Runoff election for Corpus Christi mayor a competition of visions

Editor’s note: Detailed written responses from candidates on their stances on desalination, infrastructure repairs and COVID-19 response appear at the end of this article, printed as submitted with no edits made by the Caller-Times.

On the ballot for the mayoral runoff election isn’t just a choice between two people.

It’s a choice on how the city’s growth, resiliency and investments could be shaped over the next two years.

The two candidates who emerged from a nine-way race in the general election – incumbent Mayor Joe McComb and City Councilwoman at-large Paulette Guajardo – pulled in nearly even voter support, with McComb at about 33 percent – or 34,118 votes – and Guajardo at about 32 percent, or 33,366 votes.

Going into the Dec. 15 election, each will be pushing hard to get voters to the polls for a second round of ballot-casting.

Both billing themselves as the better candidate, each has taken public stances on a range of policy decisions, from infrastructure and desalination to park improvements and city development.

But what it comes down to in some ways is how voters will weigh the value of longtime political experience and the groundwork of a set path, versus the value of new leadership that could bring change of tone and direction in the city government.

McComb and Guajardo are both counting on those attributes to bring them home.

If early voting turnout is any indicator, there's greater community interest in making that decision than in the past mayoral runoff election in 2018. That year, about 6 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots in early voting, with a total of about 10 percent participating in the overall election, according to the county clerk's office.

This year, about 10.6 percent of eligible voters – nearly 20,000 – cast their ballots in early voting alone, records show

McComb – who has served as a Nueces County commissioner, as well as a city councilman and mayor – is relying on his experience to draw residents, running on his track record and offering what he says has amounted to steady service, fiscal conservatism and proven stability.

That’s an asset people want “in today's uncertain times,” he said.

“I think people are looking for a little bit of certainty and consistency and steadiness,” McComb said. “And I think I provide all that.”

Guajardo – who has on her resume two terms as a councilwoman – would be taking on the role with an approach she describes as a full time mayor, dedicating her time to the position as essentially a job.

The November general election tells the story, she said, noting that about 67 percent of voters did not opt to endorse McComb as the incumbent.

“It's just time for change for Corpus Christi,” Guajardo said. “And Corpus Christi is ready for that, the numbers reflect that. And that's exactly what we are ready to do.”

Runoff elections: What to know about runoffs for Corpus Christi mayor, district races

The mayor doesn’t act in a vacuum. His or her vote is one on the nine-member City Council, meaning at least five votes are needed to pass items like legislation, zoning change requests, tax rate and the budget.

Still, there are responsibilities that are no less important but somewhat unwritten – facilitator, delegate, and leader of both the council and the community.

Part of McComb’s vision is seeing the construction of Barisi Village – a mixed-use development that would repurpose the former Pharaoh Valley golf course – as well as securing a longterm water source that he described as integral to the city’s success in the future.

He also wants to find a strategy to meaningfully help people who are homeless – going beyond only making meals available, but finding ways to connect people with services addressing addiction, psychiatric conditions and family reunification.

“I really feel like that's an area that we can help and have some real positive change that can change people's lives in the future,” McComb said.

One of her goals, Guajardo said, was to cut waste and reinvest the funding to strengthen public safety resources – for example, making possible more staffing for the police department. She puts great emphasis, also, in treating “our public input with high priority.”

“We have to build and recover our economy. We have to fix our residential streets,” Guajardo said. “And we have to redefine our city’s role in public health – because public health is public safety, and that's extremely important.”

Runoff elections: Here's where Corpus Christi's council district hopefuls stand on the issues

A new challenge – one that has notably impacted Corpus Christi this year and will carry into next – is the management of COVID-19 spread in a community, while awaiting the general public’s access to promised vaccines.

Limited doses for select groups, such as healthcare workers, are expected to arrive Monday. But distribution to the general public may be months away.

It will be important during that time to build confidence in the community of its benefits, McComb said, as well as coordinate with the public health district.

Part of his focus is promoting what experts have said protect residents – that is, social distancing, washing hands – and encouragement that residents buy local, when possible, to bolster  small businesses and restaurants instead of online sites.

“We would encourage that,” McComb said. “They’ve been accommodating and adjusting to the situation we’re in.”

Guajardo said she would develop a short- and longterm economic recovery plan.

Shoring up the needs of the food bank and local school districts must also be considered, she said – one example being the city’s recent allocation of federal COVID-19 grants to schools. They were used as matching funds with the state to help cover the costs of electronic devices needed for remote learning.

“Yes, small business is extremely important – but so are things like this, connecting our kids to the tools they need to continue going to school,” Guajardo said.

