Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-04-13 Harbor Commission SummaryKENAI ADVISORY HARBOR COMMISSION APRIL 13, 1998 KENAI COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. CHAIRMAN WILL JAHRIG AGENDA ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL YTEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -March 9, 1998 ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5: REPORTS a. Director b. Dock Foreman YTEM 6: OLD BUSINESS a. 1998/99 Goals & Objectives ITEM 7: NEW BUSYNESS YTEM 8: COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS/QUESTIONS ITEM 9: INFORMATION a. Kenai City Council Action Agendas of March 18, and April 1, 1998. MEETING ITEM 10: ADJOURNMENT KENAI ADVISORY HARBOR COMMISSYON April 13, 1998 - 7:00 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers Chairman: Will Jahrig *** MINUTES *** 1. ROLL CALL: Chairman Jahrig called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Will Jahrig, Barry Eldridge, Tom Thompson, George Spracher Members Absent: Michael McCune Others Present: Councilman James Bookey, Public Works Director Keith Kornelis, Contract Secretary Barb Roper, Dock Foreman Swede Freden, Paul Dale, Snug Harbor 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA THOMPSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION SECONDED BY ELDRIDGE. THE AGENDA WAS APPROVED AS PRESENTED. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Regular Meeting of March 9, 1998 THOMPSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MARCH 9, 1998. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY SPRACHER. MINUTES OF MARCH 9, 1998 WERE APPROVED AS WRITTEN. 4. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -None 5. REPORTS a. Director Kornelis reported that a memo regarding the Commission's concerns about Snug Harbor's boat yard lease was sent to the City Attorney. Bookey reported the Attorney felt it was appropriate to negotiate the lease and it could be handled with a Special Use Permit. It was also noted any recommendations from the Harbor Commission would have to go to Council. Harbor Commission April 13, 1998 Page 1 Kornelis reported that Snug Harbor's lease for the boat storage yard at the dock will expire on June 30, 1998. It was noted the 120 x 240 sq. ft. lot was leased at $250.00 per month. Kornelis indicated that he had a map available if anyone wanted to review it. Eldridge asked if the City had to go back to BLM for the extension. Kornelis answered, yes, but it should not be a problem. Kornelis stated that Snug Harbor is also interested in enlarging the area to allow for additional boat storage during the winter months and dip net parking in the summer. Dale indicated the increase would go from 240 feet to 480 feet. Dale would like to have this request considered as an option as he is unsure what the cost would be as it is his intent to install a removable face fence so that the area could be used for parking during the dip net season. Discussion took place on whether this additional space would be done on a full-year lease or for nine months to allow for parking. Dale reiterated that he is unsure what the cost involved would be as he isn't sure how many boats would be stored there. It was determined that Dale will come back to the Commission in July after he had done more research. Discussion continued on the current boat yard lease and Eldridge thought the fair market value should be between $400 and $500 per month. Jahrig thought the rate should remain the same since Snug Harbor has about 20 boats already stored there and it is getting too close to the expiration date. SPRACHER MOVED TO RENEW THE SNUG HARBOR LEASE OF THE BOAT YARD AT THE SAME RATE OF $250 PER MONTH. MOTION BY THOMPSON. Vote SPRACHER Yes THOMPSON Yes MCCUNE Absent ELDRYDGE No JAHRIG Yes Motion Failed. Bookey thought $250 per month was on the low side for the boat yard but if the Commission recommended it to remain the same Council will probably approve it. Bookey reported there is the possibility that discussion would take place within the next six to eight months on privatizing dock operations. Eldridge felt the lease rate was fine for last year but it should be doubled this year due to the value of the property. Harbor Commission April 13, 1998 Page 2 Dale asked the Commission to consider that the ground is 100% useful as he can put a boat anywhere in there with a forklift unlike the other acreage he used to lease. Dale pointed out the acreage he used to lease came with fewer restrictions than the current '/z acre leased from the City. In terms of a price per square foot, Dale reported he leased over five acres for $733.00 per month for a year so if flxe Commission is looking at a percentage of saleable property in the six to ten percent range, the $250.00 per month isn't beyond that. Dale did say he was not opposed to an increase but felt it was necessary that he bring the down sides to the attention of the Commission. ELDRIDGE MOVED TO EXTEND THE SNUG HARBOR LEASE FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR AT $400.00 PER MONTH TO JUNE 30, 1999. SPRACHER SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE• THOMPSON Yes MCCUNE Absent ELDRIDGE Yes SPRACHER Yes JAHRIG Yes MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The new rate for the Snug Harbor boat yard lease is $400.00 per month. Jahrig asked Commissioners to go to the dock and look at the additional space Snug Harbor is interested in so that when Dale came back everyone would have an idea of the area. Bookey reported the City Attorney didn't think much of the idea of small businesses being run off the dock unless they are marine related such as a prop shop, net repair, radio repair etc. b. Dock Foreman: Freden stated he anticipates the dock opening on May 1, 1998 (once he is released from the street department). Kornelis reported that a dock helper