Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee - 09/08/2021 ' CitCit`' of Corpus Christi 1201 Leopard Street y Corpus Christi,Texas forward.cctexas.com Meeting Minutes Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Wednesday,September 8,2021 5:30 PM Galvan House, 1st Floor-Heritage Park 1581 N.Chaparral Street, Corpus Christi,TX 78401 Regular Meeting The City of Corpus Christi promotes participation regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability or political belief. Reasonable accommodation is provided upon request and in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For assistance or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact (361) 826-3300 at least 48 hours in advance. Upon request, this information can be available in larger print and/or in electronic format. A. Call To Order Chairperson Alissa Mejia called the meeting to order at 5:45pm. B. Roll Call Chairperson Alissa Mejia performed roll call. Present: Alissa Mejia, Jacob Dryden, Florence East, Amy McCoy, Howard Schauer, Rose Harrison, Robert McNabney Absent: Twila Stevens, Lawrence Heatley, Hannah Husby, Christopher Ardueser C. Public Comment No public comment was provided. D. Approval of Minutes and Action on Absences 1. Approval of minutes for the 8/11/21 PRAC Regular Meeting A motion was made by Howard Schauer that the minutes be approved pending a request for correction of"Sherrill Memorial Park" to "Sherrill Veteran's Memorial Park". The motion carried by a unanimous vote. E. Police Department Report City of Corpus Christi Page 1 Printed on 101512021 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes September 8,2021 Committee 2. Capt. Ed Shannon - Police Department Report Lt. Harrison presented the Police Department report. - Issue with people racing again and doing donuts in the parking lot at Water's Edge Park. Considering placing gates at the entrance. Kevin Johnson clarified that it was considered but ultimately dismissed due to it being a public park. Considering speed bumps instead. - Issue with not being able to charge someone with criminal trespassing in a park. Young vs. Texas established that there isn't a law for no loitering. Instead, current practice in Texas is to make the City Manager aware of potential offenders in parks. That person can be charged with criminal trespassing for that specific park or location for 1 year with a 30-day opportunity to combat the charge. - House Bill 1925 passed recently which allows us to enforce no camping. Have written citations for it already. - Issue with abandoned belongings being taken to American Bank Center dumpsters and homeless individuals searching those dumpsters to get those abandoned belongings. On next occurrence all abandoned belongings were taken to the landfill which has slowed down the collection of debris at the seawall, surrounding parks, etc. F. Educational Topic 3. Jennifer Buxton, Assistant Director of Neighborhood Services - Homelessness Jennifer Buxton, Assistant Director of Neighborhood Services, presented the homelessness topic for PRAC. G. Unfinished Business for Discussion and Possible Action 4. TC Ayers Park Alissa Mejia: Discussed draft motion created by Twila Stevens to preserve the history of TC Ayers and his contributions to Corpus Christi. The loss of TC Ayers Pool and a large portion of the park land surrounding the pool is a significant downgrade and it was proposed that community input be sought in creation of a facility or park with equal or greater prominence than the current TC Ayers park and for that project to be included in the Parks Master Plan. Florence East: What is meant by "greater prominence"? Alissa Mejia: Ultimatley we're not sure how this will come together, so that language is a precaution. I believe that the creation of this motion is to formalize PRAC's support in public record to maintain the legacy of TC Ayers. City of Corpus Christi Page 2 Printed on 101512021 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes September 8,2021 Committee Dante Gonzalez: I don't know if PRAC wishes to make a motion on this proposed language, but there is some misinformation in this motion language. The park is actually increasing in size instead of decreasing. While park land did need to be used for the bridge column, TxDot also provided additional land in exchange to add to it. There was a land nearby with a housing unit that was going to be destroyed which is being converted into additional park land for TC Ayers Park. There will also be a walking trail system through the park connecting all of the areas. In total, TC Ayers Park is increasing from 8 acres to 10 acres. Additionally, the park name isn't going to be changed. The only significant change happening currently is the demolition of TC Ayers Pool which will turn into a green space. There's also a plan to install a shade structure to use for community events. Jacob Dryden: Is this the pedestrian part of the bridge with an access point to the park? Dante Gonzalez: Yes, there is a conversation with an entity that will be connecting those points together. Florence East: Will TxDot pay for a splash pad to be installed there? Dante Gonzalez: I'm not sure. That's a conversation we'll need to have with them. Amy McCoy: The features at TC Ayers Park need to be appropriate for the surrounding community, which isn't necessarily a water feature if there are very few families there now. I think the proposed motion is premature. Features need to be placed where they can serve the most people. Dante Gonzalez: In my perspective, I agree that it's premature. Even we in Parks and Recreation don't have definite information on the finality of the project yet, but we will always be seeking upgrades for the community. We will continue to monitor the plan and provide updates. Kevin Johnson: For the history of this pool, I would still recommend a monument or a plaque dedicated to its memory. Howard Schauer: I agree with Amy that this should be