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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee - 08/09/2023 ' CitCit`' of Corpus Christi 1201 Leopard Street y Corpus Christi,Texas forward.cctexas.com Meeting Minutes Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Wednesday,August 9,2023 5:30 PM City Hall, Basement Training Room A. Call To Order/Roll Call The meeting was called to order and a quorum was established with Duke Canchola absent. B. Public Comment John Weber at 609 Naples Street spoke to replacing or adding gollfcarts/ATV's that are electric instead of diesel fueled golf carts. He believes electric golf carts are more affordable, have low maintenance and zero emissions. He also spoke to the need for more tree planting, the benefits of trees and how trees have more longevity compared to built shade structures. Barton Bailey at 4006 Green Grove Drive spoke in support of the proposal to prohibit smoking in all City parks. He believes the Resolution will send a strong message to City Council that parks should be a clean/green space for residents to enjoy healthy activities. He felt that a majority of residents do not engage in smoking and the City can be considered a non-smoking community. This type of initiative encourages healthy behaviors and can give patrons the ability to ask others around them to refrain from smoking. Jonathan Martinez, Coalition Coordinator for Project HOPE at the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation spoke to a proposal of a City ordinance that would prohibit engaging in smoking or vaping in any City park. He stated he has communicated with certain experts like from the MD Anderson Cancer Center and concluded that health/safety codes are not subject to State House Bill 2127. He stated the Health District supports effective public health interventions to reduce second hand smoke. He felt that Parks and Recreation Facilities encourage healthy living and smoking/exposure to second hand smoke does not help with this strategy. He stated that adding proper signage/recepticles throughout parks for enforcement/education can aid in high ordinance compliance and reduce litter and negative peer pressure with youth. Letters supporting the prohibition of smoking in all City parks were also submitted to the Committee from the following individuals which were read into the record: - Claudia Rodas, Director- Southern Region Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids - Jaqueline Gutierrez at 6433 South Staples Street - Sylivia Mejia at 279 West Longview Street City of Corpus Christi Page 1 Printed on 911512023 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes August 9,2023 Committee C. Approval of Absences: Duke Canchola & Chris Ardueser A motion was made by Twila Stevens to approve the absences listed above and it was seconded by Adam Rios. The motion passed. D. Approval of Minutes 1. 23-1274 Regular Meeting Minutes of July 12, 2023 A motion was made by Linda Lindsey to approve the minutes listed above and it was seconded by Flo East. The motion passed. E. Director's Report 2. 23-1275 Parks & Recreation Department Updates -August 2023 Tyler Florence, Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation Department, gave the following updates: - Community Engagement Meeting for the Commodore Park Master Plan - Submarine Sail for Sherrill Park -Veteran Beach Passes - FY 24 Budget Priorities: Community Input Sessions -Water Sport Launching Sites -August Items for City Council - Good News: Beach Wheelchairs F. Unfinished Business for Discussion or Possible Action 3. 23-1276 Resolution Supporting the Prohibition of Smoking/Vaping in all Corpus Christi Parks. Chair Mejia began discussion with a few points to consider. She mentioned that a large number of schools are closely adjacent to City parks which can encourage youth to traverse into park property to engage in smoking activities. She stated that the Committee received a letter from the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Health District supporting a resolution to prohibit smoking in City parks. Lieutenant Kody Harrison with the Corpus Christi Police Department was in attendance and he answered Committee questions regarding enforcement through education. He felt that this type of ordinance should not be hard to enforce. Violations are not criminal and are similar to a parking ticket in which are resolved through the Municipal Court. Continued discussion took place regarding consideration towards other open spaces like beaches/golf courses or more specifically using the term "Parkland" in the Resolution. It was clarified that some of these tyes of open spaces have their own current City of Corpus Christi Page 2 Printed on 911512023 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes August 9,2023 Committee ordinances allowing for enforcement. Thomas Cronnon suggested adding to the Resolution the phrase "with potential exemptions including beaches and golf courses". A motion was made by Flo East to approved the Resolution to include the suggested phrase above for potential exemptions. The motion was seconded by Twila Stevens and the motion passed unanimously. G. New Business for Discussion or Possible Action 4. 23-1315 Nominations & Action Regarding Vice Chair Elections A motion was made by Thomas Cronnon nominating Linda Lindsey as Chair. No other nominations were presented. The motion was seconded by Flo East and the motion passed. 5. 23-1316 Possible Change in PRAC Meeting Schedule - Second Wednesday of the Month vs. First Wednesday A motion to table this item was made by Howard Schauer so that new PRAC members coming on board in September can be made aware and participate in the vote. The motion was seconded by Thomas Cronnon and the motion passed. 6. 23-1310 PRAC Update to City Council Chair Mejia will be giving a presentation on August 15, 2023 to City Council regarding Committee updates/accomplishments to date. She went over this presentation with the Committee to inform them of the specific items of importance. The presentation included the following information: - PRAC Strategic Action Plan with Priorities including Pedestrian & Bicycle Connectivity efforts - Communication: QR Code Signage throughout parks regarding Improvements/Adopt-A-Park. - PRAC Webpage created to aggregate the Committee's information in one place. - PRAC Playbook: A guide for PRAC members, by PRAC members. -Adopt-A-Park: PRAC Subcommittee created to increase effectiveness of the program. - Joint Resolution passed in January for an Erosion Response Plan - Further projects the Committee is tracking. No action was taken on this item. H. Subcommittee &Committee Liaison Reports Twila Stevens - ISAC Liaison Report: - Public Comment Summary - Commodore Master Plan Community Engagement Comments - Packery Channel Clean-Up - Beach Ops Efforts in Beach Clean-Up - Relocation of Ballards at Michael Ellis Beach City of Corpus Christi Page 3 Printed on 911512023 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes August 9,2023 Committee - Packery Channel Restoration Project - Island Mobility Survey Howard Schauer-WBAC Liaison Report: - Decline Beach Permit Sales - Shoreline Erosion Survey -Approval of Bylaws - NPID Seawal (Erosion) -Approval of a Resolution for a Rate of Pay Increase for Gulf Beach Lifeguards A motion of support was made by Thomas Cronnon for the WBAC Resolution to increase the rate of pay for gulf beach lifeguards. The motion was seconded by Twila Stevens and the motion passed unanimously. Adopt-A-Park - Linda Lindsey: The Ceremonial meeting recognizing Adopt-A-Park participants has been rescheduled to the August 29, 2023 City Council meeting; discussed suggestions to improve signage due to heavy winds. I. Future Agenda Items - Resolution prohibiting smoking in all City parks - Harbor Bridge Parks J. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 7:20:pm City of Corpus Christi Page 4 Printed on 911512023