HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 10/12/1994 411
MINUTES
PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
October 12. 1994 - 4:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Toby Shor, Chairman, Jimmy Rodriguez, Vice-Chairman, Annie
Castro, Roger Garrison, Paul Koepke, JoAnne McNeill, Gus Ruiz, Hector Salinas, Sharon
Stewart, and Cefe Valenzuela.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Malcolm Matthews, Director of Park & Recreation, J. O. Lopez,
Superintendent of Support Services.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Shor called the regular monthly meeting of the Park and
Recreation Advisory Committee to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Committee Room at City Hall.
She noted that a quorum was present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mr. Garrison moved that the minutes of September 14, 1994,
be approved as received in the mail. Mr. Salinas seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
ACTION ON ABSENT MEMBERS: Vice-Chairman Rodriguez's September absence was
unexcused as he was out of the city and action was not necessary.
Mr. Matthews announced Mr. Jack Ratkovic notified his office that he had resigned due to
health reasons.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Request to Name Cole Park Amphitheater in Honor of William Anderson -Mr. Matthews
advised the Committee that a request has been received to name the Cole Park Amphitheater
in honor of William Anderson, who served as the city's Director of Zoning and Planning from
1946 to 1973. He recognized Mr. Anderson's daughter and son-in-law, and called on them to
make a brief statement in support of their request.
Peggy and Bill Pollock, 3535 Santa Fe, addressed the Committee and cited several examples
of the city's growth and development that took place during her father's tenure. Mrs. Pollock
stated her father received many awards and was recognized for having served the longest of
any City Planner in the State of Texas.
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Mr. Matthews explained that action was not needed until December, as a 60-day waiting period
is required.
Discussion of Daytime Curfew - Mr. Matthews introduced Police Chief Henry Garrett, stating
the Chief had asked to address the Committee on the need to revise the current curfew
ordinance.
Chief Garrett stated that the Police Department is asking for support in their request for
revision of the ordinance to include a curfew for minors between the hours of 9:00 am. and
2:30 p.m. on school days. He explained that from January to August, the Police Department
has seen a large increase in all types of crimes committed by juveniles between these hours and
presented statistics supporting the department's request. He said that these violations took
place off school campus and were committed by children under the age of 16 who, by state
law, should have been in school. He stressed that there should be consequences for those
committing crimes.
He continued that under the current law, a minor is not considered delinquent unless they are
picked up by the Police four times within a four month period. Chief Garrett noted that the
only action school districts can take is to suspend them.
With the modification, officers can take the child into custody, give them a citation and take
them to the TRIP center or notify their parents, who will then be required to return them to
school. He stated parents must be kept aware of their child's delinquent activities, and even
be held responsible if they do not take action.
Chief Garrett agreed that this revision may have the effect of over-crowding juvenile courts,
but it is a necessity that he feels will eventually reduce the juvenile crime rate. He assured
them that all area school districts advise the Police Department of their school calendars
(holidays, summer months, etc.).
A brief discussion followed and Vice-Chairman Rodriguez moved that the Committee strongly
support the request by the Police Department to establish a curfew for minors between 9:00
a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on school days. Mr. Valenzuela seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
Approval of Padre Youth Soccer Use Privileee Aereement - Mr. Matthews stated that in
1979, the City received Bill Witt Park from the U. S. Department of the Interior with the
stipulation that leases would not be granted for any portion of the park. The City can enter
into ling term use agreements, which satisfies the federal requirements. One of the groups
currently utilizing the park is the Padre Youth Soccer League. This group has made a
substantial investment both with their funds and with Youth Sports Assistance Funds (City
bond funds), but currently does not have any agreement with the City. The City intends on
moving forward with this agreement and was presenting a summary for the Committee's
review.
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The league is requesting a ten year agreement in order to have more control of the area,
however, they understand access by the general public cannot be denied. Mr. Matthews
reviewed the general terms of the agreement, including year-round use of the complex. In
return, the league will maintain the complex year-round, pay all utilities and provide general
liability insurance. He stated the City's Legal Department is still revising the fmal document,
but it will include all of the specifics being reviewed by the Committee.
Mr. Valenzuela moved to approve the draft agreement as presented. Mr. Salinas seconded and
the motion passed unanimously.
Appointments to Standing Subcommittees - The Committee members briefly reviewed the
Committee's standing subcommittees and volunteered to serve as follows:
Budget Subcommittee: Roger Garrison, Chair, Cefe Valenzuela, Toby Shor, Sharon Stuart
Planning Subcommittee: Annie Castro, Chair, Roger Garrison, Paul Koepke, Toby Shor
Youth Sports Subcommittee: Jimmy Rodriguez, Chair, Gus Ruiz, Hector Salinas, JoAnne
McNeill
Greens Subcommittee: Cefe Valenzuela
Special Liaisons: Heritage Park - Sharon Stewart, West Side - Gus Ruiz, P.A.L.S. - Toby
Shor. Liaisons to the Northwest Area and Flour Bluff will be made at a later time.
Action was not necessary on this item.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Marina Improvements- Mr. Matthews reported that Marina pier renovations are well underway
and will provide the most substantial improvement since the marina was constructed.
Gateway Proiect- Funding for the Gateway Project has not yet been approved. November 30th
is the tentative date for approval of the TexDoT ISTEA grant. TP&WD has not decided when
they will review their grant applications, but staff is prepared to go to Austin to justify those
grants when reviews begin.
Bond Sale- Mr. Matthews reported that $3,000,000 in park bonds remain to be sold. Because
of the city's financial condition, it cannot support another bond sale after this year without a
substantial property tax increase. Projects unfunded include Oso Parkway, Recreation
Warehouse, and some neighborhood parks. Staff has begun working with various
neighborhood groups on adopt-a-park programs and some projects are being completed through
the CDBG program.
CURRENT CONCERNS:
Chairman Shor stated she had received a letter from the neighbors surrounding South Pope
Park, concerning the soccer league which is continuing to play on the park. Mr. Matthews
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explained that when the league and neighborhood came to the Committee, all parties agreed
to relocating two fields to Hamlin School and this has not taken place. Staff met with
representatives of CCISD several times in order for the league to utilize school property, but
the league has not relocated their goals. He added that the addition of"no parking" signs has
eased the situation somewhat, but the league agreed to move and will be required to do so.
Various reasons have been given for not relocating the goals, so the department will assist
them.
Mr. Koepke referred to a newspaper article regarding the upcoming 1995 Lone Star Travel
Exchange Visit and asked staff to make suggestions for improvements into the city's entrances
through additional plantings. Mr. Matthews stated that the department takes note of all such
events and works with various groups to project a positive image. However, the department
no longer has the ability to plant annuals due to budgetary constraints. He explained the
department has been delayed making landscape improvements to the 1-37 entryway until a
determination is make on the Gateway Project Grant. He continued if the department is not
successful in securing that grant, then additional plantings on Shoreline and several
intersections along the bayfront will be made. Also, the department has been approached by
the Highway Department which has expressed an interest in accomplishing some joint projects.
Vice-Chairman Rodriguez gave the Committee an update on the Nueces County Sports Facility
District. A firm was selected to perform a feasibility study on the possibility of construction
of an indoor area/sports complex. They studied other indoor facilities, but indicated another
$150,000 would be needed to study youth facilities, adding the department probably had the
necessary statistical information.
HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC: None.
ADJOURNMENT: As there was no further business, Chairman Shor adjourned the meeting
at 5:40 p.m.
Mala , Director
Park & Recreation Department
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