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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 02/21/2001 - Special 1 Minutes Water/Shore Advisory Committee Special Called Meeting Wednesday, February 21, 2001 Members Present: Frank Beck, Dr. Oscar Garcia, Dr. Joseph Horvat, Steven Moody (Vice Chairman), Dr. JoAnna Mott and Roy Pell Members Absent: Alan Dinn (Chairman), Tern Nicolau and Richard Poremba Staff Present: Peter M. Davidson, Marina Superintendent, Rene Garza, Marina Maintenance Technician and Benita Brunner, Management Aide Call to Order: Vice Chairman Moody called the special called meeting of the Water/Shore Advisory Committee to order at 5:38 p.m. in the Basement Training Room, City Hall. Public Comment and/or Presentation: Deferred to follow the Committee's consideration of discussion items. Discussion Item: Marina Slip Rates/Review of Revenue - Budget Year FY2001-02 _ Mr. Davidson described: rate increases suggested by Mr. Poremba (lower R-Pier slip rate; increase other slip rates charging more for preferred slips than for non-preferred) and Mr. Dinn (7-1/2% increase on the preferred side); Staffs recommendation that R-Pier (fixed) rates remain the same, all other slip rates increase by 10% for preferred slips or 5% for non-preferred slips (including Lawrence Street Stem Slips-no security gates), or to increase rates 6% across the board. Mr. Davidson referenced the rate comparison chart stating the last rate increase was in 1999. Mr. Davidson commented/responded to questioning that: the special meeting was called to afford the Committee an opportunity to review revenues (initiated after the 2/4/01 meeting) Staff is required to submit to the Budget Office by 2/23/01; the meeting was scheduled according to meeting room availability; possibility of a special meeting to address expenditures; new slip rates to be effective 8/1/01, if approved; Mr. Cisneros, Mr. Ondrias and Mr. Whitworth absence due to attending Houston TRAPS; and the fund balance. [Dr. Horvat arrived.] Discussion followed regarding the budget procedure (revenues prior to expenditures) and why the Committee has little time to consider information due to short timeline. Mr. Davidson commented the increase would net $28,000 that was insignificant considering dredging costs, etc. Mr. Beck commented that Marina dredging would require a bond issue. Discussion followed regarding what tenants could expect from a rate increase; revenue loss resulting from departure of liveaboards; past rate increases; transient rates remaining the same; increasing by 5% the utility recovery fee; garbage collection costs; facility/rate comparison to other local marinas; correction to preferred slip rate ($3.65; not $3.85); whether CCYC is aware of the proposed increase (Mr. Dinn is a CCYC member); and increasing by 5% BYC's rate. Public Comment: Andy Ficken commented against the rate increase citing his concerns that funds derived therefrom will not be used for Marina issues; the more collected, the more the Water/Shore Avisory Committee Meeting Minutes -1- 02/21/01 SCANNED City will dig into Marina funds. Dr. Horvat commented the Committee has expressed similar concerns. Referencing the document he distributed to the Committee, Dick Leonard commented about poor business procedures and against the rate increase. Mr. Davidson commented that Marina vehicles are used for patrol and maintenance purposes. Clarence/Suzanne Clark commented against the rate increase, asked how funds are spent, expressed security concerns, inquired why Marina vehicles are often seen early Saturday mornings at the Weber/SPID intersection, and work currently required on the piers they and ' Buddy Clark lease. Mr. Davidson responded that commercial rates were not increased in 1999; a second Guard was hired after the last rate increase; vehicles are used to obtain supplies, delivery agenda packages, etc.; and stated the tenant's responsibility to report to Marina Staff the need for repairs. Roy Gentry commented that he would favor a rate increase if he could get a straight answer about when the A-Pier lights will be repaired. Mr. Davidson commented about replacing electrical on new floating piers; repairs requiring knowledgeable Staff or costly response by Building Maintenance; A-Pier lighting repairs to be performed before the summer. Discussion followed regarding the importance of addressing public safety issues and maintenance/repair methods. Mr. Moody stated the Committee wants to hear about tenant issues and that tenants should expect that Marina facilities are at least operational. Mr. Davidson commented that instead of spending time marketing, he works on issues that do not enhance the Marina and encouraged tenants to attend more Water/Shore or City Council meetings to make their concerns known. Mr. Beck assured the tenants that Committee members would relay their expressed concerns to their respective City Councilperson. Mr. Moody suggested the tenant meetings occur annually. Jerry Vaughn commented that he would not mind paying additional rent provided it remained in slip revenues and not go to Barge Dock, Seawall, boat ramps, etc. Mr. Davidson responded that the Marina Complex includes those areas and the Marina is therefore responsible for their upkeep. Ron Chiles commented that he could go along with a reasonable increase if the funding would remain in the Marina and not disbursed elsewhere. Ralph Bowen commented that Marina tenants subsidize fisherman who get a free ride given use of the bait stand, boat ramps, parking, etc. He suggested a source of revenue might be a permit for use of those facilities. [Dr. Mott left.] Nela Wilems inquired about reserve funds; if funds resulting from a rate increase were earmarked; commented