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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-01-12 Beautification SummaryITEM 1: ITEM 2: ITEM 3: ITEM 4: KENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE JANUARY 12, 1999 *** 5:30 p.m. Kenai Council Chambers Karolee Hansen, Vice-Chair ***AGENDA*** CALL TO ORDER/h ROLL CALL ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR AGENDA APPROVAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- October 13, 1998 ITEM 5: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ao Fire Chief Jason Elson -- Fire Station Landscapin§ Debbie Fahnholz-- Garden Club ITEM 6: OLD BUSINESS ITEM 7: NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion -- Flower Selections ITEM 8: REPORTS ao Committee Chair Parks & Recreation Director Kenai City Council Liaison ITEM 9: OUESTIONS AND COMMENTS ITEM 10: INFORMATION a, b. Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - November 5 and December 3, 1998. City Council Action Agenda - December 2 and 16, 1998. ITEM 11: ADJOURNMENT REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF KENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE JANUARY 12, 19~9- 5:30 P.M. KENAI CITY HALL VICE CHAIRMAN BARB NORD~ PRESIDING ~ MINUTES ~ 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Vice-Chair Nord called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. Members Present: Barb Nord, Marilyn Dimmick, Helen Brown, Sylvia Johnson Members Absent: Karolee Hansen, Jean Rogers Non-Voting Members Absent: Jeneane Benedict Also Present: Councilwoman Linda Swarner, Parks and Recreation Director Bob Frates, Contract Secretary Victoria Askin 2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS ROGERS NOMINATED MARILYN DIMMICK FOR CHAIR. SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED. BROWN BROWN NOMINATED KAROLEE HANSEN FOR VICE-CHAIR~ NORD SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA BROWN MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION SECONDED BY DIMMICK. THE AGENDA WAS APPROVED AS WRITTEN. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Regular Meeting of October 13, 1998 Nord noted corrections to page 3, 5th and 6th paragraphs, "rudabeckia" should be "rudbeckia". Swarner noted change on page 3, 5th and 6th paragraph, "Meg-Amp" should be "Mag-Amp". Page 4, 7th paragraph, "Tom Jones" should be "Tom Jahns". DIMMICK MOVED TO APPROVE MINUTES WITH AMENDMENTS. BROWN SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES OF OCTOBER 13~ 1998. MOTION APPROVED AS AMENDED. BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING JANUARY 12, 1999 PAGE 1 o PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD a, Fire Chief Jason Elson and Lori Holleman -- Kenai Fire Department Mr. Elson related one of the personnel at the Fire Station spent quite a bit of time beautifying the Public Safety Building. He developed an idea that soon grabbed consensus around the station which they now wanted to present to the Beautification Committee. The suggested plan is to add a flower bed to the corner at Willow and Main Street Loop in front of the Fire Station. The bed would be similar to the one at the airport with the corner at a slant and built of red brick. They want the shape to look like a three-sided fireplace standing about 4' high. The design would slope out to the corner with red flowers spelling "KFD" highlighted with a white background and trimmed in blue. Elson added, Holleman developed a list of flowers to use and also suggested a flat level surface be at the top so vine-like flowers can hang over the back of the brick. The Fire Station would cover the costs of the brick work and the labor if the Beautification Committee would cover the flower selection, costs and planting. The Fire Station will maintain the bed. Lori explained the drawing she brought with her of the proposed project. She suggested nasturtiums in the top of the brick wall as they are hardy and will bloom until fall and make a nice color arrangement and either geraniums, a type of red zinnia or begonia for the "KFD." She noted, the flowers she chose seem to be left alone by moose. Holleman continued, around each level alyssum could be placed; around the perimeter some ageratum; on the sides and front, perhaps a wrought iron hanger and hanging plants could be added to make it real showy. Dimmick asked if the nasturtiums would be hanging down in the back towards the building. Holleman answered that would make the brick wall very pretty to look at from the benches behind it. Baskets could even be put along the back face to dress it up even more. A lengthy general discussed ensued regarding the best flowers to capture the red color for the KFD letters and still last the summer. Alternatives to Holleman's ideas were discussed as well. Overturf stated watering out there has been a problem and asked if a soaking hose could be buried in the flowerbed during preparation to ease maintenance. Chief Elson stated it would be no problem to do that. Beautification Committee Meeting January 12, 1999 Page 2 bo Frates stated he thought the Committee had enough information to proceed and make their flower selections. He requested Elson submit dimensions and letter size so numbers of flowers can be determined. DIMMICK MOVED TO APPROVE THE PROJECT AS PRESENTED. BROWN SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED. Janice Chumley- Garden Club Janice Chumley was in attendance in place of Debbie Fahnholz to introduce the Central Peninsula Master Gardeners to the Committee. The Master Gardeners have recently joined the state organization and achieved non-profit status and are working with the Anchorage Master Gardeners Association. She commended the Beautification Committee on all the beautiful work that is done in the City. Chumley explained, the group is very small right now with seven members actively involved in doing community service projects, teaching classes for the Community Schools Program, and working with kids planting and weeding. Chumley added, their goal is to make the Master Gardeners a very active group. They have begun coordinating speakers to come and present to the group and the public. The presentations will be held at the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association. So far, Bob Campbell is going to speak in May and present on potatoes. The presentations will be free of charge. Another goal is to set up a Garden Club Day, but at this time they are unsure how to go about it and came to this meeting to ask for suggestions. Dimmick gave a brief OVel-view of what the Committee does and how they request and organize volunteers to help with beautifying the City. Brown noted it usually involved twisting arms, publishing in the Clarion when a Cleanup Day is occurring, and having a barbecue afterwards to feed everyone. Swarner related a Garden Club had been started but had gone defunct in the late 1970's. Johnson, as a former member, stated she thought the formation of the Beautification Committee had sort of replaced the Garden Club. Brown related the school kids from Sears adopted the Bernie Huss Park. Also a day