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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-03-13 Council Minutes - Joint Work Session with P&Z, P&R, Bicentennial Visitors & Cultural Center• RENAI CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORK 8E88ION OF Nam 13, 1995 RENAI CITY COUNCIL OW McERS 7:00 P*X* The members of the Kenai Planning &.2oning Commission, Parrs-& Recreation Commission and Kenai Bicentennial Visitors & Cultural Center Board of Directors.were invited to the work session. COUNCIL PRESENTS Williams, Bookey, Smalley, Measles, Monfor and Bannock. Councilwoman Swarner arrived at approximately 7:30 p.,m. PLANNING 6 ZONING COMMISBIONERS PRESENT: Mahurin, Werner-Quade, Walker. PARKS & RECREATION COMMIBBIONERB PREMBENT: Gifford, Castimore, Hultberg and Sandahl. KENAI BICENTENNIAL VIBITORB & CULTURAL CENTER REPRESENTATION$ Kim Booth, Executive Director; Ron Malston, Board Member and Ron Rainey, Board Member. STAFF PRESENT: Freas, Kornelis, Graves, McGillivray, Morris, Burnett (arriving at 7:30 p.m.) and Manninen. OTBERB PRESENT: Bob Peters, Dr. Peter Hansen, Loretta Breeden and Amy Gill (Clarion). OPENING OF WORK 8E881ON: Mayor Williams welcomed persons present. Councilwoman Monfor informed those present she requested the work session because of her concern for the Kenai beaches and use they receive during the summer, especially during the dipnet fisheries. Use will probably increase this summer due to the closure to fishing of the Little Susitna and Alexander Creek. Persons who would have used those fishing areas have been told by the Department of Fish & Game to fish the Kenai River instead. Monfor added she believed if they met together they might develop ideas of how to protect the beaches which include the sand dunes. Monfor stated she investigated how other areas protect their beaches. In Oregon they have developed an ordinance to keep off - road vehicles off of the beaches. People wanting to use the. beaches must park and walk to the beaches. .Monfor asked why there is a road to access the river mouth. Williams answered it is there to access private property on both.sides of the river. Those pieces of property are either owned by the city or are privately owned. Williams requested a map showing the properties on the beach area and a list of its owners. • KSNAI CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORK SESSION MARCH 13t 1995 PADS 2 Monfor added they City has about four months to get ready for the summer influx of users. She would like the City to be proactive in order to handle the activity. Monfor added Cunningham Park and the land across the river should be included in their discussions as they are affected by the summer activities as well. Monfor suggested that since the City has a fund balance, it may be necessary to use some of it to handle the summer activity. She did not consider the placement of trash facilities and proper sanitation as frivolous. The City has done a lot to encourage tourists to the area and now it is necessary for tht City to accommodate the visitors. Monfor stated she would like the Council, Parks & Recreation Commission, KBVCC and Planning & Zoning to do something that is cost efficient and do -able and can show, again, that the overlay • ordinance is not needed. Whatever is done will be newsworthy statewide. Williams suggested forbidding the use of the area for dipnetting. Smalley stated the Oregon Parks used to rent wheelbarrows to persons wanting to take items onto the beach. They also assigned certain beaches for use of motor vehicles, others not, and all were patrolled by the police. Smalley added he agreed with Monfor and suggested both sides of the Spruce Street beach be closed to motorized vehicles. Williams stated there were two items needed -- one, a color -coded map showing ownership of the property from Spruce Street on; and knowing what to do with the vehicle traffic parking when there is dipnetting activity. Loretta SrG6d0n stated she mostly agreed with Monfor. If the sand dunes are lost, the other bank will probably be lost as well. She understands there is a problem with the private property. Breeden stated she spoke with representatives from Fish & Game.They indicated the salmon allocation in Kenai may change, allowing more red salmon escapement. This may bring on more dipnetting and more fishing activity. Breeden suggested some of the problem could be alleviated if dipnetting by boat would be allowed. Breeden suggested writing to the Fish Board in and requesting a change. • KBNAI CITY COUAICIL JOINT WORK SES3ION MARCH 13, 1995 PAGE 3 Williams stated the only boat ramp close by is the City's which could be a problem. Breeden added to remember that there are commercial fishermen who use the beach to get to their sites. Monfor agreed, but they drive to the right. The left side is to.: be closed to vehicular traffic. Breeden added she believed it would be bad if