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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-01-09 Beautification SummaryKENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE January 9, 1996 ~ ~ ~ 5:30 p.m. Council Chambers Chairperson Susan Hett ~~AGENDA~ 1. ROLL CALL a. Election of Officers 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. July 11, 1995 b. September 12, 1995 c. October 11, 1995 (Work Session--For Info Only) 4. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD a. Shirley Levias, Green Star 5. OLD BUSINESS 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Goals & Objectives for 1996 b. Theme 1996 c. Parliamentary Procedure Work Session 7. REPORTS a. Chairperson b. Parks & Rec c. Council 8. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS 9. INFORMATION a. Leif Hansen Memorial Park Memo dated October 11, 1995 b. Shkituk' Village Site--Phase Two Work Session (Jan. 23, 1996) c. Town Hall Meeting (Jan. 25, 1996) d. Standard Procedures for Boards, etc 10. ADJOURNMENT KENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE January 9, 1996 MINUTES **Note' A short discussion was held by the group as to what constituted a quorum for this Committee. Hett and Kebschull advised that they had clarified this with the City Clerk and had been told a quorum would be three of the five voting members. Council person Swarner stated she had always been told it required four members regardless if there was a full board or not. Decision to proceed with the three voting members present. 1. ROLL CALL Members Present: Sylvia Johnson, Susan Hett, Marilyn Dimmick, Jeneane Benedict, Linda Overturf Members Absent: Nina Selby, Barb Nord Also Present: Council Person Linda Swarner, Parks & Recreation representative Bob Frates, Green Star representative Shirley LeVias, and Marilyn Kebschull. a. Election of Officers Chair Hett advised the group they had two options since the group had two members absent, those being to postpone the election or to go ahead. Hett stated she had spoken to both Nord and Selby and they both were interested in being vice-chair. Hett stated that officers must be residents. Hett asked the group if they wanted to proceed with elections. Decision to proceed. Dimmick asked Hett if she was willing to continue as committee chair. Benedict stated that she felt the chair should continue for two years. MARILYN DIMMICK NOMINATED SUE HETT FOR CHAIR. SECONDED BY JENEANE BENEDICT. UNANIMOUS. Hett reminded the group that for the vice-chair position that both Nord and Selby were interested in the position. SUE HETT NOMINATED BARB NORD FOR VICE-CHAIR. SECONDED BY JENEANE BENEDICT. UNANIMOUS. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Hett asked if there were any additions or changes to the agenda. Council person Swarner stated that before Dimmick left the meeting a decision should be made about Item 6c. Kebschull advised the group that Ms. Freas had advised her today that several things have came up since the memo was written. Freas stated that it looks like the meeting will need to be held on the 29th due to several other meetings being scheduled since the memo was written. Kebschull advised that the group could make a choice and Ms. Freas would be advised. The group decided to wait to hear from Ms. Freas. 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. July 11, 1995 Hett asked if there were any additions or changes to these minutes. Benedict stated she felt the minutes were basically correct; however, she would like to correct the spelling of her first name. It is "Jeneane." MINUTES APPROVED. b. September 12, 1995 Swarner noted that on Page 5, correct Hess to read Hett. MINUTES APPROVED. c. October 11, 1995 (Work Session--For Info Only) Hett noted the work session minutes were for information only. approve. No need to 4. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD a. Shirley LeVias, Green Star Chair person Hett introduced Shirley LeVias and stated she will be speaking to the committee about the "Adopt a Neighborhood" program. LeVias stated she was approached in Anchorage by Green Star about their program which is called, "Adopt a Trail." LeVias stated they asked if she would be interested in doing something here on the peninsula. LeVias added they had given her a pouch and information regarding the program. LeVias noted she had spoken with Mayor Williams and he felt that the "Adopt a Neighborhood" program would be better suited for Kenai. Swarner commented that Alpar is the group who sponsors the kids picking up the trash. LeVias showed the group a fanny pack she had been given and showed how it contained plastic gloves and trash bags. LeVias noted Beautification Committee Page 2 January 9, 1996 that individuals agree to adopt a neighborhood and then clean up around the block. She noted that this is just a verbal agreement that the citizen will receive the pack in exchange for maintaining the block. LeVias shared a brochure that Anchorage uses. LeVias stated she was really interested in this program; however, Green Star feels that she has too many projects and not enough time available to implement another program. LeVias added that on her off time she would not mind helping with the program. Hett asked LeVias what part she saw Beautification Committee taking in this