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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-11-09 Beautification SummaryITEM 1' ITEM 2: ITEM 3' ITEM 4: KENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 9, 1999 *** 5:30 p.m. Kenai Council Chambers ***AGENDA*** CALL TO ORDER/h ROLL CALL AGENDA APPROVAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- October 12, 1999 PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5: ao ITEM 6' ao ITEM 7: a, ITEM 8: ITEM 9: a, ITEM 10' OLD BUSINESS Discussion -- Airport Property Fronting Kenai Senior Center Discussion -- Flower Boxes Discussion-- Multi-Purpose Facility/Summer Events NEW BUSINESS Discussion -- Adopt-An-Area Program Discussion -- Yard-of-the-Week Program Discussion -- Winter Meetin§s REPORTS Committee Chair Parks & Recreation Director Kenai City Council Liaison QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS INFORMATION Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes of October 7, 1999 City Council Action Agendas of October 20 and November 3, 1999 ADJOURNMENT KENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 9, 1999 5:30 p.m. Kenai Council Chambers CHAIRPERSON MARILYN DIMMICK, PRESIDING ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Chairperson Dimmick called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m. and roll was called as: Members Present: Rogers, Johnson, Brown, Dimmick and Hansen (arrived at 6:44 p.m.) Members Absent: Jung and Nord Non-Voting Members Present: Benedict and Overturf Others present: City Clerk Freas, City Councilwoman Swarner and Parks & Recreation Director Frates. ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL There were no changes to the agenda and it was approved as presented. ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- October 12, 1999 MOTION: Committee Member Brown MOVED to approve the minutes as presented and Committee Member Rogers SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None. ITEM 5: OLD BUSINESS Discussion -- Airport Property Fronting Kenai Senior Center Councilwoman Swarner reported the property was found to be not needed for public use by the council at their November 3, 1999 council meeting. She noted, the process to sell the property had begun. ) 5-b. Discussion -- Flower Boxes Director Frates reminded the Committee that during their last meeting they discussed having the wooden flower boxes sandblasted to renew the look of the wood. He noted he spoke with city maintenance staff who recommended power washing the boxes instead as it would be easier to regulate than sandblasting. Frates stated he would have the boxes power washed. Swarner reported she spoke with a member of the Anchorage Beautification Committee who attended the AML Conference. She learned they have a category for the most unusual container in their beautification contest, i.e. bathtubs, wheelbarrows, wagons, boots, etc. Swarner suggested this category could be added to the Chamber's contest categories. Frates suggested this item be included on the Committee's next agenda. Dimmick suggested an old gold dredge could be used by the gold rush sign at the Visitors Center. Brown stated she had one that she would donate. a-ce l)i~eu~i~ -- Multi-Purpose Facility/Summer Events Frates noted, he understood from the Committee's last meeting, the Committee was interested in holding only one gardening/vendor event at the facility next summer. Dimmick suggested holding an event the end of May and if it was successful, hold another later in August. Overturf noted she spends many days in May and early June planting for the city and then plants her own gardens. She added, she would not have time to help organize an event in May. Overturf suggested other groups organize the event, i.e. the Parks & Recreation Commission. Overturf also noted, the Kenaitze Indian Tribe had tried several times over the years to have a gardening event and it was not always well-attended due to a lack of interest. Frates stated he would get in touch with Leah Spaulding at the Tribe as she was going to discuss the potential of moving the Farmers' Market to Kenai with that group. It was agreed the matter should be included on the next meeting's agenda. Discussion followed regarding the best time of the summer to have an event and what it could include. Frates stated he would develop a plan and discuss the idea with vendors in the area. He also noted the date of an event would be determined by the weather and how soon the ice would be melted out of the facility. It was suggested an event should be held on a Saturday from 10'00 a.m. to 4'00 p.m. ITEM 6: NEW BUSINESS Discussion -- Adopt-An-Area Program BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 9, 1999 Page 2 Frates stated he wanted to discuss this idea in order to formalize the process and then actively pursue businesses, service organizations, etc. in early spring to adopt an area. It was suggested a letter be forwarded to local businesses and organizations in March as well as making a presentation to the Chamber of Commerce which would be good advertisement and could spark interest. It was suggested the presentation be made two months prior to the annual volunteer orientation event which would allow the businesses and organizations to choose areas, The areas left could be presented to volunteers to choose an area. Frates suggested signs could be made to post in the areas being cared for by the service organizations, etc. He suggested they could be made of plastic or wood. Signs made of similar materials as political signs were suggested as that material is able to withstand wind and rain and could be fairly inexpensive. Generating interest in volunteering was discussed and Frates suggested a voucher system, i.e. for every five hours (example) a person works with the Committee, an hour would be spent by the Committee members helping the volunteer at their home. The idea was discussed and it was determined it would be really difficult to keep track and do. Dimmick stated she would discuss the possibility of involving the Summer Youth Employment program in working in the gardens, etc. She stated she would investigate the possibility of including the gardening work in their grant request. It was requested the matter be included on the next agenda for further discussion and development of the presentation. 6-bo Discussion -- Yard-of-the-Week Program Swarner noted she did not bring the article regarding the yard-of-the-week program, but would forward it to Frates for the next meeting's agenda. Frates requested the members bring ideas for signs to the next meeting as well. Discussion -- Winter Meetings The Committee requested council cancel their December meeting. Their next meeting would be on January 11, 2000. It was noted, seed selection, banner designs, etc. are discussed and decided normally during the ,January meeting as well. ITEM 7: REPORTS 7-ae 7-bo Committee Chair-- No report. Parks & Recreation Director BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 9, 1999 Page 3 Pole Decorations -- Frates asked the members if they were satisfied with the new decorations. The members stated they liked them very much. Leif Hansen Memorial Park -- Frates reported the lights were up and lit at the Park, as well as the trees being wrapped for the winter. He noted there were several trees yet to be wrapped and they would be after receipt of more wrapping material. Lighted Animal Scenes -- Frates reported the Chamber was still investigating the possibility of purchasing a lighted animal display for the Park. It was noted a religious scene would not be appropriate on public property. Hospice Remembrance Tree -- Frates reported he received a letter from Hospice asking if there would be interest to place a remembrance tree at the Leif Hansen Memorial Park from December 5 to January 6. He explained, with a $10.00 donation to Hospice, someone could hang a star on the tree in remembrance of a loved one. While the Committee agreed it was a very nice idea and had no objections to it, there was concern the matter should be discussed with the city attorney to be sure there would be no legal problems in having the tree in the Park. School Dances -- Frates reported the Recreation Center was busy hosting several school dances. He noted, a Middle School dance and D.A.R.E. presentation by Firefighter Diorec and Officer Carver during Red Ribbon .Week were well attended. Frates also noted if the members were interested, they were always looking for chaperones for the dances. He added, the high school would be holding a dance on November 19. Kenai Municipal Cemetery-- Frates reported the cemetery sign had been removed and a new one was being built by Garland Buffington and would be placed by the end of the month. Frates also reported the gates had been straightened during the summer and a new fence may be discussed during budget meetings. He noted, the old sign would be stored. Cross Country Skiing -- Frates distributed cross-country skiing brochures which would be made available at the Recreation Center and schools. He noted instructional programs were being developed for adults and children from ages 10-14. There would be no cost to the city in offering the classes. In giving the lessons, the hope was to generate interest in developing a Nordic Ski Club in the community. Kenai City Council Liaison Bulb Planting-- Swarner reported she and other Committee members planted bUlbs at Leif Hansen Memorial Park. BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 9, 1999 Page. 4 Banners -- Swarner reported she attended the AML Conference and the city's banners were used to decorate the Sports Center. They received lots of compliments. Swarner explained, since there had been no mention of the banners during the conference, she requested information be included in the next AML newsletter. Anchorage Beautification Contest -- Swarner reported she collected some information from a member of the Anchora§e Beautification Committee re§ardin§ different cate§ories for their contest, pins, etc.' and would brin§ the information to the next meetin§. Kenai Council Meeting -- Swarner reported the next meeting would be held on November 17, which was also Student Government Day. She noted, she and others were sworn in at the November 3 meeting. The council would be discussing liaison appointments in the near future. "Village of Lights" -- Swarner reported she and Frates attended the lighting of the lights on November 3. ITEM 8: OUE~TIONS AND COMMENTS Brown -- Reported her term as Director of the Kenai Arts & Humanities Council would be ending. She asked the members if they knew of someone interested in the position, to have them contact the Council. She noted, she had enrolled in some college classes and could miss some Beautification Committee meetings. Brown stated she would oversee the next banner project, but after that it would be taken over by another. She noted, she had prepared instructions for whoever takes over the project. Hansen -- Suggested additional public restrooms with running water be placed in the downtown area. A lengthy discussion took place regarding areas where restrooms could be placed. Suggested areas were the ice facility, FAA property {across from Leif Hansen Park} and Leif Hansen Park. Swarner explained restrooms were planned for the ice facility in a future phase. At this time, port-a-potties would be made available. It was noted the Parks & Recreation Commission would be the appropriate group with whom the matter should be discussed. It was suggested a letter of request be submitted to Frates for inclusion in a Parks & Recreation Commission agenda. Frates also suggested members of the Committee attend the Commission meeting to discuss their request. Frates noted the city's public restrooms are closed during winter months as they are not heated. MOTION: Member Hansen MOVED the members of the Beautification Committee request the Parks & Recreation Commission begin planning the construction of a public restroom BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE. MEETING NOVEMBER 9, 1999 Page 5 facility near the Leif Hansen Memorial Park. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. Member Brown SECONDED the motion. ITEM 9: INFORMATION Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes of October 7, 1999 City Council Action Agendas of October 20 and November 3, 1999 ITEM 10: ADJOURNMENT It was noted the next meeting would be held on January 11 (if council approves the cancellation of the December, 1999 meeting). The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:00 p.m. Minutes transcribed and prepared by: Carol L. Freas, City Clerk ~'~OVED BY COU~Cg' BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 9, 1999 Page 6