City Council authorizes MOU with desal partners and orders immediate far‑field modeling after weeks of debate

Councilmembers approved a memorandum of understanding on the Inner Harbor desalination proposal and an amendment requiring immediate procurement of a far‑field hydrodynamic study to assess environmental impacts.

The vote, 6–3, authorized City Manager Peter Zanoni to proceed with a six‑month evaluation by Corpus Christi DeSal Partners — a team led in presentation by Acciona and MasTec — using existing project deliverables developed under the earlier Kiewit contract to produce design options and preliminary price proposals at no initial cost to ratepayers. Council also directed staff to start a competitive procurement to select an independent modeler to study currents and brine dispersion in Corpus Christi Bay, Nueces Bay and the ship channel.

Why it matters: the city has permits, power agreements and project data already in hand, but residents and environmental groups have pushed for detailed modeling of how hypersaline discharge would behave in the enclosed bay and for stronger community review. Supporters from local industry said the proposal could provide a drought‑proof supply and protect jobs; opponents — particularly residents from the nearby Hillcrest neighborhood — said the Inner Harbor location risks local health, fisheries and tourism.

What council approved: the MOU lets the CCDP review Kiewit deliverables and return multiple options (different production capacities and price points) for council consideration. If council selects an option after the review, it would be asked to approve a design‑build contract and later an operator contract; the staff presentation forecast options back to the council in February and, if selected, contract consideration in April.

What staff said: City Manager Peter Zanoni told the council the CCDP would use the city’s existing basis of design and pilot data to generate proposals and a preliminary guaranteed maximum price. CCW (Corpus Christi Water) staff listed assets retained after the Kiewit closeout: intake/discharge permits approved by TCEQ, core permits, property option agreements and an AEP power agreement. Brett Van Hazel, CCW director of water supply management, said the team would also inventory Kiewit equipment for reuse.

Public reaction: more than 50 people spoke during the public‑comment period. Industry groups and workers said the project is needed to preserve local jobs and provide long‑term water certainty; residents, community groups and environmental organizations warned of harms to the Bay and of concentrating industrial burdens in the Hillcrest neighborhood. Pastor Manuel Lewis of Alpha Omega and many Hillcrest residents urged the council to reject the Inner Harbor location and push for alternatives or an offshore discharge route.

Next steps: staff will begin the procurement to select a far‑field modeler and return options to council as planned; the MOU itself commits no city funds for the CCDP’s initial work. The council’s vote authorizes the process but does not obligate the city to construction — any later contract would require separate council approval.

Representative quotes

"This is an MOU. No one is committing a dime," City Manager Peter Zanoni said, describing the six‑month review as "a no‑cost" option to test price and design alternatives.

Councilwoman Sylvia Campos framed the community concerns succinctly: "I WILL ALWAYS STAND WITH THE PEOPLE," she said during debate, stressing the need for careful review and public engagement.

What to watch: the independent far‑field modeling procurement and the CCDP’s February return with concrete capacity‑and‑price options for council consideration.