HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 02/24/2010 - Special PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Special Called Meeting
February 24, 2010, 5:30 p.m.
Fifth Floor Conference Room, City Hall
1201 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Members Present Members Absent Staff Present
Rene Gutierrez Carrie Robertson Stacie Talbert
Carlos Haney Sylvia Samaniego Joshua Wentworth
Jinsun Kim K Chute
Art Norman
Rita Padron
Huxley Smith
Lisa Torres
Ron Woods
Call to Order
Chair, Rene Gutierrez called the meeting to order at 5:34 pm.
ll. Roll Call of Members
The recording secretary called roll and announced a quorum was present.
Business
Art Norman noted a point of order, asking if the presentation should have been given to the Planning
and Development Sub-Committee before coming to PRAC. Stacie Talbert related due to the
importance of this item, there was not sufficient time to present to the sub-committee first. Therefore,
the entire committee will hear the information together as a proactive action. Chair, Rene Gutierrez
requested a special note in the minutes.
1. Presentations for Discussion and Action
Amendment to Park Land Dedication Ordinance of Unified Development Code (UDC)
Stacie Talbert clarified the background for this item. Because of the City's economic condition, the
Economic Development Committee was tasked to identity ways to lower the cost of development.
One possible recommendation was to place a moratorium on the costs associated with park
development. Instead of receiving no money for an indefinite period of time, staff has been meeting
to produce a plan to lower the developer's costs while reviewing and revising the Parks Master Plan
to include the funding factor.
Johnny Perales, Development Services Deputy Director, and Daniel McGinn, Sr. Project Manager,
gave a PowerPoint presentation focusing on staffs proposed change to the 2007 Council adopted
section of the UDC providing for park land development and associated fees. This proposal
moderates fees to encourage development.
(Jinsun Kim arrived at 5:45 pm)
Following the presentation, members asked the following and received answers:
> Under the 48 designation, the compared cities of San Antonio, McAllen and College Station do
use a fair market cap. However, Rita Padron noted they supplement their funding with a percent of
the sales tax. How will Corpus Christi supplement the cap? Mr. Perales noted a portion of the
sales tax would be the real solution, though it is not currently existing. Ms. Talbert reported staff is
pursuing the 4B status currently with Executive Staff.
> Why re-do the Master Plan? Mr. Perales explained the next generation of Master Plans include a
funding element. The public hearing portions will communicate the type of parks desired by the
community. Then the Master Plan can serve as a guide to establish justifiable and reasonable fees
to develop that type of park to meet the community's desired quality of life.
> How do the hotels/motels contribute to the parks used by their patrons? Ms. Talbert explained
the HOT funds use includes routine operation/maintenance of the downtown parks, and for the
Convention and Visitor's Bureau marketing of the City.
> Why does the ordinance only address new platting? Because the original plat would have been
used to the collect fee. Lisa Aguilar of legal advised the ordinance could be expanded to include all
development, not just new developments.
Mr. Perales also clarified that an adjustable cap could be used to grow with the economy.
Additionally, the one and a half mile radius for use of those funds could be expanded in the revised
Master Plan.
Through discussion, it was determined that a Long Term Goal, to require all new residential units
pay $200 Park Development Fee at the time of the building permit, should be moved to the Short
Term Solution section of the proposal.
> What is the timeline for re-evaluation of the reduced fees? Mr. Perales said language could be
added to the Master Plan to re-assess components of an ordinance based on growth.
The presentation is scheduled for the Planning Commission Wednesday, March 3" at 5:30 pm. A
Public Hearing will be held with the Planning Commission meeting two weeks later, (March 17t).
Mr. Perales agreed to incorporate some of the PRAC questions and clarifications.
IV. Public Comment
Carolyn Moon of 4902 Calvin, with the Bay Area SMART Growth Initiative Committee stated she
has not heard any developers saying they could not develop a project because of the park fees.
Steve Trubatisky of13605 Movo, asked who is pushing the moratorium? Mr. Perales noted the task
given the Economic Incentive Group. Mr. Trubatisky suggested the re-evaluation of the revenue
stream vs the negative image placed on the Parks Department. Such as making another park in
the down town area is almost impossible, so don't charge those area developers park fees.
However, leave the fees in place for the remaining areas of development.
Sandy Billish of 15885 Punta Espada was requested by Assistant City Manager, Margie Rose to
provide some background information to the committee about park development. Ms. Billish served
on PRAC from 1998-2006.
> During that time the current Master Plan was developed and approved by Council in November
2002.
> The Enrichment Fund was developed through the plat review process, and a new sub-committee.
> Previous attempts to develop the downtown LaRetama and Artesian Parks failed because there
was no funding available.
> Ms. Billish stated businesses use the following priority when looking to locate in a new
community; #1. schools, #2. parks, #3 city taxes and amenities.
> Billish Park was also developed through neighbors partnering with the City. During the
annexation of the original portion of Padre Island, park land was set aside. There was no park
land dedication/development application used. From 2000 - 2004, their neighborhood group and
City developed the eleven acres into a park valued at$500,000.
> Ms. Billish stated with the down economy, she didn't believe the park fees would stop a developer
and suggested reviewing the appraised price for additional financial information consideration.
III. Amendment item continued
Following Citizen Comments and additional Member Comments, Johnny Perales summarized the
proposal to include the following considerations:
> to establish a cap, per acre, within the existing fee structure.
> to design this cap as an interim measure while the Master Plan is being revised.
> to annually re-evaluate the process as it relates to the actual park development cost by January
31st and implement appropriate revisions.
> to add a financial component to the Master Plan.
Rita Padron made a motion to accept the proposed Amendment to the Park Land Dedication
Ordinance as presented, including considerations, by Johnny Perales and Dan McGinn. Lisa
Torres seconded. Motion passed without opposition.
It was noted that park development does add value to the project, thus returning some of the fee
value to the developer. Additionally, this yearly evaluation provides staff an opportunity to re-
establish the value of park development.
Mr. Perales agreed to return with updates to the committee in March and April.
2. Tree Ordinance/Tree City USA Designation
Stacie Talbert reported some staff concern regarding the ordinance impact on new development.
Therefore, the City's proposed ordinance with specific modifications has been sent for review by the
Texas Forest Service to be certain it meets their qualifications before submitting the item to City
Council. Ms. Talbert will keep the committee apprised of this progress.
V. Adjournment
As there was no further business Lisa Torres made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Huxley Smith
seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 7:32 pm.
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Stacie Talbert, Interim Director
Parks & Recreation Department