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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-08-07 Parks & Recreation SummaryKENAI PARKS ~k RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA AUGUST 7, 1997 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS CHAIRMAN RICHARD HULTBERG o . . . . . o o 10. 11. 12. ROLL CALL AGENDA AppROVAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES- July 3, 1997 PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD a, Miranda Howe - Artist/Sign Painter OLD BUSINESS a. Olde Towne Park Improvements NEW BUSINESS a. South Forest Drive Viewing Area b. Parks Tour DIRECTOR'S REPORT ao Industry Appreciation Day/Co-Rec. Softball Tournament John Deere Mower Purchase Concrete Pads- Municipal Park, Softball Greenstrip Tent Camping Usage/"Welcome to Kenai" Sign Recreation Center Aerobics Handicap-Accessible Trails Summer Recreation Program QUESTIONS & COMMENTS CORRESPONDENCE PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD INFORMATION a, Council Action Agenda (July 16, 19997) Beautification Committee Minutes of July 8, 1997. Applause Letter/Peninsula Clarion Teen Market Resignation of Cristel Field ADJOURNMENT ® 0 0 ® KENAI PARKS/k RECREATION COMMISSION August 7, 1997- 7:00 P.M. City Hall Council Chambers Chairman Richard Hultberg *** MINUTES *** CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chairman Hultberg called the meeting to order at approximately 7:05 p.m. Members Present: Richard Hultberg, Tim Wisniewski, Kelly Gifford, Jack Castimore Members Absent: Ron Yamamoto, Dale Sandahl Also Present' Director Bob Frates, Councilman Duane Bannock, Artist Miranda Howe, Contract Secretary Barb Roper APPROVAL OF AGENDA AGENDA WAS APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT. APPROVAL OF MINUTES THE MINUTF~ FROM THE JULY 3, 1997 MEETING WERE APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD Miranda Howe - Artist/Sign Painter: Frates introduced Miranda Howe. Howe contacted the City a few months a§o and expressed interest in renovatin§ or replacin§ the existin§ cemetery sign. Howe is a native of New Mexico and §raduated from Texas Tech with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree. She has been comin§ to Alaska periodically for the last six years. Howe showed photos of some work she had done locally. Howe presented two ideas for the cemetery sign and explained her reasons for the colors, lettering, and design. The cost for Howe's work is $625.00 and it was noted that money from the Beautification budget is available for a new sign. After a lengthy discussion on the sign it was decided that Howe would provide two additional options with more serene colors. Discussion on a new fence for the front of the cemetery took place and it was suggested that wrought iron be considered as it would give more formality to the area. It was also suggested that when the new sign Parks & Rec Commission August 7, 1997 Page 1 ® is placed the local paper be invited so the artist can be recognized. OLD BUSINESS a® Old Town Park Improvements. Frates reminded the group that the Rotary Club was interested in donating money for improvements in Old Town Park. It was suggested the money go towards a new slide. The slide had been ordered and should be ready for installation in September. The Rotary Club will be making a contribution of $1,237.00 which will be half of the cost of a new slide. Bannock, who is a Rotary Club member, indicated that similar donations would be made in the future as it is an ongoing commitment for this park. It was noted there is room for rocking toys and a sand box in the park. Additionally, renovations are needed to the basketball court. The Rotary Club will be provided with a thank you letter. NEW BUSINESS a® South Forest Drive Viewing Area: Frates reported that Public Works did the preliminary work on the concrete viewing platform and the gravel was placed. It was recommended the additional work be postponed until spring to see what money is left in the budget. Frates indicated that the work will cost between $4,000.00 and $7,000.00 and the money would most likely come from Public Works. Discussion was held on the on- going problem of 4-wheelers in the area. It was noted that barricades and signs should be installed by August 8. Frates noted that other plans for this area include a fence, telescope, and signage pointing out the mountain ranges. Discussion was held on the benches from the Moose Lodge and Castimore will follow up on the status. be Parks Tour: Frates indicated that he would like to schedule a parks tour before the next meeting. The tour will give the Commissioners the opportunity to observe the work completed to date and make comments and/or recommendations for future improvements at the next meeting. Hultberg indicated that perhaps there are too many parks and there may be a need to just concentrate on the current properties. Hultberg went on to say this is something the group can keep