Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-10-01 Parks & Recreation SummaryKENAI PARKS/k RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA OCTOBER 1, 1998 - 7 P.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS CHAIRMAN RICHARD HULTBERG *** MINUTES ® ® ® ® CALL TO ORDER/k ROLL CALL Chairman Hultberg called the meeting to order at 7'05 p.m. Members present' Richard Hultberg, Dale Sandahl, Kelly Gifford, Jack Castimore, Tim Wisniewski, Matthew Peters Members absent: Ron Yamamoto, Duane Bannock Also present: Director Bob Frates, Contract Secretary Vicki Fruichantie APPROVAL OF AGENDA Parks and Recreation Director Frates requested Nate Kiel be added to the agenda at Item 4, Persons Scheduled to be heard. AGENDA WAS APPROVED WITH THE ADDITION AT ITEM 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES September 23, 1998 - No additions or corrections; approved as written. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD Nate Kiel Mr. Kiel provided an update on the phased-in plans and parking for the Ice Arena at commissioner Yamamoto's request. The Ice Arena is being designed to allow the original outdoor rink to be compatible with potential future conversions / expansions. The first choice for location is on Lawton Drive, the second choice is in the back next to KCHS parking lot. Phase one includes a three sided structure and limited parking. The cost of parking is a major concern. The conditional use permit was a concern, but the City of Kenai will take care of that issue. There has been community concern regarding location of the arena and maintaining a greenway along the road. Parks & Recreation Commission October 1, 1998 Page 1 ® Bannock noted the Challenger Group has zero problems with either scenario. The City has approved the ice arena for the lot, just not the location within the lot itself. The intent of the land is, and always has been, for the recreational ice rink. Entrances and exits were discussed. It was stated KCHS would require one way entrances and exits. Enlarging the existing entrance is fine. The traffic could use the existing exit onto Lawton Drive, or a new exit could be created onto Rogers. Mr. Kiel stated a $600K - $800K cost for refrigeration is not a reality at this time. OLD BUSINESS- None. NEW BUSINESS Cemetery Sign/Wrought Iron Fence Director Frates explained that he knows of only one fence contractor locally, Four Seasons, which has access to wrought iron fencing. This contractor is very busy at this time, Director Frates noted he has been unable to obtain a bid yet. Hultberg stated he was concerned with the cost of a fence. Director Frates responded the City's budget process late winter would take care of the funding. Hultberg asked if whole front of the cemetery would be fenced. Director Frates responded that without the dollar figure, it would be hard to say how much area could be covered. Wisniewski asked if the material would be wrought iron or aluminum. Director Frates had information available on both wrought iron and aluminum. Wrought iron was agreed upon. Gifford voiced concern with style and look of fencing. Director Frates opened discussion of the existing sign, asking if members felt it was out of place. Sandahl replied that he felt the sign at the entrance to the cemetery is offensive. Hultberg asked if the sign could be placed at the other end of the cemetery. Director Frates reported that he had not received calls regarding the sign. He also checked with City Manager Rick Ross and he had received no calls, however Ross' Administrative Assistant, Kim Howard, noted she did not like the current sign. Discussion took place about other cemeteries. Castimore noted he had recently been to a large cemetery in New Jersey that had Parks & Recreation Commission October 1, 1998 Page 2 be a® no signs or fences yet seemed very appropriate. Sandahl recalled the cemeteries in his home state as being formal, with brick pillars and wrought iron gates. Gifford recalled the cemetery in Santa Barbara as being quite elaborate. Wisniewski stated that every cemetery where he has lived was elaborate, with cut stone pillars, etc., and the gate or entrance being a memorial in itself. Director Frates requested all to look at the drafts of proposed gate designs. Hultberg suggested they pick three of the drafts. Hultberg asked if the gate would be locked. Castimore asked about city policy to close, but not lock the gate. Sandahl stated he preferred not to have a gate. Sandahl also suggested if cost was a limiting factor to do the project in two phases, entrance then fence. Gifford noted fence styles 0105 and 0106 were preferred. will get figures next week. Frates Preventative Field Maintenance/Little League Complex Director Frates reported on the preventative maintenance completed at the senior field; sod cutting, etc. He stated his crew spent about 2 ¥~. weeks on it and it looks really good. It is in shape and ready to go for next year. The amount of work involved for the Little League field could be accomplished by work parties. Director Frates stressed the need for parental involvement. Preparation work, painting, raking rocks, etc., will need to begin in early May. Parks Tour Director Frates suggested coordinating schedules for Parks Tour and suggested it would be good for Student Representative Matt Peters to go along to orient him to the area Parks and Recreation maintains. Frates will phone commissioners to coordinate the date for the tour. Cunningham Park Director Frates informed the commission that Mr. Norville and Public Works Manager Mr. Kornelis had been working on upgrade plans for the park stating it really needed to be done. Kenai River Classic donated $100K for bank stabilization, boat launch upgrade and adding a boardwalk. Twelve thousand dollars is still needed from the City which will be requested at the next Council meeting on 10/07/98. With the upgraded boat launch and the Parks & Recreation Commission October 1, 1998 Page 3 ® ® boardwalk expansion, the parking lot is probably going to require expansion too. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Kenai Municipal Park Director Frates reported that the barricades are up and have been marked to alert snow machiners to their presence. b. Erik Hansen Scout Park Frates reported that the layout and trails were finished, however the border and gravel would be in next week. Next year the plan is to have the perimeter, topsoil and seeding completed. Peters asked about parking in that area. Director Frates responded that barricades would be in place, so there would be limited parking.' Gifford stated the park should be a reflective place, and was not supposed to be a busy place. Peters asked if barricades would prevent someone from walking off the bluff. Frates responded that 2" rope would be strung to deter that from happening. c. NRPA Conference Director Frates reported due to Hurricane Georges, the conference was canceled. Director Frates added he plans to attend the Alaska Recreational Parks Association's annual meeting in Houston, AK October 8, 9, and 10, 1998. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Gifford extended her thanks to Director Frates in his effort researching the wrought iron fencing. Commissioner Gifford also noted how good the clear cut looked around KMS and KCHS. Commissioner Peters questioned if gates are really necessary at the cemetery. Gifford stated she liked the fence. Sandahl asked about the lease on the Oilers' Park and when the lease would end. Bannock thought maybe it had ended. There was further discussion that the City Council did not vote on it and Bannock described it as a gray area. It may be a winter project. Bannock suggested the commission discuss it further, asked that a copy of the lease agreement be included in the packet for the next meeting. Parks & Recreation Commission October 1, 1998 Page 4 Wisniewski asked about use of the Pop-Warner field. Director Frates responded that he had discussed it with Anchorage; they informed him they want to hold all the games in one place and discussed the size of the field. The Pop Warner field, although short, is adequate for practices. Director Frates reported that the field has been limed, fertilized and re-seeded. Director Frates stated there is nothing new going on at Bernie Huss. They have removed two panels off the sign and it opens it up quite a bit. 8. CORRESPONDENCE- None. ® PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD- None. 10. INFORMATION ao Council Action Agenda- next meeting first Thursday of November, 1998. 12. ADJOURNMENT MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:55 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Alison Rapp Contract Secretary Parks & Recreation Commission October 1, 1998 Page 5