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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-03-09 Beautification SummaryITEM 1' ITEM 2: ITEM 3' ITEM 4: KENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MARCH 9, 1999 ~ 5:30 p.m.~ Kenai Council Chambers '"AGENDA'" CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL AGENDA APPROVAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- FEBRUARY 9, 1999 PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD Kathy Tarr-- Kenai Visitors & Cultural Center Landscaping ITEM 5: OLD BUSINESS ao Discussion-- Banners Discussion -- Fertilizing Pro~ram ITEM 6' NEW BUSINESS ao Discussion -- Goals & Objectives/1999 Discussion -- 1999 Theme Discussion -- Flower Brochure Discussion -- Flower Bed Design Work/Boxes & Circle Planters ITEM 7: DI~OR'S REPORT ao Committee Chair Parks & Recreation Director Kenai City Council Liaison ITEM 8' OUESTIONS & COMMENTS ITEM 9: PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 10- INFORMATION a, Council Action Agendas -- February 3 and 17, 1999. Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes of February 4, 1999. Central Peninsula Master Gardeners Meeting Notice Updated Beautification Committee Membership List ITEM 11' ADJOURNMENT KENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MARCH 9, 1999 *** 5:30 p.m. KENAI COUNCIL CHAMBERS CHAIR MARILYN DIMMICK, PRESIDING ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER/k ROLL CALL Chair Dimmick called the meeting to order at approximately 5:36 p.m. as follows: Roll' was taken Committee Present' Committee Absent: Dimmick, Jung, Johnson, Hansen, and Brown. Rogers and Nord Also Present: Linda Overturf, Councilwoman Linda Swarner, Parks & Recreation Director Frates, and City Clerk Carol Freas. ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL Member Hansen requested Chris Walker be added to Persons Scheduled to be Heard to discuss a Boy Scout merit badge proposed project. There were no other changes to the agenda and no objections to the amendment. The agenda was approved as amended. ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- FEBRUARY 9, 1999 There were no changes to the minutes and they were approved as presented. ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD a. Chris Walker -- Boy Scouts Project. Member Hansen introduced Walker, noting he is a Life Scout from Troop 367 in Kenai and is working toward his Eagle Scout. She noted Walker earned a garden and flowers merit badge as well as many others. Hansen noted she had spoken with Walker about the Erik Hansen Park and the possibility of his working with a group of volunteers to plant flowers, water and fertilize the grass and plants for the summer. Hansen added, Walker had discussed the project with Frates who thought it would be good for Walker to be involved in the planting of the seedlings, etc. Frates noted Walker had been the recipient of the Committee's Children Vegetable Garden award several years ago. Frates continued, he received a copy of the program summary Walker had submitted to the Boy Scouts main office in Anchorage. He added, he was looking forward to working with Walker on the project. Hansen noted, Walker was in the process of getting his project approved by the main office. She explained, Walker would be the organizer of the project and will oversee the others, but may need some help from the Commission from time to time. Swarner asked how his project would mix with the council's program for the park. Frates answered, Walker would use the landscape plan reviewed by council, but initially would help plant the seedlings for the beds and help with seeding at the greenhouse. He may also help with planting shrubbery and other materials at the park. Frates noted, safety issues were reviewed and included in Walker's program plan, i.e. work safety meetings, wearing gloves, safety glasses, etc. b. I~th~ T~ ~ Kenai Visitors & Cultural Center Landscaping. Tarr told the Committee they were her favorite committee in the city and thanked them for their work. She noted, they always have compliments from visitors regarding the flowers and how beautiful the city looks. Tarr reported she was attending the meeting to update the Committee of what changes would be taking place at the Visitors Center and other items of interest. She noted, a Gold Rush Interpretative Sign would be installed on the right side of the building. The landscaping plan was designed by a landscape architect. Landscaping is to include boulders, shrubbery, bench and the sign All the cost will be borne by the state. Dimmick suggested forget~me-nots be included around the interpretative sign area and asked if the state was aware of whether that area would receive enough sun. Tarr stated she would check. Tarr asked the Committee to consider placing large ferns at the entryway of the Center in pots she had already purchased for this purpose. Tarr noted, at the Center, they had also discussed designing a small area in which to plant native Alaska plants for viewing. Tarr expressed her desire that the Committee consider the Center as one of their primary care-taking projects for the summer. She noted, there were several of her employees who would help as much as possible with the watering and weeding. Tarr continued, they expected a large amount of visitors this summer. They have planned to hold three programs a week beginning in June. The programs will begin at 3'00 p.m. with science, art and Native history topics being discussed. The programs will run through August and will be free to the public. Tarr also reported the Permanent Fund Corporation Board would be meeting at the Center on June 16. It was suggested hanging baskets and other flowers could be placed in time for their visit. Tarr requested flowers in the planters be a mixture of those blooming early and later in the season. Tarr also reported a "Get to Know Kenai'~ reception will be held on April 29 at the Center. People Working in Kenai that have a lot of contact with the public (gas station BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 9, 1999 PAGE 2 attendants, food servers, etc.) will be invited to attend. The program for the reception/breakfast will include information about what's going on in the city, what is available to visitors, etc. in an effort to better educate the locals and then the information may be passed on to visitors. Swarner noted Verna Pratt would be giving a presentation at the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Building on March 