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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 04/06/2000 ry9271/' 7'‘.? 44, to r;) co WATER/SHORE ADVISORY COMMITTEE c `,,u ?000 Regular Meeting i SFC, v Thursday, April 6, 2000, 5:30 p.m. ` , �FF/c��1?Y'S ti • _ City Hall Basement Training Room i 1201 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX ®est 8 �S�."1 t LI Members Absent Staff Frank Beck . Steven Moody Marco A.Cisneros Capt.Sam Granato Alan Dinn Dr.JoAnna Mott Peter M.Davidson Jim Boggs Dr.Oscar Garcia Roy Pell Anne Seddelmeyer Tom Utter Dr.Joseph Horvat Richard Poremba Steve Zastrow I. CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Water/Shore Advisory Committee was called to order by Chair Dinn at 5:34 p.m. II. ROLL CALL: The recording secretary called roll and announced a quorum was present. III. ACTION ON MINUTES OF THE MARCH 2 AND MARCH 9, 2000 MEETING: Mr. Pell moved to accept the minutes of the March 2 and March 9, 2000 meetings as presented. Mr. Moody seconded the motion. The motion passed. IV. PRESENTATION AND/OR PUBLIC COMMENT: Chair Dinn called for Public Comment. There was none. A. CORPUS CHRISTI POLICE DEPARTMENT— Capt. Sam Granato, Executive Officer for Uniform Division Capt. Granato addressed the Committee concerning enforcement efforts. He stated that C.C.P.D. writes most of the Marina citations for"sleep aboards." He added that C.C.P.D. will do their part to enforce ordinances, including testifying in Municipal Court. Dr. Mott arrived at 5:39 p.m. Dr. Horvat arrived at 5:45 p.m. Mr. Moody asked Capt. Granato to find out the number of C.C.P.D. citations issued in the past 24 months. B. BAIT STAND UPDATE—Jim Boggs, City Architect, Engineering Department Mr. Boggs stated that the new completion date is estimated to be mid-May. He explained that delays were caused in part by booming construction situations outside of Corpus Christi and the difficulty in employing good craftsmen. SCANN H:\pr-dir\anne\word\ws040600 ED Page l of 7 V , Mr. Moody asked if the lift station building was going to be eliminated. In answer to Mr. Moody's question, Mr. Cisneros stated that the lift station was a separate project by the Wastewater Department.- He added that it will be a redo (smaller), but not a removal. Mr. Beck asked if the Bait Stand Project completion was past the contract date for construction. In answer to Mr. Beck's question, Mr. Boggs stated that the project will be approximately 120 days past due at completion. C. PACKERY CHANNEL UPDATE—Tom Utter, Assistant City Manager Mr. Utter stated that he came to the Committee to talk about the North Padre Island Storm Damage Reduction and Environmental Restoration Project Of the $30 million preliminary budget for the federally authorized.project, $19.5 million is the federal share, and $10.5 million is the local share. The project is designed to replace approximately 1 million cubic feet of sand in front of the Padre Island Seawall. Dredging from the channel would cost approximately$2/cubic yard, versus $7 - $8 per yard if dredged from further out in the Gulf. Mr. Utter stated that the local share would be collected through tax incremental financing ("If but not for some public improvement over here, you would not have all this new development taking place over there, therefore you would have new taxes."), using the new taxes to pay for the public improvement. Nobody's tax rates will increase. A preliminary financing plan will be presented to City Council in 2 months. Mr. Utter stated that a spinoff of the Packery Channel Project would be the renovation of the beach in front of the Padre Island seawall. The sand that is dredged from Packery Channel will be used to constantly renourish the beach. Mr. Utter also stated that the U.S. Corps of Engineers is required by law tosee that the project is environmentally possible and economically sound. He added that people should believe the Corps because they are acting as a 3rd party, independent group. Mr. Utter stated that of the $30 million preliminary budget, $4 million was designated for maintenance or dredging. He added that investing$4 million at 6%would yield interest of$240,000/yr., which would "go a long way to pay for dredging." In answer to Mr. Beck's question Mr. Utter stated that the principal dredge would be from the Park Road to the Beach, "and a little bit out." He added that some bulkheads would be installed along the initial phase, to keep silt from coming back into the channel. Mr. Utter ended his presentation(and unrelated discussion of the Marina and tourism)with the statement that the City needed to increase revenue. He added H:\pr-dir\anne\word\ws040600 Page2of7 that 100% of ad valorem taxes and sales taxes collected go to pay the budgets of C.C.P.D. and C.C.F.D. and that the City needs to find another revenue source. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. REQUEST TO OPERATE JET SKIS ON CORPUS CHRISTI BEACH Mr. Davidson stated that the Jet Skis concessions operation would be located on Corpus Christi Beach near the Best Western Hotel. It would be a 5 month lease, from May through September. In answer to Committee questions, Mr. Davidson stated that $650 was the projected revenue, and that an on/off lane would be established for the safety of swimmers. B. BOAT RAMP IMPROVEMENTS Mr. Davidson discussed the boat ramp improvements (new cleats, fendering and finger piers). In answer to 1VIr. Beck's question concerning using brass cleats,-Mr. Davidson said that staff would look into the feasibility. Mr. Davidson stated that Marina staff will remove discarded pier materials that are being temporarily stored in the ramp area before the power boat races in June. C. MARINA KEYS Mr. Davidson stated that only bona fide tenants and contractors (who pay a key deposit) are in possession of gate keys. In answer to Mr. Pell's question concerning one key for the 3 gates, Mr. Davidson stated thatit is still proposed, but there is not sufficient staff to do the "rekeying." He added that the key to the boaters' facilities would always be a separate key. In answer to Mr. Beck's question Mr. Davidson stated that staff would look into the feasibility of a stobe light or beacon on a pole near the office to assist in finding people at night. In answer to Mr. Pell's question Mr. Davidson stated that wire mesh is being installed over the next 3 —4 months at the top of the gates to stop people from gaining illegal access. The time line is labor related as a result of a reduction in staff. D. SEAFOOD SALES ORDINANCE - Steve Zastrow, Police Department Legal Advisor Mr. Zastrow stated that he prepared"Draft 8"of the ordinance in response to Committee concerns from the last meeting. He added that he realized that"we were dealing with a beast that was unenforceable." As a result, he prepared "Draft 9," additions being that sales would not be limited to product caught on 1-1:\pr-dir\anne\word\ws040600 Page 3 of 7 the boat, sold by the boat captain and that product could be fresh or frozen. Mr. Zastrow added that"Draft 9"removes the Marina from ordinance enforcement. In answer to Mr. Pell's question Mr. Zastrow stated that the shrimp "gazebos" — would be permanent structures (as required by State law) which h would be removed at times of inclement weather. Mr. Zastrow stated that the main unenforceable point of the current legislation is that shrimp which is sold may be no older than 48 hours old. He added that there is no way to check that. Mr. Pell moved to adopt "Draft 9" of Section 12-47 of the City of Corpus Christi Code of Ordinances. Seafood sales permits required; regulations,"which is commonly referred to as the "Seafood Sales Ordinance." Mr. Beck stated by point of order that Public Comment was in order. Chair Dinn called for Public Comment. Anna Jean Fallwell (222 Wildwood, Corpus Christi, TX) spoke in support of Jane Stubbs, and asked"Why should the City want to lose money?" Jane Stubbs (742 Kings Point Harbor, Corpus Christi, TX) spoke about her petition against the proposed Seafood Sales Ordinance,what was legal versus what was illegal and the safety issues. Chair Dinn responded to Ms. Stubbs that he wanted to see her petition. He asked her if the signers were slip leasees or boat owners. Ms. Stubbs differentiated how many signers owned multiple boats. In answer to Mr. Moody's question,Ms. Stubbs answered that the law states that shrimpers.have 8 1/2 months to sell bay shrimp directly from the boats. Ms. Stubbs requested that the Committee wait until the end of the year to enact the ordinance, adding that many nonrefundable expenses are paid through January 1, 2001. Mr. Cisneros stated in clarification that Marina staff are unsure that the Health Department will allow the sale of frozen product, but Marina staff are not "disallowing"it. Mr. Davidson stated in clarification that in order to lease a boat slip, you must have a boat that will be operational within 48 hours. Philip Lara, (538 Indiana, Corpus Christi, TX) spoke on the future direction of the shrimp industry. H:\pr-dir\anne\word\ws040600 Page4of7 In answer to Mr. Pell's question as to what Mr. Lara would do if Parks and Wildlife shut down the Bay at"75 count." Mr. Lara said he would stay at his seafood market and bring fresh or frozen in, and he'll survive. Mike Evans (no address given) spoke in response to Mr. Lara's comments about the closing of the Bay. He stated that the comments were made to frighten people. David Bernal (808 Cenizo, Corpus Christi, TX) asked why sell people small shrimp when they want big shrimp. He added that he would sell whatever