In the big picture, leadership as mayor includes supporting the military in Corpus Christi and fighting to maintain its facilities here, McComb said. It’s also building needed advocacy from the public and state and federal officials for projects like Packery Channel, acquiring beach property to maintain public access and raising the JFK Causeway, all projects in which he was involved.

The mayor should act as a facilitator for economic development, by connecting city staff with those pitching a project, McComb said.

The council by charter sets policy, but execution of those policies is charged to the city manager, who oversees departments and employees.

In McComb's estimation, the mayor should essentially set the table, but bring it to the city manager to take up practical functions that would determine how or if it comes to fruition – lining it up but then getting “out of their way and let them do it,” he said.

Much of his role in that process is behind the scenes, McComb said.

“A lot of it is not in the public view, a lot of it people don’t pay attention to at the time… I’ve never been interested in getting all the publicity for myself or anything else,” he said. “I just like to see some projects happen that are positive for the community and I’m willing to work for it, do what it takes.”

For Guajardo, leadership looks like more time invested into the position – not in violating the existing council-manager form of government, she said, but in working more with state and federal officials and committing to a “partnership with the people…a sacred pact with voters.”

During her time as a councilwoman, she initiated “Conversations with a Councilwoman,” in which she spent time talking with people across different areas of the city before COVID-19 put a pause on those efforts, Guajardo said.

“All too often, I feel that as a society… we’re trained to have the public listen to the elected officials instead of the other way around,” she said. “And I think it's extremely important that we, in these positions of leadership, listen to you. Because we work for you.”

If elected, Guajardo said she would call Gov. Greg Abbott for support in creating jobs – an endeavor she said she would have oversight.

“In saying I will be the people’s mayor and dedicate full time to them, that does not mean I want to change the form of government,” Guajardo said. “That means I want to dedicate my full time to the people of this city.”

In part, Guajardo said she had run for the seat to provide ethical leadership.

What about the campaign ad?

A recent campaign ad insinuates McComb is corrupt and suggests he had improper dealings with a construction company that was searched last month.

The FBI has not made public any information on what or whom is being investigated, and no charges have been filed.

The connection, the ad suggests, is that the company's owner Philip Skrobarczyk  is listed as treasurer of a political action committee that spent $65,000 endorsing McComb. 

Political action committees are legal entities, and typically operate independently of candidates or propositions they endorse.

McComb said he had not been contacted by the FBI and had committed no wrongdoing, describing the ad as "despicable" and its premise as “ludicrous."

He added that he did not receive money from the PAC or Fulton Construction but  did accept a $1,000 donation from Skrobarczyk, as an individual, earlier this year. 

The ad prompted the third-highest vote getter from the general election, former councilwoman and county commissioner Carolyn Vaughn, to formally endorse McComb last week.

Innuendo, not facts, had been used in making a serious accusation, she told the Caller-Times. Vaughn added that she considered him the better candidate.

Campaign contributions were discussed at length in a recent televised debate put on by KRIS 6, in partnership with Telemundo and the Caller-Times.

Two other races will be on the ballot in the runoff election: City Council District 4 and City Council District 1 representatives.

The mayor earns a $9,000 annual salary. City Council members earn a $6,000 annual salary.

Early voting ended Friday. Election Day is Tuesday.

The candidates for Corpus Christi mayor

Joe McComb

• Age: 73
• Occupation: President and CEO of McComb Relocation Services, a moving and storage company
• Current: Incumbent mayor (elected 2018)
• Past City Council positions: Mayor (elected 2017); councilman at-large (elected 2016)

Paulette Guajardo

• Age: 48
• Occupation: At-large councilwoman, no additional occupation reported
• Current: City councilwoman at large (elected 2018 and 2016)

Desalination

Desalination plants have become a contentious topic in recent months. Do you support the current plan? Why or why not?

McComb: Yes, I not only support but am proud to champion the plan.  Water is absolutely vital to our future.  Adding an affordable drought proof supply to our region is critical to our future economic well-being.  When I joined the Council in 2016 and became mayor in 2017, I spent considerable time reviewing the multi-initiative that had been developed by prior Councils and stakeholders.  I looked at cost, revenues, environmental issues and feasibility before becoming an advocate.  I am convinced that the course set is prudent and will see us continue to lead the state in water resource management. 

Guajardo: No. Your water rates will increase as this is a $200 million project without a price guarantee. I am the only candidate that voted for a price guarantee for the construction cost of this project. A desalination project is ten years away and will not address current water needs in a drought. Our taxpayers deserve greater opportunity to give input on a project that is our single largest expenditure. As Mayor, I will bring forth a water plan that addresses our water needs, considers the environmental impact, and is mindful of water rates.

Street repairs

Is there anything that could be improved in the city’s approach to street repairs – and if so, what could be improved and how?

