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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-07-09 Beautification SummaryKENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE July 9, 1996'** 5:30 p.m. Council Chambers Chairperson Susan Hett ***AGENDA*** 1. ROLL CALL 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 14, 1996 4. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD 5. OLD BUSINESS a. Banners b. Gardening Brochure c. Dedication to Kayo McGillivray d. Benches e. Cooperative Extension Garden Plot Fees 1 NEW BUSINESS a. Beautification Awards with Chamber of Commerce b. Rotary Donation c. Volunteer Appreciation 1 REPORTS a. Chairperson b. Parks & Rec c. Council 8. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS Sm INFORMATION a. Parks & Recreation Minutes (June 6, 1996) 10. ADJOURNMENT 1. ROLL CALL Members Present: KENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE July 9, 1 996 ***MINUTES*** Members Absent: Non-Voting Members Present: Non-Voting Members Absent: Others Present: UNAPPROVED Sylvia Johnson, Susan Hett, Nina Selby, Barb Nord, Marilyn Dimmick None Jeneane Benedict Linda Overturf Parks & Rec. Representative Bob Frates, Administrative Assistant Marilyn Kebschull 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairperson Hett advised there was one addition to the agenda, item 6¢, Volunteer Appreciation. No other changes or additions; agenda approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 14, 1996 Hett asked for changes or additions to the May minutes; none noted. approved. Minutes 4. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD 5. OLD BUSINESS a. Banners Selby reported that she and Nord had just finished meeting with Helen Brown of the Art Guild. Brown suggested that local talent create and make the banners. Selby commented she felt it would be wonderful if they could use local people to make the banners. Nord stated Brown's idea is to use a heavy duty nylon material that can be purchased from California. Selby stated they had made the large fish that had been the parade out of that material. Nord stated Brown had told them about some paint that is resistant to the weather and bonds with material. The paint is long-lasting and the color stays. Nord added that Brown will be doing a lot of leg work for them. Selby noted that Brown had given them a couple of people to contact for the designs. Nord stated Brown will be putting a notice up at the guild. Nord added that they had advised that the city would like to have the designs copyrighted and noted that Brown had stated they would like to have the artist's name on the banner. Selby noted it would be up to Parks and Rec. and the Council if they wanted to pursue this idea. Selby noted that the city would pay so much for the banners and the money would go to the Arts and Humanities Council. Nord stated that Brown had thought that actual material costs would be about $35; Selby added it would be under $50 for material per banner. Nord added that they would want some sort of appreciation payment for their efforts. Selby stated the city would buy the banners for so much per banner above the actual cost. Nord added that Brown had asked them to remind the Council that they have a 20 year lease on their building and they are doing all the maintenance. Hett clarified that Brown would be continuing to look into this. Selby stated Brown had provided them with the name of a lady to call who would be a good organizer to get the project together. Frates stated he would be interested in knowing if this person has done this before and what kind of results they got and the life of the material. Selby stated there is one lady that belongs to the Guild who is from Canada and she was very much involved in banners there. Nord stated that one of the criteria's they talked about was a five year life for the materials and the paint and that Brown would be checking on this. Nord added that would be the minimum requirement. Hett asked what the life is for commercial banners and Selby and Nord stated three to four years. Hett asked if they could be made to fit on the frames. Nord stated they would have to see the frames the city has. Selby noted Brown needs the size and Frates stated they are 6 footers. Selby shared some of the sample materials that were received from Display USA. Swarner commented that there were more banners in Anchorage. Frates commented he had seen them when he was in Anchorage adding he didn't know where they got them but would call and ask about them. Selby reported that they had received prices for commercial banners. For two colors the price would be $1 21 each plus $35 for each different design. Three colors were $1 60 per banner. Frates commented he would like to see a sample of some of the banners these people have made. Selby noted they have written for samples. Kenai Beautification Committee Minutes Page 2 July 9, 1996 Hett asked if they would vote on the Guild making the banners or should they wait until next meeting. Frates stated he felt they should pursue it and then compare options. Selby reiterated she felt it would be great to have them made locally. b. Gardening Brochure Hett reported they have a list of flowers adding she has it on a data base. Hett showed an example of how the brochure could be made with the lists of flowers on the inside and on the back a list of volunteers, Parks and Rec. staff, etc. Hett stated that Jack Castimore will take the project over from here. Hett added that she will meet with Merle Dean on Thursday to go over the names of the flowers. Hett stated that they are hoping the brochures will be complete by July. c. Dedication to Kayo McGillivray Frates stated that Johnson had obtained access to a rock if they decided to go that route for the dedication and thanked Johnson for her work. Frates added they had also considered a sign adding that he would prefer a sign. Hett asked if he had gotten a price on a sign. Frates stated no but that in his experience