HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee - 07/12/2023 ' CitCit`' of Corpus Christi 1201 Leopard Street
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Meeting Minutes
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee
Wednesday,July 12,2023 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 and
Chris Ardueser absent.
B. Public Comment
Rukmini Surnedi at 7829 Lovain Drive, student at Veteran's Memorial High School,
addressed the Committee and spoke to the health risks and environmental damage
caused by smoking/vaping; the effects of second hand smoke. She supports the
prohibition of smoking in all City parks.
Jonathan Martinez, Coalition Coordinator for Project HOPE at the Coastal Bend
Wellness Foundation spoke to a proposal of a City ordinance that would prohibit
smoking/vaping in all City parks. He also mentioned the health risks associated with
smoking, specifically for young adults. He believes it is beneficial to enact this type of
ordinance as it would help deter young adults from smoking. The proposed ordinance
would be environmentally beneficial and aid in park beautification efforts by reducing litter
to ensure a cleaner experience for residents/visitors.
C. Approval of Absences: Twila Stevens & Kellie Summers
A motion was made by Linda Lindsey to approve the absences listed above and it was
seconded by Howard Schauer. The motion passed
D. Approval of Minutes
1. 23®1101 Regular Meeting Minutes of June 14, 2023
A motion was made by Thomas Cronnon to approve the minutes listed above and it was
seconded by Howard Schauer. The motion passed.
E. Director's Report
Robert Dodd, Director of Parks & Recreation Department, gave the following updates:
• Budget Priorities for FY 24
• Water Sport Launching Sites
• Maximo
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• Surface Transportation Block Grant Set-Aside (STBG-SA) - Highway Safety
Improvement Projects
• PARD City Council Items for July 18, 2023
• Upcoming Events - "Beat the Heat"
• Good News
Discussion took place regarding budget priorities (two funding sources). It was clarified
that PARD priorities are associated with the Operating (maintenance) Budget. PRAC
priorities are more associated with the Capital Budget and may need more planning. The
Operational Budget can include routine maintenance items or special, one-time cost
items. The FY 24 budget process is ongoing and the City Manager will present a
recommended budget to City Council this month along with Budget Workshops in
August. The PRAC Budget Priority memo has been forwarded to the City Manager and
will be taken into consideration during Capital Budget discussions.
F. New Business for Discussion or Possible Action
3. 23-1145 Discussion Regarding a Proposal to Prohibit Smoking in all City Parks.
As part of the Director's report (Item 1), Mr. Dodd, along with City Attorney, Adelita
Cavada, gave some background information and an initial response from the City Legal
Department regarding the proposed ordinance. On May 23, 2023, PARD received a
formal request from the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation(CBWF)/Project HOPE
proposing an ordinance for a city-wide, smoking ban in City parks. A representative,
Jonathan Martinez, from CBWF attended the June 14, 2023, PRAC meeting to speak to
this request during Public Comment. Mr. Dodd informed the Committee that Blucher Park
is currently the only City park in which smoking/vaping is prohibited by City ordinance in
2019. Other cities that have enacted no smoking ordinances include Dallas, Houston and
San Antonio.
A city-wide, smoking ban for parks may be preempted by the recent HB2121 bill signed
by the Governor, also known as the "Death Star Bill", for home-rule municipalities. This
Bill is expansive and vague, severely limiting cities to be able to enact local
ordinances/policies and overturns laws that conflict with the Bill. More research is needed
to fully comprehend which of our local ordinances are preempted & now illegal. Ms.
Cavada stated that parks/beaches are within the scope of the Texas Local Government
Code and the Natural Resources Code. With direction/consideration from City
Council/City Manager, the Legal Department will perform research to ensure this type of
ordinance is not initially preempted. PRAC may choose to recommend a Resolution for
City Council consideration regarding a smoking ban in all City parks.
The floor was opened for Committee comments/questions. Discussion took place
regarding who would enforce the ordinance and how the ordinance would be enforced.
Would it be enforced in the same way as alcohol violations in City parks are handled?
Also, once adopted, how would the public be informed of the ordinance. If adopted,
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signage is recommended throughout all parks, informing the public of violation fees.
PRAC also inquired on statistics regarding violations/citations issued by the Police
Department regarding juvenile smoking/litter/alcohol violations. PRAC requested that an
officer/representative attend the meeting in August to provide insight.
Some PRAC members felt that more time is needed to make an informed decision. A
motion was made by Howard Schauer to table this item to the August 9, 2023 PRAC
meeting. Tabling this item would allow PRAC to make a more informed decision to
possibility act on a Resolution recommending an ordinance for City Council
consideration. The motion was seconded by Linda Lindsey and the motion passed. In the
meantime, Chair Mejia would like to draft a Resolution to be prepared for the August 9th
PRAC meeting.
G. Subcommittee &Committee Liaison Reports
Pedestrian/Bicycle Subcommittee: Adam Rios expressed interest in joining this
subcommittee as Chair Mejia will no longer be able to serve. A motion was made by
Thomas Cronnon nominating Adam Rios to the subcommittee and it was seconded by
Twila Stevens. The motion passed.
Adopt-A-Park: Linda Lindsey gave an update on QR code signage for adopt-a-park and
park improvements. Initial signs informing of park improvements have been placed at key
locations such as Sherwood Park (dog park), Cricket Field at Greenwood, Bill Witt
Aquatic Center, and North Beach Restroom Facility. At the August 15, 2023 City Council
meeting, current Adopt-A-Park partners will be recognized for their contributions.
Bayside Area Development Plan/Strategice Action Plan: Chair Mejia stated that
committee/community engagement for the Bayside ADP has been slated for August.
Chair Mejia gave an update on the PRAC website; recommended that the Strategic
Action Plan may need minor updates the following year regarding new goals/priorities as
new members come on board.
H. Future Agenda Items
- Chair Elections (Vice-Chair in September)
- Possible Schedule Change for Day of PRAC Meeting
- Foresight Golf- Gabe Lozano Update
- No Smoking Ordinance (with PD representative)
I. Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
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