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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Island Strategic Action Committee - 08/06/20191 Holiday Inn Express 15209 Windward Drive Corpus Christi, TX 78418 Island Strategic Action Committee Regular Meeting Agenda Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 6, 2019 5:30 PM ISAC Agenda I. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL Chair Jay Gardner called the meeting to order at 5 :33 p .m . City Staff Cynthia Roper called roll . Present Members (9) Jay Gardner, Brud Jones, Libby Edwards, Charles Duffley, Cheri Sperling, Carter Tate, Polly Balzer, Jerry Watkins, and Kaylynn Paxson Present Ex-Officios (4) Dan McGinn, Cliff Schlabach, Dotson Lewis, and Keith McMullin Absent Members (3) Jodi Steen, David Perry, and Aaron Huffman Absent Ex-Officios (2) Bryan Gully and Paulette Kluge Present City Staff (3) Greg Collins, Keith Selman, and Cynthia Roper II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JULY 9, 2019 Motion by Committee Member Carter Tate to approve the minutes. Second by: Committee Member Cheri Sperling. Motion carried by unanimous vote. III. CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES Absences: Libby Edwards, Charles Duffley, and Stephen Noack were absent on July 9, 2019. Motion by Committee Member Carter Tate to excuse the absences. Second by: Committee Member Cheri Sperling. Motion carried by unanimous vote. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT Lt. Braden Tackett, Supervisor, Bravo District – Lt. Tackett spoke to the ISAC members to present information regarding the new State House Bill (HB) 1548. Currently, the Island allows for “Golf Carts only” be operated on the Roadway, under certain restrictions like 35 mph streets; Utility Vehicles can be operated on the Beach Only (the UTV’s must be trailered and hauled to the beach for use on the beach). The new State HB 1548 makes it allowable for a Municipality to authorize UTV’s to be driven on the road much like the golf carts. The HB rules remain the same; you still must wear a helmet, goggles, and take a safety course. He stated that the reason for their attendance to the meeting was not only to inform, but to gather ISAC members input and feedback on State HB 1548 making UTV’s allowable on the roads like the golf carts. The State HB 1548 has already been approved UTV allowance, but a municipality, our City Council, would have to approve it. 2 Captain Bolles, Bravo District – Captain Bolles then addressed the ISAC members and asked that State HB 1548 be placed on next month’s ISAC agenda. He stated the department would like recommendations and input regarding HB 1548 from the ISAC committee to enable the department to plan for any possible enforcement efforts in the future. Captain Bolles left a copy of the actual HB 1548 and summary of HB 1548 to be distributed to ISAC members. Joe Minervini – Stated he would like to urge the Committee to recommend to City Council that they approve the use of Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) on the streets on the Island. Mr. Minervini stated he was unaware that a UTV must be trailered to the beach (as previously stated by Lt. Tackett). He stated that when he purchased his UTV from CC Cycle Plaza, he was led to believe that his UTV was legal on the Island, only to find out later only golf carts were allowed. He commented on having seen several rollover accidents involving golf carts and the severity due to the lack of safety features such as seat belts. Mr. Minervini stated his own UTV has roll bars, doors, six seatbelts, and he feels that his and most UTV’s are much safer than a golf cart. He again stated that he wanted to urge the committee to ask the city to correct an issue that should have been corrected years ago, and that is to allow UTV’s on the Island streets and beaches. Robert Algeo –Mr. Algeo stated he had approximately 5000 hours driving UTV’s on the beach, as he volunteers for the Sea Turtle Program. He said that all local law enforcement, CCPD, Waste, Nueces County, and Corpus Christi Lifeguards use UTV’s because of the safety factor. He continued, the UTV’s have the roll cage, and seatbelts. He referred to the danger of golf carts referencing a past tragic accident involving a marine biologist killed in a golf cart rollover accident. He asked the ISAC committee to consider a simple amendment to the City Ordinance City Code 53-109 to allow UTV’s; the Island needs this change for safety reasons. Karlie Miller - Ms. Miller spoke to the committee and explained that her family had rented for several years on the Island until just a few weeks ago when they purchased property on the Island. She stated that about 8 months ago, her family bought a UTV. She said it was recommended because they have a family and they could fit them safely and securely. She said they were driving the UTV, just as they would a golf cart, and one day they were pulled over by authorities and told they needed a license to be able to drive it. She said that she contacted the dealership but was told the UTV’s could not be licensed as it is not an automobile. Ms. Miller stated her family had made the investment in the UTV, which has seatbelts, for the safety of their children. She said that she totally agrees with all of the comments by Mr. Algeo and Mr. Minervini. She said as a citizen, she would like an amendment