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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Island Strategic Action Committee - 07/09/2019Holiday Inn Express 15209 Windward Drive Corpus Christi, TX 78418 Island Strategic Action Committee Regular Meeting Agenda Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 9, 2019 5:30 PM ISAC Agenda I. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL Chair Jay Gardner called the meeting to order at 5 :40 p .m . City Staff Cynthia Roper called roll . Present Members (10) Jay Gardner, Brud Jones, Cheri Sperling, Carter Tate, Jodi Steen, David Perry, Polly Balzer, Aaron Huffman, Jerry Watkins, and Kaylynn Paxson Present Ex-Officios (3) Cliff Schlabach, Dotson Lewis, and Paulette Kluge Absent Members (3) Libby Edwards, Charles Duffley, and Stephen Noack Absent Ex-Officios (3) Dan McGinn, Brian Gulley, and Keith McMullin Present City Staff (3) Keith Selman, Cynthia Roper, and Jeff Edmonds II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JUNE 10, 2019 Motion by Committee Member Carter Tate to approve the minutes. Second by: Committee Member Cheri Sperling. Motion carried by unanimous vote. III. CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES Absences: Libby Edwards and Jerry Watkins were absent on June 10, 2019. Motion by Committee Member Cheri Sperling to excuse the absences. Second by: Committee Member Jodi Steen. Motion carried by unanimous vote. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. V. ONGOING BUSINESS for Discussion/Possible Action 1. Ex-Officio Members’ Updates Paulette Kluge, Convention & Visitors Bureau – Ms. Kluge gave a brief presentation updating the ISAC on May Travel Report comparing 2017 to 2019 (omitting 2018 in the comparison due to Hurricane Harvey). The report showed the 2019 trends for Corpus Christi to be phenomenal with increased room occupancy, and average daily rate (ADR). Hotel occupancy, ADR numbers have not only increased for the weekends, but the weekdays, which historically fall off compared to the weekend, have also increased. The report shows Corpus Christi hotel occupancy is up, ADR & Rev PAR are up 20 points, and as a result, tax collection has increased. Off periods of tourism (which were rare) proved to be a direct result of severe weather/heavy rains in the Corpus Christi area. Corpus Christi is showing more tourism for business travel, including local conferences during the week, which is increasing the ADR and PAR. Ms. Kluge told the ISAC group that a Summit Conference was scheduled for July 25th and will consist of varied participants from across the USA to talk about Corpus Christi tourism. The focus of the conference will include attendees discussing why they book travel to Corpus Christi, what they like about the area, what they feel needs improvement, and discussion about convention center upgrades. Ms. Kluge will provide an update on the Summit findings at the next ISAC meeting. ISAC Chair, Jay Gardner, and member Brud Jones both expressed interest in a breakdown of survey numbers between Corpus Christi, Padre Island, Mustang Island, and Port Aransas. Ms. Kluge stated the information could be compiled but was unsure if Port Aransas numbers could be determined. Dotson Lewis, Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee – Mr. Lewis reported to ISAC that he had met with the President of the Homeowners Association. The committee has expressed interested in learning more about the Adopt-A-Parks Program. They plan to tour and become more familiar with status of the island parks. 2. Beaches & Parks Update – Ashley Rioux, Supervisor of Parking Program and Code Enforcement reported Beach Updates: Sand - Operating teams have been spending a great amount of work moving sand on the beach. Permits – The July 4th holiday permits issued were 1336 for a little over $16K in revenue. June Beach Report - 22 rescues, 201 preventables, and 18 surfers in destress, and general contacts were 1449. Lifeguard Staffing – Staffing remains an issue for the department. Although the day-to-day tasks are covered, the City still needs to fill 9 vacant lifeguard positions. Beach Showers - The permitting process has begun for the water line to shower lines. Cole Beach has been started with Development Services; Unsure of completion time. PC Bollards – Temporary Bollards have been placed to prevent “thru traffic” but nothing permanent is in place until a final survey is complete. 3. Island Projects Update – Jeff Edmonds, Director of Engineering Services gave the update on the Island Engineering projects as follows: NPI Beach Facility – Remains on hold; NPI Beach Access Roads – both New Port Pass Rd and Zahn Rd are under design; PR 22 Bridge – Advertised and Out for Bid. Date for Opening Bids is August 21; PC Rehab – 100% plans will be submitted to FEMA this month. Hope to have drawings to advertise for bid as early as late this month or next month. PC Monitoring – A Report due from Mott McDonald on suggested Monitoring Plan. Will share with ISAC once we have the report; PC Dredging – Issues with permit on dredging; consultants suggested a meeting between City and Corp Resource Agencies to help with the process; PC Pavilion – Project goes to Council on July 23 with recommendations to award contract; PC Showers – In process of obtaining water line permits from Development Services (previously reported by Ashley Rioux – Beach & Parks Update). 