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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 12/03/1992 Cirts4� ' MINUTES WATER!SHORE ADVISORY COMMITTEE DECEMBER 3, 1992 - 5:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Quenten Cook, Chairman, Frank Beck, Charlene Forest, Vic Menard, Scott Skinner, Patricia Suter and Randy Thompson. MEMBERS ABSENT: Robert Gross and David McKee STAFF PRESENT: Tom Utter, Director of Development Services, Malcolm Matthews, Director of Park &Recreation, Mike Gordon, Assistant Director for Operations, SiSu Morris, Marina Superintendent, Alison Gallaway, Assistant City Attorney, 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. ACTION ON MINUTES: The motion was made by Mr. Skinner, seconded by Ms.. Suter, to approve the November 5, 1992 Minutes as presented. Motion passed. COMMITTEE REPORTS: None offered. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Ms. Morris briefed or reported on the: electrical engineers surveying for pier improvements; possibility of temporarily mooring the Caravelles on the Barge Dock; Harbor Lights; open house aboard "Celika S" which will leave in January, 1993; Sail Park; equipment purchased from Pro Marine; City operating boat haul out and reviewing possibility of putting operation out for bid; and, gasoline availability to boaters. Mr. Utter reported: the RTA is proceeding with plans to operate a water taxi; availability of $15,000 for lighting the North Beach breakwater and the City has taken bids (lowest was $50,000) and, within the next few weeks, should be repairing spoiled areas and leveling the top of the walk before it will be reopened to the public; notifying staff of when Hobie Cat Association presents the Prindle National sailboarding event to Council; and, meeting between all City Departments regarding making gasoline available by the end of the week. Ms. Forest reported that Economic Development's presentation to Spain '92 was well received but they asked for and have received additional economic data. The ships are to remain on the East Coast until Spain '92 makes their decision in March, 1993.. Mr. Matthews reported the RTA has been given approval to purchase water taxis and that he would ask them to make a presentation in January, 1993. DISCUSSION ITEMS: Rules for contractors working on boats in the Marina complex - At Ms. Morris' request, the issue was postponed until the January meeting in order to provide everyone the opportunity to respond to the proposed rules and regulations. Establish Policy on Rental or Lease of Marina Facilities for Non-Traditional, Non- Water Dependent, Private Businesses in the Marina - Ms. Morris briefed members regarding the need to clarify the ordinance and to protect the intended use of the Marina and its facilities. SCANNED Water/Shore Advisory Committee Minutes December 3, 1992 Ms. Gallaway suggested prefacing the existing Ordinance with verbiage that would allow support activities such as restaurants, boat repairs, water toys, etc. The suggested verbiage is: "No business shall be conducted in the Marina except for marine, tourist, and recreational activities and facilities to support those activities". Discussion followed. The motion was made by Mr. Menard, seconded by Ms. Suter, to recommend that the City Council amend Ordinance No. 12-47 by prefacing it with, "no business shall be conducted in the Marina except for marine, tourist and recreational activities and facilities to support those activities". Motion passed unanimously. Establish Speed Limits in Man-Made Canals in Private Subdivisions - Mr. Matthews reportedthat the request to establish regulations for subdivision canals is not new. The City has always been concerned that regulating these areas could have far reaching implications if the overall picture was not considered and wording very specific. He felt rewriting the overall Boats, Bays & Waterways Ordinances would provide the long term solution. Mr. Utter reported that this issue was originally addressed in 1980. The City staff's position is that the City takes absolutely no responsibility for dredging privately- owned channel/canal property and has absolutely no responsibility for bulkheading and maintenance on those properties. The Attorney General's office issued a ruling that, when it comes to safety and speed limits, those canals are public waterways. He stated that the City proposes to place "no wake" buoys at the entrances to any canals where the property owners are willing to pay for the buoys and request City assistance. The City will periodically inspect them to be sure they are in place. Although the State of Texas has watercraft operating laws that could control many concerns expressed by subdivision of this type, the City will rewrite current Ordinances to provide terms of speed limit or safety on all waterways within the corporate City limits. He emphasized that the City will not provide personnel to patrol any area outside of the Marina nor will the City assume any responsibility for dredging or bulkhead repairs in the privately-owned canals. The proposed "no wake" buoys and ordinance changes will provide property owners a process through which they can file complaints in municipal court against those violating the "no wake" ordinance. Ms. Gallaway stated that in order for any complaint to be prosecuted through the Municipal Court, the complaint could not be vague. The complainant would have to identify the person driving and the boat being driven when the offense occurred. The process, which could currently be done under State rules governing waters, will not be easy but it will not be impossible. Discussion followed. Bob Sothard of Padre Island stated that having a City Ordinance tied to placement of the buoys would make them appear more official. Ms. Morris added that she understood Padre Isles wants the sign posted in the subdivision to indicate the specific ordinance number that enforces the "no wake" buoys. Discussion continued. 2 Water/Shore Advisory Committee Minutes December 3, 1992 Mr. Sothard stated the Padre Isles Association never intended for the City to assume any responsibility for the dredging or bulkhead repairs etc. He added they just wanted to have something on the books to enforce the 4 or 5 mph speed limit and that they will work with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, their private security, and possibly hire off-duty police officers to enforce the speed limits on their canals. Mr. Utter stated that while the City considers an overall Ordinance rewrite, an interim ordinance containing verbiage generic enough to address this issue will be developed and presented to the City Council for adoption. This will allow buoys to be ordered and placed as soon as possible. The motion was made.by Mr. Menard, seconded by Mr. Thompson, to add verbiage to the existing Ordinance that would allow the City to establish speed limits and place buoys posting such limits on public waters in private subdivision canals. Buoys are to be purchased and maintained at the subdivision's expense. The motion passed unanimously. • CURRENT CONCERNS AND EVENTS: Mr. Matthews responded that there have been no changes regarding the RFP for Corpus Christi Beach. Staff is currently addressing problems with and solutions for unauthorized dumping in that area and the associated clean up costs. With the addition of the Lexington, the RTA is considering land shuttles and water taxis to move expected crowds to and from the _ Aquarium Village. There has been some interest expressed for an RV Park. The Engineering Department has been monitoring erosion of Corpus Christi Beach since the arrival of the Lexington. The middle of the beach seems to be eroding rapidly. Ms. Forest spoke about a sailing video featuring Corpus Christi, sailing South Texas and Texas Hospitality that is available through the October Sailing Quarterly Video Magazine. The Forest's narrate the sailing portion. The video is subscribed to by approximately 10,000 people. The video will be shown to the Committee in January. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC: Jim Schwobel with International School of Sailing suggested that the Marina be promoted and marketed at Texas boat shows. Ms. Morris stated that Marina staff had previously made this suggestion and that monies budgeted for boat shows were deleted in the 1992-93 budget process. Mr. Schwobel suggested that he could share his booth with the Marina and possibly the Lexington, etc. , and call it the Corpus Christi Booth. ADJOURNMENT: As there was no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. '`✓ s-VfriAd: S. u orris Marina Superintendent SM/bkb 3