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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 10/09/2019 PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Regular Meeting * Wednesday, October 9, 2019 5:30 p.m. Basement Training Room, City Hall * 1201 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, TX 78401 MINUTES I. Call to Order by Dotson Lewis at 5:30 pm II. Roll Call of Members: Dotson Lewis, Jerry Plemons, Bobby Broderick, Amy McCoy, Alissa Mejia, Casandra Lorentson, Mandy Cox, Howard Schauer, Flo East, Hannah Husby and Twila Stevens. Absent: Alissa Mejia and Hannah Husby. III. Adoption of Minutes - Regular meeting – Adoption of Minutes from September 11, 2019 – 1st, Howard Schauer, 2nd, Bobby Broderick, Unanimous thereafter. IV. Public Comment – None. V. Police Department Report – Captain William Broyles reports he is now the Executive Officer for the Operations Bureau, a replacement has not been found. Blucher ordinance passed, and officers have been going to this location and have not written one citation. Ordinance is to adhere to the Blucher family request. Grass is returning at Blucher. There is displacement at South Bluff Park, area at Mann St. and Mesquite St., and Artesian Park, which was expected to happen. Calls for service are not very high. Investigations of quality of life checks increased, and almost tripled at Blucher Park. Parks Department is in the process of making signs. CCPD is handing out copies of the ordinance and list of available services on cards to individuals at Blucher, while taking their name and date of birth for an in-house database. Captain Broyles will continue until his replacement. VI. Presentations  Artesian Park – Overview provided by Alyssa Barrera Mason, Downtown Management District (DMD) Executive Director. Highlights include Artesian Park improvement and plans for the park. DMD received approval for $150,000 of funding from the Downtown Reinvestment Zone to invest in the park. DMD is taking initiatives to make sure improvements are done. There were improvements done in 2012, as part of a bond project, including irrigation and gazebo repair; DMD was not involved in the development of those improvements. DMD found even with a curfew, it sometimes does not feel safe walking through or around the park after dark. Last year, DMD adopted Artesian Park along with La Retama Park and the bluff tunnel to begin making improvements. History about Artesian Park. It was originally utilized in 1854, so it is the oldest piece of public land in the City of Corpus Christi, and it was originally utilized as a campground; it’s the third oldest park in the State of Texas. There have been two previous failed attempts to make improvements to the park because they focused on the historical aspects of the park. DMD is looking to add electrical improvements, lighting, and landscaping to make it feel like a destination. It was a civic place in the 1930s, the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a pink granite monument celebrating the significance of Taylor’s encampment. By World War II, it was a long-established focal point of a vibrant downtown, but by midcentury, people moved out of downtown and it began falling in disrepair. DMD is attempting to put it back into positive use. DMD found urban gardens to be great tourist assets, and DMD is taking initial steps to establish a partnership with local botanical gardens to provide a more picturesque location for our community. This location is key in redevelopment in support of the DMD Downtown Incentive Program. DMD moved ArtWalk to Artesian Park; it is offered now at both parks – Artesian and La Retama, for the community to gather. Another element, 23% of the entire City’s Hotel Occupancy Tax is collected here, in the downtown area, within walking distance to this park. Improvements are needed to elevate this park for it to become an asset with focus on lighting, concrete repair, and then landscaping. Partners in planning include: Beautify Corpus Christi Association (providing volunteers), Downtown Cultural District (State designation received two years ago; adds to uniqueness within our cultural district which encompasses the downtown area), Voestalpine Texas (contribution to help pay maintenance of the park and contribute to bring a town square concept to this park), Construction Leadership Council (volunteered to repair structures on 10/19/19 in the park; i.e., pergola, gazebo, trash can containers). Gignac is the architect. Working with Gignac Architects to develop a scope and manage general contractor. Looking to partner with a local nursery to highlight our local flora. Timeline: prioritizing the electrical and lighting work in the park as preparing to wrap ten trees for Christmas, pergola and gazebo repair, then work on concrete replacement and landscaping with balance of that $150,000. Working with an architect and engineer for these improvements to be done in the right and thorough way that is expected as this will be a public space. DMD will maintain improvements upon completion at no additional cost to the City. With reinvestment zone contract, DMD is adding a part-time landscaping position to help augment to supplement the work already done by Parks and Recreation and give it that higher level of maintenance. DMD has found that a fence or gate is not popular; not advocated for.  Artesian Park – Overview provided by Arlene Medrano, Business Liaison for City of Corpus Christi who works closely with TIRZ #3 (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone). Highlights include improvements with proposed fencing around Artesian Park. Funding comes from taxpayer money from the Tax Increment Zone #3. Entered in an interlocal agreement with DMD to do improvements to Artesian Park with a budget of $150,000, as presented by DMD. Mayor is the only vocal supporter of adding a fence around the parameter of Artesian Park; he says, this is to protect the $150,000 investment and prevent damage to the landscape, etc. Purpose of presentation is to gather feedback on thoughts on putting a fence to surround the park, potentially like the four foot in height fence at The Water’s Edge. No formal action taken by the TIRZ #3 Board in support of this idea. Sent to gather feedback from Board on the concept. This has been discussed with City Council, and approved, with motion for an option for a fence.  