the beach were closed to all vehicular traffic except the commercial fishermen. Breeden added she believed fencing off the beach road would be good. In regard to Cunningham Park, Breeden stated in the summer it is not unusual to see 90-plus people fishing along the bank. However, it gets really messy when the guide boats are launching, pickup trucks are backing down the bank, etc. Breeden suggested the City discuss the problem with Fish & Game. Teresa Warner-Quade noted the difference between a beach and a dune, reading from Design with Nature, by Ian McGard, 1971 copyright. The point being a beach is tolerant, i.e. the tide cleans it. A dune is intolerant, i.e. if they need to be crossed, there should be bridges to go over them. There should be no development on them or walking on them. Williams stated a problem is the fact that Fish & Game opens the area to dipnetting, knowing that 500-1,000 people may show up to do it. The question is how to control the dipnetters when the State has allowed the fishing. Should the City take control of the property or accommodate the fishermen. To disallow fishing, the City would have to block the road. If the dipnetting is allowed, the City needs to make a way to access the beach. Kevin Walker suggested the road be blocked off to vehicular traffic. Williams asked Attorney Graves who owns the properties and how much is in private hands. Graves stated he would have to review the plat maps and see how much value would be removed from the private hands. The road could be cabled off or parking could.be prohibited in order to channel pedestrian traffic to the beach. Bob Peters suggested if the road is closed, close it all the way and only allow access to the beach by walking down the beach. Peters added he believed enforcement would not work. Everybody ignores the signs that already exist. . KENAI CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORK SESSION MARCH 13, 1995 PAGE 4 Dick 8ultberg stated that the Parks & Recreation Commission have discussed the problem for years. Hultberg suggested (1).whatever is done, it will have to include changing habits of the users of the area and this will make some people unhappy; and, (2) it will cost money to enforce the changes. Karen Mahurin stated she thought they all agreed, the dunes need to be saved. A number of suggestions have been made, i.e. to stop fishing; keep people out. What is the Council aiming for? Williams asked how the fishing industry views the dipnetting. Should it be allowed? Dale eandahl reported he asked some of the store owners in the area how the dipnetting openings have impacted their businesses. He was told the stores do more business during the dipnetting openings than for all of the rest of the fishing from May through August and September. He believes the dipnetting openings have a significant impact on the area businesses. (NOTE: Councilwoman Swarner and Fire Chief Burnett arrived at approximately 7:30 P.M.) Sandahl continued he did not believe they could close it to fishing as it would have a very large impact. Instead, they need to find a way to accommodate the users. Sandahl suggested: a. Encourage boating for dipnetting; b. Cable the road off; c. Develop bridge access for pedestrians but consider realistic needs in order to access the beach, without walking or shuttling people from up on the hill. Karen Maburin stated she felt it would be a real disservice to the local people if the area is not allowed for dipnetting. Many local people dipnet. It's a family affair. Many people don't have boats. Dipnetting is used as subsistence. However, the dunes need to be protected. Ron Rainey agreed with Mahurin. The red salmon season is not predominately a tourist fishery, but a local fishery. However, there are many people that come to the area to fish the red season. It is a big fishery. The area needs to be kept open for dipnetting, but not a tourism thing. I KENAI CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORK SESSION MARCH 131 1995 PAGE 5 Loretta Breeden noted dipnetting is allowed for Alaska citizens only. A way needs to be found to protect the dunes. councilwoman Monfor added enforcement and sanitation need to be upgraded. Also, they need population and traffic control. More, garbage dumpsters, etc. Plus, don't forget the other side of the River. Kevin Walker suggested another possibility -- the City could acquire some of the property on the beach sides of the dunes and make a permanent asphalt parking area. The City will either have to keep people totally off or acquire, develop, and utilize the property. Something will need to be done. A large parking area wouldn't hurt much either. Monfor stated she believed there was a spot for parking now. Walker stated it would be to the left. Some of the dunes would have to be taken out in order to place the parking lot. Councilwoman Monfor suggested additional dumpster(s) be placed along the beach area