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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-06 Parks & Recreation SummaryKENAI PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MARCH 6, 2003 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 -- February 6, 2003 ITEM 4. ITEM 5: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None OLD BUSINESS ITEM 6: NEW .BUSINESS ao Discussion -- Adopt-A-Bench Program ITEM 7: REPORTS ao Commission Chair Director City Council Liaison ITEM 8. . COMMISSION QUESTIONS & COMMENTS ITEM 9: PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 10: INFORMATION a, Council Action Agendas of February 5 and 19, 2003. Beautification Committee Meeting Minutes of February 11, 2003. ITEM 11' ADJOURNMENT KENAI PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MARCH 6, 2003 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. CHAIRMAN TIM WISNIEWSKI~ PRESIDING MINUTES ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Chairman Wisniewski called the meeting to order at approximately 7'05 p.m. Members Present: Baxter, Wisniewski, Sandahl, Castimore, Steiner, Hultberg, Gifford (arrived at 7:10 p.m.) Others Present: Councilwoman Porter, Parks & Recreation Director Frates, Contract Secretary Roper Public Present: KCHS Government Class (six students), Mark and Anita Necessary ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL Commissioner Castimore requested the Skateboard Park be added under Old Business and the Arctic Winter Games under New Business. Commissioner Sandahl requested the Municipal Park be added under Old Business. With no objections, the agenda was approved as amended. ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- February 6~ 2003 There were no corrections noted and the minutes of February 6, 2003 were approved as written. ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None ITEM 5: OLD BUSINESS 5-a. Discussion - Skateboard Park -- Castimore asked if the asphalt and fencing for the skateboard park had gone to City Council for approval. Frates replied it did not as he is waiting for final approval from the FAA for use of the property. Frates added, a change to the Land Use Table for the property is required so Parks and Recreation could utilize the property under a Conditional Use Permit. Frates continued, once those two items are taken care of, the next step would be to go to Council to request the appropriation of $28,000 from the Daubenspeck funds. Construction could begin the latter part of May or early June. Porter recommended that efforts to get the Daubenspeck funds transferred should begin now. Commissioner Gifford arrived at 7' 10 p.m. $-b. Discussion - Municipal Park -- Sandahl requested an update on Municipal Park at each meeting. Frates stated Council requested a Capital Improvement list which was submitted to the State. Municipal Park was included on the list and the cost for improvements is in the range of $225,000. There will be no word on this until after the legislative session and then only if it is approved. Frates reported the Lions Club has excess funds they would like to use in the Park and could be used toward benches, trails, etc. Hultberg requested a letter be sent to the Rotary Club to thank them for their work at the Park and Frates stated he would take care of it. ITEM 6: NEW BUSINESS 6-a. Discussion -- Adopt-A-Bench Program -- Frates referred to the memo in the packet and provided a color brochure of the bench selected for the program. Discussion took place on program and associated costs. Frates pointed out, the benches don't necessarily have to be a memorial, but could also be recognized as a donation. Frates will do more research for less expensive vendor and shipping methods. MOTION' Commissioner Hultberg MOVED to approve the concept of the Adopt-a-Bench Program and Commissioner Sandahl SECONDED the motion. VOTE: Hultber§ Gifford Yes Sandahl Yes Baxter Yes Yes Castimore Yes Wisniewski Yes Steiner Yes MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 6-b. Discussion - Arctic Winter Games -- Castimore reported Kenai was chosen for the Arctic Winter Games in 2006 and asked if this would mean funding for the completion of the remaining phases of the multi-purpose facility would be made available. Frates replied, the announcement was just made and at this time no information is available. It was also noted the current Arctic Winter Games Board might change. Commissioner Baxter congratulated the Board on their hard work and Success. ITEM 7: REPORTS PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 2 7-a. Commission Chair- Chairman Wisniewski stated he heard the Boys and Girls Club were interested in taking over the activities at the Teen Center and leasing the building for $1.00 per year. Additionally, the Boys and Girls Club will submit a proposal and request a work session with the Parks & Recreation Commission to discuss it. Wisniewski announced he was not comfortable with the concept. Frates confirmed the Boys and Girls Club will be submitting a proposal and a work session may be scheduled as early as March 11 or 12th to discuss it with the Commission. Sandahl expressed concern with the urgency and hoped it wasn't a knee-jerk reaction to the City's budget deficit. Sandahl felt any and all proposals should be considered but not accepted so readily or immediately. Concern was also expressed with the adult programs offered by the Teen Center and how they would fit into the Boys and Girls Club program. Discussion ensued regarding the Parks and Recreation budget. Frates stated the City Council directed the