Feedback from Board – not in support of fences but understand protecting the investment. Enforcement of curfew, suggested. Fence would cause a walkability issue. Support using hedges, to tie in with landscaping around the park, instead of an actual fence. Arlene stated, there is security with a structural fence, and it defines the park border. Board requested fence cost and visual rendering of fence from Arlene; however, per Alyssa, rendering will not be made available until the second phase, after electrical and lighting improvements are made. Motion made to revisit next month – 1st, Jerry Plemons, 2nd, Casandra Lorentson, Unanimous thereafter. Committee to visit park and/or take pictures to share. VII. Old Business and Possible Action  Splash Parks Update – No action from the Board. It is in Purchasing. Awarding job in front of Council in November. Potential firms waiting on Purchasing to finish scope, provided by Parks, for them to apply. Drawing of location and features at park, after job is awarded. Splash Park will be located near playground at Bill Witt. VIII. New Business for Discussion and Possible Action  Clarification for Committee Quorum – Added item as new business at request of the Board. Information in binder on what constitutes quorum and by-laws of the Parks and Recreation Advisory. If no quorum, there is no address of the agenda; however, meeting space is still available for conversation, but it is not an official formal meeting of anything captured, actionable, or anything discussed – should not influence an official agenda. Dotson added, that effort must be made to attend meetings as there is an absence limitation. Per Director request, as liaison, no assumptions, Board expected to attend monthly meetings every second Wednesday; if not able to join meeting, please either call or email office or contact Dotson.  Committee Workshop – Survey will be sent to Board to discuss workshop to capture everyone’s special interest and availability. This is an opportunity to learn what the whole park system does and how the Board can provide support. IX. Committee, Liaison/Staff Reports –  Island Strategic Action Committee – concern with Packery Channel shoaling, dredging, and where to get enough beach sand to still be able to drive on the beach. Appreciate that Parks and Recreation placed lifeguards and lifeguard stands by Bob Hall Pier, which belongs to the County. Asking TXDot to put signs for riptides, as there is a need. Discussed contract with Padre Isles Property Owners Association (POA); however, POA needs clarification on what they and the City are responsible for.  Watershore & Beach Advisory Committee – Discussed Beach Parking Permits. Asked Board to pass a motion to support it, and they did, with the plan to take this to the County with someone from PRAC, myself (Jerry Plemons), and Watershore Board to go to Port Aransas. Motion made by Jerry Plemons for request of change in 2021 to beach parking fee from $12 to $15 on 10/09/19 (motion for request is attached) – 1st, Bobby Broderick, 2nd, Flo East, motion carried unanimously. Section of beach on Packery Channel that is less than 150ft from the ideal requirement, from Texas General Land Office (GLO), of 200ft from the beach that requires section to be blocked off taking sand from Packery Channel to fill-in the gap; however, the permit the City has with GLO states City cannot move sand laterally on the beach, which leaves no sand for the City to fill-in gaps. Permit being reviewed with concern where sand is going to come from; finding sand is an issue. Change to ReverseAlert messaging system from red flag days to when the National Weather Service makes an official alert on rip currents; also added alerts about inland flooding. Lifeguards will talk to groups about rip currents on red flag days. Cole Park and Dimmit Piers looking for grant applications through Engineering; Dimmit Pier will be repaired, but not pier at Cole Park. North Beach nourishment will start soon and is 100% paid for, no payment from City. City agreement with County for beach maintenance is still being worked on with regards to what the County is willing to pay.  London & Southside Area Advisory Committee – Have not met since meeting on July 12, 2019. X. Director Reports – Jermel Stevenson, Director  Effective November 4th, Latchkey will not be offered in Flour Bluff ISD. School district opted out of the program and provided a 30-day notice, per agreement. School Superintendent opted for Boys and Girls Club as their service provider there, as our licensed program seen as too restrictive. Director wanted a smooth transition and sent a letter to parents about this change.  Proposal of a Hispanic Medal of Honor Monument at Sherril Park soon. Group will first meet with Mayors Committee on Veteran Affairs, then they’ll approach this Board.  Blucher Park. Police Department is educating. Parks putting in new signs and adding new trash cans. Organizing soon with Audubon, Youth Odyssey, and another non-profit group that works with Americorp to help support restoration, remove invasive species, and add natural trails to invite park users for that purpose back to use it. Becky Perrin, Assistant Director  Organization, Third Coast Disc Golf, would like to expand to Brighton Park. Had community meeting with neighbors. President of HOA has concern with part of park in the back that is not mowed, and they consider it a bird sanctuary. Checked with Audubon Society and our deed restrictions, and it is not; however, it is there perception of it. They’re afraid having the disc golf course too close may cause damage to their homes. Met with Third Coast to come up with an alternative site – Oso Parkway, and will have another community meeting.  Billish Park. Executive Director working with their contractor with sod issue. Had funds left over from bid, and would like to designate for shade, Legal approved. Date of completion to be determined. Update provided as information becomes available.  Games of Texas. Met community members. Have had internal meetings. Have two activities that still need a sponsor or group that takes it over.  Office move. Moving to Heritage Park is our Program Services grants programs – CYD, RSVP, SCP, along with Communications. From Heritage Park to City Hall is Budgeting and Finance.  Board received notice regarding October 16th for the Advisory Board Recognition event at Nueces Brewing Company. Hope to see you there. Its for all City Boards. XI. Committee Member Comments/Announcements/Agenda Requests -  Artesian Park XII. Adjournment at 7:13 p.m.