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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-06-03 Parks & Recreation SummaryKENAI PARKS/h RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA JUNE 3, 1999 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS CHAIRMAN RICHARD HULTBERG ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER/k ROLL CALL ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3' APPROVAL OF MINUTES - May 6, 19~ ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD a. Vince Wagner -- Cunningham Park Improvements ITEM 5' OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion -- Summer Maintenance Schedule ITEM 6: NEW BUSINESS ao Discussion -- Kenai Municipal Cemetery Regulations ITEM 7: DIRECTOR=S REPORT a, Summer Recreation Program Summer Maintenance Accomplishments to Date Summery Solstice Fun Run/Walk ITEM 8: OUESTIONS/h COMMENTS ITEM 9' CORRESPONDENCE ITEM 10: PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 11: INFORMATION Council Action Agendas of May 5 and 19, 1999. Beautification Committee Minutes of May 11, 1999. ITEM 12: ADJOURNMENT CITY OF KENAI PARKS/h RECREATION COMMISSION KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS JUNE 3, 1999 - 7:00 P.M. CHAIRMAN RICHARD HULTBERG MINUTES ® ® CALL TO ORDER Chairman Richard Hultberg called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. a. Roll Call Members Present: Ron Yamamoto, Jack Castimore, Dale Sandahl, Richard Hultber§, Matthew Peters, Tim Wisniewski (arrived at 7'09) Members Absent: Kelly Gifford Others Present: Councilman Bill Frazer, Parks and Recreation Director Bob Frates, Contract Secretary Barb Roper be Agenda Approval: Agenda was approved as presented. Approval of Minutes - May 6, 1999 Minutes were approved as written. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD: a. Vince Wagner Vince Wagner explained that he was a drift boat guide on the Kenai River and was concerned the improvements made to Cunningham Park would not allow him and other drift boat users to pull out of the river at the Park. Wagner stated he'd been using the Park as a pull-out for years and there was no other area on the river suitable for that purpose. Wagner showed a hand-drawn sketch of the Park that depicted a proposed solution. Wagner suggested that a block and tackle system be installed on or near the tree located next to the water. If the tree couldn't be used for that purpose then perhaps a concrete deadman could be placed near the tree. Discussion took place on the liability such a system would place on the City as well as the cost for including a pull-out system for drift boat guides. A lot of emphasis was put on the fact that the Kenai River Sport Fishing Association had donated the money for the improvements and a boat launch was not included. The original plans had a boat launch but it was removed due to cost. Wagner indicated he contacted Jim Golden with the Kenai River Sport Fishing Association and Golden instructed him to come back with a proposal. Bill Borgen arrived at 7'08. Tim Wisniewski arrived at 7:09. Borgen explained he was also a drift boat guide on the Kenai River and had permission for many years to pull his boat out at Cunningham Park. He was also concerned the new design would not allow him to continue to pull his boat out at the Park. Borgen suggested that perhaps skids or a rail system be developed. Borgen and Wagner both indicated they didn't believe in powerboats and they also use their drift boats for personal use. Wagner stated, as drift boat guides they were not very well received on the river by powerboat users and therefore didn't think his request would get much attention from Jim Golden with the I<enai River Sport Fishing Association. Frazer stated that during discussions, Golden didn't make any reference one way or the other with regards to drift boat versus powerboat river users. After much discussion Borgen and Wagner were asked to contact the City Public Works Director to develop a more formal plan and/or proposal for a drift boat pull-out in Cunningham Park. The proposal should also outline cost and liability issues. Once the proposal is developed it could be presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission for review and possible recommendation to the City Council. Frazer pointed out that nothing new would be added to Cunningham Park until after the current contractor has completed his project. He added, the anticipated completion date was July 1. Frazer also pointed out the project at Cunningham Park only went as far as the Kenai River Sport Fishing funding went. The City had no funds to support any other projects in the Park. Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes June 3, 1999 Page 2 ® Discussion took place on the area down river that Borgen reported as City property. Borgen indicated this would also be an ideal area for drift boats to pull out. Frates will check on the status of that area and will report back to the Commission. Frates asked that, in the interim, the drift boaters not use Cunningham Park as a pull-out due to the construction. OLD BUSINESS: a. Summer Maintenance Schedule Frates reported the volleyball court at Municipal Park was targeted for completion before July 31. A large user group was scheduled in for that date. Frates stated significant landscaping would be done near the restroom in Beaver Creek Park, including a handicap-accessible walkway to the restroom. Frates thanked Wisniewski for his input. Discussion took place on clearing the beetle kill trees out of the Bernie Huss Trail. Frates reported this would be accomplished with the help of the Boys and Gifts Scouts and the City would haul the material out. It was noted that there were many trees in the City Park dead from beetle kill and it would probably be clear of trees in a couple of years. Discussion took place on the vandalism of the gate in Municipal Park during the late fall last year. Frates stated the gateposts were totally removed and the chains were missing. The new posts would be placed in concrete. Sandahl reiterated that he was livid with the vandalism taking place in Kenai. Castimore indicated drug dealers are again using the City Park since there was another way out again. They returned after the gate was