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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 07/21/2010 PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECEIVED Regular Meeting July 21, 2010, 5:00 p.m. Sixth Floor Conference Room, City Hall AUG 1 8 2010 1201 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78401 Members Present Members Absent Staff Present CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE Rene Gutierrez Carrie Robertson Michael Morris Carlos Haney Stacie Talbert Jinsun Kim K Chute Art Norman Rita Padron Dorian Ramirez Sylvia Samaniego Huxley Smith Lisa Torres Ron Woods Call to Order Chair, Rene Gutierrez called the meeting to order at 5:08 pm. II. Roll Call of Members The recording secretary called roll and announced a quorum was present. III. Adoption of Minutes Regular meeting of June 9, 2010 Rita Padron expressed her concern for the method used during the motion process for naming the State School Park Property for Manuel Q. Salinas. It was determined that no additional action was necessary. Sylvia Samaniego made a motion to accept the minutes as submitted. Huxley Smith seconded. Motion passed with one opposed. IV. Public Comment- none V. Business A. Presentation 1. Introduction of Director, Michael Morris Mr. Morris shared some background information about himself and the committee welcomed him to Corpus Christi, and to the committee. A brief discussion was held regarding his knowledge of the Tree City USA Award. Mr. Morris is experienced with the project and would like to unveil that flag at next year's City of Corpus Christi, Arbor Day Celebration. 2. Golf Division Report, Stacie Talbert and Rudy Garza Stacie Talbert briefly reviewed the project history stating prioritizing programs or services where beneficial is being researched by staff to accommodate the City's decreasing budget. Rudy Garza, IGR Director, stated this presentation was recently given to the Green's Committee. Members were asked to sign a Statement of Confidentiality because the information has not yet been publicly announced. Mr. Garza noted some current reasons for the study to privatize golf include recent Capitol Improvement Program (CIP) funds spent on course improvements coupled with upcoming fund needs, other community courses are becoming less active providing the opportunity for additional play on the two City courses, and managing the golf activity as originally intended, as an Enterprise Fund. Mr. Garza stated the overall City goal of privatizing is to reduce expenditures, increase revenue, and improve service. Mr. Garza generally described the four final companies and stated companies A and B were selected from the second round of evaluations. Council is scheduled to receive their committee's recommendation in August. The members thanked Rudy Garza for the information. SCANNED PRAC,July 21,2010 Page 2 (Lisa Torres arrived at 5:45 pm) 2. Crossgate Park/RTA Project Stacie Talbert informed the committee of the City and RTA partnership to build a transfer station or Park 8 Ride Area for the south side of town, to be located on the southern most portion of Crossgate Park at Cross Valley 8 Rivergate streets. The parking area could be used for bus riders during the day and to relieve congestion of after school sports practice in the park. The RTA is applying for a federal grant designed to increase access to bus service. The RTA proposed improving the park property with a walking bridge across the storm water drain, development of a parking area and maintenance of the improved area, as shown on the hand- out illustration. A memo describing this project was given to Council last month, and neighborhood meetings are being planned. The committee thanked Ms. Talbert for the information and requested additional reports of the project's progress. Chair, Rene Gutierrez suggested a brief, 10 minute break. All members returned to the meeting at 6:45 pm. B. Old Business 1. For Discussion Expanded Name/Rename Process to Address Large Park Areas Dorian Ramirez reviewed the current PRAC and Council Policies, with the draft document submitted by the Task Group. Highlights of the discussion follow: > The Task Group suggests naming only after deceased persons, as other cities reflect in their policies. Noted; need to define length of time deceased such as 12 months, 18 months. > Current/ Policy Procedure, Section V, Definitions are different in other documents. All need to be standard, or like Master Plan. The same clarity is needed regarding City owned property. > Additional information is needed on the request form. > Section VII, 1, e. The suggestion of support signatures led to discussion regarding the validation process; who could validate and by what method. Also discussed was the process to be used when duplicate names are being considered at the same time, and citizen confusion regarding their support. > Discussion was also held regarding the start of the 60 day waiting period; begins