4. TIRZ #2 Updates – Assistant City Manager, Keith Selman, reported that the schedule has not changed; should wrap up at the end of September. Arlene Medrano will work on obtaining cost estimates for the Project. It is expected to go to City Council in August and September. Will be reaching out to Del Mar and the County for participation in the TIRZ #2. VI. NEW BUSINESS for Discussion/Possible Action 1. Identity Island Study Dr. Joe Cardador was the presenter of the Identity Island Study. He presented via skype, with CVB coordinating his PowerPoint presentation in sequence. Dr. Cardador explained that he first became involved with the CVB in the Research around Selena and the Texas State Aquarium. Recently, he was asked to research the Corpus Christi area, with a goal to better understand how residents and potential visitors see the area that makes up Corpus Christi and Padre Island. In addition, determine the general perception between Padre Island and South Padre Island, and what unique characteristics Corpus Christi and Padre Island holds for visitors. The Island Study was two part – quantitative stakeholder interviews with residents and business owners on the island about their perceptions of the island. The second piece was to take those findings and present to residents and potential groups of visitors in Texas Markets as a quantitative survey. The study consisted of 21 interviews – 20 via phone, 1 in person; over 1000 minutes of discussion compiled over the period of April 23, 2019 through May 14, 2019. The survey was not a strict interview process but more a conversational type. Questions in the conversation helped guide the conversation – Questions such as, what are some of the names of the area, what other names have you heard for this area, perception of this area, are you familiar with the area geographic boundaries? Various Stakeholders were surveyed - real estate, business, banking, restaurant owners, artists, with a diverse set of opinions. The Survey is in the Preliminary Stages – first phase complete, with the larger markets - Houston, Dallas, Rio Grande Valley remaining to be surveyed. Dr. Cardador commented that online Survey questions could include, “What is your current residence location, are you the decision maker for travel, are you a potential visitor, what are some of the activities that you are looking for when you visit the area, where are you going to visit, can you suggest a clear name appealing to visitors that would distinguish our Padre Island from South Padre Island?” Dr. Cardador reported the panel data collection is at a stopping point and he expects to send out survey samples. He hopes to have results to generate a report by the middle of August. The next phase is to have residents and Winter Texans complete the survey. Stakeholders have suggested providing their available customer email lists of residents and visitors so they could be contacted to complete the survey. In addition, Ms. Kluge asked if members present if they would be willing to take the survey, and comments were positive. Dr. Cardador will send a separate link for the survey to Ms. Kluge who will forward to link to ISAC Chair Jay Gardner, so that it may be shared with other members, residents, and visitors. A large takeaway from preliminary survey is that residents like the idea of “The Island.” The Island is a powerful focal point for visitors to Corpus Christi. Dr. Cardador was asked if he could share some of the names that have been suggested for the island from his study. Ms. Kluge suggested waiting for the completed survey to be gathered and compiled. Once the results are complete, she will present the survey results to the ISAC members, hopefully for the September meeting. There was discussion regarding the visitor confusion of the actual location of Padre Island, South Padre Island, and Highway – SPID and how to fix those issues and help visitors have a better geographic understanding and visitor experience. Chair, Jay Gardner asked how many people are coming out to the Island, and how many are staying in Corpus Christi, to understand the best way to spend the advertising dollars. Members commented on the various needs for the Island which included more entertainment venues, and a bridge. 2. ISAC TIRZ #2 Subcommittee Update The Subcommittee met and created a list of Future TIRZ Projects for the Island. The list is as follows: • Pedestrian and Golf Cart Mobility Plan • Branding Signage for Island Sidewalks around Whataburger Access Road 3A and other locals. • Beach Pavilion • Shade Structures • Boat Repair Ramps at Packery • ADA Boat Ramp Access at Packery • Lighting around Packery Channel • Phase 2 Packery Channel Recreation Facilities • Infrastructure Improvements including wastewater, water • Business Development – Identify projects, business incentives • Seawall Improvements • Chair, Jay Gardner thanked the subcommittee for meeting and working together to create the project list. He commented some projects that fell off the list such as extending the Packery Jetties, might require a study, so it might be kept on the future TIRZ list. He also stated that many of the proposed projects had been combined and morphed into the current list. ACM Keith Selman told the ISAC that he believed many of the projects listed may very well become part of an Area Development Plan. Chair, Jay Gardner referred to the downtown TIRZ activities for business development and how the Island could possibly use that as a guide to develop incentives for business on the Island. 3. Future TIRZ Projects Chair, Jay Gardner commented that ISAC should wait until after the bid packages are opened for the bridge before forming another subcommittee. ACM Keith Selman made members aware that the bid packages would not be opened before the next ISAC meeting. Comments were made regarding previous discussions of a golf cart overpass at Whitecap and Commodores. ACM Keith Selman suggested waiting for the results from a Master Plan before considering an overpass. He also mentioned a good point of reference of a city built for golf carts would be to research Peach Tree City, Georgia. He stated the city has worked diligently to make it golf cart friendly. Carter Tate commented about the fishing lines and debris on the highline wires near the Kennedy Causeway Bridge and questioned when the debris would be removed. Previous contacts with AEP and Time Warner have not provided an outcome; jurisdiction has not been determined. The issue concerns Island residents as the debris does disrupt local sea life and needs to be removed. VII. IDENTIFY ISAC FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 1. Bond – Provide update on the progress. 2. AEP Response. 3. Any other agenda items identified for the next meeting. VIII. SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING Date: August 6, 2019 @ 5:30 p.m. Location: Holiday Inn Express IX. ADJOURNMENT - Meeting Adjourned at 6:48 p.m. Motion by Committee Member Jodi Steen to adjourn. Second by Committee Member Carter Tate. Motion carried by unanimous vote.