HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-04 Parks & Recreation Packet - Work SessionKENAI PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
WORK SESSION – ANNUAL WORK PLAN
APRIL 4 , 2024 – 5:30 P.M.
KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
210 FIDALGO AVE., KENAI, AK 99611
*Telephonic/Virtual Information Below*
www.kenai.city
A.CALL TO ORDER
B. INTRODUCTION – Tyler Best, Parks and Recreation Director
C.COMMISSION DISCUSSION
1.Development of Annual Work Plan for Parks & Recreation Commission
D.PUBLIC COMMENTS (limited to 3 minutes per individual)
E.ADJOURNMENT
Registration is required to join the meeting remotely through Zoom. Please use the link
below to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpdeiopzktH9yYj66bluIDnNAwLoyOV2PR
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Tyler Best, Parks and Recreation Director
DATE: March 28th, 2024
SUBJECT: Annual Work Plan and Notes
On 3/26/34, the Parks and Recreation Director, Tyler Best, met with Vice Chair Solvala Kisena to
go over the Commission work plans notes from the previous meetings. Attached are the goals
and notes from the meeting provided by Vice Chair Kisena.
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2024 – PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION ANNUAL WORK PLAN
2024 Annual Work Plan City of Kenai Parks & Recreation Commission
INTRODUCTION
This area should include a brief description of the overall purpose of the commission.Note: Work plans developed by the advisory body will be submitted to the City Council for approval; therefore, it is a good idea to align the goals and objectives with city code, policy and the City of Kenai Comprehensive Plan.
Instructions:In the space provided below, create a list of issues and goals (objectives) your commission would like to address in the upcoming year, your list should also
include plans on how to address those issues. Each objective listed should include information regarding additional staff resources and/or community volunteers needed;
funding resources, are funds available in the budget if not are you proposing council include funding in the upcoming budget cycle; and how long is it expected to obtain
the objective. Pease prioritize the objectives of your group with number one (1) being the top priority.
GOAL OR OBJECTIVE COLLABORATION FUNDING RESOURCES TIME TO COMPLETE
Objective No. __________ Objective: _________________________________________________________________________________ Estimated Time to Complete: _____________________________
Strategy: (Provide a summary of tasks which need to be done to obtain the objective.)
Narrative: (Describe the benefits to the residents and visitors of the City.)
Collaboration: (Who needs to be involved to obtain the objective?)
Funding: (Are funds available, or is funding needed in a future budget?)
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01 Purpose - Tour Parks & Trails Twice Semi-Annually 16 Hours
The Parks & Recreation Commission (Commission) will work with the Parks & Recreation Department (Department) to tour the City's parks, trails, and recreation facilities
twice a year (spring and fall). Tours will include highlighting the Department's accomplishments and goals as well as facilitate the opportunity for the Commission to
provide recommendations on capital improvements and master plans. Transportation will be provided by the Department, if needed.
This objective will allow the Commission to effectively support 19.05.010 and 19.05.020 and adequately advise the Council and administration on issues involving the City’s
parks and recreational facilities.
Parks & Recreation Department
N/A
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Annual Work Plan - Objective #02 (Purpose - Public Requests
& Commission Recommendations)
Reporting public suggestions to Council and administration requires a systematic and
transparent approach to ensure that all voices are heard and considered.
Some citizens have the opportunity and means but few are able to regularly attend
meetings or review minutes to validate if action was taken on their feedback. While
tools currently exist to capture general feedback, we currently lack the follow-up
needed to effectively accomplish the goals outlined in 19.05.010.
Here's one methodology to effectively report and manage feedback from the public:
1.Establish a Clear Channel for Feedback:
Set up multiple channels for collecting suggestions, including online platforms,
physical suggestion boxes at public locations, email, dedicated phone lines, and
public meetings.
Ensure that these channels are easily accessible to all residents, including those
with limited internet access or language barriers.
2.Promote Awareness:
Launch a publicity campaign to inform the public about the feedback channels
and encourage participation.
Utilize various communication channels such as social media, local newspapers,
community newsletters, and flyers in public spaces.
3.Design a Structured Feedback Form:
Create a standardized feedback form to gather suggestions systematically. The
form should include fields for the submitter's name, contact information
(optional), suggestion category, description, and any supporting documents or
images.
Keep the form concise and user-friendly to encourage maximum participation.
4.Implement a Tracking System:
Develop a digital system to track and organize incoming suggestions. This could
be as simple as a spreadsheet, an internal SharePoint library, or as elaborate as a
customer relationship management (CRM) platform.