it would be expensive and estimated $800 or more. Hett asked if Parks and Rec. had discussed the dedication. Frates stated he didn't think so. Hett asked if it would be a large, free standing sign. Frates stated it would probably be three feet above ground. Selby asked where it would be located. Frates stated it would be near the softball fields adding that this is all preliminary. Frates stated he felt they needed to approach council regarding this idea. Frates added there is a member of the community who had this idea about dedicating this park to another individual. Frates stated he had told this person that a dedication was in the works right now. Frates commented that it is common practice in other parts of the U.S. to dedicate parks to individuals adding he felt this was appropriate. Hett commented that they need to find out if they can dedicate the park to Kayo. Selby asked how many years he was in Kenai and Frates advised 1 7. Selby commented he ought to have something. Swarner asked when the next Parks and Rec. meeting would be and Frates advised Thursday night. Swarner commented it should then be brought to council. Hett asked if someone wanted to make a motion for Parks and Rec. to make a motion to council to dedicate a rock or sign to Kayo. Kenai Beautification Committee Minutes Page 3 July 9, 1996 DIMMICK MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT PARKS AND REC ASK COUNCIL TO DEDICATE THE FLOWER BED NEAR THE SOFTBALL STRIP TO KAYO AND TO PLACE A ROCK OR SIGN AT THE LOCATION. MOTION SECONDED BY SELBY. UNANIMOUS. d. Benches Swarner noted she had mentioned this to her neighbor who is a boy scout leader and he said there is one young person who still needed an Eagle Scout project; however, he has not been approached. Dimmick reported she had met with Frates and people at the Care Center regarding this project. Dimmick stated that when Johnson had mentioned this she had thought if the kids at the Care Center could do a project and donate benches to the city, it would be ideal. Dimmick stated they always try to make sure all of the kids have jobs at the center and that every year it gets harder. This year they applied for a one time grant adding that the Center purchased a small business but they needed money for equipment. Dimmick stated they have a bird house business with a volunteer teacher from the borough and received permission from the schools to use space at one of the schools. Dimmick added they received the grant and they got the money to purchase wood and materials. Dimmick stated she had spoken to the teacher noting if they had enough time she would like the kids to make and donate a couple benches. Dimmick stated they are up to ten benches. Dimmick explained that the Care Center program is based on the family teaching model and an important component is social skills and community awareness and those kinds of things that a lot of the kids don't have when they come into the program. Dimmick added that they also need to learn and that is why they had purchased the business in the first place. Dimmick stated that in talking with Frates, he had advised there was a little bit of money in the budget. Dimmick stated they have not talked about amounts yet. They have looked at prototypes and designs and the next step will be for the kids to go to the library, research designs, and develop a design. Dimmick noted they only have another month to do this adding that is enough time. Dimmick stated the other aspect will be deciding where they go adding that Frates stated they have room for at least that many. Dimmick noted the original focus was Leif Hansen and the area behind the Senior Center. Right now they are looking at two different designs one of which will take a little more lumber and be a little more fancier. Dimmick stated this will allow the kids more of a learning project if they are able to help donate their labor to help install them and complete the project. This would Kenai Beautification Committee Minutes Page 4 July 9, 1996 give them a lot of community pride and could be a deterrent to vandalism. Dimmick added that she knows that the benches will have to be locked down. Swarner commented this sounded great. Dimmick explained the reason for the ten benches is that as a learning experience it is easier to teach them in an assembly line type operation wherein they learn to do something more efficiently. Hett asked Dimmick to keep the group posted on the project. Frates commented that he felt that any time they solicit people in the community to do these kinds of things, it speaks for itself. Frates added that to tie it together and for the kids to have part in the installing the benches is important. Frates added he doesn't feel the concept is complete for them until they install the benches. e. Cooperative Extension Garden Plot Fees Swarner reported that City Council did not want anything to do with this project. Swarner reported she had called Tom Janz and it is in his ballpark again adding she suggested that he contact the 4H Council. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Beautification Awards with Chamber of Commerce Hett advised that the Chamber wants to present the awards a month earlier this year. Hett added that she had told Laura Measles that she didn't know if it would be possible but the Committee would see what could be done. Measles is proposing the 22nd through the 26th of July. Nord advised that it was in the paper today. Hett commented that the way they had done it last year worked out well. Hett noted that Nord had copied maps for the group. Hett stated she felt it would be easiest if everyone took the same sections as last year unless they want to change sections. Hett asked for input from the group. Selby asked if they would be taking pictures like last year. Hett stated she didn't know that the picture were valuable noting it depended on the weather, the camera, the photographer. Johnson stated she felt that the pictures had value adding she