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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 07/01/1999 t I Minutes Water/Shore Advisory Committee July 1, 1999 Members Present — James Barnett, Frank Beck, Robert Forest, Steven Moody (Vice Chairman), Mercedes Salinas and Dr. JoAnna Mott. Members Absent—Trian Serbu, Alan Dinn(Chairman), Dr. Joseph Horvat. Staff Present—Mike Gordon, Assistant Director for Operations, Peter Davidson, Marina Superintendent and Adelle Ives, Secretary. • Call to Order — Vice Chairman Moody called the Water/Shore Advisory Committee meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. in the Committee Room at City Hall. Action on the Minutes—The motion was made by Ms. Salinas, seconded by Mr. Forest, to approve the 6/3/99 Minutes as presented. The motion passed. The motion was made by Mr. Barnett, seconded by Mr. Beck, to approve the 6/10/99 Minutes as presented. Discussion followed regarding the need to provide Committee members timely notice of special-called meetings in the future. Discussion followed regarding the manner in which items are placed on the agenda. Staff responded that the process would be addressed in the Committee Bylaws, which will be provided to the Committee. The motion passed. Action on the Absences — The motion was made by Mr. Forest, seconded by Mr. Beck, to excuse absences from both the 6/3/99 and 6/10/99 meetings. The motion passed. Public Comment and/or Presentations - Robert Knowles, representing Central Power & Light Company, addressed the Committee regarding Marina electrical accounts and explained the billing cycles, tariff charges and rate calculation. Mr. Knowles reported CP&L meters in the Marina are read monthly and commented he is currently identifying all Marina meters in the effort to better identify and control costs. Mr. Knowles responded to Mr. Forest that there are advantages to putting all charges on one meter since administrative costs fluctuate depending on meter use. Mr. Beck requested Mr. Knowles' expert advise on what,would be the best manner and most cost effect way to handle the meters. Mr. Beck inquired whether the City charges for electrical services. Mr. Knowles responded that each utility negotiates this matter. Vice Chairman Moody requested copies of the identified meter locations. Mr. Gordon stated they would be trying to identify the meters. Mr. Beck commented the best option is to have a meter in each slip and each tenant charged for the electricity used. Staff reported they would be working closely with CP&L regarding this matter. Mike Frost commented that adequate boat facilities were not being provided in the Marina and requested that standards be identified before infrastructure development is considered. Mr. Gordon commented that standards for types and number of facilities for marinas would vary depending on whether the marina would be used for commercial, leisure, etc. Mr. Gordon reported that once design is determined, research of other ScA1NEDPae1of5 July I, 1999-Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes g marinas is done as well as zoning restrictions. Mr. Frost asked if the Marina was in compliance with the American Disabilities Act. Staff stated the Marina follows all state and federal guidelines. Mr. Barnett commented that a decision on design should be made using a qualified architect to make an evaluation. Roger Wright commented on the process used by the Marina with respect to a six-month moratorium for live aboards. He specifically pointed out how the City did not consider the Committee's recommendation regarding the issue. Mr. Wright reported he met with Sue Corey of the City's Zoning Department. He read the zoning code prohibiting live aboards to the Committee. Mr. Wright provided copies of a resolution he prepared and would be presenting to the City Council in August. Discussion followed. Phillip Lara read a prepared statement regarding the City's failure to give him an opportunity to bid on the bait stand and requested a reason why he was not afforded the opportunity to do so. Mr. Lara requested information on how to obtain a 10-year lease such as that granted to the present bait stand tenant. He left his name and address with Staff so that he could be advised of an opportunity to bid on the bait stand and pointed out considerations i.e. paying for'building maintenance. Terry Bernal requested an answer to why Mr. Jensen denied her request to replace her boat, currently docked in Slip PS-13, with a new boat of the same size. She stated she was advised that she would need to wait until the boats were moved across the street. Ms. Bernal requested to know'when the move would occur and whether she can put her new boat in the same slip. She stated she was offered another slip at the other end of the T- Head but could not afford two slips. Mr. Davidson stated he would contact Ms. Bernal