removed in the back. Frates indicated the repair work should be completed by next week. NEW BUSINESS: Discussion- Kenai Municipal Cemetery Regulations Frates requested the Commissioners read the memo from the City Clerk which was included in the packet. The memo referenced headstone and grave damage due to City snow removal equipment. After much discussion Frates noted that Mrs. Seibert Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes June 3, 1999 Page 3 was asked to provide replacement and/or repair cost information and the City would take care of the damage. It was noted the turn around area in the cemetery was so limited that it was difficult for equipment to turn around without causing some damage. It was suggested the City consider making a walking path out of the road and only use the road when a funeral is taking place. Wisniewski indicated it would not be too much of a hardship if the road was made a walking path. Discussion also took place on landscaping the turnaround area at the island in the cemetery and making a parking area where vehicles and/or equipment can turn around. MOTION SANDAHL MOVED THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS BE RECOMMENDED TO THE CITY COUNCIL: ® Set up a permanent gate structure and make the road into the cemetery a walking path. ® Eliminate the circle around the island and make a parking area near the fence for turnaround purposes. YAMAMOTO SECONDED THE MOTION. VOICE VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Discussion took place on the Cemetery Regulations and it was noted that Section 1, item b. needed to be revised to increase the plot opening and closing charges. Wisniewski stated the cost is $400 per plot in the summer and $500 per plot in the winter. CASTIMORE MOVED TO CHANGE THE THIRD SENTENCE IN SECTION 1~ ITEM b. IN THE CEMETERY REGULATIONS TO READ~ ~OPEN/NG AND CLOSING CHARGES ARE $400 PER $TANDARD PLO T IN' THE $UMMER AND $ $ 00 :PER $TANDARD PLOT IN' THE WINTER. MOTION SECONDED BY YAMAMOTO. VOICE VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes June 3, 1999 Page 4 ® Discussion took place on Section 3, item c. Frates indicated that no enforcement is done with regard to this regulation and didn't see any reason to continue. Allowable items were discussed and it was suggested that perhaps the paragraph should read that fences or articles not maintained are subject to removal. It was decided that Frates would develop a draft revision to be presented to the Commission at the July meeting for consideration. Discussion took place on Section 4, item b. It was noted the gates were not locked after 9:00 p.m. and when they are locked the City gets a lot of complaints. Wisniewski recommended the gates be left unlocked at all times during the period May through October. CASTIMORE MOVED TO REMOVE THE HOURS 7:00 AM. AND 9:00 P.M. FROM SECTION 4, ITEM B OF THE CEMETERY REGULATIONS. THE SENTENCE WILL READ~ '~THE VEHICLE GATE WILL BE OPEN DAILY DURING THE MONTHS OF MAY THROUGH OCTOBER. MOTION SECONDED BY PETERS. VOICE VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR- MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Sandahl reported he received some negative remarks on the cemetery sign; people think it's a joke. Sandahl continued, the Buffington boys were welders and may be interested in doing a wrought iron sign for the cemetery. Frates stated he would look into the sign issue. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Summer Recreation Program Frates announced his staff had been hired and the summer program would begin on June 14. Summer Maintenance Accomplishments to Date The banners were out and planting begun. The planting had been slow getting started this year because of the cold temperatures. The dust bowl would be ready for use next week. Ce Summer Solstice Fun Run/Walk The Fun Run/Walk was scheduled for June 19 at 10:00 p.m. The event would start in the Old Town Park. Frates noted there were only 32 to 35 participants last year because of the bad weather. Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes June 3, 1999 Page 5 ® ® 10. 12. QUESTIONS & COMMENTS: Commissioner Castimore asked Frates if he was still interested in the li§ht poles for the §olf course. He noted, there were six wooden poles with li§hts behind Sears Elementary. Frates indicated he was interested and Hultber§ would proceed with §ettin§ them moved. Commissioner Sandahl stated he'd seen the Park workers out and they were doing a great job. The sidewalks look good. Student Representative Peters thanked Councilman Frazer for his support of the Coastal Bike Trail. Frazer reported Council approved the cost estimate and plans. Commissioner Wisniewski asked about the status of the ice rink. Frates replied the City was lookin§ for potential §rants and Nate Kiel's group was lookin§ for private fundin§. The clearin§ currently takin§ place was for both the Challen§er Learnin§ Center and the Multipurpose Facility. Wisniewski noted the tree damage in Leif Hansen Memorial Park was done by the moose and asked if the trees would be replaced. Frates stated the trees would grow but they won't look the way they should. Wisniewski asked about the status of the Erik Hansen Park. stated HEA moved the pole and all other work was on line. Frates Wisniewski asked if there had been any volunteers for maintaining the bike paths. Frates stated that was a good idea and if anyone knew of someone interested they should call his office. Wisniewski noted the bike paths were in good condition except at the intersections. Frates noted for the record the bike paths were not being maintained for roller bladers. Commissioner Yamamoto stated the Commission and the Park and Recreation Department need to concentrate on the cemetery issues. PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD: - None INFORMATION: Council Action Agenda of May 5 and 19, 1999. Beautification Committee Minutes of May 11, 1999. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting Adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes June 3, 1999 Page 6 The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:29 p.m. Minutes transcribed and prepared by: B~_rb Roper, Con~ra~ct SeCretary Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes June 3, 1999 Page 7