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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 03/13/2002 4110 PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Regular Meeting March 13,2002,5:00 p.m. City Hall-Basement Training Room 1201 Leopard St.,Corpus Christi,TX Members Present Members Absent Staff Present Gerardo Alvarez Vic Menard Sandy Bill ish Linda Lindsey David Ondrias Robert Anderson Billy Olivarea Anne Seddelmeyer Anne Baker Maria Ramos Joe Trejo Bradley Clarke Marvin Spears Mary Frances Teniente Rome Gregorio CALL TO ORDER: Chair Vic Menard called the March 13, 2002 Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee at 5:07 p.m. II. ROLL CALL: The recording secretary called roll and announced a quorum was present. IH. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 13, 2002: Ms. Baker moved to adopt the minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 13, 2002 as presented. Mr. Spears seconded the motion. The motion carried. Rome Gregorio arrived at 5:09 p.m. IV. ACTION ON ABSENT MEMBERS: None V. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC: None VI. BUSINESS A. Old Business - 1. Corpus Christi Police Beach Operations Presentation—Cmdr. David Torres,C.C.P.D. Cmdr. Tones addressed the Advisory Committee concerning C.C.P.D. efforts during Spring Break on the newly annexed beaches. He added that on March 12th, C.C.P.D. anticipated having between 6,000 and 7,000 people on the beach at J.P. Luby Park, and approximately 8,000 on March 14`h. He closed by stating that C.P.P.D. will be aggressively pursuing underage drinking, and D.W.I. and other traffic related incidents. B. New Business 3. Packery Channel Project Update—Joe Trejo, Engineering SCAN�`� 1p 1ad+C`�� H:\pr-0ir\annes\word\parkbordMinutes\031302.doc Page 1 of 4 V N • Mr. Trejo presented an update of the Packery Channel Project to the I Advisory Committee. He explained the handout he distributed to the Committee members. He answered questions concerning Reach 1 (the larger dredge which will extend from Hwy. 361 to the Gulf) and Reach 2. He described how rock jetties would extend 700 ft. on land, and 1,400 feet out into the water. He explained that this is a 25-month construction project, and that the Corps of Engineers (Galveston Office)will be acting as project manager. He added that a sinking fund will be established for future maintenance dredging of the channel. He concluded by saying that the City will provide 1/3 of the project funding. 1. Sister Cities Parkway Phase II Design Presentation —Mary Frances Teniente,Engineering Ms. Teniente presented the Sister Cities Parkway Phase II design to the Advisory Committee. She began with a brief overview of the development. She stated that the current project will provide 30 additional parking lot spaces for the Federal Courthouse, and 15 angled street spaces on Belden Street. She added that the parking spaces will allow for additional parking for jurors. Leonard Murphy Gil Bryant of the General Services Administration (G.S.A.) stated that the G.S.A. wanted Water St. to remain closed. They also stated that they want the proposed sidewalk to be kept a sidewalk, with physical barriers added at either end. They added that the G.S.A. liked the concept of green space maximization. Monica Seaman, the Deputy, Clerk in Charge of the Court, stated that at any given time, they might seat up to 56 jurors (14 for each of 4 Courts). She added that more spaces were needed for days when panels were assembled. A representative of the Federal Marshal's Office added his concerns about the proposed parking lot and sidewalk. He stated that the facility was on a level 4 threat level and would remain so. Mr. Anderson moved to recommend this project to Council,taking into consideration the G.S.A.'s and the Marshal's Office concern about security,by modifying the walkway,but also, at the same time, recalling that the Park was a greenbelt, and therefore we should put as much energy as possible in insuring that the parking lot"doesn't take over"the greenbelt. Ms. Baker seconded the motion. The motion passed. Chair Menard added for the record that this was the first statement to the Advisory Committee about a parking lot. Mr. Ondrias added that this was part of an arrangement Mr. Tom Utter had made with the judges of the Federal Courthouse. Chair Menard stated that any park land project needs to come to the Advisory Committee before going to City Council, and that H:\pr-di r\annes\word\parkbord minutes\2001121201.doc Page 2 of 4 110 4111# this Committee favored the Gateway Project. Mr. Ondrias added that the Park and Recreation Department was not aware of critical deadlines because plans had not been finalized until now. Chair Menard concluded his remarks by saying that the Advisory Committee wanted to protect what we (the City)have left. A. Old Business 2. Don and Sandy Billish Park Update Mr. Ondrias informed the Advisory Committee that the City Council had given its formal approval to the renaming of Gypsy Park. Staff will schedule a dedication ceremony for Don and Sandy Billish Park. B. New Business 2. Master Plan Update Presentation and Public Comment- Jim Carillo, Half Associates Mr. Carillo explained the concept of the Parks Master Plan, the steps in the planning process and the 3 parts to the Master Plan. He explained the telephone survey process, and how 400 random surveys were obtained. He stated that there was "good coverage" (number of neighborhood parks) in the central part of the city, to the point of some redundancy. He added that where there was duplication of parks in a neighborhood, staff might want to reassess the situation,possibly recommending changing focus or selling off redundant parks. Mr. Carillo added that things that may need to be considered are the condition of facilities, which are aging, and a replacement cycle; designating key parks, and prioritizing and acting in incremental steps. He concluded by stating that once the Master Plan is recommended by the Advisory Committee, and City Council approves it, it will be filed with the Texas Park and Wildlife Department. Chair Menard stated that the culture of the city has changed, and that neighborhood parks no longer work. He added that we must serve what we have and look at the future. Mr. Carillo asked the Advisory Committee what they felt was the signature look of the City. Members answered that it was the Bayfront parks. He discussed palm trees and other plantings (including crepe myrtle, as suggested by Mr. Clarke). Mr. Anderson stated the he wants the plan to consider enhancement of current birding parks and trails to become part of the signature look. He also voiced his concerns for Swantner Park. r\pr-dir\annes\word\parkbordMinuas\2001\121201.doc Page 3 of 4 CI Anne Baker left between 7:00 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. Mr. Carillo reported to the Advisory Committee that the City's Engineering Services Department is in the process of preparing a drainage master plan. Rome Gregorio left at 7:35 p.m. Mr. Carillo concluded his remarks by saying that the Master Plan will be a realistic look, and not sugarcoated. VII. COMMITTEE/STAFF REPORTS -None VIII. DIRECTOR'S REPORT AND COMMITTEE CONCERNS Mr. Ondrias discussed the sand problem at Corpus Christi Beach, and Beach Operations. He reported to the Advisory Committee that suspects have been apprehended in the truck damage to 2 beach port-a-cans. He added that 2 of the 5 port-a-cans found floating in the surf(in another incident)were damaged beyond repair, and that no suspects have been apprehended. Chair Menard asked Mr. Anderson to speak to the Water/Shore Advisory Committee about"in the water"beach issues. IX. ADJOURNMENT: As there was no further business, Mr. Spears moved to adjourn the March 13, 2002 Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee. Mr. Clark seconded the motion. The motion carried. Chair Menard adjourned the meeting at 7:49 p.m. ♦! , David Ondrias, Assistant Director of Parks Park and Recreation H:\prdir\vmes\word\parkbord=lutes\2001\121201 doc Page 4 of4