believed it gave them something to base their judgment on. Benedict stated that it seemed that last year that even if there were pictures taken she didn't feel that the pictures were used in the final decision adding that each group or person stated what they thought were the top gardens in their area. Then, the group looked at those and then came up with a group consensus. Johnson stated each person or group had an opportunity with the pictures to show everyone what they had chosen. Kenai Beautification Committee Minutes Page 5 July 9, 1996 Hett noted that Overturf was absent and she was not sure which area she had. Nord stated she was sure she had done Woodland. Swarner asked if they needed to look at the houses the week of the 22"" to the 26th and they will announce it on the 31~t. Hett confirmed this and added she hasn't talked to Pat Porter about using a van from the Senior Center. Nord stated that will not work for her as she will be out of town. Hett asked which area she did. Nord stated she had done Momsen Subdivision, the Lilac area, and Inlet Woods. Hett asked if it would be too much for Nord if she judged the week before and Nord agreed to do that. Nord stated she would drop the information off to Hett. Nord asked if they would have the judging forms adding she didn't think too much of them. Dimmick asked if they remembered that last year they had discussed there were things they would like to have included like lawns and shrubbery and total appearance. Dimmick stated there is nothing in Measles letter about criteria. Hett stated she had talked to Measles about this and the letter is the only information she received. Selby stated they didn't know what to be looking at. Hett stated they are looking for flowers. Swarner commented that it had been Will Jahrig's yard because of the shrubs and grass. Hett stated they don't have prizes for lawns. Dimmick commented they had fudged a little by having people mentioned in the paper who had done well but they hadn't given awards to. Dimmick stated that then in another year or two they could actually have their own criteria. Hett commented she felt people were pleased that they were mentioned. Discussion regarding which areas each member judged. the areas. Nord passed out maps of Swarner suggested the group meet on the 29t~ as a group to review the judging. Hett asked if someone could drive the van and Frates agreed to drive on the 29t~. Group agreed to meet on the 29t~ at 6 p.m. at the gazebo at Leif Hansen Park for final judging. b. Rotary Donation Hett reported that the Rotary Club had donated $200 to the Beautification Committee which can be used for anything they want. Hett asked for suggestions. Frates stated that one of the ideas discussed was to use the money towards the brochures if they wanted to get something a little nicer with some color. Frates added that $200 might cover 500 brochures. Swarner asked about black edging. Frates stated he has 500 feet coming on Thursday. Hett asked if everyone would like to think about it. Dimmick suggested Kenai Beautification Committee Minutes Page 6 July 9, 1996 shrubs. Nord stated she wanted weed block. Swarner stated she had been in Fairbanks and her sister had just finished the master gardener class and she had a plastic, IFQ or something. Swarner asked if anyone was using any of it. Swarner added it is black plastic with holes in it, it is solid, and not the weed landscape fabric. Swarner commented she thought Nord was right and they need to experiment with weed stuff. Hett, noting this was off the subject, stated they would be digging up the old planter by the stop sign. Hett stated that next time they dig up a bed perhaps they could look into trying something or even in the circle planters. Swarner commented she felt that would be an excellent place to use it. Nord stated it could be taken off every year and clean it up and reuse it. Dimmick stated that maybe they could put a large shrub in the center of each circle planter so that people with short arms and bad hips could still weed. Swarner stated that was a good idea. Dimmick commented that Merle Dean is always talking about architectural structure and then they wouldn't have to worry about putting flowers in the center. Nord stated they may have a problem thought in those beds because they are raised and they may freeze. Dimmick commented that she had plants that she didn't get into the ground last fall that wintered better than the stuff in the ground. Swarner commented if she could vote, she would vote for weed control. Frates stated it was his opinion that his department and account should be responsible for something like weed control adding that the $200 from the Rotary should be put toward something more tangible, something you can see, touch, etc. Frates stated he was thinking in terms that a member could drive through town and say our committee put money toward this plant, flower, etc. Dimmick asked if there was a spot in town crying out for special landscaping that the money could be used on. Frates noted that the Rotary Club is undertaking a project in Old Town Park. Frates stated he felt that was one area needing landscaping, perhaps by the Art Guild. Dimmick stated she liked the idea of the tangible adding that even though brochures would be tangible she didn't feel the Rotary was thinking about brochures when they donated the money. Selby stated she felt plants, shrubs, or something someplace would be more appropriate. Swarner asked about roses or something in front of Paradisos adding that people have noticed the roses at Leif Hansen and in front of the city offices. Swarner commented that that strip is lacking. Frates stated he thought there should be a motion to spend the money on plant material and designate a site. Dimmick asked if Frates was suggesting they make a motion for a designated site or if someone should designate the site. Frates stated he felt that could be open for discussion. Kenai Beautification Committee Minutes Page 7 July 