Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-01-10 Harbor Commission SummaryKENAI HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 10, 2000 KENAI COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. AGENDA ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL ITEM 2: ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR ITEM 3: AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 4: APPROVAL OF MINUTES - December 6, 1999. ITEM 5: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 6: a, REPORTS Director Dock Foreman Scrapbook Information ITEM 7: ao OLD BUSINESS Discussion -- Kenai Coastal Trail/Bluff Erosion Control Project ITEM 8: NEW BUSINESS ITEM 9' COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS/QUF~TIONS ITEM 10: a, INFORMATION Kenai City Council Action Agendas of December 1 and 15, 1999. ITEM 11' ADJOURNMENT KENAI HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 10, 2000 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 7:05 p.m. called as follows' Roll was Present: 7'10 p.m. Absent: Others Present: Kornelis Peters, Jahrig, Eldridge, Werner-Quade and Thompson arrived at McCune and Spracher City Clerk Freas, Councilman Bookey and Public Works Manager ITEM 2' ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR Jahrig noted he would be interested in acting as chair for another year but would understand if he would not be elected since his work often keeps him from attending meetings. The floor was opened for nominations. MOTION: Commissioner Eldridge MOVED to re-elect the existing candidates, Will Jahrig as Chair and Tom Thompson as Vice Chair. Commissioner Peters SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 3' AGENDA APPROVAL MOTION: Commissioner Werner-Quade MOVED to approve the agenda as presented and Commissioner Eldridge SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 4: APPROVAL OF MINUTES- December 6, 1999. MOTION: Commissioner Werner-Quade MOVED for approval of the minutes as presented and Commissioner Eldridge SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 5: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None. ITEM 6: REPORTS 6-a. Director-- No report. 6-b. Dock Foreman -- No report. 6-c. Scrapbook Information -- Several items were given to Werner-Quade for inclusion in the scrapbook, i.e. old aerial photographs, newspaper articles, etc. Jahrig noted he had pictures he would have to sort through. Werner-Quade stated she had not permanently affixed anything in the scrapbook at this time. ITEM 7: OLD BUSINESS Discussion -- Kenai Coastal Trail/Bluff Erosion Control Project Kornelis distributed a copy of the newest Design Concept Report from Peratrovich, Nottingham & Drage, Inc. and explained the report would be discussed at the workshop scheduled for Tuesday, January 11, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. in the council chambers. He noted, comments made by the Commission during their last review of the report were incorporated into the report (removed reference to fishing, changes in construction costs, etc.). Kornelis explained, the two trails (were formerly additive alternates) had been made a part of the project for funding purposes. He added, Administration felt it would be better to include the trails in the overall design now and as additive alternates when it was time to put the project to bid, depending on the amount of funding available. Kornelis noted: · Meeks' Trail was included as part of the improvement. · Erik Hansen Park access to the trail was added in order to do work on the Mission Street bluff and to stabilize that bluff area. · A river view stair access was added but the stair will not be ADA accessible. · Parking was added at the Ryan's Creek (Frontage Road) Access for people using the trail at that point. They are also thinking of adding diagonal parking alongside of Memorial Park (north side of Frontage Road). · Consideration being given to bringing a small trail back to the Senior Center on the other side of Ryan's Creek. · Bridge Access Road trailhead by Pacific Star with a large parking lot. HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 10, 2000 PAGE 2 Jahrig stated his concerns that people may still try to access the trail by walking over the bluff from the Erik Hansen Park. It was suggested directional signs be placed in that area informing people where to go for access to the trail instead of "no trespassing" signs. Bookey stated he believed the comments from the Commission should be addressed during the workshop. Jahrig noted lighting of the trail had been discussed previously, however he thought it would be good to think about it for the future so that the trail might be used for jogging and cross-country skiing. He suggested the trail could be tied into the cross-country ski trails at the golf course and could be an additive alternate. Kornelis noted these were good ideas, however the cost was already at $9.9 million. Adding lighting would be expensive. Jahrig suggested the lighting could be a smaller version of lights like the ones in Old Town and not as expensive. Kornelis noted safety concerns if using the trail in the winter, i.e. steepness of the trail