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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 08/12/1992 MINI FES PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE August 12. 1992 MEMBERS PRESENT Toby Shor-Oshman,Chairman,Claude Axel,Gwen Bryant,Joe Garcia, Roger Garrison, Robert Gunnels, Curtis Rich, Jack Ratkovic, Gus Ruiz, Cefe Valenzuela. MEMBERS ABSENT: Jimmy Rodriguez, Vice-Chairman. STAFF PRESENT Malcolm Matthews, Director, Mike Gordon, Assistant Director CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Shor Oshman called the regular monthly meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee to order at 4:00 P.M. in the First Floor Committee Room at City Hall. She noted that a quorum was present. ACTION ON MINUTES: Mr. Gunnels moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of July 8th be approved as received by the members. Mr. Valenzuela seconded and the motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION 1TEMS• Multi-Hull Launch Area and Support Facility at Corpus Christi Beach - Mr. Matthews stated the department and the Watershore Advisory Committee were contacted by multi- hull catamaran participants who are presently using a portion of the central area of Corpus Christi Beach. Over the past two years, the Watershore Advisory Committee has issued permits to a business located on private property that uses Corpus Christi Beach as a catamaran launch. Their business includes storing boats on private property, boat repair and hauling boats from the beach to the water's edge. The hauling of boats has in effect cut the beach into two portions, resulting in the department having to relocate lifeguard stands and signage. This has created a safety concern as swimmers have not stayed out of the non-swimming catamaran area. The Watershore Advisory Committee has been reviewing this item the past three months in conjunction with the existing permit provided the property owner. Members of the catamaran club have approached the city with a request to move to the far north end of the beach in an attempt to create a safer environment for the swimmers and establish a facility of their own. The Watershore Advisory Committee has approved their project. It is being brought to the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee because the project will be located on Corpus Christi Beach Park. No capital costs will be incurred by the City with the move. The club must provide its own insurance, naming the City of Corpus Christi as additional insured. Mr. Roy Davis, one of the individuals making the proposal to move the catamaran launch, stated one reason for the relocation is to be able to store the boats with their masts up. He explained the dues by club members will be used to pay for improvements to the stoarge and launch area. He assured the Committee the improvements will be an asset to the park area and club members will solicit regattas for the local area. Mr. Jim Bell, of the Beach Place Condominium, read a letter from their management endorsing the project,but expressing concern with possible noise from the rattling of the masts and possible unauthorized foot traffic. ss r1 rr. e r 1� Mr. Carlos Mendez, Park Planning Superintendent, presented a conceptual layout explaining the proposed improvements. Mr. Ken Bourassa, owner/operator of the Boat House of Corpus Christi, stated he provides towing service for catamarans at his place of business and did not feel there was need to move the launch as a safety concern did not exist. Mr. Davis spoke again, assuring the members the area will be closely monitored. He also pointed out the permit can be canceled by the Park and Recreation Department at any time. He continued that with the coming of the U.S.S. Lexington, additional visitors will be looking for a "free" beach. Corpus Christi Beach has a high identity swimming area, restrooms, showers, parking and yet a "No Swimming" area. He then offered a video tape showing the existing safety hazards. Mr. Quenton Cook, Chairman of the Watershore Advisory Committee, stated their Committee has been reviewing this issue for several months. He explained Mr. Bourassa's problem is not with the moving of the launch, but with the City's Zoning Department, which has cited his not having enough room for the boats, insufficient parking and the need for better access. Mr. Cook stated the Watershore Committee felt the only solution was to move the catamaran launch area. Mr. Rich moved that the Committee follow the Watershore Advisory Committee and staff recommendation to approve the requested site for the cataraman launch area to the north end of Corpus Christi Beach Park. Mrs. Bryant seconded and the motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION OF POLICY ON ABSENCES - Mr. Gordon briefly reviewed the draft of the absentee policy as received by the members, noting it was modeled after the one used by the Planning Commission. A lengthy discussion followed with Mr. Ratkovic questioning the need for such a policy. Mrs. Bryant explained