Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-05-10 Harbor Commission SummaryKENAI HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING MAY 10, 1999 KENAI COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. CHAIRMAN WILL JAHRIG AGENDA ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER/h ROLL CALL ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES - April 12, 1999. ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5' REPORTS ao Director Dock Foreman ITEM 6' OLD BUSINESS Discussion -- Kenai Coastal Trail/Petratrovich, Nottingham & Drage, Inc. Proposal. ITEM 7' NEW BUSINGS ao Discussion -- New Rate Schedule Discussion -- Boat Storage Yard/Extension of Conditional Use Permit ITEM 8: COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS/QUESTIONS ITEM INFORMATION ao Kenai City Council Action Agendas of April 7 and 21, 1999. 5 / 3 / 99 KK Memorandum regarding Non-exclusive Special Use Permit/Dock Station No. 1. _) ITEM 10: ADJOURNMENT REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF KENAI HARBOR COMMISSION MAY 10, 1999 ~ 7:00 P.M. KENAI CITY HALL CHAIRMAN WILL JAHRIG~ PRESIDING lo CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chairman Jahrig called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present- Eldridge, Werner-Quade, Clay, Jahrig, McCune, Spracher, Thompson Members absent: None Also present: Dock Foreman Swede Freden, Contract Secretary Vicki Fruichantie 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: JAHRIG MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS WRITTEN. MOTION SECONDED BY ELDRIDGE. THE AGENDA WAS APPROVED AS WRITTEN. ® APPROVAL OF MINUTES Regular Meeting of April 12, 1999. MOTION: ELDRIDGE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF APRIL 12, 1999. CLAY SECONDED. MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS WRITTEN. 4. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD - None 5. REPORTS a. Dock Foreman Dock Forman Freden reported the river had changed considerably and presented photos he had taken of fender piling stubs in the dock area. He explained he wouldn't be able to use the pilings the way they are, being bent and damaged. The stubs were located at the end of the launch ramp. Freden added, he was trying to make contact with Toloff Crane request their recommendations for fixing the pilings. Freden recommended reinforcing the pilings, using rebar and filling the pilings with concrete and mesh. He noted that since the river course had changed, the water was coming up in a different area. Discussion continued regarding tidal flow, the river level, and the course the river was now taking. Freden noted, for two winters there was no ice, and now he found ten bent fender pilings. Jahrig recommended pulling the two bent pilings up, cutting them off, and seeing what happens next year. Freden voiced the need for an engineer to take a look at it and make recommendations. He pointed out from the photos where the angles and bends were located in the pilings. Jahrig stated this was an ongoing problem and would continue to be. Eldridge asked how many stubs were needed for this season. Freden replied he needed the crane to reach and set the third one, as he could not use the other two. He voiced concern with ice banging up under the dock because the fuel lines and electrical wiring was located under there. Freden said he would report back with the estimate of repair costs, and in the meantime, keep a close eye on things. Freden stated he would have the launch ramp floats in place Friday. 6. OLD BUSINESS a. Kenai Coastal Trail Jahrig summarized the contents of Keith Kornelis' memo and the letter from Dennis Nottingham regarding the work to be done and cost proposals on the Kenai Coastal Trail which were included in the packet. He explained that now was the best time for the engineers to conduct their overhead survey as there was less foliage. Reports on the lineage and property boundaries would show where properties would need to be reduced and sloped. Jahrig stated the need for the members to develop a proposal for the City Council and to recommend what should happen next. Thompson stated that if the Commission was going to spend the $53,000 to find out what the overall project would cost, they should be prepared to strongly defend that final cost. Jahrig responded that he had spoken with the Mayor and City Manager Ross, who think this was a good project. Jahrig mentioned he had attended the Shorebird Festival in Homer and felt Kenai needed a viewing area. Eldridge agreed, and discussion followed regarding plans for a bike path and overlook. Jahrig stated his feelings that the urgency of this project needed to be emphasized to the council. Jahrig mentioned funding was needed to enhance the local habitat and eco-system, which would help draw people to the area. Eldridge stated he had invited a Wildlife Refuge officer to speak to the Rotary Club and the Ranger said the same things; the wildlife viewing area was fight here. Freden added, people come every day to the City Dock HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES MAY 10, 1999 PAGE 2 and ask what wildlife is out in the mouth of the river and what they can expect to see. He stated that visitors' interest and questions are constant during the tourist season, which had already started. Spracher suggested the City have a sample tape to view. Jahrig recommended the Commission keep pushing for the project. Werner-Quade stated the Commission should take an active approach, showing what restoration could do for the area. Jahrig agreed, stating the project could help to build up local businesses on the bluff such as B & B's, the potential for a restaurant, for people to visit the bluff, and allow the property to stabilize so people can look to future usage. Jahrig also stated the project could help breathe some life into Old Town Kenai. Spracher suggested the opportunity for novelty shops to be located there as well. Jahrig stated that tax-wise, this project would help bring property values up and improve the economy. He added, the project had the potential to improve the zero growth rate in Kenai and tourism. Eldridge emphasized the need for the survey, design work and cost estimate, as well as the public hearings. MOTION: EI,DRIDGE MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO PURSUE THIS PROJECT PROPOSAL AND FIND THE FUNDING FOR IT AND PROCEED. SPRACHER SECONDED. THERE WERE NO OBJECTIONS. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. New Rate Schedule Jahrig referred to the Items for Discussion memorandum from Kornelis included in the packet. He noted, he had no problems with the fuel costs, explaining that gas prices would be lower and diesel would remain the same. Freden observed Item # 1, Boat Launch Ramp fee, that $10 is the usual fee on other launch ramps. McCune stated the fee should remain at $7 because the City Dock was competing with up-river launches where the fish were and there were more things to do. Thompson mentioned there was a price increase two years ago and felt the increase could be delayed for a year. Freden mentioned there would probably be the same amount of money, but less people. Many people will not pay the fee. Eldridge suggested an increase from $60 to $75 for a seasonal pass. Werner-Quade brought attention to the recommended jump in price from $60 to $100. She suggested $7 and $75 for the HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES MAY 10, 1999 PAGE 3 Launch fee and Season Pass. a State Launch fee. Clay noted he had just paid $75 for Freden stated he had approximately three to four people a year use the skiff tie-up. Eldridge suggested $70/Seasonal, and $7 Tie up fee. Werner-Quade stated $75 was easier to remember. MOTION: ELDRIDGE MOVED TO LEAVE THE LAUNCH RAMP FEE AT $7; INCREASE THE SEASONAL PASS TO $75; INCREASE THE TIE-UP FEE TO $75/SEASON; AND INCREASE THE BUOY TIE-UP FEE TO $7/DAY. MCCUNE SECONDED THE MOTION. THERE WERE NO OBJECTIONS. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Discussion followed regarding the three-foot drop off on the launch ramp of the City Dock. Freden stated he could put a buoy out to mark the area. Eldridge suggested he put up a caution sign or a sign that reads "No Wheels Past This Point" so users wouldn't back up too far when launching. bo Boat Storage Yard/Extension of Conditional Use Permit Jahrig referred to Kornelis' May 3rd memo regarding Snug Harbor Seafoods requesting a one-year extension on the existing permit. Eldridge asked if the Commission should consider raising the price of the permit fee. McCune stated, in other communities the rate is between $.05 and $.08 per square foot. He also pointed out that boat storage would become more of a problem over time and eventually interested parties may want to place bids for the space. He mentioned that Snug Harbor had been a good tenant and ran a good clean show. Jahrig suggested increasing the fee to $500 per month. Eldridge recommended the increase for the next year during the extension period, but pointed out the need to express the intention to increase the fee in order to be up to the current market rate. Freden mentioned that other places charge more, which could be easily verified. Jahrig mentioned that other entities might want storage but the dock did not have the room or area available to do that. He went on to explain that expansion is not possible due to the wetlands area. MOTION: ELDRIDGE MOTIONED TO EXTEND THE EXISTING SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR ONE YEAR, RAISING THE PERMIT FEE $.02 PER SQUARE FOOT THIS YEAR; AND GIVING NOTICE TO SNUG HARBOR THAT NEXT YEAR HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES MAY 10, 1999 PAGE 4 THE FEE WOULD INCREASE TO FAIR MARKET VALUE UNDER A TWO-YEAR LEASE. WERNER-(~UADE SECONDED THE MOTION. THERE WERE NO OBJECTIONS. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. ® COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS/QUESTIONS Commissioner Thompson asked Freden about the crane to be rented. Jahrig referred to the Item 9.b. on the Agenda, and discussion ensued regarding the 5/3 / 99 Memorandum. Commissioner Thompson suggested a resolution to wish Mayor John Williams a Happy Birthday from the Harbor Commission. MOTION: THOMPSON MOVED TO PREPARE A RESOLUTION TO WISH MAYOR JOHN WILLIAMS A BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND A JOB WELL DONE. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Commissioner Eldridge asked Jahrig about drawings Kornelis offered as suggestions for the boardwalk. Jahrig stated he would press the issue when Komelis returned and would discuss the subject with him at the next meeting. Jahrig recounted his visit to the Homer slough area, explaining the floating walkway there and how it was built. He stated the need for something similar in Kenai for wildlife viewing. Eldridge suggested taking photos of wildlife and the existing area to emphasize the need for a viewing area. Commissioner Werner-i~uade suggested creating an Internet PortfOlio which would reach world wide and catch the attention of as many people as possible. A general discussion followed regarding photographs available of the numerous shorebirds and wildlife in the Kenai area. Werner-Quade also stated a hard copy Harbor Commission photo album would be helpful to present to the City Council as well. She requested commissioners to bring photos to the next meeting. Commissioner Clay suggested getting local Boy/Girl Scouts to make nesting boxes for the shorebirds. Commissioner Eldridge suggested making a flyer with a panoramic view of the fiats with the volcano in the background. Chairman Jahrig said he would bring in photos of the walkway in Homer, stating that a precedent had already been set. Commissioner Werner-l~uade mentioned the Commission should really be responsible with monitoring funds and beware of HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES MAY 10, 1999 PAGE 5 vendors overcharging for services. Eldridge agreed, stating the Commission really wanted to pursue this project and the Mayor had voiced he did too. Commissioner Clay stated that a benefit of the Trail project would be to help save property. Chairman Jahrig announced the next Harbor Commission meeting would be held June 7, 1999. 9. INFORMATION Kenai City Council Action Agendas of April 7 and 21, 1999. b® 5 / 3 / 99 KK Memorandum regarding Non-exclusive Special Use Permit/Dock Station No. 1 10. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: ELDRIDGE MOVED TO ADJOURN. MOTION SECONDED BY CLAY. THERE WERE NO OBJECTIONS. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:25 p.m. Minutes transcribed and prepared by: Vicki Fruichantie, Contract Secretary HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES MAY 10, 1999 PAGE 6