HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 03/09/2000 r"
Minutes
Water/Shore Advisory Committee
March 9, 2000
Members Present: Frank Beck, Alan Dinn (Chairman) [1], Dr. Joseph Horvat, Roy Pell; Three
Vacancies
Members Absent: Steven Moody(Vice Chairman) [2] and Dr. JoAnna Mott
Staff Present: Marco A. Cisneros, Director of Park & Recreation, Peter Davidson, Marina
Superintendent, Steve Zastrow, City Attorney, Todd Jensen, Marina Operations Supervisor and
Benita Brunner, Marina Management Aide.
Call to Order: Chairman Dinn called the Water/Shore Advisory Committee meeting to order at 5:35
p.m. in the Basement Training Room, City Hall.
Public Comment and/or Presentations: —Paul Lara commented that moving seafood sales from
the boats to the boardwalk will resolve enforcement issues; allowing sales of what is caught and
what is obtained from other sources enables shrimpers to meet the public demand for seafood
products. Jane Stubbs disagreed with Mr. Lara and commented that she had sold product to outside
markets because there were no buyers on PST; that 17 of the 20 tenant shrimpers feel they should
have been involved from the beginning;that the City has deceived the shrimpers and they prefer to
work with the State regarding their coming into compliance for seafood sales. Olivia Bocanegra
commented shrimpers are concerned about costs they will suffer with regard to moving sales from
the boat to the boardwalk. Robert Frith commented on it being an old tradition that tourists expect
to purchase fresh seafood from the boats and that changing the current process would put working
shrimpers out of business. Mike Evans commented that the proposed ordinance revision would take
away the shrimpers' incentive to actually shrimp and will result in chemically treated seafood being
sold to the public. Jerry Tungate commented that shrimpers want to sell the fresh seafood that the
public expects to get when they purchase from the boats. Ruben Lara commented that shrimpers
want to have the choice to sell either from the boat or from the booth. Romeo Garcia commented
that shrimpers should have been involved from the very beginning.
Discussion Item:
Peoples Street T-Head Seafood Sales—Discussion followed regarding previous strict enforcement
of the sales ordinance preventing illegal sales in the past; trucked in products being bigger and
costing the same or less than what is available on the tenant shrimpers' boats; enforcement and
conviction difficulties; long range plans; using off-duty peace officers for enforcement during peak
periods; legality of participants signing an agreement to comply with ordinances or be evicted;
shrimpers policing themselves; procedures for burden of proof of violations; revisions made in an
effort to bring City permitted shrimpers into compliance with State laws for sales of bait/seafood;
bay/bait licenses; concerns regarding chemically treated seafood; booth building costs and selling
only what is caught on the boat. The motion was made by Mr. Beck to close public comment. Mr.
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Beck stated his preference is that shrimpers be allowed to sell only what they catch and suggested
the following ordinance changes/clarifications. Page 1, Section (1) a - raising the minimum fine
from$1 to at least$50. Page 2, Section(3)—limiting elevation and indicating lighting requirements
for signs. Page 3, Section(5) c—offer for sale after the 48 hour period after it was harvested by said
vessel. Page 4, Section(5)i—deposit for their improvements. Page 5, Section(7)c—by whom it was
harvested. Page 6, Section(8) d—no proration. Page 7, Section(9) a—Mr. Davidson will have to
communicate with Municipal Court/Texas Parks &Wildlife Department to ensure that a permit is
not issued if the conditions exist. Section 9 is for when a permit is being issued/renewed; Section
12 is to suspend during the term of a permit. Page 10, Section(13) c—send return receipt; Section
(15)—with an assigned slip on the PST north side. Mr:Cisneros commented that the bolded print
indicated in Section 19-17 is the change-to that particular ordinance and provides the opportunity to
bring sales from the boat onto the boardwalk area without having the requirements for being
completely enclosed. Mr. Davidson stated the City Architect is designing the booth for which the
shrimpers will have to obtain a building permit. The approximate building cost is not more than
$1,000 per structure and plans will be made available to shrimpers. Mr. Cisneros stated relocating
sales to the boardwalk provides a safer area in which to operate. Discussion followed regarding the
shrimpers continuing to pursue their efforts with the State; booth dimensions;phasing out PST bait
sales and sales from the boats to the boardwalk over a two year period; requiring a booth to sell;
concerns about potential for crime; having only one sales permit for bait/shrimper; establishing a
subcommittee to deal with enforcement issues;the ordinance revision being worked such that it can
be enforced through Marina Staff citing violations which can go before a shrimpers committee for
review; that shrimpers police themselves; continuing meetings with the shrimpers in the future;
getting more/consistent enforcement assistance from CCPD. The motion was made by Dr. Horvat,
seconded by Mr. Pell,to table the issue until the next meeting. The motion passes unanimously.
Adjournment: As there was no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Peter Davidso
Marina Superintendent
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