HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 01/16/2008 •
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PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday,January 16,2008,5:00 p.m.
Sixth Floor Conference Room,City Hall
1201 Leopard Street,Corpus Christi,TX
Members Present Members Absent Staff Present
Garrett Dorsey Mari Whitworth Sally Gavlik _..
Dorrinda Garza Robert Armistead
Coretta Graham K Chute
Rene Gutierrez Billy Delgado
Charles Lee Reba George
Gregory Perkes Ronnie Sepulveda
Sylvia Samaniego
Buddy Sparks
Hunter Young
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair, Hunter Young called the meeting to order at 5:09 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
The recording secretary called roll and announced that a quorum was present.
Ill. ADOPTION OF MINUTES—December 12,2008
Dorrinda Garza made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Garrett Dorsey seconded. Motion
passed.
IV. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC—none
V. BUSINESS
A. PRESENTATION
Packery Channel Progress
Dan McGinn of the City's Development Services Department gave a brief history about the channel.
Then he showed a picture diagram of Packery Channel depicting various sections, and describing
future plans or the current stats of each area. Tax Increment Financing(TIF)is helping to fund the
planned work. Discussion was held,comments were received and answered. The next group to
receive this project information and offer their comments will be the Planning Commission. The
committee will receive additional progress reports as the project develops.
B. NEW BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
1. Swantner Park Proposed Statue Project
Cheryl Henry provided a handout of updated information about the proposed project The group she
represents requested the Swantner Park site because the deceased, Debbie Swantner, often
commented about the park not being developed.
Dick, Michael and Gloria Swantner then spoke providing a short history of their family. Toward the
proposed project they requested the following considerations; there was a verbal agreement
between the nine original land owners not to have memorial items in the parks along Shoreline Drive.
There could be confusion about who the park was named for if others have memorials and the
donator does not. This group feels it appropriate to develop the perk,just not with memorials.
Additionally, there are always graffiti concerns.
Diana Swantner then addressed the committee to state the park was donated over 35 years ago and
has never been improved. Their group thought this project would be a catalyst for other
improvements.
Garrett Dorsey made a motion to discuss the proposal, Dorrinda seconded. Greg Perkes abstained.
The motion passed.
(Sylvia Samaniego left at 6:05 pm)
SCANNED
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After additional discussion Buddy Sparks made a motion not to support the Dolphin Memorial for
Swanter Park. Corretta seconded. Motion passed with two members abstaining and one vote
against.
It was discovered that Swantner Park does not have a Master Plan. Discussion was held and all
parties agreed to work with the Parks&Recreation Department to develop a committee to design a
Master Plan for Swantner Park.
Dorrinda Garza made a motion to send the project to the Parks Department to develop a Master Plan
committee to include Cheryl Henry, members of the Swantner family, and neighborhood
representatives. Coretta Graham seconded.
Greg Perles offered a friendly amendment,to consider all nine Shoreline parks in the Master Plan.
Dorrinda Garza accepted the amendment and Corette Graham agreed for the second. Chair called
the vote, motion passed,with one opposed and one abstaining.
Sally Gavlik was asked to clarify process options. She noted the project could be presented in its
original form to the Arts&Cultural Commission and City Council without the Parks&Recreation
Advisory Committee(PRAC)approval. Or, the group can be part of the master plan for the nine
Shoreline Parks.
The Swantner family thanked staff for their work and expressed appreciation for the master plan
committee. Ms. Gavlik will get the neighborhood residents contact information within the next two
weeks. The Swanter family will be invited to participate.
2. Master Plan Update
Robert Armistead provided the committee an overview of the update and renewal process for Master
Plans. During this evaluation period the priority list of projects must be updated. In two more years
the entire Master Plan will need to be reviewed and updated.
Mr.Armistead presented the 2007-2008 Top 10 Recommended Projects List Sally Gavlik explained
the content of the projects and how they coincided with plans for upcoming grant applications. After
discussion an exchange in position of the Youth Sport Fields and Dog Park projects was
recommended. A recommendation was also received to call the picnic pavilions, visitor pavilions.