tabled until we have a site plan and additional details before we make any motions. Florence East: Is that landscape going to change a lot in the next couple of years? Dante Gonzalez: As we do more research, we'll be able to better inform PRAC of future developments. Amy McCoy: We also have to remain flexible as we discover more so that we avoid making hasty decisions. If we can continue to have updates for this topic on future City of Corpus Christi Page 3 Printed on 101512021 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes September 8,2021 Committee agendas, that would be very helpful. Dante Gonzalez: Right, and we don't know when the next big change will happen. We will continue providing updates for PRAC. PRAC and staff members decided on quarterly updates for TC Ayers Park. H. New Business for Discussion and Possible Action 5. Review of PRAC bylaws Florence East presented the current bylaws to the PRAC members and asked if any changes were desired. Jacob Warren clarified that the bylaws had not been updated since 2011 and are due for review and possible revisions. Jacob Warren: There's no expectation for the bylaws to be revised in today's meeting. This is more in line with raising awareness and provoking discussion. Jacob Dryden: When were Alissa and Twila nominated as chair and vice-chair? Alissa Mejia: That was last year. Jacob Dryden: I think that will be another discussion point since the bylaws mentions it. Jacob Warren: The language in the bylaws is vague, so it would be good to provide clarification for them with revisions. Lisa Oliver: Staff recommends PRAC nominate members for a subcommittee to review the bylaws and bring suggestions forward during the next meeting. A motion was made by Jacob Dryden to create a subcommittee to review and revise the PRAC bylaws and nominated Amy McCoy and Florence East. The motion passed unanimously. 6. Bayside Area Development Plan -Assigning a Liaison Amanda Torres from Planning presented the new Bayside Area Development Plan to PRAC and requested a liaison to represent the committee. PRAC members nominated Amy McCoy and she declined due to this being her last term. PRAC members nominated Jacob Dryden and he accepted. City of Corpus Christi Page 4 Printed on 101512021 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes September 8,2021 Committee I. Committee Liaison Reports 7. Twila Stevens, Liaison - Island Strategic Action Committee No report provided. 8. Howard Schauer, Liaison -Watershore & Beach Advisory Committee No report provided. J. Director/Assistant Director Reports 9. Kevin Johnson, Assistant Director- Replacement Trees/Operations & Maintenance Florence East: A 40-year-old tree was cut in the Flour Bluff police sub station by a contractor and I want to know how we can make sure it doesn't happen again. Dante Gonzalez: It was a contractor hired by the Engineering Department. Kevin Johnson: I'll follow up with the Engineering Department on that. Kevin Johnson: The following projects are still in progress - North Padre Island Beach Facility Maintenance project, restoration of the Sea District water fountain, Dimmit Pier parking lot, North Beach restroom facilities, parking lot, and playground. The Sherrill Veterans Memorial Park shade structure had to be pushed back to late October due to lack of materials. Currently discussing a historical sign placement at North Beach along a concrete strip between Pier 99 and an adjacent hotel. Currently discussing designs for the skate park at West Guth park and additional amenities. Discussing possibilities for replacing the shade structure at South Bay Park. Looking at erosion issues throughout several parks and working to determine a solution for them. Adding shade structures and a splash pad in Cole Park. Working on installing security cameras in Cole Park and we're in the process of hiring 3 new park enforcement officers for Cole Park and Bayfront Parks. 10. Lisa Oliver, Interim Assistant Director- Master Plan Update / Programming & Special Events Lisa Oliver: The Story Walk event will be held at Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve this Friday, we launched the after school program at the recreation center, we partnered with Reliant Energy for our Beat the Heat program at our senior centers, and we have been opening cooling centers during extreme weather. Safe Fun Fit program is also offered every Saturday. Walk With a Doc is also currently available along with Walk With a Dog every Saturday at Water's Edge Park. Jacob Dryden: Do you have an update on the Brighton Park demo? City of Corpus Christi Page 5 Printed on 101512021 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes September 8,2021 Committee Dante Gonzalez: There will be a new playground installation there next fiscal year. 11. Dante Gonzalez, Interim Director - Follow-up Items Dante Gonzalez: We're improving our lifeguard stations and increasing awareness of the flag system for our beaches. K. PRAC Member Questions / Discussion Alissa Mejia: Can we be sent invites more often for press release events, ribbon cuttings, etc.? Dante Gonzalez: Absolutely. Dante Gonzalez: Would the committee members be agreeable with implementing 5-minute time limits for our discussion topics? Some committee members agreed with the idea for the sake of time reduction and keeping meeting times at an hour maximum. No motion was made. L. Identify Items to be placed on October 13, 2021 agenda M. Adjournment This meeting may be held via videoconference call pursuant to Texas Government Code § 551.127. If this meeting is held via videoconference call or other remote method of meeting, then a member of this governmental body presiding over this meeting will be physically present at the location of this meeting unless this meeting is held pursuant to Texas Government Code § 551.125 due to an emergency or other public necessity pursuant to Texas Government Code § 551.045. City of Corpus Christi Page 6 Printed on 101512021