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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-09-03 Parks & Recreation SummaryKENAI PARKS/k RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA SEPTEMBER 3, 1998 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS CHAIRMAN RICHARD HULTBERG ITEM 1' ITEM 2: ITEM 3: a, ITEM 4: ITEM 5' a, ITEM 6' ITEM 7: a, ITEM 8: ITEM 9' ITEM 10: ITEM 11- a, ITEM 12: CALL TO ORDER/~ ROLL CALL AGENDA APPROVAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES July 2, 1998 August 6, 1998 PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD OLD BUSINESS Cunningham Park Restroom NEW BUSINESS- None. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Kenai Municipal Park Bernie Huss Fitness Trail Erik Hansen Scout Park Summer Recreation Program Preventative Field Maintenance/Little League Complex Cunningham Park QUESTIONS/k COMMENTS CORRF~PONDENCE PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD INFORMATION Council Action Agenda-July 1 and 15/August 5 and 19, 1998 Beautification Committee Minutes - July 14, 1998 Beautification Committee Minutes - August 11, 1998 Playground Safety Inspector Certificate ADJOURNMENT KENAI PARKS/h RECREATION COMMISSION *** MINUTES *** September 3, 1998- 7:00 P.M. City HaH 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, Ronald Yamamoto, Dale Sandahl, Jack Castimore, Tim Wisniewski, Kelly Gifford Also Present: Scott Slavik, City Clerk Carol Freas, Councilman Duane Bannock Others Present: Nate Kiel APPROVAL OF AGENDA Nate Kiel was added to the agenda under Item 4, Persons Scheduled To Be Heard. Cemetery Sign was added under Old Business, Item 5.b. AGENDA WAS APPROVED WITH THE ADDITIONS. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. July 2, 1998 b. August 6, 1998 MINUTES FOR BOTH MEETINGS WERE APPROVED AS WRITTEN. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD a® Nate Kiel/Rick Baldwin Kiel reported the multi-use facility committee met with the Challenger Learning Center group on 9/2/98 to discuss site plans on the property next to Kenai Central High School. The corner closest to the entrance of the Spur Highway is prime location for the Challenger Learning Center and is the group's desired site. The concern with Kiel's group is the site location for the recreational facility be accessible for students. The initial thought was to have it placed as close to KCHS as possible so that an Kenai Parks & Recreation Commission September 3, 1998 Page 1 agreement could be made with the School District to use the school's parking lot for overflow parking in the evening. Kiel passed out site plans for the Commissioners' review and pointed out one showed the rink being up against the lot line close to the KCHS parking lot. The other plan shows the rink being on the corner of Rogers and Lawton. This lot was originally the first choice for the Challenger Learning Center group as it would provide the best parking scenarios. Kiel stated they don't disagree but they have a concern as to the cost of the parking lot. Kiel continued, even though it was anticipated they would have $600,000 to $800,000 for the project they had very little figured in for paving a parking lot as they always thought they would have access to the KCHS parking lot. Rick Baldwin noted the Learning Center will be a beautiful facility and they didn't want the rink to overpower it because the rink is going to be a very large steel building. It will be best if the rink can be tucked back into the trees so not to detract from the aesthetics of the Learning Center. Baldwin also stated they don't want to spend money on paving but want to spend it on the infrastructure. A lengthy discussion took place on parking for the Learning Center and ice rink. It was asked if the two facilities could share the parking lot and it was noted that it is a possibility in order to save money. The buffer between the two facilities will be in between Spur, Rogers and Lawton. Kiel stated the State would prefer not to have an entrance or exit to the Spur Highway from either facility. The City doesn't want any entrance/exit off Lawton. Kiel noted they were on schedule for the various phases of the project but what they really want to do is come to an agreement with the Learning Center group on the site plan. Once this is achieved, the phases will be determined. Wisniewski asked about the controversy over the sale of the golf course lots. Bannock responded, the Council dealt with the issue at their 9/2 / 98 meeting. Bannock continued, Planning & Zoning took action and made some changes to the property to be sold. Some of the lot sizes were wrong for recreational zones so the city made application for a variance to the lot sizes on both Blocks 1 and 2. City Council asked Planning & Zoning to restrict Block 1 to not more than two-family dwellings and Block 2 to single-family dwellings. Planning & Zoning agreed on the variance but voted to restrict both Blocks to single-family dwellings. The City Administration appealed the decision so the Board of Adjustment and a written opinion will be rendered on the issue. Many Kenai Parks & Recreation Commission September 3, 1998 Page 2 ® residents attended the council meeting and expressed their concerns, i.e. increased traffic, dangerous for children, etc. It was noted that all 13 lots should sell as early indications show there are several interested buyers. OLD BUSINESS Cunningham Park Restroom Slavik wasn't sure what discussion was required on the restroom at Cunningham Park but thought that perhaps it should be for Beaver Creek. A