, were much higher than they are now, and they've drastically gone down because of the drought. And so, um, you know, these rating agencies, the thing about them is that they, in my opinion, they don't do a good job about projecting, looking into the future. They could just estimate or guess as to what's going to happen. They they're very much backward looking. Um, this summer when we go and issue bonds for your needs on the utility system side and the NGO side, our objective and to try to get you the best interest rate possible is to continue messaging and giving these bond investors this this message. Um, you know, of course, a higher credit rating the the better. Uh, but also too, you have to recognize some of these bond investors are very sophisticated that they might not just rely solely on Fed or S&P to base their investment decision on. They have their own credit analysts working on the credit. So, uh, so but anyhow, I don't know if that was just a long way to answer what Peter >> Well, okay. So what if we so hypothetically so what if we do not go with Inner Harbor and we decide to go with let's say Barney Davis you know that would be you know a different plan a different you know whole financial plan so how would that be or or or Harbor Island or or one of those uh how would that fit in into the financial um schemes of things I I mean, would that still be would we I guess my question would be would we still be able to get good loan ratings? I mean, good ratings on our loans. >> Uh yes. So, so Mr. Everett indicated. So, the rating agencies, they look at you, they look at the full spectrum, everything going on, how much are you charging, how much are you um efficiently operating your system, all that, who your customers are, who's buying from you. Um, so I think from a rating agent p perspective is that it's good to diversify your water portfolio. Historically, we've only been uh dependent on surface water, but if you diversify, whatever that is, I'm not here to opine on that. >> I think the more water sources you have, the uh less risk you're going to have in the future about being in a low water supply situation. The only question is, you know, it's it's going to take capital and it's going to take potential rate increases to accomplish all that, you know, but in the rating agency's eyes, the more diversification you have in your water portfolio, the the better off you're going to be. >> But and the other hand too, we get ding for going into our our reserves, right? If we >> dip too much into our reserves to >> get what we need in order to supply the water, you know? So how do we >> it's it's definitely a balancing act. Miss Compost um you know they they want to make sure these rating agencies bond investors that they know we have a large capital improvement plan to move forward depend whatever route you go into. But uh when you when you're going into an extensive capital improvement financing program like that they want to make sure that um you have a very healthy reserve fund. Historically, just like for the general fund for instance, historically the city had maintained close to 30% of annual expenditures as your reserve fund. Uh right now it's closer to 27% which is still healthy but it's been a downward trend. Uh primarily because we we did get into reserves. So it's a balancing act. You know they they want you to have that reserve so that if something happens, a weather event, what have you, uh you have that reserve there as a rainy day fund. So it's definitely a balancing act. you know, you can't trim it down all the way to the bottom and still, you know, try to issue debt and >> Right. But I I think we were still within the healthy range like >> Yes. No, you are. Absolutely. Yes. >> So, what more or less is not a very healthy range? >> Well, it depends on the rating analyst. So, like the Fitch rating agency, they have their own minimum threshold of 10% which I would not recommend. Ours is higher than that. Uh so u so long as you keep it higher but also too so long as the this council would future councils are committed to maintaining enough revenue to continue supporting the system and paying your debt. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you Councilman Scott. >> God dang it. Thought I was second just a couple of quick things. So when you met with them, Peter, you did articulate that the Eastern, Western, and the Ed Rashelle wells were temporary solutions or short-term, >> right? >> Yeah, we went over the Nick was there with us and between Nick and I, we went over the entire water portfolio, the billion dollars worth of uh 76 million gallons of new water sources, >> but >> and we went over the desalination options that the council was considering, >> but we didn't articulate that we intended to pump those wells in perpetuity. >> We told them that the 6 MGD rate. >> What's that >> at the 36 million gallons a day rate that we discussed here in the >> we said when other uh just like we've told the community when other resources rebound we'll use groundwater less or not at all. >> Interesting. >> Yeah. >> It's my understanding that we kind of had a commitment to our friends out in the western part of the county that we were going to run the wells for the next couple of years to get us and then find other resources >> if it takes that long for the western reservoirs to fill up. >> Yeah. Interesting. >> Yeah, there's no time at the Western Reservo back. They're not going to be happy to hear that. I thought it was 36. Uh, and then if we did desalot, we'd bring it back to 20. So, we'd try to operate at the the western the well fields at 30 20 MGD >> desalinating it and putting it through the Owen Stevens. That's that I must have missed that. I did not know that that we intended to run the wells as long as we needed. just that's the only water source that's helping us right now, Councilman. So, uh it depends on our eastern sources. >> Even if a del plant came on by 2029, if Lake Texana is say below 30% and lower Colorado is not running. Yep. >> Then we're going to use the we need to use the groundwater. So, the system we're setting up, it gives us flexibility to turn a source or sources on and off. >> Yeah, I get it. And I, you know, I've been a proponent for, you know, drill baby drill in western Oasis County as >> some of my friends in the back have pointed out, but it was my sense that >> those were short to midterm solutions uh that we needed to find other resources so that we weren't relying on those in the long term. Which leads me to the question about >> That's correct what you just said. Okay. >> That's Yeah, that's >> Well, you're saying that until the river until the lakes fill up. And I was thinking it was not till the lakes fill up. It was till we brought a different source on that we could replace the whale fields with like like desalination. >> Yeah, I think it's both Councilman. I think if a Delaw plant is built in time or plants and the West >> Yeah, that's why I thought three years to build the del, three years to pump the wells, del comes on, you can throttle back the wells at the same time you're deselling a portion of the well field. So we can that's correct >> we can we can move forward with 20 MGD a day >> which I think is basically half of what we're doing now. That that was my concept which may Kurt certainly may not be right. >> Hey that reminds me. So our conversations with Orange Grove we do have a hydraologist that's helping us. >> We have those two. So the city has ours and they have theirs and uh we provided information to Orange Grove that they can use in their modeling. >> Do we are we going to get some response from ours? Yes. >> Follow all that. Is that a 30-day answer, 45 day answer? >> I don't Yeah, I don't have the answer, Councilman. Yeah, I'm looking Nick's returning tomorrow, but uh it it should be around that time frame. >> Okay. I'd be interested in that because I think that that that's an indication of >> the impact of the wells and I'm I'm the guy I'm a guy that said, "Hey, we can get 36 MGD. Let's make it happen." >> Yeah. But that that that piques my interest. So uh and then um yeah so you you articulated there's risk with the wellfield there's risk with evangelene if we don't I mean if we get they don't have standing later this month then we move forward right but you did articulate the fitch that there are risks involved outside of our control right now. >> That's correct with every project we have risk. >> Cool man. Um that that's it. Thank you sir. >> Thank you. >> Councilwoman Vaughn I have one question. So are we within what our budget poly policies and utility policy say? Is it what is it 20%. What is it? >> So the reserve fund you're talking about. Yes. So there's a a couple factors. Yes. We we are u that's one of the credits that they do give us is that we're very um uh we have a strong reserve on the utility system side and the general fund side still. >> What's the percentage though we're supposed to have? Is there a percentage? Uh, you know, it it just it's dictated by policy, but uh typically it's 20%, but the more cash you have, particularly on the utility side, the the better. Right now, we're in excess of 20%. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah, Councilwoman Von, the city council approved financial policies has it at 25% for the general fund. >> Yes. Sorry. >> The utility, sorry, the utility is at 25%. The general fund is what? >> 20 >> 20, >> but it's like it's it's a little higher than 20 today >> in the general fund. >> But that's what we dictate. >> That's what I was asking. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Sorry, I got those confused, but >> you didn't know the answer. I'm sorry. >> I have a lot of notes here, too. >> Thanks. >> Punish myself later. >> I'm going to go ahead and open public comment. Would anyone like to make comment on item number 17? >> Yes, sir. So just for date purposes, Rachel Cayto D1 um your the rating was downgraded in 2024. The Inner Harbor Kiwit contract was voted down in 2025. And if you take a look at all of the debt that is owed by the city, including the 140 plus million dollars of certificates of obligation that have been taken out over the course of the last seven years without voter approval. And then you consider the lack of uh population growth in the area within that same time frame. And then you consider the multiple different projects and borrowing money for the experimental inner harbor plant before the full funding was available. Now you have the $ 1.1 billion in other diverse water projects. So basically this is just reiterating that we can't afford to borrow more money for the inner harbor experimental plant because it's only going to put us into more debt and there is it isn't even fully funded as of yet. So, as we play word jumbo mumbo and talking in circles, we've over spent money when we shouldn't have and now we're in this position. >> Any Mr. Weiss, Joseph Wise, District 1, um, United States Marine Corps. I don't know if this fits into this. This is not my world in any way, shape, or form. for this discussion on water amongst the leaders of our community date back to 1979 1979 and we have not been able to get a group of leaders to come to a decision since 1979 I learned very early in the Marine Corps you can live for months without food you cannot live for days without water a decision needs to be made and the bond rating agencies have had enough since 1979 we haven't been able to get it together And my understanding, I could be wrong, I believe AAA is a top bond rating, not double A. I could be incorrect. It's still a very powerful rating, but AAA is your top. So, it's a negative slope. Agree completely. But as a citizen, we're tired of this young woman said the minutia. We need some decisions, folks. We need some decisions. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. Anyone else? Julian Hernandez, District 3. Um, when I first started coming here, the only thing that was on the agenda was del. And understanding construction, for those that that actually do big construction, um, it never goes as planned. And I it's been said here before, it's always a day late and a dollar short. I've been on projects where they went from $10 million to $40 million like because we were they wanted it now. And I bring this up because had it not been so say that DSA would have passed, we would we would actually be in a worse position now because it wouldn't be online till another four years and we wouldn't be looking for other water sources. And because it was voted down is the only reason and this is just me just started coming. The only reason we have other water sources and every time I I I hear uh you know Peter Zone first I want to thank you for clarifying um what I misunderstood earlier about the flip-flop and the and the schedule and stuff. But the other thing is is when he mentioned um that we were a negative, but that wasn't affecting our financial situation. We hear the the strong push like, "Hey, you got to buy this car." When you walk into the into the car lot, it's like, "Oh well explain how we get out of it." And I know where it's leading because you want to sell something. But we got out of it because it was voted down before and that's why we have water now, right? Am I wrong? Because there was nothing else being looked at when I first started coming here. But had it gone, we would have been 1.5 billion in the hole, not including what we would have to be doing now. And so those that voted it down then should be congratulated because now we have other sources of water without the 1.5 billion and try to sell your car. You know, everybody hates those car salesman. You can't even walk on the lot to look at the car. And that's what I feel like every time there there's like something whatever it is negative or whatever it was. Oh, uh tell us how to get out of it. H but we know what you're after. you're trying to sell us that car to get in there and maybe the car doesn't fit our budget, maybe the car isn't right for our family, you know, all the other factors. So, collectively take a look at it and and and make sure the car that we're getting it or buying into is right for the family. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Okay, I'm closing uh public comment. Let's see here. So, we are going to there's no action here. Um, but I will say and Victor, correct me if I'm wrong, certainty is what credit ratings are looking for. >> And it is multiple things. It's not moving forward water projects. It's bringing them on. It's keeping to our word in terms of stability. It's a whole lot of things it sounds like, that make up a credit rating. and what can happen, you know, if it one one way or the other. >> That that that's correct. And just a final note is that when we do go into the market this summer for your bonds, it's really going to be what's going to dictate the interest rate is really going to be market conditions. Uh in addition to, you know, what the rating agencies sell and then the the the communication that we have with the bond investors as well. So, it's not an end all be all. >> Okay. Thank you, Victor. Uh we're going to move on to item 18 and this is discussion possible action to direct the city manager to provide an update addressing concerns raised in recent media coverage regarding the Noasis River Authority including allegations of inaccurate reporting and governance issues and to present a comprehensive accounting of all city funds dispersed to the NRA as required by Texas law and to outline any implications for the city of Corpus Christiey's water supply strategy and contractual relationships. you requested that we present this. So, um, as background, the city um, with my recommendation reserve 50 million gallons of water from a future, uh, desalination facility at Harbor Island that would be managed, uh, by the Newasis River Authority, and that was approved in October of uh, 2025. A $2.7 million reservation fee was provided to Harbor Island. There was a contract that went along with that and Miles and I have reviewed the contract. U we reviewed it when we presented it and we reviewed it again recently. Uh recently a former employee of Newas River Authority um waged some allegations that the Newasis River Authority is going to look into. Today they had a special meeting and they hired a firm to look into these allegations. uh the board chair Eric Bernett and and the and the board approved a contract with the firm to assess the uh the allegations from the employee. So, several questions were asked from from me about what exposure do we have uh the city uh given that we allocated $2.7 million. And this answer here comes from Miles and myself, which is that um the the exposure is more to if NRA as an agency has a reputation uh damage because of these allegations, uh it may make it less likely that they can produce the plant and then less likely that we can buy water from them. We don't have any exposure in terms of uh the contract dollars that were paid. NRA is in compliance with the contract terms for the 2.7 million and the allegations don't provide any risk to the 2.7 with the exception of potential reputation damage should the accusations be true or substantiated. We won't know that. We don't investigate other people's uh other entities issues, personnel issues. They're going to hire a firm that will do that and then they'll report back to us and we can report back to council. Now, do we rely on uh one of the accusations is that the executive director uh made some overstatements in terms of how much was reserved in reservation fees and the question that was posed to me is does that have any impact did that have any impact on our recommendation to the city council or the city council's approval of the reservation fee and the answer is no. uh the staff presentation on all accounts, the the uh in-person presentation, the city council briefing memo, the PowerPoint presentation had no reference to how much reservation the Newasis River Authority had obtained from other sources in Texas. And so uh so we believe that that there was no that the statements that were made in terms of how much was reserved or not reserved um didn't have any bearing on at least myself and and other staff that made presentations to the council. Uh, another question that was asked is what's the current status of any agreements, funding or coordination efforts tied to the NRA? Uh, beyond some small ones that we have in in daily operations on water uh monitoring at the Choke Canyon, we do not have any other agreements except for the the the reservation fee. And then the last question is especially a legal question, which is what safeguards do we have to protect the city's interest? Should these allegations be substantiated? And Miles says that state agencies are are protected. So are they have protection by sovereign immunity and most types of lawsuits and claims. So it would be tough to uh try to file a claim. I guess if some of these accusations uh were true. However, the representation of what John Byron said in terms of reservation fees uh weren't used as part of our analysis when we present it to city council. So, mayor, that's about all I have to present. Miles is here and um we'll get more information when the New Asus River Authority does their investigation and they hired their investigator today in a special meeting. >> Councilman Scott. >> So, I I find the accusations troubling. Hopefully, they're nothing there, right? Because you're our partner, >> correct? Um, I'm a little I'm I'm I'm a little surprised you don't find them troubling because they have $2.7 million of these folks money and I would think that we're really we got to really be concerned at the accusations and and actually frankly help where we can to to seek resolution some light on that. Do you know who they hired and and and what's the timeline on the investigation? Is that something? >> Um, so that was it's a a law firm out of San Antonio. I don't I don't have their name and I I I wasn't at the board meeting and >> Yeah, I know you're here, right, Steve? >> Yeah, right. It was today earlier, so I don't know how long it will take, but uh in speaking several times last week with the board chair, they want to move pretty quickly to get some swift um reconciliation of the accusations. >> Could you provide that to us? The Yeah. who they hired and what's the timeline and what's the process? I think we'd want to be I I want to share that with people. >> Okay, we can get you that. I I I am aware that some of their presentations that list the reservation fees and one of which for instance is East Central uh and they list population serve 350,000 $350,000 people but in East Central supply corporation's own audited financial return they say we serve 36,000 people right so in the presentation it says 350,000 people in their own audited returns it says 36,000 people. And so that just you start to kind of wonder about that. I don't actually know that that makes a difference in the in the financials. But when you're telling people you serve 350,000 people and and then the entity says, "No, we only serve 36,000 people, that that's concerning to me." And and it may be a semantics. You know, I I thought, you know, sometimes we say we serve, you know, 500,000 people when maybe we serve 450. I don't know. I just point is I point out one. There's another Green Valley. They list 345,000 population served and I I left that document at uh at the office, but when I looked at their financials, they say they represent uh 36,000 people. So, there's two instances where it's 10% of the what they show on their their presentations. Uh and I would hope that maybe we can help them, you know, be more accurate uh in their presentations to the public. So, I'm troubled by it. And if you could, and I'm conveying that to the public. I'm I'm troubled by the fact they have $2.7 million. I'd sure like to know what the accounting is of it so far. You know, where's the money spent? Who who' they hire? What's the timeline on that project? What's the breakdown? you know, are they still building uh Harbor Island or a third party building Harbor Island and they're moving to just the transmission part of that process, which wouldn't be a bad model. It's just different than what I thought we got into. >> Yeah, we can have uh we t some council members asked me to uh get an update, have John Byum present to council an update. >> Okay. >> And that was prior to this event. So, we can do that. Okay, we do I have gone to their last couple of board meetings and the council, excuse me, the board has approved contracts for the conveyance line design contracts, two different firms and the board chair texted me today that um in in his update that they are close to selecting the design build operator for the Harbor Island plant itself. That'll be done in the next couple of weeks. the design, build, operator is going to pay on their own nickel to design and build and I guess operate, >> right? They'll bring that financing to the table. >> So, our $2.7 million reservation contribution went to the engineering the selection process. >> We'll have to ask them exactly where they where they align that to, but what I do know, they have allocated uh a lot of money on design for the conveyance system. uh they hired they've hired consultants to help manage the process. So I don't know uh if if they know exactly how our 2.7 has been spent to date, but we can ask them. They can present that to us. >> It's okay. Just a general, hey, we're doing these five things and it's $10 million and we spent three here, three here, and four there. I think would be good to communicate. >> Yeah. uh with all the questions swirling around that entity, I I'm I'm hopeful that it it'll all be cleared up and we can move on down the road, but I do think that um some some serious questions have been asked that we hope get answered. >> Yeah, we're going to get answers. >> So, a presentation be great. Thank you, sir. >> Yeah, I'll ask John Byron. >> Thanks, Councilman Bonetta. >> Um thank you, Mayor. You know, I I I thought that that employee was still there, >> Pruski. >> Yeah, >> he resigned, Councilman. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Um, you know, obviously I I I didn't support this project and um, you know, I voiced my concerns with you and obviously in public comment. Um, I'm a little bit more optimistic now that this comes out because I think we might be able to get our money back even though it may be a a long shot. I I just I just I just would ask that I I've just never felt that the math worked. I mean, we get I mean, if we're doing 50 million gallons, you know, what are they going to do with 5.4 million gallons? I mean, 5.4 more four $5.4 million on 100 million gallons. It doesn't really get much. And and they don't have any they I I don't know that the cost unless the cost to convey is borne on each entity. in Kyle, Texas, even though they gave 300,000 for reservation rights, unless they're waiting for the legislature to be able to provide funding of which there's money set aside, but there's only what, a couple of billion dollars in there or three billion total. I mean, I just just the math doesn't work for me. So, the federal government all I ask >> Yeah. >> is that we just be very conscientious. >> I think this is makes it more hyper sensitive. I think the other thing that this does is we need to have this opportunity. So once again um as was in the in the agenda item before is to provide certainty and confidence and this is just adds all over to the novella that we're living and u you know uh and and you know mind you Peter I' I've said that on many occasions I sit on the campaign trail I sang your praises that how many times our bond rating improved and how it was talking to you and Victor that put us in a position or put me in an understanding of what how beneficial debt can be because it it it shows that we have a willing a willingness to invest in our infrastructure. And I think right now the my opinion my as a layman $2.7 million is just a desperate attempt to try and show people that we're doing something. I I just I just would hope the Peter that that that I've always praised um is very conscientious and would ensure that we're getting the best value there. And I'm just a little concerned because I I think I like I like John. I like to talk to him about barbecue, you know. I like to talk to him about grandchildren. I like to talk to him about the trips that he takes with his wife, you know, but with uh somebody to do business with, I just would be more conscientious. So, just if if if I could ask number one, just like Mark said, get us back the details when when their what the specifications of their uh of their investigation is when we'll be able to find out who the firm is and so that way we can go back and we can tell our constituents because a lot of them are asking questions. >> Yeah. >> Thank you, sir. >> Yeah, we'll get you that. Councilman >> Council, excuse me, Councilwoman Vaughn. >> Well, first off, we need to let them iron out their differences. What's going on over there? We do not know what happened. And for anyone to have a knee-jerk reaction, get on Facebook and start criticizing another entity is wrong. That's not what leaders do. You call them and say, "What's going on? What can I do?" We did not do that. We criticize and said, "Give us our money back immediately. Jump to conclusions. You do not know what happened." And everybody makes errors. This city makes errors all the time. That's what happens. So, I'm not real concerned about that. We send stuff out that's wrong because we've been called on it up here. So, every entity does that. I just think we need to leave them alone. let him figure it out and let let him come back over here and explain to us what happened. And we need to know the facts, but we don't need high school politics in this and be ugly and mean to an entity that is very wellrespected. I mean, they're appointed by the governor. They're very well respected. So, they helped build the Mary Roads pipeline just like the port did. We need to give them courtesy. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Well, I'm not going to defend them. And um today what I'm looking for is clear accounting of what was presented, what is now being alleged, what the city knows, and what our options are. We have to know. I'm not going to sit around here and wait for them to get the green light that everything was fine. When you have a COO who is whistleblowing, we need to we need to be looking into if this comes back in the worst case scenario, how do we get our money back? Those are this is taxpayer money. It's $2.7 million and we're we're taking this really lightly and and Peter, I cannot believe that you are not concerned with you. You didn't raise one concern with this and and that blows my mind because we don't know as was just said. So, it can go one way or the other, but this is a very serious allegation and this is $2.7 million of taxpayer dollars that we we have to know how we're going to address this should should it come to fruition. >> Right. That's that's why I called the uh chair uh mayor of the new Asus River Authority once this happened and they they have to look into it. I I can't investigate their internal >> operations. Once we get their report, once we get their report, we'll be able to share that with the council. >> Thank you, >> Councilwoman Paxton. Thank you, Peter. Did you send it in a memo or a text message shortly after the media release about um there being a potential issue? It was asked, "What degree of liability are we in because of our commitment?" You sent it in a text message. Yeah, I I of Yeah, I'm pretty sure I I informed the council once this uh took place, once the allegations were made, right? >> Yeah. I because I remember for one, I had the same question. Do we have how does this impact our relationship was my question, >> right? Yeah. And so I have to say I don't think it's appropriate for us as an entity to publicly pronounce opinions in the form of judgment against another organization that we don't have jurisdiction in. I think it's risky. I think it puts us in a bad spot. There's not a determination of if there's fault, who there's fault with, or what the outcome's going to be. Um, I appreciate that very promptly you did address those concerns which were does the city have liability and how does this change our relationship on this project. The answer is until there's anything material it doesn't and I for one feel like you answered that pretty quickly. So I appreciate having the answers to that because it's it's very important to us how we've invested our resources. This is something that I think is much bigger than what's going to be I I don't know what's going to be found, but I sure am not going to sit here and preside over it because I don't know. However, this is a huge project. It's garnered enormous support and attention. And I I don't think that something like this is is a reason for the city of Corpus Christi as a regional water supplier to say, "I want out. I want out. I want out." that's not being secure. What we need to demonstrate is stability. We just heard it in the last item over and over again. So, I appreciate that your that your approach and the information that you have provided publicly and to the group here is that as of right now, this doesn't change our relationship with the project. As of right now, we don't have any reason to believe that the project is jeopardized because there's no ruling. We don't know. So, I appreciate that. Thank you, >> Councilman Hernandez. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, considering how many controversies we have here at the city, I almost don't want to point any fingers at anybody. The, uh, you know, and and I have to remind my fellow council member, uh, Councilman Bedetta, that if we would have voted for that, the NRA would have never been involved in this. So, I blame you for it. Yeah. >> Uh, >> you know, I I I went to the last two presentations. John Byron went to the Thursday morning breakfast to kind of present. I think you were there uh briefly. And then he also went to the Flower Bluff Business Association that I also attended and also Dan Suckley who is a board member and a former council member was there as well. And you know, from what from from what I understand of their plan, it's still the same to do a P3 contract for the actual plant. >> And it is they're looking at doing the conveyance. And they would need help from the state. And I'm I'm you know, I'm assuming that they're trying to get that part of that billion dollar annual funding that the state is going to take into place in I guess it starts in 2027, >> right? >> Um to help uh cover the cost of that. and their intent is to ultimately get it all the way up to the I35 corridor. >> Right >> now, I don't think that's going to happen overnight. I think they intend that we are a big part of that because they have to sell some water close by so they can afford going beyond that. Uh I don't know how much, you know, just because we reserve 50 million gallons a day, I don't know if we're going to need all 50 million. I think we have to have customers in place, which goes back to do we uh when are we going to get contracts with our large water users to, you know, to so we can have some confidence that we will have those um you know, water sales. It's hard to buy water if you don't have contracts to sell water. So, I think there's some things that we have to do in order to make sure that we, you know, and honestly, I don't know if they can deliver water in 2029. Their contract with the port is until third 2032. I think there's a lot of leeway in there. Um, and honestly, I'm not counting on it for the water that we're looking for. You know, the emergency stuff that we're looking for is the groundwater projects, the wastewater reuse project, maybe the CC polymers thing if that works out. Those are the things that are going to get us water here quickly. You know, I think the you know, there are some concerns with the NISS River Authority. Uh but I think we have more pressing issues uh in the short range in the short term that we have to address than deal with that at this point in time. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Councilman Bonetta >> here. I just want to add I mean the governor's is the one that demanded the investigation. So I mean I'm I'm just asking you to be conscientious about it. So I'm I don't want to downplay it. I'm not downplaying it. I'm just saying that once again I never had faith in it and I I even and and I think I think um I'm not going to I think we'll save our debate over theou on another day but uh what is it? Um um that that's all I'm saying. I I'm just expressing that we move with the same prudency that the governor of Texas is has his concern. >> That's why I called the the chair immediately councilman. We did, >> but as several council members says, we they don't report to the city, so I can't investigate. >> I understand. I understand. But I'm sure there's >> I'm sure there's a vehic I I would hope I I believe in you and I think you'll find a vehicle to make sure that the public is confident in the work that you're doing. >> They have an independent firm they hired today and we'll get you the name, but they're going to from San Antonio. They're going to independently review the situation and advise everybody. >> Yeah. But the a lot of the information with that, they're a public agency just like us, >> right? And so that information should be available to the public and then if they're not a willing partner to be able to provide that for us upon request. >> Uh they're going to provide it to us. >> Yeah, of course. I I'm I have no doubt that they would that they'd be completely transparent. >> Yeah, we they are they have been with me. >> Yeah. So I have I have no doubt that they and in fact they should be. >> Yeah. >> So I'm I'm just uh I'm just uh expressing that. But I I guess the implication that we're judging people, I just want to say that I' I've been very transparent from the beginning and it's the governor that's requested this. So I'm sure that it should be readily available so that way we're we're providing the value that we should. >> Agreed. >> Thank you, sir. >> Yes, sir. >> Councilwoman Compos. >> Thank you, Mayor. I just want to just statement of fact that I personally also did not vote for this uh project, but I had my own reasons why. Um, but I also want to say that uh being the Noasis River Authority and it being a municipality or a um a public entity, >> I I do have faith that they will um that that the that it it'll come to fruition that some that something will come something good will come out of this. Uh I I I don't know about the the governor, you know, stepping again over >> uh another another entity just like he's trying to do with us. I mean, we have home room home rule. >> And so, you know, we have our rights just like they do. Uh although I do know that the uh appointees are done by the the governor himself. So, um, anyway, I just I I do agree that we do need to give them at least a little bit more time. So, >> yeah. Now, now for >> real quick, I think Harbor Island, it's going to happen one day soon. Um, I really believe that. Um, I'm glad that we're involved with it. I think John was being a salesperson. I think, um, anybody, everybody wants to sell us water. I mean, that's what he's doing. He's trying to sell us water and he sold us water. And, uh, I think $2.8 8 million that we gave them is not much because we just spent almost $4 million over $4 million for a 5,000 foot building. I mean, so um if you're concerned about the taxpayers money, you know, we we should be concerned about um h getting a crane service for $600,000 for the American Bank Center. We should be concerned about the the the 5,000 foot building for for over $4 million, you know. So, I just think it's just this is political. I think um allegations, we get allegations all the time. All the time, you know, and and so it it is what it is. And um I'm behind him. I'm behind the project. And I think it's going to happen. It's going to happen. The port's involved. You know, the port wants it. The port gave us a chance at one time, this city, to partner up and we blew that. Um so that's my comments. Thank you. >> Would anyone like to make public comment on item number 18? Rachel Gabayto D1. Just so the general public knows that when it says city secretary's office, it's usually because the mayor has requested for this to be put on the agenda. >> Yes, it was mayor. Um, so I think we all know within the um I'm I'm speaking so try not to interrupt. Go ahead. >> I think we all know that other government municipalities have sovereign immunity. Like this isn't if you if you're in politics, you know that other government agencies have sovereign immunity. You know, I feel like this is a distraction for what is upcoming. Also, since we I'm very very happy to hear the concern for the 2.7 million deposit that we made. I'm so happy to hear that because at the end of the day, it is taxpayer money that we need to be concerned about. So I would like to see the same concern and the same effort in the $50 million that has been used for the experimental inner harbor project that has accomplished nothing that nothing has been done on. So we're going to care about 2.7 million. Let's care about the 50 million that has been what did we say again? Oh man, what was that word? laundered or not maybe not laundered. Uh that was squandered. That's the word. Squandered. Um so yeah, if you I I appreciate the current concern for the 2.7 million even you though we all know that the NRA cannot be held liable and two that we have the same genuine concern for the 50 million that has just gone MIA from the Inner Harbor project. Thank you. Next, >> Julian Hernandez, D3. Um, city manager, I applaud you. Um, you go through a lot. Uh, you know, I sit here and I realize it now. Um, that, you know, there's some direction from from the minority. Uh and then there's the general direction of of uh well the general consensus of the overall uh council here. Um and I don't know the whole pecking order but who you take your your marching orders from. And um I I think you know as an entity I I I don't think we should be you know diving into other people's stuff. Um and those that are requesting that are just you know it's it's third grade kind of things. But at at the end of the day, I think you work for them. Um, and I applaud you for for having to I guess dodge that back and forth. Um, so, um, but yeah, I I think to do what's right is is do what you've already done and and leave it at that and let it come to fruition. What's going to happen? Uh, you know, thank you. >> Thank you, sir. Is there anyone else? Okay, I'm going to close public comment on that. Councilman Kent, >> real quick. Um, Peter, you made a comment earlier that we spent a close to a billion dollars for how many MGDs? >> Yeah, for 76 million gallons a day, Councilman. >> So, our city manager and this council approved almost a billion dollars for 72 76 >> 76 MG per day. >> Thank you, Peter. I think that's that's a lot of water for for a billion dollars. and you get hit here a lot and and I appreciate that you have thick skin and you're doing what's best for this city and and you're doing a good job. I mean that's a lot of water that you're you're getting online soon and um I appreciate you and I think the community appreciates you too. >> Yeah. Thank you, Councilman. Item number 19 is discussion and possible action on allegations regarding information provided on building permit and jurors. Number three, reimbursement applications for the residents in hotel related to representations, among them related to a hotel rooftop bar, including a presentation from city staff outlining the nature of the allegations, relevant facts, photography of the rooftop bar, and any potential implications to ensure transparency related to any incentive payments by the downtown Turge number three uh and potential fees unpaid to the city. >> Good evening. Uh Mike Dice, uh interim assistant city manager. Uh for the item, I don't have a presentation, but I do have just some facts of some of the items uh some of the things listed within the uh agenda post. Uh so the property in question is 309 Shoreline. It's a residence in uh that was built. The permit was done back in February of 17. Uh one of the allegations even heard earlier today was a difference in valuation. So the valuation at that time according to the application was 5.56 million. Uh with that there's a state filing uh for TDLR Texas Department of License and Registration for accessibility review. It's required by the state any job over $50,000 uh file so they can have that plan reviewed for accessibility. They attached a valuation at that time of 12 million to the state filing. Now just for clarity sake that difference is now in 2020 an internal policy was put into place to make sure that those uh items are looked at and that at least it's consistent across the valuation between the both of them. The same item uh was taken to terror 3. There was an application for a $940,000 reimbursement uh to go over 10 years uh for construction of six items. Uh those six items were heavier steel construction, uh landscaping including trees, a trellis, uh pavers along the entryway, an entrance canopy, and then a rooftop amenity. Although it didn't get finished, uh it was pre-developed. So TUR uh 3 approved this in November of 2016. uh throughout the construction uh it was looked at by DMD and inspected for compliance and TUR 3 reimbursement in March of 20. Um now what was listed on the presentation at that time was a project um uh valuation of 15 million but nowhere in the contract doesn't mention anything about a project valuation. Uh again it was for 940,000 uh for construction reimbursement of those six items. So, that's really what I have in the way of facts related to the agenda post. Um, stand by for any questions. >> Councilwoman Vaughn, >> Mr. Cone, did you put this on the agenda? >> No, I did not. Councilwoman, >> mayor, did you put it on there? >> I did. >> I'm trying to figure out why it's on there because this thing's old project. Was everything approved by the TUR? Was everything approved? They had a vote. Everybody voted for it. >> Correct. >> Yeah. So what is the problem? You can't answer that. I just don't know what the problem is. I mean, did they receive money for it? >> Again, I think the allegation was a difference in the uh the valuation statement >> and the allegation. And the allegation was bought from who? >> Again, I'm just >> you know, you don't know. Nobody knows who made the allegation. >> Who made the allegation? >> There was an allegation at the podium. She's sitting right there. >> Susie Susie made the allegation. I buy proof. >> Well, you bought some stuff. I wouldn't say it was proof. I read it. I didn't see proof, but I'm not going to talk to you. But we have someone that came up here that bought an allegation. >> Does she get paid to come up here and talk about some of the council members good and bring stuff up here? I think so. So, that right there is a flag for me. No, ma'am. You can I'm talking and that's a real flag for me when that happens. And to me, what is going on here? This is total retaliation. Was there a federal document altered? >> Do you know? >> Not that I can at this point. No. >> So, we have two items here. Next one's the same thing. I'm trying to figure out what the problem is. The TUR approved it. The money was paid. So, why are we doing this all of a sudden? Why are we bringing this forward? It's it's it's vendetta. I'm sorry. And I'm ashamed that that's the way it is going on. Thank you. There are three different valuations and Mr. Dice, you're being put in a difficult position. And here's the thing. I don't expect you to answer all these questions, but what I do expect and what every council person on this DIY should expect is answers to those allegations because when people have come forward to that same podium and made allegations and we move that forward, we move that forward. So, so what's important today is to go and find out. You just stated three different valuations were were made. One at the state level, >> one on the TUR's application, correct? >> It wasn't on the application, the presentation. >> Presentation. And so there were three different ones. And those, it's my understanding, are tied to incentives or fees paid to the city. Is that correct? the the 5.56 for the application is the fee to the city, right? The incentive was specifically tied to six items. >> So, no one is saying no one is convicting anyone. It is go look into it because if something was done wrong, if those valuations were written in, I'm not saying that was purposely done. I'm saying I would like to know because allegations were made. So, we shouldn't get all defensive over taxpayer dollars that are that are going or or were paid out. I put that on the agenda and I put the next one and I will put the one before that and the one before that because there should be concern when we're talking about taxpayer dollars in all of these cases. So, for me, it's about transparency, understanding what was submitted. I don't expect you, Michael, today to give us that clarity, but I do expect you to go look into it and come back to this council and if there if everything was done right, you explain that and we move on. And you just said you now put you you have an internal control over what? So in 2020, we part of the improvement to development services when I first got here in 2019 was to grasp some of these valuations so we could make sure there's consistency across the different filings between state and local. >> So we didn't know back in 2020 if the different filings were different now because I don't know why but now you have something in place. So something could have happened then, but there were no controls in place that wouldn't necessarily happen today. Is that correct? >> It is again. >> Okay. So that's why this is on the agenda, Councilman Betta. Um, you know, I mean, this is this is just what we're getting into because this is nolla that we've become of um, you know, now you did this, no, you did this, no, you did this, but you did this, but you did this. And, you know, I mean, geez. Um, it's it's it's not necessarily comical, even though I can try and be flippant about it. Um, but just like I said in the other situation, there's a