HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 04/04/2002 fora, ta 3a.
Minutes �aw / Vit,
Regular Meeting / , c; .y 5f,o,
Water/Shore Advisory Committee \ G.(
Thursday,April 4,2002
Members Present: Tom Anderson,Frank Beck,Alan Dinn (Chairman), Dr-Osar Garcia
(2), Dan Leyendecker (1), Steve Moody (Vice Chairman) (4), Dr. JoAnna Mott (1), Terri
Nicolau(2) and Roy Pell
Staff Present: George Noe, Deputy City Manager, Marco A. Cisneros, Director of Park
and Recreation, David Ondrias, Assistant Director for Operations, Elizabeth Hundley,
Assistant City Attorney, Peter M. Davidson, Marina Superintendent, Rene Garza, Marina
Field Supervisor and Benita Brunner, Management Aide
Call to Order: Chairman Dinn called the regular meeting of the Water/Shore Advisory
Committee to order at 5:32 p.m. in the Basement Training Room, City Hall and the
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Action on Minutes: The motion was made by Dr. Garcia, seconded by Mr. Anderson, to
approve the March 7, 2002 Minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Presentations and/or Public Comment: Mr. Davidson responded to questioning that
those best prepared to provide updates regarding Corpus Christi Beach, Padre Island
annexation,Packery Channel, Columbus Ships, University Beach and the Seawall Project
had prior commitments and would make their presentations at the next regularly
scheduled meeting. Sheldon Schroeder (handout) expressed concern that the Landry's
proposal lacks a plan for how it can be accomplished while also maintaining an existing
marina and the needs of the City, the Marina and Marina tenants; that it appears most
details will be worked out between the proposed developer and City Staff in closed
session with little opportunity for public input; and about whether the.T-Heads can
support a large scale venue in addition to marina services. Jerry Vaughn commented the
Committee should go on record as to whether or not they support the project and, if not,
make a motion to move the project to Corpus Christi Beach. Andy Ficken commented
that Landry's increased slip rates.in Kemah so many can not afford them; there are
parking problems; and the Committee needs to decide and advise City Council as to
whether or not they support the project.
Discussion Items: Bait Stand - An agenda packet was provided to Jane Stubbs upon her
request. Ms. Stubbs asked whether discussion of the issue could be delayed pending the
arrival of her attorney, Hal George. Chairman Dinn responded that public comment was
ceased. Mr. Davidson read the bait stand history (as presented in the agenda packet);
reported the October 1, 2001 letter from the Deputy City Manager to Ms. Stubbs (in the
agenda packet) discussed bait stand payments made to the City; that a second lease
amendment had been set aside and never signed by either party; and that the various
payment breakdowns (in the agenda packet) depicted bait stand payments from August
SCANNED
Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes -1- 04/04/02
t �
13, 2000 through March 15, 2002. Mr. Davidson responded to questioning that: (1) the
payment breakdown indicated the minimum $1,500 payment had not been paid, no rent
was paid from August 2000 until January 2001 and partial payments were made from
January 2001 through February 2002; and (2) the main lease.commencing April 19, 1998
approved by the City set monthly rental payments and established a lower percentage
payment for winter months and higher percentage payment for summer months. Mr. Pell
commented and Mr. Davidson agreed that the lease states the lessee is to pay the city each
month six percent of the preceding calendar months' gross receipts or a monthly
minimum of$1,500,whichever is greater required from April through November, and for
the months of December through March, to pay six percent of the preceding calendar
months' gross receipts. Mr. Davidson responded to questioning that Ms. Stubbs had not
paid in accordance with the stated lease terms. Chairman Dinn responded to Ms. Stubbs
that public comment had ceased. Joe O'Brien interjected that the audience should be
allowed to participate in the discussion and that Ms. Stubbs should be allowed to speak
about an issue that involved her livelihood. Chairman Dinn assured Mr. O'Brien that the
Committee was not railroading the issue and that Ms. Stubbs would have another
opportunity to speak at the next meeting. Mr. Davidson responded to questioning that
Ms. Stubbs had not provided copies of quarterly sales tax reports of all sales at the leased
premises as called for in the lease. Mr. Pell remarked that the lease indicates that failure
to provide said copies is cause to terminate the lease and that rent has not been paid
according to terms in the main lease that has been signed and ratified by both parties and •
the City Council. Ms. Hundley reported that discussions regarding the lease(s)have been
on going and are currently being negotiated with Mr. George, Ms. Stubbs' attorney. Mr.
Beckcommented that the City breached the contract (missed construction deadlines i.e.
for thetemporary facility); that rent was not required on the temporary facility until the
new bait stand was complete(January 2001); that Ms. Stubbs' payments to the City began
in February 2001 ($596.38); the second proposed lease amendment allowed Ms. Stubbs
to amortize$30,000 over a five or six.year period at a set interest rate and to deduct that
from the monthly rent; that monies were held by the City under a Letter of Credit; the
City accepted the Letter of Credit and took the money which indicated their_okay with the
deal (or they shouldn't have taken,the money); and electrical work was incomplete when
the City issued the Certificate of Occupancy(August 2000). Mr. Pell commented that the
first lease amendment signed by Ms. Stubbs indicates.that the orientation of the structure,
layout, mechanical, electrical, plumbing rough-in and built-ins had been coordinated with
the lessee and her equipment suppliers. Mr. Beck responded that the issues had been
coordinated but had not been done by the City's contractor. Mr. Pell commented and Mr.
