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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 11/13/1991 MINUTES PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE November 13, 1991 MEMBERS PRESENT: Toby Shor Oshman, Vice-Chairman, Gwen Bryant, Roger Garrison, Bill Hall, Jack Ratkovic, Jimmy Rodriguez, Gus Ruiz, Cefe Valenzuela MEMBERS ABSENT: Jim McCown, Chairman, Claude Axel, Curtis Rich STAFF PRESENT: Malcolm Matthews, Director, Cecelia Martinez, Director of Senior Community Services, SiSu Morris, Marina Superintendent CALL TO ORDER: The regular monthly meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee was called to order at 4:10 p.m. by Mrs. Bryant in the absence of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman (Ms. Shor-Oshman arrived at 4:20 p.m.). APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mr. Valenzuela moved that the minutes of October 9th be approved as received in the mail. Mr. Rodriguez seconded and the motion passed unanimously. ACTION ON OCTOBER ABSENT MEMBERS: Mr. Valenzuela moved that Mr. Rodriguez' absence be approved. Mr. Garrison seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hall's absence was not approved. DISCUSSION OF HERITAGE PARK TENANTS MAINTENANCE PROGRAM: Mr. Matthews explained a program was developed in the budget that would equally address maintenance of all the homes in Heritage Park. Currently, each of the nine homes are handled differently, with four of the original homes falling outside the maintenance responsibility of the City - the Littles-Martin House operated by the NAACP, the Ward McCampbell House operated by the Irish Cultural Society, Inc., and the Jalufka House operated by the Czeck Society. The Grande Grossman House, previously operated by the LULAC Education Center, has been vacated. At the time the non-profit agencies were established in the homes, historical renovation loan payments were to be made to the City. None of those loans are being repaid at this time, however, due to financial problems. The tenants are also unable to make required maintenance improvements to the homes. Because of the age of the homes, routine maintenance is required, or the homes deteriorate quickly. The budgeted funding for the maintenance of these homes will come from the Visitors and Convention Fund, revenues from the Multicultural Center and a Heritage Park Maintenance Fund which exchanges a portion of the loan payments for a maintenance payment. The City will begin maintaining the structural integrity of the homes, i.e. foundation, roof, painting, J windows, etc. Interior repairs will still be the responsibility of the tenants. Contracts have been submitted to the three homes and action will be required by the City Council, sitting as the Corpus Christi Housing Improvement Corporation, to forgive the loans. The non- profit agencies will be making a payment to the City, but rather than a loan, it will be into C.) a maintenance fund. Mr. Matthews assured the Committee it is not the City's intention to remove the tenants since they provide a service in Heritage Park as they are ethnic, cultural organizations and leave their homes open during the week for tours. He noted that several of the homes are on the National Register, all are on the Texas Register, with some of them being 140 years old. Mr. Matthews stated the City does have a commitment to these homes, as they developed Heritage Park and established loans for historical renovation. Discussion followed on the condition of the homes and the responsibility of the tenants. Mr. Matthews stated he has received positive feedback from the tenants toward the maintenance fund concept. Mrs. Bryant moved that the Committee support staff in the concept of the Heritage Park Maintenance Fund. Mr. Valenzuela seconded. The motion passed with Mr. Ruiz abstaining. PRESENTATION ON SR. COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION: Mr. Matthews stated he felt it important that the members have an overview of all facets of the department. One of the new additions to the department is Sr. Community Services. He then introduced Cecelia Martinez, Director, who gave a presentation on the division. She stated the City took over the department in 1974 from the Community Action Agency. It started out in an old restaurant which had been converted into a center. The division now has 8 centers, operates several programs and receives 70% of its operating budget from federal funds. The division currently serves approximately 1,100 meals daily. Approximately 5,000 citizens are served daily through the various activities at the centers. The division operates with 30 employees and works with 3 advisory committees. The total operating budget is $1.2 Million annually. Mr. Matthews stated one area to he addressed will be the establishment of joint programming between the Sr. Community and Recreation programs. PRESENTATION OF MARINA DIVISION: Mr. Matthews stated the marina was built in the 1940's when the seawall was constructed. He then introduced SiSu Morris, Marina Superintendent who discussed Marina operations. Ms. Morris gave a brief overview of the division, stating the marina's responsibility is to provide safe recreational and commercial opportunities for the city. By ordinance the marina encompasses all those areas between the south and north breakwater,with the prime facilities being the T-Heads, L-Head and the Barge Dock. The jurisdiction beyond the breakwater includes search and rescue of almost the entire bay area. The T-Heads and L- Head are designated park areas. In other areas of the Marina, the Marina and Park Maintenance Division have joint maintenance responsibilities. The Marina is self-supporting and pays into the General Fund for insurance, etc. in the same manner as the Golf Fund. The FY91 92 budget is approximately $700,000. The occupancy rate is approximately 75% for the wet area and 100% for the board area. Rates, which average $100/mo., are low state-wide and exceeding low nation-wide. The Watershore Advisory Committee has advisory jurisdiction. The Committee briefly discussed the joint jurisdiction with the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee, which entails the seawall, bayfront and Marina parks. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT: None. 2 SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: HPTA - Mrs. Bryant reported that the Buccaneer Commission is considering a mini festival the first weekend of Buccaneer Days to be held in Heritage Park. Mr. Matthews stated staff is currently considering moving Folklife Festival to the Spring, possibly in conjunction with Buccaneer Days. Greens - Mr. Valenzuela stated a request has been made for a fee reduction in cart rentals for the disabled and the Greens Committee will be reviewing this request. Youth Snorts - Mr. Matthews stated staff is currently reviewing funding made to the various leagues and will have a report in December. Mr. Hall stated the committee had a meeting, but he did not have a report for the Committee. He stated he will be contacting the subcommittee members the following week for another meeting. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Mr. Matthews briefly reviewed agenda items for the December meeting; Youth Sports Assistance Program and a capital improvements projects update. He advised that the Watergarden issue is still being discussed by staff. He stated purchase of concrete for completion of the cart paths should be on the Council's agenda for November 19th. Mr. Matthews invited the Committee to visit the Kid's Place site, where work was currently in progress. He stated the project would he completed on November 17th. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC: None. CURRENT CONCERNS AND EVENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. at Malcolm Matthews, Director Park & Recreation Department nav,in24_p&rjd 3