One-Reading ordinance awarding a Design-Build contract to Corpus Christi Desalination Partners, LLC for 60% design services, design and construction of the demonstration plant, and development and verification of the GMP in an amount up to $78,610,000.00 for the Inner Harbor Seawater Desalination Treatment Plant Project; appropriating funds and amending the FY 2026 Budget, with funding available from the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT), and Corpus Christi Desalination Partners,

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

Chief Operating Officer of Corpus Christi Water Nick Winkelmann and Principal National Initiatives Director of Ardurra/Corpus Christi Desal Partners Dan Leyendecker presented information on the following topics: discussion topics; current timeline; Corpus Christi Desal Partners; Phase 1-Inner Harbor Desalination (30 MGD); project timeline; project cost; project costs and rate impact; cost allocation; Texas Water Development Board; Inner Harbor Expansion and Gulf Discharge Opportunities; relative size of ship channel; environmental monitoring; Gulf discharge routing alternatives; Phase 2-Inner Harbor 30 to 80 MGD expansion; Gulf outfall routing alternatives OPPC 2032 dollars; lowest and highest total regional OPPC; preliminary project timelines; conclusion; next steps; and staff recommendation. City Manager Peter Zanoni, COO Winkelmann, and Mr. Leyendecker responded to Council questions. Mayor Pro Tem Paxson opened public comment. Henry Williams, Corpus Christi, TX, Deanna King, Corpus Christi, TX, Daniel Pena, Corpus Christi, TX, Lamarcus Knox, Corpus Christi, TX, Mark Muenster, Corpus Christi, TX, Carolyn Koivula, Corpus Christi, TX, Lamont Taylor, Corpus Christi, TX, Dolly Trolley, Corpus Christi, TX, Jeff Price, San Patricio County, TX, Bob Paulison, Corpus Christi, TX, Rachel Caballero, Corpus Christi, TX, Christina McKay, Corpus Christi, TX, Eli McKay, Corpus Christi, TX, Laramie Fain, Corpus Christi, TX, Julian Hernandez, Corpus Christi, TX, Chloe Torres, Corpus Christi, TX, Andrea Puyol, Corpus Christi, TX, Amanda Breland, Corpus Christi, TX, and James Perkins, Corpus Christi, TX, spoke. Mayor Pro Tem Paxson closed public comment. Council Member Barrera moved to approve the ordinance, seconded by Council Member Scott. This Ordinance failed with the following vote:

This motion is scored as RESTRAINS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 7.3/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, voting YES on measures that cap or reduce ad valorem tax burdens, expand taxpayer exemptions, retire debt early, enforce competitive bidding caps, or remove regulatory/zoning barriers to private property rights earns a positive Pro-Liberty score.