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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 05/01/2008 ' WATERSKL..: AND BEACH ADVISORY COMMITTEE wrL'ETING Regular Called Meeting,Thursday, May 1, 2008, 5:30 p.m. � 798 798 Staff Conference Room, City Hall a 1201 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi,TX Members Present Member Absent Staff Present fp SEP 2V s - IC7 .; rp,9 k t Jake Herring Kyle Garrison, Chair Michele Thoma§r7 CITY SECRETA,,' S Kimberly Lemley Tara Mireles t, OFFICE co • Linda Walsh o`C� Joanna Mott �5ZvZEZZ2�Z, Jim Needham Robert Thomas JoAnn Gilbertson Neil McQueen I. CALL TO ORDER In the absence of the Chair, Kyle Garrison, Vice Chair, Jake Herring 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 April 3, 2008 Dr. Joanna Mott made a motion to adopt the minutes. Ms. Linda Walsh seconded. Motion passed without opposition. IV. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC—None V. NEW BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION Clem's and Billings Boat Ramps Vice Chair, Mr. Herring reported to the committee the condition of the Clem's and Billings Boat Ramps. The ramps are located directly below JFK Causeway on the Packery Channel side of the inter-coastal waterway. Up until several years ago, they had not had any work done to them. A grant was received and some minor work was done to the Clem's boat ramp but was not completed due to a shortage of funds; therefore, the Billings ramp did not undergo any repairs. The Human Uses Implementation Team, which is housed out of the Coastal Bend Bays& Estuaries Program's office, has dedicated funds in an effort to improve these ramps. They are currently the only two free ramps located on that portion of the Laguna Madre. The City has approved temporary repairs to be made to the ramps with help from the Texas Parks&Wildlife Department along with the Coastal Bend Bays& Estuaries Program.With the help of local partners, the City will also apply for grant funds to be due by the end of October 2008. In the meantime, the temporary improvements will consist of the addition of cleats and bumper rails to prevent the boats from hitting the concrete. The more permanent improvements will include the replacement of sheet piles, concrete caps, a raise in elevation, and other repairs, which will make it a very extensive project. Beach Rules and Enforcement—Captain John Houston Staff Liaison, Mrs.Thomas introduced Captain John Houston to the committee. She informed him that at the last meeting it was brought to the committee's attention that there are different rules on the beach pertaining to the City, the County, and the State; and the committee requested there be some uniformity and consistency among these rules. Captain Houston has been a captain for 11 years and was the original Captain over the Island when it was annexed. He was put in charge of his first Spring Break, which is when the berm situation was first established. Captain Houston stated that since he has been in charge of the Island he has noticed some confusion among the City beaches, the County beaches, and the State beaches. There has also been confusion with the City ordinances, which ones get enforced and which ones do not. One of the ordinances mentioned states that you cannot park within 25 feet of the water; but because the tide line varies, this is difficult for them to enforce. He also noted that the issuance of mobile and stationary vending permits has been an issue. This Spring Break season both vendors and tourists became confused when it came to the rules and permits needed for the beach. Captain Houston suggested the City have better signage on the beach in order to keep beach SCANNED visitors better informed. G61;,ain Houston also noted the driving conditions`in front of the Seawall. The amount of driving space has decreased throughout the years, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to drive a vehicle safely through the beach; however, any recommended closures of the beach must go through the City's Traffic Engineering Department. Fortunately, there has not been any injuries reported involving vehicles and pedestrians. In order to maintain better security on the beaches this summer, law enforcement will be out on ATVs on the weekends to better patrol the area. The Counties, both Nueces and Kleberg, being limited in law enforcement, are not able to patrol the beaches as often as the City. In order to establish more cohesive beach rules between the City and the County, the committee recommended Mrs. Thomas communicate with Blake Pettis, the Director of the Nueces County Parks Department, to establish a uniform set of beach rules and signage. Captain Houston expressed another concern regarding burning of items other than firewood on the beach. Pallets, sofas, and Porta-Potties were just a few of the items found burned on the beach. The City's Police Department would like to see more specific rules concerning the type of materials allowed to be burned on the beach. The sale of beach vending permits