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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-07-11 Beautification SummaryKENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE July 11, 1989 - 1'30 P.M. Kenai City Hall Tim Wisniewski, Chairman AGENDA 1. ROLL CALL 2. PERSONS PRESENT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of 5. OLD BUSINESS a. New Proposal for Rear of "Welcome to Kenai" Sign b. Lawton Strip Cleanup 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Letter from Mayor Williams 7. COMMITTEE QUESTIONS & COMMENTS 8. ADJOURNMENT KENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE July 11, 1989 - 1'30 P.M. Kenai City Hall Tim Wisniewski, Chairman 1. ROLL CALL Present- Wisniewski, Hakkinen, Selby, Sparks Absent- Jackson, McComsey, Sheldon Also Present- City Manager Bill Brighton, Mayor John J. Williams 2. PERSONS PRESENT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD a. Flag for Memorial Park Dr. Hansen asked to speak concerning the flags at the Veterans Memorial site within the Memorial Park. Dr. Hansen stated that he has been in contact with the veterans about keeping flags at the park and their answer was that the flags were being stolen. City Manager Brighton explained that the pole has been raised higher and a light is going to be installed which will allow the flag to be flown 24 hours. The problem with the flags initially was the placing and removing of the flag on a .... dail~ basis~.. The light and the height of the pole should alleviate that prOblem. b. Landscaped Area in Old Towne Dr. Hansen directed attention to vacant land between the Benco Building and the new Key Bank. The area is an eyesore and if the City were to landscape it, he and his people would be willing to water it. City Manager Brighton explained that the land is actually a dedicated ROW and the Council had discussed vacating the land, however, were not in favor as the vacation would land lock two parcels. Dr. Hansen stated that there are many people who have long thought of doing something with the area. If it were landscaped perhaps there would be no need to vacate it. Mrs. Hansen has talked of putting in a flower garden there. The main thing would be to get it cleared and cleaned, and perhaps some topsoil if it were needed. City Manager Brighton stated that he would speak with Public Works about getting a grader in there to clear the land and the Conauittee and the Hansens could decide what to do with it from there. Mr. Brighton cautioned the group that at any point in time the owners of those two lots could decide to develop and the ROW would need to go through. The group agreed. KENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE July 11, 1989 Page 2 c. Banners Sally Bailie appeared before the group and asked what plans were in the future regarding banners. The Bicentennial Visitors and Convention Bureau has been involved in a project which includes designs for banners for the 1991 bicentennial. Claudia Furlong has some designs and has approached High Flying Banners for an estimate which comes out at $125 per banner not including banding. This is the company that did the original banners. Her committee would like to see 27 additional banners should the Committee be considering new banners. Chairman Wisniewski stated that the Committee had been talking about and that the existing banners had now been up three summers and were beginning to look faded. Prior to this budget session the Committee had agreed to hold on any decision because of the economic situation. The Co~ittee agreed that this would be an item for the next' budget and that they would like to see the designs at the next meeting. d. Beautification of Old Towne Mrs. Bailie informed the Committee that the BV&CB were interested in any plans the Committee might have regarding beautifying Old Towne. There are many areas that are need of clean up and fixing up. e. Walkway to the Beach As part of the Bicentennial, the BC&VB has been discussing a walkway from Old Towne to the beach for visitors. · Mrs. Bailie indicated a need for more communications between the two groups. The Committee agreed and asked that Mrs. Bailie be appointed to the Co~ittee should the code provide for an additional member. The next meeting of the BV&CB is Monday, August 7th. Members are invited to attend. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as submitted 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of (none) 5. OLD BUSINESS a. New Proposal for Rear of "Welcome to Kenai" Si~n The new letters should be installed this week. KENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE July 11, 1989 Page 3 b. Lawton Strip Cleanup The prison officials should begin work on the clean up this week. The plan is to begin with a strip adjacent to the highway, no tree removal, just clearing and cleaning then when everyone has a chance to see how it looks, move on to the larger strip. The Co~ittee talked about the possibility of putting top soil and grass in the cleared area. Mr. Brighton stated that as long as the plans did not include digging this may be possible. 6. NEW BUSINESS Letter from Mayor Williams a. The first letter dealt with placing a sign at "the lower end of Kalifonsk¥ Beach Rd.". The Committee discussed the fact that there are very few signs indicating Kenai on the Peninsula and that, indeed signs are in order. The Committee was undecided as to the exact location indicated by the Mayor and agreed that two signs would be ideal, one on the Sterling Highway to lead the visitor to Kenai, and the second just prior to the K-Beach/Bridge Access intersection facing south. The first approach will be to contact DOT to see if the state would be willing to put up a green directional sign on the Sterling Highway and K-Beach Rd. The second approach would be to request our own sign done by Mr. Sherman atboth locations. b. Upgrade of Memorial Park Mayor Williams, in his second letter, suggested "a continuous effort to develop the Memorial Park" including dressing up the little green building. MOTION: Committee Member Sparks moved to request that the little green building be removed from the park, seconded by Committee Member Selby. The Committee agreed that, while dressing up the little building is a good idea, using for storing anything would present a target for vandalism and theft. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously Also mentioned in Mayor Williams letter were benches. Mr. Bill Mussen had attended the last meeting and presented the Committee with drawings from a local craftsman who could produce benches made of colored concrete which were nearly indestructible. At the time, the Committee had discussed the purchase of benches in the same manner as the purchase of the tree and plaque package. KENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE July 11, 1989 Page 4 MOTION: Committee Member Selby moved to recommend that people be allowed to purchase these benches in the same manner as the tree/flower and plaque combination, seconded by Committee Member Hakkinen. The Committee had discussed earlier that by purchasing locally, the benches would all be of a similar design, would be easy to ship, would be stable cost-wise, and they can be inscribed by a donor. The colors presented were soft muted earth tones which is ideal to this location. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously The last item discussed in the Mayor's letter were additional walkways. Mayor Williams entered the meeting at this point and the Committee discussed the current present plan with him. MOTION: Committee Member Selby moved to recommend to the City Council that all walkways as depicted in the blue line plan submitted by Wards Landscaping be completed as one project as soon as possible, seconded by Committee Member Sparks. The Committee agreed that, in order to make the park presentable and appear fuller, and as Senior Director Pat Porter pointed out, to make more spaces and varieties available,~ to.~ go ahead with all additional sidewalks now and avoid returning'to the project every year. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously 7. COMMITTEE QUESTIONS & COMMENTS Chairman Wisniewski remarked that the area in front of Pizza Hut has been landscaped and looks good. The owner is Dan Roberts and it was believed that the landscaping was done by him. The area in front of Cra¥croft Chrysler in turn appears to be showing some neglect. Another area showing some neglect is the parking lot planters in front of Mega Foods. The Committee recognized that the original owner is no longer in the state, however, the dead shrubbery is certainly in need of some help. Director McGillivray will be asked to contact these two businesses to see if the City could assist. Committee Member Sparks indicated a need for sanitary facilities near the Extension Service gardens. There is a playground there with equipment and picnic benches which is heavily used during the day with no facilities. Most people approach the dentist nearby. It is difficult for small children to have to travel any distance. KENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE July 11, 1989 Page 5 The green Sani-cans at the other end of the fields are locked during the day. Director McGillivra¥ will be asked if facilities could be made available at this location for daytime use. 8. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Committee will be Tuesday, August 15, 1989 at 1-30 P.M. at City Hall. Janet A. Loper Secretary to the Committee