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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-08-26 Council on Aging SummaryCou~c~~ oN A~x~~ August 26, 1999 10:00am Call Meeting to Order Agenda Approval Minutes from Prior Meeting Old Business: 1. Grant Report 2. Bluff Warning New Business: 1. Kenai Coastal Trail 2. Older Americans Act Renewal 3. Morning Membership 4. Board Outreach Persons Wanting to be Heard: COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 26, 1999 10:00 A.M. KENAI SENIOR CENTER CHAIR PEGGY ARNESS~ PRF~IDING ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Peggy Arness called the meeting to order at approximately 10:02 a.m. in the Green Room of the Kenai Senior Center. Roll was taken as follows' Members Present: Enfield, Arness, Nelson, Hollier, Jones, Wiese (arrived at 10:10 a.m.) and Jurgensen (arrived at 10:12 a.m.). Members Absent: Meeks and Billings Others Present: City Clerk Carol Freas, Councilwoman Swarner, Public Works Manager Keith Kornelis and Director Kellie Kelso ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL Director Kelso requested the Coastal Trail discussion be moved from New Business to immediately after the approval of the minutes. There were no objections to the request or the agenda. ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES - April 27, 1999 MOTION: Member Hollier MOVED for approval of the April 27, 1999 Council on Aging meeting minutes and Member Nelson SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 5-a: Kenai Coastal Trail/Bluff Restoration Project (Moved forward on agenda.) Public Works Manager Kornelis explained, the erosion problems of the City of Kenai were recognized by the Peratrovich, Nottingham & Drage {PDN) engineering firm in 1998-99. They presented some ideas to the city of what might be done to slow the erosion or eliminate the problem. A reconnaissance study subsequently ordered by the city suggested bluff erosion procedures could be put into place and a coastal trail incorporated into the work. The city entered into a contract with PND to provide a project presentation package to include a detailed preliminary schematic design; a good survey of property ownership; right-of-way ownership; aerial photographs; an accurate project cost estimate; cost estimate for right-of-way acquisition, etc. The reconnaissance study also suggested sloping be changed in some areas to prevent undercutting by wave action and that the trail be placed above the mean high tide level. The trail and bluff restoration project is proposed to begin at South Spruce and proceed approximately two miles upriver to the Pacific Seafoods cannery area. The plan would also include two to four places where a user could come off the trail (Meeks Crossing, Kenai Joe's, etc.). The project contract also provides for several public hearings in order for the citizenry to have input into the project, ask questions, and be informed. The mailing list for the public hearings includes approximately 300 people, including the permitting agencies who will be involved in the project. Kornelis noted, the first public hearing was held on August 24 and about 30 people attended it. PND took back the comments and information discussed and will consider incorporating that information into the plan, where appropriate. The next public hearing will also be noticed by mail and in the newspaper and will be held in about a month. Kornelis added, after the public hearings are held and additional information is incorporated into the plan, the presentation package will be forwarded to council for their review. The presentation package will then be used for discussions with funding sources (federal and state). Kornelis reviewed several photographs and drawings with the Council on Aging. Discussion followed regarding the types of restoration processes being considered and noted, the work could include both sloping and sheet piling. He also noted some buildings close to the edge of the bluff may need to be moved. The trail will be handicap-accessible except possibly in off-trail areas, which may have too much of a slope allowed by federal standards. It was also noted, the Parks & Recreation Department would maintain the trail during the summer months and ski clubs and schools may be maintaining proposed cross-country ski use during the winter. Kornelis also reported, the presentation package is to be completed by the end of November at which time it will be used for presentations to funding sources. A main concern voiced at the recent public hearing was the damage that could be done to the dunes when the direction of the water is changed by the project. The engineer is aware of that concern and is inveStigating what might happen and what can be done to avoid damage to the dunes. Adding a breakwater is one consideration to protect the dunes. The membership was generally in favor of the project and were appreciative to Kornelis in making the presentation. ITEM 4: OLD BUSINESS Discussion- Grant Report Kelso reported the grant process was finished and it was successful. She noted funds were approved by United Way, Title 3, Title 5 and the Borough. She will prepare an overall budget for the next meeting. COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 26, 1999 PAGE 2 4-bo Discussion - Bluff Warning Kelso noted this concern was discussed at the Council on Aging April meeting when it was reported many times children attending rental functions at the Center play along the edge of the bluff, endangering themselves to falling, etc. Kelso reported she discussed the concern with City Attorney Graves and informed him of the membership 's suggestion signs be placed along the bluff. They came to the conclusion signs may not help the situation and instead would include in the rental agreement a notice regarding the bluff and that children should be supervised. ITEM 5: NEW BUSINESS Discussion- Kenai Coastal Trail/Bluff Restoration Project. Discussed before Old Business. a-b, Discussion - Older Americans Act Renewal Kelso reported the federal Older Americans Act, which allows for transportation, home-delivered and congregate meals, and other currently available services to the Center, was now before Congress for reauthorization. She referred to a draft resolution (included in the packet) which she had prepared for the members to review. If they approved, the resolution could then be forwarded to the City Council for their consideration. She noted, the resolution recommended the City Council approve the resolution which supported the reauthorization of the Act and forward it to the Alaska congressional delegation. MOTION: Member Nelson MOVED to approve the draft resolution and send it on to the council for their consideration. Member Enfield SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. It was noted, the resolution would be included on the September 1, 1999 council meeting agenda. -C. Morning Membership/Board Outreach Kelso reported there seemed to be a decline in seniors' use of the Center in the mornings. She noted, there is a lot of participation in the lunches and programs, however. Kelso explained they lost those seniors who came to the Center in the morning for coffee and who attracted others to sit and chat. Kelso stated she discussed the matter with her staff and they were investigating what they could do to COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 26, 1999 PAGE 3 entice seniors to use the facility in the mornings, i.e. starting the muffins and cinnamon roll availability. They were looking for other suggestions from the seniors. Kelso noted, there may be some need for those who have used the facility for some time, to speak to other seniors and inform them of what is available. Jurgensen stated, because he was new to the facility, he had not been sure if there was cost involved, or if he would be imposing on the staff to use the facility in the morning. was decided the seniors should advertise by word-of-mouth what is available and encourage other seniors, who may be new to the facility, to get involved. Enfield suggested boxes of cereal could be made available along with the muffins, etc. It ITEM 6: PERSONS WANTING TO BE HEARD Councilwoman Swarner reported she was running for re-election to the council and was recently elected as Vice Mayor by the council. Jones asked for a report on the 12-passenger van. Kelso reported the van would be in Redmond, Washington on September 12. She noted, one of the city shop employees will travel to Redmond to inspect the van prior to its being shipped to Alaska. Kelso added, she had not been aware of the employee needing to travel to make the inspection, which includes airfare and an overnight accommodation. ITEM 7: ADJOURNMENT Member Hollier MOVED for adjournment and Member Nelson SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:02 a.m. Minutes transcribed and prepared by: Carol L. Freas, City Clerk COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 26, 1999 PAGE 4