City Manager to cut $500,000 from the City's budget and in an effort to accomplish that, the individual departments were asked to cut their budgets by ten percent (10%). He referred to the proposed budget, provided prior to the meeting, and noted, it included the ten percent reduction as well as the elimination of the Teen Center. Porter added, the City Council had not seen this budget and would not until the first budget work session in April. Frates pointed out the Teen Center was cut from the budget before the Boys and Girls Club came forth with their proposal and it will go to Council whether or not the proposal is accepted. The Commission expressed many concerns with the Boys and Girls Club proposal, the quick timeline in reviewing their proposal, and the proposed cuts from the Parks and Recreation budget. MOTION: Commissioner Sandahl MOV~.D that the Commission be provided adequate time to review the Boys and Girls Club proposal and that no recommendations be made to implement the plan until the FY05 budget. Commissioner Baxter SECONDED the motion. VOTE: Hultber§ Yes Sandahl Yes Baxter Yes Gifford Yes Castimore Yes Wisniewski Yes Steiner Yes MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 3 7-b. Director -- Director Frates reported the following: · The Lions Club and Phillips/Conoco will take over the dean-up program from the Chamber. Both entities will donate $1,500 to $2,000 to the program. · The City Engineer, City Attorney and Frates performed a Section 36 site visit with a representative from DEC and it was very encouraging. The only change to the proposed plan would be to move the parking lot over the old dumpsite. Frates continued, there were no red flags and DEC is excited about the proposed program. Sandahl recommended the liaison to Washington, DC be contacted with regard to available grants. Frates will make the contact. Baxter stated he heard the Chamber would continue the 4th of July parade and Hultberg added, they will with help from other organizations. 7-c. City Council Liaison -- Porter reported the following: · Council continues to accept resumes for the vacant Council position. A review of the resumes will take place at the March 2Tth meeting and a final decision made at the April 2nd meeting. · A report regarding vandalism at the multi-purpose facility was provided and Porter thought perhaps security cameras should be installed and the issue will be brought up with the City Council. Frates added, another option would be to gate the facility but that would take away from the original concept of keeping it accessible to the public. A copy of the report will be provided to the Parks as Recreation Commission. ITEM 8: COMMISSION q}UESTIONS ih COMMENTS Commissioner Gifford announced she would not be available at the next meeting. Commissioner Sandahl announced he would not be available at the next meeting. Chairman Wisniewski thanked the high school students for their attendance. ITEM 9: PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD Anita and Mark Necessary expressed concern with the Teen Center being taken over by the Boys and Girls Club as they are seniors and use the gym on a daily basis. Mr. Necessary was pleased with the response of the Commission regarding the proposed budget cuts. ITEM 10: INFORMATION 10a. 10b. Council Action Agendas of February 5 and 19, 2003. Beautification Committee Meeting Minutes of February 11~ 2003. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 4 ITEM 11: ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Minutes recorded and transcribed by: Barbara Roper, Contract ~e~~ PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 5 PARKS ~ RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 6, 2003 PARTIAL VERBATIM ITEM 7-A -- COMMISSION CHAIR REPORT Wisniewski: I don't really have much, but, other than, I don't know if someone is going to bring up this information about the Boys & Girls Club proposal. If I can talk a little bit about it or if there's someone else who has something to say about it at this point? Frates: You've got the floor. Wisniewski: Okay. But, I guess everyone's been notified and there is somewhat, I don't know, it's not really a proposal, but it is a somewhat viable-type request from the Boys & Girls Club to possibly take over the operation of the Rec. Center, which would mean, what I understand it to be, they would take over the building for a dollar-a-year lease... Frates: ... or whatever... Wisniewski: You know, you know, or two dollars. But, and then, what that would make our program somewhat obso...no, not obsolete, it kind of inactive. They would take over and I'm just, and then we would, the city would pay the utilities, the city would pay the all the insurance and maybe do the maintenance on the building. This would be not only the youth and the teenage high school group, but also the adult recreation. But ah, I think we need to probably make ourselves or educate ourselves about what's happening here and personally I, initially, I don't know everything there is to know about this proposal, but I'm, I'm not real comfortable with it. I feel like we've established a lot in the city and I think something's, I think we're going to have to come to the table a few times before I could start thinking in a different direction. So, but that's basically my thoughts on it, but... Gifford' proposal? Are there any plans to invite the Boys & Girls Club here to explain their Wisniewski' Pat? You know, I'm not, I'm not sure where we are Bob, is that, you know...or Porter: I did speak with the city manager last night regarding this issue