Assign unique identifiers to each suggestion for easy reference and tracking
throughout the review process.
5.Establish Review Criteria:
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Define clear criteria for evaluating suggestions, considering factors such as
feasibility, impact on the community, alignment with city goals and policies, and
cost-effectiveness.
Ensure that the review process is transparent and objective, with no bias towards
any particular group or individual.
6.Conduct Regular Review Meetings:
Include regular reviews in commission meetings with representatives from the
council, administration, departments, commissioners, and community
stakeholders.
Discuss and prioritize incoming suggestions based on the established criteria.
Document the outcomes of each meeting, including decisions made and
actions to be taken.
7.Provide Regular Updates to the Public:
Keep the public informed about the progress of their suggestions through regular
updates via the city's website, social media, newsletters, or public meetings.
Be transparent about the reasons behind the acceptance or rejection of
suggestions, providing feedback to submitters whenever possible.
8.Implement Accepted Suggestions:
Once suggestions are accepted, develop an implementation plan outlining the
necessary steps, timeline, responsible parties, and budget allocation.
Monitor the implementation process closely and address any challenges or
obstacles that arise.
9.Evaluate and Iterate:
Periodically evaluate the effectiveness of the feedback collection and review
process.
Solicit feedback from residents on their experience with submitting suggestions
and make improvements based on their input.
Continuously iterate and refine the strategy to ensure that it remains responsive
to the needs and preferences of the community.
By following this strategy, the Commission, Department, Council and Administration can
effectively manage public suggestions, fostering greater citizen engagement and
contributing to more inclusive and responsive governance.
Other Miscellaneous Notes
Items lost due to lack of a reporting mechanism:
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Why were connex dugouts for the Kenai Softball Association.
35% drawings for Sports Complex
Infield replacement and repairs
Batter box replacements
Relocate the Wisnewski disc golf course
Bathrooms at the Kenai Eagle
Camp ground using grant funds
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2024 – PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION ANNUAL WORK PLAN
2024 Annual Work Plan City of Kenai Parks & Recreation Commission
INTRODUCTION
This area should include a brief description of the overall purpose of the commission.Note: Work plans developed by the advisory body will be submitted to the City Council for approval; therefore, it is a good idea to align the goals and objectives with city code, policy and the City of Kenai Comprehensive Plan.
Instructions:In the space provided below, create a list of issues and goals (objectives) your commission would like to address in the upcoming year, your list should also
include plans on how to address those issues. Each objective listed should include information regarding additional staff resources and/or community volunteers needed;
funding resources, are funds available in the budget if not are you proposing council include funding in the upcoming budget cycle; and how long is it expected to obtain
the objective. Pease prioritize the objectives of your group with number one (1) being the top priority.
GOAL OR OBJECTIVE COLLABORATION FUNDING RESOURCES TIME TO COMPLETE
Objective No. __________ Objective: _________________________________________________________________________________ Estimated Time to Complete: _____________________________
Strategy: (Provide a summary of tasks which need to be done to obtain the objective.)
Narrative: (Describe the benefits to the residents and visitors of the City.)
Collaboration: (Who needs to be involved to obtain the objective?)
Funding: (Are funds available, or is funding needed in a future budget?)
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02 Purpose - Public Requests & Commission Recommendations 16
In order to effectively meet 19.05.010, the Parks & Recreation Commission (Commission) will work with collaborators to develop a systematic and transparent approach
for reporting requests or suggestions by the public, or from the public through the Commission, to collaborators. Key elements should include establishing channels for
feedback, promoting awareness, implement a tracking system, establishing review criteria, regular reviews at Commission meetings, evaluation, iteration, and
implementation, and regular updates to the public.
While this does not need to be elaborate in nature, and could be as simple as a running log tracked and shared by the Department, it should effectively provide a clear,
consistent, and accessible methodology for the public and/or Commission to communicate requests through the Department, Council, and administration.
Parks & Recreation Department, City Council, and Administration
TBD
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2024 – PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION ANNUAL WORK PLAN
2024 Annual Work Plan City of Kenai Parks & Recreation Commission
INTRODUCTION
This area should include a brief description of the overall purpose of the commission.Note: Work plans developed by the advisory body will be submitted to the City Council for approval; therefore, it is a good idea to align the goals and objectives with city code, policy and the City of Kenai Comprehensive Plan.
