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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks And Recreation Advisory Committee - 03/11/2020 PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Regular Meeting * Wednesday, March 11, 2020 5:30 p.m. Basement Training Room, City Hall * 1201 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, TX 78401 MINUTES I. Call to Order by Dotson Lewis at 5:31 p.m. II. Roll Call of Members: Dotson Lewis, Jerry Plemons, Bobby Broderick, Amy McCoy, Alissa Mejia, Casandra Lorentson, Mandy Cox, Howard Schauer, Florence East, Hannah Husby and Twila Stevens. Absent: Bobby Broderick III. Public Comment – None. IV. Adoption of Minutes - Regular meeting – Adoption of Minutes from February 12, 2020 – Approve minutes with amendment to add discussion of Padre Island ADP Advisory Committee Meetings scheduled for March. 1st, Jerry Plemons, 2nd, Alissa Mejia, Unanimous thereafter. V. Police Department Report – No Report. Lieutenant James McCarty was in attendance. He provided information on North Beach and Blucher Park. The North Beach bath houses are currently closed for renovation. Blucher Park is being patrolled by the CC Police Enduro Bike Unit and the vagrancy problem is much improved, however the offenders are aware of Enduro’s patrol schedule and tend to return to the park once the unit has patrolled and left the area. VI. Presentations Athletics – Overview provided by Martin Huerta, Athletics Program Manager. The presentation reviewed the available athletic facilities, along with the available Youth, Mini Youth, Adult, and Summer Camp Programs available to the Corpus Christi public. The department has implemented a few new sports – Pickleball, and Indoor Soccer and the department has a vision of possible nontraditional sports in the future – Adaptive Sports, Esports, Spike ball, First-Tee, and Fowling. The department is always open for suggestions of new sports activities. It generally takes a year preparation before a new program is presented and available to the public. VII. Old Business and Possible Action  None VIII. New Business for Discussion and Possible Action  Park Ambassador Program – Assistant Director, Becky Perrin explained the program. There will be an application process with an agreement to become a Park Ambassador. The expectation for recognition for deserving Park Ambassadors will involve a nomination process, checkoff list and some type of recognition or award for those Park Ambassadors.  Collier Pool Update – Assistant Director, Joe Johnson reported the Collier Pool Heater had begun to malfunction in late 2019. In January 2020, Texas Burner and Boiler and Progressive Pools had determined there was damage to the heat exchange unit and the side wall of the heater. The damage was caused from incorrect wiring of the unit when originally installed. If left in operation, there was a high potential of fire. As a result, the decision was made to replace the heater. After quotes were obtained and a company chosen, the new heater was installed at a cost of $25,000. Due to the expense of replacing the heater, the Aquatics Budget has been greatly impacted. Mr. Johnson stated that due to the costly expense, the department would like the Advisory Committee to consider, when the time comes that the current heater should need replacement or no longer function properly, closing the Collier pool permanently during the winter months. Currently the pool only services about 20 swimmers during the winter months, at an estimated cost of $11,000/month to operate during that same time period (cost includes staffing, maintenance, chemicals, and electrical). Mr. Johnson asked the Committee to determine if the pool was worth staying open when it was used by only about 20 patrons, plus the department continually receives complaints when the pool temperature falls below 80 degrees. IX. Committee, Liaison/Staff Reports –  Island Strategic Action Committee (ISAC) – Advisory Committee Area Development Plan (ADP) Meetings were recently held 1) Padre Island and 2) Flour Bluff. Each ADP will hold a public meeting scheduled later in March. There may be problems in receiving assistance from FEMA for the Packery Channel repairs. FEMA is still in discussion. Bond Issues – under bridge – received report and issues flood not covered in bulkhead. Park 22 bridge approved for permit.  Watershore & Beach Advisory Committee – Held a meeting last week. North Beach Bath houses are being renovated. Working on plan to make them safe for use. Handout flyers are being created to provide to the public about riptide and beach conditions.  London & Southside Area Advisory Committee – The London and the Southside ADP Ordinances both go before City Council for approval on March 27th. The City held surveys for public input on the London and Southside ADPs. Future committee and public meetings will be scheduled to continue discussion on Land Use maps and the area development.  Flour Bluff Advisory Committee – The current plan in discussion is part wish list/part needs list for the area, addressing drainage and infrastructure. The Planning department and Freese and Nichols have been very thorough and organized in their process. The next community meeting is scheduled for March 25th. X. Director Reports – Jermel Stevenson, Director  The Ordinance accepting Parks arts Leisure Services (PALS) donation of $180,000 was presented at the February 25th City Council Meeting.  The Department is currently in discussions with Whataburger Field regarding the use of the field for the Games of Texas Opening Ceremonies. Whataburger officials seemed very positive about the idea and suggested delaying their regular game start time until after the ceremonies concluded. In addition, they suggested the participants and families of the Games of Texas stay and watch the baseball game, and afterwards enjoy the fireworks.  The Sign unveiling Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday March 14 at 10am at Sherrill Veterans Memorial Park at Water’s Edge. Everyone is invited to attend. Becky Perrin, Assistant Director –  Latchkey – Spring Break Vacation Station – Hours of operation 7:30am to 6:00pm. Galvan Elementary in process this week - March 9 through 13. The cost is $30 and includes breakfast, lunch, and a snack). Next week, Spring Break vacation station located at Magee Elementary (Calallen) March 16 through 20. The cost is $20 and includes a small breakfast and snack; lunch is not included.  Spring break basketball camp began March 9 at CC Gym and ended today.  Pop-Up and Play at McCaughan Park in the Water’s Edge held March 7-8 and this coming weekend March 14-15.  Recreation Centers – Centers are following springs break schedule. The hours of operation are opening later – 12pm through 5:30pm because the children are not getting up and out early, so the hours accommodate their schedule. Dates are March 9-13.  Games of Texas – The Department would like to ask committee members to volunteer for shifts of 4 hrs. each. Whatever you can do is appreciated.  LaBonte Park for Easter Reservations – The reservation is for 3-day camping, The Department is accepting Online. There is a total of 120 campsites, 40 spots still available.  Hooked on Fishing Camps – The dates are March 10, 11, 12 (1/2 day) – Ages 8-16. Youth learn to Bait, hook, and get to go to the hatchery and fish. Day Camp - $30, and ½ Day is $15. Joseph Johnson, Assistant Director –  Spring Break – Everything is going well; receiving good reports from Beach Operations.  The new Je’Sani Smith Beach Safety Alert features electronic message board effective February 28th. Ms. Denson created the Beach safety task force to raise awareness about beach safety after losing her son to a rip current in 2019.  Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies - The Water’s Edge playground Fall zone has been rescheduled. The Packery Channel pavilion ribbon cutting is scheduled for 3/25 at 10am.  Splash Park – Phase One – Broke ground at Lindale.  Cole Park Pier – working on Design Ideas  Parking at Cole Park has been an ongoing issue. Plans are to lock the gate at night to deter the nearby condo residents from parking. In addition, Parks will install a “No Parking” sign. XI. Committee Member Comments/Announcements/Agenda Requests –  Bond Issue  Pools Update  Information on fountain at American Bank Center arena XII. Adjournment at 7:01 p.m.