program. LeVias stated that whatever was necessary to oversee the program. Hett asked if Alpar sponsored the bags. LeVias responded yes. Hett asked if she felt they would do it here. LeVias stated she had spoken with them before and that when the program is on line and when it is known what the group will do, they were advised to contact Alpar. Dimmick asked if the Beautification Committee were to sponsor this program, what would the committee be doing. Would it include getting volunteers? LeVias stated it would include getting volunteers. The city could decide what period of time to hold the program. LeVias stated a person would be needed to assign blocks and a central location to pickup fanny packs. Dimmick asked if they would be expected to do this on a particular time schedule. LeVias stated it would be up to the individual and that each individual would write their own agreement with the program. Hett stated that the Chamber has always been involved with the trash pickup before and questioned if they would be interested in taking part of this program. LeVias stated they are involved in another program. Dimmick asked if these programs would be competing against each other. LeVias stated she did not feel it would be competition between the programs. LeVias stated that the Chamber feels the one program they participate takes a lot of effort. LeVias stated they only pick up trash on the major highways and that this program would be for neighborhoods. LeVias added that she could see this program being taken further and combined with recycling and the great aluminum can round up. Benedict asked what Parks and Rec did with the trash pickup. Frates advised they are involved with picking up the bags that are left along the highways. Frates stated that the first thing that came to mind when thinking about this is that it should be coordinated with Laura at the Chamber, but it sounds like she is overwhelmed the way it is. Frates stated this is a great promotion for citizenship and would like to see a recommendation made to Parks and Rec that this program Beautification Committee Page 3 January 9, 1996 be implemented. Frates noted that it could be coordinated through the Rec Center. Benedict commented that there are other groups in the area that have trash programs, like the Lions and the Seniors. .. LeVias reiterated that she would be willing to do whatever she could on her off time and that she works 30 hours per week for Green Star. Frates stated that during the Parks & Rec conference in Seward that Anchorage had shared that they hand our park bucks for their volunteers. All volunteer hours that are donated are documented and brought to a central location, such as the Rec Center, and in return they are given park bucks. They can be exchanged for example for a free hour of racket ball or wally ball or gym use. This is an added incentive. Frates stated this could tie in nicely to the trash program. Frates asked if the fanny packs were donated and LeVias stated that Alpar donated them. Hett stated that Alpar also donates the bags for the litter pick up. Hett asked if Alpar was a state organization. Frates stated he thought it was a state organization. Hett questioned if Beautification could do this program with Alpar as the Chamber does the program with the kids. HETT MOVED THAT BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE RECOMMEND THAT PARKS AND REC LOOK INTO SPONSORING THE ADOPT A NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM. MOTION SECONDED BY BENEDICT. APPROVED UNANIMOUS. Discussion by the group on where the trash that is picked up would be placed. Johnson advised that when she picks up trash now she has permission to use dumpsters at some businesses. Johnson noted that she carries Carrs or K-Mart bags in her pockets. When she fills one, she drops it off at a dumpster. Benedict asked if there was anything in the law stating it was illegal to use other businesses dumpsters. Frates stated for personal use it would not be allowed but this it wouldn't be a problem. DIMMICK LEFT MEETING AT APPROXMATELY 5'55 P.M. NO LONGER A QUORUM FOR VOTING PURPOSES. Shirley LeVias gave the group the number for Barb Campbell, the volunteer coordinator in Anchorage (343-4288). LeVias thanked the group for their time and left the meeting. 5. OLD BUSINESS Beautification Committee Page 4 January 9, 1996 1 NEW BUSINESS a. Goals & Objectives for 1996 Hett stated that the goals and objectives were listed in the minutes from the October work session. Hett stated the group needs to approve goals and objectives for 1996. Hett questioned if the Committee still had a quorum. It was decided there was not with only two voting members present. The decision was made to go ahead with informal discussion. The group turned to the October work session minutes to review goals and objectives. It was noted that on page 2, Overturf was spelled incorrectly. Hett stated that the group had talked about the garden tour pamphlet, the library garden. Hett asked the group if they wanted to refine the goals and objectives or bring them up again next meeting. Hett added that tracking volunteer hours was discussed, development of the green house, and sending Frates to Anchorage to talk about their greenhouse. Hett noted these were all ideas, and that they could be