and she actually would like to have this, Bob, I don't know if you know, I'm sure you must know this, she actually would like to have this commission have a work session with the Boys & Girls Club for them to make their presentation and present their concept of the proposed project. So, I don't know. What she told me last night, was hoping to have it here tonight... Frates: And that could occur as early as Tuesday or Wednesday. just look at your calendars... So, if you can Gifford' I'll be a regions. Hultberg: I think that this is just in the talking stage now. There's going to be a whole lot of work to be done. Then we're each going to form our own opinion, but I agree with Tim right off the bat, but, it's probably going to be a little while before we go any place with this. Wisniewski' Dale? Sandahl: What did you say about Tuesday or Wednesday? Gifford: Why does it have to be that soon? Hultberg: Work session meeting with Boys & Girls Club. Frates' I just spoke with Linda this afternoon. Apparently, Boys & Girls Club are currently working on a proposal. Linda's, or Tina Marie, the Executive Director of Boys & Girls Club, is due for a vacation here very shortly. So, she's a little pushed for time. Linda also leaves for, possibly, she may be leaving for vacation sometime shortly after Tina leaves, so there's a time crunch there. So that's basically why... Porter: When will Ms. Snow be back? Frates: If she leaves, I believe, don't quote me on this, but it sounded like it was mid-March for a week or so, something like that. Porter: I'm leaving and won't be back until the 22nd. Frates: When do you leave? Porter: I leave next Thursday, no, Wednesday night. Sandahl: Can I talk for a little bit? Wisniewski: Sure... Sandahl' This thing just kind of popped up and I can't, for the life of me, and really, and that's why I asked, Tuesday or Wednesday? You know, if it would be this Tuesday or Wednesday? Or would it be May? June? July? Or August? That Tuesday or Wednesday of one of those weeks? I don't see an urgency for moving On... Porter: Well, I'm just looking at his budget here. been axed out. So that's why I'm... Looks like to me it's already PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING PARTIAL VERBATIM MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 2 Frates: Yeah, it has been. Sandahl: Well, you've got two functioning programs right now. You've got a very successful Boys & Girls Club, that is very adequately starting to take care of our young people's activities. You've got a Parks & Rec. program that's functioning and has run into a major snag right now in the form of a budget deficit by the city and so I think it's smart to weigh proposals from somebody like the Boys & Girls Club, but to do so, is what I term, a knee-jerk reaction to a something that's taking place for the city right now in terms of a deficit and I would guess that the closing of Kmart is on everybody's mind and everybody's tongue because had that not closed, we probably wouldn't be having this discussion and I'm assuming that maybe something, somewhere along the line, may go back into that nice facility in terms of adding more money to the coffers for the, for the city and the borough and so, as, I got to tell you right now that, initially, when I was told this thing, I thought, my goodness, this sounds like a group of people that are in a semi-state of panic and want to, or are having a real knee-jerk vibration towards something that's maybe a viable thing. But to talk about a work session on a Tuesday or Wednesday following what we're doing here or talk about a work session even a month from now until we know what's spilling out, until what maybe is going to happen with the city, I think is, is totally reactive on the part of whoever came up with the thought as opposed to proactive that you start thinking about the future of what could be done at the city as opposed to reacting to a budget deficit. Now, the budget isn't a deficit right now. There's still, and it was printed in the paper, I think x-amount of dollars that were left in the budget that certainly, without depleting it, are going, you know, allow things not remain status quo because I think you've all been given your marching orders to knock off ten percent or so out of budgets, or maybe it's been more than that. But you're looking at a ten percent reduction citywide possibly for budget, so...So, my way of thinking is, and that's why I asked I asked if I might just talk just a little bit about this, not that I'm an authority about on budget deficits, but, I would suggest strongly that we go ahead and, I think you ought to proactively, you ought to gladly accept a proposal from the Boys & Girls Club and that it ought to be given serious consideration, whether it's from that group or any other group, but you don't give it serious consideration and take action on something of that magnitude within two weeks or a month, you know. You maybe look at it as a long-term thing and unless you want to paint the worse-case scenario and things, if they do get worse, maybe it's something you do need to look at and consider for a budget a year away from now, but you don't look at it at doing something on this year's budget because you, you end up turning that building over and that program over for a dollar or two dollars or even for a lease amount and the city's still paying for potentially, that hasn't been worked out and it would be worked out, the considerations for maintenance and utilities and etc., and then you find out that low and behold, maybe this picture's going to be