restroom is installed at Beaver Creek and is approximately 90% complete and the contractor is waiting on hardware. It was noted Beaver Creek has many improvements and next year additional landscaping will take place. bo Cemetery Sign Sandahl reported he had heard some negative comments on the cemetery sign such as it looks like creative play, etc. Sandahl asked if anyone else received any negative feedback. Wisniewski stated he heard a lot of comments and many of them were not good. Bannock thought it was the ugliest sign in Kenai. Discussion took place on whether or not the Parks & Recreation Commission actually approved the sign. It was requested minutes from previous meetings be reviewed and be reported back to the Commission. Gifford asked what steps would be needed to get a bid for a wrought iron fence? Wisniewski described an aluminum fence he saw at a private family cemetery and thought it could be something the City could consider. Hultberg asked the issue be put on the agenda for the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS - None DIRECTOR' S REPORT Kenai Municipal Park Slavik reported the handicapped-accessible trails are completed on the second loop which houses four additional day-use picnic sites. The work will continue through the month with assistance from the Lions Club. Picnic tables will be stored for the winter and placed again in the spring along with additional tables. Kenai Parks & Recreation Commission September 3, 1998 Page 3 be de Sandahl asked the status of closing off the roadway in Municipal Park and making it a part of the trail system. Slavik replied, the new road has been installed by the street department and barricades to prohibit the traffic through the park will be placed and should be completed by the end of the month. Discussion took place on traffic through the park and whether or not signs would help the situation. It was noted if someone wants to get in they will. It was also noted four-wheelers are a problem through the park. Slavik noted several beetle kill trees have been felled and will be removed in the spring. People are welcome to come in and take some out for firewood. Bernie Huss Slavik reported this was a very large project which began this summer. A lot of clearing occurred, removing beetle kill trees and taking out trees for sight distances. This will be an ongoing project but what has been done to this point represents all that can be done this year. Phase 2 will begin next summer by making improvements to the fitness stations and doing more clearing on the other side. It was noted the area looks very nice and the Girl Scout group did a good job. Discussion took place on the park sign and Wisniewski thought it is an obstruction and should be moved. Slavik thought it would take quite a revamping at the entrance in order to move it. Erik Hansen Scout Park Slavik reported work continues on the Erik Hansen Scout Park and progress is being made. Discussion took place on the signage for the park and Slavik thought the sign would be an interpretative sign at the entrance. Signage is still part of the plan for the park. Summer Recreation Program Overall the summer recreation numbers were down which could be a result of the Boys and Girls Club expanding their hours. Slavik reported a good successful season and the crews kept the kids busy doing fun projects all summer. Michelle Carver, who supervised the program, accepted a teaching position so probably will not be involved in the program next year. Kenai Parks & Recreation Commission September 3, 1998 Page 4 ® ® 10. 11. Preventative Field Maintenance/Little League Complex Slavik thought there was a group interested in volunteering to help with the maintenance of the Little League fields. There is a range of things that needs to be done. Hultberg requested this item also be included on the agenda for the next meeting. Cunningham Park Cunningham Park expansion will also be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. It was noted Frates and Kornelis are working on expansion plans. It was noted Slavik is now a certified Playground Inspector. Slavik described the two-day course and thought it beefed up his skills in identifying hazards in playgrounds. Slavik reported he inspected the City's playgrounds and there are some issues needing attention. Student Representative Clerk Freas introduced Matt Peters who is interested in being a student representative to the Commission. QUESTIONS &, COMMENTS $1avik reported he will now begin Working at the Teen Center since the summer season is coming to a close. Commissioner Yamamoto asked how the computers at Parks and Recreation Center were doing. Slavik replied, there was a number of very old computers that were worthless so had been removed. The Center now has a very nice administrative computer which may be able to be used by kids. Commissioner Wisniewski thought Parks did an excellent job this year. Hultberg added, some of the flower beds are very beautiful. CORRESPONDENCE- None PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD - None INFORMATION a® be Council Action Agenda--July 1 and 15, 1998/August 5 and 19, 1998 Beautification Committee Minutes of July 14, 1998 Beautification Committee Minutes of August 11, 1998 Playground Safety Inspector Certificate Kenai Parks & Recreation Commission September 3, 1998 Page 5 12. ADJOURNMENT CASTIMORE MOVED TO ADJOURN. P.M. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:02 Respectfully submitted, Barbara Ropet,-~ontract Secretary Kenai Parks & Recreation Commission September 3, 1998 Page 6