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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-07-06 Parks & Recreation SummaryKENAI PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION JULY 6, 2000 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. AGENDA ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June 1, 2000 ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ao Sunny Ogal-- Skateboard Park ITEM 5' OLD BUSINESS ao Discussion-- Berne Huss/Ryan's Creek Discussion-- Little League Fields ITEM 6: ao NEW BUSINESS Discussion -- East End Trail/Playground Equipment Discussion -- Leif Hansen Memorial Park Policy/Procedures ITEM 7: REPORTS ao Commission Chair Director City Council Liaison ITEM 8: COMMISSION QUESTIONS/h COMMENTS ITEM 9' PERSONS PILESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 10' INFORMATION a, Council Action Agendas of June 7 and 21, 2000. Beautification Committee Minutes of June 13, 2000. Kenai Recreation Center 20th Anniversary Open House Invitation. ITEM 11' ADJOURNMENT KENAI PARKS/l~ RECREATION COMMISSION JULY 6, 2000 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. CHAIRMAN RICHARD HULTBERG, PRESIDING MINUTES ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER/1~ ROLL CALL Chairman Hultberg called the meeting to order at approximately 7:05 p.m. called as follows: Roll was Commissioners Present: Commissioners Absent: Others Present' Hultberg, Sandahl, Gifford, Castimore, and Wisniewski Baxter and Peters Councilman Frazer, City Clerk Freas ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL Parks & Recreation Director Frates distributed a copy of a letter from Teresa Werner- Quade who expressed interest in the city upgrading a park adjacent to the Oilers' Baseball Park. There were no changes to the agenda and it was approved as presented. ITEM 3' APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June 1, 2000 There were no changes to the minutes of June 1, 2000 and they were approved as presented. ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD Sunny Ogal -- Skateboard Park Gus Ogal, Hugh Winston, Justin Lee spoke to the Commission, expressing their desire for the development of a skateboard park in the City. They noted the following: · A designated area for skateboard enthusiasts to use would be a good diversion from them using parking lots, etc. where they are not necessarily welcome; · The old high school hockey rink would be an acceptable size area, would be close by, and allow an area to move ramps into different configurations (Frates noted there had been discussions with KCHS regarding the possible relocation of the hockey rink to the multi-purpose facility area); · There are approximately 150 skateboarders in the Soldotna/KenaJ/ Nikiski area who would be potential users of such a facility. A long discussion followed where the Commission pointed out development of a park would be costly and the group should consider organizing their desires; formulating a presentation to make to council; taking into consideration whether a fee should be collected; how to raise funding; that the rink could be used by roller blade and bikers too; that policies would be placed on the use of city property (wearing helmets, shared- use etiquette, etc.); moveable ramps would have to be rearranged by city personnel only, etc. It was also suggested the group circulate a survey and gather signatures of prospective users to better indicate community interest. It was also noted fiberglass and wooden modules could be purchased; that there are people in the community who may be interested in sponsoring the purchase of a ramp; that the user group needs to get parental involvement; and that it would be a summer- use only facility due to the old hockey rink need to be used as a back-up rink for hockey. Frates offered the use of the Teen Center for a meeting place of the user group, if needed. It was ~also suggested the group talk with the Police Department to get advice of an area in the city where they could skateboard. ITEM 5' OLD BUSINESS -ae Discussion-- Bernie Huss/Ryan's Creek Frates reported the exercise equipment had been moved from the park and was now situated at the Oiler's Park. It was reported the company cutting the grass at the Trading Bay Professional Building was dumping the clippings on the trail at the park and Frates stated he would contact the company about it. Frates also noted cleaning Ryan's Creek was a major project, but that it looked much better. Frates reported he spoke with Ryan Green who was still pursuing the placement of playground equipment toward the middle of the park. The Commission agreed, due to past problems of vandalism, etc., it would be better not to put playground equipment in the park or to start by placing a picnic table or some benches to test whether they would be safe. 5-b. Discussion-- Little League Fields Frates reported the Kenai Little League would be hosting its first Little League Tournament since the 1980's. ITEM 6' NEW BUSINESS Discussion -- East End Trail/Playground Equipment Frates reported the equipment had been relocated and the group from Phillips did a fabulous job in putting in a trailhead and small parking area. Eight pieces of equipment from the Huss trail would be placed there. Some equipment will be placed at the other end of the trail next year and mile markers will be placed to indicate the areas of the trail which are handicap-accessible. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING JULY 6, 2000 PAGE 2 Discussion followed regarding people attending the Oiler's games and parking in the trail parking area instead of the Oiler parking lot. It was suggested a sign stating "East End Trail Parking Only" should be placed at the trailhead, although it was noted it would be hard to police. The Commission reviewed the Teresa ~Verner-Quade letter distributed at the beginning of the meeting. It was noted the playground equipment had been placed in the late 1970~s, however there was no history of why it was placed there, etc. and the area was not an official city park. It was also noted it was not a safe area for a playground due to the proximity of the golf course. Frates reported he wanted to remove the playground equipment due to safety concerns. It was suggested the Oiler's include funds in their budget to place playground equipment in their parking lot and, because it is difficult to maintain the current parks, it was not a good idea to take on more responsibility. It was also noted that if there is community interest in having a playground developed in that area, the users should address their desires to the council and that the school grounds are nearby and available for use. MOTION: Commissioner Wisniewski MOVED to remove the playground equipment from the area discussed due to safety reasons. Commissioner Gifford SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. 6-b. Discussion -- Leif Hansen Memorial Park Policy/Procedures Frates explained the problems arising more frequently from family and friends leaving other plant material, trinkets, pinwheels, windsocks, etc. by memorials at the Park and that he would like to have a policy that would justify his removing the items if the issue arose. Discussion followed whether the purchasers of the memorials should be notified of the change in the policy. Clerk Freas explained it would be difficult to contact all the purchasers as some had moved from the area and it was not always known who the relatives are who could be notified. She also noted, when someone purchases a memorial space and planting, a copy of the policies and procedures are given to the buyer. MOTION: Commissioner Castimore MOVED to adopt the recommended amendment in the policy and Commissioner Sandahl SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. It was noted the Beautification Committee also suggested placement of a bronze sign noting the background of the Park and placed in the rose garden area. The Commission suggested a simple sign be placed at the entry of the Park on Frontage Road to note the policy and who to contact if there are questions. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING JULY 6, 2000 PAGE 3 ITEM 7: REPORTS 7-a. Commission Chair -- Noted more cleaning in Municipal Park was needed as he noticed trees needing to be removed around the playground area. · · city. 7-b. Director-- Frates noted the following items: · In the near future, more parking area would be needed at Municipal Park due to the heavy use of the area. · The bid specifications were out for the new mower. · The Beautification Committee's "Garden-of-the-Week" program was in progress and the Peninsula Clarion agreed to publish pictures he takes of the chosen gardens. The tent campground was not receiving much business. Fertilizer had been put down on city-maintained grass throughout the · An open house would be held on July 8 at the Recreation Center to celebrate its 20-year anniversary. 7-c. City Council Liaison -- Councilman Frazer reviewed the agendas from the June council meetings, noting portions of the zoning code were amended by council to shorten the time allowed to conform with non-conforming uses of parking areas from two years to one and the livestock ordinance developed by the Planning & Zoning Commission had come forward to council for public hearing on June 21. He reviewed the amendments made to the ordinance by council and the Commission and reported it would be back before council at their July 19 meeting. Frazer also reported Council Member Chris Monfor spoke to council at their July 5 meeting about her impressions of the city and areas she felt needed some attention. ITEM 8' COMMISSION QUESTIONS/k COMMENTS Sandahl-- Received comments that no official thank-you was forwarded to those who designed and built the new cemetery sign and requested Frates to send a letter. Castimore -- No comments. Wisniewski -- * Asked whether the Sibert marker had been replaced and Frates reported he was awaiting the construction company to do their work. · Stated concerns that the flowers were not as healthy and profuse as in the past and asked if the flowers were being planted too late, etc. Frates reported similar comments were made at the council meeting by Mrs. Monfor who suggested either enlarging the greenhouse and hiring a horticulturist or use the greenhouse to hold plants and purchase the plants from local nurseries. Frates stated he would be PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING JULY 6, 2000 PAGE 4 investigating the difference in costs between purchasing flowers or growing them (including costs for heat, growing supplies, etc.). Chairman Hultberg left the meeting at 8'20 p.m. Gifford -- Asked if there was a possibility of adding another piece of playground equipment at Municipal Park. Frates stated a small piece of equipment would be removed from the Little League fields and placed in the Municipal Park. Frates was asked if the Lions Club's donated ADA approved outhouse had been received and he explained it had not. Frates noted, the score clock (donated by Mactel) for the multi-purpose facility was expected to arrive in the next few days. ITEM 9' PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None. ITEM 10' INFORMATION 10-a. 10-b. 10-c. Council Action Agendas of June 7 and 21, 2000. Beautification Committee Minutes of June 13, 2000. Kenai Recreation Center 20th Anniversary Open House Invitation. ITEM 11' ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:35 p.m. Minutes transcribed and prepared by: Carol L. Freas, City Clerk PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING JULY 6, 2000 PAGE 5