25 at 7'00 p.m. Overturf suggested Tarr contact the Master Gardeners for help in developing the native plants area she discussed earlier. ITEM 5' OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion -- Banners. Brown reported she had started the work on the new banners and approximately half will be ready to steam by the weekend. She will also wash the present banners. Frates reported a request was made for the purchase of 15 additional banners in next year's budget. That request will be discussed during the budget sessions. Brown invited the committee members to help with the banners. b. Discussion -- Fertilizing Program. Frates noted the committee had briefly discussed this at their last meeting. He added, he would be changing fertilizer and would be using 22-11-11 as a study done by Tom Jahns in 1992 found this fertilizer gave the best color and density. Frates also noted, the committee had discussed using Preen pre-emergent to help control chiCkweed. He reported, he had purchased four to five containers of it. Swarner suggested using the pre-emergent at the Erik Hansen Park to eliminate the chickweed before it had a good start. When asked ff he considered an organic type of weed killer, Frates stated he had discussed both types with a representative of the Anchorage Beautification Department. He was told the Preen won't work as well the first year as it will the second year. In regard to the organic products, Anchorage had not had a lot of success with them. ITEM 6: NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion -- Goals & Objectives/1999. Frates suggested the following items be included in the Committee's 1999 goals and objectives: , 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. New flowerbed at the Fire Station Rose bed at Left Hansen Memorial Park Beds and planters at Kenai Visitors Center Cemetery cleanup in May Children's Garden Contest Bernie Huss Trail Renovation Project BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 9, 1999 PAGE 3 It was suggested fliers be prepared and distributed to the Extension Office, Boy and Girl Scouts, KVCC, Library, and at the local schools in regard to the Children's Garden Contest. Frates suggested second and third grades at Sears Elementary be asked if they would like to help plant seeds to resurrect the flowerbeds at the entrance and exit of the Bernie Huss Trail. He suggested a volunteer from the Committee could work with several of the teachers to plant marigolds (because the seeds will be easy for the youngsters to work with). Dimmick volunteered to work with the teachers. Teachers to contact were Chris Green, 13obbie Baldwin, Eileen 13ryson and Diane Porter. Dimmick suggested the Committee set a date for an orientation for weeding and planting volunteers and think about ways to get people involved. Overturf suggested distributing a flier at the Master Gardeners Seminar. The Committee was encouraged to bring more ideas to their next meeting at which time a date for the orientation would also be set. b. l)i~~i~ ~ 1999 Theme. Frates asked the Committee bring ideas for a theme to their next meeting and they could then choose one for the summer's work. He suggested '131ooming for Pride" or "Blooming for Kenai." Dimmick suggested the Sears students also be asked for suggestions. c. l)i~eu~i~ -~ Flower Brochure. Frates distributed a copy of last year's brochure and asked if the Committee had suggestions for changes. It was suggested the brochure list the locations where flowers have been planted for a quick reference. The Committee was asked to review the brochure further and bring additional ideas for changes to the next meeting at which time it would be finalized. d. l)i~eu~i~ ~- Flower Bed Design Work/Boxes & Circle Planters. Frates requested the committee assign a subcommittee or have a work session prior to their next meeting in order to decide what plants will be included in the planters and boxes. He added, he wanted to know this information as soon as possible because these planters and boxes use a lot of flowers and he wants to separate the seedlings and tag them to better know what is left for other beds, etc. Overturf stated she understood they had decided to plant the boxes and circle planters the same as last year. They would, however, need to decide on flowers for the hanging baskets. It was decided to meet in a work session at 5'00 p.m. immediately prior to their next meeting to discuss the flowers for the hanging baskets. A general discussion followed regarding the flowers used in the circle planters. Frates suggested the circle planters use big, bright, and bold flowers in the middle of the planters. He also stated the boxes need dependable and well-tried flowers. He noted, more soil would be added to the boxes this year as well. BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 9, 1999 PAGE 4 ITEM 7: DIRECTOR'S REPORT a. Committee Chair-- No report. b. Parks & Recreation Director-- Frates reported geraniums were planted and up and the bulbs had been received. Sue Wesley will be transplanting the geraniums. He has had volunteers from the high school helping. Frates also reported the achillea had also been planted. He will now wait until mid-March to complete the seeding and transplanting will be a busy time in April. c. Kenai City Council Liaison -- Swarner reported the council is waiting to receive the budget for their review. Also, Bill Frazer had been appointed as council member, filling the seat left available when Hal Smalley resigned. Swarner also reported she had been appointed as President Pro Tempore for part of the last council meeting because the Mayor had to leave the meeting and the Vice Mayor was not in attendance. Frates and Swarner also reported a Peninsula-wide economic forum was scheduled to be held at the Senior Center on Saturday from 9:30 to 4'00 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Swarner also welcomed Dorothy Jung as the Committee's newest member. ITEM 8: OUESTIONS/k COMMENTS-- None. ITEM 9' PERSONS PRF~ENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None. ITEM 10: INFORMATION ao Council Action Agendas -- February 3 and 17, 1999. Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes of February 4, 1999. Central Peninsula Master Gardeners Meeting Notice Updated Beautification Committee Membership List ITEM 11' ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:00 p.m. Minutes transcribed and pry. pared by: Carol L. Freas, Cl~"Xty Clerk BEAUTIFICATION COMMITYEE MEETING MARCH 9, 1999 PAGE 5