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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-06-04 Parks & Recreation SummaryKENAI PARKS ~k RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA JUNE 4, 1998 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS CHAIRMAN RICHAR~ HULTBERG ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER ~ ROLL CALL ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES - May 7, 1998 ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5- OLD BUSINESS ITEM 6: NEW BUSINESS a, Cunningham Park July Meeting ITEM 7: DIRECTOR' S REPORT a, Beautification Work Party Bernie Huss Fitness Trail Mutli-purpose Facility FAA Field Renovation Summer Hire ITEM 8: OUESTIONS/h COMMENTS ITEM 9' ITEM 10: PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 11' INFORMATION a, Council Action Agendas of May 6 and 20, 1998. Beautification Committee Minutes of May 12, 1998. Ordinance No. 1785-98 - Five Iron Heights Subdivision. ITEM 12: ADJOURNMENT KENAI PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION *** MINUTES *** June 4, 1998- 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 7'00 p.m. Members Present: Richard Hultberg, Dale Sandahl, Ronald Yamamoto, Jack Castimore, Alicia Brewer Members Absent: Kelly Gifford, Tim Wisniewski Also Present: Director Bob Frates, Contract Secretary Barb Roper, APPROVAL OF AGENDA Hultberg added Nate Kiel and Allan Norville to the agenda, Item 4, a and b. Hultberg added Municipal Park- Dan Castimore to New Business, Item c. Agenda was approved with the additions. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - May 7, 1998 MINUTF~ FOR THE MEETING HELD MAY 7, 1998 WERE APPROVED AS WRITTEN. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD a. Nate Kiel Kiel attended the meeting to give a brief report on the status of the multi-purpose facility. Kiel reported a meeting was held with City Manager Rick Ross and Borough Mayor Mike Navarre. It was noted the land trade is a done deal and lots could be sold as early as mid-July or the first of August. After the sale, it is anticipated that approximately $600,000 will be available for the multi-purpose facility. Kiel also reported that the Mental Health Land swap with the Borough is in the final stages and this will provide property for both the multi-purpose facility and the Challenger Learning Center. City Manager Ross requested that a design committee be developed to go over the plans for the multi-purpose facility. Those individuals and the exact number has PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING June 4, 1998 Page 1 be not been decided at this time, however, both Wisniewski and Yamamoto from Parks and Rec are interested in being on the Committee. Other individuals will include the City Engineer, a City Council member, the Parks and Rec Director, Kiel, Baldwin, and two other individuals from the community who are involved with hockey. Frates reported this committee could possibly have their first meeting within the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, Frates will meet with the individuals from Nikiski to get ideas on phase work and what they did with their facility. Allan Norville Norville attended the meeting as a representative of the Kenai River Classic. The Kenai River Classic raises a considerable amount of money each year through the fishing event held July 1 through July 4. It is anticipated the group could raise over $1 million this year. The funds are used to restore habitat or improve conditions on the Kenai River for sport fishing. At this time the group is working with the City of Soldotna on improvements to Swiftwater which total approximately $245,000.00. (Norville and Frates had a copy of the plans for Swiftwater available for review.) The improvements include a handicap ramp to provide access to the river. Norville reported that Cunningham Park came up in some of their discussions as there are facilities there but no access to them. The Kenai River Classic is interested in supporting and funding a portion of improved facilities at the park. Norville also noted that the State has participated in some projects as well. If the Parks and Rec Commission is interested in exploring the possibility, then Norville would take it back to the Classic Board to discuss partial funding. Norville stated he was in an unusual position this time as he was approaching the City of Kenai to give money. After a general group discussion it was agreed that Cunningham Park would need a lot of enhancement but there was concern with the tidal action which would cause problems. It was noted that plans were previously drawn up for Cunningham Park which included better access to the river but these didn't go anywhere due to lack of funding. Frates reported those plans were done and presented to the State for funding at the same time the Pillars project was being presented. As a result the Cunningham project failed. Frates continued, discussion took place on the tidal influence and the problems it creates and it was thought that it could be engineered to allow for removable steps or ramps. Norville stated this would be where the expertise from the City's engineering department would be beneficial. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING June 4, 1998 Page 2 Frates reported that some playground equipment was removed from Cunningham Park and the bathrooms are still there. Hultberg asked about the land next to the park and whether the lots could be purchased to enlarge the park. Frates stated he discussed those two additional lots with Norville but purchasing the lots would have to be a Council decision. It was noted those lots will be expensive. Frates continued, the Commission has to decide whether to consider expanding the park by purchasing the two lots and including boardwalks, etc., or work within the boundaries of the existing park. It was noted there is room to expand the existing parking lot. Norville suggested the Commission come up with a project as the Kenai River Classic is not in a position to tell the City where to go or what to do. Norville also suggested that if Cunningham Park is considered, the design allow for future expansion which would include the two lots. Once the wish list is established, then the Kenai River Classic group would investigate funding through Corps of Engineers, State, local government, etc. Sandahl stated it would be a very interesting project at Cunningham Park because of the tides. Sandahl continued, nothing could be set up in the lower river like it is in Soldotna. Norville agreed, whereever a project is done in the lower river, tidal problems would be a concern. Sandahl asked what was the time line. Norville replied, they are looking at probably 1999. The funds are available and planning, engineering, etc., could be done through the summer and over the winter. Work could begin as early as the spring with a completion date in late