HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee - 04/12/2023 ' CitCit`' of Corpus Christi 1201 Leopard Street
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Meeting Minutes
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee
Wednesday,April 12,2023 5:30 PM City Hall,6th Floor Conference Room
A. Call To Order/Roll Call
Chair Mejia called the meeting to order and a quorum was established with no absences.
B. Public Comment
Eliza Cushing, at 14017 North Cabana, spoke to the high demand of pickle ball courts on
North Padre Island(Commodore Park). She also spoke to excessive noise coming from
the City's storage facility on the Island (next to the Fire Department).
Bob Cushing, at 14017 North Cabana, spoke to the future Commodore Park Master
Plan/Bond 2022.
Jim Sullivan at 4010 San Fernando Place, spoke to the plans for the installation of a
submarine sail at Sherrill Park.
Kris O'Neal, Athletics Director at Tuloso-Midway ISD, spoke to West Guth Park and
proposed a partnership with the City to grade a football field on a portion of open space
at the Park. He said that the middle school and youth leagues currently use that space for
practice.
C. Approval of Absences: Duke Canchola & Linda Lindsey
A motion was made by Vice Chair Stevens to approve the absences listed above and it
was seconded by Robert McNabney.
D. Approval of Minutes
1. 23-0641 Special Meeting Minutes of March 1, 2023 & Regular Meeting Minutes of March
8, 2023
Howard Schauer requested that a correction be made to the March 8, 2023 minutes
under Future Agenda Items referencing the Sea Turtles. He requested that the item be
more specific in also stating a Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement. A motion was
made by Howard Schauer to approve both minutes from March 1 st and March 8th with
the above listed correction. The motion was seconded by Linda Lindsey and the motion
passed.
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E. Director's Report
2. 23-0646 Parks & Recreation Department Updates -April 12, 2023
Robert Dodd, Director of Parks & Recreation Department, presented item "2" for the
record. Mr. Dodd gave updates on the following items:
- Community Engagement Plan for Commodore Master Plan
- Community Engagement Plan for Marina Master Plan
- Cole Park Splash Pad
- Spring Break Statistics
- CC SSN-705 Submarine Sail
- Forecast on City Council Items
- Upcoming Events
For the Commodore Master Plan Community Engagement Group, PRAC assigned Flo
East, Linda Lindsey, Thomas Cronnon, Twila Stevens and Duke Canchola as
representatives.
For the Marina Master Plan Community Engagement Group, PRAC assigned Robert
McNabney, Chris Ardueser and Kellie Summers as representatives.
F. New Business for Discussion & Possible Action
3. 23-0643 Updates on Downtown Parks: Presentation by Alyssa Mason, Executive
Director, Downtown Management District
Alyssa Barrera Mason presented item "3" as shown above for the record. Included in the
update were La Retama Park, Artesian Park and Norma Urban Park. The Downtown
Management District (DMD) have adopted both La Retama and Artesian Parks. She
presented "before & after" pictures of both parks to show the progression of
improvements they have made. For Norma Urban Park, she discussed DMD's proposal
plans for temporary activation for the summer season. She discussed some revitalization
efforts to the Park such as repairing the concrete pad and tree planting. Ms. Barrera
Mason stated that they will be requesting funding for this project from the Downtown
Reinvestment Zone with City Council consideration/approval. After the presentation, the
floor was opened for Committee comments/questions.
4. 23-0655 Briefing on the Bill Witt Aquatic Center
Mr. Dodd gave a briefing on item "4" for the record as listed above. He stated that the
Aquatic Center was approved by City Council on April 11, 2023. The briefing included
construction scope (amenities), renderings of the aquatic center and proposed budget
for operation/maintenance and staffing.
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The Center will have one (1) competition pool. It is a short-course (25 yards), lap pool
with 10 lanes and can also be used for leisure swimming. The only long-course pool
(Olympic regulation) in the City is the Greenwood Pool at 50 meters. The Center also has
one (1) recreational pool with a body slide and other play features. Both pools will be
surrounded by spacious concrete decks with seating and shade structures.
Other Amenities include an administration building to house pool mechanical systems
(horizontal sand filter); the building includes a bathhouse. Guest parking will
accomodate137 vehicles and inlcudes a food truck, service connection area.
This pool will have "year-round" hours of operation with designated schedules for lap
swimming/open swim and events/programming before or after hours. It will be open 6
days a week with one day closed, specifically for maintenance. The only other pool in the
City with year-round operations is Collier Pool.
Primary staff for the Aquatic Center includes lifeguards & instructors; a pool mechanic
and a building/grounds custodian (both full-time). Lifeguard staffing will vary based on the
time of year (seasonal) and are part-time employees. Summer staffing will run between
Memorial Day &August (2 '/z months). For the remainder of the year, lifeguard staffing
will run from August to Memorial Day (9 '/z months). The annual probable cost for
personnel at the Aquatic Center is $280,000.
The proposed operation/maintenance budget for the first year is much greater than the
subsequent years because of the initial opening. Significant first-year, budget items
include poolside furniture (picnic tables/chairs), office furniture & lifeguard stands. The
first-year budget calculates start-up items, staffing, essential operation/maintenance
items and summer program initiatives.
The total proposed budget for the first year is approximately $881,000. The annual
probable cost (subsequent years) for Staffing, Operation/Maintenance & Summer
Program Initiatives is approximately $473,000. After Staffs presentation concluded, the
floor was opened for Committee comments/questions.
Discussion took place regarding the budget for the construction contract. Staff clarified
that Bond funds cannot be used for services/programming. The mandated budget
request ("brick & mortar") is in line with the Bond. The proposed budget for
operation/maintenance will be part of budget forecasting proposals. Other discussion
items included wages for lifeguards and a suggestion for an Aquatics Plan for all City
pools.
G. Committee Reports
5. 23-0677 Pedestrian & Bicycle Subcommittee Report: Off-Road Trail Examples
Chair Mejia gave a progress update for item "5" as shown above. Her presentation
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included photographs of off-road, trail examples that have been accomplished within the
City; photographs of other areas in which the same efforts could be done to further help
pedestrian/bicycle connectivity. These efforts are part of the PRAC Strategic Action Plan
which is also in line with the 10-year Parks & Recreation Master Plan. The Subcommittee
accomplished connecting MPO maps for ease of use to visualize a bigger picture. The
Schanen Hike & Bike Trail could be extended another 5 or 6 miles by branching off into
other high-traffic areas (beaten path) that are used informally along drainage easements.
The goal is to provide safe and accessible trails with sensible amenities such as using
decomposed granite for the trails and low-tech, directional signage. The Subcommittee
will continue to work with Public Works and Parks & Recreation Departments to assist
with these efforts.
It was noted that future agendas will list each committee/subcomitte for discussion.
H. Future Agenda Items
- Easter Holiday Statistics at Labonte Park
- Update on Park Master Plans/Public Input Process
- Status update on Bond 2022 Bond Projects
- Erosion Response Plan for Bayfront parks
- Report on any completed/ongoing maintenance/repairs of park related items
I. Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
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