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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 02/10/2010 PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE E D Regular Meeting MAR 1 2 2QjQ February 10, 2010, 5:00 p.m. Sixth Floor Conference Room, City Hall 1201 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78401 CRYSECRETARy'S OFRCE Members Present Members Absent Staff Present Rene Gutierrez Huxley Smith Stacie Talbert Carlos Haney Reba George Jinsun Kim K Chute Art Norman Rita Padron Carrie Robertson Sylvia Samaniego Lisa Torres Ron Woods Call to Order Chair, Rene Gutierrez called the meeting to order at 5:07 pm. II. Roll Call of Members The recording secretary called roll and announced a quorum was present. III. Adoption of Minutes Regular meeting, January 13, 2010 Rita Padron made a motion to accept the minutes as submitted. Ron Woods seconded. Sylvia Samaniego and Lisa Tortes abstained. Motion passed. IV. Public Comment Freddy Ramirez of bekindtoCyClist brought an update to the committee regarding their efforts to improve safety along the Bay Trail. The Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) met on January 25th. The TAC said the Bay Trail does not exist. Therefore, no action is required. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee withdrew their safety request due to the political influence. He thanked the committee for their support. V. Business A. Presentations Summary of Department Expenditure Sources by Reba George. Ms. George provided the Annual Revenue Estimate Report with the Summary of Appropriations and Expenditures Report both ending in December, 2009. Additionally, she provided the Mid-Year Reductions Report effective February, 2010. Stacie Talbert and Reba George summarized those events and answered questions. Ms. George also noted the City's CAFAR report was complete and had been distributed. Ms. Talbert thanked Ms. George for her extensive budget work, and noted adjustments are still being made to cover all areas of responsibility. An additional approximate ten million dollar reduction is predicted for the beginning of fiscal year, August 1". Ms. Talbert noted staffs work on ideas to sell pocket park land, combining large area mowing jobs with Storm Water, giving land adjacent to schools to the district, chemical turf management in the Park Operations, Tourist District and Athletic Divisions. It was decided not to place playground equipment in parks adjacent to schools as the district will be providing such equipment for their play areas. These and other measures are being considered in anticipation of the approximate four hundred thousand dollar budget cut for August, 2010. B. Old Business for Discussion and Possible Action t PRAC selection for Adopt A Park Project SCANNED ,.,, Rene Gutierrez asked for member's requests and led discussion. Carrie Robertson noted her involvement with two other parks, so will participate only as much as possible. The committee expressed understanding. When asked about the main areas of responsibility for volunteers, Stacie Talbert noted flower bed work including weeding and the exchange of flowers, along with collection of trash. She also suggested consideration of the City's first park, Artesian Park, as it has high visibility and the committee's work could help advertise the volunteer program. Rita Padron made a motion to table the item until March, when the application would be brought for committee completion. Lisa Torres seconded. Motion passed. 2. Transportation Advisory Committee, Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee Liaison Responsibilities. Rene Gutierrez asked for member's suggestion and led discussion. It was decided the TAC, B&P liaison would follow the same guidelines as all other PRAC liaisons. Liaisons are to attend the meetings, participate in discussions but not vote or speak for the PRAC committee unless the item is addressed by PRAC and the liaison is given representation instruction. The liaison provides direct communication between PRAC and other committees. C. New Business for Discussion and Possible Action 1. Policy/Procedure Update for Naming or Renaming Parks and Recreation Facilities. The committee reviewed the updates that included; (Section IV, 2.) the addition of a Public Announcement when large parks are being considered, and (Section IV, 5.) language to clarify associated costs for the proposing entity. In response, members were assured all rules, including costs, would be equally applied to all entities making the naming or renaming request. Lisa Torres made a motion to accept the updates to the Policy/Procedure for Naming or Renaming Parks and Recreation Facilities as presented. Rita Padron seconded. Motion passed. 2. PRAC's New Member Process Rene Gutierrez reviewed the final draft of the committees previous work and noted it to be a tool for use only by committee members. Very little discussion was needed. Rita Padron made a motion to accept the New Member Application Review and Recommendation Process as presented. Art Norman seconded. Motion passed. VI. Committee, Liaison/Staff Reports Finance/Marketing — Lisa Torres reported no meeting. Planning Development—The group met and reviewed their goals considering alternately addressing plats and projects every other month. Program Development— Ron Woods said they discussed the Education Tree Project of Jinsun Kim being in the Earth Day Bay Day Celebration on April 1791 and continuing the educational benefit of the displays at a local library, the Art Museum, Latchkey sites, etc. Details will be provided as they develop. Tree donations are requested. Pictures to document the project were suggested. Volunteer Program Development and Projects Rita Padron reported their meeting Monday, February 8th included discussions about the almost complete Volunteer Handbook and Hold Harmless Statement that will be reviewed by the City's legal representative. Policy work continues. A future vision is to have all volunteer groups covered under one umbrella for ease of tracking worked hours for value estimates and as required for grant application, and supplemental insurance consideration. Criminal Background Checks will be processed by the Department of Public Safety for three dollars each. The committee is working on a grant to fund that report. Ms. Padron further reports the plan to print one hundred Volunteer Handbooks in addition to placing the information on the web site. A presentation is planned for PRAC before the item is presented to Council. Details will follow. Special Projects—A report was included in the meeting packet. Greens Committee— Ron Woods said the Greens Committee met on January 26th. Dennis Burns is no longer a City employee. Marti Longoria-Potts is overseeing both Lozano and Oso Courses, with good supporting staff assistance. Clark Waters is working on driving range repairs at Lozano and the Oso greens drainage problem. The Greens Committee has a situation they request be brought before PRAC and staff for solution discussion. During heavy rains sewage overflows onto#18 fairway of the Oso Course. Stacie Talbert offered the