Beck agreed that the $30,000 addressed in the non-ratified second amendment says the
City will fund not to exceed$150,000 of the construction costs based on the bid pricefor
the bait"stand building and that the lessee will be responsible for any amount over
$150,000. Mr.Pell asked how it was possible to give back $30,000 when the signed, first
amendment indicates Ms. Stubbs' will pay anything over $150,000. Mr. Beck responded
that he did not know because the City wrote the amendment. Mr. Pell stated the point
would be moot because the second amendment had not been signed by Ms. Stubbs, the
City nor ratified by City Council. Mr. Beck commented that the City had no business
taking the money. Mr. Pell stated the agreement was anything over $150,000 and that
Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes -2-- 04/04/02
there was no cap on Ms. Stubbs' contribution. Mr. Beck stated that when the City went to
Ms. Stubbs with the bid asking what she wanted to do, she said she would put in the extra
money if the City would take an amendment allowing her to amortize the extra money
from her rent. Mr. Pell responded the second amendment was never signed. Mr. Beck
responded that in order to move forward, after all the City's delays, the City took the
money. Mr. Pell stated the second lease was not ratified and that discussions regarding
the issue didn't matter. Mr. Beck asked if Mr. Pell was saying the City Attorney/City
Staff has zero credibility when offering someone to do something. Mr. Pell declined
comment indicating that he had analyzed the lease and first amendment that indicates Ms.
Stubbs has not paid rent and had not provided sales tax reports as required. Mr. Beck
stated the City hasn't performed either. Discussion followed. The motion was made by
Mr. Pell, seconded by Mr. Anderson, that the Committee recommend to City Council
termination of the L-Head Bait Stand lease based on the facts that the rent has not been
paid and quarterly sales tax reports had not been submitted as agreed. Ms. Hundley
interjected that action can not be taken on discussion items; that it can be scheduled for
action at the next meeting. Ms. Stubbs requested an opportunity to make comments
regarding the discussion. Mr. Beck stated the Committee has always made motions and
taken votes on Discussion Items. Mr. Anderson asked for some elaboration on the action
item versus discussion item matter. Ms. Hundley explained that when an item is
scheduled for discussion, the public doesn't have notice that action can be taken on the
discussion item. Mr. Pell withdrew his motion and Mr. Anderson withdrew his second.
Discussion followed on rewording the agenda to allow the Committee to vote
(discussion/action items). Mr. Cisneros stated the Committee has a responsibility for
consideration and recommendation of issues moved forward to the City Council and that
upon review of the Committee's recommendation, it is the City Council's decision as to
how to proceed. Mr. Beck commented that the second lease amendment was signed by
the City Attorney. Mr. Pell said until both parties have signed, the document is not worth
the paper it is written on.
Marina R.F.P. - Chairman Dinn introduced the discussion item for which the Committee
had not decided whether or not to support. Discussion followed regarding not being able
to take action at this time; public comment being allowed with regard to discussion items
in the past; and maintaining a point of order addressing matters at the appropriate point
on the agenda. Mr. Beck departed. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Leyendecker spoke in favor of
moving issues regarding the R.F.P. forward. Mr. Pell commented the City Council would
be addressing the MOU at their April 23, 2002 meeting. Mr. Davidson commented the
City issues/concerns have not yet been addressed; Staff is asking for City Council's
permission to discuss items with whomever the Council selects. Mr. Noe commented
that things are currently in the proposal stage; the next step (working out mutual
arrangements)is the level of commitment that requires Landry's to begin spending money
in their efforts to address details derived from input from interested parties or to
withdraw. Mr. Cisneros reported the City Council has three steps to perform: (1)
consideration and approval (decide with whom to negotiate); (2) follow-up (begin work
on the MOU-which will come back before the Committee as part of the review process)
and (3) negotiations (lease document details - which would also come back before the
Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes -3- 04/04/02
Committee). Mr. Noe responded to questioning that City Staff will ensure that all
expressed concerns and/or interests will be addressed and that the Committee will be
involved. Discussion followed regarding how to proceed; what is the level of acceptance;
the City having been provided detailed financial information regarding all three proposers
through an outside consultant; and holding a special called meeting (to address
specifically what the City Council will be considering). Chairman Dinn stated he and Mr.
Davidson would determine and advise the Committee of the time and date for a special
called meeting.
Director's Report - Mr. Cisneros and/or Mr. Davidson reported on or responded to
questioning regarding: (1) meeting with Andy Goldbloom of the Texas Parks & Wildlife
Department regarding a floating boater facility; (2) the Smithsonian Environment
Research Center conducting a three-month study [need to request report on their
findings]; (3) the possibility of rescheduling the 2002 Powerboat Races from June to
August; (4) the water quality report; and (5) the revised stay aboard permit issue being
prepared for City Council consideration. Dr. Mott will report back to the Committee
regarding her discussion with Larry Jones concerning readings indicated on the Health
Department's water quality reports.
Committee Reports: None offered.
Current Concerns: Discussion followed regarding the need to modify wording for
discussion and possible action items and adjusting the position for public comment on
future agendas. Mr. Cisneros stated public comment is typically for items not on the
agenda; that discussions are entertained with possible public comments before a vote is
taken. Discussion followed and Ms. Brunner was asked to check on past occurrences of
opportunities for public comment.
Request for Information/Agenda Items: None offered.
Confirmation: Next Meeting-May 2, 2002
Adjournment: As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m.
Peter M. avidson
Marina Superintendent
Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes -4- 04/04/02