HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 11/10/1993 MINUTES
PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
November 10. 1993
MEMBERS PRESENT: Toby Shor, Chairman; Jimmy Rodriguez, Vice Chairman; Annie
Castro, Joe Garcia, JoAnne McNeill, Jack Ratkovic, Sharon Stewart, Cefe Valenzuela
MEMBERS ABSENT- Robert Rios, Gus Ruiz
STAFF PRESENT Malcolm Matthews, Director; Dan Whitworth, Assistant Director for
Programs; Bob Heil,Athletics Supervisor; Billy Delgado,Assistant Athletics Supervisor, and
Steve Ramos, Latchkey Supervisor.
CALL TO ORDER: The regular monthly meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory
Committee was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Chairman Shor. She noted that a quorum
was present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mr. Garrison moved that the minutes of October 6th be
approved as received in the mail. Mrs. McNeill seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
ACTION ON ABSENT MEMBERS: The motion to excuse the absent members was made
and seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Request to Name the Northside Senior Center the Oveal Williams Senior Center -
Mr. Matthews stated a naming request has been submitted to the Committee to name the
senior center facility to be located on Winnebago as the Oveal Williams Senior Center. He
explained that the Committee was only receiving the request as per City policy, with action
required in 60 days, after publishing and receiving input on the suggested name. He noted
that the groundbreaking for the facility will be November 23rd.
Ms. Cecilia Martinez, Superintendent of Sr. Community Services,introduced Elsa Ciminelli,
Chairman of the Sr. Community Advisory Committee, and several Committee members who
were present in support of the request.
Report on Youth Programs - Mr. Matthews stated demands and services for youth
programs have changed dratamically within the last few years and felt an update on various
programs and issues was in order. With dwindling resources, sharing of resources with
various school districts, specifically CCISD and Flour Bluff, will continue. Also, targeting
programs for ages and areas are the norm, as opposed to offering uniform citywide
programs. Mr. Matthews pointed out that Corpus Christi does not have the huge youth-at-
risk problems as larger cities in Texas, but the problems the city does have should be
addressed immediately. Funding through grants, scholarships and targeted funding through
SCANNED
the City Council are ways this can be accomplished. He also pointed out it is important not
to duplicate youth programs currently being sponsored by other agencies.
Mr. Matthews discussed the issue of year round school and the impact it will have on the
City's youth programs, stating Latchkey and the summer camp programs are the types that
will help the department and community ease into year round school. The department
offered a summer program at 20 sites this year and every child was served a noon meal
through a grant from the State.
In review of the "camp" concept, he stated staff anticipates that it will expand because of
families' changing lifestyles and because it is a more structured program. In answer to a
question from Mrs. McNeill, Mr. Matthews explained that children attend an "open campus"
in the summer sites, but are signed in and stay all day at the camp site. Mr. Whitworth
advised the Committee that at least two additional schools have contacted him, with one of
those being Coles Elementary. Principals are interested to see if such a structured program
would help transition students back into school with less down time (summer vacation). The
cost of the camp program is $30/wk. per child, with a materials fee.
Mr. Matthews then reviewed additional programs currently offered for youth, including
youth basketball, swimming, adaptive programs, sailing, tennis and golf.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Mr. Matthews briefly reviewed the revised Absence Policy, as
mailed to the members. He stated an additional item was added to "Approved Absences"
to include attendance at public hearings, meetings, or seminars associated with the conduct
of Committee business.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: Mr. Rodriguez volunteered to serve on the Heritage Park
Tenants Association.
CURRENT CONCERN& None.
HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC None.
ADJOURNMENT. As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Malcolm Matthews, Director
Park & Recreation Department
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