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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 06/03/1993 MINUTES WATERT SHORE ADVISORY COMMITTEE X93 - 5:00 P.M. Jane 3, 1't 3 MEMBERS PRESENT: Quenten Cook, Robert Gross, Vic Menard, Scott Skinner and Randy Thompson. MEMBERS ABSENT: Frank Beck, Charlene Forest and Patricia Suter. Chairman Cook requested suggestions for individuals qualified to fill the Scientist vacancy created by David McKee's resignation. Chairman Cook reported that City Council had reappointed himself, Mr. Menard, Ms. Suter and Mr. Thompson. STAFF PRESENT: W. Thomas Utter, Director of Development Services, SiSu Morris, Marina Superintendent, Lou Hilzinger, Marina Harbormaster and Benita Brunner, Secretary. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Cook called the regular monthly meeting of the Water/ Shore Advisory Committee to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Committee Room at City Hall. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Mr. Skinner nominated Mr. Cook as Chairman; Mr. Cook accepted; Mr. Gross seconded the nomination. The nomination passed unanimously. Mr. Menard nominated Mr. Skinner as Vice Chairman; Mr. Skinner accepted; Mr. Gross seconded the nomination. The nomination passed unanimously. ACTION ON ABSENCES: The motion was made by Mr. Skinner, seconded by Mr. Thompson, to excuse Mr. Gross's absence from the May 6, 1993 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. ACTION ON MINUTES: The motion was made by Mr. Menard, seconded by Mr. Thompson, to approve the May 6, 1993 Minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mr. Menard reported that the Long Range Planning Subcom- mittee met with City Staff to discuss the Dune Protection and Beach Access Plan that the City is required to develop and submit to the General Land Office (GLO) and State.Attorney General's Office (AG). The Subcommittee will meet again to review a draft of the plan and have a report prepared for the full Committee when it meets with the Transportation Advisory Committee on Thursday, June 24th at 3:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers. Mr. Menard stressed the importance of Committee input in the plan and emphasized this may be the most important issue for the Committee this year. DISCUSSION ITEMS: Use of Barge Dock - Ms. Morris briefed the Committee on the impact and concerns regarding multiple uses of the Barge Dock by scheduled special events (Bayfest, RTA, Jazz Festival, etc.) and the temporary mooring of Las Carabelas at that facility. Ms. Morris reported that staff is working with Las Carabelas to determine a monthly fee that would equate to revenue generated from the Barge Dock. Duncan Samo of Bayfest reported that he, Rick Stryker of the Corpus Christi Museum and Tom Niskala of Regional Transit Authority decided to include Las Carabelas in the promotion for Bayfest. Mr. Niskala reported that the Water Taxi is working well. They are considering using Bayfest tickets in payment for riding the Water Taxi SCANNED Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes May 6, 1993 during Bayfest, making Water Taxi fare as payment for entering Bayfest, or not charging for Water Taxi during Bayfest. They are considering a promotion package targeted for July, 1993, to move people around to the Aquarium, Lexington and Los Carabelas. Mr. Stryker reported that Las Carabelas will be part of Bayfest, paying fees associated with participating in Bayfest, and will accept tickets in payment of the regular admission to the ships. He reported on the layout of Las Carabelas support facilities and stated that they will be as open as possible to other use of the Barge Dock. They are considering having the Marina charges included in their operating budget rather than paying percentages. He added that negotiation of final details is going smoothly and concerns regarding handicap access to the Art Museum, fire lanes, removal in hurricane threat, mooring structures, etc. are being addressed. Renewal of Use Permit - Ms. Morris gave a brief history on the mobile support facility outside The Lighthouse Restaurant and recommended approval of the annual Use Permit for Keeper's Locker. Monies for fuel sales are collected and offers souvenirs and snacks for sale. The motion was made by Mr. Menard, seconded by Mr. Gross, to approve the Use Permit. The motion passed unanimously. Request for Use Permit - Ms. Morris presented a request from Rosana Foote to rent a maximum of ten bicycles from a single location on the Seawall North of Peoples Street. The operation will pay $125 per month. Ms. Morris stated that Risk Management expressed no problem with the operation so long as they were prohibited from travelling on the land masses. Staff recommended approval of the Use Permit. The motion was made by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Gross and Mr. Skinner, to approve the User Permit. The motion passed unanimously. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Ms. Morris reported on the: 74 boats hauled out netting $14,000 revenue since 1116192; 616193 Safe Boating Week; success of Sailing School; plans for a Community Sailing Program; success of launching facility on North end of C. C. Beach and problems associated with boaters landing on other areas of that beach; July 4th events and 10:00 a.m. press conference 6/14/93; 64 visiting boats stayed 114 nights in May and seven boats for 27 nights as of 6/3/93, excluding crafts associated with power boat race; expiration of fuel dock permit that requires a variance on 6/1193; extending temporary permit for The Wet Set to operate inside the breakwater on C. C. Beach pending their ruling from the Corps on a permit. Mr. Utter stated there appeared to be a misunderstanding on the part of Melissa Roberts and Hans Schultz of Executive Wet Set (EWS). At the request of a City Councilperson, Mr. Utter met with EWS after they expressed to the Councilperson that they had not been told their water toy operation inside the North Breakwater on Corpus Christi Beach would be temporary. Mr. Utter stated that he reviewed recordings of and minutes from previous meetings and the City's correspondence to EWS. It was clear the Committee's and Staff's recommendation for approving the operation at that site was temporary until such time as the City's water area is to be used for something else, most specifically Los Barcos. Mr. Utter stated he is sure that has been made very clear to EWS. He reported the City was notified by the Port of Corpus Christi (Port) that the parking contract EWS indicated they had with the Port is invalid. The Building Inspections Department will contact EWS regarding their parking requirements and give them adequate time to rectify the situation. 2 ~ , I Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes May 6, 1993 Frank Brogan, Director of Engineering Services for the Port of Corpus Christi reported that he had advised EWS that the Port had no objection to their operation as long as they stayed out of the ship channel. He expressed his surprise and concern that the Port had been alleged to have a parking agreement with EWS. Additionally and contrary to what the April 1st Water/Shore Advisory Committee meeting minutes reflect, he is not engaged to work for EWS, is not serving on behalf of or acting as a consultant getting EWS's letter of permission from the Corps of Engineers. In response to questioning, Mr. Brogan reported that the Port is extremely concerned with what happens across the ship channel and are on the mailing list of every permit application that goes through the Corps of Engineers. The Port carefully reviews those and offers comments about activities that might impact ship channel traffic. He stated the Port is interested in working with the City in any way possible. Mr. Utter reported the City tries to maintain a close relationship with the Port and that the Port has been extremely helpful andcooperative with the City. He added that the Port Harbormaster had expressed his appreciation for the Marina's assistance with personal craft and removal of floating pilings and debris from the ship channel. Mr. Utter commented on the following items. The Lighthouse Restaurant is awaiting FEMA's written confirmation on their plans for the new Marina Office as being in compliance with.flood plain management regulations. The subcommittee should be able to review those plans, which have been refined since their last review, in the near future and before they go before the full Committee. It is Staff's opinion that the City needs to move forward with replacing Piers A, B, C and D with floating piers. Since Marina revenues can not meet the project bid ($1.6 million), staff will develop a package for City Council approval to use General Fund revenue bonds for the remainder of the project costs. Mr. Utter commented on the Dune Protection and Access Plan. He explained that once the Committee reviews the plan and their concerns are addressed, it will go to the Planning Commission and then to the City Council for adoption and submittal to the GLO. Mr. Utter commented on the City's new agreements with the County for beach cleaning and EMS services on the Island. Discussion followed on environmental issues regarding the fuel spill and the fueling situation at the Lighthouse Restaurant. Mr. Utter comments that he was not aware of any action contemplated by the EPA or Texas Water Commission. He reported that all future fuel tanks installed around the City will be probably be vaulted and above ground and will require special permits, zoning changes, etc. CURRENT CONCERNS AND EVENTS: No comments were offered. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC: Roy Davis thanked the Committee for their assistance in getting the launch facility on the North end of C. C. Beach; reported that additional bollards will be installed between those currently in place on the South barrier to prevent vehicles from driving down beach; catamaran associations doing beach clean up parties on C. C. Beach; requested approval to drag chain link fence on beach to loosen Seaweed for easy removal. Ms. Morris asked Mr. Davis to visit with her to discuss beach cleaning ideas. 3 Water/Shore Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes May 6, 1993 • Jim Schwobel of Corpus Christi International School of Sailing requested discussion regarding his proposal to lease retail space in the Marina haulout facility. Following some discussion, Mr. Utter advised Mr. Schwobel that depending on what happens regarding the new Marina Office, the Marina Maintenance Section may be utilizing more of the haul out facility. He added that Staff should know something in the next 60 days and until that time no action will be taken regarding the haul out facility. ADJOURNMENT: As there was no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m. S' u orris Marina Superintendent SM/bkb 4