HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 01/08/2014 PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Regular Meeting
January 8, 2014 5:15 p.m.
6t" Floor Conference Room, City Hall
1201 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, TX 78401
The meeting was called to order at 5:19 p.m. by C. Haney, Vice-Chairperson.
Roll Call
Roll call was conducted by D. Rodriguez and quorum was announced. Members present: C. Ford, A. Hunter, J. Kim, R.
Padron, D. Ramirez, C. Valdez Sr., and R. Woods. Staff present: Michael Morris, Stacie Talbert and D. Rodriguez. Members
absent: L. Torres and H. Smith. Liaison(s) present: J. Garcia.
Approval of Minutes
Minutes from the December 11, 2013 meeting were distributed for review. A motion was made by C. Valdez Sr. and
seconded by R. Barrera to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion was unanimously approved. Motion Carried.
Minutes approved.
Public Comment—None
Presentations for Discussion and Possible Action— None
Old Business and Possible Action -None
New Business and Possible Action-None
Committee, Liaison/Staff Reports
• Finance/Marketing Task Force — Stacie reported that previously mentioned the Department would seek
accreditation through the National Organization. For accreditation, a Marketing Plan has to be presented. The
Marketing subcommittee was asked to assist in gathering the information for the policy. A meeting schedule along
with an agenda will be provided at the conclusion of the meeting. The first meeting to be held January 31St with
subsequent meetings held quarterly. A. Hunter will be asked to join the group because of her vast Marketing
background.
• Program Development Task Force—No report
• TAC/Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee Liaison—No report
• Watershore& Beach Advisory Committee Liaison- No report
• Special Project Task Force—No report
• Police Department Report—Assistant Chief J.V. Garcia provided CCPD stats for Calls of Service to City Parks.
• Horticulture Task Force—C. Valdez Sr. reported that it is Soil Analysis time. Pick up your soil testing bag at a full-time
nursery.
Director/Assistant Director Report—M. Morris/S.Talbert
• Bond 2012—M. Morris reported the progress on the community parks. Bill Witt-met with leagues; designing
on some improvements — irrigation, parking, dog park and a trail around the park perimeter. West Guth is
forthcoming there has not been work on it. Billish Park— Contractors signed on 1/7/14. Parker Park— met
with citizens last month for input; pricing on items; another meeting to be held on improvements. La Retama
Park— newspaper article last month on the planning of a plaza to make it accommodating to the Art Walk.
Artesian Park— no improvements as of yet. Hike & Bike trails are being designed from Weber to Yorktown.
The TxDot grant will assist with completion of the trail. Collier Pool — met with consultant today; began
preliminary process; community meeting in March with pool users for input on pool amenities also with Wes
Guth. HEB Tennis Center — several meetings with CCTA; have specifics on what improvements can be
made with the budget in hand. Looking into refurbishing the cabinetry and countertops at the Pro Shop if
money is available. CCTA received a settlement of $300,000 that will assist with improvements.
Swantner/Cole Park projects are on hold. We were not awarded the grant. So we will start to move forward
on seawall improvements.
Bond 2008 — Oso Bay Park — Contractor was given notice to proceed 1/7/14 to start construction on Phase II. The
building/trails/pavilion theatre area construction will take about a year for completion. S. Talbert reported that part of that is the
Wetland Restoration. The first Friday in February is the initial clean- up of the wetland area. Keep a lookout for an e-mail for
volunteers. The restrooms at North Beach are currently being reconfigured. It is currently being designed, it will be a mobile
(trailer)style unit.
Texas Recreation And Parks Society (TRAPS) 2014 EXPO—The City of Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation Department is
hosting the 2014 TRAPS EXPO next month at the American Bank Center. A schedule of daily events and registration form to
the event was handed out to PRAC members to see if anyone would be interested in attending any education sessions. The
information is also available online at www.traps.org. Registration for any interested PRAC member will be covered by PARD.
Committee Member Comments/Announcements:
• R.Woods—Thanked M. Morris and PARD for the Tennis Center help.
• D. Ramirez—Commented about assessing fines to people who are holding events at Cole Park and spray
painting on the grass. The damage created lasts for years. S. Talbert to talk with Laura Gonzales.
• R. Padron commented that volunteers are needed on 1/23/14 for the Veteran Affairs "Counting the
Homeless" Event.
• C. Valdez Sr. commented that on February 23, 2014 there will be an Invasive Plant Symposium in
Rockport. This is a 3 day event. It would be great if the Parks and Recreation Department supplied a list of
invasive plants and how to recognize them.
• A. Hunter commented her mother had written a letter to the Editor about King Ranch Blue Stem Grass. She
also commented that maybe the name in Destination Bayfront had to do with the voting against it.
Destination Corpus Christi would be a better name. "It may all be in the name."
• R. Barrera commented about discussion on the Harbor Bridge routes. He wanted to know if the committee
who is deciding on the route associated with the Parks and Recreation Department. M. Morris stated that
the City Council decided the preferred route, but the department has been in contact with TxDot because of
the impact involved with the chosen route.
• C. Ford thanked Mr. Morris on behalf of 128 senior members and the Site Council. He invited everyone to
the dance in February at Ethel Eyerly.
• C. Haney commented about the website www.texasmonthIV.com where The Wanderer posts articles about
travelling in Texas. Market Square Park in downtown Houston which is equivalent to our Artesian Park. It is
the last piece she has posted. She visited there one weekend and experienced the event via Instagram.
She hash tagged then hundreds of photos started streaming in. Just bringing it up shows the importance of
parks in our society.
Identify items to be placed on next agenda
• Art Norman Presentation
• Sports Tourism Complex
• Tree Board Update
r Adjournment
A motion was made by C. Valdez Sr. to adjourn the meeting and seconded by R. Padron. The motion was unanimously
approved. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.