HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 08/11/2010 •
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Regular Meeting
August 11, 2010, 5:00 p.m.
Sixth Floor Conference Room, City Hall RECEIVED
1201 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Members Present Members Absent Staff Present SEP 2 0 2010
Rene Gutierrez Carlos Haney Michael Morris CltVSECRETARY'S OFFICE
Jinsun Kim Stacie Talbert
Art Norman K Chute
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 July 21, 2010
The Secretary noted a correction of information. Lisa Torres' current term will not end until August of
2011. Therefore, the committee's action during the July meeting to support her re-appointment was not
necessary but still must be reported in the minutes.
Huxley Smith noted the Bike Tour date is August 28th.
Rita Padron made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. Huxley Smith seconded. Motion
passed.
IV. Public Comment - none
V. Business
A. Presentation
1. Community Youth Development(CYD) by Celina Ybarbo Pulcher
The Department of Family and Protective Services selected the Corpus Christi CYD program to be one of
the fifteen Physical Agents in the State of Texas. CYD is responsible for coordinating community services
with family and student needs in the 78415 zip code area. High standards must be met; over two
thousand unduplicated youth, ages ten to seventeen, must be provided service yearly, that's over six
hundred monthly. Ms. Pulcher noted the recent notification of their contract being extended for four
additional years. Members received a hand-out with additional information.
2. Juvenile Assessment Center(JAC), by Steven Hensley
For the entire community, JAC provides free assessment and case management through community
professionals providing services and follow-up care for families with youth experiencing problematic
behavior in school attendance, academic failure, family communication, drug use and other social issues
of today's society. Though not associated with incarceration or probation, JAC is partnered with
appropriate local law enforcement to provide learning programs and services to youth who have violated
curfew or other "Class C" misdemeanors. The Crime Control District provides partial funding.
Approximately one hundred youth are helped every two weeks. Members received a hand-out with
additional information.
(Art Norman arrived at 5:25 pm)
SCANNED
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3. Weed & Seed by Harold Smith
Handouts were distributed noting the goal of the program is to 'weed our crime, from targeted
neighborhoods and then 'seed' a wide range of crime and drug prevention programs and human service
agency resources. The program helps to prevent crime from reoccurring by providing a safe
environment. Members were invited to the 14th Annual Weed & Seed Festival, Saturday, August 14th,
from 10:30-2:30, in Flour Bluff. At least 70 agencies will be there to illustrate their services.
Committee members expressed their appreciation for all information provided by the three guest
speakers.
B. Old Business
1. For Continued Discussion
Expanded Name/Rename Process to Address Large Park Areas
Rita Padron reviewed the current draft document submitted by the Task Group. The following
are highlights from the discussion:
> Clarification of:
the application fee will not be quoted in the document but referenced as provided in the
department fee schedule,
adding 'amenity' to designate other than a park or a building/facility,
encouragement of fund for maintenance, improvements, and preservation of open spaces,
additional name requests will not be considered until after committee action is taken on the
current proposed name,
collection of fee(s) to cover process expenses incurred by the department,
> Discussion followed regarding:
non-refundable application fee and a naming fee
non-refundable application fee is collected at the time the request is submitted,
naming fee is collected after Council action.
> timing of the request to the committee
sufficient time must be given for staff to complete their basic research of City ownership
to know if request if eligible for consideration,
if appropriate, after the first review, PRAC may request staff gather public input during
the Citizen Engagement Process
> Additional notations:
Rita Padron clarified the park size classifications are provided in the Master Plan,
A Sub-Committee would be assigned to verify the supporting signatures,
The committee agreed the same process would be followed for all requests, regardless
of who is requesting.
The committee will continue to review and discuss this item at the September meeting.
2. For Discussion and Possible Action
A. Review of Sub-Committees; Roles, Goals and Tasks
Chair, Rene Gutierrez requested the information from each group.
Lisa Torres submitted the following for the Finance/Marketing Sub-Committee.
1. Advise staff on branding and marketing venues
2. Identify new avenues and opportunities for marketing
3. Assist staff on suggested financial issues
4. Promote the mission of PARD
Rita Padron noted the Volunteer Sub-Committee had not finalized their goals.
Ron Woods gave the Program Development Sub-Committee goal as; to introduce new
programs and review existing programs to meet community needs.
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Page 3
B. Combine Planning & Development and Special Project Sub-Committees
Art Norman noted the Planning and Development Sub-Committee is unable to make
recommendations before the platting process. In addition, the Unified Development
Code and the Parks Master Plan dictate the need for land or funding in lieu of land.
