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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 04/02/2015 WATERSHORE AND BEACH ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Regular Called Meeting, Thursday,April 2, 2015 5:30 p.m. Staff Conference Room, City Hall 1201 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX Members Present Members Absent Staff Present Cameron Perry Diana Del Angel Stacie Talbert Anaya Cliff Schlabach Jennifer Pollack Carrie Robertson Meyer Joseph DePalma Robert Kent Jay Gardner Paulette Kluge I. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 5:33 p.m. II. ROLL CALL The roll was called and a quorum was present. I. ADOPTION OF MINUTES Minutes from the March 5, 2015 meeting were distributed for review and approval. Paulette made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, Cliff second, unanimously approved. Motion carried. IV. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC— NONE V. BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION A. New Business 1. Birding Center-Carrie presented information on her efforts to develop the North Beach Wetlands with walkways, signage and parking. She is working with the Parks Dept., Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, and other entities to put together a Coastal Management Plan (CMP)grant application. Committee suggested she seek a resolution of support once the application has been drafted and can be reviewed by the committee. 2. HOT Funds use on North Beach -Carrie acknowledged the efforts to seek further(Hotel Occupancy Tax) HOT funds through the State's portion of the proceeds; however, she would like North Beach to receive a portion of the City HOT Funds as well. Communication between the City Manager and the North Beach Association has occurred as to what type of activities/projects can utilize HOT funds. The eligible projects include historical site preservation/promotion. Current use of HOT funds for beach cleaning/erosion control is currently limited to the Gulf Beaches, but the new legislation proposed in Austin would allow the new funds to be used for these items on bay beaches as well. The committee expressed concerned whether it had the authority to weigh in on the issue and asked for a clarification of how the HOT funds are distributed, whether another city committee helps oversee the distribution, and whether it is appropriate for the WBAC to comment. Paulette volunteered to assist with the research. Carrie will provide copies of communication with the city manager. Public comment on the issue from David Cowling and Rocco Montesano (both in favor of idea presented by Carrie). 3. Public Comment for Proposed Changes to 31 Tex. Admin Code—There was discussion about the contents of the proposed rule change and the committee elected to comment on the proposed amendments individually and not as a committee since the official comment period ends on April 27. 4. New Beach Access Road —Jay invited Greg Smith to give a brief presentation. Greg stated that a new resort has been permitted near the middle of the 8 mile stretch with no access road between Mustang Island and Port Aransas. Greg encourages the city to seek funding mechanism for building an access road in the area. He said he has spoken to the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and they are in favor of it. Possible sources mentioned: Restore Act, CMP, CEPRA grant programs. B. Old Business for Discussion/Action 1. Bollard Update—The committee agreed to move this item to the staff liaison report on a regular basis. City working on CEPRA grant for renourishment of beach in the area in order to meet stipulations of GLO permit. 2. Beach Maintenance Practices -—Subcommittee will meet on April 16 to discuss USACE permit, how it impacts Beach Maintenance Plans, and make recommendations for changes. After a meeting with Beach Maintenance staff will be scheduled to discuss potential changes. Once changes have been agreed upon they will be presented to entire committee for approval. 3. Dune Driving -Cliff has been in contact with Nueces County and City on the issue. Driving on the dunes occurring near Newport and at Zahn Road. Cliff stated that Scott Cross with the County says they will be stepping up enforcement. Stacie will connect Cliff with Captain Kelly Isaacs as well. 4. CEPRA Project Suggestions - Packery Channel Dredge/Beach Nourishment, North Beach Breakwater/Erosion Control Study, Swantner and Cole Park shoreline protection, Sunfish Island (?) VI. STAFF LIAISON REPORT 1. Spring Break Report—Very slow spring break due to weather with only 673 permits sold by staff. There were 48 citations issued, including a few for litter. The area in front of the seawall had little traffic. Cliff mentioned that the signs at the bollards may need to be larger for easier reading. VII. IDENTIFY ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON NEXT AGENDA • HOT Tax • Beach Maintenance Plan • Raking at North Beach VIII. ADJOURNMENT As there was no further business, Jay made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Paulette seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 7:06 pm.