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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-06-05 Parks & Recreation SummaryKENAI PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION JUNE 5, 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 a, Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting of May 1, 2003 Parks & Recreation Commission Special Meeting of May 15, 2003 ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5: OLD BUSINESS ITEM 6: ao NEW BUSINESS Election of Chair and/or Vice Chair Discussion -- Kenai City Cemetery Review ITEM 7: REPORTS a. Commission Chair b. Director c. 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 May 7 and 21, 2003. b. Beautification Committee Meeting Minutes of May 13, 2003. c. Approved Kenai City Council Policy for Commission, Committee, Board and Council on Aging Meetings and Work Sessions. d. Updated Membership List. ITEM 11' ADJOURNMENT KENAI PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION JUNE 5, 2003 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. VICE CHAIR CASTIMORE, PRESIDING MINUTES ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER/l~ ROLL CALL Vice-Chair Castimore called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Hultberg, Sandahl, Baxter, Gifford, Castimore Members Absent: Steiner Others Present: Councilwoman Porter, City Clerk Freas, Contract Secretary Roper ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL There were no changes or additions; the agenda was approved as presented. ITEM 3' APPROVAL OF MINUTES Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting of May 1, 2003 Parks & Recreation Commission Special Meeting of May 15, 2003 There were no corrections and the minutes were approved as presented. ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None ITEM 5: OLD BUSINESS -- None ITEM 6: NEW BUSINESS Election of Chair and/or Vice Chair MOTION: Commissioner Hultberg MOVED to nominate Jack Castimore as Chairman and Da/e Sandahl as Vice-Chairman. Commissioner Gifford SECONDED the motion. VOTE: Hultberg Gifford Yes Yes Sandahl Castimore No Yes Baxter Steiner Yes Absent MOTION PASSED. Discussion -- Kenai City Cemetery Review Frates began by thanking the Gettys for their hard work in keeping the cemetery in good condition. Frates explained some of the discrepancies at the cemetery with regard to enclosures, articles on gravesites, and vandalism. Frank Getty, the volunteer at the cemetery, also explained some of the problems he encounters while working in the cemetery which include: · Vandalism -- there has been a tremendous amount of vandalism in the cemetery and it makes it very difficult for he and his son to want to continue their volunteer clean-up and repair efforts. Getty reported, he's observed several young kids partying in the cemetery at various times throughout the night and asked the Commission to consider establishing gate closure hours. Frates added, the Police Department would take the responsibility of locking and unlocking the gate. Freas added, a key to the cemetery would be available in her office as well as the police department. Frates noted the pedestrian gate would remain unlocked. MOTION: Commissioner Sandahl MOVED to recommend City Council approve locking the cemetery gate from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. from May 1st to Labor Day (summer months) and locking from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. from Labor Day to May 1st (winter months). Commissioner Gifford SECONDED the motion. VOTE: Hultber§ Yes Sandahl Yes Baxter Yes Gifford Yes Castimore Yes Steiner Absent MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Other items discussed with regard to preventing vandalism at the cemetery included: · Security Cameras -- Frates reported four signs would be placed on the cemetery fence to read, "This facility is under electronic surveillance." Porter added the Airport Manager is working with FAA on funds for security cameras for the airport; when the funds are awarded, a camera will be installed for surveillance of the cemetery as well. · Fence -- Porter reported the fence would be raised to eight feet by the airport. This work should commence within the month. · Undercutting-- Porter reported the Police Department recommended some of the trees be undercut to allow more visibility. Discussion took place on grave enclosures and the encroachments some of them cause. Frates stated he would contact those responsible for the encroachments and will work with them to eliminate the problem. It was suggested the City should change the section of the regulations regarding enclosures to read, "effective a certain date, no PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 5, 2003 PAGE 2 additional enclosures will allowed." Freas noted some cultures place fences around graves and that regulation would be difficult to enforce. Discussion also took place on articles placed on graves and left. Frates suggested the City provide a Proclamation designating a day for cemetery