and they should be there all year round. If port -a -potties are placed, they need to be cleaned often, maybe twice a day. Cunningham Park is the same. Measles stated the rental company will clean them as often as you say and pay to have them cleaned. Dr. Hansen stated a group of approximately 250 physicians will be meeting in Kenai during the summer. Hansen suggested placing a sheltered picnic area on the beach for use for cookouts, etc.. (rough -cut pavilion with picnic tables). Monfor asked if he had investigated using the Municipal Park for such a cookout. Hansen stated he had, but you couldn't see or hear the ocean from there. Monfor suggested more underbrush be removed in order to be able to see and hear the ocean from the Municipal Park picnic area. Williams asked McGillivray how bad of shape is the restroom at the beach? How much will it cost to fix it? Can it be added to? McGillivray answered the present restroom does not meet ADA requirements. There is no access for wheelchairs, etc. unless the walls would be knocked and the facility enlarged. McGillivray added the facility can continue to be used. Also, grant applications have been sent in for funding to replace that restroom. It was his and the City Engineer's recommendation that the present facility be torn down and replaced. 0 KENAI CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORK SESSION MARCH 131 1995 PAGE 6 Smalley suggested the restroom be placed. closer to the mouth of the river. McGillivray stated most of the activity, all summer long, is at the place where the restroom is now. The activity at the mouth of the river is for short periods.during the summer. The new restroom would-be the size of,ther restrooms in the other. park areas. Port-a-potties.would be placed, as in years past, when additional facilities are needed, sandahl stated enlarging and replacing the restroom facility will encourage more use of the dunes. Williams asked Council sf they were in tt beach Qhouldebeent that repiac®d?heCouncii restroom at the Spruce sree consensus was yes. Williams requested the engni�rafficronent thedraw beachproadlan andto allow blocking off of vehicular . find out the ownership of the properties along the beach. 8ultberg asked if.this would include placing bridges over the dunes. Williams asked how keeping people on a walking area would be enforced. Kim Booth suggested.placing educational signage in order to inform people what the effects are of walking on the sand dunes. Sandahl agreed. Councilwoman MQnfor suggested soliciting help from service organizations like the Lions Club, Rotary, Soy scouts, etc. for placing of signs. Ailliams stated he didn't believe the signs would get people to physically stay off the dunes. Ron Rainey suggested roping off the area, along with the signs. Karen Mahurin stated this is a serious situation and that the City should take the steps to place the..signs now before the season begins. Mayor wiliians requested Kornelis-have the Engineering Technician develop a master plan incorporating the placement of a parking lot, roping off of the dunes (the whole way down to the mouth of the river, and educational signs. KENAI CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORK SESSION MARCH 13, 1995 PAGE 7 McGillivray added a lot of people use the dunes for sunbathing areas. Williams asked if Council wanted to incorporate a pavilion into the plan, placing it further down the beach and away from the. fishing areao eandahl suggested the signs to be placed at the beach have information included as the one on the bluff regarding the mountains, fish, historical information, along with the educational information regarding the dunes. Williams suggested the signs be placed in a kiosk around the restroom area. Jack Castimore suggested sea grass could be transplanted in an area (about 401x401) to show people how the dunes can be restored. Monfor reminded Council all this cannot be done this year, but the basics can be placed, i.e. the restroom facilities, dumpsters all year long, etc. The same can be done for Cunningham Park too. Bannock stated he didn't think the signs would work. More important that the signs and fence is the.practicality issue -- what can we do to formulate a plan? Bannock suggested a parking lot be developed at which vehicles can be parked, but allow the road to be used as a loading and unloading zone. If the plan is to make people walk to the mouth of the river, they will walk on the dunes because it is the shortest way. With allowing the road to be used for loading and unloading, the people can be accommodated and the dunes can still be protected. Bannock suggested the use of a shuttle service or a drop off zone. Williams suggested that if the road is blocked off to vehicular traffic and there is a parking area, people may decide not to use the area. Bannock stated he believed there would be more people using the area this year. Relay Gifford