to the city ordinance to allow UTV’s. Kyle Matula – Mr. Matula commented on Newport Pass. He stated Newport Pass is dunes, and that the State of Texas has placed a border on the pass and closed any access to the area to all vehicles. He continued that he had been near the area last weekend and he saw beach enforcement driving around in the dunes and they told him that it was ok for people to drive in the area. Mr. Matula stated that he thought City needed to be aware of the situation and work to ensure that Newport Pass remains a safe property and is closed area to motorized vehicles. V. ONGOING BUSINESS for Discussion/Possible Action 1. Ex-Officio Members’ Updates Dan McGinn, Planning Commission Area Development Plan - Dan reported the that Flour Bluff and the Island Area Development Plan contracts would be going to City Council in August for approval. Public Improvement District Policy - Dan stated that Planning is in the process of developing a Public Improvement District Policy (PID). A PID is a tax assessment area established to provide the enhancement of public improvements and services in the area. The development of a PID could be a valuable tool for developers and neighborhoods to enhance the maintenance of public property beyond the level normally provided by the City. Cliff Schlabach, Watershore & Beach Advisory Committee The Watershore Beach Advisory Committee (WBAC) met and several topics were discussed: 3 Signage for Litter – Currently, when entering the beach access, there are notices which list items prohibited on the beach, littering being one of them. The committee is trying to create a clever phrase for new signa ge regarding beach littering that could be strategically placed on the beach, with signage to include fine amounts should a person be caught littering. Committee Member Appointee – The Nueces County recently formed a committed to regulate the property south of Bob Hall Pier which was donated by the Rachal Foundation. The WBAC would like to see the public better represented in the committee, so they are currently working to meet with Judge Canales to discuss the possibly of an appointment to the committee. Safety Devices – Back in May, Rebecca Scarborough attended the ISAC meeting a few months ago, and she was concerned about the teenager from King High School that d rown swimming at the beach and concern over the lack of safety devices in the area. She said she had been out on the jetty when the teenager was in distress and she felt that if she would have had some type of deployable device available, she may have been able to help him. Mr. Schlabach said that the reason there were no devices is because people continue to steal them, and even vandalize the boxes that are placed on the beach to hold the devices. The committee is currently brainstorming to find a solution so that t he devices will be available for beach emergencies and prevent a tragic death. Ordinance 10-66 - Vessel Operations on the Beach. We have been experiencing problems with kite boarders surfing too close to shore and maneuvering through the middle of swimmers (including kids), especially on the weekend. We have received a lot of complaints and we are trying to see if the Ordinance can be better enforced. Right now, you must stay 50 feet away from any object or person. Our committee read the Ordinance some time back and felt it was not a clear Ordinance and felt it needed to be reviewed for possible changes to make the document more understandable. Camping on the Beach – After touring the beaches, to determine the sections of the beach that are narrower, the committee submitted a recommendation to the Parks Director hoping that he will obtain and put up some “No Camping” signs on Access Road 2 to Port A, and Access Road 6 and Whitecap. Those are the areas that have been observed as too narrow for camping. Our recommendation was to insure some of the areas are restricted or prohibited. Carter Tate announced to the committee that today is Dodson Lewis’ birthday. The committee and the public sang” Happy Birthday” to Dodson Lewis. Dotson Lewis, Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee Enrichment Funds - Mr. Lewis reported we are going to City Council with enrichment fund recommendations. Ordinance for Camping – We are working with the police department; they are working on an Ordinance for camping in certain parks and that should go to city council shortly. Mr. Lewis stated that, as always, he is happy to hear suggestions or questions regarding adopting parks or any topic on parks. Keith McMullin, Nueces County Water Control & Improvement District #4 Golf Carts – Keith McMullin discussed golf carts. He reported that currently, Port Aransas had over 3500 in golf cart licenses. He continued to explain to the committee the brief history of the golf cart licensing. Originally, around 2007, TX Dot regulated golf carts usage. However, at some point in time, Tx Dot decided they did not want to continue to handle regulation on golf cart usage. At that point, it was handed over to the individual municipalities to regulate. However, the cities were only given jurisdiction over golf carts, no other motorized type vehicle. Tx Dot did give cities latitude on the safety requirements such as seat belts, turning signals, etc. for the golf carts. It was during that time that Port Aransas was the first municipality to step in and approve golf carts on certain roads and the beach. 