will be hired approximately April 20 and that person will help Freden with the preparations for opening the dock. Freden stated the silt needs to be removed from the boat ramp. Freden reported the City Manager received a complaint about the buoys being pulled too early. Discussion took place on the complaint and the time frame for pulling the buoys. Kornelis reported that notices will be posted a couple of weeks before the buoys are pulled and users will be notified by letter. It was noted the charge for leasing a buoy is $5.00 per day. Harbor Commission April 13, P998 Page 3 6. OLD BUSINESS a. 1998/99 Goals and Objectives The 1998/99 goals and objectives were reviewed. Thompson asked about the status of the Kenai River Management's desire to take over the lower river. Bookey replied, at this time the lower four miles of the river will remain in City hands. A lengthy discussion took place on the politics involved with the four miles of the lower river and it was thought the item should be included as a goal and objective as it is an issue that is always discussed. After discussion, the following will become a long term goal, Item 9. Continue to monitor the development and activities in the lower river to promote and encourage an environmentally sound blend of commercial and sport aspects of the industry. Jahrig thought access to Birch Island should be included as a goal. It was thought that DNR was considering access when the original boardwalk was being installed. The type of permits required was discussed and it was noted a permit was not required for piling. Kornelis will check on the type of permits, if any, are required. The following item was added as Item 10 in long term goals: Consider development of access to Birch Island and an interpretative site by building boardwalks. ELDRIDGE MOVED TO APPROVE THE 1998/99 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE HARBOR COMMISSION INCLUDING ITEMS 9 AND 10 UNDER LONG TERM GOALS. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY THOMPSON. VOICE VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 7. NEW BUSINESS -None 8. COMMISSION COMMENTS & QUESTIONS Director Kornelis reminded the Commission of the Volunteer Appreciation Reception to be held on April 21, 1998 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Visitor's Center. Kornelis also reported that two grants were submitted for Exxon Valdez funds. The first is for $100,000 to enlarge the parking lot at the bottom of South Harbor Commission April 13, 1998 Page 4 Spruce to accommodate the dip net fishery. Kornelis noted a Corps permit to do the work has already been obtained. The second grant is for $800,000 to provide road access and parking lot on the south side of the Kenai River mouth. Commissioner Jahrsg requested that PTI be asked to mark their vaults as they are dangerous for snow machines riding in the area. Kornelis will draft a letter to PTI. Commissioner Jahrig also asked that PTI remove the orange-headed survey stakes from the area. Councilman Bookey reported that Council began the budget work sessions. 9. INFORMATION a. Kenai City Council Action Agendas of March 18 and April 1, 1998. 10. ELDRIDGE MOVED TO ADJOURN. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:20 P.M. The next meeting wilfl be held on May 11, 1998. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Roper, Contract Secretary Harbor Commission April 13, 1998 Page 5 KENAI ADVISORY HARBOR COMMYSSION 1998 Goals and Objectives Short-term Goals Continue efforts in establishing an oil spill response and emergency contingency plan with necessary containment and cleanup materials. Also explore possibility of cooperating with a local spill response organization in the placement of cleanup supplies at the dock area to be used if necessary. 2. Continue efforts to discover means of preventing or reducing siltation at the dock and boat ramps and documenting for the Corps of Engineer all boats which become grounded due to low water. 3. Pave in and around the restroom and at the top of the ramp to make a nice staging area for boats entering and/or leaving the river. 4. Develop road access and parking on the south side of the mouth of the Kenai River to include sanitation facilities (restrooms and dumpsters). 5. Add parking at the end of South Spruce and the beach. 6. Develop a parking fee for the dip net fishery. 7. Continue sanitation efforts with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Monitor the financial impact in order to go back to the State for financial assistance with the dip net fishery. 8. Explore the possibility of developing a commercial leased area, either for yardage or buildings. Long-term Goals Explore the feasibility of adding a third boat launch ramp. Extend the City dock and add a second causeway. This will expand the dock capacity and ease traffic congestion. Provide a deadhead with short chains or cables or similar apparatus at the boat ramp for use by disabled vehicles. 4. Continue seeking funding for the Corps of Engineers Reconnaissance Report for Navigation Improvements and Erosion Control to include feasibility studies and the actual work. Enlarge the current parking lot. 6. Provide a combination boardwalk/pathway from the dock pad to the existing boardwalk at the bird watch area on Bridge Access Road to include additional parking and viewing areas. Consider building ponds for nesting birds. 7. Continue efforts to make the dock operations more profitable. 8. Provide water and sewer to facilities off Bridge Access Road. 9. Continue to monitor the development and activities in the lower Kenai River to promote and encourage an environmentally sound blend of commercial and sport aspects of the fishing industry. 10. Consider development of access to Birch Island and an interpretative site by building sidewalks. HARBOR COMMISSION GOALS & OBJECTIVES - 1998 PAGE 2