was another issue mentioned by Captain Houston. Currently, the City has two departments responsible for the sale of these, Finance and Parks and Recreation. Consequently, there has been some confusion as to what specific permit is needed for each particular situation. Additionally, there have been complaints about the beach parking permits that the City requires. Many have received citations for not having a beach parking permit. The fine for driving on the beach without a permit is$150; however, they are given a warning before a citation is issued. The public is under the impression that it is free parking on the north side of Packery Channel; however, a permit is required in that area. A permit is not required on the south side of Packery Channel or by the boat ramp. It was stated that the TIF Agreement for Packery Channel showed a 140 space parking lot with restrooms and showers providing free parking. Mrs. Thomas will look into getting a copy of the TIF for the next meeting. Questions were asked and answered. Should they have additional questions, they can contact Captain Houston on the numbers he provided. At the conclusion of the discussion, the committee decided to make several motions. Regarding the beach rules, Jim Needham made a motion suggesting the City's Parks and Recreation staff meet with the County's Park staff to develop a uniform set of beach rules and to discuss enforcement and signage. Ms. JoAnn Gilbertson seconded. The motion passed unanimously. In addition, Dr. Joanna Mott requested there be a timeline on the motion. Regarding the condition of the road in front of the Seawall, Ms. Linda Walsh motioned to recommend to the City Council a temporary closure of the beach road in front of the Seawall. Mr. Rob Thomas seconded and made an amendment to recommend closure only when the road to the Seawall is less than the specified width requirement, to be later determined. After discussion, Vice Chair, Jake Herring called the vote. Two abstained from the vote, two were for, and 4 opposed; therefore, the motion did not pass. In regards to the timeline for the development of beach rules, Dr. Mott made a motion for Mrs. Thomas to bring the committee some form of recommendation or draft as an update on progress at the next scheduled meeting. Ms. Walsh seconded. The vote was called with no opposition. Regarding the vendor permit issues, Mr. Jim Needham motioned to recommend to Council that all vendor permits be directed through the Beach and Special Events Division office. Ms. Kimberley Lemley seconded. After discussion, the vote was called and passed unanimously. Packery Channel Boat Ramp Access Road Closed for Construction Staff Liaison, Mrs. Thomas informed the committee about the temporary closure of the access road to the Packery Channel Boat Ramp. The plan is to create a permanent road to replace the existing caliche road. The project involves not only the road repair but the parking lot, as well. It will be divided into two parts; the first part being the road repair, and the second being the parking lot. The first part will take two weeks with an expected completion date of May 16, the day prior to the Beach to Bay Relay. The second part will begin in late September. VI. OLD BUSINESS Corpus Christi Beach Walk Ms. JoAnn Gilbertson asked the committee for their endorsement on her proposal of the Corpus Christi Beach Walk in order to submit it in time for the 2008 bond. The committee requested Ms. Gilbertson send them the specific language on the proposal to better understand the plans for the development. Due to limited time, Ms. Gilbertson will submit the proposal in phases. It was suggested that Ms. Gilbertson utilize the support of the Parks& Recreation Department to present the proposal to City Council. If they choose, the committee members can offer their support as private individuals and not as members of the Watershore and Beach Advisory Committee. Ms. Gilbertson will take her recommendation to Engineering and will later go to Council. VII. Committee Liaison/Staff Reports Staff liaison, Mrs. Thomas announced to the committee that this year's U.S.Wind &Water Open will be held on May 9th through 11th at McGee Beach and McCaughan Park. Also being held this month is Beach to Bay, which will be held on May 17th. In addition, Mrs. Thomas reminded the committee that on May 13th the Windward parking lot curfew will be taken to Council.The request is for a curfew of midnight to 6 a.m. The first reading will be on May 13th, with the second being on May 20th VIII. Committee Concerns, Request for Information,Agenda Items Vice Chair, Mr. Herring asked for concerns or requests for information. The committee was satisfied with the concerns already expressed and had no additional requests for information. IX. ADJOURNMENT As there was no further business, Ms. Linda Walsh made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Kimberley Lemley seconded. Mr. Herring adjourned the meeting at 7:20 pm. ' A (1/4,0 ,A"-64 Michele Thomas, Acting Superintendent Parks and Recreation Department