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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 04/02/2009 WATERSHORE AND BEACH ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING AUG Regular Called Meeting, Thursday,April 2, 2009, 5:30 p.m. Z 7 4009 Staff Conference Room, City Hall 1201 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX C/1}' SECRETARY'S Members Present Member Absent Staff Present OFF/CE Kyle Garrison, Chair Guy Davis Michele Thomas JoAnn Gilbertson Robert Thomas Tara Mireles Neil McQueen Jake Herring Jim Needham Derek Herzog, Kimberly Lemley Gulf Beach Lifeguard Joanna Mott Supervisor Sally Gavlik, Director of Parks and Recreation I. CALL TO ORDER Chair, Mr. Kyle Garrison called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. II. ROLL CALL The recording secretary called roll and announced that a quorum was present. III.ADOPTION OF MINUTES Regular called meeting April 2, 2009 Dr. Joanna Mott made a motion to adopt the minutes and was seconded by Ms. JoAnn Gilbertson. The minutes were adopted without opposition. IV. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC—None. V. BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION New Business Corpus Christi Beachwalk Proposal Ms. Sally Gavlik, Director of Parks and Recreation presented the Corpus Christi Beachwalk Proposal to the committee. She stated that the committee needed to revise the motion that was previously made regarding the area covered by the Beachwalk. The original proposal was intended to cover the area extending to the Memorial Coliseum. The department has also discovered that the Bay Trail begins at the Barge Dock, and the City is unable to change the name of the Bay Trail. An alternative was then suggested to name the area,which includes the Museum of Science and History, the Art Museum, and the Watergarden, the Corpus Christi Beachwalk-Bay Trail. This would allow for more amenities and points of interest along the walk/trail. Ms. Gilbertson made a motion to accept the recommendation proposed by Ms. Gavlik to name the area the Corpus Christi Beachwalk-Bay Trail. Mr. Jim Needham seconded. No discussion was needed; the motion passed without opposition. The Marina Advisory Committee has already approved the proposal. The recommendation with then go to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee for approval. Kiteboarding at Packery Channel Committee member Mr. Needham expressed concerns regarding kiteboarders on the beach compromising the safety of swimmers near the shore. He presented a photo of a kiteboarder surfing too close to patrons in the water. In southtexaskitesurfing.com they display a map of where kiteboarders should avoid surfing; the map, however, is not currently supported by the City. The kiteboarders voluntarily agreed that they would not surf in the areas close to swimmers. Mr. Needham would like to see better enforcement on the beach. He was unable to contact the Police Department through their non-emergency line and was forced to contact 911. No officers showed up to the site. Mr. Needham would like to see enforcement on the beach to prevent any serious accidents from occurring. The City currently has an ordinance that states: No person may operate a vessel, including, but not limited to a motorboat, sailboat, personal watercraft, kayak,windsurf board, or kite-surf board, on the Gulf of Mexico landward of the outer most line of breaking waves, within fifty (50) feet of any other vessel, person, stationary platform or other object except at headway speed. (Ord. No. 25260; Sec 10-66) SCANNED Mrs. Thomas stated that the lifeguards are unable to enforce the ordinance; the Police Department would be responsible for ordinance violations. Should a kiteboarder, surfer, or other boat operator violate the ordinance, the lifeguards will contact the Police Department to come out to the site. If someone is seen violating the ordinance, committee members and patrons are urged to contact the Police Department at 886-2600, or in case of emergency 911. The committee discussed possible recommendations. It was decided that a motion would not be made at this time. Mr. Garrison will provide an update to the committee at the next meeting. Sargassum Symposium and Sargassum Removal Mrs. Thomas reported that the City learned the Texas General Land Office would like start leaving light, patchy seaweed on the beach to avoid loss of sand. Once the seaweed builds up, the City can then begin seaweed removal. The GLO is concerned about the amount of sand removed from the beach and issues with re-nourishment. They would like to see the coastal cities using the same removal methods. Questions were raised about a one-day beach parking permit for visitors who don't intend to come back during the year. Mrs. Thomas stated Galveston's day beach pass is$8.00. This would not be much of a discount from the$12.00 the City currently charges. Mr. John Adams, who composed the Sargassum Symposium, expressed concerns regarding the City's procedure of front-stacking. Mrs. Thomas stated with the Corps Permit, the City is allowed to use this avenue. The City will look into other methods available. Mr. Neil McQueen presented a proposal for new operating procedures for the City's Beach Operations Division. A discussion was held on the proposal. The committee recommended that Mrs. Thomas collaborate with the Corps of Engineers and GLO to come up with responses to Mr. McQueen's proposals. Mr. Garrison thanked Mr. McQueen for the information. Old Business Updates on Water Quality- Dr.Joanna Mott The General Land Office had the Texas Beach Watch roll-out on South Padre Island. There will be new signs, new ads, and a new website. There were early morning news casts across the larger Texas cities. In the beginning of May, they began sampling water weekly. Dr. Mott recommended a representative from the City attend the EPA National Beach Conference. She mentioned the Beach Watch Program is trying to acquire a quicker way of retrieving test results from water sampling. They are currently looking at a method that will produce results within 2-4 hours. An update from Peggy Sumner was also included in the committee's agenda packets. Packery Channel Amenity Update The City is in the process of getting restrooms at Windward Parking Lot. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of August, with no weather interference. The City is also in preconstruction meetings for Phase 2 and Phase 4,which includes construction of the Packery Channel Parking Lot and Overlooks. The project is tentatively scheduled to begin this fall. Restrooms at CC Belch Mrs. Thomas informed the committee that Mr. Richard Thompson will be at the next meeting to report on the restrooms at Corpus Christi Beach. She reported that the restrooms have been painted. The committee held a discussion regarding paint color. Staff Liaison Report Summer Prep Mrs. Thomas gave an overview of the City's plans for the upcoming summer months. She stated they have hired the Lifeguard and Beach Maintenance staff. The (Lifeguard stands will be set up the week of May 11th, and have been painted pastel colors to coincide with the beach environment. Mr. Garrison requested that Mrs. Thomas email the photos of the lifeguard stands to the committee. 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: Restrooms at Corpus Christi Beach, Update on Kiteboarding issues, and Updates on Water Quality (Recurring). • Mr. Garrison would like to have a few of the committee members introduce the committee and its intent to the newly appointed City Council. He would like make them aware of the issues that are currently being discussed. VII. ADJOURNMENT As there was no further business, Dr. Mott made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Lemley seconded. Mr. Garrison adjourned the meeting at 6:31 pm. Michele Thomas, Superintendent Parks and Recreation Department