the guidelines were needed because according to city ordinance, members were terminated upon reaching more than twenty-five percent of unexcused absences in a term year. Mr. Gunnels enumerated his reasons for asking that this item be placed on the agenda, stating he felt that without a policy, action could not be taken on absent members. Discussion followed and Mr. Gunnels called for the question,i.e., that the policy be approved as presented. Mr. Valenzuela seconded. Discussion followed with Mr. Rich making a second motion that the policy be accepted as guidelines only and the absences be approved on a month-to-month basis. Mr. Gunnels called for the original question a second time. The motion failed with Mr. Gunnels, Mr. Valenzuela, Mr. Garcia and Mr. Garrison voting "for" and Mr. Ruiz, Mr. Mel, Mr. Ratkovic, Mr. Rich and Mrs. Bryant voting "against." Mrs. Bryant then moved that "Item (b) Working Late" fall into the excused category. Mr. Valenzuela seconded and the motion passed with Mr. Rich voting against. Discussion of Ethics Ordinancf-Ms. Alison Gallaway,Assistant City Attorney, reviewed the Ethics Ordinance as it pertains to advisory committee members. She explained that under"Provisions for Board Members"a member could not represent the private interest of others in matters before their board, commission, committee, or City Council, however, a member could appear on behalf of their own financial interest. In answer to a question, Ms. Gallaway explained that if a member belongs to an organization, they can still vote on an issue, as long as their comments are not made to influence other members' votes. She encouraged members to contact Staff whenever such a question arose. Various examples were given on Committee members voting on broad policies that may come before them versus voting on specific, calculated matters within the subject jurisdiction of their board/committee in order to receive a financial dispensation for the organization. (Chairman Shor Oshman appointed Mrs. Bryant Acting Chairman and left the meeting at 5:30 p.m.) Mr. Rich stated, that in his opinion, he felt there was an appearance of impropriety on several issues with the Committee; one of those being when members were not in favor of various recommendations by Staff, they were looked upon as not "playing ball." Mr. Gunnels called for a point of order,maintaining he felt Mr. Rich's comments should fall under "Current Concerns? Mr. Rich continued, recognizing Mr. Bill Hall seated in the audience, noting that as soon as Mr. Hall announced for public office he was removed from the Committee. He compared this to the length of Committee service and School Board service of former member Mr. Jim McCown who served on the Calallen School Board simultaneously, and asked that staff provide an explanation. Mr. Gordon explained this had been an oversight on the part of Staff, and as soon as it was discovered, Mr. McCown was notified that his service was terminated. Mr. Rich also questioned the length of service of the Chairperson. It was explained that Ms. Shor-Oshman had broken service and is eligible for re-appointment. Mr. Rich pointed out again what he felt was the need for Committee members not to be considered as adversary when they asked questions of Staff, rather than "rubber stamping" various projects. He also asked that Roberts' Rules of Order be followed. Mr. Gordon assured the Committee that Staff is always available to provide any clarification of ethics issues or various departmental projects that may arise. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mr. Gordon reported that terms will be expiring August 23rd for Mr. Garrison,Mr.Rich Mr,Ratkovic, Mr. Garcia and Ms. Shor-Oshman. Those members who wish to continue serving should contact the City Secretary's Office. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Acting Chairman Bryant reported that Election of Officers will be on the September agenda SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT Mrs. Bryant reported that the Heritage Park Tenants' Association will now meet quarterly, rather than monthly and felt this was a direct result of commitment of the Staff. CONCERN CONCERNS None. HEAR FROM THE PURI.t(' Mr. Bill Hall, 801 Crestview, asked that the Committee consider an agenda item on youth baseball. He explained that this league,which is underwritten by the City to some extent, recruits players, many of whom live outside the city limits, while youth who live within the city are often excluded. He stated his own sons did not have the opportunity to play, but rather participated on a team in College Station. Mr. Gordon explained that under this particular program, the coach registers a team and there are no tryouts. The team's sponsor pays an entry fee which pays for umpires, scorekeepers, lighting and maintenenance of the fields. ADJOURNMENT Mr.Axel moved for adjournment. The motion was seconded and the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. "• y^�•^o ildif alcolm Matthews, ector Park&Recreation Department