after getting details from Mr. Jensen. Ruben Lara commented that the tourism and shrimping industries could benefit from enhancing the boardwalk area where shrimpers can sell their catch as well as fish brought from other areas. Mr. Lara was interested in a determination as to whether or not his suggestions were feasible since State and Federal laws do not allow shrimp boats to sell their catch from their boats. Mr. Gordon reported Staff met with Phillip and Ruben Lara regarding this matter. Discussion followed. Dr. Mott requested the topic be placed on next month's agenda. Discussion Items: Budget — Mr. Gordon introduced Rudy Garza and John Sendejar, representing the City Budget Office, who were present at the Committee's request. The Committee requested direction on setting up specific funds for upcoming Marina renovation projects. Mr. Gordon gave a brief overview of the budget and measures Staff is taking to better control revenues and expenditures. With respect to slip increases, Mr. Garza recommended setting up a separate revenue account which could be earmarked for future expenditures and/or debt service. Ms. Salinas inquired about funds for Marina dredging. Mr. Garza explained the monies were being set aside in a special account earmarked for the purchasing of dredging equipment, which is more cost effective. Mr. Gordon stated that July I. 1999-Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5 • the monies for Marina dredging equipment and maintaining the Marina would come from the Marina fund. Mr. Gordon reported the lowest bid last received for dredging was $600,000 and it was for minimal service. Ms. Salinas felt the slip rate increase would assist in funding dredging equipment. Mr. Barnett asked if a survey was done of the Marina. Mr. Davidson stated that soundings had been recently done in the south basin and along the fishing pier. Mr. Beck felt that a collaboration of the Marina and the Port Authority of Corpus Christi (PCCA) should be considered. Ms. Salinas asked if federal funding could be used for the Marina dredging. Vice Chairman Moody asked if funding for a Search and Rescue Unit should be coming from the General Fund. James Barnett questioned how much money was earmarked for funding EMS. Mr. Garza stated that funding for EMS is at $2 million and actual collection is at 45% recovery. Mr. Garza added that taxes support the $2 million allocated in the budget with $7 million actually charged. Mr. Barnett felt that Search and Rescue should be charged. Mr. Davidson stated that 50% of Search and Rescue calls are not Marina related. Vice Chairman Moody agreed with Mr. Barnett and felt that it was more like 75% of those using Search and Rescue were not Marina related. Mr. Garza felt it would be more feasible charging a fee in lieu of total funding from the Marina. Mr. Davidson is looking into consolidating this service with other Marina Operations. Mr. Davidson also reported that a private rescue company, Seatow, could provide their services for a fee. Mr. Forest questioned the use of the new boats the Fire Department purchased. John.Sendejar stated that they were only for emergency response throughout the City and County. Discussion followed and Mr. Garza and Mr. Sendejar responded to questions regarding salaries and taxes on the Marina budget. Mr. Beck questioned the Fleet Services charge. Mr. Garza stated he would provide a written response to Mr. Beck regarding the charges. Mr. Beck requested justification on $34,000 that Fleet Management charges to repair and maintain Marina vehicles. Mr. Beck questioned the change from FY98-99 to FY99-00 in the Municipal Information Systems allocation. Mr. Garza stated that Marina computer system changes were on-going for an integrated system with Human Resources and Payroll. Dr. Mott questioned interdepartmental services. Mr. Garza stated that the $6,000 charge is for fiber optic cable to link the Marina with the City Hall computer system. Mr. Barnett questioned from where revenues were derived. Mr. Garza stated that revenues were generated from restaurants and commercial operations in the Marina. Mr. Barnett requested a consensus of the Committee with respect to increasing slip rentals. Mr. Beck questioned whether it was feasible to charge two different rates for commercial and recreational uses in comparison.to other local rates, which have a flat rate for both commercial and recreational rentals. Staff stated that commercial slips are a small percentage of rentals. Mr. Beck felt that the increase in recreation slip fees should be reduced by $0.31 a foot and the commercial slip fees increase by $0.50 per foot. Mr. Gordon questioned whether Mr. Beck had taken into consideration the maintenance of commercial piers and the surrounding pilings. Staff felt'that commercial boats would leave if the rates were increased citing Rincon Industrial Park Harbor