9, 1996 DIMMICK MOVED TO SPEND THE DONATION ON PLANT MATERIALS AT A SITE TO BE DETERMINED. MOTION SECONDED BY NORD. UNANIMOUS. Hett asked the group to be thinking of areas they felt needed improvement noting this item would be on the agenda for the next meeting. Hett stated she would send a thank you letter to Rotary. Selby asked if they should have something saying donated by Rotary Club. Swarner commented she didn't know if they should get into that kind of stuff. Dimmick commented that they would then be spending the money on the plaque adding that perhaps the Rotary would donate one of their seals. Swarner noted that they have their sign by the flower bed adding that she felt this may be in exchange for their sign by the flower bed by the Chamber. ¢. Volunteer Appreciation Frates presented certificates of appreciation to the Board members. Frates read, "Certificate of Appreciation. May it be known that this certificate is presented to "name" for dedication and commitment as a City of Kenai Beautification Committee member." Frates noted the certificates were signed by Mayor Williams and himself. Frates stated he would like to present these certificates to each of them and commend each of them for all that they have done. Frates added that the Parks and Recreation Commission wanted the group to know that their work has not gone unnoticed and appreciate all the work and planning they have done. 7. REPORTS a. Chairperson Hett stated that in some of the beds the chickweed is growing adding that if anyone has time to weed it would be appreciated. Hett stated the sign at Leif Hansen needed to be weeded and the bean bed. Swarner commented she had done that bed last night and put grass around it adding it took four bags of grass. Nord asked where else was bad. Hett stated the Visitor's Center in front. Dimmick stated she had done some of the Visitor's Center last week, the part going towards the boat. Swarner commented that she had noticed chickweed in the grass next to the bean bed and wondered why it is there. Dimmick stated it may be the result of weeding and throwing some of the weeds into the grass. b. Parks & Rec. Kenai Beautification Committee Minutes Page 8 July 9, 1996 Frates commented it has been a really odd season as far as the flowers are concerned. Frates added he doesn't think it is anything that is just happening to the city. Frates stated people have come to him telling him about planting in late May and plants that are no larger than when they were planted and then all of a sudden they are big. Group discussion about this growth spurt. Frates stated he was getting to the Kenai Airport sign and asked the group to have faith and is hoping the flowers will soon be in full bloom. Frates noted that they had participated as an agency in the 4th of July parade and won all around grand prize. Frates the summer rec. kids participated by decorating and riding their bikes, they had a flat bed pickup with staff members, and lawn mowers. Frates stated the Industrial Appreciation Day is coming up on August 24th and that they will be participating as an agency. Frates stated they will set up a tent adding that it would be nice if a couple Beautification members could help out. Frates stated they could provide information for those visiting the city. Frates reported it will be at the softball green strip and the tent should be up by 9 or 10 a.m. The event will start at 1 2 noon and end at 3 p.m. Frates stated there will be 24 teams participating in the softball tournament that weekend which should amount to 500 to 1000 people. In addition, they are anticipating 2500 to 4000 people from the community. There will be politicians in attendance, free food, a variety of public services providing information, and activities for the kids. Frates reiterated that if anyone would like to help to let him know. Dimmick asked what they needed in the way of help and Frates stated staffing tables and answering questions. Frates added he was hoping to have the brochures done by then. Frates commented he felt this was another prime example of the group being able to get out in the community. c. Council Swarner reported that Bunny Swan had spoken to the council at the last meeting. Swarner stated that Swan and her brother will be trying to organize a music festival in August next year at the softball field and she wanted to let the council know what they were attempting to do. Swarner added that she is also involved in the Kenai River Festival. Swarner stated there were people who were organizers for the festival at the meeting and they are going to see how the Industry Appreciation activities go with two activities taking place at the same time. Frates commented that the policies and procedures for Leif Hansen Park is being sent back to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Kenai Beautification Committee Minutes Page 9 July 9, 1996 Benedict asked if there had been feedback resulting from the festival at Leif Hansen. Frates stated the feedback he had received is that they did an exceptional job cleaning up and an exceptional job of following the basic rules. However, the appropriateness of the event is still a concern. Swarner stated that one of the concerns that she heard is automobiles on the lawn whether transporting things back and forth or not. Swarner stated that other people have said that they enjoy having it there. Benedict commented she doesn't see any purpose in having vehicles on the lawn; they should park and walk. 8. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS Johnson asked the status of the fanny packs and Hett advised the decision had been made to get more organized and be ready for clean up day next year. 9. INFORMATION a. Parks & Recreation Minutes (June 6, 1996) 10. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at approximately 6'30 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Ma~lYn~Kebschull Administrative Assistant Kenai Beautification Committee Minutes Page 10 July 9, 1996