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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Island Strategic Action Committee - 05/07/2019 Holiday Inn Express 15209 Windward Drive Corpus Christi, TX 78418 Island Strategic Action Committee Regular Meeting Agenda Meeting Minutes Monday, May 7, 2019 5:30 PM ISAC Agenda I. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL Chair Jay Gardner called the meeting to order at 5 :30 p .m . City Staff Rozie Canales called roll . Present Members (11) Jay Gardner, Brud Jones, Libby Edwards, Charles Duffley, Cheri Sperling, Carter Tate, Jodi Steen, David Perry, Polly Balzer, Jerry Watkins and Kaylynn Paxon Present Ex-Officios (5) Dan McGinn, Cliff Schlabach, Dotson Lewis, Bryan Gulley and Keith McMullin Absent Members (2) Stephan Noack and Aaron Huffman Absent Ex-Officios (2) Paulette Kluge and Keith Selman Present City Staff (3) Darren Gurley, Grayson Meyer and Jeff Edmonds II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM APRIL 8, 2019 Motion by Committee Member Libby Edwards to approve the minutes. Second by: Committee Member Jerry Watkins. Motion carried by unanimous vote. III. CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES Absences: Brud Jones and Libby Edwards were absent on April 8, 2019. Motion by Committee Member Jodi Steen to approve the excused absences. Second by: Committee Member Cheri Sperling. Motion carried by unanimous vote. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT Rebecca Hall Scarbrough talked about the recent drowning of a high school young man named Je’sani Smith. She expressed her concern for the lack of life rings, and commented that a life ring, when available, could assist someone in distress until help arrives. She added that a life ring is 300 feet of rope and a ring, which costs about $350, and asked the ISAC members to include and discuss the funding and procurement of life rings for the jetties and piers and make it mandatory that life rings be available to help save lives. V. ONGOING BUSINESS for Discussion/Possible Action 1. Ex-Officio Members’ Updates Dan McGinn, Planning Commission – Mr. McGinn had no Island related news but reemphasized the plan to begin projects in Flour Bluff and the Island in approximately 9 to 12 months. Cliff Schlabach, Watershore & Beach Advisory Committee – Mr. Schlabach informed the ISAC of WBAC’s recent field trip to North Beach. The WBAC meeting was held afterward with a presentation from Deidre Williams on issues at North Beach. After the presentation, the discussion was on the current city ordinance on kite boarding. Mr. Schlabach stated that kite boarders are causing problems weaving in and out near swimmers, surfers, and beachgoers. The kite boarders are also running too close to the shore, which cause a problem when they fall. Mr. Schlabach stated that when the kites fall, because of the long lines on the kites, they come crashing down onto people. He added that the current ordinance mandates the kite boarders stay 50 ft. away from all beachgoers but that does not seem to take care of the problem. So, the WBAC is looking to change the ordinance for gulf and bay beaches, or just make minor changes, he said. Mr. Schlabach added that the WBAC also received an update from PRAC, then ended by stating that their next meeting would probably be at the Beach Ops headquarters on Mustang Island. Bryan Gulley, Nueces County – Mr. Gullley had no Island related information to share with the ISAC but wanted to express his concern regarding upcoming property taxes and how the taxing agency would handle making the adjustments to property taxes due to damages caused by hurricane Harvey. Keith McMullin, Water Control District – Mr. McMullin had no Island related information to share with the ISAC but also wanted to comment on taxes, specifically in Port Aransas. He stated that the value of properties increased from the previous year and the taxing agency was attributing it largely to improvements from Harvey. Mr. McMullin added he anticipates a lot of disputes. Dotson Lewis, Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee – Mr. Lewis had no Island related items to discuss other than the splash pads were still not in the horizon for the Island. Mr. Lewis briefly discussed the new shade structure being considered for Sherrill Park and issues that the PRAC would be discussing at their next meeting scheduled the following day. 2. Beaches & Parks Update - Gulf Beach & Natural Resources Superintendent Darren Gurley stated his department was getting ready for the Summer by putting out lifeguard stands within the next couple of weeks. He said 7 new stands were built with 2 going to North Beach. They have 3 more stands than the previous year. When asked about life rings, he stated that beach ops bought life rings for the Packery Channel about 2 months ago but were stolen on the second night. He added that because of their issues with vandalism on the beach, securing life rings is difficult. Mr. Gurley informed the ISAC of tar balls surfacing but reminded them that they are natural, thus have to deal with them. He also updated the ISAC on buoys placed at shallow areas, the lights at end of jetties, jet skis (use and training), hiring of lifeguards, cleaning beaches washed up debris, information on availability of trash bags, and the restrooms. 3. Island Projects Update – Jeff Edmonds, Director of Engineering Services gave the update on the Island Engineering projects as follows: NPI Beach Facility – Waiting for decision on site to move forward and will discuss with staff on taking action; NPI Beach Access Roads – both New Port Pass Rd and Zahn Rd are under design; PR 22 Bridge – Waiting on developers so deferred to Charles Duffley who stated Axys and Diamond Beach have both signed the necessary documents and waiting on the city’s legal team. Mr. Edmonds stated that his department is ready to advertise as soon as he gets the go; PC Rehab – Received interim design and under review. Mr. Edmonds stated he understands many want an iron clad assurance from FEMA that everything is on go, but the best you can get from FEMA, he said, is an amber light. So far we do not have a red light, he added, so expects everything is on go for them to fund 90%; PC Monitoring – Report from Deidre Williams distributed to the ISAC before the meeting; Annual Contract with Texas A&M University approved earlier this year; City entered into a small contract with Mott McDonald for recommending a monitoring plan to use going forward; PC Dredging –No status change from previous month; PC Pavilion – Received 4 bids and low bid was over budget, so working with Parks & Recreation on getting extra funds to award and build as designed; and PC showers at Access Road 3A – Darren Gurley working on obtaining a BCC permit and then the County will take it before the Commissioners Court in about three weeks. 4. TIRZ #2 Updates – No updates were provided. The chair requested an update on extending the TIRZ#2 for next meeting. VI. NEW BUSINESS for Discussion/Possible Action 1. Future TIRZ Projects – Chairman Jay Gardner discussed with the committee the need to start focusing on their future for the Island, not only with specific projects that have been discussed at the subcommittee level but focusing on infrastructure, wastewater, water, and streets. Dan McGinn talked about the history of the Island task force assigned to the Island in 2005 and suggested looking into some of those projects which he felt were still good projects. VII. IDENTIFY ISAC FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 1. Future TIRZ Projects VIII. SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING Date: June 4, 2019 @ 5:30 p.m. Location: Holiday Inn Express IX. ADJOURNMENT - Meeting Adjourned at 6:39 p.m. Motion by Committee Member Libby Edwards to adjourn. Second by Committee Member Cheri Sperling. Motion carried by unanimous vote.