brighter than it ever was a year from now, and now, what are you going to do? Are you going to retract that whole PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING PARTIAL VERBATIM MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 3 thing that you just worked out, agreed to, and say well, I'm sorry, you'll have to look at something else or maybe you've entered into a five-year agreement or ten-year agreement or whatever the city council in their wisdom ends up going into, but when I heard about this, I, I, if I could just reemphasize, I think it's important not to knee- jerk, city council people, but to weight this proposal seriously, if and when it comes, and that the proposal, as you said, if it comes to this commission, ought to be, ought to come to us and I think it would be important for us to have that in our hands for a period of time to study it, as opposed to having a white knight come in with a proposal, spend 15 minutes with us, and what do you think? Somebody want to make a motion to approve that or you know, I think we'd be better off, I think we're talking about something, quite frankly, that's huge for the City of Kenai, and it's probably going to take, conservatively, a year's time to study for next year's budget. Look how much we spent on just turning over the summer program to the Boys & Girls Club. We spent months on that, five or six months. Now we're talking about an entire group of not only kids, but we're talking about how many adults are served, how many seniors are served, it's a total recreational program for the City of Kenai. I don't know how that fits under the umbrella of "Boys & Girls Club." Do senior citizens and people my age that are, you know, approaching senior citizenship, you know, how do they fit into the scope of the Boys & Girls Club umbrella. And that's not to detract at all from what's happening with the Boys & Girls Club because they've got some wonderful, wonderful things going. We have some wonderful things going. So, I hope that in that whole bunch blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, that something comes out of there that says, "don't rush; let's take back the study; let's look at the proposal; let's take as many work Sessions as it takes; let's see what the economics looks like at the city; let's see if something goes in to our, into our vacant Taj Mahal now over there; and, let's make whatever necessary cuts are needed to balance this year's budget and knowing that there is money in the savings account, we're not going to deplete all of that, apparently, and so, there is time. Let's not knee jerk. End of story. This is a time for a group "amen." Well, that's all I had. (laughter) Porter: If you're looking a date with which to have a work session and get the proposal and time to digest it beforehand because they should be willing to give this to you in writing beforehand to look at it, I assume, and with Ms. Snow being gone and Tina being gone and... Sandahl: And I'm going to be gone and I'm the least of your concerns, mind you, but I'm going to be gone...I'll be back the fifth of April which is, ah, I'm missing the next commission meeting and I quite frankly, I would be very disturbed if anything was done on this in my absence, but you certainly have the right to do that unless you all don't show up for the next meeting and we don't have a quorum... Gifford: I won't be here until the seventh of April. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING PARTIAL VERBATIM MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 4 Baxter: I'm leaving the fifth of April. Porter: Well, the crunch is, and Bob probably feels this as well, do you mind if I say this? I'm going to say it anyway...in all fairness, he, the budget is going to come to the city council the end of this month. Our first work session on the budget, you remember when it's scheduled because I don't have... Frates: I haven't, I don't... Porter: ...well, it comes some time in April, in early April. At this point, they only have one budget hearing, I'm sure it's going to be more than that, I mean, this is before the Kmart closure, they only had one budget hearing scheduled. Now I'm sure we'll have many more, okay? But those budget hearings go on during the month of April because of the time crunch that the city has to adopt a budget and put it into play and go through the proper ordinances to put it through and make it effective more the 30th of June, you begin to get on a real time schedule during the month of April. So, if you're planning on having a work session with them, because I've noticed in here, am I correct that's already been deleted out of this budget? Frates: Yes, it has been... Porter: So, he's going to be looking for some direction or some support, one way or the other, from this commission. So, to do that, you've really got to meet... Voice: What's been deleted from the budget already? Porter: The whole program already... Castimore: $314,000 from the recreation program... Porter: If you look at this page right here, that's why I highlighted .... (number of voices talking at once)... Sandahl' Does this mean, although, this was going to be, now just correct me if I'm wrong, but this is what I hear what you're saying, and I know you~l correct me if I'm wrong. But this is what I hear you saying. The city wants this commission to review the proposal, is that right, have a work session in terms .... Porter: I didn't say the city council because they don't know anything about this and that's the truth. I only happen to know ... Sandahl: If they don't knOw anything about