following information. The problem has existing for about twenty years. An Engineering firm was hired by the City to find the problem and recommend the correct fix. They presented about a twenty million dollar solution to remedy the problem. Until the City has sufficient funding for that project, the Waste Water Department has implemented the following measures; supplemental pumps at the Oso Station while evaluation of the current pump system is being conducted to see if the system can more effectively be used. An infiltration system study is also being conducted. The Collections Activity Superintendent and staff are on stand-by to help during a heavy rain event. Stacie Talbert and Foster Crowell, Director of Waste Water offered to speak with the Greens Committee. Ron Woods will provide this information to the committee and bring back their request or decline to have discussion with Mr. Crowell. Watershore & Beach Advisory Committee—Carrie Robertson reported discussion during the meeting on February 4"' about the Packery Channel dredging project. The dredged material is being used to re-nourish the beach. Staff is working on Spring Break preparations with a larger than normal crowd being anticipated this year because of the economy and previous coastal storms. March 12th through 21st is the official Spring Break with most schools breaking the week of the 15th. Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries is providing dumpsters for large furniture brought to the beach by Spring Breakers. This effort was a success last year, so is continuing this year. An increase in the sale of Beach Parking permits is anticipated with more convenient purchasing locations directly on the beach. Sand continues to build-up on the Corpus Christi Beachwalk. The City is monitoring the process and is researching the possibility of purchasing a mechanical sweeper attachment. (Rene Gutierrez left at 6:00 pm) More 'no littering' signs are need to emphasize the two thousand dollar fine. 'Danger, No Swimming' signs are planned for the Packery Channel area to warn swimmers of personal danger because of the rip tide and that there will not be lifeguards on duty at all times. Interim Director Stacie Talbert responded to previous questions and requests for information: 1. McGee Beach Restroom Facility update given by Stacie Talbert and Carrie Robertson As previously noted, the City has an agreement with the Omni to provide restroom availability at the McGee Beach concession location. Last year, the first year of this agreement, the Omni was open only for limited hours on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays during the peak season. As per their agreement, staff and Omni representatives have reviewed last year's success and discussed the upcoming tourist season. The Omni is working toward improving the area with cement planters and vegetation, perhaps some outdoor showers with semi private screening, installing drying blowers in the restroom, and other ideas to make the area look like a resort spot. The Omni is also researching the idea to provide a staff person to monitor, supervise, and clean the restroom facility, thus trying to keep it open on a daily basis. These measures could significantly relieve the drains clogged with sand, the paper towel distribution, and other previously experienced problems. The Omni has not yet received any financial gain from this venture, but feels the efforts a part of their civic duty. They asked the City to consider allowing their deduction of the salary for necessary restroom staff from their monthly fee due the City for use of the property. The Omni will be submitting a formal proposal. Ms. Talbert will provide the committee with details as they become available. It was suggest the Convention and Visitors Bureau adopt McGee Beach. Ms. Talbert noted other project collaborations with the CVB. 2. City's Economic Development Committee Ms. Talbert provided a copy of the City's Stimulus Strategies and noted how the department will support the branding and cohesive work measures. Ms. Padron asked about the City's 4A classification in consideration of a 4B status that gives State funding for parks, hike and bike trails, affordable housing and other useful items. Ms. Padron will send a scan of the 4A-4B state sales tax allocations. Mr. Talbert will invite Eddie Ortega of Neighborhood Services to speak with the committee at a future meeting, 3. Bayfront Phase III As information was provided via the Request for Information form, Stacie Talbert asked members if they had any additional question about the project. No questions were asked. 4. Personal 'Pride Acknowledgment by PRAC Ms. Talbert suggested a personal note from PRAC to acknowledge outstanding achievements by staff. Also mentioned was the good of interaction between staff and committee, as long as suggestions were brought through the Director's Office. 5. Public Responses by PRAC Ms. Talbert commended Rita Padron for her response to some letter to the editor. A copy was provided to the committee. 6. Direct Volunteers to Becky Perrin The Parks & Recreation Department is developing several volunteer areas and projects. Members are requested to direct all volunteers to Becky Perrin at 826-3470 to coordinate a smooth process. 7. March 6th Tour Itinerary Ms. Talbert received approval from the committee for the upcoming tour. Rita Padron requested a future tour of the central town area parks. It was agreed. 8. February 17`h Special Called Meeting Stacie Talbert described a movement to suspend Park Land Dedication on portions of Ocean Drive development. In consideration of the depressed economy, some developers feel the dedication prohibits down town development. Ms. Talbert is participating in research to study and compare similar cities in Texas with Corpus Christi. Discussion added the requested suspension also on South Staples and other areas to encourage development. The proposal of a cap, both solid and graduated, on amounts due toward the land dedication were discussed. The question o' a Downtown Management District (DMD) development fee was asked. Ms. Talbert will find out and reply to the committee. Ms. Talbert noted the agenda copy of the Special Called Meeting of PRAC next Wednesday, February 17m. At that time Development Services staff will present their proposal and be available to answer questions. VII. Identify items to be placed on next agenda Conclude Adopt A Park selection for PRAC Select PRAC New Member Applicants to speak to the committee Find out why TAC does not recognize the Bay Trail, and provide pertinent project information Discuss adding recycle cans on Corpus Christi Beach Review of Subcommittee Goals Presentation of the Volunteer's Handbook before the Council presentation Future presentation by Eddie Ortega regarding the City's 4A Status in consideration of a 48 change. VIII. Adjournment As there was no further business Rita Padron made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Carrie Robertson seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 6:50 pm. Stacie Talbert, Interim Director Parks & Recreation Department