| Candidate | Votes | |
| Herbert Rubio | 4,606 | 33.41% |
| Roland Barrera | 9,180 | 66.59% |
Vote Centers Reported: 84/84
Here are candidates running for Corpus Christi City Council Dist. 3 in this year's election. They are listed by the official ballot order that was determined by random draw. Empty bios can and will be filled when the answers to our questionnaires are sent back to us. Editor's note: Roland Barrera answered some questions with information directly from his political website.
ROLAND BARRERA (INCUMBENT)
What is your age?
54
What is/was your profession?
Roland Barrera provides consulting and risk management services to individuals, business owners and public agencies. He has been serving clients with insurance, financial services, and employee benefits for over 20 years. His agency has been recognized by the National Association of Health Underwriters as a Distinguished Member of the Leading Producers Round Table.
Are you now retired?
No
What relevant experience can you bring to office?
Roland Barrera was elected to Corpus Christi City Council serving District 3 in December 2018. He serves as board member for the National Association of Health Underwriters Political Action Committee, and as board vice chair of the Texas Bridge Credit Union. In his career, Roland has served as chair of several committees, including the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA), the Insurance and Financial Advisors Political Action Committee for Texas, and the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce. He was also president of the Coastal Bend Children’s Advocacy Center and president of the Corpus Christi Kiwanis Club. Roland is a graduate of the Leadership Corpus Christi Program (Class XL).
How have your life experiences prepared you for this position?
I’ve served on the city council since 01/2019. I have been actively involved in Texas politics for many years, and have been a strong advocate for small business, insurance issues, childrens issues, public transportation and immigration reform.
What problems would you address on your first day in office?
In 2018, Roland promised the constituents of District 3 that he would prioritize infrastructure repair and economic development. In Roland’s first two years in office, he initiated future economic projects and improved the roads and stormwater infrastructure throughout District 3. Roland remains dedicated to improving your streets and drainage, while continuing to bring high paying jobs into District 3. (In addition) We must provide the city manager with an evaluation. Peter has done a great job. However, we must provide him with a road map or direction that helps to guide the future. Several long term projects still require attention.
What do you see as long-term issues which need to be addressed throughout your time in office?
1. Access to safe, affordable and uninterrupted water supply for our citizens and industry.
2. Expansion of our Police Department. We are currently well below the national standard of number of police officers per capita.
3. Expansion of our Fire Department. Next years budget will finally get us to the national standard of firefighters per capita. We must also provide them with the necessary equipment and facilities to keep our community safe.
4. Addressing outdated infrastructure
5. Addressing residential streets
What is local government doing well right now that needs to be expanded further?
1. LA VOLLA DRAINAGE PROJECT - The La Volla Drainage Project will bring much needed drainage relief to several thousand residents in the Greenwood and Las Colonias neighborhoods. Roland helped secure $7.2 million in grant funds to help pay for the project, which lowered the cost to the taxpayer.
2. RESIDENTIAL STREETS - Many of Roland’s constituents have contacted him regarding issues with their residential streets and sidewalks. Roland is working with the Public Works Department to provide much needed repair to residential streets and sidewalks in District 3.
3. BOHEMIAN COLONY PROJECT - The Bohemian Colony Project is a $230 million project that will bring 1,000 multifamily units, 770 townhomes under $200,000, a 40-acre commercial space with 455,000 sq. feet of retail space, and a 10-acre community park. The BoCo Project will provide high-quality housing and jobs to the residents of District 3.
4. LIFT FUND - Roland secured over $3,000,000 from the City of Corpus Christi for Lift Fund, which provides low interest loans to local small businesses. Through a partnership with the Port of Corpus Christi, Roland was able to secure and additional $200,000 to assist local small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
HERBERT RUBIO
What is your age?
69
What is/was your profession? Are you now retired?
Certified Teacher/ Tech 1 Operator. I am now officially retired as of March 1, 2020 from Occidental Chemical Corporation.
What relevant experience can you bring to office?
I have worked for various industries along our bay such as Dupont, Valero and Occidental Chemical Corporation. I was a member of the emergency response team for several years responsible for responding to hazardous chemical releases and fire-fighting duties. I also have experience operating water-treatment and sewage-treatment facilities. No one else on council has these perspectives -- as both a worker and hands-on -- knowledge of the systems, which provide services for the residents or are part of the risk management for the city with respect to fire or chemical release. Thus, I understand the perspective of first responders to keep the people and property safe.
How have your life experiences prepared you for this position?
I am a lifelong resident of District 3. I have seen the city council up close because my wife, Lucy Rubio, was a city council member for District 3. I know the issues, and I can work with people to get results. This would be my FULL time job.
What problems would you address on your first day in office?
Continue to address the street problems that are a big concern for District 3. More specifically, address the bidding processes so that streets can be repaired in a timely manner.
What do you see as long-term issues, which need to be addressed throughout your time in office?
The continuing water issues including the desal Plant, the streets, La Volla Creek, Greenwood sewage plant smell issues and infrastructure. I would also seek a more aggressive plan to add police and fire personnel. Fire Station 18 in District 3 still does not have its own ambulance service.
What is local government doing well right now that needs to be expanded further?
They are addressing some staffing for police and fire, but not solving the problem. We are working on the streets, our infrastructure and our water and sewer problems. All are being addressed but by focusing on processes and procedures we can find ways to do it better and in a timelier manner.
