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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-02-09 Beautification SummaryITEM 4: ITEM 5- a, ITEM 6' ao ITEM 7: KENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 9 ~ 1999 ~ 5:30 p.m. Kenai Council Chambers '"AGENDA'" ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3' 1999 APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- JANUARY 12, PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD OLD BUSINESS Flower Selection NEW BUSINESS Banners Budget Review Fertilizer Pro~'~ REPORTS Committee Chair Parks & Recreation Director Kenai City Council Liaison ITEM 8: 0UESTIONS AND COMMENTS ITEM 9' a. bo INFORMATION Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - January 7, 1999 City Council Action Agenda - January 20 and February 3, 1999 ITEM 10: ADJOURNMENT REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF KENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 9, 1999 - 5:30 P.M. KENAI CITY HALL CHAIRPERSON MARILYN DIMMICK~ PRESIDING *** MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chairperson Dimmick called the meeting to order at 5'35 p.m. Members Present: Barb Nord, Marilyn Dimmick, Sylvia Johnson, Karolee Hansen, Jean Rogers Members Absent- Helen Brown, Dorothy Jung Non-Voting Members Absent: Linda Overturf, Jeneane Benedict Also Present: Councilwoman Linda Swarner, Parks and Recreation Director Bob Frates, Contract Secretary Victoria Askin 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA ® NORD MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION SECONDED BY ROGERS. THE AGENDA WAS APPROVED AS WRITTEN. APPROVAL OF MINUTES am Regular Meeting of January 12, 1999 Dimmick noted corrections to page 1, Linda Overturf was present, Jean Rogers was absent, Jeneane Benedict was absent. Page 5, 7th paragraph, 2nd line, "libatia" should be "godetia". NORD MOVED TO APPROVE MINUTF~ WITH AMENDMENTS. HANSEN SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTE~ OF JANUARY 12~ 1999 APPROVED AS AMENDED. 4. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD 5. OLD BUSINESS a. Flower Selection Frates related flowers were ordered and should be arrive in another week. From review of last year, geraniums were started the first week in March. That was a little late but getting the order placed earlier this year will enable him to start those a bit earlier. He added, he expected to start planting the geraniums and possibly other perennials needing to be started early in another week. The ® bulk of what is planted are annuals so some good selections should come in before long. Frates related the heat has been on in the greenhouse for about a week. The bulk of heat loss is through the gravel floor but with it being on, it should be in good shape to being .planting. Rogers asked if a thick plastic on the floor would help at all. Frates stated it was a good idea and didn't know how much it would help with the heat but would help control some of the weeds. A short discussion ensued regarding use of carpet on the floor of the greenhouse. Frates stated they anticipated a bigger heater than what was purchased but it is working fine. NEW BUSINESS a. Banners Frates read a statement of costs from Helen Brown. The cost now will be $175/banner with $25 artist design. The original charge was $125 - $135. Heavier material and more intense dyes are now being used. There will be 15 new banners ordered in addition to the 15 made last year. Dimmick clarified the $25 was for a new design not if the same design was used over again. Frates added, this year there will be a total of 30 total new banners that will be put on Airport Way and Willow Street. The 30 banners are more than adequate for the two streets and the question now is if the Committee wants to consider placing the new banners at other areas. Frates related the Parks and Recreation Commission was a bit hesitant to put these banners on Spur Highway right now, thinking they could be damaged as happened in the past. Parks and Recreation also recommended simplified designs. Dimmick asked where the other 15 banners would be placed (other than Airport Way)? Frates suggested swapping out banners to keep them fresh. He added, Parks and Recreation had recommended rotating the banners. Frates noted, the All-America City and the red, white and blue silhouettes would go on the Spur Highway. He added, four banners were put up at the Visitors Center last year and the poles broke loose because of the wind. Rogers suggested, it would be nice to have banners on the park strip because there are so many activities there but no place to hang them and the wind is strong in the area. Frates stated the banners were on every other pole last year. With the additional banners, they would be able to put up banners at more than every other pole on at least one of the streets. Discussion continued with consensus reached to go with Parks and Recreation's recommendation. Swarner