stated she agreed with Bannock, she doesn't think the signs will work. Also, she did not think people should park along Spruce Street. Ron Rainey didn't agree with Bannock that people don't care and won't pay attention to the signs. There is a change in philosophy on the river in regard to habitat protection. N • • KENAI CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORK SESSION MARCH 13, 1995 PAGE 8 People's awareness helps. If the City wants to spend a minimal amount of money, the signs, ropes and bridges need to be placed. If they want to spend more, more can be done. Sandahl stated he totally agreed, adding he felt strongly about the educational aspect. Williams stated a plan should be developed, along with funding, to place a new restroom facility, more dumpsters and port -a - potties. As a temporary measure, they will have to try to block off vehicular traffic and try to cause people to be careful of the dunes. Smalley asked Kornelis if he could price out and develop a couple bridge access points where paths are already existing. Kornelis stated there are already paths between the dunes. Was Smalley wanting the bridges placed there? Smalley answered yes. Kornelis reminded Council there have been parking areas made along the road (pull -off spots). Williams stated the road will be blocked off. Hultberg referred to a comment made earlier and agreed that public should be made aware of the changes coming through public service announcements, etc. Monfor agreed that coverage needs to be started. Monfor added she would like to have Channel 2 News come to Kenai where they can be taken to the dunes. Have them say why the City is making these changes -- trying to save what we have. Councilwoman Sparser asked if the City had the plans for the restroom facility at the dock? Kornelis answered yes, however, that facility cost approximately $100,000. Bob Peters requested the old bridge now existing at the beach be revitalized as well. A bridge should be included in that area.to cross the dunes as people walk down over the bluff from Mission Avenue. Peters also requested something more permanent be done to keep people from driving and using Mission Avenue. Williams suggested signs be placed there saying public access is not allowed. Peters added there are many people that use a path from in front of the Kenai Bible Church to access city property. i KENAI CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORK SESSION MARCH 13, 1995 PAGE 9 Dr. Hansen stated he thought Bannock had a good idea about the parking. If there was a paved parking facility with a restroom and an individual to work 16 hours a day from June 15-August 15, it could be a drawing card for people. Williams stated he was concerned that there would not be enough room to park some of the RVs that would want to park. Councilman Bookey stated it would not hurt the local RV park business if overnight parking was not allowed. Bookey suggested a fee situation. Mahurin suggested marking the RV spaces and if the RV is too big to fit in it, they won't be allowed to park there. Broaden asked Rainey if he too believed the allocation of red salmon into the River for the sports fishermen will increase the amount of dipnetting periods. If there are more periods, the user problem will increase as well. Rainey stated he believed Fish & Game will allow 100,000 more fish in the River for sports fishing. With that many fish, there will probably be more dipnetting periods. Breeden suggested the City lobby Fish & Game to allow dipnetting by boat. Williams stated he would write a letter to the Fish & Game Board requesting they allow dipnetting by boat to alleviate the impact of dipnetting fishermen on the beach. Kornelis .noted. that people may use boats for personal use dipnetting. Boats are not allowed for subsistence fishing. Measles stated he believed the changes to be made should not be just geared toward dipnetting. There are other- uses for the beach as Dr. Hansen had mentioned and it can be used substantially by non -fishing groups. Williams stated stream rehabilitation could be incorporated. -into the master plan. Two phases = long term and short term. The plan should start with the restroom upgrade, additional dumpsters and roping off the dunes. Kornelis reminded Council they needed to plan for the addition to the Sewer Treatment Plant. The addition would be built in about three or four years. However, where it will be built is where discussion had been about placing a paved parking lot. • RffiNAI CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORK SBSSION MARCH 13o1995 PAGE 10 Kornelis suggested a circle might work as the one at the Russian River. When it is full, it is full. Kornelis added, ' the pull" off parking spots along the beach road could be encased. However, if they want to protect the dunes, the road needs to be blocked off to vehicular traffic. Measles suggested the road should no longer