HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-04-08 Harbor Commission SummaryKENAI HARBOR COMMISSION
AGENDA
APRIL 8, 1996
Kenai City Hall 7:00 p.m.
Chairman Will Jahrig
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ROLL CALL
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APPROVAL OF AGENDA
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES- March 11, 1996
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PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD
None
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OLD BUSINESS
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Discussion: Kenai Dunes Park: Dipnet season, Parking, Barricades
b. Discussion:
Signs at Boat Ramp, suggested wordage:1. Danger at Mouth
2. Commercial Boat Preference for Launching
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NEW BUSINESS
None
7.' INFORMATION
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Memo from Keith Kornelis - ASTF Grant
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COMMISSION COMMENTS & QUESTIONS
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City Council Agendas
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ADJOURNMENT
Set date for next meeting.
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING ON APRIL 8, 1996 PLEASE
CALL KATHY WOODFORD AT 283-7535 BY 4:00 P.M. ON THAT DATE.
THANK YOU.
Harbor Commission
***Minutes***
April 8, 1996 - 7:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
Chairman Will Jahrig
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CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Members Presem:
Barry Eldridge, Jeannie Munn, George Spracher, Will Jahrig, Ray
McCubbins
Members Absem:
Mike McCune, Tom Thompson
Also Presem:
Keith Komelis, Debby Fahnholz, Wayne Freaden, Jim Bookey, Joe
Moore
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Jahrig asked that Meeting Schedules be added as discussion under New
Business.
Commissioner Eldridge MOVED that the agenda be approved as amended.
Munn SECONDED the motion and 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 Munn
4. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD
None.
5. OLD BUSINESS
Ao
Kenai Dunes Park - Dipnet Season Parking/Barricades' Councilman Bookey stated
that there had been some discussion with Council on ideas to control crowds, access
and protecting the dunes during the dipnet season. The Council has made no definite
Harbor Commission
April 8, 1996
Page 1
decisions yet and requested recommendations from the Commission. Commissioner
Eldridge stated that there had been discussion at the last meeting about putting in log
barricades to keep vehicles within designated areas and the feasibility of expanding
the gravel parking area.
Commissioner Moore stated that short of closing off Kenai Avenue and prohibiting
vehicular access, they would only be creating a bottle-neck. He felt there may be a
lot of complaints from people who would be required to walk long distances to
dipnet, though dipnetting will also be open to boats.
Councilman Bookey stated that if there was action done on the south side, then the
north side access would also need to be addressed. Councilman Jahrig stated that if
the road access is closed, then more people will be walking down the bluffs which
will only cause more erosion problems. He felt tying the road access and erosion
problems would be a better way to address the issue. Councilman Jahrig felt if the
concrete pillars could be installed along the roadway it would help both problems.
Councilman Bookey stated that there will be a s~gnificam amoum of additional traffic
this year because of the 24-hour fishery, unlike in years past.
Councilman Moore addressed concerns about the turnaround area. Komelis felt that
there was enough room to mm around toward the mouth as long as nobody parks and
blocks the vehicles in. He felt there should be signage put in as to a time limit for
parking and felt they could enlarge the turnaround area some.
Councilman Bookey felt that there should be some mandates put in effect this year
and that the area cannot go unattended as in years past. Commissioner Eldridge
asked if there was an option of having parking on one side of Spruce Street only, at
least until the gravel pads can be put in. Councilman Bookey stated he would like to
see some limitations on the parking this year. Commissioner Jahrig stated that he felt
there should be something done to the mm-around area, some signage, and it should
be patrolled and enforced.
Commissioner Eldridge stated that something also had to be addressed on the south
side, since the Old Cannery Road goes to the beach. Komelis stated that there was a
section line easement and that he thought there was nothing they could do to restrict
access there. Councilman Bookey that there also was no garbage or restroom
facilities on the south side, but that there is on the north side. Komelis stated that
these would have to be watched closely if installed on the south side to prevent them
being washed out on high tides.
Harbor Commission
April 8, 1996
Page 2
Councilman Bookey felt that the city docks are going to be inundated, not only with
launchings, but the toilet and garbage needs will be heavily impacted. Freaden stated
that last year the septic was used to the point that it ran the well dry and filled the
filter system with sand, which shut the system down. They also had to have the
dumpsters emptied daily. Councilman Bookey stated that the available manpower
would probably not be adequate. Freaden felt that they may need to bring in
additional porta potties if the system becomes overused. Councilman Bookey stated
he would like to go back to Council with some recommendations on a time limit for
parking at the dock.
Freaden stated he would like to see the skiff tie-up fee raised from $1 to $5. He
stated it was originally set for commercial use, but is going to be used more by the
private users. Commissioner Eldridge asked how the fee schedule gets changes.
