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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-07-12 Harbor Commission SummaryKENAI HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING JULY 12, 1999 KENAI COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. CHAIRMAN WILL JAHRIG AGENDA ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June7, 1999 ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5: REPORTS ao Director Dock Foreman ITEM 6: OLD BUSINESS ITEM 7: NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion -- Cunnin~lam Park/Concept Plan for Drift Boat Launch ITEM 8: COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS/(~UESTIONS ITEM 9: INFORMATION a, Kenai City Council Action Agendas of June 16 and July 7, 1999. 6 / 25/99 Dock Rate Schedule. Boat Launch and/or Retrieval Permit ($5 and $10 envelopes). ITEM 10: ADJOURNMENT KENAI HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING JULY 12, 1999 KENAI COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. CHAIRMAN WILL JAHRIG, PRESIDING ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER/h ROLL CALL Chairman Jahrig called the meeting to order at approximately 7'00 p.m. called as follows: Roll was Present: Jahrig, Spracher, Werner-Quade, Thompson, Clay (arrived at 7'02 p.m.), Eldridge (arrived at 7'03 p.m.) Absent: McCune Staff present: City Clerk Freas, Public Works Manager Kornelis, and Councilman Bookey ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL Commissioner Wemer-Quade requested she be added to the agenda at Old Business in order to discuss the portfolio development. MOTION: Commissioner Werner-Quade MOVED to approve the agenda as amended and Commissioner Spracher SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. ORDERED. ITEM 3' APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June7, 1999 MOTION: Commissioner Wemer-Quade MOVED to approve the minutes as presented and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. It was noted Commissioners Clay and Eldridge and Councilman Bookey arrived. ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None. ITEM 5: REPORTS 5-a. Director .. Dip Net Fishery-- Komelis reported, to date approximately $1,200 had been collected as launch fees at the dock and $1,500 had been collected at South Spruce Street during two days of the dip net fishery. Kornelis also reported the South Spruce Street parking lot project came in close to the bid amount. He added, ten additional piles had to be moved from the dock to the parking area and additional signs and posts were purchased to mark off parking spaces. Komelis noted, there were 15-20 spaces for one-hour free parking and an Iron Ranger was placed where fees were being collected. Kornelis referred to copies of the fee collection envelopes being used at the dock and South Spruce parking lot which were included as information items in the Commission packet. Kornelis noted the parking areas were being patrolled by two Police Department summer hires (one a retired police officer) and there were also Parks & Recreation summer hires helping both at South Spruce and the dock. Komelis added, both operations were currently going smoothly. Dock Entrance Sign -- Komelis reported the Dock sign had been removed in order for the State to lay asphalt. The sign will be placed again by the entrance but because the wooden posts were deteriorating, they would be replaced by pipe. Kornelis also noted the dock parking lot had been marked with lines denoting parking spaces. 5-b. Dock Foreman -- None. ITEM OLD BUSINESS 6-a. Portfolio -- Wemer-Quade passed around the scrapbook and informational items she had collected for inclusion. She requested the Commission to bring her any other information they would like included in the portfolio, including pictures. Werner-Quade noted a newspaper editorial she had clipped about a clean boating brochure being developed and asked if the Commission was interested in getting additional information on the item. The Commission felt it pertained to the Commission's work and Wemer-Quade was to request additional information. ITEM 7: NEW BUSINESS Discussion -- Cunningham Park/Concept Plan for Drift Boat Launch The Commission discussed the letter from Wm. J. Nelson & Associates which was included in their packet. The letter described a concept plan for a drift boat launch to be added to Cunningham Park. HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING JULY 12, 1999 PAGE 2 ~ Jahrig commented he had no objections to the development of the drift boat launch as long as it would not interfere with the ability for people to fish from the bank at Cunningham Park. Eldridge agreed and added, it was his feeling that within a few years the river would be drift boats only due to the problems of wake damage, etc. caused by motored boats. He believed adding the launch ramp in the same park, but separate from the bank fishing area, was an excellent alternative. Councilman Bookey stated he agreed with Eldridge's comment the river would be going to drift only but was concerned the launch ramp design for the park would not be big enough to service all the drift boats that would be needing the area when the river becomes drift only. He noted, the city tried to get a permit to develop a launch on a piece of property owned by the Cone's but was not successful. He believed a permit could be acquired to develop a launch ramp for drift boats at Cunningham Park but was concerned that if one was developed now it would be too small to handle the traffic in a few years and then the city would be. unable to enlarge the facility. Bookey stated he discussed his concerns with Mayor Williams and he suggested adjacent property be purchased. He added, there was still