process. Um, had I had an open dialogue with Miss Salana as we had not had one probably for the last two years, but um um I would have suggested that she take it to the audit auditor because they have a a a fraud, waste, and abuse hotline. Um, and I I I would recommend that we do that in both these situations simply because that's that's the purpose of the audit of the of the inter uh internal auditor to review those items. Uh, we also have um I don't know if it would work. I I'd have we'd have to inquire at the audit committee. Um because we have a construction auditor that I'm sure they have some level of expertise that we could consult and they're already on retainer. So I I think I I would highly recommend that we move this to the auditor. Uh the only challenge that I'm worried about is that um there is a conflict because um the developer and the auditor have utilized the same attorney. So um I I don't know how we get there. I guess we can discuss that, but I think I think that's that's probably the best thing. And then then that way they can go so go and say, "Okay, here's the situation. we're being impartial and because that's what they're supposed to do. If somebody has a complaint of fraud, waste, and abuse, that's where it should go. Not uh that way we have our own internal system to to look at it versus uh of money that's already spent for the public. Those dollars are allocated versus all this manufactured controversy that's been created over the last couple years. So, that's that's that's what I would recommend. Um, I think um I think Miss Alana can still do that. If she should like, she can contact the uh the auditor. There is a fraud, waste, and abuse hotline and it's on the website and so that way they can continue to look at that regardless and I'm sure they'll keep us a breast of where it goes. Thank you, >> Councilman Scott. >> Hey, Michael. I I was trying to catch up with you, so slow down. Go over to tell people I'm from Kingsville. little word, short sentences. >> So the presentation material said it was going to be a $30 million project. Is that what you said >> also from Kingsville. So we can talk >> the building. So going through the uh the agenda language basically it's just presenting the valuation. So the valuation of the application in 2017 was 5.56 million. >> Okay. >> Was that in the presentation? Hey, we want a some incentive. >> No. Well, the the get to the application I I heard that >> for for TUR three that application was from what I've seen at this point again still looking into things. The application was for 940,000 for six items. There was nothing related to a construction value at that time. >> Got it. Yeah, I'm okay with that. >> There was a value in a later presentation, but the the actual agreement I haven't seen anything that has that value in there. >> Okay. So, because and that I think maybe I'm part of this flaw because I think the idea is, hey, if you go build a a $10 million building that's going to generate $2 million in tax income and we're going to give you a million back, so knock yourself out. And if you if you build a building that's 5 million, then you're not going to get your full incentive because it just didn't happen. And I guess that's not but in this instance, it was, hey, we want to give you some money to build a new hotel on Ocean Drive, which I think was a cool idea. shoreline uh and and we want certain things done and that that was just a list of trees. >> Uh so stable environment >> they went with a heavier steel and concrete construction. They improved the landscaping went above what was required by the UDC. Uh they did have to move some trees apparently in one of the documents I saw because of the windward side it made sense to put them in the back. They just relocated. Uh there was a trellis improvement, pavers, an entrance canopy that wasn't required, and again the rooftop amenity. Uh and I'm stating from what I've seen in the presentation, it wasn't finished, but they did pre-develop, which means they've run um water, sewer, electric, things like that for uh potential future development. >> But you didn't see any part of the presentation that says we're going to build a, you know, $30 million building >> in in the March uh 20 presentation. I'm sorry. Uh, in the TUR 3 presentation, yeah, in March of 20, there was a slide that said project amount. >> Yeah. >> 15 million. >> Okay. >> But it wasn't part of the agreement. >> Okay. I I looked today. Um, I mean, I'm paying attention to everybody, but I did look today on the appraisal district's website and it says it's currently valued at 14 million. >> Actually, the 26 value it's 16 million. >> Okay. God bless you. Um and and then when when it was amended, the TUR board approved the amendment removing the uh rooftop bar. >> From what I've seen, that's that's the that's the case because they did spend more money on other things. >> And so so I I my take is and I've said this on a agenda item, I'll say it again in our later. I don't think there's anything there there. Um, I I I understand the the concern, which I think is odd, that the application says for 5 million, but you you know, you're building a 145 million building, but you're telling me that in 2020 you made some changes or y'all made some changes to try to make that closer to the value. Is that what you >> Again, that's at this point that's what it looks like. But we're talking about a building that started 10 years. Valuations have gone crazy since then. >> Yeah, I know. But no, I get it. But so when somebody comes in and says they're going to build a $10 million building and they come to you with a a permit application says it's three, you have a better ability today than you did years ago. Yeah. No, it's not three. It's >> we do. Again, there's some policies that put into place to verify those numbers better. And again, we're looking across the board for what's filed at the state or any other filings >> that you mentioned that I don't understand that something that's filed with the state. educate me on the state's filing and how that impacts our valuation or our application. >> It doesn't necessarily affect our application. The state law requires any construction job of a commercial uh aspect to be if it's over $50,000 to be reviewed for state accessibility rules. That's where you hear RAZ or registered accessibility specialist gets involved. Those are filed at the state. The state reviews that separately from any building permit. uh but you have to attach an evaluation uh evaluation to that. That's how their fees are based. So what we've done in 2020 is again if if somebody values X at the state and Y at the city, we engage the applicant to figure out why. Now there's there's a lot of instances where an applicant may use an architect or an engineer and they file that stuff separately from the owner. Uh in this particular case, it does look like an architect filed one and the owner filed the building permit. I I appreciate the education and what I thought I heard you say previously is you don't mess with the state's valuation. That's kind of a big deal. You can come in and try to snowball us, but you don't mess with the state. >> I've I've heard horror stories about dealing with the state, but uh I don't actually have their enforcement action with me at this time. >> Okay. Well, the I thought I saw where the valuation was 14 million. Now you're saying it's 16. So, you know, if we can wait a day, it may go to 18 and we'll take that money and put it in the TUR. My that was my concern is is that we uh we're building a a $16 million building. We we say it's, you know, less and um on the application process, but that's it sounds like you made some improvements. I don't I I don't think there's anything here. I appreciate the the conversation. I appreciate the question. And I'll say what I said on the mayor's deal. If if someone wants to file a complaint, file a complaint. I mean, there's a there's a process for that through the um the auditors uh fraud uh fraud, waste, and abuse hotline, but I I don't I don't see anything here. Um I will tell you, I have a lot of people that stay there. It's always busy and they love the hotel, and I think it's made a a difference downtown and started some interest in, you know, building hotels downtown. So, I'm good. Thanks. Thanks, Michael. Councilman Vaughn >> Mark, those were some really good questions. It really clarified a lot. So, pat yourself on the back. But that was really good. Thank you for asking them. Mr. Cone, because they've been brought forward, I don't have a problem with them being investigated. But what is the proper way? I'm with Mark. I don't think there is a thing here to see. I think if there had been something, it would have came up way before now. So, what is the proper way for someone to file it so that they know? >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, on this >> unless the city wants to look at it, >> right? Yeah. Um, so this this item here is overseen by the downtown management district and and just to give Michael Dice some cover, he the city staff didn't uh process this application. We didn't pay the money out. We didn't inspect to see if the work was done >> because the DMD, the downtown management district and their board uh oversee the process of downtown incentives number one. So, someone could complain to the DMD to say, "Hey, I think something might be off there." Uh, we've talked about it on the council here. They could they could uh file a complaint to the auditor or a uh a request that the auditor look into this. Um, they >> and they would have all the paper trail, the emails, everything. The city should have some documentation, too. So, it shouldn't be that hard. You did a good job with having nothing there. Thank you. Okay, you answered it. Thanks. Okay, >> Councilwoman Gmples. >> Thank you, Mayor. Okay, just out of curiosity, how old is this hotel? >> Well, the per original permit was filed in February of 2017. >> 2017, and we're in 2026, so almost 10 years old. >> The CFO was issued in 2019. >> Okay. I I wasn't sure uh because I was like, residents in that's that's been there for a long time. Okay. So I mean but again I mean you know there is a process and I guess you can go I mean 20 years 30 years I mean when how the process is there's no time frame. I mean that somebody can file a complaint after 30 years I mean how what's the time frame? >> Uh I don't have a time frame at this point but again we're working on uh the short notice to to get those questions answered. >> Yeah. Okay. But I mean, uh, I I am also on the audit committee and I'm I'm just yeah, I'm I'm kind of surprised that it did not go that route, but again, I didn't know that. I don't know how long, you know, a claim can be brought forward. I mean, is it 10 years, 15 years, 20 years? doesn't mean that's what I kind of would like to get clarified if possible because why waste our time if it's already past you know the time >> I asked Miles that question but he can you answer Miles >> well I mean it would depend what the claim is for and if it's being pursued in a criminal or a civil context it's they the in a in a civil context the statutes and limitations for municipalities can be really long and bound only by latches potent potentially um although the contracts might have limitations built in, but that's if if something if some wrongdoing was proven. If some wrongdoing is criminal in nature and it's a it's a felony level, then you might have something that's three year a three-year statute of limitations. It just depends on what the type of allegation is. >> Okay. Is that part of the audit committee? Like it's going to probably come to us, I guess. I don't know. I mean, you know, this case. So, I guess we'll we'll discuss it later when it does arrive. Thank you, >> Councilman Kentum. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, couple questions. Um, does city staff see anything wrong with allegations? >> So, there is a difference in the permitting valuations and again to address what was changed in 2020, that change was there put into place so we wouldn't have those types of questions. So, um, it happens. Uh, again, part of development is, uh, we'll just say a meowing and hissing between developers and, uh, regulatory, uh, making sure that those items. I I've been doing this 20 years. I had a Office Depot at another city value themselves at 88 cents a square foot. So, that's obvious undervalue. So, we do work with the applicants to make sure that they're valued uh, closer correctly. And again, part of that is making sure that those different filings with different entities match. >> Are we having those issues today with other >> per there's rare occasions, but uh you know, again, we we have a really good um department. It's run real well. Um and again, we make sure that we address those things before the permits are issued. >> Yeah. And you know, I hate to say this, but I agree with Bayetta. I mean, if there's issues, take it to the audit, you know, to the auditor. And I I heard him laughing back there. You hear him laugh napping? >> Um, >> um, >> I don't know much about it to be honest with you. U, I just want to make sure that city staff looks at it, make sure everything's good. My understanding, I could be wrong, but I believe John Bell was involved in this back then. And I I trust him, you know. Uh I I believe there's some partners in that hotel that I very much respect um besides uh AI Ajet. Um it has other partners in that hotel and um they're very um um good people in this community and I don't you know I don't think they would do anything like this. Um but um but if there is a problem um or you guys see a problem you know I would like for you guys to recommend something. um so we could move forward with it because you know it it is taxpayer money right so um you know I I don't think nobody gets a hall pass >> um so um um if the city staff recommends it let us know but like I said you know um I did go through some of the paperwork and it's to piece it together it's hard to understand it um but I wasn't here um 10 years ago and so um um and I and I'm I'm I'm still against um giving money to hotelers. I mean, I just I think we should give money to other people um not hotelers, my opinion. Um but anyhow, um that's it. Thank you so much, >> Councilman Roy. >> Um you know, being somebody that has chaired the downtown tur for years. Um, one of the things and and in this particular case, I don't really have a comment, but one of the things I want the public to understand, um, because it sounds like you made a change in 2020, but one of the things that we made, Peter, and I'm trying to remember when we did this, but, um, when you, you know, prior to this period of time, and I think it was what, 23 or 24, when the downtown management district was basically managing every project, and then we put a $5 million cap on it and said that if it's if the project's over 5 million that the city uh your department would manage that, right? >> Uh we would be at least more involved, I think, is was Yeah. Right. >> Cuz um you know, somebody that's job basically on the commercial side is is out there inspecting and looking at things and making sure that a project moves the way that it's supposed to move. And it was really kind of apparent that that was a that was a big task to ask the DMD um staff to do that because they don't have any expertise in in project management. So my only comment is is that I think now we've got a sounds like we've improved our processes greatly from before and I I just want the public to know that. Councilwoman Paxton. >> Um, Michael, my experience serving and chairing between different tourist boards is we actually really do have a system in place for accountability. What I've seen is we do not expense incentives. We do not expense any sort of um guaranteed reimbursements or anything like that unless check marks, checkpoints are met. What I've witnessed is staff follows through with that because I've asked a number of times, you know, well, where are they on their deliverables if this is their request? If if we're talking about a payout, have they met those parameters that we all agreed to? I find those