Instructions:In the space provided below, create a list of issues and goals (objectives) your commission would like to address in the upcoming year, your list should also
include plans on how to address those issues. Each objective listed should include information regarding additional staff resources and/or community volunteers needed;
funding resources, are funds available in the budget if not are you proposing council include funding in the upcoming budget cycle; and how long is it expected to obtain
the objective. Pease prioritize the objectives of your group with number one (1) being the top priority.
GOAL OR OBJECTIVE COLLABORATION FUNDING RESOURCES TIME TO COMPLETE
Objective No. __________ Objective: _________________________________________________________________________________ Estimated Time to Complete: _____________________________
Strategy: (Provide a summary of tasks which need to be done to obtain the objective.)
Narrative: (Describe the benefits to the residents and visitors of the City.)
Collaboration: (Who needs to be involved to obtain the objective?)
Funding: (Are funds available, or is funding needed in a future budget?)
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03 Purpose - CIP Work Sessions Twice Semi-Annually 4
The Parks & Recreation Commission (Commission) will work with the Parks & Recreation Department (Department) to hold CIP Work Sessions twice a year (spring and fall)
after the parks, trails, and recreation facilities tours. CIP Work Sessions will include a review of the status, progress, and accomplishments on existing capital improvements
as well as facilitate the opportunity for the Commission to provide additional recommendations on new or existing capital improvements.
This objective will allow the Commission to effectively support 19.05.010 and 19.05.020 and adequately advise the Council and administration on issues involving the City’s
parks and recreational facilities.
Parks & Recreation Department
N/A
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2024 – PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION ANNUAL WORK PLAN
2024 Annual Work Plan City of Kenai Parks & Recreation Commission
INTRODUCTION
This area should include a brief description of the overall purpose of the commission.Note: Work plans developed by the advisory body will be submitted to the City Council for approval; therefore, it is a good idea to align the goals and objectives with city code, policy and the City of Kenai Comprehensive Plan.
Instructions:In the space provided below, create a list of issues and goals (objectives) your commission would like to address in the upcoming year, your list should also
include plans on how to address those issues. Each objective listed should include information regarding additional staff resources and/or community volunteers needed;
funding resources, are funds available in the budget if not are you proposing council include funding in the upcoming budget cycle; and how long is it expected to obtain
the objective. Pease prioritize the objectives of your group with number one (1) being the top priority.
GOAL OR OBJECTIVE COLLABORATION FUNDING RESOURCES TIME TO COMPLETE
Objective No. __________ Objective: _________________________________________________________________________________ Estimated Time to Complete: _____________________________
Strategy: (Provide a summary of tasks which need to be done to obtain the objective.)
Narrative: (Describe the benefits to the residents and visitors of the City.)
Collaboration: (Who needs to be involved to obtain the objective?)
Funding: (Are funds available, or is funding needed in a future budget?)
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04 Master Plan - Project Support TBD
Based on other objectives previously identified by the Parks & Recreation Commission (Commission), and in the support of 19.05.020(a), the will work in collaboration with
the Parks & Recreation Department (Department) to identify items that would support future master plans.
The Commission serves as an effective intermediary between the public, the Department, Council, and Administration by conveying public feedback in a structured and
organized manner. Through this objective, the Commission will more effectively represent and communicate the diverse perspectives of the community, provide
expertise and specialization, capitalize on regular communication channels with the Department, serve as an accountable and transparent bridge between the public
and Council, and leverage the Commission's capacity to build stronger community engagement.
Parks & Recreation Department
N/A
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Annual Work Plan - Objective #04 (Master Plan – Project
Support)
The Commission serves as an effective intermediary between the public, the
Department, Council, and Administration by conveying public feedback in a structured
and organized manner.
Through this objective, the Commission will more effectively represent and
communicate the diverse perspectives of the community, provide expertise and
specialization, capitalize on regular communication channels with the Department,
serve as an accountable and transparent bridge between the public and Council, and
leverage the Commission's capacity to build stronger community engagement.
1.Representation of Diverse Perspectives:
The Commissions comprises members from various backgrounds, representing
different demographics, interests, and expertise within the community. This
diversity ensures that a wide range of perspectives and concerns are considered
when conveying public feedback to Council and the Administration.
2.Expertise & Specialization:
Our Commission members possess specialized knowledge and experience
relevant to the issues being communicated. This expertise can enhance the
quality and relevance of the feedback provided to Council and the
Administration.
