>> Mayor Guajardo: GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. I'D LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. WELCOME TO OUR COUNCIL CHAMBERS, TO CITY HALL. THIS MORNING OUR INVOCATION WILL BE GIVEN BY PASTOR ROBERT SAENZ WITH PRIMERA ASAMBLEA DE DIOS. >> THANK YOU. THE APOSTLE PAUL WROTE TO YOUNG TIMOTHY IN THE SECOND CHAPTER, VERSE 1. IT READS I URGE THEN FIRST OF ALL THE PETITIONS, PRAYERS, INTERSESSIONS, AND THANKSGIVING BE MADE FOR ALL PEOPLE. FOR KINGS AND ALL IN AUTHORITY. THAT WE MAY LIVE PEACEFULLY AND QUIET LIVES IN ALL GODLINESS AND HOLINESS. BOW OUR HEADS AS WE PRAY. FATHER, WE COME TO YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS, YOUR SON, TO ASK YOUR GUIDANCE IN THIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING THIS MORNING, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR MAYOR, OUR CITY MANAGER, AND ALL CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. GRANT US WISDOM, COURAGE TO DO WHAT YOU'VE CALLED US TO DO, WHICH IS TO SERVE OUR CITY AND ITS PEOPLE. WE PRAY FOR ENDURANCE, DILIGENCE, AND COMMITMENT UNTIL EVERY TASK IS FULFILLED TO COMPLETION. WE ASK ALL OF THIS IN THE PRECIOUS NAME OF OUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. AMEN. ! AMEN. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, PASTOR. OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND TO THE TEXAS STATE FLAG WILL BE GIVEN BY KAITLYN CANTU, A 12th GRADER AT WEST OSO HIGH SCHOOL AND SHE WILL GRADUATE FROM DEL MAR. [PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] [HONORING THE TEXAS FLAG] >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. GOOD LUCK IN YOUR STUDIES. >> Barrera: GO BEARS! >> Mayor Guajardo: GO BEARS. MS. HUERTA, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. [ROLL CALL] >> City Secretary: MAYOR AND COUNCIL, A QUORUM OF THE COUNCIL AND THE REQUIRED CHARTER OFFICERS ARE PRESENT TO CONDUCT THE MEETING. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MS. HUERTA. WE'LL GO TO SECTION E, OUR CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS AND UPDATE ON CITY OPERATIONS. MR. ZANONI. >> Zanoni: THANK YOU, MAYOR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY, WE HAVE ONE ITEM TODAY ON THE CITY MANAGER'S REPORT AND IT'S TO HIGHLIGHT A $75,000 DONATION FOR OUR MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM. AND SO WE KNOW WITH THE RECENT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, THE TOPIC OF FOOD SECURITY, ESPECIALLY THOSE LESS FORTUNATE, IS IMPORTANT. TODAY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PRESENTATION FROM H-E-B, A STRONG PARTNER OF OURS, IN THIS COMMUNITY, WHO IS GIVING US $75,000 TOWARDS OUR MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM. SO THE MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM IS PART OF THE CITY'S ELDERLY NUTRITION SERVICES PROGRAM. AND WE DO BOTH HOMEBOUND DELIVERY MEALS AND WE ALSO DO MEALS AT OUR SENIOR CENTERS. IN TOTAL, OUR BUDGET IS ABOUT $578,000 ANNUALLY FOR THESE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE TO SENIORS. MEALS FIVE DAYS A WEEK, BOTH IN OUR CONGREGANT SETTING AND THE MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM. THE MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM IS ABOUT A $200,000 BUDGET. AND THEN THE CONGREGANT SETTING. THE MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM SERVES INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE 60 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. NOT ONLY DOES IT PROVIDE MEAL SERVICE BUT WE ALSO DO WELFARE CHECK-INS ON THE SENIORS, MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE OKAY EACH DAY AT THEIR HOME. THE DONATION -- THIS DONATION FROM H-E-B WILL DIRECTLY IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY WITH APPROXIMATELY 9,600 ADDITIONAL MEALS THROUGH THE YEAR, BENEFITING THOSE SENIORS. THIS IS THE LARGEST ONE-TIME DONATION THAT THE CITY WILL HAVE RECEIVED FOR THE MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM. AND AS THE CITY MANAGER, I WANT TO THANK H-E-B FOR CONTINUING TO BE A STRONG PARTNER IN THIS COMMUNITY, BOTH IN TERMS OF FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION BUT JUST BEING A VISIBLE, CONSISTENT PARTNER IN OUR COMMUNITY IN MANY THINGS THAT WE DO YEAR ROUND. BETH IS HERE. SHE SPOKE ABOUT THE FREE ADMISSION PROGRAM THAT H-E-B IS ALSO FUNDING AT OUR MUSEUMS HERE FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS ALL THROUGH THE HOLIDAY SEASON. AND SO SHE'S GOING TO COME AND SAY A FEW WORDS. AND THEN, AFTER THAT, BETH, WITH US IN THE AUDIENCE ARE OUR STAFF MEMBERS WHO PREPARE ALL THESE MEALS EACH DAY. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THEM AND THEN BETH THE GOING TO HAND THE CHECK TO THEM. BETH. >> THANK YOU, PETER . APPRECIATE THAT. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS. SO EXCITED TO BE IN FRONT OF YOU AGAIN. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHTFUL COMMENTS, PETER, FOR THE GREAT THINGS THAT WE GET TO REPRESENT TODAY. YOU KNOW THAT H-E-B HAS A STRONG COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY. BUT NOT JUST TO OUR COMMUNITY, ALSO IN OUR HUNGER RELIEF EFFORTS. YOU HAVE SEEN US SHOW UP TIME AND TIME AGAIN AND RIGHT NOW DURING THIS TIME IN OUR COMMUNITIES, IT'S REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOW UP. SO YOU MAY HAVE SEEN A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO OUR FOOD BANKS AS WELL. SO OUR COASTAL BEND FOOD BANK ALSO RECEIVED A SIZABLE DONATION. BUT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE INCLUDE SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS OF OUR COMMUNITIES, PROBABLY SOME THAT HOLD VERY DEAR AND TRUE TO YOUR HEARTS EVERY DAY. AND THOSE ARE OUR SENIORS. AND SO WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TODAY TO PRESENT $75,000 TO YOU, PETER, AND YOUR PARKS AND RECREATION TEAM. WE'RE HONORED TO WORK WITH THEM ON MULTIPLE FRONTS. IF I CAN JUST TOUT TOO, WE HAVE FEAST OF SHARING COMING UP ON DECEMBER 20. WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ALL OF YOU THERE, OF COURSE. PETER, YOU AND YOUR TEAM, BUT REALLY JUST TO COME AND CELEBRATE WITH US AND HAVE A HOT HOLIDAY MEAL. IT WILL BE FROM 11:00 TO 3:00 AT THE HILLIARD CENTER. WE HOPE TO SEE MANY OF OUR CORPUS CHRISTI COMMUNITY MEMBERS THERE. THANK YOU FOR LETTING US COME TODAY. WE WOULD LOVE TO DO A QUICK PICTURE, IF WE CAN, WITH YOU AND YOUR TEAM. >> Zanoni: STAY RIGHT THERE. JUST TO LET THE COUNCIL KNOW, IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW, OUR CITY -- WE HAVE EMPLOYEES PREPARE THE MEALS EACH DAY. MANY CITIES HAVE GONE TO CONTRACTING THIS OUT AND I MUST SAY, HAVING SEEN SOME OF THE OTHER CITIES, THE MEAL QUALITY IS NOT NEARLY AS GOOD AS HAVING HOMEMADE FOOD. SO WE STILL DO THAT. OUR CITY STILL EACH DAY COOKS HOMEMADE MEALS. SO THERE'S A LOT OF HIGH-QUALITY NUTRITION THAT'S SERVED EACH DAY. WE'RE GOING TO RECOGNIZE THESE EMPLOYEES. THEY'RE GOING TO COME UP WITH BETH AND GET A PICTURE AS WELL. I'M GOING TO NAME THEM ONE BY ONE. THERE'S ABOUT A DOZEN HERE. SHELBY HOUSTON. BRANDI EATON. KIMBERLY. SANDY. THESE ARE ALL EMPLOYEES WHO COOK MEALS EVERY DAY. KAYLA. ANDREW. OSCAR. LENA. LAURA. ERIN, AND BELINDA. THESE ARE OUR COOKS THAT HELP THOSE SENIORS EVERY DAY, BOTH IN THE CONGREGANT SETTING AND THEN ON THE MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM. I HAVE SEEN THEIR MEALS AND THEY'RE PRETTY GOOD. RIGHT? YEAH. [APPLAUSE] [TAKING PICTURES] >> Zanoni: MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR LETTING US ACKNOWLEDGE THESE EMPLOYEES AND THIS PROGRAM AND H-E-B AND THE DONATION. WITH THAT, WE'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU, MAYOR. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, PETER. THANK YOU. SO AS WE BEGIN TODAY'S MEETING, I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ADDRESS THAT THIS COUNCIL CHAMBERS IS A PLACE OF PUBLIC BUSINESS, A FORUM FOR CIVIC DISCUSSION, DECISION MAKING, AND SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF CORPUS CHRISTI. IT'S NOT A STAGE FOR PERSONAL ATTACKS, FOR DISRUPTIONS, OR VULGARITY AND WE WILL NOT TOLERATE VIOLATIONS OF DECORUM. THERE HAVE BEEN REPEATED INSTANCES OF INDIVIDUALS USING PROFANITY, SHOUTING OVER OTHERS, AND SHOWING DISREGARD FOR THE RULES THAT GOVERN OUR PROCEEDINGS. I HAVE ALLOWED SPACE FOR DIFFERS VIEWPOINTS AND WILL CONTINUE TO WELCOME RESPECTFUL DISAGREEMENT BUT I WILL NOT ALLOW THIS COUNCIL OR THE PUBLIC WE SERVE TO BE DISRESPECTED. WE ARE HERE TO DO THE PEOPLE'S WORK SO WE WILL PROCEED IN THAT SPIRIT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON A SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEM DURING ITS DISCUSSION, YOU DON'T 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. AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO ASK OUR CITY ATTORNEY, MILES RISLEY, TO REVIEW THE COUNCIL MEETING RULES OF DECORUM THAT WILL APPEAR ON THE TELEVISION SCREENS ABOVE. MR. RISLEY. [RULES OF DECORUM] >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. RISLEY. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND THE CITY IN WHICH YOU LIVE BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR COMMENTS. CITIZEN COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES WHILE NON-RESIDENT COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO ONE MINUTE. A VISIBLE TIMER POSITIONED NEAR THE CITY SECRETARY'S DESK WILL HELP MANAGE THAT ALLOTTED TIME. IF YOU HAVE A PETITION OR ANY RELEVANT INFORMATION, PLEASE PRESENT IT TO THE CITY SECRETARY BEFORE YOU SPEAK AND SHE WILL DISTRIBUTE IT TO US. WE WILL MOVE ON WITH OUR COUNCIL AGENDA, THAT PUTS US AT SECTION L, OUR CONSENT AGENDA, ITEMS 2 THROUGH 17. WOULD ANY COUNCIL MEMBER LIKE TO PULL ANY ITEM 2 THROUGH 17? NO. 4, 11. ANY OTHER ITEMS PULLED? WOULD THE PUBLIC LIKE -- ANY REQUESTS FROM THE PUBLIC TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS 2 THROUGH 17. >> 4, 10, 11, 14, AND 15. >> Mayor Guajardo: ANYONE ELSE? WITH THAT I WILL >> Mayor Guajardo: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> [CHORUS OF AYES]. ANY OPPOSED SAY NO. >> City Secretary: CAN WE SEE MR. SCOTT, PLEASE? >> Mayor Guajardo: I'M SORRY? >> City Secretary: MR. SCOTT. IF HE WANTS TO VOTE, WE HAVE TO SEE HIM IN HERE. >> Scott: I WOULD. AYE. >> Mayor Guajardo: ITEM NO. 4 WAS PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. I'M SORRY. WAS THAT YOURS? COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN. I'M SORRY. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> [CHORUS OF AYES] >> City Secretary: WE JUST HAVE TO SAY MOTION CARRIES. THERE WAS A MOTION AND A SECOND. >> Mayor Guajardo: ITEM 4 IS AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN. >> Vaughn: I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THIS, IT'S JUST YOU'RE DISCONTINUING SOME OF THESE BOARDS AND CHANGING THE NAME ON ANOTHER. THE SISTER CITY, YOU'RE USING TAXPAYER MONEY. I WANT YOU TO EXPLAIN THAT SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS WHAT IS REQUIRED OF THEM. >> City Secretary: YES, MA'AM. THERE'S A $20,000 THAT'S BEING PROVIDED TO THE SISTER CITY COMMITTEE. THAT'S WHAT HISTORICALLY HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THEM. IN ADDITION TO $8,000 THAT WERE REMAINING FUNDS FROM LAST YEAR. WHAT WE HAVE SET UP IN THE AGREEMENT THAT THE COUNCIL PASSED ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2025, THEY'RE GOING TO SUBMIT SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS TO THE CITY AND THEY'RE GOING TO DETAIL THEIR ACTIVITY AND FINANCIAL REPORTS. THAT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE. HE HAS DESIGNATED RYAN SKROBARCZYK TO WORK WITH THE COMMITTEE. AND THEY'LL SUBMIT THOSE REPORTS TWICE A YEAR. EACH FINANCIAL REPORT WILL BE PREPARED AND SIGNED BY A CERT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT SO WE'RE SURE WHERE THOSE FUNDS ARE BEING SENT. BY MAY 1 EACH YEAR THEY HAVE TO ADOPT AN ANNUAL WORK PLAN AND ANNUAL BUDGET. THEY WILL INCLUDE ALL SOURCES OF REVENUE . REVENUES EXPENDITURES ANY FUNDRAISING THEY HAVE, ALL THAT WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET. THE CHAMBER WILL PROVIDE A COPY OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET TO THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE AT LEAST TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO ITS ADOPTION SO WE CAN REVIEW AND COMMENT. STAFF WILL BE ABLE TO REVIEW AND COMMENT PRIOR TO THEIR ADOPTION. THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT IS FOR ONE YEAR AND IT DOES INCLUDE SOMETHING CALLED A NON-APPROPRIATION CLAUSE. WHAT THAT MEANS IS THE CONTINUATION OF THE AGREEMENT, AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE FISCAL YEAR OF THE CITY, OUR FISCAL YEAR CLOSED SEPTEMBER 30, IT'S SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATIONS AND BUDGET APPROVAL. AND THAT MEANS THE COUNCIL HAS THE SOLE DISCRETION TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT TO FUND THE CONTRACT. SAY THE YEAR PASSES AND, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE MADE SOME DECISIONS. YOU DECIDE NOT TO FUND THAT. THAT'S WITHIN YOUR PURVIEW TO DO THAT AS WELL. THOSE ARE SOME OF THE SAFEGUARDS WE HAVE INCLUDED, MA'AM. >> Mayor Guajardo: I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> [CHORUS OF AYES] >> Mayor Guajardo: ANY OPPOSED SAY NO. THE MOTION CARRIES. ITEM NO. 10 WAS PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. IF YOU WANT TO COME UP, WHOEVER ASKED FOR THAT. THAT IS A MOTION AUTHORIZING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT TO ARDURRA TO PROVIDE DESIGN, BID, AND CONSTRUCTION PHASE FOR THE WEIR IMPROVEMENTS, BASINS 3 AND 4 FOR THE O.N. STEVENS WATER TREATMENT PLANT. DID YOU PULL 10? YOU CAN COME UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> RACHEL CABALLERO, D1. I'M GLAD TO SEE WE'RE USING SOMEBODY OTHER THAN FREESE AND NICHOLS. HOPEFULLY WE'LL LOOKING INTO ARDURRA GROUP AND SEE WHAT ELSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE PARTICIPATING IN. THIS -- I'D LIKE FOR YOU GUYS TO CONSIDER STEPPING AWAY FROM THE DESIGN, BID, AND CONSTRUCTION PHASE PROCESS. THAT GIVES A LOT OF ROOM FOR NEFARIOUS ACTIVITIES TO BE ALLOWED WITH CITY STAFF. IF WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO COST, WE SHOULDN'T BE DOING IT. THIS COMMUNITY, WE'VE BEEN TOLD, DOES NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PROVIDE CUSTOMER OR COMMUNITY SERVICES. THEY'RE GETTING SLASHED ACROSS, YOU KNOW, THE BUDGET. COMMUNITY SERVICES. SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING PROJECTS THAT ARE FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE REPAIRING ISSUES THAT WE HAVE IN THE DIFFERENT -- WITH OUR TREATMENT PLANTS. SO I JUST WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU GUYS -- AND I'D LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON IT ITSELF. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> SECOND. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: GO AHEAD. >> Campos: I WAS JUST ASKING IS THERE SOMEONE HERE THAT CAN GIVE US A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION. AND THE PUBLIC. >> Edmonds: I CAN TELL YOU WHAT THE PROJECT'S INTENDED TO DO. ONE, IT'S AN APPROVED CIP PROJECT. THERE'S TWO PLANTS AT O.N. STEVENS AND THIS IS IN PLANT 2. AND IT HAS A DESIGN FOR THE WEIR THAT TAKES THE WATER OUT OF THE SEDIMENTATION BASE AND TRANSFERS IT TO THE FILTERS. THE ONE ON PLANT 2 IS NOT WORKING AS WELL AS PLANT 1. YOU'RE GETTING SOLIDS BREAKTHROUGH AND SHORT CIRCUITING AND THEY WANT TO EXPLORE SOME DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVES TO UPGRADE THAT AND GET SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO PERFORM BETTER. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT'S NOT PERFORMING WELL AND YOU GET MORE SOLIDS, YOU'VE GOT TO BACKWASH YOUR FILTERS MORE AND WASTE WATER. >> Campos: WHICH WAS THE LAST TIME THAT IT WAS UPGRADED? >> Edmonds: I'M GOING TO CALL IN A CCW LIFELINE ON THAT ONE. >> NICK WINKLEMANN, INTERIM COO OF CCW. THE ORIGINAL WEIR DESIGN IS ORIGINAL TO PLANT 2. IT WAS IN THE '80s. WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT IS NOT AS EFFECTIVE. SO WE WANT TO IMPROVE THE WEIRS AND ALSO PART OF THE PROJECT IS ALSO LOOKING AT THE WEIR PROCESS FOR PLANT 1. >> Campos: WHAT HAS CAUSED THAT? I MEAN, IT'S BEEN WORKING ALL THESE YEARS. IT'S JUST FINALLY WEAR AND TEAR? THAT'S A LONG TIME. >> IT'S WORKING BUT IT'S NOT WORKING AS EFFICIENTLY. SO WHAT WE'RE SEEING -- AND JEFF ALLUDED TO IT. WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH OUR WATER DISTRIBUTION. THERE'S CROSSOVER. WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT WATER TREATMENT, THE MENT OF THE WATER IS CRITICAL. IF YOU EVER COME OUT TO THE PLANT, YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE WATER MOVE THROUGH THE PLANT AND YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THAT. THIS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT, IT'S WITH ARDURRA FOR DESIGN SERVICES, BID SERVICES -- SO THEY WOULD HELP PREPARE THE BID DOCUMENTS FOR PUBLIC BID. AND THEN CONSTRUCTION PHASE SERVICES WHERE THEY WOULD HAVE INVOLVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT. CONSTRUCTION ISN'T ANTICIPATED TO START UNTIL FISCAL YEAR '28. SO AND THERE WILL BE A FIRM BID WITH THIS PROJECT. IT JUST HASN'T HAPPENED YET. >> Campos: RIGHT NOW WE'RE STILL IN THE DESIGN PHASE. >> WE HAVEN'T STARTED DESIGN YET. THIS IS THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR DESIGN. >> Campos: OKAY. I APPRECIATE THAT. OKAY. THAT'S ALL THE COMMENTS I HAD. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. REBECCA, DO YOU WANT TO PUT THAT UP? >> City Secretary: MR. SCOTT? >> Scott: YES. YES. >> Mayor Guajardo: THE MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 11 WAS PULLED. THAT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A THREE-YEAR EXTENSION OF THE AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE TREATED WATER TO SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY. COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS. >> Campos: I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WATER WE ARE PROVIDING IS MAINLY FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. IS IT THE AGREEMENT THAT -- DO WE HAVE THAT INFORMATION? THAT'S WHAT MY UNDERSTANDING WAS. THE REISSUANCE OF THIS CONTRACT, THE 1.2 TO 1.8 MILLION THAT WE'RE PROVIDING TO SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY. I'M JUST CURIOUS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE RIGHT NOW SINCE OUR WATER IS SO LIMITED. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS FOR HUMANS. >> SURE. SO THE CONTRACT IS A THREE-YEAR EXTENSION. NONE OF THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT, INCLUDING VOLUME, ANNUAL VOLUME HAS CHANGED. SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY HASN'T REQUESTED AN INCREASE IN VOLUME. HOW THE CONTRACT STATES -- WE, CCW OR THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI DOESN'T CONTROL WHO THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE. BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT THEY HAVEN'T REQUESTED ADDITIONAL VOLUME OF WATER TO INCLUDE IN THEIR CONTRACT. ALL THE TERMS ARE THE SAME. >> Campos: AND THAT'S WHAT I HOPEFULLY IN THE FUTURE WE'LL BE ABLE TO HAVE THOSE TYPES OF DISCUSSIONS. AS A WATER PROVIDER WE'LL BE ABLE TO HAVE A SAY AS TO WHO WE'RE PROVIDING 1 MILLION, 2 MILLION, 12 MILLION, 20 MILLION. IT GOES ON AND ON. AT WHAT POINT DOES THE COMMUNITY KNOW? DO WE HAVE A COMMISSION OR SOMETHING THAT WE COULD HAVE A SAY AS TO WHERE -- WHO WE'RE SELLING OUR WATER TO THAT WE WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT. THAT WE COULD HAVE A SAY. DO WE HAVE ANYTHING LIKE THAT? >> IF I COULD ANSWER THAT IN TERMS OF AN EXAMPLE. WITHIN THREE YEARS, SAY AT THE END OF THAT, SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY IS AN EXAMPLE, WOULD LIKE TO INCREASE THEIR ANNUAL AMOUNT OF WATER BY 25%. THAT'S PART OF THE CONTRACT NEGOTIATION. STAFF WOULD DETERMINE IF THAT WATER'S AVAILABLE. AND THEN THAT INFORMATION WOULD BE SHARED WITH COUNCIL. IN FACT, THE CONTRACT WOULD BE VOTED ON AND APPROVED BY COUNCIL AS WELL. >> Campos: BECAUSE THIS IS AN EXISTING AND THEY'RE NOT REALLY INCREASING IT, THAT INFORMATION THEN DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PROVIDED TO COUNCIL. IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? >> YEAH. IT'S NOT A CONSIDERATION ITEM BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT REQUESTING ANY MATERIAL CHANGES TO THE CONTRACT. WE AGREE -- THE CITY AGREES THAT THE TERMS ARE ACCEPTABLE AND REASONABLE AND WE AGREE TO BE OPERATING ALONG THOSE SAME TERMS FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS AS PARTNERS. >> Campos: WELL, THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSION ABOUT CREATING A SORT OF, LIKE A WATER COMMISSION. HAS THAT COME TO YOUR DESK? HAVE YOU DISCUSSED IT AT ALL TO CREATING SOME KIND OF COMMISSION SO THAT IN THE FUTURE WE, AS RESIDENTS, OUR WATER CUSTOMERS WILL KNOW. WATER, AS YOU KNOW, IS VERY PRECIOUS AND SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE USING OUR WATER, YOU KNOW, EFFICIENTLY AND THAT -- FOR EXAMPLE, A LOT OF THESE CAR WASHES THAT HAVE INUNDATED OUR CITY, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US HAVE A SAY AS TO HOW MANY MORE CAR WASHES WE'RE GOING TO BE ALLOWING. I KNOW THIS IS PROBABLY OUT OF THIS DISCUSSION BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT IN THE FUTURE. SOME KIND OF EITHER WATER COMMISSION OR WATER BOARD WHERE IT ACTUALLY HAS RESIDENTS AS PART OF THAT COMMISSION. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN COME BACK AND MAYBE DISCUSS THAT WITH US AT A LATER, YOU KNOW, TIME. BUT I STILL WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT. WITH THAT, I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROJECT. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ. >> Hernandez: OKAY. YOU KNOW, WE'RE EXTENDING THIS AND NOT DOING A NEW AGREEMENT. I'M UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THIS IS IN ORDER TO ALLOW THEM TO HAVE TIME TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN WATER SOURCE CORRECT? >> YOU KNOW, I CAN'T SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE WATER AUTHORITY. I FEEL THAT'S THE CASE, THOUGH. YOU KNOW, EARLIER IN THE YEAR THE STWA, WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS CONTRACT FOR SOME TIME. EARLIER IN THE YEAR THEY REQUESTED AND WE AGREED TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT TO DECEMBER 31st OF THIS YEAR, WHICH WE DID. AND JUST RECENTLY, THEY'VE COME BACK AND SAID, LOOK, WE WOULD JUST LIKE TO EXTEND IT FOR THREE YEARS. AS WE ALL KNOW, THEY ARE WORKING ON OTHER WATER SUPPLY PROJECTS. THAT SEEMED REASONABLE TO US AS WELL. >> Hernandez: OKAY. SO I KNOW PART OF THAT DEVELOPMENT THERE'S ALSO SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT SELLING US WATER AND WE'RE SUPPOSED TO GET A PRESENTATION FROM THEM. IS THAT COMING NEXT MONTH? >> I'LL HAVE TO FOLLOW UP WITH OUR CONTACTS AT SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY. YOU KNOW, THE STATEMENT AND THE COMMENT, AND CCW FULLY AGREES WITH THEM, THE IMPORTANT ITEM WAS TO DEAL WITH THIS EXISTING CONTRACT FIRST. I'LL FOLLOW UP WITH THEM AND FIND OUT WHEN THEY HAVE ANY INFO AVAILABLE. >> Hernandez: WELL, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS BEHIND YOU. SO I'M ASSUMING THAT WE WILL -- >> THAT'S WHAT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TOLD ME. >> Hernandez: OKAY. PETER, ARE WE GETTING A PRESENTATION NEXT MONTH? >> Zanoni: LIKE NICK SAID, IF MR. MARES WANTS TO ANSWER THE QUESTION. THAT WAS THE PLAN BUT IT'S CHANGED. WE DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S COMING FORWARD. I WOULD RECOMMEND HE COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE. WE DON'T WANT TO GUESS ON WHAT HIS BUSINESS IS. >> GOOD MORNING. JOHN MARES REPRESENTING SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK DREW MOLLY AND ALSO NICK AND THEIR TEAMS AND MILES AND THE LEGAL TEAM AS WELL AND THE CITY MANAGEMENT FOR WORKING WITH US ON THIS THREE-YEAR EXTENSION. IT'S BEEN VITAL TO US AS WE DISCUSS WHAT ARE THE FUTURE OPTIONS FOR WATER FOR STWA. HOW THAT WORKS. EITHER INDEPENDENTLY OR IN COORDINATION WITH CCW. I JUST WANT TO STATE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN EXCELLENT PARTNERS AND ALWAYS OPERATED IN GOOD TERMS. NEVER ADVERSARIAL. THIS WAS A MUTUAL AGREEMENT THAT WE HAD A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT WE WERE ABLE TO FINALIZE, WHICH CAME BEFORE YOU HERE IN THIS AGENDA ITEM NO. 11. NOW, ON THE OTHER ISSUE, YES. WE ARE STILL PROCEEDING, WORKING AHEAD WITH SEVEN SEAS ON A WATER SOURCE FOR OUR SYSTEM, UP TO A 3 MGD PLANT. THAT IS STILL IN THE WORKS. NOW, THERE ARE OPTIONS TO UP-SCALE THAT. AND WE HAVE MENTIONED THAT IN THE VARIOUS TIMES I HAVE BEEN TO THE COUNCIL. WE ARE HAPPY TO PRESENT WITH YOU OUR UPDATES. WE DIDN'T WANT TO COME BACK UNTIL WE HAD MORE INFORMATION. WE FEEL WE'RE AT THAT POINT. WE'LL BE ABLE TO PRESENT TO THE STWA BOARD ON THEIR DECEMBER 1st MEETING AND BE ABLE TO HAVE ALL THAT BACKGROUND INFORMATION TO PRESENT TO MANAGEMENT FOR THEM TO DECIDE OR FOR YOU TO INITIATE PUTTING THAT INTO YOUR AGENDA THE FOLLOWING WEEK. SO WE'RE TRYING TO MOVE THIS AHEAD QUICKLY SO THAT EVERYONE HAS SOME RESOLVE TO THIS QUESTION DEALING WITH STWA DIRECTLY AND HOW DOES THAT WORK WITH THE BIGGER PICTURE. BUT WE DO APPRECIATE BEING A PART OF THE REGIONAL WATER SYSTEM THAT CCW PROVIDES. THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY HELPFUL AND NICK HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE AT A PHONE CALL AWAY. WE ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD TO PRESENT TO YOU, IF THAT IS THE COUNCIL'S WISH. WE WILL BE READY TO PROVIDE YOU WITH DETAILS AND BACKGROUND COMPARED TO OTHER MEETINGS. >> Hernandez: OKAY. SO OUR MEETING AFTER THAT IS DECEMBER 9 AND OUR LAST MEETING IN DECEMBER, I BELIEVE, IS THE 16th. >> Zanoni: THAT'S CORRECT, COUNCILMAN. >> Hernandez: I'M ASSUMING ONE OF THOSE TWO DAYS WE'LL GET A PRESENTATION AS TO SOME ADDITIONAL WATER SUPPLY THAT CAN BE PROVIDED BY SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY. >> Zanoni: MR. MARES SAID DECEMBER 1 IS YOUR BOARD MEETING? >> DECEMBER 1, YES. >> Zanoni: WE'LL GO TO THAT BOARD MEETING AND REPORT BACK. WE'LL HAVE TO POST ON THE 3rd FOR THE 9th. IF EVERYTHING IS LOOKING GOOD -- AND WE'LL KEEP COUNCIL INFORMED. IF THINGS ARE LOOKING GOOD AND THERE'S TURNAROUND TIME, WE CAN ADD IT ON THE AGENDA THE 9th. IF NOT, WE'LL HAVE TO FALL BACK TO THE 16th. >> Hernandez: WITH THAT, I SECOND THE MOTION. >> Mayor Guajardo: PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VOTE. >> City Secretary: PUBLIC COMMENT MAYOR. >> Mayor Guajardo: I'M SORRY. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 11. ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. YOU'VE GOT ONE? >> WITH ALL THE PREVIOUS CONTRACTS AND EVERYTHING THAT'S GONE THROUGH. >> City Secretary: STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY. >> ALEX BENAVIDES, DISTRICT 3. I KNOW THAT WHAT HE SAID IS THEY'RE NOT ASKING FOR MANY, THIS AND THAT. BUT THE COUNCIL RAISED A GREAT QUESTION ABOUT TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE RESOURCES THAT THE WATER IS TAKEN FROM AND GOING TO. IT WOULD BE GREAT, BEFORE WE HOLD A VOTE AND HAND OUT, YOU KNOW, STATUS QUO, WHICH WE ALREADY KNOW IS NOT GOOD. BUT THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THINGS GET PUSHED THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT. I JUST FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD LOOK AT THE WHOLE AT EVERYTHING. AT ALL THE COMPANIES THAT ARE INVOLVED. MAKE SURE THEY'RE LOCAL. AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, BRING UP EVERY SINGLE THING THAT'S ON THERE. THAT WAY WE KNOW. IT'S THREE YEARS AND HOW MANY TIMES ARE WE GETTING IN CONTRACTS FOR THREE YEARS THAT WE CAN'T CHANGE, ONCE WE FIND OUT THEY'RE DUD CONTRACTS. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, SIR. ANYONE ELSE? I'M CLOSING PUBLIC COMMENT. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VOTE. >> City Secretary: MR. SCOTT? YOU'RE FROZEN. DARN IT. TRY AGAIN. >> Scott: YES. >> City Secretary: YES. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THE MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 14 AND 15, PUBLIC COMMENT. MS. CABALLERO. >> WE SHOULD PROBABLY GET A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION ON THIS. RACHEL CABALLERO, D1. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON THIS BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING REGARDING THE FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS OF THESE ALLEGED GRANTS. AND THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD, WHO HAS TREATED OUR COMMUNITY VERY, VERY POORLY UNTIL NOW. AND NOT WORKING WITH US TO HELP US ACTUALLY SOLVE THIS MAN-MADE WATER CRISIS. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A QUICK REVIEW ON THESE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE FINANCIAL RAMIFICATIONS ARE TO THE COMMUNITY. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. THESE ARE GRANTS FUNDED BY THE STATE OF TEXAS, IN THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION. THIS IS A FORMALITY. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT, BUT THIS IS FUNDING THAT WAS GRANTED TO US. >> CORRECT. THE STATE LEGISLATURE, WITH THEIR SUPPORT, AND WE'RE THANKFUL FOR THAT. THEY PROVIDED GRANT MONEY FOR THE MARY RHODES PIPELINE. THE MONEY IS BEING DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD. THAT'S THE MECHANISM FOR DISTRIBUTING THE GRANTS. AS PART OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS, IT'S A FORMALITY FOR COUNCIL TO APPROVE CCW TO SUBMIT THE GRANT APPLICATION. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. THANK YOU, SIR. >> Barrera: MAYOR, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM 14 AND 15. >> SECOND. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VOTE. >> City Secretary: MR. SCOTT? >> Scott: YES. >> Mayor Guajardo: THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. I AM GOING TO -- WE'RE GOING TO HEAR ITEM NO. 20 AND THEN THE LAST TWO OF THE DAY WOULD BE 18 AND 19. MR. ZANONI, THAT'S OKAY? >> Zanoni: YEAH. WE TOLD MICHAEL DICE OR ANDREW DIMAS TO BE READY. >> Mayor Guajardo: ITEM 20 IS A VARIANCE CASE NO. ZN9019, RUSTY'S, IN DISTRICT 1. >> ANDREW DIMAS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, TODAY PRESENTING A REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE FROM SECTION 4 OF OUR MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING TEXAS ALCOHOL BEVERAGE COMMISSION. THE PROPERTY IS AT 702 SOUTH PORT. AS YOU MAY BE AWARE, TABC SETS REGULATIONS THAT CHURCHES AND PURELY ALCOHOL-SERVING ESTABLISHMENTS MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 300 FEET AWAY MEASURED DOOR TO DOOR. IN THIS CASE THE PROPERTY IS 286 FEET. IT'S 14 FEET SHORT OF THAT 300-FOOT SEPARATION. THE APPLICANT DID APPLY THROUGH THEIR NORMAL PERMITS THROUGH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. AS PART OF THAT REVIEW, WE LOOK AT THE TABC LICENSE. AS PART OF THAT LICENSE WE MADE A DETERMINATION THAT IT IS, INDEED, AGAIN 14 FEET SHORT. THE APPLICANT DOES HAVE THE RIGHT, UNDER THE MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ASK FOR A VARIANCE AND APPEAL THAT DECISION. SO THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS HISTORICALLY USED TO BE A TORTILLA FACTORY FOR MANY YEARS. DECADES, IN FACT. FOR A BRIEF TIME IT WAS A RESALE SHOP. AND IT IS ZONED GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT. SO THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT DOES ALLOW BARS, TAVERNS, NIGHTCLUBS BY RIGHT. IT DOES NOT HAVE AN UNDERLYING ZONING ISSUE. IT IS UNDERGOING RENOVATIONS INTO A BAR AND FOOD SERVICE CALLED RUSTY'S. THIS IS JUST A BRIEF BACKGROUND ON WHERE THE 300-FOOT RULE COMES INTO PLAY. IT IS SET BY TEXAS ALCOHOL BEVERAGE CODE AND ENFORCED BY THE TEXAS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE COMMISSION WHERE MUNICIPALITIES ARE CHARGED WE HAVE TO DOUBLE CHECK THAT MEASUREMENT AS THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THE PERMITTING PROCESS. NOW THAT BEING SAID, ALSO WITHIN TABC CODE, IT IS UP TO THE MUNICIPALITY TO GRANT VARIANCES AS THEY SEE FIT. WE DO HAVE A REVIEW CRITERIA, JUST LIKE WE DO WITH ZONING CASES, IN DETERMINING IS THE VARIANCE OUT OF THE QUESTION. DOES IT IMPOSE SOME TYPE OF NEGATIVE IMPACT TO SURROUNDING PROPERTIES. AND AS WE CONDUCT OUR ANALYSIS, WE CONFIRM IF IT IS IN CONFORMANCE WITH CITY POLICY. SO GOING THROUGH ALL OF THOSE STEPS, JUST LIKE WE WOULD DO FOR A ZONING CASE, WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE BAR DOES HAVE THE CORRECT ZONING. IT IS IN LINE WITH FUTURE LAND USE, AS A COMMERCIAL USE. IT IS WITHIN THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AS YOU DO HAVE OTHER BAR ESTABLISHMENTS ALONG THIS COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR. SO WE DO TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT WHEN COMING TO A DECISION. AND MOVING TO PUBLIC INPUT OF 61 NOTICES MAILED OUT, WE RECEIVED ZERO IN FAVOR, ZERO IN OPPOSITION. WE DID REACH OUT TO THE CHURCH AS WELL. WE DID NOT HEAR A RESPONSE BACK IF THEY HAD ANY PRO OR CON FEELINGS TOWARDS THE POTENTIAL VARIANCE. AGAIN, AS PART OF THAT CONSIDERATION, WE TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD BEING A COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR. WE TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE FACT THAT IF A CHURCH IS OPERATING, IT MORE THAN LIKELY WILL HAVE OFF-SET HOURS. SUNDAY SERVICES AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT SERVICES WILL NOT BE IN CONFLICT WITH THE REST OF THE BAR HOURS EVERY OTHER DAY OF THE WEEK. AS IT IS STILL A COMMERCIAL USE. AND, WITH THAT, TAKING ALL OF THOSE THINGS INTO CONSIDERATION, STAFF DOES RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE VARIANCE REQUEST AS IT IS A 14-FOOT SHORTFALL. 286 FEET AWAY. IT IS PRETTY CLOSE TO MEETING THAT 300-FOOT MARK. WE ENCOURAGE INFILL DEVELOPMENT THAT WOULD OCCUPY STRUCTURES THAT WOULD BE VACANT. STAFF IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL AND WE STAND TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE. >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, ANDREW. ANDREW, I'VE GOT A FEW PROBLEMS WITH THIS. WHO REACHED OUT TO THE CHURCH FROM OUR DEPARTMENT? >> BOTH. IT WOULD BE THE APPLICANT ON THEIR OWN REACHED OUT TO THE CHURCH AS WELL AS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STAFF, ONE OF OUR PLANNERS. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. SO THE CHURCH REACHED OUT TO ME AND SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY DISCUSSION WITH ANYONE AND THAT THEY ARE NOT FOR THIS ESTABLISHMENT. YOU HAVE THE BAR. YOU HAVE A VACANT LOT. AND THEN YOU HAVE THE CHURCH. SO WE'RE ESSENTIALLY GOING AGAINST OUR OWN ORDINANCE OF PUTTING A BAR WITHIN 300 FEET OF A CHURCH. IN YOUR MEMO IT ALSO STATES THAT THERE'S A BAR DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET. DID SOMEBODY GO CHECK THAT? >> YES. >> Mayor Guajardo: IT'S CLOSED. THAT BAR HAS BEEN CLOSED. >> OKAY. >> Mayor Guajardo: FOR SOMETIME. IT WAS CALLED MICA'S. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE THEY REACHED OUT TO ME AND I SPOKE WITH THE PASTOR. AS A MATTER OF FACT, ARE THEY HERE? THEY ARE HERE. OKAY. GREAT. WE'LL HEAR FROM YOU IN A SEC. AND THEIR CONCERNS WERE GREAT BECAUSE THEY HAD NOT SPOKEN TO THE CITY. MY CONCERN IS A COUPLE OF THINGS. WHEN WE SAY IT IS IN THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WE WANT TO BUILD A NEIGHBORHOOD. AND I DON'T THINK THIS IS DEFINING, IN THE BEST WAY, THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. THAT CORRIDOR IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF REVITALIZATION. AND I'LL LET THEM TELL THE STORY. BUT THERE WERE FIVE BARS IN THAT CORRIDOR. THAT WAS THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. BARS. ALL OVER. AND WHEN THE CHURCH BOUGHT THE BUILDING -- AND THIS IS COMING FROM THEM -- THEY SAID WE'RE GOING TO WAIT THIS OUT BECAUSE THEY CAME TO THE CITY AND THE CITY SAID WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. OF COURSE. BARS ARE THERE. BUT WHEN THE BARS, IF AND WHEN THE BARS CLOSE, THEN THEY CAN'T COME BACK BECAUSE OF THE 300-FOOT ORDINANCE. UNLESS THIS DAY COMES WHERE THERE IS AN EXCEPTION. I DON'T SEE A VALID REASON TO GIVE AN EXCEPTION. I THINK THE CHURCH, THEY WAITED IT OUT AND THEY WAITED FOR FIVE BARS TO CLOSE. BECAUSE THEY DO HAVE THINGS -- I WAS THERE SUNDAY. AND THEIR CONGREGATION WAS THERE AT 4:00, 5:00 IN THE AFTERNOON. THEY WERE GETTING READY FOR A FESTIVAL. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE CHURCH HOURS ARE XYZ AND BAR HOURS ARE XYZ THAT THAT DOESN'T CAUSE A PROBLEM. WE ALSO HAVE RESIDENTS. THERE ARE SOME ELDERLY RESIDENTS THAT WOULD LIVE 20 FEET FROM THE BACK DOOR OF THAT BAR. MULTIPLE HOMES THERE. AND I KNOW YOU DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY -- I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU THAT -- NOTICES. BUT I'M A LITTLE BIT DISAPPOINTED THAT WE DIDN'T REACH OUT. THAT WE DIDN'T REACH OUT. AND MAYBE Y'ALL DID AND THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION. I UNDERSTAND THAT. HIT AND MISS. BUT THEY ARE VEHEMENTLY AGAINST HAVING THE BAR LITERALLY NEXT DOOR ALMOST. ONE VACANT LOT SEPARATES IT. TABC REJECTED THEIR LICENSE BECAUSE THEY ARE WITHIN 300 FEET. I DON'T SEE HOW THE CITY SHOULD SAY WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THIS EXCEPTION. I DON'T REBUILD A CHARACTER BY GOING BACKWARDS TO WHAT THEY HAVE COME FROM WHEN THEY FIRST BOUGHT THAT BUILDING. I'LL LET OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS GIVE THEIR INPUT. COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS. >> Campos: THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND YOU DO BRING UP A GOOD POINT. AS A MATTER OF FACT, I'M GLAD THAT YOU ACKNOWLEDGED THE HISTORY OF THAT LOCATION. I PERSONALLY AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH THAT LOCATION. GROWING UP, I WAS THE ONE THAT WOULD GO GET THE MASA WHENEVER THE TAMALES WE WERE MAKING DURING THIS TIME. AND YES. I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WE GREW UP, SO I AM FAMILIAR. THERE USED TO BE A LOT OF BARS THERE. IT IS REFRESHING TO SEE THAT A CHURCH IS THERE AND THERE'S ALSO THE BAKERY, I THINK IN THE CORNER. AND I THINK SLOWLY IT IS, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO COME BACK TO LIFE. I DO APPRECIATE THAT THERE IS AN INTEREST IN THAT LOCATION. BUT I DON'T THINK A BAR IS SOMETHING THAT ANY NEIGHBORHOOD WOULD PUT UP, NOT IN THE SOUTH SIDE, NOT IN THE NORTH SIDE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE WOULD DO THIS TO THIS HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD. I CALL IT HISTORIC BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE I GREW UP. YOU KNOW... AND IT IS VERY HISTORIC. I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THIS AND I'M GLAD THAT THE MAYOR REACHED OUT TO THE CHURCH. AND A LOT OF TIMES I'M REAL BAD ABOUT MY MAIL. I HAVE TO ADMIT. I DON'T ALWAYS READ THE MAIL THAT I RECEIVE BECAUSE -- USUALLY IT'S ELECTRONIC OR I COMMUNICATE. I STILL WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE CHURCH, THE PASTOR. BUT HONESTLY, I DON'T BELIEVE I'LL BE SUPPORTING THIS. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN CANTU. >> Cantu: YOU SAID IT'S 14 FEET, RIGHT? >> CORRECT. 14 FEET SHORT. >> Cantu: THAT'S FROM HERE TO THE MAYOR, MORE OR LESS? >> I WOULD SAY JUST OVER AN NBA BASKET. THAT'S EXACTLY 10 FEET. >> Cantu: I KNOW THE AREA. I TRAVEL THAT AREA ALL THE TIME. HONESTLY, YOU KNOW, IT'S GETTING BETTER. PD IS DOING A GOOD JOB GETTING THE PROSTITUTES AND DRUGS OFF THE STREETS. THERE'S STILL A LOT OF PROSTITUTION GOING ON IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND DRUGS. I WANT CORPUS CHRISTI TO BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS. I WANT REFINERIES TO COME TO CORPUS CHRISTI AND OPEN THEIR BUSINESS HERE. I DON'T SEE WHAT'S THE BIG PROBLEM WITH THE BAR, CONVENIENCE STORE, OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. WE'RE GOING TO BE GETTING TAX REVENUE FROM THE TABC LICENSE. I JUST UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH BUT, I MEAN, THERE'S A BAR MAYBE TWO BLOCKS AWAY, MORE OR LESS. AT LEAST? >> YES. FURTHER DOWN THERE IS ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT. THE DIFFERENCE IS -- AND JUST TO BE CLEAR -- WITHIN THE UDC, 26% OF SALES, OF GROSS SALES HAVE TO COME FROM FOOD TO BE CONSIDERED A RESTAURANT. ONE THING THEY CAN CHANGE BETWEEN NOW AND THEN IS IF THE APPLICANT CHOOSES TO SERVE PIZZA, THEY ARE NOW A RESTAURANT AND CAN STILL SERVE -- >> Cantu: GET A FOOD BEVERAGE LICENSE. >> EXACTLY. AND THE QUESTION IS IT'S A VERY SMALL CHANGE THAT CAN OCCUR. I THINK AT THIS TIME HIS MOTIVE WAS PURELY TO STICK TO JUST ALCOHOL SALES. BUT IF THAT CHANGES TO A RESTAURANT WITHIN THE NEXT SO MANY DAYS, IT CAN STILL OPEN AT THAT SAME -- >> Cantu: SO IF THEY CHANGE IT TO A RESTAURANT, PAY THE -- I THINK IT'S $12 MORE FOR TABC TO DO A LICENSE FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGES, THEY COULD JUST OPEN UP LIKE THAT? >> SAME MIXED BEVERAGE LICENSE. SAME HOURS OF OPERATION. >> Cantu: GOT IT. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN. >> Vaughn: WELL, 300 FEET IS 300 FEET. >> YES, MA'AM. >> Vaughn: THAT'S THE RULE SO WE SHOULDN'T MAKE EXCEPTIONS BECAUSE IT'S 14 FEET OFF. AND I WOULD MUCH RATHER NOT GET THAT TAX REVENUE THAN TO PUT A BAR BESIDE A CHURCH. I GUARANTEE YOU THAT CHURCH HAS BEEN PRAYING THOSE BARS OUT OF THERE SO I'M NOT GOING TO BE THE ONE TO VOTE TO PUT ONE IN. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILWOMAN PAXSON. >> Paxson: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I AGREE WE SHOULD BE VERY INTERESTED IN BEING A POSITIVE PARTNER TO NEW BUSINESSES. AND I RECOGNIZE THAT IN OUR PACKET YOU REFERENCED THE WEST SIDE DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND THAT THIS WAS CONSIDERED CONGRUENT WITH THAT PLAN. HOWEVER, I SHARE THE SENTIMENTS OF COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A 300-FOOT BARRIER. WE HAVE A PLACE OF WORSHIP THERE. YOU KNOW, IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME THAT WE BALANCE BRINGING IN NEW BUSINESS WITH CREATING COMMUNITY SPACES THAT REALLY SERVICE THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE. AND SO I RECOGNIZE, YOU KNOW, GOING UP AND DOWN THAT ROAD, I RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS A LOT OF ROOM FOR US TO WORK WITH NEW BUSINESSES COMING IN AND DEVELOP A SPACE THAT'S VIBRANT. BUT THIS ISN'T, IN MY DEFINITION, THE DIRECTION TO GO WITH THAT. AND SO I THINK THAT THIS DOESN'T SERVE THE PURPOSE OF CULTIVATING NEW GROWTH AND COMMUNITY STRENGTH AND CLEANING UP AREAS. IT'S NOT CONGRUENT WITH THAT, IN MY OPINION. AND SO I APPRECIATE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION AND ALL THAT YOU PUT IN THE PACKET. I REALLY DO. BUT I WON'T BE SUPPORTING THAT, FOR THAT REASON. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN ROY. >> Roy: SO THIS IS DISTRICT 1 AND I WENT OUT AND I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED. I WOULD LIKE SOME CLARIFICATION. WHEN YOU MEASURE 300 FEET, WHAT ARE YOU MEASURING THAT FROM? >> IT IS FROM THE FRONT DOOR OF THE ESTABLISHMENT TO THE FRONT DOOR OF THE CHURCH. >> Roy: OKAY. BECAUSE I HAVE A SIZE 13-FOOT AND IT'S ABOUT 2 INCHES LONGER THAN 12 FEET. I PACED IT. I DIDN'T GO WITH A TAPE MEASURE. THE DISTANCE, TO ME, SEEMS A LOT SHORTER. AND I DID IT TWICE. SO THAT'S A CONCERN. I MEAN, I THINK 14 AND I THINK 14 FEET IS BEING GRACIOUS . AND FOR THAT REASON, AGAIN, I THINK IT'S ACTUALLY CLOSER. >> IT WAS OUR GIS SURVEY. >> Roy: HOW DID YOU DO IT? >> WE HAVE GIS SOFTWARE, GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM, THAT GIVES A FAIRLY ACCURATE MEASUREMENT TO THE FRONT DOOR. >> Roy: YEAH. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT IN ITSELF BECAUSE MEASURING RIGHT TO THE FRONT DOOR, THERE'S A LOT OF ACTIVITY. SO YOU HAVE, YOU KNOW, AT YOUR CHURCH YOU HAVE THE PARKING LOT. YOU HAVE THE PEOPLE. YOU HAVE KIDS, IF THEY'RE DOING AN EASTER EGG HUNT. YOU KNOW, I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT TOO FROM MAYBE THE EDGE OF THE PROPERTY. BUT I GUESS THE STATE SETS THAT. OVERALL, AT THE END OF THE DAY, I'M NOT SUPPORTING THIS PROJECT EITHER. IF THEY WANT TO COME BACK AND DO A RESTAURANT OR RETHINK THEIR PLAN, THAT'S FINE. AT THIS POINT I WON'T BE SUPPORTING IT. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME I'M GOING TO OPEN PUBLIC HEARING. LET'S SEE, GO AHEAD. COME ON UP. ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 20? WE WILL HEAR YOU OUT NOW. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, ESTEEMED COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR. SO MY NAME IS MANUEL LEWIS. AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF THIS CHURCH, AND JUST TO ADD SOME COLOR AND CONTEXT TO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT. WE HAVE BEEN AT THIS LOCATION FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS. WE MOVED TO THE 700 BLOCK OF PORT IN 1999. AT THAT TIME, LIKE AS WAS STATED ALREADY, THERE WERE FIVE BARS AT THIS LOCATION. AND WHILE THESE BARS WERE IN OPERATION, WE'VE DEALT WITH SEVERAL OF THE BARS' PATRONS ENTERING OUR SANCTUARY INEBRIATED AND CAUSING A SCENE. WE HAVE SUNDAY SERVICES MORNING AND NIGHT, ALONG WITH WEDNESDAY NIGHT SERVICES. WE HAVE VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN AND ALL THOSE THINGS. NOT TO MENTION FESTIVALS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT WE HAVE THERE AT OUR CHURCH. OUR CHURCH HAS HAD PEOPLE PASSED OUT AT OUR FRONT DOOR. WE'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH VOMIT, URINE, FECES IN FRONT OF AND AROUND OUR BUILDING. WE'VE HAD OUR VEHICLES BROKEN INTO. WE'VE HAD OUR SANCTUARY ITSELF BROKEN INTO. THERE'S BEEN CAR WRECKS, FIGHTS. ANY OTHER MANNER OF VIOLENCE THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH A BAR IN THAT AREA. WE HAVE TO PICK UP TRASH ON OUR DOORSTEP, INCLUDING, OF COURSE, BEER BOTTLES AND CANS AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. WE'VE HAD OUR PARKING LOT, WHICH IS FENCED IN, CUT AND BROKEN INTO. THEY'VE STOLEN A BARBECUE PIT THAT WE USE FOR FUNDRAISERS AND JUST REGULAR FELLOWSHIP TIME WITH OUR CHURCH. THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT WE HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH. WE'VE EVEN HAD OUR CITY TRASH CANS TAKEN. WE'VE HAD DAMAGE TO OUR WINDOWS. WE'VE HAD GRAFFITI ON THE SIDE OF THE CHURCH. SO THESE BARS ARE OPEN AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY, INCLUDING SUNDAY MORNINGS DURING OUR SERVICE. THE BUILDINGS WERE ALWAYS IN DISREPAIR AND THEY CONTINUE TO DECLINE AS THE YEARS PASS. IF YOU DRIVE DOWN THAT WAY, YOU CAN SEE HOW THE STATE OF THOSE BUILDINGS AND HOW THEY ARE RIGHT NOW. SO, THANKFULLY, THOSE BARS CLOSED ONE BY ONE. THE LAST ONE WAS MICA'S LOUNGE, WHICH DID FINALLY CLOSE AS WELL. OUR CONGREGATION IS ACTUALLY PUSHING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE INVEST IN SERVICES TO HELP THE INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES ONE BY ONE. WE HAVE DONE SO AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. AND WE JUST ASK THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WOULD HELP US TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR CONGREGATION. MOST OF OUR MEMBERS ARE WORKING CLASS AND LOW INCOME. THEY COME TO RECEIVE THE HOPE THAT OUR CHURCH OFFERS. JUST LIKE ANY CHURCH IN ANY PART OF THE CITY, SECURITY IS ALWAYS AN ISSUE. I ACTUALLY WORK FOR THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI. I AM A POLICE OFFICER AND I VOLUNTEER MY TIME. [TIMER] >> IS THAT IT? >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT. YOU'RE THE PRESIDENT. SO THANK YOU. >> DISTRICT 1. I JUST WANT TO SAY I'M SUPER GRATEFUL FOR YOU ALL TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE CONCERNS OF RESIDENTS OF A NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT THEY HAVE, AND HOW WHAT THE CITY IS SAYING HAPPENED AND WHY IT'S OKAY ACTUALLY REFLECTS A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE OF REALITY THAN WHAT THE PASTOR IS SAYING, THAT HIS EXPERIENCE IN THAT SPACE ACTUALLY SHOWS A DISRESPECT TO THE COMMUNITY AND PROBLEMS, KIND OF LIKE THE WAY THAT HILLCREST EXPERIENCES A DISRE DISRESPECT, AND A LACK OF AWARENESS OF HOW THEY'RE BEING IMPACTED BY A BUSINESS INTEREST, AND THEY WOULD LIKE THE PEOPLE TO BE CENTERED INSTEAD OF THE OTHER GROUP BEING CENTERED. SO I'M REALLY IMPRESSED THAT YOU GUYS ARE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT AND THAT THEIR EXPERIENCES MATTER, AND I WOULD REALLY LOVE FOR YOU TO KIND OF CARRY WITH YOU GOING FORWARD WHEN WE ADDRESS ITEMS 18 AND 19. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU. >> HOWDY. MY NAME IS HARMON ALEX. LIFE LONG RESIDENT. I CONCUR WITH DR. IZA, IT'S NICE TO SEE COUNCILMEMBERs WANTING TO PUT FORTH AND FORWARD AND PRIORITIZE THE INPUT OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS. I WAS -- I WAS NOT SO MUCH SURPRISED THAT THIS WAS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE CITY TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE SILENCE OF RESIDENTS, MEANING IT'S A GO-AHEAD. SILENCE DOES NOT MEAN COMPLIANCE JUST BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, YOU RECEIVED 0 FOR, 0 AGAINST, THAT SHOULD BE A CONCERN. THAT MEANS THAT THERE'S SOME KIND OF MISSTEP IN THE MISCOMMUNICATION, MAYBE YOU'RE TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, MAIL PEOPLE INVOICES -- YOU KNOW, VOICES, BUT PERHAPS NOT RECEIVING IT. MAYBE SENDING A TEXT TO SOMEONE WITHOUT A PHONE, ET CETERA, BUT THERE WAS SOME KIND OF MISSTEP THERE, AND I COMPLETELY AGREE THAT I HOPE THAT IS THE SAME KIND OF ENERGY IN TERMS OF CITY KREBS BEING -- WANTING TO ELEVATE THE VOICES OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS IT RELATES TO A DYNAMIC LIKE THIS, HAVING COMMUNITIES SAY WE DON'T WANT THIS HERE, MANY AND YOU'RE LISTENING TO THAT AND MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT, INSTEAD OF A BUSINESS OWNER. AND QUITE FRANKLY, DOES CORPUS CHRISTI NEED ANOTHER BAR? I FREQUENT A BAR FROM TIME TO TIME, BUT DO WE NEED ANOTHER ONE? THEY'RE POPPING UP EVERYWHERE, AND WE SHOULD SUPPORT THE LOCAL BUSINESSES WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, WE GOT SOME BAR OWNERS ON COUNCIL, BUT WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER ONE, ALL RIGHT. PERHAPS WHAT WE DO NEED IS THE COMMUNITY SPACES. PERHAPS WHAT WE NEED IS TO INVEST IN THE SPACES WHERE IT BETTER STRE STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY RESILIENCE, COMMUNITY CULTURE, ET CETERA. SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE COUNCIL TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT AS WELL. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU. >> ERIC CANTU RATTLED -- OH, LAMAR CHILDRESS, AND I WAS A SCHOOL COUN COUNCILOR. >> Mayor Guarjardo: ARE YOU A CITY RESIDENT? I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOU NAME AND CITY, PLEASE. >> LAR MA WHICH I WOULD RES, CORPUS CHRISTI. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> MY FIRST YEAR AS A COUNCILOR WAS AT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AFTER MY CONTRACT, THE CORPUS CHRISTI POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS ZEROING IN ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR THE HIGH LEVEL DRUGS AND PROSTITUTION, MY MOTHER CALLED ME AND ASKED IF I READ THE ARTICLE IN THE NEWSPAPER A WEEK AFTER I GOT THE DOCTOR AND WAS I GOING TO GO DO HOME VISITS THERE, AND IF THE PROSTITUTES ASKED ME TO GO IN, WOULD I GO IN, AND YES I WOULD BE DOING HOME VISITS, AND IF THEY ASK ME TO GO IN, I'LL GO IN AND HAVE TEA AND COOKIES BECAUSE I'M AN ADVOCATE FOR THE SCHOOL. BECAUSE I TAUGHT THE KIDS IN THE SCHOOL WHEN I LIVED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND WHEN MY PARENTS WERE MARRIED, WE LIVED AN UPPER MIDDLE CLASS LIFE IN CALIF CALIFORNIA, AFTER THE DIVORCE, WE WENT TO GREAT POVERTY. I SHARED THAT WITH THE CHILDREN. I WANTED THEM TO KNOW THEY COULD MAKE SOMETHING OF THEMSELVES. MY GREATEST COMPLIMENT WAS WHEN A FIFTH GRADE GIRL COMES TO MY CL CLASS -- TO MY OFFICE AND TELLS ME, MS MS. CHILDRESS, YOU GREW UP IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, AND YOU GREW OUT OF YOUR POVERTY, MY MOM AND GRAND MOTHER TELL ME I'LL GROW UP TO BE NOTHING BUT A PROS PROSTITUTE, BUT YOU'VE SHOWN US WE CAN GROW OUT OF THIS, AND SHE WOULD GET HERSELF EDUCATED AND NEVER BE A PROSTITUTE. SO WHEN I WANT TO HEAR A CHURCH WANTS TO GO IN A NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE I WAS A COUNSELOR FOR ALL OF THESE REASONS, WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE BARS AND ALL OF THAT IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. AS YOU CAN SEE, I'M STILL HERE BECAUSE I'M AN ADVOCATE FOR KIDS. SO PLEASE, I DON'T CARE IF IT'S ACROSS THE FEET OR 400 FEET. THE FEET DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE. WE DON'T NEED ANY OF THAT IN THE ENVIRONMENT. THE CHILDREN NEED TO HAVE POSITIVE THINGS TO LOOK AT. SO THAT'S WHY I'M HERE. I HAD TO PRACTICE FOR THIS SPEECH. I'M AN ADVOCATE FOR THE KIDS. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU, MS. CHILDRESS, THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS PATRICIA GONZALEZ. I'M FROM CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, AND I'M A MEMBER OF THE CONGREGATION. I'VE BEEN SO FOR OVER 20 YEARS. AND AS OFFICER LEWIS WAS MENTIONING, WE HAVE FOUGHT HARD FOR OUR CHURCH. WE HAVE FOUGHT HARD TO BUILD THE BUILDING SO THAT WE COULD BE THERE. AS A MEMBER WHO CARES FOR HER COMMUNITY, WHO CARES FOR HER CITY, WHO CARES FOR HER CHILDREN AND FUTURE, I FEEL LIKE IT'S IN OUR BEST INTEREST TO PROTECT A SMALL CONGREGATION, TO PROTECT PEOPLE THAT ARE TRYING TO MAKE A BETTER LIFE FOR THEMSELVES. AS OFFICER LOUIS MEN MENTIONS, HE DONATES HIS TIME, WHICH WOULD BE OVER $12,000 A MONTH IF WE WERE TO PAY HIM, BUT HE CARES FOR OUR CHURCH, LOVES OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR MEMBERS, AND WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO SO WITHOUT HIM. WE HAVE HAD, AS HE MENTIONED, PEOPLE COME IN, PEOPLE STEAL, PEOPLE DESTROY, AND EVEN WITH ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED, WE FEEL LIKE THOSE THINGS ARE SAD, AND THOSE LOSSE ARE BAD, BUT WE STILL FEEL LIKE WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE FOR OUR FUTURE, WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE FO OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR OUR CITY, AND WITH YOUR HELP AND WITH YOU VOTE, WE FEEL THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND WE CAN DO WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR CITY. ONE LIFE AT A TIME. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. THE NAME IS MONA LIDEL AND I'M FROM THE HISTORICAL NEIGHBORHOOD OF HILLCREST. I'M JUST HERE SAYING IT'S SO DELIGHTFUL AND SO WARM TO HEAR THE CONCERNS THAT YOU HAVE FOR NEIGHBORHOODS, OF -- TO BUILD THEM UP, TO MAKE THEM A BETTER HOME FOR OTHERS, AND AT KILL CRUST, WE WANT THE SAME THING TOO. SO THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU. >> RACHEL GABAREYO. D1. I AM SO MOVED. I'M SO, SO MOVED. I DIDN'T KNOW YOU HAD IT IN YOU, HONESTLY. I -- I -- I -- I AM TAKEN BACK. THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THE NEEDS OF A NEIGHBORHOOD. THANK YOU FOR TALKING TO PROPERTY OWNERS. ONE ISSUE I DO HAVE, SHOCKER, IS THAT CITY STAFF LIED YET AGAIN. CITY STAFF THAT WE'VE CAUGHT LYING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. CITY STAFF THAT WE, AS A COMMUNITY, HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RELY ON FOR HONEST INFORMATION AND HONEST DISTRIBUTION OF MAKING SURE THAT MAILERS ARE BEING SENT OUT TO THE NEIGHBORS, AND THAT IS AN ISSUE, AND THAT IS WHY THIS COMMUNITY HAS A REALLY HARD TIME IN TRUSTING THIS STAFF WITH AN EXPERIMENT. SO I COMMEND THE COUNCIL -- I M HAS TO BE THE FIRST TIME FOR ME IN FOUR OR FIVE YEARS THAT WE HAVE THIS TYPE OF SUPPORT FOR -- WITHIN A COMMUNITY. IT'S AMAZING. I MEAN, I'M HOPING TH THIS -- A LEAF IT BEING TURNED OVER. AND THANK YOU FOR R RUNNING A QUICK, QUICK COUNCIL MEETING. AGAIN, FIRST TIME IN FIVE YEARS. CRAZY. CRAZINESS. THANK YOU. >> CHRISTINA ENGLISH. DISTRICT 1. I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH. THESE ARE BEAUTIFUL WORDS. THIS IS EXACTLY THE WAY WE SHOULD BE PLANNING OUR COMMUNITY. VIBRANT SPACES. YES. COMMUNITY. YES. THANK YOU. INPUT FROM THE COMM COMMUNITY. WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT BUY-IN FROM OUR COMMUNITY. YOU ARE RIGHT. THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL W WENWSENTIMENT. PLEASE CARRY THAT FORWARD IN EVERYTHING ELSE YOU DO, WITH EVERY OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD, EVERY OTHER DECISION YOU MAKE. I KNOW PEOPLE IN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS HAD BEEN PRAYING THINGS AWAY AS WELL. THEY'VE BEEN PRAYING FOR YEARS, AND I HOPE THAT THEIR PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED. I HOPE THAT WE ARE AS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRAYERS -- OF CERTAIN COMMUNITIES AS WE ARE ABOUT OTHERS. THANKS SO MUCH. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU. >> ALLY McKAY. DISTRICT 1. DIDN'T COME HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS, BUT JUST WAS, LIKE SOME OF MY OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS, MOVED BY YOUR WORDS. I LIVE IN DISTRICT 1. I HAVE LIVED IN DISTRICT 1 FOR ALMOST 15 YEARS. AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN IN TEXAS, I'VE BEEN IN DISTRICT 1, AND I LOVE THE WEST SIDE OF CORPUS CHRISTI DESPITE SOME OF THE THINGS PEOPLE SAY ABOUT IT. I THINK THERE'S SO MUCH POTENTIAL THERE. WHEN I FIRST MOVED HERE, I LIVED IN THE DONNA PARK NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THE FIRST DAY THAT I WAS HERE, MY DAD SAID, HOP IN THE TRUCK, I'LL TAKE YOU AND SHOW YOU YOUR NEW CITY. HE TOOK ME DOWN FROM NAVIGATION TO LEOPARD, AND FROM LEOPARD DOWN TO THE SEA WALL. AND SO MY FIRST VIEW AND VISION OF CORPUS CHRISTI WAS LEOPARD STREET. COMING FROM WESTERN COLORADO, I'LL SAY IT WAS QUITE A DIFFERENT -- QUITE A DIFFERENCE THAN WHAT I WAS USED TO. BUT EVEN THEN, I WAS HOPEFUL, AND I SAW POTENTIAL IN THE THINGS THAT I SAW DRIVING BY METRO MINISTRIES. I LOVE TO SEE PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE, AND SO ALL OF THAT TO BE SAID I THINK THAT WITH CITY STAFF SOMETIMES, WANTING TO DEVELOP THESE AREAS THAT ARE SOMETIMES NEGLECTED, THEY DON'T HAVE VERY MUCH VISION ON WHAT OPPORTUNITIES THESE BUILDINGS POSE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITY BEING HARDER ON THE PROPERTY OWNERS TO MAINTAIN AND UPKEEP THE BUILDINGS IN THESE AREAS SO THAT OTHER TYPES OF BUSINESSES WOULD WANT TO COME IN. WE HAVE OVERSATURATION OF BARS. WE HAVE OVERSATURATION OF CAR WASHES, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF OV OVERSATURATION OF THINGS THAT ARE PROBABLY NOT THE MOST FORWAR FORWARD-THINKING TYPES OF BUSINESSES. SO ALL OF THAT TO BE SAID, THANK YOU. I DON'T THINK THAT THIS AREA NEEDS ANOTHER BAR. I THINK THERE'S PLENTY OF BARS, AND ALSO I THINK THERE'S PLENTY OF CHURCHES. SO THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? THIS IS ITEM NUMBER 20. YES? >> ALEX VENEVIDEZ. DISTRICT 3. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. BUT I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT I AM NOT MOVED BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THIS CITY COUNCIL ACTUALLY MOVE AGAINST BUSINESSES, BUT THEY'RE ALWAYS SMALL BUSINESSES, WHETHER IT'S A BAR HERE, A CLUB OVER THERE, OR EVEN THE BUSINESSES DOWN EVERHEART WHO ARE ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE. I HAVE SEEN THE COUNCIL DO THAT, DENY BUSINESSES. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE DIFFERENT AREAS AND DIFFERENT BUSINESSES, WE CAN'T JUST LET THEM FAIL, THEY'RE TOO BIG TO FAIL, OUR POCKETS ARE BEING PADD PADDED; RIGHT. SO MY QUESTION, IT'S NOT HARD, IT'S BARELY EVEN JUST DECENT TO BE AGAINST DRUGS, TO BE AGAINST ALCOHOL, PROSTITUTION, OH, GET YOUR PICTURE IN, THEY'RE AGAINST PROSTITUTION. COOL. OKAY, BUT ARE YOU AGAINST BIG BUSINESS STARVING US OUT OF OUR WATER, STARVING OUR PEOPLE OUT OF FOOD, STEALING OUR RESOURCES, AND REFUSING TO GIVE ANYTHING BACK TO, ONE, CLEAN THE SYSTEMS THEY'VE BROKEN, TO TAKE TO REMOVE THE TOXICITIES THAT THEY'VE ADDED INTO OUR COMMUNITIES. ARE THOSE GOING TO BE MO MORAL -- ARE YOU ONLY GOING TO RULE AND USE YOUR MORALS AGAINST SMALL BUSINESS? OR IS THIS A HILL YOU'RE WILLING TO DIE ON TO BEAT PEOPLE OVER PROFIT FOR EVERY BUSINESS. >> MAYOR. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. SURE. I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND CLOSE PUBLIC COM COMMENT, AND WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON. MS. GIVE UPELS. >> I JUST WANTED TO ADD A LITTLE BIT JUST MORE CONTEXT WITH THAT AREA. IT REMINDED ME OF RENEA RODRIGUEZ WHO WAS AN ATTORNEY FOR A LONG TI TIME. HE HAD THE GANGS ORGANIZATION RIGHT THERE ON THE OTHER SIDE -- BY ST. JOSEPH CHURCH. SO, AGAIN, IT ENDED UP CLOSING DOWN, BUT I THINK IT HELPED THE CHURCH AND THAT AREA, YOU KNOW, GET RID OF SOME OF THE PROSTI PROSTITUTION, SOME OF THE DRUGS. SO, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, WE ALL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE COULD ENRICH THESE NEIGHBORHOODS, AND I JUST WANTED TO, AGAIN, JUST REMIND THE COMMUNITY AND TO PAY HOMAGE TO THE GREAT MAN WHO CARED ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND THE AREA. YOU KNOW, I JUST COULDN'T LET THIS GO WITHOUT AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGING MR MR. RODRIGUEZ, RENEA RODRIGUEZ. >> Mayor Guarjardo: OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN. OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE A SECOND. SO THE MOTION FAILS. SO NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK, GET ON SCHEDULE HERE, AND THAT WOULD TAKE US TO ITEM NUMBER 18 AND THAT IS A MOTION AUTHORIZIN A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH CORPUS CHRISTI DESAL PARTNERS, A JOINT VENTURE OF A ACCIONA AUGUST WHAT CORPORATION USA AND MASS TECH INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION TO ALLOW CCDP TO PREPARE PROPOSALS WITH PRICE CERTAINTY FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION FOR THE INNER HARBOR WATER TREATMENT CAMPUS FOR CONSIDERATION AT A FUTURE CITY COUNCIL MEETING. >> YEAH, THANK YOU, MAYOR, BRETT VAN HAZEL WILL BE PRESENTING. AND I DID WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE TEAM HERE WITH US, MANY OF US HERE FROM OUT OF TOWN, SOME OF US WHO LIVE HERE, THOUGH. SO STARTING FROM COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN'S SIDE. DAN LINE BECKER. EFRAIN FROM AXION THAT, THEY ARE THE PROCESS TECHNOLOGY, THE DESAL EXPERTS, THEY OWN AND/OR OPERATE 90 DIFFERENT FACILITIES ACROSS THE WORLD. WE HAVE CHRIS WITH MASS TE TECH, AND -- OR KEVIN FROM MASS TECH AS WELL. MASS TECH IS A LARGE CONTRACTOR THAT DOES A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION ACROSS THE WORLD, THEY'RE NUMBER 1 IN PIPE LAYING, INSTALLATION, NUMBER 1 -- EXCUSE ME. >> I'M SO SORRY. >> YEAH. NUMBER 1 IN ELECTRICAL INSULATION, NUMBER 1 IN THE COUNTRY ON SOLAR AND WIND INSULATION. GREG RAYAS IS ANOTHER FIRM THAT DOES LOCAL WORK, I'M NOT SURE HE'S HERE TODAY, BUT HE WAS HERE LAST WEEK. GREG WAS HERE. THANK YOU, GREG GREG. GREG IS HERE FROM RAY TECH, THEY'RE DOING A LOT OF WORK RIGHT NOW FROM THE OWN STEVEN'S TREATMENT PLANT, THEY'VE DONE A LOT OF STREET ON THE STREET NETWORK, INCLUDING STAPLE STREETS, ONE OF THE FIRST CONCRETE STREETS IN THE CITY. SO I WANT TO THANK GREG ROW SEWS, CHRIS AND KEVIN FROM MASTECH. SO WITH THAT, WE DO HAVE A PREPARED PRESENTATION. ARE WE LOADING IT UP? WRONG VERSION. OKAY. WELL WHILE THEY ARE PULLING UP THE RIGHT VERSION. LET ME DO AN INTRODUCTION. THIS PRESENTATION IS CONSISTENT WITH THE MEMO I SENT CITY COUNCIL ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO THAT PROVIDED AN ALTERNATE OPTION OTHER THAN JUST GOING TO THE NUMBER 2 OR THE SECOND BIDDER FOR THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS FOR THE FACILITY AT THE HARBOR, AND SO IT'S DIFFERENT IN THAT PROVIDES A SIX-MONTH REVIEW WITH A PRICE CERTAINTY ON A PLANT THAT COULD BE CONSTRUCTED THERE. AND SO WHAT THIS TEAM KNOWS AS CORPUS CHRISTI DESAL PARTNERS, CCDP AS COMMITTED TO DOING AT NO COST TO THE RATE PAYER IS USING THE INFORMATION WE HAVE TO DATE FROM KEY WEST THAT WE PAID $50 FOR, AND USING IT TO SEE WHAT COULD BE A PRICE POINT THEY COULD COME TO AND DESIGNING AND CONSTRUCTING A FACILITY IN THE INNER HAR HARBOR, SOMEWHERE IN THE FACILITY OF 30 MI 30 MILLION GALLONS, SO IT COULD BE LESS MILLIONS OF GALLONS, OR OPERATE LESS THAN WHAT WE INITIALLY THOUGHT, MAYBE NOT BE IN OPERATION DURING CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR OR SEASONS WHEN IT'S LESS CONDUCIVE TO PRODUCING FRESH WATER, AND WE'LL EXPLAIN MORE OF THAT. SO TODAY'S PRESENTATION ALSO COMES ALONG WITH A VOTE. I'M RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL TAKE A VOTE TO APPROVE AN MOU, WHICH I COULD ENTER INTO MYSELF, BUT WE WANT THE COUNCIL TO ENDORSE IT WITHOUT -- YOU KNOW, I COULD ENTER INTO AN MOU AS A CITY COUNCIL, BUT THE COUNCIL REALLY NEEDS TO BE BEHIND THIS EFFORT HERE, WHICH IS A SIX-MONTH EFFORT WITH THREE VOTES, ONE TODAY TO MOVE THE PLAN FORWARD THAT COST THE RATE PAYERS NOTHING, I SHOULD SAY. THE SECOND VOTE WOULD BE ON THE OPTION THAT THE FIRM BRINGS TO THE COUNCIL, AND THEN MAYBE SOME ITERATIONS IN THAT OPTION, AND SO IN ABOUT 6 WEEKS, THAT OPTION WOULD BE BROUGHT FORWARD TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR A VOTE, YES OR NO. AND THEN THE FINAL VOTE WOULD BE IF COUNCIL APP APPROVES, THAT OPTION WOULD BE TO APPROVE A CONTRACT FOR THE FIRM TO DESIGN AND BUILD THE PLAN. TWO OTHER QUICK NUANCES, AND THEN I'LL TURN IT OTHER TO BRETT. I'M RECOMMENDING WE DO A FAR-FIELD STUDY INDEPENDENT OF THEIR FIRM, WE WOULD MANAGE IT, THE CITY WOULD, FOR THE BY A, THE CORPUS CHRISTI BAY, THE OWE WAY SIS BAY AND THE HARBOR CHANNEL, AND IT WOULD BE NOT ONLY COMPLETED, BUT PEER REVIEWED ALONG THE DEVELOPMENT OF IT WITH PROFESSIONALS AND LAYPERSONS, PROFESSIONALS FROM INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE HEART INSTITUTE OF TMDCC, AND SOME LAY INDIVIDUALS AS WELL FROM THE HILLCREST NEIGHBORHOOD, AS AN EXAMPLE. AND THEN SECONDLY, ALONG THIS CONTINUUM, WE WOULD PUT A REQUEST IF THE COUNCIL APPROVES IN THE SIX-MONTH TIME FRAME THIS CONTRACT, WE WOULD IMMEDIATELY PUT OUT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR AN OPERATOR OF THE FACILITY, AND SO THAT'S ANOTHER DIFFERENCE. THE CITY -- I'M RECOMMENDING THE CITY NO LONGER ENTERTAIN OPERATING THE PLANT, BUT RATHER A PRIVATE SECTOR FIRM WOULD FOR A TERM OF 30 PLUS YEARS AND THE CITY WOULD HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THAT COMPANY ESSENTIALLY TO BUY WATER. THAT WOULD BRING EXPERTISE TO THE OPERATING, THAT WE DON'T HAVE ADMITTEDLY, AND IF IT'S A FIRM THAT HAS PRESENCE WORLDWIDE IN OPERATING AND MAINTAINING D DESAL PLANTS, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A BETTER, EFFICIENT MOVE FOR THE CITY. SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE NUANCES OF HOW THIS PLAN IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE HAD TALKED ABOUT AT THE WATER WORKSHOP MOST RECE RECENTLY, WHICH IS JUST TO GO TO THE NUMBER 2 BIDDER AND OFFER A CONTRACT. THIS ONE, AS BRETT WILL GET INTO SAYS LET'S TAKE 6 MONTHS AND HAVE A FIRM, A COMPANY AT NO COST PROVIDE US PROPOSALS, DECIDE IF WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD ON THOSE OR NOT, AND ALONG THOSE LINES, IF WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD, DO A FAR FIELD MODEL AND THEN PUT IN A FEEL FOR AN OPERATOR, MAINTAINER OF THE FACILITY. AND WITH THAT, BRETT WILL GO TO THE PRESENTATIONS, AND LOAD IT UP. AND HE AND THE TEAM IN FRONT OF US IN FRONT OF US WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I THINK IT'S AFTERNOON. BRETT VAN HAZEL. WATER GIT MANAGEMENT FOR CORPUS CHRISTI WATER. SO IN ADDITION TO THE PROPOSAL PETER WAS JUST DESCRIBING, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT COUPLE OTHER THINGS, ONE IS THE WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD LOAN U UPDATE. WE'LL GO THROUGH THAT, WE HAD SOME RECENT REQUESTS ARE FROM COUNCIL, SO I CAN PROVIDE UPDATES ON THAT, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE PROJECT STATUS AS IT RELATES REALLY TO KEY WWIT AND THEIR TERMINATION. GO THROUGH THE CITY MANAGERS PROPOSAL, AGAIN, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE FAR FIELD MODELING PROPOSAL, WHICH WOULD FOCUS ON THE CORPUS CHRISTI BAY, KNEW ASSESS BAY, AND THE SHIP CHANNEL, AND THEN TALK ABOUT THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION. SO STAFF SUBMITTED A REQUEST REQUESTING THAT THE CURRENT SWIFT ZONES BE REAUTHORIZED OR REASSIGNED TO OTHER PROJECTS, AND THOSE TWO PROJECTS IN PARTICULAR THAT WE WERE FOCUSED ON WAS THE E ADVANTAGE LINE GROUND WATER PROJECT AND THE WASTE WATER REUSE INITIATIVE. SO WE SUBMITTED THAT TO THE WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD, AND WE DID RECEIVE A RESPONSE BACK FROM THE EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE, BRINE MCMATH, AND HIS RESPONSE, SIMPLY PUT, SAID THAT HE WOULD NOT MAKE ANY RECOMMENDATION TO MOVE THE FUNDS TO ANY OTHER PROJECT. SO HIS -- HE SIMPLY STATED THAT HE WOULD DENY ANY CHANGE TO THE USE OF THOSE SWIFT LOANS. SO WE DID RECEIVE THAT ONE EARLIER IN OCTOBER. IT'S ALSO WORTH NOTING THAT IN SEPTEMBER, THE CITY DID SUBMIT A -- OUR ANNUAL LOAN CLOSING SCHEDULE TO THE WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD, SO ANNUALLY, WE HAVE TO SUBMIT OUR PROPOSED DRAW DOWN OF THE SWIFT LOANS, SO WE HAVE REQUESTED THAT THIS YEAR'S DRAW DOWN BE DEFERRED TO NEXT YEAR. SO IN DECEMBER THE BOARD, THE WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD IS GOING TO CONSIDER THAT REQUEST. SO I -- I MENTION THAT BECAUSE TODAY'S DECISION MAY IMPACT THEIR DECISION, SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU GUYS KNEW THAT. REGARDING THE PROJECT STATUS UPDATE, SO IN SEPTEMBER, ON THE 23rd, WE HAD A COUNCIL WORKSHOP, AND AT THAT WORKSHOP, I PRESENTED FOUR ALTERNATE DELIVERY OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION. ONE OF THOSE, AS PETER MENTIONED, WAS TO GO TO THE NUMBER 2 RANKED FIRM, WHICH WAS AXIONA. THAT OPTION WAS NOT SELE SELECTED, NOR WERE ANY OF THE OTHER THREE. TODAY'S CITY MANAGER'S PROPOSAL IS A VARIATION OF THAT, AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT MORE. AT THE OCTOBER 3 COUNCIL MEETING, CITY COUNCIL DIRECTED STAFF TO TERMINATE THE CONTRACT WITH KEYWIT. SO FOLLOWING THAT MEETING, CITY ISSUED A TERMINATION NOTICE FOR KEYWIT, AND SINCE THAT TIME, THE CITY HAS BEEN WORKING WITH KEYWIT TO CLOSE OUT THEIR CONTRACT, TO INCLUDE COLLECTING ALL OF THE PROJECT DELIVERABLES AND DATA. THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON D DEMOBILIZING THE PILOT P PLANT, BOTH AT THE PORT PROPERTY ALONG THE SHIP CHANNEL AS WELL AS ALL THE COMMITMENT AT THEIR SHIPPING YARD. WE'VE ALSO CLOSED OUT ALL OF THEIR SUBCONTRACTS, AGREEMENTS ISSUES LICENSES, LEASES, ET CETERA, ALL OF THOSE HAVE BEEN CLOSED. THE CITY IS IN THE PROCESS OF INVENTORYING ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT KEY WIT DID PURCHASE THAT CANNOT BE RETURNED, SO WE'RE PLANNING ON TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THAT EQUIPMENT, GO OUT, GRAB IT, AND BRING IT BACK TO CCW, FOR POTENTIAL USE MAYBE ON THIS PROJECT OR OTHER PROJECTS AROUND THE CITY WE CAN UTILIZE THAT EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL FOR AND THEN FINAL INVOICING ON KEY WIT, A COUPLE INVOICES THAT ARE PENDING, FINALIZING THE NUMBERS, MAKING SURE WE'RE PAYING FOR EVERYTHING APPROPRIATELY. SO IN ADDITION TO THE EQUIPMENT AND ALL OF THE DATA TO INCLUDE, LIKE, THE BASIS OF DESIGN RE REPORT, THE PILOT PROTOCOL, AND OTHER DESIGN DELIVERABLES, WE D HAVE A NUMBER OF ASSETS AVAILABLE TO THE CITY FOR FUTUR USE ON THE PROJECT TO INCLUDE THE SWIFT LOANS, WHICH, AGAIN, THE WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD WIL MAKE A VOTE ON OUR REQUEST FOR DEFERMENT IN DECEMBER. WE ALSO HAVE BOTH OF OUR I INTAKE AND DISCHARGE PER PERMITS, WHICH ARE FULLY APPROVED BY THE TCEQ, AND OUR CORPS APPROVEMENT A APPROVED. WE HAVE OUR PROPERTY AGREEMENT IN USE WITH FLINT HILLS, AND OUR AGREEMENT WITH AEP FOR POWER. SO THAT'S BEEN PAID FOR. AEP IS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THAT SUBSTATION. AND THEN LASTLY, WE HAVE OUR EXISTING NAVIGATION PUMP STATION. SO THAT IS STILL AVAILABLE, AND READY TO BE UTILIZED IF WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROJECT, SO THAT WILL BE OUR TIE-IN POINT FOR ANY WATER PRODUCED FROM THE PLANT MOVING FORWARD. SO AS PETER WAS MENTIONING EARLIER, WE -- WE HAVE -- MAN, DID I MOVE FORWARD TOO MUCH? SORRY. I KNEW IT THREW ME OFF. SO THE CITY MANAGER PROP PROPOSAL, AS HE WAS DESCRIBING EARLIER INCLUDES PARTNERING WITH THE NUMBER 2 RANKED FIRM, WHICH IS ACC ACCIONA, AND THEY PLAN TO ENTER INTO A JOINT VENTURE WITH MASS TECH, AND THAT JOINT VENTURE IS THE CORPUS CHRISTI DESAL PARTNERS. AND WE HAVE A LOT OF THOSE PARTNERS HERE TODAY. SO THE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PROPOSALS IS THE ORIGINAL ONE INCLUDED DES DESIGN, BUILD, AND ONE YEAR OF MAINTENANCE AND OPER OPERATION, AND THEN AFTER THAT TIME, THE CITY WOULD ACTUALLY TAKE OWNERSHIP AND OPERATION OF THE PLANT. THE NEW PLAN TAKES THAT ONE YEAR OPERATION FROM THE DESIGN BUILDER, AND WE'RE GOING TO GO OUT WITH A NEW CONTRACT, NEW PROCUREMENT PROCESS TO GET AN OW OWNER/OPERATOR IN IT. WE'LL STILL OWN IT, SO MAYBE NOT THE RIGHT TERM, IT'S AN OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE COMPANY TO COME IN TO MAINTAIN IT FOR A 30-YEAR TERM AND DO A TAKE OR PAY CONTRACT WITH THEM BUYING THE WATER. THE OTHER BIG CHANGE IS WE'RE GOING TO BE PROVIDING ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT KIEWIT HAS DEVELOPED TO DA DATE, THEY'LL USE THAT TO DEVELOP PROPOSALS THAT WILL OUTLINE MAYBE A PARTICULAR PRODUCTION RATE, IE, YOU KNOW, 20 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY, 20 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY, AND A PRICE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT PRODUCTION. SO AS WE'VE TURNED IT, A PRELIMINARY PRICE THAT WOULD -- INTO THE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT, WE WOULD CONTINUE TO REFINE THAT AND WORK TOWARDS THAT GMP NUMBER, THAT PRELIMINARY GMP NUMBER. SO THE TIMELINE THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY TARGETING IS TODAY IS STEP 1, SO WE'RE PRESENTING THI ITEM, THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR CONSIDERATION SO ASSUMING THAT WE GET TODAY'S APPROVAL, THE NEXT STEP WILL BE FOR CITY STAFF TO TURN OVER ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WE'VE BEEN PROVIDED FROM KIEWIT. THE CORPUS CHRISTI DESAL PARTNER GROUP WILL EVALUATE THE DATA, AND THEY'LL DEVELOP MULTIPLE OPTIONS FOR THE CITY TO CONSIDER, AND WE WILL BE BRINGING THE ITEM BACK TO CITY COUNCIL IN TH THE -- CALL IT FEBRUARY TIME FRAME WHERE WE WILL PRESENT THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION. COUNCIL WILL CHOOSE ONE OF THE OPTIONS, AND THEN WE WILL THEN TAKE THAT, WE WILL WORK WITH THE CORPUS CHRISTI DESAL PARTNER GROUP, AND WE WILL DEVELOP A CONTRACT WHICH WE WILL THEN BRING BACK TO COUNCIL AGAIN FOR CONSIDERATION, AND THEN UPON APPROVAL OF THAT CONTRACT, WE'LL PROCEED WITH THE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THEN TRANSITION INTO CONSTR CONSTRUCTION. SO JUST A REMINDER, WE HAVE THREE VOTES. WE HAVE ONE TODAY, AND THEN WE HAVE TWO EARLY NEXT YEAR. SO, AGAIN, THE CORPUS CHRISTI DESAL PARTNERS, AND I DO APOLOGIZE, IT'S NOT CCPD, IT GETS CONFUSING WHEN YOU'RE WRITING THIS OUT MULTIPLE TIMES THE GROUP IS ACCIONA AND MASS TECH, AND THEN THEY HAVE A NUMBER OF STRONG, LOCAL TEAM MEMBERS INVOLVED, AND SOME OF THEM INCLUDE THE ONES I'VE L LISTED UP HERE, WITH, AGAIN, RA TECH, GRAY RAY YA BEING HERE TODAY AND THEN ARDURRA AND HIS TEAM, SO WE HAVE SOME STRONG LOCAL AND NATIONAL TEAM MEMBERS INVOLVED WITH AXION THAT IS THE DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT GROUP, WITH THEIR TEAM OF CONSULTANTS, THEY DEVELOP THE DESIGN, THEY HAVE EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN WATER TREATMENT, AND DESALINATION, SO THEY HAVE A STRONG GROUP READY TO PERFORM. AND THEN MASS TECH, WHICH IS A STRONG CONSTRUCTION FIRM, AND THEY HAVE A STRONG GROUP OF PEOPLE UNDERNEATH THEM, AND THEY'LL BE INVOLVED THE ENTIRE WAY THROUGH THE PROJECT, AND BOTH PARTIES HAVE EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN LARGE, COMPLEX PROJECTSES, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH HERE ON THE INNER HARBOR PROJECT, SO WE HAVE THE RIGHT GROUP OF PEOPLE READY TO DESIGN AND BUILD THIS PROJECT. TRANSITIONING OVER TO OTHER MODELS STAFF IS PROPOSING TODAY, IS A FAR FIELD MODEL, WHICH IS MODELING THE SHIP CHANNEL, CORPUS CHRISTI BAY AND NUECES BAY, SO WE'LL BE RECOMMENDING GOING OUT WITH A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT AND GETTING A QUALIFIED HYDRO DYNAMIC MODELER TO PERFORM THIS MODELING. SO WE WOULD PUT THIS OUT, WE WOULD GET A LIST OF RECOMMENDED COMPANIES, AND THEN WE WOULD COME BACK TO CITY COUNCIL FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. ONCE WE HAVE THAT APPROVAL, WE WOULD -- AND ACTUALLY PRIOR TO THAT, WE WOULD START WORKING ON DEVELOPING A TEAM OF INDIVIDUALS FROM OUR COMMUNITY, PETER LISTED OFF A NUMBER OF THEM EAR EARLIER, AND THAT GROUP WOULD BE INVOLVED DURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MODELING, AND THEN ALSO BECOMES PART OF THE REVIEW ON THE F FINDINGS. SO BRING IT BACK TO COUNCIL. DEVELOP A REPORT, WE WOULD HAVE THAT GROUP AT THE PEER REVIEW, AND THEN COME BACK AND PRESENT IT AT CITY COUNCIL NOW, THIS MODELING EFFORT WOULDN'T HAPPEN UNTIL AFTER WE SAID WE'RE GOING TO -- AND, PETER, THIS IS WHERE I MAYBE NEED SOME GUIDANCE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO PURSUE, GET A RECO RECOMMENDED MODELER, COME BACK, BUT I THINK WE MAY WAIT UNTIL OUR THIRD VOTE ON THE ACTUAL PROJECT BEFORE WE PROCEED. >> THAT'S CORRECT. WE'LL BEGIN WRITING THE RFP BUT ISSUE DID. >> RIGHT. SO THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO COME BACK WITH ALL OF THIS READY, AND IF WE PROCEED WITH THE PROJECT, WE WOULD HAVE EVERYTHING READY TO PROCEED WITH THE MODELING EFFORT. YEP. SO SOME OF THE FORTHCOMING STAFF ACTIONS, ONE WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT IS WE'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY TERMINATE THE TAX ORDER WE HAVE WITH FREEZE AND NICKELS TO PERFORM OWNER AGENT SERVICES FOR THE INNER HARBOR PROJECT. WE'RE GOING TO GO OUT AND -- WITH A NEW COMPETITIVE P PROCUREMENT PROCESS TO GET ANOTHER OWNER'S REPR REPRESENTATIVE. SO WE'LL START THAT PRO PROCUREMENT PROCESS NEXT MONTH, SO START DEVELOPING WHAT THAT PACKAGE LOOKS LIKE AND THEN PUT IT OUT. IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO GET AN OWNER'S AGENT ON BOARD PRIOR TO STARTING THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION. SO WE WILL HAVE ALL OF THAT COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE THIRD VOTE TO AWARD THE ACTUAL DESIGN BUILD CONTRACT IF WE GET TO THAT PHASE THE NEXT ITEM WE'LL BE WORKING TOWARDS IS THE ONE I WAS TALKIN ABOUT TO GO OUT FOR A FAR FIELD MODELING CONSULTANT TO PERFORM THE HYDRO DYNAMIC MODELING, AND THEN LASTLY GOING OUT WITH A COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT FOR THE 30 YEAR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT. AND, AGAIN, THIS ONE WOULD ALSO START AFTER WE -- IF WE DECIDE TO PROCEED WITH THE DESIGN BUILD CONTRACT WITH THE CORPUS CHRISTI DESAL PARTNERS. SO OUR STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER T EXECUTE AN MOU WITH CCDP, AND THIS WILL ALLOW THEM TO DEVELOP THE PROPOSALS AT NO COST TO THE CITY, AND THE PROPOSALS, AGAIN, WILL BE SUBMITTED BASED ON THE SCHEDULE THAT WAS SHOWN EARLIER. SO WE'D BE LOOKING AT A FEBRUARY TIME FRAME TO COME BACK TO REVIEW THOSE OPT OPTIONS. COUNCIL WOULD VOTE ON AN OPTION, AND THEN THE CITY WOULD DEVELOP A CONTRACT BASED ON THAT OPTION, WHICH WE WOULD THEN COME BACK IN APRIL FOR APPROVAL. THAT IS THE END OF THE PRESENTATION. I STAND BY READY FOR QUESTIONS. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU, BRETT. COUNCILMEMBER CANTU. >> Cantu: THANK YOU, MAYOR. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU PETER FOR DOING THIS. SO YOU SAID THAT WE SENT THE LETTER OUT TO TWDB TO ASK FOR AN EXTENSION FOR THE SECOND SET OF MONEYS; RIGHT. >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> Cantu: OKAY. AND WE WON'T GET THAT ANSWER UNTIL DECEMBER WHEN THEY VOTE FOR IT IT; CITIT; CORRECT. >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> Cantu: OKAY. MY OTHER QUESTION IS YOU SAID THAT WE WILL NOT DO A FAR FIELD STUDY UNTIL AFTER THE THIRD VOTE; IS THAT CORRECT? IS THAT WHAT YOU SAID. >> SO I THINK THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION IS WE WAIT, IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS, YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY UP TO COUNCIL -- I MEAN. >> Cantu: I MEAN, I THINK THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW IF IT'S SAFE OR NOT. I MEAN, EVEN IF IT GETS VOTED DOWN TODAY, WE STILL HAVE PERMITS. >> THAT'S RIGHT. >> Cantu: SO WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT IF THIS IS GOOD FOR OUR BAY YOU KNOW, ONCE AND FOR ALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE CAN'T JUST GET THAT DONE, YOU KNOW? WE NEED TO GET THAT DONE STARTING TOMORROW. EVEN IF IT DOESN'T GET THE VOTES TODAY. I MEAN, THAT'S WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS. EVERYBODY WHO COMES TO PUBLIC COMMENT, EVERYBODY ON SOCIAL MEDIA IS TALKING ABOUT IT. YOU KNOW, AND I THINK WE NEED TO DO IT. WE HAVE THE MONEY. YOU KNOW, I THINK WE NEED TO DO THAT. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE HAVE TO WAIT. >> COUNCILMAN, WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT. WE CAN PROCEED. >> Cantu: BECAUSE WHAT IS ETA FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT? IF WE'RE GOING TO USE THE SAME PERSON WHO DID THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI; CORRECT? IS THAT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT? >> WE'LL GO OUT COMPETITIVE. SO WE'RE GOING TO GET HYDRO DYNAMIC MODELERS THAT ARE QUALIFIED AND THEN MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL. SO WE'RE NOT SAYING WE'LL GO TO ANY PARTICULAR PERSON, WE'RE SAYING WE'LL PUT IT OUT AND LET PEOPLE BID ON IT AND THEN SELECT THE BEST QUALIFIED PERSON TO DO IT. >> Cantu: IS THERE A TIME FRAME FOR THE RESULTS OF EVERYTHING? >> I WOULD SAY PROBABLY 3 TO 4 MONTHS WAS A GOOD TIMELINE FOR THEM TO COLLECT ALL THE DATA AND RUN THE MODELS AGAIN. BRETT BRETT. >> Cantu: OKAY. HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK IT WOULD COST? >> I MEAN, WE'VE SEEN PROPOSALS $50,000 TO $100,000. >> Cantu: OKAY. IT'S NOT $1 MIL $1 MILLION; RIGHT. >> NOT $1 MILLION. >> Cantu: JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE. MY OTHER CONCERN IS THE PFAS IN THE WATERS. SO MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO START REGULATING THAT IN 2030 IS THAT TRUE? >> NICK CAN SPEAK TO THAT, THAT SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT, COUNCILMAN, BUT THE ONLY TREATMENT WORLDWIDE TO REMOVE THAT IS A DESALINATION FACILITY, SO IT WILL R REMOVE IT FROM THE WA WATER, WE DON'T HAVE THAT TREATMENT PRO PROCESSING AT OUR OWN STEVENS, BUT THERE IS MANDATES THAT ARE ON THE BOOKS RIGHT NOW TO REGULATE THAT. >> Cantu: I WANT TO MAKE SURE I WE BUILT THIS PLANT AND THEN 2030 COMES AROUND, MORE OR LESS THE TIME FRAME THAT WE'RE OPEN, WILL WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED TO BE IN REQUIREMENTS. >> SO REVERSE OSMOSIS OR RO IS THE PREFERRED AND PROVEN TECHNOLOGY TO R REMOVE PFAS FROM WATER, AND THAT WOULD BE THE SAME TREATMENT USED IN SEA WATER DESALINATION. >> Cantu: AND I ALSO WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT IN THIS WHOLE PROCESS, EVEN IF IT GETS TO THE THIRD VOTE, I WANT TO KNOW WHO THE CONTRACTORS ARE. I WANT TO KNOW WHO'S MAKING MONEY OFF OF THIS DEAL. I WANT TO BE FULL TR TRANSPARENT WITH THE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, IF THE FAR FIELD STUDY COMES BACK GOOD AND WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROJECT. WHAT I WANT TO DO ALSO IS -- IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE WHY WE'RE GOING TO VOTE TODAY AND NOT KNOW WHAT THE BOARD SAYS ABOUT OUR MONEY. I MEAN, IF THEY SAY NO, I MEAN, HOW ARE WE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS? >> IT'S AT NO COST TO THE CITY COUNCIL. >> Cantu: I DON'T WANT TO WASTE THEIR TIME. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BOARD SAYS, HEY, WE'RE GOING TO EXTEND IT, YOU KNOW, AND WE COULD MOVE FORWARD AND GET A PRICE AND ALL OF THAT STUFF. THAT'S THE ONLY THING I'M SAYING. >> COUNCILMAN, WE'RE GOING TO KNOW THAT IN THREE WEEKS, I THINK THE BOARD MEETING IS THE SECOND WEEK IN DECEMBER, SO WITH THE THANKSGIVING WEEK NEXT WEEK, NOT MUCH WILL TAKE PLACE, SO THAT LOST TIME IS REALLY A WEEK OR SO, AND RYAN SCAR BOW AND THE TEAM IN FRONT OF ME PLAN TO VISIT BRIAN McMATH AT THE TEXAS WATER BOARD AT THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING HERE. SO WE FELT CONFIDENT -- THE STATE IS STILL VERY MUCH BEHIND US HERE AT THE CORPUS CHRISTI, THE STATE, AND I BELIEVE THEY ARE, SO THEY WANT THIS PROJECT TO SUCCEED, BUT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND IT, AND SO WE'RE ALREADY PLANNING A TRIP UP TH THERE, DECEMBER 1, THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 1. >> Cantu: OKAY. ZAP ZAP. MY WHOLE DEAL WITH THIS INNER HARBOR PROJECT WAS A PRICE AND NOT GETTING A FAR FIELD STUDY. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN FOR D DESAL, WE NEED DESAL FOR OUR PARTNERS. I WANT TO BE OPEN- OPEN-MINDED, WE CAN'T MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY, BUT I WANT TO BE ABLE TO MEET EVERYBODY IN THE MIDDLE. THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, AND I REPRESENT A DISTRICT THAT IT'S A WORKING CLASS PEOPLE, $10, $15 EXTRA A MONTH MIGHT NOT MEAN A LOT TO SOME OF U US, BUT IT MEANS A LOT TO SOME OF OTHER. AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE A LOT OF SENIORS IN DISTRICT 3. YOU KNOW, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING FOR THE SE SENIORS WHO CAN'T AFFORD IF THIS MOVES FORWARD. YOU KNOW, THAT'S JUST -- SOME OF THE STUFF THAT I HAVE ISSUES WITH. BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE A MOTION. I DON'T KNOW HOW I'LL MAKE THIS MOTION, BUT I WANT TO MAKE THIS MOTION AS IF WE'RE GOING TO PASS THIS, TO GET A PRICE TAG ON IT, I WANT TO SEE THE FACT -- I WANT THEM TO START WO WORKING ON IT AFTER WE GET SOMETHING BACK FROM THE BOARD STATING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO EXTEND IT, BECAUSE IF THEY'RE NOT GOING TO EXTEND IT, THEN WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF DOING IT? WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. SO I WANT TO -- I WANT TO DO SOMETHING WITH A MOTION WITH THAT, AND ALSO MAKE SURE THAT THE FAR FIELD STUDY GETS DONE WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD THAT THEY'RE DOING THEIR PRICE TAG ON THE PROJECT. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY I'M GOING TO VOTE ON THIS TODAY. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN CAMPOS. >> Campos: WELL, YOU KNOW MY POSITION ON THIS INNER HARBOR HAS NOT CHANGED. THE WORST LOCATION. IT'S A SHAME THAT WE ARE BACK HERE AGAIN, AND I'M GOING TO USE THAT WORD, A SHAME, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, HERE WE, YOU KNOW, VOTED TO DO AWAY WITH THE CONTRACT WITH KI KIEWIT, SO HERE WE ARE ON THE SECOND BIDDER, YOU KNOW, THAT CAME IN. APPARENTLY NO DOESN'T SEEM TO -- I MEAN, IT FALLS ON DEAF EARS. NO IS NO. SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND EITHER HOW WE'VE BEEN ASKING FOR THE FAR FIELD MODELING FOR YEARS, AND WE'RE STILL -- WE'RE S SAYING WE HAVE TO WAIT, WE HAVE TO WAIT. THERE'S NOTHING TO WAIT. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE. I'VE HEARD FROM THE HEART INSTITUTE OR I HAVE READ THAT THAT LOCATION, AGAIN, IS THE WORST ONE. THE WORST LOCATION. SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ASSURE THE COMMUNITY, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT GETS TAKEN CARE OF SO WE DON'T HAVE A TH THIRD, FOURTH, FI FIFTH, ANOTHER CORPORATION GOING OVER HERE AND T TELLING US THEY CAN BUILD THE DESALINATION PLANT AND NOT DESTROY THE BAY OR THE BELOVED HILLCREST NEIGHBORHOOD. SO MY STANCE, LIKE I SAID, HAS NOT CHANGED. I SEE A LOT OF INDUSTRY FOLKS HERE. AND I ACKNOWLEDGE, YOU KNOW, THAT YOU DO PRESENT A CERTAIN WORK FORCE, BUT IT'S NOT THE ENTIRE WORKFORCE. OKAY. AND IT'S UNFAIR THAT THE POWERS THAT BE DECIDE WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE I THINK THE PRESSURE THAT SOME OF MY COUNCILMEMBERS. I'M NOT -- THANK GOD I'M NOT -- I DON'T GET THE CALLS OR THE PRESSURE LIKE MY FELLOW COUNCILWOMAN ACKNOWLEDGED LAST TIME THAT SHE WAS PRESSURED TO SUPPORT THE INNER HARBOR DESALINATION PLANT. I DON'T GET THAT. I DON'T RECEIVE THAT BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHERE I STAND. I STAND WITH THE PEOPLE. I WILL ALWAYS STAND WITH THE PEOPLE. I WILL ALWAYS CENTER THEM FIRST. >> Mayor Guarjardo: GUYS, I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOU, COUNCILWOMAN, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE DECORUM BROKEN, AND IF ANYBODY WANTS TO BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE HERE FOR A WHILE, WE CAN HEAD OUT NOW BECAUSE THERE WILL NOT BE TOLERATION FOR CLAPPING, SIGNS, THIS, THAT, AND THE OTHER. SO I'M LETTING YOU KNOW NOW. FAIR AND SQUARE. THANK YOU. >> Campos: AND IT'S ALSO -- YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A CITY MANAGER -- WE -- THAT -- YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT THAT THE DIRECTION THAT YOU ARE GIVEN WAS NO, BUT APPARENTLY NO DOESN'T MAKE -- DOESN'T MEAN NO FOR SOME PEOPLE. AGAIN, THIS -- YOU KNOW, YOU CAN SEE HOW IMPORTANT THIS ISSUE IS. LOOK AT THIS. WE'RE FILLED, AND IT'S 1:15. THE PROBLEM HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT IT HAS NEVER BEEN UP FOR A VOTE. AND THIS IS THE ONLY VOICE THAT WE HAVE. WE GET 3 MINUTES OR THE PEOPLE GET 3 MINUTES TO SHOW THEIR CONCERNS TO, YOU KNOW, LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW WHY, AND IN MOST OF THE CASE, THEY DON'T WANT THIS, THEY NEVER HAVE, AND THEY WON'T EVER. SO I'M SORRY THAT YOU ARE, YOU KNOW, BEING PUT THROUGH THIS, BRETT, BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S NOT EASY TO STAND HERE AND TRY TO BALANCE THIS. BUT NO. YOU KNOW, I WILL CONTINUE TO SAY NO. SO I'LL LET THE OTHERS SPEAK. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU COUNCILWOMAN. COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN. >> Vaughn: OKAY. BEBARE WITH ME, BECAUSE I'VE GOT NOTES AND I'LL HAVE TO COME BACK. FIRST OFF, I THINK THERE'S A SPLIT. YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT DO WANT DESAL, YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO DON'T. THAT'S THE WAY IT IS. SOMEONE SAID THEY'D DO THE SURVEY, I'D BUY THAT SURVEY. WE DON'T KNOW WHO IS AND WHO ISN'T. WE DIDN'T TAKE IT TO THE VOTERS. IN YOUR DEFENSE, I'LL SAY YOU WENT TO SOME COUNCILMEMBERS, MAYBE ALL, YOU KNEW WHAT EVERYONE WAS THINKING. WOULD THEY GO TO A SECOND BIDDER, I SAID ABSOLUTELY. BECAUSE LET ME TELL YOU, I'M GETTING ALL KINDS OF TEXTS AGAIN. YOU CAN KEEP TEXTING ME, I'VE GOT BROAD SHOU SHOULDERS. I AM NOT A FLIP-FLOPPER. I HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT FROM MY MESSAGE FROM THE GET GO. $1.2 BILLION IS TOO MUCH TO PUT ON OUR RATE P PAYERS, AND I STAND BY THAT. AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS SAFE, IN THE RIGHT PLACE, AND THERE'S DIVISION ON THAT TOO. WE DON'T KNOW. SOME SAY IT IS, SOME SAY IT ISN'T. SO THAT'S WHY MR. ZOO KNOW ANY, THE FAR FIELD STUDY IS IMPORTANT, AND IT NEEDS TO BE GOT ON IMMEDIATELY, I'M TALKING NEXT WEEK, YOU PUT IT ON, DO IT, AND WE PUT EVERYTHING TO REST, EVERYONE KNOWS. AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR GOING FORWARD AND DOING THIS. I THINK YOU'VE PUT A GREAT TEAM TOGETHER. I KNOW SOME OF THEM. I'M VERY IMPRESSED, MET WITH THEM THE OTHER DAY, LEARNED SO MUCH MORE IN AN HOUR AND A HALF, THAN I EVER DID WITH KIEWIT IN TWO OR THREE MEE MEETINGS. AND THESE GUYS CARE, OR THEY WOULDN'T BE HERE. DAN LINEDECKER HAS BEEN HERE FOREVER. HE DOESN'T WANT TO HURT OUR COMMUNITY. GREG RAISES IS BACK THERE. HAVEN'T SEEN HIM FOR A LONG TIME. AND I'M IMPRESSED WITH THE OTHERS. I REALLY AM. SO MUCH GOOD INFOR INFORMATION. SO I THINK THAT WHAT TODAY'S VOTE IS NOT S SAYING WE'RE GOING TO DO DESAL, IT'S SAYING WE'RE GOING TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK WITH A PRICE. WE ALL HAVE TO BE OPEN MINDED, WHO DOES NOT WANT TO HEAR THAT? IT'S COSTING THE CITY NOTHING? NOW, IF THEY MOVE FORWARD AND THEY DO IT, I'M NOT STUPID, THEY MAY ADD IT TO THE PRICE. IT MAY BE IN THE BID. I'M NOT STUPID, THEY'RE HERE TO MAKE MONEY, BUT THEY'RE TAKING A RISK TO DO THAT. BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW IF WE'LL DO IT. SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. NOW LET ME ASK A COUPLE QUESTIONS. HOW MANY DESAL PLANTS. IS IT ACCIONA. I'VE HEARD IT TWO WAYS. HOW MANY HAVE YA'LL BUILT? >> YOU JUST TURNED IT OFF. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THERE YOU GO. >> COUNCILMEMBER, WE HAVE BUILT OVER 90 FACILITIES WORLDWIDE FROM SMALL TO SOME OF THE LARGEST, UP TO 220 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY. ALSO OPERATE CURRENTLY 25 FACILITIES WORLDWIDE, AND THAT'S THE EXPERTISE THAT WE PLAN TO BRING TO -- IDE SOLUTIONS THAT CAN HELP THE CITY. >> Vaughn: HOW'S THAT WORKING FOR YOU? >> EXCELLENT. WE ARE THE LEADER ON DESALINATION, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF IT. WE WANT TO FIND THE RIGHT SOLUTION FOR THE RIGHT COMMUNITY, AND EVERY COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING DIFFERENT. >> Vaughn: YOU KNOW WE HAVE ISSUES IN THE INNER HARBOR BECAUSE IT'S ENCLOSED. SO HAVE YOU BUILT ANY THAT ARE ANY LIKE THAT, I KNOW EVERY ONE OF THEM IS DIFFERENT. THE WATER, EVERYTHING. SO CAN YOU TELL ME, HAVE YOU BUILT ANY IN THE AREAS THAT ARE CLOSE TO WHAT WE'RE DOING. I HEARD SOMEONE CALL ME YESTERDAY. PERT. >> THEY HAVE CERTAIN CHALLENGES. I WOULD SAY WE HAVE BUILT FACILITIES THAT HAVE SIMILAR CHALLENGES. PART OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO AND START DOING OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS IS IDENTIFYING WHAT ARE THOSE SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS THAT MAY NEED TO BE APPLIED HERE TO BRING THAT SAFE AND RELIKE ALTERNATIVE. I DO NOT HAVE THE ANSWER RIGHT NOW, BUT I DO THINK WE HAVE THE EXPERTISE TO IDENTIFY WHAT THAT SOLUTION MAY BE. >> Vaughn: THANK YOU FOR BEING HONEST. I APPRECIATE THAT. HAVE YOU HEARD OF MICRO INFILTRATION. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT I IS? >> MICRO FILTRATION. YES. >> Vaughn: BECAUSE WHAT THIS MA WAS TELLING ME, IT'S SMART. AND HE KNOWS. IN DESAL, IT'S THE CLOSEST ONE TO OUR SITUATION. IT'S OPERATING WELL. SEA HOURSES ARE IN TH THERE. I KNOW MANY OF YOU ARE SHAKING HEADS. SAID IT WON'T WORK. WE DON'T KNOW IF IT'LL WORK UNTIL WE GET MORE INFORMATION. SO I APPRECIATE YA'LL TRYING TO HELP US ON THAT FREEZE AND NICKELS. I THOUGHT WE HAD ALREADY TERMINATED THEM. >> Brett: SO THE FREEZE AND N NICKELS CONTRACT WAS AN MSA CONTRACTS WITH MULTIPLE TASK ORDERS, AND ONLY ONE OF THOSE TASK ORDERS WAS ASSIGNED TO THE INNER HARBOR PROJECT, SO THE OTHER TASK ORDERS ACTIVE ARE WORKING ON OTHER PROJECTS, OTHE ITEMS. SO WHAT WE WERE DOING IS WE WERE GOING TO TERMINATE THE TASK ORDER BUT FREEZE AND NICKELS IS STILL ASSISTING US WITH THE CLOSEOUT WITH KIEWIT, ASSISTING US WITH THE REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST FROM THE WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD, AND THEY ALSO -- IF WE D DEFEASE THE LOANS, THEY WERE GOING TO HELP US THROUGH THAT PROCESS AS WELL. SO WE WERE KEEPING THAT OPEN UNTIL WE CLOSE EVERYTHING WITH THE PROJECT OUT, AND THEY'RE STILL -- THEY'RE STILL ASSISTING NOW UNTIL WE CLOSE OUT THE KIEWIT CONTRACT -- >> Vaughn: SO YOU'RE STILL P PAYING THEM? >> Brett: WE ARE STILL PAYING THEM, THAT'S CORRECT. >> YEAH, BUT, BRETT, THEY'RE NOT GETTING A CHECK JUST TO DO NOT NOTHING. SO THE CLOSING OUT, THE PROCESS WITH KIEWIT, AND WHEN WE NEED THEM, THAT'S WHEN WE GET CHARGED FOR SERVICES, SO THINGS LIKE REVIEWING I INVOICES, SUBMITTING PAPERWORK TO THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD FOR REIMBURSEMENT, IT'S TASK SPECIFIC WORK EFFORTS THEY'RE DOING, NOT WORKING EVERY DAY. >> Brett: NO. ONE OR TWO INDIVIDUALS PERFORMING ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS, SO IT'S A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THEY'RE BEING PAID FOR THE SERVICES. >> Zanoni: THEY'RE ESSENTIALLY HELPING US CLOSE OUT THE KIEWIT CONTRACT. >> Vaughn: IT'S BEEN A WHILE. GOVERNMENT IS SLOW. YOU WOULD THINK ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SAY HERE IS YOUR CHECK. GET ON YOUR WAY. I'M NOT BEING TOO CRITICAL -- WELL, I AM BEING CRITICAL FROM BEING IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. OKAY. WHEN THE SHIPS COME IN, INNER HARBOR, THE WAVES ARE CREATED; RIGHT? AND THE BRINE IS DISPERSED. AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BECAUSE OF THE WIND, THE WAY IT BLOWS IT. IS IT A CERTAIN DIRECTION IT GOES, TOWARD PORT A, IS THERE A CERTAIN DIRECTION IT GOES? >> Brett: TALKING ABOUT THE GENERAL MOVEMENT OF THE WATER? >> Vaughn: OF THE WATER. >> Brett: SO MOVEMENT IN AND OU OF THE SHIP CHANNEL AT THE MO MOUTH. THE NET -- THE NET MOVEMENT IS INTO THE B BAY, AND THEN YOU ALSO HAVE THE 300 + GALLONS A DAY BEING PULLED FROM THE POWER STATION INTO THE K NUECES BAY. SO YOUR MOVEMENT IS TW TWO-FOLD. YOU'VE GOT NATURAL TIDAL MOVEMENT AND WHATNOT TOWARDS THE CORPUS CHRISTI BAY AND ALSO THE MOVEMENT FROM THE SHIP CHANNEL INTO NUECES BAY VIA THE POWER STATION. >> Vaughn: SO WE DON'T KNOW THE IMPACT UNTIL WE KNOW THE IMP IMPACT; RIGHT. >> Brett: RIGHT. >> Vaughn: WE DON'T KNOW. OKAY THE BRINE. I SAW SOMETHING ON TV. AND YOU HEAR IT ALL OV OVER. CAN WE NOT SELL THE BRINE? THEY SAID IT'S VERY VALUABLE? AND WHAT WOULD WE HAVE TO DO TO DO THAT? I'M JUST ASKING THE QUESTION. WHAT WOULD WE HAVE TO DO TO DO THAT? IS THERE A POSSIBILITY? >> Brett: THERE ARE COMPANIES WITH TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO SEPARATE THE MIN PRINCIPALS FROM THE BY-PRODUCT OR EVEN STRAIGHT OUT OF THE SHI CHANNEL. IT'S DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THE INNER HARBOR PLANT WOULD HAVE, YOU KNOW, THE ULTRAFILTRATION, THE RO SYSTEMS, THOSE ARE PULLING OUT CERTAIN THINGS, BUT IN ORDER FOR YOU TO ACTUALLY MINE THE MINERALS OUT, IT'S DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGY. WE'VE MET WITH FOLKS, AND THE TECHNOLOGY SEEMS SOMEWHAT NEWER, MAYBE NOT FULLY T TESTED, AND IT'S -- IT WOULD JUST BE A -- IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE'RE ALREADY DOING, WE'D HAVE TO GO OUT AND LOOK FOR PEOPLE THAT WANT TO PURCHASE THE MATERIAL, FIND A WAY TO TRANSPORT IT, I MEAN, WE WOULD NEED MORE PROP PROPERTY, I MEAN, THERE'S JUST A LOT OF THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT. IS IT DOABLE? MAYBE. WE HAVEN'T PUT IN THE TIME TO ACTUALLY. >> Vaughn: OKAY. BUT BECAUSE THAT IS A POSSIBILITY AND THERE ARE COMPANIES THAT ACTUALLY DO, DO IT, AND SO I THINK WE DO NEED TO LOOK AT IT DOWN THE R ROAD, I'M GOING TO ASK YOU SOMETHING. BECAUSE THE BRINE IS THE BIG ISSUE FOR THE CITY, FOR THE PEOPLE THAT DON'T WANT IT. THAT'S THE BIG ISSUE. HOW -- WHAT IS THE BIGGEST POSSIBILITY THAT THERE'S SOME WAY THAT WE COULD -- IS MY TIME UP? WHAT ARE YA'LL DOING? >> Brett: IT'S ON. >> Vaughn: I WANT YOUR HONEST ANSWER, I KNOW YOU'LL GIVE IT T ME. A POSSIBILITY TO BUILD A PIPELINE DOWN THE ROAD TO PUT THE BRINE OUT INTO THE GULF OF AME AMERICA. >> ON A STRATEGIC LEVEL, THAT'S DEFINITELY POSSIBLE CONSIDERING SOME OF THE OTHER AREAS THAT ARE BEING CONSIDERED RIGHT NOW, THE CLOSEST ONE BEING HARBOR ISLAND, AND TO BE ABLE TO OVERSIZE THAT OFFSHORE DISCHARGE TO EVENTUALLY TAKE D DISCHARGE FROM THIS PROJECT, AND THAT'S DEFINITELY DOABLE IN THE FUTURE AT SOME POINT. >> Vaughn: IT WOULD BE A COST. AND HOPEFULLY IF WE DO THAT, MAYBE THE STATE WOULD COME IN AND HELP WITH SOME OF THAT. >> THAT'S POSSIBLE. YES MA'AM. >> Vaughn: ENOUGH FOR NOW. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guarjardo: COUNCILWOMA PAXSON. >> Paxson: THANK YOU. SO FOR ME, I'M VERY CURIOUS. YOU KNOW, THE ENTIRE TIME I CAMPAIGNED AND THIS PAST YEAR BEING ELECTED, I WAS VERY FORTHRIGHT THAT I PROMISED MY DISTRICT THAT IT HAD TO MAKE SENSE. I WAS ONLY GOING TO SUPPORT WHAT WERE THE -- WHAT WAS THE BEST DEAL FOR PROVIDING WATER TO THE CITY, AND FOR ME, THAT HAS ALWAYS COME DOWN TO PRICE, PRO PROTECTING OUR WATERS, YOU KNOW, WE SIT HERE AND WE MAKE DECISIONS FOR THE CITY AS A WHOLE, BUT ON AN INDIVIDUAL SCALE, I REPRESENT DISTRICT 4. WATER IS A VERY BIG PART OF OUR LIVES, OF OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, OF OUR TOURISM, A LOT OF THE REASONS PEOPLE MOVE TO THE AREAS IS BECAUSE OF THE CONDITION OF THE WATER. YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE'RE WO WORKING ON INVOLVING THE WHITE CAP DEVELOPMENT, LAKE PADRIE, WE'VE DISCOVERED UNLESS YOU'RE LOOKING AT A COMPLETELY COMPREHENSIVE MAP OF THE WATER SYSTEMS, YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW BECAUSE THEY'RE SO CONNECTED, EACH PIECE THAT WE CHANGE IMPACTS THEM ALL. AND I THINK WE -- WE SHOULD BE VERY TR TRANSPARENT AND VERY ACCEPTING OF THAT REALITY. SO IT'S A HUGE PRIORITY TO MY DISTRICT AND ME. OUTSIDE OF THAT, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY BROADER THAN THAT, WE PROVIDE TO 7 COUNTIES. WE'RE PIVOTAL TO THE ENTIRE STATE. IT MATTERS WHAT DECI DECISIONS WE MAKE. AND SO ANOTHER HUGE PRIORITY TO ME AND WHY THOSE MAKE SO MUCH SENSE IS BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY HAS TO MAKE SENSE -- IT HAS TO COME FIRST. AND I THINK THIS COUNCIL WANTS TO ARRIVE AT THE BEST DEAL EVEN IF WE HAVE DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. BUT FOR ME, IT HAS TO BE WHAT I PERCEIVE AS THE BEST DEAL. WHEN WE ARRIVED -- YOU KNOW, WE WERE FACING CONTINUED TIME RACING TOWARDS THESE DIFFERENT DROUGHT RESTRICTION LEVELS AND POTENTIALLY CURTAILMENT, AND ALL OF THE DISCUSSION WAS MA MAINLY CENTERED AROUND THE INNER HARBOR PRO PROJECT, AND FOR SOMEONE WHO WAS TRANSPARENT ABOUT WHERE I STOOD ON THIS PROJECT, THE MORE I WAS EXPOSED TO IT, THE MORE I FELT LIKE IT DIDN'T -- IT DID NOT CHECK THE BOX FOR PRICE, IT DID NOT CHECK THE BOX FOR PROTECTING THE WATER SYSTEMS, AND IT WASN'T THE BEST DEAL, IT WASN'T GOING TO KEEP US FROM CURTAILMENT, IT WAS NOT GOING TO PROVIDE THE VOLUME THAT WE NEED, AND IT WAS GOING TO PUSH US OUT OF OUR PRICE RANGE, THAT'S WHY I DID NOT SUPPORT THIS PROJECT FROM THE BEGINNING. SO SITTING HERE NOW, I THINK, PETER, YOU SAID IT THE BEST LAST NIGHT WHEN YOU GAVE AN UPDATE TO A NEARBY CITY WHEN YOU SAID YOU WOULDN'T WISH THIS ON ANY CITY MANAGEMENT, ANY COUNCIL, ANY TEAM TO HAVE TO MAKE THIS DECISION. SO FOR ME, SITTING HERE, AND I THINK MY COLL COLLEAGUES FEEL THE S SAME, I LOOK BACK INTO THE AUDIENCE, AND HONESTLY EVERYONE IS WEARING BLUE, IRONI IRONICALLY, BUT FOR DIFFERENT REASONS, EXCEPT THAT WE ALL MAKE UP THIS CITY. THESE ARE HARD DECI DECISIONS. SO SITTING HERE, IT'S IMPOIMPORTANT THAT WE PROTECT OUR WATERS AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS I DISCUSS, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO TELL ALL OF OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS HOW VALUABLE THEY ARE TO OUR ECONOMY, AND WE DO WANT TO SECURE WATER SO THEY CAN CONTINUE OPERATIONS. I THINK THIS WOULD BE A MUCH DIFFERENT DISCUSSION, IT WOULD BE VERY EASY FOR ME TO SAY YES OR NO TO IF THERE WAS NO OTHER WATER OPTIONS ON THE HORIZON, BUT WITH ALL THE PRESENTATIONS UP TO TODAY, WE HAVE SHOWN THAT WE'VE AVOIDED THAT CURTAILMENT WITH THOSE MEASURES, AND THEY'RE NOT PERFECT, NONE OF THOSE OPTIONS ARE PERFECT, WE KNEW THAT GOING INTO THEM, BUT WE JUMP OVER THE HURDLES AS WE GO. SO WHAT I NEED SITTING HERE, I'M VERY CURIOUS AS WHAT MAKES THIS PROPOSAL THAT MUCH DIFFERENT. YOU KNOW, 1, HOW MUCH DOES THIS STUDY COST, THAT'S A QUESTION FOR M ME, THE ONE THAT WE SAID THAT CCDP IS NOT CHA CHARGING US UP FRONT, HOW MUCH IS THIS PORTION OF THE PROJECT GOING TO COST? BECAUSE ULTIMATELY, THAT'LL BE ADDED ON IF THIS GOES FORWARD, AND I KNOW WE'RE NOT THERE TODAY, BUT WE'RE SAYING YES TO THE STUDY TODAY. SO WHAT IS THAT COST? >> COUNCILMEMBER, THE WAY THAT WE LOOK AT IT, BECAUSE OF THE STAGE OF THE PROJECT, IT'S ALMOST NOT AN INVESTMENT. WE'RE TRULY NOT LOOKING AT RECOVERYING THE COST WE'LL SPEND OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. WE, ON THE CASES LOOK AT SITUATIONS LIKE THIS O ONE. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR ADDITIONAL EFFORTS, AND WE DISCUSS WITH OUR TEAM MEMBERS, AND WE AGREE TOGETHER THAT YOU KNOW WHAT, IT MAKES SENSE FOR US HERE. WE VALUE THE MARKET AND THE INDUSTRY. WE THINK THAT THIS IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH THAT IT MERITS US MAKING THAT INVESTMENT. FORTUNATELY, WE CAN AFFORD TO MAKE THAT INVESTMENT, SO WE'RE WILLING TO DO IT, AND WE DON'T EXPECT ANYTHING IN EXCHANGE. WE'RE VERY AWARE THAT IN THE NEXT VOTE, THIS CAN NOT MOVE FORWARD, AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT, WE'RE DOING THAT AT RISK. I KNOW THAT THAT MAY SOUND A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND, BUT WE ACTUALLY TAKE THESE EVALUATIONS ON A CASE BY CASE, AND EVERY NOW AND THEN, WE DO MAKE A DECISION LIKE THIS TO TRY TO HELP OUR CITY AND TRY TO HELP A PROJECT MOVE FORWARD. >> Paxson: I APPRECIATE -- I TRULY, SINCERELY APPRECIATE THA YOU GUYS RECOGNIZE THAT WE'RE I A VERY DIFFICULT POSITION. WE NEED TO PROVIDE WA WATER, SO I APPRECIATE THAT. BUT IF WE WERE TO SAY YES AT THE NEXT VOTE, THIS AGENDA PACKET SAYS THE COST WOULD BE TRANSFERRED AT THAT POINT. >> NOT THE COST OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO BETWEEN NOW AND FEBR FEBRUARY. THAT COST, WE ARE GOING TO ABSORB IT. >> Paxson: OKAY. AND SO TO LOOK AT THE PLANT ITSELF, AND I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO BRING US BACK OPTIONS, BUT REALISTICALLY, WHAT IS THE BALLPARK, LET'S SAY THERE'S TIERS, 1, 2, AND 3. REALISTICALLY, WHAT BALLPARK ARE WE EVEN LOOKING AT? >> FOR THE ULTIMATE FACILITY? >> Paxson: YEAH. >> I WOULD LIKE TO GET THE TIME TO DO THE EV EVALUATION, I AM PERSONALLY VERY SENSITIVE TO NOT CRE CREATING FALSE EX EXPECTATIONS ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION WE'LL HAVE TO REVIEW AND EVALUATE. WELCOME UP WITH OUR BEST SOLUTION AND OUR BEST OPTIONS, AND IF WE FIND THERE IS NO PRACTICAL WAY TO GET THERE, WE'LL TELL YOU, WE BELIEVE IN LONG TERM RELATIONSHIPS AND LONG TERM PARTNERSHIPS, THAT IS THE WAY WE OPERATE. SO OUR INTENT IS TO EVALUATE THE PROJECT, WHAT EXTENDS TODAY, OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, SO WE CAN TELL YOU WHAT IS THE BEST RECOMMENDATION BASED ON OUR EXPERIENCE ON WHAT WE CAN DEVELOP AND WHAT WE THINK THE COST WOULD BE FOR IT, AND AT THAT TIME WE'LL HAVE THE DISCUSSION, AND IT MAY BE THAT AT THAT TIME, THE PRICE MAY SEEM RI RIGHT, BUT WE MAY HAVE PROPOSED SOMETHING THAT YOU DIDN'T LIKE, WE WOULD STILL BE OPEN TO DISCUSSING THOSE OPT OPTIONS, BECAUSE THAT IS THE WAY THAT WE WOULD WANT THE PROCESS TO MOVE FORWARD, IT HAS TO BE WORKING TOGETHER. >> Paxson: I APPRECIATE THAT. AND I KNOW I'M OUT OF TIME MAYOR. >> Mayor Guarjardo: YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER TURN, THOUGH. >> Paxson: I WAS GOING TO ASK I YOU WOULD ENTERTAIN THE IDEA OF ALLOWING FOR THREE OPTIONS TO SPEAK, BECAUSE IT'S GOOD DISCUSSION UP HERE. >> Mayor Guarjardo: SURE. .I'M ASKING THE OPTION IF WE COULD HAVE A THIRD. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER ROY. >> Roy: I'M NOT ON. FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK THE GROUP FO FOR -- I ATTENDED TWO OF YOUR MEETINGS, I WENT AND MET WITH YOU TWICE, ALONG WITH SOME OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS. I THINK SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS THAT MY FELLOW COUNCILMEMBERS ARE ASKING, I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT WE HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY, AND WE WERE ABLE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT SOME OF THESE ISSUES, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IMPRESSED M ME, PROBABLY THE MOST, IS THAT WHEN WE ASK A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS ABOUT COST, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I KNOW WE DID NOT EXPERIENCE WITH THE LAST, I GUESS, VENDOR IS THE APPROPRIATE WORD, CONTRACTOR, IS THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF OPTIONS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GET THE NAME OF THE COMPANY, BUT THE BUILDERS, MASTECH, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IMPRESSED ME SO MUCH IS THE FACT THAT YOU WERE ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT WAYS TO SAVE MONEY, AND EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TALKED OPENLY ABOUT, OKAY, THIS IS WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP CUT THE COST. WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT CONVERSATION BEFORE. EVERY TIME I WOULD ASK THE QUESTION, AND I WENT ALL THE WAY TO KANSAS CITY AND ASKED THE QUESTION, AND I DIDN'T GET A COMFORTABLE ANS ANSWER, AND I WANT TO APPLAUD YOU FOR THAT. AND THE OTHER THING THAT -- AND YOU ALSO FOR STRUCTURING THIS THE WAY THAT YOU DID, BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT OPENLY IS THAT IF WE HAVE A CEILING, AND I'LL HYPOTHETICALLY SAY THAT THERE'S A DOLLAR AMOUNT -- THERE IS A DOLLAR AMOUNT ON THE CEILING, BUT YOU'LL COME BACK, MAYBE WE'LL LOOK AT OPTIONS AND START, DOING 20MDG, BUT THIS IS WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO GET TO 20 OR 30, AND THIS IS OUR COST, AND SO MAYBE THE COMFORT LEVEL IS 20. I LIKE THAT YOU HAVE OPTIONS, YOU'RE NOT T TRYING TO BACK US INTO A CORNER AT THE END OF THE DAY DAY, BY THE WAY, MAYBE 1.2, AND THEN 1.5, AND THEN TELL ANOTHER COLLEAGUE 1.8. SO I APPRECIATE THAT. AND THEN THE OTHER THING I APPRECIATE IS HAVING THE LOCAL PRESENCE -- AT LEAST, I LEARNED MORE IN THOSE TWO MEETINGS THAN MEETING SIX TIMES AT LEAST WITH THE OTHER VENDOR. AND I KNOW THERE'S TOUGH -- I D THOUGH, PETER THAT -- T TCQ LOOKED AT THAT PROJECT, AND SHE THEY WERE ASKED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE PROJECT, AND THEY WERE VETTED FULLY, AND THEY TALKED ABOUT THE STUDIES REQUIRED OR THE STUDIES THEY DID, WE'VE HAD OTHER STUDIES DONE, MULTIPLE STUDIES DONE IN TERMS OF LOOKING AT SAFETY, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT KEEPS COMING UP IS THE FAR FIELD STUDY. I THINK WE NEED TO GO AHEAD AND DO IT, PETER. LET'S INVEST THE MONEY, $50,000, $100,000, WE'VE GOT PEOPLE OUT THERE S SAYING, OH, I DON'T TRUST THIS UNTIL WE DO THAT. AND WE NEED TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO CONTINUE TO GET OUR COMMUNITY TO TRUST US. AND I DON'T THINK THAT IN TERMS OF THE MONEY, LET'S GO FORWARD WITH IT. I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD WAIT. SO I WANTED TO BRING THAT UP. THE OTHER THING IS THE LIKE THE FACT THAT WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE COST OF OPERATION, AND THE WAY THAT WE'RE DOING THIS NOW WHERE YOU'LL VENN THAT OUT, I FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT THERE'S MONEYS TO BE SAVED TH THERE. AND SO THE OTHER THING I THINK IS INVALUABLE IS I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 90 FACILITIES THAT YOU BUILT NOW AND THE 25 YOU OPERATE AND ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT SIMILAR ENVIRONMENT IS LIKE OUR ENVIRONMENT, AND WHY IS IT SO CHALLENGING IN TERMS OF OUR WATER, WHAT'S SO CHALLENGING ABOUT OUR WATER? BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU AGREED ON IS THE FACT THAT OUR WATER IS CHALLENGING COMPARED TO SOME OTHER PLANTS AND LOCATIONS THAT YOU BUILT. YOU DIDN'T SUGAR COAT THAT AT ALL. AND I APPRECIATE THAT. I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE FACT THAT -- I FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT THE PROCESS WE'RE GOING THROUGH ON A SECOND LOOK IS DEFINITELY A BETTER PROCESS, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU, THANK THE CITY STAFF, THANK THE VENDORS WHO ARE TAKING THE TIME AND EFFORT AND PUTTING THEMSELVES AT RISK, I SAY RISK, TO GO FORWARD AND CONTINUE WITH THIS PROJECT WITHOUT OUR -- HAVING A COST THERE. I THINK, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT EVERYBODY IS SAYING IS THAT WE LAID $40 M $40 MILLION, 40 PLUS SOME OUT AND THEN WE E ENDED UP HAVING TO TERMINATE OUR RELATIONSHIP. SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU -- I WANT TO THANK THE FELLOW STAFF MEMBERS, COUNCILMEMBERS THAT JOINED US AND MET WITH YOU, AND I JUST LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING WITH THIS PROCESS. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU CRAB. CRAB BERET YA. BER BER THANK YOU, MA >> Barrera: THANK YOU, MAYOR, A. YOU KNOW, PETER, I HAVE TO COMMEND YOU BECAUSE WE'RE A PRETTY DISFUNCTIONAL GROUP, AND TO BE ABLE TO PUT US ON A POSITION WHERE WE HAVE AN OPTION THAT THE COUNCIL CAN MOVE FORWARD ON, OR AT LEAST THE MAJORITY CAN, THAT'S WHAT I CALL GOVERNMENTAL ARTISTRY. IT'S HARD TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER. YOU KNOW, I USED TO SA SAY -- I WAS A BOMB THROWER, AND THEN SOMEONE TOLD YOU, HEY, MAN YOU'RE JUST LOSING ON EVERY VOTE, WHY DON'T YOU START TO UNIFY PEOPLE. SO I HAVE TO COMMEND YOU FOR THAT. YOU KNOW, I'M TO THE POINT I'VE ALWAYS SAID IS I'M CONCERNED WITH CERTAINTY, AND I THINK WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS OR AT LEAST INDUSTRY, THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND I THINK THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD, I THINK THE CHALLENGE IS THAT THEY FEEL WE'VE BEEN INDECISIVE, SO I THINK YOU'VE BROUGHTEN CERTAINTY TO US SO THAT WAY WE CAN PROVIDE FOR THEM, AND I THINK WE NEED TO DO IT TODAY, PROVIDE TO THEM THAT WE HAVE CERTAINTY THAT WE'RE OPEN MINDED AND LOOKING FORWARD ON A PROJECT THAT'S GOING TO PROVIDE WATER CERTAINTY AND THE WHERE WITH ALL TO INVEST IN OUR LONG-TERM WATER INFRASTRUCTURE. I THINK THAT WAS A CHALLENGE THAT THE RA RATING COMPANIES HAD. THAT WAS VERY HIGH ON THEIR LIST IS THE RELUCTANCE TO INVEST IN OUR LONG-TERM WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, AND TO PROVIDE CERTAINTY BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY INDIVIDUALS THAT RELY ON US, THERE'S SO MANY -- SO MUCH HE STATE OF TEXAS, THE COUNTRY, THE WORLD, I SAY THAT -- YOU KNOW, I JUST SPOKE TO A GROUP OF WEST DOSO KIDS ON FRIDAY. AND I STARTED WITH WHAT HAPPENS IN CORPUS CHRISTI CHANGES THE WORLD. WE REDUCE DEPENDENCY ON FOREIGN OIL AND RUSSIAN COOL. ONE OF THE LARGEST PRODUCERS OF IBUPROFEN IN THE COUNTRY, AND I THINK WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THOSE TOUGH DECISIONS. WE MAKE A LOT OF DECISIONS BASED ON PRESSURE, BASED ON POLITICAL PRESSURE, BASED ON INDUSTRY PRESSURE, BASED ON PRESSURE FROM ENVIRONMENTAL PRESSURE, PRESSURE FROM THE TEXAS CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT WHO PUTS A LOT OF MONEY INTO THESE CAMPAIGNS BECAUSE THEY FEEL OTHER THAN PEOPLE LIKE ME, THAT'S OKAY WHICH THERE'S A POLITICAL PROCESS. SO A COUPLE OF THINGS STARTINGS WITH THAT, THAT BEING SAID, KA CAM CAMILLE, I SAW HIM IN THE BACK. OUR WATER FINANCE SO, I KNOW THE QUESTION WAS ASKED HOW ARE WE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS? AND I THINK PUTTING THE HORSE IN FRONT OF THE CART IS TO ENSURE, FOR THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD, THAT WE'RE SERIOUS. AND I THINK TODAY'S VOTE BASICALLY STATES THAT WE'RE SERIOUS. SO, LET'S ASSUME THAT THEY DON'T BUY IN BUT WE STILL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE THE CERTAINTY. WOULD WE FINANCE WITH REVENUE BONDS? >> YES, SIR. THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY OTHER OPTION. >> Barrera: OKAY. TYPICALLY WHAT DOES THOSE INTEREST RATES RUN? >> DEPENDING ON WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES, BUT LET'S ASSUME ANYWHERE BETWEEN 5% TO 6%. >> Barrera: AND THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD RATES? >> 3.5%. >> Barrera: THAT'S A HUGE IMPACT TO OUR RATEPAYER. >> YES. EVEN THOUGH THE PERCENTAGE SEEMS SMALL, IT'S A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY. >> Barrera: I'M OF THE OPINION THAT WE MOVE FORWARD -- LIKE I SAID, I'M MORE SO, MY WHOLE THING IS TO PROVIDE CERTAINTY. AND WE HAVE TO PROVIDE CERTAINTY TO THE RATING COMPANIES, CERTAINTY TO THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD. CERTAINTY TO THE STATE OF TEXAS. SO I KNOW -- NOW, YOU KNOW, HERE WE'VE HAD OTHER PROJECTS THAT AREN'T PERMITTED THAT WE HAVEN'T DETERMINED RATE MODELS AND WE PUT ASIDE $2.7 MILLION. PERHAPS OBLIGATED $169 MILLION SIMPLY BECAUSE WE HAVE THE PRESSURE OF PROVIDING THE WATER. I THINK THE THING I HAVE SAID ON THE RADIO OVER AND OVER AGAIN IS B IF WE PROVIDE CERTAINTY THEN INDUSTRY WILL TRY AND FIGURE IT OUT. THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO WORK WITH US BUT THEY HAVE TO HAVE CERTAINTY BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO GO BACK TO THEIR BOARDS OR WHOEVER THEIR INVESTORS ARE AND SAY WE NEED TO REINVEST IN CORPUS CHRISTI. IT'S MORE PRUDENT FOR US TO CONTINUE, RATHER THAN START SOMEPLACE ELSE. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT. WITH THE FAR-FIELD STUDY -- I'M FINE. I'VE ALWAYS HAD CONFIDENCE THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE GOOD. I DON'T SEE THE PURPOSE OF DOING IT NOW. I THINK WE NEED TO GIVE CREDIBILITY TO THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS SO THAT WAY WE CAN GO THROUGH THAT. I THINK WE NEED THE CREDIBILITY BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE INFORMATION THAT OUR PARTNERS ARE GOING TO COME UP WITH THAT MAY BE PRUDENT TO THAT INFORMATION. I THINK JUST WAITING SIX WEEKS, 12 WEEKS ONCE WE ENGAGE IS PROBABLY A GOOD THING. ONE LAST THING I WANT TO LEAVE WITH, BECAUSE I'M OUT OF TIME. I'M SO GLAD THAT WE GOT INVOLVED. COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THE GLUE IS A COMPANY LIKE ARDURRA -- OR LNV. WHAT IS IT? LEYENDECKER AND THEN REYTEC, THEY'RE THE GLUE. THEY UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY AND THEY UNDERSTAND THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. >> Zanoni: LET ME ADD THAT REYTEC HAS BEEN DOING WORK FOR THE CITY FOR 15 YEARS. LEYENDECKER FOR 40 YEARS. THEY KNOW THE COMMUNITY. WHEN DAN SAYS I'M TRYING TO SOLVE PROBLEMS FOR THIS COMMUNITY, THAT'S WHAT HE MEANS. HE LIVES HERE. HE'S A COMMUNITY MEMBER AND THEY WANT TO SEE THE COMMUNITY SUCCEED. THAT'S PART OF THEIR MOTIVATION. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ. >> Hernandez: WITH REGARDS TO CERTAINTY, I'M FOR CERTAIN THAT ROLAND IS WRONG. [LAUGHTER] >> Mayor Guajardo: THAT WHAT? THAT ROLAND IS WRONG? >> Hernandez: EXCUSE ME, COUNCILMAN BARRERA IS WRONG. HOW'S THAT? YOU KNOW, I WANT TO SAY THAT I THINK ARDURRA WITH DAN LEYENDECKER AND GREG REYES FROM REYTEC ARE OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE AND THEY RUN GOOD COMPANIES. I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT -- I CAN GO ON AND ON ABOUT HOW FAVORABLE I HAVE AN OPINION OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS. IF THEY SELECTED TO WORK WITH ACCIONA AND MAS TEC, I WANT TO STATE THAT OUT FRONT. IT'S NO REFLECTION ON WHAT YOU'RE DOING OR WHAT YOUR COMPANIES HAVE DONE . HOWEVER, I DO HAVE SOME CONCERNS -- AND THIS GOES BACK FINANCIALLY IN HOW WE'RE DOING THIS. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE PROGRESSIVE DESIGN-BUILD FORMAT. I WANT TO GO OVER SOME NUMBERS. IN THE OPERATING BUDGET THAT WE HAVE FOR THIS YEAR, ON PAGE 343, IT SAYS THAT WE HAVE OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL IN OUR UTILITY SYSTEM OF $1.48 BILLION WITH $900 MILLION IN INTEREST DUE FOR A TOTAL OF JUST UNDER $2.4 BILLION IN OUR UTILITY REVENUE BOND SYSTEM. THAT ALSO INCLUDES THE SWIFT LOANS THAT WE'VE ALSO TAKEN OUT. SO I WANT TO JUST PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE. WE ARE GOING FORWARD WITH TWO OTHER PLANS FOR WASTEWATER REUSE, WHICH WE ARE GOING TO BE VOTING ON RIGHT AFTER THIS, WHICH I INTEND TO VOTE FOR. AND WE'VE HAD SOME ESTIMATES SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 100 AND $130 MILLION, WHICH WILL MORE THAN LIKELY BE REVENUE BONDS IN THE WASTEWATER SYSTEM. AND THEN WE ALSO ARE LOOKING AT ANOTHER 300-PLUS MILLION FOR OUR PROJECTS WITH EVANGELINE FOR BOTH OF THOSE, FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT 40 MILLION GALLONS A DAY FOR LET'S SAY JUST UNDER $500 MILLION. WE HAVE OTHER PROJECTS ALONG THE WAY BUT WE'RE TALKING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY AND DEBT THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO HERE. AND SO I WOULD PREFER -- AND I'VE TALKED TO YOU, PETER, ABOUT SWITCHING THIS OVER FROM A PROGRESSIVE DESIGN-BUILD TO A P3 FORMAT. SO THAT DEBT SERVICE, THE RISK IS PUT ON TO THE COMPANY -- I DON'T KNOW. I'M ASSUMING YOU GUYS HAVE DONE P3s BEFORE. WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO THAT? IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND SAYING THE ACTUAL WORD. >> CONCEPTUALLY WE HAVE AND WE HAVE THE EXPERIENCE. THE ONLY CAVEAT THAT I DO WANT TO MENTION IS THAT WOULD EXTEND SIGNIFICANTLY THE TIMELINE OF WHEN THE PROJECT CAN START AND BECOME AVAILABLE. >> Hernandez: OKAY. SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FOUR YEARS. SO THIS DOES NOT HELP US IN THE SHORT TERM. WE ARE WORKING ON PROJECTS, LIKE THE GROUNDWATER AND THE WASTEWATER REUSE OR RECLAMATION THAT WILL HELP US IN THE SHORT TERM. ULTIMATELY, WE'RE LOOKING TO REPLACE 70 MILLION GALLONS A DAY. AM I CORRECT? >> Zanoni: THAT'S CORRECT. THAT'S THE WESTERN RESERVOIR AMOUNT. >> Hernandez: SO IF YOU COMBINE THE 40 MILLION GALLONS A DAY THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR AND THE 30 MILLION, THAT GETS US 70 MILLION GALLONS A DAY. BUT THAT'S TO GET US BACK TO EVEN RIGHT? IT DOESN'T PROVIDE THE WATER THAT WE NEED FOR GROWTH IN THE FUTURE. SO WE WOULD HAVE TO BUILD ON TOP OF THAT IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO GROW. SO WHAT MY CONCERN WAS WITH THIS SITE IS IT IS LIMITED, BASED ON ITS LOCATION. RIGHT? IT'S INSIDE A RELATIVELY CLOSED BAY. AND IT'S DIFFERENT FROM PERTH. I'VE BEEN TO PERTH. I'VE ACTUALLY BEEN THERE. I WAS A FORMER NAVAL OFFICER, CROSSED THE LINE A AND WENT TO PERTH. IT'S OPEN TO THE OPEN OCEAN THERE. IT'S NOT ANYTHING LIKE WHAT WE HAVE HERE IN CORPUS CHRISTI. I SEE YOU NODDING YOUR HEAD THAT THAT'S CORRECT. OKAY. SO WE ARE UNIQUE AND EVERY LOCATION IS UNIQUE. SO THAT GOES BACK TO THE FAR-FIELD MODEL. AS I RECALL, KIEWIT WAS LOOKING TO DO THAT ONLY IN THE INNER HARBOR TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DISCHARGE IS CORRECT. HAS SOMETHING CHANGED THAT YOU ARE RECOMMENDING TO DO IT AFTERWARDS AS OPPOSED TO IN FRONT OF IT. >> WHAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD STILL NEED TO HAPPEN. YOU WOULD STILL NEED TO DO THE NEAR AND FAR-FIELD MODELING RELATED TO THE DISCHARGE. WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING IS INDEPENDENT OF THAT. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EVALUATING THE ENTIRE BAY SYSTEM, NUECES BAY, CORPUS CHRISTI BAY, AND SHIP CHANNEL. SO IT WOULD BE -- THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS BECAUSE THEY HAVE TWO DIFFERENT PURPOSES. >> Hernandez: I UNDERSTAND THAT BUT YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE THAT INFORMATION BEFORE MOVING FORWARD RIGHT? I'M ASSUMING YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S ANY KIND OF ACCUMULATION ISSUES THAT YOU WOULD HAVE BEFORE THEN. >> WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO DO FOR THE MODELING IS NOT SOMETHING THAT THE PROJECT TEAM WOULD NEED IN ORDER FOR THEM TO CONTINUE WITH THE PROJECT. THEY HAVE THE PERMITS. THEY HAVE THE LAND THAT POWER EVERYTHING ELSE. THEY DON'T NEED TO DO AN ADDITIONAL MODELING OF ALL THE BAY SYSTEM IN ORDER FOR THEM TO PROCEED. THIS IS MORE FOR THE CITY AND COUNCIL. >> Hernandez: IT'S JUST A CHECKING THE BOX FOR YOU? >> NO. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN REQUESTED BY COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC SO WE'RE PURSUING THIS MODELING EFFORT FOR EVERYBODY'S BENEFIT. BUT THIS TEAM DOES NOT NEED IT IN ORDER FOR THEM TO CONTINUE WITH THE PROJECT. >> Hernandez: OKAY. AND LASTLY, THE PFOS HAS TO DO WITH THE DISCHARGE. YOU CAN REMOVE IT WITH THE RO BUT DO YOU PUT IT BACK IN THE BAY? >> THAT'S CORRECT. AS PART OF THE DISCHARGE. >> Hernandez: IF IT'S REGULATED, ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PUT IT BACK IN THE BAY? >> THERE ARE MECHANICAL AND DESIGN SOLUTIONS THAT WE CAN EMPLOY TO DEAL WITH WHATEVER REGULATIONS ARE PUT IN. >> Hernandez: OKAY. I WANT TO SAY KIEWIT'S INTENT WAS TO PUT IT BACK IN THE BAY. >> AGAIN, IT'S NOT -- WE'RE TAKING IT OUT OF THE BAY AND WE'RE PUTTING IT BACK. THE REGULATIONS REFERRING TO ACTUALLY THE PRODUCED WATER THAT GOES INTO THE SYSTEM. >> Hernandez: WELL, NOW IT IS BUT IF THERE'S FUTURE REGULATION YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PUT IT INTO THE BAY. >> THAT'S RIGHT. AND THIS TEAM, THEY WOULD HAVE TO PUT IN ELEMENTS TO DEAL WITH WHATEVER THAT REGULATION WAS. >> Hernandez: THAT'S GOING TO BE YOUR DESIGN, RIGHT? I'LL RESERVE FOR THE NEXT ONE. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN. >> Vaughn: WE HAVE A LOT MORE TOOLS AT OUR DISPOSAL THAN WE DID BEFORE. MR. LEYENDECKER, I KNOW THAT SENATOR HINOJOSA, I THINK HE PUT IN LEGISLATION -- I KNOW HE'S BEEN CHAMPIONING IT TO US. IS THE PUA, PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT? >> IT'S NOT ON, MAYOR. >> THE PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY ALLOWS YOU TO BRING OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TOGETHER AND ALSO PRIVATE ENTITIES UNDER ONE UMBRELLA TO DO A REGIONAL-STYLE PROJECT. SOME OF THE DISCUSSIONS -- I PUT A NAME OUT THERE. BUT THE COASTAL BEND WATER AGENCY, FOR EXAMPLE. THAT COULD INCLUDE THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, WHICH WOULD BRING THEIR FUNDS CURRENTLY THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD. SLIDE THAT INTO THAT AGENCY AND THE CITY AT THAT TIME -- I'M NOT TRYING TO SPEAK FOR PETER AND STAFF -- BUT AN IDEA IS YOU ENTERTAIN OTHER PARTNERS THAT WOULD COME UNDER THAT UMBRELLA. AND IT'S BEEN DONE IN FLORIDA QUITE A BIT. IN FACT, I BELIEVE THAT'S WHERE THE LEGISLATION WAS MODELED AFTER BUT MODIFIED HERE BY OUR SENATOR. WHEN YOU DO THAT, IT ALLOWS A MORE REGIONAL APPROACH AND A REGIONAL LOOK. AND ALSO ALLOWS FOR FUNDING ABILITY AND ALSO IT ALLOWS THIS CITY TO APPOINT THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT WOULD RUN THAT COASTAL BEND WATER AGENCY AS WELL AS THE OTHER PARTNERS THAT WOULD BE A PART OF THAT AGENCY. THERE IS A STRATEGIC LOOK AHEAD IF THE VOTE IS IN THE AFFIRMATIVE TODAY, TO BE LOOKING AT THAT POTENTIAL IN THE NEAR FUTURE. YES MA'AM. >> Vaughn: THAT'S REALLY A GOOD POSSIBILITY BECAUSE IT DOESN'T GO IN OUR BOOKS, CORRECT? >> YEAH, I WOULD HAVE TO DOUBLE CHECK THAT. BUT YEAH. >> Vaughn: I THINK THAT'S CORRECT. >> Zanoni: THAT'S RIGHT. THE DEBT WOULD BE ON THE PUA'S BOOKS, TO COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ'S CONCERN. >> Vaughn: AND THAT HELPS THE CITY. >> Zanoni: CORRECT. >> Vaughn: OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS PLANT. WOULD Y'ALL WANT TO RUN IT? THE REASON I'M ASKING THAT, IT JUST SEEMS LIKE WHOEVER CONSTRUCTS IT, IT WOULD JUST BE A GREAT FIT. YOU KNOW, ONCE YOU CONSTRUCT IT -- AND YOU'RE GOING TO BUILD IT SO THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE IS NOT GOING TO BE THAT HIGH. >> YEAH, COUNCILWOMAN, WE ABSOLUTELY WOULD BE INTERESTED. LIKE IN ANYTHING, WE WOULD REVIEW THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS, MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THE DETAILS MAKE SENSE. BUT WE WOULD LOVE TO PROVIDE THE SOLUTION, NOT JUST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION BUT FOR THE LONG-TERM 30-YEAR OPERATION. LOVE TO BE YOUR PARTNER. >> Vaughn: THANK YOU. WE HAVE GOT A LOT OF INDUSTRY HERE TODAY, JUST A WHOLE LOT. AND, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT TO WORK TOGETHER. THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SAID. I THINK SOME OF YOU THINK I DON'T SUPPORT INDUSTRY. I HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED INDUSTRY. WE WERE IN THE OIL FIELD SO OF COURSE I DO. BUT I ALSO REPRESENT THE RATEPAYERS AND THAT IS ONE OF MY BIGGEST CONCERNS. I DON'T WANT THEIR RATES TO BE SO HIGH THEY CAN'T AFFORD IT. AND I DON'T THINK YOU DO EITHER. BUT I WOULD LIKE A CHALLENGE. Y'ALL ARE GREAT ABOUT GIVING SCHOLARSHIPS, ALL THE THINGS YOU DO FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOU'RE WONDERFUL ABOUT THAT. I WOULD CHALLENGE YOU TO THINK -- WE HAVE SO MUCH COST RIGHT NOW WITH THE EVANGELINE AND OTHER PROJECTS WE'RE GETTING -- AND IT BENEFITS EVERYBODY. GIVE TO THAT FUND. IF WE GO FORWARD WITH THIS, GIVE TO THAT FUND SO WE CAN HELP PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THEIR RATES TO GO UP. JUST A CHALLENGE. >> Zanoni: THAT FUND WOULD BE OUR UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WHERE WE HELP SENIORS AND OTHER ECONOMICALLY-DISADVANTAGED RATEPAYERS. MANY CITIES AND ENTITIES HAVE THAT. WE JUST STARTED ONE BUT IT NEEDS SEED MONEY. IT'S A UTILITY ASSISTANCE FUND. >> Vaughn: AND THAT'S A DROP IN THE BUCKET. THAT'S A DROP IN THE BUCKET FOR INDUSTRY. I HOPE YOU'LL CONSIDER THAT ANYWAY. MR. ZANONI, I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR BRINGING IT GUARD BECAUSE IT GIVES US A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. THAT'S WHAT A GOOD CEO DOES AND THAT'S WHAT I CONTRIBUTE TO YOU. LIKE I PRIVATE COMPANY. YOU DON'T JUST SETTLE FOR A PRICE, YOU TRY AND GET THE BEST PRICE POSSIBLE. AND WE'RE REPRESENTING OUR CITIZENS, SO THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILWOMAN PAXSON. >> Paxson: THANK YOU. KIND OF PICK BACK WHERE I RAN OUT OF TIME PREVIOUSLY. TO ME, AGAIN, JUST TRYING TO DIFFERENTIATE HOW DOES THIS PROJECT NOW, UNDER THIS PROPOSAL, MAKE MORE SENSE THAN IT DID AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. SO A COUPLE OF MY QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED PREVIOUSLY. IT WAS SAID -- AND I FORGET WHO SAID IT. IT MAY HAVE BEEN BRETT. IT MAY HAVE BEEN PETER THAT ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE CONSIDERING IS A REDUCTION IN VOLUME OF THE PLANT? >> THE PRODUCTION OF THE PLANT WILL PROBABLY BE A MAIN CONTRIBUTOR -- THE OPTIONS. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE 20 MGD, 15 MGD. WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PRICE POINTS, YOUR TOTAL VALUE IS GOING TO BE DRIVEN BY YOUR PRODUCTION. >> Paxson: ANY TIME YOU GO TO DESIGN SOMETHING, YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF PARAMETERS TO GO OFF OF. >> RIGHT. >> Paxson: WITH RESPECT TO THOSE OPTIONS, WHAT ARE THE CURRENT PARAMETERS WE'RE EVALUATING FOR THOSE PRICE OPTIONS? >> SO, IT IS A TOPIC THAT INCLUDES MULTIPLE CONSIDERATIONS. THAT IS THE LARGEST FACTOR. VOLUME OBVIOUSLY. I WOULD SAY THE EASY ONE. IT ALSO WOULD BE THE LAST ONE THAT WE WOULD CONSIDER. THE FIRST THING THAT WE WANT TO DO IS TO BRING ALL OF THE EXPERTISE THAT WE HAVE IN ALL OF THE FACILITIES WE HAVE BUILT, TO IDENTIFY THE MGD COST SAVINGS MECHANISMS THAT WE CAN BRING. FOR EXAMPLE, ENHANCING THE TREATMENT THAT WE HAVE TO CONDITION THE WATER BEFORE IT GOES INTO THE MEMBRANE. THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF EFFORT THAT CAN BE DONE. REDUCING COSTS THERE. IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH EXPERTISE TO KNOW WHAT LEVERAGE YOU MAY NEED TO PULL. UNDERSTANDING UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS THE PLAN SHOULD BE OPERATING AND BALANCING THAT WHEN THE WATER IS NEEDED. FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU HAVE HEAVY RAIN EVENTS YOUR WATER QUALITY GETS DEGRADED SO YOU HAVE TO WORK HARDER TO CLEAN IT. IN THOSE SITUATIONS YOU HAVE ENOUGH WATER AVAILABLE SO YOU MAY WANT TO LOWER THE PRODUCTION OF THE PLANT. ALLOWING FOR THAT FLEXIBILITY CAN BRING YOU SOME SAVINGS. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF LEVERS AND THERE ARE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER, THAT WE WILL BE LOOKING AT OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS TO IDENTIFY WHICH ONE OF THOSE WE HAVE SEEN ARE THE ONES THAT MAKE MORE SENSE HERE AND THOSE ARE THE ONES WE WILL BRING. YES, IF WE FIND THERE ARE NO LEVERS AND THERE IS NO FLEXIBILITY AVAILABLE, [LAPSE IN AUDIO] THEN VOLUME WILL BECOME A FACTOR. BUT OUR GOAL WOULD STILL BE TO TRY TO MAINTAIN THE PLANT AT THE CURRENT CAPACITY OR AS CLOSE AS WE CAN TO THAT CAPACITY. >> Paxson: THE GOAL IS 30 BUT THERE COULD BE REDUCTIONS IN THAT VOLUME. >> RIGHT. >> Paxson: BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO TARGET PRICE. >> RIGHT. >> Zanoni: CAN I JUST ADD TO THAT A LITTLE BIT? THE INITIAL DESIGN WAS BUILT FOR ALL THESE PARAMETERS. IF THERE WAS A MAJOR 100-YEAR RAIN EVENT THE PLANT WOULD STILL RUN. ONE OF THE OPTIONS WE'RE LOOKING AT IS SHRINKING THE PARAMETERS WHEN THE PLANT WOULD RUN AT FULL CAPACITY. YOU ONLY USE THESE DELTAS ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS. IT'S A WAY TO BRING THE PRICE DOWN AND YOU DON'T IMPACT DELIVERY OF THE OPTION. IF YOU'RE ONLY DOING SOMETHING ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS, MAYBE IT'S NOT A GOOD USE OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THIS IS JUST ONE IDEA. ONE EXAMPLE. >> Paxson: THAT WAS A GOOD SEGUE INTO MY NEXT QUESTION. I KNOW, AGAIN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING A BETTER STUDY FOR MODELING OF IMPACTS IN THAT WATER ENVIRONMENT. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE KNOW FROM LIVING HERE, WIND. SOMETHING AS INCONSEQUENTIAL THAT YOU WOULD THINK, WIND EVEN CAN CHANGE WHETHER OR NOT IT'S AN IDEAL DAY TO RUN THIS PLANT AND OPERATION. MY CONCERN THEN IS WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE TIME -- LET'S CALL IT A YEAR -- WOULD WE EXPECT THIS PLANT TO ACTUALLY BE IN OPERATION? >> THAT WOULD BE PART OF THE EVALUATION THAT WE WILL BE MAKING AND WILL BE COMING AS PART OF OUR RECOMMENDATION WITH SOME OPTIONS ON WHAT WE THINK THE IDEAL SCENARIO WOULD BE. THE MORE DAYS OF THE YEAR THE FACILITY CAN RUN, TYPICALLY THE MORE EXPENSIVE THE FACILITY BECOMES. BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE REDUNDANCY TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE CONTINUOUSLY FOR THAT LONG. THE MORE ABILITY THAT YOU HAVE TO TURN THAT NUMBER DOWN AND USE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO DO MAINTENANCE, IT ALLOWS YOU TO ACTUALLY REDUCE THE COST. SO THAT IS ONE OF THE COMPONENTS THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE EVALUATING TO PROVIDE SOME SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT WE THINK WOULD BE THE RIGHT BALANCE. >> Paxson: BUT THAT WOULD BE AN OPERATING EXPENSE. THAT WOULD NOT BE THE CAPITAL EXPENSE FOR BUILDING? >> IT DOES HAVE AN IMPLICATION ON CAPITAL EXPENSE. >> Paxson: A SUBSTANTIAL IMPLICATION? >> YES. >> Paxson: IF UNDER THIS PROPOSAL, IF WE'RE LOOKING AT SELECTING A FIRM TO ACTUALLY OPERATE THE PLANT -- WE WERE TALKING ABOUT 60 MILLION A YEAR UNDER THE PREVIOUS DESIGN. WHAT WOULD WE BE LOOKING AT IN OPERATIONS APPROXIMATELY? I KNOW THERE'S VARIABLES BUT I'M TRYING TO MAKE THIS DEAL MAKE SENSE. >> RIGHT NOW I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU A NUMBER ON THAT. BUT THE OPERATOR, WHOEVER IT MAY BE, THEY WOULD HAVE TO EVALUATE THE FINAL SET OF CONDITIONS AND USE THAT ON THE CALCULATION OF THEIR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSE. >> Paxson: AND UNDER THIS SCHEDULE OF VOTES, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR TARGET OR EDUCATED GUESS AT WHEN THIS WOULD BE ONLINE, WHEN WATER WOULD BE FLOWING? IF EVERYTHING, OF COURSE, WENT FORWARD. >> YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN MOVING PRETTY FAST. WE HAVE NOT LOOKED AT THE TIMELINE YET. WE'VE BEEN FOCUSED ON PRICE, HONESTLY, AND WAYS THAT IDEAS OF HOW THE PRICE CAN BE LOWERED, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD. THE CURRENT PUBLISHED PRICE BY THE PREVIOUS VENDOR. TODAY WE'RE NOT ABLE TO COME BACK. BUT WHEN WE GET ALL THE INFORMATION, REVIEW ALL THE INFORMATION, AND ARE PREPARING THE PRICE -- WE CALL IT THE FACTORED PRICE PROPOSAL, PRELIMINARY PRICE PROPOSAL -- AT THAT TIME WE COULD COME BACK WITH A SCHEDULE FOR YOU, COUNCILWOMAN. >> Paxson: ARE YOU THINKING 2027 2028? >> PREVIOUSLY WE HAD 42 MONTHS. IT WAS 12 MONTHS OF DESIGN AND WE HAD ABOUT 30 MONTHS OF CONSTRUCTION AND COMMISSIONING, ET CETERA. THEY HAVEN'T COMMITTED TO THAT BUT JUST TO GIVE YOU KIND OF A TIMELINE. THE ORIGINAL KIEWIT CONTRACT STARTED DECEMBER OF '24 AND WE WERE LIVE IN THE SUMMER OF '28. >> Paxson: SO AT BEST-CASE SCENARIO, IF VERY LITTLE ABOUT THE PROJECT CHANGES, WE'RE LOOKING AT '29? >> ABOUT THREE AND A HALF YEARS FROM THE START. >> Paxson: 2029? >> THEY MAY BE ABLE TO BETTER THAT SCHEDULE. >> Paxson: BUT THAT'S A FAIR GUESS. >> THAT'S A FAIR GUESS. >> Paxson: WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A BIG PLANT. >> THAT WOULD BE A FAIR GUESS. LIKE I SAID, COUNCILWOMAN, WE DON'T HAVE OUR ARMS WRAPPED AROUND ALL THE INFORMATION YET. AND ONCE WE DO THAT, THEN WE COULD COME BACK AND GIVE YOU OUR BEST ESTIMATE ON TIME. >> Paxson: SO I WANT TO ECHO COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ'S SENTIMENTS. I THINK YOU GUYS HAVE GREAT PROFESSIONALS. I TRULY APPRECIATE THE EFFORT IN THIS. I REALLY, REALLY DO. FOR ME, IF I'M GOING TO PUT SUPPORT BEHIND SOMETHING, I'VE GOT TO MAKE IT MAKE SENSE. AND FROM WHERE I'M SITTING, WHILE I APPRECIATE THAT YOU GUYS ARE BRINGING, UNDER MR. ZANONI'S GUIDANCE OPTIONS. I'M SOMEONE WHO LIVES LARGE SCALE AND VERY REALISTICALLY. YOU'RE CALLING -- LET'S CALL WHAT IT IS WHAT IT IS. TO ME, IT'S STILL THE SAME PROJECT AND EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE KIND OF TALKED ABOUT HERE IS SAYING IT'S THE SAME PROJECT WITH POTENTIALLY A FEW TWEAKS TO IT. BUT MORE THAN LIKELY, THE MEAN OF THIS TRAJECTORY IS ABOUT THE SAME PROJECT, MORE OR LESS. ONLY NOW -- AND IT WAS EVEN SAID LAST NIGHT IN A PRESENTATION -- BECAUSE IT'S A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE LINE, THERE'S POTENTIAL FOR MORE COST AND MORE TIME. AND WHAT OUR PRIORITY WAS WHEN WE GOT HERE WAS TWO THINGS. ONE, GET US OUT OF CURTAILMENT. GET IMMEDIATE SOURCES ONLINE. TWO, FIND PROJECTS THAT WERE GOING TO FURNISH US FOR THE FUTURE. I WANT THE CITY TO GROW. I WANT IT TO CONTINUE TO GROW. TO MR. HERNANDEZ'S COMMENT, EVEN IF WE SHOOT FOR THAT MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF 30, IT DOESN'T GROW OUR TRAJECTORY AS A CITY. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? THAT'S WHAT I'M SEARCHING FOR HERE ARE THE PIECES THAT SET THIS NEW PROPOSAL APART FROM ALL OF THOSE ELEMENTS THAT WE HAD PREVIOUSLY. I DID WANT TO ASK ONE MORE QUESTION WHILE I HAVE A COUPLE MORE SECONDS HERE. YOU MENTIONED, PETER, THAT THE TEAMS ARE GOING TO GO IN FRONT OF THE WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD BEFORE THEIR VOTE IN DECEMBER? >> Zanoni: THAT'S CORRECT. WE PLAN GOING TO AUSTIN THE FIRST WEEK IN DECEMBER TO TALK TO BRIAN McMATH AND HIS TEAM. >> Paxson: I KNOW SEVERAL WEEKS BACK WE HAD TALKED ABOUT BRINGING THE GENTLEMAN, MR. RUBENSTEIN ON AS A CONTRACTOR. I THINK IT WAS AT ONE OF THE COUNTY EVENTS ON THE 5th OF NOVEMBER, THAT YOU AND I TOUCHED BASE ON THAT AGAIN. >> Zanoni: CORRECT. >> Paxson: WHAT IS HIS STATUS AND INVOLVEMENT RIGHT NOW ON THAT. >> Zanoni: CARLOS RUBENSTEIN IS UNDER CONTRACT WITH US TODAY. HE'S HELPING US WITH THE BED AND BANKS PERMIT FOR THE NUECES RIVER WELLS PROJECT. WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING ANOTHER CONTRACT WITH HIM TO HELP US WITH THE PUA THAT COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN TALKED ABOUT. THE PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY. BECAUSE THAT COULD BE A VENUE THAT WE COULD TRANSITION THIS PROJECT INTO. >> Paxson: BUT WE HAD SPOKEN ABOUT HIS ASSISTANCE WITH NAVIGATING OUR INTERESTS AT THE WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD LEVEL FOR RECLAIMING THESE COSTS? >> Zanoni: HE'S HELPING US WITH THAT AS WELL. >> Paxson: HAS HE BEEN GIVEN ALL THE DOCUMENTATION? HAS HE MADE CONTACT WITH THEM? IS HE GOING WITH YOU? WHAT'S THE STATUS? >> Zanoni: LET ME HAVE RYAN SKROBARCZYK GET THAT ANSWER FOR US. IF HE'S NOT HERE, WE'LL GET IT FOR YOU BEFORE WE'RE DONE WITH THIS ITEM TODAY. HE WOULD PROBABLY BE WITH US WHEN WE GO TO AUSTIN THAT FIRST WEEK IN DECEMBER. RYAN HAS TO TELL US HAS HE BEEN CONTACTING THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD. I JUST DON'T KNOW THAT ANSWER. HERE WE GO. >> Paxson: EARS MUST HAVE BEEN BURNING. >> RYAN SKROBARCZYK, INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS. MR. RUBENSTEIN, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH HIM. HE HAS RECEIVED ALL OF THE DOCUMENTATION THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD. >> Paxson: AND OUR LETTERS TO THEM? >> I THINK FOR THE MOST PART, MAYBE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE VERY FIRST ONE. BECAUSE THAT WASN'T ONE GENERATED BY STAFF. BUT I THINK HE'S DOUBTLESSLY GOT A COPY BY NOW. SO HE'S GOT ALL OF THE BACK AND FORTH. HE AND I TALKED ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF WHERE WE ARE WITH THE WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND THE FACT THAT WE HAVE ISSUED FOUR LETTERS NOW -- OR FOUR LETTERS HAVE BEEN ISSUED AND FOUR LETTERS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND THE CONCEPT OF TRYING TO TURN WHAT HAS PRETTY CONSISTENTLY BEEN A NO INTO A YES. MAY NOT BE THE BEST STRATEGY FOR THIS PARTICULAR TRANCHE OF FUNDING. HE'S ENGAGED. HE GAVE FEEDBACK TO THE MOST RECENT LETTER THAT WAS SENT, IN TERMS OF THE TERMINOLOGY THAT WAS USED IN THE LETTER SENT TO BRIAN McMATH. AND SO HE'S READY AND WILLING TO HELP AND BE INVOLVED AS A CONSULTANT ON THE TEAM. SO HE'S NOT A LOBBYIST. SO HE WOULDN'T BE LOBBYING. >> Paxson: NO, A CONSULTANT, IS WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT. BEING A CONSULTANT AND FACILITATING THAT RELATIONSHIP. SOMETHING THAT WAS SAID WAS THAT IT'S NO LONGER RECOMMENDED TO ASK FOR THE REPURPOSING OF FUNDS. WAS THAT HIS RECOMMENDATION? >> CARLOS'? MR. RUBENSTEIN'S YES. IF THEY ARE KIND OF IN LINE WITH WHAT BRIAN McMATH SUGGESTED. IF THERE WAS GOING TO BE A NEED, SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE $525 MILLION, THE NEED TO REPURPOSE IT, THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION WOULD LIKE TO BE TO JUST REAPPLY. >> Paxson: HE'S NOT INVOLVED AT ALL WITH US GOING UP THERE THIS WEEK TO MEET WITH THEM? ALTHOUGH HE'S OUR PAID CONSULTANT. >> Zanoni: HE WILL BE GOING WITH US. THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 1. WE'RE STILL PUTTING PLANS TOGETHER. WE STILL HAVE TO SCHEDULE TIME ON McMATH'S CALENDAR. HE'LL BE GOING WITH US. >> Paxson: BUT YOU SAID YOU'RE GOING TOMORROW. >> Zanoni: NO. THE FIRST WEEK IN DECEMBER IS THE PLANNED TRIP TO TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD IN AUSTIN. >> Paxson: I THOUGHT YOU WERE MEETING WITH THEM THIS WEEK. >> Zanoni: NO. I DON'T THINK SO. I'M NOT SURE WHAT WAS SAID ABOUT TOMORROW. YEAH COUNCILWOMAN. THE FIRST WEEK IN DECEMBER. >> Paxson: OKAY. THANK YOU. >> Zanoni: HE'LL GO WITH US. >> Paxson: YOU SAID YOU WOULD SEE IF WE GET ANOTHER TIME AROUND. >> Mayor Guajardo: LET ME MOVE ON. COUNCILMAN CANTU. >> Cantu: REAL QUICK, MAYOR. CAN WE -- REBECCA, HOW CAN WE GET IT THREE TIMES? CAN WE DO A MOTION TO TALK THREE TIMES? HOW DOES THAT WORK? >> City Secretary: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO DO THAT. THE MAYOR CAN ALSO GRANT THAT, IF SHE WANTS TO. >> Cantu: THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT SUBJECT, MARY. MAYOR, WE NEED TO DO THIS. >> Mayor Guajardo: DOES EVERYBODY WANT ANOTHER CHANCE TO SPEAK? >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: WELL, WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS IN ORDER. SO WE'RE GOING TO DO IT NOW AND THEN IT'S DONE AND THEN WE GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT AND THEN WE VOTE. >> Cantu: WHICHEVER, I DON'T CARE. >> Mayor Guajardo: SO IF Y'ALL WANT ANOTHER TURN. IT WOULD BE NOW. THEY WANT TO SPEAK NOW. IF YOU DON'T, YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE YOUR TURN ANYWAY. ALL RIGHT. IF Y'ALL WANT TO SPEAK ANOTHER TIME, THAT'S FINE. >> Cantu: AFTER PUBLIC COMMENT WOULD BE GOOD. >> Mayor Guajardo: NO, WE'RE GOING TO DO THE THREE TIMES NOW. GO AHEAD. >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO SPEAK NOW? Y'ALL ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO WANT A THIRD TURN, WHICH IS FINE. YOU CAN HAVE THE THIRD TIME. >> ACTUALLY THREE. >> Mayor Guajardo: THAT'S FINE. YOU CAN SPEAK. YEAH. YOU HAVE TWO MORE THEN. >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: NO. >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: FINE. THE THIRD TIME AFTER PUBLIC COMMENT. SO YOU HAVE SPOKEN TWICE. COUNCILMAN CANTU, THIS IS YOUR SECOND TURN. REBECCA, YOU'RE KEEPING TRACK? ALL RIGHT. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> Mayor Guajardo: YOU'RE WELCOME. WHO'S UP? IS THAT IT, ERIC? >> Cantu: NO. I HAVE STUFF TO TALK ABOUT. THIS IS MY SECOND TIME, CORRECT? OKAY. WHERE ARE WE WITH THE CONTRACTS WITH THE REFINERIES? >> ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THE REUSE? >> Zanoni: NO, WE'RE NOT. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT -- NICK KNOWS. GO AHEAD, NICK. >> YES, SIR. SO WE'VE ENGAGED OUR RATE MODELER, NEW GEN, TO HELP US PUT TOGETHER A PATH FORWARD WITH THE REFINERIES. JUST TO CLARIFY, COUNCIL MEMBER, I KNOW YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT OUR WATER CONTRACTS, DELIVERED WATER CONTRACTS WITH OUR LARGE-VOLUME USERS. WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE ENGAGED OUR RATE MODELER. THEY'VE GOT THE EXPERTISE. THEY'RE PUTTING TOGETHER A PATH FORWARD FOR US SO WE CAN CONTINUE THAT WORK WITH THOSE ENTITIES. >> Cantu: WHAT'S YOUR ETA? >> I DO WANT TO SAY IT'S A COMPLICATED PROCESS. LIKE ANY CONTRACT NEGOTIATION, IT'S A COMPLICATED PROCESS. >> Cantu: I UNDERSTAND. WHAT'S THE ETA, MORE OR LESS? >> I WOULD HESITATE TO ANSWER THAT. YOU KNOW, THE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS ALL HAVE A LIFE OF THEIR OWN. WE ARE EXTREMELY FOCUSED ON THE DELIVERY -- THE OFFSETTING OF OUR DEMAND WITH EFFLUENT WATER. THAT HAS TAKEN A HIGH PRIORITY RIGHT NOW SO WE CAN LOWER THAT DEMAND. AND IF YOU THINK OF OUR WATER DASHBOARD, WE WANT TO LOWER THAT DEMAND CURVE SO THAT WE CAN PUSH BACK OUR LEVEL ONE WATER EMERGENCY. THAT'S A HIGH PRIORITY. >> Cantu: I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S IN PLACE BEFORE WE START GETTING MORE -- BUYING MORE, PAYING FOR THESE PROJECTS. WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING SET IN STONE WITH THESE REFINERIES. I WANT THEM TO ALSO HAVE SOMETHING ON THE TABLE WHILE WE'RE SPENDING ALL THIS MONEY. IF IT'S INNER HARBOR OR OTHER PROJECTS. >> IT IS A PRIORITY FOR CCW, ABSOLUTELY. IT'S DEFINITELY A PRIORITY. >> Zanoni: COUNCILMAN, I WOULD SAY WE NEED TO HAVE EVERYTHING IN ORDER BEFORE WE BEGIN THE NEXT BUDGET. THAT'S EARLY NEXT -- LATE NEXT SPRING, EARLY SUMMER. THE CONTRACT SHOULD BE IN PLACE BY THEN. >> Cantu: CAN YOU GUYS DO A P3 AND PAY FOR IT AND BUILD IT AND OPERATE IT? ARE Y'ALL REAL CONFIDENT THAT THOSE WATERS ARE GOOD? >> AT THIS STAGE, I WOULD SAY CONCEPTUALLY IT IS POSSIBLE. IT IS WHAT WE DO. BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO EVALUATE ALL THE SPECIFIC DETAILS. >> Cantu: WILL YOU COME BACK WITH US WHEN YOU COME UP WITH A PRICE AND SAY, HEY, WE COULD DO THIS ALSO. AND DO A P3 AND BUILD IT AND DO EVERYTHING ELSE? BUILD IT, OPERATE IT, PAY FOR IT, ALL THAT STUFF. >> CONCEPTUALLY WE CAN DO ALL THOSE THINGS. IT USUALLY DEPENDS ON THE DETAIL OF THE P3 ITSELF. SO THE P3 PROCESS WOULD HAVE TO BE DEFINED FOR US TO EVALUATE IT AND MAKE SURE IT IS SOMETHING WE CAN DELIVER. BUT CONCEPTUALLY, YES. >> THAT WOULDN'T BE ON HIM. REALLY THE CITY WOULD NEED TO DEVELOP THAT AGREEMENT FOR THEM TO BE A PART OF. THAT USUALLY TAKES SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF TIME. >> Cantu: YOU COULD EVEN BE A PARTNER WITH THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI. WE DIDN'T DO THAT IN THE PAST, FOR WHATEVER REASONS. WILL THE FAR FIELD STUDY BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC TO, AFTER IT'S DONE, SO THEY CAN FACT CHECK THE FAR-FIELD STUDY? >> THE REPORT, YEAH. IT WILL BE PUBLIC. >> Zanoni: IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE DURING THE PROCESS, COUNCILMAN. WHEN THOSE MAJOR MILESTONES OR ANYBODY THAT WANTS DATA. >> Cantu: CAN WE DO MORE THAN 30 MGD IN THAT LOCATION? >> WE CAN. IT DEPENDS ON THE TECHNOLOGY AND HOW MUCH RECOVERY YOU'RE GETTING. BUT THE PERMITS WOULD, IN THEORY, ALLOW MORE. >> Cantu: HOW MUCH MORE, MORE OR LESS? >> AGAIN, IT DEPENDS ON RECOVERY. MAYBE AROUND 36 TO 40. BUT WE HAVE LIMITATIONS AT THE NAVIGATION PUMP STATION. IT CAN ONLY RECEIVE I THINK MAX, 36 MGD. IF WE WERE TO TAKE MORE THAN THAT, WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE SOMEWHERE ELSE TO TAKE THAT WATER. >> Cantu: ON THE BID PROCESS, NOW THAT WE'RE ASKING THEM TO OPERATE IT, DO WE NEED TO CHANGE THE BIDDING PROCESS FOR OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTHER CONTRACTORS, BUILDERS TO BID ON THE PROJECT? >> Zanoni: WE DO. WHAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING IS STAYING WITH THIS PROCESS THAT WE HAVE TODAY, THIS BID THAT GOT US TO THE NUMBER TWO TEAM. IF COUNCIL APPROVES THE THIRD STEP, IMMEDIATELY WE WOULD PUT OUT A NEW REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR AN OPERATOR THAT WOULD BE DETERMINED PROBABLY WITHIN A YEAR. SO WE WOULD KNOW BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR WHO THE SELECTED OPERATOR IS FOR THE FACILITY. SO THAT WE CAN STAY ON TRACK. WE KNOW TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE AND IF WE THROW OUT THIS WHOLE BID PROCESS THEN YOU'RE TALKING ANOTHER WHOLE YEAR BEFORE WE EVEN COME TO THIS TYPE OF MEETING. AND I DON'T RECOMMEND THAT, GIVEN OUR WATER SITUATION. SO THERE'S WAYS TO -- >> Cantu: IF SOMEBODY CALLS YOU TOMORROW AND SAYS, HEY, WE WANT TO BUILD IT, PAY FOR IT, AND OPERATE IT. IS THAT GOING TO BE ON THE TABLE? >> Zanoni: NOBODY HAS CALLED US YET THOUGH. >> Cantu: IS THAT AN OPTION? >> Zanoni: IT SURE IS. MY PHONE IS ON ALL THE TIME. >> Cantu: I'M GOING TO PUT IT ON FACEBOOK. AND THEN WE TALKED ABOUT -- ME, YOU, AND COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN -- ABOUT CREATING A BOARD OF EXPERTS, THE PUBLIC TO GO OVER THE FAR-FIELD STUDIES AND STUFF LIKE THAT. I HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT THAT TODAY. IS THAT STILL ON THE TABLE? >> Zanoni: YEAH. A GROUP OF FOLKS THAT WOULD HELP US REVIEW THE FAR-FIELD STUDY. WE'RE RECOMMENDING THAT. IT WOULD BE LAY PEOPLE ALL THE WAY TO PROFESSIONALS FROM THE HARTE INSTITUTE AS WELL AS LAMONT TAYLOR. I TOLD HIM YOU'RE GOING TO BE ON THIS PANEL . THAT WOULD BE WITH THE FAR-FIELD STUDY GROUP ALL THE WAY THROUGH. THERE WILL BE CHECK-INS. THEY WILL HAVE ACCESS TO RAW DATA AND REPORTS. SO THE ANSWER IS YES. >> Cantu: DAN. >> YES, SIR. >> Cantu: YOU LIVING IN CORPUS ALL YOUR LIFE AND DOING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI FOR -- YOU SAID DECADES. I DON'T KNOW HOW OLD YOU ARE. >> PETER IS AGING ME. >> Cantu: DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS OF BUILDING THIS PLANT ON THE INNER HARBOR PROJECT? >> YOU KNOW, THE WATER -- I'M GOING TO PUT MY ENGINEER HAT ON. IT IS DIFFICULT WATER TO TREAT WHERE WE'RE AT. I HAVEN'T WAVERED FROM THAT. I SAID THAT FROM THE GET-GO. BUT THE TECHNOLOGY'S THERE AND THE REASON I THINK I SAID EARLIER, THE REASON I'M HERE WITH ACCIONA AND MAS TEC IS THEY HAVE SEEN WATERS LIKE THIS, DIFFICULT WATER, AND WHEN WE WENT THROUGH THE PROPOSAL PROCESS TWO YEARS AGO NOW, THERE WAS A DEEP DIVE INTO ALL THESE ISSUES COUNCILMAN. AND SO WE'RE NOT COMING IN COLD BECAUSE WE DID DO THIS PROCESS, YOU KNOW, TO GET READY FOR THE PROPOSAL. BUT WE DO NEED TO STEP BACK AND REVIEW ALL THE INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY DONE. AND TO LET US TAKE A LOOK AT IT. AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TODAY AND TWO YEARS AGO. I THINK PETER DID A FINE JOB ON THIS. TO ME IT'S FOUR THINGS: PRICE WILL BE ONE. I THINK THE EXPECTATION IS THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO COME IN WHERE THE PREVIOUS PRICE POINT WAS DISCUSSED. THAT'S ONE. TWO, THIS ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW THAT HAS BEEN REQUESTED. THREE, IT'S NOW ON THE TABLE THAT IT WILL BE OPERATED PRIVATELY. YOU KNOW, BY AN OUTSIDE CONSULTANT. I THINK THAT HELPS A LOT. AND IF I CAN ADD, PETER, THAT IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT THEY GET ON BOARD SO THEY CAN BE INVOLVED IN THE DESIGN PROCESS AT THE SAME TIME. SO THAT'S IMPERATIVE. AND THEN FOUR IS PARTNERS. PARTNERS UNDER SENATOR -- THAT ABILITY UNDER SENATOR HINOJOSA'S PLAN TO BE ABLE TO BRING IN PARTNERS TO ASSIST THE CITY WITH THIS PROJECT. SO IF YOU'RE ASKING WHAT'S CHANGED, TO ME, IN MY OPINION, THOSE ARE THE FOUR THINGS THAT HAVE CHANGED. AND SO WE'RE HERE TODAY AND WE'RE ASKING LET US TAKE A LOOK AT IT. IF SOMETHING'S NOT RIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK AND TELL YOU IT'S NOT RIGHT AND WE CAN'T GET IT DONE. BUT IF IT IS, WE'LL DO OUR BEST TO GET -- >> Cantu: WHAT HAPPENS IF WE BUILT THIS PLANT AND WE TURN IT ON AND IT DOESN'T WORK OUT? >> WE'RE ON THE HOOK TO FIX IT UNTIL IT DOES WORK OUT. I MEAN, IT'S NOT LIKE WE GET TO GO WALK HOME. AND I LIVE HERE. >> Cantu: SO WE GOT WARRANTY, RIGHT? >> YEAH. THERE'S A WARRANTY. AND I LIVE HERE AND I'VE LIVED HERE A LONG TIME. RAISED A FAMILY HERE. >> Cantu: I DON'T WANT TO BUILD AN EXPENSIVE PLANT AND HA HALF THE TIME IT'S TURNED OFF. >> HERE'S A BETTER WAY THAT MIGHT HELP. YOU CAN HAVE A PLANT THAT'S 30 MGD THAT'S RUNNING 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, 365 DAYS A YEAR. THAT IS ONE COST BECAUSE THAT MEANS YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE BACKUP EQUIPMENT BACK TO THE CAPX. TO RUN YOUR CAR 120 MILES PER HOUR ALL THE TIME, THAT'S ONE COST. NOW IF YOU CAN SIT THERE AND SAY, LOOK, DURING CERTAIN SITUATIONS WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO LOWER THAT VOLUME DURING CERTAIN DAYS DUE TO VARIOUS CONDITIONS. AND WE MIGHT PUT OUT 28 MGD INSTEAD OR 25 MGD FOR THE SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. AND THEN WHEN NEEDED, WE RAMP BACK UP TO 30 MGD, WHEN IT'S NEEDED. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE REALLY SAYING ABOUT PULLING THESE LEVERS. DO WE HAVE TO BE 30 MGD, 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, 365 DAYS A YEAR? TYPICALLY THE ANSWER IS NO. WE DON'T RUN THE CURRENT PLANT LIKE THAT EITHER. IN THE WINTER, YOU PRODUCE LESS WATER. IN THE SUMMER, YOU PRODUCE MORE WATER. THAT'S REALLY PROBABLY THE DIFFERENCE HERE. THIS IS THE VERY FIRST STEP IN LETTING US EXPLORE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES. >> Cantu: I APPRECIATE IT. YOU KNOW, TO BE HONEST WITH THE PEOPLE, I'VE BEEN CAMPAIGNING IN THE PAST, THREE WEEKS I'VE BEEN KNOCKING ON DOORS. I'M GETTING A LOT OF THREATS OF PEOPLE RUNNING AGAINST ME BECAUSE OF MY DECISION ON THE INNER HARBOR. IF I VOTE NO, IF I VOTE YES. I'VE BEEN KNOCKING ON DOORS. I KNOCKED ON 208 DOORS IN THE PAST TWO WEEK AND 98 DOORS OPENED FOR ME. THE MAIN CONCERNS I GET IS HOW MUCH IS MY WATER BILL GOING TO COST. AND THESE ARE FROM SENIORS OVER 65. THERE'S ONE LADY, SHE LIVES IN MOLLY AND SHE WAS OUTSIDE AND SHE HAD NO ELECTRICITY INSIDE HER HOME. SHE'S WAITING FOR HER PAYCHECK. THAT'S THE REAL STRUGGLES THAT PEOPLE ARE HAVING TODAY. IF YOU'RE NOT STRUGGLING, YOU'RE BLESSED. BUT THERE'S PEOPLE OUT THERE STRUGGLING AND THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT I'M FIGHTING FOR. THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT I REPRESENT. I REPRESENT EVERYBODY BUT WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THOSE PEOPLE THAT CAN'T AFFORD STUFF. IT'S EITHER MY WATER BILL OR MY MEDICATIONS. AND IT'S SAD. BUT THAT'S HOW PEOPLE ARE LIVING TODAY. AND, YOU KNOW, WE ALL KNOW -- AND I'M OKAY WITH IT. THIS WATER IS FOR THE REFINERIES. I'M OKAY WITH IT BECAUSE THEY PROVIDE JOBS. WE PROMISED THEM WATER MANY, MANY YEARS AGO AND THEY CAME AND BUILT THEIR PLANT HERE. AND WE'VE GOT TO SUPPORT THEM. THAT'S JUST MY CONCERNS IS THE PRICE TAG. HOW MUCH THE WATER BILLS ARE GOING TO COST FOR OUR RESIDENTS. I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT. PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING TODAY AND WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT SOMETHING TO HELP THEM, IF THIS DOES HAPPEN. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS. >> Campos: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR AGREEING TO LET US SPEAK AT LEAST THREE TIMES. I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHEN WOULD BE THE BEST TIME, IF AFTER THE PUBLIC COMMENTS. ANYWAY, TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HAVING -- WHAT IS IT CALLED? THE HORSE BEFORE THE CART. I'VE BEEN ASKING HOW MUCH WATER DO WE ACTUALLY NEED. AND, YOU KNOW, WE ARE -- WE HAVE BEEN PROVIDING THE WATER FOR INDUSTRY, FOR COMMERCIAL, FOR RESIDENTS ALL THESE YEARS. LET ME TELL YOU WE'RE NOT GOING TO LET OUR COMMUNITY DOWN. SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD. WE ARE INVESTING -- WE CONTINUE TO INVEST. AND I'M GLAD I HAVE -- WE HAVE COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ THAT'S ALSO LOOKING AT HOW MUCH THE COST IS. AND IT'S STILL -- I MEAN, LIKE MY BROTHER HAS SAID. YOU KNOW, YOU CAN HIRE A CARPENTER ENGINEER WHATEVER. IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY, THEY'RE GOING TO DESIGN WHATEVER YOU WANT. IT'S ABOUT THE COST AND IT'S ABOUT TIMELINESS. IF YOU WANT IT DONE QUICKLY. THANK GOD THAT WE ARE NOW NOT AT THAT POINT THAT WE WERE, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. AT LEAST NOW WE HAVE THE MARY RHODES PIPELINE PUMPING IN AT 72 -- WHICH IS AT THE MAX. AND WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, OUR PUMP STATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPROVED ON. WE REALLY ARE DEPENDING QUITE A BIT ON OUR MARY RHODES PIPELINE. BUT I ALSO JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE WHEN ACCIONA SAYS -- THIS IS THE FIRST I HAVE HEARD THIS INNER HARBOR LOCATION CAN DO 40 BUT I'M REMINDED THAT THE OTHER COMPANY COULD DO -- I HEARD JUST NOW -- 90. DO YOU KNOW HOW YOU CAN DO 90 MGD? IF IT'S PUMPED OUT INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO, WHICH WE KNOW THAT'S THE OTHER COST. THAT'S THE REASON THE COMPANIES WE HAVE HIRED HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT, THE COST. HERE WE ARE LOOKING AT JUST THE INNER HARBOR AND WHAT IT MAY POSSIBLY DO TO OUR BAY. THAT'S AT $1.2 BILLION. IT IS ABOUT THE COST. BUT I ALSO WANTED TO MENTION SOMETHING THAT OUR COUNCILWOMAN DID SAY ABOUT, YOU KNOW, INDUSTRY HELPING OUT WITH THE RATEPAYERS THAT CAN'T AFFORD IT, THAT THERE IS ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, A WAY THAT THEY CAN HELP OR SUBSIDIZE. BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE WOULD HELP? IF INDUSTRY WOULD NOT CHALLENGE THE WATER RATES. BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT MAY BE LIKE A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS WHERE YOU'RE HELPING OUT THE RESIDENTS. BUT HERE WE ARE TALKING MILLIONS. MILLIONS. HERE WE ARE TRYING TO GET EQUALITY IN OUR WATER RATES. ONCE WE FINALLY STARTED TO DO THAT INSTEAD OF INDUSTRY WORKING WITH US AND SAYING, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE RIGHT. FOR 20 YEARS YOU DIDN'T RAISE THOSE RATES. BUT HERE WE GO. BECAUSE THEY CAN DO IT, THEY ARE GOING TO DO IT AND THEY ARE DOING IT. WE'RE STILL WAITING ON THAT. WE STILL HAVE CORPORATIONS STILL CHALLENGING THEIR OWN CITY WITH THESE WATER RATES. SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S ONE THING TO GIVE A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS HERE AND THERE TO RESIDENTS. BUT THE MAIN THING IS DON'T, YOU KNOW, BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR LIKE YOU SAY YOU ARE. AND, YOU KNOW, DO THE RIGHT THING AND NOT CHALLENGE THESE WATER RATES THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ESTABLISH. THANK GOODNESS THAT WE HAVE A CORPORATION OR A COMPANY THAT HAS GIVEN US SOME GOOD WAYS OF, YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF US ARE EQUAL IN OUR WATER RATES. AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT -- AND THIS IS THE FIRST I HAVE HEARD OF LAMONT BEING ON THIS. BUT I KNOW I ALSO HAVE SOME INDIVIDUALS THAT WOULD BE GREAT TO SERVE ON THAT COMMISSION. I KNOW THAT THERE'S OTHERS. YOU KNOW, IT'S DISINGENUOUS TO THROW OUT A NAME LIKE THAT. BUT I GUESS WE'LL WAIT FOR AFTER THE COMMENTS. I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY BEING HERE BUT I ALSO APPRECIATE INDUSTRY DOING THEIR PART AND NOT CHALLENGING US. THANK YOU. >> Zanoni: YEAH, COUNCILWOMAN. IF YOU'RE REFERRING TO ME AS DISINGENUOUS, LAMONT ASKED ME TWO DAYS AGO, THREE DAYS AGO AT A GROUNDEDBREAKING EVENT THAT WE HAD IN HILLCREST FOR OUR $30 MILLION INVESTMENT. HE SAID CAN I BE ON? AND I SAID ABSOLUTELY. IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. I WOULD SAY IT AGAIN. WE HAVEN'T FORMED THE COMMITTEE BUT WHEN ASKED FRIDAY OUT THERE IN HILLCREST, I SAID YES. WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE COUNCIL AND OTHER GROUPS TO F FORMULATE THAT. IT'S NOT FORMULATED BUT HE DID ASK ME THE QUESTION LAST FRIDAY AT THAT $30 MILLION GROUNDBREAKING. >> Campos: [OFF MIC] BUT, YOU KNOW, DO I NEED TO SAY THEM HERE, WHICH WAS MELISSA ZAMORA AND JASON HALE? THERE MAY BE OTHERS. I HAVE MENTIONED THOSE NAMES BEFORE TO YOU BUT DO THEY NEED TO GO IN PERSON? >> Zanoni: WE TALKED TO JASON ALREADY AS WELL. WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH JASON. THANK YOU. >> Campos: AND MELISSA? >> Zanoni: HER TOO. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN SCOTT, DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT? >> Scott: I DID, MAYOR. MAY I? >> Mayor Guajardo: YES, YES. GO AHEAD. >> Scott: I'LL BE QUICK. I KNOW YOU DON'T NEED TO HEAR FROM ME. I JUST WANTED THE WORLD TO KNOW I SUPPORT THE VOTE TODAY. I ALSO SUPPORT MOVING FORWARD ON THE FAR-FIELD MODELING. I WOULD TAKE THE TIME NEEDED TO SET IT UP RIGHT. I SUSPECT WE STILL NEED TO FLESH OUT WHO IS INVOLVED. I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE THE USE OF THE SAN PATRICIO PILOT PAYMENTS TO OFFSET THE INCREASE IN RATE TO THE CORPUS CHRISTI RATEPAYER. I THINK THAT'S AN INTERESTING AND A GOOD WAY TO KEEP THE RATES LOWER BY USING THE SAN PATRICIO PILOT PAYMENTS IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN. OKAY. I THINK WE'VE HAD ALL THE COMMENTS UP HERE FROM THE COUNCIL FOR ME. SO I'M GOING TO SAY A FEW THINGS AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO ON TO OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ANYBODY THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 18. FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE, WHETHER YOU'RE LOCAL OR NOT. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. YOU KNOW, AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK THAT WE NEED TO, YOU KNOW, MAKE CLEAR AND MAKE CERTAIN THAT WHAT IS WELL UNDERSTOOD -- ARE Y'ALL GETTING IN LINE ALREADY OVER THERE? HOLD ON. HOLD ON. OKAY. WELL, MAYBE Y'ALL SHOULD SIT UNTIL WE GET TO THERE. JUST GIVE ME A MINUTE. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE CLEAR FOR EVERYONE AND FOR THE PUBLIC. TODAY THE VOTE IS CRITICAL, ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL. IT IS CRITICAL FOR ME. IT'S THE RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO. WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON, NO ONE CAN ANSWER ALL THE SPECIFICS. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON. A PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD. OUR CITY MANAGER HAS DONE A GREAT JOB IN LISTENING TO THOSE FOR AND AGAINST THIS PROJECT AND SAYING LET'S BRING IT TOGETHER. THIS IS AN MOU. THAT IS ALL IT IS. NO ONE IS COMMITTING A DIME. AS A MATTER OF FACT, Y'ALL ARE COMMITTING ACCIONA IS COMMITTING A FEW DIMES TO SAY WE'RE WILLING TO GO AHEAD AND BET ON THIS PROJECT SO THAT WE CAN COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT THIS COUNCIL -- OR AT LEAST A MAJORITY OF THIS COUNCIL CAN AGREE UPON. THAT COULD BE OPERATING THE PLANT 195 DAYS A YEAR. THAT COULD BE HERE'S AN OPTION FOR 20 MGD. BECAUSE PRICE IS A FACTOR THAT WE ARE SAYING IS A FACTOR. I WANT TO SEE EVERYTHING. I WANT TO SEE 30 AND THEN ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU PLAY WITH FROM THERE. BUT THAT'S WHAT YOU CAN'T ANSWER. I UNDERSTAND THAT. TODAY IS A VOTE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A PLAN THAT A MAJORITY OF THIS COUNCIL CAN MOVE FORWARD AND SAY WE TRUST YOU. GO FIGURE IT OUT. BRING BACK SOME OPTIONS AND THEN LET'S GO FROM THERE. THIS WOULD BE FIRST BASE. WE'VE GOT SECOND BASE, THIRD BASE, AND THEN SLIDING INTO HOME. AND HOPEFULLY, YOU KNOW, IT WORKS OUT. SO THAT SAID, I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT -- I LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT. I'M SORRY. I'M GOING TO ASK Y'ALL PLEASE, MS. CABALLERO, IF Y'ALL WOULD PLEASE, WHEN YOU'RE SPEAKING, WE'RE LISTENING. SO PLEASE STOP. I'M GOING TO GIVE HER A MINUTE. OKAY. SO I APPRECIATE EVERYONE WHO'S HERE FOR OR AGAINST THIS MOVING FORWARD. I WANT TO MAKE SURE CLEAR TOO THAT NEVER DID ANYONE SAY THAT THIS -- A DESALINATION PROJECT IS NOT FOR THE IMMEDIATE NEED. WE HAVE THE IMMEDIATE NEED. WE HAVE A SHORT-TERM NEED. WE HAVE A LONG-TERM NEED. THE IMMEDIATE NEED IS WHAT WE'RE DOING. WELLS, THE MARY RHODES PIPELINE. WHAT WAS THE OTHER ONE, PETER? >> Zanoni: EVANGELINE. >> Mayor Guajardo: THE SHORT TERM WOULD BE THIS DESALINATION PROJECT. THREE TO FOUR YEARS. LONG TERM WOULD BE WHATEVER LONG TERM LOOKS LIKE DOWN THE LINE. A BIGGER DESAL PROJECT OR WHAT HAVE YOU. BUT RIGHT NOW WE'RE FOCUSED ON THE IMMEDIATE AND WE'RE FOCUSED ON WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE IMMEDIATE. BECAUSE THE SHORT TERM BECOMES THE IMMEDIATE LIKE THAT. AND SO WE'RE NOT HERE TO GO AGAINST ONE ANOTHER. YOU KNOW, WHEN I SEE BLUE, WHETHER IT'S THAT T-SHIRT RIGHT THERE OR YOUR UNIFORM, I SEE PEOPLE FAMILIES. AND SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT EVERYBODY -- AND I THINK WE DO. EVERYBODY UP HERE IS TRYING TO BE OPEN TO WHAT PATH CAN WE TAKE FORWARD. I'M GRATEFUL. I'M GRATEFUL TO MY COLLEAGUES. I'M GRATEFUL TO OUR CITY MANAGER, TO STAFF, TO THIS NEW TEAM. THANK YOU FOR SPENDING THE TIME THAT YOU HAVE WITH US. I THINK YOU HAD A FEW PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T TAKE YOUR MEETING. BUT MOVING FORWARD, HOPEFULLY WE CAN ALL WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE EXACTLY WHAT IT IS THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER, NOT FOR US, FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS COMMUNITY. SO, THANK Y'ALL. WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD. NOW WE'RE GOING TO OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM NO. 18. REMEMBER, JUST STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY. IF WE CAN GET EVERYONE'S ATTENTION, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND START AND WE NEED EVERYONE TO PLEASE SILENCE SO WE CAN HEAR OUR SPEAKER, OUR FIRST SPEAKER. >> JASON HALE, COMMISSIONERS COURT. HI, COUNCIL MEMBERS. TODAY I WANT TO START OFF BY TALKING ABOUT SWIFT LOANS. I THINK THEY PUT US IN A TOUGH POSITION AND IT'S ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WE'RE HERE TODAY. I THINK IT'S TOUGH FOR YOU GUYS BECAUSE IT MAKES CANCELING THE INNER HARBOR POLITICALLY COMPLICATED. MY ARGUMENT IS THAT, LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE TCEQ DIDN'T DO A GOOD ASSESSMENT OF THE INNER HARBOR. THERE ARE PLENTY OF SCIENTISTS THAT HAVE WRITTEN REPORTS ABOUT IT. I BELIEVE THEM. AND BECAUSE OF THAT, BASICALLY MY ARGUMENT IS THAT THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE ISSUED THE PERMIT BASED ON THAT QUALITY OF ASSESSMENT. AND BUT BECAUSE THEY DID, THE WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD WAS ALLOWED TO GIVE US THE SWIFT LOANS. YOU KNOW, I FEEL LIKE IF WE CAN PROVE THAT THE TCEQ FAILED TO DO THEIR JOB, THEN WE CAN MAKE A STRONG ARGUMENT THAT THAT MONEY COULD BE USED FOR DIFFERENT PROJECTS BASICALLY. BECAUSE RIGHT NOW I THINK IT'S UNFAIR FOR THE STATE TO TRY TO FORCE THIS PROJECT ON US WHEN IT REALLY HASN'T BEEN STUDIED WELL ENOUGH, IN MY OPINION. SO FAR-FIELD MODELING, I'M GLAD Y'ALL ANNOUNCED YOU WANT TO DO THAT. I THINK WE SHOULD DO IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT GIVES US A CHANCE TO GET THE CLARITY AND THE CERTAINTY WE NEED TO MAKE A FINAL DECISION ON THIS PROJECT, WHICH I THINK IS SOMETHING WE HAVEN'T HAD YET. SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT BUT I'M CONCERNED BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT THAT COULD GO WRONG OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. AND THE MAIN THING I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE TIMELINE. YOU KNOW, THE FINAL VOTE IS IN MARCH AND I BELIEVE THIS MODELING IS IMPORTANT. A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY BELIEVE THIS MODELING IS IMPORTANT. AND IF WE'RE GOING TO DO IT, IT NEEDS TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE ON THE DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE. AND IF WE'RE DRAFTING CONTRACTS IN JANUARY AND SIGNING FINAL CONTRACTS IN MARCH, WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE ANY INPUT FROM THE MODELING? I FEEL LIKE THE MODELING SHOULD INFORM DECISION MAKING AND I FEEL LIKE THIS TIMELINE KIND OF MAKES THAT IMPOSSIBLE. ASIDE FROM THAT, I FEEL LIKE BEFORE THE MARCH VOTE, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE SOME SORT OF PROTECTIONS AND MITIGATIONS LINED OUT EXPLAINING WHAT EXACTLY WE'RE GOING TO DO TO ENSURE THAT THIS WILL BE SAFE FOR OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. AND IF Y'ALL ARE CONCERNED ABOUT COST, I WOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER IMPACT FEES SO THAT NEW AND EXPANDING USERS COULD INCUR THE COSTS FOR THE NEW WATER SUPPLIES THAT THEY ASK FOR. THANKS. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. DAVID ROUSEY, CORPUS CHRISTI, DISTRICT 4. I'M A LITTLE UNPREPARED FOR THIS BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO MISS THE OPPORTUNITY. I TOTALLY AGREE WITH COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS. I FEEL LIKE WE'RE PLAYING A SHELL GAME HERE. YOU VOTED ON THIS 6-3. NOW ALL THE PARTS ARE GETTING MOVED AROUND AND WE'RE BRINGING IT BACK UP AGAIN, INSTEAD OF JUST MOVING ON WITH SOMETHING THAT WOULD JUST BE A BETTER PLAN IN GENERAL. THE INNER HARBOR IS JUST A NOTORIOUSLY BAD AREA FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. YOU KNOW, DUMPS IT IN THE BAY IS JUST TERRIBLE FOR A CITY THAT THRIVES AND HUSTLES ON TOURISM. WHAT'S REAL IMPORTANT TO KNOW IS THAT BUSINESSES AND OUTDOORSMAN LIKE MYSELF ARE NOT AGAINST DESAL. WE'RE AGAINST DUMPING IT IN THE BAYS. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE OUR ECOTOURISM DESTROYED. SOMEBODY SAID THAT INDUSTRY IS NOT THE ONLY PLACE THAT EMPLOYS PEOPLE HERE. VERY TRUE. I THINK YOU SAID THAT AGAIN, MS. CAMPOS. FROM RESTAURANTS TO FISHING GUIDES LIKE MYSELF, HOTELS, BOAT DEALERSHIPS, THERE ARE SO MANY SUPPORTED BY THIS SAME INDUSTRY. I HAVEN'T HEARD IT BROUGHT UP TODAY BUT I WOULD HOPE THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD CONSIDER A BETTER SITE FOR THIS, ESPECIALLY THE BARNEY DAVIS AREA. IT'S A CLEANER PROJECT. THEY'VE ALREADY GOT PERMITTING FOR I THINK 500 MILLION GALLONS A DAY, I BELIEVE, SOMETHING LIKE THAT. AND IT'S THE CLOSEST PLACE TO RUN A PIPELINE OFFSHORE, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE. THAT IS WHERE THIS DISPOSAL OF THIS STUFF HAS TO GO. IT CANNOT SIT IN OUR BAY SYSTEMS. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS STUDIES DONE. THERE WAS JUST A REAL WELL-KNOWN GENTLEMAN FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA THAT RECENTLY RELEASED A STUDY IN OCTOBER REGARDING CORPUS CHRISTI BAY. AND SAID THERE'S JUST NO WAY THIS PROJECT CAN WORK, DUMPING THE BRINE AND CHEMICALS BACK INTO THIS BAY. I DIDN'T TAKE GOOD NOTES HERE. YOU KNOW, ONE SLIDE CAME UP EARLIER AND IT SHOWED THE INTAKE, THE PLANT, AND THE DISPOSAL BACK INTO THE DEAL. IT LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE ONLY 200 YARDS APART. THAT WAS A REAL RED FLAG TO ME. IT'S GOING TO DUMP IT BACK INTO THE BAY, PICK IT UP IN THE INTAKE AND KEEP THIS NASTY PROCESS GOING. YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDKIDS, IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT THEM DRINKING? I WOULDN'T. I MEAN, NOTHING ABOUT IT ADDS UP OR LOOKS GOOD ON PAPER. YOU KNOW, SOME THINGS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP ABOUT INDUSTRY. WE'RE ALL FOR INDUSTRY. I'VE GOT A LOT OF GOOD FRIENDS IN INDUSTRY AND I'M NOT BASHING ANYONE LIKE THAT. COSTS NEED TO BE SHARED. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> BRUCE LANDIG DISTRICT 5. I SUPPORT INNER HARBOR DESAL. WE MOVED HERE FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN I RETIRED FROM MY JOB IN LOCAL POLITICS. I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL FOR TEN YEARS AND PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL LAST TWO. IT BORDERS ON LAKE ERIE. THE GREAT LAKES ARE 20% OF THE WATER SUPPLY. BUT OUR CRISIS HAS PARALLELS TO YOURS. URBAN WHITETAIL DEER POPULATION EXPLODED. THE DEER CONSUMED EVERYTHING. THEY TOOK TO DECIMATING BACKYARDS. AND THEN THE NUMBER OF DEER-VEHICLE ACCIDENTS BECAME ALARMING. OUR DEER MANAGEMENT PLAN WAS ALSO CONTROVERSIAL AND COSTLY. WE PERMITTED BOW HUNTING FROM POLICE-APPROVED ELEVATED STANDS IN AREAS WHERE THE NEIGHBORS WOULD SIGN OFF. WE OBTAINED STATE PERMITS TO CULL THE DEER USING OUR POLICE FORCE. WE PAID TO PROCESS THE MEAT AND DONATED IT TO FOOD BANKS. DISSIMILARITIES. FIRSTLY, WE HAD AN ENVIRONMENTAL AND EMOTIONAL OPPOSITION. YARD SIGN PROTESTS, E-MAILS, STOP THE KILLINGS. SPEAKERS AT EVERY COUNCIL MEETING. BUT PUTTING RESIDENTS FIRST OVER CREATURES GAVE CLARITY TO OUR DECISION. RESIDENTS NEED YOU TO PROVIDE A SAFE WATER SUPPLY. DEER ACCIDENTS IMPACTED RESIDENTS' SAFETY. IN THE LAST NINE MONTHS YOU HAVE BEEN USING BRACKISH WATER TO SUPPLEMENT THE WATER SUPPLY. THE TDS LEVELS, WHILE STILL SAFE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION, NOW EXCEEDS RECOMMENDATIONS OF 500 PARTS PER MILLION. FOR RESIDENTS, THIS TREND, AS YOU DRAW FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL TO SERVE US MORE SUSPENDED SOLIDS IS MORE WORRISOME THAN THE BOND RATING CONCERNS. DESALINATION IS THE ANSWER FOR THE HIGHEST WATER QUALITY SUPPLY. THIRDLY, OUR DEER SOLUTION WAS BOLD AND RADICAL. WE DID OUR HOMEWORK. WE TOOK SOUND ADVICE. WE MODELED OUR PROGRAM AFTER OTHER MUNICIPALITIES WHO HAD USED THE SAME TOOLS, EMULATING SUCCESS WAS AN UNQUALIFIED WINNER. AS GROUND COVER RETURNED TO OUR TREE-COVERED AREAS SO DID THE BIRDS. IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE HEALTH OF THE DEER HERD ACTUALLY IMPROVED. INNER HARBOR DESALINATION WILL BE COSTLY BUT ALSO VISIONARY AND SUCCESSFUL. YOU HAVE THE PERMITS AND THEREFORE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ARE NOT A PREEMINENT FACTOR. THE NATION OF ISRAEL HAS TRANSFORMED THEIR LAND WITH THIS TECHNOLOGY. ISRAEL IS 61 TIMES THE AREA OF THE CORPUS CHRISTI AREA. THEY HAVE JUST FOUGHT A WAR OVER THEIR SURVIVAL BUT NOW THEY ARE PROCEEDING WITH PLANS OF THE DESALINATION OF THE SEA OF GALILEE. LEAD AND PRIORITIZE RESIDENTS WITH THIS TECHNOLOGY YOU CAN GIVE US AS MUCH WATER AS THE GREAT LAKES. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, SIR. >> STEVE CLEPPER, RESIDENT OF 34 YEARS. MY ISSUES ARE KIND OF THE SAME EVERY TIME. I COME TO COUNCIL EVERY NOW AND THEN FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. TRANSPARENCY COMMUNICATION AND TRUST. EACH OF WHICH I THINK IS A LITTLE -- LET'S SAY CAN BE IMPROVED. ON COMMUNICATION. AT ONE OF THE EARLY COUNCIL MEETINGS -- WELL, ONE OF THE FIRST ONES FOR THE CURRENT ACTING CCW, COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS ASKED A SIMPLE QUESTION. HOW MUCH WATER DO WE NEED? WE GOT A DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS LOOK THAT HE WASN'T READY FOR THAT. I THINK IT CAME UP MAYBE THE NEXT MEETING AND THEN THE CITY MANAGER, AFTER MS. CAMPOS MENTIONED KIND OF ACKNOWLEDGED WOULD DO THAT. I THINK THAT'S A FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE CITY MANAGER IS REFUSING TO HAVE A PUBLIC MEETING, A FORUM OF SOME SORT OF THING WHERE THERE WAS TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION. NOT ONE-WAY COMMUNICATION ON WHAT ARE THE VALUES AND PRIORITIES, HOW ARE YOU FIGURING OUT HOW MUCH WATER WE NEED? WHO DO YOU NEED IT FOR? IS IT BIT MINING THING? I DON'T KNOW. WHO IS IT FOR? WHETHER OR NOT BENEFITS? WHO BENEFITS? WHO PAYS FOR IT? DO WE WANT TO TURN THIS COMMUNITY INTO A TEXAS CITY? I DON'T AND OTHERS DON'T. MY OTHER ISSUE HAS TO DO WITH TRUST. NOW THE 34 YEARS I HAVE LIVED HERE, 27 OF THEM I WORKED FOR THE CITY. THE PROUDEST TIME IN MY LIFE WAS TO WORK WITH CITY MANAGER BILL HENNINGS IN THE MID-'90s. MY ASSIGNMENT WAS TO RESTRUCTURE THE WATER RATES TO FINANCE THE MARY RHODES PIPELINE. THAT'S WHEN WE CREATED THE RAW-WATER PASS-THROUGH. MY ONLY POINT OF THAT IS THAT EVERYBODY TRUSTED BILL. THERE WAS A LOT OF DEBATE WHETHER WE NEEDED THE PIPELINE, WHENEVER WE COULD AFFORD IT, BLAH BLAH BLAH. BUT THERE WAS TRUST. AND THERE WAS TRUST BECAUSE BILL WAS OPEN AND TRANSPARENT. I'VE COMPLAINED ABOUT WATER RATE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS HERE. SO A LITTLE MORE CHANNELING BILL HENNINGS, OPEN COMMUNICATION, COMMUNICATION, AND PLEASE ANSWER MS. CAMPOS' QUESTION. HOW MUCH WATER DO WE NEED AND WHO'S DRIVING THAT NEED AND WHAT ARE OUR PRIORITIES? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, SIR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MIKE CULBERTSON, I AM THE CEO OF YOUR REGIONAL EDC. AND I REPRESENT OVER 120 MANUFACTURERS ENGINEERING A LOT OF COMPANIES THAT CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THIS CITY. AND THIS REGION. WE'RE SPEAKING ON THE IMPORTANCE OF DESAL. CITIES NEED TO GROW AND I THINK THAT YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU DON'T GROW, YOU HAVE FELT THE PAINS OF THAT OVER THE LAST TWO BUDGET CYCLES AND YOU WILL FEEL IT AGAIN. YOU HAVE FELT THE PAIN OF IT. I KNOW YOU TWO HAVE. AND COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN HAS. WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO -- AND YOU TOO. BECAUSE OTHER COUNCILS HAVE NOT DONE WHAT THEY NEEDED TO DO FOR ROADS AND FOR SERVICES. AND YOU'VE BEEN PAYING EXTRA FOR THOSE. AND SO WE NEED WATER TO GROW AND THIS CITY, THIS REGION NEEDS WATER TO GROW. I URGE YOU AND I WILL SUPPORT YOU ANY WAY WE CAN. AND WE ALL CARE DEEPLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> TREVOR LAWRENCE, DISTRICT 4. I AM HARD OF HEARING SO I MAY SPEAK LOUDER THAN USUAL. I STAND WITH COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS. THE INNER HARBOR IS A BAD SPOT. SHIPS AND BOATS GENERALLY DO NOT OPERATE THEIR WATER MAKERS IN A HARBOR. YOU WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE OUT IN OPEN WATER. SO IF WE CAN'T GET THE FIRST STEP RIGHT, THE JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS WITH ONE STEP. IF YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP IN THE WRONG DIRECTION, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET WHERE YOU WANT TO GO. ALSO, HAVING LIVED ON AIRCRAFT CARRIERS, DESAL WATER, NOT THE WATER YOU REALLY WANT. THEY NEVER COULD SEEM TO GET THE JP5 OUT OF IT. BUT I'M NOT COMPLETELY AGAINST DESAL BECAUSE IT DID SUSTAIN ME FOR TWO YEARS AFLOAT. BUT IT HAS TO BE DONE CORRECTLY. IT HAS TO HAVE INTAKE. YOU WANT TO INTAKE IT FROM THE GULF AND THEN DISCHARGE IT FROM THE OTHER END OF THE GULF. AND THAT'S ALL I REALLY HAVE TO SAY. BUT, I MEAN, WHAT I KNOW ABOUT IT, I ONLY LIVED ON AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER DURING THE FIRST GULF WAR. WHERE DID I SIGN UP? I SIGNED UP HERE. WHY DID I GO TO SERVE? BECAUSE OF HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THIS CORPUS CHRISTI AND NOT CORPUS [INDISCERNIBLE] >> MATT GARCIA, CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, DISTRICT 2. HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, I'VE BEEN A CORPUS CHRISTIAN FOR 16 YEARS. I GRADUATED FROM TAMUCC AND HAVE STARTED MY FAMILY HERE. CORPUS CHRISTI IS MY HOME. I AM ALSO THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR THE TEXAS OIL AND GAS ASSOCIATION WHERE I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING DIRECTLY ON BEHALF OF THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF WOMEN AND MEN RIGHT HERE IN THE COASTAL BEND AND THE CORPUS CHRISTI COMMUNITY WHO WORK TO PRODUCE THE PRODUCTS THAT OUR LIVES DEPEND ON AND WHOSE JOBS DEPEND ON WATER. ON BEHALF OF THESE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIRELESS EFFORTS AND LEADERSHIP THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS TO SECURE OUR WATER FUTURE. WHILE DEBATE IS ROBUST, IT'S CLEAR THAT YOU ALL SHARE A VISION THAT OUR COMMUNITY BECOMES WATER SECURE. INDUSTRY IS COMMITTED TO BEING YOUR PARTNER AS YOU LEAD IN THIS ENDEAVOR TO DEVISE TIMELY SOLUTIONS. WE HAVE INVESTED IN PROGRAMS THAT HAVE REDUCED WATER USE THROUGH CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING. WE HAVE PAID A WATER SURCHARGE ALONG WITH TENS OF MILLIONS TO SECURE NEW WATER SOURCES. AS A RATEPAYER AND A PARTNER FOR THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, WE EXPECT TO PAY FOR WHAT WE USE. T IS UNRIVALED AND THE DUE DILIGENCE DONE AND THE PROGRESS MADE AND THE CLARITY OF TIMELINES AND DELIVERABLES. IT OFFERS A DEFINITIVE TIMELINE OR LIFELINE OF CRITICAL WATER SUPPLIES WHILE THIS BODY CONTINUES TO LEAD IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WIDE PORTFOLIO OF SOLUTIONS. TODAY WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU TAKE ONE MORE STEP TOWARD WATER SECURITY AND VOTE YES TO ADVANCE THE EXPLORATION OF THE INNER HARBOR DESAL PROJECT. WHILE WE AS A COMMUNITY CAN SEE YOU PURSUING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER TO HAVE A SECURE FUTURE FOR CORPUS CHRISTI CITIZENS. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: SHIRR, WHEN YOU COME UP AND SPOKE NO ONE MAKES COMMENTS. >> [INDISCERNIBLE] >> Mayor Guajardo: SIR. >> [INDISCERNIBLE] >> Mayor Guajardo: SIR, YOU'RE BREAKING DECORUM SO I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO LEAVE THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS BECAUSE NO ONE DOES WHAT YOU'RE DOING RIGHT NOW WHEN YOU ARE SPEAKING. AND YOU'VE SPOKEN MULTIPLE TIMES TODAY WHICH IS GREAT. BE RESPECTFUL. NEXT TIME I'M GOING TO ASK TO YOU PLEASE LEAVE THE CHAMBERS. THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, SHARON SETWIG. >> Mayor Guajardo: PULL IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT, MS. SITWIG. THERE YOU GO. >> SHARON SITWIG, DISTRICT 3. MY DOOR DIDN'T GET KNOCKED ON. I'M HERE TODAY AS I HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST IN FAVOR OF DESAL. WE'VE TALKED BEFORE ABOUT GROUNDWATER, HOW IT IS NOT LONG TERM. IT IS A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION TO A LONG-TERM PROBLEM. AND DESAL RIGHT NOW IS A WAY OUT OF THIS WATER CRISIS. I WANT TO THANK THE CITY MANAGER, AND I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR BRINGING THIS BACK, TO HAVING THIS ROBUST DISCUSSION, TO THOSE OF YOU THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO BY PHONE OR IN ELEVATORS, IN DIFFERENT PLACES, I APPRECIATE YOU HEARING WHAT YOUR CONSTITUENTS HAVE TO SAY. AND I ENCOURAGE THIS COUNCIL TO GET THIS VOTE DONE TODAY, TO TAKE THE RIGHT STEP FORWARD AND TO QUIT KICKING DESAL DOWN THE ROAD. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> HI THERE, [INDISCERNIBLE] DISTRICT 1. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO TALK ABOUT DESAL RIGHT NOW AND FROM THIS POINT ON. AS I'VE SAID BEFORE, THERE ARE QUADRILLIONS OF TINY MICROORGANISMS IN OUR OCEANS FIGHTING ALONGSIDE US AND SUSTAINING LIFE ON EARTH. SO IF YOU KILL NATURE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT LIFE WE HAVE. I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE -- EVEN IF THE DESAL PLAN IS PROVEN TO BE SAFE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, EVEN IF THERE'S A SOLUTION FOR THE BRINE, EVEN IF IT'S INEXPENSIVE AS WELL -- STILL, YOU CANNOT DENY THE FACT THAT THE WATER FROM THIS PERHAPS SAFE ENVIRONMENTALLY AND FRIENDLY AND INEXPENSIVE PLAN IS GOING TO INDUSTRY THAT GUZZLES UP THE MAJORITY OF OUR WATER. AGAIN, WHOEVER SUPPORTS DESAL, I TELL YOU, THE WATER WILL NOT BE FOR US. IT'S FOR BIG INDUSTRY. AND TO THOSE WHO CRITICIZE US FOR OPPOSING INDUSTRY, WE DO NOT OPPOSE THE WORKERS. BUT WE MUST GO AGAINST AN INDUSTRIAL THAT STEALS WATER WORLDWIDE. WE CAN NO LONGER BE ADDICTED TO OUR AIR CONDITIONERS,A CARS, GAS GUZZLING, AND OTHER CONVENIENCES OF MODERN LIFE. MINIMIZE WATER AND ELECTRICITY USAGE. I'VE BEEN TAUGHT ALL MY LIFE THAT USE THE ENERGY THAT WE NEE. IF MORE PEOPLE DID THIS WE WOULDN'T BE IN THIS CRISIS. KEEP THIS IN MIND THAT I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE. WE CAN'T DRINK MONEY AND WE CAN'T BREATHE MONEY. SO VOTE PEOPLE OVER PROFIT. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> RICHARD SHELTON, CORPUS CHRISTI DISTRICT 4. GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. I WANT TO THANK Y'ALL FOR BRINGING THE DESAL BACK TO THE TABLE. I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS COMING BACK TO THE LIGHT. I'VE SUPPORTING THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BECAUSE I WANT MORE INFORMATION, AND I KNOW THAT THIS VOTE ALLOWS US TO PURSUE THAT VENTURE. I TOO HAVE CONCERNS ON THE LOCATION AND THE VOLUME THAT WE'RE GOING TO PRODUCE. YOU KNOW, THAT BEING SAID, OVER THE LAST FOUR AND A HALF YEARS I HAVE WATCHED THE LAKES AND ESTUARIES AND RIVERS START TO DIMINISH AND START TO RUN INTO CHALLENGES. I FEEL THAT THIS DESAL PLANT IS THE MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE TO PURSUE. SO GETTING AND GATHERING INFORMATION TO PUSH THAT FORWARS PARAMOUNT. AND I WOULD ASK THAT THE COUNTY MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS TO GET THE INFORMATION NEEDED TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> I'M CAPTAIN DAVIDEESLY, CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, BORN AND RAISED, DISTRICT 3. I'VE NOT HERE TO READ FOR A SPEECH OR SPEAK FOR ANYBODY ELSE, BUT I HAVE AN EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND IN REFINING -- REFINERY. I WORKED FOR SEVERAL REFINERIES IN CORPUS FOR MANY YEARS AND I'M ALSO AN OFFSHORE CAPTAIN AND A YACT CAPTAIN IN THE CARIBBEAN AND HAVE EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE, BOTH OPERATIONAL AND MECHANICAL WITH DESAL UNITS ON THESE BOATS THAT WE USE, THAT WE RUN -- THAT I RUN. AND IT'S PRETTY MUCH INDUSTRY STANDARD WHEN WE COME INTO PORTS LIKE THIS -- WE DO NOT RUN OUR DESAL UNITS. WE TURN THEM OFF BECAUSE THESE THINGS ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO FIX, TO CLEAN OUT. AND WHEN I LOOK AT WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO PUT THAT INTAKE AND AFFLUENT -- OUTFLOW ON THIS THING, IT'S UNBELIEVABLE. WITH THE SHIP TRAFFIC AND TUGBOATS TEARING UP THE SEAL AND WE HAVE TROUBLE KEEPING THOSE THINGS RUNNING IN CRYSTAL CLEAR WATER IN THE CARIBBEAN. IT'S MASSIVELY EXPENSIVE TO MAKE WATER AND Y'ALL ARE NOT BEING TOLD THAT. AND I THINK THAT Y'ALL NEED TO -- DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, DO SOME MORE RESEARCH. BUT IT'S PRETTY MUCH INDUSTRY STANDARD THAT WE DO NOT RUN THESE PLANTS WHEN WE'RE IN PORTS AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE DO NOT DRINK THE WATER. WE USE THE WATER FOR TOILETS AND WE USE IT FOR WASHING AND CLEANING AND STUFF LIKE THAT, BUT IF ANYBODY HAS EXPERIENCE WITH DE DESALINATED WATER IT TAS TERRIBLE, AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO RESEARCH THAT TOO. DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. THANK YOU ALL. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, SIR. >> REAGAN [INDISCERNIBLE] CORPUS CHRISTI, DISTRICT 2. I'M HERE AS YOUR RESIDENT IN OPPOSITION TO THE INNER HAIR DESAL PLAN. AND I DISAGREE THAT THERE'S A RIGHT GROUP OF PEOPLE TO HANDLE THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT. AND I HAD HOPED THAT THE TIME THAT I MOVED HERE WE WOULD AT LEAST BE EXPLORING OTHER OPTIONS. AS DISAPPOINTING IT IS THAT THIS PLAN IS BACK ON THE AGENDA, I'M HAPPY TO JOIN MY NEW NEIGHBORS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE VITALITY OF THE CITY. THOUGH WE MAY BE ABLE TO ADJUST THE MONETARY COST OF THIS PLAN WE CANNOT ADJUST THE CIVIL COST AND THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT THIS PLANT MAY PRODUCE COULD NEVER MAKE UP FOR THAT AMOUNT OF LOSS. THAT BEING SAID, I ASK THAT YOU ALSO CONSIDER HOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF SUCH A PLANT MIGHT BE IN VIOLATION OF THE MIGRATORY BIRD ACT AND IF SO WE MIGHT FACE ADDITIONAL COSTS. PLEASE VOTE NO, PLEASE DON'T MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, ALICIA McTOOSH, CORPUS CHRISTI. I'M THE POINT MANAGER FOR THE CORPUS CHRISTI FACILITY, I'M HERE REPRESENTING MY COMPANY, OUR EMPLOYEES, OUR CONTRACTORS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN SUPPORT OF THE INNER HARBOR DESAL PLANT. THE PLANT HAS OVER 400 EMPLOYEES THAT LIVE AND WORK HERE AND THEIR FAMILIES DEPEND ON THEM AND THEIR JOBS. THE COASTAL BEND REGION NEEDS A WATER SUPPLY FOR BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL USE. THIS HAS BECOME MORE CRITICAL DURING THE PROLONGED DROUGHT CONDITIONS. WE ALL BENEFIT FROM THE INNER HARBOR DESALINATED PROJECT SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND PUTTING A PLAN FORWARD TO HELP TO SECURE THE LONG-TERM WATER SOURCE THAT THIS COMMUNITY NEEDS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> SALINA [INDISCERNIBLE] CORPUS CHRISTI, DISTRICT 3. I HEAR A LOT I GUESS QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL TO THE PEOPLE ARE THEY GOING TO DO THE DESAL. AND I HEAR A LOT OF WORD SALAD. AND FANCY WAYS OF SAYING I DON'T KNOW. WELL I SEE OUR LEADERSHIP AND I'M REMINDED OF THE SCRIPTURE MATTHEW 6:24. NO MAN CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS, FOR HE WILL HATE THE ONE AND LOVE THE OTHER, OR HE WILL HOLD ONTO THE ONE AND DESPISE THE OTHER. YE CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MAN AND YOU CANNOT SERVE THE PEOPLE AND SPECIAL INTERESTS. THIS PLANT IS NOT FOR THE PEOPLE. THIS IS FOR SPECIAL INTERESTS. I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK THAT WE'RE IN THIS WATER CRISIS BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURED THING TO PUT US INTO THIS DEAL. WHEN YOU SELL OUT YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOUR PEOPLE FOR MONEY, YOU CREATE BLOOD MONEY. AND I GET IT -- IT'S GREAT -- IT PAYS GREAT, IT SPENDS EVEN BETTER, BUT IT STAINS. AND IT STAINS COMMUNITIES. AND IT'S STAINING HILLCREST RIGHT NOW. NOT ONLY WITH ERASURE, BUT NEGLECT AND ILLNESS. AND IF YOU THINK THAT STAIN WILL ONLY STAY OVER IN HILLCREST -- NO. IT'S SPREADING ACROSS CORPUS CHRISTI AND TOUCHING OUR NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES. IF YOU THINK THAT BLOOD MONEY IS ONLY GOING TO HURT CERTAIN POPULATIONS, IT'S NOT. IT'S GOING TO AFFECT YOUR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, YOUR GREASED PALMS AND YOUR BACKDOOR DEALS. YOU CANNOT SERVE INDUSTRY, SPECIAL INTERESTS, AND THE PEOPLE. ANOTHER THING -- MAMAN IS NOT MONEY AND MAMAN IS A DEVIL AND SO BE CAREFUL WHO YOU DO BUSINESS DEALS WITH AND WHO YOU DO THOSE BUSINESS DEALS FOR. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR GUAJARDO. CITY MANAGER. MY NAME IS CARRIE MEYER, 441 NORTH BEECHT, DISTRICT 1. AS A LOCAL KAYAK GUIDE, SEPTEMBER 2ND WAS A DAY OF CELEBRATION. THE FUTURE OF MY BUSINESS AND THE LIVABILITY OF MY TOURIST NEIGHBORHOOD ON NORTH BEACH LOOKED BRIGHT. BECAUSE THE COUNCIL HAD DECIDED TO MOVE IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION AND DREW AWAY FROM THE PLANT THAT I HAD BEEN WORRIED ABOUT FOR SO LONG. THAT SEPTEMBER VOTE WAS BASED ON SEVERAL CONCERNS, LOCATION, PRICE, AND TIMELINE. ROLAND BARRERA, COUNCILMAN BARRERA WANTED CERTAINTY FOR A LONG-TERM WATER SOLUTION. THE PRICE IN SEPTEMBER WAS $1.2 BILLION -- BILLION -- YEAH. AND THE SECOND CONTRACTOR IS ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT WITHOUT PROVIDING A PRICE, WITHOUT PROVIDING A TIMELINE. THEY CAN'T SAY WHETHER THEY WANT TO DO A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP -- MAYBE. THE ONLY THING FOR SURE, THE ONLY CONSTANT THAT WE KNOW IS LOCATION. AND THAT'S STILL THE SAME. NOTHING HAS CHANGED. THE LOCAL EXPERT THAT WAS SPEAKING TO YOU GUYS TODAY, DESCRIBED THE INNER HARBOR SALT WATER AS "DIFFICULT WATER." IT'S A DEAD-END POLLUTED AND INDUSTRIAL HARBOR. ANYONE WHO HAS DRIVEN DOWN JOE FALTON FROM NORTH BEACH AND SEEN ALL THE TASKER SHIPS TIED TO THE DOCKS AND THE CHEMICAL PLANTS AND REFINERIES THAT RUN THE WATER THROUGH THEIR PLANT AND THEN DUMP IT INTO THE SHIP CHANNEL -- IT'S EASY TO ASCERTAIN THAT THE INNER HARBOR IS DIFFICULT WATER. OF ALL OF THE BODIES OF WATER IN THIS AREA FROM ROCKPORT TO CORPUS CHRISTI AND TO LAGUNA MADREI, THE INNER HARBOR IS THE MOST INDUSTRIALIZED BODY OF WATER AND THE MOST CLOSED IN BODY OF WATER THAT THERE IS. SO MANY CITIZENS, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE INTAKE, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IF YOU WANT TO PURFEW HAVN WATER, THE GULF OF AMERICA IS MUCH CLEANER THAN THE INNER HARBOR. FOR THE DESAL DISCHARGE -- DISCHARGE -- IT'S COMMON SENSE TO CHOOSE A LOCATION CLOSERRER TO THE GULF TO AVOID HARMING OR BAYS AND MARINE LIFE AND TOURISM AND BY INCREASING THE POLLUTANTS RELEASED INTO THE BAY. IT'S JUST COMMON SENSE. AS REPRESENTATIVE GILL HERNGZ HZ SAID TODAY THAT THE TIMELINE IS COMING ONLINE LIKE FOUR YEARS FROM NOW. THE HARBOR BRIDGE WAS A $1 BILLION PROJECT THAT WAS GOING TO BE FOUR YEARS. IT'S NOT DONE -- IT'S EIGHT YEARS RIGHT? MANY PEOPLE ONLINE SAY THEY SUPPORT THE INNER HARBOR BECAUSE THEY SAY WE NEED WATER NOW. DON'T FOOL THEM. WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET WATER NOW FROM THIS THING. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> JOHN ASLEY DISTRICT 5. MAYOR, I WANT TO JUST SAY THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS BACK UP AND I APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK ON THIS AND I'M IN FAVOR OF THE DESALINIZATION PLANT AND IT'S WATER FOR INDUSTRY, AND IT'S WATER FOR US AS WELL AND THAT INDUSTRY NEEDS A LOT OF WATER TO MAKE WHAT THEY LIKE AND I LIKE THE A.C. AND I LIKE THE FREON MADE LOCALLY AND I LIKE MY DIESEL TRUCK AND I LIKE THE PLASTICS IN MY LIFE AND I LIKE THE STEEL, THAT IS JUST PART OF IT. THEY NEED WATER TO RUN AND I FEEL THAT WE NEED TO DO OUR BEST BET TO GIVE THEM WATER BECAUSE I LIKE WASHING MY TRUCK AND I LIKE WATER ON MY GRASS, WHICH WE CURRENTLY CANNOT DO. I FEEL AS WE KEEP KICKING THE CAN, IT'S GOING TO GET MORE EXPENSIVE. THINGS DON'T GET CHEAPER AS YOU WAIT, IT GETS MORE AND MORE EXPENSIVE. AND IF WE SAY LET'S POSTPONE IT, IT'S GOING TO GO FROM $1.2 BILLION AND TO 1.5 AND EVENTUALLY $2 BILLION. AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THIS AREA WILL RECEIVE A DESAL PLANT AND YOU SHOULD THINK LONG AND HARD ABOUT SAYING YES TO THIS PLANT. THAT'S ALL I GOT. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> HELLO, ROBIN COX, DISTRICT 3. AND I'M SITTING HERE AND LISTENING TO A LOT OF THE COMMENTS ALREADY AND HE LIKES WATER IN HIS YARD AND WASHING HIS TRUCK AND I LIKE THOSE THINGS TOO BUT NOT AT THE COST OF THE ENVIRONMENT. AND WE MAY NEED WATER RIGHT NOW -- AND I AGREE -- AND NO ONE HAS SAID THIS BETTER THOUGH THAN I'M GOING TO QUOTE A FRIEND OF MINE WHO COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY. AND IF MEL READ MICHAEL MILLER'S POST HE PUT, IT IS NOT SCALABLE AND IT DOES NOT MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR FUTURE GROWTH. DESAL HAS NEVER BEEN ATTEMPTED IN A CLOSED BAY SYSTEM. WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING THAT HAS NEVER BEEN ATTEMPTED? WE CAN'T EVEN KEEP THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN FLOWER BLUFF READY AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY THIS? WE DO NOT HAVE WATER CONTRACTS WITH ANY OF THE INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES, EXCEPT FOR EXXON AND SEBEK. AND HILLCREST NEIGHBORS' CONCERNS, I KNOW THAT A LOT OF YOU ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE HILLCREST NEIGHBORS BUT I AM. YOU WONDER WHAT TO DO WITH THIS BRINE? WHAT IF THIS BRINE WAS GOING TO BE DUMPED IN KING'S CROSSING AND I BET THAT A FEW OF YOU WOULD THINK ABOUT IT MORE THEN. AND NO ONE THOUGHT OF BEING THE DESAL BACK THERE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. THE CITY IS TAKING ON A RISK, NOT THE DEVELOPER. IT'S THE WRONG SPOT, IT'S THE WRONG SPOT. IT'S THE WRONG SPOT. BARNEY DAVIS IS THE BEST SITE. THEY HAVE 500MGD INTAKE PERMIT AND THE POWER IS READY TO GO. AND IT'S THE SHORTEST DISTANCE TO THE GULF DISCHARGE AND THERE'S A 42 PIPELINE THAT CAN FLOW BACK. WHY AREN'T WE PICKING THE BEST SPOT? WE ALL HAVE TO WONDER WHO'S BENEFITING FROM THIS? WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS, THAT'S WHAT WE WONDER. THEY SAID DOES THE WIND MATTER AND HE SAYS, I DON'T KNOW, WE ARE THE FOURTH WINDIEST CITY IN THE NATION. THAT'S WHY WE WERE THE WIND SURFING CAPITAL AND WE'RE GOING TO SAY THAT IT DOESN'T MATTER? EVERYTHING IS, I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T KNOW. BUT I SEE WHERE ADURA ENGINEERING IS PART OF THIS, HMM, DIDN'T ONE OF OUR PEOPLE UP HERE GET A BIG HUGE CONTRIBUTION FROM ARDURRA? HMM, THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE NOW. PUT IT ALL TOGETHER AND CONNECT THE DOTS. THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MELINDA DELL SANTOS, DISTRICT 2. THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF INFORMATION GOING AROUND AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HEARD ONE OF THE COUNCIL PEOPLE SAY IS THE PRICE TAGS. WELL, A LOT OF STUFF HAS BEEN TALKING MAINLY ABOUT PRICE AND ALL, BUT THEY WERE SAYING 65 AND OLDER THAT THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE RATES. WELL, THE PEOPLE I'M SPEAKING TT THE RATES TOO BUT THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE FISHING INDUSTRY AND THINGS LIKE THAT. I'M FOR INDUSTRY. BUT INDUSTRY HAS TO REALIZE THAT THEY ONLY CONTRIBUTE A SMALL AMOUNT OF THE WORKFORCE HERE. AND YET THEY TAKE MOST OF OUR WATER, AND YET ALSO WHAT THEY PRODUCE IS BEING SENT OUT, NOT STAYING IN THE COMMUNITY. I MEAN, AGAIN, I'M FOR INDUSTRY, BUT I THINK THAT RIGHT NOW THERE'S 5,000 DATA CENTERS THAT ARE BEING CONSTRUCTED ACROSS THE NATION. AND ALL I'M HEARING ABOUT ARE THE COMPLAINTS FROM CITIZENS REGARDING THE WATER AND THE ELECTRICITY THAT IT'S TAKING AND THEY ARE FIGHTING BACK LIKE WE ARE IN THIS COMMUNITY. THERE'S BEEN EXPERT STUDIES FROM THE HART INSTITUTE SAYING THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT LOCATION. PEOPLE HAVE TALKED ABOUT PERTH. THAT IS PROBABLY THE CLOSEST THING THAT COMES TO OUR INNER HARBOR, BUT THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE ON THE DEPTH, AND I THINK THAT IT WAS ALSO THE INCLINE. SO IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE COMPARED. ALSO I THINK THAT THERE'S TALK ABOUT MIDDLE EAST. THEY SAY THAT IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE TOO, UNLESS OUR COMMUNITY HAS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO USE THEN, YEAH. SO MY CONCERN AGAIN TOO IS THAT I THINK THAT THERE'S MORE TALK ABOUT URINE, VOMITING AND PROSTITUTION AND EVERYTHING REGARDING WHAT'S GOING TO AFFECT THE ENVIRONMENT AS OPPOSED TO THIS -- AND THIS IS ENVIRONMENTAL. I MEAN, THIS IS GOING TO BE LONGSTANDING. AND NOTHING AGAINST THE CHURCHES REGARDING BUT THIS IS WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO IS TO ACTUALLY GO OUT AND HELP THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING, YOU KNOW, TROUBLE WITH THE DRINKING AND PROFIT PROSTITUTION AND EVERYTHING, BUT THERE'S MORE DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS THAN WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. AND THE ONLY THING THAT I HEAR FROM MOST OF YOU IS THE COSTS. THE COSTS OF THIS. AND WHAT IS THE COST RIGHT NOW? THERE'S NOT ANY COST TO THE RATEPAYERS YOU ARE SAYING BUT IN THE LONG RUN WHAT IS THE COST OF THE HEALTH, THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS AS FAR AS THE COSTS ON THE COMMUNITY, THE FISHING INDUSTRY? I MEAN, WE HAVE TO LOCK AT ALL L OF THOSE THINGS. SO WHERE IS THE THOUGHT PROCESS AND CONCERN WHEN IT COMES TO BRINGING THE DESAL PLANT TO THE INNER HARBOR THAT THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH DETRIMENTAL AFFECTS TALKED ABOUT. AND IT CAN ONLY BE ONE THING -- MONEY. AND IT'S MONEY, AND I'M SORRY BUT WITH CONNECTING THE DOTS AND EVERYTHING THAT I AM HEARING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IT'S ALL BOILING DOWN TO MONEY. WATER HAS BECOME A BIG ISSUE, A MONEY-MAMAKING ISSUE, ALL ACROSS THE NATION. AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL VOTE NO ON THIS DESAL PLANT AT THE INNER HARBOR. ANYWHERE ELSE, IT WOULD BE FINE. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> JULIAN HERNANDEZ, CORPUS CHRISTI. I WANT TO SAY I DIDN'T GET A KNOCK ON MY DOOR AND I'M FROM WEST SIDE, FROM THE LENA AREA. AND I APPRECIATE YOU GOING OUT AND DOING THAT. I WAS LISTENING EARLIER AND I THINK THAT IT WAS, UM, THE DEAL GOING ON WITH THE BAR AT THE CHURCH. YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY MENTIONED THAT, UM, THAT THEY WENT OUT AND THEY TALKED TO THE CHURCH. AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A BAR. DID ANYBODY GO OUT AND TALK TO THE FISHERMEN? ARE THEY AWARE OF IT? THIS IS THEIR WATER RIGHT THERE. THIS IS THE SHRIMP -- WHEN I WOULD GO OUT OF STATE AND WORK, I WOULD ORDER SHRIMP AND IT'S LIKE THIS -- THEY DON'T COMPARE TO TEXAS SHRIMP, GULF SHRIMP. AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOING TO GET RUINED. YOU KNOW, WHEN THE RED TIDE COMES IN, YOU KNOW, WHAT DO WE DO? WE CAN'T GO IN THE WATER AND WE CAN'T DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS. BUT I APPRECIATE YOU COMING BY AND YOU CAN STOP BY MY HOUSE AND KNOCK AND I WOULD ANSWER AND WE WOULD HAVE A CONVERSATION. AND THE OTHER THING, I GUESS, UM, GOING BACK TO MY NOTES, UM, WE TALK ABOUT THE INNER HARBOR -- LET'S START TALKING ABOUT THE OUTER HARBOR. YOU KNOW, PUT IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. YOU KNOW, CHANGE THE STIGMA. CHANGE THE IDEA OF THE INNER HARBOR. MOVE IT -- YES, I KNOW INDUSTRY -- WE ALL NEED IT TO SURVIVE. I UNDERSTAND THAT. I WAS PART OF INDUSTRY AND I'M PART OF INDUSTRY TODAY. BUT WE HAVE TO TAKE OUR PEOPLE IN MIND. AND THE OTHER THING IS I SIT HERE AND I THINK ABOUT IT BE AND I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBERS, BUT, UM, THE RESIDENTS AREN'T IN A WATER CRISIS. INDUSTRY IS. MS. COMPOS SAID IT BEST, I MEAN, LET'S HAVE THEM SHARE IT. YOU KNOW, DO THEY PAY TAXES THAT I'M AWARE OF? NO. WHAT ARE THEY GIVING BACK TO THE CITY? YEAH, THEY GOT JOBS, BUT I GUARANTEE YOU THAT THERE'S MORE JOBS THAT MAKE A THIRD, IF NOT A FOURTH OF WHAT THEY MAKE, THAT MAKE UP THIS CITY. AND THERE'S MORE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAVING TO TAKE MORE OF THE BURDEN. ALSO IF -- IF THEY BUILD IT, MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T RUN IT, WE CAN'T EVEN RUN THE WATER GARDENS WHEN THEY FIRST BUILT IT, AND IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. AND NOW IT'S OFF MOST OF THE TIME. AND MAYBE HAVING THEM TO EXPLORE A DIFFERENT LOCATION. BARNEY DAVIS -- ARE WE JUST STUCK TO THE INNER HARBOR? OR, YOU KNOW, ARE WE STUCK -- HAVE WE GOTTEN THEM THE REIN EVERYONE IS, HEY, EXPLORE -- TAKE IT OUT TO THE ISLAND AND MAKE A PIPELINE COMING IN. AND MAYBE YOUR TURNOUT MIGHT BE EVEN MORE, BUT, YES, IT MIGHT BE BETTER FOR DESAL, BUT THEN YOU AT LEAST, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE THEM TO GIVE THEM THE REINS THERE TO EXPLORE OUR BAY -- YEAH, WE NEED IT OR THEY NEED IM THEM IF THEY PAY FOR IT AND WE JUST PAY FOR OUR OWN WATER. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS MONA LIDELL. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THINGS POWERPOINTS. THE SUBJECT TODAY IS WATER. WATER WATER. >> [INDISCERNIBLE] >> MY SUBJECT IS HILLCREST. >> HOLD ON. HOLD ON. >> OKAY. GIVE ME SOME MORE MINUTES. I SENT IT TO WHATEVER THAT E-MAIL WAS. >> [INDISCERNIBLE] >> I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND START. >> [INDISCERNIBLE] I CALLED AND I ASKED -- >> THAT'S OKAY. >> [INDISCERNIBLE] >> I CALLED THAT NUMBER THAT IS ON PUBLIC COMMENTS AND THEY GAVE ME THE ADDRESS TO SEND IT. >> [INDISCERNIBLE] >> THAT'S OKAY. OKAY. MY NAME IS MONA LIDELL ROMANNA. AND I'M FROM THE HISTORICAL NEIGHBORHOOD OF HILLCREST. FIRST, I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT YOU THAT WILL HAVE AN E-MAIL TODAY IT'S FROM OVER 3,000 SIGNATURES CONCERNING TO ABANDON THE PERMIT FOR INNER HARBOR. NOW I WAS HERE -- HAD A POWERPOINT AND EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT WATER. I LIVE IN HILLCREST. AND NO ONE IS NOT TALKING ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO BUILD IN HILLCREST. I WENT OUT TO CC POLYMER AND I LOOKED AT THE MONSTER THAT IS OUT THERE FOR CC POLYMER AND THAT SHOWED ME THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO BUILD A FACILITY IN HILLCREST. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT IT'S GOING TO BE NICE, IT'S GOING TO BE QUIET. BUT IT IS A MONSTER THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BRING INTO THE HILLCREST NEIGHBORHOOD. WE DO NOT WANT THE BUILDING, FACILITY, IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. WE DON'T WANT DESAL IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. SO IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT NEIGHBORHOODS, YOU GUYS NEED TO CONSIDER HILLCREST -- WE'VE BEEN GOING OVER THIS FOR YEARS, BUT NEVER ONE TIME DID THE CITY MANAGER OR ANYONE -- DISTRICT 1 CAME TO US TO SHOW US WHAT WE WERE RECEIVING. SO I FEEL AS THOUGH WE NEED A VISIT FROM THE CITY TO SAY THIS IS WHAT'S COMING TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND NOT THE LITTLE PICTURE THAT YOU GUYS SHOWED THAT SHOWED US -- I GUESS THE OFFICE PART. WE WANT TO SEE THE ENTIRE FACILITY. BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOING TO JUST TAKE UP A FEW BLOCKS AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE UP QUITE A FEW BLOCKS. AND, UM, I COULD BE UP HERE FOREVER, BUT THAT'S ONE THING THAT WE NEED TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY. WE NEED FOR SOMEONE TO COME, SIT DOWN WITH US, AND EXPLAIN, AND TELL US WHAT WE ARE GETTING READY TO GO THROUGH. BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH A LOT OF NOISE. WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH POLLUTION -- EVERYTHING. AND I DON'T THINK THAT NO ONE HERE THAT SAID THAT WE WANT DESAL WANTED IT IN THEIR BACKYARD ON THE SIDE -- NO ONE. BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW THE END RESULTS. SO WE DO NOT WANT THE PUNISHMENT OF A DESAL IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. AND ALSO AS FOR HILLCREST, I FEEL AS THOUGH THAT IF YOU EVER NEED ANY INFORMATION YOU NEED TO CONTACT THE PRESIDENT OF HRA, WHICH IS HILLCREST RESIDENT ASSOCIATION, HENRY WILLIAMS, FOO THE SPOKESPERSON IS FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> I'M ASKING TO YOU PLEASE VOTE NO ON -- >> Mayor Guajardo: WHAT IS YOUR NAME MA'AM? >> GARILLI, DISTRICT 3. >> Mayor Guajardo: WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME, I'M SORRY, WHAT IS YOUR LAST NAME. >> GARILLI LIE, DISTRICT 3. AND YES THE PRICE WAS A BIG CONCERN BUT REALLY MOSTLY FOR YOU GUYS. WHEN IT COMES TO THE COMMUNITY THE MAIN CONCERN WAS ENVIRONMENTAL AND THAT THEY'RE TIRED OF LETTING THE INDUSTRY RUN THE CITY. TRULY, I AM NEW TO THIS AREA. I CAME HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON A FIELD TRIP AND THIS CITY WAS BEAUTIFUL. 