summer. Yamamoto asked if there was a cap on the funding. Norville answered, yes as the group doesn't have unlimited resources but they do have the ability to go to other agencies if necessary. Frates asked if most of their projects had 50/50 splits. Norville answered, depending on the project they may consider 50/50 and 60/40 splits. The Kenai River Classic group would look at the project, estimate a budget, and then decide what they could fund. Sandahl asked if the City of Soldotna worked with the various agencies to get approval on the projects. Norville replied, they have all worked together in a team effort and they try to get as much outside help as possible in order to do a bigger project. Norville continued, the main concern of the group is that any project is done right. There is no interest in cutting a project or doing one in an inefficient manner where someone has to go back in for repairs, etc. Their experience is do it right the first time, design it right and don't cut, then everyone is assured a Project with which everyone is happy. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING June 4, 1998 Page 3 ® Hultberg thanked Norville for attending the meeting and stated that Frates will keep the group appraised of what Parks and Rec is doing. OLD BUSINESS- None NEW BUSINESS Cunningham Park Frates stated that earlier last winter there was an issue where the adjacent property owner next to Cunningham Park had built a structure onto City property. As a result the City sold a portion of the property and the proceeds, which totaled $2,045.00, were given to Parks and Rec to be spent on the park. Frates continued, if City Council is interested in the project presented by Norville, the proceeds from the sale could be used as seed money. Frates suggested the money not be spent until a decision was made on Cunningham Park and the Kenai River Classic's offer of funding for improvements. Hultberg requested the original Cunningham Park plans be available for review at the next meeting. It was also decided the area off Bridge AcCess Road should be put on the agenda for discussion with regard to improvements. Sandahl asked that Frates check with the City Manager on the issue from the Kenai River Classic to assure everything is in order. July Meeting Frates asked if the Commission wanted to consider changing the date of the July meeting since it was scheduled for July 2, just before the 4t~ of July weekend. After a brief discussion it was decided the meeting date was fine and did not need to be changed. Kenai Municipal Park- Dan Castimore Hultberg asked what happened on Municipal Park at the June 3 Council meeting. Frates replied there was an inquiry as to Municipal Park and the status in terms of cleaning it up and going with the original plans for it. Frates continued, the beetle kill trees need to come down and that work should start within the next couple of weeks. It was also noted there is some strong interest and support in doing something more with the park. Dan Castimore presented the Commission with an updated version of his plan for Municipal Park. Hultberg asked if the plan should be pushed a little more at this point. Frates answered, because of the PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING June 4, 1998 Page 4 ® many projects that Parks and Rec has going this summer whatever is done in Municipal Park has to be such that would accommodate the needs and priorities in other areas. Frates feels the preliminary work on Castimore's plan needs to be looked at first and a decision made on what can realistically be done this summer. Castimore stated his design is done is three phases so that the work can be accomplished over a period of time and not all at once. Frates reported the Lions Club is prepared to begin work on Phase II. Approximately 60 to 80 yards of gravel needs to be brought in and the Lions Club will be responsible for acquiring the majority of the gravel. Four or five fire pits will be added this summer. DIRECTOR' S REPO ItT Beautification Work Party Frates reported the Beautification Committee has been very busy. Planting is complete at the Fire Station and Leif Hansen Memorial Park. The volunteers will begin working at the Chamber on Saturday, June 6 from noon to 5:00 p.m. Anyone interested in helping out is encouraged to be at the Chamber. b. Bernie Huss Fitness Trail Slavik and the two Girl Scouts have been back at the Bernie Huss Fitness Trail to identify the trees that will remain. Actual work will begin on June 9 by cutting down the larger trees. Frates will let Hultberg and Castirnore know the exact time. It was noted that someone from Parks and Rec will always be present to provide security. Multi-purpose Facility Report provided in Kiel's report. d. FAA Field Renovation The FAA field has been seeded and top-dressed and football teams should be able to begin playing by early fall. During this discussion it was noted the field next to the tent camping area was off limits this year for ball games as it has been re-seeded. It will be available for use next summer. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING June 4, 1998 Page 5 e. Summer Hire ® There are a couple of positions remaining to be filled. The summer hires on board at this time have gone through a training/orientation session on June 1. These employees are eager to work and are excellent choices. Slavik has a good leadership role and the program is off to a good start. QUESTIONS & COMMENTS Commissioner Sandahl reported that he spoke with Gifford prior to the meeting and she wanted to know if the businesses with frontage property was notified regarding maintenance. Frates replied, he has not notified anyone at this time but will very soon. Frates also reported that consideration is being given to a larger sweeper next year. This is a budgetary item. Commissioner Hultberg asked if the Parks and Rec Department was extending the work on the grass strip to Swires. Frates answered, the work will just go to Tinker as it did last year. Some private property owners have taken the initiative to maintain the upkeep of the other areas. DiScussion took place on the playground equipment at Municipal Park and the fact that Parks and Rec promptly took care of the damaged equipment. The bathrooms are open. Frates stated there was a serious problem with the automatic flushers in the bathrooms last year so they will be replaced with manual flushers. 9. CORRESPONDENCE- None 10. PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD - None 11. INFORMATION a® Council Action Agendas of May 6 and 20, 1998 Beautification Committee Minutes of May 12, 1998 Ordinance No. 1785-98 - Five Iron Heights Subdivision 12. ADJOURNMENT SANDAHL MOVED TO ADJOURN. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:10 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Roper, Cot~ti'act Secretary PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING June 4, 1998 Page 6