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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-09-07 Parks & Recreation SummaryKENAI PARKS/~ RECREATION COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 7, 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 - August 3, 2000 ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5' OLD BUSINESS ITEM 6' NEW BUSINESS ao Discussion -- Sidewalk Additions/Leif Hansen Memorial Park ITEM 7' REPORTS ao Co Commission Chair Director 1. Multi-Purpose Ice Rental Fees 2. East End Trails 3. ARPA & NRPA Conferences 4. Kenai Municipal Park City Council Liaison ITEM 8' COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS & COMMENTS ITEM 9' PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 10: INFORMATION ao Council Action Agendas of August 2 and 16, 2000. Beautification Committee Minutes of August 8, 2000. ITEM 11' ADJOURNMENT KENAI PARKS/k RECREATION COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 7, 2000 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Vice Chair Sandahl called the meeting to order at approximately 7:02 p.m. and the roll was called as follows: Present: Absent: Others Present: Baxter, Wisniewski, Sandahl and Castimore. Gifford arrived at approximately 7'04 p.m. Hultberg City Clerk Freas, Parks Director Frates, and Councilman Frazer ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL There were no changes to the agenda and it was approved as presented. ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES - August 3, 2000 There were no changes to the minutes and they were accepted as presented. ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None. ITEM 5: OLD BUSINESS-- None. ITEM 6: NEW BUSINESS 6-a. Discussion -- Sidewalk Additions/Leif Hansen Memorial Park Frates explained all the sidewalk spaces at the Park had been sold and the Commission had been requested to discuss a design for additional sidewalks that could be added to the Park in the Spring. He noted, costs for additional sidewalks had been included in the Parks budget requests, but were removed by Administration. At that time, Parks was requested to track the amount of requests for spaces and bring back during budget hearings. Since then, all the spaces had been sold. Councilwoman Swarner requested the matter be brought to council earlier so that construction might start in the Spring prior to the new budget year if possible. Commissioners reviewed the original suggested sidewalk design which was included in the packet. Proposed future sidewalks were noted on the map. Frates explained Mayor Williams had also suggested building a wall with memory bricks which could be purchased and inscribed. Also that the Beautification Committee had discussed adding points of interest on the perimeter of the Park and a memory wall might achieve that closure. He added, it had been suggested a memory wall could be placed toward Louie's and sidewalk added out from the anchor to the wall and then incorporated back at a point into the existing sidewalk. Frates also noted the Beautification Committee members were concerned that too many items at that side of the Park might make it look cluttered. . Frates requested Commission members to visit the Park and note ideas they might have for additional sidewalk design, keeping in mind what the area might look like in 30 years, and bring those ideas back for the next meeting. Clerk Freas explained the landscaper noted additional sidewalk plaque spaces should be placed far enough apart to allow for root growth like the original sidewalk spaces had been designed. She also explained she had received comments over the years from people who were interested in purchasing a space at the Park but couldn't because of the cost. The memory bricks could offer an alternative. A lengthy discussion followed during which Commissioners stated their desire to place additional sidewalks and consider placing the wall. Other suggestions included a large memorial where names could be added like some war memorial designs; cutting more spaces in the existing sidewalks where plaques could be placed without purchasing a planting; and consider not placing as many trees on the Frontage Road side of the Park if new sidewalks are placed in front of the gazebo, making it more of a formal entrance into the Park. It was also noted Epperheimer has done some granite engraving. Frates noted he was awaiting receipt of brick information from the company who was doing the tile work at the Challenger Center. ITEM 7: REPORTS 7-a. Commission Chair-- No report. 