clean up and would be the day old articles would be removed. Frates continued, effort needs to be made to get the community involved by establishing pride and ownership. Getty reported he had researched plot rates in various communities and found the City's rates to be quite low. Getty recommended the City consider increasing the rates by $100 for the 5 x 10 plots, $50 for infant plots and $50 for cremains. Discussion ensued regarding the current rate structure. Freas noted, the last change was made in 2000. Castimore asked if the plot revenue went into a fund for cemetery maintenance or if it went directly to the General Fund. Frates replied, it went to the General Fund. Castimore asked if it would be possible to have the revenue designated for cemetery maintenance only. Porter stated a fund could be established at anytime but pointed out the General Fund already provides monies for maintenance and improvements at the cemetery. Discussion took place on the type of headstones being used at the cemetery. Sandahl suggested flat stones be required on any new plots. Freas stated it was also difficult to monitor as people place headstones on graves without the City being aware of it and again the cultural background becomes an issue. Discussion took place on expansion of the cemetery and Frates reported discussions are taking place with the City Engineer, Airport Manager and the City Manager. Frates suggested the Commission review the cemetery regulations over the winter months to develop stricter rules to possibly use for the future expanded area. ITEM 7: REPORTS Commission Chair-- No report. 7-b. Director -- Frates reported the following: · The City Council approved the budget at their June 4, 2003 meeting. · The Parks and Recreation Department is working with the Boys & Girls Club on the transition and fee structure. A large softball tournament is scheduled for June 14th. · Dandelion control is a big issue right now and the Alaska Water Soil Association has a grant to educate the public on how to deal with noxious weeds and will be meeting with the Department. · Summer hire crews started work on Monday. · When asked about the cost of a security camera at the multipurpose facility, Frates reported Guardian Security is providing a cost estimate. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 5, 2003 PAGE 3 The FAA gave approval to use the land for the skateboard park close to the softball fields. There are some stipulations such as not expanding or enhancing the park, no bleachers or seating, etc. Public Works is requesting bids for the asphalt work. 7-c. City Council Liaison -- Councilwoman Porter provided a report based on actions taken at the June 4t~ City Council meeting. ITEM 8: COMMISSION OUESTIONS & COMMENTS Commissioner Hultberg asked when the Unity Bike Trail would be completed and if the contractor had plans to smooth out the edges. Hultberg added, he felt they are a major safety issue the way they are currently. Frates stated, the bike trail is a State project. It was noted, right-of-way negotiations are ongoing relating to a quarter mile section close to Eagle Rock. Hultberg suggested a letter be sent to former Commissioner Wisniewski to thank him for his participation on the Commission. It was pointed out the Mayor had already sent a letter. ITEM 9: PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD Mark Necessary, Kenai, Alaska -- Thanked the Commission for their hard work on the recreation center issue and stated he felt badly Wisniewski resigned because of it. Necessary asked the Commission to "hang in there." Kristine Schmidt, Kenai, Alaska -- Schmidt noted the following: · Expressed disappointment the City Council approved the partnership agreement with the Boys & Girls Club. Schmidt stated she also found it interesting the Council spent a lot of time discussing how to best use dust control funds, requesting alternatives be brought back to them; she was disappointed the same could not be done for the recreation center. · Asked the Commission to continue to investigate opportunities to operate City facilities, such as partnering with the Borough since they too use the facilities. · Asked the Commission to have work sessions to look at other alternatives. · Reported a petition was filed with the City Clerk to put the issue on the ballot. If the required signatures are obtained, then the contract could be suspended until the issue is resolved. Schmidt pointed out they are not going away. ITEM 10: INFORMATION 10-a. 10-b. Council Action Agendas of May 7 and 21, 2003. Beautification Committee Meeting Minutes of May 13, 2003. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 5, 2003 PAGE 4 10-c. 10-d. Approved Kenai City Council Policy for Commission, Committee, Board and Council on Aging Meetings and Work Sessions. Updated Membership List. ITEM 11' ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Minutes recorded and transcribed by: Barbara Roper, Contract ~ecretm~ PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 5, 2003 PAGE 5