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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes Marina Advisory Committee - 07/07/2008C MINUTES Regular Meeting Marina Advisory Committee Monday, July 7, 2008 N -n CP JM co LO � `a " w a Members Present: John Adams, Marie Adams (1), Robert Cagle (1), Rakesh Patel (1), Roy Pell, Nils Stolzlechner (1), Hal Suter, Dr. Robert Vega and PARD Liaison Greg Perkes. Members Absence: Dan Leyendecker (1) Staff Present: Peter M. Davidson, Marina Superintendent, Rene Garza, Marina Field Supervisor and Benita Brunner, Management Aide Call to Order: Chairman Pell called the regular meeting of the Marina Advisory Committee to order at 5:30 p.m. Action on Minutes: The motion was made by Mr. Suter, seconded by Dr. Vega, to approve the Minutes from the 06/02/08 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Presentations and/or Public Comment: Chairman Pell welcomed Bob Blackett, Rita Lontos and Richard Pachuta to the meeting. Discussion Items and Possible Action Thereto: Landscape Design, Norma Urban Park — Chip Urban passed around two maps depicting planned park improvements (windbreaks, landscaping, sculptures, seating, etc.) to create appeal and encourage use without negative impact to other community events and/or parking areas. Mr. Urban commented and/or discussed: proposed replacement of the concrete area (possibly scored/stained); proposed labyrinth area to include benches and sculptures among the concentric circular plantings of trees (Mesquite/Australian Pine trimmed head high); proposed interior sculpture featuring a dolphin jumping over water; proposed windbreak provided by installation of mounds with plantings of Mesquite trees; and their desire, as a tribute to his mother, Norma Urban, to raise funds to be self-sufficient in perform park improvements and park maintenance. Discussion followed regarding: ensuring use of a better quality of concrete; consideration to use native trees/plants or whatever works best in local windy/salty/desert conditions (i.e. Bougainvilleas, Oleanders) and which require minimum upkeep/water; concerns about Mesquite thorns; Florida working to eradicate the Australian Pine; consulting with on -City staff arborist/forester regarding plant alternatives; consulting with Robert Gignac regarding his local tree study; and consulting with Texas A&M Agricultural Extension Service (Harvey Buehring) regarding tree varieties. Mr. Urban commented that, prior to fund raising efforts, he was seeking approval of the concept for park improvements/maintenance from this and the PARD Committee and City Council. He assured the Committee he would bring the matter before the Committee prior to the final design/implementation. The motion was made by Mr. Patel, seconded by Ms. Adams, to approve the park improvement concept as presented to the Committee. The motion passed unanimously. SPA N Marina Advisory Committee -l- July 7, 2008 Schedule for Strategic Planning Session — Discussion followed regarding: the past session with a facilitator and there still being no funding for those ideas; need to look at methods of raising funds i.e. sponsored customer appreciation gatherings, etc.; the need to build morale and increase participation in events i.e. Harbor Lights; working toward do things to generate interest/gatherings in the Marina i.e. art markets, hardware exchanges/flea markets, food events with music to occur in conjunction with other events i.e. Bayfest, Jazz Festival, Environmental Earth Day, National Marina Day, Wednesday Night Boat Races; still having off-site meeting to education Committee members and get new ideas; working with other City departments for tents, etc. and with local vendors i.e. SeaTow, TowBoat US; using existing ideas list at a retreat at which the list will be narrowed down to three or four items and tabling other items for future consider; when to hold retreat; Chairman to consult with Mr. Stolzlechner and announce date/time of retreat; Marina Staff to provide a list of entities that have given money to the Marina in the past; and Mr. Cagle facilitating at the retreat; etc. Committee Reports: None offered. Director's Report: Mr. Davidson commented, reported and/or answered questions regarding: (1) increase in business realized over July 4th weekend; (2) increase in transients under McGee Beach Concession Building and Miradores; (3) having addressed use under McGee Beach Concession Building by pushing sand under the structure; (4) Marina Staff picking up trash coming from fourteen storm drains carrying items from as far away as SPID that spill directly into the Marina following each rain event; (5) suggestion that Committee work with new City Manager to resolve trash spilling into the Marina from storm drains i.e. proposed catchment apparatus, other than Marina Staff to remove such trash, etc.; (6) putting recycling bins in Marina; (7) new arrangements for the Solid Waste Department to empty trash bins (not from docks) on the Peoples Street T -Head on early Saturday mornings; (8) Marina looking into trash compacter; (9) implementing other than Marina service/funds to remove trash from the landmasses during/after holiday weekends/special events; (10) no new information regarding whether or not a new Marina Office on the Lawrence Street T -Head was included on Bond 2008; (11) $5,000 Interest on Negative Cash Flow being proposed and not final pending balancing budget at year end; (12) budget; and (13) there having been 72 new leases executed since 02/01/08. Mr. Pachuta spoke to the concerns about trash requesting access to the Marina's dumpsters for trash generated by his business on the Seawall and to have those dumpsters serviced more often and possible charging those businesses that use the Marina's dumpsters. Current Concerns: Chairman Pell commented about a shoal area inside the breakwater just off of the Bayfront Convention Center where several boats run aground. Mr. Adams suggested using ATONs to mark the area as if it were a channel and that Coast Guard might provide and assist with placement of such. Mr. Davidson said he would investigate the matter or mark the non-federal channel area using PVC and reflective tape. Chairman Pell requested that Committee members consider, for future discussion, the advantages of having the Marina be its own department and reporting directly to an Assistant City Manager rather than to the PARD Director. He commented that the Marina would be better off and that Marina Advisory Committee -2- July 7, 2008 the time is right with there being support from the Mayor and Council and with a new City Manager coming on board. Discussion followed regarding method of dealing with trash throughout the Marina i.e. removing trash cans from docks, centrally locating dumpsters into which tenants pack out and deposit their trash; concerns about illegal dumping of oil, etc.; Committee members to talk with Council members about trash concerns; L/T-Heads are designated parks, the Marina is from the bulkheads out and Marina Staff responsible for bulkheads out and docks/piers; Marina funds used to build public restrooms located on L/T-Heads; if Marina goes independent, PARD will need to maintain parks or Marina get money from General Fund for that responsibility; the Marina, as an Enterprise Fund, generates tourism for the City which is not the same as Golf Enterprise Fund; and poor lawn maintenance (knee deep grass at Marina Office) in Marina currently performed by PARD. Request for Information/Agenda Items: Chairman Pell requested making the Marina its own department be placed on the agenda for action in August 2008. Chairman Pell left the meeting at 6:42 p.m. at which time Ms. Adams served as Vice Chairman to continue the meeting. Ms. Adams requested trash issues be addressed as well. Confirmation of Next Meeting: August 4, 2008 Adjournment: As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:56 p.m. Peter M. Davidson Marina Superintendent Marina Advisory Committee -3- July 7, 2008