it, how .... PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING PARTIAL VERBATIM MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 5 Porter: The administration knows about it. That's what's done... Sandahl: So, the administration has deleted... Porter: Exactly. Sandahl: probably... So, the administration, in her wisdom, has already decided that it's Porter: You should talk to Mr. Frates about this because I have not talked to the administration, okay? The city council... Sandahl: knee-jerks. All the more need to take our time. Somebody's having a real case of the Porter: Well, the city council does not get involved in the budget session at all until after they receive the administration's budget which we have not seen. Sandahl: Would you agree that if, that it might be worth some time to take the time, that this doesn't have to be a consideration. Would it be appropriate if this commission doesn't state in the form of a motion somehow that they don't understand how this can be eliminated from the budget. In other words, that's a reactive part, as in terms of taking a proactive stance. It's already out of the budget that's going to be... Porter: And, you know what, this is the first time I saw, was when it was given to me by Mr. Frates. I had not seen it before this. So the rest of...no one else on city council, I assure you, has seen this at all. They have no clue this is happening other than what you've maybe heard... Hultberg: So who made this decision, the city manager? Frates: Well, it's an administration decision... Hultberg: So, who are we talking about for administration? Sandahl: In other words, you were told to cut things, you were told to cut it. Frates' If I can just back up a little bit. In a nutshell, council had directed the city manager to come up with a $500,000 in cuts. The city manager then went to each department head and asked that they come up with a ten percent proposed cut in their respected departments, which each department had did. Ah, just so happened to be... and this was as of, what? Three weeks ago Pat, or month ago and it was since our last meeting. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING PARTIAL VERBATIM MARCH 6, 2003 , PAGE 6 Porter: Right, and we've not met with Administration... Frates: And... Porter' ... since then. Frates' So, I just so happened to have my individual meeting with the city manager and the finance director as of...Tuesday mor... Tuesday. Castimore' Recreation department... Frates: So, out of that... Castimore: ...this is what we had in (inaudible) FrateS: cuts... ...our ten percent cuts plus a lot more as you see here in the proposed Castimore: ...(inaudible) city manager says she's going to give us (inaudible) Frates: Ah, and.., and you will notice that last column on the right hand side... Castimore: (inaudible) Frates: ...at the top is ah, department proposed... Administration proposed but... Castimore: (inaudible) Frates: Counc...you're right, Council has not seen this, ah, but I would speculate, Dale too that, whether or not we meet with Boys and Girls Club, if I'm not mistaken, ah... Castimore: (inaudible) ' Frates: ...this will be the document that goes to Council, with or without a...a meeting with Boys and Girls Club, whether it's Tuesday or Friday or two weeks from now... Sandahl: And could you speculate on, I don't want you to...but could yo...anyone speculate on what the Council's reaction might be to ah, such a proposal? Frates: Um, I... I would... PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING PARTIAL VERBATIM MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 7 Sandahl: Frates: And...and that's not for you to... Yeah, I don't want to go there... Sandahl: ... (inaudible) it ain't right... Frates: (laugh) Hultberg: That's a (inaudible) question to... Porter' Well, can I just tell you this in all fairness. I can't speak for the rest of the council, urn, but what I can say is I am very interested in listening to the Boys and Girls Club proposal. Um, so I can't sit here and make a decision on, ah, whether it's good, whether it's bad until I've heard their proposal. And ah... and on... and as for me, I...I mean it's, it's unfortuna... I mean, I'm surprised that it's happening this fast, okay? But to see it already here gone, I'm thinking, you as a Commission needs to hear their proposal whether you think its short timed or not, I mean... Hultberg· I mean, doesn't it work the other way? Porter: What? Hultberg: Don't you usually go through the steps first and then make the decision rather than make the decision? Porter: Well... Hultberg: ...and then try and convince the people that it's right? Porter: Whether it's does or... Hultberg: ...it does this backwards. Porter: · ..and Mr. Frates is in a very hard position... Hultberg: Oh, I'm not blaming Bob... Porter: Yeah, I didn't say... Hultberg: ...I... no, I'm not blaming Bob... Porter: ...he's got a...a supervisor who...who.., who ah, what, along with oh my God, this is on record.., ah... PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING PARTIAL VERBATIM MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 8 (inaudible) (laughter) Porter: Yeah, urn... Hultberg: ! know what you're saying... Porter: What...what I'm saying is he's got a supervisor that's telling him, he's got a good proposal from the Boys and Girls Club that they feel they can buy into, so ah, they feel comfortable, for whatever reason because I don't know what their reasons are, pulling this out of here and I can't imagine that they wouldn't do that if they didn't somehow feel the Boys and Girls