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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-04-03 Parks & Recreation SummaryKENAI PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA APRIL 3, 1997- 7:00 P.M. CITY HALL~COUNCIL CHAMBERS CHAIRMAN RICHARD HULTBERG 1. ROLL CALL: 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES' March 6, 1997 4. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD: a. Nate Kiel- Ice Rink Facility , OLD BUSINESS' a. Kenai River Festival 7. NEW BUSINESS: a. KCHS After Prom Activities b. Summer Recreation- Arts & Crafts Workshop 8. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: a. Men's Basketball- update b. Alyeska Ski Trip c. Pool Table Donation d. Litter Patrol Program e. Part-time Desk Attendant Position f. West Side Cook Inlet g. House Bill No. 30 - update 9. CORRESPONDENCE: 10. PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD: 11. INFORMATION: a. House Bill No. 30 letter b. March 5 and 19, City Council Agendas 12. ADJOURNMENT: Parks & Recreation Commission ***Minutes*** April 3, 1997 - 7:00 p.m. City Hall - Council Chambers Chairman Tim Wisniewski le CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Members Present: Kelly Gifford, Tim Wisniewski, Christel Fields, Ron Yamamoto Members Absem: Richard Hultberg, Jack Castimore, Dale Sandahl Also Presem: Bob Frates, Duane Bannock, Karen Kester, Nate Kiel, Rick Baldwin, Debby Fahnholz 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Gifford MOVED to approve the agenda as presented. Yamamoto SECONDED the motion. The agenda was approved. Commissioner ® APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Yamamoto MOVED to accept the minutes as presented. Commissioner Gifford SECONDED the motion. The minutes were approved as written. Update on Cemetery - Bob Frates reported that according to the City Attorney they cannot ask the local pastors to work as a group sponsored by the city, but that they can meet independently and give suggestions to the Commission. He stated he will also be getting in touch with the local boy scouts to do possible cleanup at the cemetery. ® PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD Ice Facility Report - Rick Baldwin gave some background on past attempts to put in ice rinks at local schools. He stated the only ice curremly available is at KCHS and is poorly maintained and breaking up. He stated the task force is asking for a non-refrigerated, bare bones, covered rink. They are not even initially suggesting that sides be put on it. He stated he was enthusiastic about the new ski trails and felt that the city has the right idea in offering Parks & Rec Commission April 3, 1997 Page 1 winter activities. He felt that there should be no problem keeping the ice rink busy with ice skating, broomball, hockey, etc. He felt maintenance costs should be minimal. He felt the rink facility could be used in April and May by Little League teams for practice when the ball fields are not yet open or during inclement weather. He felt the facility could be used in the summer for dog shows, barbecues, etc. and felt the town is growing and the city needs to address winter sports activities. Commissioner Yamamoto asked Karen Kester if the Nikiski rink is going to be improved upon. She responded that they are considering putting in refrigerated ice in the furore. She reported that by not putting on the fourth side they did not have to meet codes to install fire systems and restrooms, but restroom were added for convenience. She stated they use it in the summer for a flea market and also for flag football practice on wet days. She felt that with portable basketball hoops they can mn a summer basketball league. She reported that they flood it and groom it with a Zamboni in the winter and that they only lost a few days due to shutdown to keep the ice good. She reported that because it is outdoor ice it freezes harder and skates better. She stated that within the next 2-3 years they expect to put in refrigeration. She reported that they currently charge $60 an hour for scheduled hockey teams. She reported that they have a timer for the lights, which automatically shut off when the time runs out. Commissioner Yamamoto asked how the ice program was. Karen Kester responded that they had two sessions of five weeks each. They also had a Christmas show. She stated that everyone bundled up and it was not too often that it was too cold to skate. Bob Frates asked how often they had to use the Zamboni on the ice. Karen Kester responded that they would not have to use the Zamboni too often because it is outdoor ice, but they averaged about twice a day. She stated that sometimes on Saturdays if it was used hard they would have to do it up to five times. She stated that there is a Borough employee who puts in about 20 hours a week in the winter on maintaining ice. She also suggested leasing ice to private organizations. She stated that there was a lot of donations involved in time and materials. She stated that rental fees have so far paid the electricity costs for the facility. Nate Kiel stated that in putting the estimate together they tried to reflect actual costs as best they could. He felt the Zamboni could cut actual ice maintenance time down, but the cost of a Zamboni is high. He felt that if the scheduling is done right, the maintenance costs can be kept down. He stated that the total expenses are around $30,000 but