Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 09/08/1999 4.0 PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Reeular Meeting Wednesday, September 8, 1999 Committee Room—City Hall- 1201 Leopard Street Members Absent Staff Iohn Dunn JoAnn McNeil Mae Milligan Tony Cisneros Roben Gross Vic Menard Addle Ives Joe Ochoa Marvin Spears Robes Tamer Gerardo Alvarez Hill Olivarez CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Board was called to order by Chair Vic Menard at 5:09 p.m. ROLL CALL: The recording secretary called roll and announced a quorum was present. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF JUNE 9, 1999 AND THE SPECIAL-CALLED MEETING OF JULY 14, 1999: Chair Menard called for the approval of the minutes for the regular meeting held on June 9th and the special-called meeting held on July 14th Joe Ochoa moved to approve the minutes for the regular meeting held on June 9th and the special-called meeting held on July 14th. Marvin Spears seconded and the minutes were approved as written. ACTION ON ABSENT MEMBERS: Chair Menard called for action on absences for members absent from the June 9, 1999 regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee. Chair Menard stated John Dunn was the only member absent from the regular June meeting. Mr. Dunn informed the Committee he had called prior to the meeting notifying staff of his absences of the regular June meeting. JoAnne McNeill moved to excuse Mr. Dunn for his absence of the regular June meeting. Billy Olivarez seconded and the motion carried. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC: At this point, Tony Cisneros, Director of Park and Recreation, and Mike Gordon,Assistant Director of Park Operations,requested the committee to recognize three Park and Recreation Maintenance Division employees, Guadalupe Sanchez, Chris Sanchez, and Frank Farmer. Staff reported these three employees were instrumental in saving a home from destruction by fire. Mr. Gordon presented certificates of recognition to these employees. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Cisneros requested permission from the Committee to change the order of business in order that Mr. Gordon be able to make another speaking engagement. Consideration of Golf Course Photo Identification: Mr. Gordon gave a background overview on the new tee-time automated system. Mr. Gordon reported on the progress of the new system and addressed some of the concerns raised when the system first went on-line. e e s fl 5,.3311 t-. • id Park and Recreation Advisory Committee Regular Meeting- September 8, 1999 Page 2 Mr. Gordon reported that at last week's Greens Committee meeting, staff presented a change to the committee in the manner in accessing automated tee-time system. In addition to the PIN (Personal Identification Number) for each member scheduling on the automated tee-time system, staff recommended to the Greens Committee that a photo identification card with a bar code also be implemented. This photo identification card would be available to the members for$20 to be renewed annually. Mr. Gordon also reported to the Committee that this would also allow the automated tee-time system to give golfers a 5 -day advance booking. Mr. Gordon reported on another recommendation made by staff to the Greens Committee. He stated that staff recommended a change also be made for non-residents in that they would be afforded a 4-day advance booking on the automated tee-time system. The Greens Committee agreed and approved the$20 annual fee for members as a fair and equitable price, along with the changes in the period of advance booking with respect to the automated tee time scheduling for both resident and non-resident members. Mr. Gordon stated he was proposing these changes be accepted by the Committee. Discussion and questions were heard from the Committee members regarding this issue. Mr. Gordon explained that the photo identification cards would be available all year long with renewal in August of each year. Mr. Gordon anticipated selling the photo identification cards beginning in October 1999. In answer to a question inquiring on whether a golfer needed a photo identification to play, Mr. Gordon responded that a card was not required to play. He stated that if a golfer wanted to schedule his/her time in advance using the automated tee-time system, a card was required upon his/her arrival at the course for identification purposes. Mr. Gordon also stated that revenues raised with the sale of the photo identifications cards would be put back into the golf courses. He reported that using this system also allowed staff to track golf activity in a manner in which was unavailable to staff in the past. The Committee discussed the topic, and the general consensus of the Committee was to implement the photo ID system at both golf courses. Discussion of Park Grounds Maintenance Practices and Schedules: Mr. Gordon gave a presentation on the mowing schedules and practices of the 18 personnel who handle the bulk of the mowing of 1,600 acres of parkland under the jurisdiction of the Park and Recreation Department. He also stated that mobile crews are utilized to do the edging, trimming and weedeating, which is done after the bulk mowing crew has completed their work. Mr. Gordon went on to report the Park Maintenance Division, Park Construction Division and the Bayfront V Park and Recreation Advisory Committee Regular Meeting — September 8. 