15, 17 YEARS LATER, I'M HERE NOW AND I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR FIVE YEARS. I GOT HERE AND I WAS STILL IN AWE. THE CITY IS STILL GORGEOUS AND I HAVE BEEN TO FLORIDA AND BEEN TO OREGON AND I HAVE BEEN TO CALIFORNIA. WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL BEACH AND WE HAVE CLEAR WATERS AND WE HAVE GOOD WEATHER. THIS AREA IS, LIKE, THE PRETTIEST PART OF TEXAS BESIDES THE HILL COUNTRY AND THE PRETTY RIVERS AND EVERYTHING. WHEN IT COMES TO THE COAST, CORPUS CHRISTI IS BEAUTIFUL, AND WE SHOULD REALLY PROTECT IT AND ITS TOURISM. I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS WANT TO SECURE WATER, BUT THIS WATER IS NOT FOR THE RESIDENTS AND IT WOULD BE FOR INDUSTRY, AND INDUSTRY IS ALWAYS THIRSTY AND THEY'RE NEVER GOING TO HAVE ENOUGH. HONESTLY, WE HAVE A PRIVILEGE TO LIVE NEXT TO THE BEACH, T THIS S A BLESSING AND A BLESSING THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED. I HEARD A PASTOR FROM HILLCREST MENTION HOW CORPUS CHRISTI IS CALLED THE BODY OF CHRIST AND THAT WAS NEW TO ME. THIS CITY HAS A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE AND SUNSET EVERY DAY AND LIKE I SAID THIS PLACE IS BEAUTIFUL. IT'S SAD THAT WE'RE TREATING THE BODY OF CHRISTLIKE AN INDUSTRIAL DUMP AND THE NEXT BOOMTOWN. I BELIEVE THAT THE CITY COULD BE BETTER FOCUSED ON ITS BEAUTY AND ITS WONDER OF BEING ONE OF THE BEST BEACHES IN TEXAS. IT'S WHY YOU NEED TO BE OUT THERE, BUT CORPUS CHRISTI IS BEAUTIFUL. SO IF YOU CAN LISTEN TO PASTORS AND OTHER SIDES OF THE CITY, PLEASE, LISTEN TO THE ONES IN HILLCREST. AND EVEN IF THESE BIG COMPANIES OFFER TO PAY FOR IT THEMSELVES OR THEY GIVE YOU MONEY TO THE GRANTS TO HELP UTILITY BILLS, I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S WORTH SACRIFICING THE INNER HARBOR. AND ALSO IF ANYONE'S FOOTSTEPS THAT WE SHOULD BE FOLLOWING IT DEFINITELY SHOULDN'T BE ISRAEL'S AND THEY STOLE WATER FROM INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES, AND THAT'S ALL I'VE GOTTA SAY. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> KELLY WALKER, DISTRICT 2. MAYOR, COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND LISTENING TO US. I'M HERE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF GULF COAST GROWTH VENTURES AND EXXONMOBIL AND JOINT MANUFACTURING FACILITY LOCATED IN GREGORY, TEXAS. OUR SITE SUPPORTS MORE THAN 600 FULL-TIME JOBS AND PAYS NEARLY $25 MILLION IN TAXES EACH YEAR TO THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH WE OPERATE. OUR EMPLOYEES LIVE, WORK, VOLUNTEER, PLAY AND ENGAGE IN COMMERCE IN THE COASTAL BEND. WE CREATE THE RAW MATERIALS THAT PRESERVE AND PACKAGE YOUR FOOD, STOCK HOSPITALS WITH LIFESAVING MEDICAL DEVICES, AND MAKE UP THE FABRIC THAT WE WEAR ON OUR BODIES. AS A RATEPAYER OF THE SAN PATRICIO WATER DISTRICT WHO GETS WATER FROM CORPUS CHRISTI WATER WE THANK THE CITY COUNCIL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN BRINGING THE INNER SEA WATER DESAL PLANT BACK TO THE AGENDA FOR A NEW PATH FORWARD. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO ADVANCE THE PROJECT, AS ONE THAT BRINGS CERTAINTY TO THE REGION'S WATER SUPPLY, AND AS THE ONLY FULLY PERMITTED DROUGHT-PROOF PROJECT FOR WHICH THE CITY ALREADY HAS SIGNIFICANT FUNDING AVAILABLE TO BUILD. WE NEED CERTAINTY. WE NEED A STABLE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRY. RESIDENTS NEED TO KNOW THAT WE WILL HAVE WATER AND THAT OUR JOBS ACROSS THE LOCAL ECONOMY ARE PROTECTED. THE INNER HARBOR PROJECT IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO HELP GUARANTEE THAT CERTAINTY. PLEASE VOTE TO ADVANCE THE PROJECT, AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT IT THROUGH DESIGN AND BUILD. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> PAUL FITCH, I LIVE IN PORTLAND, TEXAS, SO I'LL TAKE MY MINUTE. I REPRESENT THE GULF COAST VENTURES FACILITY IN GREGORY, PORTLAND. AND I WANT TO ECHO MY THANKS TO THIS COUNCIL'S LEADERSHIP IN SEEING THAT THE REGION NEEDS CERTAINTY FOR THE FUTURE. WE APPRECIATE THE COUNCIL'S EFFORTS TO PURSUE EFFORTS AND RECOGNIZE THAT OTHER PROJECTS ON THE TABLE COME WITH VARYING DEGREES OF UNCERTAINTY IN THEIR SCOPE AND COSTS AND TIMELINES. INNER HARBOR OFFERS CERTAINTY FOR AN ENDPOINT TO POTENTIAL CURTAILMENT. AND IT ALSO OFFERS A PERMANENT DROUGHT-PROOF WATER SUPPLY, UNLIKE MOST OF THE OTHER PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT THAT ARE INTENDED TO BE TEMPORARY, AND WERE ALSO FACING IMPACT FROM TIMES OF DROUGHT. IT IS ALSO LIKELY THE LEAST EXPENSIVE OPTION TO HAVE SEA WATER DESAL, TO INCORPORATE THE PORTFOLIO. AS MANY OF YOU ON THIS DAIS HAVE STATED THAT YOU RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR SEA WATER DESALINIZATION AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT TO LEAD THE REGION TO A MORE SECURE FUTURE. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> ANDREA POELL, DIRECT 2. WHAT'S UP, COUPLE, WE'RE BACK AND TALKING ABOUT THE SAME THING THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IN SEPTEMBER. ABOUT A MAJORITY OF PEOPLE CAME IN AND VERY CLEARLY EXPRESSED THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT THIS. AND, UM, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE BRINGING UP THAT WE SHOULD PUT THIS ON THE CITY BALLOT -- I AGREE. YEAH, LET THE PEOPLE VOTE ON THIS AND SEE HOW MUCH SUPPORT YOU ACTUALLY GET BEHIND THIS PLANT. LIKE MANY OTHERS MENTIONED BEFORE ME, THE LOCATION OF THIS PLANT IS INSANE -- SHOULD NOT GO THERE. THERE IS A NEIGHBORHOOD RIGHT NEXT TO IT AND IT'S CALLED HILLCREST. Y'ALL HAVE HEARD IT. Y'ALL KNOW IT. AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. AND THIS WILL ONLY SERVE TO BRING MORE DESTRUCTION TO THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. SO, UM, ALSO SOMEONE BROUGHT UP WE HAVE A LONG-TERM PROBLEM AND IT'S WATER. THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. THE LONG-TERM PROBLEM IS THAT Y'ALL ARE IRRESPONSIBLE WITH OUR WATER BY SELLING IT AND SELLING IT AND GIVING IT AWAY TO PEOPLE THAT USE MILLIONS OF GALLONS A DAY AND Y'ALL THINK, OH, YEAH, WE CAN JUST AVOID CURTAILMENT IF WE JUST PROVIDE THEM FOR MORE OF IT. THIS IS NOT AN INFINITE RESOURCE, THIS IS A FINITE RESOURCE THAT WE DON'T HAVE FROM WHEREVER TO PULL FROM CONSTANTLY. AT SOME POINT THE PLANET IS JUST GOING TO RUN OUT OF WATER. ARE WE GOING TO WAIT FOR THAT OR, LIKE, TRY TO BE RESPONSIBLE NOW AND CURTAIL THESE INDUSTRIES? ACTUALLY, LOOK AT RESPONSIBLE WATER SOLUTIONS. SO, YEAH, PLEASE VOTE NO. I KNOW THAT SOME, UM, SOME OF Y'ALL ARE JUST CLEARLY EXTENSIONS OF INDUSTRY AND ARE ONLY HERE TO SERVE THEM. AND Y'ALL TRY REALLY HARD TO FULFILL THE UNREALISTIC WISHES, BUT I WANT TO REMIND Y'ALL, THAT YOU'RE HERE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE -- SO PUT THE PEOPLE FIRST. NOW, UM, I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM INDUSTRY IN THE ROOM. AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE WORKERS OF THESE PLANTS ARE VERY SKILLED WORKERS AND ARE HARD-WORKING PEOPLE. OUR ISSUE IS NOT WITH THEM AT ALL. OUR ISSUE IS WITH THESE INDUSTRIES AND THESE BILLION DOLLAR COMPANIES COMING TO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND JUST THINKING THAT THEY CAN TAKE AND TAKE AND TAKE. THEY ARE NOT GOOD NEIGHBORS, THEY DON'T RESPONSIBLY CONTRIBUTE TO OUR COMMUNITY IN MEANINGFUL WAYS AND THEY DON'T ASK US, UM, HOW CAN WE HELP Y'ALL. THERE'S NONE OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS. BUT EITHER WAY, UM, THOSE WORKERS DESERVE A JUST TRANSITION AS WELL AND THEY DESERVE JOBS THAT ARE SAFE AND PROTECTED. AND THE FACT THAT WE'RE BACK HERE -- I LOST MY PLACE -- THE FACT THAT WE'RE BACK HERE AGAIN IS A BLATANT DISREGARD FOR RESIDENTS AND A VERY CLEAR BEHAVIOR OF SOME OF YOU PANDERING TO INDUSTRY. IT IS CRYSTAL CLEAR WHO SOME OF Y'ALL WORK FOR AND IT'S NOT THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED Y'ALL IN. AT THIS POINT IT'S JUST CLEAR THAT SOME OF Y'ALL ARE EVIL AND JUST WANT THIS BAY TO DIE. BY HAVING THIS PLANT IN THAT LOCATION, IT'S GOING TO KILL OUR BAY. IT IS SO OBVIOUS. AND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE COME UP HERE AND TALKED TO YOU ON EXPERTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND FISHER FOLK. THANK YOU. PLEASE VOTE NO. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS KEN GRIFFIN AND I LIVE AT 55433 AIKENS WAY IN ROBS ROBSTOWN, TEXAS, AND I WILL GIVE YOU A MINUTE BACK. I'M HERE TO GIVE SUPPORT TO THE CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEY ARE VERY SOUND RECOMMENDATIONS AND SOMETHING THAT I THINK THAT YOU OUGHT TO STRONGLY CONSIDER. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE YEARS, GOING BACK TO PROBABLY 2014 TO SIT IN NUMEROUS MEETINGS AND PRESENTATIONS, AND I GOTTA TELL YOU THAT THE ONE THING THAT STOOD OUT WAS THE INNER HARBOR DESAL PROJECT. AND THAT IT WAS A GREAT PROJECT. AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDED TO MOVE FORWARD. ALSO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS VERY CLEAR TO ME WAS THAT THIS IS -- THIS IS A VERY ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PROJECT. IT'S NOT GOING TO DO HARM TO THD ESTUARIES. I KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT THAT. BUT THAT JUST DOESN'T SEEM -- THE FACTS DON'T SHOW THAT. AND THE FACT IS THAT IT WAS APPROVED BY THE TCAQ AND OTHER AGENCIES AND I THINK WHAT YOU WILL FIND WITH THE FAR FIELD STUDY AS WELL IS THAT THE FACTS WILL SUPPORT THAT IT IS A GOOD PROJECT. YOU WILL NOTICE THAT I'M WEARING A FISHING SHIRT. WELL, I'M AN AVID OUTDOORSMAN AND I LOVE TO HUNT AND FISH. IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE HARMFUL -- >> Mayor Guajardo: YOUR TIME. SORRY. >> I SUPPORT THE PROJECT AND PLEASE VOTE FOR IT AND ONLY ONE OTHER THING TO SAY, GIG 'EM, AGGIES. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> HELLO, I'M STEVEN SNYDER AND COMING FROM TAFT, TEXAS. WHEN I SPEAK ABOUT TAFT, I LIVE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE NUECES BAY. I LIVE FOUR MILES FROM WHERE THIS PROPOSED DISCHARGE WILL BE. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW AND I, WE ARE OWNERS OF SR INK, A VETERAN-OWNED COMPANY THAT DOES CONSTRUCTION HERE IN THE COASTAL BEBD. AND WE EMPLOY 200 PEOPLE, ALL OF THEM ARE FROM THE COASTAL BEND -- A LARGE PORTION OF THEM ARE HERE FROM CORPUS. 90% OF THE WORK THAT WE DO IS WITHIN THESE INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES AROUND CORPUS CHRISTI AND HERE IN CORPUS CHRISTI. IF THESE FACILITIES ARE FORCED TO CUT BACK AND EVEN SHUT DOWN DUE TO WATER SHORTAGES, SR WILL HAVE TO DO THE SAME. SO THERE'S A RIPPLE EFFECT. I'M HERE TO STRONGLY SUPPORT MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS DESAL PLANT FOR THE CITY, I URGE THE COUNCIL TO DO THE SAME. GOD BLESS Y'ALL IN MAKING THIS DECISION AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR LEADERSHIP. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS JESSICA VIELLA, DISTRICT 3. I'M JUST IN AWE WITH ALL OF THE COMMENTS THAT I'VE HEARD HERE TODAY. I'M 48 YEARS OLD. I MOVED HERE WHEN I WAS 17 YEARS OLD BECAUSE OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND HOW THIS CITY IS RAN. THIS CITY IS BROKEN. IT'S BROKEN, GUYS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW SOMETHING CAN GO AWAY AND THEN COME BACK BECAUSE SOMEBODY ELSE -- NOT US -- NOT THE PEOPLE -- WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET ANY WATER FROM THIS STUFF. HAS ANYONE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE WATER IS SHIT WATER? IT'S POOP. >> Mayor Guajardo: MA'AM, I'M SORRY YOU CAN'T USE THAT WORD, PLEASE. >> YES, MA'AM, I'M SORRY FOR THE COMMENT. IT'S POO WATER, IT'S DIRTY. DO YOU GUYS ALSO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE AN APP THAT TELLS OUR PEOPLE HOW MUCH IS IN THE WATER TODAY. WHERE ARE ALL OF THE ENVIRONMENTALISTS? WHY AREN'T THEY HERE? YOU GUYS ARE EXPOSING ALL OF THIS JUNK TO PEOPLE THAT AREN'T AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON. KNOCKING ON PEOPLE'S DOORS -- THAT'S A GOOD DEED. BUT WERE YOU HONEST? ARE YOU GUYS REALLY BEING HONEST? I RAISED MY KIDS IN A DIFFERENT STATE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT THE CITY IS RAN WHEN I WAS A CHILD. I HAVE KNOWN FOR YEARS THAT THIS PLACE IS BROKEN. I CAN SEE WHERE THE COMMUNITIES ARE COMING TOGETHER AND EVOLVING FOR ONE ANOTHER. YOU GUYS ARE NOT HELPING ANYBODY. YOU'RE HINDERING BY PUSHING THESE MATTERS BACK ON THE PEOPLE. AND I SEE LAUGHING MAYOR -- I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S FUNNY THAT PEOPLE ARE WITHOUT ELECTRICITY. THERE'S A LOT OF ELDERS OUT THERE, LIKE HE EXPLAINED, THAT HAVE TO MAKE CHOICES. EITHER THEIR MEDS OR THEIR ELECTRICITY. NOW IT'S THEIR WATER? A LOT OF THESE DECISIONS SHOULDN'T EVEN BE MADE BY THE PEOPLE, UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AND FIND A WAY TO SAY NO. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> JAMES PERKINS, DISTRICT 2. Y'ALL SHOULD REALLY VOTE NO ON THIS. MOSTLY BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE OTHER STUDY BACK, AND WE'RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION AGAIN WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, EXCEPT THAT PEOPLE IN POSITIONS OF POWER ARE SCRAMBLING. WHAT ARE WE SCRAMBLING FOR? RESIDENTS USE LESS THAN A THIRD OF THE WATER, THAT'S IN REPORTS THAT THE CITY, GOVERNMENT WATER ORGANIZATION PUT OUT. WHAT ARE WE SCRAMBLING FOR? I'M NOT SCRAMBLING. I MEAN, YEAH, MY WATER BILL IS GOING UP, BUT THAT'S WHAT IS EXPECTED WITH THE HIGH WATER USAGE. EXCEPT WE'RE NOT THE ONES USING ALL OF IT EITHER. YOU DON'T WANT THIS TO BE THE ANSWER, AND I GET THAT, BECAUSE YOU WANT SOME, LIKE, INFINITE EXPANSIVE GROWTH IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, BUT WE ONLY HAVE SO MUCH SPACE. WE ONLY HAVE SO MANY MATERIALS. WE ONLY HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO USE TO GROW. YOU EVER TRY BUILDING A HOUSE WHEN YOU DON'T GOT NO TREE? YOU CAN'T DO IT. YOU CAN'T BUILD WITH NOTHING. AND WHEN WE PUT -- IF YOU PUT THIS PLANT DOWN, AND IT'S ONLY WORKABLE 200 DAYS OF THE YEAR, THEN WE'RE STILL NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY WATER. EXCEPT NOW WHEN WE'RE NOT IMPLEMENTING DROUGHT RESTRICTIONS ON THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE GETTING THOUSANDS OF GALLONS OF WATER FOR DOLLARS COMPARED TO LIKE MYSELF -- WHO ONLY USE ABOUT -- I WANT TO SAY MY BILL IS ABOUT $135 FOR ONE PERSON A MONTH. AND THEY GET A THOUSAND GALLONS AT A QUARTER? I DON'T THINK THAT'S A CORRECT CONVERSION RATE, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE TAKING CARE OF YOUR CITY COUNCIL RESIDENTS. AS FAR AS THESE PEOPLE SAYING THAT THEY'RE A WORKFORCE IN THE COASTAL BEND AND THEY SUPPLY A BUNCH OF JOBS IN COASTAL BEND, 3,000 PEOPLE OUT OF 10,000, YOU KNOW, WORKFORCE SUPPLY DOESN'T FEEL LIKE A VERY ACCURATE WORKFORCE NUMBER, ESPECIALLY IF THAT 300,000 IS JUST CORPUS CHRISTI, THAT'S NOT PORTLAND AND THAT'S NOT -- YEAH, THAT'S NOT PORTLAND AND THAT'S NOT OVER THERE ON THE ISLAND AND COASTAL BEND IS A LARGE PLACE. THAT'S NOT THAT MANY JOBS. AND, LOOK, I DON'T WANT THESE PEOPLE TO SUFFER, BUT FOR THESE PEOPLE TO NOT SUFFER, Y'ALL AND THEM, YOU HAVE TO REALLY EXPAND ON WHAWL THINK ABOUT AS THE ECONOMY OF CORPUS CHRISTI. THIS INDUSTRY, THE INDUSTRY IS NOT GOING TO LAST FOREVER. CORPUS CHRISTI COULD LAST QUITE A BIT LONGER THAN Y'ALL REALIZE, BUT THE CITY NEEDS TO REALLY TO BUILD UPON ITS OTHER STRENGTHS. BESIDES THE IDEA THAT WE ARE A PORT CITY. THE LONGER THAT YOU KEEP USING AND USING AND USING WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTIONS, THE LESS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK FOR IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> DAVID LUBB, DISTRICT 2. SOMEBODY SAID EARLIER THEY HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOMEBODY WHO WAS IN INDUSTRY AND I'M NOT INDUSTRY. I MAKE MY LIVING -- I OWN ABOUT 5% OF THE RETAIL AND COMMERCIAL OFFICE SPACE IN CORPUS CHRISTI AND OPERATE IT, IT'S MY INVESTMENT, AND I HAVE AN I.R.A. THAT HAS A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY IN IT, BUT I'M FULLY INVEST INSIDE THIS COMMUNITY. I DON'T HAVE A STOCK PORTFOLIO THAT I GET TO GO LIVE OFF OF WHEN THIS COMMUNITY FAILS. I LIVE AND DIE BASED ON THIS COMMUNITY. MY TENANTS ARE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND THEY ARE DOCTORS AND THEY'RE THE PEOPLE WHO CUT YOUR HAIR AND THEY'RE THE PEOPLE WHO SELL YOU INSURANCE, AND THEY'RE THE PEOPLE WHEN MAKE YOUR AUTO LOAN. THEY ARE THE PEOPLE WHO SERVE YOU BREAKFAST WHEN YOU WON'T COOK IT AT HOME. THEY'RE THE PEOPLE WHO SELL YOU BREAKFAST IF YOU DO COOK IT AT HOME. SO, UM, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS TO CUT THE WATER USE BECAUSE THERE'S A BUNCH OF PEOPLE THIS THIS ROOM THAT WANT TO CONVINCE YOU IF WE GO INTO CURTAILMENT, INDUSTRY SUFFERS AND NOBODY ELSE DOES. MY FISH SELLER CAN'T OPERATE WITHOUT ICE THAT GETS MADE BY WATER FROM YOU GUYS. MY OFFICE BUILDING THAT HAS A HUGE NUMBER OF MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS -- COOLING SYSTEM IS RUN BY WATER FROM CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI. NO LARGE OFFICE BUILDING IN THIS COMMUNITY WILL WORK WHEN WE ARE UNDER SEVERE CURTAILMENT AND YOU REALLY EXPECT US TO CUT 30%. THAT'S WHAT WATER USE IS FOR COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES. IT'S USED FOR COOLING THINGS -- FOOD, WATER, IT'S USED FOR HIGH HYGIENE AND FOR MEDICAL. AND SO, I MEAN, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ACT LIKE IT'S RESIDENTS VERSUS INDUSTRY. I SEE INDUSTRY PEOPLE EVERY DAY -- SHOPPING FROM MY TENANTS. SOME OF THEM ARE MY TENANTS AND THEY'RE THE SPOUSES OF MY TENANTS. I SAW MY SON'S BOY SCOUT TROOP LEADER HERE AND HIS WIFE IS MY DAUGHTER'S GIRL SCOUT TROOP LEADER. I THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE TRYING TO CONVINCE YOU TO VOTE NO, THIS IS AN EITHER/OR THING. THIS COMMUNITY NEEDS MORE WATER. WE USED 150 MILLION GALLONS A DAY IN 1985, THAT WAS OUR AVERAGE USE AND WE USE LESS THAN THAT NOW. THE REASON THAT WE NEED MORE WATER IS BECAUSE OUR LAKES AREN'T PRODUCING THE WATER THAT THEY USED TO. I WOULD LOVE US TO HAVE ENOUGH WATER TO GROW, BUT THIS IS ABOUT COMMUNITY SURVIVAL, THIS IS ABOUT HOW LONG WE'RE IN CURTAILMENT. AND THERE'S AN EXTREME LEVEL OF CONCERN -- I'LL GIVE YOU ANOTHER ONE, I'M ON A BOARD OF A PRESCHOOL. IF WE HAVE AN OUTAGE OF WATER, EVERYONE GOES HOME. ALL THE PARENTS GET CALLED AND THEY HAVE TO GO AND PICK UP THEIR KIDS. IF WE'RE ON MERRY ROADS PIPELINE AND THE PIPELINE GOES OUT, THE PRESCHOOL IN THIS TOWN SHUT DOWN UNTIL THAT PIPELINE IS BACK UP. AND SO IT'S NOT A GAME -- IT'S NOT, YOU KNOW -- AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD $10 MORE. PLEASE PUT TOGETHER A RATE COMMITTEE AND I WILL SERVE ON IT AND WE WILL FIGURE THAT OUT AND SOLVE THAT FOR YOU. IT GOT SOLVED LAST TIME. LAST TIME NOBODY USED UNDER 2,000 GALLONS GOT A RATE INCREASE. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> RACHEL AGUIDO, D1, AND NO ONE HERE IS TAKING ANYTHING LIGHTLY, FYI. SO FAR YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND SOME OTHER PROJECTS, AND WE ARE AT 128 SMAZE MGD THAT WILL BE COMING TO THE TABLE. WE HAVE A $1.4 BILLION TOURIST REVENUE THAT COULD BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY DISCHARGE IN THE CORPUS CHRISTI BAY. OF THAT 128 SM MGD THAT IS COMIG TO THE TABLE THROUGH THESE DIFFERENT PROJECTS AT A COST OF $57 MILLION, NONE OF IT WILL TAKE THE COMMUNITY OUT OF DROUGHT RESTRICTIONS. CURL TCURTAILMENT IS DIFFERENT N TURNING OFF THE SWITCH. SO DON'T BE ALLOWED TO BE FILLED WITH FEAR. THAT'S THE PROPAGANDA THAT HAS EVERYBODY FREAKED OUT, BUT CURTAILMENT IS DIFFERENT THAN TURNING OFF THE WATER, WHICH NO ONE INTENDS TO DO. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO, MR. CITY MANAGER, GIVE MY NAME FOR THE WATER COMMITTEE. AND I 100% THINK THAT IS THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO GO. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE CITY MANAGER IS EQUIPPED TO ASSIGN -- MAKE THOSE ASSIGNMENTS. THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE WITH THIS PLANT IS THE LOCATION. THE PORT PULLED OUT OF THE CHANNEL BECAUSE THEIR FAR-FIELD MODELING PROVED THAT IT WOULD DESTROY THE CORPUS CHRISTI BAY. WHY SOME PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO REINVENT THE WHEEL IS CRAZY. CAN YOU PLEASE DO MY HANDOUT? SO I WANTED TO REMIND YOU GUYS THAT THE HILLCREST COMMUNITY IS AGAINST THIS EXPERIMENTAL PLANT. COASTAL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION TEXAS, CCA, IS AGAINST THIS LOCATION. AND SALT WATER FISHERIES ENHANCEMENT ASSOCIATION, SEA IS AGAINST THIS PLANT. AND THE SURF RIDERS IS AGAINST THIS PLANT. AND THE GREATER GOOD, AGAINST. AND THE TEXAS CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT -- AGAINST. AND CORPUS CHRISTI TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION INC -- AGAINST. LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF NUECES COUNTY TEXAS AGAINST. I DON'T -- I DON'T KNOW -- YOU ALL ARE THE BOSSES AND YOU VOTED AGAINST THIS 6-. 6-3. YOU HAVE A DISGRUNTLED EMPLOYEE TRYING TO SAVE HIS JOB AND BRINGING A PROJECT BACK THAT NOT ONLY DOES THE COMMUNITY NOT WANT, BUT NEITHER DO ANY OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS THAT KNOW WATER. THEY KNOW WATER, AND THEY KNOW THE IMPACT THAT THIS IS GOING TO MAKE. SO I UNDERSTAND YOU GUYS ARE PROBABLY GOING TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS TO LOOK AT WHAT IS GOING TO BE PRESENTED -- OPEN MIND -- I UNDERSTAND THAT. SO DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO. AND ALSO, MAYOR, IF YOU COULD PLEASE QUIT PICKING ON ME BECAUSE YOU DID NOT PICK ON YOUR FRIEND BARTZ'S WIFE AND SHE SAID THAT COUNCILMAN CANTU SHOULD HANG HIMSELF. >> Mayor Guajardo: YOU'RE DONE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE, MY NAME IS DAVID AVIRIALLARO, CORPUS CHRISTI AND I REPRESENT A CONSTRUCTION AND INDUSTRIAL COMPANY THAT EMPLOYEES RIGHT UNDER 2,000 EMPLOYEES. WE STAND WITH THE FAVOR OF THE INNER HARBOR DESALIZAIATION AND WE STAND WITH OUR INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS AND OUR INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS NEAR THIS THIS AREA HAS SHOWN GROWTH. WHAT I SEE HERE IS THE HARDEST DECISION FOR YOU GUYS TO MAKE TODAY IS NOT JUST ON WATER -- IT'S REALLY ON GROWTH, ON STABILITY -- JOB STABILITY. AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT JUST THE ECONOMICAL GROWTH HERE IN THIS CITY. SO FOR US TO BE ON BOARD WITH THIS INNER HARBOR DESAL PLANT, YOU HAVE HAD A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO YOUR CONSTRUCTION TEAM HERE, AND GIVING YOU INFORMATION AND NOT JUST INFORMATION BUT TAKING A BIT OF SKEIN IN THE GAME. SO FOR US TO BE HERE TO TALKING ABOUT MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS IS NOT JUST COMING FROM ME -- IT'S NOT COMING FROM THE PEOPLE THAT WE EMPLOY, BUT IT'S ALSO COMING FOR THE COMMUNITY. SO I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR VOTE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE MOU. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> SALINA [INDISCERNIBLE] DISTRICT 2. YOU HAVE HEARD SEVERAL SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS. YOU HAVE THE PEOPLE FOR THE GREATER GOOD. YOU HAVE INDUSTRY. SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS. OKAY, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN INTEREST IN MIND OF WHAT THEY WANT YOU TO DO BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY NEED. NOW LISTEN TO WHAT THE PEOPLE NEED. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT IT THANK OUR CITY MANAGER FOR GOING OUT AND TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM THAT'S GOING TO BE LONG TERM. WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT THE LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS. YOU'VE GOT THAT ALREADY ALIGNED. BUT I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING IN A MEETING WITH MR. LINE DECKER AND HE EXPLAINED WATER THE WAY THAT NO ONE HAS EVER DONE. HE LIVES HERE, AND HE'S PART OF THIS COMMUNITY. HE'S NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING TO HURT IT. THAT'S WHAT I WANT YOU TO KNOW. HE WILL NOT PROPOSE ANYTHING TO YOU THAT WOULD HURT CORPUS CHRISTI. I DON'T LIKE THE PLACE WE'RE GOING TO PUT IT IN, BUT I NEED FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WE NEED -- WATER. NOT JUST SHORT TERM, BUT LONG TERM. AND YOU HAVE TO SEPARATE YOURSELF FROM EVERYONE WHO YELLS AND SCREAMS, WHICH I DO OFTEN TO YOU GUYS WHEN YOU NEED TO, BUT YOU NEED TO THINK WITH A CLEAR MIND AS TO WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF WE THE CITIZENS. AND I AGREE WITH COUNCILMAN CANTU THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT FOR THE ONES THAT NEED HELP PAYING THEIR BILLS. BUT I KNOW THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WILL TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION, BECAUSE YOU WOULD NOT BE IN THOSE CHAIRS IF PEOPLE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT YOU COULD DO THE JOB AND MAKE THE DECISIONS. SO I'M ASKING TO YOU MAKE DECISIONS BASED NOT ONLY ON LOGIC AND INTELLIGENCE, BUT ON WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE AND HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO BENEFIT THEM. GOD BLESS YOU IN THIS TASK. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MICHAEL MILLER DISTRICT 2. SO I'M NOT AGAINST INDUSTRY, I AM PRO-GROWTH AND I'M VERY MUCH WANT TO SEE THIS CITY THRIVE AND I WANT TO SEE THIS CITY PROSPER. THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM THAT DON'T AGREE WITH THAT AND THAT'S OKAY. WE ARE A CORNUCOPIA OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI. WE HAVE A LOT OF INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS HERE IN THE ROOM TODAY AND THE ONE THING THAT I HAVE IN COMMON WITH THEM IS THAT SOME OF THEM ARE MY CLIENTS. SOME OF THEM ARE -- OR MOST OF THEM ARE INCREDIBLE BUSINESS PEOPLE. AND AS A BUSINESS PERSON I LOOK AT THIS FROM A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE. AND I LOOK AT THIS PROJECT LIKE WE'RE SETTING OURSELVES UP FOR FAILURE. WE HAVE -- WHAT I DO WHENEVER I EVALUATE A PROJECT IS THAT I LOOK AND I SEE HOW WELL THIS HAS WORKED IN OTHER AREAS OF THE UNITED STATES. THIS IS ONLY BEEN ATTEMPTED TWICE ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES OF THIS SCALE. BOTH OF THOSE PLACES -- TAMPA AND CARLSBAD ARE VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI IN A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT ASPECTS. NUMBER ONE, THE METROPOLITAN SERVICE AREA FOR BOTH OF THOSE AREAS ARE OVER THREE MILLION PEOPLE -- I BELIEVE TAMPA IS 3.4 MILLION, AND SAN DIEGO IS 3.5 MILLION. THEY ALSO HAVE SEPARATE ENTITIES WITH THEIR CITY. SO IF THEY GO FORWARD WITH A PROJECT AND THERE IS A PROBLEM OR, UM, THEY HAVE ISSUES OR IT COSTS MORE MONEY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, THEIR CITIES ARE INSULATED. WE TALK A LOT IN THIS CITY ABOUT OUR CREDIT RATING AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. IF WE GO INTO THIS PROJECT AND WE BORROW OVER A BILLION DOLLARS OR UNDER A BILLION DOLLARS OR WHATEVER IT ENDS UP BEING AND WE DON'T HAVE SECURED WATER CONTRACTS WITH OUR INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS, OUR CREDIT RATING IS GOING TO TANK BECAUSE WE'RE TAKING ON A BUNCH OF DEBT AND WE DON'T HAVE CERTAINTY THAT WE'LL HAVE CUSTOMERS. THOSE CUSTOMERS HAVE OPTIONS AND THE CITIZENS OF CORPUS CHRISTI DO NOT. AND BY THE WAY THE MSA FOR THE CITY IS 450,000 TO 500,000 PEOPLE, AND THAT'S WAY LESS THAN 3.5 MILLION PEOPLE. AND SO WE CAN'T AFFORD TO MESS THIS UP. AND EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE DOING IS SETTING UP FOR FAILURE. WE'RE PICKING THE WORST SPOT WHICH ALL INDUSTRY SAY IS THE WORST SPOT. WE'RE ALSO NOT ASKING FOR AN RFP FOR A COST PER THOUSAND DOLLARS. WE'RE FOCUSED IN ON HOW MUCH WILL THIS PLANT COST BUT WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT WHAT IS OUR COST PER THOUSAND DOLLARS AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT. THAT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT AND THAT'S THE WAY THAT IT'S DONE EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD, BUT ONLY HERE IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI DO WE DO IT A DIFFERENT WAY. SO I HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WITH THE CITY MANAGER. AND HE GAVE TWO REASONS WHY WE CANNOT DO AN RFP LIKE THAT, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO LOSE TIME AND BECAUSE WE WON'T BE ABLE TO USE THE SWIFT FUNDING FOR THAT KIND OF SCENARIO. THOSE ARE TWO VALID CONCERNS, BUT WE HAVE TIME. THIS IS NOT GOING TO SAVE US FROM CURTAILMENT AND WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO BEFORE THE BOARD IT PLEA WITH THEM TO REDIRECT THESE DOLLARS IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION, WHICH WE HAVE NOT DONE THE JUDGE WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THE BOARD. SO AT A BARE MINIMUM I ASK YOU THAT TABLE UNTIL WE HEAR BACK FROM THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> [INDISCERNIBLE] DISTRICT 1. I DO HAVE A SPIEL BUT I DID WANT TO VENT A LITTLE BIT. I SHOULDN'T BE HERE -- I'M SICK -- AND I'M ACTUALLY HAVING TO NAVIGATE THE MEDICAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM HERE AND I WANT TO JUST SAY Y'ALL SUCK. THE CHOICES THAT Y'ALL HAVE MADO TRY TO END THE RESIDENCY PROGRAM, I MEAN, IT'S EVIL. PEOPLE ARE DYING ON YOUR WATCH. IT'S UNFAIR. AND IT'S A SYMPTOM OF HOW YOU HAVE DIVESTED FROM COMMUNITY AND PRIORITIZED INDUSTRY. WE DON'T NEED SCHOLARSHIPS, WE NEED HOSPITALS AND WE NEED DOCTORS, WE NEED SCHOOLS AND WE NEED COMMUNITY CENTERS TO THRIVE AS A COMMUNITY. AND THESE MULTIBILLION -- MULTIBILLION DOLLAR COMPANIES ARE HERE GIVING US SCRAPS. YOU SHOULDN'T STAND FOR IT. IT'S RIDICULOUS. I'M HERE TO OPPOSE THE REVIVAL OF THE HILLCREST DE DESAL COMMUNITY. AND MANY PEOPLE OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE HAVE COME UP HERE TO URGE YOU NOT TO IMPOSE FURTHER HARM ON HILLCREST RESIDENTS, TO SAVE OUR BAYS FROM BRINE DUMPS, TO REFEIGN FROM INTRODUCING PFALS INTO OUR DRINKING WATER AND TO INDUSTRIALIZING THE AREA AND TO STOP ALLOWING CURRENT INDUSTRY FRAY REIN ON OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. A LOT HAS BEEN SAID TO SWAY YOU TO CHANGE COURSE BUT YOU HAVE NOT LISTENED. YOU ARE IGNORING THE VAST MAJORITY OF RESIDENT, AND YOU ARE -- WE ARE SICK OF CREATING WITH MULTIBILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRIES THAT YOU HAVE LURED HERE WITH CHEAP WATER THAT YOU HAVE NO CONTRACTS WITH. WE KILLED THE INNER HARBOR PLANT BEFORE, AND WE'RE HERE TO DO IT AGAIN BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GIVING UP OUR DRINKING WATER WITHOUT A FIGHT. ALL OF YOU UP THERE -- EXCEPT SYLVIA, ARE BENDING OVER BACKWARDS TO KEEP THE EXXONS AND TO KEEP IT FROM CURTAILS WATER USE AND INSTEAD OF LOOKING AT OUR WATER RATE STRUCTURE THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP SEVERAL TIMES TODAY. YOU'RE TAKING ON MORE PROJECTS THAT RESIDENTS DON'T NEED. THE RESIDENTS HAVE SUBSIDIZED INDUSTRIES FOR YEARS, ACCORDING TO YOUR OWN PUBLISHED STUDY. IT'S TIME THEY START PAYING US BACK. CORPUS CHRISTI IS AN INDUSTRY TOWN BECAUSE YOU CHOSE THAT FOR US. FOR WHAT? SO THEY CAN KEEP GETTING RICHER AND WE GET CRUMBS? SO YOU CAN STAY IN THE GOVERNOR'S BRACE WHILE WE PAY FOR THEIR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE? FOR ANYONE LISTENING TODAY, I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD TO INTERFERE TO REVIVE THIS PLANT, BECAUSE OF WHAT WE'RE BUILDING WITHOUT THE CITY'S CONSENT. REFUSE TO STOP IMAGINING A BETTER WORLD FOR OURSELVES AND OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> IT IS NICER WHEN Y'ALL PAY ATTENTION. THANKS. CHRISTINA ENGLISH, DISTRICT 1. WE'RE ALL HERE AGAIN -- DÉJÂ-VU -- AFTER A 6-3 VOTE AGAINST THIS PROJECT. SOME OF YOU INSIST THAT WE'RE CONSIDERING SOMETHING NEW -- BUT WE'RE NOT. MARK MIN ISSTER WAS RIGHT IN POINTING OUT THAT CONSIDERATION OF OTHER BIDS WAS OFFERED BY STAFF, AND DISMISSED BY COUNCIL THE NIGHT OF THE PREVIOUS VOTE. SO WE'VE BEEN HERE AND WE HAVE DONE THIS ALREADY. THIS DECISION HAS BEEN MADE AND IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK UP FOR CONSIDERATION BY A MAYOR WHO STATED ON THIS DAIS THAT SHE WOULD -- SHE WOULD -- BE BRINGING IT BACK, BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T NEED A TWO OR THREE PERSON SIGNATURE MEMO OR WHATEVER TO GET IT DONE. SHE CAN DO IT ON HER OWN. THAT'S UGLY. RACHEL POINTED OUT THAT COUNCIL NOT ONLY VOTED 6-3 BUT THE COMMUNITY CAME OUT AND SPOKE 7-1. WE KNOW THIS PROJECT WILL BE INSANELY EXPENSIVE. WE'RE NOT FOOLED BY NO COST FIRST STEPS AND UNDERSTAND THAT DESAL HAS NOT GONE ON SALE. AND I DON'T NEED TO KNOW THE PRICE OF SOMETHING THAT I DON'T WANT. I ALSO GET REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN MEN OFFER ME THINGS FOR FREE. AND I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD TOO. WE KNOW THIS PROJECT WOULD HARM OUR BAY AND ENVIRONMENT IN GENERAL. WE CAN'T EVEN SAY FOR CERTAIN HOW BADLY, BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T DONE THE RESEARCH AND THE RESEARCH THAT WE HAVE PAID FOR DOESN'T BELONG TO US -- I GUESS? WORST OF ALL IS THAT THIS WOULD STILL BE IN THE HILLCREST NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS LOCATION IS A NON-STARTER FOR ME. IT HAS TO BE FOR YOU. THIS IS A HISTORICALLY BLACK NEIGHBORHOOD. IT'S DISGUSTING BEHAVIOR REALLY. PLEASE, DO NOT PERPETUATE THE LEGACY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND INSTITUTIONAL RACISM THAT ALREADY EXISTS IN CORPUS CHRISTI. PLEASE DO NOT ATTACH YOUR LEGACY TO IT, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. COUNCIL PERSON CANTU REPEATEDLY HAS SAID NO TO THIS COST AND THIS LOCATION. I AGREE. COUNCIL PERSONS ROY AND VAUGHN HAVE BOTH SAID THAT IT'S TOO MUCH MONEY AND THAT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE. , THEY HAVE ARTICULATED HOW MUCH WATER THAT THIS COUNCIL HAS ALREADY GOT IN THE WORK. WE'LL HAVE FOUR SMAZE MGD DEFICIT AND 8 MGD SURPLUS EVEN DURING PEAK SUMMER MONTHS. ALL OF THIS IS BEFORE CONSIDERING THAT THE WATER IS NOT EVEN FOR RESIDENTIAL USE. WE HAVE PLENTY OF WATER TO SHOWER AND WASH OUR CARS AND IT'S THAT THE INDUSTRY PULLS IT FROM US. WE HAVE OVERSOLD OUR RESOURCES AND NOW THE MAYOR AND THE CITY MANAGER WITH CONSIDERABLE PRESSURE FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, ARE SEEKING TO FURTHER EXPLOIT OUR CITY FOR PROFITS THAT BELONG TO BILLION DOLLAR COMPANIES. I'M ASKING THREE OF YOU FOR A CHANGE OF HEART, AND SIX OF YOU TO STAND FIRM. PLEASE DO NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH ANY DISCUSSION ON INNER HARBOR DESAL. VOTE NO ON ITEM 18, IT DOESN'T FIT THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. ALSO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND SPOUSES OF CITY BOARD MEMBERS WHO WISH OUT LOUD THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS WOULD KILL THEMSELVES -- YOU'RE UGLY. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> WELL, HI, CERTAINLY CAN'T TOP THAT. BUT MY NAME IS ELI MCKAY AND I LIVE IN BEAUTIFUL UPTOWN DISTRICT 1. I REALLY DIDN'T PREPARE ANYTHING TODAY. BUT A FEW THINGS THAT I WANTED TO MENTION IS THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE TRY TO PAINT OUT PEOPLE WHO ARE AGAINST THE INNER HARBOR LOCATION AS AGAINST GROWTH OR AGAINST BUSINESS. AND THAT'S SIMPLY NOT TRUE. MANY OF US HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE WORKED FOR THE INDUSTRY. MY FATHER SPENT MANY YEARS AS ON AN OIL RIG. AND HE'S TOLD ME MANY STORIES. I THINK THAT IT'S BEEN SAID MULTIPLE TIMES THAT WE DO REPORT WORKERS, WE APPRECIATE THE WORKERS, WE HOPE THE BEST FOR THE WORKERS. AND I DON'T PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT THEY'RE GETTING THE BEST BECAUSE IF THESE BILLION DOLLAR COMPANIES WON'T PAY FOR WATER, THEY WON'T PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE, WHY THE HECK DO THEY THINK THAT THEY'RE GETTING TREATED WITH RESPECT? I'VE SPENT 20 PLUS YEARS IN CORPORATIONS ALSO AND I KNOW THAT I NEVER GOT A MOMENT OF RESPECT FROM ANY OF THOSE CORPORATIONS. BUT THEY SURE LIKED IT WHEN I MADE THEM MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. SO THIS ITEM HAS BROUGHT FORWARD A LOT OF STRONG OPINIONS. UNFORTUNATELY, IT HAS NOT BROUGHT FORWARD VERY MANY EDUCATED OPINIONS AND AS SOMEONE WHO PAYS ATTENTION WEEK IN AND WEEK OUT AND YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT, IT'S FRUSTRATING TO HEAR PEOPLE SAY THAT WE NEED DESAL WHEN Y'ALL JUST BOUGHT INTO 50 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER FROM THE DESAL PLANT THAT GOT LITTLE TO NO RESISTANCE FROM THE COMMUNITY AS YOU CAN SEE. THAT'S THE THING -- IT'S THE LOCATION. IT'S THE BAY. FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IT'S NOT EVEN THE COSTS, BECAUSE IS MONEY EVEN REAL? I DON'T KNOW. SO IT'S CRAZY TO THINK THAT SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM HAVE LIVED AND BREATHED THIS PROJECT FOR ALMOST A DECADE. SOME PEOPLE EVEN TWO DECADES. BECAUSE SOME OF THE GROUPS THAT RACHEL MENTIONED HAVE BEEN OPPOSING THIS PROJECT SINCE LIKE 2002 OR 2003, WHICH IS CRAZY. WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT NO MATTER WHAT YOU DECIDE TODAY, MANY OF US WILL BE BACK NEXT MEETING. AND THEN WE'LL BE BACK AT THE NEXT MEETING. AND THEN WE'LL BE BACK AT THE NEXT MEETING. I THINK THAT YOU GET WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY. MANY OF US ARE NOT JUST HERE FOR A SHOW. WE'RE HERE EVERY WEEK -- SACRIFICING OUR TIME WITH OUR LOVED ONES, OUR PETS, PROBABLY OUR JOBS. I KNOW THAT I HAD TO QUIT MY JOB SO I COULD START PAYING ATTENTION TO CITY COUNCIL. CORPORATE RETAIL DIDN'T LIKE THAT. BUT WE'RE NOT HERE FOR MONEY AND WE'RE NOT HERE FOR TIME. WE ARE NOT HERE FOR EGO. WE ARE HERE FOR LOVE. AND I TRULY BELIEVE THAT'S ALL THAT ANY OF US SHOULD NEED, AND WE SHOULD BE KIND TO OUR NEIGHBORS, WHETHER WE AGREE WITH THEM OR NOT. WE HAVE LOVE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS. WE HAVE LOVE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAVE LOVE FOR OUR BAY. AND WE HAVE LOVE FOR OUR PLANET. SO IF WE COULD JUST TRY TO EMBRACE THAT LOVE AS A COMMUNITY ON EITHER SIDE OF THE ISSUE, I THINK THAT WE WOULD MAKE MORE PROGRESS. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> HI, UM, MAGGIE PEACOCK, DISTRICT 2. UM, THIS IS JUST -- IT'S JUST EMBARRASSING. IF I WAS SITTING AT EITHER OF THESE CHAIRS RIGHT NOW, UM, I DON'T KNOW HOW I COULD SHOW MY FACE TO THE COMMUNITY. AND BY THE COMMUNITY -- I MEAN THE PEOPLE AND NOT, LIKE, CORPORATE INTERESTS. YEAH, AT THIS POINT THE COSTS OO ME OR NEITHER DOES, LIKE, THE RESEARCH NEEDED TO PROVE THAT IT'S BAD FOR THE BAY -- LIKE, WE KNOW THAT IT IS. IT'S ALL ABOUT HILLCREST. AND I DON'T KNOW -- I WAS THINKING EARLIER TODAY WHEN Y'ALL WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW THIS IS GOING TO BE LIKE A PRIVATELY OWNED DESAL PLANT AND I WAS THINKING OF THE LORAX MOVIE WHERE THEY HAVE TO BUY AIR FROM A PRIVATE BUSINESS. IT'S LIKE THE O'HARE AIR. AND I DON'T KNOW -- IT JUST -- I KNOW THAT I'M TALKING ABOUT A CHILDREN'S MOVIE RIGHT NOW BUT SAYING IT OUT LOUD IT MAKES MY HEART DROP TO MY STOMACH A LITTLE BIT. IT'S SCARY. BUT, YEAH, THERE'S NO DIVISION TO WHETHER THIS SITE IS SAFE OR UNSAVE. SAFE. UNSAFE. IT'S IN THE HILLCREST NEIGHBORHOOD. AND IF YOU STAND WHERE THE SITE IS GOING TO BE BUILT, WHICH WE'RE NOT GOING TO LET IT, AND THERE'S EMPTY DRIVEWAYS WHERE FAMILIES WOULD PARK THEIR CARS TO GO HOME. AND RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET THERE'S STILL HOUSES AND FAMILIES AND PEOPLE. AND IT'S HEARTBREAKING, AND IT'S ALSO INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING THAT NO ONE ON THIS DAIS IS TALKING ABOUT IT, EXCEPT FOR ONE PERSON, AND WHEN THAT ONE PERSON STARTED TALKING ABOUT FIGHTING FOR THE PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE WERE RELIEVED TO SEE OURSELVES UP THERE. AND, UM, AND NOT CORPORATE INTEREST. SO WE REACTED WITH JOY BY CLAPPING OR CHEERING. AND ONCE AGAIN THE PERSON SITTING RIGHT THERE INTERRUPTED SO RUDELY BECAUSE TO HER DECORUM MEANS MORE THAN HILLCREST. AND SO, YEAH, SYLVIA THANK YOU, AND LIKE SYLVIA SAID IT'S A SHAME THAT WE ARE HERE AGAIN. BUT WE'RE GOING TO WIN AND DEFEAT THIS AGAIN -- BECAUSE WE HAVE TO. I WAS TALKING THE OTHER DAY ABOUT MY FIRST TIME THEY MADE PUBLIC COMMENT, IT WAS IN 2021. I THINK THAT IT WAS THE VOTE ON THE SWIFT LOANS. AND I JUST THINK ABOUT ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE THAT DAY, AND SYLVIA -- YOU WERE A HUGE PART OF THAT DAY FOR ME AND YOU WERE, LIKE, WE WANT YOU IN THIS FIGHT AND WE WANT YOU IN THIS MOVEMENT AND WE'RE GOING TO WIN. AND WE'RE GOING TO WIN AGAIN. IT'S JUST A SHAME THAT WE ARE HERE. YEAH, I HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO SAY BUT I THINK THAT I'M GOING TO END IT THERE. JUST MAKE THE RIGHT CH CHOSE, NO DESAL, AND IT'S ALL ABOUT HILLCREST. AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY Y'ALL AREN'T TALKING ABOUT THAT. BUT YEAH. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> LARRY FEIN, DISTRICT 2. Y'ALL SHOULD JUST CALL THE GUAJARDO DESAL DIAGNOSE INATION PLANT BECAUSE AT THIS POINT IT'S CLEAR THAT IT'S ONLY HERE TO CELEBRATE YOUR OWN SELF-INTEREST. AND I FIND IT FASCINATING THAT THE COST THAT WE WERE GIVEN WAS OVER A BILLION DOLLARS AND THE COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER AND GETS THE PROJECT KILLED AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HAVE ALL OF THESE DESAL PARTNERS SAYING THAT WE CAN DO IT AT NO COST TO RESIDENTS -- WHERE WERE THEY WHEN WE FOOTED THE BILL FOR OVER A BILLION DOLLARS? I FIND IT FASCINATING THAT GREG ABBOTT SAYS THAT HE'S DISAPPOINTED IN YOU. AND HERE IT IS BACK ON THE AGENDA. AND WHOSE INTERESTS ARE YOU SERVING WITH THIS -- HIS OR OURS INDUSTRIES? YOURS? AND WHY IS THE GOVERNOR AND THE STATE OF TEXAS EVEN SO INVEST INSIDE CORPUS CHRISTI WATER SUPPLY THE PROJECT. AND I FIND THAT DISGUSTING, PATHETIC AND SHAMEFUL. BECAUSE IT'S WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE THAT HAVE CONSISTENTLY SHOWN UP AND SAID NO -- ENOUGH, WE DON'T WANT IT -- PUT IT TO BED. AND WE DID THAT. AND IF THIS WATER IS FOR RESIDENTS LIKE YOU SAY, THEN OUR SAY WHERE THAT WATER COMES FROM SHOULD HOLD THE MOST WEIGHT. AND IT IS WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE THAT BEAT THE SELF-ABSORBED AGENDA AND WE WILL DO IT AGAIN TODAY, BESIDES WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO SAY TODAY. AND THERE'S A CHURCH IN HILLCREST TOO. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS TINA BUTLER AND I BELIEVE THAT I LIVE IN DISTRICT 2. I'M ACTUALLY SIGNED UP FOR 5:30 SO YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND SCRATCH ME OFF OF THAT BECAUSE I HAD TO RUN OVER HERE ABOUT THIS, SICK AND ALL. I'M JUST LIKE MS. CAMPOS, I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS ITEM CAME BACK TO THE AGENDA. ME BEING A RULES PERSON AND SEVERAL NON-PROFITS THAT I'M A PART OF, ACCORDING TO WHAT I LOOKED UP AND EVERY TIME THAT I HEAR DECORUM AND WE'RE DOING THIS -- IT SEEMS THAT IN ACCORDING TO THE CITY'S WEBSITE THAT Y'ALL FIND THE RULES OF ORDER AND ACCORDING TO THE RULES OF ORDER AN AGENDA ITEM VOTED DOWN CAN BE BROUGHT BACK USING A MOTION TO RECONSIDER OR A MOTION TO RESCIND, DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION AND WHEN THE VOTE OCCURRED. A MOTION TO RECONSIDER REQUIRES A TWO-THIRDS VOTE AND CAN ONLY BE MADE ON THE SAME DAY OF THE ORIGINAL VOTE TOOK PLACE. BY SOMEONE WHO VOTED ON THE PREVAILING SIDE. ETC. ETC.. SO I JUST WANT TO BRING THAT -- POINT THAT OUT. ALSO I WANT TO THANK THOSE COUNCIL PERSONS WHO DID COME OUT TO THE HILLCREST AREA AND TALKED WITH THE RESIDENTS BECAUSE YOU UNDERSTOOD AND YOU LISTENED TO US, VERSUS THE PERSON WHO REPRESENTS THAT AREA, AND NEED QUESTIONS AHEAD OF TIME BEFORE THEY CAN COME OUT. I JUST HEARD THAT SOMEONE ASKED TO BE ON A CITY MEETING -- COMMITTEE. AND COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS MENTIONED THIS, SHE HAD SOME NAMES AS WELL. MY THING IS, IF YOU KEEP GETTING THOSE WHO -- AND I KNOW BOTH OF THEM AND NOTHING AGAINST THE GENTLEMAN -- THAT KIND OF SEE YOUR SIDE AND YOU'RE NOT REALLY GETTING THE PUBLIC SIDE. HILLCREST IS THE ONLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN AREA THAT BLACKS COULD OWN HOMES. IT IS A HISTORICAL AREA. AND YOU JUST BROKE GROUND LAST WEEK ON A $26 MILLION PARK RENOVATION. AND YET YOU WANT TO PUT DESAL RIGHT NEXT TO THE PARK WHERE THE KIDS AND THE FAMILIES ARE SUPPOSED TO PLAY. THOSE THAT WERE AFFECTED BY THE HARBOR BRIDGE WHO MOVED EARLY, WHO PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE STAYED, SOME OF THOSE ARE NOW LOSING THEIR HOUSES BECAUSE THEY CAN'T PAY THE PROPERTY TAX WHERE THEY WERE MOVED TO. AND SO THOSE THAT WANT TO STAY -- WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THAT? I DON'T GET IT. WE ALL KNOW -- IT'S NOT BEING TRANSPARENT THEY PLAN TO MAKE THAT PORT AREA AN ART CORRIDOR WITH RESTAURANTS, CONDOS -- THOSE TYPE OF THINGS. YOU'VE GOT TO LAID DOWN YARD ART OVER THERE, AND THAT WAS THERE BEFORE IT WAS VOTED TO BE THERE. AND SO IF YOU WANT TO BUILD THERE, THEN PAY THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR AND YOU WOULDN'T HAVE THESE ISSUES. THE BUFFER ZONE WAS LESS THAN IT WAS AND THEN IT GOT MOVED UP CLOSER. WE HAVE BEEN DYING FROM CANCER -- VARIOUS TYPES OF CANCERS -- OVER THE YEARS. DO THE RIGHT THING AS COUNCIL. AND VOTE NO AGAINST THIS DESAL. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> LET'S PUT THIS TO REST RIGHT NOW -- STATEMENT OF FACT. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE COME UP AND SAID THAT DESAL WAS VOTED DOWN. IT WAS NOT VOTED DOWN. WHAT WAS VOTED DOWN AND OUT WAS KEWIT AND SEVERAL CAME UP HERE AND SAID THAT WAS NOT VOTED DOWN. JUST TO CLARIFY. YEAH. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, I'M [INDISCERNIBLE] CORPUS CHRISTI AND I'M HERE IT THINKING ABOUT THE THOUSANDS OF HARD-WORKING CITIZENS OF CORPUS CHRISTI, WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE WHO EXPECT AND DESERVE BASIC SERVICES FROM OUR CITY. ONE INCLUDING SAFE AND CLEAN AND SUSTAINABLE WATER SOURCES. A VOTE TODAY IN FAVOR OF THE SO-CALLED CORPUS CHRISTI DESAL PARTNERS DEAL IS NOT A VOTE FOR PEOPLE OF CORPUS CHRISTI. IT IS A VOTE FOR CORPORATIONS AND GREEDY EXECUTIVES. IT'S A VOTE FOR PROFIT OVER PEOPLE -- PERIOD. WE HAVE A COUNCIL MEMBER RELEASE A PRESS STATEMENT ABOUT CARING FOR OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS, BUT THIS DEAL WELCOMES WITH OPEN ARMS A TIDAL WAVE OF POLLUTION -- DEBT, AND BROKEN PROMISES. EVEN WITH THIS SHAM OF A SHADY DEAL OR CONCEPTS OF A PLAN, THINGS REMAIN THE SAME. WE KNOW HEAVY INDUSTRY, REFINERIES AND PETROCHEMICAL PLANTS ALREADY USE MORE THAN HALF OF THE CITY'S WATER SUPPLY. SO TELL ME, IS THIS DEAL ABOUT SOLVING A WATER CRISIS FOR OUR FAMILIES? OR IS IT ABOUT SUBSIDIZING THE INDUSTRY AT OUR EXPENSE ONCE AGAIN? OUR COMMUNITY WANTS WATER DEMOCRACY AND NOT A SECRET HANDSHAKE IN A BOARDROOM BETWEEN THE CITY MANAGER AND GREEDY EXECUTIVES. THERE'S A REASON THAT MANY COUNCILORS ARE AFRAID TO TAKE THIS TO A CITY-WIDE VOTE, THEY KNOW THAT OUR RESIDENTS ARE DONE WITH THE STATUS QUO AND DONE BEING LIED TO ABOUT JOB CREATION AND SAFETY. WHEN THE INDUSTRIAL PLANTS WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM DESAL, WOULD AND CURRENTLY BRING CANCER, POLLUTION AND STRATEGIC TAX EVASION. AND DON'T THINK FOR A MOMENT THAT THIS IS BEING DONE FOR US -- THE PEOPLE. LOOK AT THE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO ARE THE BIGGEST CHEERLEADERS FOR DESAL. LOOK AT THE ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS OF FRAUD. IF YOU BELIEVE THIS IS ABOUT PUBLIC INTEREST, TELL THAT TO THE HILLCREST NEIGHBORHOOD THAT ANNUALLY MEASURES THE BENZENE LEVELS 280 TIMES THE GENERAL POPULATION AVERAGE. HILLCREST IS NOT INVISIBLE. THOSE ARE FAMILIES, THOSE ARE FRIENDS, AND OUR NEIGHBORS. AND WE CANNOT PROCEED WITH THIS DESAL DEAL IN OUR INNER HARBOR IT. REMAINS A VIOLENT ACT OF INJUSTICE. IT DISPROPORTIONATELY BURDENS HILLCREST WITH RISKS THEY DID NOT CAUSE AND CANNOT AFFORD. SO HALT AND END THIS SHADY DEAL. REDIRECT FUNDS TO PEOPLE-CENTERED WATER SOLUTIONS. WE WANT DEMOCRACY OVER OUR WATER, AND MAKE HEAVY INDUSTRIAL USERS PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE, GIVE OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS SEATS AT THE TABLE, NOT JUST PRESS STATEMENTS ON FACEBOOK. BECAUSE THE QUESTION IS -- WILL YOU STAND WITH US? OR WILL YOU STAND ASIDE AS THIS CITY DOUBLES DOWN ON DECEPTION? THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. JANE GRACIA, I'M DISTRICT 1 NOW SO I WANTED TO LET Y'ALL KNOW THAT. THE LAST TIME THAT I CAME HERE IT WAS WITH FOOD AND I WAS SO HAPPY AND I'M REALLY MESSY RIGHT NUBECAUSE I'M VERY HUNGRY. BUT I'M NOT GOING TO FLIP-FLOP ON Y'ALL. WHEN I WAS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND THANK YOU TO THE COUPLE MEMBERS WHO HELPED TO DONATE TO MY -- THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS LBJ CAMPAIGN. I REALLY APPRECIATE ANY CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE PAST. BUT I, UM, I AM NOT GOING TO FLIP-FLOP ON WHAT I BELIEVE IS THAT THIS IS PROBABLY NOT THE BEST DECISION. AND IT'S JUST LIKE ANYTHING, WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WITH -- YOU KNOW, WHAT WE'RE GIVING OUR ENERGY TO. AND THE ENERGY IN THE ROOM IS LIKE -- IF WE COULD JUST SHAKE THAT OFF AND RESET FOR A MINUTE, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY. I WANT TO -- I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT, YES, I'M INVOLVED, BUT I'M ALSO VERY DEDICATED TO MY FAMILY. BECAUSE I'M A FAMILY WOMAN TOO. SO I HAVE LITTLE ONES AND A SHOUT OUT TO MY BABY CAMRYN BECAUSE SHE'S GOTTEN 103 ON HER TEST AND WE HAVE BEEN STUDYING, OKAY? BUT THERE'S CAMRYN AND BABIES AT METRO E THAT WE NEED TO HAVE THEM IN MIND TOO. IT'S A GREAT -- A GREAT PLACE TO LEARN AND I'M AN ALUMNI FROM THE MIDDLE SCHOOL, SO PLEASE CONSIDER THE KIDS TOO. PLEASE CONSIDER THE NEIGHBORHOOD. AND PLEASE SAY NO TO DESAL, AND FLYNN HILL, BABY, YOU OWE ME A LUNCH OR SOMETHING BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN WAITING LONG ENOUGH. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> ALEX [INDISCERNIBLE] DISTRICT 3. I JUST WANTED TO SAY YEAH TO THE STATEMENT OF FACT. YEAH, I THINK THAT WE CAN ALL TELL NOW THAT YOU GUYS DIDN'T VOTE TO KILL THE DESAL, BUT THEN WHY? OH, FOR POLITICAL THEATRE? SO THAT YOU CAN KILL OUR PEOPLE? AND STILL GET OUR VOTE, RIGHT? IS THAT WHAT IT WAS FOR? I'M AGAINST IT -- OH, NO, NEVER MIND. THE ONE THING THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARE THE LIVES -- KILLING SOME DEER IS NOT EQUATABLE TO KILLING OUR RESIDENTS. YOU GUYS -- WE ALL FEEL TRICKED -- STATEMENT OF FACT. AND, BELIEVE ME, WE'RE GOING TO STAND TOGETHER BECAUSE WE'RE TIRED OF IT. PEOPLE ARE TAKING OUR PARKS AND NO ONE IS SAYING ANYTHING FOR THEIR DISTRICT. PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO PUT -- PUT DESAL IN HILLCREST, AND HISTORICALLY BLACK RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO DIE AND THEY ALREADY HAVE LOW LIFE EXPECTANCY, BUT YOU ARE GOOD WITH IT BECAUSE YOU'RE GETTING PAID -- GETTING PAID. AND DISTRICT 1, AND WHERE ARE ALL COMING BACK TOGETHER AND WE'RE TIRED OF LOSING OUR RESOURCES AND WE WANT TO FIGHT FOR A CHURCH THAT DOESN'T FIT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, WELL THIS DOESN'T FIT HILLCREST, FIRST OF ALL. AND HOW DARE, LIKE, WE TALK ABOUT WOMEN BEING EXPLOITED -- THE PROSTITUTES THAT YOU'RE MAD AT, BUT WE DON'T HAVE ONE PERSON SAYING THAT WE'RE TIRED OF INDUSTRIAL HOOKERS COMING IN AND STEALING OUR RESOURCES AND EXPLOITING OUR PEOPLE. WE'RE TIRED OF THEM. I HAVE BEEN A LIFE-LONG RESIDENT HERE AND WE SHOULD ASK THESE BUSINESSES HOW MANY OF -- WHEN THEY START RUNNING THE PLANT, HOW MANY OF US ARE GOING TO BE IN THERE, RIGHT? HOW MANY JOBS ARE THEY ACTUALLY REALLY GIVE SOMETHING AND FOR ALL OF THE RESOURCES THEY'RE STEALING, WHY ARE THEY NOT THE TOP FIVE OF THE EMPLOYERS OF THIS CITY. NOT TOP FIVE. THEY'RE STEALING FROM US AND THEY'RE LEACHES AND THEY'RE NOT GOOD NEIGHBORS AND THEY'RE GIVING US CANCER. AND THEY EVEN PAY FOR ALL OF THAT TOXICITY THAT THEY'RE GIVING TO US. AND THEN THEY WANT TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE BLACK RESIDENTS THAT ARE DYING BECAUSE OF THIS. IF YOU WANT TO VOTE FOR GOING AHEAD AND KILLING MORE HISTORICALLY BLACK RESIDENTS, THEN WE NEED TO SEE THAT AS HOW IT IS. MR. COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ, HE WAS IN THE NAVY ON A SHIP -- SAME AS I. MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS TECHNOLOGY, THESE UNITS AND STUFF, WE TELL YOU -- IT'S HORRIBLE. I WAS ON ONE AND WE COULDN'T DRINK WATER FOR A WEEK, RIGHT? WE HAD TO FIGURE IT OUT AND WE HAD A TANK LEFT AND YOU COULD ONLY TOUCH TO TO DRINK A LITTLE BIT AND THAT WAS IT. AND FINALLY GOT GOOD ENOUGH TO WASH SOME CLOTHES AND WASH SOME STUFF AND WE HAD TO THROW PAPER PLATES AWAY, IT WAS AWFUL. IT WASN'T ABOUT THE COST AND ALL OF THE STUFF, AND WE HAVE LIVES OF HILLCREST IS WHAT IT'S ABOUT. AND Y'ALL WILL PUT YOUR HEAD BACK OR NOT CARE ABOUT THOSE LIVES BECAUSE WE STAND WITH HILL SCREFT. AND DISTRICT 3, WE STAND WITH HILLCREST. MOLINA, WE STAND WITH HILLCREST AND WE WILL BE HERE AND WE WILL VOTE. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> HENRY WILLIAMS, DISTRICT 1. AND I AM A -- I'M A HILLCREST RESIDENT -- RESIDENT. I GREW UP IN HILLCREST. MY -- MY FATHER -- MY MOTHER, MY FAMILY, WE HAVE LIVED IN HILLCREST ALL OF OUR LIVES. I AM A THIRD GENERATION CORPUS CHRISTI. YOU KNOW, IN MY -- I HAVE A HEART FOR OUR CITY. YOU KNOW, OF WHO WE ARE. I AM AGAINST INNER HARBOR DESAL. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS DESTRUCTIVE, BOTH TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, TO OUR WATERS AND TO OUR ENVIRONMENT. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT IS THE SOLUTION TO OUR WATER PROBLEM. I AM ALSO A MAN OF FAITH, AND I'M A MINISTER. THERE ARE SCRIPTURES THAT SPEAKS TO WATER. AND WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS REGARDING WATER IS THAT WHEN GOD IS PLEASED WITH THE PEOPLE, HE WILL BLESS THEM WITH WATER. AND HE WILL BLESS THEM WITH RAIN. IF WE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH WATER AND WITH RAIN, WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE MORALLY. LIKE CHURCH DEALS WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY WHO ARE IN ONE AREA OR ANOTHER AND HURTING IN THEIR LIVES. OKAY? IF THEY HAVE A NEED FOR FOOD, IF THEY HAVE A NEED FOR THEIR ELECTRIC BILL TO BE PAID, IF THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEIR RENT, OKAY, WE HELP MANY OF THEM. OKAY. CORPUS CHRISTI IS A VERY DIFFICULT PLACE FOR POOR FOLK. OKAY. RENT, ONE OF THE WORST PLACES. YOU CANNOT GET FOR UNDER $700. THE APARTMENTS IN OUR CITY ARE $1,000 AND UP PER MONTH. IF A PERSON LOSES THEIR JOB, THEY CAN'T AFFORD THEIR RENT. OKAY. OR IS MAKING A DECISION, OKAY, WITH REGARD TO DO I PAY MY BILLS OR DO I BUY FOOD. YOU AS A COUNCIL AND WE AS A PEOPLE -- [BELL RINGS] -- WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHO WE ARE. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, REVEREND. THANK YOU, SIR. >> OKAY, THANK >> COUNCIL, LAMONT TAYLOR, THE INFAMOUS OR THE FAMOUS, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL ME. DISTRICT 1. I AM -- THANK YOU, PETER FOR CALLING ME OUT AND FOR ME VOLUNTEERING AND TO BE ON THE BOARD. I HAVEN'T BEEN ON ONE SINCE I WAS IN -- SINCE I LEFT THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION BOARD. I HAVEN'T VOLUNTEERED SINCE THEN BECAUSE OF SEVERAL REASONS. ONE, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HILLCREST RESIDENTS. EXCUSE ME. HILLCREST PERIOD. I'M A SPOKESPERSON FOR LAMONT TAYLOR. WHEN I TALK ABOUT HILLCREST, IT'S THAT I'VE BEEN THERE FOR 65 YEARS, UNTIL WE HAD TO DO THE RELOCATION UNFORTUNATELY. IT WASN'T BY MY DESIRE BUT SOMETHING THAT HAD TO HAPPEN. BUT I DO STILL OWN PROPERTY IN HILLCREST AND ON THE NORTH SIDE. SO I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THAT PARTICULAR AREA. ONE THING I WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT THIS SITUATION IS IT'S THE ONLY INDIVIDUAL OF AFRICAN AMERICANS THAT WERE ACCOMMODATED IN THIS CITY. BASICALLY, I'M LOOKING AT THIS AS A RACIAL ISSUE. I HATE TO SAY THAT. I'M SPEAKING FOR LAMONT. BECAUSE NOWHERE ELSE IN THE CITY ARE YOU BUILDING THIS PLANT AND YOU HAVE DRIVEN OUT A GROUP OF PEOPLE. YOU'RE BUILDING THIS PLANT IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA AND YOU WANT TO SAY THAT IT'S FOR THE GOOD OF THE CITIZENS OF CORPUS CHRISTI. THOSE BLACK PEOPLE OVER THERE, THEY'RE CITIZENS OF THIS CITY. THEY PAY TAXES. THEY LIVE. THEY GREW FAMILIES RIGHT OVER THERE. BUT NO. YOU WANTED TO BUILD AN INNER HARBOR DESAL PLANT IN THE VERY IMAGE AND PLACE WHERE THEY LIVE, GREW, AND HAD FAMILIES. YET STILL YOU WANT TO PUT A PARK OVER THERE BECAUSE OF THE DILAPIDATED CONDITIONS OVER THERE THAT WERE HANGING ON. SO YOU WANT TO BUILD UP A $16 MILLION PLANT THAT HAS BEEN OVERDUE BECAUSE YOU, THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TOOK AWAY THEIR SWIMMING POOL AND BALLPARK AND NOW YOU WANT TO BRING SOMETHING BACK TO THEM. IT WASN'T BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY DID, IT'S BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU DID TO AFRICAN AMERICAN PEOPLE IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA. Y'ALL CAN SAY WHAT Y'ALL WANT TO SAY, WATER FOR THE PEOPLE. WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE LIVING? YOU WANT TO SACRIFICE THEM FOR YOUR GLORY. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> HELLO, BOARD. MY NAME IS AIDEN DE LEON. I LIVE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CORPUS CHRISTI. IT'S WITH GREAT HONOR I COME TO YOU TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL AND JUST SAY THAT I WANT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORKER. I'VE LIVED IN CORPUS CHRISTI MY WHOLE LIFE. I'M A CERTIFIED WELDER. I WORK FOR A COMPANY CALLED TURNER INDUSTRIES. WE SERVICE THE REFINERIES. I MAKE MY LIVING OFF OF THIS TOWN AND THE REFINERIES AND CONSTRUCTION. I'M A CONSTRUCTION WORKER. THAT'S WHAT I DO FOR A LIVING. IT'S GIVEN ME EVERYTHING IN LIFE. I WAS 23 YEARS OLD WHEN I BOUGHT MY HOUSE WITH MY WIFE. AND I'M PROUD THAT, YOU KNOW, I MADE A LIVING WITH MY HANDS. AND I KNOW THAT GOD HAS PUT YOU HERE IN A POSITION TO MAKE A DECISION, AN IMPORTANT DECISION. AND I FEEL THAT Y'ALL ARE HERE FOR A REASON. EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. I MEAN, YOU WERE VOTED IN TO CREATE JOBS OR PROTECT JOBS. NOT TO CRUSH JOBS. WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME OR MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS BACK THERE, CONSTRUCTION WORKERS, THEY'RE GOING TO LOSE THEIR JOB BECAUSE THE REFINERY HAS TO CUT DOWN CAPACITY, RUN AT 30%. THEY CAN'T RUN FULL CAPACITY BECAUSE THERE'S NO WATER. SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? THAT MEANS LAYOFFS. THEY GOT TO CUT BACK. PEOPLE AROUND ARE GOING TO SEE THAT THIS TOWN CANNOT PROVIDE. NOBODY IS GOING TO WANT TO INVEST HERE. NOBODY IS GOING TO WANT TO COME TO THE TABLE AND DO BUSINESS WITH CORPUS CHRISTI BECAUSE YOU CAN'T FULFILL YOUR PROMISES. SO I'M PRO BUSINESS BUT I WORK WITH MY SWEAT. EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE IN LIFE, I EARNED IT BY HARD WORK. SO I JUST SAY PLEASE VOTE YES AND, YOU KNOW, I HOPE YOU GUYS MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. I LOVE THIS TOWN. I'VE BEEN IN THIS TOWN MY WHOLE LIFE AND I REMEMBER IT WHEN I WAS A LITTLE KID. AND I DON'T REALLY THINK THAT THIS DESAL IS GOING TO POLLUTE AS BAD AS THEY SAY. I DON'T THINK SO. AND, YOU KNOW, THE DEAL IS WE ALL -- IT'S A DOMINO EFFECT. IF THEY LOSE, WE ALL LOSE. AND IT AFFECTS US ALL. THE WORD GETS OUT, HEY, THERE'S NO JOBS HERE, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO SAN ANTONIO. THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO HOUSTON. I DON'T WANT TO LIVE IN CORPUS. THERE'S NO WORK. IT'S ALL REPUTATION, WORD OF MOUTH. YOU GUYS ARE THE LEADERS. YOU WERE VOTED TO LEAD. DO YOUR JOB, GET IT DONE. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, SIR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS JIM KLEIN. >> Mayor Guajardo: I'M SORRY, MR. KLEIN. IF YOU CAN HOLD ONE SECOND. >> Paxson: JUST FOR A QUICK STATEMENT OF FACT. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I THINK THERE WAS JUST A BIT OF PERHAPS CONCERN WHERE THERE MAY BE SOME CONFUSION THAT THIS CURRENT VOTE IS THE COIN TOSS WHETHER OR NOT WE GO INTO CURTAILMENT AND INDUSTRY HAS TO CUT BACK. COULD YOU CLARIFY THAT A LITTLE BIT? BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS VOTE IS ABOUT. >> Zanoni: THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS VOTE IS ABOUT. WE'RE WORKING HARD WITH THE CURRENT WATER SOURCES THAT ARE COMING ONLINE ON NUECES RIVER WELLS PROJECT AND EVANGELINE TO MAKE SURE CURTAILMENT DOESN'T HAPPEN. RIGHT NOW THE FORECAST, IF WE DIDN'T DO THOSE TWO PROJECTS, IS NOVEMBER OF '26. SO THIS PROJECT TODAY HAS NO BEARING ON THAT. THIS IS AT LEAST A THREE TO FOUR-YEAR PROJECT BEFORE WATER COMES ONLINE. AND SO THIS IS NOT -- THE VOTE TODAY IS NOT TO STAVE OFF CURTAILMENT NOR ARE WE PLANNING ON GOING INTO CURTAILMENT IF WE CAN GET OUR WATER SOURCES ON AS CURRENTLY PROGRAMMED. >> Paxson: WE'RE NOT AT THE POINT WHERE WE'RE DISCUSSING CURTAILMENT. THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS JIM KLEIN, 3501 MONTEREY STREET IN CORPUS CHRISTI. I SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE COASTAL BEND SIERRA GROUP. THE COASTAL BEND SIERRA GROUP REMAINS OPPOSED TO THE INNER HARBOR DESAL PROJECT. WE STILL BELIEVE IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE FOR CCW RATEPAYERS. WE HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT THE IMPACT IT'S GOING TO HAVE ON THE HILLCREST NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THIS IS GOING TO BE BUILT. I WOULD ASK YOU TO CONSIDER CHEAPER ALTERNATIVES. AND, AGAIN, WE HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION BEFORE AS WELL. THIS IS WHAT THE ENGINEERS TOLD ME WHEN THEY CAME TO TALK TO US ABOUT THIS SEVEN YEARS AGO. THAT THE SIGNS BEHIND DESALINATION SEAWATER DESALINATION ISEN SOUND BUT IT IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE WAY TO MAKE WATER. YOU SHOULD TRY EVERYTHING ELSE BEFORE YOU DO THAT. CURRENTLY THE MARY RHODES PIPELINE IS RUNNING AT 73% CAPACITY. UNTIL 15 MONTHS AGO IT RAN AT 45% CAPACITY. IT'S BEING UNDERUTILIZED. WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT REDUCING THE EVAPORATION RATE IN THE RESERVOIRS. WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT STORING WATER BELOW GROUND SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT EVAPORATION AT ALL. ALL OF THESE ARE LESS EXPENSIVE OPTIONS THAN DESALINATION. I WANT TO POINT OUT THE BIG PICTURE HERE THAT THIS DESAL PLANT STANDS TO ACCELERATE THE RUSH TO INDUSTRIALIZE CORPUS CHRISTI, TO TURN US INTO TEXAS CITY. THERE'S GOOD PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN TEXAS CITY BUT I DON'T WANT THAT FOR OUR COMMUNITY HERE AND I DON'T THINK THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE HERE DO EITHER. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, SIR. >> HELLO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I HAVE A PRESENTATION FOR LATER ON BUT SINCE I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK, MY NAME IS LEO DALBECK. 8100 SOUTH SPID. I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF CORPUS CHRISTI OVER 42 YEARS. THE MARY RHODES PIPELINE, I CAN SEE HER SMILING RIGHT NOW THAT Y'ALL HAVE INCREASED PRODUCTION ON SOMETHING THAT WAS SCALABLE UP. I'M REALLY GLAD ABOUT IT. I AM ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO PUMPING HYPERSALINE WATER IN THE INNER HARBOR. NOW, I'M ALL FOR THE DESAL PLANT BECAUSE THE ONLY THING THAT WE GOT PLENTY OF IS SALTWATER. AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS BUILD A PIPELINE FROM OVER THERE AT HILLCREST ALL THE WAY OUT TO THE GULF OF MEXICO. ABOUT 28, 30 MILES. THE MARY RHODES WAS 101 MILES AND DONE UNDER BUDGET. IF YOU CAN BELIEVE THAT. I READ THE INTERNET, OKAY? SO THE TRICK IS THE MR. MANAGER HAS BROUGHT A COALITION OF PEOPLE, ALL THESE CONTRACTORS -- I FORGET THE NAMES. CC SOMETHING. BUT IT'S A GOOD IDEA. THEY'VE GOT THE EXPERTISE TO GIVE A GOOD AND WELL-THOUGHTOUT EXPLANATION AND ALL OF THESE INFRASTRUCTURE DEALS. LIKE MAKING A PIPELINE ALL THE WAY FROM HILLCREST -- A DISCHARGE. THE SUCTION WILL ENHANCE THE CIRCULATION. ALL THESE ACADEMICS -- AND I'M GOING TO REPEAT THIS STORY WHEN Y'ALL GIVE ME A CHANCE AGAIN. BUT ALL THESE ACADEMICS FROM THE TEXAS A&M ALL SAID IT'S A YEAR CIRCULATION. YOU CAN'T PUT HYPERSALINE WATER IN A CLOSED SYSTEM. ANY OF Y'ALL REMEMBER THE RED TIDE? GOLLY. ESPECIALLY OVER IN BAFFIN BAY AND ALL THAT AREA. THERE WAS A COMPANY JUST A WHILE BACK THAT WANTED TO PUMP HYPERSALINE WATER INTO BAFFIN BAY. WHAT A DISASTER. AND SO I'VE GOT SOME DRAWINGS. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. AND THAT'S MY STORY. I'M OPPOSED TO SALINE WATER GOING INTO THE INNER HARBOR. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, SIR. >> DANIEL PENA, HILLCREST. YOU KNOW, IT'S UNBELIEVABLE TO BE HERE AGAIN. SO INNER HARBOR. YOU KNOW, YOU GUYS HAVE PASSED THAT NAME AROUND FOR YEARS. AND THE ONLY REASON YOU GOT THIS FAR IS YOU NEVER WERE HONEST ENOUGH TO TELL IT WAS GOING TO BE IN HILLCREST. YOU WOULD HAVE HAD A LOT MORE AGAINST YOU THAN YOU DO NOW. DISHONESTY. YOU KNOW, LACK OF TRANSPARENCY. WHEN DID YOU GUYS VOTE, THAT'S OKAY. WE'LL PUT IT IN HILLCREST. HOW MANY OF YOU WERE INVOLVED IN THAT? YOU HAVE TO ASK YOURSELF HOW DID THAT HAPPEN? HOW DID THE NEIGHBORHOOD GET VOTED TO PUT A DESAL PLANT WITHOUT EVEN HAVING A DISCUSSION WITH US? WE'VE HAD COUNCILMEN AFTER COUNCILMEN LIKE YOURSELF -- BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T SEEN YOU AROUND. COUNCILMEN AFTER COUNCILMEN COME TO OUR AREA TRYING TO SELL US SOMETHING. TRYING TO GET US OUT. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET YOU GUYS, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE KIND OF APPROACH WE HAVE HAD. ALL KINDS OF SUGGESTIONS ON HOW THEY COULD HELP US REHABILITATE THE AREA AND REVIVE THE AREA, YOU KNOW, AND BEEN LEADING US BY THE NOSE. HEY, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO FOR YOU ALL. AND HERE WE ARE. WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A CHOICE. WE'RE PAST A CHOICE. IS IT GOING TO BE IN HILLCREST? YOU GUYS HAVE ALREADY SHOVED IT DOWN OUR THROAT. JUST LIKE YOU DID THE BRIDGE AND EVERYTHING ELSE. YOU KNOW, DISCUSSIONS -- THE WHOLE THING IS BEING DECEITFUL TO THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD. NEVER ONCE CONSIDERING THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE. NOT A ONE TIME. AND SO NOW WHAT ARE YOU GUYS TRYING TO DECIDE? I THOUGHT YOU DECIDED ALREADY. YOU KNOW, I KNOW YOU'RE NOT TRYING TO GET RID OF THE DESAL BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU HAD THE CHANCE. YOU'VE HAD SEVERAL CHANCES TO MAKE IT RIGHT AND MOVE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. NOT EVEN THAT. FIX THE PROBLEM. THE OTHER GUYS, THEY'RE CONSIDERING FIXING THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS NOBODY WANTS THE WATER OR THE MESS INSIDE THE BAY. WE DON'T WANT YOU, PERIOD, IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. BUT I THINK THAT DECISION HAS BEEN MADE A LONG TIME AGO. NOT BY US. YOU DIDN'T ASK US. YOU JUST SHOVED IT DOWN OUR THROAT AGAIN. YOU KNOW, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING, PLEASE LOOK IT UP. IN YOUR HISTORY BOOKS, WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU DID ANYTHING FOR HILLCREST? NOT DISTRICT 1 BUT FOR HILLCREST. NOW TOMORROW STARTS THE PROBLEMS OF ANY TIME WE SPEAK AGAINST THE CITY THEN WE'LL HAVE THE CODE ENFORCEMENT AND WHOEVER ELSE WANTS TO COME IN AND MAKE OUR LIFE MISERABLE. BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU DO. THAT'S THE ONLY THING THE CITY DOES FOR HILLCREST. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, SIR. >> THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: YES, SIR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT TODAY. BOB PAULSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COASTAL BEND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION. I LIVE IN DISTRICT 4. THE ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS APPROVAL OF ITEM 18. AND ALSO WE SUPPORT APPROVAL OF ITEM 19 TOO, JUST IN THE INTEREST OF EFFICIENCY. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO A DIVERSIFIED WATER SUPPLY PORTFOLIO AND ALL OF THE ABOVE WATER STRATEGY THAT'S ESSENTIAL TO PROTECTING EXISTING JOBS AND ENSURING THAT THE COASTAL BEND REMAINS POSITIONED FOR ECONOMIC VITALITY AND PROSPERITY. IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE SUCH AN APPROACH WILL PROVIDE CERTAINTY IN OUR WATER SUPPLY AT A TIME WHEN THERE'S MUCH UNCERTAINTY. AS YOU ALL ARE AWARE, THE ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN A LONG-TIME SUPPORTER OF THE INNER HARBOR DESAL PROJECT. THAT CONTINUES. AND WE ARE APPRECIATIVE AND STRONGLY SUPPORT OF A RENEWED LOOK AT THE INNER HARBOR DESAL PROJECT. THIS PROJECT OFFERS A RELIABLE, DROUGHT-PROOF WATER SUPPLY THAT CAN STRENGTHEN OUR LONG-TERM WATER SECURITY. IN OUR ASSESSMENT, THE INNER HARBOR DESAL PROJECT CONTINUES TO BE THE BEST OPTION FOR THE CITY TO PURSUE SEAWATER DESALINATION, GIVEN THAT IT'S FULLY PERMITTED BY TCEQ AND REVIEWED BY THE EPA. IT KIND OF GETS LOST IN THE CONVERSATION A LOT OF TIMES. AS DOES AN APPRECIATION FOR EXACTLY WHAT'S INVOLVED IN THE PERMITTING PROCESS AND HOW MUCH WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY PORTION OF THIS ENDEAVOR. SO GIVEN THAT THE PROJECT'S FULLY PERMITTED, THERE'S LOW-INTEREST FUNDING THAT'S BEEN SECURED, AND IT'S STILL POSSIBLE THAT WORK CAN RESUME ON THIS PROJECT. WE THINK IT'S THE BEST WAY TO ADD A RELIABLE, DROUGHT-PROOF SUPPLY TO THE SYSTEM AND CAN BE DONE IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-RESPONSIBLE WAY THAT PROTECTS THE BAY. WE UNDERSTAND THERE ARE OTHERS WHO DON'T AGREE WITH THAT AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES AMERICA GREAT. WE THINK THE PLAN UNDER CONSIDERATION TODAY AND PRESENTED EARLIER OFFERS A BALANCED APPROACH AND PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESOLVE THE CONCERNS MOST RECENTLY ARGUED HERE IN CHAMBERS AND AROUND TOWN THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER AND BEEN BROUGHT UP AGAIN TODAY. AND AT THE SAME TIME IT PROTECTS THE CITY AND RATEPAYERS FOR THE TIME BEING, AT LEAST, FROM THE ILL EFFECTS OF SWIFT BOND DEFEASANCE, WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION. A SEPTEMBER POLL CONDUCTED BY HARRIS DEVILLE ASSOCIATES FOUND THAT 63% OF CORPUS CHRISTI VOTERS WHO RESPONDED TO THE POLL SUPPORT RESTARTING THE INNER HARBOR DESAL PROJECT. THAT'S BECAUSE PEOPLE KNOW THAT THIS IS ABOUT OUR SHARED FUTURE. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN LOOKING THAT POLL, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT THE MY TOWN, OUR FUTURE WEBSITE. CORPUS CHRISTI HAS ALWAYS BUILT AHEAD AND PLANNED FOR TOMORROW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> ISABEL ARAIZA, DISTRICT 2. CO-FOUNDER FOR THE GREATER GOOD. I ACTUALLY STRUGGLED WITH WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT I HAVEN'T ALREADY SAID. I HAVE PRETTY MUCH BEEN COMING HERE SINCE WE DISCOVERED THAT REFINERIES AND PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY WAS LOBBYING BACK IN 2016. SO IT WAS GOOD TO HEAR WHAT EVERYBODY HAD TO SAY. I JUST WANT, FOR THE RECORD, MY TOWN, OUR FUTURE IS PAID FOR BY GULF COAST GROWTH VENTURES, WHO HAS 600 EMPLOYEES. I'M WONDERING WHO GOT THAT SURVEY. THE OTHER THING I WANT TO SAY IS THAT YEAH. WE'RE AGAINST DESAL. ARDURRA GAVE MAYOR GUAJARDO, IN 2022, $500, DONATION TO THE CAMPAIGN. IN 2024, COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ RECEIVED $400. COUNCILMAN CANTU RECEIVED $400 AND COUNCILMAN ROY RECEIVED $1500 FROM THEM. I WOULD LIKE THEM TO RECUSE THEMSELVES FROM THIS VOTE. REALLY LIKE THAT TURN OF PHRASE, INDUSTRY IS ALWAYS THIRSTY. I JUST LIKE LISTENING TO MY CONSTRUCTION WORKER. MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIM BECAUSE WHAT HE DEMONSTRATES IS WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY DEMONSTRATES WHEN YOU HAVE INDUSTRY AND THEN THE 2:47 STORY THAT CAME OUT ABOUT THE $2.2 TRILLION THAT THE CITY COULD MAKE OFF OF DESAL. WE DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF PAYING FOR IT TO GET DISSEMINATED TO EVERYBODY. WE JUST BUILD CONNECTIONS AND TRY TO TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT'S POSSIBLE IN THE COMMUNITY. INDUSTRY'S JOBS HAVE CONTRACTED SO MUCH THAT NOW THEY'RE TRYING TO CONFLATE THE TWO. THERE CAN BE OTHER CONSTRUCTION JOBS, WE JUST HAVE TO INVEST IN THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. THE CITY, WHEN THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES, JUST DIDN'T TAKE THEM. WE'RE SO USED TO BEING STARVED AND DENIED. IT'S LIKE YOU CELEBRATE WHEN A PLANT GROWS IN THE CRACK OF CONCRETE. NOT RECOGNIZING ALL OF THOSE OTHER SEEDS THAT NEVER EVER HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW, TO THRIVE, TO SURVIVE BECAUSE YOU CREATED A HOSTILE LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM. AND YET THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE WHO DON'T WANT TO RUN AWAY. THAT WANT TO BE HERE. THAT WANT TO DO GOOD. I JUST WANT BETTER FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AND SO MANY OF Y'ALL DON'T WANT THAT. WE DON'T KNOW THE COST OF THIS NEW PROJECT. WE DON'T KNOW THE VOLUME. WE DON'T KNOW THE MAINTENANCE. WE DON'T KNOW THE TIMELINE. WE DON'T KNOW THE RATE. WE DON'T KNOW THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. YOU'RE GOING TO NOW DO A FAR-FIELD STUDY. I'M DONE. THANK YOU. PLEASE VOTE NO. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> TREY CRAMPARD, OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS. THERE SEEMS TO BE A COMMON THEME WITHIN THESE CHAMBERS. TIME AND TIME AGAIN THE CITY SHOWS THEY'RE NOT BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR. FROM HILLCREST TO THE NUECES GROUNDWATER WELLS, MAJOR DECISIONS ARE BEING PUSHED FORWARD WITH LITTLE TRANSPARENCY AND ALMOST NO COMMUNITY INPUT. COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE ONLY GIVEN ONE MINUTE TO SPEAK TO COUNCIL. ONE MINUTE TO VOICE CONCERNS ABOUT PROJECTS THAT COULD RESHAPE THE COMMUNITIES FOR GENERATIONS. THAT'S NOT LISTENING. THAT'S CHECKING A BOX. PEOPLE DESERVE A CITY THAT RESPECTS THEM AND TREATS SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES LIKE PARTNERS, NOT OBSTACLES. IT'S TIME FOR LEADERSHIP TO HEAR ITS NEIGHBORS AND STOP PUSHING DECISIONS ON TO THEM WITHOUT A GENUINE SEAT AT THE TABLE. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, SIR. WE ARE GOING TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM NO. 18. >> Barrera: MAYOR, I MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS. >> Campos: THANK YOU. OKAY. WELL, LET ME SEE. I KEPT TRYING TO KEEP COUNT OF HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE MAKING PUBLIC COMMENT. I COUNTED 51. AND OUT OF THE 51, YOU KNOW, I TRY TO KEEP UP WITH WHAT PEOPLE WERE SAYING ON BOTH SIDES. AND THERE WAS A THEME. THE THEME WITH THE PUBLIC COMMENTERS WERE MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE SUPPORTING THIS PROJECT WERE EITHER PAID EMPLOYEES OR HAD SOME FINANCIAL GAIN FOR IT. WHICH I DON'T BLAME. PEOPLE HAVE TO WORK. THAT'S FINE. BUT WE ALSO NEED TO REALIZE THAT, YOU KNOW, THE DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE HERE IS FOR EVERYONE, YOU KNOW. I ALSO WANTED TO ALSO MAKE SURE THAT WE LOOKED -- I DID TEXT OUR CITY SECRETARY ABOUT THE ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER AND HOW THAT WAS GOING TO AFFECT THIS VOTE. AND I DO WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU, JUST SO THAT THE PUBLIC WILL KNOW. I THOUGHT THAT MADE SENSE, WHAT SHE SAID, TINA MADE SENSE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING THE ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER. I ALSO WANTED TO ECHO WHAT WE EXPERIENCED IN HERE I HOPE IS COMING OUT OF LOVE. THAT WORD DOESN'T COME OUT. I KNOW THAT WE HAVE A DIFFERENT APPROACH ON HOW WE THINK -- WHAT LOVE LOOKS LIKE. BUT WE DO HAVE LOVE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AND EVEN THOUGH, YOU KNOW, I MAY COME OUT ABOUT INDUSTRY, BELIEVE ME. I'VE LIVED HERE. I'M ALMOST 70 YEARS OLD SO I'VE LIVED HERE ALL MY LIFE. I HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT WORK IN THE INDUSTRY. IT'S NEVER BEEN ABOUT THE WORKER EVER. WHAT THIS IS DOING, WHAT THIS PROJECT IS DOING IS BRINGING EVEN MORE, MORE OF THAT TYPE OF INDUSTRY. AND, AGAIN, TEXAS CITY IS SOMETHING I DON'T THINK WE WANT. AND THAT'S WHY I STAY FIRM ON THIS VOTE. AND I HOPE THAT MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL STAY FIRM WITH THEIRS. BECAUSE NOTHING, NOTHING HAS CHANGED. NOTHING. WE STILL DON'T HAVE THE ACTUAL COST. WE STILL DON'T KNOW, YOU KNOW, THE FAR-FIELD MODELING, REALLY THE ENTIRE MODELING. IF WE COULD HAVE HAD THAT DONE, WE WOULD HAVE HEARD FROM THE SCIENCE THAT THIS IS NOT THE BEST PLACE TO PUT IT. AGAIN, I'M GRATEFUL. I'M GRATEFUL THAT, YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE HERE CAME OUT AND VOICED THEIR CONCERNS. AND OUT OF THE 50 PEOPLE, I'M TELLING YOU, IT TAKES A LOT FOR EVERYONE TO COME HERE AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. I DO AGREE WITH AT LEAST THE LAST COMMENTER. AND I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THAT AS WELL. BUT, AGAIN, I DON'T GET HEARD. BUT I DO FEEL THAT WHOEVER COMES TO HERE IN PERSON, AT LEAST IN PUBLIC COMMENT, AND HAS A CITY CONCERN, ESPECIALLY WATER, THAT WE GIVE THEM THE FULL THREE MINUTES. THAT'S THE LEAST THAT WE CAN DO. SO, YOU KNOW, AND I'M ALSO THANKFUL THAT MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS DID ADVOCATE FOR AT LEAST LETTING US SPEAK MORE THAN TWICE. THIS IS A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S PROBABLY MORE THAT WE CAN SAY BUT I STAND WITH YOU. I STAND WITH OUR PEOPLE. WITH THE RESIDENTS AND I WILL BE VOTING AGAINST THIS. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN CANTU. >> Cantu: IS THERE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR? MY MOTION? >> City Secretary: SO YOU -- THERE WAS A MOTION THAT YOU FORMULATED. >> Cantu: I WANT TO DO JUST A MOTION FOR THE FAR-FIELD STUDY, MUST HAVE A FAR-FIELD STUDY DONE ALSO. >> City Secretary: YOU HAD STATED -- YOU SAID YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT MAKING THE MOTION. >> Cantu: NO, I WANT TO MAKE THAT MOTION. >> City Secretary: HE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE AND YOU'RE MAKING A MOTION TO AMEND, RIGHT? >> Cantu: CORRECT. JUST FOR THE FAR-FIELD STUDY. >> City Secretary: THAT'S TRUE. THERE WASN'T A SECOND TO MR. BARRERA'S MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND NOW? YOU'RE GOING TO STILL MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND? >> Zanoni: REBECCA, COUNCILMAN CANTU MADE A MOTION HOURS AGO. I THINK WHAT HE'S SAYING IS HE WANTS TO AMEND IT -- >> City Secretary: THERE WAS NO SECOND TO IT, SIR. >> Zanoni: WAS THERE AN ASK FOR A SECOND? OKAY. >> Cantu: WHAT DID YOU SAY, CAROLYN? >> Vaughn: [OFF MIC] >> Cantu: OKAY. >> Mayor Guajardo: SO WHERE ARE WE, REBECCA? >> City Secretary: OKAY. SO MR. CANTU HAD STATED -- THIS IS HOW I PARAPHRASED IT WHEN YOU WERE TALKING. SO I SAID -- SO YOU WERE OKAY WITH THE MOTION BUT YOU HAD SOME CONTINGENCIES. >> Cantu: CORRECT. >> City Secretary: WHAT YOU SAID WAS IT WAS CONTINGENT UPON THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD CONFIRMATION THAT THEY WILL EXTEND IT. DO YOU MEAN THE LOAN? >> Cantu: IT'S ON THE 17th SO IT'S A LONG TIME. YOU CANCEL THAT OUT. JUST DO THE FAR-FIELD STUDY ITSELF. >> City Secretary: NOT THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD CONFIRMATION. INSTEAD CONTINGENT UPON COMPLETION OF THE FAR-FIELD STUDY? >> Cantu: CORRECT. >> City Secretary: AND THAT'S PRIOR TO -- >> Cantu: IF THEY WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PRICE TAG, MOVE FORWARD WITH THE FAR-FIELD STUDY ALSO. >> Zanoni: THAT'S GOOD. YOU CAN EVEN ADD IN THERE START IMMEDIATELY ON THE FAR-FIELD STUDY. >> Mayor Guajardo: I THINK THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE. WE'RE STARTING IT NOW. >> City Secretary: OKAY. SO IT'S CONTINGENT UPON IMMEDIATE START COMMENCEMENT OF THE FAR-FIELD STUDY? >> Zanoni: RIGHT. THAT OF COURSE INCLUDES THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS TO SELECT A COMPANY. BUT THAT'S WHAT IT MEANS. >> I'LL SECOND THE MOTION. >> Zanoni: YES, SIR. WE'LL BEGIN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS TO BEGIN THE STUDY IMMEDIATELY. >> [OFF MIC] >> Cantu: I DIDN'T WANT YOUR SECOND ROLAND. I WANT HER SECOND. [LAUGHTER] I'M JUST KIDDING. >> City Secretary: SO IMMEDIATE COMMENCEMENT OF THE FAR-FIELD STUDY AND WHAT FOR PROCUREMENT? DID YOU SAY SOMETHING? >> Cantu: I DIDN'T SAY THAT. >> Zanoni: WE SAID IT WOULD IMMEDIATELY BEGIN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS TO BEGIN A FAR-FIELD STUDY. >> Mayor Guajardo: YOU'RE AMENDING THE MOTION TO ADD "TO START THE FAR-FIELD STUDY IMMEDIATELY." >> Cantu: CORRECT. >> Barrera: THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. >> Mayor Guajardo: YEAH. WITH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. WE HAVE A MOTION. >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: I'M SORRY. PLEASE STOP. I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO LEAVE THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS. >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. RIDICULOUS. >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MA'AM. THANK YOU. >> I SECOND THAT MOTION. >> Mayor Guajardo: ANYBODY ELSE? WE'RE TRYING TO GET THROUGH THIS MEETING AND PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SIT AND ACT OUT OF DECORUM, YOU CAN LEAVE NOW OR I CAN ASK YOU TO LEAVE. SO WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND. >> Cantu: I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS, THOUGH. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. >> City Secretary: TO AMEND. HE WANTS FURTHER DISCUSSION. HE'S REQUESTING FURTHER DISCUSSION. >> Mayor Guajardo: RIGHT. YOU HAVE COMMENTS NOW, COUNCILMAN? >> Cantu: CAN I COME BACK TO MY COMMENTS? I NEED TO GET MY THOUGHTS STRAIGHT. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ. >> Hernandez: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO AGREE WITH A LOT OF THE COMMENTATORS THAT ROLAND IS WRONG AND EVIL. [LAUGHTER] >> Barrera: THANK YOU. >> Hernandez: I JUST NEEDED A MOMENT OF LEVITY TO BREAK SOME OF THE TENSION HERE. BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW -- >> Barrera: YOU'RE WELCOME. >> Hernandez: PETER, I AM A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED IN THIS. THIS DID NOT HAVE TO COME FOR A VOTE. YOU KNOW, THIS WAS AN MOU. YOU SIGN MOUs ALL THE TIME WITHOUT COMING TO COUNCIL FOR A VOTE. AND HONESTLY IT CREATED A LOT OF DIVISION IN THE COMMUNITY AGAIN, PROBABLY NEEDLESSLY. BUT GOING BACK TO WHAT I WAS SAYING ABOUT HOW MUCH THIS IS GOING TO COST, I MENTIONED WE HAVE $2.4 BILLION THAT THE CITY IS OBLIGATED TO PAY BACK FROM REVENUE BONDS. OVER $3 BILLION FOR THE CITY AS A WHOLE WHEN YOU COUNT IN THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION. THERE'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO WHAT WE HAVE. AND, YOU KNOW, I'M THINKING WE CAN DO MAYBE THREE OR FOUR PROJECTS. AND WITHOUT, YOU KNOW, DOUBLING OR MORE THAN DOUBLING EVERYBODY'S UTILITY BILL. WHEN YOU DO THAT, IT WON'T BE THIS COUNCIL, IT WILL BE THE NEXT COUNCIL OR THE COUNCIL AFTER THAT THAT WILL HAVE THE PITCHFORKS AND TORCHES COMING AFTER THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE RAISING EVERYBODY'S RATES. BUT THEIR HANDS WILL BE TIED BECAUSE WE WROTE THE CHECK THAT THEY'LL HAVE TO PAY FOR. I WANT TO BE VERY JUDICIOUS ABOUT THIS AND MAKE SURE WE'RE TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO PAY, ULTIMATELY, FOR THIS WATER. YOU KNOW, I WOULD LOVE TO SET A TARGET OF $6 PER 1,000 GALLONS OR LESS. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S REALISTIC FOR A DESAL PLANT BUT IT SHOULD BE ON A PER 1,000 GALLON BASIS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT FOR SOME OF THESE PROJECTS WE'RE DOING NOW. I ALSO -- THERE'S ANOTHER DESAL FACILITY THAT I'M IN SUPPORT OF THAT'S IN FLOUR BLUFF. I WON'T GET INTO DETAILS ABOUT IT BECAUSE I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT NOT WANTING TO SCREW IT UP. BUT I WANT TO KNOW COMPARISON. BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE CAN DO BOTH. IT'S, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES. YOU KNOW, I WANT TO SEE A FINANCIAL PLAN AS TO HOW WE'RE GOING TO PAY FOR ALL THESE WATER SOURCES WITH THE LIMITED RESOURCES WE HAVE WITHIN OUR WATER BUDGET. OUR WATER BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR IS $183 MILLION. WE OWE, YOU KNOW, $204 BILLION. THAT INCLUDES THE REST OF THE UTILITIES, WATER AND WASTEWATER. LET'S DO THIS WITH FINANCIALLY-SOUND PRINCIPLES AND TRY TO MAKE SURE WE'RE MAKING THE BEST DECISIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT WE CAN AFFORD. THE REASON WE DIDN'T VOTE FOR KIEWIT, BECAUSE $1.2 BILLION WAS WAY TOO MUCH. WE'RE GETTING 10 MORE MILLION GALLONS A DAY FROM THE GROUNDWATER PROJECT AND THE WASTEWATER REUSE PROJECT AND IT'S LESS THAN HALF OF THAT. LET'S MAKE GOOD DECISIONS WATER-WISE. NOT JUST BECAUSE DESAL IS SEXY AND EVERYBODY WANTS IT. BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT WILL BE A NICE BULLET OF THEIR RESUMES. I DON'T NEED THAT. WE'VE GOT TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS AT THE RIGHT PRICE FOR THE LONG TERM. AND WITH THAT, I BELIEVE THIS IS GOING TO PASS. I WILL NOT VOTE FOR IT BECAUSE I WANT TO STAY CONSISTENT WITH WHERE I STOOD INITIALLY IN THE TERMS OF THE COST OF THIS. BUT ULTIMATELY WHEN THIS DOES COME BACK, WE NEED TO SEE HOW THIS COMPARES TO THE DESAL PLANT THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IN FLOUR BLUFF. OKAY? THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN. >> Vaughn: I WOULD LIKE FOR DAN'S TEAM TO COME BACK UP. I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. >> Mayor Guajardo: LIKE WHAT? >> Vaughn: DAN'S TEAM. IN THE MEANTIME, I WOULD SAY THIS. I DON'T CUSS -- I MEAN, I SAID SOMETHING IN HERE THAT I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS BUT THEY SAID IT WAS. I'M GOING TO SAY THIS: YOU'RE DANGED IF YOU DO AND DANGED IF YOU DON'T. THE COMMUNITY ALWAYS WANTS TRANSPARENCY. WHEN YOU BRING IT OUT HERE, YOU GET CRITICIZED. I DISAGREE WITH YOU, MR. HERNANDEZ IN THAT. I AM SO GLAD YOU BROUGHT IT OUT HERE. YOU NEED TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US DO IS TOWN HALLS, JUST LIKE WE DID FOR THE GROUNDWATER. WE'RE NEVER GOING TO PLEASE EVERYBODY. NEVER EVER. I SIT UP HERE AND IT'S SO FRUSTRATING TO ME AND I SEE OUR WORLD IS SO SAD BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH MEANNESS AND HATEFULNESS AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY. WE CAN AGREE TO DISAGREE. YOU SIT UP HERE AND YOU HEAR PEOPLE CALLING PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE -- LET ME TELL YOU. I DIDN'T GET A PENNY FROM INDUSTRY. NOT A PENNY. SO WHEN I SUPPORT THEM, I'M NOT SUPPORTING THEM BECAUSE I GOT MONEY, A HANDOUT. I DON'T. I USUALLY SUPPORT MY OWN CAMPAIGN. I GET WHATEVER I CAN GET. WHAT YOU NEED TO REMEMBER UP HERE, THEY HAVE A CAMPAIGN TO RUN. EVERYBODY DOES. IT COSTS $50,000 OR MORE TO RUN A CAMPAIGN. IT'S RIDICULOUSLY STUPID. NO, THEY SHOULDN'T RECUSE THEMSELVES FOR $400 OR $500. WE HAVE A CAP. I BELIEVE IT'S $2500. I THINK WE NEED TO DO A STATEMENT OF FACT MORE MAYOR. BECAUSE THE STUFF UP HERE -- I WAS AT HOME BEFORE I GOT ON COUNCIL AND IT WAS VERY FRUSTRATING. HALF THE STUFF YOU HEAR IS NOT TRUE. PEOPLE READ ARTICLES. THERE IS NO ONE OUT THERE THAT IS AN EXPERT ON DESAL. WE DON'T HAVE IT. HOPEFULLY THESE GUYS ARE. WE'VE GOT SOME UP HERE WHO THINK THE SAME THING. SORRY GUYS. I'M JUST SPEAKING TRUTH. I AM FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I HEAR THIS AND I HEAR THEM CALLING INDUSTRIAL HOOKERS AND LEECHES. THAT IS NOT LOVE. YOU SPEAK OF LOVE. LOVE IS KIND. YOU DON'T SAY STUFF LIKE THAT. THAT WAS AN INSULT TO THOSE LADIES SITTING OVER THERE AND THAT IS JUST FLAT-OUT WRONG. WHEN YOU START NAME CALLING, IT'S BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO SAY. I RANTED. THANK YOU. I'M SURE I'LL GET CRITICIZED LATER IN PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT THAT'S QUITE ALL RIGHT. OKAY. SO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE SAID HERE TODAY, THIS WAS RIDICULOUS, I THOUGHT. I'M GOING TO ASK YOU ANYWAY. HAS DESAL, TO YOUR MIND, EVER KILLED ANYONE? DO YOU KNOW OF ANYONE THAT'S BEEN KILLED BY DESAL? >> [OFF MIC] >> NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF. >> Vaughn: ME EITHER. >> ME EITHER. >> Vaughn: THANK YOU. OKAY. EVENTUALLY, CAN YOU GIVE US A COST PER 1,000? I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT TO DO. EVENTUALLY, CAN YOU GIVE US A COST PER 1,000? >> ON A CONCEPTUAL BASIS WE CAN PROBABLY GET A NUMBER BUT THE BETTER APPROACH WOULD ASK THE OPERATOR TO DEVELOP THE ESTIMATE. THAT WOULD BE THE BEST. >> Vaughn: YOU'RE GIVING AN HONEST ANSWER. THAT'S ALL I CAN ASK OF YOU. YOU KNOW, WHEN WE RUN OUT OF WATER THEY'RE GOING TO BE UP HERE SCREAMING AT US. I KNOW WE HAVE TO HAVE WATER. YOU SHAKE YOUR HEAD YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE SCREAMING. YOU'RE GOING TO BE SCREAMING IF WE RUN OUT OF WATER. NO, YOU DON'T GET TO TALK TO ME RIGHT NOW. WE'RE GOING TO RUN OUT OF WATER AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE SO MAD BECAUSE WE ARE. AND I HAVE BEEN FOR DESAL FROM THE GET-GO BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S SAFE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE COST IS RIGHT. BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT WE DO UP HERE, HOWEVER WE VOTE, WE'RE GOING TO GET CRITICIZED. HAS DESAL, TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE, BEEN IN A CLOSED HARBOR LIKE THAT? >> IN THE SAME CONDITIONS LIKE THIS? I DON'T THINK SO. >> Vaughn: OKAY. BUT YOU HAVE HAD DIFFICULT PLACES THAT YOU PUT IT IN THAT ARE JUST DIFFERENT THAN OURS. >> YES. >> Vaughn: SO YOU HAVE TO ADAPT TO WHATEVER IT IS. >> CORRECT. >> Vaughn: ONE QUESTION THAT SOMEONE SAID -- AND IT KIND OF SPAWNED SOMETHING IN ME. SO YOU CAN'T FISH IN THE INNER HARBOR. YOU DON'T FISH IN THERE. AND I UNDERSTAND WHY THE FISHERMEN ARE CONCERNED. I DO. WHENEVER THE BRINE IS RELEASED, HOW FAR OUT DOES IT GO? IT'S GOT TO BLEND WITH THE OCEAN EVENTUALLY. >> PART OF THE EFFORT INCLUDES AN EVALUATION OF EXACTLY WHAT TYPE OF DISCHARGE STRUCTURE AND WHAT TYPE OF DIFFUSING MECHANISMS ARE GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTED FOR THAT IMPACT TO BE MINIMIZED. THERE IS ENOUGH UNDERSTANDING ON THE TOPIC TO BE ABLE TO EVALUATE IT SO THAT A PROPER SOLUTION IS IMPLEMENTED. >> Vaughn: I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE I THINK THE FISHERMEN NEED TO HEAR THAT. IT MAKES YOU WONDER HOW FAR WILL IT GO. I KNOW WE HAVE TO BLEND WATER WITH THE RIVERWATER. THAT'S ALL I GOT. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILWOMAN PAXSON. >> Paxson: THANK YOU. WE TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF THE VERY TANGIBLE QUESTIONS BEFORE PUBLIC COMMENT -- AND I APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION PROVIDED. I CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH THAT I REALLY AM GRATEFUL TO EACH OF YOUR COMPANIES REPRESENTED HERE, FOR YOUR EFFORTS TO TRY TO HELP WITH THIS PROJECT AND TRY TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY WAY TO SALVAGE IT. WHILE THERE'S A LOT OF ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT THAT THERE'S NOT A CLEAR ANSWER FOR TODAY, BECAUSE THAT'S PART OF THIS PROCESS IS LOOKING AT OTHER OPTIONS. I UNDERSTAND THAT. I THINK WHAT WE CAN ALL AGREE IS THAT THERE IS STILL A VERY DIRECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VOLUME PRICE TIMELINE. THE MORE YOU WANT ONE TO GO UP, THE MORE THE OTHER IS GOING TO GO UP. WHEN THIS WAS FIRST BROUGHT BACK TO OUR AGENDA, I MET WITH OUR CITY MANAGER AND I ASKED HIM, QUITE FRANKLY -- BECAUSE IN MY OPINION WE'VE MOVED AWAY FROM THIS PROJECT. IT WAS AT A WORKSHOP. IT WASN'T A FORMAL VOTE. BUT WE MOVED AWAY FROM THE PRICE, THE CONCERNS AND EVERYTHING THAT RELATE TO THAT. AND HIS INSTRUCTION OR HIS TAKE ON THIS WAS THAT WE NEEDED A MID-RANGE PROJECT. THE LONGER WE CONTINUE TO DO THESE STUDIES, WHICH I AM 100% I THINK THE FAR-FIELD SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE MUCH, MUCH SOONER. BUT THE LONGER WE CONTINUE TO DO THESE VERY NECESSARY PORTIONS OF THE PROJECT, THE FURTHER OUT PRODUCTION GOES. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE BUILDING QUITE YET BECAUSE NOW WE'RE ADDING OPTIONS, ET CETERA. THAT MEANS THAT THIS PROJECT, ULTIMATELY, IT DOES NOT REALLY MEET ANY OF THOSE NEEDS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT, WHICH IS AN IMMEDIATE WATER SUPPLY. A SHORT-RANGE WATER SUPPLY. A LONG-RANGE WATER SUPPLY. IT DOESN'T MEET THE VOLUME NEEDS. AGAIN, PLEASE DON'T INTERPRET THAT THIS IS ANYTHING AGAINST YOU FOLKS SITTING HERE. I DO APPRECIATE IT. IT WILL NOT BE READY IMMEDIATELY. WE'RE LOOKING AT, REALISTICALLY, 2029. SO IT DOESN'T IMMEDIATE THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS, THE MID-RANGE NEEDS. THAT NUMBER WAS '28 AND THAT'S A LATE NUMBER BECAUSE WE ARE LOOKING AT HARBOR ISLAND AND OTHERS THAT ARE IN THAT RANGE AND THIS IS NOW UP THERE. IT DOESN'T MEET THAT MID-RANGE NEED. IT'S NOW MOVED INTO THE FAR, THE LONG-RANGE. IF IT'S A LONG-RANGE ITEM THEN IT SHOULD PROVIDE THE VOLUME THAT WILL SUPPORT THIS CITY'S FUTURE. EVEN AT 30, 36, IT DOESN'T DO THAT. TO WHAT COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ SAID EARLIER, THAT BARELY HELPS US JUST COVER WHAT WE ARE LACKING FROM LAKE CORPUS CHRISTI AND OUR WESTERN SUPPLY. TO ME, IT DOES NOT. IT HASN'T CHANGED IN THOSE ELEMENTS. THAT'S MY ISSUE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME THAT WE CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY. I'M KIND OF VERY SURPRISED TO SIT HERE AND HEAR FROM THE NEIGHBORS WHO LIVE WHERE THIS PLANT IS PROPOSED THAT THEY HAVEN'T HAD AN ENGAGEMENT SESSION THAT DETAILS THE PROPOSAL. I KNOW WE SHOT THAT DOWN THIS YEAR. BUT THIS HAS BEEN ON THE TABLE FOR A LONG TIME SO I'M VERY SURPRISED THAT WE NEVER REALLY ENGAGED THEM ON THAT, WHAT THE POTENTIAL COULD LOOK LIKE. AND I HOPE THAT WE DON'T ALLOW THAT TO CONTINUE. THEY NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THAT CONVERSATION. >> Zanoni: LET ME JUST ADD THAT WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM. WE'VE HAD MEETINGS AT THEIR CHURCHES AND OTHER LOCATIONS ALONG THIS CONTINUUM. >> Paxson: WERE WE ABLE TO SUPPLY GRAPHICS AND TIMELINES AND ROAD CLOSURES AND THINGS LIKE THAT? >> Zanoni: THERE'S NO ROAD -- >> Paxson: FOR CONSTRUCTION. >> Zanoni: RIGHT. THERE'S NO REAL IMMEDIATE EXCEPT BETWEEN BLOCKS. YES, WE SHOWED THEM GRAPHICS. WE TALKED TO THEM ABOUT NOISE ISSUES, IF THERE WOULD BE ANY. WE SHOWED THEM DESIGNS. AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE DOING THAT. YEAH. >> Paxson: I APPRECIATE THAT. THAT'S A QUESTION TO ME IN THIS DYNAMIC IS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CHANGE OF SCOPE FOR PRICE, VOLUME, ET CETERA. BUT WHAT DOES THIS NOW LOOK LIKE BECAUSE UNDER THE PREVIOUS PROPOSALS THERE WAS A BIG CHUNK INTO CONSIDERATION HOW DID THIS FACILITY ASSIMILATE INTO THE COMMUNITY. ALL OF THAT, IN MY OPINION, WAS SCRAPPED AND NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS NEW PROPOSAL. SO WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE, IS ANOTHER QUESTION. AND I KNOW, AGAIN, WE'RE STILL DRAFTING WHAT THE ULTIMATE PLANT LOOKS LIKE. BUT THERE'S GOT TO BE SOME SPEAKING TO THAT CONCERN. >> Zanoni: THERE WILL BE. >> Paxson: I APPRECIATE THAT. I STILL DON'T SEE FOR ME WHAT SETS THIS APART FROM WHAT WE PREVIOUSLY SELECTED. AND I HAD A SLEW OF QUESTIONS, AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE INFORMATION THAT YOU COULD PROVIDE AT THIS POINT. BUT TO ME IT HASN'T REALLY CHANGED THAT MUCH. I'M OUT OF TIME BUT I JUST HOPE THESE EFFORTS DON'T DISTRACT FROM THE PROGRESS WE'RE MAKING ON OTHER PROJECTS. >> Zanoni: IT WON'T BE, COUNCILWOMAN. THE THREE WE'RE WORKING ON NOW, ONE WILL BE NEXT YEAR. THE OTHER ONE IS A ONE TO TWO-YEAR TIME-FRAME. WE'RE VERY FOCUSED ON THOSE AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO CHANGE ON THOSE. >> Paxson: I HOPE OUR MESSAGING IS THIS IS AN MOU OF HYPOTHETICAL STATUS. >> Zanoni: YOU'RE RIGHT. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ. >> Hernandez: SORRY, MAYOR. I WANT TO MAKE SURE TO SAY I DON'T WANT TO VILIFY OUR INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS. THEY'RE HERE. THEY'VE BEEN A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY FOR A LONG TIME. YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK THEY'RE EVIL. ROLAND'S A DIFFERENT STORY. BUT I SEE ROGER OUT THERE. I SEE PAUL. I SEE CARA OUT THERE. I SAW DARCY AND JENNIFER EARLIER. YOU KNOW, I'VE KNOWN THEM FOR A LONG TIME. THEY'RE GOOD PEOPLE. THEY'RE NOT -- THEY'RE HERE. THEY'VE GOT TO DO A JOB. THEY REPRESENT THEIR COMPANIES. YOU'RE, THEY'RE HERE. WE MADE A PROMISE TO PROVIDE THEM WATER. WE NEED TO PROVIDE THEM WATER. ALL THAT BEING SAID, I STILL WANT TO SAY WE STILL NEED TO DO THIS AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICE. WHAT WE DID WITH THE GROUNDWATER PROJECTS, WASTEWATER REUSE, WHICH HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET TO. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND PROVIDE THE WATER FOR EVERYONE. IT'S HARD ON THIS ONE BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION. I DON'T BELIEVE IN THE LOCATION. I KNOW IT'S DIFFICULT. I WOULD PREFER ANOTHER LOCATION, WHICH WE TALKED ABOUT. AND LASTLY, I HEARD THAT EVERETT GOT $1500 AND I ONLY GOT $400 FROM ARDURRA. I FEEL A LITTLE SLIGHTED. 1400? OKAY. I STILL FEEL SLIGHTED. 400? WELL -- >> [OFF MIC] >> Hernandez: I SHOULD GET A LITTLE BIT MORE. >> [OFF MIC] >> Hernandez: I'M JUST KIDDING. I'M KIDDING. >> [OFF MIC] >> Hernandez: I WON'T EVEN TALK ABOUT YOUR RUN FOR STATE REP AND HOW MUCH YOU GOT THERE. >> Mayor Guajardo: LET'S MOVE ON. ENOUGH. BOTH OF Y'ALL. GOOD LORD. COUNCILMAN CANTU. >> Cantu: FIRST OF ALL, I WAS LOOKING AT MY CAMPAIGN REPORTS. I DIDN'T GET ANY MONEY FROM YOU GUYS. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT CAME FROM. I ALWAYS -- >> [OFF MIC] >> Cantu: I ALWAYS FUND MY OWN CAMPAIGNS AND I'M GOING TO DO THE SAME THING NEXT YEAR. AND WHOEVER WANTS TO GIVE ME MONEY, THAT'S FINE TOO. I WANT TO THANK YOU, GUYS FOR COMING OUT HERE FROM BOTH SIDES. YOU GUYS MEAN WELL. YOU KNOW, I APPRECIATE DAVID COMING OUT. I APPRECIATE MICHAEL MILLER COMING OUT. THE LOUDEST PEOPLE CAME OUT EXCEPT FOR A COUPLE, LIKE YOUR MIKE PUSLEY. HE'S THE LOUDEST ONE OUT THERE RIGHT NOW AND HE DIDN'T COME. I WANTED TO ASK HIM WHY BUT HE BLOCKED HE ON FACEBOOK, SO I CAN'T ASK HIM WHY. JOE MCCOMB, HE'S THE LOUDEST ONE OUT THERE TOO. HE'S NOT HERE. NELDA MARTINEZ. SHE'S NOT HERE. I'M NOT A FLIP-FLOPPER. I'M GOING TO VOTE WITH MY CONSCIENCE AND I'M GOING TO VOTE AS A REASONABLE CITY COUNCILMAN. I GOT TO LOOK AT BOTH SIDES. I HAVE TO LISTEN TO BOTH SIDES. I REPRESENT EVERYBODY. NOT JUST ONE SIDE. I WON'T MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY BUT I'M GOING TO DO WHAT I THINK IS RIGHT. THIS VOTE TODAY IS NOT THE VOTE TO GET IT DONE. THIS IS JUST TO GET A PRICE TAG. THIS IS TO GET A FAR-FIELD STUDY DONE ONCE AND FOR ALL. I THINK WE NEED TO GET THAT DONE, NO MATTER WHAT, BECAUSE WE HAVE THE PERMITS. AND EVERYBODY NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THIS. IF THIS COUNCIL DOESN'T APPROVE AN INNER HARBOR PROJECT, ANOTHER COUNCIL WILL BECAUSE WE HAVE THE PERMITS. IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE LIKE THIS UNTIL IT GETS DONE ONE DAY. I'M NOT A BIG FAN OF THE INNER HARBOR PROJECT. I'M A BIGGER FAN OF THE BARNEY DAVIS SITE. I THINK BARNEY DAVIS IS A WAY BETTER SITE. BUT I WANT TO SEE THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE INNER HARBOR AND I WANT TO SEE THE PRICE TAG. I WANT TO BE OPEN MINDED AND I WANT TO SEE IT. AND, YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS HEAR IT'S A GREAT LOCATION AND I HEAR IT'S A BAD LOCATION. I WANT TO HEAR THE SCIENCE AND I WANT TO PUT PEOPLE ON THAT BOARD THAT REALLY CARE ABOUT CORPUS CHRISTI AND ABOUT THE BAY, FROM BOTH SIDES. IT'S A HARD DECISION BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S NOT THAT HARD BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A VOTE FOR INNER HARBOR. THIS IS JUST TO MOVE FORWARD AND TO GET A PRICE TAG. NO ONE WINS, YOU KNOW. DAVID LOBE DOESN'T WIN, MICHAEL MILLER DOESN'T WIN. NO ONE WINS. ALL WE'RE DOING IS GETTING A PRICE. THAT'S IT. AND MAKING SURE IT'S SAFE FOR THE BAY. AND WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT. AND THERE'S CERTAIN PEOPLE THAT SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, CERTAIN PERSON PUT IT BACK ON THE AGENDA. WHO PUT IT BACK ON THE AGENDA IS THE CITY MANAGER. HE'S DOING HIS JOB. HE'S TRYING TO LOOK FOR WATER. HE'S TRYING TO FIND SOLUTIONS. I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE. I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT NICK'S DONE AND THE WATER DEPARTMENT. THEY'RE WORKING OVERTIME AND TRYING TO FIND WATER FOR US. WE'RE GOING TO BE OKAY, NO MATTER WHAT. I TALKED TO JESUS TODAY AND HE SAID HE'S GOING TO DUMP SOME WATER THIS WEEK. WE'RE GOING TO BE OKAY. WE'RE GOING TO BE OKAY. SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, THANK YOU GUYS. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. THANK YOU. SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO AN AMENDED MOTION. ASK EVERYONE TO PLEASE SUBMIT THEIR VOTE. >> City Secretary: THIS IS AMENDING THE CURRENT MOTION. THE ONLY THING WE'RE ADDING IS TO START TO CHANGE THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. SO WE START FAR-FIELD MODELING NOW. >> Zanoni: YEAH. WE'LL START THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS TO SELECT A VENDOR TO DO THE FAR FIELD. >> City Secretary: OH, FAR-FIELD. >> Mayor Guajardo: PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VOTE. >> Scott: MAYOR, MARK VOTES YES. >> I FORGOT ABOUT YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. AND THE MOTION PASSES. >> City Secretary: THEN WE JUST NEED TO PASS IT AS AMENDED, MAYOR. >> Barrera: I MOVE TO PASS IT AMENDED. >> Mayor Guajardo: SECOND. >> Zanoni: I THINK THAT WAS JUST FOR THE AMENDMENT. THAT WAS JUST FOR THE AMENDMENT? >> City Secretary: CORRECT. NOW WE'RE GOING TO PASS THE WHOLE THING, INCLUDING THAT AMENDMENT. THERE WAS A MOTION AND A SECOND. CORRECT? HERE WE GO. >> Scott: MARK VOTES YES. >> City Secretary: 6-3. SO IT PASSES AS AMENDED. >> Mayor Guajardo: WHAT WAS THE FIRST ONE? >> City Secretary: ON THE AMENDMENT. >> Mayor Guajardo: IT WAS DIFFERENT THAN THIS. >> City Secretary: 7-2. >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. THE MOTION CARRIES. >> Barrera: I MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM NO. 19. >> SECOND. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR ITEM NO. 19, WHICH IS A ONE-READING ORDINANCE AWARDING A MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR RECLAIMED WATER FOR INDUSTRIAL REUSE PROJECT TO ARDURRA GROUP, INC., CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 19? I'M CLOSING PUBLIC COMMENT. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VOTE. >> City Secretary: MR. SCOTT? >> Scott: I VOTE YES. >> Mayor Guajardo: THE MOTION CARRIES. OKAY. WELL, WE STILL HAVE A VERY LONG DAY AHEAD OF US. SO FAR IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE ABOUT FOUR HOURS OF PUBLIC COMMENT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNED UP. THAT IS TO START AT 5:30. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A TEN-MINUTE BREAK. ACTUALLY, WE HAVE E SESSION ITEMS. WE'LL DO THAT. I GUESS AFTER? >> City Secretary: RIGHT. AFTER PUBLIC COMMENT BECAUSE PUBLIC COMMENT STARTS AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30. >> Mayor Guajardo: I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY. I DON'T KNOW WHO'S STAYING HERE, WHO'S NOT, TO CONTINUE ON. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR YOUR FEEDBACK. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR GIVING YOUR PERSPECTIVES AND TAKING THE TIME TO BE HERE AND CARING ABOUT IT. WE APPRECIATE IT. I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR UNITING IN THE MAJORITY, ANYWAY, AND MOVING FORWARD SOMETHING THAT IS, AGAIN, IT'S AN MOU. SO THIS IS JUST ANOTHER PATH TO LOOK INTO WHAT COULD BE HERE IN THE FUTURE. COUNCILMAN CANTU. >> Cantu: IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN MOVE FOR THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING? ANYTHING WE CAN MOVE OVER TO THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING? >> Mayor Guajardo: NO, THERE'S NOTHING. WE ACTUALLY -- >> Zanoni: LET ME CHECK WITH NICK. WHAT'S THAT? >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: MAYBE IT WON'T BE THAT LONG. IT'S THE CONTRACT WE JUST VOTED ON. >> Zanoni: IT'S A DIFFERENT ITEM. >> Mayor Guajardo: WHATEVER YOU THINK. >> Zanoni: IF YOU'RE DOING IT AT MIDNIGHT, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE LISTENING TO BUSINESS THEN. [RECESS] [ RECESS ] >> Mayor Guarjardo: OKAY. WE'RE -- OKAY. OKAY. SO WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT. AND LET'S SEE HERE, LET ME READ MY PREREQUISITE. OH YES SIR. OKAY. OKAY. SO WE HANDLE VERY SIGNIFICANT MATTERS CONSIDERING TAXPAYER DOLLARS MAKING IT IMPERATIVE WE U UPHOLD THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF [ INDISCERNIBLE ] AND INCLUSIVENESS, GUIDE OUR ACTIONS, AND WE AIM TO ACHIEVE THEM WHILE RES RESPECTING OUR CITY COUNCIL, WHICH HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR 30 YEARS. COUNCIL POLICY. PUBLIC COMMENT SERVES AS ONE AVENUE FOR COMMUNICATION, BUT NOT THE SOLE METHOD, YOU MAY REACH OUT TO MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL BY PHONE, EMAIL OR BY SCHEDULING IN PERSON APPOINTMENT. I WANT TO REEMPHASIZE THESE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ARE -- THIS IS A PLACE OF PUBLIC BUSINESS, A FORUM FOR CIVIC DISCUSSION, DECISION-MAKING AND SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF CORPUS CHRISTI. IT IS NOT A STAGE FOR PERSONAL ATTACKS, RUS ROPINGSES OR VULGARITIES AND VIOLATIONS OF DECORUM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. THERE HAVE BEEN REPEATED I INSTANCES OF INDIVIDUALS SHOUTING OVER OTHERS, AND HAVE ALLOWED SPACE FOR THE DIFFERING VIEWPOINTS BUT WILL NOT CONTINUE -- I'LL CONTINUE TO WELCOME RES RESPECTFUL DISAGREEMENT BUT NOT ALLOW THE COUNCIL OR THE PUBLIC WE SERVE TO BE D DISRESPECTED. -- ADDITIONALLY, I WANT TO REASSURE EVERYONE THAT COUNCILMEMBERs MAKE STEP AWAY FOR BRIEF PERIODS, TELEVISION AND AUDIO ARE IN THE BACK AND MAKING SURE MEMBERS REMAIN ENGAGED IN THE DISCUSSION EVEN IF NOT STATED AT THIS TIME, IF YOU COULD PLEASE RECITE THE RULES OF DECORUM FOR US. >> CITY COUNCIL RULES OF DECORUM. ALL CITIZENS MUST BE COURTEOUS, POLITE, AND RESPECTFUL, INCLUDING CITY COUNCIL AND CITY STAFF, THE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO AS TITLE, AND OR TITLES OR N NAME, ALL REMARKS MUST BE ACROSSED TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL AND NOT TO COUNCILMEMBERS AS INDIV INDIVIDUALS, CITIZENS ARE ONLY TO BE SPEAKING ON CITY MATTERS, NONCITY MATTERS ARE PROHIBITED. LOUD, BOASTOUS BEHAVIORS ARE NOT ALLOWED. THEY MUST REFRAIN FROM MY LOUD ACT DISRUPTING THE BUSINESS. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU. STATE YOUR NAME CITIZEN COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES. NONRESIDENT COMMENTS LIMITED TO ONE. THE TIME WILL HELP MANAGE ALLOTTED TIME. RESIDENTS OF CORPUS CHRISTI WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY OF SPEAKING OVER NONRESIDENTS, AND IF YOU HAVE A PETITION OR RELEVANT INFORMATION, PLEASE PRESENT IT TO THE CITY SECRETARY BEFORE YOU SPEAK, AND SHE WILL HAND IT OUT TO US. SO IF YOU HAVE SPOKEN ON THE ITEM -- THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE THAT I WILL RECOGNIZE THAT HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN ON THE ITEM, AND SO IF YOU'VE ALREADY SPOKEN ON THE ITEM DURING THE COUNCIL M MEETING, WE CAN'T -- YOU CAN'T SPEAK ON THAT SAME ITEM MOVING FORWARD HERE IN PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT I'LL LET THE PERSON KNOW IF I SEE THE NAME THAT'S HIGH HIGHLIGHTED HERE. SO WE HAVE ROBERT LANDING. OKAY. ROBERT LANDING. PREPONDERANCE TOM TAGLABU. >> GOOD EASTBOUNDING. TOM, DISTRICT 2. AT LAST WEEK'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING, ZILLION OF YOU WERE ON THE DIE WHY IS AT ROLL CALL AND WALKED OUT WHEN THE MAYOR CALLED UPON THE UNIVERSAL SOCIETY OF HINDUISM. INSTEAD OF LISTENING PR PRAYFULLY AND OPENING YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS, YOU WERE IN THE BACK HALL, AND AS SOON AS HE WAS GONE YOU MADE YOUR WAY BACK. PEOPLE OF ALL FAITH, SPIRITUALTY, AND BELIEFS DESERVE TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT, AS A REPRES REPRESENTATIVE, ESPECIALLY AS INVITED GUESTS DELIVERING AN INVOCATION. I WANT TO RECITE A FEW WORDS THAT SOME OF YOU MISSED LAST WEEK. LEAD US FROM DARKNESS INTO LIGHT. LEAD US FROM DEATH TO I IMMORTALITY. STRIVE CONSTANTLY TO SERVE THE WELFARE OF THE WORLD BY DEVOTION TO SELFLESSNESS. DO YOUR WORK WITH OTHER'S WELFARE ALWAYS IN MIND. MAY WE BE PROTECTED TOGE TOGETHER. MAY WE HAVE KNOWLEDGE TOGETHER. MAY WE WORK TOGETHER WITH GREAT VIGOR, AND HE ENDED WITH PEACE. PEACE. PEACE UNTO ALL. IN THE FUTURE, I HOPE YOU'LL REQUEST EVERYONE'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU MR. TAGLABU. BRUCE LANGDID. GEORGE FINALLY. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS GEORGE F FINALLY, I'M A RESIDENT OF CORPUS CHRISTI, LIVE AT 3360 OCEAN DRIVE. THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE. I JUST WANT TO SHARE SOME VERY IMMEDIATE THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN TERMS OF WATER AND WATER REQUIREMENTS FOR CORPUS. MANY YEARS AGO, I WAS IN VOW WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHOKE CANYON RESERVOIR, PUT ON THE NUECES RIVER AUTHORITY, BY GOVERNOR BRICOY BACK IN 1975 AND STAYS ON THE AUTHORITY AS A RESULT OF MULTIPLE GOVERNOR'S R REAPPOINTMENT UNTIL 2 20 -- LET'S SAY 26 YE YEARS. THE MOST REMARKABLE THING WE ACCOMPLISHED IN MY TENURE WAS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MARY ROADS PIPELINE, AND MARK SCOTT IS NOT HERE, BUT HE MADE A NICE COMMENT THE OTHER DAY AS WHEN HE REFERENCED ME TO BE A HARD WORKING GUY TO GET THE PIPELINE COMPLETED. WELL, WE DID. WITHIN TWO YEARS, START TO FINISH. SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS UNDER BUDGET. ONE OF THE REASONS THE NUECES RIVER AUTHORITY, WHICH I WAS ASSOCIATED WITH, GOT INVOLVED WITH THAT DEVELOPMENT WAS BECAUSE OF THE -- THERE WAS A GROUP OF LOCAL PEOPLE WHO WERE SORT OF AGAINST ANY KIND OF DEVELOPMENT. SO THE NUECES RIVER AUTHORITIES DON'T LIVE OUT OF THE HEADQUARTERS OF YOU VALLEY TEXAS. CONSEQUENTLY, WE FELT THAT THE KNEW WAY CHRIS RIVER AUTHORITY COULD DO A BETTER JOB FACIL FACILITATING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PI PIPELINE AND FINANCING IT SIMPLY BECAUSE WE WERE IN NEW VALLEY COUNTY NOT NUECES COU COUNTY. WE ACCOMPLISHED THAT, BUILT THE PIPELINE, THE CITY COMMITTED TO AT THAT TIME TO MAINTAIN THE PIPELINE. NOW, I THINK THE CITY IS MAYBE BASED ON MY OBSERVATION, I'M NO LO LONGER INVOLVED WITH THE NUECES RIVER AUTHORITY, NOR AM I DIRECTLY INVOLVED WITH THE OPERATION OF THE PI PIPELINE, BUT I THINK THAT THE CITY HAS DONE LESS THAN AN ADMIRAL JOB OF MAINTAINING THAT P PIPELINE, AND WE COULD MOVE A LOT OF WATER DOWN THE PIPELINE TO EASE THE DEMANDS WE'RE FACED WITH NOW WITH THE LACK OF RAIN. WE'RE AT 10% OF OUR RESERVOIR CAPACITY. WHEN WE PULLED ON THE EMERGENCY BREAK CORD BACK WHEN WE STARTED THE PROJECT, THE NUECES RIVER AUTHORITY STARTED THE MARY ROADS PIPELINE, IT WAS -- WE WERE 25% CAPACITY. NOW WE'RE AT 10%. WE ARE IN DEEP TROUBLE. I THOUGHT WE WERE IN DEEP TROUBLE WAY BACK, 1995, '96, BUT COUNCILMEMBERS AND MA MAYOR, WE -- THIS IS A PANIC SITUATION. >> Mayor Guarjardo: MR. FINALLY I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT, BUT THE TIMER WENT OFF. YEAH. >> OKAY. ANYWAYS, YOU NEED TO TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY IN OBTAINING WATER. WELLS, BARNEY DAVIS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU, MR. FINALLY. ELLIE NUMUSKUS. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS HE WILLY FUMUSKS. I LIVE IN DISTRICT 2. CURRENTLY THE FATE AND BUDGET RESTS IN THE HANDS OF THESE COUNCILMEMBERS, SEVERAL OF WHICH ARE BEING ACCUSED OF FRAUD AGAINST THE CITIZEN THE OF CORPUS CHRISTI, I'M SPEAKING WITH ZINONI AND THE MAYOR, AW AWARDING $2 MILLION IN TAXPAYER MONEY TO TWO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTORS. AFTER APPROVING ALLEGEDLY FALSIFIED DOCUMENTS IN THESE PROJECTS. THESE ALLEGED CRIMINALS ACCUSED OF FRAUD USING OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE ALSO USING OUR TAX DOLLARS TO HIRE REPRESENTATION AND NOT COMPLY IN DEPOSITIONS. FIRST, THERE NEEDS TO BE A STIPULATION THAT COUNCILMEMBERS CANNOT USE TAXPAYER MONEY WHEN USING A LAWYER AT A CRIME. IT IS DESPICABLE TO THINK YOU WOULD DEFRAUD THE PEOPLE WHO PAY YOU AND USE THE MONEY TO DEFEND YOURSELF. FROM LOOKING AT THE MONEYS, THE CITY CHECK DOESN'T COMPARE TO WHAT YOUR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTORS HAVE LOOKED IN YOUR POCKET. FOR PAUL LET, 166500. FOR MARK, 1,000. FOR ROLAND, 72,000, FOR EVERETT. 106 OF THOSE DONATIONS SHOW OBVIOUS HEAVY INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS. ALL OF THIS WHILE SOME PLANTS IN TOWN LIKE FLINT HILLS ARE WORKING ON PRO PROCESSES TO RECYCLE THE WATER THEY USE, OTHER PLANTS COULD FOLLOW SUIT, MAKING THIS PLANT OBSOLETE, BUT THE CITY MANAGER, THE MAYOR, MARK SCOTT, ROLAND BERET YA, WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE PLANS BECAUSE THEY ARE STUCK ON D DESAL TO PLEASE A DONOR, I'M SURE. BASED ON WATER REPORTS PR PRIDED BY CCW IN JULY AND AUGUST 2025, CORPUS CHRISTI RESIDENTS ARE ONLY USING 12.5% OF TREATED WATER, INDUSTRY USE IS CLOSE TO 75% OF THE TREATED WATER IN OUR CITY. THEY ARE PUSHING THIS DESALINATION PLANT AND S SAYING IT'S THE SOLUTION WHEN THE PERMIT FOR THE PROJECT SAYS IN BLACK AND WHITE THAT THIS WATER IS NOT FOR COMMUNITY CONSUMPTION. IT IS STRICTLY FOR INDUSTRY. A PRICE OF 1.5 BILLION FOR TAXPAYERS THAT WILL RECEIVE HIGHER UTILITY BILLS ALL AROUND, THE DEBT AND THE MAINTENANCE COST, BUT NOT A DROP OF THAT WATER, MILLIONS OF GALLONS OF DAY. >> OBJECTION, BOISTEROUS. >> THIS IS A STATEMENT OF FACT. >> ALL 399 INDUSTRIES THAT COULD -- >> Mayor Guarjardo: MS. VASQUEZ. OKAY. WE'RE GOING TO INTERRUPT YOU. OKAY. CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE OR WHY JUST SO YOU UNDERSTAND. >> IS THERE A -- MA. >> Mayor Guarjardo: GO. >> STATEMENT IS BOISTEROUS, NOT A FACTUAL STATEMENT, IT'S EXCESSIVELY BOISTEROUS. >> Mayor Guarjardo: OKAY. GUYS. STOP. >> THE WORD IS NOT REALLY AN EXPLANATION. >> Mayor Guarjardo: IF YOU DON'. YOU KNOW WHAT. >> ACTUALLY, I'VE SAID WHAT I NEED TO SAY. WE'RE GOOD. >> I'M GOING TO ASK PEOPLE TO LEAVE NOW. BECAUSE IF YA'LL CAN CANNOT -- AGAIN, ISABELLE, YOU'RE WONDERING WHY. YOU'RE WONDERING -- THE LOOK ON YOUR FACE IS YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY. I'VE ASKED, YOU ALL HAVE BEEN HERE ALL DAY. SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE OUT OF DECOR RUM, I ME MEAN, COME ON, IF YOU ARE CHOOSING TO -- WHETHER IT'S YOUR FRIEND OR NOT TO BE SPEAKING WHILE THEY'RE AT THE PODIUM, YES THAT'S -- DO I WANT TO GO BACK THROUGH THE DECORUM. DO YOU WANT ME TO READ THAT AGAIN? THAT WAY IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL, THAT YA'LL CAN ASK QUESTIONS, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU KNOW BETTER. YOU'RE HERE EVERY SINGLE WEEK, AND WE LOVE THAT YOU'RE HERE. WE DO. YEAH. WE DO. BUT I'M GOING TO START ASKING, WITH THIS FRONT ROW TO LEAVE IF YOU BREAK DECORUM. , AND THOSE ARE THE RULES I READ AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS. DONNA STOCKWELL. YEAH. >> DONNA STOCKWELL. RESIDENT OF CORPUS CHRISTI FOR 30 YEARS. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME, AND MR. CANTU TOLD ME TO BE NERVOUS BECAUSE YOU GUYS COULD BE MEAN. BUT MINE IS AN EASY FIX. I'M NOT HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE WATER SITUATION, DESAL, ROADS, OR OUR CURRENT CREDIT RATING. I'M HERE BECAUSE I THINK YOU'RE PLANTINGED SO, AND IT SOUNDS RIDICULOUS COMPARED TO ALL THE MAJOR PROBLEMS, BUT YOU'RE PLANTING SOD THAT REQUIRES WATER, AND THE SOD IS GOING TO TURN DORMANT AND DIE, IT'S A WASTE OF MONEY. AND ON TOP OF THAT, I HAVE SENT YOU PICTURES, I THINK ALL OF YOU HAVE THE PICTURES I HAVE SENT OF -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE ROUND THINGS ARE CALLED THAT ARE IN FRONT OF STORM DRAINS, BUT THEY'RE ALL GOING DOWN INTO THE STORM DRAINS, AND IT GOES INTO I BELIEVE 32 OF THE STORM DRAIN OUTLETS, AND I FIND IT A TRAVESTY, AND YOU SAID TO, YOU KNOW, EMAIL YOU ABOUT THE PROBLEMS, WHICH I HAVE EMAILED YOU, AND I HAVE EMAILED PETER Z. TWICE OVER THE PAST THREE WEEKS, AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY RESPONSE, SO I WOULD REALLY KIND OF LIKE TO KNOW WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT, WHO'S PAYING FOR IT. WATER IS BEING RUN OFF ON THE SIDE SIDEWALKS, NOT EVEN ALL GOING ON THE SOD, BUT WHY SPEND THE MONEY WHEN IT'LL GO TO SEED? >> Mayor Guarjardo: MS. STOCK WELL, THE CITY MANAGER CAN ADDRESS THAT. >> Zanoni: WE'LL HAVE SOMEONE MEET WITH YOU, THEY'LL COME OUT FROM OUT BACK. JUST WAIT IN THE BACK -- YEAH, JUST WAIT IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS FOR SOMEONE TO COME GET YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. >> Mayor Guarjardo: YOU'RE WELCOME. >> REALLY QUICK, PETER, THIS LOOKS LIKE IT'S ON BROADFIELD, AND THERE'S BEEN A VERY LONG REFORB TO A SIDEWALK, AND SO I THINK THIS AREA SHE'S REFERENCING, IT MAY BE A CONTRACTOR WE NEED TO GO BACK. >> Zanoni: I DON'T HAVE THE DOCUMENT YOU'RE LOOKING AT. GO AHEAD. WHAT DID YOU SAY? >> Paxson: IT'S A NEW PROJECT WHERE THEY JUST WENT THROUGH QUITE A LONG DISTANCE AND REPLACED A SIDEWALK, AND ALL OF THIS, I THINK, LOOKS LIKE PART OF THAT WORK. IT'S ON BROADFIELD ROAD. >> Zanoni: OKAY. WE'LL LOOK INTO IT. WE'LL GET SOMEONE. >> Mayor Guarjardo: SANTI -- MIRIAM GIDDY RUSH I DID. ALEJANDRO VEREHCES. YOU SPOKE ON THE DESAL. THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SI SIGNED UP FOR. SO YOU'VE ALREADY SPOKEN ON IT ONCE, SIR. >> SO DO I GET TO SPEAK? >> Mayor Guarjardo: NOT ON THE SAME ITEM. >> I'LL SPEAK ON R RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. >> Mayor Guarjardo: OKAY. >> IT'S HARD TO -- ALEX VEREHCES. STRICT 3. IT'S HARD FOR THE PUBLIC TO TRUST WHAT'S GOING ON WITH OUR RESOURCES AND HOW THEY'RE BEING MANAGED WHEN, YOU KNOW, MAYORS AND COUNCILMEMBERS ALIKE ARE GETTING CAUGHT WITH THEIR HANDS IN THE COOKIE JAR. THERE HAVE BEEN COUNCILMEMBERS GIVING CONTRACTS TO THEIR OWN BUSINESSES. THEY DOW DON'T RECUSE THEMSELVES EVER. EVERYBODY IS A FRIEND. YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE A FRIEND, THEN YOU MIGHT GET A DEAL. OVER HERE, IT'S LIKE MAYBE IF THE SMALL BUSINESSES CAME, THE O ONES YOU GUYS KEEP REJECTING -- AND I'M NOT FOR BARS AND ALL OF THESE THINGS, BUT PERHAPS THEY SHOULD -- HE SHOULD HAVE HAD HE'LL BRING YOU THE EMPTY GLASS SO THAT YOU GUYS CAN RECYCLE IT AND MAKE MONEY FROM IT BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE THE ONLY THING THAT DISCOUNTS IS APPROVING IS BIG BUSINESS INDUSTRY AND GUYS WHO ARE WILLING TO PAY. IT'S BEEN SAID BY COUNCILMEMBERS BEFORE. MONEY IS IN THE POCKETS OF THE PEOPLE -- OF COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT AND PAST. PRESENT AND PAST. THAT MONEY WILL MAKE YOU FLIP-FLOP. THAT MONEY WILL MAKE YOU NOT CARE ABOUT HILLCREST RESIDENTS. THAT MONEY WILL MAKE YOU SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, SOME PEOPLE WANT TO WASH THEIR CAR MORE THAN I CARE ABOUT LIFE EXPECTANCY FOR OUR HISTORICALLY BLACK RESIDENTS HERE IN CORPUS CHRISTI. I'M TRYING TO KEEP MY VOICE DOWN. AND NOT BE TOO BOISTEROUS. HOWEVER, LIKE I SAID, IF YOU WANT TO BUILD WITH THE COMMUNITY, IT'D BE NICE IF WE HAD TRANSPARENCY, AND MAYBE WE COULD MOTION AND CREATE POLICIES WHERE IF YOU'RE AT THE MIDDLE OF THESE INVESTIGATIONS OR SOMETHING, YOU DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO COME IN AND DETERMINE WHERE THESE MONEY GOES BECAUSE WE'VE ALREADY CAUGHT YOU WITH THE HANDS IN THE COOKIE JAR, AND IF YOUR HAND HAS BEEN CAUGHT IN THE COOKIE JAR, DON'T THINK IN A YEAR EVERYBODY IS GOING TO FORGET ABOUT IT. OKAY. WE'RE US LOSING PARKS, DON'T HAVE SIDEWALKS, WE HAVE A MANUFACTURED WATER CRISIS YOU'RE T TRYING TO GET THROUGH, AND IT'S REALLY SUPER RIDICULOUS ALREADY. YOU'RE TAKING AWAY PA PARKS, YOU'RE OFFERING A PARK TO HILLCREST WHEN YOU'VE JUST VOTED ON THIS TODAY. LIKE WE -- HILLCREST AIN'T FOR SALE. YOU CAN'T JUST GIVE THEM A PARK AND SAY, OH, WE GOT YOU A PARK. LOOK AT SAKI PARK, OH, THEY HAD THIS, NOW WE GET TO TAKE SOME OF THE LAND. WELL THEY'RE SAYING THAT PARK HASN'T BEEN TURNED IN DECADES. THE BACKSTOP IS WAY TOO HIGH FOR ANY CHILDREN TO TOUCH IT. 0 COVERAGE FOR SHADE. NOT WATER OUT THERE, AND IT IS THE EXACT WAY ALL OF OUR PARKS ARE RIGHT NOW, MOST OF THEM ANY ANYWAYS. SO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, WE COULD DO A LOT BETTER ONCE WE GET CROOKS OUT OF HERE, AND THE CITY WILL TRUST EVERYBODY AND WE WON'T HAVE TO COME TO MAKE SURE OUR MONEY IS BEING STOLEN EVERY CHANCE YOU GET. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU. ERIC VANWARD. ARE A MONOALEX. >> I SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC EXCELLENT ON R RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. ONE SECOND. ARMON ALEX. LIFE LONG RESIDENT OF CORPUS CHRISTI. I'M SPEAKING TODAY ABOUT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, THAT WOULD INCLUDE WATER AS A MATTER OF DEMO DEMOCRACY, DIGNITY, AND SURVIVAL. I WANT TO REMIND THIS COUNCIL THIS WATER IS NOT JUST A COMMODITY, AND IT'S NOT JUST A BLANK CHECK FOR CORPORATIONS, WATER IS A PUBLIC RESOURCE THAT BELONGS FIRST TO THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE. AND RIGHT NOW, WE'RE WATCHING DECISIONS IN THE CITY DRIP FURTHER AND FURTHER AWAY FROM THAT BASIC TRUTH. AND AS A COASTAL SCIENTIST AND SOMEONE COMMITTED TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, I NEED TO BE CLEAR THAT DESALINATION IS NOT -- IS NOT BEING PURSUED IN THIS REGION FOR FAMILIES OR SCHOOLS OR NEIGHBORHOODS, IT'S BEING PURSUED FOR INDUSTRY. THE SAME INDUSTRY THAT USES ALMOST HALF OF OUR CURRENT WATER SUPPLY, AND PRODUCES THE MAJORITY OF OUR REGION'S ADMISSIONS. THE SAME INDUSTRY WHOSE POLLUTION ACCELERATES THE CLIMATE CRISIS, WHICH MAKES THE DROUGHT WORSE, OUR STORMS STR STRONGER, AND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE MORE FRAGILE. THAT IS NOT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, THIS IS R RESOURCE EXTRACTION DRESSED UP AS PROGRESS. AND THIS CITY KEEPS TALKING ABOUT GROWTH, BUT GROWTH FOR WHO? WE CANNOT BUILD A RESIRESILIENT CITY BY FUN FUNNELING WATER TO INDUSTRIES THAT POISON THE AIR AND HEAT THE PLANET. WE CANNOT TALK ABOUT DROUGHT WHILE HANDING U UNLIMITED QUOTE/UNQUOTE WATER TO COOPERATIONS THAT HAVE NEVER FACED CURTAILMENT. WE CANNOT TALK ABOUT FUTURE GENERATIONS WHILE IGNORING EVERY SCIENTIFIC WARNING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE, ABOUT SEA LEVEL RISE, AND WEATHER, RESOURCE MANAGEMENT MEANS PREPARATION, IT MEANS RESILIENCE, IT MEANS PLANNING FOR THE DISASTERS WE KNOW ARE COMING, NOT DOUBLING DOWN ON THE SYSTEMS THAT CAUSE THE CRISIS IN THE FIRST PLACE. AND SO I'M HERE TO SPEAK FOR WATER DEMOCRACY, THIS -- THE PEOPLE MUST CONTROL THE RESOURCES THAT SUSTAIN THEIR LI LIVES. I'LL SAY IT AGAIN. THE PEOPLE MUST CONTROL THE RESOURCES THAT SUSTAIN THEIR LIVES. THAT PRINCIPLE IS TRUE TODAY, AS IT WAS THEN AS SPOKEN BY BLACK LIBERATORS, THE PEOPLE OF CORPUS CHRISTI DESERVE REAL INVESTMENT AND CONSERVATION, WE DESERVE REAL INVESTMENT IN WATER REUSE, LEAK, R REPAIR, AND CLIMATE READY PLANNING. WE DESERVE TRANSPARENCY, NOT BACK ROOM DEALS. WE DESERVE LEADERSHIP THAT PUTS COMMUNITIES ABOVE COOPERATIONS, AND WE DESERVE A WATER SYSTEM THAT PROTECTS LIFE, NOT ONE THAT EXCEL RATES A CLIMATE CRISIS THAT PUTS LIVES AT RISK. IT'S A CHOICE, AND TONIGHT WE'RE ASKING YOU TO CHOOSE THE PEOPLE WHEN DEALING WITH SUSTAINABLE WATER SOU SOURCE. STOP FOCUSING ON DESALINATION PLANTS FOR INDUSTRY, AND START PRIORITIZING RESIDENT FIRST SOLUTIONS. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU MR. ALEX. RACHEL KA BIO. YOU ALSO SPOKE ON THE AGENDA ITEM. RACHEL CABELLO. >> RACHEL CABELLO. D16789 IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE COMMUNITY IS IN THE SITUATION WE'RE I IN. A CITY BUDGET DOUBLED WITH LITTLE TO SHOW WITH IT. ONLY 1% POPULATION GROWTH IN OUR AREA IN THE LAST SIX YEARS, NUMEROUS, NUMEROUS LAWSUITS AGAINST THE CITY, AND NOW THIS MAN MADE WATER CRISIS. WE MADE A MISTAKE SIX YEARS AGO HIRING AN INEPT, U UNQUALIFIED ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER THAT HAS HAD MORE OF A DESIRE TO BE A POLITICIAN BEHIND THE CAMERA THAT IS PLAYING POLITICAL GAMES WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR TAX DOLLARS THAN DOING HIS JOB. AS OF TODAY, HERE IS A VAST LIST OF REASONS WHY WE SHOULD NOT TRUST NOR ALLOW AN INCOMPETENT CITY MANAGER [ INDISCERNIBLE ] A $1.2 BILLION EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT THAT WILL DESTROY THE LIFE HERE AND THE DEBT BURDENEL FUTURE GENERATIONS TO COME. HE HAS TAKEN OUT $141 MILLION IN CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, INTENTIONALLY AVOIDING VOTER APPROVAL AND PUTTING OUR COMMUNITY FURTHER INTO DEBT. THAT IS A SPREADSHEET THAT I HAVE SENT TO YOU, HANDED TO YOU GUYS. HE WAS INCAPABLE OF FINDING OTHER, CHEAPER AND FASTER WATER SOLUTIONS UNTIL FORCED TO BY A NEW COMMUNITY DRIVEN COUNCIL, UNABLE TO NEGOTIATE WITH INDUSTRY AND FORCED THEM TO PARTICIPATE WITH COSTS AND VOLUNTARY, FAILURE TO NEGOTIATE CONTRACTS IN FAVOR OF AND PROTECT THIS COMMUNITY. REFUSAL THAT LISTEN TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT SPOKE 7:1 AGAINST THE DESAL PROJECT. REFUSAL TO TAKE DIRECTIVES FROM HIS BOSSES, CITY COUNCILMEMBERS THAT VOTED 6 6:3 AGAINST PURSUING THE PROJECT. DIRECT OR INDIRECT INV INVOLVEMENT OF DEGRADING AN ELECTED OFFICIAL THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE DUE TO A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. FAILURE TO UPDATE A DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN IN A TIMELY FASHION THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE INDUSTRY RESTR RESTRICTIONS UNTIL STAGE 4. FAILURE TO PROVIDE A CURTAILMENT PLAN WELL INTO STAGE 3. UNCAPABLE OF MAINTAINING CITY OWNED ASSETS. INCAPABLE OF EFFICIENTLY R REPAIRING CITY STREETS. INCAPABLE OF STAYING WITHIN THE BUDGET WITHOUT AMENDING IT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. INCAPABLE OF FUL FULL FULLING PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS AT THE TIME ALLOTTED AND REASONABLE COSTS. INCAPABLE OF HIRING AND KE KEEPING LONG-TERM LOCAL EMPLOYEES CAUSING A HIGH TURNOVER IN KEY POSITIONS, EXAMPLES, CORPUS CHRISTI WATER. WATER DIRECTOR, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGERS, AND A MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET DEPARTMENT DESCRIBED AS INCREASINGLY TOXIC AND UNSUSTAINABLE. INCAPABLE OF TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNITY INCLUSION. WE HAVE THE REAL PROBLEM HERE IS WE MADE A BAD HIRE, AND IT'S TIME THAT WE REPLACE AN INDIVIDUAL -- WE REPLACE THAT POSITION WITH SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY, WHO CARES ABOUT THE DEBT THAT WE'RE BEING PUT INTO. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU, MS. CABELLO. ADAM RIOS. >> ADAM RIOS. CORPUS CHRISTI. I WANT TO WISH EVERYBODY A HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND RECOGNIZE THIS IS NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. I'M GLAD WE ALL WENT OUT FOR THAT. THIS MONTH I'M REMINDED THAT GRATITUDE IS NOT PASSIVE, IT'S ACTIVE, LIVED, CARRIED AND EARNED, AND I'M THA THANKFUL. NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH IS A REMINDER THAT HISTORY IS NOT A RELIC, BUT A PULSE BEATING IN OUR LANGUAGES, STORIES, AND VI VIAL. I'M THANK FOR MY WIFE, LOVE, LANGUAGE, PATIENCE, AND HOLD THE LINE WHEN I'M FLYING TOO HIGH, LIKE AN UNCONTROLLED KITE. SHE KEEPS ME GROUNDED, CENTERED AND WHOLE. I'M THANKFUL TO MY SON ATICUS FOR BEING FEARLESS IN TRIES AND BOLD IN REACH. I'M THANKFUL FOR MY FATHER WHO CLAWED HIS WAY OUT OF POVERTY AND SERVED THIS COUNTRY WITH PRIDE. I'M THANKFUL FOR MY LATE MOTHER WHOSE FAITH WAS TO BE SHARED, NOT FORCED, ROOTED IN KINDNESS, GENEROSITY, AND THE BELIEF ALL PEOPLE CARRY LIGHT. SHE WAS A TRUE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. I'M GRATEFUL FOR MY TRAVELS, THE RELIGIONS THAT HAVE WELCOMED ME, SHAPED ME, AND GIFTED ME IN NEW WAYS TO SEE THE WORLD. FOR THE CORPUS CHRISTI% ROCK COMMUNITY, THE OR ORIGINAL DO IT ITSELF SPIRITS WHO PUSHED TOWARDS DESPITE GAIT KEEPERS AND TAUGHT US THAT I INDEPENDENCE IS ITS OWN RESOLUTION. I'M THANKFUL FOR LOCAL HIP HOP. ITS TRUTH TELLING. ACTIVISM, ITS ABILITY TO TURN RAW LIFE INTO RESILIENCE. I'M THANKFUL FOR FREDDY, A STORY TELLER WHO SMUGGLED EMPATHY INTO THE COUNTRY MUSIC. I'M THANKFUL FOR THE WATER PEOPLE, WHICH CARRIES WEI WEIGHT. THE WHITE MOUNTAIN PEOPLE THE [ INDISCERNIBLE ] CLAN FOR ALMOST 6 CENTURIES OF SURVIVAL TRAINING, HASH TAG, STILL HERE. I'M THANKFUL FOR BEING OPEN MINDED, NOT BEING A HYPOCRITE, NOT BEING THE KIND OF MAN WHO HIDES BEHIND RHETORIC AND DISRESPECT BY PLUGGING HIS EARS AND REM REMAINING SEATED DURING ANOTHER PERSON'S PRAYER JUST BECAUSE IT'S SPOKEN IN A LANGUAGE OR RELIGION HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND. SEE, GRATITUDE MEANS LISTENING EVEN WHEN THE WORDS ARE NOT YOURS. I'M THANKFUL FOR THE ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIV INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE AND CONTINUE TO BE A PART OF MY LIFE. CCBMX, B BENJAMIN SURF AND SKATE, FIGHTING TO [ [ INDISCERNIBLE ] PROJECT TURN AROUND, COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS, FOR MY NEW FRIEND, LA MONTH FROM THE HILLCREST COMMUNITY, FOR COAL PARK, THE FUTURE OF X GAMES, I THANK MY HIGH SCHOOL TEA TEACHER, MR. WILSON WHO TAUGHT ME HONORS ENGLISH, HUMANITIES, AND CREATIVE WRITING. REMINDING ME THAT CREATIVITY IS YET ANOTHER FORM OF SURVIVAL. AND I'M THANKFUL FOR BEING HERE ALIVE, AWARE, GRATEFUL. AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU ALL, THINK GLOBAL, SUPPORT LOCAL, ESPECIALLY NONPROFITS DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU MR. RIOS. JIM CLINE. MR. CLINE, YOU ALSO SPOKE ON THE ITEM EARLIER. >> YES. JIM CLINE HERE. CORPUS CHRISTI. I ASKED GRACE TO CHANGE MY TOPIC TO TALK ABOUT PROPOSED WATER COMMISSION. I BELIEVE I MENTIONED THIS LAST MONTH, I WOULD LIKE TO BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION AGAIN, THERE'S A NEED TO INCREASE THE TRANSPARENCY OF THIS PROCESS BY WHICH NEW WATER CUSTOMERS ARE ALLOWED TO COME INTO THE CITY TO ACCESS THE WATER SYSTEM. A PROPOSED WATER COMMISSION APPOINTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL COULD DO THAT. I THINK IT COULD BE MODELED UPON THE SAME -- THE SAME FORMAT THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION CURRENTLY USES RIGHT NOW AS WELL, ALSO APPOINTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL. THE WATER COMMISSION WOULD INCLUDE, I THINK, IF IT'S -- IN ITS BEST ITERATION, THE WATER COMMISSION WOULD INCLUDE SOME RESIDENTS OUTSIDE OF CORPUS CHRISTI, ANYBODY WHO'S A WATER CUSTOMER SHOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO SERVE ON THIS COMMISSION AS WELL, TO HAVE INPUT INTO THE NE NEW -- WATER CUSTOMERS COMING IN, AND WHEN I SAY WATER CUSTOMERS, I'M TALKING ABOUT LARGE VOLUME WATER CUSTOMERS, THE NUMBER IN MY HEAD, 100,000 GALLONS A DAY OR MORE, AND THAT'S THE DEFINITION FOR A LARGE VOLUME WATER USER. I THINK IF THAT WATER COMMISSION, THIS MAKES IT PUBLIC, THIS PROCESS MUCH MORE PUBLIC AND TRANSPARENT, PROVIDE AN AVENUE BY WHICH THAT THOSE NEW CUSTOMERS COULD BE VETTED AND THEN BROUGHT TO THE COUNCIL. THE COUNCIL COULD MAKE THE ULTIMATE DECISION ON THIS, BUT I THINK TH THAT -- I THINK THIS IS TRUE FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION AS WELL, THAT IF THE COUNCIL DECIDED TO VOTE CONTRARY TO THE WISHES OF THE WATER COMMISSION, MUSH LIKE THE PLANNING COMMISSION NOW WOULD HAVE TO REQUIRE A SUPER MAJORITY RATHER THAN SIMPLE MAJORITY, I THINK THAT'S A WISE MOVE, AND I ASK YOU TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION, AND SOMEWHAT RELATED TO ALL OF THIS AS WELL, TALKING ABOUT WATER QUITE A BIT THE LAST FEW MONTHS, AND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE MENTIONED THIS, VERY WISE PEOPLE, THERE'S A NEED FOR GRADUATED WATER RATE HERE IN CORPUS CHRISTI. AS AN EARLIER SPEAKER MENTIONED, WATER IS A R RESOURCE, NOT A COMMODITY, IT'S A R RESOURCE, INCREASINGLY SCARCE RESOURCE, NEEDS TO BE VIEWED THAT WAY, AND FOR THAT REASON, I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD ADOPT A WATER RATE SCHEDULE BY WHICH THOSE WHO USE THE LARGEST VOLUMES OF WATER SHOULD PAY MORE PER GALLON RATHER THAN THE REVERSE, WHICH WE SEEM TO HAVE RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU MR. CLINE. ISABELLE RAYEZ. YOU SPOKE ON THE ITEM. DID YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON SOMETHING. >> SOMETHING ELSE. >> Mayor Guarjardo: OKAY. >> ISABELLE RAYEZ, DISTRICT 2. COFOUNDER FOR THE GR GREATER GOOD. I ACTUALLY WANTED TO RESPOND TO THE FRAMING OF, LIKE, MAKING DECISIONS AND SOME PEOPLE COMING UP AS SPECIAL INTEREST AND OTHER PEOPLE COMING UP AS REFLECTING A BROADER INTEREST, AND WHAT I WANTED TO SAY WAS THAT IN THE CAPITALIST DEMOCRACY, CAPITALIST INTEREST GETS ENTERED, AND WHAT CAPITALISTS TRY TO DO IS GET THE PUBLIC TO BELIEVE THAT WHAT'S GOOD FOR BUSINESS IS GOOD FOR THEM, AND IF YOU LISTEN TO BOB PA PAULISON'S 30 MINUTE PROPAGANDA PIECE ON THE NEWS, THEY TALKED ABOUT HOW IF THEY CUR TAILED, THERE WOULD BE THIS RIPPLE EFFECT OF ALL OF THESE NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON OUR BROADER COMM COMMUNITY. AND SO THEY WANT THE BUSINESS INTEREST TO BECOME THE PEOPLE'S INTEREST. AND THEY'RE NOT. AND FOR THE GREATER GOOD HAS NEVER BEEN A SPECIAL INTEREST. WE'RE FOR THE GREATER GOOD. WE CAME TOGETHER BECAUSE WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE WATER, TO CLEAN DRINKING WATER, AND WE STARTED RAIS RAISING -- TRYING TO RAISE AWARENESS AROUND DESAL BECAUSE IT WASN'T FOR THE PEOPLE, BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, IN TERMS OF OUR DOLLARS AND IN TERMS OF OUR HEALTH, OUR FUTURE. WE'VE BEEN FOR PARKS AND LIBRARIES. WE TRY TO FIGHT THE BUDGET CUTS IN 2018 AROUND THAT. WE ADOPTED A PARK BECAUSE WE WANTED TO SHOW THE COMMUNITY WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU INVEST IN PUBLIC SPACES, AND WE ACTUALLY WROTE GRANTS TO GET IRRIGATION IN OUR PARK BECAUSE THE CITY WOULDN'T ALLOW US TO DO OUR OWN WORK TO PUT L LINES TO PLANT TREES BECAUSE THAT PARK DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING BUT A BARK CUE PIT AND A PICNIC TABLE. NOW IT HAS A PLAYGROUND AND A SHADE STRUCTURE, WE'VE GOT LIGHTING, WATER, WE'VE GOT TREES, WE'VE GOT FOOD. WE HAVE A SIGN. WE -- BLOCK WALKS. ALL KINDS OF THINGS TO SHOW THE COMMUNITY. AND IT'S COOL BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE KNOW US AND WHAT WE'RE DOING. SERVE ON THE CRIME P PREVENTION BOARD, AND I'VE ASKED FOR SOME OF THAT MONEY TO GO TOWARDS PARK AND RECREATION, I GOT ARRESTED FOR BEING BOISTEROUS BECAUSE I WAS UPSET YOU WOULD INCREASE THE FEES FOR PEOPLE BECAUSE I HAD SEEN IN THE SUMMER, PARKS AND RECK CENTERS CLOSED WHEN THERE WAS CLEARLY A NEED FOR COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC SPACES. AND SO, YOU KNOW, I WA WANTED SOCIAL WORKERS AND SOMETHING MORE THAN JUST POLICING OUR COMMUNITY AND CELLING OUR RESOURCES, AND THAT'S WHAT FOR THE GREATER GOOD IS ABOUT. CREATIVITY. AND COMMUNITY. AND IMAGINENING A BETTER TOMORROW, AND GETTING THE COMMUNITY TO BELIEVE THEY DESERVE BETTER THAN WHAT YOU'RE OFFERING THEM, THE PERFORMATIVE STUFF IS -- IT'S LIKE A FACADE, AND IT'S -- EVEN THE FACADE IS CRUMBLING, AND IT LOOKS SAD. YOU KNOW, I'VE LOST TWO KIDS BECAUSE OF YOUR D DISINVESTMENT IN PUBLIC SPACES, AND SO FOR THE GREATER GOOD IS FOR PEOPLE BEFORE POLLUTERS AND PRIVATIZATION. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU. SUZIE SALDONA. MOW THAT LIEDEL. JENNIFER SPENO. >> HI, JENNIFER SPENO, CORPUS CHRISTI, D4. LIKE MANY WORKING CLASS CORPUS CHRISTIANS, I DIDN'T HAVE THE TIME TO BE HERE EARLIER, AND I REALLY DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO BE HERE NOW, SO I'LL READ AN EXCERPT FROM MY PUBLIC COMMENT FROM SEPTEMBER 2. I'VE WATCHED FOR THE BETTER PARK OF THE PAST DECADE AS RESIDENTS ACROSS THE POLITICAL AND IDEOLOGICAL SESSION BEG FOR THE CITY AND STAFF TO CENTER THE NEEDS OVER PEOPLE OF GIANT CORPORATIONS WHO WILL SURVIVE WITH OR WITHOUT HANDOUTS FROM US. WE'VE BROUGHT FORWARD STUDY, THEY'VE BEEN IGNORED. WE ARGUED AGAINST DESALINATION. WE ARE CALLED OUTSIDAGE STAY TORS, AS IF PEOPLE CANNOT SEE WHERE THEY LEAVE. I'M HAPPY TO SHOW MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE IF THEY HELP. WE ARGUE AGAINST DESAL. THE CONCERNS ARE D DISREGARDED EVEN BY FISCAL CONSERVATIVES UP HERE. SOME MISTAKENLY BELIEVE WE MAY BE ABLE TO APPEAL TO YOUR CONSCIOUS, TO PARAPHRASE, IN ORDER FOR THAT TO WORK, OUR POINTS MUST HAVE A CONSCIOUS. I WON'T HUMANUATE MYSELF BY TRYING TO APPEAL PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE A MORAL COME PASS AND HAVE SHOWN OUTRIGHT ANIMOSITY TO HILLCREST, THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENDURED THE WORST OF THE CONSE CONSEQUENCES OF THE HEINOUS DECISIONS OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE YOU. YOU CAN'T THAT I THINK THOSE DECISIONS, BUT THOSE WITH A CONSCIOUS HAVE THE ABILITY TO COURSE CORRECT, DON'T DIG YOUR HEELS IN THE WAY SOMEBODY BEFORE YOU HAVE. WE KNOW NOW MORE THAN WE DID WHEN IT WAS PUT ON THE TABLE. DON'T TREAT PUBLIC COMMENT AS WHAT I TO CARRY OUT YOUR OWN WILL INSTEAD OF THE WAY OF RESIDENTS DOWN HERE, WHO OPPOSE DESAL THAT O OUTNUMBER THOSE SUP SUPPORTING. SAY NO. THAT WAS FROM SEPTE SEPTEMBER 2. AND I CAN'T REMEMBER WE'RE HERE AGAIN. SO MANY OF YOU WANT TO PAINT THIS AS AN ISSUE, THE ENVIRONMENTALISTS OR RADICALS HAVE WHIPPED PEOPLE INTO A PHRENSY OVER. I WISH ANY OF US HAD A POWER THAT VOTED FOR TRUMP. LIKE MANY HERE, I'M THE MEMBERS OF CORPUS CHRISTI SOCIALIST DEMOCRATS OF AMERICA, I'M NOT PAID BY, BUT PAY DUES TO BE A MEMBER OF, SO I'LL WEAR THOSE T TITLES PROUDLY, BUT IT'S A MYTH THAT WE'VE CREATED DIVISION. I KNOW, AS FRED HAMPTON SAID THAT SOCIALISM IS OF THE PEOPLE. IF YOU'RE SCARED OF SOCIALISM, YOU'RE SCARED OF YOURSELF. I'M NOT SCARED OF THE PEOPLE DOWN HERE WITH DIFFERENT IDEAS THAN MINE. I'M REPULSED BY PEOPLE GUIDED UP THERE BY MONEY AND POWER AND INTEREST THAT KEEP US DIVIDED AND FIGHTING OVER THINGS THAT DON'T IMPROVE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND COLLECTIVE WELL BEING BOTH OF WHICH WOULD BE HARMED IF YOU KNUCKLE DOWN ON THIS FACILITY. HILLCREST IS NOT A SACRIFICE ZONE, OUR BAY IS NOT FOR SALE. I DON'T CARE IF GREG ABBOTT OFFERED TO PAY FOR EVERY PEN >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. MELISSA ZAMORA. >> MELISSA ZAMORA, DISTRICT 2. MY NOTES ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE. SO I THINK IT'S INTERESTING WHEN PEOPLE COME UP HERE, A LOT OF Y'ALL ARE NOT LOOKING AT THEM. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE LISTENING. ESPECIALLY ALSO WHEN PEOPLE COME UP HERE AND SAY CERTAIN THINGS, THEY LOOK A CERTAIN WAY, YOU GET THE CITY MANAGER TO GET WITH THEM RIGHT AWAY. BUT IF WE LOOK A CERTAIN WAY, IF WE SPEAK A CERTAIN WAY, WE'RE IGNORED. I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF GOING TO A KILL YOUR LAWN TOUR BY A SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE THAT WAS AT THE NUECES RIVER AUTHORITY IN ROBSTOWN AND HE WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW LAWNS WERE REALLY BAD. WHEN I HEARD SOD, I SAID, HEY. WHY DON'T WE OUTLAW LAWNS FOR THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI AND FOCUS ON NATIVE GRASSES AND PLANTS. I'M HERE TO ASK YOU TO VOTE NO ON 18. I WAS AT WORK SO I DIDN'T WATCH YET. CURTAILMENT IS AN OPTION. I KNOW IT MAY NOT BE WHAT YOU WANT BUT WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR? WE'RE AT 12% THE LAST TIME I SAW. ARE WE GOING TO WAIT UNTIL WE ARE AT 5%, 2%, 0% WHEN KNOWN HAS A CHOICE? WHEN ARE WE GOING TO DRAW THE LINE FOR INDUSTRY TO STOP USING SO MUCH WATER. I THINK I HEARD SOMETHING ABOUT THEIR RECYCLING IT AND REUSING IT. HOPEFULLY THEY CAN DO THAT INSTEAD OF USING ANY POTABLE WATER ANYMORE. WE NEED WATER DEMOCRACY, LIKE WAS ALREADY SAID. HOW CAN YOU PUT THIS ON THE BALLOT? CAN SOMEBODY ASK THAT QUESTION? WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO GET DESALINATION ON THE BALLOT? DRINKING THE SHIP CHANNEL WATER. WHY IS NOBODY ELSE MAKING A BIG DEAL ABOUT THAT? WE KNOW ALL OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF POLLUTION THAT HAVE BEEN GOING INTO THE SHIP CHANNEL FOR DECADES. WE HAD A MAJOR EXPLOSION IN 2020 OVER THERE. I KNOW YOU MENTIONED, OH, BUT DESAL. IT'S THE MAGIC WAND AND WE CAN DESAL IT ALL AWAY. CAN WE TEST THAT ON A MICRO SCALE? GET ONE OF THOSE DESALINATION FILTERS ON A TINY SCALE AND PUT THE WATER THROUGH IT AND TEST THAT WATER AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS AND THEN HAVE EACH ONE OF YOU DRINK IT BEFORE WE DRINK IT? ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM IS REAL. CORPUS CHRISTI NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT AND FIGURE OUT A WAY TO STOP PUNISHING POOR PEOPLE BLACK BROWN INDIGENOUS, BIPOC PEOPLE, POOR PEOPLE. WE NEED TO DO BETTER. WE NEED A JUST TRANSITION AND SO I KNOW THAT I'VE HEARD THE CURTAILMENT AND THE ECONOMY AND ALL THIS BUT WHY AREN'T WE TRANSITIONING TO INDUSTRIES THAT DON'T USE AS MUCH NATURAL RESOURCES? WHY CAN'T WE INVEST IN THOSE TYPES OF THINGS AND KEEP PEOPLE EMPLOYED? I APPRECIATE AND I APPLAUD COUNCILWOMAN SYLVIA WHO HAS BEEN STAYING STRONG AND CONSISTENT. SHE WAS ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE AND SERVES THE PEOPLE, UNLIKE OTHERS HERE WHO WERE AGAINST DESAL WHEN THEY RAN AND NOW THEY'RE FOR IT. IF THAT MAKES SENSE. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: TH THANK YOU, MS. ZAMORA. GUILLERMO GALLEGO. >> LONG DAY. GUILLERMO GALEGO, DISTRICT 5. ALL THE COOL STUFF WAS ELSEWHERE IN AUSTIN, CHICAGO, NEW YORK CITY. ANYWHERE BUT HERE. I WAS AN ART MAJOR, BIG-CITY DREAMS. SINCE THEN I HAVE COME TO APPRECIATE THE CITY. THE BEAUTY OF THE BAY AT NIGHT, THE LITTLE PINK FLOWERS THAT POP UP IN EVERY PATCH OF GRASS. THEY'RE CALLED PINK EVENING PRIMROSES. THE BIRDS THAT VISIT US, WHETHER THEY ARE THE ONES FORMING BLACK CLOUDS ABOVE A PARKING LOT OR THE CRANES I'LL SEE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. I SAW THREE OF THEM THIS WEEKEND ACTUALLY. MAYBE FOUR HOUSES AWAY. BUT I ALSO SEE THE FLARING ACROSS THE WATER WHEN IT'S OVER 80 DEGREES IN NOVEMBER AND I CAN REMEMBER HAVING TO BUNDLE UP THIS TIME OF YEAR WHEN I WAS 15. I SMELL THE POLLUTION OF THE BAY. SO BAD THAT A PODCAST I LISTEN TO BROUGHT UP OUR CITY'S INDUSTRIAL STENCH. I SEE US BEING IN A STAGE 3 DROUGHT FOR MONTHS WHILE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY AND INDUSTRY INFAMOUS FOR POLLUTING COASTLINES AND HOLLOWING OUT TOWNS AND WORKERS. THE ONES WHO USE THE MAJORITY OF OUR WATER DON'T EVER HAVE TO SLOW DOWN. I REMEMBER SOMEONE HERE SAYING WE WANT TO AVOID CURTAILMENT BUT FRANKLY YOU DO NOT SPEAK FOR ME. I DON'T WANT THESE POLLUTERS WHO AREN'T EVEN A MAJOR EMPLOYER AND WHOSE PITTANCE OF JOBS ARE DANGEROUS AND PRECARIOUS, TO HAVE PERPETUAL CANCEROUS GROWTH IN THE CITY I FINALLY HAVE COME TO LOVE. I WANT THIS PLANET-KILLING WORK TO SLOW, TO STOP, AND I WANT US TO DO WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE YEARS AGO AND TURN OFF THIS SPIGOT THAT WILL DRAIN US DRY. MY PARTNER WILL BE VISITING ME IN THE SUMMER AND I'M ALREADY ASHAMED THAT I'LL HAVE TO BE ON HIGH ALERT FOR WATER BOILS WHILE HE'S HERE. I DON'T WANT HIM TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT RATIONING WATER WHILE VALERO OPERATES AT FULL CAPACITY. AND I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD HAVE ENOUGH TIME BUT I AM A CO-CHAIR OF THE CORPUS CHRISTI DSA, DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA. SOCIALISM IS THE FUTURE. BYE. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. SARAH DOLLSON. THOMAS CRUZ. >> GOOD EVENING, CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS THOMAS CRUZ. I'M A RESIDENT OF CORPUS CHRISTI, DISTRICT 5. I'M HERE TO DISCUSS OUR WATER CRISIS. I APPRECIATE THE COMPLEX WORK Y'ALL ARE DOING BUT MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE SEVERITY OF THE SITUATION. THIS IS AN UNPRECEDENTED EMERGENCY. WITH OUR RESERVOIRS AT HISTORIC LOW LEVELS, WE ARE FACING IMPENDING DEVASTATION IN ONLY 18 MONTHS WE CAN EXPECT APPROXIMATELY 60% OF OUR CURRENT AVAILABLE WATER LEVELS. THE TIME FOR URGENT ACTION IS NOW. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THREE ACTIONS THAT WILL BUY US TIME. IMMEDIATELY IMPLEMENT LEVEL 1 STATUS FOR SUPPLY MANAGEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN. OUR CURRENT WATER MUST BE VIEWED AS AN ABSOLUTE EMERGENCY. OUR TREATMENT FACILITIES FACE DAMAGE DUE TO SEDIMENT FROM THE RESERVOIRS. WE CANNOT SUPPORT EXPANSION OR GROWTH. NOT HAVING A SOLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE. CONTINUING TO CONSUME WATER AT A CURRENT RATE IS UNACCEPTABLE. A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF WATER IS CONSUMED BY INDUSTRY. IF WE CANNOT SUPPORT OUR RESIDENTS, ANY ARGUMENT IS FLAWED. INDUSTRY CONSUMPTION MUST BE SCALED BACK. THIS, IF PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BUY US MORE TIME. SECOND, WE NEED TO INITIATE AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW AND LEAK REDUCTION PLAN. OUR CITY LOSES MILLIONS OF GALLONS ANNUALLY DUE TO LEAKS. A PROGRAM TO IDENTIFY THE LEAKS WOULD YIELD IMMEDIATE AND LASTING RETURNS. THIRD, IF WE CANNOT DETERMINE A SOLUTION SOON, WE MUST CONSIDER CONTRACTING WITH CONSULTING GROUPS FOR ADVICE. THERE'S A CONCERN THAT THE CITY CANNOT AFFORD THE POTENTIAL PROJECTS. WE MUST AND WILL FIND WAYS TO FUND THESE POTENTIAL PROJECTS. NONE OF THE PROJECTS SHOULD BE DISMISSED DUE TO CONCERN FOR FUNDING. OUR CITY IS A CRITICAL ECONOMIC HUB. WE CANNOT ALLOW CORPUS CHRISTI TO COLLAPSE AND NEITHER CAN THE STATE NOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. WE MUST PURSUE EVERY AVENUE FOR FUNDING, INCLUDING REQUESTING STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING AND DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY AS NEEDED. SELLING MUNICIPAL BONDS, COLLECTING REVENUE THROUGH INCREASED TAXES AND SERVICE RATES AND ENSURING INDUSTRY SUPPORTS THEIR FINANCIAL OBLIGATION WITH EQUAL OR GREATER SHARE. IF WE CANNOT AGREE ON A PLAN, WE MUST RELINQUISH THE DUTIES TO THE STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. I CHALLENGE THE COUNCIL TO EITHER CURTAIL INDUSTRY CONSUMPTION OR FINALIZE A PLAN WITHIN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS THAT MEET DEMAND LEVELS ANTICIPATED AND PAST THE NEXT 18 MONTHS. NOT EVERYONE WILL AGREE WITH WHATEVER PLAN IS IMPLEMENTED AND THAT IS A COST WE MUST ACCEPT. WE HAVE THE TOOLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND OBLIGATION TO SECURE A SUSTAINABLE WATER FUTURE. I URGE YOU TO MOVE PAST DELIBERATION AND TOWARDS DECISIVE ACTION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I TRULY APPRECIATE WHAT Y'ALL DO FOR US AND FOR CONSIDERING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. CRUZ. BRODY NEWTON. JERRY MYCODER. CHLOE TORRES. >> CHLOE TORRES, DISTRICT 2. SO FIRST JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M PROFOUNDLY DISAPPOINTED IN THE VOTE THAT HAPPENED EARLIER TODAY. BUT IT DOES REFLECT THE PHILOSOPHY THAT WE'VE ALL HEARD CITY MANAGER PETER ZANONI ESPOUSE, THAT HE'S RUNNING THE CITY LIKE A BUSINESS. AND SO WHAT IS RUNNING A CITY LIKE A BUSINESS MEAN? WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HOW BUSINESSES ARE RUN UNDER WHAT DR. ARAIZA WAS BRINGING UP. THAT THEY ARE RUN UNDEMOCRATICALLY. THEY HAVE A BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHO MAKE DECISIONS AND THOSE DECISIONS ARE THEN DICTATED TO THE REST OF THE WORKERS. THE WORKERS DON'T HAVE A SAY OVER THEIR HOURS, THEIR CONDITIONS, ET CETERA. SO HOW DOES THAT TRANSLATE THEN TO A CITY? I'M A SOCIALIST AND I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE ORGANIZATION THAT I BELONG TO, THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA. BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE SHOULD BE RUN DEMOCRATICALLY. AND THAT ALL RESOURCES SHOULD BE ORGANIZED IN THE SERVICE OF MEETING PEOPLE'S NEEDS FIRST AND FOREMOST. I'M A SOCIALIST BECAUSE I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD BE FED, HOUSED, HAVE EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEED, FIRST AND FOREMOST. AND I ALSO CAN'T HELP BUT NOTICE THAT BECAUSE WE ORGANIZE IN OUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY TAKE A MOMENT TO SPEAK WITH PEOPLE, LEARN ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS, AND THEN TRY TO MEET THEIR NEEDS, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT OUR STATES, OUR GOVERNMENTS DON'T DO THAT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THEY'RE BUSY SERVING INDUSTRIAL DEMANDS, NOT NEEDS. EXXON DOESN'T NEED TO MAKE $121 BILLION A YEAR BUT PEOPLE DO NEED TO EAT. AND SO THE REASON WHY I THINK THE CITY LIKES TO COOPT OUR LANGUAGE, TALK ABOUT A RESIDENT-FIRST APPROACH, TALK ABOUT A PEOPLE'S BUDGET IS BECAUSE THEY SEE OUR POWER. THEY SEE WE BRING MORE PEOPLE EVERY TIME. AND SO WHAT ZANONI NOW IS DOING IS HOLDING THESE TRAVELING TOWN HALLS AND FORUMS, WHICH I THINK IS SO INCREDIBLE TO ME BECAUSE WE COULDN'T GET MORE THAN ONE DESAL TOWN HALL WHEN INNER HARBOR WAS FIRST ON THE TABLE. IT IS JUST INCREDIBLE TO ME. BUT I ALSO WANT TO POKE A HOLE IN THE FACT THAT THIS ISN'T ACTUALLY DEMOCRACY. WHAT WE'VE ASKED FOR IS CO-GOVERNANCE. WHAT YOU'RE DOING NOW IS CREATING PLANS, SOMETIMES WITH INDUSTRY AND BACK-DOOR DEALS AND THEN YOU PRESENT THE PLAN TO US AND WE'RE SUPPOSED TO ACCEPT IT. SO I JUST WANT TO READ A DEFINITION OF CO-GOVERNANCE. THIS IS WHAT WE'RE STRIVING FOR. IT'S A COLLECTION OF PARTICIPATORY MODELS AND PRACTICES IN WHICH GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITIES WORK TOGETHER THROUGH FORMAL AND INFORMAL STRUCTURES TO MAKE COLLECTIVE POLICY DECISIONS, CO-CREATE PROGRAMS TO MEET NEEDS AND ENSURE THOSE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS ARE IMPLEMENTED EFFECTIVELY, EQUITABLY, AND WITH A FOCUS ON DOING NO HARM AND REPAIRING HARM TO HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE STRIVING FOR. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MS. TORRES. KERRY MEYER. EMILY BARRERA. >> EMILY BARRERA, DISTRICT 2. GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBERS. I'M HERE TODAY IN REGARDS TO THE INNER HARBOR DESALINATION PLANT'S RETURN TO AGENDA. WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING TOOTH AND NAIL FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS TO VOICE OUR CONCERNS AGAINST THIS PLANT. UNFORTUNATELY, I DON'T HAVE ANY IDEAS TO SHARE TO THE COUNCIL. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN SAY TO REACH THE EARS OF THOSE IN POWER. I DO WANT TO SHARE SOMETHING THAT NO AMOUNT OF DATA OR MONEY CAN EVER CONVEY AND THAT IS THE LOVE I HAVE FOR THIS CITY. I HAVE LIVED IN CORPUS CHRISTI FOR THE ENTIRETY OF MY LIFE. I HAVE TRAVELED ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED ENOUGH TO SEE SOME OF THE GREATEST CITIES IN AMERICA [LAPSE IN AUDIO] CORPUS CHRISTI WILL FOREVER AND ALWAYS BE MY HOME. I THINK BACK TO MY EARLIEST MEMORIES WHEN MY GRAND GRANDFATHER WOULD TAKE MY COUSIN AND I TO PLAY IN THE WATER. I REMEMBER HOW MARK MINSTER BROUGHT ME DOWN TO THE SHORELINE. I REMEMBER WALKING DOWN TO THE PARK. I REMEMBER CLOSING MY EYES TO LISTEN TO THE SOUNDS OF THE WAVES. I REMEMBER COMPANY PARTIES, ENDING THE NIGHT BY DRIVING DOWN TO COLE PARK AROUND SITTING AT THE WATER BY MYSELF. I THINK BACK TO THE PEOPLE IN LANDLOCKED STATES. EVERY MORNING I WOULD WATCH THE SUNRISE DOWN SHORELINE. I THINK OF MY FRIENDS WHO WORK IN THE ART MUSEUM AND HOW OFTEN THEY SEE DOLPHINS OUTSIDE. THESE MOMENTS ENCAPSULATE A FRACTION OF WHAT MAKES THE CITY GREAT. I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW DIFFERENT MY LIFE WOULD BE WITHOUT HAVING THE COMFORT OF OUR BAY ONLY MILES AWAY. WHETHER OR NOT THIS RESONATES WITH ANY OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, I SAY THIS TO ILLUSTRATE HOW DECISIONS LIKE THESE MATTER MORE THAN WE REALIZE. THESE ARE THE LIVES OF VERY REAL PEOPLE WHO DON'T DESERVE TO HAVE TO COMPROMISE THEIR HOME TO THE GREED OF POLITICIANS. THE LAST MEMORY I WANT TO SHARE TAKES PLACE THE DAY AFTER OUR LAST VOTE AGAINST THE PLANT. I REMEMBER WAKING UP THAT MORNING AND HAVING THE PRIVILEGE OF VISITING THE CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI. I DON'T NECESSARILY CONSIDER MYSELF TO BE A RELIGIOUS PERSON BUT I TRULY BELIEVE I EXPERIENCED A SPIRITUAL CONNECTION THAT WILL FOREVER SIT WITH ME. I REMEMBER ASKING GOD THE NIGHT PRIOR IF HE WAS TRULY THERE. NOW THERE'S DEFINITELY THE POSSIBILITY OF ME BEING OVERWHELMED BY THE BEAUTY OF THE CATHEDRAL BUT I FELT A STRONG UNEXPLAINABLE PRESENCE THAT CAN ONLY BE EXPRESSED AS LOVE AND GRATITUDE. I COULD NOT STOP CRYING BECAUSE OF HOW HAPPY I WAS TO SIT IN FRONT OF THE WATER. WHETHER OR NOT THAT MEANS ANYTHING TO ANYONE ELSE, THAT WILL STICK WITH ME. WE LOVE OUR HOME AND WE ARE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR IT. AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU CAN'T SAY YOU FELT THAT LOVE WHEN YOU ADVOCATE FOR ITS DESTRUCTION. I HOPE THAT WAS COHERENT IN THAT I DON'T SOUND INSANE. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MS. BARRERA. CARLOS ORTIZ. ALBERTO SARTUCCI. >> ALBERT SARTUCCI, DISTRICT 3. I'M A VETERAN OWNED BUSINESS, HARD LIFE BAIT AND TACKLE. I HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND I WANT TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO LISTEN TO US AND VOTED AGAINST THE INNER HARBOR DESAL PLANT INSTEAD THOSE WHO TRIED TO LEVY THEIR WEIGHT AGAINST YOU AND OUR CITY. I AM PROGROWTH AND I WANT TO SEE EVERYONE RAISED UP WITH BLESSED PATHS. FOR ALL THE INFORMATION BEING BROUGHT TO YOU, FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT CONTINUE TO SELL OUT OUR CITIES. ON THAT NOTE, HYPOTHETICALLY, I WANT TO ASK THIS COUNCIL FOR $1.5 BILLION TO BUILD A NEW BUILDING TO POSSIBLY HIRE 500 NEW WORKERS THAT COULD WORK THERE ONLY IF THERE'S THE RIGHT WEATHER, NO HIGH WINDS, NOR TOO MUCH POLLEN. THEN I WOULD LIKE ANOTHER $1.2 BILLION IN REDUCED TAXES AS WELL. LET'S BE HONEST. THE AMOUNT OF MONEY I'M GOING TO SAVE FROM THE TAXES IS HOW I'M GOING TO PAY MY WORKS. THE CITY IS PAYING FOR ALL THE WORKERS AND FOR ME TO CONDUCT BUSINESS AND TO MAKE MONEY. OH, YEAH, AND CREATE JOBS AT THE SAME TIME WITHOUT ENHANCEMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY. HOWEVER, NOW THAT WE ARE ALL PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING, WE ARE SEEING THAT THE CROOKED UNDER THE TABLE DEALS BEING MADE FOR BIG INDUSTRY PUT OUR TAXPAYER MONEY IN DANGEROUS HANDS RATHER THAN PUTTING TRUE CITY GROWTH, FIXING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, STREETS WATER SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR TAXPAYERS NOW AND FOR THE FUTURE TAXPAYERS WHO ARE TUNING INTO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS TO SHOW UP AND PAY ATTENTION TO THE REAL INFORMATION THAT'S BEING PUT OUT THERE. THESE DESAL PLANTS THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO GET IN OUR INNER HARBOR ARE GOING TO DESTROY THE INNER HARBOR, OUR LIVELIHOODS DIRECTLY. THIS IS GOING TO MESS WITH OUR $1.2 BILLION, $1.5 BILLION TOURISM INDUSTRY. THAT'S WHAT'S PAYING RIGHT NOW FOR OUR COMMUNITIES TO CONTINUE TO GROW. AND YOU'RE GOING TO THROW THAT ALL WAY TO SUPPORT INDUSTRY THAT IS NOT BEING A GOOD COMMUNITY PARTNER. YES, THEY CREATE JOBS BUT GUESS WHO IS PAYING FOR IT. WE ARE. THE TAXPAYERS. WHY? BECAUSE THEY GOT ALL THESE DISCOUNTS OFF THEIR TAXES, OFF THE USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES. WE'RE PAYING FOR THE WORKERS. THEY'RE NOT PAYING FOR THEM, WE ARE. AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF Y'ALL CAN'T FIGURE THAT OUT, Y'ALL REALLY NEED TO START LOOKING AT YOUR COMPASS BECAUSE VOTING'S COMING UP AND WE ARE ALL PAYING ATTENTION. I GUARANTEE YOU CAN GO BACK THROUGH THE YEARS THAT Y'ALL SCAPEGOATED DOING WHAT YOU WANTED, WHEN YOU WANTED, HOW YOU WANTED ARE OVER. WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION. WE ARE LOOKING AT THOSE WHO ARE HELPING US AND WE'RE FIGHTING FOR OUR CITY TO STAY ALIVE. WE ARE THE SPARKLING CITY BY THE CITY. [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. SARTUCCI. MATTHEW RANKIN. >> MATTHEW RANKIN, CORPUS CHRISTI. NICE TO SEE YOU GUYS AGAIN. Y'ALL REMEMBER THE LITTLE THING Y'ALL HAD TO SETTLE, VOTE ON, ORTIZ V. MURRAY EARLIER THIS YEAR? 150K. I JUST HANDED HER THE BEGINNING OF RANKIN V. MURRAY. HE DID IT AGAIN. FIVE YEARS I HAVE BEEN RECORDING COPS IN CORPUS WITHOUT AN INCIDENT AND MURRAY CHANGED THAT. YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK INTO IT. AS FAR AS COUNCIL MEETINGS, I TOLD YOU GUYS LAST TIME, ANOTHER CITIZEN ATTEMPTED AND FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO THE AG SO YOU GUYS FILED AN OPINION REQUEST TO THE AG. PROBABLY A BAD IDEA. TEXAS DPS WEBSITE SAYS IN TWO PLACES THAT I CAN CARRY INTO HERE WHEN I HAVE A CARRY LICENSE. ALSO THE LAW THAT APPLIES IS 4615 PENAL CODE CALLED NON-APPLICABILITY. IT'S WHAT LETS COPS, ME, AND OTHER PEOPLE CARRY IN HERE. THOSE PEOPLE INCLUDE JUDGES, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, CITY ATTORNEYS, AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. SO YOU JUST ASKED KEN PAXTON TO RULE AGAINST HIMSELF. I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO TURN OUT WELL FOR YOU. SO, DECORUM RULES. NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH ALL THE CASE LAW ALL OVER AGAIN. YOU GUYS KNOW. YOU'VE BEEN INFORMED. I DON'T KNOW IF YOUR CITY ATTORNEY'S JUST THAT BAD. WE CAN USE YOUR FIRST NAMES. WE CAN ADDRESS YOUR INDIVIDUALLY. WE CAN BE LOUD AND BOISTEROUS. MOST OF THE RULES APPLIED TO THE SPEAKER AREN'T LEGAL. WE CAN USE WHATEVER LANGUAGE WE WANT AS LONG AS IT'S NOT FIGHTING WORDS OR VIOLATES THE LAW ON ITS OWN. YOU CAN SAY THE BAD WORDS, ALSO THAT YOU CAN'T BE CHARGED WITH A CRIME FOR SAYING THEM. SO [EXPLETIVE] YOUR DECORUM RULES. >> THANK YOU. >> I'M NOT DONE. >> Mayor Guajardo: SIR, I NEED YOU TO LEAVE THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS? >> YOU SURE? >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, SIR. >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: GREAT. WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. AMANDA BRELAND. I'M SORRY. JANET NEWCOME. TREVOR LEEBLONG. DAVID LOBE. AUTUMN HANSICK. IS THAT AUTUMN? >> HELLO. AUTUMN HANSICK, DISTRICT 2. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING PREPARED. I AM JUST GETTING BACK FROM OUT OF TOWN. A TOWN WHERE YOU CAN DRINK WATER FROM THE TAP WITHOUT DRY HEAVING FROM THE SMELL OF EGGS. BUT I DIGRESS. I DON'T HAVE A LOT TO ADD TO EVERYTHING THAT WAS DISCUSSED THROUGHOUT PUBLIC COMMENT AND COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM 18 TODAY. A LOT OF FOLKS, YOU KNOW, TALKED ABOUT, OKAY, IT'S SO MUCH BETTER BECAUSE WE'RE DOING THIS FAR-FIELD STUDY OR WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOWER COST BUT WE'RE STILL SKIRTING AROUND THE ISSUE OF HILLCREST. AND SO, I DON'T KNOW. I'LL KEEP IT REALLY SHORT BUT IT JUST -- I WOULD INVITE ALL OF YOU TO MAYBE ASK WHAT YOUR OWN ROLE IS IN THIS NEXT CHAPTER OF MISTREATMENT ABUSE AND ATTEMPTS AT ERASING THE PEOPLE OF HILLCREST. SO YEAH. MAYBE ASK YOURSELF WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO BED WHAT YOUR ROLE IS IN THAT AND HOW THAT ENERGY COULD BE BETTER SUITED TO LIVING MORE OF A SERVANT-HEARTED LIFE. I'LL REMIND YOU YOU'RE IN A POSITION TO SERVE THE PUBLIC GOOD. I KNOW MORE OF YOU THAN NOT ARE RELIGIOUS IN SOME WAYS, SO, AGAIN, I WOULD ASK YOU TO REFLECT ON THAT AND REFLECT ON THE HOW THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE AT THE DAIS CONTRIBUTE TO OR TAKE AWAY FROM LIVING A LIFE OF CHRIST CONSCIOUSNESS. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. RICHARD SHELTON. AMANDA BRELAND. >> OKAY. AMANDA BRELAND. CORPUS CHRISTI. HOPEFULLY THIS DOESN'T SOUND -- ACTUALLY, IT PROBABLY WILL SOUND ALL OVER THE PLACE BECAUSE I WROTE IT WHILE I WAS SITTING HERE. I NOTICED A LOT OF PEOPLE CAME UP HERE AND I T THANKED THE MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER FOR BRINGS US BACK ON THE AGENDA. I WANT TO SAY SHAME ON Y'ALL, HONESTLY. THIS WHOLE THING IS UNDEMOCRATIC. LIKE RIDICULOUS. IT'S A JOKE. A JOKE. AND DESPITE THE FACT THAT Y'ALL ALREADY VOTED, I'M STILL GOING TO EXPRESS MY OPPOSITION TO BRINGING THIS DESALINATION PROJECT BACK. Y'ALL FRAMED THIS AS THE MAIN SOLUTION TO OUR WATER ISSUES BUT WHAT ELSE ARE Y'ALL DOING TO NEGATE WATER WASTE? Y'ALL CLEARLY LACK THE ABILITY TO CREATIVELY THINK ABOUT SOLUTIONS TO THIS SO-CALLED WATER CRISIS. IF Y'ALL WERE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS, THEN Y'ALL WOULD BE COMING UP WITH MORE THAN JUST A BILLION DOLLAR DESALINATION FACILITY THAT IS GOING TO RUIN HILLCREST AND OUR ENVIRONMENT. WHY NOT INVEST IN SOLID, LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS THAT WILL NOT ONLY REDUCE WATER WASTE BUT BENEFIT THE WORKING CLASS OF THIS AREA? INVEST IN RELIABLE AND EFFICIENT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. LESS VEHICLES ON THE ROAD EQUALS LESS POLLUTION AND WATER USE. LESS ROAD CONSTRUCTION, LESS STORMWATER POLLUTION, MORE SUSTAINABLE LAND USE. INVEST IN IMPROVING OUR GREEN SPACES. MORE NATIVE TREES AND PLANTS EQUALS LESS RUNOFF AND PROMOTES THE NATURAL WATER CYCLE. THIS CITY DESERVES LEADERS WHO ARE WILLING TO THINK BIGGER AND MORE CREATIVELY WHEN IT COMES TO SOLVING THE ISSUES PLAGUING THIS COMMUNITY. WE DESERVE LEADERS WHO MAKE RESIDENTS A PRIORITY AND WHO ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH US, NOT AGAINST US. TOO MANY OF YOU ON THIS COUNCIL ARE SO BUSY STROKING AND GARGLING THE BALLS OF INDUSTRY TO TAKE A LOOK AROUND AND REALIZE HOW YOUR DECISIONS NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE -- >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: JAKE HERNANDEZ. AND THEN ARTURO LIMA, JOHN McCAIN, AND DANIEL PENA. >> JAKE HERNANDEZ, CORPUS CHRISTI, CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2. I AM HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE ISSUE OF WATER MANAGEMENT. I BELIEVE THAT THE CITY IS CONTINUOUSLY FALLEN SHORT IN THEIR ATTEMPTS TO WORK WITH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON THE ISSUE OF WATER MANAGEMENT. FOR THE INNER HARBOR DESAL PROJECT, RESIDENTS OF THE HILLCREST NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE BEEN DEMANDING THAT THE CITY FIND A DIFFERENT LOCATION AND NOT BUILD THE DESALINATION PLANT IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT A DECADE NOW. AND RESIDENTS IN SAN PATRICIO COUNTY HAVE ALSO BEEN PLEADING WITH THE CITY TO NOT BUILD -- GO FORWARD WITH THE EVANGELINE WATER PROJECT, GROUNDWATER PROJECT. AND THOSE CONCERNS HAVE JUST FALLEN ON INDIFFERENT EARS. AND FOR THE DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN, WHICH WAS ALSO BROUGHT UP EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE CONCERNS THAT WERE REFLECTED AND THE CHANGES MADE TO THE DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN REFLECTED THE CONCERNS BEING RAISED BY SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS. SO WHY DO I BRING UP THESE EXAMPLES TO YOU? I BRING THEM UP BECAUSE THERE IS A HISTORY. THERE'S A PATTERN HERE MULTIPLE TIMES OF RESIDENTS COMING FORWARD WITH THEIR CONCERNS ON AN ISSUE. AND THOSE CONCERNS ARE JUST GENUINELY NOT BEING LISTENED TO. NOT HERE AT PUBLIC COMMENT, NOT DURING THE PUBLIC INPUT SESSIONS THAT YOU HAVE HELD, EITHER ON THE DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN OR ON DESALINATION BEFORE OR DURING THE BUDGET MEETINGS. THESE CONCERNS KEEP GETTING RAISED AND THEN BEING COMPLETELY IGNORED. AND I JUST AM AT A PLACE WHERE I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY IF WE CAN'T MAKE IT APPEAL TO YOU, LIKE ON THE ISSUE OF DESALINATION ON A LOGICAL LEVEL. BECAUSE WE FEEL THAT IT IS ILLOGICAL TO CONTINUE WORSENING THE CONDITIONS THAT ARE ENABLING CLIMATE CHANGE. AND WE CAN'T APPEAL TO YOU ON AN EMOTIONAL LEVEL BECAUSE YOU SIMPLY DON'T SEEM TO CARE ABOUT THE RESIDENTS IN HILLCREST. IF YOU DO, I HAVEN'T HEARD YOU SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THEM. SO THE REASON THAT I'M HERE, AS ONE OF THE CO-CHAIRS FOR THE CORPUS CHRISTI CHAPTER FOR THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA IS BECAUSE I, AS A SOCIALIST, BELIEVE THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE DEMOCRACY BETWEEN OUR CITY GOVERNMENT AND BETWEEN THE RESIDENTS AND THE WORKERS THAT LIVE HERE IN THE COASTAL BEND. THERE SIMPLY HAS NOT BEEN ANY WAY FOR US TO APPEAL TO, ON ANY LEVEL, ON ANY ISSUE. SO I THINK THAT YOU'RE NO LONGER FIT TO CONTINUE GOVERNING US. YOU NOW HAVE TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO GOVERN WITH US. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. ARTURO LIMA. >> HELLO? HELLO. ARTURO LIMA, DISTRICT 4. LIKE, I JUST KEEP COMING BACK BECAUSE VERY PASSIONATE PEOPLE REALLY CARE ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY. AND I FEEL THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS DESALINATION PLANT IN THE SHORT-TERM WILL PROBABLY NOT AFFECT ME. HOWEVER, I KNOW THAT IT WOULD AFFECT THE RESIDENTS OF HILLCREST, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WE ALL REALLY DON'T TALK ABOUT. SO LET'S SEE HOW MUCH OF THIS I CAN READ. HERE WE ARE AGAIN TALKING ABOUT THE INNER HARBOR DESALINATION PLANT AFTER THE COMMUNITY AND THIS COUNCIL ALREADY EXPRESSED THAT WE DO NOT WANT THIS IN OUR CITY. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO REITERATE THAT EVEN THOUGH THE COST OF THIS PLANT IS ONE HUGE REASON WHY THIS PROJECT IS A BAD IDEA, IT IS NOT THE ONLY REASON WHY WE ARE FIGHTING TO STOP THIS. THE LAST TIME THIS PROJECT WAS VOTED AGAINST, WE LEARNED THAT THE COST OF THE DESAL PLANT HAD BALLOONED TO OVER $1 BILLION. SINCE THEN THE WATER DIRECTOR RESIGNED AND LEFT TOWN. IF THAT IS NOT A SIGN OF HOW BADLY THIS PROJECT IS BEING MANAGED, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. BUT LIKE I SAID, THE COST IS NOT THE ONLY REASON WHY THE COMMUNITY OPPOSES THIS DESALINATION EXPERIMENT. THIS PROPOSED INNER HARBOR DESALINATION PLANT WOULD DESTROY THE HISTORICALLY BLACK NEIGHBORHOOD OF HILLCREST. THAT IS SOMETHING WE DON'T TALK ABOUT ENOUGH. THE RESIDENTS OF HILLCREST ALREADY EXPERIENCED CANCER AND RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS AT A HIGHER RATE THAN THE REST OF CORPUS CHRISTI. HILLCREST IS ALSO SURROUNDED BY INDUSTRY. THE SAME TYPE OF INDUSTRY THAT YOU SEEK TO ENTICE WITH THE WATER YOU HOPE TO PRODUCE WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE INNER HARBOR DESAL PLANT. LESS AND LESS PEOPLE ARE BUYING THE LIE WE NEED THIS DESAL PLANT BECAUSE WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF WATER. THE POPULATION HAS NOT GROWN AND IS NOT EXPECTED TO GROW SIGNIFICANT IN THE COMING YEARS. WE HAVE ENOUGH WATER FOR THE PEOPLE. WHAT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH WATER FOR ARE THE INDUSTRIES YOU ARE TRYING TO BRING TO CORPUS CHRISTI. THAT IS WHY YOU NEED THE INNER HARBOR DESAL PLANT BUT YOU WILL BE DESTROYING HILLCREST AND YOU WILL BE DESTROYING THE BAY, THE TOURISM INDUSTRY, AND YOU WILL BE HURTING FISHING. YOU WILL ALSO BE DESTROYING THE FUTURE OF CORPUS CHRISTI BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO MOVE OR RAISE CHILDREN IN A CITY SURROUNDED BY INDUSTRIAL SMOKESTACKS. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: JOHN McCAIN. DANIEL PENA. >> AS TO THE RULES OF DECORUM, I LOOKED UP SOME RULES FROM CORPUS. IT SAYS THAT I HAVE TO ASK MADAME CHAIR IF I CAN HAVE EXTENDED TIME TO GO OVER A COUPLE OF THESE PAGES, JUST TO DO THE PRESENTATION, TO BE ABLE TO FINISH. I HAVE TRIED TO GET IT WITHIN THREE MINUTES BUT I'M A LITTLE OVER. IT SAYS TO ASK YOU. IT SAYS ASK YOU TEN SECONDS BEFORE I'M DONE BUT I'M JUST GOING TO ASK YOU NOW. >> City Secretary: THIS IS DANIEL PENA, MAYOR. >> Mayor Guajardo: HOW LONG IS YOUR PRESENTATION? >> IT'S ABOUT THREE MINUTES AND 45 SECONDS. IT'S ABOUT 45 SECONDS OVER. >> Mayor Guajardo: CAN YOU CUT IT DOWN? >> I TRIED. I JUST DON'T SPEAK AS FAST AS SOME OF THESE GUYS OVER HERE. >> Mayor Guajardo: WHY IS HE AT 2:30? NO, WE'LL START IT WHEN HE STARTS HIS PRESENTATION. LET'S TRY TO GET TO THREE MINUTES QUICKLY. GO AHEAD. >> I'M DANIEL PENA. I'M FROM DISTRICT 1. LONG LIVE HILLCREST. I'M HERE ON A CITY ORDINANCE AGAIN. THE FIRE MARSHAL. IT TAKES THREE OF YOU GUYS TO PUT IT ON THE ANTICIPATING. ON THE AGENDA. THE MEMO WAS GIVEN TO THE CITY MANAGER FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REGARDING THE ACCUSATIONS THAT I DID. AT I ACCUSED THEM OF BEFORE THE NEW CITY ORDINANCE. I HIGHLIGHTED -- I DID THIS ONE IN COLOR SO YOU CAN SEE THE HIGHLIGHT OF CERTAIN THINGS I'M GOING TO BE POINTING OUT IN MY PRESENTATION. 2020 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE. YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN IN THERE AND HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE RULE THAT I'M GOING TO BE INTRODUCING. THE GAS INDUSTRY, WHICH IS THE PROPANE. AGAIN, HE'S QUOTING FROM 2021 IFC. THE INDUSTRY IS REGULATED BY THE RAILROAD COMMISSION. THE RULES APPLY TO INSTALLATION, WHICH I'M GOING TO GET TO HERE IN A SECOND. AND THE LAST PARAGRAPH, IT SAYS SECTION 319.5, 2021 OF THE USE OF PROPANE IN A MOBILE FOOD TRUCK. I'M NOT DISCUSSING THE USE OF THE PROPANE IN A FOOD TRAILER. I'M DISCUSSING THE INSTALLATION, WHICH IS THE CONNECTORS AND THE HOSES THAT IS REQUIRED TO DO DURING INSTALLATION, WHETHER YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT APART OR PUT IT TOGETHER, IT'S ALL INSTALLATION. SO THAT'S PART OF THAT. IF YOU NOTICE, HE DOES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE RAILROAD COMMISSION USES [INDISCERNIBLE] AS THEIR RULES FOR WHAT THEY USE AS THE GUIDELINES. MY NEXT THREE PAGES ARE THE BOOKS THAT THE RAILROAD COMMISSION USES. NFPA101, WHICH IS ACTUALLY THE FIRE CODE NFPA. THAT'S THE BOOK THEY FOLLOW. HE KEEPS QUOTING FROM THE NATIONAL FIRE CODE. THE STATE OF TEXAS DOES NOT EVEN RECOGNIZE THE CODE BOOK. THEY ONLY USE NFPA 101. ON MY NEXT PAGE I INCLUDED AN E-MAIL FROM THE RAILROAD COMMISSION IN REGARDS TO THE POTENTIAL THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO MAKE THESE CHANGES. IN MAKING THESE CHANGES, HE IS THE MANAGER IN FIELD OPERATIONS, ADAM RODRIGUEZ, E-MAILED ME BACK SAYING THE CORPUS CHRISTI FIRE DEPARTMENT [LAPSE IN AUDIO] TO THE STATE ORDINANCE. EXCUSE ME. ON MY NEXT PAGE, I GO INTO THE SECOND NOTE, WHICH IS OUR INDUSTRY. I PROVIDED THE LEVELS OF INDUSTRY FROM PROCESSING PROPANE TO TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE TO DISTRIBUTION USAGE. WE ARE PART OF THE USAGE PART OF THE INDUSTRY AND SO WE ARE PART OF THAT INDUSTRY THAT HE SAYS WE'RE NOT A PART OF. NO MATTER IF WE'RE ON TOP OF THAT TOTEM POLE TO THE BOTTOM, WE'RE STILL A PART OF THAT INDUSTRY. >> Mayor Guajardo: MR. PENA, I KNOW YOU HAVE SPOKEN BUT I THINK -- >> I HAVEN'T SPOKEN TO ANYBODY. >> Mayor Guajardo: I THOUGHT YOU HAD. >> NO ONE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH ME. >> Mayor Guajardo: WELL, WITH STAFF BECAUSE THIS IS OPERATIONAL AND WE APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING IT FORTH. WE DO. BUT I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT STAFF CAN TAKE FROM HERE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOU ABOUT IT TO SEE, YOU KNOW, WHAT CAN GET TAKEN CARE OF OR FIXED OR ADJUSTED FOR YOU. >> OKAY. WHO WOULD I SPEAK TO? >> Mayor Guajardo: ERNIE WILL TALK WITH YOU OVER HERE, MR. PENA. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. MARGARET DURAN. >> MARGARET PEGGY DURAN HERE IN CORPUS CHRISTI, DISTRICT 3. AND I JUST HAD A COMMENT TO MAKE TONIGHT. I'VE BEEN LOOKING AT MY TAX BILL. 15 YEARS AGO IT WAS $5500 FOR OUR HOME THAT WE'VE BEEN IN FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS ON THE SOUTH SIDE. TODAY IT'S $1700. MOST PEOPLE DON'T COME HERE COMPLAINING ABOUT LOWER TAX BILLS BUT OVER THIS TIME, WE'VE SEEN OUR LIBRARY HOURS CUT. WE'VE SEEN OUR GARBAGE BRUSH PICKUP CUT FROM FOUR TIMES A YEAR TO TWO TIMES A YEAR. WE'VE, YOU KNOW, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE ECONOMIC DECISIONS. THERE'S THIS WHOLE MOVEMENT TO REDUCE TAXES. AND I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IF PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE PRIVATE INDUSTRY WANTS TO TAKE EVERYTHING OVER AND MAKE YOU ALL IRRELEVANT. I REALLY BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO CONSIDER STOPPING THIS PROCESS OF LOWERING CITY TAXES. BECAUSE WE NEED CLEAN WATER. WE NEED GOOD SCHOOLS. WE NEED GOOD ROADS. WE WANT GOOD EDUCATION FOR OUR CHILDREN. MY HUSBAND'S FROM SPAIN. HE HAD A PROBLEM THERE HEALTH-WISE. HE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR A WEEK. HAD TWO PROCEDURES DONE. IT COSTS US $3500. IT WOULD HAVE COST $200,000 IN THIS COUNTRY. WE NEED MEDICARE FOR ALL. WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FAITH IN OUR OFFICIALS AT THIS POINT. WE NEED TO GET THAT BACK. I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN DUMPED ON ALL DAY TODAY. I REALLY ADMIRE YOU FOR HAVING A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. THANK YOU. BUT I THINK WE NEED TO CONSIDER THE KINDS OF INDUSTRIES THAT WE HAVE THAT ARE DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD. WE'RE HEARING ABOUT THESE AI AND CRYPTO CENTERS. WE NEED TO CONSIDER THE TAX ABATEMENTS THAT WE'VE BEEN GIVING . IT'S TIME FOR THEM TO CARRY THEIR FAIR SHARE AND I REALLY -- 20 YEARS AGO I SOLD MY EXXON STOCK TO PAY FOR MY SON'S COLLEGE EDUCATION BECAUSE THEY WERE HIRING, YOU KNOW, THOSE FAKE SCIENTISTS WHO WERE DENYING CLIMATE CHANGE. WE'VE GOT A LOT OF TRUST TO REBUILD AND A LOT OF THINGS TO LOOK AT. I DON'T ENVY YOU YOUR JOBS AT ALL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MS. DURAN. JENNIFER. ANDREA PUJOL. WERE YOU GOING TO SPEAK ON SOMETHING SEPARATE THAN THE DESAL ITEM? >> YEAH. ANDREA PUJOL, DISTRICT 2. I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND DEMOCRATIC CONTROL OVER OUR RESOURCES, LIKE WATER. I FIND IT REALLY CONCERNING THAT EARLIER IN THE MEETING SOME OF Y'ALL WERE PRAISING THE CITY MANAGER FOR MANAGING OUR RESOURCES LIKE A BUSINESS. SOMEONE EVEN SAID IT'S REMINDING ME OF A CEO. I FIND THAT SO WEIRD AND REALLY DUMB BECAUSE OUR CITY IS NOT A BUSINESS. OUR CITY IS OUR HOME. AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT INDUSTRY AND WE CAN'T SURVIVE WITHOUT THEM. THEY GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. WE GET SCHOLARSHIPS FROM THEM. THEY SPONSOR OUR EARTH DAY-BAY DAY. THEY CARE ABOUT US. NO, THEY DO NOT. THEY DON'T GIVE BACK TO US AND THE LITTLE THAT THEY DO, IT'S LITERALLY JUST TO MAKE THEMSELVES LOOK GOOD. SO YEAH. THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY AT ALL. IN FACT, THEY WOULD PROBABLY LOVE IT IF WE ALL DROPPED DEAD SO TOMORROW THEY COULD COME IN AND DO WHATEVER THEY WANT. SO YEAH. JUST I WANT TO SHARE A QUOTE BECAUSE CHLOE SHARED THIS EARLIER AND IT REALLY RESONATED WITH ME. SO IT'S A QUOTE BY FREDERICK INGLES. THE ENGLISH IS CHARITABLE OUT OF SELF-INTEREST. IT GIVES NOTHING OUTRIGHT BUT REGARDS ITS GIFTS AS A BUSINESS MATTER. MAKES A BARGAIN WITH THE POOR SAYING IF I SPEND THIS MUCH UPON BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS, I PURCHASE THE RIGHT NOT TO BE TROUBLED ANY FURTHER. AND YOU ARE BOUND TO STAY IN YOUR DUSKY HOLES AND NOT TO IRRITATE MY TENDER NERVES BY EXPOSING YOUR MISERY. THAT QUOTE REMINDED ME OF WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW. AND SOME OF Y'ALL ARE REALLY FEEDING INTO THAT OF, YES, THEY DO GIVE BACK TO US. SO WE SHOULD GIVE THEM WHATEVER WE WANT. NO, WE SHOULDN'T. Y'ALL CAN SAY NO AND WE CAN BUILD A BETTER CITY FOR ALL OF US, INCLUDING Y'ALL. AS MUCH AS I DON'T WANT TO SAY IT. BUT, YEAH, WE CAN BUILD A BETTER CITY FOR EVERYONE UP HERE AND EVERYONE BACK HERE. AND NOT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE TECHNICALLY OUT OF OUR CITY LIMITS. THAT'S WHY THEY DON'T PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE IN TAXES. SO YEAH. AGAIN, STOP TREATING OUR CITY, OUR PEOPLE, OUR RESOURCES AS A BUSINESS AND STOP GIVING INDUSTRY WHATEVER THEY WANT. AND PLEASE STOP PRAISING THEM AS IF THEY WERE HEAVEN SENT. IF YOU THINK RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO LET THIS SLIDE COME NEXT ELECTION, IT'S NOT GOING TO. THANKS. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. ALEECIA HOOVER? OKAY. BEATRICE ALVARADO? JULIAN HERNANDEZ. >> JULIAN HERNANDEZ, CORPUS CHRISTI. THERE'S TWO THINGS THAT I -- SO I GUESS FIRST I'M A RESIDENT OF THE MOLINA. THEY CAME OUT WITH A DOCUMENTARY. WITH A NINTH GRADE EDUCATION, I GOT A GOOD ENOUGH DEGREE, GED. I WENT OUT AND I GUESS MADE SOMETHING OF MYSELF. I'VE COME HERE BEFORE WHEN ALL THE TAXES WERE BEING RAISED OUT OF CONSIDERATION FOR MY DAUGHTERS. I KNOW SOMEBODY REMEMBERED THAT AT ONE TIME. IT'S FOR THEM THAT I COME OUT HERE BECAUSE WITH A NINTH-GRADE EDUCATION I WAS ABLE TO DO WHAT I NEEDED TO DO AND AM ABLE TO PROVIDE AND PAY THOSE BILLS FOR MY KIDS WHEN NEEDED. OF COURSE, YOU'VE GOT TO PUSH THEM OUT THERE. BUT I WANTED TO READ THIS BUT TWO PEOPLE FROM HILLCREST CAME HERE. SO I'M FORTUNATE ENOUGH -- I WAS ONE OF THOSE [SPEAKING SPANISH], FOR THOSE WHO AREN'T HISPANIC, I WAS ONE OF THOSE TROUBLED KIDS. NINTH GRADE. I THINK I FAILED THIRD GRADE. LIKE, WHO FAILS THIRD GRADE? ANYWAYS, BUT THERE'S NO HILLCREST LEFT. THE CITY TOOK IT. WE GAVE THEM A PARK. IT'S A SLAP IN THE FACE. THEY WILL NEVER HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY THE MOLINA DID TO CREATE A DOCUMENTARY. NEVER. I GO OVER THERE TODAY AND THERE'S NOTHING THERE. MAYBE THOSE TWO PEOPLE THAT CAME TODAY. THOSE TWO PEOPLE. AND YOU GAVE THEM A PARK. AND NOW YOU WANT TO BUILD A PLANT NEXT TO IT. Y'ALL SET THE TABLE TODAY. THE FIRST THING YOU DO IS SET THE TABLE BLINDLY SO EVERYBODY CAN SIT DOWN AND THEN YOU FEED THEM THE POISON. AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID TODAY. BECAUSE I'VE BEEN PART OF THOSE INDUSTRIES AND THAT WAS THE TERMINOLOGY THERE. SET THE TABLE. SET THE TABLE EARLY SO THEY CAN EAT FROM IT LATER AND NOT KNOW IT. I WORKED OUT OF TOWN FOR 22 YEARS DOING UTILITIES. AND EVERY TIME I CAME BACK INTO TOWN, WE WERE STILL WORKING ON FIVE MILES OF SPID AND WE'RE STILL WORKING ON IT TODAY, 20 YEARS. IT JUST CAME TO FRUITION WHY THE CITY TOOK IT, TOOK HILLCREST. WHY? ASK YOURSELVES. FOR THAT DESAL PLANT. I'M NOT AGAINST DESAL, I'M AGAINST THE LOCATION OF IT. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. HERNANDEZ. LERMY FANE. >> HELLO. WHAT UP, COUNCIL? LERMY, CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS. I HEARD SOMETHING INTERESTING ON THE WAY IN. IT WAS -- >> City Secretary: STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY. >> I DEFINITELY DID THAT. THERE WAS AN OLD GENTLEMAN AND WOMAN, WHO I'M ASSUMING IS A CITY EMPLOYEE. BUT HE WAS SAYING THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE FROM THE PORT HERE AND THAT HAS TO BE THE LOUDEST VOICE IN THE ROOM. THE EMPLOYEE'S RESPONSE WAS THAT THE MAYOR SENT SPECIAL INVITATIONS TO CERTAIN CHIEF OF STAFF AND PORT COMMISSIONERS BUT NONE OF THEM SHOWED UP. WHICH HAS GOT TO HURT. BUT I DO WONDER WHY THERE'S ONLY INTEREST IN COLLABORATING WITH POWERFUL PEOPLE OR PEOPLE WITH CONNECTIONS. BECAUSE COMMUNITY MEMBERS DON'T GET SPECIAL INVITATIONS THAT I'VE EVER HEARD OF. AND I GET REALLY SICK AT HEART WATCHING THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST PEOPLE THAT I KNOW COME UP HERE EVERY WEEK AND SPEAK THEIR HEART AND THEIR TRUTH TO YOU. AND I CAN JUST SEE IT GO IN ONE EAR AND OUT THE OTHER. BECAUSE PUBLIC COMMENT IS ALL THAT WE HAVE TO INTERFACE WITH YOU AND YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE THE DECENCY TO PRETEND TO LISTEN. YOU'RE ON YOUR PHONES. YOU ARE GLANCING AT THE TIMER TO SEE HOW MUCH TIME IS LEFT. YOU'RE CONCEALING A SMIRK. THERE'S NO INTEREST IN CO-GOVERNING WHERE THE RESIDENTS HAVE A SAY IN HOW THAT POLICY IS SHAPED AND IMPLEMENTED. WHICH MAKES A LOT OF SENSE. IT JUST MAKES SENSE, RIGHT? BUT IT'S PORT COMMISSIONERS AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS THAT GET MEETINGS AND INVITATIONS AND THE REST OF US GET LEFT OUT OF THE EQUATION. THERE IS NO TRUST HERE AND THERE CERTAINLY ISN'T ANY RESPECT. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. FANE. ROBIN COX. >> HI. ROBIN COX, DISTRICT 3. AND WHAT I CAME TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT TODAY IS I KNOW WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT DECORUM AND BEING POLITE AND BEING NICE. I'VE SEEN PEOPLE CALLED OUT HERE FOR BEING LOUD, FOR BEING ARRESTED FOR MAYBE SOME FOUL LANGUAGE. I TRY TO NEVER USE FOUL LANGUAGE. CAROLYN WOULD MAKE ME PUT MONEY IN A SWEAR JAR IF I DID THAT. MY DAD WOULD MAKE ME WASH MY MOUTH OUT WITH SOAP. I SAT IN THE BACK AND BECAUSE SOMEONE IS THE WIFE OF SOMEONE IMPORTANT AND SHE'S ONE OF Y'ALL'S BESTIES -- I'M GOING TO CALL HER NAME OUT. BUT IF MICHELLE BRASELTON IS ALLOWED TO SIT UP THERE AND WISH ERIC CANTU WOULD KILL HIMSELF -- AND I HEARD FIVE PEOPLE SAY IT. NOT JUST ONE. WE HAVE FIVE PEOPLE. ONE OF THEM ONE ELI McKAY, RACHEL CABALLERO. AND SHE GOT UP AND LEFT RIGHT AFTERWARDS. YOU NEED TO SPEAK TO YOUR FRIEND. HER HUSBAND NEEDS TO KNOW THAT IS UNCALLED FOR. I HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION OF MANY OF Y'ALL. I WOULD NEVER SAY THAT I WISHED ONE OF YOU WOULD HANG YOURSELVES. I HAVE BEEN ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND HAD ONE OF YOU POINT YOUR FINGER AT ME, TREAT ME HORRIBLY. ANOTHER ONE'S WIFE COME AND SAY SOMETHING TO ME. I'M NOT GOING TO MENTION WHOSE WIFE IT WAS. HE'S NOT HERE BUT SHE NEVER GAVE ME AN APOLOGY. AND I HAVE NEVER EVER ACTED THAT WAY. SO IT CAN'T BE RULES FOR THEE AND NOT FOR ME. SO THAT WAS UNCALLED FOR AND THAT WAS APPALLING. APPALLING. AND I THINK EVERY ONE OF US -- ANOTHER THING, WHEN YOU'RE CALLED UP, LET'S SHOW SOME RESPECT. MR. KLEIN IS NOT MR. KLEIN, HE'S NOT DR. KLEIN. HE WORKED VERY HARD. DR. ARAIZA IS NOT ISABEL. I'M A STAUNCH REPUBLICAN, CAMPAIGNED FOR TRUMP HARD AND HEAVY BUT I HAVE FOUND MORE IN COMMON WITH THESE PEOPLE THAN I HAVE AGAINST. AND I THINK WHEN WE FIND OUT WE ALL WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR THIS CITY. I WOULD NEVER TREAT ANY OF THESE PEOPLE HORRIBLY AND THEY HAVE NEVER TREATED ME WITH ANYTHING BUT THE UTMOST RESPECT. WHEN I'M TALKING, I USED TO TEACH THEATER FOR A AUTHORITY TIME. LOOK AT PEOPLE WHEN THEY'RE TALKING. IT'S RUDE WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING DOWN . MY DAD USED TO SAY THAT JACKIE KENNEDY HAD THE FINE ART OF MAKING YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WERE THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN THE ROOM. WE ALL DESERVE THAT RESPECT WHEN WE'RE UP HERE. LIKE I SAID, WE ALL KNOW WE'RE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. BUT INSTEAD OF GOING TO RIBBON CUTTINGS AND PARTIES, YOU'RE HERE EVERY DAY IN FRONT OF CITY HALL, AND SEE WHY WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T PAY THEIR WATER BILL AND THEIR LIGHT BILL. THEY'RE NOT PEOPLE ON WELFARE. THEY'RE PEOPLE WHO BOTH WORK TWO-INCOME JOBS. AND THEIR WATER BILLS ARE SO HIGH THEY'RE ALWAYS ON THE VERGE. AND YOU'RE LAUGHING. THAT SMIRK ON YOUR FACE IS HORRIBLE. HORRIBLE. NO, YOU DO IT ALL THE TIME. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> A VOICE, A WINK MEANS A LOT. >> Mayor Guajardo: AARON HAAS. MADISON POE. BEN HENCHMAN. >> GOOD EVENING. BEN HENCHMAN FROM DISTRICT 2. I SUPPORT FIXING THE WATER CRISIS. UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK WE'RE AT THE POINT WHERE DESALINATION IS PART OF THAT SOLUTION. I AGREE WITH MANY OF THE OTHER FOLKS HERE WHERE I THINK WE ARE LOOKING A LITTLE TOO NARROWLY, A LITTLE TOO SHORT-SIGHTED AND FOCUSING ON ONE DESAL PLANT. LOOKING AT OUTLAWING NEW SOD, FIXING THE LEAKS IN PIPES ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS WE NEED TO LOOK AT. BUT WE'VE ONLY BEEN FOCUSING ON ONE SOLUTION. WITH THE CURRENT INNER HARBOR DESAL PLANT, I DO NOT SUPPORT THE CURRENT DESIGN WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BE PUMPING THE BRINE STRAIGHT INTO THE CORPUS CHRISTI BAY DUE TO THE HARMFUL ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS, ALONG WITH THE INNER HARBOR PLANT IMPACTING HILLCREST. IT'S NOT CLEAR TO ME WHY WE CAN'T EXTEND THE PIPELINE OFF TO OFFSHORE. I KNOW THAT PUSHES THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT SOMEWHERE ELSE BUT SEEING WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE SOUTHWEST OF THE U.S. FOR CITIES ALONG THE COLORADO RIVER, ALONG WITH EL PASO AND ALL THE EFFORTS THEY'RE MAKING TO BE MORE EFFICIENT WITH THEIR WATER USE, WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO MAXIMIZE OUR WATER RESOURCES. FOR CORPUS CHRISTI BAY, I'M CONCERNED BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TIDAL EXCHANGE TO EFFECTIVELY REFRESH THE BAY. THE HARTE INSTITUTE STATES THAT IT INCREASES THE SALINITY. WITH THE DROUGHT, FURTHER INCREASING THE SALINITY DOES NOT INFLOW INTO NUECES BAY. THIS WILL BRING HARM TO OYSTER FARMING, FISHING, AND INCREASING RED TIDE RISK. IF WE THINK THERE AREN'T ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, WE COULD DO A TEST AND DO A PROPORTIONAL AMOUNT OF BRINE INTO TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM EXHIBITS AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. I DON'T WANT CORPUS CHRISTI BAY TO BECOME THE LESS GREAT SALT LAKE, INCREASING SALINITY TO A POINT WHERE NO LIFE IS SUSTAINABLE. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. HENCHMAN. MAGGIE PEACOCK. >> YEAH. FIRST OF ALL, I ALSO JUST WANT TO SAY IT'S SO INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING WHEN SO MANY OF MY FRIENDS ARE MAKING AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL COMMENTS AND YOU'RE LOOKING DOWN THE ENTIRE TIME. THEN WHEN THEY'RE DONE. >> City Secretary: STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY. >> MAGGIE PEACOCK, DISTRICT 2. SO SORRY. THEN WHEN THEY'RE DONE, WE ARE FILLED WITH SO MUCH, LIKE, EMOTIONS FROM WHAT THEY JUST SAID. AND THAT COMES OUT IN DIFFERENT WAYS. WHETHER IT'S CLAPPING, CHEERING, WHATEVER. AND AFTER YOU'VE SPENT THREE MINUTES LOOKING DOWN AT YOUR PHONE AND YOU YELL AT US FOR DOING THAT. IT'S JUST FRUSTRATING. BUT YEAH. I'M HERE WITH CORPUS CHRISTI DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA AND ALSO IGNITION FRONT CORPUS CHRISTI TALKING ABOUT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT SOME NEW WATER RESOURCES WE HAVE GOING ON. EVANGELINE. WE HAVE 24 MGD, HARBOR ISLAND IS 2.7 MGD. EFFLUENT REUSE. ALL OF THAT TOTAL EXTRA WATER IS 121 MGD. THE AVERAGE DAILY USE IN 2022 WAS 108.4 MGD AND IN AUGUST OF 2025 IT WAS 113.2 MGD. WHY DO WE NEED MORE? AND, EVEN SO A CERTAIN COUNCIL PERSON WAS TALKING ABOUT PROVIDING WATER CERTAINTY TO INDUSTRIES AND CORPORATIONS TO EVERYBODY EXCEPT PEOPLE. HE'S LOOKING AT HIS COMPUTER AND NOT LISTENING. WHICH IS LUDICROUS. YOU'RE SOUL IS BEYOND REPAIR, HONESTLY. LIKE MY FRIENDS SAID EARLIER, INDUSTRY IS ALWAYS THIRSTY AND THERE WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH FOR THEM. GROWTH FOR THE SAKE OF GROWTH -- YEAH. I SAID WHAT I SAID. GROWTH FOR THE SAKE OF GROWTH IS THE IDEOLOGY OF A CANCER CELL. WE MUST BE CLEAR IN NAMING THE REAL PROBLEMS HAPPENING HERE. RACIAL CAPITALISM AND FOSSIL FUEL IMPERIALISM DRIVES THE CRISIS WE ARE IN. THIS IS CLEAR AS Y'ALL ARE PUSHING [INDISCERNIBLE] NEIGHBORHOOD OF HILLCREST AND THE CITY HISTORICALLY WORKING WITH ISRAELI OFFICIALS TO PUSH FOR DESALINATION. INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION AND THE GROW, GROW, GROW MINDSET IS COLONIALISM AND COLONIALIZATION AT WORK. I WANTED TO READ THIS QUICK EXCERPT FROM THE DECLARATION OF ECOSOCIALIST NETWORK. WE NEED TO UNMASK ALL OF THE ABSTRACT ANSWERS WHICH ATTEMPT TO BLAME ALL OF HUMANITY. THESE ANSWERS DISCONNECT THE CURRENT SITUATION FROM THE HISTORICALLY DYNAMICS WHICH HAVE EMERGED FROM FOSSIL FUEL AND THE LOGIC OF CAPITALISM WHICH IS SUSTAINED BY THE PRIVATE APPROPRIATION OF WEALTH AND THE CONQUEST OF PROFIT. PROFIT AT THE COST OF SOCIAL EXPLOITATION. THESE ARE TWO FACES OF THE SAME SYSTEM WHICH IS THE CULPRIT OF CLIMATE CATASTROPHE. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MS. PEACOCK. MANUEL LUJAN. JACKIE LEWIS.>> HELLO KREBS OF CC, YOU ARE IN THAT SEAT TONIGHT BECAUSE WE THE PEOPLE REJECTED THE GUY BY ABBOTT, BUT WE ENDED UP GETTING THE ABBOTT GUY AFTER ALL. ABBOTT IS BARKING ORDERS FROM HIS HIGH HORSE IN AUSTIN, TE TELLING YOU ALL HOW YOU SHOULD SPEND OUR MONEY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT REALLY AT STAKE TONIGHT, IT'S MONEY. SWEET, COLD HARD CASH. COUNCILMEMBER VAUGHN TOLD US SO BACK IN SEPTEMBER. THREATENING TO WITH HOLD STATE FUNDING IF YOU DON'T ALL VOTE FOR THE DESAL PLANT IN THE HARBOR, AND YOU KNOW THE LITANY OF ISSUES THAT WILL CAUSE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, SO ON AND SO FORTH, BUT ABBOTT FEELS LIKE HE COULD DO THIS DUE TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ORDERING HIM TO RACIALLY GERRYMANDER THE STATE, SO MUCH FOR THAT, DID YA'LL SEE THE NEWS TODAY? I'M AFRAID THE REASON BEHIND YOUR APATHY, MAYOR GOING TO HAR DOE IS BECAUSE THIS DEAL HAS BEEN SETTLED BEHIND OUR BACKS, THIS IS A DOG AND PONY SHOW, YO GET TO SIT THERE AND GLARE AND SMIRK AND WHATEVER. THE DEEP PLANT WILL CHANGE THE CITY WE LOVE. AND I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT'S WHAT DECIDED LAST TIME W SPOKE ABOUT THIS, IT WAS CRYSTA CLEAR CITY COUNCIL IS DECOMP PR MISED. I WAS NEVER UNDER THE -- JUST THAT THE PROPODUS PLANT IN HILLCREST WOULD BE FOUND AS A REPLACEMENT. OIL AND GAS HAS A CHOKE HOLD ON THIS CITY. A DESAL PLANT WILL NOT BE CONSTRUCTED BY END OF YEAR, 2 2030, IT WENT. IT TOOK US 8 YEARS TO BUILD A BRIDGE. AND HOW LONG HAS EVER HEART BEE UNDER CONSTRUCTION? MY COUNCILMEMBER, ERIC CANTU HA BEEN WORKING TO ATTRACT HOLLYWOOD TO OUR BEAUTIFUL VI VISTAS, THEY WON'T WANT TO VISI IF THE ONLY THING IS THE CHOKE HOLD THAT OIL AND GAS HAVE OVER THE CITY'S ATMOSPHERE LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY, AND WHAT WILL THAT MEAN WHEN THERE AREN'T SHRIMP TO EAT? WHAT GOOD ARE HIGHER PRICES FRO WITHER AWAY FROM CANCER FOREVER CHEMICALS IN THE HARBOR TODAY, AND MORE WILL BE PUMPED INTO TH SOIL AND AIR. I LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT. LET'S SEE. BETH AND BAY HAS BEEN LOSING FISHER FOLK FOR YEARS, BUT THAT'S CLAIBORNE COUNTY PRO PROBLEM'S; RIGHT. THE ONSLAUGHT OF THE CHAOS WON'T STOP AT THE COUNTY LINE. DID YOU KNOW THE EARTH'S TILT HAS SHIFTED 31 AND A HALF INCHE OVER THE COURSE OF TWO YEARS, AND THAT'S JUST DUE TO EXCESSIV GROUND WATER PUMPING, YOU CAN BING IT, THAT'S TRUE. YEAH. WHAT WE DO HERE EFFECTS THE WORLD, WHETHER WE REALIZE IT OR NOT. THINK ABOUT THAT. MAYMAY MAY LEO DOLLBACK. >> SORRY. >> I WAS HEAR EARLIER, I HAD SOME PRINTOUTS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO DISTRIBUTE, PLEASE. PLEASE DON'T MAKE FUN OF MY PICTURE, IT'S -- I'M NOT A GOOD ARTIST. ONE OF THE COPIES IS AN EMAIL THAT I SENT TO ALL OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS EARLIER BEFORE THE SEPTEMBER VOTE. THE OTHER ONE IS A PICTURE OF A POTENTIAL PIPELINE. >> HAVE YOU STARTED YOUR COMMENT? YOU DIDN'T SAY YOUR NAME AND CITY. >> OH, OH, I'M SORRY. I'M -- I'LL WAIT UNTIL. >> THEY PASS IT OUT. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, I APPRECIATE YOUR NOTICE. I WANT TO FOLLOW THE PROTOCOL. OKAY. YES. FIRST AND FOREMOST, I ADMIT THAT WATER WILL BE MORE EXPENSIVE. THE OTHER I THINK IS THAT KEEPING WITH ANOTHER . >> CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY, PLEASE. >> OH, I'M SORRY. LEO DOLLBACK, I LIVE AT 80100 SOUTH PID LOT NUMBER 363, THANK YOU. OKAY. SO THE TRICK IT, WATER IS GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. I AGREE WITH THE CITY MANAGER ON GETTING A QUORUM OF A BUNCH OF THE CONT CONTRACTORS TOGETHER FOR SOME SORT OF ESTIMATE ON MOVING FORWARD, BUT THE DE DEAL, IS I'M PRODESAL, BUT ABSOLUTELY ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO DISCHARGE IN THE INNER HARBOR, AND THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO MAKE A PIPELINE FROM HILLCREST ALL THE WAY TO THE GULF OF MEXICO, AND THEN IF YOU ALL SEE, THERE'S GOING TO BE A BUNCH OF INLETS, T TIE-INS, JUST L LIKE A GATHERING SOMETHING WHICH -- THAT'S ONE OF MY BACKG BACKGROUNDS, HAS DONE. AND THIS WILL REDUCE THE COST OF FUTURE DESAL PLANTS. WE CAN MOVE FORWARD, JUST LIKE THE REST -- THE MARY RODES PIPELINE BECAUSE IT WAS SCALED UP HERE JUST RECENTLY, AND I'M SURE SHE'S SMILING ABOUT THAT, BUT THE TRIP, IS THIS COULD BE SCALED UP TOO WITH OTHER D DESAL PLANTS. THAT'S -- THAT'S IT. THAT'S MY WHOLE DEAL. I ALSO THING THAT MOMENTARILY, WE NEED TO R RESTRICT THE USER TO THE WATER SYSTEM, THAT'S JUST A STANDARD DEAL. BUT I APPRECIATE ALL YA'LL'S TIME, AND THAT'S A COPY OF AN EMAIL THAT I SENT OUT EARLIER, AND I WISH YA'LL LUCK. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU, SIR. OKAY. >> OKAY, MAYOR, ONLINE, WE HAVE LARRY CASHEN. >> HELLO, GOOD EVENING. I'M LARRY CASHEN. I'M A LIFE LONG RESIDENT OF CORPUS CHRISTI. I LIVE IN DISTRICT 4. I CARE VERY MUCH ABOUT OUR CORPUS CHRISTI, AND I CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR RAIN, AS DO I'M SURE MOST OF EVERYONE IN OUR CITY. FOR THE RECORD, AND WITH RESPECT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I AM OPPOSED TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DESALINATION PLANT IN OUR HARBOR, AND IN OUR BAYS. I REALIZE THIS IS SENSITIVE AND COMPLEX AND A SERIOUS ISSUE. PLEASE CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT, OUR P POPLATION, AND OUR CI CITY'S FUTURE IDENTITY AND DECISION-MAKING. AS WELL, I TELL YOU TO CONTINUE USING SOUND REASON AND SCIENCE AND DECISION-MAKING AND DO NOT RELINQUISH TO THE DEVICES OF INDUSTRY, GREED, OR OTHER STATE OR NATIONAL POLITICIANS AND THEIR FEAR OF INFLUENCE AND INFLUENCE. SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE AND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AS YOU KNOW, IS PRIO PRIORITY. I BELIEVE WE SHOULD MOVE TO STAGE 4 WATER CONSERVATION NOW. OUR DESAL DOES GO FORWARD, ATTEMPT PLEASE TO COLLABORATE WITH CLAIBORNE AND OTHER NEIGHBORING COUNTIES ON THE DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND USE. AS WELL, CONSIDER BU BUILDING IT IN PART ON A PLATFORM IN THE GULF OF MEXICO, AND OR ON OUR PADRE ISLAND SO THE I INTAKE AND DISCHARGE WATERS WILL BE FROM AND GO BACK TO THE DEEP FL FLOWING CURRENTS OF THE GULF OF MEXICO. PLEASE, DO NOT BUILD IT WHERE AN ESTABLISHED NEIGHBORHOOD WILL BE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED, AND THE RESIDENTS THEN AFFECTED. PLEASE DO NOT BUILD IT WHERE OUR BAYS WILL CONTINUE TO BE IMPACTED. AS WELL, PLEASE CONSIDER USING OCEAN WAVE AND SOLAR ENERGY TO POWER THE FACILITIES. TO EACH OF YOU AND IN COLLECTION, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. YOUR DUE DILIGENCE, YOUR CONTINUED COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP COMMITMENT PUBLIC SERVICE, PLEASE RESPECT OUR EARTH. OUR UNIQUE ECOSYSTEMS, GOD BLESS, PLEASE BE WITH YOU. THANKS FOR HEARING ME OUT. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO S SAY. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU MR. CASHEN. NEXT IS JAMES PARKENS. >> HELLO. >> Mayor Guarjardo: MR. PARKENS YOU SPOKE ON ITEM NUMBER 18 PREVIOUSLY. WERE YOU GOING TO SPEAK ON SOMETHING ELSE? HELLO? >> WELL, I GUESS R RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN THE DESALINATION, ISN'T IT? WHAT -- >> Mayor Guarjardo: ARE YOU GOING TO SPEAK ON ANOTHER SUBJECT? >> DROUGHT CONTINGENCY MATTERS. >> Mayor Guarjardo: OKAY. DROUGHT CONTINGENCY. OKAY. >> RESIDENTS ARE STUCK AT LEVEL 3. WE'RE NEARING HAVING TO GET INTO DEEPER INTO DROUGHT SITUATIONS, AND THE INDUSTRY IS ALLOWED TO PAY PART OF ITS OWN PROFITS TO KIND OF RUN AROUND THIS DROUGHT SITUATION, BUT I DON DON'T -- I FEEL LIKE THE COUNCIL REALLY SHOULD PUT A -- PUT A STOP TO THIS THEIR ABILITY TO PAY USING AS MUCH WATER AS THEY WOULD LIKE TO. I UNDERSTAND THIS MAY IMPACT THEIR PROFITS, THEIR WORKFORCE, BUT THESE ARE COMPANIES THAT ARE WORTH BILLIONS OF DOLLARS A YEAR. THEIR CEOs COULD COME UP WITH A BETTER PLAN. THEY COULD COME UP WITH CONTINGENCY PLANS OF THEIR OWNS FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES BY PUTTING THAT WEIGHT AND THAT PRESSURE ON US IT PUTS US IN A PLACE AS RESIDENTS OF CORPUS CHRISTI GOING ABOUT OUR DAILY LIVES. WE'RE NOT MAKING MONEY OFF OF IT. WE'RE USING TO EAT, TO COOK, TO DRINK, NOT THAT WE CAN DRINK OUR WATER WITH THE AMOUNT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE IN IT AND THE AMOUNT OF STUFF THAT GETS STUCK IN IT DUE TO THE WORK THAT OUR INDUSTRY HAS DONE IN OUR LOCAL WATER ECOSYSTEMS. BUT I FEEL LIKE THE CITY SHOULD REALLY -- THE CITY COUNCIL, THE MAYOR, AND THE MANAGEMENT, CITY MANAGER SHOULD REALLY QUICKLY PUT A CAP -- A LIMIT CAP ON WHAT THESE INDUSTRIES ARE ALLOWED TO USE BECAUSE IT WILL ONLY BE MORE EXASP EXASPERATED, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE SCRAMBLING FOR WATER SOURCES CURRENTLY. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU, MR. PERKINS. >> THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE MARK MUENSTER. MR. MUENSTER. OKAY. I DON'T HEAR HIM. I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO SANDRA SANCHEZ. >> HI, CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> Mayor Guarjardo: YES, WE CAN. >> OKAY. HI, MY NAME IS SANDRA SANCHEZ, I'M WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF THE COASTAL BAY. I AM FROM CORPUS CHR CHRISTI, TEXAS, TONIGHT YOU ALL SAID THAT THIS DESAL VOTE IS ON FOR TOMORROW, ON FOR FURTHER STUDY, ON THE FOR THE NEXT STEP. BUT I WANT TO SPEAK CLEARLY, EVERY STEP ATTACHED TO THE [ [ INDISCERNIBLE ] OF BUILDING THE DESAL. THERE'S NO NEUTRAL [ [ INDISCERNIBLE ] OF DIRECTION. YOU ALREADY KNOW THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS. YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT IT WILL DO TO THE BAY WITH ITS SALINITY, AQUATIC RISE, AND THE COMMUNITY DEPENDING ON THE BAY. NONE OF THIS IS NEW. YOU ALSO KNOW THE HILLCREST NEIGHBORHOOD WAS [ INDISCERNIBLE ] BUT YOU IGNORE IT. HILLCREST HAS CARRIED THE WEIGHT OF INDUSTRY FOR GENERATIONS, AIR POLLUTION, PORT EXPANSION, HIGHWAYS D DISPLACEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL BURDEN, ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM, ENVIRONMENTAL GENOCIDE, [ INDISCERNIBLE ] YET ANOTHER MAYOR, MORE HARM IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND ALREADY SACRIFICED IN THAT. SO WHEN I HEAR THAT THIS IS JUST A MOTTO, I HEAR SOMETHING DIFFERENT. THIS IS A CONTINUATION. THE CONTINUATION HAS CONSEQUENCES. ONCE THE PROJECT MOVES FORWARD, EVEN WITH A STUDY, IT BECOMES PART OF PUBLIC RECORD. I'M NOT SHEER TO REPEAT EVERY IMPACT YOU'VE SHOWN. YOU'VE HEARD THEM FROM RESIDENTS, FROM FIS FISHERIES, FROM FISHING FAMILIES, ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS, AND HILLCREST THEMSELVES. SO LET ME SAY THIS INSTEAD. YOU CANNOT SAY YOU DO NOT KNOW. YOU CANNOT SAY HILLCREST WAS NOT MENTIONED. YOU CANNOT SAY THE RISKS WERE NOT PLACED BEFORE YOU. ONCE THE SALINITY CHA CHANGES, WHEN THE AQUATIC LIFE DECLINES, WHEN INFRASTRUCTURE STRAINS BECOME A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY, THE ENTIRE CITY, THE RECORD WILL SHOW THAT THE CITY WAS INFORMED THESE VO VOTES, NOT AFTER. THIS IS CARRYING THE WEIGHT OF INDUSTRY, DREDGING, RESULTING DAMAGEOFF AND STRESS. HILLCREST IS CARRYING MORE THAN ITS SHARE. ADDING DESAL EVEN IN THE FORM OF STUDY IS HARMFUL BECAUSE STUDIES PAVE THE ROAD TO INFRASTRUCTURE, INFRASTRUCTURE CREATES PATHS THAT CANNOT BE U UNDONE. AND I'LL CLOSE WITH TH THIS. WATER IS LIFE. WATER REMEMBERS, AND IF THE DECISIONS MADE AGAINST THE WATER ALWAYS RETURN TO THOSE WHO MAKE THEM. IN TIME, THOSE THAT CAUSE DESTRUCTION, THEY WILL BE HELD ACCOU ACCOUNTABLE. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU, MS. SANCHEZ. NEXT IS BRITTANY YOUNG. >> HI, CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> Mayor Guarjardo: YES, WE CAN. >> OKAY. GREAT. MY NAME IS BRITTANY YOUNG, CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, DISTRICT 3. JUST FIRST, STRAIGHT OUT OF THE GATE, GOING TO ASK YOU TO VOTE AGAINST ANY THOUGHT PURSUING THE INNER HARBOR DESAL PL PLANT. LIKE, I'M REALLY CON CONFUSED ON WHY WE'RE HERE AGAIN. I FELT THE PUBLIC HAD MADE THEIR STAND ON WHERE THEY ARE. THEY HAVE REACHED OUT TO YOU, THEY HAVE MADE PUBLIC COMMENTS, NOT JUST OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. THE PEOPLE I'M WATCHING RIGHT NOW FROM MY VIRTUAL SPACE ARE THERE SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE INNER HARBOR DESAL PL PLANT, AGAIN, BECAUSE THEY CARE. WHEN I HEARD GOVERNOR ABBOTT COME UP AND WAS BASICALLY THREATENING THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI ABOUT THEY NEED TO PURSUE THE DESAL PLANT, GOVERNOR ABBOTT, WHO IS ANTIBIG GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STAY OUT OF OUR BUSINESS. AND THEN AFTER GOVERNOR ABBOTT, I HEAR THE SAY OF THE CITY THAT WE'LL BRING DESAL BACK ON THE AGENDA, LIKE THE SNAKE GROWING THE HEAD AGAIN, GAVE ME WHIPLASH, AND THEN COUNCILMEMBERs AGAINST DESAL BECAUSE OF THE PRICE, AND THE PRICE IS HIGH NOW, AND THEY WANT TO VOTE -- GO AHEAD AND CONTINUE PURSUING THE INNER HARBOR DESAL PLANT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE I CAN SAY TO CONVINCE YOU. LIKE MANY PEOPLE IN THERE. WE'VE TALKED ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE PUBLIC, THE HISTORICAL RACISM AGAINST THE HILLCREST COMMUNITY, WHICH YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT. I MEAN, YOU CARE ABOUT GIVING THEM A PARK, THAT'S LIKE A SLAP IN THE FACE. WE'VE TALKED ABOUT SOME ISSUES, THE PFAW, I'VE HEARD IT AGAIN, NOTHING WE SAY IS GETTING THROUGH TO YOU, AND I THINK IT'S COMPLETELY DISRESPECTFUL FOR YOU TO SIT THERE. WE VOTED YOU INTO THOSE SEATS. AND WE CAN TAKE YOU OUT OF THE SEATS AGAIN, SO PLEASE DO REMEMBER THAT AS WE GO IN AS THE NEXT ELECTION COMES, YOU K KNOW, WE ALREADY KNOW AND IT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID, RESIDENTS DO NOT CONSUME ALL OF THIS WATER. THESE LARGE VOLUME WATER CONSUMERS, HEAVY INDUSTRY THERE, ARE THE ONES THAT ARE SUCKING UP ALL OF THIS WATER. THEY'RE NOT CURTAILING. THEY'RE BEING INCENTIVIZED, AS YOU ALREADY KNOW, TO CONTINUE TO CONSUME WHILE WE'RE IN A STA STAGE -- DROUGHT 3 STAGE RESTRICTION. WE NEED TO CURTAIL. WE NEED TO FIX OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, SOMEONE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT LEAKS. WE NEED BETTER URBAN PLANNING WITH PLANTING TREES. WE NEED COUNCILMEMBERS AND THE MAYOR AND THE CITY MANAGER, WHEREVER HE IS, WE NEED PEOPLE THERE WHO ARE CREATIVE ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY THAT ACTUALLY CENTERS PEOPLE AND NOT -- DOES NOT CENTER THE INDUSTRIES. I DON'T WANT CORPUS -- I MAY NOT ALWAYS BE THERE IN CORPUS, I DO HAVE RESIDENCE IN CORPUS, BUT WE DO NOT NEED CORPUS TO END UP LIKE OTHER CITIES THAT HAVE BEEN SUCKED DDRY BY THESE INDUSTRIES, THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN POLLUTED AND TREATED -- THEY HAVE CANCER AND ALL OF THIS, WE DON'T NEED THAT, WE NEED A THRIVING CITY. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THANK YOU. THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. AND I UNDERSTAND, M MR. MUENSTER IS BACK ONLINE. MR. MUENSTER, ARE YOU ONLINE? >> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> Mayor Guarjardo: YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU. GO AHEAD. >> OKAY. COOL. MARK MUENSTER, CORPUS CHRISTI. SO WITH THE INNER HARBOR DECISION, YA'LL ARE GOING BACK, THERE WAS SO MUCH RHETORIC TO JUST MAKE A DECISION. YOU'VE BEEN ELECTED TO MAKE A DECISION, AND YA'LL ARE REVERSING WHAT THE COUNCIL DECIDED, AND THAT IS JUST REPEATING THE CYCLE OF WHAT HAPPENED WITH INNER HARBOR, WHICH IS GETTING SWITCHED VOTES AND LOCKED INTO THE PROJECT THAT YOU NEVER GOT COMMUNITY APPROVAL FOR, AND YOU'RE REPEATING THAT CYCLE OF NOT LISTENING TO RESIDENTS, NOT LISTENING TO CON CONCERNS THAT NOT LISTENING TO OPINIONS, AND IT'S DOOMED TO FAIL. COUNCILMEMBER VAUGHN, YOU TALKED ABOUT HOW IT'S WRONG YOU HAVE TO RUN $50,000 TO RUN A CAMPAIGN, AND THAT'S THE SYSTEM. THESE COMPANIES USE THE RESOURCES, SIGNIFICANT TAX BREAKS AND POLITICAL POWER TO CONTROL THE DECISIONS THAT YA'LL ARE MAKING. AND WHENEVER WE BRING ALL OF THESE LONG LISTS OF CONCERNS, THE LIST IS SO LONG AND THE AMOUNT OF RESIDENTS THAT HAS SHOWED UP ON ITS OWN. THERE'S NEVER BEEN THIS MANY RESIDENTS SHOWING UP TO A CORPUS CHRISTI COUNCIL MEETING. WHEN WE BRING THESE CONCERNS, ALL YOU TALK ABOUT IS THE JOB RHETORIC AND THE PEOPLE. WE'RE NOT TALKING -- WE DON'T WANT THESE PEOPLE TO HAVE A HARD FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. THEY'RE NOT THE ONES, THESE COOPERATIONS ARE THE ONES USING ALL OF THIS WATER AND PUTTING THEM IN THE SITUATION WHERE THEY'RE THR THREATENING LAYING OFF PEOPLE IF THEY DON'T GET THE TENS OF MILLIONS OF GALLONS OF WATER A DAY. THE RHETORIC THAT IT'S GOING TO CAUSE ALL OF THIS CHAOS AND HARDSHIP IS LACKING THE CONCEPT OF THE TAX BREAKS THEY GET AND FULL UNDE UNDERSTANDING OF UNDERSTANDING. TALKING ABOUT DESAL KI KILLING ANYONE. THAT'S NOT RESIDENTS ARE TALKING ABOUT, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CONTINUING THE EXPANSION OF POLLUTION AFFECTING PEOPLE IN THE CITY. AND ALL OF THESE THINGS SHOW, THIS SYSTEM IS WORKING AGAINST US, THIS SYSTEM OF CAPITALISM IS CAUSING US TO BE WORKED AGAINST THE WORKING CLASS CITIZENS. I'M A MEMBER OF THE CORPUS CHRISTI DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA, AND THE MAYOR, YOU'RE CALLING PEOPLE OUT FOR BEING LOUD AND BOISTEROUS, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT. YO YA'LL LOOK LIKE FOOLS UP THERE, AND YOU'LL GET PEOPLE ACTING AGAINST YOUR RULES WHENEVER YOU MAKE FOOLS OF YOURSELF. SO HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> OKAY. MAYOR, THAT CONCLUDES THE VIRTUAL PART OF PUBLIC COMMENT. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY'RE IN PERSON, BUT THEY'RE NOT CITY RESIDENTS. I'M NOT SURE IF ANYBODY ELSE IS HERE. >> Mayor Guarjardo: THERE'S N NO . >> LIKE MATTHEW RATAN NO MORE WEBEX, BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO SIGNED UP IN PERSON BUT NOT RESIDENTS. BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THOSE FOLKS ARE HERE. MATH CHEW R ROW TAN. ASHLEY GRIFFIN. STEVE SNYDER. CHRIS GOYA. OKAY. I DON'T HEAR ANY -- SEE ANY OF THOSE FOLKS. SO THAT WOULD INCLUDE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD THEN. >> Mayor Guarjardo: MARIO DIAZ. >> NO. NOT ONLINE. >> Mayor Guarjardo: OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC COMMENT THEN. WE'RE -- LET'S SEE. LET ME GET -- SO THE COUNCIL NOW WILL GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEMS 21 TO 24 FOR TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODES 55.072, .072, AND .074. SO WE WILL RETURN IT HAVE [ EXECUTIVE SESSION RETURN[ EXECUTIVE SESSION ]