changed. Overturf noted that with so many people gone she felt it should be discussed at the next meeting. Overturf noted that she thought the same members present now were the ones who were present at the work session. Hett stated that perhaps in February the group would have a better definition of what they were doing and be a little more excited about spring. Frates stated that he couldn't really think of anything to add right now. With regard to the pamphlets, Frates noted the group had talked about leaving them at the Rec Center and the Visitor Center. Frates added that by documenting the volunteer hours it will be possible to go to council and demonstrate to them the interest that is created by the Beautification Committee. Swarner noted that if you could get something for the volunteer hours she would be more than willing to document them. Frates stated that was one reason he wanted to go in that direction. Hett asked if there would be any liability problems with persons using the gym with the volunteer bucks. Frates noted that this was another thing that had been discussed late last year was the idea of coming up with a liability release form for volunteers. Frates stated he felt the forms needed to be used. Frates commented that he has spoke with the city attorney briefly in this regard. Frates stated that the attorney did not believe it was absolutely pertinent that it be done but it was a good idea. Benedict stated injuries are a part of every day but today people are not the same that they used to be. People are suing left and right. Benedict added that she thought it is a good idea for the city's protection and that if people want to volunteer there should be no problem with waiving responsibility. Beautification Committee Page 5 January 9, 1996 Hett stated she felt each person should prioritize what they want to see done during the year. Hett added that she felt there are some things that definitely needed to be done this year such as the pamphlets, volunteer hours, and the liability release. And, there are things not as pertinent as those. Hett asked that these be written down so they can be looked at. Hett advised she would let the absent members know to be prepared for the next meeting. Frates stated that budget packets had been received and there are certain deadlines to meet. Frates commented that the sooner the goals can be decided upon the better and certainly those that include costs such as pamphlets. Frates commented it would be nice to have professional printed pamphlets. Swarner asked if Kebschull had publishing software. Kebschull commented that basic brochures could be formatted using a word processing program the only problem would be printing colors. Swarner asked if city hall had a color printer. Kebschull advised that Ms. Clark has one but it is very slow. Swarner added she had just got a new publishing program but she didn't think it did brochures. Swarner stated that there are a couple of copy businesses in town, one in the old Teamster building and one by Malstons. Frates stated he would get quotes for publishing brochures. Group discussion on planning the pamphlet for gardens. Frates commented that Anchorage has every bed lined out in advance in comparison to Kenai who doesn't know until the beds are planted. Frates stated it would be nice if the beds were all laid out and then document the planting. The pamphlet could be formatted and probably completed within a couple weeks. Benedict stated the established beds should be easy to document. Hett reiterated that for the next meeting the group would prioritize the goals and objectives and come up with an actual list of goals and objectives. b. Theme 1996 Hett stated at the work session the theme had been decided upon and it was, "Come Grow with Us, Citizens for a Beautiful Kenai." Hett stated that at the next meeting the theme could be voted on. Benedict asked Swarner if the theme was a guideline from the council or what is the reason for a theme. Benedict stated that when there is a theme it is usually carried from year-to-year. Benedict stated she fails to see the necessity of changing it each year. Swarner stated she felt it started with the roses. Frates stated he didn't think there was anything in the code but saw it as a guideline. Beautification Committee Page 6 January 9, 1996 Swarner stated she felt the Mayor likes themes. c. Parliamentary Procedure Work Session Hett reminded the group that they would be notified by Carol Freas of the date for the work session. 7. REPORTS a. Chairperson Chair person Hett stated she is looking forward to the summer. Hett noted she did not have any reports. Overturf asked if Hett had received any information from Merle Dean on what she has ordered. Hett stated she had invited her to the meeting but had not heard back from her. Swarner stated she had been in contact with her on Saturday for something else. She did note that she is working with Pat Porter for flowers around the Senior Center beds. In addition, she is giving advice to the people who want to build the assisted living complex so that the flower beds will flow from Leif Hanson across the street to the assisted living complex. Swarner explained that the complex is a proposal to be built in front of the Senior Center and Vintage Pointe. Swarner noted that