3.Structured Process for Feedback Collection:
Through other objectives previously identified (namely Objective #03), this
Commission could effectively encourage and engage with public feedback,
including public hearings, surveys, focus groups, or other community forums.
These objectives would ensure that feedback is gathered in a systematic and
comprehensive manner, enabling the Commission to convey a well-rounded
representation of public sentiment to Council and the Administration.
4.Analysis and Synthesis of Feedback:
Commissions have the capacity to analyze and synthesize the feedback
received from the public, identifying common themes, concerns, and priorities.
This analysis enables the Commission to provide Council and the Administration
with actionable insights that can inform decision-making surrounding capital
improvements and master planning.
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5.Neutral & Objective Facilitation:
While the Commission operates within the framework established by the
Administration and Council, it often operates independently, serving as the
neutral facilitators of public feedback. This independence helps maintain trust
and credibility among community members, who may feel more comfortable
expressing their opinions to a neutral party.
6.Regular Communication Channels:
The Commission is afforded regular communication channels with the Parks &
Recreation Department and the Administration, allowing for ongoing dialogue
and an exchange of information. This benefit could be more effectively
leveraged to ensure public feedback is conveyed in a timely manner and that
the Council and the Administration remains responsive to community concerns
and priorities.
7.Accountability & Transparency:
By serving as a bridge between the public, Council and the Administration,
commissions contribute to accountability and transparency in governance. We
can work with the Administration and Council to ensure accountability for
considering public feedback in decision-making processes and ensure that the
public is informed about how their input is being used.
8.Capacity Building & Community Engagement:
The Commission provides an opportunity for community members to engage
directly in the decision-making process, encouraging and fostering civic
participation and empowerment. Through their involvement in commission
meetings, residents can develop a deeper understanding of public process and
actively engage in master planning for the City.
Overall, our Commission is dedicated to conveying public feedback to Council and the
Administration and can play a vital role in promoting inclusive, transparent, and
responsive public engagement, ultimately leading to more effective and equitable
outcomes for our parks, trails, and recreation facilities throughout the community.
Other Miscellaneous Notes
The following is a list of specific items that, in an effort to work collaboratively with the
Administration, were consolidated into this single work plan.
In the support of 19.05.020(a), the Parks & Recreation Commission will work with the
Parks & Recreation Department to map the existing trails and parks using GPS or
other GIS tools to integrate this data into the City's current mapping system as an
additional recreation "viewer." Additionally, this data should be added to other trails
databases (e.g. AllTrails.com) to provide additional access to Kenai's recreation
opportunities.
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Based on other objectives previously identified by the Parks & Recreation
Committee, and in the support of 19.05.020(a) and more broadly 19.05.010, the
Parks & Recreation Commission will work with the Parks & Recreation Department to
update the Parks & Recreation Website. This objective would include providing
narratives, photos, interviews and other voices from the community, etc.
Based on other objectives previously identified by the Parks & Recreation
Committee, and in the support of 19.05.020(a) and more broadly 19.05.010, the
Parks & Recreation Commission will work with the Parks & Recreation Department to
identify locations where signage can be added or modified to include QR codes
that would link directly to the park or trail's web page. Interpretive signage for our
parks and trails highlighting the natural resources and history of the area should also
be considered.
In the support of 19.05.020(a), the Parks & Recreation Commission will work with the
Parks & Recreation Department to identify locations for additional bike repair
locations.
In the support of 19.05.020(a), the Parks & Recreation Commission will work with the
Parks & Recreation Department to identify members of the public who are
interested in creating a Tsalteshi Trails for the Kenai.
In the support of 19.05.020(a), and based on other objectives previously identified by
the Parks & Recreation Commission, work with the Parks & Recreation Department to
identify opportunities and locations to share information regarding the small
anadromous streams throughout the City of Kenai including tie-ins to the local parks
and courses (e.g. naming the golf course hole after the stream or fish that run
through it).
Create an indoor batting and pitching cage(s) in the Kenai Recreation Center. This
objective could include identifying potential user groups, traffic, and comparable
fees, releases, etc.
Create a permanent bathroom facility (similar to Daubenspeck Family Park) for the
Kenai Eagle Disc Golf Course.
Identify areas where additional off-street parking could be developed for the Green
Strip and Municipal Park. This objective may tie to Objective #3 and the overall
intention of 19.05.020(a), master plan support.
Identify potential locations and viability of an outdoor aquatic center and public
splash pad. This objective may tie to Objective #3 and the overall intention of
19.05.020(a), master plan support.
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