City of Corpus Christi

This document provides an update from the City Manager regarding water levels at Lake Corpus Christi and the city's strategy for long-term water security. Due to a historic five-year drought, Lake Corpus Christi has reached a critical 9.9% impounded water capacity. The City of Corpus Christi is implementing a multi-faceted approach to ensure water reliability, including a $20 million investment in the Mary Roads pipeline to utilize eastern water sources. Additionally, the city council has approved $1 billion in investments for groundwater projects in Nueces and San Patricio Counties, and an effluent reuse facility to secure an additional 76 million gallons of water. A core strategic pillar is the active pursuit of three seawater desalination projects (Inner Harbor, Harbor Island, and Barney Davis site) to provide a resilient, uninterruptible water source for the future. The overall message emphasizes proactive measures and collaborative efforts with state and federal agencies to overcome the current drought and ensure enduring water security for the region.

The Far Field Model Committee meeting focused on providing input and ensuring a collaborative analysis of the far-field model process. Key discussion points included defining model parameters, which involved configuration and simulation specifics such as grid size, simulation duration, and historic period of record. Committee members provided input on physical and hydrodynamic variables, environmental and boundary conditions, and assumptions for sensitivity analyses. There was significant discussion emphasizing the need to model multi-year drought conditions. Additionally, the committee discussed the results evaluation framework and the quality assurance/quality control process. The process for reviewing statements of qualifications from modelers (Hasten and Sawyer and Spiro) and next steps were outlined.

The meeting was called to order and a quorum was confirmed, noting absences for Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Titleman. The rules for public comment were read, limiting comments to three minutes, and the period for public comment on non-agenda items was closed. Absences for Vice Chairman Munoz, Commissioner Miller, and Commissioner Bud were approved. The minutes for the February 4th, 2026 meeting were approved. The commission moved to discuss and act on several consent agenda items. Items two (Preliminary Plat Riverstone Trails Phase 1, noting a typo correction) and eight (Final Plat Meadow Ridge subdivision) were presented, reviewed for consistency with codes, and approved, with Commissioner Hendrickk abstaining. Subsequent consent agenda items covering replats for Brooklyn Addition, Saratoga Industrial Place Unit 2, Comedream Come Build Subdivision Trench 1, Steel Addition, and Neck Town Center Phase 2, along with Item Nine (conditional approval for a final plat for Park Pun 2) and Item Ten (zoning case ZN9062 regarding the installation of a new 95 ft cell tower requiring a special permit due to exceeding the 85 ft threshold) were presented. Commissioner Hedrickk asked for clarification on the conditional approval for Item Nine and the zoning requirements for Item Ten. All items on the consent agenda (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10) were subsequently passed. The Director's report and future agenda items sections were noted as having no content before the meeting was adjourned.

The meeting began with establishing a quorum for the meeting. Key agenda items involved a detailed financial report for TIRZ 3 as of December 31, 2025, including budget versus actuals, commitments, and fund availability projections. Discussions arose regarding the conservative accounting methodology, particularly concerning the expiration of the TUR in tax year 2028 (fiscal year 2029) and the allocation of funds beyond that period, which led to requests for future detailed footnotes clarifying assumptions regarding revenue projections and participation percentages. The board also addressed project-specific commitments for development projects, vacant property improvements, commercial finish outs, the downtown living initiative, streetscape and safety improvements, rooftop activation, and administrative services. Subsequently, the board reviewed and discussed a motion to approve a Downtown Development Agreement with Paul Nolles for improvements to the property at 520 Star Street, involving an incentive amount not to exceed $85,837 under the streetscape and safety improvement program. Clarification was also sought regarding the financial backstopping of large development projects (Hotel Indigo and Holiday Inn Express) should the TUR not renew, with confirmation that the city's general fund would cover specific projects if appropriations cease.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and the pledges of allegiance and a moment of silence. Key discussions included an update from the City Manager regarding the successful award of a $6.5 million emergency grant from the Texas General Land Office for North Beach renourishment, addressing beach erosion over 3,500 feet. The City Manager also presented the proposed budget calendar for Fiscal Year 2027, detailing plans for community engagement sessions in April and August, and council input sessions, aiming for budget adoption by October 1st. Council members discussed the budget timeline and the current financial status, acknowledging potential tightness in street funding due to the elimination of the street user fee. Board and committee appointments were addressed, including the confirmation of two Nueces County appointments to Reinvestment Zone Number Seven and the optional appointment of Council Members Roy and Compos to the same board. The body then proceeded to approve the consent agenda, excluding specified items for later discussion.