he had. Paul Lara(1305 Brentwood, Corpus Christi, TX) said that the booths were the only solution because no matter what anybody says, as long as there's money to be made, shrimp will be brought in during slow times. Chair Dinn closed Public Comment. Dr. Horvat seconded Mr. Pell's motion to adopt "Draft 9" of Section 12-47 of the City of Corpus Christi Code of Ordinances. Seafood sales permits required; regulations," which is commonly referred to as the "Seafood Sales Ordinance." Mr. Beck called for discussion on the Motion. Mr. Beck addressed the issue of signage with the disclaimer that the City had no control over whether the products sold were fresh or frozen seafood. In answer to Dr. Horvat's question if"Draft 9" said where the "shanties"would be located, Mr. Davidson stated that the location would be at the Marina Supervisor's discretion. In answer to Mr. Poremba's question if the City was going to construct, install the first "gazebo," and set specification, Mr. Davidson responded in the affirmative. In answer to Mr. Beck's question if the Engineering Department information about the "gazebos"would be attached to "Draft 9," Mr. Cisneros responded that they would be attached as a policy issue, not as part of the ordinance. Chair Dinn stated that he would entertain a motion for disclaimer signage ("Buy at your own risk"). Mr. Beck stated that signage was needed to inform the public that the seafood could be either fresh or frozen. Mr. Pell moved to accept the amendment for 2 signs, one at each end of the boardwalk. Dr. Horvat seconded the motion. The amendment carried. Chair Dinn listed his proposed changes to "Draft 9": H:\pr-dir\anne\word\ws040600 Page 5 of 7 r ' 1. Pg. 3, paragraph (5)(d)—"designed and built by the permittee" needed to be changed to "designed by the City and built by the permittee." 2. Pg. 4, paragraph (5)(e)—"Riggings and nets must remain on board each owning vessel"was clarified by Mr. Davidson who explained that the intent was to keep the boardwalk from being used as a storage area. Mr. Beck asked the meaning of"Processing" as it appeared in pg. 4, paragraph (5)(g). Mr. Davidson explained that "processing"was for human consumption. Booth vendors would be allowed to cull,but must keep debris separate. He added that gutting and gilling was not processing, but filleting was. Chair Dinn continued his list of changes to "Draft 9": 3. Pg. 5, paragraph(7)(d)needed to have the following phrase inserted: "minimum limits of." The amended sentence should read: "Said insurance shall have minimum limits of one-hundred- ' thousand dollars ($100,000.00) coverage...." 4. Pg. 5, paragraph (7)(e)needed to change "the permittee shall have, six months in which to construct approved improvements to the sales location"to read"the permittee shall have until January 1, 2001 to construct approved improvements to sales location." Mr. Poremba stated that he wanted stronger language in the deadline on repairs than the statement at pg. 3, paragraph(5)(d) ("The permittee shall remove any improvement the Marina Superintendent reasonably deems unsafe or nonconforming to established guidelines. In the event the permittee fails within 10 days of delivery of written notice of unsafety or nonconformity, to remove the improvement, the Marina Superintendent shall have the authority toremove said improvement.") Chair Dinn continued: . 5. Pg. 7, paragraph (10)(b)was clarified by Mr. Zastrow who explained that district court was added because it was the proper venue for appeal. Dr. Mott stated that she wanted more specific language than"inclement weather" in pg. 4, paragraph(5)(d). Chair Dinn.called for a vote to adopt the draft ordinance as amended. Chair Dinn, Misters Moody, Pell and Poremba, Drs. Horvat and Mott voted to adopt"Draft 9." Mr. Beck voted not to adopt"Draft 9." H:\pr-dir\anne\word\ws040600 Page6of7 Mr. Pell moved to table the discussion on the location of the "kiosk" until the May 4, 2000 meeting. Dr. Mott seconded the motion. The motion carried. Mr. Poremba left at 8:20 p.m. VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS —None. VII. DIRECTOR'S REPORT—Invitation from the Mayor extended to all board and commission members to attend a reception Monday, May 8, 2000 from 5:30 p.m. —7:30 p.m. at the Bayfront Convention Center. VIII. CURRENT CONCERNS, EVENTS AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS —None. IX. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION/AGENDA ITEMS—Committee members were asked to forward all requests to Mr. Davidson or Mr. Cisneros. X. ADJOURNMENT—As there was no further business, Chair Dinn adjourned the April 6, 2000 Regular Meeting of the Water/Shore Advisory Committee at 8:35 p.m. Marco A. Cisneros, Director Park and Recreation Department H:\pr-dir\anne\word\ws040600 Page 7 of 7