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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-02 Parks & Recreation SummaryKENAI PARKS/k RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA OCTOBER 2, 1997 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS CHAIRMAN RICHARD HULTBERG ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER/k ROLL CALL ITEM 2' AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES- September 4, 1997 ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD a, Dr. Pete Hansen - Park Project. ITEM 5' OLD BUSINESS a. Parks Tour ITEM 6' NEW BUSINESS ao Goals as Objectives/Park Improvement Review ITEM 7: D IRECTO R' S REPORT a. Recreation Center Courts/Gym Refinishing & Repairs Fall City League Basketball Recreation Center Aerobics- Lysa McCauley ITEM 8: OUESTIONS/h COMMENTS ITEM 9' CORRESPONDENCE ITEM 10' PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 11' ao INFORMATION Council Action Agenda - September 3, 1997 Beautification Committee Minutes of September 9, 1997 DEC Food Service Inspection Group Fitness Certification/Lysa McCauley ITEM 12: ADJOURNMENT KENAI PARKS/k RECREATION COMMISSION *** MINUTES *** October 2, 1997- 7:00 P.M. City Hall Council Chambers Chairman Richard Hultberg ® ® ® ® CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chairman Hultberg called the meeting to order at approximately 7'05 p.m. Members Present: Richard Hultberg, Dale Sandahl, Ronald Yamamoto, Jack Castimore Members Absent: Kelly Gifford, Tim Wisniewski Also Present' Director Bob Frates, Lysa McCauley, Contract Secretary Barb Roper, Councilman Duane Bannock (arrived at 7'30 p.m.) APPROVAL OF AGENDA AGENDA WAS APPROVED AS PRESENTED. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - August 7, 1997 MINUTES FOR THE MEETING HELD AUGUST 7, 1997 WERE APPROVED AS WRITTEN. Note: The September 4, 1997 meeting was canceled due to lack of quorum, therefore no minutes were presented. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD Dr. Pete Hansen - Park Project- (Dr. Hansen arrived at 7'20 p.m.) Dr. Hansen presented the Commissioner's with a letter {included with these minutes) which outlined the plans his family has for a park in the Old Towne bluff area. This park, if approved, will be named in memory of Dr. Hansen's late son Erik. Dr. Hansen also showed an aerial photograph of the lot and explained that his family envisioned a viewing park focusing on the mouth of the Kenai River and the Inlet. It was noted the lot is approximately 27,000 sq. ft. When asked about parking in the area, Dr. Hansen pointed out on the map where people were currently parking. He added, the 50' lot next to the proposed park could be used for parking and the owner was approached with regard to selling or donating. A lengthy discussion took place on bluff erosion, maintenance, PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 2, 1997 PAGE 1 signage, safety, and general ideas for the park. It was noted that once this Commission approves Dr. Hansen's concept as outlined in his letter, it will go to Council for approval. SANDAHL MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF DR. Hansen'S LETTER WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT COME BACK TO PARKS AND RECREATION WHEN THE DESIGN OF THE PARK BEGINS. YAMAMOTO SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE: SANDAHL Yes YAMAMOTO Yes GIFFORD Absent CASTIMORE Yes WISNIEWSKI Absent HULTBERG Yes MOTION PASSES. After discussion on schedules, Bannock reported that Dr. Hansen would be put on the agenda for the November 5, 1997 City Council meeting. Dr. Hansen will meet with Frates to discuss maintenance and water to the park. Lysa McCauley, the City's aerobic instructor was introduced. meeting to share information on the aerobics program. She attended the OLD BUSINESS a. Parks Tour Frates requested feedback and/or comments from the Parks tour held in August. It was suggested there be two park tours next year in order to spend more time at each one. Commissioners expressed their satisfaction with the tour. Frates stated the tours will be scheduled and Council members will be invited. He added that having Mayor Williams at the last tour was very helpful. NEW BUSINESS a® Goals/k Objectives/Park Improvement Review Frates discussed the park improvement list and noted some of the items had not been accomplished because they were not a high priority. Frates commented on the following parks' PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 2, 1997 PAGE 2 ® Beaver Creek: A lot of time was spent in the park this summer and the Commissioners provided positive feedback after the tour. The work planned for the park next year includes additional brush clearing, additional park equipment installation, and installation of a restroom. Cunningham Park: This park experienced erosion problems and approximately four feet of land was lost over the last five years. Additional parking is required. A lengthy discussion took place on parking in this area and whether or