care school and a home school group had adopted other areas and had cleanup days. Chumley related she would be advertising upcoming events in the Clarion and invited the members of the Committee to attend. She added, there is also a new Master Gardener course starting on the Beautification Committee Meeting January 12, 1999 Page 3 19th of January. It will be taught by Tom Jahns and will be held two nights a week at the Aquaculture Association building. Cost of the course is $30.00. The Cooperative Extension Office also has more details. Swarner suggested getting in touch with Jeff Lowenfels and ask if he would be interested in coming down to speak. Swarner will e- mail him and request he get in touch with Chumley. It was indicated there was an opening on the Beautification Committee and perhaps one of the members of the Master Gardeners would be interested in applying. Chumley indicated Debbie Fahnholz is a Kenai City resident and may be interested. The Committee thanked Chumley for attending and introducing the Central Peninsula Master Gardeners Club. 6. OLD BUSINESS 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion- Flower Selections Frates stated there are some flowers that were purchased at the nurseries that were a big item. He noted the poppies and rudbeckias were doing fairly well and there might be other special requests. He added, he thought it is early to get started with a complete list of flowers now, but he would be ordering seeds very shortly. Dimmick asked what had been a disappointment and what was really outstanding last year. Frates stated the marigolds purchased last year did not do well at the airport at all. The ones that the city grew were great. Swarner stated she would like to see some little gems planted instead of all marigolds. Overturf stated she would like to see more flowering kale in purples and reds. She added, the whites were okay, but the color was neat. Dimmick related a spidery type that Anchorage used might look nice. Overturf stated Hett had wanted to try using a pre-emergent organic herbicide to help cut down on the weeding. Frates will research the name and get in touch with Hett if needed. Nord asked when flowers were going to be ordered. Frates answered the geraniums should be ordered within the next couple of weeks and they would have them ready to plant as early as the Beautification Committee Meeting January 12, 1999 Page 4 first or second week of February. Last year they were started the third week of February and weren't quite in bloom. He noted, those types of varieties should get ordered and planted right away. He suggested they could do the standard order now and then follow up with special requests. Overturf suggested a shorter variety of delphiniums for the mounds need to be ordered. Dimmick stated there are some English varieties that should stay shorter. The tall ones are too out of proportion. Brown related she planted some last year but didn't collect seedpods. She will see if they come back this year and, if acceptable, will harvest the seedpods this year. It was noted many of the black poppy seed pods were harvested by residents last year. Dimmick also related there is a rudbeckia that has a green petal and black center that may be a nice contrast. Overturf expressed her concern the Leif Hansen sign has one good side and one bad side. A small variety of bachelor buttons and calendulas were on the side with padulosums under the sign. She suggested snapdragons may work but they don't grow well. A short discussion ensued regarding the best thing to do because of the wind. No final consensus was reached. There was a short discussion about feasibility of planting some begonias and impatiens in the ground and see how they do this year. General consensus reached was to try it at the Chamber. Dimmick stated the flowering kale did great in the Rotary bed and the moose didn't eat it until late. Swarner thought impatiens might also look nice. Nord related she had grown some dahlias that were 12-15' tall that were pink and red and would go very well. Dimmick suggested planting some shorter variety sunflowers at the corner of the Chamber. After the comments about the godetia last year, sunflowers may be a nice change and not taller than the mailbox. A short discussion ensued regarding pros and cons of sunflowers. 8. REPORTS Chair Report Dimmick thanked the Committee for the election to Chair. Beautification Committee Meeting January 12, 1999 Page 5 -~ b. Parks/l~ Recreation Director ® Frates reported there is a go-ahead for a student representative to the Committee. If the Committee knows a high school student who might be interested, have them apply. Dimmick will call KCHS and see if there is anyone interested. There are now old-fashioned lights on Mission Street with places for 22 hanging baskets. He thought the Committee should purchase the baskets instead of planting them. Perhaps request the Church to maintain the baskets because watering will be a problem. A short, discussion ensued regarding who put the plants in the long beds by the parking lot. Frates stated he would ask Keith Kornelis to find out who planted the beds. Frates reported the budget is coming up and they are looking at Christmas decorations. The old ones need to be refurbished and cost will have to be researched. Many were rusted and have been painted over the rust. Sandblasting will be required to fix them and that will be spendy. The garland was removed from the decorations at Council's request. Frates added, he estimated costs for new decorations will be $340 each. Dimmick asked if the decorations could be replaced in stages and would 12- 15 be okay for the first year and then phase in the remainder in future years. A short discussion proceeded regarding extending the number of decorations, refurbishing ones owned, and the cost to purchase new ones. Consensus was reached to add to include the discussion at New Business for the next meeting and come back with cost estimates. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS / QUESTIONS Councilwoman Swarner related the status of filling the Council seat vacated by Hal Smalley. There are seven applicants and interviews will be held on January 26th here at Council Chambers. The person selected will only be on the Council until the next election in October and will then serve out the Smalley term of one additional year before election for a full three-year term. Commissioner Brown asked who she should talk to about the banner project and if it's going to be an ongoing thing. She suggested the price would be increased since the product is identified. Frates answered she should contact the Parks and Recreation Commission. Beautification Committee Meeting January 12, 1999 Page 6 10. INFORMATION be Parks/~ Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes- November 5 and December 3, 1998. City Council Action Agenda- December 2 and 16, 1998. 11. ADJOURNMENT BROWN MOVED TO ADJOURN. MOTION SECONDED BY DIMMICK. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Victoria Askin Contract Secretary Beautification Committee Meeting January 12, 1999 Page 7