1999 Page 3 Science Park Division make up 116 personnel including the 18 employees who do the bulk mowing. He also reported that contract personnel are employed to assist in mowing during peak seasons. He also stated he solicits bids for areas to be mowed by contractors. Mr. Gordon stated new bids are scheduled to go out in October, 1999. These bids will be geared to small business and will include in the contract for a certain number of mowings and the intervals in which these mowings are to occur. Mr. Gordon reported to the Committee that he was working on contracting out non-park grounds, such as City Hall and the libraries. Mr. Gordon reported these services provided to City Hall and the libraries are not reimbursed since they are from the General Fund. He did mention that drainage areas are being done by Park Maintenance and are reimbursed by the Stonnwater Department. Mr. Gordon also stated he has recently been instructed to do more right-of ways, drainage areas, and grounds maintenance. These areas would eventually be contracted out for mowing. He felt that once more of these types of areas are contracted, more manpower would be available for utilization in park areas. Discussion and questions were heard from the Committee regarding the presentation material. Robert Gross suggested that Nueces County offices be contacted for information that could assist in the better utilization of the Park and Recreation Department's manpower. Mr. Gordon stated the crews are currently working 10-hour shifts. He also stated that after Hurricane Bret, 29 acres were scheduled to be mowed as opposed to an average 450 acres. Mr. Gordon anticipated using overtime to catch up on park mowing during this period. Mr. Gordon distributed to the Committee a spreadsheet on Park Maintenance's mowing equipment which showed a mowing efficiency study. He commented that equipment is kept longer because the department cannot afford to replace it. He went on to state on how the breaking down of a piece of equipment impacts the mowing schedule being completed. Mr. Gordon also noted the spreadsheet referenced the value of Park Maintenance's mowing equipment along with the cost to repair or replace each piece of equipment. He also gave a brief review of equipment the division has at present. Mr. Gordon stated the division has utilized equipment with vapor-recovery systems so as not to affect the environment especially on ozone- action days. He indicated that the Mowing Fleet Availability(MFA) for park maintenance equipment is currently at 80% to 85%. Mr. Gordon commented that downtime is calculated for entire days if the equipment is down any part of the day. He also stated that staff is tracking the equipment to show three areas: the percentage of cutting capacity; staff levels; and, actual and estimated acreage mowed. Discussion and questions were heard from the Committee regarding this presentation. • 4110 t11110 Park and Recreation Advisory Committee Regular meeting— September 8, 1999 Page 4 Presentation of"Texas Outdoors— A Vision for the Future": Mr. Cisneros presented to the Committee information on a study conducted by Texas A&M University entitled "Texas outdoors — A Vision for the Future." He felt this study indicated a change in the park and recreation's vision and how changing demographics affect the types of services provided and a growing demand for more outdoor facilities closer to home. Mr. Cisneros pointed out to the members of the Committee that the study gave a lot of information on the development of local, regional, and state parks. He felt that to achieve this vision a collaboration would be required of agencies working together to offer these types of parks to the general population. Discussion of Park Classifications and Varieties: Mr. Cisneros reviewed a database prepared by the Park Planning Division listing all acreage the Park and Recreation Department oversees. He went on to explain to the Committee that a"pocket park" is approximately 4 or less acres of parkland with some limited recreational facilities, not including a practice field or softball area. Mr. Cisneros went on to define a"neighborhood park"to be between 10 to 15 acres with multiple playgrounds for both younger and older children. He also added that this type of park would typically not have on-site parking. "Community parks"were defined by Mr. Cisneros as being 20 to 200 acre parks with parking lots, restroom facilities, picnic tables and rental facilities. At this point, Mr. Cisneros heard discussion and questions from the Committee. Joe Ochoa questioned whether community or organizational partnerships could be sought. Mr. Cisneros reported that this avenue is already being pursued. Mr. Cisneros stated that organizations who are resident to a location near a park have inquired whether a partnership could be created with Park Maintenance in assisting with the maintenance of the park. Chair Menard requested that a process be implemented on educating the public on the needs required to better the parks and to give the community ownership. Mr. Ochoa suggested that some type of signage be placed at each park requesting assistance from the community to take better care of the parks. Mr. Ochoa also requested that staff find out what kind of system is already in place to assist in educating the public on the park system. Mr. Ochoa went on to state that if such a system was already in place to inform the public of the park system, the Committee should define the message which is to be used. Mr. Ochoa then requested direction from Mr. Cisneros on these two points. Chair Menard felt that in addition to educating the public on the park system, the message would also generate feedback from within the community. Robert Gross suggested that a fact-finding study by the Committee be conducted on this topic. On the subject of small parcels of parkland donated to the City, Mr. Gross commented that those parcels that are not going to be used as parkland be sold with the proceeds to be returned to the Park and Recreation Department. Mr. Cisneros stated that once parcels of land are turned into parkland, a public referendum would be required to sell the land. Chair Menard stated that a park-by-park study needed to be conducted included along with a demographic study. Mr. • 411110 V Park and Recreation Advisory Committee Regular Meeting— September 8. 1999 Page 5 Ochoa asked if other uses were available for these parcels if they are not sold. Robert Gross questioned whether a developer could give cash instead of land. Mr. Cisneros stated that this could be a possibility. Chair Menard requested an update on this topic at the October meeting. Presentation of Parkland Dedication Ordinance Procedures: Mr. Cisneros gave an overview of the ordinance on parkland dedication. He stated that the City has a choice on receiving land or money with respect to neighborhood developers. Mr. Cisneros stated that changes were in the process of being made to this ordinance to modify it for small subdivision development, which is occurring in Corpus Christi due to economic factors. Mr. Cisneros stated he would be coming back to the Committee with some suggested changes to the ordinance to better meet the needs of Corpus Christi. He also added that these changes would also need to go before the Planning Commission. Consideration of Committee Vacancies: Before he began discussion regarding the consideration of the Committee's vacancies, Mr. Cisneros thanked Ms. JoAnne McNeill for her years of service on the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee. Mr. Cisneros began by reporting to the Committee of their need to fill two vacancies left by Mr. Robert Ibarra and Ms. McNeill along with the reconsideration of terms for members Billy Olivarez, Joe Ochoa,John Dunn, Mae Milligan and Gerardo Alvado. Mr. Cisneros asked for those members under consideration to express their interest in being re-appointed the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee. John Dunn, Joe Ochoa, Billy Olivarez, and Gerardo Alvarez expressed their interest in reappointment to the Committee. Chair Menard reported to the Committee that Mae Milligan had expressed her desire for reappointment to him. Chair Menard requested that Sandra Billish be recommended for appointment to the Committee. Chair Menard then called for recommendations from the Committee. JoAnne McNeill requested Anne Baker be considered for appointment. Chair Menard called for a motion. Robert Gross moved for Anne Baker and Sandra Billish to be recommended for appointment to the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee along with the reappointment of Gerardo Alvarez, Mae Milligan, Billy Olivarez, Joe Ochoa, and John Dunn. Robert Tamez seconded, and the motion carried. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: Heritage Park—JoAnne McNeill attended the Heritage Park Tenant Association meeting and reported of the upcoming Halloween celebration. "Scaritage Park", which is held at Heritage Park, will be held on October 30th. Ms. McNeill also reported the Seaman's Center would be holding"Lobster Fest"on October 28th. She also stated that "Christmas Past"would again be held at Heritage Park in December. Ms. McNeill also commented she would be demonstrating polish sausage making at the Multicultural Center sometime in the future. Greens Committee—Billy Olivarez requested Subcommittees Chair appointments be held at the next meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee in October. 410 V Park and Recreation Advisory Committee Regular Meeting— September 8, 1999 Page 6 DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Mr. Cisneros reported to the Committee that Marion Loucks, Superintendent of Cultural Services, would be retiring. He informed the Committee that Ms. Loucks' last day with the City would be January 7, 2000. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION/AGENDA ITEMS: Joe Ochoa requested information on sponsored and non-sponsored events and whether the City has been able to recoup monies from the non-sponsored events. Chair Menard requested the election of new officers be placed on the agenda for the October meeting. Chair Menard also requested that resources for educating the public on the park system be placed on the October meeting agenda. Chair Menard asked that the changes to be made to the Parkland Dedication Ordinance be place on the agenda for October. Mr. Menard also requested a current CIP list be presented to the Committee at the next meeting with discussion of the CIP projects to be placed on the agenda. ADJOURNMENT: As there was no further business,Joe Ochoa moved for adjournment. Robert Tamez seconded, and the motion carried. Chair Menard adjourned the regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting at 7:16 p.m. Marco A. Cisneros, Director Park and Recreation Department