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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 10/06/1993 it V MINITTFS PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE October 6. 1993 - 4:00 P.M, MEMBERS PRESENT Toby Shor, Chairman, Jimmy Rodriguez, Vice-Chairman, Annie Castro, Roger Garrison, Jack Ratkovic, Robert Rios, Gus Ruiz, Sharon Stewart, Cefe Valenzuela MEMBERS ABSENT Joe Garcia, JoAnne McNeill STAFF PRFSENI` Malcolm Matthews, Director of Park & Recreation, Judy Dreyer, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER: The regular monthly meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee was called to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Committee Room at City Hall. The Chairman noted a quorum was present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mr. Rios moved that the minutes of September 8th be approved as received in the mail. Ms. Castro seconded and the motion passed unanimously. ACTION ON ABSENT MEMBERS• Mr. Ruiz moved that Ms. Shor's September absence be approved for just cause. Mr. Rios seconded and the motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION OF STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM GRANT- Mr. Matthews explained that the regular meeting was moved up one week in order to present the Transportation Enhancement Program Grant and expressed staffs appreciation to the Committee for rearranging their schedule. He reported the State has a very stringent deadline for the grant to be in Austin by November 3rd. Prior to being sent to Austin, the grant requires approval by the Committee, City Council and Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Texas Department of Transportation, through the Federal Highway Administration, passed a statewide transportation enhancement program in August, 1993, and immediately asked for grant submittals. Approximately $93 Million is available for these grants and cities and other agencies across the state will be competing for these funds, which require an 80/20 match. Mr. Matthews passed out copies of the grant, map and photographs of the area, advising that the item will be on the City Council's agenda October 12th. The Committee reviewed the scope of the project, budget and maps. He stated the type of projects the State will be considering are hike and bike trails, old railroad right-of-way renovation projects, any alternative transportation, highway beautification projects, highway pollution projects, archeological projects, with association with some alternative transportation method. He continued that the project combines several smaller City projects. The first area considered was Ocean Drive/Shoreline Bayfront parks, the most heavily used area in the city by bikers and joggers. The second area is a joint undertaking with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi around their campus because of growth of the campus and 1 CC/VI v predicted growth in off-campus housing on Ennis Joslin Rd. The Texas Department of Transportation is making improvements around the university on Ocean Drive and Ennis Joslin Rd. in two separate projects during 1994-95. Because many students ride bikes, staff feels it is very important to link Ennis Joslin to the university. The third area includes ilnking NAS with the university and Ocean Drive. Also included in the grant is a boat launch on the south side of the Oso bridge. This was included as it is a suitable project for the matching funding. Continuing along Ennis Joslin, all the hike/bike trails in Hans Suter Wildlife Area will be upgraded and the abandoned railroad along Holly Rd. is proposed to be transformed into a hike/bike trail. The trail will continue down Holly Rd., onto the railroad trestle across Oso Bay to Flour Bluff. In summary, cyclists will be able to ride from the downtown area to Flour Bluff. Local match funding will be provided by Park Bonds for the Oso Fishing Bridge ($145,000) and Bike Improvements ($50,000) and from Texas A&M University-CC ($300,000). Mr. Matthews then reviewed the budget and timetable for the project. Vice-Chairman Rodriguez commented that he would prefer the grant address archeological areas. Mr. Matthews replied that the grant does include such, as Hans Suter is a state archeological landmark. He added that other archeological areas, along the Oso Creek Parkway,are long range and not included in this grant,but would be an excellent candidate in the future,when additional funding is available. Mr. Garrison questioned if that portion of trail meandering through the Texas A&M-CC campus would be public. Mr. Matthews responded affirmatively. Mr. Valenzuela moved that the Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program Grant be approved as presented by staff and moved forward. Mr. Garrison seconded and the motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION OF ABSENCE POLICY- Mr. Matthews explained that approximately three years ago the City Council changed the ordinance regarding absences of advisory committee members from a 25% no excuse policy to one of allowing each committee to set their own policy. However, with this more lenient policy, the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee has encountered a very difficult time with absences. Chairman Shor stated she felt it was both an honor and a responsibility to attend the meetings regularly. Members discussed their obligation to the Committee and the possibility of rearranging the meeting time. Mr. Garrison moved that the item be tabled,but withdrew his motion. Discussion resumed and Ms.Castro moved that the Committee's absence policy remain in effect with only sections (a) (sickness or injury of member or immediate family member requiring confinement to home, hospital or medical institution) and (b) (travel to/from funerals)as justification for approved absences. Mr.Ruiz seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The Committee then discussed the time frame for the change to be in effect. It was agreed it would be from November to July, as the new term year begins in August. DIRECTOR'S REPORT- Mr. Matthews reported that as a result of the request of the Little League representatives at the September meeting, league leases have been changed 2 to incorporate wording so that non-league use of the facility is consistent with the improvements located on-site. Mr. Matthews reported the Folklike Festival, sponsored by the Park and Recreation Department, is scheduled November 6th and 7th. The event will be held in Heritage Park. Bayfest is scheduled for October 7-10th. The department will be providing support as in previous years. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS- Chairman Shor and Vice-Chairman Rodriguez agreed to meet and discuss reassignment of subcommittees as there have been several new appointments to the Committee. ADJOTJRNMENT: As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. Llv�- Malcolm Matthews, Director Park & Recreation Department oamin.p&ridV 3