in areas, etc. He added, administration was not planning on maintaining the trail in the winter. Thompson asked if design included a way in which four-wheelers and snow machines could be kept off the trail. Kornelis referred to the report and noted bollards had been designed into it now to prevent that type of use. Bookey encouraged all the commissioners to attend the workshop. He noted, Councilman Moore requested notices of the workshop be forwarded to all the property owners from the mouth of the river north to the city limits. Bookey added, he was not sure the project could be kept at an affordable cost range if additional bluff was incorporated into the plan. He suggested he would like the initial project to be built and used as a pilot project. If it works well, additional projects could be considered later. Bookey added, he believed $10-12 million was a reasonable amount for which to request funding. If the project was expanded, the cost could go upwards of $20 million and would probably be harder to receive funding. The Commission recognized the current proposed project was reasonable at a reasonable cost and that the public was very supportive of it. A general discussion followed regarding comments made at the last workshop, including bluff property owners who seemed anxious to give the city portions of their property for the project development. Bookey noted there were some concerns stated by representatives of the regulatory agencies who attended the last workshop, however he didn't feel their concerns were insurmountable, they were not strong. Kornelis noted the EPA representative referred to a textbook which mentioned the possibility of tsunamis in this area and transfer of sands from the dunes and bluff onto the beach and problems that could arise. He added, he discussed the comments further with Nottingham after reading the textbook information and they agreed those concerns would not be problems. Kornelis noted, all the concerns stated at the workshops were addressed in the report. Jahrig noted, Petratrovich, Nottingham & Drage were very well known all over the world and would not want to be embarrassed by making misrepresentations and marring their reputation. HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 10, 2000 PAGE 3 ITEM 8: NEW BUSINESS -- None. ITEM 9' COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS/QUESTIONS Bookey -- Reported that at the last council meeting the liaisons to commissions, committees and boards were reappointed. He was reappointed to the Harbor Commission, which he was pleased about as he wanted to see the coastal trail/bluff erosion project through. Bookey also reported council discussed the planned development of the 20 Acres of city and FAA property adjacent to the Senior Center site. He noted, Mayor Williams suggested a joint work session be held with members of the public; city boards, commissions, committees; council, etc. to list ideas for the property development. With that, council can determine a proposed plan, whether to develop it in one big project, etc. He added, he wanted to see the Commission involved with that future planning session. Bookey stated he wanted to see plans with substance before thinking of splitting the property.into smaller parcels. He added, he would not want to sell pieces of the property to developers who may hold it for future development. Thompson -- Asked when the coastal trail/bluff erosion plan would be completed and ready for presentation to funding sources. Bookey answered, it had not been addressed by council at this time. After it is accepted by council, the report would be taken to Juneau for review, however he felt it would not have much success in receiving funding at that level. He added, he wanted a team of council members to travel to Washington to present it to Alaska's congressional team. Discussion followed whether the Commission should have a special meeting after the workshop on the 1 lth in order to make a formal recommendation to council to encourage their support of the project and move forward. It was decided the council and administration were well aware of the Commission's support of the project and a special meeting would not be necessary. It was noted, the Commission's comments from this meeting would be offered at the workshop for consideration and discussion, i.e. fencing along the top of the bluff with directional signs. Jahrig suggested the possibility of lighting be included. Discussion followed and it was agreed that lighting might be placed along strategic points of the trail (entrances/exits of trail) as an additive alternate. A brief general discussion followed in which the Commission stated their support of the project. ITEM 10: 10-a. INFORMATION Kenai City Council Action Agendas of December 1 and 15, 1999. HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 10, 2000 PAGE 4 ITEM 11' ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at approximately 8'00 p.m. meeting would be held on February 7, 2000. It was noted the next scheduled Minutes transcribed and prepared by: Carol L. Freas, City Clerk HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 10, 2000 PAGE 5