HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 03/04/1999 Minutes
Water/Shore Advisory Committee
March 4, 1999
Members Present: Robert Forest, Dr. Joseph Horvat, David Krams (Vice Chairman), Steven
Moody, Dr. JoAnna Mott, Mercedes Salinas and Trian Serbu (Chairman)
Members Absent: Alan Dinn
Staff Present: Mike Gordon, Assistant Director for Operations, Peter Davidson, Marina
Superintendent and Benita Brunner, Marina Management Aide.
Call to Order: Chairman Serbu called the Water/Shore Advisory Committee meeting to order at
5:30 p.m. in the Committee Room at City Hall.
Action on Absences: The motion was made by.Mr. Moody, seconded by Mr. Krams,to excuse Mr.
Forest's, Dr. Horvat's and Dr. Mott's absences from the 2/4/99 meeting. The motion passed.
Action on Minutes: Mr. Davidson corrected information in the Current Concerns and Events section
of the 2/4/99 Minutes to read"The Lighthouse has paid cumulative $168,000 to the City since the
lease renegotiations four years ago (1995) and ground...". The motion was made by Mr. Krams,
seconded by Mr. Moody, to approve the 2/4/99 Minutes as corrected. The motion passed.
Public Comment and/or Presentations: Bill Harrison of the Lighthouse Restaurant commented
on and answered the Committee's questions regarding fueling in the Marina. Mr. Harrison
expressed interest in Dr. Horvat providing information regarding the availability of a soy/bio diesel
product. Mr. Davidson responded to Dennis Fria that Marina Staff is investigating how other
Marina's provide brokering. Mr. Gordon responded to Dennis Haas that the boat and breakfast is no
longer in operation. Discussion followed regarding a new platform structure Mr. Haas reported was
installed in the Bay within the last six weeks. Chairman Serbu responded to Mr. Haas' question
regarding Packery Channel that the issue should be discussed at a future meeting. Ms. Salinas
distributed a publication from the Coastal Bend Natural Bays and Estuaries Program, formerly
CCBNEP.
Discussion Items:
A. Request from James Venard to Operate.a Rental Concession at the Whitecap Vending Site.
Mr. Gordon gave a brief history of past operations in the vending site and reported Mr.
Venard submitted the only response to the Request for Proposals. Staff is recommending
approval of a Use Permit authorizing Mr. Venard, dba Rainbow Beach Rentals, to rent
umbrellas, shade structures, tables, chairs, boogie boards, kayaks, etc. at the vending site.
The permit will be for a minimum of five months beginning 5/1/99 and the rental rate will
be $511 per month as bid by Mr. Venard. Discussion followed regarding complaints
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regarding past operations and Mr. Venard's qualifications. The motion was made by Mr.
Moody, seconded by Dr. Horvat,to approve the staff recommendation. The motion passed.
B. Pile Project. Mr. Gordon commented that Staff is requesting Committee action on the
revised piling project that addressed the Committee's comments from a previous meeting.
The proposed project is an effort to address how to best improve facilities to attract different
types of vessels and to get the best return on costs for removing/replacing pilings. Mr.
Davidson explained that the various priorities were grouped in different areas. Priority#1,
R-Pier, can generate up to $21,000 per year with minimum investment to make 16 fairly
useless slips into 8 slips that will accommodate 50-60'vessels-without impeding boat traffic
- and provide each slip with dual 30 amp power sources. Priority #1, Peoples Street,
capitalizes on use of the boardwalk area that will benefit tourists and shrimpers. Shrimp
boats that sell to the public will be moved to the North side of the stem into a (easier to
police) sales-only area(currently#25 to Shoreline) where there is sufficient dock space and
electrical power to accommodate shrimping vessels. A header will be installed on the
boardwalk to provide a buffer to prevent damage to the dock when shrimp boats back into
slips. Electrical concerns can be addressed when new slips that will accommodate larger
vessels are eventually built on the South side of the stem. The canopies will remain where
they are to provide seating areas for tourists to watch water toys and shrimp boats. The water
toy operator has agreed with plans to relocate the operations from the North side of the stem
to the Selena Memorial until an area proposed for the South Basin is available. The new
operating area,which will be designated by buoys, addresses some water toy safety concerns.