not the fence currently in place should be moved to accommodate that need. It was noted the only reason the fence would be moved is if a boat ramp facility was put in the park and more parking was required. Frates stated additional parking was needed whether or not a boat launch was put in. Bannock stated that a boat launch was very unlikely. Municipal Park: Clean up will continue as well as work on the handicap-accessible trail. Hultberg asked what the status was on the situation with the Kenaitze Indian Tribe and their map identifying the sacred areas in the park. Frates stated that the Tribe thought it was too early to survey the park because of the vegetation. Discussion took place on this work and it was pointed out that conversation with the Kenaitze Indian Tribe should be initiated by the City and not the Lions Club. Castimore asked about the concrete pad to extend the stairs. Frates reported this work is on the list of items to be continued next year through the handicap-accessible trail project. Bernie Huss: Discussion took place on pulling out the fitness equipment in this area and moving it to the East Kenai Trail area. After discussion, all Commissioners agreed the Bernie Huss Trail should be cleared to make for a safer area that will attract more people. Frates stated this would be a major undertaking and support from other groups would be needed to accomplish the work. Frates reported, Parks and Recreation 's primary focus this year will be on the ski trails. He also reported that a lot of thought was given to a skating rink and at this time it would not be practical to pursue it since there is only one person available to do the work. Director's Report Recreation Center Courts/Gym Refinishing/~ Repairs: PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 2, 1997 PAGE 3 Se Two of the courts are completed and the last one should be operational within the next couple of days. Fall City League Basketball: The men's league will start on November 3 and there are about six teams. The women's league will start in ,January. It was noted that tournaments will be played again this year. Frates indicated that a wally ball league may also be developed. Recreation Center Aerobics - Lysa McCauley: McCauley showed her Group Fimess Certificate and it was reported that she is now a certified instructor. Discussion took place on what was planned for the adult aerobics program. Frates indicated a program for young teens may also be developed. A health assessment computer program was also discussed. McCauley shared a report on her health assessment to show what type of information the program could provide. It was suggested that the aerobic program be expanded to include the public. Hultberg indicated the facility may need to be expanded in the future to accommodate the various programs. Discussion took place on expansion of various City facilities to include the rec center, library, etc. It was suggested the expansion be included in the next five year plan. OUESTIONS/~ COMMENTS Commissioner Sandahl reported that he has received several complaints on the type of people that are hanging around the rec center and movie theater. It was reported that some people are afraid to travel in the area because of these individuals. Sandahl asked how many times the police are called for this. Frates reported that he received similar complaints regarding kids smoking and blocking the street. He added that the police have been contacted on a few occasions and Officer Carver, who is involved in D.A.R.E., makes an effort to talk to the kids and get them out of the area. It was noted that something had to be done to make this area a safe haven for those that utilize the rec center. Sandahl stated the Commission needs to determine whether or not they will spend more on all of the parks, prioritize the work in a few of the parks, or close down a few parks. Sandahl further stated that funds may not be available in the future so these areas need to be re-evaluated. Castimore stated that the Commission needs to consider what would bring people into the community and nice parks may be a draw. Bannock stated, Council reviewed that issue last fall and to bring people to the area, upgrades were made to the water system, sewer system, and roads. He added, a new philosophy by this Commission may be in order. Sandahl indicated that the new philosophy should be developed in conjunction with the budget. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 2, 1997 PAGE 4 ® 10. 11. 12. Commissioner Hultberg stated the issue with the Kenaitze Indian Tribe needs to be resolved. CORRESPONDENCE PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD INFORMATION Council Action Agenda - September 3, 1997 Beautification committee Minutes of September 9, 1997 DEC Food Service' Inspection Group Fitness Certification / Lysa McCauly ADJOURNMENT MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Roper, Con~ra~t-~cret--ary PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 2, 1997 PAGE 5