Club were going to offer equal or better programs... I don't know. I haven't heard their proposal and like you I haven't heard either but because this is done already, he's exactly right, this is going to Council...this is what Council most likely will, unless, for whatever reason, the Administration just ups and decides that it's going to print. Sandahl: So why in the world would you want the Commission...why would they want to the Commission to even look at the proposal... Castimore: Hear, hear... Porter: I think they would want you t° buy in or understand it and... Gifford: Bob? Sandahl: ...that's... I think you said that they... Gifford: Did somebody ask you to (inaudible) Sandahl: ...want us to buy into... Hultberg: It's backwards... Gifford' ...or are you just doing it of the... Hultberg: ...it is backwards... Gifford' (inaudible) Porter: Well, either that or they want you to take... Frates: (inaudible) oh no, I did it... Gifford: (inaudible) PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING PARTIAL VERBATIM MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 9 Porter: ...such negative feeling about it... Sandahl: I don't have... Porter: but the coun...council... (inaudible) Sandahl: I have a very positive feeling... I just don't like the time... Porter: (inaudible) Sandahl: ... on it... Porter: Okay, just a second... Gifford' Bob, change your recommendation... Sandahl: it's knee-jerk... Porter: It is knee-jerk but unfortunately it's there so you have.., you have to... Frates: No, yeah, that's true, that was true... Porter: Okay, all right... Roper' Mr. Chair, can we... can we have ah, some order here because it's hard to keep.., like two conversations going... Wisniewski: Okay, well Ji... okay... Hultberg: Okay, the only... I... I disagree with Dale then on one thing that, instead of buying into it because I'm convinced if the Boys and Girls want ah... Club spent some time looking in this area they could find it prob.., probably find a building they could use, it may not be perfect like the one they're going to go into but they could find something that ah, you know they could use instead of just grabbing the ah, the Rec Center, so, you know, they're going to really have to convince me because I am... I just am not in favor of that at all. Baxter: A dollar a year with all expenses paid... Gifford: From what I'm just kinda thinking and listening, I don't think Administration cares what we think. Bob... is the one who called us out of courtesy just to let us know that this was happening. Administration didn't say to Bob, "put it PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING PARTIAL VERBATIM MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 10 on your agenda, have your commission discuss it," mute point. so I think our discussing it is a Frates: Well... I don't want to misinterpret (inaudible) Gifford' Okay, Frates' ...but um, Ha... there was, this is happening, I mean, if I just may draw up my opinion way too fast, a lot of things here in the last year and half dropped... have happened way to fast in a number of other areas, not just this and there was a push for a proposal to be slapped on the table tonight and then that's.., it... and I said, "no," that's when I said we... we... that's not fair, it's not fair to the Commission to comment on a... on a proposal when you haven't even had the opportunity to digest it. Ah, so I mean, I think we fully recognize it, according to the City Manager, that at the very minimum that, you know, it needs to be brought up for discussion purpose, put on the table, with or without, I mean, without the proposal in our hand so we at least we have time, between now and what I was speculating is to be maybe several weeks from now, to digest this. ! had.., you know, I think Tuesday, Wednesday, yeah, is quick, things are happening quick. Ah, I have no control over of how quick that · moves. There's... there's obviously a huge push coming from somewhere, I don't know where but there's a huge push to get this through. Now, understanding you.., we are, and as I stated, looking at some vacation dates and budget constraints and hearings, I mean there is a timeline that needs to be followed and adhered to but.., ah, Tuesday, Wednesday, I agree is quick but... Porter: Is that what Administration aSked you to ask for, Tuesday, Wednesday? Frates: Boys and Girls Club, Tina thinks that she can have a proposal to the City by... by that time, Monday, Tuesday, somewhere in there.., and that that would be a good time for them to meet. Hultberg: Wednesday? What if some of the Commission members were busy Tuesday or Frates: Then I think it would be a bad time to meet. Hultberg: Cause we're.., we're catering to their vacation time, you know and they expect that we'll be there but... ?: Um-mm. Wisniewski: You have something Dale? Castimore: I'd like to talk about the.., the budget that's in front of us... PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING PARTIAL VERBATIM MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 11 Wisniewski: Uh-huh. Castimore' ...so that there's some understanding these numbers, being a number- cruncher. The first page talks about the recreation department. What the Administration are proposing here is the elimination of all recreation department employees except for one... Frates: Two. One and a half. Castimore: That's not enough to pay you and somebody else. Frates: It's over in Parks. Castimore: Okay... Frates: We got the (inaudible) departments. Castimore: So... so we're going take those employees who are currently there and they're