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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-07-11 Parks & Recreation SummaryKENAI PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA JULY 11, 1996 PUBLIC WORKS CONFERENCE ROOM CHAIRMAN RICHARD HULTBERG 1. ROLL CALL: 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 6, 1996 4. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD: 5. OLD BUSINESS: a. Cemetery Vandalism b. Municipal Park Basketball Court 6. NEW BUSINESS: a. Parks & Rec Promotion Items i. Brochures ii. Tee Shirts b. Ice Rink Study ' c. Leif Hansen Memorial Park~Review/Amend Policies and Procedures d. Winter Program o DIRECTOR'S REPORT: a. Alaska Academy of Family Physicians Midnight Fun Run b. Rotary Playground Project--Update c. 4th of July Parade Participation d. Industry Appreciation Picnic Update 8. PERSONS PESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD: o INFORMATION: a. City Council Agenda of June 19, 1996 and July 3, 1996 b. June Beautification Committee Minutes c. Memo to Council requesting change of July meeting date 10. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS: 11. ADJOURNMENT: KENAI PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION ***Minutes*** July 11, 1996- 7:00 p.m. City Council Chambers Chairman Richard Hultberg le CALL TO ORDER AND ROI,l, CAI J, Members Present: Dale Sandahl, Kelly Gifford, Tim Wisniewski, Jack Castimore, Richard Hultberg, Ron Yamamoto, Michele Fahnholz Members Absem: None Also Present: Duane Bannock, Bob Frates, Laurie Landstrom, Debby Fahnholz ® APPROVAL OF AGENDA Bob Frates stated he had a handout that would be covered under Item 6.C. He also asked that the Little League incident be discussed under the Director's Report. The agenda was approved as amended. ® APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Sandahl MOVED to approve the minutes. Commissioner Castimore SECONDED the motion and the minutes were approved as written. e PERSONS SCHEDUI,ED TO BE HEARD None. ® OLD BUSINESS A~ Cemetery Vandalism - Commissioner Wisniewski stated that there is no groundskeeper at the cemetery. Since there is no vault requirement, the ground over the graves will cave and settle. He felt that much of the damage at the cemetery has been done by nature and not vandals. Frates stated that there is a policy in effect to limit fencing and such, but when the fences are removed the family members become quite kate. Parks & Rec Commission July 11, 1996 Page 1 g. e The policy is not enforced. Commissioner Yamamoto stated that since the cemetery is maintained by the City, that it should be better maintained and a notification be published to notify the people of maintenance work to be done. Frates stated that the policy is pretty clear cut as far as the rules. He felt that there should be better coordination involving the people who maintain the cemetery. Commissioner Hultberg stated that since the policy had been in effect for years, the fences were in violation and should be removed. Commissioner Wisniewski felt there were so many different markers now that maybe they should enforce it in the spring. Commissioner Hultberg stated a lot of what looked like vandalism was just age. He stated many of the older grave sites have rotten wood that is set in sand and just to bump them would make them fall over. Commissioner Sandahl suggested maybe another commission be established to cover the cemetery. Councilman Bannock agreed. Commissioner Wisniewski stated it might help in dealing with out-of-town mortuary personnel also. Commissioner Sandahl MOVED to recommend to Council that a Cemetery Board be established to oversee the cemetery policy and concerns. Commissioner Yamamoto .SECONDED the motion. A vote was unanimous. Municipal Park Basketball Court - Frates stated that they will be digging out about eight inches of fill before pouring the concrete. They are waiting for someone from the Street Department to assist. The court will be 30'x60'. They will also be putting in a volleyball court. Commissioner Hultberg asked what type of nets would be used. Frates stated that they would be like what is at the Beaver Creek Park. Commissioner Yamamoto suggested taking the hoops down in the winter to prevent vandalism. NEW BUSINESS A. Memorial Park - Frates stated that the directive from Council was to set more stringem controls on the use of the Memorial Park. The limits in the proposed policy are now set at a 200 person limit. The deposit amount has been changed to a $100 deposit for groups larger than 100. For groups less than 100 the deposit amount has remained at $500. Councilman Bannock explained how Council did not take any action on the Parks and Rec Commission recommendations. Commissioner Yamamoto asked why the Memorial Park needed to be used for large groups, since there are other facilities available that are more apprOpriate for large groups. Laurie Landstrom asked what the original intended use of the park was. Commissioner Wisniewski stated that it was set up to purchase a tree or shrub in memorial of a loved one. Landstrom stated that 'there has been no damage done during Parks & Rec Commission July 11, 1996 Page 2 Be the Kenai River Festival and due to the location, they would like to continue to use the Memorial Park. She asked if there was an appeal process if the Commission recommended lowering the limit. Commissioner Hultberg explained that it was not policy until Council approved it. Commissioner Yamamoto asked if the street could be blocked off if the Softball strip was used for the Kenai River Festival. Councilman Bannock stated that yes, with a permit, the street could be blocked off. Commissioner Wisniewski stated that the memorial issue was never even considered when it was originally set up for the Kenai River Festival. Commissioner Castimore stated that the deposit amount suggested does not even cover the replacement cost of one marker if there were damage done. Frates stated that in the contract it states that any