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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 03/07/2002 Minutes F / aeft 200 o Regular Meeting ' a 5C SRV'`' Water/Shore Advisory Committee, ol, (go / v Thursday, March 7, 2002 L',1„ Members Present: Tom Anderson, Frank Beck, Alan Dinn(Chairman),—Dr. Oscar Garcia (2), Dan Leyendecker (1), Steve Moody (Vice Chairman) (4), Dr. JoAnna Mott (1) and Roy Pell Members Absent: Terri Nicolau(2) Staff Present: George Noe, Deputy City Manager, Linda Hodge, Recreation Superintendent, Art Sosa, Director of Building Inspections, Peter M. Davidson, Marina Superintendent, Rene Garza, Marina Field Supervisor, Benita Brunner, Management Aide Call to Order: Chairman Dinn called the regular meeting of the Water/Shore Advisory Committee to order at 5:35 p.m. in the Basement Training Room, City Hall and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Action on Minutes: Mr. Beck requested that the February 7, 2002 Minutes be amended to reflect the fact that the County has no actual action plan with regard to actions required in response to high levels of bacteria being determined by the periodic water samplings. Mr. Davidson responded to Mr. Pell that the February 7, 2002 Minutes accurately reflected Mr. Jones' response regarding water quality levels in the Marina could be attributed to the overboard discharge of a marine toilet; adding that after several minutes of conversation, Mr. Jones responded to an audience member's comment that the water quality levels could have also been attributed to any warm blooded animal. The motion was made by Dr. Garcia, seconded by Mr. Anderson, to approve the February7, 2002 Minutes as amended. The motion passed unanimously. Presentations and/or Public Comment: Mr. Sosa stated that his department administers codes that dictate the level of quality to promote/provide for public health, safety and the general welfare of built environments. He spoke with regard to the Marina infrastructure as it would relate to a stay/live aboard program and services the City is required to provide i.e. water (drinking, cleaning, etc.), enforcement of installation/use of required backflow devices, line/pumping facility (determined by number of slips to be serviced), wastewater service (size/capacity determined by use), providing lift station for waste removal (central pump out location/craft to service individual boats in slips), solid waste service (Solid Waste Department/private hauler), electrical services (Staff to determine if/which slips to meter or establish set rate), parking (sufficient to support slips in the development), ADA requirements (method of enforcement to be determined by City), police service/security issues (access to docks; address requirement for 911 response), fire services (adequate fire truck/paramedic access, fire lines, fire hydrants, access to docks), hurricane preparedness (on-going problem), shelter-in-place program (proximity to Port), establish formula to determine number of toilet facilities and required locations SCANNED Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 1 03/07/02 (size/type, etc.), vermin/rodent control (Vector), etc. Other conveniences services could include a tow boat service, laundry facilities, pay phones, ship stores, shopping opportunities,mail service, email services,ATMs, etc. Mr. Sosa commented that stay/live aboards will not necessarily add to the ad valorem tax base but will utilize city services. Discussion followed regarding a past study of marinas around the nation that allow liveaboards, required response to liveaboard issues being code driven (not easy to define what is needed to satisfy code), wastewater facility lacking, the need to determine standards related to what will be adequate parking, Grant terms and issues to address before liveaboards can be considered (including issue of privatization). Mr. Beck commented that it is the Committee's job to determine the infrastructure required to be in place in order to allow liveaboards. Mr. Davidson suggested the Chairman appoint a subcommittee to investigate the matter and that the subcommittee could make their recommendation to the Committee. Discussion continued regarding alternative parking methods, Grant being Federal monies administered by the State and restroom design being bid out. Jeff Cantwell representing Landry's made a power point presentation regarding the Texas Boardwalk Project that proposes an entertainment based facility with the majority of activities on the Lawrence Street T-Head(LST). A boater facility with the possibility of a meeting space, secured storage and maximizedparking, a facility for community sailing/boat support, water taxi and bus access in addition to the existing bait stand are proposed for the L-Head; a Rainforest Cafe, Aquarium Restaurant, relocation of Landry's (Joe's Crab Shack to remain in its current location), plazas, fountains, bandstands, gardens, pavilions, visiting boater docking, amusement rides, water taxi/shuttle bus access, designated parking/loading for Marina tenants, a boater facility and a meeting space are proposed for LST; and bleachers, kiosks for vendors/sports rentals, market/festival areas, boater facility/meeting room, designated parking/loading for Marina tenants, the possibility for development of a fisherman's market and maximized parking (750 spaces) are proposed for the Peoples Street T-Head. Mr. Cantwell reported the development will be handled in-house and that Landry's has the experience to handle and maintain the proposed development that will enhance opportunities for tourists and boaters that would financially benefit the City. Discussion followed regarding concerns about duplicating what is in Kemah, buildings blocking view, restaurant capacities and total new restaurant seats, parking (primarily on PST and off-site), making water taxi an attraction for getting to restaurants, restaurant staff parking being off-site, slip rates, terms and conditions for financial benefit to City, opinion survey, Landry's to perform marina management, etc. Ralph Bowen read the definition of a marina; inquired about a City-generated master plan; inquired who will receive slip fees and dictate Marina rules/regulations; suggested proposal was financially driven; stated general consensus is that the privatization issue is a done deal. Andy Ficken commented that privatization is too grandiose; commented about existing parking