HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-13 Beautification Commission PacketKenai Beautification Commission
Regular Meeting
January 13, 2026 - 6:00 PM
Kenai City Hall - Council Chambers
KENAI210 Fidalgo Ave., Kenai, AK 99611
*Telephonic/Virtual Information on Page 1*
Agenda
A. CALL TO ORDER
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Roll Call
3. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
4. Agenda Approval
B. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS (Public comments limited to ten (10) minutes per speaker)
C. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT (Public comments limited to three (3) minutes per speaker;
thirty (30) minutes aggregated)
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
December 9, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes....................................................... 3
E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
F. NEW BUSINESS
Discussion - Recap 2025 Workplan Goals........................................................... 6
Discussion - Discuss 2026 Workplan Goals ........................................................ 11
G. REPORTS
1. Parks & Recreation Director
2. Commission Chair
3. City Council Liaison
H. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (Public comments limited to five (5) minutes per speaker)
I. NEXT MEETING ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION -April 14, 2026
J. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
K. ADJOURNMENT
L. INFORMATION ITEMS
1. November Mid -Month Report
Registration is required to join the meeting remotely through Zoom. Please use the link below to register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/xCWybbSgRJCoQHiMOtX4Fw
Beautification Commission Page 1 of 2
January 13, 2026
1
The agenda and agenda items are posted on the City's website at www.kenai.city. Copies of the agenda items are
available at the City Clerk's Office or outside of Council Chambers prior to the meeting. Please contact the Parks
and Recreation Director at 907-283-8262 for additional details.
*"COMMISSIONERS, PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING"
Beautification Commission Page 2 of 2
January 13, 2026 ❑
2
KENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION — REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 09, 2025 — 6:00 P.M.
KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
210 FIDALGO AVE., KENAI, AK 99611
CHAIR SARAH DOUTHIT, PRESIDING
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Beautification Commission was held on December 09, 2025, in the Kenai City
Council Chambers, Kenai, AK. Chair Douthit called the meeting to order at approximately 6:01 p.m.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Douthit led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Roll Call
There were present:
Sarah Douthit, Chair Emily Heale
Samantha Springer Sonja Earsley, Vice Chair
Brittney Hoffert
A quorum was present.
Absent:
None
Also in attendance was:
Tyler Best, Parks & Recreation Director
3. Agenda Approval
MOTION:
Commissioner Hoffert MOVED to approve the agenda as presented. Commissioner Earsley SECONDED
the motion.
VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED.
B. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
C. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. October 14, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION:
Commissioner Heale MOVED to approve the October 14, 2025 Beautification Commission minutes.
Commissioner Hoffert SECONDED the motion.
VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED.
E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None.
F. NEW BUSINESS
Beautification Commission Meeting Page 1 of 3 December 09, 2025
3
1. Discussion/Recommendation - Recommending Parks and Recreation Projects for the Fiscal
Year 2027 - Fiscal Year 2031 Capital Improvement Plan, as shown in the CIP Plan Memo.
MOTION:
Commissioner Earsley MOVED to recommend City Council approval of the Parks and Recreation
Projects for the Fiscal Year 2027 - Fiscal Year 2031 Capital Improvement Plan. Commissioner Hoffert
SECONDED the motion.
Director Best provided a summary overview of the memorandum as provided in the packet.
There was discussion in support of the projects as outlined.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the motion.
MOTION PASSED.
2. Discussion - 2026 Spring Flower Order
Director Best provided a summary overview of the memorandum as provided in the packet.
Clarification was provided on flower types and there was support stated for the order overall; however,
two members did not support the purchase of kale.
3. Discussion - Mural Locations and Themes
Director Best provided a summary overview of the memorandum as provided in the packet.
There was discussion regarding potential locations including: Green Strip, Kenai Recreation Center and
the when entering into City limits.
4. Discussion - 2024 Winter Tour Recap
Director Best provided a summary overview of the memorandum as provided in the packet.
There was discussion regarding colors and placement of lights, and support for a more uniform or
concentrated color scheme.
G. REPORTS
1. Parks & Recreation Director - Director Best reported on the following:
• Presented materials included in the packet.
• Reminded Commissioners about mid -month reports.
• Mentioned the upcoming joint work session with the City Council.
2. Commission Chair - Chair Douthit reported on the following:
• Meeting with Director Best to review the Capital Improvement Plan
3. City Council Liaison - No report.
H. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
I. NEXT MEETING ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION - January 13, 2026.
J. COMMISSION QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Springer expressed excitement about summer flowers and fatigue with winter ice.
Commissioner Hoffert asked about decorating Daubenspeck Pond; Director Best responded that staff
decorates it when possible.
Beautification Commission Meeting Page 2 of 3 ❑
December 09, 2025
4
Commissioner Earsley thanked staff for putting together the meeting packet.
Commissioner Heale thanked staff for their work and reflected on her final meeting.
Chair Douthit noted there are currently three vacancies on the commission.
Commissioner Hoffert mentioned she is moving outside city limits; Chair Douthit advised contacting the
City Clerk.
K. ADJOURNMENT
L. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - July 2025 and August 2025 Mid -month Reports.
There being no further business before the Beautification Commission, the meeting was adjourned at
approximately 7:07 p.m.
I certify the above represents accurate minutes of the Beautification Commission meeting of December
09, 2025.
Logan Parks
Deputy City Clerk
Beautification Commission Meeting Page 3 of 3 December 09, 2025
5
L
I000,
City of Kenai
MEMORANDUM
K E N 4
210 Fidalgo Ave, Kenai, AK 99611-7794 1907.283.75351 www.kenai.city
TO: Chair Douthit and Beautification Commission
FROM: Tyler Best, Parks & Recreation Director
DATE: January 6th, 2026
SUBJECT: 2025 Workplan Review
This memo provides a summary review of the Beautification Commission's 2025 Annual Work
Plan objectives and documents the level of completion for each objective based on actions taken
by the commission during the year. The information below reflects the Parks and Recreation
Department's interpretation of progress and completion status and is intended to assist the
commission in evaluating its accomplishments.
The objective -by -objective breakdown that follows outlines the original intent of each goal,
identifies whether the objective was completed, partially completed, or not completed, and
provides supporting context for each determination.
This memo is not the commission's final report to the City Council. The commission will need to
designate a member to prepare a commission -authored report that incorporates or responds to
the information below. That report will be brought forward for commission review and approval.
Upon the commission's approval, the final report will be forwarded to the City Council.(See the
report document attached)
2025 Workplan review:
Objective 1: Parks and Garden Tour
Status: Completed
A Parks Garden Tour was conducted during the fall of 2025. The tour provided insight into
flowers, landscaping, and decorative elements throughout City parks and public spaces.
Information gathered during the tour supported discussion regarding potential updates and
changes to improve the beautification of the City of Kenai.
Objective 2: Winter Tour
Status: Not Completed
A publicly noticed Winter Beautification Tour was scheduled. After convening, the commission
members decided not to participate in the tour. Parks and Recreation staff visited the tour
locations at the posted times to verify public attendance; no members of the public were
present.
F
Objective 3: Lief Hansen Memorial Fountain
Status: Completed
The Lief Hansen Memorial Fountain was a focal point of the fall tour, during which commission
members provided input on the fountain and the immediate surrounding area. Feedback
received fulfilled the intent of this objective and contributed to ongoing discussions regarding
future improvements.
Objective 4: City -Wide Murals
Status: Partially Completed
This objective was originally scheduled for discussion during a regular commission meeting;
however, the meeting was canceled due to a lack of quorum. The item was subsequently
addressed as a discussion item during a special meeting held in December. While progress was
made through discussion, the objective remains partially completed.
Objective 5: Banners and Static Displays
Status: Completed
The commission voted on a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) item to revitalize light pole
decorations and discussed current lighting restrictions. The commission fulfilled its advisory role
by providing feedback on the development and improvement of static displays throughout the
City.
Page 2 of 2
The City of Kenai I www.kenai.city
,;C:,/) K I N A I COMMISSION NAME COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT
SUMMARY OF REPORT
Provide a brief description of the report, include overall guidance and direction that the commission gave
the city in recommendations.
MISSION STATEMENT +
Its not necessary; however, restating the mission statement of the board is a good reminder to the reader
about the commissions purpose.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Provide a bullet point list of highlights.
• Use broad descriptions including the problem and solution.
• Be brief, do not provide details in the highlights.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Provide an Objective Title
Detailed description of the accomplishment to include, but not limited to dates, locations, data collected,
department and community support, and challenges faced.
Provide an Objective Title
Include a paragraph for all of the different projects and accomplishments, the highlight section of the report should
guide the readers to here for more detail.
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
This section should be used to detail how the accomplished item benefited the City, residents and visitors.
Really emphasize community engagement with the item.
Annual Commission Report City
,�C/' K I N A
COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT
SUMMARY OF REPORT
MISSION STATEMENT
HIGHLIGHTS
0
Annual Commission Report City
T( K I N A
COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
Annual Commission Report
L
I000,
City of Kenai
MEMORANDUM
K E N 4
210 Fidalgo Ave, Kenai, AK 99611-7794 1907.283.75351 www.kenai.city
TO: Chair Douthit and Beatification Commission
FROM: Tyler Best, Parks & Rec Director
DATE: January 6t", 2026
SUBJECT: Annual Commission Work Plan
The purpose of this memo is to help guide the Commission in developing a work plan. Attached
to this memo is the work plan template to fill out.
As outlined in the Kenai Municipal Code, the Beautification Commission's purpose is to advise
the Council and Administration on enhancing the City's appearance. Duties include advising on
seasonal displays, decorations, and annual plantings of flora, advising on city beautification
issues or projects as requested, and submitting an annual list of recommended capital
improvements. Kenai Municipal Code 1.95.020.
Please review the attached template with the Kenai Municipal Code in mind and consider any
updates, new initiatives, or priorities that would advance the Commission's role. At the upcoming
meeting, the Commission will discuss these ideas and identify a member to finalize the proposed
work plan goals on paper. That member will bring the completed goals to a future meeting for the
Commission's review and discussion. Once the goals are finalized and approved by the
Commission, they will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration.
K I N A I COMMISSION ANNUAL WORK PLAN
INTRODUCTION
This area should include the advisory body's missions' statement and 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, identify an issue or goals (objective) your commission would like to address in the upcoming year, the information provided
should include plans on how to address those issues. This item 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 (objective number).
GOAL OR OBJECTIVE COLLABORATION
Objective No. Objective:
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.)
FUNDING RESOURCES
TIME TO COMPLETE
Estimated Time to Complete:
Annual Commission Work Plan
K I N A I COMMISSION ANNUAL WORK PLAN
Collaboration: (Who needs to be involved to obtain the objective?)
Funding: (Are funds available, or is funding needed in a future budget?)
Annual Commission Work Plan