in mind when they go through the parks tour. It was decided the tour would take place the last week in August. Frates will notify members of the date and time and will also extend an invitation to Council members. Parks & Rec Commission August 7, 1997 Page 2 7. D IRECTO R ' S REPORT Industry Appreciation Day / Co-Rec Softball Tournament: Frates reported the Industry Appreciation Day had been set for Saturday, August 23 and he encouraged everybody to attend. The department is sponsoring a community recreational softball tournament and it is anticipated that 7 or 8 teams will participate. Frates requested that members either join the Parks ball team or donate a half hour at the tent. The event starts at noon and the tent should probably be there until about 3 or 4 p.m. John Deere Mower Purchase: Frates reported the mower purchase had gone through and it was picked up a couple of weeks ago. There are now four John Deere riding mowers that should last at least 5 years or SO. Concrete Pads - Municipal Park, Softball Greenstrip: The bathroom concrete pads are in place. Hultberg asked about the bathroom where the skylight was destroyed. Frates explained it was not the skylight but the glass blocks, these were being taken out and replaced with heavy- duty plexiglass. Discussion was held on landscaping and it was noted that seeding will take place at the softball greenstrip this year and planting will take place at Municipal Park next spring. de Tent Camping Usage / "Welcome to Kenai" Sign- Frates reported that they collected approximately $300-$400 last year for tent camping and approximately $850.00 this year. This comes out to approximately 100 people using the facility. The area is being policed, ' those that haven't paid are asked to pay or leave. Frates stated the "Welcome to Kenai" sign was repented for about $1,500.00. Recreation Center Aerobics' Frates reported that Lisa McCauly was sent to Seattle for a week long training program to become a certified aerobic instructor and will be taking her exam in Anchorage next week. This will be very beneficial as it allows the department to do its own in- house training rather than going out to seek qualified people. Frates noted that McCauly has a long-term interest in health and physical fitness and will do a wonderful job for the department. Handicap-Accessible Trails' Frates reported that the handicap- accessible trail project is underway and so far it has been going smoothly. Frates showed photos of the project and pointed out that building trails is a long process. Discussion was held regarding the on- Parks & Rec Commission August 7, 1997 Page 3 he i® going problem of off-road vehicle usage in the area, to alleviate the problem barricades have been placed and signage will go up. The signs will say "Off-road Vehicles Prohibited" and will reference the Kenai Municipal Code. Frates reported that the Lions Club planted a large metal post at the top of the hill so anyone coming up from down below could be in for a big surprise. Parks thought this could be dangerous so signs were posted near the bottom warning users that there is no off-road vehicle outlet. Wisniewski asked if sledding would be prohibited. Frates stated no, it is a'safe sledding area. Summer Recreation Program: Frates stated that the summer recreation program has come to an end and it was capped off with a lock-in. Frates reported he was very pleased with the work the staff did, especially Michelle Carver who supervised the program. There was an exceptional turn out and the numbers were higher than last summer. Frates stated they tried to advertise and promote this program early and thought they could do more promoting and advertising earlier next year. Gifford asked if advertising was done in the last school newsletter. Frates said no, but thought it a good idea. He further stated they advertised in various parks. Alaska Recreational Parks Conference: Frates reported he will be attending the annual Alaska Recreational Parks Conference from September 10 through September 13. The Conference will be held in Juneau. Bike Rodeo: Frates reported there is a bike rodeo coming up on August 14 and 15 and it is co-sponsored by the Parks Department. Frates handed out flyers for the bike rodeo and the softball tournament and asked members to get copies out to the public {copies of the flyers are included with these minutes). ® OUF~TIONS/ir, COMMENTS Commissioner Wisniewski asked how the batting cages did this year. Frates stated the owner was moderately satisfied. There had been some discussion on leaving the structure up, however the conditional use permit stipulates that it come down by September 30. Frates doesn't know if the owner will pursue it further with Council. Frates reported there is another individual in the community, Mr. Mark Epperheimer, interested in erecting some batting cages. Parks & Rec Commission August 7, 1997 Page 4 Epperheimer's design is a little different and he