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.
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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
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