The City Manager’s report at the Oct. 14 City Council meeting included a staffing announcement, a corporate sponsorship for holiday museum admissions and a preview of near‑term park and recreation capital projects.

New public‑health director: City Manager Peter Zanoni introduced Dr. Anita Kurian, who began as the city’s director of public health the day before the meeting. Dr. Kurian told council she brings 34 years in health care — including 23 years in public health — and highlighted a data‑driven, partnership‑based approach she intends to use to build workforce capacity and pursue ‘health for all’ across Corpus Christi. Dr. Kurian previously served as assistant and deputy director for the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District; her credentials include an MD, an MPH from Emory and a PhD in public health.

H‑E‑B sponsorship for museum admissions: Zanoni announced that H‑E‑B will again sponsor free admissions at city museums during the holiday season. The company expanded sponsorship this year from three museums to nine institutions across the Gulf Coast region, including the Art Museum of South Texas, the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History and the Texas Museum of Asian Cultures plus the South Texas Botanical Gardens. H‑E‑B representatives told council the sponsorship aims to increase attendance during November–December and to provide local economic benefit through visitors’ spending.

Parks and recreation highlights: Zanoni briefed council on several capital projects scheduled for council consideration or already on the agenda. Key items previewed included:
- Commodore Park (District 4): The city is planning Phase 1 construction to develop a larger park on a 12‑acre donated site on the island; Phase 1 includes covered basketball facilities, tennis and pickleball courts, playground, walking trail, parking and lighting. The manager said $5 million from Bond 2024 will fund initial construction and that a design phase funded earlier will move the project toward bid. Construction was described as targeting completion in mid‑to‑late 2026 depending on schedules.
- Gabe Lozano Golf Course parking improvements: The city will reconstruct and expand badly deteriorated parking at an aging municipal golf course using golf revenues rather than general funds.
- Skate park at Billish Park: Zanoni and parks staff said TIRZ 2 funds were reprogrammed to accelerate a skate park for island youth; council later approved funding for the skate park at the meeting after community testimony.

Why it matters: The staffing and sponsorship announcements signal a focus on tourism, community amenities and strengthening public health leadership. The manager framed the projects as quality‑of‑life investments that also support local economic activity.

What’s next: Dr. Kurian will meet council and county leaders and return to the council as the department sets priorities. Staff will bring Commodore Park construction contracts to council for award (the council later considered and approved the Phase 1 construction contract at the same meeting). H‑E‑B and city staff said they will provide more public details about the museum schedule and participating institutions for the holiday period.

Ending: Council members thanked city staff and the H‑E‑B representative for the sponsorship; several council members noted the park and recreation projects would be tangible improvements for neighborhoods.

Speakers quoted (first reference includes full title): “Health for all regardless of where you live is a priority,” City Manager Peter Zanoni said introducing Dr. Anita Kurian, who told council she intends to “listen and learn” as she steps into the public health director role.