McComb: Two key elements are in place – funding and a management team led by Mr. Zanoni focused on cost effectively delivering street maintenance.  As a policy maker, my main thrusts have been to compare progress to the stated goals and be a strong voice in protecting street funding.  When voters have approved funds, I consider it my responsibility to ensure their decision is implemented in a timely fashion.  We have made distinct progress on major streets and are turning more attention to residential construction.   I would like to see the project delivery process accelerated and explore equitable developer participation in infrastructure.

Guajardo: We need a full-time Mayor to provide the oversight and leadership to finally fix our streets. I was the only candidate that twice voted to pass Bond 2020, which provides for $61million in street repair.  

Keep our streets a top priority with a full time Mayor.

Create a Street’s Repair Dashboard to provide transparency for the taxpayer

Move forward the Concrete Street Maintenance Program

Expand street synchronization to lessen vehicle impact

Support an expanded Residential Street Repair Program

Enhance the Street Striping Program

Support a Neighborhood Sidewalk Program

COVID-19

The pandemic has heavily impacted Corpus Christi. What can the City Council do to help the community recover?

McComb:

Invest city funds to help impacted businesses and non-profits to recover.

Work closely with medical community and first responders.

Strive to keep businesses open while keeping people safe.

Respond to the issues raised by business and push forward with economic development.

Urge residents to help by practicing safe habits and  encourage flu and covid vaccinations when available.

As Mayor, personally raised almost $500,000 in private donations to the Mayor’s Disaster Recovery Fund to address needs

Guajardo: As Mayor, I will launch a COVID19 Economic Development Recovery Plan that builds and recovers our economy. This plan will include working to enact policies that creates jobs, enhances work force development, and assists small businesses by creating a Small Business Task Force. The plan will include a Tourism Industry Recovery Plan working with our Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Most importantly, I will listen to our resident to find ways our city can help you.

Parks

Parks are considered part of the city’s infrastructure. What is your view on the city’s current investment in park maintenance and improvements – and if anything should be changed, how so?

McComb: Our new city manager and his team have made some major improvements in all of our maintenance activities, including Parks, which I have strongly supported.  I want to see this effort expanded and add more shade and play equipment as well as other amenities like the splash pads. Money is tight with the impact of Covid-19 and commitment to not raising taxes or fees, but I would like to see if there might be more opportunities for business and neighborhood adoption of parks and more programs that encourage healthy outdoor exercise to get people out of the house safely.

Guajardo: For far too long, our city parks were not maintained. Our 189 parks and beaches need the oversight and focus of a full time Mayor. The city utilizes funding from the city budget and bonds to support parks. Our beaches utilize HOT tax monies for beach clean up. We need to build more sport’s fields, hike and bike trail systems, and update park amenities. I will rebuild the Cole Park pier and provide oversight over our aging city pools. As Mayor, I will work to build the Park’s Foundation to secure private investment in our community parks and public beaches.

Growth

With continued growth – such as recent annexations – what policies would ensure good infrastructure for new areas while still addressing issues in existing areas?

McComb: Major changes to make to development codes and plans, notably:

New construction building elevations increased by one foot.

Changes to streets requirements in new areas to require base under the curbs and increase developer warranty provided by developers to two years.

 Allowed extension of wastewater to areas across Oso Creek to address sprawl and reduce septic systems.

Initiated analysis of impact fees and changes to approach to stormwater funding (put on hold due to Covid). 

Guajardo: As Mayor, I will move forward a comprehensive infrastructure master plan tied to our Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) to plan for growth. I will work with the City Manager to develop policies that provides for the revitalization of existing neighborhoods, evaluates the vitality of areas, and accurately projects growth to ensure our city develops responsibly. We should also work with our city’s Planning Department to develop policies that support our existing area plans.

Affordable housing

As the average price of housing soars, what policies could the council adopt to increase availability of homes that families and workers can afford?  

McComb:

Investment of 4a/4b sales tax dollars in different affordable housing programs in first time homebuyer program and funding participation in housing (owner occupied and rental) to residents that have modest family incomes.

Proactively opposed increases to Texas Windstorm Insurance rates.

No utility rate increases in current budget and working hard to minimize future increases.

Though prices increasing, fueled by major increases in construction materials, median home prices in city remain substantially below Texas average.

Guajardo: I will support a comprehensive infrastructure plan to provide for the construction of new homes that are affordable to families and workers. I will continue to work with the City Manager to streamline the development process, including permitting, and create more user-friendly code. I will also work to enact procedural changes for developers to navigate the process, moving forward development, while ensuring a high-quality home that is affordable to the homebuyer. 

Kirsten Crow covers government, industry and development in South Texas. Support local news by checking out our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe