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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 10/13/1999 (60 PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Regular Meeting Wednesday, October 13, 1999 Committee Room—City Hall- 1201 Leopard Street Members Absent Staff John Dunn Sandra Billfish Robert Gross Tony Cisneros Mae Milligan Vic Menard Dan Whitworth Joe Ochoa Marvin Spears Carlos Mendez Robert Tames Gerardo Alvarez Pam Epps Bill Olivarez Anne Baker CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chair Vic Menard at 5:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: The recording secretary called roll and announced a quorum was present. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 8, 1999: Chair Menard called for the approval of the minutes for the regular meeting held on September 8, 1999. Mae Milligan moved to approve the minutes. Joe Ochoa seconded, and the minutes were approved as written. (Marvin Spears arrived at 5:05 p.m.) ACTION ON ABSENT MEMBERS: Chair Menard called for action on absences for members absent from the September 8, 1999 regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee. Chair Menard stated Mae Milligan was the only member absent from the regular September meeting. Mrs. Milligan informed the Committee she had called prior to the meeting notifying staff of her absence of the regular September meeting. John Dunn moved to excuse Mrs. Milligan for her absence from the regular September meeting. Gerardo Alvarez seconded, and the motion carried. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC: At this point representatives from Gypsy Park Neighborhood Proposal addressed the Chair, and they were informed that their proposal was on the agenda and would be heard as scheduled later in the meeting. There were no other members of the public present. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: Dan Whitworth was asked to conduct the election for Chair and Vice Chair. The floor was opened for nominations for the Chair. Billy Olivarez nominated Vic Menard for Chair. Mr. Whitworth asked if there were any more nominations from the floor. John Dunn moved that all nominations cease. Gerardo Alvarez seconded the motion. Mr. Whitworth called for a vote. Mr. Menard was elected unanimously. Mr. Menard resumed duties as Chair and called for nominations for Vice Chair. Billy Olivarez nominated Mr. Joe Ochoa. As there were no other nominations from the floor, John Dunn moved that nominations cease, Gerardo Alvarez Lt4.."r ��a. ❑; Sr" V Park and Recreation Advisory Board Regular Meeting—October 13, 1999 Page 2 seconded. Billy Olivarez moved that Mr. Ochoa be accepted by acclamation. Robert Tamez seconded. Mr. Ochoa was elected by acclamation. Subcommittee Appointments: Chair Menard proposed that appointments for Subcommittees be reserved until the last part of the meeting. Presentation of Commendation: Dan Whitworth presented a commendation to City Park and Recreation Department employee, Juan Garcia. Mr. Garcia found some checks worth about $1,400.00, which had been lost by a visitor to Heritage Park, and the owner was notified. Juan Garcia received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Park and Recreation Department. The City Manager also received notification of the commendation. Presentation of Gypsy Park Neighborhood Program: Sandra Billish stated that there was a Developing Project Committee of about 30 members at this time regarding Gypsy Park. Mrs. Billish introduced Mary Whitley, Planning Chairman, and Roe Wickham, Architect, who were in attendance to address the Committee. Mr. Wickham presented a Master Plan for Gypsy Park, and stated that their committee was pursuing grants and donations at this time. He stated the priorities to begin with are a meeting place, public building, the Pavilion, a picnic area, a dedication plaque and playground. He said a very high priority is a jogging/exercise trail, and they have received some donations already. Mr. Wickham said he was seeking the approval of the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee for their recommendations, blessings to go forward on the project, and to present their plans to the City Council. Joe Ochoa stated that the Park and Recreation Department was facing challenges regarding maintenance and upkeep, and long term design was a major consideration on existing parks. He raised questions about the infrastructure at the park. Mr. Wickham stated that there is water and sewer to the park at a Property Owners Association building that can be tied into. Ms. Whitley said in 1993 an irrigation system was put in and some of the fingers were extended out,however it is old and will need some repairs. Mr. Olivarez inquired if Mr. Wickham was asking the City to pay for repairs to the old irrigation system. Mr. Wickham stated that the group had donations of money and time right now. He said the Park and Recreation Department,of course, had stated that they couldn't afford to spend much on this park. Mr. Wickham said the group was not necessarily here looking for money, but to get the blessing of the Committee so that they can advance with the project. Mr. Ochoa asked if they have a program in place to address all the challenges that they have on the infrastructure needs and a strategic plan as to how they are going to handle the cost considerations. Mr. Wickham said they were gathering and nor do they have some of the hard numbers at this time. They know construction must be done according to city specifications. Mr. Wickham stated that they were at the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting because the City of Corpus Christi has jurisdiction over the park, but they are holding off people `o r" Park and Recreation Advisory Committee Regular Meeting- October 13, 1999 Page 3 Recreation Advisory Committee who are willing to help with the project, waiting on approval of the Committee. Their committee wanted to make sure that the Committee agreed with the Park Master Plan. Ms. Whitley said that they have a Maintenance Committee already forming, and they are looking at plans that require little or no maintenance. Mr. Wickham said there has to be an entity that is responsible for the Park other than the committee of neighbors; either the Property Owners Association, Coastal Bend Community Foundation, or the Island Foundation, who would uphold a maintenance agreement. Mr. Ochoa raised concerns for liability issues in the interim phases. Mr. Whitworth stated once an entity is determined,prior to the completion of the structure they would have to maintain liability coverage. As soon as the structure is completed, if it is turned over to the City of Corpus Christi and if accepted,then at that point it becomes the city's liability. Mr. Ochoa raised the issue of volunteer work forces and bartering of services. The city would require certain liability coverages that would be the responsibility of the entity that the contract was with. Mr. Wickham stated that was why this entity was important. Whoever they were, they must have a blanket policy to cover these activities. Mr. Wickham stated that the park is centrally located as far as population is projected. Mr. Whitworth stated that in the past, the park department has tried to minimized the number of plaques in a park because of ongoing maintenance and being subject to vandalism. In regard to placing plaques in the parks, Mr. Ochoa asked if the Board would be setting a precedence in allowing several plaques in this particular case. Mr. Whitworth said normally plaques are done in commemoration of donation of land, or something else of that nature. The park department generally does not put up individualized plaques in a park. There are certain cases where there have been exceptions. Mr. Cisneros stated that he met at the Island with the neighborhood. He stated that they were very receptive and that this was a Grass Roots effort, which was a positive point. He explained what the city could and couldn't do at the meeting. Some of the group had raised the issue of restrooms. Mr. Cisneros told them he would not put in restrooms because of the inherent costs and ongoing maintenance. The neighborhood seems very committed to doing what they can, as they can and recognize it is not an overnight circumstance. The ultimate decision rests with the City Council, who would want to know if it has been before the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee. In 1986, the bond election did not set aside any funds for park development on Padre Island. Vic Menard raised the question why the neighborhood should be responsible for maintaining this park when we maintain other parks in the city. The city's responsibility would be to maintain it at the current level in terms of the current standards. Those standards would not be acceptable after further development. Gypsy Park currently is mowed about every 25-30 days. We are not in a position to increase the maintenance to the next level. There are a few "Queen Parks", 4 Park and Recreation Advisory Committee Regular Meeting- October 13, 1999 Page 4 which are maintained at a higher level, and many "Princess Parks". Mr. Wickham said that they would have a maintenance plan in place before they went on to develop the park. He asked if some of the funds that are already used to maintain the park could be diverted to their maintenance plan, and that would be the most they would ask for. Mr. Wickham asked that the Committee just give their blessing to the project. Mrs. Milligan stated that the project has the Committee's blessing as long as the project group realizes what it is up against. (Robert Tamez left at 5:55pm) John Dunn moved that the Commission approve the Park Master Plan effort subject to conditions and agreements the city might impose on the development of Gypsy Park. Gerardo Alvarez seconded, and the motion carried. Presentation of FY 99-00 Capital Improvements Program: Mr. Cisneros referred to Mr. Mendez who gave an overview regarding the 1986 bond issue. Mr. Mendez provided a handout that calls for specific breakout on the1986 bond issue. One report is exclusively referring to the 1986 bond issue and the other is dealing with the Comprehensive CI' development program. Mr. Mendez explained the reports to the Advisory Committee. Mr. Cisneros added that the Planning Division is down to one individual, Mr. Mendez,which reflects the current funding issues. Mr. Mendez addressed questions from the Committee on specific questions regarding the handouts. A question was raised regarding the Northside Study and what type of development should occur in an area where demographics are shifting to an older population. Corpus Christi has an Area Development Plan which addresses Park and Recreation issues from a policy point of view, rather than a Master Plan. National standards have been adopted. Regarding the State School project, Mr. Cisneros said that after analyzing the$300,000 grant, it would be better to go for the $150,000 neighborhood parks option(half going to ADA,by City Council). Update on PARD Fees: Mr. Whitworth explained that Park and Recreation has tried to keep program costs down for youth to maintain good levels of participation, which were gained by reducing fees. With Latchkey, there is a fee attached to that because the revenues from that program are required to carry the costs of that program. There are scholarships available. Most of the program dollars go for youth programs. The City Council has to authorize fees of more than a 25% increase. The golf courses are set up to generate the revenues within that program in order to maintain the facilities. J Park & Recreation Advisory Board Regular Meeting- October 13, 1999 Page 5 Update on PARD Special Events: The fundraising events are the Folklife Festival and Bay Jammin' Concert Series. About two thirds of that funding is covered by donations of funds and by a line item from the City Council. Mr. Ochoa asked whether we were pursuing events that actually were costing money rather than breaking even. He asked whether an event, over a period of 3 to 5 years, is losing money, then where is that money being absorbed in the budget? The other concern is the designation of official or unofficial city sanctioned event. Would the city be put in the position of actually having to raise funds for that particular event? Mr. Whitworth explained that the only events that have fallen under the city's official sponsorship are the Harbor Lights event and the 4th of July event. There have been varying degrees of city support for other events over the years. Mr. Ochoa then questioned whether there is an evaluation process regarding an event and whether it is going to continue as a lost revenue event. Mr. Whitworth answered that it was never intended that there be an event that was a full cost recovery. Mr. Cisneros stated that there is a Special Events permit purchased by various groups in the city. The policy direction that City Council has taken has been away from sanctioned events. City sponsored events are very few and far between. When a group has a large amount of people, the city has to give direction and recommend security, for example. Mr. Ochoa raised the question about carrying capacity of a particular park and at what point do you refuse to have an event at a particular location. There are guidelines for special events, but not carrying capacity for the parks. Mr. Whitworth explained that Mr. Ochoa might be referring to the parking capacity of a park. It is not a function of legislation, as those are in place, only a function of staying on top of the circumstances. Chair Menard stated that this would be an issue, which should be looked at by the Subcommittees. Update on PARD Facilities Crisis Plan: Mr. Whitworth explained that there is an orientation of the staff regarding safety because of the general access to facilities by the public. Management works with staff to recognize a potentially bad situation, to have a plan to follow, and to utilize the resources that are available. Discussion of a Third Golf Course RFI: The city has two municipal golf courses. Because of numerous requests and what the city considers a need for a third golf course,park and recreation staff is going forward in requesting information. We are looking into the process of developing a public/private venture, whereby private concerns would develop and operate a golf course, still open to the public, on 300 acres south of the existing landfill. The entire 300 acres would not be developed for golf. There is a mulching and composting operation and there are concerns for habitat areas for ecotourism. A portion of the green fees are being set aside for the development of the third golf course and will go toward that venture. Subcommittee Appointments: The following appointments were made after discussion: Budget Subcommittee: Robert Gross, Chair, John Dunn, Joe Ochoa V Park & Recreation Advisory Committee October 13, 1999 Page 6 Greens Subcommittee: Billy Olivarez, Liaison, Sandra Billish,Alternate, Robert Tamez, Alternate Planning Subcommittee: Joe Ochoa, Chair, Sandra Billish, Marvin Spears Seniors Subcommittee: John Dunn, Chair, Gerardo Alvarez, Anne BakerSpecial Liaisons: Heritage Park and PALS.- Mae Milligan Youth Sports Committee—Marvin Spears, Chair, Gerardo Alvarez, Anne Baker, Robert Tamez SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: None DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Mr. Cisneros stated that City Council will have presentations on a once-a-month basis. The situation for coming budget year is very tough. One of the new Committee members, Sandra Billish, attended the Bond presentation. Mrs. Billish said that the budget was narrowed down from$100 million to 50 million. She stated there is just not enough money, and no money for parks. Financing came back to sale of obligation bonds or through sales tax, in 1/8 cent increments. Park projects and golf courses are eligible expenses. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION/AGENDA ITEMS: Mr. Ochoa suggested taking a look at a visionary plan, not from a strategic plan, but exactly what this committee should look at. He stated that the committee should categorize issues, prioritize issues, and make a policy statement even though the committee may not be able to do anything because of budget constraints. Mr. Cisneros said Texas A&M University has a fee based extension program regarding park and recreation special studies. ADJOURNMENT: As there was no further business, Marvin Spears moved for adjournment. Joe Ochoa seconded, and the motion carried. Chair Menard adjourned the regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting at 7:48 p.m. Marco A. Cisneros, Director Park and Recreation Department