HomeMy WebLinkAbout027851 RES - 09/09/2008RESOLUTION
ESTABLISHING THE CITY COUNCIL'S GUIDANCE ON THE
INSTALLATION OF BOLLARDS SEAWARD OF THE PADRE ISLAND
SEAWALL TO ADDRESS SAFETY ISSUES RELATED TO THE
ERODING BEACH BETWEEN RENOURISHMENT EFFORTS
WHEREAS, erosion has made vehicle passage dangerous in front of the concrete
seawall on Padre Island;
WHEREAS, the GLO and City are committed to renourishing the beach in front of the
concrete seawall;
WHEREAS, until the renourishment takes place, especially if further erosion occurs, the
safety situation needs to be addressed;
WHEREAS, a public vote over a complete vehicle ban on the beach seaward of the
concrete seawall would be too divisive, and not in the best interest of the City;
WHEREAS, parties on both sides of the issue of closing portions of the Gulf of Mexico
beach to vehicles, including Padre Island Business Association, Beach Access
Coalition, and Surfrider Foundation have expressed a desire to compromise on the
issue of vehicles on the beach seaward of the concrete seawall;
WHEREAS, the City Council has expressed desire to implement a compromise solution
to address the safety issues and conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles on this
stretch of beach;
WHEREAS, on August 19, 2008, a compromise was presented to the City Council, and
received the Council's full support;
WHEREAS, the City Council voted to put a measure on the November 2008 ballot that
allows the voters to authorize restrictions on vehicular access to and on the Gulf beach
seaward of portions of the concrete Padre Island Seawall where the width of the beach
between the toe of the seawall and mean high tide is less than 150 feet.
WHEREAS, the ballot measure, if adopted, and is approved by the General Land
Office, would authorize the City Council to adopt an ordinance that designates the
portion of the City's Gulf of Mexico beach seaward of the concrete Padre Island seawall
as a pedestrian safe area and closes the beach seaward of the concrete seawall to all
vehicular traffic by prohibiting driving on the portion of the beach with a width of less
than 150 feet between the toe of the seawall and mean high tide;
WHEREAS, the ordinance will provide an exception that allows emergency vehicles,
vehicles used to maintain the beach, and vehicles used to provide beach related
services under a permit issued by the City to drive on the portions of the beach
otherwise closed to vehicles;
Seawall Bollard Resolution -- 09092008a
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WHEREAS, members of the public have sought greater specificity on the nature of
measures that will be adopted by the City Council if the ballot measure is adopted; and
WHEREAS, if the ballot measure is adopted and approved by the General Land Office,
the City will work with the GLO, the Corps of Engineers, etc. to ensure that the beach is
renourished as expeditiously as possible and ongoing studies will determine how to
maintain the beach on a continuing basis.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS:
SECTION 1. If ballot measure No 8, as authorized by Ordinance No. 027813, is
adopted by the voters on November 4, 2008, the City Council will consider an ordinance
that:
a. Temporarily restricts vehicles in front of the concrete Padre Island seawall
when and where width is less than 150 feet.
b. Directs the installation of rows of bollards parallel to the seawall, which will be
installed to maintain vehicle lanes.
(1) One row of bollards will preserve a 25' wide pedestrian safe space
adjoining the seawall.
(2) A second row of bollards to allow two-way vehicle passage if there is
no through -access, and one-way traffic if there is through -access.
(3) Areas for head -in parking, seaward of and parallel to the first row will
be provided.
(4) The bollards will be placed so as to maximize the area of pedestrian -
safe beaches near the shore in front of the seawall, while still maintaining
vehicle -lanes.
(5) The bollards will extend northward towards the south jetty.
(6) The bollards north of the seawall will be oriented so as to allow close
water access near jetty.
SECTION 2. The exact orientation of bollards will be discussed at Water/Shore
Advisory Committee meeting in September, 2008, and a recommendation brought to
council at first opportunity after Committee adopts a recommended ordinance.
SECTION 3. The Council will undertake efforts to restore the beach in front of the
seawall to a minimum width of 200 feet.
Seawall Bollard Resolution -- 09092008a
ATTEST:
THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
Armando Chapa e ry Garr
City Secretary Mayor
APPROVED: 9th day of September, 2008.
R. JR
ng
First Assistant ity Attorney
For City Attorney
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The above resolution was passed by the following vote:
Henry Garrett
Melody Cooper
Larry Elizondo, Sr.
Mike Hummel)
Bill Kelly
Priscilla G. Leal
John E. Marez
Nelda Martinez
Michael McCutchon
Seawall Bollard Resolution -- 09092008a
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