noted she wanted to see it BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 1999 Page 2 be kept in the budget process and be an ongoing expense. Frates agreed and asked if the Committee wanted to budget for an additional number. NORD MOVED THE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE REQUEST AN ADDITIONAL 15 BANNERS BE INCLUDED IN THE FY99 BUDGET. ROGERS SECONDED. MOTION PASSED. Budget Review Frates stated he would budget for the additional banners. Continuing, Frates informed the Committee this year's budget closely matches FY98. One big item in the Parks & Recreation budget is the inclusion of a wrought iron fence for the cemetery which will cost approximately $20,000. He added, the Commission also wanted to do away with the existing sign at the entrance and go with a wrought iron type of look, much like what is over the Oilers Park. The fence would cover the road frontage and would be a pre-fabricated fence. Dimmick asked about the use of aluminum. Frates answered from his research, the cost would be a little more, even though money would be saved on freight. Frates continued with budget amounts: Operating/Repair Supplies - the same as last year's at about $8,000; Small Tools and Minor Equipment- $3,000; Printing/Binding- $300; Utilities jumped up a little bit to $2,000. Frates stated the other big item to be discussed is the Christmas decorations. He explained, the wiring on a lot of the decorations had gone bad and open sockets cause fuses to blow out, often resulting in transformers needing to be replaced. The other option mentioned was stripping down silhouettes and sandblasting them. This would be very time consuming and not cost effective. Currently, the City has 55 decorations hanging. This many new ones would cost about $18,000 with shipping. He added, another suggestion would be to concentrate on placing the decorations only along the Spur Highway. Nord asked if 22 were salvageable. Frates answered, he believed 22 could be salvaged and used for one more year. Discussion continued regarding removal of the garland, checking lights, purchasing sturdier ones this time, and doing this project in phases. ROGERS MOVED TO INCLUDE IN THE BUDGET COSTS FOR 55 CHRISTMAS SILHOUETTES. NORD SECONDED. MOTION PASSED. BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 1999 Page 3 Frates added he had found a local supplier of the Christmas decorations, as well. He added, he had submitted an additional 500 hours for beautification summer hire. This should get someone started a little earlier to help alleviate some of the burden working on the flower beds in the spring, etc. Frates noted, the old animal control shelter could now be used for maintenance. The Committee will probably be addressing the Arts Center as well. Frates stated he wanted to mention the Committee had taken a close look at adding another underground water service line to Leif Hansen Park and would probably cost about $7,000 for a two-inch line. He added, he felt that cost would be extremely difficult to justify. Acquiring walking water sprinklers was another option and could probably be done within the existing budget. The Committee could also consider getting additional larger hose to run from the spigot out with a big sprinkler head to cover the area. In addition, Frates noted where snow is being piled this winter, might be a little close to where the rose flowerbed is planned. This flowerbed may have to situated more easterly. NORD MOVED TO APPROVE THE BEAUTIFICATION BUDGET AS AMENDED. JOHNSON SECONDED. MOTION PASSED. Fertilization Program Frates explained he had been researching different kinds of fertilizer to be used. Referring to a fertilizer study by Tom Johns which was included in the packet, Frates indicated the 22-11-11 fertilizer was found to be the best for turf density and a rich green look. Local landscapers agreed that using the 22-11-11 was the best route. For the last 7-8 years, the city has been using 16-16- 16. Some of the lawns look good, but not as good as they could. Several pH samples were taken last year and came in at 7.0, which is ideal. The areas tested were the ballfield, green strip, at Leif Hansen Park. Frates stated he had also been looking at the increase in the dandelion population. He noted, he believed the city's horticulture practices were sound. However, he felt the biggest contributor was other lawns in town aren't maintained, i.e. the field on the bluff next to Leif Hansen Park. Frates added, there are several low volatility herbicides that can used that don't require the handler to be certified, however he is investigating certification of several of his workers. BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 1999 Page 4 Rogers asked if a lot of dirt would be needed for the Fire Station project. Frates answered he had not yet received an estimate from the Fire Department, but felt what is required shouldn't be a problem. REPORTS Chair