HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-10 Parks & Recreation SummarySPECIAL MEETING
KENAI PARKS 8c RECREATYON COMMIe
APRIL 10, 8008
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5:30 P.M.
AGENDA
ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL
ITEM 3: NEW BUSINESS
a. Discussion/Recommendation -- Draft Ordinance/Regulating Use of
Motorized Vehicles on the Public Beach, Sand Dunes, and Bluff Slope of
the North Shore Area From the North Side of the Mouth of the Kenai
River to the Kenai City Limits.
YTEM 4: PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD
ITEM 5: ADJOURNMENT
MEET%NG SUMMARY
ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
Chair Sandahl called the meeting to order at approximately 5:34 p.m. Ro11 was
confirmed as follows:
Commissioners present: A. Hull, D. Sandahl, M. Gabriel, J. Beeson
Commissioners absent: J. Foglia, T. Wortham, K. McDonald
Others present: Parks 8r, Recreation Director B. Frates, Council Member B.
Eldridge
A quorum was present.
YTEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL
A request was made to include City Manager R. Koch's memorandum related to the
draft ordinance be added to the packet. There were no other changes made to the
agenda and it was approved.
ITEM 3: NEW BITSYNESS
3-a. Discussion/Recommendation -- Draft Ordinance/Regulating Use of
Motorized Vehicles on the Public Beach, Sand Dunes, and Bluff Slope of
the North Shore Area From the North Side of the Mouth of the Kenai
River to the Kenai City Limits.
MOTION:
Commissiorier Hull MOVED to recommend approval of the draft ordinance to the
council, including the memorandum of City Manager Koch. Commissioner Beeson
SECONDED the motion.
The floor was opened for public hearing.
Dennis Gregory -- Spoke in opposition to the ordinance, noting the following:
• Lack of advertising.
• It would penalize residents one percent of the year and would be too
restrictive for handicap, elderly, and others.
• It could increase refuse left behind by campers since walking in/out and
increase traffic on dunes.
• Will lead to more demand on enforcement duties and would be difficult to
enforce.
• The ordinance would not do what it was intended to do and encouraged
more time for advertising, observation, and input from the community.
Bob Peters, Old Tocvn, Kenai -- Peters noted the following:
• Questioned why the ordinance was being proposed and asked if it would
be in effect year-round.
The beach is used by a lot of folks, including driving the beach, and is a
real asset to the community.
• He opposed the ordinance and was of the opinion, it was too restrictive.
Rick Koch, City Manager, City of Kenai -- Koch noted the following:
• Agreed with some of Peters' remarks.
• Reviewed administration's action to address issues, i.e. additional
seasonal staff, fencing, signage, and staff coverage.
• Cited prohibitions already in place related to concerns of ATV use,
motorized traffic and destruction of dunes.
• Expressed concerns to where the vehicles would be displaced.
• Conflicts between commercial users and dip net fishers the past two
years had been minimal, he had not heard significant complaints from
commercial users, and most comments had been favorable.
Chuck Kopp, Kenai Chief of Police -- Comments included expanded police efforts
and data with regard to estimated participants, tickets and management practices.
Commissioner discussion followed, including the following comments:
• Percentage of local users versus outside the Kenai Peninsula.
• Number of permits issued by Fish 8s Game.
• Daily use estimates, frequency of complaints, enforcement tickets issued,
and management tools in place to address those issues.
• Concern that 97% of the participants live outside the community and due
to their lack of caring, ruin the beach use for local residents.
• Passage of the ordinance would not be the answer to the
problems/issues.
• Satisfaction with the dip net report and administration's level of effort
and direction.
• Suggested forward thinking to relocate current Little League fields to
Section 36 and space from fields could be used or parking/camping.
VOTE:
Hull No Sandahl No Foglia Absent
McDonald Absent Wortham Absent ~ Gabriel No
Beeson No
MOTION FAILED UNANIMOUSLY.
SPECIAL PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
APRIL 10, 2008
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ITEM 4: PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None.
ITEM 5:
MOTION:
Commissioner Hull MOEIED to adjourn and Commissioner Gabriel SECONDED the
motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED.
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at
approximately 6:39 p.m.
Meeting summary prepared and submitted by:
Carol L. Freas,"City Clerk
SPECIAL PARKS 8v RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
APRIL 10, 2008
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