it will be discussed at council next Wednesday night and at Planning and Zoning on Tuesday night. Swarner added that the city has leased the land to them. b. Parks & Rec Frates informed the group that the budget packets are out so if the group has any ideas that needed funded they should be discussed as soon as possible. Parks and Rec does have preliminary goals and objectives (passed around). Frates stated that when the Beautification Committee goals and objectives are decided he will add them to the list. Frates added that he would like to see banners and they hadn't discussed. Swarner commented that she knows that council will be talking about Christmas decorations. Frates stated that if anyone is interested he has a lot of information about banners. Frates commented that perhaps they could look at banners at the next meeting. Updating the green house, Frates noted that the electricity would be hooked up on Tuesday and gas would be hooked up later in the week. After the hookups, benches will need to be built inside. Swarner stated that when she was speaking with Merle Dean she noted that she didn't know about the green house; and if there is a party to initiate the green house, they need to make sure and invite her. Hett stated at the next meeting they could discuss christening the green house. Benedict asked what the earliest was the green house could be planted. Swarner stated that when she had been in the green house it was cold. Beautification Committee Page 7 January 9, 1996 Frates stated he was hoping to have the green house operational by January 1 st SO would hope to be ready by mid-February. Frates clarified that his intention was to use the green house this year on an experimental operation. This would mean purchasing a limited amount of seeds and then go from there. And, if Merle Dean was willing to grow some plants for the city this year, the green house could serve as a holding spot until the plants are mature. Swarner asked if there was an employee now to work in the green house, and Frates responded no. Frates informed the group of the Townsite Historic meeting on January 23~d and encouraged everyone to attend. Frates noted they may be included in the aspect of landscaping. Frates reported that he contacted the Sterling Green House. They will provide marigolds for the airport sign for $300 for 400 plants. Frates reported that in 1 994 the city purchased 230 from Kenai River Nursery for $687; last year 200 plants were purchased for $500. Frates stated he felt 400 marigolds for $300 was reasonable. Frates added that they would be Galores, short, squatty plants. Benedict asked if they would stand up better than last year's plants and Frates added they would be like the ones from Trinity. Frates advised he met with Tom Jahns late in the season and the city obtained lots more plant materials that was donated to the city. Frates stated they are all flagged. This is from the Extension Service. Also, they went ahead and gave the city the area by the gate as you walk in the fence. Hett asked if it was cleaned out. Frates noted that they were working on it when he met with Mr. Jahns. c. Council Swarner reported that the Memorial Park policy had been revised by council to have big picnics, the River Festival, and things like that by the softball fields. The bathrooms are there and there wouldn't be a need to worry about portable bathrooms. Swarner added that weddings could be held at the Memorial Park. The idea that the function may have a large amount of people but you wouldn't be there very long. It is not necessarily the number of people that are regulated but how long they would be using the facility. Benedict asked if this came out of the complaint from last year. Swarner advised it sort of came from that and that the new bathrooms were put in to accommodate larger groups. Swarner stated that when the council had discussed limiting groups to numbers that they discussed that if they used 50 that Veteran's Day is over 50 people. Swarner reported that the city has a new finance director who is computer literate. Frates asked what was the proper procedure to advertise for members for the commission. Swarner stated she had talked to the Mayor about that and at one point she was going to put an ad on the cable t.v. but she never did that. Hett advised that Carol Freas had placed an ad today. Swarner stated the only other Beautification Committee Page 8 January 9, 1996 thing would be if someone contacted the gossip columnist, Ms. Hanson, to put a comment in her ad. Swarner stated that word of mouth seems to work well. Hett advised if anyone had any names or ideas they should pass them along. Frates stated it was a little discerning at the last council meeting because one of the members had made a comment that the usefulness of the committees should be looked at. Frates added that hurt him because he feels this committee is necessary. And, this committee is so seasonal. He would like to encourage everyone if they know of anyone who may be interested to have them apply. Group discussion about the membership requirements. Hett stated that she thought that Benedict and Overturf were an exception to the rule. Swarner said she took that to council and they said no. They wanted all residents on the committee. This means the committee