time to develop alternative ideas and suggested exploring other ideas, such as tying into the Birch Island project, etc. Bookey continued, he didn't want to go forward with developing a launch for six people's use when the launching and retrieval of their boats would interfere with the number of people fishing from the banks at Cunningham Park. He added, more space was needed for the launch/retrieval area than was available at Cunningham Park. Jahrig suggested the space designated for a launch at Cunningham Park could be used for additional parking space instead. Bookey added, there was still time to review other ideas. He added, if all indications were accurate, the Birch Island project would proceed and suggested the parking area there could be enlarged and a boat launch/retrieval area could be combined with that project. He noted, it would be best for the State to have the launch/retrieval area because there would be no revenue stream for the City of Kenai (only costs attributed to restrooms and garbage collection). The money would mostly be collected in Soldotna and they would receive the sales tax. MOTION: Commissioner Thompson MOVED the Harbor Commission recommend the Cunningham Park drift boat ramp facility be delayed until a more suitable location and facility can be actively explored, i.e. Birch Island, private sector involvement, etc. Commissioner Clay SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. $O ORDERED. Bookey stated he believed within three years power boats would not be allowed on the Kenai River and it Would restricted to drift boat use only. The city could work with the State or private sector to put in a boat launch which would be good for everyone. It HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING JULY 12, 1999 PAGE 3 was noted the Sportfishermen's Association would probably donate funds to develop the drift boat launch, but it was felt it would be better to explore other alternatives. Also noted was the Association could be helpful in acquiring support for such a project. ITEM 8: COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS/0I/ESTIONS Jahrig -- Reported he attended the July 7 council meeting at which the appropriation of $55,000 was approved for the Coastal Zone Trail Study. He added, everyone he discussed the project with had been very positive. Kornelis added, Dennis Petratrovich {Petratrovich, Nottinham & Drage) would be attending the July 21 meeting to discuss the project and contract. He noted the contract was currently being developed. Jahrig requested a copy of the draft contract for his review as well. Bookey asked Komelis if administration was confident the proposal would provide the information the city needed to make the presentations required to request funding. He added, everyone needed to be aware there probably would be only one opportunity to acquire the funds and he wanted to be sure the information needed would be included in the stu dy. Bookey also noted the public sentiment of the project was very positive and those he spoke with were very pleased an effort was being made to get funding that would tackle bluff erosion concerns as well as incorporate trails, etc. to it. Kornelis stated the only. thing that would not be included in the propose would be additional costs for travel, brochures and pubfications needed for the lobbying effort. Bookey noted, he brought council's attention to the fact there would be additional funding needed for those items when he made the motion to appropriate the $55,000. Council had no comments or objections. Komelis noted the study would include the schematics, cost estimate, survey, property ownership, estimate of real estate costs for purchase or condemnation, slope protection, and draw/ngs. With the study, there would be one full package of information. How many additional packages and to whom they would be sent was not known at this time and the costs for additional packages and postage would be borne by the city. Jahrig suggested Meeks' Crossing be named Meeks' Trail when the area was developed more fully.. Jahrig also thanked the efforts of the Harbor Commission and City Council as he felt it was a good first step. Werner-quade -- Stated she was sorry she missed the Cunningham Park dedication. She was out-of-town and unable to attend. Komelis reported both the Cunningham Park and Erik Hansen Scout Park were dedicated and both look very nice. Bookey noted, if an additional five acres could be acquired for a launch area separate from Cunningham Park it would be one thing, but HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING JULY 12, 1999 PAGE 4 thought it would degrade the Park if a launch was developed as it was now being presented. Jahrig noted, Cunningham Park had the easiest access to take children fishing. Bookey agreed and added, a launch added to the Park wouldn't work for both user groups and he was convinced there would be another place for a launch and the private sector may need to be involved. Councilman Bookey noted Councilman Measles resigned from the City Council effective July 31, 1999 and that Measles would be chairing the council meeting on July 21. The Commission was invited to attend. ITEM 9: INFORMATION Kenai City Council Action Agendas of June 16 and July 7, 1999. 6 / 25/99 Dock Rate Schedule. Boat Launch and/or Retrieval Permit {$5 and $10 envelopes). ITEM 10: ADJOURNMENT Jahrig noted the next meeting would be held on August 9, 1999. MOTION: Commissioner Werner-Quade MOVED for adjournment and Commissioner Thompson SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:45 p.m. Minutes transcribed and prepared by: Carol L. Freas, City Clerk HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING JULY 12, 1999 PAGE 5