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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee - 10/12/20221201 Leopard Street Corpus Christi, Texas forward.cctexas.com City of Corpus Christi Meeting Minutes Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee 5:30 PM City Hall - 6th Floor Conference RoomWednesday, October 12, 2022 Call To Order/Roll CallA. Chair Mejia called the meeting to order and a quorum was established with Duke Canchola and Hannah Husbey absent. Public CommentB. Melanie Salinas at 2521 Windrose addressed the Committee and expressed concerns for the restricted use of bicycles in the skate park at Cole Park. She felt that, moving forward, bicycles should be considered as an allowed recreation in the skate park once renovations to the skate park are complete. She stated that not having bicycles as an allowed option contributes to safety concerns when used in other areas not intended for bicycle use. Approval of Absences: None.C. Approval of MinutesD. 1.22-1690 Regular Meeting Minutes of September 6, 2022 A motion was made by Thomas Cronnon to approve the minutes with an amendment to the section regarding Riley P. Dog Park (page 3). The sentence should read as follows: "Once Staff receives responses from the RFP, it will be determined whether or not the project can be completed with the proposed $375k. If it cannot, the scope of work will be reduced or the project will not move forward." The motion was seconded by Howard Schauer and the motion passed. Police Report: Lt. Kody Harrison: None.E. Director's ReportF. Robert Dodd, Director of Parks and Recreation, gave an update on City Council items. A motion was approved authorizing the purchase of a replacement playground unit with attached shade structure for Bill Witt Park (9/20/2022). A motion to approve repairs and improvements to the Art Center of Corpus Christi will be presented to City Council on October 11, 2022; a motion awarding a construction contract for the Salinas Park improvements project will be presented on October 25, 2022 with FY 2023 funding available from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Page 1City of Corpus Christi Printed on 11/11/2022 October 12, 2022Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Other Department updates include: • Staff will request to have Sports Commissioner, Joey Jewell, attend the November PRAC meeting. • Parker Park will be mowed today for the Flour Festival this weekend. • Park Operations has confirmed that the plugs at Sherril Park are operational. • For the Riley P. Dog Park, Assistant Director, Kevin Johnson, scheduled a meeting with Water Utilities/Engineering for Friday afternoon which will need to be rescheduled. • Staff has been in communication with our Legal Department and it is intended to have them attend the November PRAC meeting. In response to Howard Schauer's request from the September PRAC meeting, Mr. Dodd provided information on the following memorials: • The “Aviator” at Ropes Park was donated by NAS Corpus Christi. The City retained ownership of the statue after installation and is responsible for maintenance. • Nueces County Victims Memorial Garden at Oleander Park was donated by the Owner, Nueces County Victims’ Memorial Garden. The memorial was installed by the owner and they are also responsible for maintenance. The City accepted the garden for the benefit of the public. Tyler Florence, Assistant Director Parks and Recreation, gave an update on Adopt-A-Park. He stated the Department is continuing to explore how best to make park adoption (availability) information accessible to the public. Since very few parks are completely unavailable (e.g., leased out or have every space adopted), it may be easier to publish the list of parks that are unavailable instead of vice versa. Discussion took place regarding the application process and how long it can take depending on the scope of activities for the volunteer group. To help with community engagement/promote the program, Flo East also suggested if it is possible to include an insert with City utility bills. Unfinished Business for Discussion & Possible ActionG. 2.22-1757 Draft of Strategic Action Plan 2022 Chair Mejia presented this item for the record as shown above. She explained that per City Code of Ordinances, PRAC advises the City Council on matters related to all public parks and buildings, public outdoor recreation areas and centers, and any other grounds placed under its purview by the City Manager; Strategy 4.1.4 of the Parks & Recreation 10-year Master Plan, adopted in 2022, cites that PRAC prepare a Strategic Action Plan that clearly defines their roles and priorities for plan implementation. The strategic planning process will enable Committee members to clearly define how they will undertake responsibilities with the support of PARD staff. Responsibilites must be aligned on a series of focused initiatives/activities to ensure that collective energies are leveraged to the maximum extent possible. The Committee should exercise their Page 2City of Corpus Christi Printed on 11/11/2022 October 12, 2022Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes advisory influence in a concentrated and effective manner. Establishing this alignment of purpose must be shared among the Committee members themselves and must incorporate the professional input of PARD staff. A draft of the Plan was provided detailing their mission, vision, and goals/initiatives. The draft will be finalized by January 2023 in time for newly appointed members. The Committee discussed forming a subcommittee. The following members volunteered for the subcommittee: Alissa Mejia, Thomas Cronnon, Chris Ardueser, Linda Lindsey and Robert McNabney. A motion was made by Thomas Cronnon supporting the creation of the subcommittee and it was seconded by Robert McNabney. New Business for Discussion & Possible ActionH. 3.22-1759 Conceptual Renderings for the Cole Park Master Plan & Labonte Master Plan PRAC held discussions and gave feedback on the conceptual renderings for both Cole Park and Labonte Park Master Plans. Staff informed the Committee this item is tentatively scheduled for the October 25, 2022, City Council meeting. The comments were positive, and members favored the renderings. Concern for Oleander Point at Cole Park was mentioned regarding retaining the open space for wind surf launching and retaining the rinsing pad; concern for the stairs leading down to the shore which are in bad condition. A point of concern was brought up for how landscaping would be irrigated at both Parks and general maintenance with regard to environmental elements; regarding if erosion control is considered within the Master Plans. Staff mentioned that implementing/developing the Plans would take a phased approach as funds are available. Chair Mejia stated that PRAC should have more preliminary involvement in future park master plans moving forward and suggested they start with the master plans for Sherril Park and Commodores Park. She instructed the Committee to continue to share the Plans with their networks and to submit additional feedback via email to Staff. To move the project forward, Thomas Cronnon made a motion supporting the renderings and the City’s effort to enhance the Parks and it was seconded by Flo East. The motion passed with Howard Schauer voting in opposition. Committee Liaison ReportsI. The Island Strategic Action Committee report (ISAC) was provided by PRAC member Twila Stevens, who gave update on erosion concerns at Packery Channel Park. She said results of a tourism survey given by Visit Corpus Christi, cited concerns for greater walkability. Lifeguard stands have been removed from area beaches and lifeguards are mobile for the remainder of the season. She informed the Committee that reclaimed water is planned for Riley P. Dog Park. The beach operations maintenance facility at Commodores Park will be completed January 2023. She also gave updates on sidewalks in the areas of Park Road 22, Jackfish Avenue and Commodores Pointe. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Connectivity (PBC) report was provided by PRAC member Page 3City of Corpus Christi Printed on 11/11/2022 October 12, 2022Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thomas Cronnon, who gave an update on the southside area of Corpus Christi. He stated it was discussed that the Mobility Plan could be better implemented if areas adjacent to drainage ditches were more frequently mowed to establish bike paths. Future Agenda Items for November 9, 2022J. -Sports event facilities - Joey Jewell -Sara Jose with Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve -Riley P. Dog Park -Bicycle rules at the skate park at Cole Park -Comprehensive list of memorials (continued) AdjournmentK. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Page 4City of Corpus Christi Printed on 11/11/2022