HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 05/05/2016 WATERSHORE AND BEACH ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
Regular Called Meeting, Thursday, May 5, 2016 5:30 p.m.
Staff Conference Room, City Hall
1201 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX
Members Present Members Absent Staff Present
Cameron Perry Jay Gardner Stacie Talbert Anaya
Cliff Schlabach Paulette Kluge Russell Armstrong
Joseph DePalma Mukesh Subedee Martha Lawhon
Jennifer Pollack Jyoti Patel Josh Wentworth
Carrie Robertson Meyer
I. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order at 5:30 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
The roll was called and a quorum was present.
I. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Minutes from the April 7, 2016 meeting were distributed for review and approval. Under"Staff Liaison
Report" Jennifer noted that the proper term is "rip current" not"rip tides". That change was noted and
Cliff made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected, Joe seconded, unanimously approved. Motion
passed.
IV. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC— None.
V. BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION
1 New Business
a. Report on "Take a Walk on the Beach Walk"
Carrie told the committee about the hike and bike trail which runs up and down North Beach, also called
the Beach Walk. The North Beach Community Association (NBCA) held an event together with the
Americans with Diabetes Association that was attended by the Mayor that discussed the benefits of
walking. The event highlighted that the Beach Walk was a great place to walk and to introduce the
public to it. After the walk the group partnered with the Texas State Aquarium for a beach cleanup.
b. North Beach History Committee Report by Dr. Barbara Welder
Dr. Welder presented a history of North Beach. The NBCA are looking for some signage and is asking
for this Committee's support. There is only 1 historical marker in North Beach and NBCA want North
Beach to be remembered for more than that. Dr. Welder handed out a map of Historical Points of
Interest and discussed some of the history from those locations.
Carrie reported on Bond 2012 meeting; Bond 2012 is $1.6 million bond, passed in November of 2012 to
spend on North Beach by the Lexington. The idea is to build a plaza there with some historical markers.
This spot has a wonderful view of the Lexington and is currently a free parking lot. There will also be a
walkway to the aquarium, which would be a great safety measure. Carrie asked if WBAC would support
the idea of bringing historical signage to North Beach. Cameron made a motion to support historical
signage in North Beach, Cliff seconded, unanimously approved. Motion supported.
2 Old Business
a. ISAC Update
Cliff reported on this in Jay's absence.
• The ISAC committee is asking the City to amend their existing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
beach maintenance permit to allow moving sand seaward beyond the Mean High Water line.
• There was much discussion about installing traffic lights on the Island.
• There was discussion about the Park Road 22 Bridge and where the monies would come from.
• There was a unanimously approval from the committee to ban plastic bags.
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b. Beach Maintenance Practice Workshop Review
Cliff reported that Jay did a great job conducting this workshop and there were many in attendance from
up and down the coast.
• There was a lot of discussion of various methods for trash removal.
• There was an intense discussion regarding how to handle Sargassum.
• There was discussion about how to report Rip Currents; the Gulf Beach will be using a flag
system located on the access roads to the beaches reporting the current situation. It was
relayed that the County at Bob Hall Pier has red flags up all the time; they are not changed.
• Next the discussion turned to the water trucks. Port Aransas had one but doesn't use them
anymore.
• Cliff noted that City beaches were well represented at the meeting.
VI. STAFF LIASON REPORT
• Russell reported that the HOT Funds have been approved and from that there are 29 new
positions to be filled. McGee Beach will have 2 stands and lifeguards. Carrie stated that North
Beach Community Association wanted an enforcement officer and that what they got was a part
time enforcement officer; they would have requested lifeguards if they knew it was a part time
officer. She wanted everyone to know that what was promised was not delivered. Also she (and
NBCA)wanted an officer on foot not in a truck. Russell stated that lifeguards at the Gulf
Beaches will start at 10 am on the weekends and stay until 8 pm. There have been 12
applicants so far. The Gulf Beaches will have 2 enforcement officers.
• Russell reported that we are still waiting for the trash trucks which are expected around the end
of June. He relayed that Beach Operations has modified a trailer for easier trash pickup to use
in the meantime. This modified trailer will also be the backup if the trash trucks were to go
down. The City would like to also include a recycle can with the regular trash cans and include
the beach trash sacks in the near future.
• Russell spoke of proposing the creation of a subcommittee to do a study regarding "pushing
sand" seaward and modifying the existing City beach maintenance permit. The City is asking
WBAC to make a recommendation regarding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit.
• Beach Operations is working with the Cinco de Mayo celebration which will be held this
weekend.
• Russell introduced Josh Wentworth and he reported that he will be adding 4 full time employees
to North Beach and some temps. Josh is the Park Supervisor over the Bay Beaches
VII. IDENTIFY ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON NEXT AGENDA
1. Resolution to support the bag ban on Padre Island.
2. Report on the Texas Beach Watch procedures
3. Update on the State HOT Funds and how they affect North Beach
4. ISAC Update
5. McGee Beach Update
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business, Cliff made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Carrie seconded the
motion. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Martha Lawhon, Management Assistant
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