going to be all laid off. Ah, further down, she's cutting 85,000 from things like maintaining the building, operating the building, minor repairs in the building, equipment in the building, um... Porter: Ah, Jack, she's not cutting 85,000 dollars, that's.., that's what they are proposing to leave in there.., it's a reduction of $6,000. Castimore: Administrative recommendation FY04 says 158,380. Porter: Oh, you went down to the bottom.., okay... Castimore: Okay? And what I'm saying is, I'm saying a reduction of these dollars, the first one of course hit me hard because if you take 164,000 out of the salaries and leave 42 there, that's says you got one employee left. I don't know of any employee that want to work ah, 12 hour day. Um... Porter: Excuse me Bob, is that your position? Is that your position... Frates: That's... Porter: ...that is coming out of recreation? Frates: That is um... actually two positions, half of my salary and half of the groundskeeper. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING PARTIAL VERBATIM MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 12 Porter: Okay, so it's still there, half the groundskeeper, half yours. Frates' Right, but recognizing that if the cuts were made, there'd be a lot less work, lot less my time and the groundskeeper time spent in recreation so that got put to Parks, that's why that number is up around 100,000, a little bit more. Castimore' So that's a small increase isn't it Bob, over.., ah, FY02? FY03, where we are in now, about the same number. I see these numbers and they're.., they're frightening to me because I'm a number cruncher and on page one there at the bottom, the bottom line to the right, shows that ah, this has been cut by $314,109.00. Dale said knee-jerk, we have a bank account in this City of 10 million dollars.., we have a bank account in this City of a half a dozen accounts that total up to roughly 10 million dollars. We put it there for rainy day.., if this year and next year is a rainy day, then we take some of those funds. We don't destroy every program in the community because we have a new city manager from Petersburg... maybe she needs to go back to Petersburg! I've lived here a long time, this is not acceptable to me! I pay property taxes on multiple buildings in this town, this is not acceptable to me. Wisniewski: Mike? Baxter: I have a question on the way this is worded now, you say this.., this is a 314,000 dollar cut but that looks to me like it's a 314,000 in addition to what you're already propose to cut. Frates: Um-mm, of course. Hultberg: Thank you Mike accountant. Baxter: Am I reading that right? Castimore' So it's a 10% plus the 3147 If you made the 10% like they asked. Is that.., what it comes out to? . Frates: Well, you know... Castimore' They asked for 20... well Bob... was going to cut 26... (inaudible, two conversations going at one time) Sandahl: So it's (inaudible) Castimore' ...but she took a lot more. Hultberg: Okay. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING PARTIAL VERBATIM MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 13 Wisniewski' So what direction do we need to do here? Hultberg: Well, you know I... I would say ah... that we just.., just leave this thing, I... I... well, if we had to take a direction, I... I would say that we notify the Council that.., shock, dismay, disappointed that this thing hit us like this and ah... we definitely need more time, I mean, to do this and it has to be a time that is appropriate for both parties because if they're trying to... move it into their vacation schedule, this is even worse. Ah, this is something that's is going to take a little while. Baxter: Yeah, this is a little more serious than vacation. Frates: Um... Hultberg: And I will make that motion if... if you want it and I will.., and have her use those words that... Roper: I just wrote them down... Frates: In all fairness to... to City Manager... Snow, she did indicate to that she may have to forego her trip, or her vacation or trip or whatever.., so you know, Hultberg: Well... Frates: And... and also keep in mind, just going back to some of Jack's comments, I mean, keep in mind to that, I think City Manager and.., and the rest of administration is under an awful lot of pressure and.., and Council did request looking at a $500,000 in cuts and those $500,000 they need to come from somewhere, I mean, you know... ?' Yeah. Frates: even seen... ...and... and this is ah... a department proposed budget, Council hasn't Castimore' 314... children of this community... Frates: Right. Castimore' ...not acceptable... Wisniewski' Dale? PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING PARTIAL VERBATIM MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 14 Sandahl: This is a preface to a motion.., recognizing that the City does have a... a budget dilemma and that dollars ah... you know, must be cut.., ah, but also recognizing that this is a... a... a huge decision and a piece of information that was ah, ah... dumped on us in a ah, very short manner and recognizing that it takes ah, you know, serious consideration to a... for a commission if they're going to be a viable part of the ah, decision making process for the City, which I think that ah, commissions are, because they pass on recommendations through.., to the ah, to the City Council. It only seems fair that ah... the Commission would give very serious consideration to a proposal from Boys and Girls Club or any other group but that.., ah... a proper amount of time be given to the study of that proposal and.., and getting all of the questions