estimated revenues of 5 hours a day, 6 days a week and felt they could still get a profit. He stated that Little League has shown strong support for spring use. Nate Kiel stated that initially Mayor Williams suggested they attempt a full scale ice rink. Parks & Rec Commission April 3, 1997 Page 2 He stated that he felt if there was support then he would support it, but felt there was not enough support for a large facility. He stated that there is a lot of support for a bare bones facility. He felt the borough might be willing to assist in costs for putting in such a facility. Rick Baldwin stated he would like to see something done in a reasonable time frame. He felt that this proposal was extremely practical. Commissioner Yamamoto asked Councilman Bannock how he felt. Councilman Bannock stated he did not support a $2 million ice facility. He felt that there were some members of Council who still support a large facility. He felt he could support this project much more than a large facility. Karen Kester stated that there was hesitation to put in a water slide in Nikiski initially and it has been a real hit. She felt that they could easily sell three hours a night to adult skating teams. She stated that the majority of the kids using the Nikiski rink are from Kenai/Soldotna. Commissioner Yamamoto asked if it was a mistake to put sides against the ice. Karen Kester responded that because they had to go so high it created problems. She stated that they can't get around to the back of the rink without walking on the ice. She felt that with a modification to the design they could put in a walkway between the walls and the ice and create better usage. Bob Frates thanked the group for all their work and felt it was comparable to the Nordic ski trails. He felt it will get a lot of use if it comes about. Commissioner Yamamoto MOVED that the task force take it on to Council. Commissioner Gifford seconded the motion. VOTE: Gifford: Yes Yamamoto: Yes Fields: Yes Wisniewski: Yes The motion was approved. Councilman Bannock stated that April 17th is scheduled for non-budget items. He felt it could be scheduled then but will get together with the City Manager and Finance Director and have them contact the task force. 5. OLD BUSINESS Kenai River Festival - Bob Frates reported that the Kenai River Festival will be scheduled for June 7 and 8. He stated Council approved their request. He stated that he personally did not feel that the city should cover the expenses for porta-potties and electricity. Parks & Rec Commission April 3, 1997 Page 3 6. NEW BUSINESS KCHS Prom - Bob Frates reported that KCHS will be holding their prom activities at the Rec Center this year. Summer Rec Arts and Crafts Workshop - Bob Frates reported that he contacted the Fine Arts Center and they will be collaborating with the Boys and Girls Club. They will be gearing activities toward the 4th of July parade and also the Summer Solstice Run. 7. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Basketball - Bob Frates reported that the basketball season is over for the year. He thanked all the businesses that participated and showed their support of the program. Alyeska Ski Trip - Bob Frates reported that the ski trip fell through. Pool Table Donation- Bob Frates reported that four new pool tables have been donated to the Rec Center. Litter Patrol Program - Bob Frates reported that they will have people sign up for designated areas and at the end of the summer they will pass out certificates for all who participated. PT Desk Attendant Position - Bob Frates stated that currently they have two part time positions. He stated that they currently can only work six months and then they have to quit and rehire new people. He felt this is not productive and would like to convert these positions from temporary part time to permanent part time. West Side Cook Inlet - Bob Frates reported that there has been some push done by people warning to promote Kenai as the gateway to the west side. He stated these people are looking to open the west side to wilderness exploration and for wildlife viewing, etc., geared toward the tourist industry. HB30 Update - Bob Frates stated that he is working with other Parks directors on the currem regulations that require fencing to surround all skating facilities. He felt it is cost prohibitive to fence. He stated that the current HB30 would remove that requirement. 8. CORRESPONDENCE None. Parks & Rec Commission April 3, 1997 Page 4 ® COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Commissioner Gifford asked about an update on sending letters to businesses encouraging them to beautify their roadside areas. Bob Frates stated that he would bring it up at the Beautification committee meeting. Commissioner Wisniewski asked if anyone is able to volumeer to groom the ski trails. Bob Frates stated that the expectations were to have the trails groomed after each snowfall but it didn't happen. He stated it was a lot more time consuming than amicipated. He sated he would like to see more grooming done next year. He felt that if they could work out the legal issues, there could be more volunteers who would assist on the trails. 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Yamamoto MOVED to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Gifford SECONDED the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Debby J. Fah~olz Parks & Rec Commission April 3, 1997 Page 5