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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-08-06 Harbor Commission SummaryKENAI HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 6, 2001 KENAI COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. AGENDA ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER/k ROLL CALL ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- July 9, 2001 . ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD a. Chris Degernes, Parks & Outdoor Recreation -- Boat 'LaUnch Near Cunningham Park ITEM 5: OLD BUSINESS ITEM 6: NEW BUSINESS ITEM 7: REPORTS ao Director Dock Foreman City Council Liaison ITEM 8: COMMISSIONER COMMENTS/QUESTIONS ITEM 9: INFORMATION ao Kenai City Council Action Agendas of July 5 and 18, 2001. ITEM 10: ADJOURNMENT 'KENAI HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 6, 2001 KENAI COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. CHAIRMAN TOM THOMPSON, PRESIDING MINUTES ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. follows' Roll was confirmed as Members Present: Eldridge, Rogers, Spracher, Thompson Members Absent- Foster Others Present' City Manager Snow, Councilman Bookey, City Engineer La Shot, Contract Secretary Roper ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL MOTION: Commissioner Eldridge MOVED to approve the agenda and Commissioner Rogers SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 3' APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- July 9, 2001 . MOTION: Commissioner Rogers MOVED to approve the minutes of July 9, 2001 and Commissioner Spracher SECONDED the motion.' There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD 4-a. Chris Degernes, Parks & Outdoor Recreation -- Boat Launch Near Cunningham Park Chris Degernes, State Parks reported the State appropriated $350,000 to purchase land that would support a boat launch in the lower Kenai River near Cunningham Park. Degernes stated there two parcels were being considered; one above Cunningham Parks and ten acres in size, the second, a parcel of five acres and below Cunningham Park. Discussion took place regarding both parcels and Degernes listed pros and cons for each. She added, the upper parcel has considerable wetlands that would make obtaining the necessary permits very difficult if not impossible and that she was told that particular parcel had a nice gravel base. Degernes said the lower parcel had fewer environmental concerns but it also has a considerable concentration of peat. Degernes added, there is some concern that a boat launch in the lower parcel would impact the bank anglers. Degernes felt that some good design work could address both the peat and bank angling issues. Degernes stated that should the State build the boat launch, it would be their desire that the City of Kenai take on the management of it. Degernes explained it was difficult for most user groups to differentiate between State and City and thought it would be easier for them to have one set of rules to abide by. After further discussion regarding both the upper and lower parcels of land and how the various user groups would benefit or be impacted by a new boat launch, it was the general consensus of the Harbor Commission that an additional boat launch in the lower river was needed. There was some public comment made regarding the issue' Hal Borg, Kenai, Alaska - Mr. Borg reported he was an angler on the Kenai River for over 22 years and is a drift boat guide. Borg explained he had used the former Cunningham boat ramp for many years and there had never been any conflict with the bank anglers. Borg continued, since the ramp was taken out it has been difficult and at times unsafe for drift boat operators to have to go past Warren Ames Bridge to let out, especially with the different tides. Borg added that he is in favor of a boat ramp in the lower river. Harvey Young, Kenai~ Alaska- Mr. Young is also a Kenai River guide using both drift and power boats and also supports a boat launch in the lower river. Young explained the excellent fishing in the lower river as well as the congestion and felt a boat launch in this area would help with the traffic and erosion concerns. Young continued, it would be safer to get out at Cunningham rather than going all the way past the bridge. Chairman Thompson reiterated the support of the Harbor Commission at either location and noted they have been aware of the need for an additional boat launch for a long time. Thompson thanked Degernes for her fine presentation and information. Councilman Bookey requested a five-minute recess. Meeting recessed at 7'50 p.m. Chairman Thompson called the meeting back to order at 8'03 p.m. MOTION: Commissioner Eldridge MOVED to recommend that City Council pursue a boat launch in the lower river. Commissioner Spracher SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 6,2001 PAGE 2 ITEM 5- OLD BUSINESS-- None ITEM NEW BUSINESS -- None ITEM 7- REPORTS 7-a. Director -- La Shot reported the following: · Keith Kornelis is recovering from surgery and will possibly be back to work on August 24th. · The special use permit for R&J Seafoods would go before City Council at the August 15th meeting for approval. The duration of the permit is for little over a year and will end when the current lease ends. The monthly rate is $400 per month without the fence option. R&J has been given permission to offload some vans while awaiting approval of the lease. · The Senate has approved $500,000 for the bluff erosion control design and the permit applications have been submitted. Discussion took place on who will do the design and La Shot stated a designer was not selected but he hoped it would not change. 7-b. Dock Foreman -- La Shot stated revenues during the dip net fishery were approximately $30,000. 7-c. City Council Liaison -- Councilman Bookey noted the following' · Since the $500,000 had been allocated for the design work for the Coastal Trail, the Mayor would like to have some work sessions with the Harbor Commission, City Council and the public. No specific dates have been set. It was suggested a representative from Nottingham be present. · Reminded the Commission there were two vacancies and asked for some recommendations. ITEM 8: COMMISSIONER COMMENTS/QUESTIONS Chairman Thompson stated he did a little walk through the beaches after the dip net fishery and noted the south side was in better condition than the north. Thompson expressed concern with the apparent 4-wheeler tracks across the dunes and recommended barriers or something else be introduced to keep the dunes safe from damage. ITEM 9' INFORMATION Kenai City Council Action Agendas of July' 5 and 18, 2001. The next meeting is scheduled for September 10, 2001. HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 6,2001 PAGE 3 ITEM 10' ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Commissioner Spracher MOVED to adjourn. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. The meeting adjourned at 8'25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Roper, Contract Secretary HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 6,2001 PAGE 4