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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 12/09/2009 PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECEIVED Regular Meeting December 9, 2009, 5:00 p.m. MAR 1 2 2010 Sixth Floor Conference Room, City Hall 1201 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78401 CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE Members Present Members Absent Staff Present Rene Gutierrez Carlos Haney Stacie Talbert Art Norman Kendal Keyes K Chute Rita Padron Jinsun Kim Carrie Robertson Sylvia Samaniego Huxley Smith Lisa Torres Ron Woods Call to Order Chair, Rene Gutierrez called the meeting to order at 5:10 pm. II. Roll Call of Members The recording secretary called roll and announced a quorum was present. III. Adoption of Minutes Regular meeting, November 11, 2009 Huxley Smith made a motion to accept the minutes as submitted. Ron Woods seconded. Motion passed. IV. Public Comment Freddie Ramirez of BeKindToCyclists thanked the committee for support of their efforts toward bike lane compliance with State Regulations and enforcement of the City's ordinance prohibiting parking in bike lanes. V. Business A. Presentations 1. Request to name new Bayfront Park by the Federal Courthouse and American Bank Center the Veterans Memorial Bayfront Park by Brent Chesney. Stacie Talbert advised the committee of the City Secretary's advice that a sitting Council person could not directly make such a request or give the presentation. Therefore, the City Council will discuss the request and if agreed, direct the department to pursue the item through the department's director. To comply with this ruling, the item is removed from the agenda and will not be addressed until so directed. 2. City Wide Recycling Project by Paul Bass Solid Waste Director Lawrence Mikolajczyk, and Paul Bass, Superintendent of Recycling provided detailed information about the City's planned recycling project. W(Sylvia Samaniego arrived at 5:15 pm) Points from the presentation: > Beginning May 1, 2010, the City will change from a bi-weekty trash collection schedule to a weekly schedule. Q > City will provide a free 96 gallon recycling trash can that is blue in color, to distinguish trash in the U current green cans from recycling materials to be placed in the blue can, as both cans are equal in dimension. Additional recycling cans will be provided free. Additional trash cans will require a minimal monthly fee of two dollars. > Dolphin Recycling has been awarded the contract. The City will release about 50 employees. (Lisa Torres arrived at 5:17 pm) > Customer Incentive Program, credit of reward points to be used as discounts with local retailers, maximum discount total of$240 per year, usage tracking record provided by radio tag on recycle can. > Recycle cans will have eligible items listed on the molded lid. > Estimated seven to eight tons of recycle-ables will not go into the land fill each year. After five years the initial investment should be recovered saving the City six to eight hundred thousand dollars annually. > Additional change - brush collection schedule will be reduced from ten times yearly to six times yearly. Residents will have one week to set out their brush with pick-up scheduled the following week. This change was designed to visually improve the overall look of the City. Following a question and answer session, members were encouraged to submit their additional questions to the secretary for answer replies to all members. 3. Request for PRAC Liaison to Transportation Advisory Committee, Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee by Charlie Cardenas. As Mr. Cardenas was unable to attend, this item was tabled for consideration at the January meeting. B. Old Business for Discussion and Possible Action Overland Meadows Park renaming request for Due Diligence Report and Possible Action. Stacie Talbert reviewed the report and staff recommendation. Following a brief discussion, Huxley Smith moved to approve the request. Sylvia Samaniego seconded. As there was no further discussion, the Chair called for the vote. There were seven (7) members supporting the name change and one (1) member against the name change. No one abstained. By a seven to one majority, the committee recommended Overland Meadows Park name be changed to Lt. Stuart V. Alexander Memorial Park. Staff will prepare the item for Council. C. New Business for Discussion and Possible Action Sub-Committee Review and Appointments Rene Gutierrez led discussion and approved the following: Finance & Marketing — Lisa Torres, Chair, and Reba George, staff liaison Rene Gutierrez, Huxley Smith Planning & Development-Art Norman, Chair, and Joshua Wentworth, staff liaison Rita Padron, (Jinsun Kim was absent, therefore unconfirmed.) Program Development- Ron Woods Chair, and Becky Perrin, staff liaison Sylvia Samaniego, (Kendal Keyes and Jinsun Kim were absent, therefore unconfirmed.) Greens— Ron Woods, committee liaison, and Leon Upshaw, staff liaison Watershore and Beach Advisory Committee—Carrie Robertson, committee liaison, and Michele Thomas, staff liaison An attendance report was requested and will be provided by staff. Responding to an inquiry about the Fallen First Responders Park idea, Stacie Talbert noted the topic could be addressed within the Bayfront Veteran's Memorial Park discussion by Council. Therefore, committee action is on hold. VI. Committee, Liaison/Staff Reports Finance/Marketing — Rene Gutierrez briefly reported on their discussion about current information regarding the City's budget deficit of about six million dollars and the elimination of services by 2011 as it reflects the community economy. Stacie Talbert spoke of the process to review and evaluate each service and program provided by the City as it relates to core or non-core value. Members were encouraged to send their questions or comments to the secretary for total distribution. Planning Development—The group met and a report was included in the meeting packet. Program Development—Sylvia Samaniego reported there was no meeting. Special Projects-There was no report at this time. Greens Committee- Ron Woods reported their meeting is scheduled for December 15th. Watershore & Beach Advisory Committee-Carrie Robertson reported their meeting was rescheduled to the same time as this PRAC meeting. Volunteers Program -Rene Gutierrez announced a new sub-committee to coordinate community volunteer efforts that support the Parks & Recreation Department. Their first project will emphasize a Youth Stewardship Program that includes classroom projects. Rita Padron will chair with Stacie Talbert, Becky Perrin and Michele Thomas currently as staff liaisons. Lisa Torres also volunteered to serve on this committee. Members thanked Ms. Padron for her efforts on this new project. Interim Director 1. Report of upcoming Administration and Council Agenda items Adopt A Park Ordinance is on Council agenda for next week. 2. City Manager's Memo Addressing the Budget Shortfall was primarily reviewed in the Finance Report. She also noted the elimination of all over time, temps can no longer be hired, position vacancies cannot be filled. Ms. Talbert provided examples of how these budget cuts will affect the department's performance of services and programs. Emphasis on the volunteer program will be vital. 3. Bay Trail Safety Support Letter for Council Stacie Talbert reviewed the prepared memo. Mr. Freddie Ramirez offered no changes and thanked the committee and staff for their efforts and support. There were no changes suggested by the members. Staff will complete the process for Council consideration. 4. Tree City USA Designation, Council item Stacie Talbert informed the committee that the item will not be reviewed until sometime in January. This timeline will allow for coordination with other related items and events. These efforts will comply with Council's preference of a one time review, instead of each item separately. Ms. Talbert noted a donation of 500 live oak trees from Landscape Direct. The trees are small, about five gallon size, so will be planted in groves to minimize the affect of the normal survival rate. Plantings will be coordinated with appropriate irrigation, the Pride Committee and other groups/events. Committee requests and suggestions; > Copy of approved Adopt A Park document with application forms > Department organization chart > Division reports for 2010 > List of working City restrooms > Repair breakwater walk beyond concession by McGee Beach > Simplify vendor permit process; encourage vending on Corpus Christi Beach VII. Identify items to be placed on next agenda PRAC Guidelines for renaming parks and facilities New Member Process VIII. Adjournment As there was no further business and with committee consent, Chair, Rene Gutierrez adjourned the meeting at 6:40 pm. Stacie Talbert, Interim Director, Parks & Recreation Department