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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 02/03/1994 MINUTES WATER/SHORE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 3, 1994 MEMBERS PRESENT: Frank Beck, Quenten Cook, Chairman, Charlene Forest, Robert Gross, Roy Lehman,Vic Menard, Patricia Suter.and Randy Thompson. MEMBERS ABSENT: Scott Skinner, Vice Chairman. STAFF PRESENT: "Malcolm Matthews, Director of Park & Recreation, SiSu Morris, Marina Superintendent, Lou E. Hilzinger, Harbormaster and Benita Brunner, Marina Administrative Aide. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Cook called the regular monthly meeting of the Water/ Shore Advisory Committee to_order at 4:58 p.m. in the Committee Room at City Hall. ACTION ON.ABSENCES: The motion was made by Ms. Suter, seconded by Mr. Menard, to excuse Mr. Gross' absence from the January 6th meeting. The motion passed unanimously. ACTION ON MINUTES: Dr. Lehman reported that the public comment section of the January 6th minutes should reflect Mr. Tyree's comments were that piers "should not be rebuilt...". The motion was made by Dr. Lehman, seconded by Ms. Suter, to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion passed unanimously. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Committee reports were offered during Discussion Items. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Ms. Morris reported or advised the Committee of the following: Lawrence Street pier replacement project; revenue estimates due February 17th; efforts to market the Marina; Marine Environment Workshop scheduled March 7th in Houston; and the Marina being featured on public access television program "Total Rec". DISCUSSION ITEMS: . RTA's Request to Relocate Water Taxi Operations from the Barge Dock to the Peoples Street T-Head and Provide Landing Site Improvements - Tom Niskala utilized charts depicting RTA's proposed operation site for 1994. They propose to build a lighted, deck/public observation area on a portion of the existing breakwater jutting from the North face of the Peoples Street T-Head and to install pilings,for the landing site, which will be clearly signed, on the East side of the breakwater. The vessel will butt against the pilings and passengers will load from the side. The proposed site willimprove access to the water taxi and could benefit Peoples Street businesses as a result of the additional exposure they receive when tourists go to the water taxi. The general consensus was that parking will not be complicated nor businesses adversely impacted. by the additional traffic because water taxi passengers usually arrive on foot or by shuttle. The proposed site is the most optimum requiring no structural modification, no disturbance to the bay bottom except for additional pilings, no detriment to the T-Head infrastructure by prop wash, etc. The existing security gate will be moved to allow public access to the observation deck at all times but=to prevent public access to the breakwater beyond the observation deck. Mr. Niskala asked the Committee to report their concerns so they could be discussed and incorporated into the proposed plan. SCANNED Water/Shore Advisory comm ittee Meeting Minutes 2 February 3, 1994 Discussion followedregarding safety concerns,performing soundings adjacent to the bulkhead, water taxi and trolley schedules, 'RTA's 1994 budget for the project, and canopies on the observation deck to provide sun protection. Nathan Clark owner of The Flagship, Captain Clark and Gulf Clipper expressed his concerns about the water taxi owner operating after hours and in direct competition with.him.- He stated that the water taxi owner should be required to pay slip rent if he plans to operate privately. Mr. Niskala stated that RTA proposes to make the improvements and to provide street furniture on other Marina property in lieu of slip rent during the one year contract. RTA went out for bids both times the taxi service has been offered. Bids are done on an annual basis. Ms. Morris reported that the water taxi will moor- overnight at the L-Head and not in the proposed landing site. She added that the water taxi has never operated in the evenings but that there are no exclusives on tour boats and that the owner has the right to operate his vessel after the RTA obligations are met. Mr. Matthews stated that staff understood Mr. Clark's concern; however, regardless of who actually pays the rent or the.value thereof is irrelevant. In this case,the proposal will result in the City receiving more than the value of the actual slip rent. What the'vessel owner does after RTA. schedules are completed will be up to him. Mr.-Clark stated that the water taxi was not operated after hours in the past because it did not have a. good location from which to do business. . He added that the RTA's proposed • improvements will provide the operator a better location .and put" the water taxi owner in competition with him without having to pay slip rent. Mr. Matthews stated that if rent is received, the City does not dictate to someone what they can do from their slip as long as it is within the Marina's rules and regulations. It was further stated that after hours operation of the water taxi will have to be based from the L-Head, and not the proposed dock since the L-Head is tobe the water taxi's mooring and slip location. Ms. Morris stated that RTA is building and donating a facility at no cost to the City and the - watertaxi is mooring along a bulkhead at night. If the'City gets actual cash or an equal value in street furniture or other improvements that the City desires in tradeoff, then the City is not concerned if the water taxi owner is chartering.after hours as long as he meets the charter_boat guidelines and Marina-rules:and regulations. The City does not dictate to Mr. Clark what he. does on his boat as long ashe pays his rent and follows the rules. Mr. Thompson expressed his position that the.RTA contract giving 'the water taxi owner consideration tooperate after hours is fair and that if the proposed,location provides a special opportunity then that could be reflected in the next bidding process which will be available to others each year. Mr. Clark stated a bid was never let on the RTA water,taxi proposal. Mr. Niskala stated that Mr. Clark was aware that RTA solicited bids and chose not to bid. He added that an annual bid will be offered to any interested party. Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes- 3 February.3, 1994 The motion was made by 'Mr. Menard, seconded by Mr: Gross, to approve RTA's proposal.. Discussion followed. The motion was amended by Mr. Menard, seconded by Mr. Gross, to approve RTA's proposal and to.have the water taxi operator request the Committee's approval to provide private tours. The motion passed unanimously. Consideration for Expansion of Facilities for T-Head Marina dba The Lighthouse Restaurant - Mr. Thompson reported that the New Marina Office Subcommittee has.made progress and continues to pursue a new Marina Office in conjunction with the Lighthouse's expansion. Mr. Matthews stated that the Marina Office, Lighthouse and fueling issues should be settled in the near future. .. Permit Request to Operate Photo Concession on Corpus Christi Beach- Shelley Trotter and Eric Bork of Sand Studios,. Inc. requested approval for their photo-graphers to approach Corpus Christi Beach visitors to have their photographs taken. They are currently seeking a commercial property.near Corpus Christi Beach from which they intend to develop and sell the photographs. The photographs will be placed in plastic telescope viewers with a magnifying lens and will cost $3.50 plus tax. Discussion followed: The motion was made by Ms: Suter, seconded by Ms. Forest, to approve the request. They will be limited to a maximum of four photographers to operate at any time from June to September, 1994 and they will pay $125 per month: The photographers will wear badges and carry the required.permits. Modification of Visiting Vessel Rate - Ms. Morris gave a brief history regarding visiting vessel rates.adding that boaters do not stay in the Marina for more than a few days due'to the high weekly and monthly visiting vessel rates. She explained that boaters planning a one month stay sometimes enter into a contract (minimum six month term) paying two months (first and last) rent in advance. Even though they forfeit the last-months'-rent(for not completing the minimum term), the two months at contract rate totalless than one month at the-current visiting vessel rate. She recommended reducing the weekly rate from $3.12 to $3 and the monthly rate from $11.25 to $5.50 per linear foot of a vessel's length overall plus the $2 per night minimum utility rate. Staff believes the proposedrate reduction will make longer stays in the Marina more attractive and will decrease the time and paperwork required to set up and cancel accounts for boaters not intending to remain in the Marina for at least six months. Discussion followed. The motion was made by Ms. Forest, seconded by 'Mr. Beck, to approve the staff recommendation to reduce the current weekly and monthly visiting vessel rates as discussed. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Morris reported that the Committee's recommendation to reduce visiting vessel rates must be moved forward to.City Council for action on an ordinance change. Update and Revise Committee'sGoals and Objectives - Mr. Menard.'stated that the 1994-95' goals were determined after the Subcommittee met with Planning and other City staff. He asked the Committee to review, add, delete and prioritize the-items which were identified under each goal. These items will be used as agenda items for 1994-95 and as a guide for working with staff in developing plans presented to the City'Council or to be included in bond.programs. Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 4 February 3, 1994 Chairman Cook askedthat all Committee members review the revised goals and objectives and bring theirideas to the March meeting for discussion prior to adoption. CURRENT CONCERNS AND EVENTS: Ms. Forest reported that she had located The Mayor's Cup trophy at CCYC. She added that although it has been won every year, it has not actually been presented nor engraved with the winners names for several years. Ms. Forest will secure and take the trophy to be engraved. Chairman Cook stated that the Mayor should be asked to participate each time the trophy is awarded in the future. Mr. Beck requested copies of the new City Ordinances regarding fire codes referred to during the January 6th meeting. Ms. Morris responded that she would follow up. Ms. Suter requested that a status report regarding the Kennedy Causeway and the City's Coastal Zone Management Plan be made at the March meeting. Ms. Morris briefed the Committee on her meeting with FOCUS.groups regarding the Coastal Zone Management Plan. Discussion followed regarding trash entering the Marina through stormwater outfalls. Mr. Menard asked if Staff had followed up on the City's meeting with the Port regarding their assistance with dredging shallow areas in the Marina including those where piers have been removed. Ms. Morris responded that she would follow up. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC: Scott Kee of Hobie Fleet 99 briefed the Committee regarding the Caller-Times prematurely announcing the Hobie 16 Event scheduled to occur adjacent to Sandy Shores on Corpus Christi Beach, October 27 through November 6, 1994. He added that Hobie Fleet 99 will bring a request for the Committee's consideration in the near future. ADJOURNMENT: As there was no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m. 4.) 47.),,,,14 Si u Morris Marina Superintendent SM/bkb