4 2. Beaches & Parks Update – Darren Gurley, Superintendent, Beaches & Natural Resources Sand – Working crews started on seawall again. With the winds the seawall is covered with sand. Trying to move as much sand as can toward the water, to keep widening that beach if we can. Keep it clean moving up and down the beach. Get it ready for Labor Day. Permits – The July permits issued were 4731. July Beach Report – rescues: 20 swimmers in distress, 4 near drownings, 74 preventables, and general contacts were 2126. Lifeguard Staffing – We now have lifeguards at Bob Hall Pier through Labor Day, 7 days a week. Still short on Lifeguard staffing. Staffing remains an issue for the department. PC Bollards – Temporary Bollards have been removed at this time. Beach Showers Packery – Extending lines, going to put the meter in and backflow the line down and on Zahn. When they work on the road this winter, they will run the water line down to the bathrooms. 3. Island Engineering Update – Keith Selman, Assistant City Manager NPI Beach Facility – Remains on hold; NPI Beach Access Roads – No Status Change; PR 22 Bridge – Advertised and Out for Bid. Date for Opening Bids is August 21; PC Rehab – 100% plans submitted on July 12, 2019 and currently under review by City Staff. 100% Plans submitted to FEMA for their record. City Staff responded to FEMA questions regarding the drainage portion of the design in July 2019. PC Monitoring – Survey completed in July 2019; data currently being analyzed. Will share with ISAC once we have the report; PC Dredging – City met with USFWS to discuss the delay and no issues; they are committed to completing their review and submitting their final version to USACE hopefully on August 5th. PC Pavilion – Approved by City Council Project and construction should begin in August Showers – Pending water line installation. 4. TIRZ #2 Updates – Keith Selman, Assistant City Manager reported that discussion on the TIRZ participation is in progress. He said that the Hospital District cannot participate but the City is still in negotiations with the County. He suggested that Chair Jay Gardner could possibly provide the committee with an update from his discussion with Judge Canales, but Chair Gardner stated he had no prior discussion with any county representative. The committee discussed that members acquainted with county commissioners might take the opportunity to contact those individuals and explain the purpose and the importance of the TIRZ#2. VI. NEW BUSINESS for Discussion/Possible Action 1. UDC, Greg Collins, Sr. City Planner, Development Services Presented a brief overview of the Planned UDC Text Amendments – Unified Development Code State House Bill 2439 – State Legislature has passed a law that goes into effect 9/1/19 that prohibits a city or governmental entity prohibiting building materials or designating or requiring particular building materials. The HB 2439 also addressed Townhomes, Industrialized Housing, Special Permits which address Car Washes, Paint & Body Shops, Aggregate Storage, Crematoriums, and Above Ground Tanks. This has particular pertinence for the Island with regard to the island overlay whereby you have base zoning that regulates your use and the orientation of a structure on a land. The Island overlay has additional zoning that mandates particular building materials or land there within the overlay. For instance, currently under the island overlay it is required that building exteriors be made of stucco, masonry, brick, stone, cement siding, wood. Under this state law cities are now no longer able to require or prohi bit any building material that is allowed under national building codes. As a result, the city must amend our code in response to this HB 2439 and revise the island overlay so that it basically states these materials “should be installed” and not “shall be installed.” It becomes a guideline instead of a mandate. 2. 2018 BOND Keith Selman, Assistant City Manager – The City is in negotiations with HDR Engineering. 3. AEP Response, Keith Selman, Assistant City Manager Mr. Selman reported that AEP stated that the line in question is not their responsibility. We currently have a call out to Charter and are waiting on their response. 5 4. Future TIRZ Projects, Keith Selman, Assistant City Manager Mobility Study for the Island. The Chairman, Jay Gardner stated, “We are looking to get a Mobility Study as an element of the Island Area Plan. The committee discussed options for the Mobility Study. The general census of the committee was to include the Mobility Study in the TIRZ #2 projects. Motion to include PR 22 Mobility Study as a TIRZ#2 project. Motion by Libby Edwards Second by Carter Tate. Motion Carried by unanimous vote. VII. IDENTIFY ISAC FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 1. Island Overlay Subcommittee 2. CVB Island Branding Study 3. UTV’s and off-highway vehicles 4. 2018 Bond 5. Power Line Responsibility Update 6. Any other agenda items identified for the next meeting. VIII. SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING Date: September 4, 2019 @ 5:30 p.m. (Date changed due to the Lay Day Holiday) Location: Holiday Inn Express IX. ADJOURNMENT - Meeting Adjourned at 6:56 p.m. Motion by Committee Member Libby Edwards to adjourn. Second by Committee Member Brud Jones. Motion carried by unanimous vote.