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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-08-02 Parks & Recreation SummaryKENAI PARKS ~ RECREATION COMMISSION AUGUST 2~ 2001 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. AGENDA ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER ih ROLL CALL ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- June 7, 2001 and July 5, 2001 ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD a. Angela Schreiner -- Memorial Park/Memorial Rock Request b. Chris Degernes -- Department of Natural Resources Boat Launch Near Cunningham Park. ITEM 5' OLD BUSINESS ao ITEM 6' Discussion -- Municipal Park Discussion -- Skateboard Park NEW BUSINESS ao Discussion-- Proposed 2001 Foreclosure Sale ITEM 7: REPORTS ao Commission Chair Director City Council Liaison ITEM 8' COMMISSION ~UF~TIONS ~ COMMENTS ITEM 9' PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 10' INFORMATION ao Council Action Agendas of July 5 and 18, 2001. Beautification Committee Minutes of July 10, 2001. ITEM 11' ADJOURNMENT KENAI PARKS ~ RECREATION COMMISSION AUGUST 2, 2001 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. CHAIRMAN TIM WISNIEWSKI, PRESIDING MINUTES ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER/l~ ROLL CALL Chairman Wisniewski called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll was called as follows: Present: Absent: Others Present: Roper Baxter, Wisniewski, Gifford, Sandahl, Steiner, Hultberg Castimore Councilwoman Porter, City Manager Snow, Contract Secretary Chairman Wisniewski welcomed City Manager Snow and Councilwoman Pat Porter to the Parks Meeting. It was noted that Councilwoman Porter was the new council representative to the Parks & Recreation ~Commission. ITEM 2' AGENDA APPROVAL The agenda was approved as presented. ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- June 7, 2001 and July 5,2001 The minutes for June 7 and July 5, 2001 were approved as written. ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD Angela Schreiner- Memorial Park/Memorial Rock Request Don Schreiner presented a verbal proposal to the Commission regarding the placement of a memorial rock for his late mother-in-law, Helen Turnage, in Leif Hansen Memorial Park. The memorial, rock would be similar to the rock the Thomson family placed in the park nine years ago. Schreiner and Director Frates pointed out two potential locations for the rock. Discussion followed and concern was expressed the memorial rocks were being proposed without an ordinance in place or any designated areas for such memorials selected. Commissioner Sandahl stated he was uncomfortable in making a decision on the memorial rock without any type of plan in place for Leif Hansen Memorial Park and suggested the issue be postponed until the council had the opportunity to approve an ordinance. After additional discussion, Schreiner stated there were two issues which could be handled separately and requested the Commission consider his proposal without delay. Commissioner Baxter agreed the proposal should be voted upon but consideration for an ordinance was necessary. MOTION: Commissioner Baxter MOVED to recommend the applicant be allowed to place the memorial rock in proposed site "B" of Leif Hansen Memorial Park. Commissioner Hultberg SECONDED the motion. VOTE: Baxter Castimore Wisniewski Yes Absent Yes Gifford Steiner No Yes Sandahl Hultberg No Yes MOTION PASSED. 4-bo Chris Degernes -- Department of Natural Resources Boat Launch Near Cunningham Park Chris Degernes announced the State of Alaska budgeted $350,000 for a boat launch in the lower Kenai River. Two potential sites are being considered' A ten-acre parcel above and a five-acre parcel below Cunningham Park. Degernes reported Representative Eldon Mulder was supporting the project and had originally focused on the property above Cunningham Park. The smaller parcel of land is being considered because wetlands and other challenges involve the larger parcel above Cunningham Park. Degernes stated her reason for bringing the issue to the City of Kenai is that the State would like to combine the boat launch effort with Cunningham Park and ask the City of Kenai to maintain it. Discussion followed and the first question asked was whether or not another boat launch was needed on the Kenai River. Degernes listed some impacts another boat launch would bring, including more congestion and traffic on the river. Commissioner Sandahl stated his opposition to any type of boat launch near or tied into Cunningham Park as the original intent of the Park was for children and bank fishers. Sandahl expressed concern for the safety of both user groups. City Manager Snow reported Mrs. Cunningham placed a stipulation on the deed when the land was provided for the park that there be no boat launches. Discuksion took place on making the new boat launch a drift boat only launch. Degernes stated Mulder was adamant the boat launch be for powerboats. If limited to drift boats, the funding source could be removed. Degernes also noted the urgency to know the City's position due to the active land purchase efforts. The purchase could take up to six months and once the land is purchased, a design would be developed, permits obtained, and construction could begin in early 2003. Other locations were discussed such as the cow pastures and Degernes indicated there were many expensive issues for that location. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 2,2001 PAGE 2 The general consensus was that the park be left a park and not a boat launch. If a site had to be selected, the upper parcel would be more palatable to the Parks Commission. It was noted it was possible the necessary permits could not be obtained for that parcel. Degernes asked if the Parks Commission was giving her a red, yellow or green light on the project. It was noted they were giving a cautious yellow. ITEM 5: OLD BUSINESS Discussion -- Municipal Park Frates reported a brush hog was used in Municipal Park for more clearing and the end result provided much more visibility. Plans for future clearing in the Park was discussed as well as the cost involved. It was noted the equipment may be purchased and an experienced operator contracted to operate it. Frates reported he had completed a grant application for which the funding would be used for expansion of the existing parking lots; add an additional parking lot near the restrooms; perhaps hiring of a landscape architect to review possible future expansion of the park; and perhaps widening of the trails to support water truck activity. Frates requested ideas for expanding the park or other improvements be forwarded to him. It was suggested the Commission visit the Park during the next meeting so all could see the improvements. a-bo Discussion -- Skateboard Park Frates reported the skateboard equipment was ordered and it was scheduled to arrive on August 27th. Work would begin immediately upon arrival and it was anticipated four days would be needed to complete the construction. Frates also reported the kids were very excited and fencing for placement around the Park had been approved and would be erected before the skateboard equipment is placed. ITEM 6: NEW BUSINESS -ae Discussion -- Proposed 2001 Foreclosure Sale Frates referred to the meeting packet and noted it included a list of 14 foreclosed properties the Parks Commission was being asked to review and determine if any should be retained for public purpose. After a brief discussion it was decided one parcel should be retained as it neighbored an existing park. MOTION: PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 2,2001 PAGE 3 Commissioner Gifford MOVED that Parcel # 4710104, 807 Peninsula Avenue be retained for public purpose. The motion was SECONDED by Commissioner Hultberg. VOTE: Gifford Steiner Wisniewski Yes Yes Yes Sandahl Hultberg Yes Yes Castimore Baxter Absent Yes MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM 7: REPORTS 7-a. Commission Chair-- Wisniewski commented on the following: · Stated Municipal Park and Triangle Park looked very nice. It was noted there were many volunteers who had done a fine job. · Asked about the dip net season and Frates reported it went very well with the City revenues being approximately $29,000. Frates also noted the fishery improves every year and Snow stated the Parks Department had been commended for the fine job during dip net season. Asked about the tree clearing at the cemetery and Frates stated the work would be done this fall. 7-b. Director-- Frates reported the following: · The summer recreation program was coming to a close and a slumber party was scheduled for Friday, August 3 for which 53 children had signed up to participate. · He received a call from EDD, who is working with the Chambers of Commerce, to encourage residents on the Peninsula to donate their income tax refunds for community beautification, including trees and benches. 7-c. City Council Liaison -- Councilwoman Porter suggested flags be placed in the fire pit in the downtown area to give the area more height. ITEM 8: COMMISSION QUESTIONS & COMMENTS Commissioner Baxter stated the curbs and corners looked nice and announced an extensive renovation was taking place at Oilers Field. Commissioner Hultberg stated the City looked good and he was looking forward to the State finishing their work. Commissioner Sandahl stated he never again wanted to be placed in the same position the Commission had been during the meeting in regard to the request for a memorial rock in Leif Hansen Park. Sandahl added, he felt the action the Commission PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 2,2001 PAGE 4 took was a drastic deviation from the intent of the Park which was not to be a cemetery. Sandahl requested Frates develop a plan or proposed ordinance to present at the next meeting in order to avoid future problems. Commissioner Gifford noted the following: · She agreed with Commissioner Sandahl and added such applications or requests should not be scheduled until it is first discussed with the Commission whether that notification be via special meeting or other means. Gifford added, she felt like the bad guy by voting against the proposal. · Asked about the flowers that were planted along the sidewalks in Leif Hansen Park and Frates reported they had been removed. · A section of grass along Walker and Rogers was not mowed and Frates stated he would investigate the matter. · Provided Frates with a pamphlet from Nickelodeon entitled "The Big Help" and explained the material offered methods of getting kids active in volunteering for community projects. It was agreed the material could be utilized during next year's summer recreation program. ITEM 9: PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD - None ITEM 10: INFORMATION 10-a. 10-b. Council Action Agendas of July 5 and 18, 2001. Beautification Committee Minutes of July 10, 2001. ITEM 11: ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Steiner MOVED to adjourn. There were no objections. The meeting adjourned at 9' 15 p.m. SO ORDERED. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Roper, Contract Secretary PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 2,2001 PAGE 5