Komelis stated that it could be handled through the City Manager. Commissioner
Jahrig stated that $5 was a reasonable fee, but at what point do they say they are full.
Freaden felt that they could control that pretty well. He was concerned that motor
homes could be a problem though.
Commissioner Eldridge suggested setting a monthly rate of $50 or a $5 daily rate.
Councilman Bookey felt it would have to go to administration and through legal, but
stated he wouldn't be surprised if it didn't go through Council. Commissioner Jahrig
stated that if there was no designation made for commercial use versus private use,
but strictly set the fees on a flat monthly or daily rate there should not be a problem.
Komelis asked if the launch charge should change. Commissioners Eldridge and
Jahrig both felt the launch fee should stay the same. Councilman Bookey stated he
would take the Commissions' feelings to Council on the fees.
Commissioner Jahrig felt sOmething more stout than logs needed to be used on the
dunes. Komelis asked if the concrete pillars were to be donated to the City.
Commissioner Jahrig stated that he had discussed it and was confident that they would
be donated.
CoUncilman Moore was concerned with the aesthetics of the concrete pillars and
asked if it would change the wind pattern thereby creating more problems.
Commissioner Jahrig stated that they would be used as barricades for traffic.
Councilman Moore again suggested closing the road to traffic. Commissioner Jahrig
stated that the people would then just go over the bluffs onto private property and
monitoring would be major problem. Councilman Bookey stated that aesthetics could
be an issue to address. He suggested that Council would probably want to go look at
the pillars first.
Harbor Commission
April 8, 1996
Page 3
Councilman Moore stated that 4-wheelers are also an issue. Councilman Bookey felt
that Council needs to enforce whatever mandates they put into effect. Commissioner
Jahrig stated that no matter what is put in, it will have an impact on the dunes. He
felt that the concrete pillars could always be removed later if something else comes
available later. He felt that if nothing is done, the dunes problem will only get
worse.
Commissioner Eldridge MOVED that the dunes access be restricted by use of pilings
or logs, that parking be restricted to the upper areas until parking in the lower lots
can be accommodated, and that signage be added and enforced. Commissioner
Munn SECONDED the motion and a vote was unanimous in favor.
Bo
Signs at Boat Ramp - Commissioner Jahrig asked what signage should be installed.
Commissioner Eldridge suggested that the signs could state' DANGER - Beware of
large waves at the mouth. He stated that there should also be a sign for commercial
boat launching preference. Commissioner Jahrig felt uncomfortable with giving
anyone preferential launch treatment, unless it was on an emergency basis. Freaden
stated that if someone came in with web in their wheel that they could move everyone
over and pull the boat out to cut their web, then let them re-launCh. Commissioner
Jahrig asked what would happen if a 6-packer came in to take people out to dipnet,
and would they be considered commercial and expect preferential launch. The
commission did not feel any action should be taken to give commercial boats
preferential launch.
6. NEW BUSINESS
Meeting Schedules - Commissioner Eldridge stated that he felt the Commission was required
to meet monthly. Commissioner Jahrig stated that he would be out of town until probably
November and was unsure of how many meetings he would be able to attend. Councilman
Bookey stated that Council suggested monthly meetings, but the Commission can request to
skip a meeting. Commissioner Eldridge suggested just playing it out to see how it goes.
Commissioner Jahrig stated he was unable to commit to how many meetings he would be
able to attend and left it to the Commission to replace him if it became a problem.
7. INFORMATION
ASTF Gram Memo - Komelis stated that Council had awarded a comract to Nelson &
Associates for the first phase of the gram application process. Councilman Bookey stated
that the dunes project request was still on the books and looked good. He stated that nothing
would be available umil after the dipnet season is over, and the Cunningham Park is still a
possibility.
Harbor Commission
April 8, 1996
Page 4
Freaden suggested snow fencing could be used to direct traffic on the dunes also. Kornelis
stated that if the pillars were put in with only enough room for foot traffic that fencing would
not be necessary. Councilman Bookey stated that if funding came in, there would eventually
be wooden boardwalks down them.
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COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
Councilman Bookey stated that Council is still going over the budget. He stated that Council
took a walk down the new ramp at the city dock and that it was well received.
Freaden stated that the main Pile under the crane is now cratered and needs to be repaired.
He stated that it has broken loose and is no longer supporting the dock. He felt that the
pilings need to be filled with something to prevent the same problem recurring in the future.
He stated that there are also dents in two other piles and felt they should all be filled.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting was scheduled for May 6, 1996. Eldridge MOVED to adjourn.
SECONDED the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Munn
Respectfully submitted,
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Harbor Commission
April 8, 1996
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