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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-03-11 Harbor Commission SummaryKENAI HARBOR COMMISSION AGENDA MARCH 11, 1996 Kenai City Hall 7:00 p.m. Chairman Will Jahrig ROLL CALL m APPROVAL OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES - February 12, 1996 1 PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ag Paul Dale, Snug Harbor Seafoods - Ramp Use 1 OLD BUSINESS al Bill Nelson - Application to ASTF for funds: Bluff Erosion & Dunes , NEW BUSINESS al Discussion: Beach Access, Spruce Street 7. INFORMATION None Bi COMMISSION COMMENTS & QUESTIONS a~ City Council Agendas 9. ADJOURNMENT Set date for next meeting. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING ON MARCH 11, 1996 CALL KATHY WOODFORD AT 283-7535 BY 4:00 P.M. ON THAT DATE. YOU. THANK Harbor Commission ***Minutes*** March 11, 1996 - 7:00 p.m. City Council Chambers Chairman Jeannie Munn 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Members Presem: Barry Eldridge, Mike McCune, Jeannie Munn, Tom Thompson Members Absent: George Spracher, Ray McCubbins, Will Jahrig Also Present: Keith Komelis, Debby Fahnholz, Bill Nelson, Wayne Freaden, Paul Dale 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner McCune MOVED that the agenda be approved as presemed. Thompson SECONDED the motion. The agenda was approved. Commissioner 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Eldridge MOVED to approve the minutes. SECONDED the motion and the minutes were approved. Commissioner McCune 4. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD Paul Dale was imroduced and explained his concerns that the State Fisheries Departmem extending the dipnet fishery this year will have an adVerse impact on the driftnet boats at the boat launch area. Since this extended season will overlap the driftnet season he suggested that there be a dock policy that would make allowances for boats with a commercial interest to be allowed to move to the front of the line instead of having to wait to launch. He stated that they can only fish during a limited time frame and it is critical that they fish the tides. Commissioner Eldridge asked Wayne Freaden if there had been previous conflicts in the past. Freaden responded that in the past there have been incidence where people do not want to allow the commercial boats to go ahead. He stated that biggest conflict is in trying to get them to move their boats or trailers out of the way of the commercial users. Harbor Commission March 11, 1996 Page 1 Paul Dale was also concerned about the small boats that tie up to the dock during that time frame when a commercial boat is launched and felt it could be a potential hazard if one of the larger commercial boats had a problem during launch. He felt there was a possibility that the smaller boats could be overran by the larger boat. Commissioner Thompson asked if there was a preferred side to launch the larger boats from. Paul Dale responded that he always preferred to use the downstream side, as do most of the commercial users. Commissioner Thompson stated that they could post a sign that stated commercial fishers go to the head of the line, or if there was a third person there to handle traffic situations that could help. Wayne Freaden stated, that in the past Parks and Rec has had a person down there collecting fees and such and possibly that person could assist during a conflict situation. Paul Dale stated that he has heard of people in the past who have complained of the commercial interest getting priority launches and felt a sign might be a good idea. He felt that the owners of the smaller boats should be made aware of some of the hazards at the mouth of the river also since high winds can pick up large waves with little or no notice. Commissioner Thompson felt concern that just stating that commercial boats got priority could also be included as guides on smaller boats. Commissioner Eldridge felt any sign should designate commercial drift boats. Wayne Freaden felt it would tone down the anger level if there was some sort of posted policy. Kornelis asked about the dipnetters, if there was a problem getting access to the ramps during peak season times. Paul Dale stated it has been handled well in the past. Wayne Freaden stated that people sometimes do camp there, but they always seem to be considerate and get out of the way. 5. OLD BUSINESS Bluff Erosion - Bill Nelson reported on the proposal he sero to Keith Komelis about the ASTF grant request. He stated that the ASTF was possibly willing to fund the project, but they only fund at 50%. He also felt that it might be possible to install a water removal system to assist with the drainage problem. Commissioner Eldridge stated that since Jim Bookey was not available at the meeting to give Council's opinion, it was hard to move any further. Bill Nelson stated that the fund request was in two stages. He felt the biggest concern with using the culvert material was drainage. He stated that with the vinyl piling material a drain system would need to be installed. He was also concerned about glaciation. The vinyl piling material is much less expensive than the steel culvert material, but it would require more tie backs. Harbor Commission March 11, 1996 Page 2 Commissioner Eldridge asked if there were any engineering studies available on the use of the vinyl material during cold weather situations. Nelson responded that he did not have any, but was sure it was probably available. Nelson felt that wave action would not be a problem in the winter since everything would be frozen, but his main concern was the ability for it to allow water to move through it. Komelis asked Nelson about the cost. Nelson stated that the culverts material was fairly inexpensive. He stated that they were only looking to test it on about 20 feet to start with, but the possibility of water getting around the ends and behind it was a concern. Komelis was concerned that if the cost is near $500,000, then Council would have to come up with half that amount. Nelson stated that ASTF would probably not have a problem funding up to $100,000, maybe even as much as $200,000, but didn't feel they would be willing to go any higher than that. Kornelis was concerned with Council being willing to come up with the matching funds. Commissioner Eldridge MOVED to go ahead with the request to Council that they submit the proposal to ASTF for funds and once they get an idea of the initial cost and if ASTF will participate then they can make a recommendation on whether or not to participate in any furore action with Council. Commissioner McCune SECONDED the Motion. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. 6. NEW BUSINESS Beach Access - Komelis felt that there may have been concern from the Mayor about the Spruce Street access during dipnet season, but was not sure what the entire issue was about. Commissioner McCune was concerned that it was not necessarily in the best interest of the dunes to restrict access, since people would just go around anyway and probably create more damage in the long mn. Komelis stated that there would probably be more 4-wheeler traffic also. He felt that if the City made a better access and mm around area that it would be better controlled. Komelis felt that it would be feasible begin the process of obtaining a wetland permit to expand access to the right towards the sewer treatment plant, since the treatment plant is going to need to expand in a few years anyway. Commissioner Eldridge felt it would make sense to enlarge the gravel parking area and put up some signs. 7. INFORMATION Harbor Commission March 11, 1996 Page 3 Commissioner Thompson asked if there should be a recommendation to Council on the dock issue during the commercial fishing season. Commissioner Eldridge felt it would be reasonable to post something that would allow the commercial boats preference for approximately six hours before or after the closing. Wayne Freaden was also concerned about the toilet facilities not being capable of handling the additional heavy load and felt porta potties may need to be brought in. Komelis felt it was important that the ramps be kept cleaned off. Wayne Freaden stated that he wanted to put in a watering system to keep the silt off the ramps. ge COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS None.. 9. ADJOURNMENT The next meeting was scheduled for April 8, 1996. Eldridge MOVED to adjourn. Thompson SECONDED the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8'35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Debby J. Fahnholz Harbor Commission March 11, 1996 Page 4