Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 05/10/2012 - SpecialWATERSHORE AND BEACH ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Special Called Meeting, Thursday, May 10, 2012 5:30 p.m. Staff Conference Room, City Hall 1201 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX Members Present Member Absent Staff Present Neil McQueen Cameron Perry Derek Herzog Jay Gardner Jennifer Pollack Tara Galvan JoAnn Gilbertson John Powell Cody Bates Butch Pool I. CALL TO ORDER Chair, Neil McQueen called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. II. ROLL CALL The recording secretary called roll and announced that a quorum was present. III. ADOPTION OF MINUTES Regular called meeting- April 5, 2012. Jay Gardner made a motion to approve the minutes. Cody Bates seconded. Minutes approved. IV. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC - none. V. BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION /ACTION A. New Business Erosion Response Plan Update Bob Payne and Greg Smith gave presentation for the Erosion Response Plan Update. ERP is required of all coastal communities by the State. ERP is a plan used to minimize storm damage if a storm should hit the coast. Assesment was done of the foredune ridge. The plan will be used to receive money from the State in the future. Mr. Payne discussed the different areas the ERP addresses. The plan states minimum desirable beach width to protect the foredune ridge shall be at least 100 feet in width measured from the wet /dry line to the line of vegetation. The plan also addresses goals for enhancement of the dune system and beach. The presentation included a map of the beach showing amounts of erosion from 2007 which was published last year. Mr. Smith discussed the importance of seeing the dunes and beach as a complex. Since 1948, the beach has seen a dramatic increase in the amount of vegetation and development of dunes. In 60 years the beach has accumulated 8 times the amount of sand. He stated with the movement of sand from the beach the dunes have migrated seaward. Discussed front - notching of the dunes to renourish the beach. This involves taking sand from the front of the dunes and placing it at the mean high tide line to let it settle back into the water. The sand in the dunes is then replaced with sargassum seaweed. JoAnn made a motion to support the Environmental Response Plan. Cody Bates seconded. City Staff will type up a letter of recommendation to submit to Council prior to the presentation of the ERP. Vacant Seat WBAC received one resume from Diana C. Del Angel. Committee discussed her qualifications. Cody made a motion to recommend Ms. Del Angel to City Council for the Enviromental Science vacancy. Butch Pool seconded. Motion passed. Water Quality Update When Dr. Mott served on the committee, she provided water quality reports. Neil reported that Coastal Bend Aids Foundation had a stake holder meeting in April and another coming up on May 24. The meeting is regarding a Total Maximum Daily Load Project for bacteria count at Cole and Ropes Park in an effort to educate the public on bay pollution. WBAC requested a report from the meeting. Ruling on Texas Open Beaches Act Texas Open Beaches Act was declared unconstitutional. GLO's lawyers are still trying to figure out what is going on. Most of the focus is on the Galveston area. The Beach Access Coalition is expanding because of the court ruling and will become the Texas Beach Access Coalition. One of the direct implications for Corpus Christi is any re- nourishment projects adjacent to private property will not receive funding from the Texas General Land Office. Reimbursement funds could now be in jeopardy in the future should a storm hit. The case may end up in the Federal Supreme Court. City Sea Level Rising Plan Neil discussed a seminar on Sea Level Rise. The committee will approach Jeff Pollack for a report on the issue. Neil would like to see the City implement a Coastal Resilience plan. Aquatic Toxicity of Asphalt Sealantss. Neil distributed information on Coal- Tar -Based Pavement Sealcoat. Studies by the U.S. Geological Survey have identified coal- tar -based sealcoat -- the black, viscous liquid sprayed or painted on asphalt pavement such as parking lots -- as a major source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in urban areas for large parts of the Nation. Several PAHs are suspected human carcinogens and are toxic to aquatic life. Austin has placed a ban on the sale and application of coal tar - based sealants. Committee asked for additional information from the City's Street and Traffic Engineering Department regarding use of the products. Low Impact Designs on the Water Front Tabled till next meeting. Water Sport Safety on Gulf Beaches Two police officers will be dedicated to the Gulf Beaches from Thursday through Sunday, 11 a -9p. They will be out from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The officers will be trained in water safety and have water safety equipment. They will patrol the beach and respond to incidents in the area. Oso Bay Nature Preserve Tabled till next meeting. B. Old Business Possible Donation for Windward Parking Lot Waiting on Memorandum of Understanding. Tabled till next meeting. VI. Staff Liaison Report No Report VII. Committee Concerns, Request for Information, Agenda Items Identify Items to be placed on next agenda The following items will be placed on the next agenda: Bay Beach Safety • Receive and Consider donation at Windward Parking Lot • Update on Water Quality • Aquatic toxicity of asphalt sealants • Using Low Impact Design to prevent polluted runoff • Oso Bay Nature Preserve VIII. ADJOURNMENT As Jay had to attend another meeting, the committee lost quorum. Meeting was adjourned at 6:48 pm. Tara Galvan Administrative Assistant Parks and Recreation Department