regarding bait stand/boater facility costs, Corpus Christi having few amenities and not being a cruiser-friendly community; inquired about the difference between Capital Improvement Fund and Enterprise-Fund; commented the rate increase is not in the tenant's interest and that tenants should not be responsible to pay for the entire Bayfront; that the City is trading on but is not maintaining the Bayfront; no realized improvement since the last two increases and that another increase will drive away more tenants. Mr. Davidson \Vater/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes -2- 02/21/01 • • • • • responded that it is difficult to undo the 1974 laws outlawing liveaboards (enacted during Jason Luby's mayoral term and for which he is now in favor); allowing liveaboards once facilities are in place; making presentations regarding visions for Bayfront/Marina improvements; within four years, just under $200 million to be expended on the Bayfront within the next four years (Arena, Convention Center extension and Seawall renovations) which will include some Marina bulk heading; GLO/TNRCC regulations, volunteer Clean Marina Program and building one catchment area at the Haulout Facility (during Seawall project). Discussion followed regarding tenants contacting the City Manager/City Council requesting their presence at a future meeting. Brad Stokes commented on the budget and inquired if the Marina could be turned over to a management company. Mr. Pell responded that the Marina could, as an Enterprise Fund, run at a profit if City Hall/Staff would stay out of Marina funds. Don Glandt commented that the emphasis should be on filling vacant slips. Dr. Horvat commented that over the past four years whatever has been suggested to generate revenue for the Marina has met a brick wall at City Hall; that the Committee needs to consider whether or not the Marina should be operated as an enterprise fund. ' Jane Stubbs commented about poor management; not being notified in writing that the travel lift would not be available at the time her boats historically haul out and not being informed when it was put back into service; being forced to move into the new bait stand before 220 power was available to run tools; and having ideas for generating revenue. Mr. Garza responded that the travel lift operator ceased haul outs in order to have the travel lift inspected and that it was put back into service once the certification, which had not been performed for several years, was received. Mr. Beck requested the flat fee be charged monthly but that it not vary according to boat length and that Staff determine a way to install electrical meters to ensure use is accurately metered. Discussion followed regarding delinquent fees, charges for emergency/labor services, area rental fees and establishing a fee structure to recover from event promoters the price of doing special event business. Mr. Beck commented that fees are where the need for slip rate increase could be offset and that fees should recover costs related to Staff time and equipment; Seatow locating in Port Aransas (ICW); Staff continuing to perform emergency services; towing vessel being considered by new fuel operator; removal of Tenant Work Area (in preparation for fuel station construction) establishing one source for reclamation at the Haulout; and reevaluating allowed uses of the Haulout Work Area. The motion was made by Mr. Beck, seconded by Dr. Horvat, to allow slip rates to remain as posted and to table the rate increase issue until the next meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Discussion followed regarding having another special called meeting to consider Marina rates. Mr. Davidson commented that it was the Committee's request to increase slip rates and that there was a severe need to increase some other fees. The motion was made by Mr. Beck, seconded by Dr. Horvat, to increase the monthly delinquent slip fee to $50 per month and the chaining fee to $100. The motion passed unanimously. Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes -3- 02/21/01 The motion was made by Mr. Beck, seconded by Dr. Horvat, to increase the square foot surface area lease charge to $0.03 per day. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Beck withdrew his motion to increase the emergency services fee to $75 per hour. The motion was made by Mr. Beck, seconded by Dr. Horvat, to define emergency services to include those not water-borne and not requiring use of City-provided watercraft and to set that fee at $75 per hour with a one-hour minimum. The motion passed unanimously. The motion was made by Mr. Beck, seconded by Dr. Horvat, to set the fee for emergency services involving City-provided watercraft at $100 per hour with a one hour minimum and in a separate category, set the fee for non-emergency use of a City-provided watercraft at $75 per hour with a one hour minimum. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Brunner reported that the non-tenant block stanchion rental should have been $15 per day and that the rate increases by $10 per day for each 30-day period. Discussion followed regarding L-Head parking/ramp permits. The motion was made by Mr. Beck, seconded by Dr. Horvat, to suspend the rules. The motion passed unanimously. The motion was made by Mr. Beck, seconded by Dr. Horvat, to direct Staff to look into a launching sticker to be sold at the Bait Stand and in the Marina Office and that the fee be set at $25 per year. Discussion followed regarding sticker enforcement. The motion passed unanimously. Adjournment: As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.Peter M. Davidson Marina Superintendent Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes -4- 02/21/01