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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 08/06/2009 G WATERSHORE AND BEACH ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING EvED Regular Called Meeting,Thursday,August 6,2009,5:30 p.m. Staff Conference Room,City Hall 1201 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi,TX FEB 1 0 2010 Members Present Member Absent Staff Present CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE Kyle Garrison, Chair Joanna Mott Michele Thomas Neil McQueen JoAnn Gilbertson Tara Mireles Kimberly Lemley Robert Thomas Derek Herzog, Guy Davis Gulf Beach Lifeguard Jake Herring Supervisor Jim Needham I. CALL TO ORDER Chair, Mr. Kyle Garrison called the meeting to order at 5:41 p.m. II. ROLL CALL The recording secretary called roll and announced that a quorum was present. III.ADOPTION OF MINUTES Regular called meeting June 10,2009 As no changes were requested, Ms. Kimberley Lemley made a motion to adopt the minutes. Mr. Guy Davis seconded the motion.The minutes were adopted unopposed. IV. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC—None. V. BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION New Business for Discussion/Action Budget FY10 August 1st marked the start of the City's fiscal year budget.The fiscal year runs from August 1st to July 315. It was requested at the last meeting to get a report on the FY10 budget in regards to the beach. Mrs.Thomas compared the budget from FY09 with that of FY10. Last year,they included the capital in the Beach Operations budget.This year,they distributed the capital among three of the beach orgs: Beach Operations, Beach Lifeguards, and Beach Parking.The department has$100,000 in capital, which will be used to purchase a sargassum machine and 2 trucks. She gave a brief description of how the sargassum machine will be used to maintain the beach.The machine will mainly be used along the seawall and condominium areas in the beginning. Questions were asked regarding what is included in the Beach Safety budget. Mrs.Thomas stated it is used to purchase signage and emergency equipment. ORD not allowing swimming close to the jetty Recently, City Council requested an ordinance be created to prevent swimming close to the jetties at Packery Channel.There have been several incidents with patrons getting injured along the jetty rocks. There was a discussion regarding the controversy of the ordinance.Several committee members feel the ordinance will;only cause problems among the fishermen and the surfers. It was suggested to place "Swim at Your Own Risk"signage along the jetties to warn visitors of the dangerous conditions. Many swimmers are unaware that the jetty rocks are covered with barnacles,which can cause injury to anyone who may brush up against them.The committee would prefer the City just place signage along the jetties,to prevent serious disagreements. Mr. Neil McQueen made a motion for Council to accept public comment before voting on the ordinance, and recommended that in lieu of the ordinance, have signage placed warning of dangerous conditions. Mr. Davis seconded the motion.The committee discussed the motion. Mr.Thomas addressed the entire section of the ordinance prohibiting swimming.The committee was unhappy with the way the ordinance was written, and would like legal to revise the errors on it.The committee voted in favor of Mr. McQueen's motion, and it passed unopposed. SCANNED A second motion was made by Mr. Jake Herring to table the entire ordinance, so that it is not taken to council. Mr. Davis seconded the motion. The vote was called, and the motion passed unanimously.The committee would like to see the City Council seriously consider their recommendation. Update on Hurricane Preps for Gulf Beach Committee members were given photos of the new gate and warning signs in their agenda packets. The sign reads"Warning: Dangerous Surf—Stay out of the Gulf—No Lifeguards on Patrol."The signs are placed on all of the access roads.The gates are on each access road as well, except for access road 2 which will be installed shortly.The gate placed at Zahn Road is temporary and will be replaced when Tortuga Dunes is completed. Park Police Mr. Garrison would like to see two things happen. First,to understand Parks and Recreation needs to be given the proper funding to protect the lifeguard stands to ensure public safety; Second,to establish more fluid communication with the police department. He is working with Mrs.Thomas to try and get enforcement on the beach whether it is through the City or another source. Old Business for Discussion CC Beachwalk Mrs. Gilbertson was unable to attend;therefore, the CC Beachwalk topic will be placed on the next agenda. Sargassum Maintenance The Sargassum Maintenance Sub-Committee is still meeting and will deliver a report at the next meeting. Updates on Water Quality Dr. Mott was unable to attend; therefore, there was no update on water quality. Staff Liaison Report Accident at Packery Channel Derek Herzog reported on the recent accident at Packery Channel involving 5 people on a 16-foot boat. The boat flipped over and four of the patrons were ejected with one trapped underneath. The patrons sustained some injuries from the jetty rocks. The lifeguards helped render aid to the patrons, and lifeguard Max Stover was able to help the woman who remained trapped under the boat. Nine lifeguards were on the scene, five of them swimming, two of them on the boat, and two of them on land. They will be presented with At Your Service Awards during Council, and Max Stover and lifeguard Mike Smith will be receiving letters from the Mayor thanking them for their hard work. Beach Personnel There has been a change in the Beach Operations personnel. Todd Jensen, Beach Operations Supervisor, has been moved to the Corpus Christi and McGee Beach areas to provide more adequate enforcement. Derek Herzog will be taking over Beach Operations in addition to the Beach Lifeguard Division. Special Events on the Beach Fourth of July weekend was big on Gulf Beach. Beach Parking Permit sales reached over 2,000. Non- holiday weekend sales have been good as well, averaging about 1,000 a weekend. No major incidents were reported. Corpus Christi and McGee Beach also received large crowds on 4th of July weekend. On September 7th, the lifeguard stands will be removed from the beach for the winter season. Paint for CC Beach Unfortunately, the color for the Corpus Christi Beach restrooms cannot be changed. The trim can be painted white; however, because of the stone siding on the exterior, it was advised that the natural-look not be altered. VI. Committee Concerns, Request for Information,Agenda Items Identify Items to be placed on next agenda The following items will be placed on the next agenda: Council comments on recommendation, CC Beachwalk, Sargassum Maintenance Report, Update on Road Widening, Park Police-Recommendation to Council, and Updates on Water Quality(Recurring). VII. ADJOURNMENT As there was no further business, Mr. Jim Needham made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. McQueen seconded. Mr. Garrison adjourned the meeting at 6:38 pm. Michele Thomas, Superintendent Parks and Recreation Department