Though the group has value in the review process they are not certain how much help
they actually provide staff.
Committee discussion resulted in dissolving the Planning and Development Sub-
Committee.
Additional committee discussion resulted in dissolving the Special Project Sub-
Committee. Staff will continue to provide the committee with project updates as
appropriate.
The Special Project Task Group will continue special assignments as needed.
The Greens Liaison will be appropriately evaluated with consideration of the golf
contract.
C. Complete the Public Access Option Form
Members completed their annual information form for the secretary's and City Secretary's
files.
C. New Business for Discussion and Possible Action
1. Review applications, Make New Member Recommendation
Chair, Rene Gutierrez led the review of all applications and recommendation discussion.
The committee decided to re-consider the four remaining finalist from the April review. The
committee voted to recommend Kim Rottet for membership with Jordan Michael as
alternate. The secretary was requested to complete the notification process.
2. Election of Officers
Rita Padron made a motion to table this item until after Council Appointments. Sylvia
Samaniego seconded. Motion passed.
VI. Committee, Liaison/Staff Reports
Finance/Marketing
> Lisa Torres noted their continued work to connect the community, department and PRAC. They are
currently considering a pilot project survey for Collier Pool and Park participants, asking 4 basic
questions to gather citizen information about their experience and how it could be enhanced.
> Ms. Torres also noted consideration of a PRAC member work day t-shirt for easy recognition and
exposure in the community.
>The report from Santos Villarreal regarding the department Fall Guide, Penny Plover sign project,
and the Van Graphics contract was reviewed along with their role and goals.
Volunteers Program
Rita Padron gave comments from their meeting last night;
> Per Staff Liaison, Becky Perrin, the criminal background checks will be coordinated through the
Athletic Division, instead of the Police Department as previously mentioned by Chief Riggs.
> The Safety Section of the Volunteers Handbook is being reviewed. The forms are approved.
> The committee also held discussion about current volunteer programs.
Greens Committee
Ron Woods noted the committee met on the 27th to hear information about the RFP for privatizing the
City's two golf centers. Rounds of golf played have risen at the Lozano course, as the reseeding
process continues at the Oso course.
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TAC/Bicycle and Pedestrian Sub-Committee
Huxley Smith said they had not met.
Program Development
Sylvia Samaniego noted their guest speaker, Mariza Smith who has helped coordinate 18 other community
gardens. The committee is considering a partnership with a web-link from the Parks& Recreation Department
web page to provide information.
Stacie Talbert said she has not been able to speak with the appropriate person regarding the Tree City USA
Portland Ordinance.
Special Projects—report in packet
Planning Development— no meeting
Watershore & Beach Advisory Committee —Attendance was not required.
Special Project Task Group
Their report on the Name/Rename Process was already reviewed.
Director
Michael Morris:
1. Department Direction
Mr. Morris spoke of his philosophy; Parks & Recreation must create an image that creates
social capitol. Parks & Recreation must be valued in the community. Through improving the
community's life and quality of life comes value.
Mr. Morris noted information staff will be providing about services, programs, and activities
along with achievements and goals, and current performance measures to show the needs of
the community are being met, and how all this works toward the Council and the Bold Future
goals. Mr. Morris will provide PRAC a future report on these findings.
2. Department Strategy regarding Destination Bayfront
Mr. Morris noted the area will be a park, probably with other activities and venues, but still a
park. He reported staff has met separately with the group and participated in the citizen
meetings. October is planned for providing the public input report.
3. Parks & Recreation Department Master Plan Project
Mr. Morris reported the RFP's have been received and are being reviewed. A
recommendation will be given to Council before the community meetings are held.
4. PRAC Short Term Goal
Mr. Morris requested the members continue to advocate the department and support the
services and programs provided.
Assistant Director
Stacie Talbert
Ms. Talbert reported the Kayak Event is planned for Saturday, October 23r0. It is called the
Corpus Christi Paddle Prix and Rally that will begin at LaBonte Park and finish in the Port of
Corpus Christi area. An out of the ordinary event was requested by the Mayors Fitness
Council. So the kayak sport in Corpus Christi will be showcased during this event. Ms. Talbert
invited all members to participate and bring their family and friends.
VII. Identify items to be placed on next agenda
> PALS Presentation
>Tree City USA update
> Division update
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VIII. Adjournment
As there was no further business, Sylvia Samaniego made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Lisa
Torres seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 7:04 pm.
Michael Morris,(4 Director
Parks & Recreation Department