types of actions incredibly essential but very valuable. And so my question is did that take place here? Because I would presume I mean if we're doing that across the tourist boards now I would think that's always been our schematic. Again, it it does appear that this was inspected in March of 20 to meet the six items that were uh part of the TUR agreement uh inspected by DMD staff. >> So, at that time, we had this and it's you don't just walk up to a tourist board and say, "Hey, I would like some money for my project." And they say, "What's your project?" Okay, yeah, let's give you money. And they write a check. It's a it's a period of time. You know, there's a process when you go through an application like this. So to me I would presume that during this project like any other they had a process they were they had a point A at application where we reviewed it. It had to go through a lot to even get to a TUR board for approval if things are like they are now. Staff has to recommend that gets to the board. The board approves it. Project makes its way checkpoints are and deliverables are inspected. incentives are then awarded or not and things do change, but that's the board's decision at those different times. If a change arises, they can approve it or deny it or modify all of that. So, I would presume that to say that this was paid out and closed. The board approved that based on checkpoints delivered. >> Again, at this point, that's what it looks like. U we're still looking. That's a lot of a lot of documents that we're going through. Uh again, this was originally applied for in 2016 with the approval in 2020. So, it was a four-year process. >> It's a it's a process. It's quite a process. You don't just walk up and ask for an incentive and it's handed to you. Um so, that's that's my whole thing. I I have to admit, you know, having our agenda and having no nothing supplemental here, my only recourse would of course >> I'm sorry. Sorry. >> And my apologies. I'll walk out. >> Jeez. My only recourse would be to hope that good policy that we rely on today was in place then. So perhaps that's something that we can we can pull back up is what was at the final signing. What what did that look like? >> And there again, there may be other policies that we see looking at this that that make it even better. I mean that's that's where we're at. We're still looking at at what's there, but this is just >> Excuse me, Michael. Is it we or the DMD is looking at this or both? >> Well, I meant more in the permitting process. I apologize. >> Okay. The DMD is looking into this. Uh right. >> Yep. >> Yeah. Well, so are we. >> They approved it. We don't we don't have any of the paperwork. We don't have we didn't do the inspection. We being the city. >> Well, we have we have the building inspections, but not the final inspection. >> We So, the DMD uh Michael Dice has been in touch with the the downtown management district executive leadership and they're looking into it. Yeah. >> But we do encourage to turn it over to the auditor if there's more evidence there. Correct. You know. Yeah. >> Okay. So going through because I know that we have all day long, every day people come up to public comment and I'm glad they do. I for one have been able to follow back up with constituents a number of times and they've had very good input. Um so I value that process, but I would think perhaps having that information in a public comment setting could trigger an internal say, hey, somebody's asking about it. Let's look at it, have our information because we we said it was done. we issued the funds. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. And Peter, yeah, they they are looking at the permitting side of it. There's two sides to it. And and I would say I think it's a good term, Councilwoman Pax. And good policy um was not it didn't exist back then, which is why they now have that internal control. Um and this is this item is really about transparency and understanding what was submitted. It is not about, you know, convicting anyone. It it is about making certain. I think he made it a point earlier that there was concern with the different um the numbers. So go look into it. You certainly don't need to be doing this, you know, today and this and this item is about let's look into it and and let's be transparent to the public. So with that, Michael, thank you. Um would anyone like to make p uh public comment on item number 20? >> Okay, Susina Sardana, point of clarification. Uh, Councilwoman, I'm not getting paid by anybody. >> And let's get this done. Uh, and let's get this straight. If you can prove it, bring it on, >> guys. >> Okay. But this is what I'm telling you. You're looking at everything. You haven't asked for receipts. If there were receipts, there would have been in the information that I brought you because that's public information. There aren't any. And we're talking about a hotel 10 years ago. They just got the check last month for the last part of it. You know how I know? Because people tell me and I find out for sure. You want to talk about things that are happening now? You've got another hotel that you gave $2 million for that somebody SCREAM IT'S FRAUD. >> IT'S FRAUD. IT'S FRAUD. IT'S FRAUD. BUT NOW, now it's not fraud. Now it's for someone that are your friends that you know that you respect and you don't want anything to happen to them. So now it's not fraud. It's just a common mistake. Do I go before the audit committee? I know who's on the audit committee and I know that the auditor is friends with the attorney that represents the hotelers. So what kind of an uh fair shake am I going to get there? Are the taxpayers? Because that's who I'm talking for, the taxpayers, the people. You seem to forget that. You pride yourselves in being the only ones that can talk and to do things. Well, you know what? Little old women like me can too. And we bring it up to your space so that you can take a look at it in the right way. Not because they're your friends, because it's the right thing to do. And because it's the taxpayers that are being chisted and falsified, take a look at the paperwork I brought you. I didn't bring it for you to use for trash. I brought it for you to look at. That's what you need to do. Look at it. And I thank Councilman Barera for suggesting what he did. But guess what? I know what I'm up against. I'm no dummy. My mother didn't raise any fools. What I can tell you is that this is an issue that's being hidden by more than one person. That's falsification and there's a vendetta going on and it's not by me. It's by people that sit on that podium. Thank you. >> Michael Miller, District 2. Uh, sorry. I I've kind of walked in halfway through this conversation, but I I I understand Miss Alana's concerns and and I've kind of looked into what at here. I've never been part of a TUR application, but I also understand that whenever you have a investment in a hotel or a business or something like that, there's a lot of different moving parts. There's soft costs, including design. There's the cost of the building. There's the cost of the furnitureures, fixtures, and equipment that go into that building. Um, I have been uh I have submitted several building permit applications to the city of Corpus Christi, and I have some suggestions. Um, I think that probably the DS tag needs to look at how those building permits are calculated because there's a lot of confusion. Whenever you uh fill out one of those applications is asked for four pieces of information. It as well, five, it asks for the square footage of the building. uh on each floor and it asks for the cost of the building and it asks for the cost of the mechanical which is the HBAC equipment. It c asks for the plumbing and it asks for the electrical does not ask for parking lots does not ask for swimming pools doesn't ask for the cost of uh beds and chairs and everything that goes into that building. Um a lot of times the architects submit the initial application and it's a two-part fee. There's a building uh plan review fee and a building permit fee. And if an architect brings it in prior to the bid, then the calculation of that number is skewed, right? There's the plan review fee that they pay and then whenever we call down there to pick up the building permit, it's like, well, the remainder of the balance is for the building permit. We pay the fee. We don't know what they submitted as the cost of the building on the architect's side. But I think if we go into the DS tag and have a discussion about this, we can perfect this and make it more clear on future projects. But you got to separate a TUR application from a building permit application. They're two completely different things. Thank you. >> Hello, Sandra Meyer. I recommend that we have an audit on this to really take care of all our developers so that way every time we have a hotel being built, we're not having issues come up. I've gotten nosy and just looked at the difference between the downtown management district numbers and the um tax records based on the year that they were built. And every large project that was showing up in the downtown management district at that time there was like a 1015 million dollar difference. And so that would not be on Mr. David. that would be something with the process with the city itself and I don't know if that's been fixed but like I said in just being in fairness I I do think this would be a good audit and we don't want to be getting sued and getting involved in stuff every time somebody tries to build something. So that's just my personal recommendation. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Good afternoon. John Bell, District 4. I represent Shoreline Hospitality, which was the applicant in this uh process. And just like to clarify a couple of things. This was a downtown tourist uh program that was not based upon total investment. It was based upon providing a certain number of amenities and those amenities were initially approved by the tourist board and that was the plan that went ahead in the building inspection department. As the gentleman explained, there's a plan review process, a different process. When the plans are initially submitted, oftent times the project has not been bid. There's not an idea of what the total costs are going to be. And actually, it's kind of like selling a used car and going to uh Kevin Kistick's place. You can say what you sold the car for, but they say, "No, we'll tell you this is what our table says it's going to be." And this development services staff has a table. Let's say square foot. Okay. Type of construction, concrete, steel, or wood. They'll say, "This is your this is your fee based upon our calculation." Now, when you go to TDLR in the state, it's at a different time. It's a later in the process. Oftentimes, the architect does have hard bids, but the TDLR fee is just a flat fee. And so they just state whatever the contract amount is because TDLR doesn't tell you, you know, your fee is going to be based upon something else. And so as a result, there's no correlation between the building permit fees and this TUR application. The TUR application was based upon providing the amenities. It's true that the rooftop bar was not finished. Different amenities were provided. It was all provided to the TUR board in 2020 in March in a big packet and the TUR board and Mr. Roy was the presiding officer at that time looked at over and said sure you qualify that we we like the final amenities it satisfies. I do not know who the auditor is. If somebody said that I'm buddies with the auditor or something like that. I do represent the downtown the DMD and at the time I talked to them. I have a conflict on this project in dealing with this project. If you have any questions, you need to consult through the TUR is represented by the city legal department. Talk with them. Don't talk with me because I'm I'm out of this. I cannot get involved in this. But just to clarify the air, there's a difference in the way these projects come down. And it was all approved in 2018. And then the reason why the building permit number is different is because development services gives you that number. Now they've changed their tables and my builder clients say they're a lot higher now, but nevertheless, it's kind of like you get the number that you got and that's the number that you live with. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Mr. Bell. Okay, we'll go ahead and close public comment, move on to item 20, that is discussion and possible action regarding allegations of discrepancies in information provided across city permitting, state accessibility review filings and city incentive applications for the courtyard and residents in by Marriott, including differences in reported project valuations that impact fee assessments and the calculation of incentive amounts. direction to city staff to investigate the cause and basis of such discrepancies, including independent review or audit if warranted, and to present findings um into any necessary follow-up action within city staff authority to the council. And this is similarly the same thing. So, Michael Dice, we do not expect you to sit here and give a presentation. These are concerns. These are things we need to go back and look into and bring back to the council. So it is completely clear and you can state whatever you know you were going to but I just want to preface it with that. >> You want me to go ahead and go through with that or you want to take questions? Uh basically I have the same kind of facts as the last time. Uh again Michael Dy interim assistant city manager. Uh so in this particular instance the building application was submitted in February of 2025 for 10.3 million. Uh the TDR application at the time was submitted by their architect. It was listed at 12 million. That had been revised after that. Like I said, that new process was in place. We addressed it. Uh that was then lowered. If you look now on the state, it's 10.3 million as well. Uh we made that change in 2020 as stated before. The difference here is this is a type B agreement. Uh and it was for 2 million for construction reimbursement. Now what we've seen in the contract uh for that under section 3D, it states the investment of construction will be 34 million. type B approved that in August of 25 and city council approved that in September of 25. That's what I have at this point. Again, still looking into >> and you're looking into it. Bring that back. Thank you, Councilwoman Paxton. Um I I just want to say and Peter correct me if I'm wrong but serving on the audit committee we have a number of professionals who can conduct an audit and it is possible for an auditor to recuse themsel and pass the topic to another auditor. So that way um my interest is that our community always feels like if they have an issue they can bring it to the correct channels and if there's reason for our community to feel like there could be a conflict so therefore they cannot voice a woe I want to make sure that we're clear on avenues that they can still have that need met and and be validated in any sort of con concern. So maybe that's the question point is if if somebody has something that they feel needs to be evaluated, they disclose in there that they feel like there could be a conflict there. You know, I don't know that process exactly. >> I mean, that's that's a that's a good assessment of it or overview of it. So the auditor can hire an outside firm like we have for construction audits. Uh they could recuse themselves from the audit entirely and have their staff do it. uh they could um have no staff involved and just have a third party do it kind of like what Newasis River Authority is doing. >> So there's a lot of options. >> Okay? Because I just want to clarify that because it it does really matter to me that in everything we're transparent, we're open, we're accountable. That that is very important to me. I just want to make sure that we we state how our constituents can do that. Um I will kind I do want to go back to the comment that was made after my comment. There was a process. It may not be the same dot by dot as the current process but the fact that in 2020 this came before council or the board the tur board and a question of amenities whether they were swapped changed or whatever it was approved right that's what you said >> it was inspected and approved by tourists board. Yes. And I apologize. I'm jumping to the last one, but I had my light on and I didn't get to talk before we moved items. So, I apologize. Um, don't mean to do that. I mean to say >> we have a process in place that goes over those things. Um, and I do like that point about looking at um a process with the DMD >> if if there's discrepancies across everything. Again, I'm sorry I tried to say these on the last item. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Thank you, Michael. Uh, would anyone like to make public comment on item number 20? >> You're talking about the new hotel, the one that I gave you information on. There's a $2 million incentive that you gave that hotel. There's a $34 million value on it and permits are only 10 10 million. So, you can tell me, hey, that's a mistake. They haven't done anything bad. Well, guess what? It's the taxpayers that you all are supposed to be representing that are being put to the test on this. You need to really look at it. This wasn't 10 years ago. This was right now. Right now. You approved it just a few minutes a meetings back. And it is an act of falsified information. There are papers that I handed you that are signed by the state if you clar to look at them. There's papers that I send you that showed the presentation by the developer. So if you're going to ignore all those things, you want me to go to the auditor? Oh yeah, I that was my first thought of going to the audit committee. But then I found out who was on the audit committee. And then I found out that the auditor h is friends with a jee who happens to have the same lawyer that he does. So I didn't expect to get anything that was very honest. I am a taxpayer. I represent the people that come to me and that ask me to bring this things to you. Do I take the abuse that they're telling me? That doesn't bother me. I've been told worse. Trust me, I have. In all the years I've stood here and advocated for the taxpayer, I've been called worse. And it doesn't bother me because I'm here for the people. Something that every one of you should be doing. Friends, there's a lot of friends, but sometimes you have to watch those friends because they may have a knife in your back. >> Anyone else? Just a couple of comments. I represent Padre North LLC which is the applicant in this. It is different. It's a type B entity and it is a performance based on the total investment in jobs being created. Very different from the downtown TUR. The projection is the total investment will be $34 million. After my client working it, it's probably going to be over $40 million. Again though, the building permit cost is based upon something development services runs through their tables and calculates and tells the builders what the costs are for MEP in the different calculations and that's the amount and it was done since the changes and so it was compared with TDLR and it was updated and it likely will be updated again whenever my client gets to the point of actually going forward with the actual construction of the project to proceed. Right now, he's engaged in other things, but the contract will be fully performed with the type B in making at least a $34 million investment in providing the payroll in the jobs that are required under the type B corporation thing or he won't get any money. That's as simple it has and it has nothing to do with the building permit situation. Uh but uh that is something to be developed in the future. I'd be happy to answer any questions that you might have. >> We Yeah, we don't have a question. Lord willing, you'll see me again. >> Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. Okay, we're going to close public comment and Oh, come on. Mayor and council, city staff, development services. Good afternoon. My name is Ajit David. Not Rajie Davis. Not Ajivie Davis. Not Davis. Ajie. I have no relationship with Barney Davis. I'd like to make very clear I have no relationship with the New York rapper Jaw Rule. I don't know who he is. I would be honored to be partners with him. We would have concerts on the rooftop of my residence and hotel. >> I just want to let you know Mark and uh Michael Dice too. I'm from Kingsville also. >> The permitting the permitting process I know a bit about it. I've done it in many cities. When Peter Zenoni and Michael Dice came on board, they cleaned up the process here with development services. There were processes in place. Everything was inspected not once, multiple times. If you'll have a question, you'll have free to call. But if there's questions, if there's allegations publicly, this is how they ought to be resolved. And one of these days I am going to contact Jaw Rule to come over here and perform and that will be an economic driver in Corpus Christi. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else? Okay, I'm going to close public comment. Um and again that item was for transparency and direction to look into the uh allegations. All right. Next item is item 21 and I will be stepping away. Okay. For the record, uh, Council Member Roy will be um abstaining on this item, recusing himself on this item. >> Uh, I have, uh, >> I need to step away when I abstain, right? Yes, sir. Yes, sir. So, I have a brief introduction. I don't know if you want to hear this, but um so on May March the 24th, Mayor Portman and Council on March the 24th, a majority of the council approved a motion to set an agenda item and date for preliminary and procedural matters for a removal hearing at the April 14th council meeting. So, in accordance with this motion, the purpose of today's item is to discuss and act on the preliminary and procedural matters related to the removal action. So, possible actions the council could take today include scheduling a pre-trial hearing and a removal hearing, adopting rules of procedure for the hearing and pre-trial hearings, and certifying articles of impeachment. This is a charter requirement because it provides the mayor with the charges against her, and it could be acted on today or deferred. For your consideration, the draft resolution included in your packet sets forth the rules of procedure used in the 1987 Mendes removal hearing. Additionally, the resolution proposes May 19th as the date for the pre-trial hearing. This date is proposed because it is approximately 30 days from today, which may satisfy the due process requirement under the charter. And also on March the 13th, the petitioner submitted proposed articles of impeachment for the council's consideration. And these articles were included in your packet. >> Okay. Thank you, Councilman Hernandez. How do I do it? Right here. >> Oh, um I think >> Okay. >> Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. Uh because our city attorney has to recuse himself. Um I need a motion to consent to Lisa Aguilar advising the city council on procedural matters related to the petition uh to removal. The mayor pursuant to comment 8 of section 3.08 08 of the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Conduct. >> I'll entertain a motion. >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Same. Motion passes. Okay. discussion and or possible actions on preliminary and procedural matters for removal proceedings of the mayor, including but not limited to potential certification of articles of impeachment, potential suspension, potential reprimand, potential denial of removal action, potential scheduling of pre-trial hearings and or removal hearings and or resolution scheduling a pre-trial hearing on May the 19th, 2026 to entertain motion, witness list, requests for summones and all other related matters to the removal action of the mayor and adopting rules of procedure for city council caring for removal action. Um can we have staff presentation? Do we have anything? >> I made that um that brief statement. I don't know if Miss Aguilot has anything else to say or Mr. Zenon. >> That that's it. What Rebecca said. >> All right, that's all we're going to do then. Um >> okay, so uh >> does council have any questions? >> Uh yes, I do. Please. >> Okay. We've received um if in our packet a resolution scheduling the pre-trial hearing for May 19th of 2026 and to entertain motions and witnesses list requests for summons and all other related matters uh for the removal action of the mayor and adopting rules of procedures for the hearing for removal action. Now, the rules and um um Miss Ayada on this specific thing, uh we are looking at the rules that were done back in 1987 for the removal of Frank Mendes. Is that correct? >> Turn on turn on your mic. >> Yes. >> Okay. So these are the rules that are uh attached to this are specifically the ones that were were done back uh when uh Frank Mendis was removed and no other changes have been really made to these. >> That's correct. >> Okay. So we're not doing it we're not recreating the wheel. We're just moving forward with kind of the the same rules. I do would like to make a an amendment to this to the resolution um on section one at the end of the sent at the end of the sentence where it says all motions, witnesses, lists, requests for summons and related filings must be filed with the city secretary to be added 5 days prior to the May 19th pre-trial hearing. >> Okay, you're making a motion. >> I made the amendment. >> Okay. Does anyone have a second to the amendment? Second. >> Do we go ahead and vote on that, Rebecca? >> Ma'am, we'll vote on the amendment first. >> The amendment if you look at the resol as a resolution um where it has section one and two for to accept the the scheduling the pre-trial of May 19th at at the end of section one. Uh you would have uh all motion, witness list, request for summons, and related filings must be filed with the city secretary 5 days prior to the May 19th pre-tile hearing. Okay. Any other questions from um Mark? Go ahead. >> So, do you have any concern about impact on due process with the fiveday the fiveday deadline? >> No, I don't. >> No, sir. >> All right. Thank you. >> Is that it? >> Councilman Barrera >> here and Lisa um go to sleep. >> Okay. you know, um I I have I have my own attorney and of course I just reached out to him and you know, basically I'm I'm my fear is that if I move forward on this and I'm in contempt with the the lawsuit or the TTRO because I know there's a hearing tomorrow. I mean, you're in in your professional opinion, if I vote on this, then I I wouldn't be held in contempt. Would I be held in contempt? >> I wouldn't know what what possible contempt action you might face. You said you spoke to your attorney. >> Yeah, I have I have one that that that uh you know, he usually handles compliance, so this isn't his forte, but he just did the best he could. So, um um I'm I'm asking your opinion. >> I'm not aware of anything that would um cause you to be held in contempt. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other council questions? >> Miss Von, we do need to ask for public comment. >> Yes, I was getting ready to do that. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Would anyone like to speak on this item? 21. >> Susa Salana, just a little while ago, you said that allegations should be looked at and the proper procedure should be followed. Allegations have been made and I have always told you all that. I call talk for the voters and the voters shouldn't be disentiliated. Well, let me tell you something. You're not giving this issue the correct venue because it would be to the audit committee. That's what you said just a few minutes ago, Mayor Proen. That's what you said. So, I'm asking you, are you going to have double standards for everything? >> Thank you, Miss Sona. Anyone else? Um, Julian Hernandez, District 3. Um, I'm never in favor in favor of of anything of of this sort of nature. Uh what I am in favor of is I try to look at it in a different light and put it in perspective. If somebody makes if somebody makes a sexual harassment claim or sexual harassment lawsuit through the process it goes to it climbs up the channel. it has to be uh investigated. With that said, um I hear a lot of people that I don't know why they're trying to oust the mayor. I don't know why they're trying to do this. I don't know why they're trying to do that. And they throw a lot of mud at those that voted to do this. and they have sat here quietly listening to all the mud thrown at them because um in the words of Forest Gump, I'm saying I'm I'm not a smart man. But what I hear here is that there was a gentleman that came up and explain the whole process that why it only takes five votes. And for those people that are educated more than I am, to sit there and say they don't understand is either they're throwing mud at those that are supposed to be advocating for those sexual harassment people, those that are supposed to be, you know, putting those processes in place and following those. And the people that voted to have this brought here today are doing just that, their job. what they're entitled to do by those five votes that were were meant to bring it up here. And the rest that are saying that um I don't understand what's going on, maybe they missed it a couple of meetings ago where that a guy explained it all. Either that or just they just don't care. And if they don't care, then they don't care about processes. to blame the council members that pushed this through. I applaud them because they're doing the process. And for those that are are casting it aside, their um some of their cronies that sit next to them, their antics to um divert the system because they don't really ask questions. They just vote yes or don't do this or whatever. They get in line behind stuff that probably isn't right. And and I'm saying that that's not right. But those that pushed it up the process, I want to say thank you. I want to say thank you for not for receiving the mud that's been thrown in your face and not doing what other people do and and yell at the people that are out here. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. Anyone else? >> This is for transparency. Uh Rachel Cavayto D1. I am not a political consultant that is paid for my commentary. I filed this petition because there is enough factual evidence to support it. The petition is supported not only by the original petitioners, but 2,35 people via an online petition that has received five and a half times more signatures than any online petition that has been presented with the city of Corpus Christi. We have been trusting public servants to be moral and honest per your oath to office. and the city charter. Is the whole city charter illegal when its own mayor's lawyer is saying that it is? There is proof that there was willful violation of any code of ethics. There has been malfeasants, incompetence, inability, and willful neglect in performance of official duties. This is factual. There is proof. People should not be able to buy their way through perjury. I ask this council to continue to do what is lawfully required. There is no price to pay, no high price to pay to exposing collusion, corruption, or organized crime. It's already cost the community millions and could cost us billions. Filing an ethics complaint was not an option considering that they must go through miles and continue in confirmation of the biased involved in that process. As we heard earlier today, I am following the city charter. If there was wrongdoing, we have to ask ourselves this as a community. If there was no wrongdoing, why are people trying so hard to keep the truth hidden? The truth fears no investigation. Thank you for your support and I will have all the information that I need to prove factually that there was a violation of code of ethics of the city charter. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Robin Cox, District 3. And first, I want to thank all of y'all to bringing this to light. There may have been five signatures on it, but for every one of those five, there's thousands that back it up. Like Rachel said, we have over 2,000 signatures. People just want to know the truth. And of that 2,000, there's probably two to three thousand more who are afraid to put their names because of retaliation. I keep speaking of that retaliation. We just saw that earlier. I feel like we're in school. You did something to me. I'll dig up something. They're probably going to try dig up something on all of us. will be on little talk shows, TV. Some of us have even reached out to people that we thought were news people that wanted to come down and help the city uncover, but if they put a price on it to come down, they're just National Inquirer type of people coming to do that. So, we just want the truth and transparency. If somebody accused me of something, I would want them I would bring out the truth and want to defend myself so everyone could know that's the truth. But before they start digging stuff up on me, I want y'all to know in the eighth grade I did cheat on a test. So if you're going to dig that far back and in high school I skipped school. I'm sorry. But that's about as much as y'all can dig up on me. Maybe you're going to try and dig up more. But we've got to stop doing that. We just we can't be afraid to bring something to light, a crime. Somebody else asked me, "Why are you bringing this up when there's an election in seven months?" Because we have to know the truth. We they've done it to other public officials because if we don't know the truth, they could just get getting reelected bigger and bigger offices. If you have nothing to hide, just bring out the truth. Thank you all for being brave. This is a hard thing to do. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else in the public that want to comment? >> Hello. Good afternoon. My name is Sandy Fernandez. Uh I'm in District 2. I've never been up here before, so I'm kind of nervous. But I just want to say that um it did go through the process. You had agencies come and give you what their findings are. By doing this, you're saying you don't believe in our police officers that did an investigation and other agencies. You're also taking the vote away from the voters that voted for her. I did not vote for her, but I don't agree with this process. You are saying that you want transparency and they gave it to y'all. You just don't like the answers. So that makes it a vendetta and it's wrong. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Seeing none, I'm going to close public comment. Any more council members? Mr. Ku. >> Thank you. Um, this is this is a hard decision for sure. Um, I'm going be be quite honest with you. I do not like what's on the charter. I don't like it. I don't like the fact that five people could put a petition and request a hearing for removal. Five people. And that's been on the charter for a long time. Seems like since the 80s. Um, the process sucks. I don't like it. But I can tell you this, if I was on that petition or girl Hernandez was on the petition, they would have done it, gone through the same process. And I know that the city feels that this is a circus because in reality it is. It's it's everything is crazy right now. We have water issues. We have credit issues. You know, I wonder if there's a credit repair company out there to fix the city credit. You know, u there's a lot of issues in Corpus Christi. And I know a lot of people say we have other businesses to to attend to besides this removal thing. You know, today wasn't a decision to remove the mayor. I wasn't coming in today to remove the mayor. That wasn't the vote for today. That wasn't going to be the case. I feel that she has the right for a fair hearing just like anyone else. I want to make sure that she has the right time, you know, to to prepare and to do whatever the case is, you know, we don't know if it's if it's anything anything there, you know, but the fact that someone filed a petition. We have to listen to it. We have to go through the process. And you know, for so long this council, they talk about the five. The five are not yes people. They're not. When I campaigned, I promised the people that I was going to pres represent them, the people of Corpus Christi. And for so long, for many, many years, they had the majority of the vote. And they didn't question, why are we doing this? Why are we spending $5,000, five, sorry, five four $4 million on a 5,000 square foot building? In the past, they would just approve it like nothing. But now we're asking questions and we're getting attacked. And you know, I've been a big supporter of the mayor when she first ran for city council at large. The two terms when he ran against Joe Mcome, I supported you. I love a strong woman, a Latino woman running the city. We might have our differences of policy making and political stance, but you know, this is not a political stunt that I'm trying to do. I'm just want to hear the petition, get it over and done with. And I just feel that um that, you know, if the tables were turned, they would have done the same thing to us. And and and that's just the straightup truth. And they know it, too. if they had the opportunity, they would do the same thing to us. So, you know, I just I just um go through the process. I wanted I wanted everything fair. I I I don't want any any u shortcuts, you know. I think everybody should be fair about it. And um that's just where I stand today. And and um I'm going to have some more comments in a few minutes. >> Okay. Thank you, Councilwoman Paxton. There we go. Thank you. Um, this is a very hard decision. Um, but I I have a couple of questions while we have uh someone here to represent the legal side. Um, can you tell me today's decision is that material to what may or may not play out on what what could be said as May May 19th for a hearing date. This is just a formality. It's a pre-haring matter. Um it's part of the process, but you're not taking any other a that I've heard so far any action other than setting um a schedule and adopting rules of procedure. >> So in answer to your question, it's it's part of the process, >> but it's immaterial to any sort of findings and judgment. only to the effect that it's part of the process to get to a a final decision. So, what I'm trying to get at is today's decision >> is not in fact an action to remove the mayor. >> Correct. >> Today's decision is to set a date to hear evidence one way and the other. >> Correct. So, this is not an action to remove the mayor. >> That's correct. >> Okay. I wanted to put that to to have that stated from our legal side. Um because I I do firmly I do firmly want to say here that there's been a lot of allegations that today the vote that took place a couple weeks ago and any of this is a political stunt and a witch hunt by five the majority of council I won't say five I'll say however many it took to move this to today and all this is is setting a hearing It is it's an administrative check mark basically. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> I agree with that. >> So I I think council member Ku spoke very well. Um and I have to say, you know, as a single member district representative, I have had people reach out to me with a lot of different opinions, but what I promised my district is to represent the whole. And I have had a lot a lot of District 4 reach out and say they're very supportive of a hearing. And I want to say um that I've actually heard citywide a lot of interest in hearing this. And for myself, this wasn't a decision prompted by council. I certainly didn't prompt this. As far as I'm concerned, I may or may not agree with the mayor on different things, but I know November's coming. To me, November's coming. I've always stood by, let the people decide. The people brought to us a petition, and the charter that I swore an oath on said, you shall. We have had to make some really tough decisions in my very short political career. And this has got to be one of the hardest. One of the hardest. But it's because a petition was brought to us following the parameters of our city charter. I I don't know how to say that any louder or any more clear. This is not a wedge hunt. This is not a vendetta. This is not anything that a council member has just pushed to get here. At least for me, I can speak that and and I do believe that it's the truth though. But it's been a very very difficult decision then. And we have a duty to uphold our charter and represent our city. And until we change the charter, currently it says a at least five at least five registered voters. I think there's room for updating the charter. And I would very much like to see that happen. But this is not a witch hunt. This is not the attempts of to remove a B to remove any elected official. And I myself also I had I had no interest in removing an elected official today. So when I saw all of this information, most of which I got through the media, that's how I found out about a lot of this drama. I was I was a little confused by it. But hopefully what I would like to see is we move through this process and we get back we get back to focusing on everything else. I don't think that this interrupts our actions as council because believe you me the days are still very full of water and city business. So I don't perceive this as interrupting our activities. But I see it in the media. It's dominating a lot of media because this is clickbait. And it's unfortunate. It's unfortunate that a lot of people haven't heard that this is not a witch hunt and and took it to heart. Give us the opportunity to listen to the people and put their petition forward and just hear just hear the facts. So legal, I just thank you for that clarification. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Compost. Uh, thank you, Councilman Vaughn. Councilwoman Vaughn. Um, Pro Tim, as a matter of fact, I um Yes, you're right. This is not an easy decision. And um I I tried to listen to uh my constituents. Um but for the most part, they stayed kind of quiet, which was a little surprising for me. I did receive, you know, just a handful of people, but most people stayed quiet, which is a little surprising for me because mine are very, very, very vocal. Um, I don't know if y'all realize, but a lot of them come and make public comment here and none of them reached out to me. I mean, it was just kind of surprising. But, um, on the other hand, this also brings to light that we need to change this charter. I mean I hope if nothing else you know to realize that five people can do something like this you know it's you know it's in the charter and you know unless we change it uh it's it's going to remain the same. So um hopefully we'll be able to do that. Uh hopefully we'll still I mean I know um just like anything else we've got problems, you know, we've got police problems. I mean I' I've get calls all the time and thankfully I'm not getting as much as um the animal care services, but things go on. This is not everything, you know, people. There's things that are still going on. Yes, we are working on the water. We are. But we still have to uh work on on other issues. So again, just be patient with us. We are following the process. And um I I think we're all um I think if we just kind of take a step back and and realize that all we're doing is just bringing it to light cuz it's not a guilty or an innocent. I mean, this is what we're doing. We're just bringing it back here and letting everyone see the evidence and you'll see it as we see it. So, you know, how how more transparent is that? So, that's that's all I have to say. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Councilman Scott. >> Yes, ma'am. I I um it's fascinating to me that just so you know those of us are I have received an immense amount of pressure to join the others. So that the fact that there's all this conversation about the pressures among council members would I think we should dismiss it uh and at the very most refer it to the ethics commission and I have received immense pressure uh because of that position. So it's go it's all around. I just want to make that point out. Yes, the petition was brought to us. It does say shall. Doesn't say we have to go to a hearing. It says we can dismiss. Says we can refer to the ethics commission. We choose um to go to a hearing. I don't think that's the right answer. And I I hope you think I'm pure or sincere. I'm respect the body and I'll be prepared if that's what we do and I think that's where this is headed. But I do think the right decision was to at at best to go to the ethics commission. And if the ethics commission were to find that there was some uh level of uh uh ethics violation and I could see the council uh taking that and and and doing something with it. But this is going straight to the hearing. I think this is going to be expensive. Could be wrong. I think it's going to be prolonged. I think the sense that we're going to do this on May the 19th is uh is uh it's probably not accurate. I think it will uh it'll go past that. And I do think it's I personally think it's a distraction uh from what uh the voters at Corpus Christie want us to do, which is go uh find water. And I've said this uh to the media often. I I do think we're doing all we can on the water deal. Although I do think it's interesting. I got and I hope I have this right, but I my recollection is I got one communication from the city this weekend and it was to say that we had hired another lawyer uh to help us in this process. And you know I'm I eventually reached out to the city manager going, "Hey, uh can somebody give me an update? I heard it rained around Lake Tech Santa. You know, it's kind of important. Kind of give us an update of where the water is." And I thought that was interesting to me and my little myopic view that the communication was around this issue, not the water issue. And that could have just been a bad weekend for the staff, but I did I did think that was the case. I I do think the right path at this point is the ethics commission. Um I do think I'm an independent thinker. I think maybe you even saw that today. I I I you know I know people think that I actually the people that don't know me well think that I'm a I just follow uh but those that know me think you know that I make my own decisions and if I agree with you then I agree with you. It's you know hey I don't know what to tell you. If I agree with you then I agree with you and if you don't like it okay but I came to that in my own position and my own deliberation and my own thoughts and prayers. That doesn't make it right instantly as my wife would tell you often. Uh but I do think I come up with my own position and my own decisions. And my position here this evening respectfully uh is to either dismiss it uh and what I believe is a lack of evidence and I know people disagree with that or uh to refer it to the ethics commission. And I said earlier I thought that that was the on this other hotel conversation was like there's a proper venue for this. Uh and that venue if someone wants to go that way is the audit committee. And you can be critical of the audit committee and I'm on it. Uh but that's the direction that that should go. And I think in this instance you can be critical of the ethics commission process but that's the process it should go. And I appreciate you all listening to me and and giving my thoughts. And that's all I have. Thank you, Mayor Pum. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Councilman Cantou, did you want to speak again? >> You had mentioned it. Okay. As you can see, there's many different opinions. Anyone else? >> This is just on the amendment, right? >> We've already >> We haven't voted on the amendment. We're getting ready to. >> Okay. Because I'll speak after that. >> Okay. So, we have a motion and a second on the amendment. Let's submit your vote. >> The amendment. It's it's the amendment to add the five days prior to the n for the pre-trial hearing. All the all the materials have to be in >> uh motions, filings, and um witnesses, witness listing, >> 5 days before the hearing, and it's scheduled for May 19th along with the rules. But that was the amendment to to that resolution. Got >> it. Okay. Submit your vote. Okay. Pass with >> no. >> Yeah, it passed. The amendment pass. The amendment passed. >> Then we need to approve it as amended. >> Okay. Let's approve. >> Um, you want to speak now or after? >> No. Okay. >> Before we vote. >> Go ahead. >> Somebody has to move. There you go. Boy, they have magic fingers. It's done. >> Telling you. Hey, I'm quick, man. >> Thank you. Thank you. You know, I I just obviously everybody knows where I stand. I I um I I've indicated that all the allegations are false. I think um the allegations would be no different than accuse um accusing the uh the individual of the sun shining or the sun setting and that it costs the taxpayers too much money. I think it's that ridiculous and I think the condescension that comes with it is just a bunch of theater for the purpose of uh you know polit for politics. I I I think the question has been asked and answered. Um I think for anybody to come and make false allegations, you know, just for the purpose of punishing somebody politically is is ethically wrong. And and uh what is it? And I think the this, you know, a lot of this starts, as I've said, from a competing hotel year that has an interest in the success or failure of u hotel walking distance from theirs. and um whether he knows whe whether he knows Jaw Rule or not >> or um his name is Barney Davis, you know, um and and I think it's I think it's disingenuous to try and stand to the guys I just want to follow the system. And I think that's one of the things I've I've I try to say I've been a student of the system and just as I indicated before there's a process there's a process to follow and I think the process has been followed at nauseium and when the process was followed at nauseium then an individual filed a lawsuit then all of a sudden now that caused opportunity for depositions you know and I'm glad I challenged individuals to put my depositions online because I think what it does is it validates the fact that because I laugh because it's comical because it's a farce. It's a farce. It it it inspired me. It almost inspires me to want to become an attorney because the bar is so low, you know, because if you can make money just by capitalizing and trying to turn people's words to put a city manager in a chair for six six hours, seven hours and then to come to the point where the best that you can do is there could be an appearance that the law was broken. And then to take that little morsel and utilize it to waste public dollars and to try and and and and humiliate a distinguished public official who I don't always agree with. Our first two years we didn't get along. We didn't get along, you know, and you know, uh, and I've always said, you know what, mayor, I I don't mind I I I don't I don't mind blocking, but I got to know the play. And you know the thing is is that when I I'm proud of how I handled that deposition because I knew what the play was to humiliate and I wasn't going to allow it to happen to me and I wasn't going to allow it to happen to a distinguished public official and a distinguished public system of which has been concocted by a competing hotel with a financial interest with an individual ual that has run for office multiple times and comes here and threats on a regular basis and as an individual that has I I think success behind my record. I would have to say you know the um um the Greenwood ball fields took eight years to get done. Uh what is it? We helped Priscilla get the heirs the heirs project across the finish line. That was uh 7 years after she was off the council, you know, uh getting airport road done. Um what is it? Getting two fire stations put into district three, you know, to name a few. That's that's that's work. You know what? And the mayor helped me with all of them. The mayor helped me with all of them. But yet when a competing hotel and then the other thing is that that frustrates me is we've come to the point where we've told developers, hey, we're going to validate those individuals that come here, so don't bother spending your money here. And we don't have water either. So, you know what? We're going to sabotage that. So, you know, I think it's wrong for us to move forward. I I I I I personally think that it would do it would put us no harm until to find out what the proceedings are from the judge to table this, but I know where the vote's going to go, so I'm not going to waste time with anything else. But that's my saliloquy. Councilman Hernandez. >> Thank you, Councilman Hernandez. >> Yes. I make a motion to um approve as amended. >> Second. Are there any other council that want to speak? No. Okay. Um we have a we have a motion and a second. Let's vote. >> Motion passes. Mayor Prom also like to make a motion to accept the uh petitioner's articles of impeachment. >> Did you catch that? >> Second. the we've received the articles of impeachment from the petitioners. This is not our document, but uh I think the an attorney can you please I think the city secretary said we had to accept the articles of impeachment today. >> It's an uh an option for you to accept them today. They could be deferred, but you can accept them to the 19th or we could do them today. >> You can do them today. Yes, sir. >> And what does that entail? Will you explain that to the council? under the charter um the mayor is entitled to articles of impeachment. So at some point if not today then sometime they would need to be accepted or >> Okay. Do we have a second? Did we have a second? We have a motion and a second. Any more comments? Okay. Submit your vote. Motion passes. Anything else? >> We're done. >> No, ma'am. Good job. >> Go ahead. Our last item is item number 22 and that is a water supply update. Good evening. >> Okay, I'm going to be uh standing in for Nick Wkelman. Uh not as eloquent, but if you can just bear with me on this, we're going to try to get through this as quickly as we can. So, if we can go ahead and go to the presentation. All right, we're going to try to just hit the high points today on uh the surface water, groundwater, and the water reuse uh and where we're at on each of these topics um and what has changed. So, as of right now on the surface water, uh Lake Corpus Christi Choke Canyon combined capacity is at 7.8%. Uh if you go to uh Lake Texana, it has increased to 55%. That's due to uh rainfall event in their watershed where it went up from about 51 a.5% up to that 55% um number on groundwater uh the Evangeline groundwater project. So, the biggest updates on that is the preliminary hearing date set for April 28th. That is going to determine whether or not uh the uh individuals who oppose the permits have standing. Uh we also have Pape Dawson who has completed the 60% design deliverables for that project. Uh the other items are uh standard. The Garnney construction have mobilized trailers to the site. Um, and the first round of the HDPE pipe has been delivered to the site as well. Moving on to the Noasis groundwater uh project. Uh, the eastern wellfield uh for the last seven days has averaged around 3.6 million gallons a day. Uh on the western well field we have uh approximately by the end of the week we're going to have a uh seven wells running each one producing around 2 million gallons each for a total of 14 MGD. The uh full well field is still expected to be in operation by the end of May. So the the well fields out there um also we have the uh Aquilia contract that was issued to proceed on April 13th. What that means is they have 11 months to from that date to deliver uh the water uh the 3.9 uh million gallons a day with the equipment delivered on site. From there they have 14 months to get to the 9.24 24 um and then 18 and so on for the remainder of the uh 21.3 total on that project. Wastewater reuse. So wastewater reuse, we continue to oper uh work with Valero and Flint Hills Resources on their projects. Uh they're both coming along quickly. Uh Valero is expected to finish their project, their pipeline um in the connection to Greenwood by the end of this year. Um they're hoping for it to move more quickly than that. Uh but as of right now, that's their scheduled date. Flint Hills is also moving very quickly on their project. We've been working with them on design and the connection points at the Allison uh wastewater treatment facility. Uh we're looking at an August time frame for them to start taking water from Allison. Um the Ardura project with the pipeline from OSO to Greenwood, we have issued a RFQ for a Seymar contractor that was issued last Monday. Um it is supposed to be uh all the submitts or submissions are supposed to be to the city by uh April 24th. At that time, we'll go through the submissions, determine the uh the most qualified individuals, and then bring those or bring the the uh winner to council uh for a vote. If there's I mean, that's a quick overview. Um I'm here for any questions uh that you may have on any of the projects. >> Councilman Hernandez. >> Okay. Hey what uh you'd mentioned the construction manager at risk contract it come uh due April 24th come to council first part of May. >> That's what we're shooting for. Yes sir. >> Okay. What is the expectated expected time for that to be completed to have a pipeline from OSO to um Greenwood? >> OSO to Greenwood. We were looking at May of next year. >> May 27. >> Yes. if everything lines up accordingly. >> And then you said at the end of this year for Valero to complete their connection. >> That is their schedule at this point. They're still working on land acquisition. A big portion of their timeline is land acquisition. As long as they can work through those details, that's >> Is there a greater distance for them or for us? What's what's the difference? >> Uh our pipeline is around 15 mile. They're almost they're fairly close to the same distance. >> So, they're able to get theirs done by the end of this year and we're going to take an extra several months for the same distance. >> They're getting theirs done because they're already ordering materials. They're already uh fully designed almost on this project and they're able to already have their contractors lined up. The Seamar will allow us to speed that process. Um, and that's one reason we're doing it, so that we can try to keep up with that. >> So, what you're telling me is the private sector can move faster than the government sector. That's what you're telling me. >> Not always, because we're moving faster on the well fields. I can say my crews are putting >> Okay. I'm just going by what you're telling me in terms of timeline, right? >> Nick, does it include the tanks and all that stuff? >> No, the Valero the Valero project does not include the ground storage tank. So we have to do extensive ground storage tanks and pumps and it's really not just pipe to pipe, right? It's >> it it's just >> explain it to the council the difference. >> Right. So it's going to be just the pumps uh the pump station and a connection from Alice uh from Greenwood to their plant. The ground storage tank system uh the 10 million gallon storage tank will be around May time frame. >> Are we building that or are they building that? >> They are building that. >> Okay. But there are delays in that just because of the nature of the project. The um you don't have as many tank contractors around the US. So even they have issues getting them quickly. They're on projects everywhere. So it's harder. >> Okay. So they're I mean they have a bunch of tanks where they're at. So I'm assuming this is going to be ground. >> This is ground storage. Yes. >> Okay. It's going to hold the ground storage tank at Greenwood is being constructed to help uh moderate the flows from OSO and Greenwood with all the different users. So you have plenty of uh reserve on hand in case something happens at one of the plants. We have about a day's worth of reserve. >> Okay. You had mentioned uh Evangeline, we talked about the timeline in terms with the administrative hearing. Is that for that's for April 28th? Is that correct? >> Two Tuesdays from now. Correct, Councilman? >> Okay. And um who's going to be attending that? >> The lawyer for the seller and we'll be here at city council, but I think um it's at least the lawyer from the for the seller from the Evangeline Lagona and maybe Ryan might be going. We won't be presenting >> and it'll be in Austin, correct? >> No, it's it's going to be virtual. >> It's all virtual >> as of right now. It's still just virtual. There may be a in-person location. Uh the team will assemble here. So if anybody wants to go to whatever room we select, you're more than welcome to do that. >> Okay. >> Meeting's open to the public. So >> what have we what have we already prepositioned with regards to that? I know we had some piping come in for it. What else have we uh acquired for that >> project? the as far as I know the pipe I don't want to um I would have to get more information if anything else has been ordered on the long lead items I know the pipes have they've been looking at the pumps I don't know if the pumps have been ordered yet but I would have to find out >> yeah pipe piping for sure has been ordered we just authorized a second manufacturer in the in Texas to uh to construct some of the pipe as well that was coming from South Carolina >> I know we're waiting on the hearing but have we identified the well locations. >> We have the well locations identified. We just need the permit. So, >> have we uh secured the contractor for drilling the wells? >> Yes, we have. >> Yes. >> Okay. Is it more than one contractor or just one >> that I think they might have two if I'm not mistaken? >> Yes. >> Two different ones, >> right? >> Yeah. Well, we'll confirm that. But I thought there was two. >> We're fully designed for injection into Mayor Roads pipeline. >> No, we're at 60%. >> 60% completion. Yes. When do you expect completion in the design? >> The timeline? I don't have that, sir. I'm sorry. Okay. Thank you, >> Councilman Compost. Thank you, Mayor. Uh on the wastewater reuse projects, uh the 16 MGD, is that the most that we can expect from wastewater reuse? >> Uh at this moment, yes, the 16 MGD, but that is coming out of Greenwood. You can factor in that'll be the Greenwood and OSO combined. You can also look at what we're doing with Flint Hills from the Allison plant as separate. And if sick um if we can work deals with some of the other refineries around the Sitco area around the uh Broadway plant, there's about another three to four MGD there as well. >> And Wes, part of the reason is we're already using some of that on golf courses, parks, uh Texas A&M with their baseball. We we're already then after the this these two projects we're probably going to be tapped out. >> That is correct. >> All right. Just >> we we'll be utilizing almost all of our um >> waste water >> waste water um even now and and this is something relatively new uh the we've been contacted by NAS to be able to look at some of the effluent from Lagona as well. They're already taking but to see if we would be able to they would be able to utilize it in other ways. >> I see. And the We're also uh calculating some to still be discharged into the system the bay systems >> like the uh you know by by the the OSO by the university. So there still a level that would be put in consciously to try to maintain some environmental standard there. >> Okay. Yes. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Yes ma'am. >> I think that's all the the com excuse me comments and uh questions. >> Okay. >> So thank you. >> Thank you Wes for the presentation. Okay. There being no further business, this meeting is now adjourned. never days. And in the last um year and a half, we've really done some insurmountable things where we've taken the pipeline first for to schedule three, which is a little bit lower pumping schedule, which but traditionally we're only on schedule two. So schedule three and now to schedule four. So we've we have maxed out um the resources like Nick said that that we can take from it. So much so that we had to go out and find more water. So first of all, super historical moment for our team and uh taking care of the pipeline has been a pleasure because that's also in our purview at the treatment plant. >> Um what does it mean for our region? It means that we are obviously capitalizing on the sources that we already had. So we did already.