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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 01/11/1995 it ri MINUTES PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 11. 1995 MEMBERS PRESENT-Toby Shor,Chairman,Annie Castro,Roger Garrison,Robert Gross,Paul Koepke,JoAnne McNeill,Gus Ruiz, Sharon Stewart,Cefe Valenzuela MEMBERS ABSENT: Jimmy Rodriguez, Vice Chairman, Hector Salinas STAFF PRESENT. Malcolm Matthews, Director of Park & Recreation, Carlos Mendez, Superintendent of Park Planning,Judy Dreyer,Recording Secretary 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. ACTION ON ABSENT MEMBERS. Mr.Koepke moved that all December absences be excused. Mr. Ruiz seconded and the motion passed unanimously. UPDATE ON CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM: Mr. Matthews introduced Carlos Mendez, Superintendent of Park Planning, stating he would be updating the Committee on the department's capital improvement program. Mr.Matthews provided a brief background,explaining that the department's two main capital improvement funding sources are the bond program and the CDBG program. Mr. Mendez passed out information on fourteen projects under the 1986 Bond Program and presented slides indicating their status. He stated of the$15 Million in Park and Recreation projects approved in the 1986 Bond Program, only $12 Million of the bonds have been sold to date. Approximately 88% of the projects have been completed, or are underway. Those projects not already underway are those projects for which the bonds have not been sold. Mr. Matthews commented that bonds for those remaining projects will probably not be sold. Citizens and neighborhood groups are being told that there are projects that will not be completed under this bond program. Mr. Gross questioned the status of the Bay Trail. Staff has made a proposal to the State to use the $150,000 in the Bond Program to build a fishing pier over the old railroad trestle as is part of the Bay Trail Project,thereby locating it inland. Th is would be used as the City's match, along with the University's match of $200,000 and the State providing $1.5 Million, for a total project of $1,850,000. Mr. Matthews explained that this is not a Capital Improvements Project, but the City has been working with the Texas Parks& Wildlife Department to rebuild the Oso Fishing Bridge. The structure was originally built over an old piling system that went from Ward Island to the NAS in the 1970's. The structure has been destroyed twice,and funds were included in the Bond Program to rebuild it. c r 0 There are thirteen neighborhood parks under this Bond Program that in all likelihood will not be improved because of the bond sale problem. Mr.Matthews continued that work is progressing on the third golf course. An option contract has been signed between the property owner and developers and it is anticipated the center will be open by Christmas, 1995. Revenue from the center and a$1.00 golf surcharge will be used to pay debt service. It is estimated to take two years to complete the course. Mr. Matthews stressed the importance of the adjacent R.V. park development, stating Corpus Christi does not have a major R.V. facility,thereby missing a large number of Winter Texans. Mr.Matthews stated it is time to start the CDBG cycle again, and neighborhood meetings will begin in February. Staff will review various projects in March and April and they will be presented to the Planning Commission in May. Mr. Mendez presented a brief report and slides showing various CDBG projects, including Joe On PooUCenter,Northwest Community Center,Youth Sports Assistance Program, Sr. Centers Improvements, T. C. Ayers Basketball Court Cover, Father Fernandez Area, and Handicapped Access. UPDATE ON VISION 2000• Mr. Matthews updated the Committee on Vision 2000, explaining it is made up of various citizens with the specific goal of gathering information from the community on improvements they would like to see in Corpus Christi.The department is involved with four of the task force committees;Cultural,Environmental,Quality of Life,and Tourism and that staff has a representative on hand both as a resource and to ensure that the department's operations are presented. He added that the various task force groups should complete their work in approximately three months, and this would be the appropriate time for a Vision 2000 representative to address them, as they may have input into specific areas,prior to printing of the final document. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Mr. Matthews reported the department was not successful in getting the Gateway portion of the ISTEA grant funded,but staff has met with TxDOT representatives in Austin to review the project and will be meeting with representatives from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department within the next two months for resubmittal next year. Mr. Matthews reported that Zavala and Oveal Williams Sr. Centers are finished,but not yet fully operational. He reminded members that these facilities are also available for rentals and can accommodate approximately 200-300 people. Mr. Matthews announced that Corpus Christi is the only Texas city invited to participate in a "Youth-At-Risk"seminar to present the department's Latchkey Program. The symposium is being sponsored by Texas A&M University and will be held February 16th-19th in Ft. Worth. He commented that the Latchkey Program has seen a 30% growth in one year, currently serving approximately 2,700 children. fr J Registration for the Youth Basketball and Northside Youth Basketball Programs was recently completed, with approximately 1,700 youth between the ages of 7- 13 being enrolled. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: There were no subcommittee meetings during December. CURRENT CONCERNS. Mrs. Castro commented that she had been contacted by an individual who was unable to get their child registered in the Latchkey Program. Mr. Matthews explained there is a specific registration period for the program. Chairman Shor suggested that with several new facilities coming on-line, staff set an itinerary for the Committee to tour some of them. Mr. Matthews stated that a tour will be held in early Spring and will include the Natatorium. ADAOTJRNMENT,As there was no further business,Chairman Shor adjourned the meeting at 5:15 p.m. Malcolm Matthews, Director Park& Recreation Department n�mss p&rjd