and all of the answers on the table so that ah, a clear cut recommendation could be given to the.., to the City Council and.., and...for the ah, my... as a result of...of all those things I just said, I would encourage the proposal so I would put that in... in the form of a motion to... to enc.., to encourage the Boys and Girls Club submit a proposal and that ah... that we give adequate amount of time for that proposal and adequate amount of time is ah... with.., in my estimation because of the magnitude of this, that this proposal could not.., in any way, shape or form, be implemented ah... for the next budget year, that ah... that it... that we be in a position to give ah... a recommendation to the City Council for the following years budget. That would be my motion. Wisniewski: Hmm... okay. Is there a second? Baxter: I'll second. Wisniewski' Okay. Any ah, further... Roper: Mike did... Mike seconded? Wisniewski' Yes. Roper: Okay. Wisniewski' Any further discussion? Can we have a roll please? Hultberg: Ah, one thing Tim, you know this place, or the rec center was built... hmm, you know, I was on this Committee and there's one guy in the audience who was with me, we took a lot of time to build that thing, it just seems like.., they want to take one tenth of the time to change it completely, so... there's some people here that have some... Wisniewski' (inaudible) Hultberg: ... strong feelings... PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING PARTIAL VERBATIM MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 15 Wisniewski: All right I... I personally... I feel kind of slighted, I mean our Commission... I mean, we... we volunteer our time, I feel like we kinda get ah .... I know Bob was going to call me but I just called him on something else and that's how I found out and I'm thinking, this is kinda what we do... it's not.., it's not like ah... putting chalk on the ball fields you know, and ah, so I... I just feel like it's.., kinda don't want to take it personal but ah... I might... I might have that feeling a little bit but um... I... I'm just saying, I agree with Dale, I... I think ah, even.., even consider putting it into this budget it's just.., it's just ludicrous and.., and ah, it's.., it's.., it's not lo... and.., and.., and ah, I mean, ah, I guess... I heard.., the comment the City should be taking baby steps, you know not.., you know not just selling the farm you know, I mean, it's just.., it's just crazy, it's just crazy and I... and I mean, and it's.., it's easy to take it off in one department, how many departments do we have here, you know, I mean, it's.., it's.., it's not even.., it's not even close to fair you know, so... but ah, any other.., any co... any other comments from anyone that... Hultberg: I call for question.. I call for question, let's roll... Wisniewski: Okay... Roper: I'm going to rea... Sandahl: I would ask that... Porter: ...process Roper: I'm going to read back this motion just to make sure that I... that I have it right. "Mr. Sandahl um, moved to encourage the Boys and Girls Club to submit a proposal but that the Parks Commission be given adequate time to review the proposal and that it not be implemented in this budget year, um... and that the Commission be in a position to give a recommendation to City Council in the next budget year." It was seconded by Mr. Baxter. Sandahl: Maybe we ought to attach actual.., the years to (inaudible) so that ah, it isn't confusing so that it would not be or .... Hultberg: Fiscal year? Sandahl: Fis... yeah, fiscal year ah... Castimore: 05. Sandahl' 2004 but we would be in a position to give a recommendation and adequate time for fiscal year 2005. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING PARTIAL VERBATIM MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 16 Roper: Okay. Ready for a vote' Wisniewski' Yeah. Roper' Hultberg? Hultberg: Yes. Roper: Sandahl? Sandahl: Yes. Roper: Baxter? Baxter: Yes. Roper: Gifford? Gifford: Yes. Roper: Castimore? Castimore: Yes. Roper: Wisniewski? Wisniewski: Yes. Roper: and Steiner? Steiner: Yes. Wisniewski: All right, that was.., that was my report. (laughter) Frates: I'm just kind of wondering if the ah... 300 and some odd thousand dollars then is going to come out of beautification or parks? Hultberg: Is this ah, going to be in the paper? I mean, are the citizens of Kenai know about this? Or...? Sandahl: Nobody does. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING PARTIAL VERBATIM MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 17 Hultberg: This is a secret huh. Baxter: First time we ever found out about any... Porter' Excuse me, are you planning on scheduling no work session at all or are you just going to (inaudible) just.., cause I'm curious... Hultberg: No, not according to our motion we're not. Porter: When is the work session? Sandahl: When we have the.., when we have a proposal in... in hand and we had an opportunity to study it and the a work session could be called for and.., logically thinking is something this big is... is going to take us beyond, I'm sorry, ah... Hultberg: Into the summer. Sandahl: In... yeah.., beyond the April ah... when you're deadline for budget probably is, unless there's some divine intervention. Hultberg: Could happen. Sandahl: Wisniewski: It could.., as for a while it could. You got anything else Bob? Frates: I'm shell-shocked... (laughter) END OF DISCUSSION ON RECREATION CENTER Prepared and transcribed by: Carol L. Freas, City Clerk PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEE-~ING PARTIAL VERBATIM MARCH 6, 2003 PAGE 18