The South Basin area is also being considered for as the area that can accommodate a tourist
attraction to include water toys and the Columbus ships with plenty of parking available at
the Coliseum. Priority#1, Coopers Alley Boat Ramp, is to build a 30' long (8' wide)finger
pier to provide a safe area where those that launch boats from the ramp can tie up into
prevailing winds, go park their vessel/trailer and then hoist sails. Marina Staff will build the
finger pier after pilings are installed. Discussion followed regarding the bait stand location
in relation to the proposed finger.pier. Mr. Davidson commented that Staff would look at
installing two additional pilings and moving the finger pier to increase the distance from the
new bait stand. Next Priority: (1) Use pilings removed from some commercial areas for
installation in an area that will enlarge two other slips that are currently 13' wide. (2) Install
eight pilings at the fuel dock to prevent boat bottoms from being pushed onto the sidewalk
when fueling occurs at high tide. (3) Install six pilings for mooring a barge that will
accommodate two Columbus ships on the South side of the Lawrence Street stem. This will
provide a more visible area that can allow CSA to generate revenue for themselves and the
Marina through a lease agreement.The Marina currently receives no revenue from the Nina.
If they do not get a barge, the six pilings will be installed on the North side of PST to
accommodate up to a 120'vessel. Mr. Davidson commented that with Committee approval
the project will be moved forward for City Council consideration and could be completed
in July/August, 1999. Discussion followed regarding expressed concerns for placing shrimp
boats on a recreational pier. The discussion ceased when Mr. Gordon imposed Robert's
Rules of Order. Mr. Gordon responded to Mr.Haas' that he and Mr. Davidson had discussed
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moorings that are currently prohibited by Ordinance. The motion was made by Dr. Horvat,
seconded by Mr.Moody,to accept the piling project as presented with the understanding that
if the six pilings are not installed to accommodate a barge for the Columbus ships that they
are not installedelsewhere without the Committee's further consideration and that the fmger
pier proposed for the Coopers Alley L-Head be moved to create more distance between it and
the new bait stand. The motion passed unanimously.
Committee Reports: Mr. Moody requested the Committee's input as to prioritization of the
following areas discussed at three Long Range Planning Subcommittee meetings. The
Subcommittee will further discuss the prioritized list and bring a final list of goals before the
Committeefor consideration. Mid-Term Goals are: (1)privatizing the Haulout Facility or establish
a feasibility study that, if the City continues to operate the Haulout Facility, it operates it properly
and tries to max out the facility;.(2),to improve/construct facilities for boaters or preferably the
tenants; (3)work on quality boating services or service providers for boat brokerage, maintenance
facilities and a boat store; (4) recommend/revise the current fee structure for marina services
currently offered to generate more revenue; (5) increasing the marina capacity; (6) dredging the
marina; (7) improve/increase marina lighting,particularly at Shoreline intersections; (8) creating a
fish market for selling fresh seafood products; (9) work on bayfront attractions; (10) improve
revenue stream for the marina; and (11) continue to work on the live aboard policy. Long-Term
Goals are: (1)to determine appropriate development for the land masses and the rebuilding scenario
in the event of a natural disaster,what we would do and how fast we could do it; (2)better anticipate
the maintenance needs of the current infrastructure and to not let things get to the point of falling
down in the water; (3) develop additional commercial space; (4) figure out what can/can not do
properly/efficiently and eliminate/privatize things we are not able to do; and(5)prioritize customers
and services that we offer to them.
Chairman Serbu announced Mr. Wright's'resignation from the Committee. Discussion followed
regarding parties interested in-serving'on the Committee,keeping the Committee makeup diverse,
Committee members with boats in the Marina,expiring terms,etc. Chairman Serbu commented that
interested parties should to submit a resume to the City Secretary's Office.
Director's Report: Mr. Gordon and/or Mr. Davidson commented on: (1) water quality and
occupancy reports; (2) bait stand; (3) Marina Staff cross-training with CCPD/CCFD/EMS/
Emergency Management in water safety rescue; (4) fire extinguisher installation; (5) establishing
8 slips parallel to the Lawrence Street stern; (6)investigating overall fee structure at other Marinas;
(7)considering use of Marina Consultant; (8)Marina Office; (9) live aboard issue on hold; and(10)
using"new" slips on South side of Lawrence Street T-Head for Clear Lake visitors.
Mr. Gordon commented that Staff isprepared to,move ahead with the bait stand project once Ms.
Stubbs provides a more recent signature indicating agreement on the project 'blueprints. He
suggested that they schedule a meeting at which she could provide the requested signature and
discuss other lease negotiations i.e. slip locations, one year lease extensions for every$5,000 in the
required letter of credit, etc. with Staff. Discussion followed.
March 4, 1999—Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting.Minutes 3.
Current Concerns and Events: Mr. Moody suggested that boat auctions be advertised in`boats and
trailer section of the Caller-Times to generate more interest in the boat auctions.
Adjournment: As there was no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
Peter Davidson
Marina Superintendent
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