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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Watershore And Beach Advisory Committee - 11/05/2020 WATERSHORE AND BEACH ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Regular Called Meeting Thursday, November 5, 2020 5:30 pm WEBEX – Meeting Number: 146 042 4234 | Password; VeFxPiQE834 Join by phone: 1-408-418-9388 Members Present Members Absent Staff Present Terry Palmer Larisa Ford Harrison McNeil Lauren Williams Jyoti Patel Mukesh Subedee Meredith Darden Philippe Tissot Daniel Mazoch Darren Gurley Martha Lawhon I. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 5:39 pm. ll. ROLL CALL The roll was called, and a quorum was present III. EXCUSED ABSENCES: Philippe Tissot, Meredith Darden, Daniel Mazoch Jyoti made a motion to excuse last month’s absences, Mukesh seconded, unanimously approved. Motion passed. IV. ADOPTION OF MINUTES Minutes from the October 8, 2020 meeting were distributed for review. Larisa made a motion to accept the minutes, Harrison seconded, unanimously approved. Motion passed. V. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC There were several persons from the Je’Sani Smith Foundation in attendance; Kiwana Denson, Lucy Kernan & Belinda DeLaCruz. Cliff was also in attendance and wanted to ask the committee to take up several issues: the lifeguard program (training, time on the beach, and funding), restricting access to the jetty when there are storm conditions and the flag system. Kiwana spoke about the need for more safety measures and Belinda spoke about the need for more awareness. Vl. BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION/POSSIBLE ACTION 1 New Business a. City Lifeguard Program Philippe want this committee to make recommendations that other committees can only talk about. He believes that with Darren on this committee, WBAC would have better access to feedback. The recommendations would be regarding additional funding for the lifeguard program, the lifeguards’ time on the beach and more training. Darren then spoke of the existing lifeguard program. He spoke about the numbers of guards, where they patrol and the hours that they patrol. Regarding the training, Darren relayed that the lifeguards are trained according to USLA but that our program is not certified because of the lack of “timed” swimmers. Harrison asked about recruitment; Darren said that this was not a problem last year, we had plenty of applicants. There was a discussion regarding the pay and the numbers of guards in Port Aransas; Darren explained that the Port Aransas program is a much smaller program; less guards and better pay. Harrison noted that WBAC needs to recommend more funding for this program. Next the issue of what time the guards would be on the beach was discussed. Lauren asked if the committee could get more information on the lifeguard numbers, incidents, weather conditions, and other issues. Lauren suggested that it might be better for a recommendation if the committee relays what the additional funds would be used for. Terry inquired about life guarding statistics and Darren said he will bring those next time. Lauren also recommended that next month we put together a motion and back it up with the numbers Darren will provide. Philippe has a tentative recommendation prepared but will meet with Darren 2 C:\Users\NormaD2\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Outlook\C1K8JZ51\November.doc before the next meeting for more information. Philippe reported to the group that the statistics show that more people drown, or near down in perfectly average conditions. Terry suggested that they form a subcommittee to work on this recommendation. The subcommittee will be Terry, Philippe, Lauren and Harrison. b. Safety around the Packery Channel Darren and Billy (Beach Ops Supervisor) are working on this, trying to figure out the best way to accomplish it. The barricade, or whatever is going to be used will be set at the water line. Darren thinks the biggest problem will be getting the fishing people off the jetty. We are also getting more instructional signs for the area. Philippe wanted to thank Darren for getting the signs back up at the jetty. c. Beach Flag Warning System Darren reported that the flag system used by Beach Rescue is from the USLA and the International Lifesaving Committee. The criteria is: Green – 0 to 1-foot waves and winds < 10 MPH. Yellow – 1 to 2-foot waves and winds >15 MPR. Red - > 2-foot waves and winds > 15 MPH. Once the flag warning is determined that determination is emailed to the County, the State Parks and about 50 other people. The flags are displayed at all the beach entrances and on the lifeguard stands, when the stands are being used. There was general agreement that the currently-used flag system should be kept. Regarding the rip current warnings, Darren uses the National Weather Service as the determining factor for Reverse Alerts. 2. Old Business a. Signage – City vs County Meredith was not available this meeting to discuss. b. Packery Jetties – Repairs Darren has not heard anything regarding this. c. North Beach Parking Lots This passed and is on the Bond, so it will get done. VlI. PARK AND RECREATION ACTION COMMITTEE – Howard Schauer Howard did not attend this meeting but did email that the North Beach project includes a completely new facility and parking lot. The project will be managed by Engineering and Asset Management. VlII. ISAC Report Terry reported that ISAC was meeting this evening because the election was on Tuesday, their regular day. Terry did relay some of the agenda items and Darren did note that he has received the permit to dredge Packery Channel. lX. STAFF LIAISON REPORT Darren reported that Beach Operations is busy removing sand from the seawall. There is a surfing competition this weekend in front of the seawall. The signs got put back up at the Packery Channel and new gates have been ordered for all the access roads. Beach Operations is working on the showers, they have ordered “shower towers”. Darren is still waiting on Diedre’s survey, that’s needed to know where the dune lines are. Once that is known Beach Operations can get the beach markers and trash cans back. The North Beach Association group did an Adopt A Park event; they put in signs, bollards and did a beach cleanup and Darren wanted to give them a shout out. The re-nourishment is with FEMA and the GLO and Darren has not heard when this might happen. X. IDENTIFY ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON NEXT AGENDA 1. City Lifeguard Program 2. Safety around the Packery Channel 3. Beach Flag Warning System 4. Signage – City vs County 5. Packery Jetties – Repairs 6. Beach Maintenance Plan Xl. ADJOURNMENT As there was no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:56 pm.