7-b. Director-- Frates reported the following: · Rental fees at the multi-purpose facility would be increased according to a letter received from the LLC (a copy was included in the packet). · Mayor Williams will offer a proclamation to the employees of Phillips who worked on the East End Trail as their community project. · He will be attending the ARPA conference in Seward. · Work will continue in Municipal Park when the wild land fire crew returns in the next week. Beetle killed trees will be removed. Frates added, he walked through the Park with the Borough's expert who noted approximately 50-60% of the trees in the Park were infected with the Spruce Bark Beetle. · Sam Steiner, a junior at KCHS, was appointed to the Commission. · Laidlaw (school bus transportation company) has agreed to make the Recreation Center a regular bus stop. Students will have the opportunity, with parental permission, to get off the bus at the Center and take advantage of activities at the Center. If enough students use the service, the Teen Center might be opened earlier in the day. · The Teen Center has been offered as a meeting place for young people interested in 'developing a skateboard park in Kenai. Frates added, he believed the youngsters should have a lot of the responsibility in gathering information, doing cost analyses, researching available property, developing a design, etc. He hoped by budget time, the enthusiasts will be able to make a presentation to council. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 2000 PAGE 2 City Council Liaison -- Councilman Frazer reported the following: · The Kenai Well No. 4 project is moving forward with two test wells drilled and good water was found. An additional $16,000 was appropriated to develop the wells for quality and quantity of water. · The bid was awarded to raise the entryway roof at the Senior Center. The roof is being raised to accommodate both the new senior bus and snow removal equipment. · Council passed a resolution supporting the Borough's Declaration of Disaster in regard to the processors and fishers affected by the very low returns during the past year's fishing season. · Start Pitlo of the Peninsula Clarion gave a presentation regarding effects of e-commerce on sales tax, small businesses, services to municipalities, etc. · The city auditor gave the annual financial statement and reported the city is in good financial shape and is in compliance. The council donated $750 to sponsor the welcoming reception for the Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council's state conference to be held in Kenai. ITEM 8: COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS/h COMMENTS Gilford-- Inquired about the following items: · The "Welcome to Kenai" sign at the intersection of Bridge Access and Kalifornsky Beach Road. She was referred to Public Works Manager Kornelis. · The progress of the rock memorial for Alaska homesteaders. Frates reported the matter was being held until the new sidewalk design was developed for Memorial Park. · When will the piles of wood be removed at the East End Trail. Frates reported they would be burned or chipped in early winter. Baxter -- Reported the Oilers had received calls from users of the playground equipment which had been removed from the property beside Oiler Park and asked if new equipment would be placed there in the near future. He added, the Oilers would like to know if there would be some way they could help in putting in a park suitable for young people to use in that area. Discussion followed and it was stated there were no plans to place equipment in that area at this time. The Commission and Parks Department were centralizing their efforts in maintaining established city parks. It was suggested the Oilers consider purchasing equipment and developing a play area on the Oilers Park property and perhaps contacting the Phillips work crew who worked on the East End Trail as they may be interested in making it a future community project. Castimore -- No comments. Wisniewski -- Reported he rode through East End Trail on his bike and thought it was very nice. He noted it was much more accessible and received a lot more sunlight. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 2000 PAGE 3 Wisniewski also noted he asphalted the remaining area of his parking lot because it had been very difficult to water and maintain the grass that had been there. He noted, he believed there is a problem with watering and maintaining the green strips on both sides of Willow Street and suggested the area be paved over and marked similar to what Soldotna had done. Frates suggested Wisniewski speak with Kornelis regarding any grant funds that might be available for that type of project. Sandahl -- Stated he believed Memorial Park and Cunningham Park looked really good and liked what was being done to Municipal Park. Frates noted the only problem he saw at Cunningham Park was the discarding of fish waste and suggested signage and maybe a fish waste station might contain the problem. Frates was also asked about flowers for next year and he reported he was gathering price quotes for purchasing the bulk of the flowers and growing a smaller portion of them in the city's greenhouse. Gifford -- Asked if Street banners could be added toward the Carr's area and Frates noted it was probably time to consider doing that. Frates thanked the Castimores for building six new picnic tables for the Parks Department. ITEM 9: PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None. ITEM 10: INFORMATION 10-a. 10-b. Council Action Agendas of August 2 and 16, 2000. Beautification Committee Minutes of August 8, 2000. ITEM 11: ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Gifford MOVED to adjourn and Commissioner Wisniewski SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:12 p.m. Min_utes transcribed ar~ prepared by: Carol L. Fre~[s', City Clerk PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 2000 PAGE 4