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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 08/04/1994 MINUTES WATER/SHORE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AUGUST 4, 1994 MEMBERS PRESENT: Frank Beck, Robert Blackmon, Quenten Cook, Chairman, Virginia Henderson, Roy Lehman, Vic Menard, Patricia Suter and Randy Thompson MEMBERS ABSENT: Ramiro Gamboa STAFF PRESENT: Mike Gordon, Assistant Director for Operations, SiSu Morris, Marina Superintendent and Benita Brunner, Marina Administrative Aide. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Cook called the regular meeting of the Water/Shore Advisory Committee to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Committee Room at City Hall. Chairman Cook welcomed Ms. Henderson to the Committee. ACTION ON MINUTES: The motion was made by Ms. Suter, seconded by Dr. Lehman, to approve the 7/7/94 Minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously. ACTION ON ABSENCES: The motion was made by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Ms. Suter, to excuse Mr. Beck's, Ms. Henderson's and Mr. Menard's absences from the 7/7/94 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mr. Beck reported that the Ordinance Revision Subcommittee met once and reviewed the Legal Department's draft ordinance. They will require a few more meetings before a revised document is presented for the Committee's consideration. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Ms. Morris reported on the following: (1) that once pile driving problems are addressed the Lawrence Street T-Head pier replacement project should go faster; (2) attending Marina Association of Texas Committee and Board meetings and serving on the Industrial Advisory Committee of the Texas A&M University Sea Grant Program; (3) press conference for the 8/9/94 Feria de las Flores celebration involving Bayfront area and Seawall; (4) roller blade event on Barge Dock sponsored by Habitat for Humanities; (5) plans for Bob Marley Reggae Festival; (6) Sabalo Tarpon Fishing Tournament sponsored by Tampico, Mexico and discussions about beginning sailing regatta to Tampico in odd numbered years since the sail to Vera Cruz is on even numbered years; and (7) discussion and start-up of marketing plan for the Marina once new piers are completed. Chairman Cook reported he had been approached by a group considering establishing a yacht club on Padre Island adjacent at Marker 53. He will bring back information in the future. DISCUSSION ITEMS: Establishing Safe Zones for Personalized Water Craft Accessing City Waters from Public Property - Ms. Suter relayed a concern regarding an increasing number of personal water craft accessing City waters from County land, specifically in the area of J. P. Luby Park adjacent to SCANNED Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 2 August 4, 1994 the surfing pier, as expressed by the Nueces County Coastal Management Committee. The land is under County jurisdiction and the water is in the City's annexed area. The result is the County can not regulate the water area without specific designation by the City. Ms. Suter relayed a request from the Nueces County Coastal Management Committee that appropriate City Staff initiate discussions with the appropriate County staff, specifically Chris Lawrence of Beach Services, regarding allocation of launch areas and/or regulations for personal water craft accessing public waters in order to maintain safe areas where mixed usage now occurs (i.e. surfing, swimming, fishing, sailing, etc.). Discussion followed regarding the increasing usage for mixed activities in the area of J. P. Luby Park; providing launching access (buoy system and signage) and operation areas; having discussion before 1995 season; establishing rules under which law enforcement could issue citations for violations; amending ordinance regarding activities adjacent to piers. The motion was made by Judge Blackmon, seconded by Ms. Suter, to request the appropriate City Department to initiate conversation with the appropriate County Department in order to review the need to establish rules regarding personal water craft accessing city water from public property. This item is to be brought back to the Committee for further review and consideration. The motion passed unanimously. Establishing a Vending Site on the Island at the End of Whitecap Boulevard - Ms. Morris reported that this item was tabled at the 7/7/94 meeting pending investigation by City Staff. Staff investigated the site and witnessed the apparent need for the vendor. There is room for one vending site (possibly a second vendor offering different type product) at the end of Whitecap Boulevard. Mr. Moreno is currently operating in the location but does not have the required permits to do so. Mr. Moreno has been contacted regarding the need for him to have the permit. He has been advised that the City will permit his operation at its current location through Labor Day 1994 once he pays the vendor permit fee of $25, provides appropriate insurance and pays the $125/month fee assessed beach vendors. He was also advised that he will be required to bid for the location in the future. If Mr. Moreno does not wish to obtain the permit, the location will be offered to Sula Cox under the same conditions. The motion was made by Ms. Suter, seconded by Dr. Lehman, to approve Mr. Moreno's vending operation at the end of Whitecap Boulevard through Labor Day 1994 and to offer the site for bids in the future. Discussion followed. The motion passed unanimously. Response Plan for Water-Related Problems and/or Emergencies in Areas of the City Outside Corpus Christi and Nueces Bays - Ms. Morris reported that Mr. Menard requested that the Committee begin discussing the City's responsibility for safety in areas within its jurisdiction which are geographically located away from the Marina and specifically how to deal with, who to call and who is going to be responsible to respond to water-related incidents that occur in those areas as people's access to the water increases. Discussion followed regarding required response times; including Safety&Risk Management, Emergency Management, Police, Fire and Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 3 August 4, 1994 EMS personnel in discussion regarding this issue; Marina Staff currently augmenting USCG response; respondent fees; volunteer response teams; etc. Staff was directed to make contact with Fire, Police, Emergency Management, Budget, EMS, County, State and.other safety responsible staff, agencies, etc. to begin discussion regarding emergency response to water- related incidents. CURRENT CONCERNS AND EVENTS: Ms. Suter reported that the Coastal Zone Manage- ment Plan from the State level will be up for adoption in September. The City's Coastal Zone Management Plan, as of August, 1993, was tentatively approved but has been modified and the current Plan is still in limbo. Mr. Menard requested that Brandol Harvey be asked to give an update on the Plan at the September Committee meeting. Mr. Gordon reported that signs are being reinstalled in Hans Suter Park. Dr. Lehman suggested that after hours access to thepark entrance could be controlled with a automated gate on the entrance and tire puncture structures at the exit. Mr. Menard asked about North Beach restrooms. Mr. Gordon responded that the restrooms are the Aquarium's responsibility. The Aquarium had assign someone there full-time and locked 'the restrooms after hours. Mr. Beck requested a copy of ordinances from another municipally operated marina. Ms. Morris reported she might be able to get one from California. Mr. Beck asked that a copy of the contract for the current surrey operator be provided to him at the next meeting. Discussion followed regarding requirements that surreys be lit after dark and prohibited from going on the landmasses. Mr. Cook reported that a.Russian sailboat manned.by a couple who have sailed from the East Coast of Russia through the Panama Canal would be in the Marina through the weekend. Ms. Henderson asked about plans to maintain the waterside of the Lexington. She reported the area was in need for attention and asked that Lexington representatives respond to this concern. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC: Dwayne Cox, 2817 Austin and Bruce Deitch, 7130 Everhart #25, commented in response to establishing safe zone for personal watercraft.. His group rides their machines in public waters and do so in a safe manner. He felt the concerns should also include watercraft rented by vendors. . Harry Roth of Corpus Christi Kawasaki-Yamaha Corpus Christi commented regarding owners of personal watercraft being very safety conscious when they ride their watercraft and offered to assist as needed. Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 4 August 4, 1994 Dave of Dave's Rentals thanked the Committee for their attention to the vending site at the end of Whitecap Boulevard and reported that he was prepared to occupy the location if it becomes available. Richard Gonzales provided additional information to the Committee regarding the Feria de las Flores. ADJOURNMENT: As there was no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. qm) /q#i/4 SiSu Morris Marina Superintendent SM/bkb