has five members and two ad hoc members. Frates asked Swarner if they could advertise via flyers at the Rec Center for new members? Swarner stated yes and that the library uses that method. Frates stated that he felt that at one time they were told not to do that. Hett said she thought they had talked about a PSA in the newspaper. Swarner asked if there was a reason they were told not to use the PSA and Hett said no. Benedict asked if there was any committee or commission member in the City of Kenai who were not residents of the city. Swarner advised there are some exceptions. The Airport Commission has a certain number that are not residents. They have to be related to the airport such as an airport user, tenant, etc. The Historic Board has a certain number who do not have to be Kenai residents. Swarner stated she had asked if Beautification could be changed and they said no. Benedict asked what the problem was? Swarner stated she thought the feeling was if the committee was going to be useful it should be the citizens of Kenai should be interested in it. Swarner said she knew that this sounded awful. Benedict stated it did in as much as she has been on the committee for five or six years. And, it is a struggle to get seven people and she and Linda Overturf are here wanting to volunteer. Swarner stated she knew they were very dedicated volunteers. Benedict said she is looking at it that if anyone has a desire to be on the committee, all it is is a working committee, they should be able to volunteer. Benedict said all the committee is doing is the enjoyment as working as a group. Swarner stated she agreed but she was one of seven council members. 8. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS Johnson asked if anyone else had gotten the letter from the Alaska Cooperative Extension about the potential master gardening class. Hett and Benedict stated Beautification Committee Page 9 January 9, 1996 they had signed up. Johnson stated she will miss the day because she will be in Seattle. Hett reminded her that it goes for eight weeks. Hett stated that they need three more people to sign up before they will offer the class and encouraged Johnson to sign up. Group asked Frates if he had received the information. He stated no but took the information and said he would check into the class. Frates asked Swarner about the Memorial Park policy. Frates commented that the policy went to council and council said something to the effect that administration needs to come up with a policy. Frates asked if that was correct? Swarner said probably. Frates asked if Parks and Rec needed to come up with a written amendment to the existing policy. Frates noted the policy is vague. Swarner stated it should be vague just stating that each function would need to be approved. That you wouldn't limit it to numbers but the time factor is the important factor. Johnson asked if the committee was planning on attending the January 25t~ town meeting at the Senior Center. Hett stated the group is invited to attend. Hett reiterated that the group is invited to the work session on the 23~ at 6 p.m. And, possibly the 29t~ for parliamentary procedures work session. Hett noted she would like to comment that the trees by city hall look very pretty. A nice winter garden. Benedict asked what seed catalogs they will be using noting she had ordered a bunch of catalogs this year. Frates stated he had a bunch also. Benedict stated she had a Jackson Perkins which she felt was useless to the area. Benedict questioned if they would have a work session to order seeds or if Merle Dean would be doing that. Frates stated he thought they needed to get with Merle Dean and find out what her plans are but certainly they would be ordering some seeds. Johnson asked if when the green house was fired up if it would be year round. Frates stated it would only be heated up periodically to get the snow off the roof. Overturf stated she would request that the committee members be given copies of Merle Dean's order again this year. She stated that she felt it was very interesting and would be useful in preparing the pamphlet. 9. INFORMATION a. Leif Hansen Memorial Park Memo dated October 11, 199'5 b. Shkituk' Village Site--Phase Two Work Session (Jan. 23, 1 996) c. Town Hall Meeting (Jan. 25, 1996) d. Standard Procedures for Boards, etc Beautification Committee January 9, 1996 Page 10 10. ADJOURNMENT MEETING ADJOURNED AT APPROXIMATELY 6:40 P.M. Sinc~ly, , M~{riiyln Kebschull Administrative Assistant Beautification Committee January 9, 1996 Page 11 BEAUTIFICATION COMMITI'EE Meets Second Tuesday of the Month - 5:30 p.m. City Hall Marilyn Dimmick 1113 Walnut Avenue Kenai, AK 99611 283-3910 (home) 1998 Kenai, AK 99611 * 1999 Kenai, AK 99611 * 1999 Barb Nord 690 Sycamore Circle Kenai, AK 99611 283-9678 (home) 262-3958 (work) 1998 Susan Hett P.O. Box 3139 Kenai, AK 99611 283-5084 (home) 283-1991 (work) 1997 Nina Selby P.O. Box 1252 Kenai, AK 99611 283-4531 (home) 283-4408 (work) 1997 Sylvia M. Johnson P.O. Box 152 Kenai, AK 99611 283-4751 (home) Ad Hoc: Councilwoman Linda Swamer 298 Rogers Road Kenai, AK 99611 Telephone' Non-Voting Members Linda S. Overturf 44954 Carver Drive Kenai, AK 99611 283-6138 (home) Jeneane L. Benedict P,O. Box 3216 Kenai, AK 99611 283-5232 (home) 283-4366 1997 (1/11/96