Dorrinda Garza made a motion to accept staffs recommendations of the Top 10 Priorities with the
position exchange of the Youth Sports Fields and the Dog Park projects,and the renaming of the
Picnic Pavilions to Visitor Pavilions. Buddy Sparks seconded. Motion passed without opposition.
3. Gulf Beach,Windward Parking Lot Curfew Change
Sally Gavlik related citizen concerns regarding illegal activities after dark in the Windward Parking
Lot by Porto Fino on the Gulf Beach. Members also expressed knowledge of these activities. The
citizens have requested a change in curfew for that area to assist law enforcement Ms.Gavlik noted
her question to the Texas General Land Office(GLO)regarding beach access has not been
answered yet
Dorrinda Garza made a motion to support the Windward Parking Lot curfew change to midnight until
Bam daily pending GLO approval. Garrette Dorsey seconded.
Greg Perkes offered a friendly amendment to add, and any other public entity or authority. Dorrinda
Garza accepted the amendment Garrett Dorsey approved the addition. Motion passed with one
opposed.
4. Review Applications and Recommend New Member
Discussion was held regarding the recent turn-over in membership. Noted in the discussion was;
applications being on file too long causing incorrect information or desire to participate, new
members not knowing what their expected participation level is, and other general information is
needed to assist an applicant The committee requests staff contact the City Secretary's office to
request applicants be contacted and verified before being considered for PRAC membership.
Buddy Sparks made a motion to table the new member item until the applications have been verified.
Corolla Graham seconded. Motion passed,4 to 3.
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C. OLD BUSINESS
Requested Heritage Parks Wish List
In follow-up to the committees request for a list of items/repairs needed at Heritage Park, Billy
Delgado provided a handout noting the immediate repairs needed to the homes and the foreseeable
future repair/renovation plans. Sally Gavlik clarified that the Parks Department is requesting about a
million dollars on the 2008 Bond for use in Heritage Park. However, if passed, it was estimated to be
around 2010 before work could begin.
Coretta Graham made a motion to build a collation with the Corpus Christi Historical Society,the
current tenants and the City to review the Heritage Park business plan and address those needs.
Buddy Sparks seconded. Motion passed without opposition.
VI. COMMITTEE,LIAISON/STAFF REPORTS
FINANCE/BUDGET:
Hunter Young stated they did not meet. Reba George gave an updated 2007 report of revenues and
expenditures and a comparative report for year to date, 2008.
GREENS:
Rene Gutierrez report they had not met
PLANNING/DEVELOPMENT:
Jaime Pyle has been hired by the City's Engineering Department Therefore, a replacement for her will
need to be appointed at a future meeting.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT:
Dorrinda Garza reported they had not met due to lack of quorum in November and no posted agenda in
December.
MARKETING/PROMOTION:
Rene Gutierrez stated they met and are planning a retreat on January 31"to discuss and design a
marketing/promotion plan to publicize the programs,services,and activities of the Parks and Recreation
Department All members are invited to attend. Details will be sent by staff.
SPECIAL PROJECTS:
Billy Delgado provided a project update summary handout Additionally he presented pictures of the
completed trail project at West Guth Park.
DIRECTOR:
Sally Gavlik stated her items had been previously covered in this meeting.
Ms. Gavlik then announced the Marina Advisory Committee decided to meet the first Monday of each
month. The Watershore and Beach Advisory Committee decided to meet the first Thursday of each month.
Additional meeting information will be forwarded from staff as it is received.
VII. COMMITTEE CONCERNS/COMMENTS
VIII. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION,AGENDA ITEMS
>An update on the S.M.A.R.T. program was requested
>An update on the park improvements was requested
>An update on the golf program was requested
IX. ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business, Buddy Sparks made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Dorrinda Garza
seconded. The meeting was adjourned by chair, Hunter Young at% 4AL
7::220pm.
lly Gavlik, Director
arks and Recreation Department