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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 08/05/1999 Minutes Water/Shore Advisory Committee August 5, 1999 Members Present- James Barnett, Frank Beck, Alan Dinn(Chairman), Dr. Joseph Horvat, Steven Moody (Vice Chairman) and Trian Serbu Members Absent - Robert Forest, Dr. JoAnna Mott and Mercedes Salinas • Staff Present - Mike Gordon, Assistant Director for Operations, Peter Davidson, Marina Superintendent and Benita Brunner, Management Aide, Call to Order - Chairman Dinn called the Water/Shore Advisory.Committee meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. in the Basement Training Room at City Hall. Action on Absences -The motion was made by Mr. Barnett, seconded by Mr. Moody,to excuse Mr. Dinn's, Dr. Horvat's and Mr. Serbu's absences from the 7/1/99 meeting. The motion passed. Action on the Minutes - The motion was made by Mr. Beck, seconded by Mr. Moody, to accept the 7/1/99 Minutes as presented. The motion passed. Public Comment and/or Presentations - Roger Wright read Barry Bass's 7/17/99 Letter to the Editor and requested favorable consideration to his live aboard resolution. Teresa Bernal expressed concerns that selective enforcement was occurring against Hispanic shrimpers; she gets the run around when she makes requests; Marina Staff initiates calls to the authorities on complaints against her boats but tells her she has to call the authorities to make complaints about other shrimpers; and that Jane Stubbs parks in handicapped spots. Mr. Davidson responded that Texas Parks & Wildlife ticketed Ms. Bernal's boat after receiving a complaint. As has been the case in previous responses, shrimp had been removed and there was only ice in the ice chests when Marina Staff arrived. Lookouts usually provide warning that Marina Staff is on their way. Mr. Davidson said that after the last meeting Mr. Jensen advised him that Ms. Bernal's boat could be moved to the North side immediately after the power boat races. Mr. Davidson responded to questioning that Marina Staff should follow through on complaints made to the Marina Office. He assured the Committee that at a staff meeting he made a point to stress to Marina Staff that there should be no selective law enforcement. Chip Rudden, Attorney with Bonilla Law Firm present at Ms. Bernal's request, expressed concern about selective enforcement. Chairman Dinn commented this is the first mention of discrimination and asked Mr. Davidson to investigate and report back to the Committee. Roy Pell commented on his investigating the live aboard issue and researching zoning laws, that the City's definition of a marina provides only for pleasure craft and makes no mention of commercial craft being allowed in the Marina. He said he brought the matter to the attention of Mr. Davidson and the Zoning Department but has not received a decision from Sue Corey. Mr. Beck commented that Zoning Staff caught that before they started leasing commercial slips and the City Council adopted an Ordinance, about 25 years ago, that permits commercial craft; about the same timeframe live August 5. 1999-Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 1 ECA; NED • • aboards were disallowed. Discussion Items - Resolution Concerning Live Aboards - Chairman Dinn opened discussion of the live aboard resolution presented by Roger Wright. Discussion followed. The motion was made by Dr. Horvat, seconded by Mr. Serbu, to have a straw vote identifying each person and whether he or she is for or against the concept of live aboards. Discussion continued. Mr. Barnett, Dr. Horvat, Mr. Moody and Mr. Serbu voted for and Mr. Beck and Chairman Dinn voted against. Discussion followed. Mr. Serbu thought the wording was confusing in the second and fourth "whereas" items. Dr. Horvat suggested the section indicating the Committee previously voted to change the City Ordinance should be rephrased; that the Committee previously approving a list of rules and regulations governing live aboards is not at issue; and thought the section regarding the area being zoned a marina should not be included. Mr. Moody departed the meeting. The motion was made by Mr. Beck, seconded by Dr. Horvat,to allow a ten-minute recess so the Committee could review the Live Aboard Regulations. Discussion continued. Mr. Davidson requested that the Committee consider the fact that if recreational boaters are allowed to live aboard, the same rules must apply to commercial vessels. He stated his understanding was that the City Council was not against the concept of live aboards, but rather to allow them once appropriate regulations, ordinances, money, etc. were in place. The motion passed and the meeting was recessed at 6:18 p.m.; reconvened at 6:24 p.m. Discussion followed. The Committee was considering the resolution beginning .at "be it resolved"through the end with the addendum of the Rules and Regulations; adding #1, "each live aboard shall sign a statement that living aboard is a privilege, nota right, and may be revoked at any time by the Marina Superintendent without redress; changing#2 regarding waste discharge; adding #4, requiring use of a holding tank on all vessels being lived aboard and requiring that it must be emptied at the marina facility a number of times that would be determined by the Marina Superintendent based on the size of the holding tank; adding #5, requiring every live aboard to provide at their own expense an electrical meter; addressing the issue of fees; adding, live aboards in the City Marina are subject to the regulations set forth by the Water Shore Advisory Committee. Discussion followed regarding fees. Mr. Beck removed his amendment and called for the question. Chairman Dinn commented that a vote "for" means the Committee would immediately vote on the originally amended resolution and a vote "against"means discussion will continue. The vote was 3 for, 2 against. The motion was made by Dr. Horvat, seconded by Mr. Beck, to approve the resolution starting at"be it hereby resolved that the Water/Shore Advisory Committee recommends that the Ordinances in the Code of the City of Corpus Christi prohibiting live aboards in the Corpus Christi City Marina be changed to allow live aboards in the City Marina, subject to rules and regulations of the City Marina, and further recommends that the Corpus Christi City Council direct the City Staff to affect such changes in an expeditious manner.•Discussion followed. Mr. Barnett commented the City Council voted strongly against live aboards. Roger Wright commented that the City Council made it very clear and that the Mayor told him that the City Council would listen to the Committee's recommendation to allow live aboards. He suggested ways should be found to make it work rather than how to make it not work. The motion passed with Mr. August 5. 1999-Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 2 Barnett in opposition. Discussion followed. Dr: Horvat volunteered to chair and form a subcommittee charged with presenting revised rules and regulations for Committee consideration within 60 days. Committee Reports - Chairman Dinn commented on the Long Range Planning Committee Report. Mr. Serbu commented there should be an effort to include more areas of interest (regattas, environmental, etc.) in the areas of jurisdiction (water shores) and not just the Marina. Mr. Serbu replaced Dr. Horvat on the Long Range Planning Subcommittee. Mr. Beck suggested that the subcommittee consider the goals established by the previous subcommittee. Chairman Dinn suggested the need for the City to become more involved in attracting sailing events. Mr. Gordon suggested attracting events should be a community effort. Director's Report- Mr. Davidson commented/reported on: (1) piling project; (2) attending MAT; (3) bids for electrical repairs (C&D Piers) and meter installations around marina; (4) budget; (5) occupancy; and (6) two staff vacancies. Mr. Gordon commented/reported on: (1) progress on new bait stand; (2) demolition of old bait stand; and (3) lights on Cole Park Pier, Breakwater, etc. Current Concerns, Events and Unfinished Business: Mr. Gordon responded that he would get information to Mr. Beck regarding the response from Fleet Management. Mr. Davidson provided an update on getting the Marina on-line with City Hall. Mr. Gordon resounded that the City will own the fiber optic system; the $6,000 is a one-time charge; and the City will be responsible for moving fiber optics into the new Marina Office. Mr. Beck requested that lighting at the Lawrence Street intersection be improved. Adjournment- As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. . Peter D. idson Marina Superintendent /bkb August 5. 1999-Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 3