Report Dimmick stated she tried to get a student representative but wasn't able to find one. However, in the meantime, council appointed Dorothy Jung to the vacant seat. She added, both she and Frates had spoken with the City Clerk who noted, it wouldn't do any good to find a student member when all the seats are filled (if the student is to be. a voting member). Frates commented, it might be difficult to keep a student's attention for the summer as they are on vacation, playing ball, etc. and not available. Dimmick felt another reason to make it a separate seat and not part of the group was quorum requirements. That way, the Committee wouldn't be dependent upon a student representative being available. b. Parks/h Recreation Director Frates inquired about the plants planted in front of the Russian Orthodox Church and was informed it is Bishop's Weed. He noted, the State was responsible for that project and believed Ward's Landscaping did the planting. He added, according to Steve Booth, this plant is extremely hardy for Alaska. Frates added, four additional flower boxes have been finished. There are now a total of eight. He added, he is going to approach the Art Center about placing some of the boxes in their doorway. Frates reported he went to Kenai River Nursery and they are carrying Prene this year. They have probably 10-12 jugs and cost $12.98. Dimmick stated it was $9.99 at Kmart last year. Frates spoke with Susan Miller and while they don't use this product, they use one similar and warned him not to expect miracles. It will control the seeds and prevent them from sprouting. As far as the mature chickweed, it will have no effect. In addition, if you use it for about three years in a row, you will see a difference but it will take time. It is put in the soil right at the time of planting and watered liberally and won't hurt any of the plants and flowers. Frates also reported, during last weekend the City hosted the Peninsula Winter Games Basketball Tournament. Eight teams BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 1999 Page 5 participated and everything went really well. Three of the four teams stayed at the Merit and a steak dinner was held at the Elks Club for them. It was a success. ® COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS / QUESTIONS Councilperson Swarner noted she thought the student representative should be a non-voting representative but that did not pass the Council. She added, if the Committee members knew of someone who might be interested, they can apply and could be appointed as a non-voting member. Swarner added, she was appointed to serve as Ad Hoc to the Committee for another year. The Council has appointed Bill Frazer to the Council. Commissioner Dimmick thanked Councilperson Swarner for remaining with the Beautification Committee for another year. Director Frates stated in FY01, the Committee will have to consider expanding or adding sidewalk at Leif Hansen Memorial Park. There are drawings covering additional sidewalk if needed. Commissioner Hansen related she had spoken with Frates regarding a Boy Scout, Christopher Walker, who is interested in taking over maintenance of the flowerbed at Eric Hansen Scout Park as part of his Eagle Scout Project. He has done gardening before with his family. Frates asked Hansen to have the student contact him. Frates asked if Walker was in the process of submitting this project for approval. Hansen answered affirmatively and, in addition, she would invite him to the next Beautification Committee meeting. 10. INFORMATION a, bo Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes- January 7, 1999. City Council Action Agenda- January 20 and February 3, 1999. 10. ADJOURNMENT NORD MOVED TO ADJOURN. MOTION SECONDED BY ROGERS. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:40 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Victoria Askin Contract Secretary BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 1999 Page 6 BF~UTIFICATION COMMITTEE Meets Second Tuesday of the Month. - 5:30 p.m. City Hall Marilyn Dimmick 1113 Walnut Avenue Kenai, AK 99611 283-3910 (home) (fax) 283-3973 2001 Karolee T. Hansen P.O. Box 1390 Kenai, AK 99611 283-4615 (home) 283-4611 (work) 2002 Jean Rogers 1117 Larch Street Kenai, AK 99611 283-0816 2002 Barb Nord 690 Sycamore Circle Kenai, AK 99611 283-9678 (h)262-3958 (w) 2001 email: bardnord~msn.com Dorothy Jung 1517 Wedgewood Drive Kenai, AK 99611 Helen Brown P.O. Box 3203 Kenai, AK 99611 20OO 283-3073 (home) 283-7581 (work) 283-4082 (work fax) 2000 283-4413 (home and business) Sylvia M. Johnson P.O. Box 152 Kenai, AK 99611 283-4751 (home) 2OO0 Ad Hoc: Councilwoman Linda Swarner 298 Rogers Road Kenai, AK 99611 Telephone' 283-4366(h) 283-9479 (w)email: lswarner~hotmail.com 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 283-5025 (home) Contract Secretary: ASAP Answering Service 170 Corral Street, Suite A Soldotna, AK 99669 (262-sooo) (2/11/99)