be graded. It was noted that if there will be dumpsters, etc. closer to the mouth of the river, the road will need to be graded in order that the service vehicles can have access. Warner -Quads suggested the road be used as a service road only. Measles agreed. eandahl asked where the parking lot could be placed if the right side of the road will need to be kept available for the sewer treatment plant addition? Kornelis suggested the left side of the road. Smalley suggested the right side of the road be used for a parking area this year only during dipnetting and see what impact. that has. Williams stated he believed there would be less impact with not walking on the sand dunes. Williams suggested creating an ordinance that would prohibit persons from accessing the beach from the bluff above. Rainey stated he agreed there is a need for a master plan and it should include how much each item will cost. The plan, as he understood from the discussions, would include the new restroom, additional dumpsters and port -a -potties (with additional dumping), walkways. -roped -off area, signage, an ordinance and enforcement of the ordinance. Monfor stated they are discussing a once -a -year situation for a specific amount of time. Monfor suggested, for information only, placing road counters over the road.as she would like to. know how much traffic does the area receive. Monfor asked what the time line would be on this project. Monfor added this project should take precedence over some others. Williams stated work could begin right away if McGillivray and the Planning Department are comfortable with the restrooms identified and with the overall post in putting them in place.. • KENAI CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORK SESSION MARCH 13, 1995 PAGE 11 Smalley suggested shutting the boat launch down. Williams stated his concern with shutting it down is that it may be impossible to get it reopened and re -permitted. Williams added he thought it. better, at this time, to clean up the park and add another restroom (costing $30,000). Kornelis stated the restroom to be placed there will have running water because there is water/sewer service to that area. Cost for that restroom is estimated at $40,000. Monfor remarked that it is costly, but with as many people that use the facilities, it will be paid for. Council reviewed the Parks & Recreation Departmentis five-year plan for capital expenditures which was included in the packet. Monfor suggested the restrooms all be placed this year. Williams asked if the materials could be purchased locally and built here. Kornelis stated the tanks are included with the restroom buildings which would be a problem. McGillivray stated the tanks can be bought separately, however the whole restroom is basically' pre -built. McGillivray was asked to find out how -the restroom packages are sent. Bookoy asked if the.cost for these improvements would be.placed in the 1995-96 budget. Williams stated three restrooms would go in this year from this budget, appropriating the money from the fund balance. Manninen stated Kornelis was told leftover monies from the Thompson Park project might be able to be reappropriated for sanitary facilities. If, that is possible, Council may want to place a fireplace/pavilion-on the beach. Williams suggested Administration can work those details out. Williams requested the basic master plan be brought back to council for the April 19 meeting. Kornelis stated that could be rI L KENAI CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORK SESSION MARCH 13, 1995 PAGE 12 done. The same information should be forwarded to the Parks & Recreation Commission and the ,Planning & Zoning Commission for their review as well. Williams suggested the following: 1995/96 - Add one more restroom bringing total for the year to $150,000. McGillivray stated if the Public Works Department receives a new pick-up, they will get a hand-me-down pick-up and will not need funding for one in their budget. Also, the riding mower is essential. McGillivray asked if Council was aware of the information forwarded by the Engineering Technician regarding the Cunningham Park grant application? Manninen stated it was included in the council meeting packet. There has been no further information about it. Bannock asked McGillivray if he was comfortable paying $300000 for a restroom. McGillivray stated someone could probably be found to do it cheaper, but he was looking for the sturdiest product with the most features to protect from vandalism, etc. and had the outside tanks. Bannock asked if McGillivray thought buying them was a better bargain that building them in-house,. McGillivray stated yes. Walker added there needs to be an architectural stamp on the design which escalates the cost of done locally). The work session adjourned at approximately 9:10 p.m. Notes transcribed and submitted by: 3/15/95 APPROVED 9� DATE By coaamcc VCLELRK