leases a slip at $100 per month. Mr. Davidson stated that if shrimp boats damage a pier or piling they would be required to pay for repairs. Mr. Davidson felt that 18% is a reasonable rate to increase the commercial slip rentals. The motion was made by Mr. Beck to approve the budget with increases in slip rates for both commercial and recreational boats. The motion failed for lack of a second. July I, 1999-Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5 Roger Wright opposed the budget and commented each budget change should be considered separately and that money could come from electric meters from those abusing the service. Mr. Wright reminded the Committee to act based on their Mission Statement. Roy Pell commented that the Marina should install meters in slips where electricity is being given away. Paul Lara opposed slip rate increases and suggested that both T-heads be rebuilt in order to increase tourism thereby increasing revenues. Ruben Lara commented that increasing the amount of time the shrimpers could sell their catch would help defray any increase in boat slip rentals. Winnie Lambert commented that the rate increase does not meet with services provided by the Marina and that slips would empty if the rates increase. Boris Kassap stated he had noticed water leaks and rusted and corroded pipes and felt Marina employees were not doing their jobs. Mr. Kassap informed the Committee he would be filing a harassment complaint against Marina Staff as he felt they were policing and not maintaining the Marina. The motion was made by Mr. Beck to approve the budget with an increase in slip rental to $3.20 per foot for recreational boats and $4.70 per foot for commercial boats. The motion failed for lack of a second. The motion was made by Dr. Mott, seconded by Ms. Salinas, to approve the budget as submitted along with the regular report on the fleet to City Council for their consideration. The motion passed. Committee Reports — The Long-Range Planning Committee will meet the second week of July 1999. Mr. Beck made a statement on the status of moving forward on the bait stand project. Mr. Davidson commented to the Committee that Mr. Beck had been instrumental in resolving the bait stand issue. Director's Report - Mr. Gordon reported on: (1) City Council approval of the $63,000 piling project; (2) hosting a 7/6/99 meeting regarding beach erosion; and (3) live aboard issue and five-day permit (study after 7/5 deadline). Mr. Davidson reported on: (1) working on the Boats, Bays and Waterways Ordinance; (2) adjusting Haulout rates; (3) reorganizing Staff; (4) addressing hurricane policies and procedures for tenants; and (5) hurricane haul out rates. Mr. Beck requested that an Engineering Committee be formed to insure that future Marina projects are done correctly. Mr. Davidson stated he was working to that end. Mr. Beck suggested and the Committee agreed there should be a workshop regarding City Ordinances to assist the Committee in its duties. James Barnett questioned at what point the contamination of Marina waters would necessitate the closing of McGee Beach. Mr. Gordon stated the beach would be closed only after a sustained level of toxicity is proved. Discussion followed. July 1, 1999-Water/Shore Advisory Committee'Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5 t - Mr. Beck commented on the trash problem at the Seawall. Ms. Salinas reported there is a pilot project underway which would assist the Marina with this problem. • Mr. Beck asked Staff to research the acquisition of unused land, specifically land located in the Nueces River Park. Current Concerns, Events and Unfinished Business: Padre Island Yacht Club Live Aboards - This item was placed on the agenda by Dr. Horvat, who was absent. The motion was made by Mr. Beck, seconded by Ms. Salinas, to table the item. The motion passed. Dr. Mott requested an update on the Columbus Ships. Mr. Davidson stated he met with but has been unsuccessful in getting acceptance to relocate the ships from representatives of the Columbus Ships, PCCA and Durhill Foundation. Vice Chairman Moody stated he would try to work with other parties involved in resolving this matter. Dr. Mott requested a status update on the repair of the pipe located at McGee Beach. Mr. Gordon stated he contacted the Storm Water Department who should have secured the area with temporary fencing until a more permanent remedy can be completed. Discussion followed. Vice Chairman.Moody questioned-the status of the new Marina Office. Mr. Gordon reported that City Council has requested a presentation on this subject. He added he would make the presentation to the Committee before going to City Council. Adjournment- As there was no further business, the meeting was ad'ourned at 9:05•p.m. ()/ Peter Davis _en, Marina Superintendent July I, 1999-Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5