difficulties; suggested moving development to PST; suggested maintaining facility as a marina. Richard Conner complimented Marina Staff and commented about the need to change the stay aboard policy. Henry Berryhill commented Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 2 03/07/02 14 that the presentation indicated examples of multi-million population centers and wondered how many people live within a one-hour drive of the facility; to gunk up Marina would be mistake and impact on Packery Channel. William Walton inquired why with receipt of $1.7 in grant monies, privatization is being explored; he suggested the matter is financially driven; other marinas offering give-aways to continue a visiting stay; commented that the proposed development would be tacky. Mike Morgan commented that it would be a tragedy to place chain restaurants in the Marina. Ron Chiles commented more restaurants means smaller share for existing restaurants; need for Marina enhancement; commented restaurants can be placed anywhere and suggested Landry's move plan to North Beach; inquired about master plan for bayfront; inquired if Landry's qualified to run a marina and parking. Bill Shirko commented that facilities are currently lacking; need to develop amenities to support liveaboards; concern for impact on marine environment, security,boater support services; need to focus on boaters. Larry Frank commented the issue is money; customer support for proposed restaurants and that the proposal would cause him to leave. Discussion Items: Marina R.F.P. - Discussion followed Landry's presentation and with regard to the matter having been tabled at the February 7, 2002 meeting. The motion was made by Mr. Beck, seconded by Mr. Anderson, to allow Robert Anderson, representing the Park Board, to speak to the Committee regarding the issue. Mr. Anderson commented that because the project is conceptual, their motion was to ensure that the Marina remain a viable issue and they requested that City Council make up a group of citizens and members of boards addressing this issue to have input with City Staff and Landry's' to ensure that the issues expressed at the various meetings are addressed before a proposal goes to the City Council. Chairman Dinn stated the motion was to accept the Landry's concept with the stipulation that development occurs on the Peoples Street T- Head. The motion failed (Mr. Beck abstained). Discussions regarding the RFP resumed after the Budget and Stay Aboard Permit were addressed. The motion was made by Mr. Anderson to accept the Landry's proposal as presented. The motion failed for lack of a second. Budget FY2002-2003 - Mr. Davidson reported Revenues went forward on 3/1/02; Expenditures will go to Budget on 3/22/02; first review (PARD) will be on 03/15/02. He reported reduction in MIS Allocation (one HTE removal); other allocations should remain approximately the same; resulting in $83,682 bottom line. Mr. Davidson responded to questioning that a three percent slip rent increase is proposed, that budgeted numbers are based on current CCYC rates (Legal/CCYC working on new lease negotiations), payments from Joe's Crab Shack are current, $66,500 (25%) Grant matching, bayfront revenues, etc. The motion was made by Dr. Garcia, seconded by Mr. Moody, to approve the Budget as presented. The motion passed. Stay Aboard Permit Procedure - Mr. Pell suggested moving "Pumping of marine heads overboard will not be tolerated" from page one, section (a) to page two, section (e); deleting remaining verbage in new section(d); and changing ordinance title to "Policy for Regulations Regarding Transient Watercraft". Discussion followed regarding the law Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 3 03/07/02 seeking only to address behavior that is prohibited, changing all subtitles to be less negative, intent of changing ordinance is to better accommodate boaters wanting to remain on board their vessels; plans to review/revise entire ordinance one section at a time; and the need to change current slip legal agreement from rental contract to lease contract. The motion was made by Mr. Beck, seconded by Mr.Moody, to accept the draft policy amended as per Mr. Pell's suggestions, leaving the title as it is. The motion passed unanimously. The motion was made by Mr. Beck, seconded by Mr. Pell, to change the ordinance title to living aboard watercraft. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Davidson requested Chairman Dinn be present when the issue is addressed by the City Council. Director's Report - Mr. Davidson reported on or responded to questioning regarding: (1) presentation of all three RFP proposals in public forum to Council on March 19, 2002; (2) March 26, 2002, Council to select with whom to negotiate an MOU; (3) MOU takes approximately three months to negotiate; (4) Accounting is maintaining record of Bait Stand payments which are being made in accordance with a lease that has not been signed; (5) Joe's Crab Shack payments are current; (6) water quality report; (7) sand on Corpus Christi Beach; (8) City having received partial payment for the burned boat and Legal working to finalization; and (9) Columbus Ships. Dr. Mott reported three occurrences of high readings; meeting Coastal Bend Bays Foundation at TAMU-CC at 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 11, 2002; commented that taking one sample per month at each location may be insufficient data regarding indicated levels of fecal deposits.. Committee Reports: None offered. Current Concerns: Mr._Pell requested that the Marina Occupancy Report include a percentage of occupancy between usable slips and occupied slips. Mr. Beck reported the need to respond to broken electrical conduit and reestablish power at those locations. Request for Information/Agenda'Items: Consensus for requesting Engineering report on status of sand replacement on Corpus Christi Beach; parking permits on Padre Island (annexation); Packery Channel; status of Columbus Ships; University Beach, Seawall Project; monthly updates regarding above items. Mr. Pell requested that the April agenda include a discussion item, for action, recommending that City Council cancel the contract with Jane Stubbs at the Bait Stand and to find a new vendor. Confirmation: Next Meeting- April 4, 2002 Adjournment: As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Peter M. Davidson Marina Superintendent Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 4 03/07/02