HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 02/13/2013PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Regular Meeting
February 13, 2013 5:00 p.m.
Sixth Floor Conference Room, City Hall
1201 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Members Present Members Absent Staff Present
Rita Padron
Dorian Ramirez
Sylvia (S.) Campos
Ron Woods
Carlos Valdez
Rick Barrera
Huxley Smith
Carlos Haney
Jesse Garcia
Jinsun Kim
Lisa Torres
Richard Avila
Michael Morris
Stacie Talbert
I. Call to Order
Chair, Lisa Torres was not present due to Jury Duty obligations. Carlos Haney, Vice - Chair, called the meeting to
order at 5:03 p.m.
II. Roll Call of Members
The recording secretary called roll and announced a quorum was present.
III. Adoption of Minutes
Regular Meeting of January 9 2013
Huxley Smith motioned to accept minutes of January 9, 2013.
Rita`Padron seconded.
Minutes approved.
IV. Public Comment — Rick Sanchez, Jazz Festival Society Representative, will await the proposed presentation by
the Rotary Club for plans on a Gazebo /Bandstand at Heritage Park. The plans may affect the Jazz Festival. He
will refrain from comments until after the presentation.
V. Presentation and Possible Action —
Rotary Club Gazebo /Bandstand - Art Azeitler, Johnny Cotten (Architect) and David Underbrink (Project
Engineer), representatives with the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi; made their presentation on plans to gift
(donate) a Gazebo /Bandstand to the City of Corpus Christi to possibly be housed at Heritage Park. The
presentation provided specifications on the $130,000 project from materials to design. It also factored in
that the project would generate revenue for the City. The committee decided to table the item for possible
endorsement to the City Council after the Rotary Club meets with the different organizations that would be
impacted by the project for further discussion and possible adjustments.
❖ Labonte Park — Rita Pardon reported that the park is an eye sore seen by millions of individuals who drive -
by yearly. The numbers will double even triple by 2014 with the ground breaking of the new Outlet Mall in
Robstown. The presentation provided information about park activities, history, inventory and even photos
that depicted lack of park maintenance. She feels that if the Master Gardeners took on the project or even
by moving beautification from Artesian Park to Labonte Park it would help liven it up. Home Depot
volunteered to donate items to the park beautification. Beautification might interest park adoption. After
some discussion, the item was tabled for the March meeting pending information on the circular flowerbed
to establish if it currently has irrigation and electrical supply.
PRAC Regular Meeting 02/13/13
VI. Old Business and Possible Action —
Artesian Park — Huxley Smith reported a big change at Artesian Park. The PRAC sign is up. Stacie Talbert
reported that when the Bond for Community Enrichment passed it included in the bond $75,000 for
improvements at Artesian Park. The monies will be used for historical homage, landscaping /irrigation and a
workshop with the Architect
❖ PSA /Magazine Article - Carlos Haney reported that the article is ready to go. The article will appear in a
Tejano magazine pending information on PRAC members Carlos Valdez Sr. and Huxley Smith. The article
date is unknown. The PSA shoot is scheduled for March at McGee Beach. Everyone is invited to
participate. The PSA should be finished and ready for presentation at the March meeting.
VII. New Business and Possible Action —
❖ Horticulture Task Force - Rick Barrera nominated Carlos Valdez Sr. to head the Horticulture Task Force.
The item was tabled for the March meeting.
Butterfly Garden Grant — Carlos Valdez Sr. provided a brief presentation on a grant to bring back Monarch
Butterflies. This would be a great opportunity to make our parks more attractive by making them Wild Life
Sanctuaries. Huge migrations converge through the area allowing the opportunity to capture some of the
migration and help it remain in our area. The presentation explained the butterfly metamorphosis and how
the Butterfly Weed (Milk Weed) plant which is the primary food for the Monarch Butterfly would help to
maintain the return of the butterflies. The grant application needs to be submitted by March 15, 2013. If the
timeline is not met, it would be something to consider for the future. Oso Park would be a place to consider.
The Parks and Recreation staff will look into the grant application and see if it can get completed by the
deadline.
❖ PRAC Appointment Nominations — Item was tabled for March meeting.
VIII. Committee, Liaison /Staff Reports
• PSA, Finance /Marketing Task Force — Carlos Athletics Task Force - Richard Avila, Rita
Haney, Lisa Torres, and Rick Barrera - no Padron, and Ron Woods — Ron Woods
report. reported that the HEB Tennis Center work has
Program Development Task Force — Ron
Woods, Sylvia Samaniego, Jinsun Kim, and
Rita Padron — Sylvia Samaniego reported the
seedling giveaway was a success. 1100
seedlings given out. $240 in donations will be
used to purchase more seedlings. There was a
newspaper article on Tree Ordinance passing
1 St reading. 2 nd reading will hopefully pass in
the next couple weeks.
• Volunteers Program Task Force — Rita
Padron - no report.
been progressing well. Courts were ready for
Jr. Championship Tournament. 300 kids
participated. 'four courts remaining to be
completed. Two will be ready this weekend and
two will be ready by end of month. The hazard
areas have been fixed. Have received better
attitudes from the changes. Received good
grades on the section report.
TAC /Bicvcle and Pedestrian Subcommittee —
Huxley Smith reported - no meeting
• Watershore & Beach Advisory Committee —
Lisa Torres — no report.
• Planning & Development Task Force — no 0 Planning Department Liaison —
report.
• Police Department Liaison — Asst. Chief Garcia
reported that the Uniform Division has been
split between Commander Presley and
Commander Houston. CCPD has received
more calls than others on activity taking place.
Early morning moped patrol continues to clear
squatter camping at Blucher Park.
PRAC Regular Meeting 02/13/13
2
Commanders will report at April meeting.
Director/ Assistant Director - Mike provided update.
Bond 2012 contract for design engineers going to City Council in March. Information will not be available
for 5 — 6 months. North Beach Update on Promenade Archway on beach walk has been completed.
Wooden structure on far end. Project turned out well. Entry arch has been rebidded. Work will be
completed in May. Bathroom building will have to be built up 15 feet in air for a cost of $16,000. Currently
do not have the funding for the building so a restroom on wheels will be installed. There is no deadline for
that will hopefully be completed by the Fall. The Stripes flooring will start to be installed once the league is
done in March at Ben Garza Gym. American Bank Center will assist in laying it late March. Once installed
it will start be used. Destination Bayfront presentation next Tuesday. A lot of discussion with City Council,
the following week there will be a resolution and contract to consultant on design documents and place
referendum on bond for November of 2014.
IX. Identify items to be placed on next agenda
Plastic Bags Presentation
Rotary Club Gazebo /Bandstand
Labonte Park — ElectricityM/ater Update
Horticulture Task Force
PRAC Appointment Nominations
Soil Analyzes Results
Native Habitats
Bond 2012 Update
X. Adjournment
As there was no further business, Huxley Smith motions to' adjourn "the meeting, Rita Padron seconds. Vice -Chair
Carlos Haney adjourns at 6:52 p.m.
PRAC Regular Meeting 02/13/13