damage above the amount of the deposit is the responsibility of the depositor. Commissioner Hultberg stated that he felt the number of persons could be changed easily. Commissioner Sandahl stated that maybe the intended use of the park should be the first consideration and then the number of persons allowed would fall into place from there. Councilman Bannock suggested using the key word "ceremonial" to determine the use. He felt that a Memorial Day ceremony would be appropriate with any number of people. Commissioner Hultberg suggested a committee be appointed to bring back a policy for the Commission to discuss at their next meeting. Commissioner Sandahl felt that the numbers were not the issue, but the dignity of the group should be the main consideration. He felt that the deposit should be more appropriate to currem day costs. Commissioner Gifford felt that weddings and memorial type activities should be the only use. Commissioner Castimore felt that the green strip was much more appropriate and had the facilities in place to handle larger groups. He also felt the deposit should be more substantial. Commissioner Hultberg stated that the Kenai River Festival had not been a problem to date, but that was not to say that there wouldn't be problems in the future or with other large groups. Commissioner Castimore MOVED to get together a committee to write a policy for the Commission to review at the next meeting. Commissioner Yamarnoto SECONDED the motion. It was approved with a unanimous vote. Frates will chair the committee. Parks and Rec Promotion Items - Frates passed out copies of a brochure that was put together in the past. The brochures need to be updated, but he proposed they be done up in two colors. Commissioner Yamamoto suggested that if there was no hurry, a contest could be held to get a new cover design, Commissioner Castimore felt that the swimming pool phone number should be included in the brochure. Frates felt that Parks & Rec Commission July 11, 1996 Page 3 Ce they could make up another flyer to hand out to cover activities available outside of Parks and Rec. He stated that T-shirts have been ordered in royal blue and coral. They ordered 12 shirts at $23.95 each. Commissioner Yarnamoto asked if anyone can get on the computer and f'md out what is available. Councilman Bannock stated that it is coming. Winter Program - Frates felt that it would be appropriate to start looking at winter activities now. He felt it might be good to coordinate with Sears Elementary to use the ice rink this winter. Commissioner Castimore stated that the lights and pavement were in place. He stated that if the boards were put in to hold the ice, it would be perfect. Frates stated that he would coordinate with the school on it. Frates felt that they need to start coordinating cross-country ski trails to be prepared for the ski season. ® Frates stated that the city will probably be attempting to build another hockey rink, though it would have to go before the voters for approval. Commissioner Castimore stated that the Nikiski rink was already slated for expansion and the cost was over $200,000. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Ae Be C. D~ Midnight Fun Run - Frates reported it was a success. There were several businesses that comributed and expects the Fun Run will be continued next year. Rotary Playground Project - Frates reported that tonight was their actual work party. He stated that by next week they should be able to place footings and then they will put together the playground equipment. Industry Appreciation Day - Frates is participating and they are anticipating 24 teams. It will be held August 24 at the softball green strip. Parks and Rec will have a tent set up and staffed. Little League Incidem - Frates reported there was a child backed over in the parking lot at the Little League field. He felt that the large dirt pile was acting like a magnet for small children and suggested it be removed.' Councilman Bannock suggested putting in posts and delineating where the cars could park. This would create a pedestrian walkway from Field 4 to the snack shack. He felt the dirt pile def'mitely needed to be removed. Commissioner Hultberg.suggested that Frates bring a recommendation to the next meeting. Frates will talk to Chief Morris and the Little League chairman. Parks & Rec Commission July 11, 1996 Page 4 8. INFORMATION Beautification - Frates stated the Beautification Committee suggested coming up with another brochure with a flower list and plot area. They were presented with a Certificate of Appreciation and were very thrilled by it. ® COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Castimore stated that the bike path is becoming a reality. Commissioner Wisniewski asked about the improvements at Beaver Creek. Frates stated that the playground equipment was in. Commissioner Wisniewski felt a lot could be done to landscape and improve it visually. Frates stated the barricades would be pulled and new ones put in. The dirt piles will be leveled and seeded. He is still working on getting the trees cleared. Commissioner Wisniewski asked if there should be input from the community on development of the Beaver Creek Park. Frates felt it was a good idea, and could help cut down on the vandalism there. He stated the restrooms were almost beyond repair and will probably be replaced with porta potties. Commissioner Gifford stated that the weeds next to the Blue Star Memorial had been removed. Commissioner Sandahl stated that the Bernie Huss Trail was a sore spot with him. He felt it was unsafe due to the fact that there was always garbage laying around making it unsightly. He stated that visibility was bad and unfavorable groups hang out there, making it unsafe. 10. ADJOURNMENT Sandahl MOVED to adjourn the meeting. Castimore SECONDED the motion. The next meeting was scheduled for August 1. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Debby J. Fahnholz Parks & Rec Commission July 11, 1996 Page 5