when request is received, when request is presented to PRAC, when request is posted on park signs and delivered to park neighbors, or when first published in newspaper. > If request is rejected, the waiting period to re-submit that name was also discussed. > Consideration of naming an amenity was favorably discussed. > Consideration of maintenance was suggested through a trust fund or such monetary fund. > The re-wording of staff's responsibility regarding renaming ceremonies was mentioned. > Consideration of the due diligence research cost and a non-refundable application fee, with the item included on the department fee schedule as a new funding source, and its collection process was also discussed. The committee decided to continue the process review and discussion at the August meeting. 2. For Discussion and Possible Action b. Review Committee Member Terms Per Secretary's information, members with August 2010 expiring terms were asked if they wanted to continue serving on the committee. Four said they wanted re-appointment. The committee voted individually to support and recommend for re-appointment Lisa Torres, Rene Gutierrez, Huxley Smith, and Ron Woods. Rita Padron made a motion to table action on Carrie Robertson as she was absent and had not expressed her intent. Sylvia Samaniego seconded. Motion unanimously passed. PRAC,July 21,2010 Page 3 c. Review Officer Election Process A brief discussion was held regarding accepted methods for officer election. Lisa Torres made a motion to accept nominations from the floor. Art Norman seconded. Motion passed without opposition. a. Review Bold Future Projects and Tasks Stacie Talbert briefly reviewed the Bold Future project and hand-out, stating Parks & Recreation had several areas of responsibility. PRAC members and sub-committees will be called upon to assist with projects during the year, to year and a half of meetings. Members will be informed of the meetings and are invited to attend when possible. Progress reports will be provided to PRAC and to Margie Rose. VI. Committee, Liaison/Staff Reports Finance/Marketing — no meeting Special Projects—report in packet Greens Committee Ron Woods noted they received the Golf RFP report from Rudy Garza. The re-seeding of the greens on the Oso course is progressing nicely with regular play planned in August, and Marti Longoria-Potts resigned as golf pro. TAC/Bicycle and Pedestrian Sub-Committee Huxley Smith invited members to participate in a thirty mile, morning ride on August 28`" and September 4'". Planning Development—no meeting Program Development Ron Woods noted their goal statement will continue to be basically the same. The committee is working toward funds for a park garden pilot program to begin the Community Garden concept. Park Play Days are also being discussed. Watershore & Beach Advisory Committee—Attendance was not required. Volunteer Program —no meeting Special Project Task Group Dorian Ramirez noted their report was given in Section B, Old Business, Item 1, Expanded Name/Rename Process. Director Michael Morris: 1. Beach Maintenance Mike Morris noted the message from Carrie Robertson regarding trash on Corpus Christi North Beach over the weekend. He explained a crew works the CC North Beach area twice daily, AM & PM. The trash route takes about 3-4 hours. Summer brings more visitors, and more trash. Budget cuts have resulted in smaller crews. The committee expressed understanding. 2. Budget Update City Council passed the budget at their July 201" meeting. The department lost five full-time recreation coordinators. Their positions were made part time. Park Operations are eight positions down. And five new positions were created to maintain the Bayfront Park, including the water feature. • PRAC,July 21,2010 Page 4 Assistant Director Stacie Talbert 1. Regarding the request for more Beach Volleyball on McGee Beach Ms. Talbert noted the sand is river sand that contains rock and other particles not user friendly to volleyball players. However, it is possible to encourage more tournaments for the sport of soccer. 2. Penny Plover poster illustrating the new sign was shown. The education program against litter will start by using the Penny Plover signs on CC North Beach. Current signage funds are available for this area. Trash Can Stickers could be next. And Penny Plover will be used on future brochures, and advertisements. VII. Identify items to be placed on next agenda > Request for Workshop on Rules, Regulations and By Laws > Update Presentation from JAC, CYD, Weed & Seed Programs > Update on Tree City USA Members were reminded of the Artesian Park work on Saturday. Members were invited to the Staff and Family Picnic, August 7� . VIII. Adjournment As there was no further business, Sylvia Samaniego made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Carlos Haney seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 8:37 pm. illart7 Michael Morris, Director Parks& Recreation Department