is looking at two different location options, the Little League field and Lawton Drive. Frates reported that the Little League field property is city property, acquired through the Land/Water Conservation Fund. The Fund stipulates the land be used for recreational purposes. Batting cages should fit into those parameters and is being investigated. Frates stated that although he agrees with concentrating on current park improvements he also feels the Parks program should continue to grow. The use of the Law-ton property offers a unique opportunity for another park. Frates reported the property has been cleared, leveled, and seeded and it is Parks' intent to keep the area groomed. Frates indicated there may be some effort in the future to make it a park and the only way he would support it is if it's done in phases. Frates feels Council would be more receptive to that rather than asking for the full amount at one time. Frates visualizes a parking lot on one end, lights for ice skating, trails, park benches, a shelter and a playground. Frates asked the Commission to keep an open mind and also indicated that this area could be looked at during the parks tour. Hultberg asked if there was a break between the property and the busy highway. Frates stated there was a ditch between the two. Gifford asked if the land was contaminated. Frates stated it was a concern the last time it came up but there is a lot of dirt there now and it had been seeded. Wisniewski asked if anything was done about selling the land. Frates answered that he was unable to find out what direction that was going. He was aware a meeting was to be held with the Borough Mayor, Mr. Kiel, City Manager Ross, Frates and possibly Mayor Williams, but it had not transpired. Frates reported that the State had asked all municipalities to come up with a deferred maintenance program or a list of projects that have been on hold because of lack of municipal funding. Frates indicated that this will be one of the projects listed. The project will also be included with the goals and objectives for Council consideration. Wisniewski suggested the topic be included on the Commission's next agenda. Castimore stated that additional buildings for concessions and restrooms had been added in Nikiski. Their original thought was to start out cheap and add what is needed each year until eventually a nice facility is accomplished. This is being done with very small local cost. Frates stated that Mr. Epperheimer intended to be at this meeting but had other obligations. Hultberg stated he didn't feel two batting cages were going to Parks & Rec Commission August 7, 1997 Page 5 ® 10. fly and that the two guys needed to get together. Hultberg asked if the City was going to allow the batting cage to stay. Bannock reported they hadn't seen it as an issue yet but the conditional use permit stipulates that it come down. However, Bannock didn't see any problem with it staying up. Frates stated that he was under the assumption the Softball Association was paying for the electricity at the softball fields since the Little League pays for theirs. He found out that the City had been paying and that was changed. Bannock stated that Mr. Epperheimer called him and asked that he inform the Commission that the Little League Board has a couple of openings. Frates asked Bannock to elaborate a little more on the goals and objectives of Council. Bannock reported that an excellent talk about goals and objectives was held at the August 6 council meeting. A work session was scheduled for September 10 at the Senior Center at 7:00 p.m. Bannock added, council wants to not only look at capital improvements or small projects, but they also want to develop a philosophy of what it is they want to see. He added, this will be a broad-based forum of not only specific projects but rather specific ideas. Bannock stated the public and commission members will be invited to attend the meeting. Commissioner Castimore - No comments Commissioner Gifford stated that she was in Lief Hansen Park before the meeting tonight and noticed that three wooden benches around the fountain were destroyed which causes a very bad hazard. Frates reported that he already noticed them and would be taking care of the problem. Gifford reported that she has gone around the city parks and property to remove dead trees and do a lot of pruning. Gifford pointed out that she did not touch any of the memorial trees. CORRESPONDENCE - None PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD - None INFORMATION Council Action Agenda (July 16, 1997) Beautification Committee Minutes of July 8, 1997 Applause Letter / Peninsula Clarion Teen Market Resignation of Cristel Field Parks & Rec Commission August 7, 1997 Page 6 12. ADJOURNMENT CASTIMORE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY GIFFORD. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barb Roper, qofitract Secretary Parks & Rec Commission August 7, 1997 Page 7